The Rush-Bagot treaty provides for a large demilitarization of lakes along the international boundary, where many British naval arrangements and forts remain.

Signed on April 29, 1817, the treaty stipulates that the United States and British North America can each maintain one military vessel (no more than one hundred tons burden) as well as one cannon (no more than eighteen pounds) on Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain.

The remaining Great Lakes permit the United States and British North America to keep two military vessels "of like burden" on the waters armed with "like force".

Named for Acting United States Secretary of State Richard Rush and the British Minister to Washington Sir Charles Bagot, the treaty, and the separate Treaty of 1818, lays the basis for a demilitarized boundary between the U.S. and British North America.