The British government now found the struggle too costly to continue and decided to settle for peace on American terms. The American peace commission included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. Thomas Jefferson was also appointed but did not
Go to France. Although the American delegation had been directed by Congress to negotiate in coordination with the French, because of the complicated issues involving Spain and other countries, the Americans settled with the British independently. French Minister Count Ver-gennes was not pleased, but recognized that the result was favorable to the Americans.
By playing France off against England, the Americans secured highly favorable terms: American independence was recognized; all territory east of the Mississippi River between Canada and Florida was ceded to the United States; the Americans were granted joint navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to use fisheries off the Canadian coast; there was to be no lawful impediment to the collection of private debts on either side, and restitution was recommended for the loyalists; finally, the British were to withdraw from all outposts in the Northwest. The Americans were successful for a variety of reasons, some purely fortuitous. Some British, for example, were quite comfortable with American independence. They also wanted good trade relations, they wanted to keep America outside the sphere of French influence, and they were still at war with much of Europe.
World History
