14 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



taugs reached from the Marsapeagues to Patchogue; the Patchogues 

 to Southampton, while the Shinnecocks dwelt from Canoe place 

 to Montauk, where the Montauks lived. There were other unim- 

 portant tribes but little known. 



These territorial divisions are indicated by colors and confined 

 to one period. In every part there are traces of earlier nations more 

 or less mentioned in the accompanying notes. The boundary line 

 established in 1768 followed the Susquehanna up to Owego. 

 Thence it ran due east to the Delaware a little north of the present 

 state line, and up the Mohawk or west branch of that river till it 

 reached a point directly south of the mouth of the Unadilla. A line 

 due north and mainly along that stream struck Wood creek west of 

 Fort Stanwix. Northward and eastward it was determined by pre- 

 vious purchases. 



Those familiar with Mr L. H. Morgan's map of Ho-de-no-sau- 

 nee-ga, or the territory of the people of the Long Plouse after their 

 conquests, will observe that the boundaries on the small map show- 

 ing national distribution differ somewhat from his, partly from 

 showing an earlier condition, but for other reasons as well. Thai 

 eminent writer said, "A boundary line would seem at first to be 

 a difficult problem in Indian geography. But a peculiar custom of 

 our predecessors has divested this subject of much of its embarrass- 

 ment, and enabled us to ascertain with considerable certainty the 

 territorial limits of the nations of the league. The Iroquois rejected 

 all natural boundaries, and substituted meridianal Hues. This 

 appears to have resulted from the custom of establishing them- 

 selves upon both banks of the streams upon which they resided. . . 

 Inland lakes were never divided by a boundary line; but the line 

 itself was so deflected, that the entire circuit of each lake might be 

 possessed by a single nation. The natural limits which rivers and 

 lakes might furnish having been thus disregarded, and straight lines 

 substituted, the inquiry is freed from some of its difficulties." 



Mr Morgan,, .however, forgot that irregular ridges instead of 

 streams, sometimes become boundaries, though straight lines might 

 be carried along or over these. Another matter was overlooked, 

 th^t national boundarieg eh^nged from time to time by mutual 



