F 122 
 . 1 
 
 . J86 
 Copy 1 
 
 I. 
 
 JOURNAL 
 
 OF 
 
 NEWNETHERLAND. 
 
 1647. 
 
 TTritten in the years 1641, 1642, 1643, 1644, 1645 and 1646 
 [Translated from Hoi. Doc. Ill] 
 
 Vol. IV. 
 
F 122 
 . 1 
 
 . J86 
 Copy 1 
 
 I. 
 
 JOURNAL 
 
 OF 
 
 NEWNETHERLAND. 
 
 1647. 
 
 Tfritten in the years 1641, 1642, 1643, 1644, 1645 and 1646 
 [Translated from Hoi. Doc. III.] 
 
 ^.^■^:^ 
 
 Vol. IV 
 
F 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 Brief DescrijJiioii of JVew Kdherland. 
 
 New Nf.therland (so called because it was first frequented 
 and peopled by free Nctherlanders) is a province in the most 
 northern part of America lying between N. England (which 
 bounds tliem on the N. E. side) and Virginia lying to tlie S. W. 
 The Ocean is confined along its wh(;le length by a clean sandy 
 coast, very similar to that of Flanders or Holland, havhig except 
 tlie rivers k.\\ bays or Harl)ors for ships, tlie air is very temperate, 
 inclining to dryness, healthy, little subject to sickness. The 
 f()ur seasons of the year are about as in France, or tlie Nether- 
 lands tlie diiference is, the Spring is sliorter because it begins 
 later, the Summer is warmer because it comes on more suddenly, 
 the Harvest is long and very pleasant, the Winter cold and 
 liable to much snow ; two winds ordinarily prevail : the N. W. 
 in Winter and the S. W. in Summer : the other winds are not 
 common ; tlie N. W. corresponds witli our N. PI because it 
 blows across the country from the cold point as our N. E. does. 
 The S. W. is dry and liot like our S. E. because it comes from 
 the Warm countries ; the N. E. is cold and wet like our S. W. 
 for similar reasons. The character of tlie country is very like 
 that of France ; the land is reasonably hilly and level. To wit, 
 broken along the coast by small Rocky hills unfit for agriculture ; 
 fartlier in the interior are prr^tty higli Mountains (generally ex- 
 hibiting great appearance of minerals) between which flow a 
 great number of Snuxll Rivers, in some places there are even 
 some Lofty ones of Extraordinary Height, but not many ; its 
 fertility falls behind no province in Europe in excellence as in 
 cleanness of fruits and seeds. There are three princii)al rivers, 
 to wit: the Fresh, 'the Mauritius^ and the South' River all three 
 reasonably wide and deep, adapted for the navigation of large 
 
 1 Connecticut. 2 Hudson. 3 Delaware. 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NKTIIERLAND. 
 
 ships twdity five miles n]>' .-ind of common barks even to the 
 falls, from the river Mauritius (»!? to beyond the Fresh river 
 stretches a Ciinul that forms an Island, forty miles long, called 
 Long Island, which is the ordinary passage from N. England to 
 Virginia having on both sides many harbours to anclior in so 
 that peo]>le make no dilficulty about navigating it in winter. 
 The Country is generally covered with trees, except a few valleys 
 and Some large Flats of Seven or Eight miles and less ; the trees 
 are as in Europe — viz. Oak, Hickory, Chestnut, Vines. The 
 auim.ds are also of the same species as ours, except Lions and 
 some other strange beasts, many Bears, abundance of Wolves 
 •wliich harm nobody but the small cattle, Elks and Deer in 
 abundance, Foxes, Beavers, Otters, Minx and such like. The 
 birds, which are natural to the Country are Turkeys like ours, 
 Swans, Geese of three sorts. Ducks, Teals, Cranes, Herons, Bit- 
 terns, two sorts of Heath fowls or Pheasants. The River fish is 
 like that of Europe, viz. Carp, Sturgeon, Salmon, Pike, Perch, 
 Roach, Eel, &c — In the Salt waters are found Codfish, Shellfish, 
 Herring and so forth, also abundance of oysters and muscles. 
 
 The Indians are of ordinary stature. Strong and broad 
 shouldered ; olive color, light and nimble of foot, subtle in dis- 
 position, of few words which they previously well consider, 
 hypocritical, treacherous, vindictive -, brave and obstinate in 
 self defence, in time of need right resolute to die. They seem to 
 despise all tlie torments tliat can be inflicted on them without 
 once uttering a sigh — go almost naked except a lap whicli hangs 
 before their nakedness, and on the shoulders a deer skin or a 
 mantle, a fathom square of woven Turkey feathers or peltries 
 sewed together, they make use now greatly of Duffels, Cloths 
 Blue or Ked, in consequence of the frequent visits of tlie 
 Cluistians. In winter they make shoes of Deer Skins, manufac- 
 tured after, their fishion. Except their chiefs, they have 
 generally but one wife whom they frequently change according 
 to caprice ; she must do all the work, as well corn planting as 
 wood cutting and whatever else is to be done. They are divided 
 into various nations. They differ even in Language, which 
 
 1 Dukli miles one of wlii<'li is equal to three English: Tr. 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 would be altogether too long to be narrated in this short space. 
 They dwell together mostly from friendship, in tribes over which 
 commands a chief wiio is General and is generally called Sackema 
 possessing not much authority and little advantage, Unless in 
 their dances and other ceremonies. They have hardly any 
 knowledge of God, no Divine Worship, no Law, no Justice, the 
 Strongest does what he pleases and the Youtlis are master. 
 Their weapons are the Bow and Arrow, in the use of which they 
 are Wonderful adepts. They live by Hunting and Fishing in 
 addition to maize which the Women Plant. 
 
 By Whom and, How JVew JVelherland was peopled. 
 
 The subjects of the Lords States General had frequented tliis 
 Country a long time ag9 solely for the purpose of the fur trade. 
 Since the year 1623 the Incorporated West India Company 
 caused four Forts to be erected in that Country — Two on the 
 River Mauritius and one on each of the other [rivers] ; the 
 biggest stands on the Point formed by the Mauritius river and 
 the other mentioned heretofore ; their Honors named it New 
 Amsterdam ; and six and thirty miles upwards another called 
 Orange that on the South river is Nassaw and that on Fresh 
 River, the Good Hope, the Company hatli since continually 
 maintained garrisons there ; In the beginning their Honors liad 
 sent a certain number oi Settlers thither, and at great expense had 
 three Sawmills erected, which never realised any Profit of conse- 
 quence, on account of tlieir great charge, and a great deal of money 
 was expended for tlie advancement of the country, but it never 
 began to be settled until every one had liberty to trade with the 
 Indians, inasmuch as up to this time no one calculated to remain 
 there longer than the expiration of his bounden time, and there- 
 fore did not apply themselves to Agriculture. Yea, even the 
 Colonie of Renselaerwyck was of little consequence but as soon 
 as it [the trade] was opened, many Servants, who had prospered 
 under the Company, applied for their discharge, built houses and 
 formed plantations, spread themselves broad and wide, Each 
 seeking the best land, and to be nearest the Indians in order thus 
 to trade with them advantageously, mothers bought Barks with 
 
O JOLKNAL 01" NKW NETHERLAND. 
 
 which to trade goods at the North and at the South, and as the 
 Lords Diiectors gave free passage from Holland tliitlierjtliatalso 
 caused many to come : < ►n the otlier liand, the Englisli came 
 both from Virgiuia and N. England. Firstly, divers Servants, 
 whose time with their masters had expired, on account of the 
 good opportunity to plant Tobacco here — afterwards Families 
 and'finalJy entire Colonies, forced to (pit tliat place both to enjoy 
 freedom of conscience and to escape from the Insupportable 
 (jovernmeut of N England and because many more commodities 
 were easier to be obtained here than there, so tliat in place of 
 Seveti Bouxverics and Tlco (a, three plantations whieli were licre, 
 men saw thirty Boi{wcrie6, as well cultivated and slocked as in 
 Europe. A Hundred Plantatiuns wliich in Two or tlireejyearsj 
 would become regular Eouweries. For after the Tobacco was 
 out tlie ground, Curn Was planted there without ploughing. In 
 winter men were busy preparing new lands. Five English 
 Colonies whicli by Charter luid [settled] under us on equal terms 
 as tlie others. Each of these was in appearance not less than a 
 hundred families strong, exclusive of the Colonic of Kensselaers * 
 Wyck which is prospering, with that of Myndert Meyndertsz 
 and Cornells Mul}u, who begun lirst, x\lso, the Village {Vleck) 
 N. Amsterdam around the fort, allundred families, so that there 
 was appearance of producing supplies in a year for Fourteen 
 thousand Souls, without straining the Country, and were there 
 no want of laborers or Farm servants twice as much could be 
 raised, considering that fifty lasts of Kye and fifty lasts of Peas 
 still remained over around the fort after a large quantity liad 
 been burnt and destroyed by the Indians, Wiio in a sliort time 
 quickly brought this Coiuitry to nought and had well nigh 
 destro3'ed tliis good hope. In manner following — 
 
 TVte Cause of the J^ew J^^herland War and the Sequel thereof. 
 
 We have already stated that the cause of the population of N. 
 Netherland was the Liberty to trade with the Indians. We shall 
 now prove that it also is tlif* cause of i!s ruin, producin"- two 
 contrary effects, and tliat not without reason as shall appear from 
 the following. * 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NKTHERLAND. 7 
 
 This Liberty then wliich in every respect was most gratefully 
 receiv^ed, of which use should have been made as of a precious 
 gift, was very soon perverted to a great abuse. For Every one 
 thought that now the time had come to make his fortune, with- 
 drew himself from his Comrade, as if deeming him suspected and 
 the Enemy of his Desire, Sought communication with the Indians 
 from whom it appeared his profit was to be derived. That 
 created first a division of power of dangerous consequence, in 
 opposition to their Mightinesses' Motto' — produced altogether 
 too much familiarity with the Indians which in a short timo 
 brought forth contempt, usually the Fatlier of Hate — not being 
 satisfied with merely taking them into their houses in the cus- 
 tomary manner, but attracting them by Extraordinary attention, 
 such as admitting them to tlie table, laying napkins before them, 
 presenting Wine to them and more ot tliat kind of thing, which 
 they did not receive like Esop's man, but as their due and desert, 
 insomuch that they were not content but began to hate when 
 such civilities were not shewn them. To this familiarity and 
 freedom succeeded another Evil. As tlie Cattle usually roamed 
 through the Woods without a Herdsman, they frequently came 
 into the Corn of the Indians wliich was unfenced on all sides, 
 committing great damage there ; this led to frequent complaints 
 on their part and finally to revenge on the Cattle without sparing 
 even the horses, which were valuable in this Country. More- 
 over many of ours took the Indians into service, making use in 
 their -houses of those in their employ. Thus laying before them 
 our entire circumstances, and sometimes becoming weary of their 
 work, they took leg-bail and stole much more than the amount 
 of their wages, This freedom caused still greater mischief, for 
 the inhabitants of Rensselaervvyck who were as many traders as 
 persons, Perceiving that the Mohawks were craving for guns, 
 which some of them had already received from the Englisli, pay- 
 ing for each as many as Twenty Beavers and for a pound of 
 powder as mucli as Ten to Twelve guilders, they came down in 
 greater numbers than was their wont where people were well 
 supplied with Guns, purchasing these at a fair price, tlius realizing 
 
 1 " Eeudracht maakt macht" Union constitutes Strength. Tr. 
 
8 JOURNAL OF NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 considerable profit ; afterwards they obtained some from their 
 
 Ilecr Palruon for tlieir self defence in time of need, as we suppose. 
 
 Tiiis extraordiniiry gain was not kept long a secret, the trade'-s 
 
 coming from Holland soon got scent of it, and from time to time 
 
 brought over great quantities, so that the Mohawks in a short 
 
 time were seen with firelocks powder and lead in proportion. 
 
 Four Hundred armed men knew how to use their advantage, 
 
 especially against their enemies dwelling along the river of 
 
 Canada, against whom they have now achieved many profitable 
 
 forays where before they derived little advantage ; this causes 
 
 them also to be respected by the surrounding Indians even as far 
 
 as the Sea Coast, who must generally pay them tribute, whereas, 
 
 on the contrary, they were formerly obliged to contribute to 
 
 these, on this account the Indians endeavored no less to procure 
 
 Guns, and through the familiarity which existed between them 
 
 and our people, tliey began to Suhcit them for Guns and powder, 
 
 but as such was forbidden on pain of Death and it could not 
 
 remain secret in consequence of the general conversation, they 
 
 could not obtain them. This added to the previous contempt 
 
 gre-atly augmented tlie hatred which stimulated them to conspire 
 
 against us, beginning first by insults which they every where 
 
 indiscreetly uttered railing at us as Materiotty (that is to say) 
 
 the Cowards — that we might indeed, be something on water, 
 
 but of no account on land, and that we had neither a great Sachem 
 
 nor Chiefs. 
 
 [Here two pages are wanting.'^ 
 
 he of Witqueschreek living N. E. of the Island Manhatans," 
 perpetrated another murderous deed in the house of an old man* 
 a wheelwright, witli whom he was acquainted (having been in 
 his son's service) being well received imd supplied with food, 
 pretending a desire to buy something and whilst the old man was 
 taking from the Chest the Cloth the Indian wanted the latter 
 took up an ax. and cut his head off, further plundering tlie house 
 mid ran away. This outrage obliged tlie Director to demand 
 Satisfaction from the Sachem who refused it, saying, that he was 
 sorry that twenty Christians had not been murdered* and that 
 
 1 In Westchester county— Tr. 2 Named Claes Cornclis Swits. 
 • Note Ji. Capt. Patricx letter 21. August 1641. 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NLTHERLAND. . 9 
 
 this Indian had only avenged tlie death of his Uncle who had 
 been slain over one and tw enty years by the Dutch. Whereupon 
 all the Commonalty were called together by tile Director to con- 
 sider this affair, wlio all appeared and presently twelve men 
 delegated from among them* answered the propositions, and 
 resolved at once on war should the murderer be refused ; that 
 the attack should be mcide on them in the harvest when they 
 were hunting ; meanwhile an effort should be again made by 
 kindness to obtain justice, whicli was accordingly several times 
 sought for but in vain. 
 
 The time being come many obstacles arose and operations 
 were postponed until the year 1642, when it w^as resolved to 
 avenge the perpetrated outrage. Thereupon spies looked up the 
 Indians who lay in their Village suspecting nothing, and eighty 
 men were detailed under tlie command of Ensign Hendrick Van 
 Dyck and sent thither. The guide being come with the troops 
 in the neighborhood of the Indian Wigwams lost liis way in con- 
 sequence of the darkness of the night. The Ensign became im- 
 patient, and turned back without having accomplished any tiling. 
 The journey, however, was not without effect, for tlie Indians , 
 Avho remarked by the trail made by our people in marching that 
 they had narrowly escaped discovery, sought for peace which 
 was granted them on condition that they should either deliver 
 up the murderer or inflict justice themselves ; this they promised 
 but without any result. 
 
 Some weeks after this Miantenimo, principal Sachem of Sloops 
 bay ' came here with one hundred men, passing through all the 
 Indian Villagesf soliciting them to a general War against both 
 the English and the Dutch,| whereupon some of the neighbouring 
 Indians attempted to set our powder on fire and to poison the 
 Director or to inchant him by their devilry, as their ill will was 
 afterwards made manifest as well in fact as by report. Those of 
 Hackingsack, otherwise called Achter Col, had, with their neigh- 
 bours killed an Englishman, a servant of one David Pietersen, 
 
 • Note B. Their answer and resolution dated the 29th August, 1641. 
 
 1 Narragansetts. 
 
 t Note C. The English Manifest, Page 2. ' 
 
 t Note D. Capt. Patricx letter dated 2 Jan'y, 1642. 
 
10 JOURNAL OK NEW NETHERLAND. 
 
 and a few days afler shot dead in an equally trejicherous manner 
 a Dutcliman, who sat roofing a house in the Colonic of Me}ndert 
 Mcyndertz* having settled there againd the advice of the Director 
 and xcill of the Indians, and by the continual damage wliicli their 
 cattle committed caused no little dissatisfaction to the Indians, 
 and contributed greatly to tlic War. The Commonalty began 
 then to be alarmed, and not without reason, having the Indians 
 daily in tlieir houses. The murderers were frequently demanded, 
 either living or dead, even witli a promise of reward ; tliey 
 always returned a scoffing answer laughing at us. Finally, the 
 Commonalty seriously distrusting the Director, suspecting him 
 of coimiving witli the Indians, and tliat an attempt was making 
 to sell Christian blood ;t yea, tliat the will of tlie entire Com- 
 monalty was surrendered to him, and in as much as he would 
 not avenge blood they should do it, be the consequences what they 
 may. The Director advised Pacliam the Sachem, who interested 
 himself in tliis matter, warning liini tliat we sliould wait no 
 longer inasmuch as no satisfaction had been given. 
 
 Meanwhile God wreaked vengeance on those of Witquescheck 
 without our knowledge through the Mahicanders dwelling below 
 Fort Orange, who slew seventeen of of them, and made prisoners 
 of many Women and Children, the remainder fled througli a 
 deep snow to the Christians' houses on and around tlie Island 
 Manhatens. They were most humanely received being half dead 
 of cold and hunger ; they supported them for fourteen days, even 
 some of the Director's corn was sent to them. A short time after, 
 another panic seized the Indians which caused tliem to fly to 
 divers places in the vicinity of the Dutch. This opportunity to 
 avenge innocent blood, induced some of the twelve men to re- 
 present to the Director that it was now^ time, whereupon tliey 
 received for answer that they should put their request in writing 
 which was done by tlirce in the name of them all,| by a petition 
 to be allowed to attack those of Hackingsack in two divisions — 
 on the Manhatens and on Pavonia. This was granted after a 
 protracted discussion too long to be reported here, so that tlie 
 
 • Note E. Tlic order in the Director's letter and in the deposition thereupon. 
 t Note F. R.^solvc of the 12 delegates dated 21 Jan'y, 1642. 
 t Note G. Their Petition dated 24th Feb. 1043. 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NElilERLAND. 11 
 
 Design was executed tliat same niglit, the Burghers slew those 
 who lay a small mile from the fort, ' and the soldiers those at 
 Pavonia, at which two places about Eighty Indians were killed 
 and thirty taken prisoners. Next morning before the return of 
 the troops a man and a woman were shot at Pavonia who had 
 come througli curiosity either to look at, or plunder, the dead ; 
 the soldiers had rescued a young child which the woman had in 
 her arms. 
 
 The Christians residing on Long Island also requested by peti- 
 tion* to be allowed to attack and slay the Indians thereabout ; 
 which was refused, as tliese especially liad done us no harm, and 
 shewed us every friendship — (Yea, had even voluntarily Killed 
 some of tlie Raritans, our enemies, hereinbefore mentioned) 
 Yet, notwithstanding! some Christians attempted secretly with 
 tvro waggons to steal maize from these Indians wliich they per- 
 ceiving endeavored to prevent, thereupon tliree Indians were shot 
 dead, two houses standing opposite the fort wore in return forth- 
 with set on fire. The Director knowing nought of tliis sent at 
 once some persons to enquire the reason of it. The Indians 
 shewing themselves afar off', called out — Be ye our friends 1 ye 
 are mere corn stealers- — making them also parties. This 
 induced one of the proprietors of the burnt houses to upbraid 
 therewith one Maryn Adriaenzen, who at his request had led the 
 freemen in the attack on the Indians, and who being reinforced 
 by an English troop had afterwards undertaken two bootless 
 Expeditions in the open field — imagining that tlie Director had 
 accused him, he being one of the signers of tlie petition he 
 determined to revenge himself | With this resolution he pro- 
 ceeded to the Director's house armed with a Pistol, loaded and 
 cocked, and a hanger by his side ; coming unawares into the 
 Director's room, he presents his Pistol at him, saying. What 
 devilish lies art thou reforting of me? but by the promptness of 
 one of the bystanders, the shot was prevented, and he arrested. 
 A short time after, Marine's man and another entered the fort, 
 
 1 At Corlaer's Hook. Tr. 
 
 • Note H. Their petition and the answer thereto, dated 27 Feb. 1043. 
 
 t Note I. Contains the information thereupon. 
 
 t Note K. His trial therefor. 
 
12 JOURNAL OF NEW NETIIEULAND. 
 
 each carrjiiig a loaded gun and pistol — the first fired at tlie 
 Director who having had notice withdrew towards his house, the 
 balls passing into tlie walls alongside tiie door beliind him ; the 
 sentinel firing immediately on him who had discharged his gun, 
 brought him down. Shortly afterwards some of the Common- 
 alty collected before the Director, riotously demanding the 
 prisoner j they were answered that their request should be pre- 
 sented in order and in writing, which about 25 men did, they 
 therein asked the Director to pardon tlie Criminal. The matters 
 were referred to them to decide conscientiously thereupon. In 
 such wise that they immediately went forth, without hearing 
 parties or seeing any complaints or documents : They condemn 
 hiin in a fine of Five Hundred guilders^ and to remain three months 
 away from the Manhatens^ but on account of the importance of 
 the affair and some Considerations, it was resolved to send the 
 Criminal, with liis trial to Holland which 
 
 In this Confusion mingled with great terror passed the winter 
 away ; the Season came for driving out the Cattle ; this obliged 
 many to desire Peace. On the other liand the Indians seeing 
 also that it was time to plant maize, were not less solicitous for 
 peace so that after some negotiation. Peace was concluded in May 
 A.O. 1C13 only in consequence of the importunity of some and the 
 opinion entertained by others tliat it would be durable. 
 
 The Indians kept still after this Peace, associating daily with 
 our People, Yea, even the greatest Cliiefs came to visit the 
 Director. Meanwhile Pachem a crafty man, ran through all the 
 villages urging the Indians to a general massacre, thereupon it 
 happened that certain Indians called Wappingers, dwelling six- 
 teen miles up the River,with whom we never had any the least 
 trouble, seized on a boat coming from Fort Orange wherein w'ere 
 only two men, and full four hundred Beavers. This great Booty 
 stimulated* others to follow their example, so that tliey seized 
 two boats more, intending to overhaul tlie fourth also, from which 
 tliey were driven oft" with the loss of six Indians. Nine Cliristians 
 including two women were murdered in these Captured barks, 
 one woman and two children remaining prisoners. The otlier 
 
 • Note M. Their acknowledgment made before the English 16 January, 1643 ; 
 English style. 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NETHERLAND. 13 
 
 Indians, so goon as their maize was ripe— followed this example, 
 ■^nd through semblance of selling Beavers killed an old man and 
 woman, leaving another man with five wounds who however fled 
 to the fort in a boat with a little cliild on his arm, who in the 
 first outbreak had lost Fatlier & Mother, And now grandfather 
 and grandmother, being thus twice through God's merciful bless- 
 ing rescued from tlie hands of tlie Indians, first when two years 
 old ; Nothing was now lieard but murders most of which were 
 committed under pretence of coming to put the Christians on their 
 guard. 
 
 Finally they took tlie field and attacked the bouweries at 
 Pavonia. There were here at the time, two ships of war and a 
 privateer who saved considerable Cattle and Grain. Probably 
 it was not possible to prevent the destruction of four bouweries 
 on Pavonia, whicli were burnt, not by open force, but by 
 stealtliily creeping through tlie brush with fire in hand thus 
 igniting the roofs which are all either of reed or straw ; one 
 covered with plank was repeatedly saved. 
 
 The Commonalty were called together, they were sore distressed. 
 They chose eight, in the stead of the previous Twelve,* persons 
 to aid in consulting for the best ; but the occupation every one 
 had to take. care of his own, prevented anything beneficial being 
 adopted at that time — ^nevertheless it was resolved that as many 
 Englishmen as were in the Country should be enlisted who were 
 indeed now proposing to depart ; the third part of these were to 
 be paid by t!ie Commonalty ; this promise was made by the 
 Commonalty but was not followed by the pay. 
 
 Terror increasing all over the land the eight men assembled, 
 drewf up a proposal in writing wherein they demanded that dele- 
 gates should be sent to the North, to our English neighbours, to 
 request an auxiliary force of One hundred and fifty men, for 
 whose pay a bill of Exchange should be given for twent}- five 
 thousand guilders, and that N. Netherland should be so long 
 mortgaged to the English as secui-ity fur the payment thereof 
 (one of the most influential among the eight men had by letter| 
 
 • Note N. Resolve of 13 Scpt'r. 1643. 
 t Note 0. Dated 6th Octob. 1643. 
 t Note P. Dated 9th March, 16-13. 
 
14 JOURNAL OF NEW NETIIKKLAND. 
 
 enforced by jircccdents ])reviously eiuleavcjred to persuade the 
 
 Dircclur to this course, as tliey liad also a few days before* 
 
 resolved* that the Provisions destined f)r Curacao should be 
 
 unloaded from the vessels and the major portion of the men 
 
 belonging to them detained, and to send the Ships away thus 
 
 enii)ty. This was not agreed to nor considered Expedient by 
 
 the Director. 
 
 [Here four pages are wanting.^ 
 
 [An expedition was despatched consisting of soldiers] 
 
 under the command of the Sergeant, XL Burgliers under their 
 Cajitain Jocheni Pietersen, XXXV Englishmen under Lieutenant 
 Baxter, but to prevent all confusit>n. Councillor La Alontagne 
 was aj)pointed general. Coming to Staten Island, they marched 
 the whole night ; the houses were empty and abandoned by the 
 Indians ; they got 5 or 6 hundred skepels of corn, burning the 
 remainder without accomplishing any thing else. 
 
 Mayane, a Sachem, residing 8 miles N. E. of us, between 
 Greenwich (that lies within our jurisdiction) and Stantf(jrt, which 
 is English, — a fierce Indian who alone dared to attack with bow 
 and arrows, three Christians armeii with guns one of whom he 
 shot ileatl ; wliilst engaged with the other, he was killed by the 
 third Christian and his head brought hither. It was then known 
 and understood for the first time, that he and his Indians had 
 done us much injury, though we never had any difference with 
 him. Understanding further that they lay in their houses very 
 quiet and without suspicion in the neighborhood of the English, 
 it was determined to hunt them up, and attack them and one 
 hundred and twenty men were sent thither under tlie preceding 
 command. The people landed at Greenwich in tlie evening 
 from three Yachts, marched the entire night but could not find 
 the Indians, either because the Guide had given warning or had 
 himself gone astray. Retreat was made to tlie Yachts in order 
 to depart as secretly as possible, passing through Stantfort some 
 Englishmen were encountered who offered to lead ours to the 
 place where some Indians were, thereupon four scouts were Sent 
 in divers directions, to discover them, who at their return, 
 
 • Note Q. In iheir resolution !?Oth September, ir.43 
 
JQURNAL OF NEW NETHERLAND, 15 
 
 reported that the Indians had some notice of our people by the 
 salute which the Englishmen gave us, but without any certainty, 
 whereupon five and twenty of tlie bravest men were at once 
 commanded to proceed thither to the nearest village, with great 
 diligence they made the journey killing 18 or 20 Indians, 
 capturing an old man, two women and some children, to exchange 
 for ours. The other troops on coming hitlier immediately in the 
 yachts, found the huts empty. 
 
 The old Indian, captured above, having promised to lead us to 
 Wetquescheck which consisted of three Castles, sixty five men 
 were despatched under Baxter and Pieter Cock, who found them 
 empty though thirty Indians could have stood against Two 
 Hundred Soldiers inasmuch as tliey were constructed of plank 
 five inches thick nine feet high and braced around with thick 
 balk full of port holes. Our people burnt two, reserving the 
 third for a retreat. Marching 8 or 9 miles furtlier, they 
 discovered nothing but some huts, whicli tliey could not surprize 
 as they were discovered — they came back having killed only 
 one or two Indians, taken some women and Children prisoners 
 and burnt some corn. Meanwhile, we were advised that 
 Pennewitz,' one of the oldest and most experienced Indians in 
 the Country, and who, in the first Conspiracy, had given the most 
 dangerous Council, To wit, that tliey sliould wait and not attack 
 the Dutch until all suspicion had been lulled, and then divide 
 themselves equally through the houses of the Christians and 
 slaughter all these in one night — was secretly \'. aging war against 
 us with his tribe who killed some of our people and set fire to 
 the houses. It was, therefore, resolved to send thither a troop 
 of one hundred and twenty men, the Burgliers under their 
 Company, the Englisli under the Sergeant Major Van der Hyl^ 
 (who within a few days had offered his services and was accepted), 
 the veteran soldiers under Pieter Cock, all under the command 
 of M"^ La Montague, to proceed hence in tlu-ee Yaclits, Land in 
 Scouts Bay on Long Island, march towards Heemstede (where 
 there is an English Colonic dependant on us.) Some sent forward 
 in advance dexterously killed an Indian who was out as a Spy ; 
 
 1 Chief of the Canarsee tribe, Kings Co., L. I. Ed. 
 
 2 Capt. John Underhill. Ed. 
 
16 JOURNAL OF NKW NETIIERLAND. 
 
 our force was divklod into two divisions — Van der Hi! with 
 fourteen English towards the smallest, and Eighty men towards 
 the largest village named Matsepe, both wliich were very 
 successful, killing about one hundred and Twenty men ; of ours 
 one man remaineil on the field and three were wounded. 
 
 Our forces being returned from tliis expedition, Capt Van der 
 Hil was despatched to Stantfort, to get some information there 
 of tlie Indians. He re})orted that tlie Guide wlio had formerly 
 served us, and luid goiie astray in tlie night, was now in grfeat 
 danger of his life from the Indians of whom there were about 
 five hundred together. He offered to lead us there, to shew that 
 the former mischance Avas not his fault. One hundred and thirty 
 men were accordingly despatched under the aforesaid Gtn^ Van 
 der Hil and Hendrick van Dyck Ensign. They embarked in 
 three Yachts, landed at Greenwich, where they were obliged to 
 pass the night by reason of the great Snow and Sturm ; in the 
 morning they marched N. W. up over Stony Hills over which 
 some must creep, in t'le evening about eight o'clock they came 
 within a mile of the Indians, and inasmuch as they should have 
 arrived too early and had to cross two Rivers, one of Two 
 hundred feet wide and tJiree deep, and that the men could not 
 afterwards rest in consequence of the cold, it was determined to 
 remain there until about ten o'clock. The order was given as 
 to the mode to be observed in attacking the Indians — they 
 marched forward towards the houses, being three rows set up 
 street fasliion, each Eighty paces long, in a low recess of the 
 mountain, affording complete shelter from the N. W. wind. The 
 moon was then at the full, and threw a strong light against the 
 mountain so that many winters days were not brighter than it 
 then was. On arriving there tlie Indians were wide awake, and 
 on their guard, so that ours determined to charge and surround 
 the houses, sword in hand. They demeaned themselves as 
 soldiers and deployed in small bands, so that we got in a short 
 time one dead and twelve wounded. They were also so hard 
 pressed that it was impossible for one to escape. In a brief space 
 of time there were counted One hundred and Eighty dead outside 
 the houses. Presently none durst come forth, keeping within 
 the houses, discharging arrows through the holes. The GeneraJ 
 
JOURNAL OF NEW NETHERLAND. 17 
 
 remarked that nothing else was to be done, resolved with Sergeant 
 Major Van der Hil, to set the huts on fire, whereupon the Indians 
 tried every means to escape, not succeeding in whicli they 
 returned back to the flames preferring to perish by tlie fire tlian 
 to die by our hands. What was most wonderful is, tliat among 
 this vast collection of Men, Women and Children not one was 
 heard to cry or to scream. According to the report of the 
 Indians themselves the number then destroyed exceeded five 
 hundred. Some say, full 700, among whom were also, 25 
 Wappingers, our God having collected together there tlie greater 
 number of our Enemies, to celebrate one of their festivals, from 
 which escaped no more than eight men in all, of whom even three 
 were severely wounded. 
 
 The fight ended, several fires were built in consequence of 
 the great cold, the wounded, 15 in number, dressed, and sentinels 
 being posted by the General the troops bivouacked there for the 
 remainder of the night. On the next day, the party set out 
 much refreshed in good order, so as to arrive at Stantford in the 
 evening. They marched with great courage over that wearisome 
 mountain, God affording extraordinary strength to the wounded 
 some of whom were badly hurt ; coming in the afternoon to 
 Stantfort after a march of two days and one night and little rest. 
 The English received our people in a very friendly manner, 
 affording them every comfort. In two days they reached here. 
 A Thanks-giving was proclaimed on their arrival. 
 
 [The remainder is wanting.^ 
 
 [vol. IV.] 
 
LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 
 
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