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Cornell University Library 1993.VI.
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
VOYAGES
OF
DAVID PIETERSZEN de VRIES,
Master of Artillery in the service of the United Provinces, &c.
TRANSLATED FROM A DUTCH MANUSCRIPT
IN THE PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY,
BY
DP. G. TROOST.INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
Among the early founders of colonies on the banks of the Hud-
son was David Pieterszen de Vries, the author of the work
from which the following extracts have been made, containing
descriptions of his voyages to different parts of the world. He
was from Hoorn, a port in North Holland, one of those nurseries
of bold and skilful seamen by whose means the maritime suprem-
acy of the republic was maintained at that period.* In the year
1630, De Vries was associated with De Laet, Van Rensselaer,
and other patroons, for the purpose of planting colonies within the
limits of the New-Netherlands. Their first enterprise was to the
South or Delaware river, and towards the close of that year our
author embarked in person, accompanied by about thirty emigrants,
who commenced a settlement near the present site of Lewistown,
in Delaware. “ The voyage of De Vries,” says the eloquent and
exact historian of the United States, “ was the cradling of a state.
That Delaware exists as a separate commonwealth is due to the
colony of De Vries.”f
Having returned to Holland, De Vries again embarked for the
South river in the autumn of 1632, where he had the unhappiness
to find his colony destroyed and laid waste, without so much as a
solitary survivor to make known their fate. But it was sufficiently
apparent that it had been the work of the neighbouring Indians, and
after endeavouring for some time to ascertain the perpetrators of
the horrid tragedy, he sailed for Virginia, and afterwards to the
New-Netherlands, where he remained until the summer of 1633.
The following year he was engaged in establishing a colony on
the coast of Guiana, in South America, which proving unsuccessful,
he abandoned the attempt, and bent his course for the Hudson and
* It was an enterprising voyager from the same place, Willliam Cornelis Schoutent
who led the way into the western ocean around Cape Horn, which he named in com-
pliment to his native town.
f Bancroft’s History of the United States, ii. 281.246
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
New Amsterdam, where he arrived in June, 1635. He returned
to Holland the same year.
The last voyage of De Vries was performed in 1638, when he
again visited the New-Netherlands, for the purpose of planting a
colony on Staten Island, of which he had obtained a grant from
the West India Company. Failing in this enterprise for the want
of settlers, who were not sent out to him from Holland as had
been agreed between himself and Frederick de Vries, his partner
in the undertaking, and a Director of the West India Company,
our author turned his attention in the first place to a small planta-
tion situated a few miles above the fort of New Amsterdam, on
Manhattan Island, where he resided for a time. But not satisfied
with this property, De Vries, in the spring of 1640, made an ex-
cursion up the Hudson for the purpose of examining the country
and purchasing an estate. The first day he reached Tappaan,
about twenty-five miles from the mouth of the river, where he
obtained a tract of more than six hundred acres of land from the
Indians, to which he afterwards gave the name of Vriesendale.
Continuing his route, he arrived at Fort Orange, (now Albany,) on
the fourteenth day after leaving New Amsterdam. But we must
refer to our author’s own narrative for further particulars of his
journey, and of his subsequent residence in the country, which
furnishes an interesting sketch of the state of the colony during a
part of the administration of Governor Kieft.# De Vries returned
to Holland in the spring of 1644, discouraged probably by the
little success that had attended his various enterprises in the new
world.
His voyages were published at Alckmaer, North Holland, in 1655,
with the following title, viz :—“ Brief historical and journalized
.Notes of several Voyages to the four quarters of the globe—
Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, by David Pieterszen de Vries,
Master of Artillery to the Most Honourable Lords, the Committee
Council of the States of West Vriesland and the North Quarter;
wherein are described several naval battles in which he has been
* In the year 1641, when troubles occurred with the Indians, the Governor consulted
with several prominent citizens of the colony, whose names are mentioned in the
Colonial Records of that period; among them is the name of David Pieterszen de
Vries.—MS.'Dutch Records, vol. ii., 137.INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
247
engaged; each country, its animals, birds, different kinds of fishes,
and various savage nations drawn from life, together with the
woods and rivers, and their products. Hoorn, for David Pieters-
zen de Vries, Artillery Master of the North Quarter ; Alckmaer,
by Simon Cornelis Brekgeest, 1655.”*
Such is the title of the book as contained in the extracts made
from it by the late Mr. Du Simitiere, of Philadelphia, and now
deposited among the manuscripts of the Library Company of that
city. These extracts are in the original Dutch, and consist of
about thirty pages large folio, handsomely engrossed. A transla-
tion of nearly all of them was made a few years ago by Dr. G.
Troost,of Philadelphia,^at the expense of Joseph W. Moulton, Esq.,
whose valuable contributions to the early history of New-York are
well known to the public. The Editor was indebted in the first
instance for a copy of this translation to George Bancroft, Esq.,
the historian of the United States, and subsequently to Mr. Moul-
ton, for this and other documents relating to De Vries.
In regard to the original work, after the most diligent inquiry,
no copy of it has been discovered in this country ; and, indeed, the
only one of which Mr. Bancroft has succeeded in ascertaining
the existence, is contained in the Royal Library of Dresden, Sax-
ony.t Professor Ebeling, of Germany, in his great work upon the
Geography and History of America, refers to two supposed edi-
tions of De Vries, but adds that he was unable to obtain a copy
of either. “ Beider konte ich nicht habhaft werden?\ The Cheva-
lier Lambrechtsen also sought in vain for it, when in pursuit
of materials for the composition of his History of the New-
Netherlands.
* “Korte Historiael ende Journael aenteyckeninge van verseheyden Voyagiens in de
vier deelen des Wereldts Ronde, als Europa, Africa, Asia, ende America, gedaen door
David Pieterszen de Vries, Artillery-Meester van de Ed : M. Heeren gecommitteerde
Raden van Staten van West Vrieslandt ende t’ Noorder Quartier; waer in verhaelt werd
wat batailjes hy te water gedaen heeft: ydei* landtschap zyn gedierte, gevogel, wat
soort van vischen, ende wat wilde menschen naer’t leven geconterfeit, ende van de
Bosehen ende Rivieren met haer vruchten. t’ Hoorn, voor David Pieterszen de Vries,
Artillery-Meester vau’t Noorder Quartier ; tot Alckmaer, by Simon Cornelis Breck-
geest, Anno 1655.”
f Communicated in a letter from Dr. Julius, of Hamburgh.
J Christoph Daniel Ebelings, Professors der Geschichte am Hamburgischen Gym-
nasium und Bibliothekars, E r d b e s c h r ei b u n g und Geschichte von Amerika.
iDctcUttCltC* t. v. 132,—This valuable German work remains to te translated.248
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
It may be well to add, that the title of the book in question is
somewhat varied by different writers ; thus, Ebeling gives it as
follows :—“Korte historiael ende journals aentekeninge van vers-
cheyden Voyagiens, 1618-1644,” &c. A French bibliographical
work, professing to contain the titles of all books of voyages and
travels ever published, has the following :—“Korte historiael ende
journaales aenteykeninge van verscheyden Voyagiens in de vier
deelen der Wereldts van de 1618-1644, door Simon de Vries.
Hoorn, 1655, in 4toP* By comparing these with the title as fur-
nished by the. Du Simitiere MS., it will be seen that the dates
(1618-1644) are added, and, in the second at least, compose a
part of the title, which circumstance, together with the change in
the name of the author to Simon de Yries, almost leads us to con-
clude that there were two publications of a similar character by
different writers.
The name of De Yries was not an uncommon one among
the Dutch at that period. Frederick de Yries, a Director of
the West India Company, has been already mentioned as a
partner of our author in the business of colonization. The name
of Jan de Yries often occurs in the colonial records. He resided at
New Amsterdam, and owned land east of the Kolck, now in the
vicinity of Chatham-street. There was also a distinguished navi-
gator, Martin Gerritson de Yries, who performed a voyage to
Japan in 1643 ;f and an island near the bay of Jeddo, in that
country, still bears his name4 It would not be strange, therefore,
if two persons of the name of De Yries, who had visited various
parts of the world, should have published the journals of their voy-
ages in the same year. But, nevertheless, it seems more probable
that the writers to whom we have referred, may have fallen into an
accidental error in regard to the title of the book. And although
the four voyages of David Pieterszen de Yries, as described in the
Du Simitiere MS., were performed from 1630-1644, the original
work may have contained notices of others that took place at a
prior date, and as early as 1618.
* Bibliotheque UnivL'rselle des Voyages, par G. B. de laRicharderie, t. i. 171.
t Biographie Universelle, Ancienne et Moderne, t. xlix. Art. Vries.
| Voyage of the Morrison and Himmaleh to Japan, i. 122. New-York, 1839. See
also Krusenstern’s Voyage round the World, and Atlas.INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
249
The following translation, being the production of a gentleman
whose mother tongue was not the English, is not altogether such
in point of style as could be desired, but its general accuracy may
be relied upon. As the work has never before appeared in an
English dress, the novelty of its details, and their intimate
connexion with the affairs of the Dutch colony, cannot fail to
recommend it to the favour of all who take an interest in our
early history.
Editor.
32250
VOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
EXTRACTS
FROM A
HISTORY AND JOURNAL
OF FOUR VOYAGES,
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD, VIZ I
EUROPE, AFRICA, ASIA, and AMERICA,
BY DAVID PIETERSZEN DE VRIES,
Master of Artillery in the service of the United Provinces, &c.
Two months after my arrival from the East Indies, I met with
a merchant at Amsterdam, named Samuel Godyn. He offered
me a commandership in the New-Netherlands. They had a
mind to form there a colony, and they would employ me there,
as second patroon, as was granted by the States, and by the
19th of the West India Company’s charter. I answered him
that I was willing to accept the offer, upon condition that I
should be a patroon equal in every thing with the others. This
wTas agreed upon ; and in consequence we have formed a pat-
roonship, viz. Samuel Godyn, Killian Van Rensselaer, Samuel
Bloemart, Jan de Laet, and I, David Pieterszen de Vries. Since
that time several more (nom patroons have been added to the
number, viz : Matthys van Keulen, Nicolaes van Sittorigh, Har-
nick Koeck, and Hendrick Hamel. We have mutually made a
contract, in which we have put one another on an equal footing;
and have prepared a ship and yacht for our voyage, as well for
the whale fishing in those parts, as for the colony purpose, the
planting of tobacco, raising of grain, &c. This ship and yacht
sailed from Texel, Dec. 12, 1630, for the South River, (the
Delaware,) in lat. 38° 30’, in order to plant there the colony.
Godyn being informed# that the whales were plenty in those
regions, and fish oil being 60 guilders the hhd., the vessel was
laden with utensils for the fishing, and planters and cattle
for the colony.*
* Oar traveller speaks here only of the whale fishery, which seems not to have
answered the expectation. He went home again, and undertook a second trip
for the same purpose; and was now sole commander and patroon of the expedi-
tion.—Trans.VOYAGES OF BE VRIES.
251
1632.
We learned before we left the Texel, that our little post had
been destroyed by the Indians, and thirty-two men killed
who were working in the field.
Dec. 1. We sounded at 39°—had fifty-seven fathom, and
smelled land, the wind being N. W., occasioned by the odour of
the underwood, which at this time of the year is burned by the
Indians, in order to be less hindered in their hunting. We smell
the land, therefore, before it can be seen. At thirteen to four-
teen fathom, we saw land, from 34° to 40°.
Dec. 3. We saw the opening of the South Bay, or South
River. On the 5th, we went into the bay. We had a whale
near the vessel. We promised ourselves great things, plenty of
whales, and good land for cultivation.
Dec. 6. We ran with the boat up the Kill, and were well
armed lest we should meet with any Indians. We found our
house destroyed. It was surrounded with palisades, instead of
parapets or breastwork, but the most of them had been burned.
We found the ground bestrewed with the heads and bones of our
murdered men, but saw no Indians. Went on board again, and
ordered a gun to be fired, to see if the Indians would come down.
Dec. 7. Saw two or three Indians near our destroyed house.
They did not come near us; wanted we should go to them. I
resolved to go to them next morning in the yacht, in order to
have a shelter from their arrows.
Dec. 8. We went in the yacht up the creek to the house.
The Indians came on the shore, but would not at first come on
board. At last one came. I gave him a dress of cloth, and we
told him that we wished to make peace with them. There now
came more Indians, who expected also a dress, but we gave them
only some trinkets, and told them that we had presented the other
with a dress, because he had shown more confidence in us, as
being the first that ventured to enter the boat. We told them
to come the next day with their chief, whom they call Sakimas,
with whom we would make a satisfactory peace, which they
called Rancontynmaren.it. One of the Indians remained with us
during the night in the yacht. We asked him the reason why
they had killed our people? He showed us a place where our
people had emptied a pillow, to which was attached a piece of tin,
upon which was figured the emblem of Holland. One of their
chiefs wanted to take this piece of tin to make of it tobacco
pipes, not knowing that it was improper. Those who had
the command at the house showed much dissatisfaction, so
that the Indians did not know how to make amends. They252
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
went away and killed the chief who had taken the tin, and brought
a token of it to those who had the command at the house, who
told them that they had done wrong; that they ought to have
come with him to the house, and they would have only told him
not to do so again. They then went away; but the friends of
the murdered chief (these people having much the character of
the Italians, who are greatly addicted to vengeance) had resolv-
ed to be revenged. They attacked our people when they were
working in the field, leaving but a single sick man in the house,
and a large bull-dog, which was chained out of doors. The
man who had the command of the house stood near the door.
Three of the boldest Indians, who were to perpetrate the deed,
came and offered him a parcel of beavers to barter, and contrived
to enter the house. He went in with them to transact the busi-
ness. That being done, he went to a garret where the stores
were. Coming down, one of the Indians cleaved his head with
an axe, so that he dropped dead on the floor. They then mur-
dered the sick man, and then went to the dog, which they
feared most, and shot at least twenty-five arrows at him
before he was killed. They then went in a treacherous manner
to the people in the field, approaching them under the appear-
ance of friendship, and murdered one after the other. Thus
terminated our fir^t colony, to our great loss.
Dec. 9. The Indians came with their chief. They sat down
in a circle, and concluded peace. We presented them with some
duffil,* bullets, axes, and Nuremberg trinkets; and they
promised to present us reciprocally with some articles, having
been a hunting. They parted then with much joy from us,
seeing that we did not take any notice of their behaviour to-
wards us, which we let pass by, well knowing that we had no
chance to take vengeance, they having no fixed abode.
We made now preparations for the fishery and boiling of oil,
and formed a lodging place of some boards.
1633.
Jan. 1. I went in the yacht up the South River to see if I
could obtain some beans from the Indians. We saw a whale
before the embouchure of the river.
Jan. 5. Went before the little fort, where formerly lived
some families of the West India Company. It is called Fort
Nassau.! There were now collected a few Indians, who wanted
to barter some furs, but I wanted only Indian corn, having no
* A kind of cloth resembling blankets.
t This fort was built by the Dutch in 1623, on the east side of the Delaware*
a few miles below Philadelphia.—Ed.VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
253
articles to barter for furs, having presented them all at
Swaenendal (valley of the Swans,) where we had made the
peace. They told us we should go to the Timmerkill, (now
Cooper’s creek,) when an Indian woman belonging to the San-
kitans, came and warned us not to go far up the creek, knowing
that we should be attacked. We gave this woman a dress of
cloth, to make her tell all she knew. She then informed us that
they had murdered the crew of an English boat, which ascend-
ed the Count Ernest river.
Jan. 6. We weighed anchor, and lay before the Timmerkill,
prepared fully to see what the Indians intended to do. A
parcel of Indians now approached the boat, offering some skins
of beavers, entering as many as forty-two or forty-three into the
yacht. Some of them began to play on reeds, so as to give no
suspicion; but we being only seven in the yacht, were upon
our guard, and when we judged that it was high enough, we
ordered them all on shore, or we would fire at them; when their
sachem took an armful of beaver skins and offered them to us,
probably as a trial, but we refused them, and ordered them again
to go to the shore, well knowing that they intended some villany
or other; that Manatoe, as they call the devil, had told us
so. They then went again to the shore, so that their
villanous undertaking miscarried. These were Indians of the
Roodehoek, also called Mantes; they were partly dressed in
English jackets, which gave me much suspicion, as they could
not have obtained this clothing in a fair way, as they never
formed part of the goods taken for barter.
Jan. 8. In the morning we came again before the fort. The
fort was now crowded with Indians, and they were collecting
more and more. There came a canoe to us with nine chiefs
from different places, amongst whom was the man with his
English jacket, which nevertheless he wore not now. They
sat down in a circle, and called for us, saying that they saw we
were in fear for them; that they came on purpose to conclude a
permanent peace with us, presented us with ten beaver skins,
the gift of every one being accompanied with some cere-
monies, saying at the same time in whose name it was given, as
a token of eternal peace ; and that we must now banish all sus-
picion, as they had rejected all evil thoughts. I then offered
them by the translator some presents for each, consisting of an
axe, adze, and a pair of small knives, but these they refused,
saying that they did not give their presents to receive others
in the place of them, but in order to make peace. We told
them that we would give them something for their wives; but
they told us‘we must give it them on shore. On the 9th, and
10th, got some Indian corn and furs in barter of them.254
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
In the morning of the 19th, went upwards of a mile from
Jaques Eyland (the island of Jacques). Went up a fine creek;
the country was handsome, with an abundant growth of vines ;
and gave it therefore the name of Wyngaert’s kill (Vine creek).
As we had failed to get Indian corn in the South river, we
resolved to go to Virginia of the English, it not being probable
that we should find any in the large river near Fort Amsterdam,
for provisions for our returning voyage. None of the Dutch
had been there before us; and as I had been in some danger
in the South river, I would incur more, and would be the
first who visited these places.
[Our traveller is now going to Virginia. He found the land
there in a more advanced and settled state. He sees for the
first time a peach tree ; (one would suppose from this that the
peach tree was indigenous.) He saw the governor, who, under-
standing that he came from the South river, told him that this
river belonged to the British ; that some time ago Lord Delaware
had taken possession of it; but finding the same, from its nume-
rous sand banks, not navigable, did not ascend the same ; that he
sometime ago had sent a sloop there with a few men, who
never had returned, being probably upset at sea. Our travel-
ler told him then that he was mistaken ; that for many years
it had belonged to the Dutch, who had built there a fort called
Nassau ; that it was a fine navigable river ; and as to the crew
of the boat of which he spoke, that he had learned from the
Indians on that river, among whom he had seen the English
jackets, that this crew had been murdered. The governor gave
him six goats to be introduced into his new colony. He bought
some provisions for the ship, and returned. He found that
there were taken seven whales, which gave thirty-two cartels
fish oil, and also found that the whale fishery in those regions
was too expensive and the fish too poor. to yield any profit.
He accordingly prepares to return to Europe. The remainder
of the narrative is mere observations of navigation, &c.]
1633.
Jl'pril 16.—We weighed anchor and went to Staten Island,
where we arrived about noon, opposite Fort Amsterdam. We
found there the ship De Zoutberg, belonging to the West India
Company. It had on board the new Commander, Wouter van
Twiller, from Nieuwkerke. He had been a clerk of the West
India Company at Amsterdam, and he left Holland after we
had gone. I went on shore near the fort. He bade me wel-
come, and asked how the whale fishery had fallen out. I told
him I had a sample of it, and that they were unwise who came
here at such expense to fish for whales. The Company couldVOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
255
have ascertained how this fishing was, by using two or three
sloops from the settlement here ; at least Godyn, who since the
West India Company had been in existence was one of its di-
rectors, and was also a director of the Greenland Whale Com-
pany, ought to have known that these things should have been
tried with less expense.
April 18.—There arrived an Englishman from New Eng-
land. He wanted to ascend the river to trade. There was
on the river a koopman,* named Jacob Elkens, who acted then
as commander. He was not better qualified for this office,
than this commander Van Twilier, who came to his office from
a clerkship—an amusing case. The Englishman invited this
Commander to dine with him. I with some others was of the
company. The people soon got intoxicated, and began to
quarrel. The Englishman was astonished that such irregulari-
ties could take place amongst the officers of the company, and
that the commander had no more control among them—such
things not being customary among the English. He remained
before the fort six or seven days, and then told them he wanted
to go up the river ; that the land belonged to the English. This
was denied, as the English had never landed any people there.
The Englishman answered, that the river had been discovered
by David Hudson, who was an Englishman. It was true, they
replied, that this river was discovered by him in 1609, but that
he was sent by the East India Company of Holland, and that
the river was called Mauritz-river, in honour of the Prince of
Orange.
On the 24th April, the Englishman weighed anchor, and
sailed up the river to Fort Orange, where this Jacob Elkens
formerly resided in the capacity of superior officer (opporhooft,
literally chief). Wouter van Twiller, the commander, collect-
ed thereupon all his people in the fort before his door; ordered
a barrel of wine to be brought, 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 com-
mitted by that Englishman!” But the Englishman was
already out of sight, and quietly sailing up the river. He was
now laughed at by all the people. They knew well how to
get at the bottom of a cask of wine, being a beverage just fitted
to their taste. Even if there had been six casks of wine, they
would have mastered them. But as for the Englishman, they
concluded they would not trouble him, saying the English were
* Of five officers, the lowest was assistant ; the second under-koopman;
the third koopman ; and the fourth upper-koopman. From these degrees
they were advanced to superior officers. Our friend here was only koopman.
There was another officer called book keeper.256
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
their friends. When I took dinner with him that day, I told
him he had acted indiscreetly, as the Englishman had no com-
mission, having only a paper of the custom house, (tol brief,)
from which it simply appeared that he had paid so much, and
had so many passengers on board, being bound for New Eng-
land and not for New Netherlands. I spoke then as if it had
been my case, and told him that I would have made him go
from the fort by the persuasion of some iron beans sent him
by our guns, and would not have allowed him to go up the
river. I told him that we did not put up with those things in
the East Indies. There we taught them how to behave ; and
this is necessary, otherwise nothing can be done with those
people, being of so haughty a nature that they think every
thing belongs to them. That if it had been my case, I would
have sent after him the ship the Zoutberg, and have forced him
down, and driven him out of the river, till he came with a bet-
ter commission than a mere paper of the custom house; and
that they (the English) only made a joke of him.	/
On the 20th of May, I wanted to sail my yacht up to the nortn
of Hellegat (literally, the hole of Hell*), beginning to prepare to
return to Holland. It was then that this Commander began to
play his pranks again, and to juggle as if he were drunk. He
did not want that the yacht should go to the north, and ordered
schepen along side, (boats big enough to contain the whole
yacht) and would unload the yacht, which had only six last (a
last is of the weight of nearly two tons) of stone as ballast in.
I protested against this, showing him the privileges I had of the
Nineteen, (the number of the Directors of the West India Com-
pany, ) and approved by the government, and that I would not have
the yacht unloaded. He then told me he would search the yacht,
as was customary amongst all princes and monarchs, to see if it
had any thing on board, which was subject to the Company; and
then ordered the guns of the fort to be pointed towards the yacht,
and would fire at it. Thereupon I ran to the point where he
stood with the secretary, 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 something, they ought to have fired at the Eng-
lishman, who was violating the rights of their river against
their will. This made them desist from firing. They then
loosened a yacht which lay next ours, and so both sailed to the
north.
Having now every thing prepared, and being ready to take
leave of the governor, he came again to vex me. He would
not that I should go on board with my boat before his boat had
been there to visit my vessel. I told him that my vessel was
Gat, as a sea term, often means a narrow passage or strait, as Gatte-gat,
Barnegat, &c. &c.—Ed.VOYAGES OF BE VRIES.
257
not to be visited ; that I was bound to the father-land (patria);
that if he had letters, he could send them after me; that I would
go to my boat. He then sent immediately twelve armed men
after me to prevent us from going. I asked my people if they
would row. I told them if I was in the boat I would row away;
and if they were possessed of my courage, they would do the
same. They then rowed away ; so that the armed men wrere
heartily laughed at by the by-standers, who ridiculed them, say-
ing in common that they ought to have used their arms and guns
against the Englishman, and prevented his passing the fort to
go up the river, and not against our own patroons of the land,
who were endeavouring to be beneficial to the colony. I went
shortly after to Long-Island, where I had ordered my boat be-
hind the Nooten Eiland (Nut Island); but before I went off, I
went once more to the fort, to take my leave of the governor.
I admonished him not to play the fool in that manner; that he
acted very inconsiderately in sending three armed men to pre-
vent me from going away; that he made himself a laughing
stock for his people. I told him then that if he wanted to send
letters to his masters the Directors of the Company, he could
do so, and send them to me. I then went away. Coming to the
boat on Long-Island, night came on and the tide began to turn,
so that we rowed to Pavoma. We were there well received
by Michael Poulaz, an officer in the service of the Company,
and passed the fort again before day break.
We arrived about noon on board the ship, and about the same
time arrived the yacht of the fort, with letters. I bid them wel-
come, There came on board the sheriff Notelman and the sec-
retary Remunt. I then ordered the goods out of the boat to be
put on board. When they saw a dozen of beaver skins, the
secretary said immediately, “ These must be confiscated, hav-
ing not been entered at the fort.” I told him to take them,
when the sheriff interfered, saying, “ We are not now at the fort,
but let us taste of your wine,” he being somewhat of a bouser,
and this being the case with nearly all of them. I told them
that water was good enough for them—they might fall overboard.
At last the sheriff cried out, “What are we talking longer
about!”—he was dry, and would go to the cabin. If he did wrong
the patroon could make his complaints in Holland. I told the
sheriff, as he was speaking so handsomely, he could enter the
cabin, and that I would give him a glass out of the best cask. If
the others made much ado* they could go. I was now in my
ship, and not under their control. The secretary replied, that
he could send the ship* the Friedberg, after me. I told him
to do so, as the Friedberg had sugar on board, and my crew
would be very glad to eat some sugar with their barley, and I
supposed we would have some chance. I moreover told the
33258
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
secretary, that I was astonished that the West India Company
should send such fools to the colonies, who knew nothing but
how to drink themselves drunk. They would in the East Indies
not be fit for assistants ; that in this way the Company would
soon go to destruction. In the East Indies nobody was ad-
vanced to Commander, but after a long service, and after it was
known that he wras competent for the office; that he had first
to serve as an assistant, then under-koopman, then koopman,
before he came to be upper-koopman; and advanced farther ac-
cording to merit. But the West India Company send out at
once as superior officers people who had never seen any service,
and must of course go to destruction. They then returned
to the fort.
July 24. Arrived at Amsterdam, where I found my associ-
ates at variance with one another, and with other directors of the
West India 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 commis-
sioner. So that our colony-making was now suspended. The
Directors have done nothing but to fight with their own shadows.
As I was at variance with my associates, and they being all
Directors of the West India Company, and continually quarrel-
ling with one another, I have resigned.
De Vries calls this his first voyage; but this voyage, in
fact, contains two trips. In the first he established the house,
which he found destroyed and his people murdered when he
arrived the second time.
Extracts from the Second Voyage to the coast of America,
by David Pieterzen de Vries.
Anno 1634.
I have again with my friends entered into a partnership to
form a colony on the coast of Guyana, or the wild coast, of
which Mr. Jan Bicker is one of the principal patroons. I was
again the first patroon who landed there from Holland.
July. 10. We left the Texel in the ship Koning David, car-
rying 14 guns, twenty-five head of cattle, and thirty planters.VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
259
1635.
April. 30. We arrived in New-Netherlands the first of
June. I went on shore with the boat near Fort Amsterdam,
where I found Wouter van Twiller still governor. I requested
him to send me some carpenters, which was done. I then went
to Virginia, &c.
[This second voyage has little of interest respecting the New-
Netherlands. De Vries spent most of his time in Guiana and
Virginia. He learned that the people who had been placed
in his new colony on the wild coast had deserted, by instigation
of the British. When he was at the house of Wouter Van
Twiller, there arrived a boat of the Company, with fourteen or
fifteen Englishmen, who wanted to take Fort Nassau.]
1636.
June 25. I went to the fort, and found there the governor,
and the minister of Pavonia in the colony of Michael Pauw,
where Cornelis van Vorst acted as superior officer. He had
been at the north, and brought with him some good claret;
knowing that the governor was fond of this article, he went there
also. The governor and minister got a quarreling with Cornelis
van Vorst, about a manslaughter which had been committed
there; but soon matters were made up, and Cornelis van
Vorst, willing to give a salute to the governor from a stone gun
that stood on a pillar near the house, a spark of it lodged on the
roof, which being covered with reed, caught fire, and the whole
house was consumed in less than half an hour.
Aug. 8. The constapel (first gunner) of the fort gave a
frolick. On one of the points of the fort a tent was erected and
tables and benches placed for the invited people. When the
glee was at its height, the trumpet began to blow, which again
occasioned a quarrel, and the koopman of the stores, and the
koopman of the cargasoons, gave the trumpeter names. The
trumpeter, in revenge, gave them each a drubbing, when they
ran home for their swords, and would take revenge of the trum-
peter; and swaggering and boasting much, went to the house of
the governor, and would have eaten the trumpeter ! But when
the wine was evaporated in the morning, their courage was
somewhat lowered, and they did not endeavour much to find the
trumpeter.
Aug. 13. I requested Wouter van Twiller to put Staten260
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
Island down to my name, intending to form a colony there,*
which was granted.
On the 15th I undertook my home voyage.
Third Voyage to New-Netherlands, in order to erect a Colony
on Staten Island, for me and Frederick de Vries,
Secretary of the city of Amsterdam, and
Director of the West India Company.
Anno 1638.
Sept 25. On board the ship of the West India Company,
sailed from Holland.
Dec. 26. Got sight of Sandy Hook. The captain, imagining
he saw land covered with snow, wanted to go to the West Indies
to pass the winter there, and return against spring. I told him that
he certainly could enter into South river, but he having only
my imperfect chart, did not know that such a river existed. He
then, at the request of the passengers, who all had their homes
in the New-Netherlands, solicited me to pilot his ship in, which
I did, and anchored the same evening before Staten Island,
which was my property, and put my people on shore.
On the morning of the 27th, we anchored opposite the Fort,
where we were received with much joy, as they did not expect
to see a vessel at that time of the year. I now found there a
governor named William Kieft. He bade me welcome, and in-
vited me to his house.
1639.
Jan. 5.—Send my people to Staten Island, to commence
the colony and buildings.
June 4.—Went northward with a yacht up the Versche
Rivier (Connecticut river), where the West India Company
possess a small fort called huys de Hoop, (house of hope,)
and anchored about even in the eastern haven, being a large
commodious haven on the north of Long Island. This
haven is in the island, where it is upwards of two miles wide.
We found fine oysters there also. The Dutch call it the Oyster
* De Vries calls the different settlements Colonies, and the whole country
a plantation.VOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
261
bay or haven. We arrived the next evening at Roodeberg, a
fine haven, and found that the English were building a fine town,
having already erected upwards of three hundred houses and a
handsome church.*
In the morning of the 7th, we came opposite de Versche
Rivier. We went up the river, and on the 9th arrived with
my yacht at the fort het huys de Hoop, where we found one
Gysbert van Dyck as commander, with 14 or 15 soldiers. This
fort is situated near the river and a small creek, forming there a
fall. The English had also begun to build here a town {Hart-
ford) against our will, and had already a fine church and more
than a hundred houses erected. The commander gave me orders
to protest against their proceedings. He added that some of his
soldiers had prohibited them to put a plough into the ground,
as it was our land that we had bought of the Indians and paid
for ; but they opposed them, and had given a drubbing to the
soldiers. When I came to the settlement, the English gover-
nor invited me to dinner. I told him during dinner, that he
acted very improperly in taking the lands of the company, which
were bought and paid for by them. He answered me that
these lands were lying uncultivated; that we had been here
already several years, and nothing was done to improve the
ground; that it was a sin to leave so valuable lands unculti-
vated, such fine crops could be raised upon them; that they had
now already built three towns on this river, in which was
abundance of salmon, &c. The English here live soberly.
They drink only three times every meal, and those that become
drunk are whipped on a pole, as the thieves are in Holland.
[Our traveller here speaks at length of the rigorous conduct
of the English in that settlement. It was with extreme difficulty
that the servant of the minister who had been tipsy, got free
from being whipped. While he was there, a young man who
had been married two months was accused before the elders of
the church by his brother, that he had slept with his wife before
marriage. They were both imprisoned and whipped, and during
the space of six weeks separated from each other.]
June 14.—I took leave of the huys de Hoop, and arrived the
next morning at the mouth of the river. We passed several
places where the English were building, and arrived about eve-
ning at the Manattes, opposite Fort Amsterdam,when we learned
the arrival of two vessels from Holland ; the one a company’s
ship, den Harnink, and the other a private ship, de Brand
Van Trogen, from Hoorn, laden with cattle, belonging to
Joachim Pieterz, former commander in the East Indies for the
king of Denmark.
* New Haven, called by the Dutch Roodeberg, or Red Hill.—Ed.262
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
1640.
Feb. 10.—I commenced with my plantation four and a half to
six miles above the fort, being there a fine situation, having
upwards of 31 morgen of corn land, (a morgen is upwards of
two acres of ground,) where we had no trees to cut down ; and
besides for 200 head of cattle in hay land, which is there
very valuable, and situated along the river. I intend to go and
live half the time there, and visited the plantation of Staten
Island, because they did not send me any people from Holland,
as was agreed upon in the contract entered into with Frederick
deVries, director of the West India Company.
April 15.—Went with the boat up the river to Fort Orange,
in order to examine the lands which are situated on the river
We arrived about even at Tappaen. There is here under the
mountains an extensive valley, containing upwards of 200 or
300 morgen clay land, which is three or four feet above water
mark. A creek coming from the highlands runs through it,
containing numerous good mill seats. I bought this valley from
the Indians, being only three miles above my plantations, and
five miles from the fort. There was also much corn land, but
it was too stony to be ploughed.
April 25.—Opposite Tappaen lays a place called Wickquaes-
geck. This land is also fit for corn, but too stony and sandy.
We got there good masts. The land is mountainous.
April 26.—Went up the river ; passed Averstro ; there is a
creek forming a fall; the water made here a tremendous noise ;
the land is high. About noon we passed very high lands, which
extended for about a mile. The river is here the narrowest,
being only from 500 to 600 paces wide, according to my con-
jectures. We passed at evening the Dans Kamer (dancing
room).
April 27.—We came to Esopus ; there is a creek ; and
the Indians are in possession of much corn land, but it is
stony. Arrived about evening opposite the Catskill. Thus far
the shores of the river were very rocky and mountainous, and
not well fit to erect dwellings.
April 28.—We arrived at Beeren Eyland ; we there found
the Indians fishing; the land here is less mountainous, and is
low and well adapted for cultivation. About evening we arrived
near the island of Brant Pylen, below which the Fort Orange
is situated, of which the owners are the Patroons Godyn, Rens-
selaer, Jan de Laet, and Bloemaert; and they had besides three
other farms, which they had very much embellished at the cost
of the West India Company ; the cattle having been sent with
great expense by the Company, and those persons,being commis-
sioners in the New-Netherlands, had well known how to turnVOYAGES OF DE VRIES,
263
things to their own advantage ; so that the company had nothing
but the naked fort, and the commissioners the farms in its vicin-
ity and the trade, and every farmer was a koopman.
July 16.—Cornelius Van Tienhoven, secretary in the New
Netherlands, got a commission of the government of the New
Netherlands to go at the head of about 100 armed men to the
Raritans, a tribe of Indians living near a small river, about
five miles behind Staten Island, to ask satisfaction of these
Indians for the hostilities committed by them at Staten Island,
in the killing of my hogs and those of the Company, which
were guarded by a negro, the robbing of the watch house, the
attack upon the yacht de Vrede, Capt. Cornelius Pieters, and
other trespasses committed. Van Tienhoven being arrived
there, demanded satisfaction according to his orders ; his troops
wanted to kill and plunder, but Tienhoven told them that this
was against his orders ; and at last vexed by the insolence of
his troops, left them, telling them that they were responsible
for the mischief which their disobedience would produce. Van
Tienhoven had hardly gone three quarters of a mile from them,
when the troops had already shot some of them, and captured
the brother of their chief; for whom Van Tienhoven remained
security bound for eighty fathom of seawan ; otherwise they
would have killed us, and burned the house that belonged to me,
David P. de Vries. I learned from Van Tienhoven that a certain
Lookmans had mangled very much the body of the chief’s
brother, standing on a mast with a split wood; and similar ty-
ranny was committed by others in the service of the Company.
July 20.—Went with my boat to Tappaen, to barter some
corn from the Indians. I there met with a boat of the Company,
asking from the Christian Indians a contribution of corn. The
Indians asked me for what purpose I came ? I told them I
wanted to barter com for cloth. They answered that they
could not help me, but I must go up the river. At the same time
they tried to get clear of the Company’s boat, and would then
enter on business with me. They told me that they were
much astonished that the Sakima of the fort dared to exact
such things; that he must be a poor fellow; had not invited
them to come and live here, and he came now to take away
their corn, &c.
Dec. 10.—I commenced to form an establishment at Vries-
sendale. It is a fine place situated along the river, sheltered
by a mountain, and furnishing at least 200 head of cattle hay,
with 30 morgen corn land, and well adapted for the raising of
wheat, containing also some mill sites. In fact I could very
well commence with erecting new plantations ; but unluckily I
was not seconded by my partner, F. de Vries, who was bound
by contract to furnish the necessaries. He was, it seems, of264
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
opinion that colonies are to be erected without people and means,
thinking that such was the case in regard to Godyn, Gilliame
Van Rensselaer, Bloemaert, and Jan de Laet; but it was done
by them at the cost of the company. Having sent them farmers
and cattle, they being at the x same time directors of the West
India Company and commissioners of the New Netherlands,
they saved themselves afterwards by some sinister merchant’s
trick; and the Company having at that time obtained the fine prize
Piet Heyn,* did not think of their lost colony at Fort Orange,
and it was indifferent to the directors if any farms were erected
there; but these fellows deprived Rensselaer, (who was used
to refine pearls and diamonds,) and proceeded so far that they
turned out of office their associates. When Michael Pauw
got to know that the lands of Fort Orange were appropriated
for themselves, he went immediately and had that part below
the fort where the Indians cross the river to bring their bea-
vers, put down in his name*, and called it Pavonia;t which after-
ward, when it was known by the Company, occasioned much
quarreling and jealousy, and prevented the colonies prospering
as they would have done.
1641.
Aug. 20.—Arrived the ship Eyckenboom, and had on board
a person named Malyn, who said he was the owner of Staten
Island, that it was given to him and to Mr. Vander Horst by
the Directors of the Company. I could not believe this, having
left the country, in the year 1638, to take possession of this
island, and in that time have settled there. I could not think
that the Directors of the Company would act in this way, it being
granted by the sixth article, and we being the first occupants,
and of course it could not be taken from us.
September 1.—My people were murdered on Staten Island
by the Indians of Raritans. They told an Indian who was as-
sisting my people, that we should now come to fight for the;
killing of the men as we formerly had done for the hogs, with
the stealing of which they were wrongfully accused. It was
done by the servants of the Company, then going to the South
river, who landed first at Staten Island to take in wrood and wa-
ter, when they stole the hogs, and the blame was laid on the in-
nocent Indians, who, though cunning enough, will do no harm if
no harm is done to them. And so my colony of Staten Island
was smothered in its birth, by the management of Governor
Kieft, who wanted to avenge the wrongs of his people on the
Indians.
* Referring to the naval victory of Admiral Heyn over the Spanish silver
fleet in 1628. Lambrechtsen, supra p. 94.—Ed.
t The Latin of pauw (peacock) is pavo—hence the name Pavonia. Thitf
colony was opposite Fort Amsterdam, in New Jersey.—Ed.VOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
265
Sept. 2.—An Indian chief, belonging to the Tankitekes, call-
ed Pacham, came to the fort in much triumph, with the hand
of a dead man hanging on a stick, saying it was the hand of the
chief who had killed our people at Staten Island, who had
revenged the wrongs of the Swannekins, whose friend he was.
1642.
As I was every day with Commander Kieft, dining generally
at his house, when I happened to be at the fort, he told me one
day that he had now built a fine tavern of stone for the English,
who, passing continually there with their vessels, in going
from New England to Virginia, occasioned him much incon-
venience, and could now take lodgings there. I told him this
was excellent for travellers, but that we wanted very sadly a
church for our people. It was a shame when the English
passed there, and saw only a mean barn in which we performed
our worship.. In New England, on the contrary, the first thing
that they did when they had built some dwellings, was to erect
a fine church. We ought to do the same ; it being supposed
that the West India Company were very zealous in protecting
the reformed (Calvinist) church against the Spanish tyrannyv;
that we had good materials for it; fine oak wood ; fine building
stone; good lime made of oyster shells, being better than our
lime in Holland. Kieft asked me then who would like to su-
perintend this building ? I replied, the friends of the reformed
religion; certainly some of them could be found. He told me
that he supposed that I myself was one of them, as I made the
proposition, and he supposed I would contribute a hundred
guilders ? I replied that I agreed to do so ; and that as he was
Governor, he should be the first. We then elected Jochem
Pieterzen Kuyter, who having a good set of hands, and being
also a devout Calvinist, would soon procure good timber. We
also elected Damen, because he lived near the fort; and thus
we four formed the first consistory to superintend the build-
ing of the church. The Governor should furnish a few
thousand guilders of the Company’s money, and we would try
to raise the remainder by subscription. The church should be
built in the fort, where it would not be exposed to the depreda-
tions of the Indians. Soon the building was started of stone,
and was covered by English carpenters with oak shingles,
which by rains and winds become blue, and look like slate.
About this time a man named Claes Rademaker was murder-
ed by an Indian. When the Indian was asked why he had
murdered the man, he said that when the fort was built, he with
his uncle and another Indian came to barter some beaver skins ;
34266
VOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
when some of the Swannekins robbed his uncle of his skins and
killed him. He was at that time a small boy, and resolved that
when he should become grown to take vengeance of the Dutch,
and no opportunity was offered until now. Commander
Kieft sent out parties of armed men to retaliate for the murder,
but they all miscarried. When Wilhelm Kieft saw that all
his attempts failed, and that it would occasion some mischief,
and the people began to complain and upbraid him that he
was locked up in a good fort, out of which he had not slept one
night as long as he had been there ; that the wars which he
wanted to make were only calculated to give in bad accounts
to the Company—when he sawr that every thing was laid at his
door, he called a meeting of the community, and proposed to
them to elect twelve men, who should with him take the reins
of government.* I was elected one of the number. Gov. Kieft
proposed the question, whether or not the death of Claes Rede-
maker should be retaliated ? and whether we should declare
■war against the Indians ? It was answered that this required
time, as the cattle were all spread through the woods, and the
people themselves scattered in all directions; that it was not
advisable to fight the Indians before we were more numerous,
as the English were also in possession of our towns and
villages. I then told Commander Kieft, that it would not be
beneficial to war against the Indians ; that he was the cause
why my people of the new colony on Staten Island, in the year
1640, had been murdered; that I knew very well that the
Directors of the West India Company werk very much opposed
to any hostilities against the Indians ; and when we were
erecting a colony in 1630, on South river, at Swa^hendael, on
the Hoeren creek, and all our people were murdered by the
Indians, occasioned by some trifling quarrels of our commander,
Gilles Osset, as I have narrated in the beginning of this my
journal—it was then requested of the West India Company to
be allowed to war against the Indians; but the Company did
not permit it, and gave as a reason that we must live in good
harmony with the natives. I related this to the Governor
Kieft, but he did not wish to listen to me. Indeed, the Direct-
ors of the Company ought to have been more careful, and better
acquainted with the officers they sent.
I shortly after met with an Indian who was intoxicated. He
told me that the SwTannekins had sold to him brandy mixed with
water, and stolen his dress of beaver skins; that he was going
home for his bow and arrows, and would shoot one of them.
I advised him not to do so, and left him. I was scarce home,
* See below, p. 277, extracts from the Colonial Records in confirmation of
. this statement of DeVries.—-Ed.VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
267
when in came some of the chiefs of Ackinghsack and Recka-
wangk, not far distant from us, who told me that one of their In-
dians, being intoxicated, had shot a man dead who was working
on the roof of the house of Mr. Van der Vorst. They asked me
what they should do; that they dared not enter the fort; that they
were willing to pay 100 or 200 fathom of seawan (wampum) to
pacify the widow, i told them to go with me to the fort and
speak with the Commander; but they dreaded to go there, fear-
ing that he would not let them depart again; but I gave them
courage, and promised that I would see them home again. At
last they consented, went with me to the fort, and we related to
the Commander what had happened. He told the chiefs that
they must deliver up the man who had committed the murder.
They replied that they could not, he having run off to the Tandi-
tekes ; but if the Commander would permit them, they would
try to satisfy the widow for the death of her husband with sea-
wan. And they said that the Europeans were the cause of it;
that we ought not to sell brandy to the young Indians, which
made them crazy, they not being used to their liquors ; and they
saw very well that even among our people who wrere used to
drink it, when drunk they committed foolish, actions, and often
fought with knives. And therefore to prevent all mischief, they
wished we would sell no more spirituous liquors to the Indians ;
and fearing that the Governor would keep them there, they told
him that they would endeavour to take the man and deliver him
to the Governor, when they took their leave; but going home
they told me that it was impossible for them to deliver the man,
he being also the son of a chief, and so it was dropped.
1643.
Feb. 22. Hostilities commenced about this time between the
Indians, the Mayekanders, who came from Fort Orange, and
those of Wiekquaesgeck, Tappaen and vicinity, whom they
wanted to put under contribution. Eighty or ninety Indians
armed with muskets came from Fort Orange to fight them.
Four or five hundred of the other Indians came to me, begging
for assistance. I told them they ought to be ashamed, they
being so many hundreds to fear 80 or 90 men; that I had heard
them boasting that they were good soldiers, even as good as
Mannetoe himself; besides those of Fort Orange were our
friends, and therefore would not meddle with their affairs. Be-
ing only five of us in the house, I went to the fort and request-
ed of the Governor some soldiers, in order to remain master in
my house. The Governor told me that he had no soldiers, that
I should remain there that night, and he would see in the268
VOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
morning what could be done. I remained there that night. The
next day in the morning came several flocks of Indians going to
Pavonia, near the oyster bank, and encamped there. Some of
them crossed the river and came to the fort. I spoke to some of
them, who told me that the Indians had left my place. These
Indians went to the farm of Corlaers, where there were some
Indians of Rockewack, opposite the fort on Long-Island, amongst
whom was a chief whom they called Hummerus, whom I knew
well.
Feb. 24. Sitting at the table with the Governor, he began to
tell me a piece of his mind. He had a great desire, he said, to
make these savages wipe their chops ; that he had ordered Jan
Claes Damen with Jacob Planck, who had requested it, to
commence the job. I answered him that they were not calcu-
lated for this undertaking; and that such things could not be
done but by the order of the twelve men, and not without my
consent, as I was the head-man of that committee. “ Consider
once, sir,” said I, “ what good it will do—knowing that we lost
our settlements by mere jangling with the Indians at Swanen-
dael, in the Hoeren Creek, in 1630, when thirty-two of our men
were murdered; and now lately, in 1640, at Staten-Island, where
my people were murdered, occasioned by your petty contrivan-
ces of killing the Indians of Raritan and mangling the brother
of their chief for mere bagatelle.” But it seems my words
would take no hold of him. Every thing was settled by his
assertions about this slaughter, desiring now to perform a feat
worthy of the ancient heroes of Rome. And this was resolved
upon without warning the Dutch, who were settled all over the
country, to be on their guard and to escape the vengeance of
the surviving Indians, as it was certain he could not kill all of
them. Having now amply discussed this intention during the
whole dinner, we arose. The Governor asked me if I would
like to see his new parlour which he had been building ? While
there, seeing all the soldiers ready to cross the river to go to Pa-
vonia to commence the massacre, I again spoke to the Governor,
Wilhelm Kieft, and told him to desist from this undertaking.
“You will go,” said I, “to break the Indian’s heads; but it is
our nation that you are going to murder. Nobody in the coun-
try knows any thing of it. My family will be murdered again,
and every thing destroyed.” He told me I might be assured
there would be no danger. He would send some soldiers for
the defence of my place ; but these were promises spent in the
air.
It was in the night between the 25th and 26th of February,
1643, that they executed these fine deeds. I remained that night
at the Governor’s, and took a seat in the kitchen near the fire;
and at midnight I heard loud shrieks. I went out to the parapetsVOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
269
of the fort, and looked towards Pavonia; I saw nothing but
the flash of the guns, and heard nothing more of the yells and
clamour of the Indians, who were butchered during their sleep.
I again went to the fire. Shortly after I had been there, an
Indian man and woman whom I knew entered, and told me
that they had fled from Pavonia; that the Indians of Fort
Orange had surprised them, and that they came there for shel-
ter. I told them immediately to go away, it not being advisable
for them to seek refuge here; and that it was not the savages
of Fort Orange who were murdering those of Pavonia, but it
was the Swannekins, the Dutch themselves. They then asked
me how they would get away out of the fort ? I conducted
them out of the door where there was no sentinel, and they went
into the woods. About day the soldiers returned again to the
fort, having murdered eighty Indians. And this was the feat
worthy of the heroes of old Rome—to massacre a parcel of In-
dians in their sleep, to take the children from the breasts of their
mothers, and to butcher them in the presence of their parents,
and throw their mangled limbs into the fire or water ! Other
sucklings had been fastened to little boards, and in this position
they were cut in pieces ! Some were thrown into the river,
and when the parents rushed in to save them, the soldiers pre-
vented their landing, and let parents and children drown I.
Children of five or six years old were murdered, and some aged
decrepid men cut to pieces. Those who had escaped these
horrors, and found shelter in bushes and reeds, making in the
morning their appearance to beg some food, or warm themselves,
were killed in cold blood, or thrown into the fire or water. Some
came running to us in the country having their hands cut off.
Some had their arms and legs cut off—some who had their legs
cut off, were supporting their entrails with their arms. Others
were mangled in other horrid ways, in part too shocking to be
conceived; and these miserable wretches, as well as some of
our people, did not know but they had been attacked by the
Maquas of Fort Orange.
After these exploits the soldiers were rewarded for their
services, and heartily thanked with a shaking of the hands by ]
Governor and Director Kieft. On the same night forty In-
dians were attacked in their sleep and murdered at Corker’s
Hook and at Corker’s plantation.
As soon as the Indians learned that it was the Swannekins
who had treated them in this manner, they murdered in the
country all the men they could find, but did not kill any females
or children. They burned all the houses and farms, barns,
grain, haystacks ; destroying every thing they could lay hands
upon; in one word, they carried on a most destructive war. They
burned my farm and barn, destroyed my cattle, tobacco, and270
VOYAGES OF DE VRIES.
every thing they found. My people saved themselves by tak-
ing refuge in my dwelling, which, being constructed with em-
brasures, they defended themselves through these. My people
being thus stationed for defence, the very same Indian who
came to me that horrid night when I was sitting near the fire at
the Governor’s, and whom I had conducted out of the fort, made
his appearance. He told the other Indians that I was a good
chief, that I had assisted him, and was very much opposed to
the murdering of their people. They cried then to my people
not to fire; that if they had not destroyed my cattle and farm,
they would not do it now; they would now leave every thing as
it was, and break up the siege of the house.
I now went to Governor Kieft, and asked him if it wras
not now as I had foretold, that he was only murdering a parcel of
Christians ? Who should now make good our damages ? He
did not give me any answer. He only said he was astonished
that none of the savages came to the fort. I asked him why
they should come to him, who had treated them so barbar-
ously ?
March 4. Three Indians bearing a white flag came near the
fort, and wanted to be heard. The governor asked who would
like to go ? Only one, besides myself, Jacob Olferszen, had the
courage to go. We approached the Indians, who told us that
they were sent by their chief to ask the reason why we had
murdered some of his people, who had never done any harm to
the Dutch ? We told them that we did not know that any of
his tribe were amongst the number. They told us we must go
and speak with their chief, who had fled some miles off* near
the sea-shore ; and as we knew that they were well disposed to
us, we ventured to go with them. We arrived about evening
at Rechquaakie. We found the chief, who had only one eye,
with 200 or 300 Indians, and about thirty horses. He brought
us into his house, and offered us wThat he had, as oysters, fish, &c.
He told us we were tired now, and must rest, and in the mom-
ng we would speak about business. I had occasion during the
night to go out of the house. It being moonlight, an Indian ap-
proached me and requested me to come into his dwelling.
When I had entered the house, and saw the man in the light, I
knew him, as he lived only half a mile from my farm Yriessen-
dael. He was there with his wife. They told me that I wras
a good chief, and that I came to Rancontynmarinel, that is, to
make peace. I asked them howr it came that they were so far
from their family. They told me they had been a hunting with
their people &c. I now returned to the house of the chief, as
day began to break. We were awakened and led by one of the
Indians in the woods upwards of 400 paces from the house,
where we found sixteen chiefs from Long-Island, who placedVOYAGES OP DE VRIES.
271
themselves in a circle around us. One of them had a bundle
of small sticks. He was the best speaker, and commenced his
speech. He related, that when we first arrived on their shores,
we were sometimes in want of food; they gave us their beans
and corn, and let us eat oysters and fish; and now for recom-
pense we murdered their people. He here laid down one little
stick—this was one point of accusation. The men whom in
your first trips you left here to barter your goods till your return,
these men have been treated by us as we would have done by
our eye-baljs. We gave them our daughters for wives, by
whom they had children. There are now several Indians, who
came from the blood of the Swannekins and that of Indians;
and then their own blood were now murdered in such villanous
manner. He laid down another stick. I became tired, seeing
that he had a great many sticks in his hand, and told him that
I knew all that; that if some of their Indians were amongst
those of Long-Island, the Dutch did not know it; and if it were 4
the case, they should go with us to the fort, and the governor
would give them presents to make peace with them. Their
speech finished, they presented each of us with ten fathom of
seawan, (every fathom being equal to four guilders.) They arose
and told us, that they would go with us to the fort, and speak
with our governor. We went to the canoes. Being there, an
Indian armed with bows and arrows came running to us. He
came six miles distance from a chief who had not been with us,
and asked the other Indians if they were fools, to go to the fort
to such villains who had murdered their friends? When so
many chiefs come to the fort, said he, the Governor will keep
them all, so that all the Indians would be without chiefs; that the
chief from wThom he came disapproved very much that they should
go. They then asked me, if I understood what had been said?
I told them that this Indian was wrong; that if they would go to
the fort, they would find the contrary, and return with presents.
One of the chiefs who knew me very well, told them that upon
my word they would go to the fort; that the Indians had never
heard any lie from me, as was the case with many Swannekins.
We then went, twenty in a canoe, and arrived about 3 o’clock,
P. M. at the fort. Went to W. Kieft. Peace was made, ana
some presents given to the chiefs, and we requested them to
bring those chiefs who had lost so many of their men also to
the fort; that the governor wanted to make peace with them,
and give them presents. Some of them then went out, and re-
turned with Indians of Ackingsack andTappaen, and their vicin-
ity, and the chiefs of those soon came also. The governor
gave them some presents, but they were not well satisfied and
parted grumbling.
July 20.—One of the chiefs told me he was melancholy. I272
VOYAGES OP BE VRIES.
asked him the reason. He said there are many of the young
Indians much dissatisfied, and want to war with you. The
one having lost his father, the other his mother, a third again
his uncle or some other of his friends ; that the presents given
bore no proportion to their loss and is therefore no recompense.
He bad tried to satisfy them by presents out of his own purse,
but could not reconcile them. Wherefore he advised me not to
go alone in the woods, there being no danger from those who
knew me, but it might happen that I should meet with Indians
who did not know me, and would then kill me. I requested
him to go with me to Governor Kieft and tell him the same
things. We went to the fort, and the chief told the Governor
the same things he had communicated to me. The Governor
told him, that he being a chief ought to kill those boobies who
wanted to war again with the Swannekins, and he would give
him for recompense 200 fathom of seawan. He answered that
he could do no such things ; that he had endeavoured to quiet
them, but feared he should not long succeed, they calling con-
tinually for vengeance.
Oct. 1.—Nine Indians came to Pavonia, at which place were
stationed three or four soldiers, who were there for defence of a
farmer, Jacob Staffelsz. They were well disposed towards this
man, and did not want to kill him ; so they went to him and
pretended that they wanted to cross the river and go to the fort.
When he was gone, they came under the cloak of friendship to
the soldiers, who having no muskets in their hands, every one
was killed, except a fore-son of the wife of Staffelsz, whom
they carried off to Tappaen. They burned the farm and all
the houses at Pavonia, and thus commenced again a new war.
The next day the Governor came to my house, with the step-
father of the little boy who had been carried off by the Indians.
He asked me if I would go to the Indians to ransom this boy,
as nobody dared to go amongst them but myself. I told them
I would procure one or two Indians, but when they should be
in the fort no harm must be done to them, because I would
make myself responsible for them. I then went over to Long
Island, and brought with me two Indians to go to Tappaen to
free the boy. When I came over, every one wanted to kill the
Indians, and I had much ado to prevent it. I brought them on
board of a privateer which was then in the river, and sailed
with them to go and free the boy. When I returned with the
boy, I went to the fort to take leave of the Governor. I told
Wilhelm Kieft, that I doubted not that vengeance for the inno-
cent blood which he had shed in his murderings, would sooner
or later come on his head. And then I left him, and sailed on
board of a Rotterdam fisherman’s boat to Virginia, in order to
proceed from thence to Europe.VDYXGES OF BE VRIES?
273
[The remainder of this voyage consists only of local descrip-
tions of some of the Virginia coasts and grounds, of interest only
to navigators. When he reached the South river, he found the
Swedes had taken possession of many places, and built several
forts. The first fort of the Swedes he found on the Varckenkill.
They fired at his boat, and ordered him to strike his flag. The
commander of this fort was Capt. Printz. It appears from
the sequel of this narrative that in 1630, when De Vries had a
settlement on Swanendael, no Swedes were known on the river,
and now they already had three forts. The poor Dutch were
robbed in this way in the north by the sober and pious English*
men, and in the south by the Swedes, who it seems were not
very sober^ as they bought from the captain of the vessel a good
quantity of wine and sweet meats. And De Vries says, that
Printz was a man weighing upwards of 400 lbs., and doubts
not that he drank three drinks at every meal ;* and that neither
there nor in Virginia, was intoxication, or incontinence, pun-
ished with whipping. Fort Nassau lay three miles higher up
the river, where were yet some of the people of the West India
company. The Swedes had also a fort at the Minquaes Kill,
with a few houses. The first fort was called Elsenburg, on
which they had eight metal guns of twelve pounds; the se-
cond' was Christina, and the third New Gottenberg. They
then went to James River ; arrived on the 22d at Jamestown,
and spent one night at the house of Capt. Matthews, who was*
among the first that settled in Virginia. On the 28th he went
on board, and arrived May 1, 1644, in the Downs, and on the
21st June, at his Patria Hoorn.—Trans.*]
A few extracts from a Description of New-Netherlands in
1649, contained in the Du Simitiere MSS.
When the Dutch first arrived, the Indians never having seen
a vessel, nor knowing that there existed any other country but
theirs, did not know what to make of those large ships. They
thought they had dropped from heaven. Some thought it was
the devil; others again that it was a large fish, or sea monster.
We ourself have often heard all this said by the Indians.
*rsaw in the small map of the New-Netherlands on the North River the
word rack, often repeated. This word is obsolete ; its signification being an
almost straight running part of a river or r^ad.—Trans.
35274
YOYAGES" OF DE VRIES,
The forts situated on the different rivers were particularly
erected to protect the possessions of the colonists, and prevent-
foreign nations from settling on the lands of the Company.
This nevertheless has not prevented some, particularly the Eng-
lish, from building towns and villages from Cape Cod, (where in
1609 the arms of their High Mightinesses were erected,, and
called by us New-Holland,) to the distance of eighteen miles
from the North river ; the British having now a village called
Stam-Foort, from which a man can walk to the North River and
return again in one day. Also the English of New-Haven have
erected a house of commerce on the east side of Magdalenen
island, not more than eighteen miles from the North river—
this island being only seventy and a half miles above Fort
Amsterdam, and is only erected there that they might take to
themselves the whole of the trade of the North river, or to ruin
the same. They also eight or nine years ago endeavoured to
purchase from the Indians large tracts, of land situated three or
four miles distant from the colony of Rensselaerwyck, This
they now want to make appear as consistent with their most
purified consciences; notwithstanding that it is mentioned in
the grant of King James that they should remain,, the one from
the other, a distance of one hundred miles..
All the islands, bays, rivers, havens, creeks and places far
beyond Cape Cod, have received Dutch names, because it was
the Dutch who first discovered them, and this is well known to
the English. But this being against their interest, they want
to make it appear that they know nothing about it. Even those*
of Fresh river have offered to compensate, give an annual
revenue, or to buy out. Certainly this shows that they know wrell
that we are the right owners, and that it seemed that they
began to feel that it was not exactly consistent with their most
puritanical consciences. Nevertheless they have from time to
time been able to find out some palliative to keep that con-
science at ease, and have continued to take our land.
[It seems that all our Dutch writers who spent some time in
New-Netherlands, were more exasperated against the pious
New-Englanders than against the Virginians.—Trans.]
Also those of Rhode Island (Roode Eyland, which literally
signifies Red Island) when they were at variance with those of
the Bay, begged shelter and to be adopted amongst the Dutch.
In short it is thus situated, that the English know very well the
Dutch, when it is] their interest to know them; or if they can
use them as a cloak to cover when necessary some of their
deeds ; but otherwise they do not mind them a fig, and set them
up as a laughing stock; and this is only produced by their ego-
tism and self-interest..VOYAGES OP BE VRIES.
<275
Long Island, which by its fine situation, noble bays and
havens, as well as by its fine lands, may be called the crown of
the province, is also entirely invaded by them, except at the
western extremity, where are two Dutch villages, Breukelen and
Amersfoort, which are not of much consequence, and a few
English villages, as Gravesant, Greenwyck, Mespat, where
during the war the inhabitants were expelled, and since
confiscated by the Director Kieft. But the owners having appeal-
ed, it is yet in statu quo. There are not many inhabitants now.
Also Ylissingen, a fine village, well stocked with cattle, and
fourthly and last, Heemsted, better than the others and very rich
in cattle.
But as we are now on Long Island, we will (as it seems the
British are craving this in particular) say a little more about it.
From the beginning of our settling here, this island has been in-
habited by the Dutch. In 1640, a Scotchman came to Director
Kieft, having an English commission, and claimed the Island,
but his pretence was not much regarded, and he departed again,
without effecting any thing except to rouse a little of the mob.
Afterwards the Director Kieft subdued and destroyed the British
who wished to trade in Oyster Bay ; and thus it remained for
some time. Another Scothman came in 1647, named Captain
Forester, and claimed this island in the name of the dowager
van Sterling, whose governor he pretended to be. He had a
commission dated the 18th year of king James’s reign, but it
was not signed by the king, nor any body else. An old seal
was attached to it, which was almost entirely obliterated. His
commission covered the whole of Long-Island, with five sur-
rounding islands, as well as the main land. He also had a power
of attorney from Maria dowager van Sterling. Nevertheless
the man valued these papers much, and said on his arrival that
he would examine the commission of the Governor Stuyvesant.
If it was better than his, he would give it up; and if not, Stuy-
vesant must. In short, the Director took copies of these papers,
and sent the man over in the Yalkemer, but the vessel touch-
ing in England, he did not arrive in Holland.
DOCUMENTS FROM THE COLONIAL RECORDS.
Aug. 30, 1645. This day, being the 30th August, appeared
in Fort Amsterdam before the Director and Council in the pres-
ence of the whole Commonalty, the Sachems in their own be-
half, and for Sachems in their neigbourhoods, viz: Oratany,
chief of Ackkinkeshacky, Sesekennick and Willem, chief of
Tappaans and Reckgawawank, Pokarn, Pennekeck, who were£70
-DOCUMENTS FROM
here yesterday, and did give their power of attorney to the
former, and took upon them the responsibility for those of Ouany
and its vicinity, viz: those of Majanwetinnemin, those of
Marechhourick, Nayeck and their neighbours, and Aepjen, who
personally appeared, speaking in behalf of Wappinex, Wiquae-
shex, Sintsings, and Kichtawanghs.
1.	They conclude with us a solid and durable peace, which
they promise to keep sincerely, as we oblige ourselves to do in
the same manner.
2.	And if (which God in his mercy avert) there should arise
any difficulty between us and them, war . shall not be renewed,
but they shall complain to our governor, and we to their sa-
chems ; and if any person should be murdered or killed, justice
shall be directly administered on the murderer, and henceforth
we shall live together in amity and-peace.
3.	They may not come on the island Manhattan with their
arms in the neighbourhood of Christian dwellings ; neither will
we approach their villages with our guns, except we are con-
ducted thither by a savage to give them warning.
4.	And whereas there is yet among them an English girl
whom they promised to conduct to the English at Stamfort,
which they yet engage to do ; and if she is not conducted there,
•she shall be guided here in safety, while we promise to pay
-them the ransom which has been promised by the English*
All which we promise to keep religiously throughout all
New-Netherlands. Done in Fort Amsterdam, in the open air,
by the Director and Council in New-Netherlands, and the
whole Commonalty, called together for this purpose ; in the pre
sence of the Maquas ambassadors, who were solicited to assist
in this negociation, as arbitrators, and Cornells Anthonisson,
their interpreter and arbitrator with them in this solemn affair.
Done as above.
The original treaty was signed with the mark of Sisindogo,
the mark of Claes Norman, the mark of Oratany, the mark of
Auronge, the mark of Sesechemis, the mark of William of
Tappaan. William Kieft, La Montagne, the mark of Jacob
Stoffelsen, Jan Onderhili, Francis Donthey, George Baxter,
Richard Smith, Gysbert Opdyck, the mark of Aepjen, Sachem
of the Mohicans, Jan Evertson Bout, Oloft Stevenson, Corne-
Jis van Hoykens, the mark of Cornelis Teunissen.
By my order, Cornelius Van Tienhoven, Secret.
* This is supposed to have been a daughter of the famous Ann Hutchinson,
■who was banished from Boston for religious heresy, and took refuge among the
Dutch near Stamford, where she was killed by the Indians in Sept. 1643. Her
daughter, jeight years of age, was taken prisoner, and afterwards restored by the
jriteryention.of Governor Kieft,—Ed .'THE COLONIAL RECOJIDS.
277
\Extract from the translated Colonial Records, in the office of
the Secretary of State, at Albany * Vol. II. p. 137.
“November, 1641, Articles proposed to the chiefs and
masters of families, subjects to the West India Company, and
residing here, by the Honourable Director and Council of New- ;
Netherlands :—1. If it is not just that the murder lately com-
mitted by a savage upon Claes Smits, be avenged and punish-
ed ; and in case that the Indians will not surrender the murderer
at our requisition, if it is not just to destroy the whole village
to which he belongs ?	2. In what manner and when this ought
to be executed? 3. By whom can this be effected?55
“Answer of the twelve select men chosen by the common-
alty to answer the above Articles. To the first:	They deem
it in every respect expedient that this murder be punished and
avenged, as it was proposed by the Honourable Director,
while God and the opportunity ought to be taken in consider-
ation. ; meanwhile all the means may be prepared and provided,
and especially the Director General is requested to provide a
sufficient number of coats of mail for the soldiers, as well as
for the freemen who are willing to pay their share in these ex-
penses. 2. That meanwhile the kind intercourse and the
trade in corn should be continued with them as before, till God’s
will and proper opportunity is offered; but that no person of
whatever state or condition he may be, shall presume to adopt
any hostile measures against the savages either by water or by
land, except against the murderer, while all are warned to be on
their guard. And further, when the Indians are on their hunting
excursions, then it may be advisable to divide ourselves into two
parties, viz., the one to land near Rapela, the other party by
Miqua’s creek, to surprise them from both sides; while the
Honourable Director may employ in this expedition as many
negroes of the strongest and most alert, as he can spare, and
arm them with a tomahawk and a small half pike.
“3. Whereas we do not acknowledge another chief besides j
the Honourable Director, who is as well our ruler as he is the
■Commander of our soldiery, therefore the Honourable Director,/
to prevent confusion, ought to lead the van, while we offer ourj
persons to follow his steps and obey his commands.
“We deem it further advisable, that the Honourable Director
send further once, twice, yea, even for the third time, a shallop
to demand the surrender of the murderer in a friendly manner,
♦See above, p. 266.278
DOCUMENTS FROM
to punish him according to his deserts, to lure the savages into
security, without using any threats.
“ On which the following persons (the select men, who had
been chosen for the purpose) took their oath to keep their advice
secret, viz. Jaques Bentyn, Moryn Adriaensen, Jan Damen,
Hendrick Jansen, David Pieterszen de Vries, Jacob Stoffels,
Abraham Molenaer, Frederick Lubbers, Jochen Pieterszen,
Gerrit Derksen, George Rapalje, Abraham Plane. So truly
help them God.”
In addition to the foregoing answer to the questions proposed
by the Governor, (or Director General, as he was usually
styled,) the advisory opinion of each of the twelve was taken
separately, and most of them were duly recorded ; as the opin-
ion of De Vries is not entered upon the Records with the resli
it was probably omitted on account of his disagreement with
his associates and the Governor as to the course expedient to
be pursued towards the Indians. That he was opposed to war
in any event, appears clearly enough from his own account of
the matter.
The following document, wdiich we have also copied from
the Colonial Records, may be interesting in this connexion.
“ Sergeant Rodolf is commanded and authorized to take
under his command a troop of soldiers, and lead them to Pavonia,
and drive away and destroy the savages being behind Jan Even-
sens, but to spare as much as it is possible their wives and child-
ren, and to take the savages prisoners. He may watch there for
the proper opportunity to make his assault successful; for
which end Hans Steen, who is well acquainted with every spot
on which the savages are skulking, accompanies him. He
therefore shall consult with the aforesaid Hans Steen and the
corporals. The exploit ought to be executed at night with the
greatest caution and prudence. Our God may bless the expe-
dition.
“Done 25 February, 1643.”
A Fast day was appointed for the fourth of March following,
in consequence of the troubles with the Indians, which continu-
ed to disturb the colony. Peace being at length restored, the
government ordered a general Thanksgiving to be observed
throughout the limits of the New-Netherlands. It is generally
supposed that this festival was peculiar to the Puritan colonies ;
but its occasional occurrence, at least, among the Dutch, is
fully shown by the following Proclamation of Governor Kieft,
issued in accordance with a resolution of the Council, August
31st, 1645:—
“Whereas, God Almighty has been pleased, by his grace
and mercy, and in addition to the numerous blessings that we
have enjoyed, to bestow on this country that long desired peace
V
}THE COLONIAL RECORDS.
279
with the savages—so has it been deemed becoming to proclaim
this good tidings throughout the New-Netherlands, with the
intention that in all places where there are any English or Dutch
churches, God Almighty shall be thanked and praised, on the
sixth day of September next, in the forenoon. The words of
the text must be applicable to the occasion, and the sermon
likewise.”
Wouter van Twiller, Director General.
This personage of whom De Vries speaks with so little re-
spect, was superseded by William Kieft in March, 1638, The
following deposition appears in the records of that period,
and tends to confirm the charge of incompetency brought
against him by our author—
“This day appeared before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven,
Secretary in the New-Netherlands, at the request of William
Kieft, Director General of the privileged West India Com- .	. *
pany in New-Netherlands, Jacob JHToffelsen, Overseer, aged	'
about thirty-seven years, Gillis Petersen van der Gouw, house
carpenter, aged twenty-seven years, Tymen Jansen,* ship car-
penter, aged thirty-six years, who jointly declared in presence
of the undersigned witnesses, that it is true, that in the year'
1638, the twenty-eighth day of March, being the day on which \
William Kieft arrived here in the ship the Haring, said Director i
Kieft did find Fort Amsterdam in a decayed state ; that it was
open on every side, so that nothing could prevent to go in or
out of the same except at the stone point; all the guns from
their carriages ; five farms without tenants thrown in commons
without one single creature remaining in property to the Com- ,
pany, all having been disposed of in other hands. Further,
every vessel was in the worst condition, except the yacht
Prince William, which might be employed, besides a new one
on the stocks. The house in the fort required considerable re-
pair ; so likewise five other brick houses, frame houses, the
Church, the lodge and smith’s shop. One grist and saw mill in
operation; another out of repair, and a third burned. The
place of the magazine for the wares and merchandize with
difficulty can be discovered where it once stood. Besides this
the late Director van Twiller has undertaken different works on j
account of other persons. All which we witnesses declare to /
be true, willing if required to sanction this by a solemn oath,
and this we attested, to pay our homage to the truth, particular-
ly when requested to do it.
“ Done in Fort Amsterdam, 16th April, 1639.
* Anglice, Timothy Johnson.280
DOCUMENTS.'
, “ Signed as above, and witnessed by Wybrant Petersen and'
Mauntz Jansen.”
Van Twiller continued to reside for some time at New-Am-
sterdam after he had retired from the office of director general.
The following document, showing a transaction to which he
was a party, is taken from the first volume of the Colonial Re-
cords, pp. 3—4, which commence with the administration of
Gov. Kieft:—
“This day appeared before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven,
Secretary in behalf of the privileged West India Company,
here in New-Netherlands, the Honourable, Wise and Prudent
de Heer* William Kieft, from one side, Director General of
New-Netherlands, and the Honourable, Wise and Prudent de
Heer Wouter Van Twiller, ci-devant Director General, from the
other side, who amicably agreed about the rent of the farm
(bouwery)* No. 1, belonging to the Directors of the privileged
West India. Company, Department of Amsterdam, viz. that
the noble Director Kieft has rented to de Heer Wouter van
Twiller, who too acknowledges to have rented said farm, and
well for three successive years, to begin May 1st, 1638, and to
end May 1st, 1641, and this for the sum of two hundred and
fifty caroli guilder] annually; besides this a fair sixth part of all
the produce with which God shall bless the field, either growing
on the spot, or gathered in shocks, as then may be agreed to
receive by the present Director; with the stipulation that. said
Honourable van Twiller shall be obliged at the expiration of
the said three years to sow again said farm, and to keep said
lands in good order, for all which said contracting parties submit
their persons and property, real and personal, present and future,
without exception, to the supreme court of the Province of
Holland, besides any other courts of justice, all in good faith
without any fraud or malice. In truth of which two similar
copies have been made, signed by the respective parties.
‘‘ Done at the Fort of New-Amsterdam in New-Netherlands,
this twenty-second day of April, Anno Domini, 1638.
(Signed)
William Kieft,
Wouter Van Twiller.’*
* The translator renders this title by the English “ Sir,’’ (c< Sir William
Kieft,”) which is evidently a mistake, as the title of Sir belongs to a knight, in
Dutch, Bidder. Lambreehtsen applies the address de Heer to Rev. Mr. Miller,
(de Heer Miller) with the force of little more than Mr.
f A Dutch guilder or florin, of which two and a half are equivalent" to a
dollar.—Ed.