USA > New Jersey > A civil and political history of New Jersey: embracing a compendious history of the state, from its early discover and settlement by Europeans, brought down to the present time > Part 4
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The New Netherland Company continued to forward ships to. the Island of Manhattan, and the settlement at that place gradually increased in extent and in strength ; dwellings were erected around the fort, and the entire settlement received the name of New Amsterdam.
The officers to whom the management of the colony was entrusted, worthily performed the duties of their. trust. They directed the manifold details of business, and preserved the settle- ment in peace. Their wisdom was especially manifested in the measures they adopted toward the neighboring. Indian tribes. They concluded a treaty of alliance and peace with the great Five Nation Confederacy, and by this step, a danger the most to bo dreaded by the colonists, was warded off, and at the same time, the necessary facilities for the prosecution of trade were preserved and secured. The treaty with the natives was con- cluded on the most formal manner, and it is supposed that the Delaware or Lenape tribes were also present and assumed a peculiar character, at this solemnization. 17
After a period, some attempts appear to have been made to- ward a farther extension of the colony ; it is asserted that between the years 1617 and 1620, settlements were made at Bergen, in New Jersey, in the neighborhood of the Esopus Indians, and also at Schenectady.19 . These early advantages and advances seemed In open the way to future success.
"Gordon, p. 6.
16 Moulton. 11 Gordon, p. 7.
18 Gordon, p. 7.
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
But there were other circumstances of a different, and some of a threatening character; the course of the colonists was not to be one of steady prosperity. There was that in the nature of their claim to the country which rendered them liable to danger or · difficulty, and difficulty from this source, was quickly experienced.
Scarcely had the Dutch become seated at Manhattan, before they were visited by a company of English. This body was under the direction of Captain Argal, of Virginia; he had been on a voyage to the north, and in his progress, had attacked and dis- persed a company of French, who had settled at Port Royal, in Acadia. Argal was probably prepared for a similar attempt upon the Dutch, had any resistance been offered. He told the. " pre- tended Dutch Governor," that he had a commission to expel him and all "alien intruders" on his majesty's dominion and : territories. Corstiaensen was forced to submit himself and his plantation. to the King of England, and to the Governor of Virginia, for, and under him. He also agreed to the payment of · an annual tribute as an acknowledgement of the English . title, but this agreement, as will hereafter be seen, was not adhered to by the Dutch.19 Opposition to the claims of the Dutch was also manifested on other occasions, though not in a manner so.decisive as that exhibited in the movements of Argal. .
At this time the Northern Virginia or Plymouth Company appeared, to revive their claim. To this company the greater part of the country embraced in New Netherland had belonged, before
" Plantagenet's New Albion, Heylin's Cosmography, O'Callaghan's New Netherland.
Scarcely any event in our early history has given rise to more discussion than the visit of Captain Argal to the Dutch settlement. The occurrence itself has been questioned by some, on the ground that nothing appears concern- ing it in the records of the Virginia colony, whilst the attack upon the French is repeatedly mentioned. But this negative circumstance cannot be admitted as of any weight when opposed by positive evidence. The time of the visit has also been variously stated, and highly respectable authorities place it so early as 1613. It is certain that from 1610 to 1613, the country was frequently visited by Dutch navigators, and there is reason to suppose that the principal trading station was on the Island of Manhattan. But there is nothing to show that there was any thing like a permanent establishment, and still less that there was any officer who could with any propriety, be called a " Dutch Governor," prior to 1014, when Corstiaensen established himself, and erected Fort Amsterdam.
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
the coming of the Dutch, and. this claim had never been relin- quished. The Plymouth Company had been less successful than its Southern rival ; different attempts had been made to establish settlements in the country granted in their charter, but all had finally failed. But at this time an entirely new patent was granted by the king.20 It was given to the Duke of Lennox, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and others, forming an association under the" name of "The Council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ordering, and governing of New England, in America." To this company was given "all that circuit, con- tinent, precincts, and limits in America from the fortieth to the forty-eighth degree of northernly latitude." This grant was made withont the least regard to the presence of the Dutch, al- though it included the whole of their settlements, and nearly the whole of the country they claimed.
Almost at the very time of the execution of the grant above mentioned, a company of persons took possession of a portion of country embraced therein. This was a body of English Puri- tans. Persecuted in their own country on -account of their reli- gious belief, they had fled to Holland, where a greater degree of liberty was allowed. But there they were not content, and their minds at length were turned toward a new land, where they supposed they might escape from the. corruptions of the ancient world, and be at liberty to enjoy, and also to pro- pogate, the faith they professed. A proposal was made by the Dutch among whom they resided, that they should settle in the province of New Netherland, but this offer was declined by the English unless it could be taken with a condition, reserving the rights of their own nation, to the lands they should occupy. At length they procured a patent from the South Virginia or London Company. Their voyage to America was one of peril, and they had finally been compelled to land upon part of the coast far dis- tant from their point of destination, and where the patent they held would be useless and void. But they resolved to remain, and on the 20th of December, 1620, they began to erect dwellings at a
" Dated in November, 1620.
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
place. they called Plymouth. Fortunately for these settlers, their . friends soon afterwards procured for them a second charter by which they were allowed-to possess .and enjoy a portion of fer- ritory connected with their settlement, under the authority of the . great New England Company.
The observer will perceive that in these movements the territory of New Netherland had not only. been conveyed by a grant from the English sovereign, but that a company: of Englishmen had actually `entered within its limits, and taken. possession.
. The New- Netherland Company were also informed, as is stated . in a memorial they presented to the government, that His Britannic Majesty was inclined to people the aforesaid -lands with English -: men ;; to destroy the petitioner's possessions and discoveries, and to deprive the State of its right to these lands.21 .
Nor was this . questioning of title the only circumstance that · occurred, unfavorable to the advancement of New Netherland. The charter of exclusive privileges. that had been granted to the New Netherland Company, had expired by its own limitation, and the government refused to grant a renewal .. Special licenses were .
- given to applicants from year to year, and an intercourse with the colony was thus kept up; but without the prospect of perma- nent benefit there was little to induce to farther improvement. . .
The benefits of trade were opened to a larger number, but the colony began to languish for - want of special and steady support. · The danger and loss. which might be apprehended from the several causes that have just been mentioned, may have hastened a project which at this time was meditated in Ilolland for forming a new and more extended company. At this period the general interests of the country were in jeopardy. The twelve years truce which had been concluded with Spain was near its termina- tion, and hostilities might .be. expected to ensuc. Trade was embarrassed too, from the multitude of pirates ; they swarmed on every sea, and were so vigilant and active that it was by no means easy to escape their grasp. Hence, a concentration of mercantile .
2 O'Callaghan, p 8.4. It is stated that Argall, with a number of planters, were preparing to settle on the Hudson at this time .- Mason's Letter.
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
energy and wealth was proposed, as a means of aiding the country and defending commerce, and also of extending colonial interests.
The plan being finally matured, a charter was granted by their High Mightinesses, the States General, on the third of June, 1621; the new body taking the name and title of " The West India-Com- pany." This association may properly be considered as a national body, the objects contemplated in its formation not being such as related exclusively to any local or . corporate interest ; to contribute aid and support to the republic was an important, if not a principal part of the design. Hence, beside. the grant- of an ample charter, the States General became, bound to the support of the company, engaging to maintain and strengthen it "with all . our help, favor and assistance, .as far as. the present state and condition of this country will admit." The States also became parties by direct participation, entering the company as members, and in like manner as other members, advancing a portion of funds, and sharing in the profit and loss.
The charter of the company provided, that for a period of twenty-four years, no natives or inhabitants of these countries, unless in the name or by permission of this United Company of these United Netherlands should sail or traffic to, or on the coast and countries of Africa, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope; nor in the countries of America, or the West Indies, beginning at the south end of Terra Nova by the Streights of Magellan la Maire, or any other streights or passages thereabouts, to the streights of Anian, as well on the North Sea as the South Sea, nor on any islands situate on the one side or the other, 'or between both; nor in the western or southern countries between both the meridians, from the Cape of Good Hope, in the east, to the end of New Guinea, in the west inclu- sive; and whoever should presume to sail or traffic in any of these places, within the aforesaid limits granted to this company, should forfeit the ships and goods there found for sale, which being actually seized by the company, should be kept for their own benefit.
The company were authorized in their operations in distant countries, to enter into contracts and alliances with the princes and natives of the land, and they were obligated to advance the
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
settlement of their possessions, encourage, population, and do every thing that might promote the interest of those fertile countries and the increase of trade. They were also empowered for the pur- pose of protecting their trade and possessions, to erect and garrison forts and fortifications. They might distribute justice, preserve order, maintain police, and administer the general, civil, and military government of their transmarine affairs. They might appoint a governor in chief, or director general, commanders, and all officers, civil, military, judicial, and executive, who should take an oath of allegiance to the States, as well as to the company. But having chosen a Governor in Chief, and prepared his instruc- tions, he was to be commissioned, and his instructions approved by the States ..
The company were empowered to negotiate in peace, or war, though in case of war, the approval of the States must be given. When engaged in actual hostilities, the States were to give assis- tance with sixteen ships of war, and four yatchs, to be supported at the expense of the company, and to be commanded by an officer appointed by the joint consent of the company and the States. But the company were required to furnish unconditionally sixteen ships, and fourteen yatchs, which were designed " for the defence of trade and all exploits of war." The States Gene- ral contributed one million of guilders to the funds.22
The government of the West India Company itself, was vested in a number of Directors, who were distributed into several separate Chambers or Departments ; the Chamber of Amster- · dam being the principal one. Each one of these held under its control a certain proportion of the stock or funds, and operated within a particular sphere. A central body consisting of nineteen members was intrusted with the superintendance of all the general . interests and movements of the company.
Considered as a means of strengthening the government, and of protecting and advancing commerce, the charter of the West India Company may have been properly devised. But nothing could be more defective as an instrument for the promotion of colonial
2 Hazard's Collections-Moulton's New York.
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
interests. It gave no security whatever to settlers. The whole authority of government was entrusted to the company without any restrictions; and the government of mercantile companies is seldom cither liberal in character, or liberally administered. Such companies are apt to consider political authority, merely as an instrument of securing pecuniary benefit, and no greater con- cessions will be made to the governed; than may seem to be entirely consistent with the principal object in view.
The West India Association did not immediately commence operations under their charter, but during the interval, increasing activity began to be manifested, and a report was spread that preparations were making for sending a number of vessels to New Netherland. . These circumstances excited the jealousy of the New England Company anew. In December, 1621, the Earl of Arundel, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and others of that body, pre- pared a remonstrance which they presented to the King, (James I.) complaining of the proceedings of the Dutch. In consequence, his majesty ordered, that Sir Dudley Carleton, his Embassador in Holland, should be instructed to make a proper representation to the States General, upon the subject. The Privy Council gave him instructions accordingly. They stated that his majesty's royal predecessors had, many years since, taken possession of the whole precinct, and inhabited some parts of the North of Virginia, now called New England, all of which countries his present majes- ty had in like manner granted unto particular persons; neverthe- less, that the Hollanders had entered upon some parts thereof, and left a colony, and had given new names to several ports and places, and that they were now in readiness to send several ships there; whereof his majesty being advised, he had given his royal com- mand that the Embassador should represent these things unto the States General in his majesty's name, he, jure primæ occupationis, having a good and sufficient title to those parts, and that those ships should not be allowed to proceed, or any further attempts be made for the settlement of colonies.
In obedience to orders, the Embassador demanded an audience . of the States General, and presented a memorial upon the subject. The Dutch Government professed not to be in possession of the
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2
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THE DUTCH CLAIM.
facts of the case, and upon being again applied to, a direction was given, that application should be made for information to those who were concerned in the trade to New Netherland. 23
Finally; as it is. stated by most authorities, the Dutch Embas- sador in England, disavowed on the part of his government, all concern in the acts that had been complained of. 24
"O'Callaghan, p. 97.
See Captain Mason's letter relative to the Duich in New Netherland, dated April 2d; 1632.
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CHAPTER IV.
NEW NETHERLAND.
. ONE of the first attempts of the West India Company, was designed to give aid and support to the settlement in New Nether- land. The territory was formally erected into a province to be known and distinguished by certain armorial insignia.' The management of its affairs was assigned to the Chamber of Am- sterdam, this department having the direction of four-ninth parts of the whole stock of the company.2 In the year 1623 an expe- dition was sent out under the direction of Cornelis Jacobson Mey, and Adriaen Jorisz; they were accompanied by a number of settlers, and were provided with articles for trade with the natives. Mey, the principal in command, had visited the country before; he now touched at the post upon the Island of Manhattan, but soon afterwards proceeded onward to the South, or Delaware River, where he designed to establish a settlement. He ascended the stream for several leagues, and selected a spot on the eastern bank, at a place called Techaacho, by the natives. It was near the mouth of the Sassackon, the most northerly branch of a stream, which afterwards came to be known by the names of Gloucester River, and Timber Creek.3 'A work was erected here, which received the name of Fort Nassau, and the erection of this fort was the primary effort of civilized man upon the shores of the Delaware, with any view to actual occupation.4
' O'Callaghan, p. 99.
*Agreement between the managers and principal adventurers of the West India Company.
3 Mickle's Reminiscences, p. 3.
· About the year 1616, Capt. Hendrickson had sailed up the Delaware as far as to the mouth of the Schuylkill, but no attempt was made to effect a settlement by hum or by any others, prior to the present visit of Mey.
7
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NEW NETHERLAND.
The prosecution of trade with the natives was the immediate aim of the present undertaking, and for this purpose a body of men remained at the post; but history is almost silent as to their further - proceedings, and also as to the subsequent movements of the Commander, Mey. In a sort of legendary way, the information is conveyed, that he succeeded in opening an intercourse with the native tribes, and that the communication between them was such, as to give rise to feelings of confidence and kindness.
Either under the direction of Mey, or of the officers in the province at the time of his coming, another station was erected, nearly at this period, on the North, or Hudson River.
In 1624, the Amsterdam Department sent out two ships to the colony, amply provided with stores. A Governor, or Director in Chief, was also appointed. The person selected for this office was Peter Minuet, a native of Wesel, in the kingdom of West- phalia ; and in one of the ships just mentioned, he arrived in the province. It would appear that the authority of Corstiaensen, the first commandant in the country, had ceased with the dissolution of the company under which he had acted, but Elekens, his lieutenant, had continued in office under the direction of the West India Company ; this latter officer however, was superseded upon the appointment and arrival of the new Director. The coming of the Governor, and the accession to the number of settlers which then occurred, gave an appearance of stability and strength to the settlement.5
.
" In the government of the province, the general course of affairs was carried on in accordance with instructions given to the officers by the Amsterdam Department. The Governor, with the other officers, forming a council, constituted the executive and legislative
" There arrived with Director Minuet, a number of persons known by the name of Walloons. They were natives of the country which formed the frontier between Belgium and France, and had formerly applied to Sir Dudley Carleton, the English Embassador at the Hague, for leave to settle in Virginia. The ap- plication .was referred to the Virginia Company, but the conditions that were offered by this company not being approved, the attention of the applicants was turned to New Netherland. Of those who came with Director Minuet, a number settled on Staten Island, but afterwards removed to Long Island, and to a place called the Wahle-Botch, since corrupted into Wallaboat. O'Callaghan, p. 101.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
authority, and were also the sole judicial tribunal. The duties of the Governor were somewhat varied in character, he having the chief control in all military, as well as civil and criminal affairs, and also a general superintendence in matters of trade. But his military duties could hardly have been onerous; the garrison at the dif- ferent forts consisted of scarcely more than a sergeant and his guard, and even these had but little exercise in their proper voca- tion. The colony was secured from danger by the alliance which had formerly been concluded with the native tribes, and which yet continued to be faithfully observed. Nor was the business of a civil nature of much extent. There was no extensive range of aims or employments, and of consequence, but few occasions occurred requiring an exercise of formal authority. The action of government was nearly limited to a single object, the prosecu- tion and management of trade.
The other officers of the province were those who had the im- mediate direction of mercantile affairs. The first of these, next to the Governor, was the Opper Koopman or Upper Merchant.6 He performed the duties of principal Commissary, and also of Book-Keeper or Clerk, and the first individual invested with these offices was Isaac de Rasier, a person who is represented as having been active and faithful in office, and who was also commended for his "fair and genteel behaviour."7
The administration of Governor Minuet was highly successful, at least for a time. A title for lands was acquired from the natives, by treaty or purchase. The Island of Manhattan, which before had been held through favor, was obtained by purchase for the sum of sixty guilders.8 The works at this place were extended, the fort was greatly enlarged, and its former name was confirmed. Here was the capital of New Netherland.
The trade of the province was also prosperous. The articles exported from the colony, even in the first year, exceeded in value the amount of the imports, and in four years the trade had increased one-half, and the revenue derived from the country was greater than the expenditure, fully one-third.
. Moulton's New York. 1 Bradford's Correspondence.
" Twenty-four dollars.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
Only a single occurrence of an adverse or disturbing character took place at this period. Upon the passage of some ships to the colony, one of them touched at Plymouth, in England, and was there detained. Her captain was ordered to London to appear before the Lords of the Privy Council, inasmuch as the place in America for which he was bound, was claimed to be comprehended in the grant made by his Britannic Majesty to divers of his subjects.
This arrest was of far less consequence from its immediate effects, than from the disposition it manifested on the part of the English, to maintain their claims to the country of New Nether- land. But no farther demonstration was made at the time.
At an early period, a new channel of trade was opened by Director Minuet, by the establishment of an intercourse with the English colony at Plymouth. These settlers were the same that have already been mentioned as having passed over from Holland, and became established at Plymouth, under a charter which had been finally obtained from the great New England Company.
The English and the Dutch had remained in the country with scarcely more knowledge of each other than they had been able to acquire from the natives, who were in intercourse with both. A more direct communication was now attempted by the people of New Netherland. Letters were sent to the Governor of New Plymouth, written by Isaac de Rasier, from Manhattas, in Fort Amsterdam.9 The writer, on behalf of the authorities of the province, congratulated the English colonists on account of their settlement in the country, and their prosperous condition, made a proposal for the maintainance of friendly intercourse, and an offer to engage to trade.
To this overture the English soon afterwards returned a lengthy reply. It was made in the name of "the Governor and Council of Plymouth, in New England," and was expressed in terms sufficiently courteous. They professed a desire to live in amity, and a willingness to engage in traffic, but they took occasion to intimate, and that with some plainness, that they did not
. Dated March 12th, 1627, N. S.
1.
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consider the claim of their neighbors to the country of New Netherland, to be entirely valid and sound.10 They also re- quired that the Dutch should refrain from trading with the natives,
" The answer of Governor Bradford and his Council. Dated March 19th, 1627. "To the Honorable and Worshipful, the Director and Council of New Netherland, our very loving friends and neighbours.
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