USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 9
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1 The Nine Men this year, were Augustine Heermans, Arnoldus van Har- denberg, Oloff Stevensen, Jacob Wolfertsen van Couwenhoven, Hendrik Kip, Adriaen van der Donck, Michel Jansen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Thomas Hall, or Govert Loockermans.
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BOOK foot to divide the people, and to detach, especially, those IV. of English origin from the Nine Men. Prosecutions were 1649. commenced against numbers of citizens, "suspected of being the bellwethers," or leaders, of the malcontents, who were also abused "as if they were the worst villains in the country ;" and, as if " to head" the popular party, delegates Feb. 21. from the militia and citizens were called together to de- liberate on the propriety of sending a mission " on some important points" to Fatherland.
But the Nine Men were not to be thus turned from their purpose. They determined that a journal should be pre- pared, with a view to draft subsequently therefrom a re- monstrance on the various grievances under which the country suffered. This task was assigned to Adriaen van der Donck, late Sheriff of Rensselaerswyck, now member of the Council and president of the above popular board. In order that he should be subject to as little interruption as possible, he was lodged in the house of Michel Jansen, a wealthy citizen, and also one of the tribunes. But how- ever secretly this movement was carried on, Stuyvesant soon learned the preparation of the remonstrance, and proceeded forthwith to Van der Donck's chamber, in the absence of the latter, and seized his papers. He followed up this coup d'état by throwing Van der Donck into jail.1 It was immediately after this high-handed measure, that the Council, officers of militia and deputies from the citizens Mar. 4. met in Fort Amsterdam, at the request of the Director- general.2 The session opened in a storm. The Vice Director attacked his superior, against whom he pro- tested for having assumed to act without his (Dinclage's) knowledge on public affairs, especially in the recent pro- ceedings against Van der Donck. This protest was met
1 Van der Donck's Vertoogh van Nieu Nederlandt, (4to. Ed. 1650,) 40 et seq. Van Tienhoven states that Stuyvesant obtained his information from Jan- sen, Van der Donck's landlord, and from Thomas Hall.
2 The persons in attendance on this occasion, were the Vice Director, M. La Montagne, Brian Newton, P. L. van der Grist, Commissary Keyser, Capt. Schermerhorn, Lt. Martin Krygier, Ensigns Baxter and Heermans ; Sergts. Paul Litschoe, Philip Gerardy, Peter Cock ; and citizens Jacob Wolfertsen, Jan Evertsen Bout, and Borger Jorisen.
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by reading a portion of the papers seized at Jansen's house, CHAP. in which Van Dinclage was represented as having acknowl- V. edged himself (in Melyn's case) to have been a perjurer, and 1649. as having stated that "there were also many perjured men in the Council." The Vice Director denied that any such representations were contained in those papers, and in sup- port of his denial, demanded the reading of Van der Donck's journal. But Stuyvesant would not comply with this de- mand. The question now came up as to the disposal of the author of the obnoxious paper. The Vice Director advised that he be heard in his defence and admitted to bail. Some were for treating him more harshly; others declined to vote; but the majority ruled that he should continue under arrest, until examined. On the subject of the proposed mission, there was diversity of opinion. The agitation within, had begun to communicate to those without doors. To reconcile all differences, the Director- general proposed "to select from every colonie and village in New Netherland two deputies, to fix a day to delib- erate and determine on a mission for the welfare of the country." But the Vice Director, between whom and Stuyvesant there was now an irreconcilable rupture, would in no wise meddle with the matter. Van Dyck was unfavorable to calling delegates from every part of the province. He considered it sufficient to summon two or three persons from "the neighboring villages," as well English as Dutch, and from the Manhattans, to conclude on the proposition. Heermans said the matter ought to be referred to the Nine Men, but he was overruled by the rest of the meeting, who concurred in opinion with the Schout-fiscaal, and then adjourned. A commission was Mar. 5. now appointed to investigate the case of Van der Donck, who, discovering the serious turn that things were taking, asked for his journal, with a view to alter it, as he did not desire to persist in what he had stated ; for he found that he had, in the press of business, been led into error, and had no opportunity to revise what he had written. But this would not be accorded. He must remain in arrest until he should answer the interrogatories to be put to him.
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BOOK His examination proved as unsatisfactory as his preceding IV. conduct, and the Director-general having summoned the 1649. Council and other public officers, delivered to them his March 15. opinion in writing. He reminded them of his having arrested Van der Donck, "by virtue of his authority and commission," for an injurious libel on the higher and lower officers ; he informed them that the libellous passages had been read to their author, who replied to the commissioners "in an equivocal and indecisive way, yet affirming plainly and distinctly the injurious and calumnious accusations." As all this tended to bring the sovereign authority into contempt, he was bound to correct the evil. In his opinion the accused should be compelled to prove his assertions, or to recant what he had written. Failing this, he ought to be excluded from the Council and from the board of the Nine Men. Van Dinclage declined all co-operation in this war against the free exercise of the right of petition. The other members of the court were, however, more tractable, and Van der Donck was expelled the Council and the board of the Nine Men.
April.
It was whilst the community was thus agitated, that the ship Prince William arrived with the muskets Stuyvesant had ordered, the preceding summer, for the Indians. The effect produced on the public mind, when the fact became known, may be easily conceived. His opponents com- mented on the circumstance with much severity. Here were those violating the law, who had punished others severely for having infringed it. Not satisfied with seizing guns which settlers brought out for self-defence, he must needs import muskets by the case to supply the savages, and that so publicly, that it was in every person's mouth. Rumor laid hold of the fact and added, that, no doubt, the Director- general had on board a much greater quantity of arms and ammunition, of which the people had no knowledge. Nay, grave citizens hinted that, if the truth were known, and dumb things could speak, such operations had been frequent- ly resorted to before. But a Director, they supposed, was above the law; he was everything-a brewer, farmer,
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part owner of ships, and a trader, as well in lawful as in CHAP. contraband merchandise.1 V.
Stuyvesant now found it necessary to explain his con- 1649. duct, especially as the Fiscaal had instituted an action April 21. against the ship and cargo. He therefore announced that he was instructed by the Directors, and requested by the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, to provide the Indians sparingly on the Company's account with powder and ball, until the prov- ince should be in a better state of defence ; but that not being able to furnish these articles, he was obliged to pro- vide "other ways and means." He had, accordingly, ordered the factor of the Prince William to bring out twenty or thirty muskets, in order, as he represented, " that the freemen, who had often solicited guns, might obtain these at a reasonable price." The Council was satisfied, but not so were the Directors at Amsterdam. They disavowed his proceedings altogether. "Your transactions with Vas- trick, about a box of thirty-six muskets, being entirely without our knowledge, is an affair that appears strange to us, and the rather, as you omitted to write us on the subject, though it was a matter of great importance. We fear that for the sake of a little gain, you have suffered yourself to be imposed on by people in whom you have placed con- fidence, and who, to carry their bad designs into execution, will now have an argument to support themselves therein."
The persecution of Van der Donck, and the affair of the Prince William, only strengthened the desire of the Nine Men to put the States General in possession of their com- plaints. The government, on the other hand, left no means untried to embarrass their progress. An old placard, originally issued some eleven years previous, for the pur- pose of authenticating legal documents, was re-enacted, on May 8 the ground that individuals, neither under oath, nor legally authorized, took evidence, " whereby too often many points are stated in favor of themselves, and often contrary to the intention of the witness, to the great prejudice of the opposite party." To prevent such an abuse, all affidavits,
1 Van der Donck's Vertoogh, 41, 42.
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BOOK interrogatories, and documents were declared null and IV. void unless written by the secretary or some other qualified 1649. person. And so fearful still were the authorities that means would be found to communicate, during divine service, with the people, that "the Director-general went in person to Dominie Backerus, and told him that he should not be permitted, at the request of any individuals, to read from the pulpit to the congregation, under any pretence, either by himself or any of the deacons, any propositions whatsoever, appertaining to the police or general govern- ment, before such writings had been signed by the secre- tary by order of the Director, or by the Director and Council."
These measures had the effect only of hastening the de- parture of the clergyman from New Amsterdam, and of urging the opposition more strongly in their course. The July 6. Reverend Mr. Backerus requested his dismissal shortly after. He returned to Holland to swell the number of com- plainants against General Stuyvesant ;1 and Adriaen van der Donck, Jacob van Couwenhoven, and Jan Evertsen Bout Aug. 15. followed, in the course of the succeeding month, as agents for the colonists.2
Mar. 9. The Indians behind Staten Island exhibited, this spring, evidences of hostility, and killed one Simon Vanderbelt at Pavonia. The body was brought for interment to the July 28. Manhattans, which circumstance so alarmed the savages,
1 The fears which you have expressed about the minister, Dominie Backerus, have, according to your opinion, been verified. He hath also joined the com- plainants coming from your parts. Directors of the Chamber of Amsterdam, to Director Stuyvesant Alb. Rec. iv.
2 Jacob van Couwenhoven came, a young man, with his father, (Wolfert Gerritsen van C.,) to New Netherland, and was appointed Assistant Commissary by Wouter van Twiller. He subsequently obtained a tobacco plantation, in im- proving which, the Company assisted him ; but he repaid these advances. VAN TIENHOVEN. The descendants of Wolfert Gerritsen are very numerous at the present day. Jan Evertsen Bout arrived, the last time, in New Netherland, in 1634, in the Eendracht, in the service of Patroon Paauw, and resided in Pavo- nia until 1643. When the Company purchased Pavonia, Bout entered the Com- pany's service. His house, barn, and bouwery having been destroyed during the war, he became discontented and threw himself into the opposition. He sold his farnı afterwards to Michel Jansen for 8000 fl., and removed to Breukelen. He died in 1670. Alb. Rec. iv., 2; vii., 222-247. Hol. Doc. iv., 22-21.
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that, dreading retaliation, a general flight followed ; but CHAP. no attempt was made to punish them. The Director-gen- V eral was bound by instructions rather to pursue a pacific 1649. policy towards the Indian tribes ; and in keeping there- with, concluded a treaty with them in Fort Amsterdam, in the course of the summer, at which Dominie Megapolen- sis, Arendt van Curler, and Johannes van Twiller, of Rens- selaerswyck, assisted. The Sachem of Achter Cul was the principal orator on this occasion.
" The Minquaas of the South' are desirous," he said, " to live in friendship with the Dutch. As a guarantee of their sincerity, they have sent a present. An Indian of the Meck- gackhanic tribe had lately, without their knowledge, com- mitted some mischief at Paulus Hoeck : he requested that the Dutch would excuse it. The Raritans, residing for- merly at Wechquaesqueeck, had now no Sachem : they spoke also through his mouth, for they, too, wished to be the Dutchman's friends ;" and in token of the truth of his words, he cast three beavers on the ground.
For those of Rensselaerswyck he made the same re- quest, with a similar present, and throwing down two additional beavers, he declared, " in the name of all his brethren, that their hands were upright, and that they wished to live with the White Man in peace, and to ob- literate, on both sides, the memories of the past. Would that ye could see my heart," he continued, " then would ye be convinced that that heart is sincere and true ;" and laying two other beavers down, he added, " This is in con- firmation of what I say."
" The Dutchman's chief had wished in former times to see me. Lo ! I'm here. We have given a proof of our good intentions, and shall now await what ye intend to do;" and herewith he deposited two other beavers at their feet.
" The White Man's Sachem cannot understand our
1 The Minqua Nation was not a tribe of the Five Nations; having settled at Conestogue, they were thence called the Conestoga Indians. Haz. Penn. Reg. xv., 181. See also Franklin's Narrative of the Massacre of the Conestoga In- dians, in Lancaster co., Penn.
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BOOK words : we do not doubt the sincerity of his intentions. IV. The Minquaas wish that ye and we may continue friends. 1649. This we are willing to do."
Director Stuyvesant replied in courteous terms. He thanked the Sachems for their visit, and offered them, in return, " all neighborly friendship." He was gratified by their proposition, and should not be found wanting on his part ; for he was desirous to live with them on terms of amity, and to give them no cause of complaint. If it hap- pen that any one should injure them, they should make their complaint directly to him, when they would obtain justice. As a proof of his good disposition, he gratefully accepted their gifts, and in return. presented " the poor savages" with some presents to the amount of about twenty florins, together with some tobacco, and a gun for Oratami ; " and so the savages departed very much satisfied." Ad- vantage was taken of the friendly disposition among the natives, to purchase, this summer, the tract extending across the county of Westchester, from the East to the North Rivers, called Wechquaesqueeck.1
1 " On this day, the date underwritten, appeared before the Noble Lords, the Director and Council, Megtegichkama, Oteyochgue, and Wegtakockken, right owners of the land lying on the North River of Netherland, on the east shore called Wiequaeskeeck, in breadth through the woods to a certain kill called Seweyrut, diverging at the East River, and from thence northward and southward to a certain kill named Rechawes, the same land lying betwixt two kills, one half woods, and betwixt the North and East Rivers ; so that the west- ern half to the aforesaid is still remaining, and the other easterly half, with a south and north direction through the middle of the woods ; the aforesaid own- ers acknowledged, that with the consent of the chief Sachem, they have sold the parcel of land, and all the oystering, fishing, &c., unto the Noble Lord Petrus Stuy- vesant, Director-general of New Netherland, for, and in consideration of certain parcels of merchandise, which they acknowledged to their satisfaction to have received into their hands and power, before the passing of these presents, viz. : 6 fathom of cloth for jackets ; 6 do. seawan ; 6 kettles ; 6 axes ; 6 adzes ; 10 knives ; 10 harrows; 10 strings of beads ; 10 bells ; 1 gun ; 2 lbs. lead ; 2 lbs. powder ; 2 cloth coats ; in consideration of which the before-mentioned owners do here- by convey, transport, and surrender the said land to the aforesaid Noble Lords, the Director-general and his successors, in full, true, and free ownership: To the said lands we the grantors, neither now nor hereafter, shall ever present any claim for ourselves, or our heirs or successors, desisting by these presents from all action, either of equity or jurisdiction, but conveying all the same to the said Director-general and his successors, to do therewith as it may seem proper to them, without they, the grantors, or any one of them, molesting the grantee of the said land, whether in his property or his family. It is also agreed that the
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By the departure of the Rev. Mr. Backerus, New Am- CHAP. sterdam was now without a clergyman. The Rev. Mr. ~
V. Megapolensis having received his dismission from the colo- 1649. nie of Rensselaerswyck, "was about to return to Father- land, in the first sailing ship," and thus the Dutch colonists were to be deprived of the solacing comforts of a Christian ministry. To prevent this misfortune, the Director re- quested Doctor Megapolensis, " for the honor of God, for the increase of the church, and the interest of men," to re- main in the country for a time at least.
This invitation was at first declined. His wife had pre- ceded him to Holland, and he was also anxious to follow her, as his presence was necessary in that country, for the liquidation of an estate in which he was interested. But his stay was still urged, in pursuance to instructions from the Chamber at Amsterdam, "if it were only for the in- struction of the children, who are every Sunday presented at the Manhattans for baptism-sometimes one-sometimes two-yea, sometimes three and four together ;" other- wise, it was apprehended that the church would be a long time without a minister. His objections were at length overruled, and the Council having resolved to retain him, Aug. 6. " blanda vi, et quasi nolens, volens," he was installed min- ister of the church of New Amsterdam, at a salary of twelve hundred guilders, or $480, per annum.1
most westerly half, just as the Lord Director pleases, shall go with this for as many goods as in can be paid; and they, the grantors, promise at all times to induce their chiefs in the North River to talk the matter over, and not to sell to any without the knowledge of the Lord Di- rector-general ; the grantors promising this transport firmly to maintain, as in equity they are bound to do. Witness these presents, by them respectively signed in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 14th day of July, A. D. 1649." Book of Patents, G. G. 507.
1Alb. Rec. iv., 16, 17, 23; vii., 229, 230, 251-256. Rev. Mr. Megapolensis was author of a tract on the Mohawk Indians, entitled Kort Ontwerp Van de Mahakuase Indianen in N. Nederlandt, haer Lant, Stature, Dracht, Manieren en Magistraten, beschreven in 't jaer 1644, of which a translation is to be found in Haz. State Pap. i., 17. He wrote, shortly after, a religious treatise, entitled " Examination and Confession for the Benefit of those who are inclined to ap- proach the Table of the Lord," which he transmitted, by his wife, to the Direct- ors in Amsterdam, for publication. It was placed in the hands of the Classis of that city to be printed. Mrs. M. returned to her husband in the Falconer, in 1650.
VOL. II. 7
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CHAPTER VI.
Continued misunderstanding between the English and the Dutch-Gov. Win- throp endeavors to produce a reconciliation-Stuyvesant vindicates his con- duct-Proposes a meeting at Connecticut-Renews his correspondence with New Haven-Writes to Gov. Bradford-Replies of Governors Winthrop and Eaton-The meeting postponed-Effect of Stuyvesant's letters on the Commis- sioners of the United Colonies-Complaints against the Dutch renewed- Retaliation threatened-Stuyvesant rejoins-Expresses a favorable disposition towards the English-By Cape Cod he meant Point Judith-State of England- The King a prisoner-An entirely new form of government about to be estab- lished there-Stuyvesant advised to cultivate peace with his English neigh- bors-Gov. Eaton writes again to the Director-general-Proposes a meeting at Boston-Death of Gov. Winthrop-Stuyvesant objects to Boston-Re-urges Connecticut-Proposes a visit to New Haven-Gov. Eaton disapproves there- of-His reasons-Inquiries about the Dutch tariff-Stuyvesant replies-Gov. Eaton advances in his demands-Is resisted-Meeting of the United Colonies- Gov. Eaton proposes the immediate settlement of the Delaware-Negatived by the Commissioners-Who write to Stuyvesant-Assert their right to lands on the Delaware-Complain of the Dutch selling ammunition and arms to their Indians-Exclude the Dutch and French from all trade whatsoever with the Indians within the New England plantations-Evil effects thereof to the Dutch -Stuyvesant censured by the Directors at Amsterdam-Efforts of the dele- gates in Holland.
BOOK IV. 1648.
THE state of relations between New Netherland and New England still continued far from friendly. The com- plaints against the Dutch tariff, and the inconveniences experienced by English vessels and traders resorting to the Manhattans, became so general that New Haven and Boston proposed retaliation at the meeting of the United Colonies, and the several General Courts were recommended "to provide for their safety and convenience." should the Dutch Director not afford proper satisfaction. Add to this, great alarm was expressed at the sale of arms and ammunition to the Indians within their jurisdiction, though it is probable that it was not so much this barter which disturbed them, as the loss of the beaver trade, now, by means of this traffic, almost wholly absorbed by the French and Dutch, whereby the English were deprived, in a great
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degree, of the power to make remittances for the supplies CHAP. they received from Europe.
Governor Winthrop took an early occasion to express 1648.
to Director Stuyvesant his regret at the misunderstanding Mar. 3. which existed between the latter and Governor Eaton, and his desire that all further provocation on either side be avoided. This communication, from a gentleman whose personal worth and integrity secured for him universal respect, drew from the Director-general a reply, in which April 3. he took occasion to remark that he had been wounded in his reputation, in a high degree, by the scandalous reports originated by those of New Haven, who taxed him with an attempt to raise the Mohawks against the English. It was contrary to the rules and principles of Christianity to entertain such a thought, much less to put in practice so " devilish and wicked a device." He had endeavored, when at Fort Orange, to establish, according to his bounden duty to GoD and his neighbor, a firm peace, not only be- tween the Mohawks and all the other Indian tribes and the Dutch, but also between those and "his brethren the English and French." This proved the sincerity of his professions, and showed how unworthy was the requital which he had received from Mr. Winthrop's countrymen. "For Christianity's sake, for love and union," he should now waive this and other wrongs, and readily subscribe to all means which Governor Winthrop may consider ex- pedient " for a reunion in the bonds of Christian love and friendly neighborhood." This letter was followed by May 24. another to the same functionary, in which the offer was renewed to meet the Governors of Massachusetts and New Plymouth, and the Commissioners of the United Colonies, at an early day, at Connecticut, to reconcile past, and pre- vent future differences ; and to establish a joint league, offensive and defensive, the necessity of which he urged on the grounds of-1st. Their unity of faith; 2d. The ancient and loving union between both nations in Europe ; 3d. Their common dangers from their common enemies ; and 4th. The known malice of the barbarians to both the Dutch and English.
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BOOK IV. In the mean time, learning that some Dutch traders were in the habit of selling fire-arms on the Connecticut to the 1648. Indians, whom they were instigating against the English, May 28. he made it the occasion of renewing his correspondence with Governor Eaton, to whom he sent Sec. Van Tienhoven to obtain correct information as to the facts ; assuring the Governor, at the same time, that if he succeeded in procur- ing evidence against the parties, he should inflict such exemplary punishment as would deter others from either trading indirectly with the Indians, or instigating them " against our Christian brethren of the English nation ;" for he well knew that such practices may cause, and that justly, mutual jealousy and discontent. But he protested, " before God and the world, his innocence in either re- spect," and expressed a real and hearty desire for a con- tinuation and increase of " neighborly love and correspond- ence." He hoped, in conclusion, that Governor Eaton would unite in the proposed meeting on the Connecticut, which, he doubted not, would result in good to all parties. A similar invitation was sent to Governor Bradford, in whose "real integrity and Christian endeavors to unite both nations in one joynt way of brotherly amity" he had every confidence.
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