28. Wampum
BY PETER KALM (1749)[74]
AMONG the numerous shells which are found on the seashore,
there are some which by the English here are called clams, and which
bear some resemblance to the human ear. They have a considerable
thickness, and are chiefly white, excepting the pointed end, which both
without and within has a blue color, between purple and violet.
They are met with in vast numbers on the seashore of New
York, Long Island, and other places. The shells contain a large animal,
which is eaten both by the Indians and Europeans settled here.
A considerable commerce is carried on in this article, with
such Indians as live farther up the country. When these people
inhabited the coast, they were able to catch their own clams, which at
that time made a great part of their food; but at
present this is the business of the Dutch and English who live in Long
Island and other maritime provinces.
As soon as the shells are caught, the fish is taken out of them,
drawn upon a wire, and hung up in the open air, in order to dry by the
heat of the sun. When this is done, the flesh is put into proper vessels,
and carried to Albany upon the river Hudson; there the Indians buy
them, and reckon them one of their best dishes.
Besides the Europeans, many of the native Indians come
annually down to the seashore, in order to catch clams, proceeding with
them afterwards in the manner I have just described.
The shells of these clams are used by the Indians as money,
and make what they call their wampum; they likewise serve their
women for an ornament, when they intend to appear in full dress.
These wampums are properly made of the purple parts of the shells,
which the Indians value more than the white parts.
A traveller, who goes to trade with the Indians, and is well
stocked with them, may become a considerable gainer; but if he take
gold coin, or bullion, he will undoubtedly be a loser; for the Indians,
who live farther up the country, put little or no value upon these metals
which we reckon so precious, as F have frequently observed in the
course of my travels.
The Indians formerly made their own wampum, though not
without a deal of trouble; but at present the Europeans employ
themselves that way; especially the inhabitants of Albany, who get a
considerable profit by it.
[[74]]
Wampum was the only thing like money that the
Indians had; but they traded skins with each other, and at the white
settlements.