The
Rush–Bagot Treaty or "Rush–Bagot Disarmament", was a
treaty between the United States and Britain limiting naval armaments on the
Great Lakes and
Lake Champlain, following the
War of 1812. It was ratified by the United States Senate on April 16, 1818., and was confirmed by Canada, following
Confederation, in 1867. The treaty provided for a large demilitarization of lakes along the international boundary, where many British naval arrangements and forts remained. The treaty stipulated that the United States and
British North America could each maintain one military vessel (no more than 100 tons burden) as well as one cannon (no more than eighteen pounds) on
Lake Ontario and
Lake Champlain. The remaining Great Lakes permitted the United States and British North America to keep two military vessels "of like burden" on the waters armed with "like force". The treaty, and the separate
Treaty of 1818, laid the basis for a demilitarized
boundary between the U.S. and British North America.