Treaty of Fort Pitt

Explanation and Analysis of the Document

The treaty with the Delawares of 1778 includes six articles. The very brief first article of the treaty ends all hostilities between the signatories and arranges for forgiveness of past ones. Article II calls for perpetual peace and friendship between the contracting parties. It furthermore obliges the United States and the Delawares to come to one another's aid should one of them be engaged in a just and necessary war and to lend such assistance in due proportion to their abilities. This article also obligates each party to the treaty to send the other a warning should it discover any planned hostilities against the other.

Article III refers specifically to the War of Independence and portrays the outcome of this war as having a great importance on the peace and security of the two parties to the treaty. It specifically requires the Delaware nation to permit U.S. forces free passage through their country as well as guidance. The Delawares are obligated to supply the troops with corn, meat, horses, and other things, and the commanding officers are obliged to reimburse them for the full value of these items. In this article the Delawares also agree to send as many of their best warriors as they can spare to join the American troops. To secure the protection of old men, women, and children during the absence of these warriors, the United States consents to build, pay for, and adequately garrison a fort.

Through Article IV the two undersigned parties agree that neither of them should punish the infractions made by the other party's citizens but instead should secure the offender and submit him to a fair trial by judges or juries of both parties and in accordance with their laws. This arrangement was supposed to be clarified later on by Congress with the assistance of the Delawares. Both parties also agree not to harbor any enemies of the other but to secure and deliver them.

Article V talks about the confederation entered into by the Delaware nation and the United States and obligates the United States to supply the Delawares with clothing, utensils, and implements of war as far as this may be in the states' power. The fifth article also arranges for fair trade between the two parties.

Article VI of the treaty discusses the attempts of enemies of the United States to persuade the Indians that the United States is intent on appropriating the Indians' lands. In this article, the United States guarantees the Delawares and their heirs their complete territorial rights as long as the Delaware nation remains a friend of the United States. The two signatories further agree that in the future other tribes could be invited to join the United States as a state with the Delawares at its head and with a representation in Congress, should this be in the interest of both parties. However, this last arrangement is specifically stated to be subject to the approval of Congress.