Ronald Reagan

“ On September 3, 1983, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which brought our War of Independence from Great Britain to a successful and formal conclusion.
When our Founding Fathers boldly declared our independence in 1776, our fledgling Nation began a seven-year struggle for its freedom and survival; at no other time in our history has our security and existence been so severely threatened. Yet we emerged from the Revolutionary War a united and sovereign Nation. ”

“ The American Peace Commissioners who negotiated the Treaty-John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay-carried to Paris the aspirations of a peaceful Nation willing and able to defend its sovereignty. The brave Americans who fought for our Nation's independence ensured that Adams, Franklin, and Jay could negotiate from a position of strength to achieve an agreement with just and equitable provisions. ”