USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 25
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Acrelius says : " In the spring of this year several parties came from New Amsterdam to settle here. It was then that Emigrants the governor-general and council gave deeds of land-75 in all-till the end of August. These grounds were small;
1 Albany Records, vol. iv. pp. 222-225.
2 Holl. Doc. vol. viii. pp. 32-50.
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228
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1656.
greater part only lots in the town." Orders were given that 16 or 20 families should settle together for the sake of safety, which, however, was only observed about Fort Casimir. A yearly rent of 12 stivers for every morgen. Within the dis- trict of the Swedes no deeds were given at this time, but a tax of 5 or 6 gyllen laid on every family, agreeably to pro- ject of the schoute.1
1657.
January 10. Town meet- ing to fix prices of skins.
A meeting of " the community" was summoned at Fort Casimir, at which it was stated " that some persons did not hesitate to spoil the trade with the Indians, by increasing already more than one-third the price of deer-skins, which price it is feared will continue to be heightened, to a great loss of the lower classes ; whereas the inhabitants who must earn their living by their hands must pay a higher price for several articles than they can dispose of them for to others again. Whereas this inconvenience is the least, compared with the consequences to be apprehended from such a course, when in the spring the trade in beavers is again to be opened; in which case, the inhabitants residing in this neighbourhood may be utterly ruined : and many serious complaints have already been made to the commander, while nothing can yet be effected to avert, or provide for these evils-it is now pro- posed to the community that they will determine together on a price, which shall be adopted as a rule in trading; while the director and council promise that all such orders as they shall decree, provided they will give their assistance and superintendence, shall be promptly executed. On which the community resolve to adopt the following rules, and promised, by their signatures, on their honour and oath, to maintain them ; not objecting to be considered perjured men if, in any respect, they betray their trust and violate these orders ; and will forfeit the privilege of trading for a whole year; for second time, agreeably to orders ; and for third time, finally of being expelled from the river. And they further pledge themselves, each for himself, if they become acquainted with similar transgressions, they will give information to whom the law shall direct.
Pledges, and penalty of offonce.
Prices agreed upon.
Prices agreed upon .- For a merchantable beaver, two fathoms of seawan.
1 Acrelius, p. 420.
229
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
For a good bear's hide, to the value of a beaver, two 1657.
fathoms.
For an elant's (moose) hide, to value of a beaver, two fathoms seawan, and so in proportion.
For a deer-skin, 120 seawan.
Those of foxes, ratclapan, hispan, and others, in propor- tion. Done in a general meeting in Fort Casimir, January 10, 1657. Signed, John Powel Jaquet, Andreas Hudde, Israel Allerton, Jeners Willem Mountsen, Alex'r Boyer, Thomas Broen, Galnet Haes, Jacob Crabbe, Harmen Jansen, and twenty-two or twenty-three others, whose names are re- corded, of whom eleven or twelve made their marks.1
A placard of the director-general complains of great January 10. abuses by the inhabitants running after the savages and de- Order re- taining them, when they have articles for sale : and orders, specting huckstering " that in future, no persons shall go to the Indians, by land with the In- or by water, to trade with them, or offer them gifts, by sail- dians. ing up and down the river ; nor meet the Indians when they approach their dwellings, to hire and coax them, or call them in their houses ; but permit them to use their pleasure :"- under penalty of the forfeiture of the furs thus obtained, be- sides arbitrary correction.
Jacob Alricks, who had been sent by the burgomasters of Amsterdam as director of their new colony of New Amstel, was unfortunately shipwrecked off Long Island; he thus communicates to Stuyvesant the condition of himself and com- rades, in a letter of which only fragments remain :-
" Whereas, the noble lords of the privileged West India March 12. Company, &c., agreed that the great and respectable lords, the burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, should be per- mitted to establish a colony on South River, in New Nether- Shipwreck lands, on which aforesaid lords burgomasters proposed certain conditions to all such persons as should be inclined to expa- triate themselves hither as colonists, as may be seen by the annexed copy : on which terms several persons solicited per- mission to go thither, who consequently embarked, at the ral. expense of the city, in different vessels : viz., ship Prince Mants, (Maurice,) about one hundred and twelve persons, besides sixteen of the crew, officers and sailors ; thirty-three souls on the ship Bear; eleven on the expected ship, the Flower of Gelder; being together, one hundred and sixty-
Letter of J. Alricks to P. Stuyvesant.
of Prince Maurice on Long Island. Imploring assistance from the di- rector-geno-
1 Albany Records, vol. x. p. 458.
U
230
JOHN PAUL JACQUET, VICE-DIRECTOR AND COMMANDER.
1657.
J. Alricks's letter on shipwreck of Prince Mau- rice, con- tinued.
seven souls, who intend to make an establishment on afore- said South River ; and that they all, who, in behalf of the aforesaid city, should be intrusted with the direction of the aforesaid colony, should inform me before they arrived on the ship Prince Maurice at Manhattans, should convey their let- ters, instructions, and address to your honour, in behalf of the aforesaid colony.
" On which I, with one hundred and twenty-eight souls, embarked in ship Prince Maurice, we hoped and wished that we might have arrived at the Manhattans; but, unhappily, we struck the shore of a certain place opposite Long Island, Sicktewacky.1 The crew were saved, and we are in hopes that we shall succeed with the largest part of the lading, if it please God; all which increases the difficulty, hardship, and labour, is, the increasing cold and freezing weather to which we must remain exposed, to avoid yet more severe losses. In the mean time, I am with the aforesaid persons, among whom about fifty soldiers, with their captain, Martin Krygier, and the lieutenant, D'Hinoyossa, (D'Jongren,) and further, the other persons here, in the greatest distress : and I ardently look to obtain means and opportunities, with some succour and aid for our safety, so that we may execute the plan of the lords directors and burgomasters aforesaid. But as the ship Prince Maurice was shipwrecked, and is in such a situa- tion that it must be considered as lost, so that I am compelled to implore your honour's advice and assistance, humbly there- on, soliciting your honour will not delay in any manner. *
"Except that your honour were thoroughly acquainted with this situation, and could inform me what you deemed best to do-as there is no time for us to spare-I must con- clude, requesting that you will be so kind to accommodate all such persons as may arrive, and have arrived there in the ships Beaver and Flower of Gelder, in behalf and on account of the city of Amsterdam, in the most becoming manner, till further orders. I expect, meanwhile, your answer; with a small vessel, with a pilot and three or four other seafaring men, well acquainted with this place, to examine what might yet be saved from the ship."
.
" Signed, J. ALRICKS.2
" Long Island, March 12, 1657."
1 " Near the present town of Islip, in South Bay, near Fire Island inlet." O'Call. v. ii. p. 335. 2 Albany Records, vol. xii. pp. 405-407, 415-417.
231
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
Alricks still remained with the wreck at Sicktewacky, Long 1657. Island. The director-general, who went there to render his advice and assistance, had departed for Manhattan. The wind was so unfavourable that the yacht Concord could not March 20. go to sea-the skipper was provided with a lading-the skip- Prospects of per Dirk Claessen declared he had only room for twenty ankers, which were then on board; asks the special attention the Prince to the property belonging to the city; learns by Captain Maurice. Jacobs that the Beaver, Flower of Gelder, and the Bear had arrived at Manhattan, with fifty to fifty-five souls to settle in the colony of New Amstel; hopes the director will provide lodgings and victuals till the rest arrive, and transport them to South River in a convenient ship, with their goods ; Jacob sails to-morrow with flour."1
Director Stuyvesant issues an order respecting the pleasure- March 26. boat of the late Gov. Printz, which, "he is informed," is Pleasure- decaying, and nearly rotten where she now lies : he therefore permits Peter Meyer to make use of her for transporting let- ters ; provided, that when required, he will satisfy the attor- neys of the late Gov. Printz, and discharge Stuyvesant from the responsibility of the capitulation.2
Isaac Allerton, senior, protests against Commander Jac- April 6. quet, for a quantity of tobacco seized at New Amstel. A Protest certificate of it, being a true copy, is signed by Johanni quet. Rysingh, junior, probably a son of the late governor.3
The proprietors of the new colony appear to be entering singh. with spirit into plans for its increase and prosperity ; accord- ingly they are sending out colonists, with all necessaries for their settlement. The vessels which accompanied Alricks, whose misfortune we have noticed, are soon to be followed by a vessel of war, bearing a minister of the gospel, of which Stuyvesant is advised in a letter from the directors, dated April 7.
"The city of Amsterdam," they say, " or the commissioners April 7. who are appointed to, and entrusted with, the direction of the Ship Ba- colony on the South River, have now in readiness the man- of-war, the "Balance," which will sail within three or four a minister, weeks, with divers families and other free colonists. In this preparing for New ship comes over a minister for said colony ; and whereas said Amstel. city does not spare any expenses, so it would afford us a high
1 Albany Records, vol. xii. p. 409.
3 Ibid. p. 136.
2 Ibid. vol. xv. p. 96.
Alricks at the wreck of
boat of Gov. Printz.
against Jac-
A son of Gov. Ry-
lance, with colonists and
ยท 232
J. ALRICKS, NEW AMSTEL-J. P. JACQUET, OF COLONY.
1657. gratification that this enterprise, by every possible assistance, was encouraged, and said vessel provided with a valuable cargo on its return. Wherefore we recommend you to endea- vour to secure its success : we have enclosed the list of pas- sengers with the invoices of the private merchandise laden in the sloop Golden Mill. The attorney-general is directed to be on his guard when it is unloading."1
The minister here spoken of was the Rev. Everardus Welius, 2 who died a few years afterwards.
Agreeably to the orders given, the transfer of Fort Casi- mir was this day made to the burgomasters of Amsterdam, in the following words :-
April 12.
Article of cession of Fort Casimir to the bur- gomasters of Amsterdam.
New Am- stel.
Bounds.
Alricks commis- sioned in room of director, &c.
" I, Peter Stuyvesant, in behalf of the high and mighty lords, the States-general of New Netherlands, and lords directors of the privileged West India Company, Director- general of New Netherlands, &c., declare, that on this day, in conformity with the orders and letters of the directors dated December 19, 1656, I made a transfer and cession to the Hon. Jacob Alricks, and Commissary-general of their colony on South River, in New Netherlands, the Fortress Casimir, now named New Amstel, with all the lands depend- ant on it, in conformity with our first purchase from, and transfer by the natives to us, on the 19th July, 1651, begin- ning at the west side of the Minquas, or Christinakil, named in their language Suspencough, to the mouth of the bay or river included, named Bompjeshock, (Trees Corner,) in the Indian language Cannaresse, and this so far in the country as the limits of the Minquas land, with all the streams, kils, creeks, harbours, bays, and plains belonging to these ; of all which lands, with all their appendages and dependencies, we now make a cession and transfer, in the name and behalf of the lords directors, patrons, to the aforesaid the Hon. Jacob Alricks, in behalf of the honourable burgomasters and rulers of the city of Amsterdam, making a cession of all our actual and real possessions, property, right, and privileges, and all this on such conditions as between the aforesaid directors, and the burgomasters and rulers of the city of Amsterdam, have been sanctioned ; appointing therefore, in our place, and con- stituting the aforesaid Hon. Jacob Alricks in that quality, in behalf as before proprietor, in our place, without reserving to ourselves, in our former quality, any action or pretension ; 1 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 237.
2 O'Call. vol. ii. p. 336.
233
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
promising therefore to hold sacred this our transfer. In 1657. truth whereof, we have signed this, and confirmed it with our usual signature. Done in Fortress Amsterdam, New Nether- lands, April 12, 1657.
P. STUYVESANT. " NICOLAS DE SILLE. " PETER TONNEMAN."1
Shortly after, the " Gilded Beaver" was engaged to take Departure of the new director Alricks to New Amstel, the future seat of Alricks for New Amstel. his government, with the goods, and colonists amounting to 125, including about 76 women and children; or, according to Van Sweringen, who was supercargo, " 180 souls," 60 being soldiers.2 They reached their place of destination after a passage of five days, and took possession about the 21st or 25th of April. Thus terminating the government of Director Jacquet, so far as the city's colony is concerned.
In consequence of various complaints against Commander Jacquet, the director-general finds it necessary to remove him from office. This he does in the following document, which differs much from the instruments used for such pur- poses at the present day, as it furnishes the reasons for it, and, at the same time, manifests some sympathy. It is en- titled-
" Further orders to the Commander Jacquet, by which he April 20. is removed from office.
" Honourable, beloved, faithful :-
" In our last letter, which we sent by the Hon. Alricks, Charges we left it to your choice to continue there in your office. Since that time, we have received so many complaints, all proved in writing, of your delaying, if not actually declin- ing to administer justice, and obstructing legal arrests ; of arbitrary executions on your own authority, without the shadow of any legal process, and really by acts of violence; in tak- ing possession of lands, and cultivating those which we did grant to other persons : and many other unbecoming extra- vagancies towards different individuals, as well freemen as ministers of the company. That the hearing alone (and what effect would a detailed narrative have on our mind ?) causes us a deep regret, and creates no less unpleasing appre- hensions ; and although we were even yet fostering the hope that the aforesaid complaints about an overbearing and out- rageous conduct would have been removed on our serious ad-
1 Albany Records, vol. xv. pp. 124-125. .30
against Jac- quet, and or- der for his discharge as commander.
2 Lond. Doc. vol. iv. p. 173.
U 2
234
J. ALRICKS, COMMANDER OF NEW AMSTEL.
Jacquet's dismission.
1657. monitions and warnings, and at least have been remedied in part, so do we see this hope de novo frustrated; as the last written complaints of Jan Schaggen, Allerton, and others, cannot be palliated, much less defended. Wherefore, we are with regret compelled to advise you to prepare your defence against their criminations, as we in the meanwhile discharge you from your office, commanding you to deliver all the effects of the company, with a correct inventory, to Andreas Hudde, Jan Juriansen, and the sergeant, Paulus Jansen, under a legal receipt, of which they shall take two copies, sending us first the one, and then the other. On which confiding, we will, with the usual salutations, recommend you to God's protec- tion, and remain,
Hon. beloved, faithful,
" Your affectionate,
" PETER STUYVESANT.2
" Done in Fortress Amsterdam, in New Netherlands, April 20, 1657."
After his discharge from office, various complaints are made against him, and the matter taken into court. See June.
Captain Martin Krygier was appointed by Stuyvesant to proceed overland to New Amstel, to receive from Jacquet the effects of the company. Krygier asks for ensign Derck Smith as a guide, he having passed the road several times ; which, the director " deeming it necessary and good that the deli- very and transfer should be made in the presence of Smith, as he had delivered them to Jacquet," grants : and Smith is accordingly instructed "to leave the city with Krygier and others, and conduct them to South River, to New Amstel ; obtain every information from Jacquet about the effects, espe- cially the ammunition and stock remaining, and how the rest had been disposed of; when an inventory is taken in his and H. Huygens's presence, to transport to Fort Christina, now Altona, as much of the ammunition, victuals, and materials, as may be required there. Among others, a double number of swords and fire arms for twenty persons, and good mate-" rials in proportion. They are to be left there, upon their receipt, with Hudde, Jansen, and Juriansen. The rest of the effects to be shipped on the " Beaver," or left in custody of Hon. J. Alricks, or his commissary, till further orders. The remaining stock of the company to be transported over to Christinakil, and left there in custody as before. All this 1 Albany Records, vol. xv. pp. 138-139.
April 24. M. Krygier sent to South River, with Derck Smith as guide, to re- ceive goods, &c., from Jacquet. Instruc- tions.
April 25.
235
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
being done, Smith may return in the Beaver, with the rest 1657. of the soldiers, or by land, leaving only sixteen military, with - - the substitutes, in Fort Christina. He is to treat commander Jacquet with all courtesy, and give him no reason of com- plaint ; but inquire of him and others, after the goods miss- ing, and placed on inventory ; so also of the stock, and ren- der a true account."1
In a fragment of a letter from Alricks, at New Amstel, he May 8. says he is informed of the complaint of Allerton and Schag- Charges gen against Jacquet ; that he has examined it, and " thinks it more passion than reason"-has terminated it. Schaggen keeps the land, Jacquet the produce of it and the garden ; the effects inventoried by Jacquet, even the smallest matters, received ; a few necessary articles conveyed to Christina, others laden with ship Love for Manhattan, and thirteen men, all provided with victuals. He, Alricks, wants oxen and horses to carry wood, and repair the fort at the strand, which is fast decaying, with several other places ; much wood will be required ; the cattle are weak ; only two cows give milk ; there are only a few hogs ; a few soldiers have applied them- selves to agriculture, and settled in the country, and deserve not to be ejected. He speaks of a daughter.2
Alricks says he has taken a survey of the " Plocks" ? and May 28. nations in this vicinity, and discovered these by examination Nations in to be twelve in number ; * wishes to make them a present in remembrance of his arrival ; several soldiers are No commis- expected ; proposes to director-general to appoint Gerrit Van sary. Van Sweringen Sweringen, " as there is actually no commissary here who can proposed. take care of the rights of the company, on the arrival of wares and merchandise."3
N. De Sille, attorney-general, in consequence of various com- May 23. plaints, as well by mouth as writing, by commissaries, inhabi- Various tants, officers, and soldiers, as well as of the Swedish nation, charges against Jao- all under your honour's government, " made with respect to J. quet by at- Paul Jacquet, your honour's late commander in South River, ral. Ilis ar- torney-gene- who in every respect conducts himself there in a very un- rest. courteous manner, vexed the community, tyrannized over the inhabitants, and made the soldiers' lot nearly insufferable, requests, nomine officii, permission of director-general to ar- rest Jacquet." The director answers "the suppliant to
1 Albany Records, vol. xv. pp. 149 -- 151. 2 Ibid. vol. xii. pp. 412-113.
3 Ibid. vol. xii. pp. 415-416.
against Jac- quet settled. State of things at New Amstel. Fort decay- ing.
vicinity of New Amstel
236
J. ALRICKS, COMMANDER OF NEW AMSTEL.
1657. make careful inquiry into all the complaints, and meanwhile allot the commissary's office to the person of Jacquet, for his residence, to make up his accounts; and at same time arrange the complaints against him in order, and deliver them to direc- tor-general and council to be properly disposed of."
May 24. Jacquet complains of arrest, and asks for the reasons.
Jacquet complains of being under arrest by the attorney- general; asks the reasons for it; finds himself in great trou- ble ; wants a copy of the petition of the attorney-general under which the arrest was made, together with one of the causes of impeachment which he " presumes to bring against me, so that I may defend myself;" to which the attorney- general answers, " as plaintiff, ratione officii."1
June 12. Swedes to live in vil- lages.
Gregorius Van Dyck, sheriff, appointed by the Swedes, who it appears were still governed in part by their own offi- cers, presents his credentials and instructions to the director- general and council, dated 20th May last, on South River. He appears before them, and his petition is read, "setting forth the necessity of concentration as soon as possible." Council authorize the sheriff, and appointed commissaries, and command them to concentrate their houses, and place them in future in the form of a village or villages, either at Upland, Passyunk, Finland, Kinsessing, at the Verdietige- hoeck, (the Doleful Corner,) or at such place as they may deem most convenient to their purpose, provided they pre- viously notify the directors when they select any other spots than here specified.
Jurgin, court mes- senger and provost. Complaint against Jac- quet. Cattle scarce.
The director-general and council approve of "one Jurgin, the Finn, on the Crooked-kill, as court messenger, to admi- nister the office of provost, provided he comes to New Am- sterdam for his salary."
The farmers complain against Jacquet.
As cattle are yet few, they cannot be located on one-half increase, which appears to have been a principle heretofore adopted.
June 14. Abbe Claes in service of Printz, Pap- pegoya and Rysingh.
One Abbe Claes renders an account, which he requests to be paid him from the property left by the honourable John Rysingh, " considering that he wants it very much, as he has nothing in his old age to live upon." It appears it was for services after he closed his account with Governor Printz and H. Huygen, September 1, 1653, up to September 1, 1655; he received money after Printz's departure, from the
1 Albany Records, vol. xv. p. 187.
237
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
commander, John Pappegoya, and after the departure of Rysingh.1 He had lost a hand in the service. Ordered to be paid. Huygen certifies to his faithful services. It is or- dered to be paid when in funds, and charged to "Swedish company's effects at settlement of accounts."
Isaiah Mesa, a Jew, remonstrates, "that he found himself June 12. aggrieved by a sentence of 14th April last, pronounced by A Jew com- the vice-director on the South River, New Netherland, J. P. plains Jacquet, and council, relative to a dispute between him and quet and against Jac- some of the Swedes ; desires to appeal; granted, "provided company he makes, as usual, a deposit of 12 guilders, which being performed, he is commanded, as the sheriff of the Swedes is, on his departure, to deliver his conclusion within twenty-four hours, to enable us to give a decision."2
Jacquet appears before council ; a compilation of com- Jacquet ap- plaints is read ; he asks a copy, which the director-general is directed to furnish.3
Jacquet appears in court ; "he was told that it was said June 18. he first violated the arrest which was laid on tobacco of Niels Appears be- Swarsen, which he denied, but said Jacob Swenske did, who carried his tobacco from there 21st December, and Jacquet not till 2d January following. G. Van Dyck, sheriff on South River, being in court, demands a copy of Jacquet's charge against Swenske, which was ordered. An answer in writing presented by Jacquet; attorney-general rejects it, and says he must answer "ilico on the accusations, or return to his arrest."4
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