USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 12
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The charges brought against the Director-general's personal demeanor towards others, was met by disparag- ing the persons who complained of it. Those who took umbrage at his haughtiness " were such as sought to live without either magistrates or law." He never abused, as a rascal, "any man of character who treated him with respect." "It might have happened that some ruffian or
1 Van Tienhoven had recourse to a fallacy in this statement. The petitioners stated in their remonstrance that " the revenue rose, as was estimated, from sixteen to thirty thousand guilders," (including, no doubt, the duties on imports and exports.) Van Tienhoven confines his statement to the excise on beer and wine. His fallacy consists in denying that the import and export customs were paid by the commonalty.
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other may have given him cause to have applied harsh CHAP. language to him." He never pleaded in the court, but VII. spoke as president, and, as such, put suitable questions to 1649. parties, pronouncing, afterwards, with the advice of the Council, sentences against which "the malevolent" com- plain. For the expenses he incurred in building ships and wharves and repairing the public property, he is ready to answer. The charge that the currency was neglected was also without foundation. Laws were passed by Director Kieft for that purpose. Loose, or unstringed, wampum was not cried down, because "there is no specie in circulation," and the laborer and other common people would suffer considerably, having " no other money." The petitioners would, no doubt, "have booked it along with the rest of their grievances," had such been done.
That the fort is out of repair is "neither the business nor the province of the colonists, but of the Company." They are very willing to be protected without contributing either money or labor; for it seems they are unwilling to have a well-fortified fortress, through fear that the male- volent and seditious would be more effectually punished. That they call cruelty. Had not the Director to victual, clothe and pay the garrisons of New Netherland and Curaçoa, the fort would no doubt have been completed. The propriety of the prosecutions against Schermerhorn and the others having been vindicated, the importation of guns by the Director-general was justified by the circum- stances under which he acted. He had endeavored, on his arrival, to prevent the savages being supplied with fire-arms, but the authorities of Rensselaerswyck had remonstrated and requested him to use moderation ; for if the trade were stopped, the Christians of the colonie ran imminent danger of being massacred. The Director- general, thereupon, resolved to supply the savages sparingly, with a small quantity of powder and guns, on the Com- pany's account, through the commissary at Fort Orange, and to pay additional attention to the vessels on the river. "But no person can prove that this was for his personal profit." It was admitted that Vastrick brought a case
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BOOK of thirty guns by the Director's orders. These were de- IV. livered to Commissary Keyser, with directions to sell them 1649. to the Dutch colonists, who were unprovided with arms, so as to enable them to defend themselves. This Keyser did.
As regarded the mission, the Director-general was always in favor of addressing the Company in behalf of immigration, the settlement of the boundaries, abolition of the duties on tobacco and other New Netherland pro- duce, and for permanent and lasting privileges. But the remonstrants went, it was averred, secretly around ex- citing the commonalty, and thought of nothing but render- ing the Company and the provincial government odious in the sight of their High Mightinesses, and by this means injure those and deprive them of the Jus Patronatus. They refused to communicate this remonstrance, because the baseness they now retail would have supplied weapons against them. But the Director-general having been in- formed of Van der Donck's " scandalous journal," " took it with him," and in consequence of the calumnies it con- tained, had Van der Donck temporarily confined. During Stuyvesant's administration no other person was imprisoned, " except Augustine Heermans, because he refused to exhibit the papers drawn up among the Nine Men, which had been promised to the Director, who had frequently gone for them like a boy."
What more frivolous request could be made than that the Company should quit the country ! At its own charge that body had conveyed people and cattle thither, erected forts, and assisted many poor emigrants from Holland with provisions and clothing. And now that some have " a little more than they can consume in a day," they ungrate- fully wish to be relieved from the authority of their bene- factors, even without paying them, if they could. They further demand that provision be made for the support of religion and the diffusion of education, and for the erection of asylums and hospitals. If they be such friends to reli- gion, education and charity as they pretend, let them be leaders in a subscription to such laudable undertakings,
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and not complain as they did when asked to contribute for CHAP. the church and school-house. " Had the Director demanded VII. a collection for an orphan asylum and hospital, what an 1649. outcry would not have been raised !" The vacancy created by the departure of the Rev. Mr. Backerus is filled "by a learned and holy minister, who needs no interpreter when defending the Reformed religion against the preachers of our neighbors, the English Brownists."1
This defence of the provincial administration was re- ferred to the same committee as the complaint to which it purported to be an answer; and thus, again, were the affairs of New Netherland fully before the States General.
1 Hol. Doc. v., 360-400.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Efforts of the delegates in Holland to obtain a redress of grievances-Melyn again complains of Stuyvesant to the States General-Affairs assume a peril- ous aspect-The Directors obliged to apply for countenance to the Burgomas- ters of Amsterdam-New Netherland benefited by the collision-Revival of emigration-Yonkheer van der Capellen takes an interest in Staten Island- Sends a ship and settlers thither-Van Couwenhoven and Bout return to New Netherland-The first notary public in that province-The committee of the States General bring in a report-Provisional Order for the future government of the colony-Remarks of the Amsterdam Chamber thereupon-Reflections -Freedoms and exemptions cf 1650-Monopoly triumphs-Van Tienhoven about to depart-Is prevented by Van der Donck-Feelings at the Manhattans on the return of the popular delegates -- Stuyvesant called on to produce the letters of the States General-Refuses to communicate them-Consequences of such refusal-Great scarcity in New Netherland-Public discontent on the increase-The Nine Men ejected from their pew in the church-Oloff Steven- sen protests against the Director-general-His reply-Outpourings of the com- monalty-The Nine Men address the States General-Stuyvesant's counter- representations to the Directors in Holland-Supported by Baxter and the town of Gravesend-Singular and unenviable position of the Director-general.
BOOK IV. ISSUE was now fairly joined between the Company and the colonists. The delegates on the part of the latter 1650. having much to gain and all to lose in their effort to obtain a more liberal form of government, and more enlarged Feb. 1. privileges, exerted every nerve to induce the States Gen- eral to take the province entirely under their protection ; to place the administration of its affairs in the hands of the resident inhabitants, and not leave it at the mercy of such persons as the Company thought proper to send thither. They directed their High Mightinesses' attention par- ticularly to the prosperous condition of the New England colonies ; explained minutely their political institutions ; showed them that happiness, social order, public economy and general prosperity were best promoted by confiding fully to the people the management of their own affairs, and warned them that they should expect neither pros- perity, security, nor a due increase of population in New Netherland-" a country more extensive than the seven-
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teen Provinces altogether,"-unless its government was CHAP. VIII. ~
composed of persons having their interests there.
At this conjuncture Melyn arrived at the Hague, to add to the outcry against the Company's officers, and laid forthwith before their High Mightinesses, a complaint against the Director-general for having refused to repair the injuries and losses he had inflicted. He again demand- ed redress and protection, and a termination of the perse- cution by which he was harassed.
Affairs now assumed " a perilous aspect " as regarded not only Director Stuyvesant's reputation, but also the interests of the West India Company. Those " ignorant people " who came over to look for justice, but whom the Amsterdam Directors represented as " determined by every means in their power to bid defiance to all sort of government, under pretence that they labor under too heavy a burthen," had addressed themselves to the Land- dach of Guilderland, and succeeded in obtaining the coun- tenance of " many of the better class." To save themselves and their monopoly, the Directors were forced to apply to the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, whom they induced to exert themselves in their behalf. " A great combustion was then, indeed, approaching, and might have taken place, had it not been prevented by the deputies (from that city) to the States General."
This collision had, however, a most beneficial effect on New Netherland. It brought that province fully before the public. "Heretofore nothing used to be said about that country ; now heaven and earth seem to be moved thereby." Proposals were brought forward to convey Feb. 22. thither three or four hundred children from the various orphan asylums, and when it came to be known that a reform in the government of the colony was about to take place, " every person seemed inclined to proceed thither." Already two hundred emigrants, half farmers and the remainder field laborers, had embarked. "Six times that number " were ready to accompany them, but there were Mar. 12. no vessels for their reception. The delegates called the attention of the committee of the States to the fact; an
VOL. II. 9
1650. Feb. 8.
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HISTORY OF
BOOK understanding was, in consequence, entered into whereby IV. Van der Donck and his colleagues were permitted to 1650. charter a vessel for the conveyance of two hundred addi-
Mar. 19. tional settlers. To defray the expense attendant on this operation, they were authorized to draw on the Company for four thousand guilders cash, and seven thousand guil- ders were to be allowed from the duties payable in New Netherland, the emigrants being bound in return to remain three years in the colony.
Melyn, having placed his cause in the hands of an attor- ney, exerted himself, also, to promote the settlement of Staten Island. He succeeded in engaging Yonkheer Hen- rick van der Capellen, of Ryssel, Baron of Essels and Hasselt, one of the representatives to the States General from the principality of Gebre and the earldom of Zutphen, to take an interest in that island. In connection with Gerrit van der Voorde, Pieter Hack, Isaac Melyn, and Christoffel Gangelt, respectable Amsterdam merchants, this influential May 18. nobleman purchased the ship "New Netherland's Fortune," in which he embarked over twenty people, men, women, and children, with suitable farming implements, under the superintendence of Capt. Adriaen Post. In this ship Cor- nelis Melyn, having obtained new letters of surety from June 30. the States General, sailed for the Manhattans, whither also now returned (with like letters) Messrs. Van Couwenhoven and Bout, accompanied by Dirck van Schelluyne, notary at the Hague, who was licensed to exercise his profession in New Netherland.1 These persons brought out two hun- dred stand of arms for the burghers of New Amsterdam.
1 Van Schelluyne's commission as notary bears date 8th April, 1650 ; he was appointed in 1655, Concierge, or Bailiff of the province of New Netherland, whose duty it was to serve process, and levy executions ; but he eventually moved to Rensselaerswyck, of which colonie he was appointed secretary on the death of Hamel, anno 1660. We find him secretary of Albany in 1665, two years after which, (June, 1667,) the Mohawk Indians made him a present of a " tract of fflattlands or plaines upon the maine, being about north-west from Albany, near the Mohawk River, on the east side thereof, stretching from the path which goes to Mr. Curler's fflattlands or plaine [Schenectady ;] which said parcel of fflattlands or plaines, is a part of that land, which by the natives is commonly called by the name of Canastigione," (hodic, Niskayuna.) This tract was given Van Schelluyne " on account of several writings which he had executed for the Indians, and which had passed between them, the English and
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The committee of the States General, who had been CHAP. earnestly engaged, through the winter, in the investigation VIII. of the complaints of the colonists, had, in the interim, con- 1650.
cluded their labors, and "discovered a remedy which, in their opinion, ought to give satisfaction to both parties, until further provision could be made." This "remedy" was embodied in a Report which, as it formed a turning point in the policy of those times, cannot fail to be of in- terest. It was as follows :-
" The Lords Van Aertsbergen and the other their High April 11. Mightinesses' deputies charged with the West India Com- pany's affairs, having had, some months since, a conference with the Directors delegated by the Chamber at Amster- dam and others of the West India Company, on matters brought before their High Mightinesses from and on behalf of the commonalty, in divers verbal and written remonstrances and memorials by delegates from New Netherland, and the Director there, have, at the request of the Directors of the Amsterdam Chamber, consented to pass over divers matters in the great remonstrance pre- sented from the commonalty, and to apply themselves to the principal points, on the express assurance from the aforesaid Directors, that they should receive all fair and re- spectful representations. And to this end, having enquired into the system of government hitherto maintained in New Netherland, the heavy burthens which the Company hath in consequence borne, and the small profit derived there- from, the disturbance of the population, neglect of remedies for faults and excesses ; and considering that their High Mightinesses cannot, and ought not, any longer look with approving eyes on the perverse administration of the privileges and benefits granted by charter to the partners of the West India Company, and that good proposals and representations offered for the security of the boundaries
the Dutch at Albany." [Book of Patents, ii., 28.] By his wife Cornelia, he had two sons, Cornelis and Tielman. The former was bound to a shoemaker, in 1664 ; Tielman returned to Holland, in 1670. Dirck van Schelluyne, one of Cornelis's descendants, was born in 1774, and died at Albany, in 1823, leaving a widow, Rachel Gansevoort, and a son still living in that city, Anno 1847.
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HISTORY OF
BOOK and population of the country, should not be slighted and IV. opposed by the authorities of New Netherland, under the 1650. direction of the Chamber at Amsterdam: And whereas their High Mightinesses, as sovereigns, are qualified, and likewise bound, to take care that their subjects' property (being in a condition to be preserved and increased, if time be improved and good heed be taken,) shall not be allowed to go to ruin or fall into other hands ; their High Mightinesses' deputies are therefore of opinion, that the preservation of those countries and advantages granted originally by their High Mightinesses, not to the Directors of the Chamber at Amsterdam, but to all the partners of the West India Company scattered over the provinces, require other orders than those issued heretofore for the government of the country, the increase and settlement of the population, the raising and bearing of necessary imposts, the prevention of mischiefs and general ruin, similar to what have been bitterly experienced for some years, and, further, for the efficient removal of all sorts of evils and troubles which have been fully demonstrated to their High Mightinesses ; and to this end, that the complaints of the nation's subjects, now heard and examined full five months, be not deferred by conferences and objections, but be rem- edied by good resolutions; We therefore consider it proper that your High Mightinesses, by and with the advice of a majority of the Directors from all the Chambers of the West India Company now summoned and appearing, should enact, and accord to the petitioners, this
"PROVISIONAL ORDER
FOR THE GOVERNMENT, PRESERVATION AND PEOPLING OF NEW NETHERLAND.
"I. Whereas, their High Mightinesses have received the strange and unexpected intelligence that contributions have been demanded from the aborigines of the country, and the same having been refused, that an unnecessary, bloody and ruinous war hath been waged against them, for several years, by the late Director Kieft, under pretence that the commonalty had requested the same, though the petition
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was signed only by three persons, and that the authors CHAP. have not been duly enquired after or punished, the Director
VIII. and Council shall henceforward be careful that no war shall, without the knowledge of their High Mightinesses, be waged against the aborigines, or neighbors of New Nether- land. And in case any misunderstanding and trouble with, or between, the aborigines and neighbors, occur, all possible means shall be used to remove them, before matters come to extremes, and intelligence shall be com- municated to their High Mightinesses of what may occur relating thereto.
"II. That Jan Jansen Dam, and Abraham Planck, who presented the petition on which the war was undertaken, shall be sent to their High Mightinesses, that information may be obtained from them of what had passed, and who had induced them to present the aforesaid request.1
" III. That those who, contrary to express orders and treaty, have undertaken to sell and barter articles of con- traband, such as guns, pistols, powder and lead, to the aborigines, and thereby exposed themselves, with all who now, or may hereafter, reside in New Netherland, to the great risk of being suddenly ruined, driven off and massacred, shall be punished for such acts, especially for what occurred during the war, when subjects of this state dared to strengthen their enemies by the sale of forbidden articles of contraband : But whereas this evil has now gone so far, that the aforesaid contraband trade cannot be sud- denly stopped and forbidden without great danger of renewed war and trouble between the subjects of this state and the aborigines, the Council of New Netherland shall be instructed and charged to be very circumspect that none of the aforesaid articles of contraband shall henceforth be traded or sold by the colonists or other inhabitants, otherwise than by and with their knowledge and orders, charging for the guns six guilders, for pistols four guilders, powder six stuyvers per pound, all for the behoof of the common interests there ; so as, in time,
1 Dam was father-in-law, and Verplanck brother-in-law to C. van Tienhoven. (See post. p. 322.
1650.
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HISTORY OF
BOOK according as they shall consider such can be safely done,
IV. wholly to forbid the trade under heavy penalties to be 1650. thereunto enacted.
"IV. Whereas their High Mightinesses have learnt that the commonalty of New Netherland either were not obliged to cultivate, or had neglected the possession and use of arms necessary for their own defence, each of the said inhabitants shall therefore be bound to provide him- self with a good musket, with powder and lead necessary thereto, and be enrolled and formed into a guard, causing the said guns to be stamped and inspected, and all persons are forbidden to sell his so stamped gun, or to deprive himself or his family thereof.
" V. The forts, at those points where they for the occu- pation of the country have been, or may hereafter, by orders, be erected, shall all be well maintained and taken care of; the magazine, therein, provided with necessary munitions of war, and houses and yards be built either within the walls or at a short distance around the same, with- out, however, being an incumbrance to the defence which must be afforded thereby ; so that the inhabitants may dwell close and compact together, in order that they shall be able to help, serve, and defend one another.
" VI. New Netherland being now provided with only one clergyman, orders shall be given, forthwith, for the calling and support of at least three more : one to attend to divine service at Rensselaer's colonie ; the second in and around the city of New Amsterdam ; and the third in the distant settlements ; and the commonalty shall be obliged to cause the youth to be instructed by good school- masters.
" VII. Whereas more pains have been taken hitherto, to encourage the fur trade, than agriculture and the peopling of the country, the Supreme Council there shall, therefore, above all things provide that no cattle be exported, but be maintained and fostered as much as possible ; that a suf- ficient quantity of grain be kept in store, to be furnished and sold at a reasonable price to newly arriving immi- grants, who are to be assisted and favored in every man-
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ner, and located on good lands suitable for cultivation ; CHAP. observing, hereupon, that they shall dwell as close and -
VIII. compact together as possible, on such lands and places as 1650. they shall consider best and fittest for residence, bouwerie, plantation, and security ; it remaining free to the Patroons of colonies to advance their own lands according to their pleasure, they being likewise obliged to settle their colo- nists in the form of villages.
" VIII. The Council shall also provide that a good trade and commerce in provisions and other commodities shall be established and continued between New Netherland and the Dutch forts in Brazil, permitting the merchants to take in all sorts of wares there, and to bring back what- ever they shall consider proper.
"IX. The propositions shall be amplified for the relief of the Directors of the Chamber at Amsterdam, and the im- provement of the public revenue, without burthening the state or the West India Company, in such wise that instead of twenty thousand guilders, or thereabouts, which the Amsterdam Chamber draws yearly, it shall derive fifty thousand, and by degrees, increase further, to the great benefit of the worthy partners; and to this end the Supreme Council shall be instructed and ordered to con- voke the colonists, or Patroons thereof, and the common- alty of New Netherland, and endeavor to induce them to consent to the defraying and bearing the aforesaid burthens ; placing the collection, administration, and payment of the recognitions on such a footing as their constituents shall order.
" X. The request for freedoms and exemptions shall be more fully examined, together with the considerations moved thereupon.
"XI. The Council of New Netherland shall consist of one President or Director ; one Vice Director; and three Councillors, whereof one shall be appointed on the part of their High Mightinesses and the West India Company, and the other two be selected from among the resident inhabitants of the country.
" XII. For this purpose shall the Director and Council
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HISTORY OF
BOOK call together, within the city of New Amsterdam, the IV. Patroons of colonies, or their deputies, and delegates from 1650. the commonalty, to nominate four qualified persons, whereof two shall be chosen to be commissioned by their High Mightinesses and the West India Company. These two elected Councillors shall serve four successive years ; but on the expiration of the aforesaid four years, one of the two may by lot continue two years more, and the second retire, in order that two others shall be biennially presented by new nomination, in manner as aforesaid.
"XIII. The Advocate Fiscaal shall, in matters not con- cerning his office, have both seat and voice in the said Council.
" XIV. Petrus Stuyvesant, the present Director, shall be instructed to return to Holland and report ;
"XV. And a suitable person experienced in matters relating to agriculture, and the nature of land, shall be forthwith despatched, and sent by the first opportunity to New Netherland, to take charge of the country lying on both sides of the Great North River, extending south to the South River, and north to the Fresh River, with in- structions based on the considerations exhibited conjointly by the Directors and deputies from New Netherland.
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