The 1666 Articles of Peace and Amity was a treaty signed on 20 April 1666 between the
English colony of Maryland and 12
Eastern Algonquian-speaking Indigenous nations, including the
Piscataway,
Anacostanck,
Doegs, Mikikiwomans, Manasquesend,
Mattawoman, Chingwawateick, Hangemaick,
Portobackes, Sacayo, Panyayo, and
Choptico. The treaty established the right of Native peoples to remain on their lands and preserved their inviolable right to continue fishing, crabbing, hunting, and fowling. The treaty also stated that "If an Indian kill an Englishman he shall dye for itt"; however execution is only prescribed for English colonists if an "English man shall kill any Indian that shall come vnpaynted". The treaty forbade Native peoples from entering any colonial settlements while being "painted", stating that "the English cannot easily distinguish one Indian from another." If a Native person and a colonist met accidentally in the forest, the "Indian shall be bound immediately to throwe downe his Armes vpon call, and in case any Indian soe meeting an English man shall refuse to throwe downe his armes vpon Call he shall be deemed as an Enemy."
History
In December 2020, the
Council of the District of Columbia
The Council of the District of Columbia (or simply D.C. Council) is the legislative branch of the government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the district is not part of any U.S. state and is overseen ...
voted to honor the language of the treaty guaranteeing fishing rights to Native people by granting free fishing licences to members of the state-recognized
Piscataway Indian Nation and Tayac Territory and
Piscataway-Conoy Tribe of Maryland.
See also
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1652 Articles of Peace and Friendship
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Land acknowledgement
A land acknowledgement (or territorial acknowledgement) is a formal statement that acknowledges the indigenous peoples of the land. It may be in written form, or be spoken at the beginning of public events. The custom of land acknowledgement is p ...
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List of treaties
This list of treaties contains known agreements, pacts, peaces, and major contracts between states, armies, governments, and tribal groups.
Before 1200 CE
1200–1299
1300–1399
1400–1499
1500–1599
1600–1699
1700–1799
...
References
1666 in Maryland
1666 treaties
Anti-Indigenous racism in Maryland
Province of Maryland
English colonization of the Americas
Nanticoke
Native American history of Maryland
Piscataway
Treaties of Indigenous peoples of North America
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