Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/19/2014
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location
Edmund Fowle House
Categories
UNACC will take part in the Watertown Treaty Day. This event will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2014 from 1:00 PM AM – 4:30 PM. Noel Rainville will be reading the treaty from the Edmund Fowle House. Outside, Nugumij Drummers/Singers along with the Morning Star Singers will be performing throughout the day. UNACC will also have our store set up for visitor’s shopping pleasure. Members from our group will be available for meet and greet.
From the web site of the Watertown Historical Society:
The Treaty of Watertown
The Historical Society of Watertown celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Watertown every July 18th, in conjunction with the reading of the Declaration of Independence, at the Edmund Fowle House.
This observance commemorates a treaty of alliance and friendship signed between the Micmac Nation of northern New England and Canada and the newly formed United States. It was the first treaty to recognize the United States as an independent nation. The original treaty was signed on July 19th, 1776, a mere 15 days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
During the Revolutionary War, General Washington was anxious to secure our northern border. In February, 1776, he wrote a letter to the Micmac Grand Chief asking for his nation’s aid in the war against the British. A letter was also sent in October, 1775, from the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. Seven Captains of the Micmac and three St. John’s (or Malecite) Captains responded and arrived in Watertown on July 10th, 1776. Major Shaw “brought them in his sloop from Machias to Salem, from whence they rode hither in carriage which were provided for them.” They were asked to come in person, for, not understanding each other’s language, it would have been too difficult to communicate in writing.