mplished to
Vergennes, the French Minister, and of requesting at the same time "a
fresh loan of twenty million francs." Franklin, of course, presented
his case with much "delicacy and kindliness of manner" and with a fair
degree of success. "Vergennes thought that the signing of the articles
was premature, but he made no inconvenient remonstrances, ill procured
six millions of the twenty."* On September 3, 1783, the definite
treaty of peace was signed in due time it was ratified by the British
Parliament as well as by the American Congress. The new state, duly
accredited, thus took its place in the family of nations; but it was
a very humble place that was first assigned to the United States of
America.

* Channing, "History of the United States," vol. III, p.
368.

CHAPTER II. TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Though the word revolution implies a violent break with the past, there
was nothing in the Revolution that transformed the essential character
or the characteristics of the American people. The Revolution severed
the ties which bound the colonies to Great Britain; it created some new
activities; some soldiers were diverted from their former trades and
occupation; but, as the proportion of the population engaged in the war
was relatively small and the area of country affected for any length
of time was comparatively slight, it is safe to say that in general the
mass of the people remained about the same after the war as before. The
professional man was found in his same calling; the artisan returned
to his tools, if he had ever laid them down; the shopkeeper resumed
his business, if it had been interrupted; the merchant went back to
his trading; and the farmer before the Revolution remained a farmer
afterward.

The country as a whole was in relatively good condition and the people
were reasonably prosperous; at least, there was no general distress or
poverty. Suffering had existed in the regions ravaged by war, but no
section had suffered unduly or had had to bear the burden of war during
the entire period of fighting. American products had been in demand,
especially in the West India Islands, and an illicit trade with the
enemy had sprung up, so that even during the war shippers were able to
dispose of their commodities at good prices. The Americans are commonly
said to have been an agricultural people, but it would be more correct
to say that the great majority of the people were dependent upon
extractiv