of North Carolina. 339 



in length as will reach from the Elbow to the end of the little 

 Finger. They never regard or stand to question whether he 

 is a tall or short Man that measures it; but if this Wampum 

 or Peak be of a black or purple Colour, as some part of the 

 Shell, then it is twice the Value. 



They grind these Shells upon Stones and other things, 'till 

 they make them current, but the Drilling is the most difficult 

 to the Europeans, which the Indians do with a ISTail stuck in 

 a Cane or Reed, but whether they have any Method in soft- 

 ning these Shells, is uncertain. They rowl it continually on 

 their Thighs with the right Hand, and hold the bit of Shell 

 with their left; thus by degTees they drill a hole through it, 

 which is a tedious Work, but especially in making their 

 Ronoah, four of which will scarce make one length of Wam- 

 pum. 



The Indians in general are a People (as I observed) that 

 set very little value on their Time, and need never be under 

 any apprehension or fear that the Christians will take the 

 Trade out of their hands. This is. the Money with which 

 you may buy Shins, Furs, Slaves, or any thing they have ex- 

 cept their Children, it being their Mammon (as our Money 

 is to us) that persuades and intices them to do any thing. 

 With this they will buy off Murders, or whatever a Man can 

 do that is 111, and be his Crime of never so black a Nature, 

 this Money is sufficient to purge him of it, and have it buried 

 in Oblivion for ever, such an influence hath this Almighty 

 Gain over them, that the most inhuman practices shall ap- 

 pear innocent and laudable, and engage them in the most 

 scandalous and barbarous Actions, without once reflecting or 

 condemning themselves in the least for it. 



Uu 2 Formerlv 



