BELTS OF WAMPUM. b/ 



The shell of the mussel is connected with an interesting- 

 fact. Among the Indian tribes all matters of importance 

 transacted in solemn council between themselves or their 

 white neighbours, is confirmed or commemorated by the 

 delivery or interchange of symbols, which are chiefly 

 strings or belts of wampum. A string consists of a 

 series of square flat pieces of mussel shell, fastened 

 breadth-wise on a cord or wire : a belt is composed of 

 several of these strings joined side by side, and from 

 three to four inches wide. When a string is delivered 

 the speech may be verbose, because to recollect the 

 general meaning is enough ; but when a belt is given, 

 every word must be remembered. The white is used 

 at amicable meetings ; the black and blue when the oc- 

 casion is one of doubt ; but when the pieces of shell are 

 marked with red, and have in the middle the figure of 

 a tomahawk, defiance is held forth. 



Such strings and belts are also registers of the public 

 events of the Indians, and preserve the verbal terms 

 in which treaties, agreements, and pledges were made 

 between tribes, and families, and private persons. These 

 records are carefully deposited in chests as public pro- 

 perty. On certain festival days they are brought forth 

 to refresh the memory of the aged, and that the young- 

 may learn their interpretation. At such times a large 



