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Print: "The Indians giving a talk to Colonel Bouquet in a conference at a Council Fire, near his Camp on the Banks of Muskingum in North America, in Octr. 1764."
engraved by C. Grignion, London, England, 1766.

The relationship between the Native Americans and colonists was anything but predictable. Cultural differences and personal perspectives were as numerous as the people. However, both groups did have an influence on the other. In spite of the conflicts that often arose, cooperation did exist between the colonists and Indians during the 1600s and 1700s in areas such as agriculture, fur trade, military alliances, treaties, and cultural interchanges. This cooperation can be seen in the print “The Indians giving a talk to Colonel Bouquet in a conference at a Council Fire, near his Camp on the Banks of Muskingum in North America, in Octr.1764.” In this print Bouquet and his military aides meet in council with an Orator who speaks for the delegation of Shawnee, Delaware, and Ohio Indians to negotiate for the return of English hostages taken on the Virginia and Pennsylvania frontier.

Looking closely at the print one can see the influence of English style on the Native Americans. Notice the Orator is wearing a matchcoat, wrist- and headbands, probably made of silver, which would have been acquired through trade with Whites. Elements of traditional Indian dress are also evident in the closely cropped hair and distended ear lobes of the men, considered quite handsome among Eastern Woodlands Indians.

Quite formal and accompanied by a series of ceremonies, the negotiations began with the lighting of the Council fire and the smoking of the calumet, or pipe, which was passed among all participates. The Orator stands as he speaks and gestures to reinforce his comments. He also holds a wampum belt for use as a record of his oration. The Orator earned his position, and the audience—white and Indian—was expected to listen with great solemnity.

At the conclusion of the Council meeting, the Indian delegation handed over 206 captives, including white and black men, women, and children, who had been adopted and raised by Indian families. The return of these captives was a highly emotional experience for everyone involved. Bouquet and his delegation took the hostages to Fort Pitt to prepare them for rejoining English society. Some of the former hostages, preferring Indian ways, escaped from Fort Pitt and returned to their adoptive families.

STRATEGY:

  • Display the print on an overhead or LCD projector (click on the image above for a larger version). If possible, give each student a hard copy.

  • Read the title of the print, but do not give any background information as to what the print is about. Discuss the print with the students. They are making observations that you will neither confirm nor deny. They may describe only what they can actually see in the print. Record observations on a class chart or on a Print Analysis Form. As a class, brainstorm what the subject of the council meeting may be.

  • Working with a partner, each pair will decide what the conversation is about and write a dialogue. Have some of the pairs perform the dialogue in front of the class.

  • Discuss with the students how they came up with their dialogue. What previous experiences and prior knowledge did they use? How do they know whether this knowledge would be accurate or not? Discuss what a bias is and how it may have influenced their personal dialogues.

  • After they have finished their observations and dialogues give them the background information about the print and have them write a second dialogue which focuses on the topic at hand.



This lesson was written by Lori Clock, elementary school teacher, La Mirada, CA.