Sketch Artist
Contrary to his later reputation as a scalp buyer, Hamilton was sincerely interested in the continent and the culture of the native people. Hamilton was also an amateur artist, leaving behind sketches of people and landscapes. He seemed to enjoy drawing nature the most. In addition, Hamilton also drew portraits of the American Indians he encountered. The great attention he paid to their individual facial features demonstrates his respect for them at a human level. A collections of his drawings are held at Houghton Library, Harvard University.
How might have Hamilton's interest in native culture affected his relationships with the American Indiana he met? Did these relationships benefit or detract from his military ventures? Was Hamilton a better artist or a better military leader?
A Native American man who "travels"
Brian Leigh Dunnigan notes that this is possibly "a half-Ottawa, half-Miami messenger named Kissingua."
Image from Henry Hamilton Drawings of North American Scenes and Native Americans (MS Eng 509.2). Houghton Library, Harvard University. http://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/view/5543236?buttons=y.
A Native American of the Jibboway tribe, ca. 1776-1778
Brian Leigh Dunnigan that the subject was "likely an Ojibwa chief from the Lake St. Clair villages."
Image from Henry Hamilton Drawings of North American Scenes and Native Americans (MS Eng 509.2). Houghton Library, Harvard University. http://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/view/5543240?buttons=y.
River, island, and fortifications
Image from Henry Hamilton Drawings of North American Scenes and Native Americans (MS Eng 509.2). Houghton Library, Harvard University. http://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/view/5543302?buttons=y.