The American Commissioners next abandoned the claim of drying fish on the coast of Newfoundland, on condition that their fishermen should be given the right on the unsettled parts of the coast of Nova Scotia. The right of fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence was at the same time conceded to them.
The future position of the Loyalists alone remained to be dealt with; for the right of the King to the ungranted domain had to be abandoned, as Oswald had foreseen. The struggle on this point proved very sharp, and Oswald wrote in terms of the highest praise of the skill, knowledge, and perseverance of his colleague.[1] The American Commissioners however would not yield. "With regard to the refugees," wrote Strachey to Townshend, "I see nothing for them except what you have in Canada, and the little piece now added to Nova Scotia, between the original boundary sent to you by Mr. Oswald and that now obtained."[2]
Before leaving Paris however, Strachey and Oswald addressed formal and separate demands in writing to the American Commissioners on the subject of the Loyalists, to which the latter again refused to listen, except upon condition that England should agree to make retribution to those Americans who had suffered loss by the depredations of the English army. Notwithstanding this refusal, Strachey still believed that Jay and Adams would make some concession on the point rather than break off the treaty; Oswald recognized the obduracy of Franklin,
- ↑ Oswald to Shelburne, October 29th, 1782. Oswald to Townshend, October 29th, 1782. Strachey to Townshend, October 29th, 1782. Franklin to Townshend, November 4th, 1782. Oswald to Townshend, November 5th, 6th, 7th, 1782.
- ↑ Strachey to Townshend, November 8th, 1782.
Treaty of 1783 necessitated the retention of the western forts by Great Britain for several years as a security, nor was it until 1797 that they were all surrendered. In that year Lord Lansdowne expressed himself on the boundary question in a letter to Major William Jackson as follows: "I cannot express to you the satisfaction I have felt in seeing the forts given up. I may tell you in confidence what may astonish you, as it did me, that up to the very last debate in the House of Lords, the Ministry did not appear to comprehend the policy upon which the boundary line was drawn, and persist in still considering it as a measure of necessity not of choice. However it is indifferent who understands it. The deed is done; and a strong foundation laid for eternal amity between England and America. General Washington's conduct is above all praise. He has left a noble example to sovereigns and nations: present and to come."—March 5th, 1797.
