English are “like women: bare and open and with-
out fortifications.”
The congress does, however, succeed in
approving the Albany Plan of Union. This docu-
ment, based on the ideas of Benjamin Franklin,
proposes a centralized colonial government mod-
eled after the Grand Council of the Iroquois
Confederacy (see entry for CA. 1400). The plan,
however, is later rejected by the colonial legisla-
tures and is never even examined by the British
government.1755William Johnson is appointed Indian
superintendent.
The British government chooses William Johnson,
an experienced trader and merchant, to oversee its
dealings with Indians in North America. Johnson
quickly embraces Mohawk ways. Often dress-ing in Indian garb and participating in Mohawk
ceremonies, Johnson becomes fluent in the Mo-
hawk language and fathers many children with
his Mohawk wife Molly Brant. His enthusiasm
for Indian life earns the respect of the Iroquois.
Largely because of Johnson’s influence, they will
become England’s most loyal Indian allies and
provide the English with valuable military support
during the French and Indian War (see entry for
JULY 4, 1754). Johnson will also lend important
support to Molly Brant’s brother Joseph, who will
emerge as one of the most powerful Iroquois lead-
ers during the Revolutionary War era (see entries
for NOVEMBER 1775; JULY 1777; NOVEMBER 11,
1778; and FALL 1781).The “noble savage” stereotype is advanced
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau popu-
larizes the idea of Indians as “noble savages” in
Discourse upon the Origin and Foundation of theIroquois Indians gathering at Johnson Hall, the mansion of British superintendent of Indian affairs William
Johnson (Collection of the Albany Institute of History & Art)