The Commissioners for Indian Affairs were a group of officials of colonial Albany, New York charged with regulating the fur trade and dealing with the Iroquois.
History Originally the local magistrates, functioning informally, performed these tasks as part of their official duties. In 1685, Governor Andros organized a board of commissioners, the same officials who had previously performed those duties.
This system was affirmed by charter granted to the City of Albany by Governor Thomas Dongan in 1686. In 1696, Governor Benjamin Fletcher appointed an independent board of four members to take over from the magistrates: Pieter Schuyler, Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck, Domine Godfrey Dellius, and Evert Bancker. In 1698, Governor Bellomont dissolved the independent group and restored the functions to the city government. After this, however, the commissioners received a special commission from the governor. During King George's War (1744–1748), Governor Clinton preempted the authority of the Commissioners and appointed Sir William Johnson to deal with the Iroquois.
The Commissioners were headed by the Secretary for Indian Affairs. Until 1686, the office of Secretary was filled the Secretary of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. Robert Livingston was appointed to this post in 1675. Robert Livingston the Younger took over from his uncle in 1710, followed by Philip Livingston from 1725 to 1749. Peter Wraxall was secretary from 1750 to 1759. Witham Marshe was secretary from 1759.
During the American Revolution the British Government took over management of Indian affairs from the colonists, and the commissioners ceased to function.
List of commissioners No. Named individual Birth year Death year Total service(years) Dates of commissions 1665 1734 1696, 1706, 1710, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732 1752, 1754 1752 1668 1738 1720 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1742, 1745 1675 1756 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745 1739 1738 1704 1753 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745 1670 1728 1720, 1724, 1726 1726 1663 1747 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1742, 1745 1697 1765 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752, 1754 1661 1740 1706, 1710, 1715, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1732 1734, 1739, 1742, 1742, 1745 1734 1675 1752 1728, 1729, 1732, 1742, 1745 1734, 1739 1752 1662 1744 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745 1665 1724 1710, 1712, 1715, 1720 1695 1756 1754 1702 1756 1734, 1738, 1739 1661 1736 1706, 1720, 1724, 1728, 1729, 1732 1728, 1729 1687 1742 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752 1751 1738 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1738, 1742, 1745 1726 1754 1661 1745 1710. 1728, 1729, 1732 1742, 1745 1678 1757 1728, 1729, 1732 1705 1765 1752 1668 1747 1715, 1729, 1734, 1739 1697 1746 1734, 1739 1672 1755 1706, 1710, 1712, 1715, 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752, 1754 1657 1724 1691, 1696, 1706, 1715, 1720 1695 1745 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734 1686 1751 1729, 1732, 1734, 1738, 1739, 1742, 1745 1739, 1742, 1745 1705 1793 1752, 1754 1666 1740 1706, 1710, 1712, 1715, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732 1724 1667 1740 1706, 1724, 1726, 1729, 1732, 1734 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1734 1745 1708 1774 1752, 1754 1724, 1728, 1728, 1732 1728, 1729, 1732 1720, 1724 1690 1759 1739, 1754 Albany Commandant 1738, 1739, 1752 Assembly member for Albany 1738, 1752 Assembly member for Livingston Manor 1752 Assembly member for Rensselaerswyck 1738, 1752 Assembly member for Schenectady 1738, 1752 New York councillors 1739, 1752
See also Bureau of Indian Affairs
References
External links The Commissioners of Indian Affairs