LAWS AND TREATIES. Vol. II. COMPILED AND EDITED BY CHARLES J. KAPPLER, LL. M., WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1904. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402-Sold in 5 part sets only Stock No. 024-000-00817-7/Catalog No. Y4.In2/2:L44/V.1-5 TREATIES. TREATY WITH THE DELAWARES, 1778. Articles of agreement and confederation, made and entered into by ARTICLE I. That all offences or acts of hostilities by one, or either of the contracting parties against the other, be mutually forgiven, and buried in the depth of oblivion, never more to be had in remembrance. ARTICLE II. That a perpetual peace and friendship shall from henceforth take place, and subsist between the contracting parties aforesaid, through all succeeding generations: and if either of the parties are engaged in a just and necessary war with any other nation or nations, that then each shall assist the other in due proportion to their abilities, till their enemies are brought to reasonable terms of accommodation: and that if either of them shall discover any hostile designs forming against the other, they shall give the earliest notice thereof, that timeous measures may be taken to prevent their ill effect. ARTICLE III Sept. 17, 1778. 7 Stat., 13. All offenses mutually forgiven. Peace and friendIn case of war, each other. ship. perpetual. party to assist the And whereas the United States are engaged in a just and necessary United States to war, in defence and support of life, liberty and independence, against forts or towns of their the King of England and his adherents, and as said King is yet pos- enemies. sessed of several posts and forts on the lakes and other places, the reduction of which is of great importance to the peace and security of the contracting parties, and as the most practicable way for the troops of the United States to some of the posts and forts is by passing through the country of the Delaware nation, the aforesaid deputies, on behalf of themselves and their nation, do hereby stipulate and agree to give a free passage through their country to the troops aforesaid, and the same to conduct by the nearest and best ways to the posts, forts or towns of the enemies of the United States, affording to said troops such supplies of corn, meat, horses, or whatever may be in their power for the accommodation of such troops, on the commanding officer's, &c. paying, or engageing to pay, the full value of whatever they can supply them with. And the said deputies, on the behalf of their nation, engage to join the troops of the United States aforesaid, with such a troops of the United number of their best and most expert warriors as they can spare, consistent with their own safety, and act in concert with them; and for the better security of the old men, women and children of the aforesaid nation, whilst their warriors are engaged against the common enemy, it is agreed on the part of the United States, that a fort of suf Such warriors as can be spared, to join the States. 3 Neither party to inflict punishment with ficient strength and capacity be built at the expense of the said States, with such assistance as it may be in the power of the said Delaware Nation to give, in the most convenient place, and advantageous situation, as shall be agreed on by the commanding officer of the troops aforesaid, with the advice and concurrence of the deputies of the aforesaid Delaware Nation, which fort shall be garrisoned by such a number of the troops of the United States, as the commanding officer can spare for the present, and hereafter by such numbers, as the wise men of the United States in council, shall think most conducive to the common good. ARTICLE IV. For the better security of the peace and friendship now entered into out an impartial trial. by the contracting parties, against all infractions of the same by the citizens of either party, to the prejudice of the other, neither party shall proceed to the infliction of punishments on the citizens of the other, otherwise than by securing the offender or offenders by imprisonment, or any other competent means, till a fair and impartial trial can be had by judges or juries of both parties, as near as can be to the laws, customs and usages of the contracting parties and natural justice: The mode of such trials to be hereafter fixed by the wise men of the United States in Congress assembled, with the assistance of such deputies of the Delaware nation, as may be appointed to act in concert Nor protect crimi- with them in adjusting this matter to their mutual liking. And it is further agreed between the parties aforesaid, that neither shall entertain or give countenance to the enemies of the other, or protect in their respective states, criminal fugitives, servants or slaves, but the same to apprehend, and secure and deliver to the State or States, to which such enemies, criminals, servants or slaves respectively belong. nal fugitives, etc. Agent to be appointed by the United the Delaware Nation. ARTICLE V. Whereas the confederation entered into by the Delaware nation and States to trade with the United States, renders the first dependent on the latter for all the articles of clothing, utensils and implements of war, and it is judged not only reasonable, but indispensably necessary, that the aforesaid Nation be supplied with such articles from time to time, as far as the United States may have it in their power, by a well-regulated trade, under the conduct of an intelligent, candid agent, with an adequate salary, one more influenced by the love of his country, and a constant attention to the duties of his department by promoting the common interest, than the sinister purposes of converting and binding all the duties of his office to his private emolument: Convinced of the necessity of such measures, the Commissioners of the United States, at the earnest solicitation of the deputies aforesaid, have engaged in behalf of the United States, that such a trade shall be afforded said nation, conducted on such principles of mutual interest as the wisdom of the United States in Congress assembled shall think most conducive to adopt for their mutual convenience. United States guarantee to them all treaties. ARTICLE VI. Whereas the enemies of the United States have endeavored, by every territorial rights as artifice in their power, to possess the Indians in general with an opinbounded by former ion, that it is the design of the States aforesaid, to extirpate the Indians and take possession of their country: to obviate such false suggestion, the United States do engage to guarantee to the aforesaid nation of Delawares, and their heirs, all their territorial rights in the fullest and most ample manner, as it hath been bounded by former treaties, as long as they the said Delaware nation shall abide by, and hold fast the chain of friendship now entered into. And it is further agreed on between the contracting parties should it for the future be found conducive for the mutual interest of both parties to invite any other tribes who have been friends to the interest of the United States, to join the present confederation, and to form a state whereof the Delaware nation shall be the head, and have a representation in Congress: Provided, nothing contained in this article to be considered as conclusive until it sentation in Congress meets with the approbation of Congress. And it is also the intent on certain conditions. and meaning of this article, that no protection or countenance shall be afforded to any who are at present our enemies, by which they might escape the punishment they deserve. In witness whereof, the parties have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals, at Fort Pitt, September seventeenth, anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. To have a repre Lach'n McIntosh, brigadier-general, commander the Western Department. Daniel Brodhead, colonel Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, John Campbell, John Stephenson, John Gibson, colonel Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, A. Graham, brigade major, Lach. McIntosh, jr., major brigade, Benjamin Mills, Joseph L. Finley, captain Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, TREATY WITH THE SIX NATIONS, 1784. Articles concluded at Fort Stanwix, on the twenty-second day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, between Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, Commissioners Plenipotentiary from the United States, in Congress assembled, on the one Part, and the Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations, on the other. The United States of America give peace to the Senecas, Mohawks, Onondagas and Cayugas, and receive them into their protection upon the following conditions: ARTICLE I. Oct. 22, 1784. 7 Stat., 15. Hostages to be given Six hostages shall be immediately delivered to the commissioners by till prisoners aredelivthe said nations, to remain in possession of the United States, till all ered up. the prisoners, white and black, which were taken by the said Senecas, Mohawks, Onondagas and Cayugas, or by any of them, in the late war, from among the people of the United States, shall be delivered up. ARTICLE II. Possession of lands The Oneida and Tuscarora nations shall be secured in the possession secured. of the lands on which they are settled. |