During King George’s War in 1746, the English Crown Renews the Great “Covenant Chain” with the Native Tribes, a Military and Trade Alliance with the Six Nations

William Johnson emigrated to America from Ireland in the 1740s to help oversee his uncle’s business affairs but soon started his own trading business, allowing him frequent contact with the native populations. In particular, he would trade with the Six Nations, among them Mohawks, among whom he found his second wife.

In 1744, King George’s War spread to the colonies. King George’s War, American phase of the War of the Austrian Succession, was the third and inconclusive struggle between France and Great Britain for mastery of the North American continent. There were continual disagreements over the boundaries of Acadia (Nova Scotia) and northern New England as well as the Ohio Valley. The war was characterized by bloody border raids by both sides with the aid of their Indian allies.

Because of his relations with the native tribes, particularly the Mohawk, he was appointed New York’s agent to the Iroquois, and was put into the newly created position of “Colonel of the Warriors of the Six Nations,” enlisting and equipping colonists and natives for the campaign against the French. He was successful and adopted native tactics, paying bounties for the taking of scalps.

During this time, George Clinton was the colonial Governor of New York and an ally of Johnson.

The Covenant Chain was a series of alliances and treaties developed during the seventeenth century, primarily between the Iroquois Confederacy and the British colonies of North America, with other Native American tribes added. First developed in the New York area at a time of violence and social instability for the colonies and Native Americans, the English and Iroquois councils and subsequent treaties were based on supporting peace and stability to preserve trade.

Johnson, in 1746, was charged with reviving the Convenant Chain. Along with the Governor, he met with the Six Nations at Albany in August of that year and the Chain was officially renewed. Once this happened, Clinton commissioned Johnson to recruit “Christians and Indians” to go into Canada and harass the French and to take “prisoners for intelligence as as may be, likewise scalps.” He also made provisions for any officer who disobeyed or were captured to be locked up in either Forts Hunter or Schenectady.

That very same day, he wrote a letter confirming to the commanders of those forts both things: that Johnson was in fact in charge and that they would play a role there as well.

Document signed, New York, August 28, 1746, to “the Commanding Officers of the Forts of Schenectady and Fort Hunter or to either of them.” “By his excellency the Honorable George Clinton Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York. Whereas I have appointed William Johnson Esq Colonel of the Forces to be raised out of the Six Nations of Indians on his Majesty’s service;

“You are therefore required and commanded to receive and secure into the Fort under your command any person or persons the said William Johnson shall commit to your charge and care til you have my orders to release or discharge him or them as aforesaid…”

An intriguing and important letter illuminating the relationship between the British and Native Americans, and British efforts to maintain peace and good relations with themselves as well as between the various tribes.