400 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
nine rows. On this were white letters and figures, W: I. and 1756. 
The Six Nations afterward met the colonial commissioners at Ger- 
man Flats.* This was preliminary to a more important council at | 
Albany in August 1775. As a symbol of the troubled times a 
broken belt was one of those presented by the commissioners. A 
new union belt was given by them. It represented the 12 united 
colonies, and was followed on their part by “the large belt 
of intelligence and declaration.” Then followed the path 
belt, and the pipe of peace with six small strings. The Indians 
there referred to an old covenant belt of 20 rows between the 
Oneidas and Peter Schuyler, and another given by the Senecas. 
These old belts were again brought out at Albany. 
In these many accounts of belts of this kind the development of 
emblems and the probable date of each may be seen. Many were 
arbitrary, and the exact meaning could only be known by tradition, 
which often proves a misleading guide with existing belts. Others 
had their meaning explained when given, to the great relief of those 
who received them. While a line may mean a road, a square or 
diamond a castle or nation, clasped hands alliances and hatchets 
war, it does not always clearly appear what road, nation, alliance 
or war is intended. The interpretation depends on the occasion, 
and the true meaning may be forgotten. In Pierre Margry’s 
Découvertes et établissements des Francats, pt 5, p. 290-91, is a.con- 
versation between Capt. de Lamothe Cadillac and the Huron chief 
Quarante-Sols. It was at a council at Fort Pontchartrain, June 3, 
1703. 
Quarante-Sols. JI came on my way to tell you what I propose to 
do at Montreal. Here is a collar which has been sent to us by the 
Iroquois, and which the Ottawas have brought us; we do not know 
what it signifies. 
_ M. de Lamothe. How have you received this collar without 
knowing the purpose for which it was sent you? 
Quarante-Sols. It has already been long since we received it. I 
was not there, and our old men have forgotten what it said. 
M. de Lamothe. Your old men are not regarded as children to 
have such a short memory. . 
Quarante-Sols. We do not accept this collar; but we are going to 
take it to Sonnontouan to find out what it means, because it is a 
serious matter not to respond to a collar; it is the custom among 
