438 



l 



ed defirous to explain to me whatever I wifh- 

 ed to afk. You will believe that I had lefs re- 

 ferve in my queftions, than in the acceptance 

 of his generous offerings, and that I was hap- 

 py to call forth the obfervations and remarks 

 derived from his long and familiar intercourfe 

 with the Indians. At his prefent abode and at 

 Savonette he had refided, during many years, 

 in the appointment of poft-holder, having 

 conftant intercourfe with the Indians, and 

 forming the connecting link between them 

 and the colonics. 



ni b •> > c 1 a >& bo c w faa$ '.tm a , % m u?# ■ ttKHig V < 

 It was the policy of the Dutch govern- 

 ment to expend a certain fum annually in 

 the purchafe of blue cloth, beads, ribbons, 

 hatchets, and other implements, and orna- 

 ments to give to the Indians ; and it was 

 made the duty of the perfon placed at the 

 moft remote eftate of the colony, to affoci- 

 ate with the Indians, and to cultivate their 

 friendfhip, in order to prevent ads of hoi- 

 tility on their part, and to fecure to the colo- 

 nifts the peaceable poffeffion of the territory 

 they had appropriated. Hence, from fitua- 

 tion and appointment, as well as from natural 



