1777: The Oneidas and the Birth of the American Nation

Taking Sides

Haudenosaunee tradition holds that the council fire of the League at Onondaga was covered during the Revolution. Each nation was left free to follow its own course in the war. Most Iroquois were drawn into the struggle; most ended up fighting on the British side for two reasons. First, the Haudenosaunee bitterly resented Yankee land-grabbing and Crown officials always promised they would guarantee Iroquois boundaries. Second, the British had a better supply system and could distribute more goods throughout the war. The Iroquois were a proud and independent people but they had reached a dangerous state of dependency on foreign-made goods. These were good reasons for the Oneidas also. Why did they choose the American side?

The Oneidas say they chose the cause of American liberty; they elected to fight on the American side. They were well informed on these issues. On several occasions groups of Oneida leaders toured eastern cities to determine, as they put it, the merits of the case. And their discussion of their merits of the case was ongoing. In 1779, for example, the American commander of Fort Stanwix reported how the Oneidas:

"...sat in council and every individual desired to declare his final resolution as to the part to be taken the present seeming crisis of their affairs. At the same time should any choose to join the enemy, free liberty was given to withdraw from their tribe... the result of their meeting was a unanimous resolution to stand by each other in defense of their lives and liberty against any enemy that might be disposed to attack them...[T]hey would never violate their alliance with the American States, and though they would not be the aggressors or wantonly provoke any tribe to war, yet should be henceforth on their guard against any enemy whatsoever."  

When Oneida opinions on the subject were recorded, they expressed themselves in this fashion:

"Brothers -- In your late war with the people on the other side of the great water, and at a period when thick darkness overspread this country, your brothers the Oneidas stepped forth, and uninvited took up the hatchet in your defense; we fought by your side, our blood flowed together, and the bones of our warriors mingled with yours."

Lagwilondonwas (Good Peter), an important leader and public speaker, explained the Oneida commitment to the Americans in these words:

"From the beginning of your troubles, in the late Revolution, to the time you publicly declared yourselves a free and independent people, I, my Nation, were a constant spectator -- not only a constant spectator -- but our minds united with yours in that final declaration; as all hopes of a reconciliation were then passed. The frequent & repeated declarations of the King, that the Americans with all who joined them, would be reduced to wretchedness, had no effect upon the minds of my Nation. And on the other hand, his promises of a rich reward, on condition of our adhering to his councils, did not excite covetous desires in us; but the love of peace, and the love of our land which gave us birth, supported our resolutions."

An interesting feature of the Oneida decision to aid the American colonists is touched on in the quote above. Choosing the patriot cause was against the material interest of the Oneida Nation and this was clear throughout the war to everyone concerned. As Lagwilondonwas stated in 1778:

"[The Loyalist Iroquois] are wallowing in plenty, while we are pining in poverty and all this is occasioned by our attachment to you. Brothers -- It is well known that the defection of part of our Confederacy is owing to the frequent presents made them by the King, but we are determined to adhere to you."