Treaty of Watertown facts for kids

The Treaty of Watertown was a very important agreement signed on July 19, 1776. It happened in a town called Watertown, Massachusetts. This treaty was the first international agreement made by the United States after it declared its independence from Great Britain. It created a military team-up between the United States and some groups of Mi'kmaq people and the St. John's Tribe. They joined forces against Great Britain during the early years of the American Revolutionary War. However, seven Mi'kmaq groups decided not to join this treaty.

A few years later, on June 7, 1779, the Mi'kmaq groups who signed the treaty changed their minds. They gave the Watertown treaty back to Nova Scotia Governor Michael Francklin. This showed they were once again loyal to the British. After the British won a big battle called the Penobscot Expedition, some Mi'kmaq in what is now New Brunswick also left the Watertown treaty. They signed a new agreement with the British on September 24, 1779.

What the Treaty Said

The treaty was signed by leaders from the Massachusetts Bay area. At that time, Massachusetts was a colony fighting for its freedom, not yet a state. The leaders signed "for said State, and the other united States of America."

Reading the Declaration

A copy of the new United States Declaration of Independence was brought to the meeting in Watertown. It was read aloud to the Wabanaki representatives. The Wabanaki are a group of Indigenous peoples, including the Mi'kmaq. After the Declaration was translated, the Indigenous leaders said, "We like it well."

The treaty itself started with words from the Declaration of Independence. It said that the thirteen colonies were "Free and Independent States." This meant they had the power to start wars, make peace, form alliances, and trade with others.

Joining the Fight

Under the treaty, the Mi'kmaq and St. John's Tribes (which included the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy peoples) promised to provide 600 strong men. These men would serve in the Continental Army, which was America's army. This number was less than the 1200 fighters who had helped during the French and Indian War. By 1778, there were 5000 British soldiers in Nova Scotia.

Three of the six Mi'kmaq delegates who signed the treaty bravely volunteered to join the army right away. The treaty also said they would start getting paid when they arrived at George Washington's camp in New York.

Mi'kmaq in Battle

Indigenous fighters formed an "American Battalion." They fought in the Battle of Fort Cumberland in late 1776. They also helped protect the border of Maine. They launched other attacks against British places.

Today, the town of Watertown, Massachusetts holds a special celebration every year on Treaty Day. This has been happening since 1995.

Mi'kmaq Decisions

Mi'kmaq historian Daniel N. Paul explains that many individual Mi'kmaq did volunteer and serve with the American army. However, the people who signed the treaty only represented their own groups. In Mi'kmaq tradition, each group was independent. They could sign agreements between nations. Then, they would go home to share the agreements with the Grand Council, the Council of Women, and finally, all citizens. If everyone agreed, the treaty would be approved by each district.

The Watertown Treaty was not fully approved by all Mi'kmaq groups until modern times. After the treaty was first signed, all the Maliseet groups approved it through a vote.

Treaty Honored Today

The Treaty of Watertown is still respected today. All Mi'kmaq people are allowed to join the US Armed Forces. This is true no matter where they were born. These brave warriors have served in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other parts of the world. They are celebrated for their service.