44 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



STONE} PIPES 



Both clay and stone pipes are rare in New Jersey, and these are 

 inferior to those of New York, where so many of the finest ex- 

 amples of both are found. Equally fine are those of Canada, where 

 they are common. At first the Iroquois made clay pipes only, 

 but afterwards used European tools on those of stone. The early 

 and recent pipes are easily distinguished as a rule, but space will 

 not allow a discussion of this, although a few early notes may be 

 given. 



In describing the Indians of New England in 1643, Roger Wil- 

 liams said, ' Sometimes they make such great pipes, both of wood 

 and stone, that they are too foot long, with men and beasts carved, 

 so big or massie, that a man may be hurt mortally by one of them, 

 but these commonly come from the Mauguawogs, or the men eaters, 

 three or four hundred miles from us. They have an excellent art 

 to cast their pewter and brasse into very neat and artificial pipes '. 

 These pewter, brass and iron pipes are still sometimes found, but 

 the Mohawks made pipes of clay at the time to which he refers. 



In the Jesuit Relation of 1653, is the account of a conference 

 between a New England nation and the French. The ambassador 

 'seats himself in the midst of the place; he takes two great petunoirs, 

 made of a green stone, beautiful and highly polished, a cubit long. 

 This was the fifth present. He fills one of them with tobacco, 

 puts fire to it, and sucks or draws the smoke out of it very gravely. 

 All the assembly watched him, not knowing what he meant. After 

 having well smoked at his ease; " My brother," said he " these two 

 pipes, or these two petunoirs, are yours; it is necessary henceforth 

 that we have but one breath and one respiration, since we now have 

 but one soul".' These petunoirs may have been stone tubes, pipes 

 sometimes taking this form, as they did in California, nor are straight 

 pipes unknown here. 



In his account of the southern Indians, Adair said, ' They make 

 beautiful stone pipes; and the Cheerake the best of any of the In- 

 dians, for their mountainous country contains many different sorts 

 and colors of soils proper for such uses. They easily form them 

 with their knives; the pipes being of a very soft quality till they are 



