26 Matching Annotations
  1. Nov 2023
    1. That in the mean time no Settlements shall be made by the English beyond Sagadahock andAmoroscogging Rivers and above Merrymeeting Bay within this Province before their just Right andTitle hath been duly inquired into and made manifest and the Indians have had the full knowledgeand Understanding of such Right and Title

      Another restriction of territory for the british in this case where no settlements can go beyond particular points, and stating the Indigenous understand this as well as any settlements beyond these points would result in a violation of the treaty and possibly more hostility.

    2. Indians We desire to be informed what is meant by the Words former Settlements, whether theEnglish design to build Houses further than there are any Houses now built or Settlements made.Comrs When We come to Settle the Bounds We shall neither build or settle any where but withinour own Bounds so settled, without your Consent.Inds We understand it well now It is best to understand well what is said.[ 196 ]

      Within this particular portion, we see again that the discussion of land being a major talking point, with the Comrs stating that they will remain within their lands and boundaries as a part of the treaty, seeing that pushing forward could have consequences and a renewal of hostility if not taken seriously.

    3. Secondly. To forbear all Acts of Hostility and maintain a firm and Constant Friendship with theEnglish

      The second portion of the treaty further reinforces the idea of ending hostilities and making non aggression a focus of their relations, with friendship with the English being required.

    4. Firstly — Acknowledgment of the Sovereignty of the Crown of Great Britain and their Subjectionthereto

      Seeing as this is positioned first in this article, we can see at least in this instance the highest priority is for the Indigenous to accept the Sovereignty of the Crown of Great Britain, recognizing the authority they have in these lands.

    5. he Lieu1 Govr justly Expects that you doe your utmost Endeavour thatReparation be made and more Especially that you take effectual Care that the English Lad takenPrisoner be restored in a short time.

      Again we see a focus on returning hostages and captives to their rightful home, as these hostages are most definitely a talking point in these sort of treaties where an outstanding hostage can mean the difference between peace and war.

    6. We told the Indians of the Cessation who came in the Cannoe to acquaint us they hadkilled some English, they said they knew nothing of it, if they had, theywould not have done the Mischief.

      In another instance, we do see some confusion on the matter. As information travels much slower than in the modern day, we can see that allegations of the killing of in this instance English, being something that if brought forward with the kidnapping of the English Lad, that it would further sour relations, and that information regardless of it's true or not could potential be used as a cause for war, a "False Flag" sort of situation as I think it's called.

    7. Did you see the English Lad who was taken Captive

      The use of captives in situations like this are of a major issue as we know in history. Even now with the most recent Israeli and Pakistani conflict, the desire for nations not directly involved in the conflict to have captives returned is a major talking point. As everyone knows that the death of even just a few of the hostages could spark hostility and bring further into war, and with an English Captive we know that there is a risk no matter how small of the English getting involved if the captive is not returned.

    8. We can reckon three days after Loron set out from the Penobscot Tribefor Canada that mischief was done.

      As part of these treaties we also have to understand the conflicts that make up the hostilities. Here we see that Mischief was done that sparked hostility and could be used as a grounds for war if things are not resolved.

    9. We desire you as being nextNeighbours to ye English would go on heartily & with good Courage in making Peace And whatever you shall conclude upon We will agree to, For there is Nothing impossible for God to perform,And we wish there may be a good Conclusion of the Matter to all Parties concern'd

      Again we see another instance of the focus of peace between all the peoples. War is not preferable to an all out conflict and these treaties are made to ensure the peace.

    1. That the Indians shall use their best Endeavours to save the lives and goods of any PeopleShipwrecked on this Coast, where they resort, and shall Conduct the People saved to Halifaxwith their Goods, & a Reward adequate to the Salvadge shall be given them.

      In another interesting point of positivity. The British are also encouraging the Indigenous to help people shipwrecked, not only to save the lives but also the goods, of which they will be rewarded adequate to the Salvage.

      Again the focus is not on fighting and killing, but working together in peace and harmony to encourage better relations between the people.

    2. Indians shall have free liberty to bring for Sale to Halifax or anyother Settlement within this Province, Skins, feathers, fowl, fish or any other thing they shallhave to sell,

      Again trade and commerce is still a focus of the people, as good trade can help maintain positive relations, and make it more profitable for both sides to remain at peace than go to war. Saying the Indians have free liberty to bring sale to halifax and other provinces furthers this point by using positive language to indicate the Indians can trade much more freely, further bolstering relations.

    3. That the said Tribe shall use their utmost endeavours to bring in the other Indians to Renewand Ratify this Peace,

      Not only were the British here attempting to bring peace between the Colonist and Indigenous, but to also end Hostilities between the Indigenous themselves, as possible alliances and treaties between different tribes and colonists could spark future conflicts.

    4. that the said Indians shall have all favour, Friendship & Protection shewn themfrom this His Majesty's Government.

      Like with the previous Article, the emphasis on trying to prevent conflict and maintain Peace and Friendship is a main focus on this Treaty. Here that the British will brilliantly showcase friendship and protection for the Indians is a main point, in hopes of "burying hostilities in Oblivion with the Hatchet" and trying to maintain a standing truce.

    1. If any controversy or difference at any time hereafter happen to arise between any of theEnglish and Indians for any real or supposed wrong or Injury done on either side, no privateRevenge shall be taken for the same, but proper Application shall be made to his Majesty'sGovernment upon the place for remedy or redress there of in a due Course of Justice

      This is an important step to take within the treaty. Basically it is stated that no private revenge shall be taken if a wrong or injury is done, and that the Government and Course of Justice will deal with the issue. As the treaty is meant to maintain peace between the British and the Indigenous, it makes sense that the clause is worded this way to try and deescalate any conflict that does happen so the actions of a few disgruntled individual doesn't spark yet another war.

    2. Trade and Commerce which hereafter may be allowed betwixt the English and Indiansshall be under Management and Regulation, as the government of the Massachusetts Provinceshall direct

      This is restrictive in a few ways, as with the Management and Regulation of trade between English and Indians having to go through the Government of the Massachusetts Province, this means that any trades and commerce must go through the Government before it can be allowed, restricting the ability to trade freely.

    3. Properties and possessions within the Eastern parts of the said province of the MassachusettsBay, Together with all Islands, Islets, Shores, Beaches and Fishery within the same, without anyMolestation or claims by us or any other Indians, an be in no ways Molested interrupted ordisturbed therein

      As a further point of non aggression, setting boundaries is a part of this treaty, as the British are again hoping that within these lands and area's, that no one is to be brought to harm or interrupted in their lives. Notably, we also see the words "Quietly enter upon, improve and forever enjoy all" which appears to reaffirm at least in the British Mindset that the land within their holdings are in ways improved under their control which reaffirms the British Stance of ownership of these lands.

    4. Cease andforbear all Acts of Hostility, Injuries and Discords towards all the Subjects of the Crown of GreatBritain, and not offer the least hurt, Violence or Molestation to them in any of their persons orestates.

      With the language used here, the Delegates seek to form a treaty of non aggression between each other, as ending the violence is necessary for peace. As mentioned this is a treaty to protect the British people and colonists, so making a treaty where both sides recognize that violence will not be tolerated is a necessary step.

    5. Captives taken in this present War shall at or before the time of the furtherRatification of this Treaty be Restored without any Ransom or Payment to be made for them orany of them.

      What I see here is a level of Positive Language that focuses around the return of all captives and prisoners to be returned without ransom or payment. Now it is important for any government to recognize that the return of civilians and prisoners of war back to their homes, and as a negotiation stance it makes perfect sense as likely both sides of the conflict have captives, and the returning of them to the homes they belong to is something both sides would respectively want.

  2. Oct 2023
    1. Our savages [sic.] appeared displeased at not having an opportunity to explain themselves, or tomake their representations, after having taken the trouble to come so great a distance.

      One way to interpret this as the Indigenous not being given the chance to explain themselves or their side of the issue. This sort of one-sided decision making is evident in texts where the Indigenous are often treated worse in one way or another.

      Especially seeing as in these times having to travel for a few days only to not be heard would definitely be frustrating.

    1. Your residence at Port Royal made little shadow and for a long time I left you alone.But now this considerable theft you have made forces me to open my mouth. I willsoon come to see you

      I believe this showcases the idea that the Indigenous didn't mind the European settlement, and as a solid number of sources state cooperation between them was paramount to success. But when the Europeans started overstepping their boundaries and tried to take advantage of the Indigenous, that is when relations got much worse between them. And as we know the majority of treaties were made to benefit the Europeans and not the Indigenous.

    1. f a few individual savages, addicted to drinking, tell thee thou mayest dwell where thoudwelledst formerly, know that the entire nation disapproves of that permission and that I willgo and burn down those dwellings after plundering them.

      Again as brought on by my earlier point. Alcohol is an issue that the Natives have to deal with, and seems to be used to try and loosen lips and get the Indigenous into situations they as a community would desire not to.

    2. The savages, sayest thou, gave thee it. Could a few savages whom thou caughtest by surprise bygetting them drunk give thee it to the detriment of their entire nation

      One of the biggest problems we have with trade is the trade of Alcohol to the Native People. Alcohol is not only a dangerous substance, but it also used to inhibit the natives thinking and try to get them into bad situations.

      Alcohol has always been a problem for people, and the introduction of such alcohol to the Indigenous has caused consequences for their people.

    1. We believe that this land that God has given us, which we can count to be as readily as thetrees are born there, seems to us to be disputed by no one; however we see that you want totake it away from us by the places you inhabit, and the threats you make to reduce us to yourservitude, which you should not hope for.

      In this instance the Indigenous people, in this case the Mi'kmak who are rightfully writing a complaint about the English intrusion into the Native Territory. Specifically, how the English seem intent on taking away the Natives from these places running them out of places that the English claim are English Lands.

      In this instance the Indigenous lived on these lands for a long time, much longer than the English and other Europeans, yet they are now being forced out by what can be perceived as invaders. In this instance, it does provide a motive for why the Indigenous would have issues with the English and capture the English Citizens/

    1. I am contentto have someone beside me with whom I am tightly united by religion and wholikewise supports me from afar with the strong hand of someone that I regard as thegrandest prince on earth and, who for me, takes the place of father.

      As we know Catholicism was brought to the Natives from Europe, and it would seem that the Christian Faith has become more important to the Abenaki, and for the Abenaki the alliance with the French is as much a Religious one as it is a political one.

    2. I sincerely hope what he says is not true, and that he wants to deceive me. His goal isto become master of all the Land, but he places all of this on you.

      In regards to the English. It appears that the natives fear destruction at the hands of the English without support from their French allies. Which as we know is a significant issue that both the French and the Natives would have to unite on. With the French-Indian War happening a few decades later, I definitely see this as a precursor to that event as the Natives feared destruction at the hands of the British without French support. Which unfortunately still came to pass.

    3. [When I reflect on what you send me each year, and the help that your officers provideto me in your name, I am shocked and think to myself: “Thank God! Is it true that thegreatest of kings sees me as his child!”

      One of the things we must remember when it comes to Native and European influence is that the Europeans often traded goods and weapons in exchange for valuable goods the Natives can apply. As Firearms and Imported War Horses become more common, the Natives who recognized their value would want to ensure they had them, as it not only gave them an advantage when conflict occurs with other Tribes, but also meant that the tribes who did engage with trade with the Europeans stood a better chance if other europeans sought to push them out.