Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/488

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
452
WILLIAM, EARL OF SHELBURNE

which shall have been advanced for the subsistence and maintenance of their prisoners, by the sovereign of the country where they shall have been detained, according to the receipts and attested accounts, and other authentic titles, which shall be produced on each side.

Art. 22. In order to prevent all causes of complaint and dispute which may arise on account of prizes which may be made at sea after the signing of these preliminary Articles, it is reciprocally agreed, that the vessels and effects which may be taken in the Channel, and in the North Seas, after the space of 12 days to be computed from the ratification of the present preliminary Articles, shall be restored on each side. That the term shall be one month, from the Channel, and the North Seas, as far as the Canary Islands, inclusively, whether in the ocean or in the Mediterranean. Two months, from the said Canary Islands, as far as the equinoctial line, or equator. And lastly, five months in all other parts of the world, without any exception, or any other more particular description of time and place.

Art. 23. The ratifications of the present preliminary Articles shall be expedited in good and due form, and exchanged in the space of one month, or sooner if it can be done, to be computed from the day of the signature of the present Articles.

In witness whereof, we the under-written ministers plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty, and of his most Christian Majesty, by virtue of our respective full powers, have signed the present preliminary Articles, and have caused the seal of our arms to be put thereto.

Done at Versailles, the 20th of January, 1783.

Alleyne Fitz-Herbert, (L.S.)
Gravier de Vergennes, (L.S.)