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THE
CHARTER OF LIBERTIES
GRANTED
TO PATROONS AND COLONISTS,
A.D. 1 6 29,
AND
MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS,
TRANSLATED FROM
The Dutch Colonial Records, <J*c.
47CHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
Charter of Liberties and Exemptions of 1629.*
Privileges and Exemptions for the patroons, masters, or private individuals
who shall settle any colony or bring cattle therein, in New Netherlands,
considered for the service of the General West India Company in New Ne-
therlands, and for the advantage of the patrooxis, masters, and private in-
dividuals^
I. That such members of the said company,as may be in-
clined to settle any colony in New Netherland, shall be per-
mitted with the ships of this company going thither to send
three or four persons to examine the situation of the country,,
provided, that they with the officers and ship’s company swear
to the instrument of conditions (articles) so far as they relate to
them; and paying for provisions, and for passage, going and
coming, six stuyvers per day: and such as desire to eat in the
cabin, twelve stuyvers, and to be subordinate, and to give assist-
ance like others, in cases offensive and defensive: and if any
ships be taken from the enemy, they shall pro rata receive
their proportions with the ship’s company, each according tohis
quality ; that is to say, that the colonists eating out of the cabin
shall be rated with the sailors, and such as eat in the cabin with
those of the company’s men that eat at table, and receive the
lowest wages.
II. Yet in this respect such persons shall be preferred
* Rensselaerwyck MSS. Translated by Abraham Lott, jr. 1762, First
published in Moulton’s Hist. New-York. 1826.
t The charter was published at Amsterdam the next year, with the follow-
ing title prefixed :—
Vryheiden by de Vergaderinghe van de Negenthiene van de Geoctroyecrde
West-Indische Compagnie vergunt aen alien den ghenen, die eenighe Colo-
nien in Nieuw-Nederlandt sullen planten. In het licht ghegheven, &c*.
T’ Amstelredam, door Marten Jantz Brandt, &c. Anno 1630.
Liberties or Privileges, granted by the Assembly of Nineteen of the author-
ized West India Company, to all such as shall or may settle or plant any colo
ny in New-Netherlands. Published with a view to make known what profits
and advantages result to colonists and their patroons and masters, as also to
others who settle colonies in New Netherlands.—Moulton. 389.CHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
371
who have first appeared and desired the same from the com-
pany.
III.	That all such shall be acknowledged patroons of New-
Netherland, who shall, within the space of four years next
after they have given notice to any of the chambers, (or colleges,)
of the company here, or to the commander or council there, un-
dertake to plant a colony there of fifty sjmls, upwards of fifteen
years old, one fourth part within one year, and within three years
after the sending of the first, making together four years, the re-
mainder to the full number of fifty persons, to be shipped from
hence, on pain in case of wilful neglect of being deprived of the
privileges obtained ; but it is to be observed that the company
reserve the island of the Manhattes to themselves.
IV.	That from the time that they make known the situation
of the places where they propose to settle colonies, they shall
have the preference to all others of the absolute property of such
lands as they have there chosen; but in case the situation should
afterwards not please them, or that they should have been mis-
taken as to the quality of the land, they may, after stating
the same to the commander and council there, be at liberty
to choose another place.
V.	That 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 occupiers 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 mariner that no person shall be allowed to
come within seven or eight miles of them without their con-
sent ; unless the situation of the land thereabout were such, that
the commander and council for good reasons should order other-
wise ; always observing that the first occupiers 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 for-
tifications, or something of that sort; retaining, moreover, the
command of each bay, river, or island, of the first settled colony,
under the supreme jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses the
Staats General and the Company : but that on the next colony’s
being settled on the same river or island, they may, in conjunc-
tion with the first, appoint one or more councillors, in order to
consider what may be necessary for the prosperity of the colo-
nies on the said river and island.
* Twelve English miles.372
CHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
VI.	That they shall for ever possess and enjoy all the lands
lying within the aforesaid limits, together with 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 an
eternal heritage, without its ever devolving again to the com-
pany, and in case it should devolve, to be redeemed and repos-
sessed, with twenty guilders* per colony to be paid to this com-
pany, at their chamber here, or to their commander there, within
a year and six weeks after the same happens ; each at the cham-
ber where he originally sailed from. And further, that no per-
son or persons whatsoever shall be privileged to fish and hunt,
but the patroons, and such as they shall give liberty: 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 offi-
cers and magistrates there, and to make use of the title of his
colony according to his pleasure and to the quality of the
persons.
VII.	That 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.	That the patroons may, if they think proper, make use
of all lands, rivers, and woods, lying contiguous to them, for and
during so long time as this company shall not grant them to other
patroons or individuals.
IX.	That those who shall send persons over to settle colo-
nies, shall furnish them with proper instructions, in order that
they may be ruled and governed conformably to the rule of go-
vernment made, or to be made by the assembly of nineteen, as
well in the political as judicial government; which they shall
be obliged first to lay before the directors of the respective col-
leges.
X.	That the patroons and colonists shall be privileged to
send their people and effects thither, in ships belonging to the
company, 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
reckoned on the prime cost of the goods here : in which are,
however, not to be included, such creatures and other imple-
ments as are necessary for the cultivation and improvement of
the lands, which the company are to carry over without any re-
ward, 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.	That in case it should not suit the company to send any
* A guilder was twenty stivers, or about forty cents.GHARTER OP LIBERTIES.
373
ships, or that 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
and coming they go not out of their ordinary course ; giving se-
curity 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 by doing the contrary of for-
feiting all the right and property they have obtained to the colony.
XII.	That as it is the intention of the company to people the
island of the Manhattes first, all fruits and wares shall for the
present, be brought there, that arise upon the North river, and
lands lying thereabouts, before they may be sent elsewhere :
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 attend-
ing the same to the company here, or the commander and coun-
cil there, that the same may be remedied as the necessity thereof
shall be found to require.
XIII.	That all the patroons of colonies in New-Netherlands
and of colonies on the island of Manhattes, shall be at liberty to
sail and traffic all along the coast, from Florida to Terre 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 inspection
of the directors of the place where they may arrive, they may be
unladen, an inventory thereof made, and the aforesaid recogni-
tion 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. That in case of the ships of the patroons, in going to,
coming from, or sailing on_ the coast,, from Florida to Terre
Neuf, and no farther, without our grant should overpower any
of the princes of the enemy, they shall be obliged to bring, or
cause to be brought, such prince 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 remain-
ing 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.374
CHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
XV.	That it shall also be free for the aforesaid patroons to
traffic and trade all along the coast of Nevv-Netherlands and
places circumjacent, with such goods as are consumed there,
and receive in return for them all sorts of merchandize 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 Man-
hattes, in case it 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 com-
pany, one guilder for each merchantable otter and beaver skin ;
the property, risk, and all other charges, remaining on account
of the patroons or owners.
XVI.	That all coarse wares that the colonists of the pa-
troons 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 per last, four thousand weight to be accounted a last,
and the company’s ship’s crew shall be obliged to wheel, and
bring the salt on board, whereof ten lasts make a hundred.
And in case of the want of ships, or room in the ships, they
may in ships of their own order it over at their own cost, and
enjoy in these dominions, such liberties and benefits as the
company have granted ; but that 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.	That for all wares which are not mentioned in the
foregoing article, and which are not carried by the last, there
shall be paid one dollar for each hundred pounds’ weight, and
for wines, brandy, verjuice, and vinegar, there shall be paid
eighteen guilders per cask.
XVIII.	That the company promises‘the colonists of the pa-
troons that they shall be free from customs, taxes, excise, im-
posts, or any other contributions, for the space of ten years ;
and after the expiration of the said ten years, at the highest,
with such customs as the goods are taxable with here for the
present.
XIX.	That they will not take from the service of the pa-
troons 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, that they will not receive them, muchCHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
375
less permit them to leave their patroons, and enter into the
service of another, unless on consent obtained from their pa-
troons in writing. And this for and during so many years as
they are bound to their patroons ; after the expiration whereof,
it shall be in the power of the patroons to send hither all such
colonists 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 patroon, and enter into the service of
another, or shall contrary to his contract leave his service, we
promise to do everything in our power to apprehend and deliver
the same into the hands of his patroon, or attorney, that he may
be proceeded against, according to the customs of this country,
as occasion may require.
XX.	That from all judgments given by the courts of the
patroons for upwards of fifty guilders,* there may be an ap-
peal to the company’s commander and council in New-Nether-
lands.
XXI.	That touching such particular persons, who, on their
own accounts, or others in the service of their masters here*,
(not enjoying the same privileges as the patroons) shall be
minded 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 have
ability properly to improve, and shall enjoy the same in full-
property either for themselves or masters.
XXII.	That they shall have free liberty of hunting and fowl- ^
ing, as well by water as by land, generally and in public and
private woods and rivers, about their colonies, according to the
orders of the director and council.
XXIII.	That whosoever, whether colonists or patroons, for
their patroons, or free persons for themselves, or other individu-
als for their masters, shall discover any shores, bays, or other
fit places for erecting fisheries, or the making of salt pondsr
they may take pes&essfon 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-Netherlands, on the cod fishery*,
and with the fish they catch to trade to Italy, or other netitral
countries ; paying in such case to the company for recognition
six guilders 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 arbitrary punishment: and it
remaining in the breast of the company to put a supercargo on
board of each ship as in the eleventh article.
XXIV.	That in case any of the colonists should by his in-376
CHARTER OF LIBERTIES.
dustry and diligence, discover any minerals, precious stones,
chrystals, 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 pre-
mium as the patroon shall beforehand have stipulated with
such colonists 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 and freight the one eighth part of what the same
may be worth here.
XXV.	That 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 inland wars and powers, with
the forces they have there, as much as in their power lyeth to
defend.
XXVI.	That whoever shall settle any colony out of the lim-
its of the Manhattes Island, shall be obliged to satisfy the In-
dians for the land they shall settle upon, and that they may ex-
tend or enlarge the limits of their colonies if they settle a pro-
portionate number of colonists thereon.
XXVII.	That the patroons and colonists shall in particular,
and in the speediest manner, endeavour 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.
XXVIII.	That the colonies that shall happen to lie on the
respective 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 western quar-
ter, of all things relating to his colony, 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 colony and lands thereabout, to the commander
and council there in order to be transmitted hither.
XXIX.	That 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 perjurors to be arbitra-
rily punished.
AXX. That the company will use their endeavours to sup-
ply the colonists with as many blacks as they conveniently can,
on the conditions hereafter to be made ; in such manner, how
ever, that they shall not be bound to do it for a longer time than
they shall think proper.MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
377
XXXI. The company promises to finish the fort on the
Island of the Manhattes, and to put it in a posture of defence
without delay ; and to get these privileges and exemptions
approved and confirmed by their High Mightinesses, the Lords
States General.
Extracts from the Letters of the Directors of the West India
Company., contained in the MS. Colonial Records.
Vol iv. p. 25. Your apprehensions in regard to the Rev.
Backenus have been verified. He has made a common cause
with the complainants who arrived here from your country.—
These silly persons, at least the largest part of the petitioners*
have been imposed upon by a few worthless persons, viz. Cor-
nelis Melyn, Adrian van der Donck, and a few others, who, as it
appears, will leave nothing untried to abjure every kind of sub-
jection to government, under pretext that they groaned under a
too galling yoke. In this frantic opinion they are confirmed by
Wouter van Twilier, who aims to appoint himself as the only
commander on the North river, and dares to declare in public that
he does not intend to permit any one to navigate this river with a
commercial view, and that he will repel with force every one
who with that purpose should come there, or in Rensselaerwyck*
asserting besides that Fort Grange was constructed on the soil of
Rensselaerwyck, consequently that the Company has no right
whatever to permit particular persons either to build a house, or
exercise any trade, without considering that said Fort Orange,
fifteen years before any mention of Rensselaerwyck exists*
was constituted and actually garrisoned by the Company ; that
besides a house of commerce (trading house) was established
in the fort, till the year 1644; so that the fur trade till our
days was exclusively reserved to the Company, and ought to re-
main on the same footing whenever the Company shall be enabled
to provide their magazines with sufficient store goods. Neither
are we without hope to discover and employ the means as soon
as the opportunity is offered, to exclude from this commerce
these impertinent fellows; using this sovereign right with the
best title to the confusion of this ungrateful individual, who, if
we may so express it, has sucked his wealth from the breasts of
the Company which he now abuses ; upon which the merchants
pretty generally transmitted to us the inclosed petitions, request-
ing to be maintained by us in their right to a free trade. Appre-
hending from warnings that Wouter van Twiller might again
become so presumptuous as to obstruct once more by force the
48378
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
navigation on the North river, and use violent means against
the merchants, vilifying in this matter the right of jurisdiction?
in the Company; in such a case it is our express will that
your Honours shall repel him, with prudence for your guide,,
by force of arms. If he should plant again some guns, near
the river, as he did before, your Honours will carry them off and
keep them in your custody till you have received our further
orders. He has requested us in behalf of Rensselaerwyck, to
freight his own ship with 600 lb. powder and 600 lb. lead,
which we fear he may abuse; It is our intention to provide
you too with some powder and lead, not with the intention to
offend any one with it, but only to maintain the rights of the
Company, which in our opinion are in danger through the ma-
chinations of many. It is your duty to keep a watchfuheye on
the ship of this Wouter van Twiller, and in case any articles
were discovered in it besides our general invoice, or freighted
without the consent of the company, then you must take the
whole into your possession, and institute a lawsuit upon it by
the Attorney General conformably with the laws of the land.
Amsterdam, Feb. 16, 165Q.
No more can we discover on what ground the colonists of
Rensselaerwyck did occupy Bears Island, which they called
Rensselaer-stein, which possession they have usurped in such
a lofty way that they named this place “ The place by right
of arms,” and compelled every one, exempting only the com-
pany’s property, to pay a toll of 5 gl. &c. p. 46.
We do not know in what these persons do trust, but we
are confident they will be disappointed, and more so yet, if
said Yan Twiller intends to monopolize the trade upon the North
river, which we know to have been his aim a great while, with
his toll on Bears Island, now called by them Rensselaer-stein ;
but we have no intention to permit this ; every one shall navi-
gate this river unmolested and enjoy a free trade at our Fort Or-
ange which these colonists pretend to have constructed on
their own territory. Who ever heard a more impertinent pre-
tension !” p. 49.
21 March, 1651.
Answer to the petition of Adrian van der DoncJe, addressed by
the Company to the Governor.
Yol. iv. p. 3. As Mr. Adrian van derDonckhas petitioned
our college, first, that as he has received his degree at law in the1
University of Leyden, and been admitted to practise it before the
Supreme Court of Holland, he may be permitted to follow BisMISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
379
profession as advocate in New Netherlands. Secondly, that he
may examine all the records and documents in the secretary’s
office to accomplish his history of New Netherlands, which he
did undertake to write. So is our resolution upon these points:
we consent and permit him that, in conformity with the rules
and customs of this country, he may follow his profession as ad-
vocate in New Netherlands, to give his advice to all who may de-
sire to obtain itbut as regards his pleading before the courts,
we cannot see that it can be admitted yet with any advantage to
•the Directors and Council in New Netherlands. Besides that
we are ignorant if there be any of that stamp in your city,
(who nevertheless before they can be admitted must apply
to your Honour, or directly to our Department,) who can act
and plead against said Van der Donck in behalf of the other side.
We trust that in this you will consult the interest of your gov-
ernment, and the welfare of the inhabitants.”
24 July, 1653.
RENSSELAERWYCK.
At the request of Covert Lookermans, declared the un-
dersigned witnesses, viz. Cors Peterson, about thirty-three
years of age, Harmen Arentsen, from Bremen, thirty-five years
old, Cornelius Mauntsen Bout, twenty-seven years old, Willem
Petersen, twenty years old, Joannes Vetbrugge, about twenty
years old, Carman Douwes, about twenty-six years old, Har-
man Bastiansen, twenty-five years old, Jacob Jansen, twenty-
three years old, and Elbert Hebers, twenty-four years old, who
jointly and separately declared, which declaration they were
willing to confirm by an oath whenever it is required, that it is
true that Govert Lookermans with the witnesses sailed from
Fort Orange in the yacht the Good Hope, and when they arrived
near the Bears’ Island on which Nicholas Koren resides in the
name of the patroon Van Rensselaer, the said Nicholas Koren
cried out to Govert Lookermans, when we were passing by,
“ Loiver thy colors ! ”	“ For whom should Ido so?” retorted
Lookermans. Then Koren replied, “ For the staple-right of
RensselaerwyckP Then Govert Lookermans answered, “ I
lower not my colors for any individual except the Prince of
Orange and the Lords my Masters.” Thereupon Nicholas Ko-
ren immediately fired a gun; the first shot went through the
sail, broke the ropes and the ladder ; a second shot passed over
us, and 1 he third, fired by a savage, perforated our princely col-
ors about a foot above the head of Lookermans, who kept the
colors constantly in his hand. But we continued our course
notwithstanding this insulting assault without returning the fire,
or making any other reprisal whatever, and gently descendedMISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
380
the river. All which we declare to pay our homage to the truth,
without any malice or lurking wish to court the favour of any
individual. Done before Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands,
9 July 1644. (Signed by the above named deponents.)
In presence of Cornelius van Tienhoven, Secretary.
Appeared before me, Cornelius van Tienhoven, Secretary
in New Netherlands, Isbrant Claesen, forty-four years old,
and John Tomasen, about forty years old, who jointly and
separately at the request of Nicolas Koorn, sheriff in Rens-
selaerwyck, declare, which declaration they are willing to
confirm with a solemn oath, that it is true, that Govert Looker-
mans, when sailing down the river some time ago, came about
Bears Island, when Nicolas Room fired a gun without ball as a
warning. When Govert continued his course, Nicolas Room
said “ Strike P ’Govert Looker mans replied, “ F or whom shall
I strike ?” Nicolas Room answered, “ To pay homage to
Rensselaer stein” Govert then exclaimed, “ I strike for nobody
but the Prince, or those by whom I am employed” Then Nic-
olas ordered to fire behind the bark, when Govert Lookermans
vociferated, “ Fire ye dogs9 and the devil take you.” Then the
sheriff offered to fire once more, when the shot struck and per-
forated the sail. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands,
7 October, 1644. Vol. iii. 219.
I, Cornelius Huyghens, Attorney General in New Nether-
lands, to Mr. Nicolas Room in behalf of Mr. Van Rensselaer
in his colony.
Whereas I am informed with certainty, that it is your inten-
tion, and that you are qualified by your patroon, to establish
yourself on Bears’ Island, situated three miles* below Fort Or-
ange with a body of men, to build there a fort, for which you
have provided guns to defend it ;—and whereas this is incon-
sistent with the privileges granted to patroons and lords of ma-
nors, since a colony may not be further extended than four
miles along the coast, or two miles on both sides of the river, as
is evident from Article 5th of the grant; and whereas said Bears’
Island is more than two miles from the limits of the said colony
—besides the bold attempt to construct there a fort which
might command the river, and debar Fort Orange from the free
navigation—all which would be ruinous to the interests of the
Company:	Therefore I desire to know what authority you
have, and by whom you have been invested with it. If you do
not directly comply with this demand, then I forbid you to con-
struct any building whatever, much less any fortification out of
* Nine English miles. This island retains its original name.MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
381
the limits of the said colony of Rensselaerwyclc ; and if you
notwithstanding this prohibition dare to proceed, then I protest
against the damages which must be the consequence of such
lawless transactions, which I shall prosecute against you, or any
other persons whom it may concern.
I, Nicolas Koorn, commander in Rensselaer-stein,# in behalf
of the Honorable Killian van Rensselaer, under the high alle-
giance of their High Mightinesses the States General of the
United Netherlands and the privileged West India Company,
first commander of the colony on the North river in New Neth-
erlands, make it known to you, Cornelius van Huyghens, Attor-
ney General of New Netherlands, as the vice-commander of the
Hon. Van Rensselaer, that you will not presume to oppose and
frustrate my designs on the Bears’ 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 colony, and make it powerful
in every respect; wherefore you Cornelius Van Huyghens, At-
torney General, will take care to avoid any attempt on these
rights, and if you persist in doing so, I, Nicolas Koorn, protest
against the act of violence and assault committed by the Hon.
Lords Majors, which I leave them to settle between them and
my Hon. patroon, while the undertaking has nothing else in
view than to prevent the canker of freemen entering his colony.
The Attorney General persists in his interdiction, and renews
his protest.
Done in Manhattans, 18 Now 1644, in New Netherlands.
Cornelius Van der Huyghens, Attorney General.
Nicholas Koorn,	}
David Provost,	> Witnesses.
Stoffel Stevenson. )
Vol. iii. 187.
AWARD OF REFEREES.
John Underhill and Isaac Allertont are authorized by the
Honorable Director and Council in Newr Netherlands, to settle
the accounts between Mr. Moor and Mr. Wedderley to their
* Stein in Netherlands and Germany is used for castle. Trans.
t Both of these persons were of some note in the annals of New England.—
AHerton was originally settled at New Plymouth ; he afterwards removed
to New Amsterdam, but is supposed to have passed the latter part of his life at
New Haven, where he died in 1659. Morton's Memorial—Ed. of Judge Davis.
Appx. 393. Mass. Hist. Coll. 3d Series, vii. 243. Memoir of Isaac Mlerton.-~
Underhill died at Oyster Bay, in 1672. See an interesting memoir of him in
Thompson’s valuable History of Long Island, p. 336.382
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS,
best knowledge ; and having thoroughly and impartially exam-
ined said affair, so it is, that they declared that the half of the
bark ought to remain the property of Mr. Moor, provided he
delivers to Mr. Wedderley 250 lbs. tobacco, or its value, and
leaving it further to Wedderley to settle with Ridder in Virgin-
ia. Whereas for the truth thereof, this act has been signed on
26 November, 1644, in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlands.
John Underhill,
Isaac Allerton*
CASTLE ISLAND.
Vol. xxiv. 167. Extract from the answer of Governor
Stuyvesant to the application of the General Court of Massa-
chusetts, soliciting a free passage for their vessels on the North
river to Fort Orange, April 20, 1660.
“ That this North river of New Netherlands was first dis-
covered at the expense of the Netherlands in the year 1609, by
Hendrick Hudson, skipper and merchant of the yacht Half-
Moon, in the service of the East India Company; upon the
report of said Hudson, several merchants of Amsterdam sent
in the following year, 1610, another ship up the North river,
who obtained the next year a grant of their High and Mighty
Lords, the States General, to sail upon that river and to navi-
gate ; for whose security they built, in the year 1615, a small
fort from which an island near Fort Orange yet bears the name
of Castle Island, and the monuments of which can yet be
shownwhich small fort by high water and ice was three
years after highly injured, so that at length it entirely decayed.5’
CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING OF A CHURCH.
Vol. iii. 31. “Appeared before me, Cornelius Van Tien-
hoven, Secretary in behalf of the general privileged West India
Company in New Netherlands, the Honorable William Kieft,
church-warden, at the request of his brethren, the church-
wardens of the church in New Netherlands, to transact and in
their name to conclude the following business. So did he, as
church-warden, agree with John Ogden about a church in the
following manner, viz.:—
John Ogden of Stamford, and Ritsert Ogden, engage to build,
in behalf of said church-wardens a church of rock-stone,
seventy-two feet long, fifty-two feet broad, and sixteen feet high
above the soil, all in good order, and in a workman-like manner.
They shall be obliged to procure the stone and bring it on shore
* Isaac Allerton was plaintiff in a suit before the Burgomasters’ Court in
fort Amsterdam, March 24, 16.54.MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
383
near tbe fort at their own expense, from whence the church-
wardens shall further convey the stone to the place where it is
intended to build the church, at their own expense. The
church wardens aforesaid will procure as much lime as shall
be required for the building of the aforesaid church. John and
Ritsert Ogden shall at their own charge pay for the masonry,
&c., provided that when the work shall be finished the church
wardens shall pay to them the sum of 2500 gl.,* which payment
shall be made in beaver, cash, or merchandize, to wit:—if the
church-wardens are satisfied with the work, so that in their
judgment the 2500 gl. shall have been earned, then the said
church-wardens shall reward them with 100 gl. more ; and fur-
ther promise to John Ogden and Ritsert Ogden to assist them
whenever it is in their power. They further agree to facilitate
the carrying the stone thither, and that John and Ritsert Ogden
may use during a month or six weeks the Company’s boat; en-
gaging themselves and the aforesaid John and Ritsert Ogden to
finish the undertaken work in the manner as they contracted.
Done in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlands. (Signed)
William Kieft, John Ogden, Richard Ogden, Gysbert op Dyck,,
Thomas Willett.f
EXTRACT FROM JOSSELYN’s VOYAGES.jl
“ The whole country is divided into colonies, and for your
better understanding, observe a colony is a sort of people that
come to inhabit a place before not inhabited, or colonus quasi,
because they should be tillers of the earth. From hence by a
About one thousand dollars.
+ There is no date legible in the original of this contract, which was signed
by the parties in the book of Records. The date was probably inserted at the
beginning, which is rendered partially illegible by the mouldering of the leaves ;
but as the other documents both immediately preceding and following this m the
Records are of the date 1642, there can be no doubt that it was executed in that
year; the church was commenced in 1643. This is the church mentioned by De
Vries (see above p. 265). It stood within tne walls of the Fort, and remained
unaltered until 1691, when it was remodelled, and afterwards used for the service
of the church of England. It was. finally destroyed by fire in 1741. The
Dutch congregation built a church on Garden street in 1691, to which they
removed. Governor Stuyvesant erected a chapel near his country-house about
1660, on the present site of St. Mark’s Church. The church in the Fort and
the Governor’s chapel were the only churches existing in the city prior to tho
one in Garden street, with the exception of the original place of worship that
preceded the stone church, and which De Vries calls a *~barn ’ from the homeli-
ness of its appearance. At what period the latter was erected is unknown..
The first notice of it that we have seen is in the deposition respecting the pub-
lic property taken in 1638, at the commencement of Kieft’s administration-
(See above p. 279).
t “ An account of two Voyages to New England, &c. By John Josselyn^
Gent. London, 1674.” Dedicated to “ the Right Honorable and Most Illustri-
ous the President and Fellows of the Royal Society.”384
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
usual figure the country where they sit down is called a Colony
or Plantation.
“ The first of these that I shall relate of, though last in posses-
sion of the English, is now our most southerly colony, and next
adjoining to Maryland, scil. the Manadaes or Manahanent, lying
upon the great river Mohegan, which was first discovered by
Mr. Hudson, and sold presently by him to the Dutch, without
authority from his sovereign the king of England, anno 1608.
The Dutch in 1614 began to plant there, and called it New
Netherlands, but Sir Samuel Argal, governor of Virginia,
routed them; the Dutch after this got leave of King James to
put in there for fresh water in their passage to Brazil,* and did
not offer to plant until a good while after the English were set-
tled in the country. In anno 1664, his majesty Charles the
Second sent over four worthy gentlemen commissioners to re-
duce the colonies into their bounds, who had before encroached
upon one another, who marching with three hundred red-coats
to Manadaes or Manhataes, took from the Dutch their chief
town then called New Amsterdam, now New York; the twenty-
ninth of August, turned out their governor with a silver leg,
and all but those that were willing to acknowledge subjection to
the king of England, suffering them to enjoy their houses and
estates as before. Thirteen days after Sir Robert Carr took
the fort and town of Aurania, now called Albany; and twelve
days after that, the fort and town of Awsapha [Esopus]; then
De-la-Ware Castle, manned with Dutch and Swedes. So now
the English are masters of three handsome towns, three strong
forts and a castle, not losing one man. The first governor of
these parts for the king of England was Colonel Nicols, a
noble gentleman, and one of his majesty’s commissioners, who
coming for England in anno Domini 1668, as I take it, surren-
dered the government to Colonel Lovelace.
“New York is situated at the mouth of the great river Mo-
hegan, and is built with Dutch brick alla-moderna, the meanest
house therein being valued at one hundred pounds; to the
landward it is compassed with a wall of good thickness. At
the entrance of the river is an island well fortified, and hath
command of any ship that shall attempt to pass without leave.”
pp. 152—154.
* The same story is told in Thurloe’s State Papers, that the Dutch “ by the
permission of King James had granted from him to their States only a certain
island, called therefore by them States Island [Staten Island], as a watering
place for their West India fleets; although as they have encroached upon, so
they have given it a new Dutch name, * * * wiping out the old English names
in those ports of America in their old sea charts, and have new Dutchijied them.”
See the document at length in Hazard’s State Papers, i. 604—5. This story of
a * watering place ’ is as probable as that of the sale by Hudson; both equally
'unsustained by the history of the country.TABLES OF EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The following statistical tables are taken from De Laet’s History
of the West India Company. That work has not been translated,
but from an examination of its index it appears to contain nothing
else of interest relating to the colony of New Netherlands.
EXPORTS,
From New Netherlands by the West India Company, from A. D. 1624
to 1632.
Date.	Beavers.	Otters, &c.	Guilders.
1624	4,000	700	27,125
1625	5,295	463	35,825
1626	7,258	857	45,050
1627	7,520	370	12,730
1628	6,951	734	61,075
1629	5,913	681	62,185
1630	6,041	1,085	68,012
1632	13,513	1,661	143,125
1633	8,800	1,383	91,375
1635	14,891	1,413	134,925
IMPORTS.
1624	In two ships, goods,	wares, &c.	Guilders. 25,569
1625	Several ships,		8,772
1626	Two ships,	<c	20,384
1627	Four ships,	«<	56,170
1628 1629	no imports Three ships,	a	55,778
1630	Two ships,	it	57,499
1631	One ship,	u	17,355
1632	One ship,	«t	31,320
1634	One ship,	it	29,562
1635	One ship,	tt	28,875
49386
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
List of the wealthier citizens of New •Amsterdam, A.D. 1653.
T
The following list is taken from a MS. volume of the City Re-
cords recently translated from the Dutch, at the request of the
Corporation of New-York, by Rev. Mr. Westbrook, of Peekskill.
“ On Thursday, in the afternoon, being the 18th March, 1653,
in session at Fort-Amsterdam:—
Arent van Hattem, Burgomaster,
P. Leendersen Yandergrist, ~
William Beekman,
Allard Antony,	> Schepens.
M. Yan Geele,
Pieter Wolfersen,
The Burgomaster Marten Krigier absent.
A List of the persons who shall provisionally contribute the
following sums for the purpose of putting the city in a state of
defence.
guilders.
His Mightiness Werckhoven,	200
Johannes van Beeck,	200
Johannes P. Verbrugge,	200
Johannes G. Verbrugge,	100
Johannes de Peyster,	100
Cornelis van Steenwyck,	200
Govert Lookermans	150
Olof Stevensen,	150
Jacob Schellinck,	200
Pieter Prins,	100
Antony van Hardenbergh,	200
Johannes Nefius,	100
Gulyan Wys,	200
Pieter Buijs,	10Q
Adriaen and Johannes Keyser, 100
Paulus Schrick,	100
Jacob G. Strycker,	100
Francoijs Fijn,	100
Matewis de Vos,	100
Adriaen Blommaert,	100
Evert Tesselaers Commisen,	200
Jacob Backer,
Nicolas Boodt,
Isaack Foreest,
Abram Geenes,
Jacob Steendam,
Antony Claesen,
Jan Jansen, jr.
Borger Joris,
Jan Vinje,
Arent van Hattem,
Marten Krigier,
Paulus Leendersen,
William Beekman,
Peter van Cowenhoven,
Maximilyen Geel,
Allard Antony,
Abram de la Nooy,
Daniel Letschoet,
Philip Genaerdy,
Egbert van Borsum,
Hendrick Kip.
guilders..
150
100
100
100
100
50
50
100
50
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
100
50MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
387
TAX LIST OF NEW-AMSTERDAM, a.d. 1674.
The extraordinary expenses attending the repair of the fortifi-
cations, and providing for the public defence, after the re-conquest
of the city by the Dutch, in 1673, led to the imposition of a direct
tax on those citizens whose estates were worth at least 1000
guilders. The following list was made out by a Board of six
Assessors specially appointed for that purpose.
Adolph Petersen, estate valued
at (guilders Holland value,)	1000
Andrias Jochems,	300
Albert Bosch,	500
Abraham Carmar,	300
Allard Anthony,	1000
Abraham Jansen, carpenter,	600
Anthony Jansen Van Sale,	1000
Adrian Vincent,	1000
Abel Hardenbroeck,	10 JO
Abraham Verplanck,	300
Asser Leevy,	2500
Abram Lubbersen,	300
Anthony De,	1000
Anna Van Borssum,	2000
Barent Coersen,	3500
Balthasar Bayard,	1500
Boele Roelofsen,	600
Barnadus Hasfalt,	300
Bay Rosevelt,	1000
Balthasar de Haert’s House,	2000
Claes Lock,	600
Carsten Leursen,	5000
Cornelis Steenwyck,	50,000
Cornelis van Ruyven,	18,000
Cornelis Janse van Hooren,	500
Claes Bordingh,	1500
Coenraed Ten Eyck,	5000
Christopher Hoogland,	5000
Cornelis Chopper,	5000
Corel Van Brugges’s Houses,	1000
Cornelis Van Borssum,	8000
David Wessels,	800
Cornelis Direksen, from west-
veen,	1200
Cornelis Barentse Vander Cuyll, 400
Dirck Smet,	2000
David Jochems,	1000
Daniel Hendricks,	500
Dirck Van Cleef, -	1500
Dirck Wiggerse,	800
Dirck Sieken,	2000
Dirck Claesse, Potter,	400
Aegidius Luyk,	5000
Egbert Wouterse,	300
Evert Pieterse,	2000
Evert Wesselse Kuyper,	300
Evert Duyckmgh,	1600
Ephraim Harmans,	1000
Elizabeth Di-iseus,	2000
Elizabeth Bedloo,	1000
Ffrancois Rombouts,	5000
Ffrederick Philipse,	80,000
Ffrederick Arentse, turner,	400
Ffrederick Gisberts,	400
Guiliane Verplanck,	5000
Guiliam de Honioud,	400
Gabriel Minville,	10,000
Gerret Gullevever,	500
Mary Loockermans,	2000
Harmanus Burger & Co.,	400
Hendrick Kip, sen.,	300
Hendrick Bosch,	400
Hendrick Wessels Smit,	1200
Hendrick Gillesse, shoemaker, 300
Hendrick Willemse Backer, 2000
Hermanus van Borsum,	600
Hans Kierstede,	2000
Hendrick van Dyke,	300
Hartman Wessels,	300
Harmen Smeeman,	300
Henry Bresier,	300
Johnannes Van Brugh,	1400
Johannis de Peyster,	15 000
Jeronimus Ebbmgh,	30,000
Jacob Kip,	4000
Isaacq van Vlecq,	1500
Jan Meleynderse Karmar,	300
Isaack de Foreest,	1500
Junan Blanck,	1600388
TAX LIST OF NEW-AMSTERDAM, A1674.
Jacob de Naers,	5000
Jan Hendrick Van Bommel,	1500
Jacob Leumen,	300
Jeremias Jansen Hagenaer,	400
Jacobus van de Water,	2500
Jan Dirckse Meyer,	600
Isacq Van Trieht, in his bro-
ther’s house,	25(*)
Jacob Abrahamse, shoemaker,	2000
Jan Van Breesteede,	500
Jonas Bartels,	3000
Jan Herberdingh,	2000
Jacob Teuniss Key,	8000
Jan Spiegelaer,	500
Jan Jansen, carpenter,	300
John Lawrence,	40,000
James Matheus,	1000
Jan Reay, pipemaker,	300
Jan Coely Smet,	1200
Jan Schakerley,	1400
Jan Joosten, Banquier,	2500
♦Jacob Leyslaer,	15,000
Jan Vigne,	1000
Jacob Varrevanger,	8000
Laurens Jansen Smet,	300
Luycas Andries, Banquier,	150G
Laurens V an de Spiegel,	6000
Lammert Huybertse Moll,	300
Laurens Holst,	300
Luyckes Tienhoven,	600
Marten Kregier, sen.,	2000
Marten Jansen Meyer,	500
Matheys de Haert,	12,000
Nicholas de Meyer,	50,000
Nicholas Bayard,	1000
Nicholas du Puy,	600
Nicolas Jansen Backer,	700
Olof Stevensen Van Cortland, 45,000
Peter Jacobs Marius,	5000
Peter Nys,	500
Paulus Richard,	5000
Peter de Riemer,	800
Paulus Turcq,	300
Pieter Van de Water,	400
Pieter Jansen Mesier,	300
Philip Johns,	600
Reynier Willemse Backer,	5000
Stephanus Van Cortland,	5000
Simon Jantz Romeyn,	1200
Sibout Claess,	500
S’ouwert Olp heresse,	600
Thomas Leurs,	6000
Thomas Louwerss Backer,	1000
Wilhelm Beeckman,	3000
Wander Wessels,	600
Willem Van der Schueven.	300
The foregoing list was copied from the Colonial Records, and
published in Moulton’s sketch of New-Orange, (as the city was
called on its re-conquest by the Dutch,) with some interesting de-
tails relating to that period.
* This remarkable man took the lead in a popular movement in 1688, when he assumed
the government. He was afl erwards tried on a charge of high treason and executed. His
attainder was reversed at a later period by act of Parliament, and his estates restored to his
family,—Ed.