Franklin's article centers mainly around the understanding of kindness from the perspective of Indians.
The first mention of what can be considered a colonialist's interference is the recollection of the meeting with Indians in Pennsylvania; the conversation was supposed to convince the Natives to send several of their young men to a school run by Europeans. That was not the first time, however, that such offer was presented. The men of the tribe, who were previously taught in such schools, were thought by their people after their return as lacking in skills of hunting, speaking their native language, or fighting. Although, despite that, the Natives did not immediately refuse (their conduct of kindness required at least one day of waiting before giving an answer), nor scold the Europeans for their repeated proposal.
Consequently, the issue of those of the Natives that received education from colonialists plays a part in the men's troubled understanding of their identity. They now belonged to both worlds: they could speak English, were familiar with European culture and ethics, yet, at the same time, they were sent back to their hometowns, to live among - now mostly foreign - Indian society, their habits and way of life, where they were found unqualified to participate in their tribe's daily routine.
While, considering the question of identity, it would be tempting to subconsciously refer to the Natives as "strangers", Franklin's article - deliberately or not - seems to portray Europeans as those who were somehow "different". The described meeting of a Minister with the Sasquehanah people is a fitting example of such portrayal. The tribe politely listens and then thanks the cleric for introducing them to the base of the Christian faith, but they are also willing to tell the man the story of a deity of theirs. The minister then gets rather annoyed, calling it a false fable. Both reactions to each others beliefs - the quiet appreciation from the Indians, and the sudden irritation of the priest - portray the later as the one who is not accustomed to his current environment.
Finally, as in any story of the clash of two vastly different societies, the issue of resistance comes to mind. Whereas the word alone is often associated with violence and turmoil (the article itself talks of "savages"), Franklin's text describes an entirely different perspective: the resistance through good manners, politeness, and the will to learn more about each other, which, as suggested by the author, surprised the Europeans more than acts of cruelty would.
