Treaty of Colerain

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Colerain?

Subject:

Treaty of Colerain

Known for:

1796 treaty establishing boundaries between the U.S. and the Creek Nation.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Foundation

The Treaty of Colerain was a significant diplomatic agreement signed in St. Marys, Georgia, on June 29, 1796. This treaty was negotiated by representatives for the United States, including Benjamin Hawkins, George Clymer, and Andrew Pickens. It was signed with the representatives of the Creek Nation, with Langley Bryant serving as the crucial interpreter for the proceedings. The signing location itself, Colerain, was a small community that had previously served as a U.S. Indian factory established by James Seagrove.

Breakthrough & Iconic Era

A primary function of the Treaty of Colerain was to affirm and bind the Creek Nation to the boundaries previously established by the Treaty of New York in 1790. Furthermore, it required the Creek Nation to formally acknowledge the boundary lines set forth in the Treaties of Hopewell and Holston from 1791. This treaty was pivotal as it allowed the Creek chiefs to begin acknowledging the complex negotiation process for delineating the future Georgia-Florida boundary with Spain, even though those lines were not yet finalized.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The treaty formally established a boundary line between the Creek Nation and the United States, solidifying territorial claims at a critical juncture. It included a key provision granting the President of the U.S. the authority to establish any necessary trading or military outpost within the region. Although the boundaries between Spanish Florida and the U.S. were still undetermined, this document laid essential groundwork for future geopolitical negotiations in the Southeast, impacting tribal sovereignty for decades.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1790: 1790 Milestone — A primary function of the Treaty of Colerain was to affirm and bind the Creek Nation to the boundaries previously established by the Treaty of New York in 1790.
2. 1791: 1791 Milestone — Furthermore, it required the Creek Nation to formally acknowledge the boundary lines set forth in the Treaties of Hopewell and Holston from 1791.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Colerain

True or False: “True or false: The Treaty of Colerain immediately and permanently settled the boundary between Spanish Florida and the United States.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While the treaty allowed the Creek chiefs to acknowledge negotiations for the Georgia-Florida boundary with Spain, the boundaries between Spanish Florida and the U.S. had not yet been fully established at the time of the treaty.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Carl Czerny — Historical peer (Born in 1791) (1791): Austrian composer and pianist, renowned for his pedagogical works and connection to Beethoven and Liszt.
• Charles Babbage — Historical peer (Born in 1791) (1791): Pioneering polymath credited with originating the concept of the digital programmable computer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty of Colerain