USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 33
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No balls for guns or muskets.
March 15.
" On the 8th instant, arrived the attorney-general and a few other gentlemen.
" I was lately informed that about twenty families of the Swedish and Finnish nation have resolved to leave this neigh- Swedes and Finns pre- pare to re- bourhood, and go and reside in the colony, which the sheriff move. Their and commissaries solicit me to prevent. I answered, I would ask your advice. The Swedish and Finnish nations contain about 130 men capable to bear arms, so Van Dyck writes me."
military strength.
Swedes use the horses İN. No in- crease to be expected. Measures proposed.
Notifies the governor " that the horses are misused by the Swedes, so that I fear, but seldom, if any increase by them, neither is there any prospect in this respect in future, as the mares are spoiled by drawing the whole morning heavy beams; there are only three mares and two stallions alive of the num- ber you sent here, besides two young colts of two years. It would, in my opinion, be preferable to let them run loose in the field, to obtain the increase, or otherwise sell them. Would it not be expedient to make the farmers make some compensation for the horses which have been lost or died.
He asks leave to visit Manhattan, " to bring his two oldest boys to school, and put his affairs in order."
Hudde and Becker.
Hudde applies, through William Beekman, to Peter Stuy- vesant, for John Becker's place ; " did not know he was dis- missed; he is a very worthy, saving man."1
April 6. Swedes and Finns can- not under- stand each other.
" I was, last week, for a few days, with the Swedes and Finns; the different settlements cannot converse with each other, for want of a knowledge of their reciprocal language. This took place with those living around Keneses, and those about Aroumerk, where are now two or three families. It is said from the other side, that those of Keneses did oppose them, and desired that we should come to them, which is sup- ported by the sheriff and commissaries."
Proposed changes of location.
" The opposite party said, it is indeed so, that there is no defence whatever, neither a place for any safe retreat, at Keneses, as considerable underwood and many streams must be passed ; on the contrary, at Arounderryk there is a pretty
1 Albany Records, Beekman's Letter, vol. xvii. p. 45.
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PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
large kill, which might be chosen to cover a retreat, or pre- pare for defence. At Arounderryk they might cultivate their fields, at the other side of the kill, on the Passayung road, where is a rich, fruitful soil, and last harvest a consi- April 6. derable quantity of seed was sowed. Some of the commis- saries, who actually possess good farms, pretend that, by a similar compromise all are favoured, if the proposals are ac- cepted, while others assert exactly the contrary, each one maintaining his right, and will keep his own farm and lots."
Miss1 Printz complains that she cannot remove her resi- Miss Printz dence, the heavy buildings not permitting her to change it, in trouble. and the church where she usually worships being upon that spot. She offers her lands without any compensation, but can nevertheless induce no person to settle in her neighbour- hood. Seeing at last that they cannot agree the one with the other, I commanded that within eight or ten days a list should be delivered to me, where it suits best every individual to fix his future residence, and if this could be brought in with the orders and placard of your honour, that in such case I would consent to it, or that otherwise I should be compelled to command and issue my orders where each of them should reside ; upon which they earnestly urged, that as they had not received timely information, as had been given to the farmers on the Manhattan, that somewhat longer time might be allowed them, whereas, if the orders must be executed this spring, it would unavoidably cause them great losses, and destroy their plantations; wherefore they deprecated the rigorous execution of the placard. I therefore granted them, under your honour's approbation, four or six weeks longer. Miss Printz, and others too, requested, that when necessity required it, I would aid them, for which purpose a larger number of soldiers would be required. We are much in want of a drummer, as also a new drum, or a hide and cords, as Want a we have not beat a drum for two months; our colours, too, are nearly torn from the staff. Sergeant Andreas Laurens lours. has some time been engaged to persuade some individuals either to enter our service or emigrate to Esopus, to which they were not at all inclined. It seems they are admonished and encouraged by some of the principal leaders among the nation, not to disperse, but remain here, as closely united to- gether as possible, as from the other side the sheriff and com- 1
1 Probably Mrs. Printz, as is generally so understood.
307
1660.
Beekman proposes to direct the re- sidence of each.
drum, drum- mer, and co-
Enlistments attempted.
or .
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A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660.
missaries in New Amstel opposed themselves to prevent the settling of any of them in that colony."
Permission to Swedes and Finns to remain.
" Gregory Van Dyck says he received your honour's order permitting the Swedes and Finns now residents in the co- lony, to remain there, so that I insinuated that they might provisionally remain till your further orders. They com- plained to D'Hinoyossa, who sent me a note about explaining that it must have been done without my knowledge, by the sheriff and commissaries. I answered, I had written for your honour's orders."
H. Coursay arrives from Maryland in pursuit of servants.
" On the 2d instant, arrived here Mr. Henry Coursay, a merchant in Maryland, with his two brothers and a Swede residing in that neighbourhood. The aforesaid Coursay com- plained that the honourable D'Hinoyossa declined to do him justice with regard to three servants who, three weeks ago, ran away from him, and had since been engaged by D'Hino- yossa, and sent to Whorekill. He requested I would write to you. He was at an assembly at Pottspen when he heard his servants had run off.
A, Hudde wishes to go to Maryland. Knows how to make beer.
" Mr. Coursay said that Mr. Heermans was in Maryland ; he sent to obtain a safeguard for Mr. Coursay. At his de- parture, Coursay asked if Andreas Hudde laid us under any obligations, and if he should be permitted to go to Maryland, as Hudde had applied to him and others, if he could be em- ployed by him or them as a brewer, and that he knew different ways of making good beer, and would in two or three weeks return to inquire.
A surgeon applies for employment.
" Peter Moyer applies for a patent from your honour. Peter Tyneman to be employed as a surgeon by the company. We are in want of a good surgeon, as it happened already more than once ; thereto we wanted very much Mr. Williams, the barber, (surgeon,) in this city, but having then some pa- tients there, he could not come hither, and when he came he often had not by him such medicaments as the patients re- quired, wherefore the sick are suffering.
Swedes ask to remain till after har- vest.
" As I was ready to seal this letter, arrived here the com- missaries of the Swedish nation, to solicit me to ask you to allow them to remain in their present possessions till they should have harvested their corn. I understood that they intended to unite then in a village on Perslajongh;1 that they meanwhile would give satisfaction to the savages for the land.
1 Probably Passayung.
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PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
I answered, it was not permitted to purchase land from savages except with consent of your honour. They replied, they could now obtain it for a trifle. I told them I must await your orders."1
Beekman, in a long letter of this date, gives to the director- April 28. general an account of various occurrences. He says, after Swedes and mentioning the slaughter of eleven of the menacing savages at Esopus, and the resolution of the tribe to act against the Dutch : " I commended your orders to several of the Swedes and Finns, but could not persuade them to go to Esopus ; they would not be unwilling, provided they could remain there in peace with the savages, so that your honour cannot depend on their assistance. They prefer making a settlement in the colony, because they cannot obtain, in another district, a sufficient quantity of land to live together; that the small spots they now occupy require too much labour and expense in fencing."
" I delivered D'Hinoyossa your honour's orders and advice Oath to be in regard to individuals who desired to transport themselves adminis- tered. in the colony, provided they were willing to take the oath of allegiance, as directed by your honour. He says in answer, the oath is contrary to the capitulation between your honour and their late Governor Rysingh ; that meanwhile he will take an oath of them that they will acknowledge the honour- able burgomasters of Amsterdam, as founders and patrons of aforesaid colony, together with the appointed directors and council of the colony, and that they will pay them all reason- able obeisance."
" On 16th, returned Sergeant Andreas Laurens, from Deserters to Maryland ; he met only a few of the runaways who were yet Maryland discovered. at liberty, except, on showing your letters of safeguard, one John Tennison, wife and child, whose property he brought here in Carman's yacht, and which came into the hands of D'Hinoyossa, who valued it, but declined its surrender until a receipt in your honour's name. John Tennison refuses to go to Manhattan, unless his tools and property are delivered up, but would rather return to the English, as he there had the use of the tools of John Barnetson, who was murdered by savages, and whose wife died at Colonel Utie's; whose child had been conducted hither by the sergeant ; on which, under secrecy, he had written, at her request, to a soldier's
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 49.
1660.
Finns un- willing to go to Esopus. Want more land. Ex- pense of fencing too great.
310
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660.
Child born on board ship Prince Maurice bap- tized.
wife, one Jacob Claeson, alias my friend, which child had there yet to receive 821 pounds of tobacco, &c. J. Claeson took with him to Holland some of this child's property. This child was born on the departure of the honourable Alricks, in the ship Prince Maurice, and was, at the request of the burgomasters, baptized by the name of ' Amstel's Hope.' Please order if it is to be delivered to the overseers of the orphan-house, or anywhere else.
Soldiers without shirts.
"Some of your soldiers are without shirts ; therefore send some, and shoes and stockings.
Forlorn con- dition of the soldiers, for- tifications, &c.
"We are very busy, employed in repairing fortifications, but are much in want of a guard-house about ten or eleven feet large. The guard is now kept where they are now quar- tered, who come from duty as sentinels, often undress and go to bed, as there is no particular appropriation made for this purpose, neither could it be performed, as the house is too small ; so that a guard-house is highly necessary. The comrades, too, are often quarrelling together.
"We have a sufficient quantity of squared timber near the ruins of the decayed house on the island, so that the only expense will be to bring it under cover, and make a chimney.
" Among the Finns is a married couple who live together Quarrelsome in a constant strife ; the wife receives daily a severe drubbing, man and wife. Divorce asked. and is often expelled from the house as a dog. This treat- ment she suffered a number of years; not a word is said in blame of the wife, whereas he, on the contrary, is an adul- terer; on all which the priest, the neighbours, the sheriff, and the commissaries appealed to me, at the solicitation of man and wife, that a divorce might take place, and the small property and stock be divided between them." Asks for orders.
" Oeleff Stille opposed himself to me pretty warmly in court, because I suspected him that he, without being autho- rized, had arrogated to himself to qualify the priest to marry a young couple, without the usual proclamations, and against the will of the parents, on which I condemned the priest in a fine of 50 guilders, which said Stille too opposed, saying that it was not our province to meddle with this affair; it ought to be done, if any interference was desirable, by the Swedish consistory, and that we had nothing to do with the priest. Mr. Laersen adopted the same opinion, as our court related to us, last November, on a summons, that we had no
Rev. Mr. Laersen marries a couple con- trary to usage.
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battery. Scene in court. Law case.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
right to interfere with the rights of Christina, so that he did 1660. not appear before us. The case was this: Mr. Laerson had complained of assault and battery by Peter Mayer; he was severely struck and wounded in his face, so that I never saw Assault and a worse, on which both were summoned to appear before us ; but before the court could meet, the affair was settled, pre- tending the incompetency of the court. On the 19th of August the court met ; there were twelve of the Swedish and Finn nation summoned, and a default by the Jager and other Dutchmen in the colony, when an order was issued that for each default which was voluntary and premeditated, and not brought forward by any extraneous or invincible obstacles, as through sickness, or God's wind and weather, should be 'paid a fine of 10 guilders, so that no person should be delayed in his just pretensions, as there were annually only three or four courts, as circumstances might require. On the 7th of this month, being court, the priest and Mayer were again sum- moned on the same affair by Sheriff Van Dyck, and further, that Peter Mayer treated another person in the insolent manner, and Peter Mayer deliberately occasioning default, after the 8th, intimation to Jacob Van Vern, in whose behalf the assignment was made by sheriff and commissaries, for liquor received; on which Peter Mayer, coming to me, re- quested a receipt, making at the same time a great noise, that in this manner the costs were excessive, but that he too would not be at rest till he had a legal security for his land. He told me further, in pretty harsh language, that every year new commissaries ought to be appointed, as entitled, or that he and other freemen were always to be treated as boys, so that constantly we are to be ruled by mad-caps, who did not understand reading or writing, and were to be preferred before him, who was acquainted with letters and penmanship, and that the affairs should be managed in a quite different manner, if he should remain here ; with many other similar insolent blubbering; to all which I listened with patience, refuted him with solid arguments, and advised him to go to your honour, and lay his complaints before you. A few days ago, when I sent him a warning to deliver up his horse, his wife came and made a horrible noise ; they could not spare the horse, they were not accustomed to carry their wood on their necks ; that they had a share in the property of the horse, as well as I, and, be it said with reverence, she did
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A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660.
April 28.
not care a groat about my orders, as they intended to leave soon this spot, on which I menaced to send her to the guard- house, but having no wish to throw her in consternation, as being in her last stage of pregnancy, I let it pass by. In short, this people conduct themselves most despicably. Never- theless, if they are resolved to move from here and reside in the colony, or any other part, I shall remind him of the fine which he yet owes for selling liquor to the savages. I am informed that the greater part of those now living separately, do intend going to reside in Maryland with a few of the Finns.
Captain Kry- gier arrives. Remarks of D'Hinoyossa on P. Stuy- vesant's let- ter. Surrender of colony to company mentioned.
" While concluding this, I am informed by a soldier that a shallop was in sight, on which I directly went thither, as it was afloat, when I met Captain Krygier, this instant arrived, who handed me your letter. I copied your letter to the ho- nourable D'Hinoyossa, sealed it, and then directly conveyed it to him. He was, he said, much surprised at such a vulgar address, covering such bitter contents, and you might be assured that he would show it from the greatest to the small- est, and even forward it to the states. He said further, he would not do any thing contrary to your orders, but bear all things with patience, but remonstrate against it to his prin- cipals. He wished to be informed by me if the colony was again transferred to the company ; he understood, at least, by your letter, that a change was in contemplation."1
May 3. J. Becker dismissed.
J. J. Becker, for habitually selling liquors at Altona, was condemned in a heavy fine, officially as clerk degraded, and with his family to be banished from South River, but his fine and punishment were finally remitted.2
May 12. Rumours of transfer of the colony to West In- ola Co.
" There is a rumour afloat that the colony of the city should have been transferred again, last October, to the West India Company, wherefore says honourable D'Hinoyossa, that he prepares himself to make a transfer of the whole to your honour, so that he may return to Patria with the first sailing vessel, to recover from their honours at Amsterdam the ex- penses which he made in building and improvements in land, and menacing, if they reject his demands, that he would ap- peal to the States-General; and it is further said that he endeavours to stir the colonists to demand compensation for the expenses incurred in making this settlement, because the contract with them was broken, and that they were now free
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. pp. 51-58. 2 Ibid. vol. xxiv. p. 181.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
313
1660.
to leave the colony. I have heard further from himself, that no soldier will be willing to remain in the company's service, but that all would go with him to Patria, no doubt on his in- duction.
" I understood by Captain Krygier that your honour ex- Ministers of pects from Patria three or four ministers of the gospel. I [ the gospel would ardently pray your honour that one of them might be expected. . sent to us here on the river, to promote our welfare, and which might contribute to increase the population.
" I communicated last week, at Tinnico, your discontent- Dissatisfac- ment with the sheriff and some of the commissaries, for dis- tion with sheriff. couraging and actually preventing some individuals from emigrating to Esopus.
" I commanded them to inquire and deliver a list of the Census of number of families who intended to make a settlement at Passayonck, to consider, before any trouble was taken, or reside at expense made for its purchase; if they would constitute a handsome village, especially as the greater part are very poor, and at the same time very unsteady; and further, it is thought, many of them would prefer going to Maryland rather than change their place here, but recommends waiting patiently awhile.
families in- tending to
Passyung.
" Miss Printz requests permission, in lieu of her recogni- Miss Printz tions, to make payment in a fat ox, fat hogs, and bread and corn. again. The horses are mentioned as being too small for the farmers.
" A lad arrived here who had been taken by the savages Lads taken while strolling in the woods for rabbits. I determined to de- by the savages. tain him, notwithstanding the opposition of the savages, as it is said lately two lads were sold by the savages to the Eng- lish, and this lad was ransomed two or three months ago by D'Hinoyossa, for a frock and a small piece of frieze.
" We can only make two distributions more of pork and beef for the garrison, therefore send some."1
"Yesterday I arrived at this place. Andreas Hudde arrived May 13. at New Amstel from Altona, to go to Manhattan ; in about Hudde ar- half a day he changed his mind, and raised some difficulty by which he might be prevented. He further complained that his clothes. his clothes had such a mean appearance, and further, that he was unprovided with the means to defray expenses of the journey, so that he was really too much ashamed to appear before your honour. He goes with Captain Krygier.2
rives. Ashamed of
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 62, 63. 2 Ibid. p. 65.
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A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
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May 25. Swedes not willing to re- side at Pas- syung.
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" Van Dyck says the community wish me to solicit your honour to remain in their present residences, which petition was delivered by Peter Kock, Peter Andrieson, and Hans Moensen. They said there was not sufficient land obtained at Passayung for the pasture of their creatures, and ardently wished not to remove. If compelled to go, ' then we will go or depart to a spot where we may live in peace.' Sir, their whole plan is to obtain delay, and have no intention to obey their orders, unquestionably a great proof of disrespect; on which I wrote to Van Dyck on 21st instant, and received his answer next day. I requested him to write to your honour that he would delay the execution of that point a little, when he might converse with the principal individuals, and then inform me of their intentions, which on their part I knew were mere excuses.
"On the 20th instant I received, by a Maqua savage, a Mr. Coursay and his ser- vants again. letter of Mr. Heermans, dated 26th April, from which it ap- peared that the strange conduct toward Mr. Coursay by honourable D'Hinoyossa, caused their great displeasure, so that it was actually contemplated to retake his servants by · force. He said he might have sent for them hither three or four Dutch runaways, and so procure an exchange with their servants; also, that they were deliberating on a division of the limits, to avoid any disputes with those of Delaware Bay. " The greatest chief of the Minquas was here on the 23d; Presents toa he showed me his poor coat, which being interpreted, induced Minqua chief. me to offer him a coat and a piece of frieze in your honour's name, which was thankfully accepted. I am informed that Jacob Swen sent for him, and gave him a fathom of cloth, four blankets, a gun, and a few other articles."
Sale of li- quors to In- dians.
He complains of D'Hinoyossa not restricting the sale of liquors to the Indians in day-light. They have been out- rageous.1
June 17. Indian chiefs visit Altona.
" Being at Amstel to-day, to inventory the effects of Al- ricks, I was informed the great sachem from the Minquas country was at Altona, and wished to see me. On arriving, I found that he appeared there with sachem of Hackensack, and three or four savages, among whom, it was said, was the brother of the sachem who was lately killed at Esopus. The great chief informed me that he intended to travel next night to the Manhattans, to try if he could dispose your honour to 1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 70.
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make peace with the savages, and for which end he requested a canoe to go to Mugokossam, which was granted. He in- formed me further, that two of our soldiers were at his house, and requested, on their arrival, that they might be allowed to reside in his country, and cultivate the land. These soldiers deserted on the 10th instant, both young men.
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1660.
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" On the 11th, Mr. Coursay returned home with his ser- Mr. Coursay vants, whom he, with consent of D'Hinoyossa, carried off from obtains his servants. Whorekills in the yacht of Carman, and they rejoiced indeed to meet their master again.
" I sent the governor of Maryland, Colonel Utie, and the Letter to go- magistrates on the Sassafrax River, a complimentary letter, vernor, &c. of Maryland, respecting deserters. in which I requested that if any of our soldiers who deserted arrived there, they would arrest or imprison them, and inform us of it by express, at the expense of the company, in which case I would despatch, with their permission, a sergeant, as- sisted with soldiers, to conduct them home, which Mr. Coursay had not a shadow of doubt would be complied with. Mr. Coursay thanks Governor Stuyvesant for the recovery of his servants.
" Several ambassadors passed through here towards the Several In- great chief, on the first of the month. Seven canoes full of dian chiefs emigrate fo savages, with their wives and children, came down the river, fear of a Mar to emigrate to the Maquas land. It is said they lived before nito. near Menesing, and fled from fear of a certain Manito.
" Hudde has returned, and I will employ him in his quality.
" Last Saturday we distributed our last meat. I have about one distribution of pork, besides 200 pounds of stockfish. Send by first opportunity."1
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