Cherokees of Georgia, in 1735.

Driven thence by the political

troubles with the Spaniards, they established a colony at Bethle

hem, on the Delaware, and, in 1740, founded a mission in the The pioneer in the latter field was present county of Dutchess. Christian Henry Rauch, who arrived in

New York, in July of

that year, seeking missionary labor, and where he soon after met

a company of Mahicans who were there to renew their covenant

with the government.

Ascertaining that he could converse with

them in the Dutch language, he visited them repeatedly at their encampment, but found them almost invariably in a state of beastly intoxication on the liquor which the government had given them, ferocious in appearance and but little disposed to extend the encouragement which he sought. Finding them sober at last, he addressed two of their chiefs, TSchoop and Shabash, and obtained their consent to accompany them to their Led by them he reached Shekomeko, in the village as a teacher.

now known as Pine plains, on the i6th of August, and immediately commenced a work which was not without en " the couraging reward. Tschoop, known as greatest drunkard

district

among his followers," was converted Schabash joined him soon At the end of two years thirty-one baptized Indians after. ;

attended his ministrations, " all of the Mabikander tribe," and in 1743, the number had reached sixty-three.

Rauch's labors were not confined to Shekomeko alone.

At

Pisgachtigok, Mauwehu and his brother were among his con