Our constitution has many Iroquois features. Iroquois lawmakers didn't go to war. Civilian and military rule was separate.

The Iroquois had no royalty -- no hereditary rule. Their nations could naturalize new citizens. The League didn't just conquer other nations. It could also admit them to membership.

We didn't adopt the Iroquois unicameral system. They had only one council. Franklin fought for that. Because he lost, we have both the senate and the house.

Franklin also wanted to let soldiers elect their own officers. That's what the Iroquois did. He lost on that one, too.

Still, our constitution is a fine piece of engineering design. We looked at the European kingdoms we'd left behind. And we looked at these people who'd governed themselves so well for so long.

In the end Canassatego and the Iroquois tipped the scales in shaping our way of life. And we can be very glad they did.

And we can be very glad they did.

Indeed, a wise decision.

Ben Franklin is my favourite Founding Father.