"there was with general washington, during most of the summer, a seneca chief, called the great tree, who, on leaving the head-quarters of the commander-in-chief, professed the strongest friendship for the american cause, and his first object, after his return to his own people, was to inspire them with his own friendly sentiments. while passing through the oneida nation on his way home, he professed the strongest confidence in his ability to keep his own tribe bound in the chain of friendship, and pledged himself, in the event of his failure, to come down with his friends and adherents and join the oneidas. early in october [1778], mr. dean, the indian interpreter and agent in the oneida territory, . .had despatched messengers to the seneca country, who had returned with unfavorable intelligence. it was stated, that on his arrival in his own country, the great tree found his tribe all in arms. the warriors had been collected from the remotest of their lodges, and were then thronging the two principal towns, kanadaseago and jennesee. having heard that the americans were preparing an expedition against their country, they had flown to arms; and the great tree was himself determined to chastise the enemy who should dare to penetrate his country. the oneida messengers were farther told that all the indians west of their own tribe, including, of course, the onondagas, together with the indian settlements on the susquehanna and its branches, were to join them. they were to rendezvous somewhere on the tioga, and make a descent either upon the pennsylvania or new jersey frontier."

the above excerpt most directly reflects which dominant goal of native americans during the colonial war for independence?
(a) to remain neutral in the conflict(b) forge advantageous alliances in hopes of protecting their own interests(c) protect fur trade networks with the french(d) avoid alliances with other tribes