Mysterious Tuscarora Land Treaty and duress defense laws
Was the mysterious Tuscarora Land Treaty, held at the Cupola House in Edenton, created during the 30-year peace period in the late 1600’s?
There is reasonable cause to consider that the undated document was because it
was the nature of colonists to record their transactions and agreements and
became the habit of Natives because they became increasingly wary of white
invaders.
Thomas Parramore wrote in The Tuscarora Ascendancy, “Peaceful
relations were formalized in 1672 when leaders of the Albemarle colony met with
Tuscarora chiefs and apparently reached accord,” (p. 313). Note the word formalized.
This indicates that there was a meeting and it was likely recorded and any
agreement would have been written for prosperity. It is only logical.
Parramore shares, “Thereafter, it appears, the Albemarle
colony was understood to be that region bordering Virginia, which “on ye southern
part is separated by Albemarle Sound and Chowan River.” Strictly construed,
these limits made of Albemarle a reservation for white people and such, in
effect, it remained for the next thirty years. During this long period, the
English would offer no further challenge to areas under Tuscarora domination,”
(p. 313). The territorial references match other historical maps and references
leading to another reasonable cause to consider that the treaty was created during
this time period.
The treaty is challenging to decipher, but one of the terms,
“so long as the sun and moon endure,” (Parramore, (1982), p. 314), is easily
understood as forever. Was this term suggested by a Tuscarora? Was it written
from original thought by a white? Does it matter?
It is universally understood that the treaty was written to be in effect forever.
On top of that, this mysterious "sun and moon treaty" is also known as the TUSCARORA TREATY OF 1714 - by the State of North Carolina.
Greed, war, broken treaties, and difficult survival choices
changed the course of history and under unimaginable duress the Mighty
Tuscarora fled with their lives into the swamps in the 1700’s. Their expulsion
is recorded in the Colonial Records of North Carolina as a land
transaction, with explanation that proves beyond a doubt the horrific circumstances
these Natives fled in exile.
But wait! The law allows people to sue those who force them
to do things they normally would not do under duress defense laws. Why haven’t North
Carolina’s Tuscaroras sued England yet?
Because they need a law team as mighty as their ancestors.
If you feel the calling of the war drums, contact Tuscarora
Nation of North Carolina to support their efforts in reclamation and recognition.
Follow my Blog and WIN a chance for a free paperback. To enter: email screenshot of following my blog confirmation.
1. . Parramore, T. (1982). The Tuscarora Ascendancy. The North Carolina Historical Review, 59(4), 307-326. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23521798
JuJune 1717, Chowan County, Councilman Thomas Pollock,
Minutes
of the North Carolina Governor's Council
North Carolina. Council
June 04, 1717 - June 05, 1717
Volume 02, Pages 282-283
“North Carolina ss
Whereas
the Tuscarora Indians by their articles of peace with this Governmt were
bounded and Limited for their future Settlement to a certain Tract of Land
lying between Onion quits-tah Creek on Pamplico River and Nuse river to which
settlement they were to repaire so soon as the Warr should be over But for as
much as the Indyan Warr is since broken out in South Carolina the aforesaid
Tuscarore Indyans have Signified to this Government that they are in Danger of
being Attacked and destroyed by those Indyans and therefore has prayed to be
allowed a Settlement on Morratock River for their further Security Now be it
known that it is hereby mutually agreed on between the Honble Charles Eden
Governor Capt Genll and Admll of this Province by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Council for and on behalfe of himselfe and the
Inhabitants of this Governmt and King Blount for and on behalfe of
himselfe and ye rest of the Tuscarora Indyans that for as much as the said
Blount and his Indyans have been very Servicable to this Government and still
Continues so to be And as a particular mark of Favor from this Government They
do hereby Give unto him the said Blount for his further and better support of
himselfe and his Indyans all the Land lying between Mr Jones's Lower land
on the northside of the Morratock river to Quitmak Swamp And the said King
Blount doth hereby agree to remove all his Indyans from off the other Lands
down to Roovosskee by Chrismas next And that they shall not molest nor disturb
the Inhabitants nor their stocks in Hunting in any of the adjacent Grounds but
that they shall take all the due Care therein they can and that they shall not
nor will not Claim any Right or property to any Other Lands hereafter on Either
side of Morratock River
In
Witness whereof the said Parties have Interchanably Set their hands and Seals
this fifth day of June 1717”
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