USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 17
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of the coun- try.
Acrelius says, " Rysingh assumed the title of director- Rysingh's general over New Sweden."4 title.
It appears that, for some reason, probably from threatening June 2. appearances of danger from the English, the director-general had proposed to the council the propriety of abandoning Fort Casimir, and of sending off a vessel then there, as the council, on following record appears to be a reply to the suggestion : giving up " Concerning the following propositions, as that of abandon- ing or maintaining of Fort Casimir, so with regard to the ship King Solomon, if it shall remain here or sail for Fulke- town; for reasons more explained at large in the proposition, it is resolved not to abandon, for the present, Fort Casimir, neither to call its garrison from there to reinforce that of this city ; and what regards the ship King Solomon, she is to re- main to gratify the inhabitants."5
Discussion by director- general and
Fort Casimir.
They could not, at this date, have been aware of Rysingh's arrival or intentions, but while they were discussing the ques- tion, Rysingh had made the decision for them, by actually taking possession of the fort.
" Rysingh immediately offered to the English, Dutch, and June 17. Indians to renew their former friendship. On the 17th of June, a meeting was held at Printz Hall, on Tinnicum Island, of ten Indian sachems, or chiefs, and there a talk was made to them, in which it was offered, on behalf of the great queen of Sweden, to renew the ancient league and friendship that chems. subsisted between them and the Swedes, who had purchased of them the lands which they occupied. The Indians com- plained that the Swedes had brought much evil upon them,
Great meet- ing at Printz Hall, be- tween Gov. Rysingh and Indian sa-
1 Acrelius, p. 414. Clay. Campanius, p. 109.
3 See Preface to Campanius, by Duponceau, p. xi. Albany Records, vol. ix. p. 141.
2 Acrel. p. 414.
4 Acrel. p. 414.
152
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
Speech of the sachem.
1654. for many of them had died since their coming into the coun- try. Considerable presents were made and distributed among them, on which they went out and conferred among them- selves, and then returned, and one of their chiefs, named Naaman, made a speech, in which he rebuked the rest for having spoken evil of the Swedes, and done them an injury, and told them he hoped they would do so no more, for the Swedes were a very good people. 'Look,' said he, pointing to the presents, 'and see what they have brought us, for which they desire our friendship.' So saying, he stroked himself three times down his arm, which among the Indians is a token of friendship; afterwards, he thanked the Swedes on behalf of his people, for the presents they had received, and said that friendship should be observed more strictly be- tween them than it had been before; that the Swedes and Indians had been, in Governor Printz's time, as one body and one heart, (striking his breast as he spoke,) and that thence- forward they should be as one head, in token of which he took hold of his head with both his hands, and made a mo- tion as if he were tying a strong knot, and then he made this comparison, that as the calabash was round without any crack, so they should be a compact body without any fissure: and that if any one should attempt to do any harm to the Indians, the Swedes should immediately inform them of it; and on the other hand, the Indians would give immediate notice to the Christians of any plot against them, even if it were in the middle of the night."
Wish the Swedes to settle among them at Passyunk. Titles to land confirmed.
After being treated with wine and brandy, other Indians spoke to the same effect, and advised some of the Swedes to settle at Passyunk, " where there were a great number of In- dians, that they might be watched and punished if they did any mischief. They also expressed a wish that the title to the lands which the Swedes had purchased, should be confirmed, on which the copies of the agreements, (for the originals had been sent to Stockholm,) were read to them, word for word. When those who had signed the deeds heard their names, they appeared to rejoice, but when the names were read of those that were dead, they hung their heads in sorrow."
Entertain- ment.
" Then there were set upon the floor in the great hall, two large kettles and many other vessels filled with sappaun, which is a kind of hasty pudding, made of maize or Indian
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
corn. The sachems sat by themselves ; the other Indians all fed heartily, and were satisfied."
Such is Campanius's relation of this great meeting. He adds, " the treaty of friendship which was then made be- Fidelity in tween the Swedes and the Indians has ever since been faith-
observing the treaty. fully observed on both sides."1
The English at New Haven again consider respecting their July 5. property on Delaware. The following are the proceedings of "a general court held at New Haven, for the jurisdiction, July 5, 1654.
" A letter was now, by order of the court, sent to the Swedes A letter at Delaware Bay, informing them of the propriety which some in this colony have to large tracts of land on both sides ten to the of Delaware Bay and River, and desiring a neighbourly cor- respondence with them, both in trading and planting there, and an answer hereof."2 The letter is not to be found, but is referred to at a later period.
from New Haven, writ-
Swedes on Delaware.
Not very long after his arrival, Governor Rysingh wrote July 11. to the government the following letter, giving an account of various matters, public as well as private. He probably had written previously, furnishing a statement of things as he found them ; the departure of Printz; the reign of Pappe- goya, whom he had succeeded, &c. &c .; no other communi- cation has fallen into our hands, unfortunately, or we would probably have been enabled to clear up some things which have been rather involved in mystery. The following has been happily preserved : as we do not know of its ever having been in print, it is given at length.
" Monsieur the Count-I return you my humble thanks for Letter from the favour your excellency has manifested towards me, in the advancement it has procured, and for which I will show my gratitude by my fidelity and zeal to serve you. For whatever relates to the actual state of the country and our colony, I have made a sufficiently exact report in the journal and letter which I have addressed to your excellency and the college of commerce. For myself, thank God, I am very contented ; As to him- if there were only persons here capable of executing what self, very contented. the establishment requires, all would go on well, for I have a Requires great desire to promote the success of this noble enterprise. assistance.
Gov.Rysingh to the minis- ter of Swe- den. Refers to a previous let- ter.
* I Campanius, p. 76-78.
2 New Haven Records, p. 72, Book commencing " 25th May, 1653," and ending "January 5, 1663."
20
153
1654.
154
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
Increase of ground and people. Number of inhabitants.
Capt. Schute sick. He and Pappegoya his only helpers.
Describes who are suitable per- sons to send.
Asks for ad- vance of wa- ges, to enable his agent at home to pay debts left be- hind. Al- ludes to land given him. Describes the neighbour- hood.
1654. I am now more free than ever, and in another element, with the hope, God willing, we may aid you in putting every thing in a good train. There is four times more ground here now than when we arrived, and the country is better peopled, for then we found only 70 persons, and now, including the Hol- landers and others, there are 368 persons. I hope we may be able to preserve them in order and in duty, and to con- strain them, if necessary. I will do, in this respect, all that depends upon me. We will also endeavour to shut up the river. Captain Schute, who has the commission, and does all that he can, fell sick day before yesterday, at Fort Trinity. All that has been effected was by me, him, and Pappegoya, and they comport themselves very well. As to the arrangements to be made hereafter for the government, it is for your excellency and the government to determine. I desire that no person will come here who is selfish, obstinate, or negligent ; for the rest, in all which the government shall order, I will aid as much as my forces will permit, as every faithful servant of her majesty, and every good patriot ought. I hope your excellency will favour me, as heretofore, to procure for me, for the future, a good advance, and as I left some debts to the house, I beg your excellency to do me the favour to cause to be paid, my wages for the past year, and those of this, so that Potter may receive them for the payment of my debts. As, at my departure, her majesty deigned to grant me here a portion of land for 20 to 30 pea- sants, with feodal title and in fee, I humbly pray your excel- lency to aid me in the occupation of the country, which is wild and without clearing, situated below Fort Trinity, ex- tending from the borders of a small brook, a quarter of a mile Swedish into the country, and then towards the river inclusively, to Cape Franc, also one quarter of a mile. A large part of the land is covered with a large marsh and thistles, and a small part is good land, which, by the grace of God, I will cultivate as soon as possible, at my own expense, as many others, so that I may there find a retreat, or from it gain something to provide more easily for fulfilling the obli- Asks the count to send him a gations imposed upon me. This is what I most humbly recommend to your excellency, praying him at the same time, wife, having to procure for me a good wife, relying for this object upon great confi- dence in him. your excellency, with more confidence than any other person in the world; and though the English who have been here
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
155
1654.
have made me sufficiently plain offers, I do not wish to decide upon any thing till I have obtained your excellency's autho- rity, and shall therefore so remain. In gratitude for the kindness your excellency has shown me, you will always find July. me disposed to execute your orders, and to serve you with all cheerfulness and fidelity, and as far as in my power. I com- mend your excellency, your wife, and all your family, to the Divine protection. At Fort Christina, in New Sweden, July 11, 1654. Your very humble servant till death,
" JOHN RYSINGH.1
" P. S .- As the above land is near Sandhoecken, and a Wants land little too far for me to render myself there every day, I ask that they will grant me upon the island of Timmer, the land below Skillpaddekylen, the one-half, and to pay for it by my mends Pap- pegoya as schute. services. I recommend J. Pappegoya, schuten."
Azel Oxenstiern died, the excellent and faithful minister August. of Gustavus Adolphus, and also of his daughter, Christina, under whose joint auspices the Swedes were conducted to, and for many years sustained in this country.
Queen Christina, during this year also, at the age of 29, abdicated the throne of Sweden in favour of her cousin, Charles Charles Gustavus.2
Christina ab- dicates to
Gustavus.
This day was set apart for a general thanksgiving, on ac- August 12. count of peace between England and Holland, the news of which reached Manhattan on the 16th July.3
It was not very long after the capture of Fort Casimir, or Trinity, by Rysingh, that an opportunity presented to Gover- Sept. 22. nor Stuyvesant of retaliating. A Swedish ship, called the A Swedish Golden Shark, commanded by Hendrick Van Elswyck, (or as he has been usually called by historians who have noticed the fact, Daswyck,) bound to the South River, by mistake or ignorance of the pilot, or some other cause, put into the North River, and got behind Staten Island. On discovering his error, the captain despatched a boat to Manhattan, for a pilot to take him to South River. Stuyvesant thinking this a good opportunity to compel the return of the fort, seized
1 MSS. A. P. S., translated from the French translation of the Swedish. There seems to be a diversity in the manner of spelling this name; we have heretofore used that generally found in writers, hereafter we shall adopt the mode used above by himself; we presume one to be the Swedish and the other the English method. Some historians call him John Claude Rysingh, we do not know on what authority. It appears he had no wife, as the grant for land would seem to indicate; but this seems to be the form of those grants generally.
2 Gorton's Biog. Dictionary.
3 Albany Records, vol. ix. p. 180. O'Call. vol. ii. p. 266.
nearer to his business. Recom-
Death of 0x. enstiern.
Peace be- twcen Eng land and Holland.
ship bound to South Ri ver scized at Manhattan.
th
r . y .
156
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1654.
the men, as well as the vessel and master, which led to a long negotiation between the Dutch and Swedes, but, as will appear from what follows, without producing the anticipated result on either side.
Mr. Eaton again calls the attention of the commissioners to New Haven's right to several parcels of land on both sides of Delaware Bay and River, and produced a copy of a letter written to the new Swedish governor, with his answer thereto, (neither of which do we find,) but the commissioners replied to the Swedish governor on 23d September, as follows :
Sept. 23. Letter from New Eng- land com- missioners to Gov. John Rysingh. Alludes to former inju- ries from Kieft and Printz. As- sert their rights.
" Much honoured sir-The commissioners for the United Colonies of New England, being now met at Hartford, as their course this year falls, have been reminded of the well- known right some of the English of New Haven colony have to several large tracts of land on both sides of Delaware Bay and River. Mr. Eaton, one of the present commissioners, has showed us the copy of the letter he wrote to you by order of New Haven court, dated July 6, 1654, and your answer thereto in Latin, dated August 1, 1654, the contents whereof seem strange to us all. We were many years since informed of their just title, and of the unjust disturbance their agents found in their planting and trading there, both by Monsieur William Kieft, the former Dutch governor, and from Monsieur John Printz, your predecessor ; and thereof Mr. John Win- throp, governor of Massachusetts colony, and president of the commissioners, wrote to them both, in September, 1643, and thereunto, a few months after, received their several answers, but without any satisfaction. What you wrote concerning a treaty or conference before Mr. Endicott, wherein New Ha- ven's right was silenced or suppressed, and what you affirm concerning the right the Swedes have to lands on both sides of Delaware Bay and River, from the capes, &c., is either your own mistake, or at least the error of them that so in- form you. We have perused and considered the several pur- chases our confederates of New Haven have there made, the considerations given acknowledged by the Indian proprietors under their hands, and confirmed by many Christian wit- nesses, whereby their right appeareth so clear to us, that we cannot but assert their just title to the said lands, and desire they may peaceably enjoy the same, with all the liberties thereunto belonging, and in their name and behalf do assure you they will by no means disturb you in any of your just
157
1654. -
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
rights. Thus hoping the peace and good accord in Europe, betwixt England and Sweden, will have a powerful influence upon our spirits and carriage in these parts of America, and desiring you will, with your first conveniency, return a full and clear answer to Mr. Eaton, governor of New Haven, who will speedily impart the contents to us. With our best re- spects, we rest, your loving friends and neighbours,
" JOHN BROWNE, THEOPHILUS EATON,
" JOHN MASON, SIMON BRADSTREET,
" JOHN WEBSTER, DANIEL DENISON,
" FRANCIS NEWMAN, THOMAS PRENCE. " Hartford, 23d September, 1654."1
The affair of the Golden Shark not being accommodated October 1. between the governor and captain, an invitation is sent by the director-general to Rysingh, to visit Manhattan, to settle their matters ; he assures him of a kind reception, and hopes hattan. Is " that it might please his honour, John Rysingh, commander- in-chief, on behalf of the crown of Sweden, of the settle- ment. ments on the South River, at the request of. honourable Van Elswyck, factor of said crown, to come hither (to New Am- sterdam) to arrange and settle some unexpected differences, so this letter is intended to assure aforesaid John Rysingh that his honour will receive a cordial reception, with com- fortable lodgings, and a courteous treatment, to his full satisfaction, without the least embarrassments to his honour and suite, goods or vessels."2
It appears hereafter, that Rysingh did not accept of this friendly invitation, but probably found his " lodgings" more " comfortable" at Fort Casimir, at least for a season.
Application was made by Captain Elswyck to be permitted October 16. to sell a portion of his cargo. The following is the reply to it:
" Whereas honourable Hendrick Van Elswyck, factor in behalf of the crown of Sweden and South River company, solicited that he might be permitted to sell a few hides, ar- rested in and with the vessel, the Shark, for which now a favourable opportunity presents, which being considered, the Fort Casimir director-general and company answered, that they had had is made. no other view, neither had yet any other, than to maintain with their neighbours a friendly correspondence, harmony, and commerce, and therefore have no objection that the afore- said factor, to his best advantage, and the profit of his mas-
1 Hazard's Coll. vol. ii. p. 320. 2 Albany Records, vol. ix. p. 236.
Gov.Rysingh invited to visit Man- promised good treat-
Permission' to Elswyck to sell, on condition of a deposit of the full va- lue, till res- titution of
0
3
1
158
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1654.
ters, not only dispose of the aforesaid hides as he proposed, but any other wares and merchandises, provided he makes a fair deposit of the real value with the attorney-general, as representing here in this point the West India Company, the honourable C. Van Tienhooven, till, as the representatives of the said company, a due restitution and becoming satis- faction shall have been made for the surprise and continued occupation of Fort Casimir, with all the ammunition of war, houses, and effects belonging to said fort, when it was taken by his honour, John Rysingh, commanding on South River, in behalf of said crown, without any provocation or previous declaration of war, on 30th of May last, and withholden to this day from us and the honourable company, with all the goods and effects which belong to our ministers or individuals, in revenge of which the director-general and council could do nothing less than to arrest the above-mentioned vessel and lading, without any injury to either, till, as already men- tioned, a full restitution shall have been made, and satisfaction given for this unprovoked assault, permitting, in the mean- while, to said factor, the disposition of the cargo to the best advantage of his masters, provided he makes a faithful de- posit of the cargo with the plaintiff and attorney-general of the company. Done at the meeting of the director-general and council, in New Amsterdam, October 16, 1654.
" Signed by " P. STUYVESANT, N. D. SILLE, " LA MONTAGNE, C. VAN TIENHOOVEN."1
October 20.
The following decree against the Shark is passed, the pre- vious offers to Rysingh and Elswyck not having been accepted, and an inventory of vessel and cargo taken. The circum- stances of the case are also related.
Representa- tion respect- ing the Shark, by directors and council, and a decree to have her de- tained. An inventory prepared.
" Whereas the honourable John Rysingh, now commanding the Swedish nation on the South River, in behalf of the crown of Sweden, in New Netherland, has, on the 30th May last, without any provocation or hostilities previously an- nounced, taken by surprise from us, who represent the high and mighty lords the States-General of New Netherland, &c., the Fortress Casimir, with all the houses and effects belong- ing to it, in reprisal whereof, we, the director-general and council in New Netherland, could do nothing less than to arrest and detain provisionally, a certain Swedish vessel,
1 Albany Records, vol. ix. p. 241, 242.
159
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
named the Shark, being a small fluyt of about 40 or 45 tons, 1654. - with its lading, of which vessel has declared himself master and factor, the honourable Hendrick Van Elswyck, from Lu- beck, factor of said crown, which vessel, as aforesaid factor Representa- more than once has declared to us, belonged to the South River company, in the realm of Sweden, and arrived acci- Shark, con- dentally in the North River, in New Netherland, on the 22d and 23d of last month, (September,) and was then by us ar- rested on the 25th, which ship and cargo has been conducted to this city, when we, director and council, offered said factor that if he could effect, by the aforesaid honourable John Rysingh, the restitution of the Fortress Casimir, with all its effects, we then should be inclined to deliver from our side the vessel aforesaid, with its cargo, and to place them at his disposal, and at the same time to renew and continue our neighbourly friendly correspondence and commerce with him and the subjects of the crown of Sweden, showing to the aforesaid honourable Hendrick Van Elswyck that there was now a fair opportunity presented to both parties to attain the one and the other, only soliciting time to address the honour- able Rysingh on this subject, and offering our safeguard or pass to the aforesaid Rysingh, or his plenipotentiary, to come hither to reconcile our differences, which was cheerfully ac- cepted by said Elswyck, leaving in the mean time the afore- said vessel and cargo untouched in the possession of the afore- said factor or his attorney, only taking the rudder from the vessel, and placing two of the company's servants, with its ordinary crew, on said vessel, for the greater security of the vessel and cargo, permitting, besides, the aforesaid factor, (as may be seen from our act dated 15th of this month,) to dis- pose not only of his own goods, but of the remainder of the cargo, to the best advantage of his masters, only making a deposit of the whole real value by the plaintiffs and prosecutor, the honourable attorney-general, Tienhooven, till the required restitution of the fort and other effects of the company shall have been made, agreeably to law and justice. After this ap- peared before us, the aforesaid factor, on the 19th of this month, and notified that the aforesaid Rysingh did not incline to come hither, neither to send a plenipotentiary, nor to sur- render the surprised fort, wherefore the director-general and council have deemed it their duty, and considered it at the same time equitable and just, to arrest and detain the afore-
tion respect- ing the tinued.
160
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1654. said vessel and cargo, under the benefice of an inventory, to be made in presence of the aforesaid factor or his attorney, and two impartial witnesses, till they shall have received fur- ther advice and instructions of their superiors, to bring the durable goods not easily spoiled, to the company's magazine, while the perishable commodities might be disposed of by the factor to his satisfaction, or in case he declined to do so, to be sold at public vendue to the highest bidder, or to have these articles appraised by impartial men, as it may please the aforesaid factor. What now regards the vessel, it was deemed proper to have her, too, appraised by impartial men, leaving to the factor the choice to keep one, or two, or more men of his nation upon it, to keep a watchful eye upon it, or, in case of refusal, to hire two persons for this purpose, at the expense of the interested, till a reciprocal restitution shall have been made, and all the differences reconciled, or till we shall have received further instructions ; and further, that a copy of these resolutions, with one of the inventory, shall be delivered to the factor in propria forma.
" Done at the meeting of the director-general and council, in New Amsterdam, October 20, 1654. Signed by " P. STUYVESANT, N. D. SILLE, " LA MONTAGNE, C. V. TIENHOOVEN."
Representa- tion and val- uation of the Shark.
Then follows an inventory taken by persons appointed :
" Shark-long by the stern, 62 feet. Wide on deck, 13 or 14. Two colours, 1 white and 1 coloured.
" With all standing and running rigging.
" Vessel valued at $1200 00
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