AUG 20: Congressional Transfer

Secretary of War Henry Knox. (Credit: Library of Congress)

On Aug. 20, 1789, Congress transfers the responsibility for managing trade relations with Indian tribes to Secretary of War Henry Knox, a key aide to President George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress in 1775 established a Committee on Indian Affairs headed by Benjamin Franklin.

According to Robert J. Miller, associate professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, “When the thirteen American colonies decided to rebel against England and seek their independence, they formed the Continental Congress to manage their national affairs. This Congress operated from 1774-1781 and dealt with Indian tribes on a diplomatic, political basis and signed one treaty with the Delaware Tribe in 1778. The political interest of the United States at that time was to keep the tribes happy with the new American government and to keep Indian tribes from fighting for the English in the American Revolutionary War during 1775-1781. This Congress engaged in diplomatic relations with tribes by sending representatives to the tribes bearing many gifts and promises of peace and friendship to keep the tribes neutral in the United States’ war with England.”

Miller continues, “The thirteen American colonies then adopted the Articles of Confederation in 1781 and convened in a new Congress to manage their affairs on the national level. This Congress also had to manage Indian affairs and keep the tribes from fighting against the United States. The new Congress also sent diplomatic representatives to the tribes and promised friendship and peace, and ultimately it signed eight treaties with Indian tribes between 1781-1789, including treaties with the Iroquois Confederacy, the Cherokee Tribe, the Shawnee Tribe and numerous other tribes.”