Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 3

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

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It was left to the Governor's option, either to provide and choose a place of residence, or to occupy the dwelling in Christina which had been occupied by his predecessors. He was also instructed to provide a suitable place for a fort, either at "Hinlopen" or on an island in theriver; butif he found Fort Christina would suffice, then he was to put it in good order. At- tention was to be directed to agriculture, and the raising of tobacco was to be made a spe- cialty. He was to have careful search made everywhere for precious metals, and if any were discovered was to give information at once to the home government, and to await instructions. The peltry trade was to be dili- gently looked after, with precautions against fraud. This trade was to be carried on only by licensed traders, appointed in the name of the whole company, who were to be paid es- tablished commissions.

STATE OF DELAWARE

It was suggested that salt works might be established on the sea coast. But if salt could not be properly made by the process of evapor- ation in the heat of the sun, salt water might be brought to such a grade that it could after- wards be perfectly condensed by means of fire without great labor or expense. This the governor was to consider, and make such ex- periments as might be required to determine the best process, and then put it into practical operation. Out of the abundant forests, the Governor was ordered to examine and deter- mine what profit might be derived from oak and walnut trees, and whether a good quality of this timber might be shipped to Sweden as ballast. He was also instructed to ascertain whether oil might not be advantageously ex- pressed without walnuts.

It was also to be ascertained how and where fisheries might be most profitably established; especially at what season of the year the whole fishing business could be most advantageously prosecuted in the lower bay. The governor was to investigate carefully, and report to the home government, whether the busi- ness could be made profitable. This bu-iness, it will be remembered, had been tried by De Vries near Lewes, but proved a failure and was abandoned. The governor was also in- structed to make careful inquiry in regard to the food and convenience for keeping a large number of silk worms, and whether the man- ufacture of silk could be started in the new country. From this it will appear that silk worm culture was not a new thing in those early days, and the fact that an attempt was made to engage in it on a large scale in the same country nearly two hundred years after- wards, only goes to show that "fads," like his- torv, often repeat themselves.

Much was left to the discretion of the gov- ernor. At first, and until matters could be brought into a better form, he was authorized to use his own seal, but in a somewhat larger form in briefs, contracts, correspondence, and other written documents of a publie character. He was authorized to decide all matters of con- troversy which might arise, according to Swed- ish law, custom and usage. He was also to have power, through the necessary and proper means of compulsion, to bring to obedience and a quiet life the turbulent and disorderly, and especially upon gross offenders he could inflict punishments according to the grade of

the crime, by imprisonment, or even by the infliction of the death penalty. But in the im- position of so grave a penalty, he was ordered not to depart from the usual manner, and to give the case proper hearing and consideration, with the assistance and concurrence of the most prudent associate judges that he could se- cure.

Governor Printz, therefore, was the first man to hold court, try offenders, and adminis- ter justice in what is now the territory of the State of Delaware. He was the president judge, the supreme ruler and administrator of the colony. At this late day, considering the power with which he was clothed, how in- teresting it would be if we could consult the records of his court. But that privilege is de- nied us, even if records were kept, for they have doubtless long since perished. His court was first held at Fort Christina; afterwards at his famous hall, which he established on Tini- euun Island, in the Delaware River. Consider- ing that he was invested with so much power, even to the taking of human life, it is not to be wondered at that in time there came to be much friction in the colony, and that the gov- ernor's enemies never let pass an opportunity to denounce him for his haughty and im- perious manners. Indeed there is reason for believing that at times the colonists would have revolted if they could have seen any way of bettering their condition. But they were helpless and had to submit to their autocratic master.

The letter of instruction closed by saying that "above all things" the Governor must "consider and see to it that a true and due worship, becoming honor, laud and praise be paid to the Most High God in all things, and to that end all proper care shall be taken that di- vine service be zealously performed according to the unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Council of Upsala, and the ceremonies of the Swedish Church; and all persons, but espe- cially the young, shall be duly instructed in the articles of their Christian faith; and all good church discipline shall in like manner be duly exercised and received." But so far as relates to the Holland colonists that might live and settle under the Swedish government, Governor Printz was instructed not to disturb them in the indulgence of their religious faith ; they might conform to the rites of the Re- formed Church.

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA'

Having received his instructions, and every- thing being in readiness, Printz and his colon- ists sailed from Stockholm August 16, 1642, and landed safe at Fort Christina February 15, 1643. The voyage was long and tedious, compared with the voyages of to-day, but noth- ing unusual occurred and we infer that the health of the emigrants was fairly good. Part of them belonged to a trading company pro- vided with a charter, and were to receive monthly wages for their services. Some, how- ever, came of their own accord to try their for- tune in the new country. And they were free to settle and live in the country as long as they pleased, or to leave it at their pleasure. The latter were, by way of distinction, called free- men. At first malefactors and vicious subje.ts were sent over, who were used as slaves in the work upon the fortifications. They were kept in chains and not allowed to have intercourse with the other settlers; a separate place of abode was assigned to them. The result was that the respectable colonists became greatly dissatisfied that such characters should be foist- ed upon them, and remonstrated in strong terms. When Governor Pritz took charge of the affairs of the colony, his attention was called to this matter, and to his credit he took measures to break up the practice at once. Therefore, when any vessel appeared bearing such characters, they were not permitted to set foot on shore, but the captain of the vessel was forced to carry them away again. Where- upon, says Acrelius, a great many of them died during the voyage or perished in some other way. Afterwards it was forbidden in Sweden, under a penalty, to take for the American voy- age any persons of bad fame, nor was there ever any lack of good people for the Colony. Had so good a law prevailed in after years when the English rule was established over the colony, it would have been better for the country.

Having taken time during his stay at Fort Christina to survey the country, ascertain the condition of the settlement, organize his gov- ernment, and consider what was best to be done, Governor Printz decided to establish his headquarters on Tinieum Island. Acrelius no- where states how long the Governor resided at the fort, but it must have been for several months, for it must have taken some time to erect the necessary buildings on the island and have them in readiness to transfer the seat of

government of New Sweden thither. Why Printz should have selected an island in the Delaware River for his official residence has never been sat- isfactorily explained. It has been said that the choice was made in order to be as near Fort Nassau as possible, and to be in a position more easily to intercept vessels that might attempt to ascend the river. Others have insinuated that the burly governor thought it would be a place of greater safety in time of danger from the Indians and other foes. Be that as it may, a fort was built on the island, and provided with a considerable armament. His place of residence, which was of pretentious appear- ance, was surrounded with charming grounds; a pleasure house was erected, orchards were planted, and everything done that would make it attractive and beautiful. And as if to im- part a greater air of dignity to the place, the Governor named it Printz Hall. Prominent freemen who accompanied him, were allowed to erect residences on the island also. Some of these residents doubtless were officers of his court and assisted in the administration of jus- tice. In close proximity to the settlement a handsome wooden church was built, which was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies con- dueted by Companius.

FRICTION BETWEEN GOVERNORS.

In the meantime friction between the Swedes and the Dutch was gradually increas- ing. Stuyvesant was in command at New Ain- sterdam and seized every opportunity to harass and annoy Printz. The Swedes were looked upon as intruders, or squatters, on the lands along the river, and the Dutch determined to bi: g them under subjection or drive them away. The latter claimed to have purchased the country first from the Indians: the Swedes claimed that their purchase embraced the country as far west as the Susquehanna river. The contention therefore was based on the pri- ority of right by purchase.

Printz commanded the river with his little fort on Tinicum Island and prevented the Dutch from ascending. This so annoyed Stuy- vesant that he resolved on a new plan to cir- eminvent the wily Swede. He organized a company, with instructions to make a settle- ment at what is now known as New Castle. This was done, and a defensive work erected

STATE OF DELAWARE

which was called Fort Cassimer. It is said to have stood on a point of land jutting into the river, but the site, during the long time that has elapsed since its erection, has been almost entirely washed away by the action of the water. This was in the year 1651. It was garrisoned by a force sufficient to hold it against the attacks of the Swedes. A few Dutch settlers clustered around the fortifica- tion and it became from that date the third Christian or civilized settlement within what was destined to become the State of Delaware. It was a bold stroke on the part of the Dutch, and gave Governor Printz a great deal of un- easiness. And in order still further to strength- en the foothold that had been gained on the Swedish side of the river, Governor Stuyves- ant abandoned Fort Nassau on the New Jersey shore, and removed the garrison, with its mun- itions of war, to Fort Cassimer. Only meagre accounts of the siege and struggle of this fort have been preserved. It mounted a, few can- non, and served as a menace to Swedish ships attempting to ascend the river, which were commanded to stop and submit to be searched. This was very humiliating to the proud occu- pant of Printz Hall, a few miles above; but as he had played the same game at his stronghold, he could only chafe when quafling the bitter cup which he had so imperiously placed at the lips of others.

At this time all the vast plain surrounding Fort Cassimer was covered with a heavy growth of timber; in a word, it was a dense wilderness, through which roamed game in abundance. The Indians, with amazement depicted on their countenances, came forth occasionally from the solitudes of the forest to gaze upon the new comers as they toiled at their work. They could not clearly compre- hend what the mission of the pale-faces was, but they did not interfere with them. That they were peacefully inclined was doubtless true, for no authenticated accounts of Indian outrages at that time have been handed down.

When we compare the condition of the country as it was then with that of the present day, we can scarcely comprehend the mighty changes that have been wrought. Highly eul- tivated farms dot the landscape; charming houses, the abode of a refined and cultured people, are noted on every hand; while the evi- dences of prosperity and thrift meet us at every turn. Time works wondrous changes;

and it must be remembered that two hundred and fifty years have rolled away since the sturdy Hollanders and the fair-haired Swedes struggled for the privilege of founding homes in this far-away land.

The aggressive policy of the Dutch became alarming to Printz. IIe felt that a greater power than he could resist was arrayed against him. On his early representations, the West India Company of Sweden had formally pro- tested against the proceedings of Stuyvesant, but nothing was done to relieve him. The apathy of the home government may be ex- plained on the ground that the business of the colony had not proved as profitable as had been expected. Governor Printz had not for a long time heard from home. Messages had been dispatched to Sweden with instructions to lay a statement of affairs before the queen, but no answer was received. The re-inforce- ments he had asked for were delayed until his hope turned into despair. The Indians were becoming restive and were no longer to be re- lied on. So long as the colonists had every- thing they wanted all went well; but now the unsettled condition of affairs was causing dis- content, and murmurings were frequently heard. The governor was falling into dis- favor with his people. He had been a rigor- ous and austere ruler. Finally, realizing that his days of usefulness were over, he resolved to resign, leave the colony, and report the true condition of affairs in person at the court of Sweden. IIe therefore appointed his son-in- law John Papegoija, vice-governor, and in 1652 sailed away, never to return. He had served as governor from 1643 to 1654, a period of over ten years, and had come to be recognized as the monarch of Tinicum.

Ilis son-in-law did not remain very long in authority, for in 1654 the ship Eagle arrived from Sweden, bearing a new governor in the person of John Claudius Rising, who was in- vested with the title of Director General of New Sweden, and for a brief time exercised authority in the Colony.

FORT CASSIMER CAPTURED.

For some time previous to the departure of Printz, both the Dutch and the Swedes had entertained serious apprehensions of the de- signs of the English upon the whole territory. They realized that while they were quarrel-

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

ing about the right of possession on the Dela- ware, there was dangers of this stronger power pouncing upon them and seizing the whole ter- ritory. Rising's official instructions, therefore, particularly admonished him to proceed in his administration of affairs in New Sweden with the utmost prudence and circumspection, and to avoid by all means any breach of friendship with either the Dutch or the English; a breach with the former might afford the latter an op- portunity to seize Fort Cassimer, and it was better for the Swedes that it should continue in the possession of the Dutch than fall into the hands of their more powerful and danger- ous neighbors in that country.

On the face of his instructions he was to employ every peaceable method in his power, without resorting to any hostile act to induce the Dutch to abandon Fort Cassimer to the English. But his actions show that he bore secret instructions.

Rising sailed from Sweden in an armed ship, with military officers and troops and set- tlers on board, amounting in all to some two hundred and fifty men, and arrived in the Del- aware in the latter part of May, 1654. On ap- proaching Fort Cassimer the ship was prepare i for action, and rounding to opposite the fort, fired a salute and signaled it to send an officer on board, which was soon done by the com- mandant of the fort. On his arrival on board Rising informed him who he was, and at once demanded the surrender of the fort, as it stood on Swedish ground, and with it the river also as a part of their possessions. Without secret instructions to this effect, it is not likely that he would have acted in such a summary man- ner.

When the Dutch officer heard the demand he was stupefied with amazement, but on re- covering his self-possession, he ordered his boat's crew to row him ashore for instructions. The officer not returning as soon as it was sup- posed he should, Rising feared treachery, and became impatient; but upon reflection he de- cided to wait for an answer until morning. None having been received at that time he landed a military force, marched on the fort, stormed and seized it without resistance, at the point of the bayonet. Ile did not propose to take any prisoners of war, as none had been declared, or any intimation given of his hostile intentions previous to the demand for the sur- render of the works; he therefore disarmed

the garrison and chased them out at the point of the bayonet, then took possession of the fort and garrisoned it with a detail of his own men.

The Dutch, it is believed, were so frightened on hearing the demand of the Swedish Gover- nor that they did not know what to do. And as their force was small, and the fort in poor condition to make any show of resistance, they kept on deliberating until the fatal moment arrived, and they were driven ont like defence- less school boys. What the armament of the fort was we are not informed, but it could not have been sufficient, as Governor Rising soon after the capture proceeded to enlarge and strengthen it. As if entirely to efface the iden- tity of the fort, he named it and the settlement which had grown up around it, New Amstel. What became of the expelled garrison we are not informed, but they probably took refuge among the settlers, and soon afterwards made their way to the other Dutch settlements.

Rising, evidently, was greatly elated over his victory, and as a fitting conclusion and by way of surprise, no doubt, he imne liately forwarded a letter to Governor Stuyvesant, at New Amsterdam, announcing his brilliant achievement on the Delaware, and informing him that he could have no further communica- tion with him on the subject, and that any dis- cussion or negotiation in regard to the matter must be referred to their respective sovereigns. As Rising's letter was the first information Stuyvesant had received of the fall of Fort C'assimer, one can imagine how surprised and indignant the doughty warrior of New Am- sterdam must have been. Noted for his ex- citable temperament, it requires no stretch of the imagination to picture the Dutch governor stamping around on his wooden leg and tear- ing his hair, while the very air of the fort seemed charged with the fumes of sulphur, as he hurled defiant expletives at the head of the new Swedish governor.

Soon after the capture of Fort Cassimer and the placing of a garrison therein Governor Rising sailed up the river to Fort Christina, where he landed and took up his permanent residence in the same house once occupied by Peter Minuit. The original settlement, there- fore, became for the second time the official headquarters and seat of government of New Sweden. The name of Cassimer was changed

STATE OF DELAWARE

te Fort Trinity and new conditions took the place of the old.

When the fall of Fort Cassimer was report- ed to the Holland authorities there was natur- ally much excitement in that country. The bold and aggressive action of Rising left no other alternative to the Dutch authorities than a resort to arms, to settle the long existing con- troversy between the two countries by the sword. The capture of Fort Cassimer, the ground on which it was built having been pur- chased by the Holland Company July 19, 1651, was not only an insult, but tantamount to a declaration of war, and popular sentiment demanded that it should be recovered.

Governor Stuyvesant was ordered in due time to prepare to retake the fort and reduce the Swedish settlements on the Delaware to obedience to the authority of New Nether- lands: he was authorized to use whatever force he might deem necessary, and directed to act as quickly as possible. In the meantime cor- responding preparations were made for the emergency by the company in Holland. So high did the fever run that recruiting stations were opened in the city of Amsterdam, drums were beaten, and every effort was made to in- duce men to enlist for the great war that had broken ont between the Dutch and Swedes in America. Accounts state that Dutelmen were excited everywhere and the war feeling ran high. Delaware was at stake, and noth- ing short of the complete subjugation and con- quest of New Sweden would satisfy the uni- versal expectation. While all the uproar was going on, it does not appear that any effort was made by Sweden to strengthen her colon- ies on the Delaware, or put her forts in order to repel the proposed invasion. Governor Rising appears to have been content to rest on his laurels, and quietly enjoy the fruits of his victory. If reinforcements could have been sorured, it seems strange that no efforts were made to obtain them, for Rising must have known what was being done. If he did not at least suspect that an attempt would be made to recover what had been lost by the Dutch, he must have been more than ordinarily ob- fuse.

Governor Stuyvesant, who prided himself on his military training, could not reconcile himself to the insult that he had received from the wily Swede, who had stolen into the Dela- ware and captured Fort Cassimer without fir-

ing a gun. Worst of all was the affront put upon him by the curt letter informing him of what had been done; this was more than he conld endure. That an old soldier who had lost a leg in battle should be subjected to such an indignity was unbearable, and he longed for the opportunity to surprise Rising in re- turn.

Stuyvesant hastened his preparations, ob- serving, however, the greatest secrecy. His points of attack were New Amstel, late Fort Cassimer, and Fort Christina, neither of which contained a garrison of more than thirty or forty men. The military force at the Dutch governor's command quite equalled in num- bers the entire population of the Swedish set- tlements on the Delaware, women and chil- dren included. Yet he conducted his prepara- tions for nearly one year with so much care, prudence and secrecy that Rising had no in- timation of them, except from the hints of friendly Indians, towards the last. These In- dians, it seemed, knew more than he did, but he did not heed their warnings. He never imagined for a moment that Stuyvesant, if he really contemplated a movement, had any- thing more in view than the recapture of Fort C'assimer and the country below.

The Dutch West India Company had prom- ised Stuyvesant assistance in vessels, ammuni- tion and soldiers from Holland, and had di- rected him to impress into his service, at their expense, any vessels in the New Netherlands that the occasion might require; they had al- ready sent over to New Amsterdam one man- of-war and two other ships, with men and am- munition. In the meantime Stuyvesant had by persuasive offers and impressment added four other vessels to his fleet, among them be- ing a French privateer, which had been hov- ering on the coast for the purpose of preying on the commerce of any nation that was at war with France. With this squadron, for- midable for the times, Stuyvesant found him- self in readiness to set forth on his expedition. It consisted of seven vessels, and carried be- tween six and seven hundred men. A start was made September 5, 1655, and as the squadron sailed down the bay and passed out into the ocean it presented a brave and war- like appearance. Entering the capes of the Delaware in due season, Commodore Stuyve- sant spent several days in marshaling and ar- ranging his fleet preparatory to landing his

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

men in sections, with their proper officers, when they should arrive off the fort of the Swedes.

At last Governor Rising had become aware of the force that was approaching, and hastily set to work to prepare Fort New Amstel for the impending conflict. He ordered the officer in charge not to allow the fleet to pass, if he could prevent it, and by all means to fire upon it. Both orders were disobeyed, whether through fear, or from want of a clear under- standing of them, is unknown. The fleet, when it hove in sight, quietly passed the fort, which made no attempt to arrest it, and came to anchor above it, out of the reach of its guns. So quiet a reception must have been a sur- prise to Stuyvesant, after all his warlike preparations. Ilis next move was to summon the fort to surrender, but the commandant not complying with his order, he landed all his troops out of reach of cannon shot, and then proceeded to invest Fort New Amstel by posting a detachment about five miles off to watch Fort Christina, and another somewhat nearer to cut off any reinforcement or relief from that quarter. The brave Dutchman then commenced digging trenches and throw- ing up embankments in order to enable his forces to get near enough to the fort to fire upon its log walls with safety. This accom- plished, Stuyvesant repeated his demand for the surrender of the fort, and at last perem- torily accompanied with a fierce threat to open his guns upon it, if his demand was not in- stantly complied with. The Swedish officer saw no alternative, and to prevent further waste of time concluded to surrender. Ac- cordingly he capitulated on favorable terms, without any one being hurt on either side, and New Sweden was already half conquered. The surrender took place September 16, 1655, which shows that over two weeks were con- sumed in military operations before the end came. The commander of the fort was named Sven Schute, and his surrender was severely condemned by Governor Rising, who thought that he should have made some show of re- sistance. But the excuse was that necessity knows no law. According to the articles of capitulation, as given by Acrelius, liberty was given to the commander of the fort to take back to Sweden the cannon which belonged to the crown, consisting of four iron guns of fourteen pounds, and five field pieces. He

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 3

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482