Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 facts for kids

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 was an important agreement. It was also known as the Convention of London. This treaty was signed in London on August 13, 1814.

It was signed by two major powers:

• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (Britain)
• The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands (the Dutch)

This treaty helped sort out land ownership after the Napoleonic Wars. Britain had taken control of some Dutch territories during these wars. The treaty gave most of these lands back to the Dutch. This included areas in the Moluccas and Java. These places were important for spices and trade.

However, Britain kept some key areas. They kept the Cape Colony in southern Africa. This was a very important stop for ships traveling between Europe and Asia. Britain also kept parts of Dutch Guiana in South America.

The treaty was signed by Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh for Britain. Diplomat Hendrik Fagel signed for the Dutch.

What the Treaty Decided

Land and Colonies

The treaty aimed to return colonial lands to the Dutch. These were the lands they owned on January 1, 1803. This was before the big Napoleonic Wars started. The lands were in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

But there were some exceptions:

• Britain kept the Cape of Good Hope. This was a strategic port.
• Britain also kept South American settlements like Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. The Dutch still had rights to trade in these areas.

There were also some land swaps:

• Britain gave the island of Banca to the Dutch. This island is near Sumatra.
• In return, the Dutch gave Britain the settlement of Cochin in India. This included its surrounding areas on the Malabar coast.
• The Dutch also gave Britain the district of Bernagore. This area was close to Calcutta in India. Britain paid an annual fee for it.

Working Together

The treaty also touched on the slave trade. The Dutch had already declared on June 15, 1814, that ships for the slave trade were not allowed in British ports. This treaty made that rule stronger. It meant Dutch citizens were banned from being involved in the slave trade.

Britain also agreed to pay money to Sweden. This was £1,000,000 to settle a claim. The claim was about the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

Both Britain and the Dutch agreed to spend money on defense. They each agreed to spend £2,000,000. This money was for improving defenses in the Low Countries (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). More money, up to £3,000,000, was mentioned. This was for a "final and satisfactory settlement" of the Low Countries. The goal was to unite them with Holland.

Some disagreements came up later from this treaty. These disputes were then handled by the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824.

See also

• Anglo-Dutch Slave Trade Treaty of 1818
• Anglo-Dutch treaties of 1870–1871
• Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824