The reference to "the earliest years of English settlement in North America" serves primarily to emphasize the point that A. Calloway has exaggerated the ruthlessness and rapacity of White settlers in their relations with native Americans prior to the American Revolution. B. Seizure of Native American lands by White settlers had increased dramatically throughout the time of British Colonial rule. C. At one time White settlers had negotiated with Native American people as independent foreign states. D. White settlers had no legitimate ground for claiming title to land they seized west of the Appalachian Mountains. E. Aggression by White settlers against Native Americans during and after the American Revolution was not a new phenomenon.