USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 38
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" D'Hinoyossa arrived from Holland, on 3d instant, in the ship « Parmeland Church,' towards evening, with Peter Alricks and Israel, who departed with Miss Printz, and about 150 souls. The member of the high council came to inform me that I need not send any soldiers on board; that he would show me something from the lords directors; of which letter I now send you a copy. It is said here that the whole South River is actually annexed to the colony."
The following is the letter referred to from the directors of the West India Company to William Beekman :
Instructions to W. Beek- man, till he receives fur- ther orders from direc- tor-general.
" Honourable, devoted, beloved, faithful-Whereas we have resolved to grant certain points to the commissaries and di- rector of the city's colony, which points will in due time be communicated to you by the director-general and council in New Netherland, and the aforesaid commissaries carried with them our orders relative to those points, in the ship ' Parme- land Church,' so we concluded further, and resolved, that the aforesaid commissaries might directly enjoy the benefits of the newly obtained conditions, to command you to remain quiet, and not to interfere in any manner in any concerns be- fore intrusted to your superintendence, which have any rela- tion to the city's colony, till you shall have received your orders from the director-general and council, in conformity
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 309.
t
355
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
with which orders you will have to regulate your conduct, and 1663. this we deem expedient for the service of the company. - "Signed by directors of the privileged West India Com- pany, department of Amsterdam. JACOBUS REYNST,
" CORNELIS CLOECK."1
William Beekman writes to Peter Stuyvesant pitifully for December 6. an office, as he cannot live here as a freeman and support his family, and don't wish to go to Maryland ; " take care of me as fathers."2
Agreeably to his instructions, Stuyvesant made the follow- Dec. 22. ing formal transfer of the South River to the city of Amsterdam :
" Peter Stuyvesant, in behalf of their high and mighty lords States-General of United Netherlands, and the lords directors of the privileged West India Company, department of Amsterdam, director-general of New Netherland, &c., with the honourable council, attest and declare how we this day, in conformity to the orders and letters of aforesaid lords directors, of 11th September, 1663, transported, surrendered and transferred to the honourable Alexander D'Hinoyossa, in behalf of the noble, great, and respectful lords burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, director in their colony on the South River, from the sea upwards, so far as that river ex- tends itself, towards the country to the east side, three miles from the borders of the river, and towards the west side, so far as the country is extending, till it reaches the English colonies, with all the streams, kills, creeks, harbours, bays, and parts relative to it, of all which land, with all its depen- dencies, especially so of the fortress of Altona, we, in the name and in behalf of the aforesaid lords directors, make at this time a full cession and transfer to the aforesaid Alexan- der D'Hinoyossa, on behalf of the noble, great, and respect- ful burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam aforesaid, making to him a cession of all actual and real possession, property, and privileges, and all this upon such conditions as have been agreed upon between the noble lords directors, and other noble, great, and respectful burgomasters of the city of Am- sterdam, without reserving any actual or real pretensions, promising therefore to consider and keep this transfer invio- late in truth ; wherefore we signed it, and confirmed it with
Transfer of South River by Stuyve- sant to D'Hinoyossa, for the bur- gomasters of Amsterdam.
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. pp. 309, 311.
2 Letter from William Beckman to Peter Stuyvesant.
.
1
356
A. D'HINOYOSSA.
1663. our seal in red wax imprinted, in the Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, 22d December, 1663."1
Not signed on the record.
Dec. 28.
D'Hino- yossa's offer to W. Bcek- man. Tobacco and fur trade re- served to city.
Labourers hired out.
D'Hino- yossa's resi- dence at Ap- poquinimy. Capital ; trade; dykes.
Alricks and fur trade at New Amstel. Israel at Passyunk.
Distilling and brewing prohibited. Tobacco and furs to pay recognition.
Beekman writes again to Peter Stuyvesant, that D'Hino- yossa proposed, if he would stay at Altona, and take posses- sion of some agricultural land, he would provide five or six men servants, which Beekman declines, as he can see no good from it, as in future no freeman would be permitted to trade either with the English or savages, and the tobacco and fur trade was entirely reserved for the city. It is said D'Hino- yossa takes half profits of both trade and agriculture; thinks the valleys not so profitable as the woodland. Labourers who arrived in July, per ship " Jacob," are hired to farmers, and engaged as soldiers at 110 gl., for rations, 6 gl. ; some also to cook and wash for them. D'Hinoyossa will take his future residence on Appoquinimy, where he intends to build a capi- tal, to promote his trade with the English; he resolved to construct dykes around several valleys in that vicinity ; Beekman foresees that the savages will be much opposed to it. Peter Alricks is to superintend the fur trade, who brought with him for this purpose 200 pieces frieze, blankets, &c. Alricks to trade at New Amstel, and with other members of council; Israel at upper end of Passajongh, and another at Whorekill. D'Hinoyossa had engaged to load this vessel with tobacco or wheat, of which there is no prospect, owing to dryness in Maryland. He, shortly after arrival, prohibits distilling and brewing in the colony, even for domestic use ; he means to extend it to the Swedes. All goods imported, and tobacco and furs exported, to pay recognition. Beekman has not seen or spoken to D'Hinoyossa, and wishes to live elsewhere.2
1664.
1 determines to dispossess Dutch. Grant to the Duke of York.
King Charles II. determined, though not yet at war with March 22. the Dutch, to dispossess them of the settlements they had King Charles made on what the English claimed as their territories, and thus put an end to the continual disputes which, as we have seen, were occurring between them. As a first step towards it, the king, on the 12th March, 1664, granted to his brother James, duke of York and Albany, a patent, embracing " all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a
1 Albany Records, vol. xxi. p. 445. 2 Ibidl. vol. xvii. pp. 317, 318.
357
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix, next 1664. adjoining to New Scotland, in America, and from thence ex- tending along the sea-coast unto a certain place called Pemaquie, or Pemoquid, and so up the river thereof, to the Grant to the furthest head of the same, as it tendeth northward, and ex- Duke of York con- tending from thence to the river of Kimbequin, and so up- tinued. wards by the shortest course, to the River Canada, northwards ; and also, all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Meetewacks, or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Cod and the nar- row Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers, there called or known by the several names of Con- necticut and Hudson's River; together also with the said river called Hudson's River, and all the land from the west side of Connecticut to the east side of Delaware Bay; and also, all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin's Vineyard, or Nantukes, otherwise Nantucket ; together with all the lands, islands, soils, rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fish- ings, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, &c. to the said islands, lands, and premises belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances ; and all our estate, right, title, interest, benefit, advantage, claim, and demand, &c., to have and hold all and singular the said lands, &c. hereby given or granted, or hereinbefore mentioned to be given or granted, unto our dearest brother, James, duke of York, his heirs and assigns, for ever, &c. to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, in free and common socage, and not in capita, nor by knight-service, yielding and rendering ;" duke consenting to pay, when demanded, forty beaver skins. "And we do further, of our special grace, certain knowledge, &c., for us, our heirs, &c. give and grant unto our said dearest brother, James, duke of York, his heirs, deputies, agents, commissioners, and assigns, by these pre- sents, full and absolute power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, govern, and rule all such the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, &c."1
A commission was issued by King Charles II., (he having May 5. been informed, by representations from New England, of various evils requiring regulation,) to Col. Richard Nicholls,
1 Smith's New York, vol. i. pp. 14, 15.
358
A. D'HINOYOSSA.
1664. Sir Robert Carre, knight, George Cartwright, Esq., and Sa- muel Maverick, Esq., with extensive powers to visit the several colonies, " hear and receive, examine and determine all com- plaints and appeals, in all matters, military, civil, and crimi- nal, and proceed in all things for the providing for and settling the peace and security of the country, according to their dis- cretion and instructions." The 2d article of their instructions is, " after all the ceremonies are performed, (with New Eng- landers,) and in the first place, of all business, and before you enter upon any other particular, discourse at large, and with confidence, to them, all that we ourself have discoursed with you of reducing the Dutch in or near Long Island, or any- where within the limits of our dominions, to an entire obe- dience to our government. They will be easily informed of the consequence of such neighbourhood, if they be long suffered to raise a government of their own; that besides their being a receptacle and sanctuary for all mutinous, sedi- tious, and discontented persons who fly from our justice as malefactors, or who run away from their masters, or avoid paying their debts, or who have any other wicked design, as soon as they shall grow to any strength or power, their busi- ness is to oppress their neighbours, and engross the whole trade to themselves, by how indirect, unlawful, or foul means soever ; witness their inhuman proceedings at Amboyna, in a time of full peace, and all professions of particular love and friendship, and therefore it is high time to put them out of a capacity of doing the same mischief there, and reducing them to the same rules and obedience with our own subjects there, which you are to let them know is all we aim at, with- out using any other violence upon or towards them than is necessary to these ends, and that no man shall be disturbed or removed from what he possesseth, who will yield obedience to us, and live in the same subjection, and upon enjoying the same privileges with our other subjects; and in order to this good end, of so great and immediate concernment to them, you shall desire their advice and concurrence, and that they will assist you with such a number of men, and all other things necessary thereunto ; and you shall thereupon proceed in such a manner as you shall think it fit, either by building forts above them, or by using such force as cannot be avoided, for their reduction, they having no kind of right to hold what
Commission and instruc- tions to Ni- cholls, Carre, &c., to re- duce Man- hattan.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
they are in possession of in our unquestionable territories, than that they are possessed of it by an invasion of us."1
A patent was issued by the Dutch governor at Delaware, D'Hinoyossa, to Swen (or Sven) Gondersen, Swen Swensen, May 15. Oele Swensen, and Andries Swensen, for a certain piece of land " lying up above in the river, then beginning at Moya- mensing's kill, and so stretching upwards, in breadth 400 rods, and in length into the woods, 600 rods, amounting in all to about 800 acres, or 400 morgens." This grant is after- wards confirmed by the English governor, in 1671.2
" On the 5th ultimo, the Swedes and Finns were summoned July 2. to appear here at Altona, and appeared here, when we re- Beekman, signed our office, and were then, by the council of New Am- &c. resign. Soldiers to stel, as commissioners, informed, that, by your honour's give up their intercession, I might keep possession of my present dwelling quarters, till spring ; and arrangements were made that within fourteen days the soldiers should give up their quarters, which shall be executed.
" On the 9th, appeared here the Swedish deputies, and a great part of that and the Finnish nation. After they were absolved, at their request and proposal, from the oath they had taken, to take a new oath, they were, on the 10th, at New Amstel, where they say we are now sold, so deliver us. ones or de- On the 8th, the oath was proposed to them in my presence, by the directors and council, which they unanimously refused ; or they required previously, in writing, all such privileges of free trade and others, as they before were favoured with, un- der the company's administration, and without these they would be compelled to depart. Then eight days are allowed them to consult with the remainder, but then they must either take the oath or depart from here. I have been informed they prefer to reside under your government at Newesing, or the neighbourhood. D'Hinoyossa offered me my present re- sidence, if I would cultivate the great farm in my vicinity."3
About this time Beekman took his departure from South Beekman River for Esopus, where he was appointed sheriff. His cor- respondence, of which we have made such a liberal use, has come to a close. It has enabled us thus to supply a portion
1 Hazard's Hist. Coll. vol. ii. pp. 639, 640, where see the Commission and Instructions at length.
2 Recorded in Patent-Book A., vol. ix. p. 363, and Exemplification Record, vol. ii. pp. 548, 549.
3 Albany Records; copied from J. W. B.'s book at New York.
359
1664.
Grant of land to Swensons.
Swedes and Finns ab- solved from former oaths and required to take new part. They refuse; al- lowed eight days to con- sider; prefer Manhattan.
leaves South River.
360
A. D'HINOYOSSA.
Close of his correspon- dence.
1664. of our history for which we should have looked in vain else- where. Beekman appears to have communicated to Stuyve- sant, very freely and minutely, every circumstance as it occurred, and thus furnishes us with many details, which better illustrate the character of the men and the times than would have been exhibited in more formal official despatches. Some allowance must perhaps be made for excited feelings, arising from his connection with, and position in regard to D'Hinoyossa, with whom there appears to have been no very friendly intercourse, but of the merits of their controversy we are not prepared to form a fair judgment, as we have but one side of the story. Acrelius indeed says, " While the two colonies were kept up, Beekman had a share in the adminis- tration, but he was little considered. This made him envious of D'Hinoyossa, whom he aspersed in frequent letters to Stuyvesant." It is certain, however, he supported some of his charges by evidence, and on leaving the river, was re- warded at Manhattan by an office, in which he continued several years under the English government, and afterwards was alderman at New York. He died in New York, in 1707, aged 85, leaving numerous and highly respected descendants, many of whom are to be found at the present day ; a daugh- ter of his married a son of Stuyvesant.1
July 3 & 4. Grant of N. Jersey by the Duke of York to Berkley and Carteret.
Not long after the grant to the Duke of York, and before he had actually received possession of the territory given him, he, by deeds of lease and release, conveyed a portion of it to Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, viz. "all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the west of Long Island, bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson's River, and hath on the west Delaware Bay or River, and extendeth south ward to the main ocean, as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delaware Bay, and to northward as far as the northernmost branch of said bay or river of Delaware, which is in 41º 40' of latitude, and worketh over thence in a straight line to Hudson's River ; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of Nova Caesarea, or New Jersey." Thus New Netherlands became divided into New York and New Jersey.2.
About this time a memorial, presented by the Swedish re- sident to their High Mightinesses, in support of the right of the Swedish crown to New Sweden, in which a short review 1 O'Call. vol. ii. p. 473. 2 Smith's N. J. Proud.
0 I
361 1664. -
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
of the facts is taken, and claiming satisfaction from the West India Company. The question was not finally settled for several years.1
Under their instructions, Colonel Nicholls and the other commissioners set sail from Portsmouth, England, with the frigate Guinea and three other vessels, having on board 300 soldiers, and a large number of men. After having been separated at sea, one frigate arrived first, and in three days the others made their appearance, in the latter end of August, much to the surprise of the Dutch, although they had, through an Englishman, some intimations of their intended departure.
On their arrival, the English issued a proclamation,2 offer- ing protection to those who would submit to his majesty's government. On the 19th August, Governor Stuyvesant August 19. wrote to the commanders, by the hands of several distin- guished citizens, inquiring the object of their arrival and continuance in the harbour, without giving notice of their de- sign, as he ought to have done, which was fully communicated the next day in a letter to the Dutch governor, by Colonel Nicholls, (but this being unsigned, for which he apologized,3) requiring a surrender of the forts, &c., and expecting an answer by the bearers, Colonel Carteret, &c. The governor, in a short note, promised an answer next morning. Accord- August 30. ingly, the governor, after convening and consulting the coun- cil and burgomasters, without exhibiting the summons, and a letter from Governor Winthrop, advising the surrender, which he tore in pieces, determined to make a defence, and wrote a long letter to Nicholls, giving an historical account of the Dutch claim, which he concludes thus : "As touching the September 2. threats in your conclusion, we have nothing to answer, only that we fear nothing, but what God, (who is as just as mer- ciful,) shall lay upon us, all things being in His gracious disposal, and we may as well be preserved by him with small forces as by a great army, which makes us to wish you all happiness and prosperity, and recommend you to His pro- tection."4
Finding from the letter of Stuyvesant, that he was resolved September 3. to " maintain his right and title to the fort," Colonel Nicholls
1 Aitzema in O'Call. vol. ii. p. 573.
2 See it in Smith's N. J. p. 36. Smith's N. Y. vol. i. p. 25.
3 See Reg. Penns. vol. iv. p. 31.
4 See these various Letters in Reg. Penns. vol. iv. pp. 31, 41. Smith s N. Y. vol. i. pp. 18-24. 46 2 H
362
A. D'HINOYOSSA.
1664. issues his order to Captain Hyde, of the " Guinea," " to pro- secute his majesty's claim by all ways and means he may think expedient, for a speedy reduction of the Dutch to obe- September 3. dience."1 This, and the pressure of an English ship into the Negotiations between Nicholls and Stuyvesant. service, induced the governor to think more seriously of the matter, and to write to the colonel, saying, that finding by his deputies, " you persist on the summons, though by his. orders he is obliged to defend the place, however, that he makes no doubt, that upon said assault, and our defence, there will be a great deal of blood spilled, and greater difficulty may arise." He sends several persons, "to the end of pro- viding some means to hinder and prevent the spilling of inno- cent blood ;" asks him to appoint a time and place " to treat, and seek out the means of a good accommodation." Nicholls thinking it more agreeable to his king's wishes " to avoid the effusion of Christian blood," but insisting upon his first sum- mons for surrender, and supposing that the governor intends to do so, wishes health and prosperity to every inhabitant.
Nicholls, "to prevent the effusion of blood," appoints com- September 3. missioners to meet those of the Dutch, on the next day, August 27, when articles were drawn up and signed by com- missioners of both sides, and on the 8th, were ratified by Stuyvesant ; the limits of both parties to be fixed by the crown and States-General.2
New Amsterdam was thenceforward named New York.
Sept. 13.
Affairs being arranged at New Amsterdam, (now New York,) the commissioners next turned their attention to the Delaware, and a commission was issued by the other three commissioners, to Sir Robert Carre, as follows :
Commission to Sir Robert Carre to pro- ceed to, and reduce Dela- ware.
" Whereas we are informed that the Dutch have seated themselves at Delaware Bay, on his majesty of Great Britain's territories, without his knowledge and consent, and that they have fortified themselves there, and drawn a great trade thither, and being assured that if they be permitted to go on, the gaining of this place will be of small advantage to his majesty, we his majesty's commissioners, by virtue of his ma- jesty's commission and instructions to us given, have advised and determined to bring that place, and all strangers there- about, in obedience to his majesty, and by these do order and appoint that his majesty's frigates, the 'Guinea,' and the « William and Nicholas,' and all the soldiery which are not in
1 Reg. Penns. vol. iv. p. 43. 2 Smith's N. Y. vol. i. p. 25.
363
1664. -
DEPUTY-GOVERNOR RICHARD NICHOLLS.
the fort, shall, with what speed they conveniently can, go thither under the command of Sir Robert Carre, to reduce the same, willing and commanding all officers, at sea and land, and all soldiers, to obey the said Robert Carre during this expedition. Given under our hands and seals, at the fort in New York, upon the island of Manhattans, 3d day of Sep- tember, 1664. Signed, R. NICHOLLS,
" G. CARTWRIGHT, " S. MAVERICK."1
Sir Robert was instructed, when he comes near the Dutch His instruc- fort, to send his boat on shore, to summon the governor and tions. inhabitants to yield obedience to his majesty, as the rightful sovereign of that tract of land, and let them know "that all the planters shall enjoy their farms, houses, lands, goods, and chattels, with the same privileges, and on the same terms upon which they do now possess them, only that they change their masters, whether they be the West India Company or the city of Amsterdam. To the Swedes you shall remonstrate their happy return under a monarchical government, and his majesty's good inclination to that nation, and to all men who shall comply with his majesty's rights and title in Delaware, without force of arms."
That all cannon, arms, and ammunition belonging to the government shall remain to his majesty.
Future trading to be regulated by rules of parliament ; right of conscience to be guarantied ; for six months, all the present magistrates to continue in office, taking oath of alle- giance, and their acts to be in his majesty's name.
If Sir Robert finds he cannot reduce the place by force, nor upon these conditions, he may add such as he finds neces- sary, but if both fail, he is, by a messenger to the governor of Maryland, to ask aid. After reducing the place, his first care is "to protect the inhabitants from injuries as well as violence, from the soldiers, which may be easily effected, if you settle a course for weekly or daily provisions, by agree- ment with the inhabitants, to be satisfied to them either out of the profits, customs, or rents belonging to their present master, or, in case of necessity, from hence."
The laws for the present to remain, as to administration of right and justice.
He is to declare to Lord Baltimore's son, and all the Eng-
1 Reg. Penns. vol. i. p. 36, from A. P. S. MSS. and N. Y. Records.
364
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1664.
Instructions to Sir Robert Carre.
lish concerned in Maryland, that this great expense to his majesty, in ships and soldiers, has been incurred solely for the purpose of reducing foreigners in these parts to his ma- jesty's obedience, but that being reduced at his majesty's expense, he is commanded to hold « possession for his ma- jesty's own behoof and right, and that he is willing to unite with the governor of Maryland on his majesty's interests, on all occasions, and if my Lord Baltimore doth pretend right thereto by his patent, (which is a doubtful case,) you are to say that you only keep possession till his majesty is informed and otherwise satisfied." In other things, Sir Robert is left to his discretion, and the best advice he can get in the place.1
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