USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 24
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May 3. And to soothe ani- mosities be- tween Christians and natives.ª
" I, undersigned, Hendrick Huygh, commissioned by the company of the South, in Sweden, on a voyage in the ship Mercury, as the commissary, before my arrival on South River, not knowing any thing about the changes which hap- pened there since I left that country, promise under my sig- nature, in lieu of oath, that I, on the safeguard which I have obtained from the director-general and council, will conduct myself, as well in regard to my commerce, as to my residence either here or on the South River, as a faithful and obedient servant, and submit to all such orders and laws as the sub- jects of New Netherland, and particularly that I will in no manner whatever, foment disunion between Christians and savages, but that I rather will exert myself to the utmost to soothe the animosities between the Christians and natives, and endeavour to reconcile and unite them, and act and conduct myself, in every respect, as if I was a sworn subject of this state. In further security of my promise, I submit my per- son, and my property, real and personal, present and future, to the judicature of any court of justice. Signed at New Amsterdam, May 3, 1656."
1 Albany Records, vol. xiii. pp. 1-7.
219
1656.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
Mathias, a Swedish clergyman, arrives in the Mercurius, and returned to Sweden in about two years.1
Also, Andreas Bengtsen, the ancestor of the Bankson families, into which the name changed; he was living here, April 6, 1703.2
A regulation was adopted, "that all the swine should be May 22. yoked within twenty-four hours, or be killed by the soldiers."3 Swine to be Jews are prohibited from trading on South River.4 yoked. June 14.
ry arrives at Manhattan.
Value of hex cargo.
A Swede and a Finn were arrested for selling beer to a July. savage, but being lately arrived, and doing it through igno- Ignorance of rance, were discharged.6 law excused.
Printz's daughter, Armgard, now Madame Pappegoya, who August 3. still remained (with her husband) in the country, had, for Memorial of some reasons, been deprived or dispossessed of her father's Armgard Printz for her father's lands. property ; now applies to the director-general to be reinstated in it. Her memorial sets forth, " It is, without doubt, well known to the director-general, that our late lord governor, my highly revered lord and father, prepared a farm, partly cultivated by freemen, who are returned to Sweden, and sur- rendered it to him, and partly cleared by his orders, and cul- tivated for several years ; that this was granted him by the king, and by the present royal majesty was confirmed, but which now, since three years, being abandoned, was again covered with bushes, and the dwelling-house nearly destroyed by the Indians, and so I have been obliged to repair it, by three Finns, and to sow its fields, when, unexpectedly, I was
' Campanins, p. 109. 2 Clay, p. 31.
3 Acrelius, p. 420.
4 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 212.
6 Ibid. vol. xiii. p. 374; vol. xi. p. 433.
6 Ibid. vol. xiii. p. 101.
.
H. Huygh represents to the director-general and council, July 11. that on their promise and assurance, when he arrived before The Mercu- the city of New Amsterdam with his ship Mercury, that he should be treated with civility and courtesy, till the case in question should be decided, he desires to be informed what Duties on duties they contemplate demanding, that he may know how ship Mer- cury. to regulate his conduct. They inform him that " he ought to pay the duties of recognition on all the imported goods, 10 per cent., but as he remonstrates, and it actually appears that some of the goods are damaged, he is permitted to pay, in lieu of recognitions, for all the goods laden on the Mer- cury, amounting, by invoice, to 9079.10 guilders, (£1513, 4s. 2d.) the sum of 750 guilders, (£141, 13s. 4d.)5
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JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1656.
forbidden by the present commander, to take possession of it again ; wherefore I am compelled to inform the director-general of this event, with humble supplication that it may please him graciously, and from the friendship between him and my lord and father, to favour me with this possession, as I am confident that his honour will do, and solicit further, that my people may remain unmolested at Printzdorp, and continue to cultivate its soil; and that his honour, &c. may be pleased to grant me, for my greater security, letters-patent for that spot, and so too for Tinnakonk. I hope that my lord and father will acknowledge it as a mark of great friendship, and as far as it is in his power, be remunerated with thankful- ness; with which I recommend the director-general to the protection of God Almighty. Dated at Tinnakonk, August 3, 1656. The director-general's humble servant,
"ARMGARD PRINTZ."
Her petition granted.
" The suppliant is permitted, agreeably to the capitulation, to take possession of the lands of her lord and father, in Printzdorp, and to use it to her best advantage. Done at New Amsterdam, August 28, 1656. P. STUYVESANT."1
It is not precisely known where Printzdorp was situated, but it is supposed to have been a village, (as the name implies,) in the neighbourhood, or upon a part of Tinnecum. Tradition places it on the south-east portion.
Transfer of Fort Casimir to city of Amsterdam arranged. Name changed.
The Dutch West India Company, being much in debt, from various causes, previous to the affairs on South River, which, instead of relieving, had the tendency to embarrass them still further, having been compelled to obtain aid from the city of Amsterdam in recovering South River, now proposed, in order to relieve themselves, to transfer Fort Casimir, and some adjoining territory, to the city of Amsterdam. After repeated negotiations, the arrangement was effected, the colony was named New Amstel, and steps taken to encourage settlements, as will be seen by the following conditions en- tered into between the burgomasters of Amsterdam and the colonists in the city's colony of New Amstel.
August 16. Colonists to be trans- sported free of expense.
They are to be transported, with their families, furniture, &c., in vessels to be procured by the city, who are to advance the freight money, to be afterwards refunded. The city en- gages to provide them a fruitful soil, healthy and temperate climate, watered by, and situated on a fresh water river, on
1 Albany Records, vol. xi. p. 518, 519; vol. xiii. p. 154, 155.
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dis the res
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PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
which large ships may sail, having made an agreement with the West India Company to this effect, for a place at their disposal, to which no other persons have any claim ; the city there to lay out on the river-side a suitable place for their residence, and fortify it with a trench without and a wall within, and divide the enclosed land into streets, a market, and lots, for traders, mechanics, and farmers, all at the ex- pense of the city. The city to provide a schoolmaster, (who shall also read the Holy Scriptures in public, and set the Psalms,) and provide for him.
The city to provide, for one year, clothing, provisions, and City to pro- garden seeds, build a large storehouse to contain their goods, year, cloth- vide for one clothing, and provisions, keep a factor there, with all neces- ing, &c. saries, and sell them at Amsterdam prices to the colonists, company's toll excepted, which shall be employed in building and supporting public works, by those authorized by the West India Company and city. The police of the town or city, as Police and well as administration of justice, to be as in Amsterdam. A justice as at schout, or head of justice, appointed in the name of their Amsterdam. High Mightinesses and West India Company, by deputies of Amsterdam, who shall give the director a power of attorney. Three burgomasters to be appointed by the common burghers, Mode of ap- from the " honestest, fittest, and richest," and five or seven pointing town offi- schepens, for which the burghers to nominate a double num- cers. ber, from which the director by attorney is to select. When the town contains 200 or more families, they shall choose a Common common council of 21 persons, to meet with the burgomasters and schepens, and consult on matters relating to government chosen. of the city ; once established, the council to supply vacancies by a new election, by a plurality of votes ; they shall an- nually choose burgomasters, and nominate a double number out of which to choose schepens. The schepens are to de- Duties of cide causes for all sums under 100 guilders, ($60;) over that schepens. sum, appeal allowed to director-general and council of New Netherland. The schepens to pronounce sentences in crimi- nal cases, subject to appeal.
The city of Amsterdam to agree with a smith, wheelwright, City to fur- and carpenter, to live there with the colonists.
nish me- chanics.
The said city shall divide the lands about the town into Lands to be fields, for plough, meadow, and pasture, and allow for roads. divided. Every farmer to have, " in free, fast, and durable property," as many morgens of land as the family can improve, and for
221
1656.
A town to be laid out on river side, and to be fortified. Schoolmas- ter to be pro- vided, and to be reader.
Build a warehouse. Sell goods at Amsterdam prices.
council, how and when
T 2
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it al e y n
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JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1656.
Free from tenths for 20 years.
grazing, which must be under cultivation in two years, or forfeit them ; no poundage, horn-money or salt-money to be required for ten years from the first sowing or pasturing; at the end of ten years to pay no higher tax than the lowest in any other district of the West India Company. Shall be free from tenths for twenty years from first sowing; at end of twenty years, the tenths shall be given to city of Amsterdam, half of which tenths to be applied to support of public works, and of persons employed in public service ; and so also of poundage, and other charges, whenever paid.
Shipping must con- sign goods to city, to sell on commis- sion.
During and after sending ships from Holland, to load and bring over corn, seeds, wood, and merchandise by the city, the most useful of the colonists are at liberty to charter pri- vate ships; but they must be consigned to the city of Am- sterdam, who shall provide for them there storehouses, sell the goods, and return the proceeds as ordered, deducting only 2 per cent. for commissions, and one-tenth of net proceeds for disbursements by the city, for the freight and passages of the colonists and their goods, which shall cease when the disbursements are refunded.
The colonists may take what they require from the city's warehouse, at a fixed price, the account to be sent with their goods, to be deducted therefrom.
Colonists may take goods from public, and pay in Europe. Privileges of wood, and fishing and hunting. Certain offi- cers to be
Mines and minerals free to dis- coverer.
City to pro- vide ware- house in Am- sterdam.
Colonists may cut what wood they require for building houses and vessels, from any forests in the district not granted to private persons, free of cost, and may also freely hunt in the woods, and fish in any waters not private property, under regulations to be made by the company, &c. The burgo- appointed by masters of Amsterdam, as founders and patroons, shall ap- burgomas- ters of Am- sterdam. point secretary, messengers, and other inferior persons, and the city of Amsterdam shall see that all tools and implements be transported free, and without recognitions. The discoverer of minerals, crystals, precious stones, marble, &c., may keep them as his own for ten years, free of duty or imposition ; after ten years, to pay the company one-tenth of their pro- ceeds. The city of Amsterdam shall provide a warehouse for all the goods it intends to send to New Netherland, to be visited by any person appointed by the directors of the West India Company, under the inspection of a person appointed by the city, and marked with the marks of the city and com- pany, the recognition to be paid to the company, according to the list. These goods may then be laden, with the know-
223
on shipping.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
ledge of the company, on any vessels they may obtain. If 1656. the city ships any goods on freight to New Amsterdam, they must submit to the same regulations as others; but if the city of Amsterdam sends its own or chartered vessel, laden Regulations only with its own goods, the vessel must go to its own city or colony, but all the goods on board shall be advertised in the city warehouse, under the inspection of any one of the com- pany appointed for the purpose, to whom the letters and commission from the company shall be delivered; and vice versa, of goods imported from the city's colony into Amster- dam ; duties due to the country and the company to be paid.
All materials, &c., for farming or trades, to be free from Materials for recognition ; all produce of New Netherland, on importation, farming and trades to be to be free of duty ; so also, salted or dried fish taken there. free. Peltry, as beavers, otters, &c., to pay 8 per cent. Besides the duties above, paid in Amsterdam, there must also be paid Duties. in New Netherland, 4 per cent. in light money, reckoning the rix-dollar at 63 stivers.1
A board of commissioners to manage the affairs of New Board of Amstel, to reside in Amsterdam, was appointed ; preparations made for an expedition of emigrants, 40 soldiers engaged, under command of Captain Martin Krygier, and Lieutenant Alexander D'Hinoyossa, the expense of which, and support of settlers one year, estimated at 36,000 guilders, ($14,000 or $15,000,) raised by a loan.2
A contract with Niles Matson, for an island, near Chris- tina, and a certain field to Paul Janses, situated on south- west side of Christina Creek, obliquely to the fort; with regard to the mill, this is left to the choice of sub-sheriff and commissioners to repair it."3
The following deliberations of the council of the city of Nov. 4. Amsterdam, relate to the new colony to be established :
Extract from the resolutions of the council of the city of Amsterdam :
"November 4, 1656 .- The burgomasters having imme- Resolutions diately made known to the council, that their honours, in providing for the wants of the New Netherlands, among other ing the new matters, had deliberated in what manner, and by whom, the colony. Farmers to city should take over Fort Casimir, situated near the River be sent over. Delaware, from the West India Company, it being destined
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. pp. 543-547; List of Duties, 548.
2 O'Call. vol. ii. p. 334. 3 Albany Records.
commission- ers in New Amstel ap- pointed. Emigrants and soldiers under Capt. Krygier and Hinoyossa. Island and mill near Christina.
of Amster- dam respect-
·
f d
or be at in ee f
224
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1656. to be the first place of abode in the new colony, and is, for the future, to be guarded and protected from outward vio- lence, as the present garrison is taken from thence by the said company, and is intended to be quartered in their other forts laying along the river, further upwards; and that their honours took into consideration these means, to wit, to send over from sixty to seventy farmers, from the country called Guliker, and the surrounding places, for finding tenements for the daily quarters of the soldiers, for instructing them for warfare, and on certain conditions, in their turn to guard and to stand sentinel, and the remainder of the time to be occupied in agricultural pursuits, or if it would not be better to have a certain number of soldiers to garrison the fort ef- fectually. Then their honours, considering that these means, one the more, the other less, would only amount to reasonable expenses to this city, have decided, before coming to a final determination, to request and take the advice and order of this council; on which having deliberated, and judged that the keeping of soldiers, or those that have to attend to their duty, for the safety of places, villages, or cities, is one of the fundamental necessities of the same,
"It is unanimously resolved and decided to request the burgomasters with this, and authorize them to do what they judge best, and for the greatest advantage of the projected colony.1"
Nov. 4. Bridge near FortCasimir.
It was ordered that a BRIDGE was highly necessary over the creek, near the Fortress Casimir, because the passage is now impracticable ; decided that it shall be made, 22d instant, being Monday.
Overseers of fences ap- pointed. Palisades for fort.
Also, that the fields be fenced. Two persons to be ap- pointed overseers or inspectors of fences. Harman Jansen and John Echhost were appointed. The community are re- quested to cut palisades to strengthen the fort, which the public safety much requires, as the fort ought to be enclosed with palisades on every side.2
Nov. 27. Lands to be fenced by a certain time, or penalty.
A " placard" complains that lots and plantations, in the neighbourhood of the fort, lie open like commons; as their proprietors are not residing on the spot, others have taken possession of more lands than they can cultivate; fences to be put up by last of February, or forfeit 10 guilders, or on
2 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 448.
1 Holl. Doc. vol. xv. pp. 7-9.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
225
seven days' delay, 20 guilders ; another seven days, they to 1656. be considered obstinate, and forfeit the land.
inspection of tobacco.
The cultivation of and trade in tobacco was at this time one of the chief objects of attention, and the character of it Dec. 12. stood very high. On the 9th of November, the community Act for the was summoned at the fort, to nominate four persons, out of whom to elect two expert persons as tobacco inspectors ; and Two inspoo- on the 12th December, a placard was posted up, stating that, tors ap- pointed. " as it is ascertained that this river has become renowned for its tobacco, and persons are daily encouraged to settle within its limits, if this produce is managed as it ought to be, and properly cured and packed, and all sorts of fraud which might be used is carefully avoided ; and whereas, all this can- not well be effected, except it is examined and inspected be- fore it is exported ; and whereas, expert and faithful persons are required for this inspection," &c., Meenes Andriessen and William Maunts are selected from the nomination, as inspec- tors, " who shall inspect and examine all the tobacco, before it may be delivered, shipped, or exported, and give a certifi- cate to the owner." If any one will not submit to inspection and examination, the honourable Jacquet " commands all the‘ inhabitants residing on this river, that they shall not, in fu- ture, undertake to deliver any tobacco, or receive it, much less export it, without the act of inspectors that it has been weighed and inspected; and for each 100 weight of inspected tobacco, paid 6 stivers by the receiver, and 4 stivers by the Penalty for seller, on penalty of 50 guilders for first offence, and for shipping without in- spection. second and third in proportion, the informer to receive 20 guilders, and his name kept secret."1
The following are the instructions from the directors in Dec. 19. Holland to Governor Stuyvesant, for the conveyance of Fort Casimir, as a distinct colony, to the city of Amsterdam, the name of which, as well as Forts Christina and New Gotten- berg, are to be changed :
" Whereas the burgomasters, as we mentioned before, have Orders for chosen to settle their colony on the South River, in the neighbourhood of Fort Casimir, now to be called NEW AM- to burgo- STEL, who, farther to garrison said fort, and defend the in- habitants of said colony, farmers, and free mechanics, (about Name souls,) embarked a company of soldiers, under command of Captain Martin Krygier, whom we, upon the good report stel.
1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 450. Ibid. p. 448.
transfer of Fort Casimir
masters of Amsterdam.
changed to New Am-
29
226
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
Alricks ap- pointed com- missary.
1656. of your honour, have recommended to the burgomasters, we did not only deem it necessary to send you this information, but at the same time to command to deliver said fort, with the lands in its neigbourhood which we had purchased, to Jacob Alricks, who embarks as director and commissary-general of said burgomasters, over and in the colony aforesaid, whom your honour will assist with his aid and advice. We authorize your honour to make this transfer in due form, including in it all the artillery and ammunition, and what further of the company's property might remain in that fort, not omitting to have an inventory made of all the articles, which ought to be signed by said Director Alricks, to regulate our conduct by it in process of time.
Fort Chris- tina changed to Altona; Gottenberg to Island Kattenberg.
" What regards the Forts Christina and New Gottenberg, now called by us Altona and the Island Kattenberg, your honour will, for the present, garrison both with eight or ten soldiers, as well for defence of the Swedes and our inha- bitants in that vicinity, as to imbue the natives with some awe. Your honour will by no means neglect to inform us, by the first opportunity, of the present situation of affairs, and what in your opinion would be their best direction. You will dispose of the remainder of the soldiers where your honour shall deem most proper.
Waldenses expected to emigrate.
Large pur- chase of lan ordered, be- tween South and North Rivers.
" The confidence which we feel about the success and in- crease of this new colony, and of which we hope to see next spring some prominent features, while to all appearance large numbers of the exiled Waldenses, who shall be warned, will flock thither as to an asylum-this confidence induces us to send you orders, that you may endeavour to purchase, before it can be accomplished by any other nation, all that tract of land situated between the South River and the corner of the North River, to provide establishments for these emigrants, and receive in this manner an additional defence and in- crease.
" It is the opinion of many here, that by the establishment of said new colony, many of our inhabitants will be induced to move thither by reason of considerable expected benefits, without paying any taxes during the first years ; which point, as it is well deserving consideration, so it ought, if feasible, to be prevented, and the management of said colony be fol- lowed. It is in this regard momentous to prevent complaints, for which occasion is given when the goods are overcharged
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1656.
tities of stur- geon.
from New Amsterdam.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
above the sums for which they here had obliged themselves." They then speak of the commissary appointed to the admi- nistration of the colony, intending to land with the ship Prince Maurice, at Fort Amsterdam, to obtain there, with less trou- ble and expense, the merchandise and goods which, from the smallness of that vessel, were embarked on the "Beaver," and "Flower of Gelder;" and ask his honour's assistance to the Di- rector to promote his journey, and render it as expeditious and convenient as possible : " because neither the vessel nor cargo is subject to any visitation at New Netherland; but when it shall arrive at South River, at the place of destination, then it will be unladed and inspected by the custom-house officers, and then carried to the magazine in conformity to 34 and 35 articles of the printed conditions."
Jacques Cartier is mentioned as engineer and a good sur- veyor, and who might be of great service in selecting the spot for the houses to be erected on, &c., " that so the said colony may at least be successful in its beginning."1
In consequence of Alrick's detention, the delivery of the colony was not formally made till next year.
Frequent reference has already been made to a long " Hol- land document," written in this year, which gives an interest- ing view of matters on this river from the building of Fort Nassau, which might be interesting if printed consecutively : but as the material parts have been noticed under their appro- priate dates, only the views at that time entertained respect- ing the importance of the Delaware are introduced here.
" This river Delaware is considered the finest of all North Early no- America, being wide, deep, and navigable ; abounding in tices of the Delaware. fish, especially an abundance of sturgeons, of whose roes a Great quan- great quantity of cavejaar might be made.
"The land about here, and on the borders of the river, is very good ; for the most part remarkably well adapted for the culture of corn, and other agricultural pursuits, and pro- duces a great many kinds of fruits." It then speaks of the great beaver trade of the Schuylkill.2
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