First Nations - USA · North American Aboriginals · North American History

Draft of Proposed Articles of Confederation – Benjamin Franklin – Perpetual Alliance

taken from: http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removal

Benjamin Franklin

In a draft, “Proposed Articles of Confederation”, presented to the Continental Congress on May 10, 1775, Benjamin Franklin called for a “perpetual Alliance” with the Indians for the nation about to take birth, especially with the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy:

Article XI. A perpetual Alliance offensive and defensive, is to be entered into as soon as may be with the Six Nations; their Limits to be ascertained and secured to them; their Land not to be encroached on, nor any private or Colony Purchases made of them hereafter to be held good; nor any Contract for Lands to be made but between the Great Council of the Indians at Onondaga and the General Congress. The Boundaries and Lands of all the other Indians shall also be ascertained and secured to them in the same manner; and Persons appointed to reside among them in proper Districts, who shall take care to prevent Injustice in the Trade with them, and be enabled at our general Expense by occasional small Supplies, to relieve their personal Wants and Distresses. And all Purchases from them shall be by the Congress for the General Advantage and Benefit of the United Colonies.

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