Note 355 — NEW ENGLISH CANAAN OR NEW CANAAN. (continued 2)

Bradford, writing of the year 1636, gives the following prices: “The coat beaver usualy at 20s. per pound, and some at 24s.; the skin at 15 and sometimes 16. I doe not remember any under 14. It may be the last year might be something lower” (p. 346). In 1671 Josselyn says: “A black Bears Skin heretofore was worth forty shillings, now you may have one for ten.” (Rarities, p. 14.) The following prices were named as ruling in Virginia in 1650; (III. Force’s Tracts, No. 11, p. 52.)

“Sables, from 8s. the payre, to 20s. a payre.

“Otter skins, from 3s. to 5s. a piece.

“Luzernes, from 2s. to 10. a piece.

“Martins the best, 4s. a piece.

“Fox skins, 6d. a piece.

“Muske Rats skins, 2s. a dozen.

“Bever skins that are full growne, in season, are worth 7s. a piece.

“Bever skins, not in season, to allow two skins for one, and of the lesser, three for one.

“Old Bever skins in mantles, gloves or caps, the more worne the better, so they be full of fur, the pound weight is 6s.” See infra, 207, note 4, and also *80.