Draft:Haldimand Pledge

• Comment: Thanks for starting this draft. The subject is obviously notable, and now all that's missing is the references. Wikishovel (talk) 10:49, 9 October 2024 (UTC)

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The Haldimand Pledge of 1779 was a commitment made by British officials during the American Revolutionary War regarding the restoration of three Mohawk villages: Canojaharie, Tikondarago, and Aughugo.

Background

In the late 18th century, tensions escalated between British colonial authorities and the American colonies, leading to the Revolutionary War. The Mohawk allied with the British to protect their lands and maintain their sovereignty.

Specifically, the Haldimand Pledge names the Three Mohawk Villages—Canojaharie, Tikondarago, and Aughugo—destroyed during the war and guarantees the restoration of Mohawk lands and rights under a status quo ante bellum principle. This legal mechanism ensures that the Mohawk people and their posterity would be restored to their pre-war status, including the right to their lands, which were granted as deeds of gift under the terms of the Pledge.

The status quo ante bellum principle is crucial, as it obligates the Crown to return the Mohawk Nation to its previous state before the disruptions of war, ensuring their rights, lands, and sovereignty are recognized and upheld. This principle underscores the distinct legal standing of the Mohawk Nation, separate from the broader Haudenosaunee (Six Nations), and reinforces the urgency of recognizing their treaty rights.

The phrasing at the beginning of the Haldimand Pledge, "Some of the Mohawks," establishes a sub-national context for the agreement. This wording signifies that the agreement acknowledges the Mohawk Nation as a distinct group that can engage in treaty-making at a sub-national level. While the Pledge does not encompass the entirety of the Mohawk Nation, it validates their rights and interests as a specific community recognized by the British Crown.

This recognition allows for treaty relations with sub-national groups like the Mohawk Nation. The specific mention of "some" underscores that the Pledge pertains to those Mohawks who were loyal to the Crown, thereby delineating their unique legal standing. This is particularly significant, as it confirms that the interests of the Mohawk Nation are separate from those of the Six Nations, further complicating the application of treaties like the Canandaigua Treaty, which does not encapsulate the distinct interests of the Mohawks.

The Pledge

In 1779, British officials pledged to restore the lands of the three Mohawk villages to their pre-war boundaries. This commitment aimed to ensure the stability and security of the Mohawk communities amid the ongoing conflict.

Aftermath

Following the war, the Treaty of Paris in 1783, resulted in significant territorial losses for the Mohawk. However, the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784 later made good on these losses, formally restoring the lands and communities of the Mohawk as originally pledged.

Significance

The Haldimand Pledge and the subsequent Proclamation are essential for understanding British policies toward Indigenous allies during the Revolutionary War and the long-term impact on Mohawk land rights and sovereignty.

References

• [Haldimand Proclamation] of 1784
• Historical texts on the American Revolutionary War and Indigenous alliances.