Treaty of Casco (1703) facts for kids
The Treaty of Casco (1703) was an attempt to make peace between the English colonists and Native American tribes. It was led by Governor Joseph Dudley of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His goal was to stop fighting from starting on the northern border. At this time, a big war was already happening in Europe between England and France, called Queen Anne's War. The Native American tribes in the eastern areas were usually friends with New France (the French colonies in North America) and had strong ties with the French Jesuits.
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What Was the Treaty of Casco?
Governor Dudley wanted to prevent more conflict. He set up a meeting with several Native American chiefs and their tribes. He hoped to fix any problems that had come up since the last peace agreement. They met on June 20, 1703, in New Casco, Maine. Today, this place is known as Falmouth, Maine.
The Meeting and Promises of Peace
During the meeting, the Native American leaders said they wanted peace. They promised they were not working with the French to attack the English. They gave Governor Dudley a special belt of wampum, which was a traditional gift showing agreement and respect. The ceremony ended with an exchange of gun salutes, a sign of friendship.
Why Did the French Worry About the Treaty?
The Treaty of Casco made the French leaders worried. They felt it left their colony of Acadia (in present-day Canada) open to attack. Because of this, Jacques-François de Monbeton de Brouillan, who was the Governor of Acadia, asked the Governor of New France, Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, to act. He wanted Vaudreuil to encourage fighting between the Native American tribes and New England.
French Concerns and Raids
Governor Vaudreuil was also worried about losing control of the Kennebec-Chaudiere river system. This river route was important because it led directly to Quebec City, a major French city. So, he gathered a group of Canadian soldiers and Iroquois warriors. In August 1703, this group, along with some Abenaki warriors, attacked the New England border. They raided areas from Casco to Wells. About 160 people were killed or taken prisoner. More attacks happened later that autumn.
How Did New England React?
These attacks came as a complete surprise to the people of New England. Governor Dudley quickly responded by declaring war on the Abenaki people. He also offered a reward of £40 for each enemy scalp, which was a common practice at the time to encourage fighting.
