In 1787, the Confederation Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance, opening the Ohio Valley to new American settlement. However, this perspective ignored the fact that only a portion of tribes had actually supported the British.
Congress had previously argued that by supporting the British during the war Native Americans had forfeited any claim to territory on the western frontier of American settlement. Secretary of War Henry Knox explained that the Continental Congress had needlessly provoked Native Americans following the Revolution by insisting on American possession of all territory east of the Mississippi River. Near the beginning of his first term as President, George Washington declared that a just Native American policy was one of his highest priorities, explaining that 'The Government of the United States are determined that their Administration of Indian Affairs shall be directed entirely by the great principles of Justice and humanity.' 1 The Washington administration's initial policy toward Native Americans was enunciated in June of 1789.
