The year 1778 marks a significant moment in the nascent history of the United States of America. Embroiled in the throes of the Revolutionary War, the fledgling nation sought to secure its sovereignty and forge alliances that would bolster its fight for independence. In this context, the 1778 Treaty with Delaware was first treaty signed by US, a pivotal agreement reached at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania (present-day Pittsburgh), between representatives of the United States and the Delaware Nation, also known as the Lenape. This treaty, officially titled "Articles of agreement and confederation," represents a crucial step in the development of U.S. foreign policy and its relationship with Native American tribes.
The Context of Confederation and Conflict
The backdrop to the Treaty of Fort Pitt was the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1777. This document served as the first constitution of the United States, establishing a framework for a unified government independent of British rule. However, the Articles created a weak central government, highlighting the challenges of coordinating efforts among the newly formed states.
Simultaneously, the Revolutionary War raged on, pitting the American colonists against the British Empire. Both sides recognized the strategic importance of securing alliances with Native American tribes, whose territories held significant geographical and economic value. The British, with their established trading networks and long-standing relationships with many tribes, initially held an advantage. However, the Americans sought to disrupt these alliances and win over Native American support, or at least secure their neutrality.
Many tribes faced a difficult decision: align with the British, support the Americans, or attempt to remain neutral amidst the conflict. The allure of trade goods, coupled with historical grievances and pre-existing relationships, influenced these choices. The dependency on European trade goods, such as firearms, tools, and textiles, had become deeply ingrained in many Native American communities. Maintaining access to these goods was paramount, forcing tribes to navigate the complex political landscape and engage in diplomatic exchanges with both warring factions.
This situation provided Native American nations with a degree of strategic leverage. The British and the Americans both needed Native American military support or, at the very least, agreements of neutrality to protect their flanks and supply lines. Consequently, Native American tribes could negotiate with either side, leveraging their position to secure favorable terms and protect their interests. Alliances were often forged based on long-standing relationships, either with British colonial authorities or with American communities.
The Promises and Provisions of the Treaty
The 1778 Treaty with Delaware was first treaty signed by US, reflecting the strategic importance the Americans placed on securing an alliance with the Delaware Nation. Recognizing Delaware land rights was a central component of the treaty, signaling a departure from the expansionist policies that had characterized colonial relations with Native Americans. The Americans also made an extraordinary offer: the possibility of statehood for friendly Indian nations. The treaty stipulated that the Delaware could invite other tribes who were friendly to the United States to join their confederation and form a state, with the Delaware Nation at its head, and with representation in the Continental Congress. This ambitious proposal, however, was never implemented by either the United States or the Delaware.
The treaty’s provisions extended beyond territorial considerations. Acknowledging the need for Delaware military assistance and upholding treaties previously negotiated by the British, the Americans recognized Delaware internal judicial powers and cultural differences. The treaty affirmed the Delaware’s independent political government, territory, and power to make treaties. This recognition of sovereignty was crucial in establishing a framework for future relations between the United States and Native American nations.
The 1778 Treaty with Delaware was first treaty signed by US, and also carried alternative titles such as the Treaty of Fort Pitt, the Treaty With the Delawares, the Delaware Treaty, and the Fourth Treaty of Pittsburgh.
Divergent Interpretations and Broken Promises
Despite the seemingly promising terms of the treaty, divergent interpretations and broken promises soon undermined its effectiveness. According to historian Daniel Richter, the Delaware perceived the agreement primarily as a means to ensure the free passage of American troops and the construction of a protective fort to defend white settlers. In contrast, American leaders envisioned using the fort for offensive military campaigns and even included a provision in the treaty that the Delaware would attack their neighboring Native American tribes.
Within a year of its signing, the Delaware began to voice grievances about the treaty’s implementation. A delegation of Delaware representatives traveled to Philadelphia in 1779 to express their dissatisfaction to the Continental Congress. However, their concerns were largely ignored, and the peace between the United States and the Delaware Nation began to unravel.
The death of White Eyes, a prominent Delaware leader and a strong advocate for alliance with the United States, under mysterious circumstances further exacerbated tensions. Suspicion and distrust grew, and the Delaware soon joined the British in the war against the United States, marking a tragic turn in the relationship between the two nations.
The Text of the Treaty: A Glimpse into the Past
The formal wording of the Treaty of Fort Pitt provides valuable insights into the intentions and expectations of both parties. The opening lines identify the signatories: Andrew and Thomas Lewis, representing the United States, and Captain White Eyes, Captain John Kill Buck, Junior, and Captain Pipe, representing the Delaware Nation.
Article 1 establishes a foundation of forgiveness and reconciliation, stating that "all offenses or acts of hostilities" between the parties should be "mutually forgiven, and buried in the depth of oblivion, never more to be had in remembrance."
Article 2 declares a "perpetual peace and friendship" between the United States and the Delaware Nation, obligating each party to assist the other in times of war and to provide early warning of any hostile designs.
Article 3 addresses the immediate context of the Revolutionary War, granting American troops free passage through Delaware territory and promising Delaware military assistance in exchange for the construction of a fort to protect Delaware non-combatants.
Article 4 outlines a framework for addressing legal disputes between citizens of the two nations, emphasizing the importance of fair trials and due process.
Article 5 addresses the economic relationship between the United States and the Delaware Nation, committing the United States to providing the Delaware with essential goods through a "well-regulated trade" conducted by an "intelligent, candid agent."
Article 6 is perhaps the most significant article, as it addresses the issue of land rights and the potential for future political integration. The United States guarantees to the Delaware Nation "all their territorial rights in the fullest and most ample manner, as it hath been bounded by former treaties." This article also lays the groundwork for the possibility of other friendly tribes joining the confederation, with the Delaware Nation at its head, and with representation in Congress. However, this provision was explicitly subject to the approval of Congress.
The 1778 Treaty with Delaware was first treaty signed by US, and was signed and sealed at Fort Pitt on September 17, 1778, by representatives of both the United States and the Delaware Nation, in the presence of numerous witnesses, including military officers and other prominent figures.
A Legacy of Unfulfilled Promises
The 1778 Treaty with Delaware was first treaty signed by US, and ultimately failed to achieve its intended goals. The divergent interpretations of the treaty’s provisions, coupled with the United States’ failure to uphold its promises, led to the collapse of the alliance and the resumption of hostilities. The treaty stands as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in forging alliances between nations with differing interests and perspectives, and of the importance of honoring commitments made in the pursuit of peace and cooperation. While it represented a significant initial effort to establish a framework for relations with Native American tribes, its ultimate failure underscores the complexities and contradictions that would continue to shape U.S.-Native American relations for centuries to come.
