those rivers that empty themselves into the river Saint Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlantick ocean, to the north-westernmost head of Connecticut river; thence down along the middle of that river to the fortyfifth degree of north latitude; from thence by a line due west on said latitude, until it strikes the river Iroquois, or Cataraqui; thence along the middle of said river into lake Ontario, through the middle of said lake until it strikes the communication by water between that lake and lake Erie; thence along the middle of said communication into lake Erie, through the middle of said lake until it arrives at the water communication between that lake and lake Huron; thence along the middle of said water communication into lake Huron; thence through the middle of the said lake to the water communication between that lake and lake Superiour; thence through lake Superiour northward of the isles Royal and Philipeaux to the Long lake; thence through the middle of said Long lake, and the water communication between it and the lake of the Woods, to the said lake of the Woods; thence through the said lake to the most north-western point thereof; and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi; thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of the said river Mississippi until it shall intersect the northernmost part of the thirty-first degree of north latitude; south by a line to be drawn due east from the determination of the line last mentioned in the latitude of thirty-one degrees north of the equator, to the middle of the river Apalachicola, or Catahouche; thence along the middle thereof to its junction with the Flint river; thence strait to the head

of St. Mary's river; and thence down along the middle of St. Mary's river to the Atlantick ocean; east, by a line to be drawn along the middle of the river St. Croix from its mouth in the bay of Fundy to its source; and from its source directly north to the aforesaid highlands, which divide the rivers that fall into the Atlantick ocean from those which fall into the river St. Lawrence ;-comprehending all islands within twenty leagues of any part of the shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due east from the points where the aforesaid boundaries between Nova Scotia on the one part, and East Florida on the other, shall respectively touch the bay of Fundy and the Atlantick ocean, excepting such islands as now are or heretofore have been, within the limits of the said province of Nova Scotia.

Thirdly, That as the Indians, notwithstanding a solemn treaty of neutrality with Congress at the commencement of the war, notwithstanding all the advice and admonition given them during its prosecution, could not be restrained from acts of hostility and wanton devastation, but were determined to join their arms to those of Great Britain, and to share their fortunes, so consequently with a less generous people than Americans, they might be compelled to retire beyond the lakes; but as we prefer clemency to rigour, as we persuade ourselves that their eyes are open to their errour, and that they have found by fatal experience that their true interest and safety must depend upon our friendship; as the country is large enough to contain and support us all, and as we are disposed to be kind to them, to supply their wants, and to partake of their

trade, we, from these considerations, and from motives of compassion, draw a veil over what is passed, and will establish a boundary line between them and us, beyond which we will restrain our citizens from hunting and settling, and within which the Indians shall not come, but for the purpose of trading, treating, or other business equally unexceptionable.

Fourthly, That the following lines shall be proposed to be mutually agreed upon and established between the United States and the several tribes of Indians who shall be affected thereby; beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami river, which empties into the Ohio; thence along the said river Miami to its confluence with the Mad river; thence by a direct line to the Miami fort at the village of that name on the other Miami river which empties into lake Erie; thence along the lastmentioned river to lake Erie, comprehending all the lands between the abovementioned lines and the state of Pennsylvania on the east, lake Erie on the north, and the river Ohio on the south-east.

Fifthly, That the commissioners for the northern and middle departments, or such other persons as may be appointed by Congress, unite together in holding one convention with the Indians inhabiting the districts aforesaid, and their allies and dependents, for the purposes aforesaid; and only yield to separate conventions in case of inevitable necessity.

Sixthly, And whereas the Oneida and Tuscarora tribes have adhered to the cause of America, and joined her arms in the course of the late war, and Congress have frequently assured them of peculiar marks of favour and friendship, the said commission

ers are therefore instructed to reassure the said tribes of the friendship of the United States, and that they may rely that the land which they claim as their inheritance will be reserved for their sole use and benefit, until they may think it for their own advantage to dispose of the same.

Seventhly, That the said commissioners be and they are hereby instructed, to obtain a particular account of the French inhabitants of Detroit, Illinois, and other villages within the territories of the United States; and that they give assurances in the name of the United States to those inhabitants who shall profess their allegiance to the United States, that they shall be protected in the full enjoyment of their liberty and their just and lawful property.

Eighthly, That the said commissioners be and they are hereby instructed, not to admit into a treaty with the said Indians, or suffer to be in any manner connected with it, any article, stipulation, or condition whatsoever, making or confirming, or tending to make or confirm, to any individual, or individuals, any grant or grants of land, whether real or pretended, within the bounds of the United States as before described.

Ninthly, That the said commissioners be and they are hereby also instructed, to obtain information of the number and places of residence of the citizens of the United States who have seated themselves on the northwest side of the Ohio; to signify to them the displeasure of Congress that they have taken this step, with which the publick interest and repose are so intimately connected, without permission or authority, and to discourage, to the utmost of their power, all intrusions

into any of the territories of the United States within. their respective departments.

DECEMBER 22, 1783.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. M'Henry, appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the publick audience of general Washington

Resolved, That the order for the publick audience of general Washington be as follows:

1. The President and members are to be seated and covered, and the Secretary to be standing by the side of the President.

2d. The arrival of the General is to be announced by the messenger to the Secretary, who is thereupon to introduce the General, attended by his aids, to the hall of Congress.

3d. The General, being conducted to a chair by the Secretary, is to be seated with an aid on each side standing, and the Secretary is to resume his place.

4th. After a proper time for the arrangement of spectators, silence is to be ordered by the Secretary, if necessary, and the President is to address the General in the following words:

66 SIR,

"The United States in Congress assembled are pre"pared to receive your communications :"

Whereupon the General is to arise, and address Congress. After which he is to deliver his commission and a copy of his address to the President.