Answers to Mr. Hartley’s Six Propositions for the definitive Treaty. To the 1st. This matter has been already regulated in the 5th and 6th. Articles of the provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our Powers: The Rest must be left to the Several States.

2d. All the Lakes, Rivers and Waters divided by the Boundary Line or Lines, between the United States and his Britannic Majesty’s Territories shall be freely used and navigated by both Parties during the whole extent of such Division. Regulations concerning Roads, Carrying Places and any Land Communications between said Waters, whether within the Line of the United States of that of his Majesty, together with the Navigation of all Waters and Rivers in America belonging to either Party, may be made in a Negotiation of a Treaty of Commerce.

3d. That in all Places belonging to the United States in the Country adjoining to the Water Line of Division, and which during the War were in his Majesty’s Possession, all Persons at present resident, or having Possessions or Occupations, as Merchants or otherwise, may remain in the peaceable Enjoyment of all civil Rights, and in Pursuit of their occupations until they shall receive Notice of Removal from Congress, or the State to which any such Place may appertain, and that upon any such Notice of Removal, a Term of two years shall be allowed for selling or withdrawing their Effects, and for settling their affairs.

4. That his Britannic Majesty’s Forces exceeding [blank] in Number, may continue in the Posts now occupied by them, contiguous to the Water Line, untill Congress shall give them Notice to evacuate the said Posts; and Garrisons of their own shall arrive at said Posts for the Purpose of securing the Lives, Property and Peace of any Persons settled in that Country, against the Invasion or Ravages of the Neighbouring Indian Nations who may be suspected of retaining Resentments in consequence of the late War.

5th. The Consideration of this Proposition may be left to the Treaty of Commerce.