Nova Scotia Archives
Mi'kmaw Teaching and Learning Resources
Copy of Treaty of 1779 signed at Windsor between John Julien, Chief and Michael Francklin, representing the Government of Nova Scotia.
Whereas, in May and July last, a number of Indians at the instigation of the King' s disaffected subjects, did plunder and rob William John Cort and several other of the English Inhabitants, at Mirimichy of the principal part of their effects, in which transaction, we the undersigned Indians had no conscience, but nevertheless do blame ourselves, for not having exerted our abilities more effectually than we did to prevent it. Being now greatly distressed, and at a loss for the necessary supplies to keep us from the inclemency of the approaching Winter, and to enable us to subsist our families And whereas, Captain Augustus Gervey, Commander of His Majesty' s Sloop Viper, did in July last, to prevent further mischief, seize upon the Mirimichy River, Sixteen of the said Indians, one of which was killed, three released and twelve of the most atrocious have been carried to Quebec, to be dealt with, as His Majesty's Government of this Province, shall in good future direct, which measures we hope will tend to restore peace and good order in that Neighbourhood.
Be it known, to all men, that we John Julien, Chief; Antoine Arueau, Captain, Francis Julien and Thomas Dewagonside, Councillors of Mirimichy, and also Representatives of, and authorized by, the Indians of Pagumske and Restigouche, Michael Chief, Louis Augustine Cobaise, Francis Joseph Aruiph, Captains, Antoines and Guiassance Gabalier, Councillors
of
Signed at Windsor, NS, 22 September 1779 by John Julien, Chief, and others representing the "Mirimichy", as well as representatives from the "Pogmousche, Restigouche... Richebouctou... and Jedyac," and others together representing those and "all others residing between Cape Tormentine and the Bay DeChaleurs," and Michael Francklin, the King's Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Nova Scotia.
The document was certified as a true copy by Francklin and enclosed in a packet of documents sent from Halifax on 10 October 1779 by Lieutenant Governor Richard Hughes to George Germain, Secretary of State for the American Department at the Colonial Office in London. The Nova Scotia Archives has a photostatic copy of this document, the original of which was received in London on 13 November 1779, and is now in the National Archives (London UK) in the Colonial Office Papers as CO 217, Vol. 54, Item 254.
Transcript is from W. E. Daugherty, Maritime Indian treaties in historical perspective (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 1981); Treaty of 1761 (Merimichi tribe) in that publication.
Date: 1779
Retrieval no.: Peace and Friendship Treaties Nova Scotia Archives O/S number 516