At certain seasons the Indians meet to study the meaning, and renew their
ideas of their strings and belts of wampum. On such occasions, they sit
down around the place in which they are deposited, and taking out a
string or belt, one after another, hand them to every person present;
and in order that they may all comprehend its meaning, repeat the words
pronounced on the delivery, in their whole connexion. By these means
they are enabled to remember the promises reciprocally made; and, as
they admit young boys who are related to the chiefs, they become early
acquainted with all their national concerns; and thus the contents of
their wampum documents are transmitted to their posterity. The following
instance may serve to show how well this mode of communication answers
the purpose of refreshing the memory:—A gentleman in Philadelphia, once
gave an Indian a string of wampum, saying, ‘I am your friend, and will
serve you to the utmost of my power.’ Forty years after, the Indian
returned the string, adding, ‘Brother, you gave me this string of wampum,
saying, I am your friend, and will serve you to the utmost of my power.’
‘I am now aged, infirm, and poor; do now as you promised.’ The gentleman
honourably redeemed his promise, and generously assisted the old Indian.