It is not necessary here to specify the considerations named in the several deeds, as this matter was the work of the settlers, and will be more fully considered in their connection. They consisted of a few hoes, hatchets, knives, kettles, articles of clothing, rum and "divers other goods." These seem very insignificant to us; but, in justice to the settlers, it must be remembered that values were very different then from what they are now. But the Indian's position is easily understood. He had no correct ideas of value. This coat would make him a king; this knife would be the pride of his life; these trinkets delighted his eyes, or, if a worthier reason influenced him, he remembered how the squaws had toiled in cultivating the corn with a miserable clamshell, and he rejoiced at the thought of Iheir labor being lightened by the iron hoe that was offered him. By simply placing his mark upon this meaningless paper, all these were secured. At best he but made a virtue of necessity, and was happy to secure these coveted trinkets, the nominal price for giving a nominal consent for the white man to occupy the land.

When Henry Hudson sailed away from the river he had discovered, its shores re-echoed with the warcries of a people whose confidence he had abused and whose kindred he had slain. The hostility he had awakened was not mitigated by subsequent events, and when, afterward, the traders came, mutual suspicion and distrust were not long in bringing the clash of arms. So soon as the Dutch had made a settlement, their cattle were allowed to run at large for pasturage, and "frequently came into the corn of the Indians, which was unfenced on all sides, committing great damage there. This led to complaints on their part, and finally to revenge on the cattle, without sparing even the horses." In 1626 a Weckqujesgeek Indian, from the vicinity of Tarrytown, while on his way to Fort Amsterdam to exchange his furs, was robbed and killed by men in the em-