American Indians faced a potentially perilous choice once the Revolutionary War began. Like the undecided colonists, Indians had to determine whether to align with the patriots or with the loyalists. The members of the Oneida tribe in Connecticut sought a middle course, hoping to stake out neutral ground between the opposing sides. The following statement from the chief warriors of the Oneida to the governor of Connecticut outlines the tribe’s reasoning. The Oneidas eventually did take a side; unlike most tribes, they fought alongside the colonists.
Brothers: We have heard of the unhappy differences and great contention between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our minds.
Brothers: Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers. The quarrel seems to be unnatural. You are two brothers of one blood. We are unwilling to join on either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both you Old and New England. Should the great king of England apply to us for aid, we shall deny him; if the Colonies apply, we shall refuse. The present situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians cannot find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case, or a similar instance.
Brothers: For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take no umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the contest. We are for peace.
Brothers: Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had struck you, we should look into the matter. We hope, through the wise government and good pleasure of God, your distresses may soon be removed and the dark clouds be dispersed.
Brothers: As we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply to our Indian brethren in New England for their assistance. Let us Indians be all of one mind, and live with one another; and you white people settle your own disputes between yourselves.
Source: William Leete Stone, Life of Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea (New York: Anderson V. Blake, 1838), 1:62–63.
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