Rush–Bagot Treaty signed limiting naval armaments on the Great Lakes

Background. Following the War of 1812, both Great Britain and the United States sought to reduce military tensions and avoid a costly arms race on the Great Lakes. Secretary of State James Monroe instructed John Quincy Adams in 1815 to propose mutual disarmament to the British government. Although early negotiations stalled, the British government eventually authorized Sir Charles Bagot, its minister in Washington, to resume talks.

Negotiation. Correspondence between Acting United States Secretary of State Richard Rush and the British Minister to Washington Sir Charles Bagot was exchanged and signed on April 27 and 28, 1817, according to the retrieved passage, which does not specify which action occurred on which date; the legacy record separately dates the signing to April 29, 1817. Bagot, appointed minister plenipotentiary to the United States in 1815, negotiated this treaty as his most significant achievement during his tenure in Washington, D.C.

Terms. The treaty provided for a large demilitarization of lakes along the international boundary. It stipulated that the United States and British North America could each maintain one military vessel (no more than 100 tons burden) as well as one cannon (no more than eighteen pounds) on Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain.