How we cite our quotes: (Article.Sentence)
Quote #1
No disposition made by this Treaty as to such possession of the Islands and territories claimed by both parties shall in any manner whatever be construed to affect the right of either. (I.5)
This part of the treaty frames the negotiations as a matter of each country's "right," rather than focusing on who gained what during the war. It's a major concession of power by both parties.
Quote #2
All Prisoners of war taken on either side as well by land as by sea shall be restored as soon as practicable after the Ratifications of this Treaty as hereinafter mentioned on their paying the debts which they may have contracted during their captivity. (2) The two Contracting Parties respectively engage to discharge in specie the advances which may have been made by the other for the sustenance and maintenance of such prisoners.
Money is power in wartime and peacetime, and both sides were financially strapped by the conflict. The balance of power was even maintained in splitting the check fairly for the care and feeding of prisoners of war.
Quote #3
One Commissioner shall be appointed by His Britannic Majesty and one by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and the said two Commissioners so appointed shall be sworn impartially to examine and decide upon the said claims. (IV.3)
Using the Commissioners as their sole representatives in postwar matters, America and Britain agree on a total balance of power in the coming negotiations.
Quote #4
The said Commissioners shall by a Report or declaration under their hands and seals, designate the boundary aforesaid, state their decision on the points thus referred to them, and particularize the Latitude and Longitude of the most North Western point of the Lake of the Woods, and of such other parts of the said boundary as they may deem proper. (VII.2)
The "northwestern" (the modern upper-Midwest) part of U.S. territory was a major point of contention during the war, with battles taking place on and around the Great Lakes. Although neither side gained any territory, the designation of borders effectively gave the United States power to continue its settlement of the area without British interference.
Quote #5
The United States of America engage to put an end immediately after the Ratification of the present Treaty to hostilities with all the Tribes or Nations of Indians with whom they may be at war at the time of such Ratification. (IX.1)
When is a promise not a promise? If there was a party that lost power after the War of 1812, it was the Native Americans. Without the backing of Britain, and having suffered several major defeats at the hands of United States armies, Native Americans were weakened in their ability to resist American incursions onto their lands.