USA > New York > History of the state of New York Vol I > Part 59
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Upon receiving intelligence of the "infamous surrender" 1654. of their Fort Casimir, the Amsterdam directors immedi- 16 Nov. Orders for the recov- ately ordered Stuyvesant to "exert every nerve to avenge ery of Fort that injury, not only by restoring affairs to their former Casimir. situation, but by driving the Swedes from every side of the river." Two armed ships, the King Solomon and the Great Christopher, were put into commission ; the drum was " beaten daily" in the streets of Amsterdam for volun- teers ; and orders were given for the instant arrest of Bik- ker, who had " aeted in his office very unfaithfully, yea, treacherously." The next week the directors again wrote 23 Nov. that they hardly knew whether they were " more aston- ished at the audacious enterprise of the Swedes in taking our fort on the South River, or at the cowardly surrender of it by our commander, which is nearly insufferable ;" and Stuyvesant was directed to send over authenticated copies of all documents relating to that oeeurrenee, and to the Duteh title to the territory.
The proceedings of the municipal authorities of New
* Hol. Doc., vii., 108-174 ; Alb. Rec., iv., 177, 187 ; Thurloe, ii., 638 ; iii., 477 ; Bever- ninck, 612, 689, 693 ; S. Hazard, Ann. Penn., 172.
Negotiation
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CH. XVII. Amsterdam respecting the excise were at the same time severely criticised. Stuyvesant was reproved for not hav- ing "made use of his authority," and was instructed to en- force the collection of taxes for the benefit of the company even against the will of the people, " so that these men shall no longer indulge themselves in the visionary dream that contributions can not be levied without their consent."
The next spring, the directors commended Stuyvesant's " prudence" in arresting Elswyck's vessel and cargo, but "expressed their "small contentment" that he had under- taken his voyage to the West Indies without their "knowl- edge or approbation." A large, vessel of thirty-six guns, "the Vigilance," was also chartered from the burgomas- ters of Amsterdam, and added to the squadron already 26 May. Expedition Swedes. sent to New Netherland. Besides dispatching this force, against the the directors renewed their instructions to the provincial government to engage vessels at Manhattan, compelling, if necessary, the owners and schippers to submission, as "no excuse nor private interests can be admitted." At the same time, the orders of November were somewhat modi- fied, and Stuyvesant was directed to allow the Swedes "to hold the land on which Fort Christina is built, with a garden to cultivate the tobacco, because it appears that they made this purchase with the previous consent of the company, provided said Swedes will conduct themselves as good subjects of our government."*
26 May. Letter to the burgo- masters of New Am- sterdam.
A special dispatch was also addressed to the burgomas- ters and schepens of New Amsterdam, enjoining submis- sion, and announcing that as they had applied a part of the excises which had been granted them in paying an agent to Holland, and in other private affairs, "to the in- jury and discontent of the company," that revenue should now be restored to the provincial treasury.t
The purpose of Stuyvesant's voyage to the West Indies had, meanwhile, been entirely defeated through Crom- well's jealous policy. A few days before the director sailed
* Alb. Rec., iv., 157-159, 163, 168, 180, 186, 191, 193 ; O'Call., ii., 284 ; S. Hazard, Ann. Penn., 168-170, 178, 179. + New Amst. Rec., ii., 172-174 ; Alb. Roc., viii., 125.
1654. 23 Nov. Taxation at New Am- sterdam to be en- forced. 1655. 26 April.
603
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR GENERAL.
from Manhattan, commissioners were appointed, "under CH. XVII. the broad seal of England," for the management of British affairs in the West Indies. These commissioners, on their 1655. arrival, laid an embargo upon all the shipping they found ; and eight Dutch vessels, including the three which Stuy- vesant had brought from New Netherland, were seized 17 Feb. at Barbadoes, notwithstanding " the islanders" there did in the West Stuyvesant " much desire commerce with strangers." Stuyvesant at- Indies. tempted " to plead the cause of his countrymen ;" but the English, who were more in fear that he should discover 16 March. their weakness " than all the world besides," continued the embargo, and " spoiled the sport" of a " fair trade." After several months delay, finding the English inexora- ble, the disappointed director succeeded in leaving Barba- does, and returned to New Amsterdam about the middle il July. of the summer .*
Stuyvesant lost no time in executing the orders of his superiors to reduce the Swedes. As both he and Coun- selor La Montagne were unwell, Vice-director De Sille and 16 August. Fiscal Van Tienhoven were appointed to superintend the tions Prepara- against the preparations, in conjunction with " the valiant Frederick Swedes. De Koninek," captain of the flag-ship " The Balance." The twenty-fifth day of August was solemnly set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, " to implore the only bountiful God that it may please him to bless the projected enter- prise, undertaken only for the greater security, extension, and consolidation of this province, and to render it pros- perous and successful, to the glory of his name." An in- vitation was given " to any individuals loving the increase, 19 August. welfare, and security of this now flourishing province of Enlist- New Netherland," to enlist in the expedition at reasona- ments. ble wages, with a promise that all the wounded should re- ceive " due compensation." Proper pilots were engaged ; 24 August. each ship in harbor was required to furnish two men, and supplies of ammunition and provisions ; and three North River yachts were chartered. A French privateer, L'Es- perance, which had just arrived at New Amsterdam, was 31 August.
* Thurloe, iii., 16, 142, 251; iv., 634 ; O'Call., ii., 285.
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CH. XVII. also engaged for the expedition. The question whether
1655. the Jewish residents should be enlisted was decided by
Jews taxed. declaring them exempt, and by levying instead a tax of sixty-five stuyvers a month upon all between sixteen and sixty years of age .*
5 Sept. On the first Sunday in September, "after the sermon," the expedi- the squadron of seven vessels, with a force on board of be- Sailing of tion. tween six and seven hundred men, set sail for the South River. Stuyvesant commanded the expedition in person, and was accompanied by Vice-director De Sille and Dom- ine Megapolensis. The next afternoon they anchored be- fore Fort Elsingburg, which was in ruins and deserted. Here the squadron was reviewed, and divided into five 10 Sept. sections. Wind and tide being propitious, on Friday morn- ing the Dutch sailed up just beyond Fort Casimir, and landed their forces. ' Stuyvesant instantly dispatched En- sign Smit, with a drummer, toward the fort, "to claim the direct restitution of our own property." Swen Schute, the Swedish commandant, though re-enforced from Fort Christina, now asked permission to communicate with Ri- sing. This was refused; the passes between Fort Casimir and Fort Christina were occupied by fifty Dutch soldiers ; and the Swedes were twice summoned to surrender. A delay till early the next morning was "humbly suppli- cated," and granted by the director, because his batteries 11 Sept. Surrender of Fort Casimir. were not quite ready. When morning came, Schute, see- ing the folly of further resistance, went on board the Bal- ance, and signed a capitulation with Stuyvesant. The Swedes were allowed to remove all the artillery belonging to the crown ; twelve men, with their full arms and ac- coutrements, were to march out of the fort with the com- mandant, as his life-guard, and the rest with their side arms only ; and the officers were to retain their personal property. About noon the Dutch troops, "with flying col- ors," marched into the fort. Some thirty of the Swedes immediately submitted themselves to the government of New Netherland, and asked to be sent to Manhattan. The
* Alb. Rec., xi., 28-42 ; New Amst. Rec., ii., 177 ; S. Hazard, Ann. Penn., 179-182.
605
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR GENERAL.
next day being Sunday, Domine Megapolensis preached a CH. XVII. sermon to the troops ; and Stuyvesant dispatched an account of his success to the council at Fort Amsterdam, with di- 1655. 12 Sept. reetions for the appointment of a day of thanksgiving.
Finding that he was also to be attacked, Rising en- deavored to strengthen his position at Fort Christina. In 15 Sept. a few days, the Duteh forces established a battery on the tina invest- Fort Chris- opposite bank of the Christina Creek ; and taking posses- ed. sion of the " Third Hook," they invested the Swedish fort on all sides. The ships were anchored at the mouth of the Brandywine ; and Stuyvesant demanded of Rising "either to evacuate the country, or to remain there under Dutch protection." The Swedes, however, determined to hold out ; and the Duteh forees pillaged the people outside of the fort. At length, the garrison beginning to show 23 Sept. signs of mutiny, a parley was held. The next day the 24 Sept. Dutch guns were brought into battery, and a drummer summoned the Swedish fort to surrender within twenty- four hours. The following morning, artieles of capitula- 25 Sept. tion were signed "on the paved place," between the Swed- of Fort Surrender ish fort and the Dutch eamp, by Stuyvesant and Rising ; Christina the Swedes marehed out "with their arms, colors flying, matches lighted, drums beating, and fifes playing ; and the Dutch took possession of the fort, hauled down the Swedish flag, and hoisted their own."
According to the terms of the surrender, private prop- Terms of erty was to be respected, and such of the Swedes as wish- tion. capitula- ed to leave the country might do so. Those that remained were to enjoy religious freedom, and a minister to instruct them in the Augsburg doetrine, upon condition of swear- ing allegiance to the Dutch authorities. It was also stip- ulated that Rising and Elswyek should be landed either in England or Franee, and that three hundred pounds Flemish should be advanced to Rising, upon the security of the goods and effects at Fort Christina. In obedience to the instructions of the West India Company, Stuyve- sant, immediately after the surrender, offered to restore Fort Christina to the Swedes, " on honorable and reason-
606
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CH. XVII. ble terms." But this offer was declined by Rising, who preferred to adhere to the capitulation.
1655.
Thus fell the Swedish power on the South River. The bloodless campaign was achieved by the largest army and the most powerful squadron that had ever gone into action in North America. Resistance would have been absurd. After a distinct existence of a little more than seventeen years, New Sweden reverted to New Netherland. A proc- 25 Sept. Establish- Dutch pow- er on the South Riv- er. lamation was immediately issued, granting permission to ment of the all who were disposed to remain, upon condition of their taking an oath of allegiance ; and some twenty Swedes availed themselves of the offer. Two of the Lutheran cler- gymen on the river were sent back to Sweden; but Lo- kenius was retained to instruct the Swedes and Finns, two hundred of whom were living a few miles up the river, above Fort Christina. One of the motives for what Mega- polensis thought "too easy" terms in the capitulation was, that the Dutch had no Reformed preacher who understood the language of the Swedes to establish there. Another was the intelligence that trouble had broken out at Man- hattan with the Indians, "and men required quick dis- patch" to repair matters there. Leaving Ensign Dirck Smit as temporary commandant on the South River, Stuy- vesant hastened back to Fort Amsterdam .*
Ten years had passed away since Kieft's treaty at Fort Amsterdam, during which interval the relations between the Dutch and the savages had generally been friendly. A new provocation now roused the red man to vengeance. Van Dyck, the superseded schout-fiscal, having killed a squaw whom he had detected in stealing some peaches from his garden, her tribe burned to avenge her death. The neighboring savages shared in the sentiment; and aware of the absence of the Dutch forces, they resolved to attack their defenseless settlements. A party of Mahi- cans, Pachamis, Esopus Indians, Hackinsacks, and Tap-
* Alb. Rec., x., 134 ; xiii., 348-361 ; Hol. Doc., viii., 49, 108-116 ; ii., N. Y. H. S. Coll., i., 109, 418, 443-448 ; Doc. Hist. N. Y., iii., 105; Acrelius ; Lambrechtsen, 69 ; Ferris, 87-105; Bancroft, ii., 297 ; O'Call., ii., 286-289 ; S. Hazard, Ann. Penn., 183-197 ; Lond Doc., iv., 171; N. Y. Col. MSS., iii., 343.
1
607
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR GENERAL.
pans, with some others from Stamford and Onkeway, sup- CH. XVII. posed to number nineteen hundred, of whom from five to eighteen hundred were armed, suddenly appeared before 1655. 15 Sept. Indian in- vasion of New Am- sterdam. New Amsterdam in sixty-four canoes. Landing before the break of day, they scattered themselves through the streets, while most of the inhabitants were yet asleep; and, under the pretense of searching for "Indians from the north," broke into several houses. The council, the city magistrates, and some of the principal inhabitants, assem- bling in Fort Amsterdam, called the chief sachems before them, and made them promise to leave Manhattan at sun- set, and pass over to Nutten Island. But when evening " came the savages broke their word. Van Dyck was shot with an arrow in the breast, and Van der Grist was struck
down with an axe. The town was instantly aroused ; and the soldiers and the burgher guard, sallying from Fort Am- sterdam, attacked the Indians and drove them to their ca- noes. Passing over to the Jersey shore, the savages laid Hoboken, waste Hoboken and Pavonia, and killed or captured most and State. Pavonia, of the inhabitants. Staten Island, where ninety colonists waste. were cultivating eleven flourishing bouweries, was deso- lated. In three days one hundred of the Dutch inhabit- ants were killed, one hundred and fifty were taken pris- oners, and three hundred more ruined in estate. Twenty- eight bouweries, besides several plantations, were destroy- ed ; and the colonists computed their damages at two hund- red thousand guilders.
Again terror seized the land. Most of the farmers fled to Manhattan as to a city of refuge. The English villages Long Is !- on Long Island sent word that the savages had threatened and. to kill the Dutch who lived there. Lady Moody's house at Gravesend was again attacked. The few families who Esopus de- had settled themselves at Esopus abandoned their farms serted. in alarm. Even Manhattan itself was not secure. Prowl- Manhat- ing bands of savages wandered over the island, destroying tan. all that came in their way. "As the citizens were reluct- ant to go a great distance from the fort," ten Frenchmen were enrolled to guard the house and family of the absent
Island laid
608
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CH. XVII. director ; and an express was sent to the South River to call Stuyvesant immediately home to New Amsterdam.
1655. 12 October. Stuyve- sant's re- turn.
The return of the energetic director revived the spirits of the colonists. Soldiers were sent to the neighboring settlements ; the ships in port were detained ; and such of their passengers as could bear arms were forbidden to leave the province " until it should please God to change the Prompt measures aspect of affairs." Those who protested were fined, and for defense. bid to "possess their souls in patience." All persons were forbidden to go into the country without special permis- sion, nor unless in sufficient numbers to secure their safe- ty. To prevent the savages from scaling the wall, a plank " curtain" was built, and upward of six thousand guilders were assessed upon and contributed by "the merchants, traders, schippers, factors, passengers, and citizens gener- ally," to pay the expense.
The savages finding the captives a burden, now sent back Pos, the superintendent at Staten Island, with proposals 17 October for their ransom ; and a few days afterward, the chief of the Hackinsacks liberated fourteen of his prisoners, asking for some powder and ball in return. Stuyvesant imme- diately sent the chief a present of ammunition and two In- 21 October. dians in exchange. Twenty-eight more "Christians" were Prisoners ransomed. brought back, and a message that others would be restor- ed for a proper ransom. It was not, however, the red man's practice to exchange prisoners ; and no Europeans 26 October. would be given up for Indians. Several more captives were soon ransomed by a stipulated payment in powder 25 Sept. Sympathy commis- sioners. and lead. The commissioners of the United Colonies in of the N. E. session at New Haven, hearing that the savages had taken many Dutch prisoners, agreed to send "two or three meet messengers to endeavor their redemption." But news coming that " the worst was passed," and that the Dutch were in treaty with the Indians, the commissioners "ceased any further prosecution."*
Rising now coming to New Amsterdam, on his return
* Alb. Rec., iv., 218; viii., 158; x., 133-165; New Amst. Rec., ii., 216-225; Relation, 1655-6, 11 ; Hazard, ii., 336 ; O'Call., ii., 290-294 ; Thompson's L. I., ii., 173 ; ante, p. 525.
609
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR GENERAL.
to Europe, charged Stuyvesant with a breach of the capit- CH. XVII. ulation on the South River. The director vindicated him- 1655. self with dignity and effect. A few days afterward, the 24 October.
Return of
late governor of New Sweden embarked with his suite in Rising. two vessels of the West India Company ; and, landing at 3 Nov. Plymouth, he communicated the recent occurrences to the 26 Dec. Swedish minister at London.
ganized on
A subordinate government was immediately organized 29 Nov. on the South River. John Paul Jacquet, who had been in ment or- Govern- the company's service at Brazil, was commissioned as vice- the South director ; Andries Hudde was made secretary and survey- River. or ; and Elmerhuysen Klein was adjoined as counselor. These three officers, with two of the " most expert free- men," were to form the Court of Civil Justice. Fort Cas- imir, now regaining its original name, was to be the seat of government, above which no trading vessels were to go. The Swedes were to be closely watched, and if any should be found disaffected, they were to be sent away " with all imaginable civility," and, if possible, be induced to come to Manhattan. The vice-director was also required to 3 Dec. " maintain and protect the Reformed religion, as it is learned and taught in this country, in conformity to the word of God and the Synod of Dordrecht, and to promote it as far as his power may extend."
On reaching the South River, Jacquet found that the 18 Dec. whole population consisted of only about a dozen families. vice-di-
Jacquet Poliee regulations were immediately adopted ; and Fort rector. Casimir, on a survey, was found to be in very " disrupted 25 Dec. and tottering condition." A deputation of the neighbor- ing sachems soon visited the new vice-director, and a lib- eral commercial treaty was arranged, with the assistance 29 Dec. of the inhabitants. In the absence of a Dutch elergyman, Lokenius, the Lutheran minister at Christina, occasion- ally came down to Fort Casimir to conduct divine service .*
The vessels which conveyed Rising, carried out, also, a October. " simple and true narrative" of the recent Indian troubles,
* Alb. Rec., x., 135-146, 173, 186-191, 399, 403-407 ; xi., 127-133; xiii., 345-367 ; Hol. Doc., viii., 1, 16 ; S. Hazard, Ann. Penn., 197-208.
Q Q
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1655. Assistance asked from Holland.
10 Nov.
CH. XVII. in the form of a petition to the States General, the West India Company, and the city government of Amsterdam. The defenseless condition of the country was explained, and assistance was earnestly implored. In the mean time, the popular mind was ill at ease; and Stuyvesant took the opinions of his council respecting the propriety of a war with the Indians, the best means to recover the Dutch who still remained prisoners among the Weckquaes- geeks and the Highland tribes, and the replenishment of the treasury, which had been exhausted by the South River expedition and the ransom of the Christian captives. The only counselor in favor of war was Van Tienhoven. Stuyvesant himself, attributing the recent outbreak to the rashness of a few "hot-headed individuals," thought a Precaution- war inexpedient. The people should rather reform them-
ary meas- ures pro- posed.
selves, abate all irregularities, and promote the settlement of villages with proper defenses. A block-house should be built at Hackinsack, and another at Weckquaesgeek, and all armed Indians should be excluded from the settle- ments of the Europeans. To raise a fund for the redemp- tion of the remaining captives, he proposed an increase of the taxes on lands, houses, and liquors ; as, in his judg- ment, the luxurious habits, and high wages common in the province did not argue an inability to contribute for the public service, but " rather a malevolent unwilling- ness, arising from an imaginary liberty in a new, and, as some pretend, a free country." But the council, in view of the condition of the province, resisted any addition to the direct taxes. The excise, however, was increased ; that of New Amsterdam was farmed out, for a year, at five thousand and thirty guilders, and that of Beverwyck, including Rensselaerswyck, Katskill, and Esopus, at two thousand and thirteen. A delegation from the Long Isl- and Indians now visited Manhattan, declaring that, since the general peace of 1645, they had done the Dutch no harm, " not even to the value of a dog." They had been twelve years at war with the enemies of the Hollanders ; and they now sent a bundle of wampum as a token of the
Excises farmed out.
27 Nov. Long Isl- and In- dians peaceful.
t
611
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR GENERAL.
friendship of the Eastern chiefs. The River Indians, nev- CH .; XVII. ertheless, continuing sullen, kept the captive Christians as pledges to seeure them from the vengeance of the Dutch .* 1655.
The elose of this year was marked by a new display of Stuyvesant's imperious character. Through all their so- cial and political trials, the Dutch colonists had preserved their hereditary elasticity of spirit; and bringing with them the cheerful habits of their nation, they naturally desired to enjoy in New Netherland the pastimes in which they had joined at "Pinekster" and other holidays in Holland. But the severe direetor would not tolerate within his govern- ment those frivolities which, in the Fatherland, werc " look- ed at through the fingers." An ordinance was according- 31 Dec. ly published, deelaring that " from this time forth, within and May- New Year this province of New Netherland, on New Year, or May- prohibited. day sports days, there shall be no firing, nor planting of May-poles, nor any beating of drums, nor treating," under penalty of twelve guilders for the first offense, double for the second, and " arbitrary correction" for the third.t
On his way from Quebec to the Mohawk country, the September. Jesuit Father Le Moyne visited Beverwyck, where he was Moyne at Father Le hospitably received by the Dutch colonists and by De Deek- wyck. Bever-
er, the new viee-director. The Mohawks welcomed the Visits the Canadian missionary to their castles; and the gentle spirit Mohawks. of Christianity secmed at last to have won that warlike na- tion to peace with the French.
News of the outbreak of the Indians around Manhattan October. soon reached Fort Orange ; and the authorities, alarmed ance be- New allı- lest the Iroquois might make common cause with their red Dutch and tween the brethren at the South, prudently renewed the ancient al- hawks. the Mo- liance between the Dutch and the Mohawks. The next 18 Nov. month, a hundred warriors of that tribe visited Fort Or- ange, to announce that they were about to attack the Hu- rons, and to ask the Dutch to remain neutral. At the same time, they complained that they were not treated as hos- pitably at Fort Orange as the Hollanders were at the Mo-
* Alb. Rec., x., 139-142 ; 150-173 ; Heemstede Rec., i., 25; O'Call., ii., 296-298.
t New Amsterdam Rec., i., 36, 407 ; ii., 299.
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CH. XVII. hawk castles; and that for the most trifling repairs to their
guns they were obliged to pay in wampum. This was not
1655. The Dutch and the Mohawks.
treating them as brethren. The Dutch authorities prom- ised neutrality, and explained that their people visited the Mohawk country only in small numbers; if their red breth- ren would observe a similar rule, they would be handsome- ly entertained at Beverwyck. The Hollanders earned their own bread ; and, as they were accustomed to receive the rewards of labor, their Mohawk brothers should not com- plain at being treated as the Christians treated each other. These explanations were satisfactory ; and the red men, laying their wampum belts at the feet of the Dutch, re- ceived presents of powder and lead, "with their customary barbarous applaudings," and departed in great joy.
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