Massachusetts. Truckhouse and Commissary (Machias, Me.)

The defense of the eastern Maine coast from the British during the Revolutionary War was a concern of the Massachusetts General Court and the Continental Congress, addressed by two ventures: (1) establishment at Machias of a truckhouse for regional Indian tribes to encourage their participation in the war effort under the Continental Army agent (later superintendent) for Indian affairs in the Eastern Department, Col. John Allan (see: Massachusetts. Council. Correspondence relating to Indian and military affairs at Machias, 1776-1783 ((M-Ar)2402X) (2) stationing of troops and naval forces in the area, serviced by a commissary whose functions were closely tied to those of the truckhouse (see: Massachusetts. Truckhouse and Commissary (Machias, Me.). Commissary books, 1777-1783 ((M-Ar)2409X)

The Massachusetts General Court ordered the opening of the truckhouse, or trading post, for commerce with the St. Johns, Micmac, and Passamaquoddy Indian tribes (Resolves 1775-76, c 633, Feb. 12, 1776), the truckmaster being allotted four hundred pounds to acquire ammunition and other goods such as cloth and rum for the Indians in return for their furs and other hunting trophies. The existence of a truckhouse in Machias was also a condition of the Watertown Treaty signed on July 19, 1776 between the United States of America and the St. Johns and Micmac tribes, who agreed to act as military allies against the British; the treaty was the first made between the new government and a foreign power. By July 1776, the truckmaster, Stephen Smith, was granted an additional thousand pounds for purchase of trading goods (Resolves 1776-77, c 231, July 13, 1776). Smith, who also served as commissary for troops stationed at Machias, and as naval officer, was discharged as truckmaster as of May 1781 (there is no evidence of truckhouse activity itself after 1780), presumably on the gubernatorial licensing of a person with exclusive right to trade with Maine Indians, as provided by Resolves 1780, Oct Sess, c 96 (Nov. 29, 1780)