SACAGAWEA SET # 2
2013-S TREATY WITH THE DELAWARES

Owner Comments:

The treaty with the Delawares took place at Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1778. This mutual defense treaty allowed American troops to pass through the Delawares' land to attack the British fort at Detroit, Michigan.

The treaty also recognized the Delawares' right to govern themselves and gave them the option of joining other tribes in the Ohio region to form a state. The Delawares would have led the state and been represented in Congress. Although the statehood option was never put into action, it was the government's first step in recognizing tribes as part of the U.S. confederation.

The turkey, howling wolf, and turtle in the coin's design are all symbols of the clans of the Delaware Tribe. The partially-encircling ring of 13 stars stands for the colonies that existed at the time of the treaty. The design includes the required inscriptions plus the words "Treaty with the Delawares" and "1778."