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THE PUBLISHERS BEG THE LIBERTY OF PRESENTING 
 THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RES- 
 PECT TO THE VALUE OF THE ACCOMPANYING HIS- 
 TORY OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 From the Honorable Col. N. S. Benton, Secretary of State and Super- 
 intendent of Common Schools. 
 
 Albany, December 13th, 1845. 
 Deau Sir : — I have read your " History of New Netherland," with 
 considerable attention, and am much pleased with it. The plan of the 
 work and order of arrangement appear to me, well adapted to present 
 to the reader, in the most acceptable form, the interesting details of our 
 early Colonial History. I take great pleasure in commending it to 
 public patronage. 1 nm, very respectfully, yours, 
 
 N. S. BENTON. 
 
 Dr. E B. O'Callaghan. 
 
 I have read, with much pleasure and interest, a considerable part 
 of Dr. O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland. The materials seem 
 to have been sought and selected with great care and diligence ; and 
 the work, as far as I have perused the manuscript, manifests scrupu- 
 lous accuracy, and a respectful consideration of the merits of the early 
 colonists, who, to improve their condition, left their, and their fathers' 
 homes, and encountered the privations and hardships incident to a settle- 
 ment in the wilds of the New World. The author appears also to cherish 
 a just estimate of the character of their descendants, among whom 
 flourished such men as Arendt Van Corlear, Peter and Philip Schuy- 
 ler. 
 
 Dr. O'Callaghan's labor and researches have very opportunely co- 
 incided with the recent effort of the government of the State of New- 
 York to collect materials for its History; and the documents procured 
 by the State have aided him in preparing, as it seems tome, as accurate 
 
and complete a history of the Dutch colonial period, as could reasonably 
 be expected. 
 
 I have no doubt that the work will prove highly gratifying to all 
 who take an interest in the early history of our country, and to all who 
 rightly view the bearing and influence of its settlement, by Europeans, 
 on the progress of humanity. 
 
 H. BLEECKER. 
 
 Albany, 27th June, 1845. 
 
 I have read with great interest the greater part of the MS. His- 
 tory of the New Netherlands, prepared by Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, 
 of this city. I can vouch for the accuracy of his knowledge of 
 the Dutch language — for his unwearied industry displayed during 
 several years in examining every available printed and manuscript au- 
 thority, and I add with great diffidence, my belief that the work must 
 prove acceptable to the public, not only for the many new facts con- 
 tained in it, but the interesting manner in which they are brought 
 together. T. ROMEYN BECK. 
 
 Albany, June 23, 1845. 
 
 Albany, June 25, 1845. 
 
 Having perused a portion of the MSS. of Dr. O'Callaghan's History 
 of New Netherlands, I take pleasure in expressing my decided convic- 
 tion of its value and utility as a historical work, and ray opinion that it 
 may properly and advantageously form a portion of our District School 
 Libraries. From a personal acquaintance of several years with Dr. 
 O'C. I am also enabled to add that he is in all respects an estimable, 
 upright and worthy man, and in my judgment, abundantly competent 
 to do full justice to the subject he has undertaken, and to render it in- 
 teresting and attractive, as well as accurate. 
 
 Very truly and respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't serv't. 
 
 J. S. RANDALL 
 
^«^mn,uJm/ii^ ^AJ^imuHM/^M^n/ai^.i^^ i£ry^^^ V& .^nl August 16 1 G , -^/^ -(S^et^e^ty ^J^'vk'^ - .^ft^it^m/ y,,/^ ^^/^a^u^MMt 
 
 c^^it^ ^^^^yd- t*'^^ ^ 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND; 
 
 OR, 
 
 NEW YORK UNDER THE DUTCH. 
 
 BY E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, M. D., 
 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND HONORARY MEMBER OF 
 THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 " Pleraque EARUM QUjE referam parva forsitan et levia memoratu videri, non nescius 
 SUM. Non tamen sine vsv fuerit intkospioere illa, primo adspectu levia, ex 
 
 QUIS MAGNARTJM SJEVE RERUM MOTUS ORIUNTUR." TaCITUS. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 200 BROADWAY. 
 
 PHILA.: G. S. APPLETON, 148 CHESNUT-ST. 
 BARTLETT & WELFORD, 7 ASTOR HOUSE, N. Y. 
 M DCCC XLVIII. 
 
Entered, according to the Act of Congress, In the year 1845, by 
 
 E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, 
 
 In the Clerk's OfBce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern Distriet 
 
 of New York. 
 
TO 
 
 THEODRIC ROMEYN BECK, ESQ., M. D., 
 
 ^\)i8 (tribute of tl)e ^utljor's Hcgarlr, 
 
 t 
 
 IS, 
 
 IN RETURN FOR MANY KINDNESSES, 
 
 . 3£lespertfull5 Bnscrfbeli. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Circumstances of a public nature induced the writer 
 of the following pages to enter, several years ago, into a 
 somewhat extensive course of reading, with a view to 
 determine, for his own satisfaction, the nature, as well as 
 the extent of the constitutional rights enjoyed by the 
 American Colonies, previous to the Revolution of 1776. 
 Such an inquiry necessarily led to the investigation, not 
 only of the amount of civil liberty which the colonists 
 possessed at that time, but to the examination of the 
 grounds on which that liberty rested, so as to distinguish 
 between what had been guarantied by charter and the 
 common law, and that which the colonists won for 
 themselves in the course of their struggles against the 
 prerogatives claimed by the Crown, and the usurpations 
 sanctioned by Parliament. To master this subject, the 
 histories of the several Colonies, beginning with Virgi- 
 nia, and terminating with Georgia, were examined, in 
 connection with the Colonial Charters, the Journals of 
 the Colonial Assemblies, and the laws of the several 
 Provinces, so far as these were accessible. 
 
 The history of the Province of New York happened, 
 not from any design, but by accident, to have been one 
 of the last taken up, and then the author discovered that 
 he could not go farther back than the year 1664. Smith 
 and others alluded to the existence of a regular govern- 
 
6 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 merit previous to that date, and Chalmers admitted that 
 the EngUsh, after the surrender, " prudently copied what 
 had been akeady estabhshed by the Dutch," but what 
 the institutions were which the conquerors, instead of 
 changing, "prudently copied," — what was the history of 
 the country, or the character of its first settlers, he was 
 unable to ascertain. 
 
 Such a termination to his inquiry was calculated to 
 excite, not to satisfy, curiosity. Here was a country 
 possessing all the evidences of having been settled for 
 half a century before its submission to the Duke of York. 
 Well built towns, with a goodly number of inhabitants ;^ 
 richly cultivated farms, and a moral, peaceable, and reli- 
 gious community, whose history was to be gleaned 
 almost entirely from writers, who, by their position, the 
 circumstances in which they were placed, their habits of 
 thought, associations, and sympathies, were calculated 
 rather to prejudice the mind, than to direct the judgment 
 to a correct conclusion. 
 
 The determination was at once taken to examine this 
 apparently unexplored region, and though the writer had 
 no pretensions to teach others, yet he was desirous to 
 learn for himself, who those men were, who, leaving the 
 comforts of home, and of civiUzed society, first plunged 
 into the depths of the forests on these coasts, and bat- 
 tled against the repulsive circumstances by which they 
 were surrounded ; what were the steps which they 
 adopted to gain the confidence, or overcome the enmity 
 of the Aborigines ; what their sufferings and their social 
 condition ; whether they were worthy the land which 
 gave them birth, or whether, as the humor of some 
 has caused many to believe, they merely vegetated this 
 
 * Chalmers states, in his Political Annals, that the number of houses in the City 
 of New York, at the time of the surrender, was 343, and of inhabitants 3,430. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 7 
 
 life through, leaving no impress on the times in which 
 they lived, nor on the country they inhabited. 
 
 On the threshold of this inquiry he was * met by the 
 assertion, that " the Dutch Colonial Annals are of a tame 
 and pacific character, and generally dry and uninterest- 
 ing."^ This assurance did not, however, deter him from 
 proceeding. He patiently analyzed between twenty 
 and thirty volumes of Manuscript Records in the Sec- 
 retary of State's office at Albany, and became soon 
 convinced, maugre the peculiarity of the translation, that 
 the opinion so confidently enunciated, was hastily form- 
 ed, and did not accord with the evidence furnished by 
 the papers left us by our Dutch predecessors. Instead 
 of being " tame, pacific, dry, and uninteresting," they 
 were found teeming with every material which could 
 render historical research a work of pleasure and im- 
 provement. 
 
 When the contents of those volumes had been ex- 
 amined, the propriety of arranging the notes for publica- 
 tion was suggested. The writer, by this time, had become 
 himself interested in the subject, and he therefore wil- 
 lingly set about this task. He was thus employed when 
 Mr. Brodhead, whose very valuable labors, as Histori- 
 cal Agent, cannot be too highly appreciated, sent home 
 sixteen volumes of Dutch documents which he had col- 
 lected in Holland. It became necessary to collate what- 
 ever new facts, or connecting finks these contained, and 
 to examine various private papers which had been placed 
 in the hands of the author. 
 
 To render all these available, and to avoid what the 
 sententious Benson calls " the indiscretion of attempting 
 the history of this country not well versed in the Dutch," 
 
 * Chancellor Kent's Anniversary Disc, before N. Y. Hist. Soc, 1828, p. 8. 
 
I 
 
 8 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 a knowledge of that language became now indispensa- 
 ble. This difficulty having been surmounted, the present 
 volume was at length completed, bringing the History 
 of New Netherland down to 1647, or the end of Director 
 Kieft's administration. 
 
 In the course of composition many temptations offered 
 to enter into lengthy disquisitions on points of minor 
 importance, regarding which some difference of opinion 
 exists ; and to clothe the narrative with additional, 
 though not perfectly legitimate, interest, by embodying 
 traditions which might flatter national pride, yet not ac- 
 cord altogether with historical strictness. These were 
 avoided, for the one would only fatigue, and the other 
 was foreign to the author's plan — to admit such facts 
 only as were supported by unexceptionable evidence. 
 The character of that evidence will be seen by the 
 Notes and Appendix, which, though arranged in such a 
 manner as not to interrupt the progress of the general 
 reader, who may not, perhaps, have either leisure or dis- 
 position to look for authorities, will, it is hoped, prove 
 useful to those who may follow in the same field of in- 
 vestigation. Like blazed trees, they will, at least, point out 
 to the future traveller the path of those pioneers who have 
 preceded him in the forest, affording the benefit, at one 
 and the same time, of their errors and their experience.* 
 
 ^ As the titles of some of the authorities are abridged, it may be proper to ob- 
 serve that — 
 
 " Alb. Rec." refers to Van der Kemp's Translation of the Dutch Documents in tho 
 office of the Secretary of State. 
 
 " Hoi. Doc," to the Dutch MSS. brought from Holland by Mr. Brodhead, and de- 
 posited in the same department. 
 
 *' Lond. Doc," to the MSS. obtained by the same gentleman in England, and de- 
 posited also with the Secretary of State. 
 
 For translations of Van der Donck's Beschryv. van N. N. ; Lambrechten's N. N. ; 
 De Vries' Korte Historiael ; and Acrelius' History of New Sweden, the 
 author is indebted to the Collections of the New York Historical Society. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 9 
 
 In reviewing the difficulties which have been sur- 
 mounted, it would be wrong to forget those whose 
 courtesy has done much to facilitate the progress 
 of this work. Though it may seem invidious to par- 
 ticularize where all have been equally kind, it is only 
 justice to mention that the Honorable S. Young, and 
 the Honorable N. S. Benton, Secretaries of State, and 
 the several gentlemen connected with that department, 
 have, in the most polite manner, afforded every facility 
 for making extracts from the records in that office. The 
 author is indebted to the Honorable Mr. Corning, one 
 of the Trustees of the State Library, and to the Librarian 
 of the Albany Institute, for the privilege of consulting, 
 at his own residence, many rare historical works which 
 would not have been, otherwise, easy of access. To 
 General Stephen van Rensselaer he is beholden, like- 
 wise, in a special degree, for the very handsome and 
 unreserved manner in which that gentleman placed in 
 his hands, his extensive and valuable collection of MSS., 
 from which the chapter on the early settlement of Rens- 
 selaerswyck has been almost exclusively compiled, and 
 many interesting papers borrowed, which are now given, 
 for the first time, to the public. From the account books 
 and court records of that " Colonic" have, also, been ar- 
 ranged the prices of imported merchandise, stock, and 
 country produce ; the list of the settlers under the first 
 Patroon, and other tables which will be found in the 
 Appendix. 
 
 The Map of New Netherland, which accompanies 
 this volume, is in every particular an exact fac-simile of 
 one of a very ancient date, discovered at the Hague, by 
 Mr. Brodhead, in 1841, and is now pubhshed for the 
 first time. That of Rensselaerswyck is a copy, on a re- 
 duced scale, of one drawn in 1630, by Gillis van Schen- 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 PREFACE . 
 
 del The author is indebted for the draft of it to A. 
 Douw Lansing, Esq. 
 
 Whether, with all these valuable accessories, the work 
 be worthy of the subject, it is now for others to say. 
 Should its reception be such as to warrant the continu- 
 ance of the author's labors, the remainder of the History 
 of New Netherland, comprising the administration of 
 Director Stuyvesant, will follow, as soon as the materials 
 which have accumulated can be arranged and prepared 
 for the press. In the mean time, as truth and historical 
 justice are his main objects, the author hopes that those 
 families, who possess ancient papers, however insignifi- 
 cant, will assist so far as to place them, for a limited sea- 
 son, at his disposal, receiving his assurance, that they 
 shall be safely returned whenever required. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE INCORPORATION OF THE DUTCH 
 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY. 
 
 1492—1621. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Discovery of America by Columbus — Jean and Sebastian Cabot visit the coast and 
 claim the country for the King of England — Verrazzano enters the Bay of New 
 York — Revolt of the Seven United Provinces from Spain — Interruption of Dutch 
 commerce in consequence — The Dutch determine to compete with the Spaniards 
 in the trade with India — Successive attempts to carry out that project — Willem 
 Barentszoon and Jacob Heemskirk try to find a northern passage to India and fail 
 — Repeat the attempt, and are again unsuccessful — A third effort made — Heems- 
 kirk winters in Nova Zembla — Returns to Holland — Project of finding a passage 
 to India by the North abandoned — Several Dutch merchants send expeditions to 
 the West Indies — Vessels in the employ of the Greenland Company said to have 
 visited New Netherland, and to have built forts on the North and South rivers 
 there, for the purpose of shelter for the crew in winter — The Company of Foreign 
 Countries formed in Holland — Send four ships to India by way of the Cape — Ex- 
 pedition successful — Other expeditions follow — Dutch East India Company incor- 
 porated — A Dutch West India Company proposed — Plan therefor drawn up and 
 published — Favorably received — Project interrupted by the truce with Spain — 
 Dutch visit the River of Canada in search of furs — A private association in Lon- 
 don resolve to look for a north passage to India — Dispatch a ship under command 
 of Henry Hudson ; who makes two voyages to the north, but is unsuccessful — 
 Hudson proceeds to Holland — Is patronised by the Dutch East India Company — 
 Sails from Amsterdam, in the Half Moon, on a voyage in search of a northwest 
 passage to China and India Page 25 
 
t 
 
 12 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Hudson sails from the Texel — Arrives off Newfoundland — Reaches the coast of 
 America in the lat. of 41° — Proceeds thence south to Cape Cod, which he calls 
 New Holland — Arrives at the Chesapeake — Returns north and discovers a great 
 bay in latitude 39° — Continues his northward course — Descries the Highlands of 
 Navesinck — Rounds Sandy Hook, and enters the Great North River of New 
 Netherland — Has communication with the Indians on the west side of the bay — 
 Appearance of the country — Continues his course upward towards a narrow river 
 — Sends his mate to sound the channel, who comes into collision with the natives 
 and is killed — Hudson retains two Indians as hostages — Explores the river — Goes 
 ashore in the neighborhood of Castleton on a visit to an Indian chief, by whom he 
 is hospitably entertained — Concludes his exploration of the river, and turns back 
 — Tries an experiment on some of the natives — Is the first European who intro- 
 duces intoxicating liquors among the Indians — Continues his downward course — 
 Gets again into collision with the savages, several of whom are killed — Leaves the 
 mouth of the Great River, and arrives in England — Sends an account of his dis- 
 covery to Holland — Proposes to undertake a new voyage — Is ordered to Holland, 
 where he arrives in the following year — The Dutch decline his proposition, and he 
 re-enters the service of the London Company Page 33 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Boundaries of the Dutch discoveries — Rivers therein — Appearance and condition of 
 the country — The trees — Fruits — Plants — Wild Animals — Birds — Aquatic fowls — • 
 Fish — Reptiles — Natives of the country — Enumeration of the various tribes — Their 
 physical appearance — Mode of hunting — Agriculture — Food — Clothing — Orna- 
 ments — Dwellings — Furniture — Villages — Canoes — Indian Women — Marriage — 
 Polygamy — Travail — Political arrangements among the Indians — Wars — Weapons 
 — Treatment of prisoners — Treaties of peace — Circulating Medium — Burial of the 
 dead — Religious opinions — Manittous— Immortality of the soul — Superstitions — 
 Opinions of the creation — Medicine men— Method of treating disease — Amuse- 
 ments — Gambling — Feeble means of resistance against the superior powers of the 
 white men 43 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Truce between the Dutch and Spaniards — Crisis favorable for Hudson's discovery — 
 Private adventurers resolve to send a ship to the Great River — Erect forts there- 
 upon — Establishment on the island of Manhattan under Hendrick Corstiaensen — 
 Visited by Captain Argal, and obliged to acknowledge its dependence on the crown 
 of England — States General grant exclusive rights to all who discover new coun- 
 tries — Edict of 27th March, 1614 — Dutch send Adriaen Block, Hendrick Corsti- 
 aensen, and Comelis Jacobsen Mey, with five ships, in search of new lands — They 
 proceed to the mouth of the Great River of the Manhattans — Block's vessel burnt 
 — Builds the Restless — Explores the East River — Discovers the Freshwater River, 
 
CONTENTS. 13 
 
 &c. — Passes through the Sound and meets Corstiaensen — Returns home — Progress 
 of Mey — His discoveries — Captain Hendricksen continues to explore the country 
 in the Restless — ^Reports of discoveries laid before the States General — The coun- 
 try acquires, for the first time, the name of New Netherland — Charter or grant of 
 October, 1614, to United New Netherland Company — Rivier van den Vorst Mauritius 
 — Forts erected at each extremity thereof — Dutch drive an active trade among the 
 Indians — Captain Hendricksen returns to Holland — His report — Expiration of the 
 charter of Oct., 1614 — Fort removed from Castle Island to the Noordtman's Kill — 
 Treaty of the Dutch with the Five Nations— Causes leading thereto, and impor- 
 tance thereof Page 67 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The New Netherland Company petition for renewal of their charter — The ship 
 Scheld sent to Manhattes — That country becomes more generally known — Atten- 
 tion of the Puritans directed thither — Review of the causes which drove these 
 people to Holland — Desire to remove to America — The Rev. Mr. Robinson, their 
 minister, intimates their wish to emigrate to New Netherland — The managers of 
 the Dutch Trading Company lay this application before the States General and 
 the Prince of Orange — Memorial to his Royal Highness on this occasion — Termi- 
 nation of the twelve years' truce — Request of the New Netherland Company on 
 behalf of the Puritans decidedly refused — Captain Mey returns to Holland — Peti- 
 tions for exclusive right to new countries he had discovered — Opposed — Incorpora- 
 tion of the Dutch West India Company 81 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COMPANY, TO THE 
 OPENING OF THE FUR, OR INDIAN, TRADE TO THE INHABIT- 
 ANTS OF NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 1621—1638. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Charter of West India Company — Its various provisions — Comparison between it and 
 those granted to other Companies for making settlements in America — Company do 
 not commence operations immediately — Various vessels licensed to proceed, mean- 
 while, to New Netherland — Excite considerable jealousy among the English inter- 
 ested in planting Virginia and New England, who remonstrate to King James 
 against the Dutch — English Ambassador at the Hague urges the States General to 
 stay the departure of the Dutch ships — Their High Mightinesses disclaim all know- 
 ledge of the enterprise — English Ambassador's explanation thereupon to the 
 
14 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 King — Dutch vessels proceed, notwithstanding, on their voyage — Several families 
 desire to move to New Netherland — States General refer the matter to the West 
 India Company — They approve of the design, but suggest that its execution be 
 postponed until a Director General be appointed .... Page 89 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The West India Company takes possession of New Netherland — Several settlers and 
 servants sent out — Fort Nassau built on South River — Fort Orange on the river 
 Mauritius — Peter Minuit, of Wesel, arrives in the country as Director-general, ac- 
 companied by a colony of Walloons — First settlement on Long Island — First white 
 child born — Members of Minuit's council — Duties of schout-fiscaal — First schout-fis- 
 caal — Colonial secretary — Imports and exports — Dutch purchase island of Manhat- 
 tans and adjoining islands from the Indians — A blockhouse erected on Manhattan 
 Island, and called Fort Amsterdam — Murder of an Indian by some of Minuit's ser- 
 vants — Trade opened with the English settlement at New Plymouth — Correspondence 
 and intercourse with that colony — Dutch alarmed at threats thrown out by their 
 English neighbors — Apply to directors in Holland for a military force — Charles I. 
 extends to the ships of the West India Company the privileges conferred by the 
 treaty of Southampton on the vessels of the States General — Progress of trade — 
 Renewed efforts in Holland to promote the settlement of New Netherland — The 
 Assembly of the XIX. determine to establish lordships or " colonies" there — Heyn's 
 victory over the Spanish silver fleet — Charter to Patroons in New Netherland 99 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Several directors of the West India Company acquire patroonships, or " colonies," in 
 New Netherland — Associations formed to settle Zwanendal and Rensselaerswyck — 
 Patroons' colonies confirmed and " sealed with the seal of New Netherland" — 
 Quarrels between Directors of the Company and Patroons — Privileges granted to 
 Patroons called into doubt — Director Minuit recalled — English Companies grant 
 patents for Massachusetts and Connecticut — Evince considerable jealousy of the 
 Dutch — The vessel in which Minuit and other servants of the Company are return- 
 ing to Holland, is seized at Plymouth by order of the British government, for having 
 traded to, and obtained her cargo in, countries subject to the king of England — Au- 
 dience of the Dutch ambassadors with Charles I. in consequence — They demand 
 the release of the Company's ship — The king declines — The West India Company 
 call the attention of the States General to the matter — Lay before their High 
 Mightinesses a deduction of their title to New Netherland — The States General re- 
 solve to maintain the Company's right to that country — Lengthy reply of Charles 
 I. and the Lords Commissioners of England to the Dutch remonstrance — Refuse to 
 permit the Dutch to encroach on and usurp one of his Majesty's colonies unless 
 they consent to submit to his Majesty's government — The Company's ship released' 
 " saving his Majesty's rights" — Continued misunderstanding between the Directors 
 of the West India Company and the Patroons — Commissaries sent to the several 
 " colonies" belonging to Patroons, to prevent the latter interfering in the fur-trade — 
 Colonic of Zwanendal destroyed by the savages — De Vries visits South River and 
 makes peace with the Indians — Profitable state of trade with New Netherland 121 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 15 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 WouTER VAN TwiLLER appointed Director-general — Arrives in New Netherland — 
 His council — Other officers of the company in that country — First clergyman and 
 first schoolmaster in New Amsterdam — An English vessel visits the Manhattans 
 for the purpose of trading with the Indians on the Hudson's River — Director and 
 council refuse her permission to ascend the river — Sails to Fort Orange, notwith- 
 standing — Opens a trade with the natives thereabout — Is opposed by the commis- 
 sary at that post — Indians prefer trading with the English factor, who had been in 
 the Dutch service, several years before, in that quarter — Three vessels arrive with 
 troops from Fort Amsterdam, to prevent the English trading with the Indians — 
 Pull down the English tent — Force their people and goods on board their ship, 
 which they convoy out of the river — Damages inflicted on the English — Quarrel 
 between two English skippers at the Manhattans — Van Twiller opposes De Vries, 
 who wishes to visit the Sound — Contentions in consequence — De Vries's opinions of 
 the functionaries at Fort Amsterdam — Notelman, schout-fiscaal, superseded — Is 
 succeeded by Van Dinclage — Van Twiller determines to build a fort on the Fresh 
 River — Sketch of the quarrels between the Indians there — Tract of country called 
 Conneticock purchased — Deed of sale — Fort Good Hope built — New Plymouth 
 people determine to build a trading-house on the Fresh River — Proceedings in con- 
 sequence — Van Twiller protests — This protest disregarded — Writes to the XIX. — 
 Attempts to dislodge the English by force ; without success — Improvements in New 
 Amsterdam — New fort — Church and other houses erected — Improvements at Fort 
 Orange and Fort Nassau — Schuylkill purchased — Resources of the West India 
 Company — Trade of New Netherland Page 141 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Continued misunderstanding between the Directors and the Patroons — Pretensions of 
 the respective parties — Referred to the States General — Committee appointed to in- 
 vestigate the same — Articles submitted by the Patroons containing their demands — 
 Replications of the Company — Rejoinder on the part of Patroons — Owners of the 
 William apply to Dutch ambassadors at London for damages — Threaten to apply 
 to the king in council — Application communicated to States General — Referred to 
 the Assembly of the XIX. — Memorial of the latter in reply — Request that the mat- 
 ter be referred to the Dutch and English ambassadors — States General decline to 
 interfere — Quarrel between Van Twiller and Minister Bogardus — Peace made with 
 the Raritans — Imports and Exports — Superintendent over Pavonia arrives in New 
 Netherland 158 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Encroachments of the New England people on New Netherland — Tear down the 
 arms of the States General at Kievitts Hoeck — Van Twiller protests against the 
 intruders, and makes representations to the directors — The English send Governor 
 Winslow to London to complain against the Dutch — He is imprisoned there — Eng- 
 
16 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 lish attempt a settlement oa the South River — Are taken prisoners and sent to the 
 Manhattans — First English settlers in New Amsterdam — Fort Amsterdam finished 
 — Irregularities there — Director-general and several members of his council appro- 
 priate to themselves large quantities of the public domain — Settlement of Flatlands, 
 or New Amersfoort commenced — Van Dinclage, schout-fiscaal, opposes Van Twil- 
 ler — Is dismissed from office — Returns to Holland — Ulrich Lupoid appointed in his 
 place — Van Dinclage brings the affairs of New Netherland before the States Gen- 
 eral — Assembly of the XIX. remove Van Twiller — Willem Kieft appointed direc- 
 tor-general of New Netherland — Prices at New Amsterdam and on the Connecti- 
 cut — Van Twiller adds a number of islands to his estates — States General call the 
 attention of the company to the retrograding condition of New Netherland — Re- 
 quire report thereupon — Queries submitted to the directors — Their answers — Propose 
 surrendering the Indian trade — Unfavorable state of the colony — Causes thereof — 
 States General insist on the adoption of some plan to encourage emigration to and 
 the settlement of the country, so that New Netherland may not be lost or given 
 away ... Page 168 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Arrival of Willem Kieft, third Director-general — His council — Colonial Secretary, 
 and schout-fiscaal — Other public officers — Their salaries — Condition of New Am- 
 sterdam — Irregularities there — Proclamations of director and council — Organiza- 
 tion of court of justice — Proclamation against drunkenness — Arrival of immigrants 
 — Purchase of land on Long Island — State of public morals — Regulations for the 
 inspection of New Netherland tobacco — Rights of the Dutch threatened in the 
 south — Swedish West India Company formed — Pieter Minuit, former director of 
 New Netherland, appointed director of New Sweden — Arrives at the Delaware 
 with some Swedes — Is boarded by the Dutch Commissary — Opens a trade with 
 the natives — Purchases land and erects Fort Christina — Kieft protests against hirai 
 several times, but in vain — Minuit returns to Sweden, leaving a colony of twenty 
 men behind — Swedish ship seized in Holland on her return from " the West Indies" 
 — Is released — States General urge the permanent settlement of New Netherland 
 — New articles and conditions proposed by the Amsterdam chamber — a " new pro- 
 ject" also submitted by parties friendly to the Patroons — Patroons seek to enlarge 
 their privileges, and to reserve the country for manors and lordships — States Gene- 
 ral disapprove of both these plans — Proclamation opening the trade in New 
 Netherland, and abolishing the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by the West India Com- 
 pany 180 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 17 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 FROM THE OPENING OF THE INDIAN TRADE TO THE END OF DIRECTOR 
 
 KIEFt's ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 1639—1647. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Consequences of the opening of the trade — Encouragement to emigration — English 
 settlers in New Netherland obliged to take an oath of allegiance — Further encroach- 
 ments of the English — Settle New Haven — Hartford people oppose the Dutch at 
 Fort Good Hope — Controversy between the parties — Grant of Long Island to the 
 Earl of Stirling — An agent appointed by that nobleman to settle that island — Fur- 
 ther purchases by the Dutch thereupon — English cross over and commence settle- 
 ments on the east end of Long Island — Additional grants by the Dutch on the 
 western extremity — Lupoid removed from office — Cornells van der Huygens ap- 
 pointed schout-fiscaal — Other appointments — Renewal of the differences between 
 the English and the Dutch on the Connecticut — Change of commissary at Fort 
 Hope — The Norwalk Islands purchased by the Dutch — Additional purchases on 
 Long Island — Earl Stirling's agent arrives at New Amsterdam — His pretensions 
 disregarded — A party of English attempt a settlement west of Oyster Bay — Dutcli 
 expedition sent to prevent them — Prisoners taken and dismissed — Southampton and 
 Southold commenced — English commence a settlement at Greenwich — Protested 
 against — Proceedings in Holland regarding New Netherland — A new charter 
 agreed upon by Assembly of the XIX. — Provisions thereof — Laid before the States 
 General — Effects of opening the fur-trade on the Indians — Director Kieft deter- 
 mines to impose a tribute on them — Indians discontented — Occurrences at Staten 
 Island — Property belonging to the company stolen— Kieft enraged against the Ra- 
 ritans — Sends an expedition against them — Attack — Result — Prices of sundry com- 
 modities at New Amsterdam — Still erected on Staten Island — Brandy and other 
 liquors manufactured Page 205 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Murder of one of the company's slaves by six other negroes — Lots drawn to determine 
 which should be executed — Scene at the place of execution — Proclamations against 
 Drunkenness, and regulating the currency — New Haven people intrude on the 
 South River — Protested against — Renewal of the difficulties on the Connecticut — 
 Collision between the Dutch and English there — Rev. Hugh Peters sent by Mas- 
 sachusetts to England ; commissioned to proceed to Holland to settle the difficul- 
 ties between Connecticut and New Netherland — Propositions submitted to the 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 West India Company by Governors Winthrop and Haynes — Several English fami- 
 lies propose removing from Massachusetts to Long Island — Privileges granted to 
 them — A new colonie planted behind Newark Bay — Staten Island granted to 
 Melyn — Other settlements at Hoboken — Increased misunderstanding between the 
 Indians and the Dutch — The latter set a price on the heads of the Raritans — 
 Peace concluded between both parties — A Weckquaesqueeck Indian assassinates 
 a Dutch settler to avenge the murder of his uncle, committed twenty years previ- 
 ously — Kieft demands tlie murderer — ^His surrender refused — The murder justified 
 — Meeting of the commonalty in consequence — Election of " the Twelve Men" — 
 Their proceedings — Kieft displeased — Sends expeditions against the offending 
 tribe, but effects nothing — The Twelve Men seek reforms in the government — 
 Absolute power of the Director-general — Exercises legislative and judicial func- 
 tions — Demands of the Twelve Men — Answers of the Director-general thereupon — 
 Meeting of the Twelve Men forbidden on pain of corporal punishment — Expedition 
 against the Weckquaesqueecks — Fails in discovering the enemy — Peace with these 
 Indians Page 229 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Continued disagreements between the people of Hartford and the Dutch at Fort 
 Good Hope — Kieft forbids all intercourse with tlie former — Greenwich comes un- 
 der the jurisdiction of the Dutch — Progress of the English at the South River — 
 Kieft determines to break up their settlements — Measures adopted with that view — 
 Excitement at New Haven in consequence — Delegates from Hartford arrive at 
 Fort Amsterdam to negotiate for the purchase of Fort Hope — Terms proposed by 
 the Dutch — Movement in England against New Netherland — Lord Say's repre- 
 sentations to the Dutch ambassador at London — ^Several English families remove 
 from Massachusetts to New Netherland — Westchester, or Vredeland, settled — 
 Surveyor appointed — A fine stone tavern built in New Amsterdam — George Bax- 
 ter appointed English secretary — Ruinous condition of the church at Manhattans 
 — Measures taken for the erection of a new building — First consistory in New 
 Amsterdam — Contract for the proposed building — Inscription in front of the church 
 — Renewal of misunderstanding with the Indians — Miantonimo conspires against 
 the whites — General alarm in consequence — Some Dutch traders rob an Indian, 
 who murders two settlers in revenge — Endeavors of the Indian chiefs to make sat- 
 isfaction for the murder — Fail — Mohawks make a descent on the River Indians — 
 The latter fly for protection to the Dutch — ^Are hospitably entertained — Remove to 
 Corlaers Hook and Pavonia — ^Kieft determines to attack them — Is opposed by the 
 principal men at New Amsterdam — Kieft will not listen to their objections — The 
 attack — Cruelties practised against the Indians — Settlers on Long Island attack 
 the Indians in their neighborhood — •Eleven tribes proclaim war against the Dutch 
 — All the Dutch settlements destroyed — Public discontents — Kieft endeavors to 
 propitiate the Long Island Indians — The latter reject his ambassadors — A day of 
 General Fast and Prayer ordered — Proposals to depose the Director- general — An 
 attack made on his life — Disorders consequent thereupon — Arrival of a flag of truce 
 from the Indians on Long Island — Ambassadors sent to invite them to Fort Am- 
 sterdam — Speech of the Indian chief — Treaty of peace and cessation of hos- 
 tilities 251 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 19 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Union of the New England colonies — Congratulatory letters sent by Director and 
 council of New Netherland — Reply of the governor of Massachusetts — Proceedings 
 of the Commissioners of the United Colonies regarding the Dutch — Sir Ednuind 
 Ployden Earl-palatine of New Albion — ^Boundaries of the Palatinate — Continued 
 dissatisfaction of the Indians — The Wappingers attack a Dutch boat and com- 
 mence hostilities — Several other boats attacked and Christians killed — Meeting of 
 i,he commonalty — Election of the Eight Men — Names of the citizens present ou 
 this occasion — Conclusions of the Eight Men — Expel one of the board, and nomi- 
 nate another in his place — Army raised against the Indians — The latter attack 
 some settlers on Staten Island and in the colonic at Achter Cul — ^Murder several 
 persons, and overrun the country — Mrs. Hutchinson and family killed — Attack on 
 Lady Moody — Further deliberations of the Eight Men — Prices at New Amsterdam 
 — Letters to the Assembly of the XIX. and to the States General — Rules for the 
 soldiers on guard — State of affairs on the Island of Manhattans . Page 279 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Offensive measures against the Indians — Expedition to Staten Island — Mayn Mayano 
 ■ slain — His head brought into New Amsterdam — Expedition to Greenwich — 'Fails 
 in finding the Indians — 'Returns to Stamford — Collision between a Dutch soldier 
 and Captain Patrick — Latter killed — Attack on an Indian settlement — Detach- 
 ment return to the Manhattans — Expedition against the Weckquaesqueecks — Ar- 
 rive at the castles of that tribe, but find them abandoned — Pennawitz, chief of the 
 Canarsee tribe, discovered assisting the enemy — Expedition to Schout's Bay on 
 Long Island — 'Attacks on the Heemstede and Mespath Indians — ^Triumph of the 
 Dutch — Consequent outrage on some prisoners — Underbill proceeds to Stamford — 
 Expedition against the Indians of that quarter — Description of the Indian camp — 
 General attack thereupon — Important victory gained by the Dutch — Over five 
 hundred savages slaughtered — Public thanksgiving at New Amsterdam therefor — 
 Savages sue for peace — Treaties concluded between several of the river, and Long 
 Island tribes and the Dutch — Proceedings of the States General on the petitions of 
 the Eight Men — The West India Company unable to render any assistance — 
 Their letter to the States — ^Two Spanish vessels taken and brought to New Am- 
 sterdam — Low state of the colonial treasury — Kieft resolves to have recourse to 
 taxation — ^Convokes the Eight Men — Submits his plan — The Eight Men object — 
 Kieft becomes irritated — Claims unlimited power — The Eight Men succumb — E-t- 
 cise duties provisionally imposed — The Eight Men treated with disrespect by Di- 
 rector Kieft — The Dutch expelled from Maranham, a province of Brazil — Fly to 
 Cura5oa — Destitute condition of that island — Are sent to New Netherland — 'Arrive 
 opportunely at Fort Amsterdam — Council resolve to continue the excise — The 
 burghers oppose this arbitrary taxation — Prosecutions of the brewers — Persist in 
 their refusal to pay the excise — Execution issued against them in consequence — 
 Public discontent becomes very high — Parties formed — ^Protests against the Direc- 
 tor-general — Complaints against him sent to Holland, demanding his recall — Letter 
 
20 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 of the Eight Men — Sad condition of the country — Strictures on Kieft's maladmin- 
 istration Page 296 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Oolonie of Rensselaerswyck — First settlers sent out by the Patroon — His jurisdiction 
 — System of law in the oolonie — Local courts — First magistrates — 'Population — 
 Tenures — Patroon's privileges — Settlement of the Fuyck commenced — Beverswyck 
 — Arrival of Adriaen van der Donck in the colonic, as Schout-fiscaal — First cler- 
 gyman sent out — Agreement with him — Arrives with several other respectable 
 settlers — A church erected — Its dimensions — Regulations concerning the Indian 
 trade — Infractions thereof — Further regulations — Intrigues of Van der Donck — 
 Threatened mutiny of the settlers — Return of the Mohawks from Canada — Are 
 visited by Van Curler — Particulars of the interview with these tribes — Efforts to 
 procure the release of a Jesuit and other French prisoners — Continued misunder- 
 standing between Van der Donck and other local authorities — Van der Donck pro- 
 poses to erect a colonie in Katskill — Orders from the Patroon forbidding this — Di- 
 rects the dismissal of Van der Donck should he persist — The " Arms of Rensse- 
 laerswyck" sent out with a valuable cargo of goods — Arrives at the Manhattans — 
 Difficulties between the supercargo and the authorities at New Amsterdam — Ves- 
 sel and cargo seized — Protests and replications — Occurrences at Rensselaer-stein — 
 A vessel fired into while passing that place, because she refused to lower her colors 
 and bring to — Excitement in consequence — Prosecutions entered into against the 
 commander of the post — Further protests — Death of the first Patroon — Nicolaus 
 Coorn appointed Schout-Fiscaal — Quarrel between Van der Donck and Van Cur- 
 ler — Departure of the former for the Manhattans — Severity of the winter — De- 
 structive freshet, and visit of whales to Rensselaerswyck . . . . 319 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 States General order an inquiry into the condition of New Netherland — Proceedings 
 of the XIX. — Kieft recalled — ^Van Dinclage appointed, provisionally, in his place — 
 Interesting report on the state of New Netherland — Recommendations contained 
 therein — Proposed civil list — Modifications in the government, trade, &c. — Some 
 Indian tribes desire a cessation of hostilities — 'Several of the Long Island tribes 
 come in — Kieft concludes a peace at Fort Orange with the Mohawks and Mohe- 
 gans — General peace between the aborigines and the Dutch — Low condition of the 
 colony — Thanksgiving ordered — ^Additional purchases on Long Island — Orders re- 
 ceived to explore the country for minerals — Proceedings in consequence — The ship 
 by which specimens were sent to Holland, founders at sea, and all on board perish 
 — Pctrus Stuyvesant, Director at Cura9oa, besieges the island of St. Martin — Is 
 obliged to raise the siege — Receives a severe wound — Returns to Holland — Is ap- 
 pointed Director-general of New Netherland — Submits a plan for the better man- 
 agement of the company's transatlantic possessions — ^Further changes proposed 
 regarding the colonial trade — Differences of opinion in the Assembly of the XIX. — 
 Departure of Stuyvesant postponed — New Netherland continues under the mis- 
 management of Kieft 347 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 21 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Fruits of faction — Quarrel between the Rev. Mr. Bogardus and Director Kieft — Pro- 
 gress of aiFairs at the South River — Sufferings of the first Swedish colonists — Re- 
 solve to abandon the river and to remove to the Manhattans — Are prevented by 
 the opportune arrival of additional supplies and settlers — Boundaries of New Sweden 
 — Royal appropriations for its support — Printz appointed governor — His salary — 
 Strength of the Swedish establishment on the Delaware — Its anhual expense — 
 Dutch force at Fort Nassau — Instructions to Printz — Swedish forts on the South 
 River — Swedes seize the Indian trade — Loss accruing to the Dutch in consequence 
 — Seizure of a Swedish vessel in Holland — Proceedings attendant thereupon — 
 Hudde appointed commissary at Fort Nassau — Some Dutch merchants send a 
 venture to the South River — Their vessels ordered off by the Swedes — Several 
 Dutch freemen receive grants of land on the Delaware — Measures taken to ex- 
 tinguish Indian titles — Company's arms erected on the spot — Swedes tear them 
 down, and protest against the Dutch, who reply — High-handed measures of the 
 Swedish governor — The Dutch traders appeal to New Amsterdam — Renewal of 
 the controversy between Kieft and New Haven — Continued misunderstanding on 
 the Connecticut — Correspondence with the commissioners of the United Colonies 
 — The Director-general refers the matters to Holland — Instructions from the West 
 India Company — Patents for new colonies at Katskill and Yonckers — Breukelen 
 obtains manorial rights and municipal privileges .... Page 362 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Termination of Kieft's administration — General condition of the country — Slaves — 
 Their lot under the Dutch — Population of New Netherland — Revenue — Causes of 
 the backward state of the province — Advanced condition of New England — 'Re- 
 flections — Settlements enumerated — Their government — Transfer of the municipal 
 institutions of Holland to New Netherland — Errors of contemporary writers — 
 Character of Director Kieft — Denies the right of appeal from his judgments — 
 Harsh and tyrannical proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Doughty and Mr. Van 
 Hardenbergh — General discontent — State of morals, religion, and education — Con- 
 clusion . . . . . 384 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE APPENDIX 
 
 Page. 
 
 A. — Charter to the Dutch West India Company, 399 
 
 B. — Agreement between the Managers and Principal Adventurers of the West 
 
 India Company, 408 
 
 C. — Names of the Directors of the West India Company to the end of the year 
 
 1636, 411 
 
 D. — Capt. Mason's and Sir Ferdinando Gorges' Letters relative to the Dutch in 
 
 New Netherland, 415 
 
 E. — Report, &c., on the Condition of New Netherland, anno 1644, . . . 418 
 
 F. — Patent of Mespath, or Newtown, L. I., . . . . . . . 425 
 
 Ff — Some Particulars of the Rev. Mr. Doughty, 427 
 
 G. — Account of Expenses incurred hy Kiliaen van Rensselaer, as Patroon, anno 
 
 1630, 1631, 429 
 
 H. — Names of Settlers in Rensselaerswyck, from 1630 to 1646, . . . 433 
 
 I. — Legal Custom, &c., in the Colonic of Rensselaerswyck, . . . 442 
 J. — Contract between the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, Jr. and the Patroon of 
 
 Rensselaerswyck ; Dismissal of the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis by the 
 Classis of Amsterdam ; Patroon's consent that the Directors of West 
 
 India Company should approve said dismissal, 448 
 
 K. — ^Memorandum for Dominie Megapolensis, &c. ; Catalogue of Books for the 
 
 Colonie of Rensselaerswyck, . 452 
 
 L. — Arendt van Curler's Letter to Patroon of Rensselaerswyck, anno 1643 . 456 
 M. — Insinuation, Protest, &c. on behalf of Patroon, anno 1643, . . . 466 
 7^. — Debit and Credit Account of the Estate belonging to the first Patroon in 
 
 Holland, at his decease, . 468 
 
 O. — Van Curler's Account of the Quarrel between himself and Van der Donck, 
 
 and Minute referring the latter's claim to Holland, .... 469 
 P.— Tenths in Rensselaerswyck for 1642, 1643, 1644, 1645, . . . .472 
 
 Q, — Two leases in Rensselaerswyck, 1646, 1647, 473 
 
 R. — Prices in Rensselaerswyck from 1630 to 1646, 477 
 
 S.— Godyn's Notice of his intention to occupy the Bay of the South River, dated 
 19th June, 1629 ; and an Agreement, dated 7th Feb., 1635, between 
 the Directors of the West India Company and Samuel Bloemmaert and 
 others, for the conveyance to the former of the colonie of Zwanen- 
 dael, 479 
 
FAC-SIMILES OF THE SIGNATURES 
 
 Of fht' fTiw first Directors Geturalj of t?u,J)utt^ Q^ffjimTv and at^- pnacW^i/ /9k<w Mfuui:^^^ truif, ^ a/yitirj- 1^' ^£W Af£ TZ/JT/flAAtD. 
 
BOOK I 
 
 FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE INCORPORATION OF 
 THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COMPANY. 
 
 1492—1621. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Discovery of America by Columbus — ^Jean and Sebastian Cabot visit the coast 
 and claim the country for the King of England — Verrazzano enters the Bay 
 of New York — Revolt of the Seven United Provinces from Spain — interrup- 
 tion of Dutch commerce in consequence — The Dutch determine to compete 
 with the Spaniards in the trade with India — Successive attempts to carry out 
 that project — Willem Barentszoon and Jacob Heemskirk try to find a north- 
 ern passage to India and fail — Repeat the attempt, and are again unsuccess- 
 ful — A third effort made — Heemskirk winters in Nova Zembla — Returns to 
 Holland — Project of finding a passage to India by the North abandoned — 
 Several Dutch merchants send expeditions to the West Indies — Vessels in the 
 employ of the Greenland Company said to have visited New Netherland, and 
 to have built forts on the North and South rivers there, for the purpose of 
 shelter for the crew in winter — The Company of Foreign Countries formed in 
 Holland — Send four ships to India by way of the Cape — Expedition success- 
 ful — Other expeditions follow — Dutch East India Company incorporated — A 
 Dutch West India Company proposed — Plan therefor drawn up and published 
 — Favorably received — Project interrupted by the truce with Spain — Dutch 
 visit the River of Canada in search of furs — A private association in London 
 resolve to look for a north passage to India — Dispatch a ship under command 
 of Henry Hudson ; who makes two voyages to the north, but is unsuccess- 
 ful — Hudson proceeds to Holland — Is patronised by the Dutch East India 
 Company — Sails from Amsterdam, in the Half Moon, on a voyage in search 
 of a northwest peissage to China and India. 
 
 The annals of the century succeeding the discovery of Co- book 
 lumbus are filled with accounts of voyages undertaken with a 
 view to explore the New World ; some in quest of adventure ; 1492. 
 some in search of mines of the precious metals ; some in 
 search of a northwest passage to India : all in the hope of 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK securing for the projectors sudden and boundless wealth, or 
 imperishable fame. 
 
 1497. Jean and Sebastian Cabot were among the earliest followers 
 of the celebrated Genoese. Under a commission from Henry 
 the VII. of England, they sailed for the western continent, 
 
 1498. and sweeping along the extensive coasts of North America, 
 claimed, on this pretence, for their sovereign, the entire ter- 
 ritory which they occasionally saw at a distance. 
 
 Jean de Verrazzano, a Florentine, in the service of the 
 1524. French monarch, who succeeded Cabot in these seas, entered, 
 as it is maintained, the bay of New York, in the spring of 
 1524, and gave, on his return, an account of his voyage to 
 his royal master.^ 
 
 The inhabitants of the Low Countries, whom the physical 
 condition of the territory which they occupied had from the 
 earliest ages designed to be a maritime nation, and whom na- 
 ture, education, and the circumstances in which they were 
 placed, had directed to commercial pursuits, gave evidence, 
 long before the voyage of Columbus, of a bold spirit of dis- 
 covery. Sixty-eight years previous to the sailing of that 
 expedition from Palos, Betencour, a native of the French 
 Netherlands, had discovered the Flemish Islands, since 
 called the Azores, and thus pointed the way to the western 
 world.^ 
 
 But when the triumph of Columbus placed it in the power 
 of European monarchs to bestow unlimited territory on such 
 
 1510. of their favorites as would take the trouble of seeking it, Charles 
 the Fifth granted, it is said, an island in America to the Sieur 
 Beveren, who dispatched tvvo armed vessels in search of his 
 new estate. His were the first Dutch ships that had ever 
 
 1512. ventured on these seas. Two years afterwards Anthony Mo- 
 
 ' An account of Verrazzano's voyage will be found, at length, in N. Y. Hist. 
 Soc. Trans., (new series) i. 37. Stuyvesant alludes to it in his Manifest to tho 
 Governor and Council of Maryland (N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans., iii. 374) in these 
 words: " The French were in the year of our Lord God Almighty, 1524, the 
 second followers of tho discovery in these northern parts of this America, by 
 Johan de Verrazzano, a Florentine." See also Beschryv. van America, 
 by Jan Huyghen van Linschotten, Amsterdam, 1635. Bancroft (Hist. Uni- 
 ted States, i. 17) admits that Verrazzano visited the bay of New York. 
 
 ' Vaderlansche Hist., ix., 151 ; Thuanus, lib. i., 7. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 27 
 
 lock sailed in a Dutch craft to the Cape de Verde islands, and chap. 
 when Charles had succeeded to the rich inheritance of the 
 Spanish Crown, and became sovereign of the Low Countries, 
 the Dutch, it is maintained, had already pushed their way to 
 America, and become familiar with a part of its coasts. Con- 
 trary to the general opinion, these voyages had preceded the 
 revolution which took place under Philip the Second, and were 
 only interrupted by that exciting event.' 
 
 Seven provinces of the Spanish Netherlands, borne down by 
 the weight of oppression and tyranny to which they had been 
 long subjected, had determined, a few years afterwards, to achieve ] 566. 
 their independence. To accomplish this they had recourse to 
 arms. A long and bloody war ensued against the Spanish 
 king, who, irritated now to the extremest degree against his re- 
 bellious subjects, issued an edict prohibiting the inhabitants 
 of Spain and Portugal from holding intercourse with the 
 revolted provinces. The enterprising people of the latter coun- 
 try were, by this royal decree, deprived of the advantages which 
 they had hitherto enjoyed of carrying, from the countries lying 
 around the Baltic, to the different ports in Spain and Portugal, 
 great quantities of corn and naval stores, in return for which 
 they received wine and fruit, the products of the South, the 
 gold and silver of America, and the spices and other luxuries 
 which the Portuguese imported from India. 
 
 The energies of the young republic were not, however, to 
 be crushed by such vexations. Having so long acted as car- 
 riers for the Portuguese, the Dutch well knew the demand 
 which existed for the rich productions of the East, and that 
 this demand was every year increasing. They forthwith turned 
 their attention to secure, in some other way, the advantages 
 which they had hitherto possessed, and with that view, deter- 
 mined to compete with their oppressors even in the Indian seas." 
 
 It was whilst men's minds were thus excited, that one Beets, 1581. 
 an Englishman, who had already made five voyages to the 
 West Indies, proposed to lead an expedition to that quarter for, 
 and on account of, the States of Holland, provided their High 
 
 * Recherclies sur Ic Commerce des Hollandais in Voy. en Holland, par Sir 
 John Carr ; traduit par Mme. Kerallo Robert, t. ii., 233, 234. 
 ' Watson's Life of Philip III., ii., 85, 86. 
 
2S 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Mightinesses would place four ships-of-war at his disposal. 
 
 — Though this offer was not accepted, the desire for adventure 
 1584. continued, and several voyages were made, northward to Arch- 
 angel, and westward to the Cape de Verde Islands.^ 
 
 Stimulated now both by desire of gain, and by hatred of the 
 Spaniards, it was resolved to make an effort to discover a pas- 
 sage to India by the Northern Ocean ; and three ships, outfitted 
 
 1594. by some Amsterdam and Zealand merchants, sailed with that 
 .Tune 5. ^^g^ from the Texel, under command of Willem Barentszoon 
 
 and Jacob Heemskirk, shaping their course by the Straits of 
 Weygat, and around Nova Zembla. 
 
 These enterprising navigators proceeded as far as 77° 45' 
 north ; and having held out hopes on their return of eventual 
 success, the States of Holland, and Maurice, Prince of Or- 
 
 1595. ange, equipped several vessels, which they placed under the 
 same commanders, who came home, after an absence of four 
 months, without accomplishing their design. The city of 
 Amsterdam, no way discouraged by these failures, ordered 
 two vessels to be equipped the following year. These sailed 
 
 1596. on the 18th May, again under Heemskirk, who was accom- 
 panied by Jan Cornelissen Ryp. Having reached the latitude 
 of 80° 1 1', they discovered land, along which they coasted for 
 some time, and at length turned back. The ships separated 
 at Beeren Island ; Cornelissen returned home, and Heemskirk 
 proceeded to Nova Zembla, where, at the last of August, he 
 became so embayed in ice that he could proceed no farther, 
 and was obliged to pass the winter in those Arctic regions, 
 exposed to all the perils arising from an inclement season, fero- 
 cious animals, and scanty provisions. He finally succeeded in 
 
 1597. extricating himself and companions in the course of the follow- 
 ing summer, and arrived safely at home, where every hope was 
 now abandoned of finding a passage to China by the North.^ 
 
 In the mean time, the project of participating in the 
 West India trade continued to engage the attention of adven- 
 turers in the Netherlands ; Gerrit Bikker, alderman and 
 councillor of the city of Amsterdam, and Jan Cornelissen 
 
 * Vaderlandsch. Hist, ix., 152. Wagenaar Beschryving van Amsterdam, i., 407. 
 
 * Van Meteren Nederlansche Geschiedenis, vi., 410, 411, 412. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 29 
 
 Leyen of Enckhuyzen, dispatched, separately, some vessels to chap. 
 that quarter in the course of the last mentioned year, but with -^^^ 
 what result is not stated.^ Several vessels were again sent 
 to the West Indies from the city of Amsterdam in 1598,^^ 
 in the course of which year, it is said, some Dutchmen 1593. 
 in the employ of a Greenland company, resorted to New 
 Netherland, without any design, however, to make a settle- 
 ment there, but with a view of having a place of shelter during 
 the winter months ; for which purpose, it is added, they built 
 two small forts, one on the North, and one on the South river, 
 to protect them against the attacks of the Indians.^ 
 
 Some Amsterdam merchants who had formed a private 
 trading association, entitled " The Company of Foreign Coun- 
 tries," while occupied in considering the best course to pursue 
 in order to reach India, received an application from one Cor- 
 nells Houtman, a native of Flanders, then in prison for debt at 
 Lisbon, who represented that, having made several voyages with 
 the Portuguese to India, he was not only well acquainted with 
 the navigation thither, but likewise with the details of the 
 India trade. He offered, in case they would furnish him with 
 means to purchase his hberty, to communicate to them all 
 necessary information, and to undertake in person the conduct 
 of their ships. This proposal was gladly accepted. His 
 release was immediately purchased, and so satisfied were the 
 merchants with the information which he gave on his arrival 
 at Amsterdam, that they equipped a squadron of four ships, 
 which they put under his command. After an absence of two 
 years and four months, this expedition returned, to the great 
 joy of the country, completely successful in all its objects. 
 
 ' Wagenaar Beschryv. i., 408 ; Vaderlandsch. Hist, ix., 152. 
 
 ' Wagenaar Beschryv. i., 416. « 
 
 ' Nieuw Nederlandt, gelegen aen de landen van America, tusscheff de Eng- 
 elshe Virginias en N. Engelandt, streckende van Zuydt Revier, gelegen op 38^ 
 graeden, tot Cabo Malubaer, op de hoogste van 41 ^ graeden, is eerst bevaren 
 door de Ingesetenen van desen Staat in den jaer 1598, en insondorheyt by die 
 van den Groenlantsclie Compaine, doch sender vaste habitatie te maaken, als 
 alleen tot een verblyfF in de winter. Tot welcken eynde, aldaer twee fortjeens 
 aen de Zuydt en Noordt Revieren tegens den aenloopden Wilden hebben 
 geworpen. Rapport en advys over de gelegentheyt van Nieuw Nederlandt 
 getrokken uyt de stukken en papieren by Commissie der Vergaderinge der XIX^ 
 in date 15 dec 1644. Hoi. doc. ii., 368. 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The way having thus been at length opened, different com- 
 panics sprang up to participate in the weaUh of the East. But 
 competition has its evils as well as its advantages. The Indian 
 market was in danger of being glutted, and the trade conse- 
 quently injured ; to prevent which, the States General called a 
 meeting of the directors of all these companies, and obliged 
 them to unite in one body, as a measure of policy, and a means 
 of mutual protection against the enemy. This was accord- 
 ingly done, and these private adventurers were shortly after- 
 
 1602. wards incorporated under the style and title of " The East 
 India Company," one of the most powerful commercial socie- 
 ties of which we read in history.^ 
 
 The voyages to the East Indies having produced large 
 returns to those in the United Provinces engaged in that 
 commerce, some were now of opinion that similar results 
 would follow the erection of a well-regulated West India com- 
 pany, established on the same basis as that chartered in 1602. 
 William Usselincx, an Antwerp merchant who had been in 
 the habit of resorting to Spain and her islands, and who was 
 well acquainted with the West Indian trade, was the principal 
 of these projectors. Having communicated his ideas to some 
 of the most influential citizens of Amsterdam and Middle- 
 burgh, he, at their suggestion, drew up proposals for the 
 establishment of a West India Company, to be circulated 
 among the merchants generally, in order to ascertain how far 
 these would co-operate in carrying out the design. Having 
 
 1604. prominently set forth the various complaints entertained against 
 the Spaniards, on account of the efforts which they had made 
 to exclude the Netherlanders from the seas, and from all foreign 
 traffic, Usselincx proceeded to call public attention to the re- 
 cent dispovery of several fertile and temperate countries and 
 islands inhabited by friendly people, who, he represented, were 
 desirous of entering into alliance with the Dutch nation, then 
 at war with the Spaniards, against whom they also entertained 
 feelings of enmity. In this way, another opportunity was 
 offered to attack the common enemy in his weakest quarter. 
 The inhabitants of these countries, he said, were not na- 
 
 * Watson's Philip ii., 86, 87, 91. Van Meteren, lib. xvii., xviii. 
 
NEW NETIIEIILAND. 
 
 31 
 
 ked savages, but well-favored, well-clad people ; apt to learn, and chap. 
 among whom it would be advantageous to send colonists to teach 
 them agriculture, as the land was found well adapted for the rais- 
 ing of sugar, ginger, oil, wine, indigo, cotton, hops, dye-woods, 
 and other products, as well as for obtaining gold and silver, and 
 other minerals, "which are the sinews of war." He further re- 
 presented that salt was to be found, in great abundance, in these 
 countries, which would afford, in return, a good outlet for Dutch 
 manufactures and merchandise. Apart from these commercial 
 advantages, it was, moreover, to be hoped that in course of time 
 the saving faith and gospel of Jesus Christ might be planted 
 .there, whereby the heathen would be rescued from the dark- 
 ness of actual idolatry. The circular concluded by an invita- 
 tion to all those who were friendly to the project, to subscribe 
 what amount they should invest for the purpose of fitting 
 out a fleet, as it was intended to choose directors forthwith, 
 and to apply to the States General for a charter. It was, 
 however, stated, as a preliminary, that no person should have 
 a vote in the election of directors, unless such as had shares to 
 the amount of two hundred pounds Flemish. 
 
 The project met general approval. The States of Zealand 
 sent delegates to consult with deputies from Amsterdam, Dord- 
 recht, Delft, Rotterdam, Harlem, Leyden, Gouda, Schiedam, 
 Hoorn, Enkhuysen, Alkmaar, Edam, and Monnikendam, by 
 whom, finally, a draft of a charter was drawn up, and submit- 
 ted to the States General, for the incorporation of a Dutch 
 West India Company, to trade exclusively, for and during thirty- 
 six years, to the coast of Africa, from the tropic of Cancer to 
 the Cape of Good Hope, and to America, from the Straits of 
 Magellan to Terra Nova, the islands thereabout included. 
 
 This charter was duly considered by their High Mightinesses, 
 and on the point of being completed, when proposals for a gen- 
 eral peace, or a temporary truce, were received from the 
 Archduke, which interrupted any farther progress in the 
 project that Usselincx had thms brought well nigh to perfec- 
 tion.^ 
 
 ' Van Meteren, ix., 185, 186, 187, 188, 193, 194. Vaderlands. Hist, ix., 227, 
 228, 229, 230. 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY or 
 
 BOOK In the mean time, Dutch vessels continued their explorations 
 into distant seas, and were to be found this year searching 
 ' for furs among the Indians on the River of Canada, whither 
 they had been conducted by a treacherous Frenchman.^ But 
 the hope of effecting a passage by the north to China, princi- 
 pally absorbed the attention of scientific men, who earnestly 
 discussed new projects and suggested new routes, in the vain 
 expectation of working out, successfully, this great problem. 
 A private association was formed in London, to attempt a 
 northwest passage, at whose expense an expedition was placed 
 under the direction of Henry Hudson, an intrepid English 
 mariner, whose name has been immortalized by his valuable • 
 discoveries. 
 
 Of the early life of this celebrated navigator little is known, 
 further than that he was a native of England, had received a 
 thorough maritime education, and was a distinguished seaman. 
 Under the auspices of the above society, he made two voyages 
 
 1608. to the north in the course of 1607 and 1608 ; but having, like 
 all those who preceded him, failed in attaining the object con- 
 templated by his patrons, the latter suspended operations, and 
 Hudson shaped his course to Holland f encouraged, probably, 
 by the efforts making in that quarter to form a new commer- 
 cial association to trade to the West Indies. 
 
 1609. The celebrated truce between the Dutch and Spaniards hav- 
 ing been nearly completed, about this time, the more promi- 
 nent reasons for the incorporation of a West India Company 
 were removed ; and Hudson, on his arrival in Holland, made 
 proposals to the East India Company to renew the search 
 after the long-desired passage to India by the north. Discour- 
 aged, however, by former fruitless attempts, and persuaded by 
 the representations of Balthazar Moucheron, who had already 
 been on a similar expedition, the Directors of the Zealand de- 
 
 * Belknap Biog. i., 337. " The avarice of these Hollanders," says this author, 
 " was so great that they had opened the graves of the dead, and taken the 
 beaver skins in whieli the corpses had been buried. This outrage was so highly 
 resented by the savages at Canseau, that they killed the person who had shown 
 the places where the dead were laid." 
 
 ■■' Van Meteren, ix., 185. Moulton's Hist. New York, 195, 198, 200. Sparks' 
 Amer. Biog. x., 188, 209. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 33 
 
 partment opposed the Englishman's proposition ; but the Am- chap. 
 sterdam Chamber encouraged the enterprise, and furnished, ^-^^ 
 for this important voyage, a yacht, or fly boat, called " The 
 Half-Moon," which they manned with a crew of from sixteen 
 to twenty men, partly English and partly Dutch sailors.^ 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Hudson sails from the Texel — Arrives off Newfoundland — Reaches the coast 
 of America in the lat. of 41° — Proceeds thence south to Cape Cod, which he 
 calls New Holland — Arrives at the Chesapeake — Returns north and dis- 
 covers a great bay in latitude 39° — Continues his northward course — 
 Descries the Highlands of Navesinck — Rounds Sandy Hook and enters the 
 Great North River of New Netherland — Has communication with the Indians 
 on the west side of the bay — Appearance of the country — Continues his 
 course upward towards a narrow river — Sends his mate to sound the chan- 
 nel, who comes into collision with the natives and is killed — Hudson retains two 
 Indians as hostages — Explores the river — Goes ashore in the neighborhood of 
 Castleton on a visit to an Indian chief, by whom he is hospitably entertained — 
 Concludes his exploration of the river, and turns back — Tries an experiment on 
 some of the natives — Is the first European who introduces intoxicating liquors 
 among the Indians — Continues his downward couree — Gets again into collision 
 with the savages, several of whom are killed — Leaves the mouth of the Great 
 River, and arrives in England — Sends an account of his discovery to Holland 
 — Proposes to undertake a new voyage — Is ordered to Holland, where he 
 arrives in the following year — The Dutch decline his proposition, and he 
 re-enters the service of the London Company. 
 
 Henry Hudson took his departure from Amsterdam on the 1609. 
 fourth, and sailed from the Texel on the sixth of April, 1609. ^P"l 
 He doubled the North Cape in the course of a month, but the 
 ice and the fogs preventing him reaching Nova Zembla, he 
 determined to abandon his original plan, and to endeavor to 
 discover a passage by the Northwest. He accordingly directed 
 
 ' Vaderlands. Hist, x., 7. Van Meteren, x., 203. Lambrechtsen Kort Bes- 
 chryv. van N. Nederlant. Moulton, 203. Van der Donk Vertoogh van N. Ne- 
 derl. ; also Beschryv. van N. Nederl. " The only trace of this voyage that was 
 discovered in the papers of the East India Company," says Mr. Brodhead, 
 " consisted of a memorandum of a single line in one of the ships' books, stating 
 the fact that the yaght Halve Maan of forty lasts burden had been sent toward 
 the north in the year 1608." Report, Assembly's Docs. 1842, i., 150. 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK his course towards America, and after various vicissitudes 
 I- . 
 
 through storms and ice, loss of foremast and sails, arrived olf 
 1609. . . 
 
 July 2*. •'^^6 banks of Newfoundland, in the beginning of July, where 
 
 he refreshed his men by a heavy " catch" of cod. He con- 
 tinued his course westward for some days, when he first 
 
 July obtained sight of the coast of North America. The fog was 
 12. . . 
 
 SO thick, however, that he did not venture to near the land 
 
 for several days. The weather at length cleared up, and he 
 
 July ran into a bay at the mouth of a large river in the latitude of 
 
 forty-one degrees. This was Penobscot bay, on the coast of 
 
 Maine. 
 
 Having remained here for the space of a week, during which 
 he had frequent and friendly intercourse with the natives, and 
 succeeded in cutting and rigging a new foremast, he took his 
 
 July departure, and continued his voyage southward, having for- 
 merly learned from his friend. Captain John Smith, that there 
 was a passage to the Western Pacific Ocean, south of Vir- 
 ginia. In a few days he saw land trending north, and ter- 
 Aug. 4.minating in a headland, which was recognised to be Cape Cod ; 
 but to which, under the supposition that it was an island, 
 Hudson gave the name of New Holland, in compliment to the 
 country of his employers, by whom it was afterwards dis- 
 tinguished as Staaten Hocck, or States' Point. Here he 
 experienced further friendly reception from the Indians, some 
 of whom came on board, and were kindly treated. They were 
 observed to have green tobacco ; pipes, the bowls of which 
 were made of clay, and the stems of red copper. 
 
 The Half-Moon hence pursued a course south and west for 
 the next ten days, and at length arrived, about the middle of 
 
 Aug. August, at the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, where the first 
 ■ effectual attempt to plant an English colony had been com- 
 menced only two years before. Hudson now retraced his 
 
 Aug. steps, and in a few days afterwards discovered, in latitude thirty- 
 nine degrees five minutes, a great bay, which has since been 
 called Delaware. Here he anchored the Half-Moon in eight 
 fathom water, and took possession, it is said, of the country.^ 
 
 ' Vanderdonk, speaking, in his Beschryving van Nieuw Nederlandt, of the 
 South River or Delaware, says : — " This is the place where the ship Half- 
 Moon first took possession." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 35 
 
 From this place he coasted northward, the shore appearing chap. 
 low, like sunken ground, dotted with islands, and at length 
 descried the Highlands of Navesinck, which, the journalist re- 1609. 
 marks, is a very good land to fall in witli, and a pleasant land Sept. 2. 
 to see. He found himself, on the following day, at the mouth 
 of three great rivers, the northernmost of which he attempted 
 to enter ; but having been prevented by a shoal bar at its 
 mouth, he cast about to the soulhv/ard, and after due examina- 
 tion of the sounding, rounded a low " Sand)" Hook," and 
 moored the Half-Moon, on the following morning, in latitude Sept. 4. 
 forty degrees thirty minutes, at a short distance from the shore, 
 in the waters of " The Great North River of New Nelher- 
 iand." 
 
 While the ship lay here at anchor, the natives from the 
 western shore came on board, and seemed to be highly pleased 
 at the arrival of the Europeans. They brought green tobacco, 
 which they desired to exchange for knives and beads. They 
 had divers ornaments, as well as pipes, made of copper ; plenty 
 of maize, or Indian corn ; dresses of deerskins, well cured, 
 hung loosely around them. 
 
 The next day some men were sent in the boat to explore Sept. 5. ■ 
 the bay further up. They landed on the western bank, which 
 was lined with men, women, and children, by whom they 
 were very kindly received, and presented with tobacco and 
 dried currants. They found the land covered with dried oaks. 
 The natives continued to flock on boar«l the ship, dressed in 
 mantles of feathers and fine furs ; their necks adorned with 
 ornaments of copper, and some of the women had hemp. 
 
 Hudson, discovering now that the bay was the entrance to 
 what appeared to be an extensive river, sent five of the crew Sept. 6. 
 forward to make a more particular examination of the chan- 
 nel. They passed through the Narrows, sounding as they 
 went, and saw " a narrow river to the westw^ard, between two 
 islands," which are now supposed to be Staten Island and 
 Bergen Neck. They described the land as covered with trees, 
 grass, and flowers ; and the air filled with delightful fragrance. 
 After proceeding upward for six miles, they turned back ; 
 when, from some unaccountable cause, the boat was attacked 
 by two canoes containing twenty-six Indians, by whom John 
 
36 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Colman, an Englishman who had accompanied Hudson in 
 ^-^^ his polar voyages, was killed by an arrow shot into his throat. 
 1609. Two others of the crew were wounded at the same time. 
 
 This was the first European blood that was shed in these 
 Sept. 7. waters. Hudson's companion was interred at Sandy Hook, 
 and the spot where his remains were deposited has since pre 
 served, in memory of the event, the name of Colman's Point. 
 
 Additional precautions were now taken against any sudden 
 attack ; but though the ship was visited on the following day 
 by numbers of Indians, they did not manifest any knowledge 
 of the fatal affray which had taken place. The day after, 
 Sept. 9. however, two large canoes, one of which was filled with armed 
 men, came off to the vessel ; but Hudson, suspicious of their 
 intentions, would allow only two of the savages to come on 
 board. These he determined to detain, and dressed them 
 in red coats, whereupon the remainder returned on shore. 
 Presently another canoe with two men came to the ves- 
 sel ; one of these was also detained on board, probably as a 
 hostage, but he contrived to jump overboard soon after, and 
 swam on shore. Thereupon Hudson weighed anchor, stood 
 through the Narrows, and finally reached New York har- 
 bor, where he rode all night. He was here again visited by 
 the natives, who made a great show of love, giving tobacco 
 and Indian corn ; but thev could not be trusted. 
 
 Hudson having ascended thus far, prepared now to explore 
 uhe magnificent river which rolled its waters into the sea from 
 unknown regions, in the probable hope that it would lead him 
 to the long-sought-for massage to the Indies. He accordingly 
 ^12^ weighed in the afternoon of the 12th September, and com- 
 menced his memorable voyage up that majestic stream, which 
 has since handed his name down to posterity. 
 
 But the wind was so light that it permitted him to proceed 
 only a few leagues. The moment he anchored, the natives 
 again renewed their visits in increased numbers, bringing oys- 
 ters and vegetables. None, however, were allowed on board. 
 The wind sprang up the next day, and the ship succeeded 
 in making nearly forty miles. The land now began to grow 
 Sept \\\^ and mountainous, and she reached soon after the 
 
 14. entrance of wild, but sublime, highlands. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 37 
 
 When he awoke, next morning, Hudson found a heavy chap. 
 mist overhanging the river and its shores, and conceahng the -^-^ 
 summits of the mountains. But it soon cleared up, and he g^p^^' 
 was about to proceed on his course, when the two savages 15. 
 whom he held as hostages, made their escape through the 
 port-holes of the vessel, and swam on shore. The moment 
 he vv^as under weigh, they hailed the crew and expressed their 
 indignation at the treatment they had been subjected to, by 
 uttering loud cries of scorn and anger. Towards night the 
 Half-Moon came in view of other mountains, which lay from 
 the river's side, and anchored, it is supposed, near the present 
 site of Cattskill landing. Here were found " very loving peo- 
 ple and very old men," by whom the Europeans were well 
 used. 
 
 Next morning a large number of the inhabitants of the Sept. 
 
 country came off to the ship, bringing Indian corn, pumpkins, 
 
 and tobacco, in return for which they obtained some trinkets. 
 
 Having been occupied most of the day in taking in a supply 
 
 of water, the Half-Moon did not start again till towards night ; 
 
 but she made no more than five miles, when the river becoming 
 
 shoal, she cast anchor. Being now in the neighborhood of 
 
 the presejit town of Castleton, Hudson went on shore in an Sept. 
 
 1 8 
 
 Indian canoe, at the invitation of an old man, " the governor 
 of the country," who was chief over forty men and seventeen 
 women, and who occupied a house made of the bark of trees, 
 exceedingly smooth, and well finished within and without. Here 
 he found large quantities of Indian corn and beans, sufficient 
 to load three ships, besides what were still growing in the 
 fields. 
 
 On arriving at the house, two mats were spread to sit on ; 
 eatables were immediately brought in well-made red wooden 
 bowls, and men were dispatched with bows and arrows for 
 game, who soon returned with pigeons. A fat dog was killed, 
 and skinned with shells which were got out of the water, and 
 every sort of good cheer furnished. The Indians invited Hud- 
 son to remain all night, and were much disappointed when they 
 discovered his determination to return on board. Imagining that 
 it proceeded from the fear of their bows and arrows, they broke 
 these in pieces and threw them into the fire. The land here 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 nooK was observed to be of the finest kind for tillage, bearing trees 
 -^v~ fit for shipbuilding ; pumpkins, grapes, plums, and other 
 1609. '^riie Indians still crowded on board, exchanging furs 
 
 and other articles of native produce for beads, knives, hatchets, 
 or w^hatever trifles the sailors could spare them. The w^eather 
 continuing fair, anchor was again weighed, and the Half-Moon 
 Sept. ran two leagues higher up. The navigation of the river now 
 becoming considerably obstructed, a boat was sent forward 
 for the purpose of exploring the channel. It ascended several 
 miles. The channel was found narrow, and the depth of the 
 water variable. 
 
 Sept. Distrusting the savages all along, Hudson determined now 
 to try an experiment, which, by throwing them olf their guard, 
 would elicit any treachery which might be latent in their dis- 
 positions. He accordingly invited several of their chiefs into 
 the cabin, and gave them plenty of brandy to drink, so as to 
 make them intoxicated. The result was that one got drunk, 
 and fell sound asleep, to the great astonishment of his com- 
 panions, who " could not tell how to take it." They all took 
 suddenly to their canoes and hurried ashore, leaving their 
 stupified countryman behind them. Their anxiety for his wel- 
 fare soon induced them, however, to return with a quantity of 
 beads which they gave him, to enable him, perhaps, to bribe 
 or exorcise "the foul fiend" which had possession of him. 
 The savage slept soundly all night, and was quite recovered 
 from the effects of his debauch, when his friends came to see 
 him next day. So rejoiced were these people at finding their 
 chief restored, as it were, to life, that they returned on board 
 in crowds again in the afternoon, bringing tobacco and more 
 beads, which they presented to Hudson, to whom they made 
 an oration, showing him the country round about. They then 
 sent one of their company on land, who presently returned with 
 a great platter of dressed venison, which they caused Hudson 
 to eat with them ; after which they made him profound rever- 
 ence and departed, all, save the old man, who, having had a 
 taste of the fatal beverage, preferred to remain on board. 
 
 Such was the introduction among the Indians, by the first 
 European that came among them, of that poison, which, 
 combined with other causes, has since operated to deprive 
 
NEW NETHERLAND, 
 
 39 
 
 their descendants of almost a foothold in their native land, and chap 
 caused, within a few centuries, the almost entire extinction of 
 the Red race.^ 
 
 The Half-Moon had now evidently ascended as high as she 
 
 could go. She had reached a little below the present city of 
 
 Albany, and Hudson having satisfied himself, by dispatching 
 
 a boat some seven or eight leagues higher up, that he had 
 
 gained the head of the ship navigation, prepared to retrace 
 
 his course. The downward was not more expeditious than Sept. 
 
 23 
 
 the upward voyage. The prevalent winds were southerly, 
 and the ship could therefore make but little headway. The 
 time, however, passed agreeably in making excursions on 
 shore, where good ground for corn and other garden herbs 
 was found, with great store of goodly oaks, walnut, and ches- 
 nut trees, yew trees, and trees of sweet wood in great abun- 
 dance ; great store of slate for houses, and other good stones. 
 The crew amused themselves, at other times, in receiving 
 visits from the natives, who continued to crowd the ship in 
 numbers. 
 
 Hudson had thus made about thirty miles, occasionally in- 
 terrupted by the shallowness of the channel, and was lying at 
 anchor opposite the spot where a city bearing his own name Sept 
 now stands, when two canoes put off from the place where the 
 intoxication scene had occurred, on board one of which was the 
 old man who had been made the subject of the strange experi- • 
 ment. He brought another old man with him, who presented 
 Hudson with a string of beads, and pointed to the surrounding 
 country, as though it were at his command. Hudson en- 
 tertained them at dinner, with four of their women, and in 
 the afternoon dismissed them with presents. He thence con- 
 
 * It is a remarkable fact, says Moulton, that a tradition prevails at this day 
 among the Iroquois, that a scene of intoxication occurred with a party of the 
 natives on the arrival of the first ship. As a singular coincidence, also, a simi- 
 lar tradition prevails among the descendants of the Delawares. While Hudson, 
 unconscious of its ulterior effects, was thus introducing the Indians to an ac- 
 quaintance with the pernicious " fire water," on the banks of the North River, 
 Champlain was giving the same people, about the same time, on the banks of 
 Lake Iroquois, their first knowledge of gunpowder, an agent equally active, per- 
 haps, in causing their final rain. Fatal first gifts of the civilized Christian to 
 the untutored heathen I 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tinued his voyage down the river, occasionally trading with or 
 -^•^ entertaining the people, and at length having arrived at the 
 Sept/ northern entrance of the passage through the Highlands, 
 anchored on the first of October at the mouth of the Haver- 
 straw Bay, in the vicinity of Stony Point. 
 Oct. 1. The vessel was no sooner perceived from the shore to be 
 stationary, than a party of the mountain Indians came off in 
 their canoes to visit it, apparently filled with wonder at every 
 thing it contained. While the attention of the crew was now 
 taken up with their visitors on deck, one of the savages man- 
 aged to run his canoe under the stern, and climbing up by the 
 rudder, found his way, by the window, into the cabin, from 
 which he abstracted a pillow and a few articles of wearing 
 apparel, with which he made off. The mate detected him in 
 his retreat, fired at, and killed him. Hereupon all the other 
 savages departed with the utmost precipitation, some taking 
 to their canoes, others to the water. The boat was manned 
 and dispatched after the stolen goods, which were easily recov- 
 ered ; but as the men were returning to the vessel, one of the 
 Indians in the water seized hold of the boat, with the intent, 
 as was supposed, to upset it. The cook seized a sword, and 
 lopped off the hand of the unfortunate wretch, who sunk to 
 rise no more. The ship was then weighed, and dropped down 
 about five miles. 
 
 Oct. 2. On the following day they descended about seven leagues 
 farther, and came to anchor. Here they were visited by a canoe, 
 on board of which was one of the savages who had made his 
 escape from the vessel as she was going up. Fearing treach- 
 ery, Hudson would not allow either him or his companions on 
 board. Two other canoes, filled with armed warriors, now 
 came under the stern, and commenced an attack with arrows. 
 They were repulsed with a loss of three men. More than a 
 hundred savages now pushed off from the nearest point of 
 land, but one of the ship's cannon having been brought to bear 
 on these, killed two of the party, and the rest fled, thereupon, 
 to the woods. But the savages were not yet discouraged. 
 Nine or ten of the boldest of the warriors, probably incited by 
 the two who had made their escape from the Half-Moon on 
 her way up, threw themselves into a canoe, and made for the 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 41 
 
 vessel, but these fared no better than those who preceded chap. 
 them. A cannon shot drove a hole through their canoe, and — 
 killed one of the men. This was followed by a discharge of 1^09. 
 musketry, which killed three or four more, and put an end to 
 the battle. The Half-Moon now descended some five miles 
 farther down, probably near Hobokcn, and thus got beyond the 
 reach of all enemies. 
 
 Hudson had now thoroughly explored the river, from its 
 mouth to the head of navigation, and had secured for his em- 
 ployers possessions which would reward them beyond meas- 
 ure for the expense they had incurred. For himself he had 
 won an immortality, which was destined to hand down his 
 name to the latest age. Happy at the result, he left " the Oct. 4. 
 great mouth of the Great River," and put to sea, with all sails 
 set, to communicate to those in Holland, in whose service he 
 was, the tidings of his valuable discovery. " We continued 
 our course towards England," concludes the journal of this 
 voyage, written by the mate, " without seeing any land by the 
 way all the rest of this October, and on the seventh of No- 
 vember, stilo novo, being Saturday, by the grace of God we 
 safely arrived in the range of Dartmouth, in Devonshire, in 
 the year 1609."' 
 
 Hudson, immediately on his arrival here, forwarded infor- 
 mation of his return, and an account of his discoveries, to the 
 directors of the East India Company in Amsterdam, and 
 offered, at the same time, to make another voyage to the North- 
 w^est in the month of March following, provided they furnished, 
 besides the men's wages, the sum of fifteen hundred guilders, 
 in cash, to purchase necessaries in addition to what were 
 already on board. He proposed, further, that six or seven of 
 the present crew should be changed, but that the number of 
 hands should consist altogether of twenty. His plan was to 
 sail from Dartmouth on the first of March ; to spend the 
 
 ' The journal of Hudson's voyage up the North River will be found in N. Y. 
 Hist. Soc. Trans, i., 102. Moulton furnishes, in the first part of his Hist, of 
 New York, a minute running commentary on this journal, marking, as he goes 
 along, the progress from day to day of the famous " Half- Moon." From these, 
 and from the interesting sketch which Mr. Sparks has given of the voyage in 
 his valuable life of Hudson, [Americ. Biog. x., 187,] the above particulars have 
 been compiled. 
 
 6 
 
42 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK month of April and half of May killing whales and other sea 
 animals near the island of Panar ; thence to sail to the North- 
 
 1G09. west, where he would remain till the middle of September, 
 and finally to return to Holland by the northeast of Scotland. 
 These proposals, owing to contrary winds, did not reach the 
 directors, who w^ere ignorant for a considerable time of Hud- 
 son's arrival in England. When the news at length reached 
 them, they ordered him to return immediately with his vessel 
 ^o Holland. These orders he would have instantly obeyed, 
 had he, as w^ell as the English portion of his crev/, not been 
 forbidden by the authorities in England, who were exceedingly 
 jealous of the maritime enterprises of the Dutch, to leave his 
 
 1610. native country, or to enter into the service of any foreign 
 power. It was supposed that the English were desirous them- 
 selves to send him with some ships to Virginia, farther to explore 
 that part of America.^ The Half-Moon returned to Holland, 
 after a detention in England of eight months ; but Hudson's 
 j^jy connection with the Dutch East India Company ceased shortly 
 15. after his arrival in England. He re-entered the service of 
 the London Company, by whom he had been originally em- 
 ployed, and perished at sea, after having discovered the bay 
 in the northwest seas which still bears his name. 
 
 » Van Meteren, X., 206. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 43 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Boundaries of the Dutch discoveries — Rivers therein — Appearance and condi- 
 tion of the country — The trees — Fruits — Plants — Wild animals — Birds — 
 Aquatic fowls — Fish — Reptiles — Natives of the country — Enumeration of the 
 various tribes — Their physical appearance — Mode of hunting — Agriculture — 
 Food — Clothing — Ornaments — Dwellings — Furniture — Villages — Canoes — 
 Indian women — Marriage — Polygamy — Travail — Political arrangements 
 among the Indians — Wars — Weapons — Treatment of prisoners — Treaties of 
 peace — Circulating medium — Burial of the dead — Religious opinions — Manit- 
 tous — Immortality of the soul — Superstitions — Opinions of the creation — 
 Medicine men — Method of treating disease — Amusements — Gambling — 
 Feeble means of resistance against the superior powers of the white men. 
 
 The territory on the continent of North America, now thrown chap. 
 open to the enterprise of the Dutch nation, was embraced be- 
 tween the extreme points on the sea coast at which Hudson, 1609. 
 in the progress of his voyage, had cast anchor. It was bound- Bounda- 
 ed on the south by the Great Bay, since known as the Dela- 
 ware ; and on the northeast by New Holland, otherwise Cape 
 Cod ; and thus stretched from the thirty-eighth to the forty- 
 first or second degree of north latitude. The great River of 
 Canada formed its northern frontier, while its western limits 
 were both unexplored and unknown.^ Four large or principal 
 
 * Vander Donck, writing in 1649 of New Netherland, says — "It is 
 situate on the north side of America, in the latitude of 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 
 degrees, or thereabouts, along the sea coast. It is bounded on the northeast 
 by New England ; on the southwest by Virginia. The coast tends mostly 
 s.w. and n.e., and is sandy alongside the ocean. To the north stretches the 
 River of Canada, a great distance behind. The northwest region is still 
 
 partly unexplored In the beginning, before any mention was 
 
 made of the English, after our people had first discovered and explored the 
 most northerly parts of New Netherland, and had been some distance away 
 on that side of Cape Cod, as we find it described, they erected an escutcheon 
 on Capo Cod, and took possession The boundaries, accord- 
 ing as we understand, extend hence to Cape Hindlopen, four miles south of 
 
 Cape Cornells, in the latitude of eight and thirty degrees The 
 
 South Bay and South River, called by many the second great river of New 
 Netherland, lies in the latitude of 38® 53'. It has two heights or capes ; 
 the northern called Cape Mey, the southern Cape Comelis ; and the bay 
 itself is called now Port May ; now Godyn Bay. These names were given 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK rivers flowed within these limits into the sea ; namely, the 
 Great South River, in the latitude of 38° 53' ; the North 
 
 1609. River, called also Rio Montanjes, or the Great River of the 
 Mountains, in latitude 40° ; the Hellegat, or East River, by 
 which name was distinguished an inlet or arm of the sea to 
 the east of the Island of Manhattans, and a river of fresh 
 water, which flowed into the last-mentioned inlet, but of which 
 farther mention will be hereafter made. 
 
 The first of these rivers derived its name from its geographi- 
 cal position, being the southern boundary of the Dutch terri- 
 tory. It opened for a considerable distance, before it reached 
 its embouchure, into a capacious bay, twenty-six miles long, 
 and twenty-four miles broad, which received the waters of 
 fourteen navigable tributaries. This river was considered by 
 many equal to the great River Amazon. 
 
 The North River, called by the Indians the Cohotatea, 
 ran a considerable, but yet unexplored, distance in a northerly 
 direction, into the interior, receiving in its course the Maquaas 
 or Mohawk, and other valuable streams, and carrying a flood 
 tide over one hundred and fifty miles from the sea. It was 
 esteemed by its first discoverers, both in point of trade and for 
 the fertility of its banks, the finest river in North America. 
 The other rivers were of equal value and importance, affording 
 a ready communication inland with the native tribes in all 
 directions. 
 
 The country thus watered was, however, a wide and uncul- 
 
 to the places at the first discovery, before they had others. The discovery 
 occurred at the same time that the North River was discovered, by the same 
 ship and people, who entered the south bay before they made the north bay, 
 as the whole hereof is to be read in its length and breadth in ' The New 
 World' of John de Laet." Vertoogh van N. N., kap. i. v. vii. viii. Heylen 
 in his Cosmography says N. N. extended from 38^° to 41° 15'. The princi- 
 pal materials of this chapter are taken from Vander Donck's work above 
 named ; from the Beschryvinge van Nieuw Nederlandt, by the same author, 
 an able translation of which, by the Hon. Mr. Johnson, is published in the 
 N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans, vol. i. new series ; from Colden's Hist, of the Five 
 Nations ; Gallatin's Synopsis of the Indian Tribes ; Trumbull's Hist, of Con- 
 necticut ; Murray's British America ; Wood's Sketch of Long Island ; Proud's 
 Hist, of Pennsylvania ; Jarvis' Discourse on the Religion of the Indian 
 Tribes, in N. Y. Hist. Col. iii., and Memoir on Mohegan Indians, in Mass. Col. 
 ix. 77. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 45 
 
 tivated wilderness, where nature luxuriated in pristine wildness 
 
 and wealth. The soil aloncj the sea side was licrht and sandy, 
 
 . . 1609. 
 mixed with clay. In the interior fine level land, well watered, 
 
 intersected with high hills and lofty mountains of reddish sand- ance ot" 
 
 the 
 
 stone, was everywhere to be found. The surface of the low country, 
 lands was generally a black loam, mixed in some places with 
 a strong clay, about a foot and a half deep on an average ; in 
 others, with gravel and stones. Near the rivers, and in the 
 valleys, were extensive bottoms, affording every encourage- 
 ment for industrious settlers and planters. Throughout the 
 whole country vegetation was rapid, and all the natural pro- 
 ductions luxuriant, owing to the constant decomposition of 
 vegetable matter — plants, wild grass, and the deciduous foli- 
 age — which annually dying, furnished an ever renewing sup- 
 ply of rich manure. A primeval forest covered the face of the 
 earth. Oaks of all kinds, some from sixty to seventy feet Trees, 
 high without a knot ; hickory, walnut, butternut, chesnut, 
 beech, buttonwood, birch, ash, elm, pine, (both yellow and 
 white,) maple, cedar, willow, white wood, poplar, hemlock, 
 spruce, tamarack, sassafras, linden, alder, and thorn, were 
 found growing all around. Wild fruit was equally abundant, Fruits, 
 consisting of acorns, (some of which were very sweet,) ches- 
 nuts,beechnuts,walnuts, butternuts, hazelnuts, mulberries, cher- 
 ries, currants, plums, gooseberries, medlars, bilberries, black- 
 berries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries, the latter in 
 such abundance that people lay down in the fields and ate them 
 to satiety. Pignuts, artichokes, wild leeks and onions, wild peas, 
 and other wild fruit also abounded. The entire land, both forest 
 and bottom land, was, moreover, covered with vines, climbing 
 up the loftiest trees or creeping along the lowly valleys, and 
 bearing loads of grapes ; some white, some blue ; some large, 
 some small ; some very juicy and others not so good, yet all 
 promising, if properly cultivated, an ample return to the vine- 
 dresser. Innumerable medicinal plants were also to be found, riants. 
 Maidens'-hair, hartstongue, angelica, polypodium, mullein, 
 sweetflag, sassafras, bayberry, crowfoot, plantain, marshmal- 
 low, marjoram, cranesbill, wild indigo, mezereon, sarsaparilla, 
 violet, dragonsblood, touch-me-not, blessed thistle, agremony, 
 snakeroot, coriander, pleurisyroot, spikenard, Solomon's seal, 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ginseng, motherwort, consumption root, and pennyroyal ; with 
 ^-^^ the uses of which, as well as of various others, which the 
 ' country furnished, the natives were perfectly familiar in the 
 cure of diseases or of wounds, received either in battle from 
 other tribes, or from the wild animals of the forest. Numer- 
 Animais.ous spccios of thoso, pautlicrs, bears, buffaloes, elks, deer, 
 wolves, wildcats, foxes, raccoons, beavers, otters, fishers, 
 minks, hares, muskrats, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, groundhogs, 
 drummers, &c., furnished the natives, whose principal support 
 was derived from the chase, with clothing and food at one and 
 Birds, the same lime. The wild birds were as numerous as the wild 
 animals. Eagles, falcons, sparrowhawks, sailinghawks, kites, 
 ravens, castrills, crows, catowls, turkyes, partridges, pheasants, 
 woodcocks, snipes, quails, cranes, herons, pigeons, landrun- 
 ners, woodpeckers, thrushes, blackbirds, and a small but curi- 
 ous bird, called the West India bee or humming-bird, are those 
 mentioned by the earliest writers, while they admit that they 
 do not enumerate all the species of the winged tribe which 
 were to be found 'in the country in those days. The waters 
 ^\vis. were as prolific of game as the air. Here were swans, geese, 
 pehcans, ducks, teal, widgeons, brant, coots, divers, and eel- 
 Fish, shovellers. Fish of the finest quahties filled the rivers, the 
 bays, and the sea, also, with life. Those in the fresh water 
 were salmon, sturgeon, striped bass, drums, shad, carp, perch, 
 pike, trout, thickheads, suckers, sunfish, catfish, eel, lampreys, 
 divers, mullets, or frost-fish ; those of the sea, codfish, shell- 
 fish, weekfish, halibut, herring, mackerel, thornback, floun- 
 ders, plaice, bream, blackfish, seal, lobster, oysters, crabs, peri- 
 Reptiies. winkle, clams, turtles, and porpoises. Snakes were among 
 " the creeping things of the earth," but all harmless, except the 
 rattlesnake, many of which, however, were not to be met with. 
 
 The richness of the soil and the abundance of game, favored 
 particularly the maintenance and increase of the savage race 
 which occupied the country at the period of Hudson's visit. 
 Indians. These people, though belonging to the common stock of the 
 Algonkin-Lenape family, were cut up and divided into a num- 
 ber of separate and independent tribes or nations. To the 
 east dwelt the Pequods and the Wampanoags, while the North 
 River was divided between the terrible Maquaas or Mohawks, 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 47 
 
 who occupied its upper waters, and imposed tribute on the chap. 
 surrounding tribes/ the Mahicanders or River Indians, who ^-^^ 
 hned its banks on cither side to its mouth, and the Matou- 
 wacks or Montauks of Sewan-hacky or Long Island, who ex- 
 ercised jurisdiction over thirteen minor tribes thereabout. 
 
 Beginning then with the Mohawks ; these occupied the 
 country on the west bank of the Cohotatea or Hudson River, 
 from the head of the navigation back, some seventy miles. 
 Opposite to them, to the cast, the wigwams of the Mohegans 
 stretched beyond the mountains to the Connecticut. South of 
 this nation were settled the Waraonckins on the east, and the 
 Waranancongyns on the west, in the vicinity of Esopus, 
 where they were afterwards known as the Wappingi or Wap- 
 pingers. 
 
 The east side of Tappaans bay was inhabited by the Pacha- 
 mis, the Tankitekes, and the Wicquaeskeeks ; the last men- 
 tioned of whom occupied a tract of land between the North and 
 East Rivers, on the banks of two smaller streams, called the 
 Sintsinck and the Armonck, a few miles north of the fierce 
 Manhattoe or Manhattans, " a cruel nation," who held their 
 'council fires on an extensive island immediately south, which, 
 retaining their name, was afterwards called Manhattans.^ 
 
 ' I have been told by old men in New England, who remember the time 
 when the Mohawks made war on their Indians, tliat as soon as a single Mo- 
 hawk was discovered in the conntrj', their Indians raised a cry from hill to hill, 
 A Mohawk ! a Mohawk ! upon which they all fled, like sheep before wolves, 
 without attempting to make the least resistance, whatever odds were on their 
 side. The poor New England Indians inmiediatcly ran to the Christian houses, 
 and the Mohawks often pursued them so closely, that they entered along with 
 them, and knocked their brains out in the presence of the people of the house ; 
 but if the family had time to shut the door, they never attempted to force it, 
 and on no occasion did any injury to the Christians. All the nations round 
 them have, for many years, entirely submitted to them, and pay a yearly 
 tribute to them in wampum. They dare neither make war nor peace without 
 the consent of the Mohawks. Two old men commonly go about, every year or 
 two, to receive this tribute ; and I liave often hud opportunity to observe what 
 anxiety the poor Indians were under, while these two old men remained in that 
 part of the country where I was. An old Mohawk sachem, in a poor blanket 
 and a dirty shirt, may be seen issuing his orders, with as arbitrary an authority 
 as a Roman dictator. — Colden's Five Nations, .3, 4. 
 
 " Bedenckinge over het aenvaerden vander landeryen in N. Nederlandt by 
 
48 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The Hackingsacks were the opposite nation to these, on the 
 west, between whom and the sea, dwelt the Raritans. This 
 
 1609 
 
 ' tribe, the first of the River Indians with whom Hudson had 
 communication, occupied a rich and fertile valley, situated 
 between two high mountains some distance the one from the 
 other, through which flowed a fresh water river that disem- 
 bogued in the Neywesinck or Navesinck bay on the south side 
 of the Great Bay of the North River, lying between Sandy- 
 hook and Aquehonga Manacknong, or Eghquaous, as Staten 
 Island was called ;^ but from this country the Raritans, some 
 thirty years after this, were forced to migrate by the spring 
 freshets, which frequently destroyed their stock of maize and 
 other provisions, stored in winter in pits under ground, joined 
 to repeated incursions and attacks from the Minsi and Dela- 
 ware, or Lenno Lenape Indians,^ whom the Dutch distin- 
 guished by the name of Sankhicans. Generally speaking, 
 the tribes on one side of the river were the deadly enemies 
 of those on the other. 
 
 The Delawares and Minsi occupied the country bounded 
 east and south by the Hudson river and the Atlantic ; west 
 by the height of land which separates the waters falling into 
 the Delaware from those that empty into the Susquehanna and 
 Chesapeake. On the north they were in possession of the 
 country watered by the Schuylkill to its sources. East of the 
 Delaware the Lenape tribes were separated by the Catskill 
 
 den Secretaris van Tienhoven Anno 1650. Modem writers on Indian Termi- 
 nology have been at much trouble to explain the reason why the island of New 
 York was first called Manhattans. Some aver that it was because it signifies " the 
 place of the original intoxication ;" others, that the name was derived from " a spe- 
 cies of wood growing tliere, of which the Indians made their bows and arrows." 
 These are mere surmises, founded only on fancy. The early Dutch inhabit- 
 ants give an explanation more consonant to common sense. It was so called 
 " from or after the tribe of savages among whom the Dutch made their first 
 settlement." (Den naem van oudts het soo behonden hebbende vander natie 
 vander Wilden daer de Duytsen hacr eerst by haddcn ncergeslaen.) Alb. Rec. 
 xviii. 348. The original Dutch MSS., in book marked PP. ; N. Y. Hist. Coll. iii. 
 375. It was the Dutch, therefore, and not the Indians, who first called the 
 island of New York " Manhattans." 
 
 ' Book of Patents iv. 63 ; Alb. Rec. viii. 161. Eghquaous was the Indian 
 name as recorded by the Dutch. 
 
 " Van Tienhoven ut supra. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 49 
 
 mountains from the Mohawks, who in that quarter seem to chap. 
 have been called Minquas. Between these and the Minsi, the 
 Wappings, already mentioned, intervened, but the division 
 line between the two last tribes is not ascertained.^ 
 
 Various tribes are mentioned as inhabiting different points 
 of the lands west of the Hudson, as the Naraticongs on the 
 north side of the Raritan, and the Capitannesses, the Gacheos, 
 and the Pomptons. It is added, that the Delawares were sub- 
 divided into the Assunpinks or Stony Creek Indians, the Ran- 
 kokas or Chichequaas, Mingoes, Andastakas, who were located 
 on Christian creek, Wilmington ; Neshaminies, in Bucks co. ; 
 Schaka Maxons about Kensington, Philadelphia ; Mantas or 
 Frog Indians, near Burlington ; and the Mennesinks, above the 
 forks of the Delaware.^ 
 
 The tribes on Long Island are represented to have been of 
 the Delaware stock, though some doubt this allegation. Their 
 settlements were generally on the borders of the island, an ar- 
 rangement induced, it is to be supposed, by the facihties afford- 
 ed for obtaining fish, and those shells from which sewan, or 
 wampum, was manufactured, this section of the country hav- 
 mg b^een for years the quarter from which that substitute for 
 a circulating medium was obtained.^ The principal tribes that 
 occupied this fertile region were the Canarse, or Canarisse, 
 who claimed the chief part of the lands in what is now called 
 Kings county, Jamaica, and some part of Newtown. The 
 Rockaways were settled on that section which still retains 
 their name ; they owned also some parts of Newtown and Ja- 
 maica. The Merrikoke and Marsapeague nations stretched 
 from Rockaway through what is now Queen's county, into 
 Huntington, on the south side of the island. The territory of 
 the Mattinecock tribe extended from Flushing, through Queen's 
 
 » Gallatm. * Proud's Penn. ii., 294, 295 
 
 ^ Van Tienhoven held out the facilities which this island afforded for the 
 manufacture of wampum as an encouragement to the Dutch, in 1650, to emi- 
 grate to New Netherland. Speaking of the eastern extremity of the island, 
 he says — This Hook is right well situated for carrying on the trade in sewan, 
 (wampum ;) it is the mine of New Netherland. Because around and in the 
 abovementioned waters, and in the islands thereof, are found the cockles whereof 
 sewan is manufactured, which would afford great profit to such as would estab- 
 lish colonies or plantations there. 
 
 7 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK county, to Cowharbor, in Suffolk, on the north side.^ The 
 ^-"^ Nissaquagues extended their claim from the last-mentioned 
 1609. point to Stony brook, and the Setaukets from this to Wading 
 River. The Corchaug Indians claimed hence to Southold, on 
 the north side, while the territory of the Manhassetts was 
 Shelter Island. The lands of the Secataugs adjoined the 
 Marsapeagues, and extended to Patchogue, which tribe reached 
 to South Hampton. The Shinecock nation extended from 
 Canoeplace to Montauk, whilst these owned the peninsula, the 
 point of which still perpetuates the name of that tribe whose 
 chief was styled the Sachem of Long Island. It is right to 
 mention, however, that much confusion obtains when compar- 
 ing the aboye names with those handed down by the Dutch 
 authorities — a confusion which is owing, perhaps, to the differ- 
 ence in the language in which these authorities wrote, as well 
 as to the names which they gave the places where the Indians 
 were located. 
 
 The most prominent peculiarity that struck Europeans on 
 coming into contact with this new race of men, was the differ- 
 Their ©nce which existed in their physical appearance, when com- 
 a^ppear- pared with that of the inhabitants of the Old World — a differ- 
 ence which has since led physiologists to class them as a par- 
 ticular variety of the human species. Though generally well 
 made, broad of shoulder and slender in the waist, capable of 
 enduring much fatigue and hunger, their skin was discovered 
 at once to be of a different color to that with which they had 
 been always most familiar. It was of a red copper, or rather 
 an obscure orange hue, riot unlike the bark of the cinnamon- 
 tree. It was at first supposed that this was the effect of cli- 
 mate ; but it is now believed to be artificially produced by the 
 habitual and constant use of unctuous substances, in which the 
 juice of some root is incorporated, and by which this peculiar 
 tinge is communicated to the skin of the Indian tribes of North 
 America. 
 
 The face was broad and flat ; the cheek-bones high ; the 
 
 * This tribe is represented by Van Tienhoven to consist, in 1650, of only 
 thirty famiUes. They formerly had a great number of settlements, he adds, in 
 Martin Gerrittsen's bay, or Mattinehook ; but, at the time he wrote, it was 
 mostly abandoned and waste. Bedenckinge, &.c. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 51 
 
 forehead low ; the eye sunken, and dark brown ; the nose ^hap. 
 small, with wide nostrils ; and the mouth large, with lips 
 somewhat thick. The hair differed remarkably from that of the 
 Caucasian race. Instead of being fine and soft, it was coarse, fea- 
 black, and strong ; every vestige of this appendage of man- 
 hood being, however, carefully removed from the Indian face, 
 these people regarding a beard with peculiar antipathy. To 
 supply the loss, they indulged, on certain great occasions, in 
 the luxury of bedaubing and painting the face in a most fan- 
 tastic and grotesque manner. 
 
 In respect to physical strength, the Indian ranked below the 
 European ; but though particularly averse to labor, his powers 
 of perseverance were found to be equal to a vast amount of con- 
 tinued exertion, when such was required. Such a property 
 was providentially bestowed on a people who derived their 
 chief support from the chase. Hunting, with the Indian, was Hunt- 
 not only a pastime, but a necessary avocation of his life, to '"^ 
 qualify him for which, as well as for war, all his education in 
 youth, and all the riper energies of his manhood were directed. 
 A rigid course of fasting, accompanied by dreaming and vari- 
 ous superstitions, were the usual preliminaries to setting forth 
 on the great hunt. Arrived at the lairs of the wild animals, a 
 circle was formed, by the gradual contraction of which, all 
 the game was pressed within a narrower compass, till, driven 
 into the very centre of the ring, they fell beneath showers 
 of arrows or spears, or the multiplied blows of clubs. On 
 other occasions, they were driven to the bank of the river, 
 or lake, where canoes were ready to intercept them the mo- 
 ment they took the water. Other means which experience or 
 ingenuity suggested, such as traps, nets, springs, were also 
 used, according as the nature or habits of the prey to be pur- 
 sued dictated ; for the beaver and the bear were different in 
 every respect. But whatever was the game, the success in 
 the chase was sure to be followed by rejoicings, songs, and 
 dances, in which the men of the whole tribe united. 
 
 A rude description of agriculture was combined with the Agricui- 
 chase for the purpose of raising food. Patches in the neigh- 
 borhood of the villages were laid under maize, tobacco, pump- 
 kins, and other such products ; and from the interview which 
 
 « 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Hudson had with the old chief, it is evident they raised 
 
 ^^^^ abundance of corn. The grain, after harvest, was lodged un- 
 ' der ground in holes lined with bark, and afterwards broken 
 
 Food, between stones, from the meal of which they made coarse bread, 
 or cakes, and a thick sort of porridge called sappaan, a favorite 
 dish among them. They used, however, for ordinary food, 
 though they had no stated hours for their meals, meat and fish 
 of every kind, clean and unclean, which they cooked in the 
 plainest manner, entrails and all, mixing in their coarse cakes, 
 and adding, on extraordinary occasions, beavers' tails, parched 
 corn-meal, or very fat meat stewed with chesnuts. Dogs' 
 flesh seems to have been in high esteem among them. 
 
 Notwithstanding the heavy dishes of which they made use, 
 and the gluttony in which, when occasion offered, they in- 
 dulged, consuming almost incredible quantities of food, they 
 were capable of extraordinary abstinence, and even took a 
 pride in long fasts, in which they could persevere for succes- 
 sive days. With all descriptions of intoxicating liquors they 
 were unacquainted until Hudson introduced them to a know 
 ledge of the all-destroying beverage. 
 
 Cloth- The clothing which they used was in every respect as 
 rude as their food. It consisted, in the winter, of the skins 
 of wild animals sewed together and hanging loosely from the 
 shoulders ; in summer, of a piece of skin tied round the waist. 
 The children went generally naked ; the females wore round 
 their bodies fastened by a girdle their rude robe which extended 
 below the knee, with an under-garment of dressed deer-skin 
 girt round the waist, the lower border of which was tastefully 
 ornamented with wampum. After the settlement of Euro- 
 peans among them subsequently, men and women added 
 to their dress a piece of duffils or coarse cloth, obtained in 
 exchange for furs, which they hung over the right shoulder, 
 the ends extending below the knees. This served as a cloak 
 by day and a blanket by night. Their stockings and shoes 
 were made of dressed deer-skin. The men went usually 
 bare-headed, some wearing their hair only on one side, some 
 on both sides of the head ; others carried on the top a strip 
 of hair from the forehead to the neck, about three fingers' 
 breadth, which they cut short till about three fingers long, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 53 
 
 when it stood erect like a cock's comb, on both sides of which chap. 
 
 ni. 
 
 the hair was cut very close. The whole of this was smeared 
 
 1609 
 
 thickly with bears' grease. The women, on the other hand, 
 usually bound their hair behind ui a club, about a hand long, oma- 
 in the form of a beaver's tail, over which was drawn a square 
 cap, ornamented frequently with wampum. Other ornaments 
 of similar manufacture were sometimes encircled around their 
 arms and necks, or pendent from their ears, with a few streaks 
 of paint on their faces, when they desired to be excessively 
 engaging. Both sexes were particularly fond of ornamenting 
 their persons, each using, indiscriminately, ornaments origin- 
 ally intended for the other sex.-^ Hudson found the river tribes 
 ornamenting their persons with feathers, shells, and glittering 
 plates of copper suspended from the ears and nose, which, 
 however, were not bored, but slit to such an extent as to allow 
 a stick of wax to be passed through, to which all the orna- 
 ments, intended for these parts of the body, were appended. 
 
 Though fond of these baubles and finery, the Indians were 
 a slovenly and dirty race. While the European studied to 
 keep his skin clean, and free from extraneous substance, the 
 Indian's aim was to make his shine, like that of a roasted pig, by 
 means of accumulated oil, grease, and paint.^ Soot scraped from 
 the bottoms of kettles, the juices of herbs of various tints, render- 
 ed adhesive by combination with unctuous substances, were lav- 
 ishly used to make his appearance particularly hideous or terrific. 
 
 Their habitations, though those of the Five Nations were r>weii- 
 of a superior class, were on a par with their other social ideas. 
 
 * The Indians had some singular ideas of the presents which, at the first visit, the 
 Europeans gave them. The axes and hoes which they received, they hung as 
 ornaments around their necks ; and the stockings they used as tobacco pouch- 
 es. — Heckewelder. The early French writers relate an amusing anecdote to 
 show the confusion of Indian ideas in matters of dress. The Ursuline nuns, 
 having educated a Huron girl, presented her, on her marriage to one of her 
 countrymen, with a complete and handsome suit of clothes in the Parisian style 
 They were much surprised, some days after, to see thQ husband, who had taken 
 possession of the whole of the bride's attire, arrayed in it, and parading back- 
 ward and forward in front of the convent, betraying every symptom of the 
 most extravagant exultation, which was farther increased on observing the nuns 
 crowding to the window to see him, and smiling at his smgular appearance — - 
 Murray, from Creuxius. 
 
 * Creuxius, Hist. Nov. Franc 
 
 I 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY or 
 
 BOOK They were of the rudest construction, consisting merely of 
 hickory saphngs stuck in the ground and bent at the top into 
 ' an arch, hke a bow. These were covered with the bark of 
 trees, secured to the poles. Some of these huts are repre- 
 sented to have been a liundred and eighty yards long, but 
 none more than twenty feet wide. In the middle was the fire, 
 an opening in the roof permitting the egress of the smoke. 
 The furniture of these dwellings consisted of a few pots, ket- 
 tles, or other such simple necessaries, without chairs, table, 
 knives, or napkins. Their knife at first was a sharpened shell ; 
 their axe a sharpened stone. In wooden mortars they pounded 
 their corn with stone pestles, and ate their food out of wooden 
 bowls. Their couches were of bulrushes or the skins of wild 
 
 vmag«5s. beasts. A number of such dwellings composed a village, 
 which formed the distinct and separate residence of a tribe, each 
 under its own chief. This village was usually located some 
 fifteen or twenty miles distant from any other, on the side of 
 a steep hill, on the bank of some deep stream, near the corn 
 patch, and was carefully protected by a strong stockade 
 from the attacks of other tribes, for much mutual animosity 
 prevailed between the Indian nations of New Netherland. 
 These villages were not, however, fixed or permanent. The 
 inmates were migratory in their habits, and remained not 
 long in one place. They shifted according as the season 
 prompted. The summer and spring found them on the sea- 
 coast, or river or lake side, in search of fish. In the winter 
 they ranged the forest and hunting-grounds in search of game ; 
 and, wherever their business called them, 'twas easy to erect 
 a rude dwelhng such as they were accustomed to. 
 
 Canoes. Their boats or canoes were as rude in construction as their 
 dwellings. Some consisted of the trunks of trees hollowed out, 
 after an incredible degree of labor, by means of fire, or such 
 miserable tools as they could invent. Others again were 
 made of bark, sewed together with thongs made from the dried 
 entrails or sinews of animals. Some of these canoes were 
 capable of holding from twelve to fourteen persons, or one 
 hundred and fifty bushels of grain. 
 
 Women. Among these people women were nothing better than do- 
 mestic slaves, on whom devolved all sorts of labor ; such as 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 55 
 
 planting corn, cutting and hauling firewood, carrying burdens, chap. 
 cooking, attendinff children, and whatever other hard work 
 
 1609 
 
 was to be performed. With such a low estimate of the sex, 
 it is not surprising to learn, that scarcely a trace^of what con- 
 stitutes marriage among civilized nations was found among Mar- 
 them. The man presented the woman with some offering or 
 gift, which, if she accepted, sealed their agreement to live to- 
 gether, and this they continued to do so long only as it pleased 
 them. They separated the moment they could no longer 
 agree, in which cases the issue followed the mother.^ Poly- Poiyga 
 
 my. 
 
 gamy did not prevail much among them ; each man had com- 
 monly but one "wife. A plurality of wives was, however, al- 
 lowed to the chiefs. Both men and women were excessively 
 unchaste ; though the latter, if married, considered such un- 
 chasteness disgraceful. Otherwise they placed no restraint on 
 their passions, and consented to any act of lewdness for a few 
 shillings. 
 
 The period of travail was one in which the woman or squaw, Travail, 
 as the Indian female was called, exhibited proofs of the strongest 
 patience and endurance of suffering. When her time was near, 
 she retired alone to a secluded part of the woods, near a run- 
 ning stream, where, having prepared a shelter for herself, she 
 brought forth her offspring without assistance and without a 
 moan. Immediately after her confinement, she immersed her- 
 self and infant in the cold brook, whatever was the season of 
 the year, and returned home, after having passed a few days 
 in her retirement, to apply herself again without a murmur to 
 her usual routine of drudgery. Sickness after childbirth was 
 very rare among them, and the children were usually weaned 
 when a year old. 
 
 Having thus passed in hasty review the physical and social 
 condition of the Indian race, it remains now for us to examine 
 their political arrangements. These were based upon the funda- 
 
 ' Van der Donck and Golden agree on this point. *' As all kinds of slavery is 
 banished from the country of the Five Nations ; so (says the latter writer) they 
 keep themselves free from the bondage of wedlock, and when either of the parties 
 become disgusted, they separate without formality or ignominy to either, unless 
 'tis occasioned by some scandalous offence in one of them. In case of divorce, 
 the children, according to the natural course of animals, follow the mother." 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK mental principle, in perfect keeping with their savage state, of 
 the complete exemption from control of each individual ; vi^hich 
 1609. permitted him, of right, to do whatever he pleased, unchecked 
 ^and^ and unconstrained, save by his own interests or passions. Each 
 ^ment ' ^ribe had a separate government, separate laws, separate regu- 
 lations, and its own chief ; but during peace this chief had lit- 
 tle or no power or authority, and was scarce better than any 
 other of the nation. He was chosen from among the bravest, 
 when a vacancy occurred, without any respect to the claims of 
 the descendants of those who had already held that high office ; 
 for among them the chieftainship was not hereditary. Public 
 affairs were managed by a council of the wisest, most expe- 
 rienced, and most warlike, called sachems ; who, in like man- 
 ner, obtained their authority by the general opinion entertained 
 of their courage and address, and lost it by a failure in these 
 qualities. Both the sachems and chiefs were, however, gener- 
 ally the poorest of the community, for they were obliged to 
 give away and distribute all the presents or plunder they re- 
 ceived in their treaties or in war, so that they had nothing left 
 to themselves. There was no salary nor fees to make office 
 an object of ambition to these primitive people. 
 Laws. Law and justice, in our acceptation of the terms, were in 
 a great measure unknown among them. For minor offences 
 there seems to have been scarcely any punishment, and even 
 infanticide passed uncensured. Though capital offences were 
 not frequent, murders were sometimes committed, in which 
 cases the next of kin was the avenger, provided he met the 
 murderer within twenty-four hours after the act, when he was 
 authorized to take his life. Otherwise the murder could be 
 atoned for by the payment of a heavy fine of wampum, and 
 by the relatives of the murderer giving way, or precedence, to 
 the nearest relatives of the murdered person on meeting them. 
 But the rights of man were considered to have been forfeited 
 by those who were taken prisoners in war, towards whom no 
 pity was entertained, nor, in most cases, mercy shown. 
 
 With passions uncontrolled, absolute freedom of action, and 
 excessive thirst for excitement and display, long-continued 
 peace was not to be expected, and a state of war became the 
 common lot and condition of the people. The whole tendency 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 57 
 
 of their education and habits led to that point, and to be a great chap. 
 warrior was every Indian's highest aim. iqqq 
 
 When the resolution was one taken to attack a distant tribe, 
 the chief to whom the command of the expedition was as- Wars, 
 signed, entered on a course of the most rigid training and pre- 
 paration. He examined the condition of the arms at the dis- 
 posal of his followers, and commenced a series of incantations 
 to learn the will of the Great Spirit, who was considered to 
 preside over war. Orations of the most inflammatory descrip- 
 tion were dehvered ; the wampum belt was thrown on the 
 ground, and was lifted by him only who was judged worthy to 
 fill the post of second in command. The leader then began 
 his series of mystic observances. He vv^as painted black all 
 over, and fasted most rigidly, never eating, nor even sitting 
 down, until after the sun had set. From time to time, how- 
 ever, he drank of a strong decoction of some consecrated 
 herbs, with a view to give vivacity to his dreams, or hallucina- 
 tions, which were carefully noted down and scrutinized by the 
 sages and old men. He was next subjected to the powerful 
 action of the vapor bath ; afterwards carefully washed and 
 painted anew in bright and varied colors, in which red was the 
 most predominant. The great war-caldron was next brought 
 out, and placed over a huge fire. Into that caldron every one 
 present, as well as those allies who had consented to take part 
 in the expedition, threw some offering. A grand feast was 
 now prepared. The chief sang his war-song. Other noted 
 warriors, with faces painted in a most frightful manner, fol- 
 low^ed his example, each rising in his turn from his seat, and 
 describing the great actions which he and his ancestors had 
 performed ; all being accompanied by the war-dance, to the 
 sound of a tom-tom, or kettledrum, the only instrument of 
 music they used. 
 
 Having now v\rorked their passions up to the fiercest pitch, 
 and converted themselves from men into demons, by the force 
 of song, revelry, and rivalry, they proceeded to arm, after 
 having passed the night in these exciting orgies ; and marched 
 forth with their Manitous, or little gods, placed in a common 
 box as guardian spirits, occasionally yelling, as they went 
 along, their terrific warwhoop. 
 
 8 
 
58 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK. At the epoch of which we write, the only arms with which 
 
 --^ — the savage was acquainted, were bows and arrows ; the heads 
 * of the latter were pointed sharp stones, fastened with resin ; 
 
 weap- the war-club, the wooden spear, and a square shield which he 
 bore on the left arm. His bowstrings were the sinews of deer, 
 or wild hemp, and with these he took the field, trusting to 
 numbers, ambuscades, yells, and sudden surprises, for vic- 
 tory over the foe. 
 
 On entering the enemy's territory, the strictest silence was 
 observed among those who composed the war party. They 
 crawled, rather than marched forward ; jumping on trunks of 
 trees, or proceeding through swamps and streams, they used 
 every effort to leave no trace of their footsteps. Immediately 
 after the break of day, they made their sudden and unexpected 
 onslaught on the devoted tribe or village which they had come 
 to destroy. In a moment the air was rent with the most un- 
 earthly yells. The twang of the bowstring — the whirr of the 
 deadly arrow, followed in quick succession. The war-club 
 was clutched ; and the contest raged with all the fury of re- 
 venge and agony of despair, as if hell were suddenly opened 
 and all its inmates let loose upon the earth. But the duration 
 of these contests was, fortunately, as short as they were des- 
 perate. The vanquished were either taken alive, or, if slain, 
 the victor placed his foot on the neck of his fallen enemy, and 
 twisting a hand in his hair, drew forth his rude-fashioned knife, 
 and with one sweep detached the scalp from the skull, and 
 lodged it in a bag, the receptacle of these bloody testimonials 
 of his still more bloody triumphs. 
 
 Prison- The campaign terminated, the conquerors turned their steps 
 homeward, with their prisoners, sending forward a messenger to 
 announce to their friends the intelligence of their approaching 
 return. In the mean time they engraved on some tree, in the 
 neighborhood, the result of their enterprise. After their pris- 
 oners were secured, they did not subject them immediately to 
 ill-treatment, nor if a woman were among the captives, did they 
 offer any violence to her chastity. Their male prisoners were 
 reserved for more exquisite torture. They were led through 
 all the villages of their allies, or subjects, which lay near the 
 road, the inmates of which were drawn up in two lines, through 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 which the captives were forced, stark naked, to run the gaunt- 
 let. On this occasion they were exposed to every indignity, 
 contumely, and assault, the women exhibiting even more fero- 
 city than the men. The same sad reception awaited the cap- 
 tives at their journey's end, at which they often arrived beaten, 
 bruised, and bloody ; more dead than alive. If they, or any 
 among them, were accepted by those who had lost any of their 
 relatives in that or any former campaign, well : their sorrows 
 were terminated. From that moment they were as one of the 
 tribe ; their wounds dressed, the finest clothing furnished them, 
 and they became absolutely free, enjoying all the privileges of 
 the person in whose stead they were adopted, save that they 
 could no more return to their own country. If a young man 
 or boy were adopted, all the other young men called him 
 father ; so that often a man of thirty was heard calling a boy 
 of fifteen by that venerable appellation. 
 
 Woe awaited the unfortunate wretch who was rejected by 
 all — who had none to adopt him. He was often kept for 
 weeks, fed on the coarsest fare, and subjected to every ill 
 usage, until at length, the council having determined on his 
 fate, all the furies of vengeance were let loose on him, and his 
 life was taken amid the most appalling tortures ; which, 
 however, he usually met with unflinching firmness. Tied 
 to the stake, he chanted forth his death-song in trium- 
 phant tones, and proclaimed the joy with which he went to the 
 land of souls to meet the embraces of his brave ancestors, who 
 had taught him the great lessons of courage in fight and endu- 
 rance under suffering. He recounted the glorious exploits of 
 his life, and taunted his torturers by recapitulating the numbers 
 of their tribe whom he had slain with his own hand. He 
 flung back in their teeth his unextinguishable hate ; and while 
 the brand, the hatchet, and every engine of torture were applied, 
 while his nails were torn from his fingers, and his flesh lace- 
 rated with red-hot pincers, or gashed with other weapons, or 
 his bowels torn from his mangled body, he laughed at the feeble 
 fury of his executioners, and expired, at length, overpowered, 
 but not conquered, mocking and defying still, even in death, 
 his savage and cruel tormentors. 
 
 War had its term like every other calamity, and a desire for 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tranquillity usually followed these ebullitions of phrensy, as the 
 sunny calm succeeds the desolating storm. On these occa- 
 * sions, the nation which sought for peace usually sent some in- 
 
 Peace. dividuals or chiefs of note to make overtures. Before these 
 was borne the great calumet of peace, which, like the modern 
 flag of truce, had a sacred character, and ensured security to 
 the ambassadors, who were bearers, also, on these occasions, 
 of belts of wampum, as presents in expiation of wrongs in- 
 flicted, or expositions of proposals which were to be submitted. 
 In the centre of a great council assembled to receive this em- 
 bassy, the ambassador, in a set, yet eloquent speech, submitted 
 and supported his proposals, speaking in the name of his tribe 
 and all their allies. " Lend me your ear," was the language 
 of one of the ambassadors from the Five Nations, on an occa- 
 sion similar to the one we are now referring to, for I am the 
 mouth of all my country ; you hear all the Iroquois when you 
 hear my word." Each proposition of these discourses was 
 followed by laying down a belt of wampum, and if the prof- 
 fered presents were accepted, similar presents were returned 
 in exchange ; the calumet was smoked ; the contract sealed, 
 and peace ratified by a solemn burial of the hatchet. 
 
 No article discovered among the savage races has ever ob- 
 tained so universal a use as wampum, as it was termed by the 
 English, or " seewan," as it was called by the Dutch. On the 
 banks of the Hudson, on the shores of the Mississippi, and 
 even on the distant borders of the river Niger, in western Afri- 
 ca, the disposition or custom of using shells as a circulating 
 medium is found to have been equally common. The Indian 
 tribes of New Netherland were unacquainted with gold or 
 silver. They took the great conques and mussel shells which 
 were cast on shore by the sea. From the inside of the stem 
 of the former they manufactured a small smooth white bead 
 which they perforated ; and from the inside purple face of the 
 latter they made also beads, in shape like a straw, one thira 
 of an inch long, which they bored longitudinally. These they 
 strung on hempen thread, or on the dried sinews of beasts, 
 and wove them afterwards into strips as broad as one's hand 
 and about two feet long, which were then called belts of wam- 
 pum. The black or purple was twice the value of the white. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 61 
 
 They value these httle bones," says the Rev. Dr. Megapo- chap. 
 ensis, " as highly as many Christians do gold, silver, or pearls ; ^-^^-^ 
 valuing our money no better than they do iron," This minis- 1609. 
 ter once showed an Indian chief a rix-dollar. The sachem 
 asked how much it was worth among Christians ; when told, 
 he laughed heartily, and said, " we must be great fools to value 
 a piece of iron so highly, for if he had such money he should 
 throw it in the river." 
 
 This wampum, or seewan, constituted not only the money 
 of the Indians, it served likewise as an ornament to their per- 
 sons, and distinguished the rich from the poor, the proud from 
 the humble. It was a tribute from the conquered to the con- 
 queror. It ratified treaties, confirmed alliances, sealed friend- 
 ships, cemented peace, and satisfied for murders committed ; 
 for the wampum belt washed away the memories of all blood 
 that had been shed, and of all injuries that had been inflicted.^ 
 
 The dead, among these primitive people, were highly hon- Burials, 
 ored. The body of the deceased, after having been watched 
 and bewailed for several days, was conducted, dressed in all 
 its finery, to the place of interment, where it was fixed in a 
 sitting posture on a stone, or block of wood, near which they 
 placed a pot, a kettle, spoon or plate, with a trifle of money, 
 and some provisions, which were considered necessary for the 
 journey to the land of souls. The body was then surrounded 
 with wood, or bark, to keep the soil from caving in ; a large 
 pile of earth, stone, or wood, was laid over the tomb, around 
 which a number of palisades were also erected to protect the 
 ground from violence, as these burial-places were considered 
 
 * Wampum continued to constitute the common currency of this country long 
 after it ceased to belong to the Dutch. In 1673, there was, according to Dr. Mil- 
 ler, little or no certain coin in the government. Wampum passed for current pay- 
 ment in all cases. Six white and three black beads for a penny ; and three 
 times so much was the value of silver. The schoolmaster in Flatbush was paid 
 his salary, in 1683, in wheat, " wampum value ;" he was bound to provide a 
 basin of water for the purpose of baptism, for which he received from the parents 
 or sponsors twelve styvers, " in wampum," for every baptism. Ten years af- 
 terwards, in 1693, the ferriage for each single person from New York to Brook- 
 lyn was eight styvers in wampum, or a silver two-pence. " Cowries," a spe- 
 cies of Indian shell, are used as money, at the present day, in the interior of 
 Western Africa. 
 
62 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK objects of peculiar veneration. At stated times the nearest 
 ^^^^ relatives of the deceased gave vent, in wild howlings, to their 
 ' renewed grief. The women painted their faces of a black 
 color, shaved their hair in token of their sorrow, and burnt it 
 on the grave of the dead, — especially if he had been a rela- 
 tive, or had been slain in battle. Once departed, the name of 
 the deceased disappeared forever from among his tribe, and 
 had no longer a place among men. But the strongest attach- 
 ment to the bones and ashes of their fathers still remained , 
 and when calamity, or dire necessity, forced them to quit their 
 native soil, they were sure to convey along with them, if pos- 
 sible, these mouldering relics of their sires. 
 Reii- The notions entertained by the Indians of a future state, 
 
 gion. ' 
 
 and of a Supreme and Almighty Creator, were, notwithstand- 
 ing, crude and thoroughly carnal. To all systems of religion 
 they were entire strangers, worshipping no Supreme Being. 
 They, however, acknowledged the existence of a God in 
 heaven from all eternity ; but who, they alleged, was so en- 
 gaged with the society of a beautiful female, that he took no 
 note of the occurrences of this world. The principal worship 
 was that of the Evil One. Of him they entertained great 
 dread ; and to him, when sick, or unsuccessful in war or the 
 chase, they offered sacrifices. But of the Supreme Creator 
 of all things, of whom Europeans spoke to them, they had no 
 conception. *' We know not that God," said they, when rea- 
 soned with ; " we have never seen him ; we know not who he 
 is. We regard the sun and the moon much more than all 
 your Gods, for they warm the earth ; they cause the fruits 
 thereof to grow." Who it was that created the sun and the 
 moon, they stopped not to inquire — ^they endeavored not to 
 comprehend. 
 
 M^^t- Apart from the Supreme Being, they believed in a multi- 
 tude of minor spirits or tutelary guardians, and supposed that ^ 
 all animated creatures — whether human beings or wild ani- 
 mals, the elements, and even the plants — had their good spirits 
 to watch over them. This spirit was the Indian's Manittou, 
 who protected him from his infancy to his death. It was re- 
 presented by the head of a man carved in miniature on a stick. 
 Every Indian had one or more of these, which he carried 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 63 
 
 around his neck in a bag, or suspended on a string, and to chap. 
 these they addressed themselves on all important occasions, .^v-L. 
 oh a voyage, on the approach of a storm, intrusting to them 
 even the guardianship of their camp during the night prepa- 
 ratory to engaging in an attack on an enemy's quarters.^ 
 
 Yet they acknovi^ledged, with all this, a distinction between immor- 
 the body and soul, believing the latter to be immortal, and to the souf. 
 go, if good in this life, when the body ceased to live, to a place 
 towards the south, where the climate was so fine that it had 
 no need of covering there, for the air would be temperate, and 
 the heat not over troublesome ; where abundance of every 
 good thing would be to be had without the labor of produc- 
 tion ; while, on the other hand, the souls of the wicked would 
 be driven to another place, where they never should enjoy rest, 
 contentment, or peace. With these impressions, a belief in 
 ghosts easily followed, and was so general, that the meanings 
 of the winds at night through the trees of the surrounding 
 forest, or the bowlings of the wild animals in the wilderness, 
 were believed to be the lamentations of the spirits of the 
 wicked, condemned to wander thus abroad without shelter or 
 repose. Superstition, twin sister of ignorance, held them, super- 
 also, in strongest bondage, and one of their most common 
 operations was to hunt or drive the devil from among them, 
 when they were more than usually unfortunate in war or hunt- 
 ing, or when about to enter on a new expedition. For this 
 purpose they assembled in the afternoon, towards sundown, to 
 powow, as it was termed, when they strove, by all sorts of 
 harlequinades, to charm his satanic majesty. They commenced 
 by jumping, bellowing, and grinning, as if possessed. Large 
 fires were kindled, around and over which they danced ; rolling, 
 tumbling, bending, and making the most violent contortions, 
 until the perspiration burst from every pore. Their behavior 
 on these occasions would appal a stranger, for at once, and 
 suddenly, all the devil drivers would unite in rolling, howling, 
 tumbling, and clanging all sorts of hideous noises, until, as 
 they said, some beast would appear to them, whose shape the 
 devil would assume " for the nonce." If this beast were a 
 
 ' Charlevoix, Journal, 236. 
 
64 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ravenous animal, they considered it a bad omen ; if a harm- 
 w-v^ less one, the sign was propitious. They conceived next that 
 this animal replied to their questions ; the answers they inter- 
 preted according to their fancy. The presence of Christians, 
 on these occasions, marred the plot, and the devil, they said, 
 would not on that account be forthcoming. 
 Creation Their Opinions of the creation of this world were in keeping 
 world, with their ideas of a future state, and equally vague. They 
 imagined that a pregnant woman fell from heaven, and having 
 got on the back of a tortoise, scraped the earth together from 
 the bottom of the waters, until finally this globe became formed. 
 From this female sprung, according to them, all sorts of ani- 
 mals ; after which, the creation having been completed, the 
 woman again reascended into heaven. They believed in more 
 worlds than one, and that the Europeans came from another 
 and more distant world. 
 
 All these crude and confused opinions were considerably 
 Medicine fostcrcd and cncouragcd by a class of persons among them, 
 called medicine-men, or sorcerers, who lived by, and throve 
 upon, the ignorance and simplicity of their dupes, and whose 
 influence was almost unbounded among their tribe. For they 
 pretended not only to divine the future, to expound the 
 troubled and undigested dreams of the hunter and warrior, but 
 to heal the wounds and diseases which these wild men received 
 in their expeditions in search of glory or of food. Their medi- 
 cal or surgical skill was, however, of the humblest sort. The 
 gum of the pine-tree furnished them with a ready application 
 for wounds of all descriptions. Rheumatic pains or inflam- 
 matory diseases were subjected to the relaxing power of the 
 vapor bath, with which were combined scarifications of the 
 painful parts. From the vapor bath, the Indian medicine-man, 
 the original Presnitz and first hydropath of this continent, 
 flung his patient, all teeming with perspiration, into the nearest 
 pond or river, and by this practice succeeded in many cases 
 in restoring health. But should the disease exceed his skill, 
 he immediately ascribed it to the secret agency of malignant 
 spirits. He then changed his character. No longer a physi- 
 cian, he became a magician. He sung and danced around his 
 patient, invoking his god with loud cries. He felt all over the 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 65 
 
 sick man's body for the enchanted spot ; rushed upon it hke a chap. 
 madman ; tore it with his teeth, often pretending to show a -"-^ 
 small bone, or other object that he had extracted, and in which 1609. 
 the evil one had been seated. The process was repeated the 
 next day, with increased violence, or the unfortunate patient 
 was surrounded with men of straw, wearing wooden masks, 
 all of the most frightful shapes, in the hope of scaring away 
 the mysterious tormentor ; or a painted image was made, 
 which the medicine-man pierced with an arrow, pretending to 
 vanquish the foul fiend thereby. Various other mummeries, 
 each more absurd than the other, were had recourse to, in the 
 midst of which the sick man expired, leaving the confidence 
 of the people in their mighty medicine-man equally strong and 
 unshaken. It is not strange that in such a state of society 
 thousands were swept away on the visitation of any epidemic, 
 or plague, which communications with Europeans afterwards 
 might have introduced among them, the ravages of which their 
 own ignorance and superstition only augmented in a tenfold 
 degree. 
 
 The Indian life was not, however, a ceaseless round of toil Amuse- 
 and suffering. These people had their hours of relaxation, 
 their seasons of amusement, as well as our more civilized na- 
 tions ; and at these times they, no doubt, enjoyed themselves 
 with as much zest as the most polished circles. 
 
 Their favorite enjoyments were smoking, singing, and 
 dancing. The first, however, was of a serious occupation 
 rather than a hght amusement. With it they opened their 
 great councils ; with it they closed their most important delibe- 
 rations, for on every matter of weight the pipe was introduced, 
 the calumet went round. Their music was of the simplest 
 kind ; their songs generally were extemporaneous histories of 
 their own exploits in hunting or in war ; or sometimes the 
 praises of some ferocious animal which they had overcome. 
 Their dances were of various kinds. They had the war-dance, 
 the calumet or peace dance, the marriage-dance, and the mys- 
 tic dance carried on by their jugglers, accompanied by the 
 most gross superstitions. In the last dance, the devil was said 
 always to perform a part. 
 
 Their games were many, but partook rather of a gambling, Games 
 
 9 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK than a light character, and were usually preceded, like their 
 •"^^ war and hunting expeditions, by a course of fasting, dreaming, 
 1609. and other propitiatory devotions. The game of the bone re- 
 sembled that of throwing dice, with this distinction, that the 
 " bones" were thrown in the air instead of on a table, as among 
 modern gamblers. Considerable excitement accompanied this 
 game, and men have been known, as in our day, to stake 
 and lose all they were worth on this chance hazard. The 
 grand festival of dreams was, like the carnival of the Euro- 
 pean continent, an unbridled license from all decorum and rule. 
 It continued for fifteen days, during which they ran about, 
 frightfully disguised, committing every extravagance. He 
 who met another, demanded an explanation of his dream, and, 
 if not satisfied, he threw cold water, hot ashes, or dirt on the 
 guesser, or rushing into his hut, broke and destroyed his furni- 
 ture. Sometimes occasion was taken to give vent in this way 
 to an old grudge. The moment the term of the feast had ex- 
 pired, order was re-established by a general feast, when all 
 damages were scrupulously indemnified. 
 
 Such was the race which had possession of the continent 
 of North America when first visited by the Half-Moon ; such 
 were their manners, habits, and customs. On a close and 
 calm review of these, we cannot be surprised to find that the 
 Indians steadily lost ground, from the moment they came into 
 contact with the more civihzed European, until at length they, 
 as it were, entirely disappeared from our sight. They carried 
 within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. Either 
 totally ignorant of the arts of peace, or addicted excessively 
 to the destructive pursuits of war, they were without resources 
 to fall back upon, to protect their race from the superior 
 knowledge, address, and cunning of the white man, whose 
 energy, ambition, and avarice were not to be contented nor 
 controlled, until he became exclusive' ruler of the New 
 World. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 67 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Truce between the Dutch and Spaniards — Crisis favorable for Hudson's dis- 
 covery — Private adventurers resolve to send a ship to the Great River — Erect 
 forts thereupon — Establishment on the island of Manhattan under Hendrick 
 Corstiaensen — Visited by Captain Argal, and obliged to acknowledge its de- 
 pendence on the crown of England — States General grant exclusive rights 
 to all who discover new countries — Edict of 27th March, 1614 — Dutch send 
 Adriaen Block, Hendrick Corstiaensen, and Cornelis Jacobsen Mey, with live 
 ships, in search of new lands — They proceed to the mouth of the Great River 
 of the Manhattans — Block's vessel burnt — builds the Restless — Explores the 
 East River — Discovers the Freshwater River, &c. — Passes through the 
 Sound and meets Corstiaensen — Returns home — Progress of Mey — His discov- 
 eries — Captain Hendrickson continues to explore the country in the Restless — 
 Reports of discoveries laid before the States General — The country acquires, 
 for the first time, the name of New Netherland — Charter or grant of Octo- 
 ber, 1614, to United New Netherland Company — Revier van den Vorst 
 Mauritius — Forts erected at each extremity thereof — Dutch drive an active 
 trade among the Indians — Captain Hendrickson returns to Holland — His re- 
 port — Expiration of the charter of Oct. 1614 — Fort removed from Castle 
 Island to the Noordtman's Kill — Treaty of the Dutch with the Five Nations — 
 Causes leading thereto, and importance thereof. 
 
 The gallant and enterprising people under whose auspices chap. 
 Hudson had achieved his brilliant discovery, had just emerged >^v-^ 
 from a long, bloody, but glorious contest for freedom, which 1609. 
 they had waged with dogged determination against Spain since 
 1566. Pursuing their tyrants into the remotest recesses of 
 their extensive possessions, they soon made themselves felt 
 wherever they appeared, and finally struck such a fearful blow 
 at the maritime preponderance of the enemy, by the victory 
 gained in the year 1608 over the Spanish fleet, by Jacob 
 Heemskirk, (the bold navigator who had wintered, as we 
 have already mentioned, at Nova Zembla,) that the Spaniards 
 readily concluded a truce, in the course of the following year, 
 with the Dutch, whereby the independence of the latter was 
 virtually, if not formally acknowledged. 
 
 It was at this crisis, when peace had at length returned, 
 after an absence of more than forty years, and when numbers 
 of people must, by the transition, have found themselves, de- 
 
68 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK prived of their accustomed active employment, and habitual 
 excitement, that the intelligence of Hudson's discovery broke 
 
 1609. on the public, affording to private adventure a nevv^ field for 
 the exercise of those energies which had hitherto been absorbed 
 by the war, and which now would naturally seek new fields for 
 the employment of its capital. 
 
 The commodities which abounded among the natives of the 
 newly discovered countries, were objects of great demand in 
 Europe. The furs that the rigors of the northern climate 
 rendered indispensable to the inhabitants of Holland, and 
 which they had hitherto obtained through Russian and other 
 traders, were to be had now from the Indians in exchange for 
 
 1610. the veriest baubles and coarsest goods. Stimulated by these 
 considerations, and by the hope of profitable returns, a vessel 
 was dispatched by some Amsterdam merchants, freighted with 
 a variety of goods, to the Manhattans, in the course of the 
 following year.* 
 
 1611. The success of this venture seems to have given increased 
 stimulus to the spirit of enterprise. New discoveries were 
 projected ; licenses were granted by the States General, on 
 
 Feb. recommendation of the Admiralty, to two ships, the Little 
 Fox, and Little Crane, ostensibly, to look again for a 
 Sept. 7. northerly passage to China ; and the cities of Amsterdam, 
 Rotterdam, Hoorn, and Enckhuyzen, as well as several pri- 
 vate merchants and citizens, applied for information to the 
 States of Holland and West Friesland, relative to a certain 
 newly discovered navigable river, and the proper course to be 
 
 1612. steered in proceeding thither.^ These ships proceeded, on 
 procuring the requisite information, to that quarter early in 
 the ensuing spring ; and of so much importance was the 
 
 1613. country now considered, that the traders erected and garrisoned 
 one or two small forts on the river, for the protection of the 
 
 • Alb. Rec. xxiv., 167 ; Hoi. Doc. i., 211 ; De Laet ; Lambrechtsen ; Moulton, 
 337 ; Heckewelder. Mr. Gallatin states in his Synopsis of the Indian Tribes, 
 p. 41, on the testimony of the Rev. Mr. Heckewelder, that the Dutch made 
 their first settlement on the shore opposite New York island, about the year 
 1610. All this, however, rests on mere tradition, and may be confounded with 
 the visit paid the Raritans in 1609. 
 
 « Hoi. Doc. i., 12, 13, 14. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 69 
 
 fur-trade, which the new-comers began to drive with the chap. 
 Indians.^ ^-"^ 
 
 The favorable position of the island of Manhattan for com- 
 merce was easily perceived by the Europeans from the first, 
 and it soon became the head-quarters of the traders. Their 
 establishment in that locality consisted now of four houses, 
 under the superintendence of Hendrick Corstiaensen, who, by 
 means of his trading-boats, visited every creek, inlet, and bay 
 in the neighborhood, where an Indian settlement was to be 
 found, and thus secured for his employers the furs and other 
 valuable produce of the country. 
 
 But the growing prosperity of the infant post was now fated 
 to experience an unexpected check. Capt. Argal, of Virginia, 
 returning in the month of November of this year from a seem- 
 ingly predatory visit to a settlement which the French had 
 made at Port Royal, in Acadia, touched at the island of Man- 
 hattans, with a view, it is said, of looking after a grant of land 
 which he had obtained there from the Virginia Company, and 
 forced Corstiaensen to submit himself and his plantation to the 
 king of England, and to the governor of Virginia under him, 
 and to agree to pay tribute in token of his dependence on the 
 English crown.^ 
 
 Whether the merchants in Holland, who had thus far traded 
 to the Manhattans, were alarmed by the intelligence of this 
 threatening visit of the English commander, or anxious to se- 
 cure to themselves the monopoly of a commerce the value of 
 which they could now, in some manner, calculate, cannot be 
 well known ; but active steps were taken, early in the next 
 year, to obtain an exclusive right to the trade of those distant 1614. 
 countries. Petitions were accordingly presented to the States March 
 of Holland and West Friesland, praying that the States Gen- 
 
 ' Oock mede onder het oppergebeit van Uwe Hooge Moogende, alvoor den 
 jaar 1614, daar een ofte tweede fortieren syn geleght, en met volck versien tot 
 bescherminge van denzelven handel. Memorial of West India Comp., Hoi. 
 doc. ii., 138. 
 
 * Heylen's Cosmography, anno 1669, b. iv., 96 ; London documents ; Beauchamp 
 Plantagenet's New Albion; Burke's Virginia, 173; Stith's Virg., 133; Bel- 
 knap's America, 45. A very interesting and valuable paper, written by the 
 Hon. Mr. Folsom, on Argal's incursion, will be found in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 
 new series, i., 333. 
 
70 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK eral be recommended to pass an ordinance conferring on 
 those who may discover new lands the exclusive privilege of 
 1614. making six voyages thither. In compliance with this re- 
 March quest, the following Octroy was formally passed, a few days 
 after : 
 
 " The States General of the United Netherlands. To 
 all those to whom these presents shall come, or who shall hear 
 them read, Health ! Be it known. Whereas, We under- 
 stand it would be honorable, serviceable, and profitable to this 
 country, and for the promotion of its prosperity, as well as for 
 the maintenance of seafaring people, that the good Inhabitants 
 should be excited and encouraged to employ and occupy 
 themselves in the seeking out and discovery of Courses, Ha- 
 vens, Countries, and Places which have not, before now, been 
 discovered or frequented ; and having been informed by some 
 traders that they intend, through God's merciful help, by 
 diligence, trouble, danger, and expense, to employ themselves 
 thereat, as they should expect to derive handsome profit there- 
 from, if it pleased Us to privilege, octroy, and favor them, 
 that they should alone resort and sail to, and frequent the 
 Courses, Havens, Countries, and Places, by them newly found 
 and discovered, for six voyages, in compensation for their out- 
 lays, troubles, and dangers : With interdiction to all, directly 
 or indirectly to resort or sail to, or frequent the said Courses, 
 Havens, Countries, or Places, before and sooner than the first 
 discoverers and finders thereof shall have completed the afore- 
 said six voyages : — 
 
 " We, therefore, having duly weighed the aforesaid matter, 
 and finding, as herebefore stated, the aforesaid undertaking to 
 be laudable, honorable, and serviceable to the prosperity of 
 the United Provinces, and wishing that the trial should 
 be free and common for all and every of the Inhabitants 
 of this country, have, and do hereby, invite all and every 
 of the Inhabitants of the United Netherlands to the afore- 
 said search, and, therefore, have granted and consented, grant 
 and consent hereby that those who any new Courses, Havens, 
 Countries, or Places shall from now henceforward discover, they 
 alone shall resort to the same or cause them to be frequented, 
 foifour voyages, without any other person having the power 
 
I 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND. 71 
 
 to sail, resort to, or frequent, directly, or indirectly from the chap. 
 United Provinces, the said newly found and discovered 
 Courses, Havens, Countries, or Places, before the first finder 1614. 
 and discoverer thereof shall himself have made, or cause to 
 be made, /owr voyages, on pain of confiscation of the ships 
 and goods with which he shall contrary hereto make the at- 
 tempt, and a fine of Fifty Thousand Netherlands Ducats, to 
 the profit of the aforesaid finder or discoverer. Well under- 
 standing that the finder, on completion of the first voyage, shall 
 be holden, within fourteen days after his return from said voy- 
 age, to deliver to Us a pertinent report of the aforesaid discov- 
 ery, that, his adventures thereupon being heard, it may be 
 adjudged and declared by Us, according to circumstances and 
 distance, within what time the aforesaid four voyages shall be 
 fully completed. 
 
 *' Provided that We, hereby, do not understand to prejudice 
 or in any way diminish our former Grants and Concessions ; 
 And if within the same time, or in one year, one or more 
 Companies find and discover such new Courses, Passages, 
 Countries, Havens, or Places, the same shall enjoy together 
 there Our Grant and Privileges ; and in case any differences 
 or questions should arise concerning these, or happen other- 
 wise to spring, or proceed from these Our Concessions, such 
 shall be decided by Us, according to which each shall be 
 bound to regulate himself. And in order that these our Con- 
 cessions shall be known equally by all, have We ordered 
 that these be published and affixed at the accustomed places 
 in the United Countries. 
 
 " Thus Given at the Assembly of the High and Mighty 
 Lords States General, at Gravenhague, this 27th day of March, 
 in the year 1614."> 
 
 Shortly after this, the attempt was again renewed to com- June2]. 
 plete and obtain the charter for the proposed West India Com- 
 pany ; several references on the subject were made by the Aug. 
 States General, but these eventuated in nothing decisive, and 
 the charter remained unsanctioned during the continuance of Sept. 
 the truce between the Spaniards and the Dutch. 
 
 » Groot Placaat Boek, i., 563 ; Aitzema, i., 154; Hoi. Doc. i., 15, 17, 19; 
 Vaderlandts. Hist, x., 69. 
 
1 
 
 72 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK In the mean time, the Ordinance of the 27th March ex- 
 I. 
 
 >"^v^ cited considerable animation and activity among adventurers, 
 1614. A number of merchants belonging to Amsterdam and Hoorn 
 fitted out and dispatched five ships : namely, the Little Fox, 
 the Nightingale, the Tiger, and the Fortune, the two last under 
 the command of Adriaen Block and Hendrick Corstiaensen, of 
 Amsterdam. The fifth vessel was called the Fortune also ; 
 she belonged to Hoorn, and was commanded by Captain Cor- 
 neHs Jacobsen Mey. 
 
 The three last-named and now well-known navigators pro- 
 ceeded immediately on an exploring expedition to the mouth 
 of the Great River of the Manhattans, but Block had the mis- 
 fortune, soon after his arrival there, of losing his vessel, which 
 was accidentally burnt. The indomitable energy of the Dutch 
 skipper, however, soon triumphed over a misfortune which 
 would have arrested the further progress of many men of less 
 perseverance. He forthwith set about constructing a; yacht, thirty- 
 eight feet keel, forty-four and a half feet long, and eleven and 
 a half feet wide,^ which, when completed, he called the " Rest- 
 less," significant of his own untiring industry ; or, as one 
 would be justified in concluding, of that enterprising city 
 which now pushes its vessels into every sea, and whose 
 commerce is known in every land. In this craft, the first 
 specimen of European naval architecture in these waters, 
 Skipper Block proceeded to explore the coast east of Manhat- 
 tan Island. He sailed along the East River, to which he gave 
 the name of " The Hellegat," after a branch of the river 
 Scheld, in East Flanders f and leaving Long Island, then 
 
 * When his (Block's) ship was accidentally burnt in the year 1614, he con- 
 stracted there a yacht with a keel 38 feet long, 44^ feet from stem to stern, 
 and ll<i feet wide. In this vessel he sailed through Hellegat into the Great Bay, 
 (Sound,) and explored all the places thereabout, continuing his course as far as 
 Cape Cod, where he fell in with the ship of Hendrick Corstiaensen. He after- 
 ward returned home, and left the yacht on that coast for further use. De Laet. 
 
 * Though the name of Hellegat is now confined to that point where the 
 waters of the Sound unite with those of the East River, it originally belonged 
 to the whole of the latter, which was called by the first discoverers the 
 Hellegat River, after the branch of the Scheld situated between the manors of 
 Axel and Hulst, in Flanders. A description of the Dutch " Hellegat" will be 
 found in Martinet's Beschryv. der Nederlanden, iv., 4. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 73 
 
 called Metoac, or Sewan-hacky, " the land of shells," on the chap. 
 south, he discovered the Housatonick, or river of the Red 
 Mountain, and gave to the Norwalk islands the name of the 
 Archipelagoes. Somevs^hat east of these, he came to the 
 mouth of a considerable body of water flowing from the north- 
 west. He ascended this stream as high as 41° 48', where he 
 found an Indian village, or fort, belonging to the Nawaas. 
 This body of water, which has since been known as the Con- 
 necticut, he named the Fresh River. After an intricate navi- 
 gation of some leagues, he passed into what he considered a 
 great bay, but which is now known as the Sound, and through 
 this gained the main ocean, and thus determined, for the first 
 time, the insular character of Long Island. Off the eastern 
 extremity of this island, he found two smaller islands, to one 
 of which he gave his own name ; to the other, that of his 
 brother navigator, Hendrick Corstiaensen. He next discovered 
 the great Narragansett bay, which he called the Bay of Nassau. 
 He thoroughly explored this sea, determined its length and 
 breadth, and gave to its eastern entrance the name of " An- 
 chor ;" to its western, that of " Sloop" Bay. Here he had 
 some intercourse with the natives, whom he called Nahicans, 
 and whom he describes as shy of disposition. From this 
 place, Block continued his course to Cape Cod, which Hud- 
 son, it will be recollected, had already called New Holland, ■ 
 and there fell in with Hendrick Corstiaensen's ship. , 
 While these navigators were thus engaged at the east. Cap- 
 tain Cornells Mey was actively employed in exploring the 
 Atlantic coast farther south. After having examined the 
 southern shore of Long Island, and determined its length, he 
 followed the continent until he reached the great Delaware 
 Bay, (where Hudson had anchored on his return from the 
 Chesapeake,) two capes of which still commemorate his visit ; 
 one, the most northward, being called after him. Cape Mey ; 
 another, Cape Cornells ; while the great south cape was 
 called Hindlopen, after one of the towns in the province of 
 Friesland. 
 
 On the return of these expeditions to Holland, the farther 
 and more minute examination of the coast was committed to 
 one Captain Hendrickson, who proceeded, in the small yacht 
 
 10 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK which had been built by Adriaen Block, and which he had left 
 on the coast for farther use, to the Delaware, to ascertain the 
 ' nature of that country, and to open a trade with the natives 
 there. 
 
 In the mean time, intelligence of the discoveries made by 
 Block and his associates having been transmitted to Hol- 
 land, was received there early in the autumn of this year. 
 The united company by whom they had been employed, 
 lost no time in taking the steps necessary to secure to them- 
 selves the exclusive trade of the countries thus explored, 
 which was guarantied to them by the ordinance of the 27th 
 of March. They sent deputies immediately to the Hague, 
 who laid before the States General a report of their discov- 
 eries, as required by law, with a figurative map of the newly 
 explored countries, which now, for the first time, obtained the 
 name of " New Netherland." A special grant in favor of 
 Oct. 11. the interested parties was forthwith accorded by their High 
 Mightinesses, in the following terms : 
 
 " The States General of the United Netherlands to all to 
 whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas Gerrit 
 Jacob Witsen, former burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam, 
 Jonas Witsen and Simon Morissen, owners of the ship called 
 the Little Fox, (het vosje,) Captain Jan de Witt, master; 
 Hans Hongers, Paul Pelgrom, and Lambrecht van Tween- 
 huysen, owners of the two ships called the Tiger and the For- 
 tune, Captains Adriaen Block and Hendrick Corstiaensen, 
 masters ; Arnoudt van Lybergen, Wessel Schenck, Hans Cla- 
 essen, and Barent Sweetsen, owners of the ship the Nightingale, 
 (Nochtegael,) Capt. Thuys Volckertsen, merchant in the city 
 of Amsterdam, master ; and Pieter Clementsen Brouwer, Jan 
 Clementsen Kies, and Cornelis Volkertsen, merchants in the 
 city of Hoorn, owners of the ship the Fortune, Capt. Cornelis 
 Jacobsen Mey, master, have united into one company, and 
 have shown to Us, by their petition, that after great expenses 
 and damages, by loss of ships and other perils, during the 
 present year, they, with the abovenamed five ships, have dis- 
 covered certain new lands, situated in America, between New 
 France and Virginia, being the seacoasts between 40 and 45 
 degrees of latitude, and now called New Netherland : — 
 
NEW NETHERLAND 
 
 75 
 
 " And whereas, they further represent that We did, in the chap. 
 month of March, pubhsh, for the promotion and augmentation -'^ 
 of commerce, a certain consent and grant, setting forth that 1614. 
 whosoever should discover new havens, lands, places, or pas- 
 sages, should be permitted exclusively to visit and navigate the 
 same for four voyages, without permitting any other person 
 out of the United Netherlands to visit or frequent such newly 
 discovered places, until the said discoverers shall have per- 
 formed the four voyages, within the space of time prescribed 
 to them for that purpose, under the penalties therein expressed, 
 &c., and request that We should be pleased to accord to them 
 due testimony of the aforesaid grant in the usually prescribed 
 form : 
 
 " Wherefore, the premises having been considered, and 
 We, in our Assembly, having communication of the pertinent 
 report of the petitioners relative to the discoveries and finding 
 of the said new countries between the abovenamed limits and 
 degrees, and also of their adventures, have consented and 
 granted, and by these presents do consent and grant, to the 
 said petitioners, now united into one company, that they shall 
 be permitted exclusively to visit and navigate the above de- 
 scribed lands, situate in America, between New France and 
 Virginia, the seacoasts of which lie between the 40th and 
 45th degrees of latitude, and which are now named New 
 Netherland, as is to be seen on the figurative maps by them 
 prepared ; and to navigate, or cause to be navigated, the same 
 for four voyages, within the period of three years, to com- 
 mence from the first day of January, 1615, or sooner, without 
 it being permitted, directly or indirectly, to any one else to 
 sail, to frequent, or navigate, out of the United Netherlands, 
 those newly discovered lands, havens, or places, within the 
 space of three years, as above, on penalty of the confiscation 
 of the vessel and cargo, besides a fine of fifty thousand Neth- 
 erlands ducats, for the benefit of said discoverers. Provided, 
 however, that by these presents We do not intend to prejudice 
 or diminish any of our former grants and concessions ; and it 
 is also our intention that if any disputes or differences should 
 arise from these our concessions, that they shall be decided by 
 ourselves. 
 
 r 
 
76 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK " "We, therefore, expressly command all governors, justices, 
 officers, magistrates, and inhabitants, of the aforesaid United 
 
 1614. Netherlands, that they allow said company peacefully and 
 quietly to enjoy the whole benefit of this our grant, and to 
 interpose no difficulties or obstacles to the welfare of the same. 
 Given at the Hague, under our seal, paraph, and the signature 
 of our Secretary, on the 11th day of October, 1614."^ 
 
 Having thus obtained for themselves the exclusive right to 
 visit and trade with the countries in America, lying between 
 the fortieth and forty-fifth degrees of north latitude, of which 
 they strangely claimed to be the first discoverers, so shortly after 
 Hudson's visit, the above named merchants, who now assumed 
 the name and title of " The United New Netherland Com- 
 pany," proceeded to make the arrangements necessary to draw 
 from their new possessions the largest returns. On an island 
 situated at the head of the navigation, near the west bank of 
 the Manhattan River, now named De Riviere van den Vorst 
 Mauritius, or Prince Maurice's River, and immediately be- 
 low the present city of Albany, they caused a trading house to 
 be erected, thirty-six feet long and twenty-six feet wide. 
 Around this was raised a strong stockade, fifty feet square, 
 which was next encircled by a moat eighteen feet wide, 
 the whole being defended by two pieces of cannon and eleven 
 stone guns, mounted on swivels, and garrisoned by ten or 
 twelve men. This post was placed under the command of 
 Jacob Jacobz Elkens, who continued here four years in the 
 employ of this association,^ during which time he was well 
 liked by the natives, with whose language he was thoroughly 
 conversant. Another fort was erected, under the superintend- 
 ence of Corstiaensen, on an elevated spot on the southern ex- 
 
 * Hoi. Doc. i., 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46. Chalmers states, in his Political 
 Annals, p. 569, that " the name of New Netherland" had not any existence at 
 the time of the incorporation of the Dutch West India Company — that is, in 
 1621. The above charter shows mto what an egregious error this author has 
 fallen. 
 
 Al de wereldt genoegh bekent is, en hy Jacob Elkens selfFs ten besten 
 wiste, als alvoor den jaar 1614 gebruyckt synde in den dienst vandegeene die 
 doen ter tyt octroy van U. H. Mogende hadden, om deselve revier en circiraija- 
 centen alleen te bevaren. Memorial of the xix to States Gen'l. Hoi. Doc. ii., 136. 
 Alb. Rec. xxiv., 167. The dimensions of the fort on Castle Island are given in 
 the figurative map of 1616 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 77 
 
 tremity of the island Manhattan,^ where an insignificant estab- chap. 
 Hshment had already existed in 1613, as already stated. Pos- --"^ 
 session was thus taken of the two most important points on 1615. 
 the river, to which the powerful Mohawks, the fierce Manhat- 
 tes, and the various other tribes in the neighborhood, brought 
 their valuable furs to be exchanged for European trinkets and 
 duffels. The post at the mouth of the river was, however, the 
 traders' head-quarters. Hither annually came the ships of the 
 New Netherland Company, and hence was annually exported 
 whatever had been collected from the Indians, after their hunt- 
 ing season, at the neighboring coasts and rivers ; from the 
 distant castles of the Five Nations to the hunting-grounds of 
 the Minquas. Considerable activity consequently prevailed 
 among the agents and other servants of the company in push- 
 ing trade, and exploring the adjoining coasts. Runners 
 scoured the woods, in order to become acquainted with the 
 habits of the Indians, their manner of dealing, and to establish 
 friendly relations with those tribes to which the Dutch were 
 not already known. 
 
 The " Restless" having now thoroughly examined the coast 
 as far as 38°, and penetrated up the Delaware as far as the 
 Schuylkill, Capt. Hendricksen returned to Holland in the 1616. 
 summer of 1616, from his second voyage, for the purpose of 
 laying before the managers of the company the particulars of 
 his explorations. On being presented to the States General, Aug. 
 he made a verbal report of his adventures, on the part of 
 his employers, who, at the same time, petitioned their High 
 Mightinesses, setting forth that they had, at considerable ex- 
 pense, discovered and explored certain countries, bays, and 
 three rivers, lying in latitude from 38° to 40°, with a small 
 yacht called the Restless, of about eight lasts burden, com- 
 manded by Capt. Cornells Hendricksen, Jr., of Monnichen- 
 dam, which yacht the petitioners had built in the aforesaid 
 country. They thereupon demanded, in conformity with the 
 provisions of the ordinance of March, 1614, the exclusive 
 privilege of trading thither. 
 
 Skipper Hendricksen's report, it is to be regretted, is 
 
 * Moulton, 344. Heylen's Cosmography, B. iv. 
 
78 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK both meager and brief. After the detail of the preceding 
 discoveries, he described the country as well wooded with 
 oak, pine, and hickory, which trees, he added, were in some 
 places covered with vines. He stated that he found in 
 those parts, male and female deer, turkeys, and partridges, and 
 that the climate was as temperate as that of Holland ; that he 
 had traded for seal and sable skins, furs, and other peltries, 
 with the Minquas, from whom he had ransomed three of the 
 company's servants, who had left their employment among 
 the Mohawks and Mohecans, having given, in exchange for 
 them, beads, kettles, and other merchandise.-' 
 
 Whether it was that the States General were dissatisfied 
 with the small amount of information furnished in this report, 
 or that other interests had by this time sprung up, which were 
 anxious to participate in the advantages of the trade to Amer- 
 ica, or that paramount reasons of public policy influenced their 
 deliberations, their High Mightinesses laid this application 
 on the table, and the exclusive grant to the New Netherland 
 Company expired, by its own limitation, on the 1st of Janu- 
 
 1618. ary, 1618,^ in the spring of which year, the breaking up of 
 the ice, and the accompanying freshet on the River Mauritius, 
 or North River, did so much injury to the company's fort on 
 Castle Island, that their servants were obliged to abandon it, 
 and to remove a few miles south, to the banks of the Tawal- 
 sontha Creek, now called the Norman's Kill. Here, on a 
 hill, called by the Indians Tawassgunshee, they erected a 
 new fortification, and concluded with the great Confederacy 
 of the Five Nations a formal treaty of alliance and peace 
 
 ' Dat hij oock met inwoonderen van Minquas gehandelt, ende haer afge- 
 kocht heeft drie seckere persoonen, wesende van den Compagnie volck, welcke 
 drie persoonen haer hadden laaten gebniycken ten dienste van de Maquas ende 
 Mahicans, daervoor gevende ketelen, coralen, ende coopmanschappen. Hoi. 
 Doc. i., 53, 55, 59, 60, 61. 
 
 " Hoi. Doc, i., 62, 91. 
 
 ' Alb. Rec, xxiv., 167. Moulton, 346. The Dutch who settled New Nether- 
 land, now New York, in 1609, entered into an alliance with the Five Nations, 
 which continued without any breach on either side, till the English gained this 
 country. Colden's Hist, of the Five Nations, 33. The Norman's Kill derives 
 its present name from Andries Bratt, who was sumamed " De Noorman," or 
 Northman, havmg been a native, it is said, of Denmark. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 This celebrated Indian confederation was composed of five 
 tribes, namely, the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, 
 and Senecas, and generally known by the name of the Iro- 
 quois. They inhabited that country bounded on the east by 
 the great River Manhattes and Lake Irocoisia, or Champlain ; 
 on the west by Lake Erie and the River Niagara ; on the 
 north by Lake Ontario and the Great River of Canada ; and 
 on the south by the country of the Lenni Lenape, or Dela- 
 wares. When the Dutch arrived in America, the tribes com- 
 posing the Five Nations were at war with the Algonquin, or 
 Canada Indians. But the latter having formed an alliance 
 with the French, who, some years previous to this date, had 
 commenced the settlement of New France, as Canada was 
 called, derived such powerful aid from the fire-arms of their 
 European allies, that the Iroquois were defeated in almost 
 every rencontre with their ancient enemy. Smarting under 
 the disgrace of these unexpected repulses, the Iroquois hailed 
 the establishment among them, now, of another European na- 
 tion familiar with the use of tliose terrible instruments, which, 
 almost without human intervention, scattered death wherever 
 they were directed, and defied the war club and bow and ar- 
 row as weapons of attack or defence. Though jealous by 
 nature, and given to suspicion, the Indians exhibited none of 
 these feelings towards the new-comers, whose numbers were 
 too few even to protect themselves or to inflict injury on 
 others. On the contrary, they courted their friendship, for 
 through them they shrewdly calculated on being placed in a 
 condition to cope with the foe, or to obtain that bloody triumph 
 for which they thirsted. Such were the circumstances which 
 now led to that treaty of alliance, which, as the tradition goes, 
 was concluded on the banks of the Norman's Kill, between 
 the Five Nations and the Dutch. 
 
 Nothing could surpass the importance the warlike inhab- 
 itants of those ancient forests attached to the ratification of 
 this solemn treaty. Each tribe sent its chief as its ambassa- 
 dor to represent it on this occasion. The neighboring tribes — 
 the Lenni Lenape and Mohegans — were invited to attend ; and 
 there in the presence of the earth, their common mother — of 
 the sun, which shed its genial heat on all alike — by the mur- 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK murs of that romantic stream, whose waters had been made to 
 I. ' 
 
 '•"■^ flow bv their common Maker from all time, was the belt of 
 
 1618 
 
 ■ peace held fast by the Dutch and their aboriginal allies, in 
 token of their eternal union. There was the calumet smoked, 
 and the hatchet buried, while the Dutch traders declared that 
 they should forthwith erect a church over that weapon of war, 
 so that it could no more be exhumed without overturning the 
 sacred edifice, and whoever dared do that should incur the 
 resentment of the white men. By this treaty the Dutch se- 
 cured for themselves the quiet possession of the Indian trade, 
 and the Five Nations obtained the means to assert that ascend- 
 ency which they ever after maintained over the other native 
 tribes, and to inspire terror far and near among the other 
 savages of North America.^ 
 
 ' Moulton, 346, 347. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 81 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The New Netherland Company petition for renewal of their charter — The ship 
 Scheld sent to Manhattes — That country becomes more generally known — 
 Attention of the Puritans directed thither — Review of the causes which drove 
 these people to Holland — Desire to remove to America — The Rev. Mr. 
 Robinson, their minister, intimates their wish to emigrate to New Nether- 
 land — The managers of the Dutch Trading Company lay this application 
 before the States General and the Prince of Orange — Memorial to his Royal 
 Highness on this occasion — Termination of the twelve years truce — Request of 
 the New Netherland Company on behalf of the Puritans decidedly refused — 
 Capt. Mey returns to Holland — Petitions for exclusive right to new countries 
 he had discovered opposed — Incorporation of the Dutch West India Com- 
 pany. 
 
 The charter of October, 1614, having expired, the trade chap. 
 to the Manhattans was, in a manner, thrown open, and thus 
 competition was again excited among all who were acquainted 
 with its value. The New Netherland Company did not, how- 
 ever, abandon the advantages which their local experience and 
 establishments gave them. They petitioned the States Gen- Oct. 4. 
 eral for a renewal of their charter for a few years more, or 
 at least for permission to trade to the " Island" of New Neth- 
 erland. Their High Mightinesses seemed unwilling to renew 
 the grant. Hendrick Eelkins, Adriaen Jans Engel, and asso- 
 ciates, " owners and partners in the New Netherland Com- 
 pany," sent in a memorial, therefore, a few days after, setting Oct. 9. 
 forth that they had already fitted a ship named the Scheld, for 
 a voyage to the Manhattes, and requested permission to prose- 
 cute that voyage without any opposition from any of their late 
 partners ; this request was granted,^ and the Scheld sailed ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Though the above company had lost, by the expiration of 
 their charter, the exclusive privileges which they had before 
 possessed, the original members of the association seemed still 
 to have enjoyed, notwithstanding, exclusively the trade to 
 New Netherland under special hcenses obtained from year 
 to year. Well acquainted now with the fertility of the soil, 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. i. 92. 
 
 II 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the mildness of the climate, and the other physical advantages 
 ^■"^ of the country, many among them began to turn their attention 
 * to the colonization of those distant parts, in the hope that by 
 the establishment of industrious settlers and well-regulated 
 plantations, their resources might be developed ; wealthy colo- 
 nies founded, and a permanent market finally created for the 
 manufactures of Fatherland. The constant resort of vessels 
 to that quarter — the favorable reports with which they re- 
 turned — had, at the same time, made the country more gen- 
 erally known, while causes which had been at work for half 
 a century, brought the subject of colonizing those distant 
 possessions so immediately before them, that those interested 
 in New Netherland could no longer defer its considera- 
 tion. These causes were the persecution of the Dissent- 
 ers, or Nonconformists, by the hierarchy and government of 
 England. 
 
 A number of these men, dissatisfied with the ritual and cere- 
 monies of the Church of England, had renounced, in the reign 
 of Elizabeth, all communion with the establishment, and 
 formed themselves into a separate congregation, under the 
 charge of one Richard Brown, an English preacher of an an- 
 cient and honorable family, from whom they derived the name 
 of " Brownists." They were finally forced, by stringent meas- 
 ures enforced against them, to leave their native country, 
 whence they proceeded to Holland, where they formed a 
 church according to their own model. Though this church 
 eventually disappeared, the seeds of separation which Brown 
 had sowed in England took deep root ; his followers increased, 
 as well in numbers as in zeal, in the succeeding century and 
 reign, and again became marks for the exercise both of kingly 
 and episcopal oppression. Many learned ministers and their 
 followers, professing generally the puritanical principles of 
 Brown, were obliged to leave the kingdom and retire, some to 
 Amsterdam, some to the Hague, and others to Leyden. The 
 congregation at the last-mentioned place was under the super- 
 intendence of the Rev. John Robinson, a divine who tempered 
 the strictness of his religious principles with more liberality 
 towards other denominations than many others of his brethren.^ 
 
 * Neal's Hist, of the Puritans, (Harpers' Ed.) 149, 242, 244. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 83 
 
 After residing here a number of years, many causes combined chap. 
 to render these people dissatisfied with the country as a perma- 
 nent abode. The soil they considered too marshy, and the 1618. 
 climate unwholesome. They felt disinclined, also, to continue 
 under a government, where, by difference of language and hab- 
 its, and by intermarriages, they might finally lose all love for and 
 connection with their native land, and be swallowed up by, and 
 disappear among, the subjects of a foreign nation. To per- 
 petuate their race, to enlarge the British dominions, and to 
 spread the glad tidings of the gospel, the younger portion of 
 Mr. Robinson's congregation determined to remove beyond the 
 seas, unto some country not already inhabited, there to enjoy 
 freedom of conscience and civil liberty, after their own pecu- 
 liar opinions. Moved by these considerations, they had al- 
 ready made frequent applications to the authorities in England 
 for permission to emigrate to some part of America bordering 
 on Virginia, with the view of planting a new colony there. By 
 the interference of powerful friends they obtained such a pro- 
 mise as encouraged them to proceed in their project.^ But 1619. 
 after a lapse of some years, fresh obstacles arose, so disheart- 
 ening, that Mr. Robinson now caused an intimation to be 
 conveyed to the Dutch Company engaged in trading to New 
 Netherland, of the disposition felt by several of his flock 
 to proceed, under certain conditions, to the last-mentioned 
 country. 
 
 The managers of that company were too shrewd not to per- 1620. 
 ceive at once that an opportunity for promoting the settlement 
 of New Netherland here offered itself, which it would be un- 
 wise not to embrace. They, therefore, took the earliest occa- 
 sion to call the attention of the authorities of the United Pro- 
 vinces to the subject ; and with that view addressed a memo- Feb. 
 rial to their High Mightinesses the States General, and a most 
 respectful letter to the Prince of Orange. 
 
 Having detailed, in the latter communication, the fact that 
 they had previously traded for several years to New Nether- 
 land, under the charter of 1614, and that another free city pro- 
 posed now to send two ships to that country for trading purposes 
 
 ' Hubbard's Hist. New England, (Mass. Hist. Soc. Col. vii.) 42, 44, 45, 46, 47. 
 
1 
 
 84 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK also, they advert, in favorable terms, to the proposition which 
 they had received from the Rev. Mr. Robinson, and to the 
 1620. necessity of colonizing the island Manhattan. " It now hap- 
 pens," say they, that there resides at Leyden an English 
 clergyman, w^ell versed in the Dutch language, who is favor- 
 ably inclined to go and dwell there. Your petitioners are as- 
 sured that he knows over four hundred families, who, provided 
 they were defended and secured there by the authority of your 
 Royal Highness, and that of the High and Mighty Lords 
 States General, from all violence on the part of other poten- 
 tates, would depart thither with him, from this country, and 
 from England, to plant, forthwith, everywhere there the true 
 and pure Christian religion ; to instruct the Indians of those 
 countries in the true doctrine ; to bring them to the Christian 
 behef ; and, likewise, through the grace of the Lord, and for 
 the greater honor of the rulers of this land, to people all that 
 region under a new dispensation ; all under the order and 
 command of your Princely Highness, and of the High and 
 Mighty Lords States General. 
 
 " Your petitioners have also learned that His Britannic Ma- 
 jesty is inclined to people the aforesaid lands with English- 
 men ; to destroy your petitioners' possessions and discoveries, 
 and also to deprive this State of its right to these lands, while 
 the ships belonging to this country which are there during the 
 whole of the present year, will apparently and probably be 
 surprised by the English." 
 
 The petitioners concluded by requesting a favorable consid- 
 eration for their request ; so that, for the preservation of these 
 lands in righteousness, the aforesaid clergyman and famihes 
 might be taken under the protection of the United Provinces, 
 and two ships-of-war be provisionally furnished for the security 
 of those transatlantic possessions, which will, they allege, 
 be of considerable importance, on account of the vast quanti- 
 ty of timber fit for ship-building and other purposes which 
 they could supply, " when the West India Company would 
 be formed."^ 
 
 The Prince of Orange and the States General were now, 
 
 1 Hoi. Doc. L 94, 95, 96, 97, 98. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 85 
 however, absorbed in the consideration of matters of much chap. 
 
 V. 
 
 greater moment, and of vastly greater importance, than the 
 colonization of a distant and iminhabited island, or the strug- 
 gles for rights of conscience of a few obscure Englishmen, 
 who, however favorably esteemed and spoken of by the 
 magistracy and people, generally, who knew them, were looked 
 upon in Holland with a jealous eye by the established clergy, 
 who regarded them as a set of discontented, factious, and con- 
 ceited men, with whom it would be safest to have no con- 
 nection.^ 
 
 The twelve years' truce which had been agreed upon be- 
 tween the Seven United Provinces and Spain, was now about 
 to terminate. The Archdukes, laboring under a delusion 
 common to those who have forever lost the affections of their 
 subjects whose confidence they have abused, sent a proposi- 
 tion to the States General again to return to their allegiance 
 and subjection under the Spanish crown, with an assurance 
 that should that proposition be accepted, it would be ratified 
 not only by the Archdukes, but, also, by the Spanish monarch. 
 But this insulting offer was scornfully rejected, and both par- 
 ties prepared for the renewal of hostilities.^ To aid in carry- 
 ing out that war, offensive and defensive, by which it was 
 proposed to prostrate a proud enemy, and to secure at the same 
 lime the permanent independence of the nation, the States 
 General determined to concentrate the energies and capital of 
 the various merchants who were now engaged in the Amer- 
 ican and West Indian trade, by erecting an armed mercantile 
 association, on the plan of the East India Company, which 
 would be invested exclusively with the commerce and territory 
 of the New World, with power to erect fortifications, plant 
 settlements, prosecute trade, and assist in crushing piracy and 
 the common enemy. They, therefore, decidedly refused to 
 entertain the petition of the New Netherland Company, or to April 
 grant the ships of war as requested.^ 
 
 Thus was changed the destination of that small band of 
 men, who, in the midst of the rigors of a northern winter, on 
 
 ' Neal's Hist, of the Puritans, [Harpers' Ed.,] 242 ; note. 
 » Vaderiandsche Hist, x., 419, 420. 
 « Hoi. Doc. i., 103. 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the rocky and inhospitable shores of Cape Cod, laid the foun- 
 dations, this year, of a Republic, which, in the Providence of 
 ' Almighty God, was to serve, in after ages, as an asylum for 
 the oppressed of every land, and to vindicate, practically and 
 triumphantly, man's fitness for self-government, unembarrassed 
 by privileged peers or hereditary monarchs.^ 
 
 Dutch navigators were, in the mean time, actively engaged 
 exploring the coasts and rivers of New Netherland. Among 
 these none seem to have been more enterprising than Captain 
 Cornells Jacobsen Mey, of Hoorn, who returned this summer 
 to Holland with his ship, the Glad-Tidings, [de Blyde Boods- 
 
 Aug. chap,] and sent in a memorial to the States General, setting 
 forth that he had discovered new, populous, and fruitful coun- 
 tries, and demanding a special grant to trade exclusively thither 
 for four voyages, in accordance with the charter of March, 
 1614. But against this Henry Eelkins, Adriaen Jansen En- 
 gel, and partners, made a strong remonstrance. They alleged 
 that they had, already, discovered from latitude 35° to 50° ; 
 that the exclusive trade to those parts belonged, consequently, 
 to them ; and they concluded by urging the rejection of Mey's 
 petition, and that they be authorized to continue the trade. 
 
 ' Some historians represent that " the Pilgrims" were taken against their will 
 to New Plymouth, by the treachery of the captain of the Mayflower, who, 
 they assert, was bribed by the Dutch to land them at a distance from the Hud- 
 son River. This has been shown, over and over again, to have been a calumny, 
 and if any farther evidence were requisite, it is now furnished, of a most con- 
 clusive nature, by the petition in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Robinson's congrega- 
 tion, of Feb., 1620, and the rejection of its prayer by their High Mightinesses, 
 That the Dutch were anxious to secure the settlement of the Pilgrims under 
 them, is freely admitted by the latter. Gov. Bradford, in his Hist, of the Ply- 
 mouth Colony, acknowledges it, and adds, that the Dutch " for that end made 
 them large offers," Winslow corroborates this in his " Brief Narrative," and 
 adds, that the Dutch " would have freely transported us [to Hudson River], and 
 furnished every family with cattle," &c. Young's Chron. of the Pilg., 42, 385. 
 The whole of this evidence satisfactorily establishes the good-will of the Dutch 
 people towards the English; while the determination of the States General 
 proves that there was no encouragement held out by the Dutch government to 
 them to induce them to settle in their American possessions. On the contrary, 
 having formally rejected their petition, they thereby secured themselves against 
 all suspicion of dealing unfairly by those who afterwards landed at Cape Cod. 
 It is to be hoped, therefore, that, even for the credit of the Pilgrims, the idle tale 
 will not be repeated. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 87 
 
 The States General recommended both these parties to chap. 
 meet and to arrange amicably their conflicting pretensions, ^j^^^ 
 but, for reasons already detailed, their High Mightinesses re- 
 fused eventually to grant the privileges which had been de- Nov. 6. 
 manded, and aftervi^ards supplanted all private adventurers to 
 those parts by the incorporation, in the course of the next 
 year, of that great armed commercial association, the Dutch 
 West India Company.^ 
 
 » Hoi. Doc, i., 104, 105, 106. 
 
BOOK II. 
 
 FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COM- 
 PANY, TO THE OPENING OF THE FUR, OR INDIAN TRADE 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 1621—1638. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Charter of West India Company — Its various provisions — Comparison between 
 it and those granted to other Companies for making settlements in America 
 — Company did not commence operations immediately — Various vessels 
 licensed to proceed, meanwhile, to New Netherland — Excite considerable 
 jealousy among the English interested in planting Virginia and New 
 England, who remonstrate to King James against the Dutch — English 
 Ambassador at the Hague urges the States General to stay the departure of 
 the Dutch ships — Their High Mightinesses disclaim all knowledge of the 
 enterprise — English Ambassador's explanation thereupon to King James — 
 Dutch vessels proceed, notwithstanding, on their voyage — Several famiUes 
 desire to move to New Netherland — States General refer the matter to the 
 W^est India Company — They approve of the design, but suggest that its 
 execution be postponed until a Director-General be appointed. 
 
 The charter establishing the Dutch West India Company book 
 bears date the third of June, 1621. It was modelled after ^•^^ 
 that granted in the beginning of the seventeenth century to the 3* 
 celebrated East India Company, with which body it was de- 
 signed to co-operate in extending national commerce, in pro- 
 moting colonization, in crushing piracy, but, above all, in hum- 
 bling the pride and might of Spain. 
 
 The central power of this vast association was divided, for 
 the more efficient exercise of its functions, among five branches 
 or chambers, established in the different cities of the Nether- 
 lands, the managers of which were styled Lords Directors. 
 Of these, that of Amsterdam was the principal, and to this 
 
 12 
 
90 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK was intrusted the management of the affairs of New Nether- 
 land The general supervision and government of the com- 
 
 1621. pany were, however, lodged in a board or assembly of 
 Nineteen delegates ; eight (increased in 1629 to nine) of 
 whom were from the chamber at Amsterdam ; four from 
 Zealand ; two from Meuze ; and one from each of the cham- 
 bers at Friesland, the North Department, and Groeningen. 
 The nineteenth was appointed by their High Mightinesses the 
 States General. 
 
 Apart from the exclusive trade of the coast of Africa, from 
 the tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, and of the 
 coast of America, from the Straits of Magellan to the extreme 
 north, this company was authorized to form alliances with the 
 chiefs of the native Indian tribes, and obligated to advance the 
 settlement of their possessions, encourage population, and do 
 every thing that might promote the interests of those fertile 
 countries, and increase trade. To protect their commerce and 
 dependencies, they were empowered to erect forts and fortifi- 
 cations ; to administer justice and preserve order ; maintain 
 police and exercise the government generally of their transma- 
 rine affairs ; declare war and make peace, with the consent of 
 the States General ; and with their approbation, appoint a 
 governor, or director-general, and all other officers, civil, 
 military, judicial, and executive, who were bound to swear 
 allegiance to their High Mightinesses, as well as to the com- 
 pany. The director-general and his council were invested 
 with all powers, judicial, legislative, and executive, subject, 
 some supposed, to appeal to Holland ; but the will of 
 the company, expressed in their instructions, or declared in 
 their marine or military ordinances, was to be the law in 
 New Netherland, excepting in cases not especially provided 
 for, when the Roman law, the imperial statutes of Charles 
 v., the edicts, resolutions, and customs of Fatherland, were to 
 be received as the paramount rule of action.^ 
 
 * Droit Belgique, observ6 dans les dix-sept Provinces des Pays-Bas et Lidge, 
 est compose, 1, des edits, placards, ordonnances, et declarations des souverains; 
 2, des coutumes particuliferes des villes et territoires ; 3, des usages gen^raux 
 de chaque province ; 4, du droit Romain ; 5, des statuts et r^glemens politiques 
 des villes et autres communaut6s seculiferes ; 6, des arrfits des cours souverains ; 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 91 
 
 The States General engaged, among other things, to secure chap. 
 to the company freedom of navigation and traffic within the ^-^^ 
 prescribed hmits, and to assist them with a milhon of guilders, 1621- 
 equal to nearly half a milhon of dollars ; and in case peace 
 should be disturbed, with sixteen vessels of war and four 
 yachts, fully armed and equipped ; the former to be at least 
 of three hundred, and the latter of eighty tons burden. But 
 these vessels were to be maintained at the expense of the 
 company, which was to furnish, unconditionally, sixteen ships 
 and fourteen yachts, of like tonnage, for the defence of trade 
 and purposes of war, which, with all merchant vessels, were 
 to be commanded by an admiral appointed and instructed by 
 their High Mightinesses.^ 
 
 Though the provisions of this charter contained nothing 
 favorable to freedom, nor to the colonists who might happen 
 to settle at any future time in New Netherland, it must not be 
 concluded that the authorities from which it was derived were 
 more unfriendly to freedom than the other European powers, 
 who were engaged at this period in establishing plantations in 
 America. In truth, the project, as well as the company, was 
 one purely commercial, set on foot with the view of bringing 
 additional resources to bear against the common enemy, Spain, 
 and no precedents existed for charters to colonial associations 
 more favorable than the one before us. The only settlements 
 on the North American continent by authority of any crown, 
 were those of Florida, Canada, and Virginia ; and neither of 
 these affords any proofs of greater liberality than that to the 
 Dutch West India Company. 
 
 The commissions issued by France previous to, and at this 
 
 7, des sentences des juges subaltemes ; 8, des avis et consultations d'avocats. 
 II y a plusieurs coutumes particuliferes dans les Pays-Bas ; les unes qui sont 
 homologuees, d'autres qui ne le sont pas. Les premieres, avant leur homologa- 
 tion, ne consistoient que dans une simple usage sujet k etre conteste. Les 
 homologations ont commence au terns de Charles Quint. Depuis leur ho- 
 mologation elles ont acquis force de lois. — Encyclopedic Raisonnee, verbo 
 " Droit." 
 
 ^ For this charter, see Appendix A ; also, De Laet, Hist, ofte Jaerlyck ver- 
 hael. Aitzema, Historie i., 62 ; Johan Thasseus' Zeepolitie ; " een seer net ende 
 curieus Boeck," says Aitzema ; Hazard's State Papers, i., 121. Groot Placaat 
 Boek i., 566 
 
92 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK period, authorized those to whom they were addressed to dis- 
 cover and take possession of new countries ; build forts and 
 ■ concede lands and carry settlers thither ; and conferred on the 
 principal adventurers, whether private individuals or compa- 
 nies, the exclusive trade of those parts.^ Under commissions 
 such as these, containing no principles or privileges favorable 
 to colonists, were founded, by companies of speculators, the 
 cities of Quebec and Montreal. 
 
 By reference to the patent granted by Queen Elizabeth, in 
 1578, to Sir Humphrey Gilbert, it will be foimd that he was 
 " authorized and empowered, from time to time, to correct, 
 punish, pardon, and govern, and rule, according to his own 
 good discretion, and to such statutes and ordinances as shall 
 by him be devised," " as well in causes capital or criminal as 
 civil," all such people as may thereafter inhabit the countries 
 he may discover ; such laws to be, " as near as conveniently 
 may, agreeable to the laws and policy of England." The same 
 power was given to Sir Walter Raleigh.^ By the first Vir- 
 ginia charter, granted in 1 606, each of the colonies of Virginia 
 and Plymouth was to be governed by a council appointed by 
 the king, according to instructions under the sign manual, sub- 
 ject, at the same time, to the superior direction of the compa- 
 ny's council in England. The second charter, granted in 1609, 
 repeated the clause of Queen Elizabeth's patent of 1578, con- 
 ferring unlimited powers on the governors of the colony, who 
 were to be appointed and removed, not by the sovereign, nor 
 by the colonists, but by the London Company, which was 
 also authorized to make " all manner of laws" necessary for 
 the government of the same, and to abrogate them at pleasure. 
 In cases where such laws were defective, the colonies were to 
 be ruled " according to the good discretion of the company's 
 governors," who had, moreover, the power to use and exercise 
 law martial in case of rebellion and mutiny, which law, the 
 
 ' Vide Commissions to the Marquis de la Roche, 12 January, 1598; to 
 Chauvin, anno 1600 ; to Desmonts, 8th Nov., 1603. They may be seen in 
 M^m. Bur I'Amlrique, tome iii., pp. 47, 53. See, also. Act of Incorporation of 
 the Hundred Associates, by Richelieu, May, 1628, in Charlevoix, vol i. 
 
 ' Hazard, State Papers, i., 26, 36. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 93 
 
 historian says, " continued to be the common law and custom chap. 
 of the country down to 1619."^ 
 
 Even as far down as 1628, the provisions of EngHsh colo- 
 nial charters were not much more liberal. The charter of 
 Massachusetts, granted by Charles I., in March of that year, 
 seven years subsequent to that granted by the States General 
 to the West India Company, although it gave the company in 
 England the privilege of electing their governor, deputy gov- 
 ernor, and other officers, carefully excluded the colonists from 
 all such privileges ; for it provided, that all the officers em- 
 ployed in the plantations '* may by the company be empow^- 
 ered," in the words of Queen Elizabeth's patent to Sir H. Gil- 
 bert, granted fifty years before, " to correct, punish, pardon, 
 and govern, and rule all subjects as may venture to the colony," 
 according to the laws made by the association in England ; 
 and the governor and company declare, in 1629, only one year 
 before their departure for America, that they have thought fit 
 to settle and establish " an absolute government" at their plan- 
 tations in Massachusetts Bay,^ consisting of a governor and 
 council ; the latter composed of thirteen persons, two of 
 whom, only, were to be elected " by the planters generally." 
 All must admit this to have been a mockery of free institu- 
 tions, or representative government. 
 
 On a review, therefore, of the patents down to 1628, granted 
 for trading to, or settling in, America, we cannot find any more 
 favorable to colonial liberty than that granted by the Dutch in 
 1621.^ If that of Massachusetts proved eventually more fa- 
 vorable to the colonists, it was because the powers of that 
 charter were exercised in the colony, and not at a distance of 
 thousands of miles from it. Had it been otherwise, we are 
 warranted in believing that it would have been far from pro- 
 moting freedom in the plantation. 
 
 Though the West India Company obtained its charter in 
 1621, various circumstances prevented the commencement of 
 operations for two years after. In the interval, however, their 
 
 ^ Chalmers, p. 39. 
 
 * Hazard, State Papers, i. 239, 256. 
 
 ' Representative government was not accorded to Virginia, m 1619, by char- 
 ter, but by instructions from the London Company. Chalmers, 39. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK privileges were considerably amplified, and various amend- 
 ments and explanations introduced, in the fundamental grant.^ 
 The spirit of enterprise vtfas not suffered to lie dormant in 
 the mean time. Merchants, and other public-spirited individ- 
 uals, belonging to various parts of the United Provinces, con- 
 tinued to send ventures to the New World. Among the most 
 active of these we find Hendrick Eelkens, Adriaen Jansen 
 Engel, and Hans Joris Houten, of Amsterdam, with whose 
 names the reader is now familiar. These gentlemen obtained 
 
 Sept. permission, in the fall of this year, to send their ship the White 
 Dove, of eighty tons burden, to New Virginia, under the com- 
 mand of Captain Jans Houten. Dirck Volckertsen, Doctor 
 Verus, and Doctor Carbasius, of Hoorn, Pieter Nannincks of 
 Medenblick, Cornells Volkertsen, and Pieter Schoder, were al- 
 
 Sept. lowed to send a vessel with a cargo of merchandise also to the 
 Virginias ; and Claes Jacobsen Haringcarpsel, counsellor and 
 ancient alderman of Amsterdam, Petrus Plancius, minister of 
 the gospel,^ Lambrecht van Tweenhuyzen, Hans Claessen, 
 
 * De Laet, Hist, ofte Jaerlyck verhael van de Verreclitingen van de Geoc- 
 troye erde W. I. Compe. 
 
 ^ The Rev. Petrus Plancius, of whom mention is here made, was bom at 
 Uremontre, in Flanders, in 1552. He was educated at Honskote, but spent the 
 greater part of his hfe at Amsterdam. He rendered himself celebrated in more 
 than one respect. Having been ordained in 1577, he preached in divers parts 
 of Brabant, by which he was exposed to great danger, owing to the high state 
 of religious animosity in those days. He escaped being taken prisoner only by 
 swimming the river Lys, leaving every thing behind him, especially his books, 
 which were publicly burnt at Ypres. He was next called to Brussels, where 
 he preached six years ; but this city falling into the enemy's hands, he passed 
 into Holland disguised as a soldier. He came in 1585 to Amsterdam, where he 
 immediately resumed the ministry. Here he opposed Arminius and the Lu- 
 therans, and some time afterwards came out against " the Remonstrants." In 
 1618 he assisted at the Synod of Dordrecht, where he was chosen, with others, 
 to superintend the translation of the Old Testament. He contributed, in the 
 mean while, to the elucidation of geography, astronomy, navigation, and other 
 mathematical sciences, and was one of the principal projectors of the Dutch 
 expeditions to the East Indies. The first Dutch ship sailed thither by the aid 
 of charts which Plancius had constructed. He likewise advised the expeditions 
 to Nova Zembla, in the hope of discovering a nearer way to China, in which 
 project he was very much engaged in 1608. He may be truly said to have 
 been in this manner accessory, in an especial degree, to the discovery of the 
 Hudson's river and New Netherland, to which we now find him sending a ven- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 95 
 
 and company, " traders to certain countries by them dis- chap. 
 covered between Virginia and New France, situated between 
 the latitudes of 40° and 45°, and called New Netherland, and 
 to the adjacent territories, together with a great river lying be- 
 tween 38° and 40°," were licensed to send two ships, also fully 
 freighted, one to the New Netherland, and the other to the 
 aforesaid new river, which must doubtless be the Delaware, 
 and to the small streams thereunto adjoining, to truck and 
 trade with the natives of those parts. But the States General, 
 anticipating the commencement of business by the West India 
 Company, inserted a special proviso, in each of the above- 
 mentioned licenses, obliging the several parties interested to 
 return on or before the next first of July, with their respective 
 vessels and goods.^ 
 
 This activity on the part of the Dutch excited consid- 
 erable jealousy in England among those who were interested 
 in the plantations already established in Virginia, and in 
 the charter recently granted for the colonization of New 
 England. The English ever maintained the right to the 
 whole American coast, from the Spanish possessions in the 
 south to those of the French in the north, on the triple 
 ground of first discovery, occupation, and possession, as well 
 as by charters and letters patent obtained from their own 
 sovereigns. When intelligence was received that prepara- 
 tions were thus making in the United Provinces to send a 
 fleet of merchant vessels to Virginia and New Netherland, 
 the Earl of Arundel, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and Captain 
 Mason, active members of the Plymouth Company,^ and Sir 
 Samuel Argall, governor of Virginia, who had already paid a 
 
 ture in company with others. Plancius died at Amsterdam on the 25th May, 
 (N. S.) 1622, aged 70 years. He gave it in charge, on his death-bed, that his 
 remains should not be interred in any church. He was accordingly buried in 
 the South church-yard. There is a sketch of his life in Wagenaar's Beschry- 
 ving der Stad Amsterdam, iii., 219, from which most of these particulars are 
 taken. 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. i., 107, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114. 
 
 ' " Of all the persons who were concerned in the business of New England, or 
 whose names were inserted in the grand council thereof, Sir Ferdinando Gorges 
 and Capt. John Mason were the most active, and probably had the greatest m- 
 terest therein." Hubbard, 226. 
 
96 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK hostile visit to Manhattan Island, presented a remonstrance 
 immediately to James I., complaining of such proceedings. 
 ' His majesty, in consequence, directed Sir Dudley Carle- 
 ton, his ambassador at the Hague, to urge upon their Lord- 
 ships the States General the necessity of preventing the de- 
 parture of those vessels, and to forbid their subjects to settle 
 in that plantation. As this document contains the earliest 
 distinct assertion by the British government of the illegality 
 of the Dutch settlement on this continent, it is worthy of 
 particular note. 
 
 I^c.l5, "Whereas," say the Lords of the Privy Council, his 
 Majesty's royal predecessors have, for many years since, taken 
 possession of the w^hole precinct, and inhabited some parts of 
 the north of Virginia, by us called New England, of all which 
 countries his Majesty hath, in like manner, some years since, 
 by Patent, granted the quiet and full possession unto particular 
 persons ; nevertheless, wee understand that the year past the 
 Hollanders have entered upon some part thereof, and have left 
 a Colonic, and given new names to the several ports apper- 
 taining to that part of the country, and are now in readinesse 
 to send for their suppUe six or eight shipps : whereof his Ma- 
 jesty being advertised, wee have received his Royall com- 
 mandment to signifie his pleasure that you should represent 
 these things unto the States Generall in his Majesty's name, 
 (who, jure prima occupationis, hath good and sufficient title 
 to those parts,) and require of them that as well those shipps 
 as their further prosecution of that plantation, may be pres- 
 ently stayed." 
 
 1622. On receipt of this dispatch. Sir Dudley Carleton proceeded 
 Feb. 5. to make inquiries into the subject, before he brought the mat- 
 ter under the notice of the States General. All he could 
 learn, either from such merchants as he was acquainted with in 
 Amsterdam, or from the Prince of Orange, or such of their 
 High Mightinesses as he made inquiries of, was, that about 
 four or five years previously, two companies of Amsterdam 
 merchants had begun a trade to America, between the lati- 
 tudes of forty and forty-five degrees, to which parts they had 
 given, " after their manner," their own names of New Nether- 
 land, North and South sea, Texel, Vlieland, &c. ; that they 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 97 
 
 had since continued to send thither vessels, of sixty to eighty chap. 
 tons at most, to fetch furs, which was all their trade ; for ^-^^ 
 which purpose they have factors resident continually there, 
 who truck with the savages ; but the ambassador could not 
 learn that the Dutch had, as yet, planted any colony there, 
 or intended to do so. 
 
 In obedience, however, to the orders which he had received, 
 he demanded an audience of the States General, to whom he 
 presented a written memorial on the whole subject,^ which 
 was referred, at their request, to the deputies from Holland, 
 who expressed a desire to inform themselves of the affair, 
 concerning which they pretended ignorance. No further no- 
 tice having been taken of the matter, Sir Dudley called the 
 attention of their High Mightinesses again to his memorial, March 
 and requested that some order be taken upon it. Burgomaster 
 Paauw was, therefore, directed to write to the participants in 
 the trade to New Netherland for information. No letter in 
 
 ' " Messieurs — J'ay re9u charge expresse du Roy mon maistre de representor 
 a VVSS un surcroist de doleance aux affaires maritimes cause par las sujets de 
 ces Provinces Unies, particulierement par les Hollandois, et de vous prier de sa 
 part par vostre authority d'y donner remede. Cast que plusieurs de ses sujets 
 d'Angleterre, seigneurs et autres gens d'honneur et quality, ayants desja longtemps 
 pass^ prins possession de tous les precincts de Virginia, et plante leur habitations 
 en certains endroicts du Nord quartier du dit pays, qui en a tire le nom, [Nova 
 Anglia,] S. M. desirant i'heureuse issue d'une si saincte et utile entreprinse 
 qui tend a I'avancement de la Religion Chrestienne et I'accroissement du Com- 
 merce, a donne (comme il est notoire a un chacun) quelques annees passees par 
 ses lettres patentes la tranquille et pleniere possession de tout le dit pays a 
 plusieures personnes particulieres. Quoy nonobstant, il est informe que I'ann^e 
 passee aucuns Hollandois ont mis pied sur quelques quartiers du dit pays, et y 
 ont plants une Colonic, changeants lesnoms des ports et havres et les baptisants 
 de nouveau a leur mode, avec intention d'y envoyer d' autres navires pour la 
 continuation de la dite plantation, et que de faict ils ont maintenant six ou huit 
 navires tous prests pour y faire voile. Or, S. M. ayant (jure primse occupa- 
 tionis) de tiltre an dit pays non subject a contredict, m'a commande de vous 
 representer I'etat du dit affaire et vous requirer, en son nom, que par vostre 
 authorite non seulement les navires desja equippez pour le dit voyage soyent 
 arrestez, mais aussi que I'ulterieure prosequution de la dite plantation soit ex- 
 pressement deffendue. Ce que vous prendrez (Messieurs) s'il vous plaist en 
 prompte deliberation, me faisant scavoir an plustot la responce que de vostre 
 part j'en feray a Sa Majeste. Exhib6 par escrit en I'assemblee des Etats 
 G'raulx le 9«- de Febvier, 1622, et sign^ Dudley Carleton." Lond Doc, 
 i., 22, 23. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK reply to this order has been discovered, and it is at least doubt 
 
 -^v^ ful if any was ever returned to the British government. It 
 1622 
 
 ■ has been asserted that the Dutch ambassador at London 
 disclaimed, on the part of the States General, any such pro- 
 ceedings in reference to New Netherland as the Privy Council 
 had complained of, but no document has been produced to 
 support such an assertion.^ 
 
 The death of King James, shortly after this correspondence, 
 put a temporary termination to these wrangles. Carleton's 
 representations seem to have been made rather as a protest to 
 save British rights, than with a view to enforce them by taking 
 possession, just then, of the territory in dispute. The Dutch 
 ships proceeded, according to the design of the owners, on 
 their voyage, but w^hen the time approached to which their 
 commission limited their absence, some of them had not yet 
 
 June returned. Their owners were obliged, therefore, to petition 
 the States General for an extension of time, and six months 
 more were granted to them.^ 
 
 Publications descriptive of the various plantations in North 
 America began to emanate now from the press in Amsterdam, 
 and plans were submitted for the removal of famihes to this 
 continent. The West India Company, which was specially 
 enjoined to promote the settlement of its transmarine pos- 
 sessions, had its attention called to the fulfilment of this part 
 
 April of its obligations. A proposition was referred to it in the early 
 part of this year, by the Slates General, to send some fami- 
 lies to its American colonies. The company viewed the 
 project with a favorable eye. It declared that it would be 
 very advantageous to its interests, and promised to fumish 
 employment to such persons as should proceed thither ; 
 but suggested, at the same time, that the matter should be 
 postponed until the appointment of a director-general, to 
 superintend the affairs of the country ; while their High 
 Mightinesses recommended, on their part, that the magistrates 
 should be consulted in whatsoever should be proposed.^ 
 
 ' Lond. Doc. i., 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 48 ; Hoi. Doc. i., 117. Brod- 
 head's Address before the N. Y. Hist. Sec, 24, 25, 26. 
 * Hoi. Doc. i., 120. ' Ibid., 118, 119. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 99 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The West India Company takes possession of New Netherland — Several settlers 
 and servants sent out — Fort Nassau built on South River — Fort Orange on 
 the river Mauritius — Peter Minuit, of Wesel, arrives in the country as Direc- 
 tor-General, accompanied by a colony of Walloons — First settlement on Long 
 Island — First white child born — Members of Minuit's council — Duties of 
 schout-fiscaal — first schout-fiscaal — Colonial secretary — Imports and exports — 
 Dutch purchase island of Manhattans and adjoining islands from the Indians 
 — A blockhouse erected on Manliattan Island, and called Fort Amsterdam 
 — Murder of an Indian by some of Minuit's servants — Trade opened with 
 the English settlement at New Plymouth — Correspondence and intercourse 
 with that colony — Dutch alarmed at threats thrown out by their English 
 neighbors — Apply to directors in Holland for a military force — Charles I. ex- 
 tends to the ships of the West India Company the privileges conferred by 
 the treaty of Soutliampton oia the vessels of the States General — Progress 
 of trade — Renewed efforts in Holland to promote the settlement of New 
 Netherland — The assembly of the XIX. determine to establish lordships or 
 colonies there — Heyn's victory over the Spanish silver fleet — Charter to Pa- 
 troons in New Netherland. 
 
 The West India Company having finally concluded its pre- chap. 
 
 1623. 
 
 June 
 
 paratory arrangements, and completed, with the sanction of 
 the States General, the articles of agreement between the man- 
 agers and the other adventurers,^ lost no time in commencing 20< 
 operations and forming establishments in New Netherland, 
 which was erected into a province, having been invested by 
 their High Mightinesses with the armorial bearings of an earl.^ 
 The chamber of Amsterdam, to whose superintendence that 
 extensive country was committed, having already, in the course 
 of the preceding year, sent out some of its servants to that 
 quarter, dispatched a ship called the " New Netherland" this 
 season thither also, with a number of people, most of whom, 
 however, were persons in the company's service. Captain 
 Cornells Jacobsen Mey and Adriaen Jorisz. Tienpont having 
 been appointed directors of this expedition, the first-named of 
 
 ' This agreement, as well as the names of the first directors of the company, 
 will be found in Appendix B. 
 
 '•' Het wert een provincie genaemt, omdat het van haer Hoog Moogende met 
 een Graeffelyck wapen is vereert. Hoi. Doc. iv., 39. 
 
100 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK these officers proceeded to the South or Prince Hendrick's 
 — River, on the eastern bank of which, fifteen leagues from its 
 mouth, at a spot called by the natives Techaacho, in the vicin- 
 ity of the present town of Gloucester, he erected Fort Nassau. 
 This was the first settlement of Europeans on the Delaware.^ 
 
 Another fortified post, called Fort Orange, was commenced 
 on the west bank of the river Mauritius, as the North River 
 was called, a few miles north of the redoubt which had been 
 erected in 1618 on Tawalsontha creek, and thirty-six (Dutch) 
 miles from the island of Manhattans. 
 
 1624. Peter Minuit, or Minnewit, of Wesel, in the kingdom of 
 Westphalia, having been appointed director of New Nether- 
 land, arrived in that country in the course of this year. Sev- 
 eral families of Walloons, inhabitants of the frontier between 
 Belgium and France, having been desirous to emigrate to 
 America, applied, in the early part of 1622, to Sir Dudley 
 Carleton, for permission to settle in Virginia, with the privilege 
 of erecting a town there, and of being governed by magistrates 
 to be elected by themselves. This application was referred 
 to the Virginia Company, but the conditions the latter attached 
 to the permission which they granted, seem not to have 
 been satisfactory, and many of these Walloons turned their 
 
 ' The names of the ship, and of the directors above mentioned, will be 
 found in the report of 1644-5 to the Assembly of the XIX. The descrip- 
 tion of persons which were sent out, is stated in Verbael van Beveniinck, p. 
 606 : " Strax na't geobtineerde octroy hebben de Ed. Heeren Bewinthebberen 
 diversche schepen met volck ende beestialen naa N. Nederlandt gesonden, by 
 welck volck, synde meest Dienaaren van de meergemelde Compagnie, syn 
 gekoft veel en verscheyden landeryen." There is some contradiction as to the 
 precise year in which Fort Nassau was erected. Van der Donck fixes it at 1623 — 
 Vertoogh van N. N. c. iii. ; so does Stuyvesant in his declaration to the governor 
 of Maryland. The report above referred to, has it 1624 ; while a paper entitled 
 Deductie, ofte Naecht ende claer verhael over de gelegentheyt van de Zuyt 
 Revier, fixes its date at 1626. That Mey was the first European who made a 
 settlement on the Delaware, is put beyond doubt by the evidence of the Sachem 
 Mattehoorn, who declared before Stuyvesant, subsequently, that a skipper 
 named Cornells, with one eye, or having a film on the eye, (ofte hebbende een 
 vlies op't ooge,) was the first, who, coming there, established himself on the 
 South River. Hoi. Doc. viii., 73. Moulton, 366, says that Fort Nassau was 
 erected in 1623. See also Barker's Sketches of principal Settlements on Del., 
 in Haz. Reg. i., 179, and Acrelius' Hist. N. Sweden. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 101 
 
 attention subsequently to New Netherland, where a small num- chap. 
 ber of them now arrived with Director Minuit. Some settled -^-^ 
 at first on Staten Island, but afterwards removed to a bay on 
 the northwestern extremity of Long Island, called the Wahle- 
 Bocht, or " the bay of the foreigners," which has since received 
 the corrupt appellation of Wallabout. Here Sarah de Rap- 
 pelje, the first child of European parentage, was born on the 
 6th June, 1625.^ This settlement subsequently extended it- 
 self towards the western extremity of the island, which was 
 called " Breukelen," after an ancient Dutch village of that 
 name, situate on the river Veght, in the province of Utrecht. 
 
 The government of the small community which now com- 
 posed the population of New Netherland, was committed to 
 the Director and his council, consisting of Pieter Bylvelt, 
 Jacob Elbertsen Wissinck, Jan Janssen Brouwer, Symen 
 Dercksen Pos, and Reynert Harmenssen. This council had 
 supreme executive and legislative authority in the colony. 
 It was also the tribunal for the trial of whatever civil and 
 criminal cases might arise, and all prosecutions before it were 
 instituted and conducted by an officer called a " Schout Fis- 
 caal," whose duties were equivalent to those performed among 
 us by a sheriff and an attorney-general.^ 
 
 * The Walloons were inhabitants of the frontier between France and Flan- 
 ders, extending from the Scheld to the river Lys. They spoke the old French 
 or Gallic language, and professed the reformed religion. During the thirty 
 years' war, they distinguished themselves for their valor and savage spirit. The 
 name comes, it is said, either from Wall, (water or sea,) or more probably, from 
 the old German word Wahle, signifying a foreigner. The application of the 
 Walloons to settle in Virginia is in Lond. Doc. i., 24. The Hon. Jer. Johnson 
 of Brooklyn is of opinion, in a letter with which he has had the politeness to 
 favor me, that George Jansen de Rapelje and Sarah his wife arrived at Staten 
 Island, from Holland, in 1624, and that he prepared a cabin, at what is now call- 
 ed the Wallabout, for his residence, to which he removed in the spring of 1625. 
 He adds, that Sarah Rapelje was born at the latter place on the 6th (Moulton 
 says on the 9th) of June, 1625. Meyer's Annals of Holland States, anno 
 1624, quoted by Rev. Dr. De Witt, Proc. N. Y. Hist. Soc, 1844, 55. 
 
 " In every tribunal there is a Schout or sheriff, who convenes the judges, and 
 demands from them justice for the litigating parties ; for the word " schout" is 
 derived from schuld, debt, and he is so denominated because he is the person 
 who recovers or demands common debts, according to Grotius. The right of 
 the sovereign, in crimmal cases, is sustained before the court by the advocate 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK He was charged specially with enforcing and maintaining 
 the placards, laws, ordinances, resolutions, and military regula- 
 
 1624. tions, of their High Mightinesses the States General, and pro- 
 tecting the rights, domains, and jurisdiction of the company, 
 and executing their orders, as well in as out of court, without 
 favor or respect to individuals ; he was bound to superintend 
 all prosecutions and suits, but could not undertake any actions 
 on behalf of the company except by order of the council; 
 nor arraign nor arrest any person on a criminal charge, except 
 on information previously received, or unless he caught him 
 in flagrante delictu. In taking informations, he was bound to 
 note as well those points which made for the prisoner, as those 
 which supported the charge against him, and, after trial, he 
 was to see to the proper and faithful execution of the sen- 
 tence pronounced by the judges, who, in indictments carrying 
 with them loss of life and property, were not to be less than 
 five in number. He was, moreover, specially obliged to 
 attend to the commissaries arriving from the company's out- 
 posts, and to vessels arriving from, or leaving for, Holland , 
 to inspect their papers, and superintend the loading and dis- 
 charging of their cargoes, so that smugghng may be pre 
 vented, and all goods introduced, except in accordance to the 
 company's regulations, were at once to be confiscated. He 
 was to transmit to the directors in Holland copies of all in- 
 formations taken by him, as well as of all sentences pro- 
 nounced by the court ; and no person was to be kept long in 
 prison at the expense of the company, without special cause, 
 but all were to be prosecuted as expeditiously as possible be- 
 fore the Director and council. 
 
 The schout-fiscaal of New Netherland had no voice in the 
 council. He was privileged to sit in that body merely when 
 questions arose relating to finance, justice, or police, and give 
 his opinion when asked, but not to vote. He was strictly for- 
 bidden to accept presents, or gifts, from any person whatso- 
 ever; and had to content himself with the civil fines and 
 penalties adjudged to him, and such part of the criminal fines 
 and confiscated wages of the company's servants, as the 
 
 fiscal, or attorney general of Holland. Van Leeuwen's Commentaries on Ro- 
 man Dutch Law. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 103 
 
 director and council, after prosecution, might allow. He chap. 
 was not to have any part, however, of captured prizes or con- >-^v^ 
 fiscated goods. 1624. 
 
 This office, perhaps the most responsible in the colony, 
 was filled, during the administration of Director Minuit, by 
 Jan Lampo of Cantelberg. Isaac de Razier acted as book- 
 keeper of monthl}'- wages, and second to the Director, also as 
 provincial secretary. In the last-mentioned capacity he was 
 afterwards succeeded by Jan van Remund, under whom 
 Lenaert Cole acted as assistant.^ 
 
 Under the superintendence of these authorities, the infant 
 trade of the colony prospered apace. The imports from 
 Holland were estimated at twenty-five thousand, five hundred 
 and sixty-nine guilders, equal to about 810,654 ; in return for 
 which were exported four thousand, seven hundred beaver and 
 otter skins, which were valued at twenty-seven thousand, one 
 hundred and twenty-five guilders, or $11, 302. " Several ships" 
 followed in the course of the ensuing year ; one of which, 1625. 
 called " The Orange-Tree," of 150 tons, having touched at 
 Plymouth, England, was there detained, and her captain jan.28. 
 ordered to London, to appear before the Lords of the 
 Privy Council, inasmuch as the place in America for which Feb. 8. 
 he was bound, was claimed to be comprehended in the grant 
 made by his Britannic Majesty to divers of his subjects. The 
 imports, this year, were reduced to eight thousand, seven hun- 
 dred and seventy-two guilders, or $3,655, which was a falling 
 off of two-thirds ; but the exported furs amounted to five 
 thousand, seven hundred and fifty-eight skins, valued at thirty- 
 five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five guilders,^ equal 
 to $14,927 of our currency; a large increase on the exporta- 
 tions of the preceding year. 
 
 In the mean time the Dutch occupied Manhattan Island 
 merely by sufferance. But as it was now their determination 1626. 
 to make a permanent settlement thereupon, the company hav- 
 ing appropriated an armed ship, of about three hundred tons 
 
 ' The names of all the above functionaries, except De Razier's, I find an- 
 nexed to Indian deeds, dated 1630 and 1631, among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. 
 " Lend. Doc, i., 34 ; De Laet Kort Verhael, 26, 29. 
 
104 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK burden, and a yacht, the value of both of which was 1 20,000 
 '-"^ florins,^ to the trade of the country, it became necessary, both 
 1626. in justice and pohcy, to obtain a title to the soil. The island 
 of Manhattans, estimated then to contain twenty-two thou- 
 sand acres of land, was therefore purchased from the Indians, 
 who received for that splendid tract the trifling sum of sixty 
 guilders, or twenty-four dollars. 
 
 Intelligence of this fortunate arrangement was transmitted 
 to the Assembly of the XIX., by the ship " The Arms of Am- 
 sterdam," which sailed from the River Mauritius on the 23d 
 Sept. September, and arrived in Holland on the fourth of November 
 
 no 
 
 ■ following ; with the additional information that the little colony 
 was in a most prosperous state, and that the women and soil 
 were both fruitful. As an evidence of the latter fact, samples 
 of the recent harvest, consisting of wheat, rye, barley, oats, 
 buckwheat, canary-seed, beans, and flax, were sent forward ; 
 together with eight thousand, one hundred and thirty beaver 
 skins, valued at over forty-five thousand guilders, or nearly 
 $19,000. The imports were estimated at twenty thousand, 
 three hundred and eighty-four guilders, or $8,494.^ 
 
 On or about the same time that the island of Manhattans 
 was purchased, the Director General and Council bought 
 Eghquaous, or Staten Island, and some other places in that 
 vicinity ; and as a greater security for their lives and property, 
 as well as for the better accommodation of the Company's 
 servants, a blockhouse, surrounded with red cedar palisades, 
 was thrown up on the south point of Manhattan Island, which 
 post having now received the appellation of Fort Amsterdam, 
 became the head-quarters of the government, and the capital 
 of New Netherland.^ 
 
 An occurrence, we regret to say, took place while this work 
 was progressing, which must have impressed the uncivilized 
 natives with an imfavorable idea both of European honesty 
 and of European justice. One of the neighboring tribe of 
 
 1 Hoi. Doc, i., 147. 
 
 " Hoi. Doc, i., 155. De Laet. 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc, vii., 70, 71. Verbael van Beveminck, 606. Alb. Rec, viii., 161. 
 Moulton, 367. Report to the Assembly of the XIX., in the Appendix, shows 
 the date of the erection of this fort 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 105 
 
 Wickwasqueeck Indians had come, with his nephew, and an- chap. 
 other of his nation, to the Dutch post, to sell some beaver-skins. ^^^^ 
 He was met mifortunately by three of Minuit's farm servants, 
 who not only rifled the Indian of his property, but murdered him 
 in cold blood. The nephew of the unfortunate man, who was 
 then a mere youth, was a witness to this outrage. He returned 
 home brooding over the wrong, and vowed to take vengeance 
 when he should arrive at the years of manhood^ — a vow which 
 he too faithfully fulfilled, years afterwards, the Dutch having 
 neglected to expiate the crime by a suitable present of v^^am- 
 pum, in conformity with the customs of the Redman, or to 
 punish the murderers, as justice and good policy demanded. 
 
 The activity with which the authorities at the Manhattans 1627. 
 prosecuted trade among the Indians, exploring every creek, 
 bay, and river, with their sloops and other craft, soon spread 
 the intelligence of their settlement all around. The English, 
 now settled some six or seven years at New Plymouth, had al- 
 ready heard much of the Dutch from the natives. Through 
 the same medium, it is to be presumed, the Dutch heard of 
 their English neighbors ;^ but neither party had, as yet, heard 
 from, or met with, the other. Desirous, now, of extending March 
 their commercial relations, the Director and council transmit- ^' 
 
 ^ De Vries (Korte Historiael ende Joumael, &c.) alludes to this murder, and 
 the time it occurred is distinctly mentioned by him — " when the fort was built." 
 Capt. Patrick, writing in 1641, says that it occurred " over one and twenty 
 years ago." This would have carried it back to 1 620 ; but as no fort was 
 building then, it must be concluded that the Captain's memory, or rather the 
 memory of the sachem who furnished him with that as the distance of time 
 when the murder was committed, must have deceived him. In Hoi. Doc. v. 
 314, the murder is alluded to, also, and it is there represented as having been 
 committed by three of Minnewitz' men. " De welcke (Wilt) van drye bouw- 
 knechten van den Commandeur Minnewitz was oragebracht." This marks the 
 time precisely, as no other fort was built on Manhattan Island by Minuit ex- 
 cept in the above year. 
 
 " In the year 1623, a Dutch trading vessel from New Netherland was 
 stranded in Narragansett bay, near the mouth of Taunton river. In the same 
 year the Plymouth people went on a trading voyage to Narragansett bay, it be- 
 ing the first time they had ventured so far towards the west. In this expedi- 
 tion they were not successful, because the Dutch had been accustomed to sup- 
 ply the natives with goods better suited to their wants than the Plymouth peo- 
 ple were able to furnish. N. A. Rev. viii., 82 
 
 14 
 
106 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ted letters to the governor of New Plymouth, "written in a very 
 
 — fair hand, the one in French and the other in Dutch," and 
 1627 
 
 ' signed by Isaac de Razier, expressive of good-will, congratu- 
 lating him on the prosperity of his infant colony, and offer- 
 ing to accommodate him with any goods or merchandise 
 which the Dutch had, and which the English might want, in 
 exchange for beaver or otter skins, or other wares. 
 March An answer to these neighborly and polite proposals was re- 
 (N. S.) turned by Mr. Bradford, governor of New Plymouth, in due 
 course, in which he expressed many thanks for their friendly 
 disposition, and alluded in grateful terms to the kindness the 
 " Pilgrims" had experienced during their sojourn in Holland. 
 In regard to trade, he stated that for the current year they 
 were fully supplied with all necessaries, but promised to 
 trade thereafter, should the rates be reasonable ; and with 
 that view desired to know at what price they would take bea- 
 ver and other skins and commodities, and what sort of barter 
 they would accept in exchange, such as tobacco, fish, corn, 
 &c., and on what terms. Governor Bradford requested the 
 Dutch people, at the same time, to forbear trading with the 
 natives of Cape Cod bay and of the Narragansetts, which 
 they had already been in the habit of doing, and concluded by 
 putting them on their guard against vessels belonging to the 
 other English plantations, which were commissioned to cap- 
 ture and expel all strangers trading within the limits of forty 
 degrees. 
 
 Aug. 7. To this communication the authorities at Fort Amsterdam 
 sent a friendly reply, by John Jacobsen of Wiring, in which, 
 at the same time, they firmly maintained their right to trade to 
 those parts from which the English had desired them to for- 
 bear, alleging that they had traded thither above six and twenty 
 years, and that they had authority for so doing from the States 
 General and the Prince of Orange. As a testimony of their 
 good feeling towards the New Plymouth people, they accom- 
 panied this letter with a present to Gov. Bradford, of " a rund- 
 let of sugar and two Holland cheeses," which were very thank- 
 Aug. fully received. The governor, in his answer, reiterated his 
 desire for the continuance of good neighborhood ; expressed a 
 wish for an opportunity to confer personally touching mutual 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 107 
 
 commerce, and added that he should have sent a person for chap. 
 that purpose, but that he had no mode of conveyance at hand. — 
 He, at the same time, invited the Dutch authorities to depute 1637. 
 some one of themselves to New Plymouth, as they had pro- 
 posed, to make some regulations relative to trade, M^ho would 
 be cordially received. In sending this invitation. Governor 
 Bradford considered it his duty again to warn the Dutch 
 against the danger to which they were exposed from the ves- 
 sels of Virginia, and from the fishing ships coming to New 
 England, as, if they were met, they should assuredly be cap- 
 tured in the same manner as a French colony, years before, 
 which was seated within these bounds. He concluded by 
 calling their attention to the fact, that the English had navi- 
 gated and planted in those parts well-nigh forty years, under 
 patents and royal grants from Queen Elizabeth, and suggested 
 if it were not best that the States General should come to 
 some arrangement with the British court about the matter. 
 
 The government at Fort Amsterdam was not slow to ac- 
 cept the invitation conveyed in Governor Bradford's letter. 
 Isaac de Razier was dispatched in the bark Nassau as am- 
 bassador to the New Plymouth colony ; and, having arrived 
 in the neighborhood of that settlement, forwarded a letter thus Oct. 4. 
 addressed : — 
 
 " Monsieur Monseigneur William Bradford, Governor Nieu Plemeuen. 
 
 " After the wishing of all good unto you, this serves to let 
 you understand that we have received your acceptable letters, 
 dated the 14th of the last month, by John Jacobsen of Wiring, 
 who, besides, by word of mouth hath reported unto us your 
 kind and friendly entertainment of him. For which cause, (by 
 the good liking and approbation of the Director and Council,) I 
 am resolved to come myself in friendship to visit you, that we 
 may, by word of mouth, friendly communicate of things to- 
 gether ; as also to report unto you the good-will and favor that 
 the Hon'ble Lords of the authorized West India Company 
 bear towards you. And to show our willingness of your good 
 accommodation, have brought with me some cloth of three 
 sorts and colors, and a chest of white sugar, as also some sea- 
 wan, &c., not doubting but, if any of them may be service- 
 
108 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK able unto you, we shall agree well enough about the prices 
 
 ^--^ thereof. Also, John Jacobsen, aforesaid, hath told me that he 
 1627. . . 
 
 * came to you overland in six hours, but I have not gone so far 
 
 this three or four years ; wherefore I fear my feet will fail me, 
 
 so I am constrained to entreat you to afford me the easiest 
 
 means that I may, with least weariness, come to congratulate 
 
 with you. So leaving other things to the report of the bearer, 
 
 shall herewith end; remembering my hearty salutations to 
 
 yourself and friends, &c. From aboard the barque Nassau, 
 
 the 4th Oct., before Frenchman's Point, Anno 1627. Your 
 
 affectionate friend, 
 
 " Isaac de Razier." 
 
 According to the request contained in the above, Governor 
 Bradford sent a boat for Mr. de Razier, " who came honorably 
 attended with a noise of trumpeters." This meeting, it may 
 well be imagined, was a source of pleasure on both sides. 
 " It was the first meeting in the solitude of the New World 
 between friendly colonists of two allied European nations," 
 who had much to say about a country towards which both had 
 feelings of strong affection. 
 
 A quantity of Dutch commodities was purchased on this 
 occasion by the New Plymouth people ; especially seawan, or 
 wampum, which the English found to be afterwards very 
 beneficial in their trade with the natives. This was the com- 
 mencement of the intercourse between the Dutch and English 
 colonists on these shores, which continued for many years, to 
 the mutual advantage of both parties. 
 Oct. 11. At the departure of Mr. de Razier from New Plymouth, 
 Governor Bradford wrote again to the Director and Council at 
 Fort Amsterdam, in reference to the proposition regarding 
 trade which had been made by their agent, but which the 
 New Plymouth authorities could not, at the moment, favor- 
 ably entertain, as they had sent a person to England and Hol- 
 land for supplies, whose return they should necessarily await. 
 In this communication they were again urged to clear the title 
 to their plantation in these parts, which, it was asserted, " the 
 king had granted by patent to divers nobles and subjects of 
 quality." This the Dutch were recommended to do, " lest it 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 109 
 
 be a bone of contention in these stirring evil times ; for," it chap. 
 was added, " it will be harder and with more difficulty ob- "■^^ 
 tained hereafter, and perhaps not without blows ."^ 1627. 
 
 The earnestness with which Governor Bradford asserted the 
 right of the English to the country claimed now, or possessed 
 by the Dutch, and urged the latter to clear their title ; and the 
 closing hint, that possibly force might be resorted to hereafter 
 to vindicate the British pretensions, alarmed somewhat the 
 authorities at Fort Amsterdam. They wrote, immediately, to Nov. 
 the directors of the company in Holland, and represented 
 that the English at New Plymouth had threatened, notwith- 
 standing all the kindness they had received from the Dutch, 
 to drive the latter away, or disturb them in their possessions 
 and little colony ; and then concluded by calling for a force 
 of forty soldiers, to aid them in repelling any hostile at- 
 tacks.^ 
 
 The company had, however, anticipated, and in some de- 
 gree removed, before the receipt of this letter, many of the 
 causes which might have led at this time to an interruption of 
 good feeling between the Dutch and their English neighbors. 
 For, though they did not, as Governor Bradford suggested, 
 " clear their title," they obtained from Charles I. an order in 
 council, in the month of September preceding, by which the Sept. 5 
 privileges which were secured, in 1627, by the treaty of South- ^'^ 
 ampton, to all the national vessels of the States General, were 
 extended to the ships of the company. By this order all 
 ports, whether in the kingdom or territories of the British king, 
 were at once thrown open to the Dutch vessels trading to 
 or from New Netherland, which were thus protected from 
 
 1 Bradford's Correspondence, in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. (N. S.,) i. 360, et seq. 
 BailUe's Mem. of Plym. i., 146, 147. Prince's N. E. Chron. 249. Moul- 
 ton, 378. 
 
 " This intelligence, which was addressed to the XIX., was reported to the 
 States General in the following words : " Brengen tyding dat sy aldaer (in N. 
 N.) gedreigd worden van de Engelschen van N. Pleymoudt : (niettegenstaendo 
 de onsen voor desen aen deselfde alle goede correspondentie en vruntschap 
 gepresenteerd hadden :) van hen te willen verjaegen ofte turberen in haer besit 
 en geringe colonie. Versoecken derhalve adsistentie van veertig soldaten tot 
 hunne defensie." Hoi. Doc. i., 159, 160. 
 
110 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK seizure by any of the cruisers frequenting the Enghsh colo- 
 -^^ — nies.^ 
 
 1627. i\^Q mean while, the trade with the Indians and adjoining 
 plantations continued to be actively carried on. The com- 
 pany sent out four ships this year, with cargoes valued at fifty- 
 six thousand, one hundred and seventy giiilders, ($23,404,) 
 being an increase on last year's imports of fifteen thousand 
 dollars. There was, however, a falling off in the value of the 
 furs returned, which, though amounting to seven thousand, 
 eight hundred and ninety skins, were estimated at only twelve 
 thousand, seven hundred and thirty guilders. 
 
 1628. Seven years had now nearly elapsed since the incorporation 
 of the West India Company, and five since that body had been 
 in active operation, yet nothing had been done to carry out 
 that part of the charter which obliged them to advance settle- 
 ments and encourage population in those fertile countries in 
 North America committed to their charge. A few servants of 
 the company, connected with the trading posts which served 
 as a rendezvous for the neighboring Indians, were the only 
 inhabitants, it may be said, of the extensive country claimed 
 as New Netherland. Not a particle of the soil was reclaimed, 
 save what scantily supplied the wants of those attached to the 
 three forts which were erected within the limits of this rich 
 and vast territory ; and the only exports were the spontaneous 
 products of the forest. Experience had demonstrated, in the 
 interim, that no benefits had accrued to the company from 
 this plantation, under the present system of management, ex- 
 cept what the peltries produced f the mode of life pursued 
 
 ^ This order will be found at len^h in Hoi. Doc. ix., 292, et seq. ; also in 
 Lond. Doc. i., 36, 37, 38, 39. The treaty of Southampton is in Aitzema, L, 469. 
 
 ^ " Now the part which we have named New Netherland, though as re- 
 gards climate it ought to be as warm, and as well adapted for the cultivation of 
 fruit at least, as France, where it borders on Spain, has, nevertheless, been 
 found excessively cold, and as subject to frost and other inconveniences as these 
 still more northerly provinces. The people whom we have conveyed thither 
 up to this time, have, on that account, been able to procure but scanty means 
 of living, and have been, not a profit, but a loss to the Company. The trade 
 which is carried on in peltries is right advantageous, but can, at the utmost, re- 
 turn, one year with the other, only 50,000 guilders," ($20,000.) Remon- 
 stremce of the W. I. Co. against Peace with Spain, 1629. Hoi. Doc, i., 165. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 Ill 
 
 by the people was very irregular, the expenses of the estab- chap. 
 lishment excessively high, and the results not as flattering as 
 anticipated. These considerations having been frequently 1628. 
 brought before the XIX., it was finally determined that the 
 resources of the country, under their jurisdiction, w^ould be 
 most efficiently developed by the planting of " colonies," or 
 seignorial fiefs or manors, there. 
 
 A meeting of the Assembly of the XIX. accordingly took March 
 place early this year. It was attended by commissioners 
 from their High Mightinesses the States General, and directors 
 and assessors on the part of the principal partners ; and a 
 draft of a " charter of privileges and exemptions," which was 
 considered alike serviceable to the company and advantageous 
 to the patroons, masters, and private individuals who should 
 plant colonies in New Netherland under its provisions, having 
 been submitted, was referred, forthwith, to a committee for 
 examination, which was instructed to report to a future meet- 
 ing.i 
 
 It was while these plans were under consideration, that 
 the arms of the company achieved a splendid and most deci- 
 sive victory over the enemy, which, while it threw uncounted 
 wealth into the coffers of the various partners, gave a sudden, 
 yet most efficient, impulse to the permanent colonization of 
 New Netherland. 
 
 Admiral Pieter Pieterssen Heyn having been put in com- 
 mand of the company's ships, proceeded to the West Indies, 
 and in the autumn of this year, captured, in Matanzas bay, Sept. 9. 
 the Spanish " Plate fleet," consisting of twenty sail, laden 
 with gold, silver, and other valuable freight, estimated to be 
 worth five millions of dollars. From this and other preceding 
 conquests, the company's dividends advanced at once to fifty 
 per cent.^ When the committee, appointed in the spring ol 
 the preceding year to examine the proposed charter for the 
 establishment of colonies in New Netherland, brought in their 1629. 
 report, it was evident that Heyn's victory had considerable ^g^' 
 influence on the minds of many of the directors. It was, 
 however, considered wise to address the several chambers on 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. ii., 95, 96, 97. 
 
 » Vaderlands. Hist, ix., 69, 70. 
 
112 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the subject, with a view to ehcit their views on a matter of 
 ^^'^ such importance. A number of amendments were subse- 
 1629. quently suggested and proposed, and, after a further adjourn- 
 ^^Q^ ment was agreed upon, in order to afford time for the fullest 
 
 consideration, the whole project was again discussed in the 
 May latter part of May, and then referred a second time to a com- 
 
 mittee, to report all the articles complete to the Assembly of 
 June?. the XIX., who, on the seventh day of June, 1629, agreed to 
 
 these important concessions,^ which were duly ratified by the 
 
 States General, and published in the following terms : 
 
 "FREEDOMS AND EXEMPTIONS 
 
 GRANTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE XIX. OF THE PRIVILEGED 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY, TO ALL SUCH AS SHALL PLANT ANY 
 COLONIES IN NEW NETHERLAND : 
 
 " I. Such members of the said company as may be inclined 
 to settle any colonic in New Netherland, shall be permitted to 
 send in the ships of this company going thither, three or four 
 persons to inspect the situation of the country, provided that 
 they, with the officers and ship's company, swear to the arti- 
 cles, so far as they relate to them, and pay for provisions and 
 for passage, going and coming, six stuyvers per diem ; and 
 such as desire to eat in the cabin, twelve stuyvers, and to be 
 subordinate and give assistance like others, in cases offensive 
 and defensive ; and if any ships be taken from the enemy, 
 they shall receive, pro rata, their proportions with the ship's 
 company, each according to his quality ; that is to say, the 
 colonists eating out of the cabin shall be rated with the sail- 
 ors, and those who eat in the cabin with those of the com- 
 pany's men who eat at table and receive the lowest wages. 
 
 " II. Though, in this respect, shall be preferred such persons 
 as have first appeared and desired the same from the company. 
 
 " III. All such shall be acknowledged Patroons of New 
 f Netherland who shall, within the space of four years next after 
 they have given notice to any of the Chambers of the Com- 
 pany here, or to the Commander or Council there, undertake 
 to plant a colonic there of fifty souls, upwards of fifteen years 
 
 > Hoi. Doc. ii., 98, 99. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 113 
 
 old ; one fourth part within one year, and within three years chap. 
 after the sending of the first, making together four years, the 
 remainder, to the full number of fifty persons, to be shipped 1629. 
 from hence, on pain, in case of wilful neglect, of being de- 
 prived of the privileges obtained ; but it is to be observed that 
 the company reserve the island of the Manhattes to themselves. 
 
 " IV. They shall, from the time they make known the situa- 
 tion of the places w^here they propose to settle colonies, have 
 the preference to all others of the absolute property of such 
 lands as they have there chosen ; but in case the situation 
 should not afterguards please them, or that they should have 
 been mistaken as to the quality of the land, they may, after 
 remonstrating concerning the same to the Commander and 
 Council there, be at liberty to choose another place. 
 
 " V. The Patroons, by virtue of their power, shall and may 
 be permitted, at such places as they shall settle their colonies, 
 to extend their limits four miles^ along the shore, that is, on 
 one side of a navigable river, or two miles^ on each side of a 
 river, and so far into the country as the situation of the occu- 
 piers will permit ; provided and conditioned that the company 
 keep to themselves the lands lying and remaining between the 
 limits of colonies, to dispose thereof, when and at such time 
 as they shall think proper, in such manner that no person shall 
 be allowed to come within seven or eight miles^ of them with- 
 out their consent, unless the situation of the land thereabout 
 were such, that the Commander and Council, for good reasons, 
 should order otherwise ; always observing that the first occu- 
 piers are not to be prejudiced in the right they have obtained, 
 other than, unless the service of the Company should require 
 it, for the building of fortifications, or something of that sort ; re- 
 maining, moreover, the command of each bay, river, or island, 
 of the first-settled colonic, under the supreme jurisdiction of 
 their High Mightinesses the States General, and the com- 
 pany : but that on the next colonies being settled on the same 
 river or island, they may, in conjunction with the first, appoint 
 one or more council, in order to consider what may be neces- 
 
 * Equal to sixteen English miles. " Or eight English miles. 
 
 ' Thirty-two English miles. 
 15 
 
114 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK sary for the prosperity of the colonies on the said river and 
 -'v^ island. 
 
 1629. " VI. They shall forever possess and enjoy all the lands lying 
 vi^ithin the aforesaid limits, together v^rith the fruits, rights, 
 minerals, rivers, and fountains thereof; as also the chief com- 
 mand and lower jurisdictions, fishing, fowling, and grinding, to 
 the exclusion of all others, to be holden from the company as 
 a perpetual inheritance, without it ever devolving again to the 
 company, and in case it should devolve, to be redeemed and 
 repossessed with twenty guilders per colonic, to be paid to this 
 company, at the chamber here, or to their commander there, 
 within a year and six weeks after the same occurs, each at 
 the chamber where he originally sailed from ; and further, no 
 person or persons whatsoever shall be privileged to fish and hunt 
 but the Patroons and such as they shall permit ; and in case any 
 one should in time prosper so much as to found one or more 
 cities, he shall have power and authority to establish officers 
 and magistrates there, and to make use of the title of his colonic, 
 according to his pleasure and to the quality of the persons. 
 
 " VII. There shall likewise be granted to all Patroons who 
 shall desire the same, venia testandi, or liberty to dispose of 
 their aforesaid heritage, by testament. 
 
 " VIII. The Patroons may, if they think proper, make use of 
 all lands, rivers, and woods, lying contiguous to them, for and 
 during so long a time as this company shall grant them to 
 other patroons or particulars. 
 
 " IX. Those who shall send persons over to settle colonies 
 shall furnish them with proper instructions, in order that they 
 may be ruled and governed conformably to the rule of govern- 
 ment made, or to be made, by the Assembly of the Nineteen, 
 as well in the political as in the judicial government ; which 
 they shall be obliged first to lay before the directors of the 
 respective colleges. 
 
 " X. The Patroons and Colonists shall be privileged to send 
 their people and effects thither, in ships belonging to the com- 
 pany, provided they take the oath, and pay to the company for 
 bringing over the people as mentioned in the first article ; and 
 for freight of the goods five per cent, ready money, to be reck- 
 oned on the prime cost of the goods here ; in which is, how 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 115 
 
 ever, not to be included such creatures and other implements chap. 
 as are necessary for the cultivation and improvement of the — 
 lands, which the company are to carry over without any reward, 1629 
 if there is room in their ships. But the Patroons shall, at their 
 own expense, provide and make places for them, together with 
 every thing necessary for the support of the creatures. 
 
 " XI. In case it should not suit the company to send any 
 ships, or in those going there should be no room ; then the 
 said Patroons, after having communicated their intentions, and 
 after having obtained consent from the company in writing, may 
 send their own ships or vessels thither : provided, that in going 
 or coming they go not out of their ordinary course ; giving 
 security to the company for the same, and taking on board an 
 assistant, to be victualled by the Patroons, and paid his monthly 
 wages by the company ; on pain, for dcing the contrary, of 
 forfeiting all the right and property they have obtained to the 
 colonic. 
 
 "XII. Inasmuch as it is intended to people the island of the 
 Manhattes first, all fruits and wares that are produced on the 
 lands situate on the North River, and lying thereabout, shall, 
 for the present, be brought there before they may be sent else- 
 where : excepting such as are from their nature unnecessary 
 there, or such as cannot, without great loss to the owner 
 thereof, be brought there ; in which case the owners thereof 
 shall be obliged to give timely notice in writing of the difficulty 
 attending the same to the company here, or the commander and 
 council there, that the same may be remedied as the necessity 
 thereof shall be found to require 
 
 XIII. All the Patroons of colonies in New Netherland, and 
 of colonies on the island of Manhattes, shall be at liberty to 
 sail and traffic all along the coast from Florida to Terra Neuf, 
 provided that they do again return with all such goods as they 
 shall get in trade to the island of Manhattes, and pay five per 
 cent, for recognition to the company, in order, if possible, that 
 after the necessary inventory of the goods shipped be taken, 
 the same may be sent hither. And if it should so happen that 
 they could not return, by contrary streams or otherwise, they 
 shall, in such case, not be permitted to bring such goods to 
 any other place but to these dominions, in order that under the 
 
HISTORY OF I 
 
 inspection of the directors of the place where they may arrive 
 they may be unladen, an inventory thereof made, and the afore- 
 said recognition of five per cent, paid to the company here, on 
 pain, if they do the contrary, of the forfeiture of their goods so 
 trafficked for, or the real value thereof. 
 
 " XIV. In case the ships of the Patroons, in going to, or 
 coming from, or saihng on the coast from Florida to Terra 
 Neuf, and no further, without our grant, should overpower 
 any of the prizes of the enemy, they shall be obliged to bring, 
 or cause to be brought, such prize to the college of the place 
 from whence they sailed out, in order to be rewarded by them ; 
 the company shall keep the one third part thereof, and the re- 
 maining two thirds shall belong to them, in consideration of the 
 cost and risk they have been at, all according to the orders of 
 the company, 
 
 " XV. It shall be also free for the aforesaid Patroons to 
 traffic and trade all along the coast of New Netherland and 
 places circumjacent, with such goods as are consumed 
 there, and receive in return for them, all sorts of merchan- 
 dise that may be had there, except beavers, otters, minks, 
 and all sorts of peltry, which trade the company reserve 
 to themselves. But the same shall be permitted at such 
 places where the company have no factories, conditioned that 
 such traders shall be obliged to bring all the peltry they can 
 procure to the island of Manhattes, in case it may be, at any 
 rate, practicable, and there deliver to the Director, to be by 
 him shipped hither with the ships and goods ; or, if they 
 should come here, without going there, then to give notice 
 thereof to the company, that a proper account thereof may 
 be taken, in order that they may pay to the company one 
 guilder for each merchantable beaver and otter skin ; the pro- 
 perty, risk, and all other charges, remaining on account of the 
 Patroons, or owners. 
 
 " XVI. All coarse wares that the colonists of the Patroons 
 there shall consume, such as pitch, tar, weed-ashes, wood, 
 grain, fish, salt, hearthstone, and such like things, shall be 
 brought over in the company's ships, at the rate of eighteen 
 guilders ($7.20) per last; four thousand weight to be ac- 
 counted a last, and the company's ship's crew shall be obliged 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 117 
 
 to wheel and bring the salt on board, whereof ten lasts make chap. 
 a hundred. And in case of the want of ships, or room in the ^-"'^ 
 ships, they may order it over at their own cost, in ships of 1629 
 their own, and enjoy in these dominions such liberties and 
 benefits as the company have granted ; but in either case 
 they shall be obliged to pay, over and above the recognition 
 of five per cent., eighteen guilders for each hundred of salt 
 that is carried over in the company's ships. 
 
 " XVII. For all wares which are not mentioned in the fore- 
 going article, and which are not carried by the last, there 
 shall be paid one dollar for each hundred pounds weight ; and 
 for wines, brandies, verjuice, and vinegar, there shall be paid 
 eighteen guilders per cask 
 
 "XVIII. The company promises the colonists of the Pa- 
 troons, that they shall be free from customs, taxes, excise, 
 imposts, or any other contributions, for the space of ten years ; 
 and after the expiration of the said ten years at the highest, 
 such customs as the goods are taxable w^ith here for the present. 
 
 " XIX. They will not take from the service of the Fatroons 
 any of their colonists, either man or woman, son or daughter, 
 man-servant or maid-servant ; and though any of them should 
 desire the same, they will not receive them, much less permit 
 them to leave their Fatroons, and enter into the service of 
 another, unless on consent obtained from their Fatroons in 
 writing ; and this for and during so many years as they are 
 bound to their Fatroons ; after the expiration whereof, it shall 
 be in the power of the Fatroons to send hither all such colo- 
 nists as will not continue in their service, and until then shall 
 not enjoy their liberty. And all such colonists as shall leave 
 the service of his Fatroon, and enter into the service of an- 
 other, or shall, contrary to his contract, leave his service ; we 
 promise to do every thing in our power to apprehend and 
 deliver the same into the hands of his Fatroon, or attorney, 
 that he may be proceeded against, according to the customs of 
 this country, as occasion may require. 
 
 " XX. From all judgments given by the courts of the Fa- 
 troons for upwards of fifty guilders, ($20,) there may be an 
 appeal to the company's commander and council in New 
 Netherland. 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY or 
 
 BOOK " XXI. In regard to such private persons as on their own 
 — account, or others in the service of their masters here, (not 
 
 1629. enjoying the same privileges as the Patroons,) shall be in- 
 clined to go thither and settle ; they shall, with the approba- 
 tion of the Director and council there, be at liberty to take up 
 as much land, and take possession thereof, as they shall be 
 able properly to improve, and shall enjoy the same in full 
 property either for themselves or masters. 
 
 " XXII. They shall have free liberty of hunting and fowling, 
 as well by water as by land, generally, and in public and pri- 
 vate woods and rivers, about their colonies, according to the 
 orders of the Director and council. 
 
 " XXIII. Whosoever, whether colonists of Patroons for their 
 patroons, or free persons for themselves, or other particulars 
 for their masters, shall discover any shores, bays, or other fit 
 places for erecting fisheries, or the making of salt ponds, they 
 may take possession thereof, and begin to work on them in 
 their own absolute property, to the exclusion of all others. 
 And it is consented to that the Patroons of colonists may send 
 ships along the coast of New Netherland, on the cod fishery, 
 and with the fish they catch to trade to Italy, or other neutral 
 countries, paying in such cases to the company for recogni- 
 tion six guilders (S2.40) per last ; and if they should come 
 with their lading hither, they shall be at liberty to proceed to 
 Italy, though they shall not, under pretext of this consent, or 
 from the company, carry any goods there, on pain of arbi- 
 trary punishment ; and it remaining in the breast of the com- 
 pany to put a supercargo on board each ship, as in the eleventh 
 article. 
 
 " XXIV. In case any of the colonists should, by his mdustry 
 and diligence, discover any minerals, precious stones, crystals, 
 marbles, or such like, or any pearl fishery, the same shall be 
 and remain the property of the Patroon or Patroons of such 
 colony ; giving and ordering the discoverer such premium as 
 the Patroon shall beforehand have stipulated with such colo- 
 nist by contract. And the Patroons shall be exempt from all 
 recognition to the company for the term of eight years, and pay 
 only for freight, to bring them over, two per cent., and after 
 the expiration of the aforesaid eight years, for recognition 
 
 r 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 119 
 
 and freight, the one eighth part of what the same may be chap 
 
 worth. ^^-^ 
 
 1629 
 
 " XXV. The company will take all the colonists, as well free 
 as those that are in service, under their protection, and the 
 same against all outlandish and inlandish wars and powers, 
 with the forces they have there, as much as lies in their power, 
 defend. 
 
 " XXVI. Whosoever shall settle any colonic out of the limits 
 of the Manhattes Island, shall be obliged to satisfy the Indians 
 for the land they shall settle upon, and they may extend or en- 
 large the limits of their colonies if they settle a proportionate 
 number of colonists thereon. 
 
 " XXVII. The Patroons and colonists shall in particular, and 
 in the speediest manner, endeavor to find out ways and means 
 whereby they may support a minister and schoolmaster, that 
 thus the service of God and zeal for religion may not grow 
 cool, and be neglected among them ; and that they do, for the 
 first, procure a comforter of the sick there. 
 
 " XXVIIL The colonies that shall happen to lie on the re- 
 spective rivers or islands (that is to say, each river or island 
 for itself) shall be at liberty to appoint a deputy, who shall 
 give information to the commander and council of that West- 
 ern quarter, of all things relating to his colonic, and who are 
 to further matters relating thereto, of which deputies there 
 shall be one altered, or changed, in every two years ; and all 
 colonies shall be obliged, at least once in every twelve months, 
 to make exact report of their colonic and lands thereabout, to 
 the commander and council there, in order to be transmitted 
 hither. 
 
 " XXIX. The colonists shall not be permitted to make any 
 woollen, linen, or cotton cloth, nor weave any other stuffs there, 
 on pain of being banished, and as perjurers to be arbitrarily 
 punished. 
 
 " XXX. The company will use their endeavors to supply the 
 colonists with as many blacks as they conveniently can, on the 
 conditions hereafter to be made ; in such manner, however, 
 that they shall not be bound to do it for a longer time than they 
 shall think proper. 
 
 "XXXI. The company promises to finish the fort on the 
 
120 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK island of the Manhattes, and to put it in a posture of defence 
 — ^ without delay 
 
 1629. fpj^g preceding charter, which transplanted to the free soil 
 of America the feudal tenure and feudal burdens of continen- 
 tal Europe, is remarkable principally as a characteristic of the 
 era in which it was produced. It bears all the marks of the 
 social system which prevailed at the time, not only among the 
 Dutch, but among the other nations which had adopted the 
 civil law. The *' colonies" were but transcripts of the 
 "lordships" and " seigneuries" so common at this period, and 
 which the French were establishing, contemporaneously, in 
 their possessions north of New Netherland,^ where most of 
 the feudal appendages of high and low jurisdiction, mutation 
 fines, pre-emption rights, exclusive monopolies of mines, min- 
 erals, water-courses, hunting, fishing, fowling, and grinding, 
 which we find enumerated in the charter to patroons, form part 
 of the civil law of the country at the present day. But how- 
 ever favorable the feudal tenure may be to a young country, 
 and to agriculturists of small capital, whose interest it might be 
 to husband their scanty means, in order the quicker and more 
 effectually to enable them to reclaim their wild land, it cannot 
 be denied that the charter before us had many faults and many 
 imperfections. " While it secured the right of the Indian to 
 the soil," says Moulton, " and enjoined schools and churches, 
 It scattered the seeds of servitude, slavery, and aristocracy. 
 While it gave to freemen as much land as they could cultivate, 
 and exempted colonists from taxation for ten years, it fettered 
 agriculture by restricting commerce and prohibiting manufac- 
 tures."^ 
 
 ' Moulton, 388 ; Dunlap's N. Y., ii., Append. H. ; N. Y. Hist. Sec. Coll. (2d 
 Ser.) i., 369. 
 
 The following are the dates of some of the earliest patents for seigneuries in 
 Canada. St. Joseph, 1626 ; Notre dame des Anges, 1626; Riviere du Loup, 
 1633 ; Lauzon, 1636; Beauport, 1635. These and numbers of others may be 
 found (some as late as 1788) in Bouchette's Topog. of Can., App. ii. et seq. 
 Forty years after the establishment of the privileged order of patroons in New 
 Netherland, the proprietors of Carolina attempted to introduce a privileged order 
 of feudal lords in that province, mider the title of " Langraves" and " Caciques," 
 the former to be endowed with 16,000, and the latter with 4,000 acres of land each. 
 But this memorable monument of Locke's folly perished soon after birth. 
 * Hist, of N. Y., 387, 388. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 121 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Several directors of the West India Company acquire patroonships, or " colo- 
 nies," in New Netherland — Associations formed to settle Zwanendal and Rens- 
 selaerswyck — Patroons' colonies confirmed and " sealed with the seal of 
 New Netherland" — Quarrels between Directors of the Company and Pa- 
 troons — Privileges granted to Patroons called into doubt — Director Minuit 
 recalled — English Companies grant patents for Massachusetts and Connecti- 
 cut — Evince considerable jealousy of the Dutch — The vessel in which 
 Minuit and other servants of the Company are returning to Holland, is 
 seized at Plymouth by order of the British government, for having traded to, 
 and obtained her cargo in, countries subject to the king of England — Audi- 
 ence of the Dutch ambassadors with Charles I. in consequence — They de- 
 mand the release of the Company's ship — The king dechnes — The West 
 India Company call the attention of the States General to the matter — Lay 
 before their High Mightinesses a deduction of their title to New Netherland 
 — The States General resolve to maintain the Company's right to that coun- 
 try — Lengthy reply of Charles I. and the Lords Commissioners of England 
 to the Dutch remonstrance — Refuse to permit the Dutch to encroach on and 
 usurp one of his Majesty's colonies unless they consent to submit to his Ma- 
 jesty's government — The Company's ship released, " saving his Majesty's 
 rights" — Continued misunderstanding between Directors of the West India 
 Company and the Patroons — Commissaries sent to the several " colonies" 
 belonging to Patroons, to prevent the latter interfering in the fur trade — 
 Colonie of Zwanendal destroyed by the savages — De Vries visits South River 
 and makes peace with the Indians — Profitable state of trade with New 
 Netherland. 
 
 The charter of 1629 had not yet received the sanction of chap 
 
 III 
 
 the Assembly of the XIX., nor the ratification of tlie States >^v^ 
 General, when several of the directors of the Amsterdam 
 chamber of the West India Company, to which department, 
 as we have already observed, the management of the affairs 
 of New Netherland was committed, had already taken meas- 
 ures to secure for themselves a share of those privileges and 
 advantages which it held out to enterprising capitalists. Seven June 
 days before the passing of that charter, the agents of Samuel 
 Godyn and Samuel Bloemmaert purchased, from the native 
 proprietors of the soil, the tract of country lying on the south- 
 west side of the South River bay, extending inland from 
 Cape Hindlopen thirty-two miles, and two miles in breadth ; 
 
 16 
 
122 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK which purchase was duly ratified on the 15th July of the 
 ^-"^ next year, by the Director-general and council, at Fort Am- 
 sterdam.^ 
 
 1630. Other wealthy and influential directors of the company 
 April hastened now to become patroons also, and early in the fol- 
 lowing spring, Bastiaen Jansen Krol, commissary, and Dierck 
 Cornelissen Duyster, under-commissary at Fort Orange, hav- 
 ing learned that a tract of land called Sannahagog, lying on 
 the west side of the North River, extending from Beeren 
 Island, by the Indians called Passapenock, up to Smackx 
 Island, and in breadth two days' journey, was for sale, pur- 
 chased the same from Paep Sikenekomptas, Nancouttanshal, 
 and Sickoussen, the native proprietors, for Kiliaen van Rens- 
 selaer, a pearl-merchant in Amsterdam, and one of the di- 
 rectors of the West India Company.^ Three months after- 
 
 ^ Hoi. Doc. i., 176 — 180. In the English translations of this Dutch patent 
 (Liber GG.) in the secretary of state's office, the name of Blommaert is omit- 
 ted as a party to the Cape Hindlopen purchase, and Moulton, following that 
 translation, represents Godyn accordingly as sole purchaser of this tract. I 
 follow the Dutch patent in the Holland documents, which contains Blommaert's 
 name, as well as the signatures of the Director-general and the members of 
 his council, and of Sheriff Lampo. 
 
 Kiliaen van Rensselaer, merchant of Amsterdam, director of the West 
 India Company, and one of the first patroons of New Netherland, was the 
 thirteenth descendant in a direct line from Henry Welters van Rensselaer. 
 He married, firstly, Hellegonda van Bylet, by whom he had one son, Johannes, 
 who afterwards married his cousin, Elizabeth van Twiller. Kiliaen van Rens- 
 selaer married, secondly, in 1627, Anna van Wely, daughter of Joannes van 
 Wely, merchant of Amsterdam, by whom he had four daughters and four sons, 
 namely : 1, Maria ; 2, Jeremias, (who married Maria, daughter of OlofF Steven- 
 sen van Cortland ;) 3, Hellegonda ; 4, Jan Baptiste, (who married Susan van 
 Wely ;) 5, Eleonora ; 6, Susan, (who married Jan de la Court ;) 7, Nicolaus, 
 (who married Alida Schuyler ;) 8, Rickert, (who married Anna van Beaumont ;) 
 Kiliaen van Rensselaer's sister (Maria) married Rykert van Twiller, and thus, 
 it is presumed, the relationship originated between Wouter van Twiller, second 
 director-general of New Netherland, and the first patroon of Rensselaers- 
 wyck. Of the above children, Maria and Hellegonda died unmarried. Jo- 
 hannes succeeded his father as Patroon, and Jeremias, Jan Baptiste, and 
 Ryckert were, in succession, directors of " the colonic." Nicolaus was a 
 clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church. On being introduced to Charles 
 II., then in exile at Brussels, he prophesied the restoration of that monarch to 
 the throne of England, which circumstance obtained for him afterwards a cor- 
 dial reception at the Court of St. James, when he visited London as chaplain to 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 123 
 
 wards, Gillis Hoossett purchased, in the presence of Jan Jan- ciiap. 
 
 sen Meyndertsen, Wolfert Gerrittsen, and Jan Tyssen, trum- 
 
 peter, for the same gentleman, from Cottomack, Nawanemit, 1630. 
 
 Abantzene, Sagisguwa, and Kanamoack, the lands lying south juiy 27 
 
 and north of Fort Orange, and extending to within a short 
 
 distance of Moenimines Castle, then situate on what is now 
 
 called Haver Island, at the mouth of the Mohawk ; and 
 
 from Nawanemit, one of the last-named chiefs, his grounds, 
 
 called Semesseeck, stretching on the east side of the river, 
 
 from opposite Castle Island to a point facing Fort Orange, 
 
 and thence from Poetanoek, the Mill Creek, north to Nega- 
 
 gonse. These conveyances w^ere subsequently ratified by the Aug. 8. 
 
 respective parties, in the presence of the Director-general and 
 
 council of New Netherland, who signed an instrument to that Aug. 
 
 13. 
 
 effect, " sealed with the seal of New Netherland in red wax," 
 
 the Dutch embassy. In acknowledgment of the truth of the prediction, the 
 king presented him with a snufF-box, on the lid of which was set his Majesty's 
 miniature. This royal relic is still in the possession of the Van Rensselaer 
 family at Albany. 
 
 Mde. Anna van Rensselaer died in Amsterdam on the 12th June, 1670, after 
 a sickness of seven weeks, having survived her husband twenty-four years. 
 Intelligence of her death, communicated by the following letter, was received 
 in this country by her sons, Jeremias and Ryckert, on the 18th Sept., 1670 : 
 
 " Amsterdam, 12th June, 1670. 
 « Dear Brothers — On the 9th inst. I communicated to you, among other 
 things, por ship Duke of York, Johannes Luyck, skipper, the low condition of 
 our beloved mother, who accompanied me home, sick, from Cralo to Amster- 
 dam, on the 1st of April. After lying so long, without any strong fever, or 
 any great pain, troubled only with asthma, accompanied by considerable cough 
 and phlegm, and the sprue, she took her departure with great piety from the 
 Church Militant here, to the Church Triumphant above, on the 12th inst., be- 
 ing this day, about one hour after noon, in the presence of all our sisters and 
 brothers who are in this country, and that with a full understanding and trust 
 in the mercy of God, the merits of her and our Saviour Jesus Christ, which, 
 through the grace of the Holy Ghost and the belief in the Triune God, so 
 strengthened her, that all her wishes were to bo set free and to be with Christ, 
 who hath taken her so mercifully to himself, that we all, though afflicted 
 children, cannot be sufficiently thankful to God for so gentle and holy a death. 
 Her body will be committed to the earth in a Christian manner, as in duty 
 bound, on Tuesday next, being the 17th inst. There is no doubt of a stately 
 funeral. May the good God grant her, and us with her, a joyous resurrection 
 at the last day. Amen." 
 
124 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK on the same day that the charter of 1629 was proclaimed at 
 >^v^ Fort Amsterdam. Nearly seven years afterwards — namely, 
 1630. on the 13th April, 1637 — an intervening district called Pap- 
 sickenekas, or Papsskenea, as the name is now pronounced, 
 
 Island, and including the adjacent islands and all the lands back 
 into the interior, belonging to the Indian owners, was pur- 
 chased " for certain quantities of duffels, axes, knives, and 
 wampum," also for Mr. Van Rensselaer, who thus became 
 
 hundred thousand acres of land, which now compose the 
 counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and part of the county of 
 Columbia.^ 
 
 ' The names of Director Minuit, Bastiaen Jansen Krol, Dirck Comelisz 
 Duyster, Peter Bylvelt, Jan Lampo, (schout,) Reynert Harmenssen, Jan Jans- 
 sen Myndertz, are signed to the first of these deeds, which is certified by Len- 
 aert Cole, assistant-secretary, " in the absence of Jan van Remund, secretary." 
 The other instrument is signed by Pieter Minuit, director ; Pieter Bylvelt, 
 Jacob Elbertzen Weissing, Jan Jansen Brouwer, Symen Dircksen Pos, Rayn- 
 ner Harmenz, Lenaert Cole, assistant -secretary, in the absence of the secre- 
 tary, " with the seal of New Netherland in red wax." Copies of all these 
 deeds are in the Book of Patents, secretary of state's office, GG, 13, 14, 15, 16, 
 23, 24, 25, 26, and also among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. See also Hoi. Doc. 
 i., 181 — 184. The deed of the purchase of 1637 is likewise among the Rens- 
 selaerswyck MSS. It is endorsed, " Opdracht brief van 't landt aende Oostwal 
 en de eylanden van Papsickaen, 1637." This purchase was effected by Jacob 
 Albertzsen Planck, officier, or sheriff, of the patroon, in the presence of Gerrit 
 de Reus and Brandt Peelen, both schepens, or magistrates of the colonic, and 
 of Dirck Corssen and Jan Tiebkins, the one commissioner, the other skipper of 
 the yacht " the Rensselaerswyck." The papers were signed in the director's 
 chamber [bestelder kamer] of the colonie. 
 
 Those who have not closely studied the deeds of 1630, will be somewhat con- 
 fused in reconciling dates and distinguishing landmarks. The latter have been 
 the source of various lawsuits in the early settlement of the adjoining tracts. 
 When application was made to the Duke of York, in 1678, for a warrant to 
 erect the colonie into a manor, the parties interested experienced a good deal of 
 trouble in consequence of this confusion, as we learn by a letter from Jan Bap- 
 tist to Nicolaus van Rensselaer, dated London, 15- June, 1678, of which the 
 following is an extract : 
 
 " I must further inform you of what was nigh doing us great injury here. 
 The lord-chancellor required of me clearer proof that the land above and below 
 Fort Orange, mentioned in the deed of 13th August, 1630, only as ' south and 
 
Ma|j of 
 
 Ann© 1630. 
 
 N5. Thewords within f'] are added to designate a ftfl^ modern localities and the DntekiisittjaostpkcesconYertedinto English fortheconFcnitnccof the modem reader. 
 
 A' ISSO dm SAfjnlkf-ffl Kiltiaii Viui Hmssela^r nodi d.-'Hi h'ntprn ran Faep 
 Sikaifkomptas, TfdnroiMaiuhal en Sickonssfn hare Landgrrfn tjouuml SanrJc - 
 liajia<i Sh-a-k/iuii tMUdu^s rtrsens U L-uulwti-ai ill, van lui Hefrm £rl'uit/ 
 SniaJkxKvlufuli 
 
 ./" !(:)<> adriSMv l't''f'/ h'illiim riui /Imtse/afr denf wo/ifi run Jc Ifaiion ijiwuii-nu i/r Maiikaru huer LaTi^rvai 
 
 lun-tilietie van Uim^elet/en ,utuJf Wuisriie van dr^oord Bicpirrhuu^'d? rndr hmnTiUii hei fnH Ortin^fii 
 rpliiciudt Ijeicfff/M brievi-n rrorDiirctaireJt^t HmUtv de-r ffroc^rityferdi H^eft ljuhirhe I'timp^injVieu^.yeMa- 
 hiiidl i/,pu^sceH do(ir L'ottiiiniick nuleJ/oiran-eTTut -Ahani x,-n,!.Aufisi/u>rii ,'iuU KaiuwuiacA- ap den 8Jii - 
 
 Te yen trver lui Jhrt tip de '/uyti-A^e^A Tan de f.aeir Erla7i// u- reel 
 cferaffelr te sckirteii van (Totiss, Swiinen Z'nde rnt/eLf Kmrun Knde 
 redcoerien , /ifudeii 8i>se/ier,iert in,. !nsffelve/ce kerften enAe imder 
 wih duer sf'ii tvck Khli'tn.maerniet yrocd: alt he.ruie.>i wareii ./''/ 
 
 If Mir .-/f i6M. 
 
 Vim-anemii in. t pariiculiiir syne J^tuidtrve/i ytn/umt Semen^jteek ifcJe4jeii itefide Oeri 
 
 s<<<' bfveji rtls- beneden ende- vaji^J'eetaJiocJt de Mou 
 
 Item van 
 
 ,yde mil de ffieru'r VnnrH/Meni'rer lielfc'H.C'-/'^ 
 it-fi kill /!,ui'dn^J''rd /ir'i to(. ^'eufufi'oce Uw 
 
 C/p de Lae/3 Ljrlandt sjrn: veel Iwt/^e ende rechte' bovmen heifu<iem 
 am ritnien ran te maakeri; ran deJfiuftiaM cannen (jiriiu-ipiul 
 ui de H interf/ TiertieTi, Vleej-cA qeruxrcTi Icrvyen da/ vett «r deschomi 
 if; pnire^U. J. 4 oH J handt 2eeiFan rtifr een hert. Sonden c^cern tier- 
 ten te^ai meJcA- ct'i beoter rujrLen^ is ha/uaem te reejken ofiin peJcel 
 te lu/^en/d/ 
 
 iSfti the S 1 Aprd KlOiarn ran Hensselaer unx^eil te he puLrchase.d 
 Irom reLepSikeJieki^.mptas.N^OTukJiiletTU-haZ and Siekvnssen their 
 ieuuis called- SafieJchatfatf eA'tendlmj two dtv^s jowrney in ike m - 
 teriiir t'nnn Ih^ren island to Stntwks uLtifid . 
 
 Y On the 'IS Jidrl^SO mUztiennaiRenssei/ier caused to be- ■purekaeed trom the JVati/>n « 
 tlie'.Ualiikans tlictr Lands, ami the jurisdiction thenu/Utr dependinif m tlie Tl eH suU 
 Xorth River, smith and nvrUt vt'tlieJart (?ran^, aecerdin^- tertheseeded leUer parsed bt/vre 
 Uie-Jlireetor and (cunal of the frirde^ed WestJnJic Compaivy^ m NewNeiherlajid , bj iMttoirtack 
 oevdNairaneriiil ,AhaJtte,e7te ..fa^isyumand. £an<imoaei , ..antJu. i^afAuifustA' It^SO- 
 
 Item, tram-Xatranemit in particular AislanJ eall-ed' St-me^seticklyirvg on the- east side- fft 
 tfij: at'ore said Hirer apposite the Fart Orem^eiotJt- aiovey^and heJaiv, luid tram J'aetanacJcthe 
 Jlilicreek- nerrth nnio Nee^aijance . / ^/ 
 
 Jn the Fourth kilf/Fax t^s^^ trepHic and ulUfi.-re ii/'fi.rh;The-Stnrflcan,there. ui sjneijle.r t)m-n 
 at the Atanathans; (liu. raa I'C t'oaedil t7u're tram the Indmns for a kniie. 
 
 t?pp asite the Fart , an tlie sonthJtaok of deZaeisIsland eire meziir birds te' 
 if shai , sueh ase/eeye and struris and aranes and turkies I'ret/uefit the irat'ds. 
 /Meriuul ather i/arne are utso there, and fffZita' bid nal tarter than dai^s. 
 
 Pn de haets isleind one rruuijr ie?tfy and rirai^ht trees tit ta mnJcz cars' 
 Fat and exaHent Ventson can be had, prineip ally in the Winter fram- 
 fke Maheiwlcs in ahandiJnee About 3,4 or S fatham M^mpam-laradeer. 
 DeeJn -irouleTbe readily e.j;c?uznefeel f(rrmilkorbatter.Fti.t well a-detpted 
 forsmakau/ ar pickling . 
 
 UEI.QP [itK EMICDTT N. YORK 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 125 
 
 Pieter Heyser, skipper of the Whale, and Gilhen Coster, chap 
 commissary, had, in the mean time, secured by purchase from 
 the Indians, for directors Godyn and Bloemmaert, the land, ^ ^ 
 situate at Cape Mey, on the shore opposite their former pur- 
 chase, extending sixteen miles in length along the South bay, 
 and sixteen in breadth, thus forming a square of sixty-four 
 miles. 
 
 The lands in the neighborhood of Fort Nassau and Fort 
 Orange having been thus appropriated, and the island of Man- 
 hattans being reserved to the company, Michel Paauw, another 
 of the company's directors, caused the district called Hobokan- 
 Hacking, situate opposite New Amsterdam, on the east side of Juiy 
 the river Mauritius, to be purchased for him by the Director- 
 general and council, to which was added, in the course of the A,*!?' 
 
 north of Fort Orange to a little south of Moenimines Castle,' extended itself 
 down to that. So I just found among my papers two certificates, (attestation,) 
 one of the 11th March, 1633, given by Gerrit Willems Oosterum, and the 
 other of the 15th March, 1633, by the former Director, Peter Minuit, which 
 declare that the purchase of the land, on the west side, stretched down to the 
 Mill Creek, including Castle Island and the small tongue of land at the other 
 side of the Mill Creek, (over de Molekill ;) which two certificates I was obliged 
 to have translated, which I also send you, as I do not want them, having the 
 original Dutch by me. But it serves for illustration that, in the certificates, 'tis 
 stated, ' to the Mill Creek, that is, where Albert the Noorman dwells, which 
 lies on the west side of the river ;' and in the deed, dated 13tli August, 1630, 
 'tis stated, ' from Petanoek, the Mill Creek, unto Megagonse, which is situate 
 on the east bank.' So, sir, you must perceive that there are two mill creeks ; 
 namely, Petanoek, the Mill Creek — the creek where Evert Pels did live in 
 Greenbush, (in 't greene bosch ;) and, in the certificates, reference is made to 
 Albert the Noorman's Kill, commonly called the Mill Creek. 
 
 " There is, also, an obscurity in the certificates, which must be remarked. It 
 is stated therein that the land was purchased and paid for in May, 1630 ; and 
 in another deed of conveyance, which mentions some circumstances about 
 Bastiaen Jansen Krol, it is expressly stated that the aforesaid land, from Moeni- 
 mines Castle down, was purchased and paid for by Gillis Hoosett, on the 27th 
 July, 1630, which does not seem to agree very well with the certificates. But 
 this is thus explained : In the certificates aforesaid, allusion is made to a later 
 purchase of land on the east side, the date of which is not stated in the certifi- 
 cates, which must be of the 27th July, 1630 ; for in the deed where Bastiaen 
 Jansen Krol is mentioned, the date of the last purchase is set down, and in 
 the certificates the date of the first, both which purchases are included in the 
 deed of the 13th August, 1630." The dates of all these purchases are given 
 in the map of Rensselaerswyck. 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK following month, Staten Island, west of Hamel's Hooftden,^ oi 
 " the Narrows ;" and, some time after, Ahasimus, on which 
 Nov_ ' Jersey City now stands, and the peninsula Aressick, having the 
 22- North River on the east, Hobokan-Hacking on the north, and 
 surrounded by marshes " which served sufficiently for distinct 
 boundaries."^ The compensation to the natives for all these 
 purchases was " certain cargoes, or parcels of goods." 
 
 The "colonic" on the South River was called Zwanendal, or 
 the Valley of Swans ; that opposite Manhattan island, Pavo- 
 nia ; and that in the neighborhood of Fort Orange, Rensselaers- 
 wyck. In the colony of Zwanendal was " cradled" the pres- 
 ent flourishing state of Delaware. In that of Pavonia were 
 laid the first foundations of the fruitful state of New Jersey. 
 
 The possession or proprietorship of these vast tracts of wil- 
 derness would, it was at once seen, prove rather a burden than 
 a source of profit, if means were not adopted to reclaim and im- 
 prove them. To accomplish this the more successfully, it was 
 considered the properest course to form associations with other 
 wealthy persons, and thus, by giving these a direct pecuniary 
 interest in the undertaking, obtain more ample means to 
 reach the object in view, while such an arrangement would, 
 at the same time, allay some portion of that jealousy and dis- 
 satisfaction which other directors might naturally feel who had 
 not been sufficiently alert to seize, at a more early period, the 
 advantages proffered by the charter of 1629.^ 
 Oct. 1. A copartnership was accordingly entered into between 
 Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Samuel Godyn, Johannes de Laet, 
 and Samuel Bloemmaert, with whom were associated Adam 
 Bissels and Toussaint Moussart, who, by the terms of the 
 contract, were constituted co-directors of Rensselaerswyck. 
 The common stock of this association was divided into five 
 shares, of which Van Rensselaer held two ; De Laet, one ; 
 
 ' These " Hooftden," or headlands, were called after Hamel, one of the dh-ec- 
 tors of the company. Moulton. 
 
 * Book of Patents, GG. 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, &c. 
 Hoboken is so called after a village of the same name situate on the Scheld, a 
 few miles south of Antwerp. Modern map-makers have converted Ahasimus 
 into " Horsimus ;" for what reason they, perhaps, would find it difficult to de- 
 termine. 
 
 * aioulton, 404. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 127 
 
 * 
 
 Godyn, one ; and Bloemmaert and his associates, one ; and chap. 
 
 III. 
 
 the manaffement of the affairs of the colonic was committed to -^--^ 
 
 1630 
 
 a board consisting of four persons or votes, of which Van 
 Rensselaer represented, or held two ; Bloemmaert, or Bissels, 
 one ; and De Laet, or Moussart, one. Van Rensselaer was, 
 however, not to have any rank or authority in the colonie su- 
 perior to his associates, except the title of Patroon, which, with 
 all its feudal honors, was vested in him alone, the partners 
 binding themselves to do fealty and homage for the fief on his 
 demise, in the name, and on the behalf of his son and 
 heirs 
 
 * This contract, and the articles of agreement, are referred to in the judgment 
 of the Court of Holland, dated 14th June, 1650, in re Bloemmaert et al. vs. Van 
 Twiller et al., which judgment was ratified by the States General on the same 
 day. Hoi. Doe. v., 298. Alb. Rec. viii., 72, 73. Rensselaerswyck MSS. It has 
 been maintained, by some, that there was no partnership interest in the colonie 
 of Rensselaerswyck, and that the claim of Bloemmaert, De Laet, and the other 
 partners was not allowed. But the judgment here referred to shows that such 
 an assertion is contrary to the fact. The suit was decided in favor of Bloem- 
 maert and his associates, and the executors of the first Patroon were condemned 
 to account for the rents and profits, and to pay to each of the partners, or their 
 heirs, their just quota. The partnership is, moreover, plainly admitted in the 
 account of the disbursements for the first venture to Rensselaerswyck, anno 1630, 
 wherein the sums advanced by the other co-directors are admitted and acknow- 
 ledged. [See Appendix G.] Ample evidence of the fact will be further found 
 by reference to the Rensselaerswyck MSS., and to Hoi. Doc. vi., 303, 304, 306. 
 De Vries also mentions the circumstance. Subsequently, however, Johanna 
 de Laet, widow of Johannes de Hulter, and who married, secondly, Jeremias 
 Ebbing, sold to the Van Rensselaers, in the year 1674, all her right and 
 claim, as heiress of Johannes de Laet, to the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, for the 
 sum of fl. 5,762 lOst. or $2,301, which debt was discharged by the transfer to 
 her of certain bouweries and lands which were deemed an equivalent. This 
 lady was proprietor, among other tracts, of the Weyland, or pasture, lying be- 
 tween the third and fourth kills, now called, in the map of the city of Albany, 
 Rutten and Fox creeks. On the 20th of April, 1685, Gerrit Bissels and Nico- 
 laus van Beeck, (nomine uxoris,) both representing the children and heirs of 
 Adam Bissels and Margt. Reust, entitled to one tenth part ; and as attorneys for 
 Abraham Elsevier (husband of Catharina Bloemmaert) and Isbrand Schenk, 
 Constantina Bloemmaert, (widow of Isaac Sweers, in his lifetime, Vice-Admiral 
 in the service of Holland,) and Juffrouw Anna Bloemmaert, (widow of Francois 
 Romayn,) children and heirs of Samuel Bloemmaert and Catharine Reust, con- 
 jointly entitled to one tenth part of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, sold, in Am- 
 sterdam, to Richard and Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Patroon of said colonie, their 
 respective shares, being two tenths, or one fifth of the whole, for gl. 3,600, pay- 
 able in three equal yearly parts. Thus all claims on the part of the origmal part- 
 
128 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Another association was formed, a few days afterwards, be- 
 '■f^ tween Godyn, Van Rensselaer, Bloemmaert, De Laet, Mathias 
 
 1630. y^j^ Cuelen, Hendrick Hamel, Johan van Harinckhouck, and 
 Oct. ... . . 
 
 16. Nicolaus van Sitterich, also directors of the West India Com- 
 pany, and Capt. David Pieterssen de Vries, for planting a 
 colonic on the South River. Equalizing all expected advantages, 
 they equipped a ship and yacht for that quarter, where they 
 designed raising tobacco and grain, and prosecuting the whale- 
 fishery, oil bringing then a fair price in Holland.^ Prepara- 
 tions were also made to expedite farmers and cattle to Rens- 
 selaerswyck ; and everywhere, at home and abroad, things wore 
 the aspect of prosperity, and " promised fairlie both to the state 
 and undertakers,"^ 
 
 In the mean time such had been the activity of the agents 
 employed by the patroons to purchase their colonies, that the 
 titles obtained from the Indians were laid, duly authenticated 
 by the Director-general and council at Fort Amsterdam, before 
 
 Nov. Assembly of the XIX, early in the fall, when the new 
 patroons received the congratulations of the other directors of 
 Dec. 2. the company. The formal enregistration of these patents fol- 
 lowed a few days afterwards, when they were sealed " with 
 
 Dec. the seal of New Netherland." Fourteen days subsequently, 
 complete lists of the several patroonships were delivered to the 
 company's solicitor, and the whole transactions were unani- 
 
 1631. i^ously confirmed by the Assembly of the XIX, at the meeting 
 Jan. 8. of that body in Zealand, in the beginning of the following year.^ 
 
 ners, to any portion of the colonie, became finally extinguished ; and that estate 
 vested altogether and exclusively in the Van Rensselaer family. 
 ' De Vries, Korte Historiael. 
 
 ' The condition of Dutch settlements on the North River, at this time, is thus 
 alluded to by a contemporary English vi^riter : — " This which they have settled 
 in Newr England upon Hudson's River, vi^ith no extraordinary charge or multi- 
 tude of people, is knowne to subsist in a comfortable manner, and to promise 
 fairlie both to the state and undertakers. The cause is evident : — The men 
 whom they carrie, though they be not many, are well chosen, and known to be 
 useful and serviceable ; and they second them with seasonable and fit supplies, 
 cherishing them as carefully as their owne families, and employ them in profit- 
 able labors, that are knowne to be of speciall use to their comfortable subsist- 
 ing." The Planters' Plea ; London, 1630. 
 
 * Hoi. Doc. i., 176, 180, 181, 184. Letter of Patroons Paauw, Bloemmaert et 
 al. to States General, ii., 100, 101. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 129 
 
 Two vessels were dispatched this year to New Netherland. chap. 
 The imports amounted to 57,499 guilders, or about $23,000. '■"^ 
 The exports consisted of 7,126 peltries, valued at 68,012 gl., 1631. 
 being a little more than the value of the imports. 
 
 Meanwhile the expedition under De Vries had safely ar- 
 rived at the South River. The settlers, thirty in number, 
 were landed, with their implements of husbandry, on the 
 western shore, about three leagues within Cape Cornelius, 
 near the entrance of a fine navigable stream, called the Hoar- 
 kill. Here the party proceeded, without loss of time, to erect 
 a house surrounded with palisadoes, without parapets or 
 breastwork, which served as their fort, trading-house, and 
 place of residence. In the spring and summer they prepared 
 their fields, put in their crops, and were in a fair way of suc- 
 ceeding, when De Vries left " Zwanendal" on his return to 
 Holland, to report his proceedings to the interested parties 
 there 
 
 The object of the Patroons seemed at first, however, to be 
 a participation in the Indian trade, rather than the colonization 
 of the country. They assumed to be privileged, by the 15th 
 article of their charter, to traffic with the natives, not only 
 along the coast and adjoining places, from Florida to New- 
 foundland, but throughout the interior, on the rivers and in the 
 bays " where the company had no commissaries at the time 
 the charter of 1629 was granted." The prospects which 
 that trade afforded led them easily to interfere with what the 
 other directors considered to be the vested rights of the com- 
 pany. This interference created such competition, and af- 
 fected so directly the company's interests, that a revision of 
 the Articles of Freedoms soon followed. New articles were Oct. 30. 
 proposed, limiting essentially the privileges already granted to 
 Patroons ; " nay, the whole of the Exemptions were ques- 
 tioned and called into doubt."^ 
 
 * De Vries ; Moulton, 405, 406, 407. All the authorities which Moulton quotes 
 fix the year 1630 as the date of the erection of the fort at Zwanendal. De Vries 
 says he sailed from the Texel Dec. 12, 1630. It remains to be determined 
 if he could cross the Atlantic at that early period, and build his house, all in 
 eighteen days. Possibly Moulton's authorities reckoned according to Old Style. 
 
 ' De Articulen van Exemptien anno 1628 gearresteerd ; 1629 gerevideert en 
 
 17 
 
130 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK These quarrels were soon brought before their High Mighti- 
 nesses the States General, who immediately called for a re- 
 
 1632. 
 
 ' turn of the names of all those to whom colonies had been 
 March granted. The mischievous effects of these disputes did not 
 stop here. De Razier fell into disgrace with his employers, 
 " by reason of their factions ;" Minuit, the Director-general, 
 under whose administration those vast alienations of the public 
 domain had taken place, was recalled, and the immediate 
 colonization and settlement of the country, of which there 
 had been some prospect, was thus, once more, indefinitely 
 postponed. 
 
 Director Minuit embarked for Holland in the spring, to- 
 gether with Sheriff Lampo, in the ship Union, (Eendracht,) 
 carrying with him five thousand beaver skins, on account of 
 the company.^ 
 
 The British companies, who had obtained charters from 
 the crown to settle plantations in Virginia and New England, 
 were, all this time, not unaware of the activity with which the 
 Dutch were pushing their trade along the whole North Amer- 
 ' ican coast, from the Chesapeake to Cape Cod. Governor 
 Bradford had already transmitted accounts to Sir Ferdinando 
 Gorges and the council of New England, of the commercial 
 intercourse between the inhabitants of Manhattans and the 
 settlers at New Plymouth, with copies of the correspondence 
 which had passed between himself and the Dutch. The more 
 active members of the New England Company considered 
 it, therefore, incumbent on them to adopt stringent meas- 
 ures to secure their privileges, and to preserve the rights with 
 which they were invested by their charters ; and the occa- 
 sion soon offered to put their determination, in this regard, 
 into execution. 
 
 geampliceert ; door de Patroonen geamplecteert ; anno 1630 daarover gecon- 
 gratuleert ; anno 1631 ex suprabondante gejustifeceert, zyn bedecklelyck 
 gemineert op den 30 Octob. 1631, als wanneer niouwe articulen gesmeed 
 zyn, daarby de voorige vryheden en exemptien niet langer impetrabile waren, 
 de patroonen belast en preciesheyt te presteren ; saacken, die de ervarentheyd 
 leerde niet practicabel te wesen ; ja, alle de Exemptien in dispute getrocken. 
 Patroons' letter to States General, June, 1634. Hoi. Doc. ii., 102, 103. 
 ' Ibid, i., 185, 210. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 131 
 
 The company's ship in which Director Minuit and Sheriff •^^j'^^- 
 Lampo were returning, " with a number of persons with their ^^^g^ 
 wives and children," to Holland, was forced, by stress of 
 weather, to put into the port of Plymouth. She was seized, March 
 immediately on her arrival there, at the suit of the New Eng- 
 land company, on a charge of having traded to, and obtained 
 her cargo in, countries subject to his Britannic Majesty, 
 
 Captain Mason, who had caused this step to be taken, fol- April 2. 
 
 OS 
 
 lowed it up by addressing a complaint to the secretary of 
 state against the Dutch, who, he represented, " fell as inter- 
 lopers" into the middle betwixt the plantations of Virginia and 
 New England, " giving the name of the Prince of Aurange to 
 the countrie and river of Manahata," which they planted, 
 besides imposing " other Dutch names on other places, to 
 the eastward of the said Manahata, as farr as Cape Cod, all 
 which had been formerly discovered and traded unto, diverse 
 tymes, by several Englishmen, as may be proved." He fur- 
 ther represented that, notwithstanding the alleged disclaimer 
 of the States General and their ambassador in 1621, they had 
 maintained their position, fortified themselves in two several 
 places, " and built shipps there, whereof one was sent to Hol- 
 land of six hundred tunnes, or thereabouts — and though 
 they had been warned by the people of New Plymouth to 
 abstain from trading and making settlem.ents in those parts, as 
 " they were the territories of the king of England, yet they, 
 nevertheless, with proude and contumacious answers, (saying 
 they had commission to fight against such as should disturbe 
 their settlement,) did persist to plant and trade, vilefying our 
 (the English) nation to the Indians, and extolling theire owne 
 people and countrie of Holland, and have made sundry good 
 returnes of commodities from thence into Holland ; especially 
 this ye are they have returned, as reported, fifteen thousand 
 beaver skynnes, besides other articles."^ 
 
 Director Minuit, indignant at what he considered an ag- April 3. 
 gression on the company's rights, as well as on the law of 
 nations, hurried up to London, where he laid before Messrs. 
 
 ' Lond. Doc. i., 47, 48, 49. For this letter, as well as for one from Sir F 
 Gorges to Captain Mason on this subject, see Appendix, D. 
 
132 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Joachimi and Brasser, the Dutch ambassadors, an account of 
 '•"^ the seizure of his ship. Their excellencies lost no time in 
 1632. proceeding to Newmarket, where the king then held his 
 April 5. court, and at an audience to which they were admitted, laid 
 before his majesty a long remonstrance against the pro- 
 ceedings of the authorities at Plymouth. In this representa- 
 tion they exposed the fact that the Dutch had traded for a 
 number of years to the river Manhattans, " now called the 
 Maurice ;" that they had, moreover, enjoyed the free use of 
 his majesty's harbors and ports, in coming and going ; and 
 concluded by demanding the release of the Eendracht, so that 
 she and her passengers and crew might be enabled to proceed 
 on their voyage. 
 
 His majesty received this remonstrance with the most 
 gracious attention, but gave, at the same time, the ambassa- 
 dors to understand, that he was informed by the governor of 
 Plymouth, that the States General had, on complaint of his 
 royal father, forbidden their subjects to trade to those coun- 
 tries. His majesty should, however, abstain from saying any 
 thing on the matter then, but promised to inquire further into 
 it. In the mean time he declined ordering the release of the 
 Dutch ship, until the whole affair should be further inves- 
 tigated. 
 
 April Messrs. Joachimi and Brasser, on receipt of this reply, 
 wrote to the Hague, detailing these particulars, and recom- 
 mended that all documentary evidence, in support of the Dutch 
 right to trade to New Netherland, be forthwith forwarded to 
 them, " as that right will undoubtedly be sharply disputed in 
 England." 
 
 The directors of the West India Company were, on their 
 side, not idle. Immediately on learning the seizure of their 
 ship, they addressed a memorial to the States General, setting 
 forth the fact, which they attributed to the intrigues of the 
 May 5. Spanish ambassador in London, and in the course of some 
 days afterwards, laid before their High Mightinesses, at con- 
 siderable length, a deduction of their title to the country. 
 This paper, embodying, as it must be presumed, the grounds 
 on which the Dutch rested, at this early date, their right to 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 103 
 
 their North American possessions, deserves a more than pass- chap. 
 
 ms attention. '^v-^ 
 
 1632 
 
 " After the North River," they proceed, " commonly called 
 the Manhattoes, also Rio de Montaigne, and North River, 
 was first discovered, in the year 1609, by subjects of their 
 High Mightinesses, and visited by some of their citizens in 1610, 
 and folloviring years, a grant was made in the year 1615, [11th 
 Oct. 1614,] to some of their subjects of the trade to that coun- 
 try, to the exclusion of all others. A small fort and garrison 
 were also established there, which were maintained, until the 
 charter granted to the West India Company included these, as 
 well as other countries. 
 
 "In the year 1606, His Britannic Majesty granted, by spe- 
 cial charter, to his subjects the country south and north of the 
 aforesaid river, under the name of New England and Virginia, 
 with express condition that the respective companies should 
 remain one hundred miles the one from the other, and leave so 
 much between them both. 
 
 "Whereupon the English began, about the year 1607, a 
 plantation by the river Sagadahoc, which the settlers after- 
 wards abandoned ; and no new plantation was undertaken by 
 the English, north of New Netherland, before the year 1620, 
 when one which they named New Plymouth was commenced 
 behind Cape Cod. 
 
 " The English, themselves, place New England along the 
 coast between the forty-first and forty-fifth degrees. The 
 English began, in 1606, to frequent Virginia, which lies south 
 of our aforesaid New Netherland, the limits of which they fix, 
 according to their charter, from the thirty-seventh to the thirty- 
 ninth degree. 
 
 " So that our hmits, according to their own statement, 
 should be from the thirty-ninth degree inclusive to the forty- 
 first, between which degrees it is not known to us that they 
 ever had any designs. 
 
 " What limits your High Mightinesses have given your sub- 
 jects can be seen by the Octroy granted in 1615, [1614,] 
 which your H. M. will please to cause to be examined. We 
 have no knowledge of what His Majesty alleges regarding the 
 demand made by his father, nor of what followed." 
 
134 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The directors, therefore, urged on the States General the 
 — propriety of instructing their ambassadors at the British court 
 
 1632. to demand the release of the company's ships and goods ; for, 
 they reasoned, the natives of America were free ; subjects 
 neither of the king of Great Britain nor of their High Mighti- 
 nesses, and at liberty to trade with whomsoever they pleased. 
 His majesty, they admitted, might confer, by charter, this trade 
 on any association composed of his subjects, to the exclusion 
 of all others his subjects ; but it was, they insisted, contrary 
 to all law and reason for any power to prevent the subjects of 
 others to traffic in a country of which it never took actual pos- 
 session, and a title to which it never obtained from the right 
 owners, either by contract or purchase, much less to set up a 
 claim to lands, the property of which the subjects of their High 
 Mightinesses have obtained, partly by treaty with the proprie- 
 tors of the soil, and partly by purchase. The directors con- 
 cluded this able chain of reasoning, by demanding particularly 
 of the States General to maintain their own sovereignty, the 
 freedom of the seas, as well as the validity of those contracts 
 which were entered into with distant nations, who, by nature, 
 were independent of all, and had not been subjected to any 
 power by conquest. 
 
 Copies of this vindication of the company's rights, as well as 
 of the octroy of 1614, were immediately ordered by the States 
 General to be sent to England to Messrs. Joachimi and Brasser, 
 who were informed, at the same time, that it was the determi- 
 nation of their High Mightinesses to maintain the right of the 
 West India Company to trade to New Netherland. 
 
 The remonstrance which the Dutch ambassadors had pre- 
 sented to Charles I., at Newmarket, had, in the mean time, 
 been duly considered by the king's council, and Mr. Secretary 
 Cook waited, some weeks after, on their excellencies with a 
 long and formal reply, on the part of his majesty and the Lords 
 Commissioners of England, in support of the British claim to 
 those countries, of which the West India Company had now 
 possession in North America.^ 
 
 ' Thomas Morton, of Cliffords Inn, gent., addressed, this year, to the Right 
 Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Plantations, a pamphlet entitled 
 " New English Canaan," being " an abstract of New England," in which he 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 135 
 
 " The Dutch demand restitution," say their lordships, " of a chap. 
 certain ship, seized at Plymouth, on her return from a certain j^^^ 
 plantation by them usurped, north of Virginia, which, they al- 
 lege, they acquired from the natives of those countries. It is de- 
 nied, first, that the savages were possessors bonse fidei, of those 
 countries, so as to be able to dispose thereof either by sale or 
 gift, their habitations being changeable, (mouvantes,) uncertain, 
 and only in common. Secondl)'-, it cannot be proved, de facto, 
 that all the natives of said countries were parties to the said 
 pretended sale. And as regards the allegation that the said 
 natives have their abode around about them, the truth is, the 
 English surround them on all sides, as they have already well 
 discovered when they prosecuted the maintenance of their 
 rights against them. But more than this : — the rights belong- 
 ing to his majesty's subjects in that country are justified by 
 first discovery, occupation, and possession which they have 
 taken thereof, and by charters and letters patent obtained from 
 our sovereigns, who, for these purposes, were the true and le- 
 gitimate proprietors there where the Lords the States have not 
 assumed to themselves [ne se sont attribues] such pretensions, 
 and have not granted any charter to their subjects conveying 
 in itself any title or power to them. Which was proved [se 
 verifia] in the year 1621, when the late king, of happy memory, 
 on the complaint and remonstrance of the Earl of Arundel, of 
 the knights Fer. Horges, (Gorges,) and Samuel Argall, and of 
 Captain Mason, directed his ambassador to urge on their Lord- 
 ships, the States General, to prevent the departure of certain 
 vessels which were preparing to proceed to the aforesaid 
 country, and to forbid their subjects to settle in that plantation ; 
 for their answer was, that they knew nothing of said enterprise, 
 which indeed appeared very probable, because the said ambas- 
 sador, after having informed himself more particularly of the 
 matter, assured his majesty, in those letters, that it was only 
 
 accused the Dutch of a design to seize on " tlie Great Lake of Erocoise," 
 (Champlain,) which, he adds, they can accomplish " by means of the river 
 Mohegan, which by the Enghsh is named Hudson's River, where the Dutch 
 have settled two well-fortified plantations already." Possibly this and other 
 such publications of that day, may account for the tone of this reply of the 
 English privy council. 
 
136 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK two companies of merchants of Amsterdam, who, without the 
 knowledge or advice of the said Lords, the States General, had 
 commenced a traffic between 40° and 50°, in the limits of his 
 majesty's plantation, to the said countries of Virginia, and had 
 given to those places there the names of New Netherland, 
 [Nouveaux Pays-bas,] Texel, Vlieland, &c., and sent ships of 
 thirty and forty lasts to these regions in search of peltries ; but 
 that they had not learned that they had yet commenced, or medi- 
 tated to establish a plantation there ; and, moreover, that a 
 goodly number of families, inhabitants of the said United Pro- 
 vinces, had then been soliciting him to procure for them a spot 
 in the said country where they could dwell among his majes- 
 ty's subjects. That now if those who are returned from there, 
 and the others who have remained behind, wish to make a 
 similar petition, and to submit themselves to his majesty's gov- 
 ernment, as his majesty's subjects, they may know if it shall 
 please him to admit them in that quality, and thus permit them 
 to proceed thither with their ships and merchandise, or to sell 
 them here at the highest price ; provided that their Lordships 
 the States shall prevent them from proceeding thither any 
 more, or frequenting in any manner those regions. To which, 
 if they do not consent, his majesty's interest will not permit 
 him to allow them thus to usurp and encroach on one of his 
 colonies of such importance, which he has great cause to 
 cherish and maintain in its integrity. 
 
 " By these replies to the aforesaid complaints, their Lord- 
 ships the States General will understand how little ground 
 they have to enter on their neighbors' territory, in defiance of 
 any alienation thereof by his majesty." 
 
 This positive assertion of the British title to New Nether- 
 land does not appear to have brought forth any rejoinder from 
 the ambassadors of their High Mightinesses. They, how- 
 May ever, continued to press for the release of the Union, and their 
 demand was finally conceded by the lord high treasurer, 
 " saving and without any prejudice to his majesty's rights," 
 as the detention of the vessel, thus far, had all the effect the 
 government desired, which was to assert a title that uninter- 
 rupted possession might possibly impair or destroy.' 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. i., 187, 188, 190, 200, 202, 205, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 216, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 137 
 
 In the mean time the unfortunate misunderstanding be- chap. 
 
 ° III. 
 
 tween the directors of the company and the Patroons, arising j^^g^ 
 out of opposite constructions of certain articles of the charter 
 of 1629, interrupted the efforts then beginning to be made to 
 settle this new country. The former were particularly jealous 
 of all interference in the Indian trade, which the company 
 had specially reserved to itself ; while the Patroons, on the 
 other hand, considered that trade to be open to them, on cer- 
 tain conditions. So serious now became these differences, 
 that some of the principal partners drew up a series of charges May 
 against the directors for having altered the exemptions, who, 
 on the other hand, issued a placard strictly excluding all June 8. 
 " private persons" from dealing in " peltries, maize, and wam- 
 pum." The Patroons persisted that this did not apply to 
 them, as they were privileged, not private, individuals ; but 
 the company determined otherwise, and in order to shut the Nov. 
 Patroons and their people everywhere and at once from all 
 traffic in the above commodities, sent commissaries and as- 
 sistant-commissaries to the different colonies, or patroon 
 ships, with instructions to post up the aforesaid placard there ; 
 to prevent any person, whether Patroon or vassal, from inter- 
 fering in the forbidden trade ; and to oblige the inhabitants of ♦ 
 the several patroonships, by an oath, to refrain from trading 
 in any way in Indian corn, sewan, or furs.^ 
 
 While these disputes were raging, intelligence reached 
 Holland, unexpectedly, that the savages had utterly destroyed 
 the colonic of Zwanendal, which De Vries had planted, in the 
 beginning of the last year, at the mouth of the Delaware. 
 
 It happened that the Dutch, in keeping with the practice 
 prevalent in those days, had erected, on taking possession of 
 this new plantation, a pillar on a prominent part of their ter- 
 ritory, to which they affixed, in token of sovereignty, a piece 
 
 219, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 246, 252. Beauchamp Plantagenet, in his sin- 
 gular pamphlet entitled " A Description of the Province of New Albion," (p. 
 18,) mentions the seizure of Minuit's ship in these words: " The next pretended 
 Dutch governor, in maps and printed charts calling this part New Nether- 
 land, failing in paying of customes at his return to Plymouth, in England, v/as 
 there, with his bever goods and person, attached to his damage of ill 500." 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 103, 104, 113. 
 
 18 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of tin, on which they traced the emblem, or arms of the 
 United Provinces. An Indian chief, in want of a tobacco 
 
 1632. pipe, took a fancy to this ghttering sheet, for the purpose of 
 supplying his want, and carried it off, ignorant that there was 
 any impropriety in the act. 
 
 GilUs Hoossett, one of the company's men, whom De 
 Vries had left in charge of his fort, inconsiderately viewed 
 the innocent act of the untutored savage as a national insult, 
 and evinced so much dissatisfaction, that the Indians, to make 
 amends for this unintentional offence, killed the chief who had 
 taken the piece of tin away, and returned with a token of the 
 bloody deed. This naturally shocked the Dutch commander, 
 who explained to the Indians that they had done wrong ; that 
 they ought to have brought the chief to him, and he should 
 have told him not to repeat the act. But the spirit of wild 
 revenge had been roused, meanwhile, in the breasts of the 
 friends and kinsmen of the murdered chief, and they de 
 termined on wreaking dire and dreadful vengeance. 
 
 The colonic of Zwanendal consisted, at this time, ot thirty 
 four persons. Of these, thirty-two were one day at work in 
 the fields, while commissary Hoossett remained in charge of 
 » the house, where another of the settlers lay sick abed. A 
 large bull-dog was chained out of doors. On pretence of 
 selling some furs, three savages entered the house, and mur- 
 dered Hoossett' and the sick man. They found it not so easy 
 to dispatch the mastiff. It was not until they had pierced him 
 with at least twenty-five arrows that he was destroyed. The 
 men in the fields were then set on, in an equally treacherous 
 manner, under the guise of friendship, and every man of them 
 slain. Thus terminated the colonic of the Valley of Swans, 
 to the great loss of the projectors, as well as to the great injury 
 of their characters as cautious and prudent men. 
 
 It was after the occurrence of this melancholy and unfore- 
 seen catastrophe, that De Vries reached the mouth of the 
 South River, at the close of the year, " promising himself 
 great things, plenty of whales, and good land for cultivation." 
 
 * This Hoossett was an active agent in purchasing the lands around Fort Or- 
 ange for Van Rensselaer. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 139 
 
 He found his house destroyed, the pahsades, by which it was chap. 
 surrounded, burned, and the heads and bones of his murdered 
 men bestrewing the earth. No hum of industry enhvened the 
 gloomy sohtude. Not a human being appeared to respond to Dec. 6 
 the signal gun, which De Vries ordered to be fired to give no- 
 tice of his arrival. 
 
 Having succeeded, hovi^ever, on the next day, in opening a 
 communication with the Indians, De Vries invited them to " a 
 talk," as he considered it to be his best policy not to take no- 
 tice of the past, finding he had no means to punish the guilty 
 aggressors. The Indians came with their chief ; and sitting Dec. 9 
 down in a circle, concluded a peace with the Dutch, who pre- 
 sented them, in ratification of the treaty, with some duffels, 
 bullets, axes, and Nuremberg trinkets. The natives parted 
 with their visitors, greatly pleased that these had taken no 
 notice of their treacherous behavior. 
 
 These things being thus satisfactorily accomplished, De Vries 1633. 
 proceeded up the South River with a view to obtain supplies. ^' 
 The country was a wilderness uninhabited by any Europeans. 
 Fort Nassau, which the Dutch had erected on the east bank 
 of the river some ten years before, was abandoned, and now 
 in possession of the Indians, who evinced a hostile disposition 
 as far up as Timmerkill, or Cooper's Creek. 
 
 Finding this unfavorable state of feeling, De Vries dropped 
 down again opposite Fort Nassau, where he was visited by 
 nine chiefs of the neighboring tribes, with whom he also con- 
 cluded a permanent peace. The Dutch were now told to Jan. 8. 
 banish all suspicion, for all evil thoughts were at an end. De 
 Vries oflfered the Indians presents in return for their beavers, 
 with which they had ratified this peace ; but these they re- 
 fused. They had not given their presents to obtain any in 
 return, but as tokens of their having made a firm peace. ^ 
 
 The trade to New Netherland was exceedingly profitable 
 during the past year. The company sent out one ship with a 
 cargo valued at a little over thirty-one thousand guilders, 
 ($13,000.) The exports consisted of fifteen thousand, one 
 hundred and seventy-four skins, the greater portion of which 
 
 * De Vries. 
 
140 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK was beaver. These were valued at one hundred and forty- 
 three thousand, one hundred and twenty-five guilders, equal 
 
 ^^^^'to $57,250 of our currency. It is not to be wondered at, 
 therefore, that the company was desirous of retaining such a 
 trade in their own hands 
 
 * De Laet. " It is well known© to some of our English nation that have 
 lived in the Dutch plantation, that the Dutch have gained by beaver 20,000 
 pound a yeare." Morton's N. Eng. Canaan, published 1632. Capt. Mason's 
 letter, dated April 2, 1632, O. S., in Lond. Doc. i., 47. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 141 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 WouTER VAN TwiLLER appointed Director-general — Arrives in New Netherland 
 — His council — Other officers of the company in that country — First clergyman 
 and first schoolmaster in New Amsterdam — An English vessel visits the 
 Manhattans for the purpose of trading with the Indians on the Hudson's 
 River — Director and council refuse permission to her to ascend the river — 
 Sails to Fort Orange, notwithstanding — Opens a trade with the natives there- 
 about — Is opposed by the commissary at that post — Indians prefer trading 
 with the English factor, who had been in the Dutch service, several years 
 before, in that quarter — Three vessels arrive with troops from Fort Amster- 
 dam, to prevent the English trading with these Indians — Pull down the English 
 tent — Force their people and goods on board their ship, which they convoy 
 out of the river — Damages inflicted on the English — Quarrel between two 
 English skippers at the Manhattans — Van Twiller opposes De Vries, who 
 wishes to visit the Sound — Contentions in consequence — De Vries' opinions of 
 the functionaries at Fort Amsterdam — Notelman, schout-fiscaal, superseded — 
 Is succeeded by Van Dinclage — Van Twiller determines to build a fort on 
 the Fresh River — Sketch of the quarrels between the Indians there — Tract 
 of country called Conneticock purchased — Deed of sale — Fort Good Hope 
 built — New Plymouth people determine to build a trading-house on the Fresh 
 River — Proceedings in consequence — Van Twiller protests — This protest dis- 
 regarded — Writes to the XIX. — Attempts to dislodge the English by force ; 
 without success — Improvements in New Amsterdam — New fort — Church 
 and other houses erected — Improvements at Fort Orange and Fort Nassau — 
 Schuylkill purchased — Resources of the West India Company — Trade of 
 New Netherland. 
 
 The return of Director Minuit having rendered necessary chap. 
 the appointment of another Director-general over New Nether- 
 land, WouTER van Tv^^iller, of Nieuwkerke, one of the 
 clerks in the employ of the West India Company, and a near 
 relative of the Patroon van Rensselaer, received that high and 
 responsible office. This appointment occasioned, at first, con- 
 siderable surprise. It seems to have been owing to the above 
 connection, rather than to any particular merit of the nomi- 
 nee, who arrived at Fort Amsterdam in the spring of this April, 
 year, in the company's ship the Salt Mountain, (de Zoutberg,) 
 of twenty guns,^ manned with fifty-two men, and having on 
 
 » De Laet rates the Zoutberg at 140 lasts burden, carrying six metal and 
 twelve iron guns. Appendix to Jaerlyck Verhael, 5. De Vries settles the date 
 
HISTORY OF 
 
 board, for the service of the province, one hundred and four 
 soldiers, the first military force ever detailed for New Nether- 
 land. 
 
 The council of the Director-general was conaposed of Cap- 
 tain Jacob Jansen Hesse, Martin Gerrittsen, Andries Hudde, 
 and Jacques Bentyn. Conraed Notelman succeeded Lampo 
 as schout-fiscaal, and Jan van Remund continued to act as 
 colonial secretary. Among the other officers in the service 
 of the company in New Netherland, during this administra- 
 tion, in addition to those mentioned in preceding pages, were 
 Cornelis van Tienhoven, book-keeper of monthly wages ; Claes 
 van Elslandt, Jacob Stoffelsen, of Ziericksee, Jacob van Curler, 
 Maurits Jansen, commissaries ; Hans Jorissen Houten, who 
 traded here in 1621, was governor or commissary of Fort 
 Orange ; Michael Poulaz of Pavonia, and Arent Corssen of 
 Fort Nassau. Claes Jacobsen van Schagen acted as over- 
 seer at Fort Amsterdam, at which place the Rev. Everardus 
 Bogardus officiated as minister of the gospel.* 
 
 The new Director-general was accompanied to the Manhat- 
 tans by the carvel St. Martyn, or the Hope, which was cap- 
 tured from the enemy in the course of the preceding year. 
 This vessel was commanded by Juriaen Blanck, and on board 
 of her came Govert Lookermans an apprentice, who, imme- 
 diately on his arrival, was taken, together with Jacob van 
 Kouwenhoven, into the company's employ. The latter was 
 
 of the new Director-general's arrival, and furnishes the names of the schout-fiscaal 
 and secretary under him, which are also given in Hoi. Doc. ii., 88. Van Twiller 
 married his cousin, Maria Momma, niece of the Patroon of Rensselaerswyck 
 
 1 Hoi. Doc. ii., 88; ix., 187; Alb. Rec. ii., 328, GG, 31, 57. The earli- 
 est mention I find of Rev. E. Bogardus is in Alb. Rec. ii., where reference is 
 made to a letter from him to Van Twiller, dated 17th June, 1634. It is to be 
 presumed that he came out with that Director-general. He is the first clergy- 
 man of whom we have any mention in New Netherland. Where he came 
 from, originally, I have not been able to ascertain, but his brother, Cornelis 
 Willemsen Bogaerdt, resided at Leyden, in South Holland, in 1647-8. Pos- 
 sibly he, also, might have been from that place. He married, about 1637 or 
 1638, Annetje, relict of Roeloff" Jansen, of Masterlandt, the daughter of Tryn 
 Jansen, midwife at New Amsterdam, and a connection, by marriage, of Govert 
 Lookermans, surgeon Hans Kierstede, and Pieter Hartgers. The Rev. Mr. 
 Bogardus was proprietor of a tobacco plantation on the island of Manhattans, 
 which he rented, in 1639, on shares, to Richard Brudnel. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 143 
 
 accompanied by his father to New Netherland, Adam Roe- chap. 
 landsen, " schoolmaster," arrived at New Amsterdam about the 
 same time.^ 1633. 
 
 Van Twiller had scarcely been installed in his new govern- 
 ment when he began to experience the troubles of office. 
 
 Messrs. William Clobery, David Morehead, and John de la 
 Barre, merchants at London, dispatched, in the course of the 
 preceding December, a vessel called the William, commanded 
 by one Capt. Trevor, with passengers and goods for Massa- 
 chusetts Bay ; with further orders to set up a fishing-post at 
 a place called Scituate, near New Plymouth, and then to pro- 
 ceed to the Hudson's River to trade 
 
 In conformity with the latter part of these instructions, the 
 William arrived, in due season, opposite Fort Amsterdam, April 
 freighted with goods for the Indian trade, and having on board, 
 as factor or supercargo, Jacob Jacobs Eelkins, who had been 
 formerly commissary of the fort on Castle Island, in the ser- 
 vice of the United New Netherland Company, which associa- 
 tion, it will be recollected, traded to these parts previous to the 
 incorporation of the West India Company. Immediately on 
 casting anchor, Eelkins sent Wm. Deepings, " chirurgeon of 
 said ship," ashore to invite the Director-general on board, but 
 instead of accepting the invitation. Van Twiller ordered the 
 messenger to direct the master of the ship and his factor to 
 come to the fort, as he wished to inquire if they knew the Prince 
 of Orange.' Eelkins, with the surgeon and gunner of the ship, 
 proceeded accordingly ashore, where they found the Director- 
 general and his officers in council together, who immediately 
 demanded by what authority they had come hither, and what 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. v., 396, 399 ; Alb. Rec. i., 52, 107, 172. 
 * Winthrop's Journal, 48. 
 
 ' De Vries gives a different version of this affair. He says, " The English- 
 man invited the commander to dine with him. I, with some others, was of the 
 company. The people soon got intoxicated, and began to quarrel. The Eng- 
 lishman was astonished that such irregularities could take place among the offi- 
 cers of the company, and that the commander had no more control over them^ 
 such things not being customary among them." Eelkins' deposition on oath, 
 which I follow, makes no mention of Van Twiller having been on board the 
 William ; the passage in De Vries refers to a subsequent transaction, the par- 
 ticulars of which will be found a few pages further on. 
 
144 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK was their business ? Eelkins replied, that he had come to trade 
 II 
 
 -^v^ with the natives for furs, as he had formerly done. His com- 
 mission was then called for, but this he refused to produce ; 
 he said he was within the king's dominions, and a servant, then, 
 of his majesty's subjects ; telling the council, at the same time, 
 to look to what sort of commission they themselves had to plant 
 within the dominions of the king of England. Hereupon the 
 Director-general replied, that he had conferred with his coun- 
 cil, and that they did not find it fitting that he (Eelkins) should 
 pass up the river, as the whole of that country belonged to the 
 Prince of Orange, and not to the Enghsh king. 
 
 April After an interval of five days, the factor of the William went 
 again on shore to the fort, to inquire if the director-general 
 would permit him, in a friendly way, to ascend the river, stating 
 at the same time that, if he would not allow it, he (Eelkins) 
 would proceed without his consent, if it should cost him his 
 life. But Van Twiller was immoveable. Instead of consent- 
 ing, he ordered the ship's crew on shore, and, in the presence 
 of all, commanded the Prince of Orange's flag to be run up 
 the fort, and three pieces of ordnance to be fired off in honor 
 of his highness. Eelkins, not to be outdone, immediately 
 ordered his gunner to go on board the William — to hoist 
 the English flag, and fire a salute also of three guns in honor 
 of the king of England, which was accordingly done.^ Van 
 Twiller now warned Eelkins to take heed that what he was 
 about did not cost him his neck, Eelkins, however, no way 
 daunted, returned on board with the ship's crew. The anchor 
 was weighed, and the William shortly after sailed up the river, 
 " near to a fort called Orange."^ 
 
 April Director Van Twiller, incensed at this audacity, collected 
 all the servants of the company in the fort before his door — 
 ordered a barrel of wine to be broached, and having taken a 
 bumper, cried out, " Those who love the Prince of Orange and 
 me, emulate me in this, and assist me in repelling the violence 
 committed by that Englishman !" The cask of wine was soon 
 emptied, but the people were no ways disposed at first to 
 trouble the Englishman. Capt. De Vries urged on Van Twiller, 
 
 * William Forde, the gunner, corroborates this statement 
 " Hoi. Doc. ii., 81, 83, 84, 85, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 however, the necessity of vindicating the rights of the compa- 
 ny ; represented that the Enghsh ship had no authority except 
 a clearance from the custom-house, which entitled them to 
 trade, not to New Netherland, but to New England, and 
 maintained that he, the Director, ought to send the armed ship 
 the Salt Mountain after her, to force her down, and to drive her 
 out of the river.' 
 
 The William having, in the meanwhile, arrived in the neigh- 
 borhood of Fort Orange, the factor and crew went ashore 
 " about a mile below that fort," set up a tent, and, having 
 landed all their goods, immediately opened an active trade with 
 the natives. It was not long before the news of these proceed- 
 ings came to the ears of Houten, the commissary at Fort 
 Orange. He forthwith embarked, with a trumpeter, on board 
 a shallop, over which waved some green bows, and proceeded 
 to where Eelkins was. " By the way the trumpet was sounded, 
 and the Dutchmen drank a bottle of strong waters of three or 
 four pints, and were right merry." The Dutch set up a tent 
 by the side of that of the English ; did as much as they could 
 to disparage their cloth and other goods, with a view to hinder 
 the latter's trade ; but the Indians, having been well acquainted 
 with Eelkins, who had " heretofore lived four yeares among 
 them," and could speak their language, were a great deal more 
 willing to trade with him than with the others, and he conse- 
 quently had every prospect of advantageously disposing of 
 his merchandise, having been fourteen days there, when a 
 Dutch officer arrived from below, in command of three ves- 
 sels — a pinnace, a carvel, and a hoy, bearing two letters, pro- 
 testing against Eelkins, and ordering him to depart forthwith. 
 
 To enforce these commands came soldiers " from both the 
 Dutch forts, armed with muskets, half-pikes, swords, and other 
 weapons," and after having beaten several of the Indians who 
 had come to trade with Eelkins, ordered the latter to strike his 
 tent. In vain he pleaded that he was on British soil, and that 
 British subjects had a right to trade there ; the Dutch would 
 not Hsten to any remonstrances. They pulled the tent about 
 his ears — sent the goods on board — " and as they were carry- 
 
 * De Vries. 
 19 
 
146 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ing them to the ship, sounded their trumpet in the boat in dis- 
 grace of the Enghsh !" 
 
 1633. The Dutch now went on board the Wilham, weighed her 
 anchors, and ordered her down to Fort Amsterdam, their three 
 vessels keeping her company all the time, to prevent any in- 
 tercourse with the natives. On the arrival of the vessel op- 
 posite Manhattan Island, the Director-general ordered Eelkins 
 to bring whatever furs he had on board to the fort, but this the 
 latter refused to do. A list of all the peltries was then de- 
 manded and furnished. 
 
 Finding the object of the voyage thus frustrated, Eelkins 
 demanded from some of the residents of New Amsterdam a cer- 
 tificate to prove the treatment which he had received ; but Van 
 Twiller, anticipating such a demand, and clearly foreseeing its 
 object, had already ordered a proclamation to be affixed to the 
 gate of the fort, forbidding any of the people to give such a 
 paper, " on pain of death and loss of all their wages." And 
 the William of London, the first English ship that ascended 
 the Hudson, was forced to put to sea shortly after this, con- 
 voyed out of the river by a Dutch yacht. Her owners esti- 
 mated the damages which they experienced on this occasion at 
 five thousand pounds sterling. Had their ship remained but a 
 month longer, they expected the Maquaas from the interior 
 with four thousand, and the Mohegans with three thousand 
 skins ; for the annual trade in furs, on the North River, was, 
 at this period, estimated at from fifteen thousand to sixteen 
 thousand beavers.^ 
 
 A quarrel occurred at the Manhattans between two English 
 skippers about this time. One of these, a Capt. Stone, from 
 Virginia, who was proceeding to Massachusetts Bay with a 
 cargo of cows and salt, touched at New Amsterdam, and met 
 a New Plymouth pinnace riding at anchor before that place. 
 A few evenings after, Stone invited the Director-general on 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. ii., 51, 55, 57, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 76, 77, 86, 87, 88. " The 
 names of some of the Dutch who were principal in the wrongs and injuries 
 aforesaid, are Walter Van Twil, governor of Amsterdam fort, John van Re- 
 mont his secretary, Martin Garritson, Conrad Noteman, A. Huddus, and Cap- 
 tain Jacob Johnson Hesse, councillors of said governor; and Hans Jorissen 
 Houten, governor of Fort Orange." Eelkins' deposition. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 147 
 
 board his vessel, where, after drinking some time together, he chap. 
 acquainted" Van Twiller of an old grudge he had against the 
 New Plymouth captain, who, he alleged, had said something 
 against the Virginians, to revenge himself for which, he now 
 proposed to seize his vessel and carry her away. Elevated 
 with wine, or looking on the matter as a mere innocent freak, 
 Van Twiller, it is added, consented, and the New Plymouth 
 vessel was accordingly taken possession of by the Virginian. 
 But some Dutchmen afterwards interfered, and rescued the 
 craft ; and, at the request of the Director-general, the master 
 of the pinnace, " who was one of the council of Plymouth, 
 promised, under a solemn instrument under his hand, to pass 
 it by." This quarrel, however, was nigh having a disagree- 
 able issue, for the moment the Virginian arrived at Boston, he 
 was arrested on a charge of piracy, and obliged to give bail to 
 answer the complaint.^ 
 
 The peremptory orders which the directors in Holland had 
 given to exclude the patroons from all participation in the fur 
 trade, which was now the principal, if not the sole, staple of 
 the country, soon caused fresh excitement at Fort Amster- 
 dam. Captain De Vries, who acted as leader in the establish- 
 ment of the colonic of Zwanendal, was desirous to send his May 
 
 20 
 
 vessel to the coast north of Hellegat, previous to his return to 
 Holland. But the Director-general, cognizant of the determi- 
 nation of the company, not only refused permission to De 
 Vries' ship to proceed to that quarter, but ordered the vessel 
 to be unloaded, on suspicion that he had furs on board. Sur- 
 prised at this proceeding, and ignorant, we presume, of the 
 company's orders, De Vries remonstrated ; declared his vessel 
 contained nothing but ballast ; pleaded his privileges as a co- 
 patroon, and exhibited the exemptions granted by the XIX. 
 and approved by the States General. But finding all these of 
 no avail, he then threw himself " on his reserved rights," and 
 refused obedience to the orders of the Director-general. But 
 Van Twiller was determined to search the ship, and ordered the 
 guns of the fort to bear on the craft, with the intention of sinking 
 her if she did not submit. " Thereupon," says De Vries, who 
 
 ' Winthrop's Journal, 50 ; Winth. N. Eng. i., 104. 
 
148 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tells the story, " I ran to the point, where he stood with the sec- 
 retarv and one or two of his council, and told them that it seemed 
 ■ the country was full of fools ; that if they would fire at some- 
 thing, they ought to have fired at the Englishman who was 
 violating the rights of the river. This made them desist," and 
 De Vries sent his vessel towards the Sound, the Director-gen- 
 eral ordering one of the company's yachts to keep her com- 
 pany, lest she should enter into any barter with the Indians. 
 
 Fresh difficulties broke out on the return of this craft. Van 
 Twiller would not allow De Vries to go on board before the 
 company's boat had searched the vessel. To this, however, 
 the latter would not consent, and the Director-general forthwith 
 ordered twelve armed men to follow him, and prevent his de- 
 parture ; but De Vries succeeded in getting beyond their 
 reach. Sheriff Notelman and Secretary Van Remunt visited 
 him on board his vessel the next day, when the latter seeing 
 some beaver-skins on board, ordered them to be seized, as 
 they had not been entered at the fort ; but the sheriff inter- 
 posed, and called for wine, " he being somewhat of a bouzer, 
 which," adds our authority, " was the case with nearly all of 
 them." The secretary, however, persisted, and threatened to 
 send an armed vessel after De Vries ; but Notelman would 
 not listen to any such proceeding. He was " dry," and would 
 not be kept from his wine.^ Notelman's wine-bibbing propen- 
 sities cost him, however, soon after this, his office. He was 
 superseded in the course of this summer, and in his stead 
 Lubbertus van Dinclage, " an honorable man and a doctor of 
 laws," was appointed schout-fiscaal of New Netherland.^ 
 Stimulated, now, by a desire to increase the company's 
 
 ' De Vries expresses throughout this part of his Journal, a very unfavorable 
 opinion of the olScers who had charge, at this period, of the comjpany's interests 
 at Fort Amsterdam. " He was astonished that the West India Company 
 should send such fools to the colony, who knew nothing but how to drink them- 
 selves drunk. They would in the East Indies not be fit for assistants. In this 
 way the company would soon go to destruction." 
 
 ^ "We wrote you last year, (1636,) on two different occasions, to pay to 
 Lubbert van Dinclage his three years' salary as fiscaal of New Netherland, 
 with the charges thereupon." Letter of the States General to the Assembly 
 of the XIX., dated 30th April, 1637. Hoi. Doc. ii., 167, 178. Dinclage is 
 styled, (Hoi. Doc. v., 217,) " een eerlyck man ende een doctor in de rechte." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 149 
 
 returns, and to secure, permanently, for his employers, the chap. 
 trade of the valuable and extensive territory intervening be- ^"-^ 
 tween the North River and New^ Plymouth, and which had 1633. 
 hitherto proved so lucrative. Director Van Tv^riller took imme- 
 diate steps to purchase a tract situated so centrally as to form 
 a rendezvous for the eastern and northeastern Indians, at the 
 same time that it vi^ould admit of a ready and direct water 
 communication with head-quarters. An extensive and beauti- 
 ful table-land, called the Connittekock, lying on the west 
 bank of the Fresh River, some sixty miles from its mouth, of- 
 fered all these advantages, and this tract Van Twiller deter- 
 mined to purchase. 
 
 The Fresh Water River had, it will be recollected, been 
 originally discovered by the Dutch skipper Adriaen Block, in 
 the year 1614. Since that time it had been periodically and, 
 we may add, exclusively visited by Dutch traders, whose an- 
 nual purchases in that district amounted to not less than ten 
 thousand beaver-skins, besides various other commodities with 
 which that country abounded. 
 
 In the course of the preceding year, the arms of the High 
 and Mighty the States General had been erected by Hans 
 Eencluys, one of the company's servants, at the mouth of the 
 river, at a spot called Kievit's hoeck,^ which he had pur- 
 chased from the natives for the company,^ in order to secure, 
 for the latter, free access to that valuable district, the trade 
 of which the present measures were calculated more effectu- 
 ally to preserve. 
 
 The tract in question, and the whole of the river and coun- 
 try thereabout, originally belonged to the Indian chief Se- 
 queen ;^ but disputes as to jurisdiction and title having arisen 
 between him and the chief of the neighboring Pequod tribe, 
 who lived on the east side of the river, near the sea-coast, it 
 
 ' So called from being frequented by a bird called the Pee-weet, which the 
 Dutch named Kie-veet, from its cry. The above " Hoeck" has since been 
 named Saybrook by the English. 
 
 ' Vander Donck's Vertoogh van Nieuw^ Nederland wegens de gelegentheyd, 
 (fee. desselfs. Hoi. Doc. iv., 110. 
 
 ' Sequin, says Trumbull, Hist. Conn. i. 40, was Sagamore under Sowheag, 
 the great sachem of Mattabesick. 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK was mutually agreed upon, by both chiefs, to decide the ques- 
 tion by pitched battle between their respective warriors, and 
 that the victor, and his successors, should be, ever after, lords 
 and right owners of the Fresh River. Three different engage- 
 ments were successively fought before this vexed question 
 could be settled. At length Meautiany, the Pequod chief, 
 obtained the victory and the land. Sequeen, utterly prostra- 
 ted, became subject to the Pequod, with whose consent and 
 approbation he afterwards placed himself, with the remnant of 
 his tribe, under the protection of the Dutch 
 
 Such was the state of affairs when Director Van Twiller 
 dispatched Jacob Van Curler, one of his commissaries, with a 
 party of men to the Fresh River, or the Connecticuck, as it was 
 called by the Indians, to purchase the tract, already selected, 
 for and on behalf of the privileged West India Company, and 
 with orders to erect a fort thereupon. This purchase was 
 effected on the eighth day of June,^ on the terms and condi 
 tions contained in the following deed : — 
 
 June 8. " The aforesaid Van Curler, and the sachem named Wapy- 
 quart or Tattoepan, chief of Sickenames River, and owner of 
 the Fresh River of New Netherland, called, in their tongue, 
 Connetticuck, have amicably agreed for the purchase and sale 
 of the tract named Sicajoock, a flat extending about a (Dutch) 
 mile down along the river to the next little stream, and up- 
 wards beyond the kill, being a third of a (Dutch) mile broad to 
 the height of land, on condition that all tribes might freely, and 
 without any fear or danger, resort to the purchased land for 
 purposes of trade ; and whatever wars might arise between 
 them and others, may be waged or carried on without any of 
 
 ' Verbael van Beveminck, 607. 
 
 ^ In some English statements the date of this purchase is fixed at 8th Janu- 
 ary, 1633. This, however, is evidently a mistake. Van Twiller, under whom 
 the purchase was made, was not in the country in January, 1633. Besides, if 
 he were, it would be doubtful if communication could be had with that section 
 of the country, in mid-winter, eo easily as to induce him to send his commissary 
 and a party of men thither, with a necessary supply of provisions, &c., for their 
 journey, when all this could be more readily accomplished by water in the month 
 of June. The date, however, is given in the Dutch document which I trans- 
 late, in the next note, which accords v/ith the statement made in the report by 
 the Rekenkamer. Appendix E. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 151 
 
 them entering on our said territory. It is further expressly chap. 
 conditioned by this contract, and assented to by the aforenamed ^^^g^ 
 chief, that Sequeen should dwell with us, all at the request, 
 and to the great joy of the sachem Altarbaenhoet, and all in- 
 terested tribes. This has taken place, on the part of the Se- 
 queen, with the knowledge of Magaritinne, chief of Sloop's 
 Bay. The chief of the Sickenames is paid for the said land by 
 Jacob Curler one piece of duffels, twenty-seven ells long ; six 
 axes, six kettles, eighteen knives, one sword-blade, one shears, 
 and some toys. All which was signed by Jacob Van Curler, 
 Fredrik Lubbertsen, Gillis Pieters, Claes Jans Ruyter, Do- 
 mingo Dios, Barent Jacobz. Cool, and Pieter Louwensen."^ 
 
 Van Curler, having thus obtained an indisputable title to 
 this valuable tract of country, represented by some as being 
 sixty miles in extent,^ proceeded without delay to erect a 
 trading-post thereupon, which he fortified with two pieces of 
 ordnance and called " The House of Good Hope." 
 
 By the arrival of the bark Blessing from Massachusetts Bay 
 shortly after this. Director Van Twiller received letters from 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc, ix. 187, 188. We find at page 189 of the same volume another 
 record of the above transaction, of which we subjoin a translation for the benefit 
 of the English reader. "Anno 1633, on the 8th of June, by Jacob Corlaer, 
 commis, (clerk,) in the service of the W. I. Company, was purchased, by 
 orders of the Director and Council of New Netherlands, from the Chief of 
 Sickenames, with free will and consent of the inhabitants there, all that flat 
 land, about a (Dutch) mile long across through the wood on the river, and about 
 one third part of a mile broad, and a musket-shot over the kill where the said 
 Corlaer, by orders aforesaid, has commenced building the trading-house called 
 the Hope, situate on the Fresh River of the New Netherlands. With express 
 condition, on the part of the purchaser and the seller, that all tribes of Indians 
 shall be permitted to come freely thither, to trade with us ; and that the enemies 
 of one or the other nation shall not molest each other on the purchased tract ; 
 which conditions were agreed upon and concluded to the great satisfaction of the 
 savages, especially of the Sequeen, all which occurred in the presence of all the 
 company's servants then there." Stuyvesant, writing in Aug. 1664, says : — 
 " Of the eight [7] witnesses who were present at the purchase and transfer, [of 
 the above lands,] five are yet alive, who can and are willing to attest on oath, 
 that the purchase was made and possession taken of the land before any Eng- 
 lishman had ever been on the Fresh Water River ; that these were purchased 
 of the natives, who then possessed these lands, who lived on the river, and declared 
 themselves the rightful owners of these lands." Alb. Rec. xviii., 289. 
 ' Report and advice. Appendix E. 
 
I 
 
 152 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the English governor at Boston, by which he learned, for the 
 first time, that the king of Great Britain had granted the whole 
 
 1 COO 7 CD t-J 
 
 ■ of the country, from the Narragansetts nearly to the Manhat- 
 tans, to sundry of his majesty's subjects, thus ousting the 
 Dutch summarily from all their territory in that quarter.^ By 
 these letters Director Van Twiller was also warned not to 
 make any establishment within the limits of this pretended 
 grant. This intelligence could not fail to excite a good deal 
 of surprise at Fort Amsterdam. After having hospitably en- 
 tertained those belonging to the vessel, and given them beaver 
 for such commodities as they had to dispose of, he addressed 
 Governor Winthrop a friendly letter expressive of his surprise 
 at the purport of his communication, and informing him of the 
 steps he had already taken on the Fresh River. It was in 
 these words : 
 
 Oct. 4. Sir — What you allege concerning the use of the river 
 which you instance the king of England hath granted to his 
 subjects, and therefore it seems strange unto you that we have 
 taken possession thereof. It seems very strange unto me, 
 who, for mine own part, could wish that his Majesty of Eng- 
 land and the Lords States General would agree concerning 
 the limits and parting of their quarters, that as good neighbors 
 we might live in these heathenish countries. And, therefore, 
 I desire you to defer your pretence or claim to said river, so 
 Long until the king of England and our superior magistrates 
 or governors be agreed concerning the same. I have, in the 
 name of the Lords States General and the Privileged West In- 
 dia Company, taken possession of the forementioned river, and 
 in testimony thereof, have set up a house on the north side of 
 said river, with the intent to plant, &c. It is not the intent of 
 the States to take the land from the poor natives, as the king 
 of Spain hath done by the pope's donation, but rather to take 
 
 ' In the year 1631, the Earl of Arundel, president of the Plymouth Compa- 
 ny, granted to Robert, Earl of Warwick, the country from the Narragansetts 
 along the coast forty leagues, and from the Western Ocean to the South Sea. 
 This grant was conveyed the following year, (1632,) under a vague and imper- 
 fect description, to Lord Say and Seal, and his associates. Haz. i., 305, 318 ; 
 N. A. Review viii., 79. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 153 
 
 it from the said natives at some reasonable and convenient chap. 
 
 IV. 
 
 price, virhich, God be praised, we have done hitherto. In this 
 part of the world are divers heathen lands that are empty of 
 inhabitants, so that for a little part or portion thereof, there 
 needs not [be] any question. I should be very sorry that we 
 should be occasion that the King's Majesty of England and 
 the Lords the States General should fall into any contention. 
 Wherewith ending, I commit you, with your whole family, 
 unto the protection of Almighty God, being and resting your 
 true friend, 
 
 "WoUTER VAN TwiLLER. 
 
 " Written in Fort Amsterdam, in New 
 
 Netherland, 4th Oct. 1633, N. S.'" 
 
 In the mean while, however. Governor Winslow and Mr. 
 Bradford of New Plymouth, having been invited by some In- 
 dians to make a settlement on the Connecticut, had proceeded 
 to Boston, and proposed to Governor Winthrop and his coun- 
 cil tp join in the scheme of erecting a trading-house on the 
 above-named river, so as to prevent the Dutch getting posses- 
 sion of that fine country. This proposal, however, was de- 
 clined by the Massachusetts authorities.^ Whereupon the 
 Plymouth people, stimulated by the prospect of gain, and 
 regardless as well of the rights of others, as of the sage coun- 
 sels of their Massachusetts neighbors, proceeded to take 
 possession of a country to which they had not a shadow of 
 title. 
 
 Having prepared the frame of a house, they put it on board 
 a bark which proceeded, coastwise, to the river Connecticut, 
 under the command of one Lieutenant Holmes, who was ac- 
 companied by some sachems belonging to that section of the 
 country. Having arrived at the mouth of the river, Holmes 
 ascended the stream with his vessel towards a spot since called 
 Windsor, the site of the proposed English settlement. 
 
 When this expedition had reached the point where the Sept. 
 Dutch had raised their fort, those on board the bark were 
 
 » Lond. Doc. i., 53, 54 ; Winthrop's Journal, 54, 55 ; Winth. N. Eng.i., 112, 
 113 ; Hubbard's New Eng. 171, 172 ; Trumbull's Conn, i., 34. 
 * Winthrop's Journal, 51 ; Trumbull's Conn, i., 33, 34. 
 
 20 
 
154 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK hailed, and questioned regarding their destination and inten- 
 ^v-^ tions. Having repHed that their object was to trade, they 
 were ordered to stop and strike their flag, and threatened with 
 an attack in case of disobedience. This threat was, however, 
 disregarded. The Plymouth people answered that their gov- 
 ernor had ordered them to proceed, and that they " would go 
 on." They were, therefore, suffered to pass, and having as- 
 cended about a mile and a half higher up, disembarked, 
 erected their house, which they fortified, landed their provis- 
 ions, and sent their bark home.^ 
 
 Intelligence of this intrusion having been transmitted to the 
 Manhattans, caused no little excitement there. Van T wilier 
 immediately ordered the Dutch commissary to serve on the 
 English officer the following protest : 
 
 Oct. " The Director and council of New Netherland hereby give 
 
 25 • • T • . 
 
 notice to William Holmes, lieutenant and trader, acting on be- 
 half of the English governor of Plymouth, at present in the 
 service of that nation, that he depart forthwith, with all his 
 people and houses, from the lands lying on tlie Fresh River, 
 continually traded upon by our nation, and at present occupied 
 by a fort, which lands have been purchased from the Indians 
 and paid for. And in case of refusal, we hereby protest 
 against all loss and interest which the Privileged West India 
 Company may sustain. 
 
 " Given at Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this xxvth 
 Octob. 1633." 
 
 Van Curler served, according to orders, this protest on 
 Holmes, in the presence of Fredrik Lubbertsen and Carol 
 Franssen, and demanded, at the same time, a written answer 
 thereto ; but the English lieutenant refused to give any such 
 reply. He was there, he said, by command of the governor 
 and council of New Plymouth, and there he was determined 
 
 ' Trumbull's Conn, i., 30, 35. " About that time, namely, on the 16th 
 September, (1633,) the English came first from New Plymouth and Massa- 
 chusetts Bay, before the said fort, (Hope,) and declared their intention to settle 
 three miles above the same, which the commissary residing there opposed' as 
 long as he was able ; but was obliged, according to instructions, to allow them 
 to proceed under protest." Report, Appendix E. 
 
\ 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND. 155 
 
 to remain, in the name of the king of England, whose servant cnAP- 
 
 he was.^ iQss 
 
 The Director-general sent an account of these encroach- 
 ments to the Assembly of the XIX., and dispatched an armed 
 force of seventy men to dislodge the English, but as these 
 stood upon their defence, the Dutch soldiers withdrew without 
 offering any violence.^ 
 
 In the mean while, the authorities at Fort Amsterdam were 
 actively engaged planning various forts and buildings, suitable 
 to the growing trade and wants of the country. Orders were 
 issued for the thorough reconstruction of the principal fort at 
 New Amsterdam, to which place was now attached the priv- 
 ilege of " staple right," whereby all masters of vessels trading 
 along the coast were obliged to unload at this port, or pay, in 
 lieu, certain fixed duties.^ It was determined to build a guard- 
 house and a small barrack for the soldiers within that fort, and 
 near it, on the East River, a church for general worship,* with 
 a dwelling and stable adjoining, for the use of the Rev. Mr. 
 Bogardus ; a residence for the Honorable Mr. Gerritsen ; a 
 new bake-house ; and a small dwelling " for the midwife." 
 An appropriate mansion was ordered to be raised, " on the 
 
 1 Hoi. Doc. ix., 189, 190. 
 
 = Winthrop's Journal, 78 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. i., 153. 
 
 ' En vertu du droit d'etaple toutes les marchandises qui descendaient les 
 riviferes, et passaient devant la ville, devaient 6tre exposees en vente, et payer 
 les droits des douanes ^tabli soit par le Comte soit par la Commune. Les vais- 
 seaux qui remontaient la rivifere etaient assujettis des pareilles obligations- 
 Ce privilege occasionnaient necessairement une foule de reclamations et de 
 guerres civiles. Institutions judiciaires iii., 55. 
 
 * The site of this ancient church, (the first ever erected in Nev7 Netherland,) 
 is determined by an entry in Alb. Rec. x., 355, anno 1656, as follows : " The 
 house, lot, and appurtenances called ' the old church,' standing and situate on 
 the East River, next to the alley which lays betwixt the house of Attorney- 
 general Van Tienhoven and this house, and opposite the house of Mr. Hendrick 
 Kip, are ordered to be sold to the highest bidder." Hendrick Kip lived, in 1665, 
 in Bridge-street. Paulding's New Amsterdam. Speaking of this church, 
 Judge Benson says, (Hist. Mem. 34,) " The site of the first church is perhaps 
 not to be now further ascertained than as a piece of ground once called the 
 Oude Kerck, (old church,) and afterwards the house of Allard Anthony, lying 
 between Customhouse-street (the portion of Pearl-street between Whitehall 
 and Broad streets) and Bridge-street, and fronting on Broad-street." 
 
156 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK plantation," for the Director-general ; on farm No. 1/ a barn, 
 dwelling, brewery, and boat-house, " to be covered with 
 
 1633.^.j^g.„ ^ goats' stable "behind the five houses," besides 
 dwellings for the smith, the cooper, and the corporal ; and 
 several mills, one of which was to be adapted for grinding 
 corn. " An elegant large house with balustrades, and eight 
 small dwellings for the people," were directed to be raised at 
 Fort Orange ; two houses at Pavonia ; and one large house 
 in Fort Nassau on the South River 
 
 The trade on the last-named river had by this time become 
 so valuable, that the authorities at the Manhattans determined, 
 now, to take proper measures for its extension. Arent Cors- 
 sen, commissary at Fort Nassau, was accordingly ordered to 
 purchase, from the natives, a tract of land on the Schuylkill, 
 one of the tributaries to the South River, which had been dis- 
 covered in 1616. In conformity to these instructions Matte- 
 hooren, Alibakkinno, Sinquees, and a number of other chiefs, 
 to whom the land belonged, were called together, and, being 
 promised sundry cargoes of goods, sold to the Dutch, in the 
 presence of Augustin Heermans, Govert Loockermans, Skip- 
 per Juriaen Blanke, Cornells Janssen Coele, and Sander 
 Leendertsen, servants of the company, the district then called 
 Armenveruis and, the adjoining country, situate on and around 
 the Schuylkill, where a trading-post was subsequently erected 
 and called Fort " Beversreede," on account of the valuable 
 trade in beavers which was carried on, in and about that quar- 
 ter, with the Minqua Indians.^ 
 
 Such was the impetus given to the affairs of the country 
 
 ' Farm No. 1, says Moulton, ran directly north of the company's garden out- 
 side the fort, from what is at present Wall-street, to Hudson-street, along 
 Broadway in the city of New York ; and went, in the time of the English, 
 successively by the name of Duke's farm. King's farm, Queen's farm. 
 
 ^ Alb. Rec. i., 85, 86. "Their lordships sent a considerable number of fami- 
 lies thither in the beginning, and erected, at considerable expense, three saw- 
 mills, which never produced any profit of consequence." Hoi. Doc. iii., 97. 
 
 * Deductie, ofte naechte ende claer verhael, over de gelegentheyt van do 
 Zuyt Riviere, gelegen in Nieuw Nederlandt &c. overgelivert aen de Hoog Moo- 
 gende Heeren Staten General der Verinichde Nederlanden. Hoi. Doc. viii., 32, 
 33, 35, 55, 56. The purchase of this tract by Corssen is also mentioned by 
 commissary Hudde, in his report to Director Stuyvesant. Alb. Rec. xvii, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 157 
 
 by the arrival of Director Van Twiller. Forts, mansions, chap. 
 
 . IV. 
 
 and dwelling-houses went up in all directions, for he had a 
 large idea of the West India Company's resources. Appear- 
 ances possibly justified his impressions. That powerful as- 
 sociation maintained, at this period, a force which gave it the 
 character rather of an independent sovereignty, than of a 
 chartered mercantile society. It owned one hundred and 
 twenty vessels, ranging from three hundred to eight hundred 
 tons burden, all fully armed and equipped ; and employed be- 
 tween eight and nine thousand men. More than one hundred 
 thousand guilders value in peltries were exported during the 
 last year, and nearly the same quantity this year, from New 
 Netherland.' It is not surprising, then, that Van Twiller's 
 plans were on an extensive scale. The chief essential to the 
 prosperity of the colony still lacked, nevertheless. Scarcely 
 one solitary agricultural settler had been, as yet, sent over by 
 the company, to fell the forest or reclaim the wilderness. 
 
 The Indians manifested considerable ill-feeling towards the 
 Dutch this year. Immediately after the departure of Eelkins, 
 some of the latter, on the upper part of the river, were killed, 
 and their cattle destroyed. The Raritans, also, attacked 
 several of the company's servants, and committed other ex- 
 cesses ; and open war broke out between those at Fort Good 
 Hope and the Pequods. What the origin of the misunder- 
 standing with the Raritans was, we have no means of de- 
 termining. As respects the last, it seems that some Indians 
 who came to trade to Fort Hope having been killed by the 
 Pequods, the Dutch, in revenge, slew the old Pequod chief 
 and several of his tribe, which so incensed the latter, that 
 a war with the Dutch was the result. This, however, was 
 not the only evil consequence of this bad state of things. 
 It drove the Pequods, in an evil hour both for themselves and 
 the Dutch, to invite the English of Massachusetts Bay to 
 make a plantation on the Connecticut.^ 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. iii., 97. Aitzema, i. De Laet, Kort Verhael 
 ' Winthrop's N. Eng. i., 143. 
 
158 
 
 HISTORy OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Continued misunderstanding between the Directors and the Patroons — Preten- 
 sions of the respective parties — Referred to the States General — Committee 
 appointed to investigate the same — Articles submitted by the Patroons con- 
 taining their demands — Replications of the company — Rejoinder on the part 
 of Patroons — Owners of the William apply to Dutch ambassadors at London 
 for damages — Threaten to apply to the king in council — Application com- 
 municated to States General — Referred to the Assembly of the XIX. — Me- 
 morial of the latter in reply — Request that the matter be referred to the 
 Dutch and English ambassadors — States General decline to interfere — Quar- 
 rel between Van Twiller and Minister Bogardus — Peace made with the 
 Raritans — Imports and Exports — Superintendent over Pavonia arrives in 
 New Netherland. 
 
 BOOK While the occurrences narrated in the preceding chapter 
 were passing in New Netherland, the differences between 
 
 ^Ju^f several directors of the West India Company and the 
 24. patroons in Holland continued to such a degree, as to impede 
 materially the advancement of the country.' Both parties 
 were in a complete state of antagonism as to the interpretation 
 to be attached to the privileges conferred by the charter of 
 1629. The company claimed the monopoly of the fur-trade, 
 and would confine the Patroons strictly to the development, by 
 themselves and people, of the agricultural resources of their 
 colonies ; while the latter, who had already expended, as they 
 alleged, a ton of gold on their three colonies, the yearly ex- 
 penses of which amounted to forty-five thousand guilders,^ 
 
 » 
 
 ' De Vries refers to these misunderstandings in the following entry in his 
 journal : " July 24. Arrived at Amsterdam, where I found my associates at 
 variance with one another, and with other directors of W. I. Company, because 
 I had traded two or four beaver-skins ; certainly a circumstance not worth the 
 while to talk of, it being granted by the 15th Art. that a Patroon shall have the 
 privilege to do so, when the company has an officer or commissioner. So that 
 our colonic making was now suspended. The directors have done nothing but 
 fight with their own shadows." 
 
 ^ Haerselven verder geinvolveert hebben met aenteykenen van verscheyden 
 Patroonaatschappen, waervan de oncosten, tot heden aengeweent en gecon- 
 sumeert, nog verre een tonne gouts incontant passeren ; en daerenboven jaer- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 159 
 
 aiming at a quasi independence, claimed unrestricted trade ci^p. 
 alonff the coast and in the rivers ; and, as successors to the 
 
 1633 
 
 " Lords Sachems from whom they purchased," exclusive 
 commerce and jurisdiction vi^ithin their patroonships, which 
 they were extending on all sides ; and within which they de- 
 nied to the company and its officers the exercise of any au- 
 thority, even to the posting of a placard 
 
 It is easy to anticipate that views so opposite must termi- 
 nate, as we have already seen, in bringing into question not 
 only the nature and extent of the charter, but even its validity. 
 The company admitted, at once, the legality of the charter, Nov. 
 but the great difficulty was to determine the extent of the 
 privileges derived under it. With a view to settle all differ- 
 ences, the directors of the chamber at Amsterdam appointed 
 a committee of five persons to negotiate with the patroons, Dec. 
 and in case no agreement could be had, empowered these 
 deputies to refer the whole matter to a committee of the States 
 General, or to the high court of Holland. No better under- 1634, 
 standing followed this reference. The questions at issue 
 were, therefore, referred to their High Mightinesses, who March 
 deputed six of their body to investigate the grounds of the dis- -jyj^y 
 pute, and decide thereupon by a majority of votes.^ 13. 
 
 On the 16th June, 1634, Michel Paauw, Samuel Bloem- 
 MAERT, KiLLiAEN VAN Rensselaer, and Hendrik Hamel, 
 Patroons of New Netherland, appeared before this commit- 
 tee, and handed in a paper containing, in a series of articles, 
 their several pretensions. A knowledge of the contents of 
 this paper being necessary to a thorough understanding of the 
 views which the Patroons entertained at this time, as well of 
 their privileges under the charter as of their claims against 
 the directors of the company, we insert them here without any 
 apology. 
 
 lyck tot onderhout van drie haer patronaatschappen, ter minsten met 45 duyzend 
 guilden belast blyven. Letter of the Patroons, June, 1634. Ho!. Doc. ii., 99, 
 100. A ton of gold is equal to 100,000 guilders, or $40,000 
 
 * Alb. Rec. xiii., 42,43 ; Hoi. Doc. ii., 39, 40, 91, 94, 120. The Lords Ara- 
 hem, Herberts, De Knuyt, Weede, Lecklama, and Haersotte, were first ap- 
 pointed, but owing to the absence of some of these, others were named to fill 
 vacancies which subsequently occurred. The resolution of the directors admit- 
 ting the validity of the charter of 1629, is among the Rensselaerswyck MSS 
 
160 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOR 
 
 n. " Pretensions and demands of the patroons of new 
 
 1634. NETHERLAND, DELIVERED TO THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF 
 •^^g® THEIR HIGH MIGHTINESSES, ON THE 16tH JUNE, 1634, AGAINST 
 THE LORDS DIRECTORS OF THE PRIVILEGED WEST INDIA COM- 
 PANY.^ 
 
 " Article I. That the Freedoms and Exemptions, granted 
 to the Patroons and their people within the hmits of New 
 Netherland and the dependencies thereof, must be maintained 
 and observed by the Privileged West India Company justly 
 and according to their tenor and contents ; and be holden as 
 a mutual contract, binding on both sides, whereby the in 
 vited Patroons sent their people and goods thither ; in conse 
 quence whereof the Patroons claim to enjoy inviolate the 
 privileges contained therein. 
 
 " II. That the company having, up to the 19th December, 
 1633, repeatedly called in question the conceded Freedoms, 
 are bound to make good the manifest damages caused thereby 
 to the Patroons. 
 
 " III. That in the Exemptions and Freedoms mention was 
 made of the property of those lands only of which the com- 
 pany could dispose by virtue of their charter ; and such ex- 
 tension is considered as referring only to fertile and unin- 
 habited lands, or lands inhabited by individual Indians, having 
 no chief, whom the Patroons were bound to satisfy for their 
 ground : In addition to these, within the limits and extensions 
 of the Patroonships which have been purchased, there exist 
 Lordships having their own rights and jurisdictions, which the 
 chiefs of said nations have ceded to the Patroons together 
 with the proprietorship of the soil, as can be seen by the 
 deeds of concession and conveyance. The Patroons main- 
 tain that such prerogatives and advantages, in that country, 
 are absolutely theirs ; and that the company hath no more 
 power over the Patroons, as purchasers of such lands, than it 
 had over the Lords Sachems the sellers, inasmuch as the in- 
 tention of their High Mightinesses by the Octroy notoriously 
 
 * " Sustenue en eisch van de Patronen van Nieuw Nederlandt ongeleveert aen 
 Heeren Gecommitterende van haer H. M. den 16 Junii, 1634, contra de Heerea 
 Bewinthebberen van de Geoctroyeerde W. I. Co." Hoi. Doc. ii., 105 — 114. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 was, not to abridge any person in what is his, and conse- 
 quently cannot be burdened with the venia testandi, justice 
 and pohce, which are repugnant to the right already acquired 
 by the Patroons. 
 
 " IV. That under the term goods, mentioned in Articles 
 X., XIIL, XVI., must be understood such merchandise without 
 which the permitted trade along the coast of Florida and 
 Newfoundland cannot be carried on, nor the soil of the Pa- 
 troonships paid for, — Item, shoes and stockings, and other 
 necessaries of the people, which the natives of those coun- 
 tries do not use, belong to implements of husbandry, all ne- 
 cessary to the country people of the Patroons, every descrip- 
 tion of which the company promised to convey for nothing. 
 
 " V. That the company, having no ships, nor berths in their 
 ships, for the use of the Patroons, cannot, conformably to the 
 Xlth Art., refuse, or any longer withhold their written consent 
 from the Patroons, officially demanding the same, whereby the 
 latter would lose the season and voyage, from which the ruin 
 of the colonies, or at least great loss, would accrue. 
 
 *' VI. That all places in New Netherland, the island of 
 Manhattan excepted, are, by the XII. Art., free for the planta- 
 tion of colonies. 
 
 " VII. That the Patroons may sail from the coast of Florida 
 to Newfoundland, paying 5 per cent, recognition ; therefore, 
 the Patroons cannot be prevented sending ships or yachts, with 
 all sorts of goods to New Netherland, without which the 
 aforesaid coasts cannot be frequented, nor prizes taken from 
 the enemy— Art. XIIL, XIV., XVI., XXIII. 
 
 "VIII. Inasmuch as the company (Art. XV.) first absolutely, 
 and afterwards by restriction, reserved the fur-trade every- 
 where on the coast of New Netherland, and the places cir- 
 cumjacent thereto, the Patroons say, that the inland trade, 
 together with the territories of the Patroonships, is not included 
 therein ; and therefore that the Patroons are not obliged to 
 pay, within their limits, one guilder for every merchantable 
 skin. Item — That the Patroons may trade for all sorts of furs, 
 without their colonies, and everywhere about the coasts of 
 New Netherland, and the places circumjacent thereto, where 
 the company had, at the time of granting of the Freedoms, no 
 
 21 
 
162 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK commissaries for procuring goods, on payment of one guilder 
 for each merchantable beaver or other skin. Item — Seawan 
 being, in a manner, the only money of the country, wherewith 
 the produce of the interior is purchased, must be considered 
 as permitted goods, being the representative thereof, 
 
 IX. That the company, pursuant to the tenor of Arts, X. 
 and XVI., is obliged here, and by its servants in New Nether- 
 lands, seasonably to inform tlie Patroons and their commissa- 
 ries, on demand, what places remain in its ships, in, order that 
 they may regulate their people, in regard to their numbers> 
 goods, cattle, and implements ; and having accommodation ie 
 its ships, not to refuse the Patroon* the authorized loading 
 therein, nor charge more than the allowed freight, 
 
 " X> That the appeal reserved to the Director and council 
 in New Netherlands in civil actions- of fifty guilders and up^ 
 wards, should not prejudice, in the least, the higjier jurisdic- 
 tion, and other privileges of the Patroons. 
 
 XI. Inasmuch as the company (Art, XXV.) hath promised 
 to take the colonists of New Netherlands into its safe-keeping ;; 
 to aid and defend them as well as possible againgff alt inland 
 and foreign wars and forces, with whatever power it may then 
 have ; the company, or its servants, having failed to- do- this, are-, 
 bound to make good the injuries which befell the Patroons,, 
 their people, cattle^ and goods there, and which they still con- 
 tinue to suffer. 
 
 " XII. That the Freedoms and Exemptions are permanent 
 foi all the partners, without the company having the power t<» 
 infringe or restrict these to the prejudice of the Patroons, 
 
 XIIL That the expenses incurred by the Patroons by- 
 travelling, consultations, vacations, or otherwise, for the neces- 
 sary maintenance and justification of the Freedoms and Exemp- 
 tions, in the service of the company and for the advantage of 
 all the principal partners, ought to be defrayed by the privi- 
 leged West India Company. 
 
 ^' XIV. That the company hath not the power to afiSix pla- 
 cards in the Patroons' colonies, without their knowledge and 
 against their will, excluding all from the fur-trade ; nor to intro- 
 duce commissaries there to pursue that commerce, nor to 
 oblige the inhabitants belonging to the Patroons, by an oath 
 
NEW NETHERLAND, 
 
 163 
 
 formed for that purpose, to abstain from trading in any way chap. 
 in furs, seawan, or maize. v-v^ 
 
 " XV. That the ofBcers and magistrates of the Patroons 
 in New Netherland may oppose themselves thereto ; and 
 whenever the company enters, notwithstanding, by force of 
 arms the just sanctuary of the Patroons, and affixes such pro- 
 clamations, they may demolish such posted placards as being 
 repugnant to their Freedoms ; for whenever the high officers 
 of the Patroons were arrested — protesting against the wrong — 
 'twas perceived that their Patroons were deprived of the con- 
 ceded Freedoms. Such proceedings should be declared null 
 and void — the company should be charged to abstain from 
 such for the future, and to make good the damages caused 
 thereby. 
 
 " XVI. Finally, in case the company sought by direct or in- 
 direct means to induce the Patroons to abandon their colonies, 
 the former should be declared hoiden to indemnify for all pres- 
 ent, future, and past expenses and interests in the above men- 
 tioned matter." 
 
 These demands, seriously infringing on what the company 
 considered its sovereign rights, and, what perhaps was of more 
 grave concern, deeply affecting its exclusive privileges in mat- 
 ters of trade and revenue, were met by the directors requir- June 
 ing the patroons to hand in separate statements, as they had 
 heretofore been in the habit of doing, of their respective claims, 
 as their pretensions varied and had different foundations, and 
 could not be understood from a united representation. The 
 directors added, at the same time, that if the Patroons declared 
 that they had no claim against the company, nor intended to 
 institute any action against them, but merely wished to have 
 the decision of the S.ates General on the several points of the 
 charter affecting the Patroons, the company would remain neu- 
 tral, so as to permit those points to be examined and decided. 
 To this the Patroons replied at some length, charging the di- 
 rectors again with not having allowed the charter of 1 629 to 
 have had its full effect, in consequence of which they had suf- 
 fered serious injury and damage, for which they looked for in- 
 demnity. A preliminary question, however, arose, and which 
 they now submitted ; — that was, whether the privileges which 
 
164 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK they claimed under the above charter were vahd or not. On 
 
 ^^v^ the result of this depended whether they should continue or 
 X 634 
 
 * abandon the further planting of colonies ; when that was set- 
 tled, they promised to produce a statement of their respective 
 losses, and to give what further information may be required.* 
 Upon so small a thread, at this remote period, hung the colo- 
 nization of New Netherland ! 
 
 While this discussion was going on, the news reached the 
 English capital of the interruption which the William had met in 
 the Hudson's River from Director Van Twiller, and the Dutch 
 there. The proprietors of the vessel, urged on, no doubt, by 
 the New England Company, between whom and the Virginia 
 Society the Spanish ambassador was busily intriguing,^ imme- 
 diately waited on Messrs. Joachirai and Brasser, the ambassa- 
 dors from the Hague at the Court of St. James, with a state- 
 ment of the affair, and a demand for damages, faihng the pay- 
 ment of which, they threatened to apply for redress to the king 
 
 May in council. The Dutch ambassadors lost no time in coramu- 
 ■ nicating all the particulars to their High Mightinesses, who 
 
 June immediately referred them to a committee for investigation. 
 On a subsequent recommendation of this committee, the whole 
 
 June of the papers were referred to the deputies of the West India 
 Company, for an explanation of this misunderstanding, who 
 addressed to the States General the following memorial : — 
 Oct. 25. "High and Mighty Lords ! The Deputies from the As- 
 sembly of the XIX. are directed to represent and complain to 
 your High Mightinesses that one Jacob Jacobz. Eelkins, hav- 
 ing repaired last year unto the service of Mr. William Klobery 
 
 * Hoi. Doc. ii., 115-117 ; 119-123 
 
 * Joachimi writes as follows, at this date, touching this intrigue : " Disputes 
 have arisen here some months since between those who have the king's charter 
 for Virginia, and those who sail to and plant New England. A noble lord, who 
 would be sorry that any misunderstanding should exist between the English 
 and Netherlands nations, has told me that the above disputes were not agitated 
 because the above parties were suiFering loss the one from the other ; but in or- 
 der that men might have occasion to quarrel with the Dutch about the posses- 
 sion of New Netherland. The above mentioned lord was of opinion that the 
 above disputes were fomented by the Spaniards" — literally, " were forged in 
 the Spanish forge," (gesmeed syn in der Spagniaerden smesse.) Hoi. Doc. ii., 
 51, 52, 53. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 165 
 
 and Company, arrived with the ship WilUam, commanded by chap. 
 Skipper WilUam Trevor, in the month of April, 1633, at the ^^v^ 
 North River in New Netherland, at the Manhattes, to trade 
 his goods thereabout and up the river, for peltries, on the in- 
 vented pretext that the said river, and surrounding country, 
 were in, and a part of, the domain of his majesty the king of 
 Great Britain, without, however, having, as far as we know, 
 or being willing, as we are informed, to exhibit the instruc- 
 tions, or commission of his majesty, which he might have for 
 that purpose. 
 
 " It is, notwithstanding, sufficiently known to all the world, 
 and best of all by this Jacob Eelkins himself, as he was, be- 
 fore the year 1614, in the service of those who, then, had a 
 charter from your High Mightinesses to trade exclusively to 
 this river and neighborhood, that the said river and adjoining 
 country were discovered, at the cost of the Privileged East 
 India Company, in the year 1609, before any Christians had 
 been there, as was testified by Hudson, who was then em- 
 ployed by the said company, to find a northwest passage to 
 China ; that your High Mightinesses afterwards granted a 
 charter to divers merchants to trade exclusively for peltries 
 there, where, under the supreme command of your High 
 Mightinesses also, before the year 1614, one or more small 
 forts were erected and garrisoned with people for the protec- 
 tion of said trade ; that, further, after the Privileged West 
 India Company began to rule this country, not only the afore- 
 mentioned little forts were rebuilt and enlarged, but the said 
 company purchased from the Indians, the indubitable owners 
 thereof, the Island of the Manhattes, lying right before the 
 mouth of the said river, and there laid the foundations of a 
 city. 
 
 " Divers colonies have been planted also, with the know- 
 ledge of this company, not only on the said river, but like- 
 wise on the South River, and others lying eastward of the 
 abovementioned North River, by several natives and inhab- 
 itants of this country, who, for that purpose, purchased the 
 lands and grounds with the respective limits and jurisdictions 
 of the Indian chiefs, as the same is to be seen by divers con- 
 veyances and concessions made to the Patroons of the colo- 
 
166 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK nies by the Sachems (Sagmoen) and chief lords of the In- 
 
 II 
 
 >^v~ dians, and those who had any interest therein. So that the 
 said company hath commanded, possessed, and cultivated 
 this country from the beginning of their charter, and carried 
 on trade there, without any person having, with reason, ques- 
 tioned them thereupon, or sought to destroy their trade by- 
 force, except only some prohibited traders, and especially 
 Jacob Eelkins, who lately attempted nothing less than to per- 
 suade, by false representations, his Britannic Majesty, that 
 this country of New Netherland was a part of his domain on 
 the continent of North America. 
 
 " And although our governor and officers there endeavored, 
 in a friendly manner, to dissuade the abovementioned Jacob 
 Eelkins to refrain from trading within their limits, he, notwith- 
 standing, proceeded up the river, and having pitched his tent 
 ashore, commenced to truck with the Indians in alliance with 
 the company. So that our officers were necessitated, after 
 divers negotiations and protests, as may further be seen by 
 the written and authentic acts thereof, to weigh the said 
 Eelkins' anchor, and to cause him to return from the afore- 
 said river. The company, by all these occurrences, hath 
 suffered special loss, and their trade thereby hath been par- 
 ticularly damaged, and the injurious seed of discord hath been 
 sown between the Indians and our people, who have there- 
 tofore lived with each other in good friendship ; and other 
 serious mischiefs have followed by the killing of men and 
 cattle, whereof we expect further information by the next ship, 
 which must now arrive soon ; so that we have cause to com- 
 plain, and to set forth great damages and losses against the 
 masters of this Jacob Eelkins, for which they, on the con- 
 trary, complain against us, and make very heavy claims." 
 
 The memorial concluded by suggesting, in order to get rid 
 of present difficulties, and to prevent their recurrence, to refer 
 the whole matter to Sir William Boswell, the British ambas- 
 sador at the Hague, on the one side, and Mr. Joachimi on the 
 other, for the purpose of settlement, and further recommended 
 that some measures should be taken by their High Mighti- 
 nesses to establish the boundary line between the English and 
 the Dutch in North America. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 167 
 
 The States General declined to interfere in the matter, but ci^p. 
 advised the company to confer, themselves, on the subject with 
 the English ambassador, and thus the affair remained in abey- 
 ance for the present.^ 
 
 The even course of events in New Netherland was now dis- 
 turbed by an open, and what appears to be an unseemly quar- 
 rel between the Director-general and the clergyman at New 
 Amsterdam. The cause of the misunderstanding between the 
 parties is unknown ; but the minister is represented (by no 
 friend of his, however) as having demeaned himself towards 
 the Director in a manner " unbecoming a heathen, much less a 
 Christian, letting alone a preacher of the gospel." He wrote June 
 him a letter couched in very strong language, called for, per- 
 haps, by the laxity of conduct of the Director-general, who, the 
 minister alleged, was " a child of the devil ; a consummate 
 villain, whose bucks were better than he ; and to whom he 
 should give such a shake on the following sabbath, from the 
 pulpit, as would make him shudder," with a great deal more 
 such abuse.'"* 
 
 Van Twiller succeeded this season in concluding an advan- 
 tageous peace with the Raritans, which, in the weak state of 
 the colony, was good policy. There were no exports this year 
 from New Netherland. The company sent out the Eendracht, 
 or Union, again, with a cargo valued at 29,562 guilders. Jan 
 Evertsen Bout, heretofore one of the company's servants, came 
 a passenger in this ship, having been appointed by Mr. Paauw 
 superintendent of his colonic at Pavonia.^ 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc.ii., 51, 90, 131, 132, 134, 136-143, 144. 
 Alb. Rec. ii., 328. 
 
 ' Ibid, i., 96 ; De Laet ; Hoi. Doc. v., 399. Jan Evertsen Bout, mentioned 
 in the text, was a native of Barneveldt, and a man of some note in N. N. He 
 obtained a deed for a farm in 1638, which was the first settlement in the pres- 
 ent town of Bergen, N. J. His wife's name was Trj'ntje Simenz. de Witt. 
 
168 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Encroachments of the New England people on New Netherland — Tear down 
 the arms of the States General at Kievitts Hoeck — Van Twiller protests 
 against the intruders, and makes representations to the directors — The Eng- 
 lish send Governor Winslow to London to complain against the Dutch — He 
 is imprisoned tliere — English attempt a settlement on the South River — Are 
 taken prisoners and sent to the Manhattans — First English settlers in New 
 Amsterdam — Fort Amsterdam finislied — Irregularities there — Director-gen- 
 eral and several members of his council appropriate to themselves large quan- 
 tities of the public domain — Settlement of Flatlands, or New Amersfoort 
 commenced — Van Dinclage, schout-fiscaal, opposes Van Twiller — Is dismissed 
 from office — Returns to Holland — Ulrich Lupoid appointed in his place — Van 
 Dinclage brings the affairs of New Netherland before the States General — 
 Assembly of the XIX. remove Van Twiller — William Kiefl appointed direc- 
 tor-general of New Netherland — Prices at New Amsterdam and on the 
 Connecticut ; Van Twiller adds a number of islands to his estates — States 
 General call the attention of the company to the retrograding condition of 
 New Netherland — Require report thereupon — Queries submitted to the direc- 
 tors — Their answers — Propose surrendering the Indian trade — Unfavorable 
 state of the colony — Causes thereof — States General insist on the adoption 
 of some plan to encourage emigration to and the settlement of the country, 
 so that New Netherland may not be lost or given away. 
 
 BOOK The English at the eastward having at length obtained a 
 ^"■^ foothold on the Connecticut, the towns of Massachusetts soon 
 ■ rang with the fame of the fertility and " excellent meadows" 
 of that valley ; and these, consequently, became an object of 
 great desire and competition among the New England people. 
 It might have been expected, that when they had settled in 
 America, they would, in gratitude for the hospitality which 
 they had experienced at the hands of the Dutch during their 
 long sojourn at Leyden, Amsterdam, and other cities in Hol- 
 land and Zealand, have left New Netherland unmolested, and 
 forborne to intrude on territory to which they had no claim. 
 But, acting on the principle that they were the saints to whom 
 the earth belonged, pride and self-interest entirely eradicated 
 sentiments of justice and gratitude from their hearts.^ They 
 
 ' Lambrechtsen's N. Netherl., in N. Y. Hist. Coll. i., 98. " It can scarcely 
 be believed," adds the same author, " that men so conscientious that they con- 
 sidered themselves in duty bound not to make the least concession in any dispu- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 169 
 
 Stopped not, then, to inquire whether they had any legal title chap. 
 to the country ; nor were they at all discouraged by the fact, 
 that by virtue of prior discovery, chartered conveyance from a 
 recognised government, and possession, the Dutch had, for 
 years, been the just proprietors of the district. They at once 
 pronounced the latter " always mere intruders," and, without 
 a shadow of title, commenced a system of encroachments on 
 their neighbors' territory, which, from the first, had no plea for 
 its justification, but such as was prompted by self-interest and 
 covetousness.^ Emigrants from Watertown, Dorchester, Cam- 
 bridge, Newtown, and other places, crossed the mountains, 
 and commenced plantations in several places on the banks of 
 the river. Nearly at the same time, an expedition under Mr. 
 John Winthrop, son of the governor of Massachusetts, repaired 
 by water to Kievitts Hoeck, where he erected a fort, and re- 
 fusing a Dutch party permission to land on their own purchased 
 
 ted point about religious rituals, men so highly revering the Holy Scriptures, 
 that they considered themselves in duty bound to distinguish their cities and 
 villages by Biblical names, should so little care about their Netherland neigh- 
 bors of the same religious profession, should so little respect their anterior pos- 
 session." " Deplorable consequences of ignorance and intoler- 
 ance, so much more pernicious, yea, so much more contemptible, in men who 
 had tasted, by experience, their bitter fruits." 
 
 ' " It is not easy to discover on what ground the Dutch were regarded by the 
 first settlers of Connecticut, or by their historian at this day, as mere intruders. 
 They had meide the discovery of Hudson's river, and established themselves on 
 its banks. They had obtained a patent from their government, who had as 
 good a right to grant lands discovered by their subjects, as any other state. 
 This patent included the lands on Connecticut River, and this river was discov- 
 ered by them before it was known by the English to exist, and before the grant 
 of the New England patent. After trading with the Indians for several years, 
 they purchased of them a tract of land, and built upon it a fort and trading- 
 house, before the country had been taken possession of by the English ; and 
 the people of Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies, when they attempted to 
 drive them from it, came without a shadow of title from the Plymouth Comoa- 
 
 ny, under whom they professed to claim Through the influence 
 
 of Lord Say and Seal, and other friends of the colony at the court of Charles 
 II., the people of Connecticut obtained from that prince, [1662,] soon after the 
 Restoration, a charter with very ample privileges, containing a grant of all the 
 lands embraced in the original patent, including the New Haven colony. This 
 gave them the first legal title to the lands on which they had settled." N. A. 
 Review, viii., 81, 85. See chapter in Van der Donck's Vertoogh van N. N, 
 entitled, " Of the Right which the Dutch have to the Fresh River." 
 
 22 
 
170 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK soil, offensively tore the arms of the States General from a 
 — tree, to which they had been affixed some years before, and in 
 
 1635. their stead, engraved, in derision, a buffoon's face. On the 
 upper waters of the Connecticut, at a spot then called Aga- 
 wan, but now Springfield, some distance above Fort Hope, a 
 Mr. Pyncheon established a trading-post and plantation ; and 
 though Director Van Twiller made representations to Holland 
 relative to these proceedings, and also protested against the 
 intruders, the English not only refused to desist, but dispatched 
 Governor Winslow, of New Plymouth, to make representa- 
 tions against the Dutch, which might, possibly, have had some 
 effect, had not Archbishop Laud opposed his proceedings, 
 and caused him to be thrown into prison, on the ground that 
 he was a dissenter from the established church.^ The River 
 Connecticut was not the only theatre of these encroachments 
 at this early date. Experiencing no energetic resistance from 
 the authorities at Fort Amsterdam, the English next deter- 
 mined to attempt an assault on the company's territory at the 
 South River. With a view to make a settlement there, a 
 party consisting of George Holmes, his hired man Thomas 
 Hall, and twelve or thirteen others,' proceeded to the Dela- 
 ware ; but on their arrival at that point, Hall deserted his 
 master, and the others, failing in their attempt on Fort Nas- 
 sau, were made prisoners by the Dutch, and forwarded to 
 the Manhattans in one of the company's boats. Instead of 
 being punished for their aggressive conduct, these people, who 
 were the first English settlers among the Dutch on Manhattan 
 Island, were treated leniently by the Director-general, under 
 whose patronage they established themselves in various ways 
 around Fort Amsterdam.^ 
 
 ' Mr. Winslow, the late governor of Plymouth, being this year in England, 
 petitioned the council there for a commission to withstand the intrusions of the 
 French and Dutch, which was likely to take effect ; but the archbishop being 
 incensed against him, informed the rest that he was a Separatist ; that he did 
 marry, and thereupon, got him committed. He was afterwards discharged on 
 petition. Winthrop's Journal, 89 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. i., 172 ; Cotton Ma- 
 ther's Magnalia, b. ii., c. 2. 
 
 " Verbael van Beverninck, 606 ; Trumbull's Conn, i., 36, 58 ; De Vries ; 
 Vanderdonck's Vertoogh van N. N. ; Hoi. Doc. iv., 110 ; v., 399 ; Report and 
 adv. on the condition of New Netherland, Appendix E. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 171 
 
 Two years had now elapsed since Van T wilier had com- cfl\p. 
 menced the erection of this fort. Though its dimensions were v~ 
 not extensive, being about three hundred feet long, and about 1635. 
 two hundred and fifty broad, it was not finished until this year, 
 owing, we presume, to lack of hands and the number of other 
 buildings which he had undertaken. It was completed, it is 
 said, by the company's negroes, at an expense of four thou- 
 sand one hundred and seventy-two guilders, or $1688, in which 
 sum was comprised, it is to be supposed, the cost of the sev- 
 eral buildings which the fort contained.^ 
 
 The administration of Wouter Van Twiller had been, hith- 1636. 
 erto, marked by any thing but good order in the colony, or 
 economy in the government. De Vries, who paid periodical 
 visits to New Amsterdam, gives by no means a favorable view 
 of the state of things there. On one occasion he was accom- July 
 panied to the fort by Cornelis van Vorst, superior officer at 
 Pavonia, who was carrying a present of claret to the Director- 
 general, " of which article he knew he was fond." Another 
 of the company's servants happening to be present, an alterca- 
 tion arose between the latter. Van Twiller, and Van Vorst, 
 relative to a manslaughter which had recently been committed 
 in the colonic. Matters, however, were soon made up, and 
 Van Vorst, thereupon, proceeded to fire a salute in honor of 
 the Director-general, from a stone gun which stood near the 
 house. A spark from the wadding lodged on the roof, which 
 " being covered with reed" caught fire, " and the whole build- 
 ing was consumed in less than half an hour !" 
 
 This was not the only disorder to which De Vries was a 
 witness, and which these potations produced. Some time Aug. 8. 
 after, the first gunner gave a jollification at one of the angles of 
 the fort, where a tent was erected, and tables and benches set 
 for the several guests. In the midst of the revelry, the trum- 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. i., 88 ; Hazard i., 397. The calculation made above of the 
 dimensions of the fort, is based or founded on a statement contained in Hoi. 
 Doc. v., 11. It is there stated, that the church built by Director Keift in 
 1642-3, " occupied nearly one fourth part of the fort." (De Kerck bykans 
 het vierde part van bet fort beslaet.) Now this church was, as appears by the 
 contract, 72 feet long, and 52 broad. This multiplied by four, would make the 
 dimensions of the fort about as above stated. 
 
172 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK peter blew a blast upon his trumpet, which considerably 
 alarmed those partaking of the frolic. The koopman of the 
 stores, and the koopman of the cargoes, were highly incensed 
 at this interruption, and called the bugle-blower some hard 
 names, in return for which the trumpeter gave each of them 
 " a drubbing." The koopmen forthwith ran home for their 
 swords, and, full of pot-valiant swagger, followed the trumpeter 
 even to the Director's, for the purpose of " eating him !" They 
 did not, fortunately, find the delinquent, who thus escaped the 
 demolition with which he was threatened.^ 
 
 A disposition prevailed, in addition to all this, among almost 
 all the company's servants, to enrich themselves at their em- 
 ployers' expense, and to accumulate wealth without much re- 
 gard as to the means. The Director-general, and the members 
 of his council, by appropriating to themselves large portions of 
 the public domain, encouraged, rather than checked this pro- 
 pensity. Van Twiller, Wolfert Gerritsen, Andreas Hudde, 
 and Jacob van Curler, obtained from the Indians, in the course 
 of this summer, without the knowledge or approval of the di- 
 rectors in Holland, three flatts of land on Long Island, amount- 
 ing, it was estimated, to between ten and fifteen thousand 
 acres. ^ The Director-general established a tobacco plantation 
 on one part of his section ; Gerritsen and Hudde had a well- 
 stocked farm, called Achterveldt, on theirs ; and Jacob van 
 Curler hired Thomas Hall to superintend another farm, or 
 plantation, which he commenced on his part. Elbert Elbert- 
 
 ' At the Dutch plantation this summer, a ship's long boat was overset with a 
 gust. Five men in her got on the keel and were driven to sea four days. Only one 
 of them was saved : he was cast ashore on Long Island. Winthrop's Jour. 187. 
 
 ^ 16th June, 1636. The Director-General and council of New Netherland, 
 residing at Fort Amsterdam, on the island of Manhattans, certify, that before 
 them appeared, this day, Tenkirauw, Ketamiau, Ararykau, Aswackhou, Sua- 
 rinkekinkh, Wappettawackenis, Ehetyl, owners, who, by the advice and in the 
 presence of Penhawis, Cakapeteyno, chiefs in that quarter, have, for certain 
 goods delivered to them, sold, &c., to Jacobus van Curler, the middlemost of the 
 three flatts to them belonging, called Castateeuw, lying on the island Sewan- 
 hacky, between the bay of the North River and the East River. Same day, 
 same parties sell to Hudde and Gerrittsen, the westernmost of the above flatts ; 
 and on the 16th July, same year, same Indians sell to Van Twiller the eastern- 
 most of those flatts. Alb. Rec. GG, 31, 35, 39. Van Curler transferred his 
 part, called Ca^hutey, to Van Twiller in July, 1638. Alb. Rec. i., 30. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 173 
 
 sen, one of Van Twiller's farm-servants, and Thomas Spicer chap. 
 settled in the same neighborhood about the same time, but 
 
 1636 
 
 without any deed for their land.^ 
 
 Such were the circumstances under which was commenced 
 *.he first settlement of the present town of Flatlands, on Long 
 [sland, which was originally called New Amersfoordt, after the 
 birthplace of the celebrated Dutch patriot and jurist, Olden- 
 
 BARNEVELT. 
 
 The irregular conduct and proceedings of the Director-gen- 
 eral encountered serious opposition from Lubbertus van Din- 
 :lage, the schout-fiscaal. But Van Twiller, however good a 
 boon companion, was not a man to brook opposition in his gov- 
 ernment. He arraigned the fiscal for his contumacy ; con- 
 demned him to lose his wages, which were now three years in 
 arrears ; ordered him to proceed forthwith to Fatherland, to 
 justify his conduct, and thus virtually deprived him of the offi- 
 ces which he held direct from the chamber at Amsterdam. 
 Van Dinclage returned to Holland in the summer of this year. 
 He was succeeded in office by a Hanoverian named Ulrich 
 
 Lupoid of Staden, in the diocese of Bremen, and on the 30th Aug. 
 
 30 
 
 of August addressed a memorial to their High Mightinesses 
 the States General, in which he not only demanded redress of 
 his own individual grievances, but called attention, at length, 
 to the course of maladministration pursued in New Netherland, 
 including in his accusations even the Rev. Mr. Bogardus, the 
 clergyman at Fort Amsterdam.^ 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. i., 19, 29, 34 ; ii., 10 ; iv., 45, 46, 66 ; ix. 44. Elbert Elbertsen and 
 Thomas Spicer, from Amersfoort, (says Stuyvesant in 1653,) usurped their 
 
 lands many years ago without any deed They are occupying such 
 
 lands in said village fifteen to twenty years. Hoi. Doc. v., 398. 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 167, 178-181. It is to be regretted that Dinclage's letter on 
 this occasion is not to be found, as it would throw considerable light on the his- 
 tory of Van Twiller's administration. The States General, in referring it to the 
 Assembly of XIX., glance cursorily at its contents. Vanderdonk, in his Vertoogh 
 van Nieuw Nederland, refers to Dinclage as competent to give a full account of 
 Van Twiller's government, for he adds, " He is known to have reported there- 
 on." Reference is made in the Alb. Rec. ii., 50, iii., 291, to " the records 
 kept m Director Van Twiller's time ;" but these, as well as Dinclage's report, 
 are, we fear, irreparably lost, and thus the historian of this period is deprived of 
 materials in every respect invaluable. The complaint against Bogardus is thus 
 mentioned in the Alb. Rec. ii., 17 : — " The Rev. Ev. Bogardus petitions tbe 
 
174 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Thife representation obtained, at first, no consideration from 
 -^v^ the West India Company, with some of the directors of 
 
 which body Van Twiller was connected, as already mentioned. 
 
 But the States General, at the repeated solicitations of Din- 
 April clage, urged matters so strongly, that the Assembly of the 
 
 on 
 
 ■ XIX. found it incumbent on them, at length, to make a change 
 Sept. 2. in the administration. On the second of September, 1637, 
 
 the Honorable Elias de Raedt, one of the directors of the 
 company, appeared before their High Mightinesses, and re- 
 quested them to commission William Kieft as director- 
 general of New Netherland, which was accordingly done.'' 
 But Van Twiller took care, before he was superseded, to en- 
 large his own private estate, by the purchase from the Indians 
 June of the island of Pagganck, lying south of New Amsterdam, 
 
 1 /» 
 
 ■ now known as Governor's Island, which contained one hun- 
 July dred and sixty acres of land ; also of two islands in the river 
 
 Hellegat : the greater, containing about 200 acres, called 
 Tenkenas ; the smaller, some 120 acres in extent, lay west of 
 the latter, and was named Minnalianock. Abraham Pietersen 
 of Haarlem obtained possession this year, in the name of the 
 company, of the island Quotenis, situate in the bay of Narra- 
 gansetts and adjoining Roode Island, which he occupied as a 
 trading-post for a long time ; as well as another island lying 
 near the Pequot's River, which afterwards went among the 
 English by the name of the Dutchman's Island.^ 
 
 Though the means of determining satisfactorily the pro- 
 gress of the colony, its condition or population, at the epoch 
 to which we have now arrived, are but scanty and scattered, 
 we are enabled to form some conclusions as to the prices of 
 provisions, and of the rate of wages in New Amsterdam. 
 Rye was worth two florins and a half per schepel of three 
 pecks ; maize, one and a half to two florins ; peas, four to 
 five florins ; wheat, three florins ; broken barley, four florins ; 
 
 Director-general and council for permission to return to Fatherland to defend 
 himself against the charges brought by Lubbert van Dinclage. The council 
 resolve (18th July, 1638) to retain the minister here, so that the increase of 
 God's word may in no manner be prevented." 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 183. 
 
 " Alb. Rec. GG, 41, 46 ; i., 89 ; xviii., 291. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 175 
 
 whale oil, three florins the gallon ; vinegar, two florins ; pep- chap. 
 per, two florins and a half per pound ; gunpowder, one florin ^^^^ 
 and a half ; candles, ten stivers ; shot and balls, two florins ; 
 pork, seven stivers ; meat, six stivers ; tobacco, twelve stivers ; 
 a hog, six months old, brought fifteen florins ; nine hundred 
 bundles of reed cost thirteen florins and a half ; five hundred 
 nails, two florins and a half ; bricks per thousand, ten florins ; 
 a scythe, six florins ; a keg of butter, twenty-five florins. A 
 laborer in harvest got about eighty cents a day, on other oc- 
 casions, sixty ; while the price of a negro was forty florins, 
 or il6.^ 
 
 There was, at this period, a great scarcity in the adjoining 
 settlements on the Connecticut, in consequence of the war 
 between the English and the Pequods. Corn rose there to 
 the extraordinary high price of twelve shillings a bushel. A 
 good cow brought thirty pounds ; a pair of oxen, forty pounds ; 
 a mare, forty pounds ; and labor and other articles bore a pro- 
 portional high rate. Whether the prices in New Netherland 
 were affected by the war in Connecticut, or by the small 
 quantity of provisions raised by the Dutch, it is impossible to 
 determine.^ 
 
 The critical condition of New Netherland, threatened from 1638. 
 without by greedy and encroaching neighbors, surrounded on 
 all sides by uncivilized tribes, who were at best not much to 
 be depended on, and who might, without warning, fall on the 
 few Europeans settled in their midst and cut them off, in the 
 same manner as the Indians had already destroyed the Eng- 
 lish on James River, occupied the attention, early this spring, 
 of the States General. Their High Mightinesses had learned, 
 and now officially announced, that the colony was retro- April 
 grading every day more and more ; that its population had not " ' 
 only not advanced as much as it ought, but that, on the con- 
 trary, though encouraged, it had, owing to the neglect of the 
 West India Company, absolutely decreased, and that to such 
 a degree, that subjects of foreign powers and princes were 
 attempting to seize and appropriate the country to themselves, 
 
 * Alb. Rec. i., 89 ; ii., 59. Two florins and a half make a dollar. 
 » Trumbull's Conn, i., 78, 94. 
 
176 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 n 
 1638 
 
 30. 
 
 BOOK and that unless means were provided, the whole of New 
 Netherland would be invaded at once.' Indignant at these 
 proofs of maladministration, they had already instructed their 
 deputies to the meeting of the XIX., to investigate thoroughly 
 the state of affairs in the Dutch possessions in North America, 
 and to report the result of their inquiries without delay. 
 
 These deputies lost no time in attending to the matter con- 
 fided to them. They drew up a series of queries embodying 
 the information which they wished to obtain, and submitted 
 April these to the delegates from the company, who annexed their 
 replies, shortly after, to the questions, and returned the whole, 
 which was duly transmitted to the States General. This pa- 
 per, remarkable for its brevity, is the more interesting as it 
 affords a bird's-eye view of the real situation of the country, 
 when its only inhabitants, from the Chesapeake to the Con- 
 necticut, consisted of a few feeble and almost defenceless fur- 
 traders. We therefore annex it : 
 
 " I. Question. How far do the limits of New Netherland 
 extend along the sea-coast ? Ans. Their High Mightinesses 
 granted, anno 1614, to Jonas Wittsen and Tweenhuyzen, by 
 special charter, and on expiration thereof to the West India 
 Company, from Virginia upward ; to wit, from Ci^apoa along 
 the sea coast to Terra Nova. 
 
 " II. Q. Are these limits still possessed, at the present 
 time, by the West India Company and citizens of this coun- 
 try ? Ans. We occupy Mauritius, or the North River. 
 Thereon are two forts. Orange and Amsterdam ; and there is 
 one house built for the company, and that is the greatest num- 
 ber of people. {En dat is de meeste populatie.) 
 
 " III. Q. If not, what nations have seized them, and un- 
 der what pretext ? Ans. The right is that of the strongest ! 
 The English reach from the northeast of New England to 
 the Fresh River. 
 
 ' De populatie in Nieuw Nederlandt niet alleen naer behooren niet en wordt 
 bevordert, nemaer oock de begonste populatie aldaer genoechsaam verachtert, 
 ende by de Compagnie van W. I. schynt geneglegeert te worden, sulx dat do 
 ingesetenen van uytheemsche princen ende potentatien Nieuw Nederlandt on- 
 derstaen 't incorporen, ende ten sy daerinne tydelyck werde versien gants ende 
 t'eenemael sullen invaderen. Hoi. Doc. ii., 188. 
 
s 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 177 
 
 "IV. Q. Can the company hold the remaining territory, chap. 
 and by what means ? Arts. We can retain the remainder in 
 
 1638 
 
 proportion as we have people. From the North River, men 
 can go into the interior as far as they please. 
 
 " V. Q. What Christian nations are neighbors above and 
 below ? Ans. The English enclose us from Virginia to New 
 England, and as far beyond as we have been. 
 
 " VI. Q. Have they [the W. I. Co.] realized profit or loss 
 since the planting of New Netherland? Ans. They have 
 suffered loss. But it should be able to afford a profit, especially 
 from com. 
 
 " VII. Q. And in case of loss, should their High Mighti- 
 nesses consider it requisite to preserve the limits of New 
 Netherland, and to place the population on a better and surer 
 footing ? Ans. The company cannot people it, because the 
 directors cannot agree among themselves. But some plan of 
 proceeding must be considered. 
 
 " VIII. Q. Would it not be expedient to place the district 
 of New Netherland at the disposal of the Generaliteit, [that 
 is, the body of the States General] ? Ans. They have no 
 such intention, unless they derive profit therefrom. But they 
 hope, now that they have taken some order, about Brazil, that 
 it will prove profitable in time. It is proposed to surrender 
 the trade with the Indians, or sometlyng else."^ 
 
 Such was the unpromising condition of New Netherland, as 
 acknowledged by the West India Company, after the adminis- 
 tration of its affairs by that powerful body for a term of fifteen 
 years. Removed scarcely a degree from its primitive state of 
 wilderness, uninhabited except by a few traders and clerks in 
 the employ of a distant corporation, its rich and luxuriant soil 
 almost wholly uncultivated and unreclaimed, for the number 
 of farms as yet amounted to not much more than half a dozen 
 around Fort Amsterdam, and the same number around Fort 
 Orange, it afforded evidence, everywhere, of mismanagement ; 
 and when its progress is compared with that of the settlements 
 in New England, proofs only multiply of still more culpable 
 neglect, and another instance is only afforded that foreign compa- 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, 194, 195; 
 23 
 
178 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK nies, though they may retard, have never advanced the settle- 
 >'v^ ment of America. In truth, the directors of the West India 
 Company, or rather those M^ho composed its Amsterdam cham- 
 ber, seem to have ruled New Netherland hitherto only with a 
 view to promote their own special interests. For the advance- 
 ment of these, immense sums had been expended ; but no 
 effort, of any consequence by its permanency, had been made 
 to introduce, on a large scale, a sound and industrious popula- 
 tion into the country. They appear rather to desire that it 
 should be inhabited merely by their own servants ; a project, 
 which, if entertained, was as visionary as it would be suicidal, 
 for when these dependents had completed their term of service, 
 they, for the most part, returned home dissipated and poor, 
 leaving the country worse than they found it, for it obtained, 
 through them, " a bad and hungry name,"^ 
 
 The charter to the Patroons tended also, in no small degree, 
 to retard the settlement of the province. Losing sight, for the 
 most part, of their first duties as planters, the patroons diverted 
 their energies and means in competing with the company for a 
 share of the Indian trade. Quarrels and mutual bickerings 
 ensued ; the one party accused the other of having en- 
 croached on its special privileges, and the consequence was 
 fatal to the prosperity of the country. The spirit of monopo- 
 ly, which breathed throughout that charter, discouraged private 
 enterprise and industry, so that individuals who were inclined 
 to emigrate abandoned their design, " and durst venture no- 
 thing." It is true that the company introduced a few settlers 
 previous to this period ; but, unfortunately, most of these did 
 not remain, and the directors did not persevere in the good 
 work.^ Had they filled the land, as the English were doing. 
 
 ' Het liet sich aensien met den eersten als ofF de compagnie dit landt met haer 
 eygen dienaars souden hebben willen populeren, hetwelck groot misverstant 
 moeste wesen ; want als haer tydt uyt was, vertrocken die wear, niet mede- 
 brengende als wat voor haer beurs, en voor het landt een quaden naem van 
 grooten honger en andersints geven. Vertoogh van Nieuw Nederlant. 
 
 ' Hadde men de eerste exemptie rechtsinnich betracht gelyckse leggen, en 
 niet met singulier insichten gepractiseert ; gewis daer souden haer meer liefheb- 
 bers van N. Nederland benaersticht hebben, dat te bevolcken en in te nemen. 
 De andere clausulen oock, die men heeft weten intevoeren, hebben de particu- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 179 
 
 with thousands of moral, hardy pioneers ; had they transported chap. 
 cattle, and encouraged the planting of towns and villages in 
 the wilderness, instead of building solitary forts to serve as a 
 rendezvous for lazy Indians and a few isolated traders, render- 
 ed the more defenceless by their isolation, the tide of encroach- 
 ment from New England would not, at this date, have threat- 
 ened to wash the walls of Fort Amsterdam ; possibly, that 
 collision between the two races, which was now commencing, 
 would have been stayed, and that contest avoided, which termi- 
 nated, after a continuance of thirty years, in the loss to the Dutch 
 of every rood of land, to which they now, of right, laid claim. 
 
 The States General saw the error, and endeavored, now, 
 though late, to apply a remedy. They enjoined on their delegates 
 to the Assembly of the XIX. to insist, before they adjourned, on 
 the adoption of such a plan as would effectually promote the 
 settlement of New Necherland, and encourage, by advanta- 
 geous proposals, all good and moral citizens of the mother 
 country to proceed thither, so that, concluded their High 
 Mightinesses, "this state may not be deprived of the said 
 New Netherland by the mdirect intrigues of any inhabitants of 
 this country, and the attacks and invasions of foreign princes 
 and potentates."^ 
 
 It was at this delicate juncture, that the new Director-general 
 entered on the performance of his duties. 
 
 lieren altyt den moedbenomen en ondergehouden, soo dat sy van die der kennls 
 van hadden, onderrecht synde, niet dorsten bestaen. 'Tis wel waer, dat de 
 compagnie wel eenige persoonen heeft overgevoert, maer niet daerby geconti- 
 nueert ; soodat het weynich voordeel gedaen heeft ; bet hadde oock geen 
 rechteii aengangh, want het geschiede offer geen meeninge by ware geweest. 
 Vertoogh van N. N. 
 
 ' Soo hebben haer Hoog Moogende nae voorgaende deliberatie goet gevonden 
 
 en verstaen dat de gemehe Heeren derselver gedeputeerden, 
 
 voor 't scheyden van de aenwesende gecommitteerden soodanige 
 
 effective ordre sullen helpen beramen en stellen op de populatie van Nieu 
 Nederlandt, en daertoe inviteren alle goede ingesetenen deser Nederlanden op 
 soodangie voordelen en preeminentien alse, op approbatie van haer Hoog Moo- 
 gende, sullen goetvinden alle coloniers aentebieden, op dat desen staet door 
 indirecte ondercruypinge van eenige ingesetenen deser landen, en opdringinge 
 ende invasie van die van uytheemsclie princen ende potentaten van het voors : 
 Nieu Nederland niet en worden ontset. Instructions from the States General 
 to the deputies. Hoi. Doc. ii., 190. 
 
180 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 4 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Arrival of Willem Kieft, third Director-general — His council — Colonial Secre- 
 tary, and shout-fiscaal — Other public officers — Their salaries — Condition of 
 New Amsterdam — Irregularities there — Proclamations of director and coun- 
 cil — Organization of court of justice — Proclamation against drunkenness — • 
 Arrival of immigrants — Purchase of land on Long Island — State of public 
 morals — Regulations for the inspection of New Netherland tobacco — Rights 
 of the Dutch threatened in the south — Swedish West India Company form- 
 ed — Pieter Minuit, former director of Now Netherland, appointed director 
 of New Sweden — Arrives at the Delaware with some Swedes — Is boarded 
 by the Dutch Commissary — Opens a trade with the natives — Purchases land 
 and erects Fort Christina — Kieft protests against him several times, but in 
 vain — Minuit returns to Sweden, leaving a colony of twenty men behind — 
 Swedish ship seized in Holland on her return from " the West Indies" — Is 
 released — States General urge the permanent settlement of New Netherland 
 — New articles and conditions proposed by the Amsterdam chamber — a 
 " new project" also submitted by parties friendly to the Patroons — Patroons 
 seek to enlarge their privileges, and to reserve the country for manoi-s and 
 lordships — States General disapprove of both these plans — Proclamation 
 opening the trade with New Netherland, and abolishiiig the monopoly 
 hitherto enjoyed by the West India Company 
 
 BOOK Willem Kieft, the third Director-general, arrived at the 
 Manhattans on the 28th of March, 1638, in the Herring, one 
 
 Ma^ch °^ West India Company's ships, of two hundred and 
 28. eighty tons burden, carrying two metal, sixteen iron, and two 
 stone guns. His first step, on his assumption of the reins of 
 government, was to organize a council of which he should re- 
 tain the entire control. With this view, he appointed to a seat 
 in the board Doctor Johannes La Montague, a learned Hugue- 
 not gentleman, who had arrived in the country in the course 
 of the preceding spring or summer, to whom he gave one vote, 
 while he reserved two to himself.^ Cornehs van Tienhoven, 
 a native of Utrecht, and one of the oldest residents in the 
 
 * The date of Kieft's arrival is in Alb. Rec. i., 89. De Laet gives the ton- 
 nage and rate of the Herring. Dr. La Montagne must have arrived in the spring of 
 1637. He had a daughter bom to him January 26, 1637, at sea off the island 
 of Madeira. He is styled, (Hoi. Doc. v., 38,) " een wel gestudeerdt man." 
 He derived his commission at first only from Kieft, but it was afterwards ap- 
 proved by the directors in Amsterdam. Vanderdonck states that he had but 
 one, while Kieft had two votes in the council. Vertoogh van Nieuw Nederlandt. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 181 
 
 province, who had hitherto acted as book-keeper of monthly chap. 
 wages, to the satisfaction of the company, was promoted to ^^^^ 
 be colonial secretary, with a salary of about two hundred and 
 fifty dollars per annum, and sundry fees ; and Ulrich Lupoid 
 was continued as schout-fiscaal, or sheriff, and attorney-general. 
 
 Among the other officers and servants of the company, we 
 find mention made of Claes van Elslant, David Provoost, 
 commissaries of provisions ; Andreas Hudde, first commis- 
 sary of wares ; Jacob van Curler, inspector of merchandise ; 
 Laurens Haen, assistant ditto ; Jacob Stoffelsen, overseer ; 
 Michel Evertsen, clerk of the customs ;^ Wybrant Pietersen, 
 superintendent of merchandise ; William Breedenbent, under 
 sheriff ; Philip de Truy, court messenger ; Gerrit Schult and 
 Hans Kierstede, surgeons ; Hans Steen, midshipman ; Jan 
 Jansen, gunner ; Fredrick Lubbertsen, first boatswain ; Nic- 
 olas Koorn, serjeant ; Hendrick Pietersen, mason ; Gillis van 
 der Gouw and Tomas Walraven, house-carpenters ; Tymen 
 Jansen, ship-carpenter ; Gysbert op Dyck, commissary at 
 Fort Good Hope ; Jan Jansen van Ilpendam, commissary at 
 Fort Nassau, where Pieter Mey acted as assistant ; Bastiaen 
 Janssen Crol, who came out about the year 1624, was still 
 commissary at Fort Orange, where Dirck Stipel acted as 
 wacht-meister, or serjeant, and Adriaen Dircksen, assistant 
 commissary, to which charge he was appointed because he 
 spoke correctly the language of the Mohawks, and was " well- 
 versed in the art of trading with them." The Rev. Everardus 
 Bogardus continued to ofl^iciate as clergyman at Fort Amster- 
 dam, where Adam Roelantsen was schoolmaster.^ 
 
 ' Four brothers of the Evertsen family, named Jacobus, Volckert, Myndert, 
 and Arendt, (relatives of this Michel,) lived in prosperous circumstances, some 
 in Pavonia, and some on Manhattan Island, anno 1638. They cultivated to- 
 bacco with great success ; one of them also had a tannery. Arendt Evertsen 
 was afterwards a celebrated Dutch captain on the Sound, where he captured 
 several vessels belonging to the New England colonies, during the hostilities be- 
 tween the English and Dutch in the time of Cromwell. Many respectable 
 families of the name are still in this state. 
 
 Alb. Rec. i., 6, 12, 17, 18, 26, 52, 65, 68, 99, 100, 101, 115, 148, 185, 
 247 ; ii., 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 125. 
 
 The following were the salaries of some of the above ofBcers : La Montagne, 
 as member of council, 35 guilders [$M] per month. The book-keeper of 
 monthly wages, 36 gl. [$14.40] per month, and 200 gl. [$80] a year for board ; 
 
182 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The council managed the general affairs of the government, 
 ^-v^ and constituted, as under the preceding administrations, the 
 
 1 fiOQ 
 
 ' ordinary court of justice, as well as the court of appeal from 
 inferior tribunals. But on extraordinary occasions it was usual 
 to adjoin to that board a few of the other inhabitants, selected 
 mostly from among the company's servants, (who still formed 
 the principal part of the population,) when special questions 
 were to be deliberated upon, or special cases tried, in which, 
 perhaps, one or other of the ordinary members of the council 
 might be interested. 
 
 The government having been thus far organized, Director 
 Kieft proceeded, pursuant to his instructions, to introduce some 
 order into the company's affairs, which, in truth, were in a 
 ruinous condition. The fort, completed but three years before, 
 at a heavy expense, was in an utter state of decay ; open at 
 every side, permitting everywhere free ingress and egress, 
 " except at the stone point." All the guns were off their car- 
 riages ; the house in the fort, and the other public buildings, 
 as well as the church, were entirely out of repair ; the place 
 on which the magazine for wares and merchandise had been 
 erected " could with difficulty be discovered," the building 
 itself having disappeared ; and every vessel, except one afloat, 
 and another on the stocks, was falling in pieces. Of " the 
 three windmills," only one was in operation ; the five farms 
 belonging to the company were unoccupied by tenants, and 
 thrown into commons, without a single creature, "not even a 
 goat," remaining thereupon, the property of the company, 
 while the farms belonging to the late Director were well fur- 
 nished with dwelling and farm houses, agricultural implements, 
 and stocked with brood-mares, milch-cows, oxen, goats, calves, 
 and every thing else in the greatest abundance.^ 
 
 mason, 20 gl. [$8] per month ; gunner, 16 gl. [6.40] per month ; commissary of 
 stores, 36 gl. per month ; carpenter, 18 gl. [$7.20] and 100 gl. [$40] a year for 
 board ; overseer, 30 gl. [$12] per month ; Indian interpreter, 12 gl. per month, 
 and 100 gl. per ann. for board ; house-carpenter, 36 gl. per month. Alb. 
 Rec. ii., 14. 
 
 ^ By an inventory taken of Van Twiller's property, it appears that he had 
 " on farm No. 1.," 4 mares, 1 stallion, 1 gelding, 10 milch-cows, 1 yearling, 1 
 heifer, 11 oxen, 1 bull, besides the necessary farming implements ; on the 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 183 
 
 VII. 
 
 1638. 
 
 The right which the company had reserved to itself of trad- chap 
 ing with the Indians, had been openly disregarded, for every 
 person, whether in the public service or not, trafficked in pel- 
 tries, without hesitation. Practices more injurious to the 
 company's interests, also prevailed. Private individuals pur- 
 chased, or appropriated to themselves, the most valuable furs, 
 leaving the refuse only to be shipped on account of the direc- 
 tors, by which means the character of the furs, offered by the 
 latter for sale in Holland, was seriously injured, and the com- 
 pany's receipts diminished, for they were undersold by the 
 Russian traders, who furnished a better article at a lower price. 
 The competition did not sto'^ here. Those in New Nether- 
 land, who were concerned in these clandestine proceedings, 
 shipped return cargoes, and thus the trade with the interior 
 became entirely deranged. 
 
 To put an end to these irregularities, the Director-general 
 issued proclamations, shortly after his arrival, forbidding the 
 company's servants trading for the future in peltries under a 
 penalty of loss of their wages, as well as of all claims they April 
 might have against the company ; and all disobeying this order 
 subjected themselves to confiscation of their goods and an ar- 
 bitrary correction. No articles were hereafter to be exported 
 without the special knowledge and permission of the authori- 
 ties, under pain of confiscation ; nor was any person whatso- 
 ever to trade for themselves, or others, in any part of New 
 Netherland, without a license, on pain of sequestration of their 
 furs, arbitraiy punishment, and loss of all moneys due them 
 by the company. Sailors were warned not to remain on shore 
 after sunset without leave from the Director-general, and all 
 communication from the shore with vessels in the stream, or 
 
 15. 
 
 islands in Hellegat, 1 dwelling-iiouse, 3 milch-cows, 3 bull calves, 1 mare, 1 
 stallion ; on Nut island, a frame of a house, 21 goats ; on " farm No. 3," 3 
 milch cows, 3 bull calves ; on tobacco plantation at Sapohanican, now Green- 
 wich, on the North River, which was surrounded by palisades, 1 good dwelling- 
 house, 1 tobacco-house. At Forts Hope and Nassau the company had " 30 
 goats and three negroes," while from their five or six farms on Manhattan 
 Island, " which were now destitute of a creature," 16 milch-cows, 10 mares, a 
 number of sheep and other stock had been sold and otherwise disposed of. Alb. 
 Rec. i., 89, 91, 101. 
 
184 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK from the latter to the shore, was as strictly forbidden. All 
 II. 
 
 ^^v^ tradesmen in the company's service, of whatever ffrade, were 
 ■ directed to proceed to, and leave off work, at stated hours ; to 
 obey the orders of their superiors and not to waste their time ; 
 and such as refused to do any necessary work were to be 
 punished as turbulent and seditious persons. Finally, all per- 
 sons were seriously admonished " to abstain from fighting ; 
 from carnal intercourse with heathens, blacks, or other per- 
 sons ; from rebellion, theft, false swearing, calumny, and all 
 other immoralities," as certain condign punishment would 
 surely overtake the guilty, as a terror to all evil-doers 
 
 This proclamation terminated' by establishing Thursday in 
 each week for the sittings of the court for the hearing and ad- 
 judication of all civil and criminal processes, and for a redress 
 of all grievances of which any person might have to complain. 
 Defaulters at this court subjected themselves to the payment, 
 for the first time, of one shilling ; second time, double that 
 sum, and for the third default, judgment was entered against 
 them. In consequence of the great mischief which was daily 
 caused by immoderate drinking, another proclamation was sub- 
 sequently issued, by which all, " except those who sold wine 
 at a decent price, and in moderate quantities," were forbidden 
 to sell any liquor under a penalty of twenty-five guilders, or 
 $10, and the loss of their stock ; and any person who dared to 
 provide lodgings, after sunset, for any sailor, or servant belong- 
 ing to the company, without leave from the Director-general, 
 subjected himself to a similar fine. All seafaring persons found 
 on shore, after the above hour, were to forfeit two months' 
 wages for the first offence ; for the second, all their wages, and 
 to be expelled the company's service ; and whoever was guilty 
 of selling powder or guns to the Indians was to be punished 
 by death 
 
 A few immigrants arrived this summer in the Dolphin from 
 Fatherland, some of whom proceeded to Rensselaerswyck, 
 wl^ich still continued to be, however, " a place of trifling con- 
 sequence." A number of horses were also imported ; and in 
 anticipation of a greater influx of settlers, next year, Kieft 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii.. 3, 4. 8, 10, 11, 12, 188. 
 
/ 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND. 185 
 
 sent, to CuraQoa for negroes, cattle, and salt. Additional set- chap. 
 tlements were being made on the western extremity of Long ^ — 
 Island. The Director-general purchased, in the early part of 
 A'ugust, from the natives, for eight fathoms of duffels cloth, Aug. l. 
 eight fathoms of wampum, twelve kettles, eight adzes, eight 
 axes, some knives, corals, and awls, a tract of land two miles 
 broad, and four miles long, extending from the East River to 
 the swamps of Mespeachtes, composing, we believe, the 
 present settlement of Newtown. On Manhattan Island, La 
 Montagne, and other private individuals, were beginning to 
 make improvements. Abraham, Isaacsen Verplanck took up Oct. 
 a tract of land at Paulus Hoeck, and there was every prospect 
 that settlements would multiply were the company's monopoly 
 removed, and the trade of the country opened.' 
 
 The state of morals in New Amsterdam was, at this period, 
 however, by no means healthy, owing as well to the descrip- 
 tion of persons which trade brought thither, as to the absence, 
 in a great part, of an agricultural population. Prosecutions 
 for lewdness and thievery were frequent ; there were some 
 public executions for manslaughter and mutiny ; and the au- 
 thorities complained that several persons were becoming rich 
 by appropriating to themselves the company's property, and 
 using it as if it was their own. This state of things called 
 forth proclamations, ever and anon, threatening fines and con- 
 fiscations to evil-doers of whatever rank. But though the 
 inhabitants were strictly forbidden to leave the Manhattans 
 
 * Abraham Isaacsen Verplanck's name was sometimes written Planck. He 
 was, probably, a near relative of Jacob Alberts. Planck, first sheriff of Rensse- 
 laerswyck. He is represented as having been a wealthy as well as an excellent 
 farmer, and to have been the proprietor of a large dairy. Gulian, son of Abra- 
 ham Jacobs. Verplanck, was a leading merchant in New York in 1683, and 
 having an interest in the north part of the manor of Cortland, moved thither. 
 The Verplancks of Dutchess, Orange, and Geneva, (Ontario county,) are the 
 descendants of this Gulian. Isaac, third son of Abraham Jacobs., settled in 
 the neighborhood of Albany, where David, of Beeren Island, cousin of Philip, 
 of Westchester, married Ariantje, daughter of Barent Pieterse Coeymans. 
 This lady died without issue. Thereupon David Verplanck married a lady 
 named Brouwer, of an ancient Dutch stock, by whom he had David, Johan- 
 nes, Ariantje, and Isaac, the father of Col. Abraham Verplanck of Haquatuck, 
 Coeymans, whose sons, again, have moved west, and settled in Batavia, Gene- 
 see county. 
 
 24 
 
186 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK without a passport, the lust of wealth was apparently more 
 "^v^ powerful than government placards.* 
 
 1638. ^j^g mean time, stimulated by the great demand which 
 prevailed in Europe for tobacco, efforts had been making for 
 some years to render that weed one of the staples of the prov- 
 ince. The rich virgin soil around and in the vicinity of New 
 Amsterdam, was at the time well adapted for the culture of 
 the plant, and tobacco plantations consequently multiplied to 
 such a degree, that the Director and council considered it their 
 duty now to regulate, by statute, the mode of cultivating to- 
 bacco, and to subject it to inspection, with a view to guard 
 against frauds, and to preserve its character abroad. The fol- 
 lowing ordinance was accordingly issued : 
 
 Aug. " Whereas, the Honorable Director and Council of the New 
 Netherlands have deemed it advisable to make some regula- 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. GG, 57 ; i., 65 ; ii., 33 ; iii., 419 ; La Montagne's farm was 
 called Vredendal, or the Valley of Peace. It belonged to Hendrick de f oreest, 
 deceased, and cost 1800 gl., or $720. This farm was one hundred morgens, 
 or two hundred acres in superficies. It is described as lying " between the hills 
 and kills, and a point on the East River called Rechgawanes, situate between 
 the two kills." Three brothers of these De Foreests originally emigrated to 
 America during the early Huguenot troubles. Two of these, Hendrick and 
 Isaac, settled at New Amsterdam, where we find the latter living in the Brou- 
 wer-straat, now Stone-street. He was taxed, in 1653, one hundred guilders 
 towards putting the city in a state of defence ; and twenty guilders, in 1655, 
 to aid in paying off the public debt. He was one of the city magistrates in 
 1658. The third brother, whose name I cannot ascertain, settled at New 
 Haven. David C. de Forest, son of Benjamin, and grandson of Benjamin, one 
 of the descendants of this third brother, bequeathed, I understand, a sum of 
 $5000, in 1823, for the establishment of a " De Forest Fund" in Yale Col- 
 lege. This bequest is to remain at an interest of six per cent, until 1852, after 
 which $1000 a year are to be expended in the free education and support, at 
 that institution, of the male descendants of the donor, as well as of Jno. H. do 
 Forest, of Humphreysville ; of Benjamin C. de Forest, of Watertown ; and 
 Ezra de Forest, of Huntington, all of Connecticut ; and of the sons of the fe- 
 male children of David C. and Julia, his wife. In default of descendants afore- 
 said, the above sum is to be applied to the education of others of the same 
 family name, giving preference to the next of kin to the donor. Failing candi- 
 dates of the name of De Forest, the above is then to be applied annually to the 
 education of young men in indigent circumstances, of good morals and suitable 
 talents, who will consent to assume the name of De Forest. In the selection 
 of these young men, " no religious or political opinions of the candidates or their 
 families are to operate against them." 
 
 « 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 187 
 
 tions about the cultivation of tobacco, as the chief aim and chap. 
 employ of many planters is to obtain a large crop, and thereby ^j'^^ 
 the high name which our tobacco has gained in foreign coun- 
 tries is injured ; to obviate which every planter is seriously 
 warned to pay due attention that the tobacco appear in good 
 condition ; that the superfluous leaves are cut away ; and, 
 further, that the tobacco which is sponged is not more wetted 
 than is required ; that what is intended to be exported from 
 New Netherland be first carried to the public storehouse, to 
 be there inspected, weighed, and marked, and to be paid there 
 the duties which are due to the company ; — to wit, five of 
 every hundred pounds weight, in conformity to the grant from 
 the company. Those who transgress this ordinance shall lose 
 all their tobacco by confiscation, and besides be arbitrarily 
 corrected and punished." 
 
 Claes van Elslandt and Wybrant Pietersen were appointed 
 tobacco inspectors, to carry out the provisions of the above 
 act. The fees of inspection were fixed at ten stivers (twenty 
 cents) for every hundred weight, and none was to be exported 
 unless it had been previously inspected and declared mer- 
 chantable.^ 
 
 An order was issued, at the same time that the inspection 
 of tobacco was directed, that no contracts, engagements, bar- 
 gains, sales, or public acts, should be deemed valid, except 
 such as were written by the secretary of the province. This 
 law gave room, after a while, to a good deal of cavil. It was 
 surmised that it was issued for the purpose of preventing any 
 complaints emanating from New Netherland against the local 
 authorities, and of depriving those, who might feel oppressed, 
 of the power of making their grievances known to the com- 
 pany, or to the States General. But such sinister motives 
 were promptly disclaimed. The mass of the people resident 
 at, or frequenting the Manhattans, were unable or ill-qualified 
 either to read or to write ; in transacting commercial or other 
 affairs, accounts and papers which passed between them, 
 written sometimes by a seafaring or laboring man, were either 
 drawn up imperfectly, or in total opposition to the intention of 
 
 * Alb. Rec. ii., 19, 21. The fee in Virginia was one per cent. 
 
HISTORY OF 
 
 one or other of the parties, and led to constant misunderstand- 
 ings and law disputes, sometimes for mere trifles, in which it 
 was difficult, if not impossible, to come at the truth. To 
 obviate such ill consequences for the future, the above order 
 was made, which, in the circumstances, was, it must be ad- 
 mitted, one of prudence, perhaps of necessity, though it may 
 be possible that it might afterwards have led to abuse.-^ 
 
 Director Kieft had not, however, been long settled in his 
 new government, nor had he well commenced his work of re- 
 form, when he was called to vindicate the rights of his su- 
 periors, which were now being menaced from an unexpected 
 quarter, in the southern section of New Netherland. 
 
 William Usselinx, the projector of the Dutch West India 
 Company, dissatisfied, we presume, at the impediments which 
 he and his plans experienced in Holland, proceeded to the 
 court of Sweden, and submitted a scheme to the monarch of 
 that country, for the establishment of a commercial associa- 
 tion, similar to that which he wished to have established by 
 the States General, with exclusive privileges to trade beyond 
 the Straits of Gibraltar, and to plant colonies in Africa, Amer- 
 ica, and other parts of the globe. His plan was so warmly 
 appreciated by Gustavus Adolphus, that an act incorporating 
 a Swedish company was passed in 1626. In consequence, 
 however, of the breaking out of the German war, and the 
 death of the king, Usselinx was doomed to see his hopes 
 again blasted. The project was postponed, until Peter 
 Minuit, on being dismissed by the Dutch West India Com- 
 pany, directed his steps to Stockholm, and by his representa- 
 tions, and the patronage of the celebrated Oxenstiern, induced 
 Queen Christina to entertain a favorable opinion of the pro- 
 
 * AIsoo in Nieuw Nederlandt meest landt-en Zee-lieden wonen, en om 
 cleyne saaken veeltyds malcanderen voor't gerechte doen roepen, en veele 
 niet leesen noch schryven connen, en veele geene duydelycke schriften noch 
 bewysen brochten, en of sommige yts voorbrochten, was somtyds by d'een 
 matroos of beer geschreven, mennichmael heel ondistinetelyck, en gants tegens 
 de mening van die geene die 't hadde laten schryven, of syn verclaringe gedaen, 
 waeruyt quam, dat den Directeur en raaden de saaken naer behooren en 
 vereysch van rechte niet conde naer waerheyt weten. Van Tienhoven's 
 Answer to Vanderdonck's Remonstrance. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 189 
 
 posal, which he renewed, to open a trade with, and estabHsh chap. 
 a Swedish settlement on, this continent.^ A man-of-war called 
 the Key of Calmar, and a tender called the Griffin, were 
 placed at his disposal, freighted with provisions, ammunition, 
 and a supply of goods suited to this new market. He set 
 sail, in the early part of this year, for the South River, ac- 
 companied by a small number, not exceeding fifty Swedes, 
 the greater portion of whom were convicts transported from 
 their native country on account of their crimes,^ and arrived at 
 Jamestown, in Virginia, in the latter end of March. During 
 his sojourn at this port, he endeavored to procure a cargo of 
 tobacco for the Swedish market, but this was refused, as it 
 was contrary to the king's instructions to allow foreigners any 
 participation in that trade. After a stay of ten days, during 
 which he took in a supply of wood and water, he continued 
 his voyage, and reached the Delaware a few days afterwards.^ 
 
 Immediately on his arrival here, his ship was boarded by April, 
 some of the Dutch residents, to whom he represented that he 
 was on his way to the West Indies, and that he had called at 
 the South River only for supplies, having obtained which, it 
 was his intention to depart. This was soon found to be merely 
 
 * Holm's New Sweden, in Hist. Soc. Mem. of Penn. iii., 63 ; Acrelius' New 
 Sweden. 
 
 * " Synde meest banditen naer de gemelte Zuyt Reviere getransporteert." 
 Hoi. Doc. viii., 34. This is corroborated by Holm, who says : " The generality 
 of people who went, or were sent over from Sweden, were of two kinds ; the 
 principal of these consisted of the company's servants, who were employed by 
 them in various capacities ; the others were those who went to that comitry to 
 better their fortunes. . . . There was a third class, consisting of vagabonds 
 and malefactors, who were to remain in slavery, and were employed in digging 
 the earth, throwing up trenches, and erecting walls and other fortifications." 
 Holm, 73. See Haz. Reg. iv., 374. The practice was general throughout 
 Europe, in those days, to transport criminals to America. " Such was the de- 
 mand for labor in America," says Bancroft, " that convicts and laborers were 
 regularly purchased and shipped to the colonies, where they were sold as in- 
 dented servants." " The history of our colonization is a history of the crimes 
 of Europe." Hist. United States ii., 250, 251. This remark is fully corrobo- 
 rated by Adam Smith : " It was not the wisdom and policy, but the disorder 
 and injustice of the European governments, which peopled and cultivated 
 America." Wealth of Nations, (Hartford Ed. 1818,) ii., 77, 78. 
 
 ' Letter from Jerome Hawley, treasurer of Virginia, to Mr. Secretary 
 Windebanko, in Lend. Doc. i., 57. 
 
190 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK a pretext, for the Swedes, before long, exhibited signs of 
 ^^v^ making a settlement. Pieter Mey, the Dutch commissary at 
 1638. p^^^ Nassau, called on Minuit, then, to produce his commis- 
 May 6. sion. But this he refused, as he already had declined to do 
 in Virginia. He asserted, now, that his queen had as much 
 right there as the Dutch, and that he should, by virtue of that 
 right, proceed, without delay, to erect a fort. He then sent a 
 sloop to the country above Fort Nassau to trade with the na- 
 tives, and when she returned with a load of furs, dispatched 
 her again to the same quarter. But this time, however, she 
 was not allowed to pass the Dutch fort. 
 
 Intelligence of these encroachments having been forwarded 
 to Fort Amsterdam, excited, it may well be imagined, consid- 
 erable surprise. The Dutch considered that they already had 
 a double title, that of discovery and occupancy, to the South 
 River ; — a title which was also " sealed with their blood." 
 Strong in this conviction. Director Kieft expedited Jan Jansen 
 van Ilpendam, one of his commissaries, to the Delaware, with 
 orders to keep a sharp eye on Minuit, and should he discover 
 in his proceedings any thing prejudicial to the West India 
 Company's rights, to serve on him a protest with which he 
 was provided. 
 
 On Jansen's arrival he found that the Swedish commander 
 had already driven a considerable trade in peltries, and had 
 purchased a small tract of land, situated upon Paghaghacking 
 creek, or the Minquaas kill, and " included between six trees." 
 Here he had erected a trading-house, and commenced a plan- 
 tation, having paid a trifle for the land ; promising the Indians, 
 at the same time, half the crop of tobacco to be raised thereon, 
 which, however, the savage afterwards complained he never 
 got.^ On the north side of this creek, which lies on the west 
 
 * The following is the declaration of Mattehoom, the Indian chief who sold 
 the above tract to Minuit: — " Dat als Minuyt met een schip in 't lant quam, 
 voor de Minquaskil bleefF leggen, waerop hy Sackema doenmaels een buys 
 hadde en woonde : — dat Minuyt hem aenboot en gafF een ketei en andere cley- 
 nichaden, versocht soo veel lant van hem, als hy Minuyt een buys coude opset- 
 ton, en een plantagie tusschen ses boomen begrepen, 't welck hy Sackema, hem 
 vercoft heeft ; en beloofde Minuyt hem de belfde van de tabacq die op de plan- 
 tagie soude wasschen, hoe wel hem noyt gegeven." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 191 
 
 side of the South River, some five (Dutch) miles from Nassau, ^^^p- 
 Minuit had erected his fort, Vi^hich, in honor of the queen, his 
 mistress, he called Christina, and moreover set posts out, here 
 and there, on which he caused to be engraved the letters 
 C. R. S., surmounted, in token of sovereignty, with a royal 
 crown. Jansen, in pursuance of the orders which he received 
 at Fort Amsterdam, served on Minuit, hereupon, the follow- 
 ing protest : — 
 
 " I, Willem Kieft, Director-general of New Netherland, 
 residing on the island Manhattan, in the Fort Amsterdam, 
 under the government of the High and Mighty States Gen- 
 eral of the United Netherlands, and the West India Com- 
 pany, privileged by the Senate Chamber in Amsterdam, make 
 know^n to thee, Peter Minuit, who stylest thyself commander 
 in the service of her majesty the Queen of Sweden, that the 
 whole South River of New Netherland, both upper and 
 lower, has been our property for many years, occupied with 
 our forts; and sealed by our blood, which also was done when 
 thou wast in the service of New Netherland, and is therefore 
 well known to thee. But as thou art come between our forts 
 to erect a fort to our damage and injury, which we will never 
 permit ; as we also believe Her Swedish Majesty hath not em- 
 powered thee to erect fortifications on our coasts and rivers, or 
 to settle people on the lands adjoining, or to undertake any 
 other thing to our prejudice ; now, therefore. We protest 
 against all such encroachments, and all the evil consequences 
 from the same, as bloodshed, sedition, and whatever injury our 
 trading company may suffer, and declare that we shall protect 
 our rights in every manner that may be advisable." 
 
 This protest had no other result than to ehcit an unsatisfac- 
 tory answer from the Swedish commander. Kieft, thereupon, 
 transmitted a second protest, which was also served on Min- 
 uit, who, however, refused to notice it, but having completed 
 his arrangements, returned homeward, leaving behind him at June. 
 Fort Christina, a garrison of twenty-four men, abundantly sup- 
 plied with provisions and all sorts of goods.^ Kieft, on reflec- 
 
 * Extracten uyt verscheyde missiven geschreven door Willem Kieft gewesen 
 Directeur in Nieuw Nederlant aen de Bewinthebberen van de Geoctroyeerde 
 
192 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tion, found the force at his disposal too slender, and his re- 
 sources too scanty, to authorize him to disturb the new-comejs, 
 
 1638. pj.Q^g(,^g(j |-jjgy -were by a flag so respected as that of Swe- 
 den. He contented himself, • therefore, with communicating 
 all the particulars of the above intrusions to the directors at 
 Amsterdam. These authorities, however, received evidence 
 themselves of the enterprise of the Swedish Company in 
 America, in a more direct and palpable manner than any let- 
 ters could convey. A Swedish vessel, loaded with tobacco, 
 
 Oct. having put into the Zuyder Zee, on her return voyage from 
 the " West Indies," was seized at Medenblick, by order of the 
 branch chamber of the Dutch West India Company at Enck- 
 huysen. It was not until the Swedish resident at the Hague 
 called the attention of the States General to the circumstance, 
 that the arrest was removed, and the ship allowed to proceed 
 home. The skipper's papers, under the authority of the crown 
 of Sweden, were then considered satisfactory.^ 
 
 The interest exhibited by the States General for the ad- 
 vancement of New Netherland, and the earnestness with 
 which they urged, in the course of the last spring, the adoption 
 of some well-digested plan for the encouragement of a sound 
 and moral emigration, which would secure the permanent set- 
 tlement of that country, caused those intrusted with the super- 
 intendence of the company's affairs to perceive that if they 
 did not desire seriously to compromise their influence, the time 
 had at length arrived when something must be done to develop 
 more actively the resources of the fine and fertile province 
 committed to their charge. 
 
 In accordance with these considerations, a committee had 
 been appointed which devoted a considerable part of the sum- 
 mer to the matters and interests referred to them, and at length 
 
 Aug. submitted, through Johannes De Laet, one of the directors of 
 the company, to the States General, a paper, entitled, " Arti- 
 cles and conditions drawn up and concluded by the Amster- 
 dam chamber, with the approbation of their High Mightinesses 
 
 West Ind. Comp. ter Kamer van Amsterdam. Hoi. Doc. riii., 50, 51 ; 
 Alb. Rec. ii., 7, 8 ; Hazard's Register iv., 82 ; Vanderdonck, Vertoogh van N. 
 N. Andreas Hudde's Report, Alb. Rec. xvii. 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 228. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 193 
 
 the States General of the United Netherlands, in accordance chap. 
 with the authority of the XIX., whereby the respective coun- 
 tries and places in New Netherland, and circumjacent thereto, 
 shall henceforward be resorted to, traded with, and inhabited, 
 according to such form of government and police as may at 
 present, or shall hereafter be established there by the company or 
 their deputies." The contents of this paper were as follows : — 
 
 " 1. The company hereby retain unto themselves, and to 
 such ministers to whom they shall commit the execution there- 
 of, all high and low jurisdictions, together with the exercise of 
 this and other appendages of public affairs ; to administer, 
 regulate, manage, and execute the same, subject to their High 
 Mightinesses, in conformity to the instructions to be given 
 concerning them, from time to time, by their directors, officers, 
 and all others holding office or authority, without it being per- 
 mitted to any one, directly or indirectly, to oppose them, on 
 pain of correction, according to circumstances, as breakers 
 and disturbers of the common peace. 
 
 " 11. And inasmuch as it is of the highest importance, that 
 in the first commencement and planting of the population, 
 proper order should be taken for public worship, according to 
 the practice established by the government of this country, 
 the same religion shall be taught and preached there, accord- 
 ing to the confession and formularies of unity here publicly 
 accepted in the respective churches, with which every one 
 shall be satisfied and content ; without, however, it being by 
 this understood, that any person shall be hereby, in any wise, 
 constrained or aggrieved in his conscience ; but each shall be 
 free to live in peace and all decorum, provided he take care 
 not to frequent any forbidden assemblies or conventicles, much 
 less collect or get up any such ; abstain forthwith from all 
 public scandals and offences, which the magistrate is charged 
 to prevent by all fitting reproofs and admonitions ; and advise, 
 if necessary, the company, from time to time, of what may 
 be passing there, so that confusions and misunderstandings 
 may be timely obviated and prevented. 
 
 " III. The company shall give orders through their depu- 
 ties, that all forts, strongholds, and public places, which have 
 already been built, or shall hereafter be erected there, shall be 
 
 25 
 
194 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK properly maintained, preserved, and improved, to the best ad- 
 vantage of the commonalty, and that the general tax to be paid 
 for the erection or building thereof, shall be levied and collect- 
 ed w^ith the least inconvenience to the respective inhabitants, 
 v^^ithout it being in the power of the Director or his council to 
 collect any of these before they have informed the company 
 thereof, and obtained their consent. Which taxes shall remain 
 specially affected to such works and charges to the maintenance 
 of which they, at the commencement, were voted and granted. 
 
 " IV, And inasmuch as improvement is more and more 
 promoted by the cultivation and peopling of these lands, and 
 in order that no person be prevented by private possession 
 and occupation from the use of the public streams, creeks, 
 bays, and rivers, or by the appropriation of any islands, sand- 
 spits, or dry marshes lying therein, all these shall, first, belong 
 to the company which promises to establish, by the Director 
 and council, such order concerning the use of these, that all 
 inhabitants of those regions shall derive therefrom the greatest 
 possible profit and advantage, unless the company may by 
 experience be hereafter advised to make other disposition 
 therein ; which conclusions and dispositions every one shall 
 be bound to follow without any concernment or gainsay. And 
 if, however, any person shall be found to oppose himself there- 
 to, he shall be corrected, and brought to his duty by the public 
 authority. 
 
 "V. Equal justice shall be administered to all inhabitants 
 and others frequenting those countries, in all civil and criminal 
 matters, according to the forms of procedure and the laws and 
 customs already made, or to be enacted ; Expressly charging 
 every officer there to contribute to this, and actively and firmly, 
 as far as need be ; and that, without any regard to person or 
 persons, even in such cases where the matter may principally 
 affect the company itself ; in which cases the judges shall be 
 specially bound to declare on oath, to follow no other order 
 or law, than such as is considered to apply to or affect all pri- 
 vate individuals. 
 
 " VI. And whereas, all the population cannot be fixed on 
 one spot, but must be disposed of according to the inclinations of 
 those going thither, and in order that the management of affairs 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 195 
 
 be carried on, every inhabitant is bound and holden, all public chap. 
 charges and offices, such as the magistracy and those of honor ^^v-.- 
 and authority, and those which appertain to pious affairs, such 
 as churches, willingly, at his place of residence, to undertake, 
 and honestly and trustworthily to fill, for the public advantage, 
 according to his oath and troth, and the instructions given 
 therewith, without claiming any recompense or reward for the 
 same. But such charges and offices as are onerous, or require 
 the whole of a person's time, shall be rewarded at the discre- 
 tion of the Director and his council, provided notification thereof 
 be given to the company, and their approbation therefor obtained. 
 
 " VII. All public servants, director, councillors, military 
 commanders, clerks, skippers, and also all others receiving 
 ordinary wages from the company, shall not, unless by per- 
 mission from the same, follow any trading for themselves, or 
 as factors, or on commission for others ; much less take any 
 lands or farms ; but peaceably support themselves on their 
 ordinary wages. And in case it happen that they transgress 
 herein, they shall forthwith be degraded from such offices or 
 rank as they may be invested with, besides forfeit to the com- 
 pany their earned monthly wages, and purchased lands or 
 goods which may be found in their possession contrary to this 
 article, or the value thereof, should they have traded or con- 
 veyed them away ; and the respective officers and justices are 
 charged to promote the execution hereof, without any conni- 
 vance. 
 
 " VIII. For the maintenance of preachers, comforters of 
 the sick, schoolmasters, and similar necessary officers, each 
 householder and inhabitant shall bear such contribution and 
 public charge as shall hereafter be considered proper ; and as 
 regards the form thereof, the Director and council there shall 
 be written to, to execute the same on receiving instructions, 
 with the least trouble and vexation. 
 
 " IX. The inhabitants there may, for themselves, or such 
 others as shall instruct or commission them, build all descrip- 
 tions of craft, either large or small, and with the same and no 
 others navigate all rivers, and prosecute their lawful trade and 
 barter, besides trade therein along the whole coast, from Flo- 
 rida to Newfoundland ; and in case they happen to make any 
 
196 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK prizes of the enemy, they shall bring such to the place of resi- 
 dence of the director there, to be sent hither, or by him be 
 divided there ; one-third part for the company, and two-thirds 
 for the captor, provided, that in case the prize be sent here, 
 the due portion of the company shall be first deducted. 
 
 " X. And should any wares or merchandise from any neigh- 
 boring place there, or from any other kingdom or country, in 
 any foreign ships be landed on the coast of New Netherland, 
 and places adjacent thereto, within the limits of our grants, and 
 in possession of the company, they shall not be touched nor 
 unladen before being duly entered, and the recognitions there- 
 upon be paid, which, in consequence of the heavy expenses 
 and burdens the company has to incur, shall be reckoned at 
 fifteen per cent, on what the said goods shall be estimated to be 
 worth there ; and thirty per cent, on whatever shall be exported 
 in said foreign ships. 
 
 "XI. The company shall take under its protection and safe- 
 guard all those who resort to, or inhabit the said countries sub- 
 ject to their High Mightinesses the Lords States General ; de- 
 fend them against all assaults or trouble coming either from 
 within or without, with such force as may, at the moment, be 
 there, or they may afterwards send ; provided that every one, 
 whether trader or inhabitant, who happens to be there, consent 
 to be employed with others on such occasion, for self-defence, 
 under command of the respective officers ; and to this end shall 
 every male emigrant take with him, at his own cost, a musket 
 and side-arms, and be enrolled, in case of apparent danger, into 
 proper companies or squads. 
 
 " XII. In case any person shall discover or find any min- 
 erals, whether gold, silver, or other base metals, precious 
 stones, crystals, marble, or such like, they shall, if discovered 
 on the land of the finder, remain his property, on returning, 
 after five years, one fifth part of the proceeds, without deduct- 
 ing any of the expenses, and that before such minerals, or be- 
 fore-mentioned specie shall be his benefit, or be removed from 
 the place where they may be found ; but for such as may be 
 discovered on another man's land, or on the domain of the 
 company, or on unappropriated land, the finder shall be re- 
 warded according to the discretion of the director and council, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 197 
 
 unless among themselves they agree in a friendly manner, 
 which agreement thus made shall be maintained. iQ38 
 
 " XIII. Besides these general articles, another shall be intro- 
 duced, to obey and respect such instructions, manifestoes, and 
 commands, as have already been made, or shall hereafter be 
 established, vi^ith the approbation of their High Mightinesses, 
 concerning the planting of the country, and the trade there." 
 
 The patroons, between whom and the directors considerable 
 misunderstanding still continued, were unwilling, seemingly, to 
 allow this occasion to pass without making an effort to enlarge 
 their own privileges, or to establish them on such a footing as 
 would render themselves more independent, and further be- 
 yond the control, of the company. Some parties, strong in 
 their interest, drew up, therefore, a draft of a new charter of 
 " Freedoms and Exemptions for Patroons," or a " New Pro- 
 ject," as it was termed, modifying, and essentially altering the 
 charter of 1629, which they caused to be laid, also, before the 
 States General for its sanction. 
 
 By this " New Project," the Patroons were to be allowed 
 to extend their colonies six (Dutch) miles along the coast, or 
 on both sides of a navigable river, instead of four miles on one 
 side, or two on both banks, as the original charter allowed. 
 Instead of being obliged to send out, within four years, fifty 
 persons over fifteen years, they now demanded that the num- 
 ber should be forty-eight, without any regard to age, and that 
 the time limited for their transmission should be extended from 
 four to six years, exclusive of the first year of admission. 
 They further required that themselves, and not the States 
 General and the company, should be invested with " the com- 
 mand of such bays, rivers, and islands, as they should have 
 planted," and be invested with " high, middle, and low juris- 
 diction,"* and all other feudal rights ; that they be discharged 
 from the obligation which Article IX. of the original charter 
 imposed on them, of submitting to the directors, for their ap- 
 proval, whatever instructions they may send out or give for the 
 
 ' That is, civil as well as criminal jurisdiction— extending to deprivation of 
 life. Such villages as were invested with these, were called " free," or manors 
 with capital jurisdiction ; those not possessing them were simply, manors. Van 
 Leeuwen. 
 
198 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK government of their colonies, and that they should, in lieu, 
 
 have the right to send such instructions as they pleased, sub- 
 1638 J r ' 
 
 ' ject only to the loose provision of having these generally con- 
 formable to the system of police and judiciary obtaining in 
 Holland. The company was, moreover, to be bound to re- 
 serve and appropriate the fourth part of all their ships, and 
 other vessels proceeding to New Netherland, to the accommo- 
 dation of the patroons, their freight, and people, while, once in 
 every year, a vessel should be dispatched from Amsterdam to 
 that country, for the special accommodation of the patroons 
 and their settlers, the former of whom were to be always pri- 
 vileged to send ships thither, which, in their outward and home- 
 ward voyages, were to be invested, as far as the capturing of 
 prizes was concerned, with all the rights of company's ships, 
 and be permitted, also, to trade along the coasts and neighbor- 
 hood of New Netherland, and to purchase there all sorts of 
 produce without any exception — thus proposing to throw open 
 to the Patroons, but to no others, the trade in furs, corn, and 
 wampum, which the company had hitherto claimed as a mo- 
 nopoly, and which had already produced so much trouble be- 
 tween the parties. 
 
 It was next proposed, by the " New Project," that the Pa- 
 troons should be absolutely and forever free from all contribu- 
 tions, imposts, and excise, an exemption which the original 
 charter limited only to ten years ; that they should share all 
 such freedoms and exemption's as the company then possess, 
 or hereafter enjoy, and that the right of appeal from the Pa- 
 troons' courts to the higher tribunal of the Director and council 
 should be abolished, as well as the clause prohibiting manu- 
 factures in the colonic, which was entirely omitted in the 
 " New Project." It was, further, required that Art. XXVIII. 
 of the charter of 1 629, should be fundamentally altered, and 
 that, in future, the resident-agent or deputy of the Patroon at 
 the Manhattes, should be, ex-officio, a member of the Direc- 
 tor's council, and have a seat and vote at all meetings and delib- 
 erations of that body, in order to be enabled, thereby, to protect • 
 and advance, as it was alleged, the interests of the Patroons' 
 colonists. 
 
 Imitating the policy pursued in those days by other Euro- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 199 
 
 pean powers, who made their American colonies receptacles 
 for those who, by their crimes or misfortunes, forfeited their 
 
 1638 
 
 citizenship in their native land, and were, therefore, banished 
 " beyond the seas" — a policy which, to their honor be it re- 
 corded, the Dutch never sanctioned — the Patroons demanded, 
 next, that the States General should furnish, from among the 
 deserters, outcasts, paupers, vagabonds, and convicts of the 
 parent country, a supply of servile laborers to be bound to 
 work for them for their clothing and food, a certain number of 
 years, after which they should be entitled to their freedom and 
 restoration to society ; and further, that every colonic should 
 be entitled to receive twelve black men and women from every 
 prize having negroes on board. 
 
 After enumerating a few other privileges of more or less im- 
 portance, this " New Project" closed by proposing that all pri- 
 vate individuals, and such as had not means, should be ex- 
 cluded from all participation in these proposed freedoms and 
 exemptions, and should not be allowed to purchase or acquire 
 any land or ground from the Indians ; but that all such should 
 be forced to repair to the colonies of the respective Lords Pa- 
 troons ; thus dividing and converting into manors, for a privi- 
 leged class, to the exclusion of the hardy and industrious pio- 
 neer and sturdy and independent yeoman, whose wealth con- 
 sisted in his strong right arm and a virtuous progeny, the 
 whole country, from the Connecticut to the Delaware, save 
 and except the island of Manhattans and Fort Orange, the 
 lands and islands adjoining the same ; with the colonies of 
 Zwanendal and Pavonia, the latter of which the directors had 
 already purchased from Michel Paauw for the sum of twenty- 
 six thousand guilders, or $10,400. These different points 
 were to be reserved exclusively to the company for the pur- 
 pose of more efficiently enforcing their revenue laws and com- 
 mercial regulations.' 
 
 Neither of these plans proved satisfactory to the States 
 General. That of the Amsterdam chamber was evidently too 
 
 ' This " new project" will be found in Hoi. Doc. ii., 144-166. Van Tien- 
 hoven gives the price paid for Pavonia, Hoi. Doc. v., 400. Kieft leased a farm 
 in that colonie, in the name of the company, in July, 1638, (Alb. Rec. i., 55.) 
 Paauw must have, therefore, been bought out before this date. 
 
200 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK diffuse in several of its clauses. It was not a declaration of 
 ^-"-^ principles, nor a system of government for the administration 
 1638. public affairs of the province that w^as required, but a 
 
 simple plan whereby the settlement of the wild lands, the in- 
 troduction of cattle, and of a healthy and moral population, could 
 be advantageously, cheaply, and speedily effected, and the 
 country permanently secured to the United Provinces. De 
 Laet's plan failed in embracing these views, and was pro- 
 nounced by their High Mightinesses " unworthy to be enter- 
 Sept. 2. tained." It was referred, together with the " New Project," 
 back to the Amsterdam chamber, with instructions to appoint 
 a committee from their body to meet deputies from the States 
 General on the following Monday, to examine and revise the 
 whole subject of New Netherland, in order that their High 
 Mightinesses may come to some conclusion regarding the plant- 
 ing of colonies and the introduction of stock into that quarter.^ 
 
 The result of this reference became soon manifest. The 
 monopoly of the New Netherland trade which the West India 
 Company had now enjoyed for fifteen or sixteen years, was 
 abolished ; the trade, as well as the cultivation of the soil, 
 thrown open to every person, whether denizen or foreigner 
 who chose to embark in it, subject only to the conditions, regu- 
 lations, and restrictions contained in the following important 
 proclamation : — 
 
 " De voors : articulen door de vooi-s : Camer van Amsterdam ingestelt, met 
 dienst ende voortsettinge van de colouien in N. Nederlant, niet en syn aenne- 
 melyck, gelyck deselve leggen, ende vinden haer H. M. oversulx goet, dat 
 deselve geconcipieerde articulen ende conditien weder uyt gegeven sullen worden 
 aen Sieur Johannes do Laet, Bewinthebber van de W. I. Compagnie, ende 
 daerby gevoucht het voors : Nieuw Project, om hetselve aen de voors : Camer 
 van de W. I. Compagnie tot Amsterdam gecommuniceert te worden, ende hun 
 van wegen haer H. M. aenteseggen, dat sy jegens Maendach naest coraende, 
 den vi. deses, herwaerts willen stuyren eenige Gecommitteerden om met voor- 
 gaende Heeren Gedeputeerden van haer H. M. het geheele stuck van Nieuw 
 Nederlant nader gevisiteert, ende geexamineert, ende als dan derselver ge- 
 samentlyke consideratien op het voors : stuk ter vergaderinge van haer H. M. 
 ingebracht te worden, ter einde by haer H. M. op de plantinge van colonien ende 
 vee in Nieuw Nederlant soodanige resolutie genomen mach worden, als men 
 ten meesten dienste van desen staet ende voordeel van de compagnie bevinden 
 zal te behooren." Resolution of States General, Sept. 2. 1638. Hoi. Doc. ii., 
 224, 225. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 201 
 
 " Whereas, the Directors of the Privileged West India chap. 
 
 Company, of the chamber at Amsterdam, are authorized by re- 
 
 ■ 1638 
 solution of the XIX. to promote and improve the population and 
 
 trade of New Netherland, therefore do they, vi^ith the approba- 
 tion of their High Mightinesses, hereby make known to all and 
 several the inhabitants of these States, their allies and friends, 
 who may be inclined to sail thither and cultivate any lands 
 there, and with that view to make use of the harbors of those 
 countries, that they may forthwith convey thither, in the com- 
 pany's ships, such cattle, merchandise, and goods as they may 
 find advisable, and receive whatever returns they or their agents 
 may be able to obtain in those quarters therefor ; on condition 
 that all the goods shall first be brought to the company's store, 
 so as to be equally put on ship-board in the best manner, pay- 
 ing the following recognitions and freights, the directors taking 
 care that they be dispatched thither by the earliest convey- 
 ance ; — 
 
 " For all merchandise going thither shall, as recognition, be 
 paid to the company here ten per centum in money, according 
 to their value ; and those coming thence hither fifteen per cen- 
 tum there, in specie or money, according to the pleasure of 
 the company or their authorized agent, thus leaving eighty-five 
 per cent, for their proprietor. 
 
 " And if any person should happen to make a mistake in the 
 valuation of his goods, it shall be free to the company to take 
 such goods, paying one-sixth more than they are entered at ; 
 but all concealed and hidden goods, either here or there, which, 
 by secret plans or other deceptions, may be discovered on 
 board the company's ships, shall be forthwith forfeited and 
 confiscated to the benefit of the said company, without afford- 
 ing thereby any legal cause of action. 
 
 " For the freight of cattle and goods which shall proceed 
 hence thither, or from that country here, the owners or factors, 
 at the respective ports, shall agree with the company, or their 
 ofiicers, according to the value and description thereof, until a 
 final arrangement and regulation be made ; and the freight 
 shall be paid in money at the place of unloading, and no person 
 shall be permitted to touch or remove the 'same before he make 
 it appear that both the recognition and freight have been paid 
 
 26 
 
 1 
 
202 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK in full ; and further and above, one per centum for each month 
 II. ' ^ 
 
 -^v^ that they remain in the company's store over fourteen days 
 1638. ^^^^^ being discharged ; for all which the foresaid cattle and 
 goods shall be severally answerable, or the owners be spoken 
 to in their proper persons according to the choice of the direc- 
 tors or their agents. 
 
 " And whereas, it is the intention of the company to people 
 the lands there more and more, and to bring them into a pro- 
 per state of cultivation, the Director and council there shall be 
 instructed to accommodate every one, according to his condi- 
 tion and means, with as much land as he, by him and his 
 family, can properly cultivate. Which lands thus conceded to 
 any person in the name of the company shall remain the pro- 
 perty of the same, his heirs and assigns, provided he shall 
 pay to the company, after it shall have been four [afterwards 
 altered to ten years] pastured or cultivated, the lawful tenths 
 of all fruits, grain, seed, tobacco, cotton, and such like ; also 
 of the produce of all sorts of cattle ; of which property a pro- 
 per deed shall be granted to them, provided that they under- 
 take, in fact, the cultivation and pasture thereof : and failing 
 therein shall incur, over and above the loss of said lands, such 
 penalty and fine as shall be mutually agreed upon at the time ; 
 for which penalties and fines their successors, heirs, or assigns, 
 shall be conjointly holden. And in order to prevent all con- 
 fusion of interests which may occur there, through former pro- 
 ceedings, and are hereafter to be expected, no person shall 
 henceforward be allowed to have any possessions there, or to 
 hold any lands or houses which have not previously been de- 
 rived from the company. 
 
 " The company shall, under obedience to the High and 
 Mighty Lords States General, take care that the places and 
 lands there be maintained quietly and peaceably in proper po- 
 lice and justice under their ministers, or the deputies of the 
 same, conformably to the regulations and instructions there- 
 upon already estabhshed and furnished, or hereafter to be 
 made and communicated, after a knowledge and understand- 
 ing of the matter. 
 
 " AH those who proceed thither to settle the country, or for 
 purposes of trade, shall, one by one, declare, under their sig- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 203 
 
 nature, that they will, voluntarily, submit to these regulations, 
 and to the commands of the company, and allow all questions 
 and differences there arising to be decided by the ordinary 
 course of justice estabhshed in that country, and freely suffer 
 the execution of the sentences and verdicts without any fur- 
 ther provocation ; and they shall pay for the conveyance of 
 their persons and board, in the cabin one guilder ; in the hutte 
 [the room in the ship above the master's cabin] twelve stivers ; 
 and between decks eight stivers per diem."^ 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. u., 146, 147, 148-164,205, 206-223. 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 FROM THE OPENING OP THE INDIAN TRADE TO THE END OP 
 DIRECTOR KIEFt's ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 1639—1647. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Consequences of the opening of the trade — Encouragement to emigration — 
 English settlers in New Netherland obliged to take an oath of allegiance — 
 Further encroachments of the English — Settle New Haven — Hartford peo- 
 ple oppose the Dutch at Fort Good Hope — Controversy between the parties 
 — Grant of Long Island to the Earl of Stirling — Aa agent appointed by that 
 nobleman to settle that island — Further purchases by the Dutch thereupon — 
 English cross over and commence settlements on the east end of Long 
 Island — Additional grants by the Dutch on the western extremity — Lupoid 
 removed from office — Cornells van der Huygens appointed Schout-Fiscaal — 
 Other appointments — Renewal of the differences between the English and 
 the Dutch on the Connecticut — Change of commissary at Fort Hope — The 
 Norwalk Islands purchased by the Dutch — Additional purchases on Long 
 Island — Earl Stirling's agent arrives at New Amsterdam — His pretensions 
 disregarded — A party of English attempt a settlement west of Oyster Bay — 
 Dutch expedition sent to prevent them — Prisoners taken and dismissed — 
 Southampton and Southold commenced — English commence a settlement at 
 Greenwich — Protested against — Proceedings in Holland regarding New 
 Netherland — A new charter agreed upon by Assembly of the XIX. — Pro- 
 visions thereof — Laid before the States General — Effects of opening the 
 fur trade on the Indians — Director Kieft determines to impose a tribute on 
 them — Indians discontented — Occurrences at Staten Island — Property be- 
 longing to the company stolen — Kieft enraged against the Raritans — Sends 
 an expedition against them — Attack — Result — Prices of sundry commodi- 
 ties at New Amsterdam — Still erected on Staten Island — Brandy and other 
 liquors manufactured. 
 
 The opening of the trade with New Netherland was the chap. 
 commencement of a new era in the history of that country, 
 and communicated a decided impulse both to its settlement 
 and the increase of its population. Hitherto few, if any, of 
 the company's servants were engaged in agriculture, or indeed 
 remained in the country after their term of service had ex- 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK pired. But now that free trade was in a manner established, 
 -^v~ several of these, who had enriched themselves in the employ- 
 ■ ment of the directors, demanded their discharge ; set about 
 erecting houses, making plantations, and spread themselves 
 abroad seeking out the best land, and the most favorable posi- 
 tions for trade with the natives. Others purchased or built 
 vessels, to convey goods to the north or south, and all at once 
 New Amsterdam rung with the sounds of the axe and the 
 hammer, for industry became filled with life and activity. 
 
 The directors in Holland, on the other hand, encouraged 
 emigration by all means in their power. Free passage for 
 themselves and families was offered to such farmers as were 
 desirous of proceeding to New Netherland, where, on their 
 arrival, they were promised to be furnished for six years with 
 a farm, fit for the plough, a dwelling-house, a barn, a suitable 
 number of laborers, four horses, an equal number of cows, 
 sheep and swine in proportion, with the necessary farming im- 
 plements, for which they were, however, to be bound to pay 
 a yearly rent of one hundred guilders, (equal to f 40,) and 
 eighty pounds of butter. On the expiration of his lease, the 
 tenant was to restore the same number of cattle that he had 
 received on entering into possession, retaining for himself 
 whatever increase there might have been, in the mean time, 
 from the original stock. To those who owned farms, but who 
 had not the means of providing stock, the company loaned 
 cattle for a certain number of years, " on halves ;" that is, on 
 expiration of the contract the number furnished were restored, 
 with half the increase. In both cases, the risk of death was 
 borne equally by the respective parties. In addition to these, 
 free settlers were also assisted with clothing, provisions, and 
 necessaries, on credit, at an advance of fifty per cent, on the 
 prime cost, and in some instances, with loans of money, with- 
 out interest.^ 
 
 But the emigration, this year, was not confined to this 
 class. Some wealthy individuals came out from Holland 
 with settlers, and large quantities of stock. Prominent among 
 these were Joachim Pietersen Kuyter, of Darmstadt, who had 
 
 ' De maniere die de West Indische Compagnie gevolcht heeft in 't eerste 
 planten van Bouweryen. Hoi. Doc. v., 155, 156, 157, 364 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 189. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 207 
 
 formerly been a commander in the East Indies in the Danish chap. 
 service ; and Cornehs Melyn, of Antwerp, Patroon of Staten •^v^ 
 Island. These gentlemen were encouraged by the Assembly 
 of the XIX. to settle in New Netherland, and were accom- 
 panied by their families.^ 
 
 The population received accession, likewise, from New 
 England and Virginia. In the former colony, the persecuted, 
 forgetting the principles for which they had been obliged to 
 remove to America, turned persecutors, and now withheld the 
 privileges of citizenship from all who refused to square their 
 belief according to prescribed rule, or who were not members 
 of a peculiar church ; and denying freedom of conscience, 
 and political rights, to such as differed with them on abstruse 
 points, which possibly neither party clearly understood, pun- 
 ished a minority for their " heresy" by incarceration or ban- 
 ishment. Such a course necessarily produced discontent ; 
 
 to escape from the insupportable government of New Eng- 
 land," numbers, nay, " whole towns" removed to New Nether- 
 land, to enjoy, among the Dutch, that religious liberty denied 
 them by their own countrymen ; while several persons, whose 
 time of service had expired in Virginia, where they had be- 
 come familiar with the process of raising and curing tobacco, 
 repaired now to the Manhattans, with a view to continue there 
 the cultivation of that plant, which was in such general de- 
 mand, and from which such large returns were to be ob- 
 tained." 
 
 The number of English residents, now under Dutch jurisdic- 
 tion, became sufficiently large to direct the attention of the gov- 
 ernment to the necessity of obtaining from them some guaran- 
 tee for their allegiance. They were therefore called on to take 
 
 We find mention made this year of " Cherry trees and peaches on a farm near 
 Fort Amsterdam." Alb. Rec. i., 109. De Vries saw the Peach tree for the 
 first time in Virginia in 1633. 
 
 ' Joachim Pieters Kuyter en ComeUs Melyn, met permissie en welgevallen 
 van de Vergaderinge van de XIX. der Generael W. I. Comp., sich met 
 vrouwen eude kinderen ende met burgerlyke middelen nevens een groote 
 aental van beestialen in den jaere 1639 uyt dese landen naer N. Nederlandt 
 getransporteert. Hoi. Doc. iii., 365. 
 
 ° " Het lant heeft nooyt begonnen gepeupeleert te werden voordat de Vry. 
 held gegeven was dat yder met de Wilden mochte handelen ; alsoo tot die tyt 
 
208 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 III. 
 1639 
 
 BOOK and subscribe an oath of fidelity " to their High Mightinesses 
 the Lords States General, his Highness of Orange, and the 
 ' Noble Director and Council of New Netherland ; to follow the 
 Director, or any of his Council, wherever they shall lead ; 
 faithfully to give instant warning of any treason, or other detri- 
 ment to this country that shall come to their knowledge ; to 
 assist to the utmost of their power in defending and protecting 
 with their blood and treasure, the inhabitants thereof against 
 all its enemies."^ 
 
 To the eastward, in the mean time, the English conti-nued their 
 encroachments. They no longer looked on the Connecticut as 
 their western boundary. They longed for the fertile lands be- 
 tween that and the North River, and accordingly had, already, 
 established themselves on a spot called Roodeberg, or Red 
 Hill, by the Dutch ; but to which the English gave the name 
 of New Haven.^ They purchased, likewise, several tracts 
 
 toe niemant maeckten aldaer te verblyven tot dat zyn verbonden tyt uyt- 
 souden zyn, en daerover de culture van 't lant luttel achten ; jae selfFs de colo- 
 nie van Rensselaerswyck was noch van cleyne consequentie ; maer sooras als 
 't selve was toegelaten, veele dienaars die te goet hadden by de compagnie, 
 sochten haer paspoort, boude huyzen, ende maeckten plantagies, verstrooide 
 haer wyt ende breet, yder soeckende het beste lant, ende naest gelegen te zyn 
 van de Wilden omme alsoo bequaemlyk met haer te connen handelen ; an- 
 dere koften barcken omme daermede cm Zuydt ende Noordt te vaeren coop- 
 manschappen ; ende alsoo de Heeren Bewinthebberen vrye passagie gaven van 
 Hollant herwaerts aen, heeft ter cock eenigen doen comen : D'Engelsche aen 
 d' anderesyde quamen mede beyde van Virginia als Nieuw Engelant. Eerste- 
 lyck veel servaants, die haer tyt by haer meesters uytgedient hadden, omme 
 goede gelegentheyt van alhier taback tecomen planten ; daernaer de huys- 
 gesinnen, ende entelyck by heele colonie, selfFs gedwongen van aldaer te ver- 
 trekken, soo omme vryheid van conscientie te genieten, also het insupportabel 
 gouvemement van Nieuw Engelant te ontgaen." Journael van Nieuw Neder- 
 lant, 1647 ; Report and Advice, Appendix E. 
 
 ' A complete list of those who subscribed this oath does not appear on the 
 Record, owing to the ravages of time. The following are the only names 
 appended to it : — John Hathaway, Richard Brudnell, Abraham Lowmay, 
 Francis Leslie, Edward Willson, George Homes, William Williamson. 
 The three last attached their marks. Alb. Rec, ii. Abm. Page, Tomas 
 Belcher, Peter Buyley, "from Newheert, in Somersetshire," and Richard 
 Pither, Irishman, are also mentioned as residents under the Dutch at this 
 time. George Homes and Thos. Hall built a house this year, at a place which 
 they called Hopton, near the Deutel Bay, two miles above Curler's Hoeck, 
 now corrupted to " Turtle" Bay. 
 " " They desired that their friends at Connecticut would purchase of the na- 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 209 
 
 from the Indians in the adjoining districts, north, east, south, chap. 
 and west, on which they planted numerous towns. So rapidly ^^v^ 
 did their settlements fill up, that Hartford already contained, at 
 this period, a fine church, and more than one hundred dwell- June 9. 
 ings, and the mfant city of New Haven, a handsome place of 
 worship, and more than three hundred houses. Strong in their 
 numbers, they now absolutely denied to the Dutch all right or 
 title to any possessions on the Fresh River, and carried their 
 pretensions to the length even of ploughing and sowing the 
 company's lands around Fort Good Hope, where they vio- 
 lently assaulted, and severely wounded, some of the men in 
 charge of that post, whom they found at work in the fields. 
 
 Gysbert op Dyck, who had command of some fourteen or 
 fifteen soldiers here, promptly protested against this unwar- 
 rantable aggression : but the English governor attempted to 
 justify the encroachments of his countrymen on Dutch terri- 
 tory by saying, that the lands lay uncultivated — that the Dutch 
 had been there already several years, and had done nothing to 
 improve the country ; and that " it was a sin to leave such 
 valuable lands uncultivated, when such fine crops could be 
 raised from them a course of reasoning which, however 
 conclusive it may appear to the party using it, cannot very 
 safely be received as a justification of the proceedings for which 
 it was intended as an apology ; since, if admitted, it would at 
 once aflTord to every person, who may incline to covet his neigh- 
 bor's goods, a satisfactory plea to appropriate them to his own 
 use. 
 
 It became now evident, that the spirit which had overrun 
 the main, would not allow itself to be stayed by the narrow 
 channel which intervened between that and the opposite and 
 tempting shore of Long Island. The plea which justified the 
 seizure of the Connecticut would be equally valid here, for 
 here, also, " the lands lay uncultivated." Even were it not 
 sufficient, an additional pretext was afforded by the fact that 
 the Plymouth Company had taken upon itself to grant, at the 
 
 tive proprietors for them all the land that lay between themselves and Hudson s 
 River, which was in part effected." Magnalia, B. i., c. 6. 
 * De Vries. 
 
 27 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK request of Charles I., in 1635, the whole of Long Island to 
 William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who, in the early part of 
 * the following year, appointed an agent to dispose of the lands, 
 thus conveyed to him, to all who were desirous to purchase 
 and settle them. 
 
 Kieft clearly saw, soon after his assumption of the govern- 
 ment, the necessity of securing, by additional purchases from 
 the Indians, this island, which the Dutch esteemed " the 
 crown of the province," and which lay so contiguous to Fort 
 Amsterdam. He therefore purchased, in the beginning of this 
 Jan. 15. year, from the native proprietors, that portion of the island ex- 
 tending from Rockaway eastward to Sicktew-kacky on the 
 south side, and thence across to Martin Gerritsen's, or Cow 
 Bay, on the north shore ; by which purchase, and that of the 
 preceding year, he embraced within the company's jurisdiction 
 nearly the whole of the present county of Queens.^ 
 
 The first English settlers from the main land crossed the 
 Sound, shortly after this, and began a plantation at the eastern 
 extremity of Long Island, where Lyon Gardiner purchased, 
 this year, from Lord Stirling's agent, for a trifle, the island of 
 Monchonock, containing an area of over three thousand acres. 
 This was the first English settlement within the present limits 
 
 ^ Mechoswodt, chief of Marossepinck, Sinksink, otherwise called Schout's Bay, 
 [now Manhassett,] and the dependencies thereon, sells to the W. I. Co., with 
 the consent of Piscamoc, his cousin Swatterwochkouw, Kackpohoc, Ketacliquas- 
 was, joint owners, all the lauds to them belonging on Long Island, beginning 
 on the south side of said island, from Reckouw-hacky to Sicketew-hacky, and 
 the said Sicketew-hacky in its breadth to Martin Gerritsen's (or Cow) Bay, and 
 from thence in its length for the most part on and along the East River to the 
 Vlaeck's kill, the above Indians to have the privilege to plant maize, hunt and 
 fish on said lands. 15th January, 1G.39. Alb. Rec. GG, 59, 60 ; xxii. 8. 
 The Rockaway Indians (says Thompson) were scattered over the southern 
 part of the town of Hempstead, which, with part of Jamaica and the whole of 
 Newtown, were the bounds of their claim. The greater part of the population 
 was at Near Rockaway, and as far west as the present site of the Marine Pa- 
 vilion. Those Indians who resided at the head of Maspeth Creek in Newtown 
 were a portion of this tribe. Hist. Long Island, i. 92. Martin Gerritsen's bay 
 lies west of Oyster Bay. Three creeks empty themselves into it, two of which 
 are navigable. On the smallest of the three was situated the Indian village of 
 Mattinekoock, which consisted, in 1650, of thirty Indian families. Previous to 
 that date there was a vast number of natives settled hereabout, but they gradu- 
 ally disappeared. Van Tienhoven. Hoi. Doc. v., 137; Alb. Rec. xx., 1. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 211 
 
 of this state ; and the place has ever since been called Gardi- chap. 
 ner's Island, after the original purchaser.^ The Dutch, whose 
 settlements on Long Island had preceded those of the Eng- 
 lish by many years, were equally active on the western ex- 
 tremity. Grants were made in the village of Breuckelen to 
 sundry individuals ; we find a farm in progress this year at 
 Gowanus ; and a commencement made in Gravesend, in which 
 town Anthony Jansen of Sallee, a French Huguenot of re- 
 spectability, who arrived in the country, with his brother, in 
 1630, obtained a grant of one hundred morgen, or two hundred 
 acres of land.^ 
 
 Little else worthy of note occurred during the remainder of 
 the year, if we except the execution of one of the soldiers for 
 mutiny against the Director, and the removal of Ulrich Lu- 
 poid, the Fiscaal, or Attorney-general, from office. He was 
 succeeded by Cornelis van der Huygens, who came out from July 
 Holland with a commission from the directors of the company 
 as Schout-Fiscaal of New Nctherland, at a yearly salary of 
 three hundred and sixty florins, and an additional sum of 
 three hundred for board. Lupoid continued, however, in ihe 
 public service as commissary of wares and merchandise, and 
 occasionally assisted as member of the council. Some addi- 
 tional regulations were made to enforce order and regularity Aug. 
 among the mechanics and laborers in the company's employ, 
 who were directed to proceed to and cease from work only 
 " at the ringing of the bell." Gillis de Voocht was appointed 
 superintendent over them. Claes van Elslant and Wybrant 
 Pietersen were removed, in the course of the winter, from 
 ofiice as inspectors of tobacco, and commissaries Jacob van 
 Curler and David Provoost appointed in their stead ; but the 
 latter subsequently lost his place as commissary, on charges 
 of neglect of duty, and being incorrect in his accounts, and 
 was succeeded by his assistant Mauritz Jansen. Olofl" Ste- 
 vensen, who had arrived in the colony in 1637, attached to 
 the military service of the company, was transferred m the July 1. 
 
 ^ A lineal descendant of this gentleman was married recently to Mr. Tyler, 
 late President of the United Stal.es. 
 
 Thompson's Long Island, i. 304 ; ii., 170, 218 ; Alb. Rec. i., 116 ; Wood's 
 Long Island, 9. 
 
212 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK course of this summer to the civil department, as commissary 
 
 — of cargoes, at a salary of thirty guilders, or $12, per month.' 
 1639. 
 
 * Alb. Rec. ii., 57, 61, 83, 99, 132. Oloff Stevensen, or Oloff Stevens 
 VAN CoRTLANDT, as he subsequently signed his name, left the company's ser- 
 vice in 1648. On becoming a freeman he embarked in trade, built a brewery 
 in New Amsterdam, and became wealthy. He was Colonel of the Burghery, 
 or city trained bands, in 1649, in which year he was also appointed one of 
 the Nine Men. He was one of the signers to the Remonstrance transmitted 
 to Holland against the maladministration of Director Kieft, and the high-handed 
 measures of Director Stuyvesant. In 1654 he was elected Schepen of the city 
 of New Amsterdam, and in 1655 appointed Burgomeester, which office he 
 filled almost uninterruptedly to the close of the Dutch government. His place 
 of residence was in the Brouwer-straat, now Stone-street. He had the char- 
 acter of being a worthy citizen, and a man most liberal in his charities. He 
 had seven children, viz. : Stephanus, who married Gertrude Schuyler ; Maria, 
 who married Jeremias van Rensselaer, twelfth of July, 1662 ; Catherine, who 
 married, first, John Derval, and secondly, Frederick Phillips ; Cornelia, who 
 married Barent Schuyler ; Jacob, who married Eva Phillips ; Sophia, who 
 married Andrew Teller ; and John, who died unmarried. Oloff Stevens van 
 Cortlandt died some time subsequent to 1683, leaving his son, Stephanus, then 
 a highly respectable merchant in New York. 
 
 On the death of his brother-in-law, Jeremias van Rensselaer, in 1675, the 
 affairs of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck were administered conjointly, during 
 the minority of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, (then twelve years old,) by the Rev. 
 Nicolaus van Rensselaer, Mde. Maria van Rensselaer, and Stephanus van 
 Cortlandt. Nicolaus had the directorship of the colonie ; Mde. van Rensselaer 
 was the treasurer ; and Stephanus van Cortlandt had the charge of the books. 
 Four hundred schepels of wheat were appropriated to defray the yearly ex- 
 penses of this administration, of which Dom. Nicolaus (who then officiated as 
 second clergyman in Albany) received one half. The remainder was divided 
 between Mde. van Rensselaer and her brother. Dom. Nicolaus dying in 1679, 
 the chief management of the minor's affairs devolved on his mother and uncle. 
 
 Stephanus van Cortlandt purchased, in the year 1683, large tracts from the 
 Indians, in what are now the counties of Westchester, Putnam, and Duchess, 
 for which he obtained a patent from Gov. Dongan in 1685, whose fees for the 
 north half alone are said to have amounted to three hundred pieces of eight. 
 Those lands were erected into what has since been called the Manor of Cort- 
 landt. He died leaving twelve children, who intermarried with the De Peysters, 
 Beekmans, Skinners, Bayards, De Lanceys, and Van Rensselaers. Though 
 the manor has, in consequence of alienations and sales, long since ceased to 
 exist except on parchment, the Van Cortlandt family continues to be one of 
 the most respectable, as it is one of the most ancient, in this state. At the 
 breaking out of the Revolution, one of the branches of the family was resident 
 in England, the descendants of which have since intermarried with many 
 members of the British nobility. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 213 
 
 The spring of 1640 opened with a renewal of the dif- chap. 
 
 ferences between the Enshsh and the Dutch on the Con- ^"'^^TX 
 
 1640. 
 
 necticut River, touching the title to the soil around Fort Hope. 
 Commissary op Dyck being about to make preparations for 
 sowing the ground in the rear of that post, advised Mr. Hop- April 
 kins, governor of Hartford, of his intention, and warned him, 
 at the same time, against permitting any of his people to in- 
 terrupt him. Hopkins, however, pertinaciously denied the 
 validity of the Dutch title to the land, and maintained that 
 the English had acquired their title from the right owners — 
 that he was prepared to prove, by a chief of the Morahtkans, 
 residing near the Pequods, that the latter never owned the 
 soil, and that the right owners had left for the purpose of ob- 
 taining assistance from their friends. Op Dyck, on the con- 
 trary, insisted on the superior right of the company — referred 
 to their long possession, which dated many years before the 
 English knew of the existence of the river, and to their pur- 
 chase, which had been made with the approbation of the na- 
 tives. Whereupon the English governor called on the Dutch 
 commissary to exhibit his title. " Show your right," said he, 
 " we are prepared to exhibit ours ;" adding, at the same time, 
 that he was desirous to live in peace with the Dutch. To all 
 this op Dyck responded in suitable terms. He wished only 
 to use the company's lands. But to this neither the gov- 
 ernor, nor the English people, would in any wise consent. 
 On the contrary, the constable was sent with a posse of some 
 
 ten or eleven men, who attacked the Dutch on the following April 
 
 24 
 
 day, while engaged ploughing the field in dispute, beat the 
 horses, and frightened them so that they broke loose. They 
 then returned next morning, and sowed the ground which the 
 Dutch had ploughed. Commissary op Dyck protested forth- April 
 with, but Governor Hopkins refused to make any reply to this 
 protest, " as it was written in Low Dutch." He called again on 
 the commissary to produce his title. " The king," he said, 
 " would support the English in their right as firmly as the 
 Prince of Orange would the Dutch." The commissary main- 
 tained that he was not bound to produce his title ; and as for 
 the king of England, he well knew that his majesty did not 
 desire to do any thing that should injure another. Hereupon 
 
214 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK he took his departure, and sent a party to plant barley in the 
 
 -^v~ field. These were also driven off. Op Dyck then went him- 
 ' self to do the work, but the English remained on the watch, 
 and would not suffer him to proceed. Evert Duyckingh, 
 another of the company's servants, having, in the mean time, 
 succeeded in getting into the field with a hat full of barley, 
 commenced sowing the grain ; but had not proceeded far 
 when he was knocked down with an adze, from which he re- 
 ceived a severe wound on the head. Op Dyck was, thereupon, 
 obliged to withdraw his men, having previously warned the 
 English of the injury and wrong which his masters had sus- 
 tained at their hands. These criminations and recriminations 
 did not terminate here. The English were, evidently, de- 
 termined to hunt the Dutch from the river. They, therefore, 
 continued their aggressions in every possible shape during the 
 
 May remainder of the year. They seized the horses and cows be- 
 30- longing to Fort Good Hope and impounded them for trespass. 
 
 June The clergyman of Hartford seized a load of hay, which a 
 Dutch driver was conveying to the fort, and applied it to his 
 own use without giving any thing in return ; and when the 
 crop became ready for the sickle, the English drove off the 
 
 Aug. men sent by the Dutch commissary to cut it down, and har- 
 vested it themselves.^ It was in vain that op Dyck protested, 
 or the Director-general remonstrated. They lacked either 
 the will, or the means to vindicate their rights, and the people 
 of Hartford treated them accordingly. Op Dyck proceeded, 
 Oct. 25. some time after this, to Fatherland; and Jan Hendricksen 
 Roesen was appointed commissary of Fort Hope, with a 
 salary of thirty-six guilders per month, equal to $173 per an- 
 num, and his board.^ 
 
 The Director and council were, in the mean time, actively 
 engaged purchasing the claims of the Indians to the soil in the 
 neighborhood of the island of Manhattans. In the hope of 
 staying the incursions of the English, who continued to extend 
 their settlements westward, and in order " to maintain the 
 charter and privileges granted by their High Mightinesses to 
 
 1 Hoi. Doc. ix., 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197. 
 " Alb. Rec. u., 104. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 215 
 
 the Noble the West India Company, in New Netherland," chap. 
 Cornehs van Tienhoven, secretary of the province, was dis- ^ — 
 patched early in the spring to the " Archipelago," to purchase ^p^jj' 
 that group of islands, which lay at the mouth of the Norwalk 19- 
 River, " and all the adjoining lands, and to erect thereon the 
 standard and arms of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General ; to take the savages under our protection, and to pre- 
 vent effectually any other nation encroaching on our limits, or 
 making incursions on our land and territory." In further obe- 
 dience to instructions directing the purchase, in the names of 
 the States General, of the Prince of Orange, and of the West 
 India Company, of all lands deemed proper for tillage and 
 pasture. Director Kieft bought, in the following month, from May 
 " the great Chief Penhawitz," head of the Canarsee tribe, all 
 the land left to him by his father on Long Island, with all his 
 hereditary rights and titles thereto.^ This purchase, together 
 with that from the Rockaway Indians, before mentioned, com- 
 pleted the Dutch title to all the lands bounded on the west by 
 the East River, and on the east by the present county of Suf- 
 folk, which two points embraced all the territory on Long 
 Island, over which the Dutch ever exercised jurisdiction.^ 
 
 While Director Kieft was fancying that he had thus secured 
 himself against all further encroachments ori the part of the 
 English, a Scotchman, named Farrett, presented himself at 
 Fort Amsterdam, and claimed Long Island, under a commis- 
 sion from the Earl of Stirling. But his pretensions were 
 utterly disregarded and himself dismissed, and forced to with- 
 draw, followed by the jeers of the mob.^ He was, however, 
 not well gone, when a party of emigrants from Lynn, in the 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 78, 83. The Canarsee tribe claimed the whole of the lands 
 now included within the limits of Kings County, and a part of the town of 
 Jamaica. Thompson, i., 93. 
 
 ^ The Hon. Samuel Jones, in his Notes on De Witt Clinton's Discourse, 
 says, " The possessions of the Dutch on Long Island never extended above 
 thirty miles east of New York." N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans, iii., 324. 
 
 ^ In den jaar 1640 is by den Directeur Kieft gecomen een Schotsman, met 
 een Engelse commissie en pretendeerden dit Lange Eylandt ; doch zyn pretens 
 warde niet veel geacht ; dus vertrock hy weder sender yetwes uytterechten, 
 als alleenlyck dat hy het slechte volck wat induceerden. Van der Donck, Ver- 
 toogh van N. N. 
 
216 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK colony of Massachusetts, crossed the Sound, and landed at the 
 --•^ west side of Cow Neck, on territory belonging to the Dutch, 
 -where they commenced a settlement. They were not 
 May far advanced in their operations, when Sachem Penha- 
 witz gave information to the authorities at Fort Amsterdam, 
 *' that some foreign strollers had arrived at Schouts Bay, where 
 they were actually engaged building houses, felling trees, and 
 that the said vagrants had even hewn down the arms of their 
 High Mightinesses." ])oubtful of the correctness of this un- 
 expected intelligence. Director Kieft immediately sent Com- 
 missary van Curler to inquire into, and report on the matter. 
 This messenger corroborated, on his return, the information 
 given by the sachem. The arms of the High and Mighty 
 Lords the States General had been contumeliously torn down, 
 and a fool's head carved, in derision, on the tree to which they 
 had been affixed. 
 
 This intelligence created considerable sensation at Fort Am- 
 sterdam. Secretary van Tienhoven was ordered to proceed, 
 without delay, with an armed force to the ground, " to surprise 
 and surround the English, but to avoid having recourse to arms ; 
 to inquire who pulled down the escutcheon of their High Mighti- 
 nesses ; by what authority it was done, and to bring the tres- 
 passers to the fort to defend their conduct, taking beforehand 
 an inventory of their goods." If, however, there was no hope 
 to conquer the English by force, the secretary was then to 
 avoid bloodshed by all means, and to protest against the in- 
 truders. 
 
 May At the break of day, Secretary van Tienhoven departed, 
 accompanied by the under-sheriff, a sergeant and twenty sol- 
 May diers, and arrived, at the same hour on the following morning, 
 on the ground where the English had commenced their settle- 
 ment. He found one house built, and a second in progress of 
 being raised. Howe, the leader of the squatters, had, how 
 ever, withdrawn from the threatened danger, with all his parly, 
 except " eight men, one woman, and a babe," whom he left to 
 answer for the trespass and outrage which had been commit- 
 ted. 
 
 On demanding the authority under which they had acted, 
 this party answered that they were empowered to settle there 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 217 
 
 by a Scotchman named Farrett, Lord Stirling's agent, who chap. 
 left for the Red Hill, after he had thrown down the Dutch j-^^ 
 arms. Thereupon six of the trespassers, viz. Job Gears, 
 George Wells, John Farrington, Philip and Nathaniel Cartland, 
 or Kertland, and William Archer, or Harcutt, were conveyed 
 to Fort Amsterdam ; two men, the woman and child having 
 been left behind in charge of the property. Van Tienhoven 
 and his prisoners arrived at the fort on the 15lh May. 
 
 On the following day, the prisoners were examined on in- May 
 terrogatories before the Director and council. It appeared that 
 they came originally from Buckinghamshire in England, and 
 that they had been afterwards induced by Howe and Farrett to 
 remove from Lynn, in Massachusetts, to Long Island. Their 
 innocence of any intentional trespass having become manifest, 
 they were liberated by the Director-general a couple of days May 
 afterwards, " on condition that they should leave the territory 
 of their High Mightinesses." This they engaged to do under 
 their signatures. 
 
 Director Kieft forwarded a statement of these proceedings 
 to Governor Dudley at Boston, and took occasion at the same 
 time to complam of this invasion of the Dutch territory. But 
 the English governor represented that he had no authority over 
 those people. They had voluntarily departed from his juris- 
 diction. 
 
 Howe and his associates returned to Long Island again 
 
 in the fall. Immediately after their ejection, Farrett granted 
 
 them a tract of land "bounded between Peaconeck and June 
 
 12 
 
 the easternmost point of Long Island, with the whole q. s. 
 breadth from sea to sea," " in consideration," as he acknowl- 
 edges, " of barge-hire, and of having been driven by the 
 Dutch from the place where they were by me planted, to their 
 great damage, together with a competent sum, amounting to 
 four hundred pounds sterling," for which he gave his receipt. 
 Here they planted the flourishing town of Southampton, in 
 the possession of which they remained undisturbed. The ad- 
 joining town of South Old, on the north side of the island, 
 was settled about the same time by some people from New 
 England, without any opposition from the Dutch, who seem 
 to have paid no attention to that section of the country. This 
 
 28 
 
218 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK indisposition did not extend, however, to the parties who haa 
 
 ^-"■^ estabHshed themselves east of the Manhattans, on the main, 
 1640 
 
 ' in the spring of this year, at Petuquapaen, now called Green- 
 wich. Director Kieft protested against them, and warned 
 them that they should be driven from their holdings, if they 
 did not submit to the authority of his government. Such 
 were some of the salutary effects of the firmness exhibited 
 by the States General in 1638, and of the determination which 
 they then expressed, to protect New Netherland against the 
 attacks and invasions of foreign princes and potentates.^ 
 
 The interests of New Netherland were, meanwhile, occu- 
 pying the attention of the authorities in Holland. The States 
 
 Jan. General had already appointed, at the beginning of the year, 
 several deputies to confer with the Assembly of the XIX. 
 concerning the differences between the Patroons and the com- 
 pany. These were instructed, at the same time, to suggest 
 some plan whereby the country itself might not only be pre- 
 served, but its settlement promoted, and its inhabitants obtain 
 the best possible privileges. This subject of reference 
 engaged the consideration both of the Assembly and of the 
 
 July deputies from the States General until midsummer, when, with 
 the approbation of their High Mightinesses, a new charter 
 of " Freedoms and Exemptions, for all Patroons, Masters, and 
 private persons, who should plant colonies in, or convey cattle 
 to New Netherland," was agreed upon. A copy of this im- 
 
 July portant paper was laid before the States General, a few 
 days afterwards, by the Honorable Elias de Raedt, who was 
 duly accredited by his co-directors for that purpose. 
 
 ^ Alb. Rec. ii., 84, et seq. ; Winthrop's Journal, 204 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. 
 ii., 4, 5, 6, 7 ; Leechford, 44 ; Hoi. Doc. ix., 198 ; Lond. Doc. i., 60, 61, 62. 
 The date of Farrett's deed of the Southampton grant is stated in the last- 
 mentioned "document" to have been 12th June, 1639. There is evidently an 
 error here in the year ; all the Dutch and English authorities fix the date in 
 1640. Mr. Thompson represents Farrett (Hist. L. I. ii., 53) as protesting 
 against the English for having entered on the above lands, of which pro- 
 ceeding, it is added, he disapproved. The protest Mr. Thompson has pub- 
 lished must have reference to some other transaction, as it will be seen by the 
 extract above given from Farrett's deed of sale, that he acknowledges the Eng- 
 lish had been planted by him. He could not, therefore, very properly have 
 protested against them. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND, 
 
 219 
 
 This charter essentially modified that already granted. In chap. 
 the first place, the privileges confined by the charter of 1 629 
 to "members" of the West India Company, were now ex- 
 tended to " all good inhabitants of the Netherlands," who 
 were permitted to send three or four agents in the company's 
 ships to examine the country, cabin-passengers paying fifteen 
 stivers a day ; those who went in the " orloop," or 'tween 
 decks, to have their conveyance and board gratis. In case 
 the land selected by these should not turn out afterwards as 
 good as was expected, they were privileged to change it for 
 more suitable localities ; but the period allowed Patroons for 
 completing the number of fifty settlers, which they were 
 obliged to convey to their colonies, was limited to three instead 
 of four years ; one-third of the quota to be sent over annual- 
 ly. The extent of future colonies was to be confined to one 
 (Dutch) mile, calculated at 1600 Rhineland rods, instead of 
 four, along a coast, bay, or navigable river, and to two only 
 into the interior of the country. But no two Patroonships on 
 different sides of a river or bay should be selected right oppo- 
 site each other, the company reserving to itself, as before, 
 the lands between colonies, to dispose thereof as it might think 
 proper ; and all Patroons and colonists were to allow free pas- 
 sage by land and water to each other at the nearest point, and 
 with the least damage, submitting themselves, in case of dis- 
 pute, to the decision of the Director-general for the time be- 
 ing. To these Patroons were to be continued the feudal priv- 
 ileges of erecting towns, appointing ofiftcers over the same, 
 (saving the company's rights,) with "high, middle, and lower 
 jurisdictions," exclusive hunting, fishing, fowhng, and milling, 
 (grinding,) within their manors, to be holden as an eternal 
 heritance, to devolve as well to females as to males, and to 
 be redeemed on each such occasion, on the renewal of fealty 
 and homage to the company, by the payment, within a year, 
 of one pair of iron gauntlets and twenty guilders,' with the 
 understanding, that in case of division of the fief, or manor, 
 
 ' Soo wel op vroiiw-oor als man-oor, te versterven ende te verheergewaden 
 telckens met een paar ysere handschoenen aen de Compagnie te redimeren met 
 twintig gulden, &c. 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the parts were to possess the same privileges as the whole, 
 -^v-^ each part to pay a similar fee as the whole, in case it should 
 devolve to the original grantors. 
 
 Whoever should hereafter convey himself, and five souls 
 over the age of fifteen years, to New Netherland, was to be 
 acknowledged " a master, or colonist," and entitled to claim 
 one hundred morgen, or two hundred acres of land, with the 
 privilege of hunting in the public forest, and fishing in the 
 public streams. If, by these means, the settlement of masters, 
 or free colonists, should so increase as to become towns, vil- 
 lages, or cities, the company was bound to confer subaltern or 
 municipal governments on them, to consist of magistrates and 
 ministers of justice ; which were, however, " to be selected 
 and chosen by the Director-general and council, from a triple 
 nomination of the best-qualified in the said towns and villages, 
 to whom all complaints and suits arising within their district 
 shall be submitted ;" but from these courts, as well as from 
 those of the Patroons, an appeal was to lie to the Director- 
 general and council, where the sum in dispute exceeded one 
 hundred guilders, or forty dollars, or where infamy might at- 
 tach to the sentence ; as well as from all judgments in crimi- 
 nal proceedings, where the same was allowed by the custom of 
 Fatherland. The protection of the company was guarantied, 
 in case of war, to the colonists ; but these were bound to take 
 proper measures for self-defence, each male adult emigrant 
 providing himself, in Holland, at his own expense, with a fire- 
 lock, or musket, of the same calibre as those in use in the 
 company's service, or a hanger (verjager) and side-arms. 
 
 " No other religion was to be publicly tolerated or allowed in 
 New Netherland, save that then taught and exercised by au- 
 thority in the Reformed Church in the United Provinces," for 
 the inculcation of which the company promised to support and 
 maintain good and fit preachers, schoolmasters, and comforters 
 of the sick. 
 
 The commercial privileges, accorded by the charter of 1629, 
 were not only continued unchanged as far as Patroons were 
 concerned, but now extended to all free colonists and inhab- 
 itants of New Netherland, and to the several partners of the 
 company, on the following conditions : That all goods to be 
 
NEW NETHERLAND, 
 
 221 
 
 sent from Holland to that country, and intended for sale, chap. 
 whether by the company, the colonists, or the partners, should ^^^^ 
 be brought to the company's warehouses to be examined, and 
 the duties thereon paid at the rate of ten per cent, on their 
 prime cost ; the cargo not to be broken before the arrival of 
 the vessel at New Amsterdam, or such other place as the 
 company may designate ; and five per cent, on all return 
 cargoes, the value of which was to be determined in Holland, 
 beavers, otters, and other peltries excepted, which were to pay 
 to the Director-general and council an export duty of ten per 
 cent, in cash, before leaving New Netherland, for the payment 
 of which a receipt was to be produced on pain of confiscation 
 of the furs. But no person was to leave New Netherland, 
 with any goods obtained in barter there, without first register- 
 ing them and obtaining a permit from the Director and coun- 
 cil, and binding themselves to return, with their vessel and 
 cargo, to the United Provinces, where they were to discharge 
 their freight into the company's magazines according to their 
 manifest, under the penalty of losing both ship and cargo, in 
 case they had broken bulk, or of having any goods on board 
 not duly entered. 
 
 This charter having, next, abolished the clause prohibiting 
 the manufacture of woollen, linen, and cotton cloth, and other 
 stuffs, and repeated the pledge to supply the colonists " with 
 as many blacks as possible," the company declared that they 
 reserved unto themselves all great and small tithes ; waifs ; 
 estrays ; forests ; the right of coining money ; making roads ; 
 erecting forts, and using the same in peace and war ; founding 
 cities, towns, and churches ; maintaining the supreme and 
 sovereign authority, the interpretation of all differences arising 
 out of these privileges, with the express understanding that 
 nothing already granted to the Patroons, relating to " high, 
 middle, and low jurisdiction," should be, hereby, changed or 
 diminished. 
 
 The company, finally, pledged itself to appoint and support 
 within the province a governor, competent counsellors, officers, 
 and other ministers of justice, " for the protection of the good 
 and the punishment of the wicked." To this governor and 
 council were to be committed all questions touching the free- 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK doms, sovereignty, domain, finances, and rights of the General 
 ^-'v^' West India Company ; complaints in cases of privilege, un- 
 ' usual innovations, whether by foreigners, neighbors of New 
 Netherland, or by the inhabitants of the latter country ; to- 
 gether with the supervision of all customs, usages, or laws, 
 with power to declare the same corrupt, or to abolish them as 
 bad, if found so to be ; they were also invested with the care 
 of minor children, widows, orphans, and other unprotected 
 persons, regarding whom, or whose affairs, application was to 
 be made to this court holding prerogative jurisdiction ; as well 
 as of all matters relating to possession of benefices, fiefs, 
 cases of lesse majestatis, religion, and all criminal affairs, and 
 the administration of the laws and justice in all matters in 
 which the interests of the company were concerned. Of 
 such importance was this new charter considered, that the 
 several provinces composing the States General demanded 
 copies thereof, with a view of communicating to their re- 
 spective constituents, and of making more generally known, 
 the favorable conditions on which immigration was now in- 
 vited to New Netherland.^ 
 
 Though the opening of the trade with the interior was pro- 
 ductive, in the first instance, on the island of Manhattans and 
 its immediate neighborhood, of considerable benefit, by the 
 increase of population — planting of bouweries — introduction 
 of stock — cultivation of tobacco and corn, and clearing and 
 preparation of new lands,^ it must be acknowledged, at the 
 same time, that the temptations of the fur-trade were, on the 
 other hand, so great, owing to the quick and excessive profits 
 which it promised or produced, and the free and careless 
 habits it engendered, that it is a matter of great doubt whether 
 it was not, eventually, a greater injury than service to the 
 community, and an obstacle rather than an encouragement to 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 234, 235, 239-262. 
 
 ' In plaats van seven bouweryen ende twee a drie plantagies, die alhier 
 waren, sagh men dartich bouweryen soo wel geboiivi't ende met bestiael versien 
 als in Europa ; en hondert plantagies, die in twee a drie jaaren oock gefor- 
 meerde bouweryen sonde geweest hebben. Want naerdat den Tabak uyt de 
 gront was, wort daer koren ingesmeten sonder ploegen. Des Winters was 
 men besich omme nieuw landen te prepareren. Journal van Nieu Nederlant. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 223 
 
 the prosperity and settlement of this infant province. For a chap. 
 great many, under the impression that now was the accepted ■^"^ 
 time to make their fortunes, spread themselves abroad among 
 the Indians, far from their own countrymen, whom they re- 
 garded with suspicion, as rivals in this alluring trade ; and 
 thus reduced to a dangerous degree the strength of the coun- 
 try, as well as jeoparded their own individual safety. Too 
 great a familiarity with the Indians was also the consequence 
 of this indiscreet course ; for to secure the friendship and 
 preferences of these uncivihzed people, every sort of allure- 
 ment was had recourse to by the trader. They were invited 
 to their tables ; helped to wine and other liquors, and other- 
 wise treated on such an equality, that quarrels and misunder- 
 standings ensued rather than esteem and respect. Add to this, 
 the Indians, whom the Dutch were in the habit of employing 
 as servants, indulged in their natural propensities ; often stole 
 more than their wages came to, and then running away, com- 
 municated to their tribes the domestic arrangements of the 
 Europeans, and made them acquainted with their habits, 
 strength, and usages, so that they were enabled to turn this 
 knowledge afterwards to account, in their wars, or other 
 attacks.^ 
 
 The Indians, on their side, if they were slow to perceive 
 the encroachments of the whites on their homesteads, were 
 soon made to feel the pressure of their presence. The cattle 
 of the new-comers, wandering abroad through the woods, un- 
 tethered and without a herdsman, destroyed the Indians' corn- 
 hills, which were unprotected and unfenced ; while the Dutch 
 authorities, with a fatuity not easily to be accounted for, em- 
 broiled as they were with their English neighbors, came to the 
 determination to levy tribute off the savages in corn, furs, or 
 wampum, in return for the heavy expenses which were incur- 
 red by the company in the construction of forts, and the pay- 
 ment of soldiers, and under the shallow pretence that the In- 
 dians were thereby defended from their enemies ; threatening 
 the savages, at the same time, that measures should be taken, 
 in case of non-compliance with these unjustifiable demands, 
 " to remove their reluctance."^ 
 
 > Ibid. « Alb. Rec. ii., 65, 81. 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK This combination of unfavorable circumstances required 
 
 '-'■v^ but a sVmht addition to convert into estrangement M^hatever 
 1640 
 
 ' good understanding or friendship hitherto existed between 
 the natives and the new-comers ; and this provocation was not 
 long wanting. 
 
 The inhabitants of Rensselaerswyck, who numbered at the 
 time as many traders as individuals, noting the avidity with 
 which the Mohawk sought after fire-arms, willingly paying the 
 English twenty beavers for a musket, and from ten to twelve 
 guilders for a pound of gunpowder, were desirous to share so 
 profitable a trade. They commenced, accordingly, to furnish 
 fire-arms to these Indians. The profits which accrued be- 
 came soon known, and traders from Holland soon introduced 
 large quantities of guns and other munitions of war into the 
 interior. The Mohawks, thus provided with arms for four 
 hundred warriors, swept the country from Canada to the sea- 
 coast, levying tribute on the surrounding terror-stricken 
 tribes.^ 
 
 The latter, especially such as dwelt along the North River, 
 endeavored not the less to place themselves, as far as weapons 
 went, on an equality with the Mohawks, and importuned the 
 Dutch settlers for fire-arms. But as the Director-general had 
 forbidden the furnishing guns or powder to the Indians, on pain 
 of death, the solicitations of the river tribes were in vain, and 
 they remained, comparatively speaking, as defenceless as be- 
 fore. 
 
 It was while the aborigines were thus indisposed and irri- 
 tated, that Director Kieft had recourse, in conformity, as he 
 alleged, to orders from Holland, to the highly impolitic meas- 
 ure of taxing the Indians, as before mentioned ; a proceeding 
 the more unwise, as it eventuated in a long and ruinous war. 
 
 ' Dese extraordinaire winste wert niet lange secreet gehouden ; de Coopluy- 
 den uyt Holland comende, hebben haest vernomen, ende van tyt tot tyt groote 
 mennichte overgebracht, soodat men de Maquaas in corten tyt gesien heeft 
 met vierroers, kruyt en loot naer advenant. Vier hondert gewapende manneu 
 hebben haer voordeel weten te gebruycken, voomamentlyck tegen haer vyan- 
 den, woonende langs do Riviere van Canada, daer sy nti veel profytelyck togh- 
 ten opgedaen hebben, ende vantevooren luttel voordeels hadden ; dit doet haer 
 oock ontsien syn van de omiegende wilden, tot aen de zeecust toe, die haer 
 generalyck tribtiyt moeten geven. Journael van N. N. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 225 
 
 The Indians expressed their astonishment at this proceeding chap. 
 in loud murmurs against " the Sakema of the fort, for daring 
 
 1040 
 
 to make such exactions." Sneers and reproaches followed 
 " The Sakema," they said, " must be a mean fellow : he had 
 not invited them to come and live here, that he should now 
 take away their corn." The Dutch they reviled and despised. 
 *' They were Materiotty, or men of blood ; they had neither 
 Great Sachem nor Chief," alluding to their country being a 
 republic, " and though they may be something on water, they 
 were good for nothing on land."^ 
 
 The feelings of the Indians towards the Dutch assumed, 
 from this date, a manifest change, and such an appearance of 
 hostility, that the Director-general considered it necessary to May 9. 
 call on every inhabitant to provide himself with a gun, and to 
 keep the same in good order. Notice was issued at the same 
 time to the people, that they should be warned, in case dan- 
 ger occurred through the night, by the discharge of three can 
 
 * Daerover de Wilden niet minder gretracht hebben om roers te becomen 
 ende door de gemeensaamheyd die sy met de onse hadden, begonden haer te 
 soliciteeren omme, roers ende kruyt ; maer alsoo sulx op de galge verboden 
 was, ende 't selve niet sekreet sonde connen blyven, door de groote conversatie, 
 800 hebben sy niet connen obtineren. Dit heeft, beneiFens de voorige cleynach- 
 tinge, de haet seer vermeerdeert, dat haer beweeght heeft tegen ons te con- 
 spireren, beginnende eerst door injurien die sy sonder discretie overal uytstrooy- 
 den, ons scheldende voor Materiotty : (dat is te seggen :) Bloode Menschen ; dat 
 wy wel yets te water mochten wesen, maer te lande niet en dochten ; en dat wy 
 sonder Groote Sackima, ofte oversten waren. Journael van N. N. : compare De 
 Vries ; also Report and Advice in Appendix E. ; Van der Donck says expressly, 
 that Kieft alleged that the tribute on the Indians was levied conformably to or- 
 ders from the directors in Holland, and that this led to the war. His words 
 are : — " Ja, het staet van den oorloch, volgens het seggen van den Dr. Kieft is 
 in het Vaderlandt mede eerst gesaeyt. Want de Directeur seyde expres ordre te 
 hebben, om de contributie van de Wilden te vorderen." And again : — " De oor- 
 saake van desen oorloch oordeelen wy te wesen het vorderen van de contributie, 
 daer de Directeur ordre van de Majores toe secht te hebben." Vertoogh van 
 N. N. Van Tienhoven does not undertake, in his defence of the colonial ad- 
 ministration, to deny the exaction of this tribute, but endeavors to palliate its 
 injustice, by saying that no contribution in com was ever received from the In- 
 dians without having been paid for twofold, " for these people," he adds, " are 
 80 stingy that they would not give a herring unless they got a codfish in return." 
 The directors positively deny having ever authorized any such contribution, or 
 been cognizant of its having been levied. Hoi. Doc. v., 30. Kieft's order, how- 
 ever, is inserted at length in Alb. Rec. ii. 
 
 29 
 
226 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK non shots, at which signal they were to appear, armed, at the 
 ^-""^ fort, each person under his respective corporal.^ 
 
 When parties are indisposed the one towards the other, 
 little is required to produce collision. Some of the company's 
 servants landed, about this time, on Staten Island to take in 
 water, on their way to the South River. Before they re- 
 embarked, they stole some hogs belonging to their employers 
 and to Captain David De Vries, who then had an infant settle- 
 ment on that island. The blame was thrown on the Indians 
 who lived on the Raritan, some fifteen or twenty miles distant, 
 and whose guilt seemed the more probable, as they were charged 
 with having made an attempt, only a short time previous, to 
 seize a yacht sent to that quarter for furs, and to kill its crew, 
 who, however, escaped with the loss of their canoe. 
 
 Prudence, it might reasonably be supposed, would have 
 prompted Kieft to pass over, in the present excited state of 
 feeling among the Indians, these petty aggressions, and to 
 have endeavored to calm irritation by inquiring into, and re- 
 moving the causes of any discontent that might exist. But 
 prudence formed no trait in Kieft's character. The stealing 
 of a few swine, and an isolated attack on a boat, which event- 
 uated in scarcely any loss of property, and no loss of life, was 
 declared to be " a case of great consequence," affecting the 
 dignity of the States General, the respect due to the company 
 July and its interest, and Secretary van Tienhoven was dispatched 
 with an armed force of fifty soldiers and twenty sailors, under 
 the command of Hendrick (Jerritsen, skipper of the ship the 
 Neptune, to attack the Indians, destroy their corn, and to make 
 as many prisoners as he could, unless the savages should sue 
 for peace and pay damages. 
 
 Arrived on the ground. Van Tienhoven lost all control over 
 his followers, who demanded permission to slaughter and 
 plunder the Indians at once. The secretary, irritated at this 
 insubordination, quitted the party, warning them that they 
 should have to answer for whatever mischief might result 
 from their disobedience. But all his monitions were disre- 
 garded. He had not retired three-quarters of a mile, when 
 
 > Alb. Rec. ii., 82. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 227 
 
 one of the Indians was shot : the chief's brother, whom the chap. 
 
 I- 
 
 party had taken prisoner, was barbarously butchered by Go- ^■^^ — 
 vert Loockermans, one of the party. Similar acts of cruelty 
 were committed by others, after which the soldiers returned, 
 having burnt the crops belonging to the Indians, leaving, how- 
 ever, one Ross, the supercargo of the Neptune, dead on the 
 field. 
 
 The effects of this injudicious proceeding were soon per- 
 ceptible. Cornelis Melyn, Patroon of Staten Island, brought 
 out a number of farmers to settle his colonie, but in conse- 
 quence of these hostilities, several of them were deterred 
 from going on the island, as they originally intended, and the . : 
 progress of this settlement was, for the moment, interrupted.^ 
 
 The settlers in and around New Amsterdam were generally 
 supplied at this period from the company's store with what- 
 ever goods they required, at fixed prices, being, as already - 
 stated, fifty per cent, advance on their prime cost. A list of 
 these prices was posted in a conspicuous place for public in- 
 spection. The value of produce and imported goods was as 
 follows : — Indian corn, 60 cents ; barley, 2 dollars ; peas, 
 $3.25 ; wheaten flour, 1 dollar, per schepel of three pecks ; 
 pork, 5 stivers ; fresh meat, 5 stiv. ; butter, 8 stiv. ; tobacco, 7 
 stiv. ; dried fish, 12 stiv. (or 2 York shillings) per lb. ; hard bread, 
 15 stiv.; cabbages, $12 per 100; staves, $32 per 1000 of 
 1200; a hog, 8 dollars ; rye bread, 5 stiv., wheaten bread, 7 
 stiv., corn bread, 4 stiv. per loaf ; sour wine, $31 per hhd. ; 
 Spanish wine, 4 stiv., French wine, 10 stiv. per quart; sugar, 17 
 and 24 stiv. per lb. ; grogram, 1 dollar, kersey flannel, $1.20, 
 cloth, 2 dollars, white linen, 18 to 20 stiv., red flannel, $1.20 per 
 ell ; children's shoes, 36 stiv., or six York shillings a pair ; brass 
 kettles, 40 cents apiece. The inhabitants complained, it is 
 right to add, that the goods in the company's store were over- 
 valued ; a complaint which was subsequently admitted to have 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. i., 263 ; ii., 95, 96 ; Hoi. Doc. iii., 165 ; v., 314. De Vries says Van 
 Tienhoven took one hundred armed men along with him, but that it was against 
 his orders to kill and plunder. Another authority represents the party to have 
 been composed of " eighty soldiers." I follow the text of the Alb. Rec. Kieft 
 is accused of having given to the soldiers themselves, at the moment of embar- 
 kation, even harsher orders than those he gave to Van Tienhoven. 
 
228 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK sufficient foundation in fact, for Ulrich Lupoid, the storekeeper 
 •"^^ in charge, was found guilty of extortion and malversation, and 
 * sentenced by the Director and council, by and with the advice 
 of the principal inhabitants, to removal from office ; to pay, 
 in addition, a fine of eighty dollars, and to be banished to Hol- 
 land. His sentence was, however, afterwards remitted on 
 Lupold's petition ; but he was ordered to satisfy the compa- 
 ny for his malversations. 
 
 The first ardent spirits ever made in America, were manu- 
 factured, it is said, at the close of this year in New Netherland, 
 by Willem Hendricksen, a native of Wesepe in Holland, who 
 De& erected a private still on Staten Island, for Director Kieft, 
 from which, during six or seven months that it was in opera- 
 tion, he ran a considerable quantity of brandy and other strong 
 liquors. Hendricksen was allowed twenty-five guilders per 
 month while thus employed.* 
 
 » Alb. Rec. i., 156, 231, 232, 240, 248 ; ii., 107, 116. Hoi. Doc. v., 105, 
 
 m 
 
 / 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 229 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Murder of one of the company's slaves by six other negroes — Lots drawn to de- 
 termme which should be executed — Scene at the place of execution — Proc- 
 lamations against drunkenness, and regulating the currency — New Haven 
 people intrude on the South River — Protested against — Renewal of the diffi- 
 culties on the Connecticut — Collision between the Dutch and English there 
 — Rev. Hugh Peters sent by Massachusetts to England ; commissioned to 
 proceed to Holland to settle the difficulties between Connecticut and New 
 Netherland — Propositions submitted to the West India Company by Gover- 
 nors Winthrop and Haynes — Several English families propose removing from 
 Massachusetts to Long Island — Privileges granted to them — A new colonie 
 planted behind Newark Bay — Staten Island granted to Melyn — Other set- 
 tlements at Hoboken — Increased misunderstanding between the Indians 
 and the Dutch — The latter set a price on the heads of the Raritans — Peace 
 concluded between both parties — A Weckquaesqueeck Indian assassinates a 
 Dutch settler to avenge the murder of his uncle, committed twenty years 
 previously — Kieft demands the murderer — His surrender refused — The mur- 
 der justified — Meeting of the commonalty in consequence — Election of " the 
 Twelve Men" — Their proceedings — Kieft displeased — Sends out expeditions 
 against the offending tribe, but effects nothing — The Twelve Men seek re- 
 forms in the government — Absolute power of the Director-general — Exercises 
 legislative and judicial functions — Demands of the Twelve Men — Answers 
 of the Director-general thereupon — Meeting of the Twelve Men forbidden 
 on pain of corporal punishment — Expedition against the Weckquaesqueecks 
 — Fails in discovering the enemy — Peace with these Indians. 
 
 To those who were superstitiously disposed, and whose an- chap. 
 ticipations of the future received a coloring from passing 
 events, the year 1641 opened, in New Amsterdam, with an 
 ill omen. The first month of the new year had not counted 
 many days, when that " village" was thrown into considerable 
 excitement by intelligence that a murder had been committed 
 behind the fort. Six of the company's slaves had perpetrated 
 the horrid deed. A fellowslave was their victim. As there 
 was no evidence, however, against them, torture, the common 
 expedient of the law in such cases, was resorted to for the 
 purpose of extorting self-accusation from the prisoners. But 
 to avoid this terrible engine, the latter confessed that they had 
 all jointly committed the act. The court was in a dilemma. 
 
 n. 
 1641. 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The company could not afford, in the scarcity of laborers, to 
 
 ^^-^ lose six of its neffroes. Justice could not be defrauded. The 
 1641 
 
 ja^jj_ difficulty was solved by a resolution that lots should be drawn 
 in order to determine which of the six should be executed. 
 The lot fell on Manuel de Reus, " the gia:nt," and he was ac- 
 cordingly sentenced to be hanged. 
 
 Jan. On the appointed day, the village of New Amsterdam 
 poured forth its scanty population to witness the execution of 
 the murderer. He was placed on a ladder in the fort, with 
 two strong halters around his neck. The fatal signal was 
 given, and the unfortunate man was turned off, when, horrid 
 to relate ! both the ropes broke, and " the giant" fell prostrate 
 to the ground. Forthwith the inhabitants and bystanders cried 
 aloud for pardon with great ardor ; and so strong were their 
 appeals, that the Director-general granted the culprit his life, 
 under a pledge of future good behavior. 
 
 April Some municipal regulations were issued in the course of 
 this spring for the better observance of the Sabbath, and to 
 check the prevailing vice of drunkenness on that day. The 
 tapping of beer during divine service, or after ten o'clock at 
 night, was strictly forbidden, under a penalty of ten dollars for 
 each offence. Measures were also taken to prevent the de- 
 terioration of the currency, which heretofore consisted, en- 
 tirely, of " the good splendid seawan, usually called Manhat- 
 tans' seawan," four beads of which were equal to one stiver. 
 But now, " nasty, rough seawan," fifty per cent, cheaper, was 
 surreptitiously introduced from foreign places. This drove, 
 according to the laws of currency, the better sort out of circu- 
 lation ; nay, threatened " the ruin of the country." This 
 
 ^p^jj inferior article was therefore condemned to pass at five for one 
 18. stiver during the following month, and afterwards at six, at 
 which rate circulated, subsequently, the loose, unstringed 
 wampum, which served the community as change.^ 
 
 The progress of these municipal reforms was, however, 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 108, 109, 110, 111, 118, 119. " Ter tyde van den Directeur 
 Kieft ging de Seewan voor vier die goet was ; ende losse lompen wierden op 
 ses stucx in een stuyver gestelt ; de redenen waerom de losse seewan niet is 
 afFgeset is, om datter geen gelt anders hebbende, veel verliesen souden." Van 
 Tienhoven. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 231 
 
 •now interrupted by the further attempts of the EngUsh at New chap. 
 Haven to usurp another section of the Dutch territory. A 
 number of families — some fifty in all — belonging to that quar- 
 ter, had become dissatisfied with their settlement on account 
 of the sickliness of the place, and concluded, in the fall of the 
 past year, to seek a more favorable climate and to remove to 
 the South River, which country they claimed as part of Vir- 
 ginia. This expedition sailing in the beginning of April, in a 
 bark belonging to a Mr. Lamberton, a New Haven merchant, 
 put into New Amsterdam in its progress south, and communi- 
 cated its designs to the Dutch authorities. 
 
 With the encroachments of the New Haven people at the 
 east, and of the Swedes on the Delaware, fresh in his recol- 
 lection. Director Kieft could not but look with an unfavorable 
 eye on this movement, which w^ould, in the nature of things, 
 only add to the competition the Dutch were already contend- 
 ing against on the South River, in their trade with the natives, 
 as well as to the difficulties which their title to the soil was 
 already encountering. He considered it, therefore, to be his 
 duty to express his disapprobation of the proceeding on the 
 threshold, and accordingly ordered the following protest to be 
 served on the interested parties : 
 
 " I, WiLLBM Kieft, Director-general in behalf of the High April 8. 
 and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Provinces, 
 of his Highness of Orange, and the Noble Lords Directors 
 of the Privileged West India Company, residing in New 
 Netherland, make known to you, Robert Cogswell, and your 
 associates, not to build nor plant on the South River, lying 
 within the limits of the New Netherlands, nor on the lands 
 extending along there, as lawfully belonging to Us, by our 
 possessing the same long years ago, before it was frequented 
 by any Christians, as appears by our forts which we have 
 thereon ; and also the mouth of the rivers sealed with our 
 blood, and the soil itself, most of which has been purchased 
 and paid for by Us, unless you will settle under the Lords 
 the States, and the Noble West India Company, and swear 
 allegiance and become subject to them, as the other inhabitants 
 have done. Failing whereof, we protest against all damages 
 
232 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK and losses which may accrue therefrom, and desire to be 
 
 ^''^ holden innocent thereof." 
 1641 
 
 To this protest, Cogswell, who lay in the stream opposite 
 Fort Amsterdam, replied, that it was not his intention to settle 
 under any government, but to select some spot over which the 
 States General had no authority ; and in case no such place 
 was to be found, it was his determination to return ; or, if he 
 settled within tlie limits of their High Mightinesses, to become 
 subject, and swear allegiance to them.' With this explana- 
 tion the party was allowed to proceed. On their arrival at the 
 place of their destination, they purchased from the Indians 
 large tracts of land on both sides of the South River ; began 
 to plant and set up trading-houses on Varken's Kill, or Hog 
 Creek, and a short time afterwards fortified a post on the 
 Schuylkill.2 
 
 With the return of the season for putting in the crops, the 
 difficulties were renewed between the Dutch and the English 
 on the Connecticut. Pieter Colet, Evert Duyckingh, and 
 
 April Sybrant Sybols, set about preparing the company's lands 
 around Fort Good Hope, but had not progressed far when a 
 number of Hartford people came along. " Ye are smart far- 
 mers to be abroad so early in the morning," was their first 
 salute ; " but the ground ye work on is ours !" Pieter Colet 
 would not submit to any such pretension. " We plough our 
 own ground," he replied, " and we are determined to maintain 
 our right," " What !" retorted the Englishmen, " will ye 
 three resist the whole English village ?" And thereupon they 
 fell on the Dutch servants, and beat both them and their horses 
 off the ground. Colet and Duyckingh proceeded immediately 
 to Governor Hopkins and Mr. Haines for redress. But the 
 question of title was here mooted again, and the Dutchmen 
 left, repeating their determination — " please the Almighty 
 God !" — to plough their own soil. They kept their words. 
 
 April. Two days afterwards they proceeded again to work, and were 
 again driven off by the Hartford men, who not only threw 
 their implements of husbandry into the river, but ran a strong 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ix., 205. 
 
 ' Hazard, ii., 213. Acrelius, Hist, of New Sweden. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 233 
 
 fence of palisades across the road leading from the fort to the chap, 
 woods, in order to cut off all communication between the for- 
 mer and the interior, so that the Dutch could procure neither 
 fuel nor any other necessaries. In addition to this, they im- 24. 
 pounded the company's hogs and cows, and, though the Dutch 
 broke down the fence and threw the palisades into the river, 
 the English continued their annoyances in all possible ways. 
 
 Hendrick Roesen, the recently appointed commissary of 
 this post, having deceased shortly after his arrival on the Con- 
 necticut, his widow, Elsje Goosens, transmitted intelligence of May 
 these unneighborly and unjustifiable proceedings to Fort Am- 
 sterdam. The Director-general and council ordered Doctor 
 Johannes La Montagne to repair, with fifty soldiers and a June G. 
 couple of yachts, to Fort Good Hope, to defend that post and 
 prevent a recurrence of these hostilities ; but this expedition 
 was subsequently countermanded, owing to the continued mis- 
 understandings with the Indians. The authorities at Hartford 
 seem to have felt as much aggrieved by the resistance of the 
 Dutch, as the latter felt injured by the attacks of the English. 
 They took immediate steps to confer with the governor and June 
 council of Massachusetts on the subject, but the latter, with- 
 out determining the case for either side, recommended the 
 Hartford people to be more moderate in their proceedings, 
 and to allow the Dutch more than thirty acres of land, which 
 were the limits to which the English had restricted Fort 
 Good Hope.^ 
 
 The news of the fall of Strafford and of Laud had now 
 reached the English colonies. " Upon the supposal that great 
 revolutions were at hand," the general court concluded to send 
 delegates to England, to congratulate the people of that coun- 
 try on their happy success ; to assist them by their advice in 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ix., 199, 200, 201, 202, 203 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 123. Hazard's 
 State Papers, ii. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. i., 274, 275. Winthrop alludes (Hist. 
 N. Eng. ii., 32) to this order of Kieft's to send troops to the Connecticut, and 
 then adds, " but it pleased the Lord to disappoint their purpose at that time, for 
 the Indians falling out with them, killed some of their men at the Fort of 
 Orange," [this is an error, it was at Staten Island ;] " whereby they were 
 forced to keep their soldiers at home to defend themselves." Winthrop's Joum. 
 224, 225. 
 
 30 
 
■234 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK establishing a right form of church-government, and to explain 
 to their creditors the reasons which prevented them sending 
 * remittances at that time. The individuals selected for this 
 important mission vi^ere the Rev. Mr. Welde, pastor of Rox- 
 bury ; Mr. Hibbins, of Boston ; Mr. John Winthrop, a mem- 
 ber of the Massachusetts council ; and the Rev. Hugh Peters, 
 pastor of Salem, since -well knovv^n on account of the active 
 part which he took against Charles the First, the unhappy 
 monarch of England ; the fiery zeal which he evinced in favor 
 of the usurper Cromwell ; and the great misfortunes which 
 he suffered after the Restoration, and which terminated only 
 by his death on the scaffold.^ 
 
 ' The Rev. Hugh Peters, the descendant of a wealthy and ancient English 
 family, was born in 1599, and graduated at Cambridge, England, in 1622. He 
 received holy orders from Dr. Mountain, Bishop of London ; but in consequence 
 of the active part which he took against the bishops, he was forced to leave the 
 country, and to retire to Holland, where he officiated as minister to an English 
 congregation at Rotterdam. He proceeded to New England in 1634, and was 
 there elected minister of the church at Salem, and officiated afterwards in the 
 great meeting-house in Boston, at which place he enjoyed a high reputation 
 and was much respected. After a residence in New England of seven years, 
 he was sent by the colonies as their ambassador to the parliament of England, 
 for the purposes mentioned in the text, and also to obtain some favorable com- 
 mercial privileges. On his arrival, he found the civil war at its height, and at- 
 tached himself to the Parliamentarians with a " zeal which overwhelmed his 
 judgment." He visited Holland in 1643, in several cities of which country he 
 preached so violently against Charles I., that the English ambassador. Bos- 
 well, was under the necessity of complaining of him to the States General. He 
 delivered a series of discourses to the English congregation at Amsterdam, in 
 which he accused the king of exciting the Catholics of Ireland against Crom- 
 well and his partisans in that country ; and such effect had these sermons, that 
 crowds of women, it is said, gave their wedding-rings to supply the English 
 malecontents with funds. The Dutch connived at the whole of these proceed- 
 ings. Peters was subsequently appointed chaplain to Cromwell, of whom he 
 was so thorough a partisan, that he gave God thanks for the Drogheda mas- 
 sacre, where between three and four thousand people were put to death in cold 
 blood. In the part he took against Charles I., his opposition assumed the 
 character of the bitterest passion, and he is represented as having uttered the 
 most terrible denunciations against that unfortunate monarch in the sermon 
 which he preached before his majesty previous to his execution. " Bind fast 
 your king with chains, and your nobles with fetters of iron," were the words 
 which he is said to have taken for his text, when he compared Charles to Ba- 
 rabbas, and the red-coats to saviours and saints, " not inferior to those who sur- 
 round the tlu-one of God." But it is to be hoped that in this particular the 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 235 
 
 As Mr. Peters had, by his previous residence in Holland, chap. 
 become well acquainted with many of the directors of the ^^^jj^ 
 West India Company, the governors of Massachusetts and 
 Connecticut considered this a favorable opportunity to en- 
 deavor to enter into such arrangements with that body, as 
 might obviate the recurrence of those late collisions which 
 had disturbed public harmony on the Connecticut River. In 
 this hope, they furnished the Rev. Mr. Peters with the follow- 
 ing letter of credence,^ accompanied by a series of proposi- 
 tions, which, if concurred in by the directors, would, they ex- 
 pected, be productive of beneficial results. 
 
 " Whereas, the bearer, Mr. Hugh Peters, mmister of Salem, Oct. 
 is sent, at the public request, to England, to negotiate with 
 the present parliament there about such matters as concern us, 
 which we confide to his care and fidelity, this is to authorize 
 him, if occasion permit him to go to the Netherlands, to treat 
 with the West India Company there, concerning a peaceable 
 neighborhood between us and those of New Netherland, and 
 whatever he shall further think proper touching the West In- 
 dies ; wherefore we have agreed and consulted with each 
 other, in a matter of such great importance, God willing, to 
 
 accusation is overcharged, for Dr. Lingard says, " it should be recorded to the 
 honor of that fanatical preacher," that it was at the request of Hugh Peters, 
 that Dr. Juxon, Bishop of London, had been permitted to attend on Charles 
 preparatory to his death. After the Restoration, the Rev. Mr. Peters was ac- 
 cused as a regicide. His trial was a scene of flagrant injustice. He was 
 allowed no counsel, and was sentenced to die, though even false witnesses did 
 not substantiate the charges on which he was condemned. He was hanged on 
 the 14tli Oct. 1660, exhibiting, even at the gallows, the most indomitable cour- 
 age. " You may do your worst," was his last address to his unfeeling execu- 
 tioner ; and with these words " the first freeman of Massachusetts who lost his 
 life for opposition to monarchy," was launched into eternity. His course and 
 his character have been differently appreciated by friends and enemies. Those 
 praise and these asperse, according as bias has swayed their judgment. Who- 
 ever wishes to arrive at a just conclusion, may consult Bancroft's U. S. i., 383 ; 
 ii., 32 ; Aitzema, ii., 936 ; Von Reaumer's Pol. Hist, of Eng. ii., 399 ; and 
 Lingard's Hist. Eng. x., 257. 
 
 1 Winthrop's New Eng. ii., 25, 26, 31, 32 ; Journal, 225 ; Hubbard's New 
 Eng. 371, 432, 433. Hubbard, copying Winthrop, says that Peters did not 
 carry a commission with him to treat with the West India Company. But in 
 this, it will be seen, all these New England authorities are in error. 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK reduce the particulars to be treated of, to such propositions as 
 "•"^ shall be presented on coming together. 
 
 (Signed) " John Winthrop, 
 
 Gov. of Massachusetts. 
 " John Haynes, 
 
 Gov. of Connecticut. 
 
 " This lOth day of Oct. 1641, in the Bay 
 
 of Massachusetts, in New England." 
 
 The " propositions" referred to in the above letter, and sub- 
 mitted to the West India Company, were : — 
 
 " 1. That the Honorable Company will be pleased to devise 
 some expedient for the settlement of the limits between New 
 England and New Netherland, or at least to define for us their 
 limits. 
 
 " II. That their Honors will wholly abstain from molesting 
 our people on the Fresh River, alias the Connecticut, since 
 we are willing that indifferent persons, if any such can be 
 found, may examine our title. 
 
 " III. That the said company will set a price on their plan- 
 tation, if they have any intention to part with it. 
 
 " IV. That if any Englishmen should remove from our dis- 
 trict to the continent of the West Indies, being provided there- 
 for with all necessaries, except ships and ordnance, which the 
 company should furnish, what conditions would they be willing 
 to require ? 
 
 " V. That the company, knowing that the English in Amer- 
 ica amount to about fifty thousand souls, may be pleased to 
 inform us in what manner we can be employed in advancing 
 the great work there, being of the same religion with them- 
 selves, and such as we hope may be trusted, and furnish us 
 with an analysis of such government as they, in conjunction 
 with us, would be willing to grant there. 
 
 " VI. That the company would be pleased in all things to 
 see in the inhabitants of New England, who number about 
 forty thousand souls, a people who covet peace in their ways, 
 the planting of the gospel above all things, and not to cause 
 trouble or injury in any manner whatever to the company."* 
 
 • Hoi. Doc. ix., 224, 225. The above is a translation from the Dutch, and 
 possibly may not accord in all expressions with the English original. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 237 
 
 What issue followed these propositions we are unable to chap. 
 
 determine. The terrible crisis that had overtaken Ensrland '■^^ 
 
 164X 
 
 and the English monarchy, absorbed exclusively all men's at- 
 tention. New England and New Netherland were for the 
 moment alike forgotten. It is evident, however, that a desire 
 very generally prevailed among the English at the east, to re- 
 move to the territories of the West India Company, A con- 
 siderable number of " respectable Englishmen" came in the June 6. 
 course of this summer from Lynn and Ipswich, Massachu- 
 setts, to examine the Dutch lands on Long Island, and to treat 
 with the Director-general for permission to settle, with their 
 clergyman, there. This permission was readily accorded on 
 the following very favorable terms, in conformity with the pro ■ 
 visions of the charter of 1640, which formed the basis of all 
 future grants from the Dutch to the English. 
 
 They were to take the oath of allegiance to their High 
 Mightinesses the States General and the West India Compa- 
 ny, and in return, to enjoy free exercise of religion, and if they 
 desired to have a magistracy from among themselves, they 
 were to be allowed to nominate three or more persons from the 
 most respectable among them, from which the Director-gene- 
 ral would select one or more schepens, or magistrates, to be 
 invested with power to decide definitively in all civil cases to 
 the amount of forty guilders, or sixteen dollars, above which 
 sum an appeal was to lie to the Director-general and council. 
 In criminal cases, they might proceed to, but not inflict capi- 
 tal punishment. They were empowered to erect towns, but 
 could not construct forts except by special leave. Lands 
 were to be shown to them free of expense, and whatever 
 ground they might select, they were to hold free of rent or 
 taxes for ten years ; at the expiration of which time, they 
 should be holden to pay the tenths of the produce. They 
 were, in addition, to enjoy free hunting and fishing, and un- 
 shackled commerce, conformably to the privileges granted to 
 New Netherland, but they were bound, in return, to make use 
 of the weights and measures of the country.^ 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 122, 123, 169. The above privileges were those of a simple 
 manor. Schepens were town magistrates whose authority was confined to 
 causes between private individuals ; matters of municipal polity ; management 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The families above referred to did not follow up their in- 
 j^^^ tention of moving to Long Island. Though satisfied with the 
 ■ " very fair terms" which the Dutch authorities offered, and 
 which, with few exceptions, were similar to the immunities 
 which they enjoyed in Massachusetts ; their court was of- 
 fended at their " strengthening the Dutch, our doubtful neigh- 
 bors," and at their accepting from them that which the king 
 had already granted by patent to the Earl of Stirling. They 
 viewed, also, with particular displeasure, the assent which the 
 English had given to the " oath of fealty." The consequence, 
 Oct. 6. therefore, was, that the proposed emigration was prevented, 
 and the parties were persuaded to remain in New England.^ 
 
 Respectable Dutch planters continued, however, to take an 
 interest in the settlement of the country. A new " colonic," 
 of which Meyndert Meyndertsen, the Heer Nederhorst, was 
 Patroon, was established in the beginning of this year on the 
 main behind Staten Island, and extended from Achter Cul, or 
 Newark Bay, north to Tappaan. Cornelis Melyn, a Dutch 
 
 1640. merchant, who visited New Netherland in 1639, had obtained 
 July 3. from the directors in Holland an order for Staten Island, 
 
 authorizing him to erect the same into a " colonic." But 
 
 1641. having, on his voyage out, been taken prisoner by the " Dun- 
 Feb. kirkers," who had also captured his vessel, he was obliged to 
 
 apply to the company for a passage for himself and family, 
 
 Aug. which obtaining, he arrived in New Netherland in the middle 
 20. . 
 
 of the following summer, with his wife, children, servants, 
 
 and a small venture valued at about one thousand guilders, in 
 
 the ship the Eyckenboom, or Oak Tree. On the 19th June, 
 
 of town revenues, and the welfare and security of their locality, so far as the 
 same was permitted by the above-mentioned charter. The nomination by the 
 people of a double or triple number, from which the executive was to choose 
 the person or persons to be commissioned as magistrates, was in conformity to 
 the custom prevalent in many parts of Holland, where the inhabitants of 
 various localities, down to 1672, submitted a double list to the Stadtholder, 
 from which he selected one half to be magistrates. A somewhat similar cus- 
 tom prevails in England and Ireland, where the circuit judges submit the 
 names of three gentlemen as sheriffs, from which list the crown " pricks" one 
 to be commissioned as high sheriff" of the county. See Van Leeuwen's Cora. ; 
 also Institutions Judiciaires, iii., 165, 166. 
 
 ' Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 34 ; Journal, 226, 227. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 239 
 
 1642, letters patent were issued, constituting him patroon of chap. 
 the whole of Staten Island, the bouwerie of Capt. De Vries ^j^^^ 
 excepted, and investing him with all the powers, jurisdictions, 
 and pre-eminences appertaining to that privileged order. 
 
 Aert Teunissen van Patten took a lease, this year, of 
 Hoboken, situate in Pavonia, which he stocked with all sorts 
 of cattle, and on which he erected a respectable bouwerie, 
 and planted a considerable number of fruit-trees. So favor- 
 able, indeed, became the prospects of the country, that the 
 
 Director-general and council established two fairs at New Sept. 
 
 15 
 
 Amsterdam ; one to be holden annually on the fifteenth 
 October, for cattle generally ; the other on the first of No- 
 vember, for hogs.' 
 
 The ill-feeling which had existed for some time between 
 the Dutch and the Indians, led unfortunately, this summer, to 
 increased misunderstanding, accompanied by the shedding of 
 blood. Staten Island became again the theatre of these sad 
 deeds. The Raritan tribe, smarting under the attacks of the 
 Dutch in the preceding spring, which they considered the 
 more unjustifiable, inasmuch as they were guiltless of the 
 charges made against them, determined now that the " Swan- 
 nekins," as they called the Europeans, should have dead men 
 instead of dead hogs to fight for. They accordingly made a 
 descent on the bouwerie belonging to Captain De Vries, on 
 Staten Island, killed four of his planters, and burned his 
 dwelling and tobacco house. This assault, which was the 
 more unexpected as the Indians had been suing for peace, 
 and had assured the Dutch that the " talk" of their chief 
 would be forthcoming in a few days, excited considerable 
 anger in the mind of the Director-general. He forthwith re- 
 solved — contrary, however, to the express commands of his July 4. 
 superiors, who seriously and particularly enjoined on him to 
 cultivate good understanding with the Indians — to wage a war 
 of extermination against tlie Raritans, and with that view in- 
 vited his savage allies, who resided in the neighborhood, to 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 134 ; iii., 13 ; xix., 143, 144 ; GG, 102, 103 ; Hoi. Doc. iv., 
 247 ; De Vries Voyag. in ii. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Col. i., 264. The prices of stock 
 about this time were : for a mare 400 gl., or $160 ; a colt, 250 gl., [f 100 ;] a 
 milch cow, 150 gl., or $60 ; Alb. Rec. i., 266. 
 
240 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK take up arms in favor of the Dutch. To stimulate their 
 jl^^ thirst for blood, he offered ten fathoms of wampum for every 
 " head of a Raritan, and twenty fathoms for each of the heads 
 of the Indians who murdered the people on Staten Island. 
 Sept. a further measure of precaution, he ordered a small re- 
 doubt to be erected on that island " at the lowest expense."* 
 
 These rewards did not fail to arouse the bad passions of 
 some of the neighboring savages. Pacham, chief of the 
 Tankitekes, or Haverstraw Indians, who resided in the rear 
 of Sing Sing, soon made his appearance at the fort with the 
 hand of a dead man dangling at the end of a stick. It be- 
 longed to the chief who had killed the planters on Staten 
 Island ; and the savage, in presenting it, boasted that he had 
 thus avenged the wrongs of the Swannekins, " whose friend 
 he was." Peace was fortunately concluded, some time sub- 
 sequently, between the Dutch and the Raritans, which, to 
 their honor be it said, the latter forever after faithfully pre- 
 served unbroken, even when the whole of the neighboring 
 tribes raised the hatchet and the warwhoop against the inhab- 
 itants of New Netherland. 
 
 Peace had not been concluded, however, before another 
 murder was to be recorded. The child, whose uncle had 
 been assassinated by the servants of Director Minuit, in 1 626, 
 had now grown to manhood. His uncle's spirit was still un- 
 appeased — his murder was unavenged. His voice was heard 
 in the roaring of the storm — in the rustle of the leaves — in the 
 sighing of the winds ; and full of the conviction that that 
 spirit could not find rest until vengeance should be had, the 
 young Weckquaeskeeck^ sought for a victim to offer to the 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 128, 129, 133. This disgraceful practice of offering rewards 
 for the murder of Indians, was common for a long time after this in the Amer- 
 ican colonies. Gov. Hunter, of Pennsylvania, offered, in 1756, $150 for every 
 male Indian enemy over twelve years of age ; for his scalp, or for a female 
 Indian or child under twelve, $130 ; or $50 for the scalp of an Indian woman. 
 Dunlap's N. Y. ii., App. clxx., clxxxi. 
 
 " Opposite Tappaan [says De Vries] lies a place called Wechquaesqueeek. 
 Van Tienhoven, describing this place, states : " Wechquaesqueek, on the North 
 River, five (twenty) miles above New Amsterdam, is a right good and suitable 
 land for cultivation ; contains considerable mayze land, which the Indians 
 planted, rismg from the shore ; in the interior the country is flat and mostly 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 241 
 
 manes of the dead. Shrouding his evil purpose under the chap. 
 cloak of a friendly, or business visit, he called at the house of 
 one Claes Cornelisz. Smits, the Raadmaker," an aged set- 
 tier, resident on the west side of the river, under pretence of 
 making some purchases. The old man suspecting no harm, 
 (for the Indian had been in the habit of w^orking for his son,) 
 set some food before him, and then proceeded to get from a 
 chest, in which it lay, the cloth which the other wished to pur- 
 chase. The moment he stooped, the savage seized an axe, 
 struck him dead, and then withdrew, having rifled the house 
 of all its contents. 
 
 This aggression on an old and helpless man excited, when 
 it became known, considerable feeling at Fort Amsterdam. 
 Director Kieft promptly demanded satisfaction from the chief 
 to whose tribe the murderer belonged. But the sachem re- 
 fused to make any atonement. " He was sorry that twenty Aug. 
 Christians had not been immolated ; the Indian had but 
 avenged, after the manner of his race, the murder of a rela- 
 tive whom the Dutch had slain nearly twenty years before." 
 On receipt of this answer, armed parties were sent out to re- 
 taliate, but they returned, having effected nothing.^ 
 
 In this state of affairs. Director Kieft, in order to obviate all 
 public censure, concluded to submit matters now to the com- 
 munity at large. All the masters and heads of families, resi- Aug 
 dents of New Amsterdam and its neighborhood, were, there- 
 fore, invited to assemble in the fort on the 28th day of August, 
 then and there to determine on " something of the first import- 
 ance." The people met. It was the first time that their exist- Aug. 
 
 Oft 
 
 ence as a component part of the body politic had been recog- 
 nised, or their influence acknowledged. Three propositions 
 were submitted to them by the Director-general and council — 
 Firstly, Whether it was not just that the recent murder should 
 be avenged, and the village destroyed to which the murderer 
 
 even ; very abundantly watered with small streams and running fountains. 
 This land is situate between two rivulets called Sintsinck and Armonck, lying 
 between the East and North rivers." Bedenkinge over het aenvaerden van de 
 landeryen in N. Nederlant. 
 
 ' Journael van Nieuw Nederlant ; Capt. Patrix brief in dato den 21 Aug. 
 1641 ; also Hoi. Doc. v. 314. De Vries corroborates the statements in the text. 
 
 31 
 
242 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK belonged, if he were not surrendered or punished ? Secondly, 
 — In what manner this object ought to be accomplished 1 and, 
 * Thirdly, By whom the project should be effected ? 
 
 Aug. On the day following, the commonalty of New Amsterdam, 
 and the adjoining settlements, handed in their opinions on these 
 propositions. The harvest was still unsaved ; the cattle scat- 
 tered through the woods ; many of the inhabitants at a dis- 
 tance. It was therefore considered prudent to wait for a more 
 fitting opportunity to prosecute this undertaking. " Mean- 
 while all the means were to be got ready, and the Director-gen- 
 eral was requested to procure two hundred coats of mail (malj 
 rocken) from the north, as well for the soldiers as for the free- 
 men who may be willing to pay their share in these expenses." 
 It was further recommended that kind intercourse, and the 
 trade in corn, be continued as usual, in order to throw the 
 savages off their guard ; and that no person, of whatever rank 
 he may be, should on any account adopt any hostile measures, 
 except against the murderer, until the hunting season, when, 
 it was suggested, two expeditions should be got up — one to 
 land in the neighborhood of " the Archipelago," or Norwalk 
 Island — the other, at Wechquaesqueck ; on which occasions the 
 Director-general (who it was significantly hinted should " lead 
 the van") was advised to employ as many of the most active 
 negroes as he could spare, to be armed each with a tomahawk 
 and half-pike. In the mean time, it was strenuously urged, that 
 a messenger should be sent once, twice, " yea, even a third 
 time," to demand, in a friendly manner, the surrender of the 
 murderer, in order that he be punished according to his deserts. 
 
 Twelve men were then chosen by the commonalty at large, 
 to co-operate with the Director-general and council, in the exe- 
 cution of the foregoing conclusions. The names of these dele- 
 gates — the first representative body of which we have any 
 mention in the annals of this state — were, Jacques Bentyn, 
 Jan Dam, Hendrik Jansen, David Pietersen De Vries, Jacob 
 StofFels, Maryn Adriaensen, Abram Molenaer, Fredrik Lub- 
 bertsen, Joachim Pietersen, Gerrit Dircksen, George Rapelje, 
 and Abram Plank.* They were immediately sworn into office. 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. v., 327, 328, 329. Alb. Rec. ii., 136, 137. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 243 
 
 Capt. De Vries having been named their president ; but, chap. 
 though in every sense of the word the representatives of the ^^v~ 
 people, their influence over the councils or determinations of 
 the Director-general does not appear to have been very great. 
 Kieft made this concession to popular rights neither willingly 
 nor in good faith. It was wrung from him rather by the ne- 
 cessities of the times, to serve as a cloak to protect him from 
 responsibility or censure ; to be cast aside when it ceased to 
 serve this purpose.^ 
 
 He was not, it seems, altogether pleased with the conclu- 
 sions to which the commonalty had come ; he was impatient 
 to attack the Indians, against whom he entertained strong pre- 
 judices and dislike, and, therefore, when the winter approached, 
 he called the Twelve Men again into his presence — not in a Nov. 1. 
 body, however, but separately — to obtain their consent to an 
 attack, "as the time and opportunity were presenting themselves 
 to surprise the Indians on their hunting expeditions." But the 
 majority still counselled patience. The savages were not suf- 
 ficiently lulled — it were better, some added, to await the arri- 
 val of a vessel from Patria ; and thus Director Kieft was 
 obliged to defer, to a future time, his attack on the unsuspect- 
 ing natives.^ 
 
 But his purpose against the Indians did not sleep, for all 1642. 
 that. The moment the winter effectually set in, and the rivers 
 
 * Van der Donck says, very plainly, that Kieft allovped these representatives to 
 be chosen merely " to serve him as a cloak, and as cats-paws" — that they had 
 neither vote nor voice in the council, and were of no moment, when their opin- 
 ions differed from that of the Director, who looked upon himself as sovereign in 
 the country. " De 12 mannen" (he says) " en daernaer de acht, hadden in 
 gerechtsaacken noch stem, noch advys ; maar sy waeren ten opsien van den 
 oorloch en eenige andere voorvallende saaken gekoren, om als deckmantel en 
 cattepooten te dienen ; anders quamen in geen consideratie, en werden wey- 
 nich geacht, als sy tegens des Directeurs meyninge yetwes verstonden ; die 
 sich doch inbielde, ofte immers andere wilde doen geloove, als ^ouverain te 
 wesen ; endat alles. in zyn handt absoluyt stont te doen en te laten." Kieft 
 himself repudiated, before three months were passed, the idea that the Twelve 
 Men were to have any participation in the management of public affairs ; though 
 De Vries (who was one of the Twelve) alleges that they were elected to take 
 the reins of the government with Kieft. Van der Donk's view is, no doubt, the 
 correct one. 
 
 " Alb. Rec. ii., 140, 141. 
 
I 
 
 244 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK and streams became frozen over, he affain called on the Twelve 
 III. . 
 
 ^ — Men, to take into their consideration the three propositions 
 ' which he had already submitted to them, and to decide what 
 was best to be done. They could no longer, now, refuse their 
 concurrence in the wishes of the Director-general. The murder- 
 er of Claes Smits had neither been delivered up nor punished. 
 They therefore consented that preparations should be made 
 
 Jan. for an expedition, in which they promised their co-operation, 
 provided, however, the Director himself accompanied them, to 
 prevent all disorder ; and on condition, also, that he should 
 furnish, in addition to powder and ball, provisions necessary 
 for the expedition, " such as bread and butter ;" and appoint, 
 moreover, a steward to take charge of the same, in order that 
 all waste should be prevented. " If any person required any 
 thing more than bread and butter, he was to provide himself 
 therewith." " But if it happened that God Almighty were 
 pleased to permit one or more of the freemen to be wounded 
 in the expedition, or in the attack on the savages, the noble 
 Director and council were to remain obliged to support such 
 wounded persons, and their families, in a decent manner, and 
 to have them cured at the expense of the provident com- 
 pany,"^ 
 
 Having made these concessions to the personal wishes of 
 the Director-general, the Twelve Men turned their attention 
 to the faulty composition of their local government ; to the 
 unlimited power of the executive ; and to the absence of all 
 municipal authority in the settlements and villages which 
 were gradually rising up. 
 
 Though a servant himself of the West India Company, 
 nominated by the Assembly of the XIX., and commissioned 
 by the States General, the Director was in fact absolute in 
 New Netherland, and beyond all control within the colony. 
 As representative of the sovereign authority, he extinguished 
 Indian titles to land, and sanctioned all purchases from the 
 aborigines. No contracts, engagements, transfers, bargains, 
 nor sales were valid, except such as were passed before and 
 written by his secretary. He erected courts ; appointed, 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. v., 330, 331. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 245 
 
 either directly or indirectly, all public officers, except such as chap. 
 came out with commissions from Holland ; made laws ; is- 
 sued ordinances ; incorporated towns ; imposed taxes ; levied 
 fines ; inflicted penalties ; and could affect the value of any 
 man's property at a moment, by raising or lowering the value 
 of wampum, which constituted the chief currency, at this 
 period, of the country. He not only acted in an executive 
 and legislative, but also in a judicial capacity. He decided 
 all civil and criminal questions, without the intervention of a 
 jury, such an institution being unknown in the province ; and 
 before him were brought all appeals from' inferior courts. 
 When we add to this the fact, that all such municipal regula- 
 tions as circumstances demanded, emanated from him and his 
 council, we cannot be surprised to learn that many things were 
 left undone which ought to be attended to ; that many things 
 were performed, which might better have been left undone ; 
 and that dissatisfaction necessarily prevailed among the sturdy 
 sons of that republic, who ever evinced a lively and honorable 
 jealousy of despotic power. 
 
 This, indeed, could not well be otherwise. The colonial 
 council consisted, as we have already remarked, of the Di- 
 rector-general and Mr. La Montague, and as the management 
 of the various interests of the country, and the performance 
 of the numerous duties which we have enumerated, devolved 
 on these two, they were necessarily obliged to call in some 
 of the common people, usually the servants of the com- 
 pany, dependents on the pleasure of the Director-general, 
 to assist in the administration of justice, — a course which, 
 from the nature of things, excited suspicion, distrust, and dis- 
 content. 
 
 This faulty composition of the council attracted, therefore, 
 the early attention of the Twelve Men. To obtain a reform 
 of that, and other grievances under which they labored, their 
 principal exertions were now directed. With this view, they jan 2J. 
 addressed a respectful memorial to the Director-general, at 
 the same time that they offered their services against the In- 
 dians, in which they called his particular attention to the fact, 
 that in their native country — their beloved " Fatherland" — 
 the smallest village had a board of from five to seven schepens, 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK or magistrates, for the management of its local affairs.^ They 
 '"'^ asked that the same privilege should be extended to them, and 
 " that the council of New Netherland should be increased, as 
 the Director already proposed, by the addition of four more 
 persons, so that the board should consist in future of at least 
 five members. And as rotation in office was a good and 
 wholesome practice, they further demanded that two of these 
 should annually retire, to be succeeded by two others from 
 among " the twelve men." They objected, in the next place, 
 to so many of the " common people" having seats on the 
 bench ; and required that the Director and council should not, 
 hereafter, sit in judgment on any accused persons, or evil- 
 doers, unless, as was laid down in the instructions to the 
 schout-fiscaal, five members of the council preside in the 
 court. They further proposed, with a view to render the de- 
 fence of the country more perfect, that there should be an 
 annual muster of all male persons capable of bearing arms, 
 each man to attend with his gun, and to be furnished by the 
 company, on that occasion, with half a pound of powder ; that 
 every freeman should be allowed to visit all vessels amving 
 from sea, " whether Dutch, English, or French," after the 
 fiscaal had been on board, " as is the custom in Holland 
 and that all the inhabitants, " be they who they may," have 
 the right to repair to and return from all places round about, 
 belonging to friends and allies, and to transport thither such 
 goods as they may please, on receiving the necessary permit, 
 and paying such duties as the company may demand. Hav- 
 ing thus disposed of those general matters, they next repre- 
 sented that in consequence of the sale, in New Netherland, of 
 
 ^ Dan les lieux oil les Communes avaient acquis plus d'autorite, on trouve 
 des Echevins comme juges nommes par le souverain. II parait qu'ancienne- 
 ment les Echevins Communaux, de m6me que les Scabini des Francs, formaient 
 nne classe, ou un ^tat de personnes designees comme plus propres k se charger 
 de rendre la justice sans que le nombre total fCit determine, ou qu'ils constituas- 
 sent un tribunal permanent. Plus tard le nombre des Echevins fut fixe ; et ce 
 nombre est si souvent tellement petit qu'on ne pent douter qu'ils n'aient ^t^ 
 plut6t un tribunal stable que des juges appel^s selon la convenance du Bailli. 
 Ce n'est que vers le quinzifeme siecle qu'on trouve gdn^ralement les Echevins 
 nommes pour un certain tems, et positivement d^signe comme formant un tri- 
 bunal qui jugeait h. la semonce du Bailli. Institutions Judiciaires, 165, 166. 
 
\ 
 
 NEW NETHERLAND. 247 
 
 COWS and other stock bv the Endish, the cattle owned and chap. 
 
 " II. 
 introduced by the Dutch were held in small esteem, and were 
 
 not so valuable as they had heretofore been. They therefore 
 asked — and it was a demand as injudicious as it was near- 
 sighted and destructive to the improvement of their own stock 
 — that the English should not be permitted, hereafter, to sell 
 either cows or goats within the Dutch jurisdiction, but that 
 this privilege should be confined to oxen and poultry. The 
 currency of the country was the last subject to which their 
 memorial referred. They asked, that its value should be 
 raised, on the fallacious plea that it would thereby be retained 
 in the province and not be carried off by foreign nations. 
 
 Director Kieft lent a favorable ear, for the moment, to 
 this representation. He informed the petitioners that he had 
 already written to Holland on the subject referred to in the 
 first part of the memorial, and that he expected by the first 
 ship, the arrival of " some persons of quality," and to be also 
 furnished with a complete council. The presence of " com- 
 mon people" on the bench was caused, he said, by the fewness 
 of the council, but he doubted if any persons had grounds to 
 complain of unrighteous judgments on that account. If they 
 had, he should like to know who they were. He consented 
 to select four persons to assist in the administration of justice, 
 and to sit in the council at certain times, when summoned so 
 to do ; with the further privilege of assembling together on 
 public affairs, and voting on such propositions as should be 
 submitted to them ; to which extent their authority and power 
 should be confined ; and that two of these should retire every 
 year. But as for the Twelve Men, he told them that they 
 were not invested by the commonalty with any greater power 
 than to give their advice as to the proper course to be adopted 
 to revenge the murder of Claes Smits.' He agreed that there 
 
 ' III. Dat den Raed van Nieuw Nederlandt van nu af sal compleet gehouden 
 worden van raden, temeer, alsoo in 't Vaderlant den raet op een cleyne dorp, 
 by vyfF a 7 schepens bestaet ; meede dat van nu voortaen by den Directeur 
 en Raed genige misdadigen en sullen veroordeelt worden, ten ware sy vyfF 
 raden in 't getal sterck waren, endat, omdat de gemeene man daer veel plaets 
 van heeft. 
 
 Answer : Daer is in Hollandt om geschreeven, soo dat wy vertrouwen met 
 d'eerste schepen eenige persoonen van qualiteyt te becomen, en alsoo een 
 
248 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK should be an annual muster, but refused to furnish the half 
 pound of powder, as the company was bound to provide set- 
 ' tiers with ammunition, in cases of emergency, and furnish 
 the Patroons, besides, with sufficient means to defend them- 
 selves and property from attack. It was contrary to his in- 
 structions to permit the freemen to visit arriving vessels. 
 " Such a course would lead to disorder," as several of the 
 company's ships were expected at the Manhattans with prizes. 
 This part of the memorial was, therefore, refused. But the 
 inhabitants were allowed to visit the neighboring country, and 
 the ports of friendly governments, on payment of the proper 
 dues, on condition that the goods should not be sold to any 
 of tlie public enemy. The Director-general concluded by 
 promising that tlic English should not be permitted to sell 
 cows or goats, for the future, within New Netherland, 
 and that the value of the currency should be raised, as re- 
 quested. 
 
 Having thus disposed of these various demands, without, 
 however, carrying out, afterwards, the reforms in the council 
 which he had so solemnly promised, Director Kieft seems to 
 
 geheele geformeerde Raet te hebben. Dat de geemene man veel plaets heefl, 
 van swaackheyd des raets, can wel wesen ; dan wy wenschten wel te weten 
 offer oock iemant is, die sich heeft te beclagen, over onrechte sententie, en wie 
 de geene syn, die daer veel plaets van hebben. 
 
 IV. Van gelyck, indien U. E. 4 persoonen gelieft te verkiezen, die in den 
 Raed alhier acces sullen hebben, gelyck voor desen by U. E. is voorgestelt, zyn 
 wy supplianten wel te vreden, te meer aisoo het lant met beswaert mach 
 worden, sender de 12 te vergaderen. 
 
 Answer : Wy syn wel te vreden 4 persoonen te verkiesen die de Gemeenten 
 in haer recht helpen mainteneren, die wy oock in onzen raed willen sullen 
 roepen, als den noot vereischt, meede seekere tyden in 't jaer bcstemmen, om 
 gezamentlyck over des lants saken te vergaderen ; oock eenige articulen te 
 beraemen, hoe hooch haer auctoriteyt sal strecken ; de 12 mannen belangende, 
 is ons niet bekent dat zy wyder macht van de gemeente ontfangen heb- 
 ben, als alleen haer advys te geven, over de moort aen de zaliger Claes Smitz 
 begaen. 
 
 VI. Ingevalle U. E. vier de bequaemste quam te verkiezen, omme in U. E. 
 vergaderingh te compareren, gelyck geseyt is, staet te noteren datter alle 
 jaren twee van den 4 sullen afgaen, en ander twee in plaets gecoren worden 
 uyt de 12. 
 
 Answer: Zyn wel te vreeden dat alle jaren twee van de 4 verandert worden. 
 Hoi. Doc. iii., 176. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 249 
 
 have had enough of popular movements, and popular repre- chap. 
 sentalions. He, shortly after, issued a proclamation extin- >^v-L. 
 guishing the " Twelve Men," whom he forbade, on pain of cor- YeKiS. 
 poral punishment, to hold any further meetings, without his 
 express permission ; "as they tend to dangerous consequences, 
 and to the serious injury both of the country and of his au- 
 thority."^ 
 
 Being now untrammelled, and rid of those who were hitherto 
 a check on his actions, Kieft proceeded forthwith to indulge 
 his desire for war. He ordered Hendrick van Dyck, ensign 
 in the company's service, who had been already over two years 
 stationed at New Amsterdam, to proceed with a force of eighty 
 men against the Wechquaesqueeks, to execute summary ven- 
 geance upon that tribe, w^ith fire and sword. To ensure com- 
 plete success, the expedition was placed under the direction of 
 a trusty guide, who professed to be intimately acquainted with 
 the homes and haunts of the savages.^ 
 
 This party started in the forepart of March, and pushed ac- 
 tively forward towards the Indian village, but fortune favored 
 the red-man. The night set in clouded and dark ; and when 
 the expedition reached Armenperal, Van Dyck called a halt, 
 notwithstanding the entreaties of his men to push on, ere the 
 savages should have warning of their approach. An hour and 
 a half was thus lost ; the guide then missed his way, where- 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. iii., 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180. The following is a translation 
 of this placard : — " Whereas the commonalty hath, at our request, commis- 
 sioned and charged the Twelve Men to communicate their good council and 
 advice concerning the murder of one Clses Comelissen Smitz, committed by 
 the Indians, which now being done, We thank them for the trouble they have 
 taken, and shall make use of their written advice, with God's help and fitting 
 time ; and as we propose no more meetings, as such tend to dangerous conse- 
 quences, and to the great injury both of the country and of our authority ; We. 
 therefore, do hereby forbid the calling of any assemblies or meetings, of what- 
 soever sort, without our express order, on pain of being punished for disobedience. 
 Done in Fort Amsterdam, 18th Feb., 1642, in New Netherland." 
 
 ^ Op dien tyd hadde den oorlochsucht den Directeur alingenomen, toch dese 
 byeenkomste van de voors : 12 mannen heeft niet langer als den 18 February 
 daeraen mogen standgrypen, off men heeft dieselvige op lyffstrafFe haer byeen- 
 komste laten verbieden ; een weynich tyts daeraen den oorloch met die van 
 Wesqueeckqueeck naer zyn eygen zyndelyckhied aengevangen, als blyckt by 
 request van de 12 mannen. Letter of the Eight Men, Hoi. Doc. iii., 214, 215. 
 
 32 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK upon Van Dyck lost temper, and made a retrograde movement 
 •"-^ to Fort Amsterdam, whither he returned without having ac- 
 * comphshed the object for which he had been detailed. The 
 expedition, however, was not without its effect. The Indians 
 had observed, by the trail of the while men, how narrowly 
 they had escaped destruction, and therefore immediately sued 
 for peace, which Cornelis van Tienhoven concluded with 
 them, in the course of the spring, at the house of a settler 
 named Jonas Bronck, who resided on a river to which he gave 
 his name, situate east of Yonkers, in the present county of 
 Westchester. One of the conditions of this peace was, the 
 surrender of the murderer of Claes Smits, dead or alive ; a 
 condition which, however, was never fulfilled, owing either to 
 unwillingness or inability on the part of the Indians.^ 
 
 * Joumaelvan Nieu Nederlant; Hoi. Doc. iii., 107, 146, 166. Alb. Rec. ii., 
 202 ; iii., 25. " The tract between the Harlem River and the large stream 
 next eastward, was Bronck's land. JonEis Bronck was the first proprietor of it." 
 Benson's Mem. 27. Armenperal was the Indian name for one of the streams 
 in that vicinity. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 251 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Continued disagreements between the people of Hartford and the Dutch at Fort 
 Good Hope — Kieft forbids all intercourse with the former — Greenwich comes 
 under the jurisdiction of the Dutch — Progress of the English at the South 
 River — Kieft determines to break up their settlements — Measures adopted 
 with that view — Excitement at New Haven in consequence — Delegates from 
 Hartford arrive at Fort Amsterdam to negotiate for the purchase of Fort 
 Hope — Terms proposed by the Dutch — Movement in England against New 
 Netherland — Lord Say's representations to the Dutch ambassador at Lon- 
 don — Several English families remove from Massachusetts to New Nether- 
 land — West Chester, or Vredeland, settled — Surveyor appointed — A fine stone 
 tavern built in New Amsterdam — George Baxter appointed English secreta- 
 ry — Ruinous condition of the church at Manhattans — Measures taken for the 
 erection of a new building — First consistory in New Amsterdam — Contract 
 for the proposed building — Inscription in front of the church — Renewal of 
 misunderstanding with the Indians — Miantonimo conspires against the 
 whites — General alarm in consequence — Some Dutch traders rob an Indian, 
 who murders two settlers in revenge — Endeavors of the Indian chiefs to make 
 satisfaction for the murder — Fail — Mohawks make a descent on the River 
 Indians — The latter fly for protection to the Dutch — Are hospitably enter- 
 tained — Remove to Corlaers Hook and Pavonia — Kieft determines to attack 
 them — Is oppos(!d by the principal men at New Amsterdam — Kieft will not 
 listen to their objections — The attack — Cruelties practised against the Indians 
 — Settlers on Long Island attack the Indians in their neighborhood — Eleven 
 tribes proclaim war against the Dutch — All the Dutch settlements destroyed 
 — Public discontents — Kieft endeavors to propitiate the Long Island Indians 
 — The latter reject his ambassadors — A day of General Fast and Prayer or- 
 dered — Proposals to depose the Director-general — An attack made on his 
 life — Disorders consequent thereupon — Arrival of a flag of truce from the In- 
 dians on Long Island — Ambassadors sent to invite them to Fort Amsterdam 
 — Speech of the Indian chief — Treaty of peace and cessation of hostilities. 
 
 The proposals conveyed to the West India Company from chap. 
 the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut having had 
 no result, the disagreements between the settlers at Hartford 
 and the inhabitants of Fort Good Hope continued without any 
 abatement. Complaints, similar to those already enumerated, 
 were daily repeated against the English, who, it is but justice 
 to say, accused, on their side, the Dutch of having sold guns 
 to the Indians ; of having demeaned themselves insolently to- 
 wards the people on the Connecticut ; of having entertained 
 
252 
 
 HISTORY OP 
 
 BOOK fugitives guilty of violating their laws ; helped prisoners, un- 
 ^--^^ der confinement, to file their irons, and to break jail ; persuad- 
 'ed servants to run away from their masters, and purchased 
 
 goods stolen from the English, which they refused afterwards 
 
 to restore. 
 
 Kieft finding himself unable, under these circumstances, to 
 obtain any satisfaction for the injuries which his government 
 and his people had, notwithstanding his repeated protests, sus- 
 tained, resorted now to the extreme measure of forbidding all 
 intercourse with the people of Connecticut, or the purchase, 
 either directly or indirectly, of any produce raised in the neigh- 
 borhood of Fort Good Hope, in the expectation that he should 
 succeed in exacting from the necessities and self-interest of 
 the English, what he had failed to obtain from their sense of 
 justice and gratitude.^ 
 
 With those established at Greenwich he was more success- 
 ful. These people having become, at length, convinced that 
 April 9. they were on Dutch territory, gave in their adherence to the 
 authorities at Fort Amsterdam, to whom they swore allegiance, 
 on condition that they should be protected against the Indians, 
 and enjoy, as a manor, the same privileges as Patroons.^ 
 
 > Alb. Rec. ii., 158 ; Trumbull's Conn, i., 122. 
 
 * Hoi. Doc. ix., 204. The following is a translation of the agreement passed 
 ■>n occeision of Greenwich coming under Dutch jurisdiction : — " Whereas, we, 
 Captain Daniel Patrick and Elizabeth Feake, (°) duly authorized by her hus- 
 band Robert Feake, now sick, have resided two years about five or six (Dutch) 
 miles east of the Netherlanders, subjects of the Lords States General, who have 
 protested against us, declaring that the said land lay within their limits, and that 
 they should not suffer any person to usurp it against their lawful rights ; and, 
 whereas, we have equally persisted in our course, during these two years, hav- 
 ing been well assured that his majesty of England had pretended some right to 
 this soil ; and, wheresis, we understand nothing thereof, and cannot any longer 
 presume to remain thus, on account both of the strifes of the English, the dan- 
 ger consequent thereon, and these treacherous and villanous Indians, of whom 
 we have seen sorrowful examples enough ; We, therefore, betake ourselves un- 
 der the protection of the Noble Lords States General, His Highness the Prince 
 of Orange, and the West India Company, or their Governor-general of New 
 Netherland, promising, for the future, to be faithful to them, as all honest sub- 
 jects are bound to be ; whereunto we bind ourselves by solemn oath and signa- 
 ture, provided we be protected against our enemies as much as possible, and en- 
 joy henceforth the same privileges that all Patroons of New Netherland have 
 
 (») This lady is said to have been a daughter-in-law of Gov. Winthrop. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 253 
 
 The party of English who had proceeded from New Haven chap. 
 to the South River, were, in the mean time, in active progress 
 with their infant settlements on Hog creek and the Schuylkill. 
 Director Kieft, trusting to the assurances which they had 
 given him, that it was not their intention to settle within the 
 company's limits, was not prepared for the intelligence that 
 they had forgotten that promise. He expressed himself, there- 
 fore, in strong terms when he heard that they had settled on May 
 the South River without his permission. With the encroach- 
 ments on the Fresh River strong in his recollection, he deter- 
 mined that this young colony should not take root, and accord- 
 ingly dispatched the sloops St. Real and St. Martin with a May 
 strong force to the Delaware, with orders to Jan Janssen van 
 Ilpendam, the commissary in that quarter, to proceed with 
 these vessels to the Schuylkill, and demand of the English set- 
 tlers by what authority they had landed and traded there ; to 
 require, also, of them to withdraw, should they not be fur- 
 nished with a royal commission. In case they should refuse to 
 retire, he was further instructed to arrest them, and have them 
 conveyed on board the sloops, taking a full inventory of their 
 goods, and then to destroy their trading-posts. 
 
 These orders were executed so promptly, that the English 
 had not two hours to prepare for their departure. The expe- 
 dition next proceeded to Hog creek, and, with the aid of the 
 Swedes, destroyed the English settlement there, and then con- 
 veyed these people, and their goods, first to New Amsterdam, 
 and the settlers, and a part of their property, afterwards to 
 New Haven. Mr. Lamberton, of the latter place, was con- 
 sidered the principal instigator of these encroachments, and 
 gave particular offence ; having, though protested against, con 
 tinned injuring the trade which the Dutch carried on with the 
 Indians on the South River. It was, therefore, determined to Aug. 
 prevent him interfering with that trade for the future, unless he 
 should submit to the authority of the company, and pay the 
 regular duties. He was, accordingly, compelled, when pass- 
 ing the Manhattans, shortly after, to give an account of what 
 
 obtained, agreeably to the freedoms, ixth of April, 1642. In Fort Amster- 
 dam, (Signed) Daniel Patrick ; Everardus Bogardus and Johannes Winkel- 
 raan, witnesses." 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK peltries he had obtained on the Delaware, ana to pay duties 
 on the whole. The English estimated their damages, on these 
 
 ■'^^^^ occasions, at five thousand dollars. 
 
 The excitement at New Haven, when these things became 
 known, was very great. Threats of retaliation were publicly 
 uttered, and to so great a height did this angry feeling extend, 
 that Kieft found himself obliged, by approving the conduct of 
 his servants, to assume the responsibility of their acts. Such 
 of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam as had business after- 
 wards at the " Red Mount," were under the necessity of pro- 
 viding themselves with passports, in which this responsibility 
 was fully avowed.^ 
 
 The authorities at Hartford began at length to experience 
 some inconvenience from the system of non-intercourse which 
 Director Kieft ordered to be observed. With a view to arrange, 
 m some way, the differences which existed, they commissioned 
 Messrs. Whiting and Hill, the former a magistrate at Hart- 
 ford, to proceed as delegates to Fort Amsterdam, to negotiate 
 the purchase of the company's lands, around Fort Good Hope. 
 These gentlemen arrived at the Manhattans in the course of 
 July, and received a detailed explanation of the grounds on 
 which the Dutch title rested, as well as documentary proofs 
 that the Dutch were in possession of that quarter before any 
 Christians arrived on the Connecticut. As it was desirable, 
 however, that some arrangement should be made for the ter- 
 mination of the existing misunderstanding, the Director-gene- 
 July 9. ral and council proposed ceding to the English the land on the 
 Fresh River, on condition that they should annually pay, so 
 long as they may occupy such land, agreeably to the ordinances 
 of the United Netherlands, the tenth part of the produce of the 
 land at Hartford, whether cultivated by the plough or other- 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 162, 177, 185. Hazard's State Pap. ii., 214. Trumbull's 
 Conn, i., 123. Acrelius' Hist. New Sweden. Van der Donck corroborates the 
 statement that the Swedes assisted the Dutch against the English. " Another 
 Kill," he says, " is situate on the east bank (of the South River) called Hog 
 creek, within three (Dutch) miles of the mouth of the river. Some English 
 established themselves here, but Director Kieft drove them away, and protested 
 against them, having been somewhat assisted by the Swedes. They deter- 
 mined together to keep the English out of there." Vertoogh van N. N. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 255 
 
 wise, orchards and kitchen gardens excepted, provided these chap. 
 
 did not exceed a Dutch acre each, or in heu of such tithes, -"^^ 
 
 1642. 
 
 such rent as should be agreed upon. These conditions were 
 provisionally accepted, and the delegates returned home to 
 submit them to their government, but they were not productive 
 of any better state of feeling. The English persisted in har- 
 assing the Dutch ; impounding their cattle found grazing on 
 the common, and even preventing the transport to New 
 Netherland of cattle not belonging to them.^ 
 
 These feelings of animosity were not confined to the Con- 
 necticut. The agents from New England, who happened to 
 be, this summer, in London, were active in making their com- 
 plaints known to those interested in the settlement of the Eng- 
 lish colonies in America ; so that even persons of quality had 
 their feelings strongly prejudiced against the Dutch. 
 
 Lord Say, who had a personal interest in New England, 
 and was one of the founders of Connecticut, was among the 
 most prominent of these ; and the representations which he 
 had received, had so great an influence on his mind, that his 
 lordship took the earliest opportunity to remonstrate with Joa- 
 chimi, the Dutch ambassador, then at the English court, to 
 whom he addressed a memorandum, couched in the following 
 terms : — 
 
 " Many Englishmen, (his majesty's subjects,) incorporated," July 
 said his lordship, " by his majesty's letters patent, having, 
 with a view to avoid all difficulties, purchased land from the 
 natives, the acknowledged and lawful owners thereof, have 
 established sundry factories on the river Connecticut, in New 
 England, where they have experienced various molestations 
 and animosities from the Netherlands nation, who, having for- 
 merly erected a small trading-post on the aforesaid river, set 
 up, by virtue thereof, a right to the whole ; and not only that, 
 but to all the country, from Narragansett Bay to the Hudson 
 River, which they designated by the name of New Nether- 
 land, although granted by his majesty to sundry of his sub- 
 jects, and exclusively inhabited by English people. Many 
 protests have they presented against the peaceable proceedings 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 171, 172. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans, i., 276. 
 
256 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of the English, and in various ways and forms have they trans- 
 
 '•'■^ gressed against them, adding thereto sundry threats and 
 ' haughty arguments. All these did the English read, and al- 
 though there are, at the furthest, not more than five or six 
 Netherlanders resident on the said river Connecticut, vi^here 
 there are more than two thousand English, yet these have had 
 recourse to no violent proceedings against the others, but have 
 treated them with all civility — yea, under God, have they been 
 a means of preserving their lives. 
 
 " 'Tis true, the Netherlanders sometimes aver that they pur- 
 chased a portion of land, situate on the aforesaid river, from 
 the Pequod Indians, and pretend a right thereto by virtue of 
 said purchase. But it is very well known, (if any such pur- 
 chase has been made, which as yet has never appeared,) that 
 the Pequods had no other than an usurped title. And herein 
 the weakness of their pretensions becomes apparent ; that the 
 English having addressed sundry letters to their governor, 
 Willem Kieft, residing on Hudson's River, to refer the settle- 
 ment of the said question to impartial arbitrators, he would not 
 accept the proposal. 
 
 " It were desirable that they might be ordered to demean 
 themselves in the place where they are, in a peaceable, neigh- 
 borly manner, and to be content with their own limits, or to 
 leave the river, which would tend most to their master's profit, 
 it being very manifest that the returns have, and will, never 
 repay expenses. Moreover, they live there in an ungodly 
 way ; beseeming, in no wise, the Gospel of Christ. Their 
 residence there will never produce any other effect, than ex- 
 pense to their masters, and trouble to the English." 
 
 July Violent language having been used about the same time by 
 others, who did not hesitate to threaten that if the difficulties 
 on the Fresh River were not shortly arranged, the Dutch 
 should be forcibly ejected from that quarter before the end of 
 the year, M. Joachimi thought it his duty to communicate to 
 
 Aug. 8. the States General, not only Lord Say's letter, but some report 
 also, of the irritable state of feeling which existed abroad on 
 the subject, and to recommend that their High Mightinesses 
 should write to King Charles, and request his majesty to 
 command those of New England not to disturb the Dutch 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 257 
 
 in New Netherlands, of which country they had possession chap 
 before the arrival of the Enghsh. " For," his excellency -^v~ 
 added, " such commands must proceed from his majesty, and 
 it might be taken ill that redress should be sought from the 
 House of Parhament, whose orders probably would not be 
 received in those far distant quarters." He urged, again and 
 again, the necessity of losing no time in this matter, and in a 
 subsequent dispatch, reminded their High Mightinesses of the Oct. 17 
 near approach of the winter, and how much it behooved them 
 to make such arrangements as would obviate all chances of 
 hostilities between the parties in America. These communi- 
 cations were duly referred to the directors of the West India 
 Company, and the States General instructed their ambassador 
 to endeavor to allay all irritation, by representing, that it was 
 not to be presumed that the Dutch, who were too weak, could 
 succeed in overpowering the English, who were much the 
 stronger, in that country. As for the threats which were ut- 
 tered in England, their High Mightinesses did not regard them 
 as of any consequence. " The power of that nation was rent 
 in twain ; one part contending against the other ; and there- 
 fore she was not to be dreaded by foreign states."^ But, 
 meanwhile, religious persecution caused numbers to remove 
 from New England to New Netherland. 
 
 The Rev. Francis Doughty, a dissenting minister, had emi- 
 grated to Massachusetts, like many others, for conscience' 
 sake. But here he discovered that he had plunged "out of the 
 frying-pan into the fire." Being at Cohasset, on the northern 
 bounds of New Plymouth, in 1642, he happened publicly to 
 assert " that Abraham's children should have been baptized," 
 which gave so much offence to his hearers, that he was drag- 
 ged out of the assembly, and otherwise harshly used.^ This 
 unchristian treatment determined him to remove to Long Island, 
 whither he was accompanied by Richard Smith and several 
 other settlers, then residents of Cohannock and other places. 
 On application to the Dutch authorities at New Amsterdam, 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. ii., 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 293, 294, 305, 306. Aitzema, 
 ii., 932. 
 
 " Leechford's News from New England. Cohasset was originally settled in 
 1635, when it was called Hingham. 
 
 33 
 
258 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK they immediately obtained a patent for thirteen thousand three 
 -"v-w hundred and thirty-two acres of land at Mespath, as Newtown, 
 March' ^ f originally called, which was endowed with the 
 28. usual privileges of free manors, such as free exercise of re- 
 ligion, power to plant towns, build churches, nominate magis- 
 trates, administer civil and criminal justice, subject, however, 
 to the conditions and reservations contained in the patent, 
 which was in keeping with the charter of 1 640, and similar 
 to that already offered in the preceding month of June, to the 
 people from Lynn. 
 
 Mr. Throgmorton, with a number of his friends, who had 
 already been driven with Roger Williams from Massachusetts 
 Oct.3. by"the fiery Hugh Peters," procured permission to settle 
 thirty-five families, some twelve miles east of the Manhattans, 
 at a place now called West Chester, but which the Dutch at 
 this time named Vredeland, or Land of Peace, a meet appel- 
 lation for the spot selected as a place of refuge by those who 
 were bruised and broken down by religious persecution. And 
 the Lady Moody, who had become " imbued with the errone- 
 ous doctrine that infant baptism was a sinful ordinance," and 
 had, in consequence, been excommunicated by those of New 
 England, " to avoid further trouble," took shelter also among 
 the Dutch, with her son Sir Henry and their followers, in the 
 course of the next year. Her ladyship located at the south- 
 west corner of Long Island " by the express will and consent 
 of the Director-general and council of New Netherland," who. 
 called the settlement " 's Gravenzande," after the picturesque 
 village (originally a walled city) of that name at the embou- 
 chure of the river Maas, where the ancient counts of Holland 
 held their courts previous to their removal to the Hague.^ 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. XX., 7. Gov. Winthrop notices these emigrations, Hist. N. En^. 
 i., 42 ; ii., 85. The original patent to the Rev. Mr. Doughty and his associates, 
 is inserted in Latin, in the Dutch Rec. G. G., 49. The MS. is peculiarly dif- 
 ficult to be deciphered, being in the contracted chirography of the seventeenth 
 century. A translation of the document will be found in Appendix F ; Mar- 
 tinet's Beschryv. iii., 279. The supposition that the town of Gravesend, on 
 Long Island, derived its name from the first settlers having sailed from Graves- 
 end, in England, is altogether gratuitous. It was the fashion with all European 
 powers who had possessions in the New World, to transfer the names of towns in 
 the mother country, to their new settlements in America. The Dutch were as 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 259 
 
 In order that regularity should be observed in drawing c^'^jIP- 
 boundaries and division lines, Andreas Hudde was this year ^^^^ 
 appointed surveyor, at a salary of two hundred guilders, or 
 $80, per annum, with an additional fee of ten shillings per 
 diem, and two stivers per morgen of two acres, besides the 
 payment of his travelling expenses and ferriage. 
 
 Increased accommodation for the numerous strangers who 
 touched at New Amsterdam, on their way from New England 
 to Virginia, became now necessary, as they occasioned the 
 Director-general much inconvenience. " A fine stone tavern" 
 w^as therefore erected for their use on a lot fronting the East 
 River ; and, " as many questions of law processes, with their 
 various consequences, arise on account of the number of 
 English which daily come to reside among us, and which dis- 
 turb harmony and social intercourse more or less," Director 
 Kiefl, " though roughly acquainted with the English language, 
 and somewhat initiated in the law," found himself in need of 
 some one to assist now^ and then with advice and to write his 
 letters. George Baxter was accordingly appointed English Dec. 
 secretary to the Director-general and council of New Nether- 
 land} 
 
 The church erected by Director Van Twiller, had, by this 
 time, shared the fate common to all the public buildings con- 
 structed during his administration, and was now in such a 
 state of dilapidation, that it was considered nothing better 
 than " a mean barn." The necessity of a new church was ad- 
 mitted by the Director and council so far back as 1 640 ; when, 
 with a view to supply the funds requisite to defray the ex- 
 penses of a new building, a portion of the fines imposed by 
 the court of justice was appropriated to that purpose. But 
 nothing practical eventuated from this arrangement. The ac- 
 commodation continued to be of the most wretched descrip- 
 tion, when Captain David De Vries urged the matter anew on 
 the consideration of the Director-general. " It was a shame," 
 he said, " that the English should see, when they passed, no- 
 observant of this custom as any other nation, of which fact any person can satis- 
 fy himself by looking over a map of Holland. 
 
 ' De Vries ; Alb. Rec. ii., 169, 187, 202 ; iii., 409. Hudde's commission aa 
 surveyor bears date 26th June, 1642. 
 
260 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK thing but a mean barn in which public worship is performed, 
 >^v~ The first thing they did in New England, when they raised 
 ' some dwellings, was, on the contrary, to build a fine church. 
 We ought to do the same," he continued ; " we had good ma- 
 terials, fine oak wood, fine building-stone, good lime made 
 from oyster-shells, which was better than the lime in Holland." 
 This reasoning, backed by the intelligence that the colonists 
 of Rensselaerswyck had it in contemplation to raise a church 
 also, had considerable weight with Director Kieft. He seem- 
 ed desirous to leave behind him a monument to perpetuate the 
 memory of his zeal for religion, and forthwith inquired who 
 should superintend the good work. There were not wanting 
 "friends of the reformed religion." Joachim Pietersen Kuyter, 
 " who was a good Calvinist, and had a good sett of hands," was 
 elected deacon, and with Jan Dam, Captain De Vries, and 
 Director Kieft, " formed the first consistory to superintend the 
 erection of the projected church."^ 
 
 These points having been arranged, the next question to be 
 decided was, the site of the building. It was ordered to be 
 erected within the fort. But this was looked upon in the light 
 of " a fifth wheel to a coach," and excited considerable oppo- 
 sition among the commonalty, who represented that the fort 
 was already " very small," and that it stood on the point, or 
 extremity of the island, whereas a more central position ought 
 to be selected for the accommodation of the faithful generally. 
 It was, moreover, particularly urged that the erection of a 
 church within the fort, would prevent the southeast wind reach- 
 ing the grist-mill which stood thereabout, and thus cause the 
 people to suffer, especially in summer, through want of bread.^ 
 These objections w^ere, however, overruled. It was with 
 
 ' De Vries. 
 
 ^ Men spraake, dan, van de plaatse waerse staende soude. De Directeur 
 wilde en oordeelde datso in het fort staen moest, daerse oock tegens wil en dank 
 van de andere geset is ; en immers soo wel past als het vyfFde wiel aen een 
 wagen ; want behalve dat het fort cleyn is, op een punct leyt, dat meer im- 
 porteren soude in cas van populatie. De Kercke die de gemeente, diese becos- 
 tight hebben, eygen behoort te wesen, soo breeckse en beneemt den zuyt- 
 oosten wint aen de koren-molen, die daeromtrent staet ; het welcke een made 
 oorsaek is, dat men des zomers dickwils by gebreek van maalen sonder broot is. 
 Van der Donk. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 261 
 
 justice remarked that the building would be more safe from chap. 
 the attacks of the Indians, within than without the fort. As -^--^ 
 to its being an impediment to the working of the wind-mill, it 
 was remarked that the walls of the fort then impeded the action 
 of the southeast wind on the mill, and prevented its working 
 even before the erection of the church.^ Naught, therefore, 
 now remained but to find ways and means to defray the neces- 
 sary expenses. Director Kieft promised to advance a few 
 thousand guilders from the public chest. The remainder was 
 to be raised by private subscription. 
 
 It happened about this time that the daughter of the Rev. 
 Mr. Bogardus was being married. This was considered a 
 favorable opportunity for raising the required subscription. So 
 when the wedding party was in the height of good-humor, and 
 mellow with the host's good cheer, the Director-general called 
 on the guests to subscribe. The disposition to be generous vi^as 
 not wanting at such a time. Each guest emulated his neigh- 
 bor, and a handsome list was made out. When the morning 
 came, a few were found desirous of reconsidering the transac- 
 tions of the wedding-feast. But Director Kieft would allow no 
 such second thought. They must all pay without exception.^ 
 
 He entered, as churchwarden, into a contract, forthwith, for 
 the mason-work, with John and Richard Ogden, of Stamford, May. 
 who engaged to build a church of rock-stone, seventy-two feet 
 long, fifty-two feet bread, and sixteen feet over the ground, in 
 a good and workmanlike manner, for the sum of two thousand 
 five hundred guilders, equal to one thousand dollars. The 
 churchwardens were to furnish the lime ,• to transport the stone 
 
 * Eer de kercke gebouwt was, conde de coornmolen met een zuyt oosten 
 wint niet malen, doordien de wint door de wallen van't fort gestut wiert. Van 
 Tienhoven's Answer to Van der Donck. 
 
 ^ De Directeur hadde dan besloten een kerck te doen timmeren, en dat ter 
 plaetse daer het hem goet docht. Het man queert hem aan de penningen ; en 
 waer die te becomen ? Het gebeurde om desen tyt, dat den Predikant Eve- 
 rardus Bogardus eene vrouw-voordochter bestede. Dese gelegentheyd oordeelde 
 de Directeur een bequame tyt tot zyn voornemen te wesen, dat hy, naer den 
 vierden oiF vyfFden drouck oock in 't werek stelde, en hy selffs met een goet 
 exempel voorgaende, liet de bruy-loofFsgasten teyckenen, watse tot de kerck- 
 geven wilde. Ider, dan, met een licht hoofFd, teyckende ryckelick weeh, de een 
 tegen de ander ; en hoewel het eenige wel beroude, doen de sinnenweder 't huys 
 quamen, sy moesten even wel betalen, daer viel niet tegen. Van der Douck. 
 
26a 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK from the river-side to tlie spot where the building was to be 
 ^^v~ erected ; and to allow the use of the company's boat to the con- 
 ' tractors, who were to receive also a douceur of one hundred 
 guilders, equal to i40, should the work be finished to the satis- 
 faction of the employers.' 
 
 With such energy now was the work pushed forward, that 
 the walls soon rose to their proper height, and the shingle roof 
 soon followed. To commemorate the zeal both of the Direc- 
 tor-general and of the commonalty on this occasion, a marble 
 slab was placed conspicuously in front of the building, with 
 the following inscription engraved thereon : — ■ 
 
 Anno 1642 ; 
 
 "toUkmKkft, W\x'stttnx^(Bzmxad; 
 
 " HEEFT DE GEMEENTE DESEN TEMPEL DOEN BOTJWEN."^ 
 
 ^ The following is a copy of the contract : — " Appeared before me Cornells 
 van .Tienhoven, secretary in behalf of the General Privileged West India Com- 
 pany, in New Netherlands, the Hon'ble Wm. Kieft, Churchwarden, at the re- 
 quest of his brethren, the Churchwardens of the Church in New Netherlands, 
 to transact, and in their name to conclude the following business ; So did he, as 
 Churchwarden, agree with John Ogden, about a church in the following man- 
 ner : — ^John Ogden of Stamford, and Richard Ogden, engage to build, in behalf 
 of said Churchwardens, a church of rock-stone, seventy -two feet long, fifty 
 feet broad, and sixteen feet high, above the soil, all in good order, and in a work- 
 manlike manner. They shall be obliged to procure the stone and bring it on 
 shore near the fort at their own expense, from whence the Churchwardens shall 
 further convey the stone to the place where it is intended to build the church, 
 at their own expense. The Churchwardens aforesaid will procure as much lime 
 as shall be required for the building of the aforesaid church. John and Richard 
 Ogden shall at their own charge pay for the masonry, &c., provided, that when 
 the work shall be finished, the Churchwardens shall pay to them the sum of 
 2,500 gl., which payment shall be made in beaver, cash, or merchandise, to 
 wit : — if the Churchwardens are satisfied with the work, so that in their judg- 
 ment the 2,500 gl. shall have been earned, then the said Churchwardens shall 
 reward them with 100 gl. more ; and further promise to John and Richard Og- 
 den to assist them whenever it is in their power. They further agree to facili- 
 tate the carrying the stone thither, and that John and Richard Ogden may use 
 during a month or six weeks the company's boat ; engaging themselves, and 
 the aforesaid John and Richard Ogden, to finish the undertaken work in the 
 manner they contracted. Done in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlands. 
 (Signed) Willem Kieft, John Ogden, Richard Ogden, Gysbert op Dyck, Tho- 
 mas Willett." Alb. Rec. iii., 31. These Ogdens are the ancestors of the pres- 
 ent families of that name in New York, New Jersey, &c. 
 
 ""Anno 1642: William Kieft, Director-general; hath the Commonalty 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 263 
 
 The immediate completion of tliis church was, however, chap. 
 doomed to be interrupted by the spirit of faction, and continued ^-^^ 
 misunderstanding with the aborigines, the progress and ruinous 
 consequences of which it becomes our duty now to relate. 
 
 Shortly after the conclusion of peace with the Wechquaes- 
 queeks in the spring of this year, Miantonimo, chief of the 
 Narragansett tribes, whose ambitious spirit aimed at sover- 
 eignty over all the eastern Indians, visited the neighborhood of 
 the Dutch settlements with a band of one hundred warriors, 
 with a view, as it was represented, to urge the Indians into a 
 general conspiracy against the English and the Dutch. So 
 full, throughout the land, were men's minds of fear at the re- 
 port of the intended massacre, that the strangest alarms seized 
 hold of all, and a man could not halloo in the night, but it 
 was supposed that he had fallen into the hands of the Indians, 
 and was tortured by them unto death. Even Director Kieft 
 became affected by these wild reports to such degree that he 
 suspected the Indians not only of endeavoring to poison him, 
 but even of making him the object of their diabolical incanta- 
 tions.^ 
 
 In this conjuncture of terror and distrust, some traders stole 
 a dress of beaver-skins from a savage whom they had previ- 
 ously stupified with brandy. He was of the Hackingsack 
 tribe, who inhabited the country opposite the Manhattans, on 
 the western shore. Enraged at his loss, on coming to his 
 senses, he vovv^ed to shoot the first " Swannekin" he should 
 meet. He more than kept his word. An Englishman, re- 
 siding on Staten Island, in the service of De Vries, wsis killed 
 shortly after ; and in a few days following, Gerrit Jansen 
 van Vorst was also slain, while engaged roofing a house " be- 
 
 caused this Temple to be built." Van der Donck. Judge Benson, writing in 
 1817, says that when the fort was taken down " a few years since," the mar- 
 ble slab, above alluded to, was found, with the Dutch inscription on it, buried in 
 the earth, and then removed to the belfry of the church in Garden-street, N. 
 Y., belonging to the Dutch Reformed Congregation. On the destruction of the 
 latter building by the great fire of 1835, this slab totally disappeared. 
 
 ' Sommige van de omleggende Wilden practiseerde ons kruyt in den brant 
 te steken, ende den Directeur te vergeven, ofte met haer duyvelerye te beto- 
 veren, gelyck naderhandt haer quade wille gebleecken heeft, soo door effect als 
 report. Jouniacl van Nieuw Nederlant. Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 78, 79. 
 
 # 
 
264 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK hind the Cul," as Newark Bay was called, in the colonic of 
 
 ^-^^ the Lord of Nederhorst. 
 
 A deputation of chiefs from Hackingsack and Reckawanck, 
 foreseeing the evil consequences of these outrages, hastened 
 to New Amsterdam to make reparation, after the fashion of 
 the red-man, by paying one or two hundred fathoms of wam- 
 pum, as an expiatory offering, to wipe away, as they said, all 
 memory of the deed. But Kieft would not listen to any com- 
 promise. Nothing less than the murderer would be accepted. 
 In vain did the chiefs plead that the Dutch were themselves 
 the cause of the murder. " You ought not to sell brandy to 
 the Indians to make them crazy, for they are not," they said, 
 " accustomed to your liquors. Your own people, tliough 
 used to them, fight with knives and commit fooleries when 
 drunk. We wish you, so as to prevent all mischief, to sell no 
 more fire-water to our braves." This reasoning was of no 
 avail. " You must surrender the murderei'," repeated Kieft. 
 "We cannot do it," the sachems replied, "he is off to the 
 Tankitekes ;" and again they presented their expiatory offer- 
 ings. But these would not be received ; so they returned to their 
 homes, hopeless of effecting any reconciliation, for the man 
 whom Kieft required at their hands, " was also the son of a 
 chief." Hereupon the Director-general sent a message to 
 Pacham, chief of the Tankitekes, warning him that no repara- 
 tion had as yet been made for the Christian blood shed by the 
 savages, and advising him that the Dutch would not wait 
 much longer.^ 
 
 1643. Winter came, and while the earth was yet buried in snow, 
 a party of armed Mohawks, some eighty or ninety in number, 
 made a descent upon the Wechquaesqueeks and Tappaen 
 Indians, for the purpose of levying tribute. Struck with ter- 
 ror, these, amounting to between four and five hundred, fled 
 in despair to the island of Manhattans, leaving seventy of their 
 men on the field, and numbers of their women and children 
 in the hands of the enemy. Half dead with hunger and cold, 
 
 Feb. 7. these poor creatures presented themselves at the houses of 
 the Dutch, by whom they were hospitably received and hu- 
 
 ^ Journael van Nieuw Nederlant ; De Vries ; Alb. Rec. ii., 212. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 265 
 
 manely treated for the space of fourteen days. Even Kieft's chap. 
 
 better feelings gained, for the moment, the ascendency, and ^^v^ 
 
 he ordered corn to be furnished to the half-famished wretches. 
 
 But terror had entered so deep into their souls that they did 
 
 not think themselves safe even here. Once more they fled, Feb. 
 
 • 21 
 
 scattering themselves abroad, like leaves before the winter's 
 wind, in various directions ; some to Pavonia, where the Hack- 
 ingsacks bivouacked one thousand strong ; and others to 
 " Rechtanck," a point a short distance east of Fort Amster- 
 dam, now called Corker's Hook.^ 
 
 During the whole of these misunderstandings with the abo- 
 rigines, the inhabitants of New Amsterdam were divided in 
 opinion as to the proper policy to be pursued towards them. 
 One portion, the more numerous, at the head of which was 
 David Pietersen De Vries, counselled patience, humanity, 
 and kindness, by which course they felt satisfied that the un- 
 civilized heathen would eventually be won over ; for " the 
 Indians, though cunning enough, would do no harm unless 
 harm were done to them." Another party, headed by Secre- 
 tary Van Tienhoven, and made up of restless spirits and men 
 of strong passions, clamored for the extermination of the sav- 
 ages, masking, however, the ferocity of their desires behind 
 professions of great indignation at the shedding of innocent 
 Christian blood, which they were anxious to revenge. 
 
 At this crisis, when wisdom might have taken advantage of 
 the feelings of gratitude excited in the breasts of the Indians, 
 in return for the hospitable shelter recently afforded them by 
 the Dutch, and have thus converted them into lasting friends, 
 Maryn Adriaensen, Jan Jansen Dam, and Abraham Planck, Feb 
 three members of the late board of the " Twelve Men," and 
 the most violent of the exterminators, took upon themselves, 
 while Kieft was participating, at one of their houses, in the 
 amusements of Shrovetide, when wine and " mysterious toasts" 
 were in free circulation, to present to the Director-general a 
 request, in the name of the commonalty, for which, however, 
 they had not a shadow of authority, in which they reminded 
 
 ' Report and Advice, &c., Appendix E ; Journael van Nieuw Nederlandt. 
 The Indian name for Corlaer's Hook is found in Alb. Rec. 
 
 34 
 
266 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK His Excellency that the Indians had not as yet naade any repa- 
 ration for the blood they had shed, nor fulfilled the conditions 
 ' of the peace concluded at Bronck's the preceding spring. 
 The character of the Dutch nation was suffering, they alleged, 
 in consequence, while innocent blood was crying aloud to 
 heaven for revenge. " But God having now delivered the en- 
 emy evidently into our hands, we beseech you to pernait us to 
 attack them, for which purpose we offer our persons, and pro- 
 pose that one party composed of freemen, and another of sol- 
 diers, be dispatched to different places against them."^ 
 
 Feb.24. The counsel of the violent prevailed. Kieft resolved " to 
 make the savages wipe their chops." In vain did Bogardus 
 warn him not to be too rash, and La Montague point to the 
 defenceless condition of the colony, and advise patience until 
 a vessel should arrive from Patria, for by his proceedings the 
 Director-general " was about to build a bridge, over which 
 war would stalk, ere long, through the whole country ;" in vain 
 did De Vries represent that such an attack could not be made 
 without the order of the Twelve Men, nor without his consent 
 as chairman of the board ; in vain did he describe the mischief 
 which overwhelmed the colonic of Zwanendal in 1630, and 
 Staten Island in 1640, in consequence of "jangling with the 
 Indians ;" in vain did he foreshadow the ruin that would light 
 on the Dutch themselves, who were settled all around, and 
 had received no warning to be on their guard, so that they 
 might escape, or prepare themselves to resist, the assaults of 
 those Indians who should survive the attack. " You go," said 
 he to Kieft, "to break the Indians' heads ; it is qur own nation 
 you are about to destroy. Nobody in the country knows any 
 thing of this !" But these words " would take no hold." 
 Every thing had been pre-arranged. Secretary Van Tienho- 
 
 ^ Hoi. Doc. iii., 146 ; Van Tienhoven was accused of having originated this 
 letter. " In de jaar 1643 den 24 Feb. [22d] met alle dese omieggende wilden 
 in vreede-saten ; op dien tyd seggen wy, als wanneer den Directeur met drie 
 van zyn consultanten, het vastenavondspiel ten huyze van een derselfder 
 heeft gehouden, en zyn E. Jan Dam een verborgen sante daer op heeft gedronc- 
 ken en weynich daagen daer aen, heeft laten executeren die vervloeghte acte 
 met de vermooden van zoo veel onschuldige wilden over op Pavonia en Mana- 
 tans. Letter of the Eight Men. Hoi. Doc. iii., 220. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 267 
 
 ven and corporal Hans Stein had already been to Pavonia, to chap. 
 
 examine the ground and to mark the position of the Indians, ^j-^ 
 
 Director Kieft was panting to perform a feat worthy of the 
 
 heroes of ancient Rome, and he was determined not to listen 
 
 to reason. To every remonstrance he only replied — " The 
 
 order is gone forth ; it shall not be recalled !"^ 
 
 In the dead of a bleak winter's night, between the 25th and Feb. 
 
 . 25. 
 26th of February, two armed parties went forth from Fort 
 
 Amsterdam. One, composed of freemen, headed by Maryn 
 Adriaensen, a noted freebooter, who had recently removed 
 from Rensselaerswyck to the Manhattans, a man of violent 
 temper and quarrelsome disposition, proceeded, accompanied 
 by Govert Lookermans, against the Indians at Corlaer's Hook. 
 The other, consisting of a troop of soldiers under the com- 
 mand of their sergeant, and guided by one well acquainted 
 with the retreat of the red-men, crossed over to Jan de Lacher's 
 hoeck in Pavonia, where the principal body of the Indians 
 slept, behind the settlement of Egbert Wouterssen, and ad- 
 joining the bouwerie of Jan Evertsen Bout, unsuspicious of 
 any attack from those who, but a few days before, had shel- 
 tered and fed them. To secure success, the blessing of 
 Heaven was blasphemously invoked on the expedition.^ 
 
 ' " Het woordt isser uyt ; het moet 'er uytblyven." Hoi. Doc. iii., 161, 174. 
 " Voordat dese tochten geschieden, ende den oorloch in den Raadkamer : (daer- 
 mede present den Predikant Bogardus :) beslooten zynde, is Comelis van Tien- 
 hoven en Hans Steen gecommandeert van den Directeur en Raden omme op 
 Pavonia tegaen, ende de situatie van Indianse huysen te besichtigen ; waervan 
 sy rapport gedaen hebben." Hoi. Doc. v., 51, 52 ; De Vries, Korte Histo- 
 riael. 
 
 ' The following are transcripts of the commissions issued to the leaders of 
 these expeditions : — " Whereas, the inhabitants in our neighborhood continue to 
 reside in the country under great alarm, and cultivate their land in anxiety, 
 through fear of the savages, who now and then have murdered some of them in 
 a most villanous manner, without any previous provocation, and we cannot ob- 
 tain any satisfaction for these massacres ; we must, therefore, appeal to our 
 arms, so that we may live here in security. In the full confidence that God 
 will crown our resolutions with success ; moreover, as the commonalty solicit, 
 on the 22d Feb., 1643, that we may execute the same ; we, therefore, hereby 
 authorize Maryn Adriaensen, at his request, with his associates, to attack a party 
 of savages skulking behind Corlaer's Hook, or plantation, and act with them hi 
 every such manner as they shall deem proper, and the time and opportunity 
 shall permit. Done this 25th February, 1643." 
 
268 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK " I remained that night at the Director's," says an eye-wit- 
 
 '■"^^ ness, " and took a seat in the kitchen near the fire. At mid- 
 1 643 
 
 * night, I heard loud shrieks, and went out to the parapet of the 
 fort, and looked towards Pavonia. I saw nothing but the 
 flashing of the guns. I heard no more the cries of the In- 
 dians. They were butchered in their sleep !" 
 
 The horrors of this night cause the flesh to creep when we 
 ponder over them, now, two hundred years after their occur- 
 rence. Eighty Indians were slaughtered at Pavonia, and 
 thirty at Corlaer's Hook, while sunk in repose. Sucklings 
 were torn from their mothers' breasts, butchered before their 
 parents' eyes, and their mangled limbs thrown quivering into 
 the river or the flames. Babes were hacked to pieces while 
 " fastened to little boards" — their primitive cradles ! — others 
 were thrown alive into the river ; and when their parents, im- 
 pelled by nature, rushed in to save them, the soldiers prevented 
 their landing ; and, thus, both parents and offspring sunk into 
 one watery grave. Children of half a dozen years ; decrepit 
 men of threescore and ten, shared the same fate. Those who 
 escaped and begged for shelter next morning, were killed in 
 cold blood, or thrown into the river. " Some came running to 
 us from the country, having their hands cut off; some lost both 
 arms and legs ; some were supporting their entrails with their 
 hands, while others were mangled in other horrid ways, too 
 horrid to be conceived. And these miserable wretches, as 
 well as many of the Dutch, were all the time under the impres- 
 sion that the attack had r)roceeded from the terrible Mo- 
 hawks."^ 
 
 " Sergeant Rodolf is commanaea and authorized to take unaer his command 
 a troop of soldiers, and lead them to Pavonia, and drive away and destroy the 
 savages being behind Jan Evertsen's, but to spare, as much as is possible, their 
 wives and children, and to take the savages prisoners. He may watch there 
 for the proper opportunity to make his attack successful ; for which end Hans 
 Stein, who is well acquainted with every spot on which the savages were skulk- 
 ing, accompanies him. He, therefore, shall consult with the aforesaid Hans 
 Stein and the corporals. The exploit to be executed at night, with the great- 
 est caution and prudence. Our God may bless the expedition. Done, Feb 
 24th, 1643." Alb. Rec. ii., 210, 211. Hoi. Doc. iii., 148, 204. 
 
 ' Do Vries ; The Journael van Nieuw Nederland says, the numbei killed at 
 both places was eighty, and that thirty were taken prisoners. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 269 
 
 On the following day, a man, named Dirck Straatmaker, 
 proceeded with his wife to Pavonia, in company with some ^^^^ 
 Englishmen, "to plunder maize or anything else." TheyFeb.26' 
 were warned by the soldiers to return home, but they refused. 
 " There was no danger ; if there were a hundred savages, not 
 one of them would injure us." The soldiers, hereupon, with- 
 drew, but had not gone far when they heard a shriek. Straat- 
 maker lay mortally wounded, and his wife dead by his side. 
 The unfortunate man could have escaped, but he " did not 
 wish to leave his poor wife." The Enghshmen, " who had 
 but one gun among them," were fortunately rescued.' 
 
 Flushed with victory, the respective parties returned to Fort 
 Amsterdam, bringing with them thirty prisoners, and the heads 
 of several of the enemy. Kieft, notwithstanding several of the 
 commonalty protested against his proceedings and those of his 
 three friends, received his soldiers and freebooters with thanks, 
 rewards, and congratulations ; while Van Tienhoven's mother- 
 in-law, forgetful of those finer feelings which do honor to her 
 sex, amused herself, it is stated, in kicking about the heads of 
 the dead men which had been brought in, as bloody trophies 
 of that midnight slaughter. The spirit of animosity against 
 the Indians soon became epidemic. Settlers on Long Island, 
 not to be behind their countrymen at the Manhattes, presented 
 a petition, signed in their name by Gerritt Wolfertsen, Jacob Feb 
 Wolfertsen, Dirck Wolfertsen, and Lambert Huybertsen 
 Mol, requesting permission to attack the Marreckkawick In- 
 dians, residing between Breucklen and Amersfoort.^ Kieft re- 
 fused to sanction this step. These Indians had been always 
 the friends and allies of the Dutch, and an attack on them, 
 now, would not only lead to a destructive war, especially as 
 this tribe was on its guard and " hard to conquer," but it would 
 add to the number of the public enemy, and be productive of 
 ruinous consequences to the petitioners themselves. If, how- 
 ever, these Indians should demean themselves in a hostile 
 
 1 Alb. Rec. iii., 117. Joumael van N. N 
 
 ^ Hoi. Doc. v., 320. These Wolfertsens were sons, we presume, of Wolfert 
 Gerrittsen, who, with Hudde, purchased the Flatts, near the town of Flattlands, 
 in 1636. 
 
270 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK manner, every one was permitted to defend himself as best he 
 could .-^ 
 
 1643. rpj^g latitude allowed by the latter part of this reply, was 
 construed by the petitioners, who were ready to construe any 
 movement on the part of the Indians into a show of hostility, 
 as authorizing the execution of their projects. They imme- 
 diately got up a secret expedition, and plundered the Marreck- 
 kawicks of two wagon loads of corn. The latter endeavored 
 to prevent the robbery. A rencontre ensued, and two Indians 
 lost their lives.^ 
 
 This unjustifiable outrage led to consequences almost fatal 
 to the Dutch. It estranged the Long Island Indians, the 
 warmest of their friends, who now formed an alliance with 
 the river Indians, whose hate knew no bounds when they dis- 
 covered that it was the Dutch, and not the Mohawks, who 
 had attacked them at Pavonia and Corker's Hook. The 
 tomahawk, the firebrand, and scalping knife, were clutched 
 with all the ferocity of phrensy, and the warwhoop rang from 
 the Raritan to the Connecticut, for eleven tribes of savages 
 proclaimed open war against the Dutch.^ Every settler on 
 whom they laid hands was murdered — women and children 
 dragged into captivity ; and though the settlements around Fort 
 Amsterdam extended, at this period, thirty English miles to 
 the east, and twenty-one to the north and south, the enemy 
 burned the dwellings, desolated the farms and farm-houses, 
 killed the cattle, destroyed the crops of grain, hay, and to- 
 bacco, laid waste the country all around, and drove the set- 
 tlers, panic-stricken, into Fort Amsterdam.'* " Mine eyes saw 
 the flames of their towns," says Roger Williams ; "the 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. v., 337, 338. The answer was drawn up in council, in the fort, 
 in the presence of the Director-general, the Fiscal, the Rev. Bogardus, Ensign 
 Van Dyck, Gysbert op Dyck, and OlofF Stevensen. 
 
 ^ Journael van N. N. 
 
 ^ Genootsaack geworden tegens elfF nation van wilden (: ten deser oorsaecke 
 opstaende :) den openbaar oorloch aentenemen. Report and advice, Ap- 
 pendix. 
 
 * Two thousand Indians by them armed .... fall into war with the 
 Dutch, destroyed all their scattering farms and boors, in forcing them to retire 
 to their up fort, forty leagues up that river, and to Manhatas. Description of 
 New Albion, 19. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 271 
 
 friffhts and hurries of men, women, and children, and the chap. 
 present removal of all that could to Holland."^ The planters, 
 despairing of effecting a settlement in the country, threatened 
 now to abandon New Netherland, or to move to Rensselaers- 
 wyck. Dreading the removal of the people en masse, the 
 Director-general found himself obliged to take all the settlers March 
 into the company's service for a period of two months, for he ^' 
 had not soldiers sufficient for the public defence.^ 
 
 Pent up in the fort with all who could escape the vengeance 
 of the savages, Director Kieft experienced, and had to bear, 
 the wrath of the men and women who beheld their bouweries 
 in flames, and found themselves reduced in a moment, by his 
 insane conduct, from the comforts of competency to beggary. 
 Women asked him for their husbands ; men for their wives 
 and children ; and all taunted him with the ruinous conse- 
 quences which followed his obstinate rashness. He endeav- 
 ored, for a moment, to stem the torrent of public discontent, 
 by sending Adriaensen again forth at the head of an armed 
 force ; but no good resulted. Adriaensen, though backed by 
 an English company, came back from his bootless expeditions 
 with the additional chagrin of having witnessed, in the de- 
 struction of his own property, the misery he inflicted on others 
 returning, with tenfold severity, on his own head. Kieft next 
 sent a delegation to the Long Island Indians to inquire why 
 they were discontented, and to make them a proffer of his 
 friendship. But these were too simple-minded to be imposed 
 upon ; too indignant to listen to his professions. " Call ye 
 yourselves our friends ? Ye are nothing but corn-thieves," 
 they shouted from a distance, while they refused to hold any 
 communication with the Dutch messengers.^ 
 
 Foiled in all his plans, and now smarting under the ad- 
 ditional disgrace of having his advances for a peace rejected 
 by the uncivilized savages, Kieft cowered ; and deprived of 
 all other resources, determined to humble himself before that 
 
 ' Rhode Island Hist. Rec. iii., 156. 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 213. 
 
 ° Den Directeur . . . sont voort eenigh volck overomme de reden te 
 weten. Do Wilden haer van verre verthoonende, riepen : " Zyt gy onse 
 vrienden? gy zyt maer cooren dieven." Journ. van N. N. 
 
272 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Heaven whose laws he had offended, in the hope of obtaining 
 
 •--v-w from the Most High that mercy which he had refused to his 
 1643 
 
 ■ fellow-men. " We continue to suffer much trouble and loss 
 from the heathen, and many of our inhabitants behold their 
 lives and property in jeopardy, which is doubtless the conse- 
 quence of our sins," was the humble confession which he 
 March publicly made on proclaiming a day of General Fast and 
 Prayer, and soliciting every one to prepare, by true penitence 
 and unremitted supplication, to invoke God's mercy, " so that 
 His holy name may not be slandered by the heathen through 
 our iniquities."^ 
 
 All this, however, had not the effect of allaying popular 
 discontent, nor of diverting public censure. The Director- 
 general was still held responsible for the massacre on the night 
 of the 25th February, which was now held in such general 
 detestation by the honest burghers, that some among them 
 seriously proposed to imitate the precedent offered by the 
 neighboring province of Virginia, by deposing the Director, 
 and bundling him back to Holland in the Peacock, then in 
 port.^ From this responsibility Kieft endeavored to extricate 
 himself, by throwing the fault on those who had presented 
 him the petition in the name of the commonalty. " You must 
 blame the freemen for what has occurred." "You forbade 
 those freemen to meet on pain of corporal punishment," was 
 the retort thrown back at him : " how came it then ?" He 
 could make no reply 
 
 Maryn Adriaensen, one of the three who had signed the 
 letter, became soon aware of the direction which Kieft was 
 giving to public opinion, for he found himself the object of 
 public reproach, and heard himself assailed as a murderer, 
 and stigmatized as the chief cause of all the sufferings which 
 his fellow-citizens had to endure at the hands of the Indians. 
 Goaded by the recollections of all that he had risked, and all 
 that he had lost, the freebooter armed himself with a cutlass 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 214, 215. 
 
 ' " Hendrick Snyder Kip said, We ought to send the Kievit (meaning the 
 Director) back to Holland in the Peacock." Alb. Rec. iii., 109. 
 
 ' See affidavits of Evertsen Bout, StolFelsen, Arentsen, Comelissen, Derek 
 sen Blaauw, in Hoi. Doc. ill., 149, 150, 151, 152, 154. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 273 
 
 and loaded pistol, and rushed into the presence of the Direc- chap. 
 tor-general, where, presenting the weapon at Kieft's breast, he ^^^^ 
 exclaimed, " What devilish lies are these you've been telling Marcli 
 of me ?" The assault would of a certainty have been fatal to ^i. 
 the Director, had not Counsellor La Montagne, who happened 
 to be near, grasped, with becoming presence of mind, the 
 pistol with such quickness as to cover the pan with his hand, 
 and thus the weapon fortunately missed fire ; while Robert 
 Pennoyer drew the sword from the scabbard and flung it on 
 one side. With the assistance of the attorney-general and 
 others, the assassin was immediately overpowered and com- 
 mitted to prison. 
 
 The attack was, however, the signal for a general rising 
 among Adriaensen's followers. In an hour, the prisoner's 
 son, accompanied by another desperado, presented himself, 
 armed with a pistol and a gun, at the fort where Kieft was 
 walking. On perceiving their approach, the Director-gene- 
 ral retired towards his room, but was, notwithstanding, fired 
 at on his retreat by young Marynsen, who, in return, was 
 shot down by the sentinel, his head being afterwards affixed 
 to a gibbet. A crowd of some five and twenty of Adriaensen's 
 accomplices now collected around the Director's door ; but not 
 well relishing a personal interview with all these lawless men 
 at once, Kieft ordered four of their number to be admitted. 
 These demanded the prisoner's pardon ; but as this could not 
 be acceded to, the Director-general expressed his willingness 
 to submit the whole matter to the citizens at large, to adjudge 
 in the case as their consciences should suggest, with permis- 
 sion to the prisoner's friends, to select some Srom among 
 themselves to assist in the investigation. 
 
 Instead of communicating this proposal to the congregation, 
 amounting now to over five hundred men, Maryn's friends 
 selected twenty-five or thirty persons who reiterated the de- 
 mand that the prisoner be released, " which of course was 
 refused." They then elected eight from among themselves, 
 " one of whom was already a convicted criminal," who, with- 
 out hearing any of the parties, or taking cognizance of any 
 complaints or papers, ordered Adriaensen's release on pay- 
 ment of a fine of five hundred guilders, (#200,) and on condi- 
 
 35 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tion that he absent himself from the Manhattans for and durinff 
 III. . ° 
 
 the space of three months. This proceeding being entirely 
 ' irregular, was refused the sanction of the authorities. De- 
 sirous, however, of paying some deference to public opinion, 
 Director Kieft determined, " in accordance with the invariable 
 custom in affairs of consequence," to adjoin some of the most 
 respectable of the commonalty to the council, which, notwith- 
 standing the Director's solemn promise to the Twelve Men in 
 January, 1642, still consisted of only two persons. But owing 
 to either his own unpopularity, or to the fear of Maryn's asso- 
 ciates, Kieft found "none so poor to do him reverence." 
 " No one would or dared to assist us." The Director-general 
 March thereupon resolved to send the prisoner, with all the docu- 
 ments appertaining to the case, to Holland, that he may be 
 tried there, " lest it might be insinuated that we acted in a 
 passion." Thither Adriaensen, it is said, was shipped in irons 
 accordingly.^ 
 
 Spring, the season for fishing, hunting, and planting, was 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 216, 217, 218, 219 ; iii., 94. Winthrop, and after him Hub- 
 bard, Trumbull, and all the New England authorities who allude to this trans- 
 action, represent that Adriaensen, whom they call " Marine, the Dutch Cap- 
 tain," assaulted Kieft for having preferred Capt. Underhill to him as commander, 
 about this time, of the Dutch forces against the Indians. But the Albany 
 Records and tlie Journael van Nieuw Nederlandt, which embody Kieft's 
 personal statement, make no mention of this motive. They ascribe Maryn's 
 movement solely to irritation at being assailed as a murderer, and made thereby 
 the scape-goat for public censure to centre on. " What devilish lies have you 
 been telling of mo ?" is his complaint, and not. Why do you put another over 
 me ? Besides, Underhill did not enter into the Dutch service until the fall of 
 this year, several months after the above assault. The latter's promotion could 
 not, therefore, have been the cause of Maryn's attack on Director Kieft. In 
 truth, the statements of New England writers, in general, on matters occurring 
 in New Netherland, must be received, for obvious reasons, with extreme cau- 
 tion. They serve to embarrass rather than to facilitate the labor and progress 
 of the historian. 
 
 The freebooter, it seems, returned to New Netherland some years after this, 
 and, notwithstanding the above outrage on the Director-general's person, ob- 
 tained a grant from Kieft, on tlie 11th May, 1647, of " a piece of land on the 
 west side of the North River, known by the name of Awiehaken," which " is 
 bounded on the south by the kill of Hoboken, and runs thence north to the 
 next kill, and with the same breadth into the woods, until it contains 50 mor- 
 gens of land." Alb. Rec. GG, 491. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 275 
 
 now at hand. The Indians saw the necessity of intermitting chap. 
 their wars, to prepare food for themselves and famihes. They ^^^^ 
 made advances, therefore, for the re-estabhshment of peace. ^ 
 Three Indians, messengers from " the great chief Pennawitz," March 
 sachem of the Canarsee tribe, approached the fort, bearing a 
 white flag. They were sent to inquire why the Dutch had 
 murdered his people, who had never injured them ? The op- 
 portunity was seized to obtain a cessation of hostihties, and 
 Captain David P. De Vries and Jacob Olfertzsen volunteered 
 to go to Rockaway, to have " a talk" with the Indians. They 
 arrived in the evening at the wigwam of the " one-eyed" chief, 
 by whom they were hospitably entertained. His residence 
 was situated some miles from the shore, and he was surround- 
 ed by between two and three hundred warriors, the owners of 
 some thirty horses. 
 
 The Dutch ambassadors were led forth next morning into 
 the woods, where they found sixteen chiefs awaiting their ar- 
 rival. Seated in a circle, these placed the delegates from the 
 Manhattans in the centre, and then one of the chiefs, holding 
 a bundle of little sticks in his hand, slowly arose and address- 
 ed the Dutchmen in the following words : 
 
 " When you first arrived on our shores, you were often in 
 want of food. We gave you our beans and our corn. We 
 let you eat our oysters and fish ; and now, for a recompense, 
 you murder our people." 
 
 Here the sachem paused It was the first count in the in- 
 dictment. He laid down one of the little sticks, and then 
 proceeded : 
 
 " The men whom you left here at your first trip, to barter 
 your goods until your return, we cherished as we would our 
 eyeballs. We gave them our daughters for wives, and by 
 
 ' 't Saysoen om do beestialen uyttejagen comt : dit verobligeerden veele den 
 pays te begeren. Van d'anderezyde de wilden oock sienden dat het tyt was 
 mayz te planten, waren nietmin begerigh om te vredcn, soo dat naer eenige 
 commuuicatie de pays beslooten wert. Journael van N. Nederlandt. " In the 
 spring and part of the summer, they (the Indians) follow fishing. When the 
 wild herbage begins to sprout up in the woods, the first hunting season begins, 
 and then many of their young men leave the fisheries for the purpose of hunt- 
 ing ; but the old and thoughtful remain at the fisheries until the second and 
 principal hunting season." Van der Donck's Descript. of N. Netherland. 
 
276 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK these have they had children. There are now numbers of 
 III. 
 
 Indians who come from the mixed blood of the Indians and 
 ' Swannekins. Your own blood have you spilt in this villan- 
 ous manner." And here he laid down another stick. Many 
 more remained untold in his hand. Many more were the 
 complaints which the red-man had to record. 
 
 At the conclusion of the chieftain's speech, De Vries invited 
 the sachems to accompany him to Fort Amsterdam. They 
 consented, and gave each of the Dutch delegates, in token of 
 their sincerity, ten fathoms of wampum, equal in value to six- 
 teen dollars. But just at the moment of embarkation, another 
 Indian, armed with bows and arrows, came running towards 
 the shore, and endeavored to dissuade the chiefs from pro- 
 ceeding. " Are ye fools," he asked, " to go to the fort to 
 those villains who have murdered your friends ? When ye 
 go, the governor will keep ye all, and the Indians will then be 
 without chiefs." For a moment the sachems hesitated ; but 
 on De Vries pledging his word, they became reassured, and 
 consented to proceed, " for the Indians had never heard a he 
 from him, which was not the case with many of the Swanne- 
 kins." 
 
 March This party, twenty in number, arrived at Fort Amsterdam 
 about three o'clock in the afternoon, and concluded a treaty of 
 peace with the Dutch, in ratification of which some presents 
 were made to these Long Island chiefs, who were requested 
 to bring in the river Indians, in order that peace might be con- 
 cluded with them also.^ 
 
 * De Vries ; Alb. Rec. ii., 215. Winthrop, and all the New England writers 
 since his time, who have referred to the above treaty, represent that it was 
 mainly brought about by the influence and interference of Roger Williams. 
 " The issue had been uncertain but for the presence of Roger Williams at Man- 
 hattan, on his way to England. His mediation gave a truce to Long Island." 
 Bancroft's U. S. ii., 291. It was by the influence of Williams, says Gamell, 
 copying Knowles, (art. Life of Williams, in Sparks's Am. Biog. xiv., 117,) that 
 the fiery zeal of the Indians was appeased, and peace restored to the Dutch 
 settlements. Historical truth, and no desire to detract from the high merits of 
 the purely-minded Rhode Island philanthropist, requires us to doubt the correct- 
 ness of these statements. De Vries, who was the principal actor in bringing about 
 this peace, relates (N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. New Series, i., 270) the several steps 
 which preceded its conclusion, with a minuteness and fidelity commanding convic- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 277 
 
 Nearly a month elapsed before these could be persuaded to chap. 
 believe in the sinceritv of the Dutch. Trusting at last to the 
 
 1643. 
 
 representations of his brethren on Long Island, the chief of 
 the Hackingsacks appeared at the fort, with authority to con- 
 clude a peace both for his own and the neighboring tribes, the 
 record of which is in these words : 
 
 "This day, the twenty-second of April, 1643, between April 
 WiLLEM KiEFT, Dircctor-general, and the council of the 
 New Netherlands on the one side, and Oratatnin, Sachem of 
 the savages residing at Ack-kin-kas-hacky, who declared that 
 he was delegated by and for those of Tappaen, Reckgawa- 
 wane, Kicktawanc, and Sintsinck, on the other side, is a 
 Peace concluded in the following manner, to wit : 
 
 " All injustices committed by said nations against the 
 Netherlanders, or by the Netherlanders against said nations, 
 shall be forgiven and forgotten forever ; reciprocally promis- 
 ing, one the other, to cause no trouble, the one to the other ; 
 but whenever the savages understand that any nation, not 
 mentioned in this treaty, may be plotting mischief against the 
 
 tion, but makes no mention or allusion to Mr. Williams. The Indians made the first 
 overtures to the Dutch. " No one had the courage to go" to Long Island but 
 De Vries and Olfertszen. It was with them alone that the Indians had the 
 " talk," and when the latter hesitated to come to New Amsterdam — when 
 " the issue" was truly " uncertain," it was on the representations of De Vries 
 alone, that the chiefs ventured to place themselves in the power of Kieft, " for 
 the Indians had never heard a lie from him." In the whole of this transaction, 
 Mr. Williams's name is not once mentioned. That he did endeavor to mediate, 
 at one time, vi^e presume at some earlier date, is probable, from his letter to the 
 general court of Massachusetts, (Rhode Island Hist. Coll. iii., 155.) But he 
 used his influence with the Dutch, and not with the Indians, and his efforts 
 then were unavailing. " The name of peace, which some offered to mediate, 
 
 was foolish and odious to them Before we weighed anchor their 
 
 bouweries were in flames, &c." In no part of this letter does Mr. Williams 
 encourage the idea that he used his influence with the Indians, or persuaded 
 them to make peace. On the contrary, he endeavored to influence the Dutch 
 — Director we suppose — but he failed. De Vries's minute testimony, and Mr. 
 Williams's silence as to any participation of his in bringing about the treaty, 
 afford conclusive evidence, in our opinion, of the incorrectness of the positions 
 assumed by the New England historians on this point. The fact that Winthrop 
 places the date of the treaty in June, while the actual record shows it to have 
 been in March, is enough, we should think, to invalidate any statement of his 
 in the matter. 
 
278 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Christians, then will they give to them a timely warning, and 
 "•^^ not admit such a nation within their own limits." 
 
 To secm'e this peace, presents were mutually exchanged, 
 and the Almighty God was implored to direct the savages to 
 observe its conditions ; but the latter were not satisfied with 
 what they had received, and — presage ominous of further 
 evil — they went away grumbling.* 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 220. De Vries. The original name of the Croton River 
 was Kicktawanc, and of the lands adjacent to it on the south, Sintsinck. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 279 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Union of the New England colonies — Congratulatory letters sent by Director 
 and council of New Netherland — Reply of the governor of Massachusetts 
 — Proceedings of the Commissioners of the United Colonies regarding the 
 Dutch — Sir Edmund Ployden Earl-palatine of New Albion — Boundaries of 
 the Palatinate — Continued dissatisfaction of the Indians — The Wappingers 
 attack a Dutch boat and commence hostilities — Several other boats attacked 
 and Christians killed — Meeting of the commonalty — Election of the Eight 
 Men — Names of the citizens present on this occasion — Conclusions of the 
 Eight Men — Expel one of the board, and nominate another in his place — 
 Army raised against the Indians — The latter attack some settlers on Staten 
 Island and in the colonie at Achter Cul — Murder several persons, and over- 
 run the country — Mrs. Hutchinson and family killed — Attack on Lady 
 Moody — Further deliberations of the Eight Men — Prices at New Amster- 
 dam — Letters to the Assembly of the XIX. and to the States General — 
 Rules for the soldiers on guard — State of affairs on the Island of Man- 
 hattans. 
 
 The principal men in New England having taken into their chap. 
 serious consideration the troubles which were now prevailing -^v^ 
 in the mother country, and the unprotected state of the colo- ' 
 nies in consequence ; and duly weighed, in connection with 
 these, the claims which the Dutch so pertinaciously put for- 
 ward, together with the restless and hostile demonstrations of 
 the surrounding Indians, considered their safety could be ef- 
 fectually secured only by forming a confederation, offensive 
 and defensive, of the separate colonies of Massachusetts, 
 Plymouth, New Haven, and Connecticut, which was accord- 
 ingly completed on the nineteenth of May this year, under the May 
 style and title of " The United Colonies of New England." 
 
 Intelligence of this union having reached Fort Amsterdam 
 shortly after, the Director-general and council considered such 
 an occurrence to furnish a fitting opportunity to obtain a re- 
 dress of grievances, and to establish a better understanding in 
 that quarter. He therefore dispatched, in the course of July, July 
 a sloop to Boston, with letters written in Latin, and signed by 
 Secretary Van Tienhoven, addressed to the governor and sen- 
 
280 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ate of the United Provinces of New England. After having, 
 
 j-^^ in the first place, congratulated his excellency on the confed- 
 ' eration which had been entered into between himself and the 
 other colonies, Kieft took occasion to repeat his complaints of 
 the grievous wrongs and insufferable injuries committed by- 
 New Haven and Connecticut on the Dutch ; he next directed 
 attention to the misrepresentations made by Lord Say, Mr. 
 Peters, and others, to the Dutch ambassador at London ; and 
 concluded by inquiring of Governor Winthrop whether he 
 should aid or desert him, so that he might know his friends 
 from his enemies. 
 
 July The governor of Massachusetts submitted this communi-. 
 cation to such of his council as were at Boston, after which 
 he replied, expressive of his sorrow for the differences which 
 had arisen between the Dutch and his brethren at Hartford 
 He hoped that the good understanding which had existed be- 
 tween the people of Massachusetts and the Dutch ever since 
 they had come to these parts might continue, and suggested 
 that the present differences might be arranged by arbi- 
 tration in England, Holland, or America. He added, how- 
 ever, by way of explanation, that according to the articles of 
 confederation, each colony was obliged to study the welfare 
 and interests of the other colonies as well as its own ; that his 
 letters should be duly weighed by those who were to give 
 further answer ; in the mean while, he trusted that their an- 
 cient friendship should not be interrupted, and that each party 
 would carefully avoid all injuries until final arrangements 
 should be made either here or in Europe ; as the controversy 
 at Hartford about a small piece of land, in so vast a continent 
 as that of America, was, he wisely remarked, too trifling to 
 cause a breach between Protestants so intimately related in 
 feelings and religion as were the Dutch and the English. 
 
 Sept. 7. The question came up at the first meeting of the commis- 
 sioners, held soon after at Boston, at which the New Haven 
 delegates presented a statement of what they considered the 
 hostile and oppressive conduct of the Dutch towards the Eng- 
 hsh, at the South River, and other places. Connecticut also 
 made various complaints. Hereupon the president was or- 
 dered to communicate these several charges to the Director- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 general at the Manhattans, and to demand satisfaction for the 
 injuries of which they complained. Governor Winthrop was, 
 also, directed to write respecting the Dutch title to the land at 
 Hartford, which the commissioners could not acknowledge 
 until they had more light ; and to assure the Director that as 
 they would not wrong others, so would they not desert their 
 confederates in a just cause. These replies did not satisfy 
 Kieft. He again wrote, reiterating his complaints, and re- 
 urging the soundness of the Dutch title to Hartford.^ 
 
 While the Director-general was thus engaged, vindicating 
 the company's jurisdiction over the lands on the Connecticut 
 River, a new claimant appeared at Fort Amsterdam, and as- 
 serted his right to all that part of New Netherland embraced 
 betw^een the North and South rivers, (now constituting the 
 state of New Jersey,) together with a portion of Virginia. 
 This personage was Sir Edmund Ployden, Earl-palatine of 
 the province of New Albion. 
 
 Straitened in circumstances, and circumscribed in means, 
 this worthy knight happened to be thrown into jail in England 
 for debt, whereupon he solicited from King Charles the First 
 a patent to settle the Delaware River. But having been un- 
 successful at court, he addressed himself to the king's favorite, 
 Strafford, then viceroy of Ireland, who took upon himself to 
 grant to his friend, in 1634, a tract of land beginning at Cape 
 Mey, whence it extended west forty leagues up the Delaware ; 
 thence north forty leagues ; after which it inclined east for 
 the same distance to the Hudson River to " Sand-heey," or, 
 as we presume, Sandy Hook ; from which place the line ran 
 south along the coast to the cape from which it first started. 
 This grant included, moreover, all the islands in the sea 
 " within ten leagues of the shore of the said region, called by 
 the names of Pamonk, (or Long Island,) Hudson's, or Hud- 
 son's River Isles, or by whatever other name, with all ports 
 for shipping and creeks of the sea to the same adjoining." 
 This territory was, at the same time, erected into a province, 
 or " free county palatine," over which the patentee was cre- 
 
 ' Winthrop's Journal 303, 304, 305 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 129, 130, 157; 
 Hubbard's N. Eng. 133, 434, 435. Trumbull's Conn, i., 126, 134, 135. 
 
 36 
 
282 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ated Earl-palatine, and for its settlement a company was 
 formed, consisting of forty-four lords, barons, baronets, 
 knights, gentlemen, and adventurers, under the style of "the 
 Albion Knights for the conversion of the twenty-three kings" 
 of Charles River, as they called the Delaware. It was not, 
 however, by lords and baronets that colonies were to be 
 planted in America. It was, rather, by the poor, the patient, 
 and the daring. Either the means of this goodly company 
 were too slender, or their plans too crude, or, what is more 
 probable, their patent was utterly valueless, and this colony had 
 no other but a pseudo-parchment existence. The company, 
 the colony, and the Earl-palatine, have disappeared from the 
 face of the earth, leaving scarcely a trace to mark either their 
 whereabouts or their existence. Sir Edmund Ployden retired 
 to Virginia shortly after his appearance at New Amsterdam, 
 " for he would not quarrel with the Dutch," who now became, 
 again, a prey to all the horrors of an Indian war.^ 
 
 The peace, which had been concluded in the spring, was 
 considered by the River Indians in every respect unsatisfac- 
 tory. The presents they had received were looked upon as 
 by no means commensurate to the enormous losses which 
 they had experienced at the hands of the white men ; and 
 Kieft, when their complaints came to his ears, took, unfor- 
 
 July tunately, no pains to remove their dissatisfaction by opportune 
 presents, but rather aggravated the existing ill-feeling by 
 abusing the Indians, and inducing, by a bribe of two hundred 
 fathoms of wampum, their chief, who came to warn him of 
 his danger, " to kill those boobies who desired to war with the 
 Swannekins."^ 
 
 In the mean while, Pacham, the crafty leader of the Tanki- 
 tekes of Haverstraw, visited all the Indian villages, and stim- 
 ulated the savages to rise and massacre the Dutch. The 
 spirit of evil found minds too well-disposed to receive his 
 counsel and to take up the tomahawk. The Wappinecks, or 
 Wappingers, residing on the North River, about half way be- 
 
 » Hazard's State Papers i., 160, 161 ; Van der Donck's Vertoogh van N. N. ; 
 Barker's Sketches in Hazard's Reg. i., 180; Plantagenet's New Albion; 
 Bancroft's United States ii., 296 ; Alb. Rec. iii., 224 ; xviii., 349. 
 
 * De Vries. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 283 
 
 tween the Manhattans and Fort Orange, with whom the Dutch chap. 
 never had any dispute, were the first to commence hostihties. ^j^^^ 
 They attacked an open boat coming from the latter post, laden ^yg_ 7" 
 with four hundred beaver skins, and murdered Willem Cor- 
 nelissen Coster, one of the crew.^ The booty acquired on 
 this occasion tempted others to make similar attacks on two 
 other boats, which were also overpowered. But in an attempt 
 to surprise a fourth, the savages were repulsed with a loss of 
 six men. Nine Christians lost their lives in these rencontres, 
 and one woman and two children were led away captives. 
 Another party of Indians murdered an old couple, whom they 
 visited under pretence of selling some beavers, and inflicted, 
 at the same time, five wounds on an unfortunate settler, who 
 succeeded, however, in making his escape to Fort Amsterdam 
 in a boat ; bearing along with him, in his arms, a little child, 
 who had already lost both father and mother in the first at- 
 tack, and now was deprived of its grandfather and grand- 
 mother, having been thus twice miraculously snatched, by the 
 interposition of Providence, from the clutches of the savages 
 ere it was yet two years of age. Numbers of others were 
 also murdered about this time by the Indians, who came under 
 the guise of friendship to warn the Christians of approaching 
 danger.^ 
 
 The hour of peril brought with it again the necessity of 
 consulting the people ; and Kieft, who never respected either 
 popular rights or popular representatives, found himself, after 
 a lapse of six or seven months, compelled to call the com- 
 monalty together anew to take into consideration such pro- 
 positions as he should submit for the general good. The 
 people met accordingly in the fort. They were called on " to 
 elect five or six persons from among themselves," to consider 
 maturely the articles which the Director-general and council 
 were prepared to propose. But they preferred leaving the 
 responsibility of choosing the " select men" to the executive, 
 reserving to themselves, however, the right to reject such per- 
 son or persons as might not be pleasing to them, and against 
 
 • 
 
 Alb. Rec. iii., 143. 
 * Journael van N. N. ; Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 130. 
 
284 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK whom they might have any thing to object.^ A board of 
 
 Eight Men was subsequently chosen, a certificate of whose 
 
 ' election was recorded in the following terras : 
 
 Sept. "We, the undersigned, declare that we have elected 
 13 • 
 
 Joachim Pietersen, Jan Damen, Barent Dircksen, Abraham 
 Pietersen, Isaack AUerton, Thomas Hal, Gerrit Wolfertsen, 
 and Cornells Melyn, maturely to consider the propositions 
 submitted to us here by the Director and Council of New 
 Netherland, approving hereby what the aforesaid persons 
 shall herein treat of and determine. (Signed,) 
 
 " Philip Grave, Cornells x Swilwan, Jan X Haer, Albert 
 
 Hoi. Doc. iii., 141. The following is a translation of this interesting re- 
 cord : " We, the undersigned, having appeared in the fort at the request of the 
 Noble Director and Council, to express our opinions on their Honors' proposal, 
 as they have required of us to elect five or six persons from among ourselves to 
 vpeigh maturely the articles laid before us, so have we considered it wise to 
 leave to the Director and Council the doing that ; namely, the selection of 
 those persons ; provided that we may reject the person or persons against 
 whom there might be any thing to object, and are not pleasing to usl 
 
 (Signed.) 
 
 J. p. Kuyter, 
 
 Wolfert X Gerrits, 
 
 Barent X Dircksen, 
 
 Abraham Planck, 
 
 Cornells Wittensen, 
 
 Louis X Grain, 
 
 Cornells Jacobs. X Hille, 
 
 Pieter Colet, 
 
 Abm. Pietersen, 
 
 Heindrick Heindricksen Kype, 
 
 Govert Lookmans, 
 
 Claes X Montelaar, 
 
 Gerrit X Wolpherts, 
 
 Claes Jansen Ruter, 
 
 Barent Janssen, 
 
 George X Homs, 
 
 Hans X Hansen, 
 
 Ambrosius X Losman, 
 
 Jan X Pieces, 
 
 Richard 
 
 Richard X Colfex, 
 
 Cornelis Twits, 
 
 Cornells X Souleman, 
 
 John Pathaway, 
 
 Pieter Linde, 
 
 Cornelis Melyn, 
 
 Jan Snediker, 
 
 Sibert Claessen, 
 
 Isaak X de Forest, 
 
 Cornelis Lambertsen X Cool, 
 
 Abraham X Jacobse, 
 
 Jan Jansen Damen, 
 
 Cornells Volckers, 
 
 Isaak AUerton, 
 
 Claes X Caerlessen, 
 
 Jacob Couwenhoven, 
 
 Willem Adriaensen, 
 
 Jan Verbruge, 
 
 Thomas Hall, 
 
 Cornelis Dircksen Hoochlant, 
 
 Thomas X Sanderson, 
 
 Wilheim Goulder, 
 
 Benj'n. Pawley, 
 
 Pieter Adriaensen, 
 
 Heyndrick X Heyndricksen, 
 
 Laurens X Pietersen, 
 
 P. R. Gichhous." 
 
 Such as have a X affixed to their names made their mark. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 285 
 
 Jansen, Teunis x Cray, Jacob x Stoffelsen, Cornelis Wil- chap. 
 lemsen, Claes x Corslersen, Richert x Gebbers, Reyner x ^^^^ 
 Jansen, Joris x Bastelaar, Egbert Woutersen, Pieler Linde, 
 Wolphert x Gerrits, Isaak x de Forest, Ab. x Jacobse, 
 Pieter Colet, Govert Loockmans, Jacob Couwenhoven, Wil- 
 lem Adriaensen, Jan Verbrugge, Thoman x Sandersen, Am- 
 brosius x Losman, Wilheim Goulder, Jan x Pieces, Benj'n. 
 Pawley, Laurens x Pietersen, John Pathaway." 
 
 The first meeting of the above representatives w^as held Sept. 
 two days after their election, pursuant to a summons from the 
 Director-general, " to consider the critical circumstances of 
 the country." One of their earliest acts was to mark their 
 disapprobation of those who had demanded permission to at- 
 tack the Indians. With this view, they required the exclu- 
 sion of Jan Jansen Dam from the board, as they refused to sit 
 with him, he being one of the signers of the letter of the 
 twenty-fourth of February last. Dam protested in strong 
 terms against this proceeding, and especially against Kieft, by 
 whose misrepresentations, he averred, he had been deceived 
 into signing the letter. But these excuses availed him naught. 
 He was excluded, and Jan Evertsen Bout selected by the 
 other seven to fill the vacancy. It was then resolved to re- 
 new the war " either by force or stratagem," against the river 
 Indians, but to preserve peace with the Long Island tribes, 
 " if they commit no hostilities ;" to encourage the latter, " if 
 they could be persuaded," to bring in " some heads of the 
 murderers ;" and to engage and arm as large a body of men 
 as the freemen could aff"ord to pay. At this meeting, several 
 good and wholesome regulations were passed forbidding tip- 
 pling and taverns, in lieu of which a course of religious exer- 
 cises, accompanied by preaching, was ordered for the space 
 of a week. This order, we regret, however, to have to add, 
 was entirely neglected by the minister charged with its execu- 
 tion. The Eight Men then adjourned, having previously 
 agreed to meet on every Saturday evening to watch the pro- 
 gress of affairs.' 
 
 ^ Hoi. Doc. iii., 144, 145 ; v. 323 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 231. " Desen acht man- 
 nen hebben wel eenige goede en behoorlycke articulen beraemt, voorbiedende 
 
286 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The Director-general immediately proceeded to arm the 
 settlers and company's servants, and to engage the English 
 ' inhabitants, (who were now threatening to quit the country,) 
 the commonalty having agreed to defray the third part of their 
 expenses. This corps, consisting of between fifty and eighty 
 men, shortly after swore " fidelity to the High and Mighty 
 Lords the States General, the Prince of Orange, the West 
 India Company, and the Director and Council of New 
 Netherland ;" to " sacrifice their lives in their and the coun- 
 try's service, and to obey the Director, as dutiful officers and 
 soldiers are bound to do."^ 
 
 The enemy did not allow Kieft, or his troops, much time 
 for preparation. A small force, consisting of " five soldiers, 
 five boys, and one man," detailed for the defence of the colo- 
 nic " behind the Cul," (or Newark Bay, as it is now called,) 
 belonging to the Lord of Nederhorst, was attacked by a strong 
 
 Sept. party of savages in the course of the night of the 17th Septem- 
 
 1 ly 
 
 ■ ber, and after a desperate resistance, were finally obliged to 
 retreat ; the house having been fired over their heads. They 
 escaped with considerable difficulty in a canoe, saving nothing 
 but their arms. Another small force, which had been dis- 
 patched to the same quarter for the protection of the farm 
 Oct. 1. of Jacob StofFelsen, was visited some ten or fifteen days after- 
 wards, by a party of nine Indians, under a pretence of friend- 
 ship, who finding the soldiers unarmed, murdered all in the 
 house, except the farmer's step-son, whom they carried olf to 
 Tappaen, after having burned all the farm-houses and produce, 
 
 all tafemien en alle andere onhebbelyckheden. Stelden weder in plaetse een 
 weeck predicatie, als by de ordre gesien can worden, toch 't is by den OfRcier 
 tot executie niet gebracht." Letter of the Eight Men, 28th October, 1644. 
 Hoi. Doc. iii., 215. 
 
 ' Soo wert 'er goetgevonden dat men soo veel Engelsche souden aennemen 
 alsser in 't lant te becomen waren, die nu togh van meeningh waren te ver- 
 trecken ; waervan de Gemeente een derde part sonde betalen ; dese beloften 
 geschiet by de Gemeente, maer de betalinge volght niet. Journael van N. N. 
 The number to be paid by the commonalty was, according to another authority, 
 fifty men. Report and advice. Appendix E. Trumbull [Hist. Conn, i., 139] 
 represents these " fifty Englishmen" to have been a bodyguard to Kieft's 
 person, as " he could not trust himself " among the people. But this is an 
 error. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 while Aert Theunisseii, a planter at Hoboken, was surprised, ^^^^ 
 as he was trading at the Bcargat, outside Sandyhook, and ^ 
 murdered by the savages, who afterwards destroyed both his 
 cattle and plantation.* 
 
 The greatest terror prevailed everywhere. Pavonia, Ach- 
 ter Col, the greater part of Manhattan, and most of Long Isl- 
 and were in the hands of the enemy, now consisting of seven 
 different tribes, amounting, it was estimated, to fifteen hun- 
 dred warriors. While the work of destruction was going on in 
 the above quarters, other parties of savages crossed over to the 
 main, and cleared all before them as far east as Stamford. 
 Thither the celebrated Mrs. Anne Hutchinson had retired 
 from her persecutors in Massachusetts, but the Indians had 
 discovered her retreat. They appeared at first friendly, as 
 was their wont when making their visits. But on discovering 
 the defenceless condition of the inmates, they killed her and 
 her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with her own son, Francis, and 
 all the other members of her family, besides a number of other 
 persons in the neighborhood, belonging to the families of Mr. 
 Throgmorton and Mr. Cornhill. Eighteen persons, in all, fell 
 victims here to these barbarians, who, putting the cattle into 
 barns, burnt the whole. Passing, thence, over to Long Island, 
 they attacked the plantation of the Lady Moody at Gravesend 
 several times, who would have, doubtless, shared the fate of 
 the unfortunate Mrs. Hutchinson, had not her ladyship had a 
 guard of forty men to protect her. Indeed so bold now had 
 the Indians become, that they hesitated not to attack isolated 
 bodies of the Dutch in their visits to the outposts around Fort 
 Amsterdam, on one of which occasions Ensign van Dyck had Oct 
 a narrow escape of being killed, having received a ball in his 
 right arm, which passed across his body, grazing his chest.^ 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. iii., 153 ; De Vries ; Van der Donck's Vertoogh van N. N. ; Hoi. 
 Doc. iv., 247. Beeregat, the first inlet without the cape on the New Jersey 
 shore. Benson's Mem. 21. See also Van der Donck's Beschryving van N. N. 
 
 2 Winthrop's Journal, 308 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 135, 136 ; Hubbard, 345, 
 346 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 238 ; Gorton's Simplicity Defended, in Rhode Isl. His. Soc. 
 Rec. ii., 59. Wilde's Rise, Reign, and Ruin of the Antinomians contains this 
 pious exultation at the destruction of Mrs. Hutchinson :— " The Indians set upon 
 them and slew her and all her children ; save one that escaped, (her own hus- 
 
2SS 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK To oppose these wild hordes the Dutch force amounted to no 
 
 ■^v~ more than two hundred and fifty or three hundred settlers, and 
 1643 
 
 ■ between fifty and sixty soldiers, badly provided, however, with 
 ammunition ; while Fort Amsterdam, " open to the enemy 
 day and night," was nothing better than a ruin, around whose 
 crumbling walls helpless women and children lay huddled to- 
 gether in huts of straw ! 
 
 Such was the condition of things in New Nelherland at the 
 close of September, and beginning of October, when Director 
 Kieft again convoked the Eight Men, to deliberate on what 
 was best to be done. Two vessels — the Seven Stars and 
 Neptune — were at anchor in the harbor, laden with provisions 
 destined for Cura^oa. It was at once proposed to unload these 
 ships — turn their cargoes into the fort — retain the greater num- 
 ber of the crew and marines to, aid against the savages ; and 
 Oct. 6. next to apply to New Haven for an auxiliary force of one hun- 
 dred and fifty men. To meet expenses, the Director-gen- 
 eral was recommended to draw a bill of exchange on the 
 company for twenty-five thousand guilders, ($10,000,) and to 
 give the English a mortgage on New Netherland as collateral 
 security for the payment of this debt.^ 
 
 The greater portion of this plan was, however, rejected by 
 Director Kieft. With a self-will for which he was character- 
 istic, he sent away the ships ; refused to retain the men be- 
 longing to these vessels, at the moment he was under the ne- 
 
 band being dead before) — a dreadful blow ! Some write that Indians did burn 
 her to death with fire, her house and all the rest that belonged unto her, but I 
 
 am not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her God's hand 
 
 is more apparently seen herein to pick out this woful woman, to make her, and 
 those belonging to her, an unheard of heavy example of their cruelty to others." 
 
 ^ De vreese meer over 't lant comende, de Aght Mannen vergaderen for- 
 meren een propositie by geschrift, waerinne sy versoecken dat men na de 
 Noordt souden senden by onse gebeuren d' Engelsche om hondert vyftigh man- 
 nen tot hulp te versoeken ; tot betalinge van deselve sonde men een wissel- 
 brief verleenen van vyffentwintigh duyzent gulden, ende tot versekeringe dat 
 deselve voldaen worden, sonde men N. Nederlant soo lange aen de Engelsche 
 verpanden .... gelyck cock weynich dagen van te vooren hadde beslooten, 
 dat men de victualie gedestineert naer Cura9oa, uyt de schepen sonde lossen, 
 ende 't meeste volck vandeselve behouden, ende de Schepen alsoo ledigh weg- 
 senden. Det wert den Directeur nogh niet aengenomen nogh goetgevonden. 
 Joum. van N. N. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 289 
 
 cessity of applying to New England for an auxiliary force, and chap. 
 exported provisions while the people around him were but 
 scantily supplied ; for peas sold at this period for three florins 
 or $1.20 per schepel, (three pecks ;) rye bread for eight cents, 
 wheaten bread 14 cents per loaf; hard bread, 6 cents, pork, 
 ten cents, dried fish, five cents, beef, nine cents, and tallow, 
 for five cents per pound ; Spanish wine for thirty-two cents, 
 and blubber oil for twenty cents per pot.^ 
 
 Agreeably to the preceding arrangement. Captain John Un- 
 derbill, who now was engaged to lead the Dutch forces, pro- 
 ceeded to New Haven, with Mr. Isaac AUerton, in the hope 
 of engaging the government of that colony to raise the auxili- 
 ary force which was required. But this application had no 
 effect. New Haven was prohibited by the articles of confed- 
 eration from joining separately in war, and Governor Eaton 
 and the general court not being satisfied of the justice of the 
 quarrel between the Dutch and the Indians, rejected the pro- 
 posal which Kieft had made.^ In this abandoned condition, 
 the Eight Men were under the necessity of writing to Hol- 
 land. They addressed letters both to the Assembly of the 
 XIX. and to the States General ; which memorials, the first 
 ever sent to Europe from a popular body in this state, 
 interesting for their truth, and affecting for their simplici- 
 ty and pathos, were couched in the following touching 
 terms : 
 
 " Honorable Lords — Rightly hath one of the ancients said, Oct. 
 that there is no misery on earth, however great, that does not 
 manifest itself in time of war. We, poor inhabitants of Ne\y 
 Netherland, have now to complain, that having enjoyed for a 
 long time an indifferent peace with the heathen. Almighty God 
 hath finally, through his righteous judgment, kindled the fire 
 of war around us during the current year with the Indians, in 
 which not only numbers of innocent people, men, women, 
 and children, have been murdered in their houses, and at their 
 work, and swept captives away, (whereby this place with all 
 its inhabitants is come to the greatest ruin ;) but all the bow- 
 eries and plantations at Pavonia, with twenty-five lasts [2700 
 
 » Alb. Rec. iii., 159. 
 
 » 3 Mass. Hist. Coll. vii., 244. 
 
 37 
 
290 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK bushels] of corn and other produce have been burnt, and the 
 cattle destroyed. 
 
 " Long Island is destitute also of inhabitants and stock, ex- 
 cept a few insignificant places over against the main, which 
 are about to be abandoned. The English who have settled 
 among us have not escaped. They too, except one place, are 
 all murdered and burnt. 
 
 " Staten Island, where Cornehs Melyn established himself, 
 is unattacked as yet, but stands expecting an assault every 
 hour. 
 
 " On the island of Manachatas, [Manhattans,] from the 
 north unto the Fresh Water,^ there are no more, at this date, 
 than five or six places inhabited ; these are threatened by the 
 Indians, every night, with fire, and by day, with the slaughter 
 of both people and cattle. 
 
 " Achter Cul, where the Honorable Van der Horst founded 
 a colonic, is altogether in ruins. Thus no other place remains 
 for us, where we can lodge ourselves with women and chil- 
 dren, than around and adjoining Fort Amsterdam, on the 
 Manachatas. 
 
 " No resistance is offered the enemy for want of men, arms, 
 and ammunition, with which this place is very slenderly sup- 
 phed. The fort is defenceless and entirely out of order, and 
 resembles (with submission) rather a molehill than a fort 
 against the enemy. On the other hand, the enemy is strong 
 and mighty. They have formed an alliance, one with another, 
 with more than seven different tribes, well supphed with mus- 
 kets, powder, and ball, which they have procured and daily 
 receive from private traders, in exchange for beaver, and with 
 which they murder our people. The woods and the thickets 
 are now also useful to them, for they have removed all their 
 women, children, and old men into the interior. The rest of 
 the warriors daily menace our lives with fire and sword, and 
 threaten to attack the fort with all their strength, now consist- 
 mg of fifteen hundred men. We have to guard this post at 
 
 ' There was formerly a " fresh water" pond where a part of Centre-street 
 and its vicinity, in New York, are now situate. It is to this pond that allusion 
 is made above. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 291 
 
 all hours, for all the outside places are mostly in their hands, chap. 
 Thus it is through their good-will that any cattle remain alive ^^^^ 
 in the whole country. 
 
 " How wretched it fares with us afflicted people through- 
 out the land, your Honors can easily conceive, for the coun- 
 try's welfare and prosperity are composed principally of peo- 
 ple, cattle, and houses, in which we jointly and severally have 
 expended all the means that we have been able to realize. 
 
 " Our population consists, for the most part, of women and 
 children. The freemen (not counting the English) are about 
 two hundred in number, who must protect, by force of arms, 
 their families, which now lie concealed in straw huts, around 
 outside the fort. 
 
 " The cattle are partly burnt and killed ; the remainder 
 conveyed to the fort on the Manhaltes, where, for want of 
 forage, they must starve through the coming winter, if not 
 immediately slaughtered. 
 
 " The houses have been, for the most part, fired and de- 
 stroyed. Those yet standing are in danger of being also burnt. 
 It is much to be apprehended that this is but the beginning of 
 our troubles, especially as these Indians kill off our people, 
 one after the other, which they will continue to do, while we 
 are burdened with our muskets, our wives and little ones. 
 
 " While the people are ruined, the corn and all other pro- 
 duce burnt, and little or nothing saved, not a plough can be 
 put this fall into the ground, so that not a hundred schepels 
 will be sown hereabouts, and much less in the spring. If any 
 provisions should be obtained at the cast from the English, we 
 know not wherewith we poor men will pay for them ; while 
 private traders have, for the last three or four years, drained 
 us by their extortions, and made this country wretchedly 
 poor ; for this must follow so long as the industry of the land 
 is at a stand-still. 
 
 "The cattle being destroyed, the dwellings burnt, the 
 mouths of the women and children must remain shut. We 
 speak not now of other necessaries, such as clothes, shirts, 
 shoes, and stockings. Matters, in fine, are in such a fix, '„hat 
 it will be with us according to the words of the prophet : — 
 Who draws the sword, shall die of hunger and cold. 
 
292 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK " We turn, then, to you, Honorable Lords General ; we 
 pray and beseech your Honors, with humble hearts, to be 
 ' pleased to assist us in this sorrowful plight, and to extend, by 
 the earliest opportunity, a helping hand, with such means as 
 your Honors may, in your wisdom, consider best. We have 
 sent herewith a remonstrance also to the High and Mighty 
 Lords, wherein we have besought of them, that this place, 
 and we all, with wives and children, may not be delivered over 
 a prey to these cruel heathens. Relying on which, we remain 
 your Lordships' faithful subjects, lawfully elected and author- 
 ized by the Honorable the Director and council, and the whole 
 commonalty of New Netherland. (Signed,) Cornelis Melyn, 
 Abm. Pietersen, Gerrit Wolphertsen, Isaack AUerton, Tho- 
 mas Hall, Jan Evertse Bout, Barent Dircksen, Joachim Pie- 
 tersen. Done at Fort Amsterdam, this 24th Oct., in New 
 Netherland, anno 1643."^ 
 
 The remonstrance to which the Eight Men refer at the 
 close of the above letter, was to this effect : 
 Nov. 4. "To the Noble, High and Mighty Lords, the Noble Lords 
 the States General of the United Netherland Provinces : — 
 
 " Noble, High and Mighty Lords ! As no sacrifice is more 
 acceptable to our God than an humble spirit and a contrite 
 heart, so nothing should, in like manner, be more pleasing to 
 all Christian princes and magistrates, than to lend an ear to 
 their complaining, and to extend their hand to their distressed 
 subjects. 
 
 " So is it, then, that we, poor inhabitants of New Nether- 
 land, were pursued in the spring by these wild heathens and 
 barbarous savages, with fire and sword. Daily have they cru- 
 elly murdered men and women in our houses and fields ; and 
 with hatchets and tomahawks struck little children dead in 
 their parents' arms, or before their doors ; or taken them far 
 away into captivity. Cattle of all descriptions are destroyed 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. iii., 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140. Isaac Allerton, whose 
 name is signed to the above, was one of the memorable hundred and one 
 " Pilgrims," who came out from Holland in the Mayflower. He was assistant 
 to Governor Bradford for many years, and removed to New Netherland in 
 1641. He died in 1659. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 293 
 
 and killed, and such as remain, must perish this approaching chap. 
 winter for want of fodder. ^^^^ 
 
 " Every place almost is abandoned : We, wretched people, 
 must skulk, with wives and little ones, that still are left, in 
 poverty together, by and around the fort on the Manhattes, 
 where we are not one hour safe. While the Indians daily 
 threaten to overwhelm us, little can be planted this autumn, 
 and much less next spring ; so that it must come to pass, that 
 we all, who may survive, shall die, with women and children 
 next year, of hunger and sorrow, unless our God take pity 
 upon us. 
 
 " We are all, here, from the smallest to the greatest, with- 
 out counsel or means ; wholly powerless. The enemy meets 
 with no resistance. The garrison consists of but fifty or sixty 
 soldiers ; without ammunition. Fort Amsterdam, utterly de- 
 fenceless, stands open to the enemy day and night. The 
 company hath, here, few or no effects, as the Director informs 
 us. Were it not for this, there had still been time to receive, 
 ere all were lost, some assistance from the English at the east; 
 but we helpless inhabitants, while we must abandon all our 
 property, are exceedingly poor. 
 
 " These heathens are strong in might. They have formed 
 an alliance with seven other nations ; are well provided with 
 guns, powder, and ball, in exchange for beaver by the private 
 traders, who have had for a long time free course here. The 
 rest they take from our brethren whom they murder. In fine, 
 we experience the greatest misery, which must astonish a 
 Christian heart to sec or to hear. 
 
 " We turn, then, in a body to you. High and Mighty Lords, 
 acknowledging your High Mightinesses as our sovereigns, 
 and the Fathers of Fatherland. We supplicate for God's sake, 
 and for the love which their High Mightinesses bear towards 
 their poor and desolate subjects here in New Netherland, that 
 their High Mightinesses would take phy on us, their poor people, 
 and urge upon and command the company, (to whom we also 
 make known our necessities,) to forward to us by the earliest 
 opportunity such assistance as their High Mightinesses should 
 deem most proper, in order that we, poor and forlorn beings, 
 may not be left, all at once, a prey, with women and children, 
 
294 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK to these cruel heathens. For should suitable assistance not 
 -^v-^ arrive very quickly, according to our expectations, we shall be 
 ^^'^^^ forced, in order to preserve the lives of those who remain, to 
 remove ourselves to the east among the English, who would 
 like nothing better than to have possession of this place ; espe- 
 cially on account of the superior convenience of the seacoast, 
 bays, and large rivers, besides the great fertility of this soil — 
 yea, this alone could provision and supply yearly twenty, 
 twenty-five to thirty ships from Brazils or the West Indies, 
 with all necessaries. Done at Manhattans in New Nether- 
 lands, this 3d Nov., 1643. Stil. Rom.''^ 
 
 Having dispatched these urgent petitions to Holland for as- 
 sistance, Kieft set about introducing some sort of order and 
 discipline into the heterogeneous force which circumstances 
 enabled him to muster. With this view the following regula- 
 tions were ordered to be enforced " when on guard :"— 
 
 Nov. " 1. Whoever abuses the name of God when on guard shall 
 
 12 • 
 
 pay a fine for the first offence, of ten stivers ; for the second, 
 
 20 stivers ; for the third, 30 stivers. 
 
 " n. He who speaks scandal of a comrade during the time 
 he is on guard, shall pay thirty stivers. 
 
 " HI. He who arrives tipsy or intoxicated on the guard, 
 shall pay twenty stivers. 
 
 " IV. He who neglects to be present without sufiicient 
 cause, fifty stivers. 
 
 " Lastly, He who, when the duly on the guard is well per- 
 formed, and the sun is risen, and the reveille beat, fires a mus- 
 ket without his corporal's orders, shall pay one guilder." 
 
 With all these rules and regulations, the state of affairs on 
 the island Manhattans was by no means improving. The 
 presence of even this small garrison seems to be productive 
 rather of increased disorder. Complaints were daily made of 
 the stealing and killing of hogs, goats, as Avell as of other ir- 
 regularities, which increased so fast, that it " threatened to end 
 in plunder and robbery," and it was feared that people would 
 " at last murder one another," in consequence of the impunity 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. This memorial or remonstrance 
 was signed by the Eight Men in the same manner as the petition to the XIX., 
 which precedes it 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 295 
 
 of the delinquents. The incursions of the savages continued chap. 
 unnoticed and unopposed, so that, at length, the community — 
 began loudly to complain. Kieft, desirous to shake the blame 
 olf himself, cited Sheriff Vander Huygens before him, and en- 
 tered a strong protest against that officer for his neglect of 
 duty. " The fault alone is chargeable to you," said he, ad- 
 dressing the fiscal in terms of strongest censure, " and you 
 dare to blame the Director that you are not duly supported! 
 You are now commanded to execute your office, so that you 
 may not skulk behind that pretext. The Director and coun- 
 cil, and all the soldiers are at your service, besides your under- 
 sheriff, jailer, and the negroes."^ 
 
 > Alb. Rec. ii., 236 ; iii., 169 
 
296 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Offensive measures against the Indians — Expedition to Staten Island — Mayn 
 Mayano slain — His head brought into New Amsterdam — Expedition to 
 Greenwich — Fails in finding the Indians — Returns to Stamford — Collision be- 
 tween a Dutch soldier and Captain Patrick — Latter killed — Attack on an 
 Indian settlement — Detachment return to the Manhattans — Expedition 
 against the Weckquaesqueecks — Arrive at the castles of that tribe, but find 
 them abandoned — Pennawitz, chief of the Canarsee tribe, discovered assist- 
 ing the enemy — Expedition to Sellout's Bay on Long Island — Attacks on the 
 Heemstede and Mespath Indians — Triumph of the Dutch — Consequent out- 
 rage on some prisoners — Underbill proceeds to Stamford — Expedition against 
 the Indians of that quarter — Description of the Indian camp — General at- 
 tack thereupon — Important victory gained by the Dutch — Over five hundred 
 savages slaughtered — Public Thanksgiving at New Amsterdam therefor — 
 Savages sue for peace — Treaties concluded between several of the river 
 and Long Island tribes and the Dutch — Proceedings of the States General 
 on the petitions of the Eight Men — The West India Company unable to ren- 
 der any assistance — Their letter to the States — Two Spanish vessels taken 
 and brought to New Amsterdam — Low state of the colonial treasury — Kieft 
 resolves to have recourse to taxation — Convokes the Eight Men — Submits 
 his plan — The Eight Men object — Kieft becomes irritated — Claims unlimited 
 power — The Eight Men succumb — Excise duties provisionally impased — 
 The Eight Men treated with disrespect by Director Kieft — The Dutch ex- 
 pelled from Maranham, a province of Brazil — Fly to Curacoa — Destitute 
 condition of that island — Are sent to New Netherland — Arrive opportunely 
 at Fort Amsterdam — Council resolve to continue the excise — The burghers 
 oppose this arbitrary taxation — Prosecutions of the brewers — Persist in their 
 refusal to pay the excise — Execution issued against them in consequence — 
 Public discontent becomes very high — Parties formed — Protests against the 
 Director-general — Complaints against him sent to Holland, demanding his 
 recall — Letter of the Eight Men — Sad condition of the country — Strictures 
 on Kieft's maladministration. 
 
 BOOK Preparatory arrangements having at length been com- 
 -^v^ pleted, offensive movements were commenced against the 
 savages, and the Director-general considering that he might, 
 at the same time, beneficially annoy the Spaniards, authorized 
 the privateer La Garce to proceed on a cruise towards the 
 West India Islands.' 
 
 ' This privateer was owned by the following persons : — Capt. Blauvelt, com- 
 msmder, Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick Jacobsen, Pater Vaer, Jacob van 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 297 
 
 One of the first expeditions frona Fort Amsterdana, this chap. 
 year, was against the Indians on Staten Island, who had cut -^v^ 
 off all communication with the western bank of the river. A 
 party, consisting of forty burghers, under Captain Joachim 
 Pictersen Kuyter ; thirty-five Englishmen, under Lieutenant 
 Baxter ; supported by several of the soldiers under their ser- 
 geant, Peter Cock, the whole being under the command of 
 Counsellor La Montagne, crossed over from the Manhattans 
 late in the evening, and having made a landing without oppo- 
 sition, proceeded to scour the island. They marched the 
 whole of the night. On their arrival at the spot where they 
 expected to meet the enemy, they found the place abandoned. 
 They had the good fortune, however, to fall in with and se- 
 cure five or six hundred schepels of corn, with which they re- 
 turned, after having set fire to the village. 
 
 Mayn Mayano, a stout and fierce chief, who resided be- 
 tween Greenwich and Stamford, some twenty-five miles 
 northeast of Fort Amsterdam, had dared to attack, about this 
 time, with bow and arrows, three Christians whom he had 
 met on their return home, and who were armed with muskets. 
 The savage had already succeeded in killing one of the three, 
 and was engaged in close combat with the second, when he 
 was fortunately slain by the third, who brought the fellow's 
 head into the fort, and communicated intelligence to the Di- 
 rector and council of the numerous injuries the settlers in that 
 quarter had suffered at the hands of this chief and his tribe, 
 though they and these savages had had no previous differ- 
 ences. A detachment of one hundred and twenty men was 
 immediately detailed under the above-named officers, in three 
 yachts to Greenwich, where they landed the same evening, 
 and thence marched the whole night, to the place where they 
 were informed the Indians were encamped ; but they did not 
 succeed in meeting the enemy. The latter had been advised 
 of the approach of the Dutch, or these had been led astray. 
 The detachment, thereupon, returned in no very good humor 
 to Stamford, where a halt was called.^ 
 
 Couwenhoven, Adriaen Dircksen Coe, Jan Labatie, and Adriaen van der 
 Donck. 
 
 * Alb. Rec. ii., 250 ; Joumael van N. N. 
 
 38 
 
298 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK One of the party happened to fall in, at the house of Captain 
 ^ — Underhill in this village, on a Sunday afternoon while the in- 
 ■ habitants were at church, with Captain Daniel Patrick of 
 Greenwich, on whose representations the troops had been dis- 
 patched from Fort Amsterdam. Feeling naturally nettled that 
 so many men had been deluded, at such a critical time, 
 into what appeared an idle wild-goose chase, the Dutch sol- 
 Jau. 2. dier charged Patrick with treachery. The latter retorted, spat 
 in his accuser's face, and then turned to go away. Incensed 
 at the insult, the Dutchman drew a pistol and shot Patrick in 
 the back of the head. He fell dead, never uttering another 
 word. The soldier was apprehended, but escaped afterwards 
 from custody.^ 
 
 In the mean time four of the Stamford people had volun- 
 teered to go as scouts, and endeavor to find where the savages 
 had removed to. On the return of some of these, five and 
 twenty of the boldest of the detachment were sent to an ad- 
 joining village, where a prospect was held out of success. 
 By a forced march, they came undiscovered to a small Indian 
 settlement, which they attacked, slaying eighteen or twenty 
 of the savages, and taking one old man, two women and some 
 children, prisoners, with a view to exchange them for Chris- 
 tians of a like age and sex. The Indian wigwams were 
 otherwise all unoccupied. The detachment returned after 
 this to Manhattans. 
 
 The old Indian thus taken prisoner, proposed now to the 
 Dutch, in the hope of obtaining favor at their hands, to lead 
 any of their troops against the Weckquaesqueecks, who were 
 said to be intrenched in three castles at the north. Lieu- 
 
 ' Winthrop's Journal, 320 ; Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 151. Hubbard, copying 
 Winthrop, says of this Captain Patrick — " He was entertained in the Massa- 
 chusetts, and brought out of Holland — having been one of the Prince's guard 
 there — to teach the people military discipline. He was made a freeman, ad- 
 mitted a member of the church of Watertown, but being proud and otherwise 
 vicious, he was left of God to a profligate life, which brought him at last to 
 destruction by the hand of one of that people from whom he sought protection, 
 after he had fled from the yoke of Christ in the Massachusetts, the strictness 
 of whose discipline he could neither bear in the church nor yet in the country." 
 Hist. N. Eng., 426. Patrick's wife's name was Annetje van Beyeren. She 
 married subsequently Tobias Feeck, sheriff of Flushing. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 299 
 
 tenant Baxter and Sergeant Cock were, thereupon, ordered to cirAP. 
 proceed under the guidance of this old man, with sixty-five j-^^ 
 men against this tribe. But this party was in no way more 
 fortunate than those which had already gone on similar expe- 
 ditions. They found the castles of the Indians formidable in 
 construction, and well adapted for defence. They were built 
 of five-inch plank, nine feet high, and bound around with 
 thick beams, and studded with port-holes. Though it was 
 calculated that thirty Indians could hold out, in one of these, 
 against two hundred soldiers, strange to tell, the whole were 
 found uninhabited. The Dutch, thereupon, burnt two of 
 these strongholds, reserving the third as a point to retreat to, 
 in case of necessity. From this place they next marched be- 
 tween thirty and forty miles further, but discovered nothing 
 save a few huts. They now retraced their steps, having met 
 with only one or two Indians, whom they killed, and a few 
 women and children, of whom they made prisoners, burning 
 whatever corn fell in their way. 
 
 Intelligence was now received at Fort Amsterdam, that 
 Pennawitz, of Long Island, in whom the Dutch had generally 
 so much confidence, was countenancing the enemy in an un- 
 derhand way ; his people having been discovered secretly kill- 
 ing the Christians, and burning their houses. A body, one 
 hundred and twenty strong, composed of burghers under 
 Capt. Pietersen, of Englishmen under Sergeant-major Un- 
 derbill, and the old soldiers under Peter Cock,-^the whole expe- 
 dition being under the command of Counsellor La Montague, — 
 were ordered to proceed in three yachts to Schouts or Sheriff's 
 Bay, on Long Island. Having landed without molestation, 
 they marched to Heemstede, and having succeeded in killing 
 an Indian spy, whom they had discovered on the lookout, they 
 divided themselves into two sections. Underbill proceeded, at 
 the head of one of these, composed of about fourteen English- 
 men, against the smaller Indian settlement. Eighty men 
 were dispatched against the larger village, named Matsepe, 
 (Mespath,) and such was the success with which both these 
 excursions were crowned, that they left one hundred and 
 twenty savages dead on the field ; while the loss on their own 
 side was only one man killed, and three wounded The tri- 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK umph thus achieved was, however, afterwards tarnished, it is 
 said, by brutal outrages openly committed by the soldiery on 
 ' a couple of Indians who had been taken prisoners ; one of 
 whom was hacked to pieces with knives, while stripes of flesh 
 were cut from the other's yet living body, which was other- 
 wise shockingly mutilated ; his head having been finally cut 
 off in Beaver Lane. Director Kieft and Counsellor La Mon- 
 tague are accused of having countenanced these tortures by 
 their presence.^ 
 
 On his return from Heemstede, Capt. Underbill was ordered 
 to Stamford, to obtain particulars of the whereabouts of the 
 savages. He brought word back, that they were encamped 
 some five hundred strong in that direction, and that the old 
 guide urged the forwarding a body of troops immediately 
 thither, as he was desirous, on the one hand, to prove that the 
 former ill success of the Dutch was not his fault ; on the 
 other hand, anxious for protection, as his life was in constant 
 danger. 
 
 Feb. One hundred and thirty men embarked, accordingly, under 
 Captain Underhill and Ensign Van Dyck, in three yachts, and 
 landed the same evening at Greenwich. But a severe snow- 
 storm having set in, detained them at that settlement the whole 
 of that night. The weather, however, moderated towards 
 morning, when the party set forward, and arrived, soon after, 
 at the foot of a rocky mountain, over which some of the men 
 had to crawl, with considerable difficulty, on their hands and 
 feet. The evening, about eight o'clock, brought them to with- 
 in a few miles of the enemy. Their further progress was, 
 however, now impeded by two rivers, one of which was some 
 two hundred feet wide, and three in depth. It was considered 
 
 ^ The particulars of the above expeditions are taken from the Journael van 
 Nieuw Nederlandt. Allusion is made to the outrages committed against the In- 
 dians in the following query proposed to Van Tienhoven at the Hague, in 1650 : 
 Off niet seekere twee Wilden, op de cortegarde gevangen, waren van Heems- 
 tede gehaelt, door de Soldaten in 't gesichte van alle de wereldt, d'eene met 
 messen, in coolenbloede, gesneden en doodgesteken ; den anderen levendich 
 riemen uyt het lyff gesneden ; voorts syn mannelyckheyd, noch levende, 
 afFgesneden, in het beverspad, daer sy hem daernae het hooft afFsloegeu ? Off 
 Kieft en La Montagne daer niet mede present by waren, als de riem uyt der 
 levenden lyff gesneden wierden? Hoi. Doc. v., 320, 321. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 301 
 
 best to remain here awhile, in order to refresh the men and to chap. 
 
 make arrangements for the comins attack. After a rest of a 
 
 . 1644, 
 couple of hours, the party again set forward at ten o'clock. It 
 
 was full moon, and the night so clear — " a winter's day could 
 not be brighter" — that the Indian village was soon discovered 
 at a distance. It consisted of three rows of houses, or huts, 
 ranged in streets, each eighty paces long, and backed by a 
 mountain w^hich sheltered it from the northwest wind. 
 
 But the Indians were as much on the alert as their enemy. 
 They soon discovered the Dutch troops, who charged forth- 
 with, surrounding the camp, sword in hand. The Indians 
 evinced, on this occasion, considerable boldness, and made a 
 rush, once or twice, to break the Dutch line and open some 
 way for escape. But in this they failed, leaving one dead, 
 ind twelve prisoners in the hands of the assailants, who now 
 kept up such a brisk fire, that it was impossible for any of the 
 besieged to escape. After a desperate conflict of an hour, 
 one hundred and eighty Indians lay dead on the snow, outside 
 their dwellings. Not one of the survivors durst now show 
 his face. They remained under cover, discharging their ar- 
 rows from behind, to the great annoyance of the Dutch troops. 
 Underbill now seeing no other way to overcome the obstinate 
 resistance of the foe, gave orders to fire their huts. This or- 
 der was forthwith obeyed ; the wretched inmates endeavoring, 
 in every way, to escape from the horrid flames, but mostly 
 without success. The moment they made their appearance, 
 they rushed, or were driven, precipitately back into their burn- 
 ing hovels, " preferring to be consumed by fire, than to fall by 
 our weapons." 
 
 In this merciless manner were butchered, as some of the 
 Indians afterwards reported, five hundred human beings. 
 Others carry the number to seven hundred ; " the Lord hav- 
 ing collected the most of our enemies there, to celebrate some 
 pecuhar festival." Of the whole party, no more than eight 
 men escaped this terrible slaughter by fire and sword. Three 
 of these were badly wounded. Throughout the entire car- 
 nage, not one of the suflferers — man, woman, or child was 
 heard to utter shriek or moan. 
 
 This expedition having been thus crowned with complete 
 
302 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK success, the wounded, fifteen in number, were attended to, 
 III. 
 
 and sentinels posted to prevent surprise. Large fires were 
 ■ then kindled, as the weather was still excessively cold, and 
 the conquerors bivouacked, during the remainder of the night, 
 on the field of battle. They set out next morning on their 
 return, in good order, " marching with great courage over that 
 harassing mountain, the Lord enduing the wounded with ex- 
 traordinary strength," and arrived at Stamford at noon, after a 
 march of two days and one night, during which they had little 
 repose and less comfort. The English received the soldiers 
 with friendly hospitality, proffering them every possible kind- 
 ness. Two days afterwards the detachment arrived at Fort 
 Amsterdam, where a public thanksgiving was ordered for 
 the brilliant success which attended the New Netherland 
 arms.^ 
 
 Though the savages continued still to be troublesome to 
 such a degree as to oblige the Dutch at Manhattans to erect a 
 March solid fence " from the great bouwery across to the plantation 
 of Emanuel," as a protection for the cattle when out at pas- 
 ture, the few settlements that remained unscathed were about 
 now to be relieved, for awhile, from the attacks of the Li- 
 dians. The late punishment inflicted on these, and the ap- 
 proach of spring, made them desirous for peace, and they 
 therefore solicited the intervention of Captain Underbill to 
 procure a cessation of hostilities. 
 
 Mamaranack, chief of the Indians residmg on the Kickta- 
 wanc, or Croton River ; Mongockonone, Pappenoharrow, 
 from the Weckquaesqueecks and Nochpeem ; and the Wap- 
 
 * Journael van N. N. This, I presume, is the battle alluded to by Trum- 
 bull, — Hist. Conn, i., IGlj Wood's Long Island, 34, note ; Thompson's Long 
 Island i., 106, — as " the great battle fought between the Dutch and Indians in 
 that part of Horse Neck called Strickland's plain, now included in the town of 
 Greenwich, Conn." Trumbull says that three hundred Indians were killed by 
 the Dutch. But all the above writers, the one copying the error of the other, 
 fix the date of the battle in 1646 ; but this evidently is a mistake, for a general 
 peace was established between the Indians and Dutch in August, 1 645. It is 
 stated, in a pamphlet entitled " Second Amboyna Tragedy," that the Indians 
 offered Underbill a hogshead of wampum if he would retreat with his forces, 
 but that he refused, hazarded the above attack, and killed fourteen hundred of 
 the enemy ! 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 303 
 
 pings from Stamford, presented themselves, in a few days, at ci^ap. 
 Fort Amsterdam, and having pledged themselves that they 
 should not, henceforth, commit any injury whatever on the in- Ap^i q 
 habitants of New Netherland, their cattle and houses, nor 
 show themselves, except in a canoe, before Fort Amsterdam, 
 should the Dutch be at war with any of the Manhattan tribes ; 
 and having further promised to deliver up Pacham, the chief 
 of the Tankitekes, peace was concluded between them and 
 the Dutch ; who promised, on their part, not to molest them 
 in any way, but to allow them to cultivate their fields in peace, 
 and as a guarantee of their sincerity, surrendered several of 
 their prisoners. 
 
 Ten days after the conclusion of this treaty, Gonwarrowe, April 
 sachem of the Mattinecocks, on Long Island, who had suf- 
 fered so much in the late attack at Heemstede and Mespath, ap- 
 peared also at the fort, and went security for the adjoining 
 villages of Matinnecock, Marospinck, as well as for Ack-kin- 
 kas-hacky, on whose behalf he soUcited peace, which was 
 granted, on the condition that neither of them should attempt 
 to harm the Dutch, nor afford shelter to any of the tribes at 
 Rocken-hacky, (Rockaway?) "the Bay," and Marechhawick ; 
 that they should separate from them, and communicate these 
 articles to their sachem on " Mr. Fordham's plains." If, 
 however, any should be slain by any of the hostile tribes, or 
 among the latter, by the Dutch, these were to be held guilt- 
 less. To all these conditions the sachem assented, after which 
 " he was favored with some presents."^ 
 
 The urgent appeals for succor and relief, which the Eight 
 Men had transmitted at the close of the last year to tlie States 
 General and the West India Company, had already reached 
 their destination. Their High Mightinesses, moved by the 
 urgency of these representations, immediately had them re- April 5. 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 247, 248. As it may be interesting, at this distance of time, 
 to understand the locality of those Long Island Indians, we would mention 
 that the Matinnecocks owned Flushing, Newtown, Cow-harbor, and other 
 neighboring places. The Marsapeagues (Marospinck?) extended from Rock- 
 away to Huntington. " The Bay" adjoined Jamaica ; and the Marechhawick 
 Indians dwelt between that and Brooklyn. " The great plains" are those of 
 Hempstead, L. I., which were granted to Mr. Fordham. 
 
t 
 
 304 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ferred to the Assembly of the XIX., with a strong injunction 
 to adopt prompt measures for the protection of the petition- 
 ers. These representations were, notwithstanding, unproductive 
 of any good effect. The West India Company was bank- 
 rupt ; its directors without means and without credit ; its 
 different chambers torn with dissensions and filled with dis- 
 trust, the one against the other, and unable to defend their co- 
 lonial possessions, which the revolution progressing through 
 England only saved at this moment from the gripe of Great 
 Britain. To save themselves from utter ruin, the directors in 
 Holland were endeavoring to form a union with the richer and 
 more powerful East India Company. In this helpless con- 
 dition they wrote to the States General : 
 
 April " It has grieved us, collectively and individually, in our in- 
 nermost hearts," said they, " to learn the desolate and misera- 
 ble condition of the poor people there ; the rather, finding 
 ourselves so utterly unable not only to bring those precious 
 colonies to such a state for the company, as would for once 
 authorize us to expect, with time, the long looked-for profits 
 from thence, but to send, at present, to the poor inhabitants 
 who have left their Fatherland, in the hope of finding the 
 means of honorably maintaining their wives and children 
 there, those supplies so earnestly demanded for the main- 
 tenance and defence of their lives against the barbarous tribes 
 of the country. And though we are of opinion that long de- 
 lays will cause additional suffering, as well in New Nether- 
 land aforesaid, as in other distant places, whereby the com- 
 pany, and, consequently, this nation, must apprehend no less 
 danger from the scarcity of divers required and necessary pro- 
 visions, ammunition, merchandise, &c., it behooves us to 
 represent, respectfully, to your High Mightinesses, that the 
 company has fallen altogether into such impotency and dis- 
 credit, that it cannot, without effectual assistance from the 
 States, any longer either supply those distant places, or con- 
 tinue even the further necessary payments here. We, there- 
 fore, most humbly beseech your High Mightinesses to be 
 pleased to take these embarrassments into such consideration 
 as the constitution of the said company, for the welfare of the 
 state, so urgently requires. The good and willing sharehnlf^ 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 305 
 
 ers, who have contributed so largely to the advancement of chap. 
 this nation's prosperity, and have already, provisionally, passed ^^^^ 
 a profitable resolution, authorizing a union with the East India 
 Company ; let their High Mightinesses not discourage, nor 
 make them despond of contributing to so wholesome a work 
 as the union of these two eminent companies should be for 
 this state. The vigorous continuation of the said company 
 and its foreign affairs, at least the payment of its daily expend- 
 iture, would, thereby, be not a little promoted, and placed, 
 with a present subsidy of about one million, in good, prosper- 
 ous, and profitable order." 
 
 Urging these views in terms which evidently prove the de- 
 rangement and embarrassed condition of their financial affairs, 
 the directors concluded by stating, that the committee whom 
 they had deputed to present their letter was authorized to re- 
 ceive their High Mightinesses' conclusions thereupon, which 
 they earnestly hoped would be favorable to their prayers. 
 
 No immediate result, however, followed this application. 
 The States General ordered copies of the directors' letter to April 
 be forwarded to the provincial chambers of the West India 
 Company,^ and consequently all action was postponed for the 
 moment, as regarded the relief of the suffering colonists of 
 New Netherland, whose condition, all this while, was by no 
 means one to be envied, and to whom the Assembly of the 
 XIX., in the mean time, dispatched letters expressive of their 
 sympathy and desire to afford them every assistance in their 
 power. 
 
 The peace, or rather the hollow truce, which had been en- 
 tered into between the Dutch and the Indians was of little or 
 no advantage. The principal tribes w^ere still out, and as 
 hostile as ever to the Hollanders, whose few remaining 
 bouweries and dwellings they continued to harass in every 
 possible way. The pay of the soldiers engaged by the com- 
 monalty went on, in the mean time, and no funds were avail- 
 able to provide for this portion of the public expense. The 
 prospect of relief from home was, as we have shown, slender 
 and cheerless in the extreme. A bill of exchange, drawn in 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. ii., 329, 332, 333, 334, 335, 337. 
 39 
 
306 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK the course of last November on the directors in Amsterdam, 
 -^v^ for the trifling sum of two thousand, six hundred, and twenty- 
 ^^^'^^ two guilders, ($1045,) had been returned protested for non- 
 acceptance,' and thus misfortune seemed to threaten this de- 
 voted country from every quarter. In the midst of these dis- 
 May couragements. Captain Blauvelt entered the port with two 
 Spanish prizes, laden with sugar, tobacco, ebony wood, and 
 wine, which the privateer La Garce had captured in the Carib- 
 bean Sea, after a severe contest.^ But though valuable, these 
 prizes and their cargoes could not be made available at this 
 precise time, since they could not be declared confiscate with- 
 out due course of law. Under such deplorable cn-cumstances, 
 recourse was had, for the first time in the annals of the colony, 
 to the unpopular expedient of imposing taxes on the impover- 
 ished commonalty to defray the public exigencies. To obviate 
 objections which such a step would necessarily create at first, 
 the Director-general and council determined to call again to- 
 gether the Eight Men. 
 
 This popular body had not been assembled since the fourth 
 of November of the past year, though various measures of 
 public importance had been adopted, and though it had been 
 agreed upon at their first meeting that their sittings sho\jld be 
 weekly. Now, however, that money was required, their 
 meeting could no longer be deferred. The state of the public 
 
 June treasury was, therefore, submitted to them, as well as the exi- 
 18 • 
 
 gencies of the public service. To meet the latter, it was pro- 
 posed that certain excise duties should be levied, without 
 which it was impossible to retain the English soldiers. This 
 course did not meet the approbation, at first, of the Eight 
 Men. They represented the difficulty of raising funds in that 
 way, in the present condition of the people, beggared as they 
 were by the war ; and gave it as their opinion that the imposi- 
 tion of taxes was the attribute of a higher authority than that 
 possessed by the Director-general. It should emanate from 
 and be first ordered by the Lords Majors. 
 
 Kieft was not prepared to allow his authority to be thus im- 
 pugned. The refractory board was told, in sharp terms, that 
 
 * Alb. Rec. ui., 212. 
 
 • Alb. Rec. ii., 250, 251. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND 
 
 307 
 
 he had more power in the country than even the company, chap. 
 
 and that he could do as he pleased, for he derived his commis- ^ — 
 
 1644 
 
 sion not from the Directors, but from the States General.^ 
 The Eight Men succumbed. But in yielding the point, they 
 suggested, that the more proper and least burdensome course 
 would be, to oblige the private traders, who by their com- 
 merce with the settlers and natives had realized such large 
 gains, to contribute something to the treasury, and thus re- 
 lieve the commonalty. A plan, embracing an excise, and an 
 additional duty on certain exports, was concluded upon ; and 
 in a few days after the following proclamation was issued, June 
 establishing for the first time, in this country, an excise on 
 wines, beer, and other liquors : 
 
 " Whereas, the general war, which we have been forced 
 to wage against the surrounding savages, hath obliged us, in 
 order to retain the country, and to employ an extraordinary 
 quota of soldiers, who must necessarily be paid, together with 
 the other heavy expenses caused by the war ; to accomplish 
 which we have spared none of the available means of the 
 Hon'ble the West India Company, but have, in addition, been 
 obliged to raise as much money as we could obtain on bills of 
 exchange drawn on the honorable the directors ; and, whereas, 
 we are now devoid of all means, and despair of suddenly re- 
 ceiving any assistance from Holland, in this our necessity ; We, 
 therefore, are constrained to find out some means to pay the 
 soldiers, or else to dismiss them, which, according to all ap- 
 pearances, will tend to the utter ruin of the country, especially 
 as the farming season is at hand, whereby the people must 
 live, and fodder must be procured for the remaining cattle ; 
 for neither grain nor hay can be cut without soldiers. These 
 things, then, being gravely considered, so is it, that by the ad- 
 vice of the Eight Men chosen by the commonalty, no better 
 nor more suitable means can be agreed upon, after duly weigh- 
 
 Hierover heeft hem den Directeur seer vergramt, en met een gealtreert 
 gemoet tegens ons ( : in presentie van den Fiscaal en Montaigne :) gesecht : — 
 Ick hebbe hier meerder macht als de Compagnie ; dierhalven mach ick hierte- 
 landen doen en laten wat myn gelieft ; voochde daer verder hy, want ick en 
 hebbe myn Commissie niet van de Compagnie, maer van de Heeren Staten. 
 Letter of the Eight Men. 
 
308 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK ing all the premises, than to impose some duties on those 
 
 ^-v-^ wares from which the good inhabitants will experience the least 
 inconvenience, as the scarcity of money is very general : — 
 
 " We have, therefore, enacted and ordained, and hereby do 
 enact and ordain, that there shall be paid on each ' half vat' 
 (or barrel) of beer tapt by the tavern-keeper, two guilders, half 
 to be paid by the brewer, and half by the tapster — the burgher 
 who does not retail it, to pay half as much ; on each quart of 
 Spanish wine and brandy four stuyvers ; French wine two 
 stuyvers, to be paid by the tapsters ; on each beaver-hide 
 brought to the port, and purchased within our limits, one guil- 
 der ; triplets and halves in proportion. All on pain of forfeit- 
 ing the goods ; one third for the informer, one third for the 
 officer, and the remainder for the company. All this provi- 
 sionally, until the good God should grant us peace, or that we 
 shall be sufficiently aided from Holland." 
 
 June The duties on the beaver were, subsequently, reduced to 
 fifteen stivers, but it was ordered that all then on hand should 
 be brought in and marked, under the penalty of being confis- 
 cated. These imposts, however, continued to cause much 
 dissatisfaction. The commonalty, especially the traders, looked 
 on the whole proceeding with an unfavorable eye, and Kieft 
 seems to have attributed much of the discontent to the Eight 
 Men. He took an early opportunity to manifest his displea- 
 sure against some of the most prominent members of that body. 
 Towards the end of the month he sent for Joachim Pietersen 
 Kuyter, Cornelis Melyn, and Thomas Hall, for the purpose, 
 ostensibly, to confer further with them on the subject of these 
 
 June duties. These gentlemen waited on him accordingly. But 
 ■ instead of giving them an audience, he left them to dance at- 
 • tendance in his ante-chamber, from eight o'clock in the morn- 
 ing until past midday, without condescending to see them, 
 though, as they allege, they had frequently sent in word by 
 his servant, that they were in waiting to hear what he had to 
 propose. They were, finally, obliged to depart to their re- 
 spective abodes, " as wise as when they came."^ 
 
 ^ Dat men de acht mannen met cleyne reputatie heeft bejegeert, en weynich 
 syn geacht, hetselve hebben wy, onderschreven, in compagnie met Thomas 
 Hal, by experientie bevonden, sulx dat den Heer Kieft ons, ultimo Juny, 1644, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 309 
 
 While these quarrels and misunderstandings were going on chap. 
 between the Director-general and the Eight Men in New Am- 
 sterdam, the Dutch authorities at the Island of Cura9oa were 
 much perplexed by the mopportune addition to the population 
 of that place, of between four and five hundred persons, in the 
 West India Company's service, who arrived there from Ma- 
 ranham, one of the northern provinces of Brazil, whence the 
 Dutch had been expelled with severe loss by the Portuguese.^ 
 Curagoa had already been frequently visited by failure of the 
 crops and actual famine, and was, at this time, suffering from May- 
 want of provisions. As it was impossible to furnish, or indeed 
 to procure food for so many people, it was determined to re- 
 move the greater part of them to New Netherland, the Direc- 
 tor of that place having already sent word that he was in want 
 of men to assist him against the savages, with whom he was 
 then at war. One hundred and thirty soldiers under the com- 
 mand of Captain Jan de Fries, and a number of other persons, 
 the whole amounting to about two hundred souls, were accord- 
 
 liet beroepen, wegeiis het opsteleen van den geeysten toll, en van 8 uyren tot 
 over 12 in de saele heeft laten sitten, sender dat ons een wordt werde gevraecht, 
 alhoewel wy syn E. door den boode meermalen lieten aendienen, dat wy waren 
 gecomen en daer wachten om aentehoeren het geene syn E E. ons geliefde voor- 
 stellen ; doch ons is niet een wort tot openinge van 't syn E E. toegesonden, 
 en hebben derhalven onverrecht de saecke wederom moeten vertrekken, soo wys 
 alswy gecomen waren. Joachim P. Kuyter and Cornelis Melyn to Director 
 Stuyvesant. 1647. Hoi. Doc. iii., 192. 
 
 ' While Portugal was under the dominion of Spain, Brazil was attacked by 
 the Dutch, who got possession of seven of the fourteen provinces into which it is 
 divided. They expected soon to conquer the other seven, when Portugal re- 
 covered its independence by the elevation of the family of Braganza to the 
 throne. The Dutch, then, as enemies to the Spaniards, became friends to the 
 Portuguese, who were likewise the enemies of the Spaniards. They agreed, 
 therefore, to leave that part of Brazil which they had not conquered to the king 
 of Portugal, who agreed to leave that part which they had conquered, to them, 
 as a matter not worth disputing about with such good allies. But the Dutch 
 government soon began to oppress the Portuguese colonists, who, instead of 
 amusing themselves with complaints, took arms against their new masters, and 
 by their own valor and resolution, with the connivance, indeed, but without any 
 avowed assistance from the mother country, drove them out of Brazil. Smith's 
 Wealth of Nations, ii., 63. A full report on this revolt against the Dutch in 
 Brazil is to be found in Aitzema iii., 30 ; in Vaderlant. Hist, xii., 11, 12 ; and 
 in Southey's Hist, of Brazil, ii., c. xxix. The W. I. Company estimated its loss 
 at the hands of the Portuguese at 280 tons of gold. 
 
310 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK mgly embarked on board the Blue Cock, commanded by Cap- 
 tain Willem Cornelissen Oudemarkt, for New Amsterdam, 
 jyj^y ' where they unexpectedly, but providentially arrived in the be- 
 26. ginning of the following month of July, to the great relief and 
 joy of the inhabitants, who were already beginning to despair 
 of all succor.* 
 
 Kieft was now considerably embarrassed as to the disposi- 
 tion of this force ; whether he should retain them at Fort Am- 
 sterdam or distribute them through the interior; and, if retained, 
 how they were to be supplied with clothing and provisions. 
 A meeting of the council was called to consider these grave 
 July difficulties. It was attended by the Director-general, Bastiaen 
 Janssen Crol, Mr. La Montagne, Attorney-general Van der 
 Huygens, Capt. Jan de Fries, and Capt. Oudemarkt, who de- 
 termined to retain Capt. de Fries at the Manhattes ; to fill up 
 the ranks under his command with old soldiers to the number 
 of one hundred and fifty men ; and to dismiss gradually, " in 
 the most civil manner," the remaining English soldiers. It 
 was further concluded to billet on each of the commonalty, ac- 
 cording to his rank and circumstances, one or more of the 
 above soldiers, for whom the company was to pay whenever it 
 should have means. 
 
 But clothing remained yet to be provided for these troops. 
 The Director-general avowed his inability to furnish these ne- 
 cessaries. The company's stores were empty. Winter was 
 approaching. " Naked men were useless ; nay more, they 
 were a severe burden." The council was again convoked. 
 The same members again assembled, and they resolved to con- 
 Aug. 4. tinue the duties and excise which had already been " provi- 
 sionally" imposed, with a view to supply means to clothe the 
 troops. The duties on beaver remained unaltered, but every 
 tun of beer which the brewers sold to the tavern-keepers for 
 twenty-two florins, or $8 80, was to pay three guilders, or a 
 dollar and a quarter, while every brewer was required to send 
 in a return of the quantity manufactured by him before he 
 could dispose of any part thereof, Willem de Key was ap- 
 
 » Alb. Rec. ii., 260 ; xii., 49, 50, 52, 55 ; Hoi. Doc. iii., 187 ; Winthrop's 
 Journal, 342 ; Winthrop's N. England, ii., 179. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 311 
 
 pointed receiver of these imposts, with an allowance of five per chap. 
 cent, for his trouble and loss of time. ^^^^ 
 
 Nothing could surpass the excitement produced by this ar- 
 bitrary taxation. The first duties were imposed with the ex- 
 plicit understanding that they should be continued only until 
 relief should arrive. That rehef had now been received, but 
 instead of proposing to remove the burdens temporarily en- 
 acted, a decree was issued to continue them indefinitely. And 
 for w^hat ? For the clothing of the company's soldiers, when 
 it was one of the company's obligations to protect its subjects 
 from all foreign and domestic wars. If the settlers could be 
 obligated to furnish clothing for the troops, they might, with 
 equal propriety, be required to furnish ammunition, cannon, or 
 transports. The tax in question was, moreover, arbitrarily im- 
 posed. The commonalty had its chosen representatives, whose 
 prerogative it was, and not that of the paid and dependent ser- 
 vants of the West India Company, to impose these taxes, if 
 necessary. It was, therefore, determined to resist the pay- 
 ment of the excise. The attorney-general was, on the other 
 
 hand, ordered to collect the tax with the utmost rigor of the Au^r 
 
 18 
 
 law. The contumacious brewers were summoned before the 
 same council that imposed the tribute, and asked why they re- 
 fused to obey the placard ? " Were we voluntarily to pay the 
 three florins," they rephed, " we should offend the Eight Men 
 and the whole commonalty." But Kieft had no idea of being Aug. 
 thwarted by such constitutional scruples. Judgment was 
 given against the brewers, and thus another victory was 
 achieved in New Netherland over popular rights.' 
 
 This triumph was, however, purchased, like all such vic- 
 tories, at the price of the peace and harmony of the commu- 
 nity. Factions and party rent the citizens in twain. One 
 section sided with the Director, the other with the Eight 
 Men ; and henceforward the impression became a conviction, 
 that neither justice nor the government was impartially admin- 
 istered. " Those on the Director's side could do no ill, how 
 badly soever they demeaned themselves ; those who opposed 
 him were always wrong, however well they acted."^ In the 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. ii., 260, 261, 264, 265, 267 
 ' Van der Donck, Vertoogh van N. N. 
 
312 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK bickerings and personalities which ensued, the attorney-gener- 
 al seems to have had his hands full of prosecutions against 
 individuals, for attacks on Kieft's character. One of these 
 trials alone consumed six weeks of the summer, and that at a 
 time when the Indians were prowling actively around unmo- 
 lested, committing whatever damage they pleased on the in- 
 habitants and their property, or attending, undisturbed, to 
 securing their crops or their catch of fish. This waste of a 
 valuable season was the more to be regretted, if not censured, 
 since, by the arrivals from Cura^oa, Kieft now could bring in- 
 to the field a force of between three and four hundred men, 
 allowing still a sufiicient number for garrison duty.^ So strong 
 was the opinion that this inaction was highly detrimental to 
 the public interests, for already the Indians had commenced 
 killing the Dutch settlers, that Thomas Hall and Barent Dirck- 
 sen protested against the Director-general in strong terms for 
 Aug. 6. adhering to it. Cornelia Mclyn wrote to M. van Nederhorst, 
 and addressed a remonstrance to the States General, calling 
 their attention, in urgent terms, to the deranged condition of 
 things in the colony. The Eight Men also sent home a com- 
 plaint, in tlie fall of the year, to the directors of the company, 
 in which they reviewed at length, and in highly condemnatory 
 terms, the course and administration of Director Kieft, on 
 whose recall they insisted in the strongest manner : 
 
 Oct. " We have been greatly gladdened," they began, " by the 
 miraculous arrival of the Blue Cock here, as we expected that 
 the field would be taken with between three and four hundred 
 men, (not counting the sailors and settlers,) divided mto three 
 companies, each one hundred and thirty strong ; and that by 
 this force, the neighboring savages, from fifteen to twenty 
 miles around, would have had their produce destroyed, and 
 
 ' The following was the estimated available force at this time : 
 
 Men arrived in the Blue Cock 130 
 
 Old soldiers numbering between 40 and 50 45 
 
 English in the pay of the Dutch 50 
 
 Mariners willing to serve 55 
 
 Freemen, not including the English nor the company's servants 200 
 
 Total available force 480 
 
 Hoi. Doc. iii., 187. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 313 
 
 their tribes stript of all the provisions which they have collect- chap. 
 ed against the winter, whereby great injury would have been j-^^ 
 inflicted on the enemy, and their people brought to terms. 
 But nothing in the least has been done. In all this time, 
 scarce a foot has been moved on land, or an oar laid in the 
 water. 
 
 " The Indian prisoners, who could have been of great ser- 
 vice to us as trusty guides, have been given away to the sol- 
 diers, and allowed to go to Holland. Others of them have 
 been sent to the Bermudas, as a present to the English gover- 
 nor.^ The oldest and most experienced soldiers, who were 
 acquainted for several years with all the paths here, have ob- 
 tained their passports, and been permitted to return home. In 
 the mean while have the savages conveyed away, according to 
 their pleasure, the fish caught by their people this last summer 
 on the river, of which they made use as they wished, and 
 without hinderance. 
 
 " Our fields lie fallow and waste ; our dwellings and other 
 buildings are burnt ; not a handful can be either planted or 
 sown this fall on the deserted places ; the crops which God 
 the Lord permitted to come forth during the past summer, 
 remain on the field standing and rotting in divers places, in 
 the same way as the hay, for the preservation of which we, 
 poor people, cannot obtain one man. We are burdened with 
 heavy families ; we have no means to provide necessaries for 
 wife or children ; and we sit here amidst thousands of Indians 
 and barbarians, from whom we find neither peace nor mercy. 
 We have left our beloved father-land, and unless the Lord 
 our God had been our comfort, we must have perished in our 
 misery. 
 
 " There are among us those who, by the sweat and labor 
 of their hands for many long years, have endeavored, at great 
 
 ■ The practice of reducing Indians to slavery is as old as the discovery of 
 America. It was continued for nearly two centuries by the English colonies. 
 In 1637 the colony of Massachusetts sent fifteen boys and two women as 
 'slaves to Bermuda, but the skipper having missed that island, took the con- 
 signment to Providence, and sold them there. Governor Winthrop bequeathed 
 several Indian slaves by will ; and frequent mention of such " chattels" is met 
 with in the annals of New York. For a very interesting and instructive chap- 
 ter on ancient and modem slavery, see Bancroft's U. S. i., 159, (10th Ed.) 
 
314 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK expense, to improve their lands and villages ; others with 
 ^j-^^ their private capital have equipped, with all necessaries, their 
 ' own ships, which have been captured by the enemy in coming 
 hither, though they have continued the voyage with equal 
 zeal, and at considerable cost. Some, again, have come 
 hither with ships, independent of the company, freighted with 
 a large quantity of cattle, and with a number of families, who 
 have erected handsome buildings on the spots selected for 
 their people ; cleared away the trees and the forest ; enclosed 
 their plantations and brought them under the plough, so as to 
 be an ornament to the country and a profit to the proprietors, 
 after their long laborious toil. 
 
 " The whole of these now lie in ashes through a foolish 
 hankering after war ; for all right-thinking men here know 
 that these Indians have lived as lambs among us, until a few 
 years ago, injuring no man, affording every assistance to our 
 nation, and in Director Van Twiller's time, (when no supplies 
 were sent for several months,) had furnished provisions to 
 several of the company's servants, until, as they state, they 
 had received supplies. These hath the Director, by various 
 uncaUed-for proceedings, from time to time, so estranged 
 from us, and so embittered against the Netherlands nation, 
 that we do not believe that any thing will bring them and 
 peace back, unless that the Lord God, who bends all men's 
 hearts to his will, propitiate their people ; so that the ancient 
 hath very truly observed : Any man can create turmoil, and 
 set the people one against the other ; but to estabhsh harmony 
 again, is in the power of God alone. 
 
 " A semblance of peace was attempted to be patched up 
 last spring with two or three tribes of savages towards the 
 north, by a stranger' whom we, for cause, shall not now name, 
 without one of the company's servants having been present, 
 while our principal enemies have been unmolested. This 
 peace hath borne little fruit for the common advantage and 
 
 reputation of our Lords ; for so soon as these 
 
 savages had stowed away their maize into holes, they began 
 again to murder our people in various directions. They rove 
 
 ' Captain Underhill ; vide ante p. 302. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 315 
 
 in parties continually around, day and night, on the Island of crap 
 Manhattans, slaying our folks not a thousand paces from the -^v^ 
 fort ; and 'tis now arrived at such a pass, that no one dare 
 move a foot to fetch a stick of fire-wood without a strong es- 
 cort. 
 
 " The two bouweries in ' the Bay,' and the three on this 
 island, one of which belongs to the Honorable Company, run 
 great danger of being burnt this winter, for never have these 
 savages shewn themselves so bold and insolent. The cause 
 of this is that they have experienced no opposition this sum- 
 mer from us, nor have lost any of their crops ; and thus have 
 they circumvented us by a stratagem under pretence of peace. 
 Had the season, as we requested, been employed diligently, 
 (which is most necessary in time of war,) with the force of the 
 Blue Cock, beyond a doubt the Indians would have made 
 advances themselves, and there would be some hope of en- 
 joying, against the arrival of a new governor, a general peace. 
 
 " But httle heed has been taken of this. The wished-for 
 time has been allowed to pass away, and people have been 
 occupied with private quarrels and prosecutions, especially 
 about sending pearls [to Holland] by Laurens Cornelissen, 
 Skipper of the Maid of Enckhuyzen, whose trial continued 
 six weeks, and who was, moreover, banished 
 
 " Two guides have been recently sent from the north, with 
 whom Captain De Vries was dispatched with a party, on the 
 22d instant, on an expedition to that country, killing eight 
 men ; but it is as men say, ' For every new enemy we kill, 
 another stands next morning in his place.' We shall now 
 have to wade through rivers and creeks, in frost and snow, 
 with these new and naked soldiers, who have resided in warm 
 climates for so many years 
 
 " A want of powder is again beginning to be felt. Over 
 2500 pounds were taken from Pieter Wyncoop, of which, up 
 to this time, not five hundred weight have been consumed 
 against the enemy. 
 
 " Little or nothing of any account has been done here for 
 the country. Every place is going to ruin. Neither counsel 
 nor advice is taken. Men talk of nothing else but of princely 
 power and sovereignty, about which La Montague argued a 
 
316 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK few days ago in the tavern ; maintaining that the power of the 
 
 Director here was greater, so far as his office and commis- 
 1644. o ' 
 
 ' sion were concerned, than that of His Highness of Orange in 
 
 the Netherlands." 
 
 The Eight Men next refer, at considerable length, to the expe- 
 dition against the Indians at Pavonia and Corlaer's Hook, in the 
 beginning of the last year, and to the efforts of the Twelve Men 
 to check that outrage ; to the election of the Eight Men ; to the 
 supercilious manner in which these were always treated by 
 Kieft ; to the imposition of direct taxes against their will, as 
 they pretended this power belonged only to the authorities at 
 home. They then explain the proposition they had made to 
 oblige the private traders to contribute to the support of the 
 soldiers, while the other and more obnoxious plan was adopted, 
 which they still join in condemning, at the same time that they 
 put the directors on their guard against a " Book" " orna- 
 mented with sundry water-colors," which Kieft had transmit- 
 ted to them by the Blue Cock, in which his Excellency treated 
 in a very prolix manner about the origin of the war.^ " It 
 contains," say they, " as many lies as lines, as we are inform- 
 ed by the minister, and by those who have read it." They 
 will not dispute, they add, about the nature of the birds which 
 are in the forests, nor what sort of fish are in the rivers, nor 
 about the length and breadth of the land, which is merely a 
 copy of what has been written long years ago. " It would be 
 well to inquire," they hint, " how the Director-general can so 
 aptly write about these distances and habits, since his Honor, 
 during the six or seven years that he has been here, has con- 
 stantly resided on the Manhattans, and has never been farther 
 from his kitchen and bedroom, than the middle of the afore- 
 said island." 
 
 Reverting again to the attack on " the shelterless Indians," 
 on the night of the 24th February, 1643, the Eight Men de- 
 tail the secret proceedings of those who planned that unfortu- 
 nate expedition, preparatory to setting it on foot ; and, prom- 
 
 ^ The fragment of the " Journal of New Netherland" found in the Royal 
 Library at the Hague, by Mr. Brodhead, looks very like a part of this " book," 
 for it inclines strongly to Kieft's side, and contains statements somewhat highly 
 colored. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 317 
 
 ising to send the directors at some future time a full account cuav. 
 
 of what occurred in the country for the precedinff six or seven r;^^ 
 , , , r o 1644. 
 
 years, they conclude : 
 
 " Honored Lords — This is what we have, in the sorrow of 
 our hearts, to complain of ; that one man, who has been sent 
 out sworn and instructed by his lords and masters, to whom 
 he is responsible, should dispose here of our lives and proper- 
 ty, according to his will and pleasure, in a manner so arbitrary, 
 that a king would not be suffered legally to do. We shall 
 terminate here, and commit the matter wholly to our God, 
 whom we pray, and heartily trust, will move your Lordships' 
 minds, and bless your Lordships' deliberations, so that one of 
 these two things may happen ; that a governor may be speed- 
 ily sent with a beloved peace to us, or that their Honors will 
 be pleased to permit us to return, with wives and children, to 
 our dear fatherland. For it is impossible ever to settle this 
 country until a different system be introduced here, and a new 
 governor be sent out with more people, who shall settle them- 
 selves in suitable places, one near the other, in form of villages 
 and hamlets, and elect from among themselves a bailiff, or 
 schout, and schepens (magistrates) who shall be empowered to 
 send deputies to vote on public affairs with the Director and 
 council ; so that, hereafter, the country may not be again 
 brought into similar danger."^ 
 
 The settlement of New Netherland experienced, as may 
 now readily be conceived, a severe check by the continuance 
 of the war. Some English families had, however, crossed the 
 Sound from Stamford, in the spring, and commenced a plan- 
 tation on the north side of Long Island, east of Martin Gerrit- 
 sen's, or Cow Bay, at a quarter which the Dutch had already 
 called Heemstede, after a place of some respectability of the 
 same name, in the island of Schouwen, and province of Zea- 
 land. In the fall of the year they obtained a liberal patent of Nov. 
 incorporation from the Director-general and council, similar to 
 that already granted to other towns, by which they were em- 
 powered to manage their own local affairs ; establish courts of 
 limited civil and criminal jurisdiction; and nominate such 
 
 Hoi. Doc. iii., 206-222. 
 
318 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK among them as possessed public confidence, to be afterwards 
 
 — commissioned as magistrates of their town by the Director- 
 1644, 
 
 ' general.^ Both the English and the Dutch settlers placed a 
 high value on the privilege of electing, and of being governed 
 by, their own freely chosen magistrates. 
 
 * Heemstcde ... is het fraaste en belangrykste dorp des eilands, (Schou- 
 wen.) Martinet Beschryv. iii., 318. The patent will be found at length in 
 Thompson's Hist. Long Isl. ii., 4, 5. Robert Fordham, John Sticklan, John 
 Ogden, John Lawrence, Joneis Wood, and John Carman, were the first Pa- 
 tentees of this town. Caleb Carman, son of John, was the first white child 
 born in Heomstede. He was blind from his birth, which took place on the 9tb 
 Jan., 1645. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND 
 
 319 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Colonie of Rensselaerswyck — First settlers sent out by the Patroon — His juris- 
 diction — System of law in the colonie — Local courts — First magistrates — 
 Population — Tenures — Patroon's privileges — Settlement of the Fuyck com- 
 menced — Beverswyck — Arrival of Adriaen van der Donck in the colonie, as 
 Schout-fiscaal — First clergyman sent out — Agreement with him — Arrives 
 with several other respectable settlers — A church erected — Its dimensions — 
 Regulations concerning the Indian trade — Infractions thereof — Further regu- 
 lations — Intrigues of Van der Donck — Threatened mutiny of the settlers — 
 Return of the Mohawks from Canada — Are visited by Van Curler — Particu- 
 lars of the interview with these tribes — Efforts to procure the release of a 
 Jesuit and other French prisoners — Continued misunderstanding between Van 
 der Donck and other local authorities — Van der Donck proposes to erect a 
 colonie in Katskill — Orders from the Patroon forbidding this — Directs the dis- 
 missal of Van der Donck should he persist — The " Arms of Rensselaerswyck" 
 sent out with a valuable cargo of goods — Arrives at the Manhattans — Difficul- 
 ties between the supercargo and the authorities at New Amsterdam — Vessel 
 and cargo seized — Protests and replications — Occurrences at Rensselaer- 
 stein — A vessel fired into while passing that place because she refused to 
 lower her colors and bring to — Excitement in consequence — Prosecutions 
 entered into against the commander of the post — Further protests — Death of 
 the first Patroon — Nicolaus Coorn appointed Schout-fiscaal — Quarrel between 
 Van der Donck and Van Curler — Departure of the former for the Manhat- 
 tans — Severity of the winter — Destructive freshet, and visit of whales to 
 Rensselaerswyck. 
 
 The charter of 1629 having provided that every colonie chap. 
 should contain, within four years after its estabhshment, at 
 least fifty persons over fifteen years of age, one fourth of 
 vv^hom should be located within the first year, the parties inter- 
 ested in the settlement of Rensselaerswyck lost no time in 
 complying with these conditions. Early in the spring of the March 
 following year, a number of colonists, with their families, and 
 provided with farming implements, stock, and all other neces- 
 saries, sailed from the Texel, in the company's ship the Een 
 dracht, Capt. Jan Brouwer, commander, and arrived in safety May 
 at the Manhattes, after a passage of sixty-four days. In a 
 short time afterwards they landed at Fort Orange, in the vi- 
 cinity of which they were furnished with comfortable farm- 
 houses and other dwellings, at the expense of the Patroon and 
 
320 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK his associates. Other settlers followed, witn aaditional stock, 
 1630 '^^^^^ succeeding season, and thus were laid the foundations of 
 " those moral, wealthy, and prosperous settlements which we 
 now behold in and around the present city of Albany.^ 
 
 Invested as well by the Roman law, as by the charter, with 
 he chief command and lower jurisdiction, the Patroon became 
 empowered to administer civil and criminal justice, in person, 
 or by deputy, within his colonic ; to appoint local officers and 
 magistrates ; to erect courts, and to take cognizance of all 
 rimes committed within his limits ; to keep a gallows, if such 
 were required, for the execution of malefactors, subject, how- 
 ever, to the restriction that if such gallows happened, by any 
 accident, to fall, pending an execution, a new one could not be 
 erected, unless for the purpose of hanging another criminal.^ 
 The right to inflict punishments of minor severity was necessa- 
 rily included in that which authorized capital convictions, and 
 accordingly we find various instances, throughout the record 
 of the local court, of persons who had, by breaking the law, 
 rendered themselves dangerous to society, or obnoxious to the 
 authorities, having been banished from the colonic,^ or con- 
 
 ^ Utgeef ende betaelinge van 't gunt Kiliaen van Rensselaer als Patroon, &c. 
 tot behout van de gemelte colonie by zyn leven uytgegeven ende betaelt heeft. 
 A translation of this highly interesting record of the expenses incurred for the 
 removal of settlers, &c., to Rensselaerswyck in 1630, 1631, as well as a table 
 containing the names of the first settlers, will be found in Appendix G, H. Sir 
 Edmond Andros' report to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, anno 1678, 
 l)ears honorable testimony to the labor of the first Patroon in settling the colo- 
 nie. The date of the sailing of the Eendracht is given in Alb. Rec. i., 199. 
 
 ^ The name of the " Scherprechter," or hangman to Rensselaerswyck, will 
 be found in the list of the early inhabitants of the colonie. The following is an 
 item at the credit side of his account. " For so much coming to him for execu- 
 ting the late Wolf Nysen, fl. 38." Greet Boek, No. F. 96. 
 
 ' The following translation of a sentence of banishment pronounced on one 
 of the colonists will serve to illustrate the text. " By the President and Coun- 
 cil of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck. Having heard the free confession of 
 Adriaen Willemsen, at present in confinement, to wit : — That he on Saturday 
 Isist, the 6th of Aug., at the house of the Patroon, where the Commissary-gene- 
 ral, Arendt van Curler, resides, climbing in through the window of said house, 
 stole seven beavers, and at noon of the following Monday, eight beavers and 
 one " drieling," [third of a skin] ; also, that on Saturday aforesaid he had stolen 
 from the cellar of the said house a half [skin] which remained. And having. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 321 
 
 demned to corporal chastisement, fine, or imprisonment, ac- chap. 
 cording to the grade of their offences. 
 
 1630 
 
 In civil cases, all disputes between man and man ; whether 
 relating to contracts, titles, possessions, or boundaries ; inju- 
 ries to property, person, or character ; claims for rents, and 
 all other demands between the Patroon and his tenants, were 
 also investigated and decided by these courts ; from the judg- 
 ment of which, in matters affecting life and limb, and in suits 
 where the sum in litigation exceeded twenty dollars, appeals 
 lay to the Director-general and council at Fort Amsterdam. 
 But the local authorities, it must be added, were so jealous of 
 this privilege that they obliged the colonists, on settling within 
 their jurisdiction, to promise not to appeal from any sentence 
 of the local tribunal. 
 
 The laws in force here were, as in other sections of New 
 Netherland, the civil code, the enactments of the States 
 General, the ordinances of the West India Company, and of 
 the Director-general and council, when properly published 
 within the colonic, and such rules and regulations as the Pa- 
 troon and his co-directors, or the local authorities might estab- 
 lish and enact. 
 
 The government was vested in a general court, which exer- 
 cised executive, legislative or municipal, and judicial fimctions, 
 and which was composed of two commissaries, (" Gecommit- 
 teerden ;") two councillors, styled indiscriminately " Raets- 
 persoonen," " Gerechts-persoonen," or " Raedts-vrienden," or 
 " Schepenen," and who answered to modern justices of the 
 peace. Adjoined to this court were a colonial secretary, a 
 
 moreover, examined the demand of the prosecutor against the aforesaid delin- 
 quent, observing what appertains thereto ; We have hereby ordered and adjudged, 
 and do order and adjudge, that the said delinquent shall be taken to the public 
 place where justice is executed, and there be igttominiously tied to a post for 
 the space of two hours, with some of the stolen property on his head ; after 
 which he shall prostrate himself at the feet of the Worshipful Magistrates, (de 
 Edele Heeren van den Gerechte,) and beg of God and justice for forgiveness ; 
 that he, moreover, shall be henceforward, and forever, banished out of this 
 colonie, and never more return thereto. Done in Collegio, this 13th day of 
 August, anno 1644. By order of their worships the President and Council of 
 this Colonie of Rensselaerswick. Arendt van Curler." 
 
 See also Van Tienhoven's Cort Bericht. Hoi. Doc. v., 380. 
 
 41 
 
322 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK sheriff, or " schout-fiscaal," and a " Gerechts-bode," court mes- 
 III. 
 
 ^^v~ senger, or constable. Each of these received a small compen- 
 sation, either in the shape of a fixed salary or fees ; the com- 
 missaries and magistrates, fifty, one hundred, or two hundred 
 guilders annually, according to their standing ; the secretary 
 one hundred guilders ; and the court messenger one hundred 
 and fifty, with the addition of trifling fees for the transcript and 
 service of papers. The magistrates of the colonic held office 
 for a year, the court appointing their successors from among 
 the other settlers, or continuing those already in office, at the 
 expiration of their term of service, as it deemed proper. 
 
 The most important functionary attached to this government 
 was, as throughout the other parts of the country, the " Schout- 
 fiscaal," who, in discharge of his public functions, was bound 
 by instructions received from the Patroon and co-directors, 
 similar in tenor to those given to the same officer at the Man- 
 hattans. No man in the colonic was to be subject to loss of 
 life or property unless by the sentence of a court composed of 
 five persons, and all who were under accusation were entitled 
 to a speedy and impartial trial. The public prosecutor was 
 particularly enjoined not to receive presents or bribes, nor to 
 be interested in trade or commerce, either directly or indi- 
 rectly ; and in order that he might be attentive to the perform- 
 ance of his duties, and thoroughly independent, he was se- 
 cured a fixed salary, a free house, and all fines amounting to 
 ten guilders, [$4,] or under, besides the third part of all for- 
 feitures and amendes over that sum, were his perquisites. 
 
 Jacob Albertsen Planck was the first sheriff of Rensselaers- 
 wyck. Arendt van Curler, who originally came out as assist- 
 ant commissary, was appointed, soon after his arrival, com- 
 missary-general, or superintendent of the colonic, and acted as 
 colonial secretary until 1642, when he was succeeded by An- 
 thony de Hooges. Brant Peelen, Gerrit de Reus, Cornelis 
 Teunissen van Breuckelen, Pieter Cornelissen van Munick- 
 endam, and Dirck Janssen were, if not the first, at least among 
 the earliest magistrates of the settlement.* 
 
 ' Arendt van Curler was one of those characters who deserve to live in his- 
 tory. His influence among the Indians was unlimited, and in honor of his 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 323 
 
 The population of the colonic consisted at this remote period chap. 
 of three classes. Freemen, who emigrated from Holland at ^-^^ 
 their own expense ; farmers and farm-servants, who were 
 sent out by the Patroon, who judiciously applied his large re- 
 sources in promoting the early settlement of the country, and 
 in assisting the struggling industry of his people. To accom- 
 plish this laudable object, a number of farms were set off, on 
 both sides of the river and adjoining islands, on which he 
 caused dwelling-houses, barns, and stables to be erected. 
 
 memory, these tribes addressed all succeeding governors of New York by the 
 name of " Corlaer." He possessed feelings of the purest humanity, and actively 
 exerted his influence in rescuing from the savages such Christians as had the 
 misfortune to fall into their hands, of whose danger he might receive timely notice. 
 On his marriage with Antonia Slagliboom, the widow" of Jonas Bronck, ho 
 visited Holland, and on his return moved to the Flatts above Albany, where 
 lie had a farm. He was proprietor of a brewery in Beverwyck, in 1661. Be- 
 ing a cousin of the Van Rensselaers, he liad considerable influence in the colo- 
 nic, where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. He was one of the 
 ieaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-2 ; and on the surrender of 
 New Netherland, was specially sent for by Governor Nicoll, to be consulted on 
 Indian afTairs and the interests of the country generally. He was highly re- 
 spected by the governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for him by M. 
 de Tracy, Viceroy of that country, will be best judged of by the following ex- 
 tract of a letter which that high personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th 
 April, 1667 :— 
 
 " If you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me 
 to hope, you will be most welcome, and entertained to the utmost of my ability, 
 as I have great esteem for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with 
 you. Believe this truth, and that I am. Sir, your affectionate and assured ser- 
 vant, Tracy." 
 
 Having accepted this invitation, Mr. Van Curler prepared for his journey. 
 Gov. Nicoll furnished him with a letter to the Viceroy. It bears date May 
 20th, 1667, and states that " Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of 
 his friends at Quebec to give them a visit, and being ambitious to kiss your 
 hands, he hath entreated my pass and liberty to conduct a young gentleman, 
 M. Fontaine, who unfortunately fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies> 
 and by means of Mons'r Curler obtained his liberty." On the 4th July fol- 
 lowing, Jeremias van Rensselaer, writing to Holland, announces, that " our 
 cousin Arendt van Curler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave 
 from our General, and been invited thither by the Viceroy, M. de Tracy." In 
 an evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, and 
 having been overtaken by a storm, was drowned, I believe, near Split-Rock. 
 In his death this country experienced a public loss, and the French of Canada 
 a warm and efficient friend. 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK These farms were suitably stocked with cows, horses, or 
 -^v--' oxen, and, occasionally, sheep ; and furnished with ploughs, 
 ' wagons, and other necessary agricultural implements, all 
 which preliminary expenses were defrayed by the proprietor, 
 so that the farmer entered on the property unembarrassed by 
 the want of capital, which often tends to impede the progress 
 of settlers in new countries. Some of those farms were then 
 valued, and an annual rent was fixed, equivalent in some sort to 
 the interest of the capital expended on their improvement, and 
 payable semi-annually in grain, beavers, and wampum. Other 
 farms were let out on halves, or for the third of their produce ; 
 the Patroon was entitled, at the same time, to half the increase 
 from the stock, and reserved to himself one-tenth of the pro- 
 duce of each farm, and in various instances stipulated for a 
 yearly " erkentenis," or acknowledgment, of a few pounds of 
 butter. The tenant was privileged, however, to compound, by 
 the payment of a fixed annual sum, for the tenths of the farm, 
 or for his halves or thirds. He was bound, at the same time, 
 to keep the fences, buildings, or farming implements, in re- 
 pair, and to deliver them up in the same good order in which 
 he had received them, subject in all cases to ordinary wear 
 and tear, but the Patroon bore all risks of destruction of the 
 buildings, cattle, and other property which might accrue from 
 war, or misunderstanding with the Indians. Wild or unim- 
 proved land was usually leased for a term of ten years free of 
 rent or tenths, subject, however, to be improved by the lessee, 
 all improvements falling to the Patroon on the expiration of the 
 lease. In addition to the facilities above enumerated, each of 
 the settlers, on leaving Holland, were, like those sent by the 
 West India Company to the Manhattans, generally furnished 
 with clothing and a small sum in cash, the latter to be repaid, 
 at some future occasion, in produce or wampum, with an ad- 
 vance on the principal of fifty per cent. This, however dis- 
 proportionate it may now seem, cannot be considered unreason- 
 able or extravagant, when it is understood that the difference, 
 at the time, between colonial and Holland currency was nearly 
 forty per cent., while between the latter and the value of wam- 
 pum it was vastly larger. The Patroon was bound, at the 
 same time, to supply his colonists with a sufficient number of 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 325 
 
 laborers to assist them in the work of their farms. As a com- ^^hap. 
 pensation for his trouble in engaging these, and for his ad- 
 vances in conveying them to America, he was entitled to the 
 sum of sixteen guilders, or six dollars, per annum for each la- 
 borer, over and above the yearly wages which the farmer was 
 to allow such servants, and which ranged from forty to one 
 hundred and fifty guilders, and board. This sum provided 
 these servants with necessary clothing, and in the course of 
 time placed at their disposal wherewith to enter on a farm on 
 their own account. It is to be remarked, however, that the 
 first Patroon seriously complained that his settlers not only 
 threw altogether on him the payment of these wages, but took 
 large quantities of goods from his store, for which they made 
 no returns whatever, though they were bound to settle at the 
 end of each year, and to hand in an account of the produce of 
 the farm, distinguishing the Patroon's tenths, halves, or thirds, 
 the amount paid for wages, and their own expenses, so as to 
 allow him to ascertain what his own profits and losses were at 
 the close of each annual term. 
 
 In return for his outlay and trouble, the civil code, which, it 
 must be always borne in mind, was the fundamental law of this 
 colonic, vested in the Patroon several privileges common to 
 the feudal system. At the close of the harvest, the farmer 
 was bound to hand in a return of the amount of grain which 
 he had for sale, after deducting what was due to the landlord 
 by the lease, and offer to him or his commissary the preemp- 
 tion of such produce. In case he refused to buy it, then the 
 farmer was at liberty to sell the same elsewhere. The like 
 rule obtained in regard to cattle. When these were to be 
 sold, the first offer was also to be made to the Patroon, in or- 
 der, we presume, that he should have an opportunity of 
 retaining the stock within the colonic. Every settler was, 
 likewise, obligated to grind his corn at the Patroon's mill, 
 and the latter was equally obligated to erect, and keep such 
 mill in repair, at his own expense, for the accommodation of his 
 colonists. No person could hunt or fish within the limits of 
 the colonic, without license from the Patroon, who, on the ex- 
 change, sale, and purchase of real estate within his jurisdic- 
 tion, was entitled to the first offer of such property ; or if he 
 
326 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK declined to resume it, to a certain portion of the purchase 
 money, except such mutation occurred in the natural line of 
 
 1630. 
 
 ■ descent. Finally, it was his right, as " lord of the manor," 
 to succeed to the estate and property of all persons who might 
 die intestate within his colonic.^ 
 
 Under the fostering care of its first Patroon, and the pru- 
 dent management of its local magistracy, the colonic of Rens- 
 selaerswyck progressively, though slowly, advanced. Portions 
 of its inhabitants occasionally returned to Fatherland, to spread 
 the tidings of their prosperity, and to invite their friends and 
 relatives to join them in their new homes, which, from the 
 abundance and cheapness of provisions, deserved truly to be 
 called " a land flowing with milk and honey."^ A hamlet 
 gradually arose. On account, it is said, of the crescent form 
 of the bank of the river at this point, this hamlet was first 
 1634. called the " Fuyck," or " Beversfuyck," and afterwards " Be- 
 verswyck," by which name the present city of Albany was 
 legally known until 1664, though it was familiarly called " the 
 Fuyck," by the Dutch, for many years after the entire country 
 had passed into the hands of other masters.^ 
 
 * Charter to Patroons ; Van Tienhoven's Korte Bericht ; Jus Patronatus in 
 Corpus Juris Civilis, t. iii. ; Doinat's Civil Law, t. ii., Van Leeuwen, 43, 44 ; 
 Reglit Gebruyck tegen het Misbruyck vande Openstaende reckeninge. [For 
 a translation of this edict, in which the Patroon recapitulates many of the obliga- 
 tions of the colonists, see Appendix I.] Several of the above arrangements 
 are common to all new countries, and still exist in the seignories of Canada, and 
 in many manors in England. 
 
 * The creeks running through the settlement, as well as the river in front, 
 abounded with fish ; the woods with deer and other game. Pike and sturgeon 
 were caught in the Fourth, or J'ox, Creek, and one of the latter could be 
 bought for a knife. " The year before I came here," (1641,) writes the Rev. 
 Mr. Megapolensis, " there were so many turkeys and deer that they came to 
 the houses and hogpens to feed, and were taken by the Indians with so little 
 trouble, that a deer was sold to the Dutch for a loaf of bread, or a knife, or 
 even a tobacco pipe." Short account of the Maquaa Indians. 
 
 ^ The names of the first hamlet, or village, are taken from the Rensselaers- 
 wyck MSS. The earliest mention I have met of " Beverswyck," or " Bever- 
 wyck," as the name is indifferently written, was in a minute, dated 1634, the 
 original of which was on a small, almost illegible scrap of paper which I found 
 accidentally among the above MSS. That the Dutch continued to call Albany 
 " the Fuyck," long after the surrender of the country to the English, is evident 
 from letters among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. " De huysen in de Fuyck" is 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 327 
 
 In order to give greater stability to his settlement, and to chap. 
 become better acquainted with its condition, Mr. Van Rensse- 
 laer, it is alleged, visited the colonic in person in 1637. His 
 stay in the country, if he ever did come, was, however, not very 
 long. The demise or resignation of Sheriff Planck now re- 1640. 
 quired the appointment of a new officer, and the peculiar posi- 
 tion of the settlers, surrounded on all sides by rude and 
 unconverted savages, demanded the guardian supervision and 
 solacing comforts of religion, for as yet neither church nor 
 clergyman existed in Rensselaerswyck. To secure an effi- 
 cient administration of justice, and to provide a properly 
 qualified clergyman for his people, consequently became a 
 paramount duty. 
 
 Adriaen van der Donck, " a free citizen of Breda," — a 1641. 
 lineal descendant of Adriaen van Bergen, part owner of the 
 famous turf-sloop in which a party of Dutch troops were 
 clandestinely introduced, in the year 1590, into the castle 
 commanding that city, then in the hands of the Spanish, by 
 which stratagem that stronghold fell into the hands of their 
 High Mightinesses the States General, — and a graduate of the 
 University of Leyden, was selected as the successor of Sheriff July. 
 Planck. He entered on the performance of his duties, as 
 schout-fiscaal of Rensselaerswyck, in the course of a month or 
 two after his appointment, having, previous to his departure 
 from Holland, taken a lease from the Patroon of the west half 
 of Castle Island, called " Welysburg."^ 
 
 an expression in one of S. van Cortlandt's letters, dated N, Yorck, 20th April, 
 1681, as well as in several others of an anterior date. 
 
 ' De Laet makes mention, in his Hist, of the West Indies, p. 200, of one 
 Adriaen Ver Donck, who was in the employ of the West India Company as 
 commissary on the coast of Brazil, in 1630, and who was placed under arrest 
 on suspicion of holding correspondence with the enemy, but liberated after- 
 wards, as nothing tangible could be brought against him. Whether this indi- 
 vidual and the sheriff of Rensselaerswyck were one and the same person, I 
 have no means of determining. The following instructions from the Patroon to 
 Van der Donck are among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. : 
 
 " Memorandum for the officer Adriaen Van der Donck, this 18th July, 1641, 
 in Amsterdam. Whereas divers farmers pass by the carpenters and other of 
 the Fatroon's laborers, who not only must go idle, but, moreover, employ others 
 and strangers out of the service of the Patroon, whom they must pay at a 
 higher rate than his people, which tends greatly to the injury of the Patroon, 
 
328 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK The Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, " the pious and well- 
 1642 ^^^^"^^ minister of the congregation of Schoorel and Berge," 
 March Under the classis of Alkmaer, was duly called to disseminate 
 ^- the light of the gospel among the Christians and heathen in 
 the colonie, and regularly commissioned " to preach God's word 
 March there ; to administer the holy sacraments of baptism and the 
 Lord's Supper ; to set an example, in a Christian-like manner, 
 by public precept ; to ordain elders and deacons ; to keep and 
 govern, by and with the advice and assistance of the same, 
 God's congregation in good discipline and order, all according 
 to God's Holy Word, and in conformity with the government, 
 confession, and catechism of the Netherland churches, and 
 the synodal acts of Dordrecht."^ 
 
 The allowance guarantied to this clergyman was free passage 
 
 to the downfall of the colonie, to the transgression of his ordinances, and is 
 directly contrary to their promises and concluded contracts : The officer is, 
 therefore, charged to prosecute all such before the commissioners of the Noble 
 Patroon, and to bring the matter also before the council of the colonie, (exclud- 
 ing those who may have been accessories to such proceedings,) in order to 
 provide therefor by stricter statutes or ordinances, and to punish the delin- 
 quents by penalties and fines, agreeably to law. And in testimony of the 
 truth, have these been signed on the date above written. 
 
 " KiLiAEN VAN Rensselaer, 
 " Patroon of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck. 
 " He shall also inquire touching the person who had charge of De Laets- 
 burg, and was left there by Gerrit de Reus. The said bouwerie had, in May, 
 1638, among other things, thirty-one morgens of winter grain [winter coorn] 
 taxed on the field, by four farmers, at five and seventy guilders [$30] the mor- 
 gen [of two acres ;] where the said corn has been left, and now is ; if he hath 
 fulfilled his engagements or not ; if he hath been a defaulter ; in fine, how it 
 happened that from so great a number of acres, so little is forthcoming ; and on 
 discovery of the guilty, to punish them as an example to others, as more fully 
 is mentioned in the letter to Arendt van Curler. 
 
 " KiLiAEN VAN Rensselaer. 
 
 " In case the individual whom Gerrit de Reus left on the bouwerie, should 
 refer (which I do not expect) to the heir of his master, let him be advised that 
 the heir hath given me a procuration which I have sent to Director Kieft." 
 
 In the " Maentgelt Boeck van den 1638 tot 1649," kept in the colonie. Van 
 der Donck's account opens on 9th Sept., 1641. 
 
 ' This gentleman was the son of the Rev. Joannes Megapolensis, minister of 
 Coedyck in Holland, and of Hellegond Jansen. He married his cousin Mach- 
 teld Willemsen, daughter of Willem Steengs, or Heengs, who was his senior 
 by three years. See Appendix J ; also Alb. Rec. v., 323, 339. 
 
 1 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 329 
 
 and board for himself, his wife and four children, who chap. 
 accompanied him to New Netherland ; an outfit of three 
 hundred guilders, or one hundred and twenty dollars, and an 
 annual stipend, for the first three years, of eleven hundred 
 guilders, (8440,) thirty schepels of wheat, and two firkins of 
 butter, or in place thereof, should he prefer it, sixty guilders 
 in cash. This salary was to be further increased by an 
 addition of two hundred guilders a year, for the second term 
 of three years, if the Patroon were satisfied with his ser- 
 vices. A pension of one hundred guilders per annum was 
 secured to his wife, in case of his demise within the above 
 term, for and during whatever time might remain unexpired 
 of his engagement. 
 
 These preliminaries having been thus arranged, an obstacle 
 was unexpectedly thrown in the way of Mr. Megapolensis' de- 
 parture by the directors of the West India Company, who 
 claimed the exclusive right to approve of his appointment. To 
 this, however, the feudal lord of Rensselaerswyck demurred ; 
 and it was not until after a lapse of several months that a 
 compromise was agreed to, the directors approving of the ap- 
 pointment under protest on the part of Mr. Van Rensselaer, 
 saving his rights as Patroon. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Megapolensis and family embarked, together June 6. 
 with Abraham Staes, surgeon, Evert Pels, brewer, and a num- 
 ber of other freemen, farmers, and farm-servants, shortly after 
 this, in the ship the Houttuyn, or Woodyard, which was 
 freighted with a quantity of goods for the colonic — between 
 two and three hundred bushels of malt for Mr. Pels — four 
 thousand tiles, and thirty thousand stone for building — besides 
 some vines and madder, the cultivation of which the Patroon 
 was desirous of introducing among his people.* On the arri- Aug. 
 val of Mr. Megapolensis at Rensselaerswyck, a contract was 
 concluded for the erection of a dwelling for himself and family, 
 
 ' Mr. Pels erected a brewery in the colonie ; Dr. Staes became one of 
 the council in 1643, and was appointed president of the board in 1644, at a 
 salary of 100 florins ($40) per annum. He obtained license to trade in furs, 
 and had also a considerable bouwerie, besides pursuing the practice of his profes- 
 sion. He was the ancestor of the Staats of the present day, the original name 
 having assumed shortly afterwards the termination it now bears. 
 
 42 
 
330 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK but the contractor having failed in fulfilling his agreement, a 
 ■^-^ house belonging to Maryn Adriaensen, constructed entirely of 
 ' oak, was subsequently purchased for his use, for the sum of 
 three hundred guilders, or one hundred and twenty dollars. 
 For the convenience of the settlers at Tuscameatick, (as 
 Greenbush, at the opposite side of the river, was called by the 
 Indians,) a ferry was next established near the foot of the 
 Beaver's Kill, (where it still continues to ply ;) and as it was the 
 Patroon's intention that the church, the minister's dwelling, 
 the attorney-general's residence, and the houses for the trades- 
 people and mechanics, should be erected in one vicinity, so as to 
 constitute a " Kerckbuurte," or settlement around the church, 
 orders were transmitted that no persons (farmers and tobacco 
 planters excepted) should, for the future, establish themselves, 
 after the expiration of their term of service, elsewhere than in 
 the vicinity of the church, and according to the plan now sent 
 out by the Houttuyn ; " for," it was justly observed, "if every 
 one resides where he thinks fit, separated far from other set- 
 tlers, they, should trouble occur, would be unfortunately in 
 danger of their lives, as sorrowful experience hath demon- 
 strated around the Manhattans. '"^ A church, thirty-four feet 
 long, and nineteen feet wide — the first in this quarter — was 
 erected in the course of the following year. Though humble 
 in its dimensions, when compared with modern edifices of a 
 similar sacred character, it was considered, at this time, suffi- 
 ciently ample for the accommodation of the faitliful, " for the 
 next three or four years, after which it might be converted into 
 a school-house, or a dwelling for the sexton." A pulpit, orna- 
 mented with a canopy, was soon added for the preacher, as 
 well as pews for the magistrates and for the deacons, and 
 *' nine benches" for the congregation. The expense of all this 
 necessary furniture amounted to the sum of thirty-two dollars. 
 While providing accommodation for the living, the dead were 
 not forgotten. The " church-yard" lay in the rear, or to the 
 west, of the Patroon's trading-house — in what is now very cor- 
 rectly called " Church" street : and in order " to be safe from 
 
 * Patroon's Memorandum for Dom. Megapolensis, 3d June, 1 642. A trans- 
 lation of this interesting paper will be found in Appendix K. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 331 
 
 llie ravages of the Indians," the infant hamlet, hving and dead, 
 nestled close under the guns of Fort Orange.^ 
 
 One of the principal aims of the first founders of Rensse- 
 laerswyck seems to have been to secure for themselves the 
 valuable trade in furs, the chief mart for which centred at the 
 point where they made their purchase and commenced their 
 settlement. To engross this the more effectually, all foreign 
 and unlicensed traders were rigidly excluded from the colonic. 
 The Patroon and his partners were the only privileged im- 
 porters of European merchandise, the company having, in con- 
 
 ' The date of the erection of the above church is taken from Van Curler's 
 letter to the Patroon, dated June, 1643, which will be found translated in the 
 Appendix L ; Kieft, when proposing, in 1642, to erect a church in New Am- 
 sterdam, referred to the then contemplated erection of this church in Rensse- 
 laerswyck. That it was erected in 1643, is evident from Megapoleusis' tract 
 on the Maquaas, published in 1644, in which allusion is made to it. The ex- 
 pense of the pulpit, pews, &c., is taken from the " Groet Boek der Colonic Rens- 
 selaerswyck," anno 1645-6, p. 56, in which we find to the credit of " Willem 
 Frederioksz" the following entry : — "Voor dat hy in de kerck heeft gemaakt 
 een Predickstool, het verwulf, een stoel voor de overicheyt, een ditto voor de 
 Diaconie, een cosyn met 2 lichten, een kruys cosyn dicht gemaackt, en dae- 
 rin een kusje, een hoeckje nevens de stool, met een banck in een winckel- 
 haeck, en 9 bancken, te saemen voor, 80 fl." This church was sufficiently 
 wealthy in 1647, (May 29,) to loan 200 guilders to the Patroon, for which the 
 Diaconie, or deacons, received the obligation of the colonial court, payable in 
 one year after date, at 10 per cent. See account-book F. Rensselaerswyck 
 MSS. ; also the obligation itself in the GerechtsroUe. A new " stoop," or steps, 
 was added in 1651, to the front of the above building, which accommodated the 
 faithful until 1656, when a second church was erected at the junction of what 
 are now State and Market streets. In 1715, a new church was erected on the 
 latter site, including within its walls that of 1656. The church of 1715 was 
 finally pulled down in 1806. Fort Orange stood at the lower part of what is 
 now Market-street, nearly midway between Denisson and Lydius streets. 
 The Patroon's trading-house was on the north side of the fort, on the verge 
 of the moat by which the latter was surrounded. This trading-house disap- 
 peared some time previous to 1649, when the ground on which it stood was 
 leased for " a garden" to Pieter Hertgers and Anthony de Hooges, at a rent 
 of one guilder, or 40 cents, a year. In the lease was reserved the right to 
 run a street through this " garden" " to the churchyard," [tot kerckhof,] 
 which lay west of this lot, on what is now Church-street. The hof, or yard, 
 of the Patroon's house lay north of the trading-house. The first location of 
 Beverswyck, " near the bend of the river," — " close by the fort" — " to be 
 safe from the ravages of the Indians," — is mentioned with minute precision in 
 Alb. Rec. iv. 
 
HISTORY OF 
 
 sequence of the war and other causes, ceased to keep Fort 
 Orange supplied with foreign goods. All settlers were bound 
 ■ under oath not to purchase any peltries from the Indians, on 
 pain of forfeiting their goods and wages, unless duly licensed 
 to carry on such trade, for such a privilege was exclusively 
 vested in the Patroon by the sixth article of the charter. The 
 majority of the settlers subsequently obtained such permission ; 
 received goods on credit from the Patroon's store, and every 
 farmer, as De Vries observes, became a trader. They were, 
 however, obliged to bring in all the furs which they purchased 
 to the Patroon's magazine, to be sent over to Holland to him, 
 he retaining, as his share, half the profits. This condition was 
 afterwards modified so far as to allow him to retain only the 
 sixth beaver, and one guilder recognition, or duty, on each of 
 the remaining five-sixths.^ This system soon produced results 
 which were naturally to be expected. Competition raised the 
 price of peltries nearly one hundred per cent. Prior to 1642 
 the price of a merchantable beaver, which averaged about an 
 ell square, was six hands, or fathoms, of wampum. In the 
 course of that year the article commanded from seven to seven 
 and a half ; but when the traders found that the agents of the 
 Patroon, as well as the ofi[icers at Fort Orange, did not refuse 
 paying that price, they immediately offered nine ; and in the 
 following year advanced the rate to ten fathoms of white wam- 
 pum for each skin. A joint proclamation was hereupon issued 
 by the authorities of Rensselaerswyck, and those of the Fort, 
 fixing the price of furs at nine fathoms of white, or four and a 
 half of black wampum, and forbidding all persons whatsoever, 
 whether servants of the company or residents in the colonic, 
 from going into the woods to trade in advance with the Indians, 
 on pain of seizure of all their goods. Another proclamation 
 
 ' Rensselaerswyck MSS., Appendix I. Master Abraham (Staes,) Hen- 
 rick Albertzen, Reyer StofFelsen, Sander Leendertsen en anderen die met de 
 Hear Patroon gecontracteert hebben om te moogen handelen waren gehou- 
 deu alle de selve pelteryen, telcke reyse in specie het getal aentebrengen, ende 
 aen de Patroon, en nymant vreemts overtesenden, ende daerenboven van yder 
 beever een gulden en dan noch het seste part aenden Hr. Patroon, ofte zyn 
 gecommitteerden te betaelen, op confiscatie van alle de pelteryen en voorts van 
 al des efFecten, volgens de voors. persoonen haer contracten. GerechtsroUe ady 
 den 3 December, 1648, in re Claes Gerrittsen. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 333 
 
 was also issued, prohibiting all traders to come with their chap. 
 
 sloops within the limits of the colonic under the penalty of -^v-^ 
 
 X643 
 
 forfeiting the same. And on the following court-day a third 
 proclamation followed, for the better securing the monopoly 
 of the import trade to the Patroon, by which the inhabitants 
 of the colonic were absolutely forbidden purchasing any goods 
 from the local traders. Orders were given at the same time 
 to Sheriff Van der Donck to enforce these regulations with 
 strictness and severity. 
 
 This functionary, between whom and Van Curler, and the 
 other officers of the colonic, considerable jealousy and ill- 
 feeling already existed, had no desire to render himself un- 
 popular with the colonists. " He should not," he said, 
 " make himself the worst man in the colonic, nor be suspected 
 by the colonists, for his term as officer was but short." He 
 therefore not only refused to enforce these regulations, but 
 when, a few days afterwards, the colonists, contrary to the 
 prohibitions of the court, did purchase duffels and sundry other 
 goods which had been surreptitiously introduced, he connived 
 at their proceedings, and either told the suspected parties to 
 put their goods out of his sight, or neglected entirely to execute 
 his duty, or to make any seizures. Not content with this dis- 
 obedience of orders, he proceeded, next, secretly to foment 
 feelings of discontent and mutiny among the people, before 
 whom he placed the abovementioned placards in a most odious 
 light, and whom he persuaded into the belief that Van Curler 
 was endeavoring " to steal the bread out of their mouths." His 
 representations had eventually such an effect on the public 
 mind, that a conspiracy was formed against the commissary- 
 general among several of the colonists, who drew up a strong 
 protest against that officer, which, in order that they might re- 
 main undiscovered, the ringleaders signed in the form of a 
 " round robin," by affixing to the paper their signatures in 
 " a circle." This done, they next denounced Van Curler 
 in the most vehement terms. Some proposed driving him 
 from the colonic as a rogue ; others, more vindictive and tur- 
 bulent, insisted on taking his life. These threats, fortunately 
 for the character of the settlers, were not followed up by any 
 overt act. Van der Donck professed, all the while, an honest 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK desire to second the wishes of the constituted authorities. 
 But when the time for testing his sincerity arrived, he was 
 found wanting in the fulfilment of his promise.^ 
 
 While these contentions and altercations were distracting 
 the little hamlet of Beverswyck, intelligence was received 
 Aug. that war-parties of the neighboring Mohawks had returned 
 victorious from one of their wild forays against their hereditary 
 enemies, the Hurons and the French, and had brought with 
 them several Christians whom they had taken prisoners. 
 Arendt van Curler, weighing well the necessity of maintaining, 
 in the feebleness of the colonic, a good understanding with 
 these wild tribes, and full of hope that he could rescue the 
 French captives from their danger, proceeded, in company with 
 Jan Labadie and Jacob Jansen van Amsterdam, to the country 
 of the Mohawks, with suitable presents, in order to confirm 
 the ancient friendship which had hitherto continued uninter- 
 rupted between them and the Dutch, and to obtain new guar- 
 antees for the security of the inhabitants and property in Rens - 
 selaerswyck. This visit was highly pleasing to the Indians, 
 who detained, at each of their three castles, the Dutch ambas- 
 sadors a quarter of an hour, until a salute was fired in honor of 
 their visit, " for my arrival," writes Van Curler, " diffused 
 great joy among them." Parties were sent out in quest of 
 game, who returned with some " excellent turkeys," and feast- 
 ing and good cheer gave substantial proofs of a sincere and 
 hearty welcome. 
 
 Van Curler's benevolent mind was, however, ill at ease in 
 the midst of these rejoicings. The Christian captives might be 
 doomed to undergo, in a few days, at the stake, all the tortures 
 which savage cruelty and ingenuity combined could invent to 
 render death more terrific and appalling. Among the prisoners 
 was the mild and disinterested Father Jogues, a learned J esuit 
 missionary — " one of the first to carry the cross into Michi- 
 gan, and now the first to bear it through the villages of the 
 Mohawks." Despising ease, comfort, hfe, and every attach- 
 ment which nature renders dear to man, he preferred cap- 
 tivity, suffering, and mutilation, to an abandonment of his 
 
 * Van Curler's letter to the Patroon, Appendix L. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 335 
 
 tender converts ; and now awaited, in resignation and prayer, chap. 
 the crown of martyrdom for which his soul had so long 
 panted. 1642. 
 
 To save these unfortunate men. Van Curler called together 
 the chiefs of the different Mohawk castles. He recalled to 
 their minds the friendship and alliance which had so long exist- 
 ed between them — and demanded the release of their captives, 
 offering, at the same time, for their ransom, presents to the 
 amount of six hundred guilders, which, to their honor be it 
 recorded, the Dutch settlers of the colonic, forgetful of all 
 differences of creed, and actuated by the holy impulses of 
 the Gospel, had generously subscribed to purchase the freedom 
 of their Christian brethren. The savages, however, were not 
 to be moved, either by appeals to ancient friendship, or by the 
 Dutchmen's presents. They w^ere willing to grant to their 
 allies w^iatever was in their power, but on the point under dis- 
 cussion they would remain silent. Curler well knew how 
 the French treated those who fell into their hands. Had the 
 chief not been successful in his attack, the Iroquois would 
 have been burnt. For the liberation of the French prisoners he 
 could not treat. In a few months the warriors of the several 
 nations would assemble, and then the matter would be finally 
 disposed of. All Van Curler could effect was to persuade the 
 savages to spare the lives of their prisoners, and to promise to 
 restore them to their country. Escorted by a party of ten or 
 twelve armed Indians, the Dutch ambassadors now returned 
 to Beverswyck, their minds filled with admiration of the lovely 
 country through which they travelled.^ 
 
 The disinterested missionary continued now to solace his 1643. 
 captivity by spreading the light of Christianity through the be- 
 niglitcd region into which Providence had cast his lot. Though 
 his labors were most signally blest, and numbers of converts 
 were brought into the fold, the hearts of the principal savages 
 continued hardened against him. In one of his visits with 
 some Indians to Fort Orange, he learned that intelligence July, 
 had been received that the Mohawks were defeated by the 
 
 ' Daer leyt"ualyck een halven daegh van den colonie, op de Maquaas Kill, 
 dat schoonste iandt dat men met oogen bezien mach. Van Curler's letter. 
 
336 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK French at Fort Richelieu, and that he, on his return, would 
 III. 
 
 "^v-w assuredly be burnt. The commander of the fort counselled 
 1643 
 
 ■ him, thereupon, to escape. A vessel was about to proceed to 
 Virginia. There he would be safe. Father Jogues demand- 
 ed until the morrow to consider this proposal, " which greatly 
 surprised the Dutch." The offer was finally accepted, but it 
 was not so easy to evade the vigilance of his savage compan- 
 ions. Innumerable difficulties followed. He at length suc- 
 ceeded in secreting himself in the hold of a sloop in the river, 
 where close air and a horrid stench made him almost regret 
 that he had not remained among the cruel Iroquois, who now, 
 enraged at the escape of their victim, crowded to Beverswyck, 
 and demanded, with violent gestures and angry words, the sur- 
 render of their prisoner. The Dutch were much embarrassed. 
 They could not consent to deliver over a Christian brother to 
 the tortures and barbarities of the heathen. The States Gen- 
 eral had sent out orders that every .means should be used to 
 rescue from the savages those Frenchmen who might fall into 
 their power. On the other hand, the colonic was too feeble to 
 make any resistance. In this dilemma the offer was again 
 renewed to ransom the fugitive ; after considerable wrangling, 
 the Indians accepted this offer, and presents to the amount of 
 about one hundred pieces of gold were accordingly delivered 
 them. Father Jogues was sent to New Amsterdam, where he 
 was most kindly received and clothed by Director Kieft, who 
 Nov. 5. gave him a passage to Holland in a vessel which sailed shortly 
 after. But misfortune was not yet weary of persecuting the 
 Christian missionary. The vessel was driven in a storm on 
 the coast of Falmouth, where it was seized by wreckers, who, 
 as merciless as the savages, stripped Father Jogues and his 
 companions of every article of their wearing apparel, and 
 left them bruised and naked to pursue their journey as best 
 they could. 
 
 1644. In the course of the following year Father Bressani, another 
 Jesuit missionary, fell into the hands of the Iroquois. " Beat- 
 en, mangled, mutilated ; driven barefoot over rough paths, 
 through briers and thickets ; burnt, tortured, wounded, and 
 scarred, he was eye-witness to the fate of one of #iis compan- 
 ions who was boiled and eaten. Yet some mysterious awe 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 337 
 
 protected his life, and he too was at last humanely rescued by chap 
 the Dutch," who purchased his freedom at a large sum, and, ^-^^ 
 with true Samaritan kindness, dressed his wounds and nursed 
 him until he was perfectly convalescent, when they supplied him 
 with clothing, " of which he stood in much need," and sent him 
 to the Manhattans. Here he was received in the most hospi- 
 table manner by the public authorities, who furnished him, at 
 his departure for Europe, with the following letter of safe-con- 
 duct : — 
 
 " We, Willem Kieft, Director-general, and the Council of Sept. 
 New Netherland, to all those who shall see these presents, 
 greeting : Francis Joseph Bressani, of the Society of Jesus, 
 for some time a prisoner among the Iroquois savages, com- 
 monly called Maquaas, and daily persecuted by these, was, 
 when about to be burnt, snatched out of their hands, and ran- 
 somed by us for a large sum, after considerable difficulty. As 
 he now proceeds with our permission to Holland, thence to 
 return to France, Christian charity requires that he be humane- 
 ly treated by those into whose hands he may happen to fall. 
 Wherefore we request all governors, viceroys, or their lieuten- 
 ants and captains, that they would afford him their favor in go- 
 ing and returning, promising to do the same, on like occasion. 
 Dated in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this xxth Sep- 
 tember, anno Salutis, 1644, Stylo Novo." 
 
 These and many other acts of similar kindness secured ever 
 afterwards, for both the inhabitants and authorities, as well 
 of Rensselaerswyck as of New Netherland generally, the 
 warm attachment and regard of the Jesuit missionaries, who 
 at the risk of health and life were disseminating the truths 
 of the Gospel among the Indian tribes in the valley of the Mo- 
 hawk, and along the shores of the great lakes, and who, it may 
 be safely said, allowed no occasion to pass without giving ex- 
 pression to their gratitude and respect.^ 
 
 ' Van Curler's letter ; Megapolensis' Short Account of the Maquaas ; 
 Charlevoix, Hist, de la Nouv. France, i., 240 ; Creuxius, Hist. Canadensis, 
 352, 386, 389, 391, 403 ; Bancroft's Hist, of the United States, iii., 132, 133, 
 134. The Rev. Father Jean Pierron writes to Mr. Van Rensselaer from " Tin- 
 niontogen," 6th Nov. 1667 : " Je me tiens tellement oblige de I'honneur que j'ay 
 reQu de vtfus k Schenect6 qu'^ternellement j'auray de I'aiFection pour votre 
 
 43 
 
338 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK It became apparent now from the ill-feeling which existed 
 -"v^ between Sheriff Van der Donck and the other functionaries in 
 ■ the colonie, and which had already caused in two instances an 
 exchange of blows, that the former could not comfortably pro- 
 long his stay in Rensselaerswyck, or hold his office, very 
 agreeably, much longer. He determined, indeed, to return to 
 Holland in the course of the next year, as he was desirous to 
 become a Patroon himself, with which view he proceeded, 
 with several colonists, to Katskill, to purchase the lands 
 there from the Indians, for the erection of an independent 
 colonie. But the moment the Palroon of Rensselaerswyck 
 received intelligence of this " dishonest" move on the part of 
 " his sworn officer," he immediately forwarded instructions to 
 Van Curler, couched in the following stringent terms : — 
 
 " The Patroon of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck having, 
 on the sixth of this month, given a commission to Pieter Wyn- 
 Sept. coop, commis. on board his ship, to purchase for a reasonable 
 price from the natural owners and inhabitants, and from their 
 chiefs, their lands lying about Katskill, in consequence of cer- 
 tain information which he had that Adriaen van der Donck, his 
 sworn officer, dishonestly designed to purchase for him and his, 
 to the prejudice of him, the Patroon, his lord and master, the 
 said lands, lying under the sliadow of his colonic. Therefore 
 he, by virtue of the sixth and twenty-sixth articles of his Free- 
 doms and Exemptions, doth claim that no person shall, against 
 his will, approach within seven or eight miles of him ; also, 
 
 compagnie, et de rinclination k I'obliger, si jamais j'en ay I'occasioii. Le noir et 
 le blanc, ni la diversite de la religion n'empecheroiit pas cette amitie." And 
 Father Joannes de Lamberville, who was a missionary at Onoutague (Onon- 
 daga) in 1685, addresses Jeremias van Rensselaer in terms testifying equal re- 
 spect for his character, though he never saw him — " Illustrissime Domine, Et- 
 si de facie nec ego tibi, nec tu mihi cognitus sis, tuum tamen mihi nomen, tuaque 
 mihi probe nota sunt merita, dignusque es cui quacunque data obsequy tibi defe- 
 rendi occasione, pronoe voluntatis specimen exhibeatur." Viceroy Tracy, writing 
 to Gov. Nicolls in 1667, also bears testimony to the humane conduct of the 
 Dutch in these words : — " The French nation is too much inclined to acknow- 
 ledge courtesies, not to confess that the Dutch have had very much charity for 
 the French who have been prisoners with the Maquaas, and that they have 
 redeemed divers, who had been burnt without their succor. They ought also 
 to be assured of our gratitude towards them, and to any others who shall exer- 
 cise such Christian deeds as they have done." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 that he hath power to enlarge his colonie, on condition of 
 planting a proportionate number of colonists there, which num- 
 ber was, even by this vessel, so increased that he hath already- 
 included the same, from Ransselaers-Stein down to Katskill, 
 remaining on the same side, within his resort. And, further, 
 having obtained certain information that such is, indeed, also 
 true, the commissary-general, Arendt van Curler, together 
 with the aforesaid Pieter Wyncoop, are charged not to inquire 
 of the above-named Van der Donck if it be true, (inasmuch as 
 the Patroon hath by him sufficient proof thereof,) but him to 
 constrain, should he have done so, to desist, de facto, there- 
 from, and to cede and to make over to him, the Patroon, all 
 whatsoever he hath acquired, conformably to his oath, having 
 sworn to be true and faithful specially to him, his injury to 
 prevent and his advantage to promote, both which in this mat- 
 ter have not happened ; and in case the said purchase be not 
 yet effected, that he, in presence of the commissaries and 
 council of the colonie, do promise, under oath, not to proceed 
 therewith, but to respect him the Patroon, and to afford to his 
 (agents) all favor and help, that they may be allowed to make 
 the aforesaid purchase to the best advantage ; and should he 
 refuse the one, or the other, to secure his person, inasmuch as 
 he also endeavored, per fas et nefas, (met minne ofte onminne,) 
 to return home in case the Patroon should not consent to dis- 
 charge him ; and inasmuch as the lease of his bouwerie, 
 which he hath taken and agreed for in person with the Patroon, 
 iiath still long to run, which he cannot set aside without con- 
 sent, but shall be bound to keep during that time. And in 
 witness of the truth hath the Patroon subscribed these with his 
 hand, and sealed them with his and the colonie's seal, in Am- 
 sterdam, this 10th September, 1643. 
 
 "KiLiAEN Van Rensselaer, 
 
 [seal] " Patroon of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck. 
 
 " In case Van der Donck should prove obstinate, he shall 
 be degraded from his office, and left on his bouwerie to com- 
 plete his contracted lease, without allowing him to depart, and 
 his office shall be conferred, provisionally, on Nicolaus Coorn, 
 
340 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK till further orders, divesting him of all papers appertaining to 
 j^^^ his charge. But if he will desist, then his office, and his bou- 
 ' werie, shall he be allowed to hold. Actum as above. 
 
 " KiLiAEN Van Rensselaer, 
 
 "in quality as herein above stated."^ 
 
 This order, which had the effect of arresting Van der 
 Donck's intended colonic at Katskill, was conveyed to New 
 Sept. Netherland by the Patroon's ship, " The Arms of Rensselaers- 
 wyck," which was dispatched with an assorted invoice of 
 merchandise, consisting of woollen, linen, and cotton goods, 
 ready-made clothing, silks, glass, crockery, leather, fruit, 
 cheese, spices, brandy, gin, wines, cordials, tobacco-pipes, nets, 
 looking-glasses, beads, axes, adzes, razors, knives, scissors, 
 bells, nails, spoons, kettles, thimbles, pins, needles, threads, 
 rings, shoes, stockings, gloves, combs, buttons, muskets, pis- 
 tols, swords, shot, lead, canvass, pitch and tar, candles, station- 
 ery, and various other commodities, valued at twelve thousand 
 eight hundred and seventy guilders, to be bartered with the 
 Indians and other inhabitants of the country for tobacco, 
 furs, and ^other produce. To ensure entire success for this 
 venture, the skipper, supercargo, and pilot of the ship were 
 allowed a direct pecuniary interest in the proceeds of the 
 voyage. 
 
 The system of licenses introduced by the Patroon, and the 
 profits which resulted, had already incited a number of private 
 individuals to embark in the fur-trade. As a consequence, 
 this staple was altogether taken out of the hands both of the 
 Patroon's and the company's servants, who could purchase 
 scarcely a skin, while private traders exported thousands of 
 peltries. A number of unlicensed traders now resorted to 
 the colonic, who drew the Indians away into " secret trading- 
 places," where, by means of higher prices, they got possession 
 of the most valuable furs, " not caring whether or not the 
 trade was so injured as to render the Patroon unable to meet 
 the expenses of his colonic." Having thus " debauched" the 
 
 * Naerder ordre aen Arendt van Curler en Pieter Wyncoop wegen Katskill. 
 Rensselaerswyck MSS. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 341 
 
 savages, these interlopers succeeded next, by means of " wine chap. 
 and strong drink, which they sold at an usurious rate," in ^-^^ 
 " perverting" many of the colonists, from whom they got, 
 not only peltries, but even large quantities of grain, which 
 the farmers disposed of without either respecting the Pa- 
 troon's pre-emption right, or paying the tenths, or accounting 
 for the halves or thirds which they were bound by lease to 
 pay.i 
 
 To arrest these illicit proceedings, the Patroon adopted two 
 measures which would, he expected, put a stop to the injuries 
 which his interests were sustaining from the competition that 
 was then exhausting and impoverishing his colonic. One of 
 these was the erection of a fortified post and trading-house at 
 Beeren, or Bear's Island, the southern boundary of his estate, 
 which, by commanding the channel of the river, would ex- 
 clude all vessels, but his own and those of the West India 
 Company, from the upper waters of the Hudson. The other 
 was, to send out a stock of goods sufficient to supply, through 
 his establishments at Beverswyck and Beeren Island, the Mo- 
 hawks and river Indians, and all the neighboring settlers, with 
 whatever they may require in barter for their produce, whether 
 furs or corn.^ It was with a view to carry out the latter part 
 of this project, that " the Arms of Rensselaerswyck" now 
 sailed with the above-mentioned valuable cargo. 
 
 She arrived at the Manhattans while the war with the In- 
 
 ' Insinuatie, Protestatie ende Presentatie van weghen den Patroon 8th Sept., 
 1643. Appendix M. 
 
 * The twofold character of the Patroon's establishment at Beeren Island — 
 fort and trading-house — as all such posts in those days were — is clearly estab- 
 lished by the following entry in the account current with Coorn, who had 
 charge of the establishment : — Groet Boek, No. F., 23 : 
 
 For merchandise according to invoice for Rensselearstein, on 
 
 which is charged cent, per cent, advance fl. 913.10 
 
 For materials for the armory ['t waepen buys] 671. 8 
 
 For carpenters' tools [timmergreetschap] 71. 7 
 
 For ammunition 1094.10 
 
 For paper, pens, and a flag besides 44.19 
 
 For necessaries for the boat 171.15 
 
 Beeren island is a small precipitous island, containing eight or ten acres, 
 situate immediately south of Coeyman's landing. It was recently sold by Mr. 
 Van Rensselaer for $500. 
 
342 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK dians was at its height, and at the moment when Kieft was sorely 
 — distressed for clothing for the troops which he had enhsted. A 
 ' requisition was immediately made on Picter Wyncoop, the 
 supercargo of the ship, for a supply of fifty pairs of shoes to 
 be distributed among the soldiers, payment for which was offer- 
 ed " in silver, beavers, or wampum," at such price as the super- 
 cargo might demand. But Wyncoop, perceiving that he could 
 sell these goods to more advantage to the inhabitants than to 
 the Director, injudiciously refused to comply with this requi- 
 sition. A forced levy was the result, and as many soldiers 
 were equipped with shoes from the ship, as " killed five hun- 
 dred of the enemy." The evil consequences of Wyncoop's 
 refusal did not stop here. The ship was immediately over- 
 hauled by authority of the Director and council, and a consid- 
 erable quantity of powder and a number of guns found on 
 board, which were not enumerated in the manifest, and which 
 Wyncoop was charged with intending to sell to the savages. 
 These articles having been made contraband by law, and their 
 introduction forbidden on pain of death, were, together with 
 
 March the ship, forthwith confiscated. 
 8 
 
 Wyncoop now, too late, perceived the error into which 
 either his instructions or his covetousness had plunged him. 
 
 March In the hope, however, of retrieving his loss, he instituted 
 an action against Cornelis Van der Huygens, the Fiscaal 
 
 March at Fort Amsterdam, against whom he protested, in strong 
 terms, for having unloaded his ship, which proceeding he pro- 
 nounced an insult, a reproach, and a wrong inflicted on the 
 Honorable Patroon, " the first and oldest patriot of the land," 
 and for which aggression he now demanded redress from the 
 Director-general and council. It was much fitter for the fis- 
 cal, he added, to discharge and to confiscate such ships as 
 came and traded hither without any qommission, and thereby 
 brought contempt on the country and its government, than to 
 affront a Patroon who hazarded so much for his colonists and 
 New Netherland. He finally maintained that the powder 
 which he had on board was for the ship's use, and for the de- 
 fence of " Rensselaers-Stein," or Castle Rensselaer, as the 
 
 March fortification on Beeren Island was called. This plea profited 
 nothing. The powder was not mentioned in the manifest, and 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 343 
 
 the explanation which was offered was merely used as " a 
 cloak" to cover the real desim. " It is far from us," conclud- 
 
 1644. 
 
 ed the attorney-general, " to insult the Patroon. On the con- March 
 trary, we are willing to aid him in promoting the welfare of 
 his colonic. But it is you who are endeavoring to frustrate his 
 noble plans, by associating exclusively with private traders, and 
 striving to take them with you to the colonic in direct opposition 
 to the commands of the Patroon, who hath sent out this ship 
 to keep free traders from that place. If your conduct is just, 
 free merchants cannot be prevented trading thither, and they 
 will be justified in so doing. I deny that any damage what- 
 ever has been done. Are you of a contrary opinion ? Cite 
 me before any court of justice, whenever you please." 
 
 Arendt van Curler, finding that no satisfactory issue was to Oct. 
 be expected from this litigation, finally proposed that the 
 ship should be released, and the whole case referred to the 
 Directors in Holland for their decision. As the vessel was 
 suffering considerable injury from detention, this proposal was 
 acceded to, " so that the Patroon should have no reason to 
 complain ;" on the express condition, however, that no goods 
 should be landed from the vessel until permission was ob- 
 tained from the company, and that such articles as were al- 
 ready seized by the attorney-general should remain confiscated, 
 as they had not been included in the invoice. The vessel 
 sailed soon after for Holland, whither Van Curler also pro- 
 ceeded to give an account of his stewardship.' 
 
 In the mean time Nicolaus Coorn, " Wacht Meester," or 
 commander in the service of the Patroon, had completed his 
 fort on Beeren Island, on which he mounted a number of can- 
 non, sufficient not only for its defence, but for the complete 
 command of the river. A claim to " staple right" was then 
 boldly set up ; a toll of five guilders, or two dollars, imposed 
 on every trading-craft passing up or down, which were also 
 obliged to lower their colors in honor of Rensselaers-8tein. 
 And thus a sovereign jurisdiction was asserted over this navi- 
 gable highway against all persons, save and except the ser- 
 vants of the West India Company. 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. il., 244, 246, 277 ; iii., 192, 193, 194, 195, 277. Rensselaers- 
 wyck MSS. 
 
344 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK It was in the summer of 1644, that the yacht the Good 
 
 Hope, of which Govert Lookermans was master, sailed from 
 1644. . 
 
 * Fort Orange for New Amsterdam. Passing Beercn Island, 
 
 the craft was hailed, and peremptorily ordered " to lower his 
 colors." On being asked for whom, the commander replied, 
 " For the staple right of Rensselaerswyck." But the skipper 
 refused, with an oath, to strike his flag "for any individual 
 save the Prince of Orange and the Lords his masters ;" where- 
 July 5. upon Coorn fired several shots at the vessel, one of which, 
 says the record, " perforated our princely flag," about a foot 
 above the head of the skipper, " who kept the colors constant- 
 ly in his hand." 
 
 Such an outrage as this could not fail to create excite- 
 ment at New Amsterdam, when the particulars became known. 
 Philip de Truy, " marshal of New Netherland," summon- 
 Aug. 2. ed Coorn to appear immediately at the Fort to answer for 
 Oct. 8. his conduct. The latter pleaded the authority of his Pa- 
 troon. But this was considered no justification. He was 
 condemned in damages, and forbidden to repeat 'the offence on 
 pain of corporal punishment. He was further required to 
 obtain Van Rensselaer's approval of the sentence, which 
 should be executed on him without fail, if that approval were 
 not forthcoming. This proceeding was followed soon after 
 by a strong protest from Attorney-general Van der Huygens, 
 against the establishment on Beeren Island, which was declared 
 to be inconsistent with the privileges granted to Patroons and 
 lords of manors. No Patroon, it was maintained, could ex- 
 tend his colony, by the fifth article of the charter, more than 
 four miles along one bank, or two miles on both sides of the 
 river, while Beeren Island was more than two miles from the 
 limits of the colonic. The bold attempt to construct a fort 
 there, to command the river, and to debar Fort Orange from 
 free navigation, would, it was added, be ruinous to the com- 
 pany ; it was therefore peremptorily ordered that no building 
 whatsoever, much less a fortification, should be constructed 
 beyond the limits of Rensselaerswyck, and Coorn was for- 
 mally threatened with further prosecution should he persist in 
 his lawless transactions. 
 
 But Nicolaus Coorn, commander of Rensselaers-Stein, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 345 
 
 was not to be intimidated by the paper bullets of Director chap. 
 Kieft's attorney-general. " As the vice-commander of the -^--^ 
 Honorable Van Rensselaer," he replied, " I call on you, Cor- ^^q^' 
 nelis van der Huygens, attorney-general of New Netherland, 18. 
 not to presume to oppose and frustrate my designs on 
 Bear's Island ; to defraud me in any manner, or to cause me 
 any trouble, as it has been the will of their High Mightinesses 
 the States General, and the Privileged West India Company, 
 to invest my Patroon and his heir with the right to extend and 
 fortify his colonic, and make it powerful in every respect. . . 
 
 If you persist in so doing I protest against the 
 
 act of violence and assault committed by the Honorable Lords 
 Majors, which I leave them to settle, while this undertaking 
 has nothing else in view than to prevent the canker of free 
 traders entering his colonic.'" 
 
 In the spirit in which this protest was drafted, were the 
 feudal pretensions of the Lord of Rensselaerswyck asserted 
 and maintained, notwithstanding the conviction of Coorn and 
 the warning of Van der Huygens, during the remainder of the 
 Patroon's life. The same policy was steadily continued by 
 his executors for several years after his death, which event took 
 place in Amsterdam, in the year 1646.^ 
 
 With the demise of the first Patroon terminated, also. Van 1646. 
 
 der Donck's connection with the colonic. He was succeeded 
 
 in his ofiice of " fiscaal" by Nicolaus Coorn. He did not, 
 
 however, quit Rensselaerswyck before experiencing a heavy 
 
 loss in the destruction of his house on Castle Island by fire, Jan. 
 
 17 
 
 in consequence of which he and his wife temporarily removed 
 to Van Curler's residence, the hospitalities of which were 
 generously offered to him by its proprietor. Differences of 
 opinion now arose between him and Van Curler, as to the 
 party on whom the loss of the house should fall ; one main- 
 taining that the property was at the risk of the Patroon ; the 
 other, of the lessee. A quarrel ensued. Van der Donck 
 gave Van Curler the lie, whereupon the latter ordered him outFeb.23. 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. i., 90 ; ii., 2, 35, 192, 234, 235, 263, 273, 275 ; iii., 187, 188, 
 219. Van Tienhoven, Corte berichte. Hoi. Doc. v., 364. 
 
 ' A debit and credit account of Kiliaen van Rensselaer's estate in Holland, 
 at the time of his decease, will be found in Appendix N. 
 
 44 
 
346 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of his house. Van der Donck removed immediately to Fort 
 ^^^^ Orange, where he remained until the opening of the naviga- 
 ■ tion, when he proceeded to the Manhattans. In the mean 
 April time, his claims were referred for adjustment to the proprietors 
 in Holland.^ 
 
 The winter which had just terminated, was remarkably long 
 and severe. The North River closed at Rensselaerswyck on 
 the 25th November, and remained frozen some four months. 
 A very high freshet, unequalled since 1639, followed, which 
 destroyed a number of horses in their stables ; nearly car- 
 ried away the fort, and inflicted considerable other dam- 
 age in the colonic. "A certain fish of considerable size, 
 snow-white in color, round in the body, and blowing water 
 out of its head," made at the same time his appearance, 
 
 March stemming the impetuous flood. What it portended, " God 
 the Lord only knew." All the inhabitants were lost in 
 wonder, for " at the same instant that this fish appeared to us, 
 we had the first thunder and lightning this year." The public 
 astonishment had scarcely subsided, when another monster of 
 
 April the deep, estimated at forty feet in length, was seen, of a 
 brown color, having fins on his back, and ejecting water in like 
 manner, high in the air. Some seafaring people, "who had 
 been to Greenland," now pronounced the strange visiter a 
 whale. Intelligence was shortly after received that it had 
 grounded on an island at the mouth of the Mohawk, and the 
 people turned out in numbers to secure the prize, which was, 
 forthwith, subjected to the process of roasting, in order to ex- 
 tract its oil. Though large quantities were obtained, yet so 
 great was the mass of blubber, the river was covered with 
 grease for three weeks afterwards, and the air infected to such 
 a degree with the stench, as the fish lay rotting on the strand, 
 that the smell was perceptibly offensive for two (Dutch) miles 
 to leeward. The whale, which had first ascended the river, 
 stranded, on its return to sea, on an island some forty miles 
 from the mouth of the river, near which place four others 
 grounded, also, this year.^ 
 
 ' The minute of the quarrel between Van Curler and Van der Donck, together 
 with the minute of reference of the latter's claims, will be found in Appendix O. 
 " These particulars are taken from an old book kept by Antonie de Hooges, 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 347 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 States General order an inquiry into the condition of New Netherland — Pro- 
 ceedings of the XIX. — Kieft recalled — Van Dine! age appointed, provisionally, 
 in his place — Interesting report on the state of New Netherland — Recom- 
 mendations contained therein — Proposed civil list — Modifications in tlie gov- 
 ernment, trade, &c. — Some Indian tribes desire a cessation of hostilities — 
 Several of the Long Island tribes come in — Kieft concludes a peace at Fort 
 Orange with the Mohawks and Moliegans — General peace between the 
 aborigines and the Dutch — Low condition of the colony — Thanksgiving or- 
 dered — additional purchases on Long Island — Orders received to explore the 
 country for minerals — Proceedings in consequence — The ship by which spe- 
 cimens were sent to Holland, founders at sea, and all on board perish — Petrus 
 Stuyvesant, Director at Cura9oa, besieges the island of St. Martin — Is 
 obliged to raise the siege — Receives a severe wound — Returns to Holland — Is 
 appointed Director-general of New Netherland — Submits a plan for the bet- 
 ter management of the company's transatlantic possessions — Further changes 
 proposed regarding the colonial trade — Differences of opinion in the Assembly 
 of the XIX. — Departure of Stuyvesant postponed — New Netherland continues 
 under the mismanagement of Kieft. 
 
 The affairs of New Netherland had now reached a crisis chap. 
 
 VII. 
 
 which necessitated again the intervention of the States General. 
 Complaint had followed complaint from that country — mis- 
 management had accumulated on mismanagement in the ad- 
 ministration of its affairs, and an inquiry could no longer be 
 postponed. The country was a source of no profit to the 
 West India Company ; the opening of the trade had not ad- 
 vanced its settlement, for those whom commerce attracted 
 thither, remained not in the provmce. They deranged the 
 trade, but did not add to the population. Their High Mighti- 
 nesses, in appointing deputies this year to the Assembly of the 
 XIX., instructed them, particularly, to inquire whether it 
 would not be better to confine the trade with the interior of 
 
 Secretary of Rensselaerswyck, endorsed, " Copye van eenige acten ende an- 
 dere aenmerckelycke notitien," and from Van der Donck's Beschryv. van N. 
 N. The island at the mouth of the Mohawk goes since by the name of Wal- 
 visch, or Whale Island. De Hooges refers to the visit of a similar large fish 
 " many years ago," which caused great wonder at the time, but he does not 
 mention the year, nor furnish any further particulars of the circumstance. 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK New Netherland to the resident inhabitants of that quarter, 
 and to grant these the additional privilege of trading to Brazil, 
 'and thence back to the Manhattes ; and enjoined, at the same 
 time, on those delegates, to report fully on the condition of the 
 country, as well as to state what, in their opinion, was required 
 to promote its welfare and prosperity. 
 
 The whole subject of the war between the Indians and the 
 Dutch, its origin, progress, and unfortunate consequences, were 
 discussed, accordingly, at this meeting of the various branches 
 of the company, and the complaints of the colonists fully con- 
 Dec, sidered. The immediate result was, the recall of Director 
 Kieft, in order that he should justify the various acts of his ad- 
 ministration, and the appointment, provisionally, in his place, 
 as Director, of Lubbertus van Dinclage, who had previous- 
 ly served in New Netherland as schout-fiscaal, and was " well 
 liked by the Indians."^ It was further resolved, to refer all 
 the letters and papers from the colonists, as well as those re- 
 lating to the affairs of the colony, to the company's Rekenka- 
 mer, or chamber of accounts, to examine the same, and to re- 
 port to the next Assembly of the XIX. in what manner the in- 
 juries which the colony had sustained could be repaired, its 
 population advanced, and itself rendered profitable to the com- 
 pany.2 
 
 * Mr. Van Dinclage had been dismissed from office, it will be recollected, by 
 Van Twiller, in 1636. He had been since that time a yearly applicant to the 
 XIX. and to the States General for redress, his salary during three years that 
 he had been in office having been withheld. He had, in the interim, sued the 
 company for his wages ; without any success, however, for we find him, even 
 now, eight years after his dismissal, still petitioning for his pay. A compro- 
 mise seems to have been, at last, effected with him, though the Amsterdam 
 chamber of the company does not appear to relish his appointment as Kieft's 
 successor, even provisionally. Full details of his struggles against the company 
 will be found in Hoi. Doc. ii., 167, 169, 171, 173, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 
 232,275, 313, 316, 318, 321, 322. 
 
 ' In order to remedy various disorders which had crept into the affairs of the 
 West India Company, a bureau, or board of accounts, was established in 1643, 
 consisting of six accountants ; two from the Amsterdam chamber, and one from 
 each of the other departments. It was the duty of these to consider what should 
 be prepared for the meeting of the XIX., and to assist that Assembly with their 
 advice ; to keep accounts with all the chambers in the United Provinces, and 
 the foreign conquests, and therefrom to form a general book, which should at 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 349 
 
 A copious and most interesting report followed this refer- f'^AP. 
 ence. Tracing the growth and progress of New Netherland 
 from its discovery to the incorporation of the West India jyi^rch' 
 Company ; thence to the passing of the charter to the Pa- 
 troons ; after that, to the breaking out of the war, and then 
 detailing the ruin which this involved on that fertile country, 
 it proceeded to pass in review the various propositions which 
 Director Kieft and the Eight Men had submitted, to correct, 
 as well as to prevent the recurrence of the existing unfortunate 
 state of things. The former, estimating the Indians only at 
 three hundred strong, advised their extermination, and demand- 
 ed, for that purpose, a force of one hundred and fifty soldiers. 
 The others, calculating the enemy at some thousands, were 
 of opinion that their destruction was impossible, and that the 
 tranquillity of the country would be better secured by a gen- 
 eral peace, of which, however, they entertained but slender 
 hope, so long as Kieft remained at the head of affairs, as the 
 Indians entertained a particular aversion against him. They 
 recommended that colonists, in order to obviate future wars, 
 should be obliged to settle nearer each other in towns and 
 villages, so as to be better able to assist one another in time 
 of danger ; that Fort Amsterdam should be repaired, as it 
 was now in such a ruinous condition that men strode over 
 the walls instead of going through the gate ; and that it should 
 be built of stone, the expense attending which, was estimated 
 at from twenty to twenty-five thousand guilders, or $10,000. 
 The settlement of the bounds between the English and Dutch 
 possessions was particularly urged, as well as the promotion 
 of the population of the country, by crediting emigrants with 
 the cost of their passage, and by the introduction of a large 
 number of field-laborers and negroes. New Netherland, it 
 was next advised, should be made a rendezvous for ships of 
 war, being better adapted for that purpose than Cura9oa, by 
 its abundance of provisions and building-timber, and the 
 
 all times exhibit the condition of the company ; to make a repartition of the 
 expenditure and income, and decide all disputes arising, therefrom ; also, to 
 maintain good correspondence between all the chambers, and to cause the reso- 
 lutions of the XIX. to be inmiediately and diligently executed. Hoi. Doc. iiL, 
 321. 
 
350 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK readiness with which vessels can thence reach the West In- 
 ^'v^ dies, and there discover the designs of the enemy. It was 
 further demanded that the company should maintain a well- 
 furnished store and cellar at New Amsterdam, for the supply 
 of necessaries, at certain reasonable prices, for cash or barter, 
 to the inhabitants, who otherwise would be seriously imposed 
 upon by private traders. Should these private traders be, 
 however, allowed to remain, it was urged that they should be 
 bound to dispose of their goods at a certain fixed price. 
 Finally, the colonists demanded that the Director's council be 
 composed of four or five members, in order that justice and 
 the authority of the company may be efiiciently maintained, 
 and the respect of the neighboring provinces properly se- 
 cured. 
 
 It will be seen from the preceding review, continues this 
 report, into what ruin and confusion New Netherland has fall- 
 en, in consequence of foolishly waging an unneccssaiy war 
 without either the knowledge or the authority of the XIX. 
 here, and in opposition to the will of the commonalty there ; 
 and what excessive advances are now required to repair ex- 
 isting misfortunes. No returns have been made for several 
 years. That country, on the contrary, has cost the company, 
 as it appears from their books, over half a million of guilders, 
 [$220,000,] from the year 1626 to the year 1644 inclusive, 
 over and above the returns received from thence ; so that it is 
 very questionable if the company would not be more bene- 
 fited by the loss altogether of New Netherland, than by the 
 continuance of these heavy expenses. As it was impossible 
 for the directors, however, to disembarrass themselves of this 
 charge consistently with their obligations, and as there was 
 still a prospect that matters were not irremediable, it was 
 recommended that some effort should be made to improve the 
 country, by settling such questions as were still undecided, 
 and by introducing such reforms as prudence and experience 
 might suggest. 
 
 With this view, it v^^as advised that the differences between 
 the Dutch and their English neighbors at the east should be 
 settled as early as possible, and then that such of the latter as 
 were found to be on Dutch soil, should be obUged to submit 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 351 
 
 to Dutch jurisdiction and ffovernment, and be considered as chap. 
 
 ... VII. 
 
 original subjects. Immediate peace with the Indians was, ^ — 
 above all things, advised, as it would be " not only impossible 
 but unchristian" to adopt the exterminating advice of the 
 Director-general, whose recall, as well as that of his council, 
 is particularly insisted upon, in order that they may show 
 cause for, and justify to the Assembly of the XIX., the man- 
 ner in which they administered the public affairs, especially 
 " the bloody exploit of which they were guilty on the 28th 
 February, 1643;" and that a person be sent out, as Di- 
 rector, duly qualified, on the one hand, to advance the in- 
 terests of the company, and the welfare of the commonalty ; 
 on the other, to maintain a good understanding with the Eng- 
 lish, and more particularly with the Indians. 
 
 The plan of forming hamlets and villages in New Netherland, 
 after the manner of New England, was highly approved of ; it 
 was advised that Fort Amsterdam should be repaired " with 
 good clay and firm sods" by the soldiers, at the smallest pos- 
 sible expense, and a schedule was submitted with the report, 
 of the establishment which it was considered advisable to 
 maintain in the colony for the administration of its affairs as 
 well as for the garrisoning of the above fort, the total annual 
 expense of their support being estimated at twenty thousand 
 and forty-six guilders, or eight thousand and sixteen dol- 
 lars of our currency.^ This force amounted in all to sixty-nine 
 
 ' Estimate of the expenses to be defrayed by the West India Company, ac- 
 
 cording to tlie above plan : — 
 
 1 Director, Yearly, . fli. 3,000 
 
 1 Second, to act as koopman and receiver, . " . 1,440 
 
 1 Fiscaal, " . 720 
 
 1 Secretary and bookkeeper, . . . " . 720 
 
 1 Clerk of Merchandise, 720 
 
 1 Assistant, " . 300 
 
 1 Clergyman, " . 1,440 
 
 1 Schoolmaster, reader, and sexton, . . " , 360 
 
 1 Constable, " . 240 
 
 1 Provost, " . 180 
 
 1 Corporal, to act as gunsmith, . . . " . 180 
 
 1 Commander, " . 720 
 
 Carried forw^ard. 
 
 10,040 
 
352 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK persons, fifty-three of whom were mihtary ; but to make up for 
 -'-^ the small number of the latter, the colonists were to be bound to 
 ' provide themselves and servants, under certain penalties, with 
 fire-arms and other weapons, to act, in case of need, as a rein- 
 forcement to the garrison, for, hereafter, the Director, colonists, 
 and all others, were to be expressly forbidden to engage any 
 soldiers, whether few or many, at the expense of the com- 
 pany. 
 
 It was next advised that the Council of the New Nether- 
 lands should consist of three persons ; namely, the Director- 
 general, as president ; the Second, or Vice-director ; and the 
 Fiscaal, as adjoined counsellor, by and before whom all mat- 
 ters touching pohce, justice, the sovereignty and rights of the 
 company should be treated and decided ; with the under- 
 standing, however, that in criminal affairs the commander 
 take the place of the fiscaal ; two capable persons being ad- 
 joined to the court from among the commonalty. As the re- 
 spective colonies were allowed, by the 28th clause of the char- 
 ter of 1629, to depute one or two persons, at least every twelve 
 months, to acquaint the Director and council of the state and 
 condition of their colonies, it was now suggested that those 
 deputies should, at the summons of the Director-general, hold 
 an Assembly every six months, for mutual intercommunica- 
 tion, and the general advancement of the welfare of the people, 
 with power, moreover, to deliberate on all questions which 
 might concern the prosperity of their colonies, the propitiation 
 of the Indians, and the neighboring provinces, the mainte- 
 
 Brought forward, 10,040 
 
 1 Ensign, Yearly, . 540 
 
 2 Sergeants, " . 600 
 
 2 Corporals, « . 432 
 
 1 Drummer, " . 156 
 
 4 Cadets, " . 720 
 
 40 Soldiers, " . 6,240 
 
 1 Surgeon, " . 300 
 
 1 Skipper, « . 300 
 
 4 Sailors " . 624 
 
 1 Boy, « . 108 
 
 fl. 20,046 
 
 $8,016 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 353 
 
 nance of free privileges, the correction of abuses, and the up- chap 
 holding of the statutes and the laws. The Amsterdam stand- 
 ard of weight and measure only, was, however, to be used 
 throughout the whole country. 
 
 Emigration from Holland was recommended to be facilita- 
 ted by every means, in order to promote the peopling and set- 
 tlement of the New Netherland, especially of the island of 
 Manhattans, where settlers, it was suggested, should obtain as 
 much land as they could cultivate, either by planting tobacco, 
 " for which the soil was considered well adapted," or grain, or 
 other produce, as they might find most profitable. And it was 
 further added, that it would be wise to permit the Patroons, 
 colonists, and other farmers, to import as many negroes from 
 the Brazils as they could purchase for cash, to assist them on 
 their farms ; as (it was maintained) these slaves could do more 
 work for their masters, and were less expensive, than the hired 
 laborers engaged in Holland, and conveyed to New Nether- 
 land, " by means of much money and large promises." 
 
 The Patroons, colonists, and freemen inhabiting the country, 
 should, it was further recommended, have the exclusive right 
 to trade with the natives, from which all commission-merchants 
 should be rigidly excluded, contenting themselves with the 
 privilege of being allowed to exchange their cargoes with the 
 inhabitants for peltries, tobacco, wheat, and other produce of 
 the country. But on no account were munitions of war to be 
 sold by the freemen to the Indians, nor by the importers to the 
 freemen. The latter, however, were, as already suggested, to 
 provide themselves for self-defence with one good musket and 
 a set of side-arms, which were to be inspected every six months 
 by the Director-general. 
 
 The Assembly of the XIX. were strongly advised to con- 
 sider, if it would not be for the advantage of the colonists to 
 permit them to trade directly with the Brazils, as they could 
 export thither meal, groats, peas, beans, pipe-staves, plank, 
 and other timber useful for ship and house-building ; and to 
 encourage the fisheries by allowing them, and none other, to 
 sell the fish and caviary caught, salted down and pickled there; 
 with the privilege of taking salt on the coast of Brazil, about 
 Siara, or the West Indies ; to use the same for the preserving 
 
 45 
 
354 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of green and dry fish ; also to erect salt-pans in New Nelher- 
 ^v-^ land to refine the above, in order to furnish fine salt for the 
 ^^^^* cure offish and meat ; on the condition, however, of delivering 
 all such exports into the company's stores at the Brazils, and 
 on paying, in specie or coin, the proper duties, to sell their 
 cargoes, without, however, being allowed to take away any 
 money or specie in return, but only slaves, sugars, confection- 
 ary, ginger, tobacco, cotton, and other produce of the country, 
 after having duly entered the same ; to sail therewith to New 
 Netherland direct, and neither to sell or exchange any part 
 thereof on any pretext whatsoever, receiving a supercargo from 
 the company to furnish a correct report of the voyage, and 
 binding themselves to touch at Paraiba, to be there visited by 
 the company again, so that all chance of smuggling may be 
 obviated, and the payment of the proper duties secured, which 
 now, the report concluded, should be strictly enforced on all 
 imports and exports, in order that the increased expenses may 
 be met and defrayed, and that some profit may accrue after- 
 wards to the company on account of the increase of popula- 
 tion.' 
 
 Spring, in the mean time, brought with it, as usual, a desire 
 on the part of the Indians for a cessation of hostilities. Some 
 tribes presented themselves at Fort Amsterdam with whom a 
 April peace was concluded, in honor of which " a grand salute of 
 three guns" was fired by Jacob Jacobsen Roy, who, however, 
 unfortunately received a severe injury in the discharge of this 
 duty, by the explosion of one of these pieces, which caused 
 him to be a long time under the care of Surgeon Kierstede, 
 and ultimately deprived him of the use of his arm. A large 
 number of the enemy still continued the war, and it was 
 therefore resolved, at a meeting of the council, at which the 
 Director-general, M. La Montague, the attorney-general, Cap- 
 tains Underbill and De Vries, Ensign de Leeuw, OlofF Ste- 
 vensen, and Gysbert Op Dyck, commissaries, and Jan Evert- 
 sen Bout, and Jacob Stoffellsen, delegates, attended, to take 
 some of the friendly Indians into the public service, and employ 
 
 ' Hoi. Doc. ii., 368-395. A translation of the above report will be found, at 
 length, in Appendix E. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 355 
 
 them against the enemy. Whiteneywen, sachem of the chap. 
 Mockgonecocks, from Long Island, was therefore engaged, ^ — 
 with forty-seven of his warriors, and dispatched by water, ^^y' 
 with a commission to do all in his power " to beat and destroy 24. 
 the hostile tribes." He returned in a few days, empowered May 
 by Rockow, surnamed the Greatest, chief of the Cotsjewan- 
 nincks ; Mamawicktow, chief of Cotsteyick ; Weyrinteninck, 
 chief of Meranta-hacky, to declare that he and they had taken 
 under their protection the villages of Ouheew-hacky, Suchta- 
 hacky, Sichetany-hacky, Nisingqueeg-hacky, (at which place 
 the Matinecocks were then residing,)^ and Rechou-hacky, all 
 which desired to make peace with the Dutch, for whom he 
 pledged himself, that neither they nor any of their tribes 
 should in any way injure the Christians ; but, on the contrary, 
 treat them with respect, and as a proof of his sincerity, he 
 now proffered " the head and hand of one of our enemies." A 
 treaty of peace was accordingly entered into with the forego- 
 ing tribes, in ratification of which a present was made to the 
 Sachem Whiteneywen, and pledges exchanged of eternal 
 amity.^ 
 
 Having thus succeeded in creating division among his ene- 
 mies, Kieft turned his attention to the propriety of securing 
 the friendship of the dreaded Mohawks residing around Fort 
 Orange, whose name alone inspired terror among all the tribes 
 west of the Connecticut, over whom they claimed to be sove- 
 reign, and from whom they exacted tribute. With this view, 
 he repaired, with Counsellor La Montague, to that post. 
 Here, assisted by the officers and authorities of Rensselaers- 
 wyck, he succeeded in negotiating a treaty not only with that 
 powerful nation — the strongest and fiercest of the country — 
 but with the Mohegans, or Mahicanders, and the other neigh- 
 boring tribes. To make suitable presents to the savages, in 
 token of the ratification of this peace, Kieft was, however, 
 
 ' The Matinecock Indians claimed jurisdiction over the lands east of New- 
 town as far as the west line of Smithtown, and probably to the west side of 
 Nissaguag River, which falls into Smithtown Bay in the Sound. They had 
 large settlements at Flushing, Glen Cove, Cold Spring, Huntington, and Cow 
 Harbor, and were considered a wealthy tribe. 
 
 » Alb. Rec. ii., 298, 300, 301. 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK obliged to borrow money, so low were his funds at this period, 
 among others, from Adriaen Van der Donck, sheriff of Rens- 
 selaersAvyck.* 
 
 July These precautions had the effect of persuading the remain- 
 ing outstanding tribes of the utter hopelessness of any further 
 opposition. Philip de Truy, the court-messenger, was short- 
 
 Aug. ly after ordered to invite the citizens to assemble in the fort 
 on the next day, at the hoisting of the colors and the ringing 
 of the bell, to hear the articles of the proposed treaty of peace 
 read, when, they were assured, " if any one could give good 
 advice, he might then declare his opinions freely." All the 
 citizens answered kindly " except one Hendrick Kip, a tailor." 
 He had already suggested the propriety of deposing Director 
 Kieft, and the sturdy burgher was not now willing to do him 
 any honor. 
 
 Aug. At the hour appointed, the sachems of the surrounding 
 30 
 
 tribes ; Oratany, chief of the Hackingsacks, Sessekennick and 
 Willem, chiefs of the Tappaans and of Rechgawawank, Pa- 
 cham and Pennekeck, who answered for Onany, Majanwette- 
 nemin, Marechhawick, Nyack, and their neighbors on Long 
 Island, and Aepjen, chief of the Mohegans, who spoke for the 
 Wappinecks, the Wechquaesqueecks, the Sintsings, and the 
 Kichtawancks, seated themselves, silent and grave, in front of 
 Fort Amsterdam before the Director-general and his council 
 and the whole commonalty ; and there, having religiously 
 smoked the great calumet, concluded, " in the presence of the 
 sun and of the ocean," a solemn and durable peace with the 
 Dutch, which both the contracting parties reciprocally bound 
 themselves honorably and firmly to maintain and observe. 
 
 By this treaty, the Indians pledged themselves to apply, in 
 case of difficulty or difference with the Christians, to the au- 
 thorities at New Amsterdam for satisfaction, while the latter 
 promised to complain to the proper sachem, should any Indian 
 be guilty of aggression, so that justice may be directly ad- 
 ministered on the guilty. No Indian should for the future 
 approach, armed, the dwellings of the Christians on Manhat- 
 
 ' Van der Donck's New Neth. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans. (2d Ser.) i., 127, 161 ; 
 Alb. Rec. viii., 80. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 357 
 
 tan Island ; and the Dutch, on their part, engaged not to visit ^^^^ 
 the Indian villages with their guns, except conducted thither ^j^^^ 
 by one of the aborigines. Finally, the latter promised to con- 
 duct the English girl, the daughter of the late Mrs. Hutchin- 
 son, v^rhom they retained in captivity, to Stamford, to be sur- 
 rendered to the inhabitants of that place, or else to convey her 
 in safety to Fort Amsterdam, vvrhere the Dutch guarantied to 
 pay the ransom vi^hich the English had promised for the 
 maiden. 
 
 The ratification of this important treaty terminated, to the 
 great joy of high and low, the disastrous and unrighteous war 
 which had been waged, with but a short interval of five ' 
 months, between the Indians and the Dutch, from July, 1640, 
 to August, 1645, to the incalculable injury of the colony, to 
 the manifest displeasure of the authorities in Holland, and in 
 violation of the received laws of nations. At its conclusion, 
 there were found around the Manhattans, besides private tra- 
 ders, no more than one hundred men, so desolating were its 
 effects on the population ; while the Indians were several thou- 
 sands strong, and the New England colonies contained be- 
 tween fifty and sixty thousand souls. In celebration of the 
 happy event, and in order "to proclaim the good tidings 
 throughout New Netherland," the sixth of September was Aug. 
 ordered to be observed, in the several English and Dutch 
 churches, as a day of general thanksgiving, that God Al- 
 mighty might be praised for the numerous blessings which he 
 had been pleased, by his grace and mercy, to bestow on the 
 country.^ 
 
 Advantage was taken of the re-establishment of good under- Sept. 
 
 10 
 
 standing with the natives, to purchase from the Long Island 
 Indians the lands extending along the North River from Cony- 
 nen, or Rabbits Island, to Gowanus, and to Weymit Spritten 
 which were now added to the public domain. And Thomas 
 Ffarrington, John Townsend, William Lawrence, Robert 
 Ffirman, and others, who were forced to remove from Mas- 
 sachusetts in the spring of this year, obtained a patent, 
 shortly after the peace, for sixteen thousand acres of land Oct. 19. 
 
 » Alb. Rec. ii., 312, 314, 315, 316, 317 ; iv., 11 ; Hoi. Doc. iii., 365 ; iv., 41. 
 
358 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK to the east of Mespath, which was duly incorporated by 
 ^'v-^ the title of Vlissingen, after the ancient trading-city of that 
 ^Dec^' J^Eime situated on the island of Walcheren. A patent, convey- 
 19- ing equally liberal municipal privileges, was granted two 
 months afterwards to the town of Gravenzande.^ 
 
 While Kieft was engaged concluding these various treaties, 
 he received instructions from Holland to turn his attention to 
 the mineral wealth of the province. Ores of copper, iron, and 
 lead had been already discovered in various parts, specimens 
 of some of which had been conveyed to Europe by private in- 
 dividuals. The Director-general was therefore ordered to 
 • forward specimens of the various metals to the company, for 
 the purpose of being tested. The first opportunity which of- 
 fered for complying with these instructions, was during the 
 negotiation of the peace at Fort Orange with the Mohawks. 
 The Indian interpreter was observed to paint his face, after the 
 fashion of his nation. The Director-general obtained a speci- 
 men of the substance which was used on that occasion. It 
 was remarkably heavy, and of a greasy, shining appearance. 
 Suspecting it to be some valuable mineral, he caused it to be 
 subjected, in a crucible, to the action of a strong heat. The 
 result of the experiment was encouraging. It yielded, in ap- 
 pearance, " two pieces of gold, worth about three guilders." 
 July An oflScer, with a few men, was sent to the mountain where 
 the sample was obtained, for a quantity of the metal, which, 
 having been procured, was tested in the same manner as the 
 first, and pronounced equally good ; and so it was. For 
 though not exactly gold, it was, equally, iron pyrites. Some 
 time afterwards, samples of other minerals, found in one of the 
 ■^ug. Nevesink mountains, near the Raritain, were brought by some 
 
 ' Thompson's Long Island ii., 67, 68, 178 ; a volume of " Letters in Gov. 
 Stuyvesant's time," in the Secretary of State's office, Albany, contains " sev- 
 eral orders agreed upon by the inhabitants of Gravesende att several times," 
 from which it appears that the first patentees of that town held a meeting about 
 this time att Amorsforte, at which they determined to fence in a certain quan- 
 titie of land to containe 8 and 20 shares. The said 8 and 20 shares were divided 
 by lott, and every one was enjoyned, on penalty of forfeiture of the land, to 
 build and inhabit in the towne by a day agreed uppon, for the mutual strength- 
 ening of one another, " for the peace with the Indians being new and rawe, 
 their was still feares of theyr vprising to warre." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 359 
 
 Indians, which having been deemed valuable, a party were chap. 
 sent out to explore the locality, and Kieft expressed the reso- ^^^^ 
 iution to build a fort in the neighborhood, to secure the treasure, 
 should the mines prove advantageous. " A few samples of a cer- 
 tain mineral which yielded'' (what was represented to be) " gold 
 and quicksilver," was the result of this exploring expedition ; 
 and so sanguine now became the Director-general of realizing 
 a rich harvest in this new field, that an officer and thirty men 
 were dispatched to continue the search, with orders to send as Oct. 12. 
 large a quantity as possible of the minerals to Fort Amster- 
 dam. Samples of the whole were sent to Holland by way of 
 New Haven. The vessel sailed at Christmas or New Year's, Dec. 
 but the treasure never reached its destination. The ship 
 foundered at sea. Arent Corssen, Kieft's messenger, was 
 drowned, and " misfortune attended all on board." This ac- 
 cident did not, however, discourage the Dutch authorities. 
 The directors at Amsterdam promised to send out a properly 
 qualified person to examine and report on the iron mine dis- 
 covered at Staten Island and near the Raritan, for they still 
 entertained the hope that the prosecution of the search would 
 prove of advantage to the company.^ 
 
 But while these authorities were thus engaged, circum- 
 stances had unexpectedly occurred in other portions of the 
 company's possessions, which influenced considerably future 
 arrangements regarding New Netherland. 
 
 Petrus Stuyvesant, Director of Cura9oa, determined, in 1644. 
 the beginning of 1644, to make an attack on the island of St. 
 Martin, then in the possession of the Portuguese, with a view 
 to reduce that place. He accordingly laid siege to the capi- 
 tal, which he continued closely to invest for the space of 
 twenty-eight days. But he was eventually obliged to abandon April 4. 
 his object, succor having been thrown into the town by the en- 
 emy. In the course of these operations, he happened to re- 
 ceive a severe wound in the knee, which obliged him to return 
 the following autumn to Holland, to obtain surgical aid, the Sept. 
 hot climate of Cura^oa having been found unfavorable to the 
 recovery of his health. He embarked accordingly in the 
 
 » V«i der Donck's Descript. of N. N. Hoi. Doc. ii., 362, 363 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 
 262, 312, 318, 323 ; xii., 397. Magiialia, B. i. c. 6. 
 
360 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Milkmaid, but a violent storm overtook the vessel in the Brit- 
 III. 
 
 ish Channel. The supply of fresh v^rater was then found to be 
 * reduced to about two hogsheads for sixty-one persons, the 
 number on board at the time, many of whom were laboring 
 under scurvy. The vessel was therefore forced to put into the 
 first harbor in Ireland, whence Stuyvesant passed over in 
 safety to Holland. His health was so far improved in the 
 course of the next summer, that the company concluded to ap- 
 point him, instead of Mr. Van Dinclage, Director-general of 
 New Netherland, the expenses of which government, as well 
 as of Stuyvesant's outfit, the Assembly of the XIX. had now 
 
 July 6. agreed to divide, in common, among all the Chambers, instead 
 of confining it to that of Amsterdam, which last department, 
 however, charged itself to equip two vessels to convey the new 
 Director-general and his suite to the Manhattans. 
 Sept. General Stuyvesant submitted, some time after, to the As- 
 sembly of the XIX., then in session at Middleburg, a memorial 
 containing various suggestions for the better management of 
 the company's interests in their transatlantic territories. This, 
 together with the instructions drawn up, in conformity with the 
 suggestions contained in the report already referred to, for the 
 guidance of the Director-general, and for the future govern- 
 ment of New Netherland, was submitted to a special com- 
 mittee, which, after a laborious and protracted sitting, reported 
 
 Oct. 12. resolutions that revolutionized, in a manner, the whole trade 
 of the colony. 
 
 From the first incorporation of the West India Company to 
 the commencement of Kieft's administration, this trade, both 
 internally with the Indians, and externally with the mother 
 country, was a close monopoly, exclusively carried on by the 
 company and its servants. A change took place in 1639, 
 when a modification was introduced so far as to open the in- 
 ternal trade to all subjects of the States General, and of foreign 
 powers at peace with the Dutch Republic. The carrying 
 trade between Holland and America was still retained by the 
 West India Company, or permitted only to vessels belonging 
 to Patroons or other privileged persons. It was now deter- 
 Oct.l4. mined to throw this open to the ships of private merchants^ and 
 to permit these, in future, to carry merchandise and other freight 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 361 
 
 to New Netherland and the other Dutch American colonies, chap. 
 
 VII. 
 
 under certain regulations. The principal object of these seems 
 to have been the concentration of all colonial commerce at ^' 
 New x\.msterdam, for it was ruled that all merchandise sent to 
 New Netherland, or to countries there adjoining, should first 
 of all be conveyed to the above port, before being carried else- 
 where, in order that the ships' papers should be there exam- 
 ined and registered, the vessels visited, and all contraband trade 
 prevented. All return cargoes were likewise to be brought 
 to the Manhattans, from whence the homeward-bound vessels 
 were to clear, giving notice, at the time, of the port in Holland 
 to which they were destined, and binding themselves to pay 
 the duties on their return cargoes into that chamber from which 
 they originally received a permit or license to make the voy- 
 age ; they were not to break bulk, from the time they should 
 leave New Amsterdam until their arrival at their port of des- 
 tination in Fatherland, to which they were to proceed in as di- 
 rect a course as possible, without touching at any other place, 
 on pain of forfeiting ship and cargo. It was further determin- 
 ed to place Cura^oa, Aruba, and the other adjoining islands 
 under the superintendence of the Director-general of New 
 Netherland, and to reduce the company's establishment at the 
 first-named place to a Vice-director and one hundred and fif- 
 teen persons. The committee stated, at the same time, that 
 it would be much more advantageous to the company to aban- 
 don that island altogether, if such could possibly be done, with 
 the consent of the States General. 
 
 Difference of opinion now ensued among the directors. 
 Eventually, the arrangements agreed upon in July were re- 
 considered. Some of the chambers objected to pay their share 
 of the expenses attendant on the change of management, and 
 the consequence was, the department of Amsterdam retained, 
 illegally and contrary to the wishes of the other chambers, (as it 
 was alleged,) the exclusive administration of the affairs of New 
 Netherland. General Stuyvesant's departure was indefinitely 
 postponed, and the colony continued for over twelve months 
 more under the mismanagement of Willem Kieft.^ 
 
 » Hoi. Doc. iii., 33, 40, 42, 46, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 ; v., 124; viii., 153 ; 
 Alb. Rec. viii., 39, 40 ; xii., 45, 46, 47, 48, 63, 70. 
 
 46 
 
362 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Fruits of faction — Quarrel between the Rev. Mr. Bogardus and Director Kieft 
 — Progress of affairs at the South River — Sufferings of the first Swedish col- 
 onists — Resolve to abandon the river and to remove to Manhattans — Are 
 prevented by the opportune arrival of additional supplies and settlers — Bound- 
 aries of New Sweden — Royal appropriations for its support — Printz appointed 
 governor — His salary — Strength of the Swedish establishment on the Dela- 
 ware — Its annual expense — Dutch force at Fort Nassau — Instructions to 
 Printz — Swedish forts on the South River — Swedes seize the Indian 
 trade — Loss accruing to the Dutch in consequence — Seizure of a Swedish 
 vessel in Holland — Proceedings attendant thereupon — Hudde appointed com- 
 missary at Fort Nassau — Some Dutch merchants send a venture to the 
 South River — Their vessels ordered ofTby the Swedes — Several Dutch freemen 
 receive grants of land on the Delaware — Measures taken to extinguish In- 
 dian titles — Company's arms erected on the spot — Swedes tear them down, 
 and protest against the Dutch, who reply — High-handed measures of the 
 Swedish governor — The Dutch traders appeal to New Amsterdam — Renewal 
 of the controversy between Kieft and New Haven — Continued misunder- 
 standing on the Connecticut — Correspondence with the commissioners of the 
 United Colonies — The Director-general refers the matters to Holland — In- 
 structions from the West India Company — Patents for new colonies at 
 Kattskill and Yonckers — Breukelen obtains manorial rights and municipal 
 privileges. 
 
 BOOK The spirit of faction, which the war engendered, had, 
 among other bad consequences, the eflfect of destroying the 
 
 1646. j^g^pjyj^Qj^y good undcrstanding which had previously existed 
 among the small number of citizens who resided in New Am- 
 sterdam. The Rev. Everardus Bogardus had, from the be- 
 ginning, been suspected of siding with the commonalty and 
 their representatives, in their differences with the Director- 
 general. A rupture between the latter and the minister was 
 the result, which eventuated now in a public quarrel, to the 
 great scandal and affliction of the staid and religious portion 
 of the community. 
 
 The habits of the Rev. Mr. Bogardus had been, unfortu- 
 nately, far from temperate ; his passions were consequently 
 violent, and oftentimes his language coarse and unbridled. 
 He had already had a personal quarrel with Director Van 
 Twiller, towards whom he had behaved in an indecorous man- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 363 
 
 ner, attacking him even from the pulpit, which he is accused chap. 
 of having ascended in a state of inebriety. IQ4S 
 
 Director Kieft, as much, perhaps, to vent an old spleen 
 as to check this disorderly conduct, had already taken Bogar- 
 dus to task, at the house of the attorney-general, in the early 
 part of the past year, for having gone into the pulpit " drunk." 
 He took occasion, also, to accuse him of uniting with the 
 greatest criminals in the country ; of taking their part ; of 
 defending them ; of embracing the cause of Maryn Adriaen- 
 sen, who had attempted to assassinate the Director-general, 
 and of writing in favor of malecontents. The minister ill- 
 brooked this reprimand. He attacked Kieft on the following 
 Sabbath from the pulpit " in the most brutal manner." " What," 
 he asked, " are the great men of the country but receptacles 
 of wrath — fountains of wo and trouble ? Nothing is thought 
 of but to plunder other people's property — to dismiss — to 
 banish — to transport to Holland." These hard hits at Kieft's 
 public acts told. " To avoid giving greater scandal, the Direc- 
 tor-general no longer assisted in the congregation." But his 
 absence from church did not save him. At weddings, at 
 christenings, in church and out of church, Bogardus spared 
 him not. In vain Kieft admonished him by letter. Bogardus 
 refused to receive his letters, and persisted in his attacks. 
 " When you preached on the 22d of last December," writes 
 the Director-general to him, " you publicly stated that you 
 had often administered the Lord's Supper without partaking 
 of it, and that you wished those who were the cause of this 
 separation were cut off, for when the customary house-visiting 
 is performed, they cannot give reasons for their continued ab- 
 sence. Your bad tongue is, in our opinion, the only cause, 
 and your obstinacy that of its continuance, with those who 
 encourage you to proceed in that road. On the 24th Decem- 
 ber, you informed your congregation how in Africa, ' owing to 
 the intense heat, different animals copulate there together, by 
 which various monsters are generated. But you knew not,' 
 you added, ' from whence, in such temperate chmates as ours, 
 such monsters of men are produced. They are the mighty 
 ones,' you said, 'but it was desirable that they were weak.' 
 Children might tell to whom you here alluded. Similar ser- 
 
364 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK mons, in which you have frequently indulged, have occasioned 
 our absence from church." 
 
 Having thus, and in a number of other articles, enumerated 
 the various misdeeds Vi^hich he charged against the minister, 
 Director Kieft thus concluded his " New Year's offering :" 
 
 Jan. 2. " Inasmuch as your duty and oath imperiously demand the 
 maintenance of the magistracy ; • and whereas your conduct 
 stirs the people to mutiny and rebellion, when they are already 
 too much divided — causes schisms and abuses in the church, 
 and makes us a scorn and a laughing-stock to our neighbors, 
 all which cannot be tolerated in a country where justice is 
 maintained, therefore our sacred duty imperiously requires of 
 us to prosecute you in a court of justice, and we have accord- 
 ingly ordered a copy of these, our deliberations, to be deliver- 
 ed to you, to answer in fourteen days," 
 
 A controversy, opened by a bill of indictment, could not 
 well be passed unnoticed. Bogardus, who had hitherto re- 
 turned Kieft's missals unopened, was now forced to reply ; 
 
 Jan. 3. but his answers were declared useless and absurd ; filled with 
 Jan. idle subterfuge, calumnies, and injuries ; a profanation of 
 God's holy word, to vilify justice and the magistrate, and he 
 was ordered to send in a more explicit answer. But finding 
 that his answers were already considered unsatisfactory and 
 " insolent," Bogardus, after repeated replies, wisely declined 
 proceeding any further in " a deep discussion of this affair 
 
 March and Kieft found himself embarrassed in a prosecution in which 
 the charges were matter rather for investigation by the church, 
 than by the state. In order to obviate all pretext of slander, 
 he now invested the Rev, Mr. Megapolensis and the Rev. 
 Mr. Doughty, both ministers of the Gospel, and two or three 
 other impartial persons, with power to decide the matter in 
 issue, provided Bogardus consented, previously, to abide by 
 their judgment, (which the Director-general, on his part, prom- 
 ised to do,) and not to offend the latter, directly or indirectly, 
 in public or in private. This proposal Bogardus rejected, and 
 April appealed to the new Director and council, whose appointment, 
 it seems, had already become known in the colony. Kieft, 
 however, would not allow of this appeal, as it was not certain 
 when the new Director should arrive, and ordered the prose- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 365 
 
 cution to proceed, " to put a stop to the scandal and disorder ciiap. 
 which were prevaihng more and more." But friends interfered 
 in the mean time. The Director-general made a last appeal 
 to the minister to be reconciled, and requested him to permit 
 the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis to preach in the church on the 
 following Sabbath, " as was his usual custom when in New 
 Amsterdam," so that Kieft might hear him. This request 
 was granted, and the quarrel terminated, like all such misun- 
 derstandings, to the apparent satisfaction of all the parties 
 concerned, and seemingly for want of food to nourish iti 
 
 The interests of the Dutch on the South River had, all this ' 
 time, been subjected to serious damage at the hands of the 
 Swedes. Though the West India Company had obtained 
 complete control of the mouth of the Delaware, by the pur- 
 chase, from the Patroons and their associates, in the year 
 1635, of the colonic of Zwanendal, for the sum of fifteen 
 thousand six hundred guilders, or #6240,^ the Swedish settlers 
 continued undisturbed in their possessions in that quarter, ever 
 since Kieft had protested against Minuit, and had managed, • 
 by underselling the Dutch with the Indians, to export no less 
 than thirty thousand skins in the course of the year succeed- 1689. 
 ing their first arrival in that country. 
 
 This competition, however, proved well nigh the ruin of 
 that infant colony. For, having received no support either 
 from the Swedish government or the Swedish West India 
 Company, the first emigrants were so reduced that they found 
 themselves, in the course of the second spring, necessitated 1640. 
 to choose one of two alternatives : to remain and perish, or to 
 abandon their settlement. Like prudent men, they made the 
 latter choice, and resolved to move in a body to the Manhat- 
 tans, the authorities at that place having given them every as- 
 surance of the most hospitable reception and entertainment. 
 But just on the eve of their departure, a Swedish ship hove 
 in sight, having on board Peter Holland, or Hollandaer, as Sept 
 deputy-governor, together with a considerable number of set- 
 Alb. Rec. ii., 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 343, 346, 347. 
 » For a translation of the deed passed between the Company and the Pa- 
 troons of Zwanendal on this occasion, and other papers, see Appendix S. 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK tiers, and a fresh supply of goods. The Swedes, much to 
 ^v-L. the chagrin of Director Kieft, now abandoned all idea of leav- 
 ing the South River, and purchased, it is said, from the Indi- 
 ans an additional quantity of land, extending as far as " a can- 
 non bullet shot" from Fort Christina, " over against Mekaquats- 
 hoe, eight miles above the present town of Burhngton." 
 They shortly after added also, by purchase, all the land from 
 the above fort to Duck Creek, where they erected, in token of 
 sovereignty, " the arms of the crown of Sweedland." Mounce 
 Kling, who had acted as deputy to Peter Minuit, followed 
 with two vessels, some time afterwards, and purchased Up- 
 land, Tinnecum, and several other places, and from this time 
 may be dated the permanent colonization of New Sweden.^ 
 1641. The limits of that province, as claimed by its government, 
 extended " from the borders of the Sea to Cape Henlopen 
 in returning southwest towards Godyn's Bay ; thence to- 
 wards the Great South River, as far as the Minquaaskil, 
 where Fort Christina is constructed ; and thence again to- 
 wards South River, and the whole to a place which the sav- 
 ages call Sankikan," now Trenton Falls. This district was 
 about thirty German miles in length. In width, " as much of 
 the country as they chose to take." 
 
 The Swedish authorities were not as indisposed as we might, 
 a priori, be led to infer, to the settlement of natives of Holland 
 within their jurisdiction. Mr. Henry Hochhammer obtained, 
 Jan. 24. in the early part of this year, a charter for the planting a colo- 
 
 O Q • • X CD 
 
 ' ■ nie on the east side of the Delaware, four or five miles distant 
 from Fort Christina, the provisions of which were, in most re- 
 spects, similar to that granted to Patroons in New Netherland. 
 
 Jan. Joost de Bogaerdt was commissioned bv Queen Christina com- 
 
 30 • • 
 
 mander of this colonic, with a yearly salary of five hundred 
 
 florins, or two hundred dollars, payable to his banker by the 
 
 Swedish resident at the Hague. For the more efficient sup- 
 
 * Extracten uyt versheyde missiven geschreven door Wm. Kieft ; MS cer- 
 tificate and deposition of certain ancient Swedes living on the west side of the 
 Delaware, 25th June, 1684. The said " ancient Swedes" declared, in another 
 deposition dated 11th January, 1683, that " the first of their nation that came 
 and planted in this river and the creeks thereunto belonging, did find the Dutch 
 possessed of said river." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 367 
 
 port of the province of New Sweden generally, Her Majesty ^^^p. 
 appropriated two millions, six hundred and nineteen dollars, to 
 
 1642. 
 
 be collected annually from the excise on tobacco, and the fines 
 imposed on those importing that weed into the kingdom with- 
 out license, and, in the summer of 1642, appointed John Aug. 
 Printz, (a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in her service,) as q. S. 
 governor of New Sweden for three years, at a yearly allow^- ^ 
 ance of twelve hundred silver dollars, placing at the same 
 time at his disposal, a force sufficient to support the rights of 
 her crown on the South River.^ 
 
 Governor Printz arrived in the Delaware in the fall of this 
 year, accompanied by two vessels, the Swan and the Fame, / 
 and a number of settlers. He was instructed to observe a 
 friendly demeanor towards the Dutch at Fort Nassau, "now 
 occupied by about twenty men ;" to explain to them the inten- 
 tions of the crown of Sweden in planting the South River, and 
 if the Dutch would respect the title of the latter, then to leave 
 them undisturbed in their possessions at Fort Nassau, and at 
 New Amsterdam, on the North River. But, on the contrary, 
 should any hostile disposition be evinced, then force should be 
 employed to repel it. He was likewise directed to claim that 
 part of the east coast from Cape Mey to the Narraticon, or 
 Raccoon Creek, (a few miles below the present city of Phila- 
 delphia,) including Hog Creek, where sixty Enghsh settlers 
 had commenced a plantation, but to respect the Dutch colonic 
 under the command of De Bogaerdt, and the privileges conceded 
 to them, obliging these, however, should he think proper, to 
 remove their settlement to a greater distance from Fort Chris- 
 tina, as they were but three German or twenty English miles 
 from that post. In his trade with the natives he was to treat 
 them " with much humanity and kindness," and " see that 
 
 ^Appropriation for the government of New Sweden, anno 1642. 1 Gover- 
 nor, 800 Rix dollars ; 1 Lieu. Governor, 192 ditto ; 1 Sergeant Major, 120 dit- 
 to ; 1 corporal, 72 ditto ; 1 gunner, 96 ditto ; 1 trumpeter, 72 ditto ; 1 drum- 
 mer, 60 ditto ; 24 soldiers, 1,152 ditto; 1 paymaster, 120 ditto ; 1 secretary, 
 96 ditto ; 1 barber, 120 ditto ; 1 provost, 72 ditto ; and one man, 48 ditto ; be- 
 ing an annual total of 3,020 Rix dollars. Beauchamp Plantagenet, in his De- 
 scription of New Albion, and Acrelius, in his Hist, of New Sweden, allude to 
 the above named Bogaerdt. In the translation of the latter work in the New 
 Series of N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans, p. 411, the name, however, is misspelled. 
 
368 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK neither violence nor injustice be done them." On the contrary, 
 he was to take care that they be instructed in the Christian re- 
 ligion, and furnished with whatever they required " at lower 
 prices than those they received from the Dutch or the English 
 their neighbors, so that they may by this means be disengaged 
 from these people, and accustomed more" to the Swedes. He 
 was particularly enjoined to turn his attention to the culture of 
 tobacco ; to inquire if silk-worms and silk could be raised there ; 
 to encourage the propagation of flocks of sheep and cattle, so 
 that " a considerable portion of good wool may be sent here," 
 and for the better securing of the trade in furs, to establish com- 
 missaries, and take especial care " that no person whomsoever 
 be permitted to trade in peltries with the Indians, but that this 
 be done in the name and on the account of the Swedish Com- 
 pany, by the agents appointed for that purpose." The culture 
 of the vine, the manufacture of salt, by evaporation, were also 
 enjoined, as well as the exploration of the mineral wealth of 
 the country. " A good quantity of oak and nut wood" was to 
 be sent to Sweden as ballast, as " we must also try if the nuts 
 by pressure may not furnish oil." The fisheries were also to 
 be attended to, the country cultivated, and the colony governed 
 " according to the laws, customs, and usages of Sweden," pun- 
 ishing by death or otherwise all offenders, " but not otherwise 
 than according to the ordinances and legal forms, and after 
 having sufficiently considered and examined the affair with the 
 most noted persons, such as the most prudent assessors of jus- 
 tice that he can find and consult in the country," Before all, 
 he was enjoined to " labor and watch that he render in all things 
 to Almighty God the true worship which is his due, the glory, 
 the praise, and the homage which belong to him, and to take 
 good measures that the Divine service is performed according 
 to the true confession of Augsburg, the Council of Upsal, and 
 the ceremonies of the Swedish church, having care that all 
 men, and especially the youth, be well instructed in all the 
 parts of Christianity, and that a good ecclesiastical discipline 
 be observed and maintained." The Dutch colonic established 
 within her majesty's hmits must not, however, be disturbed in 
 the rights guarantied to it in religious matters.' 
 
 » Hazard's Register of Penn. iv., 177, 178, 200, 219, 220,221, 314, 373 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 369 
 
 VIII. 
 
 1643. 
 
 Immediately on the arrival of this Swedish governor, he es- chap. 
 lablished his residence at Tinnicum, or New Gottenburg, situ- 
 ate some ten or twelve miles below Philadelphia, where he 
 erected a pretty strong fort, by laying heavy hemlock logs the 
 one on the other. To secure still more effectually the country 
 and its trade, he built at Hog or Salem Creek, on the east bank 
 of the river Delaware, near its mouth, a fort, which he called 
 Elsinburg, or Elsborg, and which he garrisoned with a lieu- 
 tenant and twelve men, and strengthened with six or eight 
 twelve-pounders. By means of this fort, he effectually secured 
 the mouth of the river ; and all vessels, no matter of what na- 
 tion, entering the Delaware, were obliged to lower their colors 
 and bring to here, to be visited until they obtained from Tin- 
 nicum Printz's permit to proceed. 
 
 Fort Christina, which Minuit had erected in 1638, and which 
 was situate on the west side, about half a mile up the Minquaas 
 Creek, commanded the passage to the country of the Min- 
 quaas. It was the principal Svi^edish trading-post, and contain- 
 ed a magazine well supplied with every description of mer- 
 chandise. The avenue to the Indian country was still further 
 secured by a third fort on an island at the mouth of the Schuyl- 
 kill, right in front of fort Beversrede, erected by the Dutch in 
 1633, and thus every valuable point was seized on and garri- 
 soned, so that finally no access to the Minquaas was left open 
 to the Dutch. The trade with the savages fell, consequently, 
 altogether under the control of the Swedes, and the Delaware 
 became of little or no value to their rivals, who maintained at 
 Fort Nassau, on the east bank of that river, a miserable trad- 
 ing-post, scantily supplied with goods or merchandise. 
 
 The loss experienced by the Dutch in consequence of being 
 thus, in a manner, driven from this valuable district, will be 
 more correctly estimated by reference to the opinions of wri- 
 ters on the spot. " We acknowledge freely," says Van der 
 Donck, "that we are unable fully to describe the value 
 and the advantages which this river possesses ; for in ad- 
 dition to the navigation and trade, which are great, there 
 are fourteen navigable rivers, creeks, and streams which fall 
 into this river. Some of these are large, and beatable to a 
 great distance, and may be well named rivers, as the ordi- 
 
 47 
 
370 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK nary tides flow several miles up the same, where the wa- 
 ^^v-^ ters meet and are fresh, and still remain wide and are tolerably 
 ^^^^* deep. There are also many streams, presenting rich and ex 
 tensive valleys, which afford good situations for villages and 
 towns. The river itself is roomy, wide, clean, clear, deep, 
 not foul nor stony, with good settings and anchorage. 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 floods and 
 freshets, except some reed land and marshes. Above the falls 
 the river divides into two large beatable 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 exam- 
 ined the river, and who have seen much of the world, not to 
 be surpassed by any other river that is known. Equalling in 
 many respects the celebrated river of the Amazons, although 
 not in greatness, yet in advantages with which this river and 
 the neighboring land are favored, we would regret to lose such 
 a jewel by the devices and hands of a few strangers," — mean- 
 ing the Swedes. 
 
 1644. The Dutch had, in truth, sufficient cause for such regret. 
 In the active prosecution of the advantages they had secured, 
 the Swedes freighted, this year, the Key of Calmar and the 
 Fame with two valuable cargoes, consisting of 2,127 packages 
 of beaver, and 70,421 lbs. of tobacco. In consequence, how- 
 ever, of the breaking out of war between Denmark and Swe- 
 den, and owing to stress of weather and other causes, these 
 ships were obliged to put into Harlingen, a seaport in the 
 province of Friesland, to revictual and repair. Immediately 
 
 Oct. 6. on their arrival, the West India Company, claiming the 
 
 sovereignty of the country in which the cargo was obtained, 
 
 placed officers on board, and demanded, by virtue of their 
 
 charter and of other privileges granted them by the States 
 
 General, the payment of import duties on the cargoes, and 
 
 eight per cent, additional accruing to them, as recognitions, 
 
 on all goods purchased and brought to Holland from their 
 
 transatlantic possessions. This demand gave rise to a lengthy 
 
 Oct. and rather warm correspondence between the Swedish ambas- 
 29 
 
 sador at the Hague and the States General, in which the for- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 371 
 
 mer laid claim to the country around the South River, by right chap. 
 of purchase, preoccupation, and lawful possession, and main- 
 tained that no other power had any just pretension there. He 
 protested, also, against the detention of these vessels belong- 
 ing to the King his Master, on the ground that it was a viola- 
 tion of existing treaties between both countries, which guar- 
 antied to the ships of either power, freedom of commerce to 
 the east and north seas ; and qualified it as an unjustifiable 
 piece of insolence, affecting in a serious degree the respect 
 due to his Swedish Majesty, who never visited nor searched 
 any of their High Mightinesses' ships touching at his ports, 
 whether prizes or not, whatever were the goods or cargoes 
 with which they were freighted ; and concluded by demand- 
 ing the removal of the company's officers, and that no part of 
 the ships' cargoes should be disposed of for payment of 
 the recognitions, as he categorically refused to pay any such 
 exaction. 
 
 This representation had, eventually, such effect, that their 
 High Mightinesses ordered the discharge of the cargoes, on 
 payment simply of the customary import duties, but without 
 the exaction of the eight per cent, recognitions by the West 
 India Company.^ 
 
 The question of the right of sovereignty over the South 
 River and the land thereabout was not discussed, and matters 
 continued, in that quarter, in an unsettled and in quite an un- 
 satisfactory position. 
 
 The authorities at Fort Amsterdam were not, however, dis- 1646. 
 posed to sit quietly down and allow the valuable trade of that 
 rich section of the country to be wrested entirely out of their 
 hands, without making some effort to save, at least, a portion 
 thereof. Jan Jansen van Ilpendam, the commissary in that 
 quarter, had been found guilty of fraud, and manifested other- Feb. 
 wise an unfitness for his situation, " having paid the Indians 
 too high a price for furs." He was therefore removed, and 
 Andreas Hudde was ordered to the South River, to superin- 
 tend the company's commercial interests in that quarter. 
 
 • Alb. Rec. xvii., 321 ; Acrelius, Hist. New Sweden; Hoi. Doc. ii., 340, 341, 
 342-345, 350-361 ; iv., 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 18. 
 
372 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK This functionary had not been long at his new post, when 
 
 Jl^^ he became embroiled with the Swedish governor, who now, 
 ' claiming supreme authority over the whole of that country, 
 would not allow any Dutch merchants to trade, nor, indeed, 
 any Dutch farmers to settle on or about that river. 
 
 A number of enterprising residents of New Amsterdam had 
 dispatched a vessel to the Delaware, with a cargo to be ex- 
 changed with the Indians for furs, corn, and other barter. On 
 
 June its arrival, Hudde ordered it to the Schuylkill, there to await 
 the Minquaas. But Skipper Blanck, who commanded the 
 sloop, had scarcely cast anchor, when he was ordered off by a 
 Swedish officer. In vain did Hudde represent that the place 
 had been always a rendezvous for traders ; in vain did he 
 counsel discretion — inquire by what authority the company 
 was forbidden to trade there ; and, finally, plead the alliance 
 which existed between their High Mightinesses the States 
 General and the Swedish Crown. Printz peremptorily order- 
 July 1. ed the skipper to quit the place, and threatened to confiscate 
 his ship and cargo if he disobeyed. As the Dutch commis- 
 sary could not afford any protection in the premises, and as 
 the Swedish commander manifested every disposition to exe- 
 cute his threat. Skipper Blanck withdrew, and nothing was 
 
 July left to Hudde but to report the matter to his superiors at 
 Fort Amsterdam. 
 
 Governor Printz manifested his jealousy of the Dutch in 
 every possible way, and as he was instructed to preserve the 
 monopoly of the Indian trade, which commerce was the great 
 bone of contention in those days, he endeavored to instil the 
 same feeling into the minds of the natives. To effect this pur- 
 pose the more certainly, he spread a rumor among the Indians 
 that the Dutch intended to build a fort near " the great falls" 
 (of Trenton,) to be garrisoned by two hundred and fifty men ; 
 that they would slaughter all the Indians on the lower part of 
 the river, and, by means of the proposed post, prevent those 
 above coming to the assistance of their brethren situated be- 
 low. So effectually did he succeed in spreading alarm through- 
 out the villages of the Indians, that the latter opposed every 
 attempt which Hudde made to penetrate into the interior, when 
 he attempted, in pursuance to orders received from the Direc- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 373 
 
 tor-general, to proceed to the upper part of the country to ex- chap. 
 
 plore that section for minerals. — 
 
 1 646 
 
 It was in this state of things that Abraham Verplanck, Simon ^^^^ * 
 Root, Jan Andriessen, and Pieter Harmanse, obtained a grant 
 of land on the west side of the South River, "lying almost over 
 against the little island called 'Vogelsang' or singing bird 
 (now Egg) island," for the purpose of making four plantations 
 there, conditionally that the grant should be void if they did 
 not settle on it within a year. Commissary Hudde received 
 orders to extinguish by purchase the Indian title to the soil. Sept 7. 
 Hudde concluded the purchase, and erected, with the consent 
 of the natives, and as was the custom on such occasions, the 
 arms of the company, on the spot on which the Dutch freemen 
 were making preparations to build. This proceeding excited 
 fresh opposition on the part of the Swedes. They tore down Oct. 8. 
 the company's ensign, declaring, at the same time, that they 
 should have pulled down the colors of their High Mightinesses, 
 had even these been raised on Swedish soil,^ Governor Printz 
 followed up this aggression by this emphatic protest : — 
 
 "Andreas Hudde! I remind you again, by this written Oct. 10. 
 warning, to discontinue the injuries of which you have been 
 guilty against the Royal Majesty of Sweden, my most gracious 
 Queen; against Her Royal Majesty's rights, pretensions, soil, 
 and land, without showing the least respect to Her Royal 
 
 • In corroboration of the above insult offered to the Dutch flag, we meet with 
 the following passage in Van der Donck : — " The arms of their High Mighti- 
 nesses were erected over Machchachansio, among the Sankikans, by order of 
 Director Kieft, in token that the river, with all the adjoining country, and sur- 
 rounding lands and soil, remained under the power and possession of their High 
 Mightinesses. But what fruit did this bear, save lasting reproach to the coun- 
 try and lessening of respect ? For the Swedes, with an insolence intolerable, 
 tore them down ; and now that they are allowed to remain so, it is considered, 
 especially by their governor, to have been a Roman achievement. It is very 
 true that several protests have been made as well against this, as against other 
 occurrences, but they have had as much effect as the flight of a crow overhead. 
 And it is supposed that if this governor had a supply of men, we should have as 
 much trouble with him as we have had with the English, or any of their gov- 
 ernors. This, in fine, is what appertains to the Swedes, about whom the com- 
 pany's officers can make pertinent declaration, for we further refer to all the 
 papers, documents, and journals which remain in their hands." Vertoogh van 
 N.N. 
 
* 
 
 374 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Majesty's magnificence, reputation, and dignity ; and to do so 
 ^ — no more, considering how little it would be becoming Her 
 1646, j^^y^i ]y[ajesty to bear such gross violence, and what great 
 disasters might originate from it ; yea, might be expected. 
 Secondly, with what reluctance, as I think, your nation, or 
 your masters would, for such a trifle, come into collision with 
 Her Royal Majesty, as you have no shadow of right for this 
 your gross conduct ; particularly, for your secret and unlawful 
 purchase of land from the savages, by which you evidently 
 betrayed your conviction of the justice, equity, and antiquity 
 of your pretended claims, of which you so loudly boasted, and 
 which, by this purchase, have been brought to light ; showing 
 clearly that you had no shadow of right to that place, of which 
 you have taken possession, no more than to others on this river 
 which you now claim, in which, however, you were never mo- 
 lested by her Royal Majesty or her plenipotentiaries. All this 
 I can freely bring forward in my own defence, to exculpate 
 me from all future calamities, of which we give you a warn- 
 ing, and place it at your account. Dated New Gothenburg, 
 30th Sept. stil. veteri. 1646." 
 
 Printz followed up his protest, by forbidding the Swedes 
 to transact any business with the Dutch. Hudde, on the other 
 Oct. 22. hand, disclaimed all intention of encroaching on the rights of 
 the Swedes, or to act in an unjust and clandestine manner. 
 " The place we possess we hold in just deed," he rephed, 
 " perhaps before the name of the South River was heard of in 
 Sweden." He complained of the insolent and hostile manner 
 with which the arms of the company had been torn down, and 
 of the insulting declaration that, had they been the colors of 
 the Prince of Orange, they should have been trampled under 
 foot. He warned Printz that these proceedings would event- 
 ually cause great calamities ; protested his innocence of all 
 disasters that might follow, and concluded by impressing on 
 his attention that, as Christians, they should not, by their dis- 
 agreements, render themselves a stumbling-block or laughing- 
 stock to the savage heathens. 
 
 This paper obtained a very cavalier reception from the 
 Swedish commander. He flung it on the ground, ordering one 
 of his attendants to take charge of it, and when Hudde's mes- 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 375 
 
 senger requested an answer to the letter of which he had been chap. 
 the bearer, Printz (whom De Vries describes as a man who ^^v^ 
 weighed upwards of four hundred pounds, and drank three 
 drinks at every meal) threw the Dutchman out of doors, and 
 having taken a gun from the wall, threatened to shoot him, 
 which, however, was fortunately prevented by the timely in- 
 terference of the bystanders. 
 
 In this wise was the general behavior of the Swedes towards 
 the Dutch on the South River at this period. Whenever any 
 of the latter visited Printz's head-quarters, they were sure to 
 be abused in an unwarrantable manner, and frequently returned 
 " bloody and bruised." Commissary Hudde urged, in vain, 
 rights acquired by prior possession. The Swedish Governor 
 answered him with a profane jeer : — " The devil was the 
 oldest possessor in hell, yet he, notwithstanding, would some- 
 times admit a younger one," — with other language equally 
 coarse, expressing, at the same time, the greatest contempt for 
 the States General, as well as for the commissions issued by 
 the company, under the authority derived from their High 
 Mightinesses. To such a pitch did this insolence proceed at 
 last, that the Dutch traders who resorted to the Delaware, 
 complained to the commissary in the strongest terms, and 
 obliged him to forward to the Director-general and council 
 at New Amsterdam, a remonstrance oh their part against 
 the annoyances to which they were subjected, together with 
 their claims for the redress of the various grievances which 
 they suffered.^ 
 
 In the mean time another controversy had sprung up with 
 the people of New Haven, which diverted the attention of the 
 Dutch, for the moment, from the encroachments of the 
 Swedes. Some of the inhabitants of that colony had pur 
 chased land from the Indians, between twenty and thirty 
 (Dutch) miles up the country, towards the northwest, some 
 twenty miles east of the North River, and about sixty miles 
 from Fort Orange, and built a trading-house there Director 
 
 ' Alb. Rec. xvii., 321, 322, et seq ; Hazard's Reg. iv., 119 ; Acrelius, New 
 Sweden. 
 
 * Van der Donck, in allusion to this post, has the following statement : — 
 " The English of New Haven have a trading-post on the east or southeast side 
 
376 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK Kieft, who was jealous of every movement of his Enghsh 
 neighbors, wrote in strong terms to Governor Eaton, claim- 
 
 Au^ 3" t^^^^ place as a part of New Netherland, and protesting 
 against such a settlement. He accused the New. Haven peo- 
 ple with entertaining an insatiable desire to possess that which 
 belonged to the Dutch ; with having, contrary to his protests, 
 against the law of nations, and in contravention of ancient 
 leagues between the kings of England and the States General, 
 indirectly entered the limits of New Netherland, and usurped 
 divers places therein. And, he continued, " because you and 
 yours have of late determined to fasten your foot near the 
 Mauritius River, in this province, and there not only to disturb 
 our trade, of no man hitherto questioned, and to draw it to 
 yourselves, but utterly to destroy it, we are compelled again 
 to protest ; and by these presents do protest against you, as 
 against public breakers of the peace and disturbers of the pub- 
 lic quiet." He concluded by threatening that if the New Ha- 
 ven people did not restore the places they had usurped, and 
 repair the losses which the Dutch had experienced, the latter 
 would manfully recover them by such means as God should 
 afford, holding the English responsible for all the evils that 
 might ensue. 
 
 Aug. To this letter Governor Eaton replied by the return of 
 22 . 
 
 Lieut. Baxter, Kieft's messenger. He utterly disclaimed all 
 
 knowledge of such a river as the Mauritius, and denied having, 
 at any time, formerly or latterly, entered upon any place to 
 which the Dutch had any known title, or, in any other re- 
 spect, injured them. He admitted that they had recently built 
 a small house within their own limits on " Paugussett 
 River,^ which falls into the sea in the midst of the English 
 plantations, many miles, nay, leagues, from the Manhattoes, 
 
 of Magdalen Island, not more than six (Dutch) miles from the North River ; 
 for this island lies towards the upper part of the North River, twenty -three 
 (Dutch) miles and a half higher up than Fort Amsterdam, on the east bank. 
 It is erected v/ith no other view than to encroach on the whole trade of the 
 North River, or to destroy it altogether, for it is now free for all to resort to." 
 Magdalen Island is on the east side of the Hudson's River, a little below Red- 
 hook, upper landing, Dutchess county. 
 
 ' The ancient Indian name of Derby, Conn., and of the river Naugattuck, 
 which empties into the Housatouic. Am. Hist. Mag. i. 203, note. 
 
NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 377 
 
 from the Dutch trading-house, or from any port on Hudson's 
 
 River," but that they had not built, even there, until they had ^^'^^ 
 
 1d4o» 
 
 first purchased a title from the true proprietors. Governor Ea- 
 ton next alluded to the injuries and outrages which the people of 
 New Haven had received, both at the Manhattans and on the 
 Delaware, at the hands of the Dutch ; he declared that, not- 
 withstanding all these injuries and the very unsatisfactory an- 
 swers Kieft had hitherto given to their various complaints, the 
 New Haven colony had, as he conceived, done nothing repug- 
 nant to the law of God, the law of nations, nor to the ancient 
 confederation and friendship between their superiors at home ; 
 and concluded by assuring the Director, that he was ready to 
 refer all differences between his people and the Dutch, for due 
 examination and adjudication, to any authorities, either in this 
 country or in Europe, feeling satisfied that his majesty, King 
 Charles, and the English parliament, then assembled, would 
 maintain their own rights against all unjust encroachments, and 
 that even Kieft's superiors would, on due and mature consid- 
 eration, approve the righteousness of the course pursued by 
 the New Haven people. 
 
 The commissioners of the New England colonies met at 
 New Haven shortly after this, when the above correspondence Sept. 9. 
 was duly laid before them. The people of Hartford embraced 
 the occasion of bringing forward, at the same time, several 
 accusations against the Dutch, who had " now grown to an 
 insufferable boldness" on the Connecticut, where they still 
 maintained a distinct establishment and an independent gov- 
 ernment at Fort Good Hope ; while the Hartford colony, on 
 the other hand, claimed obedience to-its laws from the inhab- 
 itants of that post, which, they averred, was established with- 
 in English territory. The Dutch were likewise charged 
 with having inveigled an Indian slave, who, having become 
 liable to public punishment, had fled from her master to the 
 Dutch fort, where she was protected, notwithstanding she had 
 been demanded by her master as his servant, and by the ma- 
 gistrates as a criminal. It was insinuated that she was retained 
 for purposes of wantonness, and as " such a servant was part 
 of her master's estate, and a more considerable part than a 
 beast," they insisted that she be restored, for their children 
 
 48 
 
378 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK would not lonff be secure if this were suifered. With this 
 III. " 
 
 conviction, the Hartford authorities had already dispatched a 
 
 guard to recover the woman, even by lorce ii necessary. 
 David Provost, the Dutch commissary, had, however, resisted 
 the guard, drew his rapier against them, and broke it on their 
 arms ; after which he withdrew into the fort, where he de- 
 fended himself, successfully, against these invaders, of what 
 he considered, his just jurisdiction. 
 
 These complaints having been duly heard, the commission- 
 Sept. gj.g considered it their duty to address Director Kieft concern- 
 ing them, which they did at some length, expressing, at the 
 same time, their great desire to examine carefully into the 
 various differences so long existing between their confederates 
 and the Dutch, in order that peace may be preserved. They 
 reminded him that the governor of Massachusetts had written 
 to him, some three years before, regarding the difficulties on 
 the Fresh River, to all which he had returned an ignoramus, 
 with an offensive addition which would be left to his better 
 consideration. They next recapitulated the recent occurren- 
 ces at Fort Hope, and declared that if the commissary had 
 been slain in the proud affront which he had given, his blood 
 would have been on his own head. Governor Eaton's an- 
 swer to Kieft's protest they considered fair and just, and then 
 expressed a hope that it would give satisfaction, and that they 
 should receive such a reply to their own dispatch, by the re- 
 turn of their special messenger, as would testify to them his 
 agreement with them " to embrace and pursue righteousness 
 and peace." 
 
 In the course of the following week, the messenger return- 
 ed with the answer of the Director-general and council, " To 
 the most noble and worthy Commissioners of the Federated 
 English met together at the Red Mounte, or New Haven, in 
 New Netherland," couched in strong and indignant terms. 
 Sept. The inhabitants of Hartford, they asserted, had deceived the 
 commissioners with false accusations, as could easily be prov- 
 ed, as well by English as by Dutch testimony, and other au- 
 thentic documents, if it were proper now to do so. A few 
 particulars out of such a mass would, however, suffice, " as by 
 the claw they may judge of the talons of the lion." 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 379 
 
 The Director-general then proceeded to rebut the several S^j^j^- 
 
 charges contained in the commissioners' letter. He maintain- -^"^ 
 
 1 646 
 
 ed that the shedding tlie blood of the Dutch, of which the 
 inhabitants of Hartford had been guilty, and the selling the 
 company's cattle, proved sufficiently the equity of their pro- 
 ceedings. " And therefore your prejudgment, supported by 
 this oath, Credo coxtius, as if you vi^ould say, Amen, Amen, 
 seems v^^onderful to us, and contrary to the modesty requisite 
 in such an assembly, which should always keep one ear for 
 the other party." He denied that the woman who had been 
 detained at Fort Hope was a slave. " She was neither taken 
 in war, nor bought with a price." She was placed with the 
 Director-general by her parents, to be educated. Notwith- 
 standing all this, he promised that she should not be wrong- 
 fully detained ; but whether her master should be indemnified, 
 or she restored, he insisted that she should be baptized be- 
 fore she be allowed to marry. As for the attack of the 
 Dutch commissary on the watch at Hartford, he considered 
 that as watches were for the defence of towns against ene- 
 mies, and not for the purpose of preventing friends returning 
 to their own houses, the most prudent policy would be, to 
 commit such a trust to men of experience, and not to ignorant 
 boys, who, when they once find arms placed in their hands, 
 think they may also lawfully cry out : — etiam nos poma nata- 
 mus. " Certainly," continues the Director-general, " when 
 we hear the inhabitants of Hartford complaining of us, we 
 seem to hear yEsop's wolf complaining of the lamb, or the 
 admonition of the young man who cried out to his mother, 
 chiding one of her neighbors, ' Oh, mother, mother ! revile 
 her, lest she first commence attacking you.'" As for the an- 
 swer of those of New Haven, it was such, he said, as he ex- 
 pected. " The eagle always despiseth the beetle-fly." He 
 continued, notwithstanding, determined undauntedly to pursue 
 his own right " by just arms and righteous means," and wound 
 up with these emphatic words : 
 
 " We protest against all you Commissioners met at the Red 
 Mount, as against breakers of the common league, and also 
 as infringers of the special rights of the Lords the States, our 
 superiors, in that ye have dared, without express commission, 
 
380 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK to hold your general meeting within the limits of New Neth- 
 erland." 
 
 With this missile, the commissioners, as they well might, 
 expressed themselves much dissatisfied. Director Kieft had, 
 they insisted, left many of their charges untouched, while on 
 others he was misinformed. The Indian girl, they maintain- 
 ed, had been taken in war, and for her misconduct had been 
 handed over to the civil authorities ; she had fled from these 
 and taken refuge in the Dutch fort, where, as the Dutch com- 
 missary had adftiitted, she was defiled. Such a practice, the 
 commissioners add, " we would condemn in one of ours with 
 any unmarried, much more with an imbaptized Indian. What 
 order you have taken that she be returned — what satisfaction 
 you have given for this wrong, we hear not. We conceive 
 watches are in all places set to prevent inconveniences and 
 mischiefs which may be done by enemies, or disorderly per- 
 sons, and in all places a soberly and comely answer is expect- 
 ed. He that draws and breaks his rapier on a watch, neiiher 
 attends his duty nor his safety." The commissioners next re- 
 fer to the points in their last letter, which Director Kieft had 
 passed unnoticed, and expressed their doubts that he could, either 
 by witnesses or otherwise, prove that they had been deceived. 
 " Your other expressions — your proverbs or allusions," they 
 continue, " we leave to your calmer consideration." As for 
 the protest with which the Director-general had closed his 
 dispatch, they observed that though it was harsh, it agreed 
 with the general strain of his letter, and concluded by stating 
 that they had more reason to be offended with his protest, than 
 he had with their meeting at New Haven ; as, for aught they 
 knew, they could show as good a commission for the one as 
 he could for the other.^ 
 
 Thus terminated Director Kieft's correspondence with the 
 English colonies at the east. On a review of the whole, it 
 will be admitted that, however good his case, the commission- 
 ers had the best of the argument on paper. By lack of tem- 
 
 * Winthrop's N. Eng. ii., 268, 276 ; Hazard's State Papers, ii., 55, 56, et 
 seq.; N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans, i., 189-199; Trumbull's Conn, i., 155, 156, 157, 
 168 ; Alb. Rec. xii., 398 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 381 
 
 per, and by an undignified style, the Director-general leaves SJ^j^''- 
 
 an impression on the mind, at this distance, unfavorable to his ^^^^ 
 
 . . 1d4u, 
 
 ability as a diplomatist, as vi^ell as to his capacity for filling the 
 
 high and delicate position which he was then occupying. It 
 cannot, at the same time, be denied that the English afforded 
 provocation suflSicient to chafe a temper less irritable than that 
 of Director Kieft, who, to his other troubles, had now the ad- 
 ditional misery of feeling that his government was overwhelm- 
 ed with debts to a large amount, which it was out of his 
 power to meet, and for the means to liquidate which, he should 
 be obliged to draw on the company in Holland, who were al- 
 ready too much dissatisfied with the manner in which he had 
 administered the affairs of New Netherland, to honor any more 
 of his drafts. 
 
 He took, however, the earliest opportunity to communicate the Nov. 
 intelligence of the progress of the English encroachments at the 
 northeast to the directors at Amsterdam, who contented them 
 selves with instructing him to collect the most correct informa- 
 tion, particularly as to the pretended right which the Indians 
 had to sell to the English the soil situated within the Dutch 
 limits in the direction of Fort Orange. He was further in- 
 structed to prevent the erection by the former of any trading- 
 post in that quarter, by all possible means short of such dan- 
 gerous proceedings as might provoke a war, of which the 
 directors seem to have already had more than enough ; to 
 watch, in the mean time, the actions of his neighbors, who 
 seemed now intent on appropriating to themselves the whole 
 of the Dutch possessions in North America, and to oppose all 
 further encroachments on their part.' 
 
 The annals of this year are marked by two extensive 
 grants on the North River, for the purpose of establishing ad- 
 ditional colonies. Regardless of the claims of the Patroon 
 of Rensselaerswyck, the rich and fertile lands of Katskill Aug. 
 were patented to Cornelis Antonissen van Slyck, of Breucke- 
 len, in return for the eminent services he had rendered in 
 bringing about a general peace, and in ransoming prisoners in 
 the hands of the Indians, " which well-known services should 
 
 » Alb. Rec. xii., 398. 
 
382 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of right be duly acknowledged and Adriaen van der Donck, 
 •"^^ now disappointed in his attempt to plant a colonic in the neigh- 
 borhood of Rensselaerswyck, obtained, in consideration of the 
 assistance he afforded in negotiating the treaty between the 
 Director-general and the Mohawks, and in return for the ad- 
 vances he then made to enable the government to purchase 
 presents for those Indians, the tract of land called Nepper- 
 
 ' The following is a translation of this patent. " We, Willetn Kieft, 
 Director-general, and council, on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords States 
 General of thef United Netherlands, His Highness of Orange, and the Noble 
 Lords Directors of the Privileged West India Company, residing in New 
 Netherland : To all who shall see or hear these presents read, Health. Where- 
 as Cornells Antonissen, [Van Slyck,] of Breuckelen, hath appeared before Us, 
 and with his associates requested permission to settle in free possession the land 
 of Katskill lying on the River Mauritius, there to plant with his associates a 
 Colonie, which he hath promised to do, according to the freedoms and exemp- 
 tions of New Netherland : We, therefore, considering the great service which 
 tlie aforesaid Cornelis Antonissen hath conferred on this country, as well in the 
 making of peace as in the ransoming of prisoners, and it being proper that such 
 notorious services should not remain unacknowledged, We have, as Director 
 and Council, conceded and granted to the aforesaid Cornelis Antonissen, the 
 above-mentioned land of the Katskill, to plant there a Colonie, within the time 
 therefor enacted, and in the order appointed, or to be appointed, by the Noble 
 Lords Majors. Wherefore We, in the quality aforesaid, deed and transport in 
 a true, free, and perpetual possession, to the said Cornelis Antonissen, the afore- 
 said lands of the Katskill, giving him full power, authority, and special com- 
 mand, to enter on, cultivate, and make use of the said lands in the same man- 
 ner as he should conclude to do with his other patrimonial estate, without our 
 in any manner, in quality aforesaid, having, reserving, or retaining thereon any 
 part, action, or authority in the least, but as regards the same, desisting from 
 all henceforth and forever ; promising to maintain this transport firmly, invio- 
 lably, and irrevocably ; to perform and to fulfil every part thereof under the 
 penalty of answering therefor according to law, without art or guile. This is 
 subscribed, and with our Seal in red wax, fully and perfectly confirmed. Done in 
 Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 22d of August, of the year of our 
 Lord and Saviour one thousand six hundred six and forty. 
 
 [Signed,] " Willem Kieft. 
 
 " By order of the noble Director-general and council of N. N. 
 
 " Cornelis van Tienhoven, 
 
 " Secretary." 
 
 Book of Dutch Patents, GG 157, translation 363. The original of the above 
 patent, on a small piece of parchment, and written in fine old Dutch text, is 
 among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. in a high state of preservation. It is from 
 this last-montioned document that the above translation was made, as I had 
 not discovered the record in the Secretary of state's office at the time. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 383 
 
 haem, but now known as Yonkers. This valuable property ^^^^p- 
 was situate on the east side of the Hudson River, about six- — ^ 
 teen miles above New Amsterdam. It was bounded on the 
 north by the Saw-kill, which the Indians called Maccakassin, 
 and ran south to Nepperhaem ; thence to the Shorakapkock 
 kill and to Papirinimen Creek, called by the Dutch " Spuyten- 
 duyvel," whence it stretched eastward to the river Bronx. 
 The title of this colonic was " Colen Donck," and the propri- 
 etor thereof was invested with all the rights and privileges 
 contained in the charter of 1629.^ 
 
 The village of Breuckelen was also incorporated this year, 
 in consequence, possibly, of the serious and urgent complaints 
 made by the Eight Men in the fall of 1644. The inhabitants 
 of that village were authorized to elect two schepens, or 
 magistrates, with power to decide all cases within their juris- 
 diction, according to their charter ; and to adjoin others to 
 their number, should the duties of their office become too 
 onerous. Any persons obstinately opposing these were to be 
 deprived of their share in the land around the village. These Nov. 
 privileges were subsequently further enlarged, on the repre- 
 sentation of the schepens that they were unable to provide 
 against cases of violence and trespass. A Schout was ap- 
 pointed to assist them. Jan Teunissen was commissioned to 
 fill this office, dependent, however, on the company's schout- 
 fiscaal at New Amsterdam.^ 
 
 > Alb. Rec. viii., 79, 80 ; Hoi. Doc. vi., 118 ; Book of Patents, i., 56. 
 » Alb. Rec. ii., 357, 358, 385; iii., 362, 363. 
 
384 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Termination of Kieft's administration — General condition of the country — 
 Slaves — Their lot under the Dutch — Population of New Netherland — Rev- 
 enue — Causes of the backward state of the province — Advanced condition 
 of New England — Reflections — Settlements enumerated — Their govern- 
 ment — Transfer of the municipal institutions of Holland to New Nether- 
 land — Errors of contemporary writers — Character of Director Kieft — De- 
 nies the right of appeal from his judgments — Harsh and tyrannical proceed- 
 ings against the Rev. Mr. Doughty and Mr. Van Hardenbergh — Genera! 
 discontent — State of morals, religion, and education — Conclusion. 
 
 BOOK The administration of Director Kieft, though he was not 
 superseded in fact until 1647, may now be said to have vir- 
 ' tually terminated. Serious complaints, charging him with 
 nothing less than tyranny, extortion, murder, theft, and other 
 heinous crimes, had, as we have already seen, been transmit- 
 ted to the directors of the West India Company, and produced 
 his recall. But though his successor was appointed, the 
 States General did not issue his commission immediately on 
 its having been demanded. They were desirous of under- 
 standing, what disposition had been made of the complaint^' 
 from New Netherland, and it was not until the application had 
 been iterated more than once, that their High Mightinesses 
 ordered a new commission to be expedited. 
 
 What the actual condition of the country was at this remote 
 period, may, in the absence of all materials of a statistical na- 
 ture, be easily gleaned from the remonstrances of the com- 
 monalty, and the proceedings of the home authorities conse- 
 quent thereupon. 
 
 Slaves constituted, as far back as 1628, a portion of the 
 population. The introduction of this class was facihtated by 
 the establishments which the Dutch possessed in Brazil and 
 on the coast of Guinea, as well as by the periodical capture 
 of Spanish and Portuguese prizes, and the circumstances at- 
 tendant on the early settlement of the country. The expense 
 of obtaining labor from Europe was great, and the supply by 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 385 
 
 no means equal to the demand. To add to these embarrass- chap. 
 ments, the temptations held out by the fur-trade were so irre- 
 sistible, that the servants, or " boere-knechts," who were 
 brought over from Holland, were soon seduced from the pur- 
 suits of agriculture. Farmers were consequently obliged to 
 employ negroes, and slave-labor thus became, by its cheap- 
 ness and the necessity of the case, one of the staples of the 
 country. 
 
 The lot of the African under the Dutch, was not as hopeless 
 as his situation might lead us to expect. He was " a chattel," 
 it is true ; but he could still look forward to the hour when 
 he too might become a freeman. In the years 1644 and 1646, 
 several negroes and their wives, who had originally been cap- 
 tured from the Spaniards, had been manumitted, in conse- 
 quence of their long and faithful services. To enable them 
 to provide for their support, they obtained a grant of land ; 
 but as the price of their manumission, they were bound to 
 pay yearly twenty-two bushels and a half of corn, wheat, peas, 
 or beans, and one fat hog valued at eight dollars, faihng which, 
 they were to lose their liberty and return again to their former 
 state of servitude. The emancipation of the parents did not, 
 however, carry with it that of their offspring. " All their chil- 
 dren already born, or yet to be born, remained obligated to 
 serve the company as slaves." The fathers were moreover 
 obhgated to serve *' by water or by land" when called upon so 
 to do. The price of a negro averaged between one hundred 
 and one hundred and fifty dollars. The detention of the 
 children in slavery, after the emancipation of the parents, was 
 highly disapproved of by the commonalty, who considered it 
 a violation of the law of nature. " How any one born of a 
 free Christian mother, could, notwithstanding, be a slave, and 
 be obliged to remain such, passed their comprehension. It 
 was impossible for them to explain it." The authorities at- 
 tempted to palliate the act. " They were treated just like 
 Christians." But this was considered alike unsatisfactory.^ 
 
 The population, comprising all who came under the title 
 
 »Van Tienhoven; Alb. Rec. ii., 243, 378; xx., 296; xxi., 416, 417; Hoi. 
 Doc. iii., 351 ; Van der Donck's Vertoogh, van N. N. 
 
 49 
 
 I 
 
386 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK of the " Gemeente," or commonalty of New Amsterdam, 
 amounted, in 1643, to five hundred men. This would give a 
 total of twenty-five hundred souls. Allowing that Rensse- 
 laerswyck and the few towns on Long Island contained four 
 hundred more, we should then be justified in estimating the 
 whole population of New Netherland at that date, at about 
 three thousand. 
 
 The public revenue was computed to amount to sixteen 
 thousand guilders, or six thousand four hundred dollars per 
 annum- 
 
 The population was seriously affected by the difficulties 
 with the Indians. Many had removed to the neighborhood of 
 Fort Orange ; others returned to Holland ; and numbers had 
 been slain by the savages. The consequence was, that in 
 and around Fort Amsterdam, the male adult population was 
 reduced to one hundred at the close of the war.' By the re-' 
 moval of the first portion of the inhabitants, the population of 
 the country was not, however, actually decreased. The only 
 diminution it experienced, was by emigration and loss of life, 
 and, these considered, we doubt much if, at the close of Kieft's 
 administration, the population exceeded a thousand souls. 
 This figure is, we admit, low, and after a lapse of so many 
 years, creditable neither to the founders nor managers of the 
 province, especially when contrasted with the progress and 
 flourishing condition of the adjoining English colonies. But 
 it could not well be otherwise. It was one of the natural 
 consequences of the imperfect system and mismanagement of 
 which the country was the victim. For the first thirteen years 
 after its discovery, it was abandoned to the casual and rare 
 visits of a few private trading-ships, which came for the mere 
 purpose of taking away the furs that their servants or agents 
 might have collected at Fort Orange or the Manhattans. 
 When the West India Company became incorporated, this 
 system was not altered. Those in the employ of that associ- 
 ation merely took the place of their predecessors. The visits 
 
 ^ In Hoi. Doc. iii., 369, it is asserted, that in 1648 not much more than one 
 hundred males could be found besides the free traders. The population of New 
 England then was 50 to 60,000. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 387 
 
 of the company's ships were still made for the sole purpose chap. 
 of carrying back to Holland the collected peltries ; and during -^v^ 
 Minuit's and Van Twiller's administrations, so exclusively 
 was everybody absorbed in the Indian trade, so few were the 
 agricultural settlers, and so little was agriculture attended to, 
 that the colonists depended, we may say wholly, on the parent 
 country for their supplies. These unfortunately failed one 
 season under Van Twiller, and the consequence was, that the 
 settlers around Fort Amsterdam were thrown for food on the 
 charity of the Indians. 
 
 The evil consequences of the policy pursued by the direc- 
 tors in Holland towards New Netherland became apparent 
 shortly after the removal of the Massachusetts Company to 
 America. This association adopting a wiser system, encour- 
 aged immigration by every means compatible with the peculiar 
 principles of their municipal government. The country be- 
 came soon inhabited by industrious settlers, full of energy, 
 who, stimulated by the freedom of trade which they enjoyed, 
 and unfettered by those special privileges which followed 
 wherever the civil law was established, spread themselves abroad 
 in every direction, and soon seized on the richest portion of the 
 Dutch possessions. Entertaining, as the West India Company 
 did, no feeling for the prosperity of the country, except so far 
 as the returns of the fur-trade were concerned ; reduced to a 
 state of bankruptcy by its vast undertakings elsewhere ; dis- 
 tracted by internal dissensions, each chamber striving to secure 
 for itself the largest share of profit at the expense of the small- 
 est amount of disbursements,^ it is not surprising that the en- 
 croachments of the people of New England resulted in suc- 
 cess. Numbers effected what unprotected feebleness could 
 not prevent ; self-interest overpowered what national law alone 
 supported, and the Dutch were forced, though unwillingly, to 
 yield. 
 
 The reflections of the historian can neither recall the past, 
 nor alter the course of human events. But the review of those 
 
 * Alle de iiiwoonders in Nieu Nederlandt gelooven dat de Bewinthebbers 
 gants geen acht off regard op Nieu Nederlandt nemen, dan alsser wat te ont- 
 vangen is ; hetwelcke, nochtans, maeckt dat sy te minder oiitfangen. Van 
 der Donck. 
 
388 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK transactions will teach nations this abiding lesson : — that it is 
 
 III. ... 
 «^v^ in vain to have either right or justice at their side, if they have 
 
 not, at the same time, the means to maintain the one, and en- 
 force the other ; and to statesmen this wholesome truth, that 
 as the government of an exclusive mercantile company is the 
 worst of all governments for any country, so colonies can never 
 be fostered or promoted by the commercial monopolies of such 
 privileged associations.^ 
 
 With the exception of the few individuals who possessed 
 means sufficient to found Patroonships, or to establish plan- 
 tations, the mass of the inhabitants of New Netherland, as 
 is the case in all new countries, were far from wealthy. Van 
 der Donck represents that the greater portion of them " brought 
 nothing" to the country ; a statement which is amply borne 
 out by the fact that the government was called on, occasion- 
 ally, to assist immigrants by advances, or loans of money, with- 
 out interest, to enable them to make a beginning. 
 
 The greater number of the houses around forts Amsterdam 
 and Orange were, in those days, low-sized wooden buildings, 
 with roofs of reed or straw, and chimneys of wood. Wind or 
 water mills were erected, here and there, to grind corn, or to 
 saw lumber. One of the latter, situate on Nut or Governor's 
 Island, was leased in 1639 for five hundred merchantable boards 
 yearly, half oak and half pine.^ Saw and grist mills were built 
 on several of the creeks in the colonic of Rensselaerswyck, 
 where " a horse mill" was also erected in 1646.^ A brewery 
 
 * Smith's Wealth of Nations ii., 64. 
 ' Alb. Rec. i., 155, 185 ; vii., 105, 114. 
 
 ' 31 January, 1646: Contract for a Horse-mill. The mill situate on the 
 fifth kill being, to the great damage of the Patroon, and inhabitants of the colo- 
 nie, [Rensselaerswyck,] for a considerable time out of repair, or unfit to be 
 worked, either by the breaking of the dam, the severity of the winter, or the 
 high water, or otherwise ; besides being out of the way, to the prejudice of the 
 inhabitants in going and returning, a contract, after being duly proposed to the 
 court, is, therefore, made with Pieter Cornelissen to build a horse-mill in the 
 Pine grove, whereby not only the colonic, but also, if so be, the navigators who 
 come hither, may be encouraged to provide themselves with other things. Pie- 
 ter Comelisz. shall complete the work for fl. 300, ($120.) I furnishing him 
 fl. 200 in stones, two good horses, the expense of which is to be divided between 
 ns, half and half. The standing work, plank, labor, and other expenses, we 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 389 
 
 had been constructed previous to 1637, in the same quarter, chap. 
 by the Patroon, with the exclusive right of supplying retail- 
 dealers with beer. But private individuals were allowed the 
 privilege, notwithstanding, to brew whatever quantity of beer 
 they might require for consumption within their own fami- 
 lies.^ 
 
 The settlement of the country beyond the precincts of New 
 Amsterdam received, as we have seen, a serious check by the 
 Indian war. On the eastern extremity of Long Island, the 
 English had established the towns of South Hampton and South 
 Old. The plantations at the west end, under the jurisdiction 
 of the Dutch, were, however, far more numerous, and now 
 comprised Breukelen, Amersfoort, (Flatlands,) Gravenzande, 
 Vlissingen, (Flushing,) Heemstede, Mespath, (Newtown,) 
 and Gowanus. There was a smah hamlet called Bergen, be- 
 sides a number of valuable bouweries on what is now the Jer- 
 sey side of the river, but this section suffered, comparatively 
 speaking, more than any other from the savages, who laid 
 
 shall defray in common, bearing, each, equal profit and loss. On the comple- 
 tion of the mill, and on its being ready to go, Pieter Cornelissen shall work one 
 day for himself and the other day for the Patroon, and so forth ; the Patroon 
 paying him one Rix dollar for his day. Should it happen, as we expect, that so 
 great a demand shall arise, so that the mill will not supply all the colonie or 
 strangers, (buytenwoonders,) then P. Cornelisz. is alone authorized and priv- 
 ileged to er.ect, in company with the Patroon, another such mill, on these or such 
 other conditions as are now, or shall hereafter bo agreed on. Signed, Anthony 
 de Hooges, Pieter Cornelissen. Rensselaerswyck MSS. A mill worked by 
 horses stood, in the course of the last century, as I am informed by an aged 
 citizen, on the lot forming the northeast corner of Hudson and Grand streets, 
 Albany. There was a mill also on the 3d or Rutten kill, in 1646. 
 
 * 26 Dec. 1646. Whereas their Honors of the Court of this Colonie find that 
 Cornells Segsrsz. notwithstanding former placards and prohibitions, has still pre- 
 sumed to meddle with what is not his business — with beer brewing — directly 
 contrary to the grant and authorization given to the brewery of this colonie ; 
 Therefore their honors expressly forbid the said Cornells Segersz. to brew, or 
 cause to be brewed, or otherwise to manufacture any beer, except so much as 
 shall be required by him for his own housekeeping, on pain of forfeiting twenty- 
 five Carolus guilders, besides the brewed beer. The said Cornelis Segersz. is further 
 warned that no cloak, or idle excuse shall hereafter avail, but that this ordi- 
 nance shall be maintained and executed on the spot, without court process, if he 
 shall make any mistake. Let him, therefore, prevent his loss. Actum Rens- 
 selaerswyck, 26th October, 1646. Pursuant to the resolution of their honors the 
 magistrates of this colonie. A. De Hooges. 
 
390 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK waste every cultivated spot from the Nevesinck to Tappaan. 
 ^'v-- Rensselaerswyck was the only " colonie" which remained un- 
 1646. — jjj.gj ^]^g ^g^j._ a consequence its population general- 
 ly prospered, and sundry farms were taken up. Beverswyck 
 continued, however, in swaddling clothes, for the city which 
 in 1845 holds over forty thousand inhabitants, contained in 
 1646 no more than ten houses. Several farmers had at an 
 early date begun another settlement south of Beverswyck, to 
 which they gave the name of Bethlehem. A few bouweries 
 were also cultivated on the east side of the river, opposite Fort 
 Orange. Katskill and its fertile bottoms had engaged at an 
 early date the attention of the settlers at Rensselaerswyck, 
 but the pretensions of opposite parties prevented any plant- 
 ing of consequence in that quarter, and Van Slyck, who had 
 received a patent for lands there, had as yet made no com- 
 mencement. The country between Rensselaerswyck and the 
 Manhattans, on both sides of the river, still remained a wilder- 
 ness. It is true that the Dutch had built a fort at Esopus, in 
 the year 1614, contemporaneously with the erection of their 
 post on Castle island.* This possibly might have been fol- 
 lovv^ed by the clearing of some small portions of land in that 
 vicinity, but it is very doubtful whether any such settlements 
 survived the destructive war of 1644-5. Van der Donck had 
 also received a grant of Yonkers, but many years elapsed be- 
 fore he commenced a settlement there. These remarks apply 
 in like manner to the Delaware, which, at this date, was, with 
 the exception of Bogaerdt's colonie, destitute of any Dutch 
 settlers, and entirely under the control of the Swedes. 
 
 In the municipal government of these settlements, two 
 systems, essentially different in principle, obtained. In the 
 " colonies" the superintending power was lodged in one indi 
 vidual, who, though the immediate vassal of the sovereign 
 
 * Moulton alludes to the settlement of some Hollanders among the Esopus 
 Indians in 1617. But the following passage in the answer of the States Gen- 
 eral, dated Feb. 1665, to Sir George Downing, fixes the date earlier. Their 
 High Mightinesses say : " II y a plus de quarante ans qu'elle possede la ville de 
 Nouveau Amsterdam avec ses forts ; et plus de cinquante qu'elle est en pos- 
 session des forts Orange et Esope ; les ims et les autres avec les terres et pais 
 qui en dependent." Hoi. Doc, xi., 86. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 391 
 
 authority from which he derived his lands, was himself lord chap. 
 paramount in his manor, where he not only represented the 
 sovereign, but exercised feudal jurisdiction over his colonists, 
 who stood, towards him, in the same relation that he occupied 
 towards the supreme head of the state. For as he was bound 
 to acknowledge, by fealty and homage, his dependence on 
 the latter ; so vt^ere they vassals of their Patroon, to whom 
 they sv^rore allegiance, at whose summons they were bound, if 
 occasion required, to take up arms ; to whose special courts, 
 edicts, ordinances, and laws they owed obedience, being 
 subject at the same time to the discharge of all the minor obli- 
 gations due to him by virtue of the Roman law. In return for 
 this obedience, the Patroon was bound to protect his colonists, 
 who had the additional right to address themselves by appeal 
 to the supreme authority at New Amsterdam, in case they 
 were either aggrieved or oppressed. 
 
 In the transition of society, towards the close of the middle 
 ages, from this state of servitude to a more enlarged liberty, 
 some communes, or towns in our acceptation of the word, 
 acquired for themselves, either by special favor or their own 
 right hands, all independence of these feudal nobles, and held 
 their privileges and immunities immediately from the crown. 
 But as the feudal system, acknowledged no other relation than 
 that of vassal and sovereign, it became necessary to imagine, 
 or invent, some bond, or link, whereby these semi-indepen- 
 dent commonalties should be connected to the head of the 
 state. By a fiction of law, each of them became to be con- 
 sidered, abstractly, a moral and responsible body, capable of 
 the same duties, obligations, and constraints as an individual. 
 They were incorporated, and in this corporate capacity, hold- 
 ing immediately from the state, they were considered as vas- 
 sals ; as such held land in fee, tendered fealty and homage, 
 military service, and possessed, in fine, all the rights of Pa- 
 troons. 
 
 One arrangement still remained to render the connection 
 between this body and the supreme authority complete. It 
 became necessary that it have a representative, through 
 whom all communications should pass, from the commune, or 
 town, to the sovereign, and from the latter to the district. For 
 
392 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 BOOK this purpose the inhabitants were authorized, in the course of 
 the fifteenth century, to elect from among themselves a certain 
 
 ■^^^^* number, double or triple, that required ; from which the head 
 of the government selected and appointed such as it considered 
 best qualified to act as " schepens" or magistrates. These 
 constituted a board, or council, by which all such communica- 
 tions were made : they constituted, at the same time, a local 
 court to administer justice within their respective limits, to the 
 extent and according to the provisions of their patent or char- 
 ter ; and to enable them to perform more effectually their duties, 
 a schout, or sheriff, secretary, and marshal were adjoined. 
 But in order to prevent the magistrates becoming too powerful, 
 and with a view to equalize their functions, and to allow all to 
 enjoy, in turn, the dignities which municipal honors conferred, 
 their duration in office was limited, in conformity to sound prin- 
 ciple, to one year, at the end of which a new election took 
 place ; a new set of names was sent in to the chief magis- 
 trate, who again made his selection from that list, and from the 
 actual " schepens" in commission, who " were always con- 
 sidered as nominated."^ 
 
 For more than a century previous to the period of which 
 we now write, three hundred manors in the province of Hol- 
 land alone, enjoyed all the rights of free municipalities, and 
 exercised civil and criminal jurisdiction, to a limited extent. 
 In removing to another hemisphere, the Dutch lost not their 
 affection for their native country and its institutions. They 
 brought with them the names of those places to which they 
 were most attached, and in the course of time transferred also 
 to their new homes the municipal system which we have de- 
 scribed above, and with which they were most conversant. 
 
 " Those colonists who shall form within their limits such a 
 settlement of people, as to constitute hamlets, villages, or even 
 cities, shall obtain in such case middle and low jurisdiction, 
 and the same rights as manors in the province of Holland ; and 
 
 ' Institutions Judiciaires, iii., 47, 48, 49, 165, 166, 170, 171 ; Alb. Rec. x., 
 221. " It is customary in our Fatherland, and other well-regulated govern- 
 ments, that annually some change takes place in the magistracy, so that some 
 new ones are appointed, and some are continued to inform the newly appointed." 
 Alb. Rec. xix., 131. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 393 
 
 shall, in like manner, be capacitated also, to bear and use the chap. 
 
 names and titles thereof. And the qualified persons of such — 
 
 1646 
 
 cities, villages, and hamlets, shall, in such case, be authorized 
 to nominate for the office of magistrates, a double number of 
 persons wherefrom a selection shall seasonably be made by the 
 Director and council, the appointment of a schout, secretary, 
 and court messenger, remaining to the company ; with the 
 understanding that the jurisdiction shall be holden in fief by 
 the respective colonists and founders of cities and villages, to 
 be disposed of and renewed, in case of the demise of those 
 who shall be named, in manner hereinbefore stated. And jus- 
 tice shall be administered therein according to the style and 
 order of the province of Holland, and the cities and manors 
 thereof, to which end the courts there shall follow, as far as 
 the same is possible, the ordinances received here in Am- 
 sterdam." 
 
 It was then to that Republican State — to the wise and 
 beneficent modifications of the feudal code which obtained 
 there, and not to " the puritan idea of popular freedom" intro- 
 duced by emigrants from Connecticut — as some incorrectly 
 claim — that New Netherland and the several towns within its 
 confines were indebted for whatever municipal privileges they 
 enjoyed.^ The charters under which they were planted, the 
 immunities which they obtained, were essentially of Dutch, and 
 not of Connecticut origin, and those who look to New Eng- 
 land as the source of popular privileges in New Netherland, 
 fall, therefore, into an error, sanctioned neither by law, nor by 
 history. Strange as it may seem, while every colonic, and al- 
 most every hamlet, had its local magistracy, the citizens of 
 New Amsterdam, the capital of the whole province, continued, 
 greatly to their discontent, without a voice in the management 
 of their municipal affairs. The government of that city still 
 remained in the hands of the Director-general and his council. 
 
 The high-handed and dictatorial manner in which Kieft 
 
 ' Mr. Bancrott, in Hist. U. S. ii., 304, represents that " the large emigrations 
 from Connecticut engrafted on New Netherlands the Puritan idea of popular 
 freedom." In this he did injustice to the Dutch — inadvertently, no doubt — as 
 every one must acknowledge who has examined the subject. 
 
 50 
 
HISTORY OF 
 
 wielded his power, brought him into collision, at an early pe- 
 riod, with the democratic spirit inherent in the breast of the 
 Dutch republicans. He was a man of unpliant temper ; in- 
 flated with the idea of his own importance ; ill-disposed to 
 brook contradiction, and construing all objections to his will, 
 even though emanating from the pulpit, as attacks on his pre- 
 rogative, " Had we been under a king we could not be worse 
 treated," was the complaint of the people. One check to all 
 this remained, to which the colonists looked for protection. 
 This was the right to appeal from the Director-general's judg- 
 ments to the court of Holland, or the States General. But this 
 privilege Kieft cut off as early as 1643. The island of Man- 
 hattans was the capital of New Netherland, and to it was re- 
 served the exclusive right, as the chief court of that country, to 
 hear appeals from all surrounding colonies ; and, on this pre- 
 tence, it was maintained that no appeal could lie from the de- 
 cisions of the Director-general and council at New Amster- 
 dam.^ 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Doughty, the English clergyman at Mes- 
 path, and Mr. Van Hardenbergh, merchant at New Amsterdam, 
 were among the first to dissent from this conclusion. The 
 former had complained against what he considered an unjust 
 decision of the court at Manhattans, in regard to claims which 
 he set forth to lands embraced within the Newtown patent. 
 The other had been appointed curator to the estate of one 
 Aert Teunissen, who, as we have already related, had been 
 murdered by the Indians at Beeregat. Some property belong- 
 ing to this estate had been seized on board a vessel, and in 
 consequence of not having been entered, was confiscated. 
 Appeals were lodged, in both these cases, from Kieft's judg- 
 ments. Doughty was immediately fined ten dollars, and im- 
 prisoned twenty-four hours for his presumption.^ Against the 
 other appellant w^as pronounced the following sentence : 
 
 * Wat belanght 't weygeren van appel naer 't Vaderlandt, 't selve is geschiet, 
 omdat in de exemptien 't eylandt van de Manhattans voor de hooft-plaats van 
 N. N. wort gereserveert, en dat alle omleggende colonien haer appel daer heb- 
 ben soude als 't hof van dat quartier. Van Tienhoven. 
 
 ' The reader will find in the Appendix Ff. the statements in favor of and 
 against Doughty in the above case. 
 
NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 395 
 
 " Having seen the written demand of the Honorable Fis- chap. 
 caal Van der Huygens against Arnoldus van Hardenbergh, in '■'v-^ 
 the case of appeal from our sentence dated 28th April ult., as 
 appears by the signature of the aforesaid A. van Hardenbergh, 
 from which sentence no appeal can lie, as is evident to him 
 from the commission of their High Mightinesses the Lords 
 States General and His Highness of Orange ; therefore, the 
 noble Director-general and council of New Netherland, ob- 
 serving the dangerous consequences which tend to the injury 
 of the supreme authority of the magistracy of this land, as an 
 example to others, condemn the aforesaid Arnoldus van Har- 
 denbergh to pay forthwith a fine of twenty-five guilders, or to 
 go to jail until the said fine be paid." 
 
 Owing to these and various other harsh measures, the public 
 mind became inflamed to a high degree. " Traitor," " villain," 
 " liar," were epithets flung at the Director-general with un- 
 sparing hand ; and, notwithstanding that banishments and 
 heavy fines were imposed on the libellers, many threatened 
 him with rougher usage when he should " take off the coat 
 with which he was decorated by the Lords his masters." 
 
 " Where the shepherd errs the sheep go astray." Drunk- 
 enness and broils were of common occurrence. The people 
 were " without discipline, and approaching to a savage state." 
 " A fourth part of the city of New Amsterdam consisted of 
 grog-shops and houses where nothing is to be got but tobacco 
 and beer." Religion and education felt the baneful effects of 
 these evil influences. The church which had been commenced 
 in 1642, remained still unfinished, as if the country were 
 without timber or a sawmill. The Director-general being dis- 
 tressed for money, applied to his own use the fines and for- 
 feitures which had been appropriated to aid the completion of 
 this sacred edifice.^ In the mean while no efforts were made 
 to convert the heathen, between whom and the settlers an un- 
 
 » Alb. Rec. ii., 160, 190, 262, 369 ; iv., 1 ; vii., 28, 29, 38, 300. Van der 
 Donck's Vertoogh, c. xi. Wei is waer dat den Directeur Kieft, verlegen synde 
 om gelt, in syn huys hadde hangen een bos, daer de Diakenen een sleutel van 
 hadden, daerin alle cleyne breuken en boeten, die op de rechtdagen voor vielen 
 gesteken waren ; met kennisse van de diaconen heeft geopent, en 't gelt dat 
 een moye somme was, op intrest genomen. Van Tienhoven Cort Bericht 
 
396 
 
 HISTORY OF NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 BOOK licensed intercourse generally prevailed. And, though a col- 
 lege had been founded in Massachusetts some nine years 
 before, the authorities of New Netherland made little or no 
 effort, up to this time, to establish a common primary school 
 in any part of this country. Some subscriptions had been en- 
 tered into by the commonalty for the purpose of erecting a 
 school-house in New Amsterdam, but these funds were also 
 misappropriated, and this laudable undertaking failed in con- 
 sequence. 
 
 Such was the state of disorganization into which the public 
 affairs had fallen, when General Petrus Stuyvesant assumed 
 the government of New Netherland. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 A. 
 
 A Charter given by the High and Mighty Lords, the States General, to 
 the West India Company, dated the 3d of June, 1621. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands, to all who shall see these pres- 
 ents or hear them read, greeting : Be it known, that We, knowing that the prosperity 
 of these countries, and the welfare of their inhabitants, depend principally on naviga- 
 tion and trade, which in all former times by the said countries were carried on hap- 
 pily, and with a great blessing to all comitries and kingdoms ; and desiring that the 
 aforesaid inhabitants should not only be preserved in their former navigation, traffic, 
 and trade, but also that their trade may be increased as much as possible in special 
 conformity to the treaties, alliances, leagues, and covenants, for traffic and navigation 
 formerly made with other princes, republics, and people, which We give them to under- 
 stand must be in all parts punctually kept and adhered to : And We find by experience, 
 that without the common help, assistance, and interposition of a General Company, 
 the people designed from hence for those parts cannot be properly protected and main- 
 tained in their great risk from pirates, extortion, and otherwise, which will happen 
 in so very long a voyage. We have, therefore, and for several other important rea- 
 sons and considerations us thereunto moving, with mature deliberation of counsel, and 
 for highly necessary causes, found it good, that the navigation, trade, and commerce, 
 in the parts of the West Indies, and Africa, and other places hereafter described, 
 should not henceforth be carried on any otherwise than by the common united strength 
 of the merchants and inhabitants of these countries, and that for that end there shall 
 be erected one General Company, which We, out of special regard to their common 
 well-being, and to keep and preserve the inhabitants of those places in good trade and 
 welfare, will maintain and strengthen with Our help, favor, and assistance, as far as 
 the present state and condition of this country will admit : and, moreover, furnish them 
 with a proper charter, and with the following privileges and exemptions, to wit: That 
 for the term of four and twenty years, none of the natives or inhabitants of these 
 countries shall be permitted to sail to or from the said lands, or to traffic on the coast 
 and countries of Africa, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, nor in 
 the countries of America, or the West Indies, beginning at the fourth end of Terra 
 Nova, by the Straits of Magellan, La Maire, or any other straits and passages situated 
 
400 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 thereabouts to the Straits of Anian, as well on the North Sea as the South Sea, nor on 
 any islands situated on the one side or the other, or between both : nor in the western 
 or southern countries, reaching, lying, and between both the meridians, from the Cape 
 of Good Hope, in the east, to the east end of New Guinea, in the west, inclusive, but 
 in the name of this United Company of these United Netherlands. And whoever 
 shall presume, without the consent of this company, to sail or to traffic in any of the 
 places within the aforesaid limits granted to this company, he shall forfeit the ships 
 and the goods which shall be found for sale upon the aforesaid coasts and lands ; the 
 which being actually seized by the aforesaid company, shall be by them kept for their 
 own benefit and behoof. And in case such ships or goods shall be sold either in other 
 countries or havens they may touch at, the owners and partners must be fined for tlie 
 value of those ships and goods : Except only, that they who before the date of this 
 charter, shall have sailed or been sent out of these or any other countries to any of the 
 aforesaid coasts, shall be able to continue their trade for the sale of their goods, and 
 come back again, or otherwise, until the expiration of this charter, if they have had 
 any before, and not longer : Provided, that after the first of July, sixteen hundred and 
 twenty-one, the day and time of this charter's commencing, no person shall be able to 
 send any ships or goods to the places comprehended in this charter, although that be- 
 fore the date hereof, this company was not finally incorporated : but shall provide 
 therein, as is becoming, against those who knowingly by fraud endeavor to frustrate 
 our intention herein for the public good : Provided that the salt trade at Ponte del Re 
 maybe continued according to the conditions and instructions by Us already given, or 
 that may be given respecting it, any thing in this charter to the contrary notwith- 
 standing. 
 
 II. That moreover, the aforesaid company may, in Our name and authority, within 
 the limits heroin before prescribed, make contracts, engagements, and alliances, with 
 the princes and natives of the countries comprehended therein, and also build any forts 
 and fortifications there, to appoint and discharge governors, people for war, and offi- 
 cers of justice, and other public officers, for the preservation of the places, keeping good 
 order, police, and justice, and in like manner for the promoting of trade ; and again, 
 others in their place to put, as they, from the situation of their affairs, shall see fit : 
 moreover, they must advance the peopling of those fruitful and unsettled parts, and 
 do all that the service of those countries, and the profit and increase of trade shall re- 
 quire: and the company shall successively communicate and transmit to Us such con- 
 tracts and alliances as they shall have made with the aforesaid princes and nations ; 
 and likewise the situations of the fortresses, fortifications, and settlements by them 
 taken. 
 
 III. Saving, that they having chosen a governor-in-chief, and prepared instruc- 
 tions for him, they shall be approved, and a commission given by Us : And that fur- 
 ther, such governor-in-chief, as well as other deputy governors, commanders, and of- 
 ficers, shall be held to take an oath of allegiance to Us and also to the company. 
 
 IV. And if the aforesaid company in any of the aforesaid places shall be cheated 
 under the appearance of friendship, or badly treated, or shall suflfer loss in trusting 
 their money or goods, without having restitution or receiving payment for them, they 
 may use the best methods in their power, according to the situation of their affairs, to 
 obtain satisfaction. 
 
 v. And if it should be necessary, for the establishment, security, and defence of this 
 trade, to take any troops with them, We will, according to the constitution of this 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 401 
 
 country, and the situation of affairs, furnish the said company with such troops, pro- 
 vided they be paid and supported by the company. 
 
 VI. Which troops, besides the oath already taken to Us and to his Excellency, shall 
 swear to obey the commands of the said company, and to endeavor to promote their 
 interest to the utmost of their ability. 
 
 VII. That the provosts of the company on shore may apprehend any of the military 
 that have enlisted in the service of the aforesaid company, and may confine them on 
 board the ships in whatever city, place, or jurisdiction they may be found ; provided, 
 the provosts first inform the ofiicers and magistrates of the cities and places where 
 this happens. 
 
 VIII. That We will not take any ships, ordnance, or ammunition belonging to the 
 company, for the use of this country, without the consent of the said company. 
 
 IX. We having moreover incorporated this company, and favored them with priv- 
 ileges, We give them a charter besides this, that they may pass freely with all their 
 ships and goods without paying any toll to the United Provinces ; and that they them- 
 selves may use their liberty in the same manner as the free inhabitants of the cities of 
 this country enjoy their freedom, notwithstanding any person who is not free may be 
 a member of this company. 
 
 X. That all the goods of this company during the eight next ensuing years, may be 
 carried out of this country to the parts of the West Indies and Africa, and other 
 places comprehended within the aforesaid limits, and those which they shall bring in- 
 to this country from thence shall be exempt from outward and home convoys ; pro- 
 vided, that if at the expiration of the aforesaid eight years, the state and condition of 
 these countries will not admit of this freedom's continuing for a longer time, the said 
 goods, and the merchandises coming from the places mentioned in this charter, and 
 exported again out of these countries, and the outward convoys and licenses, during 
 the whole time of this charter, shall not be rated higher by Us than they have former- 
 ly been rated, unless We should be again engaged in a wax, in which case all the afore- 
 said goods and merchandises shall not be rated higher by Us than they were in the 
 last list in time of war. 
 
 XI. And that this company may be strengthened by a good government, to the 
 general profit and satisfaction of all concerned. We have ordained that the said gov- 
 ernment shall be vested in five chambers of managers ; one at Amsterdam, — this shall 
 have the management of four-ninth parts ; one chamber in Zealand, for two-nintli 
 parts ; one chamber at Maeze, for one-ninth part ; one chamber in North Holland, for 
 one-ninth part ; and the fifth chamber in Friesland, with the city and country, for 
 one-ninth part, upon the condition entered in the record of Our resolutions, and the act 
 passed respecting it. And the provinces in which there are no chambers shall be ac- 
 commodated with so many managers, divided among the respective chambers, as their 
 hundred thousand guilders in this company shall entitle them to. 
 
 XII. That the Chamber of Amsterdam shall consist of twenty managers ; the 
 Chamber of Zealand of twelve ; the Chamber of Maeze and of the North part, each of 
 fourteen ; and the Chamber of Friesland, with the city and country, also of fourteen 
 managers. If it shall hereafter appear that this work cannot be carried on without a 
 greater number of persons ; in that case, more may be added, with the knowledge of 
 the Nineteen, and our approbation, but not otherwise. 
 
 XIII. And the States of the United Provinces are authorized to lay before their 
 High Mightinesses' ordinary deputies, or before the magistrates of the cities of these 
 
 51 
 
402 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Provinces, any order for registering the members, together with the election of man- 
 agers, if they find they can do it according to the constitution of their Provinces. 
 Moreover, that no person in the Chamber of Amsterdam shall be chosen a manager 
 who has not of his own in the funds of the company, the sum of six thousand guilders ; 
 and the chamber of Zealand four thousand guilders ; and the chamber of Maeze, of the 
 north part, and of Friesland, with the city and country, the like sum of four thousand 
 guilders. 
 
 XIV. That the first managers shall serve for the term of six years, and then one- 
 third part of the number of managers shall be changed by lot ; and two years after a 
 like third part ; and the two next following years, the last third part ; and so on succes- 
 sively, the oldest in the service shall be dismissed : and in the place of those who go off, 
 or of any that shall die, or for any other reason bo dismissed, three others shall be nomi- 
 nated by the managers, both remaining and going off, together with the principal ad- 
 venturers in person, and at their cost, from which the aforesaid provinces, the deputies, 
 or the magistrates, shall make a new election of a manager, and successively supply 
 the vacant places ; and it shall be held before the principal adventurers, who have as 
 great a concern as the respective managers. 
 
 XV. That the accounts of the furniture and outfit of the vessels, with their depen- 
 dencies, shall be made up three months after the departure of the vessels, and one 
 month after, copies shall be sent to Us, and to the respective chambers : and the state 
 of the returns, and their sales, shall the chambers (as often as We see good, or they are 
 required thereto by the chambers) send to Us and to one another. 
 
 XVI. That every six years they shall make a general account of all outfits and 
 returns, together with all the gains and losses of the company ; to wit, one of their 
 business, and one of the war, each separate; wliich accounts shall be made public by 
 an advertisement, to the end that every one who is interested may, upon hearing of 
 it, attend ; and if by the expiration of the seventh year, the accounts are not made out 
 in manner aforesaid, the managers shall forfeit their commissions, which shall be ap- 
 propriated to the use of the poor, and they themselves be held to render their account 
 as before, till such time and under such penalty as shall bo fixed by us respecting of- 
 fenders. And notwithstanding, there shall be a dividend made of the profits of the 
 business, so long as We find that ten per cent, shall have been gained. 
 
 XVII. No one shall, d uring the continuance of this charter, withdraw his capital or 
 sum advanced from this company ; nor shall any new members be admitted. If at 
 the expiration of four and twenty years it shall be found good to continue this company, 
 or to erect a new one, a final account and estimate shall be made by the Nineteen, 
 with Our knowledge, of all that belongs to the company, and also of all their expen- 
 ses, and any one after the aforesaid settlement and estimate may withdraw his money 
 or continue it in the new company in whole or in part, in the same proportion as in 
 this ; and the new company shall in such case take the remainder, and pay the mem- 
 bers which do not think fit to continue in the company their share, at such times as 
 the Nineteen, with Our knowledge and approbation, shall think proper. 
 
 XVIII. That so often as it shall be necessary to have a general meeting of the 
 aforesaid chambers, it shall be by Nineteen persons, of whom eight shall come from 
 the chamber of Amsterdam ; from Zealand, four ; from the Maeze, two ; from North 
 Holland, two ; from Friesland and the city and country, two ; provided, that the nine- 
 teen persons, or so many more as We shall at any time think fit, shall be deputed by 
 Us for the purpose of helping to direct the aforesaid meeting of the company. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 403 
 
 XIX. By which general meeting of the aforesaid chambers, all the business of this 
 company which shall come before them shall be managed and finally settled ; pro- 
 vided, that in case of resolving upon a war. Our approbation shall be asked. 
 
 XX. The aforesaid general meeting being summoned, it shall meet to resolve when 
 they shall fit out, and how many vessels they will send to each place, the company in 
 general observing that no particular chamber shall undertake any thing in opposition 
 to the foregoing resolution, but shall be held to carry the same effectually into execu- 
 tion. And if any chamber shall be found not following the common resolution, or 
 contravening it, We have authorized, and by these presents do authorize, the said 
 meeting immediately to cause reparation to be made of every defect or contravention ; 
 wherein We, being desired, will assist them. 
 
 XXI. The said general meeting shall be held the first six years in the city of Am- 
 sterdam, and two years thereafter in Zealand ; and so on from time to time in the 
 aforesaid two places. 
 
 XXII. The managers to whom the affairs of the company shall be committed, who 
 shall go from home to attend the aforesaid meeting or otherwise, shall have for their 
 expenses and wages, four guilders a day, besides boat and carriage hire : Provided, that 
 those who go from one city to another, to the chambers, as managers and governors, 
 shall receive no wages or travelling charges, at the cost of the company. 
 
 XXIII. And if it should happen that in the aforesaid general meeting, any weighty 
 matter should come before them, wherein they cannot agree, or in case the votes are 
 equally divided, the same shall be left to Our decision ; and whatever shall bo deter- 
 mined upon shall be carried into execution. 
 
 XXIV. And all the inhabitants of these countries, and also of other countries, 
 shall be notified by public advertisements, within one month after the date hereof, 
 that they may be admitted into this company, during five months from the first of 
 July, this year, sixteen hundred and twenty -one, and that they must pay the money 
 they put into the stock in three payments ; to wit, one-third part at the expiration of 
 the aforesaid five months, and the other two-thirds within three next succeeding 
 years. In case the aforesaid general meeting shall find it necessary to prolong tlie 
 time, the members shall be notified by an advertisement. 
 
 XXV. The ships returning from a voyage shall come to the place they sailed from ; 
 and if, by stress of weather, the vessels which sailed out from one part shall arrive in 
 another, — as those from Amsterdam or North Holland, in Zealand or in the Maeze, 
 or from Zealand in Holland — or those from Friesland, with the city and country, in 
 anotlier part, — each chamber shall nevertheless have the direction and management 
 of the vessels and goods it sent out, and shall send and transport the goods to the 
 places from whence the ves.sels sailed, either in the same or other vessels : Provided 
 that the managers of that chamber shall be held in person to find the place where the 
 vessels and goods are arrived, and not appoint factors to do this business ; but in case 
 they shall not be in a situation for travelling, they shall commit this business to the 
 chamber of the place where the vessels arrived. 
 
 XXVI. If any chamber has got any goods or returns from the places included 
 within the limits of this charter, with which another is not provided, it shall be held to 
 send such goods to the chamber which is unprovided, on its request, according to the 
 situation of the case ; and if they have sold them, to send to another chamber for 
 more. And in like manner, if the managers of the respective chambers have need 
 of any persons for fitting out the vessels, or otherwise, from the cities where there are 
 
404 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 chambers or managers, they shall require and employ the managers of this company, 
 without making use of a factor. 
 
 XXVII. And if any of the provinces think fit to appoint an agent to collect the 
 money from the inhabitants, and to make a fund in any chamber, and for paying 
 dividends, the chamber shall be obliged to give such agent access, that he may obtain 
 information of the state of the disbursements and receipts, and of the debts ; pro- 
 vided that the money brought in by such agents amount to fifty thousand guilders or 
 upwards. 
 
 XXVIII. The managers shall have for commissions one per cent, on the outfits 
 and returns, besides the prizes, and a half per cent, on gold and silver ; which com- 
 mission shall be divided — to the chamber of Amsterdam, four-ninth parts ; the chamber 
 of Zealand, two-ninth parts ; the Maeze, one-ninth part ; North Holland, one-ninth 
 part ; and Friesland, with the city and country, a like ninth part. 
 
 XXIX. Provided that they shall not receive commissions on the ordnance and the 
 sliips more than once. They shall, moreover, have no commission on the ships, ord- 
 nance, and other things with which We shall strengthen the company, nor on the 
 money which they shall collect for the company, nor on the profits they receive from 
 the goods, nor shall they charge the company with any expenses of travelling, or 
 provisions for those to whom they shall commit the providing a cargo and purchasing 
 goods necessary for it. 
 
 XXX. The book-keepers and cashiers shall have a salary paid them out of their 
 commissions. 
 
 XXXI. The managers shall not deliver or sell to the company, in whole or in part, 
 any (jf their own ships, merchandise, or goods ; nor buy, or cause to be bought of 
 the said company, directly or indirectly, any goods or merchandise, nor have any 
 portion or part therein, on forfeiture of one year's commissions for the use of the 
 poor, and the loss of ofRce. 
 
 XXXII. The managers shall give notice by advertisement, as often as they have 
 a fresh importation of goods and merchandise, to the end that every one may have 
 seasonable knowledge of it before they proceed to a final sale. 
 
 XXXIII. And if it happens that in either chamber any of the managers shall get 
 into such a situation, that he cannot make good what was intrusted to him during 
 his administration, and in consequence thereof any loss shall happen, such chamber 
 shall be liable for the damage, and shall also be specially bound for their administra- 
 tion, which shall also be the case with all the members who, on account of goods pur- 
 chased, or otherwise, shall become debtors to the company, and so shall be reckoned 
 all cases relating to their stock and what may be due to the company. 
 
 XXXIV. The managers of the respective chambers shall be responsible for their 
 respective cashiers and book-keepers. 
 
 XXXV. That all the goods of this company which shall be sold by weight, shall 
 be sold by one weight, to wit, that of Amsterdam ; and that all such goods shall be 
 put on board ship, or in store, without paying any excise, impost, or weigh-money : 
 Provided that they, being sold, shall not be delivered in any other way than by weight ; 
 and provided that the impost and weigh-money shall be paid as often as they are 
 alienated, in the same manner as other goods subject to weigh-money. 
 
 XXXVI. That the persons or goods of the managers shall not be arrested, at- 
 tached, or incumbered, in order to obtain from them an account of the administration 
 of the company, nor for the payment of the wages of those who are in the service 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 405 
 
 of the company ; but those who shall pretend to take the same upon them, shall be 
 bound to refer the matter to their ordinary judges. 
 
 XXXVII. So when any ship shall return from a voyage, the generals or com- 
 manders of the fleets shall be obliged to come and report to Us the success of the 
 voyage of such ship or ships, within ten days after their arrival, and shall deliver and 
 leave with Us a report in writing, if the case requires it. 
 
 XXXVIII. And if it happens (which We by no means expect) that any person will 
 in any manner hurt or hinder the navigation, business, trade, or traffic of this com- 
 pany, contrary to the common right and the contents of the aforesaid treaties, leagues, 
 and covenants, they shall defend it against them, and regulate it by the instructions 
 We have given concerning it. 
 
 XXXIX. We have, moreover, promised, and do promise, that We will defend this 
 company against every person in free navigation and traffic, and assist them with a 
 million of guilders, to be paid in five years, whereof the first two hundred thousand 
 guilders shall be paid them when the first payment shall be made by the members : 
 Provided that we, with half the aforesaid million of guilders, shall receive and bear 
 profit and risk in the same manner as the other members of this company. 
 
 XL. And if by a violent and continued interruption of the aforesaid navigation and 
 traffic, the business within the limits of their company shall be brought to an open 
 war. We will, if the situation of this country will in any wise admit of it, give them 
 for their assistance sixteen ships of war, the least one hundred and fifty lasts burden, — 
 with four good, well-sailing yachts, the least forty lasts burden, — ^which shall be proper- 
 ly mounted and provided in all respects, both with brass and other cannon, and a 
 proper quantity of ammunition, together with double suits of running and standing 
 rigging, sails, cables, anchors, and other things thereto belonging, such as are proper 
 to be provided and used in all great expeditions ; upon condition that they shall be 
 manned, victualled, and supported at the expense of the company, and that the com- 
 pany shall be obliged to add thereto sixteen like ships of war, and four yachts, mounted 
 and provided as above, to be used in like manner for the defence of trade and all ex- 
 ploits of war : Provided that all the ships of war and merchantmen (that shall be with 
 those provided and manned as aforesaid) shall be under an admiral appointed by Us, 
 according to the previous advice of the aforesaid general company, and shall obey 
 Our commands, together with the resolutions of the company, if it shall be necessary, 
 in the same manner as in time of war ; so, notwithstanding, that the merchantmen 
 shall not unnecessarily hazard their lading. 
 
 XLI. And if it should happen that this country should be remarkably eased of its 
 burdens, and that this company should be laid under the grievous burden of a war, 
 We have further promised, and do promise, to increase the aforesaid subsidy in such a 
 manner as the situation of these countries will admit, and the affairs of the country 
 will require. 
 
 XLII. We have moreover ordained that, in case of a war, all the prizes which 
 shall be taken from enemies and pirates within the aforesaid limits, by the company 
 or their assistants ; also, the goods which shall be seized by virtue of Our proclamation, — 
 after deducting all expenses and the damage which the company shall suffer in taking 
 each prize, together with the just part of his excellency the admiral, agreeable to our 
 resolution of the first of April, sixteen hundred and two — and the tenth part for the 
 officers, sailors, and soldiers, who have taken the prize, — shall await the disposal of the 
 managers of the aforesaid company : Provided that the account of them shall be 
 
406 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 kept separate and apart from the account of trade and commerce ; and that the not 
 proceeds of the said prizes shall be employed in fitting out ships, paying the troops, 
 fortifications, garrisons, and like matters of war and defence, by sea and land ; but 
 there shall be no distribution unless the said net proceeds shall amount to so much, 
 that a notable share may be distributed without weakening the said defence, 
 and after paying the expenses of the war, which shall be done separate and 
 apart from the distribution on account of trade : and the distribution shall be 
 made, one-tenth part for the use of the United Netherlands, and the remainder 
 for the members of this company, in exact proportion to the capital they have 
 advanced. 
 
 XLIII. Provided, nevertheless, that all the prizes and goods taken by virtue of Our 
 proclamation shall be brought in, and the right laid before the judicature of the coun- 
 sellors of the admiralty for the part to which they are brought, that they may take 
 cognizance of them, and determine the legality or illegality of the said prizes : the 
 process of the administration of the goods brought in by the company remaining, 
 nevertheless, pending, and that under a proper inventory ; and saving a revision of 
 what may be done by the sentence of the admiralty, agreeable to the instruction 
 given the admiralty in that behalf: Provided that the vendue-masters and other offi- 
 cers of the admiralty shall not have or pretend to any right to the prizes taken by 
 this company, and shall not be employed respecting them. 
 
 XLIV. The managers of this company shall solemnly promise and swear, that 
 they will act well and faithfully in their administration, and make good and just 
 accounts of their trade : That they in all things will consult the greatest profit of 
 the company, and, as much as possible, prevent their meeting with losses : That 
 they will not give the principal members any greater advantage in the payments or 
 distribution of money than the least : That they, in getting in and receiving out- 
 standing debts, will not favor one more than another : That they, for their own 
 account, will take, and during the continuance of their administration will continue 
 to take, such sum of money as by their charter is allotted to them ; and moreover, 
 that they will, as far as concerns them, to the utmost of their power, observe and 
 keep, and cause to be observed and kept, all and every the particulare and articles 
 herein contained. 
 
 XLV. All which privileges, freedoms, and exemptions, together with the assistance 
 herein before mentioned, in all their particulars and articles. We have, with ful! 
 knowledge of the business, given, granted, promised, and agreed to the aforesaid 
 company ; giving, granting, agreeing, and promising, moreover, that they shall enjoy 
 them peaceably and freely ; ordaining that the same shall be observed and kept by 
 all the magistrates, officers, and subjects of the United Netherlands, without doing 
 any thing contrary thereto, directly or indirectly, either within or out of these Neth- 
 erlands, on penalty of being punished both in life and goods as obstacles to the com- 
 mon welfare of this country, and transgressors of Our ordinance ; promising, moreover, 
 that We will maintain and establish the company in the things contained in this char- 
 ter, in all treaties of peace, alliances, and agreements with the neighboring princes, 
 kingdoms, and countries, without doing any thing, or suffering any thing to be done 
 which will weaken their establishment ; charging and expressly commanding all 
 governors, justices, officers, magistrates, and inhabitants of the aforesaid United Neth- 
 erlands, that they permit the aforesaid company and managers peaceably and freely 
 to enjoy the full effect of this charter, agreement, and privilege, without any contra- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 407 
 
 diction or impeachment to the contrary. And that none may pretend ignorance 
 hereof, We command that the contents of this charter shall be notified by publication 
 or an advertisement, where and in such manner as is proper ; for We have found it ne- 
 cessary for the service of this country. 
 
 Given under Our great seal, and the signature and seal of Our recorder, at the 
 
 Hague, on the third day of the month of June, in the year sixteen hundred and 
 
 twenty -one. 
 
 Was countersigned, 
 
 J. Magnus, Sec. 
 
 Underneath was written, 
 
 The Ordinance of the High and Mighty Lords the States General. 
 
 It was subscribed, 
 
 C. Aerssen, 
 
 And had a seal pendent, of red wax, and a string of white silk. 
 
408 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 B. 
 
 An Agreement between the Managers and Principal Adventurers of the 
 West India Company, made with the approbation of the High and 
 Mighty Lords the States General. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands, to all to whom these presents shall 
 be shown, greeting : Know ye, that whereas it has been made to appear to us by cer- 
 tain deputies of the Incorporated West India Company, of the chamber of Amster- 
 dam, that they have been engaged in several ways, as well in the meeting of mana- 
 gers, as also frequently with their committees, to the end that, in time, good order and 
 government may be made and established among them, to the satisfaction of the 
 good members ; that they may the better and with more profit speedily ap})ly them- 
 selves to this work, and get subsequent matters into a proper channel ; beseeching 
 our approbation, that they, by the form of an amplification of their charter, or other- 
 wise by framing an order of the aforesaid particular chamber of Amsterdam, or in 
 such manner as we in council shall think proper, and have presented several things 
 to us for that purpose, and that we, as before, should resolve thereupon : we have 
 thought fit to send a copy thereof to the respective chambers of the West India Com- 
 pany, that they should maturely examine it, confer with the Principal Adventurers 
 and Deputies, and to send some deputies of the principal adventurers to us, fully em- 
 powered and authorized for this purpose, and whatever else may serve to promote so 
 necessary a business, to meet in mutual conference, and so to agree practicably and 
 finally, with our approbation. And that a suitable number of deputies of the respec- 
 tive chambers, the directors, and principal adventurers may meet for that purpose, 
 and superintend the following, — the induction and debates of our committees in their 
 different conferences, communications, and deliberations ; and finally, that the mana- 
 gers, directors, and principal adventurers, without prejudice to the provinces and 
 respective cities, for promoting the West India business, have mutually agreed upon 
 the following articles : 
 
 I. That no alteration, extension, or interpretation of the charter or its dependen- 
 cies, shall be desired by the managers nor principal adventurers, or any others, except 
 by a previous meeting and communication, and the approbation of a majority of the 
 managers and principal adventurers who shall be present in that meeting. 
 
 II. That in all meetings in which the managers and principal adventurers shall be 
 engaged in business together, or the principal adventurers alone and without the man- 
 agers, all nominations, deputations, and elections shall be made with one name at 
 once, by putting tickets into the hands of the president, or in some other secret manner. 
 
 III. That the company shall take up no money on interest or deposite, but with the 
 advice and consent of the major part of the managers and principal adventurers : 
 nevertheless, the respective chambers may, in case of necessity, for one voyage only, 
 each take up the twentieth part of the capital of their chamber, and the said chamber 
 shall not take up any more before that is paid off. 
 
 IV. That all accounts, mentioned in the 15th article, shall be drawn out in the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 409 
 
 style of business, by the committee to be nominated by the principal adventurers, and 
 admitted under oath in the time mentioned in the said 15th article, which committee 
 shall report thereon only in gross to the other principal adventurers. And the said com- 
 mittee sh^l be bound by an oath not to divulge, but to keep every thing secret which 
 the managers must keep secret. They shall, moreover, be under the prohibition made 
 by the 31st article of the charter for the managers, respecting buying and selling dur- 
 ing the time of two years. 
 
 V. That the said committee shall have, and exercise, for the principal adventurers, 
 the right given and granted by article 27 to the agents: And, moreover, to examine 
 the books, invoices, and other documents, at their pleasure, and inspect merchandise 
 and letters concerning business. 
 
 VI. That the first two vacant places of the managers at Amsterdam, the two first 
 of Zealand, and the first in the chamber of the Maeze, shall successively be supplied 
 and filled up by the principal adventurers of the respective chambers absolutely by 
 plurality of voices, the elected being bound by the same oath with the other managers, 
 and having administration as the other directors, and shall be obliged to communicate 
 to the principal adventurers what concerns them, to preserve their right in the said 
 meetings of the managers, according to the situation of affairs, to call them together, 
 and shall be specially bound to and revokable by the aforesaid principal adventurers, 
 the rest of the directors remaining successively eligible by the respective chambers ac- 
 cording to the charter, or so as is already ordained, or shall be hereafter ordained in 
 their respective provinces : And that by provision, two of the principal adventurers of 
 each chamber of Amsterdam and Zealand respectively, and one of the chamber of the 
 Maeze, shall be a committee, besides that mentioned in the foregoing article, to take care 
 of their aforesaid right in the mean time, until one or two places shall be vacant. 
 
 VII. When the Nineteen shall meet together, the principal adventurer of the 
 chamber of Amsterdam shall choose one of the two managers or provisional commit- 
 tee aforesaid, that he may be one of the eight managers in the said meeting for the 
 chamber of Amsterdam. In like manner the principal adventurers of Zealand shall 
 choose one of the aforesaid two managers or provisional committee, by them absolutely 
 appointed, to be one of four managers for their chamber in the meeting of Nineteen. 
 And the aforesaid principal adventurers, as well of the chamber of Amsterdam as of 
 Zealand, shall each choose one of the sworn committee, mentioned in articles 4 and 5, 
 to assist each of the aforesaid deputies, in the aforesaid meeting of Nineteen, neverthe- 
 less, without that, those who are met shall have a separate vote. And that the other 
 chambers may know the cause of such meeting, those who are met of the chamber of 
 Amsterdam shall communicate it to the principal adventurers of North Holland, and 
 the city and country ; and those who are met of the chamber of Zealand shall advise 
 those of the Maeze of the business of the aforesaid meeting, as far as it may be com- 
 municated. 
 
 VIII. That hereafter no person shall be chosen a manager who is in the service of 
 the East India Company : in like manner a father and son, or brothers, of the whole 
 or half blood, shall not be chosen managers in one charnber. And the managers 
 shall receive no commissions until they give up their service in the other company. 
 
 IX. Whereas it is necessary for the satisfaction of every one, that the time of sub- 
 scribing to this company shall be prolonged, therefore the aforesaid subscription is pro- 
 longed, — for inhabitants, to the last of August, and for foreigners, to the last of Octo- 
 ber next, both new style, and it shall be made known by the advertisements : after 
 
 52 
 
410 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 that, no person shall be admitted, but every chamber shall bo obliged to close its capi- 
 tal the first day after the last of October, and eight days thereafter to send a copy to 
 each other : provided, that the outfit which is got ready shall continue for the use of 
 the company, and that those who have furnished money for others, or shall yet furnish 
 it, shall receive interest therefor at the discretion of the Nineteen. 
 
 X. And concerning the general account mentioned in article 16 in the charter, and 
 the changing of a third part of the directors in article 14, to maintain good order and 
 a general equality in all the chambers, it is found necessary that the said general ac- 
 count be made, (six years from the date of the charter beginning the third of June, 
 1621, new style,) according to the custom of trade, in public with the advice of the 
 aforesaid committee of the principal adventurers of the respective chambers, and so on 
 successively every six years to make a like'general account: but the remainder of the 
 accounts shall be deliberated upon, in order, by the meeting of the Nineteen, to the 
 end that the directors who go off may depart with clear accounts if it be practicable. 
 And the first change of a third part of the directors shall be made six years after the 
 third of June, this year, 1623, and so on successively every two years, agreeable to 
 the charter. 
 
 XI. And that this company may be under good government to the greatest profit 
 and satisfaction of all the participants, we have ordained that the same government 
 shall consist of five chambers of directors, — one within Amsterdam, who shall have the 
 administration of four-ninth parts ; one chamber in Zealand, for two-ninth parts ; one 
 chamber in the Maeze, for one-ninth part ; one chamber in the north quarter, for one- 
 ninth part ; and the fifth chamber in Vreezelandt, together with city and countrj^ 
 (Stadt ende Landen,) also one-ninth part, upon condition entered in the register of our 
 resolution and the acts passed : and the provinces in which there shall be no chamber, 
 shall be accommodated with so many directors, divided among the respective cham- 
 bers, as they shall furnish one hundred guilders to the company. 
 
 And, XII. If any thing should happen from which lawsuits may arise to the dis- 
 advantage of the company, the directors shall cfo all in their power to settle the mat- 
 ter amicably, (if possible ;) if not, to communicate it to the principal adventurers, that 
 they may act therein with common advice, in such manner as shall be found most to 
 the advantage of the company. 
 
 We having examined and considered the aforesaid articles, and being desirous to 
 promote unity and concord between the directors and principal adventurers, and the 
 advancement of the West India Company, have, with the advice of the Prince of 
 Orange, thought fit to agree to, and approve of, and do hereby agree to, and approve 
 thereof, and direct that the same shall be punctually attended to and observed by the 
 directors, members, and every person concerned therein, in the same manner as if 
 they were inserted in the charter ; because we find them proper for the service of the 
 West India Company. 
 
 Given under Our great seal, the rubric and signature of Our recorder, at the 
 Hague, the one and twentieth of June, Sixteen hundred and twenty -three. 
 
 It was countersigned, 
 
 N. VAN BOUCKHORST, Vt. 
 
 Underneath was written, 
 
 The ordinance of the High and Mighty Lords the States General. 
 
 (Subscribed) C. Aerssen. 
 
 It had a seal in red wax, pendent by a white silk string. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 411 
 
 c. 
 
 Names of the Lords Directors who have served the Company from the 
 beginning to the end of the year 1636. 
 
 [De Laet, Jaerlyck Verhael.] 
 
 In the Amsterdam Chamber. 
 Jacob Gerritsz. Hoing, Bur- Marcus van Valckenburgh, 
 
 De Heeren 
 
 gomaster, 
 Jonas Witsz., Burgomaster, 
 Jan Gysbertsz. de Vries, Schepen, 
 Jacob Pietersz. Hoog-Camer, 
 Albaert Coenraets Burgh, Schepen, 
 Adriaen Krom-hout, 
 Reynier Reael, 
 Cornelis Bicker, 
 Joris Adriaensz, 
 Hendrick Hamel, 
 Pieter Beltens, 
 Elias Pels, 
 Guilliam Bartilotti, 
 Samuel Godyn, 
 Hendrik Broen, 
 Gommer Spranger, 
 Samuel Blommaert, 
 Hans van der Merckt, 
 Rombout Jacobsz. 
 Eduard Becker, 
 
 Guillaum van Everwyn, on behalf of 
 
 Gelderlandt, 
 Matheus Joyen, on behalf of Haerlem, 
 Willem van Moerbergh 
 
 en, Schepen, 
 Joannes de Laet, 
 Johan Uyttewael, 
 Oliver UyttenhOve, 
 
 on behalf 
 of 
 
 Leyden, 
 
 on behalf of 
 the Province 
 of Utrecht, 
 
 Johan van Hemart, on behalf of De- 
 venter, 
 
 Kiliaen van Rensselaer, ) ^^t'"^'^^^- 
 Pieter Ranst, \ ^""rector. ' 
 
 Simon van der Does, Schepen, 
 
 Carel Looten, Principal partner director. 
 Michiel Pauw, Lord of Achtienhoven, 
 Jaques de la Myne, 
 Jehan Gras, 
 Abraham Oyens, 
 
 Warner Ernst van Bassen, Schepen, 
 
 Pieter Evertz Hulft, 
 
 Willem Bruyn, ' 
 
 Dirck Cornelisz. van Swanenburgh, on 
 behalf of Utrecht, 
 
 Johan van Haring-houck, 
 
 Nicolaes van Sitterich, 
 
 Matthias van Ceulen, Principal partner 
 director. 
 
 Toussain Blanche, 
 
 Abraham Spiers, 
 
 Jaques Beurse, 
 
 Marcus de Vogelaar, 
 
 Daniel van Lieberghen, 
 
 Jacob Reepe-maker, 
 
 Jehan Raye, Principal partner direc- 
 tor, 
 
 Gysbert van Hemart, on behalf of De- 
 venter, 
 
 Pieter Jansz. Blaeuwen-haen, on behalf 
 
 of Deventer, 
 Matheus de Pauw, on behalf of Utrecht, 
 Pieter Varleth, on behalf of Utrecht, 
 
 Cornelis van Wyckersloot, " 
 Dirck van Helsdingh, " 
 Jacob de Key, on behalf of Haerlem, 
 Mr. Jacob van Broeckhoven, on behalf 
 of Leyden, 
 
412 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Mr. Jehan Panhuysen, on behalf of 
 Leyden, 
 
 Johan Wentolt Bartels, on behalf of 
 
 Gelderlandt, 
 Eduard Man, 
 
 Ferdinando Schuylenburgh, 
 Frederick de Vries, 
 Johan Bartringh, 
 Johan van Gheel, 
 Abraham de Visscher. 
 
 On behalf of the Zealand Chamber. 
 
 on behalf 
 of Mid- 
 delburg. 
 
 De Heeren — ^Joos van der Hoo- 
 ghen, Burgomaster, 
 Mr. Symon Schotte, 
 
 Rogier Cobbert, on behalf of Vlissin- 
 ghen, 
 
 Antonio Godjm, ^ on behalf of Mid- 
 Pieter Beurdt, ^ delburgh. 
 Adriaen de Ketelaer, on behalf of Vlis- 
 singhen, 
 
 Abraham Droogh-broodt, on behalf of 
 
 Middelburgh, 
 Adriaen Velters, on behalf of Ter-Veere, 
 Pieter Muenic, ) on behalf of Mid- 
 Galeyn ten HaefF, ) delburgh, 
 Willera Snellen, on behalf of Vissinghen, 
 Jeremias Waelens, on behalf of Thoo- 
 
 len, 
 
 Pieter Boudaen Courten, on behalf of 
 
 Middelburgh, 
 Mr. Job Porrenaer, on behalf of Vlissin- 
 
 ghen, 
 
 Pieter van Essen, ) Principal partner 
 Jan Velinx, 
 
 ChristofFel Barents, 
 Verre, 
 
 ■director on behalf 
 of Middelburgh, 
 
 on behalf of Ter- 
 
 Mr. Symon van Beaxmiont, 
 Jean van der Poorten, 
 Woulter Teunemans, 
 
 Jan de Moor, 
 Abraham van Pere, 
 Bouwen Meissen Schot, 
 Jehan van der Merckt, 
 Cornells Coornne, 
 Cornells Claesz Elfsdyck, 
 Pieter van der Velde, 
 Jehan Gysselingh, 
 Abraham Bisschop, 
 Pieter Joosten Duyvelaer, 
 Steven Becker, 
 Pieter Alleman, 
 Abraham Schooten, 
 Nicolaes Velinx, 
 Cornells Lampsens, 
 Hendrik Liens, 
 Pauwels Jansz. Serooskercke, 
 Jan Louys, 
 Nicolaes Swancke, 
 David Taetse. 
 
 On behalf of the Maeze Chamber, 
 At Dordrecht. 
 
 De Heeren — Cornells van Terensteyn, 
 Mr. Jacob de Witte, 
 Michiel Pomp^, 
 Comelis Nicolay, 
 Wynandt Jansz. Rutgers, 
 
 De Heeren — Philips Doublet, 
 Hendrik van Milligem, 
 Jacob Hoghenhoeck, 
 
 Dirck van der Hasghe, 
 Johan van der Mast, 
 Arendt Martenz, 
 RoelofF Francken, 
 Comelis van Beveren, 
 
 At Delft. 
 
 Adriaen van der Goes, 
 Adriaen Pietersons, 
 Mr. Johan de Voocht, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 413 
 
 Geerard van Fockenstaert, 
 
 Pieter Antheunisz. van den Heuvel, 
 
 Mr. Wm. Schade, 
 
 Arendt Jacobsz. van der GraefE 
 
 At Rotterdam. 
 
 De Heeren — Corns. Claesz. van Driel, 
 Jacob Velthuysen, 
 Dirck Pietersz. van Veen, 
 Henrick Nobel, 
 Johan Robberts, 
 
 Hendrik van Eck, 
 Thomas Varver, 
 Adriaen van der Dusse, 
 Sarich Hairwyck. 
 
 On behalf of the North Quarter Chamber. 
 
 on be- 
 half of 
 Alc- 
 maer. 
 
 on be- 
 half of 
 Hoorn. 
 
 on be- 
 half of 
 Enk- 
 huy- 
 zen. 
 
 De Heeren — Jr. Floris van Tey- 
 hughen, Burgomaster, 
 
 Gerrit Jansz. van der Nieuw- 
 burgh, Burgomaster, 
 
 Pieter Willemsz. Kessel, 
 
 Olfert Barentz, 
 
 Jr. Johan van Foreest, 
 
 Claes Willemsz. Crap, Burgo- 
 master, 
 
 Fredrick Broeker, 
 
 Gerrit Jacobsz. Trompet, Bur- 
 gomaster, 
 
 Comelis Pietersz. Lantman, 
 Burgomaster, 
 
 Jacob Menten, 
 
 Pieter Hardebol, 
 
 Boudewyn Heynsz. 
 
 Jacob Pieter Mienses, 
 
 Claes Syraonsz. Dolphyn, on behalf of 
 Monnickendam, 
 
 Willem Dircksz. Everhardt, 
 Burgomaster, 
 
 Pieter Vanninghs, Burgo- 
 master, 
 
 Martin Boudewynsz., Burgomaster of 
 Edam, 
 
 Cornelis Mathysz. Schaghen, Burgo- 
 master of Medenblick, 
 Claes Jacobsz. Roch, of Hoom, 
 Jan Jansz. Sus, of Hoom, 
 
 ' on behalf 
 [ of Edam. 
 
 on behalf 
 of Me- 
 denblick. 
 
 Meyndert Thomasz., of Enkhuysen, 
 Adriaen Cornelisz. Schaghen, of Alk- 
 maer. 
 
 Jacob Volckertz, of Enkhuysen, 
 Comelis Sweerssz, of Enkhuysen, 
 Pieter Huygh, of Enkhuysen, 
 Pieter Claesz. Teenghs, of Edam, 
 Jan van Neck, Burgomaster at Hoorn, 
 Symon Maertsz. Lievens, Burgomaster 
 
 at Medenblick, 
 Dirck Codde van der Burgh, at Enkhuy- 
 sen, 
 
 Pieter Pauw, of Alcmaer, 
 Pieter Dircksz. Ben, Burgomaster at 
 Hoom, 
 
 Dr. Johan Gerritsz. Juel, of Hoorn, 
 Mr. AUert de Groot, of Hoorn, 
 Mr. Pauwels Swanenburgh, of Alc- 
 maer, 
 
 Claes Adriaensz. Clock, of Hoorn, 
 Pieter Claesz. Bosch-Schieter, Burgo- 
 master of Edam, 
 Dirck Willemsz. Everhart, of Meden- 
 blick, 
 
 Sasker Comelisz. Schaghen, of Meden- 
 blick, 
 
 Jacob Schaghen Hooghlandt, 
 Dirck Jacobsz. Haghen, of Monnicken- 
 dam. 
 
 On behalf of the Chamber of Stadt en Landen. 
 
 De Heeren-^ochim Altingh, Burgomaster, Hugo van Nyeveen, Burgomaster, 
 
 Jr. Johan Seckinghe, Jr. Albert Condors, 
 
 Jr. Onno Tamminga, Pieter Isebrants, Councillor, 
 
 Jr. Remt Rangers, Jr. Sygert Syghers, 
 
414 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Jr. Edzard Jacob Clandt, 
 
 Jr. Diderich Scharff, 
 
 Bartoldt Wickeringhe, Councillor, 
 
 Jr. ChristofFer van Eussum, 
 
 Hillebrandt Gruys, Councillor, 
 
 Albert Wyfrink, Councillor, 
 
 Joost van Cleve, Councillor, 
 
 Nicolaus Mulerius, Professor, 
 
 Heer Willem van Vyrssen, 
 
 Heer Barent Jansz., 
 
 Hendrick Schonenburgh, Councillor 
 
 Hendrick van Royen, 
 Jr. Rempt Jensema, 
 Jr. Johan Horenken, 
 Jr. Barent Conders, 
 Heer Folckert Folckertsz. 
 Bernhard Julsingh, Burgomaster, 
 Jr. Lambert van Starkenburgh, 
 Heer Tobias Iddekingha, 
 Pieter Eyssinghe, Burgomaster, 
 Edzard Rengers, Councillor, 
 Jr. Evert Leeuwe. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 415 
 
 D. 
 
 Capt. Masori's Letter to [Mr. Secretary Coke ?] relative to the Dutch in 
 New Netherland, 2d April, 1632. 
 
 [London Documents, vol. I.J 
 
 Right Honorable — In yearo of Lord God 1621, or thereabouts, certaine 
 Hollanders were upon the coast of New England, tradeing w* y^ Indians, betwixt 
 Cape Codd and Bay de la Warre, in 40 degrees of northerly latitude, being a parte of 
 that country which was granted to Sir Walter Rawleigh by Queene Elizabeth, in anno 
 1584, and afterwards to diverse of their subjects, under y^ title of Virginia ; which 
 countrey was divided by agreement of y^ Virginia Company, and the Northeast parte 
 thereof confirmed afterward by King James, in anno 1606, to ye President and Coun- 
 sell for ye plantations there, which have beene settled in Virginia on y^ one hand to 
 the westwards, now about fortie yeares, and in New England on the other hand, to 
 ys eastward, above 25 yeares since. The sayd Hollanders as interlopers fell into 
 ye middle betwixt the sayd plantations, and at theii- returne of their voyage aforesayd, 
 published a mapp in Low Countries of y^ sayd sea coaste comp'hended betwixt 
 Virginia and Cape Codd, undi" y" tytle of New Netherlands, giveing ye name of the 
 Prince of Aurange to the comitrie and river of Manahata, where ye Dutch are now 
 planted, (which sayd countrey was many yeares before discovered by the English- 
 men in their voyages to Virginia,) and giveing other Dutch names to other places to 
 ye eastward of ye sayd Manahata River, a.s farr as Cape Codd, all w<='i had beene for- 
 merly discovered and traded unto diverse tymes by sev'all Englishmen, as may be 
 proved. And Samucll Argall, Kn* wth many English planters were p'pareing to 
 goe and sitt downe in his !ott of land upon ye sayd Manahata River, at the same 
 tyme when the Dutch intruded, wch cau.'sed a denmrre in their p'ceeding until King 
 James, upon complaint of my lord of Arundell w'' Ferdinando Gorges, Ku' and 
 ye Sr Samuell Argall, (form'ly Gov. of Virginia,) and Capt. John Mason, of ye sayd 
 Dutch intruders in ano 1621, had, by his Mamies order a Ire* to ye sayd Lord of 
 Dorchester, then ambassador at ye Hague, questioned the States of ye Low Countries 
 for that matter. Which ye Lords ye States by answer, (as I take it,) of their ambas- 
 sador Sir Nowell Carronne, did disclayme, disavowing any such act that was done by 
 their people, w^^h their authority, w<='i my Lord Arundell and, I thinke, ye Lord Balti- 
 more, (their Secretary of State,) doe remember, and S^ Ferdinando Gorges and Captaine 
 Mason can witnesse the same. Neverthelesse ye yeare following, w''^ ({is I take it) 
 was 1622, the sayd Dutch, under a pretended authority from ye West India Company 
 of Holland, maintayned as they sayd by commission from ye sayd Prince of Aurange, 
 did returne to ye foresayd river of Manahata and made plantation there, fortifying 
 themselves there in two severall places, and have built shipps there, whereof one was 
 sent into Holland of 600 tunnes or thereabouts. And albeit they wore warned by ye 
 
 * Those Ires of ye Lords doe beare date the 15 of December, 1621. 
 
416 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 English plantation at New Plymouth to forbeare trade, and not to make any settle- 
 ment in those partes, letting them know that they were the territories of ye King of 
 England, yett nev'theless with proude and contumacious answers, (saying they had 
 commission to fight against such as should disturbe their settlement,) they did persist to 
 plant and trade, vilefying o"" nation to the Indians, and extolling their owne people and 
 countrye of Holland, and have made sundry good returnes of commodities from thence 
 into Holland, especially this yeare they have returned (as it is reported) 15,000 beaver 
 skynnes, besides other commodities. 
 
 Yor Ho" humble servant, 
 (Signed) Jhon Mason. 
 
 April 2, 1632. 
 
 Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Capt. Mason, about an expedition on the 
 
 Dutch. 6 April, 1632. 
 
 [Lend. Doc. i., 50-52.] 
 
 Sir — On Thursday night I received yours of the 30th March, by w^ii I understand 
 ho we you have p'ceeded against those of the Dutch plantacon. I am glade the busi- 
 ness is before the Lords. I hope they will not bee over hasty in concluding a business 
 of that nature, considering howe much it concerns both the honor of the kinge and 
 State to make good the interest they have therein. You shal bee assured I will not 
 p'tract any time of my comeing upp, butt I must acquaint you with an unhappy acci- 
 dent that befell me the same day I received yours. For haveing bene with my Lord 
 Pawlett, and divers others of my private friends att a horse race, I took a fall from 
 my horse, and am now in soe much extremitie of paine, as I am not able to move or 
 stir but as I am helped by maine strength of my s'vauntes ; notwithstanding, by God's 
 favor, I hope to bee w* you in very shorte time, what shifte soever I make to travell. 
 I am sorry to heere you are soe poorely seconded in a matter soe just and honijle. j 
 conceive you may have from Mr. Shirly a coppy of that w^h came to my hands from 
 those of New Plymouth, w'^^ more p'ticulars than came to mee. Itt may please yon 
 that hee may bee spoken w'^ about it. I doubt not but att my cominge I shall bee 
 able to give both his Maty and the Lords sufficient satisfacion for to fortefie the justify- 
 inge, (not the stay of the shippe onely,) but to prosecute their displanting from thence. 
 And that w^h is now to bee desired is that wee may bee heard to speake before ought bee 
 done for the shipps dispatch. I hope you will make some shifte to sende away the horses 
 I sent you before the receipte of Mr. Eyres' to the contrary, for I knowe they wilbee 
 of more service and worth then any you will serve yourselves all att the islands : 
 besides heere is noe shipping that goes from hence till towards the winter quarter ; but 
 what you doe betweene you shall please mee, though I desire extreamly they may goe 
 att this present, thoughe it were wholly on my owne accompte for their transportation wth 
 the horses. Lett this suffice I pray you for this present, for that my paine will suffer 
 mee to say noe more att this time, save only I beseech you to remember my hum- 
 ble service to my Lord Marshall, and to lett his honor knowe the misfortune that 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 417 
 
 retaynes me from attending his Lopp : soe soone as my liarte desires, and soe much 
 you may bee pleased to lett my Lord of Warwick knowe in like manner, vv* the 
 remembrance of my service to his Lopp : beseeching him not to be slacke wherein 
 you knowe his helpe may further the best wee shall gaine thereby wilbee the know- 
 ledge of what may bee expected from him hereafter ; and soe I committ you to 
 God, and rest 
 
 Your assured loving friend, 
 
 (Signed) Ferd: Gorges. 
 
 Bristou., the 6th April, 1632. 
 
 53 
 
418 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 E. 
 
 Report and Advice on the condition of New Netherlands drawn up from 
 documents and papers placed by commission of the Assembly of the 
 XIX., dated 15th Dec, 1644, in the hands of the General Chamber of 
 Accounts, to examine the same, make a digest thereof, and to advise the 
 Assembly how the decay there can be prevented, the population increas- 
 ed, agriculture advanced, and that country wholly improved for the 
 benefit of the company. 
 
 New Netherland, situate in America between English Virginia and New Eng- 
 land, extending from the South River, lying in 38^ degrees, to Cape Malabar, in the 
 latitude of 41 J degrees, was first frequented by the inhabitants of this country in 
 the year 1598, and especially by those of the Greenland company, but without mak- 
 ing any fixed settlements, only as a shelter in the winter. For which purpose they 
 erected there two little forts on the South and North Rivers against the incursions of 
 the Indians. A charter was afterwards, on the 11th October, 1G14, granted by their 
 High Mightinesses to Gerrit Jacobsz. Wittsen, ancient burgomaster of the city of 
 Amsterdam, Jonas Wittsz., Symon Morrissen, Lambert van Twcenhuyscn, Wessel 
 Schenck, and associates, all inhabitants of these countries, to trade exclusively to the 
 newly-discovered lands, now called New Netherland, situate in America, between 
 New France and Virginia ; to sail thereto exclusively for the term of three years, 
 without any other persons being allowed to sail out of this country to, or frequent 
 that place during that time, on pain of confiscation of ships and goods, and a fine of 
 fifty thousand Netherlands ducats. 
 
 In the years 1G22 and 162.3, the West India Company took possession, by virtue 
 of their charter, of the said country, and conveyed thither in their ship, the New 
 Netherlands, divers colonists under the directorship of Cornells Jacobsz. Mey and 
 Adriaen Jorisz. Thienpoint. Which directors built, in the year 1624, Fort Orange on 
 the North River, and Fort Nassau on the South River, and after that, in 1626, Fort 
 Amsterdam on the Manhattes, in all of which garrisons were continually maintained 
 by the company, and trade prosecuted in those several districts with yachts, sloops, 
 and other craft. In the year 1629, the Freedoms and Exemptions conceded by the 
 Noble Assembly of the Nineteen, were published with the approbation of their High 
 Mightinesses. Divers Patroons and colonists resorted thither thereupon, and endeav- 
 ored to advance agriculture and population. For further security, the Fort Good 
 Hope was also erected, in 1633, on the Fresh River. But population did not experi- 
 ence any special increase until the year 1639, when the fur-trade with the Indians, 
 which theretofore was reserved to the company, was thrown free and open to every- 
 body ; at which time the inhabitants there resident not only spread themselves far 
 and wide, but new colonists came thither from Fatherland, and the neighboring Eng- 
 lish, as well from Virginia as from New England, removed under us. So that in 
 place of seven bouweries, full thirty were planted, and full one hundred more ex- 
 
 4 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 419 
 
 pected in a short time from the plantations which were taken up. Then: was every 
 appearance, in addition, that in two or tliree years' time provisions could be furnished 
 for ten thousand men. 
 
 Although the hope was now entertained, that by such means the conquered prov- 
 ince would come to a flourishing state, it nevertheless appeared that the abuse of the 
 free trade was the cause of the said ruin. Firstly, the colonists thereby, with a view, 
 each to push forward his own advantage, separated themselves from one another, and 
 settled far in the interior of the country, the better to drive trade with the Indians, 
 whom they thenceforward sought to allure to their houses with excessive familiarity 
 and treating ; whereby they brought themselves into contempt among the Indians, 
 who, not having been always treated alike, made this the cause of enmity. Second- 
 ly, in consequence of their proximity to the Indians, whose lands lay unfenced, the 
 cattle belonging to our people, straying without herdsmen, seriously damaged the corn 
 or maize of the savages. This occasioned much complaint, and no redress following, 
 they revenged themselves, killing the cattle and even the horses. Thirdly, not only 
 the colonists, but also the free-traders proceeding from this country in consequence of 
 the large profits, traded away with the Maquaas, arms for full four hundred men, 
 such as muskets, powder and lead, which, having been refused to the other tribes, 
 when demanded, augmented the hatred and the enmity among the latter. Fourthly, 
 it happened that the Director, a few years after, imposed a contribution of maize on 
 the Indians, whereby these were totally estranged from us. 
 
 Hence arose various threats and injurious rencontres, which finally broke out into 
 acts of hostility, so that first the Raritan Indians attempted to make way with one of 
 our sloops, and afterwards killed some hogs on Staten Island ; whereupon the Direc- 
 tor dispatched eighty soldiers thither to avenge this, who burned their corn and killed 
 three or four of their people. Both sides then desisted from further proceedings. 
 
 It further happened that a Wechquaeskeeck savage murdered, about the year 1640, 
 an old man with an axe, in his own house, for which, having received no satisfaction 
 from the tribe, the resolution was taken afterwards, in the year 1642, by Twelve Men 
 chosen from the commonalty, to revenge the murder by open war ; but nothing was 
 done at the time in consequence of missing the enemy, who, observing what was de- 
 signed against them, sued for peace. 
 
 Some time afterwards the Hackingsack Indians designedly shot with an arrov/ a 
 Dutchman sitting on the roof of a house, which he was covering. The commonalty 
 were very much troubled at this, dreading the occurrence of more such acts. And 
 while satisfaction was being sought by the Director for this, without success, God 
 seemed to have taken vengeance on the Wechquaeskeecks, througii the Mohecan 
 Indians, who, overtaking them, slaughtered full seventy of them, and led many wo- 
 men and children away prisoners. This obliged the remainder to fly to our people to 
 the Manhattans, where they were received into the houses, and fed by the Director 
 diuing fourteen days. Shortly after this they were seized with another fright. They 
 fled with the Hackingsax, full a thousand strong in the neighborhood of the fort, and 
 over the river of Pavonia. Some of the Twelve Men having noticed this, the Di- 
 rector, at the request of three of these, namely, of Jan Jansz. Damen, Abraham 
 Planck, and Maryn Adriaensz., who signed in the name of all their board, author- 
 ized an attack on the above-mentioned Indians, in the course of the night between 
 the 27th and the 28th of February, 164.3, by a party of soldiers and burgher.-;, who, 
 with cruel tyranny, slew eighty of them, and took thirty prisoners. And although 
 
420 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 the commonalty protested against the Director and the aforesaid three persons on 
 account of these hasty and severe proceedings, as having taken place without their 
 knowledge or consent, they were, notwithstanding, obliged to declare open war 
 against full eleven tribes of Indians, who rose up in arms on that account. The con- 
 sequence was, that about one thousand of these, and many soldiers and colonists be- 
 longing to us, were killed. All the bouweries almost were moreover destroyed, so 
 that only three remained on the Manhattes, and two on Staten Island, and the greater 
 part of the cattle was destroyed. Whatever remained of these were obliged to be 
 kept in a very small enclosure, except in Rensselaer's colonic, situate on the Nortli 
 River, in the neighborhood of Fort Orange, which experienced no trouble, and enjoy- 
 ed peace, because they continued to sell fire-arms and powder to the Indians, even 
 during the war against us. 
 
 The company thus experienced the greatest loss and destruction, both by the con- 
 sumption of their ammunition, and ready money expended in the purchasing this at a 
 dear rate, as well as by reinforcing the garrison by the enlisting of as many English- 
 men as could be hired in that country, fifty of whom the colonists solemnly engaged 
 to pay, but the payment not having followed, it remained as a charge on the compa- 
 ny. Those indebted to the company were hereby finally reduced to such a state, 
 that they had no means to pay their debts. 
 
 To remedy this great decay, various suggestions were proposed by the Director 
 and Commonalty : 
 
 Firstly, that to restore peace and quiet throughout the country, the Indians, who 
 waged war against us, should, by force of arms, be utterly destroyed and exterminated. 
 The Director demanded for that purpose, one hundred and fifty soldiers, armed with 
 arquebuses and coats of mail, and provided with sufficient munitions of war, as he 
 e.stimated the numbers of the Indians, our enemies, not to be above three hundred 
 strong. The Commonalty, maintaining their force to be some thousands strong, con- 
 sidered their extermination impossible, and were of opinion that it would be wiser to 
 establish universal quiet by a general peace. Of this they have but little hope, so long 
 as the present administration remains there, because the Indians will no way be 
 pacified, as they themselves declare to some of ours, until the Director be re- 
 moved ; for their daily cry everywhere is — Wouter, Wouter, — meaning Wouter van 
 Twiller. 
 
 Secondly, in order to prevent future wars, the colonists should be settled in a proper 
 situation, near to each other, so being brought everywhere into villages and towns, 
 they would be in better circumstances, in time of need, for self-defence. Thus being 
 separated from the Indians, the cattle would not cause any injury to the crops of the 
 Indians, whereby, heretofore, trouble has frequently arisen ; and too great familiarity 
 with the savages avoided, none of these being employed in domestic service. 
 
 Thirdly, for better defence against enemies, and to ensure respect from neighbors, 
 that it would be advisable to construct, of stone. Fort Amsterdam, which is now in 
 such a state of decay, that men, without using the gate, pass over the walls. This, 
 according to the estimate of the Director, would cost but from twenty to twenty-five 
 thousand guilders. 
 
 Fourthly, that the boundaries between the English and our nation, should be ar- 
 ranged by the crown of England and this state, so that all difficulties with the former 
 people may be prevented. Whereas the Fresh River has been usurped by them since the 
 year 1633, notwithstanding the company had previously taken possession of the whole 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 421 
 
 thereof, and on the 8th June, anno 1633, when no Englishmen had ever been on, or 
 in the neighborhood of tliat river, had purchased twenty miles of territory from the 
 Indians, and erected Fort Good Hope thereupon, and maintained possession of it 
 with our people. After which, namely, on the 16th September, the English first 
 came from New Plymouth and Matliuses Bay before the said fort, and declared that 
 they would erect a house three miles above the same. The commissary residing 
 there, opposed this so long as he could, but was forced to permit the same, according 
 to instructions, under protest. In the mean time, sundry letters, protests, and sum- 
 mons, passed on both sides between their governor and our director. It finally came 
 to pass, that they arrived on the above-mentioned river in the years 1635 and 1636, 
 with numbers of families and cattle, establishing themselves there, far and near, even 
 on the land situate around and by our fort, and belonging to us. Which land they 
 have divided among themselves, endeavoring to prescribe laws to us, because they 
 having built a house or two at the mouth of the river, pretended thereby to have the 
 key thereof. 
 
 Fifthly, that it would be advisable for the benefit of that country all around, to 
 facilitate emigration to New Netherland, as has been done heretofore for a long time, 
 or at least to credit the emigrants for a time, in order to allure colonists thither, and 
 afterwards to introduce a considerable number of farm-servants and negroes into the 
 country, through whose labor agriculture would be so much promoted, that a large 
 quantity of provisions could be transported thence to Brazil. 
 
 Sixthly, that a rendezvous for vessels of war should also be established in New 
 Netherland, which is better adapted than the island of Curagoa, in consequence of 
 the abundance of provisions and building-timber there ; besides, that men can pro- 
 ceed thence safer and quicker to all the points in the West Indies, and discover the 
 designs of the enemy. 
 
 Seventhly, that it would be profitable for the company to keep a well-furnished 
 store and cellar there, from which the inhabitants around could be accommodated at a 
 certain reasonable price, for money or produce, which will otherwise be overvalued 
 and exhausted through private traders. But as private individuals have been permit- 
 ted to carry on trade, let their imported wares be fixed at a certain price. 
 
 Finally, it is proposed by them, that the council be composed of four to five persons, 
 in order to maintain justice and the authority of the company, together with the re- 
 spect of neighbors. ' 
 
 From all which 'tis to be seen into what confusion and ruin New Netherland is now 
 fallen, such being caused by the rash undertaking of so unnecessary a war, without 
 the knowledge, much less the order of the Nineteen, and against the will of the Com- 
 monalty there — besides what excessive expense is now required from the company 
 both for succor and redress. There does not seem that any apparent profit can be 
 expected from there for some years. On the contrary, it is found by the company's 
 books in the Department at Amsterdam, that in place of being a source of profit, this 
 district of New Netherland has cost the company from the year 1626 to the year 
 1644 inclusive, over 550,000 guilders, deducting the returns which have been received 
 from there. It would, therefore, be worthy of consideration if it would not be better 
 for the company to rid themselves, by the abandonment of New Netherland, of such 
 heavy expenses altogether, than by retaining it, to continue them. 
 
 But inasmuch as the company has promised, in its conceded Freedoms, to take all 
 colonists, as well freemen as servants, under its protection, and to aid in defending 
 
422 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 them against all internal wars ; and as the improvement of matters by good manage- 
 ment here, and better direction there, is not beyond hope, so that this place may be 
 maintained in the first instance with small profit, or at least without loss, it is therefore 
 our opinion, under favor, that the company cannot decently or consistently aban- 
 don it. 
 
 In order to introduce such regulation and improvement, we submit to the conside- 
 ration of the Noble Assembly the following points : — 
 
 Firstly, The establishment of the boundaries with the English should speedily and 
 first of all be agreed upon, for it is found that they, in consequence of their great popu- 
 lation, usurp daily more of our territory. This being first settled, it should be condi- 
 tioned, that the English who find themselves in our district, or should come hi there, 
 should be subject to our government, and not be acknowledged otherwise than as 
 original subjects. 
 
 Secondly, The country should be brought, in every respect, into peace and quiet- 
 ness ; and the advice of the present Director utterly to exterminate all enemies by 
 force, by no means be adopted, not only because such is impracticable and unchris- 
 tian, but it would be injurious to the company, necessitating, as it would, so heavy an 
 expenditure on so uncertain an event, and so little appearance of profit. It would not 
 be impolitic, therefore, to adopt the advice of the Commonalty, and to endeavor by all 
 means to appease and satisfy tlie Indians, and to order hither the Director and coun- 
 cil, who are responsible for that bloody exploit of the 28th February, 1643, to justify 
 and vindicate their administration before the Noble Assembly of the Nineteen. In 
 place of whom a person should be sent back as Director, sufficiently qualified to pro- 
 mote the interests of the company and the prosperity of the commonalty on the one 
 hand, and to maintain on the other good correspondence with the neighboring people, 
 especially with the Indians. 
 
 Thirdly, It would be advisable to carry into effect and to execute the proposition of 
 the Director previously alluded to — that the colonists should settle on some of the best 
 adapted places with a certain number of householders, in the manner of towns, vil- 
 lages, and hamlets, as the English are in the habit of doing ; they thereby will live 
 more secure, according to the intention of the company in the granting of the printed 
 freedoms and the amplification thereof. 
 
 Fourthly, It shall be necessary, first of all, to hasten the repairs of the fort, and we 
 are of opinion that this shall be done in a proper manner, and at the least expense, 
 with good clay and firm sods. The soldiers should bo urged thereto by some presents, 
 and obliged to keep it for the future in continual repair. The Director should be 
 strictly nnmmanded to take good care of this. 
 
 Fifthly, We consider, under favor, that for the security of the aforesaid fort, and as 
 elsewhere required, the persons specified in the annexed list should be sufficient, on 
 such allowances, as there, moreover, drawn out — adding thereto that the colonists and 
 their servants should be bound, under certain penalties, to provide themselves with 
 good fire-arms and other weapons for self-defence ; and to secure themselves in time 
 of need, independent of the garrison, against a general attack, without the Director, 
 colonists, or whosoever it might be, being permitted to hire any soldiers, be they few 
 or many, at the company's expense. 
 
 Sixthly, A council should be established there, consisting of three persons ; namely, 
 the Director as president ; the Second and the Fiscaal as councillors adjunct. 
 Through which council all cases arising relating to the police, justice, dignity, and 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 423 
 
 rights of the company should be treated and administered. With the understandinor, 
 nevertheless, that the Commander should take the place of the Fiscaal in criminal 
 matters, with the addition moreover of two capable persons from the commonalty- 
 Further, as by the 28th article of the Freedoms, the respective colonies were allowed 
 to delegate one or two persons to inform at least, once a year, the Director and coun- 
 cil of the state and condition of their colonic, so are we of opinion that the said dele- 
 gates should moreover assemble every six months, at the summons of the Director and 
 council, for mutual good understanding and the common advancement of the welfare 
 of the inliabitants ; besides to assist in advising the same upon all affairs relating to the 
 welfare of their colonies, the preservation of peace with the Indians and neighboring 
 people, the maintenance of the Freedom and privileges, and the redress of all abuses, 
 besides the maintenance of the statutes and the laws ; bearing in mind, always, that 
 throughout the whole of that land the Amsterdam measure, ell, and weight shall be 
 used. 
 
 Seventhly, It must be especially attended to that the population and cultivation of 
 the country should be strengthened. It would be serviceable thereto to facilitate, as 
 much as possible, the emigration of the colonists and freemen who intend to proceed 
 thither to settle there, and to cause them to establish themselves, first of all, on the 
 island of Manhattans ; allowing them as much land as they were able to cultivate, 
 whether in planting of tobacco, for which that island being very fertile is considered 
 well adapted ; or of grain or other crops, from which they may expect to derive the 
 largest profit. 
 
 And for the advancement of the reclaiming of the country, it would be wise to 
 allow, at the request of the Patroons, colonists, and other farmers, the introduction 
 from Brazil there, of as many negroes as they would be willing to pay for at a fair 
 price ; which negroes would do their masters more service, and at less cost, than 
 farm-servants, which must be hired here with a great deal of money and much prom- 
 ises to be sent thither. 
 
 Eighthly, To increase the population still more, we would advise, that it would be 
 best to reserve the Indian trade exclusively to the Patroons, colonists, and free farm- 
 ers residing there, without permiting any licensed traders to trade in any manner with 
 the said Indians ; but to be satisfied to exchange their cargoes with the free inhabit- 
 ants for peltries, tobacco, wheat, and other produce of the country. But it should be 
 absolutely forbidden, that either the freemen should sell to the Indians, or the licensed 
 traders to the freemen, any arms or munitions of war, on pain of a heavy punishment 
 to be inflicted therefor, lest the Indians, being strengthened thereby, may hereafter 
 be encouraged to do us more injury than they can now, in their impotcncy, inflict. 
 But it shall be obligatory on the freemen to be provided, each with a good musket 
 and side-arms for self-defence, as already mentioned in the 5th point. An inspec- 
 tion thereof shall be had by the Director every six months. 
 
 And in order to encourage the good people of New Netherland the more, the No- 
 ble Assembly of the Nineteen should, under favor, consider if it would not be advan- 
 tageous and beneficial to the conquered province, to allow the Patroons and colonists, 
 there resident, to export their produce to the Brazils, under proper recognitions and 
 tolls, as there are there flour, oatmeal, peas, beans, pipe-staves, planks, square timber, 
 and other wood fit for ship and house-building. Also to encourage the fisheries there 
 around, that they and no other persons should be permitted to salt and preserve the 
 fish and caviare which can be caught there, to sell the same at the Reciff", [Pernam- 
 
424 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 buco ;] and that it should also be allowed, that the New Netherlanders should take 
 salt on the Brazil coast around Siara, or in the West Indies, for the purpose of salting 
 wet and dry fish ; and to erect salt-pans in New Netherland to refine the same, and 
 to render it fit to use as fine salt with fish and meat. And, arriving at Brazil, that 
 they shall be bound to deliver all into the company's store, and on payment of the 
 proper duties and tolls, whether in money or specie, to dispose of the same without 
 exporting any money thence, but to take as a return cargo, staves, sugar, confection- 
 ary, ginger, tobacco, cotton, and other country produce, with proper entries thereof, 
 both as to quantity and quality ; and therewith to sail straight to New Netherland, 
 without touching at any port, while on the way, to barter or to sell any part thereof, 
 under any pretext whatsoever. Wherefore they should receive on the part of the 
 company a supercargo, to make a report of the whole to the company, and to re- 
 turn in the next ship from New Netherland to the Brazil. And as all further smug- 
 gling must be prevented, the skippers must be obligated (on pain of loss of ship and 
 goods) after being visited at the Reciff,* to touch at Paraiba, to be there visited 
 again on the part of the company. 
 
 Which trade being thus adjusted, it shall not be necessary for the company to be 
 burdened with any equipages, or purchases of cargoes, and thereby be relieved from 
 numerous servants required therefor. The garrison being established to board them- 
 selves, they will be amply provided therein, and with other necessaries, by the freemen 
 and inhabitants there. 
 
 But in order to furnish the expenses which the company have to defray for the 
 support of that garrison and other servants, it will be necessary that the receipts of 
 the recognitions, tolls, and other duties, as well on the exported as on the imported 
 goods, already established and hereafter to be imposed, should be sharply attended to ; 
 wherefrom we think that the expenses to be met by the company can be amply re- 
 ceived, with the hope that the population increasing, greater and more ample profits 
 can be derived therefrom. 
 
 * Nearly south of Pernambuco city, between the river Bibiribe and the sea, a small tongue of 
 land extended, on which stood a village named RecifFe : there all goods were shipped and unship- 
 ped. De Laet, Verhael van West Indien, 191. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 425 
 
 F. 
 
 Patent of Mespath, or Newtown, L. I. 
 
 [Translated from Book of Patents GG., p. 49.] 
 
 We, Willem Kieft, Director-general, and council of New Netherland, for and 
 in behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, the Lords States General of the United 
 Netherland Provinces, his Highness the Prince of Orange, as well as the Most 
 Noble Lords the Lords Directors of the General Privileged West India Company, To 
 all those who shall see these Letters, make known, that We have given and granted, 
 as by these Presents We do give and grant, unto Francis Doughty and associates, 
 their heirs and assigns, in real, actual, and perpetual possession, all and every that 
 certain parcel of land situate on Long Island, in this Province, with the pastures and 
 whatever else it includes, containing in superficies six thousand six hundred and sixty- 
 six Dutch acres, or thereabouts, comprehended within four right hues, each two thou- 
 sand Dutch perches long, the first whereof extends from the east angle of Hans Hans- 
 sony's (Jan Janssen's) meadow, dividing, according to the creek, the marsh into two 
 unequal parts, unto the plantation of Richard Britnal, and thence proceeds towards the 
 northeast, passing through the middle of the fresh marsh to the rivulet surrounding the 
 south part of the lands of Henry the Farmer, [Henrici Agricote,] and following the same 
 even to its mouth : the other line, taking its origin from thence, bends towards the south- 
 east according to the main bank, going along the same unto the other creek, [fluviolum,] 
 following the course of which from its mouth until it attains the eastern extremity of the 
 said marsh, (from whence the aforesaid creek arises,) thence turns again towards the 
 southeast, until it has gained the length of two thousand Dutch perches ; the third 
 line taking its rise from the end of the latter, tends towards the west, of an equal 
 length with the others ; finally, the fourth running from the last-mentioned point 
 towards the northwest, terminates at the above-mentioned eastern angle of Hans 
 Hanssony's meadow, at which angle a large stone is erected for the greater certainty 
 of the boundaries ; 
 
 With power to establish, in the aforesaid tract, a town or towns ; to erect a church 
 or churches ; to exercise the Reformed Christian Religion and church discipline, which 
 they profess ; also, to administer, of right, high, low, and middle jurisdiction ; to decide 
 civil suits not exceeding fifty Dutch florins ; to impose definitively and without appeal 
 in criminal matters, fines to an equal amount ; to pronounce the first sentence in other 
 civil and criminal actions of greater moment, and to execute the same, subject, how- 
 ever, to such execution being deferred, should an appeal be made to the supreme 
 court of New Netherland : Finally, to exercise all rights belonging to the aforesaid 
 jurisdiction, with power, moreover, to nominate some of theirs, and to present them to 
 the Director of New Netherland, that a sufficient number may be chosen from them 
 for political and juridical government : together with the right of hunting, fowling, 
 fishing, and of trading, according to the immunities granted, and to be granted, to the 
 colonists of this province, without any exception : — 
 
 54 
 
426 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Wherefore the aforesaid F. Doughty and his associates, their heirs and assigns, shall 
 be obligated, so long as they are in possession of the above-mentioned lands, to ac- 
 knowledge the aforesaid lords for their sovereign Lords and Patroons ; to pay, after 
 the lapse of ten years, the tenth part of the produce of the land, whether cultivated 
 with the plough, hoe, or otherwise, orchards and kitchen-gardens, not exceeding one 
 Dutch acre, excepted. Finally, to use no other standard than that of Holland ; and 
 so as to avoid confusion, to use Dutch weights, the Dutch ell and all other Dutch 
 measures. 
 
 All which we promise, under the foregoing conditions inviolably to preserve, and 
 bind our successors to the faithful observance of the same, by virtue of the commis- 
 sion and supreme authority granted to us by the Most Mighty Prince of Orange, Gov- 
 ernor of the United Belgic Provinces. In testimony whereof, we have subscribed 
 these presents with our own hand, and caused them to be countersigned by the Secre- 
 tary of New Netherland, and the seal of New Netherland to be affixed thereto. Given 
 at Fort Amsterdam, on the island Manhattans, in New Netherland, in the vear 
 1642, the 28th of March. 
 
 WiLLEM KlEFT. 
 
 By order of the Director and Council, 
 
 CoRNELis VAN TiENHovEN, Secretary. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 427 
 
 Ff. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Doughty. 
 
 [From Van der Donck's Vertoogh van N. Nederlandt.J 
 
 " This minister, Franciscus Doughty, in the time of the first troubles in England, 
 came, in order to escape from them, to New England, and found himself out of the 
 frying-pan in the fire. In order to be able to enjoy freedom of conscience, according 
 to the Dutch Reformation, which he certainly missed in New England, he betook 
 himself under the protection of the Dutch ; and an absolute patent, with privileges for 
 a colonic, was granted and conferred on him by the Director. He had reinforced 
 himself now in one year with some families, but in consequence of the breaking out of 
 the war, they were all driven from their lands, with loss of some people, and the de- 
 struction of much cattle, losing for the most part all their houses and whatever they 
 possessed. After they had remained awhile, and consumed more than they could col- 
 lect, they came to the Manhattans, where all the refugees resorted at the time, and 
 Master Doughty was minister there. After the flames of war were spent, and peace 
 was concluded, though in such a way that nobody trusted much to it, some people re- 
 turned to their lands. The Director perceived clearly that this man would have liked, 
 were every thing well settled, to have gone back also to his land. But inasmuch as 
 the peace was doubtful, and Master Doughty had nothing wherewith to make a com- 
 mencement, he was not in a hurry. Nevertheless, he proceeded thither, some time 
 after, and dwelt there half a year. But he left it again at Thanksgiving. In tne ex- 
 pectation that some others would make a village there, a suit was entered against the 
 clergyman, and managed so that the place was confiscated. Master Doughty finding 
 himself aggrieved, appealed from the sentence. The Director answered, that no ap- 
 peal lay from his judgment, but that it must be absolute, and condemned the minister 
 thereupon to imprisonment, in which he must remain for 24 hours, and then pay 25 
 guilders. Such an act we have always considered one of oppression, and looked upon 
 it as a mark of sovereign power. 
 
 " At first, while Director Kieft was still here, the English 
 
 preacher requested, as he had lived and done duty a long time without suitable sup- 
 port, and as his land was now confiscated, to be allowed to proceed to the Islands 
 [West Indies] or to the Netherlands ; but he always received unfavorable answers, 
 and he was threatened with this and that. Finally he was permitted to depart, on 
 condition that he promised, under his hand, neither to mention nor to complain, in 
 whatever place he should go to, of what Director Kieft or Stuyvesant had done 
 to him here in New Netherland. This the man himself has declared. The Honor- 
 able Dincklagen and Commander Looper, who then lived together, say likewise that 
 it is true." 
 
428 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [From Van Tienhoven's " Cort bericht," being a reply to Van der Donck's " Vertoogh."] 
 
 " FRAN501S Doughty, Adriaen van der Donck's father-in-law, an English clergy- 
 man, was granted a colonic at Mespacht, not for himself alone, as Patroon, but for 
 him and his co-associates, by whom he was empowered, and who then resided in 
 Rhode Island, at Cohannock and other places, of whom a Mr. Smith was one of the 
 principal. For the said preacher had, of his own, scarcely means enough to build a 
 hut, let alone to people a colonic at his own expense, but was to be employed as min- 
 ister by his associates, who were to prepare a Bouwery in said colonie for him, in re- 
 turn for which he should perform the duties of preacher, and support himself on the 
 produce of the Bouwerie. 
 
 " Fran5ois Doughty, coming to the Manhattans to live, during the war, was engaged 
 as preacher by the English in and around the Manhattans, who were bound to main- 
 tain him, without either the Director or Company being subject to any charge there- 
 for. And the English giving him nothing for his support, two collections were taken 
 up among the Dutch and English, whereon he lived at the Manhattans. 
 
 " The said Colonie of Mespacht was never confiscated. That is proved by the 
 owners who still dwell there, who had an equal interest in the colonie with Doughty. 
 But as DoLighty would prevent its settlement, and permit no one to plant in the colonie 
 unless those who would pay him a certain sum of money down for every morgen of 
 land, and then moreover, a certain sum annually in shape of quitrent, and sought, 
 also, to make a domain thereof in opposition to the co-interested of the colonie, Mr. 
 Smith having especially complained, it was finally concluded by the Director and 
 Council that the copartners should enter on their property, reserving to Doughty the 
 bouwery and lands which he had in possession, so that he should suiFer no loss or 
 damage thereby. That I could also prove, were it not that the documents are in New 
 Netherland and not here. .......... 
 
 " The English preacher, Frangois Doughty, has never been in the company's service. 
 Wherefore the latter was never indebted to him, but the English congregation must 
 pay him, as it can be proved in New Netherland. The company hath assisted tho 
 said preacher from time to time with goods and necessary maintenance, amounting 
 to about fl.l,l€0, ($440,) as the colony's books can testify, whereof he hath never paid 
 any part." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 429 
 
 G. 
 
 Payment and Expenditure which Kiliaen van Rensselaer has advanced 
 and paid, in his life-time, as Patroon of the Colonic called Rensse- 
 laerswyck, situate on the North River of New Netherland, for the sup- 
 port of said Colonic, together with what has been expended and paid 
 after his decease in behalf of said Colonic. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 [Note. — The Merchants' books in Holland are kept in guilders, stivers, and pennies.] 
 
 1630. 
 
 Jan. 10. Paid to Wolfert Gerrittsen for Rutger Hendricksen van 
 Soest, Superintendent of a brewery, in advance of 
 what he shall earn, 20 Rix dollars, ... fl. 50.00 
 
 Paid in further advance, by Wolfert Gerrittsen, to Rut- 
 ger aforesaid, 5.00 
 
 To Rutger Heindricksen aforesaid for a present, 5.00 
 
 /. 60.00 
 
 14. Paid to Brant Peelen, from Nieukerck, second farm ser- 
 vant, [Bouw-knecht,] with the promise that he shall 
 be appointed superintendent on the second farm, in ad- 
 vance, 6 Rix dollars, /■ 15.00 
 
 To the same as a present, ..... 10.00 
 
 25.00 
 
 To Wolfert Gerrittsen, overseer of farms, (opperboiimeester,) for 
 
 the following items ; for one month's wages, to be deducted, 20.00 
 
 For one month's wages in hand, for which he shall account, or 
 to be otherwise deducted. 
 
 For 12 ewes with lamb and one ram, 
 For payment of his expenses and trouble. 
 For 16 bushels of oats, . . . . . 
 For 150 double cakes of pressed rape-seed. 
 For lint-seed fl. 1, Hemp-seed fl. 2, Rope fl. 4, 
 For 2 large bed sacks to contain hay. 
 For a basket and other small matters, 
 
 20.00 
 
 fl. 78.00 
 9.00 
 12.00 
 7.10 
 7.00 
 5.00 
 1.10 
 
 120.00 
 
 15. For 2 handsome guns for my servants who shall be sent out for my 
 
 use, fl. 37.10 
 
 To Seger Heindricksen from Soest, Shepherd and Ploughman, at 
 
 fl. 25 yearly, on account, 6 Rix dollars, 15.00 
 
 Feb. 8. To Gillis van Schendel, for one map on parchment, and four ditto 
 on paper, of the islands and other tillage grounds, (bouwlanden) 
 situate in my Colonic, to be sent thither for their convenience, 
 6 Rix dollars, 15.00 
 
430 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Feb. 19. To Wolfert Gerrittsen, for his disbursements: — 
 
 For the sheep, fl. 3.00 
 
 For veterinary surgeon, ...... 6.00 
 
 For 10 halters and one sheep-shears, .... 4.00 
 
 13.00 
 
 Mar. 11. Paid, by Wouter van Twiller, to Simon Dircksen Pos, for expenses 
 
 on the sheep, .......... 4.18 
 
 To Jacob Janssen, " lansman," for expenses at Texel : — 
 
 For purchase of two sheep at Texel, and some hay, fl. 14.00 
 For the keep (staengelt) of 13 sheep (whereof one died 
 of the mange) for 41 days, and carriage of said 
 sheep, together 13 stivers per day, .... 26.13 
 To Claes Arissen, for hay and carriage, . . . 6.00 
 
 46.13 
 
 17. Paid at Middelburg for 2 Zealand ploughs for Wolfert Gerritt- 
 sen, and for oats and draff for the sheep, which he bought also 
 
 in Zealand, 22.00 
 
 May 17. To Roelof Jansen of Masterlandt, assistant Bouwmeester, who 
 shall serve with his family, according to contract, yearly 
 fl. 180, from which is to bo deducted, as having been paid, 40 
 
 Rix dollars, . 100.00 
 
 To Claes Claessen of , farm-servant to Roelof Jansen, to 
 
 be deducted from his yearly wages, ...... 10.00 
 
 To Jacob Govertsen, 8 rix del. to be deducted from his yearly salary, 15.00 
 June 3. To Jacob Schimmel, for 2 guns for Roelof Jansen and his people, 
 
 which they are to restore, ....... 28.00 
 
 July 4. Paid to Jacques Spierinck, auger-maker, (boor-maker,) for axes, 
 adzes, borers, augers, sledges, &c., delivered to Roelof Jansen, 
 to be taken along with him, ....... 37.15.6 
 
 Dec. 7. To Johan Monfoort, for so much bought of him for me in New 
 Netherland, by Wolfert Gerrittsen, viz. 4 ewe milk-sheep and 4 
 
 lambs, in all, 33.00 
 
 12. Paid to Philip Jansen of Harlem, for eight sheets of ruled paper, a 
 
 writing-book and pen, to make drawings around Fort Orange, 1.13 
 To John Theisen, trumpeter, to be deducted from the hire of Rut- 
 1631. ger Heindricksen of Soest, . . .... 10.00 
 
 June 24. Paid to Maryn Adriaensen van der Veere, who proceeds 
 thither with his people to plant tobacco, according to 
 contract made with him, for the half of 4 guns, 8 axes, 
 4 adzes, 12 spades, amounting to fl. 74.10, . fl. 37.05 
 
 For one half of fl.143.04 to Jasper Ferlyn and Johan Tiers, 
 
 for guard money, (wachtgelt,) and paid in hand, . 71.12 
 
 108.17 
 
 26. To Maryn Adriaensen, as per receipt, to be repaid in tobacco, the 
 
 sum of, 100.00 
 
 To Maryn Adriaensen aforesaid, repaid the half of fl. 12, which 
 he paid to Cornolis Maasen van Buren Maasen, to be deducted 
 from his hire, 6.00 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 431 
 
 June 30. For remaining day's wages to Jasper Ferlyn and Cornelis Maasen, 
 
 who embark on board together, ...... 2.00 
 
 July 5. Paid to the following millwrights and sawyers, according to con- 
 tract made with them : — 
 To Andries Carstensen, master millwright, . . fl. 40.00 
 To Laurens Laurensen of Copenhagen, . . . 27.10 
 
 To Barent Thomissen of He gensout, . . . 25.00 
 
 92.10 
 
 To Heindrick op de Camp, for two small millstones for a small 
 
 grist-mill, 20.05 
 
 9. To Liibbert Tamessen, for one iron trap of 155 lbs. at 6 stiv: — 
 
 fl. 46.10, and twelve stiv. boat freight, 47.02 
 
 Pieter Jansen Smit, for one iron trap, 36 lbs. at 6 stiv: — fl. 10.16, 
 
 besides 4 [erasure] fl. 14 and 8 stiv. freight, .... 25.04 
 
 To Laurens Laurensen, paid for sledges, ..... 9.00 
 
 To Coenraedt Notelman, sheriff (schout) of New Nether- 
 land, to present to the Skipper of the (ship) Eendracht, fl. 5.00 
 Besides 12 Rix dollars to be disbursed, on arriving there, 
 
 for my people, .... .... 30.00 
 
 35.00 
 
 Aug. 5. To Mr. Schepcn Bicker, for the purchase and expense 
 of five Cow calves at Texel, accordiug to account, hold- 
 en by Coenradt Notelman, .... fl. 69.12 
 For purchase and expense of 3 calves from Jacob Clas- 
 sen, and had by myself, ..... 32.00 
 
 For freight of three calves, from here to Texel, . 2.10 
 
 104.02 
 
 To Copartner Samuel Bloemmaert, for so much delivered 
 
 by, and made good to him, 2,222 lbs. of wheat and rye 
 
 meal, at 4 stivers, fl. 88.00 
 
 10 bags obtained therefor by him, at 16 stiv., . . 8.00 
 
 96.00 
 
 To Jacques Spierinck, auger-maker, for the master millwrights 
 
 and wood-sawyers, according to account, .... 27.17 
 Sept. 27. To Simon Symensen of Hooru for rope and lines furnished said 
 
 wood-sawyers and wood-cutters, ...... 39.15.10 
 
 1348.02 
 
 For interest of disbursements, according to contract, at one 
 
 penny for 16, or 6 per cent, 
 fl. 297.10 paid, anno 1630, from 10th to 1.5th Jan. fl. 29.05 
 
 101.11 
 
 in February and March following, . 
 
 9.00 
 
 125. 
 
 in May following, .... 
 
 10.00 
 
 65. 5.6 
 
 in July and June, .... 
 
 4.10 
 
 43. 
 
 in December, .... 
 
 2.10 
 
 218.10 
 
 in June, 1631, .... 
 
 3. 0 
 
 229. 1 
 
 in July, 1631, .... 
 
 3. 0 
 
 267.14.10 
 
 in August last .... 
 
 o! 0 
 
 - : 61.5 
 
 1348 2 ■ 
 
 Sommarium, 1409.7 
 
432 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 Memorandum of what has been received and had by Kiliaen van 
 Rensselaer, as Patroon of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, on behalf 
 of the same, together with what has come in on behalf of the Colo- 
 nie after his decease : — 
 
 1631. 
 
 Sept. 29. From myself for so much which I must bring in for my two- 
 fifth parts of the first estimate . . . . . . fl. 563.14.8 
 
 " " Received from Samuel Blommaerl, in liquidation of his one- 
 fifth part, 281.17.8 
 
 Nov. Received from Fran9ois Boudewyns for the one-fifth part of 
 
 1632. Johannes [Da Laet] aforesaid, 281.17.8 
 
 Feb. 20. Received in liquidation of Samuel Godyn for one-fifth part as 
 
 aforesaid, .... .... 281.17.8 
 
 fl. 1409.07 
 
 [Cetera desunt] 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 483 
 
 H. 
 
 Names of Settlers in Rensselaerswyck from 1630 to 1646 
 
 Compiled from the books of Monthly Wages and other MSS.] 
 
 1630. 
 
 Wolfert Gerritsen, superintendent of farms. 
 
 Rutger Hendricksen van Soest, superintendent of the brewery. 
 
 Seger Hendricksen van Soest, sheplierd and ploughman. 
 
 Brandt Peelen van Nieukerke, schepen ; had two daughters, Lisbet and Gerritje. 
 The latter married Goosen Gerritsen van Schaick. The father died in 1644. 
 He is mentioned by the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis in his tract on the Maquaa In- 
 dians, and by Van der Donck in his Beschryvinge van N. N., as having raised 
 wheat off one field in Rensselaerswyck eleven years in succession. The land 
 was ploughed twelve times in that period ; twice the first and once every suc- 
 ceeding year, when the stubble was ploughed and the wheat sown and harrowed 
 under. Van der Donck adds : — " There are many thousand morgens of as good 
 land there as that of which we have spoken." Several descendants of this indi- 
 vidual reside in Albany county, where they go by the name of Brandt. 
 Simon Dircksen Pos, was one of Minuet's council in 1624 ; died in 1649. 
 Jan Tyssen, trumpeter, Fort Orange. 
 Andries Carstenssen, millwright 
 Laurens Laurenssen, 
 Barent Tomassen, 
 
 Arendt van Curler ; a sketch of this gentleman has been already given, p. 322 
 
 Jacob Jansen Stol, succeeded Hendrick Albertzsen as ferry-master at Beverwyck. 
 
 Martin Gerrittsen van Bergen, married Neeltje Meynderts ; his oldest son was Ger- 
 rit ; his second, Myndert van Bergen. In the year 1668, he had a lease of 
 Castle Island, called after him, Martin Gerritsen's Island, and in 1690 he lived 
 south of that island, on the west side of the river. He had property in Katskill, 
 Coxsackie, and Albany, of which place he was magistrate for a long time 
 
 Claes Arissen. 
 
 RoelofF Jansen van Maesterlandt, wife and family ; came out as farmer to the 
 Patroon, at $72 a year. The Rev. Ev. Bogardus, of New Amsterdam, married 
 his widow. 
 
 Claes Claessen, his servant. Jacques Spierinck. 
 
 Jacob Govertsen. Raynert Harmensen. 
 
 Bastiaen Jansen Krol, Fort Orange. 
 
 Albert Andriessen Bradt, " de Noorman," married Annetje Barents, by whom he 
 had eight children, viz. Barent ; Eva, (who m. RoelofF Swartwout ;) Storm ; En- 
 geltje, (who m. Teunis Slingerland, of Onisquathaw ;) Gisseltje, (who m. Jan van 
 Eechelen ;) Andries, Jan, and Dirck. The tradition is, that one of the above 
 
 55 
 
 I 
 
 > sawyers. 
 
434 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 children was born on ship-board, on the passage out, in the midst of a heavy 
 storm, in consequence of which he was called " Storm van der Zee." Barent 
 Albertsen succeeded his father, in 1672, as lessee of the water privileges on the 
 Normans Kill, for which he was to pay ^150 a year ; and Slingerland succeeded, 
 in 1677, as lessee of the farm which his father had occupied until then on the 
 above stream. Albert de Noorman died 7th June, 1686, and Swartwout, mention- 
 ing the occurrence, says : — he was " een van de oudste en eerste inwoonders der 
 colonic Rensselaerswyck." He was one of the oldest and earliest of the inhabit- 
 ants of Rensselaerswyck. At the time of his decease, he was proprietor of some lots 
 and houses on the island of Manhattans. It was after this man that the creek 
 south of Albany was called the Noormans Kill. Many of his descendants are 
 still met with in and around the latter city. 
 
 1631. 
 
 Maryn Adriaensen van Veere. This was the freebooter who afterwards played so 
 
 prominent a figure in Kieft's time. 
 Thomas Witsent. 
 
 Gerrit Teunissen de Reus, schepen, had a well-stocked farm in Greenbush 
 Cornells Teunissen van Westbroek. 
 
 Comelis Teunissen van Breukelen, Raedts persoon ; the descendants of this man 
 
 now call themselves van Brackelen. 
 Johan Tiers. 
 Jasper Ferlyn. 
 Gerrit Willems Oosterum. 
 
 Cornells Maessen van Buren Maassen (in Gelderland) and Catalyntje Martensen, 
 his wife, came out in the ship Rensselaerswyck. In the passage out was bom 
 their first child, Hendrick ; had besides him, four other children, viz. Martin, 
 Maas, Steyntje, and Tobias, all of whom were living in the colonic in 1662. 
 Steyntje married, 1663, Dirck Wessels, " free merchant here." The father had 
 a farm at Papskenea. He and his wife died in 1648, and were both buried on 
 the same day ! (Beyde op eenen dagh zyn begraaven. MS.) 
 
 Cornelis Teunissen Bos, bouwknecht to Cornells Maassen, was commissary at Fort 
 Orange previous to 1662. 
 
 1634. 
 
 Jan Labbadie, carpenter, native of France, was subsequently commissary to the 
 Patroon, and after that held a like office at Fort Orange, under the company. 
 He married the widow of Mr. Harman van der Bogaert. He came out previous 
 to this year, and was part owner of the Garce. 
 
 Robert Hendricksen. Adriaen Gerritsen. 
 
 Lubert Gysbertsen, wheelwright. Jan Jacobsen. 
 
 Jacob Albertzen Planck, officicr, or sheriff. Joris Houten, Fort Orange. 
 
 Hendrick Cornelissen. 
 
 Jan Jaiisen Dam, or Damen ; married Ariaentje Cuvel. He removed subsequent- 
 ly to New Amsterdam, where he was elected one of the Eight Men ; amassed 
 considerable wealth, and was one of the owners of the privateer La Garce. In 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 435 
 
 1649-50 he went to Holland with C. van Tienhoven, to defend Stuyvesant 
 against the complaints of Van der Donck and others, and died on his return, 18th 
 June, 1C51. He does not seem to have had any children. He had three bro- 
 thers, Cornells Jansen Cuyper ; Cornells Jansen Damen ; and Willem Jansen 
 Damen ; and two sisters, Neiltje and Hendrlckje. He adopted the son of the 
 last-named sister — Jan Cornelis Buys — who assumed his name, having been left 
 600 Car. guilders. Jan Dainen, at his death, willed 400 Car. guilders to the 
 poor of Bunick, province of Utrecht. The inventory of his personal property fills 
 ten folio pages in the records. 
 
 Barent Pieterse Koyemans, alias Barent the Miller, entered the service of the first 
 Fatroon, at 30 guilders a year. Three brothers accompanied him to Rensse- 
 laerswyck in 163G : viz. David, Jacob, and Arent, who was a lad. It is pre- 
 sumed that they came originally from Utrecht. Barent worked in the Patroon's 
 grist-mill until 1645, in the fall of which year he took charge, with Jan Gerrit- 
 sen, his partner, (who came out with him,) of the Patroon's saw-mills, being al- 
 lowed 150 gl. each a year for board, and 3 stivers a cut for every plank they 
 sawed. He remained in this employment until 1647, having cut between three 
 and four thousand boards in that time. Previous to 1650, ho lived a little south 
 of the 5th or Patroon's creek, and in 1G55 took a nineteen years' Ictise of a farm of 
 maize-land at 24 gl. per annum. In 1657 he rented, in company with Cornelis 
 Theunis. van Breukelen, for three years, the Upper Mills, (as tiie mills on the Pa- 
 troon's creek were called, in contradistinction to those on the Norman's kill,) 
 which he leased on his own account in 1G60 for 13 years. This lease expired in 
 1673, about which time he purchased, by consent of the Commissioners at Al- 
 bany, from the Katskiil Indians, a large tract of land, some twelve fifteen 
 miles south of that city, on the west side of the river. The place had been known, 
 for many years previous, as offering peculiar advantages for the erection of saw- 
 mills, Cryn Cornelissen and Hans Jansen having erected saw-mills on the creek 
 immediately north of Beeren Island as early as 1651. Coeymans had, no doubt, 
 these advantages in view when he made his purchase, which began at a point on 
 the shore called Sieskasin, opposite the middle of Jan Ryersen's island called by 
 the Indians Sapanakock, and ran south to the mouth of Pieter Bronck"s kill, as 
 Coxsackie creek was then called. Following up this creek to its head, the line 
 then went west until it struck the head of the waters falling into the Hudson, all 
 the land on which belonged to the Katskiil Indians, the waters flowing west to 
 the Schoharie creek being the property of the Mohawks. The line then went 
 northerly to the bounds of Rensselaerswyck, and thence returned to the Hudson 
 River. A patent was obtained for this tract, twelve miles deep and some eight 
 or ten front, from Gov. Lovelace, on 7th April, 1673. But falling as it did with- 
 in the original bounds of Van Rensselaer's colonic, Coeymans purchased out the 
 
 1635. 
 
 Jan Terssen van Franiker. 
 Jan Cornelissen, Carpenter. 
 
 Juriaen Bylvelt. 
 
 Johannes Verbeeck ; Raedt Persoon, 1658, 1661. 
 
 1636. 
 
436 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Patroon's claims, 22d Oct., 1706, agreeing to pay a quit-rent of nine shillings a 
 year, and he finally obtained letters patent from Queen Anne, confirming the 
 whole to him and his heirs forever, 6th Aug., 1714. This purchase now consti- 
 tutes the ancient town of Coeymans, in the county of Albany. — Barent Pieter- 
 sen had five children — Andreas, Samuel, Peter, Ariantje, and Jannitje. An- 
 • dreas moved to the Raritans, New Jersey, where he purchased a considerable 
 tract of land, and where some of the Coeymans still reside. Peter married twice : 
 by his first wife he had Mayica, who married Andreas Witbcck ; and Elizabeth, 
 the wife of Jacob van Allen. By his second wife, Charlotte Amelia Drawyer, 
 he had Gerritje, who married John Barclay, mayor of Albany ; Anne Margaret, 
 who married Peter Ten Eyck, and Charlotte A., who married John Bronck. 
 Mrs. Abraham Verplanck of Coeymans is grand-daughter to this Mrs. Bronck 
 All the descendants of Barent Coeymans, after the first generation in a direct 
 line, were females. Owing to this singular circumstance, the family name is now 
 extinct in this State. 
 Pieter Cornelissen van Munnichendam, millwright. 
 
 Dirck Jansen van Edam. Mauritz Janssen, ) t, , , 
 
 , , . , • , , i„r- , , X > van Broeckhuysen. 
 
 Arent Andriessen van rrederickstad. Michel Jansen, ^ 
 
 This Michel brought out his wife and two children. Van Tienhoven says he 
 came out as a " boereknecht," or servant. He amassed a fortune in a few years, 
 in the fur-trade, but not being able to agree with the head men of the colonle, he 
 removed, in 1646, to the island of Manhattans. He purchased Evertsen Bout's 
 farm in Pavonia, with some stock, for 8,000 gl., and was appointed one of the 
 delegates to Holland in 1649, against the colonial administration, but owing to 
 the unsettled state of his private affairs he could not accept that appointment. It 
 was in a room in this man's house, in New Amsterdam, that Van der Donck 
 wrote his celebrated " Vertoogh," or Remonstrance against the maladministra- 
 tion of affairs in New Netherland. 
 Jacob Jansen van Amsterdam- 
 Simon Walings van der Belt ; was killed at Pavonia, in 1648, by some savages from 
 the south. 
 
 Gysbert Claessen van Amsterdam. Hans Zevenhuyzen. 
 
 Cristen Cristyssen Noorman van Vlecburg Adriaen Hubertsen. 
 
 and wife. Rynier Tymanssen van Edam. 
 
 Tys Barentsen Schoonmaker van Edam. Toraas Jansen van Bunick. 
 Cornelis Tomassen, smith, and wife. 
 
 Arent Steveniersen, wife and two children; he married, anno 1637, the widow of 
 Cornelis Tomassen, by whom he had two other children. 
 
 .lohan Latyn van Verduym. Claes Jansen van Nykerk. 
 
 Rutger Jacobsen van Schoenderwoerdt ; married in New Amsterdam, anno 1646, 
 Tryntje Jansen van Briestede, (who died at her son's in Rosendal, in 1711.) 
 By her he had two daughters and one son. Margaret, one of the daughters, 
 married, in 1667, Jan Jansen Bleecker, who came from Meppel, province of 
 Overyssel, to America, in 1658, and was the ancestor of the present highly re- 
 spectable Bleecker family in this State. Rutger Jacobsen was a magistrate in 
 Rensselaerswyck as early as 1648, and continued to fill that office as late as 
 1662, and perhaps later. He owned a vessel on the river in 1649, in which year 
 he rented, in partnership with Goosen Gerrittsen, the Patroon's brewery, at 4.50 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 437 
 
 gl. a year, paying in addition one guilder for eveiy ton of beer which they brewed. 
 This duty amounted in the first year to 330 gl., and in the following season they 
 worked up 1,500 schepels of malt. On the 2d June, 1656, he laid the corner- 
 stone of the " new church," in Beverwyck, and we find him subsequently part 
 proprietor of Pachonakelick, called by the Dutch Mohican's or Long Island, 
 below Bethlehem. He had the character of an upright citizen, and to his 
 credit it must be added, he rose by his honest industry from small beginnings. 
 Ryckert Rutgersen ; was engaged, when he first came out, at 120 gl. per annum for 
 a term of 6 years. In 1648 he took a 6 years' lease of Bethlehem Island, at 300 
 gl. per annum, besides the tenths. He received three horses, and two or three 
 cows on halves, and the Patroon was to build him a barn and dwelling-house, he 
 cutting and drawing the timber, and boarding the carpenters. He was exempt 
 from rent and tithes for the first year. In 1652 he surrendered his lease to Jan 
 Ryersen, after whom this island has since been named. 
 
 N. B. The Settlers of 1636 came out in the ship Rensselaerswyck, having sailed from 
 Holland on the 1st October of that year. 
 
 1637. 
 
 > 
 
 Jan Michaelsen van Edam, tailor, and his boy. 
 Pieter Nicolaussen van Nordinge. 
 
 Teunis Cornelissen van Vechten, succeeded Michel Jansen on his farm in 1646, and 
 
 lived in 1648 at the south end of Greenbush. 
 Burger Joris, smith. 
 
 Jan Ryersen ; the island situate opposite the junction of the towns of Bethlehem and 
 Coeymaus, on the Hudson, was called Jan Ryersen's island, in consequence of 
 this man having lived there in 1652. 
 
 Abraham Stevensen, surnamed Croaet, a boy. 
 
 Cornelis Teunissen van Merkerk. 
 
 Goosen Gerritsen van Schaick ; married, 1st, Gerritje Brants, daughter of Brant Pee- 
 len ; 2d, in July, 1657, Annetje Lievens. He was a brewer in the colonie in 
 1649, in which year he accepted, after a good deal of solicitation, the office of 
 magistrate, or Gerechts persoon. Was afterwards one of the part owners of 
 Nachtenack, the'Indian name for the site of the present village of Waterford, 
 Saratoga county. 
 
 Willem Juriaensen Bakker, was banished from the colonie in 1650, at the age of 
 seventy years, in consequence of his repeated misdeeds.* 
 
 * As the minute in the Gerechts rolle, or court register, of the sentence pronounced against this 
 public disturber will afford some idea of the strictness of the police in those days, we are tempted 
 to translate it. It is in this wise : — "Their worships, the Commissioners and Council of the colo- 
 nie of Rensselaerswyck, having duly considered and weighed the demand of the Honorable Direc- 
 tor, as prosecutor against Willem Juriaensen Bakker, and finding that he was already banished out 
 the colonie by their Worshipful Court, on the 4th February, 1644 ; and afterwards because that he 
 attempted on the Lord's highway with a knife to stab the person of Antonie de Hooges, then 
 commis to the Noble Patroon, whereby he, in as much as in him lay, did commit a murder, for which 
 he, on the 28th August, 1G47, was banished from the colonie ; and he having by petition prayed for 
 a respite, which was granted to him, he pledged all his goods, and also subjected himself to the 
 banishment of his person, should he happen to insult any person within or without the court, or 
 to do any thing that should be displeasing, or worthy of punishment. Therefore, the Honorable 
 Prosecutor, recapitulating the same, has set forth, to wit, that he, the Delinquent, hath so fright 
 
438 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1638. 
 
 Jan Dircksen van Anniersfoort. Gerrit Hendricksen. 
 
 Wybrant Fietersen. Cornells Leendertsen. 
 
 Willem Meynten. Francis AUertsen, cooper. 
 
 Martin Hendricksen van Hamelwaard. RoelofF Cornelissen van Houten. 
 
 Adriaen Berghoorn. Volckert Jansen. 
 
 Hendrick Fredrieksen. Jacob Jansen Nostrandt. 
 
 ChristofFel Davits ; lived in 1650 on a farm at Dominie's Hoeck, now called Van Wie's 
 Point. 
 
 Claes Jansen Ruyter. Jacob Flodder, his man. 
 
 Gysbert Adriaensen van Bunick ; came out in tlie Key of Calmar. 
 
 Tennis Dircksen van Vechten ; came out, with wife, child, and two servants, in the 
 " Arms of Norway," and had a farm, in 1648, at Greenbiish, north of that oc- 
 cupied by Teunis Cornelissen van Vechten. He is referred to in 1663 as " an 
 old inhabitant here." 
 
 1639. 
 
 Jacob Adriaensen van Utrecht. Ryer StofFelsen. 
 
 Cryn Cornelissen; obtained a license in 1651 to erect a sawmill in company with 
 Hans Jansen van Rotterdam, on what is now Coeyman's Creek. 
 
 Adam Roelantsen van Hamelwaard ; previously a schoolmaster in New Amsterdam. 
 
 Sander Leendertsen Glen ; married Catalyn Doncassen. He was one of the Indian 
 traders at Beverswyck, and finally moved to Scotia, near Schenectada, of which 
 tract he obtained a patent from Gov. Nicolls, in 1665. Reference is made probably 
 to this gentleman by the French in their account of the burning of Schenectada, 
 anno 1690, in the following terms : — " At dayoreak some men were sent to the 
 
 ened an l shocked a certain woman, [Saertje Comelis, wife of Thomas Sanderssen Smitii,] that ac- 
 cording to her complaint, she hath miscarried ; Secondly, that he hath unjustly censured some 
 honorable people, among others some of the Worshipful Court here, asserting, as relates to the 
 agreement between him and Jan van Hoesem, that they had written a falsehood ; Thirdly, having 
 been quietly spoken to about the purchase of two beasts, he, entering the house, called out that he 
 had a knife in his sleeve, and that, if he were meddled with, he should pay the Honorable Prosecu- 
 tor with it. Besides, being summoned on account of these enormities, he did openly insult the 
 Honorable Prosecutor here, saying, ' I must bury you ; I am summoned before the court ; I must 
 hang.' Moreover have we been assured by trustworthy persons, that he hath said to certain 
 females who were proceeding to partake of the Lord's Supper, 'Is it a bit of bread you want? 
 Come to my house and I'll give yoti a whole loaf ;' and divers other things. [On being asked his 
 age, ' to the contempt of the court, he said he was about twenty-one, though it is known to us that 
 he is at least seventy years of age.'] Wherefore, he being a blasphemer, a street-scold, a mur- 
 derer as far as his intentions are concerned, a defamer, a contemner of law and justice, and a dis- 
 turber of the public peace, their Worships of the court aforesaid have adjudged and sentenced, as 
 they do hereby sentence and adjudge, that the aforesaid sentence of banishment shall stand fast, 
 and he, Willem Juriaensen, is hereby banished out the district and jurisdiction of this colonie, from 
 now henceforth and forever, to leave by the first vessel, and never more to return, on pain of corporal 
 punishment: all with costs of court. Thus sentenced, &c., in College, this 18th July, 1650, to the 
 knowledge of me, 
 
 " A. DE HooGEs, Secretary. 
 "27th July, 1650. Resolved, that Willem Juriaensen shall be conveyed on board of Rutger Ja- 
 cobsen, and then released, Rutger Jacobsen promising to give him a passage in his yacht to the 
 Manhattans." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 439 
 
 dwelling of Mr. Sander, who was Major of the place at the other side of the 
 river. He was not willing to surrender, and began to put himself on the defen- 
 sive, with his servants and some Indians. But as it was resolved not to do him 
 any harm, in consequence of the good treatment which the French had formerly 
 experienced at hi.s hands, M. d'Ibervilie and the great Agniez proceeded thither 
 alone, promised him quarter for himself, his people and property, whereupon he 
 laid down his arms on parole." 
 
 Pieter Jacobsen and wife. Johan Poog. 
 
 Gilles Bareutsen. Claes Jansen van Breda. 
 
 Cornells Spierinck Claes Tyssen. 
 
 1640. 
 
 Nys Jacobsen. Jannitje Teunissen. 
 
 Jan Teunissen, carpenter. 
 
 Teunis Jacobsen van Schoenderwordt, brother to Rutger Jacobsen ; had 90 gl. a year 
 salary for the first three years, and 100 for the next three. He became a trader 
 in 1651. 
 
 Andries Hubertsen Constapel van der Blaes ; married Annetje Juriaensen ; owned a 
 
 tile kiln in Beverswyck, and died in 1662. 
 Andries de Vos, brother-in-law to Barent Pieterse Coeymans ; was Gerechts persoon, 
 
 or magistrate, in 1648. 
 Adriaen Teunissen van der Belt. Jan Creynen. 
 
 Jan Jansen van Rotterdam ; was killed in the Indian war, 1644. 
 Jacob Jansen van Campen. Cornelis Kryne van Houtteh. 
 
 Jan Cornelissen van Houtten. Claes Gerritsen. 
 
 1641. 
 
 Adriaen van der Donck, ofRcier, or Sheriff. 
 
 Cornelis Antonissen van Slyck, alias Broer Cornelissen, was the first patentee of 
 Katskill, anno 1646. Van Slyck's Island, opposite Schenectada, was so called 
 after one of his sons, Jacques, to whom it was granted, 13th Nov., 1662, by 
 Director Stuyvesant 
 
 Claes Gysbertsen. Joris Borrelingen, Engelsman. 
 
 Jacob Wolfertsen. Claes Jansen van Ruth. 
 
 Teunis de Metselaer. 
 
 Cornelis Cornelissen van Schoonderwoerdt, alias " Vosje." 
 
 1642. 
 
 Dominie Johannes Megapolensis, Jun., 
 Matheld Willemsen, his wife, 
 
 Hellegond, Dirck, Jan, and Samuel, their children. Samuel M., the last named 
 son, was sent to Harvard College in 1657; spent three years there, and then 
 proceeded to the University of Ley den, where he was licensed, in 16G2, as a 
 minister, and obtained the degree of M. D. On his return, he became Collegiate 
 pastor of the church at New Amsterdam, and was appointed by Gov. Stuyve- 
 sant one of the commissioners to negotiate with the British the articles relating to 
 the capitulation of the Province. Rev. Dr. De Witt. 
 
440 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Abraham Staes, surgeon. 
 
 Evert Pels van Steltyn, brevi^er, and wife ; lived at the Mill Creek, Greenbush. 
 Cornells Lambertsen van Doom. Joachim Kuttelhuys van Cremyn 
 
 Johan Helms van Baasle. 
 
 Juriaen Bestval van Luyderdorp, ( near Leyden.) 
 
 Claes Jansen van Waalwyck. Paulus Jansen van Gertruydenburgh. 
 
 Hans Vos van Baden, court messenger ; was sheriff's constable in New Amsterdam 
 in 1661. 
 
 Lucas Smith van Ickemsburgh ; left the colonie in the spring of 1646, with the char- 
 acter of " een eerlyk ende vroom Jongman" — an honorable and virtuous young 
 man. 
 
 Cornells Crynnesen. 
 
 Cornells Flendricksen Van Es, Gerechts persoon or magistrate. His daughter, Eliza- 
 beth, married one Banckers. " Cryn Cornelissen declares that, in the spring 
 of 1643, while conveying some of the guests, on the ice, to the wedding of Van 
 Es's daughter, a marc belonging to him, (Cryn,) and a stud belonging to Van der 
 Donck, were drowned in the neighborhood of Black, or Horse's point — (omtrent 
 de Svvarte, ofte Paerde Hoeck) — for which he understands Van der Donck received 
 150 guilders ($60) from the wedding party." MS. 
 
 Cornells Gerritsen van Schoonderwoerdt. 
 
 Wm. Fredericksen van Leyden, free carpenter. 
 
 Antonie de Hooges, commis, afterwards Secretary of the Colonie. His daughter, and 
 only child, says Bensen, " married Herman Rutgers, the ancestor of the respect- 
 • able family of the name among us." Do Hooges died 1658. The well-known 
 promontory in the Highlands was called Anthony's Nose, after him. 
 
 Johan Holmes. 
 
 Juriaeu van Sleswyck. 
 
 Johan Corstiaenssen, mariner. 
 
 Hendrick Albertsen ; second time of his coming out. He was the first ferrymaster in 
 Beverwyck ; died in 1648 or 1649. 
 
 Gertrude Dries van Driesbergen, his wife. Hendrick Dries, her brother. 
 
 Albert Jansen, van Amsterdam. Jan Jansen Flodder, carpenter. 
 
 Geertje Mannix, widow, and two children. Pieter WyncOop, commis. 
 
 Nicolaus Koorn, sergeant or wachtmeester ; succeeded Van der Donck as SherifE 
 
 Adriaen Cornelissen van Bersingeren. Arendt Teunissen van Luyten. 
 
 Cornells Segers van Voorhoudt ; succeeded Van der Donck on the farm called Wee- 
 lysburg, on Castle island ; married Bregje Jacobsen, by whom he had six chil- 
 dren ; Cornells, Claes, Soger, Jannitje, Neltje, and Lysbeth. The last named 
 married Fran9ois Boon, without her parents' consent, and was disinherited, hav- 
 ing been left by will only £1 Flemish. Soger married Jannitje Teunissen van 
 Vechten, and was killed, anno 1662, by Andries Hubertsen in a brawl. Many 
 of the Segers family are still residents of the county of Albany. 
 
 Jacob Aertsen Wagenaar. 
 
 Jan Creyne van Houtten. 
 
 Jan Dircksen, Engelsman, van Amersfoort. 
 
 Herry de Backer. " I have known a gunner, named Harry de Backer, who killed at 
 
 one shot from his gun, eleven gray geese out of a large flock." Van der Donck. 
 Adriaen Willemsen ; banished for theft in 1644. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 441 
 
 1643, 1644, 1645. 
 
 Pieter Hertgers van Vee, was one of the commissaries of the court at Fort Orange in 
 
 1654 ; died in Holland, 1670. 
 Abraham Clock. 
 
 Jan Barentsen Wemp, removed subsequently to Schenectada, where he became pro- 
 prietor of some land. His widow married Sweer Teunissen van Velde 
 Richard Brigham. 
 Lambert van Valckenburg. 
 
 Jacob Jansen Schermerhorn, married Jannitje, daughter of Cornells Sogers. He was 
 a prominent trader in Beverwyck in 1 648, when he was arrested, by Stuyve- 
 sant, on a charge of selling fire-arms and ammunition to the Indians. His books 
 and papers were seized, and himself removed a prisoner to Fort Amsterdam, 
 where he was sentenced to banishment for five years, and the confiscation of all 
 his property. By the interference of some leading citizens the first part of the 
 sentence was struck out, but his property was totally lost. These proceedings 
 against Schermerhorn formed, subsequently, a ground of complaint against Stuy- 
 vesant to the States General. 
 
 Claes Teunnissen, alias " Uylenspiegel." 
 
 Gysbert Cornelissen van Wesepe ; called also Gysbert op de Berg, from the fact of 
 his having lived on a farm called the " Hooge Berg," situate on the east side of 
 the river, a little below Albany, which he rented in 1649 at 300 gl. a year. 
 This farm still retains its original Dutch name, and is now owned by Joachim 
 Staats, Esq. 
 
 1646. 
 
 Jan Jansen van Bremen ; lived in Bethlehem, and moved, anno 1650, to Katskill. 
 
 Harman Mynderts van der Bogaert, arrived in New Netherland, anno 1631, as sur- 
 geon of the company's ship the Eendracht ; he continued in the company's service 
 to 1633, after which he resided in New Amsterdam until appointed commissary to 
 Fort Orange. Ho was highly respected, though from all accounts he appears to 
 have been of an irascible temper. An instance is mentioned of his having 
 attempted, in the excitement of a high quarrel, when both appear to liave 
 been in a violent passion, to throw the Director-general out of a boat in which 
 they were sailing on the river ; he was, it is added, with difficulty prevented from 
 accomplishing his purpose. He occasionally wrote his name Harmanus a Boghar- 
 dij. He came, I believe, to a violent death in 1649. Carl van Brugge succeeded 
 him as commissary at Fort Orange 
 
 Jan van Hoosem. Hendrick Westercamp. 
 
 Jacob Ilerrick. 
 
 Jan Andriessen van Dublin, leased a bouwerie in 1649, described as lying "north of 
 
 Stoney point, being the north half of the Flatt." 
 Tomas Higgens. Jan Willemsen South. 
 
 Wolf Nyssen ; executed. Willem Leendertsen, brass-founder. 
 
 Pieter Brouck ; built a tavern in Beverwyck, in 1651, which was then the third at 
 
 that place ; afterwards lived at Coxsackie, the creek at which place was called 
 
 by the Dutch, Peter Bronck's kill. 
 Tomas Kenningh. Jacob Jansen van Stoutenburgh. 
 
 Jan de Neger ; Scherprechter, or hangman to the colonic. 
 
 56 
 
442 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 Legal Custom against the abuse of outstanding accounts in the Colonic 
 
 of Rensselaerswyck. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 N. B. No latitude to be given to the consciences or discretion of the Boors, but the 
 
 law to be stringently enforced. 
 
 Here follows the Act. 
 
 1643, Sept. — Lawful custom against the abuses of outstanding accounts, as well 
 for Principal Masters of Bouweries as for others. 
 
 For the redress of the abuses and faults in the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck, the in- 
 struction given by the Lord Patroon, anticipating many things which have fallen into 
 decay, and among these principally the falling off in liquidated accounts, must be 
 specially observed in form and manner in the drawing up of said accounts. 
 
 Whereupon it comes to be considered, who they are who are bound or not, to make 
 up these accounts. 
 
 That the farmers and inhabitants of the colonie should think that the Commissary 
 of the Lord Patroon should be obliged to make them out for them, is wrong. For he 
 is by no means in the employ of private individuals, but in that of the Patroon. His 
 duty, therefore, is only to take up, provisionally, in the name of the Patroon, all ac- 
 counts in the colony, and to supervise these : thereunto adding his advice and opinion, 
 and afterwards to send them over to the Lord Patroon, for his approval, examination, 
 or rejection. 
 
 Although he is accountable specially to the Patroon, so is he so far accountable to 
 the inhabitants, that he must deliver to them the accounts of such property as is under 
 his administration, whether store goods or others, which they receive from him. But 
 as regards the accounts of property under the management and direction of the 
 Bouwmeesters, (farmers,) and all others who have administration of any property, be- 
 longing in whole or in part to the Patroon or the Company, such must not be made 
 out by him, but must be handed in by them to him. 
 
 For as it is just that each one should vindicate his own acts, so another cannot 
 know what is without his knowledge ; what in this regard is right or wrong. Where- 
 fore it necessarily follows then, as is customary throughout the whole world : — 
 
 That all farmers or others who hold any of the Patroon's property, must make out 
 their own accounts, and deliver them to the Patroon or his commissary to examine 
 them. Should they say that they are not qualified for this, then they ought not to 
 have accepted or undertaken it, much less allow it to run on for several years, lest 
 otherwise the impossibility, the inconvenience, or the loss to result therefrom, may 
 fall on them, and they remain bound, notwithstanding, to render the account. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 443 
 
 It is not an impossibility, but a perverse covetousness to defraud the Patroon, and 
 then to sit on a cross-road ;* intending that every thing that they, in this matter, can 
 conceal from him, shall remain concealed, and that he shall know nothing thereof. 
 
 That it has also been feasible for them, and is always so, shall appear. But that 
 they design something else thereby, that shall also quickly come to light. 
 
 Under the cloak of this simplicity, lurk the following foul deeds : 
 
 I. That they become trustees of goods under their administration and direction, of 
 which they must render reckoning, without giving in an account. 
 
 II. That they may make out their outlays and expenses according to their 
 own pleasure. 
 
 III. That they may include in the expenses of the bouwerie, their own personal 
 expenses which they incur for clothing, furniture, and unlawful drink. 
 
 IV. That they can embezzle as much wheat and other produce as they please. 
 All which the Patroon disclaiming, as inconsistent with right and conscience, so it 
 
 is a failure, not only in the manner of the accounts, but they thereby alter their con- 
 tracts and their promises. 
 
 They have given promises to him in accordance to the first article of the conditions 
 of Gerrit de Reus, deceased, whereunto all contracts refer, until the arrival of the 
 farmers from Breda, which agreement of the late Gerrit de Reus, as regards the pre- 
 emption of the grain, they knew well, strictly, and [paper is here destroyed] to plead, 
 as there were copies thereof in the country, to which copies, as well as to the original 
 remaining with him, he, the Patroon, [paper here also destroyed] is appealing. And 
 it will be found in the beginning thereof, that they are bound under oath, on pain of 
 losing their wages and effects, that neither they, nor their people, shall trade in any 
 forbidden peltries of otters or beavers, nor obtain any such in presents or otherwise, 
 without his, the Patroon's, express consent. 
 
 So that all such as have done so, have forfeited their effects, unless they have sub- 
 sequently obtained the consent of the Lord Patroon, proving which to him, he shall 
 approve thereof, provided they fulfil the conditions on which he granted it to them : 
 
 Namely, half the profits each time they trade and barter. They must, therefore, 
 render upright account and declaration of what they have gained thereupon, and 
 account for his half. As they now say that they cannot render such account, so he, 
 the Patroon, insists, according to their contract, on the confiscation of their effects ; 
 giving them the choice to take one or the other, and that, moreover, from year to 
 year, and this is the first. 
 
 Coming now to the remaining points of their own contracts which they invert : 
 
 Brant Peolen and Cornells van Breuckel are for themselves personally bound to 
 render an account for the goods brought by the Key of Calmar and the Arms of Nor- 
 way, among which were divers goods which they traded for beavers, whereof Arendt 
 van Curler writes, that not twelve pelts have come into his hands. They remain, 
 besides, bound and accountable as security for Arendt van Curler, whom the Patroon 
 sent over only as assistant, and they promoted as commissary under their bond, as 
 appears by their own hand. 
 
 Further, they invert all these following points. According to their contract, they are 
 bound to defray, out of the common produce and profits : 
 
 I. The wages of their servants and boys. 
 
 * En daermede op eenen kruys wech te zetten. 
 
I 
 
 444 APPENDIX. 
 
 II. Next, the food. 
 
 III. Next, their own expenses, as regards the board in the bouwerie, according to 
 tlieir contract ; but in no way for drink, but simply for wages and diet ; obliging 
 them, as far as drink is concerned, to make shift, like other Boors, with milk, with 
 ordinary beer ; in the harvest, with extraordinary good beer, and for the remainder, 
 whatever the river affords. 
 
 IV. That they have undertaken to pay, out of the general produce, all wear of 
 wagons, ploughs ; in fine, all damages and losses. 
 
 Of ail which the most of them are in arrear, leaving not only the wages of the ser- 
 vants to full on the Patroon, who with trouble hath obtained these for them, but they 
 take, also, on account, without paying any money, such cargoes as the commissary, 
 Arendt van Curler, delivers to them. 
 
 From which it appears clearly, that over and above all their debauches in wine and 
 strong drink, every one would fain claim, and hath much to demand by way of de- 
 duction. And though the Patroon hath advanced their outfit, furnished them with 
 dwellings, cattle, wagons, and ploughs, for the first time ; necessaries of food and 
 shoes, linens and woollens, as the manifests sent by him can prove, still, instead of 
 the returns of his necessaries and profits from the bouweries, he hath large sums to 
 pay which he never intended. Forbidding his commissary to make any deductions 
 to masters or servants, inasmuch as the masters should have first made out and com- 
 pleted the accounts of their servants, (knechts,) and that from year to year and 
 afterwards, the masters should draw up their own accounts in the following manner, 
 charging him, the commissary, not to move his hand, another time, to give any ac- 
 count except of what he hath issued. But to demand, in the name of the Patroon, 
 [paper worn away.] All outstanding accounts shall be made up in said [colonie] by 
 the farmers and other residents. 
 
 Firstly, those who settle on half profit and loss, shall afterwards make up their ac- 
 counts : 
 
 I. And give in, every year, uprightly, the whole amount of grain and other pro- 
 duce obtained that year from the bouwerie ; and those who neglect to do so, shall 
 incur fine and damages. 
 
 II. Item, what they received from the swine which they sold ; from milk, butter, 
 
 and other sources. 
 
 III. Item, what grain they delivered to freemen in the colonie and sold. 
 Herefrom must be deducted, and by them be paid, according to their contract : 
 
 I. The wages of the farm-servants, with the 16 fl. yearly for the Patroon. 
 
 II. The food for themselves and people. 
 
 III. The wear of wagons, ploughs, repairs of houses, barns, palisades, (fences,) and 
 other such things. 
 
 This being deducted, make out an account of what then remains ; exhibiting to the 
 Patroon, or his commissary, his lawful half which falls to him, deducting beforehand 
 his future tenths. 
 
 What now regards the lawful half of the remainder, the future farmer must sub- 
 tract from that the following : — 
 
 I. What he had for himself each year for cloths and house furniture ; 
 
 II. What he yearly had from the Patroon's store for himself and his servants, which 
 he shall stop in return ; 
 
 III. What he and his people yearly consumed in wine and strong drink, whereof 
 
APTENDIX. 
 
 445 
 
 the Patroon is not bound, according to contract, to pay his half ; the Patroon under- 
 standing peremptorily, that all the wines which are drunk in the colonie, and paid for 
 in grain, or other common effects, shall not be deducted from the general stock, much 
 less from his share, but from his who hath consumed them, whether man or woman, 
 master or man, having promised no one such (drink,) much less such a flood as many 
 have used. 
 
 And as regards the increase of the cattle, each farmer shall pertinently give in an 
 account of what have yearly died ; what have been added, and what have been dis- 
 posed of; and the Patroon understands the price of the pre-emption of the cows is to 
 be estimated by those which calve in their third year, and not in the second, as the val- 
 uation on the part of the company, as regards the pre-emption, is understood of cattle 
 which calve in their third year. So that those calving in their second year, gradual- 
 ly pining away, and producing poor stock, are to be entered only on the half, or what- 
 ever else is most proper.* 
 
 And whereas the farmers commonly have recourse to perverse means, and enter 
 on crooked courses, as for example : — When corn becomes less in quantity (scarce) 
 and more in demand, then many of them have sent a great deal away, and sold it 
 higher than the pre-emption price, or delivered it on their own authority to the compa- 
 ny's servants, without receiving special payment therefor, or special bills of exchange, 
 or an assignment to be received in hand, but so delivered it up in gross. There- 
 fore the Patroon resolves, as is just, that [MS. here destroyed] such wheat as is de- 
 livered, in this manner, to the company, is not considered as fulfilling [erasement ;] 
 all the effect thereof [will come] on his purse. Warning, to this end, the farmers 
 that, from the beginning until this time, being now in the thir [teenth] year, 1,500 
 guilders in money have only once been received, in all that time ; the remainder has 
 been expended in goods and provisions delivered to the farmers, and the people of the 
 colonie have entered down the same in parcels of two to three thousand guil- 
 ders, without naming man or horse. Which accounts must first be rightly analyzed, 
 as to who have carried away those parcels, or not ; making no exceptions and taking 
 no excuses from one or the other: "I have not had this; I have not had that ;": 
 every one being willing, by assertion, to clear himself ; and inasmuch as some will be 
 rrtore in debt than others, so must it be first cleared up, or adjusted, whence those 
 moneys are to be received. For what the one hath delivered, and the other hath re- 
 ceived, that must be found out by those who had (the goods) and not by the Patroon. 
 Nor can any money be charged to the Patroon which has not been received at his 
 counter. Particularly not, if such has, without his consent, been delivered or sent to 
 the company, who have accepted that on the general account of the colonie, as it ap- 
 pears ; and such farmers had done better to have immediately proposed their payment 
 there. 
 
 And whereas grain is now somewhat less in demand, and will apparently be some- 
 what lower in price, so the Patroon hereby again warns the farmers who have run- 
 ning accounts, that they shall not hand in their statements (haere leverancie) in gross, 
 but separately : — 
 
 I. The tenths; 
 
 II. What is for the servants' wages, and what for the yearly expenditure ; 
 
 * Sulx dat die op haer tweedejaer kalvende, allengskens verkleynen, en kleynen aert voortbren- 
 gende, maer op de helfte, ofte wat meer behooren genomen te worden. 
 
446 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 III. The thirds or halves coming to the Patroon. 
 
 VVhicli is done tliat their just income may every year be correctly known, and they 
 may not come to any loss. 
 
 The number of muds [four bushels] shall be handed in to the Patroon's commissary, 
 demanding of him, if he, in the name of the Patroon, accepted or refused the pre-emp- 
 tion right, whereupon the commissary shall have to regulate himself according to the 
 order of the Patroon, and according to the expected prices and sales, which he may 
 be able to obtain for it in cash, goods, or peltries, without credit. On the contrary, 
 should he refuse the right of pre-emption, the farmers are at liberty to do their best by 
 it ; and this is the legal choice of the pre-emption. But that the farmers should wish 
 to crowd up the commissary and overload him with produce, when it is low in value, 
 and when at a higher price, sell the same, as many have done — that is in no wise the 
 intention of the Patroon. Warning all farmers to watch over their people therefore, 
 and not to deliver any mixed grain ; that is to say, whereof the tenths, the thirds, or 
 halves, according to contract, are not separated or paid. 
 
 Coming now to the conclusion : — The Patroon declares that he will not accept any 
 accounts which include several years ; but that every farmer, or whoever he be, shall 
 deliver in t6 him yearly account of the year's profits, as well for them as for him. 
 
 That also all commission accounts (leverancien) whereof they have not received 
 special payment, or which have not come into the Patroon's counter, must run [origi- 
 nal destroyed] in the general account until all out — [original destroyed] are sepa- 
 rated. 
 
 That none of the inhabitants hath or can have any free or private goods, except 
 such as have rendered their yearly and proper accounts. 
 
 And as they possibly may complain of this ; the Patroon hath much greater cause 
 to complain, who has not received any accounts from them in all this time. That 
 they should call on the Patroon's commissary is wrong. It has already been stated, 
 that he is not in their service, but in the Patroon's employ ; that he is not bound to 
 make out theirs, but the Patroon's accounts ; and that every person, be he who he 
 may, as well the Patroon's commissary as all other contractors, farmers, yearly or 
 daily servants, each shall make out his own account. The commissary is specially 
 enjoined to account to the Patroon ; and all others, none excepted, shall account to 
 the commissary for his examination first, and afterwards for the approbation of the 
 Patroon. 
 
 Should they imagine that all their secret practices of covetousness will, through 
 length of time, be forgotten, they will cheat themselves. They take one course 
 towards the west to escape. The Patroon will take a course from the east, with the 
 rising of the sun, to expose their deception. 
 
 The Patroon proposes to wrong no man in tlie world, much less the least of his in- 
 habitants ; but as he will injure no man, so will he by no man be hoodwinked or 
 wronged. Every man, whose conscience is not asleep or seared, will well understand 
 what that means. 
 
 And all persons, farmers or servants, are warned, if they come over with any ac- 
 counts which they extorted from the commissary through ignorance, or by persuasion, 
 or threats, to pass in review the preceding points, ere they go to law with the Pa- 
 troon. 
 
 In the mean time, the Patroon is heartily desirous that all who have obtained their 
 goods, how great soever in quantity, without prejudice to him, shall be fully content, 
 
1 
 
 APPENDIX. 447 
 
 and wishes every luck and prosperity with them. Through carelessness, neither the 
 commissary, nor any one else has, in five or more years, sent him any accounts. The 
 Patroon has first to claim of those who have not, according to their pledged faith, ren- 
 dered any accounts to the commissary, that every one in the colonic is bound to 
 render sucli to him, and their neglect shall tend not to accuse, but to excuse the com- 
 missary. Notwithstanding, what he was bound to do, and must, and ought, and can 
 do for the goods sent to him, thereof he shall not be excused by the Patroon. 
 
 These things then being so. You are required to direct the work so that, for 
 the future, I may precisely know, every year, what profit each bouwerie affords me. 
 
 As I have once delivered to them dwellings and cattle, then must they find out 
 means to pay, without diminution, the tenths, the servants' wages, and the Patroon's 
 half and third ; what necessaries they have had, must they pay of themselves ; 
 and God grant that good order and honest yearly accounts may once more be main- 
 tained there. Actum this 16th Sept., 1643, in Amsterdam, and signed with his own 
 hand. 
 
 Was subscribed, Kiliaen van Rensselakr, 
 
 Patroon of the Colonic of Rcnsselacrswyck. 
 
 Then follows, as on the other side : 
 
 There has been sent to me here, from the Manhattans, an extract of the contract 
 of Gerrit de Reus, deceased, whereof several articles are left out. Let Arendt ex- 
 amine among the papers, if he have not a complete contract by him. Otherwise I 
 have it here in the original, which I shall send over if necessary. Then I think 
 that Arendt has it. Vale. 
 
 Undersigned, K. V. R. 
 
448 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 J. 
 
 Conditions freely assented to and accepted hy Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in 
 his quality as Patroon of Ids Colonic named Rensselaerswyck, and by 
 Dr. Johannes Megapolensis, minister of the Holy Gospel to the Congre- 
 gation at Schoorel and Berge, under the venerable Classis of Alkmaar, in 
 the presence of Mr. Adam Bessels, copartner in the said Colonic, and the 
 Rev. Jacobus Laurentius and Petrus Wittewrongel, both Ministers of 
 Amsterdam, as preacher to administer and promote Divine Service in 
 the aforesaid Colonic for the term of six successive years, according to 
 previous demission from his said Classis. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 Firstly, Dr. Johannes Megapolensis, 39 years old, with his wife, Machtelt Wil- 
 lemsen, aged 42 years, besides his children, Hellegond, Dirrick, Jan, and Samuel, 
 aged 14, 12, 10, and 8 years, shall furnish and provide themselves as well with cloth- 
 ing, furniture, and other utensils, and these put up in such small and compact parcels, 
 as can be properly stowed away in the ship. 
 
 In the mean time, as his six years and his salary shall commence so soon as he 
 shall set foot in the aforesaid colonie, the Patroon, in addition to free board for them all 
 in the ship, until they reach the colonie, shall over and above make him a present, for 
 future service, at once, of three hundred guilders, without deduction. 
 
 And in case it happen, which the Lord God in His mercy forbid, that he and his 
 family come to fall in the hands of the Dunkirkers, the Patroon promises to use all 
 diligence to procure his ransom ; to forward him afterwards on his voyage, according 
 as occasion shall again offer, and to cause to be paid him, during his detention, for 
 the support of himself and family, forty guilders per month ; and also so much hero 
 monthly, after he shall have received his liberty and orders, and shall have conveyed 
 him hither, until he embarks. 
 
 On his arrival, by God's help, in the colonie, the Patroon shall cause to be shown 
 to him where he and his shall lodge at first, until a fit dwelling shall be erected for 
 him. So soon as he shall reach the colonie, his hereafter-mentioned salary shall com- 
 mence, and his board and wages cease, and the Patroon be discharged therefrom. 
 
 Which salary, in order that he and his family shall be able honorably to maintain 
 themselves, and not be necessitated to have recourse to any other means, whether 
 tilling the land, commerce, rearing of cattle, or such like ; but by the diligent per- 
 formance of his duties for the edifying improvement of the inhabitants and Indians, 
 without being indebted to any person, which he also acknowledges to observe ; where- 
 fore the Patroon promises to cause to be paid to him for the first three years' salary, 
 meat, drink, and whatever else he may claim in that regard, one thousand, or ten 
 hundred guilders yearly, one half here in this country, the remaining half in proper 
 account there, according as he requires it, in provisions, clothing, and such like, at 
 
APPENDIX. 449 
 
 the ordinary and accustomed prices, and a further yearly addition of thirty schepels 
 of wheat — I say thirty schepels — and two firkins of butter, or, in place thereof, 
 sixty guilders in money's worth. Should the Patroon be satisfied with his service, 
 he shall give him yearly, the three following years, an increase of two hundred guil- 
 ders. 
 
 In case of decease within the aforesaid six years, at which time the salary shall 
 cease, the Patroon shall pay to his widow, besides the supplement of the half year in 
 which he shall have entered, a yearly sum of one hundred guilders, until the expira- 
 tion of the aforesaid six years. He shall, besides, befriend and serve the Patroon, in 
 all things wherein he can do so without interfering with or impeding his duties. The 
 aforesaid Johannes Megapolensis having also promised to comport himself in the said 
 colonie as a loyal subject and inhabitant thereof, the abovenamed Patroon, on his 
 side, also promises for him and his successors, to perform and execute what is herein- 
 before set forth, and to furnish him with due acto and commission sealed with the 
 seal of the Patroon and the Colonie : and in acknowledgment of the truth, without 
 fraud, guile, or deceit, has this writing been signed by both sides. In Amsterdam, 
 this 6th of March, 1642. 
 
 KiLiAEN Van Rensselaer, 
 Johannes Megapolensis. 
 
 Call of the Rev. Joannes Megapolensis. 
 
 Whereas, by the state of the navigation in East and West Indies, a door is open- 
 ed through the special Providence of God, also in New Netherland for the preaching 
 of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of men, as good fruits have been already 
 witnessed there through God's mercy ; and whereas the Brethren of the Classis of Am- 
 sterdam have been notified that Mr. Kiliaen van Rensselaer hath within the said limits 
 in the North River as Patroon, or Lord, founded a colonie, named Rensselaerswyck, 
 and would fain have the same provided with a good, honest, and pure preacher ; there- 
 fore they have observed and fixed their eyes on the Reverend, Pious, and Well-learned 
 Dr. Joannes Megapolensis, junior, a faithful servant of the Gospel of the Lord, in the 
 Congregation of Schorel and Berg, under the Classis of Alkmaar, whom ye have also 
 called, after they had spoken with the said Lord, Mr. Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in the 
 same manner as they, with his Honor's approbation, do hereby call him to be sent to 
 New Netherland, there to preach God's Word in the said colonie, to administer the 
 Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; to set an example to tlie Con- 
 gregation, in a Christianlike manner, by public precept ; to ordain elders and deacons 
 according to the form of the Holy Apostle Paul, 1 Tim. c. iii., v. 1 ; moreover to 
 keep and govern, with the advice and assistance of the same, God's Congregation in 
 good discipline and order, all according to God's Holy Word, and in conformity vvitli 
 the government, confession, and catechism of the Netherland Churches and the Sy- 
 nodal acts of Dordrecht, subscribed by him, to this end, with his own hand, and 
 promised in the presence of God, at his ordination, requesting hereby all and every who 
 shall see and read these, to respect our worthy Brother as a lawfully called Minis- 
 ter, and him to esteem by reason of his office, so that he may perform the duty of 
 the Gospel to the advancement of God's Holy Name and the conversion of many poor 
 blind men. 
 
 May the Almighty God, who hath called him to this ministry, and instilled this 
 
 57 
 
450 
 
 APPENDIX.' 
 
 good zeal in his heart, to proclaim Christ to Christians and heathens in such distant 
 lands, strengthen him, more and more, in this liis undertaking ; enrich him with all 
 sorts of Spiritual gifts ; and bless overflowingly his faithful labors ; and when the Chief 
 Shepherd, Christ Jesus, shall appear, present him with the imperishable Crown of 
 Eternal Glory. Amen. 
 
 Thus given in our Classical Assembly at Amsterdam, this 22d day of March, 1642 
 Signed in the name and on behalf of the whole body, 
 
 WiLHELMUs SoMERUs, Loco PrsBsidis, 
 Zloahar Swalmius, Scriba Cleissis, 
 Jonas Abeels, as Elder. 
 Examined and approved by the Directors of the West India Company, Chamber of 
 Amsterdam, €th June, 1642. 
 
 (Signed,) Charles Looten, 
 
 Elias de Raet. 
 
 Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and the Directors of the West 
 India Company, relative to the approval of the call of the Rev. Mr. 
 Megapolensis. 
 
 Whereas, differences have occurred between the Directors of the Amsterdam Cham- 
 ber of the W^est India Company and Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Patroon of his Colonie 
 named Rensselaerswyck, in New Netherland, as to the approval of the Acte of Com- 
 mission granted by the Classis of Amsterdam to Dominie Joannes Megapolensis to be 
 invested with the office of preacher in the aforesaid colonie of Rensselaerswyck in 
 New Netherland, and as the ship wherein tiie said minister must depart lies ready to 
 sail, so that periculum in mora est of injuring the said voyage — Therefore, the afore- 
 said Kiliaen van Rensselaer consents that the said Directors shall affix their approba- 
 tion to the aforesaid Acte of Commission, under express protest that he, Rensselaer, 
 shall not be prejudiced in his right, but the parties on either side shall remain unpreju- 
 diced in their present rights. In witness whereof, the Directors and Kiliaen van Rens- 
 selaer have granted and signed this present Acte at Amsterdam, this 6th June, xvi hun- 
 dred two and forty. 
 
 Signed respectively, 
 
 Charles Looten, 
 Elias de Raet. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 451 
 
 K. 
 
 Memorandum for Dominie Johannes Megapolensis, this 3d June, 1642, 
 proceeding to the Colonie by the ship De Houttuyn, skipper Adriaen 
 Dircksen Houttuyn. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.j 
 
 His Reverence will be pleased to take charge of my people and property, which are 
 at present conveyed over in God's name, in the ship De Houttuyn. The persons 
 going over will be these : — 
 
 De. Johannes Megapolensis, Johan Carsterssen, van Barltt, N. Brabant, 
 
 Matheld Willemsen, his wife, Jeuriach Bestvaell, van Luydendorp, 
 
 Hellegond, Dirrick, John, and Samuel, his Claes Jansen, van Waalwyck, N. Brabant, 
 children, Paulus Jansen, van Geertruydenburg, do. 
 
 Abraham Staes, surgeon, Hans Vos van Baden. 
 
 his servant, Juriaen van Sleswyck, N. Brabant, 
 
 Evert Pels, beer-brewer, Hendrick Albertsen van 
 
 his wife, Wuden, 29 years old, 
 
 his man, Gertrude Dries, his wife, " 
 
 Cornelis Lamberssen, van Doorn, Utrecht, 23 years old. From 
 
 farm servant, Hendrick Dries, her bro- Driesburg. 
 
 Jochim Kettelhuer, van Cremyn, ther, 21 years, 
 
 Johan Helms, van Barltt, N. Brabant, 
 
 It is to be remembered that this Hendrick Albertz, for his three ; Abraham Staes, 
 for his two ; Evert Pels, for his three, must pay the skipper Adriaen Dircksen for 
 their board, in the same manner as all the other freemen. But the farm-servants are 
 to come at my expense. 
 
 N. B. The book-keeper in the colonie shall usually observe that the expense of the 
 board of the freemen must be charged to their account, as Director Kieft sometimes 
 places it under one head, altogether to the charge of the Patroon. 
 
 He shall take care that these persons embark on ship-board, and having arrived, 
 by God"s help, at the Manhattans, where the Noble Director Kieft resides, obtain that 
 they, and my goods, be forwarded to the colonie by the first opportunity, and provided 
 with food at my expense, and according to my cordial salutations to the Honorable 
 Director Kieft, which shall be followed. 
 
 On the arrival of these persons at the colonie, they shall present themselves first to 
 the Commissary Arendt van Curler, to be by him registered, and allotted their work, 
 by and with the advice of the officer Adriaen van der Donck, who, if so be he should 
 have occasion for the services of the two Bredaelse young men, may keep them by 
 him. Otherwise they are there on my account for closer examination. Whereas the 
 husbandmen, with much unreasonableness, refuse to pay sixteen guilders yearly for 
 each laborer for my expended cost and risk ; in order that the said farm -servants, 
 
452 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 nay some of them, be provided by the commissary witli food and lodgings, the wages 
 which they earn shall be put to my account, provided that the husbandmen and others 
 for whom they shall work shall secure their day's wages to me at such rat© as they 
 pay others, or according to discretion and number of persons ; for by so doing I remain 
 master thereof to use them where it is most necessary in tillage and other of the hus- 
 bandmen's work, at intervals in planting tobacco, sawing wood, at the grist-mills, and 
 so forth, where it shall be most requisite — principally in winter in assisting the hus- 
 bendmento thresh, and whatever else is necessary — but above all things, as there are 
 but few carpenters, some of these fellows who are the most expert shall be em- 
 ployed at proper time and seasons to fell trees, and, as far as they can, to cut them up 
 and draw them, so as to lighten the labor of the carpenters ; and Hans Vos, from Ba- 
 den, who has been a gamekeeper, (wildschut,) may be employed at the proper time 
 in killing game to supply food, and at other times in cutting wood. As he also says 
 he can be useful to farmers, having also a good knowledge thereof, then every thing 
 must be considered for my profit. As I perceive that each one seeks his own, and 
 not my advantage, and this matter thus progressing, so I must expect also that my 
 people shall be employed in what is most profitable to me ; and I consent that some 
 of them may be hired to the farmers who shall be found most trustworthy, provided 
 they bind themselves to pay sixteen guilders yearly. Those who dispute this just ar- 
 rangement will do themselves the greatest injury, and render me unwilling to send 
 them laborers, De. Megapolensis having seen what trouble, expense, and importuning 
 I have had therewith. 
 
 I have paid Mauritz Jansen, from Brockhuysen, [North Brabant,] who hath re- 
 turned from that country before his time, 50 guilders, that he might repay the same 
 there with ordinary advances. I have presented him the freedom of trading in pel- 
 tries to the same extent as Abraham Staes, at the rate of 20 stiv. the hide ; he will 
 give but 15 stiv. He will, perhaps, seek to trade indirectly. Should such happen, 
 proceedings will be instituted against him, according to the conditions which he hath 
 concluded with me, his bounden time expiring in April, 1643, and that for servitude, 
 unless he consents to accept the conditions of the Bouwerye as these lie. He must do 
 one of two things, either agree to my conditions as they are, without dispute, or com- 
 plete the time for which he is bound, having no choice but to accept one of the 
 two. 
 
 Herry Albertzen, who hath equally come home before his time, has allowed me one 
 guilder per hide for recognition, according to contract made with him. Then concerning 
 the amount of tobacco over the tenths, (which he hath consented to,) I have not been 
 able to agree with him. He has been treating with me for the place of ferry- 
 man, fixing his dwelling by the Beavers Creek, in order to convey the people 
 to the church neighborhood, [Kerckebuyrte,] and back again from thence. As 
 the church, the minister's house, that of the officer, and, moreover, of all the 
 trades-people, [ambachten,] must henceforward be established there, as Abraham 
 Staes and Evert Pels, the brewer, have undertaken, I am entirely willing, and 
 consent that, with the exception of the farmers and tobacco-planters, who must reside 
 at their farms and plantations, no other tradesman, henceforward and after the expi- 
 ration of their service, shall establish themselves elsewhere than in the church vicinage, 
 in the order and according to the plan of building sent herewith ; for every one resid- 
 ing where he thinks fit, separated far from others, would be, unfortunately, in danger 
 of their lives, in the same maimer as sorrowful experience has taught, around the 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 453 
 
 Manhattans, of all which tfte commissary, Arendt van Curler, shall give notice to 
 all persons, being called together, so that they may regulate themselves accordingly. 
 
 Jan Jansen Flodder, carpenter, has been at me for permission to build in the colo- 
 nic. I am willing to accept him at day's wages, at the price agreed upon by the 
 freemen there. As he demanded much more, I have not consented to engage him at 
 day's wages, but agreed, if so be he should undertake any work, that I was content 
 that for such and such, he might trade at such a price, it never being my intention 
 to advance the fixed rate of wages according to their pleasure, as it has the appearance 
 here of being pro forma to induce them to trade with me, and afterwards to do what 
 pleased them. 
 
 All the other people whose time is expired and who remain in tlie colonic, whether 
 married or unmarried, or who shall come from without, shall be obliged to take the 
 oath [erasure] like the other freemen [one line defaced or worn away.] Whereas 
 carpenters are somewhat scarce at present, the superintendent of the laborers must 
 proceed with prudence. I had rather have patience than be put under contribution 
 by the people. There are many masters and but few servants. The carpenter who 
 went out with Anthony de Hooges, should be allowed some of these who are going 
 over to act as wood-trimmers [hout bereyders] to assist him. They will endeavor to 
 elude, [coUudeeren,] but we must strive to amuse, and as it has already been said, 
 rather to have patience, than to consent to unreasonable wages. The dwellings which 
 have been contracted for, by the advice of the Heer officer. Van der Donck, are 
 much higher than men pay here. As Andries de Vos, however, is bound by his con- 
 tract, it is well to observe, that should private individuals pay more than my fixed 
 price, that would not affect me. They are bound to serve the Patroon for their con- 
 tracted wages, in preference to all others. Then it seems that they know how to 
 discover the rates of private persons — for the Patroon fixes the market. In fine, suf- 
 fer somewhat patiently, and write to me rather than give such advanced wages, con- 
 trary to the contract agreed upon. 
 
 For whatever purpose the stone and tile-kiln were very necessary, it would not 
 cost much more, and the work would be much more lasting. 
 
 Further, 'tis needful to unload all my goods which are now sent out, in the best 
 condition, and again to ship them for above. If my people have not seat a craft, let 
 them know your arrival by an express by land, or, what is much better, by a small- 
 boat by water, requesting from his Excellency, Director Kieft, with my respects, his 
 Excellency's advice, to do every thing for my best advantage, and as the Noble Direc- 
 tor Kieft hath heretofore had with my people and goods much trouble, I send herewith 
 as a present and as an acknowledgment of thankfulness, as follows : 
 
 1° A saddle with all its furniture, in canvass, addressed by superscription to Direc- 
 tor Kieft, which should have arrived with the last ship, but came back, and goes 
 herewith marked No. 24, with the mark of the colonie and packed in the oosterse 
 chest, No. 22, to be presented to the Director Kieft in my name ; a gold and silver 
 mounted sword, with one gold [one line here destroyed by the wear of the paper ;] a 
 pair of gold and silver plated spurs ; a pair of boots with spur leathers. And should 
 any sacks be necessary for the forwarding of the malt, let those be taken which are 
 sewed only loose, in order to be again ripped and sold for canvass, and let a note be 
 made of all. 
 
 The goods which are sent over at present by this ship, are packed as follows and 
 marked as in the margin. 
 
454 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, are 4 large barrels containing two lasts, 11 muds 
 of malt for brewing, for Evert Pels, on condition of reimburs- 
 ing me according to contract ; 
 Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, are 4 cases with divers goods ; 
 No. 9, one barrel with nails ; 
 No. 10, one case with lead and shot ; 
 No. 11, one hogshead of vinegar; 
 
 Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, are eight cases of dufFels; 
 No. 20, one case with shoes and 7 hides of sole leather ; 
 4000 tiles, 30,000 hard bricks [klinckertsteen] to receive stone 
 from the company ; 
 20 boxes of iron rods, 1000 lbs. ; 
 10 boxes of iron rods, 500 lbs. ; 
 
 20 bars of beer cask [bierkant] iron hoops, abt. 735 lbs. ; 
 
 10 bars of very thin iron, about 223 lbs. ; 
 
 8 caldrons of smiths' coal [smeecoolen.] 
 No. 21, one case with ploughshares ; No. 22, an oosterse-chest, with books and other 
 
 articles, according to invoice ; No. 23, one case with 3 duffels for Van der Donck ; 
 No. 24, the saddle ; No. 25, No. 26, are two telletgens with vines and madder. 
 
 Follows NB. 25 
 
 [Cetera desunt.] 
 
 Catalogue of Books which are sent for the Library in Rensselaer swyck, 
 
 to be forwarded there. 
 
 [Referred to at the end of the preceding Document.] 
 In Folio. 
 
 1. Biblia Graeca, 6. Titus Livius, 
 
 2. Concordantia Bibliorum, ' 7. Cursus Philosoph. Roderici de Arriag. 
 
 3. Opera Calvini, 8 tom. 8. Theatrum Terras Sanctae Christiani An- 
 
 4. Opera Ursinii, drichonii. 
 
 5. Polyanthea Langii et Gruteri : tom. 2. 
 
 In Quarto. 
 
 1. Adrian! Metii Primum Mobile, 6. Thesaurus CEconomise, J. Casi, 
 
 2. Adriani Metii Arithmet, 7. Petri Rami Arithm. et Geom., 
 
 3. Theologia Naturalis Alstedii, 8. Distinct. Philos. et Theolog. Castanei, 
 
 4. Manuale Concionum, Did. Alvares, 9. Theologia didactica Alstedii. 
 
 6. Animadversiones in 4 Evang. Lud : 
 
 de Dieu, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 455 
 
 Remarks on the above, hy Dr. T. Romeyn Beck. 
 Folio. 
 
 No remarks necessary on 1, 2, and 3. 
 
 4. Ursinius, (probably Zachary,) the friend of Melancthon and of Sir Philip Sid- 
 ney. Born in Silesia, in 1534; died, 1583. [Chalmers' General Biographical Dic- 
 tionary.] 
 
 5. John Gruter, (in Latin, Janus Gruterus,) born at Antwerp, 1560; died, 1627. 
 He edited the Polyanthea of Langius. [Biographie Universelle.] 
 
 6. 
 
 7. Arriaga, (Roderic de.) A learned Jesuit, native of Castile. Born, 1592 ; died, 
 1667. Chancellor of the University of Prague; published, in 1632, a Course of 
 Philosophy, in one volume. Folio. [Ibid.] 
 
 8. Christian, Andrichonius, a geographer of considerable reputation, born at Delft, 
 in Holland, 1533 ; died, 1585. The work for which he is best known is Terrse Sanc- 
 taB Theatruni et Biblicarum Historiarum, or History of the Holy Land, illustrated 
 by maps. It passed through a number of editions in folio, from 1590 to 1682 [Watt's 
 Bibliotheca BritaunicEu 
 
 Quarto. 
 
 1, 2, Adrian Metius, an able Dutch Geometrician, born at Alkmar, in 1571 ; died, 
 1635. His " Treatise on Arithmetic" was published in 1611, in quarto. " Primum 
 Mobile astronomice, sciographice, Geometrice, et hydrographice novi methodo explica- 
 tum." Amsterdam : Quarto : 1631. [Biographie Universelle.] 
 
 3. 9. Alstedius, born at Herborn, county of Nassau, where he became Professor of 
 Philosophy and Theology. He then went as professor to Weissenburg, in Transylva- 
 nia, where he died in 1638. He was a member of the Synod of Dort. A most inde- 
 fatigable writer. [Ibid.] Alstedius " Theologia Naturalis" was published in 1615 
 and in 1662 in quarto. [Biographical Dictionary of the Society for the diffusion of 
 Useful Knowledge, vol. 2.] 
 
 4. Didacus (Diego) Alvarez. There were two of this name. One a Spanish Do- 
 minican, Archbishop of Trasii, died in 1635; the other a Spanish Jesuit, died 1617 
 I cannot find the above work among the list of their writings. 
 
 5. Lewis de Dieu; Protestant Professor in the Walloon College at Flushing. Born, 
 1590; died, 1642. His work entitled " Animadversiones in quatuor Evangelia," 
 was published at Leyden, in quarto, in 1631. [Biog. Universelle.] 
 
 6. Case, John, M. D., an eminent Physician and Philosopher of Oxford ; born at 
 Woodstock, Eng.; died, 1600. He published a number of works, among wliich is 
 Thesaurus QEconomioe, sen Commentarius in fficonomia Aristotelis ; Oxon. 1597, 1598 : 
 Hanov. 1598 ; 8vo. There is a monument to his memory in St. John's College. 
 [Watt ; also Biog. Diet.] 
 
 7. Peter Ramus, a celebrated French Mathematician, born 1515 ; died, 1572. 
 Published " Arithmetica, Greeca et Latina," at Paris, quarto, 1555 ; " Geometria," at 
 Basle, quarto, 1596. [Watt.] 
 
 8. Henry Lewis Castaneus published a work entitled " Celebriorum distinctionum 
 turn Philosophicorum et Theologicorum Synopsis." [Watt.] 
 
456 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 L. 
 
 Van Curler's Letter to the Patroon. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 Laus Deo ! At the Manhattans, this 16th June, 1643. 
 
 Most honorable, wise, powerful, and right discreet Lord, my Lord Patroon — 
 With submissive salutation shall this seiTe to greet j'our Honor and your Honor's 
 beloved Lady, who is dear to you, with wished-for good fortune, prosperity, and steady 
 happiness. On the 4th of this instant, I received your Honor's favor, and seen and 
 read its contents, whereunto this shall serve for answer. 
 
 Firslly, touching the serious discontent which your Honor feels towards me, be- 
 cause the accounts and books have not been sent to you, I have not much to oppose. 
 But therein I have not been wholly culpable. For the accounts and books which 
 might be brought to me, I can quickly make clear and ready. But there are boors 
 from whom I can get no returns ; and Van der Doncq has not once spoken te them 
 thereof, according to his instructions, nor done any thing about them so long as he 
 has been in this colonic. I have had, once before this, returns from some boors. 
 Neither head nor tail could be made out of them. For they state every thing they 
 expended, but nothing of what they had received ; and, moreover, enter in the ac- 
 count, to this one, so much — to that one, so much ; without once specifying for what 
 that same was given. Every thing they have laid out on account of the Lord Pa- 
 troon, they well know how to specify for what that was expended. But what has 
 been laid out for their own private use, that they know nothing about, and yet can 
 manage to remember what appertains to the account of the Noble Patroon, and to 
 book that. To this I say, that I will never allow this ; but that they shall deliver to 
 me a clean, clear, just account, to send the same over to the Noble Patroon, for his 
 Honor's approbation ; and so soon as an answer shall be received, shall these then be 
 passed, if his Honor so order. Whereupon the farmers reply ; We shall then furnish 
 you an account, as you told us that without it being sent to Patria it is good for nothing. 
 In fine, this also has been neglected. But, please God, so soon as the next [ship] 
 comes, the accounts shall be sent to you. So far as I am myself concerned, I hope 
 that his Honor will not be so displeased as he has been. For I consider myself bound 
 to make good to the Patroon whatever shall fall short in the accounts, or shall be 
 stolen. But, so truly help me God Almighty, I am not conscious, willingly or know- 
 ingly, so long as I have been in your Honor's service, to have defrauded your Lord- 
 ship, or to have sought, in any manner, mine own profit, or seek to enrich myself, as 
 others truly do, who, in justice to the Noble Patroon, should observe who wrong him. 
 I shall tell your Honor no tales, but I shall send over by the next ship sufficient proofs 
 thereof. 
 
 As to what your Honor would know, what the construction of the boors' houses 
 will cost, it is impossible for me to acquaint you. I have never had any account 
 thereof, as I have told your Honor before. What regards the cost of my own build- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 457 
 
 ing, I hope that shall not be wanting. I have kept every note of it. Further, I shall 
 furnish, at the same time, an account of vs'hat my house-keeping comes to. The 
 Lord shall find therein a few items of what I have presented, or given away, as I have 
 sometimes given some presents to the principal chiefs of the Indians, in order that 
 they should maintain good correspondence with each other. 
 
 As your Honor does not know how your account stands with the company, this 
 will serve to inform you that I have never settled with M. Kieft, nor ever attempted 
 it, because he charged the freight and customs [convoyen] so high, that I have inva- 
 riably referred that to the Lord Patroon. Kieft hath frequently demanded of me to 
 liquidate the account, but I have always deferred it, because I fear imprudently to 
 burn myself with this account ; for all the charges, freights, and board, which he 
 brought in his account, are directly contrary to the granted freedoms. And your 
 Honor supposes that I here deduct all the freights, customs, [convoyen,] and duties, 
 wholly from the wheat ; the Lord hath always been pleased to excuse me from so 
 doing. For I have never entertained such a thought as to liquidate the account with 
 Kieft. Now that I understand your Honor's intention, I shall never deliver another 
 handful of wheat to the company, unless they either pay me on delivery, [ofte ten sy 
 datse my contant befallen,] or unless I receive other orders from your Honor. How- 
 ever, I have delivered very little grain, except last year, only twelve lasts, and then 
 not a single grain was once on my order. But, heretofore, the boors have always 
 delivered the grain to the company on their own authority. There is no knowing, 
 sometimes, where all the grain that is raised in the colonic remains, or is consumed 
 But I shall send the Lord, by the first opportunity, an extract of an account which 
 I have, through friendship, received out of the A. Croll's book, whereby the Lord 
 shall see and find what has been consumed by the boors, and all paid in wheat, where- 
 of your Honor has been wholly wronged [gefrusteert] and deprived. But so soon as 
 the accounts of the bouweries are made up, and your Honor hath this extract, your 
 Honor then can see who intends best by the Lord Patroon. 
 
 What the Lord, my master, commands me to receive in good regard the counsel of 
 Dominie Megapolensis ; and therein to follow his Reverence's advice — I have never 
 failed so to do, but have always communicated to him whatever occurred here, to 
 have his opinion thereupon ere I concluded to undertake any thing, and have always 
 thankfully received his reverence's counsel. Further, I shall use my utmost dili- 
 gence to collect the rest and to post all the debits and credits, [schulden en weder- 
 schulden,] Beavers and Seawan. I shall then, without fail, send you all by the 
 next opportunity. As to what appertains to the duflTels, I have, in all I received, 
 not perceived any damage worth mentioning, but got them in good condition. 
 
 Your honor further orders me in his letter to have some of the studs gelded. This 
 I did last spring to the number of twelve, and two more recently, being fourteen in 
 all. God be thanked they all fared well, without any of them having been injured or 
 killed, though there were some eight or nine years olds among them. There are nine 
 more in the colonie, besides one yearling, to wit : — two ready for use (om te springen) 
 in the five bouweries on the east bank ; Andries de Vos and Van Nes have together 
 one for their use ; and Brandt and Van der Doncq together, one for theirs ; Broer Cor- 
 nehssen, ditto : on the Great Flatt are four ; whereof two of the most delicate will be 
 cut next harvest. Doubtless the Patroon shall have a much greater increase every 
 year than he has had hitherto. For the studs heretofore followed the mares so anx- 
 iously that the latter could not be touched, and now they go so tame that it is curious 
 
 58 
 
458 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 to remark. And, before this, we were obliged, according to the age of the studs, to 
 go look for the horses to the half day, and they came safely home. Tennis Dircksen 
 is here from the master gelder. I have paid him one great pound for each stud he 
 operated on. I have sent the residents all the full number of horses and cows, accord- 
 ing to their contract. I have full twenty draft horses, at present, on the Fiatt (op de 
 Vlachte) besides the milch cows, but they are all young cattle. 
 
 Further, touching the letter sent to your Honor by the Mahicanders, your Honor 
 will please not to be surprised ; for I came, by great luck, four or five days after the 
 return of the sloop from above, and overtook it there by reason of contrary winds ; 
 and received a day or two after the return of this, the resolution of Pieter Cornelissen 
 and Broer Cornelissen. So that I got on board the sloop, and there hastily wrote a 
 short letter to your Honor, because I thought it was necessary to advise you. 
 
 Your Honor further writes that you understand that I had placed Labbatie on the 
 Great Flatt, and promised him twenty guilders per month, and your honor asks what 
 farm work can he do. Those who wrote that to your honor lie like rogues. For I 
 never thought of it ; but my intention was that Labbatie should pass the winter on 
 the Flatt to trade, as good trade is drove there from above during the winter, but never 
 has there been any talk of monthly wages. For so long as Labbatie has been out of 
 his bounden time, he has never asked or demanded any increase of wages, but always 
 said that he should leave that to the discretion of the Lord Patroon. But I 
 shrewdly suspect that this report was sent to his Honor by Van der Doncq, whom this 
 undertaken work hath sorely troubled, because he can make nothing by it ; and still 
 daily doth he, in my absence, go about finding fault that men expect to make great 
 profit for the masters, but that it will miss. But I have nothing to say. The work 
 is but begun. Yet I hope, please God, to have next harvest as much corn in the 
 ground as the best bouwerie in the colonie. I have, at present, about ten to twelve 
 morgens of oats planted, and had there not been so many hidden stumps in the land, 
 I should have had much more sown. But there is not much fallow. From this year 
 there will be still more rye. But generally the first year is the slimmest. I trust 
 firmly that all the bouweries have not had so much to clear as this Flatt alone. It 
 was all hidden stumps and roots, which were not perceived until the plough struck 
 right on them. Your honor further writes that you do not want any bouwerie for 
 yourself. 
 
 I shall therefore keep together an exact account of all the expenses which have 
 been incurred thereon. I shall, then, request of your honor, as I have already done, 
 to be preferred before all others for the same Flatt, and I shall then, according to op- 
 portunity, contract with your honor therefor, and willingly meet all expenses. I am 
 assured that there is no bouwerie in the colonie which shall have been less expensive 
 than this ; which shall sooner repay the outlay, and that by grain alone, without 
 counting the increase of cattle. I hope, with God's blessing on the grain, that this 
 bouwerie, in two years, will be free of all expense. I have last spring built on this 
 Flatt a farm house, thirty feet covered with tiles, for the residence of the carpenters 
 and laborers. 
 
 I had, moreover, contracted with Jan Cornelissen, carpenter, for a large farm- 
 house ; and he had promised to begin it in mid April, which he has not yet done. 
 From May to this date, I believe that he has not worked fourteen days, but has been 
 drunk all the time. I have demanded frequently of him, if he would not go on with the 
 work, and he has always asked for delay ; but he will not begin, because I have made 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 459 
 
 a favorable bargain with him. He must build for 700 guilders a house 120 feet long 
 by 28 feet wide ; 40 feet is deducted for a dwelling. There remain 80 feet for the 
 farm-house. The dwelling part to be floored above and below ; a cellar 20 feet long 
 by 28 feet wide ; a half-jutting chamber (een hang-kamer) for the servants' sleeping 
 room ; a small room (een kooi) in the farm-house for the farm laborers ; an enclosed 
 stable for the studs, and further to make a horse and cow stable, and what else apper- 
 tains thereto, and that subject to the inspection of persons conversant with such sort of 
 work, and who understand carpentry. The other carpenters will not build it for 1,000 
 guilders ; so that he is not very anxious for the job. I made the contract with him 
 when he was sober in the presence of Dom. Johannes, and Mr. Abraham and An- 
 thony de Hooges, and committed it to writing on the instant. So that I shall be 
 obliged to have that house erected by others under protest ; for the time cannot ad- 
 mit of further delay. It must be covered in against the winter, for the cattle must, 
 above all things, have their stabling. I placed all the reed for the house, last harvest, 
 on a pile of lumber, on the spot where the dwelling is to stand. 
 
 As regards the tobacco of Albert Andriessen and his brother, I know not otherwise 
 than that your Honor will get the crop, as it was planted in the time of his contract. 
 Your Honor further orders that I should pay this money to Albert hero in merchant- 
 able goods. All that will go well. But still remains the question or difference be- 
 tween us, which is this : — whereas Albert Ijath, before this, opposed the placards, and 
 moreover, heretofore, hath scolded the Lord Patroon and the whole council, so that 
 he was condemned in a heavy fine, I shall therefore deduct this fine from the amount 
 to be paid for the delivered tobacco. The fine for which he is indebted according to 
 law, for opposition tO the placard and scandalous scolding, amounts to 312 fl. We 
 should long ago have levied this sum by execution, but I have all along waited pa- 
 tiently for the deUvered tobacco. 
 
 As for the answer which your Honor sent to the pretensions of Andreas Hudde, I 
 shall give an extract thereof to the Heer Kieft, and speak to himself about it. 
 
 As for the Church, it is not yet contracted for, nor even begun. I had written 
 last year to your Honor, that I had a building almost ready, namely, the covenanted 
 work, which would have been for Dom. Megapolensis ; and this house was not agree- 
 able to the taste of Dom. Johannes ; in other respects it was altogether suitable for 
 him, so that I have laid it aside. That which I intend to build this summer in the 
 pine grove, [in het Greynen Bosch,] will be .34 feet long by 19 feet wide. It will be 
 large enough, for the first three or four years, to preach in, and can afterwards al- 
 ways serve for the residence of the sexton, or for a school. I hope your Honor will 
 not take this ill, as it happened through good intention. 
 
 Regarding the diamond [het crystal] near Michel Janssen's house, of which your Hon- 
 or writes that I should send over some more specimens thereof, I have spoken about 
 it to Michel Jansen, and to several others, to engage them to bury it. But they will 
 not do so, apparently because they fear for the labor, and it will terminate badly. 
 
 The Lord Patroon is very much surprised that so little care has been taken of the 
 vines which his Honor sent. I planted them in the garden, but they were killed 
 by the frost, like the others brought to the country. I believe, in my opinion, that 
 they did not suffer in the least from the high water. 
 
 As regards the formulary which your Honor sent, it shall, for the future, be fol- * 
 lowed as well for horses as for cows. I should have been pleased that your Honor 
 had sent it before, in order to afford your Honor greater content. Your Honor is, 
 
460 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 moreover, surprised that Albert Andriesz. hath such privilege ; that a better inventory is 
 not taken of his stock of cattle. The messenger says that he will not allow any pre- 
 emption, and what is more, will not give you any part of the cattle, although he 
 purchased the cows while your Honor's contract with the mill company was still in 
 existence. 
 
 I shall send by Willem Turck as many peltries as I can bring in. Your Honor is 
 surprised that all my letters mention haste ; this, in short, shall serve as an explana- 
 tion. The ships are sometimes 14 days, and even more, at the Manhattans, before 
 we receive any tidings or intelligence thereof, and then, receiving letters, the sloops 
 remain only five, six, or seven days, so the letters must then be got ready in a hurry. 
 The Lord says that this ought to be done beforehand, which might easily be, if we 
 had not to answer the Lord's letters. For we could well advise the Lord in one of 
 the affairs of the colonic. For the future, whatever will be pleasing to the Patroon, 
 shall be done, for in all things I am subject to obey his order in as much as it Ues in 
 my power. 
 
 In regard to your Honor's instructions to inquire what price wheat commands in 
 Virginia, I cannot very well undertake that. But so far as I hear and understand, it 
 goes off well there, but it should be sent there ground into meal. If your Honor 
 should be of opinion to send the ship thither, she should be well provided with strong 
 distilled waters, which are much in demand there, together with duffels and wide 
 linen. Tobacco can be had at 2 to 3 advance on the price in Holland. All 
 
 the corn which will be delivered to me, I shall retain provisionally by me till further 
 advice, should your Honor be pleased to send a ship. Henceforward I will not give 
 a grain more of corn to the company. » 
 
 As to the boors selling the wheat for 8 to 9 florins the mud, [four bushels,] that is 
 true ; but I cannot say who they are. I believe that 4 to 5 lasts have been thus sold 
 since last spring, and Van der Doncq hath not once been willing to look to it, nor to 
 prevent such a fraud. Your Honor further writes me that I shall speak to Van der 
 Donck and Peter Cornelissen to second me. They will not endeavor to advance the 
 business of their own office, nor do they much try. How can they, then, aid me ? 
 And they are the dogs which bite me, and still daily seek to render me suspected, 
 which" Van der Doncq endeavored enough to do and hath already done, as I can in- 
 fer from the Lord's writings. But what he has perpetrated and still commits, will be 
 made manifest in its own time. I shall not, thereupon, talk any further now. Dom. 
 Megapel ensis was well aware of his acts. ' 
 
 Your Honor further states, that Van der Donck complains of the impertinence of 
 Labbatie. These shall serve thereupon. Van der Doncq is very covetous and mo- 
 nopolizing ; during my absence at the Manhattans, this Van der Doncq came, different 
 times, and arrogantly spoke to Labbatie, that he should give him duffels ; sometimes 
 Seewan, and more such goods. Thereupon Labbatie answered that he had no orders 
 to give out any goods — wherefore had he not asked them of me before, when I was 
 at home ; or that he must wait until I should return, and such like things, much more 
 than I can detail. So then hatred became so deeply rooted, that they pursued each 
 other with swords, in like manner as he had done to De Hooges, scolding him as an 
 informer, and moreover struck him ; and thus he acts also towards me, blaming me as 
 well to your Honor, as to the colonists, in order to render me suspected. And he 
 imagines, by reason of his ambition, that men will permit him to do what he pleases ; 
 and that through ignorance, much must be overlooked for the sake of the consequences. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 461 
 
 As to what the Lord writes, that what concerns the delivery of the cattle, proceed- 
 ed out of the head of Broer Cornelissen. That he will not deliver up the same, nor 
 pay for them immediately, is true. He hath frequently spoken thereof in my presence, 
 and moreover, hath also endeavored to stir Lip others thereto. 
 
 What regards the resolution to send Willeni Juriaensen Bakker out of the colonie, 
 I have had a very long time ample reason therefor. But no one would second me. 
 Then he hath publicly abused the lord and master as a dishonorable man, whereupon 
 he was condemned in a civil fine. This was well. Furthermore, the residents who 
 had driven their trade there with the Indians to the great loss of the noble Lord, con- 
 tinued this same Willem Juriaensen, and almost destroyed and ruined the whole 
 trade. 
 
 As to what the Lord writes that I should not so strictly regulate myself according 
 to the price of the peltries, and that I must exert myself, as well witli authority as 
 with censure, to keep strange traders out, this will serve : — 
 
 The trade heretofore has always been at six fathoms of seawan. Last year the resi- 
 dents as well as the colonists gave 7 to 7^ fathoms. I also gave the same. So soon 
 as they saw that I and the company's commissary gave so much, they immediately 
 gave 9, and since this spring 10 fathoms. So at last, the trade ran so high, that we of 
 the colonie, and the commissary at the Fort resolved, with one another, to publish a 
 placard as well for the colonists as the residents and company's servants, that they 
 should not presume, on pain of heavy fine and confiscation of their goods, to trade with 
 the Indians for furs at more than 9 fathoms of white wampum, or 4^ fathoms of black ; 
 and that none, on pain of confiscation aforesaid, should go into the bush to trade ; and 
 the order was that the officer should prevent it. And he hath not even once attended 
 to this ; nor even now will he do so. When he was told that he should look to the 
 frauds and abuses, in order to prevent the same as much as possible, he gave for 
 answer : that he would not consent to be the worst man — to others, that he would 
 not make himself suspected by the colonists, as liis years, as officer, were few. And 
 it happened, last year, that we concluded together on a placard that no residents 
 should presume to come, with their boats, within the limits of the colonie, on confisca- 
 tion of the same. Thereupon there were great complaints on the part of the colonists, 
 and they gave in remonstrances as to where they should receive goods and necessa- 
 ries. Whereupon the council promised the colonists, that if there were any to be had 
 at the Manhattans or elsewhere, that I should procure them, on condition for this 
 promise, that they would in return pay immediately for the wares which they might 
 get from me, and that I should have nothing to do with the transfer of accounts, but 
 to pay me, acting thus as merchant, (so doende koopman,) right off. They were all 
 satisfied, and promised to adhere to it, and to assist me. We further resolved, on the 
 next court day, to issue another placard for the further strengthening of the first ; 
 namely, that no inhabitants of the colonie should presume to buy any goods from the 
 residents. So it happened that a few days after a sloop arrived with some goods. Im- 
 mediately a party of colonists came to me and said — " This and that are come ; no 
 body must make any purchases there ; you gave us the promise." To this I replied : — 
 " What I promised, I shall perform and accomplish." I inquired if they had any 
 beavers wherewith to buy these goods and wares. They answered, " No ! You must 
 purchase them, and debit us with them in the account ;" which I was wholly unwil- 
 ling to do. So that each one went and bought what he wished, as well duffels as 
 otherwise. Dom. Megapolensis and I then sent for Van der Doncq, and told him to 
 
462 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 go quietly with his servant, Hans Vos, and search the several houses. Now he came 
 to visit Reyer StofFelzen's house. There he gossiped without once making a search, 
 and then went to WiUem Juriaensen's in the same manner, and so forth. He further 
 went to Dirck Jansen's mill, where he was told there were three pieces of duftels, and 
 he removed one of them. He further went to the house of Cornelis van Merckerck. 
 There he chatted without once making a search. In like manner he proceeded to 
 Broer Cornelissen's, where he did not search once, but only asked, " How are ye all 
 here?" looked in, and returned back, while he well knew that there were duffels there. 
 Leaving there, he went home. In the same way he went to Claes Janssen van 
 Nyckerck's house, who, he also well knew, had duffels. He said — " Claes, I shall 
 come here to-morrow to make a search. Have you any duffels ? Put them away in 
 your cellar, which I shall not search." Claes himself told me this out of his own 
 mouth, and promised to give me an affidavit of it, which I shall send your Honor by 
 the next ship. 
 
 Moreover, I had contracted last harvest for the building of a house for Dom. Mega- 
 polensis, which should bo ready precisely at Christmas. They let the time pass neglect- 
 ed and go by till November. Then I said that I should not allow it to be built ; there 
 was hail, snow, rain, and wind every day, and expecting that the house would cause 
 great expeiise in meat and drink, and the work not be advanced, I broke the contract, 
 because they did not perform their promise. 
 
 Maryn Adriaensen was, at this time, among us, who offered to sell me a house of 
 oak wood, all ready — cross casings, door casings, all of oak. So the Dominie hav- 
 ing consulted with us both, and concluded that Maryn's house would be a much 
 better bargain than the other, so that I purchased the house from him for 350 
 guilders. Van der Doncq coming to hear this, got into company, in the mean time, 
 with the carpenters and several others, and there told them that we had issued pla- 
 cards forbidding the colonists to trade with the residents, and whoever this interested 
 should mutiny — that whoever had first concocted this had not only concocted the 
 placards, and that I likewise sought to steal the bread out of the mouths of the 
 colonists. Whereupon some of them were surprised that the officer should so persuade 
 the people. Some, with others, forthwith conspired together to protest against me, and 
 to draw a circle under the protest, within which to place their names, so that it should 
 not be known who had first signed it. This protest having been drawn up, some were 
 for driving me out of the colonic as a rogue ; others wished to take my life. But 
 nothing resulted from these threats. Herein Van der Doncq said he would honestly, 
 and to our satisfaction, assist me and the council. But when need pressed him, (maer 
 als den uoot aende man gingh,) he then withdrew from me and the council to second 
 them, whereof I shall send your Honor affidavits of two persons who told me so with 
 their own lips. So that your Honor can form, at once, an opinion of the matter in 
 itself, and what sort of officer you have here, who causes so much injury to a whole 
 colonic. He intends, next year, to return home. He has been to Katskill with some 
 colonists to examine that place, and your Honor may be assured he intends to look for 
 partners to plant a colonic there. Borger Jorissen, who has heretofore been in the 
 Lord's colonic, will live there also. He hath let his bouwerie to Brant Peelen for 200 
 guilders a year, on which Brant Peelen intends to settle his brother-in-law. This 
 shall not be with my consent. 
 
 Concerning the bark, about the building which the Patroon had written, so that I 
 might employ it in the colonie to advantage, which was my intention and meaning, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 463 
 
 but I was dissuaded therefrom. It should be well adapted in breadth to convey cat- 
 tle, and that about to be built would have been too crank. I have purchased another 
 for 1100 guilders, which is a very tidy bark, provided with new sails, with anchor and 
 cable ; can carry at sea, 7 lasts ; inland, 8 lasts. It has been this spring to the 
 north, and there traded a good deal of seawan, [wampum.] 'Tis now at the South 
 River to trade. I have spoken to Cornelis Leendertzen and Mauritz Janssen van 
 Broeckhuysen, who returned from that quarter over two days ago, and they told me 
 that it would be a good speculation, for neither the company nor the Swedes had any 
 cargoes there, and there were still there 7 to 800 beavers, which lay there expecting 
 seawan and other goods, with all which was well provided our bark, which Cornelis 
 Leendertsen spoke in the mouth of the river. So that I hope good profit will result 
 there. So soon as she returns, I will, if I can accomplish it, send her with wheat to 
 Virginia, to see if that can be traded there for tobacco. Inquiry shall be then made 
 what merchandise is admitted there, and shall then advise your Honor thereof 
 
 As the Heer Master orders that the day of accounts shall not be changed, his 
 Honor's letter shall be attended to. The Heer Patroon is very much surprised that 
 no mention has been made in the inventory of sheep and swine. This will inform 
 him that the farmers have frequently been spoken to. They say that the swine 
 stray into the woods. We do not know ourselves how many pigs we have. We 
 were obliged to give a number to other freemen, which were forwarded on payment ; 
 but your Honor riuist know that many mishaps have occurred to these. As to the 
 sheep, to count which Mauritz Janssen was appointed, they were correctly counted ; 
 but the year after, they died oft' like mice. A part of them were destroyed by the 
 wolves. There are at present in the colonie, young and old, about 15 to 16 sheep. 
 
 Further, may it please the Lord to understand, that three islands lie between Broer 
 Corneli.sscn and the Flatt, [de Vlachte,] one of which, right opposite the Flatt, is 
 about 20 to 25 morgens in extent, which have not been yet purchased from the own- 
 ers. I shall allow that island opposite the Flatt, and a portion of fallow, to be plough- 
 ed, in order to be sowed next harvest with wheat ; for on the Flatt I have only 16 to 
 17 morgens which I can have under the plough this year. Because there is so much 
 to regulate, and I do not wish to have the time of the servants wasted, I have begun 
 on the aforesaid island. By regularity, every thing can be done at a proper season ; 
 as men have more leisure at present than at any other time, so please God, there will 
 be fully .30 morgens sown next fall with winter grain. I shall therefore bo obliged to 
 purchase the said islands from the Indians, though they will ill bear to part with 
 them. For we are bound now and hereafter [schier of morgcn] to give the Indians 
 no provocation to rebel. 
 
 I have been on horseback with Labbatie and Jacob Janssen van Amsterdam, last 
 year, to the Mohawk country, where three Frenchmen were prisoners ; one of whom 
 was a Jesuit, a very learned scholar, who was very cruelly treated, his finger and 
 thumb being cut off. I carried presents there, and requested that we should preserve 
 good neighborship, and that no injury should be done, either to the colonists or to 
 their cattle, which all the Indians at the three castles have thankfully accepted. We 
 were entertained right well in every friendly manner there. We were obliged to halt 
 a quarter of an hour before each castle, until the Indians there saluted us with divers 
 musket-shots. There was also great joy among them because I had come there* 
 Indians were immediately ordered to go out to shoot, who brought us in excellent tur- 
 keys. I then thoroughly visited all their castles, and invited all the chiefs of all the 
 
464 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 three castles to assemble together, and proposed to them to release tlio French prison- 
 ers. But there was no appearance of this, which they refused with good reason. 
 Said they, " We shall manifest toward you every friendship that is in our power, but 
 on this subject we will be silent. Besides, you well know how they treat our people 
 who fall into their hands. Had we delayed to reach there three or four days longer, 
 they would have been burnt." I presented them, for the ransom of the Frenchmen, 
 about 600 guilders in goods, to which all the colonic will contribute. But they would 
 not accept them. But we persuaded them so far, that they promised not to kill 
 them, and to convey them back to their country. The French captives ran scream- 
 ing after us, and besought us that we would do all in our power to release them out 
 of the hands of the barbarians. But there was no likelihood at all of this. On my 
 return, they gave me an escort of 10 to 12 armed men, who conducted us back home. 
 Within half a day's journey from the colonic, lies the most beautiful land on the Mo- 
 hawk River that eye ever saw ; full a day's journey long, and mostly contiguous the 
 one to the other. But it is impossible to reach there in a boat, on account of the 
 strength of the stream which runs there, and on the other hand, of the shallowness 
 of the water ; but I think that it could be reached with wagons. Two of these 
 Frenchmen, of whom the Jesuit was one, have been to my house last May. Tliey 
 said they hoped that means could be found now to procure their release. So soon as 
 the Indians return from hunting, I shall endeavor to obtain their freedom. I shail! 
 send your Honor, by the first opportunity, the journal of my journey. 
 
 I have purchased at the mill-kill from Jan Michaelsen, a house, and a large oblong 
 building, which he bought from Sander Leendertsen, for 600 gl., according to his 
 receipt. But I shall pay for it mostly through his account. As a passable bara 
 stands thereon, a good bouwerie can be made there. In the same way, as there is a 
 good barn by the house of Cornells Teunissen on the Fifth kill, where also a good 
 bouwerie can be established. 
 
 Cornelis Teunissen goes also over. He hath given in his account, both debit and 
 credit. There is to his credit, an item of 20 pieces of timber [balken] which come 
 on account of the yacht. They were sold again at the Manhattans for 100 guilders. 
 There is also a parcel of 100 pieces of timber, which I delivered to the company for 
 2 sloops' freight. Each sloop's voyage lasted six weeks, which should have greatly 
 swelled the freight. 
 
 Of the 30m. stone which your honor sent out last year per the Houttuyn, I have 
 not received above 10 thousand, as I'm told by my skipper Louwerns and others. 
 The skipper of the Houttuyn retained them for ballast. Your honor will be pleased 
 not to send any more stone, for we can purchase them cheaper at the north than 
 those cost which your honor sent, and they are as large again. The four thousand 
 tiles which your honor sent are not worth the freight ; for they crumble all away 
 like sand. I have not had from these more than 10 to 12 hundred good tiles. The 
 rest are good for nothing. The broker who purchased the tiles for your honor hath 
 grossly cheated you. 
 
 I am, at present, betrothed to the widow of the late M. Jonas Bronck. May the 
 good God vouchsafe to bless me in my undertaking, and please to grant that it might 
 conduce to His honor, to our mutual salvation. Amen. 
 
 I expect to send the Heer (Lord) by the next opportunity the accounts ; and I in- 
 tend, if his honor please to consent, to go over (to Holland) next year, as soon as I 
 shall have received his honor's answer, to request of his honor a favorable lease of a 
 
APPENDIX. 465 
 
 bouwerie, there to fix my residence in the colonie for a good number of years, if the 
 Lord spare my hfe. If your honor should please to permit me to return home, as I 
 hope, I request, with all submission, that the noble Lord will please to grant my future 
 wife leave to reside until my return in his honor's house, by Anthonie de Hooges. I 
 trust that the noble Lord will not receive damage thereby, for she is a good house- 
 keeper, as I hope the noble Lord shall learn from others. I should not altogether 
 wish to take her over and hither with me ; for we are subject to divers dangers from 
 the sea. Otherwise, I hope to make my journey to Patria as short as possible. 
 
 Neither I nor the Company have scarcely had any trade this year. I believe the 
 residents have conveyed fully 3 to 4,000 furs from above. So great a trade has never 
 been driven, as this year, and it would be very profitable if your honor could bring 
 about, with a higher hand, that the residents should not come to the colonie to trade 
 Otherwise your honor will never derive any profit. 
 
 Herewith ending, I beg to advise the noble Lord, if I have used any boldness, to 
 be pleased to take it in the best part. Happiness to your honor, and your honor's be- 
 loved wife and children, and that God may preserve you in His grace, is mine, and 
 my future partner's greeting. 
 
 Your Honor's dutiful and obliged servant, 
 
 Arendt van Curler. 
 
 59 
 
466 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 M. 
 
 Insinuation, Protest, and Presentment, on hehalf of the Patroon of the 
 
 Colonie of Rensselaerswyck. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.J 
 
 I, Nicholas Coorn, Wacht-meester over Rensselaers-Steyn, and on behalf of the 
 noble Ijord Kiliaen van Rensselaer, under the High Jurisdiction of the High and 
 Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands, and the Privileged West 
 India Company, Hereditary Commander of the Colonies on this North River of New 
 Netherland, and as Vice Commander thereof in his place, let you 
 
 know that you shall not presume to abuse this river to the in- 
 jury of the acquired right of the aforesaid Lord, in his quality as Patroon of the Colo- 
 nie of Rensselaerswyck, the first and oldest on this river. 
 
 Which right he hath obtained on the 19th I^^ovember, 1629, pursuant to his free- 
 doms and exemptions from the Assembly of the XIX. of the Privileged West India 
 Company, by the fifth article of which it was promised that care would be taken that 
 the first occupiers (being he the Patroon) should not be prejudiced in the right which 
 they obtained. 
 
 Which by the High and Mighty Lords States General aforesaid was further con- 
 firmed and enlarged by their High Mightinesses' sealed letters, dated fifth Feb. 1641, 
 which were granted to him and to his heirs for ever. 
 
 And, whereas he declares to be greatly prejudiced ; 
 
 Firstly, Inasmuch as you frequent this river without his knowledge, and have 
 come thus far against his will ; 
 
 Secondly, Endeavoring afterwards to withdraw from him and allure to yourself the 
 tribes round about, who for many years have been accustomed to trade either at Fort 
 Orange with tiie Company's Commis, or with his Commis in particular ; and if possi- 
 ble to divert them away to his injury, and to show these tribes other secret trading 
 places, greatly to the prejudice of the West India Company and of him the Patroon ; 
 
 Thirdly, That you have destroyed the trade in furs by advancing and raising the 
 price thereof on the Company's commis at Fort Orange, as well as on his, the 
 Piitroou's commis ; that you are satisfied if you get merely some booty from it, not 
 curing afterwards whether or not the trade be so ruined that the Patroon will thereby 
 be unable to meet the expenses of his colonie, the same being greatly prejudicial to 
 him, the Patroon. 
 
 Fourthly, That you sought to debauch and pervert his own inhabitants and sub- 
 jects against their lord and master, furnishing them, among other things, with wine and 
 strong drink, and selling this to them at an usurious and high price, against his will ; 
 causing yourself to be paid in peltries, which they, contrary to his orders and their own 
 promise, trade for, or in wheat, which they purloin from their lord ; whereof they have 
 given no account ; whereof the lawful tenths were not legally drawn ; whereof he, the 
 Patroon, hath not even received his third part or half according to contract ; and 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 467 
 
 whereof he hath not refused the right of pre-emption, obliging the Patroon, whom his 
 people hath assisted with little or no advances, considering his outlay, to enter these 
 on his books, while you pass away with that, yea, with his share, whereby he is ren- 
 dered unable to provide his people with all they require, because you so exhaust them 
 and impoverish his colonie, which is highly prejudicial to him the Patroon. 
 
 All which not being bound to suffer from any private individuals, he doth warn you 
 entirely to refrain therefrom. Protesting in the name aforesaid, should you presume, in 
 defiance of laiW, to endeavor, contrary to this protest, to pass by force, that I am 
 directed to prevent you. Nevertheless, with power under this presentment, to trade 
 with his commis, but in no wise with the Indians or his particular subjects, as is fur- 
 ther to be seen and read in the admonition and instruction given by him, the Patroon, 
 to Pieter Wyncoop, as commis, and Arendt van Curler, as commissary-general, and 
 that in conformity to the restrictions of the Reglement therein contained. 
 
 And to declare to you, should you use force, that you will be guilty of, 
 
 Firstly, Crime against the High and Mighty Lords States General. 
 
 Secondly, Crime against the West India Company, and their Governor. 
 
 Thirdly, Crime against him, the Patroon, and his command, under whose jurisdic- 
 tion you at present are residing in his despite and against his will, obliging us to neces- 
 sary resistance. 
 
 Wherefore, I, in the name aforesaid, shall await what you will answer, do, or per- 
 mit, to regulate myself accordingly, still fully admonishing you that you can have no 
 Acte (except from the High and Mighty Lords the States General, themselves) which 
 can deprive him of this his right, and that in case of loss you will have to indem- 
 nify him the Patroon. 
 
 Which aforesaid Acte passed by the aforesaid Lord Patroon and Commander, he 
 hereby approves with the signature by his own hand, and by the sealing with the 
 seal of him the Patroon, and of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck, this 8th of Septem- 
 ber, 1643. In Amsterdam, 
 
 Was subscribed, 
 
 KiLIAEN VAN RkNSSKLAER. 
 
N. 
 
 Statement of the Assets belonging to the first Patroon at his death. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 00 
 
 COPIA. 
 
 DEBIT. 
 
 Balance of the Estate hereinabove more fully described. 
 
 CREDIT. 
 
 To Moneys in deposite, folio 7 and 8, amount to 
 To Current debts to be paid (96) amount to 
 
 To so much this Estate is in advance 
 
 fl. 192,360 
 103,156 
 
 295,516 
 107,994 
 
 fl. 403,510 
 
 By Real Estate hereinbefore (folio 1) amounting, according to 
 
 valuation thereof 
 
 By purchase of Pearls, (folio 2, 3 and 4,) amounting to 
 By debts to be received, (folio 6) .... . 
 
 fl. 154,761 
 
 189,925 
 58,824 
 
 fl. 403,510 
 
 > 
 O 
 
 From the opposite side the surviving widow must draw^ her ad- 
 vanced marriage portion, amounting to 
 
 And for her jointure by marriage contract 
 
 After the death of the deceased is paid for interest of the moneys 
 m deposite 
 
 And for the agio of the bank money, as all the moneys in deposite 
 vi^ere to be paid in banco, and when the goods per cassa 
 were sold • . . . . 
 
 And with the equipage of the ship The Arms of Rensselaerswyck 
 is earned 
 
 For the sold jewels of the surviving widow, wherefrom 
 cash has come into the common estate :— 
 
 1 Diamond ring . . fl. 800 
 
 Bracelets 2,000 
 
 1 Collar that is not to be found 
 
 fl. 18,000 
 6,000 
 
 29,668 
 
 5,091 
 5.912 
 
 2,800 
 
 After the death of the late Van Rensselaer, and sale of his pro- 
 perty and payment of debts, there wets still found in his 
 
 Corpse house remaining fl. 107,994 
 
 Deduct the items at the opposite side from the surplus of his 
 
 Estate 67,471 
 
 Remains for Father's Estate fl. 40,523 
 
 [Equal to $16,207.] 
 
 N. B. Which aforesaid Father's property must be divided into ten parts, 
 to wit : — For one child by the first marriage, and eight by the second, whom 
 their father has left, whereof two deceased have made their mother their 
 heiress ; and then still a child's share for mother herself, make altogether 
 ten parts. 
 
 N . B. This is independent of our share in the Colonie, which is besides. 
 
 This above stated account or balance is made up by Johan van 
 Rensselaer, deceased. 
 
 fl. 67,471 
 
 Wely, as Executor and Administrator of the Estate (Sterfhuys) of Father Kiliaen van 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 469 
 
 o. 
 
 Van Curler's Account of the Quarrel between himself and Van der 
 
 Donck. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MS.] 
 
 Whereas, I have great reason to presume that Adriaen van der Donck, in my ab- 
 sence and when I am away, may seek, by backbiting, to blame me, (for I know well 
 his disposition, Mel in ore, Fel in corde,) and in other ways to impute lies ; so have I 
 thought well to note the following by way of memorandum, in order that the time, 
 the recollection, and the trutn may not be obscured. 
 
 It happened then at the house of our worthy pastor Dominie Megapolensis, that 
 Van der Donck was in treaty with Michael Jansen about hiring him his bouwerio 
 for so long as his lease was concerned, for which purpose they had come together at 
 the aforesaid place. And as I had also come there, I mentioned to him that before 
 he gave it up, it was to be remarked, that he must resign it on the conditions of De 
 Vos and Van Es, which he denied, maintaining that after-writing broke not a contract. 
 But this afterwards appeared otherwise, which is too long here to detail. Secondly, 
 as Michael would first insist, as was right, that he should have nothing to do with for- 
 mer questions and losses, but every thing must be given to him clear, so Van der 
 Donck and I fell to talk over the late burning of his house. He maintained firmly 
 that the loss of the house should fall on the Patroon, as he undertook to prove out of 
 books. I, on the contrary, said, no ; and that I should prove it from his contract, 
 which excluded all law, and contained a special condition as it happened, as I after- 
 wards showed him. Many other reasons were given, not worth recapitulating. No 
 particular question grew out of them, so they may be passed over as irrelevant. 
 
 Out of the foregoing words then we fell into a quarrel, and one word borrowing 
 another, I stated to him some things which he had reported of me behind my back, 
 whereupon, in the presence of some honorable people, he gave me, who told him so, 
 the lie. Here came the wolf out of the sheep's clothing ! Here hypocrisy removed 
 the mask from her own face i Here he showed that he undoubtedly, long before this 
 time, had fed his ingratitude in his breast, which is also apparent from the censure 
 which he had reported of me. I always had done him good. The day after that 
 misfortune had happened him — namely, the 18th January, 1646 — I sent him a ton 
 of meat. I had beside brought him and his wife to my house, and let them share 
 whatever I had, good or bad, to the date 23d February aforesaid. I say this not 
 through boasting ; only to show his mask. To come to the point : — 
 
 Having given me the lie, for my blood was warm, I took occasion to tell him im- 
 mediately, that he should quit my house, being unwilling to sit at the table with such 
 a man ; and therefore, besides, that if he did not remove his chest to some place by 
 Wednesday the 21st, (this conversation passed on the 19th of Feb.,) I should put it 
 out of doors. But he had it removed. 
 
 He remained another day. But as I had sworn that he shovdd not eat six meals in 
 
470 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 my house, he was present at mealtimes only once. Pretending much sorrow, he then 
 came to me and would have an account of all that he was indebted to me. To which 
 I answered — that his cunning was well known to me — that he intended one thing or 
 the other with it, as I had fully considered. But, I said, that he required this for a 
 bad purpose. For the Lord the Patroon had charged him to render an account to 
 the commissary, and he wished me first to render him an account. But that I 
 should keep my finger well out of his mouth. 
 
 I gave him, at the same time, these reasons why I had told him to quit : — 
 
 I. To avoid trouble. 
 
 II. That my stock of provisions was nearly exhausted. 
 
 III. On account of my freedom. For I sometimes had something to write or to 
 say which I was not willing that all men should know. 
 
 That I had fixed a day for his leaving. 
 
 Because I had already told him twice that he should depart, but that as yet I had 
 seen no preparations for so doing. 
 
 That I was so particular as to the day because I had sworn, for which he had al- 
 ready given me cause. 
 
 That I now had noted these things so closely, and no man should think it strange 
 if their craft and practices were known. 
 
 And hereupon, forthwith, he proceeded from my house to Mr. Harmanus [Van der 
 Bogaerd,] in the fort, and crept there into a cottage, or hut, into which no one 
 would scarce be willing to enter. Forsooth, 'twill be seen at once how I am turned 
 out 1 When one misfortune overtakes me, then it is that I am smote upon the head I 
 Miserere mei ! 
 
 This is plausible. But when we view it right, it is not altogether so. For I have 
 presented, and still present him with a suitable house, wherein Officier Coorn resided, 
 into which he can move. But he must do something in the way of penance. That 
 he had rather inhabit a hut under the wings of the company, than live in a decent 
 house in the colonic, hath apparently its object. God knows that. Practica est 
 multiplex. 
 
 In troubled waters, 'tis said, there is good fishing. So it happened on the occasion 
 above narrated. For the following persons warm themselves by the coals of the 
 burning fire. 
 
 [The MS. tenninates abruptly here.] 
 
 Minute referring Van der Donck^s claims to Holland, 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 Whereas I have seen the credit which Adriaen van der Donck pretends to claim, 
 according to his account, from the Lord Patroon ; and, again, his debit set off against 
 the same ; 
 
 So his credit is found to amount to fl. 6097.17 
 
 And his debit to 3039. 1 
 
 Amount claimed by him, 
 
 fl. 3058.16 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 471 
 
 But as the house has been burnt, and some other things which increase a large 
 portion of his credit, and which in my opinion ought, according to his contract, be 
 charged to him ; also, as some items belong to his debit, such as sixteen guilders per 
 annum for each servant, [knecht,] together with the pay for their board on coming 
 over. 
 
 On the other hand, Van der Donck thinks that he was to be held free from loss and 
 expenses ; it is therefore resolved to let the matter rest so, and to transmit it as it is 
 to the Honorable Masters, so that their advice might be learned thereupon. 
 
 Actum, Rensselaerswyck, 
 28th April, anno 1646. 
 
 Adriaen van der Donck. 
 
 Note of Hand to the Deacons of the Church of Rensselaerswyck, Anno 
 
 1647. 
 
 I, the undersigned, Anthonie de Hooges, have, on the part of the Noble Patroon 
 of the Colonie Rensselaerswyck, borrowed from the Diaconie of the aforesaid place, 
 for the term of one year, to be repaid in cash, at the option of the lenders, with ten 
 per cent, interest per annum, the sum of three hundred guilders in seawan, whereof 
 one hundred and twenty is in ordinary seawan, promising thankfully to produce at 
 the aforesaid time, in stated specie aforesaid, to the Diaconie of the aforesaid place. 
 In testimony whereof, have I subscribed this Acte with mine own hand. Actum R. 
 Wyck, 9th May, 1647. 
 
472 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 P. 
 
 Tenths of those who still reside with the Patroon on the common domain. 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 NAMES OF SETTLERS. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Wheat. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Oats. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Rye. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Barley. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Buck- 
 wheat. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Peas. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Michel Janssen. 
 
 1645 
 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Teunis Dircksen van Vechten. 
 
 1642 
 
 32 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1643 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1644 
 
 22 
 
 44 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1645 
 
 16 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 1646 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1647 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cornells Maessen. 
 
 1644 
 
 12 
 
 30 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1645 
 
 17 
 
 22 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 1646 
 
 10 
 
 16 
 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 Simon Walinghen. 
 
 1644 
 
 24 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1645 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1646 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cryn Comellssen. 
 
 1645 
 
 12 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 1646 
 
 16 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 
 
 Comellssens Clerk. 
 
 1646 
 
 36 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 
 
 The tenths of Broer Comellssen for 1645 are not ascertained. 
 
 Composition for Tenths and Thirds for those who hold under that contract. 
 
 NAMES OF SETTLERS. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Wheat. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Oats. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Rye. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Barley. 
 Schepeln. 
 
 Buck- 
 wheat. 
 Schepels. 
 
 Peas. 
 Schepels, 
 
 Adriaen van der Donck. 
 
 1643 
 1644 
 1645 
 
 112 
 145 
 
 28 
 55 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 Cornells Segers. 
 
 1644 
 
 276 
 
 320 
 
 
 
 
 
 1645 
 1646 
 
 100 
 60 
 
 150 
 
 
 50 
 66 
 
 
 1 
 
 Comelis van Es. 
 
 1642 
 1643 
 1644 
 
 30 
 120 
 
 60 
 64 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1645 
 
 70 
 
 55 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 5 
 
 
 1646 
 
 fl. 140 
 
 Ingrain 
 
 
 
 
 
 Andries de Vos. 
 
 1642 
 1643 
 1644 
 
 30 
 
 188 
 
 100 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1645 
 
 105 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 2 
 
 
 1646 
 
 45 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 Rutger Jacobsen, [tenths.] 
 
 1645 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1646 
 
 16 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 
 
 Willem Frederlcksen. 
 
 1645 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 Adriaen Hybertzen. 
 
 1646 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 Christoffel Davits. 
 
 1646 
 
 fl. 30 for tobacco and oats. 
 
 
 
 N. B. Willem Fredericksen quit his bouwerie after a year, because it did not suit him. The 
 bouvverie heretofore occupied by A. Van der Donck, has, by purchase of whatever belonged to him, 
 and of his lease, been transferred to Comelis Segers. So this year [1646] it brings little or no rent' 
 because no seed of any account has been sown there. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 473 
 
 a 
 
 Two ancient Leases for Land in the Colonic of Rensselaerswyck, 
 
 [From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.] 
 
 In the name of the Lord, Amen. 
 
 This day, 7th September, anno 1646, the presiding officers of the Colonie Rensse- 
 laerswyck on one side, and Thomas Chamber on the other, have agreed and consented 
 about a certain parcel of land, lying right opposite the Bouwerie, called the Flatt, [de 
 Vlachte,] on the east bank of the river, between the two kills, which land he, Thomas 
 aforesaid, shall occupy as a bouwerie for the term of five successive years, commenc- 
 ing the 15th November, anno 1647, on the following conditions : 
 
 Thomas Chamber shall build free of all cost and charges, and without claiming a 
 doit in return from the Lord Patroon, at his own expense, a farm-house sixty feet 
 long, twenty feet wide in the clear, the projection and all in proportion, as occasion 
 may require, all faithful and firm work, without further specifying the same ; but in 
 all its parts and members similar to the barn of Poentje. A dwelling-house apart 
 and separate from the barn, thirty-two feet long, eighteen feet wide, with a projection 
 [uytlaetingh] on one side, the posts above the beams projecting two feet and a half, 
 honest work, without specification, and without any expense to the Patroon as afore- 
 said. Further, the haggards, palisades, and in fine, every thing free of charge to the 
 Patroon. 
 
 On condition of receiving in hand two mares and two studs, and moreover, two 
 milch cows, the increase being on halves ; but herein he shall enjoy the privilege of 
 the bouweries which shall be leased on the arrival of the Director ; the risk is also 
 half and half, except such as the Indians may kill, which shall be at the sole risk of 
 the Patroon, on sufficient proof being brought thereof. In case any opportunity shall 
 offer to erect a mill near the aforesaid bouwerie, the said Thomas shall be preferred 
 before all others, on the same conditions as others, or as shall then be agreed upon. 
 From the summer sowing of the year 1647, shall he give tenths, and therewith be 
 quit. The last seed which he shall plant in the bouwerie he is at liberty to thrash 
 without payment. 
 
 The tenths of the lease years remain, as on the other bouweries. The risk of the 
 houses and barns and fences remain at the charge of Thomas Chamber. The said 
 Thomas shall preserve the said house and barns above and around, and within, in firm 
 and fast repair, without allowing any damage to befall them, and the land all around 
 as far as is necessarj', enclose with fences not over two years old, delivering up and 
 transporting the same to the Lord Patroon, or his resident agent here, free of cost and 
 charges, at the expiration of his lease. And the said houses, bams, and fences, shall 
 be the Patroon's rent for the aforesaid five years. 
 
 In case it should happen, which God forbid, that war should break out between us 
 and the Indians, and Thomas be obliged to fly from the bouwerie, the time that he 
 shall be absent shall be allowed him, and his time begin again from the date of his return. 
 
 And whereas Thomas Chambers demands assurance that these conditions shall be 
 ratified by the Lords Masters without diminution, addition, or annulment, therefore do 
 
 60 
 
474 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 we, in the name of the Lords aforesaid, promise and guaranty to the said Thomas, 
 that there shall be no failure or neglect in whatever is mentioned and agreed upon 
 here, but, on the contrary, all shall be maintained even as if our Lords aforesaid them- 
 selves drew them up. 
 
 Thomas Chambers shall yearly pay, as an acknowledgment, five and twenty 
 pounds of butter during his lease. He shall make use of his pasture above and below 
 his bouwerie without let or hinderance. 
 
 Their worships, the presiding officers aforesaid, agree that he, Thomas, at the expi- 
 ration of the above five successive years, shall cultivate the said bouwerie still three 
 further years, provided he pay in addition to the tenths, five hundred guilders yearly, 
 from the produce of the said bouwerie, at a valuation according to the rate that grain 
 shall sell for at that time ; and in addition to the aforesaid horses, one mare and one 
 stud shall be delivered to him, according to agreement. 
 
 To all which the said Thomas Chambers hath agreed under his signature, in the 
 same manner as their worships the presiding officers have promised that on their part 
 there shall be no failure in the performance of these conditions, and punctually to ob- 
 serve the same under confiscation of all his goods, having and to have, present and 
 future, how much soever they may be, under the obligation of renouncing, according 
 to law, all [other] lords, courts, judges, and rulers. Promising, moreover, to be in all 
 obedience subject to all his (the Patroon's) magistrates ; to be true and faithful to 
 them as occasion may demand, as a good subject is bound to be. 
 
 In acknowledgment hereof hath Thomas Chamber signed this with his own hand. 
 Actum Rensselaerswyck, as above dated. 
 
 Thomas Chambers. In presence of me the Secretary, in the 
 
 name of their honors the Board afore- 
 said, 
 
 Antonio de Hodges. 
 
 We, guardians and tutors of Jean van Rensselaer, Patroon of the colonie called 
 Rensselaerswyck, situate on the North River, in New Netherland, &c., have leased 
 and farmed unto Arent van Curler, who hereby also acknowledges to have leased and 
 farmed from us, imder the following stated conditions, restrictions, and stipulations, 
 the Bouwery named the Flatte, (de Vlachte,) and the hereafter mentioned appurte- 
 nances, for the term of six successive years, the farm lease beginning and terminating 
 on the first of September, and that of the house on the first of May, one thousand 
 six hundred eight and forty. 
 
 I. Firstly, the Patroon retains for himself the tenths of all grain, fruits, and pro- 
 ducts which shall be raised off" this bouwery. 
 
 II. This bouwery contains about .... morgens of farmland, of which the lessee 
 shall be bound yearly to cultivate .... morgens, and may, in addition, clear as much 
 land as he shall be able to till with his people, without subletting or farming the same 
 during the continuance of the lease, with the understanding that the lessee shall take 
 the crops standing in the field, on the commencement hereof, such as they are paying 
 the Patroon therefor according to the valuation of impartial persons, the Patroon agree- 
 ing on the other side, to take the crops which shall be standing on the expiration of 
 this lease, at a valuation. 
 
 III. The lessee shall be entitled to so much pasture as he shall require for his cattle 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 475 
 
 without paying any extra rent further than only one guilder for every swine that 
 ranges in the woods. 
 
 IV. And for the cultivation of the said bouwerie there shall be delivered to him for 
 his use six cows, two heifers, [veers pincken,] six mares, and two studs or oxen 
 from among those on this bouwery, and that on halves, to wit : — one half the produce 
 shall be for the Patroon, and the other half for the lessee, it being well understood 
 that the lessee is bound to restore the given number according to the choice of the 
 Patroon, and to divide the remainder, half and half, without the lessee pretending to 
 have any claim for their maintenance or payment, or for the above-mentioned resti- 
 tution. 
 
 V. And it is specially conditioned that the lessee shall not have power to keep on 
 this bouwery any other cattle of private individuals, nor to lend, alienate, or give away 
 during the continuance of the lease of this bouwery, any of the received stock, with- 
 out our special consent, and he shall duly convey and ride all the manure on and 
 over the land. 
 
 VI. For the use of which bouwery and occupancy of the house, the lessee shall pay 
 yearly to the Patroon the sum of five hundred guilders, ($200,) but for the first year 
 a deduction of one hundred and fifty guilders ($60) shall be made in regard that he 
 convey his laborers thither at his own expense — which payment shall be made, the 
 first half in November, and the other half in February, in merchantable beaver-hides, 
 at four guilders ($1 60) the pound, or in grain at the current rate as the same is sold 
 in the colonie, or in ready current money. 
 
 VII. The lessee shall be holden to keep the houses and buildings on the bouwerye 
 in good repair, and to preserve and maintain the bouwerye in good order at his own 
 expense, provided the house shall be first delivered to him wind and weather-tight, 
 and at the expiration of the lease, he shall deliver it up in the same state. 
 
 VIII. It is well understood that the lessee is holden, over and above the aforesaid 
 rent, during the winter season, to cut in the forest for the Patroon, ten pieces of oak 
 or fir-wood, which shall be pointed out to him, and bring the same to the shore ; also, 
 every year, to give three days' service with his wagon and horses, to the Patroon or 
 his guardians ; also, each year, to cut, split, and bring to the waterside, two fath- 
 oms of hickory or other firewood ; further, to deliver yearly to the Director as quit- 
 rent, one-half mud [two bushels] of wheat, five and twenty pounds of butter, and 
 two pair of fowls. 
 
 IX. The lessee shall not lodge any strange traders in his house, nor bring nor re- 
 ceive their goods on pain of forfeiting all the conditions granted to him, and to be 
 ejected as a perfidious man. 
 
 X. And in case any question should arise between the lessee and others, the same 
 shall be submitted to the commissaries there, without any appeal or further complaint 
 being allowed. 
 
 XI. The lessee submits himself, moreover, as a faithful subject, to all regulations, 
 orders, and conditions made by the Patroon and read before him, regarding dwelling 
 together, and to all the statutes and ordinances to be hereafter made. 
 
 XII. The lessee promising, on the passing of the aforesaid lease, to comport himself 
 faithfully in the said quality, and to fully follow the same ; not to defraud the Patroon 
 in the least nor in the most, directly nor indirectly, all under mortgage of his person 
 and goods, moveable and immoveable, having and to have, submitting the whole 
 thereof, and the adjudication thereof, to the constraint of all laws and judges. 
 
476 APPENDIX. 
 
 XIII. Finally have the guardians and lessors reserved, in case the aforesaid bouw- 
 erye should be leased by the commissaries there, before the arrival of the lessee 
 there, that this lease shall be null, and the aforesaid Curler being shewn another 
 bouwerye, the commissaries there shall in that case agree vyith him thereupon, 
 wherewith Curler is satisfied and agreed. 
 
 In witness whereof is this by each party subscribed, in Amsterdam, this 30th Sep- 
 tember, 1647. Jehan van Weely, W. van Twiller, Arendt van Curler, in presence 
 of me as witness, F. van de Ven, Not. Pub. residing in Amsterdam. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 477 
 
 R. 
 
 Prices of imported articles and domestic produce in the Colonie of Rens 
 selaerswyck from 1630 to 1646. 
 
 [Compiled from the account books of the Colonie.] 
 
 N. B. 20 stivers make one florin of 40 cents, and 2J florins, one dollar. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 
 fl. St. 
 
 
 Kersey, red, blue, or white, per ell, 2.00 
 
 A chisel, .... 
 
 Cloth, «' 
 
 " 2 to 5.00 
 
 An iron hammer, . . 
 
 Canvass, " 
 
 " 15 
 
 A seine .... 
 
 Osnabruck linen, " 
 
 9 
 
 A hoop net. 
 
 Duffels, « 
 
 3.00 
 
 A lanthom. 
 
 Linen breeches, . 
 
 . 1.10 
 
 A kettle, .... 
 
 A trimmed shirt, or chemise. 
 
 . 3.10 
 
 A wooden ladle. 
 
 A blanket, or coverlet, 
 
 7 to 8.00 
 
 An English knife, . . 
 
 A linen gown, [roke,] . 
 
 . 1.10 
 
 Knives per doz., . 
 
 Shoes, per pair. 
 
 2 to 4.00 
 
 Silk buttons per doz., . 
 
 Children's do., 
 
 , 1. 4 
 
 Gunpowder, per lb.. 
 
 Stockingfs, per pair, 
 
 18 
 
 Lead, " 
 
 A skein of silk, 
 
 5 
 
 Cheese, " 
 
 A hat, .... 
 
 . 10.00 
 
 Soap, « 
 
 A peajacket. 
 
 . 4.10 
 
 Prunes, " 
 
 Sugar, per lb., . 
 
 15 
 
 Steel, " 
 
 Yarn, «« 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 Nails, [100 to the lb.,] " 
 
 Cotton yarn, " 
 
 . 1.10 
 
 Large pins, per 1000, 
 
 Net yarn, " 
 
 12 
 
 Sole-leather per lb., 
 
 Shoemakers' yam, " 
 
 . 1.10 
 
 Upper-leather " 
 
 A gun, .... 
 
 11 to 17.10 
 
 Spanish wine, per can or pot. 
 
 A musket and cartouch box. 
 
 . 19.00 
 
 Vinegar, " " . 
 
 An axe, or hatchet. 
 
 li to 2.00 
 
 Spruce beer [1637] " " . 
 
 A cheese, .... 
 
 2 to 5.00 
 
 Oil, " 
 
 A grindstone. 
 
 . 1.00 
 
 Train oil, " '< . 
 
 A scythe, .... 
 
 . 2.10 
 
 Brandy, " " . 
 
 A spade, .... 
 
 1 J to 2.10 
 
 Malt per schepel, [3 pecks,] 
 
 A winnowing fan. 
 
 . 4.10 
 
 A ton of white salt. 
 
 A plough and iron-work. 
 
 . 28.16 
 
 Half barrel of salt. 
 
 A wooden yoke, . 
 
 . 1.05 
 
 A small barrel of salt meat, 
 
 A ploughshare, . 
 
 . 25.00 
 
 An iron anvil, 
 
 Sheep's bell, copper, . 
 
 . 1.06 
 
 Smiths' coals per chaldron, . 
 
478 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 jl. St. fl. St. 
 
 101 bars of flat iron, 
 
 
 
 . 485.00 
 
 Cloves, 
 
 per oz., 10 
 
 1 Blacksmith's bellows, 
 
 
 . 47.00 
 
 Mace, 
 
 « « 16 
 
 Nutmegs, per oz., 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 Pepper, 
 
 " " 2 
 
 Ginger, " " 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 A. glass tumbler, . • 
 
 1.00 
 
 
 
 
 Domestic 
 
 Produce. 
 
 
 Wheat, [1635] 
 
 per schepel, 2.10 
 
 Butter, per lb.. 
 
 8 
 
 Indian corn, [1637] 
 
 <£ 
 
 (i 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 Small beer, per ton, . 
 
 . 6.00 
 
 Barley, 
 
 ( 
 
 ti 
 
 . 2.10 
 
 Strong beer " " 
 
 . 18 to 20.00 
 
 Oats, 
 
 6i 
 
 i( 
 
 . 1.00 
 
 Wampum, per ell, 
 
 . 2.17 
 
 Bread com, 
 
 (( 
 
 (t 
 
 . 2.10 
 
 Palisades, per 1000, 
 
 15.00 
 
 Rye, 
 
 (( 
 
 (i 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 Plank, each. 
 
 . 1.10 to 1.16 
 
 Turnips, 
 
 (( 
 
 it 
 
 15 
 
 Day laborers' wages, [1637] per 
 
 Indian corn, [1643] 
 
 U 
 
 (( 
 
 . 1.10 
 
 diem, 
 
 1 to 1.10 
 
 Malt, 
 
 (( 
 
 ti 
 
 . 2.10 
 
 Carpenters' do., do. . 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 An ox, [1637] , 
 
 
 80 
 
 to 140.00 
 
 Reed, per 100 bundles, 
 
 . 1.00 
 
 A horse. 
 
 
 
 . 80.00 
 
 Yellow brick, per 1000, 
 
 . 15.00 
 
 A pig. 
 
 12, 26, 30, to 45.00 
 
 300 Carrots, 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 A she-goat, [1642] 
 
 
 
 . 36.00 
 
 A wagon, . 
 
 . 30 00 
 
 Beaver each. 
 
 
 
 6 to 7.00 
 
 A barn, plough, and harrow, were 
 
 A beaver coat. 
 
 
 
 . 25.00 
 
 valued, in 1643, by the council 
 
 Use of a stud for a year, 
 
 
 . 30.00 
 
 of Rensselaerswyck, at 
 
 . 825.00 
 
 Use of a mare " 
 
 
 
 . 40.00 
 
 or ... 
 
 . $330.00 
 
 A pair of fowls, . 
 
 
 
 . 2.00 
 
 
 
 1646. 
 
 
 
 
 fl. St. 
 
 
 fl- 
 
 Wheat, 
 
 per schepel, 2.10 
 
 A gim. 
 
 . 35 
 
 Oats, 
 
 
 <( 
 
 1.00 
 
 A mare and stud, 
 
 . 330 
 
 Peas, 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 3.10 
 
 Use of a stud for 1 year, 
 
 30 
 
 Rye, 
 
 « 
 
 ii 
 
 2.00 
 
 Use of a cow, 
 
 . 20 
 
 Indian corn, 
 
 i6 
 
 a 
 
 1.05 
 
 A horse, 
 
 . 160 
 
 Little beans, (boontje,) 
 
 u 
 
 2.10 
 
 A cow. 
 
 50 to 120 
 
 Buckwheat, 
 
 tc 
 
 (( 
 
 1.10 
 
 A yearling bull-calf, . 
 
 . 8 
 
 Barley, 
 
 (( 
 
 tc 
 
 2.05 
 
 A pig, 
 
 25 to 26 
 
 Wild beans, 
 
 (6 
 
 <c 
 
 1.10 
 
 A tun of small beer, . 
 
 . 6 
 
 Butter, 
 
 per pound, 
 
 .08 
 
 A barrel of strong beer. 
 
 . 18 
 
 Pork, 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 9st to 10 
 
 An anchor of vinegar, 
 
 . 21 
 
 Old iron, 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 2 
 
 Mackerel, per 100, 
 
 . 14 
 
 New iron, 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 H 
 
 A mare 3 to 6 years old, 
 
 . 120 
 
 Tobacco, 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 1. 
 
 (( 2 " " 
 
 . 70 
 
 Hops, 
 
 (< 
 
 ts 
 
 .17 
 
 A stud, 2 " " 
 
 . 60 
 
 Plank, per 100, 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 100. 
 
 A cow, 3 to 6 " " 
 
 . 80 
 
 Sawing do , per piece, 
 
 
 .03 
 
 Freight of the Yacht Rensselaers- 
 
 Beaver, 
 
 
 
 6 to 7.00 
 
 wyck, per day, 
 
 . 5 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 479 
 
 S. 
 
 PAPERS RELATING TO THE COLONIE OF ZWANENDAL. 
 
 [From a Notarial copy, which is among papers of the late Proprietaries of Pennsylvania.] 
 
 Extract from the Register of Resolutions agreed to at the Assembly of 
 the Lords Directors of the Old West India Company, at the Chamber 
 at Amsterdam. 
 
 Tuesday the 19th June, 1629. 
 The Heer Samuel Godyn having heretofore given notice hero that he intended to 
 plant a colonie in N. Netherland, and that he also to that end had engaged two persons 
 to proceed thither to examine into the situation of those quarters, declares that he, 
 now in quality of Patroon, has undertaken to occupy the Bay of the South River, on 
 the conditions concluded in the last Assembly of the XIX., as he hath likewise ad- 
 vised the Director Picter Minuet, and charged him to register the same there. 
 
 Another Extract, or Authentic Copy, from a bundle of papers relating to 
 New Netherland, beginning 1th Feb., 1635, and ending 2d June, 
 1653. 
 
 Whereas, Directors of the General West India Company were commissioned on 
 the 22d August, 1634, by the Assembly of the XIX., to treat and transact with all the 
 Patroons and colonists in New Netherland, for the purchase of the Patroonships, 
 Colonies, dignities, houses, buildings, lands, merchandises, and all the rights, effects, 
 appendages, and dependencies thereof, which they were in possession of there, 
 Therefore the aforesaid commissioners, having reported, have, with the approbation of 
 the Chamber at Amsterdam, dated 27th November, 1634, agreed and concluded with 
 Samuel Bloemmaert, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, .Jacques de la Miue, Hendrick Hamel, 
 Nicolaus van Sotterich, Johan van Harinckhouok, and the heirs of Samuel Godyn, 
 deceased, each for their contingent, and they further representing Johan de Laet, 
 (endehaer vorden sterk maeckende voor J. de L.,) that they conjointly, and each for 
 liimself in particular, for the behoof of the aforesaid company, shall surrender, as they 
 do hereby, their two colonies, named Swaenendael, in New Netherland, together 
 with the jurisdictions, dignities, lands, rights, appendages, and dependencies thereunto 
 belonging, which they there, by virtue of their two distinct sealed patents obtained 
 before the Council of New Netherland, resident on the island Manhattes, dated the 
 15th July, 1630, and 3d June, 1631, in pursuance of letters of conveyance passed by 
 Queskakous and Ensanckes, Sickonesyns, and inhabitants of their villages, and the other 
 by Sawotbouc, Wiewyt, Pemhacky, and others appearing on the aforesaid date, both 
 situate on the South River, as well on the south hook of the Bay, as on the east side 
 
 « 
 
480 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 of the said river, with all such houses, buildings, outhouses, as they or their servants 
 may have purchased, erected, or brought there, none excepted to trade with there, 
 together with their own free goods, without reserving therein any right of action, 
 placing such property from now henceforward in full possession of the aforesaid com- 
 pany, according to the aforesaid original letters, which they do hereby deliver over, 
 consenting at all times to grant to the aforesaid Company, before the Director and 
 Council of New Netherland, when required, further conveyance, acknowledgment, 
 and discharge, and to give therefor suitable authority, without their being bound for 
 any further indemnity. 
 
 Likewise, they promise and deliver over, besides these, to the said company, all 
 charters, maps, and papers, concerning the aforesaid colonies and affairs of New 
 Netherland, as far as it remains with them, and moreover to let them remain to the 
 company as their free property, without claiming thereunto any right, action, or pre- 
 tension. And that for the sum of fifteen thousand, six hundred guilders to be paid — 
 one third part six months after the aforesaid 27th November, 1634, to wit, on the 27th 
 May, anno 1635, and fifteen months after that, to wit, on the 27th August, 1636, the 
 second third part, and fifteen months afterwards, to wit, the 27th November, 1637, the 
 last third part. 
 
 For which sum, the company shall deliver to each participant (partner) of the said 
 colonic, according to their quota and rata, by the said comparants surrendered, its par- 
 ticular (special) obligation, without the one being for all that holden to wait on the 
 other for his money. 
 
 It being well understood that they conjointly, for the good of the company, shall take 
 care that no man, henceforward, shall claim any thing on account of the aforesaid 
 colonic under penalty according to law, as they hereby agree to. 
 
 It shall be lawful to the sellers, or any of them, for the sum to which their obliga- 
 tion amounts — to wit, each according to estimation, for the sum of nineteen hundred 
 and fifty guilders, to purchase, or cause to be purchased, goods from the company, in 
 conformity to the Octroy or amplification thereof, and to deduct in whole or in part, 
 at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, from the time the bill is due according to the 
 bargain to be made by them, or from the day that they shall notify the discount to 
 the day of payment. 
 
 And all claims and accounts which the aforesaid sellers and the company, on ac- 
 count of the aforesaid Colonies, or other transactions in New Netherland, both as to 
 receipts and expenses, with other outstanding odd accounts, without pretending any 
 other claims or actions in the world, shall be included in this sale, and shall hereby 
 remain discharged, and stand erased on the books. 
 
 Only that the aforesaid sellers or their assigns shall, moreover, be free and exempt 
 from the duties on the cargo of timber which the ship West Friesland, whereof Jan 
 Symonz is skipper, shall bring back on this voyage. 
 
 And that the lawsuit between the Patroons of Swaenendael and the company, de- 
 pending before the court of Amsterdam, is not included in this transaction, and the 
 parties on both sides, so far as concerns that, remain wholly free to pursue their right 
 as they shall think proper. 
 
 And the aforesaid contracting parties shall observe, and allow each other peaceably 
 and freely to enjoy the effect of this contract, under bond of law, namely, that those 
 of the company shall pledge only the effects and goods of the company, moveable 
 and immoveable, present and future, and the aforesaid sellers, their persons and goods 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 481 
 
 HI manner aforesaid, all without fraud or guile. In testimony whereof, two instru- 
 ments only being made, are signed by the respective parties, in Amsterdam, this 7th 
 February, 1635. Was subscribed, Albert Kounraetsburgh, Daniel van Libergen, 
 Jean Raye, F. de Vries, Marcus van Valckenburgh, S. Bloemmaert, Henrick Hamel, 
 N. van Setterich, J. van Harinckhouck ; Hendrick Crip, for the heirs of Samuel 
 Godyn ; Jacques de la Miue, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, for his part in the Colonic of 
 Swaenendael aforesaid, and no more. 
 
 61 
 
4 
 
INDEX. 
 
 483 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 [where the subject referred to in this index is not found in the text, it will 
 
 BE met in the notes.] 
 
 Achter Cul, attack on, 286. 
 
 Achterveldt, where situate, 172. 
 
 Agriculture, Indian, 51. 
 
 Ages of the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, his 
 wife and children, when they came to 
 N. Netherland, 448. 
 
 Agreement between the Rev. Mr. Mega- 
 polensis and the first Patroon, 448 ; be- 
 tween Kiliaen van Rensselaer and the 
 Directors of the West India Company 
 relative to the approval of the Rev. J. 
 Megapolensis as minister at Rensse- 
 laerswyck, 450. 
 
 Ahasimus, 126. 
 
 Albany, The Half Moon, in the neighbor- 
 hood of, 39 ; the ship William ascends 
 near, 145. 
 
 America, Jean and Sebastian Cabot sail 
 
 along the coast of, 26. 
 American seas, the first Dutch ships 
 
 hi the, 26. 
 
 Bancroft, Mr., his error as to the source of 
 popular freedom in New Netherland, 
 393. 
 
 Banishment, sentences of, pronounced by 
 the Court of Rensselaerswyck, 320, 
 439. 
 
 Barentzoon, Willem, his voyage to the 
 north, 28. 
 
 Baxter, George, appointed English Secre- 
 tary, 259. 
 
 Bays, Anchor and Sloop, 73. 
 
 Beer, ordinance prohibiting an individual 
 brewing, 389. 
 
 Beeren island, Indian name of, 122 ; for- 
 tified, 341. 
 
 Beets, his proposal to the States of Hol- 
 land, 27. 
 
 Bergen, 389. 
 
 Bermuda, the Dutch send some In- 
 dians as a present to the Governor of, 
 313. 
 
 Amersfoort, New, first settlement of, 173. 
 Amsterdam Fort, erected, 104; cost of, 
 171. 
 
 Amusements among the Indians, 65. 
 
 Amusing anecdote of an Indian, 53. 
 
 Anchor bay, where situate, 73. 
 
 Animals of New Netherland, 46. 
 
 Aquelionga-Manacknong, 48. 
 
 Archipelagoes, situation of the, 73 ; pur- 
 chased by the Dutch, 215. 
 
 Ardent spirits manufactured in N. Neth- 
 erland, 228. 
 
 Argal, Captain, visits the Manhattans, 69. 
 
 Armenveruis, 156. 
 
 Arms of Rensselaerswyck, The, sails for 
 New Netherland, 340 ; is confiscated, 
 342 ; returns to Holland, 343. 
 
 Assembly of the XIX., composition of the, 
 90. 
 
 Awiehaken, 274. 
 
 Azores, The, discovered, 26. 
 
 Betencour discovers the Azores, 26. 
 
 Bethlehem, 390. 
 
 Beversreede, fort, 156. 
 
 Beverswyck, 326 ; number of houses in, 
 in 1646, 390. 
 
 Biographical sketch of the Rev. Peter 
 Plancius, 94; of the Rev. Hugh Pe- 
 ters, 234. 
 
 Birds of New Netherland, 46. 
 
 Blanck, Juriaen, 142. 
 
 Blessing, the bark, arrives at the Man- 
 hattans, 151. 
 
 Bloemmaert and Godyn purchase land, 
 121, 125 ; sell their colonie to the West 
 India Company, 365. 
 
 Blue Cock, The, arrives with troops at 
 New Netherland, 310. 
 
 Block, Adriaen, sails for the Manhattans, 
 72 ; name of his ship, ib. ; builds the 
 Restless, ib. ; his discoveries, 73. 
 
 Bogaerdt, Joost de, commander, 366 
 
 A. 
 
 B. 
 
484 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Bogardus, Rev. E., minister at, Manhat- 
 tans, 142 ; quarrels with Van Twiller, 
 167 ; complaints against him, 173 ; re- 
 monstrates against the war, 26G ; quar- 
 rels with Kieft, 362 ; indicted, 364. 
 
 Books, catalogue of, sent to Rensselaers- 
 wyck, 454. 
 
 Bout, Jan Evertz., superintendent in Pa- 
 vonia, 167 ; elected one of the Eight 
 Men, 285. 
 
 Bradford, Gov. of New Plymouth, 106 ; 
 
 letters of De Razier to, 107 ; writes to 
 
 Director Minuit, 108. 
 Bradt, Albert Andriessen, 433 
 Brandy, first introduction of, among the 
 
 Indians, 38 ; manufactured on Staten 
 Island, 228. 
 
 Brazil, Dutch expelled from several prov- 
 inces in, 309. 
 
 Bressani, Father, taken prisoner by the 
 Indians, 336 ; is ransomed by the 
 Dutch, 337. 
 
 Breukelcn, why so called, 101 ; incorpo- 
 rated, 383. 
 
 Brewers, The, resist the payment of the 
 excise, 311. 
 
 Bronck, Jonas, residence of, 250. 
 
 Brown, Rev. Richard, separates from the 
 Established church, 82. 
 
 Burials among the Indians, 61. 
 
 Cabot, Jean and Sebastian, follow Co- 
 lumbus, 26. 
 
 Call of the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, 
 449. 
 
 Canada, Dutch visit The River of, 32. 
 
 , dates of some of the early patents 
 
 for Seigneuries in, 120. 
 Canarsee Indians, location of the, 49. 
 Canoes, Indian, 54. 
 
 Carleton, Sir Dudley, remonstrates against 
 the Dutch, 96 ; his letter to the States 
 General, 97 ; Walloons apply to him 
 for leave to settle in Virginia, 100. 
 
 Castle island, dimensions of the fort on, 
 76 ; the fort on destroyed, 78. 
 
 Castleton Indians entertain Hudson, 37. 
 
 Castle Rensselaer, 342. 
 
 Catalogue of books for the Colonie of 
 Rensselaerswyck, 454. 
 
 Causes estranging the Indians from the 
 Dutch, 223. 
 
 Charges against the Dutch for betraying 
 the Puritans, falsehood of the, exposed, 
 86. 
 
 Charles I., Dutch ambassadors visit, 132. 
 
 Charles II., Rev. N. van Rensselaer's 
 prophecy relating to, 122. 
 
 Cliarles V. grants an island in America,26. 
 
 Ciiartcr to the Dutch West India Com- 
 pany, 89, 90, 399 ; its provisions com- 
 ])ared with those granted by other Eu- 
 ropean powers, 91 ; to Patroons, 112 : 
 legality thereof admitted, 159 : of 
 ]640, 219. 
 
 Cliildren of manumitted slaves not free, 
 385. 
 
 Church at Rensselaerswyck, erection of 
 a, 330 ; promissory note to the deacons 
 of, 471. 
 
 Church, site of the first in N. Amster- 
 dam, 155 ; measures taken to build a 
 new, in Fort Amsterdam, 259 ; in- 
 scription on the front of, 2L'2. 
 
 Civil list, estimate of a, for N. N., 351. 
 Coeymans, Barent Pieterse, some account 
 
 of him, 435. 
 Cogswell, Robert, protest against, 231. 
 Cole, Lenaert, assistant secretary, 103, 
 
 124. 
 
 Colen-donck, situation and boundaries 
 
 of the colonie of, 383. 
 Collision with the Haverstraw Indians. 
 
 40 ; between Dutch and English near 
 
 Fort Orange, 145. 
 Colman, John, killed, 36. 
 Colonies, charter to plant, in N. N., 112, 
 Commissions to attack Indians, 267, 
 
 268. 
 
 Connecticut, The River, discovered, 73 ; 
 land on purchased, 150 ; Fort Good 
 Hope erected on, 151 ; English take 
 possession of, 1.54 ; troubles between 
 the Dutch and the English on the. 
 209. 
 
 Consent of the Patroon of Rensselaers- 
 wyck that the Directors of the West 
 India Company should approve of tht' 
 Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, 450. 
 
 Consistory, the first in N. N., 2G0. 
 
 Contract for building a church at Ne\\- 
 Amsterdam, 262 ; for a horse mill, 
 388 ; between Mr. Van Rensselaer and 
 the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, 448. 
 
 Country produce, prices of, at Rensse- 
 laerswyck, 478. 
 
 Coorn, Nicolaus,343 ; fires at the Hope. 
 344 ; protests against Van der Iluy- 
 ghens and appointed fiscal of Rensse- 
 laerswyck, 345. 
 
 Corchaug Indians, location of the, 50. 
 
 Corsseu, Arent, commissary at Fort Nas- 
 sau, 142 ; purchases land on the Schuyl- 
 kill, 156 ; is drowned, 359. 
 
 Corstiaenssen, Ilenrick, second voyage to 
 the r*Iai)liattans, 72; erects" a fort 
 there, 77. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 485 
 
 Coster, Willem Cornelisz., murdered, 283. Court-day established at New Amster 
 Council — names of Peter Minuit's council, dam, 184. 
 
 101 ; of Wouter van Twiller's, 142 ; of Creation, Indians' ideas of the, 64. 
 
 Director Kieft's, 180. Croton River, Indian name of the, 278. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dam Jan Jansen, one of the Tw^elve 
 Men, 242 ; one of the first consistory, 
 260 ; signs a letter demanding the at- 
 tack of the Indians, 265 ; elected one 
 of the Eight Men, 284 ; expelled the 
 board, 285, [See " Names of Settlers 
 in Rensselaerswyck," 434.] 
 
 Deacons of the Church at Rensselaers- 
 wyck, note of hand to the, 471. 
 
 Debit and credit account of the estate of 
 Kiliaen van Rensselaer at his death, 
 468. 
 
 Deed of sale of the Colonic of Zwanen- 
 dael to the West India Company, 479. 
 
 De Forest family, some particulars of the, 
 186. 
 
 De Hooges, Antonie, 322. 
 
 De Laet, freedoms and conditions submit- 
 ted by Johannes, 192. 
 
 Delaware, Hudson anchors in the great 
 bay of the, 34 ; subdivision of the In- 
 dian tribes on the, 49 ; first settlement 
 of Europeans on the, 100 ; the Dutch 
 plant a colonic at the mouth of the, 
 129 ; the Swedes settle on the, 189 ; 
 the English attempt a settlement on 
 the, 231. 
 
 De Razier, Isaac, 103 ; visits New Ply- 
 mouth, 108 ; disgraced, 130. 
 De Vries, Capt. David P., one of the 
 
 South River Company, 128 ; arrives 
 at Zwanendal, 129 ; returns to the 
 Delaware and finds the colonie de- 
 stroyed, 139 ; makes peace with the 
 Indians, ib. ; quarrels witli Van T wil- 
 ier, 147 ; his opinion of the company's 
 servants at Fort Amsterdam, 148. 
 
 Dimensions of the first church in Rensse- 
 laerswyck, 330. 
 
 Director General of N. N., his powers, 
 244. 
 
 Dismissal of the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis 
 by the Classis of Amsterdam, 449. 
 
 Doughty, Rev. Francis, removes to Long 
 Island, 257 ; appeals from a decision 
 rendered by Kieft, and Ls fined and im- 
 prisoned, 394 ; further particulars about 
 him, 427, 428. 
 
 Droit Belgique, what, 90. 
 
 Dutch, The, begin to trade with New 
 England, 105 ; settlements in 1630, 
 condition of the, 128 ; ambassadors, re- 
 ply of the Lords Commissioners, to the. 
 134 ; drive the English from the North 
 River, 146 ; and from the South Riv- 
 er, 253. 
 
 Dutchman's Island, 174. 
 
 Duyckingh, Evert, wounded at Fort 
 Hope, 214. 
 
 Dwellings of the Indians, 53. 
 
 E. 
 
 East India Company, The, incorporated, 
 30. 
 
 East River, The, called the Ilellegat, 72. 
 
 Eaton, Gov., his answer to Kieft, 376. 
 
 Education, neglected state of, 396. 
 
 Election of magistrates authorized in the 
 fifteenth century, 392. 
 
 Eelkens, Jacob Jacobz., commander of the 
 fort on Castle Island, 76 ; supercargo 
 of the William, 143 ; difficulties with, 
 144 ; attempts to trade with the Indi- 
 ans, 145 ; is obliged to leave the Hud- 
 son River, 146. 
 
 Eendracht, The ship, seized at Plymouth, 
 131 ; Dutch ambassadors demand her 
 release, 133 ; released, 136. 
 
 Eghquaous, 48, 104. 
 
 Eight Men, The, elected, 284 ; their pro- 
 ceedings, 285, 288 ; write to Holland, 
 289 ; object to the excise, 306 ; com- 
 plain against Kieft, 312. 
 
 English, jealous of the Dutch, 95 ; en- 
 croachments of the, on N. N., 1 68 ; 
 tear down Dutch arms, 170 ; attempt 
 a settlement on the Soutli River, 170, 
 231 ; expelled therefrom, 253 ; residents 
 at N. Amsterdam, names of the, 208 ; 
 settle New Haven, ib. ; assault th.e 
 Dutch at Fort Hope, 209, 232 ; begin 
 to settle on Long Island, 210 ; continue 
 to quarrel with the Dutch, 213 ; tear 
 down the Dutch arms at Oyster Bay, 
 216 ; brought prisoners to Fort Am- 
 sterdam, 217 ; send agents to Eng- 
 land, 234 ; their instructions, 235, and 
 proposals to the W. I. Co., 236 ; their 
 complaints against the Dutch, 251 ; 
 send deputies to New Amsterdam, 254. 
 
 English colonies form a confederation, 
 279. 
 
 — corps formed in N. Amsterdam, 
 
 286. 
 
486 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 English of New Haven build a trading- 
 house near the North River, 375. 
 
 commissioners write to Kieft, 
 
 378. 
 
 ■ complaints of the, ajojainst the 
 
 Dutch, like those of the wolf against 
 the lamb, .'379. 
 
 commissioners' reply to Kieft, 
 
 380. 
 
 Esopus, a Dutch fort built there, 390. 
 Estate of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, debit 
 
 and credit account of the, at his death, 
 468. 
 
 Estimate of a civil list for N. N., 3,51. 
 
 Europeans, first settlement of, on the De- 
 laware, 100. 
 
 Evertsen family, the, 181. 
 
 Expenditure for the first settlement of 
 Rensselaer.swyck in 1630, account of 
 the, 249. 
 
 Exports of N. N., value of in 1632, 1633, 
 137. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fairs established at New Amsterdam, 
 239. 
 
 Farrett, Mr., agent to Lord Stirling, ar- 
 rives at New Amsterdam, 215 ; sells 
 land on Long Island, 217. 
 
 First English ship sails up tlie Hudson 
 River, 143. 
 
 Fishes of New Netherland, 46. 
 
 Five Nations, tribes composing the, 79. 
 
 Flatlands, first settlement of, 173. 
 
 Food among the Indians, 52. 
 
 Foreign countries, company of, 29. 
 
 Fort Amsterdam built, 104 ; officers at, 
 
 142 ; dimensions of, 171. 
 Fort Good Hope erected, 151. 
 Freedoms and exemptions proposed by 
 
 De Laet, 192 ; by the Patroons, 197 5 
 
 disapproved, 199: of 1640, 218. 
 Free tradere, Form of a protest against, by 
 
 the Patroon of Rensselaerswyck, 466. 
 Fresh Water River, The, discovered, 73. 
 Fruits of New Netherland, 45. 
 Fuyck, The, 326. 
 
 Gambling among the Indians, 65. 
 Gardiner's Island settled, 211. 
 General Peace, terms of the treaty of, 
 between the Dutch and the Indians, 
 356. 
 
 Glen Sander Leendertsen, 438. 
 
 Gorges', Sir Ferdinando, letter to Capt. 
 
 Mason about an expedition against the 
 
 Dutch, 416. 
 Godyn and Bloemmaert, lands in N. N. 
 
 purchased by, 121, 125. 
 Godyn, Samuel, notice of his intention 
 
 G. 
 
 to plant a colonie at the Bay of the 
 South River, 479. 
 
 Government among the Indians, 56. 
 
 Government, municipal, forms of, 390. 
 
 Governor Island, Indian name of, 174. 
 
 Gravenzande, first settlement of, 258 ; 
 attacked by Indians, 287 ; incorpora- 
 ted, 358. 
 
 Greenbush, Indian name for, 330. 
 
 Greenwich submits to the Dutch, 252. 
 
 Gustavus Adolphus incorporates a Swe- 
 dish West India Company, 188. 
 
 H. 
 
 Ilackingsacks, location of the, 48. 
 Half Moon, the, 33. 
 
 returns to Holland, 42. 
 
 Heemskirk, Jacob, sails to the north, 28 ; 
 
 conquers a Spanish fleet, 67. 
 Heemstede, battle at, 299 ; town of 
 
 planted, 317. 
 Hellegat, the river, 44; why so called, 
 
 72. 
 
 Hendricksen, Capt. Cornells, lays a re- 
 port of his voyage before States Gene- 
 ral, 77 ; substance of his report, 78. 
 
 Heyn, Admiral Pieter Pietersen, 111. 
 
 Hindlopen, Cape, why so called, 73. 
 
 Hobokan-hacking, 125 : why so called, 
 126. 
 
 Holland, mmnber of Manors in, entitled to 
 municipal rights, 392. 
 
 Hollandaer, Peter, arrives at the Dela- 
 ware, 365. 
 
 Holmes, Lieut., sails to the Connecticut, 
 153 ; builds a house there, 154 ; his re- 
 ply to the Dutch protest, ib. 
 
 Holmes, Geo., and associates taken pris- 
 oners by the Dutch, 170. 
 
 Hopkins, Gov., difficulties with him, 213. 
 
 Horsimus, 126. 
 
 Horse mill in Rensselaerswyck, 388. 
 Houses round Forts Amsterdam and 
 
 Orange, description of the, 388. 
 Honten, Hans Jorissen, commissary at 
 
 Fort Orange, 142. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 487 
 
 Houtman, Cornells, his proposal, 29. 
 
 Hudde, Andries, appointed surveyor, 259 ; 
 sent as commissary to the South Riv- 
 er, 371 ; differences with the Sw^edish 
 governor there, 372 ; purchases land 
 from the Indians, 373 ; complains of 
 the Swredes, 375. 
 
 Hudson, Henry, his voyages to the north, 
 32 ; sails in the Half Moon, 33 ; visits 
 Penohscot Bay and the Delaware, 34 ; 
 
 enters the North River, 35 ; detains 
 some Indians as hostages, 36 ; lands 
 near Castleton, 37 ; furnishes brandy 
 to tlie Indians, 38 ; leaves the North 
 River and arrives at Dartmouth, 41 ; 
 his death, 42. 
 
 Hunting among the Indians, 51. 
 
 Hutchinson, Mrs. Anne, murdered by 
 the Indians, 287 ; her daughter ransom- 
 ed by the Dutch, 357. 
 
 Immortality of the soul, opinion among 
 the Indians on the, 63. 
 
 Imports, value of, in 1634, 167. 
 
 Imported goods, prices of, at Rensselaers- 
 wyck, 477. 
 
 Incorporation of the W. I. Company, 89. 
 
 Indians, first introduction of ardent spirits 
 among tlie, 38 ; collision with the 
 Haverstraw, 40 ; tribes of N. Nether- 
 land enumerated, 46 ; of Long Island, 
 49 ; physical appearance of the, 50 ; 
 agriculture and hunting among the, 51 ; 
 food, clothing, and ornaments of the, 
 52 ; their dweUings, 53 ; women, vil- 
 lages, canoes of the, 54 ; marriages 
 among the, 55 ; slavery unknown to 
 
 the, ib. ; laws, form of government, and 
 authority of the chiefs among the, 56 ; 
 manner of waging war, 57 ; their 
 mode of treating prisoners, 58 ; their 
 ideas of money, and mode of interment, 
 61 ; ideas of a Supreme Being, 62 ; 
 superstitions of the, 63 ; amusements 
 and games among the, 65 ; the island 
 of Manhattans purchased from the, 
 104; take possession of Fort Nassau, 
 139 ; peace with the South River, 139 ; 
 grant a deed for a tract of land on the 
 Connecticut, 150 ; Dutch levy tribute 
 on the, 223 ; attack a Dutch boat on 
 the Raritan, 226 ; general peace with 
 the, 355, 356. 
 
 Jacobsen Rutger, 436. 
 Jan Ryersen's island, Indian name of, 
 435 
 
 Katskill, the Half Moon anchors in front 
 of, 37 ; Van der Donck proposes to 
 plant a colonic at, 338 ; Van Rensse- 
 laer lays claims to, 339 ; granted to 
 Van Slyck, 381 ; the patent for, 382. 
 
 KiEFT, WiLLEM, Director-general, 174 ; 
 arrives at New Amsterdam, 180 ; his 
 council, ib. ; public affairs under, 181 ; 
 issues divers proclamations, 183 ; sends 
 to Cura9oa for negroes, 185 ; purchases 
 land on Long Island, ib. ; regulates 
 the inspection of tobacco, 186 ; protests 
 against Peter Minuit, 191 ; purchases 
 additional lands on L. Island, 210, 213 ; 
 protests against the Enghsh at Green- 
 wich, 218 ; levies tribute on the In- 
 dians, 223 ; calls on the Dutch settlers 
 to provide themselves with arms, 225 ; 
 sends a military force against the Ra- 
 ritans, 226, 239 ; protests against Cogs- 
 well, 231 ; calls the commonalty to- 
 gether, 241 ; sends an expedition 
 
 Jogues, Father, a prisoner among the 
 Mohawks, 334 ; escapes and sails for 
 Holland, 336. 
 
 K. 
 
 against the Wechquaesqueecks, 249 ; 
 abolishes the board of Twelve Men, 
 249 ; orders a non-intercourse with 
 Hartford, 252 ; dispatches two vessels 
 against the English on the Delaware, 
 253 ; erects a new church, 262 ; de- 
 mands the surrender of the murderer of 
 Van Vorst, 264 ; resolves to attack the 
 Indians, 266 ; proclaims a general fast, 
 272 ; attempt on his life, 273 ; con- 
 cludes a peace with the Indians, 276, 
 277, 302, 303 ; addresses letters to the 
 N. E. colonies, 279, 281 ; calls the com- 
 monalty together to choose select men, 
 283 ; arms the citizens, 286 ; sends 
 Messrs. Undcrhill and AUerton to New 
 Haven, 289 ; calls together the Eight 
 Men, 306 ; establishes an excise, 307 ; 
 forces the brewers to pay that impost, 
 311; complaints against him, 312; 
 his letter in behalf of a Jesuit priest, 
 337 ; concludes a treaty with the Mo- 
 
488 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 hawks, 355 ; makes a general peace 
 with the Indians, 356 ; explores for 
 minerals, 358 ; quarrels with Dominie 
 Bogardus, 362 ; reconciled, 365 ; pro- 
 tests against those of New Haven, 
 376 ; his letter to the New England 
 colonies, 378 ; protests against them, 
 379 ; writes to Holland, 381 ; accusa- 
 tions brought against him, 384 ; recall- 
 ed, ib. ; denies tlio right of appeal to 
 
 Holland, 394 ; his unpopularity, 395 ; 
 applies church funds to his own use, 
 ib. 
 
 Kievits hoeck purchased, 149. 
 
 Kip, Hendrick, advises to depose Direc- 
 tor Kieft, 272 ; refuses to assist at the 
 making of peace, ib. 
 
 Kling, Mounce, arrives at the Delaware, 
 366. 
 
 Koorn, Nicolaus, [see " Coorn."] 
 
 L. 
 
 La Garce, privateer, sent against the 
 Spaniards, 296 ; captures two Spanish 
 prizes, 305. 
 
 La Montague, Johannes, arrives in New 
 Netherland, and is appointed one of 
 tlie council, 180 ; begins a plantation on 
 Manhattans, 185; its name, 186; op- 
 poses the attack on the Indians, 266 ; 
 prevents Kieft being assassinated, 273 ; 
 commands a party against the Indians 
 on Staten Island, 297 ; also, against 
 those of Schouts' bay, 299. 
 
 Lampo, Jan, schout-fiscaal of N. Nether- 
 land, 103, 124 ; sails for Holland, 130. 
 
 Laws among the Indians, 56. 
 
 Leases of lands in Rensselaerswyck in 
 the years 1646 and 1647, 473. 
 
 Legal custom in the Colonie of Rensse- 
 laerswyck, 442. 
 
 Letter from Arendt van Curler to the 
 Patroon of Rensselaerswyck, 456. 
 
 Long Island, Indian tribes on, 49 ; In- 
 dian name of, 73 ; granted to the 
 Earl of Stirling, 210 ; English begin 
 to settle on, ib. 
 
 Lupoid, Ulrich, appointed schout fiscaal, 
 173 ; removed from office, 211 ; ap- 
 pointed commissary of wares, ib. ; found 
 guilty of malversation, 228. 
 
 Lynn, freedoms granted to several Eng- 
 lishmen from, 237. 
 
 M. 
 
 Magistrates, towns in N. Netherland en- 
 titled to elect their, 392. 
 
 Manhattans, location of the, 47 ; why so 
 called, ib. ; by whom originally so 
 named, 48 ; Hendrick Corstiaensen's 
 establishment on the, 69 ; visited by 
 Capt. Argal, ib. ; Block sails to the, 72 ; 
 Corstiaensen's second voyage to the, 
 ib. ; purchased by the Dutch, 104. 
 
 Manittous, what, 62. 
 
 Map of Rensselaerswyck, price paid for 
 drawing a, in 1630, 429. 
 
 Marriages among the Indians, 55. 
 
 Marrakkawick Indians, the, plundered, 
 270 ; reject the friendly advances of 
 the Dutch, 271. 
 
 Marsapeague Indians, 49. 
 
 Maryn Adriaensen attempts to assassinate 
 Kieft, 272 ; banished to Holland, 274. 
 
 Mason, Capt., complains of the Dutch, 
 131 ; his letter, 415. 
 
 Mattinecocks, territory of the,49 ; strength 
 of the, in 1650, 50. 
 
 Mauritius, tlie river, 100. 
 
 Mayn Mayano attacks some Christians, 
 and is killed, 297. 
 
 Medicine men, 64. 
 
 Megapolensis, Rev. J., appointed minister 
 of Rensselaerswyck, 328, 439 ; allow- 
 ance to, 329 ; agreement between him 
 and the first Patroon, 448 ; his call, 449 ; 
 instructions to him, 451. 
 Melyn, Cornelis, Patroon of Staten Isl- 
 and, 238. 
 
 Members of the United New Netherland 
 
 Company, names of the, 74. 
 Memorandum for the Rev. Mr. Megapo- 
 lensis, 451. 
 Merekoke Indians, 49. 
 Mespath, original patent for planting, 
 425. 
 
 Mey, Capt. Cornelis Jacobs., sails to New 
 Netherland, 72 ; his discoveries, 73 ; 
 returns to Holland and petitions for 
 exclusive right of trade, 86 ; his third 
 voyage to New Netherland, 99. 
 Military force, the first in N. N., 142. 
 Minquas, The, 49. 
 Minsi tribes, their location, 48. 
 MiNuiT, Peter, first Director General of 
 New Netherland, 100 ; names of his 
 council, 101, 124 ; purchases the isl- 
 and of Manhattans and erects Fort 
 Amsterdam, 104 ; opens a trade with 
 
INDEX. 
 
 489 
 
 New Plymouth, 105 ; recalled, 130 ; 
 visits London, 131 ; proceeds to Swe- 
 den, 188 ; sails for the Delaware, IS'J ; 
 estahlishes a colony there, 190. 
 
 Minute referring Adriaen van der Donck's 
 claims to Holland, 470. 
 
 Moenimines' castle, where situate, 123. 
 
 Mohawks, location* of the, 47 ; treaty of 
 peace with the, 355. 
 
 Mohejrans, their locality, 47 ; tiie Dutch 
 conclude a treaty of peace with them, 
 355. 
 
 Mohicans Island, Indian name of, 437. 
 
 Nahicans, The, where located, 73. 
 
 Names of the members of the United N. 
 N. Company, 74 ; of Wouter van 
 Twiller's council, 142 ; of the English 
 who took the oath of allegiance to the 
 Dutch, 208 ; of the Twelve Men, 242 ; 
 of those who assisted at the election of 
 the Eight Men, 284 ; of the directors of 
 the West India Company, 411 ; of the 
 first settlers in Rensselaerswyck, 433. 
 
 Naraticongs, The, where located, 49. 
 
 Naragansett Bay, the Dutch name for, 
 73 ; a Dutch ship stranded in, 105. 
 
 Nassau, Bay of, 73. 
 
 Nassau, Fort, erected, 100 ; abandoned, 
 139. 
 
 Naugattuck, 37G. 
 Navesinck, the Highlands of, 35. 
 Nedcrhorst, a new colonic planted by de 
 
 Heer, 238. 
 Negro, value of a, 385. 
 New Albion, boundaries of, 281. 
 New Amsterdam, irregularities in, 171 ; 
 
 condition of, 1638, 182 ; population, in 
 
 and around, 386 ; its condition, 1646, 
 
 395. 
 
 New countries, privileges granted to the 
 discoverers of, 70. 
 
 New England, population of in 1648, 386; 
 not the source of popular privileges in 
 New Netherlaud, 393. 
 
 New Gottcnburg, 369. 
 
 New Haven settled, 208 ; refuses to as- 
 sist the Dutch, 289 ; builds a trading- 
 po.st near the North River, 375. 
 
 New Holland, 34. 
 
 New Netherland, first visit of the Dutch 
 to, 29 ; the Great North River of, 35 ; 
 
 Moloch, Anthony, sails to the Cape do 
 Verde, 27. 
 
 Momma, Maria, Van Twiller's wife, 142. 
 
 Monopoly of the Indian trade abolished, 
 200 ; consequences thereof, 222. 
 
 Moody, Lady, removes to L. I., 258 ; at- 
 tacked by the Indians, 287. 
 
 Moucheron, Balthazar, opposes Hudson's 
 views, 32. 
 
 Mountains, the Great River of the, 44. 
 
 Municipal government, origin of free, 
 391. 
 
 N. 
 
 latitude of, 43, 74 ; boundaries of, 43 ; 
 rivers of, 44; soil, trees, fruits, and 
 plants of, 45 ; birds, water-fowls, ani- 
 mals, fishes, reptiles, and Indians of, 
 46 ; Cornelis Mey sails to, 72 ; grant 
 in favor of the United Company of, 74 ; 
 first time this country called, ib. ; the 
 Scheld sails to, 81 ; the Puritans ex- 
 press a desire to move to, 83 ; erected 
 into a province, 99 ; first Christian 
 child born in, 101 ; trade of, in 1624 
 and 1625, 103 ; in 1626, 104 ; in 1627, 
 110 ; in 1632, 139 ; the States Gene- 
 ral declare it must not be lost by force 
 or intrigue, 179 ; condition of, in 1638, 
 175 ; a source of great loss to tlie West 
 India Company, 350 ; condition of at 
 the close of Kieft's administration, 384 ; 
 population and revenue of, 386 ; in- 
 debted to Holland for whatever muni- 
 cipal freedoms its towns possessed, 
 393. 
 
 New Plymouth, the Dutch correspond 
 with, 105 ; open a trade to, 108 ; the 
 Dutch complain of the English at, 
 109. 
 
 New project, a, proposed, 197. 
 New Sweden, 189 ; first governor of, 
 190 ; second governor of, 365 ; boun- 
 daries of, 366 ; third governor of, 367. 
 Newtown, original patent of, 425. 
 Nineteen, Assembly of the, how compos- 
 ed, 90. 
 
 Nissquagues, territory of the, 50. 
 Normans Kill, Indian name of the, 78 ; 
 
 why called the, ib. 
 Notelman, Conraed, schout-fiscaal, 142 ; 
 his character, 148 ; is superseded, ib. 
 
 o. 
 
 Ogden, John and Richard, contract to Orange, date of the erection of Fort, 
 
 build a church in New Amsterdam, 262. 390. 
 
 Olden-barneveldt, birthplace of, 173. Orange Tree, the Dutch ship, detained at 
 
 Orange, Fort, situation of, 100 ; buildings Plymouth, 103. 
 
 erected there, 156. 
 
 62 
 
490 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Paauw, Michel, lands purchased for, 125 ; 
 name of his colonie, 126 ; sells his 
 claims to the West India Company, 
 199. 
 
 Pachum urges the Indians to rise on the 
 Dutch, 282. 
 
 Pachainis, location of the, 47. 
 
 Page, Abraham, 208. 
 
 Pagganck, 174. 
 
 Papsskenea purchased, 124. 
 
 Patent for Katskill, 382. 
 
 Patentees of Vlissingen, names of, .357. 
 
 Patents, comparison between the Dutch, 
 English, and French, 91. 
 
 Patrick, Capt. Daniel, submits to the 
 Dutch, 252 ; killed, 298. 
 
 Patroons, charter to the, 112 ; the, re- 
 ceive the congratulations of the Direc- 
 tors of the W. I. Co., 128 ; patents of, 
 registered, ib. ; provisions of the charter 
 to, questioned, 129 ; difficulties with 
 the, 137, 147 ; further differences be- 
 tween them and the company, 158 ; 
 referred to the States General, 159 ; 
 their demands, 160 ; how disposed of, 
 163 ; effects of their charter on the 
 settlement of New Netherland, 178 ; 
 they propose a new project, 197 ; legal 
 privileges of, 320. 
 
 Paugussett River, 376. 
 
 Pavonia, colonie of, 126 ; sold to the West 
 India Co., 199. 
 
 Peace, Indian mode of concluding, 60. 
 
 Pennoyer, Robt., 273. 
 
 Pennawitz, lands belonging to, pur- 
 chased, 215 ; his speech to the Dutch, 
 275. 
 
 Penobscot Bay visited by Hudson, 34. 
 
 Pequods, trouble with the, 157. 
 
 Peters, Rev. Hugh, agent to England, 
 
 234 ; biographical sketch of him, ib. ; 
 
 his instructions, 235. 
 Petuquapaen, 218. 
 
 Plancius, Rev. Peter, sketch of his life, 
 94. 
 
 Planck, Jacob Albertzen, sheriff of Rens- 
 
 selaerswyck, 322. 
 Plants of New Netherland, 46. 
 Plate fleet, capture of the, 111. 
 Ployden, Sir Edmund, claims part of N. 
 
 N., 281. 
 
 Plymouth Company remonstrate against 
 
 the Dutch, 95. 
 Poulawz, Michel, 142. 
 Preface, 5. 
 
 Prices in New Netherland in 1637, 174; 
 in 1C40, 227 ; in 1643, 289 ; in Rens- 
 selaerswyck from 1630 to 1646, 477. 
 
 Prince Houdrick's River, 100. 
 
 Prince Maurice's River, 76. 
 
 Printz John, Governor of New Sweden, 
 367; his instructions, 368 ; establishes 
 his residence at New Gottenburg, 369 ; 
 orders a Dutch ship to leave the Dela- 
 ware, 372 ; protest against Hudde, 373; 
 haughty demeanor towards the Dutch. 
 374. 
 
 Privy Council, the, instruct Sir Dudley 
 
 Carleton to remonstrate against the 
 
 Dutch, 96. 
 Proclamation opening the Indian trade, 
 
 201 ; effects of the, 222 ; against the 
 
 Twelve Men, 249. 
 Protest, form of, against free traders in 
 
 Rensselaerswyck, 466. 
 Provost, David, resists an English guard, 
 
 378. 
 
 Public execution at New Amsterdam, 
 scene at a, 230. 
 
 Public officers under Kieft, 181. 
 
 Puritans, original rise of, 82 ; intimate 
 their wish to move to New Netherland, 
 83 ; their application laid before the 
 States General and Prince of Orange, 
 84 ; refused, 85 ; land at Cape Cod, 
 86. 
 
 Puritans, charge against the Dutch for 
 
 betraying the, examined, 86. 
 Pyncheon, Mr., erects a trading post on 
 
 the Connecticut, 170. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quarrel between two English skippers at Curler, statement of the, by the latter, 
 the Manhattans, 146 ; between Adri- 469. 
 aen van der Donck and Arendt van Quotenis, 174. 
 
 Raritan Indians, the, visit the Half Moon, 
 35 ; their location, 48 ; trouble with 
 the, 157 ; the Dutch attack the, 226 ; 
 Staten Island attacked by the, 239. 
 
 Regulations for the soldiers on guard, 
 294. 
 
 Rekenkamer, report of the, 349 ; 
 Religion, Indian ideas on the subject of, 
 62. 
 
 Remarks on the Catalogue of Books sent 
 
 to Rensselaerswyck, 455. 
 Rensselaers Stein, 342. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 491 
 
 Rensselaerswyck, Colonie of, 126 ; com- 
 pany formed for the settlement of, 126 ; 
 nature of the association, 127 ; first 
 magistrates of, 322 ; first minister in, 
 328 ; first church in, 330 ; expenses in- 
 curred for its support iti 1 630, 429 ; name 
 of settlers in.l 630-1 646, 433. 
 
 Report oil the condition of New Nether- 
 land, 1644, 349, 418. 
 
 Reptiles of New Netherland, 46. 
 
 Restless, The, built, 72. 
 
 Rio Montaiiies, or North River, latitude 
 of the, 44. 
 
 Riviere van den Vorst Mauritius, 76. 
 Robinson, Rev. John, head of the English 
 
 Congregation at Leyden, 82 ; intimates 
 
 a desire to move to N. Netherland, 83. 
 Rockaway Indians, location of the, 49. 
 Roelantzen, Adam, schoolmaster, 143. 
 Ross, supercargo, killed, 227. 
 Roy, Jacob Jacobz., womided in firing a 
 
 salute, 354. 
 Rutgers, Ryckert, 437. 
 Ryp, Jan Cornelissen, accompanies 
 
 Heemskirk, 28. 
 
 Salaries of public officers, 1638, 181. 
 Sandy Hook, latitude of, 35. 
 Sannaliagog purchased, 122. 
 Say, Lord, his letter against the Dutch, 
 255. 
 
 Saybrook, Dutch name for, 149. 
 School-house, funds subscribed for the 
 
 erection of a, misapplied, 396. 
 Schout Fiscaal, his duties, 102. 
 Schuylkill, the, discovered, 77 ; lands on 
 
 the, purchased, 156. 
 Seawau, what, 60. 
 Seawanhacky, 73. 
 Secataugs, territory of the, 50. 
 Settlements in N. Netherland, extent of, 
 
 389. 
 
 Settlers in Rensselaerswyck from 1630 to 
 
 1646, names of the, 433. 
 Sheep, number of, in Rensselaerswyck, 
 
 463. 
 
 Shenecock Indians, where located, 50. 
 Slavery unknown among the Indians, 
 55. 
 
 Slaves, their condition under the Dutch, 
 384 ; terms on which some of them re- 
 ceived their liberty, 385. 
 
 Sloop Bay, where situate, 173. 
 
 Smith, Claes Cornelissen, murdered, 241. 
 
 Southhampton, provisions of the treaty of, 
 extended to the ships of the Dutch, 
 109. 
 
 Southampton planted, 217. 
 Southold planted, 217. 
 South River, latitude of the, 44 ; opinions 
 entertained by the Dutch of the, 369 ; 
 
 s. 
 
 Samuel Godyn's notice of his inten- 
 tion to plant a colonie at the bay of 
 the, 479. 
 
 Spain, termination of the truce with, 85 
 St. Martin, island of, attacked, 359 
 Staes, (or Staats,) Dr. Abraham, embarks 
 
 for N. N., 329, 439. 
 Staple right, what, 155. 
 Staten Island, Indian name for, 48 ; pur- 
 chased, 104 ; erected into a colonie, 
 238 ; attacked by the Indians, 286 ; 
 expedition against the Indians of, 297. 
 States General, Sir Dudley Carleton's 
 letter to the, 97 ; memorial of the W. 
 I. Co. to the, 133 ; order an inquiry 
 into the condition of New Netherland, 
 348. 
 
 Stevensen, Oloff, commissary, 211. 
 
 Stirling, Earl of, obtains a grant of Long 
 Island, 210. 
 
 Strickland's Plain, battle of, 301. 
 
 Stuvvesant, Petrus, Director of Cura- 
 90a, wounded, 359 ; returns to Hol- 
 land and is appointed Director-general 
 of N. N., 360 ; his departure postponed, 
 361. 
 
 Superstitions among the Indians, 63. 
 
 Swedes settle on the Delaware, 189 ; 
 propose removing to the Manhattans, 
 365 ; abandon that design, 366 ; mo- 
 nopolize the trade of the South Riv- 
 er, 369 ; tear down the Dutch arms, 
 373. 
 
 Swedish vessel seized in Holland, 370 ; 
 released, 371. 
 
 Tankitekes, location of the, 47. 
 Tavern, a, erected in New Amsterdam, 
 259. 
 
 Tawalsontha, 78, 100. 
 Tawassgunshee, Dutch erect a fort on, 
 78. 
 
 Techaacho, 100. 
 
 Tenths of Rensselaerswyck, 472. 
 
 T. 
 
 Thanksgiving, a day of general, proclaim- 
 ed, 357. 
 
 Throgmorton, Mr., settles at Westchester, 
 258. 
 
 Tienpont, Adriaen Jorisz. j^roceeds to 
 
 New Netherland, 99. 
 Tinnicum, where situate, 369. 
 
492 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Tobacco, ail ordinance regulating inspec- 
 tion of, 186 ; inspectors of appointed, 
 187. 
 
 Towns and villages in N. Netherland, 
 
 privileges of, 392. 
 Trees of Now Netherland, 45. 
 Trade of New Netherland in 1631, 139 ; 
 
 in 1 632, 139 ; with the Indians opened, 
 200 ; changes proposed in the, 360 ; 
 reconsidered, 361. 
 
 Truce between Spain and Holland, 67. 
 
 Twelve Men, election of the, 242 ; their 
 advice, 243, 244 ; board of the, abol- 
 ished, 249. 
 
 u. 
 
 Underbill, Capt. John, engaged to lead 
 the Dutch forces, 289 ; attacks Indians 
 at Heenistede, 299 ; ordered to Stan- 
 ford, 300 ; conquers the Indians on 
 Strickland's plain, 301. 
 
 United English colonies, confederation of 
 the, 279. 
 
 United Provinces, the Seven, take up 
 arms, 27, 
 
 Usselincx, Wm., proposes erection of a 
 Dutch West India Company, 30 ; sub- 
 mits a plan for the establishment of a 
 Swedish West India Co., 188. 
 
 V. 
 
 Van Beyeren, Annetje, 298. 
 
 Van Cortlandt family, some particulars of 
 the, 212. 
 
 Van Couwenhoven, Jacob, 142. 
 
 Van Curler, Arendt, biographical sketch 
 of, 322 ; colonists conspire against him, 
 333 ; visits the Mohawks, 334 ; endea- 
 vors to obtain the release of some 
 Christians, 335 ; his letter to the Pa- 
 troon of Rensselaerswyck, giving an 
 account of the affairs of the colonic in 
 1643, 456. 
 
 Van Curler, Jacob, 142 ; purchases land 
 on the Connecticut, 150 ; serves a pro- 
 test on Holmes, 154 ; commences a 
 plantation in Flattlands, 172. 
 
 Van der Bogaert, Harman Meynderts, 
 441. 
 
 Van der Donck, Adriaen, appointed 
 sheriff of Rensselaerswyck, 327 ; differ- 
 ences between him and the other func- 
 tionaries of that colonie, 333 ; attempts 
 to found a colonie at Katskill, 338 ; 
 quarrels with Van Curler, 345 ; re- 
 moves to the Manhattans, 346 ; ob- 
 tains a patent for Colen-donck, 382 ; 
 his account referred to Holland, 470. 
 
 Van der Huyghens, Cornells, appointed 
 schout-fiscaal of New Netherland, 211 ; 
 censured by Kieft, 295 ; protests a- 
 gainst Wyncoop, 342 ; against the 
 erection of the fort on Beeren Island, 
 344. 
 
 Van Dinclage, Lubbertus, schout-fiscaal, 
 148 ; opposes Van Twiller, and dis- 
 missed from office, 173 ; appointed 
 provisionally Director of New Neth- 
 erland, 348 ; that appointment cancel- 
 led, 360. 
 
 Van Dyck, Hendrick, sent against the 
 Wechquaesqueecks, 249 : wounded, 
 287. 
 
 Van Elslandt, Claes, 142 ; appointed to- 
 bacco inspector, 187. 
 
 Van Es, Cornells Heiidricksen, 440. 
 
 Van Hardenberg, Arnoldus, appeals from 
 a decision of the Director-general, 394 ; 
 sentence pronounced, in consequence, 
 against him, 395. 
 
 Van Remund, Jan, secretary to New 
 Netherland, 103, 124. 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Kiliaen, Patroon, 122, 
 124 ; forms a copartnership for the set- 
 tlement of his colonie, 126 ; and of the 
 South River, 128 ; his privileges as 
 Patroon, 320 ; his instructions to Van 
 der Donck, 327 ; for the establishment 
 of a village, 330 ; forbids Van der 
 Donck purchasing lands at Katskill, 
 338 ; fortifies Beeren island, 341 ; 
 claims staple right, 343 ; his death, 
 345 ; expenses incurred by him in 1630, 
 for the settling of Rensselaerswyck, 
 429 ; ordinance issued by him describ- 
 ing his rights, 442. 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Rev. Nicolaus, prophe- 
 sies the restoration of King Charles II., 
 122. 
 
 Van Schaick, Goosie Gerritts, 437. 
 
 Van Tienlioven, Cornells, 142 ; sent to 
 purchase the Norwalk islands, 215 ; 
 proceeds to Scout's bay, 216 ; sent 
 against the Raritaus, 226 ; his descrip- 
 tion of Wechquaesqueeck, 240 ; ad- 
 vises the extermination of the savages, 
 265 ; sent to reconnoitre the position of 
 the Indians at Pavonia, 266, 267 ; un- 
 feminine conduct of his mother-in- 
 law, 269. 
 
 Van Twiller, Wouter, appointed Di- 
 rector-general of New Netherland, 141 ; 
 his council, 142 ; difficulties with the 
 captain and factor of the English ship, 
 the William, 143 ; with De Vries, 147 : 
 
INDEX. 
 
 493 
 
 purchases a tract of land on the Con- 
 necticut, 150 ; receives letters from 
 Boston, 151 ; his reply, 152 ; protests 
 against Holmes, 154 ; writes to Hol- 
 land for troops, 155 ; builds sundry 
 forts, ib. ; purchases land on the 
 Schuylkill, 156 ; quarrels with Bogar- 
 dus, 167 ; concludes a peace with the 
 Raritans, ib. ; appropriates large por- 
 tions of the public domain, 172 ; oppo- 
 sed by Van Dinclage,173 ; recalled, 174. 
 Van Slyck, Cornolis A., obtains a patent 
 for Katskill, 381. 
 
 Van Vorst, Gerrit, murdered, 26.3. 
 Van Weely, Anna, account of her death, 
 12.3. 
 
 Verpianck family, some particulars of the, 
 185 ; Abraham V. obtains land on 
 South River, 373. 
 
 Verrazzano, Jean de, enters the bay ol 
 New York, 26. 
 
 Villages, Indian, 54. 
 
 Virginia, a representative government, 
 
 when accorded to, 93. 
 Vlissingen, town of, incorporated, 358. 
 
 Wahlebocht, the, 101. 
 
 Walloons apply for leave to settle in Vir- 
 ginia, 100 ; remove to New Nether- 
 land, 101. 
 
 Walvisch island, 347. 
 
 Wappings, the, 49 ; murder Willem C. 
 Coster, 283. 
 
 Wampum, what, 60 ; proclamation regu- 
 lating the value of, 230. 
 
 War, Indian mode of waging, 58 ; be- 
 tween the Dutch and Indians, 270, 
 286. 
 
 Waranancongyns, location of the, 47. 
 
 Waraonckins, where situated, 47. 
 
 Water fowls of New Netherland, 46. 
 
 Wechquaesqueecks, location of the, 47, 
 240 ; murder of one of their tribe, 105 ; 
 expedition against them, 249 ; peace 
 with the, 250 ; attacked by the Mo- 
 hawks, 264; fly to the Dutch, 265; 
 massacred by orders of Kieft, 267, 268 ; 
 party of troops sent against them, 
 298. 
 
 Weelysburg, Van der Donck takes a lease 
 of, 327. 
 
 Westchester, Dutch name for, 258. 
 
 W^EST India Companv, A, proposed in Hol- 
 land, 30 ; proposal approved, 31 ; in- 
 corporated, 89 ; provisions of the char- 
 
 ter to the, 90 ; memorial to the States 
 General of the, 133 ; reply of the Eng- 
 lish to the, 134; available force of the, 
 in 1633, 157 ; their memorial relative 
 to the William, 164 ; a new, establish- 
 ed in Sweden, 188 ; address to the 
 States General by the, 304 ; complaints 
 against Kieft sent to the, 312 ; evil 
 effects of its policy on the prosperity of 
 New Netherland, 387 ; charter to the, 
 399 ; agreement between the partners 
 of the, 408 ; names of the Directors of 
 the, in 1636,411. 
 West Indies, Dutch vessels sent to the, 
 29. 
 
 William, the ship, visits the River Mau- 
 ritius, 143 ; sails to Fort Orange, 145 ; 
 forced to leave the Hudson River, 146 ; 
 owners of the, their complaints, 164 ; 
 reply of West India Co. thereto, 165. 
 
 Whales ascend the North River, 346. 
 
 Wind mills, 388. 
 
 Winslow, Gov., imprisoned by Laud, 170. 
 Winthrop, Gov., Van Twiller's letter to, 
 
 152 ; answers to Kieft, 280. 
 Winthrop, John, erects a fort at Kievitts 
 
 Hoeck, 169. 
 Women, Indian, 54. 
 Wyncoop, Pieter, supercargo, 342. 
 
 Yonkers, situation of, 383. 
 
 Zwanendal, The colonic of, 126 ; com- 
 pany formed for the settlement of, 128 ; 
 settlers arrive at, 129 ; destroyed, 137 ; 
 
 purchased by the West 
 pany, 365 ; old papers 
 479. 
 
 India Com- 
 relating to. 
 
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 The publishers think they cannot better substantiate the value and importance of this work, than lit 
 publishing the following Report on the subject of Dictionaries, for the use of the public schools of Rochesteri 
 
 To the Hon. Board of Education : 
 
 The standing committea on Text Books, to whom was re- 
 ferred tlie resolution offered at the last meeting of the Board, 
 in relation to the adoption of Webster's School Dictionary 
 lor the use of the public schools of this city, would respect- 
 fully 
 
 REPORT : 
 
 That they have given the subject the consideration and in- 
 vOf'ti^'ation which its acknowledged importance seemed to de- 
 mand — tliat they concur most fully in the remark contained in 
 the minor ty Re|)ort made to the Hoard at its last meeting, on 
 tiio subject of text hooks, '■ that the best interests of this city 
 and of our country demand a uniformity, as far as can be, in 
 the use of the primary books in our public schools," and we 
 agree, also, most cordially, with Dr. Webster himself, when 
 lie declares, " How very absurd as well as inconvenient, ho.v 
 very unwise, to put into the hands of children elementary 
 books containing an orthography different from that which they 
 are to find in other books, and to use in the common business 
 of life!" — and that "the most obvious metliod of banishing 
 discrepancies in ortiiography, is to supply schools with books 
 of uniform orthography, and continue them in permanent use." 
 Believing, as your committee most conscientiously do, this 
 doctrine to be sound and of practicable utility, and knowing 
 of no case in which its application can be more appropriate, 
 nor where there is a more imperative necessity for its opera- 
 tion, tlian in the one under consideration — they feel that it 
 would be the height of "absurdity" and inconsistency for 
 Viieni to recommend the adoption of a dictionary as a standard, 
 " containing an orthography (so) different from that which they 
 (the children) are to find in other hooks, and to use in the 
 common business of life," as does the school dictionary of 
 Dr. Webster — which the resolution asks us to adopt. 
 
 In justification of this position, which may by some, be re- 
 garded as a bold one, lot us here present a few examples and 
 facts, in evidence. And 
 
 First — Your committee believe, from a careful examina- 
 tion that there is not a single book in the long lists adopted 
 by your Board, which follows the orthography of Webster's 
 sclio )l dictionary — where he spells such common words as 
 these : bridegoom for bridegroo??), melasses for molasses, tung 
 for tongue, suveran for sovereign, traveler, counselor, &c.. 
 with single I, crum for crumb, chi'mist for chemist, fmlow for 
 furZoMo-ft, fuWsonie for fulsome, instil for instill, distill for dis 
 til, gammut for gamut, patroll for patrol, sherif for sheriff, tarif 
 for latiff, ake ifor ache, porpose for porpoise, &c.,&c.,&c., 
 and a large number more that might bo added, if they were 
 not already familiar to all. 
 
 Secondly — These peculiarities of the orthography of Web- 
 ster's dictionary, are not to be found in " other books^' in gen- 
 eral use. Go, gentlemen, and examine your own private li- 
 braries — you will not find one book in fifty that follows any of 
 tliese peculiarities (always saving and excepting Sander's 
 series.) you will not find a single one that follows the school 
 dictionary entirely — not even those written by Noah Webs'er 
 himself! By turning to the recommendations on the second 
 [)age from the title, of the very dictionary before us, you will 
 find two instances in which chemistry is spelled with an e, con- 
 trary to what is given as the correct spelling in its regular al- 
 plialielical order, in this same book! Take up your old family 
 Bible, or your new one, as the case may be — you will not find 
 these Websterisms there; examine any other dictionary 
 within your reach— they are not there ; go to any of the pri- 
 viite or public libraries in your own city, or in any city of the 
 Union, and you will not find among the best writers whose 
 works are to be found there, one in a hundred that even pro- 
 fesses to follow the innovations of Webster and to adopt him 
 as a standard. Take up the periodicals and newspapers of 
 the day — If there is a single one of the many thousand that 
 are daily and weekly scattered broadcast over our land, and 
 doing more perhaps, than almost all else to give tone to a pop- 
 ular literary taste, and towards fixing a permanent usage in 
 the world of letters — if there is a single one, from Silliman'a 
 Journal of Science, down to the less prttending, though more 
 
 widely diffusive, penny Daily, that follows Webster strictly ai 
 a standard, your committee have never been able to find it 
 Althougli your committee tliink these reasons, of them 
 selves, are sufficient to justify them in reporting against tin 
 adoption of the dictionary before us, they deem it'propertc 
 allude to one or two other objections. The syllabication oi 
 division of words into .syllables, in this dictionary, is. in manv 
 instances contrary to good usage and all establish'ed authority 
 and contradictory with itself. The author has, contrary ta 
 all author ty and universal custom, divided such words as tliel 
 following, into two, instead of tAree syllables, to wi :_brayc 
 ry. bribo-ry, drudge-ry, knave ry, slave-ry, scene-ry. pope-ry 
 rogue-ry, fiiie-ry. fi)rge-ry, nico-ty, &c., &c. Now let aiiy 
 scholar who learns to pronounce those words in the mannor 
 here directed, take up and umlertake to read any of the poets 
 of this, or any former age, and see into wh.it an awkward in^ 
 sition he will be thrown, in attempting to follow the smooth: 
 flowing measures of song. A cog broken out of a wheel in a'i 
 nice piece of machinery, could not produce a worse jargon. 
 Again— take an example of his contradictions with himscir'l 
 he has adul-ter-ate, adul-te-ry, collec-tive, connect-ive ej-! 
 pens-ivo, abu-sive, sa-ving, sav-ior, &c., &c. But we 'will! 
 not take up time in multijilying examples, but would recom-i 
 mend any member who has any doubts on the subject, to' 
 take the dictionary and examine it impartially for hirasiil'f- 
 and we believe he will arrive at the same conclusion as hats 
 your committee, that Webster's School Dictionary ou^ht not 
 to be introduced into our scliools. ° 
 
 In coming to this conclusion, your committee do not wiili 
 to be understood as desiring to derogate aught from the lii"ii 
 reputation of Webster's largo dictionaries, as lucid and elalio- 
 rate authorities for defining the elements of the English la,i- 
 guage -although nearly or quite all of tho objections urjed 
 against the orthography, &c , of the school dictionary, wilhi|). 
 ply with equal force against the larger works. And it will be 
 found that where our Colleges and higher Seminaries of learn- 
 ing have introduced Webster's larger dictionary into their libra- 
 ries, it has been as a standard for expounding and defining 
 our language, and 7io< as a standard of orthography and pro- 
 nunciation. 
 
 Your committee, finding so much that is objectionable ia 
 the dictionary referred to them for examination, and bein; 
 aware that it is thought by some of your Board to be im- 
 portant that a standard dictionary should he recommencleil, 
 have taken up and examined several other dictionaiies m[h 
 reference to this subject — particularly one by Mr. Worcester, 
 and one which lias recently been pnbli.'-hfcd by the AppleloM 
 in New York and Philadeliihia — " Keid's English Dictiimary," 
 and although yoi;i commiitee do not regard either of tliemai 
 perfect, yet they deem them fur more free from priors and 
 inconsistencies, thi:n the one referrt d to us for cxcmin.atiun. 
 As the character of Reid's dictionary may not bt fiirniliarlo 
 all, we will give a few of its characteristic points : it containi 
 about 40,000 words. ' 
 
 Each primitive word is given, followed by the immediate 
 derivaiives, in alphabetical order, with the part of speech an- 
 nexed. 
 
 After the primitive word, is inserted the original term 
 whence it is formed, with the name of the langu.ige from 
 which it is derived. This your committee deem°a valuable 
 improvement upon any other school dictionary which they 
 have examined. 
 
 There is subjoined a vocabulary of the Roots of English 
 words ; by which the accurate purport of them is readily dis- 
 coverable. 
 
 It also contains an accented list, to the number of some 
 15 001), of Greek, Latin, and Scriptu' proper names. 
 
 All things considered, your commit ee feel impelled to give 
 the preference to this dictionary. They would, therefore, 
 recommend the adoption of the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the New York edition of " Reid's English 
 Dictionary" be adopted for the use of the public schools of 
 the city. All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 T.H. HvATT, W. W. Reid, j. A..E.\stman, 
 J. M. So>;iHwicK, S. G. Andrews, I. E Mack. 
 
 Reid's Dictionary contains 564 pages and Worcester's but 424, making a difference of 140 pages 
 in favor of Reid. V >