USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. I > Part 11
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1646
The year before the arrival of Petrus Stuyvesant, " William Kieft Director-general, and the Senate of New
Netherland for the States," addressed Theophilus Eaton, governor of the place called "the Red Hills in New Netherland, but by the English called New Huren," giving notice that the English "without provocation, and contrary to the law of nations, and the league of amity existng between Holland and England," had entered New Netherland, usurped divers places, done in- juries, and not giving satisfaction when required : for these reasons, and "because," says Kieft, " you have determined to fasten your foot near Mauritius river," to disturb trade, " we protest against you as breakers of the peace, and if you do not make reparation, we shall use such means as God affords, manfully to redress our- selves. Given at Fort Amsterdam, August the third, 1646."
Eaton in his reply, says, he knows no such river as Mauritius, unless Kieft means what the English call Hudson's river. Nei- ther have "we entered upon any place" to which "you have any title, or in any way injured you." He however acknowledges that his countrymen have "lately built a small house upon Paw- gusett river, which falls into the sea in the midst of the English plantations" many leagues from the Manhattoes, or any part of Hudson's river. At this " Small house," he says, they expect to trade, but not by force, the Indians being free to traffic with Dutch or English : and that before building, purchase was made of the soil from the "true proprietors." He refers to former protests
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STATE OF AFFAIRS.
made by the English, stating injuries received from the Dutch, to which unsatisfactory answers were returned. He offers to refer the differences to their superiors in Europe, and feels assured that his " Sovereign Lord, Charles, King of Great Britain, and : the Parliament now assembled, will maintain their own rights ;"> dated " New Haven the twelfth of August, 1646, old style."
Taking the above into consideration, the commissioners of the United New England colonies, (met according to the confedera- tion of 1643,) addressed the Dutch Director-general, Sir Wil- liam Kieft, and state that they have seen a complaint made to him by the colony of Massachusetts, of injuries done to the inha- bitants of Hartford, by Kieft's agent upon Fresh river, three years ago, to which complaint the governor had " returned ignoramus." They further say, that Kieft's agent has grown insufferably bold, . and complain that " an Indian captive, liable to public punishment, "who fled from her master" at Hartford, is entertained at the Dutch house " at Hartford ;" and though required to be " given up" is, as they hear, either married to, " or abused by one of your men. Such a servant is part of her master's estate, and a more con- siderable purt than a beast." They further complain that Kieft's agent drew his rapier upon the watch at Hartford, and broke it upon their weapons. They call this a "proud affront ;" and say, that if he had been slain, " his blood would have been upon his own head."
Such was the state of affairs when Stuyvesant entered 1647 upon the government of New Netherland. Such conti- nued to be the complaints reciprocated from the Dutch and English colonists, during the conflict between Charles the first, and the parliament of England.#
But when royalty had been put down, and the parliament from a consciousness of acting a part, for which they were not elected - by the people, wished by the exertion of their power on foreigners · to draw the attention of men from themselves, then they made war upon the states of Holland ; and our neighbours of New England thought they had a good opportunity to prefer more serious charges against the Dutch of New Netherland, who were under the direction of Petrus Stuyvesant; for though they knew that his character stood high for abilities, and that as an honourable
* These criminations and recriminations continued unto the month of September 1646, at which time it was that Kieft said, " Certainly when we hear the inhabitants of Hartford complain of us, we seem to hear Esop's wolfe complaining of the lamb." And he protests " against all you commissioners met at the Red Mounts, as against breakers of the common league, and also infringers of the special right of the lords of the States, our superiors, in that ye have dared without express commission to hold your general meeting within the limits of New Netherland. These things are spoken from the duty of our place, in other respects we are, your, &c. &c."
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STUYVESANT ENDEAVORS TO PRESERVE PEACE.
veteran, he had been rewarded by the states with the government of their West India territories in the islands and on the continent, for services done, and blood shed in the cause of his country ; ou the other hand they looked for support from the dominant party at home, in any attempt upon the Dutch colony. The commis- sioners being determined on a quarrel, charged this honourable gentleman with the base design of stimulating the Indians to a massacre of all the English, whether in their own colonies, or in the towns of Long Island under the Dutch jurisdiction. Such a design would have been as foolish as it was atrocious. If Stuy- vesant wished to be on friendly terms with the savages, who sur- rounded him, it was both politic and praiseworthy ; and if, in case the English proved hostile, he should determine to defend himself by the aid of the Indians, it would be only what pru- dence and necessity demanded from the weaker party, and what men in more enlightened days have done. But, by an examina- tion of the documents which have come down to us, I find that the Dutch governor used every effort to preserve peace with his powerful neighbours, whether red or white.
We must bear in mind, during this examination, that Oliver Cromwell put an end to the Rump parliament, and assumed the administration of English affairs in April, 1653. It was his wish to be at peace with Holland, and to bring about an union of the two republics of England and the Netherlands ; but his policy dictated previously a threatening aspect towards the Dutch colonies in America, and the New England commissioners, or Congress of Deputies from the New England colonies, showed no reluctance to enter into a war with Petrus Stuyvesant, but, a peace being con- cluded between Cromwell and the States, the intention was for a time suspended.
After the arrival of Governor Stuyvesant as the Director-general of New Netherland, Sir William Kieft remained and acted as one of his council-until, at least, the latter part of July, 1647; and we must suppose that the sagacious ruler made himself master of all the particulars in dispute with Indians, Swedes, and English.
On the 17th of June, the commissioners being in session at Boston, address Governor Stuyvesant in consequence of certain duties or customs imposed by the Government of New Amster- dam upon the traders to " Manhattocs," which are complained of as too high. The commissioners likewise complain of a " disor- derly trade" carried on by the Dutch, in selling to the Indians " guns, powder, and shot." The letter is temperate, and they conclude it thus: " With our due respects to yourself and the late Governor, Monsieur Kieft, we rest your loving friends, the Commissioners of the United Colonies."
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CONFLICTING CLAIMS.
On the 25th of June, Governor Stuyvesant expressed his desire to meet the Governor of Massachusetts and others " to reconcile present, and to prevent all future occasions of contestation." But no such happy meeting appears to have taken place; and the commissioners loudly complained that in October, 1647, Stuyve- sant demanded from New Haven certain fugitives, " as if," say the New England congress, "the place and jurisdiction" had been his ; whereas they claim as belonging to the Kings of England " all this part of America called New England, in breadth from 40 to 48 degrees of northerly latitude, which they assert is granted to the English, and the inhabitants of New Haven had right to improve a small portion thereof."
Stuyvesant, on his part, about the same time, October 12th, . 1647, stated very honestly to the commissioners the claim made by the Dutch to all lands, rivers, and streams, from cape Henlopen to, cape Cod.
Such conflicting claims were very difficult to be adjusted ; however, I find that, on the 15th of November following, the Director-general of New Netherland professed to the Governor of New Haven his "readiness for a fayre and neighbourly com- posure of differences." It appears that he wrote other letters to the Governors of New Haven and Plymouth, desiring a meeting in Connecticut, " not doubting that mutual satisfaction would be given to each other in every respect."
These prospects were all illusory ; for Stuyvesant com- 164S plained next year that the English forbade the Indians of Long Island to sell any land to the Dutch, " notwith- standing," as he says, "the said land" was possessed by the Netherlanders long before any English came there. He further says, that on Connecticut river they have so enclosed and pos- sessed the land that the commissioner of the Dutch and his family cannot live.
On the 10th of September, 1648, the New England commis- sioners, though still subscribing themselves the Governor's loving friends, tell him peremptorily that the traders, whether mariners or merchants, of the Dutch, may expect no more liberty within the English plantations than the English find at the Manhattoes; and that if, " upon search," there is found in any Dutch vessel, within the English jurisdiction, any quantity of powder, shot, &c. " fit for that mischievous trade with the Indians," such merchan- dize shall be seized.
Shortly after this, the commissioners determine that, as the Dutch will not permit their trade with the Indians within the New Netherlands, and charge great customs upon the English vessels, and " force them to anchor in very inconvenient places," they will bar the Dutch from trading with their (the New Englanders') Indians, and "recommend to the several general courts that an-
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THREATS. .
swerable preparations may be made, that either upon his" (the Dutch Governor's) "refusal to answer, or his not giving meet satisfaction, the colonies may seasonably provide for their safety and convenience."
About this time a Dutch trader found it convenient to put him- self under the protection and jurisdiction of the English colonies ; and was in consequence considered by Governor Stuyvesant as a rebel. He had resided at Plymouth, but became a planter of New Haven, and to that harbour ordered a vessel and cargo, pur- chased in Holland, value £2000. Stuyvesant, who asserted the Dutch claim to New Haven, sent and by force seized this vessel and cargo. Westerhowse, the Dutch deserter, demanded of the New England commissioners letters of mark and reprisal upon his countrymen, but they rather thought best to address to the Dutch government a letter, complaining of the trade carried on with In- dians, in selling them powder and shot, in conjunction with the treatment of Mr. Westerhowse. They assert the English right . to the New Haven lands and harbour, and to all the English plan- tations and their appurtenances, from Cape Cod or Point Judith, both on the "mayne," and the islands, as anciently granted by the kings of England to their subjects, and " sence" duly pur- chased from the Indians. They assert the right and title of New Haven colony to certain lands within the Delaware, by the Dutch called the South River, and that it is Stuyvesant's fault that these differences are not adjusted as he did not meet them " at Boston as was propounded and desired," they therefore are constrained to provide for their own safety, and forbid all trade with the Indians for guns, powder and shot, within the limits of any of the United Colonies.
Accordingly they by law prohibit all foreigners, especially French and Dutch, from trading with the Indians within the juris- diction of the United Colonies, as such trade is to their prejudice, because it strengthens and animates " the Indians against them."
Governor Stuyvesant went to Hartford in September 1650 1650, and sent a letter to the commissioners met at that .
place, but the letter having been written in council at Manhattoes, was dated New Netherland ; this the commissioners conceived a bar to further negotiation, as claiming that Hartford was a part of New Netherland, and they so informed the Dutch Governor. He explained and dated from Connecticut. This being satisfactory, they procceded.
Stuyvesant asserted that the English intrusion upon Connec- ticut, or Fresh River, was an injury done to the Dutch; as the West India Company of Amsterdam had bought and paid for the lands in question to " the right proprietors, the native Americans, before any other nation either bought or pretended right there-
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TREATY OF HARTFORD.
unto." 'To this, Edward Hopkins, President, answered that the English right to Connecticut river and said plantations, "hath been often asserted," and is sufficiently known, as the commis- sioners conceive, to English, Dutch and Indians " in these parts ;" and, they, the commissioners, have not heard any thing of weight sufficient to alter their claim.
Other complaints are answered in much the same manner. Stuyvesant in reply, says he has proofs of the first Dutch pur- chase, and seems willing to waive claim to Hartford, but insists on the right of trade with the Indians.
These letters to and fro resulted in appointing delegates, two on each part, who agreed upon and settled the boundaries of the two nations in their colonial possessions in America, by what is called the treaty of Hartford.
Stuyvesant dates his letters from "the house the Hope. on Connecticut, commonly called Fresh River." And Hopkins, president of the congress of commissioners, dates from " Hartford on Connecticut."
By the articles of agreement, dated the 19th day of September 1650, the disputes respecting claims on South river, or Delaware bay and river, are left undetermined; but the boundary line is fixed between the contending colonists on Long Island, " from the westermost part of the Oyster bay, soe and in a strait and direct line to the sea ;" and upon the main land, a line " to begin upon the west side of Greenwich bay, being about four miles from Stanford, and so to run a northerly line twenty miles up into the country, and after as it shall be agreed by the two governments of the Dutch and of New Haven, provided the said line come not with- in ten miles of Hudson's river." The Dutch were likewise to enjoy " all the lands in Hartford that they were actually possessed of; known or sct out by sertayne marks and bounds."*
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. The next year, according to their own statement, cer- 1651 tain inhabitants "of New Haven and Satockett" being " straitened in their respective plantations, and finding this part of the country full"-wishing to " enlarge the bounds of the United Colonies" and also " the limits whereby the gospel might have been carried and spread amongst the Indians in that most southerly part of New England" hired a vessel, and " at least 50" of them sailed in the spring for the Delaware. On their way they touched at New Amsterdam, which place they say they " might have avoided." But it seems that they had some doubts respect- ing the legality or propriety of their voyage, notwithstanding their tender care for the souls of the Indians, for they had provided themselves with a letter from " their honoured Governour" to the
* See Hazard, vol. 2d. p 218. In which work all the documents are to be found.
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ENCOURAGEMENT TO INVADE DELAWARE.
" Dutch Governour," which letter they sent to Stuyvesant by two incssengers. He immediately clapt them under guard, and sent for the master of the vessel that was conveying them, to extend the limits of New England on soil under his government. The skipper and two more of the emigrants appearing, were confined in a private house, as were others that went to commune with them. The governor required " their commission," which he kept; and dismissing the poor people who were straightened in Connecticut, for that the country was too full in the year 1651, he sent them back to New Haven with a promise that if he found any persons intruding upon South River, he would seize their goods and send the adventurers to Holland. All this is stated in a pe- tition from the would-be emigrants to the commissioners, mingled with the usual complaints that the Dutch sold powder and shot to the Indians, and pretended a right to a country "known to belong to Englishmen."
The commissioners declared that the English had their right to the Delaware by patent; and the inhabitants of New Haven to certain tracts of land by purchase from the Indians. A letter was therefore written to " the Dutch Governour," protesting against his injurious proceedings, and requiring satisfaction therefor. They wrote to the New Haven men, saying that they will not enter into immediate hostility with the Dutch, as they " would not seem too quick." But if they should see fit again to attempt the settlement on Delaware, "and for that end, should, at their own charge, transport together, 150, or at least 100, able men, with a meet vessel and ammunition," by " authority of the Magistrates of New Haven ;" then if the Dutch or Swedes oppose them, the commissioners will supply them with such number of soldiers as they, the said commissioners, " shall judge meet."
Having thus encouraged another invasion of South River, and that with arms, ammunition and soldiers, the commissioners wrote again to Stuyvesant, and acknowledged that he had " given notice to those of New Haven," that he would not permit settlements to be made on South River ; but at the same time they protest against the Dutch claim, and complain of the governor's unneighbourly proceedings.
It must be remembered, that these encouragements given by the congress of commissioners to the people of New-Haven, to proceed to actual hostilities against the Dutch, and the promise of support by a body of troops, were made at a time when 1652 the English parliament were triumphant over the Dutch republic ; and these hostile movements were followed up by the charge of a conspiracy entered into by Governor Stuyve- sant, to combine with the Indians in a plan for the destruction or massacre of all the English colonists.
VOL. I. 13
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- ACCUSATION OF CONSPIRACY.
165S
Early in the year 1653, that is, in March, when they meet in congress at Boston, and before the downfall of the rump parliament, the commissioners gravely took into their consideration the rumor of the Dutch " engaging several Indians to cut off the English."
There can be no doubt but the Dutch West India Company had directed Stuyvesant to engage the Indians for the defence of the colony if attacked by the English ; but it is equally certain that the prudent veteran exerted himself strenuously to preserve peace with his powerful neighbours.
On the 19th of May, 1653, while yet the power of England was threatening destruction to the Hollanders, the commissioners of the united English colonies again met at Boston. They sent messengers, furnished with a number of queries to Ninnigreet, a sachem of the Narragansetts, to demand from him whether the Dutch governor had engaged him, or any other of the Narragan- sett Indians, to join with him in fighting the English, or had en- deavoured to form such a league or conspiracy, or had given guns, powder, and lead to the Indians for that purpose ? The commissioners further require of the sachem to come to Boston to answer them. The same queries are put to other sachems. They all deny any such agreement or proposition for engaging them in war with the English. These sachems do not choose to leave home to be examined by the commissioners, but they send four men, whom we may suppose are of their council. In answer to the question why Ninnigreet went to Manhattoes the last winter, these men answer, " to be cured of disease." He having heard of a French physician who could heal him : that he gave wampum to the doctor, and some to the governor, who in return gave him clothing, " but not one gun." But Ninnigreet bought two guns of the Indians at Manhattoes.
This'testimony does not appear to be very conclusive ; but then an Indian of "Road Island" gives information that another Indian heard an Englishman say that the Dutchmen " would cut off the English on Long Island," and that he heard Ninnigreet say that he heard that ships had come from Holland to cut off the English. And Captain Simkins says that the Rhode Island man said that the Dutch had offered him one hundred pounds a year to serve them. There is other testimony of equal importance. A squaw had sent word to the people of Weathersfield " to take care of themselves, for the Dutch and Indians had confederated to cut them off."
Upon this the commissioners drew up a declaration which may be seen in full in Hazard's state papers, detailing former, griev- ances, and accusing Stuyvesant of this conspiracy to destroy them all.
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OF WITCHCRAFT.
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'They complain that the people of New Haven, having built a village, called Stanford, Kicft, in 1642, did challenge the place and set up the prince of Orange's arms there, which the English tore down. Then they complain, of Kieft's protest respecting Delaware bay, and of a variety of the acts and intentions of the late governor.
They then speak of the disputes concerning Fresh, or Connec- ticut river, and in the eleventh article they arrive at the atrocities of Stuyvesant. He had in 1647, still claimed and excercised his authority within the English limits, and above all, had furnished the Indians with guns, powder, and lead. They affirm the right to settle on the Delaware, and complain of Stuyvesant's prohibi- tions in 1651. Then comes the charge of treachery and cruelty, and they are presented in colours of blood against the Dutch gov- ernor. " By many concurrent and strong testimonies," the Dutch are charged with warring upon the English in Europe ; and Stuy- vesant is accused, upon this undoubted testimony, with having engaged the Indians to massacre the English on Long Island and New England. Nay, he was going to poison and bewitch them. Certain Indians said that Ninnigreet had employed an " artist"' to exercise his art upon the English, and (as is implied,) render them powerless by drugs and witchery : but Uncas, the friend of the English, discovered the conjurer, and having seized, slew him. Another proof of Stuyvesant's guilt is, that " the Indians praise the Dutch and contemn the English :" and that Ninnigreet hath brought " wild fier from the Dutch," and had ordered his people to procure ammunition and promised them plenty of rum ; further, that all the Indians grow insolent to the English-that the Dutch have threatened the English with " East India breakfast"-and then the Amboyna affair is lugged in. The commissioners go on to say, that an Indian Sagamore on Long Island says so and so ; and so and so an Indian squaw in Connecticut ; that the Indians of Long Island charge the plot upon the Dutch fiscal, and Captain Underhill told the fiscal of it, and was therefor "fetched from Flushing by the fiscal with a guard of soldiers, and confined to the Manhattoes, till the relation he made at Hempstead was af- firmed to his face ; then without tryal or hearing, he was dismissed. and all his charges borne." Other Indian testimonies, and parti- cularly that of nine sagamores living near Manhattoes, who had affirmed that the Dutch had promised them guns, ammunition, and clothing, if they would cut off the English. The declaration con- cludes in terms disclaiming trust in the sincerity of the Dutch governor's professions, and still more those of his fiscal; and the belief of the commissioners that Stuyvesant would only make a treaty with them until he has an opportunity to do them mis- chief, " as the state of affairs either in Europe, betwixt the com-
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DEPUTIES.
monwealth of England and the Netherlands, or heer, betwixt the Colonies and the Dutch," may guide him.
This declaration, however,'" exercised" some of the commis- sioners, and the Massachusetts delegates advised that the Dutch . governor may have an opportunity given him to answer for him- self " before, what was considered by them as, a Declaration of War."
Governor Stuyvesant wrote to the governors of Massachusetts and New Haven in April, denying " the plot charged," and offer- ing " to come or send to clear himself," and desiring " some may be deputed thither to consider and examine what may be charged, and his answers." Accordingly Mr. Francis Newman, a magis- trate of New Haven, and Lt. Davis, of Boston, were sent, with a commission and instructions, in form of a writing addressed " to the right worshipful Peter Stuyvesant, Governor and General of the Dutch Province ; and to Monsieur Montaigne, and to Captain Newton, two of the Counsell for N. Netherland."
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