Benjamin West, American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain, 1783-1784, London, England. (oil on canvas, unfinished sketch), Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, Delaware, gift of Henry Francis du Pont. From left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. The British commissioners refused to pose, and the picture was never finished.

Treaty of Paris

12:15-1:00 pm EST

In Person

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You’ve won the war. Now, how do you negotiate the peace?

In 1783, the United States faced this challenge as American diplomats negotiated the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. The negotiations marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s history and in the development of American diplomacy.

John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and John Jay represented the United States in the negotiations, working to secure the nation’s independence and establish its place among the world’s powers. Their efforts demonstrated the importance of diplomacy in shaping the future of the new nation.

Join NMAD historian Dr. Alison Mann to explore John Adams’s contributions to the diplomatic team.

Following Dr. Mann’s presentation, we invite you to view our Among the Powers of the Earth exhibit featuring the signature page of the Treaty of Paris.

Please RSVP by October 15, 2026. For further information or if you require reasonable accommodations to attend the event, please contact us at nmad-programs@state.gov.

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Arrival Instructions

NMAD is located at 330 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20006, in the Harry S Truman Building. Visitors must enter at the 21st Street entrance to the U.S. Department of State (the glass building on 21st Street between D Street and C Street, NW).

Please arrive by 12:00 pm to allow ample time for security processing. government-issued REAL ID is required for entry (e.g. passport, U.S. driver’s license). Check out our FAQs to prepare for you visit.

A set of white Chinese porcelain teaware with blue and gold decorations.

China

Late 1700s

Chinese Export Porcelain Teaware

FROM THE COLLECTION

Chinese Export Porcelain Teaware

After winning independence, the United States needed trading relationships to help grow its economy. Great Britain remained a global power at sea and barred Americans from trading in some places, such as the West Indies in the Caribbean. Trading in the Pacific—including China—was one of the few frontiers open for American merchants. In 1784, the first American trading ship, the Empress of China, arrived in Canton (today Guangzhou), China. Porcelain items were a significant export for China and a valued commodity in the United States. In the late 1700s, Chinese export porcelain pieces like these tea caddies and cream jug were in high demand among wealthy Americans.
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