Failing to secure redress, they the forcible attempted ejectment of the settlers, and compelled the interference of the military. Subsequently, Nimham, the

in

Wappinger king, in company with chiefs from the Mahicans of Connecticut, visited England and received favorable hearing. Returning to America their claims were thrown into the courts and were there overtaken by the Revolution. Still clinging to their ancient homes, at the close of the war, were considerable numbers of the Esopus and Mahican clans, then generally known as "domestic tribes." Of the former <c

Nachnawachena, alias Sanders, chief sachem, accompanied by sachems Hakawarenim, Qualaghquninjon, and Walagayhin, and twenty-three Indians besides squaws and children," came to conference at Kingston, September yth, I77I. 1 They were then principally residents of the country back of the Shawangunk

mountains, and without special usefulness in the contest which had decided the future rank of their brethren, the Minsis, in the west.

Not the last, but the closing record of the English administra tion in reference to them is that by Governor Tryon, in 1774 :

" The river tribes have become so scattered and so addicted to wandering, that no certain account of their numbers can be the Montauks and others of Long These tribes

obtained. island,

Wappingers of Dutchess county, and the Esopus, Papacounty^- have generally been denomi

goncks, etc., of Ulster

nated River Indians and consist of about three hundred fighting

men.

Most of these people at present profess Christianity, and

power adopt our customs. The greater part of them attended the army during the late war, but not with the same reputation of those who are still deemed hunters." 2 as far as in their