Albany Congress

The Albany Congress was a meeting of representatives of seven of the British North American colonies in 1754 (specifically, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island). Representatives met daily at Albany, New York from June 19 to July 11 to discuss better relations with the Indian tribes and common defensive measures against the French. They did conclude a treaty with the tribes represented, but the treaty failed to secure peace with all the First Nations tribes during the French and Indian War.

Indian Negotiations

About forty representatives of the Iroquois Confederation attended the conference, with Chief Hendrick of the Mohawk as their main spokesman. They concluded a treaty to ensure peaceful relations but the results were mixed. During the French and Indian War the Iroquois confederation was divided. The Mohawks sided with the British while the Onondaga took the French side. Outside of the general treaty, the Indians also sold land in the Wyoming Valley to John Lydius of Connecticut and to Conrad Weiser of Pennsylvania. This began the confusion of land titles that ultimately resulted in the Pennamite Wars.

Related Topics:
Iroquois Confederation - Chief Hendrick - Mohawk - French and Indian War - Onondaga - Wyoming Valley - Pennamite Wars

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