TRAITÉ D'AMITIÉ ET DE COMMERCE, CONCLU ENTRE LE ROI ET LES ÉTATS-UNIS DE L'AMÉRIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE, LE 6 FÉVRIER 1778 [caption title].

[United States-France Treaty]:

Published by Lyon: L'Imprimerie du Roi, 1778.

About this Item

A rare printing of the first French-American treaty, and the first treaty between the United States and any other country. Having struggled to find allies in their fight against England, the fledgling United States achieved recognition from France when news of Burgoyne's defeat reached Paris. In February 1778 the American commissioners, Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Lee, and Silas Deane, negotiated both the treaty of amity and commerce, published herein, and a treaty of military alliance. Because France wished to consult with its ally, Spain, the alliance treaty was not immediately published in France, and probably first appeared in print in Philadelphia; the amity and commerce treaty was published immediately, however, first appearing in Paris. France and the United States grant each other most-favored nation trade status and agree to protect each other's commercial vessels. Both parties also agree to abstain from fishing in each other's waters, with the United States especially agreeing to refrain from fishing on the banks of Newfoundland. Howes records two Paris editions: one of 23 and another of 8 pages, both of which appear in the NUC; and OCLC records one copy of this Lyon printing at the American Philosophical Society, as well as other regional printings in Aix and possibly Grenoble, known in a total of three copies. This Lyon printing is also noted by Echeverria & Wilkie, who locate only a single copy, in a private collection. A very rare edition of a treaty of the greatest importance to the United States, marking its first recognition by another power and the beginning of a relationship crucial to the winning of American independence. ECHEVERRIA & WILKIE 778/35A. HOWES T328 (ref). SABIN 96565 (ref). MALLOY, p.468. REESE, REVOLUTIONARY HUNDRED 51 (ref). OCLC 84498236. Quarto. Modern marbled boards, leather label. Near fine.

Seller Inventory # 34307

Bibliographic Details

• Title: TRAITÉ D'AMITIÉ ET DE COMMERCE, CONCLU ENTRE LE ROI ET LES ÉTATS-UNIS DE L'AMÉRIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE, LE 6 FÉVRIER 1778 [caption title].
• Publisher: Lyon: L'Imprimerie du Roi, 1778.