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N the planting of New Sweden on the Delaware Shores, the gaining of riches was not the primary motive, or the source of the original impulse, but rath-
After the Flood, the confounding of the one er the transportation of benefactions over the human language, scattered the people from, flood, to our shores. In accord with the en- Babel, into all quarters. The fame of Rome's larged and exalted views of Usselinx, Gusta-
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vas Adolphus set forth some of the advantages of emigration in such terms as these.
The proposed Colony will be a benefit to the persecuted, a refuge for wives and daugh- ters whose husbands and fathers have been made fugitives by war and bigotry, a blessing to the common man, and an advantage to the whole Protestant world of oppressed Christen- dem. He, also, contemplated carrying the gospel to the heathen Indians, and extending the boundaries of civilization and religion in the New World. Still, whilst an intelligent design, a noble impulse, and a benevolent temper were at work in the enterprise, it was not lost sight of that active trading opera- tions, extended, perhaps, to Asia and Africa, as well as America, would enlarge Sweden's dominion, enrich the Treasury, and relieve the people's burdens, even to prosperity. But for no golden gains were slaves to be employed. Their policy was too enlightened and humane for that ; "the Swedish nation" it was said, "is laborious and intelligent, and surely we shall gain more by a tree people, with wives and children."
When the project of Usselinx for a Swedish Trading Company was adopted by the King, the projector received full power to carry out the plan, December 21st 1624. A contract of trade was drawn up in 1625, with which the Company was expected to agree and to sub- scribe it. Usselinx was allowed to publish a proclamation to the Swedish people, which was translated out of the Dutch into Swedish by the King's translator, Eric Shraederus, in, the year 1626. This message made suitable explanation of the contract, and directed the peoples' attention to the Delaware, as being possessed of all imaginable resources and conveniences. A charter was secured to the Company, June 14th, 1626, which made all contracts legally secure. Then, says Acrelius, the King's zeal for the honor of God, and the welfare of his people, induced him to send out Letters Patent, July 2nd 1626, in which he made use of his distinguished influence, and invited all, both high and low, to contribute according to their means. Finally, the pre- paratory work was finished, when the Diet of 1627, representing the Estates of the Realm, gave their assent and confirmed all the meas- ures that had been taken. In addition, an order was issued, January 11th, 1628, requiring
the subscriptions to be paid on the Ist of May, of the same year.
And, now, all things look as if we might expect an immediate departure The expe- dition is certainly forwarded for an early starting. It is outfitted in military style, and furnished, as well, with commercial appoint- ments. In addition to ships and all the necessary provisions for a settlement, an Admiral and Vice-Admiral, officers and troops, commissaries, merchants and assist- ants were appointed, and how many colonists, it is not stated. Perhaps such a grand and war-like show was too much like Gideon's large host, and not fitted for the work God's wisdom had in view.
It is certain, this expedition never reached our shores, but it is not so sure, that it did not sail. Let the reader judge. Campanius says, "the ships were stopped and detained by the Spaniards on their voyage to America." Campanius was alive at the time, an eminent Clergyman, born, and then living, in Stock- holm, and in 1642 was called by the Govern- ment to accompany Governor Printz to New Sweden, as the Government Chaplain. There he remained six years, laboring faithfully for Swedes and Indians, and after his return, he was appointed to an honorable place. In America he wrote a Journal, which was edited and published by his grandson. He is charged with ignorance and carelessness, but if such defects appear, it would seem more just to lay them to the editor than the author. Then, again, Harte, in his life of Gustavus, (London, 1807,) declares, that "the Spaniards con- trived, dexterously enough, to make them- selves masters of the little Swedish squadron, that sailed for America." Harte, however, may have no authority, but Campanius. On the other side, Acrelius says, "the arrangements were in full progress when the German war and the death of the King caused the impor- tant work to be laid aside, even to the dissolu- tion of the Company and the nullifying of the subscriptions." Oxenstiern, in a published ad . dress, in 1633, stated, that "the work of Gus- tavus was almost carried into operation, but was delayed by tlie absence of the King, in Prussia and Germany, and from other causes."
Bancroft says, that "in view of the public dangers, even the cherished purpose of Col- onization yielded in the emergency." He adds,
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that, "the funds of the Company were arbi- trarily applied as resources of the war." Vol. II : 285.
May it not be that the Emperor of Ger- many, about this time, taking part in the war against Sweden, created such a sense of im- pending danger, as drove every other project from the public mind? and as the Archives show the expedition just ready to depart, and make no mention of its sailing or not sailing, some authorities took it for granted that it did actually set out! From some lately discovered documents the story is simplified, by the fact that a part of the outfit did leave Sweden and was captured by the watchful Spaniards.
It is hard to believe Bancroft's statement, that the funds of the Company were arbitrari- ly applied to the war. The funds were char- tered against confiscation, even when sub- scribers were of a nation with whom the King was at war; also the funds were not to be used by the Government, even in war, without the Company's consent ;- still further, the sub- scriptions were payable one fourth only on subscribing,and the remainder in three annual payments ; and, finally, Acrelius tells us the subscriptions were nullified, not paid and consequently could not be appropriated.
Against such a charge as Bancroft's, the character of the King would be a guarantee; who, although the matter was laid aside, or rather, driven out of the field for the present, never ceased thinking of it and cherishing it, in the midst of marches, sieges and battles. The great events transpiring, full of calamity to the common people, enlarged his views of emigration' and made his plan dearer to his heart ; and at Nuremberg, but a few days be- fore his death, he drew up a new scheme, with a proclamation to the people of Germany, as well as the Swedes, in favor of the under- taking.
By a benevolent providence, a man as great and well disposed as the King, was left ready to carry out the great design. This was Count Axel Oxenstiern, of whose worth we gather unbounded testimony. He was one of the best and greatest men of all times and coun- tries, whose wisdom and virture shed glory on the age in which he lived. Bancroft calls him "the wise Statesmen, the serene Chan- cellor, who, in the busiest scenes, never took a care with him to his couch." He had been
the friend and prime minister of Gustavus Adolphus, and succeeded, as Premier, to the administration of the Kingdom. Whilst Baner, Torstensson, and Von Wrangel proved to be the swords, Oxenstiern furnished the brains that directed all the grand movements, pro- vided supplies, and brought to a glorious close the terrible war of 30 years, by the peace of Westphalia, in 1648 ; a consummation that set Protestant liberty on an immovable basis. He was one of the Council of Regency that governed during the minority of Christina. and though the wayward Queen ill treated him, he continued one of her best friends and guardians, till his death, August 28th 1654, covering her faults with the pitying reflection : "she is still the daughter of the great Gusta- vus."
Such a man comes legitimately into the history of Delaware, as the successor of the King. Under his wise and persevering enter- prise, the project that had almost become extinct, rose from the grave, with a resurrec- tion power of new advances. The little Queen, Christina, 6 years old at her father's death, gladly consented to carry out her father's wishes, and lent her authority to the work. Usselinx, still on hand, brought his old zeal to bear on the matter, and the great Chancellor took the Swedish West India Company into his own hands, renewed the patent, given under Gustavas Adolphus ; be- came, himself, its President, made Usselinx its first Director, and encouraged the noble- men to purchase shares, and set forward the work. Besides these measures, and to give them firm foundation, on the 10th' of April, 1633, Oxenstiern, as the executor of the King, and Plenipotentiary Minister General, signed and published what the King had left un- finished. He, also, added an address of his own, to the same end. When the patent of the Swedish Company was renewed, June 26th, its privileges were extended to Germany. December 12th 1634, the charter was con- firmed by the deputies of the four Upper Cir- cles, at Frankfort, and the people were again aroused to the great undertaking.
According to Acrelius, page 23, everything seemed to be settled on a firm foundation, and all earnestness was employed in prosecut- ing the plans of the Colony. What delayed the expedition till 1637? Was it the want of a
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
qualified leader ? One was so providentially | Director and Commander of the expedition to carry out the design.
provided, as shows a Ruling Hand shaping the ends, toward the Delaware Settlements. This was a man not only enterprising, perserving, and gifted, but possessed of special knowledge and personal experience in the New World, who had occupied the highest stations in the Manhattan Settlements ; with opportunities of knowing the comparative value of different localities, and of the quality of the very region, on the Delaware, the Swedish Com- pany thought of occupying ; of such character and intelligence, as made him most valuable, to give the Swedish Scheme wise directions and a practical head.
This was Peter Minuet, another Hollander, whose high standing and qualifications for commercial and administrative affairs are vouched for, by the fact, that when the Dutch West India Company first started, and a chief agent must have been carefully sought, and his qualities closely inspected, Minuet was selected as the first Director General and Governor of New Netherlands. He kept his place eight years ; and that he was then dis- missed by the Dutch Company, does not prove that he was not a faithful servant, pro- tecting the interests of his employers. The testimony looks as if he was misrepresented to the home authorities ; that, whilst, in the midst of much discord on both sides, he strove to maintain and enforce the rules of the Company, the just exercise of the regulations of trade and government, he was opposed by the large land-owners. The Patroons as these were called, had private interests that could not be advanced under a faithful administra- tion. They needed a man at the head, either more dull or more pliant, such as they pro- cured in Van Twiller their second Governor. Minuet's credit, like many another case of in- justice, was insidiously undermined by in- terested policy, and his administration brought to an end. We need not wonder that such a man was invited to Sweden, or that, knowing what was on hand, he hastened to that country and offered his services, and that the merits of Minuet, and the value of his knowl- edge and experience, were quickly perceived and engaged. He laid before the Chancellor a plan of proceedings, probably a strong modification of the Chancellor's, which was adopted, and Minuet was commissioned as
Acrelius says, page 22, that Charles Ist renounced all the English claims to the Dela- ware region, in favor of the Swedes. Cam- panius records, that the Dutch claim was purchased, and at least, Minuet chooses to for- get, that a part of the land he soon purchased from the Indians, for the Swedes, had been bought in 1629, for the Dutch ; the deed for which, he had signed in 1630, and which had been subsequently transferred to the City of Amsterdam.
CHAPTER IX.
Delay of Expedition from Sweden-How we Account for it-Difficulties of Colonization- Gotheburg-When the Colony Arrived-Chris- tina.
E have supposed that the expedition might have been delayed for want of a competent leader. The want of Col- onists would prove a more serious and effectual obstacle ; and is there no probability that such of the proper stamp, at least on the first expedition, were hard to find ? Such a diffi- culty seems to look out of the fact, that only about fifty made up the first settlers, and that some of these are said to have been under sentence of condemnation, though it was only for trivial and conventional offenses.
No operation undertaken by the human race is more difficult than Colonization. Who can read of the hardships endured by the first set- tlers of our country in all the various colonies, without most painful emotions, and tears of compassion and sorrow!
How forbidding is it to our feelings, to make a change of the shortest removal from an old homestead to a new dwelling, even in the same village! [low formidable to pack up furniture and make a long transportation, among stran- gers, in our own country !
It is but a trip, a jaunty pleasure ride, to cross the ocean, withi steamer accommodations, at the present day. We go to friends. to the Old World accommodations, to visit liistoric scenes and splendid cities, to be entertained in palace Hotels, and have our minds filled with novelties, and pleasing and improving adven- tures. Two hnudred and fifty years ago,
-
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coming this way, was a different matter. Long and round about was the voyage in sail vessels; small, cramped, rough and thoroughly incon- venient, with nothing but tough,salt,hard food for their support. People sailed to unknown shores, knowing only that the land was cov- ered with dark forests, the soil untilled, houses unbuilt,and every corner swarming with dark- skinned, naked and hostile savages, of strange guttural language, and stranger habits and re- ligion ; to put the wide ocean between them and the land of their nativity, and on arriving in the New World to be welcomed by none; themselves to lay the first foundations of soci- ety, to build houses and mould such institu- tions as their ancestors, ages before, had done for them.
It is no wonder that a Century passed after they had heard in Europe of the New World, before colonists were started to North America, tosettle and live. And in the absence of golden baits, never, probably, would they have come, ha ! not extreme calamities at home, painted these lonely shores with rosy hues, as a refuge' from worse trouble, and a place of peace and liberty. Desolating wars, religious persecu- tion on the part of those who held the political and ecclesiastical power, and oppression of the poor, who were very poor, by the mighty, who were very overbearing, prevailed : so that peo- ple were driven by privations and exposures behind them, to seek the returnless exile ot wilderness life.
Aided by these considerations, mingled with some higher motives, colonists were at length procured, and now, leader and people being ready, they all set out from Sweden, even hopefully ; and so happy was their early ex- perience on the Delaware, that it reflected back in attractive colors, and made it in subsequent years, not the want of people willing to come, but of ships to transport them, that kept the numbers small.
Two vessels bore the first permanent settlers to the Delaware; a ship of war, called the Key of Calmar, named after a Swedish town. and a smaller transport ship, called the Griffin, the expedition being well supplied with provisions, arms and ammunition ; with mer chandise for trade and presents for the Indians. They were simple, pious people, accompanied, according to the earlier accounts, by their pastor, a Lutheran clergyman, Rev. Reorus
Torkillus, of East Gothland, who lived in America till September 7th, 1643. The latest authority, however, Prof. Odhner is of opinion that he did not come over till the second ex- pedition. A royal surveyor, Magnus Kling, accompanied it, who laid out the land and made a map of the river with its tributaries, points and islands, which was sent back to Sweden.
Gotheburg, the place of embarkation still lives among the rocks, on the south-western coast of Sweden, whence the ships sailed in August 1637, and according to the latest au- thorities, arrived in the Delaware by the last of March 1638.
Strange, however, as it may appear, these dates were once held to be uncertain by some writers, and the very year was disputed. The time of starting, above given,is supported by C. T. Odhner's History of Sweden, published at Stockholm in 1865, and that of the arrivals is certified by two original American docu- ments, and sustained by lately discovered papers in Europe. One of e documents is a letter written from Jamestown Va., by the Colonial Secretary to the English Home Sec- retary, informing him of the arrival of the Swedish ships. This letter is dated May Sth 1638. He says he had written home on the 20th of March preceding, since which time, one of the ships had arrived, stopping at Jamestown about 10 days for wood and water. This ship, we learn from other sources, was the Griffin, that had already gone up the Delaware, with the Key of Calmar, and had now come into Virginia waters to trade for tobacco, as well as for fresh provisions. The two ships, in the light of these dates, may have passed into the Delaware as early as the last of March or the first of April. The other document is a pro- test, issued by Wm. Kieft, the third Director General of New Netherlands, dated, according to Acrelius, in the old style, May 6th, 1638; in the records at Albany, N. Y., May 17th, 1638, in the new style, which adds 10 days to the old dates. No doubt Gov. Kieft, who had just left Europe, knew of the design of the Swedes and was carefully watching the river On the 28th of April, says Vincent p. 151, the Dutch Assistant Commissary at Fort Nassau, wrote to the Governor at New Amsterdam, advising him that a Swedish ship had come up as high as that fort; and the Governor's protest could
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
have been dated, as above given, making sure the time of arrival; showing, also, that the adventurers had spent eight months, including the fall and spring storms, and the rough winter cold, before arriving at the land of Promise. It was then in the middle of spring, and, apparently, an early spring, that the voy- agers arrived in the bay. Sweet is the sight of land, after weeks of wintry ocean, and of says, the Dutch claim was purchased by the Swedes, and the deed of purchase was shown him by the Hon. Mr. Secretary Elias Palm- skiold. Note to Acrelius, p. 22.
such a land as ours presented itself, when trees and grass, and flowery plants and climbing vines were clothed in the soft, fresh verdure ! And do not our hearts.soften in a friendly way and deliciously sympathize with those, from whom so many Delaware families have descend- ed, that they are at the end of a cramped, damp, suffering voyage, to be welcomed by the rich soil and the warm climate, with waving banners of Nature's own spinning and coloring? This was the sight sent back home, that in- flamed the Scandinavian imagination and so hopefully painted up the New World as made the peasantry of Sweden and Finland, so long to exchange their home lands for a settlement on the Delaware, that at the last large cmi- gration, more than an hundred families, eager to embark could find no room in the crowded ships. Bancroft, 224. 287.
No wonder they called the spot, on which they first landed "The Paradise," for in their estimation it possessed some such qualities. This was a point of land, between Murderkill and Mispillion Creek, in Kent county, where for a short time, they tarried to take observa- tions and rest, and refresh themselves a little, after the rigors of the voyage. Then, all going on board again, they raised their anchors, spread the heavy sails and proceeded up the Delaware. Whether they encountered any of the natives at this stopping place, is not re- corded. Afterward, they fell in with them and had friendly intercourse, and it is fully cer- tified, that holding the inhabitants to be the true owners of the soil, they made a purchase from them, of the Western Bay and River Territory extending from cape lenlopen to the Schuylkill, afterward enlarged to the Falls of Trenton, then called Santican; at which points, posts were driven into the ground for landmarks; "which are there to this day," we cannot say, but it might have been said Ac- crelius tells us in his History of New Sweden, sixty years after the purchase.
It should not be concealed, that the Dutch claimed the land on which the Swedes settled, and Peter Minuet the commander of the ex- pedition knew that the lower part of the ter- ritory had been purchased from tlie Indians, for their use; but it was completely unoccupied, and occupancy inade the strongest kind of claim to wilderness soil ; besides, Campanius
The right of the Swedes to the Delaware Territory would seem to be conceded by the Dutch Government, from the fact, that very soon after the Swedish settlement, Dutch Col - onists came from Holland to live in their neighborhood and under their governmental authority, without objection by the States General of Holland. But without stopping to settle all the difficulties, the narrative allows us to accompany the Swedes, as with good consciences and the best intentions, they pur- sue their way up the river. They pass the spots now occupied by Port Penn and Delaware City. Reedy Island is on hand, but the Pea Patch had not probably emerged from the bottom of the river, being formed, as geolo- . gists tell us, entirely by deposit of blue mud, brought down by the tide. The locality of New Castle is no doubt inviting for a settle- ment, and the grape vines abounding, though not then in clusters, may have been an induce- ment to land; but to their agricultural eyes the sand banks that afterward brought il the Dutch name of Sandhuken, are forbidding ; so they sail onward, beckoned by the beauti- ful prospect toward the north north west. If the tide is up, in three or four miles they come to a vast area of water running inward and making a part of the creek, called the Min- quas ; and now, the Christiana, corrupted from Christina. Beyond these waters, themselves adorned with wooded islands and promonto - ries, they hold a distant view of the ancient forests. covering the long slopes, rising with gradual elevation toward the west and north and south-west ; a region, that for very many late years has been cleared, and occupied by handsome residences, from which most charm- ing views of beautiful scenery, are gained, as one looks southward and westward. Long ago, likewise, embankments raised along the
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
river and creek fronts, had kept out the and, as a Hollander, not being afraid of water, tide. turned the marshes into rich meadow he gives the command, "Turn in here ;" and the Key of Calmar leading, or it may have been the Griffin, they sail, by a winding channel, for 23 miles, till they come to the Rocks, the northern cape of the creek, as it then lay ; a land; and from the same outlook on the eleva- tions west of Wilmington, looking eastward toward the river, a landscape, that made one think of the well watered plains of old Jordan once, met the eye. Now, the most of this natural landing, thrown high and dry above the beauteous region is hidden with brick and stream, in the shape of a wharf, with deep mortar, and obscured by rolling smoke, the tax imposed upon nature, made by the growth of the city's material prosperity.
What was the water prospect to the Swedish voyagers, from the outside, was, reversely, ex- ton, the journey to it and the adjoining Old hibited to those, who looked eastward from a Swedes' Church, making a Saturday after- residence called Greystone, on the western noon's excursion for fishing or playing.
heights, on the morning of Wednesday Oct., , 23d, 1878. A wind for 96 hours from the Lindstrom's map of the locality, an inlet from south-east, assisted by a small tidal wave, brought a flood of waters, sufficient to over- flow the river embankments and demolish the obstructions along the Christiana ; when the unchecked tide made its way over all the meadows, obliterated the lines of the various creeks, marched up and over some of the city limits, and gave to the spectator one uninter- rupted sheen of water, from the Jersey side of the Delaware to the foot of the Wilming- ton rising grounds.
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