The year 1789 marked a pivotal moment in the relationship between the newly formed United States of America and the powerful confederacy known as the Six Nations. This relationship, fraught with tension and the legacy of colonial conflict, sought a new foundation through diplomacy. The 1789 Treaty with the Six Nations, formally conducted at Fort Harmar on January 9th, aimed to address lingering disputes, regulate trade, and establish clear boundaries between the expanding American territory and the ancestral lands of the Six Nations. This article delves into the details of this crucial agreement, exploring its context, provisions, and lasting significance.
The Setting: Fort Harmar and the Northwest Territory
Fort Harmar, situated at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, served as the stage for these important negotiations. This location held strategic importance, as it stood within the Northwest Territory, a vast expanse of land north of the Ohio River that the United States sought to control and settle. This territory, rich in resources and potential, was also the traditional homeland of numerous Indigenous nations, including the Six Nations, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy.
The United States, under the leadership of Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory and commissioner plenipotentiary, recognized the necessity of establishing peaceful relations with these nations. St. Clair, empowered to resolve controversies, regulate commerce, and define boundaries, represented the American interest in securing its territorial claims and facilitating westward expansion.
The Six Nations: A Confederacy of Power
The Six Nations, a powerful and influential confederacy, consisted of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Tuscarora, Cayuga, and Seneca nations. For centuries, they had maintained a complex political and social structure, exercising considerable control over their territories and playing a significant role in the balance of power in the region. Their history was intertwined with that of European colonization, marked by alliances, conflicts, and treaties with various European powers, including the British and the French.
Following the American Revolutionary War, the Six Nations faced a changed landscape. The British, their former allies, had been defeated, and the United States now asserted its sovereignty over the region. The Six Nations, deeply divided by their allegiances during the war, found themselves in a precarious position, forced to negotiate with a new and ambitious power.
Renewing and Revising: The Treaty of Fort Stanwix
The 1789 Treaty with the Six Nations was not conceived in a vacuum. It built upon an earlier agreement, the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, signed in 1784. This earlier treaty, brokered by Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, sought to establish peace and define a boundary line between the lands of the Six Nations and the United States. However, the Treaty of Fort Stanwix faced challenges in implementation and was viewed by some of the Six Nations as unfair and coercive.
The Fort Harmar treaty aimed to renew and confirm the engagements made at Fort Stanwix, while also addressing some of the concerns raised by the Six Nations. This included clarifying the boundary line and providing additional compensation for the lands ceded to the United States.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
The treaty comprised several key articles that addressed specific aspects of the relationship between the United States and the Six Nations:
- Article 1: Boundary Definition and Land Cession: This article reaffirmed the boundary line established at Fort Stanwix, defining the western extent of the Six Nations’ territory. The line commenced at the mouth of Ononwayea Creek (near Niagara) and ran southerly, east of the carrying place between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, to the mouth of Buffalo Creek on Lake Erie. It then continued south to the northern boundary of Pennsylvania and west to the Ohio River. This line demarcated the lands that the Six Nations ceded to the United States, which encompassed all territory west of the designated boundary. In return for this vast land cession, the United States provided goods valued at three thousand dollars.
- Article 2: Confirmation of Land Ownership: The United States formally acknowledged and confirmed the Six Nations’ ownership of the lands east and north of the boundary line, explicitly relinquishing any claim to these territories. However, a significant exception was made for a six-mile square area surrounding Fort Oswego, which remained under the control of the United States.
- Article 3: Protection of Oneida and Tuscarora Lands: This article specifically guaranteed the Oneida and Tuscarora nations’ continued possession of their respective lands, reinforcing their status as distinct entities within the Six Nations confederacy.
- Article 4: Renewal of Peace and Friendship: The treaty formally renewed and confirmed the peace and friendship established at Fort Stanwix, declaring it to be perpetual. The Mohawk Nation, which had not been present at the Fort Harmar negotiations, was given a six-month window to declare its assent to the treaty, upon which it would be included in its provisions.
Signatories and Witnesses
The 1789 Treaty with the Six Nations bore the signatures and seals of Arthur St. Clair, representing the United States, and numerous sachems and warriors from the Six Nations. The signatories from the Six Nations included prominent figures like Cageaga (Dogs Round the Fire), Sawedowa (The Blast), Kiondushowa (Swimming Fish), and Gyantwaia (Cornplanter), among others. Their presence and agreement signified the commitment of their respective communities to the terms of the treaty.
The treaty was also witnessed by a group of prominent American officials, including Lieutenant-Colonel Jos. Harmar, Richard Butler, Jno. Gibson, and several officers from the U.S. Regiment.
Separate Article: Addressing Crimes and Justice
Beyond the main articles, a "Separate Article" addressed the critical issue of criminal jurisdiction. It stipulated that if a crime, such as robbery or murder, was committed by a member of either the Six Nations or the United States against the other, the accused party would be tried and punished according to the laws of the state or territory where the crime occurred. The article also addressed the issue of stolen horses, ensuring their return to the rightful owner upon due proof and providing for the punishment of the thief.
Furthermore, the Six Nations pledged to deliver any accused individuals from their nations to the nearest U.S. post or civil authority if the crime occurred within U.S. territory or within a state. This provision sought to establish a framework for justice and accountability in the context of cross-cultural interactions.
Significance and Legacy
The 1789 Treaty with the Six Nations represents a complex and multifaceted chapter in the history of U.S.-Indigenous relations. While it aimed to establish peace and define boundaries, it also reflected the power imbalances of the time and the pressures faced by the Six Nations in the face of American expansion.
The treaty had several significant consequences:
- Land Cession: The treaty resulted in a significant cession of land by the Six Nations to the United States, opening up vast territories for American settlement and resource exploitation.
- Confirmation of Sovereignty: The treaty formally acknowledged the sovereignty of the Six Nations over their remaining lands, subject to the exceptions outlined in the agreement.
- Legal Framework: The treaty established a legal framework for addressing crimes and disputes between the two parties, although its implementation was often uneven and subject to interpretation.
Despite its intentions, the treaty did not fully resolve the underlying tensions between the United States and the Six Nations. Disputes over land, resources, and jurisdiction continued to arise in the years following the treaty. The 1789 Treaty with the Six Nations remains a crucial document for understanding the complex history of U.S.-Indigenous relations and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
