The great strength of the control which the English had over them, however, lay in the personal associations of the Mohawks with the Johnson family. To create this influence John son had become an Indian ; his legitimate children had grown

up with theirs, while those by his mistress, Molly Brant, eight in number, were " bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh." 1 Skillfully was this influence wielded by Johnson and the home government.

The reduction of Canada had created. the neces

a reorganization of the Indian department. The sity Canada tribes, as well as those of the west, were too remote for for

that official intercourse to which

they had become accustomed

under the French, and required separate superintendence ; but it was also necessary that that superintendence should be con ducted on a basis uniform with that which was applied to the The materials for such an organization

confederated tribes.

were already provided. assistant to Johnson ;

George Croghan had filled the post of Daniel Claus and Guy Johnson, the sonsin-law of Johnson, were entirely familiar with the duties to be

The children borne to him by Molly

Brant,

sister

of the

great

chief,

were

made legitimate by marriage a short time before his death.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

performed ; their interests were bound up in obedience to the To Croghan was assigned the charge directions of Sir William. of the Ohio country ; Col. Claus was sent to Canada, with his heacl-quarters at Montreal, while Guy Johnson was made deputy in charge of the Six Nations and the neighboring tribes, and