Existing comment:
This agreement between the United States and
Great Britain in eighteen hundred seventeen has
assumed the force of an international treaty.
The naval force to be maintained upon the American lakes by
his majesty and the government of the United States shall henceforth
be confined to the following vessels on each side that is --
-- On Lake Ontario to one vessel not exceeding one hundred tons
burden and armed with one eighteen pound cannon
-- On the upper lakes to two vessels not exceeding like burden
each and armed with like force
-- On the waters of Lake Champlain to one vessel not exceeding
like burden and armed with like force
-- All other armed vessels on these lakes shall be forthwith dis-
mantled and no other vessels of war shall be there built or armed
-- If either party should be hereafter desirous of annulling this
stipulation and should give notice to that effect to the other party
it shall cease to be binding after the expiration of six months from
the date of such notice.
-- The naval force so to be limited shall be restricted to such
services as will in no respect interfere with the proper duties of
the armed vessels of the other party. |