THE FIRST TRADERS ON WALL STREET

This book honors an Indian Nation that has been long forgotten It is the Wiechquaeskeck of the Hudson River estuary area They were a numerous strong and healthy people when they first gazed at the white sails of European ships in Long Island Sound in the 16th century Their story is distinct and unique although they were part of the great Algonquian Woodland peoples and belonged to the large group of Lenape or Delaware Indians in the New Jersey and New York area From 17th century documents we know many of their names and much about their lives They sank from a thriving tribe to scattered groups to obscurity by the 19th century The main causes of their downfall were virulent diseases from Europe but they also had bloody fights with the Dutch of New Netherland Their final blow was inflicted by rum given to them by landhungry English merchants The subject is very well researched and I especially like the fact that the bulk of your information comes from primary sourcesYou give me a feeling for just how great the changes were in the first 50 years after contact and how much was lost in that short period of time An excellent discussion of the tribes in the areaI particularly like the biographies which personalize history and makes one realize that these were fleshandblood folks The archeological segment is good solid stuff Faith Damon Davison Archivist The Mohegan Tribe Uncasville CT Their story is told using maps illustrations timelines documents and archeological studies in addition to scholarly essays on cultural clashes traditional activities European impressions and much more The story of the Wiechquaeskeck mirrors the story of the decline of many native cultures in North America This book will be highly prized by students of Native America