In the recent discussion of an early Iroquois treaty with the Dutch, the Mohican Indians should have been mentioned.
The Iroquois lived far inland in 1613 and were the enemies of the Mohicans. The Mohicans controlled a large territory embracing the upper Hudson River and the Capital Region including eastern parts of the Mohawk River. Early Dutch maps, accounts, letters and Indian deeds for land have recorded their friendly presence here. Henry Hudson visited with the Mohicans.
A small fort for year-round trading, called Fort Nassau, was built on Westerlo Island (presently the Port of Albany) in 1614 by the Dutch. It was the Mohicans, not the Mohawks, who permitted this construction for the convenience of Dutch ship captains.
Mohawks were not allowed in Mohican territory when Fort Nassau was first built, according to a 1614 map. Mohawks may have appeared in small numbers at Fort Nassau about 1615.
The little fort was flooded out in 1617. Subsequent trading was from Dutch ships. Fort Orange, built by the Dutch on the mainland in 1624, also was on Mohican land. Fort Orange was opened for trade to other groups of Native Americans, including the Iroquois.
SHIRLEY W. DUNN
East Greenbush