There is some evidence that the true name of this country is not the United States of America, but rather the United States of North America.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America (the Declaration of Independence), depending on the source you use, refers to these "united States of America."
The Articles of Confederation style the confederacy, "The United States of America"; note the capital "T" on "The."
The preamble of the Constitution shows it is for the "United States of America."
But various treaties and contract name this country as the "United States of North America"; see the 18th Century collection of these at The Avalon Project at the Yale Law School. There are various treaties where the "United States of America" is named as the party, but those must have been made in a different capacity than those for the United States of North America; and these terms are clearly distinguished by the declaration of January 20, 1783, below.
In the Contract Between the King and the Thirteen United States of North America, signed at Versailles July 16, 1782, the name was "United States of North America".
"And we, Benjamin Franklin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of North America, in like..."
The Constitution of Maryland - November 11, 1776 (1), is verified by:
Verified by "A Collection of the Constitutions of The Thirteen United States of North America. Published by Order of Congress, Philadelphia, By John Bryce, 1783."
Also in Declarations for Suspension of Arms and Cessation of Hostilities January 20, 1783, where John Adams and B. Franklin sign:
We have in the Name of the said United States of North America & in Virtue of the Powers we are vested with, received the above Declaration and do accept the same by these Presents, and we do reciprocally declare, that the said States shall cause to cease all Hostilities against his Britannic Majesty, his Subjects and Possessions at the Terms or Periods agreed to between his said Majesty the King of Great Britain, his Majesty the King of France, and his Majesty the King of Spain, in the same manner as is stipulated between these , three Crowns, and to have the same Effect.
In faith whereof, We Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, have signed the present Declaration and have hereunto affixed the Seals of our Arms. At Versailles the twentieth of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty three.
Contract between the King and the Thirteen United States of North America February 25, 1783
(Also at Britannica.com: Contract between the King and the Thirteen United States of North America)
"In faith whereof we, the Ministers Plenipotentiary of His Majesty and the Congress of the thirteen United States of North America, in virtue of our respective full powers, have signed the present contract and thereunto affixed the seal of our arms."
The Barbary Treaties: Treaty of Peace and Amity, Signed at Algiers September 5, 1795
"From the date of the Present Treaty there shall subsist a firm and Sincere Peace and Amity between the President and Citizens of the United States of North America and Hassan Bashaw Dey of Algiers his Divan and Subjects the Vessels and Subjects of both Nations reciprocally treating each other with Civility Honor and Respect ."
(Note: The Convention Defining and Establishing the Functions and Privileges of Consuls and Vice Consuls, signed at Versailles November 14, 1788 - "Except for some treaties with Indian tribes, this is the first treaty ever submitted to the Senate of the United States. While the date of the signature, November 14, 1788, was subsequent to the going into force of the Constitution and to the resolution of Congress for elections thereunder (September 13, 1788), it was prior to the date fixed for the beginning of the new regime (March 4, 1789).")
From Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1777, beginning:
Mr. A[braham] Clark, a delegate from New Jersey, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:
At a joint meeting of the legislative council and general assembly of the state of New Jersey, held at Princeton, on the 20th day of November, 1777: The joint meeting proceeded to the election of five delegates, to represent the state in the general Congress of the United States, and, the ballots being taken, the honorable John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinot, esqrs. were duly elected.
Resolved, therefore, That the said John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinet, or any one or more of them, be empowered to represent and vote in behalf of this state, in the general Congress of the United States of North America, until the first day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, unless a new
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appointment shall sooner take place. It is, nevertheless, expected, that three of the said delegates do constantly attend Congress, unless prevented by sickness or other accident.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1777, page 721:
Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee of Foreign Applications, which is as follows:
That, besides a number of officers who are come from Europe and the West Indies of their own accord, to solicit for rank and employment in the American army, there are others who have proceeded upon the encouragement of conventions made and signed at Paris, by Silas Deane, Esqr. as "Agent for the United States of North America."
That Mr. Deane had no authority to make such conventions, and that Congress, therefore, are not bound to ratify or fulfil them:1
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1777, page 519:
Another commission to William Lee, esquire, commissioner to his majesty the king of Prussia, in the same terms, mutatis mutandis.
A commission to Ralph Izard, esquire, of the state of South Carolina, commissioner to his royal highness the grand duke of Tuscany, similar to that to William Lee, mutatis mutandis.
INSTRUCTIONS TO WILLIAM LEE, ESQUIRE.
Sir, Herewith you will receive commissions from the Congress of the United States of North America, authorizing and appointing you to represent the said Congress as their commissioner at the courts of Vienna and Berlin. You will proceed with all convenient expedition to those courts; visiting that first, which, on consultation with the commissioners at the court of France, shall be judged most, proper. Yon will lose no time in announcing in form to those courts, the declaration of independence made in Congress on the fourth day of July, 1776. The reasons of this act of Independence are so strongly adduced in the declaration itself, that further argument is unnecessary. As it is of the greatest importance to these states, that Great Britain be effectually obstructed in the plan of sending German and Prussian troops to North America, you will exert all possible address and vigour to cultivate the friendship and procure the interference of the emperor and of Prussia. ...
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1777, page 520:
INSTRUCTIONS TO RALPH IZARD, ESQUIRE.
Sir, Herewith you will receive a commission from the Congress of the United States of North America, authorizing and appointing you to represent the said Congress as their commissioner at the court of the grand duke of Tuscany. You will proceed with all convenient expedition to the court of the grand duke; and will lose no time in announcing in form the declaration of Independence made in Congress the fourth day of July, 1776. The reasons of this act of Independence are so strongly adduced in the declaration itself, that further argument is unnecessary. ...
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1778, pages 419, 421 and 448, contains treaties wherein the country is called the United States of North America.
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1778, from page 511: (I quote at length because of how the resoltion of July 11 changes form)
The committee to whom was referred the report of the Board of War, respecting an allowance to officers on parole, brought in a report: Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas Congress, by a resolve passed the 19 day of January last, determined, that captive officers should receive
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pay, as well when on parole as when in the enemy's possession, for so long time as they continue to be officers of the United States, and liable to be called into service upon being released from their captivity; and, whereas, divers officers have been, and may be made prisoners, and continue such beyond the period within which they are liable to be called into service; and as it has been found that such officers, when released on parole, are sometimes debarred from the pursuit of their former employments, or being liable always to be recalled into captivity at the pleasure of the enemy, are prevented from entering into such engagements and plans of business as their necessary support demands;
Resolved, That all officers in the land service of the United States, who have been, or shall be made prisoners by the enemy, shall be entitled to receive their full pay and rations while in the enemy's possession, deducting only from their rations such supplies as they may have received from the enemy or the commissary of prisoners; and that all such officers, when admitted on their parole, shall receive their full pay without rations, until they shall be exchanged or discharged from their parole, or that the general change of circumstances shall render their pay no longer necessary for their support, as Congress hereafter determine.
A petition from J. Connolly and others, prisoners, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated May 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, 42, VI, folio 194,]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to enquire into the facts therein set forth, and report thereon to Congress.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of Treasury of the 12th: Whereupon,
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Resolved, That bills of exchange of the following denominations be forthwith struck, under the direction of the Board of Treasury, for the payment of interest to such holders of loan office certificates of the United States as may be entitled to receive it, in such bills:
3,000 sets of 12 dollars each, at 5 livres tournois per dollar, 180,000
3,000 do. 18 do. do. 270,000
3,000 do. 24 do. do. 360,000
3,000 do. 30 do. do. 450,000
3,000 do. 36 do. do. 540,000
1,000 do. 60 do. do. 300,000
1,000 do. 120 do. do. 600,000
800 do. 300 do. do. 1,200,000
400 do. 600 do. do. 1,200,000
200 do. 1,200 do. do. 1,200,000
18,400 ... 6,300,000That the bills be drawn on the commissioners of the United States in Paris, signed by Treasurer [such person or persons as shall hereafter be appointed by Congress,] and countersigned and numbered by the commissioners of the continental loan office issuing the said bills respectively:
That each set contain four bills, of the following form:
"Exchange for Dollars, at five Livres Tournois
per dollar.
No. United States of North America, day
of 17 .
At thirty days sight of this Bill, and not
paid, pay to or order, Dollars in Livres
Tournois, for interest due on money borrowed by the
United States.
To
of the United States of North America.
Countersigned
Commissioner of the continental Loan office in the State of ."Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be authorized to direct the treasurer, from time to time, to send to the
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several commissioners of the loan offices as many of the said bills and of such denominations as the Board shall judge necessary.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 283.]
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1778, page 622:
One of the 6th, one of the 15, and one of 31 January, signed Arthur Lee, directed to the hon. the chairman of the committee of correspondence: and one of 16 January, signed B. Franklin and Silas Deane, directed to the hon. the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the United States of North America, which were read; Mr. [William] Duer also laid before Congress a letter directed to him from R. Izard, dated Paris, 22 December, 1777:
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1778, page 683: (This )
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for fifteen hundred dollars, in favour of John Hancock, Esqr. it being for the sum of thirteen hundred dollars advanced Baron Steuben, at Boston, to enable him to prosecute his journey to confer with Congress at York town; and for two hundred dollars, the price of a horse delivered to the said Baron, who is to be accountable for the sum of 1,500 dollars:
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for three thousand dollars, in favour of Henry Laurens, Esqr. president of Congress, to pay expences of expresses.
Resolved, That the resolutions of Congress of the 19 May last, relative to bills of exchange, be so far re-considered, that the word "North," preceding the word "America," be omitted in the form of the bills; and that, in lieu of the words "To--, of the United States of North America," be inserted "To the commissioner or commissioners of the United States of America at Paris."1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 397.]
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1778, page 700:
The Stile of Congress shall be, the Congress of the United States of North America. And when addressed it shall be thus. May it please your Excellency Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Congress, &c. &c.
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1778, page 713:
A letter of 11 March, from Don Diego Joseph Navarro, at Havannah, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 A translation of this letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVII, folio 47.]
Two commissions from the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from his most Christian Majesty to these United States, to Mons. J. Holker, were laid before Congress and read; one dated at Philadelphia, 15 July, 1778, appointing him, the said John Holker, inspector general of trade and manufactures of France, and agent to the royal marine of France in all the ports belonging to the United States of North America. The other, dated Philadelphia, 15 July, 1778, appointing him, the said John Holker, inspector general of trade and manufactures of France, consul of France in the port of Philadelphia: Whereupon two resolutions were moved.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1779, page 372:
A motion was made by Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, seconded by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, as a substitute to the whole,
"That the right of fishing on the coasts and banks "of North America be reserved to the United States "as fully as they enjoyed the same when subject to "the King of Great Britain, excepting always what "shall have been excepted by the treaty of Paris "between France and the United States--the whole "to be explained by the treaties of Utrecht and Paris "with Great Britain, and of Paris with the United "States of North America."2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress,
No. 36, III, 497. The vote, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is noted upon it.]
FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1779, page beginning:
Resolved therefore, That the said William Churchill Houston, be impowered in Conjunction with the Honourable John Witherspoon,
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Nathaniel Scudder and John Fell, Esquires, or any one or more of them, to Represent and vote in Behalf of this State, in the Congress of the United States of North America, untill the first day of December next, unless a new Appointment shall sooner take place. It is nevertheless expected, that three of the Delegates do constantly attend in Congress, unless prevented by sickness or other Accident.
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1780, beginning:
The people of the State of New York by the grace of God free and Independent, To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting: Whereas our Senate and Assembly did at their late meeting held at Kingston in our County of Ulster according to the form prescribed by the Constitution of this our State nominate and appoint our trusty and well beloved James Duane, William Floyd, John Morin Scott, Ezra L'Homedieu; and Philip Schuyler, Esquires, Delegates to represent this our State in the General Congress of the United States of North America; Now therefore Know ye that We do by these presents and in pursuance of the said nomination and appointment Commissionate the said James Duane, William Floyd, John Morin Scott, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Philip Schuyler, Esquires, Delegates to represent this our State in the said Congress and Vest
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them severally and respectively with all and singular the powers and authorities to the said Office or place of Delegate belonging, by Virtue of our said Constitution and the nomination and appointment aforesaid. To have and to hold to them the said James Duane, William Floyd, John Morin Scott, Ezra L'Hommedieu and Philip Schuyler, Esquires, severally and respectively the said Office or place of Delegate for so long time as they severally and respectively may and ought of Right to continue to hold and exercise the same by Virtue of our said Constitution and the said nomination and appointment and no longer. In Testimony Whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made patent, and our Great Seal of this our State to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well beloved George Clinton, Esquire, Governor of our said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia and Admiral of the navy of the same, at Poughkeepsie in our County of Dutchess this eighth Day of November in the fourth year of our Independence and in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine.
Signed Geo: Clinton.
with the great Seal appendant.1[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, New York, Credentials of Delegates.]
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1780, page 1207, (Treaty of Amity with Holland)
ARTICLE I
There shall be a firm, inviolable and universal peace and sincere friendship between their High Mightinesses the States General of the seven United Provinces of Holland the low countries and the United States of North America, and the subjects and people of the said parties, and the countries, islands, cities and towns situated under their respective jurisdictions, and the people and inhabitants thereof of every degree, without exception of persons or places.
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1788, page 4:
The State of New Jersey
To the Honorable Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer and Jonathan Dayton Esquires. Greeting
The Council and Assembly reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and Ability, have, at a Joint Meeting, appointed you the said Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer and Jonathan Dayton or any two of you to represent and vote in behalf of this State in the Congress of the United States of North America from this day until the first Monday in November One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty eight unless a new Appointment shall sooner take place. In Testimony Whereof the Great Seal of the State is hereunto Affixed. Witness William Livingston Esquire Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New Jersey and Territories thereunto belonging Chancellor and Ordinary in the same at Trenton the seventh Day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty seven and of our Sovereignty and Independence the twelfth.
By His Excellency's Command
Bowes Reed SecyWil: Livingston
New Hampshire refers to "Congress of the United States of America" in this same volume, and other states use differing terms also. Connecticut seems to call the year 1787, rather than 1788...
Examples found in internet searches:
http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/Petition.htm - "Most excellent Sir: I, Green DeWitt, a citizen of the United States of North America, ..."
http://www.pirata.com.ni/tables/paislist.htm - lists country as "United States of North America" for which USA is code
http://www.galilei.com.ar/extras/add.html - "State or County. It is obligatory to complete it in the case of United States of North America and Canada. For other countries if you know it, consign it. "
http://www.uwm.edu/Library/arch/findaids/mss057.htm - "Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 14."
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/bios/06padam.html - "John Quincy Adams, ... Independence and Union were the watchwords of his career; a Union of the United States of North America to grow by the destiny of Providence and nature to become a continental republic of free men stretching from ocean to ocean and from Gulf to Arctic."
http://www.4teachers.com/teachsclst.html - 4Teachers, has link to "Historic Documents of the United States of North America"
http://www.santarosa.edu/library/Refs/hist.shtml - Santa Rosa Junior College Library, has link to "Historic Documents of the United States of North America"
http://web.ccsd.k12.wy.us/sixth/colonial.html - "Historic Documents of the United States of North America"
http://www.library.yale.edu/beinecke/spirit1.htm - picture: "William Birch. The Country Seats of the United States of North America.... Springland, Pennsylvania, 1808."
http://www.system.missouri.edu/whmc/invent/geog.htm#107 - Microfilm catalogue entry: "Palmer, John, "Journal of Travels in the United States of North America in 1817", 1818."
http://www.nmgs.org/artpass.htm - "No. 1. On 14 August a passport was issued to the citizen of the United States of North America Strother Rennick, to enter the States of Chihuagua and Sonora on commercial business." and others
http://usona.com/realty/front.html - a realty company, USONA Enterprises
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/barnum/chap16.htm - A contract between P.T. Barnum of the United States of North America and Jenny Lind of Sweden.
http://scarlett.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/1783u5.jpg - The United States of North America with the British and Spanish territories according to the treaty .
http://www.mercators4corners.com/mapfiles/0636.htm - Map: The United States of North America with the British Territories
.
