The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve, 1814. It ended the War of 1812 and established peace between the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.
How is this relevant to the Jay Treaty? Jay Treaty rights were suspended during the War of 1812.
The U.S. Supreme Court held in Karnuth v. United States that the War of 1812 abrogated the Jay Treaty and that following the war, the Treaty of Ghent revived the rights of native tribes predating that conflict. 279 U.S. 231 (1929).
Despite this Supreme Court opinion, a wide range of other theories also exist as to the implications of the War of 1812 and the Treaty of Ghent on the Jay Treaty.
Some argue that the rights were indeed abrogated by the War of 1812 and revived by the Treaty of Ghent, and that they were later reaffirmed by statute. Others argue the Treaty of Ghent did not revive the Jay Treaty, and Jay Treaty rights exist now only by virtue of statute. Still others maintain that Jay Treaty rights were permanent in character and could not be abrogated by war, and that the Treaty of Ghent simply reaffirmed rights already in existence.
Regardless, all agree that the Treaty of Ghent is an important piece of Jay Treaty history.
To celebrate the Treaty of Ghent's 200th birthday, Peace Arch State Park American Kitchen is holding a commemorative bicentennial event and open house.
The event begins at 3:00 pm and will include live music, period costumes, refreshments, holiday lights, and more. For more information, visit www.peacearchpark.org.
