The Conference Upon Indian Affairs was held by the committee of the same name in May 1751. Proposed by Governor George Clinton of New York, who served from 1743-1753, the purpose of the conference was to persuade the current king of the Catawba Nation, King Haigler, and five other Catawbas to travel to New York in hopes of making peace with the Six Nations of the Iroquois who were living in modern Syracuse, NY at the time. There had been a long standing rivalry between the Catawbas and the Iroquois stemming from power and land disputes, resulting in massive amounts of killing on both sides. The constant conflict and coinciding wars threatened the trade and prosperity of the newly established European colonies, so Englishmen encouraged and ultimately convinced Catawba representatives to travel to New York and make peace with the Six Nations. These circumstances were quite unique in the sense that Europeans were working to repair Indian relations rather than to exploit them, though the latter was still the ultimate goal, of course. However, that peace was short-lived, and conflict ensued shortly thereafter.
As wars raged on between Indians and Europeans over land disputes and mistreatment, so too did conflicts pursue between various Indian tribes, resulting in further fighting, abuse, and death of natives to colonial Carolina. One of the most pressing matters influencing the Indians of colonial America was the conflict between the Six Nations and the Catawbas. The Six Nations of the Iroquois resided near present-day Syracuse, New York, and consisted of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora (following the Tuscarora wars) Indian tribes. The Six Nations were regarded as one of the most powerful Indians communities of early America. Formed from six individual tribes, the Nation originally occupied more than 950,000 acres, which is all they were granted after the 1784 Haldimand Treaty. Today, their territory spans approximately 46,000 acres with more than 100,000 members residing throughout the northeastern corner of America and lower parts of Canada.
Though the reasoning is unclear, the Six Nations and the Catawbas have a long established history of extraordinarily violent interactions including countless wars, raids, and murders. Being the stronger and more powerful of the two, it is thought that the Iroquois were at least partly motivated by the collection of captives to assimilate into their ranks and increase their overall numbers. Agreeing to aid the British in the Yamassee War, the Iroquois did so with their own intentions in mind, primarily motivated by their deep hatred for the Catawbas in this instance. By 1717, the British believed that the southern Indian tribes had been sufficiently berated by war, and attempted to arrange a peace conference near Fort Christianna in Virginia. During these negotiations, a party of Senecas attacked a small group of unarmed Catawbas, killing five, wounding two, and taking several others captive. This infuriated the British, who demanded that the Iroquois cease their attacks on southern Indians. The Iroquois, of course, refused, and fighting ensued among the tribes, igniting new rage as members attacked, pillaged, and murdered one another mercilessly. The Six Nations were much larger and stronger than the Catawba, and as the number of fights and raids increased, the Catawbas became more fearful for their safety. However, they continued to defend themselves from their northern enemies and fought just as fiercely.
In 1751, at the height of hostilities, South Carolina Governor James Glenn convinced Catawba King Haigler and five other Catawbas to travel to New York in pursuit of a peace treaty with the Six Nations. The Committee of Conference Upon Indian Affairs agreed that the Indian representatives were to be accompanied to New York by several commissioners, and that any expenses accrued on the journey would be compensated for accordingly. The trip and its subsequent negotiations appeared to be successful at first, resulting in a momentary cease-fire and peace among the tribes. However, as with prior peace initiatives of this sort, Iroquois warriors resumed their attacks on the Catawba Nation within two years, restarting a season of war that would eventually lead to greater territorial disputes throughout colonial America. The following is a partial transcription of the full handwritten Conference Upon Indian Affairs Report documenting the events and decisions of the convention.
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The Committee of Conference Upon Indian Affairs Report (May 1751)
The Committee of Conference Upon Indian Affairs Report
That it is the opinion of the Committee that as the Catawbas are come to town according to his Excellence’s invitation to go to New York in order to make peace with the six nations, the Catawbas should immediately be dispatched, as the time of their meeting draws near, and any delay might render this intended Conference fruitless.
That his Excellency the Governor be desired to use the most pressing instances that the Catawbas be sent to New York in one of his matys ships or show now in this harbour for greater Security of the said Indians arriving there.
That in case the God: Should not prevail in obtaining one of the men of war then Convenient vessel shall be hired as soon as possible to carry them to new york.
That such presents be given to the Indians as shall be thought proper by the Governor, Council, and Assembly.
The committee of council are of opinion that has commissioners but the committee of the assembly agree that only one commissioner should be sent with these Catawbas in order to [illegible] the governor of new york and the governors and commissioners from the other provinces to this general conference upon Indian Affairs proposed by Gov. Clinton.
And that the expense which shall be occasioned by carrying the matter above recommended into execution shall be defrayed if it can possibly be done out of the moneys granted by his majesty for the belief of this province in regards to our indian affairs.