The Beads That Did Not Buy Manhattan Island
The story of the purchase of Manhattan is one of the most contentious and oft-disputed stories in American history. That modest sale has gone down in history as the biggest swindle ever perpetrated. The deal seems so unfair, some parties have even suggested that the island be returned to the "original" owners. But what may be the most surprising fact about the whole transaction is that in 1626, and for a long time afterward, both parties were very happy with it.