Contacts with Native Americans
Fear of war with the United States led the British to maintain relations with potential Native American allies, already engaged in resisting American westward expansion, who might help defend Canada in the event of an American invasion. Britain nonetheless held back from supporting armed action against the United States. This did not prevent Americans from accusing the British of arming warriors to attack American settlements.
Deputation of Indians from the Mississippi Tribes to the Governor General of British North America, Sir George Prevost
Painting by Rudolph von Steiger, 1814 Library and Archives Canada, 1989-264-1