A brief description of New-York, formerly called New-Netherlands with the places thereunto adjoyning : together with the manner of its scituation, fertility of the soyle, healthfulness of the climate, and the commodities thence produced : also some directions and advice to such as shall go thither ... : likewise a brief relation of the customs of the Indians there / by Daniel Denton. Denton, Daniel. 1670 Approx. 40 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A35692 Wing D1062 ESTC R12462 13132557 ocm 13132557 97866 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A35692) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 97866) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 414:6) A brief description of New-York, formerly called New-Netherlands with the places thereunto adjoyning : together with the manner of its scituation, fertility of the soyle, healthfulness of the climate, and the commodities thence produced : also some directions and advice to such as shall go thither ... : likewise a brief relation of the customs of the Indians there / by Daniel Denton. Denton, Daniel. [4], 21 p. Printed for John Hancock ... and William Bradley ..., London : 1670. For an account of all known copies of this work see "Daniel Denton's Brief description of New York ... a bibliographical essay by Felix Neumann." 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Indians of North America -- New York (State) New York (State) -- Description and travel. 2006-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-10 Celeste Ng Sampled and proofread 2006-10 Celeste Ng Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Brief Description OF NEW-YORK : Formerly Called New-Netherlands . With the Places thereunto Adjoyning . Together with the Manner of its Scituation , Fertility of the Soyle , Healthfulness of the Climate , and the Commodities thence produced . ALSO Some Directions and Advice to such as shall go thither : An Account of what Commodities they shall take with them ; The Profit and Pleasure that may accrew to them thereby . LIKEWISE A Brief RELATION of the Customs of the Indians there . By DANIEL DENTON . LONDON , Printed for John Hancock , at the first Shop in Popes-Head-Alley in Cornhil at the three Bibles , and William Bradley at the three Bibles in the Minories . 1670. TO THE Reader . Reader , I Have here thorough the Instigation of divers Persons in England , and elsewhere , presented you wi●h a Brief but true Relation of a known unknown part of America . The known part which is either inhabited , or lieth near the Sea , I have described to you , and have writ nothing , but what I have been an eye-witness to all or the greatest part of it : Neither can I safely say , was I willing to exceed , but was rather willing the place it self should exceed my Commendation , which I question not but will be owned by those that shall travel thither : For the unknown part , which is either some places lying to the Northward yet undiscovered by any English , or the Bowels of the earth not yet opened , though the Natives tell us of Glittering Stones , Diamonds , or Pearl in the one , and the Dutch hath boasted of Gold and Silver in the other ; yet I shall not feed your expectation with any thing of that nature ; but leave it till a better discovery shall make way for such a Relation . In the mean time accept of this from him who desireth to deal impartially with every one , DANIEL DENTON . A Brief Relation OF NEW-YORK , With the Places thereunto Adjoyning , formerly called THE NEW NETHERLANDS , &c. THat Tract of Land formerly called The New Netherlands , doth Contain all that Land which lieth in the North-parts of America , betwixt New-England and Mary-Land in Virginia , the length of which Northward into the Countrey , as it hath not been fully discovered , so it is not certainly known The bredth of it is about two hundred miles : The principal Rivers within this Tract , are Hudsons River , Raritan-River , and Delewerhay-River . The chief Islands are the Manahatans-Island , Long-Island , and Staten-Island . And first to begin with the Manahatans Island , so called by the Indians , it lieth within land betwixt the degrees of 41. and 42. of North-latitude , and is about 14 miles long , and two broad . It is bounded with Long-Island on the South , with Staten-Island on the West , on the North with the Main Land : And with Conecticut Colony on the East-side of it ; only a part of the Main Land belonging to New-York Colony , where several Towns and Villages are setled , being about thirty miles in bredth , doth intercept the Manahatans Island , and the Colony of Conecticut before mentioned . New-York is setled upon the West-end of the aforesaid Island , having that small arm of the Sea , which divides it from Long-Island on the South-side of it , which runs away Eastward to New-England , and is Navigable , though dangerous . For about ten miles from New-York is a place called Hell-Gate , which being a narrow passage , there runneth a violent stream both upon flood and ebb , and in the middle lieth some Islands of Rocks , which the Current sets so violently upon , that it threatens present shipwrack ; and upon the Flood is a large Whirlpool , which continually sends forth a hideous roaring , enough to affright any stranger from passing further , and to wait for some Charon to conduct him thorough ; yet to those that are well acquainted little or no danger ; yet a place of great defence aga●nst any enemy coming in that way , which a small Fortification would absolutely prevent , and necessitate them to come in at the West end of Long-Island by Sandy Hook where Nutten-Island doth force them within Command of the Fort at New York , which is one of the best Pieces of Defence in the North-parts of America . New York is built most of Brick and Stone , and covered with red and black Tile , and the Land being high , it gives at a distance a pleasing Aspect to the spectators . The Inhabitants consist most of English and Dutch , and have a considerable Trade with the Indians , for Bevers , Otter , Raccoon skins , with other Furrs ; As also for Bear , Deer , and Elke skins ; and are supplied with Venison and Fowl in the Winter , and Fish in the Summer by the Indians , which they buy at an easie rate ; And having the Countrey round about them , they are continually furnished with all such provisions as is needful for the life of man , not only by the English and Dutch within their own , but likewise by the Adjacent Colonies . The Commodities vented from thence is Furs and Skins before-mentioned ; As likewise Tobacc , made within the Colony , as good as is usually made in Mary-land : Also Horses , Beef , Pork , Oyl , Pease , Wheat , and the like . Long-Island , the West-end of which lies Southward of New-York , runs Eastward above one hundred miles , and is in some places eight , in some twelve , in some fourteen miles broad ; it is inhabited from one end to the other . On the West end is four or five Dutch Towns , the rest being all Engl●sh to the number of twelve , besides Villages and Farm houses . The Island is most of it of a very good soyle , and very natural for all sorts of English Grain ; which they sowe and have very good increase of , besides all other Fruits and Herbs common in England , as also Toba●c● , H●mp , Flax , Pumpkins , Melons , &c. The Fruits natural to the Island , are Mulberries , Posimons , Grapes great and small , Huckelberries , Cramberries , Plums of several sorts , Rosberries and Strawberries , of which last is such abundance in June , that the Fields and Woods are died red : Which the Countrey-people perceiving , instantly arm themselves with bottles of Wine , Cream , and Sugar , and in stead of a Coat of Male , every one takes a Female upon his Horse behind him , and so rushing violently into the fields , never leave till they have disrob'd them of their red colours , and turned them into the old habit . The greatest part of the Island is very full of Timber , as Oaks white and red , Walnut-trees , Chesnut-trees , which yield store of Mast for Swine , and are often therewith sufficiently fatted with Oat-Corn : as also Maples , Cedars , Saxifrage , Beach , Birch , Holly , Hazel , with many sorts more . The Herbs which the Countrey naturally afford , are Purslain , white Orage , Egrimony , Violets , Penniroyal , Alicampane , besides Saxaparilla very common , with many more Yea , in May you shall see the Woods and Fields so curiously bedecke with Roses , and an innumerable multitude of delightful Flowers , not only pleasing the eye , but smell , that you may behold Nature contending with Art , and striving to equal , if not excel many Gardens in England : nay , did we know the vertue of all those Plants and Herbs growing there ( which time may more discover ) many are of opinion , and the Natives do affirm , that there is no disease common to the Countrey , but may be cured without Materials from other Nations . There is several Navigable Rivers and Bays , which puts into the North-side of Long-Island , but upon the South-side which joyns to the Sea , it is so fortified with bars of sands and sholes , that it is a sufficient defence against any enemy , yet the South-side is not without Brooks and Riverets , which empty themselves into the Sea ; yea , you shall scarce travel a mile , but you shall meet with one of them whose Christal streams run so swift , that they purge themselves of such stinking mud and filth , which the standing or low-paced streams of most brooks and rivers westward of this Colony leave lying , and are by the Suns exhalation dissipated , the Air corrupted , and many Fevers and other distempers occasioned , not incident to this Colony : Neither do the Brooks and Riverets premised , give way to the Frost in Winter , or draught in Summer , but keep their course throughout the year . These Rivers are very well furnished with Fish , as Bosse , Sheepsheads , Place , Pearch , Trouts , Eels , Turtles , and divers others . The Island is plentifully stored with all sorts of English Cattel . Horses , Hogs , Sheep , Goats , &c. no place in the North of Am●rica better , which they can both raise and m●intain , by reason of the large and spacious Medow , or Marches wherewith it is furnished , the Island likewise producing excellent English grass , the seed of which was brought out of England , which they sometime mow twice a year . For wilde Beasts there is Deer , Bear , Wolves , Foxes , Racoons , Otters , Musquashes and Skunks . Wild Fowl there is great store of , as Turkies , Heath-Hens , Quailes , Partridges , Pidgeons , Cranes , Geese of several sorts , Brants , Ducks , Widgeon , Teal , and divers others : There is also the red Bird , with divers sorts of singing birds , whose chirping notes salute the ears of Travellers with an harmonious discord , and in every pond and brook green silken Frogs , who warbling forth their untun'd tunes strive to bear a part in this musick . Towards the middle of Long-Island lyeth a plain sixteen miles long and four broad , upon which plain grows very fine grass , that makes exceeding good Hay , and is very good pasture for sheep or other Cattel ; where you shall find neither stick nor stone to hinder the Horse heels , or endanger them in their Races , and once a year the best Horses in the Island are brought hither to try their swiftness , and the swift●st rewarded with a silver Cup , two being Annually procured for that purpose . There are two or three other small plains of about a mile square , which are no small benefit to those Towns which enjoy them . Upon the South-side of Long-Island in the Winter , lie store of Whales and Crampasses , which the inhabitants begin with small boats to make a trade Catching to their no small benefit . Also an innumerable multitude of Seals , which make an excellent oyle ; they lie all the Winter upon some broken Marshes and Beaches , or bars of sand before-mentioned , and might be easily got were there some skilful men would undertake it . To say something of the Indians , there is now but few upon the Island , and those few no ways hurtful but rather serviceable to the English , and it is to be admired , how strangely they have deereast by the Hand of God , since the English first setling of those parts ; for since my time , where there were fix towns , they are reduced to two small Villages , and it hath been generally observed , that where the English come to settle , a Divine Hand makes way for them , by removing or cutting off the Indians , either by Wars one with the other , or by s●me raging mortal Disease . They live principally by Hunting , Fowling , and Fishing : their Wives being the Husbandmen to till the Land , and plant their corn . The meat they live most upon is Fish , Fowl , and Venison ; they eat likewise Polecats , Skunks , Racoon , Possum , Turtles , and the like . They build small moveable Tents , which they remove two or three times a year , having their principal quarters where they plant their Corn : their Hunting quarters , and their Fishing quarters : Their Recreations are chiefly Foot-ball and Cards , at which they will play away all they have , excepting a Flap to cover their nakedness : They are great lovers of strong drink , yet do not care for drinking , unless they have enough to make themselves drunk ; and if there be so many in their Company , that there is not sufficient to make them all drunk , they usually select so many out of their Company , proportionable to the quantity of drink , and the rest must be Spectators . And if any one chance to be drunk before he hath finisht his proportion , ( which is ordinarily a quart of Brandy , Rum or Strong-waters ) the rest will pour the rest of his part down his throat . They often , kill one another at these drunken Matches , which the friends of the murdered person , do revenge upon the Murderer unless he purchase his life with money , which they sometimes do : Their money is made of a Periwinkle shell of which there is black and white , made much like unto beads , and put upon strings . For their worship which is diabolical , it is performed usually but once or twice a year , unless upon some extraordinary occasion , as upon making of War or the lik● ; their usual time is about Michaelmass , when their corn is first ripe , the day being appointed by their chief priest or pawaw ; most of them go a hunting for venison : When they are all congregated , their priest tells them if he want money , there God will accept of no other offering , which the people beleeving , every one gives money according to their ability . The priest takes the money , and putting it into some dishes , sets them upon the top of their low flat-roofed houses , and falls to invocating their God to come and receive it , which with a many loud hallows and outcries , knocking the ground with sticks , and beating themselves , is performed by the priest , and seconded by the people . After they have thus a while wearied themselves , the priest by his Conjuration brings in a devil amongst them , in the shape sometimes of a fowl , sometimes of a beast , and somtimes of a man , at which the people being amazed , not daring to stir , he improves the opportunity , steps out , and makes sure of the money , and then returns to lay the spirit , who in the mean time is sometimes gone , and takes some of the Company along with him : but if any English at such times do come amongst them , it puts a period to their proceeding , and they will desire their absence , telling them their God will not come whilst they are there . In their wars they fight no pitcht fields , but when they have notice of an enemies approach , they endeavor to secure their wives and children upon some Island , or in some thick swamp , and then with their guns and hatchets they way-lay their enemies , some lying behind one , some another , and it is a great fight where seven or eight is slain . When any Indian dies amongst them , they bury him upright , sitting upon a seat , with his Gun , money , and such goods as he hath with him , that he may be furnished in the other world , which they conceive is Westward , where they shall have great store of Game for Hunting and live easie lives . At his Burial his nearest Relations attend the Hearse with their faces painted black , and do visit the grave once or twice a day , where they send forth sad lamentations so long , till time hath wore the blackness off their faces , and afterwards every year once they view the grave , make a new mourning for him , trimming up of the Grave , not suffering of a Grass to grow by it : they fence their graves with a hedge , and cover the tops with Mats , to shelter them from the rain . Any Indian being dead , his Name dies with him , no person daring ever afte● to mention his Name , it being not only a breach of their Law , but an abuse to his friends and relations present , as if it were done on purpose to renew their grief : And any other person whatsoever that is named after that name doth incontinently change his name , and takes a new one , their names are not proper set names as amongst Christians , but every one invents a name to himself , which he likes best . Some calling themselves Ra●tle-snake , Skunk , Bucks-horn , or the like : And if a person die , that his name is some word which is used in speech , they likewise change that word , and invent some new one , which makes a great change and alteration in their language . When any person is sick , after some means used by his friends , every one pretending skill in Physick ; that proving ineffectual , they send for a Pawaw or Priest , who sitting down by the sick person , without the least enquiry after the distemper , waits for a gift , which he proportions his work accordingly to : that being received , he first begins with a low voice to call upon his God , calling sometimes upon one , sometimes on another , raising his voice higher and higher , beating of his naked breasts and sides , till the sweat runneth down , and his breath is almost gone , then that little which is remaining , he evaporates upon the face of the sick person three or four times together , and so takes his leave . Their Marriages are performed without any Ceremony , the Match being first made by money . The sum being agreed upon and given to the woman , it makes a consummation of their Marriage , if I may so call it : After that , he keeps her during his pleasure , and upon the least dislike turns her away and takes another : It is no offence for their married women to lie with another man , provided she acquaint her husband , or some of her nearest Relations with it , but if not , it is accounted such a fault that they sometimes punish it with death : An Indian may have two wives or more if he please ; but t is not so much in use as it was since the English came amongst them : they being ready ▪ in some measure to imitate the English in things both good and had : any Maid before she is married doth lie with whom she please for money , without any scandal , or the least aspersion to be cast upon her , it being so customary , and their laws tolerating of it . They are extraordinary charitable one to another , one having nothing to spare , but he freely imparts it to his friends , and whatsoever they get by gaming or any other way , they share one to another , leaving themselves commonly the least share . At their Cantica's or dancing Matches , where all persons that come are freely entertaind , it being a Festival time : Their custom is when they dance , every one but the Dancers to have a short stick in their hand , and to knock the ground and sing altogether , whilst they that dance sometimes act warlike postures , and then they come in painted for War with their faces black and red , or some all black , some all red , with some streaks of white under their eyes , and so jump and leap up and down without any order , uttering many expressions of their intended valour . For other Dances they only shew what Antick tricks their ignorance will lead them to , wringing of their bodies and faces after a strange manner , sometimes jumping into the fire , sometimes catching up a Fire-brand , and biting off a live coal , with many such tricks , that will affright , if not please an English man to look upon them , resembling rather a company of infernal Furies then men . When their King or Sachem sits in Council , he hath a Company of armed men to guard his Person , great respect being shewen him by the People , which is principally manifested by their silence : After he hath declared the cause of their convention , he demands their opinion , ordering who shall begin : The person ordered to speak , after he hath declared his minde , tells them he hath done : no man ever interrupting any person in his speech , nor offering to speak , though he make never so many or long stops , till he says he hath no more to say : the Council having all declar'd their opinions , the King after some pause gives the definitive sentence , which is commonly seconded with a shout from the people , every one seeming to applaud , and manifest their Assent to what is determined : If any person be condemned to die , which is seldom , unless for Murder or Incest , the King himself goes out in person ( for you must understand they have no prisons , and the guilty person flies into the Woods ) where they go inquest of him , and having found him , the King shoots first , though at never such a distance , and then happy is the man can shoot him down , and cut off his Long , which they commonly wear , who for his pains is made some Captain , or other military Officer . Their Cloathing is a yard and an half of broad Cloth , which is made for the Indian Trade , which they hang upon their shoulders ; and half a yard of the same cloth , which being put betwixt their legs , and brought up before and behinde , and tied with a Girdle about their middle , hangs with a flap on each side : They wear no Hats , but commonly wear about their Heads a Snake's skin , or a Belt of their money , or a kind of a Ruff made with Deers hair , and died of a scarlet colour , which they esteem very rich . They grease their bodies and hair very often , and paint their faces with several colours , as black , white , red , yellow , blew , &c. which they take great pride in , every one being painted in a several manner : Thus much for the Customs of the Indians . Within two Leagues of New-York lieth Staten-Island , it bears from New York West something Southerly : It is about twenty miles long , and four or five broad , it is most of it very good Land , full of Timber , and produceth all such commodities as Long - Island doth , besides Tin and store of Iron Oar , and the Calamine stone is said likewise to be found there : There is but one Town upon it consi●●ing of English and French , but is capable of entertaining more inhabitants : betwixt this and Long Island is a large Bay , and is the coming in for all ships and vessels out of the Sea : On the North-side of this Island After-●kull River puts into the main Land on the West-side , whereof is two or three Towns , but on the East-side but one . There is very great Marshes or Medows on both sides of it , excellent good Land , an● good convenience for the setling of several Towns ; there grows black Walnut and Locust , as their doth in Virgi●ia , with mighty tall streight Timber , as good as any in the North of Ameri●a : It produceth any Commoditie Long-Island doth . Hudsons River runs by N●w-York Northward into the Countrey , toward the Head of which is seated N●w-Al●a●● , a pl●ce of great Trade with the Indians , betwixt which and New-York , being above one hundred mi●es , is as good Corn-land as the World affords , enough to entertain Hundreds of Families , which in the time of the Dutch-Gove●nment of those parts could not be setled : For the Indians , excepting one place , called the 〈◊〉 which was kept by a Garrison , but since the reducement of those parts under His Ma●esties obedience , and a Patent granted to his Royal Highnes● the Duke of York , which is about six years ; since by the care and diligenc● of the Honourable Coll. Nicholls sent thither Deputy to His Highness , such a League of Peace was made , and Friendship concluded betwixt that Colony and the Indians , that they have not resisted or disturbed any Christians there , in the setling or peaceable possessing of any Lands with that Government , but every man hath sate under his own Vine , and hath peaceably reapt and enjoyed the fruits of their own labours , which God continue . Westward of After-Kull River before-mentioned , about 18 or 20 miles runs in Raritan-River North-ward into the Countrey , some score of miles , both sides of which River is adorn'd with spacious Medows , enough to maintain thousands of Cattel , the Wood-land is likewise very good for corn , and stor'd with wilde Beasts , as Deer , and Elks , and an innumerable multitude of Fowl , as in other parts of the Countrey : This River is thought very capable for the erecting of several Towns and Villages on each side of it , no place in the North of America having better convenience for the maintaining of all sorts of Cattel for Winter and Summer-food : upon this River is no town setled , but one at the mouth of it . Next this River Westward is a place called New-asons , where is two or three Towns and Villages setled upon the Sea-side , but none betwixt that and Delewer Bay , which is about sixty miles , all which is a rich Champain Countrey , free from stones , and indifferent level ; store of excellent good timber , and very well watered , having brooks or rivers ordinarily , one or more in every miles travel : The Countrey is full of Deer , Elks , Bear , and other Creatures , as in other parts of the Countrey , where you shall meet with no inhabitant in this journey , but a few Indians , where there is stately Oaks , whose broad-branched-tops serve for no other use , but to keep off the Suns heat from the wilde Beasts of the Wilderness , where is grass as high as a mans middle , that serves for no other end except to maintain the Elks and Deer , who never devour a hundredth part of it , then to be burnt every Spring to make way for new . How many poor people in the world would think themselves happy , had they an Acre or two of Land , whilst here is hundreds , nay thous●nds of Acres , that would invite inhabitants . Delewerhay the mouth of the River , lyeth about the Mid-way betwixt New-Y●●k and the Capes of Virginia : It is a very pleasant River and Countrey , but very few inhabitants , and them being mostly Swedes , Dutch and Finns : about sixty miles up the River is the principal Town called N●w-Castle , which is about 40 miles from Mary-land , and very good way to travel , either with horse or foot , the people are setled all along the west side sixty miles above New-Castle ; the land is good for all sorts of English grain , and wanteth nothing but a good people to populate it , it being capable of entertaining many hundred fami●ies . Some may admire , that these great and rich Tracts of land , lying so adjoyning to New-England and Virginia , should be no better inhabited , and that the richness of the soyle , the healthfulness of the Clima●e , and the like , should be no better a motive to induce people from both places to populate it . To which I answer , that whilst it was under the Dutch Government , which hath been till within these six years ; there was little encouragement for any English , both in respect of their safety from the Ind●ans , the Dutch being almost always in danger of them ; and their Bever-trade not admitting of a War , which would have been destructive to their trade , which was the main thing prosecuted by the Dutch. And secondly , the Dutch gave such bad Titles to Lands , together with their exacting of the Tenths of all which men produced off their Land , that did much hinder the populating of it ; together with that general dislike the English have of living under another Government ; but since the reducement of it the●e is several Towns of a considerable g●eatness begun and setled by people out of New-England , and every day more and more come to view and sett●e . To give some satisfaction to people that shall be desirous to transport themselves thither , ( the Countrey being capabl of entertaining many thousands , ) how and after what manner people live , and how land may be procured , &c. I shall answer , that the usual way , is for a Company of people to joyn to-together , either enough to make a Town , or a lesser number ; These go with the consent of the Governor , and view a Tract of Land , there being choice enough , and finding a place convenient for a Town , they return to the Governour , who upon their desire admits them into the Colony , and gives them a Grant or Patent for the said Land , for themselves and Associates . These persons being thus qualified , settle the place , and take in what inhabitants to themselves they shall see cause to admit of , till their Town be full ; these Associates thus taken in have equal priviledges with themselves , and they make a division of the land suitable to every m●ns occasions , no m●n being debarr'd of such quantities as he hath occasion for , the rest they let lie in common till they have occasion for a new division , never dividing their Pas●ure-land at all , which ●ie in common to the whole Town . The bes● Commodities for any to carry with them is Clothing , the Countrey being full of all sorts of Cattel , which they may furnish themselves ●●thal at an easie rate , for any sorts of English Goods ; as likewise Instruments for Husbandry and Building , with Nails , Hinges , Glass , and the like ; For the manner how they get a livelihood , it is principally by Corn and Cattel , which will there fetch them any Commodities ; likewise they sowe store of Flax , which they make every one Cloth of for their own wearing , as also woollen Cloth , and Linsey-woolsey , and had they more Tradesmen amongst them , they would in a little time live without the help of any other Conntrey for their Clothing ; For Tradesmen there is none but live happily there , as Carpenters , Blacksmiths , Masons , Tailors , Weavers , Shoomakers , Tanners , Brickmakers , and so any other Trade ; them that have no Trade betake themselves to Husbandry , get Land of their own , and live exceeding well . Thus have I briefly given you a Relation of New-York , with the places thereunto ad●oyning ; In which , if I have err'd , it is principally in not giving it its due commendation ; for besides those earthly blessings where it is stor'd , Heaven hath not been wanting to open his Treasure , in sending down seasonable showres upon the Earth , blessing it with a sweet and pleasant Air , and a Continuation of such Influences as tend to the Health both of Man and Beast : and the Climate hath such an affinity with that of England , that it breeds ordinarily no alteration to those which remove thither ; that the name of seasoning , which is common to some other Countreys hath never there been known ; That I may say , and say truly , that if there be any terrestrial happiness to be had by people of all ranks , especially of an inferior rank , it must certainly be here : here any one may furnish himself with land , and live rent-free , yea , with such a quantity of land , that he may weary himself with walking over his fields of Corn , and all so●ts of Gr●in and ●et his stock of Cattel amount to some hundreds , he needs not fear their want of pasture in the Summer , or Fodder in the Winter , the Woods affording sufficient supply . For the Summer-season , where you have grass as high as a mans knees , nay , as high as his waste , interlaced with Pea ●ines and other weeds that Cattel much delight in , as much as a man can press thorough ; and these woods also every mile or half-mile are furnished with fresh ponds , brooks , or rivers , where all sorts of Cattel , during the heat of the day , do quench their thirst and cool themselves ; these brooks and rivers being invironed of each side with several sorts of trees and Grape-vines , the Vines , Arbor-like , in re-changing places and crossing these rivers , does shade and shelter them from the scorching beams of Sols fiery influence : Here those which Fortune hath frown'd upon in En●land , to deny them an inheritance amongst their Brethren , or such as by their utmost labors can scarcely procure a living , I say such may procure here inheritances of land , and possessions , stock themselves with all sorts of Cattel , enjoy the benefit of them whilst they live , and leave them to the benefit of their children when they die : Here you need no trouble the Shambles for meat , nor Bakers and Brewers for Beer and Bread , nor run to a Linnen-Draper for a supply , every one making their own Linnen , and a great part of their woollen-cloth for their ordinary wearing : And how prodigal , if I may so say , hath Nature been to furnish the Countrey with all sorts of wilde Beasts and Fowle , which every one hath an interest in , and may hunt at his pleasure ; where besides the pleasure in hunting , he may furnish his house with excellent fat Venison , Turkies , Geese , Heath-Hens , Cranes , Swans , Ducks , Pidgeons , and the like : and wearied with that , he may go a Fish●ng , where the Rivers are so furnished , that he may supply himself with Fish before he can leave off the Recreation : Where you may travel by Land upon the same Continent hundreds of miles , and passe thorough Towns and Villages , and never hear the least complaint for want , nor hear any ask you for a farthing : there you may lodge in the fields and woods , travel from one end of the Countrey to another , with as much security as if you were lockt within your own Chamber ; And if you chance to meet with an Indian-Town , they shall give you the best entertainment they have , and upon your desire , direct you on your way : But that which adds happiness to all the rest , is the Healthfulness of the place , where many people in twenty years time never know what sickness is : where they look upon it as a great mortality if two or three die out of a town in a years time ; where besides the sweetness of the Air , the Countrey it self sends forth such a fragrant smell , that it may be perceived at Sea before they can make the Land : where no evil fog or vapour doth no sooner appear , but a North west or Westerly winde doth immediately dissolve it , and drive it away : What shall I say more ? you shall scarce see a house , but the South side is begirt with Hives of Bees , which increase after an incredible manner : That I must needs say , that if there be any terrestrial Canaan , 't is surely here , where the Land floweth with milk and honey . The inhabitants are blest with Peace and plenty , blessed in their Countrey , blessed in their Fields , blessed in the Fruit of their bodies , in the fruit of their grounds , in the increase of their Cattel , Horses and Sheep , blessed in their Basket , and in their Store ; In a word , blessed in whatsoever they take in hand , or go about , the Earth yieldieg plentiful increase to all their painful labours . Were it not to avoid prolixity I could say a great deal more , and yet say too little , how free are ●hose parts of the world from that pride and oppression , with their miserable effects , which many , nay almost all parts of the world are troubled , with being ignorant of that pomp and bravery which aspiring Humours are servants to , and striving after almost every where : where a Waggon or Cart gives as good content ●s a Coach ; and a piece of their home made Cloth , better then the finest Lawns or richest Silks : and though their low roofed houses may seem to shut their doors against pride and luxury , yet how do they stand wide open to let charity in and out , either to assist each other , or relieve a stranger , and the distance of place from other N●tions , doth secure them from the envious frowns of ill-affected Neighbours , and the troubles which usually arise thence . Now to conclude , its possible some may say , what needs a Rela●ion of a place o● so long standing as N●w Yo●k hath been ? In answer to which I have said something before , as to satisfie the desires of many that never had any Relation of it . Secondly , though it hath been long setled , ye● but lately reduced to his Majesties obedience , and by that means but new or unknown to the English ; Else certainly those great number of Furs , that have been lately transported from thence into Holland had never past the hands of our English Furriers : Thirdly , never any Relation before was published to my knowledge , and the place being capable of entertaining so great a number of inhabitants , where they may with Gods blessing , and their own industry , live as happily as any people in the world . A true Relation was necessary , not only for the encouragement of many that have a desire to remove themselves , but for the satisfaction of others that would make a trade thither . FINIS . The Accurate Accomptant or London Merchant , Containing an Analysis for Instructions and Directions for a Methodical ke●ping Merchants Accompts , by way of Debitor and Creditor , very useful for all Merchants or others , that desire to learn or teach the Exact Method of keeping Merchants Accompts , by Thomas Brown Accomptant ; To be sold by John Harcock , at the first shop in Popes-Head Alley , at the sign of the Three Bibles in Cornhil , 1670.