of the Atlantic of the world's financial center, this little 

 trading post at once assumes a unique position as a relic 

 which should be preserved. From it, as one of the very 

 first of the important outposts in New England — and 

 hence in America — has developed the world commerce of 

 the nation. It comes near being the zero milestone, if 

 not the zero milestone of our commercial progress. 



From a report in the Rijksarchief (National Archives) 

 at The Hague, it has been learned that here the Dutch 

 West India Company, through its representative, Isaac 

 De Rasiere, then Secretary at Fort New Amsterdam, first 

 introduced to the New England colonists the use of shell 

 money — Wampum — which for years was legal tender in all 

 transactions with the Indians — an event of much his- 

 torical interest, as it marks a preliminary step in the de- 

 velopment of our currency. 



The Bourne Historical Society, which owns the ancient 

 site, proposes to erect, on the original foundations, a replica 

 of the old building. Twelve acres of land surrounding the 

 site, bordering on the Canal which is destined soon to 

 become one of the nation's great inland waterways, have 

 been secured. With the grounds opened as a public park, 

 the whole will make a fitting memorial to those earliest 

 English, Dutch, and French traders who blazed the begin- 

 ning of the trail for American business. 



To accomplish this, pay off a small indebtedness still 

 due on the cost of the land, and establish an endowment 

 fund for upkeep and repair, the sum of fifty thousand 

 dollars will be needed. The endowment will be held in 

 trust by the State Street Trust Company, Boston, and the 

 Bourne Historical Society (incorporated 1921) as Trustees. 



Whether you are a recent comer to America's shores or 

 a descendant of the early pioneers who traded at this little 

 trading post in the wilderness, you are benefiting by their 

 deeds and are enjoying, directly or indirectly, the fruits 

 of their labors. 



We, therefore, hope you will help in this undertaking. 

 Your cheque, made payable to the Bourne Historical Society 

 and mailed in the enclosed envelope to the State Street 

 Trust Company, Boston, Mass., which has very kindly con- 

 sented to act as Depositary, will be gratefully acknowledged. 



Wampum, from the col- 

 lection in the Peabody 

 Museum, Harvard Uni- 

 versity. The medii 

 of exchange in the early 

 days of commercial 

 transactions between 

 the Colonists and the 

 Indians. 



Specimen modern trade acceptance — a far 

 cry in commercial matters from the primitive 

 money shown above and the negotiable credit 

 instruments of our own day. 



