USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
The following order was passed by the director-general and council :
" The skippers and freighters of the ship Bear remonstrate Arrange- that their ships are so fully laden that it was not in their power to admit the Swedish passengers, with their goods, as was agreed in the capitulation, as the vessels are already much disqualified to go to sea, and would become far more so, while, nevertheless, the country's service requires that the Swedes, agreeably to the capitulation, should be accom- modated with a passage to Europe. The attorney-general is commanded to visit the two above-mentioned vessels, and , ascertain which of them can admit the Swedish baggage, and if all is filled up, then to unload so many goods and mer- chandise of private persons, and carry them to the ship Water-hoost, till, to the satisfaction of the skippers, sufficient room is left for the Swedish baggage, more so as the service of the country, in conformity with the capitulation, requires such an arrangement. By order of director-general and council.
C. VAN RUYVEN, Secretary."2
The following order for the debarkation of Rysingh, was sent to the " Bear" and "Sea-cow :"
" The skipper and merchant of the ship Bear, Cornelius Order to Willimsen Beer, and Jan Jansen Behavur, are commanded to send on shore, either in England or France, as may suit Rysingh. them best, the honourable John Rysingh and Factor Elswyck, agreeably to the capitulation, and the remaining Swedes at
1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 135-137. 2 Ibid. p. 135.
1655.
ments for Swedes' pas- sage to Swe- den.
skipper to land John
200
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
1655. the Helder, and to recommend to the commissary of the West India Company, Peter Claesen Croon, with their goods and merchandise, or transfer them there on a galliot, to be transported to Gottenberg free of all expenses, in conformity to capitulation. Done at Fort Amsterdam, &c."
October 28.
Then follow documents relating to the promised advance.
Order for money to be paid to John Rysingh.
" I, undersigned, certify and declare, that I have requested the honourable Cornelius Jacobsen Stanwyck to pay, in con- formity to capitulation, the sum of 800 gyllens, or bill of exchange, for payment of which, with the interest, and all its eventual losses, I, undersigned, besides all the effects of aforesaid Rysingh in my possession, submit all my own pro- perty, real and personal, to the control of any court of jus- tice, wherefore I signed this with my own hand.
"P. STUYVESANT."
Rysingh's receipt.
Then follows a receipt for the above bill, of John Rysingh to director-general, "agreeably to our capitulation, for two bills of exchange, one for 1000 gyllens on London, the other for 800 gyllens, together £300 Flanders, which being paid and satisfied, I promise to pay again the above sum within six months after received ; these in conformity with our capi- tulation to aforesaid P. Stuyvesant, or order * * for which I make a deposit, agreeably to our capitulation, of all the effects of the crown of Sweden and the South Company, now in possession of P. Stuyvesant, qualifying and authorizing him to dispose and sell so much of the effects of the crown of Sweden and South Company, as aforesaid sum, and da- mages and interest will amount to, in good Holland money.
" Signed, JOHN RYSINGH, " HENDRICK VAN ELSWYCK. " Witness, F. D. DECKER."1
The following is the reply of Governor Rysingh to the director-general, soon after which he probably left the country :
October 29. Rysingh's answer to the letter of the director- general.
" Royal majesty of Sweden. His obedient servant and appointed director of New Sweden, John Rysingh's answer to you, Peter Stuyvesant, director-general of New Netherland : " On your honour's open writing, which was delivered me yesterday, at my lodgings, by three persons, I cannot but answer in few words, upon that which, in regard to those in- ventories, was agreed between your honour and me. It is 1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 136-146.
201
answer, continued.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
evident, that by its contents, it is no more than just that 1655. your honour remains responsible for every article which re- mained in and out of Fort Christina. These materials and implements of war, ammunition, &c., were delivered to Johan Rysingh's Davidson, the master of your artillery, and your commissary. If the persons appointed by your honour, and to whom the keys of these were delivered, had been dissatisfied with them, then they ought not to have accepted, or at least not kept these keys, much less should they have carried off these articles without the presence of some of my people. Your men took away, at Tennakong, in an uncouth manner, all the cordage and sails of a new vessel, and then they went to the magazine, without having the keys demanded, entered it alone, broke the boards of the church, and so took away the cordage and sails.
" That ancient confederation and union between his royal majesty of Sweden and the high and mighty lords the States-General of New Netherland, which your honour is pleased to mention, has been truly very little respected by your honour, by your invasion, besieging, and conquering, finally, of the territory and forts of my most gracious lord and king, in this part of the world. What regards myself, I can never believe that the aforesaid High Mightinesses have instructed your honour with similar orders, more so, as your men acted indeed as if they had been on the lands of their inveterate enemy, as for one example, in plundering Tenna- kong, Upland, Finlandt, Printzdorp, and several other places, which are indeed incontestable witnesses, not to say a word of what was done in Fort Christina, where the women were vio- lently torn from their houses, whole buildings destroyed, and they dragged from them, yea, the oxen, cows, and swine, and other creatures, were butchered day after day; even the horses were not spared, but wantonly shot, the plantations destroyed, and the whole country left so desolate, that scarce any means are remaining for the subsistence of the inhabit- ants. That I could not accept your honour's offer to reside again in Fort Christina, I think that I fully explained in my answer of 26th September last; that I was only responsible to his royal majesty of Sweden, and the honourable South Company. That your honour mentions that your troops had marched already, before my departure, out of the Fortress Christina ; that he delivered its keys to me, while I, in an
26
202
JOHN RYSINGH, GOVERNOR OF THE SWEDES.
Rysingh's answer, continued.
1655. unbecoming manner, left that place without defence or pro- visions, which occasioned further damages, and that I for all these was responsible; to this I answer, not I, but your honour, left the fort bereft of every thing; as you had car- ried off, by your men, every thing which was discovered, yea, even mine own private property, with that of my family, although the greatest part of it had been conveyed, before- hand, to the ship, when your men, drawing out about evening, on 28th September, (O. S.) invaded us, when we, with a handful of men, without any other defence, were left as sheep doomed to the knife, to receive the wild barbarians. It can- not, in truth, be proved, that any keys of the forts have been returned to me by your men, and much less that I did accept these, and I am much astonished, indeed, that your honour can write such things to me. But it is happy indeed that you are not my judge, wherefore I neither care much about what your honour said, that I should remain responsible for it, and for all the damages which might have been occasioned by the defenceless state of the fort. Is it not risible indeed, that another person should become answerable for what has been caused by you alone ? I recommend this case to God, and to my lord and king, who will avenge the violence committed against his possessions and subjects.
" I deem it not requisite to waste many words in answering the second point, neither ought that which there is brought against me as a grief, be considered otherwise as a blas- phemy; I conversed before with many persons of high and low station, and knew, God be praised, very well to pay to each of them that regard which was due to them, neither am I inclined to act here against it, but how this has been reci- procated towards me, shall be shown at the proper time and place.
" The separate treaty, which your honour calls a secret capitulation, and which, as your honour stated, was concluded between him and me, without the knowledge of my people, is not quite so, as it was with their knowledge, and in their presence, upon the paved place, signed by your honour, which your honour is holden and obliged to execute, if he does not wish to be, in future, accused of having violated his word. What has been said of my violent threatenings is entirely unknown to me; but if the sayings of a party are once ad- mitted, then many might be believed against any honest man,
203
letter, continued.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
of which not one can be proved. I endeavoured, with justice 1655. on my side, as it was stipulated distinctly by the capitulation, not to leave my countrymen here behind, who came hither with me, and tried to prevent their being hired to remain Rysingh's here, that all should embark with me in one ship; but I soon afterwards discovered that not only the largest part of them had been persuaded, by great promises, to stay here, while the few persons who could not yet be shaken were divided and distributed, against the capitulation, upon different ships, here and there, neither can they recover the small bundles of goods which they had saved.
"I renew, therefore, my solicitation to your honour, that all my men may, without any further molestation, embark with me in the same ship, and further, that every article pro- mised me in the general and separate treaty, both sanctioned by your honour's signature, may be kept inviolate, while I pledge myself to your honour at this time, that neither by myself, neither of any of my people, any offence or outrage shall be committed upon any individual on the ship, during the voyage, either by words or deeds, and otherwise I pro- test, as I now do, in optima forma, against your honour, against every transaction against my most gracious lord and king, and against his majesty's subjects, by the invasion, siege, and conquest of the whole South River of New Sweden. It may also appear, from the several parcels of goods, if it is not placed on the inventory as ship materials, cattle, and various other separate articles. Done in Amsterdam, in New Netherland, 29th October, 1655. JOHN RYSINGH."1
Governor Rysingh and his company take their departure Rysingh for Europe in the "Spotted Cow" and "Bear," but were compelled, by weather, to put into England, where he had an the country. opportunity of communicating to the Swedish minister an account of the late occurrences on the Delaware, and received the £300, according to treaty.
Thus terminates the short career of Governor Rysingh, and with him the Swedish power and influence on the Dela- ware, the consequence of his rash and injudicious attack on the fort, and disobedience to the instructions of his govern- ment. The Dutch have, therefore, again, under lieutenant- governors, controlled, appointed, and commissioned by the director-general and council, the entire command of the river,
1 Albany Records, vol. xiii. pp. 363-367.
takes his de- parture from
-
204
DERCK SMIDT, COMMANDER AD INTERIM.
1655.
for a time. During their joint occupation of the river for about seventeen years, such was the state of things arising from jealousy, and a mutual thirst for power, that the growth and settlement of the country made but little progress, though probably the Swedes had the advantage; yet their increase was small compared with what, under other circumstances, might reasonably have been expected. It is true, they were not well sustained by the mother country, and to this may probably be attributed, in a great measure, their want of success.
It is said that "two out of three Swedish clergymen were expelled the country."1 The one left was a man of " godless and scandalous life." Were there so many here ?- their names are not mentioned.
On Stuyvesant's departure for Manhattan, he appointed Captain Derck Smidt, commissary or interim commandant, for a short time.2
Nov. 29.
Jews ask to trade on South River. Declined ge- nerally, but permitted for the pre- sent.
A petition is presented to director-general by Abraham Lucena, Salvador D'Andrade, and Jacob Cohen, "in their own name, and on behalf of the Jewish nation residing at New Amsterdam, showing that the suppliants, on February 13, 1655, were permitted by the director of the West India Company, &c., to travel, reside, and trade here as other in- habitants, and to enjoy all the privileges," &c., " soliciting, therefore, most reverently, that your honour will not obstruct them, but permit that they, agreeably to the obtained privi- lege in Holland, may travel and trade on the South River, &c., with the same liberty as the other inhabitants." Each member of the council gave his opinion on the subject ; Stuyvesant and Montagne said, "it cannot be granted, for weighty reasons ;" De Sille thought, as " they had embarked some goods for South River, it might not be becoming to grant a permit, but wait orders from the directors ;" Tien- hooven "thought it would be prejudicial to the [trade ?] and population of this country, and therefore, at present, during winter, ought to be rejected, and carefully and fairly repre- sented to the directors, and that a young man, for the present, of that nation, may depart for the South River with a few
1 O'Call. vol. ii. pp. 290, 318, and note, which says, " that one freeman was appointed to read, every Sunday, something from the Apostles; that the Lu- theran minister who was there was sent to Sweden; that by the capitulation, one Lutheran minister should be retained, which was granted." 2 Acrelius, p. 418.
Derck Smidt appointed commissary pro tem.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
cargoes, without being drawn into precedent." They there- 1655. fore came to the decision, that "for weighty reasons, is the request expressed in general terms declined, but as we are informed the suppliants have embarked already some goods thither, so are they now permitted to send two persons to- wards South River, to trade with it, and when they shall have disposed of their goods, then to return hither."1
The director-general and council, "wanting, for the pro- Nov. 29. motion of the interests of the company on South River, an John Paul expert and well qualified person to command there in their absence, and direct the affairs at that distance, on the good reports, and their own knowledge," appointed John Paul Jac- quet, "confiding in his probity, experience, and talents," vice-director and chief on that river, and commander of all the forts, lands, and places on said river, to keep good order for the security of Fort Casimir, and other places already fortified, or which may be fortified in future, and to have his orders observed and executed, in all concerning commerce, police, justice, militia ; and further, to command all the sol- diers, boatmen, freemen, officers of any class, either now in office, or that hereafter may be commissioned by him ; to act as vice-director in behalf of the company, to keep order, do justice and administer it either in civil or military cases, and finally, to execute all what, by his station and office, might be required, agreeably to instructions received or to be re- ceived."2
The following is a summary of the instructions given him : December 3.
To have, in the fort and river, command of all officers, His instruc- soldiers, and freemen, possess chief authority, place of ho- nour, and first vote in council and all meetings called by him, to which he shall propose all matters relative to police, jus- tice, commerce, &c., to be decided by a majority of votes, he having the casting vote.
The council to consist of Vice-director Andreas Hudde, Members of Elmerhuysen Klein, and two sergeants, if an affair purely his council. military, or relate to the company exclusively ; but if purely civil, between freemen and the company's servants, then, in- stead of two sergeants, two most expert freemen.
A. Hudde to be secretary and surveyor, and keep minutes. A. IIudde, Keys of the forts and magazines in the place of the vice- secretary director's residence, to be intrusted to him; he alone to give or.
1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 178. 2 Ibid. p. 174.
205
Jacquet ap- pointed vice- director. His commission.
tions. Have chief com- mand and casting vote.
and survey-
S
.
206
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1655. the watchword, and enjoy all general and special authority, and command of other officers under him.
Observance of the Sab- bath.
Strictly to observe the regulations respecting the sale of brandy, &c., to Indians, plundering gardens and plantations, running through the country, in town, and drinking on the Sabbath, its profanation, &c.
No officers or soldiers to be absent from the fort at night ; No officers to no freemen, especially no Swede living in the country, to stay in the fort at night. Fort Casimir not to be too often visited by them or the savages, much less the fortifications examined. In this respect, pay particular attention on arrival of any foreign vessels, yachts, or ships.
No vessel to go above the fort. Gene- ral regula- tions.
No vessel to go above or below Fort Casimir to trade with savages or Christians, but such as remain at the fort at an- chor, and well near the shore. All on guard to be kept in good order, keep fort in good repair, and its fortifications in proper state of defence ; but permission may be granted to plant, on taking oath to assist the fort, or be transported, in case they refuse the oath.
Respecting lands. Num- bers to re- side togeth- er. Rent of lands.
In granting lands, above all things, take care that a com- munity of at least sixteen or twenty persons reside together, or so many families, and to prevent coveting lands, require, for the present, instead of one-tenth to be paid per morgen, only 12 stivers per annum.
Special di- rection con- cerning the lands near fort. Streets to be laid out.
Grant no houses or lots on the side of the meadow of Fort Casimir, viz. between the creek and the fort, nor behind the fort, that land to be reserved for fortifying and outworks of the fort. For favouring the dwelling together on the south side of the fortress, lay out a convenient street behind the houses already erected, and lay out convenient lots in the same, about 40 or 50 feet broad, by 100 long, and the street at least 4 or 5 rood broad.
Take very good notice of the behaviour of the Swedes December 3. there being yet, and in case any of them should be found not Observe con- duct of the Swedes. well affected to the honourable company and the state of our native country, "to prevent further trouble, you are to cause all such, with all imaginable civility, to depart, and if possi- ble, send them hither," &c.
This was probably the commencement of the present town of New Castle, then called New Amstel.
Jacquet's oath.
Jacquet took the oath to be loyal and faithful, administer justice, and maintain laws, "maintain and protect the Re-
be absent from fort at night. No Swedes to stay in it. Visits to the fort.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
207
formed religion, as it is learned and instructed in this country, in conformity to the word of God and the synod of Dor- drecht, and to promote it as far as his power may extend ; secure and defend the fort, &c."1
1655.
The following duties were imposed by Jacquet : on hogshead Dec. 20. of French wine, 20 guilders ; anker of brandy, and distilled Duties on waters, per tun, 6 guilders ; Holland or foreign beer, per merchan- dise. tun, 4 guilders.2 No liquor to be sold to Indians.
Persons appointed by Jacquet to examine the situation of Dec. 25. the fort, report it to be " very much decaying in its walls and Decayed batteries, and if it should ever be of any use, it ought to be renewed from the bottom, as the outworks are nearly de- stroyed, while what remains cannot last very long, from its disrupted and tottering situation.""
state of Fort Casimir.
Jacquet had previously, for many years, resided in Brazil, in the service of the company.
A license of marriage is recorded, between Wm. Mauntz, Marriage "a young man from Wallshire, old about 33, to Jannitze license. Tomas, born in New Netherland, old about 16 years."4
Several sachems arrived at Fort Casimir, and demanded to Dec. 28. be heard, as they had proposals to make, which being granted, they, in presence of Hudde, Gysbert, Bracy Elmerhuysen, Sandy Boyer, and many others, stated-First, that from the Their de- late commander, (Delmet ?) they were promised an extension of the trade, and at higher prices. Director Jacquet replied, " that having lately arrived, he did not know what was done before, but his wish was to live in peace and amity with them, and that if any thing promised had been neglected through ignorance, it ought to be overlooked."
2. They ask an alteration in trade, “using a vast volu- bility of words," and demand for two deers a dress of cloth, and so of other things in proportion. The director replied, " that his principal's custom was not to dictate, but that each was at liberty to act his pleasure, and might go where his purse and the wares best suited," to which they as- sented.
3. That according to previous custom, to make presents to Presents pro- the chiefs, it was proper, as a confirmation of the treaty. mised. The director "remonstrates that goods were now very scarce, though as much inclined as ever to give such proofs of friend-
1 Albany Records, vol. x. pp. 174, 186-191. Reg. Penns. vol. iv. p. 82.
2 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 191. 3 Ibid. p. 403. 4 Ibid. p. 407.
Meeting of sachems at FortCasimir.
mands for extension of trade. Pre- sents de- manded.
208
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1655.
ship ; they would now, however, do what they could at pre- sent, and promise in three days to gratify their wishes."
Subscrip- tions by in- habitants for presents. Two persons decline.
On the next day the preceding articles were communicated to the inhabitants of Fort Casimir, and accepted with plea- sure, each cheerfully subscribing, except Israel and Isaac Van der Zee, who made difficulties, and preferred to depart from the river, and abandon the trade, rather than assist, with the other inhabitants, to maintain the peace and tran- quillity of the community.
Individual subscription for sachems.
One hundred and eighty-nine guilders were collected, of which the West India Company gave 38, Jacquet, 14.10, Hudde, 10.10, Mr. Jacob, Jan F. Camman, Connel Mauntz, each 13, Elmerhuysen Klein, 14, Thomas Brays, William Mauntz, John Eacophoff, S. Boyer, Harman Jansen, John Schagger, each 9, Oloff Steams, 8, Laurens Bors, 6, and Mons. Andreis, 4, most of whom wrote their names, a few only making marks.1
1656.
A certain Claes Peterse Smith presents a claim for ser- January 18. vices rendered on South River, as well as for payment or A claim pre- restitution of three small fuzees. Council answer, that " when sented. Re- ply of the directors. the petitioner has proved these particulars, and where he left the arms that were at his house when the Fortress Casimir was surrendered, further notice will be taken of his request."2
In the following letter, the States-General make a call January 18. upon the West India Company for soldiers, to be sent to New Netherland :
Soldiers re- quired to drive Swedes from New Netherland.
" With this we request and require of you to send, as soon as possible, the reinforcement, for the purpose of driving away some Swedish soldiers from the New Netherlands, as is mentioned in your last letter sent to us, on which we depend."3
The free persons of the Swedish nation residing on the January 19. second corner above Fort Casimir, appear before council, and Petition of the Swedes against liv- ing in the village. Allowed to remain on their lands. solicit that they may remain on their lands, as they have no inclination to change their place of abode, neither to build in the new village, but claim the promise made to them by the director-general, Stuyvesant, and that they will conclude finally what to do after the time of one year and six weeks, which was allotted them by the capitulation, shall be expired.
1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 407.
2 MSS. A. P. S., in Reg. Penns. vol. iv. p. 96.
3 Holl. Doc. vol. viii. p. 26.
209
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
1656.
The parties being heard, their petition was granted, agreeably to capitulation, and they who are willing are permitted to come and reside in the village, while they who cannot yet conclude, shall be obliged to ask leave for this purpose, after that period shall be expired.1
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.