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5.3.4 Treaty between William Penn and the Indians

The lithographic print on the page, produced by Ed. Weber & Co., Baltimore, shows a group of Native Americans and European settlers meeting together with gifts. Behind the group are buildings, and a harbor with ships is visible in the background. The Treaty of Shackamaxon, or the Great Treaty, is written below the image.
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Treaty between William Penn and the Indians. Print. Library of Congress, PGA - Weber & Co.--Treaty between... (B size) [P&P]. .
The Treaty of Shackamaxon, or the Great Treaty, is considered one of the most important documents in Pennsylvania history. While it is not clear if William Penn wrote this text in 1682, his message of peace and love for all was unique. Based on the language in this treaty and on the image (zoomed in on the following document), how do you think Penn wanted to interact with natives? What evidence in the text and in the image helps you answer this question?
The Treaty of Shackamaxon, or the Great Treaty, is considered one of the most important documents in Pennsylvania history. While it is not clear if William Penn personally wrote this text exactly in 1682, his message of peace and love for all was unique. Penn knew of unlawful theft of Indian lands and resources, so he held real negotiations with indigenous people and attempted to have settlers and Indians live in peace. He and other Quakers made that attempt, but wars, removals, and treaties continued in Pennsylvania and beyond until settlers, militias, and governments forced most Native Americans of the eastern woodlands into Canada or the trans-Mississippi West. Ask your students to study the text and the image in order to answer the following questions: Based on the language in this treaty and on the image (zoomed in on the following document), how do you think Penn wanted to interact with Natives? What evidence in the text and in the image helps you answer this question? Make sure that students can place this settlement on a map and on a timeline in order to see how Pennsylvania stood in contrast to Native–settler interactions to the north and to the south.

The Great God who is the power and wisdom that made you and me, Incline your hearts to Righteousness, Love, and peace. This I send to Assure you of my Love, and to desire your love to my Friends and then when the Great God brings me among you, I Intend to order all things in such manner, that we may all live in Love and peace one with another, which I hope the Great God will incline me and you to do. I seek nothing but the honor of His name, and that we who are His workmanship, may do that which is well pleasing to Him. The man which delivers this unto you is my Special Friend, Sober, wise and Loving. You may believe him. I have already taken Care that none of my people wrong you, by good Laws I have provided for that purpose, nor will I ever allow any of my people to sell Rumme to make you people Drunk. If any thing should be out of order, expect when I come, it shall be mended, and I will bring you some things of our Country that is useful and pleasing to you. So I rest In the Love of our God that made us. I am.
Your Loving Friend,

Wm. Penn