Weeks and even months passed before a quorum could be obtained to ratify the treaty recognizing the independence of the United States and establishing peace.

Even after the treaty was supposed to be in force the States disregarded its provisions and Congress could do nothing more than utter ineffective protests.

But, most humiliating of all, the British maintained their military posts within the northwestern territory ceded to the United States, and Congress could only request them to retire.

The Americans' pride was hurt and their pockets were touched as well, for an important issue at stake was the control of the lucrative fur trade.

So resentment grew into anger; but the British held on, and the United States was powerless to make them withdraw.