The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Feb. 20, 1776.
In his General Orders, Gen. George Washington writes that every regiment should be furnished with identifying colors. These individual flags should match their regimented uniforms and be marked with numbers and mottos.
To Washington, a man whose life is framed by order, these uniforms are not merely ornamental. Rather, they reflect his adherence to order.
Washington then writes to the Mohegan leader and translator, Joseph Johnson, a man with deep ties to the Six Nations. Washington urges friendship and neutrality between the patriots and themselves. Washington frames the rebellion as a resistance to British rule, not as an action against the natives themselves.
George Washington to Joseph Johnson
Cambridge, Massachusetts 20 February 1776
Sir,
I am very much pleased to find by the Strong recommendations you produce,1 that we have amongst our Brothers of the Six Nations a person who can explain to them, the Sense of their Brothers, on the dispute between us and the Ministers of Great Britain; you have seen a part of our Strength, and can inform our Brothers, that we can withstand all the force, which those who want to rob us of our Lands and our Houses, can send against us.
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You can tell our friends, that they may always look upon me, whom the Whole United Colonies have chosen to be their Chief Warrior, as their brother, whilst they Continue in Friendship with us, they may depend upon mine and the protection of those under my Command.
Tell them that we don’t want them to take up the hatchett for us, except they chuse it, we only desire that they will not fight against us, we want that the Chain of friendship should always remain bright between our friends of the Six Nations and us—Their attention to you, will be a proof to us that they wish the same, we recommend you to them, and hope by your Spreading the truths of the Holy Gospel amongst them, it will Contribute to keep the Chain so bright, that, the malicious insinuations, or practices of our Enemies will never be able to break this Union, so much for the benefit of our Brothers of the Six Nations and of us—And to prove to them that this is my desire, and of the Warriors under me, I hereto Subscribe my name at Cambridge this 20th day of February 1776.
Go: Washington
