Works of Ben Franklin and John Smith - Essay Example

Ben Franklin's early attitude towards Native Americans as well as on slavery was on the negative side. In the 1730s, Franklin in his newspaper, the Philadelphia Gazette, featured articles supporting slavery as well as advertisements for purchasing Native American slaves. However, at the same time, he started viewing Native Americans favorably on the same lines as the White Americans, degrading or belittling the Black Americans in some of his writings. In his 1751 essay, “Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind,” Franklin wished that America could be for whites and Native Indians only, writing, “Why increase the Sons of Africa, by Planting them in America, where we have so fair an opportunity, by excluding all Blacks and Tawny's, of increasing the lovely White” (). In addition, Franklin understood the culture of Native Americans and also lobbied to protect them, against any retribution by the majority population. He wrote, “If an Indian injures me, does it follow that I may revenge that Injury on all Indians? ... If it is right to kill men for such a reason, then, should any man with a freckled face and red hair kill a wife or child of mine.” ().

Capt. John Smith, an English soldier, explorer and author, was known for establishing the first English settlement in North America in Jamestown, Virginia. He chronicled that process in the form of Journals, which were published all together in 1612. Major sections of those journals featured content about the Native Americans, their culture, way of living, etc. In those writings, he favorably viewed them and acted wisely with them. Understanding that Native Americans’ support is very crucial for establishing the settlement, Smith did not go on the offensive against them and instead tried establishing cordial relations with them.

“Realizing that the very existence of the colony depended on peace, he never thought of trying to exterminate the natives…In his writings, Smith reveals the attitudes behind his actions” (). At the same time, in the journal, The Generall Historie, Smith viewed some of the Native Americans particularly one Chief negatively. That is, he compared Chief Powhatan to a “devil”, and even referred to the Native Americans as “barbarians”. However, on the whole, he had a good relationship with them and wrote how they were kind-hearted and helped them, after the initial hiccups. “… they boldly demanded what we were, and what we would; but after many circumstances, they seemed very kind….”