Great Britain

The definitive treaty of peace which ended the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain was concluded September 3, 1783. Failure to fulfill some of the provisions of this treaty—notably the evacuation of the northern frontier posts— led to the negotiation of the Jay Treaty. This conce ion (of evacuation) with some doubtful commercial privileges was almost the only advantage secured by the new treaty, which gave more than it gained, and proved very unpopular, though it was ratified. British orders-in council, damaging to American commerce, and the arbitrary impre ment of American seamen, resulted in the War of 1812-15 (see next art.), which was ended by the treaty of peace known as the Treaty of Ghent, which provided for commi ions to settle the northern boundary. A commercial convention was concluded in 1815. The convention of 1818 reaffirmed the right of the United States to the enjoyment of the northeastern fisheries subject to certain renunciations. It referred to arbitration the question of the return of the slaves captured during the War of 1812, which was finally decided in favor of the United States, and an indemnity paid. It attempted to settle the northwest boundary. The Ash burton Treaty of 1842 determined the long-disputed northeast boundary and provided for the mutual suppre ion of the slave trade. The acquisition of California and the question of its approaches acro the Isthmus led to new difficulties with Great Britain. The Clayton- Bulwer Treaty of 1850 was concluded to settle all difficulties as to Central American rights, but a difficulty of interpretation led to the conclusion of the Dallas-Clarendon Treaty of 1854, which failed of ratification, and the matter was not satisfactorily adjusted for several years. In 1853 a claims convention was concluded, a reciprocity treaty in 1854 and a treaty for the suppre ion of the slave trade in 1862—afterward modified. A naturalization convention was concluded in 1870. A treaty (Treaty of Washington) was concluded May 8, 1871. to settle questions arising from the American Civil War. It provided for a commi ion of arbitration which awarded $15,500,000 to the United States, and settled important questions of international law. This treaty further adjusted differences relating to the northeastern fisheries, and $5,500,000 were awarded to Great Britain. Also the northwestern boundary dispute (or San Juan question) was referred to the Emperor of Germany, who decided in favor of the United States. An extradition treaty was concluded in 1890. The latest difficulty between the two nations has been the Behring Sea dispute. This arose over the right to take seals in certain waters claimed by the United States as under its exclusive jurisdiction. A treaty of arbitration was signed February 29, 1892, which provided for a tribunal of arbitration. It met in Paris, and on Angust 15, 1893, signed an agreement which denies exclusive American jurisdiction beyond the three-mile limit, and grants damages for seizures by the United States, but establishes protective regulations binding upon both nations. In 1892 a reciprocity treaty was concluded respecting the British West Indies. 303