Treaty of Paris 1783 [Disputed Terms, Excerpt]
Article
4:
It
is agreed that creditors on either side shall meet with no lawful impediment to
the recovery of the full value in sterling money of all bona fide debts
heretofore contracted.
Article
5:
It
is agreed that Congress shall earnestly recommend it to the legislatures of the
respective states to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and
properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects; and
also of the estates, rights, and properties of persons resident in districts in
the possession on his Majesty's arms and who have not borne arms against the
said United States. And that persons of any other description shall have free
liberty to go to any part or parts of any of the thirteen United States and
therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavors to obtain the
restitution of such of their estates, rights, and properties as may have been
confiscated; and that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several
states a reconsideration and revision of all acts or laws regarding the
premises, so as to render the said laws or acts perfectly consistent not only
with justice and equity but with that spirit of conciliation which on the
return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail. And that Congress
shall also earnestly recommend to the several states that the estates, rights,
and properties, of such last mentioned persons shall be restored to them, they
refunding to any persons who may be now in possession the bona fide price
(where any has been given) which such persons may have paid on purchasing any
of the said lands, rights, or properties since the confiscation.
And
it is agreed that all persons who have any interest in confiscated lands, either
by debts, marriage settlements, or otherwise, shall meet with no lawful
impediment in the prosecution of their just rights.