Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Just Native American Things

And they nearly got combat experience when they approached the border of Six Nations.

At first, some of the Iroquois units nearby believed that the colonial forces were invading, even though the three regiments under General Kim's command did not cross the border itself. It was only after General Kim personally approached some of the scouts under a white flag did they recognize that an invasion was not imminent. Afterward, General Kim and a small part consisting of hardy marines were brought to the town of Onondaga to negotiate with the representatives of the six native tribes. Colonel Arnold was placed as the temporary commander of the regiments in case the meeting went awry and he was instructed to march on to Fort Ticonderoga to prepare for the invasion of Quebec if he did not return within a month's time.

The journey to Onondaga took approximately 3 days on horseback and the meeting did not begin right away, so General Kim and his group were treated as guests for the time being. After waiting for about a week, the representatives were finally gathered to discuss terms with the colonial representative. They were gathered in the town's meeting hall to discuss matters privately, and each group had a collection of guards that were tensely waiting. While the meeting was supposed to be peaceful, there was always a chance the meeting would turn hostile.

"I apologize for the wait, Mr. Kim. My name is Montagu and I am here to represent my people, the Oneida," One of the Native American representatives stated as he gestured to the men around him, "These men are each from the five other tribes within our confederacy and we are very interested in what you have to offer."

"Thank you for meeting with me willingly, representatives. It is an honor to be in the presence of the representatives of the most powerful Native American tribes." General Kim bowed to each leader and then rose to meet them face to face, "I bring an offer from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia that will hopefully be of great benefit for the people of the colonies and the people of your respective tribes."

Desagondesta, the representative for the Mohawks tribe, looked at the general cooly, "The British have also offered us a deal to join their side in the war and they offered us much to fight by their side. The Continental Congress you claim to represent also represents the people that have pushed us out of our homeland and stole our native territory. Our people have much to gain from joining with the British than your "upstart British."

General Kim internally sighed and didn't reply right away. He knew the Mohawks would be the most hostile to his offer, as their chief was pro-British and was currently in London to negotiate for the Six Nations. Regardless, the other five tribes were more malleable and were unlikely to outright refuse his offer, "Which is why I have a very attractive proposal for the respective representatives of the Six Nations. The Continental Congress is aware of the grievances of the people of the six tribes and wishes to formally apologize for their transgressions into your homeland. To remedy the situation and assure your independence, if you agree to join on the side of the colonial cause, then the Continental Congress will abide by the following terms:

1) There will be no further cession of territories from the Six Nations to any of the colonies. Any of the current territories they occupy will be formally recognized, permanently, as the territories of the Iroquois Confederacy. The lone exception will be the eastern territory boundaries within the state of Pennsylvania, which will be adjusted to match the eastern boundary lines in the state of New York.
2) The Six Nations will be allowed to send a representative to the Continental Congress, one from each tribe. The current Continental Congress will formally declare independence from Britain within a year's time and will create a new nation called the "United States of America." Once this nation is formed, the Iroquois Confederacy will be given the opportunity to formally be accepted into the nation as a state, equal to any of the colonies currently represented in the Continental Congress.
3) If the Iroquois Confederacy accepts the offer to join the United States, they will be able to maintain their current way of life and maintain their tribal system. However, they will still abide by the laws of the United States, with guarantees that these laws will not discriminate or oppress any Native Americans or Native American tribes.
4) The Iroquois Confederacy will receive the strip of land between their current territory and the former Fort Rouille, should they wish to expand their territory against the British in Quebec. Their claim and annexation of the territory will be formally recognized by the Continental Congress.
5) As a show of goodwill, the Iroquois Confederacy will receive £60,000 in gold, along with 600 muskets and ammunition, split evenly amongst the tribes, should they choose to join the war against Great Britain.

That is what the Continental Congress, and myself personally, offer to your tribes. I will give you time to discuss these terms amongst yourselves. These terms are negotiable, and I promise on my own life and the honor of Congress that these terms will be followed through should the Six Nations choose to accept it."

All six representatives of the tribes looked shocked and then read the terms amongst themselves, with a copy of the treaty given to each representative. Sganyodaiyo, the representative of the Seneca people, cleared his throat and looked at the general with hunger in his eyes, "And these terms have been approved by your Congress?"

"Yes, I have received the approval of Congress to transmit these terms to your tribes. As of current, the representatives of New York and Pennsylvania have also agreed to abide by the territorial terms written in the treaty, and the materials listed in the treaty will also arrive within a short amount of time should the tribes agree to the terms."

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"Very good. I will discuss these terms with the chief of my tribe and my tribe will begin a discussion regarding the terms at once." Sganyodaiyo exited the meeting hall in haste.

The other representatives followed one by one until only Desagondesta remained. He looked just as shocked as the other representatives, but he shook his head when his eyes met General Kim's eyes, "I will admit that these terms are far better than what the British have to offer, but I will be unable to come to a final decision until the chief returns. However, I will discuss these terms with the other elders and listen to their opinions about this treaty. Before I do, please tell me, Mr. Kim, will your colonies truly abide by these terms?"

General Kim slowly nodded, "They will, Representative Desagondesta. If they do not, I will ensure that the terms and your people are respected. Despite what people of the colonies may think about the Six Nations, you have my words that I will side with the Six Nations should the colonies attempt to break the terms of the agreement."

"But why go so far for our tribes? You are but a stranger to us."

"The colonies are fighting for liberty and freedom, Representative Desagondesta. If they refuse to offer the same to the people of the Iroquois Confederacy even after the agreement, then I will protect the people of your tribes. I do not fight just for the colonies, but also to the ideas of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."

"You are an interesting man, Mr. Kim," Desagondesta offered the man his hand and the two firmly shook hands, "Even if we do not agree to your Congress' proposal, let us hope for peace upon our lands."

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AN: Just to make things clear, I (the author) am well aware that the Iroquois Confederacy was not a united entity or nation (unlike most of the colonies, which were united by an official state government). I am also aware that the six tribes were not the only native tribes in the area. However, like OTL, the tribes will act independently from each other and the tribes that will lean in favor of the patriots will act regardless of the opinions of the other tribes. This is historically accurate as seen IOTL, where the Mohawks supported the British, while two tribes supported the patriots. Regardless, the offer will be appealing to the tribes as it will clearly define their territorial borders, allow them to expand westward, give them needed money and supplies, and even offer them representation (which is a lot more than what the British had to offer in our history. Combined with the fact that Governor Carleton of Quebec was famously hostile to even pro-British Native Americans, the Americans have a real chance of securing support from the Native Americans).

Thus, even the Mohawks (who were pro British in our history chiefly due to their leader), will be intrigued and interested in what Congress has to offer. And if Quebec is successfully taken, the Iroquois Confederacy will have little choice but to work with the colonials (as Britain can not help them or supply them).

It doesn’t mean that cooperation will suddenly materialize overnight. The two factions will be wary of each other (and in our history’s Declaration of Independence, there was even a section calling the natives “savages” and condemning the British for allying with them). Regardless, Kim has opened up a potential path for the two sides to reconcile and work together. And with Congress being aware of the atrocities the natives faced (added with the fact that history will not look at the atrocities kindly), the colonial representatives will be much more open to negotiations (also helps that they’re basically getting bribed to put up with the Iroquois).

The other major native group, the Cherokee, will be covered once Kim goes southward. Things will be different than OTL and once the Cherokee hears about the fair treatment of the Iroquois... They might not side with the British so eagerly...