In 1775 a merchant ship named the Adamant wove across the Atlantic Ocean headed toward England. Among the passengers was Colonel Guy Johnson, the British superintendent of northern American Indians.
With him was a group of leaders of the Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) people, the easternmost tribe of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy): Thayendanegea, also known as Joseph Brant, and Oteroughyanento, also known as John Hill. On this trip, Johnson intended to secure Haudenosaunee loyalty to Britain amid the American Revolution.
No records of passengers list a third Mohawk leader, Karonghyontye, also known as David Hill. The only evidence that he joined this trip is a later letter in which he references this 1776 painting by Benjamin West, Colonel Guy Johnson and Karonghyontye (Captain David Hill).
An audience with King George III was planned for the group. But the Kanyen'kehà:ka leaders had their own agenda—they wanted assurances that, in exchange for their loyalty, Britain would respect their land rights. British officials agreed to honor Mohawk territorial claims. . . so long as they won the war.
Coincidentally, the Adamant was owned by British trader Brook Watson, the subject of John Singleton Copley’s painting Watson and the Shark. On this trip, Watson was also escorting Canadian and American prisoners, including Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary hero and founder of Vermont.
Benjamin West, Colonel Guy Johnson and Karonghyontye (Captain David Hill), 1776, oil on canvas, Andrew W. Mellon Collection, 1940.1.10
A Closer Look at the Painting
At some point during their trip, Johnson and Karonghyontye must have sat for this portrait by West, a renowned, London-based, American painter. Johnson likely commissioned it to celebrate his appointment as superintendent of the “Six Nations” (as the British called the Iroquois Confederacy).
Scroll through the details—and look beneath the surface—of West’s painting. See how the artist carefully composed and changed his work.
Bringing Karonghyontye out of the shadows, learn about his role in the American Revolution—and how the outcome shaped the centuries-long (and ongoing) Haudenosaunee fight for land rights.
Colonel Johnson’s Clothing
Since this is the only existing portrait of Colonel Guy Johnson, we don’t know how he typically dressed. But the clothing in this portrait tells a story.
Johnson wears a pseudo-military outfit. The red jacket and magenta sash around his waist are based on military styles. In his left hand, he grasps the barrel of a musket. But there is no braid or medal to indicate his rank.
Johnson’s outfit is full of other details—ones borrowed from Native American dress. They are probably meant to reinforce his image as a British official with close connections to the Native communities he “supervised.”
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The underside of Johnson’s robe is decorated with a red and black geometric pattern.
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He wears moccasins beaded with red and gold details.
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An identical pair of moccasins is now in the collection of the British Museum. This is one of 12 objects the museum holds that were once part of Benjamin West’s personal collection.
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The black cap Johnson holds in his right hand may also have been inspired by West’s collection.
It is decorated with glinting beading, geometric patterns, and feathers.
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Those rows of beading and quillwork may come from this object—possibly a garter—made of moose skin, porcupine quills, birchbark, and glass beads.
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Third image: Moccasins made between 1750 and 1770 by Native Americans in the Northeast (exact origin is unknown), The British Museum, Am1991,09.2.a-b © The Trustees of the British Museum
Fifth image: Garter (?) believed to have been made between 1700 and 1760 by the Algonquian people (exact origin is unknown), The British Museum, Am1991,09.6, © The Trustees of the British Museum
The exact origin of the objects is unknown. West appropriated the patterns and styles without any consideration for the differences in Native American cultures.
And this might not have been what Johnson wore for his portrait sitting. West may have added these details later.
Changes Under the Surface
Scientific research shows that West made changes to Johnson’s outfit during the painting process.
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X-radiography reveals that he first painted Johnson wearing a big white bow around his neck.
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In the finished work, a beaded strap shines under Johnson’s open jacket and a brown animal skin robe hangs over one shoulder.
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West also painted Johnson wearing British breeches and thigh-high deerskin leggings.
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Magenta beaded garters support his stockings.
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An Unequal Alliance
Karonghyontye was an important ally to Johnson. He led military attacks against the Americans.
But it’s clear from the painting that West, or Johnson, did not see Karonghyontye as Johnson’s equal. The artist made Johnson the highlight of the painting and Karonghyontye a secondary figure.
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Karonghyontye is in the background, looking at Johnson from the shadows.
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With his face shaded, we can barely make out his features.
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He wears a black and red feathered headdress on his shaven head.
His ears are split and bound with silver wire.
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We can see woven or beaded textile on his neck and wrists and across his chest.
Once again, the patterns resemble some of the objects in West’s collection. The artist seems more interested in painting those objects than a portrait of Karonghyontye.
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He holds a quill wrapped pipe in his right hand, and his left hand points toward a scene in the distance.
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There, a group of figures gathers around a fire.
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A waterfall beyond them is likely meant to represent Niagara Falls—the historic homeland of the Haudenosaunee.
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The scene establishes the region over which Johnson held power. But this was also Karonghyontye’s home.
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When the British lost the American Revolution, Haudenosaunee loyalists lost their homeland. They were forced to relocate to British territory.
In 1784 Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor in Chief of the Provinces of Quebec and Territories, established a treaty with the Six Nations promising 950,000 acres of land along the Grand River in current-day Ontario.
Today, the Six Nations of the Grand River only holds 50,000 of those acres. They are suing the governments of Canada and Ontario for their land rights.