USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. I > Part 19
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1 That is, civil as well as criminal jurisdiction-extending to deprivation of life. Such villages as were invested with these, were called " free," or manors with capital jurisdiction ; those not possessing them were simply, manors. Van Leeuwen.
VII. 1638.
198
HISTORY OF
1638.
BOOK government of their colonies, and that they should, in lieu, II. have the right to send such instructions as they pleased, sub- ject only to the loose provision of having these generally con- formable to the system of police and judiciary obtaining in Holland. The company was, moreover, to be bound to re- serve and appropriate the fourth part of all their ships, and other vessels proceeding to New Netherland, to the accommo- dation of the patroons, their freight, and people, while, once in every year, a vessel should be dispatched from Amsterdam to that country, for the special accommodation of the patroons and their settlers, the former of whom were to be always pri- vileged to send ships thither, which, in their outward and home- ward voyages, were to be invested, as far as the capturing of prizes was concerned, with all the rights of company's ships, and be permitted, also, to trade along the coasts and neighbor- hood of New Netherland, and to purchase there all sorts of produce without any exception-thus proposing to throw open to the Patroons, but to no others, the trade in furs, corn, and wampum, which the company had hitherto claimed as a mo- nopoly, and which had already produced so much trouble be- tween the parties.
It was next proposed, by the " New Project," that the Pa- troons should be absolutely and forever free from all contribu- tions, imposts, and excise, an exemption which the original charter limited only to ten years ; that they should share all such freedoms and exemptions as the company then possess, or hereafter enjoy, and that the right of appeal from the Pa- troons' courts to the higher tribunal of the Director and council should be abolished, as well as the clause prohibiting manu- factures in the colonie, which was entirely omitted in the " New Project." It was, further, required that Art. XXVIII. of the charter of 1629, should be fundamentally altered, and that, in future, the resident-agent or deputy of the Patroon at the Manhattes, should be, ex-officio, a member of the Direc- tor's council, and have a seat and vote at all meetings and delib- erations of that body, in order to be enabled, thereby, to protect and advance, as it was alleged, the interests of the Patroons' colonists.
Imitating the policy pursued in those days by other Euro-
199
NEW NETHERLAND.
pean powers, who made their American colonies receptacles CHAP. for those who, by their crimes or misfortunes, forfeited their citizenship in their native land, and were, therefore, banished " beyond the seas"-a policy which, to their honor be it re- corded, the Dutch never sanctioned-the Patroons demanded, next, that the States General should furnish, from among the deserters, outcasts, paupers, vagabonds, and convicts of the parent country, a supply of servile laborers to be bound to work for them for their clothing and food, a certain number of years, after which they should be entitled to their freedom and restoration to society ; and further, that every colonie should be entitled to receive twelve black men and women from every prize having negroes on board.
After enumerating a few other privileges of more or less im- portance, this "New Project" closed by proposing that all pri- vate individuals, and such as had not means, should be ex- cluded from all participation in these proposed freedoms and exemptions, and should not be allowed to purchase or acquire any land or ground from the Indians ; but that all such should be forced to repair to the colonies of the respective Lords Pa- troons ; thus dividing and converting into manors, for a privi- leged class, to the exclusion of the hardy and industrious pio- neer and sturdy and independent yeoman, whose wealth con- sisted in his strong right arm and a virtuous progeny, the whole country, from the Connecticut to the Delaware, save and except the island of Manhattans and Fort Orange, the lands and islands adjoining the same ; with the colonies of Zwanendal and Pavonia, the latter of which the directors had already purchased from Michel Paauw for the sum of twenty- six thousand guilders, or $10,400. These different points were to be reserved exclusively to the company for the pur- pose of more efficiently enforcing their revenue laws and com- mercial regulations.1
Neither of these plans proved satisfactory to the States General. That of the Amsterdam chamber was evidently too
1 This " new project" will be found in Hol. Doc. ii., 144-166. Van Tien- hoven gives the price paid for Pavonia, Hol. Doc. v., 400. Kieft leased a farm in that colonie, in the name of the company, in July, 1638, (Alb. Rec. i., 55.) Paauw must have, therefore, been bought out before this date.
1638.
200
HISTORY OF
BOOK diffuse in several of its clauses. It was not a declaration of II. 1638. principles, nor a system of government for the administration of the public affairs of the province that was required, but a simple plan whereby the settlement of the wild lands, the in- troduction of cattle, and of a healthy and moral population, could be advantageously, cheaply, and speedily effected, and the country permanently secured to the United Provinces. De Laet's plan failed in embracing these views, and was pro- nounced by their High Mightinesses " unworthy to be enter- Sept. 2. tained." It was referred, together with the " New Project," back to the Amsterdam chamber, with instructions to appoint a committee from their body to meet deputies from the States General on the following Monday, to examine and revise the whole subject of New Netherland, in order that their High Mightinesses may come to some conclusion regarding the plant- ing of colonies and the introduction of stock into that quarter.1
The result of this reference became soon manifest. The monopoly of the New Netherland trade which the West India Company had now enjoyed for fifteen or sixteen years, was abolished ; the trade, as well as the cultivation of the soil, thrown open to every person, whether denizen or foreigner who chose to embark in it, subject only to the conditions, regu- lations, and restrictions contained in the following important proclamation :-
1 " De voors: articulen door de voors : Camer van Amsterdam ingestelt, met dienst ende voortsettinge van de colonien in N. Nederlant, niet en syn aenne- melyck, gelyck deselve leggen, ende vinden haer H. M. oversulx goet, dat deselve geconcipieerde articulen ende conditien weder uyt gegeven sullen worden aen Sieur Johannes de Laet, Bewinthebber van de W. I. Compagnie, ende daerby gevoncht het voors : Nieuw Project, om hetselve aen de voors : Camer van de W. I. Compagnie tot Amsterdam gecommuniceert te worden, ende bun van wegen haer H. M. aenteseggen, dat sy jegens Maendach naest comcnde, den vi. deses, herwaerts willen stnyren eenige Gecommitteerden om met voor- gaende Heeren Gedeputeerden van haer H. M. het geheele stuck van Nieuw Nederlant nader gevisiteert, ende geexamineert, ende als dan derselver ge- samentlyke consideratien op het voors : stuk ter vergaderinge van haer H. M. ingebracht te worden, ter einde by haer H. M. op de plantinge van colonien ende vee in Nieuw Nederlant soodanige resolutie genomen mach worden, als men ten meesten dienste van desen staet ende voordeel van de compagnie bevinden zal te behooren." Resolution of States General, Sept. 2. 1638. Hol. Doc. ii., 224, 225.
201
NEW NETHERLAND.
" WHEREAS, the Directors of the Privileged West India CHAP. Company, of the chamber at Amsterdam, are authorized by re-
1638.
VII. solution of the XIX. to promote and improve the population and trade of New Netherland, therefore do they, with the approba- tion of their High Mightinesses, hereby make known to all and several the inhabitants of these States, their allies and friends, who may be inclined to sail thither and cultivate any lands there, and with that view to make use of the liarbors of those countries, that they may forthwith convey thither, in the com- pany's ships, such cattle, merchandise, and goods as they may find advisable, and receive whatever returns they or their agents may be able to obtain in those quarters therefor ; on condition that all the goods shall first be brought to the company's store, so as to be equally put on ship-board in the best manner, pay- ing the following recognitions and freights, the directors taking care that they be dispatched thither by the earliest convey- ance :-
" For all merchandise going thither shall, as recognition, be paid to the company here ten per centum in money, according to their value ; and those coming thence hither fifteen per cen- tum there, in specie or money, according to the pleasure of the company or their authorized agent, thus leaving eighty-five per cent. for their proprietor.
" And if any person should happen to make a mistake in the valuation of his goods, it shall be free to the company to take such goods, paying one-sixth more than they are entered at ; but all concealed and hidden goods, either here or there, which, by secret plans or other deceptions, may be discovered on board the company's ships, shall be forthwith forfeited and confiscated to the benefit of the said company, without afford- ing thereby any legal cause of action.
" For the freight of cattle and goods which shall proceed hence thither, or from that country here, the owners or factors, at the respective ports, shall agree with the company, or their officers, according to the value and description thereof, until a final arrangement and regulation be made; and the freight shall be paid in money at the place of unloading, and no person shall be permitted to touch or remove the same before he make it appear that both the recognition and freight have been paid
26
202
HISTORY OF
BOOK in full ; and further and above, one per centum for each month that they remain in the company's store over fourteen days 1638. after being discharged ; for all which the foresaid cattle and goods shall be severally answerable, or the owners be spoken to in their proper persons according to the choice of the direc- tors or their agents.
" And whereas, it is the intention of the company to people the lands there more and more, and to bring them into a pro- per state of cultivation, the Director and council there shall be instructed to accommodate every one, according to his condi- tion and means, with as much land as he, by him and his family, can properly cultivate. Which lands thus conceded to any person in the name of the company shall remain the pro- perty of the same, his heirs and assigns, provided he shall pay to the company, after it shall have been four [afterwards altered to ten years] pastured or cultivated, the lawful tenths of all fruits, grain, seed, tobacco, cotton, and such like ; also of the produce of all sorts of cattle ; of which property a pro- per deed shall be granted to them, provided that they under- take, in fact, the cultivation and pasture thereof : and failing therein shall incur, over and above the loss of said lands, such penalty and fine as shall be mutually agreed upon at the time; for which penalties and fines their successors, heirs, or assigns, shall be conjointly holden. And in order to prevent all con- fusion of interests which may occur there, through former pro- ceedings, and are hereafter to be expected, no person shall henceforward be allowed to have any possessions there, or to hold any lands or houses which have not previously been de- rived from the company.
" The company shall, under obedience to the High and Mighty Lords States General, take care that the places and lands there be maintained quietly and peaceably in proper po- lice and justice under their ministers, or the deputies of the same, conformably to the regulations and instructions there- upon already established and furnished, or hereafter to be made and communicated, after a knowledge and understand- ing of the matter.
" All those who proceed thither to settle the country, or for purposes of trade, shall, one by one, declare, under their sig-
203
NEW NETHERLAND.
nature, that they will, voluntarily, submit to these regulations, CHAP. and to the commands of the company, and allow all questions and differences there arising to be decided by the ordinary course of justice established in that country, and freely suffer the execution of the sentences and verdicts without any fur- ther provocation ; and they shall pay for the conveyance of their persons and board, in the cabin one guilder ; in the hutte [the room in the ship above the master's cabin] twelve stivers ; and between decks eight stivers per diem."1
1 Hol. Doc. ii., 146, 147, 148-164, 205, 206-223.
VII. 1638.
>
Map of RENSSELAERS WYCK Anno 1630.
N3. The words within [] are added to designate a few modern localities and the Dutehuis in most places converted into English for the convenience of the modern reader.
4' 1630 den & April heeft Kullan Van Rensselaer uoch doeu Koopen van Tuep Sikentkomptas, Vinzvuttanshal en Sickoussen hart landerven gennemt Sanck hagza Streckende tweedags reviens to Landwaert in, van het Beeren Evland le Sauce Erlands /2/
.1. 1650 ady 28 July keeft Killian run Rensselaer done coopen run de Nation genaemt de Mahikans huer Landeryen en Jurisdutie van dien gelegen aende Westsyde van de Noord Rievierbusurd" ende benoorden hat fort Orangen, volgens de betegelde brieven voor Directeurende Raden der Geoctroyverde N'est bursche Comp" in Nicu Jeden lundi yepasseert dloør Cottomack ende Nawanemit - Abuntreue Sagisguwa ende Kanamoack op den 8An- gusty Nº 1600.
Item van Nanmenut in I particulier gone Zandersen gennemt Semensseck gelegen nende Oost evite van de Herrer Vortegenover het Feit Primason aro boven als beneden ende van Pretanack de Mou - len kill noordwuerd acu tot Negagente ler
Te gen over lut Fort op de Zuyd-hoech van de Laets Erland is veel gerogels te schieten van Gans, Swanen Ende vogels Franca Ende Calcoènen, houden Boscheraert in. Insgelycke de hertten ende ander wilt duer syn cock Wolven, maer niet groot oft henden waren./c/
Op de Lacts Bylandt syn veel hooge ende rechte boomen bequem om riemen ran te maaken, vun de Maquaas cannen (principael in de Winters) herisen Meesch genooch krygen dat rett en de schoon is, ontraut 3. I ofi 5 handt Zewan ver een hat. Sonden gere ker ten tegen melek oft booter ruylen, is bequarm te ruskin of in pekel te leggen /a
Rensselaer's kill and Waterfall
Waterfall
The
Waterfall Monemins Castle
BYLAERS
DAEL
Godya's kill has frørman's kill
In de Vierde Kill syn Snvecken ende allerley vish; de Steur esser cleyuder als hi die Manathans, men kander van de Wilden voor een mes cen koopen . Je
The 5+ or Patroon's Creek.
Bloemerts kill
DAEL
Greynen Bush
Bloem.
herts Is.
[ Unuwats Castle
DAEL
PAFRAETS
TWILLERS
DAEL
/ a/40 1630 the 8" April Kilkaen ran Rensselaer caused to be purchased from Paep Sikenekumptas, Noncoutanshal and Sickonssen their Lands called Sanckhagag extending two days journey in the in- tenor from Beeren uland to Smacks island.
6 On the 28 July 1630 hilhan vanRensselaer caused to be purchased from the Nation named the Mahikans their Lands, and the jurisdiction thereunto depending on the West side of the North River, south and north of theFort Orange, according tothe sealed letter passed before the Director and Council of the Privileged West India Company en New Netherland, by Cottomack and Nawanemit, Ibantiene , Jagisgusa and Karameack, "on the 8% of August 10 16:30. Item, from Nawanemit in particular his land called' Semesseeck lying on the cust side of the ntere said River opposite the Fort Orange both above p and below, and from Poetanock the Millcreek north unto Negagence. 19
and Waterfall
De Laet's Mill creek
/4| Opposite the Fort, on the south hook of de haet's Island are many birds to be shot, such as geert and swans and crunes and turkus frequent the woods. Deer and other gume ure also there, and wolves but not larger than dogs
/a) On de lasts island are many lofty and aright tres it to make war Fat and emclient Venison can be had, principally in the Winter from the Mohawks in abundance. About 5,4 or & fathom Wampum for a deer. Deers would be readily exchanged for milk or butter. I u well adaptar for sinokiny or pukling.
In the Fourth kill(For Gre Afare pike and allsorve of Fish, The Sturgeon there is smaller than at the Manathens, One out of bounds there from the Indians for a knife
a Waterfall This kall has
Nº2 2736 - 300
with few
rces
Bouwer
wam
TWlage Lars
100
Rensstars
Fort Orange
Nº 3 2070 . 260 prices
Weely's Burg
Grodyn's Islands
Mand
Beeren Island RUE Bensselagers Istanit
Mauritius
Paepsikenekaes Kill
De Laets Burg O
De Laeis Island
Dickops house
ARE pdcer leng
br 530 bread
Bary
Blocmaerts Burg
Flat land
Reeds land
North River
Godyn's Burg
WEELY'S
a Waterfall.
A: 1630 den 8 April heeft Killian Pan Rensselaer noch doen Koope. Sikenekomptas, Nontouttanshal en Sickonsen hare Landerven gen hagaq Streckende tweedags ressens to Landwaert in, van het Beer wo SmacksErlandi / a/
BYLAERS
a Waterfall This kill has
Nº2: 2736 × 300
Nº1
Bouwer Tillage Land 1326 påces long by 536 broad
Nº 9.2070 x 266 paa
Breren Island now Rensselaers Istaud
Mauritius
TWILLERS
a 4º 1650 the 8" April Killaen van Rensselaer caused to be from Paep Sikenekomptas, Noncoutanshal and Sickonsse, lands called Sanckhagag extending two days journey z terior from Beeren island to Smacks island.
BOOK III.
FROM THE OPENING OF THE INDIAN TRADE TO THE END OF DIRECTOR KIEFT'S ADMINISTRATION. 1639-1647.
CHAPTER I.
Consequences of the opening of the trade-Encouragement to emigration --- English settlers in New Netherland obliged to take an oath of allegiance- Furthor encroachments of the English-Settle New Haven-Hartford peo- ple oppose the Dutch at Fort Good Hope-Controversy between the parties -Grant of Long Island to the Earl of Stirling-An agent appointed by that nohleman to settle that island-Further purchases hy the Dutch thereupon- English cross over and commence settlements on the east end of Long Island-Additional grants hy the Dutch on the western extremity-Lnpold removed from office-Cornelis van der Huygens appointed Schout-Fiscaal- Other appointments-Renewal of the differences between the English and the Dutch on the Connecticut-Change of commissary at Fort Hope-The Norwalk Islands purchased by the Dutch-Additional purchases on Long Island-Earl Stirling's agent arrives at New Amsterdam-His pretensions disregarded-A party of English attempt a settlement west of Oyster Bay- Dutch expedition sent to prevent them-Prisoners taken and dismissed -- Southampton and Southold commenced-English commence a settlement at Greenwich-Protested against-Proceedings in Holland regarding New Netherland-A new charter agreed upon hy Assembly of the XIX .- Pro- visions thereof-Laid before the States General-Effects of opening the fur trade on the Indians-Director Kieft determines to impose a tribute on them-Indians discontented -- Occurrences at Staten Island-Property he- longing to the company stolen-Kieft enraged against the Raritans-Sends an expedition against them-Attack-Result-Prices of sundry commodi- ties at New Amsterdam-Still erected on Staten Island-Brandy and other liquors manufactured.
THE opening of the trade with New Netherland was the CHAP. commencement of a new era in the history of that country, and communicated a decided impulse both to its settlement and the increase of its population. Hitherto few, if any, of the company's servants were engaged in agriculture, or indeed remained in the country after their term of service had ex-
I. 1639.
206
HISTORY OF
BOOK pired. But now that free trade was in a manner established, II. 1639. several of these, who had enriched themselves in the employ- ment of the directors, demanded their discharge ; set about erecting houses, making plantations, and spread themselves abroad seeking out the best land, and the most favorable posi- tions for trade with the natives. Others purchased or built vessels, to convey goods to the north or south, and all at once New Amsterdam rung with the sounds of the axe and the hammer, for industry became filled with life and activity.
The directors in Holland, on the other hand, encouraged emigration by all means in their power. Free passage for themselves and families was offered to such farmers as were desirous of proceeding to New Netherland, where, on their arrival, they were promised to be furnished for six years with a farm, fit for the plough, a dwelling-house, a barn, a suitable number of laborers, four horses, an equal number of cows, sheep and swine in proportion, with the necessary farming im- plements, for which they were, however, to be bound to pay a yearly rent of one hundred guilders, (equal to $40,) and eighty pounds of butter. On the expiration of his lease, the tenant was to restore the same number of cattle that he had received on entering into possession, retaining for himself whatever increase there might have been, in the mean time, from the original stock. To those who owned farms, but who had not the means of providing stock, the company loaned cattle for a certain number of years, " on halves ;" that is, on expiration of the contract the number furnished were restored, with half the increase. In both cases, the risk of death was borne equally by the respective parties. In addition to these, free settlers were also assisted with clothing, provisions, and necessaries, on credit, at an advance of fifty per cent. on the prime cost, and in some instances, with loans of money, with- out interest.1
But the emigration, this year, was not confined to this class. Some wealthy individuals came out from Holland with settlers, and large quantities of stock. Prominent among these were Joachim Pietersen Kuyter, of Darmstadt, who had
1 De maniere die de West Indische Compagnie gevolcht heeft in 't eerste planten van Bouweryen. Hol. Doc. v., 155, 156, 157, 364 ; Alb. Rec. ii., 189.
207
NEW NETHERLAND.
formerly been a commander in the East Indies in the Danish CHAP. service ; and Cornelis Melyn, of Antwerp, Patroon of Staten 1. Island. These gentlemen were encouraged by the Assembly 1639. of the XIX. to settle in New Netherland, and were accom- panied by their families.1
The population received accession, likewise, from New England and Virginia. In the former colony, the persecuted, forgetting the principles for which they had been obliged to remove to America, turned persecutors, and now withheld the privileges of citizenship from all who refused to square their belief according to prescribed rule, or who were not members of a peculiar church ; and denying freedom of conscience, and political rights, to such as differed with them on abstruse points, which possibly neither party clearly understood, pun- ished a minority for their " heresy" by incarceration or ban- ishment. Such a course necessarily produced discontent ; " to escape from the insupportable government of New Eng- land," numbers, nay, " whole towns" removed to New Nether- land, to enjoy, among the Dutch, that religious liberty denied them by their own countrymen ; while several persons, whose time of service had expired in Virginia, where they had be- come familiar with the process of raising and curing tobacco, repaired now to the Manhattans, with a view to continue there the cultivation of that plant, which was in such general de- mand, and from which such large returns were to be ob- tained.ª
The number of English residents, now under Dutch jurisdic- tion, became sufficiently large to direct the attention of the gov- ernment to the necessity of obtaining from them some guaran- tee for their allegiance. They were therefore called on to take
We find mention made this year of " Cherry trees and peaches on a farm near Fort Amsterdam." Alb. Rec. i., 109. De Vries saw the Peach tree for the first time in Virginia in 1633.
1 Joachim Pieters Kuyter en Cornelis Melyn, met permissie en welgevallen van de Vergaderinge van de XIX. der Generael W. I. Comp., sich met vrouwen ende kinderen ende met burgerlyke middelen nevens een groote aental van beestialen in den jaere 1639 uyt dese landen naer N. Nederlandt getransporteert. Hol. Doc. iii., 365.
2 " Het lant heeft nooyt begonnen gepeupeleert te werden voordat de Vry- heid gegeven was dat yder met de Wilden mochte handelen ; alsoo tot die tyt
208
HISTORY OF
BOOK and subscribe an oath of fidelity " to their High Mightinesses III. the Lords States General, his Highness of Orange, and the 1639. Noble Director and Council of New Netherland ; to follow the Director, or any of his Council, wherever they shall lead; faithfully to give instant warning of any treason, or other detri- ment to this country that shall come to their knowledge ; to assist to the utmost of their power in defending and protecting with their blood and treasure, the inhabitants thereof against all its enemies."]
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