METALLIC IMPLEMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS 45- 
long and the greatest width is at the base, where it is = inch 
wide, tapering thence nearly to the point. Flanges extend half- 
way on each side. 
Recent copper and brass implements 
The New York aborigines were not slow to see the advan- 
tages of metallic articles of all kinds, whatever they may have 
had before Hudson’s voyage. His account of their copper 
tobacco pipes may be compared with incidents in Gosnold’s 
voyage a little before, along the New England coast. It is by — 
no means improbable that some European articles had already 
found their way to them, but opportunities at once became 
greater. The Dutch soon followed Hudson’s lead to the upper 
waters of the river, and early trade may be said to have com- 
menced there rather than in the harbor of New York. We may 
dismiss the mythic Tawasentha council as far as the Iroquois 
are concerned. Their eastern boundary reached only the west 
line of Albany county, and the hostile Mahikans held the west 
bank of the river till Van Rensselaer purchased the land on 
both sides. It is quite likely the Mohawks soon contrived to 
trade on or near the river, but they had no treaty with the 
Dutch when Corlaer (Arent Van Curler) visited them in 1642, 
nor is there any evidence of any till 1645. Adriaen Van der 
Donck said: “In the year 1645 we were employed with the offi- 
cers and rulers of the colony of Rensselaerwyck in negotiating a 
treaty of peace with the Maquas, who were and still are the 
strongest and fiercest Indian nation of the country; whereat the 
Director general William Kieft on the one part, and the chiefs. 
of the Indian nations of the neighboring country on the other 
part, attended.” The Mahikans had then removed to New 
England. 
Preliminary to this first formal council with the Mohawks, Cor- 
Jaer said in 1642, he “ brought presents there, and asked that we 
should live as good neighbors, and that they should do no harm 
to either the colonists or their cattle, to all of which the say- 
ages at the three castles gratefully agreed.” Three years later 
the treaty was made. The Mohawks of the first castle may 
