 In the plantation colony of Suriname, which England ceded to the Netherlands in the Treaty of Breda (1667), escaped Blacks revolted and started to build their villages from the end of the 17th century.As most of the plantations existed in the eastern part of the country, near the Commewijne River and Marowijne River, the "Marronage" (i.e., running away) took place along the river borders and sometimes across the borders of French Guiana.By 1740, the maroons had formed clans and felt strong enough to challenge the Dutch colonists, forcing them to sign peace treaties.