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.