Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-25

ward events crowded fast. The Boston
lea party had stirred the coiouists. prep
aratfons were being made all the way
from Massachusetts to the Carolinas to
resist the cdious taxes imposed by an
obstinate parliament and a foolish. and
periodically insane monarch and Licking
ton was near at hand. Joseph Brant.
raised suddenly to the rulership of a peo-
pie, had 10 decide which side he would
take in the coming struggle. There is
some doubt how Sir William would have
acted. He was very loyal officer Of the
crown. but, judging by his letters, there
is a likelihood he would have cast his
lot in with the Continentals
In war. as in a horse race, the Indian
wants to look the candidates over before
picking the winner. Joseph Brant knew
America. but he didn't know England, so
he went to London early in 1916. His visit
created a sensation. He was the most cul
tured Indian the English had seen. He
was presented at court, and George III
took a great fancy to him. The king
made him a colonel, stOwered presents on
him and never seemed to tire of hearing
The chief talk. Charles James Fox one of
the most brilliant and dissipated states
men Of the time. became the Indians
closest friend in England. Boswell. then
a the height of his fame. went into rap
lures over him and Romney, who, next
TO Sir Joshua ReElonds. was the greatest
painter in England, painted the Indians
portrait
But the honors and the favors that had
been showered upon him in England did
full as he knew England TO be. he also
knew much of the spirit and endurance
of the colonists
He and Sir William had discussed the
situation many times in the day just be-
fore Sir Williams death, and Sir Will
liam's Judgment had been that IL it ever
came to point where the colonists re-
VOTED England never would be able to
conquer them. So Brant pondered. He
knew il was the crisis in his life. His
people were restless and eager for action.
The British were pressing and insistent
upon obtaining pledges OF his assistance.
The colonsts We're suspicious and threat
enng.
Eut Brant remained undecided. He still
was looking the horses over. He had not
picked the winner. II was not until
the break actually came when the Con-
gress at Philadelphia declared the states
free and independent, and when SO much
blood had been shed that there was no
chance of the differences between Eng
land and the colonies being adjusted, that
Brant declared himself. Then he an
nounced that he would cast his lot in
with the British purely on account of his
forefatherS engagements with the Eng
lish king. There were covenants be-
tween the Indian nations and the British
nation, he said. that should be sacredly
Observed. As he was not any too sure
as to who was his father or his grand
father. Brant's references to his fore
fathers engagements with the English
king were fgurative rather than literal.
once he had decided as to the course
lie was to follow in the war. Brant be-
came active. 1t IS to the shame of Eng
land that it did everything to stir the
worst passions of the Indians. to corrupt
Brant and to promote savagery. The
agreement entered into between Brant
and the Indian commissioners was that
liz return for the aid the Six Nations gave
in subduing the colonists the British
were to give to each Indian gun, 4
suit of Clothes brass kettle, toma-
hawk. scalping knife and piece Of
gold. And, in addition. there was prom
Use of a bounty for every scalp brought
in. The British kept their compact as to
scalps only too well.
II was not until 11T that Brant really
was turned loose. Then Burgoyne was
coming down from Canada and Brant
was the master spirit of the motley