Benjamin Franklin's Letter to James Parker
History, Politics, Thirteen Colonies, Iroquois League, Confederacy
In 1751, Benjamin Franklin wrote to James Parker discussing the advantageous of forming a union of their own. In it Franklin shows amazement of how “Six Nations of ignorant savages would be capable of forming a scheme for such a union, and be able to execute it in such a manner as that it has subsisted ages and appears indissoluble.” Franklin goes on to mention that a union of English colonies would serve a better purpose, meaning that if the more “civilized” British decided to split from the Crown, then they could use the Iroquois League’s method of governing and amplify it; hence him specifically mentioning the use of such a method on thirteen colonies as opposed to six nations. This letter was written at a time of growing distaste of the Crown by colonists due to its excessive interference in colonial life, whereas the colonists had little to no say in British government. Essentially, Franklin is planting the seeds of revolution by seeing hope in the way the Iroquois operate.
Benjamin Franklin
Smithsonian Institute
University of Memphis
1751
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies
Proposition to the Five Nations
History, Military, Five Nations, the Crown, Protection, Reward
As European conflicts escalate outside of the North American continent, there was little attention paid to the colonies. The West Indies were identified as the crown jewels of the Americas, so if problems were to erupt their attention was focused more so there than in mainland North America. In order to ensure their safety, the Iroquois League was needed. Governor Hunter’s letter addressing the Five Nations at the time stresses this fact. His letter explains to the Five Nations that so long as they uphold their agreement to keep the peace amongst one another and come to the protection of the British if needed, the King will ensure his good will and safety to them as well as being gifted a handsome reward. Hunter’s letter emphasized the need for a mutual dependency on one another, with the Natives benefitting from the goods that could be provided by the British and of course the British ultimately benefitting for the use of the Iroquois League’s military might. The letter was one of reassurance for the British, making sure they are adequately defended and prepared in case of an attack from the French or French allied natives. For a European power to formerly call upon the Iroquois League in this manner is a testament to the latter’s strength.
Robert Hunter
The Livingston Family Papers
University of Memphis
June 16, 1717
The Gilder Lehrman Institue of American History
Proposition to the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, and Cayugas
History, Military, Five Nations, Raid, French, Canada
Richard Ingoldesby makes a direct request by way of letter to use the military might of the Iroquois League. Here he calls upon the Five Nations to participate in land raid against the French in Canada. This letter was written during the time of great imperial powers colliding, and due to the lack of attention given to the North American colonies by the Crown, British survival was essentially put into the hands, or more specifically the military might, of the Iroquois League. To convince them, Ingoldesby cites numerous times as to when the French showed themselves to be true enemies to the Iroquois and entices them by describing how their shamans would sing war songs while clasping the hands of the British as a sign of their commitment. Ingoldesby brings to the attention of the Five Nations of how their own kin, the Senecas, defected and were lured in to the French side due to the use of Jesuit priests. Ingoldesby expressed his wishes in regaining the full might of the Iroquois League by taking back the Senecas. Both historians Daniel Richter and William J. Campbell discuss the geographical advantage that the Iroquois had when dealing with the European colonizers, this advantage is emphasized in this letter when Ingoldesby urges the Five Nations to regain the Senecas as a means to strengthen British power in the colonies over the French.
Richard Ingoldesby
The Livingston Family Papers
University of Memphis
July 14, 1709
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History