"They [...] discovered that the back [...] inhabitants particularly those who daily go over the Mountains of Virginia employ much of their time in hunting, interfere with them therein, have a hatred for, ill treat, Rob and frequently murder the Indians, that they are in general a lawless sett of People, as fond of independency as themselves, and more regardless of Governmt owing to ignorance, prejudice, democratical principles, & their remote situation." (Sir William Johnson to the Earl of Dartmouth, November 4, 1772)

"A nation scattered in the boundless regions of America resembles rays diverging from a focus. All the rays remain, but the heat is gone. Their power consisted in their concentration: when they are dispersed, they have no effect." (Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland)