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 7
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No collision, nor indeed any intercourse is known to have occurred between the authorities of New Albion and New Neth- erland. The attack of the Dutch upon the settlement at Varckens Kill, led to no further hostilities.
After that occurrence, and the retirement of the forces that had been sent from Manhattan, Van Ilpendam the Commandant of Fort Nassau, continued at his post, and he was directed by Keift "to take care and preserve dominion, and to defend the honor of the High and Mighty States, and of the Honorable West India Company."12 But however necessary this vigilence may have
12 Acrelius.
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bern, to prevent the advancement of others, it was scarcely re- quired toward the Earl Palatine of Albion. If possessed of any ability, he was little disposed to a hostile movement in opposition to the Dutch. In their late aggression the blow had been aimed at New Haven, rather than New Albion, and in addition to this, the Earl was less apprehensive as to the principal actors in the move- ment, than as to their accessories. He is reported to have said "that he would have no misunderstanding with the Dutch, though he was much offended with, and bore a grudge against the Swedes." 13
The latter people had taken full possession in a part of his province, and were likely to remain, and to obtain assistance in repelling their encroachments, was a principal object with the Earl, in his return to Europe.
'The establishment of the Swedes upon the Delaware is a point to be considered.
The Swedish nation had not participated in the early discove- ries in America, or in the first attempts to establish settlements. But they were a hardy and vigorous people, and were alive to the »tir. and the stirring influences of that eventful period. The ad- vances made by other nations in the New World, had not passed unheeded, and at this time their attention was particularly directed towards the movements and successes of the Dutch. William Usselinx, a Hollander, who had settled at Stockholm and become an eminent merchant there, had, from a connexion in business with the Dutch West India Company, acquired a full knowledge of the plans and proceedings of that body, and of the advantages either derived or expected from the colonial establishments in . New Netherland. Usselinx was led to conceive that it would be to the interest of the Swedish Government to encourage a similar enterprize, and he finally proposed his views upon the subject, to Gustavus Adolphus, the King.14 Ilis suggestions were favorably
" Hartger's Beschrijvinge Van Virginie and Niew Nederland.
" I'sselinx urged in support of the measure that "the christian religion would by that means be planted amongst the heathens,-that his Majesty's Somtions would be enlarged, his treasury enriched, and the people's burdens at home diminished. That it would produce to the country many positive ad- vantages, and a very profitable trade, and that the Swedes possessed all the means for carrying it on to advantage." Clay's Annals, p. 14.
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received by the Sovereign, and measures for the prosecution of the plan were immediately adopted. But the occurrence of war, and the subsequent death of the King, together with other un- favorable events, prevented the pursuance of the design, at the time, or in the manner proposed. 15 Yet it was not forgotten, and after a period it was again brought forward and urged upon the notice of the Swedish Government. The principal mover in this new effort was a person who, in the course of his past experience - had acquired a degree of knowledge in relation to such an attempt. This individual was Peter Minuet, the former Governor of the Province of New Netherland, but who, as has already been noticed, had been recalled from his post. Either from a feeling of resentment against his former employers and a desire to estab- lish a rival interest, or from attachment to the country in which he had resided, and a desire to return there, or it may be merely
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u Under the favor of Gustavus a company was established with power to trade to Asia, Africa, and the Straits of Magellan. The plan was made known in an edict issued by the King on the 2d of July, 1626. Harte in his life of Gostavus says, that the scheme for the establishment of colonies in the West Indies greatly delighted the senators, and that many persons subscribed liberal- ly and readily, in conformity to the example of the King, and Campanius mentions a number of persons including princes, nobles and principal officers, who were subscribers to the plan.
Rudman further states, that ships and all necessaries were provided, and Harte asserts that "a little Swedish squadron" actually sailed for America, but that "the Spanairds contrived dextrously enough to make themselves masters of it." Campanius also makes a similar statement, and adds, that the ships had been stopped by the Spaniards, in order to favor the Poles and the Empe- ror of Germany, then engaged in a war with the Swedes. To what precise point the undertaking was carried, it is not easy to determine, but it seems to be decided that it was not then brought to final completion. Campanius indeed narrates, that America was visited and settled by the Swedes in the reign of Gustavus, and several authorities have followed him in the statement. But the best authorities agree in the conclusion, that no settlement was made until the following reign, and that if any Swedes were in America at an earlier period it could only have been a few individuals, who had adventured with the Dutch. See Clay's Annals, O'Callaghen's New Netherland, Gordon's New Jersey, Mickle's Reminiscences, Whitelicad's East Jersey, and Ferris's Settlements on the Delaware.
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from a lack of other employment, Minuet had sought the patron- age of the Swedes, and strongly recommended that a colony should be settled in America. He also designated as a proper situation, the South or Delaware River.16 The projected under- taking was warmly approved by Queen Christina, who had suc- ceeded to the Swedish Throne, and through her favor, and the patronage of Oxersteirn, the Chancellor of the Kingdom, Minuet was enabled to carry out his design. An expedition was fitted out and committed to his care, furnished with all the necessary stores and with articles of merchandize, intended for traffic with the Indian tribes. A company of settlers was also carried out.
The expedition arrived in the Delaware early in the season, in the year 1638, and the emigrants landed at Inlopen, (otherwise called Hindlopen,) on the western side of the bay.
Presently after the arrival of the Swedes, they were visited by some of the Dutch who resided on the Delaware, to whom the Swedish Commandant stated, that he had entered the river on his way to the West Indies, to procure supplies, and that he should presently depart.17 But instead of leaving the Delaware, he as- cended the stream, and selected a place for a permanent settle- ment; the situation was on the borders of a stream which was called Christina, and a fort was immediately erected, which was also named Christina, in honor of the Queen. After having thus secured himself in the country, Minuet opened a communication with the neighboring tribes of natives, and purchased from them an extent of territory reaching from Inlopen to the falls at San- tickan, and as far inward in breadth, as the settlers might require. At this time no land was acquired on the eastern side of the Delaware Bay or River, but not long afterwards a portion of country was secured on that border, in a manner, and for reasons to be noticed hereafter.
" Rudman states, from information given by an ancient Swede, that Minuet " profiting by his knowledge of the country, went to Sweden, and informed the principal persons that the Dutch had settled on the east side of the Delaware, but that the whole of the western side was unoccupied, except by the Indians. He urged a settlement there, and offered to conduct the enterprise." Clay's Annals, p. 16.
17 O'Callaghen, p. 189.
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The Swedes had thus succeeded in effecting a settlement in the country, yet their situation was such as to expose them to no little difficulty. They had placed themselves upon lands that were sub- ject to other, and older claims, and hence, at the very beginning of their course, they were met by opposing interests. Both the English and the Dutch asserted a right to these same lands. This fact was not unknown to the Swedes, though they may not have been apprized of the particular nature, or the full extent of the claims in question. The English claim was two-fold in character, or kind, first a general right, founded upon the ancient ground of prior discovery, which right was vested in the Crown; secondly, one of a special nature, based upon such specific grants as had been made by the Sovereign, either to bodies, or to particular persons. The former of these, however, according to Swedish historians, had been fully ceded by the English King. These historians relate that some time prior to the advent of the Swedish colonists, application was made to Charles, the English King, and that he then renounced the claim of his nation, in favor of the Swedes.IS
But the declaration of the Swedish historians upon this subject, is without support, no such treaty as is here mentioned is known to exist, and the evidence of its having been ever concluded, has not been produced. But it is in any case clear, that some time previous to the coming of the Swedes, the country upon which they entered, had been conveyed by the English King, in the fullest manner, to some of his own subjects. According to the best authorities, the arrival of the Swedes was in 1638, and in 1632 Maryland had been granted to Lord Baltimore, and in 1634 New Albion was given to Sir Edmund Ployden and his associates, and these provinces included the whole of the country, afterwards occupied by the Swedish settlers. So far as an English right was concerned, the conveyances to Lord Baltimore and Earl Ployden were conclusive against the Swedes, unless it could be shown that they were in possession of an earlier grant from the English King, and this as already remarked, has not been shown. It has not
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18 The date of the transaction is differently given. Acrelius says that it was in 1634; Campanius states, that it was "in or about the year 1631."
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been shown that any conveyance whatever was made to them by Charles I., and if made, it was, even according to Swedish history, later in date than that to Lord Baltimore. 19
But the claims of the Dutch were also in the way of the Swedish adventurers, and an important advantage was held by the Dutch in their actual possession of the country.20 But it is asserted that the Swedes had also acquired the rights of the Dutch in these parts, by actual purchase, and a writer declares that "the treaty which confirmed that purchase was shown me by the Honorable Mr. Secretary, Elias Palmskoild."21 But the state- ments of this writer are frequently loose and inaccurate, and such a "treaty" could not have been readily concluded. The claim of the Dutch was even more complicated than that of the English; it lay with the States General, the West India Company, and the different bodies of Patroons. Whether the treaty between the Swedes and the Dutch, if really concluded at all, had been so formed as to embrace the claims of these several parties, is en- tirely unknown.ª2
But it is certain, that the course of the Dutch was not such as accorded with the idea of an entire surrender of their rights and claims. So soon as it was known that the Swedes had remained in the Delaware, and were preparing to establish a settlement,
" Acrelius who is usually much more correct than Campanius states, that the grant from Charles to the Swedes was in 1634, which was two years sub- wequent to the Maryland grant. Maryland extended to the fortieth degree of lautude, and therefore included the greater part of the Swedish purchase, and the place of their earliest settlement.
* Some writers assert that the whole of the settlements made by the Dutch, had been destroyed by the Indians before the coming of the Swedes. But the settlement at Zwaendel was the only one that had thus been destroyed. Fort Nawsua had never been attacked by the Indians and it had now been enlarged; whether the party that visited the Swedes upon their arrival, had been detached from this post, is uncertain, but it is clear that they were residing in the coun- try. It is also stated by Huddle in a formal report upon the state of the country, that at the time when the Swedes first came, there was a sufficient garrison on the Delaware " with men and ammunitions of war."
2' Campanius.
. " At this time the West India Company had acquired the control of Zwaen- del. The Patroons had sold their rights to the Company in the year 1635. ('Callaghen, p. 365.
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they were visited by an officer from Fort Nassau, who waited on the Swedish Commandant and requested him to "produce his commission." Minuet refused, and furthermore asserted, that his Queen had an equal right with the Dutch, and that in virtue of such right he should proceed, without delay, to establish a settlement. Information of these proceedings was forwarded to Fort Amster- dam, and Governor Keift immediately despatched a messenger, bearing a formal protest against the movements of the Swedes.23
The Protest was received, but it was productive of no effect. Whether the Swedes were in possession of a sufficient claim to the country, or not, they were resolved to remain, and to prose- cute their plans. Minuet entrenched himself at Fort Christiana, and prepared to defend his colony against every aggressor.24
" [Protest.] " Thursday, 6th May, 1683.
" I William Keift, Director General of the New Netherlands, residing on the Island of Manhatten, in Fort Amsterdam, under the government that appertains to the high and mighty States General, of the United Netherlands, and to the West India Company, privileged by the Senate Chamber in Amsterdam, make known to thee Peter Minuet who stylest thyself commander in the service of her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, that the whole South River of the New Ne- therlands, both the upper and the lower, has been our property for many years, occupied with forts, and sealed by our blood, which also was done when thou wast in the service of the New Netherlands, and is therefore well known to thee. But as thou hast come between our forts, to erect a fort to our damage and injury, which we never will permit; as we also believe that her Swedish majesty has not empowered thee to erect fortifications on our coasts and rivers, or to settle people on the lands adjoining, or to trade in peltries, or to undertake any other thing to our prejudice. Now therefore, we protest against all such encroachments, and all the evil consequences from the same, as bloodshed, sedi- tion, and whatever injury our trading company may suffer; and declare that we shall protect our rights in a manner that shall appear most advisable."
24 The Rev. J. C. Clay, the author of the Annals, whose connexion with the Swedish people and entire acquaintance with their history, together with his general intelligence, entitle his opinions to the greatest weight, thus speaks of the Swedish claim "I have seen nothing to confirm the statements of Campa- nius, that the Swedes had acquired a claim to the country on the Delaware through grants from the English, and the Dutch. We know that Campanius erred in saying that the Swedes commenced their settlement in 1631, and in like manner does he appear to have erred in the other particular. Most writers represent the rights of the Swedes as being acquired by purchase from the na- tives of the country." Letter to the Author.
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Minuet was careful to follow up the advantages that had thus been gained; he employed himself in extending the limits and strengthening the interests of the colony he had planted. Trade was opened with the natives, and at different places "the arms of the Crown of Sweedland" were erected, in token of Sovereignty. The province was said to extend "from the borders of the Sea to Cape Henlopen, in returning south-west towards Godyn's Bay ; thence towards the great South River, as far as the Minquaas-Kill, where Fort Christina is situated; and thence again towards South River, and the whole to a place which the Savages call Sankikan." It was thirty German miles in length, and in width, "as much of the country as they chose to take." To this province the name of New Sweden was given.
At an early period the attention of the Swedish Government began to be directed toward this new possession, and measures were concluded upon, to strengthen the colony, and to place it upon a durable basis. According to the policy adopted by the Government, the management of trade, and the internal affairs of the province, were committed to associated bodies, whilst the prin- cipal sovereignty and the direction of the general government, were retained by the Crown. A body known by the name of the Navigation Company, became invested with the right of property in the soil of the province.25. The character and object, of this company were similar in many particulars to those of the West India Company of Holland, though its political authority was far less extensive; in fact, it had little concern in matters of govern- ment. All the officers of the province were appointed by the Sovereign of Sweden, who also prescribed their duties, and gave all instructions for the administration of public affairs.
In the year 1640, several companies of emigrants departed from the mother country for New Sweden, and a license is on record, given to Jacob Powelson for a vessel commanded by him, and which was departing for the province, laden with men, cattle, and other articles for the cultivation of the country.26
" It is not certain whether the Navigation Company became possessed of a title to the whole of the land in New Sweden, or only to certain portions.
» Gordon, p. 11.
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In the same year a charter or grant was given to a company who were about to establish a colony in the vicinity of. Fort Christina ; by the conditions of this charter, the grantees became possessed of privileges and powers similar in most respects to those held by the Patroons in New Netherland.
The Dutch authorities on the Delaware and at New Amster- dam, with an apathy that contrasted strangely with their previous activity and promptitude, made no opposition to these movements of the Swedes; on the contrary, a number of Hollanders actually settled within the limits of New Sweden, not far from Fort Christina, and submitted themselves to the government of the province.
These settlers were received with a degree of favor, they were . placed in the charge of. Jost De Bogart, who had been commis- sioned by the Queen of Sweden as an Agent or Superintendant at Fort Christina.27
Whether the forbearance of the Dutch at this period may be attributed to necessity or to choice, it gave an opportunity to the Swedish Commandant to strengthen and establish the settlement. This advantage was not neglected by Minuet, and an occasion presently occurred which led him to attempt a further extension of his bounds.
In 1641, the English colony detached from New Haven, arrived on the Delaware and effected a settlement at Varcken's Kill, as has already been related. The near approach of these settlers excited uneasiness in New Sweden; they were likely to prove rivals in trade, and might also prove rivals in power. Minuet was desirous to avert the danger. The lands that were occupied
" The character and position of this officer is somewhat uncertain. He has sometimes been represented merely as the "Director of all the Hollanders who had settled in New Sweden." That he had a special relation to these settlers, is certain, but he appears to have been charged with other duties. He was re- quired, and had engaged "to aid by his counsel and actions, the persons who are at Fort Christina and those who may afterwards be sent there from Sweden, and to procure as occasion may present, whatever will be inost advantageous to her Majesty and the Crown of Sweden, and moreover, was to let no opportunity pass of sending information to Sweden which may be useful to her Majesty and the Crown.
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by the English colonists had already been obtained by them, from the natives of the country, and the Swedes insisted in regard to themselves, that a purchase from the Indians "the owners of the soil," gare all the right that was needed.28 But unless they were ignorant of the English purchase, the conclusion must be drawn, that the Indian right was only admitted by the Swedes, when it turned to their own advantage. They resolved to secure a title to the country possessed by the English; agents were despatched by whom an extent of land was acquired, reaching from the mouth of the Delaware, to a point above the settlement at Varcken's Kill, and thus the English colony was completely environed.29 This was the time, and the occasion of the extension of the Swedish . claim to the eastern side of the Delaware River and Bay.
Nearly at this time, Minuet died at Fort Christina. He had, says an early author,co "done great service to the Swedish colony. During three years, he protected his small fort which the Dutch never attempted."si
Peter Hollandare, who had been for some time residing in the
".Authorities agree in stating that lands on both sides of the Delaware had been purchased by agents of the New Haven colony, and it is supposed that the settlement on Salem Creek was-within the limits of this purchase.
* The portion of country now purchased by the Swedes, extended from Cape May to the Narriticon, or Raccoon Creek. The purchase was made by the agents of the Navigation Company, yet the act may be considered as a part of the policy of the government.
30 Acrelius.
" A late writer remarks in reference to the course of the Dutch at this period, "that Director Keift found it much easier and more economical to issue a paper protest than to equip a squadron or send an army. Beside this, by the charter of the West India Company, it had not the power to declare war or to commence hostilities, either against a foreign State or the native Indians, without the con- sent of the States General, and in case war should be waged against the com- pany or settlements, the States were only bound to furnish one half the means of equipping and manning a squadron for the .occasion; after it went into service, the expenses of maintaining the armament were to be paid wholly by the company. This wise regulation of the money loving legislators of Holland had, perhaps, more to do in the preservation of peace, than any supposed phlegm or obtusity of feeling in the Dutch character." Ferris's Settlement on the Delaware.
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province, entered upon office as the successor of Minuet, but his term of service was but brief, as he returned to Sweden in the following year. He was a soldier by profession, and was after- wards appointed Commander of the Naval Asylum at Stockholm. It has been observed that his career was not marked by any. act, either of injury or benefit to the colony.32
But there is reason to believe that an occurrence of some im- portance in the history of the period took place during the time of the administration of Hollandare. The purchase which had been made on the eastern side of the Delaware, for the purpose of bringing the English under the control of New Sweden, had been followed by no immediate effects. But a circumstance soon oc- curred which afforded an opportunity for the adoption of more. prompt and decisive measures. The settlement of the English had excited no less uneasiness in New Netherland, than in New Sweden, and Governor Keift had resolved upon a more summary mode of proceeding. As has already been mentioned, a force was despatched from Fort Amsterdam, with orders to disperse the English on the Delaware, and the Schuylkill; a small body having also settled on the latter stream.33 The Swedes resolved to aid . and assist in the enterprize, and the result has already been seen. The English settlement was entirely destroyed. The fortunes of the colony at Varcken's Kill were no less singular than disastrous. The parent colony was too far distant to give them support and assistance, the Governor of New. Albion, to whom they had acknowledged allegiance, was destitute of power, and two other States, who were jealous of each other, agreed in an attack upon the defenceless post.31 -
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" Ferris.
" The settlers on the Schuylkill are represented by some authorities as being a part of the colony from New Haven; by others, as a company who had seated . themselves there, under a Patent or other authority, from Lord Baltimore. The latter is the statement generally received:
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