at mischief, for the inhabitants of
Renselaerswyck who were as many traders as persons, perceiving that the
Mohawks were craving for guns, which some of them had already received
from the English, paying for each as many as twenty beavers and for a
pound of powder as much as ten to twelve guilders, they came down in
greater numbers than was their wont where people were well supplied with
guns, purchasing these at a fair price, thus realizing great profit;
afterwards they obtained some from their Heer Patroon for their
self-defence in time of need, as we suppose. This extraordinary gain was
not kept long a secret, 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 firelocks, powder and lead in
proportion. Four hundred armed men knew how to use their advantage,
especially against their enemies dwelling along the river of Canada,(2)
against whom they have now achieved many profitable forays where before
they derived little advantage; this causes them also to be respected by
the surrounding Indians even as far as the sea coast, who must generally
pay them tribute, whereas, on the contrary, they were formerly obliged
to contribute to these. On this account the Indians endeavored no less
to procure guns, and through the familiarity which existed between them
and our people, they began to solicit them for guns and powder, but as
such was forbidden on pain of death and it could not remain secret in
consequence of the general conversation, they could not obtain them.
This added to the previous contempt greatly augmented the hatred which
stimulated them to conspire against us, beginning first by insults which
they everywhere indiscreetly uttered railing at us as Materiotty (that
is to say) the cowards--that we might indeed be something on water,
but of no account on land, and that we had neither a great sachem nor
chiefs.

(1) Eendracht maakt macht, union makes strength.

(2) Father Jogues speaks more than once of the ill effects
of the Dutch practice of selling fire-arms to the Indians.

[Here two pages are wanting.]

...he of Witqueschreek living northeast of the island Manhatans,
perpetrated another murderous deed in the house of an old man,(1) a
wheelwright, with whom he was acquainted (having been in his son's
service) being well received and supplied with food, pretending a desire
to buy somethi