wyck, the Iroquois were primarily indebted for their subsequent That manor was position in the family of Indian nations. organized under an independent charter with powers not delegated to the West India Company at Fort Amsterdam, especially in the matter of the sale of fire-arms to the Indians. At its trad ing-houses arms could be had for furs ; there the doors were open to the Mohawks and the Makicans, who guarded well the special advantages which they enjoyed.

These advantages were

great ; the former were enabled by them to push their conquests, the latter to maintain independence. This is clearly deducible

from the records which were made by the Dutch, in connection with the wars at Fort Amsterdam in 1643,* in which it is said

that the traders from Rensselaerswyck, " perceiving that the

Mo

hawks were craving for guns, which some of them had already re ceived, paying for each as many as twenty beavers, and for a pound of powder as many as ten or twelve guilders, came down to Fort

Journal of

Ne w t

Netherlandy

Doc. Hist., iv,

I, etc.

OF HUDSON'S RWER.

than usual, where guns were them at a fair price, realizing in this way plenty, purchasing considerable profit. This extraordinary gain was not long kept

Amsterdam,

secret.

in greater numbers

The traders coming from Holland soon got scent of it,

and from time to time, brought over great quantities, so that the Mohawks, in a short time, were seen with fire locks and