The Architecture of Division

One of the principal themes of "Sons of Tecumseh" is the persistent inability of North American Indians to form a united front against the devastating impacts of colonialism.

Colonial governments have always understood the importance to them of doing everything in their power to contribute to this disunity, as evidenced by the comments of Sir William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in British North America, in a 1763 letter to Gen. Thomas Gage, Commander-in-

Chief, British forces in America:

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Sir William Johnson Photo Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1972-26-64

"Whenever it may happen that a peace is agreed upon, I apprehend it will be expedient to treat with each Nation separately... This way of proceeding I have always observed in my transactions with them, particularly at Detroit in 1761, when I did all in my power in private conferences to create a misunderstanding between the 6 Nations, & Western Indians, as also between the latter & those of Ohio so as to render them jealous of each other, and the same has had some effect on several of them; I have since pursued the like steps in all my proceedings, for could they arrive at a perfect union, they must prove very dangerous neighbours."

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