424 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Fig. i86 is styled the " Captain Brant belt of 1750." The great 

 chief was then a child of 8 years, and a belt of that date could 

 have had no reference to him. Still less can it be allowed that *' the 

 three white lines on his wampum , show his trips to England." He 

 made but two trips there, not three. There is an open square at 

 each end, signifying a nation, while the broad white line between 

 shows an alHance both strong and enduring. Fig. 183 is called a 

 Black Hawk belt, and is a black belt 12 rows deep. Seven open 

 diamonds of white beads are united by a line of white, indicating a 

 covenant. 1 



Fig. 187 has the double diamonds found on some others. There 

 are five of these in this, and they may well stand for the Five Na- 

 tions. The owner thought so, and called it '' Five Nations' war 

 belt." By the use of red paint any belt acquired this character. 

 It is 15 rows deep, , and has some short white rows at one end. 

 This may be compared with a similar New York belt. Fig. 191 is 

 defective, but has two white squares and two white hexagons, in- 

 closing similar figures. It is styled the " Old French fort belt of 

 New York, 300 years old." No French fort was here then. It 

 seems quite a recent belt. 



Fig. 189 has been called the " Six Nations' peace belt." It has 

 partly open diamonds on a white ground, and is 10 rows deep. 

 There is no symbol to indicate this character. Fig. 188 is also 

 styled by the owner '' Six Nations' peace belt, representing two 

 roads." He interprets , it as an offer of peace from the Americans 

 and English respectively, either of which the Indians might choose. 

 Fig. 190 he considers the Gov. Denny belt of 1758, inviting the In- 

 dians to a council at Philadelphia. It does not seem probable that 

 an invitation belt would have survived so long, and the figures are 

 those of a covenant, more likely to be preserved. 



Fig. 192 evidently refers to a council, and Mr Roddy calls it the 

 first William Penn belt. A statement connected with it says that 

 the belt was given to the Indians " before they entered the council 

 house where the treaty was to be made, and was a token of amity 

 and good faith. On the belt is worked the figure of a white man 

 and one of an Indian. To distinguish one from the other the white 



