1760–1761 Peace and Friendship Treaties
Introduction
The 1760–1761 Peace and Friendship Treaties were a series of agreements between the British Crown and various Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy Nations. These treaties were signed after the British conquest of New France and aimed to end hostilities while securing trade relations. Unlike previous Peace and Friendship Treaties, these agreements introduced explicit terms regarding British governance, legal recognition, and trade regulations.
These treaties did not involve land cessions but were meant to establish relations between the British and the Nations while ensuring continued rights to hunting, fishing, and trading.
Historical Context
By 1760, the British had effectively defeated the French in the region, taking control of Acadia (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island). However, the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy had been resisting British expansion for decades and remained powerful in the region.
To prevent further conflicts, the British sought peace agreements, offering guarantees of trade and protection for traditional ways of life. However, the Nations viewed these treaties as agreements between equals, while the British saw them as declarations of submission. This difference in interpretation would later cause tensions.
Full Text of the 1760–1761 Treaties
Note: The following is a transcription of the treaty signed on March 10, 1760, between the British Crown and the LaHave Tribe of Indians, led by Chief Paul Laurent. While the original documents for these treaties are not known to exist, transcriptions have been preserved.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship concluded by His Excellency Charles Lawrence, Esq., Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia or Accadia, with Paul Laurent, Chief of the LaHave Tribe of Indians, at Halifax in the Province of Nova Scotia or Accadia.
I, Paul Laurent, do for myself and the tribe of LaHave Indians of which I am Chief, acknowledge the jurisdiction and dominion of His Majesty George the Second over the territories of Nova Scotia or Accadia, and we do make submission to His Majesty in the most perfect, ample, and solemn manner.
And I do promise for myself and my tribe that neither I nor they shall molest any of His Majesty's subjects or their dependents, in their settlements already made or to be hereafter made, or in carrying on their commerce, or in anything whatever within the Province of His said Majesty or elsewhere; and if any insult, robbery, or outrage shall happen to be committed by any of my tribe, satisfaction and restitution shall be made to the person or persons injured.
That neither I nor any of my tribe shall in any manner entice any of His said Majesty's troops or soldiers to desert, nor in any manner assist in conveying them away, but on the contrary will do our utmost endeavors to bring them back to the company, regiment, fort, or garrison to which they shall belong.
That if any quarrel or misunderstanding shall happen between myself and the English, or between them and any of my tribe, neither I nor they shall take any private satisfaction or revenge, but we will apply for redress according to the laws established in His said Majesty's dominions.
That all English prisoners made by myself or my tribe shall be set at liberty, and that we will use our utmost endeavors to prevail on the other tribes to do the same, if any prisoners shall happen to be in their hands.
And I do further promise for myself and my tribe that we will not either directly nor indirectly assist any of the enemies of His most sacred Majesty King George the Second, his heirs or successors, nor hold any manner of commerce, traffic, or intercourse with them, but on the contrary will, as much as may be in our power, discover and make known to His Majesty's Governor any ill designs which may be formed or contrived against His Majesty's subjects. And I do further engage that we will not traffic, barter, or exchange any commodities in any manner but with such persons or the managers of such truck houses as shall be appointed or established by His Majesty's Governor at Lunenburg or elsewhere in Nova Scotia or Accadia.
And for the more effectual security of the due performance of this treaty and every part thereof, I do promise and engage that a certain number of persons of my tribe, which shall not be less in number than two persons, shall on or before September next reside as hostages at Lunenburg or at such other place or places in this Province of Nova Scotia or Accadia as shall be appointed for that purpose by His Majesty's Governor of said Province, which hostages shall be exchanged for a like number of my tribe when requested.
And all these foregoing articles and every one of them made with His Excellency Charles Lawrence, His Majesty's Governor, I do promise for myself and on behalf of my tribe that we will most strictly keep and observe in the most solemn manner.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto put my mark and seal at Halifax in Nova Scotia this day of March one thousand seven hundred and sixty.
Paul Laurent
I do accept and agree to all the articles of the foregoing treaty. In faith and testimony whereof, I have signed these presents and have caused my seal to be hereunto affixed this day of March in the 33rd year of His Majesty's reign and in the year of our Lord 1760.
Chas Lawrence
Key Takeaways
Hunting, Fishing, and Trade Were Protected – These treaties reaffirmed that the Nations could continue their traditional ways of life.
Different Interpretations of Sovereignty – The Nations saw these treaties as peace agreements, while the British saw them as submitting to British rule.
British Law Was Introduced – For the first time, these treaties implied that the Nations would be subject to British legal authority.
Did These Treaties Hold?
The British Did Not Honor Their Promises – Trade agreements were often ignored, and British settlers continued to encroach on lands.
Legal Challenges Arise – The Nations continued to reference these treaties when fighting for their rights, leading to modern legal battles.
Lasting Impact
The truckhouse system failed, forcing the First Nations into economic hardship.
Legal disputes continue today, with Tribal leaders arguing that their rights under these treaties were never extinguished.
The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld these treaties in modern cases regarding hunting and fishing rights.
Next in the Series
The next post will cover the 1763 Royal Proclamation, a key document that shaped British-First People relations and later influenced modern treaty-making.