Convention of 1800 (Treaty of Mortefontaine)

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The Convention of 1800, also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine, ended the Quasi-War between the United States and France. It established, among other things:

1. That "There shall be a firm, inviolable, and universal peace, and a true and sincere Friendship between the French Republic, and the United States of America..." (ARTICLE I)
2. That all prior agreements between the two countries concerning alliance and mutual trade were no longer operative (ARTICLE II)
3. That each was to return public ships captured in the war (ARTICLE III)
4. That free passage for all goods (except war materiel to declared enemies) and passports were to be established. (several articles)
5. That each nation was to give the other the equivalent of "Most Favored Nation" trade status (ARTICLES VI, X, and XI.)
6. In case of future wars between the countries, merchants and citizens would have six months to remove themselves and dispose of their assets in the other country. Individual's assets would not be frozen in future conflicts. (ARTICLES VIII and IX.)
7. Privateers would have to enter sureties to cover any unlawful damage inflicted in the future (in modern terms, they would have to carry insurance) (ARTICLE XXIII.)
8. That French fishing rights off Newfoundland and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence were to be guaranteed. (ARTICLE XXVII.)

The treaty was signed at Paris on the September 30, 1800 and was proclaimed after being ratified by both countries on December 21, 1801.

[edit] See also

• Quasi-War
• XYZ affair

[edit] References

Text of treaty at Yale Law School, Avalon Project