LANCASTER COUNTY. 65 



The sword belt was sent from their young men fit to 

 hunt, that privilege to leave their towns, and seek provi- 

 sion for their aged, might be granted to them without 

 fear of death or slavery. 



The fourth was sent from the men of age, requesting 

 that the wood, by a happy peace, might be as safe for 

 them as then forts. 



The fifth was sent from the whole nation, requesting 

 peace, that thereby they might have liberty to visit their 

 neighbors. 



The sixth was sent from their kings and chiefs, desir- 

 ing a lasting peace with the christians and Indians of this 

 Government, that thereby they might be secured against 

 those fearful apprehensions they have for these several 

 years felt. 



The seventh was sent in order to entreat a cessation 

 from murdering and taking them, that by the allowance 

 thereof, they may not be afraid of a mouse, or other 

 thmg that ruffles the leaves. 



The eighth was sent to declare, that as being hitherto 

 strangers to this place, they now came as people blind, 

 no path nor communication being betwixt us and 

 them 5 but now they hope we will take them by the 



make strings of wampum, both neat and elegant, and in great 

 abundance. Those they bartered with the Indians for other 

 goods, and found this traffic very advantageous. The Indians 

 immediately gave up the use of old wood as substitutes for 

 wampum, and procured those made of muscles. 



Every thing of moment transacted at solemn council, either 

 between the Indians themselves, or with Europeans, is ratified, 

 and made valid by strings and belt of wampum. Formerly 

 Mioy used to give sanction to their treaties by delivering a wing 

 of some large bird. This custom still prevailed as late as 

 1775, among the more western nations, in transacting business 

 wit^ tiie Delawares^-^Iios^ei/. 



6* 



