Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Treaty of Spring Wells
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
1. Treaty of Spring Wells Marker
After the War of 1812, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass recognized the need to ease tensions between the United States and the Native Peoples who had allied with the British during the war. He asked President James Madison to appoint commissioners to negotiate a peace treaty with eight tribes. President Madison named General William Henry Harrison, General Duncan McArthur and John Graham as commissioners. They met Native American leaders at Spring Wells, a sandy hill with flowing springs near the Detroit River. Leaders from the Odawa, Potawatomi, Seneca, Ojibwa, Wyandot, Delaware, Miami and Shawnee tribes attended. The council fire was lit on August 31, 1815, and negotiations began.
Native American leaders and United States commissioners met at Spring Wells, located near what became in 1843 the site of Fort Wayne. All parties agreed that prior treaties would be honored as written. They did not add any new land grants or payments. On September 8, 1815, commissioners and tribal leaders signed the treaty after it was translated by interpreters. When completed, the parchment document was nearly six feet long. On December 26, 1815, the United States Congress ratified the treaty. There were later treaties involving Michigan tribes, but the Treaty of Spring Wells was the last peace treaty to be signed in Michigan by the
this page online
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission and Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S733.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1815.
Location. 42° 17.95′ N, 83° 5.891′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is on West Jefferson 0.2 miles north of South Rademacher Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of Historic Fort Wayne at the intersection of Brady and Signal Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6325 West Jefferson, Detroit MI 48209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 5.5 Inch Naval Cannon / 30 Pound Parrott Rifled Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Theatre (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Headquarters Building (about 400 feet away); Officers Row (about 500 feet away); Indian Mound (about 500 feet away); Post Guard House - 1889 (about 500 feet away); Post Commander's Residence (about 600 feet away); Non-Commissioned Officers (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
Also see . . .
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
2. Treaty of Spring Wells Marker Reverse
"The object of the treaty was to absolve the Native Americans for supporting Great Britain in the War of 1812 and secure their future allegiance to the United States. The treaty officially ended all hostilities between the U.S. and the Native Americans, and reaffirmed the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, "and all subsequent treaties to which they were, respectively, parties." The U.S. agreed to restore to the Native Americans all of their possessions, rights, and privileges as of 1811. In return, the Native Americans agreed to place themselves under the protection of the U.S. government only, and repudiate any association with Britain."(Submitted on July 27, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
3. Treaty of Spring Wells Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
4. Location
This marker can be found on the grounds of Historic Fort Wayne.
Photographed by Unknown, 1815
5. Treaty of Spring Wells
The Treaty of Spring Wells is also known as Treaty With the Wyandot. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
