(a.k.a.
The Partition Treaty of 1648) by which French and Dutch settlers agreed that the
peoples of St.Martin shall coexist in a cooperative manner:
Today,
the 23rd of March 1648, have assembled Robert de Lonvillliers, Knight and Lord
of this place, Governor of the island of St.Maarten, on behalf of his Most Christian
Majesty (i.e. the King of France) and Martin Thomas, likewise Governor of the
said island, on behalf of the Prince of Orange and the States General of Holland,
and Henri de Lonvilliers, Lord of Benevent, Savin and Courpon,, Chevalier, Lord
of La Tour, lieutenant -colonel of the island, and David Coppins, Lieutenant of
a Dutch company, and Pitre van Zeun Hus (Pieter van Zevenhuizen?), likewise Lieutenant
of a company of the above mentioned, who, on either side, have agreed upon the
following:
1. that the French shall continue in that quarter where they
are established at this present, and that they shall inhabit the entire coast
(actually: side) which faces Anguilla;
2. that the Dutch shall have the
quarter of the fort, and the soil surrounding it on the south coast;
3. that the French and Dutch established on the said island shall live as friends
and allies, and that, in case of either party molesting the other, this shall
constitute an infringement of this treaty, and shall therefore be punishable by
the laws of war;
4. that, if a Frenchman or Dutchman being guilty of
a criminal act or an infringement of this agreement, or of disobedience to the
commands of his superiors, or of whatever other remissness, shall withdraw to
the territory of the other nation, the contracting parties shall be bound to cause
such person to be arrested in their territory, and to deliver him up to his Governor
on the latter's first requesting it;
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5.
that the chase, the fisheries, the salt pans, the rivers, the lakes, the fresh
waters, the dye-wood, mines and minerals, harbours and roadsteads, and other commodities
of the said island shall be common, and shall serve to provide the wants of the
inhabitants;
6. that it shall be permitted to French persons at this
present residing with the Dutch to join the French , if it so please them, and
to take with their movables, foodstuffs and money and other commodities, provided
they shall have settled their debts or given sufficient security, and that the
Dutch shall be able to do like-wise and on the same conditions;
7. that,
if enemies should attack one part or the other, the parties to this treaty shall
be obliged to render each other aid and assistance;
8. that the delimitation
and partition of the said island between the two nations shall be submitted to
the General of the French and the Governor of St. Eustatius, and to the deputies
that shall be sent to visit the places; and that, their report having been made,
they shall delimit their quarters, and proceed in the manner stipulated above;
9. that any claims one party may have against the other shall be submitted
to the King of France and the gentlemen of His Council, and to the Prince of Orange
and the States of Holland. Neither of the above parties shall be able to construct
fortifications without contravening the above agreement and compensations with
respect to the other party.
Given on the date heretofore mentioned, on the mountain surnamed des Accords ( Concordia)
of the said island, and signed by the said gentlemen, in the presence of Bernard
de la Fond, Knight and Lord of Esperance, Lieutenant of a French Company on St.
Christophe. |
