Ratification of the Treaty of 1725
June 4, 1726

The text of the articles to be ratified:

"Articles of submission and agreement, made at Boston, in New England by Loran Arexus, Francois Xavier and Meganumbe, Delegates from Penobscott, Naridgwack, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq and other Nations inhabiting within His Majesty's Territories of Nova Scotia and New England.

'Whereas, His Majesty King George, by concession of the Most Christian King, made at the Treaty of Utrecht, is become the rightful possessor of the Province of Nova Scotia or Acadia ... do, in the name and behalf of the Nations we represent, acknowledge His said Majesty King George's jurisdiction and dominion over the territories of the said Province of Nova Scotia or Acadia, and make our submission to His said Majesty in as ample manner as we have formerly done to the King of France.

"And, we further promise, on behalf of the Nations we represent, that the Indians shall not molest any of His Majesty's Subjects or their dependents in their Settlements already made or lawfully to be made, or in their carrying on their traffic and other affairs within the said Provinces.

"That, if there happens any robbery or outrage committed by any of the Indians, the Tribe or Tribes they belong to shall cause satisfaction and restitution to be made to the Parties injured.

"That the Indians shall not help to escape any Soldiers belonging to His Majesty's forts, but on the contrary shall bring back any Soldier they shall find endeavoring to run away.

"That, in case of any misunderstanding, quarrel or injury between the English and the Indians, no private revenge shall be taken, but application shall be made for redress, according to His Majesty's Laws.

"That, if the Indians have made any Prisoners belonging to the Government of Nova Scotia or Acadia during the course of the War, they shall be released at, or before, the ratification of this Treaty.

"That this Treaty shall be ratified at Annapolis Royal. "
Dated at the Council Chamber in Boston, in New England, December 15, 1725."

Instead of providing an honourable peace for the Eastern Nations, these documents contained all the elements needed to humiliate them further. One does not make a lasting peace by debasing and humiliating one's former enemies. Doing so only lays a foundation of resentment and hate that will eventually erupt into hostilities.

Prior to its official ratification of the treaty on June 4, 1726, the Governor's Council at Annapolis took some pains to let the Mi'kmaq know of its terms. At a Council held on March 21, 1726, Lt.-Governor John Doucett told the Council that he had received from Major Paul Mascarene attested copies of the agreement. The Council resolved to order the Acadian Deputies who lived along the Annapolis River area to be at the fort the following Wednesday to be acquainted with the terms of the treaty, and to bring the leaders of the Indians who also resided in the area around the river with them.

The Council reconvened on Saturday March 26, 1726, to meet with the Acadian Deputies to whom the terms of the agreement were read. It was resolved that circular letters would be sent to the Mi'kmaq, via the Deputies, to inform them of the peace and ask them to assemble at the fort on May 4th to ratify the treaty. The date was later changed to June 4th.

At a meeting on April 20, 1726, Lt.-Governor John Doucett informed the Council that he had received a letter from the Deputies of Cobaquit, informing him that they had explained the letter to the Indians present at their settlement, "and that they had used all possible means to communicate the same to those who were absent, in order that they may be here at the time appointed, and that they, the deputies, would come to the fort with them for the treaty signing ceremony."

At a Council meeting held at Annapolis on May 31, 1726, the Lt.-Governor informed the Council that the Chief of the Cape Sable Mi'kmaq, and other Chiefs of the province were coming to ratify the treaty on June 4th. He asked the Board whether the signing ceremony should go ahead in the absence of the Governor of the province, Lawrence Armstrong, who had not returned from Canso. The Council deemed that the Chiefs might not ratify the articles if the signing did not proceed on June 4th, and that it would not be in the province's best interest to hinder the negotiations of the government of New England. They decided that Lt.-Governor Doucett would sign the treaty on the Governor's behalf.

At a Council meeting held on the 4th of June 1726:

"The Lt. Governor acquainted the Board that the Indians, with the Deputies of the Inhabitants of this River, were here to confirm and ratify the Articles ratified and agreed upon by their Delegates at Boston. He wanted to know if, because they had come to ratify the treaty as agreed, he should release the Indian Prisoners.

"The opinion of the Board is, that as those in prison are not worthy to be kept as hostages, they being but of little esteem, some old and decrepit, and that whereas they have already been a very great expense to His Majesty, that they should be released in order to show the Indians sincerity of friendship and that it may persuade them to support His Majesty's interest.

"Then the Board moved, that it was customary on such occasions to give them some entertainments and presents as tokens of friendship. To which, the Honourable Lt. Governor, answered that he had no presents. It was again moved, that His Majesty had some years ago sent presents for distribution to the Indians and that it would be less expensive at this juncture to distribute some of these amongst them....

"The opinion of the Board is that it is very necessary to give them tokens of friendship. Therefore, the Lt. Governor of Annapolis Royal, in the absence of Lawrence Armstrong, the Lt. Governor of the Province, should acquire proper presents for distribution to the Indians, in order to maintain the honour of this, His Majesty's Province.

"Then, His Honour, acquainted the Board, that he had as per the Articles agreed upon by Major Paul Mascarene and the Indian Delegates, prepared documents for him and the Indians to sign and thus ratify, which he laid before the Board.

"Which being read and compared with those stipulated at Boston, were approved. And then it was Judged proper to adjourn to the Flag Bastion, to have them ratified, in as public and solemn a manner as possible.

"Where the Indians being present, the said Articles were again read before all the Officers, Soldiers, and the Deputies, first in English. Then the Lt. Governor, having administered an Oath to Abram Bourg, a Deputy, and to Prudane Robichau Senior, had them translate the articles into French. Then the terms of the treaty were again distinctly read in French, paragraph by paragraph, to the Indians.

"The Indians then gave their assent, and signed, sealed and delivered the same to his Honour, the Lt. Governor of Annapolis Royal.

"Then the Lt. Governor, in absence of the Honourable Governor of the Province, signed, sealed and, for and in His Majesty's name, delivered those, in behalf of this Government, to the Chief of said Indians. And they having moreover swore fidelity, the [Lt.] Governor gave then orders that the Indian prisoners should be released. And gave them an entertainment, and several presents as tokens of His Majesty's protection."

The statement concerning the worth of the hostages lays bare English ignorance of the customs of the people they were dealing with. The individuals they were holding were said to be "old and decrepit" and therefore "not worthy" as hostages. If the English had taken the time to find out something about Mi'kmaq culture, they would have known that no others in the Nation were more venerated and valued than Elders.