64. NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
October 1747, “ that a gunsmith be sent to each of the tribes fol- 
lowing, viz: The Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, | 
and two men with each gunsmith, to continue until next spring, 
and that goods valued at £360, New York currency, be sent with 
them.” . 
In the laws of the colony of New York mention is frequently 
made of these blacksmiths. By order Cornelius Van Slyck jr 
and company resided in the Seneca country, Sep. 1, 1741, to 
Sep. 1, 1742, mending arms, etc. to prevent French plotting. 
About the same time Peter Lansing and Barent Staats jr were — 
fourmonths in the Cayuga country on the same business. In 1745 
Garrit H. Veeder, the Cayuga blacksmith, was paid £60, with 
something for sundries. Ryer Booen went to Onondaga with | 
goods, two men and a gunsmith, and was there from November 
1747 to May 1748. | 
Hendrick Herkemer, gunsmith at Onondaga, with two helpers 
and materials, was paid £70 for services from October 1748 to | 
May 1749. The Seneca blacksmith had the same. It was cus- | 
tomary to spend. about six months in this service. Others are — | 
mentioned but it will suffice to speak of William Printup, black- 
smith at Onondaga in 1750. He was a favorite there for some — 
years and his name is still borne at that place. 
This matter receives special attention here because it has been — 
customary to speak of the anvils and blacksmith’s tools which © | 
have deen found as French. Few or none of them were. The 
Onondaga anvil, which Father d’Heu said belonged to the French 
party, the Onondagas asked permission of the English to retaiti 
but a few years before. The latter had furnished it and a smith. — | 
In the Seneca country alone did French smiths work, as far as 
records go, and that but for a short time. It is probable one 
may have been with the French colony at Onondaga lake in 1756 
but there is no clear proof of this. . | 
The Iroquois were not willing their dependents should have — | 
equal advantages with them. In 1750 the Shawnees and Nanti- | 
cokes wished a smith at Wyoming, as well as at Shamokin Pa. 
and sent their request by Cammerhoff and Zeisberger. The 
Onondagas positively refused this. ! 
