The Pickering Treaty with the Six Nations, signed on November 11, 1794, at Canandaigua, New York, holds a critical place in both American and Canadian Indigenous history. Named after Timothy Pickering, the U.S. agent who represented the American government, this treaty reaffirmed the sovereignty and land rights of the Six Nations—Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras—in what is now both the United States and Canada.
By the late 18th century, the Six Nations Confederacy, having once held significant power across what is now New York and southern Ontario, had seen their influence eroded by European colonization, the American Revolution, and subsequent displacement. Many of the Mohawks, led by Joseph Brant, had allied with the British during the American Revolution. When Britain lost the war, those who had fought alongside the Crown faced dispossession and displacement. Some relocated to Canada, where they were granted lands along the Grand River, while others remained in the U.S. The Pickering Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Canandaigua, came as part of the post-war negotiations.
The treaty was a significant attempt by the American government to stabilize relations with the Iroquois Confederacy, particularly after years of conflict and shifting alliances during the American Revolution. It recognized the Six Nations’ right to their lands and affirmed that their territories would not be encroached upon without their consent. Importantly, it established annual payments—goods to the value of $4,500 per year—to the Six Nations as a form of support and acknowledgment of their sovereignty.
For Canada, the implications of the Pickering Treaty were multifaceted. While it was signed in the United States, its influence extended across the border into British North America (now Canada), where many members of the Six Nations had relocated. The treaty indirectly reaffirmed the cultural and political ties of the Iroquois Confederacy, despite the new international border dividing their lands. It also highlighted the precarious position of Indigenous nations caught between two competing colonial powers—Britain and the United States—each vying for their loyalty.
The treaty’s recognition of Indigenous land rights had an enduring legacy in Canadian history. In particular, it became a reference point in later land negotiations and treaties between the Crown and First Nations in Canada, including the numbered treaties that shaped western expansion in the 19th century. It also underscored the importance of treaties as living documents, whose obligations would persist into the future. In modern times, the annual distribution of treaty goods under the Pickering Treaty remains a ceremonial reminder of the ongoing relationship between the U.S. government and the Six Nations, symbolizing the enduring power and significance of treaty agreements in North America.
The Pickering Treaty also influenced the Canadian government’s treaty-making policies with Indigenous peoples. It illustrated the necessity of balancing diplomacy and legal agreements to ensure peaceful relations, a lesson that would resonate as Canada negotiated its own treaties with Indigenous nations in the years to come.
In conclusion, the Pickering Treaty with the Six Nations stands as a pivotal document in North American history, bridging the tumultuous post-Revolutionary period with the long arc of Indigenous-European relations. Its effects rippled through Indigenous politics in both Canada and the U.S., highlighting the importance of land rights, sovereignty, and the power of treaty negotiations. The treaty's legacy remains alive today, serving as a testament to the enduring struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and the complex history of colonialism on the continent.
November 11, 1794
The President of the United States having determined to hold a conference with the Six Nations of Indians, for the purpose of removing from their minds all causes of complaint, and establishing a firm and permanent friendship with them; and Timothy Pickering being appointed sole agent for that purpose; and the agent having met and conferred with the Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations, in a general council: Now in order to accomplish the good design of this conference, the parties have agreed on the following articles, which, when ratified by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, shall be binding on them and the Six Nations.
Article I
Peace and friendship are hereby firmly established, and shall be perpetual, between the United States and the Six Nations.
Article II
The United States acknowledge the lands reserved to the Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga Nations, in their respective treaties with the state of New York, and called their reservations, to be their property; and the United States will never claim the same, nor disturb them or either of the Six Nations, nor their Indian friends residing thereon and united with them, in the free use and enjoyment thereof: but the said reservations shall remain theirs, until they choose to sell the same to the people of the United States who have right to purchase.
Article III
The land of the Seneka nation is bounded as follows: Beginning on Lake Ontario, at the north-west corner of the land they sold to Oliver Phelps, the line run westerly along the lake, as far as O-yong-wong-yeh Creek at Johnson's Landing-place, about four miles eastward from the fort of Niagara; then southerly up that creek to its main fork, then straight to the main fork of Stedman's Creek, which empties into the river Niagara, above Fort Schlosser, and then onward, from that fork, continuing the same straight course, to that river; (this line, from the mouth of O-yong-wong- yeh Creek to the river Niagara, above Fort Schlosser, being the eastern boundary of a strip of land, extending from the same line to Niagara River, which the Seneka nation ceded to the King of Great Britain, at a treaty held about thirty years ago, with Sir William Johnson;) then the line runs along the river Niagara to Lake Erie; then along Lake Erie to the north-east corner of a triangular piece of land which the United States conveyed to the state of Pennsylvania, as by the President's patent, dated the third day of March, 1792; then due south to the northern boundary of that state; then due east to the south-west corner of the land sold by the Seneka nation to Oliver Phelps; and then north and northerly, along Phelps' line, to the place beginning on Lake Ontario. Now, the United States acknowledge all the land within the aforementioned boundaries, to be the property of the Seneka nation; and the United States will never claim the same, nor disturb that Seneka nation, nor any of the Six Nations, or their Indian friends residing thereon and united with them, in the free use and enjoyment thereof: but it shall remain theirs, until they choose to sell the same to the people of the United States, who have the right to purchase.
Article IV
The United States having thus described and acknowledged what lands belong to the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senekas, and engaged never to claim the same, nor to disturb them, or any of the Six Nations, or their Indian friends residing thereon and united with them, in the free use and enjoyment thereof: Now the Six Nations, and each of them, hereby engage that they will never claim any other lands within the boundaries of the United States; nor ever disturb the people of the United States in the free use and enjoyment thereof.
Article V
The Seneka nation, all others of the Six Nations concurring, cede to the United States the right of making a wagon road from Fort Schlosser to Lake Erie, as far south as Buffaloe Creek; and the people of the United States shall have the free and undisturbed use of this road, for the purposes of travelling and transportation. And the Six Nations, and each of them, will forever allow to the people of the United States, a free passage through their lands, and the free use of their harbors and rivers adjoining and within their respective tracts of land, for the passing and securing of vessels and boats, and liberty to land their cargoes when necessary for their safety.
Article VI
In consideration of the peace and friendship hereby established, and of the engagements entered into by the Six Nations; and because the United States desire, with humanity and kindness, to contribute to their comfortable support; and to render the peace and friendship hereby established strong and perpetual; the United States now deliver to the Six Nations, and the Indians of the other nations residing among and united with them, a quantity of goods of the value of ten thousand dollars. And for the same considerations, and with a view to promote the future welfare of the Six Nations, and of their Indian friends aforesaid, the United States will add the sum of three thousand dollars to the one thousand five hundred dollars, heretofore allowed them by an article ratified by the President, on the twenty-third day of April 1792; making in the whole, four thousand five hundred dollars; which shall be expended yearly forever, in purchasing clothing, domestic animals, implements of husbandry and other utensils suited to their circumstances, and in compensating useful artificers, who shall reside with them or near them, and be employed for their benefit. The immediate application of the whole annual allowance now stipulated, to be made by the superintendent appointed by the President for the affairs of the Six Nations, and their Indian friends aforesaid.
Article VII
Lest the firm peace and friendship now established should be interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, the United States and Six Nations agree, that for injuries done by individuals on either side, no private revenge or retaliation shall take place; but, instead thereof, complaint shall be made by the party injured, to the other: By the Six Nations or any of them, to the President of the United States, or the Superintendent by him appointed: and by the Superintendent, or other person appointed by the President, to the principal chiefs of the Six Nations, or of the nation to which the offender belongs: and such prudent measures shall then be pursued as shall be necessary to preserve our peace and friendship unbroken; until the legislature (or great council) of the United States shall make the equitable provision for the purpose.
Note: It is clearly understood by the parties to this treaty, that the annuity stipulated in the sixth article, is to be applied to the benefit of such of the Six Nations and of their Indian friends united with them as aforesaid, as do or shall reside within the boundaries of the United States: for the United States do not interfere with nations, tribes or families, of Indians elsewhere resident.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Timothy Pickering, and the sachems and war chiefs of the said Six Nations, have hereunto set their hands and seals.
Done at Canandaigua, in the State of New York, in the eleventh day of November, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.
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Source: NAC/ANC, Elgin-Grey Papers