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DESCRIPTION
OP THE
NEW NETHERLANDS,
BY
ADRIAEN VAN der DONCK, j.u.d.
Translated from the original Dutch,
BY
HON. JEREMIAH JOHNSON,
i
Of Brooklyn, N. Y.PRELIMINARY NOTICE.
The following work is the production of a Dutch scholar who in early
times joined a colony of his countrymen on the banks of the Hudson.
As his little volume has never appeared until now in an English dress, it
has been less known and appreciated, probably, by succeeding writers,
than its merits deserve. It is, indeed, rather a description of the nat-
ural features of the country, for the purpose of commending it to the
attention of a Netherland public with a view to promote emigration, than
an account of its civil condition, or of what had previously transpired in
relation to its affairs. Such as it is, however, it will not be found desti-
tute of interest either to the historical student, or to those descendants of
the ancient burghers, who, having lost their ancestral tongue, are only
able to converse with their forefathers through the medium of an inter-
preter.
The author, Adriaen Yan der Donck, enjoys the distinction of having
been the first lawyer in the Dutch colony. He was educated at the Uni-
versity of Leyden, and, after pursuing a course of legal study, received
the usual degree of Juris utriusque Doctor, or as the title-page of his
book has it, Beyder Rechten Doctoor—Doctor of both laws, that is,
the civil and canon. He was subsequently admitted to the practice of an
advocate in the supreme court of Holland. His standing and reputation
in the Fatherland may be inferred from his having been appointed by the
patroon of Rensselaerwyck, who must have known something of his
character, to the important office of Sheriff of that colony.
Yan der Donck arrived here in a bark of the patroon Killian Yan
Rensselaer, in the autumn of 1642, and immediately entered upon the
discharge of the duties of his office. The colony of Rensselaerwyck,
which embraced an extensive territory on either side of the Hudson,
was yet in its infancy. Yan Rensselaer himself had been only five
years in the country ; and although a trading-house was established in the
same quarter as early as 1614, yet the first successful efforts to plant a
colony were not made until 1630, when the patroon through an agent
obtained his first title from the Indians, and despatched a body of colo-
nists from Holland under a liberal charter of privileges from the West
India Company. He followed them himself in 1637. The seat of thePRELIMINARY NOTICE.
127
colony was at Fort Orange, where Albany is now situated, and there our
author at first resided.*
A few years after, Yan der Donck purchased an estate on the Hudson near
the upper extremity of Manhattan Island, about sixteen miles from this city,
afterwards known as Yonkers. One of his grants of land at that place was
made to him in 1648, under the name of Jonker (pronounced Yonker) Yan
der Donck, and it appears that he was familiarly called the Yonker, a com-
mon appellation for a gentleman among the Dutch farmers. His land was
spoken of, as we find in the Colonial Records, as the Yonker's land, and
there can be little doubt that the name of the present town of Yonkers
was in this way derived from him.f Yan der Donck made several pur-
chases from the Indians in that neighborhood, and altogether acquired an
extensive tract of land, bounded on the south by the creek Paprimenin, to
which the Dutch name of Spyten-duyvel was afterwards given. On the
north was the Zaeg Kil, or Saw-Mill creek, at the mouth of which is the
present village of Yonkers, or Phillipsburg, where our author erected
mills and laid out a plantation. The land and river of Bronck, or Bronx,
another Dutch planter, bounded the estate on the east. Nearly twenty
years after, in 1666, when the New-Netherlands had passed into the
hands of the English, this estate was re-granted, or confirmed, to the
widow of Yan der Donck, who had married a second husband of the name
of Oneale.
A controversy arose at that period between the government of the
colony and several of the colonists, among whom was our author,
which led to a remonstrance, addressed to the States General, against
the powers exercised by the West India Company, in which the ad-
ministrations of Kieft and Stuyvesant were violently assailed. This
document, signed by Yan der Donck and a few others, was printed in
Holland, in 1650, and formed a small quarto volume of about fifty pages,
entitled, Vertoogh van Nieaw Nederlandt, weghens de Ghelegenheydt,
Vruchtbaerheydt, en soberen Staet desselfs. In s'Graven Hage, 1650.
(An Exposition of the New Netherlands, in respect to the situation,
fertility, and wretched condition of the country. At the Hague, 1650.)J
* For a clear and comprehensive sketch of the colony and manor of Rens-
selaerwyck, see the Discourse of D. D. Barnard, on the life and services of the
late patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer.
t See a Memoir read before this Society, in 1816, by the late Judge Egbert
Benson, second edition, page 56. Mr. Moulton, author of a volume relating
to the early history of New-York, has furnished the editor with several ex-
tracts from the Colonial Records in reference to this matter.
X This is the volume referred to by Lambrechtsen, p. 83, which he regrets
not having been able to procure. It is also mentioned by Van der Donck in
the following work. A copy of it has been recently imported from Holland
by H. C. Murphy, Esq., of Brooklyn, which the Editor has had an opportunity
of examining. * Vertoogh ’ is sometimes translated remonstrance.128
PRELIMINARY NOTICE,
Whatever gave rise to this attempt to shake the authority of the West
India Company, on the part of Van der Donck and his associates, it
proved entirely fruitless in its results, and only served to re-act unfavora-
bly upon the disaffected parties. In consequence of it, he was permitted
only a limited access to the records of the colony for the composition of
the present work; and on his application to the Directors of the West
India Company for leave to pursue the practice of his profession, he was
only allowed to give advice, being forbidden to plead, on the novel ground
that, “as there was no other lawyer in the colony, there would be no one
to oppose him.” This was in 1653.*
It does not appear with certainty in what year the first edition of the
present work was published ; the second, from which the following transla-
tion is made, was issued from the press in 1656, under the auspices of
Evert Nieuwenhof, a bookseller at Amsterdam. As the privilege, or
copyright, bears date May 14th, 1653, it is highly probable that the first
edition appeared about that time.
A translation of the work was prepared some years ago by the late Rev.
John Bassett, D.D., formerly of Albany, who issued printed propo-
sals to publish it by subscription ; but sufficient encouragement not being
afforded to induce him to give it to the press, Dr. Bassett offered to dispose
of his manuscript to this Society for publication. The subject was
referred to a committee, who reported, at the August meeting in 1820, that
the expense of printing an edition of one thousand copies would be from
eight hundred to a thousand dollars.j- Nothing further appears to have
been done on the subject, although a volume of Collections was published
by the Society the ensuing year.
The present translation is from the pen of the Hon. Jeremiah Johnson,
late Mayor of Brooklyn, a gentleman who combines with Dutch descent
a familiar acquaintance with the language of his colonial ancestors. The
translation was made by him several years ago, and the Editor having ap-
plied for permission to insert it in the present volume, the request was at
once cheerfully acceded to, and a copy subsequently furnished, from which
the publication is now made.	Editor.
* The answer to this application of Van der Donck is among the Albany
Records.
+ Minutes of the Society. The memoir on the Mohawk Indians by Rev. J.
Megapolensis, jr., was included in the estimate; but that essay is so brief as
to occupy only eight or nine pages of Hazard’s State Papers, published
in 1792.A
DESCRIPTION
OF THE
NEW NETHERLANDS,
(as the same are at the present time;)
COMPREHENDING
THE FRUITFULNESS AND NATURAL ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTRY,
AND THE DESIRABLE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH IT PRE-
SENTS, WITHIN ITSELF, AND FROM ABROAD, FOR
THE SUBSISTENCE OF MAN ; WHICH ARE
NOT SURPASSED ELSEWHERE.
TOGETHER WITH REMARKS ON THE CHARACTER AND PECULIAR
CUSTOMS OF THE SAVAGES, OR NATIVES OF THE LAND;
ALSO,
A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE WONDERFUL NATURE
AND HABITS OF THE BEAVER.
WITH
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A NETHERLAND PATRIOT
AND A NEW NETHERLANDER, ON THE
ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTRY.
WRITTEN BY
ADRIAEN VAN der DONCK,
Doctor of both Laws, at present in the New Netherlands.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
THE REGULATIONS OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY, BY THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM, etc*
THE SECOND EDITION,
With a Map of the Country.
At Amsterdam, published by Evert Nieuwenhof, Bookseller.
ANNO DOMINI, 1656.
17NOTE.
Following the title page in the original work there is, in the first place,
an extract from the Privilege or Copyright, granted to the Author by the
States-General of the United Netherlands for the term of fifteen years,
on condition that he obtain a like authority from the Province or Provinces
in which the book shall be printed and sold :	Dated at the Hague, May
24th, 1653.
Next succeeds a similar license from the States of Holland and West
Friesland, in which the book was published : Dated at the Hague, July
21st, 1653.
Lastly, an extract from the Minutes of the Directors of the West India
Company, at the Chamber of Amsterdam, February 25th, 1655, setting
forth the request of Evert Nieuwenhof, bookseller, for the approbation of
the Company in reference to the same work, which was accordingly
granted. Certified in the absence of the Advocate, by E. Yan Seventer,
1655.	Editor.DEDICATION.
To the Illustrious, Most Wise, and Prudent Lords, the
Honourable Ruling Burgomasters of the far-famed com-
mercial City of Amsterdam,
John Huydekooper, Knight, Lord of Maerseveen and
Neerdyck, &c.,
Cornelius de Graef, Free Lord of South-Poelsbrook,
John vande Pol Hermansz,
Hendrick Dircksz Spiegel :—
My Lords,
The glory and renown of this good city of Amsterdam are
not only spread throughout the world by reason of the extensive
commerce of which it is the seat, but also, in an especial man-
ner, from the fact that a great number of far distant lands have
been sought, discovered, and visited by sea from its port. Amongst
those by whom such discoveries have been made in this last cen-
tury, not the least in consideration are the two Companies of the
East and West Indies, under whose direction voyages have been
performed ; and although the West India Company seems to be now
in a declining condition, yet that part of North America called New-
Netherlands, (of which this book treats,) possesses so great an in-
trinsic value, that it deserves to be held in high estimation, as well
as on account of the extensive trade with it, which is constantly on
the increase. For which cause, and especially in view of the
good and noble disposition manifested by your Honours, more and
more every day, for the support and restoration of the, alas ! almost
ruined West India Company, I have ventured to dedicate to you,
with becoming reverence, this little and inconsiderable treatise,
containing a description of that part of the world; trusting that it
will not be taken ill of me for so doing, inasmuch as it is a sincere
expression of respect from one who is, and ever will be,
My Lords,
Your Lordships’ very humble, faithful,
And obedient citizen and servant,
E. Nieuwenhof.LIKEWISE TO
Their High Mightinesses, the Lords Proprietors of the West-
India Company, at the Council Chambers of Amsterdam.
My Lords,—As soon as this History came to hand, I deemed
it necessary and proper to print and publish the same, thereby to
make known the beauties and advantages of the flourishing Colony
of New-Netherlands, which, under your wise and careful direc-
tion, is advancing in prosperity, all of which should be publicly
known, particularly in Amsterdam. And when your Honours,
with great care and vigilance, are providing to increase the power
of the Colony by settlers therein, (which in all ages has been con-
sidered the firmest bond to secure conquered countries, as well as
newly discovered lands,) it therefore appeared proper to make it
known to my countrymen, particularly to many of my brave and
faithful fellow-citizens, to the end that they may be invited by the
pure air and fruitfulness of the New-Netherlands to go thither,
where (if they be not fastidious, lazy plodders) they may, with in-
dustry and economy, acquire property and gain wealth, and enjoy
the fruits of the earth and of their industry, in as healthy a climate
as can be found on the surface of the globe.
And inasmuch as your Honourable Company provide for the ne-
cessary intercourse with the Colony, supplying the inhabitants and
settlers with the articles which are required, and not yet produced
therein, and have provided for the establishment of the true Chris-
tian religion, and for extending light from the Word of God in the
country to those who sit in darkness—all of which is worthy and
commendable : Therefore I trust that this notice may not be unac-
ceptable in regard to the work which is now preparing for the press,
as the same will be published by a sincere well-wisher of the Com-
pany, and of the Chamber over which your Honours do most wise-
ly and carefully preside. With which I remain,
Most honoured Lords, &c.
Your obedient and obligated servant,
Evert Nieuwenhof.TO THE READER.
Honoured Reader,—As I have remarked the great zeal shown,
by our High and Venerable Lords Burgomasters of this City,
together with the Most Worshipful Directors of the West India
Company, in respect to the affairs of the New-Netherlands, which
their Worships, as Founders and Patroons, for the benefit of the
public, have taken much to heart; I also have become inflamed with
a like zeal, to republish the Description of those countries, and for
the better understanding thereof, have added a small map of the same.
Besides the accurate description of the nature and qualities of the
soil, it also contains the excellent regulations of their Worships,
tending to the special advantage of those who are disposed to emi-
grate thither ; to whom they have granted as much land as each
shall be able to improve for pasture or cultivation, under the same
restrictions as are imposed on landholders at home. The under-
standing reader will learn from the articles comprised in these
regulations, the sincere desire of their Worships to make a liberal
provision for those countries; and thus will be exhibited new proofs
of their wisdom.
May you receive my labours with favour. Farewell.
E. Nieuwenhof.
[The dedication to the Burgomasters, and the address to the Reader, are
translated by the Editor, not being included in the translation of Mr.
Johnson.]ON THE PATRONS AND THE HISTORY OF
NEW-NETHERLANDS.
Still Amstel’s faithful Burgher-Lords do live,
Who East and West extend their faithful care;
To lands and men good laws they wisely give,
That like the beasts ran wild in open air.
With aged care Holland’s gardens still they save—
And in New-Netherlands their men will ne’er be slaves.
Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese ?
When Van der Donck shows so far much better fare ;
Where wheat fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees;
Where fruit and kine are good with little care;
Men may mourn a loss, when vain would be their voice,
But when their loss brings gain, they also may rejoice.
Then, reader, if you will, go freely there to live,
We name it Netherland, though it excels it far;
If you dislike the voyage, pray due attention give,
To Van der Donck, his book, which, as a leading star,
Directs toward the land where many people are,
Where lowland Love and Laws all may freely share.
Evert Nieuwenhof.DESCRIPTION, &c.
Where New-Netherlands is situated.
This country is situated in the New American World, be-
ginning north of the Equinoctial Line, 38 deg. and 53 min., ex-
tending north-easterly along the sea-coast, to the 42d deg., and
is named New-Netherlands, by the Netherlanders, for reasons
to be related hereafter; lying in the latitude of Sardinia and
Corsica, in the Mediterranean Sea, and of Spain and France
along the Ocean ; the South River* corresponding exactly with
the Flemish Islands, with the rivers of Lisbon, with the south
point of the Island of Sardinia, and of the Punctum Meridionale\
of the Orientals, reckoning an easterly course from the Canary
Islands by west, upon the 316th degree, or counting due west
44 degrees from the Punctum Meridonale, whereon we hold the
Canary Islands, being 660 miles, corresponding with Cape
Mesuratta on the Barbary coast in Africa, in the kingdom of
Tripoli, and with Cape Spartivento, being the uttermost corner
of Italy against the Mediterranean Sea. New-Netherlands is a
fine, acceptable, healthy, extensive and agreeable country,
wherein all people can more easily gain a competent support,
than in the Netherlands, or in any other quarter of the globe,
which is known to me or which I have visited.
When, and hy whom, Nexo-Netherlands was first discovered.
This country was first found and discovered in the year of
our Lord 1609 ; when, at the cost of the incorporated East In-
* The river Delaware.
t The Punctum Meridionale of the orientals, is probably the meridian as-
sumed by Ptolemy, which passed through the farthest of the Canary Islands.
The Dutch geographers and mariners pitched upon the Peak of Teneriffe for
their meridian. See Chambers. The Arabian geographers chose to fix their
meridian upon the utmost shore of the Western ocean, which was then the
most westerly part of the known world, and may be the Oriental Meridian re-
ferred to, and adopted by Ptolemy, who flourished 150 years before Christ, and
reduced Geography to a regular system. After the fall of the Roman empire,
Europe was enveloped in darkness, when the arts and sciences were preserved
by the Arabians and the orientals of Asia.—Trans.136
VAN DER DONCK S
dia Company, a ship named the Half-Moon was fitted out to
discover a westerly passage to the kingdom of China. This ship
was commanded by Hendrick Hudson, as captain and super-
cargo, who was an Englishman by birth, and had resided many
years in Holland, during which he had been in the employment
of the East India Company. This ship sailed from the Canary
Islands, steering a course north by west; and after sailing twenty
days with good speed, land was discovered, which, by their
calculation, lay 320 degrees by west. On approaching the land,
and observing the coast and shore convenient, they landed, and
examined the country as well as they could at the "time, and as
opportunity oifered ; from which they were well satisfied that
no Christian people had ever been there before, and that they
were the first who by Providence had been guided to the dis-
covery of the country.
Why this country is called New Netherlands.
We have before related, that the Netherlanders, in the year
1609, had first discovered this country, of which they took pos-
session as their own in right of their discovery, and finding the
country fruitful and advantageously situated, possessing good
and safe havens, rivers, fisheries, and many other worthy ap-
purtenances corresponding with the Netherlands, or in truth
excelling the same ; for this good reason it was named New
Netherlands, being as much as to say, another or a new-found
Netherlands. Still the name depended most upon the first dis-
covery, and upon the corresponding temperatures of the climates
of the two countries, which to strangers is not so observable.
We notice also that the French in the same quarter of the new
world, have named their territory Canada or Nova Francia, only
because they were the first Europeans who possessed the lands
in those parts, for the temperature of the climate is so cold and
wintry, that the snow commonly lies on the earth four or five
months in succession and from four to five feet deep, which
renders it costly to keep domestic animals there ; and although
this country lies no farther than fifty degrees north, still the air
in winter is so fine, clear and sharp there, that when the snow
once falls, which it commonly does about the first of December,
it does not thaw away except by the power of the sun in April.
If a shower of rain happens to fall in winter, (which is seldom,)
then it forms a hard crust on the surface of the snow, that
renders the travelling difficult for man and beast. The air there
is clear and dry, and the snow seldom melts or thaws away
suddenly.
The Swedes also have a possession on the south (Delaware)NE W-NETHERLANDS.
137
river, which they name New-Sweden. The climate of this
place by no means corresponds with that of Sweden, as it lies in
latitude 39 degrees north. But, although they have formed a
settlement there, still their title is disputed, for they can show no
legal right or claim to their possessions.
The country having been first found or discovered by the
Netherlanders, and keeping in view the discovery of the same,
it is named the New-Netherlands. That this country was first
found or discovered by the Netherlanders, is evident and clear
from the fact, that the Indians or natives of the land, many of
whom are still living, and with whom I have conversed, declare
freely, that before the arrival of the Lowland ship, the Half-
Moon, in the year 1609, they (the natives) did not know that
there were any other people in the world than those who were
like themselves, much less any people who differed so much in
appearance from them as we did. Their men on the breasts
and about the mouth were bare, and their women like ours,
hairy ; going unclad and almost naked, particularly in summer,
while we are always clothed and covered. When some of them
first saw our ship approaching at a distance, they did not know
what to think about her, but stood in deep and solemn amaze-
ment, wondering whether it were a ghost or apparition, coming
down from heaven, or from hell. Others of them supposed her
to be a strange fish or sea monster. When they discovered men
on board, they supposed them to be more like devils than human
beings. Thus they differed about the ship and men. A strange
report was also spread about the country concerning our ship
and visit, which created great astonishment and surprise amongst
the Indians. These things we have frequently heard them de-
clare, which we hold as certain proof that the Netherlanders
were the first finders or discoverers and possessors of the New-
Netherlands. There are Indians in the country, who remember
a hundred years, and if there had been any other people here
before us, they wrould have known something of them, and if
they had not seen them themselves, they would have heard an
account of them from others. There are persons who believe
that the Spaniards have been here many years ago, when they
found the climate too cold to their liking, and again left the
country ; and that the maize or Turkish corn, and beans found
among the Indians, were left with them by the Spaniards. This
opinion or belief is improbable, as we can discover nothing of
the kind from the Indians. They say that their com and beans
were received from the southern Indians, who received their
seed from a people who resided still farther south, which may
well be tme, as the Castilians have long since resided in Florida.
The maize may have been among the Indians in the warm cli-
mate long ago; however, our Indians say that they did eat roots
IS138
VAN DER DONCK's
and the bark of trees instead of bread, before the introduction
of Indian corn or maize.
Of the limits of the New-Netherlands, and how far the
same extend.
New-Netherlands is bounded by the ocean or great sea, which
separates Europe from America, by New-England and the Fresh
(Connecticut) river, in part by the river of Canada, (the St.
Lawrence,) and by Virginia. Some persons who are not well
informed, name all North-America Virginia, because Virginia
from her tobacco trade is well known. These circumstances,
therefore, will be observed as we progress, as admonitions to
the readers. The coast of New-Netherlands extends and stretch-
es mostly north-east and south-west. The sea-shore is mostly
formed of pure sand, having a dry beach. On the south side,
the country is bounded by Virginia. Those boundaries are not
yet well defined, but in the progress of the settlement of the
country, the same will be determined without difficulty. On
the north-east the New-Netherlands abut upon New-England,
where there are differences on the subject of boundaries which
we wish were well settled. On the north, the river of Ca-
nada stretches a considerable distance, but to the north-west it
is still undefined and unknown. Many of our Netherlanders
have been far into the country, more than seventy or eighty miles
from the river and sea-shore. We also frequently trade with
the Indians, who come more than ten and twenty days’ journey
from the interior, and who have been farther off to catch beavers,
and they know of no limits to the country, and when spoken to
on the subject, they deem such enquiries to be strange and sin-
gular. Therefore we may safely say, that we know not how
deep, or how far we extend inland. There are however many
signs, which indicate a great extent of country, such as the land
winds, which domineer much, with severe cold, the multitudes
of beavers, and land animals which are taken, and the great
numbers of water-fowl, which fly to and fro, across the country
in the spring and fall-seasons. From these circumstances we
judge that the land extends several hundred miles into the in-
terior ; therefore the extent and greatness of this province
are still unknown.
Of the forelands and sea-havens.
The coast of New-Netherlands extends south-west and north-
east, as before mentioned, and is mostly clean and sandy, dry-
ing naturally ; and although the bare, bleak and open sea breaksNEW-NETHERLANDS.
139
on the beach, still there is good anchorage in almost every place,
because of the clean, sandy bottom. There seldom are severe,
gales from the sea, except from the south-east, with the spring
tides. When the winds blow from the north-west, which domi-
neer the strongest, then there is an upper or windward shore,
with smooth water and little danger. For those reasons, the
coast is as convenient to approach at all seasons, as could be
desired. The highlands, which are naturally dry, may be seen
far at sea, and give timely wrarning.
The forelands are generally double, and in some places
broken into islands, (affording convenient situations for the
keeping of stock,) which would lead seamen to suppose, on
approaching the shore, that the same were the main land, when
the same are islands and forelands, within which lie large
meadows, bays, and creeks, affording convenient navigable
passages, and communications between places.
It has pleased God to protect against the raging sea those
parts of the coast which have no double foreland, with natural
barriers of firm, strong, and secure stone foundations, that
preserve the coast from the inundations of the mighty ocean,
(which are ever to be feared,) where the coast, if not thus pro-
tected, might be lessened and destroyed; particularly the
nearest sea lands, against which the sea acts with most vio-
lence. Nature has secured those positions with firm, high,
and accommodated rocky heads and cliffs, which are as perfect
formations, as the arts and hands of man, with great expense,
could make the same.
There are many and different sea havens in the New-Neth-
erlands, a particular description of which would form a work
larger than we design this to be ; we will therefore briefly no-
tice this subject, and leave the same for the consideration of
mariners and seamen. Beginning at the south and terminting
at Long Island, first comes Godyn’s bay, or the South (Dela-
ware) bay, which was the first discovered. This bay lies
in 39 degrees north latitude, being six (Dutch) miles wide
and nine miles long, and having several banks or shoals,
but still possessing many advantages ; convenient and safe
anchorages for ships, with roomy and safe harbours. Here
also is a good whale fishery. Whales are numerous in the
winter on the coast, and in the bay, where they frequently
ground on the shoals and bars ; but they are not as fat as the
Greenland whales. If, however, the fishery was well-managed,
it would be profitable. After ascending the bay nine miles, it
is terminated in a river, which we name the South river, to
which we will again refer hereafter, and pass on to the bay,
wherein the East and North rivers terminate, and wherein
Staten Island lies ; because the same is most frequented, and140
VAN DER DONCK S
the country is most populous, and because the greatest nego-
tiations in trade are carried on there ; and also because it is
situated in the centre of the New-Netherlands. Hence it is
named quasi per excellentiam, “ The Bay.” But before we
speak more at large of this place, we will attend to the places,
and their advantages, which lie between this bay and the
South bay.
Between those two bays, the coast, almost the whole dis-
tance, has double forelands, with many islands, which in some
places lie two or three deep. Those forelands as well as
the islands, are well situated for seaboard towns, and all kind of
fisheries, and also for the cultivation of grain, vineyards, and
gardening, and the keeping of stock, for which purposes the
land is tolerably good. Those lands are now mostly over-
grown with different kinds of trees and grape-vines; having
many plums, hazel-nuts and strawberries, and much grass.
The waters abound with oysters, having many convenient banks
and beds where they may be taken.
Besides the many islands which lie between the aforesaid
bays, many of which are highland, there are also several fine
bays and inland waters, which form good sea harbours for those
who are acquainted with the inlets and entrances to the same,
which at present are not much used ; particularly the Bear-gat,
Great and Little Egg Harbours, Barnegat, &c., wherein the
anchorages are safe and secure. But as New-Netherlands is
not yet well peopled, and as there are but few Christians set-
tled at those places, these harbours are seldom used, unless
the winds and weather render it necessary for safety.
The before-mentioned bay, wherein Staten Island lies, is the
most famous, because the East and North rivers empty therein,
which are two fine rivers, and will be further noticed hereafter.
Besides those, there are several kills, inlets, and creeks, some
of which resemble small rivers, as the Raritan, Kill van Col,
Neuversinck, &c. Moreover, the said bay affords a safe and
convenient haven from all winds, wherein a thousand ships
may ride in safety inland. The entrance into the bay is rea-
sonably wide or roomy, without much danger, and easily found
by those who have entered the same, or are well instructed.
We can also easily, if the wind and tide suit, in one tide sail
and proceed from the sea to New-Amsterdam, (which lies five
miles from the open sea,) with the largest ships fully laden ;
and in like manner proceed from NewT-Amsterdam to sea.
But the outward bound vessels usually stop at the watering-
place under Staten Island, to lay in a sufficient supply of wood
and water, which are easily obtained at that place. We also
frequently stop far in the bay behind Sand Point (Sandy Hook)NEW-NETHERLANDS.
141
in waiting for the last passengers and letters, and to avail our-
selves of the wind and tide.
Along the seacoast of Long Island, there are also several
safe, commodious inlets for small vessels, which are not much
frequented by us. There also are many spacious inland bays,
from which, by the inlets, (at full tide,) the sea is easy of
access ; otherwise those are too shallow. The same also are
not much frequented by us. With population several of the
places would become important, which now, for brevity’s sake,
we pass over.
Between Long Island and the main land, there are through-
out many safe and convenient places for large and small ves-
sels ; which may be occupied, if necessary. For in connec-
tion with the whole river which is held by many to be a bay,
there are in the main land and in the island opposite to the
same, many safe bays, harbours, and creeks, which are but
little known to us, and which the English, by their devices
have appropriated. Although this subject is spoken of in the
remonstrances of the New-Netherlands, we will pass over it
without waking the sleepers, and attend briefly to the most
important rivers, waters, and creeks.
Of the South River (Delaware River).
The right which the Netherlander have to the South River,
and how they acquired their right, has been sufficiently shown
already, which it is unnecessary to recapitulate at length
again. This is the first place of which the men of the Half
Moon took possession, before any Christian had been there.
There we have built our forts, commenced agriculture, and
have driven trade many years in succession, without the inter-
vention or molestation of any persons ; until by wrong meas-
ures (which we design to notice) a small band of Holland-
Swedes set themselves down along the river. We acknow-
ledge freely that we are unable fully to describe the value and
the advantages which this river possesses, for in addition to
the negotiation and trade, which are great, and not to be
despised, there are fourteen navigable rivers, creeks, and
streams which fall into this river. Some of the same are
large and boatable a great distance, and may well be named
rivers, as the ordinary tides flow several miles up the same,
where the waters meet and are fresh, and still remain wide
and tolerably deep. There are also many streams presenting
rich and extensive valleys, which afford good situations for vil-
lages and towns. The river itself is roomy, wide, clean, clear
and deep, not foul or stony, with good settings and anchorage.142
VAN DER DONCIt's
The tides are strong and flow up near to the falls. The land
is fine and level on both sides, not too high, but above the
floods and freshets, except some reed-land and marshes. Above
the falls the river divides into two large boatable streams,
which run far inland, to places unknown to us. There are
several fine islands in this river, with many other delightful
advantages and conditions, which are estimated by those who
have examined the river, and who have seen much of the
world, not to be surpassed by any other river which is known.
Equalling in many respects the celebrated river of the Ama-
zons, although not in greatness, yet in advantages with which
this river and the neighbouring land is favoured, we would
regret to lose such a jewel by the devices and hands of a few
strangers.*
Of the North River.
We have before noticed the name of this river, with the
population and advantages of the country; and, inasmuch as a
particular and ample account of the same is preparing for publi-
cation, we will at once say, that this river is the most famous,
and the country the most populous of any in the New-Nether-
lands. There are also several colonies settled, besides the city
of New-Amsterdam, on the island of Manhattan, where the
most of the trade of this river centres. The river carries flood
tides forty miles up the same.f Several fine creeks empty
into this river, such as the Great and Small Esopus kills, Kats
kill, Sleepy Haven kill, Colondonck’s kill or Saw kill, Wap-
pincke’s kill, &c. We can also pass from the North river be-
hind Manhattan island by the East river, without approaching
New-Amsterdam. This river still remains altogether in the
possession and jurisdiction of the Netherlanders, without being
invaded; but if the population did not increase and advance,
there would be great danger of its long continuation. This river
is rich in fishes: sturgeon, dunns, bass, sheep-heads, &c. I
cannot refrain, although somewhat out of place, to relate a very
singular occurrence, which happened in the month of March,
1647, at the time of a great freshet caused by the fresh water
flowing down from above, by which the water of the river be-
came nearly fresh to the bay, when at ordinary seasons the salt
water flows up from twenty to twenty-four miles from the sea.
At this season, two whales, of common size, swam up the river
* Van del* Donck alludes to the Swedes. They were subdued by Governor
Stuyvesant.—Trans.
t A Dutch mile is about three English miles.NEW-JNETHERLANDS.
143
forty miles, from which place one of them returned and stranded
about twelve miles from the sea, near which place four others
also stranded the same year. The other run farther up the river
and grounded near the great Chahoos falls, about forty-three
miles from the sea. This fish was tolerably fat, for although the
citizens of Rensselaerwyck broiled out a great quantity of train
oil, still the whole river (the current being still rapid) was oily
for three weeks, and covered with grease. As the fish lay rot-
ting, the air was infected with its stench to such a degree that
t hesmell was offensive and perceptible for twro miles to leeward.
For what purpose those whales ascended the river so far, it
being at the time full forty miles from all salt or brackish water,
it is difficult to say, unless their great desire for fish, which were
plenty at this season, led them onward.
Forty-four miles from the sea this North river is divided.
One part by four sprouts ascends to the great falls of the Ma-
quas kill, wThich is named the Chahoos, of which we will
treat presently. The other part which retains the name of the
North river, is navigable for boats several miles farther, and,
according to the information of the Indians, rises in a great
lake, from which the river of Canada also proceeds. This
. should be the lake of the Iracoysen (lake Ontario), which is as
great as the Mediterranean sea, being about forty miles wide,
when in the middle of the sea, no eye can see land or see over
it. The lake also has extensive reed and brocklands of great
breadth, wherein great multitudes of water-fowl breed in sum-
mer. When the Indians intend to cross this lake, they know
certain islands which lie therein, and proceed from one to
another by daylight, to the number of three or four, without
which they could not find their way over the same. This,
however, we relate on the information of the Indians. They
also assert that we can proceed in boats to the river of Canada,
which we deem incredible.
The other arm of the North river runs by four sprouts (as we
have related) to the great falls of the Maquas /a7£(Mohawk river),
which the Indians name the Chahoos, and our nation the Great
Falls; above which the river is again several hundred yards wide,
and the falls we estimate to be one hundred and fifty or two hun-
dred feet high.* The water glides over the falls as smooth as if
it ran over an even w7all and fell over the same. The precipice
is formed of firm blue rock; near by and below the falls there
stand several rocks, which appear splendid in the water, rising
above it like high turf-heaps, apparently from eight, sixteen, to
thirty feet high; very delightful to the eye. This place is well
* This is careless guessing, the falls being seventy feet high.—Trans.144
VAN DER DONCK^S
calculated to exalt the fancy of the poets. The ancient fabulous
writers would, if they had been here, have exalted those works
of nature, by the force of imagination, into the most artful and
elegant descriptive illusions. The waters descend rapidly
downwards from the falls, over a stony bottom, skipping, foam-
ing and whirling boisterously about the distance of a gunshot or
more; when it resumes an even course, and flows downwards.
We name this the Maquas Kill, but still it is wider in most
places than the Yssell of the Netherlands. It however always
runs one way ; is navigable for boats ; being tolerably deep and
not rapid ; but it extends above sixty miles, and runs through the
Maquas and Senecas countries to a lake, remaining boatable all
the way. The river passes through fine land, and abounds with
fish. The Indians, when they travel by water, and come to
trade, usually come in canoes made of the bark of trees, which
they know how to construct. When they come near the falls,
they land, and carry their boats and their lading some distance
below the falls, and proceed on their voyage ; otherwise, they
would be driven over the falls and destroyed. An occurrence
of this kind took place here in our time. An Indian, whom I
have known, accompanied by his wife and child., with sixty
beaver skins, descended the river in his canoe, in the spring,
when the water runs rapid and the current is strongest, for the
purpose of selling his beaver to the Netherlanders. This Indian
carelessly approached too near to the falls, before he discovered
his danger, and notwithstanding his utmost exertion to gain the
land, his frail bark with all on board was swept over by the
rapid current and down the falls ; his wife and child were killed,
his bark shattered to pieces, his cargo of furs damaged. But
his life was preserved. I have frequently seen the Indian, and
have heard him relate the perilous occurrence or adventure.
Of the Fresh River (Connecticut river),
This river is called the Fresh river, because it affords more
fresh water than many other rivers. It has advantageous navi-
gable situations. It also has finely situated land, and the coun-
try affords a tolerably good fur trade. But as this river with its
advantages is mostly in the occupancy of the English nation,
to the injury and disadvantage of the Hon. the West India Com-
pany, which they continue to occupy, whereby the Company is
injured every year. It will be painful to us to recapitulate the
subject, as the same is stated in the remonstrance of the New-
Netherlanders ; where we leave the matter and pass to the East
river.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
145
Of the East River.
This river is thus named, because it extends eastward from
the city of New-Amsterdam. By some this river is held to be
an arm of the sea, or a bay, because it is very wide in some places,
and because both ends of the same are connected with, and
empty into the ocean. This subtility notwithstanding, we
adopt the common opinion and hold it to be a river. Be it then
a river or a bay, as men may please to name it, still it is one
of the best, most fit and most convenient places and most advan-
tageous accommodations, which a country can possess or desire,
for the following reasons :—Long Island, which is about forty
miles in length, makes this river. The river, and most of the
creeks, bays and inlets joining the same, are navigable in winter
and in summer without much danger. This river also affords
a safe and convenient passage at all seasons to those who desire
to sail east or west; and the same is most used, because the
outside passage is more dangerous. Most of the English (of
New-England) who wish to go south to Virginia, to South river,
or to other southern places, pass through this river, which brings
no small traffic and advantage to the city of New-Amsterdam.
. This also causes the English to frequent our harbours, to which
they are invited for safety. Lastly, this river is famous on ac-
count of its convenient bays, inlets, havens, rivers, and creeks,
on both sides, to wit, on the side of Long Island and on the side
of the fast or main land. In the Netherlands, no such place is
known. Of this and the other rivers of New-Netherlands, enough
has been said, in our opinion, for this time and for our purpose.
Of the several Waters, and their Diversity.
In this place we will briefly notice the waters, before we
notice other matters. In general, wre say, to describe per species
would take too long, and draw us from our original plan. We
find in New-Netherlands many fine waters, kills, brooks and
streams which are navigable, large and roomy, as well on the
sea-board as far inland : also many runs of water, sprouts,
stream-kills and brooks having many fine falls, which are suit-
able for every kind of milling work. Inland, there are also
several standing waters and lakes, as large as small seas, also
large rivers abounding with fish. The rivers have their origin
in sprouts which flow from valleys, and in springs, which con-
nected form beautiful streams. But inasmuch as a report has
already been published of a principal part of the waters, near
the sea, and of the rivers before mentioned, there still remain
19146
VAN DER DONCK S
several which deserve the names of rivers. There are also
several inland waters ; some are large, and others of less di-
mensions, which mostly lie near the sea-shores south of the
North River ; many of which are navigable and roomy kills
and creeks suitable for inland navigation ; and those by the in-
dustry of man are susceptible of great betterments and improve-
ments, as may be seen by the chart of the New-Netherlands.
There also are, as before remarked, several falls, streams and
running brooks, suitable for every kind of water-work for the
convenience and advantage of man, together with numerous small
streams and sprouts throughout the country, serving as arteries
or veins to the body, running in almost every direction, and
affording an abundance of pure living water. Those are not
numerous near the sea-shore, where the water in some places
is brackish, but still the same is of service, and is drank by the
wild and domestic animals. Many of the springs run into the
rivers, and thence into the sea. In addition to those, there are
also many fine springs and veins of pure water inland and in
places where no other water can be obtained, as upon the
mountains, high elevated rocks and cliffs, where like veins the
water flows out of fissures and pours down the cliffs and
precipices, some of which are so remarkable that they are es-
teemed as great curiosities. Other streams rise in bushy
woods, through which the summer sun never shines, which are
much trodden by the wild beasts, and wherein the decayed
leaves and rotting vegetation falls, all which tend to render the
water foul. Those however in their course again become clear
and wonderfully pure. Some of them possess the extraordinary
quality of never freezing in the bitterest cold weather, when
they smoke from their natural warmth, and any frozen article
immersed in those waters thaws immediately. If the unclouded
sun shone on those springs for whole days with summer heat,
the water would still remain so cold that no person would bear
to hold his hand in it for any length of time in the hottest
weather. This peculiarity makes these waters agreeable to
men and animals, as the water may be drank without danger ;
for however fatigued or heated a person may be who drinks of
these waters, they do no injury in the hottest wreather. The
Indians, gunners, and other persons use those waters freely at
all seasons, and I have never heard that any pleurisy or other
disease had been caused by their use.
The Indians inform us that there are other waters in the
country differing in taste from the common water, which are
good for many ailments and diseases. As this is intimated by
the Indians, therefore we do not place full confidence in the in-
formation, not knowing the facts; yet we deem the reports prob-
able, because the land abounds in metals and minerals, throughNEW-NETHERLANDS.
147
which spring veins may filter and partake of the mineral quali-
ties, and retain the same.
It is a great convenience and ease to the citizens of New-
Netherlands, that the country is not subject to great floods and
inundations, for near the sea, or where the water ebbs and rises,
there are no extraordinary floods. The tide usually rises and
falls from five to six feet perpendicular, in some places more,
in others less, as by winds and storms affected. The flood
and ebb tides are strong but not rapid. Sometimes where
the wind blows strong from the sea, at spring tides the water
rises a foot or two higher than usual; but this is not common,
hence, of little inconvenience. But, at the colony of Rensse-
laerwyck, Esopus, Catskill, and other places, from which the
principal upper waters flow, they are entirely fresh at those
places. The lowlands are sometimes overflowed once or twice
in a year when the wind and current are in opposition; but
even then, they who guard against those occurrences in time
suffer but little. Sometimes the water may wash out a little
implaces, but the land is manured by the sediment left by the
water. Those floods do not stand long ; as they rise quick,
they also again fall off in two or three days.
Of the Formation, Soil, and Appearance of the Land.
Having spoken of the waters, we will now treat of the land,
with its natural, superficial appearance, beginning with the forma-
tions of the earth. Near and along the seashores, the soil is light
and sandy, with a mixture of clay, which enriches the land. The
productions are different kinds of wood, various fruits and vege-
tables. Barrens and sterile heath land are not here. The whole
country has a waving surface, and in some places high hills and
protruding mountains, particularly those named the Highlands,
which is a place of high, connected mountain land, about three
miles broad, extending in curved forms throughout the country;
separated in some places, and then again connected. There also
is much fine level land, intersected with brooks, affording
pasturage of great length and breadth, but mostly along the
rivers, and near the salt wrater side. Inland most of the coun-
try is waving, with hills which generally are not steep, but
ascend gradually. We sometimes in travelling imperceptibly
find ourselves on high elevated situations, from which we over-
look large portions of the country. The neighbouring eminence,
the surrounding valleys and the highest trees are overlooked, and
again lost in the distant space. Here our attention is arrested
in the beautiful landscape around us, here the painter can find
rare and beautiful subjects for the employment of his pencil,148
VAN DER DONCK’s
and here also the huntsman is animated when he views the en-
chanting prospects presented to the eyes ; on the hills, at the
brooks and in the valleys, where the game abounds and where
the deer are feeding, or gamboling or resting in the shades in
full view.
The surface of the land generally is composed of a black soil
intermixed with clay, about a foot or a foot and a half deep, in
some places more, and in some less; below, the stratum is
■white, reddish and yellow clay, which in some places is mixed
with sand, and in others with gravel and stones. Here and there,
large rocks and stones appear on the surface. There are also
hills of pure clay, but sand hills I have not seen, except near
the seashore, which have been cast up or formed by the ocean.
There also are very rocky places which our naturalists suppose
abound in minerals. The mountains and highlands are in some
places tillable and fertile, the soil being composed of clay inter-
mixed with stone. Other parts are composed of rocks, of vari-
ous colours, but all overgrown with wood, growing in the seams,
rents, clefts, and ravines. Such are the aspects of the moun-
tains, the hills and inland country. Near the rivers and water
sides there are large extensive plains containing several hundred
morgens ;* in one place more and in another less, which are very
convenient for plantations, villages and towns. There also are
brooklands and fresh and salt meadows ; some so extensive that
the eye cannot oversee the same. Those are good for pasturage
and hay, although the same are overflowed by the spring tides,
particularly near the seaboard. These meadows resemble the
low and outlands of the Netherlands. Most of them could be
dyked and cultivated. We also find meadow grounds far in-
land, which are all fresh and make good hayland. Where the
meadows are boggy and wet, such failings are easily remedied
by cutting and breaking the bogs in winter and letting off the
water in the spring. There also would be much more meadow
ground, but as the soil is natural for wood, and as the birds and
the winds carry the seeds in every direction; hence, those moist,
low grounds are covered with timber and underwoods which
we call cripple bushes. The situations are curious to behold
where those lands are cleared and cultivated. They are wonder-
fully fertile, which in short, is the general quality of such land,
and of most of the places we have noticed. Thus we tender
to the kind reader the fruitfulness of this land, subject to his
own judgment. I admit that I am incompetent to describe the
beauties, the grand and sublime works, wherewith Providence
has diversified this land. Our opinions are formed by the eye
alone, therefore we cannot do justice, and give assurance to the
heart.
* A Morgen is somewhat less than two acres.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
149
Of the wood, the natural productions and fruits of the land.
The New-Netherlands, with other matters, is very fruitful,
and fortunate in its fine woods ; so much so, that the whole
country is covered with wood, and in our manner of speaking,
there is all too much of it, and in our way. Still it comes
to hand to build vessels and houses, and to enclose the farms
&c. The oak trees are very large ; from sixty to seventy feet
high without knots, and from two to three fathoms thick, being
of various sizes. There are several kinds of oak, such as white,
smooth bark, rough bark, grey bark and black bark. It is all
durable wood, being as good as the oak of the Rhine or the
Weser when properly worked, according to the opinion of our
woodcutters, who are judges of timber and are sawyers. The
nut-wood grows as tall as the oak, but not so heavy. It is prob-
able that this kind of wood will be useful for many purposes, it
grows straight and is tough and hard. We now use it for cogs
and rounds in our mills and for threshing-flails, swivel-trees and
other farming purposes. It also is excellent firewood, surpas-
sing every other kind, and setting at naught our old adage,
“ The man is yet to come, who can find better wood to burn
than oak.” This wood is far better as well for heat as duration.
It possesses a peculiar sap, which causes it to burn freely,
whether green or dry. If we draw it up out of the fresh water
where it has lain a long time, still, on account of its hardness,
it is even then uncommonly durable on the fire. We all agree,
that no turf, or other common fuel is equal to nut-wood. When
it is dry, it keeps fire and sparkles like matches. Our women
prefer nut-coals to turf for their stoves, because they last longer,
and are not buried in ashes. This kind of wood is found all
over the New-Netherlands in such abundance, that it cannot
become scarce in the first hundred years with an increased
population. There also is oak and ash enough to supply its
place for many purposes. The land also is so natural to pro-
duce wood, that in a few years large trees will be grown, which
I can say with certainty from my own observation ; and that
unless there be natural changes or great improvidence, there
can be no scarcity of wood in this country.
It has happened when I have been out with the natives,
(Wilden, for so we name those who are not born of Christian
parents,) that we have come to a piece of young wmodland.
When I have told them, in conversation, that they would do
well to clear off such land, because it would bear good corn,
that they said, “ it is but twenty years since we planted corn
there, and now it is woods again.” I asked them severally if
it were true, when they all answered in the affirmative. This150
VAN DER DONCK’s
relation was also corroborated by others. To return to the sub-
ject : this woodland was composed of oak, nut and other kinds
of wood, but principally of oak and nut; and there were seve-
ral trees in the same which were a fathom in circumference.
The wood was so closely grown that it was difficult to pass
through it on horseback. As the wood appeared young and
thrifty, I give credit to the relation of the natives. I have also
observed that the youngest woodlands are always covered clos-
est with wood, and where the growth is small, the woods are
so thick as to render walking through the same difficult. But
where the woods are old, the timber is large and heavy, where-
by the underwood is shaded, which causes it to die and perish.
The Indians have a yearly custom (which some of our
Christians have also adopted) of burning the woods, plains and
meadows in the fall of the year, when the leaves have fallen,
and when the grass and vegetable substances are dry. Those
places which are then passed over are fired in the spring in
April. This practice is named by us and the Indians, “ bush
burning,” which is done for several reasons ; first, to render
hunting easier, as the bush and vegetable growth renders the
walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry sub-
stances betrays him and frightens away the game. Secondly,
to thin out and clear the woods of all dead substances and grass,
which grow better the ensuing spring. Thirdly, to circum-
scribe and enclose the game within the lines of the fire, when
it is more easily taken, and also, because the game is more
easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods.
The bush burning presents a grand and sublime appearance.
On seeing it from without, we would imagine that not only the
dry leaves, vegetables and limbs would be burnt, but that the
whole woods would be consumed where the fire passes, for it
frequently spreads and rages with such violence, that it is awful
to behold ; and when the fire approaches houses, gardens, and
wooden enclosures, then great care and vigilance are necessary
for their preservation, for I have seen several houses which
have recently been destroyed, before the owners were apprized
of their danger.
Notwithstanding the apparent danger of the entire destruction
of the woodlands by the burning, still the green trees do not suf-
fer. The outside bark is scorched three or four feet high, which
does them no injury, for the trees are not killed. It however
sometimes happens that in the thick pine woods, wherein the
fallen trees lie across each other, and have become dry, that
the blaze ascends and strikes the tops of the trees, setting the
same on fire, which is immediately increased by the resinous
knots and leaves, which promote the blaze, and is - passed by
the wind from tree to tree, by which the entire tops of the treesNE W-NE THERLANDS.
151
are sometimes burnt off, while the bodies remain standing.
Frequently great injuries are done by such fires, but the burn-
ing down of entire woods never happens. I have seen many
instances of wood-burning in the colony of Rensselaerwyck,
where there is much pine wood. Those fires appear grand at
night from the passing vessels in the river, wThen the woods are
burning on both sides of the same. Then we can see a great
distance by the light of the blazing trees, the flames being dri-
ven by the wind, and fed by the tops of the trees. But the dead
and dying trees remain burning in their standing positions,
which appear sublime and beautiful when seen at a distance.
Hence it will appear that there actually is such an abundance
of wood in the New-Netherlands, that, with ordinary care, it
will never be scarce there. There always are, however, in
every country, some people so improvident, that even they may
come short here, and for this reason we judge that it should not
be destroyed needlessly. There, however, is such an abun-
dance of wood, that they who cultivate the land for planting and
sowing can do nothing better than destroy it, and thus clear off
the land for tillage, which is done by cutting down the trees and
collecting the wood into great heaps and burning the same, to
get it out of their way. Yellow and white pine timber, in all
their varieties, is abundant here, and we have heard the North-
erners say (who reside here) that the pine is as good here as
the pine of Norway. But the pine does not grow as well near
the salt water, except in some places. Inland, however, and
high up the rivers, it grows in large forests, and it is abundant,
and heavy enough for masts and spars for ships. There also
are chestnuts here, like those (of the Netherlands, which are
spread over the woods. Chestnuts would be plentier if it were
not for the Indians, who destroy the trees by stripping off the
bark for covering for their houses. They, and the Netherland-
ers also, cut down the trees in the chestnut season, and cut off
the limbs to gather the nuts, which also lessens the trees. We
also find several kinds of beech trees, but those bear very little.
Amongst the other trees, the water-beeches grow very large
along the brooks, heavier and larger than most of the trees of
the country. When those trees begin to bud, then the bark
becomes a beautiful white, resembling the handsomest satin.
This tree retains the leaves later than any other tree of the
woods. Trees of this kind are considered more ornamental
and handsomer than the linden trees for the purpose of planting
near dwelling-houses. We can give no comparison with this
species of trees, and can give the same no better name to make
the wood known.* There also is wild ash, some trees large ;
* The author undoubtedly refers to our buttonwood treet (Platanus occiden-
talis) otherwise called Sycamore.—Trans152
VAN DER DONCK’S
and maple trees, the wood resembling cedar; white-wood trees,
which grow very large,—the Indians frequently make their
canoes of this wood, hence we name it Canoe-wood ;* we use
it for flooring, because it is bright and free of knots. There
are also two kinds of ash, with linden, birch, yew, poplar, sa-
pine, alder, willow, thorn trees, sassafras, persimmon, mulberry,
wild cherry, crab, and several other kinds of wood, the names
of which are unknown to us, but the wood is suitable for a va-
riety of purposes. Some of the trees bear fruit. The oak
trees in alternate years bear many acorns of the chestnut spe-
cies. The nuts grow about as large as our persimmons, but
they are not as good as ours. The mulberries are better and
sweeter than ours, and ripen earlier. Several kinds of plums,
wild or small cherries, juniper, small kinds of apples, many
hazel-nuts, black currants, gooseberries, blue India figs, and
strawberries in abundance all over the country, some of which
ripen at half May, and we have them until July ; blueberries,
raspberries, black-caps, &c., with artichokes, ground-acorns,
ground beans, wild onions, and leeks like ours, with several
other kinds of roots and fruits, known to the Indians, who use
the same which are disregarded by the Netherlanders, because
they have introduced every kind of garden vegetables, which
thrive and yield well. The country also produces an abun-
dance of fruits like the Spanish capers, which could be preserv-
ed in like manner.
Of the Fruit Trees brought over from the Netherlands.
The Netherland settlers, who are lovers of fruit, on observing
that the climate was suitable to the production of fruit trees,
have brought over and planted various kinds of apple and pear
trees, which thrive well. Those also grow from the seeds,
of which I have seen many, which, without grafting, bore de-
licious fruit in the sixth year. The stocks may also be grafted
when the same are as large as thorns, which, being cut off near
the root and grafted, are then set into the ground, when the
graft also strikes root: otherwise the fruit is somewhat hard.
But in general, grafting is not as necessary here as in the
Netherlands, for most of the fruit is good without it, which
there would be harsh and sour, or would not bear. The English
have brought over the first quinces, and we have also brought
over stocks and seeds which thrive well. Orchard cherries
thrive well and produce large fruit. Spanish cherries, fore-
runners, morellaes, of every kind we have, as in the Nether-
* The Liriodendron tulipifera.—Trans.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
15a
lands ; and the trees bear better, because the blossoms are not
injured by the frosts. The peaches, which are sought after in
the Netherlands, grow wonderfully well here. If a stone is put
into the earth, it will spring in the same season, and grow so
rapidly as to bear fruit in the fourth year, and the limbs are
frequently broken by the weight of the peaches, which usually
are very fine. We have also introduced morecotoons (a kind
of peach,) apricots, several sorts of the best plums, almonds,
persimmons, cornelian cherries, figs, several sorts of currants,
gooseberries, calissiens, and thorn apples ; and we do not doubt
but that the olive would thrive and be profitable, but we have
them not. Although the land is full of many kinds of grapes,
we still want settings of the best kinds from Germany, for
the purpose of enabling our wine planters here to select the
best kinds, and to propagate the same. In short, every kind of
fruit which grows in the Netherlands is plenty already in the
New-Netherlands, wffiich have been introduced by the lovers
of agriculture, and the fruits thrive better here, particularly stich
kinds as require a warmer climate.
Of the Grape Vines and Vineyards.
It will not readily be credited how numerous the vine stocks
are in the New-Netherlands, where they grow wild throughout
the country. We do not find a district or a nook of land with-
out grape vines. Many grow in the open fields ; many in the
'woods under the wild trees ; many along the rivers and the
brooks ; many along the hills and at the foot of the mountains,
and run up the trees ; some run over the scrubby bushes, some
over the brush and weeds, some over the grass and ground, so
that we are frequently, on horseback and on foot, entangled in
the vines, and are extricated with difficulty and with loss of
time. The vines which run up the trees bear grapes, but not
many except in some years, when they bear everywhere in
great abundance, and then it is gratifying and wonderful to see
these natural productions, and to observe such excellent and
lovely fruit growing wild; and very little attention is paid to
the same. The country when the vines are in bloom, is
perfumed with the lovely fragrance of the blossoms, and it is
delightful to travel at this season of the year, It is a pitiful
sight to see the grape vines run up the trees, over the bushes,
and hidden among the weeds, neglected, untrimmed, and uncul-
tivated, where the roots never feel the sun, by reason of which
the grapes do not ripen in the proper season. This, however,
is true. Many of the vines extend to the tops of the trees, and
to the outer branches, where they are hidden and covered by the
20154
TAN DER DONCK’s
leaves, and never nourished by the rays of the sun, which causes
the fruit to be sour, harsh, fleshy and strong, which wTith proper
attention would be good. As a proof of this subject, we find
that the vines which run up the dead and dry trees, (from which
the bark has been stripped by the Indians, to cover their dwell-
ings,) and are of course exposed to the sun, bear sweeter and
earlier grapes than ordinary. The like also occurs where the
vines run along the brooks in a southern exposure, where the
sun shines direct on the vine. I, with others, have seen this
difference, and in such situations have found, gathered, and
eaten, delicious ripe grapes in the middle of August. For the
grapes to ripen thus early is not common; but we may infer,
and it is our opinion, that the fruit would be much earlier, if
the vines were dressed, trimmed, and manured, than it now is,
but this is never done to the wild vines. That the wild vines,
with proper care and management, will produce as good grapes
and as good wine as is made in Germany and France, is clear
and undeniable. Proofs and examples of this fact are seen at
the South river, where the Swedes reside, who have laid down
vines from which others have sprung, which they name suck-
ers, from which they make delightful wine year after year.
The grapes and their juice are not all of one kind or colour.
They have blue grapes, of different shades ; others are reddish,
and others entirely white, like the Muscatels ; hence the colour
of the wine is also different. The grapes and the clusters are
also of different sizes. The white and the reddish grapes grow
as large as the Netherland Muscatels. Of the blue grapes,
some are large, and others small; the largest are commonly
fleshy, and are therefore called pork grapes by the citizens.
But those who have a proper knowledge of vineyards say, that
discreet cultivation will remove this objection, and that the juice
of the grape may be as good as in other places. Some of the
native wine is white ; some is also reddish ; another kind is as
dark as the wine Frangaise, but this kind is only made from the
blue grapes, and to my knowledge from no others. They press a
juice out of the blue grapes, which runs thick and is of a dark
red colour, resembling dragon’s blood more than wine; a
small glass of this wine will colour a can of water as deep red
as the common red wine in Spain.
Our Netherlanders are unaccustomed to the management of
vineyards, and have not given much attention to the cultivation
of the vine. Some of them have occasionally planted vines,
but they have never treated them properly, and for this reason
they have derived very little profit from their labour. I have,
however, frequently drank good and well tasted domestic wine,
and remark, that the fault is in the people, not in the grapes.
Within the last few years, the lovers of the vineyard have paidNEW-NETHERLANDS.
155
more attenion to the cultivation of the vine, and have informed
themselves on the subject. They have also introduced foreign
stocks, and they have induced men to come over from Heidelberg
who are vine dressers, for the purpose of attending to the vine-
yards ; and to remedy every defect in the management of the
grape, men are also coming over, who posses the most perfect
skill in the planting and management of vineyards.
At this time, they have commenced the planting in good
earnest, and with proper care. Several persons already have
vineyards and wine hills under cultivation, and Providence
blesses their labours wTith success, by affording fruit according
to the most favourable expectation. Hereafter, from year to
year, the cultivation of the vine will increase ; for every one
takes hold of the business—one man learns from another—and
as the population increases rapidly, it is expected that in a few
years there will be wine in abundance in the New-Netherlands.*
Of the Flowers•
The flowers in general which the Netherlanders have intro-
duced there, are the white and red roses of different kinds, the
cornelian roses, and stock roses ;' and those of which there
were none before in the country, such as eglantine, several kinds
of gillyflowers, jenoffelins, different varieties of fine tulips,
crown imperials, white lilies, the lily frutularia, anemones, bare-
dames, violets, marigolds, summer sots, &c. The clove tree
has also been introduced ; and there are various indigenous trees
that bear handsome flowers, which are unknown in the Nether
lands. We also find there some flowers of native gowth, as for
instance, sun flowers, red and yellow lilies, mountain lilies,
morning stars, red, white, and yellow maritoffles, (a very sweet
flower,) several species of bell flowers, &c.; to which I have
not given particular attention, but amateurs would hold them In
high estimation, and make them widely known.
Of the Healing Herbs, and the Indigo.
No reasonable person will doubt that there are not many
medicinal and healing plants in the New-Netherlands. A cer-
tain chirurgeon who was also a botanist, had a beautiful garden
there, wherein a great variety of medicinal wild plants were col-
lected, but the owner has removed and the garden lies neglected.
Because sickness does not prevail much, I suppose the subject
* A chapter on the products of kitchen gardens follows next in the original,
but having been omitted by the Translator, will be inserted hereafter. See p.
185.—Ed.156
VAN DER DONCK’S
has received less attention. The plants which are known to us
are the following, viz : Capilli veneris, scholopendria, angelica,
polypodium, verbascum album, calteus sacerdotis, atriplex
hortensis and marina, chortium, turrites, calamus aromaticus,
sassafras, rois Yirginianum, ranunculus, plantago, bursa pas-
toris, malva, origsenum, geranicum, althea, cinoroton pseudo,
daphine, viola, ireas, indigo silvestris, sigillum salamonis, san-
guis draconum, consolidae, millefolium, noli me tangere, cardo
benedictus, agrimonium, serpentariae, coriander, leeks, wild
leeks, Spanish figs, elatine, camperfolie, petum male and fe-
male, and many other plants. The land is full of different kinds
of herbs and trees besides those enumerated, among which
there undoubtedly are good simplicia, with which discreet per-
sons would do much good ; for we know that the Indians wTith
roots, bulbs, leaves, &c. cure dangerous wounds and old sores,
of which we have seen many instances, which, for the sake of
brevity, we pass by.
The Indigo silvestris grows naturally, without the attention
of any man, and there is no doubt but that with proper care and
attention, much profit might be derived from its cultivation.
We have seen proofs of this, in the colony of Rensselaerwyck,
where Kilian Van Rensselaer, (who always has been a zealous
lover of the New-Netherlands,) sent seed, which was sown
late on Bear Island, which has not above a foot of soil above
the rock, and where no grass would grow well. The seed came
up fine, but the dry summer turned the crop yellow, and dried
the plants. We however saw, that if the seed had been sown
in season, in a proper place, the result would have been good.
Afterwards a certain citizen named Augustin Heerman, who is
a curious man, and a lover of the country, made an experiment
near .New-Amsterdam, where he planted indigo seed, which
grew well and yielded much. Samples of this indigo were
sent over to the Netherlands, which were found to be better
than common. Ridge planting has not been tried, but as the
land is rich and strong, there is no doubt of success when the
experiment is made. Mr. Minuit writes that he has sown Ca-
nary seed, and that it grew and yielded well; but he adds,
that the country is new, and in a state of beginning, and that
the time of the cultivators should not be spent on such experi-
ments, but to the raising of the necessaries of life; for which,
God be praised, there is plenty and to spare, for a reasonable
price. And we begin to supply provisions and drink in com-
mon with our Virginia neighbours to the West Indies and
the Caribbee Islands, which we expect will increase from year
to year, and in time become a fine trade, in connexion with our
Netherlands and Brazil commerce.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
157
Of the Agricultural Productions.
The pursuit of agriculture is not heavy and expensive there,
as it is in the Netherlands. First, because the fencing and en-
closing of the land does not cost much; for instead of the
Netherlands dykes and ditches, they set up post and rail, or
palisado fences, and when new clearings are made, they com-
monly have fencing timber enough on the land to remove,
which costs nothing but the labour, which is reasonably cheap to
those who have their own hands, and without domestic labour
very little can be effected. The land whereon there are few
standing trees, and which has been grubbed and ploughed twice,
we hold to be prepared for a crop of winter grain. For sum-
mer grain one ploughing is sufficient. If it is intended to sow
the same field again with winter grain, then the stubble is
ploughed in, and the land is sowed with wheat or rye, which
in ordinary seasons will yield a fine crop.
I can affirm that during my residence of nine years in the
country, I have never seen land manured, and it is seldom
done. The land is kept in order by tillage, which is often done
to keep down weeds and brush, but for which it would have
rest. Some persons, (which I also hold to be good manage-
ment,) when their land becomes foul and weedy, break it-up
and sow the same with peas, because a crop of peas softens
the land and makes it clean ; but most of the land is too rich for
peas, which when sown on the same grow so rank that the
crop falls and rots on the land. Some of the land must be re-
duced by cropping it with wheat and barley, before it is proper
to sow the same with peas. We have frequently seen the straw
of wheat and barley grow so luxuriant that the crops yielded
very little grain.
I deem it worthy of notice, that with proper attention, in or-
dinary seasons, two ripe crops of peas can be raised on the same
land in one season, in the New-Netherlands. It has frequent-
ly been done in the following manner, viz. The first crop was
sown in the last of March or first of April, which will ripen
about the first of July ; the crop is then removed, and the land
ploughed, and sowed again with peas of the first crop. The
second crop will ripen in September, or about the first of Oc-
tober, when the weather is still, fine and warm. The same
can also be done with buckwheat, which has frequently been
proved; but the first crop is usually much injured by finches
and other birds, and as wheat and rye are plenty, therefore there
is very little buckwheat sown. The maize (Indian corn) is
carefully attended to, and is sufficient to the wants of the
country.158
VAN DER DONCK’S
The Turkey wheat, or maize, as the grain is named, many
persons suppose to be the same kind of grain wThich Jesse sent
parched by his son David to his other sons of the army of
Israel. This is a hardy grain, and is fit for the sustenance of
man and animals. It is easily cultivated, and will grow in al-
most every kind of land, in the worst and strongest in the
country, even in a foul and worn-out soil. It is a good crop
to subdue new land, and to prepare it for other purposes.
When the timber has been removed, and the brush burnt up,
then we take a broad hoe, and cut out hills about six feet apart,
and plant five or six grains in a hill, with which some persons
also plant Turkey beans (as before noticed). After the
grain shoots up and grows, it requires two dressings. The
weeding and cleaning is done with a broad adze, without
breaking up the ground, and is not very laborious work. The
weeds and trash in the first dressing, are cut off and placed in
a row between the hills. The second dressing is easier. Then
the weeds and sprouts are cut off around the hills, and the
weeds and rubbish of the first cleaning, are drawn round the
corn-hills, which afterwards grow high and tall, and smother
all the weeds, stumps, and trash, and. kill all other vegetation
except pumpkins ; those will grow among the maize.
When the land has been treated as above described for one
summer, it is fit for any other use ; or it may be planted with
maize again, which will then grow better than in the first year,
and be easier kept clean, and with less labour. Tobacco may
be planted on the land, or it may be ploughed and broken up
for other purposes, wdiich can then be easily done, because the
roots are in a state of decay and easily broken up. After a
corn crop is gathered, the land may be sowed with winter
grain in the fall without previous ploughing. When* this is
intended, the corn is gathered, the stalks are pulled up and
burnt, the hills levelled, and the land sown and harrowed
smooth and level. Good crops are raised in this manner. I
have seen rye sown as before described, which grew so tall
that a man of common size would bind the ears together above
his head, which yielded seven and eight schepels* Amsterdam
measure, per vin of 108 sheaves, of which two vins made a
wagon load.
The Rev. Johannis Megapolensis, Junior, minister of the co-
lony of Rensselaerwyck, in certain letters which he has written
to his friends, which were printed (as he has told me) without
his consent, but may be fully credited, he being a man of truth
and of great learning, who writes in a vigorous style,—states,
with other matters, that a certain farmer had cropped one field
* A schepel is three pecks English.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
159
with wheat eleven years in succession, which to many persons
will seem extraordinary, and may not be credited. Still it is
true, and the residents of the place testify to the same, and
they add, that this same land was ploughed but twelve times
in the eleven seasons—twice in the first year, and once in
every succeeding year, when the stubble was ploughed in, the
wheat sown and harrowed under. I owned land adjoining the
land referred to, and have seen the eleventh crop, which was
tolerably good. The man who did this is named Brandt Pelen;
he was born in the district of Utrecht, and at the time was a
magistrate (schepen) of the colony of Rensselaerwyck. We
acknowledge that this relation appears to be marvellous, but in
the country it is not so, for there are many thousand morgens
of as good land there, as the land of which we have spoken.
During the period when I resided in the New Netherlands,
a certain honorable gentleman, named John Everts Bout, (who
was recommended to the colonists by their High Mightinesses,
&c.) laid a wager that he could raise a crop of barley on a
field containing seven morgens of land, which would grow so
tall in every part of the field, that the ears could easily be tied
together above his head. I went to see the field of barley, and
found that the straw, land by land, was from six to seven feet
high, and very little of it any shorter. It has also been stated
to me as a fact, that barley has frequently been raised, although
not common, which yielded eleven schepel, Amsterdam measure,
per vin of 108 sheaves. Therefore, all persons who are ac-
quainted with the New-Netherlands, judge the country to be as
well adapted for the cultivation of grain, as any part of the
world which is known to the Netherlander, or is in their pos-
session.
With the other productions of the land we must include to-
bacco, which is also cultivated in the country, and is, as well
as the maize, well adapted to prepare the land for other agri-
cultural purposes, which also, with proper attention, grows fine,
and yields more profit. Not only myself but hundreds of
others, have raised tobacco, the leaves of which were three-
fourths of a yard long. The tobacco raised here is of different
kind, but principally of the Virginia kind, from which it differs
little in flavour, although the Virginia is the best. Still it does
not differ so much in quality as in price. Next to the Virginia
it will be the best; many persons esteem it better, and give it
a preference. It is even probable, that when the people extend
the cultivation of the article, and more tobacco is planted, that
it will gain more reputation and esteem. Many persons are
of opinion that the defect in flavour arises from the newness
of the land, and hasty cultivation, which will gradually be
removed.160
VAN DER DONCK’S
Barley grows well in the country, but it is not much needed.
Cummin seed, canary seed, and the like, have been tried,
and Commander Minuit testifies that those articles succeed
well, but are not sought after. Flax and hemp will grow fine,
but as the women do not spin much, and the Indians have
hemp in abundance in the woods from which they make strong
ropes and nets, for these reasons very little flax is raised ; but
the persons who do sow the seed, find that the land is of the
proper quality for such articles*
Of the Minerals, Earths, and Stones.
To the persons who will please to notice the formation of
the country of the New Netherlands, which is mostly elevated
above the floods, and free from the overflowings of its upper
waters ; and that it is mountainous in many places, and that
it is situated in a temperate climate, such persons will, on con-
templation, readily conclude that the country possesses mine-
rals ; although the Netherlanders have not been at much
cost or trouble to examine and search for mines and minerals,
which has not happened so much from ignorance and negli-
gence as may be imagined, but from other good considerations.
The prevailing opinion of the common people has been,
that the country abounds in minerals; and it is true and cer-
tain that it possesses many valuable minerals, including gold
and other precious metals. But such must be sought for by
men of science. It cannot be done by the coirfmon people,
which our rulers have had no disposition to encourage ; while,
on the other hand, the common citizens have other employ-
ments.
Considering that the Netherlanders are not numerous in the
country, the discovery of minerals of more value than iron
would attract the attention and cupidity of powerful and
jealous friends, who in time might easily oust us, and shut the
door against us, and then occupy and rule in our possessions.
Passing by such speculative probabilities, and to satisfy the
* The peas referred to on page 157 of this translation, the author says, are
the large grey kind, called Old Wives, having blue and white large pods or
shells. Few are sown on an acre, but most in the gardens. The author does
not state what kind of barley he refers to, whether it was winter or summer ;
but we judge it to have been winter barley. We have seen oat straw six feet
long, but have never seen barley above five feet high. We, however, have seen
ten acres of winter barley, which yielded 600 bushels of merchantable grain,
and sixteen acres of summer barley, which yielded 42 bushels per acre. We
have also conversed with a respectable farmer of Yates county, (Mr. Dox,)
who stated that he had cropped one field with wheat seven years in succession,
and that the last crop was fine wheat. Van der Donck’s relation on the subject
of wheat and barley may therefore be credited.—Trans.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
161
inquiries of our real friends, we will describe more particularly
some facts and occurrences which have passed at several
places, on the subject of minerals. It is now placed beyond a
doubt that valuable minerals abound in the country, as experi-
ments and satisfactory proofs have been made to establish those
facts by the direction of Governor Kieft, in several instances,
as wTell of gold as of quicksilver. I was present, and an eye-
witness to the experiments, when the minerals proved to be
rich and good, and know that specimens of the same from" time
to time were sent for the Netherlands which were all lost in the
sea. In the year 1645, a mine was discovered on the Raritan,
by accident or chance, which is held to be richer and better
than any other before known. This discovery was the subject
of much conversation at the time. For the information of the
curious, we will briefly relate an account of another occurrence
according to the truth.
In the year 1645, we were employed with the officers and
rulers at the colony of Rensselaerwyck in negotiating a
treaty of peace with the Maquas, (Mohawk Indians,) who
then were and still are the strongest and fiercest Indain na-
tion of the country ; whereat the Director General, William
Kieft, of the one part, and the chiefs of the Indian nations of
the neighbouring country, on the other part, attended. To
proceed with the treaty, the citizens of Rensselaerwyck pro-
cured a certain Indian, named Agheroense, to attend and serve
as an interpreter, who was well known to the Christians, hav-
ing been much among them, and who also spoke and under-
stood all the Indian languages which were spoken by the
parties that attended the negotiations. As the Indians are
generally disposed to paint and ornament their faces with se-
veral brilliant colours, it happened on a certain morning that this
Indian interpreter, who lodged in the Director’s house, came
down stairs, and in presence of the Director and myself sat
down, and began stroking and painting his face. The Director
observed the operation, and requested me to inquire of the
Indian what substance he was using, which he handed to me,
and I passed it to the Director, who examined the same atten-
tively, and judged from its weight and from its greasy and
shining appearance, that the lump contained some valuable
metal, for which I commuted with the Indian, to ascertain what
it contained. We acted with it, according to the best of our
judgment, and gave the same to be proved by a skilful doctor
of medicine, named Johannes La Montagne, of the Council in the
New-Netherlands. The lump of mineral was put into a cru-
cible, which was placed in a fire, and after the same according
to my opinion) had been in the fire long enough, it was taken
21162
VAN DER DONCK’s
Out, when it delivered two pieces of gold worth about three
guilders. This proof was kept secret.*
After the peace was made, an officer with a few men were
sent to the Berg mountain, to which the Indian directed them,
for a quantity of the mineral, who returned with about a bucket
full, intermingled with stones, as they deemed best. They did
not observe that the place from which they took the earth had
been dug before. Of this mineral several experiments were
made, which proved as good as the first. We supposed that
we had secured the discovery safely. The Director General
thought proper to embrace the first opportunity to send a small
quantity of the mineral to the Netherlands, for which purpose
he despatched a man named Arent Corsen, with a bag of the
mineral to New-Haven, to take passage in an English ship for
England, and to proceed to Holland. This vessel sailed at
Christmas, and was lost at sea. Misfortune attended all on board.
The Director General, William Kieft, left the New-Nether
lands for the Netherlands, in the year 1647, on board of the
ship Princess, taking with him specimens of the proved mine-
rals, and of several others. This ship was also lost, and the
minerals remained in the sea.
Now we have Cornelius Van Tienhooven for Secretary of the
New-Netherlands. Being here in Holland, he states that he
had tested several specimens of the mineral, which proved sa-
tisfactory ; the subject therefore need not be doubted.
This example I have deemed it proper to state, to which
others might be added, but it would then become tedious. We
find in the country up-drifts, and signs of many mines, but
mostly of iron. The people of New-England already cast their
own cannon, plates, pots, and cannon balls, from native iron.
We now have people in the New-Netherlands who understand
mining, who declare that there are much better and richer me-
tals of different kinds there, than in New-England. But in our
feeble .opinion, it would not be advisable to go any further in
disclosing and exposing those matters, as long as the place has
so small a population.
The country has hills of fuller’s earth, and several sorts of
fine clay, such as white, yellow, red and black, which is fat
and tough, suitable for pots, dishes, plates, tobacco-pipes, and
the like wares. It is known from experience that bricks and
tiles can be baked of the clay, and there is no doubt but that the
business would be profitable, and the country be benefited if
the trade was driven. Meantime crystal, like that of Muscovy,
is found there ; there is also an abundance of serpentine stone,
but of a deeper green than that which is sold in Holland; there
is also grey flagging, slate, grit or grinding-stone, but mostly of
* The mineral thus mistaken for gold was probably pyrites. The English
settlers often made the same mistake.—Ed.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
163
a red kind; much quarry stone, several kinds of blue stone,
suitable for mill-stones, for walls and for ornamental work.
We also find a kind of stone like alabaster and marble with
others of that species. But as the population is small, such
things are not valued. When the population increases, and
pride advances, then the same will be held in high estimation.
Of the Dyes and Colours.
The original colours of the New-Netherlands may properly
be represented in two classes, viz. paints and colours com-
posed of minerals, and made from the same, and from stone ;
and those prepared from vegetables. The natives, as has been
remarked, paint and ornament their faces and bodies with dif-
ferent colours, in various ways, according to their customs.
For this purpose, they usually carry small bags of paints with
them, keeping their colours separate, such as red, blue, green,
brown, white, black, yellow, &c. The colours which they
esteem most, are such as possess the most brilliancy, which
shine like pure metals. Such was the kind spoken of as proved
in the year 1645. Colours of this kind are mostly made of
stone, which they know how to prepare by pounding, rubbing
and grinding. Such they hold in higher estimation than the
colours derived from herbs and plants. There, however, are
various plants from which the Indians prepare several fine,
lovely and bright colours, differing little in appearance from
the stone colours, except in the glossy metallic appearance of
the latter.
To describe perfectly and truly how the Indians prepare all
these paints and colours, is out of my power. Their stone
colours, they have informed me, are prepared as before stated;
but whether they add any greasy or adhesive substances to the
preparations, I know not; but I do know that all their paints of
this kind have a fat and greasy feeling.
With the other colours which they prepare from plants and
herbs, they usually pursue the same process. Without detain-
ing the reader long, I will relate the process which I have seen
performed ; others may be done in the same manner. A cer-
tain plant springs up and grows in the country, resembling the
Or ache, or golden herb, having many shoots from the same
stalk, but it grows much larger than the Orache. This plant
produces clusters of red and brown berries, which the Indians
bruise, and press out the juice, and pour the same on flat
pieces of bark, about six feet long and three broad, prepared
for the purpose ; these are placed in the sun to dry out the
moisture. If it does not dry out fast enough, or if they intend164
VAN DER DONCK S
to remove, which they frequently do in summer, then they heat
smooth stones, and place the same into the juice of the berries
on the bark, and thus they dry out the moisture speedily. The
dry substance which remains on the bark is then scraped out,
and put into small bags for use. This produces the finest
purple colour I have ever seen. The Indians, when they use
this colouring, temper the same with water; hence it comes off
easily ; but we believe if it was properly prepared by artists, it
would be highly esteemed.
The paintings of the Indians are of little importance, being
mostly confined to the colouring of their faces, bodies, and the
skins which they wear. We have seen some counterfeit repre-
sentations of trumpets in their strong houses or castles, wherein
they hold their council assemblies, but their paintings are not
spirited and ingenious. They also paint their shields and war
hammers or clubs, and in their houses on the rail-work, they paint
representations of canoes and animals, which are not well done.
On this subject I have another case which I have seen wor-
thy of notice. The Indians use instead of plumes, a beautiful
kind of hair, some of which is long, coarse and stiff, and some
of it shorter and very fine. This they know how to unite and
fix together in such a manner as to make the same appear beau-
tiful, when they are dressed and ornamented with it. The hair
they tie with small bands to suit their own fancies and fashions.
They also know how to prepare a colouring, wherein they dye
the hair a beautiful scarlet, which excites our astonishment
and curiosity. The colour is so well fixed that rain, sun, and
wind will not change it. It, however, appears better and
more brilliant in the fine than in the coarse hair. Although the
Indians do not appear to possess any particular art in this
matter, still such beautiful red was never dyed in the Nether-
lands with any materials known to us. The coloured articles
have been examined by many of our best dyers, who admire the
colour, and admit that they cannot imitate the same, and remark
that a proper knowledge of the art would be of great impor-
tance to their profession.5*^
Of the Animals of the New-Netherlands.
We will now speak of the cattle and animals of the New
Netherlands, including such as have been introduced by the
Christians, and those which are native to the country; begin-
ning with the tame stock, which at the settlement of the country
were brought over from the Netherlands, and which differ little
from the original stock. The horses are of the proper breed
* The colouring matter spoken of by the author, we believe to have been
made from the Poke berries.—Trans. (Phytolacca decandra.—Ed.)NEW-NETHERLANDS.
165
for husbandry, having been brought from Utrecht for tha.
purpose, and this stock has not diminished in size or quality
There are also horses of the English breed, which are lighter,
not so good for agricultural use, but fit for the saddle. These
do not cost as much as the Netherlands breed, and are easily ob-
tained. There are Curagoan and Arabian horses imported into
the country, but those breeds are not very acceptable, because
they do not endure the cold weather of the climate well, and
sometimes die in winter. The whole of this breed require great
care and attention in the winter. Fine large horses are bred in
the country, which live long and are seldom diseased. There
however is a plague, which is natural to the country, and des-
troys many horses. A horse which takes this plague is well,
and dead in a short time. There appears to be no remedy for
this distemper. The distemper appears like a paralytic affec-
tion ; the diseased animal staggers like a drunken man, falls
down, and dies in a short time. This malady has attracted the
attention of many men, and there are those who have preserved
the lives of many horses. It is therefore not considered as
dangerous now as formerly. The origin of this disease has
excited much attention, but the cause remains undiscovered.
There also is an opinion prevailing that scientific horsemen, who
are plenty in many places, but scarce in the New-Netherlands,
wrill discover a remedy for this disease and ascertain its cause.
The cattle in New-Netherlands are mostly of the Holland
breed, but usually do not grow as large, because the hay is not
so good, and because the heifers are permitted to play 'in the
second year for the purpose of increasing the stock. When
this is not permitted until the proper time, they raise as fine
cattle as we do in Holland. The Holland cattle, however, were
subject to diseases when they were pastured on new ground,
and fed on fresh hay only. This at the first, before a remedy
was discovered, was very injurious ; but it is now prevented by
feeding with salt, by giving brackish drink, and by feeding with
salt hay. There are also cattle brought over from the pro-
vince of Utrecht, which are kept on the highlands at Amers-
fort, where they thrive as well as in Holland ; the increase is not
quite as large, but the stock give milk enough, thrive well in
pasture, and yield much-tallow.
They also have English cattle in the country, which are not
imported by the Netherlanders, but purchased from the Eng-
lish in New-England. Those cattle thrive as well as the Hol-
land cattle, and do not require as much care and provender;
and, as in England, this breed will do well unsheltered whole
winters. This breed of cattle do not grow near as large as the
Dutch cattle, do not give as much milk, and are much cheaper;
but they fat and tallow well. They who desire to cross the166
VAN DER DONCK’S
breeds, and raise the best kind of stock, put a Holland bull to
their English cows, by which they produce a good mixed breed
of cattle without much cost. Oxen do good service there, and
are not only used by the English, but by some of the Nether-
landers also, to the wagon and plough. The grazing of cattle
for slaughtering, is also progressing, as well of oxen as of other
cattle, which produces profit in beef and tallow.
Hogs are numerous and plenty. Many are bred and kept
by the settlers in the neighbourhood of the woods and lowlands.
Some of the citizens prefer the English breed of hogs, because
they are hardy, and subsist better in winter without shelter;
but the Holland hogs grow much larger and heavier, and have
thicker pork. In some years acorns are so abundant in the
woods, that the hogs become fine and fat on the same, their
pork frequently being a hand-breadth in thickness. When it
is not an acorn year, or where persons have not an opportunity
to feed their swine on acorns, in those cases they fat their hogs
on maize, or Turkey wheat, which, according to the accepted
opinions, produces the best pork, being better than the West-
phalia pork. The heavy pork is frequently six or seven fingers
in thickness, and will crack when cut. The persons who de-
sire to raise many hogs, take care to have sucking pigs in
April. When the grass is fine, the sows and pigs are driven
woodwards to help themselves. At a year old the young sows
have pigs. Thus hogs are multiplied, and are plenty in the
N ew-N etherlands.
Sheep are also kept in the New-Netherlands, but not as
many as in New-England, where the weaving business is
driven, and where much attention is paid to sheep, to which
our Netherlanders pay little attention. The sheep thrive well,
and become fat enough. I have seen mutton so exceedingly
fat there, that it was too luscious and offensive. The sheep
breed well,-and are healthy. There is also good feeding in
summer, and good hay for the winter. But the flocks require
to be guarded and tended on account of the wolves, for which
purpose men cannot be spared ; there is also a more important
hinderance to the keeping of sheep, which are principally kept
for their wool. New-Netherlands throughout is a woody
country, being almost every where beset with trees, stumps
and brushwood, wherein the sheep pasture, and by which they
lose most of their wool, which by appearance does not seem to
be out, but when sheared turns out light in the fleeces. These
are reasons against the keeping of sheep. The inhabitants
keep more goats than sheep, wrhich succeed best. Fat sheep
are in great danger, when suffered to become lean; of goats
there is no danger. Goats also give good milk, which is al-
ways necessary, and because they cost little, they are of im-NEW-NETHERLANDS.
167
portance to the new settlers and planters, who possess small
means. Such persons keep goats instead of cows. Goats cost
little, and are very prolific ; and the young castrated tups afford
fine delightful meat, which is always in demand.
The New-Netherlanders also have every kind of domestic
fowls, as we have in Holland, such as capons, turkeys, geese
and ducks. There are also pigeoners, who keep several kinds
of pigeons. In a wrord, they have tame animals of every de-
scription, including cats and dogs. Respecting the dogs which
are trained to the gun for hunting, and to the water, better dogs
are not to be found, and it is useless and unnecessary to take
any to the country.
Of the Wild Animals.
Although the New-Netherlands lay in a fine climate, and
although the country in winter seems rather cold, nevertheless
lions are found there, but not by the Christians, who have
traversed the land wide and broad and have not seen one. It
is only known to us by the skins of the females, which are
sometimes brought in by the Indians for sale ; who on inquiry
say, that the lions are found far to the southwest, distant fifteen
or twenty days’ journey, in very high mountains, and that the
males are too active and fierce to be taken.*
Many bears are found in the country, but none like the grey
and pale-haired bears of Muscovy and Greenland. The bears
are of a shining pitch black colour ; their skins are proper for
muffs. Although there are many of these beasts, yet from the
acute sharpness of their smelling, they are seldom seen by the
Christians. Whenever they smell a person they run off. When
the Indians go a-hunting, they dress themselves as Esau did,
in clothes which have the flavour of the woods, (except in their
sleeping and hiding season, whereon we will treat hereafter,)
that they may not be discovered by their smell. The bears
are sometimes seen by the Christians, when they are approached
from the leeward side, or when they swim across water courses.
The bears are harmless unless they are attacked or wounded,
and then they defend themselves fiercely as long as they can.
A person who intends to shoot a bear, should be careful to have
a tree near him to retreat to for safety; for if his shot does not
take good effect, and the bear is not killed instantly, which, on
account of their toughness, seldom happens, then the hunter is
in danger; for then the bear instantly makes a stopper of leaves
or of any other substance, as instinct directs, wherewith the
animal closes the wound, and directly proceeds towards the
* The animal here referred to is probably the Cougar, (Felis concolor,)
known at the north under the various names of panther, painter, and catamount,
and in South America, as the puma, or South American Ugh.—Ed.168
VAN DER DONCK’s
hunter, if in sight, or to the place whence the smoke ascends
and the gun was fired. In the meantime the hunter should be
up the tree, which should be thick and full of limbs, otherwise
the bear would also climb the tree easily. In this position the
hunter has the advantage, and should be prepared to despatch
his adversary ; otherwise he must remain in his sanctuary until
the rage of the animal is abated, which has frequently lasted
two hours, and he retires. Hunters have related these parti-
culars, who have preserved themselves as related.
The bears of this country are not ravenous, and do not sub-
sist on flesh and carrion, as the bears of Muscovy and Green-
land do. They subsist on grass, herbs, nuts, acorns and chest-
nuts, which, we are told by the Indians, they will gather and
eat on the trees. It is also affirmed by the Christians, that
they have seen bears on trees gathering and eating the fruit.
When they wish to come down, then they place their heads be-
tween their legs, and let themselves fall to the earth; and
whether they fall high or low, they spring up and go their way.
Bears are sometimes shot when on the trees.
The Indians and the Christians are firmly of opinion that the
bears sleep and lay concealed twelve weeks in succession in a
year. In the fall they always are fat. During the winter they
eat nothing, but lie down on one side with a foot in the mouth,
whereon they suck growling six weeks ; they then turn on the
other side and lay six weeks more, and continue to suck as be-
fore. For this purpose they usually retire to the mountains, and
seek shelter under projecting rocks in a burrow, or in a thick
brushy wood, wherein many large trees have fallen, where they
also seek shelter from the wind, snow and rain. The Indians
say that the greatest number of bears are taken during their
sleeping season, when they are most easily killed. The hea-
viest bears which are taken, (judging from 'their skins,) are
about the size of a common heifer. The animals also are very
fat, as before stated, the pork frequently being six or seven
fingers in thickness. The Indians esteem the fore quarters and
the plucks as excellent food. I have never tasted the meat,
but several Christians who have eaten bear’s flesh, say it is as
good as any swine’s flesh or pork can be.
Buffaloes are also tolerably plenty. These animals mostly
keep towards the southwest, where few people go. Their meat
is excellent, and more desirable than the flesh of the deer, al-
though it is much coarser. Their skins when dressed are
heavy enough for collars and harness. These animals are not
very wild, and some persons are of opinion that they may be
domesticated and tamed. It is also supposed that a female
buffalo, put to a Holland bull, would produce a cross breed
which would give excellent milking cattle, and that the malesNE W-NETHERLANDS.
169
would form fine hardy working animals when castrated. Per-
sons who have got them when young, say they become very
tame as they grow older, and forget the wild woods, and that
they fatten well. It is remarked that the half of those animals
have disappeared and left the country, and that if a cross breed
succeeded, it would become more natural to the climate.
The deer are incredibly numerous in the country. Although
the Indians throughout the year and every year, (but mostly in
the fall,) kill many thousands, and the wolves, after the fawns
are cast, and while they are young, also destroy many, still the
land abounds with them everywhere, and their numbers appear
to remain undiminished. We seldom pass through the fields
without seeing deer more or less, and we frequently see them
in flocks. Their meat digests easily, and is good food. Veni-
son is so easily obtained that a good buck cashes for five guil-
ders, and often for much less.
, There are also white bucks and does, and others of a black
colour in the country. The Indians aver that the haunts of the
white deer are much frequented by the common deer, and that
those of the black species are not frequented by the common
deer. These are the sayings of the Indians. The truth re-
mains to be ascertained relating to the preference between
the animals.
There is also another kind of animals in the country, which
are represented to be large, and which are known to the people
of Canada, who relate strange things concerning the same. I
have heard from the mouth of a Jesuit, who had been taken
prisoner by the Mohawk Indians and released by our people,
and come to me, that there were many wild forest oxen in
Canada and Nova Francia, which in Latin they name boves
silvestres, (the moose, or elk,) wrhich are as large as horses,
having long hair on their necks like the mane of a horse, and
cloven hoofs ; but that, like the buffalo, the animals were not
fierce. I have also been frequently told by the Mohawk In-
dians, that far in the interior parts of the country, there were
animals which were seldom seen, of the size and form of horses,
with cloven hoofs, having one horn in the forehead, from a foot
and a half to two feet in length, and that because of their fleet-
ness and strength they were seldom caught or ensnared. I
have never seen any certain token or sign of such animals, but
that such creatures exist in the country, is supported by the
concurrent declarations of the Indian hunters. There are
Christians who say that they have seen the skins of this species
of animal, but without the horns.
Wolves are numerous in the country, but these are not so
large and ravenous as the Netherlands wolves are. They will
not readily attack any thing, except small animals, such as deer,
22170
VAN DER DONCK’S
(but most commonly when young,) calves, sheep, goats, and
hogs. But when a drove of hogs are together, they do not per-
mit the wolves to do them any injury, as those animals defend
and assist each other.
The wolves in winter know how to beset and take deer.
When the snow is upon the earth, eight or ten wolves, hunter-
like, prowl in the chase in company. Sometimes a single wolf
will chase and follow a single deer, until the animal is wearied,
and falls a prey ; but if the deer in the pursuit crosses a stream
of water, then the wolf is done, because he dare not follow, and
remains on the margin of the stream to see his chase escape.
Wolves frequently drive deer into the rivers and streams.
Many are taken in the water by persons who reside in the
neighbourhood of rivers and streams, by the means of boats,
with which they pursue the animals. If the deer is so near
the shore as to be likely to gain the land before the boat can be
near enough to take the prize, the person or persons in the boat
shout and holloa loudly, when the echo from the land and woods
frightens the animal off from the place to which it was swim-
ming, and fearing to land it is easily taken by these stratagems.
Some persons are of opinion, that a driven deer will not be-
take itself to fresh water for safety, but we of the New Nether-
lands know to the contrary, and that there is no difference.
When deer are chased upon an island near the sea, or on land
near the sea, they will enter the open ocean, and frequently
swim so far from shore that they never find their way to the
land again.
Beavers are numerous in the New-Netherlands. We will
treat at large of these animals hereafter. There are also fine
otters in the country, very fine fishes, and /wild cats, which
have skins nearly resembling the skin of the lioness these
animals also resemble them in. form, but they have short tails,
like the hares and conies. Foxes and racoons are plenty;—the
skins of the latter are streaked, resembling seals, and are excel-
lent applications for bruises and lameness. When their meat
is roasted, it is delicious food, but when stewed, it is too
luscious, on account of its fatness. The racoons usually shel-
ter in hollow trees, wherein they lay up food for the winter,
which they seldom leave, except for drink. It is a pleasure to
take racoons ; the trees wherein they shelter are discovered by
the scratching of the bark, which is done by the racoons in
climbing and descending the trees. When their haunts are
discovered, the trees are cut down. By the fall of a tree, the
racoons are stunned, and on leaving their holes they stagger as
if drunk, and fall an easy prey to the hunter. Minks, hares,
and conies (rabbits) are plenty in the country. Tame rabbitsNEW-NETHERLANDS.
m
run at large in New England. Musk-rats are abundant; these
creatures smell so strong of musk, that it can hardly be endured :
when the skins are old and dry, the smell is retained, and all arti-
cles which are kept with the skins, are impregnated with the
musky smell. Maeters, and black and gray squirrels, are also
numerous. One kind of squirrels can fly several rods at a
time ;—this species have a thin skin on both sides from the fore
to the hind legs, which they extend and flap like wings, with
which they fly swiftly to the desired place. Ground hogs,
English skunks, drummers,, and several other kinds of animals,
for which we have no names, are known and found in the coun-
try. Their description is passed over.
Of the Land and Water Fowls; and first, of the Birds of
prey.
Birds of prey are numerous in the New-Netherlands ; among
which there are two species of eagles, so different in appear-
ance that they hardly resemble each other. The one is the
common kind, which is known in Holland. The other kind is
somewhat larger, and the feathers are much browner, except
the whole head, a part of the neck, the whole tail, and the strik-
ing feathers, which are as white as snow, and render the bird
beautiful. This kind are called white-heads, and they are
plenty. Falcons, sparrow-hawks, sailing-hawks, castrills,
church-hawks, fish-hawks, and several other kinds, for which
I have no name, are plenty; but every kind feed on flesh or
fish, as they can best take the same. Those hawks might
easily be trained to catch game, to which nature with art would
perfect them. The small kind live on small birds, the larger
kinds watch for woodpeckers, corn-birds, quails, &c.; each
that kind which it can overcome. But the eagles look for
higher game, and bring terror where they appear. They usu-
ally frequent places where the trees are old, and where the
ground is free from underwood, near the bay sides, or near
large rivers, where from the tops of the trees they can have
their eyes over the fish, the swans, the geese and the ducks,
with which they can supply themselves ; but they do not com-
monly feed on fowl, because they prefer fish. They frequently
strike a fish, and jerk it living from the waters. When a bird
is crippled by a gunner, or is otherwise disabled, then the
eagle’s eye will see them, where the human eyes have looked
in vain. The eagles soar very high in the air, beyond the
vision of man, and on those flights they are always looking
out for prey, or for a dead carcase, near which they are com-
monly seen. They seldom kill corn birds, or fowls which live172
VAN DER DONCK’s
on fruit. Eagles are fond of the flesh of deer, for which they
watch the places where the wolves kill deer, and have left a
carcase partly eaten, which they discover on the wing. Many
persons who know the nature of the eagle, and observe their
sailing, have followed in their direction and have found the
deer for which the eagle went, partly destroyed and eaten
by wolves. It also happens that the hunters wound deer
which escape, and die from the loss of blood. Such are also
sometimes found uninjured by the direction of the eagles.
There is also another bird of prey in the country, which has a
head like the head of a large cat. Its feathers are of a light
ash colour. The people of the country have no name for the
bird. The Director Kieft says, the bird is known in France,
and is named Grand Dux, where it is held in high estimation
by the nobility, who have them trained for sporting. They are
difficult to break, but when well trained they are frequently sold
for 100 French crowns per bird.*
Of the Land Birds and Fowls.
The most important fowl of the country is the wild turkey.
They resemble the tame turkeys of the Netherlands. Those
birds are common in the woods all over the country, and are
found in large flocks, from twenty to forty in a flock. They
are large, heavy, fat and fine, weighing from twenty to thirty
pounds each, and I have heard of one that weighed thirty-two
pounds. When they are well cleaned and roasted on a spit,
then they are excellent, and differ little in taste from the tame
turkeys ; but the epicures prefer the wild kind. They are best
in the fall of the year, when the Indians will usually sell a
turkey for ten stivers, and with the Christians the common price
is a daelder each. Sometimes the turkeys are caught with dogs
in the snow; but the greatest number are shot at night from
the trees. The turkeys sleep in trees, and frequently in large
flocks together. They also usually sleep in the same place
every night. When a sleeping place is discovered, then two
or three gunners go to the place together at night, when they
shoot the fowls, and in such cases frequently bring in a dozen
or more. The Indians take many in snafes, when the ^feather
changes in winter. Then they lay bulbous roots, which the
turkeys are fond of, in the small rills and streams of water,
which the birds take up, when they are ensnared and held until
the artful Indian takes the turkey as his prize.
There are also several kinds of quailsf in the country, some
* A good price for a Cat-Owl.—Trans, t The Dutch word is patrijsen—
the European partridge, which is about the size of our quail.—Ed.NE W-NETHERLANDS.
173
of which are smaller, and others larger than those of the
Netherlands. The sportsmen have given them distinguishing
names, and they afford fine sport. In the Netherlands it is not
believed that they will alight and sit in trees ; but it is true
that many are shot from trees in this country. I have done it
several'times, and have killed a hundred or more from trees.
I have also heard from respectable authority, that eleven heath-
fowls have been killed at a shot at Rensselaerwyck, off of a pa-
lisade fence, with which fields are enclosed. In some places,
in the hedges and brush, the small quails are abundant, and
they are so tame that they run along the roads and enter the
gardens, and sometimes fly into houses ; and they frequently
lay in the grass, as it were under the traveller’s feet, and in
rising sometimes fly against them and frighten them. Many of
those kinds of birds are killed with rods and sticks. There
are also woodcocks, birch-cocks, heath-fowls, pheasants, wood
and water snipes, &c. and many cranes, of which great num-
bers are shot on the mowed lands in the fall of the year, and
they are fine for the table. Quacks and bitterns are also plenty.
The pigeons, which resemble coal pigeons, are astonishingly
plenty. Those are most numerous in the spring and fall of the
year, when they are seen in such numbers in flocks, that they
resemble the clouds in the heavens, and obstruct the rays of the
sun. Many of those birds are shot in the spring and fall, on
the wing, and from the dry trees whereon they prefer to alight,
and will sit in great numbers to see around them, from which
they are easily shot. Many are also shot on the ground, and
it is not uncommon to kill twenty-five or more at a time. The
Indians, when they find the breeding places of the pigeons,
(at which they assemble in numberless thousands,) frequently
remove to those places with their wives and children, to the
number of two or three hundred in a company, where they
live a month or more on the young pigeons, which they take,
after pushing them from their nests with poles and sticks.
There are also quails, (quartets,) differing from those in the
Netherlands in their drumming, and somewhat in size.* Wood-
peckers (spechten) are also found there ; these birds are spotted
with handsome feathers, and have a fine top-knot. The coun-
try people call them tree-peckers, which is their common em
ployment, and they peck with such power, that at a distance
the noise resembles the striking of a hammer. I have seen
many trees into which those birds had pecked large holes,
wherein they built their nests. Large blackbirds also are very
plenty, to which the people have given an appropriate name,
calling them [males dieven) corn thieves, to which they have a
* The drumming noise is made by the partridge of the eastern States—the
pheasant of the south, (Tetiao umbellus,) which is probably the bird here re-
ferred to.—Ed.174
VAN DEEL DONCK?S
strong propensity. It is necessary after planting, to watch the
corn fields to keep off those birds, whereon they frequently
alight in large flocks, and are so stout that shooting will not
drive them away. In places frequented by eagles, the black-
birds do very little injury. I have been informed by men of
veracity, that a certain Jacob Van Curler had killed one hun-
dred and seventy of those blackbirds, which he took up, at a
shot, besides the cripples which escaped. From this occur-
rence an opinion of the probable numbers of those birds may
be formed. There are also ravens, crows, kaws, owls, swal-
lows, land-runners, with many other kinds of small birds, such
as finches, chipping birds, wrens, hedge-sparrows, &c. Some
of the birds sing beautifully; others have handsome plumage.
I have seen birds of a lustrous blue colour, shining much;
others of a yellow and orange, resembling the aurora, with a
high flame colour; but those have black beaks, and some black
wing feathers.
There is also another small curious bird, concerning which
there are disputations, whether it is a 'bird, or a large West In-
dia bee. We will pass over those disputations, and describe
the bird, its form, manner and appearance. The bird is about
the length of a finger, exclusive of its beak ; its tail is about the
breadth of a thumb ; its feathers are of various shining colours ;
having a beak and feet like other birds. I have not observed
that it pecks and eats with its beak; but it sucks its nourish-
ment from flowers like the bees, for which it has members in
its beak like the bees. It is everywhere seen on the flowers
regaling itself; hence it has obtained the name of the West
India bee. It is only seen in the New-Netherlands in the sea-
son of flowers. In' flying they also make a humming noise,
like the bees. They are very tender, and cannot well be kept
alive. We however prepare and preserve them between paper,
and dry them in the sun, and send them as presents to our
friends.
Of the Wafer Foivls.
Among other subjects wherewith the New-Netherlands is
abundantly provided, are the fowls that keep to the waters,
which we find there principally in the spring and fall of the
year. At other seasons they are not as plenty. But at those
seasons, the waters by their movements appears to be alive with
the water fowls; and the people who reside near the water
are frequently disturbed in their rest at night by the noise of
the water fowls, particularly by the swans, which in their sea-
sons are so plenty, that the bays and shores where they resort
appear as if they were dressed in white drapery. The swansNEW-NETHERLANDS.
175
are like those of the Netherlands, and come regularly in their
proper seasons.
There are also three kinds of wild geese. The first and best
kind are the grey geese, which are larger than the Netherlands
geese, but not so large as the swans. Those fowls do much
damage to the wheat fields wThich are sown near the places to
which they resort. There are persons WTho believe this species
to be the trap geese; but this cannot well be credited, be-
cause they are so numerous. A great many of those fowls are
shot, and they are esteemed before the other kinds for the table.
I have known a gunner named Henry de Backer, who killed
eleven grey geese out of a large flock at one shot from his gun.
The other kinds are the black geese, and the white heads.
Some of the latter kind are almost white, like unto our tame
geese. Those kinds, in cold weather, frequent and resort to
places near the sea shores in great numbers, where many are
killed, often eight or ten at one «hot. A Virginia planter of my
acquaintance has killed sixteen geese at a shot, which he got,
when several which he wounded escaped.
There also are several kinds of ducks, with widgeons, teal,
brant, and many species of diving fowls, such as blue bills,
whistlers, coots, eel-shovellers, and pelicans, with many strange
fowls, for which we have no names, being of less importance ;
but which to persons who understand the art of preserving birds,
might afford them a profitable business, as they are plenty and
cheap. After the increase of our population, the fowls will di-
minish. Even feathers are now considered of little value or
importance.*
Of the Fishes.
All the waters of the New-Netherlands are rich with fishes.
Sturgeons are plenty in the rivers at their proper season; but
these fish are not esteemed, and when large are not eaten. No
person takes the trouble to salt or souse them for profit; and
the roes from which the costly caviar is prepared, are cast
awray. Salmon are plenty in some rivers, and the striped bass
are plenty in all the rivers and bays of the sea. The bass is a
fish which in its form differs but little from the salmon. The
inside of the latter is red, and of the other white. The bass are
also a fine fish, and their heads are delicious food. The drums
are a tolerably good fish, somewhat like the cod in form, but not
so stout. I have heard it said, that the drums were named
* The swans, the pelicans, the grey and white-headed geese, and the grey
ducks, have now forsakenthe waters of the State of New-York.—Trans.176
V&N DER DONCK’S
Thirteens, when the Christians first began fishing in the New-
Netherlands. Then every one was desirous to see the fishes
which were caught, for the purpose of discovering whether the
same were known to them, and if they did not know the fish,
then they gave it a name. First in the fishing season they
caught many shad, which they named Elft. Later they caught
the striped bass, which they named Twalft. Later still they
caught the drums, which they named Dertienen. For those
fishes succeeded each other in their seasons, and the same are
still known by the names which were thus derived. There are
also carp, snook, forrels, pike, trout, suckers, thickheads, floun-
ders, eels, palings, brickensand lampreys. Some of the latter are
as large as a man’s leg, and above an ell in length.* There are
also sun-fish tasted like the perch, having small shining scales,
with brilliant spots, from which they have derived the name of
sun-fish. In the winter season, the creeks and back waters
abound with a small kind of fish which comes from the sea,
about the size of a smelt. Some call them little mullets.
Those fishes are so tame that many are caught with the hand;
and as those come with the frost, we call them frost-fish. Out-
side at sea, and in some of the bays of the East river, the cod-
fish are very plenty; and if we would practice our art and ex-
perience in fishing, we could take ship loads of cod-fish, for it
can be easily accomplished. There are also shell-fish, week-
fish, herrings, mackerel, roah, hallibut, scoll, and sheeps-heads.
The latter are formed like the sun-fish, but much heavier, with
cross stripes, being about the weight of the largest carps. They
have teeth in the fore part of the mouth like a sheep, but are
not voracious, and are an excellent fish. There is another
species of fish, called black-fish, which are held in high esti-
mation by the Christians. It is as brown as a seek, formed like
the carp, but not so coarse in its scales. When this kind of
fish, which are plenty, is served upon the table, it goes before
all others, for every person prefers it. There are also porpoises,
herring-hogs, pot-heads or sharks, turtles, &c. and whales, of
which there are none caught, but if preparations were made for
the purpose, then it might be easily effected ; but our colonists
have not advanced far enough to pursue whaling. A lost bird,
however, is frequently cast and stranded, which is cut up.
Lobsters are plenty in many places. Some of those are very
large, being from five to six feet in length; others again are
from a foot to a foot and an half long, which are the best for the
table. There are also crabs, like those of the Netherlands,
* There is a tradition that there were but ten species of fishes known to the
Dutch when they discovered America, and that when they caught the shad,
they named the fish {Elft) Eleventh ; the bass (Twalft) Twelfth; and the drum
(.Dertienen) Thirteenth. The numbers in the Dutch are good names.—Trans.NE W-NETHERLANDS.
177
some of which are altogether soft. Those the people call
weak crabs, and they make excellent bait for hook fishing.
There are also sea-cocks, (horned crabs) sea-colts, sea-concks ;
and periwinkles are very plenty, which in some seasons are
cast ashore by the sea in very great numbers. From.these the
Indians make wampum. Oysters are very plenty in many
places. Some of these are like the Colchester oysters, and
are fit to be eaten raw; others are very large, wherein pearls
are frequently found, but as they are of a brownish colour, they
are not valuable. The large oysters are proper for roasting and
stewing. Each of these will fill a spoon, and make a good
bite. I have seen many in the shell a foot long, and broad in
proportion. The price for oysters is usually from eight to ten
stivers per hundred. Muscles of different kinds are plenty ;
the St. Jacobs and mother of pearl shells, with Alis or stone
crutches. There are also several other kinds of shell-fish, for
which there are no names. There are also shrimps and tortoises
in the waters and on land. Some persons prepare delicious
dishes from the water terrapin, which is luscious food. There
are also sea-spiders, and various other products of the ocean,
which are unknown in Holland, and are of little consideration,
as they contribute little to the wants of human society.
Of the Poisons.
During my residence of eight or nine years in the New-
Netherlands, I have not discovered more than one poisonous
plant in the country, which is named the poison artichoke, al-
though it does not resemble the artichoke much, as it bears
blue flowers in clusters, which are handsome to the eye, resem-
bling pope’s caps, or moon-heads, as they are named in Brabant.
Several kinds of black, speckled and striped snakes are found
in the country. Some of these have bellies of the colour of the
rainbow, and keep on the land and in the water, and are said
to have connections with the eels. Snakes of those kinds do
no damage except destroying young birds. Unless they escape
from travellers and farmers, they are usually put to death.
The Indians do not fear snakes of this kind, for they will run
after and take them by their tails, and then take hold of them
behind their heads and bite them in their necks; thus they
kill them. There is also another snake about the size of a
tobacco pipe. This kind of snake keeps in the weeds and
high grass, and is seldom seen. Many are of opinion that it is
venomous, but I have no proof of it. Rattlesnakes like those
of Brazil, are found in the country. To persons who have
never seen any of those reptiles, a description of them will ne-178
VAN DER DONCK'S
cessarily be imperfect. Many affirm that the fiery serpents
which plagued the Israelites in the wilderness, were rattle-
snakes ; but this is uncertain. Those are vile serpents, which
seldom go out of the way of man or beast. They are speckled
with yellow, black and purple colours, chub-headed, with four
sharp teeth in the front of the mouth, which the Indians use for
lancets. The body, except the tail, is fashioned like the bodies
of other snakes ; at the end of the tail it has a hard, dry, horny
substance, which is interlocked and jointed together, with which
these snakes can rattle so loud that the noise can be heard se-
veral rods; but they never rattle unless they intend to bite.
The rattling is made by the thrilling of the tail, to the end of
which the rattles are by nature attached. The rattles increase
one joint every year. Snakes with six or seven rattles are very
common, and I have seen one with fourteen rattles (which is
an uncommon instance). When those snakes intend to bite,
they have a dreadful appearance. The head is then spread
out, and they open a wider mouth than they appear to have,
and then also they open a bluish skin or valve, which lies at the
root of the teeth of the upper jaw, from which the poison issues
by the teeth into the wound inflicted by the serpent. In ap-
pearance the poison resembles a bluish salt, which I have seen
by causing the snake to bite at a long stick for observation, on
Long Island. When persons are bitten by those serpents and
the poison enters the wound, their lives are in great danger.
I have seen persons who were bitten by the serpents that were
not bad, and others whose whole bodies became coloured like
the snakes by which they had been bitten, before death. The
Indians also dread those snakes, and when bitten by this species
they also frequently die of the bite. Fortunately the rattle-
snakes are not numerous, and a person who does not frequent
the woods and fields much, may reside in the country seven
years without seeing one of those snakes. There is a certain
plant which grows in the country, named snake-wort, which is
a sovereign remedy for the bite of the rattlesnake. I have wit-
nessed an experiment made on Long-Island with snake-wort,
on a large rattlesnake, when a person chewed a quantity of the'
green plant, and spit some of the juice on the end of a stick,
which was put to the nose of the snake, and it caused the crea-
ture to thrill and die instantly. The Indians hold this plant in
such high estimation, that many of them always carry some of
it, well dried, with them to cure the bites of those serpents.
Adders also are found in the country, but I have never heard of
injuries done by them.
Lizards like those found in Holland are in the country, and
also another species which have pale bluish tails. Those are
much feared by the Indians, because (as they say) this kindNE W-NETHERLA NDS.
179
will crawl up into their fundaments, when they lay asleep on
the ground in the woods, and cause them to die in great mi-
sery. When the toads are added, I have given an account of
the poison and of the poisonous reptiles which I have disco-
vered in the country, and according to my original design,
hereafter will treat of the winds, air, sea, seasons, and of the
natives of the land; and also give a particular description of
the beavers.
Of the Winds.
The swift and fostering messengers of commerce are
the winds that prevail in the New-Netherlands. They
blow from all quarters of the compass, without any mon-
soons or regular trade winds. In winter, the cold comes
with the northerly winds; in summer, the south and south-
westerly winds prevail. It is seldom calm in winter, as it
is in Holland. In the heart of winter, when it is calm,
loof still, and cold, turn either way, and you have it in your
face. The north-west winds which bring the most cold
weather usually blow sharp and steady, except at the foot of
the mountains, which break the winds. All the storms which
arise, usually come with easterly winds from the sea, at the
spring tides, and seldom last more than three days. If they
come more from the south, then it usually blows hard, and with
more warmth, and a hazy sky or rain, which frequently hap-
pens. The westerly wind usually blows severe and squally,
but as it comes from the land, and blows across most of the
rivers to the sea, it gives windward stations and is not feared.
The north-west and north winds bring the cold, as the east and
north-east winds do in Holland. Should it be warm southerly
weather, whenever a northerner rises, the air will change from
heat to cold in a short time. On these occasions it will blow
hard and severe, but as it leaves an upper shore, it seldom does
damage at sea. The sea then washes against a windward
shore ; hence no damage is apprehended. The damage arises
from the easterly winds. When the north-west gales blow,
then much damage is done in the timber lands, by the blowing-
down and cracking of the trees, and then is the proper time for
the gunners to approach their game. In summer, a southerly
sea breeze usually sets in on the flood-tide at New-Amsterdam,
which blows over a cool element, and brings refreshment with
it. The warm weather in summer frequently brings thunder
storms from the west, when it will frequently rain one, two or
three hours, after which it will blow from the north-west, and
be succeeded by fine cool weather : so that within an hour the
clouds will appear as if they would spew cats, and in another180
VAN DER DONCK’S
hour scarcely a cloud will be seen. The easterly winds sel-
dom blow in the interior parts of the country, sometimes not
once in a year: those winds appear to be stayed by the high-
lands and the mountains.
Of the Air,
The sweet ruler that influences the wisdom, power and ap-
pearance of man, of animals, and of plants, is the air. Many
name it the temperament, or the climate. The air in the
New-Netherlands is so dry, sweet and healthy, that we need
not wish that it were otherwise. In purity, agreeableness,
and fineness, it would be folly to seek for an example of it in
any other country. In the New-Netherlands, we seldom hear
of any person who is afflicted with a pining disease. Many
persons from the West-Indies, Virginia, and other quarters of
the world, who do not enjoy health in those parts, when they
come into the New-Netherlands, there become as active as
fishes in the waters. The Galens have meagre soup in that
country. We may say that there are no heavy damps or stink-
ing mists in the country, and if any did arise, a northerly breeze
would blow them away, and purify the air. Hence the healthi-
ness of the country deserves commendation. The summer heat
is not oppressive in the warmest weather, for it is mitigated
by the sea breezes, the northerly winds, and by showers. The
cold is severer than the latitude seems to promise, which arises
from the purity of the air, which is sensitive and penetrating,
but always dry with northerly winds, against which nature di-
rects us to provide, and to clothe ourselves properly. Cold
damp weather seldom arises. Such weather is caused by
southerly winds ; and whenever the wind blows from the south
in winter, the cold ceases. If the south wind rises in the middle
of winter, which frequently occurs, and blows some time, then
the weather becomes as warm as in Lent, and the ice gives
way. The country is seldom troubled with much moist damp
weather, nor does it last long. Still there is plenty of rain, but
more in some seasons than in others. When it rains the water
falls freely, which extends to the roots of the vegetation. By
the thunder and lightning, which is common in the warm wea-
ther, the air is purified, and the state of the atmosphere cor
rected. This is regulated by the seasons, and adherent to par-
ticular seasons of the year.NE W-NETHERLANDS.
181
Of the Seasons.
The changes of the year, and the calculations of time, are
observed as in the Netherlands ; and although these countries
differ much in their situations in south latitude, still they do not
differ much in the temperature of cold and heat. But to dis-
criminate more accurately, it should be remarked that the win-
ters usually terminate with the month of February, at New-Am-
sterdam, which is the chief place and centre of the New-Ne-
therlands. Then the spring or Lent-like weather begins.
Some persons calculate from the 21st of March, new style, after
which it seldom freezes, nor before this does it seldom summer ;
but at this season a change evidently begins. The fishes then
leave the bottom ground, the buds begin to swell; the grass
sprouts, and in some places the cattle are put to grass in
March ; in other situations they wait later, as the situations
and soils vary. The horses and working cattle are not.turned
out to grass until May, when the grass is plenty everywhere.
April is the proper month for gardening. Later the farmers
should not sow summer grain, unless they are not ready ; it
may be done later, and still ripen.
Easterly winds and stormy weather are common in the spring,
which then cause high tides; but they cannot produce high
floods. The persons who desire to explore and view the coun-
try, have the best opportunity in April and May. The grass
and herbage at this season causes no inconvenience in the
woods, and still there is grass enough for horses. The cold
has not overcome the heat produced by the wood, burnings, and
the ground which has been burnt over, is yet bare enough for
inspection. The flowers are then in bloom, and the woods are
fragrant with their perfume. In the middle of May, strawber-
ries are always plenty in the fields, where they grow naturally ;
they are seldom planted in the gardens, but there, in warm si-
tuations, they are earlier. When the warm weather sets in,
then vegetation springs rapidly. It is so rapid as to change
the fields from nakedness to green in eight or ten days. There
are no frosts in May, or they are very uncommon, as then it is
summer. The winter grain is in full blossom. The sum-
mer may be said to begin in May, but it really is calcu-
lated from the first of June, and then the weather is fre-
quently very warm, and there is seldom much rain. Still
there are no extremes of wet and dry weather, and we
may freely say, that the summers are always better in the
New-Netherlands than in Holland. Rainy weather seldom
lasts long. Showers and thunder-storms are frequent in sum-
mer, and will last an hour, an hour and a half, and sometimes
half a day. It seldom rains three hours in succession, and the182
VAN DER DONCK’s
rains seldom do any injury, because the earth is open, and the
water settles away, and on the high lands the rains are always
desirable. A summer shower frequently will produce water
sufficient to extend to the roots of the vegetation, and be imme-
diately succeeded by a north-west wind, which will clear off the
sky, as if no rain had fallen. Heavy dues are common, which
in the dry seasons, are very quickening to the vegetation.
Now when the summer progresses finely, the land rewards
the labor of the husbandman ; the flowers smile on his coun-
tenance ; the fishes sport in their element, and the herds play in
the fields, as if no reverses were to return. But the tobacco,
and the fruit of the vines, come in in September. There is
plenty here for man and the animal creation.
The days are not so long in summer, nor so short in winter,
as they are in Holland. Their length in summer, and their
shortness in winter, differ about an hour and a half. It is
found that this difference in the length of the days, causes no
inconvenience ; the days in summer are long and warm enough
for those who are inclined to labour, and do it from necessity;
and for those who seek diversion. The winters pass by with-
out becoming tedious. The reasons for this, and the objections
thereto, we leave to the learned, as we deem the subject not
worthy of our inquiry. The received opinion on this subject
is, that the difference in the length of the days and nights arises
from the difference of latitude of the New-Netherlands and Hol-
land. The former lies nearer the equinoctial line, and nearer
the centre of the globe. As they differ in length, so also they
differ in twilight. When it is midday in Holland, it is morning
in the New-Netherlands. On this subject there are also differ-
ent opinions. Most men say that the New-Netherlands lay so
much farther to the west, that its situation causes this variation ;
others go further, and dispute the roundness of the globe. As
the creation of the world is connected with this subject, which
none will deny, and as the difference in the appearance of the
eclipses supports the truth of the first position of the roundness
of the globe, therefore the other position appears to be un-
supported.
The autumns in the New-Netherlands are very fine, lovely
and agreeable ; more delightful cannot be found on the earth ;
not only because the summer productions are gathered, and the
earth is then yielding its surplusage, but also because the sea-
son is so well tempered with heat and cold, as to appear like
the month of May, except that on some mornings there will be
frost, which, by ten o’clock will be removed by the ascending
sun, leaving no stench or unwholesome air, and causing little
inconvenience. On the other hand, the vegetation and grass
produced in summer falls, and is trodden dowrn, which is suc-
ceeded by a fall crop, growing as it does in Lent, bringing de-NEW - NE THE RLAN D S.
183
light to man and pasturage for animals. There is not much
rain in autumn except in showers, which do not last long ; yet
it sometimes rains two or three days. Otherwise there is day
after day, fine weather and a clear sunshine, with agreeable
weather. In short the autumns in the New-Netherlands are as
fine as the summers of Holland, and continue very long; for
below the highlands, towards the sea coast, the winter does not
set in, or freeze much before Christmas, the waters remaining
open, the weather fine, and in many places the cattle grazing in
the fields. Above the highlands, advancing northerly, the wea-
ther is colder, the fresh waters freeze, the stock is sheltered,
the kitchens are provided, and all things are put in order for the
winter. The fat oxen and swine are slaughtered. The wild
geese, turkeys and deer are at their best in this season, and
easiest obtained, because of the cold, and because the woods
are now burnt over, and the brushwood and herbage out of the
way. This is also the Indian hunting season, wherein such
great numbers of deer are killed, that a person who is unin-
formed of the vast extent of the country, would imagine that all
these animals would be destroyed in a short time. But the
country is so extensive, and their subsistance so abundant, and
the hunting being confined mostly to certain districts, therefore
no diminution of the deer is observable. T^e Indians also af-
firm, that before the arrival of the Christians, and before the
small pox broke out amongst them, they were ten times as
numerous as they now are, and that their population had been
melted down by this disease, whereof nine-tenths of them have
died. That then, before the arrival of the Christians, many
more deer were killed than there now are, without any percepti-
ble decrease of their numbers.
We will now notice the winters of the New-Netherlands,
which are different at different places. Above the highlands,
towards Rensselaerwyck, and in the interior places extending
towards New-England, (which we still claim,) there the winters
are colder and last longer than at New-Amsterdam, and other
places along the sea coast, or on Long Island, and on the South
River, (Delaware.) At the latter places, there seldom is any
hard freezing weather before Christmas, and although there
may be some cold nights, and trifling snows, still it does not
amount to much, for during the day it is usually clear weather.
But at Rensselaerwyck the winters begin earlier, as in 1645,
when the North River closed on the 25th day of November,
and remained frozen very late. Below the highlands and near
the sea coast, as has been observed, it never begins to freeze so
early, but the cold weather usually keeps off until about Christ-
mas, and frequently later, before the rivers are closed ; and then
they frequently are so full of drifting ice during the north-west184
VAN DER DONCK’S
winds, as to obstruct the navigation; and whenever the wind
shifts to the south or south-east, the ice decays, and the rivers
are open and clear. This frequently happens two or three
times in a winter, when the navigation will be free and unob-
structed again. Much rainy weather, or strong winds which
continue to blow from one quarter a long time, are not com-
mon, or to be expected in the country.
It is probable, (and many persons support the position with
plausible reasoning,) that the subtlety and purity of the atmos-
phere changes the water before it comes to the earth, or whilst
it is still retained in the clouds, or in its descent to the earth,
into hail or snow. The latter is sooner to be credited, for dur-
ing the winter much snow falls, which frequently remains
weeks and months on the earth, without thawing away entirely.
But below the circle of the highlands, the southerly winds are
powerful; there the snow cannot lay long, but is removed by
the southerly weather.
It frequently happens once or twice in a winter, that the trees
are silvered over with sleet, which produces a beautiful and spe-
culative appearance when the sun shines on the same, particu-
larly on the declivities of the hills and mountains. Many per-
sons say that sleets and heavy hail are signs of good fruit sea-
sons in the succeeding year.
It is strange and worthy of observation, and surpasses all
reasoning, that in the New-Netherlands, without or with but
little wind, (for when the weather is coldest, there seldom is
much wind,) although it lies in the latitude of Spain and Italy,
and the summer heat is similar, that the winters should be so
much colder, as to render useless all the plants and herbs which
grow in those countries, which will not endure the cold wea-
ther. The winter weather is dry and cold, and we find that the
peltries and feltings are prior and better than the furs of Mus-
covy. For this difference several reasons are assigned, which
we will relate, without controverting any, except in remarking
that in most cases wherein many different reasons are assigned
to establish a subject, all are frequently discredited. Some say
that the New-Netherlands lie so much further west on the
globe, and that this causes the difference ; others who compare
the summer heat with Spain and Italy, deny this position;
others declare that the globe is not round, and that the country
lies in a declining position from the sun. Others assert that the
last discovered quarter of the world is larger than the other
parts, and ask, if the world formerly was considered round, how
that theory can be supported now, when about one-half is added
to it ? Some also say that the higher a country is situated, the
colder it is. Now, say they, the New-Netherlands lie in a
high westerly position ; ergo, it must be cold there in winter,NE W-NETHERLANDS.
185
and as warm in summer. Many remark, and with much plausi-
bility also, that the country extends northerly many hundred
miles to the frozen ocean, and is accessible by Davis Straits,
(which by some is doubted,) and that the land is intersected and
studded by high mountains, and that the snow remains lying
on them and in the valleys, and seldom thaws away entirely;
and that when the wind blows from and over those cold regions,
it brings cold with it. Receiving the cold from above and from
beneath, (both being cold,) it must of course follow that the
cold comes with the north-westerly winds. On the con-
trary they say, that whenever the wind blows from the sea, if
it be in the heat of the winter, then the weather becomes sultry
and warm as in Lent.
The cold weather, however, is not so severe as to do much
injury, or to become tedious ; but for many reasons it is desira-
ble for the benefit of the country, which it frees from insects
and every other kind of impurity in the air, and fastens firmly
in their positions all the plants, and screens the same from the
effects of the cold, against which nature has thus carefully
provided.
There is everywhere fuel in abundance, and to be obtained
for the expense of cutting and procuring the same. The super-
abundance of this country is not equalled by any other in the
world. The Indians do not clothe as we do, but frequently go
half naked and withstand the cold, in fashion, and fear it little.
They are never overcome with the cold, or injured by it. In
bitter cold weather, they will not pursue their customary plea-
sures, particularly the women and the children; for the men
do not care so much for the cold days in winter as they do for
the hot days in summer.
Of the products of Kitchen Gardens *
The garden products in the New-Netherlands are very nu-
merous ; some of them have been known to the natives from
the earliest times, and others introduced from different parts of
the world, but chiefly from the Netherlands. We shall speak
of them only in a general way; amateurs would be able to
describe their agreeable qualities in a more scientific manner,
* The omission of this chapter by the Translator was discovered too late for
its insertion in the proper place, (page 155,) and the absence of Mr. Johnson in
attendance upon the State Legislature, of which he is a member, has rendered
it necessary for the Editor to supply the omission by translating the chapter, and
inserting it out of its original connexion.
24186
VAN DER TONCK’S
but having been necessarily occupied with other subjects*
we have had no leisure to devote to them. They consist, then,
of various kinds of salads, cabbages, parsnips, carrots, beets,
endive, succory, finckel, sorrel, dill, spinage, radishes, Spanish
radishes, parsley, chervil, (or sweet cicely,) cresses, onions, leeks,
and besides whatever is commonly found in a kitchen garden.
The herb garden is also tolerably well supplied with rosemary,
lavender, hyssop, thyme, sage, marjoram, balm, holy onions,
(ajuin heylig,) wormwood, belury, chives, and clary; also,
pimpernel, dragon’s blood, five-finger, tarragon, (or dragons-
wort,) &c. together with laurel, artichokes, and asparagus,
and various other things on which I have bestowed no
attention.
The inquirers into nature inform us that plants are there
less succulent, and therefore more vigorous than here. I have
also noticed that they require less care and attention, and grow
equally well; as for instance, the pumpkin grows with little or
no cultivation, and is so sweet and dry that it is used, with
the addition of vinegar and water, for stewing in the same
manner as apples ; and notwithstanding that it is here generally
despised as a mean and unsubstantial article of food, it is there
of so good a quality that our countrymen hold it in high estima-
tion. I have heard it said, too, that when properly prepared
as apples are with us, it is not inferior to them, or there is but
little difference, and when the pumpkin is baked in ovens it is
considered better than apples. The English, who in general
think much of what gratifies the palate, use it also in pastry,*
and understand making a beverage from it. I do not mean all
sorts of pumpkins and cucurbites that may be found anywhere,
and of course in the New-Netherlands ; the Spanish is con-
sidered the best.f
The natives have another species of this vegetable peculiar
to themselves, called by our people quaasiens, a name derived
from the aborigines, as the plant was not known to us before
our intercourse with them j It is a delightful fruit, as well to
the eye on account of its fine variety of colours, as to the mouth
for its agreeable taste. The ease with which it is cooked ren-
*By the English the author means the inhabitants of New-England, where
pumpkin pies still hold a prominent place among the luxuries ofthe land.—Ed.
f The Spanish or mammoth pumpkin is still preferred. See Bridgeman’s
Gardener. New-York, 1840.
J Roger Williams, the celebrated founder of the colony of Rhode Island,
describes the same plant in the followirg manner:—“Jlskutasquash, their vine-
apples, which the English from them call squashes; about the bigness of
apples, of several colours, a sweet, liyh', wholesome refreshing.”—Key into the
Languages of the Indians. London, 1643. Reprinted in Collections of Mass.
Hist. Society, 1st series vol. iii. Dr. Webster, in his quarto Dictionary, derives
the name of this vegetable from a Greek root.—Ed.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
187
■ders it a favourite too with the young women. It is gathered
early in summer, and when it is planted in the middle of April,
the fruit is fit for eating by the first of June. They do not
wait for it to ripen before making use of the fruit, but only un-
til it has attained a certain size. They gather the squashes and
immediately place them, on the fire without any farther trouble.
When a considerable number have been gathered, they keep
them for three or four days; and it is incredible, when one
watches the vines, how many will grow on them in the course
of a single season. The vines run a little along the ground,
some of them only two or three steps ; they grow well in newly
broken wood-land when it is somewhat cleared and the weeds
are removed. The natives make great account of this vegeta-
ble ; some of the Netherlanders too consider it quite good, but
others do not esteem it very highly. It grows rapidly, is easily
cooked, and digests well in the stomach, and its flavour and
nutritive properties are respectable.
Melons, likewise, grow in the New-Netherlands very luxuri-
antly, without requiring the land to be prepared or manured;
there is no necessity for lopping the vines, or carefully dressing
them under glass, as .is done in this country ; indeed, scarcely
any attention is paid to them, no more than is bestowed here
in the raising of cucumbers, and the people in that part of the
world have every reason to be well content. They plant no
more than they think will come to maturity, but when it unfor-
tunately happens that any are destroyed, they put fresh seeds
into the ground. Melons will thrive too in newly cleared wood
land, when it is freed from weeds ; and in this situation the
fruit, which they call Spanish pork, grows large and very
abundant. I had the curiosity to weigh one of these melons,
and found its weight to be seventeen pounds. In consequence
of the warm temperature of the climate, the melons are quite
sweet and pleasant to the taste, and however many one may
eat, they will not prove injurious, provided only that they are
fully ripe.
The citrull or water-citron,* (citerullen ofte xvater-limoe-
nen,) also grows there, a fruit that we have not in the Nether-
lands, and is only known from its being occasionally brought
* The water-melon, as it is now called. The French give the name of citrull
or citrouille, to the pumpkin. The fruit mentioned by our author under
the name of melon, seems to have been the musk-melon, which, being then
cultivated in Holland, did not require a particular description. But the
water-melon at that period was comparatively little known, as Van der Donck
states, and not regarded as a melon. On this account he describes the fruit so
minutely that it cannot well be mistaken. It was sometimes termed by English
writers the Citrull cucumber. Botanists place the water-melon in the same
genus as the pumpkin, calling it Cucurbita citrullus.—Ed.188
VAN DER DONCK’s
from Portugal, except to those who have travelled in warm cli-
mates. This fruit grows more rapidly and in greater abundance
than melons, so much so that some plant them, even among
those who are experienced, for the purpose of clearing and
bringing into subjection the wild undressed land to fit it for
cultivation. Their juice is very sweet like that of apricots, and
most men there would eat six water-citrons to one melon, al-
though they who wish can have both. They grow ordinarily to
the size of a man’s head. I have seen them as large as the big-
gest Leyden cabbages, but in general they are somewhat oblong.
Within they are white or red ; the red have white, and the
white black seeds. When they are to be eaten, the rind is
cut off to about the thickness of the finger ; all the rest is good,
consisting of a spongy pulp, full of liquor, in which the seeds
are imbedded, and if the fruit is sound and fully ripe, it melts
as soon as it enters the mouth, and nothing is left but the
seeds. Women and children are very fond of this fruit. It is
also quite refreshing from its coolness, and is used as a beverage
in many places. I have heard the English say that they obtain
a liquor from it resembling Spanish wine, but not so strong.
Then there is no want, of sweetness, and the vinegar that is
made from it will last long, and is so good that some among
them make great use of it.*
Cucumbers are abundant. Calabashes or gourds also grow
there ; they are half as long as the pumpkin, but have within
very little pulp, and are sought chiefly on account of the shell,
which is hard and durable, and is used to hold seeds, spices,
&c. It is the common water-pail of the natives, and I have
seen one so large that it would contain more than a bushel.t
Turnips also are as good and firm as any sand-rapes that are
raised in the Netherlands. There are likewise peas and various
sorts of beans ; I shall speak of the former under the head oifield
products.	Of beans there are several kinds; but the large
Windsor bean, which the farmers call lessen, or house beans,
and also the horse-bean, will not fill out their pods ; the leaf
grows well enough though delicate, and ten, twelve, or more
* Prof. Pallas, in the account of his journey to the southern provinces of^Rus-
sia, in 1793-4, speaking of a colony of Moravians at Sarepta, or Sapa, on the
Volga, says, “ The ingenious inhabitants of this town brew a kind of beer from
their very abundant and cheap water-melons, with the addition of hops; they
also prepare a conserve or marmalade from this fruit, which is a good substitute
for syrup, or treacle.” Other instances of a similar character might be adduced
to confirm the general correctness of the author’s observations and statements,
but it seems to be unnecessary. His remarks betray no want of familiarity
with the subject of gardening, notwithstanding the modest disclaimer which he
makes at the outset.—Ed.
t The Dutch bushel (schepel) is about three pecks English.N EW-NETHERLANDS.
189
stalks frequently shoot up, but come to little or nothing* The
Turkish beans which our people have introduced there grow
wonderfully ; they fill out remarkably well, and are much cul-
tivated. Before the arrival of the Netherlanders, the Indians
raised beans of various kinds and colours, but generally too
coarse to be eaten green, or to be pickled, except the blue sort,
which are abundant; they somewhat tend to cause flatulency,
like those we raise in Holland, but in other respects they fur-
nish an excellent food, of which the Indians are especially
fond. They have a peculiar mode of planting them, which our
people have learned to practise:—when the Turkish wheat,
(Indian corn,) or, as it is called, maize, is half a foot above the
ground, they plant the beans around it, and let them grow toge-
ther. The coarse stalk serves as a bean-prop, and the beans
run upon it. They increase together and thrive extremely well,
and thus two crops are gathered at the same time.
♦ Bridgeman makes a similar statement in regard to the * large Windsor
bean,’ and other varieties of the English Dwarfs. He says, “ the principal cause
of these garden beans not succeeding well in this country, is the summer heat
overtaking them before they are podded, causing the blossom to drop off pre-
maturely ; to obviate this difficulty they should be planted as early in the year
as possible.” p. 31.190
VAN DER DONCK’S
OF THE MANNERS AND PECULIAR CUSTOMS OF THE
NATIVES OF THE NEW-NETHERLANDS.
First:—Of their bodily form and appearance, and why we
named them (Wilden) Wild Men.
Having briefly remarked on the situation and advantages of
the country, we deem it worth our attention to treat concerning
the nature of the original native inhabitants of the land; that after
the Christians have multiplied and the natives have disappeared
and melted away, a memorial of them may be preserved.
Their appearance and bodily form, as well of the men as of
the women, are well proportioned, and equal in height to the
Netherlanders, varying little from the common size. Their
limbs are properly formed, and they are sprightly and active.—
They can run very fast for a long time, and they can carry
heavy packs. To all bodily exertions they are very competent,
as far as their dispositions extend; but to heavy slavish labour
the men have a particular aversion, and they manage their af-
fairs accordingly, so that they need not labour much. Mis-
shapen or ill-formed persons are very rare amongst them.—
During the whole time of my residence in the country, I have
not seen more than one who was born deformed. Cripples,
hunch-backed, or other bodily infirmities, are so rare, that we
may say that there are none amongst them ; and when we see
or hear of one who is crippled or lame, we on inquiry find the
same to have originated by accident or in war. They are all
properly formed and well proportioned persons. None are
gross or uncommonly heavy. Although nature has not given
them abundant wisdom, still they exercise their talents with dis-
cretion. No lunatics or fools are found amongst them, nor any
mad or raving persons of either sex. The men and women
commonly have broad shoulders and slender waists. Their
hair, before old age, is jet black, sleek and uncurled, and near-
ly as coarse as a horse’s tail. Hair of any other colour they
dislike and despise. On the skin, the breast, under the arms, and
on other parts of the body, they have little or no hair, and if any
appear on their chins they pluck it out by the roots, and it sel-
dom sprouts again. Their old men sometimes have a little
stubble on their chins. The men and women all have fine
brown eyes, and snow white teeth. Purblind, or cross-eyedNEW-NETHERLANUS.
191
persons are rare objects, and I have never heard of a native who
was born blind, and they seldom lose their sight by accident.—
One I have seen who had lost his eye-sight by the small pox ;
and when they become old, their sight does not fail so early in
life as ours. The colour of their skin is not so white as ours ;
still we see some of them who have a fine skin, and they are
mostly born with good complexions ; otherwise they have a
yellowish colour like the Tartars, or heathen who are seen in
Holland, or like the Outlanders who keep in the fields and go
uncovered as they do. Their yellowness is no fault of nature,
but it is caused by the heat of the scorching sun, which is hot-
ter and more powerful in that country than m Holland, which
from generation to generation has been shining on that people,
and exhibits its effects stronger. Although this yellowness of
the skin appears more or less on all this race, still we find very
comely men and women amongst them. It is true that they
appear singular and strange to our nation, because their com-
plexion, speech and dress are so different, but this, on acquaint-
ance, is disregarded. Their women are well favoured and
fascinating. Several of our Netherlanders were connected with
them before our women came over, and remain firm in their at-
tachments. Their faces and countenances are as various as
they are in Holland, seldom very handsome, and rarely very
ugly, and if they were instructed as our women are, there then
would be little or no difference in their qualifications.
The original natives of the country, (for now there are native
born Christians also,) although they are composed of different
tribes, and speak different tongues, all pass by the appellation
of (Wilden) wild men ; and this name was given them, as far as
we can learn, at the first discovery of the country, which for
various reasons seems very appropriate. First, on account of
their religion, of which they have very little, and that is very
strange ; and secondly, on account of their marriages, wherein
they differ from civilized societies ; thirdly, on account of their
laws, which are so singular as to deserve the name of wild re-
gulations. And the Christians hold different names necessary
to distinguish different nations, such as Turks, Mamelukes,
and Barbarians ; and as the name of Heathen is very little
used in foreign lands, therefore they would not distinguish the
native Americans by either of these names ; and as they trade
in foreign countries with dark and fair coloured people, and
with those who resemble ourselves, in distinction from negroes,
and as the American tribes are bordering on an olive colour,
the name of wild men suits them best. Thus without delibera-
tion, and as it were by chance at the first word, (as we suppose,)
they were called Wild Men. And as unlearned persons never
reflect much but speak their first thoughts, in this manner it192
VAN DER DONGAS
has probably happened that this people received their national
name, because they seemed to be wild and strangers to the
Christian religion.*
Of the Food and Subsistence of the Indians.
In eating and drinking the Indians are not excessive, even
in their feast-days. They are cheerful and well satisfied when
they have a sufficiency to support nature, and to satisfy hunger
and thirst. It is not with them as it is here in Holland, where
the greatest, noblest, and richest live more luxuriously than a
Calis, or a common man; but with them meat and drink are suf-
ficient and the same for all. Their common drink is water from
a living spring or well, when it can be had, wherein they seldom
fail, as in days of old. Sometimes in the season of grapes, and
when they have fresh meat or fish, and are well pleased, they
will press out the juice of the grapes and drink it new. They
never make wine or beer. Brandy or strong drink is unknown
to them, except to those who frequent our settlements, and have
learned that beer and wine taste better than water.
In the Indian languages, which are rich and expressive, they
have no word to express drunkenness. Drunken men they
call fools. When they associate much with our people, and
can obtain liquor, they will drink to excess, when they become
insolent and troublesome, and are malicious. To prevent this,
the government has forbidden the sale of spirituous liquors to
the Indians. Most of them however will not taste liquor. Be-
fore they are accustomed to spirituous liquor, they are easily
made drunk, for which a small glass or two is sufficient; but
in time they become accustomed to it, and bear it as well as
our own people do. The rheumatic gout, red and pimpled
noses, are snares unknown to them; nor have they any dis-
eases or infirmities which are caused by drunkenness.
Their common food is meat, and fish of every kind, accord-
ing to the seasons, and the advantages of the places where they
reside. They have no pride, or particular methods in prepar-
ing their food. Their fish or meat they usually boil in water,
without salt, oTsmoutrf and nothing more than the articles yield.
They know of no stewing, fricasseeing, baking, frying, or the
like methods of cooking, and seldom do they warm up or boil
any food, unless it be small pieces of meat or fish, when they
* The sexes are admirably distinguished in the Dutch language, in the case
of the Indians. Wilt is male; Wilden is female. The terms are much softer
th^n the English, of Indian and squaw.—Trans.
t A sort of oil.—Ed.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
193
travel or are hunting, and have no other opportunity to prepare
their food.
For bread they use maize, or Turkey corn, which the women
pound fine into meal, (as the Hebrews did their manna in the
wilderness,) of which they bake cakes, for they know nothing of
mills. They also use pounded maize, as we do rice, and samp,
with their boiled meat. Their common food, and for which their
meal is generally used, is pap, or mush, which in the New-Ne-
therlands is named sapaen. This is so common among the
Indians, that they seldom pass a day without it, unless they are
on a journey or hunting. We seldom visit an Indian lodge at
any time of the day, without seeing their sapaen preparing, or
seeing them eating the same. It is the common food of all;
young and old eat it; and they are so well accustomed to it,
and fond of it, that when they visit our people, or each other,
they consider themselves neglected unless they are treated
with sapaen. Without sapaen they do not eat a satisfactory
meal. And when they have an opportunity, they frequently
boil fish or meat with it; but seldom when the meat or fish is
fresh, but when they have the articles dried hard, and pounded
fine. This food they usually prepare at the close of the winter
and in the spring, when the hunting season is past, and their
stock of provisions is nearly exhausted. They also use many
dry beans, which they consider dainties. Those they boil soft
with fresh meat. They use for their subsistence every kind of
fish and flesh that is fit for food, which the country and the
places of their settlements afford, and that they can obtain.
They observe no stated times for their meals, as our people do,
but they suppose it best to eat when they are hungry. They
can control their appetites, bodies and stomachs in a wonderful
manner; for with very little or no food, they can pass two, three,
or four days, and when afterwards they again have it plenty,
they will make up for the arrears lost without overcharging
their stomachs, or becoming sick; and although they eat freely,
they have no excessive eaters or gluttons among them.
Ceremonies of high or low seats, or of beginning to eat their
meals first or last, or to be waited upon, I have never seen
among them. Seldom will they invite each other to eat with
them, except at great feasts, but every person who is with them
at meal time, without exception, can partake of their fare with-
out pay or compensation. It is not customary with them to
receive compensation for their hospitality. On extraordinary
occasions, when they wish to entertain any person, then they
prepare beavers’ tails, bass heads, with parched corn meal, or
very fat meat stewed with shelled chestnuts bruised.
When they intend to go a great distance on a hunting ex-
cursion, or to war, where they expect to find no food, then they
25194
VAN DER DONCK’S
provide themselves severally with a small bag of parched com
meal, which is so nutritious that they can subsist on the same
many days. A quarter of a pound of the meal is sufficient for
a day’s subsistence ; for as it shrinks much in the drying, it
also swells out again with moisture. When they are hungry,
they eat a small handful of the meal, after which they take a
drink of water, and then they are so well fed, that they can
travel a day. When they can obtain fish or meat to eat, then
their meal serves them as well as fine bread would, because it
needs no baking.
Of the Clothing and Ornaments worn hy the Men and Women*
Their clothing usually is of one fashion, and they are not
proud of their dress, except some of their young persons, who
forget it when they become old. Their women are more in-
clined to dress, and to wear ornamental trinkets than the men
are ; but they are not so proud as they are in Holland. The
males until they are twelve or thirteen years old, run nearly
naked in summer. The females when they are able to run
about, wear a little covering. They are all accustomed to wear
a leathern girdle, which is usually ornamented with pieces of
whales’ fins, whale-bones, or wrampum (zewant). When the
men can procure duffels cloth, then they wear a piece of the
same half an ell wide, and nine quarters long, which they gird
around their waists, and draw up a fold to cover their naked-
ness, with a flap of each end hanging down in front and rear.
This dress does not appear uncomely, and it is light and airy
in summer; and they frequently go without any other covering.
It hides their nakedness, and bears the name of a breech-cloth.
Before they could obtain duffels cloth, and when it is not to
be had, they wear a dressed skin cut in a proper form, and
prepared for the purpose, which we commonly call a (cloot-sap)
breech-cloth, which wrord in Holland may appear impolite;
but as words are intended to convey ideas, and to express the
things intended, the term therefore has a common signification
in that country, and will not offend the ear of a lady, or the de-
licacy of a maiden’s taste.
The women also wear a cloth around their bodies, fastened
by a girdle which extends down below their knees, and is as
much as an under-coat; but next to the body, under this coat,
they wear a dressed deer-skin coat, girt around the waist.
The lower border of this skirt they ornament with great art,
and nestle the same with strips, which are tastefully decorated
with wampum. The wampum with which one of those skirts
is ornamented, is frequently worth from one to three hundredNEW-NETHERLANDS.
195
guilders. The men and women usually wear a plaid of duffels
cloth of full breadth, and three ells long. This is worn over
the right shoulder, drawn in the form of a knot about the body,
with the ends extending down below the knees. This plaid
serves them for a covering by day, and for a blanket by night.
Stockings and shoes (moccasins) made of deer and buffalo skins,
are worn by both sexes; some of those they ornament curi-
ously with wampum, &c.; but those articles are bad to wear.
They also make shoes out of corn husks, which are not durable.
Some of them purchase shoes and stockings from us, which
they find to be most comfortable.
The men usually go bare-headed, and the women with their
hair bound behind, in a club of about a hand long, in the form
of a beaver’s tail; over which they draw a square cap, which
is frequently ornamented with wampum. When they desire to
appear fine, they draw a head-band around the forehead, which
is also ornamented with wampum, &c. This band confines
the hair smooth, and is fastened behind over the club, in a beau’s
knot. Many believe these head-bands are like those .worn by
the ancient women. Their head-dress forms a handsome and
lively appearance. Around their necks they wear various or-
naments, which are also decorated with wampum. Those they
esteem as highly as our ladies do their pearl necklaces. They
also wear hand-bands, or bracelets, curiously wrought, and in-
terwoven with wampum. Their breasts appear about half
covered with an elegantly wrought dress. They wear beautiful
girdles, ornamented with their favourite wampum, and costly
ornaments in their ears. Their young women and their cour-
tiers, when they desire to appear superfine, also paint a few
black stripes on their faces. They usually appear sedate, as
if they possessed no amorous feelings; they however only thus
disguise nature. The men paint themselves uniformly, parti-
cularly their faces, with various colours, by which they can so
effectually disguise themselves as to deceive an acquaintance.
In their parade time they appear very deceitful, and they will
scarcely turn their heads to notice an object. Some of them
wear a band about their heads, manufactured and braided of
scarlet deer-hair, interwoven with soft shining red hair. With
this head-dress, they appear like the delineations and paintings
of the Catholic saints. When a young Indian is dressed in this
manner, he would not say plum, for a bushel of plums. They
however seldom decorate themselves in this manner, unless
they have a young female in view. Otherwise they naturally
are filthy and negligent in their dress. In winter, when the
weather is cold, the women and children do not go abroad
much, and when they do, they cover themselves with duffils
and other articles. The men, to defend themselves against the196
VAN DER DONCK’S
cold, grease themselves with bear and racoon fat. They also
wear clothing made of weasel, bear, deer, and buffalo skins, &c.
With such dresses they can withstand the cold easily. At a
word, they have all necessary raiment to defend themselves
against the inclemency of the weather. In their best apparel,
they know not how to appear proud and foppish. To white
linen they formerly were strangers, but now many begin to
wear shirts, which they buy from our people, and those they
frequently wear without washing until the same are worn out.
Of their Houses, Castles, Villages, and Towns.
Their houses are usually constructed in the same manner,
without any particular costliness or curiosity in or to the same.
Sometimes they build their houses above a hundred feet long;
but never more than twenty feet wide. When they build a
house, they place long slender hickory saplings in the ground,
having the bark stripped off, in a straight line of two rows, as
far asunder as they intend the breadth of the house to be, and
continuing the rows as far as it is intended the length shall be.
Those sapling poles are bent over towards each other in the
form of an arch, and secured together, having the appearance of
a garden arbour. The sapling poles are then crossed with
split poles in the form of lathing, which are well fastened to the
upright work. The lathings are heaviest near the ground. A
space of about afoot wide is left open in the crown of the arch.
For covering they use the bark of ash, chestnut, and other
trees, which they peel off in pieces of about six feet long, and
as broad as they can. They cover their houses, laying the
smooth side inwards, leaving an open space of about a foot wide
in the crown, to let out the smoke. They lap the side edges
and ends over each other, having regard to the shrinking of the
bark, securing the covering with withes to the lathings. A
crack or rent they shut up, and in this manner they make their
houses proof against wind and rain. They have one door in the
centre of the house. When the bark of the ash and chestnut
trees is not loose, they have recourse to the timber trees, which
grow along the brooks, the bark of which can be taken off dur-
ing the whole summer season. Durability is a primary object
in their houses. In short, their houses are tight and tolerably
warm, but they know nothing of chambers, halls, and closet-
ings. They kindle and keep their fires in the middle of their
houses, from one end to the other, and the opening in the crown
of the roof lets out the smoke. From sixteen to eighteen fami-
lies frequently dwell in one house, according to its size. The
fire being kept in the middle, the people lay on either sideNE W-NETHEELAND S.
197
thereof, and each family has its own place. If they have a place
for a pot or kettle, with a few small articles, and a place to
sleep, then they have room enough ; and in this manner, a hun-
dred, and frequently many more, dwell together in one house.
Such is the construction of an Indian dwelling in every place,
unless they are out on fishing and hunting excursions, and then
they erect temporary huts or shanties.
In their villages and their castles they always build strong,
firm works, adapted to the places. For the erection of these
castles, or strong holds, they usually select a situation on the
side of a steep high hill, near a stream or river, which is diffi-
cult of access, except from the water, and inaccessible on every
other side, with a level plain on the crown of the hill, which
they enclose with a strong stockade work in a singular manner.
First, they lay along on the ground large logs of wood, and fre-
quently smaller logs upon the lower logs, which serve for the
foundation of the work. Then they place strong oak pali-
sades in the ground on both sides of the foundation, the upper
ends of which cross each other, and are joined together. In
the upper cross of the palisades they then place the bodies of
trees, which makes the work strong and firm. Thus they se-
cure themselves against the sudden invasion of their enemies.
But they have no knowledge of adding bankings and curtains to
their fortifications. Those belong not to their system. Near
their plantations they also frequently erect small works, to se-
cure their wives and children against the sudden irruption of the
small marauding parties of their enemies. When their castles
and forts are constructed according to their rude custom, they
consider the same very safe and secure places. But in a war
with the Christians, those afford them no security ; on the con-
trary, they do them more injury than good. In their castles, they
frequently have twenty or thirty houses. We have measured
their houses, and found some of them to be a hundred and
eighty yards long, and as narrow as before stated. In those
places, they crowd an astonishing number of persons, and it is
surprising to see them out in open day. Besides their strong
holds, they have villages and towns which are enclosed. Those
usually have woodland on the one side, and corn lands on the
other sides. They also frequently have villages near the wa-
ter sides, at fishing places, where they plant some vegetables ;
but they leave those places every year on the approach of win
ter, and retire to their strong places, or into the thick woods,
where they are protected from the winds, and where fuel is
plenty, and where there is game and venison. Thus they sub-
sist by hunting and fishing throughout the year.
Their castles and large towns they seldom leave altogether.
From other situations they remove frequently, and they seldom198
VAN DER DONCK’S
remain long at other places. In the summer, and in the fishing
seasons, many come to the water sides and rivers. In the fall
and winter, when venison is best, they retire to the woods and
hunting grounds. Sometimes towards the spring of the year,
they come in multitudes to the sea shores and bays, to take oys-
ters, clams, and every kind of shell-fish, which they know how
to dry, and preserve good a long time.
Of their Marriages, Accouchement s, Children, fyc.
Having treated of the manners of the natives, of their appear
ance, of their clothing, of their ornaments, of their subsistence,
and of their dwellings ; we will continue the description, and
treat of their customs in their marriages and connections, with-
out which they could not be. Marriages, and the fruits of mar-
riage connections between males and females, keep up the suc-
cession of every living species in the world ; and there has
been no nation discovered or known, so barbarous as not to be
benefited by marriage connections, and who have not upheld
and supported the same. With the natives of the New-Nether-
lands, (for the Christian usages are the same as in Holland,) we
can still observe the old and ancient customs in their marriage
ceremonies. But to illustrate the subject properly, it will be
necessary to notice their distinguishing names of man and wo-
man, father and mother, sister and brother, uncle and aunt,
niece and nephew, husband and wife, married and unmarried,
which are all known and distinguished among the natives by
different and appropriate names, and give strong evidence of
their attachment to their relatives, and of their preference to
marriage connections. The natives generally marry but one
wife, and no more, unless it be chief, who is great and power-
ful ; such frequently have two, three, or four wives, of the neat-
est and handsomest women; and it is extraordinary, that the
people can, by the light of nature, so effectually control their
women, that no feuds or jealousies do arise and exist between
them; for on inquiry, we have never discovered that any
strife, hatred, or discord existed in an Indian family between
the women about their family affairs, their children, or of the
preference of their husband, whom they all esteem and implicit-
ly obey. Concerning their marriages, they do not use as many
ceremonies as the people of fashion do in Holland; but they
act more like common citizens on such occasions. With the
natives there is no established time of marriageable years, but
they judge their apparent fitness from their appearance, about
which they are not very particular even to experimental proof.
When the parties are young and related, the marriage usuallyNE W-NETHERLANDS.
199
takes place upon the counsel and advice of their relatives, hav-
ing regard to their families and character. When the parties
are widows or widowers, whether by death or otherwise, of
wThom there are many, then also it takes place sometimes
upon the advice of friends ; but it is not common for relatives
to interfere in such marriages. The men, according to their
condition, must always present their intended and betrothed
bride, with a marriage gift, as a confirmation of their agree-
ment, and of his intention, being similar to the marriage pledge
of the ancients. When the parties are a widow or widower,
who unite without the advice of friends, and the parties after-
wards do not agree, for good cause or otherwise, then the hus-
band frequently takes the gifts from his wife, forbids her his
bed, and if she does not leave him, he turns her out of doors
Marriages with them are not so binding but that either party
may altogether dissolve the union, wrhich they frequently do.—
I have known an Indian who changed his wife every year, al-
though he had little or no reason for it. We have also noticed
that the dissolution of their marriages for unchastity, arises
more from the improper conduct of men, than of the women.—
In their marriage dissolutions, the children follow their mother,
which is also usual in many other nations, who calculate their
descent and genealogies from the mother’s side. The longer a
marriage exists among the natives, the more the parties are
esteemed and honoured. To be unchaste during wedlock, is
held to be very disgraceful among them. Many of their wro-
men would prefer death, rather than submit to be dishonoured.
Prostitution is considered baser by day than by night, and in
the open fields than elsewhere, as it may be seen, or shined
upon by the sun, which they say beholds the deed. No Indian
will keep his wife, however much he loved her, when he knows
she is unchaste. When their women are young, free, and un-
married, they act as they please, but they are always mercenary
in their conduct, and deem it disgraceful to be otherwise; neither
is the fruit of illicit connexions despised, but the same are disre-
garded in a marriage connexion. Few females will associate
with men in a state of concubinage when they will not marry.
Those women are proud of such conduct, and when they be-
come old they will frequently boast of their connexion with many
of their chiefs and great men. This I have heard from several
aged women, who deemed themselves honored for having
been esteemed, and gloried of their “ quasi bene gesta,” in
their speeches. When one of their young women is rijp, (for
that is the native term,) and wdshes to be married, it is cus-
tomary on such occasions that they veil their faces completely,
and sit covered as an indication of their desire ; whereupon pro-200
VAN DER DONCK’s
positions are made to such persons, and the practice is common
with young women who have suitors, whereby they give pub-
licity of their inclination. The men seldom make the first
overtures, unless success is certain and they hope to improve
their condition in life. Whenever a native female is pregnant,
in wedlock or otherwise, they take care that they do no act that
would injure the offspring. During pregnancy they are gener-
ally healthy, and they experience little or no sickness or painful
days, and when the time of their delivery is near, (which they
calculate closely,) and they fear a severe accouchement, or if it
be their first time, then they prepare a drink made of a decoc-
tion of roots that grow in the woods, which are known by them,
and they depart alone to a secluded place near a brook, or
stream of water, where they can be protected from the winds,
and prepare a shelter for themselves with mats and covering,
where, provided with provisions necessary for them, they await
their delivery without the company or aid of any person. After
their children are bom, and if they are males, although the
weather be ever so cold and freezing, they immerse them some
time in the water, which, they say, makes them strong brave
men, and hardy hunters. After the immersion they wrap their
children in warm clothing and pay them great attention from
fear of accidents, and after they have remained several days in
their secluded places, again return to their homes and friends.
They rarely are sick from child-birth, suffer no inconveniences
from the same, nor do any of them die on such occasions. Upon
this subject some persons assign, as a reason and cause for
their extraordinary deliveries, that the knowledge of good and
evil is not given to them, as unto us ; that therefore they do not
suffer the pains of sin in bringing forth their children; that such
pains are really not natural, but the punishment which follows
the knowledge of sin, as committed by our first mother, and is
attached to those only ; others ascribe the cause of the differ-
ence to the salubrity of the climate, their well-formed bodies,
and their manner of living.
Of the Suckling of their Children, and the associations of the
Men and Women.
The native Indian women of every grade always nurse their
own children, nor do we know of any who have trusted that
parental duty to others. About New-Amsterdam, and for many
miles and days’ journey into the interior, I have never heard of
but a few instances of native women, who did not take good
care of their children, or who trusted them to the nursing and
care of others ; when they suckle or are pregnant, they in thoseNE W-NETHERLANDS.
201
cases practise the strictest abstinence, because, as they say, it
is beneficial to their offspring, and to nursing children. In the
meantime, their women are not precise or offended, if their hus-
bands have foreign associations, but they observe the former
custom so religiously, that they hold it to be disgraceful for a
woman to recede from it before her child is weaned, which
they usually do when their children are a year old, and those
who wean their children before that period are despised.
During a certain season, their women seclude themselves,
and do not appear abroad, or permit themselves to be seen of
men; if they are at one of their great feasts or public assem-
blies, and the fountain springs, they retire immediately if pos-
sible, and do not appear abroad again until the season is over.
Otherwise when all is well, and they are not betrothed, they
frequently are light of behaviour, as well the women as the
men, and yield to temptation without shame; but foul and
impertinent language, which is common with the lower class
with us, is despised with them. All romping, caressing and
wanton behaviour they speak of with contempt, and say that
they are indirect allurements to unchastity. If they observe
such behaviour among the Netherlanders, they reprove the
parties, and bid them seek retirement. What better reproof can
be given to such levity ? Some of their chiefs and great men
have two or three wives, who will readily accommodate a visit-
ing friend with one of his women for a night; but if it takes
place without his consent, the act is deemed a disgrace, and the
woman is chastised and sent away.
Manner of burying their Dead.—Lamentations and Mourning.
Whenever an Indian departs this life, all the residents of the
place assemble at the funeral. To a distant stranger, who has
not a friend or relative in the place, they pay the like respect.
They are equally careful to commit the body to the earth, with-
out neglecting any of the usual ceremonies, according to the
standing of the deceased. In deadly diseases, they are faithful
to sustain and take care of each other. Whenever a soul has
departed, the nearest relatives extend the limbs and close the
eyes of the dead; and after the body has been watched and
wept over several days and nights, they bring it Jo the grave,
wherein they do not lay it down, but place it in a sitting posture
upon a stone or a block of wood, as if the body were sitting
upon a stool; then they place a pot, kettle, platter, spoon, with
some provision and money, near the body in the grave ; this
they say is necessary for the journey to the other world. Then
they place as much wood around the body as will keep the
26202
VAN DER BONCES
earth from it. Above the grave they place a large pile of wood,
stone or earth, and around and above the same they place pali-
sades resembling a small dwelling. All their burial places are
secluded and preserved with religious veneration and care, and
they consider it wicked and infamous to disturb or injure their
burial places. The nearest relatives of the deceased, particu-
larly the women, (the men seldom exhibit much excitement,)
have their periods of lamentations, when they make dreadful
and wonderful wailing, naming the dead, smiting upon their
breasts, scratching and disfiguring their faces, and showing all
possible signs of grief. But where a mother has lost a child,
her expressions of grief exceed all bounds, for she calls and
wails whole nights over her infant, as if she really were in a
state of madness. If the deceased are young persons, or per-
sons slain in war, then their lamentations are of a particular
kind, and the women shave off their hair, which they keep the
customary time, and then they bum the hair upon the graves of
the deceased or slain, in the presence of the relations. In short
they possess strong passions, and exhibit the same with much
feeling when mourning over their dead relatives and friends. For
the purpose of removing the existing causes of grief, and not to
excite sorrow in the mind of the bereaved, and as far as possible
to promote forgetfulness of the friends lost, the name of the de-
ceased is never mentioned in the presence of the relations ; or
when the name is mentioned, it is received as if designed to
produce mortification, and as an act of unkindness. The use
of tokens of mourning is common, which usually are black
signs upon their bodies ; when a woman loses her husband, she
shaves off her hair, and paints her whole countenance black as
pitch, and men do the same when their wives die, and they also
wear a buckskin vest next to their skin, and mourn a whole
year, even if they have not been long married, or if the connec-
tion had not been happy—still they observe the ceremonies re-
ligiously, without marrying again until the season of mourning
is over.
Of their Feast Days and Particular Assemblies.
Feasts and great assemblages are not common among the In-
dians, yet they occur sometimes, and on special occasions, as
on the subjects of peace, war, alliances, treaties and devotions ;
or to counsel the devil on some approaching event, or in rela-
tion to the fruitfulness of the seasons, or to celebrate some suc-
cessful occurrence by frolicking and dancing, as at the conclu-
sion of peace, or to make war with some neighbouring people.
They do not resolve and decide hastily and by a small number,NE W-NETHERLANDS.
203
but on all important matters, all the chiefs and persons of any
distinction in the nation assemble in their councils, when each
of them express their opinions freely on the subject before the
council, as briefly or as extendedly as they please without any
molestation. If the speaker even digresses from the matter in
hand, or opposes others, he is heard with attention ; if they ap-
prove of what has been said, at the conclusion they shout and
cheer the orator. Their councils assemble in the morning while
the sun is ascending, and if the business is not done before noon
they adjourn until the next morning. When they wish to hunt
or drive the devil (as they do by spooking and deception), then
they assemble in the afternoon towards evening, and then some
of them do, most singularly indeed, endeavour to enchant and
charm the devil and carry on witchcraft, wherein the common
people believe. They begin with jumping, crying, and grin-
ning, as if they were possessed and mad. They kindle large
fires, and dance around and over the same, lengthwise and
across ; they roll, tumble overhead, and bend themselves, and
continue their violent exercises until the sweat pours out and
streams down to their feet. By their distortions and hideous
acts, they appear like devils themselves ; their awful conduct
will astonish those who are not accustomed to see them.
During those operations, all their devil-drivers join in the roll-
ing and howling, when they altogether appear to be crazy.
When their charming has continued some time, then the
d$vil, as they say, appears to them in the form of a beast. If
the beast be a ravenous animal, it is a bad omen; if it be a
harmless creature, the sign is better; the animal gives them
strange answers to their inquiries, but seldom so clear and dis-
tinct that they can comprehend or interpret the same, which,
however, they strike at, as a blind man does at an egg. If
they interpret the answers incorrectly, the fault is theirs—some-
times they utter things beyond the devil’s texts. If there be
any Christians present on those occasions, who observe all
their doings, then their devil will not appear. Their devil-
drivers sometimes bewitch some of their common people, and
cause them to appear possessed or besotted, which otherwise
is not seen, when they cast themselves into glowing fires with-
out feeling it. When the person who has been afflicted for
some time, and one of the charmers whisper in his ear, he
again becomes as gentle as a lamb. When they assemble to
rejoice or dance, they meet at mid-day. On those occasions,
an orator first delivers an address on the occasion and cause of
their meeting, after which they entertain themselves by eating
and feasting; this they also do sometimes at their councils.
They eat lustily on such occasions, and every one devours as
much food as would serve each of them for three days, as no-204
YAN DER DONCK’s
thing may be left at their frolics ; what is not eaten by them or
by their dogs must be carried back. When they have stuffed
themselves like cattle and can scarcely move, then the old and
middle-aged conclude with smoking, and the young with a kin-
tecaw, singing and dancing, which frequently is continued until
morning.
How Men and Animals came on the American Continent.
There are various opinions on this subject, and many persons
have endeavoured to show how those, whom we name Indians,
first came to this part of the world, which is separated from the
other parts by the great seas, and which appears always to have
been thus separated. Some are of the opinion that they were
planted as a colony; others ask, by wThom ? and how lions,
bears, wolves, foxes, serpents, with poisonous reptiles, and other
ravenous beasts came on the continent, because such are never
carried or transported in ships. When we speak to the natives
of the creation, we can never satisfy them on the subject, or
receive from them any affirmation that they believe in the doc-
trine. Many remark that an unknown chronicle writer has
observed, that in former days, when, according to some Ra-
tiones Gentium, people were accustomed to adventures, some
persons well equipped and provided, sailed from a part of Nor-
way or Sweden in search of a better country, under the com-
mand of a certain chief named Sachema, and that they had
never been heard from after they sailed ; and as all the native
chiefs of the NewT-Netherlands who reside along the rivers and
the sea-shore are called sachems, they conclude that the coun-
try was peopled by those adventurers. We, however, do not
concur in this opinion, although the subject seems mysterious.*
Others go much farther, and inquire whether the natives of the
new world have descended from Adam, and whether there has
not been a separate creation of men and creatures for the same.
This theory they endeavour to support by various reasons.
They assert that there has been no deluge over America, and
speak of the same as a separate and entire new world, being
entirely different in formation and condition from the old world,
and by connecting other matters in support of their proposition,
they render their subject plausible. They also doubt whether
the new world will be judged at the judgment day with the old
world. In support of their doctrine they affirm that the period
is not long since sinners came there ; that the natives were
* It is now well ascertained that this continent was visited by the Noithmen,
ffrom Norway, Sweden, &c.) about A.D. 1000.—Ed.NEW-NETHERLAND8.
205
innocent; that the land had not been cursed on their account;
and that no righteous punishment can be inflicted on them with
the other inhabitants of the old world. A more probable opin-
ion is advanced by others, who affirm that many years ago the
sea between Cape de Verds and America was as narrow or of
less breadth than the strait between Calais and Dover, and that
b}r the help of the adjacent and intervening islands, people and
animals could pass and re-pass from Africa to America. If the
communication was not there, (which is not to be credited,) it
must have been elsewhere; and as memorials of Chinese
origin are found at the Brazils, it is evident that the Chinese
have foimerly been there, and that they came to the country
along the broken coast of the strait of Magellan, or overland
from the shore of the Pacific ocean; or that that they had
driven a trade in the country. It is necessary that we support
the planting of a colony, and the removal of people from the
old world, and not a separate creation, as by the latter the doc-
trines of the Holy Scriptures would be subverted and ruined.
Those who hold other opinions, ask, if at any time people
could see across from Cape de Yerds to America, whether, in
such a case, Columbus or Americus can have found a country
which was never lost ? It is not our intention to follow those
disputations, but we will leave every person to the enjoyment
of his own opinion on the subject, and proceed in our work.
Of the different Nations and Languages.
The nations, tribes and languages are as different in America
as they are in Europe. All those who are of one tribe or nation,
form one separate society, and usually keep together; every tribe
or nation has its own chief, and is a separate government, sub-
ject to its own laws and regulations. They however all appear
to have descended from one parent-stock, but they seldom marry
out of their own tribes. They always are jealous of each
other as it respects their national power ; and every tribe endea-
vours to increase its own strength. As they have chiefs over their
nations, tribes, and settlements, so also every family has its head,
who is regarded as the most eminent and famous by descent,—
from which their rank in the tribe is usually settled. Their lan-
guages and dialects are very different, as unlike each other as
the Dutch, French, Greek and Latin are. Their declensions
and conjugations have an affinity with the Greek and accord to
it. Their declensions, augmentations, cases and adverbs, are
like the Greek ; but to reduce their language to any of ours,
would be impossible, for there is no resemblance between the
same. Before we have acquired a knowledge of any of their206
VAN DER DONCK?S
languages or dialects, we know no more of what they say than
if a dog had barked. In some of their languages the letter r,
is not sounded, and in others scarcely a syllable is spoken with-
out it; otherwise they are not very different, and the tribes usu-
ally can understand their dialects. Their various tongues may
be classed into four distinct languages, namely, Manhattan,
Minquas, Savanoos, and Wappanoos. With the Manhattans, we
include those who live in the neighbouring places along the North
river, on Long Island, and at the Neversink. With the Minquas
we include the Senecas, the Maquaas, and other inland tribes.
The Savanoos are the southern nations, and the Wappanoos are
the eastern nations. Their languages are seldom learned per-
fectly by any of our people, and those who by long and continued
intercourse and conversation with the Indians learn to speak
their language, are not men of education ,and are unable to com-
pose grammatical rules for the same, and of course are unable
to instruct others.
Of their Money or Circulating Medium.
That there should be no miserly desire for the costly metals
among the natives, few will believe ; still it is true, the use of
gold and silver or any metallic coin is unknown among them.
The currency which they use in their places to which they re-
sort is called voampum, the making and preparing of which is
free to all persons. The species are black and white, but the
black is worth more by one half than the white. The black
wampum is made from conck shells, which are to be taken from
the sea, or which are cast ashore from the sea twice a year.
They strike off the thin parts of those shells and preserve the
pillars or standards, which they grind smooth and even and re-
duce the same according to their thickness, and drill a hole
through every piece and string the same on strings, and after-
wards sell their strings of wampum in that manner. This is the
only article of moneyed medium among the natives, with which
any traffic can be driven; and it is also common with us in pur-
chasing necessaries and carrying on our trade ; many thousand
strings are exchanged every year for peltries near the sea shores
where the wampum is only made, and where the peltries are
brought for sale. Among the Netherlanders gold and silver be-
gin to increase and are current, but still the amount differs much
from that of the Netherlands.NEW-NETHEHLANDS.
207
Of the Nature and Diversions of the Indians.
The Indians are naturally (with few exceptions) of taciturn,
steady and pensive dispositions and tempers, and of few words,
which are well considered, uttered slowly, and long remem-
bered ; they say no more than is necessary to the subject in
hand. When they want to buy or to sell any article, they say
no more than is necessary to the bargain. On the other occasions,
they talk of no subjects except hunting, fishing, and war. Their
young men frequently entertain each other on their gallantry with
young female connections. They despise lying, and still they
are not very precise in the performance of their engagements.
Swearing and scolding are not heard among them, unless it be
among those who have learned those habits from us. They do
not possess great wisdom or extensive knowledge, but reasona-
ble understanding, resulting from practical experience, which
they certainly possess without any desire for further instruction ;
they are naturally civil and well disposed, and quick enough to
distinguish between good and evil, but after they have associated
amongst us, they become cunning and deceitful. They are slo-
venly, careless, and dirty of their persons, and are troubled with
the evils which attend filthiness. They are very revengeful and
obstinate even unto death, and when in trouble they disregard
and despise all pain and torture that can be done to them, and
will sing with proud contempt until death terminates their suffer-
ings. They are all stingy and inclined to beggary, and cannot
be trusted too far because they also are thievish ; denying them
the least trifle does not offend them. They are all free by na-
ture, and will not bear any domineering or lording over them ;
they will not bear any insult, unless they have done wrong, and
they will bear chastisement without resentment. „ Delicious
food or drink they disregard; they fear no accidents, and can en-
dure heat, cold, hunger, and thirst, in a wonderful manner, and
they can all swim like ducks from their childhood. When
abroad they spend their time in hunting, fishing or war; at home
they smoke tobacco, and play a game with pieces of reeds, re-
sembling our card playing. The old men knit nets, and make
wooden bowls and ladles. Labour among the young men is un-
common, and nearly all the necessary labour is done by the
females.
Of their Sustenance and Medicines.
Famine they do not fear, nor do they regard medicines and
purgatives much. When they are unwell, they fast; if that
will not remove the complaint, they then have recourse to208	VAN DER DONCK’s
sweating and drinks ; but the latter they take very sparingly.
Their sweating places are made of clay, and enclosed tight in
the earth, with a small entrance to admit the patients within the
apartments. Where the place is needed there many stones are
heated, and placed around and within the same ; and then the
patient enters and sits down, naked and singing, wherein he
remains as long as it is possible to endure the heat, and on leav-
ing the stewing apartment, they usually lay down in cold spring
water. By those means they s&y that they gain relief, and cure
most diseases. They can heal fresh wounds and dangerous
bruises in a most wonderful manner. They also have remedies
for old sores and ulcers, and they also cure venereal affections
so readily, that many an Italian master who saw it, would be
ashamed of his profession. All their cures are made with
herbs, roots and leaves, (with the powers of which they are ac-
quainted,) without making any compounds. Still it must be ad-
mitted that nature assists them greatly, for they indulge in no
excesses of eating or drinking, otherwise they could not accom-
plish so much with such simple and small means. When any
of them are very sick, and they apprehend the disease to be of
a deadly character ; then, they all, or at least the nearest rela-
tives of the sick persons, have recourse to devil-hunting or
driving, and make noise enough to frighten a person in extremity
to death ; which they say they do to learn from the devil whe-
ther the patient will live or die, and when hope of recovery is
given, what remedies are to be used for the restoration of the
sick. They seldom however receive any positive answers, but
directions to use remedies, and when their hope for the recovery
of the sick, then food is presented to the person, who is per-
suaded to eat heartily, whether the food is relished or not.
Of their Agriculture, Planting, and Gardening.
All their agriculture is performed by their women. The men
give themselves very little trouble about the same, except those
who were old. They, with the young children will do some
labor under the direction of the women. They cultivate no
wheat, oats, barley or rye, and know nothing of ploughing, spa-
ding and spitting up the soil, and are not neat and cleanly in
their fields. The grain which they raise for bread, and mush or
sapaen, is maize or turkey-corn, and they raise various kinds of
beans as before remarked. They also plant tobacco for their
own use, which is not as good as ours, and of a different kind,
that does not require as much labour and attendance. Of garden
vegetables, they raise none, except pumpkins and squashes, as
before observed. They usually leave their fields and garden
spots open, unenclosed, and unprotected by fencing, and takeNEW-NETHERLANBS.
209
very little care of the same, though they raise an abundance of
corn and beans, of which we obtain whole cargoes in sloops
and galleys in trade.
Of manuring and proper tillage they know nothing. All their
tillage is done by the hand and with small adzes, which they
purchase from us. Although littie can be said in favour of
their husbandry, still they prefer their practice to ours, because
our methods require too much labour and care to please them,
with which they are not well satisfied,
A Relation of their Hunting and Fishing,
To hunting and fishing the Indians are all extravagantly in-
clined, and they have their particular seasons for these engage-
ments. In the spring and part of the summer, they practise
fishing. When the wild herbage begins to grow up in the
woods, the first hunting season begins, and then many of their
young men leave the fisheries for the purpose of hunting; but
the old and thoughtful men remain at the fisheries until the
second and principal hunting season, which they also attend,
but with snares only. Their fishing is carried on in the inland
waters, and by those who dwell near the sea, or the sea-islands.
The latter have particular advantages. Their fishing is done
with seines, set-nets, small fikes, wears, and laying hooks.
They do not know how to salt fish, or how to cure fish proper-
ly. They sometimes dry fish to preserve the same, but those
are half tainted, which they pound to meal to be used in chow-
der in winter. Their young and active men are much engaged
in hunting bears, wolves, fishers, otters, and beavers. Near
the sea-shores and rivers vehere the Christians mostly reside,
they hunt deer, where many are killed. Those are mostly
caught in snares, they also shoot them with arrows and guns.
The Indians sometimes unite in companies of from one to two
hundred, when they have rare sport. On those occasions, they
drive over a large district of land and kill much game. They
also make extensive fikes with palisades, which are narrow at their
terminating angles, wherein they drive multitudes of animals and
take great numbers. At a word, they are expert hunters for
every kind of game, and know to practise the best methods to
insure success. The beavers are mostly taken far inland, there
being few of them near the settlements—particularly by the
black Minquas, who are thus named because they wear a black
badge on their breast, and not because they are really black, by
the Senecas, by the Maquas, and by the Rondaxes or French
Indians, who are also called Euyrons (Hurons). For beaver
hunting the Indians go in large parties, and remain out from one
27210
VAN DER DONCK’S
to two months, during which time they subsist by hunting and on
a little corn meal which they carry out with them, and they fre-
quently return home with from forty to eighty beaver skins,
and with some otter, fishers and other skins also, even more
than can be correctly stated. We estimate that eighty thous-
and beavers are annually killed in this quarter of the country,
besides elks, bears, otters, deer and other animals. There
are some persons who imagine that the animals of the country
will be destroyed in time, but this is unnecessary anxiety.
It has already continued many years, and the numbers brought
in do not diminish. The country is full of lakes, seas, rivers,
streams and creeks, and extends very far, even to the great
south sea ; hence we infer, that there will not be an end to the
wild animals, and also because there are large districts where
the animals will remain unmolested.
Of their Orders and Distinctions, by birth or otherwise.
Distinctions are supported and observed among all the Indi-
an nations, but not as much as amongst us. They remark, that
they do not know why one man should be so much higher than
another as we represent them to be. Angfs'till they have those
among them whom they hold as nobles, who seldom marry be-
low their rank, and they also have their commonality. No
chief among them has the power to confer rank. Rank de-
scends in families, and continues as long as any one in the fam-
ily is fit to rule, and regents frequently govern in the name of a
minor. The oldest and first of a household or family, repre-
sent the same with or unto the chief of the nation. Military
distinction is not observed, except in war; and then it is confer-
red by merit, without regard to families or birth. The lowest
among them may become a chief, but the rank dies with the
person, unless his posterity follow in the footsteps of the parent;
and then, the rank of the parent and his situation will descend
in the family. It may well be supposed that such is the origin
of the rank and distinction which prevails among them. Their
chiefs feel proud of their stations, but not as much as ours do.
Still their commonality do not regard them much, unless they
are distinguished for understanding, activity and bravery; and
then they honour them greatly. Such persons, for their artful-
ness and activity, they compare with the devil, the master of
evil arts, and name them, Manitto or Ottico.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
211
Of their Wars and Weapons>
The principal command and authority among the Indians is
developed in war, and in their councils on war. In times of war
they do not organize armies, troops or regiments. In their best
postures they are without regular order. They are artful in
their measures, furious in their attacks, and unmerciful victors.
When their plans are hazardous, then they are conducted
covertly and privately by night. They always practise hinder-
ances, deceptions, and ambuscades against their enemies. Face
to face, in the open field or on water, they are not soldiers.
They usually run away in time, if they can; but when they
are surrounded and cannot escape, then they fight obstinately,
and as long as they can stand, to the last man. The victors ac-
cept of no ransom, nor are the captives certain of their lives, until
they are given over to persons who have previously lost connec-
tions by blood in war. They seldom destroy women and chil-
dren, unless it be in their first fury, but never afterwards. If it
be in their power, they carry them all with them to their own
abode. The women they treat as they do their own, and the
children they bring up as their own, to strengthen their nation.
They all serve as volunteers in war, and they receive no pay to
retain them in service. They cannot subsist long in a body to-
gether, nor can they conduct sieges. Their men will not readi-
ly divulge any of their secret designs, unless it be to their own
women, and they usually do not know enough to withold a secret
from the Christians, particularly when they expect to derive
any advantages from the development.
When they intend to carry on any offensive measures, and
when they fear approaching danger; in those cases, the wo-
men and children are removed to places of safety, where they
hope to secure them from danger until their purposes are exe-
cuted, or until the apprehended dangers are past.
Their weapons formerly were bows and arrows, with a war-
club hung to the arm, and a square shield which covered the
body up to the shoulders ; their faces they disfigure in such a
manner that it is difficult to recognize one known before ; they
bind bands or snake-skins round the head, and place a fox’s or
wolf’s tail perpendicularly upon the head, and walk as proud as
peacocks. At present many of them use fire-arms, which they
prize highly and learn to use dexterously. They spare no pains
in procuring guns and ammunition, for which they trade with
the Christians at a dear rate. At present they also use small
axes (tomahawks) instead of their war-clubs, and thus they
march onwards.212
VAN DER DONCK^
Of their Laws and Punishments,
The common rules of order in the administration of justice
are not observed among this people, and are not exercised to
protect the innocent or to punish the guilty. There is so little
order observed among them that the Nether] anders, who reside
there and traffic with them, are astonished to find that such so-
cieties' can remain united, where there is no regard paid to
the administration of justice. All minor offences, such as
stealing, adultery, lying, cheating, and the like wrongs against
civil order, pass unpunished among them. I have known that
an unmarried woman murdered her own child, and although
the fact was well known, still she went unpunished; and also
that an Indian, on several occasions, violated several women
whom he found alone in the woods and in lonely places, who
also passed unpunished. With those exceptions* during a resi-
dence of nine years in the country, I have not heard of any
capital offences. Stealing is quite common among them, but
not of articles of great value. It may be a knife, an axe, a pair
of shoes, a pair of stockings, or such like articles. When we
detect them with the goods, we may retake the same and chas-
tise them freely ; and when the thief is not known and the mat-
ter is represented to the chief, the property is usually restored.
On those occasions the thief is reprimanded by the chief for
his conduct, and although reproof is the highest punishment
suffered by the culprit, yet it will not readily show how much
they fear such treatment, and how uncommon crimes are among
them. With us a watchful police is supported, and crimes are
more frequent than among them.
Murder or personal injuries are not attended to by the chief,
or friends, except for the purpose of reconciling the parties, for
which they use all possible means, and give liberally to effect
their object when the offender is deficient in means, which is
usually the case. A murder among them is never atoned for
without heavy payment. The nearest relative by blood always
is the avenger, and if he finds the murderer within twenty-four
hours after the act, he is slain instantly, but if the murderer
can save himself until one day is past, and the avenger slays
him afterwards, then he is liable to be pursued and slain in like
manner. A murderer seldom is killed after the first twenty-
four hours are past, but he must flee and remain concealed;
when the friends endeavour to reconcile the parties, which is
frequently agreed to, on condition, that the nearest relatives of
the murderer, be they men, women, or children, on meeting the
relatives of the person murdered, must give way to them.NEW-JJETHERLANDS.
213
Persons are very seldom doomed to death among them, ex-
cept captives taken in war, whom they consider to have for-
feited the rights of man. Such they condemn to be burned.
This they usually do slowly, beginning with their hands and
feet. The torture sometimes lasts three days before the victim
expires, who continues to sing and dance until life is extinct,
reproaching his tormentors, deriding their conduct, and extol-
ling the bravery of his own nation.
Of their Religion, and whether they can he brought over
to the Christian Faith.
The natives are all heathen and without any religious devo-
tions. Idols are neither known nor worshipped among them.
When they take an oath they swear by the sun, which, they
say, sees all things. They think much of the moon, and believe
it has great influence over vegetation. Although they know
all the planets from the other stars, by appropriate names, still
they pay no idolatrous worship to the same, yet by the planets
and other signs they are somewhat weatherwise. The offering
up of prayers, or the making of any distinction between
days, or any matter of the kind, is unknown among them.
They neither know or say any thing of God; but they possess
great fear of the devil, who they believe causes diseases, and
does them much injury. When they go on a hunting or fish-
ing excursion they usually cast a part of what is first taken into
the fire, without using any ceremony on the occasion, then say-
ing, “ stay thou devil, eat thou that.”* They love to hear us
speak of God and of our religion, and are very attentive and
still during divine service and prayers, and apparently are in-
clined to devotion ; but in truth they know nothing about it, and
live without any religion, or without any inward or outward
godly fear, nor do they know of any superstition or idolatry ;
they only follow the instilled laws of nature, therefore some
suppose they can easily be brought to the knowledge and fear
of God. Among some nations the word Sunday is known by
the name of Kintowen. The oldest among them say that in
former times the knowledge and fear of God had been known
among them, and they remark, that since they can neither read
nor write, in process of time the Sunday will be forgotten, and
all knowledge of the same lost. Their old men, when we rea-
son earnestly with them on the matter, seem to feel pensive or
sorrowful, but manifest no other emotions or agitations—when
* The offering here said to be made to the devil is certainly a gross act of
superstition.—Trans.214
VAN DEE DONCK S
we reprove them for bad conduct and reason with them on its
impropriety, and say that there is a God in heaven above whom
they offend, their common answer is-^* We do not know that
God, we have never seen him, we know not who he is—if you
know him and fear him, as you say you do, how does it then
happen that so many thieves, drunkards, and evil-doers are
found among you. Certainly that God will punish you se-
verely, because he has warned you to beware of those deeds,
which he has never done to us. We know nothing about it,
and therefore we do not deserve such punishment.’ Very sel-
dom do they adopt our religion, nor have there been any political
measures taken for their conversion. When their children are
young some of them are frequently taken into our families for
assistants, who are, according to opportunity, instructed in our
religion, but as soon as they are grown up, and turn lovers and
associate again with the Indians, they forget their religious im-
pressions and adopt the Indian customs. The Jesuits have taken
great pains and trouble in Canada to convert the Indians to the
Roman Church, and outwardly many profess that religion ; but
inasmuch as they are not well instructed in its fundamental
principles, they fall off lightly and make sport of the subject
and its doctrine.
In the year 1639, when a certain merchant, who is still
living with us, went into that country to trade with an Indian
chief who spoke good French, after he had drank two or three
glasses of wine, they began to converse on the subject of reli-
gion. The chief said that he had been instructed so far that
he often said mass among the Indians,-and that on a certain
occasion the place where the altar stood caught fire by accident,
and our people made preparations to put out the fire, which he
forbade them to do, saying that God, who stands there, is al-
mighty, and he will put out the fire himself; and we waited
with great attention, but the fire continued till all was burned up,
with your almighty God himself and with all the fine things
about him. Since that time I have never held to that religion,
but regard the sun and moon much more, as being better than
all your Gods are; for they warm the earth and cause the
fruits to grow, when your lovely Gods cannot preserve them-
selves from the fire. In the whole country I know no more
than one Indian who is firm in his religious profession, nor can
any change be expected among them, as long as matters are
permitted to remain as heretofore. If they are to be brought
over to the Christian faith, then the public hand must be ex-
tended to them and continued ; we must establish good schools
at convenient places among them, for the instruction of their
children; let them learn to write our catechism, and let them
be thoroughly instructed in the fundamental principles of ourNE W-NETHERLANDS.
215
religion, so that in process of time they may be enabled to in-
struct each other and become attached thereto. It certainly
would be attended with some trouble and expense to the govern-
ment, still, without such means and measures, it will be diffi-
cult to do any good among them. Our negligence on those
matters is very reprehensible, for the Indians themselves say
that they are very desirous to have their children instructed in
our language and religion.
Of their hope after this present life.
It is a wonderful truth which affords strong evidence against
unbelievers and free-thinking spirits, that this barbarous wild race
of people of whom we have treated, should know that there is a
distinction between the body and the soul, and believe, as they
actually do, that the one is perishable and the other immortal.
The soul, they say, is that spirit which directs all the actions of
the body, and is the producing cause of all good and evil con-
duct, which, when the body dies, separates from it and removes
to a place towards the south, where the climate is so fine that
no covering against the cold will be necesssary, and where the
heat will never be troublesome. To this place the souls of all
those who have been good and valuable in this life will go, where
they will be satisfied and have an abundance of good things,
without any trouble or labour for the same, forever ; and they
who have been bad in this life, after death will go to another
place, where their condition will be directly contrary to the
first; where they will never enjoy peace and contentment, as
the good will do. But I have never been able rightly to dis-
cover whether they believe the soul will be hereafter united to
the body. I have, however, spoken with Christians who re-
mark, that they have heard them state such to be their belief.
But they do not affirm to this fact. When they hear voices
or noises in the woods at night, which frequently happens, and
which, we believe, usually proceed from wild animals, but
which they declare, with fear and astonishment, are made by the
wicked, the souls of whom are thus doomed to wander at night
in the woods and solitary places for punishment in unhappy
situations. The Indians, because they fear those subjects, do not
travel by night unless it be necessary, and then go in parties or
companies ; when they go alone they always carry a fire-brand
with them, with which they believe they can keep off those evil
spirits and prevent them from doing them any injury, which,
they say, are always disposed to frighten them and do them
wrong. They acknowledge also that the soul proceeds from
God, and that the same is his gift. This we sometimes learn216
VAN DER DONCK'S
from their old men of understanding, when an opportunity pre-
sents itself in conversation, and we probably would discover
more of them in relation to this matter, if we did perfectly un-
derstand their languages. Among their common or young
people we do not hear those spoken of. In this we still see
the providence of God, who, by the common light of nature, has
given to this people the knowledge that there is, after this life,
a reward for the just, and a punishment for the unjust, which
all mankind may expect.
Of their knowledge of Godf and their fear of the devils.
Although the original inhabitants of the New-Netherlands be
heathen and are unbelievers, they however believe and ac-
knowledge that there is a God in heaven from all eternity, who
is almighty. But they say God is good, kind, and compas-
sionate, who will not punish or do any injury to any person,
and therefore takes no concern himself in the common affairs of
the world, nor does he meddle with the same, except that he
has ordered the devil to take care of those matters. For they
say that all which happens to persons on the earth, is ordered
and directed by the devil as he pleases. God, the chief of all,
who dwells in heaven, is much greater and higher than the
devil, over whom he has power, but he will not meddle in, or
trouble himself with, those concerns.
When, on those subjects, we answer them conclusively, that
the devil is deceitful and wicked ; they acknowledge it to be true,
and that he to the extent of his power, directs such matters in
the most wicked and injurious ways (wherein he takes pleasure).
They say that all accidents, infirmities and diseases, are sent and
forced upon them by the devil, to whom they ascribe it by the
common name, saying that the devil is in them, and is the cause
of all their misfortunes and ailments. For instance, if they
have any inward complaint, they say there is a devil in me ; if
they have a defect in arm or leg, foot, or hand ; shoulder or in
the head ; they devote the part, and say there is a devil in the
same. And because he is so unkind to them, they must, whe-
ther they be willing or not, fear him, and preserve his friend-
ship, and sometimes (as before related) cast a piece to him into
the fire. Where we refute those follies, by saying that God
knows all things, and is almighty, and has a perfect knowledge
of the devil, and observes his conduct, and will not permit him
to rule over man, who is created in the image of God, and is the
noblest part of the creation ; nor will the devil be permitted to
tyrannize over man, provided they will rightly confide and trust
in God, and not withdraw from his commandments to do evil ;NE W-NETHERLANDS.
217
then they repay ns, with strange and fabulous replies, saying—
“ You lazy Dutchmen say so, and when we observe the matter
outwardly it would appear to be true—what you say ; but in
fact you do not understand the matter. That God* who is the
highest good, almighty and gracious, and Lord of heaven and
earth, in wrhom all power is, exists in heaven, but not alone,
and without pastime ; for he has there with him a goddess,
a female person, the most beautiful ever known and beheld.
With this goddess or beautiful person, he is so much engrossed,
that the time is passed away and forgotten. Meantime the
devil plays the tyrant and does what he pleases.”
This belief and feeling is deeply impressed in them, and
when we with stronger reasons sift the subject and drive them
from their positions, they fall into more abominable absurdities,
and like the dogs return to their vomit, and say they must serve
the devil because he has the power to do them injuries.
Their Opinions of the Creation, fyc.
From the young Indians who frequent our settlements, and
continue somewhat wild, we cannot derive any certain informa-
tion of their belief on these matters ; but we must have recourse
to their aged men of understanding, when we desire to know
their belief on those important subjects.
It sometimes happens when we enter into a curious discourse
with them, that they ask us our opinions on the origin of man, and
how they came to this country ; and when we inform them in
broken language of the creation of Adam, they cannot believe,
or will not understand relative to their people and the negroes,
on account of their great difference and the inequality of colour.
According to their opinion the world was not created as described
in the first and second chapters of the book of Genesis; but
they say the world was before all mountains, men and animals ;
that God then was with that beautiful woman, who now is
with him, without knowing when or from whence they came,
then was all water, or the water covered all; and they add that
if there had been any eyes in being, there was nothing but water
to be seen, and nothing else visible in every direction.
It happened at this period, they say, that the before mentioned
beautiful woman or goddess, gradually descended from heaven,
even into the water, gross or corpulent like a woman, who ap-
parently would bring forth more than one child. Having gradu-
ally settled into the water, she did not go under it; but imme-
diately at the place where she descended, some land appeared
under her, whereon she remained sitting. This land increased,
and in time became greater and dry around the place where
28218
VAN DER DONCK’s
she sat; like one who is placed on a bar, whereon the water i&
three or four feet deep, which by the ebbing of the tide becomes
dry land.
Thus they say and mean to be understood, it occurred with
this descended goddess. And that the land became of greater
extent around her, until its extent was unbounded to the sight,
when vegetation appeared ; and in time fruitful and unfruitful
trees began to grow throughout the world as it now appears.
Whether the world of which you speak originated at this time,,
we cannot say.
At this period of time, when those things had taken place and
were accomplished, this great person was overtaken in labour,
and brought forth three distinct and different creatures. The
first was like a deer as those now are, the second like a bear,
and the third like a wolf in every respect. The woman suckled
those animals to maturity, and remained a considerable time
upon the earth, cohabiting with those several animals, and
bringing forth at every firth more than one of a different
species and appearance ; from which have originated and pro-
ceeded all the human beings, animals and creatures, of every
description and species, as the same now are and appear; being
propagated according to nature, each in their peculiar order, as
the same are in succession continued.
When all those subjects were brought to a state of perfection,
and could continue, this common mother rejoiced greatly, and
ascended up to heaven, where she will contiue to remain and
dwell, enjoying pleasure, and subsist in goodness and lover
which her upper Lord will afford her, for which she is particu-
larly desirous, and God also loves her supremely above all
things.
Here on the earth, in the meanwhile, the human species, and
the animals after their kind, have multiplied and produced so
many different creatures, and increased exceedingly: which
every other thing that was created also does, as the same at pre-
sent is seen. Therefore it is at this time, that all mankind,
wherever they be, are always born with the nature of one or the
other of the aforesaid animals. They are timid and innocent like
the deer; they are brave, revengeful, and just of hand, like the
bear; or they are deceitful and blood-thirsty like the wolves. Al-
though their dispositions are apparently somewhat changed,
this they attribute to the subtlety of men, who know how to con-
ceal their wicked propensities.
This, they say, is all they have learned from their fathers on
the subject of the Creation ; which has been handed down to
them, and which they believe to be true. And they add if they
had been able to write as you are, they would have transmittednew-netherlands.
219
and left ns all the particulars on these matters, which they could
not do, because they know not the art of writing.
Here, esteemed reader, you have all, both general and parti-
cular, that was worth writing, concerning the manners, opin-
ions, and acts of the Indians in the New-Netherlands, which I
could discover, and also which any of our Christians from the dis-
covery of the country, could ascertain from them ; and although
much is fabulous and contrary to truth, I have nevertheless com-
mitted the same to writing. The more discerning (and I have
lieard some of them philosophize on the matter) take a more
extensive view, and have high speculations, and know, as we
say, with Virgil, how to extract gold from the filth of Euvius.*
* Probably a mispiint for Ennius. But Virgil does not mention his indebted-
ness to Ennius, whom another Roman poet describes as ingenio maximus, arte
rudis.^En.220
"van der donck’s
OF THE BEAVER.
Under the title of the wild animals of the New-Netherlands,
we remain indebted for a description of the uncommon and nat-
ural habits of the beavers. Having said much of the manners
and customs of the natives, we will in this place fulfil our
promise on the subject of the beaver. This animal has attract-
ed many persons to the country. We will begin by stating the
opinions of the ancient and later writers on the beaver, and
by following the truth show how far they have wandered from
it on this matter.
Pliny, the great naturalist, in his XXXII Book, Chap. 3,
says that the limbs of the beaver, whereby he means the testi-
cles, are very useful for many purposes in medicine. And that
the animals when sought by the hunters for their tests, and
when closely pursued, would castrate themselves with their
teeth and leave the parts for the hunters, which the creatures
knew to be the prize sought after. This most of the old nat-
uralists and physicians believed to be true ^ although some de
nied the same, still they held that the beaver cods, wrhich they
named castorium, possessed many medicinal virtues.
They write that the beavers could bite very sharp ; that they
could fell trees as if cut with an axe. Olaus and Albertus
remark on their carrying of wood for their houses. They also
state that the beavers’ tails are very long, and that that part is
fish ; that beavers will attack men and bite them severely, with
many other things differing widely from the truth. Hence it
may be inferred, that neither of them have ever seen a beaver,
but have related their uncertain propositions upon the credit of
ignorant, unlettered persons. We may give credit to their
declarations, when they relate that they used beaver flesh and
cods for medicines. This was their art; the virtue of the
specific lay in the faith of the patients, which they saw suited
their designs.
We will now relate in connection the disorders for which they
say the medicines prepared from beaver testicles were infalli-
ble remedies. The smelling of beaver-cods will produce sneez-
ing and cause sleep—connected with the oil of roses and hogs-
lard, and rubbed on the head of a drowsy person, it will pro-
duce wakefulness. Taken in water, it serves to remove idiocy.
The sleeping are awakened by rubbing with cod oil. Two
quarts of the oil, mixed with polay-water, will restore the menses
to women, and remove the second birth. Beaver oil is good
for dizziness, for trembling, for the rheumatism, for lameness,
for the pain in the stomach, and for apoplexy, when the stomach
is greased with it. Again, when taken inwardly, it removesNEW-NETHERLANDS.
221
the falling sickness and stoppages in the body, pain in the
bowels, and poison. It cures the tooth-ache; dropped in the
ear, it cures the ear-ache. Tingling and rustling in the ears is
cured by a few drops of Macolim sap. Beaver oil, mixed
with the best honey and rubbed on the eyes, restores the sharp-
ness of sight. Beaver water is an antidote for all poisons, but
to preserve it good it must be kept in the bladder. Those who
have the gout, should wear slippers and shoes made of beaver
skins.
After relating all those things we will proceed to an accurate
description of the beaver, as we have found and known the ani-
mal. And that none may believe that I treat upon a subject
which is unknown to me, the reader will please observe that in
the New-Netherlands, and in the adjacent country, about eighty
thousand beavers have been killed annually, during my resid-
ence of nine years in the country. I have frequently eaten
beaver flesh, and have raised and kept their young. I have
also handled and exchanged many thousand skins.
A beaver is a four footed animal that feeds on vegetables,
and keeps in water and on land, coated with fur and hair, short-
legged, quick, timid and subtle, and commonly as thick as it is
long. The Greek name of this animal is castor, the Latin is
eyber* the Dutch is beever. The other names by which it is
known in Europe, are mostly derived from the foregoing.
It has feet like the otter, or like other wild and tame creatures
which keep on land.
The food of the beaver is not, as some suppose, fish and prey
like the otter’s ; to which end the beaver has been described
and delineated with a fish in its mouth, and to be part fish and
part flesh. It feeds on the bark of several kinds of wood, on
roots, rushes and greens, which it finds in the woods, fields and
bushes, near the water sides. The kinds of bark whereon it
feeds, are of the water willow, birch, and maple trees, which
grow plentifully near the water sides, and of all other trees,
which are not sour or bitter to the taste, which they dislike.
The beavers keep, (as is said, which is true,) in the water
and on land; therefore they may be named land and water ani-
mals, but they are mostly on the dry land, and get most of their
food on land, consisting of bark and herbage. The wood and
grass used in the construction of their house are got on the land;
they remain whole nights on land, and they cannot live and
remain long under the water, particularly when they are chased
and fatigued. In the water they obtain a scanty subsistence
from the bark of roots of trees which extend into the water from
the margin of the water courses, and the weeds and bushes
which grow in some places, but mostly on the margin of the
water. The true and certain reason why the beavers keep so
* Misprint for fiber.—Ed.522
VAN DER JDONCK’s
much in the water arises from their natural timidity, which is
supported by the testimony of the great beaver catchers. Be-
ing naturally timid, the creature can best preserve and secure
itself much better and easier in the water than on land. To
that end, as will be detailed hereafter, they construct their abodes
over the water, having apertures in the lower stories that
communicate with the water, from which they can readily
retreat under water to places of safety, which they have always
prepared near their houses ; these consist of a hollow or hole
entwining under water from the side of the stream whereon
their houses are erected and ascending under the bank, into
which they retreat on the approach of danger—wTherein they
seem to be so safe and secure that no person can molest them.
The beaver’s skin is rough, but very thickly set with fine
wool (fur) of an ash grey colour, inclining to blue. The out-
ward points also incline to a russet or brown colour. From the
beaver fur, or wool, the best hats are made that are worn, which
are named beavers or castoreums, after the materials from which
the same are made, being at present known over all Europe,
Outside of the coat of fur many shining hairs appear, which are
called wind hairs, that more properly are winter hairs, for
those fall out in summer and appear again in the fall. This
outer coat is of a chestnut brown colour—the browner the bet-
ter—it sometimes will be somewhat reddish. When hats are
made of the fur, the rough hairs are plucked out, being useless.
The skins usually are first sent to Russia (Muscovy) where they
are highly esteemed for the outside shining hair, and on that
their greatest recommendation depends with the Russians.
There the skins are used for mantle linings, and are also cut
into stripes for borders, as we cut the rabbit skins. Therefore
we name the same peltries. Whoever there has the most and
costliest fur trimmings is esteemed the greatest, as with us, the
finest stuffs and gold and silver embroidery are considered the
appendages of the great. After the hairs have fallen out, or are
worn, and the peltries become old and dirty, and apparently use-
less, we get the articles back and convert the fur into hats, be-
fore which it cannot be well used for this purpose, for unless the
beaver has been worn and is greasy and dirty, it will not felt
■properly—therefore those old peltries are most valuable. The
coats which the Indians make of beaver skins, and have worn
a long time around their bodies, until the same have become
foul with sweat and grease—those afterwards are used by the
hatters and make the best hats. They also work it with the
combed wool or fur (which is so called) because the beaver
skins before the same are sent to Russia are combed, by which
process much of the fur is taken out of the long hair (or wind
hair) with a comb—this is also worked with the peltry fur, after
its return from Russia.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
223
The beavers have very short legs, appearing as if there were
no middle bones, and when they run, their legs are scarcely
observable, and appear as if their feet were joined to their bo-
dies, with which they move. Their claws or paws are bare
and blackish, with strong, brown nails, bound with a thick,
strong skin, like swans’ feet, which they resemble, but are not
so broad, being shorter before than behind. The hinder part of
the body is short, much, like that of a goose or swan. The
forefeet (as the creature has a short neck, or is almost without
a neck, the head being near the shoulders) stand near the head,
Therefore when they run, which they do with great activity,
their whole body appears to touch the ground and appears to
be too heavy for their small short legs : but far from it, they are
well provided by nature with strong sinews and muscles and
are very strong.
The beavers are so quick, that they not only can run wonder-
fully over the earth, when we consider their formation, avoid-
ing men and dogs ; but in the water they seem as active as
fishes. Therefore the Indians must take them in traps; or
when they lay in their burrows in the earth, they know how to
take and kill them with long rammers (which have lances
affixed at the ends) inserted at the holes of their burrows. That
the beavers according to the meaning of Olaus Magnus and
Albertus, will be inclined to bite and wound persons dreadfully,
is a mistake ; for it is a timid creature, which seeks to preserve
itself by flight if possible, and as it has a sharp scent and hear-
ing, we seldom happen to see it on the land. Nor will it ever
keep near man like the otters, which the latter sometimes do.
The beavers keep in deep swamps, at the walers and morasses,,
where no settlements are. Still when they are beset and bitten
by dogs, they can defend themselves very well, and do great in-
jury to a common dog, when they take hold of the same with
their foreteeth; but as to their attacking men with violence, it
is erroneous. I have seen and conversed with hundreds of
beaver hunters, but have never known more than one who had
been bitten by a beaver in his shoulder and received a bad
wound. This happened when the hunter’s dog and a beaver
were striving for the mastery, and the hunter stooped down to
help his dog; when the beaver missing the dog probably, in terror
and misery, bit the hunter in his shoulder.
That the beavers are subtle animals appears by the construc-
tion of their houses, and in rearing their young, which we will
presently relate, with their continual watch, which they keep
to prevent surprise and being taken which, we are informed,
they keep at every house, for the beavers commonly have six
or seven in a family in every house, at which they in turn keep
watch. It is certain that when it freezes hard, which it fre-224
VAN DER DONCK’S
quently does where the most and best beavers resort, there al-
ways sits one, not as Albertus and Magnus assert, with half of
the body in the water (for this would be impossible in severe
frost). The beaver can keep above water without pain, which
they nevetherless on the contrary feel; but I assert that one of
the family always sits near the running water, for they always
build on running waters, that with the striking of their tails
they keep it open; the noise of which resembles the continual
striking of a person with his flat hand, by which means they pre-
vent the freezing of the water and keep it open. This is not
done because, as the doctors say, they cannot remain out of
water without pain, but to keep the entrance of the houses
open, so that they can seek food, and in case of danger, that
they can readily with little difficulty retreat to their strongholds,
which they always have near their houses under the banks of
the wTater courses.
The form of a beaver resembles the shape of a cucumber
which has a short stem, or a duck that has the neck and head
cut off, or like a ball of yarn wound in long form and flattened a
little, being often thicker than long, or like a swine which is
flat on the back, with its belly hanging down. The dead bea-
ver resembles a dead mole which is somewhat flattened with
the foot.
When full grown, the skins are about an ell long and an ell
broad ; they are not round, but frequently nearly square. From
this size up to five quarters, the skins are merchantable—they
are seldom larger. From December to the first of June, the
skins are good, and then they are killed. The fall skins have
the winter hairs in part, with very little fur. The summer
skins and those taken from ungrown beavers are of little value.
Still the Indians kill all they find when they are hunting.
Their houses, as Sextzus, Albertus, and Olaus say, they con-
struct always over a running stream, with several stories, four,
five, or more, above each other, of curious workmanship, and
worthy of speculation. Every apartment and story in their
houses is made perfectly tight with wood, grass and clay to the
top, which keeps out the rain. They lodge in those houses in
whole families, and parts of families, and break out like bees,
with their increase when disturbed. The wood used in the con-
struction of their houses is of the soft kind, such as maple, pine,
white-wood, &c. which they find laying along the water courses.
When this supply is insufficient, they have recourse to the near-
est trees, which is done as follows. When a beaver intends to
fell a tree, it selects one of a proper size, of about six inches
diameter, the bark of which is not bad tasted. The beaver then
begins cutting with its front teeth, of which it has two in the
upper and two in the lower jaw ; very strong and about halfNEW-NETHERLANDS.
225
an inch long, more or less, according to its age. Those teeth are
yellow on the outside. When this is scraped off and taken in-
wardly, it will cure the jaundice. With those teeth, which are
common to the squirrels and other animals, they commence
gnawing, making a cut of about a hand’s breadth or more around
the tree, which they work at until the tree falls, and then the
ends resemble the turned whip-tops used by children. Whether
they look up when the tree falls, to observe its direction, I have
never heard. But I have seen many trees which had been cut
down by the beavers, that had fallen fast against trees that sto od
near by, that were left by the animals. After a tree has fallen
down, they then gnaw off the wood into proper lengths for their
work. They carry the wood together, and nearly all the inhab it-
ants of the New-Netherlands know that many skins are sold from
which the outside wind hairs are worn off on the back, which
are called wood-carriers’ skins, because they carried wood for
the construction of their houses ; this is not done as the an-
cients relate, between their legs, as upon a sled or waggon ;
but the Indians who have seen the beavers labour, have
frequently told me, that after the wood is cut off and ready
for removal, the female places herself under the piece to be re-
moved, which the male and the young ones support on her back
to the place where it is used. In this manner every stick is
carried. That the carrier' is dragged by its tail with the wood,
lying on its back, by the other beavers, is a fabulous tale. The
tail of a beaver is not large and long, as the ancients remark.
The largest are not larger and broader than a man’s hand, with-
out the thumb. Their tails also are tender and would not bear
pulling by the same with the sharp teeth of another beaver.
The beaver tails are flattish, without hair, coated with a skin
which appears as if set with fish scales, and when chopped up
with the flesh of the beaver, it is a delicate food, and is always
preserved for the Emperor’s table, whenever a beaver is caught
in Germany, which seldom happens. The beaver tails excel all
other flesh taken on land and in the water. Wherefore the In-
dians deem it a special favour to permit us to partake with them
of a part of a beaver’s tail; and they will seldom part with any
beaver flesh. The most of the settlers in the New-Netherlands
have never tasted it—but the best and most excellent part of a
beaver is its tail. The Indians will seldom part with it, unless
on an extraordinary occasion as a present.
The beaver like the swine goes with young sixteen weeks ;
they bear once a year and in summer, some earlier than others,
and have four in a litter, except at the first, when they some-
, times have but two or three. The young beavers, whenever
they are brought forth, cry like children, so that a person coming
to a place where there is a young beaver, if he did not know to
2922 6
VAN DER DONCK-’S
the contrary, would suppose a child was at hand. The beavers
have two paps between the fore-legs at the breast, resembling
the paps of a woman, and no more. She suckles her young
sitting and permits two to suckle at the same time, like children
standing at the breast. Meanwhile the others lay,; as if they
were crying, in their nest—they are suckled in turn. A young
beaver is a beautiful creature ; is easily raised and will become
as tame as a dog, and will feed on any food, like cats, except flesh
and fish, which they will eat when boiled. When they are taken
very young they require milk, which they readily learn to suck
from a rag-teat, out of a horn. They are gentle to handle as a
young dog, and will not get cross or bite. When grown they
are fond of the water, and will sport and play in a stream with
astonishing agility; and if they are not confined in locked
waters, by going into streams every day they stroll away and
become wild, and do not return again, like the deer, which also
can be made very tame.
The doctors of medicine, as before related, ascribe many me-
dicinal virtues to the beaver cods, which they name castorium.
Aristotle, Pliny, and the writers of those days meant that the
beavers seldom castrated themselves. But Olaus Magnus,
Agricola, Albertus, and Sextius have not admitted this, but say
much fraud was practised in the sale of beaver-cods, which is
evident. And as I have been at great pains to arrive at a cer-
tainty on this subject, for which purpose I have not only exam-
ined many Indians carefully, who were most acquainted with
the matter, but have also with my own hands opened many
beavers, which I have examined curiously ; the result of which,
friendly reader, on this occasion will not be withheld from you.
I have heard, that for medicinal purposes, small kegs of dried
and salted cods have been shipped to be sold by druggists, but
for the most those were beaver kidneys, dugs, or not the real
castor cods, therefore the article did not sell well. Several
persons also have left the New-Netherlands for Holland, who
took with them, as they supposed, the real cods, which they had
obtained from the Indians ; but on their arrival, they were found
to be a spurious article. Having heard of this several times,
my curiosity became excited, and I even doubted whether I had
seen real castor cods. All I had seen were round, some larger
than others, but as long as they hung to smoke or dry, the fat
dropped out as from pork hung in the sun. Finally I observed
one somewhat long, like a preserved pear, shrivelled and a little
musky. This I presented to an experienced physician in the
New-Netherlands, who pronounced it to be a true beaver cod,,
of the proper kind, and as the article should be. It happened
at this time that beavers were found not far from my residence,
and several were brought to me by the Indian hunters, unopenedNEW-NETHERLANDS.
227
and fresh; these I opened and examined with great care
for the real castor cods, but to no purpose. I found deep in the
body, under the os pubis, or eys bone, small ballats like a
fleur-de-lis, which in Holland were pronounced spurious. At
last, a discreet Indian hunter, who had assisted me in my ex
perimental dissections, after I had represented to him that the
subjects sought for were flattish, and in form somewhat resembled
a pear, advised the opening of a female beaver. We took
in hand a female which was with young, to see how the young
lay ; upon which I found against the back bone two testiculos,
of the form which I sought after, flattish like some pears, re-
sembling young calves’ tests, and yellowish, covered with a tol-
erable tough fleece or skin. I took them out, and for further
certainty and assurance, that it was a female beaver, I removed
four young from the body. After some time I presented those
testicles to the doctor before mentioned, at the Governor’s house,
before much company. The doctor and all present pronounced
the articles real beaver testicles. After I had related to them
the whole procedure, they were amazed, but adhered to their
first opinion, and that the same were the real beaver castor cods.
Afterwards I have opened more beavers with the like result;
therefore, without prejudice to the feelings of any person, I am
decidedly of opinion, that the real castorium is found in the fe-
males and not in the males. The round balls of the males the
Indians carve fine, and suck much with their tobacco :—it is
healthy and well tasted. The fat or pork around the body of a
beaver is frequently two or three fingers thick, of which the In-
dians are very fond. It resembles fed pork. The tails are
great delicacies. The Indians always burn the beaver bones,
and never permit their dogs to gnaw the same; alleging that
afterwards they will be unlucky in the chase.
The beavers are usually all of the same colour ; a few are a
little browner than others. Among all the beaver skins I have
seen, no more than one was of a different colour, and that
was white. The outer wind-hairs were golden yellow. This
skin was shipped on board the ship Princess, with Director
Kieft, which was lost at sea.228
VAN DER BONCK’s
A DIALOGUE
BETWEEN
A PATRIOT AND A NEW-NETHERLANDER,
UPON T*E
ADVANTAGES WHICH THE COUNTRY PRESENTS TO SETTLERS, &c.
My worthy friend :—I have heretofore embraced several op-
portunities and read with attention the particular description of
the natural formation of the New-Netherlands, and of the appear-
ance and customs of the country, and have arrived at the con-
clusion that a burgher, farmer, or mechanic, and all other per-
sons, can gain a comfortable subsistence in that country. I
have, however, long desired to know your opinion in rela-
tion to other subjects connected with the settlement of that
country, and therefore request your answers to the following
propositions:—
First.—Whether it would be of any service to this city, if
the said country arrived at a flourishing condition, and wherein
those advantages would consist and be continued.
Secondly.—If there should be a great increase of population
and riches in the country, whether the land presents situations
for defence against an enemy, or robbers, by the construction
of fortifications ?
Thirdly.—Whether the country presents proper situations
for commerce and at what places, and in what articles we
could trade to advantage; and, in short, please to state the
subjects in connection and solve the same according to your
own reflections ?
New-Neiherlander. Although I am not as well informed
on the subjects of inquiry as I would wish to be, still I will en-
deavour to answer your propositions. And first:—whether it
would be of service to this city, if New-Netherlands were
flourishing ? I answer, yes—for the following reasons—or toNEW-NETHERLANDS.
229
come closer to your question, the advantages which this city
may derive from that country are as follow :—
First.—If difficulties should arise with Spain, (which God
forbid!) there then is no place in the world better situated,
from which to strike at the heart and vitals of that nation, than
from the New-Netherlands, where we have all things together,
such as provisions, ship-timber, plank, knees, masts, &c., that
are necessary to equip our ships, in abundance. Whenever we
desire to improve those advantages, we can do so without
molestation.
Secondly.—If it should happen that iron, timber, ashes,
grain, and other articles which we now receive from the
east, should fall short, the deficiencies can be supplied from
the New-Netherlands in abundance, if we encourage and ad-
vance the settlement of the country, without which it is worth
nothing.
Thirdly.—By so doing we shall always have a free and
unobstructed commerce to and fro, and enjoy a free and profit-
able trade with the Lords’ colony, from and to their own
country, which in time will increase so much as now is deem-
ed incredible. We see how much the trade has advanced in
two or three years since we have encouraged the settlement of
the country, and by going on from year to year, the gain
will advance proportionally. But more of this upon the third
question.
Fourthly.—By pursuing this course and encouraging the
population of the country, we could derive formidable assist-
ance from the same in men and means in times of need, which
causes all republics to be respected by those who envy their
prosperity.
Fifthly.—And as we well know that this country is visited
by many people who seek employment, and who always found
business ; but since the peace, there is not much employ-
ment, and there are many persons injuriously idle—hence it
certainly appears, that it would be of service to the country to
settle another Netherland with the excess of our population,
which can be easily done, as a sheet-anchor and support to the
state. By this I consider your first question answered.
Patriot. In common I observe some reasons advanced by
you ; but I have frequently heard persons of understanding say
that Spain need not thank herself for her outlandish colonies,
because they attract so many persons from home as frequently
to create internal troubles and injury, and leave dwellings vacant
and neglected. Now we know well, that the most important
subjects require most attention—the shirt before the coat.
Please to solve me this difficulty.
New-Netherlander. As for Spain, it is certain that without230
VAN DER DONCK’S
her outlandish colonies, she would not be as powerful as she is.
This is a round 0. Still, that her colonies withdraw her popu-
lation, by which it may follow that many of the poor places in
Spain are left uncultivated, all this may be true. But between
the advantages of Spain and the United Netherlands this differ-
ence is so great that all the reasons which are contra there are
pro here. It would be tedious to enter into detailed reasoning
on the subject. To be brief, we consider the countries which
lay contiguous to Spain, as Italy, France, and Portugal, as good
as Spain itself, where there is abundant employment for vigilant
native citizens, who are more frequently consumed and destroy-
ed by wars than with us ; but here, around the Netherlands, in
Eastland, Germany, Westphalia, Bergland, Walland, &c., from
which the people came in numbers to seek employment, and
gain a living, as they should do, otherwise this emigration
would cease, and the reputation of our country be injured—we
could spare from the Netherlands thousands from year to year,
and send them abroad without injury ; and if ever there should
happen to be any defect in our population, this would be sup-
plied from the neighbouring countries. At a word, we could
use those people and make them Netherlanders. Our neigh-
bours must put up with it, and the people who now go to the
New-Netherlands are not lost or destroyed, but are as if they
were placed at interest, for we know how fast the population
increases.
Patriot. Do you then conclude that the Netherlands are
better than the eastern countries of Germany, &c. are ?
New-Netherlander. We evidently have not intended to ad-
vance this, but when that question occurs, it will solve itself.
But that, in the provinces of this city, there are at present (by
the goodness of God) more prosperous merchants, manufactur-
ers, mechanics and traders, than in the countries mentioned, is
certain ; the Hanse towns not excepted—where the bait is, there
the eagles gather. The habits of the Netherlanders are as
favourable to strangers as to native citizens. Thus they are
induced to come to us, particularly craftsmen of every profes
sion, who can always find advantageous employment, and in
time, by conforming to our customs, become as citizens.
Hence I conclude that out of this country we can send as many
colonial settlers as Spain can, and one-half more, without miss-
ing any man out from the Netherlands. We could increase
our strength by so doing; for they who are colonists in the
New-Netherlands become Netherlanders as well as they do
who become burghers here, and remain devoted to us.
Patriot. This I would now begin to understand with you ;
that the population of this city might not be unserviceable there,
but this objection arises. When men of property and fashionNEW-NETHERLANDS.
231
go to that country, which is the case already, where, it is said,
something may be gained, and where careful and industrious
people flourish and prosper, for such become persons of import-
ance, or at least their descendants do—what certainty can such
persons have for themselves, and their property ? I mean cer-
tainty, without circumstances ?
New-Netherlander. I take this well, sir; but this is evi-
dently the souncTquestion which you propounded to me, wherein
I have already given you a clear and decisive answer.
Patriot. Not so certain and satisfactory as you suppose.
For I consider that to be a country which we have found, which
is easy of access by sea and by land, open and unsupplied, or un-
furnished with any considerable fortifications. The English and
the Indians are strong and numerous around it. The Portu-
guese and other pirates can easily invade the place on the sea-
board, in a short time; for it is easy of access, and near the
ocean, and what is more, you well know that our nation is
particularly attached to commerce. This I understand to be
their principal object. They are industrious as merchants ; but
to the security of the country they pay but little attention; they
trust to the militia, who are few in numbers. In fact I see great
danger there, for if we took property to that country, or gained
property therein, we are still insecure in our possessions. *
New-Netherlander. Will you be pleased to answer yourself,
or refer to previous remarks; then I may be silent; for if I
showed you the country, nothing would be gained. And although
there may appear to be some reason in your remarks, they lay
undistinguished and unconnected, appearing like something, but
in truth unfounded.
Patriot I will frankly admit your explanation under a
promise not to prejudge the subject on party grounds, according,
to your request, for that would be useless argument.
New-Netherlander. You do well, sir; for that is the only
way to elicit truth; and if my memory extends far enough,
your objections will be answered. What kind of a country the
New-Netherlands is, and how its possession was acquired, is
fully detailed in the history of its discovery, whereon it is unne-
cessary to dilate in a particular manner. The West India Com-
pany, in connection with others from time to time, have expended
many tons of gold in the establishment, and for the security of
their colony. It has not been brought to its present situation
without much cost and trouble.
You say in the second place, that the country is unprovided
with proper fortifications for its defence, and that its seaboard is
unprotected, the land sides also. You advance too much.. Ob-
* The invasion of Col. Nicholls, in 1664, proves the correctness of the Patriot's
remarks.—Tkans.232
VAN DER DONCK’S
serve, sir, that the South and the North rivers, are lead-men's
waters,* and for those who are unacquainted, the risk is great and
the entries almost impossible. The bars and sand flats frequent-
ly shift their positions, and when an enemy has entered, his
work is not done, he must come to places where he will find
business, and pass forts of considerable strength on advantage-
ous positions, equal to the forts of this country; and by the
increase of men and means, as necessity requires, all is safe.
The land fortifies itself, and presents positions which can be
easily rendered impassable. Sandy Hook, the Highlands, Hell-
Gate, and the head lands of the bays, can be rendered impreg-
nable against human skill, whenever it is necessary. Where
we have little, we hazard little. He who will take a stiver
from another, will not readily hazard two.
Patriot. This is well; but if I could be there, I would not
seek your bays and havens, for I have read that the whole coast
presents a sand beach. It is not subject to heavy winds from
the sea, and has good anchor ground. There I would cast m
ground hooks, and attack you in your rear, where you are un-
prepared. How would that suit you ?
New-Netherlander. This is easily said, but impossible to
perform. It is true you might with great hazard effect a land-
ing, but your work would not be over, for the whole coast of the
New-Netherlands presents double forelands, between which lay
broad shallow waters, or there are islands two or three deep ; and
if you overlook and despise the inside waters, tell me where you
will find boats to cross your men over the bays ? This is work
for madmen. It cannot be done; and if any person would at-
tempt such work of folly, we would know it before a landing
was effected from the Indians who watch the seashore, and are
rewarded for giving intelligence whenever ships appear on the
coast.
Patriot. But what do you say of Long Island?
New-N etherlander. There also nothing can be done; for
Long Island has double fore-lands nearly its whole length; and
admit that you were upon it, how would you get off? and
what would it benefit you? Nothing but damage and great
danger. If there was to be anything done, it must be at New-
Amsterdam. If you now answer, I would be there; I place
before your nose, first that you can hardly get there, on account
of your ignorance of the navigable waters. We would always
know it a day or two before hand. The Hook and ^the head
lands will be fortified, and what is more, without passing under
the cannon of Fort Amsterdam, you cannot get there, whereon
there are so many cannon mounted, that I am of opinion the half
will not be required to repel any invading foe for fifty years to
come.
♦That is, requiring the aid of a loodsman, or pilot.—Ed.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
238
Patriot. Very good. All this appears favourable against
an outward invasion from the sea; but you have the Indians
within, and the English are numerous on either side. You know
very well how dangerous it is to have such powerful and ticklish
neighbours. What do you say to this ?
New-Netherlander. As for the native Indians they need not
be feared. They may terrify a stranger or a new comer.
Read the History of the New-Netherlands, under the title of
their Wars, you will find no organized regiments, companies, or
regular military force, they are impatient under restraint, and
cannot effect much. The last wTar we had with them, wrhen we
were not half as strong as we now are, they remember so well
that they will not readily begin again. When we speak of the
beginning of the troubles with them, there was little fault on their
side ; still it is done and past. But respecting the English, that
subject deserves deep reflection, and presents difficulties and dan-
gers, and I assure you that we of the New-Netherlands are not so
proud as to be easily enticed, nor do we desire to get into diffi-
culties or war with those of Virginia or of New-England.
Patriot. Get into quarrels, man! we would anxiously desire
to avoid the same. But you can no longer have rest or peace,
unless your neighbours agree with you in the same opinion.
New-Netherlander. This does not appear clear, nor do I
know how the matter stands between you and them; but I have
read, and understand that it is not always wise not to justify
yourself in necessary cases, and at once to call the party to ac-
count. This should be done, unless intercession follows, when
we may for various reasons effect our purpose, before a third
party plays. I would refer you to many historical examples, to
prove this position, but because they all agree in the same con-
clusion, and as those are tender and delicate matters, (for good
reasons) we pass them over and return to the New-Netherlands.
To satisfy you on this subject. The Virginians can do nothing
unless they come by sea. Their account is answered already. A
land march presents insurmountable difficulties. The people of
New-England are much stronger than we are; but that it will
suit them better than it will us to enter into unnecessary disputes,
is a matter I do not profess to know, seeing they possess a coun-
try wherein commerce must prosper, wThich they cannot pur-
sue to advantage southward of Cape Cod without passing our
channel within Long Island. Again, they lie open along the
coast above one hundred miles, without forts, soldiers, or arma-
ments for their security. Their planters and inhabitants are
trained for defence against the Indians, for which they are suffi-
cient ; and if we suffer any affront from them, they must know
that we, with few men, and less than we can spare in New-
Netherlands for the purpose, in small parties, can ransack their234
VAN DER DONCK’S
whole country, seeing they lie widely dispersed in small de-
fenceless villages contiguous to the woods, which may be sur-
prised and destroyed by night, and the parties again retire in
safety through the woods; so that I do not fear them much.
Nor would they trouble us without an express command of
Parliament, which will not be readily given, as in so doing open
war with England would follow, which they desire as little here
as we do there. You may not incline to believe that the people
of New-England are not madmen. Can you discern that it is
not their interest to give offence, or to war against us ? Not
that I ascribe all this to their good will; but their interest and
advantage bind them to peace. Danger and difficulties lie in a
contrary course.
As for the Portuguese and pirates spoken of, there is little to
be feared from them. The difficulties already stated are a pro-
tection against such invaders. But admit that a pirate entered
with a sloop in disguise—what would it amount to? The
place would be his grave before he could do any injury. With-
out an army no danger need be apprehended.
Our national character is well known. They delight in com-
merce. It is apparent in their habits. But mark, sir, the dif-
ference between national governments. Where is the govern-
ment on earth which is inclined to do more by art and money,
to fortify and secure their country than the Netherlanders are ?
There are no people under the sun as liberal for such purposes
as our nation. Still it must be well financiered. Every one
enjoys the freedom to talk about it, when it frequently would be
better to let it alone. But to speak freely of the New-Netherlands
before persons in power there, it would be proper to have au-
thority from their superiors here for that purpose ; and then we
must commonly observe how their humour leads, and take the
proper time to have our requisition answered. The same is
also frequently practised here, though this is, salva et integrare,
thus spoken. But in instances of immediate need, we must on
the occasion make and found the law. And herewith, sir, I
trust that your firm conclusions are somewhat weakened.
Patriot. Since now, though not willingly, I admit that
the dangers are not so great as was supposed by me, we will
therefore drop that subject, and speak of the commerce," and
tell me, at once, how that is to be supported in time by the pop-
ulation?
New-Netherlander. It is a pleasure to me to have satisfied
you thus far. Upon the fourth proposition you will receive
contentment.
Patriot. Places which will suit us must possess convenient
situations for trade ; otherwise they will not please us, although
the territory be ever so great. In Germany, under the ElectorsNEW-NETHERLANDS.
235
of Brandenburg, in the Palatine, and other places near at hand,
there is land and territory enough; but that amounts to nothing,
as they possess few places for trade, and therefore the countries
cannot prosper.
New-Netherlander. We must look to commerce, and there
we can have it; and that which at present is carried on in the
New-Netherlands, consists mostly in grain, as wheat, rye, peas,
barley, &c., and in pork, beef, fish, beer and wine, and what is
necessary for families, for the back and the belly. All other
things are plenty, which, with the commerce of navigable
streams, of which we will treat, quantities are sent to the islands
in the West Indies, with which we have long since assisted the
islands ; and as the population increases, the productions will
increase. The settlers who now come to the country raise their
own provisions in the second year, and in the third year they
have a surplus, which they exchange for wares and tobacco.
They who can import articles, find many kinds of peltries, such
as beaver skins, otters, bears, elk and deer skins, &c., as
may be seen in the History of the country. The planting of
vineyards is progressing, and in time will be of importance. So
also are the outland fisheries. If a hundred ship loads are re-
quired, the fish are there during the whole winter. Train oil
can be made at the South bays, where whales are plenty.
Item. Timber, hemp, tar, ashes, and iron, &c., as treated of
in the History, can be had there. But on leaving this subject,
I will advance those reasons as I progress.
First—It is now about fifteen years since the New-Nether-
lands has in earnest begun to be settlecf by freemen. In that
time we have endured a destructive war, otherwise it would
have been double to what it now is. For that which before had
been done by the company, except the fortifications and a few
houses, of little importance, the residue was .destroyed in the war.
Until now few people of property have emigrated to the country.
All who went over would gain much and bring nothing, except
the merchants, who brought something, but carried much more
away, which is common. Thus in new countries at the first,
there are few churchmasters but persons who anoint their own
breast, and are careless about the means and the latter end, and
regardless of the common good, worthy citizens not included.
Still there are without deception many good men, who love
orderly behaviour, and have erected good dwellings.
Item. Many fine farms, plantations, pasturages, grain fields,
gardens and orchards, with many fine cattle ; and if the land was
not good, how could such things be there 1 From that which is
not good, nothing extraordinary can be derived.
Secondly.—If we say yes to those things that cost the parties,
the Company and others money enough, then we answer, that236
TAN DER DONCK’s
here never has been sent as much to New-Netherlands as has
been taken from it with interest. This you may deem strange,
because there are so many accounts in arrears. But I do not
say that the returns have been recived by their proper owners ;
for then I would speak contrary to my better knowledge. Con-
sider what quantities of peltries were purloined from the com-
pany, before the trade was thrown open, that may be best known
by comparing the quantities then accounted for with the present
shipments, although now the whole is not reported. After the
trade has been free, little has been lost. All those who have
knowledge on the subject know that the faith-penny which has
been gained on the company’s goods never came into their cof-
fers, while all losses fell upon them. They also paid unneces-
sary and extravagant monthly wages to those who defrauded
them, and made good cheer every where, whereby they did
themselves little good; for it will go as it came. Yet I will add
that much has been gained in New-Netherlands wrhich is not
seen, because much has been fooled away, or has been brought
over here, where persons fare well with it; still it has at first
come from that country, or been gained upon its productions.
Thirdly.—The country is well calculated and possesses the
necessaries for a profitable trade. First, it is a fine fruitful
country. Secondly, it has fine navigable rivers extending far
inland, by which the productions of the country can be brought
to places of traffic. The Indians, without o.ur labour or trouble,
bring to us their fur trade, worth tons of gold, which may be in-
creased, and is like goods found. To which may be added the
grain and provision tf&de, which we proudly enjoy.
Fourthly.—The country is so convenient to the sea, that its
value is enhanced by its situation. On the northeast, within
four or five days sail, lay the valuable fishing banks.
Item. Canada qpd New-England will bring a profitable in-
land trade. On the southwest we have Virginia, which affords
us a profitable tobacco trade with the Floridas, the Bahamas,
and the other continent and West India islands, upon which
reliance may be made.
Patriot. But by the treaty of peace those ports and harbours
are shut against us on every side. You cannot expect business
in such places.
New-Netherlander. I acknowledge this, and believe, also,
as all our merchants have seen, what profit otir country would
have derived, if those ports had not been shut, and how ad-
vantageously the West India Company would have been placed,
if the shutting up of those places had not been consented to,
Our trade should have extended to those places.
Patriot. Oh, sir, you err; that subject was not neglected.
We did enough for it, but it would not take. The subject was
attended to.NEW-NETHERLANDS.
237
New-Netherlander. Attended to ? I have nothing against
it; but the King of Spain was so situated that he could not have
avoided the privilege, if we had abstained from his views, and
insisted on the right; at least, he might have been subjected to
allow the taliter qualiter, with Spanish commissions to trade.
In time we would have got on well enough in the business. At
present it affords no prospect of succesful enterprise. Still the
country remains. In New-Netherlands we have good courage,
that when we have a more powerful population, we will be able
to drive on a profitable trade by commissions or otherwise to
those places. We have the means, and they cannot easily
hinder us. The island of Guraloa [Curacoa] belongs to New-
Netherlands and lies within eight miles of Carthagena, on the
main land, and in sight of the same. In addition to this, we
have the advantageous trade of the Carribee Islands, which will
increase as as our power increases. Hence we have nothing to
fear, although timid persons may have heavy minds about us,
and say, after we have produced many articles, where will you
shift and vend the same? Lastly, what will hinder the New-
Netherlanders ? Can they not visit France, Spain, Portugal,
and the whole Mediterranean, as well from thence as from this
country, when they have men and means ? which two things
their unfailing population will produce, if no more emigrate to
the country. In such a case their own increase would in time
be sufficient. The land, in process of time, will cover those ad-
vantages.
Patriot. I will readily tell you what will obstruct and place
hinderances in the way—the distance from those places; for if
you have not the articles necessary for negotiation, then you,
cannot send them and exchange for consumption, as we can
from this country.
New-Netherlander. It is true, sir, we provide now too far
ahead, but the distance cannot support your positions; for we
can from thence sail with one wind and come through a free and
open sea, without the danger of shoals or enemies, and navigate
the whole outer coast of Europe from Ireland to the Straits,
without uncommon hinderances, in four weeks or less. Hence
then is little difference—what you gain in the one, you lose in
the other.
In conclusion, a country like the New-Netherlands, possesing
such advantages for commerce, and that of and within itself, and
abounding with articles for commerce beyond its own wants,
which it can spare—when attention is paid to the subject and
the same be properly directed, will it not prosper? Judge for
yourself.
Patriot. It does not appear strange to me, and we would
not do wrong, in taking proper measures to advance the pros-?238
VAN DER DONCK’S
perity of that land, but more of this on another occasion. At
present I deem my inquiries answered. In time I may think
further upon the matter, and renew my inquiries.
New-Netherlander. That must then be done in the New-
Netherlands, for my departure is at hand, and I have now no
leisure to enjoy your company.
Patriot. Return, then, to that country, with good will, and
may you find the same as you expect.
New-Netherlander. With the help of God, my hope and
design is such, and thus I take my leave and departure.
Patriot. Well, sir, I wish that the Lord our God may grant
you a prosperous voyage, and bless you with his special favour,
and those who dwell in the New-Netherlands, in time and for-
ever, to the furthering and magnifying of his Holy Name and
Glory. Amen.
CONDITIONS
Entered into and made between the Lords the Burgomasters
of the city of Amsterdam,and the West India Company, by
the approbation of their High Mightinesses, the States
General of the United Netherlands.
Whereupon the following is presented to all those who, as
colonists, desire to withdraw to the New-Netherlands, and who
shall address themselves to the Hon. Lord Coenraed Burgh,
Counsellor and former Schepen, Henrick Roeters, Upper Com-
missary of the Exchange, Eduart Man, IsaacVan Beech, Hector
Pietersz, and Johan Tayspel, as Commissioners and Directors
thereunto appointed, and named by the Burgomasters, upon the
authority of the Council of this City, and commissioned, who
will hold their sittings provisionally at the West India House,
on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the afternoon at half-past three
o’clock.
Article 1. The colonists going thitherward, together with
their families, needful household furniture, and other necessa-
ries, shall be carried over in proper ships.
Art. 2. The city of Amsterdam shall agree with the ship-
pers, as they best can, for the transportation of persons and
goods.
Art. 3. The same city shall pay the transport money, by
form of advance, which shall hereafter be repaid in the manner
hereafter mentioned.
Art. 4. The said city shall advance to the colonists, to ena-
ble them to settle honorably and prosperously, as follows, viz :NE W-NETHERLANDS.
239
Art. 5. First, the said city shall provide and direct to a fruit-
ful land, of a temperate and healthy climate, watered and lying
against a salt, navigable river ; for which an agreement has
been made with the West India Company, and where no per-
sons can set up any adverse claims.
Art. 6. That the said city shall provide a suitable piece of
land on the bank of a river for a secure and proper dwelling
place for the colonists. The place shall be provided with a
trench and wall on the outer side, and the inner ground be laid
out with streets, a market, and in lots for the advantage of
merchants, mechanics, and those who will pursue agriculture—
the whole to be done at the cost of the said city.
Art. 7. The city of Amsterdam shall send to the said place
a capable person to serve as a schoolmaster, who by provision
shall be a preacher of the Holy Scriptures, and also a leader
in psalmody.
Art. 8. The city shall also provide for and pay the salary of
the school master.
Art. 9. And to the end that the colonists may be provided
with necessaries as far as is practicable, the said city shall sup-
ply them with clothing and necessaries for one year, and also
with seed grain ; and for the assurance and certainty of having
the necessary supplies on hand, the city shall erect a large ma-
gazine or warehouse in said place for the storage of clothing
and necessaries for the people, wherein they shall keep their
factor, who shall supply every colonist with necessary clothing,
household necessaries, and husbandry articles at the same prices
of this country, the toll of the company not charged.
Art. 10. Concerning the toll (commissions) of the company,
the same shall be paid according to the annexed list of rates, and
the city shall also provide in time that the tolls which are paid in
the New Netherlands shall be there employed and expended, in
the erection and support of such public works as shall be author-
ized by this city and the West India Company.
Art. 11. The said fortified place, destined for the dwelling
of the colonists, whether it be named a city or town, (vlek,)
shall be governed for political justice, in the manner of succes-
sion, according to the present practice of the city of Amsterdam.
Art. 12. They shall first have a Schout (sheriff,) as chief of
the police, (justicia,) installed as is done here.
Art.*13. The Schout shall be installed in the name of their
High Mightinesses, and of the West India Company, for the
Deputies of Amsterdam, who, for that purpose, by procuration
shall give authority to the Director.
Art. 14. There shall also be three Burgomasters, to be
chosen by the common burghers from the honestest, richest,
and most capable men*240
VAN DER DONCK’s
Art. 15. There shall be five, or seven magistrates (Schep-
enen), for which purpose the burghers shall nominate a double
number, from which a choice shall be made by the Directors
upon procuration according to Art. 13.
Art. 16. Whenever the city or town shall have inereased to
the number of 250 families or more, then the burghers shall elect
a council of twenty persons, who shall assemble in council with
the burgomasters and schepens, and resolve upon all sub-
jects relating to the state of the said city. And this coun-
cil, after it shall have been thus formed, shall have power to
fill vacancies arising in their number by deaths or otherwise,
by ordering the election of other persons by a fair majority of
votes to fill such vacancies in the said city council. Elections
for the burgomasters and for the council shall be held annually.
The said body shall also have the nomination of the double
number of schepens, from which the same shall be appointed
as aforesaid.
Art. 17. The Schepens may give final judgment upon
arrests for all sums not exceeding 100 guilders. For sums ex-
ceeding 100 guilders, the aggrieved party may appeal to the
Director General and council.
Art. 18. The said Schepens shall also have power in all
criminal cases, but it is provided that appeals may be taken
from their decisions.
Art. 19. The city of Amsterdam shall agree with a smith,
a wheelwright, and a carpenter, to remove to the said place for
the benefit and service of the colonists.
Art. 20. The aforesaid city of Amsterdam shall cause the
land lying around and contiguous to such city or town, to be
laid out into fields for tillage, pasturage and hay-land, and pro-
vide ways to the same.
Art. 21. To every person who desires to pursue farming,
there shall be granted in firm and continued ownership, as
much tillable, pasture and hay-land, as he with his family can
till and require, from, twenty to thirty morgens or more, upon
condition that all such land granted to any of the colonists
shall, within two years after the same is granted, be brought
into cultivation, upon pain of forfeiture and of the same being
granted unto another.
Art. 22. Every colonist shall freely hold and occupy his
land without paying any per centage, horn-money, or salt-
money, for ten years, calculating from the time his land was
first sowed or mowed. When these ten years have expired,
they shall not be burthened higher than the residue of any
neighbouring district are who stand under the administrators of
the West India Company in the New-Netherlands. They
shall also be free from the tenths for twenty years from theNEW-NETHERLANDS.
241
time of sowing or mowing as aforesaid. After said twenty
years are exp red, a tenth shall be given to the city of Amster-
dam, with the understanding that then the half of the tenth shall
be used there for the support of the public works, and ofthepersons
employed in the public service for preserving and keeping of
the same. And also, whenever any poundage or other assess-
ments shall be paid, the same shall be employed for the erec-
tion and maintaining of the public works, and for the payment
of the persons who are in service in the same.
Art. 23. The city of Amsterdam shall provide, that ships
be regularly sent from Holland for the grain, seeds, timber and
merchandise of the colonists, and to bring the same over
for their benefit. They shall also be at liberty to freight ves-
sels, upon consigning the same to the city of Amsterdam.
Art. 24. The city of Amsterdam shall provide warehouses
in Holland for the benefit of the colonists, and for the recep-
tion of their grain and articles of merchandise, and shall sell the
same for the profit of the shippers, and again invest and remit
the proceeds in such articles as shall be ordered, retaining a
commission of two per cent, and a tenth of the net profits,
to reimburse the said city for the money it has advanced for
the transportation of the persons and goods of the colonists-
This to continue until the advances are repaid, and no longer.
Art. 25.. The colonists of the New-Netherlands, whenever
they want necessaries, may be supplied from the city ware-
house, at the set price; the accounts of such sales shall be
remitted here, to have the same credited to the merchant, or
otherwise.
Art. 26. The colonists may, for the building of houses,
vessels, and also for sale, cut and procure timber in the nearest
woods of their district, and from any other place in the jurisdic-
tion of the West India Company in New-Netherlands, at their
pleasure, from any land which has not been particularly reserv-
ed, already granted, or that may be granted, subject to the fur-
ther conditions also of Art. 28.
Art. 27. The burgomasters of Amsterdam, as founders,
patrons, and having the jurisdiction, shall appoint a secretary
legate for advancing the subalterns.
Art. 28. The hunting in the wilderness, and also the fishing
in all waters and rivers which have not already been granted,
shall be free to all the colonists, subject to such regulations as
shall be made under the authority of the Company, or of the
States-General.
Art. 29. The city of Amsterdam shall provide that all
31242
NEW-NETHERLANDS.
necessary implements of husbandry shall be shipped for the
colonists free from recognition charges.
Art. 30. If any of the colonists, by himself, his family, or his
servants, shall discover any minerals, chrystals, precious stones,
alabaster, &c., &c., of whatever nature or kind soever the same
may be, he shall possess the same as his own, free from any
impost for ten years ; and at the expiration of ten years, he shall
pay over to the company one-tenth part of the net profits pro-
ceeding from the same.
Art. 31. The city of Amsterdam shall provide a warehouse
in said city, wherein shall be brought all the goods to be im-
ported and examined, by a person appointed on the part of the
West India Company, and another person on the part of the
city of Amsterdam. After the inspection the same shall be
marked with the marks of the city and of the Company, and the
impost upon the same paid by the Company, according to the
list of the rates.
Art. 32. The goods shall be laden, to the knowledge of the
Company, on board of such ships as the city shall provide for
that purpose.
Art. 33. If the said city should send over any goods on
board of a ship on freight, the same must be sent to New-Am-
sterdam, subject to the same regulations, and the city be subject
to their own rules as well as others.
Art. 34. But whenever the city of Amsterdam will send
their own or any kind of ship laden only with their own goods,
they may send such vessel direct to their city, place or colony,
with all the lading, to be delivered into the warehouse of the
said city, consigned and committed to any of the said Company
to whom the commission and letters shall be delivered.
Art. 35. As all the wares, productions, and merchandise of
the colony of the said city, and coming from thence, must be
brought here into this city and deposited in its warehouses to
the credit of the company and sold, and the right of the land
and of the Company paid out of the same—the following list
of specifications is annexed.
[We deem it unnecessary to enter and translate the list of
specifications referred to in the preceding articles, and deem it
sufficient to remark, that 10^ per cent, covered all charges. All
articles employed in agriculture, and used by mechanics in
their trades, came over free. All the productions of the soil,
including salted and dried fish, were exported free. Peltries
paid from 8 to 10 per cent. In the New-Netherlands, 4 per
cent, in light money, in addition, was charged upon all goods
entered subject to any charges. The rix dollar passed at
sixty-three stuyvers.]