Page:Pleasant art of money-catching (1).pdf/5

 in some places leather cut into pieces, has had the stamp of authority put upon it, and so it was made to pass for money. And in New England, the Indians have money which they call Wampompege, which is of two sorts. one white, which they make of the stem or stock of the Periwinkle, which they call Meteauhockt, when all the shell is broken off: and of this sort six of their small beads, (which they make with holes to string the bracelets) are current with the English for a penny. The other sort is black, inclined to blue, which is made of the shell of a fish, which they call Pequanhock: and of this sort, three makes an English penny. They who live upon the sea side generally make of it, and as many make as will, none being denied the liberty of making it. This coin or money the Indians set such a value upon, that they bring down all sorts of furs which they take in the country, and sell to the Indians and English too, for this Indian money; and the currency of it among them, makes them look on it as a good equivalent for what commodities they have to sell. Both the English, Dutch, and French treading to the Indians with it, above six hundred miles north and south from England.

Which is sufficient to show, that the use of money is very ancient, and is made use of by all nations, in trading with each other; and was first invented as a medium in trade, and an equivalent to all sorts of commodities.