^|ii>:.T::i^ui VITH RESPECTS OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 1 'T/./. V .^^'''■ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. REMONSTRANCE NEW NETHEELAND, THE OCCURRENCES THERE. ADDRESSED TO THE HIGH AND AHGHTY LORDS STATES GENERAL OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS, On the 28tb July. 1649. SECRETARY VAN TIENHOVEN'S ANSWER. TRANSLATED FROM A COPT OF THE ORIGINAL DUTCH MS. By eV b: Ó'CALLAGHAN, m. d. %t-^^- ALBANY: WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY. 1856. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY or THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, THIS TRANSLATION IS RESPECTFULLY miRODUCTION. The Kemonstrance, of whicli a Translation is now published, was written in tills country in 1649, and printed the following year at the Hague, with this Title: VERTOOGH I VAN I Nieu Neder-Land, Weghens de Gheleghentheydt, j Vruchtbaer- heydt, en Sobe-|ren Staet deszelfs.|In 's GRAVEN-HAGE,|Ghedruckt by Middel Stael, Bonckverkooper woonende|op 't Buyten Hof, tegen-over de Gevange-Poort, 1650. — 4to. ( Account of New-Netlierland as regards its situation, fertility and niiserahk state.) Title. 49 pages ; a vignette in wood on the title. Although purporting to be a Memorial of those by whom it is signed, 'tis in truth much more. It consists, properly, of three parts : 1st. A description of the natives and of the physical features of the country. 2d. A narrative of the events connected with its first settlement and with the administration of public affairs down to 1649. 3d. A remonstrance against the policy and acts of the "West India Company in Holland, and of its governors here. The author, Adriaen- van der Donck, was, as he himself states, a free citizen of Breda and a lineal descendant of Adriaen van Bergen, part owner of the famous turf boat in which a party of Dutch troops were clandestinely introduced, in the year 1599, into the cattle of that city, whereby that stronghold of Spanish tyranny was reduced. After graduating at the University of Leyden, and pursuing a course of legal study, Van der Donck received the Degree of Juris utriusqice Doctor, that is of the civil and canon law. He was subsequently admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Holland, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first lawyer in this State. He came here in the fall of 1641, as Sheriff' of the Colonic of Rensselaerswyck and, during his term of office, evinced always a disposition to protect the colonists. A few years afterwards he made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a tract of land at Catskill, and in 1647, his term of office having expired, he removed to the Manhattans, where, in consideration of the assistance he had afforded in negotiating a treaty with the Mohawks, and in return for advances he had made to enable the government to purchase presents for those Indians, he obtained a grant of a large tract of land in 11 IXTKODUCTIOX. Westchester, now known as Yonkers. This was crectetl into a Colonic or Manor in 1(552, of which Van der Donck became the Patroon. The misgovernment of the country had, in the meantime, excited considerable complaint among the people, and a delegation consisting of Adriaen van der Donck, Jacol) van Couwenhoven and Jan Evertse Bont, was sent to lay this Kemonstrance })efore the States General. In the discussions which arose in consequence, Van der Donck took a prominent part. The advantages of this country and the justice of its comi)laints, were brought prominently before the Nation, and the result was, emigration w;us encouraged, the colonists were admitted to participate in the foreign trade, and a Municijial government was conceded for the first time to New Amsterdam, now New-Yorjc. In the labors attendant on procuring these reforms. Van der Donck could not fail to secure the ill-will of the West India Company, which had taken possession of New Netherland merely for commercial purposes, and had made colonization, if it ever entered into their original design, only a secondary object. Accordingly, in lO,')^, when his business was concluded and he was on the eve of returning, with his family, to this country, the Directors at Amsterdam instructed their ship captains not to receive him on board any of their vessels. In vain he procured the interference of influential friends and represented the cruelty of sej^arating him from his wife and children, who had already embarked ; in vain he pleaded the ruin that would overtake him were he not jiermitted to proceed. He was told he could not go ; his family was obliged to sail Avithout him, and he returned to the Hague. He now employed his leisure in writing another work on his adopted country. The Company was pleased with that production and recommended it to the States General in May, 1()53, who, in July following, granted a fifteen years' copyright and Van der Donck returned in the fall of that year to America, with leave to practice his profession "as far as giving advice," as the Directors "could not see what advantage his pleadings before the court would have, especially as there, no doubt, were some lawyers already in New Netherland who could be engaged on the other side." He evidently contemplated an addition to his last mentioned work, embracing a History of the Province, for he had applied for permission to examine the Colonial records. Unfortunately, the application was fruitless, and his second Book was published in 1655, without the pro])Osed addition. It is entitled : BKSCHRIJVINGE | van | NIEUW- NEDERLANT, | ((Bl)clnck Ijct trgcniDoorbigl) in Stact is) | Begrijpende de Nature, Aert, gelegentheyt en vrucht | baerheyt van het selve Lant; mitsgaders de proiïijtelijcke en- ] de gewenste toevallen, die aldaer tot onderhout der Menschen, (soo | uyt haer selven als van buyten ingebracht) gevonden worden. | ALS MEDE | De maniere en ongljcmcnnc rt)9en3cl)appcn | van'bt lUilbm ofte ïCatuvclccn oaiibcn £ani)c. j (frntie | Fa'u bysonder vei-hael vanden wunderlijcken Aoit | .-.wl- het Weesen der IJE^'ERS, | DAER NOCH BV GEVOEGHT IS | Oren öiöcouiü oocr bc gclcgcntljciit üan Nieuw Nederlandt, j tusscijcu ten Nederlaudts Patriot, | INTRODUCTION. ftiïrc ecu I Nieuw Nederlander. | Besclireven door \ ADRIAEN vander DONCK | Beyder Rechten Doctoor, die tegenwoor- | digli nocli in Nieuw Nederlandt is. | t'AMSTELDAM. [ ög Evert Nieuwbof, Boeck-ocrkooper, uiooucnöe, op 't | Kuslanbt in 't 0tl)rijfbocik | Anno 1655. — 4to. Description of New Netherland {.mcTi as it noxo is), Compi-ehetxiijiff the Nature^ Character, Situation and Fruitfulness of the said Country ; together with the pi'ofltahle and desirable opportunities which it offers for the sxipport of people {ivhether natives or foreigners). Also, the Maimers and pecrdiar Characteristics of the Savages or Aborigines of the Country. And a particular account of the wonderful nature and habits of the Beaver ; to which is also added a Discourse on the situation of New Netherland, between a Netherland Patriot and a New Netherlander. Written by Adriaeu van der Donck, Doctor of Laws, who is still in New Netherland. Title, viii a. 104 pages. A second edition of tliis work was published in 1656, with a map, and a translation of it by General Jeremiah Johnson, has been printed in the Collections of the New- York Historical Society. Adriaen van der Donck died in this country in 1655, and left his Colonie, in West- chester county, to his wife. This lady, whom he married in 1645, was the daughter of the Reverend Francis Doughty, of Long Island, whose case is narrated pretty fully in the following pages. She afterwards married Hugh O'Neal of Patuxent, Maryland whither she and her father removed. To enable a thorough understanding to be formed on the subject of the public complaints of those days, the Answer of the government, prepared by Secretaiy Van Tienhoven, under the eye of the "West India Company, is printed at the end of the Remonstrance. The Vertoogh, or Remonstrance as printed in Holland, and Van Tienhoven's Answer, have been already translated by that ripe Dutch scholar, the Hon. Henry C. Murphy of Brooklyn, and published by the New -York Historical Society in their Collections ; also, in a separate volume, by James Lenox, Esq., of New -York. The present, however, is a translation not of that Vertoogh, but of the transcript of the Notarial copy of the Original MS. obtained at the Hague for the State of New -York, and contained in the fourth volume of the Holland Documents in the Secretary's office, Albany. Every pains have been taken in converting both the Remonstrance and the Answer into English, and it is hoped that these distinct versions of highly interesting state papers will subserve the interests of American History. In order to enable the curious reader to collate the present translation with the Vertoogh, which bears evidence of having been revised by Authority before it was allowed to be printed, the commencement of each page of the latter work is marked by figures, within parenthesis. CONTENTS REIONSTEANCE OF THE DEPUTIES NEW NETHERLAND. Paok. REPRESENTATION OF NEW NETHERLAND AS REGARDS ITS LOCATION, PRODUCTIVENESS AND POOR CONDITION, 7 OF TUE AMERICANS, OR NATIVES, THEIR APPEARANCE, OCCUPATION, AND FOOD, 13 BY WHOM NEW NETHERLAND WAS FIRST OCCUPIED, AND HOW FAR ITS BOUNDARIES EXTEND, 15 OF THE FRESH RIVER, 18 OF THE DUTCH TITLE TO THE FRESH RIVER, 19 OF THE RODENBERGH, BY THE ENGLISH CALLED NEW HAVEN; AND OF OTHER PLACES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE, 20 OF THE SOUTH RIVER AND THE BOUNDARIES THEREABOUT, 21 OF THE SOUTH BAY AND SOUTH RIVER, 22 OF THE CONVENIENCE AND EXCELLENCE OF THE WATERS, 25 OF THE REASONS AND CAUSE OF THE GREAT DECAY OF NEW NETHERLAND, 27 THE ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTOR KIEFT, IN PARTICULAR, 36 THE ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTOR STUY VESANT, IN PARTICULAR, 39 IN WHAT MANNER NEW NETHERLAND SHOULD BE RELIEVED, 49 BRIEF ANSWER TO THE REMONSTRANCE, BY SECRETARY VAN TIENHOVEN, 55 1 (3) REPBESENTATION OF NEW NETHERLAND, AS REGARDS ITS LOCATION, PRODUCTIVENESS AND POOR CONDITION. The Nelherlandera ■prizing lookiDg navigable waters and trade, those who bear the name of Netherlanders will very toTCreign easily be able to hold their rank among the foremost, as is sufficiently known to trade, all those who have in any wise saluted the threshold of history. It will, in like manner, be also, confirmed by our following Relation, for in the year of Christ 1609, was the Country, of which we now propose to speak, first found and ^l^nrsi'ducovèred discovered at the expense of the General East India Company — though directing lUe^w" '1,/^^ their aim and design elsewhere — by the ship de Halve Mane, whereof Henry ^''*"' Hudson was master and factor. It was aftewards named New Netherland by our n» so called be- people, and that very justly, for it was first discovered, and taken possession of, by NeXnand'inmany Netherlanders and at their expense, so that even at the present day, the natives '^'veots. of the country, (who are so old as to remember the event) testify, that on seeing ^i«» 'he Indian» the Dutch ships on their first coming here, they knew not what to make of them, l{"'^^"',"e7'irnew and could not comprehend, whether they came down from Heaven or whether ^^m or pTOpie'"" they were Devils. Some among them, on its first approach, even imagined it to be a fish, or some sea monster, so that a strange rumor concerning it flew throughout the whole country. We have heard the Indians also frequently say, that they knew of no other world or people previous to the arrival of the Netherlanders here. For these reasons, therefore, and on account of the similarity of Climate, Situation and fertility, this place is rightly called New Netherland. It is situate along the North < 42 degrees, or thereabouts. -. .-, _ _ „, „ ^ ,., o .' Netherland. England, on the South West by Virginia ; the coast trends mostly South West and North East, and is washed by the Ocean ; on the North runs the river of Canada, a great way oflT in the interior; the North West side is partly still unknown. (4) The land of itself is fertile, and capable of being entirely cultivated by an abundance of people, were it judiciously divided according to circumstances. The climate here is pleasant, and more temperate than in Netherland. The The climate is tem- * * perate : the norm winds are changeable and blow from all points, but generally from the South ^iTaton"'^ of' the west and North west: The summer furnishes the first of these, the winter the *°"°"''- latter, which sometimes blows very sharply, but it is, nevertheless, the preservation of the country, in regard of the public health ; for, being very bracing and pure, it drives all damps and superfluous moisture very far from the land, or exhausts 8 Hemonstrance of Nefhe'riMd ucfJnr, 'tsclf. The Coast is generally clean and sandy ; the Foreland doubles or is broken the foreland doubli'i lalaodl. into Islands. To the east of the North River lies Long Island, about 40 leagues in length, forming a fine wide river which opens into the Ocean at each extremity and affords a very convenient passage inside, along the shores, without much risk from the Sea, on account of the great abundance of safe bays and other The kmi river u » anchoragc grounds; so that vessels can securely sail through it, both Eastward tare raM^ge. O O ' ^ ^ J h ' and Westward, even in the winter. There are several inlets along the south coast, before reaching the South River, but they are mostly muddy and sandy ; nevertheless, with proper experience, they could be made use of. Inside these again, are large bays and valleys, but the bays are for the most part shallow. ^d a'SSTflr'm " ^" ^^^ ^^^ ^''^^ *^'^® '^"'^ '^ commonly sandy or compact (singdachtich), not very high, yet tolerably fertile, so that it is for the most part covered with handsome trees. hui""' fl"™""*!»* '^^^^ Country generally is in many places hilly, with some high Mountains, """I'- likewise many very fine Flats and Maize lands, together with extensive Valleys, some of which are salt, others again are fresh ; all very good Meadows. With the exception of the Maize lands, flats and valleys, which have few or no trees and could with little labor be converted into good tillage land, the soil is commonly covered with all sorts of timber standing, however, without order as in other wildernesses. The Season»; xhe Seasons here are about the same as in Netherland, but the summer is also the Weather, Warmer and begins more suddenly; the winter is cold, and far in the interior, or towards the most northern part, colder than in Netherland ; 'tis likewise subject to a great deal of Snow which also remains a long time, far in the interior however, fully 3, 4 @ 5 months on the ground; but near the Seacoast it is quickly dissolved by the Southerly wind ; moreover. Thunder, Lightning, Rain, «iwu the same as in heavy showcrs, Hail, Snow, Rime, Dew, Frost and such like are the same here NcUierland. -' 71,1, as in Netherland, except that in summer 'tis subject to more sudden tornadoes. k^ndsrf'cr'S^prwSh The soil is fit and adapted to the bearing of all kinds both of Winter and Nelherland.""""' Summer crops, and that with less labor and tilling than in Netherland. It or the limber found produces scveral kinds of timber, suitable for the construction of houses and ships, In New Netherland. r f ' be they large or small, consisting of various sorts of oak, to wit: — i'ost-oak, smooth white bark, rough white bark, grey bark, black bark and still another sort, which, by reason of its softness, is called butter oak ; (5) but it is the poorest of all, and not very valuable. The others, if cidtivated as in Netherland, would be as good as any Flemish or Brabant oaks; various sorts of Nut timber, such fuH''i'^N.'Ni,-ihir.' as oil nut, large and small; hickory, also large and small. This timber is very *" ■ abundant here, and much used as firewood, for which it is also right well adapted; Chestnuts, as in Netherland, but they grow wild without regularity; three sorts of Beeches, such as the water-beech,' common beech and hedge beech, axhandle wood, two sorts of canoe wood,* ash, birch, pine, lalhwood, Imlercn or wild cedar, linden, alder, willow, thorn, elder, with divers other species adapted 'Sometimes called by farmers, Blue beech. (Carpinus AmericanuB. ) * LiriodendroD Tulipifera. Johnson. Ntw A^ctheiland. 9 to many purposes, but the names thereof are unknown to us ; we will gladly submit them to carpenters for further examination. The fruits which the country naturally produces consist chiefly of acorns, some or the fruits indi- „ . , , , , genous lo the coun- of them very sweet, nuts of various sorts, chestnuts, beechnuts, but not many, "-y- mulberrys, plums, medlars, wild cherries and black currants, gooseberries, abundanceof hazelnuts, small apples, a great abundance of strawberries throughout the entire country with considerable other fruits and roots, of which the Indians make use. There are also quantities of bill-berries or blue-berries together with ground nuts and artichokes. Almost the whole country, as well the forests as or the vines, and the maize lands and flats, is full of vines, but principally — as if they had been planted there — around and along the banks of the brooks, streams and rivers which course and flow in abundance very conveniently and agreeably all through the land. The grapes are of many varieties; some white, some blue, some very fleshy and fit only to make raisins of; some again are juicy, some very large, others on the contrary small ; their juice is pleasant and some of it white, like French or Rhenish Wine ; that of others, again, a very deep red, like Tent ; some even paler; the vines run far up the trees and are shaded by their leaves, so that the grapes are slow in ripening and a little sour, but were cultivation and knowledge applied here, doubtless as fine Wines would then be made as in any other wine growing countries. As for the rest, all fruits which will grow in Netherland will also thrive in New Netherland, without requiring as much care as must be given to the former. All garden fruits succeed likewise very well there, but are drier, The garden ivuiu " •'are drier and sweet. sweeter and better flavored than in Netherland. As a proof of this, we may |^fj° '^^ «ether- properly instance melons and citrons or water-melons, which readily grow, in New Netherland, in the fields, if the briars and weeds be only kept from them, whereas in Netherland they require particular attention in gardens, either from amateurs or those who raise them for profit, and yet are not near as perfect nor as palatable as they usually are in New Netherland. All kinds of pumpkins, or quch like, grow there much drier, sweeter, more delicious, and of better flavor, which is caused by the temperateness and pleasantness of the climate. The domestic cattle are (6) here in size and other respects about the same as in or Domestic .aitie, ^ ' ^ and hnw they will Netherland, but the English cows and swine thrive and feed best; yea, appear to [hn™ in n. Nether be belter suited to this country than those from Holland ; they require also less trouble, expense and attention, for it is not necessary to look so much after the inferior stock, such as swine, in winter; but if done in some sort, whenever there is deep snow, 'twill be so much the better. Milch cows, also are much less trouble than in Holland, for, most of the time, or when necessity demands, a little hay is only occasionally thrown to them. The Wild animals here consist principally of lions,' but they are few; bears, ofthewiidanimau r r ./ .; and what they are. ot which there are many; elks, a great number of deer, some of which are entirely white and otheVs wholly black, but the latter are very rare. The Indians say that the white deer have a great retinue of other deer, by which they are ' Cougar or Pauther. " In the early settlement of this etate, this animal wbs believed to be a lion." Natural History of New-York, part I., Mammalia, 48. or tbe Land bkdt. 10 Memonntraiice of highly esteemed, beloved and honored, and that it is quite the contrary with regard to those that are black. There are, besides, divers other large animals in the interior, but they are unknown to Christians ; also, wolves, but dangerous Only to small cattle; likewise beavers, otters, fishers, catamounts, foxes, racoons, minks, hares, muskrats about as large as cats, martens and squirrels, some of which can even fly; there are, besides, woodchucks and divers other small animals, but for the most part, as we are informed, unknown to the Christians. The country is in no wise deprived of its share of birds, for there are found great numbers of birds of prey, such as: two varieties of Eagles, some they name white heads,' which have a white head, white tail and white striking feathers; the others are the common. Also, Hawks, Sakers, Sparrowhawks, Duck-hawks, (stccncryters), Chicken-hawks and various other sorts, all birds of prey, and capable of being trained and used for falconry, though some of them diflfer somewhat in shape from those in Netherland. Here is, also, a bird of a white color with a head like a cat's, and a body like a big owl. We know no name for it in Dutch. In F'rance they call it Graiid dux,^ and it is held in high estimation. The other land birds consist mostly of Turkeys, the same as in Netherland, but wild, and best and plentiest in winter; also various sorts of Partridges, some smaller, some larger, than in Netherland ; Plover, wood and water Snipe, Pheasants, Heath-hens, also Cranes, Herons, Bitterns, multitudes of Pigeons closely resembling wood pigeons, but a little smaller; likewise. Quails, Merlins, Thrushes, Sand-pipers, but differing in some repecls from the Dutch species. There are also other small birds, some of which sing, but the names of most of them are unknown to us, and would also take too long to enumerate. Different sorts of water fowl likewise are found there, which are all very good and fit to eat; such as Swans, similar to those in Netherland, and fully as large; three species of Geese, to wit, grey geese, which are the largest and best; (7) Brant geese,^ and White heads; Ducks of various sorts; Widgeons, Divers, Coots, Spoonbills and several other kinds, but not so numerous as the foregoing. r The river Fish here is almost the same as in Netherland, and consists of Salmon, Sturgeon, Striped-bass, Drum-fish, Shad, Carp, Perch, Pike, Trout, Roach, Bull-heads, Suckers, Sun-fish, Eels, Nine-eyes or lampreys, but much more abundant and larger than in Netherland; there are various other species of fish, of which we know not the names. 1 In the salt water are found (^od-fish, shell-fish, weak-fish, herring, mackerel, thornbacks, flounders, plaice, sheeps-heads, (steenbrasems,) black-fish, sharks, (zeehonden,) tamyns* and divers others, together with lobsters, crabs, concks, from which the Indians make white and black wampum, abundance of oysters and ' Falco Uticoeephalus. White headed or Bald Eagle. Nuttal. *Slrix Vtrginiana. Wilson. The Great Horned Owl, often called the Cat Owl. Natural Hislory of New-York. Part II., Ornithology, 24. 'Jiolgamen. Writing of the Brant Goose, Nuttal gays: the navlRtttor Barent, found multitudes sitting on their eggs about the 2l9t June, 1595, in the great bay called Wibe Janz Water; and to his amazement' discovered them to be the liotgattzen. Ornithology^ — Water birds, 8to., 861. • In the printed volume 'tis, Panyn». Yarioui sorts of i Nt'W NetherlaruL 11 muscles, with many other similar sorts of shell fish resembling each other, with the names of which we are not acquainted. There are, also, both sea and land tortoises. The venomous reptiles found there, consist chiefly of adders and lizards, but of *« * "^ reptiles, a they do little or no harm; there are various sorts of snakes, but not dangerous; "'«y:»'» if they possibly can, they retreat before people (else they are usually killed) except the rattle-snake, which has a rattle on the tail, wherewith it makes a very loud noise whenever it is angry, or intends to bite; it grows a joint longer every year. This snake is very malignant and not inclined to retreat before a man or any other creature. Whoever is bit by one runs great risk of his life, if not immediately attended to; but the best of it is, they are not numerous; and the true Serpentaria grows spontaneously here, which is very highly prized by the Indians, as being an unfailing cure. The Medicinal plants discovered up to the present time in New Netherland, or the planls. after a little search, are, principally, as far as they have come to our knowledge, Capelli veneris (Maidenhair), Scholopendria (Hounds tongue), Angelica (Belly-ache root), Polyyodium (Fern), Verbascum album (white Mullein), Calceiis sacerdotis vet Marie^ (Moccasin plant), Alriylex hortensis vel marina (garden or marine Orach) Chordum turriles (tower Mustard), Calamus aromaticvs (Sweet flag), Sassafrax (Sassafras), Roeis virginiarum^ (Sumach), Ranunculus (Crowfoot), Plantago (Plantain), Bursa pasloris (Shepherd's purse), Malva (Mallow), Origanum (Marjoram), Geranitim (Crane's bill). Althéa (Marsh mallows), Cineroton pseudo- daphne (Spice bush), Viola (Violet), Irias (Blue flag). Indigo silvestris (wild Indigo), Sigillum salamonis (Solomon's seal), Sanguis draconium (Dragons blood), Consolida (Comfrey), Millefolium (Milfoil), several species of Fern, various wild lilies. Agrimony, (wild Leek), Carduus benediclus (Blessed Thistle), Serpentaria (Snakeroot), Indian figs, which grow on the leaves. Tarragon (Wormwood), and numerous other plants and flowers; but as we are not skilled in those things, we cannot say much about them. Nevertheless we doubt not but amateurs would be able to find there divers simples of great and varied virtues in which we have confidence, principally because the Indians can cure very severe and dangerous wounds and sores by roots, leaves and other trifles. It is certain that the Indigo Silvestris grows spontaneously here without any or the wiw indigo. human aid or cultivation. Without doubt, were there (S) people and were attention turned to it, it could be easily raised ; at least the other species would grow very well here, and yield a good profit. We have seen proof of this in the Colonic of Renscelaerswyck, but it was sown entirely too late and upon a barren rock where there was little earth ; though it came well up, but in consequence of the drought turned all yellow, withered and was neglected. Notwithstanding, it is evident that, were it well managed, it would perfectly succeed. Planting of madder would also undoubtedly thrive well, even better than in Zealand, in regard of the lands and other circumstances. ' Cal««olüe Marianua Canadensii. Charlevoix, T\. XXXYl, ' Quf Rhui Tirginicum. 12 liemonstrance of Various minerals have also been discovered here, both accidentally and by trilling search; some experiments have been made ou these, according to the limited means of tliis country, and they have been found good. Attempts have been made several limes to send, specimens of them to Fatherland ; once by Arent van Corenss,' by way of Nevp Haven and England ; but the ship foundered, and no tidings of it were ever received. Director William Kieft again had several specimens afterwards with him in the ship the Princess, but they were, also, lost with him. The mountains and mines, however, remain, and can easily be found again whenever there is any disposition to incur the trouble and expense. They have already progressed so far in New England that they cast iron pots, cannon, shot and similar articles from the mineral they have there ; and we believe that here it only requires a commencement, for we have, and there are found in New Netherland two sorts of marcasite, white and yellow ; mines of quicksilver, of gold, silver, copper, iron, black lead and hard coal, and there is little doubt but tin and lead are, also, to be found there; but who will look for them, or who will make any use of them, as long as there is not a larger number of people. Fuller's earth is, also, found here in abundance; likewise bole, and white, red, yellow, blue, grey and black clay, which is very solid and greasy, and would be suitable for many purposes, together with earth for brick and tiles. Here are also mountain crystal, glass like that in Muscovy, great abundance of green serpentine, grey hearth-stone, slate, brown grindstone, flint, pebbles, paving stones, large quantities of every sort of quarry stone suitable for the manufactory of millstones and for the construction of all sorts of buildings. Here also are plume-alum and divers other mordantS; which might be applicable to the service of man. There are also various descriptions of dyes here, but the Christians are not experienced in them, though they are seen daily on the Indians who are conversant with, and also make use of them, to paint themselves of divers colors. Were it not for lack of explorers, they could be easily discovered and employed. ' Arent Corssen. Anno 1045, 6. Ntw XdTierhtul 13 (9) OF THE AMERICANS, OR NATIVES ; THEIR APPEARANCE, OCCUPATION AND FOOD. The natives are generally well limbed, slender around the waist, broad shouldered; all having black hair and brown eyes; they are very nimble and swift of pace, well adapted to travel on foot and to carry heavy burdens ; they are dirty and slovenly in all their habits ; make light of ail sorts of hardsliips, being by nature and from youth upward accustomed thereunto. They resemble Brazilians in color, or are as tawny as those people who sometimes ramble through Netherland and are called Gipsies. Generally, the men have very little ^;;;;J",tdmi!r'' or no beard, some even pluck it out; they use very few words, which they previously well consider. Naturally they are quite modest, without guile and inexperienced, but in their way haughty enough, ready and quick witted to comprehend or learn, be it good or bad, whatever they are most inclined to. As soldiers they are far from being honorable, but perfidious and accomplish all their designs by treachery ; tliey also use many stratagems to deceive their enemies and execute by night almost all their plans that are in any way hazardous. The thirst for revenge seems innate in them ; they are very pertinacious in self defence, when they cannot escape; which, under other circumstances, they like to do; and they make little of death, when it is inevitable, and despise all tortures ^'\Z '"akTméy that can be inflicted on them at the stake, exhibiting no faintheartedness, but S."°"' ' '^ "^ generally singing until they are dead. They also know right well how to cure Jh^ey "^l^^'^j^^^^ wounds and hurts, or inveterate sores and injuries, by means of herbs and roots «''"' «cci'i»;^». indigenous to the country, and which are known to them. The clothing as well [J,e I'l.malil'""^ "' of men as of women consists of a piece of duffels, or of deerskin leather or elk hide around the body, to cover their nakedness. Some have a bearskin of which they make doublets; others again, coats of the skins of racoons, wild cats, wolves, dogs, fishers, squirrels, beavers and the like; and they even have made themselves some of turkey's feathers; now they make use for the most part of duffels cloth which they obtain in trade from the Christians ; they make their stockings and siioes of deerskins or elk hides, some even have shoes of corn husks whereof they also make sacks. Their money consists of white and black Wampum Th»^ |"'^^f,"e „nd which they themselves manufacture; their measure and value is the hand or wackwampum. fathom, and if it be corn that is to be measured, 'tis done by the denotas which are bags of their own making. Their ornaments consist of scoring their bodies, or tiw iiKiuns score o o o a,„l paint ,heir painting them of various colors, sometimes entirely black, if they are in mourning; ^'j;^"„',''™°'"'^°''' but mostly the face. They twine both white and black wampum around their (10) heads; formerly they were not wont to cover these, but now they are beginning to wear bonnets or caps, which they purchase from the Christians ; they wear Wampum in the ears, around the neck and around the waist, and thus in their way are mighty fine. They have also long deers-hair which is dyed red, whereof they make ringlets to encircle the head ; and other tine hair of the same 14 liemon-slrance of color, whicli hangs around tlie neck in braids, vvliereof ihey are very vain. They frequently smear their skin and hair with ail sorts of grease. Almost all of them bo'il i"m~iTrï'.'.r *^''" swim ; they themselves construct the boats they use, which are of two sorts: onreJil'* "" ^"''' some, of entire trees excavated with fire, axes and adzes; the Christians call these Canoes; others, again, called also canoes, are made of bark, and in these they can move very rapidly. Traces, and nothing more, of the institution of marriage can be perceived Indians do not amoug theni. The man and woman unite together without any special ceremony, except that the former, by agreement previously made with the latter, presents her with some wampum or cloth, which he frequently takes back on separating, T^lli"* tZr "r?- ^^ ''^'^ occur any way soon. Both men and women are excessively unchaste and ïhëir wive». '^^"^^ lascivious, without the least particle of shame ; and this is the reason that the men so frequently change their wives and the women, their husbands. They have, usually, but one wife ; sometimes even two or three, but this mostly obtains among the chiefs. They have also among them different ranks of people, such as noble and ignoble. The men are generally lazy and will not work until they become old and of no consideration ; then they make spoons and wooden bowls, traps, nets, and various other such trifles; in other respects, they do nothing but Who do iho work fish, hunt and go to war. The women must perform the remainder of the labor, end huw. ' such as planting corn, cutting and hauling firewood, cooking, attending the ?nVunI',""an'"'hüw children, and whatever else has to be done. Their dwellings are constructed of thejf remove. hickory poles Set in the ground and bent bow fashion, like arches, and then covered with bark which they peel in quantities for that purpose. Some, but principally tlie chiefs' houses, have, inside, portraits and pictures somewhat rudely carved. When fishing and hunting, they lie under the blue sky, or little belter. They do not remain long in one place, but remove several times a year and repair, according to the season, to wherever food appears to them, beforehand, best and easiest to be obtained. Iv^T^ench "iribi!' ui' They are divided into various tribes and languages. Each tribe usually dwells ''"'"""■ together, and there is one among them who is chief; but he does not possess indinm know mile niuch power or distinction, except in their dances and in time of war. Some of Ood. bul have ' r dcvl'.ilfwhomihHy 'I'^^e Scarcely any knowledge of God ; others very little. Nevertheless, they relate ev«i mïko offer- ^,^^^ strange fables of the Deity. In general, they liave a great dread of the Devil, who gives them wonderful trouble; some converse freely on the subject and allow themselves to be strangely imposed upon by him ; but their devils, they say, will not have anything to do with the Dutch. Scarcely a word is heard here of any ghost or (11) such like. Offerings are sometimes made to them, but with little ceremony. They believe, also, in an Immortality of the soul ; iiave, likewise, some knowledge of the Sun, Moon and Stars, many of which they even know how to name ; they are passable judges of the weather. There is scarcely Neither i»w nor any luw or justice among them, except sometimes in war matters, and then very intticB among tliu j .1 a , . 1 "''•'•°«- little. The next of kin is the avenarer; the youngest are the most daring, wlio Thfir wi>a|kona are O ' J o o n'lIw''ii""''K'"g'"i« "lastly do as they like. Their weapons used to be a war club and the bow and "'" arrow, wliicli they kuow how to use with wonderful skill. Now, tliose residing Ttie Indiana Ntw Netheiiarid. 15 near, or trading considerably with the Christians, make use of firelocks and hatchets, which they obtain in barter. They are excessively fond of guns; spare no expense on them, and are so expert with them that, in this respect, they excel many Christians. Their fare, or food, is poor and gross, for they drink water, having no other beverage ; they eat the iiesh of all sorts of game that the country supplies; even badgers, dogs, eagles, and similar trasii, which Christians in no way regard ; these they cook and use uncleansed and undressed. Moreover, all sorts of fish; likewise, snakes, frogs, and such like, which they usually cook with the offals and entrails. They know, also, how to preserve fish and meat for the winter in order then to cook them with Indian meal. They make their bread, but of very indifferent quality, of maize, which they also cook whole, or broken in wooden mortars. The women likewise perform this labor and make a pap or porridge, called by some, Stipsis, by others, Duundare,^ which is their daily food; they mix this, also, thoroughly with little beans, of different colors, raised by. themselves ; this is esteemed by them rather as a dainty, than as a daily dish. BY WHOM NEW NETHERLAND WAS FIRST OCCUPIED, AND HOW FAR ITS BOUNDARIES EXTEND. That New Netherland was first discovered, owned and settled by Netherlands, The country is first •' discovered, taken has already been stated ; but inasmuch as considerable dispute has arisen on this p^j'^^''^? Nether- point, not only with the Swedes, who have little pretense, but principally with '''°<'''"- the English, who have already usurped and settled a great portion thereof; The English have o ' ■' ^ o I appropriated a large 'twill be, therefore, necessary to treat of each in particular somewhat more pof'on of ». precisely and at large. But inasmuch as divers ingenious persons have treated of this matter in its length and breadth, and as those pretensions are absurd and require but few arguments, we shall dispose thereof as briefly as is in any wise possible. After their (12) High Mightinesses, the Lords States General, were pleased, in the year XVP and twenty-two, to include this Province within the Charter of the West India Company, the latter considered it necessary to take complete possession of this naturally beautiful and noble Province ; this, indeed, did follow in course of time, but according as circumstances permitted, as in all beginnings; for since the year of our Lord XV1"= and twenty-three, four forts have been built there by Four ^^i-^^^^^Jave order of the Lords Majors, one on the south point of Manhattans island, at the '"k™ "f po»«ession. junction of the East and North rivers, and named New Amsterdam, where the ' Sapsis seems to be a synonym for Sappaen : Duundare is of the Iroquois stock, an J means, literally, Boiled bread ; from Onnontara, boiled, and Dalarah, bread. See Vocabulary, in Oalt., 324; also, Transactions of New -York Ethnological Sociely, 11., 79. —Ed. 16 Jioiwn-slntncc of ^ staple right of New Netlierland is designed to be. Another, calleil Orange, is in the Colonie Hensehierswjck, tliirty-six leagues higher up on tiie west side of the hist named river, tiiree leagues below the Kahoos. or Great falls of the Mohawk kill; but there never has been, as yet, any difference with foreigners b^^/n''.ny"iiim""i'y i>bout that (North) river. On the .South river stands fort .Nassou, and on the ohoui tbe N.jriii p^^gj, river, the Good Hope. In these four forts there has always been some garrison from the beginning to the present time, though just now they are all v.''ry '""umT nnj '" ''' ^'^''y P^""" condltlon, both as regards themselves and the garrison. ""'*"■ These forts, as well north and south, were located not only to close and command the said rivers, but as far as property by occupation extended, to possess as well all the lands com|)reliended between them as round about tiiem, and on the opposite side of the river; to declare them the Hon. Company's own, and to guard them against all nations whether foreign or indigenous, that would attempt to seize the same against its will and consent. Nevertheless, this has been, but principally on the North east side of New Netheriand, in no wise regarded or The EnBii«h pay no rcspected bv the English residing to the Eastward; for notwithstanding sulficient rppard lo fort Good r ./ >-; o n ^"P'- possession was already taken by the erection and garrisoning of fort Good Hope, and no neglect to warn them occasionally has occurred, in order to make known our right, and to protest against them for usurpation, force and violence, yet have they, disregarding all this, seized and occupied, and still retain, tiie largest and best part of New Netheriand, to wit : East of the North river, beginning at Cape Cod, named in IGOO by our own people New Holland, (whereof also, Their iiiBh Miehii- possession was taken, if we are correctly informed,' by the erection of their High neiwê' arim .reeled "^ J • J o New^HoUand".'' °' M 'ghlinesses' arms) down to within six leagues of the North river; for the English have now a village called Stamfort, from which place a man can reach the North river and return home on a Summer's day, according to the knowledge Th» English «re acquired of tiie Indian paths. Again, the English of New Haven have a Trading theNwihrivM."" post situate to the East or South east of Magdalen island, at no greater distance than six leagues from the North river; for that island lies on the East side of the North river, 23i leagues above Fort Amsterdam;- and the Trading post is established with no other design than to attract or wholly to destroy the entire trade of the North river, where it now passes down entirely free.' They, moreover, made repeated efforts eight or nine years (13) ago, to purchase a large tract of land from the Indians, as we understood from the latter; this would have been rather with a view to attract the trade than anything else, for it was situate on the east side, not more than three or four leagues from the Colonie of Renselaerswyck. These people will now accuse us of this and similar things, all under the pretence of an excessively scrupulous conscience, notwithstanding King James, of most glorious memory, incorporated the Virginia Companies, with a condition 'Soo one ondcr» de waerlieyt liercclit is. These words are omitted in tlie printed Verlongh. 'Magdalen island is opjiusite the town of Ked Hook, Dutchess county. The trading post was on tha site of the present town of Springfield, Maes. "The trads on the Rhine and other European rivers, was subject to toll, which system the agent* of the Patroon of Renselaerwyck attempted to establish also on the Hudson. But the attempt was resisted, and failed. — Ed. Ntw jSftèlierland. 17 The Virg' pany muat rcniniri reckoning. They are willing to avail themselves of this grant, but in no wise to apar!'"from 'each comply with the terms stipulated in the patent. ""'"■ All the islands, bays, harbors, rivers, kills and places, even a great way on the i"''" i»''»"'^» :>"•• • ° •* hays have Dulch other side of New Holland or Cape Cod, have Dutch names, which were given '""'"■'• them, long before they had any others, by our Dutch navigators and traders when they first began to discover and trade to those parts. The English themselves are well aware of this, but so long as they can manage it, and things get along to their liking, thev will not admit the fact; for those of the Fresh river desired to enter Those «r the Freeh o •' river have offered a into an arrangement, and to pay a yearly acknowledgment, or to purchase the ^^arjy acknowiecig- fee. This, indeed, is proof positive, that the right is well known to them, and they, themselves, had nothing in conscience against it, though they now from time to time, have forged and invented many things to serve them for a screen or fence, or indeed as a pretext for delay. In like manner those of Rhode Island, when they were at variance with those The orijrinai paper» and documents re- of the Bay, solicited leave to take shelter under the Dutch, and to be subject to "fa"y*r''Di'recï.H them; there are proofs and documents in abundance, with the Secretary or °'""''^"""'""'-'' Directors of the Company, of all these things, and of what we shall relate in the following pages. In short, 'tis thus far with the English, that they are very willing to recognize the Netherlanders, and make use of them as a cloak in time of need, but again when this is past, they regard them not and make fools of them. This proceeds entirely from having neglected to people the country, or to speak plainer and more correctly, from a desire, through motives of selfishness, to scrape all the fat into one or two pots, and therefore to continue trade, and neglect population. Long Island, which is a crown of the province by reason of its great advantage Long island is a of excellent bays and harbors as well as convenient and fertile lands, they have eriand. also entirely usurped, except Breukelen and Amersfoort, two Dutch villages of little moment on the West end; and some English settlements, such as Gravesend, Greenwich, Mespat whence the people were driven away in the There are r.w peo- War and which was afterwards confiscated by Director Kieft, but the proprietor appealed and so it yet remains, and there are very few people in the place now. Flushing, which is a handsome village and tolerably stocked with cattle; the fourth and last is Heemstee, which is superior to all the rest, for it is very rich in cattle. But, now, since we have entered on the subject of Long Island, we shall (14) or lohj; uiaad in treat of it somewhat more at length, because the English greatly hanker after it. The Ocean on the south, and the East river on the north side form this Island, which, as we have already remarked, is a crown of New Netherland, on account of its convenient position, its suitable harbors, and anchorage grounds. The East river, which separates it from Manhathans Island as far as the Hellgate, is tolerably wide and convenient. Our freemen have resided on that Island down from the very first, according as circumstances permitted. In ao. i64o, a scoteh- the year 1640, a Scotchman came to Director Kieft with an English commission, "^"dmTsMand." 18 litmonfitrance of and claimed this Islniid ; but his pretension was not much respected ; he therefore again departed witliout having accomplished any thing except imposing on the lower classes. Afterwards Director Kieft broke up and scattered the English who were desirous to settle at Oyster bay, and thus it remained for a while at that time. ForrMter, Downccr jn the vear 1G47, a Scotchman came here who called himself Captain Forester, and claimed that Island for the Dowager of Stariingh, whose governor lie represented himself to be. He had a commission dated in the XV1H"> year of King James, but it was not signed by his Majesty nor by any one else. Dependent from it was an old seal that could not be deciphered. His commission included the entire island, with five leagues around, both mainland and islands. He had also a power of' attorney from Maria, Dowager of Stearling, and this was all ; nevertheless, the man was very consequential, and said, on his first arrival, that he came here to see Governor Sluyvesant's commission, and, if it was better than his, he would give way to him; if not, the other must yield. To be brief, the Director took a copy of the papers, and sent the man over in the ship, the Valckenier ; but he did not reach Holland, for having touched at England he left the vessel there, and never troubled the Captain. The English have since talked loudly of it, and gave out that he had returned to Boston, but he has not been seen. It is to be feared, were he to come now, that something untoward might really happen, wherefore it would be very wise to hasten the redress of New Netherland. OF THE FRESH RIVER. Tho Engiisii, with Sometime after the completion on the Fresh River of Fort Good Hope, which ih" rrcsifuwer, was beguH in the year 1623, an English schooner arrived there, but Jacob van coDlrary lo protest. * i • i Curler, the Company's Commissary, protested against it by order of the Director Wouter van Twiller ; yet notwithstanding this protest, they came there about a year or two afterwards with some (15) families, whereupon another protest mile ^?r^'''mt^'ta ^'''^ scrvcd on them ; but it was very evident that these people cared very little 5reF>!Sii"ui«r."°' fo"" it, for, notwithstanding repeated protests to the contrary, they finally invaded and usurped the entire Fresh river, and finally sunk so low in shamelessness as to have seized in the year 1640, the Company's lands around the fort. And when this was protested against, they paid no attention to it. They have proceeded Tho Endi.h beat even further, and have severely beaten the Company's people with sticks and iiur pwiplo nnd Je- ■' i j r r iiupiitmcnu).'"""'"^ clubs, and when the latter were on their land for the purpose of working, forcibly threw their plow and other implements into the river and impounded the Kèiü NdherlanJ. 19 horses.^ The same thing occurred repeatedly afterwards, and they also took up the hogs and cows helonging to the Fort, and even frequently sold some of them, TijijEnsiish sen our for damages as they say. Protests have been made against all these acts and each of them in particular, but they were mocked at; sundry very severe letters were written to their Governors in Latin on this subject, minute or copy whereof remains with the Company's officers, wlio can furnish a fuller account of this affair; but all opposition was vain; for they having now a smack of the excellence and convenience of this river, and remarking the difference between the land there and that more easterly, will not consent to go back, nor easily J'.'^^ |a^d«''^[;j '^',® submit to their High Mightinesses' protection unless respectfully invited thereunto, n»' eaauy go back. which it was desirable might have happened from the first. OF THE DUTCH TITLE TO THE FRESH RIVER. In the beginning, before the English were ever spoken of, our people, as we find it written, first carefully explored and discovered the northern parts of New Netherland and some distance on the other side of Cape Cod. And even planted an ensign on, and took possession of Cape Cod. Anno 1614, our traders ^^^ V.^^Z\nn"^( not only trafficked at the Fresh river, but had also ascended it before any English boushuonj'iderabie people had ever dreamed of coming there; the latter arrived there for the first °'^"' time in the year 1636, after our Fort Good Hope had been a long time in existence, and almost all the land on both sides of the river had been bought by our people from the Indians, which purchase took place principally in the year 1632 ; and Kievits hook^ was purchased at that time also by one Hans Eencluys, an officer of the Company. The States' arms were also affixed at this Hook (16) to a tree in token of possession, but the English, who still occupy the Fresh river, d^wn ^"hi'? n"gh threw them down, and engraved a fool's face in their stead. Whether this was ^D'd'"'engr"Tc''d'"a done by authority or not, we can not say; such is probable, and no other than an pia^- affirmative opinion can be entertained ; this much has come to pass — they have been informed of it in various letters, which never produced any result ; but they have in addition, contra jus gciuium per fas et ncjlis, invaded the whole, because, as they say, the land lay unoccupied and waste, which was none of their business, and, besides, was not true ; for on the river a fort had been already erected, which ' The following extract from the Colonial Records of Connecticut illustrates the text : — "Hartford June jx. 1640. Whereas the Dutch catle are impounded for trespassing the Englishmen's corne, It is the iudgment of the Courte that the Dutchmen shall be made acquainted wth the trespasse, and satisfaction demanded, the weh if they refuse to pay, the Cattle are to be keple in the pound three dayes, and then to be prysed & sold, and the trespasse to be satisfied, togathiT with tiie chard^e of impouuur coluQ is the principal; it has a Governor, contains about thirteen hundred and forty families, and is a province or member of New England, there being four in all. (17) This place was begun eleven years ago, in the year 163S, and they have since hived further out and formed Milford, Stratford, Stamford, and the Trading House already referred to. Director Kieft hath caused divers protests, both in Latin and other languages, to be served on these people, commanding them by virtue of his commissions, in the name of the Lords States General, his Serene Highness of (Grange, and the Honorable Directors of the Incorporated West India Company, to desist from their proceedings and usurpations, and in case of refusal, warning them thereby that satisfaction should be required of them, some time or other, according as circumstances might allow; but it was knocking at a deaf man's door, for The EngiLh con- they did not heed it, nor give it any attention ; but, on the contrarv, had linilo to rnrroarh on ■' a j j i disri* «rd «"«571^ recourse to several subterfuges, circumstances, false pretences and sophistical then.«ive. hyluh- arguments, to give a color to their actions, and to cast a doubt and impeach our and Justify cive ■ ictfutftfc lawful claim and valid title to the premises. General Stuyvesant hath also had repeated differences with them on this subject, but it remains in statu quo. The ' iirvawcrt/e, ill tlic ]>i iutcJ VerlooyU ; uviilently a tyjtograpliical t Kew Netherland. 21 farthest that they have ever been willing to come is, to declare that the matter could never be arranged in this country, and that they were content and very desirous that their High Mightinesses should arrange it with their Sovereigns, and as this is very necessary, inasmuch as the English already occupy and have The English have seized nearly the half of New Netherland, which hereafter can well be of great Nemerianï^ ''*'' importance, so it is earnestly to be desired, that their High Mightinesses would please to press this matter, before it proceed farther, and the breach become irreparable. We should now pass from this to the South river, by the English called Delaware bay, with a view first to describe the boundaries in this way, consecutively; but we cannot omit, in passing, to say that there was here, both in Director's Kieft's time and in that of General Stuyvesant, a certain Englishman who called himself Sir Eduard Ploeyden, and styled himself Earl Palatine of sir Eduard pioey- •' •' den. Earl Palatine New Albion; he represented and claimed that the country from the west side ?Linf,'"'nio!.H"''!'hè of the North river unto Virginia, was his, by grant from King James of England, but he said he did not wish to create any difficulty with the Dutch, though be was very much piqued at John Prins, the Swedish Governor at the South river, on account of some affronts he had received from him, which are too long to relate; he added, that he, at a proper opportunity, should meet that gentleman, and take possession of the river. In fine, according to the English reckoning, it comes to this: Nothing remains for their High Mightinesses' subjects; one must have thus far, and another must have so far, so that between themselves they never fall short. ;ofN. Nether- ( 18 ) OF THE SOUTH RIVER AND THE BOUNDARIES THEREABOUT. As we are now about to speak of the South river, and the most Southerly part of New Netherland, we shall begin from the commencement, though others have also treated fully of it, and shall state every thing, at the same time, as briefly as possible. The boundaries, according to our experience, extend at this place to Cape Hinlopen, four leagues south of Cape Cornelius, in the latitude of thirty- eight degrees. The coast trends on an average West, South West and Westerly, and though this Cape Hinlopen is not much esteemed, yet it ought to be taken into consideration as being favorably situated, not only as regards the convenience of the country, but also as relates to the trade with the Indians on the South river, to secure which the English and Swedes are making great efforts, as we shall presently show. Were the boundaries here settled, they would all be properly, and without any further trouble, deprived of it, and thus the enjoyment of the produce both of the earth and of the trade, would remain with their High Mightinesses' subjects. 3 etrnru to secure the trade of the South river. The bounda- ry onghl to be set- 22- Remonstrance of Smith b»j la Id I 16M •hip OF THE SOUTH BAY AND SOUTH RIVER. The South bay and South river, by many called the second great river of New iudBssd.g.6»inio. Netherlaud, is sltuatcd in latitude 3S degrees 63 minutes ; it has two headlands or capes ; the most northerly is called Cape May, the most southerly, Cape Cornelius, and the bay itself was named New Fort-May, but at the present time, Godyn's Bay. These names were given to the places about the time of the first diKo«rid "in' Th" discovery, before they had any others. The discovery itself was made at the //.I'/M same time as that of the North river, by the same ship and crew, who entered the South bay before they arrived at the North bay, as is all to be read in its length and breadth in Johannes De Laet's Nieuwe JVenlf. In the year 1023, at the same time that forts were erected on the North and I. the fresh rivers. Fort Nassou was erected upon this river, which, in common conversation, is called the South river; but it was the first of the four, and for the same purpose and object as the others, as (If)) hereinbefore related. The fort stands on the East shore fifteen leagues up the river. Yet it would have done as well on the West bank. The bay trends nearly North and South ; it is called New Port-May, or Godyn's bay ; it is nine leagues long before coming to the river, and six leagues wide, so that one shore cannot be seen from the other. It is somewhat dangerous for inexperienced persons, on account of some bars ; otherwise, there is water enough for those acquainted with the courses. This thoM who Enow i those who have seen both. In general, it is considered by every person one of the finest, best and pleasantest rivers in the world, on account of its own and other attendant conveniences. Fourteen streams flow into this river, the smallest of them navigable for two or three leagues, and every where, on both sides, are pretty good flats in great abundance. Two leagues from Cape Cornelius, on the West side of the entrance, lies a certain kill which might well be called an ordinary river, or stream, for it is wide, navigable far up, and has a fine roadstead for ships of all dimensions. There is no other in the entire bay equal to it for goodness and convenience. The direct channel, in sailing up, runs close by it. This place is called the Whore Kill. What this name is derived from, we know not. This much is certain, that this place was taken up and colonized by Netherlanders years before any English or Swedes came there. The States' arms were also set up at this place in copper; but as they were thrown down by some insolent Indians, the Commissary there resented it very strongly and demanded the head of the offender. The Indians, knowing nothing better, brought a head, saying it was that of the transgressor, and herewith it was thought the affair was arranged ; but sometime afterwards, whilst our people were wholly unconscious of the design, and engaged in their field labor, the Indians came, in the guise of friendship and, distributing themselves all around, according to the number of the Dutch, overpowered and murdered them. In iVtw Ketheiiand. 23 this way was this Colony again reduced to nought, howbeit sealed with blood ,^ecorunM7''aTih'J and purchased dearly enough. ^umTc. to/L' ume^ There is another creek on the East side, called Hogs creek, three leagues below the mouth of the river. Some English people had settled there, but were driven away by Director Kieft, who protested against them, having been, in some degree, assisted by tHe Swedes. They agreed together to keep out the English. The Swedish Governor, thinking his opportunity now come, had a fort, called The 8wed« erect 1 I • 1 , • 1 • . , '°" Ebeoburgh. Elsenburch,' erected at this place, and took great liberties with every one, even with the Company's yachts, or such as would go up the South river ; for before this fort must they all strike, none excepted, and two men are here sent on board in order to ascertain whence the yatchs or ships come. It is nothing less than searching ; it will probably terminate in that. What right these people have The swede» have to do so, we know not ; we cannot comprehend how servants of other powers, somhrwer. (20) as they represent themselves, but by what commission is not known here, make themselves so much masters, and assume authority, over land and property belonging to and possessed by others and sealed with their blood, independent of the Charter. The Minquas Kill is the first up the river, and there the Swedes have built Fort Christina.2 This place is conveniently situated, for large vessels can lie right against the bank, to load and unload. Amongst the rest, is a place up the Divers pIhcm on ihe ° ° D ' r r South river In pe». river called Schuylkill, a fine navigable stream which also was heretofore, in p*"'°" °' "'" p°°- possession of the Netherlanders; but what is its condition? The Swedes now have it also mostly under their control. There are, moreover, several beautiful and pleasant islands and other places, heretofore also in the occupation of the Netherlanders and still bearing the names they gave, and various other circumstances, which afford sufficient and conclusive evidence that the river belongs to the Netherlanders and not to the Swedes. Their beginnings can of themselves convict them ; for one Minnewits, who had previously been Director at the Manhatans for the West India Company, came to this river eleven years ago — in the year 1638 — with the ship de KalmersleuteP and the yacht de Vogelgryp, representing, on the contrary, to the Netherlanders who resided at the river on behalf of the Company and of Mr. Van der Nederhorst, that he was on a voyage to the West Indies, and that he wished first to transact some business The swedei com- there in passing, and to take in a supply of wood and water, when he should "fum''riveJ'"with''a depart. A while afterwards some of our people returned thither and still found them there; but then they already had prepared a little garden of salad, The Swedes make a J J ^ t^ o > liiyg garden ; afler- pot herbs and such like. Our people wondered at this; inquired what it meant, and if they intended to remain there ? They offered divers reasons and ' Tlie name of this fort is still preserved in that of Elsinborough, a township in Salem county, New Jersey. ' The creek has in consequence obtained the name of Christina creek. It is in the State of Delaware. ' Or the key of Kalmar. Calinar is an ancient town in Sweden, latitude 56° 40', longitude 16° 26' ; its fortress was formerly considered the key of the kingdom. It is famous in Swedish history for the landing of Guatavus Vasa, in 1520, when about to deliver his country from the domination of foreigners. — Ed. urds a fori. 24 Hemonslrancc of subterfuges in explanation ; nevertiieless, some presumed that sucli was tlieir design. The third lime, 'twas clearly seen by the building of a fort, what their design and intention were. Director Kieft, on obtaining information of the The sweJM proiMt- matter, protested, but in vain. It was their determination not to depart thence, eil against, and llie ' 8UW»' Amu «et up. 33 the Sequel of the matter clearly and plainly showed. As a proof of this, the arms of their High .Mightinesses were erected above Machihachansio,' at the Sankikans,^ by order ol Director Kieft, in token that the river with all the adjoining countries and circumjacent lands and superficies were under the control and in the possession of their High Mightinesses. But what fruit did that bear, save Uwo^'SUr suito ''^^^'"g scorn and decreased respect? For the Swedes with insuHerable '*""■ insolence, have thrown them down, and so 'tis allowed to remain; and 'tis considered, especially by the Governor, a brilliant achievement. 'Tis true that several protests were made both against this and other matters that occurred, but they produced as little effect as the flight of a crow (21) overhead, and it is to be feared that if this Governor had an adequate force, there would have been more mad freaks with him than with the English or any of their Governors. And this is, in brief, the case of the Swedes; the Company's officers ought to The CompanT's bit- i , , , . i i • Tant. oni. luroish be able to make a pertinent report on the subiect, as they have in their rtalleriiilormalinnon . "^ '^ . Ihe sw^fl*""^ °' possession all the papers and documents, to which and to the journals, we refer. The English have also sought at divers times and places to annex tliis river, being, as they say, the nearest to it; but they have been prevented hitherto The English exppi- in tliis, bv divers protests, and also by their being expelled by force, well led from the Soulh •' V ' J H f J ' ■■'»«'■■ knowing that if they but once liappen to settle there, the river would be lost, or cause considerable trouble; for tliey would swarm to it in great numbers. It is hantfr"^a(to '^t" '^"'■'"'^"'•'y reported here every day, and we are informed, that the English will South riTer. gQQQ repair thither with several families. 'Tis to be borne in mind, that if these people come to settle there, they will so rapidly spread themselves over every place, that shortly neither Dutch nor Swedes will have much to say there ; at least, there will be a risk of losing the river, iu whole or in part, if some particular precaution be not taken ; and this, then, would be the fruit of want The Director» do not of population ; yet with all, the Directors of the Company have not to this day people it, but Ob- , '^ •' ^ ■' •' Btruci population, paid any attention or regard, worth mentioning, to the matter. Though it has been communicated to them fully and by divers letters, they have been a serious obstruction and an impediment; for it fares with this as with the rest — Greed hath befooled Wisdom ; for the report now prevails that the English will build a village and trading house there; and, in truth, if they begin, there is no one here on the part of the Company who can prevent them, or apparently ofler them much opposition. And not longer ago than last year, divers freemen, among whom were even some of ourselves, and all of whom without exception had or 7e'up?i"''"K"n could have good employers in Fatherland, requested liberty to make a settlement the Soulb tho Soulh river, but there; to wit, a trading house, some bouweries^ and plantations, on condition Or M-tgeckqueiifiou, of the Dutch Maps; supposed to be the creek at Ilordeutown, N. J. ' Treutoii Falls. Acretius' Ilisiory of Niw Sweden. ' Here again the word is, incorrectly, Brouuieryen, in the Verloogh. — Ed. New Neiherland. 25 and provided some suitable Freedoms and Exemptions were granted ; but this the General refused, saying, he could not do it as he had no order nor instructions to that effect from the Hon"* Lords Majors; but if they chose to make a beginning there, without Freedoms or such like, that could in some respect be done. And when we represented to his Honor that such were offered us by the neighbors all round, if we would only declare our willingness to acknowledge ourselves members of their government, and that this place ran a thousand dangers from the Swedes and English; his Honor replied, that he well knew it, and that it was as we represented, whereof in fact he was fully aware. Reason was on our side, but the instructions he had from his superiors were such that he could not justify it before them. Now we are blind in these matters, but one of (22^ two things must be true; either it must be the fault of the Director The Director biame. ^ ' ° the Company for Iho or of the Company, or of both. Whichsoever be the case, the one shifts the want or popuiauon. blame on the other, and between them, all runs to ruin. Strangers possess the land and fare right well, and mock us if we say any thing. They enjoy |';^=;'|f^',^„j'p"^\7 free Privileges and Exemptions, the like of which, were our Netherlanders to "'e*»- possess, they would (with God's help, without which we can do nothing) doubtless flourish as well as, if not better, than the English. Therefore, the Company, or its servants, have been, up to this time, the obstruction and J^^^j'f,„l^| ^°^^^l the cause that the country does not make greater progress. It is not to be ^^™;[g *y","°ü2; expected that 'twill fare any better, but much worse whilst it is under their J"'"*"'* ^""P"^- control, such is their greediness and misgovernment ; but the right time to treat of this matter is not yet arrived. OF THE CONVENIENCE AND EXCELLENCE OF THE WATERS. Having treated of the situation of the land and its boundaries, and having spoken, consequently, of the location of the rivers, it will not be foreign to our purpose to add a word respecting the goodness and convenience of the waters, which are salt, brackish and fresh, according to their locality. There are, in New F»"'''i''j''",™'?'» ' o J ' jjew Nelherlaud. Netherland, four principal rivers; the most southerly is commonly called the South river, the bay, before entering the river, Godyn's bay ; the river is so named not because its course is south, but because it is the most southerly river of New Netherland. It is immediately south of another, which is also the principal and best as regards trade and population, and is called Rio Montanjes, on account of some mountains, or Mauritius' river, commonly the North river, because its course is mainly, and for a great distance, towards the north. The third is the East river, so named because it stretches East from the Manathans. This is The East river, to esteemed by many not a river but a bay, because 'tis very wide in some places, and opens at both ends into the sea. We, however, consider it a river, and it is because it 26 Beniondtrance of generally so reckoned. The fourth is the Fresh river, because its water is, for the most part, fresh, more so than that of the others. In addition to these rivers, there are still many and various bays, harbors and inlets, very convenient and useful, some of which fully deserve the name of rivers. There is also abundance of lakes, some large, some small, besides navigable kills, which are very like rivers, and multitudes of creeks very useful for navigating over ail parts of the country, as the (23) Map of New Netherland will demonstrate to us. There are, besides, many and various waterfalls and streams adapted for the erection of Many •ireani» 81 to ^\\ gorts of mllls for uiaii's usc, and innumerable small rivulets and brooks throughout the whole land, as arteries through a body ; the water of all is fresh, except of some few at the sea side which are salt and fresh, or brackish, all very good drink for wild and domestic animals ; discharging their surplus waters into the rivers or into the sea. In addition to all these, there are fountains and springs, innumerable, every where throughout the country, even at places where they would not be expected, as on cliffs and rocks, from which they burst forth Acreitmanyroun- like Water spouts ; and some are of such a nature that they are worthy attention, nIw "Nrtherianir not oulv becausB thcv are all, except those in the thickets, very clear and pure, .ume of which •^ ... , . , . , , \- , , . from "he« and'"«é ^ut many havc this peculiarity, that in the winter they smoke from heat, and in righicoid'in «urn- gmi,,„er are so cool that even in the hottest part of the season the hand can, with difficulty, tolerate them on account of the cold. And this circumstance renders them very pleasant for the service of man and beast, by whom they can be used without danger; for should any one drink thereof, it does him no harm, even though it be very warm weather. This much being stated regarding the New Neiheriand pfopcfty, couvenieuce, gooducss and fertility of this province, in which respects it fncam Europe^™" need uot yield, as far as our limited experience extends, to any province in N»w Neiheriand Europc ; and as relates to trade, wherein Europe, and especially Netherland, la^^weu suited lor ^^^.^\^^ {i,}^ ppovlnce uot Only lies very convenient and suitable for it, but were there only population, would be found to have exported more commodities by New Netherland and of itscif to Other countries than it need to import from elsewhere. These b"e"h''e«Vner''io'''i'hê being considered, 'twill be very little labor for the intelligent to estimate and to compute exactly what importance this naturally noble province is to the Netherland nation, what service it might hereafter be to it, and what a refuge it would be for all the needy in Netherland, as well of high and middle as of low degree, for it is much easier for people of industry to obtain a living here than in Netherland. ThanhatoGod for We cauuot Sufficiently thank the Fountain of all Goodness for having conducted having la vored the i i i • i i ,• , Nrtheriand nation yg {jj^q go good, SO fertile and so wholesome a land, which we, however, did not deserve, on account of our manifold sins exceedingly increased by us every day in this country. We are also beholden, in the highest degree, to the Indians, who not only surrendered this rich and fertile country, and for a trifle made it over to us, but did, over and above, also enrich us with their valuable and mutual trade, so that there is none in New Netherland, or trading to that country, but is under obligation therby. Great is our shame now, and fortunate should we be did we duly acknowledge this benefit, and in return for what the Indians had shared with us of their substance, endeavor, as much as in us lay, to divide with them Xéw XdherlanJ. 27 the Good Eternal. It is to be (24) feared that for this injury they will stand up against us at the last day. Lord of Hosts ! forgive us that we have not hitherto comported ourselves better in this matter; but grant us the means and direct our hearts that we in future duly acquit ourselves herein unto the salvation of our own and their souls, and the glorifying of Thy Holy name, for Christ his sake, Amen. 'Tis respectfully submitted that the trouble which will attend the adjustment The «xpmee and tr J -> trouble of Betlling of the boundaries, and the expenses to be incurred at first for the increase of JJ'J'dl;""";,"/,,"^'] the population of this Country ought to be disregarded, and it ought to be borne èonside?ed"'™°°" in mind that beginnings are difficult, and that sowing would be irksome were men not comforted by reaping. We trust and are confident that your High Mightinesses' very great experience will accomplish this better than we are able to suggest ; but it may probably appear strange to your High Mightinesses and some other friends before whom this may come, that we speak so highly as we do, and as we know to be true, of this place, and yet complain of its indigence and poverty and beseech help, assistance, redress, diminution of burdens, population and other similar benefits for it, and show that it is in a poor and ruinous condition ; yea, so low, that unless it receive especial aid and assistance it will utterly fall away and be ruled by foreigners. It becomes therefore incumbent to point out the true reason and cause why New Netherland is in its present low condition, which we shall do as correctly, minutely and truthfully as will be in any wise possible, according to the facts as we have seen, found and heard them ; but as this relation not only will call forth and experience much The reMon nf th« opposition and reproach, as it will greatly excite many against it, we therefore °J'ï,'JJ'^g"|j"''r',"°3 most humbly pray your High Mightinesses and all well wishers whom this may hlllfuT'io m'ny. "" reach, not to allow the truth to yield to falsehoods, previously trumped up and invented; and not to admit any evidence against it, except of such impartial persons as have not either directly or indirectly been injuriously affected by, nor had a hand in, the ruin of New Netherland, nor are otherwise under obligation to it. And with this observation, we proceed to the reasons and sole cause of the evil, which we truly, though briefly and indistinctly set forth in the beginning of our petition to your High Mightinesses. (25) OF THE REASONS AND CAUSE OF THE GREAT DECAY OF NEW NETHERLAND. As we shall treat of the reasons and causes by which New Netherland has been reduced to its present low and ruinous condition, so we consider it necessary first to enumerate them separately ; and, in accordance with our daily experience as far as our knowledge extends, we here assert in one word, and none better offers, 28 Remonstrance of the'' ni'ïr™f"Now that the cause is bad govemmcnt with its attendants and consequences. With Neiheriand. ^^^ ^^^^^ \\g\\i We caunot peTceive any other than this to be the sole and true Nrw'^éuiMTami u '^°""'''^^'°" stone ol' the decay and ruin in New Netherhind. This government r«peoting^''lran" froni which SO niucli abuse proceeds, is two fold ; to wit, in Fatherland by the p«!iy,'^.nViho*'»cu Company, and in tiiis Country. We sliall first briefly proceed to point out some orders and mistakes o( Fatherland, and afterwards pass to the others, and see how they have here grown up and waxed strong. Sd *'i'tór'°'p''i!ln* 1" t'l^ infancy of this country, the Directors adopted wrong plans and in our "'""*' opinion looked more to their own profit than to the country's welfare, and trusted more to interested than to sound advice. This is evident from the unnecessary expenses incurred from time to time ; the heavy accounts from New Netherland ; the taking up Colonies mostly by Directors; their carrying on commerce, to which end trade has been regulated, and finally from not colonizing the country. It seemed at first as if the Company did intend to settle this place with its own M^Tants ^wrVhê servants, which must be a great mistake; for so soon as their time was up, they counirja a. nam», ^^j^^^jj^j houie Carrying with them nothing except a trifle in their purse and, for the country, the bad reputation of great hunger, &c. Meanwhile there was no profit but heavy monthly bills, as the accounts from New Netlierland will testify. Had the Hon'''" West India Company attended in the beginning to population, instead of incurring great expense for things unnecessary, which might be attended to at more favorable times and then could also be better done, the New Netherland account would not be so large as it is now; first, by the construction of the ship Nieuw Nccrlant, at an excessive expense; of three costly mills, by making brick, burning tar, manufacturing ashes, salt, and similar undertakings, which through bad management and calculation, came wholly too little or nothing, notwithstanding the excessive expenditure. Had this been (26) applied to colonizing the country, and transporting cattle, the place might now be of considerable importance. Sudi^bl'irJi°''an.i '^'^''^ country and its position are much better and more convenient lh'a"New'ïJgr»'nd! than that occupied by the English, and had not self interest and private speculation been attended to, assuredly, the North or New England would not have outstripped us so much. Had the first Exemptions been honestly carried out, according to their tenor and not with particular views, the friends of New Netherland would certainly have made greater exertions to bring out settlers, and to take up land. The other clauses which were introduced, have always discouraged individuals and kept them down, so that those of them who had any skill, on becoming aware of the facts, dare venture nothing. It is very true that the Company hath brought over some persons, but it did not persevere, so that little advantage followed; it had, also, no proper commencement, for 'twas done as if without any plan. It is impossible to relate and pertinently to describe, in what and how many instances the Company hath injured and obstructed this country. It was jSïij ja"ütf"w»nD- unwilling that our own nation should take up land, as appears from the case of Ihe Fr««h Jacob Walingen and his associates, at the Fresh river and now recently as New Kethtrland. 29 regards the South river, and in the meanwhile have foreigners intruded there, and nothing has been done except a prohibition and protest against it. Nothing else could well be done, for the garrisons are not sent out complete agreeably to ^he fault of New the Exemption, so that the fault of New Netherland's low condition lies as much J!4'Srii™'ne» iiso at the door of Fatherland, as of this place ; yea, the seed of the war was, according to Director Kieft, first sown in Fatherland, for he said that he had express order to exact the contribution from the Indians ; this would have been very good, had the country been peopled, but in this instance it was premature. Trade, without which, when lawful, no country prospers, has also fallen off so Lcpu Nflherland is much in consequence of the Company's acts, that it is without a parallel, and more ^^pj dj.wn by the slavish than free, owing to high duties and all the inspections and trouble that accompany it. We highly approve of inspection according to the orders given by 8muggi?r8,'fo7rbc5 the Company to its officers, and so far as 'tis done to check smugglers, who have counirj™'""' ruined the country, and now go out from all parts; but it ought, nevertheless, be executed without partiality, which is not always the case. The duty is high; of inspection and seizures there is no lack, and thus lawful trade is turned aside, except some little which is carried on on\y pro formd, in order to push smuggling under this cloak. Meanwhile the Christians are treated almost like Indians in christians are ttoai- ed almost hke 1q- the purchase of necessaries which they cannot do without; this causes great <>''"'•■ complaint, distress and poverty. Thus, for example: — the merchants sell their dry goods, which are subject to little loss, at a hundred per cent advance, and that freely, according as there is a demand for, or scarcity of this or that article ; (27) petty traders who bring small lots and others who speculate, buy up those goods from the merchants, and sell them again to the common people who cannot do without them, often at another advance of cent per cent, more or less, according as they are persuaded or disposed. More is taken on liquors which are subject to considerable leakage, and those who purchase such from them, pursue a course similar to that stated of the dry goods, and generally with so much shrewdness, eoods are sold in that the goods are disposed by the first, second and third hands, at an advance of ouJl'two and'mree ~ * 1 I • ■ I 1 /• hundred per cent one and two hundred, and more per cent. It would be impossible for us to advance. enumerate all the practices that are had recourse to, for the purpose of promoting self or individual interest; whilst little thought is bestowed on introducing people into the country. We intended to be silent. But the people have, moreover, been driven away by harsh and unwarrantable proceedings; their Honors, however, authorized this, for they instructed Director Kieft to pick out faults Th» Director» order ' •' ' that a partial should where none existed, and to consider a partial, as a complete, error and so forth. It emnpTe'e' error, ^5 has also been seen how the letters of the Eight Men have been treated, and the people.""""' """ result; besides many additional orders and instructions which are not known to us, and are alike ruinous; but laying this aside for the present, with a word now and again by way of remark, let us proceed to examine how their servants, and the Directors and their friends, have fattened here from time to time, having played with their employers and the people as the cat plays with the mouse. It «.?,h °J["r'''",j;'*^ would, indeed, be very easy to give an account of their management and course ^at'wi'ÏTmousl' * from the beginning, but as the most of us were not here at that time, and 4 Remomtrance of consequently not eye witnesses, and as it was long ago and has partially escaped recollection, and did not seem to us so bad as afterwards when land was granted free, and the freemen began to increase, we shall therefore pass over the beginning, and let Mr. Lubbert van Dinglagen, Vice-Governor of New Netherland, describe the administration of Director Wouter van Twiller, with which he is known to be conversant, and treat only of the two last sad and senseless extravagances — we should say, administrations — of Director Kieft, which is now in truth past, but its evil consequences remain ; and of Director Stuyvesant, which still stands, if that can be said to stand which lies completely prostrate. The Directors in this country being at a distance from their masters, looked close to their own advantage. They have always known how to manage their The DirMtor. «d- owu affairs handsomely, with little loss to themselves, yet under plausible unmp«n","»n divide the cniiu- . try.andisvrryjrai- not do amiss, howcvcr badly they behaved; those who were opposed to him ous If his partizana j j i i are visited. were always wrong, however well they acted, and the order to consider half an error as a whole one, was then strictly enforced. So great was the Director's Neiü Nttheiiand. 33 jealousy that he could not without suspicion suffer disinterested persons to visit his partizans. After the war had been terminated according to the Director's own statement, The w»r «ni not be concluded until though in our opinion it will never be finished until the country be peopled, every ;;;2'„'J^''j';p;« ^^ '" one hoped that this excise would cease ; but Director Kieft postponed that until the arrival of (31 ) a new Director, who was very anxiously wished for, and finally appeared; but like the crowning of Rehoboam ; for, instead of abolishing the beer excise, his first act was to superadd thereto a wine excise and other ^^'^y^''J^^'„/|'J^: intolerable burdens; so that some of the Commonalty, as they then had no <:'»«• advocate, were themselves under the necessity of remonstrating, but instead of J\»,pJj"p'* p"""™ the relief they expected, they received a somewhat sharp reprimand from the Director, and subsequently obtained a written ansveer which, as was his custom, he had couched in so lengthy and so diffuse a style, that poor humble people, such as are here, must inevitably commit mistakes regarding it. And thus have further attempts been made from time to time to impose new taxes and burthens. In fine, it is so managed that a considerable sum was received in Director Kieft's time, as well from duties as from other sources which are estimated to amount, one year Ki^n drew rmm ihe people as much as with another, to 16,000 guilders, exclusive of the customs paid in Fatherland, '«Ai" guiwers » which must indeed be also collected from the poor people here, for the goods are afterwards sold, and are now intolerably dear. The revenue reached a somewhat higher sum in Director Stuyvesant's time. It is estimated that fuiljso^^'gmwwl^ about 30,000 guilders are now drawn from the people, yearly, in duties, confiscations, excise, &c. ; and yet it is not fair, that the more one has the more he will have. It was however, allowable, that as much as possible should be contributed when it was to be employed for the public good ; and inasmuch as it Jj!lis"'pro^'i^ed"''nd was promised and enacted, in all placards, that all the money was to be employed peop'e^, """mouldy for commendable and necessary public works, let us now examine for a moment for'""ih''e° "people's what laudable public works there are in this country, and what fruits all the donations and contributions have hitherto borne. But in order not to commit any error in this matter, we must not be understood to include the goods and effects of the Hon'"''' Company, and which are its property, for whatever belongs particularly to any person, never was public; and the Company's property in this country, including forts, cannon, ammunition, farm-houses, warehouses, dwelling- houses, buildings, horses, cattle, vessels, and whatever else may be, possibly ^cu ?BT.''N^c'herI amount to between 60,000 and 70,000 guilders. And it is very probable that the iZut wS" "0 70" ,, .. , T.11.1.-1 111 000 EHildcrs. Its debts against it are somewhat more. But laying this aside, we shall turn our debt» ih^re to some- ° JO' thing more. attention to the public property, and see how the money has from time to time been employed according to the placards. If we are correctly informed, and have fully investigated and examined all these, we cannot ascertain or find that any thing — we say any thing — big or little, worth mentioning, was done, built or constructed, during Director Kieft's administration, in which the people were Nothing done for o r r ihe people in Kieft's concerned or had any interest, except the Church, of which we have already ""'• spoken. Yea, so much negligence and carelessness prevailed in the matter, that nothing was proposed, undertaken or done with even an ostensible appearance of 34 lici/wnstratice of satisfying the people ; on the contrary, whatever (32) was contributed by the Commonalty was absorbed among the Company's property; and the effects and The pahiir «T^nue means even of tlie latter, both in one place and the other, have been squandered and the Company's * * 5ér?3"^ "" "'""'' ^^^ ^^^ purpose of making friends, securing witnesses, and in order to get rid of accusers on the subject of the waging of the war. Kven the Negroes, which were obtained with Tamanderé, were sold for pork, and peas ; something wonderful was to be performed with this, but they just dripped through the fingers. There are yet sundry other Negroes in this country, some of whom have been manumitted on account of their long service ; but their children continue slaves, contrary to all public law, that any one born of a free Christian mother should, notwithstanding, be a slave, and obliged so to remain. It is impossible for us to relate every thing that has occurred. Whoever did not assent and applaud was watched, and when the opportunity offered, was remembered. We now submit to all intelligent persons what fruit this has borne, and what a way this was to obtain good testimony. Man is by nature covetous, and he is especially so who is needy. But we shall give some few instances of this, when we treat of Director Kieft's Pro««d« to Direo administration in particular, and now to proceed to that of Director Stuyvesant, minüiriüon. and to See what has been its course here, up to the time of our departure. stuyvewLt is un- Mr. Stuyvesaut has been, almost the whole of the time from his first coming faiM.'^'"'"'"^'' "'' '° °"'' leaving, busy building, laying masonry, constructing, breaking up, refitting and so forth; but generally, on the Company's account and little to their advantage, for on some things more is expended than they are worth ; however he at first put the church in order, which had come into his hands in very Ajicr the wo„,ien bad repair, and shortly afterwards constructed a wooden wharf, each of which fu'r'^"%o2fe ''""" '^ °^ great use and very convenient; but subsequent to this we know of nothing either done or made, that is entitled to the name of public work. Notwithstanding, the receipts have been sufficiently ample, as is evident from the yearly account; yet, like dropsical people, the cry was still incessantly for more. As a consequence, great discontent arose in a short time every where, not only among the burghers, who had very little to say, but also even among the Company's officers, so that divers protests passed between them on account of the expense and waste consequent on unnecessary councillors, officers, servants and so forth, entirely unknown to the Majores, and by reason of the appropriation and employment, for private purposes, of funds and means which were raised from the public; but all in vain; little or no improvement followed. And the more people tried to aid, restore and mend matters, the worse has it been ; for, swayed by pride, a determination entirely contrary was adopted, as siuyvMani ii proud i( it were a disgrace to follow advice, and as if every thing should proceed from «nil will nol heed ° J u i adTic. Qfig iiead. The fruits of this conduct can speak and testify of themselves. People have been here now so long, and would beat every bush ; yet not a thing No rpBuiaiion baa had been done concerning weights and measures or the like, previous to the 23'' July, of the year 1649, at which time the people were notified that an order on the subject would be issued the ensuing August, which the Fiscal would then (33) enforce — this was as much as to say: "Water the pigeons." Much pum, though solicU Ndw Ndherland. 35 discontent and division also frequently prevail among the people in regard to the weights and measures; and as these were never stamped, there can be no uniformity. The belief likewise obtains, that some, whose consciences are large, have two sets of them, but we cannot affirm the fact. The Company's grain measure has always been suspected ; but who dare say so ? The payment in Wampum, which is the currency here, has never been placed on a sure footing, although the Select men requested it, and showed how it could be done, and added conclusive reasons in support thereof. But it has always been misconceived and distasteful. And when any thing was said to the Director on these and similar, subjects, more than pleased him, a great deal of ill and spiteful language was received ; even those who were officially brought to speak with fhe^p''r'ucipa?"m?a him of such things, if he were not in good humor, were berated as rascals, a"™sfais anifbS " skinners. bear skinners, &c. The Fort under which people will take shelter, and from which, it seems, all The fort is like a r r mole heap, and all authority proceeds, lies like a mole-hill or a ruin. It does not contain a single "rder*""™ """ "^ gun-carriage, and there is not a piece of cannon on a suitable frame, or on a sound platform. It was proclaimed, at first, that it should be repaired, constructed with five bastions, and be made a first class fort. The Select men were also asked for money for the purpose ; but they excused themselves on the plea that the people were very poor. Every one was also greatly dissatisfied, and feared that the Director would be more harsh and severe, could he once rely on his fort. It remains sticking between these. He will, doubtless, contrive by various circumstances to throw the blame on the Commonalty, who are innocent, although the Director desired to have the money from them, and pretended to have an order to that effect from their High Mightinesses; for had he applied to that object one-fourth of the money which was collected in his time from the The money coiiec- Commonalty, it would, certainly, not have fallen short, as the wine excise "=" not expended •' ' .; ' on the fort. was imposed expressly for that purpose. But so it was ; a thousand ways were sought to shear the sheep before the wool had grown. Thus, in regard to public works, there is little difference between Director Kieft and Director Stuyvesant; for after the erection of the Church, the former became negligent The Directors in«ti- and instituted personal actions against whomsoever he had a prejudice. The •"" smyvesaet is' '^ ° r J worse in thai re- latter hath had much better and more opportunities to assist the people than »p"' ""an Kien. his predecessor; for he had no war. He differs from him also, being more active and malignant in looking up causes of prosecution against his innocent opponents, than ever his predecessor had been. 36 Renvoii-strance of ( 34 ) THE ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTOR KIEFT IN PARTICULAR. Sufficient has been said relative to what Director Kieft hath done in civil and ecclesiastical matters; whether buildings, resources or revenues. It remains for us to visit the Council chamber and bring out some specimens, according to our promise. Herein we shall also study conciseness. The Council consisted, then, of Director Kieft and Monsieur La Montangie ; the Director had two votes and Mr. La Montangie one; and yet 'it was a high crime to appeal from their judgments. Cornells van der Hooykens sat with them as Fiscal, and Cornells van Thienhoven as Secretary. And, moreover, whenever anything extraordinary came up, the Director had a few additional invited, according to his pleasure ; these were mostly officers of the Company. This, however, happened but seldom, yet it produced dissatisfaction. Neither EiEhi'm«'' h»ve the TwcIvc men nor the Eight after them, had voice or opinion in cases before iiueioi»y. ^j^^ court; they were chosen in view of the war and some other occurrences, in order to serve as a cloak and a catspaw. In other respects, they were of no consideration, and little regarded when they proposed anything in opposition to the views of the Director, who imagined himself, or would fain persuade others, The Direcior» give that he was Sovereign and that it was absolutely in his power to do, or to Sovereigns. permit, everything; and he heeded little that the safety of the People was the supreme law, as was clearly manifest in the war; although an effort was made by subterfuges and piles of certificates and petitions, to shove the responsibility on Boouso everyone others, when the spit was turned into the ashes. But this was done because ]:iv at the Diri'Clor'ê ' diior the blood ih»i things Went too far, and every one laid tlie damage and bloodshed at his door. waa »hed, h« en- o ^ J a u''frSS'*hi'«hoiIi" La Montangie said that he protested against it, but that he was mixed up with ''""■ it against his will and to his deep regret ; and afterwards, when it did take place, that he pretended to assist to the best of his ability. Secretary Cornells van Tienhoven also says, he had scarcely any hand in it, and that he iiad done nothing in the premises except by the express order of the Director ; but this was not believed, for there are some who heard La Montangie say, that had not The Secretary the Secretary brought a false report, the affair would have never happened. bnaga false report», rpj^g^.^ ^j.g j^jgg gome others who kuow it, and almost every one believes it, to be so, and indeed it seems very likely. No confidence was placed in Fiscal Van der Hooykens in consequence of his drinking, in which all his science consisted ; neither had he any experience in this country, and at the commencement, frequently cursed the war as being against his will, so that the responsibility remains and must rest with the Director and Secretary Thienhoven. To the Director was intrusted the supreme authority; did any one advise (35) him to the country's ruin, he must not follow such advice, and afterwards endeavor to throw the blame off his shoulders on people who will excuse themselves although The petitioner» «ot they are, in our opinion, not wholly blameless. We believe the war to have been caused by the exaction of the contribution, for which the Director said he Xew KdlicrlaiuJ. 37 had the order of tlie Majores, and by his own imprudent expeditions, which manifested themselves chiefly in the mysterious toast; but there are friends whom this closely concerns and who have already undertaken it. We shall leave the matter to them, and give a fewspecimens of his aspirations after sovereignty, *^'f"''<' sovinigniy. omitting several others for the sake of brevity. At this point we are met by one Franciscus Doutliy, an English clergyman here, and one Arnoldus van Hardenbergh, a free merchant, also of this place ; but as this will probably come before your High Mightinesses in full session, in the cases in which they appear, we shall give merely a summary of them. This clergyman, Franciscus Doulliy, came to New England at the commencement of the troubles or Francis Duuthy. in England, in order to escape them, and found that he had got out of the frying pan into the fire. He betook himself, inconsequence, under the protection of the Netherlanders, in order that he may, according to the Dutch reformation, enjoy freedom of conscience, which he unexpectedly missed in New England; and the Director granted and conveyed to him an absolute patent, with manorial privileges. He added some families now to his settlement, in the course of one year; but the war breaking out, they were all driven off their lands, with the loss of some JrTen' rrom"""his people, and the destruction of many cattle, of almost all their houses, and '''"''■ whatever they had ; they returned a while after that, and having consumed more than they knew how to obtain, they came to the Manathans, whither all the refugees at that time fled, and Master Douthy was minister there. After the flame Francis Domhy of war had died away, and peace had been concluded, in such a manner, Manaihans. however, that no one had much reliance on it, some returned again to their laud. The Director would fain see this man go back to his land, in order that every thing should have the appearance of being arranged, but as peace was doubtful, aud Master Douthy had no means to begin with, he was not in a hurry; he went, however, sometime after, and resided there half a year, but he again h was expo, (e.iihnt removed, as it was seized ; for in the hope that some others would establish a ha'v-e MMpaiirpt'! village there, a suit was instituted against the Minister, and carried so far, that being «imiè'u was the land was connscated. Master Douthy finding himself aggrieved, appealed from the judgment. The Director answered, there was no appeal from his decision which must be final, and in consequence of his remark, sentenced the Minister to "be imprisoned for the space of 24 hours, and then pay 25 guilders. We have always considered this act tyrannical, and regarded it as an instance of sovereignty. Arnoldus van Hardenbergh's case resembles this very much in its result, for after Seger Tlieunisse had been murdered by the Indians, at the Beeregat, and the yacht had returned to the Manathans, the Director and Council appointed Arnoldus van Hardenbergh and (3G) two others, curators of of the estate, and the yacht was searched. And in it was found some property which had not been entered, wherefore the Fiscal summoned the curators into court, and claimed that the property was forfeited to the Company. The iiardcnbcrgh before curators opposed it, and gave Hardenberch charge of the suit, who after some proceedings, was cast. As he now found himself aggrieveii as agent for the general owners, he appealed to such judges as the owners would elect. Then 38 liemoihstrance of ^ the game was repeated ; it was a high crime ; the Fiscal made great pretence and giiiKjer». a judgment was pronounced, the contents whereof were as follows: — "Having ibe wn- " seen the written demand of Fiscal V'an der Hoeikens of and against Arnoldus " van Hardenburch, and that in relation to the appeal from our judgment, dated " 2&"' April last, as appears by the signature of the above named A. van " Hardenberch, from which judgment no appeal can lie, as the commission of " their High Mightinesses the Lords States General and his Highness of Orange, " proves to him ; therefore, the Director General and Council of New Netherland, " regarding the dangerous consequences which tend to the injury of the supreme " authority of the magistracy of this country, condemn the aforesaid Arnoldus " van Hardenberch in the fine of 25 guilders, payable immediately, or to be " imprisoned until the fine be paid, as an example to others." If the lion be now known by his paw, it can be seen that these people make nothing of the name of your High Mightinesses, His Highness of Orange, the honor of the magistracy, and have used the words, dangerous consequences, an example to others and more of the like description, in order to play off their own personages therewith. l'mtQüiter ^® have, therefore, placed this act alongside of that perpetrated against the Minister Douthy ; and many more such pieces, or similar ones, are to be found in the record, if the entries be not altered, which is gravely suspected, as alterations have been sometimes seen in them. It is, then, sufficiently apparent, that pretty much every thing has gone amiss, and herewith shall we quit the subject, and pass on to Director Stuyvesant's administration, with a word, etercian^e howevcr, first regarding the clause sinisterly introduced into the patents, as the sequel will enable one easily to determine. For by the patents absolute conveyance was granted to the people who then thought all was safe, and that they were masters of what they possessed. The patents were next called in, on pretence that something had been forgotten in them; but it was not so, only 'twas imagined that something had been surrendered in the grant, and therefore a clause was added to the patents, which were signed anew ; this conflicts directly with the patent, so that without distorting its tenor in the least, there is now a There u b conini- Contradiction in one and the same patent; for the old deeds read thus: — "And ■"-»' — 'a one end jpaieni. they enter on the land and valleys which appertain thereunto of old." And the clause says,^-No valley to be used before the Company; which can easily use all of it and have their competency. (37) Another clauseis usually inserted in the patents, which is objected to by everyone, to wit : That they must be subject to all burthens which are already, or shall hereafter be imposed. — That can be carried out ad infinitum, and it has already been enforced against divers inhabitants, and has discouraged others from undertaking anything on such conditions. 4lcUoD New Netlterhnul 39 THE ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTOR STUYVESANT, IN PARTICULAR. We sincerely wish we were already tlirough this administration, for it hath heen tati8u™bea«"'hl!?d heavy upon us, and we are conscious of our feeble power ; we will, nevertheless, make a beginning, and as we have already treated of the public property, ecclesiastical and civil, we shall examine into the administration of justice and the rendering of judgment between man and man, and demonstrate, as with a finger, in the first place, the manner of the Director and Council. As regards the Director, his manner in court has been, from his first arrival unto this time, to browbeat, dispute with and harass one of the two parties ; not as beseemeth , , rr^, . , ,. Sluyvesant acU the a ludge, but like a zealous advocate. This has caused great discontent advocate and m.t J £> ' "the judge in the every where, and has gone so far and had such an effect on some, that many "="""• dare not bring any suits before the court, if they do not stand well, or passably so, with the Director ; for, whom he opposeth hath both sun and moon against him. In addition to the fact that he hath himself appointed and obliged so many Councillors, some of whom also are well disposed, so that he can constrain the others by plurality of votes, he likewise frequently submits his opinion in writing, and that so fully and so amply that it takes up some side, and then |d;^t'''°2n'contra! his word is: "Gentlemen, this is my opinion ; if any one have aught to object dicuon or advice. to it, let him express it." If any one, then, on the instant, offer objection, which is not very easy unless he be well grounded, his Honor bursts forth, incontinently, into a rage and makes such a to-do that it is dreadful ; yea, he frequently abuses the Councillors as this and as that, in foul language better befitting the fishmarket than the Council board ; and if all this be tolerated, he will not be satisfied until he have his way. To prove this by example and certificates, though possible, would, however, carry us to too great a length. But, we all say and affirm, that such has, from the commencement, been and still continues daily to be, the common practice, and that this is the conduct and bearing in the Council of the Director who is president and head thereof. Let us now, also, cursorily speak of each of the other Councillors. Lubbert van Dinklagen, the Vice- i^'S^ssftirflud.^""'' Governor, hath for a long time exhibited great dissatisfaction, and on several occasions, and for divers matters, (3S) hath protested against the Director and his appointed Council, but it is only of late, after some others had offered opposition. He had been previously so influenced by fear that he durst not oppose the Director, but was obliged to let many things take their course and submit to them, to which, he afterwards declared, he had great objection because they were unjust, but he saw no other way to secure peace ; for the Director himself said, in Council, that he would treat him worse than Wouter van Twiller had ever done, if he would not obey his wishes. This man is then overruled. Let us now proceed further. Monsieur La Montanie had been in the Council in Kieft's time, and was then, by many, greatly suspected ; he hath i-a Monuine dare ^ J J ^ o J f ' not epeak freely. no commission from Fatherland ; was, also, driven off his land by the war ; is 40 liei/ioni-f./'aiicc of deeply in the Company's debt, and is, tlverefore, under the necessity of dissembling; but it is sufficiently notorious, and has been heard from himself, that he was not pleased with, and disapproved of that administration. Brian Muyson [Nuton], lieutenant of the soldiers, comes next. This man dreads the Director, and iionors him as his benefactor; besides being very ignorant and Brian Nuton dote . ,*^ii i-^.it • i-. -r^.. noi un.iersij.nd "ur uicx oenenced in the law, he is totally unacquainted witii our Dutch languaffe, langoage, and mutl J ~l 15 O ' wyYu. so that he is entirely unqualified to reply to the elaborately written opinions, e.xcept that he indeed must and will say, Yes. Adrian Keyser, the Commissary, cnmniiwary Adri- who camc hcte as Secretary, is also sometimes admitted to the Council. This man hath not forgotten much law, but says, himself, that he lets God's water run over God's field. This man, then, can say nothing, and dare not say anything; for so much devolves on him that it is best that he keep quiet. The ïhÏMS'?!"'"yote"ïn Captains of the ships have also a vote in the Council when they are ashore, 8wsve8anrraii»'"a't such as Jeluier Tomas and Paulus Lenaersse, who was appointed Naval agent Uil^h "cy dT^n'S on his first arriving here, and has always had a seat in the Council, but he is, now, a freeman. Every one can easily imagine the amount of knowledge these men, who have spent all their lives at sea and have been brought up to ship business, possess of matters of law and of iiusbandmen's disputes; besides which, the Director keeps them so dependent that they dare not speak, as will appear from this circumstance at Curasao, before the Director ever saw New Netherland. As they were discoursing about the value of Caracks, the Director himself said to the minister and others: "Domine Johannes, I thought 1 had " brought honest skippers with me, but 1 find that I have brought a pack of thieves." And this was said of these gentlemen Councillors, but principally of the Naval officer, for Captain Jelmer was mostly all the time at sea. But they let it pass unnoticed, a sign that they were dependent ; they did not fare the worse for it, however, for Paulus Lenaertse hath but trifling wages and yet has built a better dwelling-house here than any other person. How this is done, is too deep The Director bear- for US ; for ihoush the Director is aware of these things, he nevertheless observes ing êo macn trnm ' t? c PauiuB Lenaertse giiy„(.e when Paulus Lcuaertse begins to get excited, which he would not suffer from any other person ; and this gives rise to divers unfavorable surmises. To complete the bench of justice, there still remain the Secretary and the Fiscal Hendrick van Dyck, who has been formerly here as Ensign. Director Stuyvesant excluded him twenty-nine (39) months from the Council board, for the reason, among others, as his Honor stated, that he cannot keep a secret, but divulges whatever is done there. He also frequently declared that he was a villain, a scoundrel, a thief, &c. And all this is well known to the Fiscal, but he dare not adopt the right course in the matter; and, in our opinion, 'tis not advisable for him to do so ; for he is a man wholly intolerable alike in words and deeds. What shall we say of one whose head is a trouble to him and whose screw is loose, especially when it is surrounded by a little sap in the wood, which is no rare occurrence, as he is master at home. Cornells Van Thienlioven, the Secretary, comes next. A great deal might be said of this man ; more even Ntw Netheiland. 41 than we are able to set forth. For brevity's sake, however, we shall select here ^^ lonT'ï^ ïb' and there a few traits. He is crafty, subtle, intelligent, sharp-witted — good Su^' "wiJh^he gifts when properly applied. He is one of those who have been longest in this [^£{\i»£°^J^'j country ; is thoroughly acquainted with every circumstance relating both to the Macbiaveiiisu Christians and the Indians. With the Indians even, he has run about like an Indian, with little covering and a patch before him through lust for the prostitutes to whom he has ever been excessively addicted, and with whom he has had so much intercourse, that no punishment nor menaces of the Director can drive him from them. He is a great adept at dissimulation, and even when laughing, intends to bite, and professes the warmest friendship where he hates the deepest. To every one who has business with him — and there is scarcely one but has — he gives a favorable reply, promises assistance and assists scarcely any body, or leads them continually off on some course or the other, except the Minister's friends. In his words and acts he is loose, false, deceitful and given to lying; prodigal of promises, and when it comes to performance, nobody is home. The 1^^^ ir^^rml^S^ origin of the war was attributed, principally, to him and some of his friends, "'"■''""«d lo him. The Director was led astray by his false reports and lies, and this is the opinion and declaration of both reliable Indians and Christians. Now if the Voice of the People be, according to the maxim, the Voice of God, of this man hardly any "^^''^™_j htl^S good can, with truth, be said, and no evil concealed. With the exception of ^°^(,e^°^'|'''s ''*'' the Director and his party, the whole country cries out against him, as a villain, a murderer and a traitor, and that he must quit the country or there will not be any peace with the Indians. Director Stuyvesant was, at first and also afterwards, well informed of this ; who, nevertheless, retained him in office, and gave him so much latitude that everything follows his behest more than if he were President; yea, who even says, that he is well content to employ him ; but that stone is still rolling. We are convinced, and do believe, that he misleads the General in many respects, and causes him to do much evil that otherwise would not be committed. In a word, he is a proximate cause of his ruin and of the country's difficulty ; but, it seems, the Director can not, or will not see it. For, when some persons represented the matter to him, 'twas of no avail ; but an effort was made to palliate it, and so to manage that no one in Fatherland, where the truth may be freely spoken, could molest him for the purpose of getting at the truth, which is by no means their object. The attributes, then, of the members of the Council having been fixed, it is easy to conjecture that the (40) Court people stood by each other for the purpose of upholding the imaginary Sovereignty. And in order to gloze over that matter altogether, Nine men were chosen as representatives of the entire Commonalty, and it was in the anTre™ commissions and instruction declared, that what these men did, should be the act *"'"* of the whole people ; as it, indeed, was when it accorded with the Director's opinion and views, for they represent the entire people. But when it happened otherwise, then they were Boobies, usurers, rebels, and such like. But, to understand this properly, 'twill be best briefly to state, in chronological order, every occurrence here during his administration, and how unjustly those have been treated who have sought the good of the country. Nine men chosen and represent tho entire Commonalty. 42 \ Bemoiut ranee of His first arrival — for we speak not here of what passed on the voyage — was peacock like, with great state and pomposity ; the report that his Honor wished to remain here only three years and other boasts induced some to think that he would not act the father. 'J'he word JNIyn Heer Geneiiael and such like titles, were iMuS. P'^'^'^'^'' never known here before. He was busy almost every day issuing proclamations of various sorts, most of which were never observed and have long since died, '^''*n«i ''"'^jS^i.im ^^^ wine excise excepted, for that was a source of profit. The proceedings against htowrceïl^urabie" ^^^ Eight men, particularly against Jochum Pieters Cuytter and Cornells Molyn occurred also in the beginning, and the Director manifested so much partiality therein, that he afforded many an opportunity of judging of his character and its nature, but little to his advantage ; for every one clearly saw and remarked that Director Kieft had more favor and aid and counsel in his suit than his adversary, and that one Director was the advocate of the otlier, as Director Stuyvesant's 8iuyTe«ant exhibiu own words imported and signified when he said : " These Boorish brutes would the''&rme'^ """"^ hereafter endeavor to knock me over also, but I shall now manage it so that they will have their bellies full in all time to come." And how it was managed the result of the suit can testify, for they must pay fines and were cruelly banished, and in order that nothing should be wanting, when Cornelis Molyn pleaded for grace until intelligence of the result of his appeal in Fatherland should be received, he was threatened, as Molyn who is a living man hath himself declared, in these or similar words: — "Had I known, Molyn, that you would have divulged our sentence, or brought it before their High Mightinesses, T should have had Molyn threatened to you hanged forthwith ou the highest tree in New iNetherland." Now as this occurred before two pairs of eyes, it can be denied ; it may not be true, but what is remarkable, it is so confirmed by similar cases as not to admit of a doubt ; for it once came to pass in the Minister's house, after their departure, when the Consistory had met there and was risen, that one Arnoldus van Herdenberch related the proceedings relative to Seger Theunisse, and how he had appealed as curator, from the judgment, whereupon the Director, who had sat there as an siuyveaant dedared Elder, took up the word and answered: "People may think of appealing during that be would put my time — should any one do so, I would have him made a foot shorter, pack the from hTjudgmeTil pieces ofl' to Holland and let him (41) appeal in that way." O cruel words! what more could a Sovereign do"? And all this is still further confirmed, for after Jochem Pietersse Cuyter and Cornelis Molyn went to Fatherland to prosecute their appeal, and letters were received here from them, and it was rumored that they were maintained or would be successful, the Director, speaking of Jochim Pieterss Cuyter and Cornelis Molyn, openly declared at various times and on siujTcsant eon- many occasions, both in presence of inhabitants and strangers, that "Even tho' temna tho order of , , . , .11 1,1 , /v 1 i iho High Miehiy they return and brine abtates order they would be no better ot: than they were; Lord» the Blaic». J O ^ •' I should immediately send them back, unless their High Mightinesses summon me." His Honor has always maintained that no appeal lay, or could lie from this country, and that he was sufficiently able to prove it. And when some would not believe it, especially in cases against the Company or its chief officers, a great many extracts from divers authorities were quoted, not much to tiie point New Ndherland. 43 however. In the beginning, also., when Director Kieft was still iiere, tiie English Clergyman requested permission to depart to the Islands or to Netherland, as he had lived and labored a long while without proper maintenance, and as his land was now confiscated; but he always received an unfavorable answer and was threatened with this and that. Finally, it came to pass that he may depart on ^X^T^'IZ^" ihl condition of promising under his hand that, wherever he should go, he would not Jhöfhe shmlld'n" mention, nor complain of the manner he was treated here in New Netherland by treated?" " *" Director Kieft or Stuyvesant. This the man himself declares. Mr. Dini^lagen and Commander Looper, who were then members of the Council, also vouch for its truth. If the Directors can now justify it to their own consciences, 'lis a wonder what they will then do witii such certificates ; and many other things of a similar character iiave occurred, but very secretly. At first, the Hon**'^ Director also began to condemn very severely the contraband trade, which indeed was a very commendable act, were the law passed and enforced ; but he would himself do what he forbade to others, and this the people will not understand. His Honor said and openly maintained, that it was lawful for him on the Company's account to sell powder, lead and guns to the Indians, but for no one else ; that he would have a resolution passed siuyvfsant bciis to that effect and even commence the work. What the purport of the resolution tuTSiaM. '*"'"° is, we know not; but the character of the action is notorious to every inhabitant, for through his employés the Director hath publicly carried on trade with the the Indians ; and he hath deprived freemen of one or two guns which they had brought with them for their own use and amusement; for some of which he paid wiiat he thought proper, for others nothing; and then sold them to the Indians. But this could amount to nothing, and had little effect; some other course must be adopted. And with this view, one Gerrit Vastrick, a trader, was authorized to bring with him a case of guns, as is ascertained, in order, as it gmyvesant \m oris was reported, to supply the Indians with a sparing hand. (42) The transaction ■"="«= ofg""'- with this case was so public, that not a man at the Manhatans but knew of it, and people had plenty to do, to quiet the public; every one made his own comment, for it was remarked that the vessel, as others indeed before it, had not been inspected, and it was presumed that a great quantity of guns, powder and lead were on board the ship for the Governor, but as the first did not succeed very well, nothing was said respecting the remainder. But this might have passed off did not every one remark what an excuse and justification the Director's doing so afforded to all others, both the skipper and trader, who had early information of it and now were reported to have brought out guns to a large amount. And greater credit was attached to this, as they proceeded to the right place and the returns they realized, though dumb, speak. This created inexpressible dissatisfaction among the common people, and even among the other officers, and had not the people been both persuaded and restrained, something serious might have been the consequence. It is also added :— " The Director is in, and carries on, all sorts of business all over the .["nluSofbüel! " country, for he hath various stores of his own ; he is a brewer, hath bouweries, °'^' 44 n<:inoiis{ntiii c of " is part owner of ships, a mercliant and a trader both in lawful and contraband "articles." The Director, however, disregarda what is said, and exhibits the orrter of the Diro Company's order (or so doing, adding that he should receive by the Vakkenler M™!^."" '"'"*" a supply of powder and lead for tiiis purpose. In line, he wlio forbids the trade to others on pain of death, will carry it on himself, both covertly and publicly, and desires, contrary to ail sound principles, that his example shall not be followed. And if others happen to follow it, which indeed is too often secretly the case, then away with such people to the gallows. This have we witnessed j«™b°'"°K'45ulM in the case of Jacob Ryntgens and Jacob van Schermerhoren, who were capitally mert^rn'.'' ""''"' prosccuted for this oHeuce, and a great deal of difficulty was experienced before they could be got off, and even then they were banished as (elons and their property was confiscated. By the repeated interposition of several worthy citizens, the banishment was revoked, but the property which was somewhat considerable, tiiey being importers, remained conlisiated. j^SSrrhl"u*ïiïfick- We cannot refrain from relating here what happened to one Joost Theuoiss: "'' Backer, as he has complained to us that his case was one of gross injustice, which it indeed is. For the man, being an honest Burgher here, of good repute, though moderate means, was thrust into prison, and charges raked up against him from every hole and corner, on the information of one of the Company's servants, who, according to the statement of the General and Council, had richly merited the gallows three times, and for whom even a new one had been erected, which, however, he had out of mercy, escaped ; finally, not a shadow of a charge being established, the accused was liberated, after 13 days imprisonment, on giving sufficient bail. If the Fiscal should find anything, he is to institute his action, but up to this time nothing has been done. A considerable time having elapsed, we, as organ of the Commonalty, respectfully demanded, at his request, as his bail was importunate, that the man should have his trial and be (43) punished according to his deserts, if he were guilty ; if not, that he be discharged. But it availed nothing, for we received injurious language, and the P'iscal was allowed to vomit forth whatever came into his mouth, and the man became the subject every where of dislike, and was abused as a hideous monster. Did he petition for anything, even if it were just, he received coarse, angry abuse; his petition was not received, and justice was denied him. These things cause great dissatisfaction, and excite thoughts of abandoning the country. Pieter van der Linden fared no better, but he was not imprisoned, though many were, the most of whom are frightened, and would speak if tiiey dare. Now as the Company itself carries on the forbidden trade, the people think that it is no sin for them too to prosecute it, if they can do so with impunity. And this gives rise to an incredible amount of smuggling and fraud. It does not appear to prevail this year as much as usual. The publication of a placard ollering freedom and protection here to those liable to civil or criminal prosecution in New England, hath also greatly embittered the minds of the English, and it was TheD!r«iori8ri|fhi considered to be by every one of evil consequence. Mr. Stuyvesant's promptness at confiscating, causes also great discontent among the inhabitants. Scarce a ship Neio Netherland. 45 comes in, or near this place, that he does not look on as a prize, unless it be the property of friends. Great pretensions will be set up on this subject, though with slender profit. Their merits we shall not question ; but confiscation hath made so much noise in New Netherland, that none of those in any way in bad odor, considers his property secure. Were the noise thereof confined exclusively to the country, it were well ; but he has spread it himself, throughout the neighboring English, both north and south, even to the West Indies and Caribbee Islands; everywhere there is such evil report, that not a ship dare venture here from those parts. Worthy and reliable people who come thence here by way of Boston, and others trading hence to Boston, assure us that more than 25 ships would come annually here from the Islands, were they not afraid of confiscation. This refers only to these places; the same report flies all over, and carries similar terror, so that this Vulture is sorely destructive of the prosperity Rum"' «f coniisc». •^ r r J tion causeamuchiD- of New Netherland ; it diverts trade and renders the people discontented; for {"gj^/""' ■*'""" other places, not so convenient as this, have more shipping. All permanent inhabitants, whether merchant, burgher, farmer, planter, working man or servant, suffer great damage in consequence; for were there plenty of shipping here, pieniy or shipping everything would be cheaper, and necessaries more easily obtained than now ; "^ "=* *'^'* '"'*'^- whether goods or articles which the people themselves get through God's blessing, out of the earth, or otherwise raise, they would meet a more ready and a more profitable demand. People and privileges create trade. New England and Virginia especially, afford a clear example that this policy causes prosperity. Now all the debts and claims are called in which Director Kieft left uncollected, and which were due for the most part by poor and impoverished people, who commenced with nothing and who lost their savings in the war, by which they were compelled to (44) abandon their houses, lands, cattle, and other means; and when they pleaded, that they were unable to pay — that they had lost their all by the war; that Master would please only to have patience — they were repulsed, and the resolution thereupon adopted and indeed put into execution, to the effect that those who do not discharge the claims of the Company, must pay the interest. The Director caiii notwithstanding the debts were incurred in and by the war, and the people are "j'*" coutracied m unable to pay either principal or interest. Again, he will not pay the just debts "J^^'"" *"'' J"" which Director Kieft hath left behind on the Company's account, whether consisting of earned monthly wages, delivered grain, or any other lawfully proved liabilities ; and when we object to this, that it is identically the same, people growl and will have it so. We have by petition and remonstrance so far succeeded, that the collection of the debts is postponed for a time. In addition, the Company's land is so burdened, taxed and kept down, that the inhabitants are unable to compete with their neighbors of Virginia or New England, or to undertake anything. It appears, and all the inhabitants of New Netherland, as far as our knowledge extends, believe, that the Directors in The Directors in Holland pay no heed or attention to New Netherland, except when something is ■"? f'" n. Neih-r- * •' ' o lanrl exci-pl lo re- to be received from it, which is a reason that less is received by them. The «'" «omo duties. extreme distress of war which has prevailed here, clearly demonstrates that they 7 46 Remonstrance of never inquired whether New Netherland sani^ or swam ; for when application was made to tiiem in such emergency for aid and assistance, which they were bound by honor and by promise according to the Exemptions to furnish, unasked, they never attempted to do anything in the case at their own expense. We let the expense go. They never caused any good order or regulation to be adopted in the matter, although such had been beneficently ordered and recommended by your High Mightinesses. They never even authorized an investigation to be made into the causes and true origin of the war, or attempted to punish those «°i-.""he m'm^g^ who had rashly commenced it. Hence no little suspicion attaches to their order concerning it; 'tis certain, at least, that their officers were chosen more from favor and friendship, than from merit; this does not improve their affairs, but it is for the most part the stockholders' damage and loss. Many of the others doubtless understood their designs. In fine, they fall far too short in the protection they owe the country, for it bears no resemblance to it. Yet they ui"e'!fMid'thi'»'"mu/i l^now well how to increase the public burdens, for in the instances in the wpaid byihepw- Exemptions, in which they promise not to exceed 5 per cent, they now exact 16. Tis an old saying, he scrapes a good deal who scrapes half, but it does not reach that far. The excuses and evasions they have recourse to, as regards merchandise, smuggling, &c., which time has taught them in order to give a coloring to their acts, are of no value nor consideration, for there is nothing in them to be refuted: but too much of this. Meanwhile, we shall be ready to do so, if necessity require. There are more of these and innumerable other impositions, which we cannot detail, though (45) tending to the damage, injury and ruin of the country. When the inhabitants or we, go to the Director or other of the Company's officers, and represent the prosperity of our neighbors, and complain of our own desolate and ruinous condition, we get no other answer from them than that they effectually see and observe it, but cannot, nevertheless, redress it ; for they obey I^' wlnT'ï^y'hlng '^"^^ must adhere to the Company's orders, and if we have anything to say, we ih'ir High M^w'i' must petition their masters, the Company, or your High Mightinesses, which we MK». or me m- ^j^^ j^^^^ considered, in truth and in deed to be necessary. It is now more than a year since the select men concluded and considered it proper to send a deputation to your High Mightinesses. The Director approved it, and not only assented to Tbe^rftointion a. lo it, but Strongly urged it also. It was well advanced in the mill, so that already Vtaaj. ""^ "" ^'" mention began to be made of a delegate, but, however, nothing came of it. For this reason: When a commencement was about to bemade, the Director required that the proceedings should be according to his pleasure, and to this some who perceived the object, would not consent ; the affair went to sleep in consequence. In addition to this, the English, on whom reliance had been placed, and who were associated in this business, withdrew from it at the time when the affair began to be more urgent, and the Nine men were changed BtatveMiii encoor- the following year, when Mr. Stuyvesant again urged the matter strongly, and depuuuon. declared that he had already written to inform the Company that some persons were about to come over. After the election, then, and before the new incumbents were sworn, it was verbally, or orally resolved and concluded, that Neio Neiherland. 47 the deputation should be proceeded with, whatever the consequences. Some time elapsed before the Nine men were sworn in anew, on account of some enlargement of the commission, which was at last issued, recorded and signed ; but we have never been able to obtain an authentic transcript of it, though the Director frequently promised it to us, and we have frequently applied for it. As people had long waited in vain for the action of the Company which, from F'nai Ee,oiinion for *^ r o V J • the deteeation to time to time, promised improvement but made things worse, the Select men n"'e^eé!''^'' "'^'"'' adopted a resolution to delegate some persons ; this they sent to the Director and requested permission to speak to the Commonalty on the subject; but their proposition was not well received and a very long postil was annexed to their written petition to the effect that they must act conjointly with, and follow the The^ ^nör'confc" order of, the Director with many other things which scarcely accorded with our «'""be people. design, and were, in our opinion, impracticable. For various reasons, which we have set forth in writing, we considered it inexpedient to act conjointly, but we offered his Honor, if he would permit us to proceed, we should not send any thing to Fatherland without furnishing him a copy of it ; we should be very glad if he could, then, vindicate himself, but to follow his directions in this matter seemed to us not to be founded in reason, but was in direct opposition to the welfare of the country. Besides, we had never promised nor agreed to do so, and were bound by oath to seek the prosperity of the country, as we have always been disposed to do, according to the best of our knowledge. (46) It is stated in the postil above mentioned, if we read it aright, that we Posniof the Direc- shall inquire how far the people would cooperate with us in this business, and how the expense should be defrayed, but the Director explained it differently from what we understood It. Now, as the Director would not convene the Commonalty, as we proposed, nor allow us to do so, we went around from house to house, and spoke to the people. From this time forward the General burned with rage, and in our opinion has never been effectually appeased since, although we were not aware but that we had obeyed his order in the premises. However, it was The Director la concluded that the Nine Men should not act in conjunction with him, nor follow his because his direc ^ tions are not follow- directions in what appertained to the matter, and that excited in his breast a bitter *^- and irreconcilable hatred against them all, but principally against those whom he presumed were the chief originators of it. And although these persons had always been his good and cherished friends, and he had even a short time before, esteemed them the honestest, most capable, most intelligent and most virtuous of the country ,1 yet as soon as they did not follow his wishes, they were this and that, some of them rascals, liars, rebels, usurers; in a word, hanging was almost too good for thgm. Heretofore, the expediting the deputation had been earnestly pressed ; now, it was time enough six months hence, and a sheet of paper could contain all that was proper or necessary to be stated. Various reports were also vanou» cfrons set afloat among the people, and an effort was made, principally through the Board from 'u pur- English, to nullify the Board of Nine Men ; but all these underhand intrigues ' Tha words of tlieit Cimimisaion.— Ed. 48 Remonstrance of were discovered, and when it was perceived that this labor would be vain, an attempt was made to create a diversion by instituting personal actions against some who were considered the bell-wetliers. ' Accusations were made against them and they were prosecuted by the Fiscal and the other subordinate officers, who made them out to be about the biggest villains in the country, where they had shortly before been recognized as the l)est of' persons and most deserving children. To accomplish that, an opportunity now oflered which (to use the Director's own words) was as precious to him as his own life. In the beginning of the year 1G49, we clearly saw and perceived that not only should we have considerable to do as regarded the delegation, but that we should with difficulty accomplish it; we therefore considered it necessary to make out a series of Of ih. Bough niu* memoranda in order to draw up a proper Journal from them, when occasion allowed. This task devolved on one Adriaen Van der Donck who, according to a resolution which was adopted at the same time, was lodged in a room in one Tho note, .eiicd Michiel Janss' house. One day when Van der Donck was abroad, the General •lul V«n douck . ' mrrtiied. Seized this rough draft with his own hand, placed Van der Donck the day following under arrest, convened the Supreme Council, accused him of having committed Crimen lesfc Majestatis, and took the matter so seriously that scarcely anything was to be done — either the delegation must be a joint one, and then (J7) it remained still to be arranged — or sufficient cause of action was furnished by the Journal, as the gentleman designated the rough notes from which the journal was to be prepared ; "for," said he, "it contains gross slanders against their High Mightinesses." And when we would explain it, and requested the draft in order to correct it, as the writer would not insist upon it, but admitted he was fully aware that there were mistakes in it, in consequence of hurry and similar causes, as he had a great deal to do and the most part of it was not revised ; our petition was defsignated a libel, unworthy of any answer, the writer of which would be punished as an example to others. In fine, we could not, in any way, wh«ie»«Twos pro. manage to make it right. Vander Donck was forbad the Council and our Sessions 'nTwiiv^i by ui* also, and we were notiGed officially of the circumstance ; vet, he could not eet nirecwr. ■' •' ° a release from his oath, and in order to cut oH" the proper means of proof, a wriiing» forbijd.n. prohibitory notice was issued to the effect that no testimony nor other document should be valid, except those written by the Secretary. This was of no service to any person, and it was a general complaint that no business could be got forward. Director Kieft did the self-same thing when he was apprehensive that complaints would be got up against him. And this is their usual course, to do everything they can think of to uphold their acts. Those who were officially obliged to take a part in public affiiirs and did so, were fortunate if they acted in accordance with the General's will and pleasure; if they did not, they were prosecuted and sued, incarcerated, guarded by soldiers, so that no person might speak to them, angrily abused as all sorts of dangerous monsters, threatened to be taught this and that and everything was done, and recourse had to every expedient that could be invented or ripped up against them. VVe cannot dwell ' Some legal pructediugs were instituted agaiust Vau der Doncli. — Ed. Thn«« who Bpeal f"r ihe Counlry iir treated very badly. Néw Neiherland. long on this, but refer to the Journal kept of it, and to the writing which the Director himself will furnish. Your High Mightinesses, and such other friends as happen to see it, can easily infer, from the preceding Relation, what trouble and labor we have had on our shoulders, with which we would have most willingly dispensed, had it not been for the love of the country and of the truth, which, as far as we know, hath long lain in the grave. The trouble though wanting no addition, have not wearied us, or rather, will not be to us '«"s «"«^^'='1. so great a source of grief as is the sorrowful condition of New Netherland, now lying at its last gasp. But we hope and trust that our affliction and the sufferings of the inhabitants and people of the country, will excite commisseration in your High Mightinesses, in order that New Netherland may rejoice. ( 48 ) IN WHAT MANNER NEW NETHERLAND SHOULD BE RELIEVED. Although we are satisfied and fully aware, that, as respects public reforms, we are but as children, and that your High Mightinesses are fully competent in the case, yet we beseech you to pardon and excuse us, if we, according to our humble conception thereof, make a few suggestions in addition to what we have already considered, in our petition to your High Mightinesses, to be necessary. In our opinion this country will never flourish under the Hon"* Company's government; on the contrary 'twill waste and decay in itself, unless the Company be, in consequence, reformed. It would, therefore, be better and more advantageous for the country and themselves were they rid of it and the remnant of their property transported hence. To speak specifically: care ought to be taken of the public property, both ecclesiastical and civil, which in the beginning can illy be spared or dispensed with. It is doubtful but Divine Worship must be entirely intermitted in consequence of the Clergyman's departure, and the Company's inability. There ought to be also a Public school provided with at least two good teachers, so that the youth, in so wild a country, where there are so many dissolute people, may, first of all, be well instructed and indoctrinated not only in reading and writing, but also in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Now, the school is kept very irregularly, by this one or that, according to his fancy, as long as he thinks proper. There ought to be, likewise. Asylums for aged men, for orphans, and similar institutions. The clergyman who now returns home, could give fuller information on the subject. The country must also be provided with moral, honorable and intelligent rules who are not very indigent nor yet very covetous. A covetous ruler makes poor subjects, and the mode in which the country is now governed, is a great afihction and not to be tolerated ; for no one is unmolested nor secure in his property any longer than the Director pleases, 50 Jiemonsitrance of New Ketlerland. who is generally very prone to confiscation. And though men act fairly and give him his due, yet it is necessary still to continue to please him, if one would have quietness. Good population should follow good government, as we have demonstrated, according to our ability, in our petition. And although free passages and the fitting out of ships, were such requisite, would, at first, cause expense, yet when the result is considered, such an outlay would be immeasurably well employed, if farmers and laborers with other people in straitened circumstances, of whom Fatherland has plenty to spare, were by that means introduced with what little they may have, into the country. We hope it would then prosper, especially had it, what we consider to be the mother of population, good (49) Privileges and Exemptions, which could encourage the inhabitants; attract navigation and profitable trade, and with the pleasantness, convenience, salubrity and productiveness of the country, allure everyone hither. If a Boundary were added in the protection, to what has been already done, then with God's help everything would, in human probability, go well, and New Netherland could be, in a short time, a brave place, able, also, to be of service to the Netherland State, to richly repay expended outlays and to thank her benefactors. High and Mighty Lords! We have taken the liberty to write this Remonstrance, and to submit the case as we have done, through love of the truth, and because we have felt bound to do so by our oath and conscience. It is true that all of us, either together or individually, have not seen, heard or had a knowledge of the entire contents in every particular; nevertheless it contains nothing but what some among us well know to be true and credible. We all know the greatest part of it to be truth; some are acquainted with the remainder of it, and have also heard it from trustworthy persons, and sincerely believe it to be wholly true. We hope your High Mightinesses will pardon our presumption, and be indulgent to our plainness of style, composition and method. In conclusion, we commit your High Mightinesses' persons, deliberations and measures with your people both at home and abroad, together with all friends of New Netherland, to the merciful guidance and protection , of the Most High, whom we supplicate to grant prosperity to your High Mightinesses in time and eternity. Amen. Done this XXVllI July, in New Netherland, 1649. (Signed) Adriaen van der Donck, Augustyn Harman, Arnoldus van Hardenbergh, Jacob van Couwenhoven, Oloif Stevens, (beside whose name is wriiien) " under protest. Obliged to sign as to the Heer Kieft's administration." Michiel Janss. Thomas Hall, Elbert Elberts, Govert Lokermans, Hendrick Hendrixs Kip and Jan Everts Bout. (underneath stood) After collating with the Original Remonstrance dated and subscribed as above, this is found to agree with it, at the Hague the 13th October 1649 by me. (Signed) D. V. Schelluyne, Not. Pub. 1649. ï1 BEIEP STATEMENT OR ANSWER OME OF THE POINTS CONTAINED IN THE WRITTEN REMONSTRANCE LAID BY ADRIAEN VAN DER DONCK cum socils BEFORE THE HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS STATES GENERAL: DRAWN UP BY CORNELIS VAN TIENHOVEN, Secretary to the Director and Council of New Netherland. BRIEF STATEMENT OR ANSWER TO SOME OF THE POINTS CONTAINED IN THE WRITTEN DEDUCTION LAID BY ADRIAEN VAN DER DONCK cum sociis BEFORE THE HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS STATES GENERAL: DRAWN UP BY CORNELIS VAN TIENHOVEN, SECRETARY TO THE DIRECTOR AND COUNCIL OF NEW NETHERLAND. In order to present the Answer succinctly he, Van Tienhoven, will allege not only how illy it becomes the said Van der Donck and other private inhabitants to challenge and abuse, in such harsh and general terms, the administration both of the Directors in this country and of their officers yonder ; and that they would have performed their duty much better, had they first submitted to their Lords and Patroons whatever Observations they might intend to offer. But passing this by, and leaving the consideration thereof to your High Mightinesses' discretion, it must be remarked preliminarily and generally, that those persons make a great many assertions and prove nothing, so that what they shamefully state, can be as easily denied and with greater truth. Coming then to the point, we shall only notice those parts wherein either the Board (at Amsterdam) or the Director is accused ; and we say to the 1st Point: It is denied, and will never be proved that the Company hath refused our nation land for purposes of cultivation, and willingly allowed foreigners to occupy it. The Company's order to act on the defensive was better and more prudent than to have recourse to hostilities, inasmuch as it had not the force to resist its hypocritical friends, and could protect its rights only by protest. Trade has long since been opened to every one and is as profitable as ever; no property has been confiscated except of those who violated their contract or the order whereunto they were bound ; and if any one thinks he has been wronged by confiscation, he can come and speak for himself. At all events, 'tis not these people's business. They complain that Christians have been treated like Indians; to wit, in the sale of goods. But, observe, that such was not the act of the Company nor of its Director, because they — God help them — have not, and for several years have not had, anything there to sell. The fault lies at the door of the majority of those Remonstrants who are merchants or factors, and who charge there for what costs fl. 100 in this country, one, two hundred per cent, and more advance over and above first cost, assurance, duty, laborers' wages, freight &c., all which are added to the first cost. 'Tis evident these people accuse the Board of Directors and its officers of the very fault they themselves commit, and never will they prove that the Company had sold goods, during the time, it kept its store and magazines stocked there, at an advance of more than fifty per cent, agreeably to the Exemptions. The Director there cannot prevent 56 Van Tienhovms Ansxoer this one and that forestalling and seeking his own profit, particularly as the trade is thrown open to the little as well as to the big. 'Tis a pure calumny that the Company ordered half a fault to be accounted a whole one.' What instruction or order the Patroon gives his Director is no affair of the Colonist : forsooth 'tis for the purpose of inventing prosecutions. These people then would fain live subject to no person's censure or discipline, which, however, they doubly require. The instance wherein the Director exercised and usurped Sovereign power, must be specified and proved. It, too, is in general terms. That the Colonists had need of the Directors is evident from the account books which will show that the Company supplied all freemen, some few excepted, with clothing, provisions and other articles for the construction of liouses, at an advance of 50 per cent, on the just cost in Fatherland ; which supplies have not yet been paid for; and people by their complaints would fain filch the country from the Company, and pay nothing. 'Tis ridiculous to accuse Director Kieft of saying that he was Sovereign like the Prince in Fatherland. But in regard to the refusal of appeal to Fatherland, it arose from the circumstance that the Island of the Manhatans was reserved, in the Exemptions, as the Capital of New Netherland, and that all the Colonies round about should bring their appeal to it, as the Supreme Court of that quarter. 'Tis to be, moreover, borne in mind that the Patroon of the Colonie Renselaerwyck causes all his tenants to sign, that they will not appeal to the Manhatans, in direct contravention of the Exemptions, by which the Colonists are bound to render to the Director and Council at the Manhatans an annual Report both of the Colony and of the Administration of Justice. The Directors have never had any administration of, nor concerned themselves with ecclesiastical property ; 'tis also denied and cannot be proved, that any of the inhabitants of New Netherland have, either voluntarily nor when requested, contributed or given anything for the building of an Asylum for orphans, or for the aged. 'Tis true that the Church in the fort was built in Willem Kieft's time, and a subscription list was signed which amounted to fl. ISOO. The accounts of most of the subscribers were debited accordingly, but they have not yet paid the money. Meanwhile the Company disbursed the funds, so that it was not the Commonalty (some few excepted) but the Company that paid the workmen. If the people require institutions as above stated, they must contribute towards them as is the custom in this country; and were there Asylums for orphans and the aged there, revenues would be necessary, not only to keep the houses in repair, but to support the orphans and the aged people. The Remonstrants will, if any one can, be likely to prove that money, or real or personal property has been bestowed by will or donation, by any living person, for such or any other public works; but there is no instance of the kind in New Netherland; and the charge is uttered or written through passion. When the Church, which is in the fort, was proposed to be built, the Church wardens were content; but it is these people who make a to-do, because they consider the Company's fort not worthy the honor of a Church. Before the Church was erected, the grist-mill could not work with a southeast wind, because the wind from that quarter was shut off by the walls of the fort. Although the new School-house, towards which the Commonalty contributed something, has not been yet built, it is not the Director, but the Church wardens, who have charge of the 'llet ia eon puyre cnlomuie d«l dc compaguie geordouneert hecfl, haWc fuulo voor beelo to rekenou. To the Remonstrance. 5Y funds. The Director is busy providing materials. Meanwhile a place has been selected for a School, of which Jan Corneiissen has charge. The other teachers keep school in hired houses, so that the youth are not in want of schools to the extent of the circumstances of the country. 'Tis true there is no Latin school nor academy; if the Commonalty require such, they can apply for it and furnish the necessary funds. As regards the deacons' or Poor-fund, the deacons are accountable for that, and are the persons of whom inquiry should be made as to where the money is invested which they have, from time to time, placed at interest ; and as the Director never had charge of it, such not being usual, the deacons, and not the Director, are responsible for it. 'Tis, indeed, true that Director Kieft, being at a loss for money, had a box suspended in his house ; of that box the deacons had one key, and all the small fines and penalties which were levied on court days, were deposited in it. He opened it with the knowledge of the deacons, and took on interest the money, which amounted to a handsome sum. 'Tis admitted that the Excise on beer was imposed by Willem Kieft, and that on wine by Petrus Stuyvesant; and that such excise was collected up to the date of my departure. But 'tis to be observed here, that the Remonstrants have no cause to complain on that score, for the trader, burgher, farmer and all others except the vintners, lay in as much wine and beer as they please, free of excise. They are merely obliged to enter it, so that the quantity may be ascertained. The vintners pay three guilders per tun on beer, and one stiver per can on wine; they receive this back from those who daily resort to their houses, and from the traveler from New England, Virginia and elsewhere. No other internal taxes have been imposed, up to the present time, on the Commonalty, except the excise already mentioned, unless the voluntary offering which was applied two years ago to the erection of the church, be accounted a tax, of which Jacob Couwenhoven, also one of the Church Wardens, will have to render an account. In New England there is no impost or duty on imports or exports, but every one is assessed by the local government according to his means, and must pay to the extent of his property and as the magistrates tax him, for Building and repairing of Churches ; Support of Ministers ; Erection of Schools and Salary of Teachers ; All city and town improvements ; Construction and repair of all highways and roads, many miles of which are made in that country, so that horses and wagonscan be used and journeys made from one place to the other; Construction and repair of all bridges across rivers on the highways; Erection of public houses for travelers ; Salaries of Governors, Magistrates, Marshals and constables ; and Pay of Majors, Captains and other officers of the Militia. A general Court is held quarterly in each of the New England Colonies, consisting of all the magistrates within such province, and there is, annually, a general assembly of all the provinces, from each of which a Deputy attends with his suite ; this meeting continues a long time. All expenses, allowances and wages are also proportioned there among the people. The support of the poor is not included. The accounts ought to show the amount of duties received annually in Kieft's time, but it will not appear as much, by far, as they say. 'Tis not the Company's nor the Director's fault 58 Van Tienhoven!s Answer that the Commonalty have to pay so much, but that of the traders, who charge 1. 2 and 3 hundred advance ; and the people must submit, because there are few merchants. It can, neither now nor hereafter, be shown that 30,000 guilders a year have been collected from the Commonally in Stuyvesant's time ; for nothing was received but the beer and wine excise, which, at the Manhatans, yields about 4000 guilders a year; little or nothing is received from the other neighboring towns, because they have no taverns, except one at the Ferry and one at Flushing. If any confiscations have taken place, they have not been of property belonging to colonists, but of imported contraband goods, and no person's property has been confiscated without sutHcient cause. The question is, are the Company or the Directors obliged to have constructed any buildings for the people out of the duties paid by the trader in i\ew Netherland on exported goods, particularly as their High Mightinesses granted those duties to the Company to facilitate garrisons, and the payment of the expenses attendant thereupon, and not for building Hospitals and Orphan asylums. Churches and School-houses for the people. It cannot be substantiated that the Company's property has been squandered for the purpose of securing friends. The provisions received in exchange for the Tamandarü Negroes, were sent to Curarao, except a portion consumed at the Manhatans, as the accounts will show. But all these are matters which do not concern these people, especially as they are not responsible for them. In regard to the letters of manumission which the Director was so good as to grant to the Negroes who had been the Company's slaves : They were set free in return for their long service, on condition that the children remain slaves; these are treated the same as Christians; at present there are no more than three of these children in service ; one at the House of the Hope ; one at the Company's bouwerie, and one with Martin Crigier, who, as everybody knows, brought up the girl. 'Twas Mr. Stuyvesant's duty to construct, caulk and repair the Company's property. He will answer for the profit or loss the Company has in consequence incurred. The burghers on the Island of Manhatans and thereabouts ought to know, that no one comes or is admitted into New Netherland (it being a conquest), except on this condition — not that he shall have anything to say, but — that he shall acknowledge the sovereignty of their High Mightinesses the States General, the Directors as his Lords and Patroons, and obey the Director and Council for the time being, as a good subject is bound to do. Those who complain of Stuyvesant's haughtiness are, such I think, as wish to live without government or order. The complaint that no regulation has been made concerning wampum, is unfounded. In Director Kieft's time, good Wampum passed for four, and loose beads at six, for a stiver. The reason for not prohibiting unstringed wampum was, because no money was in circulation, and mechanics, farmers and the rest of the Commonalty, having no other currency, would suffer serious loss; and had it been cried down, doubtless the Remonstrants would have booked the circumstance among the rest of their grievances. No one will prove that Directoror Stuyvesant hath berated as rascals, or made use of foul language to, any persons of respectability, who treated him courtt'ously. If the Director hath made use of any harsh language, it must be that some profligate hath provoked him to it. To the Remonstrance. 59 The Fort not being properly repaired, is no concern of the colonists ; 'tis not their domain, but the Company's. They would fain be protected by good forts and garrisons belonging to the Company, without affording any aid, assistance in labor or money for those objects. But it seems they do not wish to see a fort properly fortified and duly garrisoned, from the apprehension that the ill-disposed and seditious might be the more effectually punished ; this they call, cruelty. The fort had, doubtless, been already completed, had the Director not been obliged to supply the garrison of New Netherland and Curasao with provisions, clothing, and money. With whom had Director Stuyvesant an unprovoked and unjustifiable personal quarrel? They call a present of Maize or Indian corn, a contribution ; a present has never been received from the Indians without double as much being given in return; for these people being very covetous, throw a herring in order to catch a cod; as every one acquainted with the Indians can testify. Francis Douthay, Adriaen van der Donck's father-in-law and an English Minister, was granted a colonic at Mespacht, not for himself alone as Patroon, but for him and his associates whose Agent he was, and who at the time were residing at Rhode Island and at Cahanock and other places. Mr. Smith was one of the leaders of these people, for said Minister had scarcely any means of himself to build a hut, let alone to plant a colonie at his own expense. He was merely to be employed as a clergyman by his associates who were to prepare a bouwerie for him in that Colonie, in return for which he should discharge the duty of preacher among them, and live on the proceeds of the bouwerie. Coming to live at the Manhatans during the war, he was permitted to officiate as Minister for the English in and around that place, who were bound to maintain him without either the Director or Company being liable to any charge therefor. And as the English did not afford him a sufficient support, two collections were taken up among the Dutch and English, on which he lived at the Manhatans. The Mespacht Colonie was never confiscated ; that is proved by the actual residence on it of the owners, who had an Interest in it as well as Douthey ; but as the latter wished to obstruct its settlement and to permit no one to build in the colonie unless on paying him a certain sum down for each morgen of land, and a yearly sum in addition in the nature of ground rent, and endeavored thus to convert it into a domain, against which those interested in the Colonie, especially Mr. Smith complained, the Director and Council finally concluded that the copartners should enter on their property, and the bouwerie and lands in the possession of Douthay be reserved to him, so that he hath suffered no injury or loss thereby. This I could prove, were it not that the documents are in New Netherland and not here. I have treated already of the appeal. No clauses conflicting with the Exemptions are inserted in the patents; but the phrase — ^^ noch te beramen" [hereafter to be imposed] — can be omitted from them, if found objectionable. Stuyvesant hath never pleaded any causes in court, but spoke and proposed questions to parties, as president, and, with advice of the Council, administered justice whereof the malevolent complain ; but that Stuyvesant withheld justice from anyone remains to be proved. As to what appertains to the Deputy director, Dinclagen, let him plead his own case. It can be established that Brian Nuton not only understands, but speaks the Dutch language, so that their accusation, that Nuton does not understand Dutch, is a falsehood. All the other slanders and calumnies uttered against the rest of the officers, ought to be proved. 60 Van TieyihoveiCs Answer 'Tis true that it was said in New Netiierland, in the course of conversation, that no appeal lay from a New Netherland judgment, pronounced on the Island Manhatans ; this was founded on the Exemptions where that Island is established as the Supreme Court of all the circumjacent Colonies, and on the fact that no precedent existed of their High Mightinesses' having ever received those in appeal who, coming from New Netherland, had applied for that purpose here — viz'. Hendrick Jansen the tailor, Laurens Cornelissen and several others, who were banished many years ago from New Netherland. 'Twould be a very strange thing if the officers of the country could not banish anybody from it, whilst the authorities of the Colonie Renselaers wyck, who are subordinate to the Company, absolutely banish whomsoever they please and the welfare of the Colonie requires to be excluded ; And they do not allow any person to reside there except at their pleasure and upon certain conditions, some of which I submit here — First, No person up to the present time in the Colonie possesses a foot of land of his own, but is obliged to take all the land he cultivates upon a rent-lease; where a dwelling-house is built, he is obliged to pay some beavers annually as ground rent, which all the Hirmers likewise are required to pay, in return they are allowed free trade, as 'tis called. Where is there one inhabitant under the Company's jurisdiction charged or taxed in any way for either trade or lots,? All lands are conveyed in fee subject to this clause — heraeml ofte noch te beramen. [Taxes imposed or to be hereafter imposed.] Francis Douthey, the English minister, hath never been employed by the Company, wherefore it owes him nothing ; but his English congregation is bound to pay him, as can be proved in New Netherland. The Company has advanced to the said minister from time to time, in goods and necessaries, to the amount of about fl.llOO., as the colonial account books might show ; this he has not yet paid, and he complains because he is unwilling to pay. I know not whether the Director hath required a promise from Douthey. Director Stuyvesant, on his arrival in New Netherland, endeavored, pursuant to his orders, quietly to put a stop to the contraband trade in guns, powder and lead. On perceiving which, the Colonie Renselaers wyck itself, sent a letter and petition to the Director, wherein they requested moderation the rather, they said, if the trade be wholly abolished, all the Christians in the colonie would run great danger of being murdered — as by the tenor of said petition may more fully be seen. The Director and Council, taking the petition into consideration, and reflecting further on the consequences, resolved to barter sparingly a few guns and a little powder through the Commissary at Fort Orange on the Company's account ; taking good care, moreover, that the sloops navigating the river should not convey any quantity up. This was provisionally only, and until further order. 'Tis to be observed in this place, that the Director dreading one of two evils, permitted some arms to be bartered in the Fort in order to preserve the Colonie from danger. Neither will any one prove that the Director hath sold, or allowed the sale of, any articles of contraband on his own private account. The seizure of some guns by leave of the Director, happened because they were not accompanied by any permit, as ordered by the Company. Under such guise many guns could be introduced. The Director ordered sixteen guilders to be paid for each gun that was seized, although it could not have cost more than S (a. 9 in this country. 'Tis true that Vastrick brought over, by Director Stuyvesant's order, a case containing 30 guns, wliich the Director, with the knowledge of the Deputy and Fiscal, permitted to be landed in open day. These guns were transferred to Commissary Keyser with instructions to sell them to the Dutch who were unprovided with arms, so that they might, in the hour of need, To the Remonstrance. 61 have wherewith to defend themselves. If there were any more guns in the ship, 'twas without the Director's knowledge. The Fiscal whose business it was, should have seen to it, and inspect the vessel ; and these accusers are bound to prove connivance and neglect of proper inspection. Jacob Reynsen and Jacob Schermerhoorn are petty traders, natives of Waterland ; one of them — Jacob Schermerhoorn — resided at Fort Orange and Jacob Reynties at Fort Amsterdam ; the latter purchased powder, lead, guns and salt and sent them up to Scliermerhoorn who disposed of them to the Indians. So it happened that Goert Barent, the Company's corporal who had charge of whatever of the Company's arms required to he repaired or cleaned, sold guns, locks, barrels, &c., to Jacob Reynties aforesaid; as can be proved by his own confession contained in letters written to his partner long ere this transaction came to light, and by the information of the corporal. Seduced by Jacob Reynties' solicitation, the corporal sold him arms as often as he applied for them, though the former was well aware that the guns and barrels were the property of the Company and not of the corporal. A parcel of peltries was therefore confiscated, as may be seen in the accounts ; most of those furs having, as appears from the letters, been purchased with contraband goods. And as Jacob Reyntjes has been back in this country since the confiscation, he would have readily complained had he not felt guilty, especially as he had been sufficiently urged to do so by the enemies of the Company and of the Director ; but his own letters can be produced in evidence against him. Joost de Backer, being accused by the aforesaid Corporal of having also purchased locks and barrels of him, and the first information being found correct, legal search was made in Joost's house, where a gun belonging to the Company was found, which he had obtained from the Corporal; he was, therefore, placed in confinement until he gave security for the Fiscal's suit. As the English of New England harbored and employed all fugitives, whether persons in the Company's service or freemen, who fled to them from the Manhatans without a pass, which is required by the custom of the country. Commissioners endeavored to induce the English to restore the fugitives according to a previous agreement entered into with Governors Eton' and Hopkins.^ But as the former declined to surrender the runaways to us, although earnestly solicited so to do, the Director and Council, pursuant to a previous resolution, issued a proclamation, by way of retaliation, to the effect that all persons who should come to New Netherland from the province of New Haven (all other places being excepted), should be protected ; and as the Governor delivered up to us some fugitives, the Director and Council revoked the proclamation, and since then matters have gone on peaceably, the dispute about the boundaries remaining in statu quo. No person's property is confiscated in New Netherland without just cause, and if any one feel aggrieved on this point, the Director will be ready to answer, "fis probable the ships ' Thkophilus Eaton, first Governor of New Haven Colony, was born at Stony Stratforrl, in Oxfordshire, his failif^r being tlie minister of tiiat place. He was bred a merchant and was for several years agent for the King of Enj;land at the court of Denmark ; and after his return prosecuted his business in London with high reputation. He accompanied Mr. iJavenpoi t to New England iu 1637, and soon after his arrival was chosen one of the magistrates of Massachusetts. He was one of the founders of New Haven in 16:i8, and was annually elected Governor till his death, Jan. 7, 1657, aged 66. Allen. ' Edward Hopkins, Governor of Connecticut, and a benefactor of Harvard College, was an eminent merchant in London, and arrived at Boston in the summer of 1637 and soon removed to Connecticut He was chosen a magistrate in 1639, and Governor of Connecticut every other year from 1640 to 1654. He afterwards went to England, where he was chosen warden of the English fleet, commissioner of the Admirilty and a member of Parliament. He died iu London in March, 1657, aged 57. Alien. 62 J^iin TieiilioveiC'^ Answer or the skippers arp afraid of confiscation, and tiierefore do not resort to New Netherland, for nobody can resort there witiiout a permit. Whoever is provided with tiiat, and does not viohUe his contract and has duly entered his goods, need not be afraid of confiscations; but all smugglers and persons sailing under double commissions may well dread them. All those who were indebted to the Company were notified to pay up the debts left uncollected by the late Willem Kieft, and as some could, and others could not pay, no one was constrained to liquidate their account ; but this debt, amounting to about fl.30,000, rendered many who were disinclined to pay, insolent and illdisposed, especially as the Company had, now, nothing to sell in that country on credit, and it appeared that some endeavored to pay, Brazil fashion. The petitioners requested that the Commonalty should not be oppressed. This has never been done; but they would gladly see the Company dunning or suing nobody, and yet paying its creditors. The Company's books will show that the debts were not contracted during, but long before the war. Those who were poor and burdened with wives and children, have been assisted by the Company with clothing, houses, cattle and land, &c., which were, from time to time, carried to account against them, in the hope that payment would be made sometime or other. If the New England taxes, already mentioned, be compared with those of New Netherland, 'twill be found that the people of the former country are more heavily taxed than ours. The taxes in New Netherland are : An excise on wine of one stiver per can, first imposed in the year 1647. An excise on beer of three guilders per tun, laid on by Kieft in the year 1644, Which excise is paid by the Tapster and not by the Burgher. A duty of eight per cent on exported beavers, which falls, not on the colonist, but on the merchant, who is bound to pay it, according to contract. The Director always manifested a desire, and was pleased to see a delegation, from the Commonalty, which should seek in Fatherland from the Company, as Patroons, and the Lords 8tates, as Sovereigns, the following, viz': Population ; settlement of boundaries ; reduction of the duties on New Netherland tobacco, &c. ; facilities for emigration ; permanent and solid privileges, &c. lie always offered to assist in the promotion of these objects, but the Remonstrants had recourse to underhand ways ; they excited some of the Commonalty, from whom they obtained clandestine and secret certificates, and aimed at nothing less as their Remonstrance proves, than to render the Company, their Patroons, and the officers in New Netherland, (except such as are devoted to them,) odious before their High Mightinesses, so as by that means to deprive the Company of the Jus Patronatus, and inflict on if further injury. The Remonstrants assert that we had courted the English in order through them to distract the Board, as they call it. This statement is untrue, as appears by the propositions submitted to them. 'Tis worthy of remark here, however, that the English residing uuder the protection of the Dutch, havn taken an oath of fidelity, and are domiciliated and settled in New Netherland ; they are therefore to be accounted fellow citizens of the country, which these persons have always opposed, because the English would, as well as they, have had some voice in the delegation, and would not subscribe to all the calumnies and slanders, but aimed solely at the good of the country and of its inhabitants. No postil was ever affixed to the petition, authorizing them to go and speak privately to the Commonalty. The intention of tlie Director was, to have the people convoked at his own time and when the proper season To the Remonstrance. 68 arrived, when they might be addressed publicly on the subject of the delegation. The Director was not obliged, as alleged, to have the people called together immediately; he must be the judge of the time, and when every one could leave home conveniently, and without serious loss, especially as some lived far in the interior, etc. The unwillingness of the Remonstrants to communicate, arose from the circumstance, that all whom they now paint in such ugly colors, could have provided themselves with means of defence, and have the contrary proved, and in that case would be able to produce something even from some of those very persons. And as the Director and those belonging to the government in New Netherland are sorely wronged and defamed, I request lime, in order to await, if necessary, documents to the contrary from New Netherland. Verdonck and his colleagues say, that the Director had instituted personal actions against some. The Director arriving at the house of one Michiel Jansen, a co-signer of the Remonstrance, was notified by said Michiel and by Thomas Hall, saying: — " A scandalous Journal of Adriaen van der Donck. is within there." The Director took this Journal away with him, and on account of the calumnies and aspersions it contained, as well against their High Mightinesses as against individuals, Van der Donck was confined to his lodgings, and required to prove what he had written ; he was released, however, on the intercession and at the request of others. The publication and posting of a notice in Kieft's and Stuyvesaut's administrations, to the effect that no declaration or other public writing should have any legal force in New Netherland, except written by the Secretary, did not proceed from any design to prevent the preparation of evidence, but from this consideration: — Those living in New Netherland are, for the most part, country people and seafaring men, who summon each other frequently before the court for mere trifles; many of them cannot read or write, and several produce no intelligible papers or evidence; and if anything were brought forward, 'twas written sometimes by a sailor or farmer, oftentimes wholly indistinct, and entirely repugnant to the meaning or declaration of the person who had caused it to be written. The consequence was, the Director and Council could not learn the facts of the case properly, and in accordance with justice, &c. No persons have been arrested, during Stuyvesaut's administration, but Verdonck for writing the Journal and Augustyn Heermans, Gabri's clerk, for having refused to produce the writings which were drawn up for circulation among the Nine men. This was told to the Director, who had been repeatedly for them, like a little boy. On the 1st point of the Redress, as they term it, these Remonstrants advise that the Company ought to abandon the country, and decamp. Can there be a more frivolous suggestion? The Company conveyed thither, at its own expense, cattle and a number of people; built a fortress, succored many persons who, on arriving from Holland, were poor and in distress, and furnished them with clothing and provisions, and now that some of them possess a little more than they can consume in a day, they would fain be released from the authority of their benefactors; and, if possible, even without paying — a sign of gross ingratitude. The country has been, up to the present time, nothing but a source of expense to the Company, and now when 'tis in a position to provide henceforward for itself, and there is some hope that 'twill be a source of profit to the Company hereafter, these people are unwilling to pay the tenths they honestly owe at the end of ten years, according to the Exemptions which they invoke. 64 J'dii l'ititliuveiis Answer On tlie 2(1(1 point they say : that provision ought to be made for ecclesiastical and municipal property, divine service, and for an asylum for orphans and aged people. If they are such patriots as they appear to be, let tliem be leaders in generous contributions for such laudable objects, and not complain when the Directors requested a collection towards the erection of a Churcli and school. What complaints would tiiere be, were the Director to demand a collection for an asylum for aged people and orphans. Divine service will not be interrupted, by the absence of D* Johannes Backerus, who, however, has been there only 27 months. The place is again supplied with a learned and godly clergyman, who requires no interpreter when defending the Reformed lleligion against any minister ol our neigiibors, the English Brownists. The preceding are, in fact, the points requiring any answer. We shall add thereunto only some particulars respecting the persons who have signed the Remonstrance. They are as follow : Adkiaex van der Donck has been about 8 years in New Netherland ; he originally went thither as sheriff', in the employ of the co-proprietors in the Colonie of Renselaers wyck, but did not long hold that office; he resided in the Colonie, however, until the year 1G4G. Arnoldi's van Hardenijerch accompanied Hay Jansen, in 1G44, to New Netherland, with a cargo for his brother, where he never suffered any let or damage, to our knowledge; but he knows how to charge the colonists well for his wares. AuGUSTVN Heermans Went out in the Muec/it van Enchuysen, being, as he now is, clerk to Gabri, in the trading business. Jacob van Couwenhoven having, when a lad, accompanied his father to that country, was taken by Wouter van Twiller into the Company's service as an assistant, and becoming afterwards a tobacco planter, the Company helped him, as is to be seen by the books, with necessaries; but they have l)een paid tor. OuiF .Stevensen, brother-in-law of Govert Loockermans, went out in the year 1G37, in the ship the Hiring, as a soldier in the Company's service; was promoted by Director Ivieft and finally a|)|)()inled (Ainimissary of the store ; he has profited by the Company's service and is endeavoring to give his benefactor the pay of the world ; that is, evil for good. He has iigned under protest, saying he was obliged to sign, which can be understood two ways; either that he felt obliged to subscribe to the truth, or that he was constrained thereunto. If he intends the latter, he must prove it. MicHiEL Jansen went out in the capacity of farm-servant in the employ of the partners of the Colonie of Renselaers wyck, in New Netherland. He made his fortune in a few years in the Colonie, but not being able to agree with the authorities there, finally removed to the Island Manhatans in the year 1G46. He was to have come hither, but accounts not being settled between him and the Colonie, as he has a claim which the partners do not admit, Jan Evertsen came over in his stead. Thomas Hall came to the South river in 163.5, in the service of an Englishman named Mr. Horns, who intended at the time to rob us of the South river of New Netherland, including fort Nassouw, and ran away from his master there; arriving at the Manhatans, he hired himself as farm-servant to Jacob van Curler. Becoming a freeman, he made a tobacco plantation on Wouter van Twiller's land ; he has also been overseer {bouwmeester). Twiller knows the man. Thomas Hall resides, at present, on a little bouwerie belonging to the Company. To the Remonstrance. 6r> Elbert Elbertzen, arriving in the country as a farm lad, was about 10 or eleven years in Wouter van Twilier's service, and has never had any land of his own. About three years ago he married the widow of Gerrit Wolphertsen (brother of the abovementioned Jacob van Couwenhoven), and is, therefore, up to the present time, in the Company's debt, from the payment of which he would apparently like to be relieved. GovERT LoocKERMANS, brothcr-in-Iaw of Jacob van Couwenhoven, went to New Netherland in 1633, as cook's mate in the yacht Si. Mxirtyn; was taken by Wouter van Twiller into the Company's service; having realized some profit in it, he became a freeman, and finally took charge of the trade of Gillis Verbruggen and company, in New Netherland. This Loockmans ought to show his gratitude to the Company, under God, for his prosperity, and not plot to deprive it of the country. Hendrick Kip is a tailor, and has never suffered any injury in New Netherland to our knowledge. Jan Evertsen Bout, formerly in the Company's service, went over the last time in the year 1634, in the ship the Eendracht, in tiie employment of Hon*^' Michiel Pauw ; resided at Pavonia until the year 1643, and prospered somewhat; and as the Hon'''^ Company purchased Mr. Pauw's property, the said Jan Evertsen got on right well in its service, it having acquired M' Pauw's interest. And as his house and barn, at Pavonia, were burnt in the war, which he seems to make a pretext for his complaint, 'tis proper to observe here, that the Hon*"'* Company having paid fl.26,000 for Mr. Pauw's Colonic, made a free gift to the said Jan Evertsen, long after the house was burnt, of the land whereon his house stood and of the bouwerie, which produced good wheat. Michel Jansen purchased that farm and a poor, unfinished house, with some few cattle, for fl.8000. In fine, these people, glozing over their acts, say they are bound by oath and obliged by conscience; but, had this any force, they would not thus assail the Company and others, their benefactors, nor seek to strip them of this noble country by advising a conveyance of it, now that it begins to assume some shape; promises to make the Company some return, and when many of the colonists find themselves in better circumstances than ever. Ambition, apparently, prompts many, &c. Ady 29. November, 1650. The Hague. NOTE. Pafje 20. Rodenbergh, by the English called New Haven. North of New Haven are two mountains, called the East and West Rocks. They are trap, composed of hornblende and feldspafc Iron enters considerably into their composition ; hence during their decomposition, iron rust gradually covers the exterior of the stone, thus giving it a reddish brown appearance. Barber's Historical Collections of Connecticut, 149. From this appearance, the Dutch gave the place the very appropriate name of Rodenbergh, ox "The Red Mountain." NOTE. Page ; . People continue to complain with Jan Vergas, de clementie duels, Alphonse Vargas, by birth a Spaniard, rendered himself infamous in the Low Countries by his cruelties Although the Duke of Alba committed such unheard of severities as even to cause his recall, boasting as he did, that he had had eighteen thousand persons put to death by the public executioner, Vargas, on returning to Spain, declared that the Low Countries were lost to the King, his master, through an excess of clemency and compassion on the part of the Duke. Moreri — Dictionnaire Historique. NOTE. Page 64. A learned and godly Clergyman. Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, Junr., son of the minister of Coedyck in Holland, was born in the year 1603, and at the time of leaving his native country, was in charge of the congregation of Schoorel and Berge under the Classis of Alkmaer. He came to America in the summer of 1642 with Matheid Wiilemsen, his wife, and Hellegond, Dirck, Jan and Samuel, their children. He was the first minister in Fort Orange, now Albany, where he officiated until 1649, when he was called to take charge of the church in New Amster- dam on the departure of Domine Backerus. It is supposed that he returned to Holland on the surrender of New Netherland to the English in 1664. Rev. Mr. Megapolensis wrote in 1644, while minister of Rensselaers- wyck, a tract on the Mohawk Indians entitled, Kort Ontwerp van de Mahakuase Indianen in Nieuw Neder- landt, haer Lanty Stature, Dracht, Manieren en Magistraten, beschreven in'' t jaer 1644; which was printed ■without his consent in 1651. A translation of it is to be found in Hazard's State Papers, I., 17. He also wrote a religious tract entitled, " Exaiuinalion and Confession for the Benefit of those who are inclined to approach the Table of the Lord." ^^^^ ^a pD^D:m&> ^Sti^;^^"' ^