[Pamphlets. American history]

27
in the winter of 1779 and'80, and were kept up without intermission until the expedition was upon the war path the following spring. A large corps of agents and interpreters was at
work among the Indians, arousing their cupidity, exciting their
passions, embittering their zeal, and enlisting their energies.
They were largely and freely furnished with those articles, which
increased their comfort, attracted their fancy, or added to their
murderous efficiency.
One single merchantile firm in Detroit, "MAcoiiB, EDGAR &
McCOMrB," charged to the Indian Department from I)ecember 29,
1779 to May 16, 1770, for goods furnished thereto, ~42,989 8s
8~d sterling, or about $215,000; and ~12,185, 15s 6d for provisions, which account was paid by Maj. DE PEYSTEI by draft on
Gen. HALDIMAND.
The first charge on this account is for
~ s. d.
3,972 blankets................................ 2,625 5 4
The second:
750 pounds vermilion................................... 750 0 0
Other items of the account may not be without interest:
iftnitions of Wtcr.
~ s. d.
4,574 blankets........................................ 9,381 6 0
14,975 pounds ball, lead and s hot.......................... 1,123 2 6
11,925 flints.......................................
8,000 pounds popowder.................................... 2,000 0 0
476 dozen scalping knives............................... 428 8 0
204 dozen red-haft knives............................... 183 12 0
41j dozen other knives................................ 1 7 0
188 to m ahawks..................................... 119 0 0
3,363 pounds of brass and copper kettles................... 1,198 13 4
6,894~ pounds tobacco, 1Os............................... 2,502 9 0
Orncamental Sp)p2lies.
1,206 pounds vermilion................................... 1,206 0 0
21,063 yards tinsel lace................................. 456 16 0
301 dozen looking-glasses............................... 424 10 0
120 gross Morris bells.................................. 120 0 0
8,811 silver buckles...................................... 3,343 3 3
8,200 ear bobs..4......0.............................. 1,640 0 0
36 stone necklaces.6 6 0
280 pounds beads..................................... 49 0 0
522 gross brass rings.................................. 77 11 4
142 wristbands, 7s.................................... 49 14 0
135 arm-bands, 30s.................................... 212 10 0
147 gorgets, 25s....................................... 183 15 0
229 ear wvheels, 12s.................................... 137 8 0
36 watch chains for the ears, 60s. per doz................. 9 0 0