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© 2006 Charles City County |
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1677
In May of 1677 the first Treaty
of Middle Plantation was signed by Virginia and some of the Indian groups affected by Bacon’s Rebellion. Cockacoeske
of Pamunkey signed not only for her community, but also for
the Rappahannock and the Chickahominy. Those groups protested
over the Pamunkey subjection prescribed by the peace accord,
and appear to have maintained their independence. Original
signers included the Pamunkeys, the Weyanocks, the Nansemonds,
and the Nottoways.
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Articles of Peace, printed by John Bill, Christopher Barker, Thomas Newcomb and Henry Hills, London 1677. Courtesy Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary. |
1680
Further negotiations resulted in an appendix
to the 1677 agreement. The second Treaty of Middle Plantation
was signed by the Meherrins, the Sapponies, the Appomattox,
the Monacans, and the Nanzaticos / Nansemonds / Portabacos.
The combined treaty provided:
- The Indian leaders acknowledged the English crown as their
sovereign, and agreed to pay tribute annually as loyal subjects.
- The Indians would hold their lands by patent, offering three
arrows in lieu of services each March.
- Indians who maintained allegiance to the Crown would be provided
lands, if they had none; those with lands would be confirmed
and protected, as long as they were cooperative and maintained
the property.
- To avoid future conflict, no English would be allowed to
settle within three miles of Indian towns.
- Complaints and grievances of the Indians were to be filed
with the Governor, where English law would apply to both parties
as equals.
- No Indian leaders would be imprisoned without the Governor
and Council’s warrant. Other Indians would not be held
without a warrant from a Justice of the Peace with sufficient
cause.
- Indians might gather plants not used by the English, after
notifying a public Magistrate. After gathering their plants,
the Indians were to return home, unarmed.
- Foreign Indians were to be reported, escorted and attacked
as required. Those involved in escorts were to be unpainted.
- Provisions for Indians in war service would be provided.
- Leaders of the signature tribes would be treated as equals, except
for Cockacoesque who would act as paramount to other
groups, such as the Chickahominy and Rappahannocks.
- No Indians would be kept as servants without proper licenses.
- Runaways were to be returned to appropriate villages.
- Servitude would be regulated by age, as not to develop into
slavery.
- Indian tribes would pay 20 beaver skins each year as tribute
to the Governor.
- Official trips to the Governor would be covered by the public
treasury, with protection and provisions provided.
- Consultation between parties would be required before the
onset of war between Indian groups, with the Governor as intermediary.
- Indian interpreters or trusted individuals would be employed
for each Indian community.
- Indian servants and hostages were to be returned.
- Indian trade would continue to be regulated.
- All English and Indians in the Province of Maryland were
to ascribe to the Articles of Peace provided in the document.
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