USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 38
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
414
HISTORY OF
BOOK
VI. sufficiently proved that there hath been wrong judgement given against any partye of either nation, and no redresse made, it shall be esteemed as a breach of this article.
1660.
"Thirdly, All servants that formerly made escapes, and at present reside in each other's provinces, or their limites, or such that may hereafter make escapes, and run away into each other's jurisdictions, uppon complaint and notice given, they shall be secured and returned with the first convenient passadge, and for the apprehendinge, trans- portation, and other expenses shall be given satisfaction, either by the master, or else by the Treasurer of the country.
" Fourthly, It is agreed and concluded, that if any per- son being indebted in this country shall remove, or trans- porte himselve to New Netherland, or any person in- debted in New Netherland shall transport himselve to Virginia, it shall be lawful for the creditors of each such person, or persons, to tacke out processe in the foresaide places of Virginia and New Netherland, and bringe it to tryal and judgement, as if the debts were made properly in that place where the debtors are ; and being confessed the debt, the debtor uppon demaunde doe give securitie to make due and just payment of the said debt or debts, and uppon default of none payment thereof, the securitie shall be oblidged to macke satisfaction."
Though the colonial legislature had already passed the acts necessary to give force to the provisions of this treaty,1 it had but a brief existence. Orders were sent out to Virginia to enforce rigidly the laws passed during the Protectorate for the regulation of trade and navigation
1 Act xv., March, 1659-60. Whereas by the articles of peace with the Dutch, it hath been concluded that in case the master of any runaway servants that shall be brought into this country, shall refuse to make payment for his passage and such other reasonable costs and disbursements, as shall be made to appear due, that then he should receive his pay at the secretary's office, Be it enacted that payment shall be made at the secretary's office, and said servant shall be sold to pay costs and charges, after which he is to be returned to his master Act xvi., Allows the Dutch and all strangers of any Christian na- tion, free trade to, and guarantees them protection and equal rights and justice in all the courts of judicature in the colony. Hening's Statutes at Large, 539, 540.
415
NEW NETHERLAND.
with the British possessions. The Virginians found means CHAP. to evade these tyrannical enactments, and to carry on I. trade with the Dutch, notwithstanding their provisions ; 1660. yet those orders were fatal to the treaty. It necessarily fell to the ground, to the great disappointment and regret of both the contracting parties.
In the course of the correspondence to which it had given rise, Stuyvesant endeavored, by a shrewd stroke of diplomacy, to obtain from Governor Berkeley an acknowl- edgment of the soundness of the Dutch title to New Netherland, but this was beyond the Governor's attributes to give. "I am," said he, " but a servant of the Assembly ; Aug. 20. neither do they arrogate any power to themselves further than the miserable distractions of England force them to : for when God shall be pleased, in his mercy, to take away and dissipate the unnatural divisions of their native country, they will immediately return to their ever professed obe- dience. What then they should do, in matters of contract, donation and confession of title, would have little strength or signification ; much more presumptive and impertinent would it be in me to do it, without their knowledge or assent." Berkeley's brother coveted the soil of New Jersey. Perhaps this circumstance may afford some explanation of the tenderness, at this precise moment, of Sir William's conscience.1
Information was now received that the Esopus savages were disposed to negotiate, and had invited the Director- general to pay them a visit, in order to arrange a treaty. Accompanied by Captain Krygier and Burgomaster Van Cortland, he accordingly proceeded to the Esopus country, July 7 and immediately sent messengers to acquaint the sachems of his arrival. Though fallen, the pride of the Red men was still unconquered. Three days had elapsed, and all the Director could learn was-" perhaps they would come to-morrow ; perhaps not at all." Summoning the chiefs of the Mohawks, the Mohegans, the Wappingers, the Min- quaas and Hackingsacks, and the delegates from Staten
1Alb. Rec. xviii., 157, 197 ; xxiv., 300, 301, 309; Robertson's America, (Phil. ed., 1812,) ii., 399 ; Bancroft's United States, ii., 310.
416
HISTORY OF
BOOK VI. Island, who had come hither to assist at the negotiations, before him, Stuyvesant addressed them, through his inter- preter, in the following terms :-
1660.
July 14. " Brothers ! ye all know well that we have not caused this war. After the Esopus savages burned three of our houses and murdered one of our men, a year ago, we for- gave them and renewed the chain of friendship with them ; promising the one the other, that we should not thence- forth again wage war though a man were killed, but that the murderer should be surrendered and punished. Not- withstanding all this, the Esopus savages took some of our people prisoners, now ten moons since ; burnt several houses ; besieged and stormed Esopus, though they pre- tended, during the siege, to be inclined to peace. They then consented to receive a ransom for the prisoners, but when the ransom was brought out to the gate, they carried it away by force, retained our prisoners, and murdered eight or nine of them afterwards in an infamous manner. Brothers ! this it was that compelled us to take up the hatchet.
" Brothers ! on the earnest entreaties of Indian friends, who solicited peace in behalf of the Esopus savages, and on the intercession of our allies, the Maquaas, the Mohe- gans, those of the Highlands, the Minquaas, the Katskills, and other tribes, we concluded a truce with our enemies, who seemed much rejoiced and solicited us to come in per- son to conclude a treaty. We came with our friends, yet those of Esopus hang back. They come not to us, nor speak one word of peace. Ye see clearly that it is not our fault. Brothers ! the Esopus savages play the fool with you, as well as with us.
" Brothers ! our station will not permit us to remain here, in uncertainty, any longer. Even ye are tired with wait- ing, and are as willing to depart as we. We request you to remember these our words. Communicate them to all the other sachems our brothers, and to all the Indians our friends, and tell them, as we have done before, that they must not meddle with the Esopus savages, nor suffer them to live among them. And now tell the Esopus savages
417
NEW NETHERLAND.
we will yet wait till evening. Brothers ! when yonder CHAP. sun goes down, we depart, if they be not here." I.
This menace had the desired effect. Towards evening, Kaelcop, Sewackenamo, Nosbabowan, and Pemmyraweck appeared before the gate of the Dutch village, and being seated " under the blue sky of heaven," with fourteen chiefs of the tribes already enumerated, in company with the Director-general, Arent van Curler, and the other Dutch deputies, and in the presence of all the inhabitants of Esopus, both Christians and savages, Onderis Hocque, a Minquaa sachem, arose and thus addressed the assembly :-
" The savages of Esopus have complained to us that they were involved in a heavy war with the Dutch. We answered them, 'Why did ye begin it? It is all your own fault. We cannot, therefore, help you in your neces- sity ; but we shall intercede in your behalf, and do all in our power to obtain for you peace.' We have now brought a present, in return for that with which they solicited our assistance for a peace, which we now request in their be- half. If they cannot obtain it now, those of Esopus must return home weeping."
The Director-general answered :- " Out of respect for the intercession of all our friends here present, we consent to a peace, if the Maquaas, the Minquaas, and other chiefs will be security that it shall be faithfully observed."
A Mohawk chief then addressed the Esopus sachems. " The whole country is now convened in behalf of you, who began this quarrel, to procure you peace. If this be once concluded, break it never again. If ye do break it, and treat us with contempt, we shall never again inter- cede for you."
The Minquaa, thereupon, took up the word, and admon- ished those of Esopus in the same manner. " Ye must not renew this quarrel ; neither kill horse nor cow, nor steal any property. Whatever ye want, ye must purchase or earn. Live with the Dutch as brothers. Ye cause us and the Maquaas great losses. This is not your land. It is our land. Therefore repeat not this, but throw down the hatchet. Tread it so deep into the earth that it shall
VOL. II. 27
1660. July 15.
:
418
HISTORY OF
BOOK never be taken up again." After concluding this speech, VI. the orator presented them with a white belt.
1660. The Maquaa chief then addressed the Dutch settlers, warning them, in like manner, not to renew this trouble, nor to beat the Esopus savages in the face, and then laugh at them. After which, taking an axe from the hands of an Esopus sachem, he cast it on the ground, and trampled it to the earth, saying, " Now they will never commence this quarrel anew."
The Esopus chief then slowly rose, and addressing the assembly, said :- " The hatchet have we permitted to be taken from our hands, and to be trodden on the ground. We will never take it up again !"
These ceremonies having been concluded, the Director- general submitted the following as the conditions of the treaty :-
I. All hostilities shall cease on both sides, and all injuries shall be mutually forgiven and forgotten.
II. The Esopus savages, in compensation of damages, promise to transfer to the Director-general all the lands of Esopus, and to directly depart thence without being permitted to return thither to plant.
III. Further, the Director-general promises to pay for the ransom of the captive Christians eight hundred schepels of maize, the half next harvest when the maize is ripe, the other half, or its value, in the harvest of the following year.
IV. The Esopus savages promise that they will keep this peace inviolate, and not kill any more of our horses, cattle or hogs. Should such occurrence happen, then the chiefs oblige themselves to pay for it, or by refusal that one of them shall remain arrested until the killed animal be paid for or made good ; while the Director-general, on his side, promises that the Dutch shall not do them any harm.
V. If the Dutch kill a savage, or the savages a Dutch- man, war shall not be commenced on that account. Com- plaint thereof shall first be made, and he who commit- ted the murder, shall be delivered to be punished as he deserves.
419
NEW NETHERLAND.
VI. The Esopus savages shall not approach the Dutch CHAP. plantations, houses or dwellings, armed ; but may go and I. 1660.
trade, unarmed, as before.
VII. Whereas the last war owes its origin to drinking, no savage shall be permitted to drink brandy or any spirituous liquors, in or near any Dutch plantations, houses or concentrations, but shall do it in their country or deep in the woods, at a great distance.
VIII. In this peace shall be included, not only the aforesaid tribes of savages, but all others who are in friendship with the Director-general, and among others, by name, the chiefs of Long Island, Tapausaugh, with all their savages, and if any act of hostility be committed against them, then the Director-general engages himself to assist them.
IX. The aforesaid chiefs, as mediators and advocates of the Esopus nation, remain securities and engage them- selves that it shall be kept inviolate; and if any infraction be committed by the Esopus savages, they engage them- selves to assist the Dutch to subdue them.
Thus done and concluded near the concentration of Esopus, under the blue sky of heaven, in the presence of the Hon. Martin Krygier, Burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland ; Oloff Stevensen van Cortland, old Burgomaster, Arent van Curler, Commissary of the colonie Rensselaerswyck, and all the inhabitants of Esopus, both Christians and savages, on the 15th July, 1660.1
These terms being accepted, peace once more pre- vailed throughout New Netherland. But in making the preliminary arrangements for this treaty, Stuyvesant laid the foundation of another war. He told the savages that they must consider the prisoners then in his hands "as dead." He could well afford to be generous, and by
1 Names of the chiefs who solicited the peace in behalf of the Esopus savages, and in whose presence the same was concluded : of the Maquaas,-Adogbegne- walquo, Requesecade, Ogknekelt ; Mohegans-Eskryas alias Apie, Ampumst ; Katskill-Kefe-weig, Machacknemenu ; Minquaas-Onderis Hocque, Kaskon- geritschage ; Wappings-Isseschahya, Wisachganio ; Hackingsacks-Oratany, Carstangh ; Staten Island-Warehan ; Esopus savages-Kaelcop, Sewacke- namo, Neskahewan, Pemmyraweck.
420
HISTORY OF
BOOK VI. kindness and well-timed forbearance, endeavor to win unto himself the affections of those untutored savages now 1660. disheartened and friendless. But he preferred a different course, and shipped eleven of the wretches to the insalubri- ous island of Curacoa. The Red men never forgot their banished brethren.1
After having concluded the peace with the Esopus Indians, the Director-general was next called to Fort Orange, to correct various disorders to which the fur trade had given rise in and about that post. This trade had absorbed the almost undivided attention of the in- habitants of Beverwyck. The increase of population had served to increase competition, and the traders, imi- tating the practice of the French, employed a number of agents, whom the Dutch called "Bosloopers," the French "Coureurs de bois." These "Runners" penetra- ted the woods to a considerable distance, in order to meet the Indians before they reached town, and secure in advance their peltries. This practice necessarily gave rise, at an early date, to dangerous irregularities. The runners were in too many instances men of strong passions and unscrupulous principles. Their remuneration depend- ed on the amount of property they secured for their principals, and to increase their gains they often had recourse to violence, wresting from the Indians their property against their will, after inflicting on them, in addition, personal injuries.
This, in the then circumstances of the country, could not fail, if unchecked, to be productive of dangerous conse- quences. Several of the traders also complained that a few Christian runners monopolized the trade, and prevent- ed others from having an equal chance, and it was insisted that every person should be privileged to employ similar agents if they thought proper. To prevent these abuses, May 31. the system of employing brokers was abolished, and all persons were forbidden to go "to the hill" to enquire where the savages were, or to the river side, when the
1 Alb. Rec. vi, 330; xii., 317, 318; xviii., 118, 119; xxii., 227-229 ; xxiv., 279-284, 303, 318, 320, 332, 337-342.
421
NEW NETHERLAND.
savages arrived, under a penalty of three hundred guilders CHAP. and suspension from trading for six months. " The sav -~ I. ages were to sell their beavers wherever they pleased." 1660.
Two parties now sprung up in the village-"Runners" and " Anti-Runners "-rivalling, on a small scale, in viru- lence and animosity, the ancient factions of "the Hooks and Cabbeljauws." Instead of having recourse to reason and demonstrating the dangers which were likely to accrue from the employment of these wood rangers, the Anti- Runners dubbed their opponents "a rabble." This gave considerable offence, and caused also numberless suits at law, and an increased amount of bad feeling. A modifica- tion of the order of the 31st of May was the consequence. June 25. Savages might be employed as emissaries, but " no Dutch- man." As it was useless to expect this law to be observed, unless supported by public opinion, a meeting of the com- monalty was convoked with a view to obtain its concur- rence. This assembly only brought out a repetition of "injuries and threats." Many of those who attended expressed their determination " to scour the woods with Dutch brokers, whether permitted or not." The mag- istrates, finding that the people opposed their wishes, renewed their former orders and again abolished the June 26. system altogether. The Mohawks now complained of the violence used towards them by the runners, who kicked, beat, and dragged them through and fro. If this were continued they should be compelled to break the old treaty, to leave the Dutch altogether ; and " then per- haps matters might terminate as at Esopus." An order was issued to correct this evil, and the members of the June 28. court resolved " to visit the woods in these perilous times," July 14. and to fine all the Dutch runners who might be discovered violating the law. La Montagne accordingly proceeded thither, accompanied by an armed force, but to such a height had abuses gone, that he was obliged to remain out several nights. Prosecutions were instituted against those who infringed the law, and it is a remarkable and instruc- tive fact, that several of the magistrates were among those who were fined.
422
HISTORY OF
BOOK VI. Letters having been dispatched to the Director-general advising him of these disorders, his Honor was obliged, 1660. after concluding the treaty at Esopus, to proceed to Fort July 22. Orange, where he was met by the chiefs of the powerful tribe of the Senecas, who came from the banks of the Niaugaurah to renew the treaty which already existed between them and the Dutch. The council fires were July 25. lighted on this occasion in Fort Orange, and the magis- trates of the colonie and Beverwyck attended, with the principal settlers of the vicinity, to add increased solemnity to the negotiations. The proceedings were opened by a long speech from an Indian chief.
They had visited the Manhattans several years ago, and though they had offered their presents they received no answer; "no, not even one pipe of tobacco." They had then bound themselves to the Dutch "with a chain," which they now desired to renew, having some trifling requests to make ; but they felt as if they were about " to run against a stone." They were involved in a heavy war, and could not obtain either powder or ball without beavers. " A brave warrior ought to have these for nothing." Many of their tribe proposed to visit this place ere long. They asked that they may be allowed to barter their furs accord- ing to their pleasure ; that they be not locked up by the Dutch, but be permitted to trade wherever they liked, without being kicked by those who wished to have their beavers, until "we know not where our eyes are." "Every one ought to trade where he pleases and where he can be best served." Such violent conduct ought to be prohib- ited, " so that we may smoke and suck our tobacco in peace, and ye too may smoke and consider our proposals maturely. There are so many runners we know not where to carry our furs. This ought to be corrected."
" You are," continued the orator, "the chiefs of the whole country. We all look up to you. We ask a piece of cloth for a beaver, and that it may be understood and henceforward a rule, that we shall receive thirty yards of black and sixty yards of white zeawan for one beaver. Ye have been sleeping hitherto. With these three beavers
423
NEW NETHERLAND.
we now open your eyes. We require sixty handsful of CHAP. powder for one beaver. We have a vast deal of trouble I. collecting beavers through the enemy's country. We ask 1660. to be furnished with powder and ball. If our enemies con- quer us, where will ye then obtain beavers ?"
" Ye have included us and the Mohawks and the Mohe- gans in the peace of Esopus. Set now at liberty the savages ye have taken prisoners there. We are some- times obliged to pass by that path. It is good that brothers live together in peace. The French savages meet the Mohegans near the Cahoos. This we regret. Brothers ! we are united by a chain ; ye too ought to mourn. This our speech is designed merely to rouse you from your slumbers." We shall return next year to receive your con- clusions. Warn the Dutch not to beat the savages. Other- wise, they will say-' We know nothing of this !'"
A number of valuable presents accompanied this address, to which Stuyvesant thus replied :---
" When our brothers were for the first time at the Man- hattans some two or three years ago, and entered into a close alliance, which we have always cultivated, and shall always cherish, the tobacco was forgotten. We now give you a roll to make you remember our union when you return to your own country, and to keep this as close as if it were linked together with a chain.
" Brothers ! we made peace with the savages of Esopus, at the solicitation of the Mohawks, the Mohegans, and other friends, so that they may use in safety the rivers and the roads. We present you, therefore, the axes which we have thrown away, but we expect that when departing ye will kill neither our horses nor our cattle.
" Brothers ! ye thanked us that we made peace with those of Esopus. Now we solicit, on our side, that ye, too, will make peace with the Minquaas and cultivate it, so that we, also, may use the road to them in safety, as our brothers now do on their way to us.
"Brothers ! ye complain that ye do not receive much powder ; we now give you a whole keg full. But it ought not to be used against our brothers the Minquaas, but
424
HISTORY OF
BOOK against those distant enemies from whom ye capture VI. beaver.
1660. " Brothers ! ye complain that your beavers are taken from you when ye come to us. Three days ago we for- bade our people to act thus, so that our brothers may now go whither they please.
" Brothers ! if any Dutchman beat you, go and complain to the sachems. If any Dutchman retain or steal your beavers, then we shall take care that your property be restored. It is good that every one go with his beaver where he chooses. No more runners shall be sent out ; but every one shall be free to go with his beaver where he pleases. Listen, then, no longer to these runners, but beat them on the head until it can no longer be seen where their eyes stood.
" Brothers ! ye ask a certain quantity of zeawan or of cloth for a beaver. The Dutch cannot agree to that whilst the cloth is brought from so great a distance-far beyond the great lake.""
1 Alb. Rec. vi., 236-238, 254, 257-261, 270-283 ; xxiv., 348-352.
425
NEW NETHERLAND.
CHAPTER II.
New effort to colonize Staten Island, which is again purchased from the In- dians-Sale declared null in Holland-Melyn returns to Europe-Conveys all his right in the Island to the West India Company, who purchase also the claims of the heirs of Van der Capellen-A number of Palatines form a vil- lage there-New Haerlem incorporated-Bergen and New Utrecht planted- Bushwick settled-Its progress and charter-Efforts to obtain a court of jus- tice for the Esopus-Roeloff Swartwout appointed sheriff-Stuyvesant objects -Rev. Harmanus Blom ordained minister of that place-Charter of Wiltwyck -Rev. Dominie Selyns minister at Breukelen-Progress of settlements west- ward-Schenectady, or the great Flatt of Schonowe, purchased from the In- dians-Conditions of that plantation-Impediments to its first settlement- Finally surveyed.
THE massacre of 1655 was a blow to Staten Island and CHAP. the country in its rear, from which they did not soon re- If. cover, for it scattered the settlers throughout the province. 1657. Van der Capellen was, however, determined not to abandon that rich and beautiful spot. He again sent out a number of colonists, and gave instructions that those of his people who survived the late tragedy should be again collected and encouraged to resume their old locations. To remove any dissatisfaction that might exist among the native pro- prietors, Van Dinclage, the Baron's agent, purchased July 10. anew the whole of the island from the Indians, for ten cargoes of shirts ; thirty pairs of Ferouse stockings ; ten guns ; ten staves of lead ; thirty pounds of powder ; thirty ells of coarse red cloth ; two pieces of frieze ; thirty kettles ; fifty axes ; twenty-five chisels ; a few awls and a few knives. A treaty of alliance and peace was at the same time made with the savages, and the whole act was duly witnessed "with submission to the court of justice at Hospating, near Hackingsack, on Waerkinnes Connie in New Netherland."" When this transaction came to the ears of the Directors at Amsterdam, they immediately Dec. 22.
1 Alb. Rec. iv., 225 ; viii., 161.
-
426
HISTORY OF
1657.
BOOK VI. instructed Stuyvesant to declare the sale null ; to obtain a transfer of the lands from the savages to the Company, and then to reconvey to Van der Capellen as much of the soil as he may require.1
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.