[Gryphin]

Elowan,
Sounds like a "squence" issue.
Are you playing Simultaneous?
What turn did what occur on?
Example:
Turn 28 New Contact
Turn 28 Request Trade Treaty
Turn 29 Nothing between two races
Turn 30 His ship comes through Warp Point with armed ship and attacks your Mine Sweeper
oops
Turn 30 He accepts your treaty.

Note:
I belive that is the correct sequence. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Brings to mine the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans
The message that the war was over reached New Orleancs 3 days after the battle was fought.