In 1948, a monument was erected to remember the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Concordia, in which the French and Dutch divided the island into its current binational status. Where else would the monument be, except for exactly on the border between both, from Philipsburgto Marigot?
The monument is often depicted as symbol of binational unity between the two parts of the island. As a symbol of island unity, the monument is depicted in the national emblem and flag of Dutch side St Maarten, together with the national symbols of the Brown Pelican, the Courthouse and the Sage Flower. If the jade green hills around Concordia Monument appeal, you might want to stretch your legs your legs and enjoy them to the fullest via EPIC‘s Fleming property hiking trail! The monument is also depicted on the Sint Maarten / Saint Martin flag. Compared to the Dutch side of the St. Maarten flag, the monument is even more prominently displayed on the Unity Flag. Though the treaty was signed on March 23d, the binational St. Martin / St. Maarten unity is remembered at the monument on November 11th each year (St. Martin’s day). As the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the European Union have their border here, you will also often find their flags hoisted next to the monument.
Two important plaques can be found alongside the monument, commemorating the text and intentions of the treaty. One contains the treaty text. The other pertains the text of the speech by French side mayor Louis Constant Fleming held on the tricentennial treaty anniversary in 1948.
“TREATY OF 23rd MARCH 1648
THIS 23RD DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR OF SIXTEEN HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT IT WAS AGREED AMONG MESSRS. ROBERT DE LONVILLIERS, SQUIRE AND GOVERNOR OF THE ISLE OF SAINT MARTIN, ON BEHALF OF HIS VERY CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, AND MARTIN THOMAS, ALSO GOVERNOR OF THE SAID ISLE, ON BEHALF OF MESSRS. THE PRINCE OF ORANGE AND THE STATES OF HOLLAND, AND THE MESSRS. HENRY DE LONVILLIERS, SQUIRE, THE LORD OF BONNEVENT, AND SIVINIEN DE COURPON, SQUIRE AND LORD OF THE TOWER, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL IN THE SAID ISLE, AND MESSRS. DAVID COPPIN, OF THE AFORESAID WHO AGREE BY THESE PRESENTS:
● I. – THAT THE FRENCH WILL REMAIN IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THEY LIVE AT PRESENT AND WILL INHABIT THE ENTIRE COAST FACING ANGUILLA.
● II. – THAT THE DUTCH WILL RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE FORT DISTRICT AND THE LAND SURROUNDING IT TO THE SOUTH.
● III. – THAT BOTH FRENCH AND DUTCH WILL LIVE IN THE SAID ISLE AS FRIENDS AND ALLIES WITHOUT MOLESTING EACH OTHER, ON PAIN OF CONTRAVENING THE TERMS OF THE PRESENT AGREEMENT, WHICH SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY THE LAWS OF WAR.
● IV. – THAT IF ANYONE – BE HE FRENCH OR DUTCH – WHO SHALL HAVE BROKEN ANY OF THE TERMS OF THE PRESENT AGREEMENT, OR SHALL HAVE FAILED TO OBEY AN ORDER OF HIS SUPERIORS, OR COMMITTED ANY OTHER FAULT, SHOULD TAKE REFUGE IN THE TERRITORY OF OTHER NATIONS, THE CONTRACTING PARTIES UNDERTAKE TO ARREST HIM IN THEIR TERRITORY AND PRODUCE HIM AT THE FIRST REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR.
● V. – THAT HUNTING, FISHING, FISH-CURING, THE RIVERS, POOLS, – FRESH WATER, TINCTURE WOODS, MINES AND MINERAL[S], PORTS AND ROADSTEADS AND OTHER COMMODITIES OF THE SAID ISLE, SHALL BE HELD IN COMMON TO PROVIDE SUBSTANCE FOR THE INHABITANTS.
● VI. – THAT FRENCH PEOPLE AT PRESENT LIVING AMONG THE DUTCH SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE WITH THE FRENCH, IF THEY THINK FIT, AND TAKE WITH THEM THEIR FURNITURE, VICTUALS, GOODS AND CHATTELS, ALWAYS PROVIDING THAT THEY SHALL HAVE SETTLED ANY DEBTS OR PROVIDED SECURITY FOR SUCH PAYMENT, AND THAT THE DUTCH SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DO THE SAME, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.
● VII. – THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK BY AN ENEMY OF EITHER DISTRICT, THE SAID LORDS SHALL UNDERTAKE TO LEND ASSISTANCE TO EACH OTHER.
● VIII. – THAT THE FRONTIERS DIVIDING THE SAID ISLE BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP THE FRENCH GENERAL AND THE GOVERNOR OF SAINT EUSTATIUS, AND THE DEPUTIES WHO SHALL INSPECT THE TERRITORY AND THAT, ONCE THE REPORT HAS BEEN MADE, THE DISTRICTS SHALL BE PARTITIONED AS ALREADY STATED.
● IX. – THAT ANY CLAIMS MADE BY EITHER SIDE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE KING OF FRANCE AND HIS COUNSELORS AND THE PRINCE OF ORANGE AND THE DUTCH STATES. HOWEVER, THE CONTRACTING PARTIES SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORTIFY EITHER ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER WITHOUT CONTRAVENING THE PRESENT AGREEMENT, AND BEING LIABLE FOR ALL EXPENDITURE, DAMAGES AND INTEREST TOWARDS THE OTHER PARTY.
KINGDOM OF FRANCE – KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS”
This appears to be a summarized, more recent version of the original. Among others, people present at the signing in older versions—such as Pitr van Zeun Hus (Pieter van Zevenhuizen)—are left out. The plaque also refers to the “Kingdom of the Netherlands” and the “Kingdom of France” as co-signatories. However, in 1648 the Netherlands was still a republic. The title of Stadtholder held by the Prince of Orange, as referenced, was hereditary and military in nature, but not monarchic in the absolute sense; the States General, also mentioned in the text, held significant political power. In any case, the Netherlands did not become a kingdom until 1813.
It is therefore possible that the cited wording stems from later treaty reaffirmations in 1817 (when the Bourbons under Louis XVIII were restored to the throne) or in 1839 (during the July Monarchy under Louis-Philippe). As it functioned more as a field agreement between colonial governors, its authority only later came from continued recognition by France and the Netherlands, reinforced through subsequent confirmations (such as in 1817, 1839, and 1957).
Also commemorated is the speech given by then French-side mayor L.C. Fleming, emphasizing the importance of good neighborly relations between the two sides.
“On that day, a party of Frenchmen and a party of Dutchmen met on the Mont des accords now known as Concordia Hill , and decided that instead of fighting for the possession of the entire Island they would agree on a friendly partition They furthermore decided that cordial relations should always exist between the inhabitants of both parts”
“What we are commemorating today is something much higher, much nobler . We are celebrating today the fact that for three hundred years , two populations of different nationalities have been living on a small Island without having had , during that long period , the slightest dispute or misunderstanding.”
Concordia Monument marks the border in between of Cole Bay and Marigot, close to the causeway bridge to Simpson Bay.
Concordia (1648) dividing the island between its characteristic Dutch and Frenc
Find The Concordia Monument on the map below!
The Concordia Monument is in the Cole Bay taxi zone. See our overview of St. Maarten taxi rates what pricing is in place from this location to your place of departure.
If you prefer not to take a taxi, the bus is a convenient alternative. The Concordia Monument lies directly on the Philipsburg–Marigot bus route, with minibuses passing by frequently throughout the day.
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