An Inspired Union: Exploring Parallels between the Great Law and the United States Government
Many of the Founding Fathers and the original framers of the United States Constitution were influenced
by the Native Nations of North America, particularly the Lotinuhsyu=n$= (Iroquois) and
Kanyantla>k% (the Great Law). Some examples of this influence are listed below:
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): Considered by many to be the “First American” is also a signer and
major contributor to both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.








1736 - Began printing Indian treaties (including Lotinuhsyu=n$=). These treaties sold extremely
well in the colonies.
1744 - Printed and distributed the Treaty of Lancaster in which Thatat@lho (He is Entangled)
gives his famous advice to the Founding Fathers.
1751 - Wrote a letter to his friend James Parker containing the famous, “Ignorant savages” quote.
1753 - Witnessed a Lotinuhsyu=n$= Condolence Ceremony.
1754 - Began his political career as the Pennsylvania envoy to the Lotinuhsyu=n$=.
1754 - Debuts his “Albany Plan of Union.” Famous Mohawk, Lotiyan$shu Hendrick, addressed
the Albany Congress to explain about Kanyantla>k%.
Became good friends with Conrad Weiser who was adopted by the Mohawks.
Lotinuhsyu=n$= procedure and protocol used. The Pennsylvania Commissioners (including
Franklin) presented the assembled Indians with a wampum belt, which portrayed the union
between the Iroquois and the colonists.
John Hancock (1737-1793): One of the Founding Fathers and considered by many to be a great patriot.
He served as President of the Continental Congress and as Governor of Massachusetts.





1775 August - The Continental Congress is referred to as the “thirteen fires” by both the
Lotinuhsyu=n$= and the colonists. At the opening of Congress, the famous Thatat@lho quote
from 1744 is read. Then a speech is given acknowledging Thatat@lho’s words and stating that
they are teaching the children to follow his advice.
1776 April - John Hancock and the Continental Congress send a wampum belt to
Lotinuhsyu=n$= communities to show “good intentions” and to “cultivate peace.”
1776 May - Lotinuhsyu=n$= leaders invited to Philadelphia to watch how the Continental
Congress works. Hancock welcomed them as “brothers” and they are given positions of honor.
1776 June - The Lotinuhsyu=n$= gave John Hancock an Indian name meaning, “The Great
Tree.”
1776 George Morgan was appointed the first Indian Agent and was instructed by Hancock to
create the George Washington Covenant wampum belt. It was given to the Lotinuhsyu=n$= at
the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784.
George Washington (1732-1799): First President of the United States. He was also Commander in Chief
of the Continental Army and a delegate from Virginia on the Continental Congress.




General Washington appointed On<yote>a=k@= (Oneida) leaders as Generals in the Continental
Army.
1778 - On<yote>a=k@= and Tuscarora come to the aid of Washington and his army at Valley
Forge.
1783 - Wrote a letter to James Duane and asked for the end of the taking of Indian land and
established and enforced a border between Indian lands and the United States.
1790 - Non-Intercourse Act signed making it illegal for anyone to make a treaty with an Indian
Nation except the federal government. Protects Native nations from land grabs by states and
companies.
John Adams (1735-1826): Served as second President of the United States. He was also a delegate to the
Continental Congress and the first Vice-President.


At the Constitutional Convention, Adams wrote a pamphlet, “Defense of the Constitution.” In it
he described the Lotinuhsyu=n$=, calling them “Fifty Families.”
During the Convention, he wrote a letter to John Rutledge admiring the liberty that Native
Americans enjoy.
John Rutledge (1739-1800): Was a delegate to the Continental Congress. Rutledge was also a Justice on
the Supreme Court and the Governor of South Carolina.
 Opened committee at the Constitutional Convention with a quote attributed to an
Lotinuhsyu=n$= Lotiyan$shu from 1520: “We the people, to form a union, to establish peace,
equity and order.”
 He then asked his fellow delegates to consider a philosophy from American soil.
Lotinuhsyu=n$= - Lo-dee-nah-sue-knee
Kanyantla>k% - Ga-yant-la-go
Lotiyan$shu – Lo-dee-yah-knee-shoe
Thatat@lho – Ta-da-dah-hoe
On<yote>a=k@= - Oh-knee-yo-dah-ah-ga