Nor could subjugation have been as early

as 1643 or 1645, when Kieft made his treaty with the Mohawks and Mahicans, for the Swedes were then supplying the Minsis

In 1660, the latter, through their chief, could declaim to their dependents at Esopus, in the presence of the Mohawk embassador, " this is not your land ; it is our land,-

with arms.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

therefore repeat not this," x and no

utterance with

more authority.

Mohawk chief ever made

A terrific contest was then

raging between the Senecas and the Minsis^ and the former came to Fort Orange and demanded, by virtue of the treaty of Esopus

" We

(1660), a higher price for their furs. sixty handsful of powder for one beaver.

require, said they,

We have a vast deal

of trouble collecting beavers through the enemy's country. ask to be furnished with powder and ball. If our ene " mies conquer us, where will ye then obtain beavers ? Direc

We

them a keg says, replied by giving of powder, but entreated them to make peace with the Minsis so that the Dutch might " use the road to them in safety." tor Stuyvesant, so the record

Three years

later the

Dutch were in terrible alarm.

A body

of six hundred Senecas attacked the fort of the Minsis on the

Delaware, and were put to flight and pursued northward for Unable to cope with them single-handed, the Sene

two days.

cas solicited the aid of the