USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 15
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Sept.
A letter was written by the commissioners, to Edward Winslow, who at this time appears to have been acting as an agent for them in London, in which they speak of the preced- ing transactions of the Dutch in the following terms :
Letter from the New Eng- land com- missioners to Edward Winslow, in London, in- forming him of the late transactions of the Dutch, and asking information respecting patents, &c.
"We understand Mr. Eaton hath at large written to you about their just title to considerable parts of land on both sides of Delaware Bay and River ; how they were formerly disturbed in their trade and planting, by force and other un- lawful practices, both of Dutch and Swedes, yourself may remember, and he hath acquainted you with a late unneigh- bourly and injurious carriage of the Dutch governor, when at least fifty of the New Haven jurisdiction were on their way to plant there, but were stayed, imprisoned, and forced to return, with great loss to those interested in that design ; and hath desired your help in procuring a patent. These things, by a petition from those concerned, have been recommended to our consideration. We are justly sensible of the dishonour put upon the English nation by this unjust affront, of our duty to preserve the English title to so considerable a place as Delaware, and that a just repair and satisfaction be made to those so wronged, both in their persons and estates, and from you desire information what esteem the old patents for that place have with the parliament or council of state, where there hath been no improvement hitherto made by the pa- tentees ; whether the parliament hath granted any late patents, or whether, in granting, they reserve not liberty and encouragement for such as have or shall plant upon their formerly duly purchased lands, as also how any engagement by the colonies against the Dutch, upon the afore-mentioned occasion, will be resented by the parliament, of which we de- sire information by the first."2 .
Does not the inquiry here proposed appear to imply that no improvements had been made by the English heretofore ?
October.
The people at New Haven persisted in their purpose of making, if possible, a permanent settlement upon their lands
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. p. 195. 2 Ibid. p. 181.
133
1651. -
the directors of West In- dia Co. to P. Stuyvesant, on receiving the news of destruction of Fort Nas- sau, and erection of Fort Cassi- mir. Sur- prised at both, and especially the name.
his discre- tion to erect a fort on the east side.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
on Delaware; satisfied that it was of great importance to have for their leader a man of known courage, and military skill and experience, they applied to Captain Mason, to remove with them to Delaware, and take the management of the Capt. Maso. company. The offers to him were so liberal that he was in- invited to command clined to accept them, but his services at home being deemed English. essential by the general court at Connecticut, they unani- mously requested he would abandon all thoughts of going to Delaware, to which he yielded, and the design was aban- doned.1
1652.
The directors of the company in Amsterdam were not pre- April 4. pared to receive the news of the demolition of Fort Nassau, the erection of Fort Casimir, or even that Director Stuyve- sant contemplated a visit to the Delaware, and express their surprise in the following letter, dated April 4, 1652.
" Your journey to South River, and what has passed there Letter from between you and the Swedes, was to us very unexpected, as you did not give us, before, so much as a hint of this your intention. God grant that these your transactions may be crowned with success. We cannot give our opinion upon it before we have heard the complaints of the Swedish governor to his queen, and ascertained how, at her court, these have been received. We hope that our arguments to prove that we were the first possessors of that country, will be acknow- ledged as sufficient. But it is, in our opinion, nearly im- practicable to enter here, with the Swedes, into negotiations upon the limits, much less to arrive at a final conclusion. We Leave it to will not enter upon a discussion, whether the demolition of Fort Nassau was an act of prudence, as no one could insti- tute any claim upon it, even if the Swedes made a show of pretence. Time will instruct us of the design of the new- built Fort Casimir. We are at a loss to conjecture for what reason it has received this name. You ought to be on your guard that it is well secured, so that it cannot be surprised. We cannot determine if it is required to erect any fortifica- tions on the east side, opposite that fort, and must leave it to your discretion."2
The affairs of the company were much embarrassed at this August 4. * period, by the expedition to South River last year, and other
1 Trumbull, vol. i. p. 208.
2 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 73.
M
134
JOHN PRINTZ, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1652.
Company much em- barrassed by expedition to Delaware last year, &c. Plan for removing the difficulty.
causes, as will be seen by a minute of this date, of the di- rector-general and council : "Finding themselves much em- barrassed by the situation of the company, from several considerable debts, originating in the heavy expenses incurred last year by the expedition to South River ; although the debts might be eventually annulled and paid, by the recogni- tions, yet then the director-general and council might be disabled to provide the necessary winter provisions for the garrison, and other ministers of the company; wherefore said directors and council have deemed it salutary for the state, requisite to the maintenance of the garrison, to keep it under a good control, and crushing mutiny in its birth ; to allow the largest creditors to make payment of the recogni- tions which they owe to the company, to the amount of one- half of the just demands, while for the remaining one-half, they shall obtain a certificate, to be paid next year in goods, or to cancel this sum by recognitions, or to receive it in Fa- therland, from the 8 per cent. recognitions on the Virginia tobacco."1
August 16. Forts to be inspected,&c. Take care of the English.
An order is passed to have the several forts inspected, and for a fresh supply of ammunition, and a recommendation not to place too much confidence in the English.2
1653.
April.
Another attempt appears to have been made to reconcile matters between the English and the Dutch; the former, at the request of Governor Stuyvesant, appointed three com- missioners to repair to Manhattan, principally with reference to their more immediate New England difficulties, not, how- ever, entirely overlooking the concerns of Delaware River. But it does not appear that much better success attended their labours than before, for they left Manhattan in haste, rather to the surprise of Stuyvesant.
Proceedings by New Eng- land to re- concile diffi- culties with Dutch go- vernor. Com- missioners appointed to proceed to Manhattan.
In their letter by the commissioners to Governor Stuyve- sant, May 2, allusion is made to the kind of testimony for- merly taken by the Dutch, for they say, "the agents of Delaware, in Monsieur Kieft's time, made use of Indian testimony, in a strange manner, in a case of life and treason."3 After the messenger had departed, " the commissioners for Plymouth desired this short following entry should be made: " Whereas, in the letter sent to the Dutch governor, five * I Albany Records, vol. vi. p. 8. 2 Ibid. vol. iv. p. 84. 3 See page 73.
135
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
or six particulars mentioned as grievances, about Delaware, before the union of the colonies was made, and any thing - depending thereon, unto which the commissioners for Ply- mouth could not consent ; and yet, lest the same might be Plymouth 'weakened in the eyes of the Dutch governor, for want of their hands thereunto, they subscribed the same, but with consent. liberty to enter their dissent in the records in the book."
To this the New Haven commissioners answered :
" That two or three of the grievances mentioned in the Objections of letter sent to the Dutch governor, in reference to Delaware, Plymouth commission- were done by Monsieur Kieft and his agents, before the com- ers to agree, bination ; they were propounded, proved, considered, and duly answered by the New Ha-
witnessed against by all the commissioners jointly, the com- ven. missioners for Plymouth at that time concurring with the rest, as appeareth by these records, under their hands."1
In a statement drawn up by Major-general Dennison, one statement of a committee appointed for the purpose, alluding to the award of the arbitrators in 1650, it is said, " when arbitra- tors on both parts chosen, having heard the differences, did in a great part determine the same, and because some of the grievances did arise under the government of M. Kieft, and the present governor not prepared to answer, the delegates on both parts respited the consideration and judgment of them, that the present governor might acquaint the States and West India Company with the particulars."
" Since which agreement, the Dutch governor hath pro- Dutch go- tested against a ship of New Haven, with passengers bound for the Delaware, which also he stopped, as appears by their declaration ; the delegates at the meeting at Hartford, notwith- standing the challenges and pretences of either party to the lands in said bay, [did] not determine the right to either part, but wholly referring the same to be issued and determined by the two states of England and Holland, leaving both parties to plead and improve their just interest."
After the return of the commissioners to New England, May 26. the Dutch governor addresses a long letter to the court at Long letter Boston ; he alludes to their assertions " that to this day they have received nothing but dilatory exceptions, offensive af- England fronts, and unpleasing answers, as well in the South River Bay, called Delaware, as upon the fresh river, called Connec- ticut, the which, by living testimony, you could never make
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. p. 231.
of grievances drawn up.
vernor breaks his agreement.
from Stuyve- sant to New
commission- ers.
1653.
commission-
ers do not
136
JOHN PRINTZ, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
Governor Stuyvesant's letter, con- tinued.
1653. appear ; we have always showed ourselves willing to remove the question either to indifferent persons here, or to our supe- riors in our native countries." " To charge us with the old and undecided difference of parties in the like quality, de- fending their right and jurisdiction of their superiors, if any English, be it in private or by consent of the governor and rest of New Haven, bought and paid for any lands within the jurisdiction of New Netherlands, and by virtue thereof, upon Long Island, by Captain Howe, at Stamford, by Mr. Feaux, in the South River, by Mr. Thomas Lamber- ton, and have contracted to build, this is not the question ; but the question is, and remains, under whose jurisdiction these lands on the South River, &c. are accounted, before they were bought, built, and inhabited by the persons afore- said. The commissioners of New England will say under their jurisdiction; the governor of New Netherland, in opposition, that you are under them." He also alludes to " other particular complaints against John Johnson, being commissioner on South River, now long since dead." "Con- cerning the bounds of our limits, and the South River, and to forbid trade, much more, to shut it up; any thing but by approbation and agreement, declared and asserted by our sovereign lords in Europe, we declare over and above." " What concerns Delaware Bay, both before and after, during the arbitration, we have protested before the honoured com- missioners that we may not admit of any habitation of peo- ple to be therein, being contrary to the command of our superiors, being conformable to the second article of their agreement, and could not, in that regard, leave ourselves without blame and blemish to our masters and superiors, if we should make so great a neglect and trespass upon the commission and instructions given; and by the way, not to let slip the sitting down of the people at New Haven on South River, manifested to them by a former pro- test, and dislike, to forewarn and advertise them there- of, and to hold forth our innocency from all damage or bloodshedding which might apparently ensue thereby. And what further concerns the matter and narrative in relation, that we should put their messengers into fasthold, and take their commissions and instructions from them, to the intent aforesaid, the business being well examined and looked to, it will be found that the messengers were civilly used and enter-
Death of John John- son alluded to.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
137
1653.
tained at the house of our Captain-lieutenant of our town, Martin Crygar."1
Then follows a long " register and record of passages be- twixt New Netherland and the English nation, upon the lands May 26. and jurisdictions of West India Company," from 1633. Un- Dutch der date of April 9, 1642, signed by Governor Stuyvesant, they speak of "a protest done upon and against Robert Cogwell, master of the barque or catch of Mr. Lamberton, of New Haven, because they were about to sit down upon the South River, forbidding and warning him not to sit down within the limits of New Netherland."
statement.
" Further, we protest and wash our hands from all losses and broils that may arise from thence, and clear ourselves before God and the world. Mr. Lamberton, although they had a joint participation, made use of the master of his vessel, to answer for him in obedience to the state, not to sit down unless he took the oath of fidelity, which being afterwards found otherwise, the English were sent out of the South River without molestation, either in their persons or goods."
See this protest, page 58.
To the communications from Governor Stuyvesant, the June 3. New England commissioners reply :
After noticing what had occurred between the governors Answer of and their special commissioners sent to Manhattan, related on their return home, they say, " From your messenger, Mr. Aug. Heerman, we have received your letter dated May 26, 1653, N. S., in all which we conceive we have your whole mind, and such answer as in which you will rest, but we must profess ourselves unsatisfied therewith. To some of the former hostile affronts and injuries, you answer nothing, as the burn- ing down of New Haven trading-house at Delaware; that treacherous plot against Mr. Lamberton's life, &c. ; yet you enumerate sundry grievances of yours against Hartford, about hogs and other, &c.
" You still affirm that the stopping of the vessel sent from New Haven, with men, to plant in Delaware, the close im- prisoning the messengers, and detaining their commissions, as expressed, to be as civil usage and entertainment ; but we still charge it to be an injurious affront, to the great damage of our confederates of New Haven, and an offensive violation of the wholesome advice given by all the arbitrators at Hart-
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. p. 256-260.
18
M 2
the New Eng- land commis-
sioners to Governor Stuyvesant.
1
138
JOHN PRINTZ, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1653.
ford, in 1650." "We must still require and seek due satis- faction and security."1
Aug. 4. No appeal from deci- sions in New Netherlands.
It appears that the following resolution was passed by the States of Holland : " Resolved, that there can be no appeal from the judgment given, or sentences pronounced in New Netherland, and that the States-General shall be advised thereof."2
August 11.
Convict transported to New Swe- den.
Three individuals had been convicted by the supreme court at Abo, of each killing an elk in the island D'Auland; two of them were sentenced to run the gauntlet each three times, but the third, Henry D'Oregrund, was ordered to be sent by the sheriff to the admiralty, to be immediately transported to New Sweden, all which was approved by her majesty.3
August 20. Grant of land to John A. Besk.
Captain John Amundson Besk, for his past faithful ser- vices, and promises for the future, " as long as he shall live, and his strength permit," is rewarded by a patent, granting to himself, his wife, and his and their heirs, a tract of land situated in New Sweden, extending to Uplands kill, together with all the dependencies and commodities thereto apper- taining, whether upon land or upon the water, of whatever name, without excepting what has always belonged thereto, which ought to belong by right, or which may be adjudged to appertain thereto by the laws and a legal decision, to keep and possess the same for ever, as his own inviolable property."
The foregoing land is the site of the present Marcus Hook, formerly Maritties Hoeck.4
August 20. Grant of land to Swen Schute.
Under the same date, in consideration of the good and important services rendered by " our faithful subject, the brave and courageous Lieutenant Swen Schute, &c., a grant is made to him, his wife and heirs, for a tract of country in New Sweden, viz. Mockorhulteykyl, as far as the river, to- gether with the small island belonging thereto, viz. the island of Karinge and Kinsessing, comprehending also Passuming, with all the commodities, &c."5
October 1.
Governor Printz issued a species of sea-letter in favour of the captain of a vessel about departing from New Sweden upon a trading voyage, which, being the only official document by him with which we have met, and probably never having been
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. p. 268-270.
2 Miller, MSS. in N. Y. Hist. Soc., furnished him by Wm. V. Murray, from the Hague, in 1799. 3 MSS. A. P. S., Reg. Penns. vol. iv. p. 373, 374.
1 Ibid. Also on Records of Wiccacoa Church, p. 12, translated by Charles Springer. 5 Ibid. p. 16.
139
1653.
Sea-letter by Gov. Printz, for a vessel about to sail on a trading voyage.
Swedes de- sire to be taken under the Dutch protection.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
in print, we give entire. It is directed to Governor Bradford, of New Plymouth jurisdiction.
" A commission appointed to be recorded .- To all her ma- jesty of Sweden's governors, captains, and subjects, of what rank and sort soever.
" Forasmuch as Lawrence Cornelius, one of her majesty of Sweden's subjects in New Sweden, is desirous, with him- self and company, and barque or sloop, upon this coast of America, to trade and traffic peaceably with such as are in alliance with the crown of Sweden; this his desire I found to be reasonable, and have given him therefore commission under my hand and seal. I do therefore desire and entreat all commanders, governors, or persons, of what quality soever they may be, that are in alliance with the crown of Sweden aforesaid, that they will carry respectively and friendly to him and his company, and suffer him quietly to pass and re- pass, and to do his business quietly without molestation ; and to show him all the favour and friendship they may; and we do engage ourselves to do the like unto theirs, as occasion shall present. Signed, JOHN PRINTZ. [Seal.]
" Dated in New Sweden, on the Fort Christina, the 1st of October, 1653."
The preceding instrument, copied from the "Plymouth Colony Records," is important, as disproving the assertion of some writers, that Governor Printz left the country in 1652. It was probably, however, one of his latest official acts, as he no doubt departed between this date and the 7th November, as will appear presently.1
According to the Dutch statements, after the building of Fort Casimir, " the Swedish governor intending to depart, and the Swedish affairs getting behindhand, on account of not having received any succours for a long while, the people and Swedes that remained there made a request to the direc- tor, Stuyvesant, for the company to protect them, and take them under their care, representing for that purpose, they would comport themselves as inhabitants and subjects of the States." "And although many would have profited of this opportunity to receive them, and make themselves masters of those who forcibly, and against many protestations, had set- tled themselves there, and especially as they had received
1 Plymouth Records, Deeds, &c , vol. ii. part i. p. 87. A MS. copy, by Samuel Davis, Esq., late of Plymouth, is also among the Penns. Hist. Soc. Archives.
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.
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the eal ew ted urt
140
JOHN PRINTZ, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1653. from them many insults, suffered damage and other injuries of interests; but such did not take place, as said director dared not, or would not accept the representation of coming under the protection solely to prevent trouble and disagree- ments which might occur in this country."1
October 6.
Dutch gover- nor declines to receive them, and in a letter asks advice of the West India Co.
This statement is measurably confirmed by a letter written by Director-general Stuyvesant to the directors of the West India Company, October 6, 1653, in which he says, "The Swedish people on the River Delaware seem to be inclined to come to us, and to be taken under our protection : as yet, and until we receive further advices from you, we have declined the same, because remaining ignorant if it would not be taken amiss, we therefore request that you will take this affair in consideration, and inform us by the first good opportunity as regards the same, &c."2
Nov. 4.
Letter from directors to Governor Stuyvesant. Encourages settlement of Swedes among them, as good poli- tical econo- my.
The directors in Amsterdam, considering the delicate rela- tions between the Dutch and the Swedes, say to Governor Stuyvesant, in a letter of this date, "You ought to conduct yourselves with all possible prudence towards the Swedes on the South River, as you complain about their chieftain, as well in the maintenance of the company's immunities as by carefully avoiding every thing which might give them offence, as it would be highly improper to increase, at this critical period, the number of our enemies. With regard to the peti- tion of some individuals of this nation, who are inclined to settle among you, if we would accept and protect them, we cannot see why it should not be granted, except your views on this were further extended than we can yet penetrate, as the population of the country, that bulwark of every state, ought to be promoted by all means, so that the settling of freemen ought not to be shackled, but rather encouraged by all honest means ; all such, therefore, who are willing to obey our laws and statutes, ought to be protected in their rights of citizenship to the utmost of our power."3
Two Swe- dish ·clergy- men arrive.
During the administration of Governor Printz, two Swedish clergymen arrived, but the precise year is not known, viz. Rev. Laurence Lock, who probably succeeded Campanius, on Tinnicum, and also at Christina; he died in 1688: from him many families descended, and were living in West Jersey, near the Delaware, members of Raccoon Church, in 1835.
2 Ibid. p. 84.
1 Holl. Doc. vol. viii. p. 32.
3 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 121.
to Governor Printz to re- turn to Swe- den, con- tained in a letter from Swedish go- vernment.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
141
The Rev. Israel Holgh also came over about this time, but is 1653. said to have returned home in a short time.1
The college of commerce proclaim that they have employed, on the part of the company of the south, "John Amundson, November. son em- ployed as as a captain of the navy, who is about to embark on board J. Amund- a galliot belonging to the company, for New Sweden, there to take command of the seamen, &c. His duty will consist captain of principally in performing, with fidelity and zeal, all the duties the navy. His duties that appertain to a captain of the navy, in endeavouring to and obliga- procure every species of advantage to the benefit of her tions. majesty and the company of the south; and should he, by the grace of God, arrive in New Sweden, to superintend carefully the construction of vessels, in order that they be faithfully and diligently built," and conform in all things to the instructions of the governor. He is to receive such an- nual compensation " as his capacity of captain will entitle him to," "and in future he may count with certainty upon the favour of her majesty, and to obtain from the company a more elevated employment." The governor is required to receive him in the rank of captain in the navy."2
This is probably the same person to whom the foregoing tract of land was granted, though his family name is omitted.
Governor Printz having, by letter, as well as through his Dec. 12. son, expressed his strong desire to return home, his govern- Permission ment say, " We should willingly consent to your desire, con- sidering that after so long a continuance in that country, we can readily imagine that you may have become tired of it; but in reflecting on the good services you have heretofore rendered to us and the crown, both we and the company would extremely regret your immediate departure, before we can make the best arrangements in regard to your successor, and for the government of the country ; we therefore per- ceive with pleasure, that your age, health, and happiness are such as will permit you to remain some time longer, until we shall be able to make the necessary arrangements in relation to the said subjects. If, however, this should be imposing too much upon you, and our service will be equally well per- formed by those whom you may leave in the country, you are at liberty to return home." They then hope he will leave
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