Page:The Red Man and the White Man in North America.djvu/516

496 than on our own towards them. Nor can we find at this crisis the beginning of what is claimed as her more wise and merciful policy.

The opening of our Revolutionary War was the occasion of yet another of the aggravated issues in which, by a long series, the interests of the white and red men have clashed ever since their first contact on this continent. In all the conflicts for possession and empire on our soil the rival European colonists — as we have had already many evidences — sought, and always with success, to secure their respective supporters and allies from the Indian tribes whom they could influence, and also to set those tribes against each other in quarrels of their own. Our quarrel with the mother country was a matter of amazement to the Indians on our borders, and it was long before they understood its causes, could appreciate all its bearings and consequences, and decide the course which they should wisely pursue with a view to their own interests. Only twelve years before, they had seen the close of a seven years' war, which was in fact but the consummation of a struggle running, — as has been repeatedly stated, — with brief lulls and truces, through a century and a half, between the French and the English for mastery here. In that protracted strife, especially in the fierce war which brought it to a close, with complete victory for the English crown, the French had had a great predominancy of influence over, and of efficient help from, the red men. Indeed, we call that series of struggles by the name of our French and Indian War.

The British authorities, during that war, had come fully to appreciate the importance to them of strengthening their influence and alliance with Indian tribes. The agency which they established for that purpose in Eastern New York proved of substantial use to them; and the great popularity which the Johnsons secured, especially among the Mohawks, was turned to good account. Of course the cause of the colonies up to this time had been a common