depredation and
cruelty on the part of the Indians against the white inhabitants that
espoused the cause of Congress; but they omit to state in like manner
that Congress itself endeavoured to enlist the Indians in its quarrel
with the mother country; that General Washington recommended their
employment against the English,[75] and that the very idea of engaging
the Indians in this civil war originated with the first promoters of the
revolution in Massachusetts. Nor do American historians state frankly
and fairly that for every aggression and outrage committed by the
Indians, the American soldiers, even under the express order of
Congress, retaliated with a tenfold vengeance--not in the manner of
civilized warfare, but after the manner and destruction of the savages
themselves. The American writers had also great advantages in
representing everything in regard to the proceedings of the
revolutionists in the brightest light, and everything connected with the
Loyalists and the English in the darkest colours, as they had the
reports, letters, and all other papers relating to these subjects in
their own exclusive possession, and published only such and so much of
them as answered their purpose; even the internal proceedings of
Congress were secret,[76] and only became known after the close of the
war. And many of the most important historical facts relating to the war
have been brought to light in the biographies and correspondence of the
men who figured in the revolution; and many letters and papers of great
historical value in throwing light upon the events and conduct of
parties during that period have only been published during the present
century, and some of them for the first time during the present
generation. This is true in regard to much that relates to the
employment and proceedings of the Indians, as well as in regard to those
of the Loyalists and various events of the American revolution.
According to American historians, the idea of employing the Indians in
the civil war was the wicked conception of British malignity, and
everywhere reprobated in America; while the idea was actually first
conceived and embodied in a resolution by the Provincial Congress of
Massachusetts. At Cambridge a new Provincial Congress had assembled,
with the popular feeling in their favour, and with several thousands of
militia or minute men under their command. But the most determined of
all their measures was to enlist a company of S