USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 34
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" Andreas Hudde petitions for a berth, and says, ' during June 5. the terms of thirty-one years nearly, (without boasting,) in Hudde, an all faithfulness he has served the company in this country ; that living on South River, he lately had the misfortune of being spoliated by the savages, of all which he possessed, by which he, with his wife and child, are reduced to poverty, not having any means which he can take in hand, at his ad- vanced age, for his maintenance ; he therefore solicits the clerk. director and company to employ him in the service of the company, as his abilities may present, on a moderate salary, for his maintenance.' From his statement of his case, and the intercession of the inhabitants in his favour, he is em-
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. pp. 72, 73.
old and faithful publie ser- vant, in po- verty, asks for employ- ment. Is appointed
316
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660.
ployed as writer and clerk in Commissary Beekman's of- fice."1
June 25.
P. Stuyvesant, in writing to the company, alludes to the probable transfer of the city's interest on South River to the company, and says, " If this colony should return to the com- pany, other measures must be adopted, at least a good and efficacious superintendence, to control the officers there in power. If it remains as now, we should not dare to conduct ourselves in issuing useful and necessary orders, such as are required."2
June 26.
How is Beek- man to act in case of English ?
Beekman inquires of Peter Stuyvesant " how I shall con- duct myself when any Englishmen, either from abroad or from Virginia, might arrive here, and decline going to Man- hattan."3 His answer does not appear.
June 30. Sale of li- quor to sa- vages.
Complaints are made by Beekman against D'Hinoyossa, for allowing drink to be sold to the savages; they behave shamefully.
English from Virgi- nia, &c. Alricks's in- ventory. Charge by D'Hinoyossa.
Mr. Revel came from Virginia, with consent of the gover- nor, to know if we wanted victuals, as he could supply them.
The inventory of Alricks's effects is completed. During the progress, D'Hinoyossa goes off for several days, and then charges them with selling the city's property. Sheriff Van Sweringen arrived on 29th.
Election of commis- saries.
" Yesterday were elected by D'Hinoyossa, as commissaries, Hendrick Kip, Jacob Crabbe, and Baes Joosten. The com- munity of New Amstel resolved to send a remonstrance to the lords patrons, to maintain and support the colony."4
July 2. Order re- specting ves- sels.
The order of 1648, respecting vessels sailing between Man- hattan and South River having commissions or orders, is renewed.5
July 27.
A galliot arrives, and as soon as unladed, sails up the river for a cargo of clapboards, which was not so near ready as Van Gezel represented; some being more than one quarter of a mile farther, were to be carried down the river in rafts.
A galliot ar- rives. Re- turn cargo. Drum bor- rowed. Beekman's wife.
A drum is borrowed from D'Hinoyossa, as that at Altona could not be used. Beekman's wife is going to Manhattan for provisions, &c.
Ferry-boat. Col. Utie.
The ferry-boat at Whorekill sunk. Garrison there complain of want of victuals. Utie says he will inform of runaways.6
1 Albany Records, vol. xxiv. p. 286.
2 Jbid. vol. xviii. p. 114, 115.
3 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 76. 4 Ibid. p. 80.
5 Ibid. vol. xxiv. p. 364, 365. 6 Ibid.
Re-transfer of the city's colony to the company suggested.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
C. Van Gezel, executor, represents to Peter Stuyvesant 1660. that Jacob Alricks in his will named D'Hinoyossa his succes- sor as director, and Van Gezel and Van Sweringen as coun- cillors ; " but alas, as soon as the soul had left his body, August 12. D'Hinoyossa and Van Sweringen remained during next night in the room where the body was deposited, and ransacked all the papers, letters, and secrets of deeds, read them through, read them to the schepen, and accused the deceased of mal- over dead administration." The governor advises an expert accountant ricks. to state his accounts, and recommended D'Hinoyossa to desist.1
Conduct of D'Hinoyoss& and Van Sweringen
body of Al-
It appears from a letter of Beekman to Peter Stuyvesant, August 13. that " on the 11th, a small vessel arrived at New Amstel, Vessel ar- rives in dis- tress, laden with Cam- peachy wood. laden with Campeachy wood from the West Indies, very leaky, wanting water and provisions ; they are considering if they will have repairs here. The proprietors are sons of Sheriff Grotenhuysen, of Amsterdam; their wish is to return as soon as possible. This vessel was last December at Cur- racoa, so that it is sixteen months since she left Holland, and next day after the departure of the galliot, D'Hinoyossa D'Hinoyossa called the community together, to read to them, as he said, from a letter of the burgomasters of Amsterdam, that the ty, said to be patrons were collecting money in behalf of the colony, in order to promote its welfare and increase; that they never for a moment considered to give up this colony, or transfer it to the company, and that now they intended vigorous exer- tions for its strength and support, with sundry other flour- ishes." Beekman sends a list of recusant Swedes ; says he is in want of match coats.2
Lord Baltimore, then in London, (July 24,) directs Captain Capt. Neal, James Neal, in Holland, to inquire of West India Company if they admit his right on Delaware ; if not, to protest against them, to demand the surrender of the lands, &c. on the De- laware Bay, respecting which the commissioners of the Dutch had previously been sent to Maryland, but whose conference there came to an unsatisfactory conclusion. Captain Neal, attorney of Cecilius Calvert, baron of Baltimore, on the 1st September. of September, had an interview in Amsterdam, with the representatives of the College of XIX. He was assisted by Mr. Cross, notary, and much to their surprise, asks the direc- tors of the company "to command some of the inhabitants 1 Albany Records, vol. xxiv. pp. 364, 365. 2 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 8.1.
2 D 2
317
reads a letter to communi-
from burgo- masters. No idea of trans- ferring colo- ny.
an agent of Lord Balti- more in Hol- land.
f.
ยท
d
t e
Le e
318
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660. of South River, and especially the colonists of the city of Amsterdam, to submit to the 'Baron' of Baltimore or his agents, under a grant from Charles I., and offers to agree upon certain conditions, and in case of refusal, indemnity for all costs, damages, and interest already undergone, or to be yet incurred." The directors reply, asserting "their right by possession, under the grant of the States-General for many years, without disturbance from Lord Baltimore or any other person." They are "resolved to remain in possession, and defend their rights. If Lord Baltimore perseveres and re- sorts to violent measures, they will use all the means God and nature have given, to protect the inhabitants," at the same time declaring themselves innocent of any blood which may be shed. The notary certifies his having been present when the demand was made in due form for the colony of New Amstel.1
The ship Green Eagle sailed. D'Hinoyossa permitted Gerrit Van Sweringen and wife to go to fatherland; also Joost Arenson, Peter Crabbe, the blacksmith, and another colonist ; the sheriff, Van Sweringen, 21 beaver hides, 4 his- pans, and 6 prepared deer skins, while also were notified by him 100 deer skins more, for which were paid 3 pieces of eight, to satisfy the recognition.
Beekman further says, he has distributed his last pork, and has only 50 pounds meal left. Two men draw swords on each other.2
October 6. Transfer of colony to city. Bad state of things.
The company in Amsterdam say they have negotiated with the magistrates of the city of Amsterdam to receive again the colony under their protection. Since the death of Alricks, every thing has been in great confusion ; affairs go more backward than forward, as we are informed by Commissary Beekman, while D'Hinoyossa, substituted by Alricks's will as his successor, did read a letter to the few remaining colonists, assuring them of promised help or transfer of the colony ; as we doubt this, we are backward to redress some evils ; would prefer seeing the city continue to charge herself with its pro- tection, as well in regard to the vast expenses which de novo would be required, and continued to maintain a strong garri- son, as with respect to the bad rumours and name which have not only been attached to South River, but even the whole country, by the unhappy management of its affairs. Speak 1 Albany Records, vol. viii. pp. 294, 296, 301. 2 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 89.
Capt. Neal, as attorney of Lord Bal- timore, makes a de- mand of West India Company.
Sept. 30. Ship sails for Holland, with Van Sweringen and other passengers. Cargo. Want of pro- visions at Altona.
319
1660.
-
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
of passes being granted imprudently, as lately by a new ship, Green Eagle, which arrived from New Spain ; on this ship embarked Van Sweringen and Jacob Crabbe, both largely in debt. The first has a suit, and leaves his bail in the lurch.1
Matthias Capito mentions absence of William Beekman to October 8. Governor Stuyvesant. Says D'Hinoyossa holds Alricks's books and property. No notary here. D'Hinoyossa says " he will not be commanded by your honour, as he does not acknowledge any person his superior, except his principals in fatherland."2
The States-General were requested by the XIX to repre- November 5. sent, through their ambassadors in England, the situation of Ambassa- dors in Eng- land to com- plain against Lord Balti- more. affairs with Maryland, and to complain of Lord Baltimore's encroachments and pretensions, and that he would desist from them until a boundary line could be run between that province and the Dutch. All necessary papers were furnished to the ambassadors; were instructed to direct the attention of the king to the subject.3
D'Hinoyossa is mentioned as conducting himself in a December 9. haughty and imperious manner, defaming and slandering the Complaints deceased director, and disregarding mandamuses, and injuring
against D'Ilinoyossa. the property of the deceased.4
Report at Whorekill of a bark being stranded, between December 16. Cape Henlopen and Virginia ; three Dutchmen left her, and went into the country. A three-masted vessel said to be stranded near Barnegat, only one person saved. Have sold horses for fat oxen, hogs, and corn for bread, so that our magazine is now well supplied with beef and pork for more than a year, for the seven Swedish horses, &c.5
D'Hinoyossa received yesterday advice by way of Mary- December 21. land, in a letter of Mr. Bouk and John Prato, dated August Magistrates 27th, that the magistrates of Amsterdam have resolved to determine to keep colony continue the support of this colony, appointing him as direc- Great re- tor, John Prato and Van Sweringen, assistants. D'Hinoyossa joicing. says the burgomasters approve of his seizing Alricks's pro- perty ; " in short, the joy is here great, so that the seal of the letter was scarce broken than he commanded the cannon to be three times fircd."
" It seems as if troubles have arisen in Maryland, as the
1 Albany Records, vol. xviii. p. 124. 2 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 92.
Holl. Doc. vol. ix. p. 144, &c. O'Call. vol. ii. p. 461.
Albany Records, vol. xviii. p. 141.
5 Ibid. p. 94.
320
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1660. brother of Lord Baltimore has obtained the commission as governor and commander there."
Asks for a barrel of salt to save provisions ; "it is here High price of excessively tough, asking three to four gl. for a single salt.
schepel."1
1661.
January 14. Conduct of D'Hinoyossa in his new situation.
Beekman, in a letter to Stuyvesant, thus describes D'Hino- yossa's carriage, upon his late appointment as director of the colony of New Amstel : "He feels himself again pretty high, and is strutting forward in full pride. He is boasting that he will recover all the effects of the deceased Alricks, and sings already another tune. He removed from office the secretary, Van Nas, because he did not flatter his whims in writing the records."
Grave of an Indian chief violated.
" About a fortnight since, the grave in which was buried Hoppemenick, a savage chief, was violated. The place was opposite the house of Captain Krygier. They stole from it some seawant, three or four pieces of frieze, and what else was laid by him; at this the savages are murmuring, and some mischief may be apprehended for those at New Amstel, as I am informed by A. Hudde and others."
A son born to Beekman.
The following is added in a postscript: "Yesterday the Lord our God did give an increase to our family, by a boy. I could wish that there was an opportunity of initiating him by Christian baptism."2
Murder of three Eng- lishmen and one Dutch- man, by the savages, who are impri- soned and released, which gives dissatisfac- tion to go- vernor of Maryland. A war with English and Indians an- ticipated.
On Beekman's arrival from Altona, on the 18th, he " ob- January 27. served much fear about those at New Amstel, that the savages, who did not appear for some days, and were skulking here and there, would surprise the Dutch, and especially as the savages on the river murdered, about the 4th instant, four persons coming from New Amstel; they were three English- men and a Dutchman, the brother of Doctor Herck, who had been here only two or three days on a visit. Two or three days after the murder was committed, several savages, though we could not ascertain if they were the murderers, arrived at New Amstel, and had with them some clothes of the Chris- tians, which they offered for sale. Two of them came to the house of Foppo Jorison, where then were William Holling- worth, an Englishman, and Gerrit Ruster, an inhabitant of
I Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 96, Letter from W. Beekman to P. Stuyvesant. 2 Ibid. p. 100.
321
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
New Amstel, who, together with Foppo, took hold of these 1661. two savages, and directly informed D'Hinoyossa of it, when they were, on the 10th, imprisoned by him, on which the savages uttered violent threatenings against those of New Amstel. The savages having been examined, were set at liberty the next day. Yesterday, the honourable D'Hino- yossa received on this subject, by express, some further in- structions of the governor of Maryland, who is greatly dis- satisfied with our conduct in setting the savages at liberty, which D'Hinoyossa excused by their not being guilty." "It Prediction as to country hereafter be- ing settled by English and Swedes.
is my humble opinion, that if the English enter into a war with the savages, it cannot be but to injure the public welfare, and that the savages will again claim, and take possession of all the lands, or that these will be eventually settled with Eng- lish and Swedes. The English, to prosecute their enemy, might violate our jurisdiction, may penetrate our limits with- out notice ; if we object or resist, they may suspect our sin- cerity, and search for a pretext to quarrel with us. I come to this conclusion from appearances, in which I am confirmed, as Captain Krygier said that Augustus Heermans wrote in private to D'Hinoyossa, that the English foster the opinion English be- that the inhabitants of New Amstel or Whorekill secretly in- lieve the Dutch hos- stigate the river savages to such misdeeds, which is certainly tile. an odious and wrong imagination."1
Beekman probably little thought, when writing, " that these lands will be eventually settled with English and Swedes," that he was penning a prediction so shortly to be fulfilled, as subsequent events proved it to be.
Immediately following the foregoing is a letter from Augus- A. Heer- tus Heermans to W. Beekman, without date or name of place, but alluding, as it does, to the murder above mentioned, was he is about probably written about the same time: "I visited my colony(?) on the river, and discovered at the same time the most proper place between this situation and South River. I am now engaged in encouraging settlers to unite together in a village, of which I understood that a beginning will be made before next winter. From there we may arrive by land in one day at Sand Hoeck, and may perhaps effect a cart road about the same time. The Maquas kill and the Bohemia River2 are there only one mile distant from each other, by
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 109.
2 A river of this name, in Maryland, appears by the maps to take its rise in Delaware, not far from the source of a branch of Apoquinimy.
mans speaks of a village
building, not far from New Amstel.
41
322
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1661. which it is an easy correspondence by water, which must be greatly encouraging to the inhabitants of New Netherlands. I hope to start for the Manhattans within five or six weeks. Had not the misfortune happened that the English had been murdered on the South River, I should have come towards you by land."1
Then succeeds the following, likewise without date, but January 27. The English require sa- tisfaction from the murderers, and are dis- their re- lease. directed to W. Beekman, at Altona: "Sir, the fear with which the Finns were struck last winter, was without founda- tion ; they dreaded an assault without a cause. It is much disliked, and had given offence, that the apprehended Indian murderers, who murdered the English, and carried their satisfied with clothes to Sand Hoeck, have been set at liberty. The English require satisfaction from the murderers, or war, whichever they choose ; on this point they are now quarrelling with the Sus- quehannocks. It was desirable that D'Hinoyossa would write the governor in a manner to remove the broil, and conciliate his good will, as the English are inclined to live with us in harmony and friendship, and to cultivate and promote com- merce between the two nations, which they would not inter- rupt, unless compelled by force or necessity. I hope for a favourable answer. It is said here that the Susquehannock chiefs have been summoned to Sand Hoeck, and there is some suspicion that it relates to the aforesaid business."2
" Yesterday arrived at New Amstel Captain Wheeler and Ulrick Antony, both from Maryland, and came to see us to- day. They appeared before us ; after a few discussions, they proposed the question, 'if any resident in Maryland came hither, whether we would give him up when demanded, or if it was presumptive that we would defend them ?' We pre- tended that we are not obliged to answer, as not acquainted enough or deeply versed in law, even if the questions might be brought before us, being a question too critical to decide ; more so, as the city of Maryland appeared so deeply inte- rested in it, as being in duty bound to defend the privileges of their citizens. Justly as we were desirous to avoid making any encroachments upon the rights of our neighbours, it seems to me, in this question, with regard to us, every regard due to an independent state is lost. He excused himself, both at his arrival and departure from our house, that he well knew how to show his due respect, but said that in this case 1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 111. 2 Ibid. p. 112.
February 5. Arrivals from Mary- land. Ques- tion as to protection.
323
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
his conscience would not permit it, to which I answered, that 1661. our conscience could not tolerate such a sect. If he remains quiet, and no others of the same breed shall arrive hither, I shall tolerate him, till I shall have received your honour's fur- ther orders ; but by an unexpected increase, I shall command them to depart, in conformity to the orders of your honour. Wheeler said that the advocates of the governor cause great confusion, and a war may be the final result. There is ac- Fears of the tually a violent animosity against the Papists, while they will Papists. not bear a Papist governor. He said further, that many have towards Animosity been lately beheaded in England, and imprisoned ; that more them. than one thousand Reformed ministers are imprisoned ; that they therefore will not protect a Papist, or recommend him to the community ; these are awful prognostics indeed. God vouchsafe us peace in our days."
" Oloff Stille, one of our commissaries, arrived with a few February 5. Finns from Maryland. They went thither, as I am informed, to take up land, and to emigrate in the spring. The sheriff, Van Dyck, had not given me any notice of their departure ; they did not find their friends on the Sassafras River, in that case, as they had imagined, so that many have given up this tle them at project, as Stille said that probably many of the Finns, if not all, who are there now residing, will return hither. In such case, in my opinion, some regulations might be adopted ; they might unite in a village near or at Perslajong, (Pas- syung ?) and not be permitted to settle again in separate spots, as the custom is of that sort of men, and further, to make all of age take the oath of allegiance."1
The progress of the settlement was less rapid than ex- March 9. pected, owing, as supposed, to the want of prudence in the Proposed late vice-director, and many consequently leaving the place. changes. Another reason was the dispute between the director-general and local authorities on jurisdiction, the colonists being obliged to appeal to the director-general in suits exceeding 100 guilders, which affected the majority ; another was being compelled to discharge and be inspected at New Amsterdam, for goods destined to New Amstel, and the company's servants on South River demanding anchorage-money in front of city's colony. It was proposed to appoint another vice-director, and to forbid the company's director from encroaching on the city's rights, &c. As a remedy, the jurisdiction in civil cases
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. pp. 104, 105.
Finns return from Mary- land. Others expected. Plan pro- posed to set- Passyung, in a village.
-
324
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1661. was extended to 600 guilders, and appeal abolished, and by allowing the city colonies to send its own vessels directly to their colony. The subject of anchorage was to be remedied when the population increased, by extending the territory as far on the east side of the river as on the west ; the soldiers to be discharged, and the defence left to the inhabitants ; free grants of land to be made to the soldiers then in the country, they promising aid in case of need. Twenty-five or thirty farm servants to be sent from Westphalia to South River, at public expense, the produce of their labour to belong to the colony. The public service to consist of one director, a sheriff, commissary, surgeon, cooper, smith, comforter of the sick, to act also as schoolmaster. $10,000 required to effect this plan, to be expended in merchandise and agriculture. The plan was approved, and public notice to be given of the changes. The impolicy of having two distinct jurisdictions became daily more evident, as it led to constant collisions be- tween the governors for the supremacy.1
March 21. Beekman re- quired to act as sheriff.
G. Van Dyck asks payment of his salary due as schout or sheriff. The director-general replies there was but little to do in the office, and its duties could be performed by the Commissary Beekman, who is accordingly to do the duties of the sheriffalty.
Peter Rambo resigns as a commissary.2
May 31.
Indians anx- ious to be re- conciled with the English. Offer pre- sents to go- vernor of Maryland, who rejects them. Wishes them to unite against other sa- vages.
"Nothing further from the English in Maryland. The savages here are highly alarmed, lest the English shall come here. They had a meeting at Passajon a few days past ; they are collecting a large portion of seawant, to make presents of it to the Minquas and other chiefs, to reconcile them again with the English for this murder. The Minquas presented already furs to the governor of Maryland, ten or eleven days past, though he declined to accept any of these, but requested them rather to unite with him and destroy those savages; which they rejected, as the Minquas chief, who was with your honour last year at Esopus, told Captain Krygier, 28th of this month. The Minquas and Senecas are at war."
Report that J. Rysingh was impri- soned in Sweden.
" Jacob Swens informed me that Hendrick Huygen advised him that John Rysingh last year, in September, was arrested in Sweden, and that after long entreaties, it was at length consented to grant him an armed vessel for the recovery of South River."
1 O'Call. vol. ii. p. 464.
2 Albany Records, vol. xix. p. 78.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
" D'Hinoyossa communicated his commission to the people eight days ago, having called them together with the ringing of the bell, and assured the congregation, with full confidence, that ere long a vessel should arrive from Patria with several D'Hinoyossa farmers, while he told me to the contrary, when he received calls a meet- ing at New Amstel. Shows com- mission. His insin- cerity. that letter, that his patrons mentioned not a word of any ship or colonists, and rather complained that he received no answer whatever on many points, as he had expected, and that the letter was written in September.
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