Interpreter

Interpreters played a key role at treaty gatherings. They were the cultural link between the Iroquois and Colonists.

Every treaty gathering had an official interpreter who worked for the Colonial Governor. In addition, there were any number of other men and women who spoke English, French, Dutch and Iroquois dialects who were unofficial interpreters for their groups.

Despite their importance, interpreters did not always enjoy good reputations. There were two reasons for this: 1) Colonial and Iroquois leaders did not trust them because most interpreters made their living from the notoriously fraudulent fur trade, and 2) Colonial and Iroquois interpreters tended to be of mixed blood. Typically their fathers would be English, French or Dutch and their mothers would be Iroquois. Because most interpreters were neither a full member of the Colonist or Iroquois culture, they looked out for their own business interests first. This made it difficult for leaders to trust the accuracy of their translations.

The official interpreter for the Albany Congress was Arent Stevens, who made his living in the fur trade. Peter Wraxall (pictured to the left), who was the Secretary at the Albany Congress, described Stevens' translating work as "most extreme bad" and the interpreter himself as "a most extreme stupid, ignorant and illiterate fellow."

Not all official interpreters were men. For example, Madame Montaur, served as an interpreter at several treaty gatherings. She was well respected and at one time was actually an aide to New York colony's lieutenant governor, Robert Hunter. Her son, Andrew Montour was also an interpreter and something of a character as well. He served as an interpreter at many Treaty Conferences, having a good command of Iroquois as well as other Indian dialects. His influence with the Iroquois was so great the French offered a reward for his capture. He is described here by a Count Zizendorf in 1742.

"Andrew's cast of countenace is decidedly European, and had not his face been encircled with a broad band of paint, applied with bear's fat, I would certainly have taken him for one."