Following the Revolutionary War, the United States continued the treatymaking with the tribes started by the Spanish and British. These treaties or agreements, negotiated on a government-to-government pattern, sought to establish peace and territorial boundaries and to regulate trade and extradition of criminals.

In the early years of the United States, Indian affairs were governed by the Continental Congress, which in 1775 created a Committee on Indian Affairs headed by Benjamin Franklin. Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution describes Congress's powers over Indian affairs: "To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes."

The 1778 Treaty With the Delaware Indians was the first between the United States and an Indian tribe. Take a look at the first part of this treaty and see if you can answer the question that follows concerning its purpose.