her
colonies began to grow serious, and the friendship of the Indians became
a matter of consequence to both parties. Stretching for fifteen hundred
miles along the whole north-western frontier of the colonies, they were
to them desirable friends and formidable enemies. As terror was one of
the engines by which Great Britain intended to enforce the submission of
the colonies, nothing could be more conducive to the excitement of this
passion than the co-operation of the Indians. Policy, not cruelty, led
to the adoption of this expedient, but it was of that over refined
species which counteracts itself. In the competition for the friendship
of the Indians, the British had advantages far superior to any possessed
by the colonists. The expulsion of the French from Canada--an event
which had taken place only thirteen years before--was still fresh in the
memory of many of the savages, and had inspired them with high ideas of
the martial superiority of the British troops. The first steps taken by
Congress to oppose Great Britain put it out of their power to gratify
the Indians. Such was the effect of the non-importation agreement of
1774. While Great Britain had access to the principal Indian tribes
through Canada on the north, and Florida on the south, and was
abundantly able to supply their many wants, the colonists had debarred
themselves from importing the articles which were necessary for the
Indian trade."[73]

The employment of the Indians in this civil war was in every respect
disadvantageous to England. It was disapproved and denounced throughout
England and Europe, as unnatural and inhuman; it was disapproved by the
English commanders and even Loyalists in America, and inflamed the
colonists to the highest degree. Wherever the Indians were employed,
they were a source of weakness to the English army, while their ravages
and cruelties disgusted the Loyalists and brought disgrace upon the
English arms and cause. Sir Guy Carleton forbade their crossing from
Canada into the colonies, and was afterwards accused in England for
disobedience in not employing them;[74] and General Burgoyne gave the
strictest orders against their murdering and plundering. His defeat near
Saratoga was largely owing to the conduct of the Indians in his army.

American historians dilate with much eloquence and justice upon the
employment of Indians against the colonists, and narrate, with every
possible circumstance of aggravation, every act of