Today in Religion – Treaty of Hopewell

In 1785 the Confederation Congress of the United States of America and The Cherokee People signed the Treaty of Hopewell. This agreement, signed at Hopewell Plantation, shortly after the Revolutionary War established a small peace between the two groups. While the Cherokee signed on November 28, other Native American Tribes came to sign the Treaty throughout the next year.

This treaty established a border between the new state lands and Native American lands, with a promise not to encroach on these lands. It also set up trade, delivery of those captured, and agreement to return criminals for punishment. Despite signing the document Native Americans still did not consider the United States sovereignty over their lands. And while some of the agreements seem good, history shows up that the treaty did not last long.