| Exchange of Notes Relative to Naval Forces on the American Lakes | |
|---|---|
 Historical marker where the Rush–Bagot Agreement was made inWashington, D.C. | |
| Type | Arms control |
| Context | Aftermath of theWar of 1812 |
| Signed | April 28 and 29, 1817 |
| Location | 2425 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. |
| Effective | April 28, 1818 |
| Negotiators | |
| Signatories | |
| Parties | |
| Language | English |
| Full text | |
 Rush-Bagot Treaty atWikisource | |
TheRush–Bagot Treaty orRush–Bagot Disarmament was a treaty between the United States and Great Britain limiting naval armaments on theGreat Lakes andLake Champlain, following theWar of 1812. It was ratified by the United States Senate on April 16, 1818,[1] and was confirmed by Canada, followingConfederation in 1867.
The treaty provided for a large demilitarization of lakes along the international boundary, where many British naval arrangements and forts remained. The treaty stipulated that the United States andBritish North America could each maintain one military vessel (no more than 100tons burden) as well as one cannon (no more thaneighteen pounds) onLake Ontario and Lake Champlain. The remaining Great Lakes permitted the United States and British North America to keep two military vessels "of like burden" on the waters armed with "like force". The treaty, and the separateTreaty of 1818, laid the basis for a demilitarizedboundary between the U.S. and British North America.[2]
The origins of the Rush–Bagot Treaty can be traced to diplomatic efforts following theWar of 1812, as both Great Britain and the United States sought to reduce military tensions and avoid a costly arms race on the Great Lakes. Initial discussions began whenU.S. Secretary of StateJames Monroe instructedJohn Quincy Adams in 1815 to propose mutual disarmament to the British government. Although early negotiations stalled, the British government eventually authorizedSir Charles Bagot, its minister in Washington, to resume talks.[3] a correspondence of letters between Acting United States Secretary of StateRichard Rush and theBritish Minister to Washington Sir Charles Bagot, which were exchanged and signed on April 27 and 28, 1817. After the terms of the notes were agreed upon by Rush and Bagot, the Rush–Bagot Agreement was unofficially recognized by both countries. On April 6, 1818, it was submitted to the United States Senate and formally ratified on April 16, 1818. The treaty eventually led to theTreaty of Washington of 1871, which completed disarmament. The United States and Canada agreed in 1946, through an exchange of diplomatic notes, that the stationing of naval vessels for training purposes was permissible provided each government was fully notified in advance.[4]
In 2004, theU.S. Coast Guard decided to arm 11 of its smallcutters stationed onLake Erie andLake Huron withM2407.62 mmmachine guns. The U.S. decision was based on a climbing number of smuggling operations as well as the increased threat of terrorist activity after theSeptember 11, 2001, attacks. The Canadian government decided that the armament did not violate the treaty, as the guns were to be used for law enforcement rather than military activities. Canada reserved the right to arm its law enforcement vessels with similar weapons.[5]
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HMCSStone Frigate, located at theRoyal Military College inKingston, Ontario, was constructed during 1820 to store part of the dismantled British fleet from theWar of 1812, which had been dismantled pursuant to the Rush–Bagot Treaty.[6]
There are still military facilities near or next to the Great Lakes:
TheCanada–United States border was demilitarized, including the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. The U.S. and the British agreed to joint control over the Oregon Territory. The Rush–Bagot Agreement laid the foundation for the world's longest international boundary—8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), and the longest demilitarized border in the world.[8][9]
Although the treaty had caused difficulties during World War I, its terms were not changed. Similar problems occurred before World War II, but Secretary of StateCordell Hull wanted to preserve the agreement because of its historical importance. In 1939 and 1940, Canada and the United States agreed to interpret the treaty so that weapons could be installed in the Great Lakes but could not be operable until the ships left the Lakes. In 1942, the United States, by then having entered the war andallied with Canada, successfully proposed that until the end of the war weapons could be completely installed and tested in the Lakes. After discussions in thePermanent Joint Board on Defense, in 1946, Canada similarly proposed to interpret the agreement as permitting using ships for training purposes if each country notified the other.[10]
An Ontario Heritage Trust plaque inKingston, Ontario recognizes the Rush–Bagot Agreement (44°13′48″N76°27′59″W / 44.229894°N 76.466292°W /44.229894; -76.466292). A plaque also stands at the former site of the British Legation inWashington, D.C. (38°54′13.7″N77°3′8.4″W / 38.903806°N 77.052333°W /38.903806; -77.052333) where the agreement was negotiated. A monument stands on the grounds ofOld Fort Niagara as well (43°15′48″N79°03′49″W / 43.263347°N 79.063719°W /43.263347; -79.063719), featuring reliefs of both Rush and Bagot, as well as the words of the treaty.[11]
