more important proposition is, how came the former west of the Hudson, if the prowess of their rivals was so supreme ? Reference has already been made to the capital or council-fire That the ori of the nation as having been at Westenhuck. records and at the was affirmed Dutch Schodac is ginal capital by by the traditions of the tribe, and accords with the interpretation Like other tribes, they recoiled before the of the name itself. and sometime between 1664 and 1734, removed their national seat to Westenhuck where it was known

incoming

civilization,

to the authorities of Massachusetts, 2 as well as to the Moravian

missionaries.

"In

1744," says Loskiel, "some Shekomeko from Westenhuck, to

February,

Indian deputies arrived at inquire whether the believing Indians would live in friendship

*

Documentary History, in, 612, 617.

Stockbridpe Past and Present.

History of the Moravian Missions.

OF HUDSON'S RIVER. with the

new chief."

In 1751, he writes at Gnadenhutten,

" Two

likewise sent to the

great deputies were Pennsylvania of the Mahikan nation at Westenhuck, with which satisfac they appeared much pleased, and as a proof of their in

:

council

tion made Abraham, an assistant at Gnadenhutten, a captain."

Again

u The

:

unbelieving

Indians

at

Westenhuck, made

several attempts to draw the Christian Indians in Shekomeko "Brother David Bruce," it. is added, "paid into their party."

Westenhuck, by invitation of the head chief of the Mahican nation," of whom it is said " the above mentioned

visits to