USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 30
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The commissioners of the United Colonies being convened at Boston, in Massachusetts, wrote on the sixteenth of June, 1647, a letter of congratulation to Mr. Stuyvesant. In this they say, " some things have been presented to us, which we shall present to you for your consideration. We have been informed of a dangerous liberty taken by many of your people in selling guns, powder, shot, and other instruments of war to the natives, not only at your fort Au- rania (Orange ;) but at Long Island, on Connecticut river, and other places within the English jurisdiction." And though you may have laws to suppress so mischievous a trade; yet so strong is the temptation by an excessive gain, that without constant care, and severe execution, the inconvenience cannot be removed."
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On the 6th of September, 1648, the commissioners addressed another letter from Plymouth.
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" It is now more than a year," they say, " since we wrote to you, under a desire of confirming, and perpetuating the peace between the English and Dutch plantations."
"They repeat what they had said in their former letter, in rela- tion to selling guns &c. at Orania (Aurania,) and other places within, as they alleged, the English jurisdiction." We say, they " have considered your claim to all the lands, rivers, streams, &c. from Cape Henlopen to Cape Cod, with your protest and letter, dated October 12th, 1647 : we have also seen divers letters, which you have sent to New Haven, together with the answers to' August 2Sth, 1648 ; old style. By all of which, we find much cause of meeting to adjust the differences."
We are not in possession of sundry letters : nor is it likely that they are extant, that Mr. Stuyvesant wrote to the commissioners of Massachusetts bay, Plymouth, and New Haven, in relation to the differences concerning boundaries, territory, and property ; but it appears from the preceding, that he had wrote, and that he had pro- posed to them a meeting on Connecticut river, in order to settle the differences, establish boundaries, and transact such other business as might concern the respective colonies.
The commissioners of Plymouth in their letters in answer, say, " you desire, that yourself, and some of the English may be dele- gated to adjudicate past actions, reconcile the present differences, and prevent all future occasion of contention."
Again they say, " if you meet in the spring with the governor of Massachusetts and Plymouth, you hope that a reconciliation and adjustment may be made." Hazzard's C. S. P.
The answer of Stuyvesant was given in September, or October of the same year ; but it seems not to have been preserved : our knowledge of it is derived therefore from communications made by the commissioners of Plymonth and Massachusetts. In one of these they say, " we wrote to you in the month of September 1643, on sundry particulars, in respect to an adjustment of the dif- ferencs between us, and obtained your answer; but in it, you are altogether silent concerning the dangerous trade carried on between your people, and the natives at Aurania, and other places, in guns, warlike munitions, &c."
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" We assert," say they, " the English title and just right both to the New Haven lands, and harbor, and to all the English plantations from Cape Cod, or point Judith, both on the main, and the islands which are possessed by the English, as anciently granted by our sovereign to his subjects, and since duly purchased from the Abor- gines ; and peaceably planted by the inhabitants of the United Colo- nies." .
" We have perused the letters which you sent, both to the go- vernor of Massachusetts, and Plymouth, concerning Delaware bay, and the lands thereabouts, claimed by the people of New Haven." The foregoing was dated at the town of Boston, August 6th, 1649, old style. Hazzard's C .S. P.
The preliminaries for a congress, or meeting, being adjusted ; Governor Stuyvesant, repaired in the month of September, 1650, to Good Hope (Hartford,) on Connecticut river, where he inet the commissioners of the confederate colonies of New England. After having had some conferences with them, Mr. Stuyvesant, on the 23d day of September, in the same month, presented a written statement of the matters in dispute. He informed them, that he had been led to do this, to the end that be might be better enabled to render an account to the High and Mighty States General of the United Belgic provinces, and the honorable Lords Bewinthebbers, of the West India Company. In regard to the statement, it contains little or nothing of interest, beyond encroachments by the English planters. We shall, however, make an abstract of the substantial part.
In the first place, it sets out the wrongs and injuries done to their High Mightiness, and the honourable West India Company, by certain of the English planters, by their unjust usurpation and their possessing the lands lying along Connecticut river, or the Fresh River, being the lands which the company had bought of the original proprietors, and paid for, before any other nation had either bought or pretended right thereunto, for which a full surrender, and satisfac- tion were now required."
In the second place, " it proposed, in order to end the disputes, that a provisional boundary be fixed, and that a written statement be sent to their superiors for ratification."
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On the same day, Edward Hopkins, the president of Hartford. in the name of the commissioners, addressed a note to Mr. Stuy- vesant, signifying their unwillingness to treat, because the proposi- tions made by his excellency, were dated at New Netherlands, not at Hartford.
On the following day, Mr. 'Stuyvesant, by a note informed Mr. Hopkins, that he did not think this a sufficient ground to break off the conferences ; but to remove every objection, he would for the future forbear to style it New Netherlands, if he would not style it Hartford in New England, and that he would date his letters at Connecticut in New Netherlands. To this, Mr. Hopkins assented, and returned an answer to the propositions of Mr. Stuyvesant.
The commissioners in this, asserted the right of the English to Connecticut river, with all the plantations and lands upon, or about the same. That evidence was necessary to show whether the English had made encroachments, or not, upon the pretended rights of the states of the United Provinces."
"By what rules the traders, whether of Aurania, or Springfield walk, they did not enquire. That trade was free, and that mer- chants attended to their own interests." Hazzard's C. S. P.
The commissioners, although the government of the United Co- lonies had frequently complained of the Dutch selling guns, powder, and hatchets, to the Indians ; seemed unwilling on the pre- present occasion, to take the subject up.
The parties had now come to an issue. The Dutch, claimed ti- tle to the whole country watered by Connecticut river and its de- pendent branches. The English claimed the same country. Mr. . Stuyvesant proposed to refer all disputes whether in regard to boundaries or to individuals to four referees to be appointed by the parties. To this proposition the New England commissioners ac- ceeded.
The [ Dutch at this time had a small garrison at," Good Hope. Both the Dutch and English had magistrates who exercised juris- diction over their respective people. This appears in the corres- pondence.
The commissioners of the United Colonies appointed Messrs. Simon Bradstreet and Thomas Prentice referees on their part, while
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Mr. Stuyvesant appointed Messrs. Thomas Willett and George Baxter, on the part of the New Netherlands. The appointments were made on the 28th of September, 1650. Full powers were given to the referees to hear, adjudge, and determine every thing in controversy.
The referees met immediately after and made a report, which embraced most of the disputed matters. The following abstracts in relation to boundaries and limits are the only things which can interest the reader.
" Concerning the boundaries and limits betwixt the English Uni- ted Colonies and the Dutch province of New Netherlands, we agree and determine as followeth :"-
1. " That upon Long Island a line run from the westermost part of Oyster Bay, so and in a straight and direct line to the sea shall be the bounds between the English and the Dutch there : the eas- terly part to belong to the English the westermost to the Dutch."
" The bounds upon the main to begin at the west side of Green- wich bay, 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 governinents of the Dutch and of New Haven, provided the said line come not within ten miles of Hudson's river."
2. " And it is agreed that the Dutch shall not at at any time hereafter build any house or habitation within six miles of the said line. The inhabitants of Greenwich to remain till further consid- eration thereof be had, under the government of the Dutch."
3. " That the Dutch shall hold all the lands in Hartford, that they are actually possessed of, known or set out by certain marks and . bounds, and all the remainder of the said lands on both sides of Con- necticut river to be and remain to the English there.,'
. 4. " And it is agreed that the aforesaid bounds and, limits both · upon the island and main shall be observed and kept inviolate both by the English of the United Colonies, and all the nation, without any encroachment or molestation, until a full and final determina- tion be agreed upon in Europe by the mutual consent of the tivo states of England and Holland." Hazzard's C. S. P.
At this meeting the referces had some conversation in relation to a union, friendship and amity between the English and Dutch col- onies, against the Indians and others ; but the further consideration
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of this matter was postponed to the next yearly meeting of the com- missioners.
From the tenor of this conversation, and the correspondence be- tween the Dutch and English colonists, there seems to have been . an understanding between the leading men in respect to the course to be pursued with the aborigines. Both were suspicious of tiens, and viewed them at best but as dangerous friends. They knew the natives looked on them as intruders upon their ancient domains. In no instance did the colonists of either of these nations excite the natives to take up arms against the other. Nor is there an instance of their furnishing aids. The pursuits of the Dutch and Englis !! were nearly alike. Their interests were very much alike. The people of both najions were bent on commerce and colonization. A vast field was opened to enterprise and industry. Each strove to monopolize the fur trade, which was extremely 'lucrative. Nor were they very scrupulous as to the means used. In general, they overeached the Indians in every bargain. Every species of inge- nuity which the human mind could devise was called into requisi- tion. The Indians were extremely ignorant ; consequently they were outdid in all their bargains, whether with the one or the other. Their lands they either sold for small sums, or ceded gratuitously. Witness how easily the settlers obtained permission to erect forts and trading houses on their very arrival ; and how readily they ob- tained extravagant grants for nominal sums.
The Swedes and Fins had settled on both sides of Delaware bay and river in the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, (then portions of the New Netherlands) as early as the year 1627. These being joined by more of their countrymen, who came from time to time, made encroachments upon the Dutch in those parts.
The governor, Mr. Stuyvesant, being alarmed, adopted measures to put a stop to those encroachments. In 1651, he caused a fort to be built on Delaware river, where Newcastle now stands, which he called Casimer. A Swedish ship, about this time, arrived in Rariton river, through the mistake of Deswyck the captain. Mr. Stuyvesant, upon intelligence of this, ordered it to be seized and brought into New Amsterdam.
The Swedes like other nations who had made discoveries and
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planted colonies laid claim to part of the North American continent. . When the Dutch were constructing fort Casimer and forming an . establishment there, Printz, the Swedish governor, protested form- ally against the works and the encroachments, and claimed the country for Sweden. Mr. Risingh, his successor, not long after, under the disguise of friendship, came before the fortress of Casi- mir fired two salutes, and landed with thirty men, who were enter- tained by the commandant as friends ; but Risingh had no sooner discovered the weakness of the garrison than he made himself mas- ter of it ;1 seizing also upon all the ammunition houses and other ef- fects of the West India Company, and compelling several of the "people to swear allegiance to Christina, queen of Sweden. See 1 , Smith's Hist. N. Y.
In September, 1651, sundry of the inliabitants of New Haven pre- sented a petition to the commissioners of the United Colonies, con- . vened at that place. In this, among other things, they alleged that several merchants had purchased of the native Sagamores (chiefs) and their companions several large tracts of land 'on both sides of Delaware bay and river, and that they had begun to build and set up factories for trade, and had purposed to make plantations : but that they had been prevented by the Dutch and Swedes, in their works, and compelled by force to leave the country. That in con- sequence of the proceedings had the year before at Hartford, they, to the number of about fifty, had set out for Delaware river for the purpose of recommencing the works they had been obliged to aban- don in preceding times ; and that on their way thither they were stopped at Manhattoes, (New Amsterdam) by the Dutch governor, and detained until they engaged under their hands not to proceed on their voyage. Ilazzare's C. S. P.
The commissioners, after having taken the petition into consider- ation, among other conclusions, came to the following : to wit.
" That the English right by patent, the rights of the merchants and other inhabitants of New Haven, to certain tracts of land named in the petition were indubitable." " That they would write to Mr. Stuyvesant, the governor of the New Netherlands, and protest against his proceedings, assert the English right to the lands, and demand reparation for the injuries done," &c. They also gave it
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as their opinion, " that the petitioners were premature in their at- attempts to form settlements on Delaware bay and river. That if, however, they should think proper to commence plantations there they were at liberty to do so, at any time within twelve months ; and : might embark to the number of one hundred and fifty : and that in case the Dutch and Swedes offered any opposition, while they were peaceably carrying on their avocations, the commissioners would send a sufficient detachment of soldiers to protect their persons and properties." Hazzard's C. S. P.
The Commissioners wrote a letter to governor Stuyvesant, con- cerning the lands on Delaware river and bay, and concerning the detention of the ship and their people at Manhattoes. In their let- ter they " asserted the right of the English to those lands, and pro- tested against his entering upon them, or throwing impediments in the way of the people of New Haven." Hazzard's, C. S. P.
The right to the lands about Delaware bay, and on Delaware ri- ver according to the maxims of the European nations was clearly in the Dutch. They had discovered and explored the bay and river long before the English came into those parts : and had taken pos- session in the name of their sovereign.
On the 28th of April, 1653, the commissioners received two letters from governor Stuyvesant. The one was directed to the go- vernor of Massachusetts, and the other to the governor of New Ha- ven. These letters we believe are not extant. It, however, ap- pears from the tenor of other letters, that the commissioners of the United Colonies had charged him with entering into a plot with the Indians, for the destruction of the plantations of New Haven, Hart- ford, &c. and that he denied it, and offered to come or send a per- son, in order to clear himself of the charge. Hazzard's C. S. P.
The commissioners deputed three agents to go toNew Amsterdam, with a letter to governor Stuyvesant. And, however strange it may seem they were commissioned to try him. We shall, for the satis- faction of the reader, copy some portions of the letter.
" The United English colonies," say the commissioners, " have by letters, protests, and treaty, often proposed their grievances, and have required reparation, both from you and your predecessor, but without effect."
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" We have lately, they say, obtained evidence of a treacherous conspiracy formed against ourselves, our wives and children." "We. have the proof of several Indians, that you are concerned in the plot. But we cannot believe that you would enter into so base a design."
" We have intelligence that Nimnigret, one of the sachems of the Narragansetts passed the winter with you at Manhattoes, and that in the early part of the spring he returned home in a sloop provided by you. 'That he exchanged presents with you as we have been assured by his messengers sent to us. And though Nimnigret de- nies the plot, yet one of his messengers here, both by speeches and 1 carriages rendered both the Dutch and him very suspicious."
" The Wampeage sachem's brother, in company with one of the Narragansetts, confessed the plot before Mr. Haines and others at - Hartford." They also stated " that Nimnigret went over Hud- son's river and called meetings of the sachems, and there commu- nicated the plot and conspiracy against the English." They like- wise say " we have heard that there are many Indians upon Long Island and the main who will testify the same to your face." They concluded by saying that they expected speedy and just satisfaction from him for all fermer grievances, and due security for the future for what passed in his predecessor's time." Hazzard's C. S. P.
The letter from which the foregoing extracts are taken, is signed by John Endicott, William Hathorne, William Bradford, Jolin Brown, Roger Ludlow, John Cullicke, Theophilus Eaton, and John Astwood, and dated at Boston, May, 2nd, 1653. The whole story of the plot and conspiracy appears to have been a fabrication. The commissioners immediately after the arbitration seemed to have been desirous of raising new troubles, in order to expel the Dutch. The sequel seems in a measure to warrant the conclusion.
In the year 1650, all differences had been amicably adjusted. The Dutch had abandoned all claims to the lands along Connecticut river, and westwardly to near where the present boundary of the state is. In doing this, they had been compelled by the superior numbers of the United Colonies : not by any right ; for the Eng- lish had none according to the established usages of European na- tions. VOL. II. 46
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Mr. Stuyvesant, at the time he made the submission, was not in a condition to enforce the Dutch rights, or he would not have made it.
The agents of the United Colonies, on their arrival at New Amsterdam, requested that Mr. Stuyvesant and his council, should name a time and a place, for having the testimony in relation to the supposed plot, and conspiracy. They proposed Flushing and Hempstead, both or either, as occasion should require for the places of meeting; provided his excellency would allow them to call such witnesses as they saw fit ; and provided also, that no English, In- dian, or other person, should be molested while there, or called to an account afterwards for what he testified."
To this request, and the proposals, Mr. Stuyvesant and his coun- cil, answered, that they knew no plot; but, however, this might be, they were both willing, and ready to have the matter investigated upon legal principles. They therefore named Mr. Seam Dela- montayneth first counsellor in the New Netherlands, and David Provoost, and Gouert Lockerman on their part. These gentlemen understood the Dutch, English, and Indian languages, and were in- structed to meet with the agents of the confederated colonies, at both, or either of these places.
The colonial agents of New England objected to two of the per- sons named.
Several notes passed between them and Mr. Stuyvesant. The governor proposed friendship, alliance, and correspondence, a con- tinuance of trade, &c., and also, that there should be concluded a defensive and offensive war against the Indians, and other enemies of the good inhabitants of both provinces.
The agents, on taking leave, told governor Stuyvesant, that if in the future, he should offer any wrong to the English, whether by · himself, or the Indians, that the commissioners since they did no wrong, would resent it, and cause satisfaction to be made. They left New Amsterdam about the 25th of May, 1653.
On the 26th day of the same month, the governor wrote a very long letter to the governor and council of Massachusetts, which he sent by Agustine Heerman. From it we have copied the follow- ing:
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" The sudden departure of your agents, without waiting to re- ceive an answer, has put us to the trouble of sending a messenger to you- with one. We have done this in order to prevent any mis- understanding, which might hereafter arise from misrepresentations on their part. In your letter to me, you say, "that the United Colonies, have, on several occasions, by letters, treaties, and pro- tests, propounded their grievances, and sought reparations both from the present, and former director; but to no purpose." In answer to this, we would observe, that we have at all times evinced a disposition to have all differences adjusted.
It is needless, as well as foreign at this time, to enumerate all the grounds of complaint, because they have already been fre- quently agitated, and are known to you, as well as to us ; but Įto come to the charge which you have preferred against us, of a bloody plot, and conspiracy, and of which you had no proof. We feel confident, that upon examination, if you will take the trouble of one, you will find that there was no cause for making the allegation against us. We have never directly, or indirectly, excited the In- dians or others against your people : nor have we entered into any league, or compact with them, with intent to injure any one. We have done no more with them, than you have. We have always, since our arrival, labored to maintain friendly correspondence with them. This was necessary to the security, prosperity, and happi- 'ness of our infant colony.
We might enumerate the protests of our' noble predecessor Mr. . Kieft, against your usurpations in his time. That you invaded the rights of our superiors, and ruined many of their servants ; but what bearing would it have ? To charge us with former differences is only a departure from the subject.
If any of your people, have, by the consent of the governor of New Haven, or otherwise, bought and paid for any Jands within the limits and jurisdiction of the New Netherlands, and by virtue there- of, entered upon Long Island, by Captain Howe, at Stamford, by Mr. Feaux, in the South river, by Thomas Lamberton, and have contracted to build, this is not the question ; but the question is, under whose jurisdiction these lands were accounted before they were purchased, built upon, and inhabited by your people. We
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have never had any differences with the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts bay, and Virginia, about encroachments, or jurisdic- tion ; the differences have every one of them arisen on the side of the people of New Haven and Hartford. They have not to this day shown by what authority they entered upon our lands, and pre- tend to own thein. The Dutch had settled upon the banks of Con- necticut river, and built forts at Good Hope, and other places along that stream, long before the English had seen, or were acquainted with it. We might as well ask, and demand reparation of the com- missioners of Plymouth and Massachusetts; but we only ask it of those who have injured us."
" And, as to the complaints against Jobn Johnson, late a com- missioner on South river ; but now dead, and that against David Provost, another commissioner, late at our fort and trading house at Good Hope on Connecticut river : we know nothing about them -they happened in our predecessors time."
" You complain against the traffic of prohibited articles : such as , guns, powder, and ball, sold to the Indians. We neither will, nor can allow, or wholly excuse our nation ; but should we give more occasion of complaints to our side, in the case in which our neigh- bors do justify, in that they continually, every year, do by stealth carry out great quantities of guns and powder, into these provinces, and supply the nations therewith, notwithstanding the orders and declarations made and manifested to the contrary."
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