USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
1 Relation, 1657, 1658., 60, 61, 67, 68.
2 Le capitaine de cette bande d'Agneronnons es nomme en sa langue Ato- gouackoüan-c'est à dire, La Grande Cuillier.
3 " A Monsieur, Monsieur De la Petrie, [Potherie,] Gouverneur des Trois Rivières en la Nouvelle France.
" Monsieur :- Les Indiens, dès nostres nomméz Maquaas, dès vostres, Iro- quoys, sont venus içy le 13 de ce moys, amenant avec eux un François, nom- mé Louis Paraget, lequel (comme ils nous ont declaré) ils desirent avecq deux autres ramener de par dela et vous les rendre en eschange de six des leurs que vous preniez prisonniers, et par mesmes moyens faire la paix avec tous les In- diens de vos quartiers. Et parcequ'ils n'ozent pas la faire en personne, ils nous ont requis de les vouloir assister de quelqu'un dès nostres qui eust cognois- sance de la langue Françoise pour les servir en cette occasion ; ce que nous n'avons pas peu leur refuser, craignant de rompre l'occasion d'une bonne affaire. Voilà pourquoi nous avons expedié un soldat nommé Henry Martin pour les servir en cette affaire selon que l'occasion de la droit le requiert, esperant que vostre S. prendra en bonne part ce que nous faisons, qui ne part que d'une bonne intention, et syncère affection. Cependant je demeure (après mes humbles baisemains,) Monsieur, vostre très humble obeisant serviteur. Fort d'Orange, ce 15 d'Aoust, 1658. LA MONTAGNE."
367
NEW NETHERLAND.
ing them of hostile intentions, levelled his gun at them. CHAP A young Mohawk, immediately anticipating the French- IX. man's movement, wounded him; whereupon the latter . 1658. fled into the town, where ten of the Indians shortly after presented themselves to Governor De la Potherie, stating that they had come, at the invitation of Onontio, to negotiate for a general peace.1 Martin, the interpreter, who was furnished with the letter from La Montagne, had unfortunately been lost in the woods; and the savages, being now looked upon as enemies or spies, were seized and forwarded to Viscount Argenson, Governor-general at Quebec, who, too well pleased at the opportunity of avenging a recent massacre of Algonquins by some Iroquois under his very cannon, caused summary justice to be inflicted on the Mohawks whom De la Potherie had sent him.2
Director Stuyvesant returned this fall to Esopus, in order to obtain from the Indians a transfer of the remainder of their lands, and thus addressed the Red men :-
"A year and a half ago you killed two horses be- longing to Madame de Hulter, and attacked Jacob Adriaensen in his own house with an axe, knocked out his eye, mortally wounded his infant child, and, not satisfied with this, burnt his house last spring. You, more- over, robbed him of his property and killed a Dutchman in one of his sloops. You compelled our farmers to plough your land; threatened, at the same time, to fire their houses, and repeatedly extorted money from the settlers, who had already paid you for their farms. You have added threats and insults, and finally forced the colonists, at much expense, to break up their establishments and concentrate their dwellings. Various other injuries you have committed since that time, notwithstanding your promises. For all this we now demand compensation ; to enforce which efficient measures will be taken, unless the terms we now propose be acceded to." These terms were, the free surrender of all the lands of Esopus, so far
1 Relation 1657, 1658., 67.
% Ibid. 68, 69 ; Charlevoix, i., 323, 328, 335, 338, 339.
368
HISTORY OF
as the Director-general had already explored, as an in-
BOOK V. demnity for the expense incurred in removing the various 1658. dwellings and fortifying the village; the relinquishment by the Indians of various claims they had against the settlers, besides the payment to the latter of several hundred of wampum for the damages they had suffered.
These terms the Indians considered hard. They at- tempted to offset the demand by stating that they had already been deprived of many of their farms, for which they had never received payment. The Dutch ought now to be satisfied, and to live hereafter in peace. These ex- actions were, besides, unexpected. Many of their chiefs, whom they wished to consult, were hunting and had not yet returned. They, therefore, demanded further time. This was peremptorily refused, and their answer was now insisted on. Considerable altercation followed. Finally, one night was allowed them to determine what course they should pursue.
On the afternoon of the next day, between the hours of one and two of the clock, this council, on whose delibera- tions the future peace of the country and many innocent Oct. 16. lives depended, again met. The sachems expressed a willingness to make a reasonable compensation for past injuries, but they protested against the present extravagant demands. They were poor and had no wampum. They would consent to relinquish part of their claim against the settlers, and give some land to those who had been injured. Then, throwing down a beaver, their spokesman said :-
" This was sent by the savages of the South, who wished to live in peace with the Dutch.
" When the summer comes, the Minquaas will arrive in Stuyvesant's country to trade their peltries ;" and, as a guarantee of the truth, they presented another beaver.
" The Minquaas told them that the Dutch measured gun- powder by the tobacco-box. We shall be glad if it be thrown to us by large handsful. Then, indeed, would we bring many beavers;" and thereupon they laid another present on the ground.
" The Minquaas said to us: 'Ye are among us, and
369
NEW NETHERLAND.
must submit to us and skulk among us, as we, also, crouch CHAP. and skulk among the Dutch. What ! would ye fight the~ IX. 1658.
Dutch ?'" and then was offered another beaver :
" The Minquaas and the Senecas from the first castle say they want powder and balls from the Dutch to kill deer, to sell these afterwards to the Swannekins." A belt of wampum here backed this assertion.
The orator, then offering another wampum belt, con- tinued :- " A horse belonging to Jacob Jansen Stol broke into our corn-fields and destroyed two of our planta- tions. One of our boys shot it, for which we gave Stol seventy guilders in wampum. But this belt we now present, so that the soldiers may let us go in peace, and not beat us when we visit this place."
This highly studied and cunningly constructed piece of oratory, which left untouched the principal point before the council, and endeavored to divert the attention of the Director-general therefrom by holding before his eyes the prospect of a valuable trade with the Senecas and Min- quaas, failed, however, in accomplishing the purpose the orator had in view. Stuyvesant dryly demanded if they thought he would be satisfied with all these empty words ? " What do you intend to propose about the land ?" was the question to which he demanded a categorical reply. "It belonged to the chiefs who were not here to-day," was their answer; "they could not, therefore, with propriety, come to any conclusion on it ; but they would return on the morrow and give their final answer."
The morrow came, but it did not bring the Indians. Two Dutchmen were sent to their wigwams to inquire Oct. 18. their intentions. The messengers returned. "The chiefs had made fools of them." They had never intended to make any satisfaction. The Director-general, chagrined and disappointed, departed for the Manhattans, leaving Oct. 19. Ensign Dirck Smith and fifty men at the Esopus, with instructions to secure the gates, guard-house, and enclosure with sentinels, and not to allow any savages inside the walls ; to act purely on the defensive, and to detail, from day to day, a proper guard to protect the husbandmen VOL. II. 24
370
HISTORY OF
BOOK whilst engaged in their field labor. Several chiefs came V. in shortly afterwards and made a present of some kind to 1658. Jacob Stol, as a further indemnity for the injuries he had Oct. 29. sustained, and then renewed their request for the removal of the troops and for some presents. But the settlers had nothing "to grease the Indians' breasts. The meeting was a dry one."1
The efforts of the Burgomasters and Schepens to assimi- late their municipal government to that of Amsterdam, and to deprive the executive of the absolute power of appoint- ing the city magistrates, were still unceasing. These exertions were, at length, successful, and an order was issued in the beginning of this year, that a double nomi- nation should be made. But now the aristocratic division of the Burghers into Great and Small citizens was found to be a failure. Few or none would purchase a privilege which all seemed to disregard. The Director and Council Jan. 28. were, therefore, obliged to increase, of their own motion, the list of "Great" citizens. Hereupon, the nomination Jan. 31. was sent in. But it was declared informal. "It was not made according to instructions, in the presence of the sheriff, who, as chief of the board, ought to convene the members, collect the votes, and in case of equality, have the casting voice; nor was any regard paid to the direc- tion that a member of the Supreme Council should assist at the nomination, if he thought proper. Moreover, it was not signed, as it ought to have been, 'in the name of the Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens.'" A new nomi- nation was therefore ordered. The Burgomasters and Schepens, however, demurred. They did not know that the presence of a member of the Council was necessary ; and though they might be obliged to make a new nomina- tion, they would not propose a different list from that they had already sent in. The necessary form having now Feb. 1. been observed, the selection of the municipal authorities was vested, for the first time since the incorporation of New Amsterdam, in the city magistrates.2 Two years
1 Alb. Rec. xiv., 330 ; xvi., 41-59.
§ Alb. Rec. xiv., 65, 87-89, 91-94.
371
NEW NETHERLAND.
afterwards, their wishes for a separate Schout were com- CHAP. plied with, and Pieter Tonneman was appointed to that IX. office, " in conformity to the usages of the shrievalty of the 1658. great city of Amsterdam." He was sworn in on the 5th August, 1660, and was the first sheriff proper of the capital of New Netherland.1
1 Alb. Rec. iv., 339; vii., 266, 267.
372
HISTORY OF
CHAPTER X.
Affairs of the South River-Stuyvesant visits that quarter-Willem Beekman succeeds Jacquet-His powers-The city of Amsterdam purchases the Whore- kill-Condition of New Amstel-Sufferings of the colonists-Bad reputation of the place-Several settlers wish to quit the country-Will not be allowed- Fly to Maryland-Messengers sent to reclaim them-Learn that Lord Balti- more claims the Delaware-Delegates from Maryland to New Amstel- Demand that the Dutch leave the river-Result of the conference-The city of Amsterdam tired of its colonie-Desires to reconvey it to the West India Company-Stuyvesant sends an embassy to Maryland-Particulars of that mission-Existence of the present state of Delaware, owing to the stand taken by the Dutch on this occasion-Continued unfavorable condition of New Amstel-Deaths of the clergyman and Vice Director.
BOOK V. THE dismissal of Jacquet was followed by serious dam- age to the Company's interests at the South River. 1658. Smuggling prevailed to a considerable extent, and large quantities of furs were exported without payment of duties. Appeals to the Director and Supreme Council at New Amsterdam had, also, been disallowed, and all mention of the Directors in Holland, as well as of their deputies at the Manhattans, was carefully omitted in the oath taken by the newly arrived settlers.
To remedy these irregularities, Director Stuyvesant April20. proceeded, in company with the Hon. Peter Tonneman, to the Delaware, where the Swedish sheriff, magistrates, May 8. and officers,1 took occasion, on renewing their oath of alle- giance, to demand some additional privileges, among others, to be permitted to remain neutral in case of differences between the crown of Sweden and the Dutch. Though the policy of Stuyvesant was conciliatory, he could not well sanction this, but in other respects complied with the May 13 wishes of these people. He received, soon after, instruc-
1 Gregorius van Dyck, sheriff, Oloffe Stille, Matthys Hanson, Pieter Rambo, Pieter Cock, magistrates ; Swens Schüte, captain ; Andries d'Albo, lieutenant ; Jacob Swensen, ensign. Van Dyck was removed from office in the beginning of 1(61.
373
NEW NETHERLAND.
tions to dispatch " an honest and expert person" to CHAP. X. superintend the Company's possessions in that quarter .~ Willem Beekman, one of the Schepens of New Amster- 1658. dam, was in consequence appointed Vice Director of that July 30. district.
By his commission, this officer was invested with the Oct. 23. supreme command and direction of the South River, and with all the powers of the Company over that district, the colonie of New Amstel excepted. He was bound " to maintain the Reformed religion as preached in Father- land and here, conformably to the Word of God and the Synod of Dordtrecht, and to promote the same by all means within his power. He was empowered to issue orders and execute the same ; to exercise authority over all the Company's servants, and over all the freemen, " of what nation they might be ;" to keep the first under good order and discipline ; to administer justice among the latter in civil and military affairs, and in criminal matters " in minori gradu," conformably to former instructions given to the late commissary, or to the Swedish nation, "so far as law and justice are concerned." The sheriff and commissaries already appointed over the Swedes, were to be employed, until further orders, to aid in the execution of these commands. As custom-house officer his permanent residence was to be at, or in the neighborhood of, New Amstel, where he was to inspect all arriving vessels previous to their being discharged. He was not to permit any goods to be loaded or unloaded without examination, nor unless the duties had been paid, and to prevent frauds on the revenue he was to place officers on board all vessels trading to or from the river, whilst receiving or landing their cargoes. He was further to seize all articles of contraband, and prosecute smugglers before the Director and the court of the city's colonie, from whose judgment, however, he was to appeal in case the same should not be satisfactory. In return for these services, he was to receive a share of all seizures and fines which the court might impose, "according to the discretion of the Director and Council."
374
HISTORY OF
BOOK V. 1658.
Intelligence had already reached Holland of the ransom by Vice Director Alrichs of some Englishmen from Vir- ginia, who had been driven ashore at Cape Henlopen and taken prisoners by the savages. As their visit excited con- siderable suspicion, and as it was deemed necessary to anti- cipate all further intrusion on the river by the English, the Burgomasters of Amsterdam requested the Directors to pur- chase for them the tract of country called the Whorekill, extending, on the west side of Delaware Bay, from the above cape to Boomties hoeck, on which they proposed erecting a redoubt. Beekman was, therefore, further in- structed to co-operate with Vice Director Alrichs, and if the terms of the Indians were reasonable, to purchase that district.1 To carry out these plans, and to execute the important duties which now devolved on him, Beekman proceeded, early the next spring, to the Delaware, and succeeded in purchasing, on the 26th June of the following year, the above-mentioned tract.2
However promising at first were the prospects of the colonie the city of Amsterdam undertook to plant on the Delaware, it was not long before the settlers began to feel the effects of the climate, and of the miasms which the low alluvial soil, and the rank and decomposed vegetation of a new country, so readily engendered. These effects did not manifest themselves, however, until the summer of this year, nor until the people had finished planting their crops. Heavy rains then set in; fever, ague, and dysentery fol- lowed; and as if these were not sufficient to blight their hopes, the grain became attacked by the worm. Scarcely a family now but suffered from the epidemic. Six of Director Alrichs' household, the members of the council, and the magistrates were attacked ; a great many young children perished, together with the surgeon sent out to attend the colonists, Sheriff Rynvelt, and a number of other adults, amounting in all to one hundred persons. Whilst this sickness was at its height, the Mill arrived with one hundred and eight additional settlers. Already eleven of Sep
1 Alb. Rec. xiv., 227, 228, 245-249, 314, 386-392.
$ Ibid. xii., 498.
375
NEW NETHERLAND.
these had died on the passage, and several more were now CHAP. taken sick.1 x.
Scarcity of provisions naturally followed the failure of 1658. the crops. Nine hundred schepels of grain had been sown in the spring. They produced scarcely six hundred at harvest. Rye rose to three guilders, or one dollar and fifty cents, the bushel ; peas to eight guilders the sack ; salt was twelve guilders the bushel at New Amsterdam ; cheese and butter were not to be had, and “ when a man journeys he can get nothing but dry bread, or he must take a pot or kettle along with him to cook his victuals."
The population now amounted to more than six hundred Oct. 10. souls, " without bread," and many of them "as poor as worms." Wages advanced with the price of food. Labor- ers demanded a rix-dollar a day, and mechanics a dollar and sixty cents. But scarcity and distress prostrated all industry. The people were under the necessity of consuming what they had saved for the coming season's seed, and the prospect for the winter, which set in early, and continued long and severe, was cheerless in the ex- treme. The new year brought only additional misfortunes. 1659. Mde. Alrichs, wife of the Director, fell a victim to the climate, far from relatives and friends, and the health of the settlement continued very unfavorable.
In this dilemma the authorities were under the necessity of executing, at the city's expense, work, such as barns and fences, which, under other circumstances, the settlers should have done on their own account. The church was also enlarged by one half; a public granary was erected, to- gether with various other buildings of a like nature, for the purpose of giving employment to the distressed settlers. But " the place had now got so bad a name that the whole river could not wash it clean." The rumor went abroad
1 They were attacked by scurvy. Willem van Rosenburgh was the surgeon in charge. He had so many sick on the passage, that he distributed among one hundred patients a hogshead of French wine, forty gallons of brandy, and half a barrel of prunes. A number of children from the Orphan Asylum came out in this ship, who were bound out among the settlers, some for two, some for four years, at from 40 to 80 gl. a year. " The Barber," as the surgeon is styled, brought out his wife and some children.
376
HISTORY OF
BOOK that many had died of starvation, and the prejudices of the V. people became so excited that few or none of them would 1659. remain.1
To add to the public discontent, intelligence was now received that the Burgomasters of Amsterdam had altered the conditions on which the colonists had agreed to emi- grate. Instructions were sent out that the provisions in the public magazine should be distributed only among those who had left Holland previous to December, 1658; that the merchandise then in store should be disposed of only for ready money, or its equivalent, and that the city should no longer be obliged to keep supplies in their mag- azines. Exemption from tenths, which originally was to extend to twenty years after the lands were first sown, was hereafter to terminate, indiscriminately, in 1678, ex- cept to the first settlers, whose term of exemption would count from the date of their first arrival ; and the exemp- tion from poundage, horn and salt money, was to cease ten years earlier, after which the Director-general was to be at liberty to impose whatever rate he pleased. Altera- tion was also made in the articles regulating trade. Those planters who had repaid the disbursements made by the city on their account, were privileged to export their cargoes, as hitherto, to whatever quarter they pleased ; but it was now ruled that whatever goods they might export should be consigned exclusively to the city of Am- sterdam, to be disposed of there for the benefit of the shippers. This regulation, however, called forth a strong remonstrance from the commissioners entrusted with the superintendence of the colonie. "It had the appearance of gross slavery and chain-fettering of the free spirit of a Feb. 13. worthy people." The West India Company had recently resolved to enlarge the commercial privileges of the New Netherland merchants, and to permit the latter to trade with the produce of their country, " whether of the soil or the sea," peltries excepted, to France, Spain, Italy, and the Caribbean islands, on condition of bringing their return
1 Hol. Doc. xvi., 57, 61 73, 201-203, 205; Alb. Rec. xviii., 417, 419, 420.
377
NEW NETHERLAND.
cargoes either to the city of Amsterdam or the Manhattans. CHAP. The conditions were, therefore, modified, and now all
X. traders resident at the South River were in like manner 1659. privileged to export their goods wheresoever they pleased,
Mar. 10. except their beavers and other furs, the monopoly of which was still retained by the city of Amsterdam.1
But this tampering with the public faith, on the strength of which the people had left their native country, had the effect of aggravating the discontent which two years of sickness and bad harvests had created. Traders were discouraged and farmers disheartened, and several of the latter demanded permission to remove to the Manhattans, on giving bonds that they should not quit the province be- fore they had reimbursed to the city the advances it had made on their account. "Many poor folks, whilst yet they had anything left wherewith to pay for their passage, had offered it to Alrichs and besought him with clasped hands to accept it in payment of their debts. But he declined. ' Ye are bound to remain for four years,' was his reply. · We have spent, in our hunger, wretchedness, and misery, all that we had saved from our small pittance. We have nothing left wherewith to pay.' 'You must pay first and then go,'" was the ultimatum, and in their despair numbers fled to the neighboring colonies of Virginia and Maryland, where they spread the news of the weak and desperate condition of New Amstel.2 Messengers were sent to re- claim the fugitives. They were told that orders were
1 Hol. Doc. xv., 23-27 ; xvi., 215-217 ; Alb. Rec. iv., 290; Beschryv. der Stad Amst. i., 594.
2 Stuyvesant, writing under date 4th September, 1659, says: "About fifty persons, among them several families, removed within a fortnight to Maryland and Virginia, caused chiefly, it is reported, by the too great strictness of Al- richs." It is right to add that the latter lays the blame of the ruin of the South River colonie, at this time, on Beekman and Stuyvesant, which caused the Director-general to express the hope, that if Alrichs made any complaints, the Directors " will keep one ear open for the accused." Alb. Rec. xviii., 29, 64. It is more than probable that there was some truth in the observation of Alrichs to Mr. C. de Graeff, (Hol. Doc. xvi. : ) " It would seem as if those of the South and North were jealous of each other, and dread that this settlement should be- come great and flourishing, to prevent which, I believe many practices are resorted to for the injury of this place, to vilify us, to seek quarrels, and to draw the people away."
378
HISTORY OF
BOOK V. received from Lord Baltimore to take possession of the South River, and bring the settlers there under his lord- 1659. ship's jurisdiction. As soon as this was known at New Amstel, it caused a great deal of uneasiness and anxiety ; all operations were suspended, and every individual com- menced preparing for flight. The panic created by these reports had not had time to subside, when several delegates Sep. 6. from Maryland arrived. After spending some days in carefully examining the place and tampering with the Sep. 8. fidelity of the settlers, they solicited an audience. The Company having guarantied to the city a sound and bonâ fide title of the territory in their possession, Director Al- richs considered it his duty to invite Commissary Beek- man to this meeting, before which Colonel Utie, one of the delegates, formally laid Governor Fendal's letter and a copy of his instructions,' in accordance with which he now commanded the Dutch to quit the place, or to declare themselves subjects of Lord Baltimore ; adding, that if they hesitated, they should be responsible for whatever innocent blood might be shed, as Lord B. had uncontrolled power to make war and conclude peace. The Council considered this a most strange request, as the Dutch were in possession of the place for a great many years. "I know nothing about that," replied the Englishman ; "all the country up to the fortieth degree was granted to Lord Baltimore ; the grant has been confirmed by the King and sanctioned by Parliament. You had better, therefore, embrace this opportunity. Your people have nearly all deserted you, and those who remain are of little or no use. We will not forego the occasion, convinced as we are of your weak-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.