Skip to main content

Full text of "Documents relative to the colonial history of the state of New York"

See other formats


GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


DOC-UMENTS 


RELATING  TO   THE 


Colonial   History 


State  of  New  York. 


Vol.   XIII  — Old   Series. 
Vol.        II  — New  Series. 


ALBANY,  N.  Y. 

WEED,    PARSONS    AND    COMPANY. 

i88i. 


DOCUMENTS 


RELATING  TO  THE 


HISTORY  AND  SETTLEMENTS  OF  THE  TOWNS 


ALONG   THE 


Hudson  and  Mohawk  Rivers 

(WITH    THE    EXCEPTION    OK   ALBANY), 

FROM  1630  TO  1684. 

AND    ALSO    ILLUSTRATING    THE 

RELATIONS  OF  THE  SETTLERS  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 

Translated,  Compiled  and  Edited  from  the  Original  Records  in  the  Office  of  the 

Secretary   of  State,  at   Albany,   and   other  sources,    under  direction 

of  the  Honbie  JOSEPH  B.  CARR,  Secretary  of  State, 


B.    FERNOW, 

KKEPKR    OF    THE    HISTORICA-L    RECORDS. 

Ho.N.  Member  Penn^  Historical  Society. 


1136149 


ALBANY,  N.  Y. 

WEED,    PARSONS    AND    COMPANY. 
i88i. 


EiRLHmiElimS  i  TEE  ElllISi  RlfER  M  W  lililS, 


OFFICE  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE,   ) 

Albany,    October  1,  1881.        ) 

Oeiginallt  organized  for  purely  commercial  purposes,  then  drawn  into  warlike  pursuits  by 
the  political  events  of  the  Thirty  Years'  War,  the  Dutch  "West  India  Company  thought  little  of 
its  property  m  America  as  a  colony,  and  took  no  pains  to  develop  its  internal  resources  by  settling 
this  large  territory  and  encouraging  the  cultivation  of  its  virgin  soU.  The  close  of  the  war  with 
Spain  compelled  the  Company  to  bestow  more  attention  upon  New  Netherlaud  and  to  make  up, 
if  possible,  fur  lost  time.  Internal  and  economical  considerations  did  not  alone  urge  the  Company 
in  this  direction ;  the  interest  which  the  States- General  suddenly  took  in  the  aifairs  of  New 
Netherland  and  the  earnestness  with  which  they  insisted  upon  the  adoption  of  some  practical 
plan  to  direct  and  encourage  a  sound  and  moral  emigration,  insuring  a  permanent  settlement  of 
the  territory,  caused  the  managers  of  the  Company  to  pei-ceive  tliat  their  influence  would  be  dan- 
gerously compromised,  if  something  was  not  done  to  develop  more  actively  the  resources  of  the  fine 
and  fertile  province  committed  to  their  charge. 

As  a  result  of  their  deliberations  on  this  point,  the  directors  of  the  "West  India  Company 
presented,  in  August,  1638,  to  the  States-General,  "  Articles  and  Conditions  drawn  up  and  con- 
cluded by  the  Amsterdam  Chamber, on  whicli  the  respective  places  and  countries 

in  New  Netherland  shall  henceforth  be  traded  to,  frequented  and  settled "  * 

This  plan  was  evidently  too  diffuse  in  some  of  its  clauses  to  satisfy  the  States-General,  nor  did  the 
"New  Project,"  \  submitted  by  the  Patroons  in  opposition  to  and  curtailing  the  privileges  of  the 
Company,  m^et  with  any  more  favor.  The  object  of  the  Patroons  had  l>een  at  first,  when  they 
obtained  their  privileges  in  1629,  rather  a  participation  in  the  Indian  trade  than  the  colonization 
of  the  country ;  their  new  plan  was  to  divide  the  province  into  manors  for  a  privileged  class,  to 
the  exclusion  of  the  hardy  and  industrious  pioneer  and  sturdy  and  independent  yeoman. 

The  objections  raised  by  the  States-General  to  either  plan  led  to  a  joint  meeting  of  delegates 
from  the  States  and  the  Company,  who  agreed  upon  a  more  satisfactory  solution  of  the  whole 

*  See  N.  Y.  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  I,  p.  110.  t  Ibidem,  p. 


iv  Early  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River  and  the  Indians. 

question.  The  inonoi^olj  of  tlie  trade  to  New  ISfetlierlaiid,  hitherto  enjoyed  exchisivelj  hy  the 
"West  India  Company,  was  aboHshed  and  the  commerce  in  and  to  the  province  as  well  as  the 
cnltivation  of  its  soil  tin-own  open  to  everybody,  whether  denizen  or  foreigner,  who  chose  to  con- 
form to  certain  rules  and  restrictions.* 

New  Netherland  soon  began  to  reap  the  benefits  of  this  salutary  resolution.  The  policy  of 
the  Company  having  become  more  liberal,  they  extended  their  liberality  also  to  financial  matters 
and  encouraged  emigrant  farmers  by  many  pecuniary  advantages ;  in  consequence  we  see  the  labor- 
ers leave  their  native  country,  where,  under  the  most  favorable  circmnstances,  they  could  only  be 
tenants,  to  seek  new  freehold  homes  in  the  province  on  the  Hudson ;  we  see  wealthy  individuals 
induced  to  settle  in  New  Netherland  with  their  famihes  and  a  large  following  of  tenants ;  and  we 
find  the  population  increase  by  families  from  Virginia  and  New  England,  who  left  the  latter 
colony  "  to  escape  the  insupportable  government  of  New  England,"  or  the  former  to  pursue  at 
the  Manhattans  the  cultivation  of  the  tobacco  plant,  with  which  they  had  become  familiar  during 
their  respective  terms  of  service  in  Virginia. 

Every  settler  \',as  allowed  to  make  his  home  where  he  pleased  or  where  he  thought  he  could 
plant  his  crops  to  the  best  advantage,  subject  to  one  rule,  invariably  insisted  upon,  the  great 
importance  of  which  in  its  relations  to  the  future  existence  of  our  present  State,  and  perhaps  of 
the  United  States,  has  never  been  sufficiently  considered.  I  mean  the  rule  by  which  no  man 
could  settle  upon  Indian  lands,  unless  the  Indian  title  was  first  extinguished  in  a  manner  satis- 
factory to  the  Indian  proprietors.  Following  natm-al  advantages  of  soil,  location,  market  and  per- 
sonal safety,  the  settlers  chose  at  first  the  neighborhood  of  the  two  larger  places  on  the  Hudson, 
New  Amsterdam  and  Fort  Orange,  and  spread  across  the  Fresh  "Water  into  -what  is  now  West- 
chester county,  or  over  into  New  Jersey,  Long  and  Staten  Islands,  or  sat  down  south  of  Albany. 
Keeping  as  near  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  as  possible,  they  finally  struck  the  fertile  valley  of  tlie 
Esopus.  The  absence  of  the  Indian  deeds  given  to  the  first  comers  prevents  fixing  the  exact  date 
of  the  first  settlement  of  Kingston,  which  more  than  a  century  later  was  to  be  the  native  place  of 
our  present  State  Govermnent.  The  earliest  patent  for  land  in  Ulster  county  on  record  is  dated 
September  25,  1656 ;  it  mentions,  however,  the  lands  of  other  people,  who  were  then  already 
settled  there.  It  is  true  that  the  Dutch  had  built  a  fort  on  the  Esopus  as  early  as  IGIS,-!"  and  that 
therefore  we  have  no  record  of  the  Indian  deed  (our  records  beginning  only  in  1630) ;  but  if  the 
country  around  this  fort  had  been  settled,  the  people  had  been  driven  off  by  the  destructive  Indian 
wars  of  1644-45.  Other  evidences,  brought  to  light  in  this  volume,  show  that  some  farmers, 
attracted  by  the  richness  of  the  soil,  had  commenced  a  small  settlement  there  in  1653,  after  pur- 
chasing the  land  from  the  Indians.  Their  fate  and  the  troubles  of  their  successors  ai"e  described 
in  the  documents  contained  in  this  volume;  we  must  admire  the  tenacity  and  sturdy  courage  with 

*  See  N.  T.  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  I,  p.  119. 

t  "  II  y  a  plus  de  cinquante  aus  qu'elle  est  en  possession  des  Forts  Orange  et  Esope ;  les  uns  et  les  autres  avec 
les  terres  et  pais,  qui  en  dependent."  States-General  to  Sir  George  Downing,  February,  1665.  —  Col.  Hist. 
Vol.  n,  p.  325. 


Early  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Rive)-  and  the  Indians.  v 

which  this  haiicit'ul  of  Dutchmen  hold  on  to  thu  laiul,  wliich  they  knew  to  be  tlieirs  by  every  right 
and  law,  and  we  can  only  congratulate  ourselves,  as  citizens  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  of  the 
United  States,  that  the  first  white  men  with  whom  the  Indians  of  this  section  of  the  American 
continent  had  tu  deal  were  the  upright,  sturdy,  even  if  slow  and  phlegmatic,  Dutch. 

Property  in  the  soil  being  in  all  civilized  countries  the  first  evidence  of  settlement,  the  Editor 
has  endeavored  to  collect  all  such  evidences  in  the  shape  of  Indian  deeds,  to  be  found  in  the  State 
and  other  official  records  and  thereby  hopes  to  assist  the  authors  of  local  histories,  who  must  una- 
voidably begin  by  showing  how  the  title  to  the  soil  passed  from  the  Indians  through  the  Govern- 
ment to  individuals.  Records  of  public  offices  are  our  most  reliable  authority  for  History,  which 
cannot  be  written,  if  it  is  to  be  of  any  instructive  value,  without  being  based  upon  authentic  evi- 
dence ;  with  it  it  is  easy  to  trace  the  organization  of  counties,  towns  and  villages,  the  sources  of  their 
fii-st  population  and  the  nomenclature  of  their  localities. 

A  glance  at  the  map  of  the  United  States  shows  that  the  Hudson  river  and  its  tributaries 
form  the  most  important  waterway  in  the  country.  Portages  of  short  distance  brought  the 
traveler  in  olden  times  to  the  waters  of  the  great  lakes,  if  he  was  bound  west,  or  to  Lake  Cham- 
plain  and  the  St.  Lawrence  if  on  a  northern  tour.  The  Hudson  was  the  key  of  the  continent 
for  all  coming  from  the  east ;  its  possession  meant  supremacy  over  all  the  surrounding  lands.  The 
Dutch,  the  first  white  people  who  came  to  this  region,  found  it  inhabited  by  five  Indian  tribes, 
which  from  their  language,  general  customs  and  traditions,  seemed  to  be  more  closely  connected 
with  each  other  than  tlie  neighboring  tribes.  They  had  entered  into  a  confederation  and  in  a 
rude  way  anticipated  our  federal  republic ;  having  possession  of  the  very  key  to  this  continent 
they  had  become  the  masters  of  a  large  portion  of  it  and  ruled  the  tribes  from  Maine  to  the  Mis 
sissippi  and  as  far  south  as  Georgia.  The  Jesuit  fathers,  who  went  among  them  as  missionaries, 
called  them  the  most  enlightened  Indians  with  whom  they  had  come  in  contact,  but  also  the  most 
intractable.  They  were  cannibals,  often  eating  their  captured  enemies  after  having  first  subjected 
them  to  the  most  fiendish  torture.  The  most  athletic,  the  keenest  witted  and  most  bloody  of  all 
the  tribes,  that  the  first  settlers  of  New  York  should  have  made  a  lodgment  among  them  and  at 
all  times  remained  undisturbed  is  one  of  the  curious  facts  of  history,  the  bearings  of  which  upon 
the  subsequent  history  of  this  country  has  never  sufficiently  attracted  the  attention  of  historians,  yet 
it  is  worthy  of  being  esteemed  most  important.  When  contemplating  the  nature  and  results  of  the 
relations  established  between  the  two  races,  we  see  a  condition  of  affairs  no  less  startling  than 
different  from  that  in  the  neighboring  New  England  colonies.  The  Puritans  were  involved  in 
ceaseless  Indian  wars  and  stood  more  than  once  upon  the  brink  of  utter  aimihilation  ;  the  Dutch, 
living  at  the  door  of  the  powerful  Five  Nations,  could  always  count  upon  the  friendship  of  their 
Indian  neighbors.  The  secret  by  which  they  insured  this  friendship  was  that  they  simply  treated 
the  Indian  as  a  human  being,  as  a  man.  Tolerant  in  religion  themselves  they  did  not  interfere 
with  his  crude  worship ;  honest  in  all  their  dealings  with  him  they  kept  good  faith  and  took  noth- 
ing from  him  except  by  purchase.  Rule  26  of  the  "  Freedoms  and  Exemptions  granted  by  the 
West  India  Company  to  all  Patroons,  Masters  or  private  Persons  who  will  plant  colonies  in  New 


vi  Early  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River  and  the  Indians. 

Netberland,  adopted  June  7,  1629,  says:  'Whosoever  shall  settle  any  colony  out  of  the  limits  of 
Manhattan  Island  shall  be  obliged  to  satisfy  the  Indians  for  the  land  they  shall  settle  upon.' " 
The  numerous  Indian  deeds  in  this  volume  go  to  show  how  this  rule  was,  as  I  stated  above,  always 
strictly  enforced,  and  the  tradition  of  the  purchase  of  Manhattan  Island  proves  that  even  at  their 
first  coming  the  Dutch  had  no  intention  of  acquiring  the  land  they  coveted  by  any  other  means 
than  by  purchase. 

It  is  needless  to  refer  to  the  Massachusetts  statute  of  1633,  which  confirmed  to  the  Indians 
the  little  patches  of  land  around  their  wigwams,  where  they  raised  their  corn  and  beans,  and 
declared  the  rest  the  property  of  the  whites  on  the  authority  of  chapter  1,  Genesis,  "  and  the 
invitation  of  the  Indians."  It  is  further  needless  to  speculate  on  the  consetpiences  if  a  like  policy 
had  been  adopted  by  the  Dutch,  for  the  result  of  the  policy  pursued  by  them ,  based  upon  Chris- 
tian virtue,  commercial  morality  and  the  true  ethics  of  ci\'ilization,  is  enjoyed  by  ns  every  day  as 
citizens  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  of  the  Ujiited  States.  The  English,  after  the  conquest 
of  166i,  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Dutch  in  their  treatment  <A  the  Indians,  either  because 
they  acknowledged  it  to  be  the  best  policy  or  influenced  by  the  preponderating  Dutch  element, 
who  were  still  the  majority  of  the  population  of  the  province.  During  the  century  of  contention 
with  France  the  friendship  of  the  Five  Nations,  in  possession  of  the  great  moimtain  barrier 
between  Canada  and  the  upper  Hudson,  turned  the  scale  and  counterbalanced  the  great  advan- 
tages which  lay  on  the  side  of  France.  But  for  this,  the  whole  course  of  our  histoiy  might  have 
been  changed.  New  York  might  now  belong  to  France  and  the  other  States  might  still  be 
colonies  of  England. 

Not  all  the  Indians  of  the  province,  however,  shared  the  Mohawks'  feelings  toward  the 
Dutch,  as  the  documents  relating  to  the  settlement  of  our  present  Ulster  county,  now  first  pub- 
lished, will  show.  The  tribes  along  the  Hudson  below  Albany,  although  treated  by  the  Dutch 
like  the  Mohawks,  remained  hostile  and  had  to  be  completely  dispersed  to  insure  for  the  settlement 
on  the  Esopus  the  safety  and  security  necessary  for  its  development.  Many  instances  will  be 
found  in  this  volume  showing  how  the  j^owerful  five  nations  appreciated  the  treatment  Ijy  the 
Dutch. 

For  reasons  made  obvious  by  the  size  of  this  volume  the  Editor  has  not  been  able  to  show 
the  results  of  the  Dutch  and  early  English  policy  in  the  subsequent  troubles  with  the  French  of 
Canada,  and  the  volume  closes  therefore  with  the  law  dividing  the  province  into  counties,  enacted 
by  the  first  General  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  the  meeting  of  which  on  the  17th 
of  October,  16S3,  was  the  result  of  the  principle,  often  asserted  by  the  Dutch  in  their  controver- 
sies with  their  Governors,  of  "  No  Taxation  without  Representation."  It  was  the  first  victory 
of  Liberty  over  Absolutism,  which  New  York  has  to  record. 

JOSEPH  E.  CAER, 

Seci'etary  of  State. 


Table  of  Contents. 


Fi'om  the  first  recorded  Dutch  Patent  to  the  Occupation  of  the  Province  by  the  English. 

1630-1664. 

Paqe. 

1630.     July  12.     Patent  for  Hoboken,  N.  J 1 

"         Aug.  10.     Patent  for  Staten  Island 2 

"         Nov.  22.     Patent  for  Ahasimus  (Jersey  City)  and  Aressick  Island 2 

1 638.  May     1 .     Deed  to  Abr.  Is.  Verplanck  for  Land  at  Paulus  Hook,  N.J 3 

"         Jwly  20.     Lease  of  the  Company's  Farm  at  Pavonia,  N.  J 3 

1639.  Mar.  12.     Lease  of  the  Company's  Bouwery  at  Hoboken,  N.  J 4 

"         July  21.     Lease  of  Bronkx  Land  in  Westchester  county 5 

"         Aug.    3.     Indian  Deed  for  the  Land  called  Keskeskick  (Westchester  county) 5 

"         Sep.  15.     Eesolution  to  exact  from  the  Indians  a  Tribute  in  Maize,  etc 6 

No  date.     Patent  for  part  of  Staten  Island 6 

161:0.     Jan.     7.     Lease  of  Land  on  Staten  Island 7 

"         July  16.     Council  Minute.     Hostile  Acts  of  the  Raritan  Indians  since  the  Peace  of 

1634 7 

1641.  June   6.     Council  Minute.     Conditions  under  which  a  Party  of  English  People  may 

come  and  settle  in  N.  Netherland 8 

Ordinance  offering  a  Reward  for  the  Heads  of  Raritan  Indians 8 

Release  by  Com.  Melyn  of  his  Tenant  from  his  Contract  to  live  on  Staten 

Island 8 

Resolutions  to  build  a  Redoubt  on  Staten  Island 9 

1642.  April    7.     Declaration  concerning  what  occurred  at  Arraeperal  in  the  Indian  War. .  9 

Court  Proceedings 9 

Council  Minute.     Settlement  in  Westchester  Co 10 

1643.  Feb.    25.     Council  Minute.     Indian  War 10 

Coimcil  Minute  setting  forth  the  necessity  of  the  resolution  to  enlist  a 

number  of  planters   "  in  order   to  put  a  bit   into  the   mouth   of  the 

heathens  " 11 

Declaration  concerning  the  attemjrt  upon  Dir.  Kieft's  life 12 

Report  of  the  attempts  made  on  the  life  of  Director  Kieft  hy  the  leaders 

of  the  expedition  against  the  Indians 12 

Peace  made  between  the  Dutch  and  the  Indians  on  the  Lower  Hudson ...  14 
Declaration  respecting  the  circumstances  under  which  Dirck  Straatemaker 

and  his  wife  were  killed  by  the  Indians 14 


July 

4. 

Aug. 

15. 

Sept. 

12. 

April 

'    7. 

June 

26. 

Oct. 

2. 

Feb. 

25. 

Feb. 

27. 

Mar. 

22. 

Mar. 

28. 

Apr. 

22. 

May 

18. 

Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 
Extract  from  a  letter  of  Arent  van  Curler  at   Eensselaerswyck  to  the 

Patroon  in  Holland.     Report  of  a  journey  to  the  Mohawks 15 

Patent  to  John  Throckmorton  for  land  at  Yrelandt  (Tlirogmorton's  Neck, 

Westchester  county) 15 

Council  Minute.     Request  of  the  Eight  Men,  that  Jan  Damen  be  expelled 

from  their  board.     Resolution  to  i"enew  the  war  against  the  hostile 

Indians 16 

Declaration  of  some  soldiers  respecting  the  attack  by  Indians  on  the  Colony 

"  behind  the  Col." 16 

Report  that  the  Colony    "behind  the  Col.''  has  been  destroyed  by  the 

Indians 17 

Council  Minute.     Arrival  of  River  Indians  at  Stamford  to  sue  for  peace 

with  the  Dutch 17 

Articles  of  Peace,  concluded  in  presence  of  the  Mohawks  between  the 

Dutch  and  the  River  Indians 18 

Council  Minut^      A  Proclamation    to  be  issued  for  a  day  of  general 

thanksgiving  on  account  of  the  peace  with  the  Indians 19 

Resolution  to  explore  a  mine  in  the  Raritan  country  and  to  raise  some 

cannons  sunk  by  the  Indians  in  the  river  "  behind  the  Col." 19 

Patent  to  Jacob  Jacobsen  Roy  for  Constable's  Hook  (N.  J.) 19 

Patent  to  Thomas  Coornel  for  land  on  the  Bronkx  river  (Westchester  Co.).  20 
Patent  to  Cornelis  Antonissen  van  der  Slyck  and  associates  for  the  land  of 

Katskil 20 

"         Dec.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Petrus  Stuyvesant. 

Peace  with  the  Indians  made  by  Kieft ;  iron  mine  on  Staten  Island. 

English  trading  house  near  Fort  Orange 21 

1647.  Mar.  25.     Patent  to  Claes  Carstensen  the  Norman  for  land  in  New  Jersey 21 

"         May  10.     Patent  to  Egbert  Woutersen  for  land  at  Communipaw  (N.  J.) 22 

"         May  11.     Patent  to  Maryn  Adriaensen  for  lard  at  Weehawken  (N.  J.) 22 

"         June  17.     Declaration  of  Commissary  Boghardt  and  others  respecting  an  attack  by 

the  Raritans 22 

1648.  Apr.     3.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Gov.  Winthrop  at  Boston ; 

vindicates  himself  against  the  accusations  of  having  tried  to  incite  the 

Moliawks  against  the  English . .     23 

"         Apr.     8.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  a 

lenient  policy  towai*d  the  Indians  recommended 23 

1649.  July  14.     Indian  Deed  for  part  of  Westchester  county 24 

Propositions  made  by  the  Indians  living  on  the  North  river  above  Man- 
hattan Island  and  Stuyvesant's  answer 25 

1650.  Jan.    14.     Lease  of  land  on  the  Katskil 26 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to, Dir.  Stuyvesant;  the 

grant  of  the  Catskil  Lands 26 

Indian  Deed  for  Schodack 26 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  fears 
entertained  that  a  war  between  the  English  and  the  Wappinger  Indians 
might  be  fatal  to  the  Colonies  on  the  North  river 27 


1643. 

June  16. 

<( 

July     6. 

i,i 

Sep.    15. 

a 

Oct.    30. 

If 

Nov.    3. 

1644. 

Apr.  16. 

1645. 

Aug.  30. 

li 

Aug.  31. 

11 
1fi4-fi 

Aug.  31. 

u 

June  26. 

" 

Aug.  22. 

July 
July 

14. 
19. 

Jan. 
Feb. 

14. 
16. 

Mar. 
Apr. 

13. 

15. 

Table  of  Contents.  ix 


Paoe. 


1651.  Mar.  21.     Extract  from  n  letter  of  the  same  to  tlie  same  ;  luiul  i^raiits  on  tlic  Raritan, 

Kil  van  Col  and  Catskil ;  free  navigation  of  the  North  river ;  Baron  van 

der  Capelle's  Colony  ;  Mohawks  invade  Canada 27 

"         Nov.    7.     Entry  by  Cornelis  van  Werckhoven  for  two  Colonies,  one  at  Tappaen,  the 

other  at  the  Nevesing  and  grant  of  the  same 29 

1652.  Feb.  13.     Extract  from  a  representation  made  by  the  Directors  of  the  "W".  I.  Com- 

pany on  the  situation  of  New  Netherland  concerning  Indian  aiiairs,  etc.     29 

"         Feb.  15.     Answer  to  the  foregoing 30 

"  Mar.  5.  Letter  from  Baron  van  der  Capellen  to  Cornelis  van  Werckhoven,  inform- 
ing him  that  he  had  purchased  the  Raritan  country 31 

"         Mar.  18.     Letter  from  Cornelis  van  Werckhoven  to  (?)  entering  a  caveat  against  the 

grant  of  the  Earitan  country  to  Baron  van  der  Capellen 31 

No  date.      Answer  of  Cornelis  van  Werckhoven  to  Baron  van  der  Capellen's  letter . .     32 
"         Apr.     4.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir  Stuyvesant ;  a 
New  Netheriand  bureau  is  to  be  established  to  check  the  abuses  in  land 
granting ;  conflicts  arising  out  of  the  purchases  of  Baron  van  der  Capel- 
len and  van  Werckhoven ;  war  between  the  Mohawks  and  Canada  Indians     33 

"         Sept.  20.     Ordinance  against  runners  in  the  Mohawk  and  Seneca  countries 34 

"  Dec.  13.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant ;  Van  Werckhoven 
declines  the  Colony  on  the  Karitan  and  at  Tappan  and  settles  at  Nyack, 
L.I 34 

1653.  June    6.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  same  to  the  same ;  the  war  between  the  Mo- 

hawks and  the  Canada  Indians ;  the  establishment  of  a  trading  house  20 
Dutch  miles  north  of  Albany  reconnnended  to  attract  the  Canadian  fur 
trade 35 

1654.  Feb.  25.     Resolution  to  provide  the  Mohawks  with  powder  and  lead,  lest  they  apply 

therefor  to  the  English 35 

"         June  16.     Patent  to  Dirck  Ziecken  for  land  at  Communipaw 36 

"         -A-Ug.  28.     Ordinance  against  furnishing  liquor  to  Indians 35 

"         Nov.    5.     Resolution  ordering  the  Fiscal  to  forbid  certain  Englishmen  to  settle  at 

Vreedland  (Westchester  county) 36 

"         Nov.  27.     Patents  for  land  at  Pavonia  (N.  J.)  and  at  Communipaw   37 

1655.  Apr.  19.     Protest  against  Thomas  Pell  for  settling  on  lands  belonging  to  the  Dutch 

at  Vreeland  (Westchester)  with  notice  to  quit 38 

"         June  21.     Order  to  publish  at  Fort  Orange   an  ordinance  against  ranners  among  the 

Indians 39 

"         Oct.     8.  (28  ?)  Letter  from  Inhabitants  of  Gravesend  to  the  Director  and  Council, 

stating  that  they  are  threatened  by  Indians  from  the  main 39 

"         Oct.     8.     Declaration  as  to  the  hostility  of  the  Indians 41 

"         Oct.     9.     Minute  and  votes  of  the  Council  on  the  action  to  be  taken  regarding  the 

foregoing 41 

"         Oct.  11.     Resohition  forbidding  the  sailing  of  the  vessels  in  port  and  departure  of 

able-bodied  passengers  during  the  present  crisis 43 

"         Oct.  12.     Miniite  of  the  attendance  of  Jacob  van  Curler  and  Jacob  Sillisakes  with 

the  Magistrates  of  Gravesend 43 


X  Table  of  Contents. 

Paqb. 

1655.  Oct.  12.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Oapt.  Bryan  Newton,  waming  him  to  be 

on  the  lookout  for  Indians -13 

"  Oct.  13.  Council  Minute  of  the  appearance  in  Council  of  Stephen  Necker,  who  with 
5  others  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  and  is  sent  for  a  ran- 
som   , 44 

"         Oct.  13.     Message  brought  from  the  Indians  at  Paulus  Hook,  that  the  prisoners  will 

be  released  in  two  days 44 

"         Oct.  13.     Resolution  not  to  pay  the  ransom,  demanded  by  the  Indians 45 

"         Oct.  16.     Ordinance  against  persons  going  into  the  country  in  small  parties 45 

"         Oct.  16.     Order  for  the  safety  of  Amesfoort  and  the  Bay 45 

"         Oct.  16.     Letter  to  Capt.  Post,  ordering  him  to  inquire,  what  the  Indians  propose  to 

do  with  their  prisoners 45 

"         Oct.  18.     Ordinance  forbidding  all  persons  going  across  the  river  or  communicating 

with  the  Indians 46 

Minute  of  the  return  of  14  prisoners  by  Pennekeek,  chief  of  Hackensack.     46 
Instructions  given  to  Capt.  Adrian  Post  to  obtain  the  release  of  the  prison- 
ers still  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians 46 

Letter  of  inhabitants  of  Gravesend,  L.   I.,  praying  for  j)rotection  against 

the  Indians 47 

Message  of  the  Indians  sent  with  some  prisoners  and  answer  thereto  with 

the  return  message  of  the  Indians 48 

Remonstrance  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  to 
the  States-General,  exposing  the  bad  conduct  of  the  barbarous  Indians 

towards  the  Dutch 49 

Propositions  submitted  by  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the   Council  on  a  war  with 

the  Indians  and  the  oj^inions  of  the  Council 51 

Propositions  made  by  the  Indians  of  Long  Island  requesting  a  continuance 
of  the  peace  with  their  tribe 58 

1656.  Jan.    18.     Questions  submitted  by  the  Director  to  the  Council  on  excluding  Indians 
from  the  settlements  and  answers  of  the  Council    58 

Paj)er  read  by  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Council  containing  information  on 
the  causes  of  the  late  difficulties  with  the  Indians  and  advice  given  thereon 
by  the  Council , 59 

Petition  of  Michiel  Jansen  for  a  lot  in  the  City,  all  his  property  (at  Pavo- 
nia)  having  lately  been  destroyed  by  the  Indians ;  granted 61 

Order  directing  Capt.  de  Coninck  to  capture  the  leading  Englishmen  of 
"Westchester  and  his  instructions 62 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant;  they 
regret  the  damages  inflicted  by  the  Indian  raid  and  give  du-ections  for 
the  relief  of  the  sufferers 63 

Order  respecting  the  prisoners  taken  at  Westchester 63 

Application  of  the  Fiscal,  recapitulating  Pell's  intnision  at  Westchester  &c 
and  requesting  that  he  be  ordered  to  quit 64 

Petition  of  Thomas  Wheeler  and  others  of  Westchester,  submitting  to  the 
Dutch  Government  and  asking  for  certain  privileges,  which  are  granted.      65 

Commission  for  Thomas  Wheeler  to  be  Chief  Magistrate  at  Westchester. .     QQ 


Oct. 

IS. 

Oct. 

18. 

Oct. 

20. 

Oct. 

21. 

Oct. 

31. 

Nov.  10. 

Nov. 

27. 

Jan. 

18. 

Jan. 

26, 

Feb. 

2. 

Mar. 

6. 

Mar. 

13. 

Mar. 

14. 

Mar. 

15. 

Mar. 

16. 

Mar. 

16. 

Mar. 

28. 

Apr. 

2. 

Apr. 

12. 

May 
July 

29. 
1. 

July 

1. 

Sept. 

25. 

Dec. 

19. 

Table  of  Contents.  xi 

Paqb. 

1656.  Mar.  16.     Order  for  the  clischargo  of  Capt.  E.  Pauton  and  others  of  Westchester  on 

condition  that  they  lea\'c  the  country  or  find  security  for  their  good 
behavior 67 

Order  on  an  application  of  J^icolas  Yerleth  for  leave  to  remove  the  frame 
of  a  house  from  Hoboken ;  denied  on  account  of  the  Indian  difficulties     67 

Indictment  and  sentence  of  Sander  Toursen  and  wife  for  selling  liquor  to 
the  Indians 67 

Order  for  a  contribution  of  cloth  from  the  merchants  to  ransom  the  pris- 
oners, still  held  by  the  Indians 68 

Ordinance  against  lodging  Indians  in  New  Amsterdam 68 

Resolution  to  give  private  notice  to  certain  parties  to  leave  the  country, 
because  suspected  of  selling  liquor  to  the  Indians  ;  rescinded 69 

Ordinance  renewing  the  order  for  the  formation  of  villages  and  against 
admitting  armed  Indians  into  cities,  villages  and  hoiises 69 

Patent  to  Christoffel  Davids  for  a  tract  of  land  in  the  Esopus  (N.  W.  of 
Kingston,  Ulster  county) 69 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant;  they 
accuse  the  former  Fiscals  van  Tienlioven  and  van  Dyck  of  being  the 
cause  of  the  last  Indian  massacre 70 

1657.  Mar.  27.     Petition  of  Johanna  de  Laet,  widow  of  Johan  de  Hulter,  for  letters-patent 

to  land  purchased  from  the  Indians  at  the  Esopus  by  her  late  husband 

and  the  patent  for  it *  1 

Resolution  of  the  Magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck  permitting 

the  inhabitants  to  employ  Indian  brokers  for  one  year 72 

Propositions  of  the  three  Mohawk  Castles  to  renew  the  old  Covenant 

chain,  etc.,  and  answers  thereto <2 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant;  the 

prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians  to  be  demanded  from  them  in  the 

name  of  the  States- General;  a  block-house  to  be  built  at  the  Esopus. . .     73 

Affidavit  of  Jan  Gillisen  Kock  in  regard  to  cattle  at  Catskil 74 

List  of  the  farmers,  men,  women  and  children  sent  to  Staten  Island  since 

May,  1650,  by  Baron  van  der  CapeUen '^'^ 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant ;  Indian 

affairs ;  the  Colony  on  Staten  Island T'S 

1658.  Jan.  29.  Court  Proceedings.  Cornells  Teunissen  against  Jacob  Jansen  StoU  for 
excise  on  slaughtered  cattle,  involving  a  question  of  the  jurisdiction  of 
Esopus ' " 

Letter  from  Jacob  Jansen  StoU  of  Esopus  to  Du-.  Stuyvesant  with  a  cargo 
of  wheat ' " 

Letter  of  Thomas  Chamljers  at  the  Esopus  to  the  same  ;  demands  assist- 
ance, as  the  Indians  have  murdered  some  settlers  at  Esopus 77 

Letter  from  Andries  van  der  Sluys  and  other  inliabitants  of  the  Esopus 
to  the  same,  confirming  the  foregoing  letter '8 

Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  and  others  at  the  Esopus  to  the  Coimcil 
complaining  again  of  the  Indians  and  asking  for  assistance  ;  population 
and  produce  of  Esopus *  ° 


June 

6. 

June 

16. 

Sept. 

15. 

Nov. 

7. 

Nov. 

1-4. 

Dec. 

22. 

Jan. 

29. 

Apr. 

12. 

May 

2. 

May 

2. 

May 

IS. 

xii  Tahle  of  Contents. 

Page. 

1658.  May   2().     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant ;  Indian 

affairs  ;  emigrants  and  soldiers 80 

"        May   28.     Eesolution  that  tlie  Director-General  proceed  to  the  Esopus 80 

"         May   31.     Agreement  made  by  the  settlers  in  the  Esopus  to  remove  their  dwellings 

and  form  a  village 81 

"        June  30.     Journal  of  Director  Stuy  vesant's  visit  to  the  Esopus 81 

"        July  11.     Certificate  that  Harmen  Jacobsen,  alias  Bamboes  was  shot  by  an  Indian  at 

the  Esopus 87 

"         Aug.    8.     Letter  from  Sergeant  Loureus  at  the  Esopus  to  Dir.   Stuyvesant ;  the 

Indians  renew  their  insolence ;  a  supply  of  ammunition  is  needed 88 

"         Aug.  13.     Minute  of  tlie  Council  of  Fort  Orange.     Appearance  in  Court  of  fifteen 

Mohawk  sachems  with  a  French  prisoner,  whom  they  desire  to  return  to 

the  Governor  of  Trois  Rivieres,  and  action  of  the  Court 88 

"         Aug.  26.     Letter  from  Sergeant  Lourens  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  faihu-e  of  the  crops  in 

the  Esopus ;  movements  of  the  Indians '. 89 

"         Sept.    3.     Complaint  against  Christopher  Davids,  an  Englishman,  for  spreading  a 

false  report  among  the  Highland  Indians 90 

"         Sept.  28.     Letter  from  Andries  van  der  Sluys,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant, 

asking  to  be  appointed  schoolmaster  at  Esopus 91 

"         Sept.  28.     Letter  from  Sergt.  Lourens,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  the  bridge 

swept  away ;  failure  of  the  oats  crop ;  the  Director's  farm 91 

"         Oct.      8.     Minutes  of  the  Court  at  Fort  Orange.     Mohawks  come  to  inquire  for  the 

Frenchman,  whom  they  hrought  in  two  months  before ;  desire  to  go  to 

Canada  and  make  a  peace  with  the  French 92 

"         Oct.      9.     Minute  of  the  Directoi-'s  departure  for  the  Esopus 93 

"         Oct.    15.     Proposals  made  to  the  Esopus  Indians  and  their  answers 93 

"         Oct.    18.     Instructions  for  Ensign  Dirck  Smith,  commander  at  the  Esopus 95 

"         Oct.    28.     Letter  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.   Stuyvesant;  the 

Indians  do  not  surrender  the  land  according  to  agreement 96 

"         Oct.    29.     Letter  from  the  same  to  tlie  same ;  the  Indians  have  made  a  conveyance 

of  the  land  as  agreed  and  ask  for  a  present 96 

1659.  Feb.   13.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directoi-s  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant;  they 

approve  of  the  proceedings  at  the  Esopus  and  will  send  clergymen 98 

"         Apr.     5.     Coiirt  Proceedings  at  Fort  Orange.     Action  about  a  bi'idge  at  Esopus ... .     98 
"         Apr.  25.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant  in  regard 

to  copper  mines  in  the  Nevesingh  and  a  crystal  mountain  in  the  Katskils,  99 
"  May  24.  Letter  from  Sergt.  Lourens  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  on  affairs  at  the  Esopus. . .  99 
"         July  23.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland; 

nothing  is  known  of  a  copper  mine  in  the  Nevesinghs 100 

"         Aug.    4.     Letter  from  Sergt.  Lourens  to  Dir.  Stnyvesant;  the  Indians  are  dissatisfied, 

and  the  crops  had  to  be  cut  under  an  ai'med  guard 100 

"         Aug.    4.     Minute  of  the  Court  of  Fort  Orange.     Arrival  of  Major-General  Haw- 
thorn and  Captain  John  Pinchon,  proposing  to  take  up  land  east  of 

Wappingers  creek 101 

"         Aug.  11.     Letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Sergt.  Lorn-ens  at  the  Esopus;  Eev.  Dr. 

Bloem  proceeds  thither  to  take  charge  of  the  congregation 101 


Ihhle  of  Contents.  xiii 

Page. 

1659.     Aug.  11.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Sergt.  Lourcns  at  the  Esopus  ;   rev.  Mr.  Megapo- 

leiisis  proceeds  tliither ;  increased  vigilance  recommended 102 

"         Aug.  17.     Proposals  of  the  Esopus  Indians  and  the  answers  of  the  Dutch  thereto.. .   102 

"         Aug.  17.     Petition  of  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  requesting,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bloem 

be  appointed  their  minister 103 

No  date.     Statement  regarding  the  fears  of  the  people  at  the    Esopus  and  their 

reasons  for  it 104 

"         Aug.  21.     Letter  from  Sergt.  Lourens  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  Indian  news  and  request 

for  supplies 105 

"         Sept.    1.     Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same ;  the  Esopus  Indians  are  preparing  for 

war 105 

"         Sept.    4.     Proposals  made  by  the  Esopus  Indians • 106 

"  Sept.  4.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  ;  a 
settlement  on  Wappingers  kil  recommended ;  Indian  murders  and  causes 
thereof  ;  reinforcements  sent  to  the  Esopus 107 

"         Sept.    6.  )  Minutes  of  the  Court  at  Fort  Orange.    Propositions  made  by  the  Mohawks, 

"         Sept.  16.  )      and  action  thereon 108 

''  Sept.  17.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  ;  no 
news  from  the  Esopus,  but  reinforcements  have  been  sent  there ;  equip- 
ments for  cavalry  required  ;  Rev.  Harmanus  Bloem  to  go  to  the  Esopus ; 
settlement  on  "Wappingers  kil  again  urged 110 

"         Sept.  17.     Letter  from  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant:  all 

quiet  on  the  Esopus Ill 

"         Sept.  24.     Final  answer  given  to  the  Mohawks  at  tlieir  first  Castle  Kaghnuwaga. ...    112 

"         Sept.  27.     Order,  given  by  the  Court  at  Fort  Orange,  that  no  oflFense  shall  be  given 

to  the  Indians  under  severe  penalties 114 

"         Sept.  22.  )  Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant,  enclosing  a  report  of  the  ris- 

"         Sept.  29.  )      ing  of  the  Esopus  Indians  and  of  a  colhsion  with  them;  war  is  declared  114 

"         Sept.  26.     Letter  from  Yice-Director  Lamontagne  at  Fort  Orange  to  Stuyvesant  with 

particular's  of  the  troubles  at  the  Esopus 115 

"  Sept.  29.  Letter  from  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  and  others  at  the  Esopus  to  Stuyvesant  re- 
porting the  late  conflict  with  the  Indians 116 

"        No  date.     Declaration  made  by  inhabitants  and  soldiers  at  the  Esopus,  that  Ensign 

Smith  did  not  order  an  attack  on  the  Indians 117 

"         Sept.  29.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  at  Esopus  to  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  at  Fort 

Orange ;  progress  of  the  war  with  the  Indians 117 

"        No  date.     Letter  from  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  the  settlers  are 

besieged  in  the  Fort;  no  blame  can  be  attached  to  Ensign  Smith 118 

"         Oct.      3.     Letter  from  Sergt.  Lowrens  to  the  same,  written  while  a  prisoner  among 

the  Indians 119 

"        No  date.     Declaration  of  certain  Katskil  Indians  as  to  the  origin  of  the  collision  with 

the  Indians  at  the  Esopus 119 

"  Oct.  9.  Extract  from  a  Letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant ;  Melyn 
surrenders  the  patroonship  of  Staten  Island ;  no  new  colonies  to  be 
established  in  New-Netherland 121 

"         Oct.    19.     Propositions  made  by  the  Mohawks  to  the  Court  of  Fort  Orange 122 


xiv  Table  of  Contents. 

Paob. 

1659.  Oot.    20.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Esopus  to  Dii\  Stuyvesant ;  progress  of 

affairs 122 

"  Oct.  21.  Letter  from  Vice-Director  La  Moutagne  at  Eort  Orange  to  Ensign  Smith ; 
Mohawlc  and  Mohigan  delegates  are  sent  to  the  Esopus  to  arrange  an 
armistice 123 

"  Oct.  29.  Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  ;  bad 
condition  of  the  country ;  siege  of  Esopus ;  failure  to  raise  volunteers ; 
Stuyvesant  at  the  Esopus  with  reinforcements 123 

"         Nov.    1.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  an  armistice  concluded  with 

the  Indians  at  the  Esopus 126 

"  Nov.  13.  Letter  from  the  same  to  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  at  Fort  Orange ;  pro- 
gress of  affairs  at  the  Esopus 127 

"         Nov.  18.     Court  minutes  of  Fort  Orange.     On  the  situation  with  the  Esopus  Li- 

dians 127 

"  Dec.  11.  Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  (in  his  own  hand)  to  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Eso- 
pus ;  instructions  for  the  treatment  of  the  Indians     128 

"         Dec.  17.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  reports  on  the  state  of  affairs 

at  the  Esopus 129 

"  Dec.  22.  Extract  from  a  Letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant; 
English  settlements  on  the  North  river  must  be  prevented ;  Rev.  Har- 
manus  Bloem  retiirns  to  New-Netherland 129 

"  Dec.  26.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland ;  atti- 
tude of  the  savages  at  the  Esopus 130 

"         Dec.  28.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Mr.  La  Montagne  at  Fort  Orange  on  affaii's  at 

the  Esopus 131 

"         Dec.  28.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  on  the  same  subject 132 

1660.  Jan.  16.     Letter  from  Abraham  Staas  of  Beverwyck  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  disposition 

of  the  Esopus  Indians ;  the  Mohawks  promise  to  make  peace  with  the 

Canada  Indians 132 

"  Jan.  16.  Letter  from  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  at  Fort  Orange  to  the  same  report- 
ing progress  of  the  affairs  at  the  Esopus 133 

"         Jan.  19.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  the  same;  ague  prevalent  at  the  Esopus; 

heavy  snow  storms 134 

"  Jan.  29.  Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  (Ensign  Smith)  at  the  Esopus  recommend- 
ing caution  and  civility  towards  the  Indians 134 

"         Feb.     5.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Vice-Director  La  Montagne ;  condition  of 

affairs  at  his  post ;  strength  of  his  garrison 135 

]  Proposals  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Council  regarding  the  measures  to  be 
adoj^ted  against  the  hostile  Indians  at  the  Esopus  and  answers  of  the 

Council 135 

Resolution  to  declare  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians 142 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Vice-Du-ector  at  Curasao ; 
regarding  negroes,  who  are  to  be  sent  from  there  to  the  Manhattans  and 

might  be  employed  against  the  Indians 142 

Feb.  24.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Vice-Dir.  La  Montagne ;  affairs  at  the  Eso- 
pus    143 


Feb. 

9. 

Feb. 

12. 

Feb. 

12. 

Feb. 

17. 

Table  of  Contents.  xv 

Faoe. 
1660.     Feb.  25.     Petition  of  Nicolas  Varleth  for  the  use  of  the  Company's  yacht  for  a  voy- 
age to  Virginia  and  Resolution  to  grant  the   petition   and    send  an  offi- 
cer in  it  to  Virginia  to  enlist  soldiei's 144 

"         Feb.  25.     Proclamation  appointing  a  day  of  general  fasting  and  prayer  on  account  of 

the  Indian  troubles 144 

"         Feb.  27.     Commission  of  Nicolas  Varleth  and  Bryan  Newton  as  envoys  to  Virginia 

and  their  instructions 145 

"  Mar.  6.  Treaty  of  Peace  renewed  with  Long  Island,  Staten-Ieland  and  New  Jer- 
sey Indians 147 

"  Mar.  9.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  the 
Esopus  Indians  must  be  punished ;  no  English  settlement  near  Fort 
Orange  can  be  permitted 149 

"         Mar.  15.     Minute  of  the  appearance  in  Council  of  the  Chief  of  the  Wappings,  sent 

by  the  Esopns  to  make  peace  with  the  Dutch 150 

"         Mar.  15.     Commission  providing  for  the  administration  of  public  affairs  during  the 

Director's  absence  at  the  Esopus 151 

"         Mar.  IS.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  in  the  Esopus  to  Secretary  van  Euyven ;  the 

Esopus  Indians  have  been  attacked  and  defeated 151 

"         Mar.  22.     Letter  from  Secretary  van  Ruyven  to  the  villages  near  New- Amsterdam, 

warning  them  against  suii^rises  by  Indians 152 

"         Mar.  25.     Proclamation  of  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians 152 

"         Mar.  29.     Muster  roll  of  the  Company  at  the  Esopus 153 

"         Mar.  29.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant;  affairs  at  the  Esopus 154 

"         Mar.  29.     Letter  from  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  Rev.  Harmanus 

Bloem  goes  to  take  charge  of  the  church  at  Esopus 155 

"         Apr.     1.     Resolutions  adopted  by  the  Court  of  Rensselaerwyck  during  the  Esopus 

troubles 155 

"         Apr.     5.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith   to  Dir.    Stuyvesant ;  the  Esopus  Indians  are 

growing  very  insolent 156 

"         Apr.     9.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Secr'y  van  Ruyven  ;  sku-mish  with  the  Indians.    157 

"         Apr.  16.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant ;  Roeloff  Swartwout 

appointed  Sheriff  at  the  Esopus ;  Rev.  Bloem 158 

"         Apr.  15.     Commission  and  lustriictions  for  the  new  Sheriff  at  the  Esopus 158 

"         Apr.  12.     Order  directing  the  people  li\'ing  scattered  throughout  the  country,  to  form 

hamlets  and  villages 160 

"         Apr.  15.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Esopus;  the  attack  on 

the  Indians  approved  and  reinforcements  sent 160 

'•  Apr.  15.  Letter  from  the  same  to  Vice-Dir.  La  Montague  at  Fort  Orange  ;  informa- 
tion requested  whether  other  Indians  are  in  league  with  the  Esopus. . . .   161 

"  Apr.  21.  Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange  to  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Esopus, 
with  proposals  made  by  Katskil  and  Moliigan  Indians  in  regard  to  the 
Esopus 161 

"  Apr.  21.  Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Du-.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  ;  the 
English  project  of  a  settlement  on  the  North  river ;  report  on  the  Eso- 
pus war , 162 


Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 
1660.     Apr.  24.     Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.   Stuyvesant;  all  quiet  on  the  Esopus; 

negotiations  with  the  Indians 164 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith  with  directions  for  the  nego- 
tiations with  and  treatment  of  the  Indians 165 

Instructions  for  Claes  de  Ruyter,  sent  to  the  Esopus  to  negotiate  with  the 
Indians 165 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith ;  state  of  affairs ;  the  agri- 
cultural importance  of  Esopus 166 

Conference  between  the  Director-General  and  his  Council  and  the  Chiefs 
of  the  "New  Jersey,  Westchester,  etc.  tribes.  Peace  concluded  with  the 
"Wrappings 166 

Conference  between  Dir.  Stuyvesant  and  three  chiefs  of  the  Mohicans  con- 
cerning a  peace  with  the  Esopus  Indians 168 

Eesolution  in  Council  to  transj)ort  to  Cura9ao  all  but  two  or  three  of  the 
lately  captured  Esopus  Indians 169 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Esopus ;  desires  to 
treat  directly  with  the  Esopus  Indians ;  hostilities  against  them  to  be 
renewed,  if  they  do  not  seem  willing  to  sue  for  peace 169 

Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Du-.  Stuyvesant ;  a  raid  made  on  an  Indian 
village  and  its  result 170 

Conference  between  the  Director-General  and  the  Chiefs  of  Hackensack 
and  Haverstraw.     An  armistice  is  granted  to  the  Esopus  Indians 171 

Commission  for  Claes  de  Kuyter  to  accompany  the  Chiefs  to  Esopus  to 
receive  the  proposals  of  the  Indians  there  and  his  instructions 172 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith,  directing  him  to  cease  hos- 
tilities, if  the  Esopus  Indians  are  willing  to  make  peace 174 

Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant,  with  the  particulars  of  a 
conference  held  with  the  Esopus  Indians 174 

Resolution  in  Council,  that  the  Director  proceed  to  the  Esopus  and  eon- 
elude  a  peace  wath  the  Indians 174 

Letter  from  Vice-Dir.  La  Montague,  at  Fort  Orange,  to  StTiyvesant ;  In- 
dian brokers ;  Mohawks  and  Senecas  cut  off  a  French  fort 175 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith  respecting  affairs  at  the  Esopus  175 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  tlie  Director  and  Council  to  the  Directors  in  Hol- 
land ;  they  defend  their  course  against  the  Indians  and  object  to  the 

appointment  of  a  sheriff  at  the  Esoj)us 176 

"         June  29.     Petition  of  Dirck  Jansen  and  another  for  payment  of  hii'e  for  their  sloop, 

used  for  the  public  service  at  Esopus  and  order  thereon 177 

"         June  29.     Order  for  the  transportation  to  CuraQao  of  the  captured  Indians 178 

"         July     5.     Appointment  of  Martin  Cregier  and  Oloff  Stevenson  van  Cortland  to 

accompany  the  Director  to  the  Esopus 178 

"         July     5.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Yice-Director  at  Cura9ao, 

regarding  the  Indians  sent  there 179 

"         July  15.     Treaty  of  peace  concluded  with  the  Esopus  Indians 179 

"         July  26.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Council  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  communi- 
cating the  conclusion  of  the  peace  at  the  Esopus 181 


Apr. 

24. 

May 

5. 

May 

5. 

May 

12. 

May 

IS. 

May 

24. 

May 

25. 

May 

25. 

May 

30. 

Jime 

3. 

June 

3. 

June 

3. 

June 

22. 

Jime  21. 

June  15. 

June  18. 
June  25. 

Table  of  Contents.  xvii 


Paob. 


1660.     Aug.    5.     Minute  of  the  retiu-n  of  tlie  Director  and  party  from  the  Esopus  and 

Journal  of  the  Director,  inchiding  report  of  a 181 

"         July  25.     Conference  held  at  Fort  Orange  between  the  Director-General  and  the 

Senecas 181 

"         Aug.  17.     Lease  of  a  farm  at  Claverack  (Columbia  county) 186 

"  Sept.  2.  Petition  of  Rev.  Hermanns  Bloem  and  Kev.  Henricus  Selynus  for  an 
allowance  for  board  wjiile  delayed  on  the  way  to  their  destination,  resp. 
the  Esopus  and  Brooklyn 186 

"  Sept.  20.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ; 
news  of  the  peace  with  the  Esopus  received  with  pleasure ;  are  aston- 
ished at  the  objections  to  Swartwout's  appointment  as  sheriff  at  the 
Esopus 187 

«        Sept.  23.  )        .  . 

"         SpDt  30   )  "stations  for  payment  for  losses  and  expenses  during  the  Indian  troubles.   188 

"         Oct.      6.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland ;  Rev. 

Bloem  in  charge  at  Esopus;  Sergt.  Lourens  returns  to  Holland  well 

recommended 189 

"         Nov.  27.     Report  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant's  visit  to  Esopus  and  Fort  Orange 189 

"         Dec.     9.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland; 

fears  are  entertained  that  the  peace  with  the  Esopus  Indians  will  not  be 

of  long  duration 190 

"         Dec.   13.     Letter  from  Sergt.  Christian  Nyssen,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dh-.  Stuyvesant  on 

the  state  of  affairs  at  the  Esopus 190 

1661      Jan.   22.     Proposals  made  by  the  chiefs  of  the  Mohawks  at  Fort  Orange 191 

"         Jan.   29.     Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Oi-ange  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  peace 

negotiations  among  the  Indians 191 

"         Jan.  25.     Indian  deed  for  an  island  in  the  Esopus 192 

"         Feb.     2.     Deposition  in  regard  to  the  division  of  land  at  the  Esopns  in  1651 192 

"         Feb.     8.     Indian  deed  for  an  island  in  Hudson's  river  opposite  Bethlehem  (Albany 

county) 193 

"         Feb.  15.  (0.  s.)   Letter  from  John  Stickland,  at  Huntington,  L.  I.,  to , 

requesting  him  to  ascertain,  whether  the  place  called  Achter  CviU  be 

open  to  settlement 193 

"         Mar.     4.     Contract  between  inhabitants  of  Esopns  and  Rev.  H.  Bloem 191 

"         Mar.  25.     Ordinance  of  the  Court  of  Rensselaerswyck  forbidding  the  trading  with 

Indians  in  the  woods 194 

"         Apr.  16.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Vice-Director  at  Cura9ao, 

recalling  the  Lidian  prisoners  sent  there 194 

"         Apr.  29.     Letter  from  John  Stickland,  of  Huntington,  L.  I.,  to  Capt.  Brian  Newton, 

inquiring  whether  the  country  on  the  Achter  Cull  is  open  for  settlement  195 

"         May     2.     Allotment  and  distribution  of  lots  in  the  Esopus 195 

"         May     5.     Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  the  Esopus  settlement 196 

"         May   16.     Instructions  for  the  Court  of  Justice  at  Wiltwyck 196 

"         May   16.     Petition  of  Roeloff  Swartwout  to  be  appointed  sheriJQE  for  the  Esopns 

settlement 199 

0 


xviii  Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 

1661.     May   23.     His  commission  as  sheriff 199 

"         May   23.     CouBcil  Minute.     Cornelis  Melyn  refuses  to  surrender  the  soil  of  Staten 

Island  to  the  W.  I.  Company 200 

"         Jime  14.     Letter  from  Sheriff  Swartwout   to  Dir.  Stuyvesant   acknowledging   the 

receipt  of  the  instructions  and  asking  for  copies  of  ordinances 201 

"         June  15.     Muster-roll  of  the  Company  at  the  Esopus ^  .   201 

"         June  16.     Report  of  Claes  de  Euyter  on  the  result  of  his  visit  to  the  Esopus  Indians,  202 
"         June  18.     Letter  from  Arent  van  Curler,  at  Eensselaerswyck,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant, 
requesting  authority  to  purchase  and  settle  a  great  flat  hack  of  Fort 

Orange  (Schenectady),  and  order  granting  the  request 202 

"  Jime  24.  Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  and  Council  to  the  Commissaries  at  Fort 
Orange  in  answer  to  a  remonstrance  against  the  settlement  of  the  great 

Mohawk  flat  (Schenectady) 203 

"  July  21.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  same  to  the  Directors  in  Holland ;  the  Esopus 
and  other  Indians  suspected  of  evil  designs ;  the  militia  question  dis- 
cussed; Swartwout,  Sheriff  of  Esopus;  condition  of  Staten  Island 204 

"         Aug.  22.     Petition  of  Peter  Billon  and  other  recently  arrived  emigrants  for  land  on 

Staten  Island 206 

"         Aug.  27.     Report  on  the  state  of  feeling  among  the  Katskil  and  Esopus  Indians. . . .   207 
"         Sept.    5.     Commission  of  Tieleman  van  Vleek  as  Sheriff  of  Bergen  (N.  J.) ....... .   207 

"         Sept.    5.     Ordinance  erecting  a  Court  of  Justice  at  Bergen  (N.  J.) 208 

"  Nov,  8.  Letter  from  Matthew  Gilbert  of  Milford,  Conn.,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant,  in  the 
name  of  a  company  in  ISTew  England,  who  desire  to  settle  at  Achter  Cull, 
and  Propositions  agreed  upon  in  hehalf  of  the  company  to  be  submitted 

to  Dir.  Stuyvesant 208 

"         Nov.  28.     Answer  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  and  Council  to  the  foi'egoing 210 

"  Nov.  12.  Ordinance  imposing  a  land  tax  at  Esopus  to  defray  the  expenses  of  build- 
ing a  house  for  the  minister 211 

"         Nov.  18.     Ordinance  for  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  prevention  of  fires,  etc.,  at 

Esopus 211 

"         Nov.  22.     Ordinance  for  the  construction  of  a  new  road  in  the  Esopus 211 

"        Nov.  24.     Ordinance  for  the  speedy  collection  of  arrears  due  on  the  house  and  salary 

of  the  minister  at  Esopus 211 

"        Nov.  15.     Account  of  the  excise  in  Wiltwyck 212 

"  Nov.  19.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Yice-Dir.  La  Montague,  at  Fort  Oi-ange,  to  Stuy- 
vesant, regarding  bricks  purchased  for  and  sent  to  Domiue  Bloem  at 

Esopus 212 

"        Nov.  25.     Ordinance  directing  the  fencing  and  improving  of  the  lands  and  lots  at 

the  Esopus 213 

No  date.     Names  of  persons  who  supphed  wheat  at  the  Esopus,  and  list  of  those 

who  subscribed  for  the  support  of  the  preacher 213 

"         Dec.    22.     Order  on  a  petition  of  the  ferryman  between  Bergen  (N.  J.)  and  the 

Manhattans,  for  the  establishment  of  rates  of  ferriage 214 

"         Dee.  22.     Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bergen  (N.  J.)  for  additional  land  and  order 

thereon 214 


Table  of  Contents.  xix 

Faoe. 

1662.     Jan.     5.     Com"t  Proceedings.     Judgment  in  a  suit  for  expenses  incurred  in  canying 

dispatches  daring  the  late  Esopns  war 215 

"         Jan.  12.     Letter  from  the  magistrates  at  Fort  Orange  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  the  grant 

made  to  Arent  van  Curler  of  the  Great  Flat  on  the  Mohawk 215 

"         Feb.   12.     Ordinance  of  the  Court  of  Bergen  (N.  J.)  for  the  construction  of  a  public 

well  in  the  village 216 

"  Mar.  11.  Further  answer  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  proposals  of  Gilbert  and  others 
of  ]^ew  Haven,  stating  the  conditions  on  which  they  may  settle  at 

Achter  Cull,  with  a  private  letter  to  Mr.  Eobert  Treat 216 

"  Mar.  30.  Warrant  empowering  the  Hackensack  chiefs  to  seize  any  brandy  found  in 
their  country  and  bring  it  with  the  persons  selling  it  to  New  Amster- 
dam    218 

"  Apr.  6.  Petition  of  Arent  van  Curler  for  a  sm-vey  of  the  Great  Flat  on  the  Mohawk,  219 
"         Apr.     6.     Petition  of  Philipp  Pieterse  Schuyler  and  others  for  leave  to  plant  a  new 

village  at  the  Great  Esopus 219 

"         May     4.     Lease  of  lot  No.  4  in  the  new  village  at  the  Esopus 220 

"         May   30.     Further  answer  to  the  proposals  of  the  New  Haven  Company  concerning 

the  settlement  on  the  Achter  Cull 221 

"         June  15.     Minute  of  Council,  rejecting  the  petition  of  Jurian  Teunissen  to  keep  a 

tavern  at  Esopus 222 

"         June  29.     Petition  of  Sergt.  Nyssen,  at  the  Esopus,  for  an  increase  of  pay 222 

"         July  15.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  on 

the  militia  cjuestion ;  threats  of  the  Esopus  Indians 223 

"  July  24.  Coimcil  Minute.  Letters  received  from  the  Governors  of  Massachusetts 
and  Nova  Scotia  complaining  of  an  attack  made  by  the  Mohawks  on  one 

of  the  English  trading  posts 224 

"  Aug.  1.  A  copy  of  propositions  made  unto  the  Macpias  by  Thomas  Gardner  and 
Nathl.  Walker,  of  Penobscott  Fort,  and  a  true  relation  of  the  Maques 

coming  to  Penobscott  Fort,  and  what  they  did 224 

"         Aug.    5.     Ordinances  regulating  the  trade  with  the  Indians 227 

"  Aug.  16.  Letter  from  Sheriff  Swartwout  at  the  Esopus  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  concern- 
ing a  recent  alarm  at  the  Esopus  and  its  cause 227 

"         Sept.    5.     Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same;  afEairs  at  the  Esopus;  evils  arising  from 

the  unlimited  sale  of  liquor  to  Indians .' 228 

No  date,     Kevenue  and  Expenditures  of  the  Village  of  Wiltwyck,  including  the  build- 
ing of  the  Minister's  house ;  list  of  the  lots  newly  laid  out  and  of  the 

old  lots 229 

"         Sept.  26.     Contract  to  do  farm  work  at  Schenectady 231 

"         Oct.   16.     Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  the  village  of  Bergen 231 

"         Oct.  16.     Ordinance  against  the  burning  of  straw  and  other  refuse  combustibles  in 

Wiltwyck 231 

"  Oct.  11.  Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck  for  a  supply  of  powder  and  lead  231 
"  Nov.  27.  Ordinance  against  selling  grain  at  the  Esopus  by  the  unstamped  measure .  232 
"         Nov.  27.     Ordinance  against  receiving  in   pawn  arms,  clothing,    etc.,    belonging  to 

soldiers  stationed  at  Wiltwyck 232 

"        Nov.  27.     Ordinance  against  making  openings  in  the  paUisades  around  Wiltwyck. . .   232 


XX  Table  of  Contents. 

Paqf.. 

1662.  No  date.     Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Bergen  (N.  J.)  asking  to  be  provided  with 

a  clergyman  with  lists  of  those,  who  will  contribute  to  his  support. . . .  232 
"         Dec.  28.     Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Bergen  (N.  J.)  and  Communijjaw  against  fencing 

in  certain  lauds  and  order  thereon 234 

"         Dec.  28.     Summons  to  the  Sheriff  and  Magistrates  of  Bergen  (N.  J.)  to  answer  a 

complaint  made  by  the  ferryman 234 

1663.  Jan.     4.     Order  for  the  survey  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  dispute  at  Bergen 235 

"         Jan.     4.     Order  in  the  case  of  the  Ferryman  of  Bergen  against  the  Magistrates ....   235 
"         Jan.   15.     Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  and  other  militia  officers  of  Wiltwj'ck  to 

Dir.  Stuyvesant,  complaining  that  the  Magistrates  had  pulled  down  an 
Ordinance  for  the  regulation  of  the  militia  enclosing  the  Ordinance. . . .    235 

"  Jan.  24.  Letter  from  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  danger  of 
selling  liquor  to  tlie  Indians ;  the  new  village  ;  reasons  for  disapproving 
the  foregoing  ordinance 237 

"         Mar.  — .     Nomination  of  Magistrates  for  Wiltwyck 238 

"  Mar.  30.  Ordinance  passed  by  the  Director-General,  while  at  the  Esopus,  for  the  per- 
fecting of  titles  to  land  at  Wiltwyck  and  for  the  more  speedy  settlement 
of  the  place \ 239 

"  Mar.  26.  Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant ;  they  ap- 
prove of  the  proposed  English  Colony  at  Achter  Cull ;  war  between  the 
Mohawks  and  the  English ;  necessity  of  acquiring  the  Mohawk  country ; 
immense  beaver  trade  of  the  Senecas 239 

"         Apr.    5.     Appointment  of  officers  for  Wiltwyck 240 

"         Apr.    5.     Deed  to  Hendrick  Cornelissen  for  land  on  the  Esopus 240 

"        Mar.  31.     Petition  of  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slecht  for  a  grant  of  certain  lands  at  the 

Esopus  and  order  thereon 241 

'•  Mar.  7.  Petition  of  the  Overseers  of  the  New  Village  on  the  Esopus,  praying  that 
measures  be  adopted  to  pacify  the  Indians  •  and  a  military  force  be  sent 
for  their  protection 242 

"         Mar.  23.     Like   petition   of  the   Owners  of  the  New  Village,  praying  also  for  the 

right  of  way  through  Wiltwyck 243 

"         May   10.     Order  in  Council  on  the  foregoing  petitions 243 

"  May  9.  Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  (Vice-Dir.  La  Montagne)  at  Fort  Orange ; 
a  sm-veyor  goes  to  survey  and  lay  out  lots  on  the  Great  Mohawk  Flat 
(Schenectady) ;  a  pledge  to  be  signed  by  the  settlers  before  tliey  can 
obtain  land 244 

"         May   19.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Vice-Dir.  La  Montagne  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant;  the 

settlers  on  the  Great  Mohawk  Flat  refuse  to  sign  the  pledge 244 

"         June  10.     Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  massacre  at 

the  Esopus ;  the  village  destroyed 245 

List  of  the  soldiers  and  settlers  killed,  wounded  and  missing  on  the  7th 
June,  1663 245 

"         June  11.     Petition  of  Christ.  Davids  for  permission  to  re-enter  on  land  on  the  Esopus, 

from  which  he  had  been  driven  by  tlie  Indians 247 

"        June  12.     Circular-letter  to  the  towns  around  New- Amsterdam  notifying  them  of  the 

Esopus  massacre 248 


Table  of  Contents.  xxi 

Paqk. 
1663.     June  14.     Instructions  for  the  military  and  civil  ofRcei's  at  Wiltwj'ck 249 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange ;  affairs  at 
the  Esopus 249 

Letter  from  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck  to  Dir.   Stuyvesant ;  report  on 

the  progress  of  affairs 251 

Resolution  in  Council  to  make  war  against  the  Esopus  and  employ  the 
Mohawks  to  recover  the  prisoners . .   251 

Ordinance  against  carrying  on  any  Indian  trade  at  Schenectady 253 

Petitions  of  the  settlers  at  Schenectady  for  permission  to  cultivate  their 
lands  and  order  thereon 253 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Yice-Dir.  La  Montague  at  Fort  Orange  ; 
means  adopted  for  the  release  of  the  captured  people 254 

Instructions  for  Councillor  Johan  de  Decker  sent  to  Fort  Orange  on  pub- 
lic business 255 

Report  of  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  on  the  massacre  by  the  Indians . .   256 

Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  little  pros- 
pect for  the  release  of  the  prisoners 258 

Letter  from  Yice-Dir.  La  Montague  to  the  same;  the  defenceless  condition 
of  Fort  Orange 258 

Letter  from  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck  to  the  Owners  of  the  New  Vil- 
lage ;  state  of  affairs  there 258 

Minute  of  the  Director-General's  visit  to  Hempstead  endeavoring  to  enlist 
Englishmen  against  the  Indians 259 

Proclamation  calling  out  volunteers  for  the  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians  259 

Letter  from  Councillor  de  Decker  at  Beverwyck  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  efforts 
for  the  release  of  the  prisoners  at  the  Esopus 260 

Proposals  made  to  the  Chiefs  of  Hackensack  and  Staten-Island  and  their 
answers 261 

Notice  that  the  Esopus  Indians  are  on  the  war  path  and  warning  all  people 
to  be  on  their  guard .    263 

Letter  from  the  Owners  of  the  New  Village  on  the  Esopus  to  Dir.  Stuy- 
vesant, respecting  the  loss  of  their  cattle   263 

Letter  from  Vice-Dir.  La  Montague  at  Fort  Orange  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ; 
repairs  of  the  fort  delayed  ;  efforts  to  recover  the  Christian  prisoners ;  new 
fort  at  Greenbush 264 

Letter  from  Councillor  de  Decker  at  Fort  Orange  to  the  same ;  the  Christian 
prisoners;  complaints  against  the  Esopus  Magistrates 265 

Letter  from  Robert  Treat  of  Milford,  Conn.,  to  the  same  in  regard  to  the 
proposed  settlement  on  the  Kil  van  Kol 266 

Letter  from  Sec'y  Capito  at  Wiltwyck  to  the  same ;  his  wife  killed  and 
burned  with  all  his  property  ;  requests  a   supply  of  clothing 267 

Letter  from  Councillor  de  Decker  to  the  same ;  information  respecting  the 
prisoners  ;  no  volunteers  obtainable  at  Fort  Orange 268 

Appointment  of  military  officers  for  Bergen  and  Communipaw 268 

Commission  of  Martin  Cregier  to  be  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Commander 
of  the  Forces,  with  his  instructions  for  the  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians  268 


June  14. 

June  15. 

June  16. 

June  16. 

June  18. 

June  18. 

June  19. 

June  19. 

June  20. 

June  23. 

Jiine  23. 

June  23. 

June  23. 

June  25. 

June  26. 

June  27. 

June  27. 

June  28. 

June  29. 

June  29. 

June  29. 

June  29. 

June  29. 

June  30. 

June  30. 

xxii  Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 
1663.     Jiily     3.     Report  of  Lieut.  Couwenhoven  and  others  of  tLeii-  ill  success  in  raising 

volunteers  on  Long  Island 270 

"         July     4.     Letter  from  tbe  military  officers  at  Bergen  to  Dir.  Stuyvesaut ;  erpress 

their  willingness  to  furnish  their  quota 271 

"         July     4.     Information  given  by  Eachel   La  Montagne  van  Imborgh,  late  a  prisoner 

among  the  Esopus  Indians 271 

•'         July     5-     Letter  from  Capt.  Cregier  to  Dir.  Sti;yvesant ;  reports  his  ari'ival  at  the 

Esopus ;  escape  of  Mrs.  van  Imborgh 272 

No  date.     Report  of  the  Indians  sent  to  negotiate  with  the  Esopus  tribe  (beginning 

lost) 273 

"        July     5.     Minute  of  the  Court  of  Wiltwyck  in  regard  to  the  preceding  report 275 

"         July     9.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  authorities  at  Fort  Orange ;  the  Kats- 

kil  Indians  must  not  harbor  any  Esopus 275 

"         July  10.     Conference  between  Stuyvesant  and  the  Sachems  of  the  River  and  Staten 

Island  tribes 276 

"         July  12.     Oi'dinance  for  the  arrest  of  hostile  Indians 277 

"         July  12.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange;  he  offers 

to  pay  a  reward  for  the  release  of  the  Christian  prisoners 277 

"         July  12.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Councillor   de  Decker ;  Serg't   Nyssen  promoted 
for  his  successful  attack  on  the  Indians  ;  peace  with  the  Indians  around 

Manhattans 278 

"        July  20.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  same  to  the  Vice-Director  at  Cura9ao ;  the  war 
against  the  Esopus  Indians  and  the  resources  of  the  country  ;  assistance 

in  merchandise  required  from  CuraQao 279 

Minute  of  Council.     The  offer  of  Eastern  Indians  to  march  against  the 

Esopus  accepted 280 

Proposals  of  the  Hackensack  Indians  to  sell  their  lands  on  the  Kil  van 
KuU ;  efforts  of  the  Esopus  Indians  to  engage  the  Minisinghs  on  their 

side 280 

Concessions  to  be  granted  to  the  Englishmen  who  desire  to  settle  on  the 

Kil  van  Kul,  and  letter  to  that  effect  to  Robert  Treat,  of  Milford,  Conn.,  281 
Council  Minute.     The  chief  of  the  Wiechquaeskeks  reports  a  rumor  that 

the  Esopus  Indians  are  coming 282 

Letter  from  Joh.  La  Montagne  and  Jer.  van  Rensselaer,  at  Fort  Orange,  to 
Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  they  defend  themselves  against  the  charge  of  refusing 

volunteers ;  efforts  for  the  release  of  the  prisoners 283 

Part  of  a  letter  fronr  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Caj)t.  Cregiei",  at  the  Esopus ;  the 

Indians  to  be  unrelentingly  pursued 284 

Instructions  for  Secr'y  van  Ruyven,  sent  to  the  Esopus  on  public  business,  284 
Letter  from  Capt.  Cregier,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant;  reports  an 
attack  on  an  Indian  village ;  Indian  allies  and  Long  Island  volunteers 

return  home 286 

Minute  of  a  Council  of  War  held  at  Wiltwyck  on  the  proposed  operations 

against  the  Indians 287 

Letter  from  Dir.    Stuyvesant  to  Capt.   Cregier;    directions  to  save  the 
harvest  at  the  Esopus 287 


July 

20. 

July 

20. 

July 

20. 

Jidy 

26. 

July 

28. 

July 

30. 

July 
Aug. 

30. 
3. 

Aug. 

3. 

Aug. 

9. 

Table  of  Contents.  xxiii 

Paob. 
1663.     Ang.    9..     Instructions  for  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven,  sent  to  renew  the  peace  with 

the  Wappings  and  to  procure  the  release  of  the  prisoners 288 

"         Aug.  13.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven,  at  Wappings 

kil ;  further  instructions    289 

"  Aug.  1-1.  Letter  from  the  same  to  Capt.  Cregior,  at  Wiltwyck ;  further  instructions,  289 
"  Aug.  15.  Conference  with  the  Minissingli  Indians  on  the  renewal  of  the  peace. . . .  289 
"         Aug.  27.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven,  at  the  Wappings 

kil ;  no  individual  Indian  to  be  released  or  exchanged 290 

"         Aug.  27.     Letter  fi-om  the  authorities  at  Fort  Orange  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  on  Indian 

affairs 291 

"         Aug.  29.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  and  Council  to  Capt.  Cregier,  comments  on 

and  instructions  for  the  Esopus  campaign 292 

"         Aug.  30.     Council  Minute.     Information  given  concerning  an  intended  massacre  of 

the  whites  on  the  North  river,  and  in  regard  to  the  prisoners  among  the 

Esopus 291 

"         Aug.  30.     Information  given  by  Oratam,  chief  of  Hackensack,  about  the  Esopus 

Indians 291 

"         Aug.  30.     Order  directing  the  surveyor  to  lay  out  land  at  Bergen  {N.  J.) 291 

"         Sept.  10.     Council  Minute.     Information  brought  by  an  Indian  of  the  defeat  of  the 

Esopus  and  the  recapture  of  the  prisoners 291 

"         Sept.  13.     Letter  from  the  Council  to  Capt.  Cregier;  the  victory  over  the  Esopus 

Indians  won  by  him  ;  reinforcements  sent 295 

"         Sept.  20.     Proposals  of  the  Marsepinghs  (L.  I.)  Indians  and  answers  thereto 295 

"  Sept.  21.  Letter  from  the  Council  to  Capt.  Cregier,  at  the  Esopus,  with  reinforce- 
ments      296 

"  Sept.  21.  Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange;  Indian  affairs. .  296 
"         Sept.  21.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant,  at  Boston,  to  the  Vice-Director  at  Cura9ao, 

with  details  of  the  defeat  of  the  Esopus 297 

"         Sept.  26.     Minute  of  proceedings  at  Fort  Orange,  with  the  Mohawks,  regarding  Col. 

Temple's  remonstrance  against  their  making  war  on  the  Indians  in  his 

government  (Nova  Scotia) 297 

"         Oct.     2.     Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange  transmitting  the  minutes  to 

Dir.  Stiiyvesant 298 

"         Oct.   15.     Council  Minute.     Intelligence  received  that  the  Indians  were  about  to 

attack  the  Dutch  at  Hoboken,  etc 299 

"         Oct.    16.     Instructions  for  Lieut,  van   Couwenhoven  to  ascertain   and  prevent  the 

movements  of  the  River  Indians 300 

"         Oct,    16.     Instructions  for  Mr.  Yerbraack  and  Sergt.  van  der  Bosch,  sent  with  Lieut. 

van  Couwenhoven 301 

"         Oct.    21.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven  ;  instructions  for 

exchange  of  prisoners  with  the  Indians 302 

"         Nov.    7.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Capt.   Cregier ;  the  peace  with  the  Wappinghs 

just  made  violated  by  them .' 302 

"        Nov.  15.     Ordinance  for  the  better  security  and  settlement  of  Bergen,  N.  J *303 

"         Nov.  15.     Minute  of  Council.     Permission  given  to  North  river  Indians  to  fish  near 

Harlem 303 


xxiv  Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 

1663.     Nov.  15.     Letter  from  Vice-Dir.  La  Montagne  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  repairs  of  the 

Fort  Orange ;  flight  of  the  Mohegans 303 

Nov.  19.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesaut  to  Capt.  Cregier ;  the  Wappings  have  not 

broken  the  peace ;  Capt.  C.  ordered  to  the  Manhattans 304 

Nov.  21.     Instructions  for  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven  to  ascertain  the  disposition  of 

the  Esopus  and  Wapping  Indians  toward  a  peace 304 

Nov.  21.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck ;  collections 

for  the  church  and  for  the  poor  ;  siiperintendence  of  intestates'  estates,  306 

Nov.  21.  Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Consistory  of  Wiltwyck ;  they  are  not  to  inter- 
fere in  matters  concerning  intestates'  estates. ...  307 

Nov.  24.     Letter  from  Vice-Dir.  La  Montagne  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  letters  received 

from  Col.  Temple  and  Genl.  Pinchon ;  the  Mohawks  on  the  warpath . .    307 

July  28.     Message  of  the  Indians  of  Agawam  to  the  Dutch  and  answer  to  it  by  the 

Mohawk  chief  Adogodquo 308 

Oct.    10 


-NT       c^r,   1  Conference  with  the  Katskil  Indians  and  Mohawks  at  Fort  Orange 309 

Nov.  23.  )  ° 

Dec.     3.     Answer  of  Kev.  Harm.  Blom  to  Du-.  Stuy  vesant's  letter  concerning  clerical 

affairs  at  Wiltwyck 311 

Dec.     6.     Instructions  given  to  Martin  Cregier  and  Govert  Loockermans  for  the 

purchase  of  the  Nevesingh  country 311 

Dec.     8.     Complaint  against  people  of  Wiltwyck  for  driving  from  tlie  village  to  the 

Redoubt  without  a  convoy     312 

Dec.     8.     Petition  for  a  lot  near  the  Mill-gate  at  Wiltwyck,  and  order  thereon 313 

Dec.  10.     Council  Minute.     The  Esopus  and  Wappings  are  coming  to  conclude  a 

treaty  of  peace 314 

Dec.     6  -  11.     Journal  of  a  voyage  to  the  Nevesinghs  by  Capt.  Cregier 314 

Dec.  12.     Agreement  made  by  the  Nevesingh  Indians  to  sell  their  lands  to  the  Dutch,  316 
Dec.  12.     Letters  from  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  on  general 

matters  and  the  quarrel  with  the  church 317 

Dec.  17.     Petition  of  the  Schout  and  Magistrate  of  Bergen  that  Engelbert  Steen- 

huysen  shall  perform  his  contract  as  school  master;  ordered  accordingly,  318 
Dec.  19.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwj-ck ;  he  censures 

them  for  their  insolent  letter  of  the  12th ;  the  Sheriff  suspended  and 

removal  of  the  Magistrates  threatened 319 

Dec.  19.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Sergt.  Nyssen,  censuring  him  for  disobedience  of 

orders 320 

Dec.  28.  )  Conference  with  the  chiefs  of  Hackensack  and  Staten  Island  respecting  a 

Dec.  29.  )      continuance  of  the  armistice  with  the  Esopus 321 

Dec.  29.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Capt.  Cregier ;  armistice  with  the  Esopus,  323 

Journal  of  the  Esopus  war,  by  Captain  Martin  Cregier 323 

1664.     Jan.     4.     Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen,  at  the  Esopus,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  departnre 

of  Capt.  Cregier ;  great  sickness  prevailing 354 

"        Jan.     8.     Letter  from  Yice-Dir.  La  Montagne  and  Jer.  van  Eensselaer  to  the  same ; 

the  Mohawks'  expedition  into  Maine 355 

"        Jan.   11.     Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen  to  the   same;  the  sickness  at  the  Esopus 

increases 355 


Table  of  Contents.  xxv 

Page. 
1664.     Jan.   21.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Conrts  at  Fort  Orange  and 

Kensselaerswyek ;  the  Mohawks'  losses  in  Maine ;  the  dispersing  of  the 

Esopus  Indians 356 

"         Jan.  28.     Ordinance  establishing  a  Court  of  Justice  for  Staten  Island 356 

"         Jan.   28.     Council  Minute.     A  redoubt  to  be  constructed  at  the  Newesinghs 356 

"         Feb.   14.     Petition  of  Eoeloff  Swartwout  to  be  reinstated  as  Sheriff  of  the  Esopus, 

and  order  granting  it 357 

"         Feb.   16.     Council    Minute.      A   Tappaan  Indian's   complaint    against   Jacob    van 

Couwenhoven;  the  ISTevesinghs  lands  and  the  English 358 

"         Feb.   18.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck ;  Swartwout 

reinstated  as  Sheriff  ;  recall  of  the  military ;  Indian  affairs 358 

"         Feb.   18.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Ensign  Niessen  ;  orders  to  send  down  soldiers ; 

Indian  affairs   359 

"         Feb.   21.     Council  Minute.     Samuel   Edsal's  men  at  Bergen;   JS'oortwyck  on  the 

North  river 359 

"         Feb.  21.     Petition  for  the  confirmation  of  certain  rules,  made  by  the  Overseers  for 

the  erection  of  a  block-hoiise  at  Bergen,  N.  J.,  and  answer  of  the  Coun- 
cil     360 

"         Feb.  23. )  Conference  with  the  Hackensack  and  Staten  Island  chiefs  and  Miuissink 

"         Mar.     6.  )      Indians 361 

"         Mar.   17.     Order  granting  a  piece  of  land  outside  of  the  village  of  Bergen 362 

"         Mar.  17.     Commission  for  Balthazar  Bayard  to  be  Clerk  of  the  Court  at  Bergen 363 

"         Mar.  23.     Report   made   by  P.  W.  van  Couwenhoven   of   information   respecting 

intrigues  of  the  English  with  the  Esopus  and  Wapping  Indians 363 

"         Mar.  25.     Conference  with  North  river  Indians  and  the  chief  of  Hackensack 364 

"         Mar.  26.     Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Niessen  and  the  Magistrates  of 

Wiltwyck ;  Indian  affairs 365 

"         Mar.  27.     Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant ;  all  quiet  on  the  Esopus,  366 

"         Apr.     3.     Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  Wiltwyck 366 

"         Apr.     5.     Patent  for  a  piece  of  land  at  Ahasimus,  N.  J 366 

"         Apr.  17.     Order  on  a  petition  of  Sander  Lendertsen  Glen  and  others  for  a  survey  of 

land  at  Schenectady 367 

"         Apr.  21.     Instructions  for  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Wiltwyck 367 

"         Apr.  21.     Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant  reporting  the  visit  of  an 

Englishman  at  Wiltwyck,  who  said  the  English  would  possess  New 

Netherland  in  six  or  eight  weeks 368 

"         Apr.  25.     Petition  of  Thomas  Chambers  and  Gysbert  van  Imborgh,  delegates,  asking 

for  amendments  to  the  charter  of  Wiltwyck,  and  answer  to  it 369 

"         Apr.  25.     Petition  of  Paulus  and  Jan  van  der  Hyden  concerning  an  estate  at  the 

Esopus  and  order  thereon , 370 

"         Apr.  26.     Conference  with  Hackensack  Indians  about  the  murder  of  a  Dutchman, 

committed  by  a  Wapping  Indian 371 

"         Apr.  26.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland ;  the 

result  of  the  Esopus  war ;  importance  of  the  fur  trade 372 


xxvi  Table  of  Contents. 

Page. 
1664.     May     6.     Letter  from  Rev.  Hermanus  Bloem  to  Dir.  Stuy vesant,  asking  in  the  name 
of  the  Consistory  that  the  7th  of  June  be  annually  observed  as  a  day  of 

thanksgiving  at  the  Esopus 373 

'         May  13.     Lease  of  land  at  Schenectady 374 

"        May  15.     Articles  of  the  peace  made  with  the  Esopus  Indians 375 

'  May  — .  Letter  from  Dir.  Stuy  vesant  to  the  authorities  at  Fort  Orange  ;  transmits 
the  articles  of  peace  concluded  with  the  Esopus  Indians ;  the  new  -cal- 
lage at  Esopus ;  Schenectady 382 

'■        May  17.     Conferences  with  the  Mohawks  at  Fort  Orange 378 

Journal  of  John  Dareth  and  Jacob  Loockermans,  sent  to  negotiate  a  treaty 

of  peace  between  the  Mohawks  and  Northern  Indians 380 

'■         May  20.     Order  directing  the  sm-veyor  to  lay  out  lands  at  Schenectady 383 

"         May  29.     Grant  of  a  piece  of  land  at  Bergen,  N.  J , 383 

"         May  31.     Proclamation  for  a  day  of  thanksgiving  on  account  of  the  peace  with  the  ■ 

Esopus  Indians , 383 

"         June    9.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam ; 

lack  of  ministers ;  sad  state  of  affairs  in  New  Netherland 384 

"         June  23.     Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 381 

"        July     4.     Commission  of  William  Beekman  as  Commissary  at  the  Esopus,  and  his 

instructions 385 

"         July     8.     Proposal  of  one  of  the  Esopus  sachems  to  have  provisions  sent  to  their 

country  beyond  Haverstraw 386 

"         July  10.     Petition  of  Philipp  Pieterse  Schuyler  and  Goose  Gerretsen  van  Schayck 

for  leave  to  purchase  from  the  Mohegaiis  the  Halfmoon ;  granted 387 

"         July  10.     Petition  of  Thomas  Powel  and  others  for  leave  to  purchase  from  the 

Indians  a  piece  of  land  between  Kinderhook  and  Neutenhook ;  granted,  388 

"         July  1 2.     Conference  with  the  Mohawks  at  Fort  Orange 389 

"         July  17.     Ordinance  for  the  more  careful  navigation  of  the  North  river  by  sloop 

captains 389 

"         July  24.     Council  Minute.     The  Mohawks  complain  against  the  Northern  Indians,  390 
"         Aug.    4.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Du-eccors  in  Holland ;  the 

intrigues  of  the  English  among  the  Indians 390 

"         Aug.  17.     Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Council  to  the  same  ;  the  Indian  wars 390 

"        Aug.  14.     Letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam ;  state  of 

the  Reformed  Church 391 

"         Aug.  22.     Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  to  the  English  commissioners,  391 

"         Aug.  27.     Information  of  English  intrigues  with  the  Esopus  Indians 392 

"        Aug.  29.     Order  directing  the  commander  at  the  Esopus  to  bring  down  his  soldiers, 

as  the  English  fleet  is  at  Nyack,  L.  1 392 

Letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam ;  the  sur- 
render of  the  province  to  the  English 392 


Table  of  Contents.  xxvii 

SSCOND    PERIOD. 

The  Province  under  English  Rule,  from  the  Surrender  by  the  Duteh  to  the  Establishment 

of  Counties.     I664- 1684. 

Page. 

1664.  Oct.    17.  ■  License  to  purchase  Indian  lands  at  the  Nevesinks;  a  warrant  to  William 

Goulding,  etc 395 

No  date.     Order  directing  the  Magistrates  of  Bei-gen,  N.  J.,  to  receive  and  quarter  a 

garrison  of  soldiers 395 

1665.  Mar.  30.     Permission  to  purchase  Indian  lands  given  to  Phil.  Pieterse  Schuyler  (the 

Halfmoon) 395 

"         Apr.     1.     Like  permission  given  to  Joh.  Chite  and  Jan  Hendr.  Bruyn  (Claverack). .  396 

"         Apr.     8.     Patent  for  the  land  at  the  Nevesinks,  iST.  J 396 

"         Apr.  20.     Indian  deed  for  Caniskek  (Athens,  Greene  county) 397 

"         Apr.  30.     Order  concerning  the  settlement  at  the  Nevesinks 398 

"         May     6.     Indian  deed  for  land  near  Kinderhook 399 

"  Oct.  7.  An  agreement  made  between  Governor  Nicholls  and  the  Esopus  Indians. .  399 
"         Dec.  28.     Letter  from  Gov.  Nicholls  to  the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  concerning  the 

limits  of  their  town 402 

1666.  Apr.  29.     Indian  deed  for  land  in  Westchester  county  (Town  of  Harrison) 402 

"         July     3.     Letter  from  Secretary  Nicolls  to  Thomas  Pell  concerning  his  land  in 

Westchester 403 

"         July     7.     Letter  from  the  same  to  the  constable  and  overseers  of  Westchester  about 

the  division  of  land 404 

"         July  14.     Order  forbidding  the  same  to  molest  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ten  Farms 

about  the  meadow  ground 404 

"         Sept.  17.     Letter  from  Secr'y  JSTicolls  to  Capt.  Broadhead  on  behalf  of  Mathew  Blan- 

chard  of  Esopus 404 

"         Oct.    18.     Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam 405 

"         Dec.   11.     Deed  from  Capt.  Phil.  Carteret  and  others  to  Daniel  Pierce  and  others  for 

the  land  between  the  Raritan  and  Pawake  rivers,  N.  J 405 

1667.  Apr.  — .     Papers  relating  to  the  Esopus  mutiny 406 

"         Sept.    7.     Wan-ant  authorizing  the  inhabitants  of  Staten  Island  to  elect  civil  oiEcers,  415 

1668.  Apr.     8.     Grant  of  land  at  the  Esopus 416 

"         Aug.  27.     Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Amsterdam  Classis 416 

"        Aug.  27.     Certificate  in  favor  of  Domine  Megapolensis 416 

"         Sept.    3.     Letter  from  Secr'y  Nicolls  to  Ph.  P.  Schuyler  regarding  land  at  Hurley..  417 

"         Sept.    5.     Order  concerning  land  claims  at  the  Esopus 417 

"         Sept.  25.     Order  about  the  watch  at  the  Esopus 417 

"         Sept.  26.     The  Governor's  answer  to  certain  desires  expressed  by  the  -inliabitants  of 

the  Esopus 418 

"         Sept.  26.     List  of  persons  who  are  to  have  land  at  the  Esopus 418 

"         Sept.  26.     Order  for  cutting  Palisades  at  the  Esopus   419 

"         Sept.  26.     Order  concerning  the  settlement  of  Marbletown 419 

"         Sept.  26.     List  of  persons  willing  to  settle  at  Marbletown 419 

"         Sept.  26.     Instructions  for  the  civil  authorities  at  the  Esopus 420 


TaMe  of  Contents. 

Page. 

Order  concerning  travel  on  Sundays 420 

Order  concerning  tlie  settlement  of  Marbletown 420 

Council  Minute.     Dispute  between  Harlem  and  John  Archer  about  land,  421 

Order  concerning  the  settlement  of  Marbletown 421 

Order  concerning  tlie  taxes  in  West  and  Eastehester ; 422 

Letter  from  the  Governor  to  the  military  at  the  Esopus 422 

Order  concerning  the  taxes  of  Eastehester 422 

Letter  from  the  Governor  to  the  magistrates  at  Esopus 423 

Letter  from  Domine  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 423 

License  to  establish  a  colony  at  Spuyten  Duyvel 424 

Order  concerning  the  militia  on  Staten  Island 424 

Letter  from  Gov.  Lovelace  to  the  Governor  of  Bermuda  concerning  immi- 
gration, with  conditions  for  new  settlers 424 

Order  proliibiting  the  trade  with  Lidians  at  Schenectady 426 

Letter  from  the  Governor  to  Sergeant  Berisf ord  at  the  Esopus 426 

Letter  from  the  same  to  Henry  Pawling  at  Esopus 427 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  magistrates  at  Albany 427 

Letter  from  Secr'y  Nicolls  to  the  same 428 

Council  Minute.     Esopus  affairs. ...    ,. 428 

Commission  to  several  persons  appointed  to  regulate  matters  at  the  Esopus, 

and  their  instructions 428 

Proceedings  of  the  commissioners 430 

Peport  of  the  commissioners 436 

Letters  from  the  Governor  to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany 439 

Letters  from  the  same  to  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts 439 

Letters  from  the  same  to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany 440 

Building  license  given  to  T.  C.  de  Witt  of  Esopus 440 

Order  concerning  the  building  of  a  bridge  across  Harlem  river 441 

Letter  from  the  Governor  relating  to  the  purchase  of  Lidian  lands  on 

Staten  Island 441 

Mar.  11.     Letter  from  the  same  to  W.  Beeckman  and  others  at  Kingston  concerning 

the  new  village 442 

Mar.  17.     Commission  to  Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace  and  others  for  surveying  and  laying 

out  lots  at  the  Esopus,  with  their  instructions  and  proceedings 443 

Council  Minute.     Staten  Island  matters 452 

Indian  deed  for  Staten  Island 455 

Order  prohibiting  the  sale  of  lands  granted  to  soldiers  at  the  Esopus 457 

Council  Minute.     Trade  of  New  England  people  with  Indians  at  Albany,  458 

Order  for  a  survey  of  Staten  Island 458 

1671.     July  12.     Order  concerning  the  traffic  on  the  North  river  to  Kingston 458 

Proceedings  in  the  (N.  Y.)  Mayor's  court;  differences  between  Harlem 

and  Fordham 459 

Orders  for  the  regulation  of  civil  and  military  affairs  at  the  Esopus 459 

Council  Minute.     Purchase  of  Indian  lands  in  Westchester  county 460 


XX  vm 

1668.     Oct. 

28. 

Nov. 

9. 

Nov. 

6. 

"        Nov. 

9. 

"        Nov. 

17. 

«        Nov. 

17. 

"         Dec. 

11. 

1669.     Feb. 

24. 

Apr. 

15. 

Apr. 

27. 

May 

3. 

May 

14. 

"         June 

3. 

June 

7. 

"         July 

25. 

"         July 

25. 

"         July 

26. 

Aug. 

13. 

"         Sept. 

9. 

"         Sept. 

9. 

"         Sept. 

9. 

Sept. 

9. 

Oct. 

13. 

Dec. 

29. 

1670.     Jan. 

24. 

"         Jan. 

24. 

Feb. 

10. 

"  ■      Feb. 

16. 

Apr. 

7. 

Apr. 

13. 

Aug. 

23. 

Oct. 

22. 

Oct. 

24. 

July 

12. 

Sept. 

8. 

Oct. 

25. 

Oct. 

30. 

Table  of  Contents.  xxix 

Page. 

Letter  from  the  Governor  and  Counoil  to  Capt.  James   Carteret 4-61 

Capt.  James  Carteret's  answer 462 

Council  Minute.     Commission  for  Indian  affairs 463 

Instructions  for  Capt.  De  Lavall,  etc.,  on  going  to  Albany 464 

Agreement  between  the  inhabitants  of  Schenectady  and  the  four  Mohawk 

castles 464 

Order  for  a  survey  of  Staten  Island 466 

Council  Minutes.     Trade  at  Schenectady 466 

Letter  from  Gov.  Lovelace  to  Capt.  James  Carterett,  of  New  Jersey 466 

Another  letter  from  the  same  to  the  same 467 

Order  erecting  Fox  Hall,  near  Kingston,  into  a  Manor 468 

Letter  from  the  Governor  to  Capt.  James  Carterett 468 

Letter  from  King  Charles  II  to  John  Berr}',  Deputy-Governor   of  New 

Jersey 469 

Council  Minutes.     Trade  at  Schenectady ;  taxes  at  the  Esopus 469 

License  to  build  a  warehouse  on  the  strand  at  Kingston 470 

Order  establishing  a  Court  of  Justice  at  Fordhani 471 

Council  Minutes.     N  ew  Jersey  matters 471 

Council  Minutes.     English  laws  introduced  at  the  Esopus 471 

Letter  from  King  Charles  II  to  Geo.  Philipp  Carterett,  of  New  Jersey  . .  472 
Order  allowing  Elizabethtown,  etc.,  in  New  Jersey,  to  send  delegates  to 

surrender  their  places  to  the  Dutch 473 

Privileges  gi-anted  to  the  several  towns  in  New  Jersey 474 

Council  Minute.     Submission  of  East  and  Westchester  with  extent  of  the 

jurisdiction  of  their  courts 474 

Order  on  a  petition  from  the  Esopus  for  the  government  of  that  District,  475 

Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  the  Village  behind  the  Coll 475 

Renewal  of  the  peace  with  the  Hackensack  Indians 476 

Census  of  the  several  towns  in  New  Jersey 476 

Council  Minute.     Mohawk  chiefs  on  a  visit  to  New  York ;  Schenectady 

affairs 477 

Sept.  29.     Order  to  the  Magistrates  in    the   Nevesinks   in    regard    to  approaching 

ships,  etc 477 

Oct.    14.     Letter  from  Gov.  Colve  to  John   Ogden,  at  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  on  Indian 

affairs  and  Gov.  Carterett's  property 477 

1674.  Mar.     S.     Orders  in  Council.     Indian  lands  in  New  Jersey  and  trade  to  the  Esopus,  478 

Council  Minutes.     Middletown,  N.  J. ;  Secaucus  Island,  N.  J 478 

Propositions  made  by  the  Mohawks  to  Gov.  Colve,  and  his  answers 479 

Letter  from  Gov.  Colve  to  Isaac  Grevenraedt,  Sheriff  of  Esopus,  directing 

the  surrender  of  that  place  to  the  English 481 

Order  to  attach  the  estate  of  Gov.  Lovelace  on  Staten  Island 481 

Petition  to  purchase  Indian  lands  at  Catskil,  and  order  granting  it 481 

1675.  Jan.    11.     Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  inhabitants  of  Hurley  and  Marbleton  . . .  482 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  inhabitants  of  Kingston 482 

Indian  deed  for  land  in  Greene  county 482 


1672. 

June  11. 

a 

June  14. 

« 

June  24. 

a 

June  16. 

a 

July     3. 

a 

July  22. 

u 

Sept.    6. 

" 

Sept.  18. 

a 

Oct.    13. 

a 

Oct.    16. 

" 

Oct.    22. 

« 

Dee.     9. 

1673. 

Jan.    27. 

a 

Mar.   19. 

(' 

Apr.  20. 

" 

May   15. 

u 

June  12. 

1674. 

June  13. 

1673. 

Aug.  12. 

u 

Aug.  18. 

" 

Aug.  21. 

« 

Sept.    1. 

(( 

Sept.    1. 

a 

Sept.  13. 

" 

Sept.  14. 

" 

Sept.  18. 

Mar. 

S. 

Mar. 

8. 

May 

22. 

Nov. 

10. 

Nov. 

12. 

Dec. 

17. 

Jan. 

11. 

Jan. 

12. 

Jan. 

25. 

XXX  Table  of  Contents. 

Paob. 

1675.  Feb.   IS.  Order  for  keeping  the  court  at  Fordliam 483 

"  Apr.  16.  Council  Minute.     Indian  affairs 483 

"  Apr.   19.  Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  authorities  at  Albany 483 

"  Apr.  24.  Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  Capt.  Chambers  and  Geo.  Hall  at  Kingston,  484 

"  Sept.  26.  Proclamation  about  the  Indians  and  making  of  block  houses 484 

"  Aug.    5.  Council  Minutes.     Encouragement  of  immigration  to  Staten  Island 485 

"  -ATig-  30-  Instructions  for  tho  Commissaries  of  Schenectady 485 

No  date.     Opinion  of  council  concerning  Col.  Xicolls'  patents  for  land  in  New  Jersey 

and  Indian  purchases 486 

"         Sept.  12.     Assessment-roll  of  "Wegt  and  Eastchester 488 

"         Oct.    13.     Order  concerning  the  public  debt  at  the  Esopus 489 

"         Oct.    15.     Council  Minutes.     Purchase  of  Indian  lands  at  Schenectady  ;  Schenectady,  489 

"         Oct.    19.     Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  authorities  at  the  Esopus 490 

"         Oct.    21.     Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 491 

"         Oct,    24.     Council  Minutes.     Indian  affairs ;  Esopus 491 

"         Nov.    8.     Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Yonkers,  desiring  to  be  excused  from  joining 

Fordham  in  case  of  an  Indian  invasion,  and  order  thereon 492 

1676.  Jan.      6.     Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  Magistrates  at  Esopus 493 

"         Feb.   26.     Council  Minutes.     Westchester  Indians ;  Indian  wars 493 

"         Mar.     4.     Order  directing  the  pursuit  of  King  Phihpp  and  other  North  Indians  .  . .    494 
"         Mar.  29.     Council  Minutes.     Examination  of  "Westchester  lodians  as  to  their  inten- 
tion to  join  King  Philipp 494 

"  Apr.  10.  Order  concerning  the  scattered  farms  at  Hurley  and  Marbleton. 495 

"  Apr.   14.  Council  Minute.     Westchester  Indians  before  the  Council 495 

"  Apr.  27.  Comicil  Minute.     Connecticut  Indians  before  the  Council 496 

"  May  29.  Council  Minute.     Indian  affairs  (Mohawks  and  Senecas) ...  496 

"  June    2.  Council  Minute.     Susquehanna  Indians  before  the  council 497 

"  July  25.  Council  Minute.     Westchesterlndiansclaimpaymentfor  the  Yonkers  land,  498 

"  Aug.    4.  Council  Minute.     The  authority  of  the  Sheriff  at  Esopus  defined    ,  498 

"  Aug.    8.  Council  Minute.     Indians  report  a  meditated  invasion  by  the  French 498 

"  Aug.  10.  Council  Minute.     Mohawks  report  on  Canada  and  Northern  Indians  ....  499 

"  Aug.  11.  Commission  to  establish  a  Court  of  Justice  at  Schenectady 500 

"  Sept.    8.  Council  Minutes.     Indian  affairs 501 

"  Sept.  19.  Letter  from  Secr'y  Nicolls  to  the  authorities  of  Westchester 501 

"  Oct.    11.  Council  Minutes.     Indian  affairs , 501 

"         Oct.  and  ) 

„  \  List  of  presents  given  to  Indian  scouts  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  502 

1677.  Mar.  12.     Council  Minutes.     Enlargement  of  Kingston;  Indians;  Indian  lands  at 

Esopus ;  French  pi-etensions 502 

"         Mar.  14.     Proclamation  regulating  the  Indian  trade  and  navigation  on  the  Hudson,  503 
"         Mar.  28.     Order  in  Council.     Mohawks   to    desist   from    making   war   on    Eastern 

Indians , „ 504 

"         Apr.  27.     Council  Minutes.     Conference  with  Esopus  Indians 504 

"         May   26.     Indian  deed  for  New  Paltz,  Ulster  county 506 

"         June    6.     Council  Minutes.     The  war  of  the  Mohawks  and  Senecas  against  Mary- 
land    507 


June  11. 

July 

11. 

July 

12. 

July 

16. 

July 

20. 

Oct. 

5. 

Oct. 

6. 

Oct. 

12. 

Table  of  Contents.  xxxi 

Page. 

1677.  June  11.     Council  Minutes.     Mohawks  on  the  warpath 508 

Proceedings  on  the  claim  of  New  Jersey  to  have  a  port  of  entry 50S 

Letter  fi-oni  Gov.  Andros  to  the  Magistrates  of  Albany 509 

Council  Minutes.     Indian  affairs 510 

Conference  between  the  Oueidas  and  Col.  Coursey,  agent  of  Maryland ...  510 
Letter  from  John  Pynchon,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  to  Capt.  Salisbury  on 

Indian  troubles 511 

Regulation  for  the  Esopus  militia,  and  order  concerning  quitrents    512 

Letter  from  Gov.  Leverett,  of  Boston,  to  the  Mohawk  sachems,  warning 

them  not  to  injin-e  the  friendly  Indians  of  his  colony 513 

"         Oct.    22.     Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Court  of  Schenectady  in  reference  to  the 

purchase  of  land  on  the  Mohawk  river 514- 

Licence  granted  to  Lewis  Dubois  and  others  for  a  new  settlement  at  Esopus,  515 
Order  for  the  purchase  of  Indian  lands  in  Westchester  county 515 

1678.  Jan.     1.     Indian  deed  for  land  at  Claverack  , 515 

Letter  from  Secr'y  Nicolls  to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany 516 

Letter  from  John  Talcott  of  Hartford  to  Capt.  Salisbury  on  Indian  affairs  516 
Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  Gov.  Leete  of  Connecticutt  on  In- 
dian business 518 

Note  directing  the  Surveyor  to  lay  out    land  on  Staten  Island 518 

Letter  from  Richard  Woodhull  of  Seatalcott  to  Secr'y  Nicolls  on  a  rumored 

combination  between  the  French  and  Indians ,  .   519 

Indian  Deed  for  land  in  Columbia  county 519 

Letter  from  Capt.  Salisbury  at  Albany  to  Commander  Brockholls.     Mo- 
hawks going  to  war 519 

June  27.     Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same.     Mohawks  retm-n  with  Natick  Indian 

prisoners 520 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same.     The  Mohawks  have  burned   most  of 

then-  prisoners 520 

Orders  and  Instructions  to  the  Agents  of  Massachusetts  sent  on  a  mission 

to  the  Mohawks 521 

Commission  of  the  Massachusetts  Agents 523 

Letter  from  Father  Biiiyas,  S.  J.,  at  Tionnontoguin  to  Capt.  Salisbury  on 

Indian  affairs  and  from  the  latter  to  Capt.  Brockholls 523 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Salisbury  at  Albany.     Indians. . . .   524 

Letter  from  John  Pynchon  at  Springfield  to  Capt.  Salisbury 525 

Letter  from  Capt.  Salisbury  to  Comm'r  Brockholls  on  Indian  affairs 526 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same . . . .' 527 

Letter  from  Comm'r  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Salisbury 527 

Answer  of  the  Mohawks  to  the  Propositions  of  the  Massachusetts  Agents  528 

Letter  from  Comm'r  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Salisbury 529 

Letters  from  Capt.  Salisbury  to  Sec'y  Nicolls  and  Connuander  Brockholls  531 

Council  Minutes.     French  influences  among  the  Mohawks 531 

Council  Minutes.     Schenectady  affairs 532 

Letters  from  Gov.  Andros  to  the  Magistrates  of  Albany  and  Schenectady  533 
Indian  Deed  for  Land  in  Ulster  county 533 


Nov. 

2. 

Nov. 

16. 

Jan. 

1. 

Jan. 

15. 

Apr. 

8. 

Apr. 

16. 

May 

14. 

May 

17. 

June 

11. 

Jime  24. 

July 

11. 

July 

11. 

July 

12. 

July 

13. 

July 

20. 

July 

20. 

July 

23. 

July 

25. 

JiUy 

28. 

Aug. 

1. 

Aug. 

2. 

Aug. 

8. 

Aug. 

20. 

Sept. 

6. 

Oct. 

31. 

Dec. 

28. 

1678. 
1679. 

Apr.  11. 

a 

May  23. 

a 

June    4. 

CI 

June  18. 

" 

July  31. 

a 

Aug.    8. 

ii 

Dec.     9. 

1680. 

Jan.     7. 

(( 

Mar.     8. 

(( 

Mar.  14. 

1665. 
1680. 

Mar.   21. 

Mar.   23. 

Mar.  23. 

Apr.  5-7. 

No  date. 

Apr.  30. 

Table  of  Contents. 

Page 

Petition  for  leave  to  purchase  Indian  Lands  in  Ulster  county 634 

Regulations  for  the  trade  on  Hudson's  river 534 

Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  to  Gov.  Andros 534 

Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  Gov.  Carterett  of  N.  J 535 

Letter  from  Secr'y  Nicolls  to  Mrs.  Billop  on  Staten  Island 535 

Council  Minutes.     Reception  of  Agents  from  Yirginia     536 

Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  Capt.   Salisbury 536 

Council  Minutes.     Indians  declared  free  and  not  slaves 537 

Council  Minutes.     Bridge  over  Spuyten  Duyvel 538 

Letter  from  Gov.  Andros  to  Phil.  Carterett 638 

Declaration  of  Gov.  Andros  setting  forth  the  illegality  of  Capt.  Carte- 

rett's  acts  in  N.  J 639 

Mar.   15.     Letter  from  Sec'y  Nicolls  to  Capt.  Sanford  ■with  the  foregoing  Proclama- 
tion and  inviting  him  to  N.  T 540 

Extract  from  the  Concessions  to  New  Jersey 540 

>  Council  Minutes.     New  Jersey  affairs 541 

Order  for  an  election  of  delegates  for  Middleton,  N.  J 541 

Particulars  of  Gov.  Andros'  Visit  to  Capt.  Carterett  in  Elizabeth  Town,  N.  J  542 

Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Esopus  for  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel 543 

A  Special  Warrant  to  summon  Deputy  Governor  Berry  of  N.  J.  before 

the  Council 544 

"         June  25.     Connnission  to  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  Shrewsbury,  etc.  N.  J.  to  hold 

Courts  of  Sessions , . .   545 

.      .     Abstracts  of  Indian  Deeds 545 

1680.     Nov.  12.     Petition  of  Robert  Livingston  to  purchase    Indian  lands  (Livingston  Ma- 
nor, Columbia  county) ,   646 

"         Dec.    1.     Petition  of  Fred.  Philipps  to  purchase   Indian  lands  in  Westchester  Co. .   546 
"         Dec.    1.     List  of  Persons  applying  for  land  on  Staten-Islaud 546 

"    '      A       1 «'  I  I'^tt®^^  from  Capt.  Brockliolls  to  Capt.  Carterett 548 

"         May  14.     Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Sir  John  Werden  concerning  the  New 

Jersey  title 549 

"         May  14.  Letter  from  the  same  to  Governor  Andros  (in  England)  on  the  same  subject.  549 
"         July  26.  )  Letters  from  the  same  to  Capt.  Carterett  refusing  to  acknowledge  the  lat- 

"         July  30.  i      ter's  authority  in  New  Jersey 650 

"         Julj'  30.     Letter  from  the  same  to  Sir  John  Werden  on  the  claim  to  New  Jersey . . .  551 

"         Sept.  12.     Propositions  made  by  the  Minissink  Indians  and  the  answer  tliereto 551 

"        Nov.  10.     Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Delavall  on  affairs  at  the  Esopus. . .  552 

1682.     Jan.  12.     Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same  on  the  same  subject 552 

"         Jan.   12.     License  given  to  Jacob  Rutgers  to  purchase  Indian  lands  at  the  Esopus. .  553 
"         Jan.  28.     A  Proclamation  renewing  a  former  Proclamation  regulating  the  Trade  with 

Indians 553 

"         Feb.     3.     License  to  purchase  Indian  lands  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson's  river  given 

to  Cornells  van  Bursum 554 

"         Mar.     9.     Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Delavall  on  Esopus  affairs 554 


Table  of  Contents.  xxxiii 

Paoe. 

16S2.     Mar.  29.     Letter  from  tlie  same  to  the  Commissaries  at  Albany  on  tlie  relations  be- 
tween the  New  York  Indians  and  Maryland 555 

Letter  from  the  same  to  Lord  Baltimore  and  Council  on  the  same  subject.   555 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Commissaries  at  Albany 556 

Resolution  of  a  Town  Meeting  on  Staten  Island 556 

Letter  from  the  Maryland  Commissioners  to  Commander  Brockholls 557 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same 557 

Letter  from  Cornelius  van  Dyck  to  the  same   558 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  Lord  Baltimore 559 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Commissaries  of  Albany 560 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Maryland  Agents  at  Albany 560 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Maryland  Agents  at  Albany 560 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Commissaries  of  Albany 561 

Letter  from  the  same  to  the  Maryland  Agents  at  Albany 562 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  Gov.  Carterett 563 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  Lord  Baltimore 563 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  Lord  Baltimore 563 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  the  Magistrates  of  Albany 564 

Letter  from  Commander  Brockholls  to  the  Magistrates  of  Esopus 564 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Lord  Baltimore 565 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Lord  Baltimore 565 

1683.     Jan.     3.     Contract  to  sell  land  on  Hudson's  river  (Columbia  coimty) " 566 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Chambers  at  Kingston 566 

Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Staten-Island  against  being  forced  to  contribute 

to  the  siipport  of  a  Minister .  . 567 

Letters  from  Justice  Stillwell  of  Staten-Island  to  Secr'y  West  in  relation 

to  the  foregoing 567 

License  given  to  purchase  Indian  lands  (Dutchess  county) 569 

Letter  from  Capt.  Broeldiolls  to  Capt.  Chambers  at  Kingston 569 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt!  G.  Baxter  at  Albany 570 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Mr.  Samuel  Groome  of  New  Jersey 570 

Quitclaim  for  the  land  called  Pooghkepesingh 571 

Letter  from  Capt.  Brockholls  to  Capt.  Chambers 571 

Abstracts  of  Indian  Deeds  for  Land  at  Niskayuna,  Catskil,  Livingston  Ma- 
nor, Saratoga 572 

Indian  Deed  of  Gift  of  land  near  Schenectady 573 

List  of  the  estates  in  "Westchester  subject  to  the  public  rates 573 

Nov.    1.     An  Act  to  divide  the  Province  into  Shires  and  Counties 574 

Appendix.     Extracts  from  a  Letter  of  Father  Jogues,  S.  J.,  to  the  Pro- 
vincial of  the  Jesuits  in  Paris 575 


Mar. 

29. 

June  10. 

June  19. 

June  24. 

June  25. 

June  26. 

June  30. 

June  30. 

June  30. 

July 

4. 

July 

4. 

July 

15. 

Aug. 

— . 

Aug. 

14. 

Sept. 

21. 

Oct. 

25. 

Oct. 

25. 

Oct. 

26. 

Nov.  27. 

Jan. 

3. 

Jan. 

15. 

Jan. 

16. 

Jan. 

19.  1 

Jato. 

24.  ) 

Feb.  28. 

Apr. 

6. 

Apr. 

6. 

Apr. 

7. 

May 

5. 

June 

29. 

Sept. 

26. 

First  Period 


From  the  first  recorded  Dutch  Patent  to  the  Occupation  of  the 
Province  by  the  English. 

(1630   to  1664.  ) 


Patent  for  IIoboken,  N.  J.,  granted  to  Miciiiel  Paattw. 

"We,  Director  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  residing  on  the  Island  of  Manahaias  and  at 
the  Fort  Amsterdam  under  the  authority  of  their  High :  Might :  the  Lords  States-General  of  the 
United  Netherlands  and  the  Incorporated  West  India  Conipan}-,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  do 
liereby  testify  and  declare,  that  on  this  day,  date  underwritten,  appeared  before  us  personally 
Arromeauw,  TehwapjM  and  SacTcwomech,  inhabitants  and  joint  owners  of  the  land,  called  Hobo- 
can  HacMngh,  lying  opposite  the  aforesaid  Island  of  Manahatas,  who  both  for  themsel\-es  and 
pro  rata  for  the  other  joint  owners  declared,  that  for  and  in  consideration  of  a  certain  quantity  ot 
merchandise,  which  they  herewith  acknowledge  to  have  received  to  their  full  satisfaction  before 
the  passing  of  this  act,  they  have  sold,  transported,  ceded  and  delivered  as  true  and  lawful  free- 
hold, as  they  herewith  according  to  a  bill  of  sale  and  contract,  transfer,  cede,  convey  and  deliver 
to  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Hon''''^  Mr.  Michiel  Paauw*  in  whose  absence  we  receive  it  ex  officio 
under  the  usual  conditions,  the  aforesaid  land  by  lis  called  Hohocan  Hackingh  extending  on  the 
south  side  to  Ahasinius,  eastwards  along  the  River  Mauritius  and  on  the  west  side  surrounded 
by  lowlands,  which  sufficiently  designates  the  boundary  of  this  land  with  rights  and  jurisdiction, 
belonging  to  them  individually  or  collectively,  or  which  they  might  derive  hereafter,  constituting 
and  subrogating  the  aforesaid  Hon'''"  Mr.  Paauio,  in  their  stead  and  place,  giving  him  actual  and 
real  possession  thereof,  as  well  as  complete  and  irrevocable  authority  and  special  power,  that  he, 
the  aforesaid  Hon'''''  Mr.  Paauw  tamquam,  actor  et  procurator  in  rem  suatn  ac  propriam  or  his 
heirs  and  successors  may  take  possession  of  the  aforesaid  land,  live  on  it  in  peace,  inhabit,  own 
and  use  it,  also  do  with  it,  trade  it  o£E  or  dispose  of  it,  as  his  Honor  would  do  with  his  own  law- 
fully obtained  lands  and  dominions,  without  that  they,  the  conveying  party,  shall  have  or  retain 
the  least  pretension,  right,  power  or  authority  either  concerning  ownership  or  sovereignty,  but 
herewith  they  desist,  abandon,  withdraw  and  renounce,  in  behalf  as  aforesaid  now  and  forever 
totally  and  finallv,  promising  further  not  only  to  fulfil  in  ijerpetuum^  firmly  and  safely,  inviolably 
and  irrevocably,  this  their  conveyance  and  transfer  and  what  may  be  done  by  its  authority,  but  also 
to  deliver  the  said  land  and  to  keep  it  free  from  all  claims,  pretensions,  suits,  challenges  and  troubles, 

*  Lord   of   Achtienhoven   in   Holland,  Co-Patroon  of   New-Netherland  and  one  of  the  Diiectors  of  the  W .  I. 
Co.— Ed. 


2  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

all  under  the  obligations  of  the  laws  referring  hereto,  a  liona  fide  sine  fraude.  In  testimony 
whereof  we  have  affirmed  this  with  our  signatm-e  and  affixed  our  seal  thereunto.  Done  on  the 
Island  of  Manahatas  in  Fort  Amsterdam  the  12""  of  July  in  the  j-ear  1630. 


Patent  for  Staten  Island,  granted  to  Michael  Paauw. 

We,  Director  and  Council  in  N"ew-]N"etherland,  residing  on  the  Island  of  Manhattan  under 
authority  of  Their  High  Mightinesses,  the  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands  and  the 
Privileged  West  India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  testify  and  declare  herewith,  that 
to-day,  date  as  below,  personally  appeared  Krahorat,  Tanieliap,  Totemackwemama,  Wieromies, 
Siearewach,  Sackweweio,  Wissijyoach,  Saheinsios  or  the  young  one,  inhabitants,  owners  and  in- 
lieritors  of  the  island  called  by  us  Staten- Island,  on  the  west  side  of  HameVs  Neck*  who  declare 
that  for  a  certain  lot  of  merchandise,  delivered  to  and  received  by  them  before  the  2)assing  of  this 
act,  they  have  sold,  transferred,  ceded  and  delivered  as  true  and  lawful  freehold,  as  they  herewith 
according  to  a  bill  of  sale  and  contract,  transfer,  cede,  convey  and  deliver  to  and  for  the  benefit  of 
the  IIoii'''^  Mr.  Ifichiel  Paauio,  in  whose  absence  wc  receive  it  ex  officio  under  the  usual  conditions, 
the  aforesaid  land  with  its  forest,  appendencies  and  dependencies,  rights  and  jurisdiction,  belong- 
ing to  them  individually  or  collectivel}',  or  which  they  might  derive  hereafter,  constituting  and 
subrogating  the  aforesaid  Hon'"''^  Mr.  Paauw,  in  their  stead  and  place,  giving  him  actual  and  real 
possession  thereof,  as  well  as  complete  and  irrevocable  authority  and  special  power,  that  he,  the 
aforesaid  Ilon''^'^  Mr.  Paauw  may  take  possession  of  the  aforesaid  land,  live  on  it  in  peace,  inhabit, 
own  and  use  it,  also  do  with  it,  trade  it  o£E  or  dispose  of  it,  as  his  Honor,  like  anybody  else,  would 
do  with  his  own  lawfully  obtained  lands  and  dominions,  without  that  they,  the  conveying  party, 
shall  have  or  retain  the  least  pretension,  right,  power  or  authority  either  concerning  ownership  or 
sovereignty,  but  herewith  they  desist,  abandon,  withdraw  and  renounce,  in  behalf  as  aforesaid  now 
and  forever  totally  and  finally,  promising  further  not  only  to  fulfil  in  perpetiitim,  firmly  and  safely, 
inviolably  and  irrevocably,  this  their  conveyance  and  transfer  and  what  may  be  done  by  its  authority, 
but  also  to  deliver  the  said  land  and  to  keep  it  free  from  all  claims,  pretensions,  suits,  challenges 
and  troubles  either  against  the  aforesaid  Wissipoack,  when  he  has  reached  his  majority,  or  against 
other  claimants,  all  under  the  obligations  of  the  laws  referring  hereto,  a  bona  fide  sine  fraude. 
In  testimony  whereof  we  have  affirmed  this  with  our  signature  and  affixed  our  seal  thereunto. 
Done  on  the  Island  of  Manahatas  in  Fort  Amsterdam  the  10"'  of  August  in  the  year  1630. 


Patent  to  the  same  for  the  Tract  of  Land  called  Ahasimus  and  the  Island 
OF  Aressick  (New  Jersey). 

We,  Director  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  etc.  etc.  testify  and  declare  herewith,  that  on 
this  day  personally  appeared  before  us  Ackitoauw  and  Aiarouio,  Virginians,  inhabitants  and 
co-owners  of  the  land  called  Ahasimus  and  the  little  island  A7'essick,  who  for  themselves  and  in 
proportion  for  the  other  proprietors,  Winym,  Matskath,  and  Camoins  declare  in  their  said  capacity 
of  owners,  that  for  a  certain   lot  of  merchandise,  which  they  acknowledge  to  have  received  and 

*  The  Narrows,  called  "Ilamels  Hoofden  "  after  Henrick  Hamol,  one  of  the  Patroous  of  N.  N. 


JS'ew  Yorlc  Historical  Hecoi-ds.  3 

acce]3ted  to  their  satisfaction  before  the  passing  of  this  act,  they  have  sokl,  transferred,  ceded  and 
conveyed  by  a  certain  deed  and  contract  of  sale,  as  they  herewith  transfer,  cede  and  convey  to  and 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Ilon""^  Mr.  MlcMel  Paauw,  in  whoso  absence  we  ex  officio  receive  it  nnder 
the  usual  stipulations  the  aforesaid  tract  Ahasimus  and  Aressich,  called  by  us  the  Whore  Hook, 
stretching  along  the  river  Mauritius  and  the  Island  of  Manahatas  on  the  East  side,  Uobokan  Ilack- 
incjh  on  the  North,  surrounded  by  swamps,  which  serve  as  distinct  boundary  lines  and  that  with 
all  rights,  titles  etc.     Dated  jSTovbr.  22''  1630. 


Deed  feoii  Director  Kieft  to  Abr.  Isaacsen  Planck  (Veeplajstck)  for  Paultts 

Hook  (N.  J.) 

This  day,  date  underwritten,  before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  of  I^ew-Nether- 
land,  appeared  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Prudent  Mr.  Kieft  Director-General  of  New-Netherland 
of  the  one  part  and  Abraham  Isaacsen  Planck  of  the  other  part  and  mutually  agreed  and  con- 
tracted for  the  purchase  of  a  certain  parcel  of  land,  called  Pouwels  Hook,  situate  westward  of  the 
Island  ManJiates  and  eastward  of  AJiasimus,  extending  from  the  North  river  into  the  valley,  which 
runs  around  it  there,  which  land  Mr.  Kieft  has  sold  to  Abraham  Planch,  who  also  acknowledges 
to  have  bought  the  aforesaid  land  for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  guilders,  the  guilder  at 
20  stivers,  which  sum  the  aforesaid  Abraham  Isaacsen  Planck  promises  to  pay  to  the  Hon'''''  Mr. 
Kieft  or  his  order,  in  three  instalments,  the  first  at  the  Fair  A°  1638,  the  second  A"  1639  and  the 
third  and  last  instalment  at  the  Fair  A"  1640 ;  and  in  case  he  remains  in  default  of  payment, 
Jacob  Albertsen  Planck,  Sheriff  in  the  Colony  of  Rensselearswyck,  substitutes  himself  as  bail  and 
principal  for  the  purchaser,  promising  to  pay  the  aforesaid  450  fl.  free  of  costs  and  charges ;  For 
all  of  which  aforesaid  the  purchaser  and  bondsman  pledge  their  persons  and  property,  real  and  per- 
sonal, present  and  future,  without  exception,  submitting  to  the  Provincial  Court  of  Holland  and 
to  all  other  Courts,  Judges  and  Justices  and  in  acknowledgment  and  token  of  the  truth,  these 
presents  are  signed  by  the  parties  respectively. 

Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  N.  the  first  day  of  May  1638. 

Jacob  Planck,  Abeam  Planck. 


Lease  of  the  Company's  Farm  at  Pavonia  (N".  J.)  to   Jan  Eveetsen  Bout. 

This  day  the  20"'  July  1638,  before  me,  Cornelis  van  Tienltoven,  Secretary  of  ISTew-Nether- 
land,  appeared  the  Hon"'*  "Wise  and  Prudent  Mr.  William  Kieft,  Director-General  of  New 
Netherland,  of  the  one  •pa.vi  and  Jan  Evertsen  Pout,  of  the  other  part,  who  amicably  agreed  and 
contracted  for  the  lease  of  the  Bouwery  hitherto  occupied  by  the  abovenamed  Jan  Evertsen, 
situated  at  Pavonia  and  belonging  to  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Priv.  W.  I.  Company 
(Dep'  of  Amsterdam),  in  whose  name  and  behalf  Mr.  Kieft  has  leased  the  abovenamed  Bouwery 
to  Ja7i  Evertsen,  who  also  acknowledges  to  have  hired  it,  on  the  following  conditions  and  terms : 

First :  Jan  Evertsen  shall  have  the  use  of  the  house,  land  and  everything  belonging  thereto 
on  the  Bouwery  for  six  consecutive  years  from  the  date  hereof  and  during  this  time  he  shall  be 
bound  to  keep  in  order  the  buildings  and  appurtenances  of  the  Bouwery  at  his  own  expense,  with- 
out laj'ing  claim  therefor  to  anything  at  the  expiration  of  the  said  six  years. 


4  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  said  Jan  Evertsen  shall  deliver  yearly  during  the  term  of  his  lease  to  the  said  Mr.  Kieft 
or  his  successor  the  fourth  part  of  the  crop,  whether  of  corn  or  of  other  produce,  with  which  God 
shall  favor  the  soil,  also  every  year  two  tuns  of  strong  beer  and  twelve  capons,  free  of  expense. 
For  all  of  which  the  parties  pledge  their  respective  persons  and  property  etc. 
Done  in  Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  day  and  year  above  written. 

Jan  "Eveetsen  Bout. 
Maueits  Jansen,  witness. 


Lease  of  the  Company's  Bouweey  at  IIobooken  to  IIendeick  Coenelissen  van 

VOEST. 

This  day,  date  underwritten,  before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  in  New-Nether- 
land  on  behalf  of  the  Priv.  W.  I.  Company  appeared  the  Honorable  and  Prudent  Mr.  William 
Rieft,  Director-General  in  New-JS^etherland,  of  the  one  part,  and  Hendrick  Cornelissen  van  Vorst* 
of  the  other  part,  who  acknowledged  in  presence  of  the  nmdersigned  witnesses  to  have  mutually 
agreed  and  amicably  contracted  for  the  lease  of  the  Bouwery,  situate  at  IIobooken,  "until  now  occu- 
pied by  the  said  Hendrick  Cornelissen  and  belonging  to  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Priv. 
W.  I.  Companj^  Dep'  of  Amsterdam,  in  whose  name  and  behalf  the  Hon*""  Director  Kieft  leases 
the  said  Bouwery  to  Hendrick  Cornelissen  aforesaid,  who  also  acknowledges  having  hired  the 
same  on  the  following  terms  and  conditions : 

Hendrick  Cornelissen  van  Yorst  shall  for  the  period  of  twenty  consecutive  years  from  the 
date  hereof  use,  cultivate  and  plant  the  said  Bouwery  and  make  further  during  the  years  of  his 
lease  such  disposition  of  the  land  and  the  buildings  thereon  and  everything  ajupertaming  to  it,  as 
a  good  and  faithful  tenant  ought  to  make. 

The  tenant  shall  cause  to  be  erected  on  the  Bouwery  a  barn  and  all  other  necessary  buildings 
at  his  own  expense,  the  Company  delivering  to  him  4000  bricks  to  build  the  chimney.  All  these 
buildings  shall  belong  to  the  Company  at  the  expiration  of  the  lease,  without  the  tenant  having 
any  claim  or  title  to  them. 

It  is  further  exjiressly  agreed,  that  the  lessee  or  any  of  his  descendants  shall  be  preferred  at 
the  end  of  this  lease  to  others,  if  the  said  Bouwery  be  sold  or  again  let. 

The  said  Hendrick  van  Vorst  shall  pay  during  the  years  of  his  lease  to  the  said  Hon'''''  Mr. 
Kieft  or  the  representative  of  the  Company  every  year  the  fourth  part  of  the  crop,  with  which 
God  may  bless  the  land,  either  in  sheaves  upon  the  field  or  as  it  may  be  deemed  most  advantageous, 
and  twelve  capons. 

The  lessee  shall  surrender  the  land  unsown,  as  he  now  receives  it. 

For  all  of  which  the  parties  ])ledge  their  respective  persons  and  property  etc. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  this  12"'  of  March  1639. 

WiLLEM  Kieft 
It  is  further  IIeyndeick    Cornelissen    van   Yorst 

agreed,  that  TJlrich  Leepolt 

the  lease  shall  Maurtts  Jansen  as  witness, 

begin  on  the  1'^' 
of  January  1640. 

*  Cornells  van  Vovst  bad  been  the  manager  of  Michiol  Pauw's  (see  above)  plantations,  initil  they  were  bought  in 
liy  the  Company.     See  De  Vries  Voyages. — Ed. 


New  YorTc  Historical  Records.  5 

Lease  of  land  in  Westchester  County. 

Before  me,  Cornells  van  Ticnliomn,  Secretary  in  New-Netlierland  and  the  undersigned  wit- 
nesses appeared  Sr  Jonas  Bronch,  of  the  one  part  and  Pleter  Andriessen  and  Laurens  Duyts  of 
the  other  part,  who  amicably  agreed  and  contracted  as  follows  : 

First :  SV  Bronck  shall  show  to  the  said  parties  a  certain  piece  of  land,  belonging  to  him, 
situate  on  the  mainland  opposite  to  the  flats  of  the  Manhates  /  on  which  said  piece  of  land  they 
shall  have  permission  to  plant  tobacco  and  maize,  on  the  condition,  that  they  shall  be  obliged  to 
break  new  land  every  two  years  for  the  planting  of  tobacco  and  maize  and  changing  the  place,  the 
land,  upon  which  they  have  planted  to  remain  at  the  disposal  of  said  ST  Bronck.  They  shall 
also  be  bound  to  surrender  the  land,  eveiy  time  they  change,  made  ready  for  planting  corn  and 
ploughing.  They  shall  have  the  use  of  the  said  land  for  three  consecutive  years,  during  which 
time  the  said  St  Bronck  shall  make  no  other  claim  upon  them,  than  for  the  land,  which  Pieter 
Andriessen  and  Laurens  Duyts  by  their  labor  shall  have  cleared,  who  on  their  side  shall  be  obliged 
to  fultill  the  above  conditions.  If  Pieter  Andriessen  and  Laurens  Duyts  demand  within  a  year 
from  said  ST  Bronck  2  horses  and  2  cows  on  the  conditions,  on  which  at  present  the  Company 
gives  them  to  freemen,  the  said  Bronck  shall  deliver  the  animals  to  them,  if  he  can  spare  them. 

Pieter  Andriessen  and  Laurens  Duyts  further  pledge  their  persons  and  property,  movable  and 
immovable,  present  and  future,  nothing  excepted,  for  the  payment  of  what  ST  Bronck  has  advanced 
to  them  for  board  on  the  ship  "  "de  Brant  van  Troge?i"  amounting  to  121  fl  16  st,  of  which  I-'ieter 
Andriessen  is  to  pay  fl  81.4  and  ZffiW7'e?wZ>w2/tefl  40.12.  They  promise  to  pay  the  aforesaid  sums 
by  the  first  ready  means,  either  in  tobacco  or  otherwise  and  in  acknowledgment  and  token  of  truth 
they  have  signed  this  respectively. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  the  21^'  July  1639. 

This  is  the  mark    *  1       of  Laueens  Duyts 

PiETEK  Andriessen. 

MAUErrs  Janse,  witness. 


Indian  Deed  for  a  Tract  of  Land,  called  Keskeskick,  BEnmD  the  Kjl  which 

RUNS    AROUND    MANHATTAN    IsLAND    (YoNKEES.) 

This  day,  date  as  below,  appeared  before  me  Cornells  van  TlenJwven,  Secretary  in  New- 
Wetherland,  Tequemet,  Pechgawac,  Pachamlens^  owners  of  Kekesklck,  who  in  presence  of  the 
undersigned  witnesses  voluntarily  and  deliberately  declare,  that  in  consideration  of  a  certain  lot 
of  merchandise,  which  they  acknowledge  to  have  received  and  accepted  before  the  passing  of  this 
act,  they  have  transferred,  ceded,  conveyed  and  made  over  as  a  true  and  lawful  freehold,  as  they 
herewith  transfer,  cede,  convey  and  make  over  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  General  Incorporated 
West  India  Company  a  piece  of  land,  situate  opposite  to  the  flat  on  the  Island  of  Manhattan, 
called  Keskeskick,  stretching  lengthwise  along  the  Kil,  which  runs  behind  the  Island  of  Manhat- 
tan mostly  East  and  West  and  beginning  at  the  head  of  the  said  Kil  and  running  to  opposite  of 


6  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  Hiver. 

the  high  hill  by  the  flat,  namely  by  the  Great  Kil,  with  all  rights  titles  etc.  etc.     Done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam^   the  S**  of  August  1639. 

(Signed)  Coenelis  van   dee  IIoylen 

David  Pieteesen  de   \i^EiES 
as  witnesses. 
In  my  presence 

CoKNELis  VAN  TiENHovEN,  Secrctaiy. 


EeSOLUTION   to    exact   a   TEIBUIE     EEGJI   TUE    InDIANS    IN    MAIZE,    FUES    OE   WAMPUM. 

September  15""  (1639) 

"Whereas  the  Company  has  to  bear  heavy  expenses  both  for  the  erection  of  fortification  and 
the  maintenance  of  soldiers  and  sailors,  Therefore  we  have  resolved  to  levy  some  contributions 
either  in  peltries,  maize  or  wampum  from  the  Indians  residing  hereabout,  whom  we  have  hitherto 
protected  against  their  enemies  and  if  there  be  any  tribe,  Avho  will  not  willingly  consent  to  con- 
tribute, we  shall  endeavor  to  induce  them  to  do  so  by  the  most  suitable  means. 


Patent   geanted  to   Coenelis  Melyn   foe    Staten-Island,  excepting  as  much 

OF    IT   AS    had    been    GEAIfTED    TO    DaVID    PiETEESEN    DE  VeIES  FOE  A  BOUWEEY. 

"We,   William  Kieft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  JSTew-Xetherland  etc.  etc. 

Make  known,  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted,  as  we  herewith 
concede  and  grant  (under  authority  of  an  edict,  issued  by  the  Ilon*''^  Lords  Directors  on  the  —  day 
of  July  1640)  to  Cornelis  Melyn  the  whole  of  Staten-Islajid,  situate  in  the  Bay  of  tlie  North  river 
of  New-Netlierland,  except  as  much  land  as  is  necessary  for  a  bouwery,  which  had  been  granted 
by  us,  the  Director-General  and  Council  before  the  publication  of  the  abovesaid  edict,  to  David 
Pietersen  de  Yries*  from  Hoorn,  and  of  which  land  David  Pietersen  de  Yries  has  already  taken 
possession ;  with  the  express  condition,  that  he,  Cor7ielis  Melyn,  or  his  successors  shall  acknowl- 
edge the  Hon''"'  Lords-Directors  as  his  supreme  authority  under  the  sovereignty  of  Their  Iligh : 
Might :  the  States-General  and  obey  here  their  Director-General  and  Council,  as  good  inhabitants 
are  bound  to  do ;  provided  that  he,  Melyn,  or  his  successors  submit  to  and  acknowledge  in 
every  respect  all  such  burdens  and  taxes,  as  have  been  already  or  may  hereafter  be  imposed  by  the 
Lords-Directors  according  to  the  Exemptions  of  Neio-Neiherland.  We  constitute  therefore  the 
aforesaid  Cornelis  Melyn  in  the  place  and  power,  that  we  had  before  over  the  land,  giving  him 
actual  and  real  possession  of  it  and  full  power,  authority  and  special  permission  to  enter  upon, 
cultivate,  inhabit  and  use  the  aforesaid  Staten- Island,  as  he  would  do  with  his  other  inherited 
lands  and  effects,  without  reser\nng  or  retaining  for  us  any  claim  or  pretension  thereon.     (No  date.) 

*  David  de  Vries  had  undertaken  to  make  this  settlement  in  company  with  and  at  the  request  of  Frederick  de 
Vrics,  Secretary  of  tlie  City  of  Amsterdam,  and  one  of  the  Directors  of  tlie  W.  I.  Company.  He  began  work  ou 
the  5th  of  January,  1639.     See  De  Vries  Voyages. — Ed. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Hecords.  7 

Lease  of  Land  on  Staten-Island. 

Before  me,  Cornelis  van  Ticnhoven,  Secretary  of  Weui-N'etherland,  appeared  Thomas  Smith, 
who  ill  presence  of  the  undersigned  witnesses  acknowledged  to  liave  hired  from  David  Pietersen 
de  Vnes  a  plantation  and  buildings  on  Staten-Island  for  the  time  of  six  consecutive  years,  to  wit 
from  the  1*'  of  January  1640  to  the  first  of  January  1646,  for  which  Thomas  Smith  is  to  pay  to 
David  Pietersen  or  his  successors  as  rent  150  pounds  of  good,  cured  tobacco  yearly.  If  Mr.  Smith 
or  any  one  in  his  behalf  should  improve  the  buildings  now  on  the  plantation  or  erect  new  ones, 
David  Pietersen  shall  be  held  to  receive  them  at  the  expiration  of  the  said  six  years  at  the  valu- 
ation of  good  and  impartial  men  and  pay  the  said  Smith  for  them  accordingly. 

Done  this  T""  of  January  1640  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 

The  said  Smith  shall  cleai-  as  much  laud  as  is  necessary  for  2000  pallisades. 

Thomas  Smtthe 
Abeam  Planck 


"Witnesses  -,   .  t, 

I  Abraham  Jtage. 

In  my  presence 

Coenelis  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary. 


Council  Minute   setting   foeth  sundry   hostile   acts  of  the  Earitan  Indians 
since  the  peace  of  1634. 
The  le""  of  July  1640. 

Whereas  the  Indians,  li\nng  in  the  Raretangh  have  before  now  shown  themselves  very  hostile, 
even  to  the  shedding  of  our  blood,  notwithstanding  a  treaty  of  peace  was  made  with  them  A" 
1634,  under  which  we  continued  to  trade  with  them  by  sending  a  sloop  there  every  spring  and 
whereas  in  the  spring  of  this  year  1640  they  have  tried  to  capture  our  sloop,  manned  by  only  three 
men,  kiU  the  crew  and  plunder  the  cargo,  which  by  the  gracious  help  of  God  has  happily  been 
prevented,  as  the  crew  was  able  to  drive  the  savages  from  the  sloop  with  the  loss  of  a  canoe  only, 
and  whereas  they  came  then  to  Staten-Island  killing  some  of  the  Company's  pigs  and  plundering 
the  negro's  house, 

Therefore,  desiring  satisfaction  herefor,  we  have  informed  them,  to  come  here  and  indemnify 
ns,  but  they  only  laughed  at  our  demand. 

And  whereas  this  is  a  matter  of  great  importance  as  well  for  the  reputation  of  the  States- 
General  as  for  the  respect  and  interest  of  the  Hon"^  Company  and  the  safety  of  our  own  lives  and 
our  cattle, 

Therefore  it  is  resolved,  to  send  thither  50  soldiers  and  20  sailors  under  the  Secretary  and  the 
Sergeant  with  orders  to  attack  them,  cut  down  their  corn  and  bring  as  many  prisoners,  as  they 
can,  unless  they  will  come  willingly  to  an  agreement  and  make  reparation. 

Done  in  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  July  16'"  1640. 


Ordinance   offering    a    reward   for   the    heads    of    Earitan  Indians  passed 

July  4,  1641. 

(See  Laws  &  Ordinances  of  New  Netherland,  p.  28.) 


8  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Eelease  by  Coenelis  Meltk  of  Joris  Dircksen   from    nis    contract  to   live 
ON  Staten-Island. 

Before  me,  Carnelis  van  Tienlwven,  Secretary  of  New-Netherland  appeared  in  presence  of 
the  undersigned  witnesses,  the  worthy  Cornells  2felyn,  who  declares  to  have  set  free  from  the 
obhgations  of  a  contract  made  in  the  City  of  Amsterdam  Jorls  Dircksen,  annulHng  said  contract 
at  the  same  time  for  the  following  reasons : 

First,  because  a  short  time  before  the  arrival  here  of  the  said  CornelisMelyn  and  Joris  Dirck- 
sen some  farmers  upon  Staten-Island  had  been  killed  by  the  savages,  which  had  frightened  the 
wife  of  Jorls  Dircksen  so  much,  that  she  will  not  live  upon  the  Island  now,  Secondly,  because 
his  wages  are  so  small,  that  he  cannot  afford  to  keep  house  on  Staten-Island  and  on  Manhattan 
Island, 

Under  the  express  condition  and  obligation,  that  neither  Joris  Dircksen  nor  any  member  of 
his  fomily  shall  remove  to  the  jurisdiction  of  a  foreign  nation,  but  he  shall  endeavor  to  earn  his 
living  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Ilon'''^  Company  and  if  he  leaves  here,  he  must  go  directly  to 
the  Fatherland  in  a  ship  of  the  Company,  for  all  which  Jorls  Dircksen  pledges  his  person  and 
property,  movable  and  immovable,  present  and  future,  submitting  to  all  Courts  and  Judges. 

Done  this  IS""  of  August  1640. 

Coenelis  Meltn. 

(A  like  release  was  given  to  another  of  Melyn's  hired  farmers  Francis  Jansen  for  the  same  reason.) 


Council   Minute.     Conditions   undek  wnicn  A  party   of   English   people  mat 

COME    AND    settle    IN     NeW-NeTHEELAND. 

Thursday,  the  6'"  of  June  1641. 

"Whereas  a  good  number  of  respectable  English  people  with  their  preacher  have  petitioned  for 
permission  to  settle  here  and  live  among  us,  asking  that  the  conditions  might  be  communicated  to 
them,  therefore  we  have  resolved  to  send  them  the  following  terms  : 

First  they  will  be  obliged  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  their  Iligh  Might :  the  States  and 
to  the  W.  I.  Company,  under  whose  protection  they  are  to  live  here. 

2.  They  shall  have  free  exercise  of  their  religion. 

3.  As  to  their  political  government,  if  they  desire  a  Magistrate,  they  may  nominate  three  or 
more  of  their  ablest  men,  from  whose  number  the  Governor  of  Neio-Netherland  will  select  him, 
who  is  to  be  their  Magistrate,  having  final  jurisdiction  in  all  civil  cases  up  to  forty  guilders,  cases 
for  higher  amounts  may  be  appealed  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  and  criminal 
jurisdiction  up  to  (i.  e.  not  including)  capital  punishment. 

4.  Tliey  shall  not  build  fortifications  without  permission. 

5.  The  land  shall  be  allotted  to  tliem  as  their  property  without  expense,  they  shall  use  it  for 
ten  years  without  paying  taxes  and  at  the  end  of  these  ten  years  they  shall  pay  the  tenth. 

6.  They  shall  have  free  fishing  and  hunting  and  be  allowed  to  trade  subject  to  the  privileges 
of  New-Netlierland. 

7.  They  will  be  obliged  to  use  the  mcasui-es  and  weights  of  the  coimtry. 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Records. 


9 


Resolution  to  consteuct  a  Redoubt  on  Staten-Island. 
Thursday,  the  IS""  September  16^1. 

Wtereas  a  sliort  time  ago  some  of  our  people  on  Stateri-IsJ and  have  heen  murdered  by  the 
savages. 

Therefore,  to  prevent  further  mishaps  and  to  protect  the  people  still  living  there,  we  have 
judged  it  very  advisable  and  proper  to  erect  upon  the  said  Island  a  smaU  redoubt  at  as  small  an 
expense  as  possible. 

Declaration  of  Willia^i  Feedeeicksen  and  others  of  what  occureed  at 
Aemeperal  during  the   Indian  wae. 

Before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  in  JSl ew-J^etherland  for  the  "W".  I.  Company, 
appeared  at  the  request  of  ToJAas  Teunissen,  the  undernamed,  who  declared  and  attested  in  place 
and  under  promise  of  an  oath  if  needs  be,  that  what  follows  is  true : 

William  Fredericksen,  22  years  old,  Jan  Backer  . .  years  old,  Gerritt  Jansen,  23  years  old 
and  Hendrick  Jansen  Caiffanger,  . .  years  old,  declared  that  when  they  came  with  the  company 
of  soldiers  to  the  Kil  called  Armepperahin,  they  marched  across  with  the  advance  guard,  but  that 
the  Ensign  halted  with  his  men  fully  an  hour  and  a  half,  notwithstanding  that  they  called  out 
often  enough,  March  on  !  'Tis  time  !  They  marched  on  after  the  Ensign  and  his  men  had  crossed 
the  Kil  and  coming  to  a  certain  thicket,  Tobias  Teimissen  said  to  the  Ensign  and  all  the  other 
soldiers :  "  Men,  remain  here,  I  shall  go  up  to  the  huts  and  return  to  you ;  if  not,  go  towards  the 
strand,  I  shall  give  you  a  signal ;  then  you  can  come  up." 

All  of  which  the  deponents  declare  to  be  thus  in  fact  &c. 

Done  the  T^  April  1642. 


The  mark 


t 


of  WiLLEii  Frederick.      The  mark 


4- 


of  IIendeic  Caeffangee 


Jan  Backer 
The  mark    .A^    of  GEERrr  Jansen 


To  my  knowledge 

C .  VAN  Tienhoven,  Seers'. 


CouET  Proceedings.  Coenelis  Meltn  against  Johannes  Winkelman,  agent 
of  Baron  Nedeehoest,  about  certain  eights  on  Staten-Island,  June  26, 1642. 
Cornells  Melyn-^\S..  ag'  Johannes  'Winkelman  deft.  The  pLff.  demands  by  virtue  of  a  contract 
made  with  the  Lord  of  Nederhorst*  at  Amsterdam,  that  del',  show  his  authority  for  coming  last 
winter  to  him  on  Staten-Island  with  his  people  and  cattle,  stating  that  he  came  to  fulfill  the  con- 
tract, a  copy  of  which  he  had  received ;  and  why  he  left  again  and  established  an  other  colony 
behind  the  Col,  without  asking  advice  as  bound  to  do  by  the  contract. 

The  deft,  answers,  that  he  had  come  to  this  countiy  by  order  and  on  behalf  of  Meyndert 
Meyndertsen,  whose  servant  he  is  and  for  whom  he  has  established  a  colony  behind  the  Col  as 
directed  and  by  virtue  of  the  patent  granted  to  his  master  by  the  Lords-Directors  and  exhibited  to 
the  Hon''"'  Director  here. 

The  parties  are  deferred,  until  further  information  has  been  received  as  to  by  whose  orders 
the  defendant  has  come. 

*  Gerard  van  Reede,  Lord  of  Nederhorst,  etc.     See  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  IT,  p.  516.— Ed. 
2 


10  ■  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Council  Mlnute.     Permission  given  to   Me.  Theockmoeten  and  his  associates 
to  settle  within  3  leagues  feom  the  manhattans. 
The  2''  October  1642. 

AVhereas  Mr.  Throehnorten*  with  liis  associates  desires  to  settle  under  the  jurisdiction  of  their 
High :  Might :  the  States  with  35  families  and  to  live  in  peace,  provided  they  bo  allowed  to  enjoy 
the  same  privileges  as  other  subjects  and  to  freely  exercise  their  religion, 

Therefore  after  having  read  the  said  Mr.  Throekmorten'' s  petition  and  considered  the  desires 
of  the  Hon"'  Coinpany  wc  have  seen,  that  the  granting  of  the  said  request  does  not  tend  to  the 
disadvantage  of  this  country,  especially  as  the  English  are  to  establish  themselves  about  3  leagues 
from  us. 


Resolution  to  assist  aeeivikg  settlees. 

The  30'"  of  October  1642. 

In  Council  among  other  matters  the  proposition  of  the  Fiscal  and  its  consequences  were  con- 
sidered and  it  has  been  resolved,  that  it  is  necessary,  to  assist  people  coming  over,  for  otherwise 
the  country  would  come  to  nought  and  the  people  would  remain  in  a  pitiable  state.  "We  trust 
that  the  Lords-Directors  will  be  well  pleased  with  this  resolve,  considering  that  the  welfare  of  the 
country  depends  on  it  and  the  Hon"''  Company  shall  sufEer  no  loss,  except  that  the  advanced 
moneys  will  beai-  no  interest  for  a  short  time. 


Resolution    and    oeder   to   attack  the   Indians   behind  Coelaer's  Hook  and 

Pavonia  (N.  J.) 

Whereas  the  good  inhabitants  here  have  been  obliged  to  reside  hitherto  on  their  property 
■with  great  fear  and  cultivate  their  land  with  anxiety  through  dread  of  the  savages,  who  now  and 
then  have  murdered  some  of  our  people  in  a  cowardly  manner,  without  cause  and  whereas  we  can- 
not with  kindness,  obtain  any  satisfaction  for  the  bloodshed,  therefore  it  is  resolved,  to  take  up  the 
arms  and  defend  our  just  cause,  that  we  may  live  here  in  peace,  trusting  that  God  will  bless  our 
resolution,  especially  as  the  community  itself  on  the  22'^  of  February  1643  demanded  to  have  the 
same  done. 

Therefore  we  hereby  authorize  and  empower  Maryn  Adriaensen  at  his  request  to  make  with 
his  men  an  expedition  against  the  ])arty  of  savages  encamped  behind  Curler's  Hook**  or  plantation 
and  to  act  towards  them,  as  they  shall  deem  proper  according  to  the  circumstances.  Done  the 
25""  of  February  1643. 

Sergeant  Rodolff  is  hereby  commanded  and  authorized  to  conduct  and  order  this  troop  of 
soldiers  over  to  Pavonia,  there  to  destroy  all  the  Indians  encamped  behind  Jan  Euertwns,  but  to 
spare  the  women  and  children  as  much  as  possible,  endeavoring  to  capture  the  same.     He  will 

*  John  Tbrockmorton,  who  hiid  left  JIassachusetts  with  Eoger  "Williams  and  35  others  on  account  of  religious 
persecutions.      Throgg's  Neck  derives  its  name  from  him. — Ed. 
♦*  On  Manhattan  Island. — Ed. 


New   YorTc  Historical  Records.  11 

there  be  alile  to  judge  of  the  situation,  how  he  can  attack  them.  Hans  Steen  goes  with  hira  for 
this  purpose,  as  he  knows  wliere  the  camp  of  the  savages  is  and  lie  shall  consult  with  the  said  Hans 
Steen  and  all  the  cadets.  The  expedition  must  be  made  during  this  night  and  caution  is  neces- 
sary.    May  God  grant  you  further  success.     The  25""  February  1G43. 


Council  Minxtte  SEirmo  forth  the  necessftt  of  the  Resolution,  to  enlist  a 
NUMBER  of  Planters  "in  order  to  put  a  bit  into  the  mouth  of  the 
Heathens." 

The  27""  of  February. 

Whereas  the  mischieviousness  of  the  Heathens  living  here  around  us  has  reached  such  a 
degree  since  2  or  3  years,  notwithstanding  all  the  friendship  and  kindness  shown  them  continually, 
even  more  than  could  be  done  to  Christians,  taking  them  under  our  protection,  when  pursued  by 
their  enemies  and  whereas  their  malice  has  steadily  increased,  so  that  after  wantonly  killing  many 
goats,  hogs,  cows  and  horses  they  have  shed  Christian  blood  and  murdered  at  different  tunes  seven 
innocent  men,  always  pretending  friendship  towards  us,  in  consequence  of  which  none  of  our  good 
inhabitants  here  in  the  country  can  live  in  his  house  with  any  safety,  much  less  work  in  his  field, 
and  whereas  we  have  made  endeavors,  to  have  the  murderers  delivered  to  us,  which  was  only 
knocking  at  a  deaf  man's  door,  while  their  insolence  increased. 

Therefore  it  had  been  unanimously  resolved,  to  send  last  year  a  detachment  of  soldiers  and 
free  men  against  these  savages,  to  see  whether  by  such  means  satisfaction  for  the  blood  could  be  ob- 
tained. They  missed  the  savages  on  account  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  nevertheless  they  were 
frightened  by  it  and  asked  for  peace  on  condition  of  delivering  the  murderer  of  Class  Rademaker 
to  us.  This  was  agreed  to,  but  nothing  followed,  on  the  contrary  they  continued  in  their  wicked- 
ness, shooting  down  in  the  Colony  behind  the  Col  one  Gerrit  van  Vorst,  who  was  sitting  upon  his 
house  roofing  it  and  killing  an  Englishman,  who  was  in  their  village,  but  they  did  not  surrender 
or  punish  the  murderer  in  any  way.  They  even  imagined,  we  had  come  here  to  be  their  slaves. 
Finally  they  have  come  in  troops  of  50  to  100  within  half  a  league  from  the  Fort  here  and  oppo- 
site to  Pavonla,  there  being  every  reason  to  suspect  them  of  intending  a  general  massacre,  as  they 
had  indeed  boasted  and  as  it  formerly  did  occur  in  Virginia  and  elsewhere.  God  would  not  suffer 
such  wickedness  to  go  on  for  any  length  of  time,  he  has  awakened  the  community  to  justice  and 
the  revenge  of  Christian  blood.  With  this  resolve  some  deputies  in  the  name  of  all  have  submit- 
ted a  request,  to  be  allowed  to  carry  out  the  revenge,  as  God  had  evidently  given  them  into  our 
hands.  And  although  fearing  to  bring  trouble  over  the  land,  we  set  before  them  the  difficult 
situation,  especially  of  the  houses  far  out  in  the  country  and  inhabited  by  only  few  people,  which 
it  would  be  necessary  to  abandon,  as  we  have  no  forces  to  garrison  them  all  with  soldiers,  and  other 
weighty  reasons,  they  nevertheless  made  their  request  so  urgently,  saying  "  If  we  would  not  con- 
sent, the  blood  would  be  on  our  heads,"  that  we  were  compelled  to  give  our  consent  and  to  assist 
them  with  our  soldiers,  who  on  the  one  side  have  killed  a  good  number,  as  the  freemen  on  the 
other.  A  party  of  savages,  who  escaped,  have  now  made  attacks  upon  our  houses  on  all  sides, 
burned  four  of  them  with  the  ^cattle  and  killed  about  ten  Christians,  having  further  designs  upon 
the  remainder,  which  we  have  promptly  provided  with  our  soldiers  and  sailors.  This  has  partly 
checked  them  and  prevented  many  difficulties.  But  not  having  enough  soldiers  to  garrison  all 
houses  and  considering  the  great  danger,  which  threatens  the  country,  it  has  been  resolved  to  en- 


12  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

ga^e  for  one  or  two  months  as  many  planters,  as  there  are  on  hand  here  to  save  their  land  or  put 
a  bit  into  the  mouth  of  tlie  Heathens,  so  that  we  may  live  in  peace,  especially  as  the  planters  all 
desire  to  remove  to  the  North  not  seeing  any  chance  to  plant  here.  "We  have  no  doubt,  that  in 
the  meantime  God's  mercy  shall  help  us  to  a  peace,  according  to  our  wishes.  Our  population  being 
scattered  here  10  leagues  East  and  West  and  7  leagues  North  and  South,  it  was  impossible  to  pro- 
tect all  these  places,  mostly  in  the  forest,  without  having  more  soldiers  than  we  have  hitherto  had. 


Declaeation  of  Eobeet  Pennoyek    conceentng  ait   attempt    on   the   life   of 
Die.  Kieft  made  by  Maeyn  Adeiaensen. 

Before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  of  Wew-Netlierland,  appeared  Robert  Pertr 
noyer,  25  years  old,  who,  at  the  request  of  Cornells  van  der  Uoghins,  Fiscal,  certified,  testified  and 
declared,  as  he  hereby  does,  in  place  and  with  promise  of  a  solemn  oath  if  necessary  and  thereto 
requested,  that  it  is  true,  that  on  the  21''  of  March,  being  Saturday,  he  heard  Lishet  Tysen  say  in 
the  tavern,  (after  having  asked  her  twice,  what  ailed  her) :  "  Robert,  my  husband  will  kill  the 
Commander,  go  and  catch  him."  Thereupon  he,  the  deponent,  immediately  set  out;  finding 
Maryn  Adriaensen  in  the  Director's  chamber,  a  loaded  and  cocked  pistol  in  his  hand,  he,  the  de- 
ponent, tore  Maryn  Adriaensen'' s  sword  from  his  side  and  threw  it  on  the  Director's  bed.  All  of 
which  he,  the  deponent,  declares  to  be  true  and  truthful,  stating  that  this  is  deposed  by  him  to 
bear  testimony  of  the  truth,  to  no  person's  injury  or  prejudice,  as  everyone  is  bound  to  do,  when 
requested. 

•     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  22''  March  A°  1613  in  New-Netherl.and. 
The  deponent  has  this 
day  confirmed  it  under  The  mark  +i  of  Robeet  Pennoyee. 

oath. 

To  my  knowledge 

CoENELis  VAN  TiENHOvEN,  Secretary. 


PaETICULAES     of     TWO     ATTEMPTS     MADE     ON     THE    LIFE    OF    DiRECTOE    KlEFT    BY    THE 
LEADERS    OF    THE    EXPEDITION    AOAINST    THE    INDIANS. 

Mai^jn  Adriansen^*  a  resident  of  this  place  and  formerly  one  of  the  freebooters  and  sailors 
of  Compaan  having  at  different  times  behaved  very  insolently,  as  in  endeavoring  to  force  his 
way  on  board  of  the  Company's  ship,  when  ships  arrive,  accosting  the  Director  three  times  with 
an  imbearable  arrogance  and  abusing  his  good  will  and  affection  for  the  community,  it  has  at  last 
reached  such  a  degree,  that  the  said  3{aryn  in  the  afternoon  of  the  21''  March  1613  came  under 
the  pretext,  that  some  of  the  people  had  called  him  "  murderer  "  and  had  reproached  him  for  Ijeing 
the  cause  of  the  damages,  now  committed  l)y  the  Indians  in  the  country,  because  he  M'ith  some  others 
had  signed  the  request  for.pcrmission  to  have  the  Cliristian  blood  revenged,  shed  by  the  Indians 
so  cowardly  and  of  which  his  Honor  now  disavowed  the  responsibility  and  shifted  all  on  the 
BignerH  of  the  request,  which  was  not  true  however.     Leaving  his  house  in  a  rage  with  a  sword  and 

*  Van  tie  Veere,  first  settled  at  Rensselacrswyck  iri  1C31. — Ed. 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Itecords.  1 3 

a  loaded  and  cocked  pistol  lie  came  to  the  house  of  the  Director,  and  went  to  his  bedroom.  Point- 
ing his  pistol  at  the  Director,  to  shoot  him  he  said  "  What  devilish  lies  have  you  been  telling  of 
me?  "  Mons'  LaMontmjne  being  at  the  time  with  the  Director,  caught  the  pan  with  such  quick- 
ness, that  the  cock  snapped  on  his  finger  preventing  thus  through  God's  mercy,  this  atrocious  design. 
Meanwhile  the  Fiscal  and  several  others  had  come  into  the  chamber,  who  disarmed  Maryn  and 
took  him  to  prison.  About  an  hour  later  Jacob  Stangh,  a  servant  of  Maryn,  and  Jan  Tlarmansen 
from  Lemmet,  each  armed  with  a  musket  and  a  pistol,  came,  to  the  Fort,  where  the  Director  was 
walking  up  and  down.  He  was  informed  of  their  coming  and  retreated  to  his  house,  which  he 
barely  had  entered,  when  Jacob  Stangh  fired  at  him,  so  that  two  bullets  passed  through  the  door 
into  the  wall.  The  sentry  before  the  door  immediately  fired  at  Jacob  Stangh  and  killed  him,  God 
having  in  his  mercy  saved  a  second  time  within  an  hour  and  a  half  the  Director  and  tlie  community 
fi-om  a  dreadful  murder.  Shortly  after  this  fearful  event  about  25  persons,  residents  of  the  Maiv- 
Jiattans,  among  them  some  of  Ifaryri's  accomplices,  appeared  at  the  door  of  the  Director ;  advised 
to  delegate  a  few  of  their  number,  to  present  their  petition,  they  sent  four  men  to  the  Director 
to  ask  pardon  for  the  criminal,  to  which  the  answer  was  given,  that  the  Director  would  be 
satisfied,  to  leave  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  the  community,  who  should  decide  according 
to  their  conscience ;  they  might  choose  some  men  for  this  purjjose  (as  may  be  seen  by  their 
petition,  marked  No.  — ).  But  instead  of  communicating  with  the  community,  numbering  more 
than  500  men,  they  showed  it  only  to  the  25  or  30  men,  who  immediately  demanded  the  freedom 
of  the  prisoner.  This  having  been  refused  for  good  reasons,  they  elected  eight  men,  of  whom  one 
had  been  convicted  of  a  crime,  who  without  having  been  presented  to  the  Council  for  confirma- 
tion, promptly  pronounced  sentence,  that  the  criminal  should  pay  500  fl  and  be  set  free  on  con- 
dition of  remaining  away  from  the  Manhattans  for  three  months.  "When  they  submitted  this 
sentence  to  lis,  we  represented  to  them,  that  it  was  impossible  that  they  had  judged  with  a  clear 
conscience,  according  to  our  answer,  as  they  had  acted  without  having  heard  the  complaint  of  the 
assaidted  party,  the  motion  of  the  Fiscal,  the  confession  of  the  criminal,  the  depositions  of  witnesses 
and  other  matters  necessary  in  such  proceedings ;  that  this  case  was  of  too  great  importance  to  be 
figured  out  on  the  fingers  (as  the  saying  is).  We  admonished  them  to  consider  the  matter  more 
deliberately  and  we  would  furnish  them  all  the  evidence.  Instead  however  of  correcting  their 
hasty  action,  they  were  satisfied  with  arguing  some  points  in  the  Director's  complaint,  which  were 
explicit  enough  to  be  understood,  and  traversing  the  motion  of  the  Fiscal,  written  by  himself  with 
other  disputes,  as  may  be  seen  under  No.  — .  We  were  at  last  compelled  for  tlie  sake  of  maintain- 
ing the  respect  due  to  Justice,  as  being  the  foundation  of  a  republic,  to  take  the  case  in  our  own 
hands  and  to  reinforce  the  Council,  numbering  only  two  members  in  criminal  cases,  by  some  promi- 
nent men  from  the  community,  as  we  have  always  done  in  important  cases.  But  we  could  find 
nobody  willing  to  assist  us  and  in  order  to  avoid  the  charge  of  being  moved  by  passion,  having 
through  God's  mercy  sufficient  power  to  cany  out  a  just  sentence,  we  were  compelled  to  send  the 
criminal  with  all  the  papers  to  Holland,  to  await  there  his  trial,  I  mean  sentence,  as  the  Courts  may 
decide.     Done  in  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  28"'  of  March  A"  1643. 

(See  N.  Y.  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  I,  pp.  194,  et  scq.> 


14  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  HndHon  Hiver. 

Peace  made  between  the  Ddtch  and  the  Indians  on  the  lower  Hudson. 

The  22"  of  April  1G43. 

Between  William  Kieft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  Neio-Netherland  of  the  one  side, 
and  Oratamin,  Sachem  of  the  savages  living  at  Achkinkes  hacky*  who  declared  himself  commis- 
sioned  by  the  savages  of  Tappaen,  Bechgawawanc,  Kichtawanc\  and  Sintsinck,  of  the  other  side 
a  firm  peace  was  concluded  to-day  in  the  following  terms : 

All  injuries  done  by  the  aforesaid  tribes  to  the  Dutch  or  by  the  Dutch  to  them  shall  hence- 
forth be  forever  forgotten  and  forgiven. 

They  promise  mutually  not  to  molest  each  other  any  more  in  the  future,  but  if  the  Indians 
learn,  that  any  tribe  not  mentioned  now,  had  evil  intentions  upon  the  Christians,  they  will  faith- 
full}'  forewarn  them  and  not  admit  such  within  their  limits. 

For  the  confirmation  and  ratification  of  this  treaty  presents  were  mutually  given. 

We  pray  God,  that  this  peace  may  be  kept  unbroken  by  the  savages. 


Declaration  respeotino  the  circumstances,  ufrDER  which  Dirck  Straatemaker 

AND    HIS    WIFE    WERE    KILLED    BT    THE     InDIAI^S    AT    PaVONIA. 

"We,  the  undersigned   Sergeant,  Cadet  and   soldiers,  declare   and  testify  at  the  request  of  the 

Fiscal  Coriielis  van  Hoykens,  that  on  the of  February  ]  643  (in  the  morning  after  having 

attacked  according  to  orders  a  party  of  savages  behind  Egbert  Woutersen''s)  DircJc  Straatemaker, 
his  wife  and  some  Englishmen  came  to  the  place,  where  the  dead  were  lying,  to  steal  corn  or  some- 
thing else.  We  declare  with  promise  to  confirm  our  statement  by  a  solemn  oath,  that  we  have 
warned  the  said  Straatemaker  and  his  wife  and  said  to  tliem  "  Go  to  j'our  house,"  whereupon  the 
said  Dirck  answered  "  We  are  not  in  danger ;  even  if  there  were  one  hundred  savages,  they  would 
do  me  no  harm."  The  witnesses  then  moved  awa}',  going  according  to  their  instructions  to  EgherHs 
house.  Arrived  there  they  heard  cries  and  the  Sergeant  ordered  some  soldiers  to  go  there,  who 
found  the  said  Dirck  wounded  (he  finally  died  of  his  wounds)  and  his  wife  dead.  They  rescued 
the  Englishmen,  who  had  only  one  gun  among  them. 

Thomas  WillettX  declares,  that  the  said  Dirck  was  asked  "  Why  did  you  not  come  with  us 
when  we  warned  you  "  and  that  he  answered  "  I  miglit  have  escaped,  but  I  would  not  leave  my 
poor  wife." 

All  of  which  the  witnesses  declare  to  be  true.  Done  the  IS""  of  May  1643  in  Kew-Nethcr- 
land. 

This  is  the  mark    ^P    of 


^ 


Tuo.  WiLLETT  JuRiAEN  EoDOLFF,  Sergeant. 

Pierre  Pia 
Cadet. 

*  Haokensack,  N.  J.        t  Sleepy  Hollow.  \  See  Vol.  XII,  p.  94  n.  — 


jSfew  Yorh  Historical  Jiecords.  15 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Arent   van    Corlaer  (Curler),  Director   of   the 
Colony  of  Rensselaeeswyck,  to  the  Patroon  in  Holland,  June  16"'  1643. 

(From  the  Van  Rensselaer  Papers.) 
****** 
I  have  been  in  the  Maquas  country  last  year  with  Lcibatie*  and  Jacob  Jansen  of  Am-sterdain, 
■where  three  Frenchmen  are  kept  as  prisoners  ;  among  them  a  Jesuit,!  ^  "^ery  learned  man,  whom 
they  had  treated  very  badly  by  cutting  off  his  fingers  and  thumbs.  I  brought  presents  there  and 
asked,  that  we  should  live  as  good  neighbors  and  that  they  should  do  no  harm  to  either  the  colon- 
ists or  their  cattle,  to  all  of  which  the  savages  of  all  the  three  castles  gratefully  agreed.  We  were 
entertained  there  very  well  and  very  kindly.  We  had  to  wait  before  each  castle  for  about  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  that  the  savages  could  make  ready  and  receive  us  with  many  salute-shots  from 
their  muskets.  They  were  extremely  glad,  that  I  had  come  there.  Some  men  were  immediately 
ordered  to  go  out  hunting  and  they  brought  home  very  fine  turkeys.  After  thoroughly  examin- 
ing their  castle,  I  called  together  all  the  chiefs  of  the  three  castles  and  advised  them  to  release  the 
French  prisoners,  but  without  success,  for  they  refused  it  in  a  fine  speech,  saying  "  We  shall  show 
you  every  kindness  in  our  power,  but  on  this  subject  you  must  be  silent.  Besides  you  know  well, 
how  they  treat  our  people,  when  they  fall  into  their  hands."  Had  we  reached  there  tliree  or  four 
days  later,  they  would  have  been  burnt.  I  offered  them  as  ransom  for  the  Frenchmen  about 
600  fl  in  goods,  to  which  all  the  Colony  was  to  contribute,  but  they  would  not  accept  them.  We 
induced  them  however  to  promise  not  to  kill  them,  but  to  carry  them  back  to  their  country.  The 
Frenchmen  ran  screaming  after  us  and  besought  us  to  do  all  in  our  power  for  their  delivery  from 
the  barbarians.  But  there  was  no  chance  for  it.  On  my  return,  they  gave  me  an  escort  of  10  or 
12  armed  men,  who  conducted  us  home.  Within  half  a  day's  journey  from  the  Colony  lies  the 
most  beautiful  land  on  the  Mohawk  river,  that  eye  ever  saw ;  full  a  day's  journey  long  and  mostly 
contiguous  the  one  to  the  other.  But  it  is  impossible  to  reach  there  in  a  boat  on  account  of  the 
strong  current  and  at  the  same  time  because  of  its  shallowness ;  but  I  think  it  could  be  reached  by 
wagons.  Two  of  these  Frenchmen,  of  whom  the  Jesuit  was  one,  were  at  my  house  last  May. 
They  expressed  their  hope  that  means  could  be  found  to  procure  their  release.  As  soon  as  the 
Indians  return  from  hunting,  I  shall  endeavor  to  obtain  their  freedom. 


Patent  to  John  Throckmorton  for  Land  at  Vreland  (Throgmoeton's  Neck, 
Westchester  Co.) 

We,  William  Kieft,  Director  General  and  the  Council  of  New-Neiherland  etc  etc, 

Testify  and  declare  herewith,  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 

Jan  Trockmorton  a  parcel  of  land,  (which  is  a  part  of  Yreland)  stretching  along  the  East  river  of 

New-N etherland  for  one  half  of  a  league  beginning  at  the  Point  and   bounded  on  one  side  by  a 

small  river  and  on  the  other  by  a  great  Kil,  which  river  and  kil  run  together  at  high-water  sur- 

*  Jean  Labadie  (Labbadie,  Lebatie),  carpenter,  a  native  of  France,  whence  he  emigrated  to  N.  N.  previous  to 
1634,  was  subsequently  Commissary  under  the  Patroon  and  still  later  under  the  Company  at  Fort  Orange.  He 
acted  on  many  occasions  as  Indian  interpreter. — Ed. 

t  See  Appendix  A. 


16  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

rounding  the  aforesaid  parcel  of  land,  as  is  shown  by  the  map  thereof,  made  and  deposited  by  the 
surveyor,  under  tlie  express  condition  and  stipulation,  that  he,  Jan  Troclcmorton  or  his  successors, 
shall  acknowledge  as  his  Masters  and  Patroons  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Privileged  West- 
India  Company  under  the  sovereignty  of  Their  High :  Might :  the  States-General  and  obey  tlieir 
Dh-ector  and  Council,  as  is  the  duty  of  a  good  inhabitant,  provided  also,  that  the  said  Jan  Trock- 
morton  and  his  company  submit  to  all  burdens  and  taxes,  which  have  been  or  may  hereafter  be 
imposed  by  the  Lords-Directors.  It  is  further  expressly  stipulated,  that  the  said  Jan  Trochinorton 
shall  according  to  his  promise  settle  as  many  families  upon  the  said  land  as  may  conveniently  be 
done,  And  we  constitute  the  said  Jan  Ti-ocJcmorton  and  his  company  etc  etc. 
Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  July  6,  1643. 


COTTNCIL    MiNTTTE.      REQUEST   OF   THE    ElGHT    MeN,  THAT    JA2J   DAirEN   BE    EXPELLED 

from    theik    boaed.     resolution    to    eenew    the    war   against  the  hostile 
Indians,  those  of  Long-Island  excepted. 

The  15'"  of  September  1643. 

Before  the  Council  came  Jochim  Piter  sen*  Barent  Dirchsen,  Abraham  Pitersen,  Isaac  Aller- 
ton,\  Thcmias  Hale,\  Gerrit  Woljyhertsen^  and  Cornelis  Melyn,  chosen  by  the  community,  who 
requested  that  Jan  Dam,en,  who  had  been  elected  with  them  by  the  inhabitants,  should  remain 
away  from  their  meetings,  because  Jan  Damen  had  signed  a  certain  request  in  the  name  of  the 
community.! 

Jan  Damen  protests  against  the  aforesaid  persons. 

In  Council,  the  aforesaid  seven  persons  each  casting  his  vote,  it  is  resolved,  to  commence  war 
against  the  savages,  who  are  hostile  to  us,  either  by  force  or  by  stratagem,  leaving  the  Long-Island 
savages  in  peace,  as  long  as  thej^  commit  no  acts  of  hostility. 

It  was  also  resolved,  if  any  of  the  Long-Island  savages  could  be  persuaded,  to  secure  the  heads 
of  the  murderers,  to  employ  them  for  that  work. 

The  Select  Men  consent,  that  as  many  men  should  be  engaged  from  among  the  free  people 
as  possible. 

These  men  are  to  report  every  Saturday  afternoon,  to  consult  on  necessary  measures ;  if  five 
are  present,  their  resolutions  or  enactments  shall  be  valid. 


DeCLAEATION   of    some   soldiers    RESPECTING   THE   ATTACK  ON   THE  CoLONT    "  BEHIND 

THE  Col  "  (Newark  Bat)  by  the  Indians. 

Before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  in  New-Netherland  for  the  Priv.  W.  I.  Com- 
pany, appeared  Jan  Warrensen,  20  years  old,  and  Hans  Nelisen,  30  years  old,  both  soldiers  in  the 
service  of  the  said  Company,  who  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Johannes  Winhelman  and  Cornelis  Jansen 
Coeleni  attest,  testify  and  declare  in  place  and  with  promise  of  a  solemn  oath  if  needs  be  and  thereto 
requested,  that  it  is  true  and  truthful,  that  they,  the  affiants,  were  commanded  by  the  Hon"'"  Di- 

*Kuyter.         t  See  Col.  Eist.  Vol.  XII,  p.  160.         J  Hall,  see  Vol.  I,  p.  431.         §  Van  Couwenhoven. 
II  Sec  N.  Y.  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  I,  p.  103.  IT  The  present  family  name  is  Cool.— Ed. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  1 7 

rector  William  Kieft  to  defend  the  Colony  "  behind  the  Ciy?,"  their  strength  being  five  soldiers  ; 
that  a  very  fierce  attack  was  made  on  the  house  by  the  savages  in  the  night  between  the  l?""  and 
IS"'  of  September.  We,  the  aiSants,  numbering  five  soldiers,  five  boys  and  a  man  belonging  in 
the  Colony  defended  ourselves,  until  the  savages  had  fired  the  house,  in  which  we  were  obliged  to 
defend  ourselves,  over  our  heads,  then  we  had  to  leave  the  house  on  account  of  the  heat  and  we 
barely  succeeded  in  saving  om-selves  in  a  canoe,  bringing  with  us  of  all  the  property  there  only 
our  arms.  All  of  which  they  declare  to  be  true,  offering  to  confirm  it  by  their  oath. 
Done  the  30""  October  1643  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland. 


9 


This  is  the  mark   ^J   of  Jan  "Waeeensen. 
Hajss  Nielissen. 


In  my  presence 

COENELIS   VAN    TiENHOVEN,   Sccr''. 


Eepoet  OF  Peter  Cock  and  Roeloff  Jansen  Haes,  that  the  Colony  on  the 
Col  has  been  destkoted  bt  the  Indians,  who  still  are  swarming  around 
there  and  burn  everything  and  slay   everybody. 

Before  me,  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  of  Wew-Netherland,  appeared  Pieter  Cock, 
30  years  old  and  Itoeloff  Jansen,  20  years  old,  well  known  to  me,  the  Secretary,  who  at  the  request 
of  Cornells  Jansen  Coelen  declare  and  testify,  promising  to  confirm  their  attestation  by  a  solemn 
oath,  if  so  required,  that  after  the  Colony  behind  the  Col  had  been  burnt  by  the  savages,  it  was 
impossible  to  go  there  by  land  or  by  water  to  examine  the  place  and  its  condition,  because  of 
the  great  number  of  savages,  who  burn  and  slay  whatever  they  can  lay  hold  of  in  the  woods,  on 
the  Kil  or  elsewhere.     This  the  deponents  declare  to  be  correct  and  true  etc. 

Done  the  Z^  of  November  1643  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 

This  r"^   Y  is  the  mark  of  Pieter  Kock. 

Roeloff  Jansen  Haes. 
In  my  presence 

Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  Secr^. 


Council  Mintjte.     Aeeival  of   Eiyer-Indians  at  Stamford,  to   sue  for  peace 
WITH  the  Dutch. 

"Whereas  Mamarramack,  Wapgaurin,  chiefs  of  KichtawancTc,  Mongochkonnome,  Pajypena- 
haroio  of  Wiquaeskeck"^  and  Nochjpeem,  together  with  the  Wajypinck\  have  come  to  Stamford  ask- 
ing Capt.  Onderhil  to  apply  to  the  Governor  of  New-Netherland  for  peace  and  have  promised 
now  and  forever  not  to  do  any  harm  to  either  people,  cattle,  houses  or  anything  else  within  the 
territory  of  Nexo-N eiherland,  also  that  they  will  not  come  upon  Manhatans  Island,  as  long  as 
we  Dutch  are  at  war  with  others  heathens,  unless  in  one  canoe  as  far  as  Fort  Amsterdam,  and 
whereas  they  likewise  promise  to  do  their  best  in  looking  up  Pacham, 

*  In  Westchester  County.  f  In  Dutchess  County. 

3 


18  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  B,voer. 

Therefore  we  promise  not  to  molest  them,  if  the  aforesaid  chiefs  and  the  people  with  them 
observe  the  foregoing  and  they  may  cultivate  then-  lands  in  peace,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned.  In 
confirmation  hereof,  some  of  their  prisoners  are  returned  to  them. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  this  sixth  of  April  (1644). 


Aeticles  of  Peace  concluded  m  peesence  of  the  Mohawks  between  the  Dutch 

AND  THE   KiVEE-InDIANS. 

To-day,  the  SO""  of  August  1645,  came  to  the  Fort  Amsterdam  before  the  Director  and 
Council  in  presence  of  the  whole  community  these  Sachems  or  chiefs  of  the  savages  in  their  own 
behalf  and  as  attorneys  for  the  neighboring  chiefs,  to  wit  Oratamy,  chief  of  Achkinhehachy, 
Sesekemu  and  Willem,  chiefs  of  Tappaens  and  liechgawawanck,  Pacham,  Penneheck,  having 
been  here  yesterday  and  having  given  them  power  to  act  for  him,  who  also  answer  for  the  men  of 
Onamy  and  their  neighbors,  Magauwetinnemin  for  the  tribe  of  Marechhawieck,  JVayeck*  and 
their  neighbors,  also  personally  Aej)jen,\  speaking  for  the  Wapj/inck,  Wiquaeskecks,  Sintsings 
and  Kiclitawanghs. 

1.  They  agree  to  and  conclude  a  firm,  inviolable  peace  with  us,  which  they  promise,  as  we 
ourselves,  to  keep  and  never  to  break. 

2.  If  it  should  happen,  which  God  prevent,  that  any  difficulty  should  arise  between  them  and 
us,  no  war  shall  be  begun  on  that  account,  but  the}'  shall  come  to  our  Governor  and  we  to  their 
Sachems  with  the  complaint  and  if  any  one  should  have  been  killed  or  murdered,  the  slayer  shall 
be  promptly  brought  to  justice.     A  friendly  intercourse  shall  be  kept  up  between  them  and  us. 

3.  They  shall  not  come  armed  upon  the  Island  of  Manhatans  to  the  houses  of  the  Christians. 
We  will  neither  come  with  guns  to  them  except  in  company  of  a  savage,  who  may  warn  them. 

4.  "WTiereas  there  is  still  an  English  girl  among  them,  whom  they  promised  to  bring  to  the 
English  at  Stamford,  they  again  promise  to  do  so  and  if  she  is  not  brought  there,  they  will  bring 
her  here  and  we  are  to  pay  them  the  ransom,  promised  by  the  English. 

"We  promise  to  have  the  foregoing  strictly  observed  throughout  New-Netherland. 

Thus  done  in  the  Fort  under  the  blue  canopy  of  heaven  in  presence  of  the  Council  of  New- 
Netherland  and  the  whole  community  called  together,  also  in  presence  of  the  Maquas  ambassa- 
dors, who  have  been  asked  to  come  to  these  negotiations  of  peace  as  mediators  and  Cornelis 
Antonissen  their  interpreter  and  co-mediator  in  this  matter.  Date  as  above.  The  original  was 
signed  by  the  marks  of  Sisiadego,  Claes  Norman,  Oratamin,  Aurange  Sesekcnnis,  Willem  of 
Tappaen  and  by  William  Kieft,  La  Montague,  the  mark  of  Jacob  Stoffelscn,  Jan  Onderhil, 
Francis  Bouthey,  Geo.  Baxter,  Richard  Smith,  Gyshert  Opdyc,  the  mark  of  Aepjen,  Sachem  of 
the  Mahikandcrs,  Jan  Ever  sen  Bout,  Oloff  Stevenson,  Cornelis  van  Hoyckens,  the  mark  of 
Cornelia  Tonissen. 

To  my  knowledge  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven, 
Secretary. 

*  On  Long  Island.  t  A  chief  of  the  Mohegans. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  19 

Council  MmuTE.     Peoclamation  to  be  issued  okdeeing  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving 

TO  BE  OBSEEVED  ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  PeACE  WITH  THE  InDIANS. 

The  31"  August  (1645). 

It  has  been  resolved  in  Council,  to  issue  a  proclamation  for  a  day  of  general  thanksgiving, 
which  shall  take  place  on  the  6""  of  September  next  in  all  the  Dutch  and  English  churches  within 
the  limits  of  New-Netherlayid.     The  proclamation  reads  as  follows  : 

As  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  God  in  his  infinite  mercy  and  clemency  in  addition  to  many 
previous  blessings,  to  allow  us  to  obtain  the  long  desired  peace  with  the  savages,  we  have  found  it 
necessary  to  announce  it  to  all  the  people  of  New-Netherland,  in  order  that  in  all  places,  where 
Dutch  and  English  churches  are  established,  the  Almighty  God  may  be  specially  thanked,  lauded 
and  blessed  next  "Wednesday,  the  G"'  of  September,  the  text  taken  to  be  appropriate  and  the 
sermon  applicable  thereto.  You  will  please  to  announce  this  matter  to  the  congregation  next 
Sunday,  that  they  may  know  it. 


KeSOLUTION  TO  EXPLOEE   A  MINE  IN  THE  RaEFTAN    COUNTRY,  ALSO  TO  EAI8E  SOME   CAN- 
NONS SUNK  IN  THE  EIVEB  AT  THE  CoLONY  "  BEHIND  THE  CoL  "    BY  THE  InDIANS. 

The  31»t  of  August  (1645). 

Having  received  from  savages  some  specimens  of  mineral,  which  we  think  valuable,  and  being 
informed  by  the  savages,  that  the  mountaiu,  from  which  they  had  brought  the  specimens,  is  situ- 
ate inland  near  the  Haretang,  we  have  considered  it  best,  most  advantageous  and  profitable  for 
the  W.  I.  Company  to  use  all  diligence  to  discover  the  said  mine  and  when  found  and  it  is  valuable, 
it  is  resolved  to  take  possession  thereof  for  the  said  Hon''"'  Company  and  build  a  Fort  there. 

Whereas  further  in  the  Colony  of  Meijndert  Meyndertsen  van  Keeren  "  behind  the  Col " 
some  ii'on  work  and  ordnance  has  been  sunk  in  the  river  by  the  savages,  it  is  resolved  to  fish  for 
it,  if  possible  and  bring  it  to  the  Manhattans. 


Patent  geanted  to  Jacob  Jacobsen  Koy  foe  the  Teact  of  Land  called  Con- 
stable's Hook  on  the  Kil  van  Col  (New-Jeesey). 

We,  William  Kieft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  Neio-Netherland  etc  etc. 

Testify  and  declare  herewith,  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 
Jacob  Jacohsen  Roy  a  parcel  of  land,  called  ConstapeVs  Hooh,  situate  on  the  mainland  and  sepa- 
rated from  Statei\r Island  by  the  Kil  van  Col.,  covering  an  area  of  one  himdred  and  fifty  morgens 
according  to  the  surveyor's  map,  with  the  express  condition  and  stipulation  etc,  etc 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam, 164 


20  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Patent  to  Thomas  Cooenel  of  a  Piece  of  Land  on  the  Beonkx  eiver  ("Westchesteb  Co.) 

"We,  William  Kieft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  New-Netherland  etc  etc 

Testify  and  declare  herewith,  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 

Thomas  Com-nel,  a  piece  of  land  on  the  East  river  beginning  at  the  Kil  of  Bronkx  Land,  running 

E.  S.  E.  along  the  river  and  stretching  about  half  a  Dutch  mile  from  the  river  to  a  small  kil 

beyond  the  valley,  running  back  of  this  land,  with  the  express  condition  and  stipulation  etc  etc 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  26""  of  June  16-i6. 


Patent  to  Coenelis  Antonissen  van  dee  Slyck  and  Company  foe  the  land  of 
TCatstctt,,  on  the  eivee  ]\lAUErrnjs. 

"We,  William  Kieft,  Director-General  in  New-Netherland  for  Their  High:  Might:  the 
Lords  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands,  His  Highness  the  Prinfee  of  Orange  and  the 
Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorporated  "West-India  Company,  to  All,  who  shall  see  or  hear 
this.  Greeting :  "Whereas  Cornells  Antonissen  of  Breucklen  appeared  before  ns  and  requested 
permission  for  himself  and  companions  to  have  and  possess  in  free  ownership  the  land  of  Katshil, 
situate  on  the  Mauritius  river  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  colony  there  with  his  companions, 
which  he  promises  to  do  subject  to  the  Freedoms  and  Exemptions  of  New-Netherland  ;  Therefore, 
considering  the  great  service,  done  to  this  country  by  the  aforesaid  Cornelis  Antonissen  in  helping 
to  establish  peace  and  to  ransom  the  captives,  also  that  such  notable  services  should  not  remain 
without  reward,  we,  the  Director  and  Council,  have  conceded  and  granted  to  the  said  Cornelis 
Antonissen  the  aforesaid  land  of  the  Katskil,  to  establish  there  a  colony  within  the  prescribed 
time  subject  to  the  orders  already  made  or  to  be  made  in  I'egard  to  it  by  our  Noble  Masters. 
Therefore  we  cede  and  convey,  in  our  aforesaid  quality,  the  said  land  to  the  said  Cornelis 
Antonissen  as  real,  free  and  perpetuous  possession,  giving  him  full  power,  authority  and  direct 
charge,  to  enter  upon,  cultivate,  inhabit  and  use  the  said  land  in  the  same  manner,  as  he  would 
do  with  his  own  inherited  land  and  goods,  without  that  we,  the  conveyors  in  our  aforesaid  quality, 
shall  have,  keep  or  reserve  the  least  part,  interest  or  authority  in  or  over  it,  but  desisting  for  the 
behalf  as  aforesaid  from  evei-y thing  now  and  forever,  promising  also  to  hold  this  conveyance  as 
firmly  binding,  inviolable  and  irrevocable,  to  fulfill  and  execute  it,  as  bound  by  existing  laws, 
without  deceit  or  falsehood.  We  have  signed  it  and  confirmed  it  by  appending  our  seal  impressed 
in  red  wax.  Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  22''  of  August  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  164G.  (Signed)  Willera  Kieft.  (Below  stood)  By  order  of  the  Honorable 
Director-General  and  Comieil  of  New-Netherland,  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary. 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Recwds.  21 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  to  Stutvesant:  Peace  wtth  the 
Indians  established  by  Kieft  ;  iron  mine  on  Staten-Island  ;  English  trading 
house  near  Fort  Orange.     (December  16-1:6  or  early  in  1647.) 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Glad  to  hear  "We  Were  especially  glad  to  learn,  that  not  only  peace  lias  been  made  ■with  the 

been  made  savagcs  there,  but  also  that  it  will  probably  be  lasting  and  firm  ;  but  as  the  bad  dispo- 
age3.  sition  of  the  said  savages  has  before  this  shown  them  to  be  deceitful,  we  on  our  side 

will  have  to  keep  always  a  watchful  eye  on  them  and  their  doings  and  therefore  [every  occasion  to 
re-open  the  war  must  be  avoided  and  all  damages  prevented].  "We  would  have  liked  it,  if  the 
conditions  or  articles  of  the  said  peace,  (which  we  believe  to  have  been  made  in  writing)  had  been 

sent  over  to  us  and  expect  them  now  at  the  return  home  of  the  former  Director  Kieft. 
****** 

The  specimens  of  New-Netherlamd  minerals,  sent  over,  have  been  examined,  but,  we  are  told, 
no  metal  has  been  found  in  them  ;  we  can  nevertheless  only  deem  it  advisable,  to  order  the  con- 
tinuation of  the  search  for  minerals  by  your  Honor  and  wish  to  know,  what  kind  of  metal  and 
this  from  the  innennost,  that  is  the  greatest  depth,  can  be  obtained  ;  we  desire  also  a  description 
of  the  place,  where  it  is  found.  "We  expect  also  more  information  concerning  the  iron  mine  on 
Staten- Island,  while  in  the  meantime  we  shall  endeavor,  as  we  are  already  doing,  to  find  and 
send  over  people,  who  understand  how  to  try  ores  and  to  judge  of  their  value. 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Tour  Honor  ought  to  gather  further  information  about  the  English  trading-house  10  leagues 
from  Fort  Orange*  also  regarding  the  right,  which  the  savages  claim  to  have  possessed  in  selling 
the  ground  to  the  English,  for  it  is  within  our  jurisdiction  and  we  must  prevent  their  locating 
there  by  all  possible  means,  which  your  Honor  does  not  consider  too  dangerous,  so  as  not  to  become 
involved  into  a  war  with  the  English.  Their  doings  and  an-angements  must  be  carefully  watched 
in  the  meantime  and  invasions  or  trespasses  by  them  as  well  as  by  others  must  be  prevented 
and  hindered,  if  possible. 


Patent  to  Claes  Carstensen  the  Norman  of  a  Piece  of  Land  in  New-Jersey, 

FORMERLY  GRANTED  TO  BarENT  JaNSEN,  DECEASED. 

"We,    WilUain  Kieft,  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  N ew- N etherland  etc,  etc. 

Testify  and  declare  herewith,  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 
Claes  Carstensen  the  Norman  a  piece  of  land,  that  formerly  had  been  gi-anted  to  Barent  Jansen, 
deceased,  situate  on  the  West  side  of  the  North  river  next  to  Dirck  the  Streetpaver's  land,  stretch- 
ing from  a  wood  on  the  N.  N.  "W.  along  a  small  kil  to  the  river  on  the  S.  S.  E.  along  the  valley 
to  the  Paver's  land,  N.  E.  by  E.  of  the  Paver's  kil,  the  wood  N.  N.  W.  all  covering  fifty  morgens. 
with  the  express  condition  etc  etc. 

Fort  Amsterdam,  the  25"'  of  March  1647. 

*  Van  der  Donck,  in  his  "  Vcrtoogh  (Description)"  alludes  to  this  place  as  follows:  "  The  English  of  New 
Haven  have  a  trading  post  on  the  east  or  south-cast  side  of  Magdalen  Island  (a  little  below  Redhook,  Dutchess 
county),  not  more  than  6  Dutch  miles  from  the  North  river.  *  *  It  is  erected  with  no  other  view,  than  to 
encroach  on  the  whole  trade  on  the  river  or  destroy  it  altogether."  The  Governor  of  New  Haven  Colony  denied 
in  a  letter  to  Kieft,  that  his  people  had  come  nearer  to  the  Hudson,  than  Paugassett  river  (now  Derby,  Conn.). 
The  above  refers  probably  to  Springfield  settled  by  Massachusetts  people  about  1635. — Ed. 


22  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Patent  to  Egbert  "Wouteesen  of  a  Piece  of  Land,  called  by  the  Indl^ns 

ApOPCALYCK  (CoMMtJNIPAW,  N.   J.) 

"We,   William  Eleft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  New-N'etherland  etc  etc. 

Testify  and  declare  herewith  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 
Egbert  Woutersen  a  piece  of  land,  called  by  the  Indians  Apopcalyck  situate  on  the  other  side  of 
the  North  river,  West  from  the  Manhatans  and  stretching  along  the  river  from  Dirck  the  Paver's 
kil  to  the  Gemoenepaw  or  Jan  Evertsen's  kit,  N.  E.  by  E.  and  S.  W.  by  W.  to  the  kil,  running 
between  the  woods  and  the  valley  and  reaching  "W.  N.  W.  to  the  woods,  with  the  express  con- 
dition etc  etc. 

At  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  lO'"  of  May  16-i7. 


Patent  to  Maryn  Adeiaensen  of  a  Piece  of  Land,  called  Awiehaken  (Wee- 

hawken,  n.  j.) 

We,  William  Kieft,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  Ifew-Netherland  etc  etc. 

Testify  and  declare  herewith^  that  this  day,  date  as  below,  we  have  conceded  and  granted  to 
Maryn  Adriaensen  a  piece  of  land,  called  Awiehak^eii,  situate  on  the  West  side  of  the  North 
river,  bounded  on  the  South  by  the  Hohoken  kil  and  running  thence  northward  to  the  next  kil 
and  towards  the  woods  with  the  same  breadth  altogether  fifty  morgens  of  land,  with  the  express 
condition  etc  etc. 

At  Fort  Amsterdain,  the  ll"*  of  May  1647. 


Declaration  of   Commissary  Boghaed  and  others   eespectino   an   attack  by 
the  Earitan  Indians. 

We,  the  undersigned,  attest,  testify  and  declare  in  place  and  with  promise  of  a  solemn  oath  if 
necessary,  that  we,  being  in  the  Company's  service  in  the  year  16-40,  were  at  the  request  of  the 
savages,  called  the  Earitans,  sent  by  the  Hon"'"  Director  Eieft  to  trade.  Arrived  at  the  usual 
trading  place  in  the  yacht  "  de  Vreede  "  these  Earitans  in  stead  of  sliowing  the  customary  friend- 
ship and  trading  with  our  people,  began  to  scoff,  brought  on  squirrels,  offering  to  sell  them  to 
Cars  Eitersen  and  at  the  same  time  slapped  his  face  with  them.  They  came  on  board  with  a 
quantity  of  martens,  all  were  armed  with  axes,  swords  and  other  weapons ;  we  were  therefore  com- 
pelled by  the  narrowness  of  the  Kil  to  push  lower  down,  where  we  run  aground.  The  EaHtans^ 
all  of  them  stout  fellows,  seeing  this,  followed  in  canoes,  came  over,  lifted  the  kedge  and  running 
alongside  on  each  side  of  the  yacht  tried  to  tow  us  back  to  the  aforesaid  place,  annoying  us  very 
much,  which  put  us  on  our  guard  and  made  us  look  to  our  arms.  The  Earitans  wanted  to  com- 
pel us  to  bring  them  to  the  shore,  but  we  refused  and  said  "  You  have  canoes,  row  yourselves 
ashore  in  them."  Finally  seeing  us  on  our  guard,  they  dared  not  make  any  further  attempt. 
They  carried  off  our  canoe  against  our  will  and  we  could  not  recover  it,  there  being  too  many 
present.  Then  and  at  the  right  moment  God  sent  a  violent  storm  of  wind,  thunder  and  hailstones, 
whereby  we  got  away,  which,  although  the  Kil  is  very  narrow,  they  could  not  prevent  with  their 


New  York  Historical  Records.  23 

arrows  coming  from  both  sides.     We,  the  affiants,  at  the  request  of  the  Ilon'''^  William  Kief  I, 
attest  tliis  to  be  true,  offering  to  contu-m  it  under  oath.     Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Neiherlamd,  this 
IT""  July  1647. 
In  my  presence  •  Haeman  M.  Boghakde,  Commissary 

CoK.  VAN  TiENHOVEN  HaKMAN    DoWNER 

The  mark    *J  "^   of  Goes  Piteesen,  made  by  himself. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of   Director  Stdtvesant   to    Governor  Winthrop  at 
Boston  :  vindicates   himself    against  the   accusations   of   having   tried   to 
iNcrrE  the  Mohawks  against  the  English.     (S""  of  April  1648.) 
****** 

I  am  on  myne  owne  pte  trulie  griued  that  my  reall  intentions  of  mutuall  amitie  and  good  will 
are  for  present  (by  tlieire  misconstruing  my  actions  and  some  unkinde  passages)  in  parte  obstructed 
and  being  likewise  wounded  in  my  reputation  in  a  high  degree  by  theyre  scandalous  reportes  raised 
and  Credit  given  to  them  of  my  indeauours  to  raise  the  Mohocke  Indians  against  the  English 
there,  it  being  soe  farre  from  the  rules  and  principles  of  Christianitie  and  Charitie,  soe  much  as  to 
haue  a  thought  thereof,  much  more  to  put  in  practise  such  a  diuihsh  and  wicked  deuice ;  but 
according  to  my  bownden  duty  to  God  and  my  neighbour,  att  my  being  att  our  fort  of  Aurania* 
I  reallie  indeauoured  to  establish  a  firme  peace,  not  only  betwixt  the  Mohocks  and  all  the  Indians 
there  &  us  here  (but  likewise  as  I  then  declared  myselfe  to  them)  betwixt  them  and  my  brethi'en 
the  English  and  Ffrench,  w""  was  for  present  well  accepted  of  them. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Director  Stutvesant  : 

A   LENIENT   POLICr   TOWARDS   THE   InDIANS    IS   RECOMMENDED.       7""  April  1648. 
****** 

We  shall  first  reply  to  your  Honor's  report  on  the  condition  of  our  territory  there,  in  which 
you  complain  that  the  soldiers  are  very  disorderly  and  without  discipline.  It  looks  as  if  the  slack- 
ness of  the  late  Director  and  the  neglect  of  duty  by  the  preacher  have  been  the  cause  of  it  and 
we  expect  your  Honor  will  redress  it,  even  as  a  tree,  which  has  been  growing  some  time  and  has 
run  wild,  must  be  pruned  with  great  care  and  bent  with  a  tender  hand,  to  be  brought  into  a  good 
shape  ;  it  is  especially  said  of  the  native  inhabitants  of  these  territories,  that  they  must  be  governed 
with  kindness  and  the  former  wars  incline  us  to  believe  it ;  we  would  have  preferred  to  avoid 
these  wars,  for  we  notice,  that  the  savages  have  thereby  come  to  a  knowledge  of  their  strength  and 
they  are  consequently  very  anxious  to  provide  themselves  with  guns,  powder  and  lead  ;  they  ask 
for  them  to  be  used  for  hunting  purposes,  but  we  presume  that  is  only  a  pretext.  We  remark  how- 
ever, that  they  are  so  bent  upon  it,  that  we  must  apprehend,  they  would  rather  begin  a  new  war 

*  Fort  Orange  (Albany). 


24  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

against  ns,  than  to  be  entirely  deprived  of  it  and  considering,  that  under  our  present  circiunstanees 
a  war  would  be  utterly  unadvisable,  we  would  think  it  best  to  provide  these  people,  but  sparingly, 
we  mean  by  the  Company's  officers,  without  giving  such  a  permission  to  any  private  parties. 


Indian  Deed  fok  Westchester   County,  Easteen  Half. 

This  day,  date  as  below,  appeared  before  the  Hon*'^  Director-General  and  Council  Megtegich- 
hama,  Oteijochjue  and  Wegtakaohkey,  lawful  owners  of  the  lands  lying  on  the  East  side  of  the 
North  river  of  New-Netherland,  called  Wiequaeskech  stretching  in  breadth  through  a  wood  to  a 
kil  called  Seweyruc,^  dividing  it  at  the  East  river  by  a  North  and  South  line  from  Greenwich  on  a 
kil  called  KecKkawes.\  This  land  between  the  two  kils  runs  to  the  middle  of  the  woods  between 
the  North  and  East  rivers,  so  that  the  westerly  half  remains  to  the  abovesaid  proprietoi's  and  the 
other  easterly  half  is  divided  from  it  by  a  line  drawn  North  and  South  through  the  centre  of  the 
wood.  The  aforesaid  owners  acknowledge  in  the  presence  of  the  chief  Seijseychhhnus  and  all 
their  other  friends  and  blood  relations  to  have  sold  the  said  parcel  of  land  to  the  Noble  Petrus 
Stuyvesant,  Directoi'-General  of  Ifew-Ifetheriand,  in  consideration  of  a  certain  lot  of  merchandise, 
which  they  acknowledge  to  have  received  and  accepted  before  the  passing  of  this  act,  namely  6 
fathoms  of  duffels,  6  strings  of  wampum,  6  kettles,  6  axes,  6  addices,  10  knives,  some  iron,  corals, 
one  gun,  2  staves  of  lead,  2  lbs  of  powder,  1  coat  of  duffels. 

Therefore  the  aforesaid  owners  of  the  said  land  transfer,  cede  and  convey  it  to  the  said 
Director-General  and  his  successors  as  a  true  and  lawful  property,  renouncing  for  themselves  and 
their  descendants  now  and  forever  all  claims  thereupon  and  resigning  herewith  all  rights  and  juris- 
diction, delivering  it  to  the  said  Ilon'''^  General  and  his  successors,  who  may  do  with  it  as  they 
please,  without  being  molested  by  them,  the  sellers  or  any  one  of  them.  It  is  further  agreed,  that 
the  "Western  half  may  be  bought  for  the  same  amount  as  above,  when  the  Director-General  desires 
to  pay  for  it,  and  they,  the  sellers,  promise  to  sell  the  part  still  in  their  possession  on  the  North 
river  for  that  price  and  not  to  sell  to  anybody  without  informing  the  Director-General.  They 
further  promise  to  maintain  and  uphold  this  contract  firmly  and  inviolably  and  sign  it  in  presence 
of  their  chief  the  14"'  of  July  1649  at  New-Amsterdam  in  Nnc-Netherland. 

This  is  the  mai-k   '>L|>.  |l      of  Megtegickhama 
This  is  the  mark  ^^^^ 

of  Pomi>AiiAN.  This  is  the  mark   (X\6/i.   of  Wegtakachkey 

This  is  the  mark  /*-''-^l,/*i»<_    made  by  the  chief 

Seoseychkimus  as  witness. 
*  Byrams  river.  f  Maharnes  river,  Conn. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  25 

Propositions  made  by  the  Chiefs  of  the  savages  living  in  the  neighborhood  of 
THE  Manhattans,  namely  Seysegechkemus,  Oratamin,  Willem  of  Tappaen  and 
Pennekes  from  "behind  the  Col"  hst  the  Council  chamber  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam in  presence  of  D?  Johannes  Megapolensis,  minister  of  Hensselaerswyck, 
Arent  van  Curler  and  Johannes  van  Twiller. 

1. 

Ptmneliccl:,  the  Cliief  "  behind  the  Col "  made  a  speech  in  the  Indian  tongue,  "which  was 
translated  and  said,  the  Southern  Minquas  had  asked  them  to  live  in  friendship  with  the 
Dutch,  whicli  they  were  willing  to  do  and  for  that  purpose  they  had  brought  a  present  to  the 
Hou"'^  Director. 

2.  An  Indian  of  Mechgachlcamic  had  involuntarily  or  unknowingly  lately  done  mischief  at 
Paulus  Hook,  which  they  requested  us  to  excuse. 

3.  Pennekeck  said  the  tribe  called  JRaritanoos,  formerly  living  at  Wiquaeskeck  had  no  chief, 
therefore  he  spoke  for  them,  who  would  also  like  to  be  our  friends  and  sent  through  him  their 
greetings  to  the  Hon'"'^  General.     Throws  3  beavers  to  the  ground  as  a  present. 

i  Meijterma,  the   Chief  of  Neyick,  was  included  with  his  people  into  this  agreement  and 

would  be,  like  them,  our  friends.     They  throw  3  beavers  down. 

5.  He  speaks  for  the  tribe  of  Remahenonc  as  for  the  above  with  a  like  present. 

6.  Pennekeck  threw  down  2  beavers  declaring  in  the  name  of  all,  that  their  heart  was  sincere 
and  that  they  desire  to  live  in  friendship  with  us,  forgetting  on  either  side,  what  was  past. 

T.  Pennekeck  said :  "  I  wish  you  could  see  my  heart,  then  you  would  be  sure,  that  my  words 

are  sincere  and  true."     He  threw  down  two  beavers,  saying  That  is  my  confirmation. 

8.  The  Hon*'*  Director  had  in  former  times  desired  to  speak  with  them  ;  it  was  done  now  and 
they  had  shown  their  good  intentions ;  they  are  now  waiting  to  see,  what  he  would  do,  laying 
down  two  beavers. 

9.  Pennekeck  said,  although  the  Hon*'"  General  could  not  understand  them,  they  did  not 
doubt  his  good  intentions. 

10.  In  conclusion  Pennekeck  said :  It  is  the  wish  of  the  Minquas,  that  we  and  3'ou  should  be 
and  remain  friends,  we  are  ready  for  it. 

The  Hon"'*  Director-General  first  expressed  his  thanks  to  the  chiefs,  that  they  had  come  to 
visit  him  with  offers  of  neighborly  friendship,  and  he  then  told  them  that  he  was  pleased  to  hear 
such  a  request.  He  promised,  that  nothing  whatever  should  be  wanting  on  our  part  and  that  he 
was  willing  to  live  with  them  in  mutual  friendship  and  intercourse.  No  cause  for  complamts 
should  be  given  and  if  somebody  injured  them,  they  should  themselves  report  it  to  the  Director, 
in  order  that  they  should  receive  justice  in  accordance  with  the  case.  In  token  of  his  good  will 
he  accepted  their  presents  on  the  foregoing  propositions  with  thanks  and  in  due  time  he  would 
return  the  compliment. 

A  small  present  worth  about  20  guilders  was  then  given  to  the  common  savages  and  some 
tobacco  and  a  gun  to  the  chief  Oratamin,  and  so  the  savages  departed  well  pleased. 
(July  19'"  1649.) 


26  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Lease  of  Land  on  the  Katskil  by  Brant  van  Slechtenhoest  to  Jan  Diecksen. 

This  day,  the  14""  day  of  January,  Anno  1650,  Jan  Dircksen  from  Bremen  has  leased  and 

rented  from  Director  Brant  van  Shohtenhorst*  and  the  Commissaries,  the  old  maizeland  on  the 

north  side  of  KatsMl,  to  wit  the  tract  of  land,  where  the  squaw,  who  is  chief  of  Katskil  resides, 

for  the  term  of  six  yeai's  on  the  following  conditions : 

****** 

The  lessee  further  engages  to  read  on  every  Lord's  or  other  Holiday  for  his  Christian  neigh- 
bors the  holy  Gospel  or  a  sermon  out  of  a  homily,  if  it  can  he  procm-ed  and  to  sing  one  or  more 
psalms  before  and  after  the  Christian  prayers  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Reformed  Chm-ch. 


Indian  deed  foe  Schodack. 
(From  the  Van  Rensselaer  Papers.) 

1650  March  IS"".  I  the  undersigned  Vanemenheeten  acknowledge  to  liave  sold  to  Jacob 
Jansen  a  piece  of  land  on  the  large  Island,  also  called  by  the  Dutch  Aepjes  (little  Ape's)  Island, 
with  a  small  piece  on  the  east  side  of  a  little  kil,  for  which  I  have  asked  4^  pieces  of  cloth,  two 
handfuls  of  powder,  one  axe  and  2f  more. 

Signed    f  O,  ~T/\\^    this  is  the  mark  of 

Wanemenheeten. 
Agrees  with  the  Original  in  the  Colony  of  Eensselaerswyek,  May  14,  1664. 

D.  van  Schellutne. 


■,  Extract  feom  a  lettee  of  the   Dikectors  to  Petrus  Stuyvesant:  the  geajstt 

OF   THE    CaTSKIL    LANDS,    16    FeBR  1650. 

****** 
Formerly*  the  name  of  New-NetJierland  was  seldom  mentioned  and  now  heaven  and  earth 
are,  as  it  seems,  moved  by  it  and  every  one  wishes  to  be  the  first  to  select  the  best  part  of  it. 
Wouier  van  Ttoiller  appears  to  have  tried  to  prevent  this  and  has  therefore  provided  himself  with 
more  allotments,  than  he  ever  intended  to  cultivate  or  populate  ;  he  has  had  even  the  impudence, 
to  enter  upon  land,  which  had  been  granted  by  letters  patent  to  others,  for  instance  the  Catskil, 
which  was  covered  by  the  patent  issued  to  Cornelis  Antony  van  der  Slijck :  we  are  wondering 
therefore,  that  this  man,  who  has  a  good  claim  to  it,  has  not  objected  before  now  and  he  must  be 
maintained  in  it.     We  deem  it  however  best,  that  possession  should  be  given  to  neither. 

****** 

*  Director  of  Van  Rensselaer's  Colony  since  Nov.  10,  1646. 

t  Before  Cornelis  Mclyn,  Wouter  van  TwUler  and  others  had  begun  then-  intrigues  against  Stuyvesant  and  the 
W.  I.  Company. — Ed. 


Neio  Yorh  Historical  Records.  27 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the   same  to   the   same:  fears   are   entertained, 

THAT   A   WAR   BETWEEN    THE  EnGUSH  AND    THE  WapPING  InDIANS  MIGHT   BE  FATAL 

TO  THE  North  river  Colonies,     lo'*  April  1650. 
****** 

We  look  with  anxiety  uj)on  the  resolution  of  the  English  to  begin  a  war  with  the  savages, 
ualled  Wap2)in<js,  for  if  these  are  driven  out  of  their  country,  the  former  would,  by  occupying 
the  conquered  land,  have  a  good  opportunity  to  separate  Hensselaerswyck  from  us  and  would  then 
also  become  masters  of  the  whole  North  river  and  with  it  of  the  fur  trade.*  There  are  already  a 
number  of  competitors  here  for  that  trade ;  Wouter  van  Twiller  and  his  companions  especially 
pretend,  that  they  alone  ought  to  have  the  monopoly  of  it.  As  the  Company  has  so  far  reserved 
to  themselves  the  right  to  exclude  all  others  for  all  times  from  this  trade,  we  would  do  it  now,  if 
we  only  could  think  of  the  proper  means. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  to  Petrus  Stutvesant  :  land  grants 

ON  the  E.ARITAN,  KlL  VAN  CoL,  CaTSKIL  ;    FREE  NAVIGATION  OF  THE  NoRTH  RIVER  I 

Baron  van  der  Capelle's  colony  ;  Mohawks  invade  Canada.  Sl'^' March  1651. 
****** 

We  observe  that  many  people  do  not  scruple,  to  take  possession  of  all  the  best  land  there, 
without  formality  and  without  determination  by  survey,  as  if  the  Company  and  its  officers  had 
nothing  to  say  about  it  and  had  been  robbed  or  dejirived  of  their  prerogatives  ;  we  have  there- 
fore thought  it  necessary  to  direct  your  Honor  herewith,  not  to  grant  land  to  any  one  without  his 
acknowledging  properly  the  authority  of  the  W.  I.  Company  and  your  Honor  will  especially  take 
care  that  henceforth  not  more  land  is  granted  to  people,  than  what  in  your  opinion  after  a  thorough 
examination  of  their  means  they  will  be  able  and  intend  shortly  to  populate,  cultivate  and  bring 
into  a  good  state  of  tillage.  Several  instances  prove,  that  by  non-observance  of  these  rules  many 
pieces  are  now  claimed  as  property  of  many  years'  standing,  although  very  few  improvements 
in  regard  to  settling,  cultivating,  tilling  or  planting  have  been  made.  Thus  we  see  it  in  Cornells 
Melyn's,  Wouter  vaji  Twiller'' s  and  others'  cases ;  Melyn  owning  an  island  of  7  or  8  leagues' 
length,f  of  which  only  eight  raorgens  of  land  are  under  plough.  And  Wouter  van  Twiller  is 
not  only  not  satisfied  with  adding  Ilellgate\  to  Nooten  Idand,%  but  he  endeavors  also  to  get  pos- 
session and  make  himself  master  of  the  C'atskil,  in  addition  to  which  he  has  stretched  out  his 
hand  for  tlie  two  flats  on  Long-Island,  one  called  Twyler''s  and  the  other  Corler''s  flat,  containing 
together  1600  to  2000  raorgens. 

Wolfert  Gerritsen\  and  Andries  Hudde  have  done  the  same  ;  they  took  possession  of  about 
1800  morgens  on  the  same  island,  while  they  cannot  settle  the  fiftieth  part  of  it :  this  is  quite 
against  our  intentions,  for  many  valuable  pieces  of  land  might  be  claimed  as  property  (with  great 
prerogatives)  in  such  manner  and  the  land  itself  would  remain  unpeopled.     We  direct  your  Honor 

*  The  importance  of  the  North  river  fur  trade  is  shown  by  an  entry  in  Vol.  A.  Mortgages  in  County  Clerk's 
Office,  AHjany,  which  tells  us,  tliat  40940  beaver  and  otter  skins  were  shipped  from  Albany  in  the  time  from 
the  20th  June  to  27th  September  1657.— Ed. 

t  Staten-Island,  granted  to  Melyn  in  1642. — Ed. 

\  Two  Islands  in  Hellgate  were  patented  to  W.  v.  Tw.  in  July  1637.     §  N.  1  Governors  I.  patented  June,  1637. 

II  Van  Couwenhoven. 


28  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

therefore  expressly  not  to  allow  or  grant  any  more  land  to  anybody,  except  under  the  conditions 
stated  above,  and  to  keep  Long-Islmul,  (which  we  believe  to  be  the  most  important  and  best  piece) 
for  the  Company,  to  divide  it  upon  occasion  for  the  accommodation  of  farmers  and  planters,  mitil 
a  rule  shall  be  made,  as  to  how  much  land  shall  be  surveyed  for  each  colonist. 

AVe  are  astonished  beyond  measure  to  hear,  that  your  Deputy,  DincMage,  has  made  common 
cause  with  these  invaders,  especially  with  Oovert  Lockermans  or  others,  who  have  bought  much 
land  from  the  Raritans  on  the  Kil  opposite  Staten- Island,  without  considering  in  whose  name 
they  are  to  get  a  conveyance  from  their  High:  Might :,  without  knowledge  of  the  Company; 
we  cannot  believe  it  and  intend  to  resist  it  with  all  proper  means,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned. 
****** 

Brant  van  Slechtenhorsf  s  remonstrances  receive  no  more  consideration  from  us,  than  to  notify 

us  in  regard  to  the  taking  possession  of  the  Katshil.,  which  had  been  conveyed  to  others  long 

before  he  took  possession  of  it  and  we  liave  so  far  not  been  able  to  discover,  by  what  right  he  or 

his  principals  lay  claim  to  this  property,  for  they  have  never  asked  the  Company  for  it  in  proper 

form. 

****** 

'T  is  true,  that  the  Notary  Jan  van  de  Yenne  has  made  several  applications  to  have  a  large 
tract  of  land,  which  your  Honor  thinks  might  be  granted  to  him  without  any  great  prejudice  to 
our  interests :  we  would  hke  to  consent  to  his  request,  if  he  only  would  desist  from  his  extravagant 
demand  of  highest  and  lowest  jurisdiction,  which  we  deem  inconvenient  and  are  still  resolved  to 
keep  for  the  Company  by  all  proper  means ;  but  we  ai'e  willing  to  grant  to  everybody  as  much 
land,  as  he  sliall  need.  Many  people  are  again  going  over  in  the  ships  now  ready  to  sail,  who 
intend  to  settle  there  and  you  nuist  accommodate  each  according  to  his  position  and  the  number 
of  souls  with  him,  consulting  your  own  discretion  and  the  requirements  of  their  families,  for  it 
is  our  aim  to  promote  the  increase  of  population  there  by  all  means.  You  will  also  accommo- 
date the  Honorable  Ilendrick  van  der  Capelle*  with  favorably  located  lands,  as  far  as  he  is  in- 
clined to  take  possession  of  and  cidtivate  and  people  any  land  there,  which  he  seems  to  intend 
judging  from  his  letters :  for  we  desire  very  much,  that  so  wealthy  people  might  take  a  fancy 
to  these  lands. 

****** 

We  were  very  sorry  to  hear,  that  the  3Laqi(aes  savages  had  invaded  the  territory  of  the 
French  in  Canada  and  captured  8  or  9  Christians,  for  whom  they  are  said  to  have  demanded  a  large 
ransom  or  they  would  cruelly  torture  them,  which  excited  your  Honor's  compassion.  That  is  the 
duty  of  all  Christians,  but  every  one  is  bound  to  care  for  himself  and  his  own  people  ;  yonr  Honor 
cannot  be  ignorant,  that  some  time  ago  men  of  this  nation  ha\e  been  ransomed  at  the  expense  of 
the  Company  and  by  the  contributions  of  the  community,  for  which  we  have  never  been  repaid ; 
so  that  we  think,  that  when  the  complaints  reach  France,  they  will  take  care  of  their  own 
comitrynien. 


*  Sec  N.  Y.  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  II,  p.  517  note. 


Js'etv  Yoi'h  Historical  Meconh.  29 

Entry    by  Coenelis    vak  Werckiioven    at    the  Chamber    of  Amsterdam    for 
TWO   colonies,  one  at   the  Nevesing   and  the  other  at  Tappan  and  grant 

OF   THE    ABOVE    CoLONIES. 

To-day,  the  7""  of  November  of  the  Year  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  &  Fifty-One  appeared 
at  the  oftice  of  the  West-India  Company  at  Amsterdajn  the  Honorable  Cornells  van  Wercl'hi)ven, 
Councillor  of  the  Municipality  and  Ex-Schepen  of  the  City  of  Utrecht,  who  declared  himself 
Patroon  of  two  colonies,  which  he  intends  to  establish  in  JVe^o-JVetherland,  one  beginning  at  the 
Nevesinck  and  stretching  northward  to  near  the  colony  of  the  Lord  of  Ned^rhorst,  the  other 
beginning  at  Taj>pan  and  stretching  northward  through  the  Il'tgJdands,  both  subject  to  the  con- 
ditions and  conform  to  the  rules,  lately  made  by  the  Company  and  delivered  to  their  High  :  Might : 
for  approval,  or  such  other  privileges  and  exemtions,  as  may  be  granted  hereafter  by  the  aforesaid 
Company  with  the  knowledge  of  their  High :  Might : .  The  aforesaid  Honorable  van  WercA'hoven 
promised  to  act  in  everything  properly  and  for  the  service  of  the  Company,  while  his  Honor  re- 
ceives on  the  part  of  the  Company  a  promise  of  every  help,  favor  and  assistance  possible,  in  wit- 
ness whereof  this  record  has  been  made  on  the  day  and  in  the  year  as  above. 

The  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  to  All, 
who  shall  see  this  or  hear  it  read,  Greeting  ! 

Know  ye,  that  they  have  consented  and  authorised,  as  they  herewith  consent  and  authorise 
his  Honor  Cornelia  van  Werckiioven,  Councillor  of  the  Municipality  and  Ex-Schepen  of  the  City 
of  Utrecht,  that  he  may,  as  Patroon,  establish  a  Colony  in  Neyo-Netherla,nd,  beginning  at  the 
^evesinch  and  stretching  northward  to  near  the  Colony  of  the  Lord  of  Nederlwrst,  all  subject 
to  the  conditions  and  conform  to  the  rules,  lately  made  by  the  Company  and  submitted  to  their 
High  :  Might :  the  Lords-States-General  for  approval,  or  all  such  other  privileges  and  exemtions, 
as  may  hereafter  be  granted  by  the  said  Company  with  the  knowledge  and  approval  of  their 
High :  Might : .  They  order,  charge  and  request  therefore  every  one,  whom  this  may  in  any  way 
concern,  not  to  hinder  his  said  Honor,  Cornells  van  Werckhoven,  herein,  but  to  help,  favor  and 
assist  him,  when  necessary,  whereas  thus  it  has  been  decided  to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  Company. 

Thus  done  at  the  meeting  in  Amsterdam,  the  T""  November  1651. 

The  same  for  a  Colony  beginning  at  Tappan,  near  the  Colony  of  van  Nederhorst  and  stretch- 
ing northward  through  the  Highlands. 


Extract  from  a  representation  made  by  the  Directors  of  the  Amsterdam 
Department  of  the  W.  I.  Company  to  the  Bdrgomasters  and  Regents  of 
Amsterdam:  on  the  situation  of  New-Netiierland  regabdino  Indian  affairs, 

VAN    DmCKLAOE    AND    MeLYN. 

Tb  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Their  Honors  the  Burgomasters  and  Regents  of  the 
City  oi  Amsterdam. 

Show  with  due  reverence  the  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-India  Company,  Department 
of  Am^stcrdam,  that  the  country,  called  uVew-jVetharldnd,  has  by  God's  blessing  greatly  increased 
in  population,  cultivation  and  trade  during  the  last  short  period  and  that  it  will  apparently  con- 


30  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River, 

tinue  so  on  account  of  its  suitableness,  to  wliich  the  Directors  contribute  all  their  efforts  in  making 
proper  arrangements  for  the  progress  of  agriculture  and  trade,  as  well  as  for  the  government  and 
peace  of  its  inhabitants.  Several  matters  have  been  met  with  herein,  which  we  are  at  a  loss  to 
decide  or  issue  orders  about  without  the  wise  counsel  of  your  "Worships :  namely  the  following 
points : 

The  communities  of  both  the  Neiherlanders  and  the  English  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Com 
pany  complain  in  all  their  letters  of  the  insolence  of  the  savages,  who  since  a  year  or  a  year  and  a 
half  have  murdered  several  people,  carried  away  some  children  and  stolen  many  animals,  all  under 
the  pretext,  that  we  are  forbidden  to  oppose  them,  as  they  claim  to  have  been  informed  by  the 
bearers  of  the  complaints  from  New-Netherland,  who  were  here  last  year  ;  that  the  gentlemen  of 
the  Supreme  Government  here  had  expressly  commanded  not  to  begin  a  strife  with  them  under 
any  consideration,  as  it  had  been  done  formerly,  when  these  barbarians  were  brought  to  reason 
and  quieted  and  compelled  by  the  troops  of  the  Comjiany  to  make  peace,  which  they  now  -saolate 
as  stated  above. 

The  English  of  the  Province  of  New-England  have  felt  the  same  inconveniences  as  our  in- 
habitants and  have  proposed,  to  form  an  alliance  with  our  Director,  in  form  of  a  guarranteed 
league  {ligue  garantie\  to  assist  each  other  in  times  of  need  or  trouble.  As  they  are  much  stronger 
in  numbers  of  soldiers,  than  our  subjects,  they  offer  to  bring  into  the  field  two  men  for  one  of 
ours,  provided  that  they  shall  also  have  a  double  voice  in  judging  the  legality  or  illegality  of  and  re- 
solving upon  aggressive  war. 

The  Deputies  of  their  High :  Might :  have  provided  last  year  all  the  indecent  complainants, 
who  came  here  from  New-Netherland,  with  safe-conducts  upon  their  return  :  these  men  mean  now, 
under  this  pretext,  to  do  all  kind  of  mischief  by  inciting  some  evil-minded  persons  against  the  Di- 
rectors and  officers  of  the  Company. 

The  Vice-Director,  Luhhert  van  DtncMagen,  patronises  these  quarrelsome  fellows  as  much  as 
possible  and  the  Directors  have  therefore  found  it  advisable,  to  summon  him  home  by  the  last  ships, 
to  answer  for  his  conduct ;  but  before  our  letters  had  reached  there,  he  had  retreated  to  Staten- 
Island  and  joined  one  Cornells  3Ielyn,  who  is  the  most  principal  author  of  the  factiousness  and 

mutinies They  have  established  a  government  to  their  own  liking  on  this  island, 

also  a  court,  but  we  prefer  to  keep  silent,  instead  of  saying,  under  whose  direction  and  authority. 
*  *  *  *  *  *  , 

Submitted  13'"  February  1652. 


Extract  from  the  answer  to  the  foregoing. 
The  15""  February  1652. 

The  Committee  of  the  Council,  appointed  to  examine  the  remonstrance  of  the  Directors  of 
the  West-India  Company,  by  which  they  ask  for  the  decision  and  advice  of  this  Worshipful,  Hon- 
orable Council,  as  to  how  they  shall  act  in  certain  difficult  matters,  M'hich  they  complain  to  have 
cnconntered  in  the  management  of  JVcw-Wetherlafid,  have  resolved,  after  tlie  said  Directors  have 
given  an  explanation  of  their  remarks,  to  advise  as  follows,  first 

That  the  ofiicers  of  the  Company  in  New-NetKcrland  shall  be  allowed,  to  resist  witli  all 
proper  force  and  means  the  violence  and  invasion  of  the  savages,  who,  as  they  complain,  have  for. 


JSfew   Yo}'lc  Historical  Records.  31 

some  time  past  killed  several  of  their  subjects,  carried  away  children  and  stolen  many  animals  and 
they  have  further  permission,  to  establish  and  conclude  for  this  purpose  a  ligue  garantie  in  such  a 
manner,  as  they  niay  judge  to  be  best  for  their  safety  and  reputation. 


Le'ITEE    from    CoENELIS    van   "WeECKHOVEN    to    ?    ENTEKING    A    CAVEAT   AGAINST   THE 
GEANT    OF    THE    KaEITAN    COUNTRY    TO    BaKON    VAN    DEE    CaPELLEN. 

Copy. 

Sir. 

Arriving  at  Utrecht  from  G^ielderland  I  received  a  letter  from  Z.  van  Seventer,  chief-clerk 
of  the  West-India  Company,  dated  the  ll""  of  March,  and  with  it  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 
by  Baron  Ilendrich  van  der  Capelle  to  your  Worship  and  the  Honorable  Edward  May,  which 
said  that  his  Noble  Ilonor  asserted  to  have  bought  the  Raritan  from  the  natives  of  the  country, 
(while  this  place  has  been  granted  and  surrendered  by  your  Hon*'"  Worships  to  me  as  a  colony). 
I  request  therefore  to  be  informed  whether  I  am  to  look  out  for  another  colony. 

But  I  cannot  omit  to  address  myself  to  your  Worship  in  regard  to  it  and  to  request  with  great 
respect,  that  I  may  be  sustained  in  the  privileges  of  a  colony,  which  has  been  granted  to  me, 
since  no  previous  purchase  has  taken  place  and  only  the  priority  of  grant  is  claimed  and  even  if  it 
were  the  case,  which  it  is  not,  that  a  previous  purchase  had  been  made,  his  Noble  Honor  would 
not  be  able  to  maintain  his  claim,  for  his  Noble  Honor  himself  declares,  that  he  has  given  di- 
rections to  buy  the  Raritan  and  believes  or  thinks,  that  it  is  already  purchased.  This  is  not  cer- 
tain, while  on  the  other  side  I  have  given  directions  two  years  ago,  to  buy  that  district  for  me  and 
have  also  received  letters  and  information  from  there,  which  I  will  show  to  your  Noble  Worship, 
that  the  same  has  been  purchased  for  me  from  and  paid  for  to  the  lawful  owners  and  natives  of 
the  country,  as  I  stated  to  your  Worships  in  my  reqiiest  for  the  grant,  and  I  cannot  believe,  that, 
even  though  they  are  savages,  they  will  sell  a  piece  of  property  twice,  but  rather  think,  that  some 
persons  have  made  his  Noble  Honor  believe,  that  tliis  was  a  good  piece  of  land,  most  convenient 
for  his  purposes,  and  have  therefore  acted  in  this  manner  to  oust  me.  But  I  trust,  that  the  Very 
Worshipful  Lords-Directors  will  uphold  me  iu  the  grant  given  by  them,  in  which  your  Worship 
will  please  to  support  my  interest,  to  have  my  privileges  contirmed,  for  I  shall  not  cede  nor  sur- 
render my  claim  to  Baron  van  der  Capelle.  His  Noble  Honor  has  himself  written  to  me,  to 
which  I  answered  as  your  Worship  may  see  by  the  enclosure.  Commending  your  Worship  with 
my  very  dutifid  respects  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  I  remain,  as  ever. 

Sir, 
Utrecht,  J/-  March.  Your  Worship's  obedient  servant 

[COENELIS    VAN    WeECKHOVEN.] 


Letter  from  Baron  van  der  Capelle  to  Cornelis  van  Weeckhoven,  infoem- 

ING    THE    latter,    THAT    HE    HAD    PrECHASED   THE   BaEITAN  COUNTRY. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Baron  van  der 
Capelle  to  the  Hon*"'"  WercTch(yoen. 
I  learned  from  the  Directors  of  the  West-India  Company,  when  I  passed  through  Amsterdam 
on  the  fl^  of  this  month,  that  your  Honor  had  selected  two  colonies  in  the  country  of  the  Nevesinck 


33  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

and  Ear  Hans  savages,  the  native  proprietors  of  tliat  district,  near  Staten-Island ;  as  I  have  bought 
from  the  same  natives  and  proprietors  some  land  near  Staten-Island  on  the  mainland  a  long  time 
ago,  to  add  to  the  safety  of  that  island,  I  informed  the  Lords-Directors  thereof,  as  soon  as  I  heard 
tiie  above  and  wish  to  communicate  it  also  to  your  Honor,  that  no  trespass  may  be  committed  on 
my  territory,  bought  from  and  paid  for  to  tlie  lawful  proprietors. 

I  know,  that  your  Honor  will  not  do  anything  to  my  prejudice,  for  the  sake  of  our  long  and 
intimate  friendship,  and  therefore  trust,  that  your  Honor  will,  upon  receipt  of  this  information, 
select  two  other  colonies  not  on  the  land,  bought  by  me,  but  at  another  place,  for  the  extent  of 
New-NetKerland  is  very  great  and  just  as  good  soil  may  be  found  at  other  places,  as  in  the  afore- 
said Nevesinck  or  Maritans  coimtry  near  Staten-Island. 

Therefore  our  correspondence  about  this  matter  ought  to  contribute  to  a  better  and  more 
useful  promotion  of  the  colonies,  which  we  both  intend  to  establish,  and  to  the  advancement  of  the 
cultivation  of  the  soil  and  population  of  the  country  for  the  benefit  of  the  Company  and  the  service 
of  our  common  country :  I  expect  for  these  reasons  a  definitive  answer  and  advice,  whether  your 
Honor  will  undertake  the  journey  in  the  spring  notwithstanding  the  present  warlike  preparations 
and  reprisals  of  the  English  Republic. 

(Signed) 

Henk.  van  der  Capelle  toe  Rtssel. 


COKNELIS    VAN    WeeCKHOVEn's    ANSWER    TO   THE   FOREGOmG. 

Copy  of  the  answer  of  the  Honorable  Wcrch- 
hoven  to  Baron  van  der  Caj)elle. 

I  have  to  state  in  answer  to  yoiir  Noble  Honor's  letter,  dated  at  Zutphen  the  -^-^  " "^ary  >  that 
no  colonies  have  been  granted  to  me  by  the  Directors  of  the  West-India  Company,  the  soil  of 
which  had  been  previously  to  their  knowledge  been  purchased  by  others  from  the  natives  of  the 
country,  altliough,  even  it  were  so,  such  a  claim  could  not  be  admitted  or  have  preference,  but  only 
the  age  and  priority  of  the  grant,  issued  for  such  a  colony :  if  this  is  to  prevail  and  liave  force, 
then  I  too  have  given  orders  two  years  ago  to  purchase  the  liaritan  Ivil  and  the  land  contiguous 
to  it  for  my  benefit  from  the  native  and  lawful  proprietors  of  the  country  :  I  have  received  letters 
and  communications,  that  the  same  has  been  bought  for  me  and  paid  for  some  time  ago,  also  taken 
possession  of,  as  I  can  show  to  your  Noble  Honor.  I  had  been  informed,  that  your  Noble  Honor 
had  purchased  a  bay  and  land  on  Long-Island,  as  well  as  the  land  of  the  Nevesinck  from  the  Sand- 
point  to  the  Nevesinck  bay,  but  not  farther,  else  I  would  have  extended  my  limits  farther  into  the 
Nevesinck,  but  I  did  not  do  it,  because  I  did  not  wish  to  give  your  Noble  Honor  the  least  cause 
of  offense  or  inflict  damage  and  therefore  I  request  most  respectfully  to  leave  me  too  in  undis- 
turbed possession  of  the  land,  purchased  by  and  granted  to  me,  and  not  to  interfere,  for  I  -would 
not  like  to  give  up  the  privileges  of  my  colony.     With  further  offers  of  my  services  etc" 

CoR.    VAN    WeRCKHOVEN. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  33 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Dieectoes  to  Stuyvesant  :  a  New-Netiieeland 
bureau  is  to  be  established,  to  check  the  abuses  in  land  granting  ;  con- 
FLICTS   ARISE    BETWEEN     THE     PURCHASES     OF    BarON    VAN    DER    CaPELLE    AND    VAN 

Werckhoven  ;  war    between    the    Mohawks    and    Canada   Indians.     4"^  of 
April  1652. 
*****  * 

From  our  secret  resolution,  which  we  entrust  lierewith  to  the  Honorable  General,  regarding 
the  vexations  by  the  savages,  of  which  the  inhabitants  complain  and  to  which  they  are  e.xjjosed 
through  the  instigations  of  evil-minded  persons,  who  make  the  savages  believe,  that  we  are  not 
allowed  to  punish  them  for  their  illdoings,  your  Honor  will  perceive,  that  if  necessary,  in  an 
emergency  a  league  may  be  made  with  our  English  neighbors,  that  thereby  the  insolence  and  mis- 
chief doing  of  the  barbarians  can  be  held  in  check  ;  we  cannot  however  consent,  to  give  them 
a  preponderance  in  the  council,  for  we  consider  tliat  dangerous. 

****** 

We  have  established  here  a  special  bureau  for  New-JVetherland  matters  and  it  is  therefore 
necessary,  that  we  should  receive  by  first  opportunity  accurate  registers  of  all  lands,  bouwei-ies  and 
houses,  let  out  on  lease  by  the  Company,  with  the  rents  and  conditions,  under  which  they  are 
rented  and  as  the  Exemtions  show,  that  the  island  of  Manhattans  is  always  to  be  reserved  for  the 
Company,  while  we  have  reason  to  believe,  that  some  lands  and  lots  have  been  given  to  private 
parties  mthout  our  knowledge,  we  require  a  detailed  information  concerning  it,  for  it  has  the 
appearance,  that  with  God's  help  we  shall  have  there  a  large  population  in  a  short  time ;  we  must 
therefore  keep  good  order,  that  every  one  may  find  a  suitable  place  and  that  the  land  may  be 
divided  with  more  equality,  than  formerly,  when  everybody  took,  what  pleased  him  best  without 
knowledge  or  consent  of  the  directors  or  their  officers,  as  we  find  it  now  in  the  cases  of  Wouter 
van  Twiller,  OJfert  Gerritseji*  Lubhert  vaii  Dincklage,  Jacob  Wolj)hertse7i*  and  others,  who  have 
taken  and  purchased  many  tracts  of  land  from  the  savages  without  our  consent  or  knowledge. 
We  consider  this  very  intolerable  and  therefore  deem  it  necessary,  that  your  Honor  should  warn 
everybody  by  public  advertisement,  not  to  buy  or  take  possession  of  any  land  without  knowledge 
and  approval  of  the  Company  and  its  officers,  also  dissolve  all  such  contracts  of  purchase,  made 
heretofore,  under  the  condition,  that  the  buyers  shall  be  reimbursed  for  their  out-lays  and  the  title 
vested  in  the  Company.  All  this  with  the  understanding,  that  we  are  and  will  be  willing,  to  grant 
as  much  land  to  everybody,  as  he  will  undertake  to  cultivate  and  populate,  but  we  do  not  intend 
to  give  away  the  land  with  unlimited  boundaries,  as  formerly,  especially  not  whole  islands,  of 
which  one  was  given  to  Cornells  JMelyn,  who  upon  8  leagues  of  country  has  only  settled  5  or  6 
living  beings.  His  title  has  consequently  lapsed  since  a  good  while  and  it  would  have  been  proper, 
that  it  should  have  been  taken  from  him  some  time  ago  and  given  to  people,  who  would  have  better 
fulfilled  their  engagements.  It  seems  now,  that  Baron  Hendrick  and  Alexander  van  der  Capelle 
have  negotiated  with  this  fellow  and  bought  from  him  one  half  of  the  island  without  previously  in- 
forming us  ;  Baron  Hendrick  van  der  Capelle  declares  besides,  that  he  had  given  orders  to  buy 
for  his  account  the  land  of  the  Nieuxoesinck  and  Raritans  back  of  Staten-Island,  which  as  we  did 
not  know  it  we  had  granted  to  the  Hon'''^  Cornelis  van  Werckhoven,  who  goes  there  with  a  goodly 
number  of  souls,  to  take  possession,  as  yom-  Honors  may  learn  from  the  commission,  which  we 
gave  him.     If  this  gentleman  i-s  interested  in  the  affairs  of  Nexo-Netherland  and  especially  in  the 

*  Yau  Couwenhoven. 


34  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

welfare  of  the  Company,  as  we  hope  he  is,  then  he  may  become  an  instrument,  by  which  many 
people  could  be  drawn  thither,  although  we  wish,  that  we  could  have  refused  the  gi*ant  of  such  a 
colony,  for  we  agree  with  your  Honors  and  consider  such  grants  very  inconvenient  for  the  Com- 
pany, but  we  could  not  refuse  it  to  this  man,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Government,  because  we  did 
not  like  to  appear  as  being  opposed  to  the  influx  of  population  ;  here  again  in  this  grant  we  meet 
the  inconveniences  mentioned  above,  for  Baron  van  der  Capelle  claims  to  have  been  proprietor  of 
these  lands  for  a  year  or  eighteen  months ;  we  must  say  to  it,  that  we  have  had  no  knowledge  of 
it  and  that  they  miist  come  to  an  agreement  among  themselves :  these  are  the  consequences  of  the 
attempt  to  establish  a  government  within  a  government. 

"We  are  quite  concerned  in  regard  to  the  request  of  the  Canada  savages,  who  have  become 
involved  into  a  war  with  the  Maquaes  and  resolved  to  go  into  the  country  of  the  latter,  to 
do  so  they  would  require  permission  to  cross  over  the  North  river  and  have  already  asked  it  from 
your  Honor.  We  consider  a  consent  to  their  request  very  dangerous,  for  we  must  fear  to  get  into 
trouble  with  the  savages,  the  more  so  for  the  reasons  mentioned  above ;  it  is  therefore  our  opinion, 
that  it  is  best,  to  refuse  such  a  passage  politely. 

*  *  *  *  ■  *  * 

We  alluded  above  to  the  contest  about  to  arise  between  Baron  Hendrich  van  der  Capelle  and 
Cornelis  van  Werchhoven  concerning  the  territory  of  the  Nieuesinck  and  Raritans  ;  this  matter 
has  gone  so  far  already,  that  they  have  entered  written  protests  against  each  others  ;  the  Honorable 
Mr.  Werclclwven  has  addressed  himself  to  us  and  requested,  that  he  should  be  supported  in  the 
privileges  granted  by  us,  which  we  shall  find  ourselves  obliged  to  sustain  as  far  as  possible,  that  so 
improper  purchases  of  land  from  the  savages  may  henceforth  be  prevented ;  the  said  y^ercMiOven 
has  also  petitioned  their  High  :  Might :  for  the  above  reasons  and  we  expect  to  see  now  shortly, 
what  rules  shall  be  established  in  these  matters. 


OEDmANCB    AGAINST    EUNNEES    IN     THE     MoHAWK     AND     SeNEOA    CODNTEY.       FaSSED 

Septbr  20,  1652. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.   137.) 


Extract  feom  a  letter  of  the  Dieectoes  to   Stuyvesant:  Vah  Weeckhoven 

DECLINES     THE     COLONIES     ON     THE     EaeITAN     AND     AT     TapPAN     AND     SEITLES    AT 

Nyack,  L.  I..  13'"  Decbe.  1653. 
****** 
Your  Honor  has  misunderstood  our  intentions  in  regard  to  the  Colonies  of  the  Honorable  waw 
Werckhoven,  wliose  two  grants  for  colonies  your  Honor  supposes  to  extend  20  miles  in  a  straight 
line,  or  your  Honor  has  not  read  the  Exemptions  carefully,  for  all  colonists  are  not  to  receive 
more,  than  four  miles  on  one  side  of  a  navigable  river  or  two  miles  on  each  side.  His  Honor  van 
Werclhoven  had  his  choice  and  could  have  taken  the  lands,  but  as  he  has  not  done  it,  has  given  it 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  35 

up  and  gone  to  NyacTc,  one  half  of  the  same  phace  is  granted  to  him,  that  he  may  settle  there  and 
act  for  his  best.  We  sliall  henceforth  not  grant  any  more  colonies,  as  we  see  that  the  people  de- 
maud  such  extensive  tracts. 

****** 

113G149 

ExTEACT    FROM    A   LETTEK   OF    THE     SAME     TO     THE     SAME  :    Wae     BETWEEN    THE    Mo- 
HAWKS    AND    CjVNADA     InDIANS  :    THE     ESTAJSLISHMENT     OF     A     TKADING     HOUSE,    20 

Dutch  miles  north  of  Albany,  recommended  to  ATTEAcr  the  Canadlan  fue- 
TEADE.     6"^  June  1653. 
****** 

We  are  informed  here  by  good  authority,  that  great  quantities  of  peltries  might  be  secured 
there  from  the  Canadian  savages,  in  case  these  tribes  could  come  to  Fort  Oraruje  without  danger 
and  without  having  to  make  a  circuitous  route  to  Fort  Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Rensselearswych. 
But  they  are  constantly  molested  by  their  neighbors,  the  Maquaes,  with  whom  they  are  at  M-ar 
almost  continually  and  this  is  said  to  be  the  reason,  why  these  Canadian  savages,  fearing  the 
dangers  and  troubles  of  a  southern  trip,  sell  their  peltries  to  the  French  and  other  nations,  which 
trade  there,  so  that  the  Company  and  her  people  are  deprived  of  all  this  trade.  We  wish  there- 
fore to  suggest  to  your  Honor,  whether  it  would  not  be  of  advantage  and  service  for  the  Company, 
to  establish  a  trading-house,  IS  or  20  leagues  above  Fort  Orange  and  make  it  the  staple  of  this 
fur-trade.  It  would  be,  as  we  believe,  no  small  matter  for  the  Company  and  we  expect  your 
Honor's  opinion  on  this  point  by  first  opportunity. 

We  have  decided  upon  your  Honor's  request  in  favor  of  the  Honorable  van  Werclchaven, 
that  in  case  he  needs  more  land,  which  he  is  able  to  cultivate,  the  Company  shall  accommodate 
him. 


Resolution  to  peovide  the  Mohawks  with  a  modeeate  amount  or  powder  and 
lead,  lest  tiiey  apply  theeefoe  to  the  English. 

The  Hon*"'^  Director-General  and  Council  have  been  informed  and  advised  of  the  scarcity 
of  powder  and  lead  among  the  Maquaas  nation  and  of  the  incessant  demands,  which  they  con- 
sequently make  on  the  inhabitants  of  the  Fort  Orange,  the  village  of  Beaverwych  and  the  people 
of  the  Colony,  and  have  further  considered,  that,  if  the  aforesaid  ammunition  were  entirely  and 
suddenly  denied  to  the  said  nation,  the  good  inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  village  and  places  might 
have  to  suffer  some  mishap  or  at  least  that  thereby  the  whole  trade  might  be  divej-ted  and  that 
the  aforesaid  nation  might  ask  for  the  ammunition  from  the  English,  our  neighbors,  and  obtain  it 
there,  a  circumstance  which  in  this  dangerous  situation  would  bring  more  and  greater  misfortune 
on  this  province.  As  the  aforesaid  Maquaas  are  now  our  good  friends,  who,  obliged  by  want 
of  the  said  ammunition  to  look  for  it  among  our  neighbors,  from  whom  they  also  can  get  a 
larger  quantity  of  wampum  for  their  beavers,  have  already  received  large  gifts  and  presents  from 
the  English,  in  order  to  attract  their  trade,  and  as  the  consequence  of  this  would  likely  be,  that  with 
the  loss  of  their  trade,  we  would  also  lose  the  friendship  of  the  Maquaas  and  hence  heap  more 
misfortunes  upon  us  and  our  nation. 


36  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Therefore  We  the  undersigned  Director- Gener.al  andCoiincil  of  New-Netherland  have  thought 
and  deemed  it  proper  and  highly  necessary,  pursuant  to  the  order  and  direction  of  the  Hon'"''^ 
Company,  to  accommodate  the  aforesaid  nation  with  a  moderate  trade  in  ammunition,  to  wit, 
powder  and  lead  and  to  have  the  same  sold  to  them  for  the  present  time  through  the  agency  of 
Rtdgert  Jacohsen*  co  delegate  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  village  of  Beaverwyok,  but  as  sparingly 
and  secretly  as  possible,  for  reasons  and  motives,  which  in  time,  if  it  is  necessary  and  required, 
shall  be  communicated  to  the  Hon'''''  Lords  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-India  Company. 
Thus  done  and  decreed  by  the  Hon'''^  Director-General  and  High  Council  of  New-Netherland 
the  25""  February  1654-  in  Fort  Amsterdam.  It  was  signed :  P.  Stuyvesant,  Nicasius  de  Stille 
and  La  Montague. 


Patent  to  Derck  Ziecken  fok  a  piece  of  land  at  Communipaw  (N.  J.). 

Petrus  Stuyvesant,  on  behalf  of  their  Noble  High :  Might :  the  Lord  States-General  of  the 
United  Netherlands  and  of  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Priv.  West-India  Company  Director- 
General  of  New-Netherland,  Curacao  and  the  Islands  thereof,  with  the  Hon""'  Council  declare, 
that  we  have  to-day,  date  underwritten,  granted  and  conveyed  to  Dirok  Zieclien  a  parcel  of  land 
situate  across  the  North  river  near  Gemoenepaen,  beginning  at  the  boundaries  of  Claes  the 
Norman's  land,  at  a  kil  coming  from  the  woods  and  stretching  to  the  Company's  land,  divided 
therefrom  also  by  a  kil  coming  from  the  woods.  The  land  runs  along  the  valley  N.  E.  by  N.  and 
S.  W.  by  S.  and  is  wide  along  this  valley  or  strand  300  rods,  back  in  the  woods  also  wide  300  rods 
reaching  into  the  woods  N.  W.  and  S.  E.  100  rods.  With  the  express  conditions  etc  etc.  Done 
at  Amsterdam,  in  New-Netherland,  the  16""  of  June  165i. 


An  Okdinance  against  FciENisHiNCr  LiQuoE  TO  Indians.     Passed  28"'  August  1654. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  182.) 


Resolution  oedeeing  the   Fiscal  to   forbid   certain   Englishmen   settling   at 
Yreedtland   (Westchester  Co.). 

It  is  resolved  in  Council : 

Whereas  some  Englishmen  begin  to  settle  and  establish  a  village  far  within  our  boundaries 
upon  the  lands  bought  and  paid  for  by  us  a  long  time  ago  at  Vreedland,  the  law-officer  of  the 
Hon"'''  Company,  Fiscal  Cornells  van  Tienhoven  shall  issue  an  interdict,  ordering  them  to  desist 
from  further  proceedings  and  to  remove. 

Done  at  New-Amsterdam,  November  5"'  1054. 

*  Van  Schocndcrwort. 


JSfeiv  Yorh  Historical  Records.  37 

Patent  to  Michiel  Jansen  fob  land  at  Pavonia   (N.  J.). 

Petrus  Stuyvesant  etc.  witli  the  Hon"''  Council  declare,  that  we  have  to-day,  date  underwrit- 
ten, granted  and  conveyed  to  Michiel  Jansen  a  parcel  of  land,  situate  at  Pavonia^  back  of  his  own 
land,  SO  rods  wide  running  N.  E. ;  into  the  woods  on  the  N.  "W.  200  rods  in  length  along  the 
land  of  Claes  Jansen  Backer,  thence  N.  E.  80  rods,  altogether  26-^  morgens.  "With  the  express 
conditions  etc  etc.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  N.  the  27""  of  Novbr  1654. 


Patent  to  Claes  Jansen  Backer  fob  land  at  Pavonxa. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant  etc.  with  the  Hon'''''  Council  declare,  that  we  have  to-day,  date  nnder- 
written,  given  and  granted  to  Claes  Jansen  Backer  a  parcel  of  land,  situate  at  Pavonia,  back  of 
the  land  of  Claes  Pietersen  Cos,  running  N.  E.  for  120  rods,  N.  W.  into  the  woods  200  rods,  wide 
in  the  rear  120  rods,  altogether  40  morgens.  With  the  express  conditions  etc.  etc.  Done  at  Fort 
Amsterda7n,  this  27""  Novbr  1654. 


Patents  issued  for  lands  in  New  Jersey  on  the  4""  and  5"'  of  December  1654. 

To  Jan  Cornelissen  Buys  a  piece  of  land  across  the  North  river  between  Gemoenejpaen  and 
Kil  van  Col,  running  all  the  river  or  bay  S.  W.  60  rods,  width  in  tlie  woods  in  the  rear  60  rods 
stretching  into  the  "Woods  N.  N.  "W".  250  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.  Decbr  4"" 
1654. 

To  Jan  LuUbo'tsen*  a  piece  of  land  across  the  North  river  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil 
van  Kol,  running  along  the  river  or  bay  S.  "W.  80  rods,  width  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  80  rods, 
stretching  into  the  woods  N.  N.  "W.  for  187|-  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.  Decbr 
5"'  1654. 

To  Jan  Gerritsen  van  Immen  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil  von  Kol, 
running  along  tlie  river  or  bay  S.  "W.  for  40  rods  back  in  the  woods  40  rods  wide,  stretching  into 
the  woods  N.  N.  "W.  for  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Decbr  5""  1654. 

To  Jan  Cornelissen  Schoenmaecker  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil  van 
Kol  running  S.  W.  along  the  river  or  bay  for  40  rods  back  in  the  woods  40  rods  wide  and  stretch- 
ing into  the  woods  N.  N.  "W.  for  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Decbr  5""  1654. 

To  Gerrit  Pietersen  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil  van  Kol,  running  S. 
"W.  along  the  river  or  bay  for  40  rods,  wide  in  the  woods  at  the  rear  40  rods,  stretching  into  the 
woods  N.  N.  "W.  for  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Decbr  5""  1654. 

To  Lubhert  Gysbertsen  a  piece  of  land  on  the  other  side  of  the  North  river,  between  Jan 
Vinge  on  the  North  side  and  Jan  Cornelissen  Buys  on  the  South  side,  nnining  along  the  river 

*  Appointed  Clerk  of  the  Company  Sept.  8,  1054,  licensed  to  keep  school  in  New  Amsterdam  Aug.  13,  1658, 
Commissioner  to  fortify  Bergen  in  1663. — B.  F. 


38  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

S.  "W.  by  "W;  for  90  rods,  -width  in  the  rear  in   the  woods  90  rods,  stretching  into  the  woods  N. 
N.  "W.  for  333^  rods  on  either  side,  together  50  morgens.     Decbr  5,  1654. 

To  Gyshert  Luhhertsen  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenejpaen  and  the  Kil  van  Kol,  running 
S.  "W.  along  the  river  or  bay  for  40  rods,  wide  at  the  rear  in  the  woods  40  rods,  stretching  into  the 
woods  N.  N.  "VV.  for  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Decbr  5,  1654. 

To  Hendrick  Jamsen  van  Schalckwyck  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil 
van  Kol  running  along  the  river  or  bay  S.  W.  for  40  rods,  wide  at  the  rear  in  the  woods  40  rods, 
stretching  into  the  woods  N.  N.  "W".  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Decbr  5, 1654. 

To  Jan  Cornelissen  Cvynnen  a  piece  of  land  between  Gemoenepaen  and  the  Kil  van  Kol, 
running  along  the  river  or  bay  S.  W.  40  rods,  wide  at  the  rear  in  the  woods  40  rods,  stretching 
into  the  woods  N.  N.  W.  375  rods  on  either  side,  together  25  morgens.     Dec.  5,  1654. 

{Jan    Cornelissen    Crynnen   being   dead,    the  same  land  was  patented  to   Isaac  de  Foreest 
April  17,  1664,  who  proved  to  have  purchased  it  from  the  original  grantee.) 


Pkotest  against  Thomas  Pell  foe  settling  on  lands  belonging  to  the  Dutch 

WITH    notice   to    quit. 

19""  April  1655. 

Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  by  virtue  of  his  commission  as  Fiscal  for  the  Province  of  JVeio 
Netherland  and  Attorney  for  its  authority  and  jurisdiction,  etc  etc 

To  you,  Thomas  Pell  or  whom  else  it  may  concern. 

Having  been  directed  to  proceed  to  and  upon  the  lands  of  Vreedlandt,  taken  possession  of 
during  the  time  of  the  late  Hon'''''  Director-General  Kieft  and  bought  from  and  paid  for  to  the 
actual  owners  and  proprietors,  natives  of  this  country',  as  the  Book  of  Deeds  and  their  signatures 
prove,  I  inform  and  warn  you  and  all,  whom  it  may  concern,  herewith,  that  you  and  your  associ- 
ates have  not  only  settled  ujjou  lands,  bought  many  years  ago  by  the  Dutch  nation  and  occupied 
by  the  late  Hon''"'  Director  Kieft  by  virtue  of  the  title  deeds,  but  that  you  also  occupy  it  by 
usurpation,  contrary  to  the  agreement  made  at  Hartford  and  to  the  peace  concluded  between  the 
two  nations  in  Europe,  against  the  will  and  consent  of  the  Director-General  and  High  Council  of 
New-Neiherland. 

Therefore,  I,  the  Fiscal,  give  you  and  all,  whom  it  may  concern,  this  public  notice  in  the  name, 
and  on  behalf  of  their  Noble  High:  Might:  the  States  General  and  the  Lords  Director  of  the 
Priv.  W.  I.  Company  by  the  bearer  hereof,  Glaes  van  Elslandt,  Court  Messenger,  chosen  and 
appointed  to  execute  this  errand,  to  warn  you  not  to  proceed  witli  building,  clearing,  pasturing 
cattle  or  cutting  hay  or  whatever  else  may  be  necessary  for  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  upon  tlie 
aforesaid  purchased  and  long  possessed  lands  contrary  to  the  agreement  made  at  JIartford  and  to 
remove  within  fifteen  days  after  the  service  of  this  notice  from  the  lands  witliin  the  jurisdiction  of 
Kew  Netherland  with  your  people,  servants  or  bound  slaves,  furniture,  cattle,  implements  and 
everything  brought  there  by  you  or  yours  as  your  property,  under  the  penalty,  that  if  you  or  any 
of  you  shall  be  found  after  the  date  aforesaid  to  have  acted  contrarily,  of  being  prosecuted,  you 
and  all  whom  it  may  concern,  according  to  law.     In  the  meantime  I  protest  against  all  damage, 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  39 

injury,  miscliief  and  trouble,  which  througli  your  actions  may  arise,  wliile  wo  declare  before  God 
and  the  World  to  be  innocent  thereof. 

Done  at  Amsterdam  in  New  Netlierland  on  the  date  as  above. 

Whereas  the  present  situation  does  not  permit,  that  the  Fiscal  of  N.  Netherland  should  servo 
the  foregoing  notice  and  protest  in  person,  therefore  the  Court  Messenger,  Claes  van  Elsland,  is 
authorized  to  do  it.     Done  at  Amsterdam  in  JV.  JY.  date  as  above. 


Order  on  the  representation  of  the  Magistrates  of   Fort   Orange,  to  pub- 
lish  AN   ORDINANCE   AGAINST    RUNNERS   AMONG   THE   InDIANS. 

Monday  the  1''  of  June  1655. 

****** 

In  regard  to  the  running  into  the  woods,  to  draw  out  the  savages  with  their  beavers  and  the 
subsequent  inconveniences,  which  might  arise  therefrom,  the  Commissary  and  the  delegates  of  the 
(aforesaid)  Fort  {Orange)  and  of  Beaverswijck  shall  have  permission,  to  frame,  conclude,  publish, 
affix  and  execute  in  our  name  such  a  placard,  as  they,  being  on  the  spot,  shall  find  most  proper  aud 
necessary  for  the  best  of  the  community  and  the  prevention  of  evil. 


Letter  from  mHAuiTANTS  of  Gravesend  to  the  Director  and  Council,  stating 

THAT    THET   ARE    THREATENED   BY    InDIANS. 

Copy.     S"-*  September  1655. 

Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen,  the  Honorable  Director-General 
and  High  Council  of  Nexo-Netherland,  Greeting! 

Your  Worships.  We  have  here  daily  strange  reports  from  Hemsteede,  Neiotown  and  else- 
■where,  to  the  effect,  that  the  savages  intend  to  pick  out  the  Duteh  from  among  the  English  in 
order  to  destroy  them,  demanding  of  the  English  at  Gravesend,  that  they  should  separate  from 
us,  so  that  they  might  not  be  in  the  same  danger  of  blood  and  good.  Last  night,  when  we  were 
all  under  arms,  a  letter  was  read  to  us  to  the  same  effect,  of  which  we  send  herewith  a  copy  to 
your  Honors,  and  we  have  great  many  other  reports,  too  long  to  repeat,  but  all  tending  to  make  us 
remove  from  here,  as  we  have  been  publicly  admonished  by  Tilton\  and  the  Magistrates,  that  it 
were  best  for  us  and  the  preservation  of  our  lives,  if  we  separated  from  them  and  moved  to  the 
Manhattans,  by  which  means  the  English  would  also  remain  safe ;  if  we  would  not  remove,  they 
would  nevertheless  do  their  best  for  us :  we  think  this  a  poor  consolation,  if  the  savages  should 
come :  it  is  also  reported,  that  the  Indians  of  the  North  and  of  the  neighboring  places  make  great 
preparations  to  carry  out  their  plans  quickly,  so  that  they  urgently  request,  we  should  separate 
from  them  to  save  our  lives  and  that  as  speedily  as  possible :  these  incessant  solicitations  have  made 
us  perplexed  and  surprised,  as  we  do  not  know,  what  to  do   and  what  not  or  to  whom  we  shall 

*  This  is  a  clerical  error  in  the  Original.     It  ought  to  be  either  28th  or  8th  Octbr. — Ed. 
t  Clerk  of  the  village  of  Gravesend. 


40  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

listen,  except,  after  God  Almighty,  to  your  honorable  Worships,  who,  we  trust,  will  assist  us  with 
their  wisdom  and  power,  as  the  present  necessity  requires  it,  since,  as  it  seems,  the  water  is  already 
up  to  our  lips  and,  if  we  once  leave  here,  Long-Island  is  no  longer  inhabited  by  Dutch  people. 
Therefore  we  presume,  it  rests  with  your  Honors  to  see,  what  our  situation  is,  which  we  cannot 
understand  ;  for  they  are  abroad  day  and  night,  on  foot  and  on  horseback,  from  one  to  the  other, 
whence  your  Worships  can  in  your  Honors'  wisdom  conceive,  what  we  may  have  to  expect.  Tester- 
day  T'dton  and  the  Sheriff  of  Newtown  came,  to-day  they  went  away  again  together.  If  your 
Honors  resolve  to  save  Long-Island  and  us,  a  moderate  force  could  do  here  much  or  at  least 
enough,  but  if  your  Honors  wished  to  have  us  near  the  Fort,  then  hands  and  feet  alone  could  not 
get  our  food  or  that  of  our  wives  and  children  and  it  woidd  be  necessary,  to  send  a  well-armed 
vessel  to  Antony  Ja/nsenH  s  place,  in  order  to  take  aboard  as  much  provisions  and  other  things  as 
possible;  we'll  leave  to  your  Honors'  wisdom  and  discretion  a  matter,  which  we  trust  will 
thereby  be  looked  after  to  the  best,  and  we  expect  your  Honors'  advice  and  orders,  according  to 
which  we  shall  govern  ourselves,  in  the  meantime  we  are  and  remain  your  honorable  Worships 
subjects  (signed)  Jacobus  vajj  Cobler,  Jan  Tomassen,  Hdtbeet  Jansen  Stoock,  Jacob  Hellekas, 

LtTYCAS  VAN  DEE  LiPHOKST,  Baeent  Babtes,  the  mark  •-+-»  of  Hendeick  Coenelissen,  the  mark  ^~\ 
of  Jan  Jacobsen,  the  mark  f  of  Willem  Willemsen,  the  mark  12  of  Coenelis  Beeckeman 
(dated)  Gravesend  adi  ut  supra. 

Westchester,  27"'  September  1655. 
Respected  friends.  After  my  respects  presented  unto  you  I  am  sensible  of  your  feares  &  it 
is  not  without  grounds  I  feare  to  use  the  Best  meanes  as  in  my  power  shall  not  be  wantinge  in 
mee  to  you  for  3'our  preservation  to  speake  with  the  Indians.  We  know  not  how  the  bearer 
hereof  can  further  inform  you.  But  if  you  send  a  messenger  about  Saturday  with  your  mynde  I 
thinke  our  Saggamaker  will  be  hear,  but  if  you  doe  not,  my  true  indeaver  shall  be  used  for  j-our 
safetye  and  my  weake  advise  to  you  at  present  iff  you  intend  your  preservation  &alsoe  the  Dutch 
that  are  amongst,  iff  they  meane  to  saue  theyre  Liues,  there  must  be  meanes  used  for  them  to 
Retourne  to  theyr  owne  contriemen  for  safeguard  ;  for  this  I  fully  understand  that  the  Indians 
will  pich  them  out  of  every  English  towne  upon  the  Hand  &  in  New-England,  it  is  a  trouble  to 
our  Saggamaker,  that  there  is  soe  many  Dutch  with  you,  for  feare  the  should  wrong  you  in  killing 
of  them,  soe  desiring  the  Lord  to  protect  you  I  rest 

was  subscrybed  Tho  :  Wielee. 

The  Indians  intend 
noe  wrong  to  the  En- 
glish, if  they  assist 
not  the  Dutch  with 
men  or  provision. 


New   York  Hiatorical  Records.  41 

Declaeaiion  as  to  the    hostility  of  the  Indians. 
8'"  September  1655. 

Jo>>ej)h  Safford  and  Thomas  Bead,  residing  at  Mespadts  JvU,'^'  testify  that  they  were  tins  day 
informed  by  Joseph  Fouler,  Goetman  Beets,  Samuel  Touw  and  his  son  William  Bead,  that  some 
inhabitants  of  Gravesend  had  been  at  Westchester  and  that  the  sachems  of  the  savages  had  been 
there  at  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  and  that  they  would  send  to  the  English  villages  on  Long-Islands 
to  deliver  and  place  in  their  hands  Thomas  Nuton,  Henry  Nuton,  and  Edward  Jesop,  because 
they  had  assisted  the  Dutch  in  the  Fort  during  that  night,  when  the  savages  here  did  so  much 
Iiarm,  while  the  savages  had  forbidden  the  English  to  bring  any  provisions  or  fuel  to  the  Ma7i- 
hatans  and  intended  to  burn  their  huts  and  houses,  in  case  the  English  would  help  the  Dutch  with 
fuel  and  provisions.  They  declare,  that  this  is  true  and  are  willing  to  confirm  under  oath,  that 
they  have  it  thus  from  the  above  named  persons.     Date  as  above  and  signed  Joseph  Safford  ;  the 

mark  "^  of  Tomas  Reedt  (Beneath  stood).  This  was  written  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Lamontagne 
and  the  Burgomaster  Mr.  Allard  Anthony,  in  whose  presence  the  affiants  took  the  oath  adminis- 
tered by  the  Fiscal.     Date  as  above,  and  signed :  Lamontagne  and  Allaed  Antony. 


Minute  and  votes  of  the  Council  on  the  action  to  be  taken  eegakding  the 

foeegoing. 
9'"  October. 

Present  in  Council  the  Hon*"'  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  Hon"'"  Councillor 
Lamo7itagn6  the  Hon''''' Fiscal  Tienhoven,  M.!:  Allard  Antony  and  Mr.  Oloff  Stevenso7i,^w:go- 
masters  and  Mr.  Johannes  Nevius,  ex- Alderman  of  this  city. 

The  above  letter,  received  last  night  from  the  Dutch  of  Gravesend,,  having  been  read  and 
opinions  pro  et  contra  having  been  expressed  in  the  Couucil,  it  was  resolved,  that  each  member 
should  express  his  opinion  separatel}',  as  to  what  action  ought  to  be  taken. 

Opinions  given  by  the  gentlemen  themselves  or  dictated  by  them. 

The  Hon''"'  Director-General  thinks,  that  it  would  not  be  bad,  if  Messrs.  Montagne  and  Al- 
lard Antony  went  to  Gravesend  as  a  committee  to  find  out,  how  matters  stood  and  to  sound  the 
feelings  there. 

Mr.  Lamontagi\ie  advises. 

That  20  or  25  men  ought  to  be  sent  to  .the  village  of  Gravesend  to  assist  the  Dutch. 

Advice  of  Fiscal  Tienhoven,  written  by  himself. 
After  the  letter,  written  in  English  from  Westchester  to  the  people  of  Gramesend  and  sent  by 
some  of  them  to  the  Director  and  Council  together  with  a  letter  and  request  for  assistance,  advice 
and  orders,  had  been  read  in  the  Council,  whereupon  the  Council  expressed  opinions  pro  et  contra, 
Cornelis  van  Tienhoven  advises,  that  for  pregnant  reasons  no  soldiers  should  be  sent  to  the  village 
aforesaid  for  the  present,  but  at  first  to  try  mediation  and  summon  some  of  the  magistrates  by  a 
friendly  letter,  to  appear  as  soon  as  jjossible  before  the  Council  here  in  the  Fort,  then  show  them 
the  letter  from  Westchester,  remind  them  of  their  proper  honor,  oath  and  duties  and  recommend 

*  On  Long  Island. 


42  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  the  Dutch  to  niaiutaiii  a  firm  stand  at  Gravesend  and  not  to  leave  their  home  without  necessity. 
Date  as  above  and  signed,  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven. 

Advice  of  Mr.  Allard  Antony,  written  by  himself. 
Having  heard  the  Hon"'"  Director-General's  proposition  regarding  the  letter,  arrived  from 
Gravesend,  to  send  two  delegates  to  them,  my  advice  is,  that  it  is  only  necessary  to  write  to  the 
magistrates  of  Gravesend,  that  they  should  appoint  two  of  their  number  to  come  here  to  the 
Hon"'"  General  with  two  of  the  Dutch  nation  and  that,  as  we  had  understood,  they  had  received 
a  letter  of  advice  from  Lieutenant  Wheeler  of  Westchester  to  communicate  the  same  to  the  Hon"'" 
Director-General  and  Council.     Date  as  above,  signed 

Allaed  Antony. 
Advice  of  the  Hon"'"  Bm-gomaster  Olqff'  Stevenson*  : 

That  two  delegates  ought  to  be  sent  there,  in  order  to  find  out,  how  matters  stand,  for  if  only 
two  are  summoned  from  there,  probably  no  complete  information  could  be  obtained. 
Advice  of  Mr.  Johannes  Nevius,  written  by  himself. 
My  advice  is,  to  write  a  letter  to  the  people  of  Gravesend,  that  they  send  us  two  delegates 
with  two  Dutchmen,  who  are  well  informed  of  the  daily  rumors  current  there,  then  to  inquire  as 
well  as  possible  into  tlie  truth  of  these  and  this  as  soon  as  feasible,  as  the  present  situation  does  not 
admit  of  a  long  delay  ;  then  we  can,  in  accordance  with  circumstances,  resolve  upon  the  best  means 
to  prevent  further  harm  and  for  the  best  of  the  country.     Date  as  above,  signed 

Joannes  Nevius. 

It  having  been  resolved  by  a  majority  of  votes,  to  write  regarding  the  foregoing  to  the  people 
of  Gravesend,  the  following  letter  was  sent  to  them  to-day,  both  in  Dutch  and  in  English. 

"Worshipful,  Dear  and  Faitliful. 

AVe  have  received  last  night  a  certain  letter  from  the  Dutch  in  the  village  of  Gravesend, 
in  which  they  inform  us  of  their  fears  of  being  surprised  by  the  barbarous  savages  in  these  dan- 
gerous times,  which  fears  seena  to  be  the  result  of  a  certain  letter,  said  to  be  written  by  Lieutenant 
Thomas  Wheeler  of  Westcliester  to  your  worshipful  Council,  advising  the  English  and  Dutch  to 
separate  from  each  other.  Altliough  we  do  not  know,  whether  it  is  so  or  not,  we  consider  the 
proposition  of  separation,  based  only  on  reports  or  a  simple  letter,  quite  unfounded  and  unadvised, 
therefore  we  write  herewith  as  well  to  the  Dutch  people  as  to  you,  that  you  remain  together  and 
keep  together  good  watch  and  be  on  the  look-out :  if  you  should  believe  some  soldiers  required  for 
greater  safety,  we  shall  not  fail  to  send  them  to  your  assistance,  as  the  circumstances  will  permit ; 
now,  however,  this  letter  is  to  request,  that  you  will  delegate  two  of  the  magistrates  and  send 
them  hither,  to  arrange  with  us  regarding  the  present  critical  situation  of  the  village  and  to  give 
us  a  more  detailed  report  on  the  common  rumors  and  the  letter  of  Thomas  Wlieeler  and  whereas 
it  is  Sunday  to-morrow,  we  shall  expect  your  delegates  next  Monday  relying  upon  which  M-e  com- 
mend you  to  God's  protection  and  remain 

Your  good  friends 
Date  as  above  The  Director-General  and  Council  of  Wew-Netherland. 

(signed)  P.  Stuyvesant. 

The  letter  was  directed :  To  the  Worshipful,  Dear  and  Faithful,  the  Magistrates  and  Com- 
munity of  the  village  of  Gravesend. 

*  Van  Cortlandt. 


JSfew  Yurh  Jlidorical  Records.  43 

On  the  IS""  of  October  1655  two  delegates  from  the  magistrates,  Will.  WilleJcens  and  Will. 
Boune  appeared  before  the  Council  in  pursuance  of  the  request  of  the  foregoing  letter  and  thanked 
the  Director-General  for  his  offer  and  will  give  information,  as  soon  as  they  hear  of  danger  and 
then  state  what  thej  require.     Date  as  above. 


EeSOLUTION    FOEBroDING    THE    SAILING   OF   THE    VESSELS     IN    POET   AND    DEPAETUEE    OF 
ABLE-BODIED    PASSENGF.ES,    UNTIL    THE    PRESENT     CRISIS    IS    PAST. 

ll'"  October. 

The  present  critical  situation  of  the  country  having  been  taken  into  consideration  bj'  the 
Director-General  and  Council,  they  have,  in  the  presence  of  the  Burgomasters  and  Scheepen  of 
this  City,  resolved  for  weighty  reasons  not  to  let  the  homeward  bound  ships,  now  ready  to  sail, 
depart,  before  the  man-of-war  "  De  Waagh^''  which  is  expected  every  day,  has  arrived  :  regarding 
the  passengers,  who  to  the  number  of  60  or  thereabouts  have  given  notice,  that  they  will  leave 
with  the  aforesaid  ships,  it  has  been  unanimously  resolved  for  the  greater  safety  of  the  country, 
not  to  allow  any  passenger,  able  to  carry  arras,  to  leave  for  the  present,  unless  God  shall  give  a 
change  for  the  better.  Date  as  above  and  signed  P.  Sttjyvesant,  Lamontagne,  Cob,  van  Tien- 
HovEN,  Oloff  Stevenson,  Joannes  Nevius,  Jacob  Stkyckee,  J.  Vinge. 


Minute  of  the  attendance  of  Jacob  van  Coeler  and  Jacob  Silliakes  with  the 

MAGISTEATES    OF    GeAVESEND. 

12'"  October. 

This  day  appeared  before  us,  pursuant  to  summons,  Jacob  van  Corler  and  Jacoh  Sillialces 
with  the  magistrates  of  Gravesend  /  after  their  request  had  been  heard,  tlie  Director-General  and 
Council  decided,  that  whenever  the  magistrates  and  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Gravesend  should 
hear  of  or  suspect  any  greater  danger,  than  the  present  one  and  give  information  thereof  to  the 
Director-General  and  Council,  succor  of  soldiers  shall  be  sent  to  them,  as  circumstances  will  per- 
mit, in  accordance  with  the  letter  of  the  Director-General,  written  to  them  on  the  9""  inst.  Date 
as  above  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-NetJierland. 


Lettee  feom  DiEECTOE   Stutvesant  TO  Capt.  Bryant  Nuton,  warning  him  to 

BE    on    the    look-out    FOE    InDIANS. 

Capt"  Brian  Nukin.  This  is  to  inform  you,  that  3  or  4  canoes  with  savages  have  been  seen 
near  the  Hellegat  on  Loiig-Island,  who  have  taken  Pieter,  the  chimney-sweep,  prisoner ;  therefore 
you  will  have  to  be  on  your  guard  and  keep  your  men  close  together  and  whereas  I  have  been  in- 
formed, that  the  free  people,  contrary  to  my  order,  do  not  remain  together,  but  that  every 
one  runs  here  and  there  to  his  own  plantation,  you  must  once  more  and  this  the  last  time 
warn  them,  that  they  take  care  and  keep  together  according  to  my  order  or  that  I  shall  be  obliged, 
to  take  other  measures  herein.      You  are  hereby  especially  directed  to  keep  your  soldiers  together 


44  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

and  keep  a  good  watch.     Farewell.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherlani ,  IS""  October 
1655. 

The  letter  was  du-ected:  To  the  Valiant,  Pious  Brian  Nuton,  Captain-Lieutenant,  at  present 
at  Amesfoort. 

A  letter  of  the  same  tenor  was  also  sent  to  Sergeant  Nicolas  Velthuysen,  now  at  Midwout. 


Minute  of  the  appeaeance  before  the  Council  of  Stephen  Neckee,  who  had 

BEEN     TAKEN     PRISONER     Wn'H    5    OTHERS,    BY     InDIANS    AND    IS    SENT   TO    DEMA.ND    A 
RANSOM. 

13'"  October. 

Stephen  Neclier  appeared  before  the  CouncU  and  reported  that  Peter,  the  chimney-sweep  with 
five  others,  of  whom  he  was  one,  had  sailed  to  the  aforesaid  chimney-sweep's  plantation  to  fetch 
some  animals  from  there ;  after  they  had  been  there  about  half  an  hour  they  were  attacked  by 
about  30  savages,  he  does  not  know  of  what  nation,  who  took  them  all  prisoners ;  four  of  them 
had  been  wounded  and  he  with  Cornelia  Mourissen  (afterwards  shot  in  the  back  with  an  arrow, 
which  has  been  cut  out  by  the  barber)  have  been  sent  here  by  the  savages,  to  ask  for  their  ran- 
som the  following  articles,  which  the  savages  had  marked  with  notches  on  a  stick  : 

20  coats  of  cloth  40  knives 

20  handfuls  of  powder  10  pairs  of  shoes 

10  bars  of  lead  10  pairs  of  socks 

10  kettles  10  addices 

2  muskets  10  hatchets 

3  swords  20  tobacco-pipes. 
20  strings  of  wampiim 


Minute  of  a  message   brought  from  the   Indians   at  Paulus  Hook,  that  the 
prisoners  will  be  released  in  two  days. 
13""  October. 

Peter  CocTc,  who  conducted  Captain  Post*  and  others  to  Paulus  Hook,  reports  that  the  In- 
dians had  told  him,  the  prisoners  shall  all  be  here  in  two  days,  come  over,  then  you  will  see  it. 
Also,  that  the  savages  are  not  satisfied,  that  Captain  Post  had  not  come  over  at  the  fixed  time  and 
that  they  say,  you  Dutch  people  lie  so  much,  that  you  cannot  be  trusted.     Date  as  above. 

*  Captain  Adrian  Post,  his  wife,  five  children  and  servants  were  captured  in  the  attack  by  the  Indians  on  New 
Amsterdam  and  the  other  settlements  Sept.  15,  1655.  See  Col.  Hist.  Vol.  XII,  pp.  98,  etc.  Post  settled  after- 
wards in  Bergen,  N.  J. — Ed. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Reccyrds.  45 

Resolution  not  to  pat  thk  eansom,  demanded  by  the  Indians. 
IS""  October. 

It  having  been  considered  in  Council,  whether  the  ransom  demanded  by  the  savages  should 
be  paid  for  the  four  persons,  who  have  been  taken  prisoners  by  the  Indians  to-day  and  for  others, 
who  might  yet  be  captured,  when  they,  like  the  former,  without  knowledge,  even  contrary  to 
orders  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  go  to  distant  and  lonely  places,  it  was  after  some  de- 
bating pro  et  contra  resolved,  concluded  and  decided  in  the  negative,  because,  as  soon  as  the  other 
savages,  who  have  73  of  our  people  as  prisoners,  would  hear,  that  so  much  has  been  paid  for  4 
they  would  demand  a  considerable  sum,  and  for  other  pregnant  reasons  to  be  brought  forward  in 
due  time.     Date  as  above. 


OEDmAJJCE   AGAINST   PERSONS    GOING    INTO    THE    COUNTEY    IN    SMALL    PAETIES,  PASSED    OcT.  16,  1655. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  198.) 


OeDEE   FOE    THE    SAFETY    OF    AmESFOOET    AND    THE    BaY. 

16'"  October  1655. 

"Whereas  this  day  appeared  before  us  with  Captain-Lieutenant  Brian  Nuton,  Elbert  Elherisen, 
Marten  Jansen,  and  Albert  Albertsen,  all  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Amesfoo7%  who  report  tliat 
some  of  their  townsmen  have  removed  and  others  in  the  village  are  unwilling  to  work  with  them 
and  help  carry  the  general  burden  of  the  village  in  keeping  up  the  guard,  therefore  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  having  taken  it  into  consideration,  it  is  concluded  and  resolved,  that  the  ab. 
sentees,  who  have  their  houses  on  the  aforesaid  Bay,  as  well  as  those,  who  are  present,  must  help 
carry  and  contribute  to  the  general  burdens  of  the  village  and  its  safety,  as  well  in  maintaining  the 
military  garrisoned  there  as  safe-guard  as  in  watching  and  patroling  with  the  others.  The  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  further  ordered,  that  the  absentees  must  keep  for  each  bouwery  at  least 
one  stout  man,  properly  provided  -with  musket  and  side-arms  and  that  until  further  orders,  each 
bouwery  shall  provide  two  soldiers  with  sufficient  provisions  for  their  board  and  in  case  of  refusal, 
the  above  said  Captain-Lieutenant  Brian  Nuton,  EJhert  Elbertsen  and  Marten  Jansen  are  ordered 
and  authorized  to  hire  a  man  for  each  bouwery  and  to  put  the  soldiers  in  board  with  some  one  at 
the  charge  and  expenses  of  those  who  disobey  or  refuse  ;  the  Director-General  and  Council  being 
responsible,  at  the  expense  of  the  refusing  parties,  for  the  just  and  lawful  expenses,  subject  to  the 
decision  of  two  impartial  men.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  Neio-Netherland  date  as  above, 
(signed)  P.  Stuyvesant,  Lamontagne,  C.  van  Tibnhoven. 


Lettee  to  Capt.  Post,  oedeeing  him  to  inquiee  what  the  Indians  peopose  to 
DO  with  theie  peisonees. 

Captain  Post.     Whereas  the  savages  often  impose  upon  us  by  displaying  the  flag  and  lure  xis 
over  the  river  for  trivial  matters,  which  makes  our  people  tired  to  ci-oss  and  re-cross,  without  get- 


46  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

ting  an  answer  from  them  in  regard  to  our  prisoners,  therefore  your  Worship  or  somebody  else, 
■who  knows  the  Indian  language,  must  ask  the  Sachem  Pemiekeck,  Oratany  and  others,  what  they 
really  mean  and  intend  and  whether  they  will  return  the  prisoners  or  not  and  when  and  that  they 
must  not  cause  any  further  delay  or  lie  to  us.  Done  at  Amsterdam  in  New-Neiherland  date 
as  above  (16'"  Oct.  1655). 
Copy. 


Ordinance   foebidding  all   persons  going  across  the  eivee  oe  commtinicating 
WITH  THE  Indians,  without  a  pass,  passed  Octbe  18,  1655. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  200.) 


Minute  of  the   eetuen   of  l-i  prisoners   (men,  women  and  children)   by  Pen- 
nekeck,  chief   of   Achkinkeshakt. 

Monday,  the  IS'"  of  October  1655. 

Whereas  the  chief  of  the  Indians  of  Achhinkeshahj*  by  name  Pennekeck  has  sent  yesterday 
the  17""  October,  with  Captain  Post,  one  of  the  prisoners,  fourteen  Dutch  people,  men,  women 
and  children,  to  the  Hon"'"  Director-General  as  a  token  of  his  good  heart  and  intention  and  said 
chief  requested,  that  the  Hon'''''  Director-General  would  show  his  kindheartedness  by  sending 
some  powder  and  lead, 

The  Director-General  and  Council  finding  the  request  of  Penneckek  oi  importance  and  having 
considered  the  present  situation  of  affairs,  have  resolved  and  concluded,  to  send  him,  as  a  reward 
and  token  of  affection  two  Indians,  taken  prisoners  by  our  people,  although  not  of  liis  nation  and 
to  give  him  some  powder  and  lead,  hoping  by  these  means  to  get  the  other  Christians  in  a  friendly 
manner  and  at  the  same  time  to  inform  him,  that  when  all  the  Christian  prisoners  have  been  re- 
turned to  us,  he  shall  be  rewarded  courteously.  Thus  done  in  Council  of  the  Hon""'  Director- 
■  General  and  Council,  date  as  above  (signed)  P.  Stdyvesant,  Lamontagne,  Cob.  van  Tienhoven. 


Instructions  to  Capt"  Adrian  Pt)ST  to   obtain  the   release   of  the  prisoners, 

STILL    IN    the    hands    OF    THE    InDXANS. 

18'"  October  1055. 

Instructions  giving  to  Captain  Adriaen  Post  by  the  Hon"'"  Director-General  and  Council  of 
Neiv-Netherland. 

Whereas  the  said  Captain  Adriaen  Post  brought  us  yesterday  13  or  14  of  our  Christian 
prisoners,  who  had  been  surrendered  to  him  by  the  Sachem  Pennekeck,  with  the  message  that  he 
thus  showed  to  the  Director-General  his  kind  heart  and  affection  and  expected  in  return  by  the 
Director-General's  favor  and  friendship  some  powder  and  lead,  therefore  the  aforesaid  Captain 
Post  is  authorized  and  directed,  to  cross  over  again  and  answer  the  said  Sachem  in  our  name,  as 
follows : 

*  Hackensack,  N.  J. 


New    York  Historical  Records.  47 

That  we  thank  Pennelceck  and  the  other  Sachems,  wlio  are  with  him,  for  their  kindhearted- 
iiess  and  affection,  which  they  have  shown  in  retunung  the  prisoners,  whom  they  had,  and  that 
we,  in  proof  of  our  friendship  and  good  intentions  send  and  give  to  them,  in  order  to  return  them 
again,  each  to  his  people,  two  captured  Indians,  whom,  although  they  are  not  of  his  nation,  one 
being  a  Wappiiuj  and  tiie  other  from  Esojnis  or  Waerinnewmujh,  Pennekech  must  nevertheless 
accept  as  a  token  of  our  good  heart  and  affection,  and  that  he  must  do  his  hest,  that  we  may  again 
get  the  captured  Dutch  or  Swaneclces*  who  are  in  his  or  other  Sachems'  possession. 

He  shall  further  tell  Pennekeck,  that  it  is  not  customary  with  us  to  pay  nor  to  accept  pay- 
ment for  prisoners,  but  to  return  them  in  friendship,  as  we  do  with  these  two  prisoners,  and  that  we 
likewise  expect  from  him,  that  he  will  give  something  to  the  poor  prisoners,  who  have  suffered 
much  from  cold  and  inconvenience  and  much  damage,  as  we  have  done  to  their  prisoners,  so  that 
they  bear  us  no  more  ill-will,  and  therefore  we  would  not  send  "any  powder  and  lead  for  the  prison- 
ers, which  Pennekeck  sent  us  yesterday,  except  a  little  for  the  chief  Pennekeck  and  the  other 
chiefs  in  proof  of  our  good  will  and  that  only,  that  they  might  exert  themselves  with  the  other 
Sachems,  to  get  the  other  prisoners  and  that  he  would  tell,  where  our  other  prisoners  are  and  when 
they  will  return. 

Also  that,  when  we  shall  have  got  our  other  prisoners,  we  are  willing  to  give  as  token  of  our 
affection,  some  powder  and  lead  to  the  Sachems  and  shall  expect  them  in  return  to  show  their  friend- 
ship and  good  will  by  presents,  when  our  prisoners  are  surrendered. 

Whereas  many  false  stories  are  carried  back  and  forward  by  Dutchmen,  who  cross  over  with- 
out being  sent  by  us,  he  shall  tell  Pennekeck  and  the  other  chiefs,  that  we  have  forbidden  any  one 
of  the  Dutch  people  to  cross  over  as  long  as  the  negotiations  last,  excejjt  Captain  Post  or  those, 

who  bring  with  them  this  token  '■'^^^.•'  made  by  the  Director-General's  hand  and  that  he  shall 
not  believe  others. 

Fourthly,  he  shall  say  to  Pennekeck,  that  we  also  have  forbidden,  that,  in  case  messengers 
come  over  from  him,  no  people  shall  be  on  the  river  bank,  except  such  as  we  have  sent  and  that 
if  he  send  messengers,  he  must  not  send  bad  men  or  ragarauiBns,  but  a  Sachem  or  chief,  whom  the 
Director-General  may  believe  and  that  he  shall  have  liberty  to  come  and  return.  Done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New-Netherlcmd,  date  as  above. 


Letter  of  inhabitants  of  Geavesend,  L.  I.  pbaying  fok  protection  against  tue  Indians. 

20'"  October  1655. 
Copy. 

Honorable  General. 
"We  are  at  present  surrounded  here  by  Indians,  of  M-hom  some  have  been  permitted  by  the 
English  to  come  in.  They  say,  ihe  English  never  give  them  anything  to  drink,  they  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  them  ;  it  may  well  be,  that  our  turn  will  come  soon,  at  the  latest  to-night. 
We  ask  for  speedy  assistance,  for  tlie  English  allow  the  savages  to  go  in  and  out ;  the  blow  will 
undoubtedly  fall  on  our  heads.  We  are  confident,  that  since  they  are  without  restraint,  no  assist- 
ance will  be  given  to  us,  so  that  we  all,  with  wives  and  children,  are  very  anxious  and  request 

*  "Schwonnack,"  Indian  word  signifying  "people  of  the  salt  water"  because  the  Dutch  had  come  over  the 
sea. — Ed. 


48  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

tlierefore  respectfnlh',  young  as  well  as  old  people,  to  send  us  speedy  help,  (lower  stood)  In  the 
name  of  all  (signed)  Jacob  Swart,  Jan  Tomassen,  the  mark  +  of  Antoijy  Jansen,  Laueis 
Jansex,  the  mark  P.E.  of  Pieter  Ebel,  J.  van  Curler. 

The  Hou"'"  Director-General  and  Council  having  seen  and  considered  the  aforesaid  request, 
resolved  to  succor  the  inhabitants  of  Gravesend  as  far  as  possible  with  twenty  men  and  to  direct 
them  to  secure  the  safest  place.     Date  as  above,  New-Amsterdam  (signed)  P.  Stutvesant,  La- 

MONTAGNE,    CoENELIS    VAN    TiENHOVEN. 


Message  of  the  Indians  bent  with  some  prisoners  and  answer  thereto. 

21^'  October  1655. 

Some  powder  and  lead  for  28  of  our  prisoners  having  been  brought  over  to  the  Indians  by 
Adriaen  Post  and  Claes  Jansen  Ruyter,  accompanied  by  Pieter  Wolphertsen,  pursuant  to  the  reso- 
lution of  the  IQ""  October,  they  return  this  day  and  bring  the  said  28  prisoners  according  to  the 
promise  made  by  the  Indians  ;  and  report,  that  the  Sachem  Pennekeck  had  directed  them  to  tell 
the  Hon'''^  Director-General,  that  Claes  Jansen  de  Ruyter  nmst  return  again  to-day  and  bring  with 
him  a  quantity  of  goods,  as  powder,  lead,  duffels,  guns,  wampum  etc^  to  ransom  the  prisoners,  who 
were  still  among  them,  20  to  2J:  persons,  else  he  would  go  with  them  into  the  interior.  It  was 
resolved,  to  send  the  aforesaid  persons  over  again  and  to  ask  how  much  they  would  take  for  the 
whole  batch  of  prisoners  or  for  each  single  one.     Date  as  above. 


Answer  of  the  Indians  to  the  foregoing. 

26'"  October  1655. 

To-day,  the  26""  of  October,  Captain  Adriaen  Post  and  Claes  Jansen  de  Ruyter  came  over 
from  Paulus  Hook  and  reported,  that  they  had  had  a  conference  there  with  the  chief  of  Achkin- 
keshaky  and  his  people  and  other  savages  of  Mochgeychkonk.  They  declared  on  their  word  of 
honor  to  the  Council  and  related,  that  the  said  chief  Pennekeck  had,  in  the  name  of  the  otlier 
savages,  directed  tiiem  to  tell  and  request  the  Hon''"'  Director-General,  that,  if  his  Honor  would 
be  pleased  to  send  him  and  his  people  75  pounds  of  powder  and  40  bars  of  lead  in  three  kegs,  either 
as  ransom  or  as  present,  they  would  immediately  surrender  the  28  prisoners. 

The  Hon'''''  Director-General  and  Council  and  the  Burgomasters  of  this  City  having  heard  the 
report  of  the  aforesaid  persons  and  having  further  seriously  considered  the  inconvenience  of  the 
captured  Christians,  whose  imprisonment  rather  ties  our  hands,  they  have  with  common  advice 
and  consent  resolved  (liowever  unwilling),  for  the  sake  of  the  prisoners'  preservation  and  in  the 
hope  to  recover  them  and  the  balance  of  the  prisoners,  to  give  to  the  savages  the  demanded  lead 
and  powder  as  ransom  for  the  captives,  as  no  other  means  can  at  present  be  discovered  to  recover 
them,  and  the  more  so,  as  they  are  scattered  here  and  there  among  the  Indians  in  the  distant  in- 
terior and  to  prove  to  them  our  sincere  good-will,  it  is  resolved  to  send  them  as  a  present  25  pounds 
of  powder  and  10  staves  of  lead  over  and  above  the  ransom.  Date  as  above :  present  were  the 
Noble  Director-General,  the  Hon'''^  Lamontagne  and  the  Hon'"^  Fiscal  Tienhoven. 


Neto   YorTi  Historical  Records.  49 

Eemonstbance  of  the  Dieector-Geneeal  Airt)  Council  of  New-Netheeland  to 

THE    StATES-GeNEEAL,    EXPOSING    THE    BAD   CONDUCT    OF     THE     BAEBAEOUS     InDIANS 
TOWAEDS    THE    DuTCH.       3]    OcT  1655. 

To  tlieir  Noble  High-Mightinesses,  the  Honorable  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands. 

"We  remonstrate  with  due  reverence  and  profound  humility,  also  as  far  as  we  know  in  all 
sincerity  and  truth,  in  the  name  of  and  for  all  your  Noble  High-Mightinesses'  subjects,  who  through 
God's  providence,  under  authority  and  protection  of  your  Noble  High :  Might :  and  with  the 
knowledge  and  consent  of  the  Hon'''*  Lords-Directors  have  transported  themselves  hither  and  set- 
tled in  this  Province  of  New-Netherland.,  a  country  not  much  differing  from  our  Fatherland  in 
regard  to  climate  and  fertility,  in  which  your  Noble  High-Might^ :  subjects  can  easily  gain  their 
livelihood.  They  have  done  so  for  a  time  and  would  be  able  to  do  so  in  future,  with  the  evident 
prospect  of  producing  a  great  many  and  different  good  fruits  and  merchandises,  in  case  your  Noble 
High  Might^  subjects  could  be  and  remain  somewhat  safe  against  the  molestations,  annoyances  and 
murders  committed  by  tlie  barbarous  natives,  from  whom  we  have,  from  time  to  time,  suffered 
much  insult  by  the  killing  of  our  cattle  and  the  murdering  of  persons,  with  the  particulars  of 
which,  referring  to  past  times,  we  will  not  trouble  your  Noble  High  :  Might :,  in  order  not  to 
make  the  report  too  long  and  to  interrupt  your  Noble  High :  Might' :  constant  attention  to  more 
important  and  grave  matters.  We  shall  only  state  briefl}',  that  after  a  war  had  been  waged  during 
one  or  two  years  by  various  barbarous  Indian  tribes  against  the  Netherlandish  nation,  subjects  of 
your  Noble  High  :  Might :,  the  lawfulness  or  unlawfulness  of  which  we  will  not  discuss  to  any 
one's  discredit,  in  the  year  1045  a  firm  and  inviolable  peace  was  finally  made  with  the  afore- 
said natives  on  the  conditions  here  annexed.  Since  that  time  the  aforesaid  Indian  tribes  have, 
without  cause  having  been  given,  as  far  as  we  know,  not  only  killed  and  destroyed  many  animals, 
as  cows,  horses  and  hogs,  belonging  to  your  Noble  High  Might' :  subjects,  but  have  also  horribly 
murdered  ten  persons,  first  Simon  Waliiujen*  in  the  second  year  after  the  peace  was  made,  in 
1651  the  wife  of  Jan  Pietersen  on  Long-Island,  in  1652  four  persons  on  this  island  of  Manhat- 
tan, a  year  later  again  ihree  persons  on  Staten-Island  and  last  year  Jochem  P ietersenKuyter  in 
his  own  house,  whereupon  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  this  province  demanded  the  murderers,  but 
they  were  always  refused,  at  least  they  never  appeared.  These  infractions  of  the  treaty  made  by 
them  have  always  been  passed  over  by  the  said  Magistrate  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  for  the  best 
of  the  country  and  the  people  and  without  show  of  hostility  or  revenge.  It  has  further  happened, 
that  on  the  15"'  of  September  last  past,  (while  the  Director-General  had  proceeded,  pursuant  to 
orders  and  directions  of  the  Lords-Directors,  Patroons  of  this  country,  with  the  few  soldiers  of  this 
Province,  to  the  South  river,  to  resent  the  injuries  and  affronts  inflicted  by  the  Swedes  and  to  re- 
duce that  river  again  to  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Province,  for  the  success  of  which  expedition, 
blessed  be  God,  we  are  truly  thankful),  fourteen  days  after  the  General's  departure  at  a  very  early 
hour  of  the  morning  64  canoes  full  of  savages  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  City  of  New- 
Amsterdam,  who,  almost  before  any  one  had  risen  from  bed,  spread  over  this  City  and  during  the 
day  offered  and  committed  in  many  houses  and  to  many  citizens  insults,  whicli  to  particularize 
would  lengthen  this  humble  petition  too  much.  Their  Sachems  or  chiefs  were  then  summoned 
before  the  Council  and  gave  good  words  and  promises  to  depart  before  evening,  but  they  remained, 
the  Lord  only  knows  with  what  intentions :  in  the  meantime  the  good  citizens,  already  uneasy  on 
account  of  the  insults  suffered  during  the  day,  became  very  circumspect  and,  afraid  of  further  mis- 

*  Van  dor  Bilt,  came  to  Rensselaerswyck  in  1636. 


50  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

chief,  strengthened  their  guards  bj  order  of  the  remaining  members  of  the  Council  and  other 
officers  during  the  following  night.  However,  about  eight  o'clock  one  Paulus  Leendertsen^  was 
threatened,  according  to  liis  declaration,  with  a  hatchet  and  tlie  former  Fiscal  van  Dyck  was  wounded 
by  an  arrow  within  this  City,  whereupon  a  great  outcry  and  noise  was  made  and  some  of  the  citi- 
zens began  to  shoot  at  the  savages  and  a  few  were  killed  on  either  side.  Shortly  afterwards  and 
dm-ing  the  whole  night  following  a  fearful  fire  and  massacre  was  committed  by  the  aforesaid 
savages,  so  that  in  tliree  days'  time  about  50  Christians  were  killed  and  murdered,  more  than  one 
hundred,  mostly  women  and  children,  captured,  of  whom  -we  afterwards  ransomed  60  to  70  with 
great  expense,  the  rest  being  still  in  their  hands,  28  bouweries  and  some  plantations  and  about 
twelve  to  fifteen  thousand  schepels  of  grain  burned,  500  to  600  heads  of  cattle  either  killed  or 
taken  by  the  barbarians ;  anyway.  Noble  Lords,  your  Noble  High  Might' :  subjects  and  humble 
petitioners  have  suffered  tlirough  these  barbarous  Indians  a  damage  of  more  than  two  hundred 
thousand  guilders  and  more  than  200  persons,  besides  those,  who  were  killed  or  are  still  in 
captivity,  have  lost  their  possessions  and  having  nothing  left  to  procure  food  and  clothing  for 
themselves  and  their  families  must  be  a  charge  upon  this  City  alone.  Finally,  the  country 
in  general  has  gone  backward  so  much,  that  it  will  not  be  in  the  same  flourishing  state  for 
several  years,  that  it  was  in  six  weeks  ago.  To  this  the  fear  must  be  added,  which  most  of  the 
inhabitants  entertain  (and  not  without  reason)  to  be  again  surprised  so  unexpectedly,  in  case  no 
steps  are  taken  to  prevent  so  general  a  massacre  and  so  great  a  loss.  It  makes  them  and  many 
others  circumspect  and  timid  to  go  again  into  the  open  country.  It  is  besides  impossible,  unless 
they  receive  assistance  from  others,  hence  we  have  only  to  expect,  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of 
cultivation  and  harvests,  poverty,  want,  famine  and  a  final  total  ruin  of  the  countrj^  We,  your 
Noble  High  Might^ :  subjects  and  petitioners  very  humbly  and  respectfully  submit  this  dismal  and 
doleful  state  of  affairs  and  ask  herewith  for  help  and  advice,  how  we  shall  act  towards  these  bar- 
barous tribes  in  regard  to  the  aforesaid  and  other  murders,  affronts  and  enormous  damages.  We 
are  very  much  disinclined,  to  enter  without  your  Noble  "Worships'  knowledge,  advice  and  assist- 
ance into  an  open  war,  which,  if,  besides  God's  help,  no  assistance  and  succor  is  sent  from  our 
dear  Fatherland,  it  would  be,  humanly  speaking,  impossible  to  carry  on  and  bring  to  a  de- 
sirable result.  We  have  considered  all  this  thoroughly,  also  the  present  critical  situation  of  the 
Lords-Directors  of  the  Priv.  West-India  Company,  who  are  unable  to  send  us  such  a  relief  and  so 
soon,  according  to  your  Noble  High :  Might' :  advice,  as  the  present  general  distress  and  circum- 
stances of  the  country  may  require,  and  we  find  ourselves  compelled  to  have  recourse  to  your 
Noble  High  :  Might :  with  the  knowledge  and  approbation  of  the  Lords-Directors  the  Patroons 
of  this  Province  and  to  ask,  besides  the  good  advice  of  our  Lords-Patroons,  with  great  respect  for 
the  wise  counsel  and  effectual  assistance  of  your  Noble  High  :  Might :  ;  with  this  assistance,  we 
hope  to  subdue  under  God's  guidance  the  barbarous  tribes  and  to  inhabit  the  country  in  peace. 
We,  your  Noble  High  :  Might :  petitioners  have  commimicated  tlie  details  to  the  Lords-Directors 
and  omitted  them  liere  for  brevity's  sake,  in  order  not  to  trouble  your  Noble  High  :  Might :, 
busy  with  more  important  affairs.  Awaiting  your  Noble  Lordships'  wise  counsel  and  assistance 
with  humility  and  patience  your  Noble  Lordships'  petitioners  and  subjects  shall  pray  the  Almighty 
God  for  your   Noble  Lordships'  lasting  success  and  prosperity,  etc. 

♦Van  die  Grift. 


JSfeiv  York  Historical  Records.  51 

Simple  and  true  narrative  of  the  bad  treatment,  wliich  the  Dutch  nation  received  from  the 
barbarous  natives  during  our  times,  presented  in  form  of  a  petition  to  the  Honorable,  Prudent 
and  Yery  Worshipful,  the  Lords-Burgomastera  and  Council  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam. 
(This  address  is  the  same  as  the  foregoing,  mutatis  mutandis.) 

Simple  and  truthful  report  of  the  bad  treatment,  which  the  Dutch  nation  received  from  the 
barbarous  natives  during  our  times,  presented  in  shape  of  a  petition  to  the  Noble  Honorable, 
Prudent  and  Very  "Worshipful  the  Lords- Directors  of  the  West-India  Company,  Department  of 
Ajnsterdam. 

(This  address,  too,  is  the  same  as  the  two  foregoing,  mutatis  mutandis,  except  tlie  latter  part,  which  reads  as 
follows) :  ^ 

We  have  considered  all  this  thoroughly,  also  the  present  situation  of  your  hon'''"'  Worships, 
which  is  too  precarious  to  send  us  such  a  relief,  as  the  present  general  distress  and  circumstances 
of  the  country  require  and  have  concluded  (in  order  to  avoid  exceptions  being  taken  on  account 
of  neglecting  to  report  to  the  higher  authorities)  to  send  first  and  above  all  this  humble  petition 
to  your  lion""'  Worships  and  besides,  but  with  your  Honors  knowledge  and  approbation,  to  their 
.noble  High:  Might:  and  the  worshipful  Magistrates  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam  or  else  your 
Honors  must  instruct  there  our  deputy,  Cornells  Jacobsen  Ste^enioyck  in  regard  to  the  succor,  with 
which,  under  God's  guidance  and  help,  we  hope  to  subdue  the  aforesaid  barbarous  nations  and  to 
possess  afterwards  the  country  in  peace  and  without  fear  from  them.  We  require  (with  due  sub- 
mission to  your  Honors'  wise  judgment)  3000  to  4000  good  soldiers,  one-half  with  match  locks 
{vuerroers),  the  other  half  with  iiiut-locks  (snaphaen-^oers)  of  3^  feet  length  and  (a  calibre  of)  16 
balls  to  the  pound  and  not  more,  who  after  having  helped  us  to  attain  our  ends,  are  willing  to  settle 
in  the  country  and  increase  the  population  ;  besides  these  a  supply,  to  the  value  of  30  to  40000  guild- 
ers, of  needed  commodities  for  clothing  and  feeding  the  military  :  also  some  very  much  needed  am- 
munition according  to  the  annexed  list.  Very  worshipful  Gentlemen  and  Patrons,  we,  your  Honors 
subjects  and  petitioners,  pray  humbly,  that  this  our  respectful  remonstrance  and  petition  may  be 
taken  into  serious  consideration  by  your  Honors  and  favorably  recommended  to  others,  so  that  we 
may  speedily  get  good  advice  and  help  from  your  Honors  or  somebody  else,  before  more  misfortune 
can  befal  your  Honor's  subjects  either  here  or  at  the  now  conquered  South  river.  Your  Honors 
will  thereby  bring  us  and  all  other  subjects  of  your  Honors  under  obligation  continually  to  pray 
for  your  Honors'  success  and  prosperity  and  to  remain 

Honorable,   Prudent,  Yery  Worshipful 
Gentlemen,  Your  Honors' 
humble  subjects. 


PEOPOSmONS    SUBjnTTED   BY    THE    DiRECTOK-GeNEEAX,    PeTEUS    StUYVESANT,    TO   THE 
HONORABLE    CoUNCIL    AT    THE    MEETING    ON    THE    lO""    NoVBE.    1G55. 

The  differences  of  opinion,  which  we  now  and  then  encounter  to  our  great  alarm,  in  regard 
to  the  distressing  situation  of  the  country,  to  which  it  has  been  reduced  b/  the  last  unfortunate 
rencontres  between  our  nation  and  the  Indians,  each  discoursing  about  it  according  to  his  opinion, 
if  not  passion,  the  one  for  peace,  the  other  for  war,  have  compelled  me  to  make  to  j'our  Honors 
the  following  propositions  in  writing,  as  it  is  impossible  to  serve  these  so  antagonistic  masters  or 
to  please  both  parties,  differing  so  much,  and  to  request  your  wise  opinions  also  in  writing  thereon. 


52  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

First :  Whether  it  is  lawful  and  we  can  justify  going  to  war  with  the  natives,  because  of  the 
last  occurrences  between  our  nation  and  tlie  Indians. 

Second  :  Whether,  if  the  war  is  justifiable,  it  is  timely  just  now  ;  if  not  when. 

Third :  "Whether,  supposed,  that  the  war  is  thought  to  be  justifiable  and  timely,  it  can  be 
brought  to  a  desirable  end  with  the  forces,  which  we  now  have,  without  endangering  considerably 
the  country  in  general. 

We  earnestly  request  the  honorable  members  of  the  Council  for  their  written  opinion  on  the 
foregoing  proposition,  given  either  collectively  or  each  for  himself ;  the  latter  would  be  prefer- 
able, to  avoid  one-sidedness.  We  on  our  side  shall  not  fail  to  lay  our  opinion  on  the  table  beside 
those  of  your  Honors,  so  that  our  Lords-Superiors  in  the  Fatherland  may  so  much  the  better  be 
informed  in  regard  to  the  state  of  affairs  here  and  we  arrive  at  a  salutary  resolution. 


The  fourth  point  has  been  omitted  in  its  regular  order,  to  wit :  What  is  to  be  done  regarding 
the  Indians,  if  a  war  is  deferred  for  some  time  and  until  further  orders  from  the  Fatherland,  either 
because  of  its  unla\vfulness  or  its  untimehness  or  our  impotence, 

first  in  regard  to  the  losses  sustained, 

second  about  the  captives,  still  in  the  hands  of  the  Wiequasheck  and  Highland  Indians. 

After  this  was  read  as  above  to  the  Council  a  copy  of  it  was  handed  to  each  member.  Date 
as  above,  in  New-Netherland  (signed) 

P.  Stuyvesant. 


Opinions  of  the  Dieector-Geneeai.  and  members  of  the  CoinsrciL  on  the  fore- 
going. 

Advice  of  the  JS'oble  Cirector-General  on  the  foregoing  propositions. 

We  agree  on  the  first  point  witli  the  general  opinion,  that  the  Indians,  upon  their  first  arrival 
here,  had  no  other  intentions,  than  to  fight  the  Indians  on  the  East  end  of  Long-Island,  inferable 
from  various  indications,  too  long  and  4oo  manifold  to  follow  up  here,  and  that  careless  watching 
and  all  too  hasty  inconsiderateness  of  some  hotheaded  individuals  diverted  the  Indians  and  gave 
them  a  cause  for  the  distressing  subsequent  actions  and  excessive  damages.  Nevertheless,  consid- 
ering the  sauciness  of  the  Indians,  which  is  unbearable  and  the  ransom  which  we  have  had  to  give 
for  our  captured  countrymen  and  which  made  them  undoubtedly  very  eager,  to  act  the  same 
tragedy  over  again  at  a  future  time,  it  is  in  my  opinion  very  necessary,  that  their  sauciness  should 
be  somewhat  repressed  and  curbed,  not  directly  however  by  declaring  and  beginning  an  open  war, 
but  by  some  strict  orders,  the  disobedience  to  which  would  make  the  punishment  more  lawful  and 
justifiable.     What  orders  it  is  necessary  to  consider,  will  follow  under  the  last  head. 

The  second  point  is  partly  answered  with  the  first  and  I  think  (under  correction),  that,  although 
the  war  may  be  lawful  and  justifiable,  which  I  will  not  absolutely  contradict,  the  present  is  not 
the  time  for  it ;  many  reasons  might  be  adduced  herefor,  which  we  will  pass  over  at  present  for 
the  sake  of  briefness  and  not  to  cause  any  more  unpleasant  feelings  and  dissensions.  But  I  have 
to  observe  in  a  few  words  that  the  proposition  made  by  one  or  the  other,  to  capture  some  Indians 
in  order  to  exchange  them  for  our  captive  Christians,  is  in  our  opinion  too  dangerous  for  the  present 
and  impracticable  besides.     I  say  too  dangerous,  because  new  occasion  might  thereby  be  given  to 


J^ew  York  Historical  Records.  53 

the  savage  tribes  either  to  murder  tlie  captives  or  to  carry  them  off  furtlier  inland,  without  leaving 
us  hoj)e  to  ransom  them  and  I  value  the  blood  of  one  captured  Ciiristian  more  than  luO  Indians. 
It  is  impracticable,  because  the  remainder  of  the  captives  are  not  with  one  nation  or  tribe  of  In- 
dians, but  are  scattered  here  and  there,  and  of  the  nations  or  tribes,  with  whom  the  prisoners  are 
but  few  come  here  or  none  at  all ;  on  the  other  side,  it  appears  to  me  as  dishonest  and  impractica- 
ble to  seize  and  keep  as  prisoners  Indians  of  one  tribe,  to  exchange  them  for  prisoners  in  the  hands 
of  another  tribe.  We  have  also  been  sufficiently  taught  by  the  experience  of  the  last  war,  that  our 
side  having  many  and  various  Indian  prisoners  never  could  ransom  one  Ciiristian  for  them,  not 
even  while  negotiating  for  and  concluding  the  last  made  treaty  of  peace,  but  that  we  have  had  to 
ransom  our  prisoners  separately.  I  refer  for  proof  to  the  declarations  of  the  old  inhabitants,  who 
have  been  here  before  my  time. 

As  to  the  third  point,  whether,  in  case  the  war  is  considered  both  lawful  and  timely,  we  are 
powerful  enough,  humanly  speaking,  in  our  present  state  of  affairs,  to  carry  it  on  and  bring  it  to  a 
desirable  end,  the  opinions  will  not  agree  without  unpleasant  feelings  and  hence  I  shall,  for  the 
sake  of  harmony,  refer  to  the  eonchisive  remonstrance,  sent  by  the  last  ships  to  the  higher  and 
lower  authorities  of  our  Fatherland,  by  which  we  asked  besides  assistance  and  succor  their  advice 
and  wise  counsel  regarding  the  lawfulness  of  a  war  with  the  Indians  and  for  this  reason  we  are  at 
present  imqualified  to  begin  an  aggressive  war,  unless  we  desire  to  subject  us  to  the  reproach  of 
inconsideratencss,  in  asking  for  both  advice  and  assistance  and  then,  before  they  are  received,  fol- 
lowing without  reflection  our  own  caprices ;  therefore,  even  though  no  other  reasons  could  be 
adduced,  I  cannot  advise  an  aggressive  war  for  some  time. 

As  to  the  fourth  point,  omitted  in  the  regular  order  and  therefore  the  last  of  the  jjrojjositions  : 
What  is  to  be  done  with  the  Indians  at  present  as  well  in  regard  to  the  damages  sustained  as  to 
the  prisoners,  my  advice  is  this. 

First,  to  begin  at  the  fountain-head,  there  is  no  doubt,  that  common  sins  are  the  causes  of 
common  punishments:  it  is  therefore  our  duty  and  besides  necessary,  that  conmion,  private  and 
public,  sins,  as  drunkenness,  profanation  of  the  Lord's  Kame  and  Sabbath,  swearing  in  public  and 
in  private,  done  even  by  children  on  the  streets,  meetings  of  sectarians  and  other  irregularities  be 
forbidden  by  the  renewal  of  good  orders  and  placats,  to  be  promptly  executed  and  by  the  issue  and 
strict  observance  of  new  orders,  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  sucli  occurrences. 

That  from  henceforward  no  separate  bouweries  or  jjantations  shall  be  made,  but  that  the 
out-lying  farmers  shall  be  compelled  to  draw  together  their  deserted  houses  and  henceforth  no  one 
be  allowed  to  settle  in  the  open  country,  except  in  clusters  of  at  least  10,  12  or  16  families  living 
close  together,  according  to  the  plan  to  be  resolved  upon  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  or 
their  deputies,  suitable  to  the  condition  of  the  country  and  the  place  and  that  it  shall  be  ordered, 
that  henceforward  nobody  is  allowed  to  live  on  the  separate  places,  which  have  been  either  burned 
or  deserted. 

Thirdly,  that  on  the  occasion  of  forming  new  villages  and  hamlets  a  blockhouse  shall  be  made 
of  logs  for  a  refuge  and  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants. 

Fourthly,  I  think  it  would  be  of  service  to  erect  such  blockhouses,  on  the  first  opportunity 
offering,  in  sight  of  the  Indians,  one  near  AchkinkeshaTcy  and  another  near  Wiequaeskeck,  where 
the  best  and  most  fertile  land  is,  to  dislodge  the  Indians  from  there  or  keep  them  under  better  con- 
trol and  in  case  of  war  to  get  at  them  quicker  and  easier. 

Fifthly,  to  forbid  by  strict  orders  and  placats,  to  be  rigidly  enforced  against  those  who  disobey 
them. 

That  no  Indian,  coming  to  any  place,  village  or  hut,  shall  be  allowed  to  remain   there  over 


54:  Culonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

night,  except  in  a  special  place,  to  be  fixed  upon  for  that  purpose  according  to  the  localities  of  the 

village. 

That  no  Indian  with  any  kind  of  arms  shall  be  allowed  to  come  into  any  place  or  hamlet  on 
the  penalty  of  being  seized  and  forfeiting  the  arms,  which  he  has  with  him. 

That  nobody  shall  sell  to  any  Indian  any  strong  drink  on  the  penalty  of  corporal  punishment 
and  that,  to  find  the  party  disobeying  this  rule  the  easier,  the  drunken  Indian  shall  be  apprehended 
and  kept  in  prison,  until  he  shall  have  told,  from  whom  he  has  received  the  liquor 

Sixthly,  I  am  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  captives,  that  it  is  necessary  to  get  them  back  by  the 
friendliest  means,  even  if  it  were  by  giving  some  contraband  articles  as  presents  and  Mhen  they 
have  been  recovered,  then  to  publish  and  execute  the  abovementioned  orders,  but  not  before. 

Seventhly,  we  ouo-ht  to  endeavour  with  all  possible  smoothness  to  balk  the  Indians  in  the  use 
of  their  guns  and  ammunition  ;  to  accomplish  which,  it  is,  as  I  believe,  necessary,  to  prohibit  gen- 
erally, that  anybody  should  trade  and  negotiate  with  the  Indians  except  upon  a  certain  place,  to  be 
determined  upon,  and  further  to  forbid,  that  any  gun  or  locksmith  shall  repair  any  lock  or  make 
a  new  one,  except  upon  the  showing  of  a  note  with  our  seal,  in  which  the  name,  for  whom,  is 
stated  and  that  then  the  gun  shall  be  marked  or  branded  and  a  record  kept  of  them. 


(Signed)  P.  Stutvesant. 

27"'  Novbr.  Answer  to  the  propositions,  submitted  by  the  Woble  Honorable  Director-General 
Petrus  Stuyoesant  to  their  Honors,  the  High  Council  on  the  10""  November  1655, 
read  at  the  meeting  in  Fort  Amsterdam  and  delivered. 

It  is  answered  to  the  first  point,  that,  if  the  Avar  is  considered  justifiable,  the  question  is, 
whether  we  have  forces  enough  to  attack  them,  leaving  behind  the  necessary  garrisons.  If  this  is 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  then  it  must  be  begun  with  a  warning  to  and  advice  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  of  all  our  villages  and  colonies  in  this  province  or  the  answer  to  our  general  letter,  sent 
to  our  superiors,  must  be  awaited. 

He  says  to  the  second  point,  that  he  has  answered  the  second  by  the  first. 

On  the  third  point  he  says,  that  if  it  has  to  be  undertaken  soon,  without  waiting  for  the  afore- 
said answer,  we  must  first  provide  for  everything  and  be  sure  of  it ;  then  we  must  await  the  issue. 

He  says  in  regard  to  the  last  point,  that,  if  the  war  with  the  Indians  is  brought  to  a  close, 
first  the  natives  must  be  forbidden  not  only  this  island  but  also  the  city  and  especially  the  fort  and 
all  inhabitants  must  be  interdicted  to  give  them  lodgings  and,  by  penalty  of  the  gallows,  to  sell  or 
give  them  brandy,  but  that  a  trading  place  should  be  appointed  for  them,  the  Indians,  outside  or  in 
the  outskirts  of  the  citj',  where  it  may  be  considered  most  suitable :  that  the  soldiers'  quarters  in 
our  fort  Amste?'dam  must  be  finished  speedily,  also  the  gates  provided  with  locks,  and  other  means 
of  securing  it  and  other  requisites,  as  victuals,  ammunition  of  war  for  the  defense  and  maintenance 
in  case  of  misfortunes,  which  might  befall  us,  must  be  stored  in  it :  and  that  our  Christian  captives 
jnust  be  demanded  from  the  Indians  or  if  refused  so  many  of  their  nation  must  be  captured,  as  we 
shall  find  necessary  to  redeem  our  people.  Done  at  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  on  the  day 
as  above,  (signed)  NicAsrus  de  Sille. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  63 

Opinion  on  the  proposition  of  the  Noble  Honorable  Director-General,  submitted  to 
the  Council  on  the  10'"  Novbr.  1655. 

My  opinion  is,  that  it  is  impossible,  to  judge  from  the  last  rencontre  between  us  and  the 
natives,  whether  a  war  between  us  and  them  is  lawful  or  unlawful,  because  it  is  necessary  to  know 
first,  whether  they  were  the  cause  of  it  or  not.  The  affair  must  be  judged  by  their  previous 
actions,  for  supposed,  that  they  have  had  no  bad  intentions  in  this  matter,  having  nevertheless  laid 
themselves  open  to  suspicion  and  given  occasion  for  the  rencontre,  they  will  always  be  considered 
the  instigators  and  aggressors  and  hence  the  "  causa  movens  "  of  the  same.  First  the  unseason- 
able gathering  here  of  1900  savages,  without  our  knowledge  and  consent,  of  whom  nearly  800  were 
already  here,  to  attack,  contrary  to  their  usual  manner,  50  or  60  ;  was  it  not  sufficient  to  create  sus- 
picion of  their  bad  intentions?  And  did  not  their  insufferable  insolence,  shown  by  breaking  into 
Mr.  Allertori's  house  and  beating  some  of  our  citizens  in  their  own  houses  increase  that  suspicion  ? 
Then,  was  not  their  remaining  here  contrary  to  their  promise  and  the  murder,  which  they  tried  to 
commit  after  the  mounting  of  the  guard  on  the  person  of  Captain  Paulus  Leendertsen,  proof 
enough,  to  impute  bad  intentions  to  them  ?  And  all  the  citizens  (to  whom  the  guarding  of  the 
fort  was  entrusted)  were  they  not  in  duty  bound,  to  give  assistance  to  every  citizen,  who  called 
"murder"  and  "help"  (because  they  were  not  put  there  only  to  guard  the  fort,  but  to  protect 
from  there  the  whole  place),  or  coming  up  and  finding  the  same  citizen  wounded  in  the  breast  -with 
an  arrow,  was  it  not  their  duty,  to  run  up  to  the  Indians  and  examine  their  bearing  and  finding 
them  armed  and  with  guns,  had  they  no  occasion  to  resist  them  ?  But  why  do  we  try,  to  argue 
so  accurately  upoTi  the  lawfulness  of  a  war  between  us  and  the  savages  fi-om  the  last  rencontre, 
seeing  that  they  have  given  a  just  and  sufficient  cause,  aye,  even  more  than  sufficient  cause  before  the 
conflict  by  murdering  ten  of  our  people  at  different  times,  without  having  been  willing  to  give 
us  any  satisfaction,  contrary  to  the  peace  made  between  them  and  us;  during  the  same  conflict,  by 
murdering  so  many  people,  men,  women  and  children,  by  taking  so  many  prisoners,  by  burning  so 
many  bouweries  and  plantations  and  by  destroying  so  many  animals  contrary  to  the  articles  of 
peace,  especially  demanded  by  them,  which  say  that  in  case  by  any  accident  any  of  our  people  or 
of  theirs  should  be  killed,  no  war  should  be  begun  against  each  other,  but  before  and  until  satis- 
faction and  accommodation  had  been  demanded,  and  the  same  had  been  refused,  the  war  against 
them  should  not  be  considered  just,  especially  not  against  those  of  Ahasimus,  Hachkinkeshal'y, 
Tappan  and  others,  who  were  all  in  this  engagement  and  did  the  most  damage  to  our  people  and 
committed  the  fearful  cruelty  of  murdering  seven  men  and  a  woman,  whom  they  killed  in  cold 
blood  (contrary  to  their  promise,  confirmed  by  an  oath,  never  before  taken  by  them,  to  wit :  God, 
who  is  above,  shall  revenge  it  on  us,  if  we  do  not  keep  our  promise).  But  of  what  advantage  are 
these  investigations  to  us,  since  we  have  not  the  power  to  cai-ry  on  the  war,  were  the  same  lawful 
or  even  necessary. 

To  the  second  article  :  as  we  have  no  power  to  carry  on  the  war,  it  is  not  the  time  for  it  now ; 
when  we  shall  have  received  the  means,  then  the  time  for  it  will  have  come. 

Not  having  the  means,  as  I  believe,  to  carry  on  the  war,  the  country  in  general  should  not  be 
placed  in  danger  by  it. 

To  the  fourth  article  :  as  we  have  no  means  to  make  war,  the  necessary  consequence  is,  that 
we  must  keep  quiet,  until  we  get  them,  and  do  not  trust  in  the  meantime  the  Indians  too  much ; 
as  to  what   we   shall   do   with   the   Indians  concerning  the  sustained  losses,  I  do  not  know  of 


56  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

any  advice,  because  they  cannot  be  recovered  either  by  war  or  by  peace.     As  to  the  captives,  ex- 
perience has  taught  us,  that  they  must  be  ransomed. 

(signed)  Lamontagne. 

Opinion  on  the  propositions,  submitted  by  the  Noble  Honorable  Director-General 
Petrus  Stuyvesant  at  the  meeting  of  the  lO"'  Novbr  1655  and  read  to  the  Council. 

To  the  first  point :  After  a  general  peace  had  been  concluded  with  the  natives  in  August 
16i5,  the  peace  and  the  articles  of  the  treaty  have  been  infringed  and  broken  as  follows : 

1. 

First  in  killing  14  Christians  since  August  1645  (up  to  15"^  Septbr  1655)  at  different  places 
and  at  various  times,  for  which  we  have  never  been  able  to  get  justice  done,  much  less  satisfaction, 
notwithstanding  we  asked  for  it  in  accordance  with  the  treaty,  but  on  the  contrary  they  have  fooled 
us  with  lies  and  false  reports,  as  is  well  known  to  the  Hon"'^  Director-General,  the  Council,  the 
inhabitants  of  this  country  and  our  neighbors. 

2. 

The  Indians  have  violated  and  broken  the  treaty  of  peace  in  an  outrageous  manner  in  this 
city  on  the  15""  of  September  last,  as  follows : 

1.  In  that  they  landed  very  early  on  the  rivershore  within  the  city-walls  from  64  canoes  about 
500  men,  all  in  arms,  without  having  given  previous  notice  of  it,  and  that  the}',  immediately  upon 
their  arrival,  almost  before  any  citizens  were  at  hand,  ran  in  large  crowds  of  armed  men  through 
the  streets,  breaking  forcibly  into  the  house  of  Mr.  Allerton,  bursting  off  the  lock  of  the  door, 
threatening  and  beating  the  people  ;  that  they  noisily  searched  the  house  under  the  pretext  of 
looking  for  Northern  Indians,  as  tiiey  did  in  many  houses  in  this  city,  until  upon  the  complaints 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  to  avoid  further  troubles,  they  were  driven  from  the  High  Street  to  the 
banks  of  the  North  river,  where  their  canoes  laid  and  they  had  landed  in  the  morning. 

The  chiefs  or  sachems  of  the  savages,  belonging  to  different  tribes,  were  friendly  asked  by  the 
Council  to  appear  at  the  Council-chamber  in  the  fort,  which  they  did  :  there  they  were  asked  by 
the  members  of  the  Council  then  present,  in  the  presence  of  the  Burgomasters,  Schepens,  citi- 
zens and  military  officers  for  the  reasons  of  their  coming  thus  armed  and  without  liaving  given 
previous  notice,  also  why  they  and  their  people  attacked  and  molested  the  citizens  in  such  a  man- 
ner by  breaking  locks,  bursting  in  doors,  pushing  the  people  and  searching  liouses,  which  no 
Netherlander  may  do  without  order  and  authorization  from  his  superiors :  the  members  of  the 
Council,  then  present,  with  the  aforesaid  officers  of  the  citizens  requested,  that  for  our  and  their 
own  greater  safety  and  to  prevent  mischief  and  trouble  the  savages  should  remove  themselves  from 
this  island  to  Noten- Island*  before  sunset,  which  they  promised  and  then  took  their  departure. 

Instead  of  leaving,  as  they  had  promised,  they  were  joined  in  the  evening  by  200  armed 
savages  more,  they  shot  after  guard-mounting  Hendrick  van  Dyck,  the  foi-mer  Fiscal,  with  an 
arrow  into  the  breast  and  threatened  to  kill  Paxdus  Leendertsen,  Captain  of  the  train-bands,  with 
an  arrow.  Upon  these  and  other  occurrences  the  cry  was  raised  "  Murder,  murder,  the  savages 
kill  the  Dutch " ;  by  this  dismal  cry  the  citizens,  standing  under  arms  in  the  fort,  to  keep 
good  watch,  were  thrown  rather  into  confusion  and  hastened  without  any  order  through  the 
gates  and  over  the  walls,  so  that  they  came  in  conflict  with  the  savages,  who  were  prepared,  on  the 

*  Now  Governor's  Island. 


Nexo  York  Hlstorkal  Records.  57 

strand.  Two  Dutclimeu  were  killed  and  three  wounded,  three  savao-es  remained  dead  on  the 
strand,  where  they  were  found  (afterwards).  After  this  rencontre  had  taken  place  the  savages 
■went  over  the  river  and  elsewhere  and  burned  during  the  night  many  houses,  murdered  and  cap- 
tured Christians,  killed  cattle  and  a  few  days  later  cleared  Staten- Island  of  people  and  houses, 
which  too  is  contrary  to  the  articles  of  peace,  made  in  the  year  1645,  whereby  it  was  expressly 
stipulated,  that  if  reciprocally  on  one  or  the  other  side  one  or  more  persons  had  been  killed  or 
murdered,  no  general  war  should  therefore  immediately  be  begun,  but  that  the  injured  party  should 
make  its  complaints  to  the  chiefs  or  magistrates  of  those,  who  had  committed  the  deed,  so  that  then 
justice  might  be  meted  out  to  the  malefactors,  according  to  circumstances. 

This  point  has  been  sacredly  iipheld  by  the  Netherlanders,  although  li  Christians  had  been 
murdered  before  the  15""  of  September  and  notwithstanding  that  the  contract  had  been  violated 
and  broken  in  all  these  cases  by  the  Indians,  in  killing  people 'and  cattle  and  stealing  goods,  while 
we  were  never  able  to  get  justice  done. 

Having  considered  all  this  conscientiously  the  Fiscal  is  of  opinion,  that  it  is  and  must  be  neces- 
sary, just  and  righteous  to  make  war  on  the  Indians  for  the  breaking  of  the  treaty  and  their  fearful 
deeds. 

To  the  2''. 

It  would  be  just  and  necessary  (subject  to  correction),  to  pnnish  the  savages  with  God's  bless- 
ing by  force  of  arms  and  subdue  them,  because  we  have  instances  in  our  neighbors,  living  to  the 
east  and  south  from  us,  that  they  could  not  remain  safe,  before  and  until  the  Indian  tribes  were  not 
reduced  and  brought  to  submission. 

Now  as  to  the  time,  the  season  to  inflict  punishment  on  these  barbarians  would  be  in  the  months 
of  December,  January,  February  and  March,  but  to  take  this  step  would,  in  my  judgment,  not  be 
advisable,  until  we  have  received  special  authority  thereto  from  our  superiors  and  in  the  meantime 
we  must  dissemble,  though  it  be  unpleasant,  and  if  possible  not  spare  some  small  presents,  in  order 
to  bring  the  savages  to  a  truce,  without  making  an   absolute  compact,  and  help  the  captives. 

To  the  Z^. 

The  war  against  the  savages,  just  according  to  the  law  of  nations  and  not  the  less  necessary 
for  the  safety  of  New-Netherland  must  be  deferred,  that  in  the  meantime  the  villages  may  be 
prepared  and  placed  on  a  defensive  footing,  also  that  we  may  wait  for  the  answer  from  Holland 
to  the  letters  and  petitions  sent  there,  together  with  the  demanded  succor,  necessary  for  it.  With- 
out the  latter  I  do  not  think,  that  the  just  war  could,  humanly  speaking,  be  brought  to  a  de- 
sirable end. 


To  the  7'". 
My  advice  on  this  last  article  is  given  under  the  3*,  to  which  I  refer.     On  the  li***  of  Novem- 
ber, at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherlomd^  a"  1655  (signed)  Coknelis  van  Tienhoven,     De- 
livered the  29'"  Novbr  1655. 


58  Colonial  kiattlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

Proposition   made   by  the   Indiai^s  of   Long-Island,  eequesting  a  continuance 

OF    THE    peace   WITH   THEIK   TEIBE. 

27th  JS'ovember  1655. 

To-day  appeared  before  the  Noble  Hon*'*  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Lien- 
tenant  of  the  train-bands,  Peter  Woljphertsen,  understanding  the  Indian  language,  seven  Indians 
from  Lmig-Island,  among  whom  one  Adam,  who  spoke  very  good  English  and  six  others  with 
him,  who  made  the  following  statement  both  in  English  and  in  Indian  : 

1.  That  they  have  been  sent  by  the  chief  of  Marsepain,  called  Tachpwusaan,  alias  Meautin- 
nemin,  to  offer  us  his  friendship  and  to  say  that  formerly,  during  the  times  of  the  Hon''"'  Kieft,  a 
war  had  been  waged  between  their  nation  and  ours  and  that  there  were  people  killed  on  either 
side,  on  theirs  and  on  ours,  but  that  this  must  be  mutually  forgiven  and  forgotten. 

2.  They  further  declare,  that  in  the  former  differences  between  their  Sachem  and  our  nation 
and  between  them  and  the  Indians  of  the  Narricanses,  the  present  Sachem's  father,  called  the 
"  One-eyed  ",  when  beaten  by  our  nation  in  the  abovementioned  war,  had  directed  and  ordered 
his  son,  now  called  Tachpausaan  to  make  peace  with  the  Dutch  and  the  Indians  from  Narrican- 
ses  and  to  keep  it  and  that  he  should  forget  for  the  future  what  had  happened  and  that  he  must 
not  for  this  reason  shed  any  more  blood  in  future.  The  present  Sachem  has  obeyed  this,  his 
father's,  order  and  has  done  no  damage  to  the  Dutch  people  since  the  last  war,  not  even  to  the 
value  of  a  dog  and  he  is  still  of  intention  thus  to  continue. 

He  declares  also,  that  his  chief  has  been  on  bad  terms  and  at  war  since  almost  1-2  years  with 
the  savages,  who  have  since  and  again  now  done  so  much  injury  to  our  nation  and  although  this 
nation  considers  the  chief  only  little  and  not  bigger  than  a  fist,  he  nevertheless  feels  sure,  that  he 
will  be  strong  enough  for  them,  but  that  until  now  he  has  been  sitting  as  with  a  hanging  head,  he 
hopes  however,  we  shall  soon  see  now,  what  he  shall  do  against  these  savages  and  he  further  says, 
that  his  Sachem  did  not  yet  declare,  he  would  assist  us  against  the  savages,  who  did  us  the  last 
damage,  but  that  we  should  see  it  directly  and  that  his  chief  does  not  nor  will  say  or  promise  any 
thing  else,  but  that  he  will  show  and  prove  it  directly. 

He  further  presents  a  small  box  with  wampum,  which,  he  says,  have  been  sent  by  his  Sachem 
Tachpausaan  and  the  chiefs  on  the  east  end  of  Long-Island  with  the  request  to  accept  it  as  a 
token  of  their  friendship  and  to  assure  us,  that  whenever  we  needed  their  Sachem  or  his  people, 
we  had  to  summon  them  only,  they  would  be  ready  at  all  times. 

He  further  states,  that  the  Indians  of  the  North,  that  is  those  living  back  of  Onckeway  and 
Stamford  towards  the  Fresh  river,  had  been  in  company  of  these  Indians,  when  they  made  the 
last  onslaught  on  us,  but  that  none  of  the  Long-Island  Indians  had  been  with  them.  Date  as 
above. 


Questions  submitted  by  the  Dikector-Geneeal  to  the  Council  on 
EXCLUDING  Indians  from  the  settlements  and  answers. 


The  G'"  point  was  agreed  6.  Whether  it  is  not  advisable  and  necessary,  to 

to  as  necessary,  but  it  order  by  placat,  that  no  Indian  shall  be  allowed  to 


New  Yurie  Historical  Records. 


59 


was  resolved  to  delay  its 
being  carried  out. 


It  is  judged,  to  dispose 
of  this  seventh  point  by 
a  placat. 


It  was  resolved  on  the  8""  point,  to 
direct  the  magistrates  of  each  village, 
to  make  iuquii'iesin  private,  what  arms 
the  people  in  their  jurisdiction  had 
and  to  report  thereon  to  the  high 
Council. 


come  to  any  bouwery  or  plantation,  except  3  or  4  Sa- 
chems (?)  without  arms  and  that  nobody  shall  give 
them  lodgings  for  the  night  nor  carry  on  any  trade, 
neither  directly  nor  indirectly,  with  them  except  upon 
certain  specified  places. 

7.  Whether  it  is  not  advisable,  that  no  guns  should 
be  either  directly  or  indirectly  mended  or  repaired  in 
tlie  open  country  nor  withiu  this  city,  unless  upon, 
showing  a  written  consent,  which  stated  the  name  of 
the  owner. 

8.  Whether  it  is  not  necessary,  to  make  a  general 
monthly  muster  of  all  men,  able  to  bear  arms,  in 
each  village  or  hamlet,  to  find  out  how  they  are 
armed  and  to  take  a  list  of  them,  in  order  to  prevent 
the  selling  or  destroying  of  the  arms. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland. 
Date  as  above  (IS"-  Jan^  1656). 


Paper  eead  by  Dieectok  Stutvesant  to  the  Council,  containing  information 

ON   THE    causes   OF   THE    LATE    DIFFICULTIES    WITH     THE    INDIANS. 

26""  January. 

To-day  the  following  letter  was 
read  by  the  Noble  Hon*'"  Di- 
rector-General to  the  Council  at 
the  meeting  in  Fort  Am,sterdam. 

I  informed  yonr  honors  partly  by  word  of  mouth,  that  on  the  22''  inst.  I  had  a  visit  from  a 
Mr.  Weyls,  formerly  a  resideiit  of  Stamford,  now  sclioolmaster  at  OncTceway,  who  among  other 
reports  of  news  from  Europe  told  me  in  presence  of  Z>°  Drisius  and  'Will^m  HarcJie,  that  he  had 
had  in  his  house  lately  an  Indian  from  Wiequaeskeck,  who  was  a  good  friend  of  Yaiider  Donch 
and  had  tended  his  cows  *for  a  time ;  he  thought,  his  name  was  Joseph  and  he  spoke  pretty  good 
English,  anyway  so  much  that  he  could  understand  him.  He  had  talked  with  this  Indian  about 
the  late  troubles  between  his  and  our  nations  and  these  were  the  details : 

First,  why  they  had  killed  and  captured  so  many  Dutchmen  % 

Second,  why  they  do  not  return  the  captured  Dutchmen  and  whether  they  are  not  afraid,  that 
the  Dutch  will  again  attack  them  ? 

Third,  what  they  and  their  neighbors  intended  to  do  with  the  captives  ? 

He  answered  to  the  first,  that  they  had  not  been  the  first  cause  or  that  they  did  not  begin 
and  that  they  were  afraid,  the  Dutch  would  not  forget  it,  and  they  comprehend,  why  the  Dutch 
kept  so  quiet. 

As  to  the  captives,  they  were  a  burden  to  them,  for  they  had  to  feed  them,  but  they  retained 
them,  as  they  knew  well  and  expected,  that,  as  long  as  the  prisoners  were  with  them,  the  Dutch 
would  not  trouble  them  and  they  were  resolved,  to  have  the  prisoners  ransomed  in  the  spring  or 


60  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  offer  them  to  the  Dutch.  To  the  question,  whether  they  would  then  make  peace  with  the 
Dutch,  the  Indian  answered  the  Dutch  would  not  keep  the  peace  and  that  therefore  they  did  not 
intend  to  ask  for  peace  nor  to  make  it.  Asked,  what  they  would  do  against  the  Dutch,  who  were 
so  strong  and  it  being  impossible  to  kill  all  or  drive  them  out  of  their  strong  positions,  he  said, 
they  knew  that  well,  therefore  they  would  not  visit  them  in  their  castles  nor  make  war  upon 
them,  but  they  would  hide  in  small  parties  in  the  underwood,  to  surprise  any  one,  who  came  out, 
hinder  them  in  planting  and  kill  their  cattle,  when  it  came  into  the  woods,  until  they  finally 
would  have  no  more  food  and  so  forth ;  the  aforesaid  Wyles  thought  it  his  duty  as  neighbor,  to 
inform  us  hereof. 

He  stated  in  regard  to  the  massacre  and  unlucky  engagement,  that  the  matter  had  been 
received  by  the  Commissioners  and  other  principal  persons  of  New-England  with  great  and  heart- 
felt [regret]  and  that  it  was  their  opinion,  they  were,  considering  their  neighborhood,  close  union 
and  the  congruity  of  the  divine  service  of  the  two  nations  in  duty  bound,  to  assist  us  against  the 
barbarous  tribes,  if  they  were  requested  and  many  were  astonished,  that  we  thus  passed  over  the 
affair,  disregarding  the  Christian  nations. 

He  said  also,  he  had  heard  to  his  regret,  that  many  here  believed,  the  people  of  New-England 
had  had  something  to  do  with  it,  with  the  intention  to  get  under  that  pretext  possession  of  Long- 
Island  or  the  new  plantation  at  Westchester  :  he  affirmed  with  great  confidence,  that  to  favor  such 
belief  was  unneighborly  and  unchristianlike,  that  they  were  so  far  from  it,  that  they  did  not  want 
more  of  Long-Island,  than  what  was  agreed  to  in  the  treaty  made  at  Hartford  and  they  them- 
selves did  not  approve  of  the  action  of  Mr.  Pel  in  establishing  a  village  upon  somebody  else's 
territory.  He  thought,  this  was  now  broken  up,  because  Mr.  Pel  was  drowned  or  as  is  supposed 
shipwrecked  with  his  vessel  and  property.  This  is  the  substance  of  his  statement  to  me,  made  in 
the  presence  of  the  aforesaid  D"  Drisius  and  William  Ilarck,  which  I  have  thought  necessary  to 
communicate  to  your  Honors  and  to  have  inserted,  with  your  knowledge,  into  the  minutes,  also  to 
recommend  it  to  your  Honors'  further  consideration,  to  which  I  must  add,  that,  as  your  Honors 
know,  some  savages,  about  30  in  number,  have  [plundered]  the  yacht  '■'■  Endracht''\  stranded  on 
the  Sandpaint,  and  robbed  the  sailors  under  threats,  although  they  did  not  hurt  them,  of  their 
property,  which  has  caused  me,  to  prevent  further  mischief  and  bloodshed,  to  take  away  the  sailors 
and  the  things,  easiest  to  transport,  from  the  stranded  yacht  and  to  abandon  the  yacht,  until  better 
times  and  oj^portuuity.  I  stop  here  and  impress  it  upon  your  Honors'  mind,  whether  it  would  not 
be  well,  to  remove  also  the  small  garrison  on  Staten^Island,  which  has  no  more  protection,  but 
much  less  than  the  sailors  on  the  yacht,  before  something  like,  what  I  spoke  of  before,  if  not 
worse  may  happen  to  them  and  to  order  Captain  Post,  to  proceed  with  his  cattle  and  the  few 
soldiers  with  him  to  Nayeeck  and  join  the  troops  of  Mr.  Werckhoven,  where  a  suitable  refuge  of 
stockades  has  been  made,  snfiicient  to  defend  it  with  Boldiers  against  an  attack  by  the  Indians. 
Date  as  above.    (26'"  January  1656). 


Advice  of  the  Honorable  meivdjers  of  the  High  Council,  Nicasitts  de  Sille, 
Lamontagne,  and  Coenelis  van  Tienhoven,  given  to  the  foregoing. 

The  High  Council  advise  on  the  proposition  of  the  Hon"'"  General,  that,  whereas  Captain 
Post  is  mostly  camping  out  with  his  soldiers  on  Staten-Island  under  the  blue  sky,  during  this  cold 
winter,  without  having  provided  any  stronghold,  protection  or  means  of  defense  for  himself,  his 


Neio  Yorli  Historical  Hecords.  61 

people  and  the  soldiers  and  considering  tlic  conflict  and  tlie  plnnder  of  tlie  yacht  on  the  Sand-point, 
which  mishap,  yea  even  worse  might  befal  Post  and  his  jjeople,  we  believe,  Captain  Post  should 
be  directed  to  move  himself,  his  people  and  the  soldiers  together  with  his  patron's*  cattle  to  Long- 
Island  to  Mr.  WerckKoveii^s  place,  where  they  have  means  of  defense,  stables  for  the  animals  and 
lodgings  for  the  men,  maintaining  however  his  master's  right  to  Staten- Island  and  if  Captain  Post 
will  not  follow  this  direction,  for  the  prevention  of  mnrder  or  other  misfortune,  the  Director-Gen- 
eral and  Council  shall  withdraw  the  soldiers  and  shall  not  be  responsible  in  case  of  mishap  for 
anything,  that  may  happen  on  Staten- Island.  Done  at  Port  Atnsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  on 
the  day  as  above  (26"'  January  1656)     (Signed)  Nicasius  de  Sille,  Lamontagne,  Coenelis  tan 

TiENHOVEN. 


PETrrioN  OF  Michael  Jansen  foe  a  lot  in  the  city,  all  his  peopeett  having 

LATELY    BEEN    DESTEOYED    BY    THE    InDIANS  ;    GEAJSfTED. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful  Director-General  Petrus 
Stuyvesant  and  the  Eight  Honorable  Council  of 
New-Neth  erland. 

Shows  with  great  humility  and  due  respect  Michiel  Jansen,  farmer  and  former  resident  here, 
that  during  the  last  unexpected  disastrous  conflict  with  the  Indian  natives  of  this  country  he  was 
bereft  not  only  of  what  he  had  earned  here  with  God's  blessing  during  a  period  of  17  years,  but 
also  of  all,  what  he,  the  petitioner,  had  brought  to  this  country  and  what  had  been  sent  to  him. 
All  of  which  has  been  cruelly  burned  or  taken  away  by  the  aforesaid  Indians,  so  that  he,  the  peti- 
tioner, has  now  no  means  in  this  world,  to  live  on  with  his  wife  and  six  children,  but  as  he  desires 
to  gain  a  living,  like  the  other  inhabitants  of  this  place,  by  doing  something  or  another,  wherefor 
he  first  needs  besides  God's  blessing  your  Honorable  Worships'  good  favor,  he,  the  petitioner, 
therefore  addresses  himself  respectfully  to  your  Honorable  Worships  praying  that  in  consideration 
of  tlie  above  stated  facts  }'our  Honorable  Worships  will  favor  him  with  a  lot  within  the  city  next 
to  Abraham  Clock,  30  to  36  feet  wide,  whereas  the  same  would  be  very  useful  to  him,  the  peti- 
tioner, for  what  he  intends  to  undertake  for  the  maintenance  of  his  family ;  which  doing  etc  shall 
remain  as  ever  Your  Honorable  Worships'  obedient  subject  (signed)  Machiel  Jansen. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  read  at  the  meeting  and  after  having  put  the  question,  the  follow- 
ing decision  was  made. 

The  petitioner  is  granted  a  small  lot  within  this  city,  next  to  Ahralmm  Martensen  Clock, 
measuring  in  front  and  rear  26  to  27  feet  and  as  long  as  the  lot  of  the  said  Ahrm  Clock,  provided 
that  the  petitioner  shall  fence  the  aforesaid  lot  on  the  side  toward  the  strand  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  fencing  has  been  begim  on  the  city-gate.  Done  at  the  meeting  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N. 
N.,  date  as  above.  Below  stood :  The  above  order  was  annulled  for  some  reasons  on  the  15""  Feb- 
ruary 1656  and  another  lot  granted  to  him. 

*  B;iron  van  der  Capelle  toe  Ryssell. 


62  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River.  ^ 

Order  directing  Captain  de  Coninck  to  capture  the  leading  Englishmen  of 
Vreedland  (Westchester),  and  his  instructions. 

6"'  March  (1656). 

The  orders  of  the  Lords-Directors  and  their  letters  of  the  23*  Oct  1654,  26"»  April  and  26"' 
May  1655  show  and  the  Director-General  and  Council  have  been  reliably  informed,  that  the  Eng- 
lish in  the  village,  by  them  called  Westchester,  situate  upon  the  Vreedland  about  2  leagues  from 
this  City,  not  only  harbor  fugitives  and  robbers,  preying  on  this  Province,  but  that  also,  as  can  be 
proved  by  the  copy  of  a  certain  letter,  their  chief  officer  Lieutenant  Wheeler  has  been  in  commu- 
nication with  the  barbarians  at  or  about  the  time  of  our  last  dreadful  rencontre  with  them. 

It  has  therefore  been  resolved  for  the  welfare  and  advantage  of  the  counti-y  and  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  right  of  the  Lords-Directors  against  such  usurpers,  to  take  up  the  said  Englishmen, 
or  at  least  their  leaders  in  the  most  secret  and  civil  way,  to  make  the  rest  remove  with  their  mov- 
able property  and  to  commit  the  execution  hereof  to  the  valiant  Captain  Frederic  de  Coninck, 
Capt.  Lieutenant  Brian  Nuton  and  with  them  to  the  Fiscal  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  who  is  to 
serve  his  protest  in  this  case  and  have  some  fugitives  and  thieves  arrested. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Neiherland,  date  as  above. 

P.  Stuyvesant, 
N.  de  Sille,  La  Montagne,  Corn,  van  Tienhoven. 

7'*  March.  Instructions  for  the  Valiant  Capt.  Frederic  de  Coninck,  Capt.  Lieut. 

Brian  Nuton  and  the  Fiscal  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven  commissioned 
in  pursuance  of  the  Resolution  of  the  Hon"'"  Director-General  and 
Council  of  the  G""  of  March  1656  to  go  to  Westchester  and  execute 
their  orders. 

1. 

They  are  to  proceed  to-night  with  the  detailed  detachment  of  soldiers  to  Vreedland  and  after 
having  taken  possession  of  the  houses  of  the  Englishmen,  settled  there  upon  the  Hon"'"  Company's 
ground,  direct  them  to  remove  with  all  their  movable  property  and  cattle. 

2. 
If  the  English  do  not  immediately  prepare  to  break  up  and  leave,  they  are  to  make  them  leave 
willingly  or  unwillingly  and  if  some  of  them  should  offer  resistance  by  shooting  or  otherwise,  they 
are  to  meet  force  by  force  and  proceed  against  the  usurpers  as  against  enemies,  in  accordance  with 
the  orders  from  the  Lords-Directors. 

3. 
The  houses  are  to  be  demolished,  with  the  exception  of  3  or  4  for  shelter  of  the  goods  and 
soldiers  ;   the  principal  fugitives  and  criminals,  who  have  fled  there,  are  to  be  sent  here  as  soon 
as  possible. 

4. 
They  may  leave  if  they  think  fit,  some  of  the  less  prominent  men  to  watch  the  goods  and 
command  them  to  remove  with  all  their  property  and  cattle  within  3  days,  at  the  risk  of  being 
proceeded  against  according  to  law. 

5. 
They  are  to  ])revent  all  thieving,  plundering  and  similar  doings,  as  much  as  possible  and  for- 
bid it  to  their  soldiers. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  63 

6. 
If  tlaey  meet  savages,  which  is  not  expected,  they  must  either  act  on  the  defensive  or  attack 
them,  as  the  situation  may  require  it. 

Done  in  Council  at  Fort  Ainsterdam  in  N.  N.  on  the  day  as  above. 

P.  Stuyvesant, 

NiCASIUS  DE  SiLLE,  La  MoNTAGNE. 


Oedee  eespecting  the  Prisonees  taken  at  "Westchester. 
14'"  March  (1656) 

Concerning  the  English  prisoners,  lately  brought  down  from  Yreedland  out  of  the  village, 
by  them  called  Westchester  and  imprisoned  on  board  of  the  ship  '^DeWaagh^\  it  is  unanimously 
agreed  and  resolved,  that  all,  who  have  formerly  been  under  this  Government  and  had  sworn 
obedience  and  who  have  run  away  either  on  account  of  debts  or  for  other  reasons  or  against  whom 
the  Fiscal  as  public  prosecutor  believes  to  have  any  charge,  shall  be  placed  in  close  confinement  by 
the  said  Fiscal,  who  is  hereby  authorized  thereto  and  who  shall  proceed  against  them  according  to 
law.  As  to  the  others,  who  have  come  from  New-England  or  elsewhere,  misled  by  either  Mr. 
Pell  or  somebody  else,  and  have  settled  within  the  agreed  boundaries  and  against  whom  the  Fiscal 
has  no  other  charge,  these  are  to  be  detained  in  civil  arrest  at  the  City  Hall  or  elsewhere  imtil 
further  examination  and  order.  The  people,  who  have  remained  in  the  said  village,  are  to  be 
warned,  that  they  must  remove. 

Thus  done  in  Council  at  Firrt  Amsterdam  in  N.  N.  date  as  above. 

P.  Stuyvesant, 

NlCASIUS  DE  SiLLE,  La  MoNTAGNE. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directoes  to  the  Director-General  and  Cohn- 

CIL  ;   THEY  regret   THE  DAMAGES  INFLICTED    BY  THE  InDIAN    RAID  ON  NeW-AmSTER- 
DAM  AND  GIVE  DIRECTIONS  FOE  THE  RELIEF  OF  THE  SUFFERERS.    13™  MaECH    1656. 

****** 

The  only  thing  which  has  greatly  disturbed  and  vexed  us  in  your  Honors'  last  letter,  is  the 
sad  misfortune,  which  befell  us  unexpectedly  from  the  natives ;  the  considerations,  which  arise 
therefrom,  are  whether  to  make  some  arrangement  with  tliem  or  revenge  the  bloodshed  and 
inflicted  damages  in  a  proper  manner ;  we  can  as  yet  come  to  no  final  conclusion  about  the  one  or 
the  other.  The  first  would  be  best  adapted  to  the  present  condition  of  the  Company,  while  the 
other  is  the  safest  and  most  necessary,  so  that  we  may  not  be  subject  to  sucli  unlucky  events  in  future, 
whenever  the  desires  and  rapaciousness  of  the  savages  call  for  it.  We  shall  communicate  the 
whole  matter  to  the  Government  of  these  States  and  ask  them  also  for  the  needed  succor,  of  which 
we  shall  give  further  iirformation  to  your  Honors  in  due  time.  Meanwhile  we  would  recommend 
your  Honors  to  bring  your  affairs  provisionally  to  such  a  condition,  that  not  only  the  poor  pris- 
oners may  be  ransomed  in  a  suitable  manner  and  returned  to  their  families,  but  also  such  precau- 
tions may  be  taken  at  every  instance,  that  such  disasters  are  not  to  be  feared  in  the  future.     Your 


64  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Honors  are  on  the  spot  there  and  better  inJbrmed  of  everything,  than  we,  who  cannot  jndge  so 
well  of  the  particular  circumstances  and  consequently  cannot  give  advice  from  here.  Your  Hon- 
ors' proposition,  made  for  the  security  of  the  people  in  the  open  country,  to  settle  in  close  neigh- 
borhood and  provide  their  settlements  with  some  means  of  defence,  suiiicient  at  least  against  an 
attack,  is  not  extravagant,  we  think,  and  it  would  seem  to  be  quite  advisable,  to  make  a  provisional 
treaty,  that  the  savages  must  keep  away  from  the  places,  where  our  people  have  settled,  but  above 
all  you  ought  to  insist  upon  restitution  of  the  stolen  booty  and  extorted  ransom,  for  else  it  must 
be  feared,  that  the  savages  will  be  induced  to  take  hold  of  the  opportunity  at  the  first  pretended 
unlucky  event ;  we  leave  it  to  your  Honors'  own  consideration,  what  steps  might  be  taken  for  this 
pnrjjose  towards  an  offensive  alliance  with  the  English,  for  which  plans  have  been  made  before. 

As  to  the  requested  subsidy  for  the  suffering  and  impoverished  people,  for  which  your  Honors 
propose  the  hundredth  penny  of  the  real  estate  tax,  which  we  have  since  changed  to  the  twentieth 
penny  on  the  houses  and  the  tenth  on  the  plantations  and  bouweries,  which  remained  intact,  we 
are  satisfied,  that  the  aforesaid  revenue  may  provisionally  be  used  therefor  this  year  and  shall  like- 
wise exert  ourselves  and  see,  whether  something  can  be  obtained  for  the  rehef  of  these  poor  people 
besides  the  succor,  which  we  ask  from  the  City. 

To  prevent  as  much  as  possible  all  chances,  that  the  savages  may  be  provided  with  arms  by 
our  people,  to  their  own  damage,  we  have  resolved  upon  your  Honors'  proposal,  that  the  passen- 
gers and  free  men,  who  may  henceforth  go  to  New-Netherland,  shall  be  obliged  from  now  to  take 
with  them  a  matchlock  in  place  of  a  flintlock,  as  may  be  seen  by  their  passports. 


Application  of  the  Fiscal,  EECAprrrrLATiNG  Pell's   diteusion  at  Westchester 

ETC    AND   REQUESTING,    THAT    HE   BE   OEDEEED   TO    QUIT. 

March  IS*"-,  1656. 

To  the  Noble  Hon"'"  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

Not  only  your  Honors  but  everybody  else  living  in  this  Province  know,  that  many  years  ago 
the  land  called  VreeJland  has  been  settled  by  several  persons  under  patents  from  your  Honors' 
predecessor  and  peacefully  occupied  under  this  Government  until  the  war  of  16't3.  Now  one  Mr. 
Pell,  a  resident  of  Onckeway  in  New- England,  has  against  Christian  law  and  custom  dared  lately 
to  repurchase  these  lands  from  the  same  natives,  from  whom  years  ago  they  were  bought  and  paid 
for  through  your  Honors,  as  the  Book  of  Deeds  shows,  and  to  enter  upon  them  in  his  own  name 
and  live  there  contrary  to  the  settlement  of  the  boundaries  agreed  upon  with  the  United  Colonies 
of  New-England  in  1650  and  without  your  Honors'  knowledge  or  consent.  Against  this  usurpa- 
tion the  Fiscal  has  protested  ex  officio  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  his  superiors,  but  notwith- 
standing this  protest  duly  served.  Lieutenant  Wheller,  who  commands  there  as  chief  officer,  remains 
there  with  the  rest  of  his  associates  and  continues  to  build  and  plant,  receiving  and  sheltering 
several  fugitives,  vagabonds  and  thieves,  who  on  account  of  their  bad  behavior  had  to  fly.  There- 
upon your  Honorable  Worships,  following  the  instructions  and  orders  of  the  Lords-Directors  and 
in  order  to  maintain  the  agreement  of  Hartford,  have  resolved,  to  dislodge  the  said  Wheller  and 
his  people  by  a  troop  of  soldiers.  These  persons  met,  according  to  your  Honors'  declaration  of  the 
H:""  March,  the  Hon""'  General,  there  present  with  the  rest  of  the  soldiers,  they  had  drawn  up  in 
line  under  arms  and  showed  themselves  unwilling  to  remove,  saying  the  land  belonged  to  them. 


JS'e^v  Yoric  Historical  liecords.  65 

Thereupon  the  siiid  Englishmen  were  deprived  of  their  arms  and  23  of  them  were  brought  as 
prisoners  on  board  of  the  ship  ''  de  WaaijW^  on  tlie  same  day,  while  a  few  with  the  women  and 
children  were  left  behind,  to  take  care  of  their  goods. 

The  Fiscal  therefore  requests,  that  your  Honors  will  please  to  send  the  Courtniessenger  with 
one  or  two  of  the  oldest  men  to  Vreedlandt,  who  are  to  warn  the  remaining  Englishmen,  that  they 
must  remove  and  take  away  everything  brought  there  by  them,  at  the  risk  of  being  proceeded 
against  according  to  law,  if  they  do  not  obey ;  also  that  the  aforesaid  Lieut.  W/ieller  and  his  com- 
panions pay,  before  being  released,  the  expenses  incurred  by  your  Honors  through  their  acts  and 
disobedience  in  coming  hither  in  boats  and  with  armed  men  and  further  that  they  sign  an  act, 
promising  never  again  to  come  and  live,  build,  plant,  sow  or  mow  without  your  Honors'  consent 
and  special  order  upon  our  Lords'  land,  situate  at  Vreedlandt,  which  they  have  lately  called  West- 
chester, or  upon  any  other  land  within  the  boundaries,  agreed  upon  at  Hartford,  under  penalty  of 
suffering  corporal  j)unishnient  according  to  the  exigencies  of  the  case,  if  found  to  have  disobeyed. 

The  above  written  application  and  motion  of  the  Fiscal,  as  plaintiff  and  attorney,  against  the 
imprisoned  Englishmen,  arrested  lately  at  Yreedland,  by  them  called  WestcJtester,  having  been  read 
and  considered  together  with  the  humble  remonstrance  of  their  wives  here  annexed  and  taking 
into  consideration  the  dangerous  situation  and  the  inclemency  of  the  winter,  We,  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-N etherland,  have  resolved  for  these  and  other  weighty  reasons,  to 
release  the  English  prisoners,  after  they  have  pronaised  under  oath  and  by  their  signatures,  to 
remove  from  the  lands  of  Yreedland  and  out  of  this  Province  with  their  property  and  cattle  within 
six  weeks  and  not  to  come  back  in  to  this  jurisdiction,  without  our  special  consent.  After  having 
sworn  to  and  subscribed  this,  the  Fiscal  is  authorized  and  directed  to  release  these  Englishmen, 
against  whom  he,  as  public  prosecutor,  has  no  other  charge  than  that  of  usui-pation,  as  soon  as 
they  have  satisfied  him  for  the  expenses  incurred,  to  be  estimated  by  impartial  men,  and  this  shall 
be  his  sufficient  warrant.  As  to  the  fugitives  or  other  criminals,  also  those  who  refuse  to  sign  the 
aforesaid  promise,  they  must  be  apprehended  according  to  the  resolution  of  yesterday  and  be  pro- 
ceeded against  according  to  law. 

Thus  done  in  Council  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  date  as  above. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 

NiCASIUS  DE  SiLLE. 

La  Montagne. 


Petition  of  Thomas  "Wheeler  and  othee  settlers  of  Wkstchester,  submit- 
ting TO  THE  Government  of  New  Nktherland  and  asking  for  certain 
privileges,  which  are  granted. 

Honoured  S'  with  the  Rest  of  your  honoured  Court,  the  Gouernour  and  Court  to  the  New 
Netherlans. 

Ma}'  you  be  pleased  to  take  in  to  your  Consideration  the  humble  request  of  your  pore  and 
humbell  petisinors  that  wheras  it  doth  appeare  that  you  make  claim  to  the  plase  where  we  ware  to 
bee  the  writ  of  the  hye  and  myghtic  States  of  the  Netherlands,  wee  whose  names  are  underwritten 
are  willing  to  submit  ourselves  unto  the  government  of  the  said  Netherlands  soe  Long  as  we  Con- 
tinow  within  theyr  Jurisdiction  provided  that  wee  may  injoy  our  Liberties  in  chusing  our  ofisers 


66  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Had>ion  River. 

for  the  administration  of  such  Lawes  as  may  be  maid  for  tlie  good  of  our  tounship,  which  wee  now 
inhabit  as  alsoe  wee  may  haue  our  amies  Eeatored  according  to  your  promise,  which  ware  taken 
from  us  :  Avhereby  wee  may  be  abell  to  attend  ourselves  from  such  as  may  uniustlie  a  salt  us  and 
to  make  such  Lawes  and  orders  as  may  be  for  the  particular  good  and  welfare  of  the  said  phace 
not  beino-  Kepugnant  to  the  Generale  Lawes  and  to  distribute  our  Landes  unto  the  inhabitans  none 
admitted  according  to  first  proposition  as  Lj'ckewyse  to  Eeseve  such  inhabitans  as  may  be  com- 
fortabell  to  us  in  particklar  and  the  good  of  the  generall  as  far  as  we  are  abell  to  judge.  March 
16,  56. 
Thomas    H     Neuman:  John  Broundish: 

Thomas  "Wueelee:  Ebmod  Cajjiff:  Edwaet  "Waters: 

EoBBERT  Basset  :  Nickxis  Hill  :  Samuell  Babet  : 

Isayh  Gillbeet  :  "William  v.^^.^  Benfull  :  "William  "Wakd. 

J  OHN  Roes  :  John  \/\  Yennet  : 

Eobeet  EoEs  :  Egbert  ^'tMeakee: 

Obodiah  Gllbeet  : 
The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-NetKerland  having  read  and  considered  the  fore- 
going petition,  grant  to  the  petitioners,  that  upon  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  they  may  remain 
as  good  subjects  of  this  Province  and  live  at  the  place  called  Yreedland,  under  such  conditions  and 
patents,  as  other  free  people  in  the  villages  of  Middelhorch,  Breukehn,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort 
enjoy  ;  they  shall  also  have  the  right  of  nominating  a  double  number  for  officers  and  magistrates 
for  the  better  govermnent  of  the  said  village  of  Yreedland,  whose  selection  and  confirmation  is 
reserved  to  the  Director-General  and  Council,  conform  to  the  general  orders.  Thus  done  in 
Council  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  jSf.  N.  date  as  above. 

P.  Stotvesant, 
NicAsius  de  Sille, 
La  Montagne, 
CoENELis  van   Tienhoven. 


CoMivnssioN  FOR  Thomas  "Wheeler,  to  be  Chief  Magistrate  at  Vreedland  (Westchestee). 

"Whereas  Lieutenant  Thomas  Wheeler  and  some  of  his  associates  have  lodged  and  settled 
themselves  upon  the  land,  called  by  our  Principals  Yreedland,  and  have  voluntarily  submitted  to 
the  Government  of  Neto-Netherland  as  good  subjects  and  whereas  care  must  be  taken  of  the 
administration  of  justice  and  good  order  observed  in  all  cases,  while  the  act  of  their  privileges  is 
being  drawn  up  and  until  it  is  definitely  ascertained,  who  will  remain  there  and  who  intends  to 
remove. 

Therefore  the  Hon'''*  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  have  appointed  and 
commissioned  the  said  Lieutenant  Thomas  Wheeler  as  chief  magistrate  there  to  represent  the 
Hon'"'''  General  and  to  see,  that  cverytliing  is  done  justly  and  fairly  and  if  anybody  should  disobey 
liim  he  is  to  have  liim  arrested  and  send  him  hither,  to  receive  condign  punishment  as  an  example 
to  others  and  all  tliis  till  further  order. 

■  Amsterdam,  in  New-Netherland  March  16^''  1656. 

P.  Stutvesant. 


Ntw  York  Historical  Records.  67 

Oedeb  for  the  niscHAEGB  OF  Capt.  KicnAED  Panton  and  others  of  Veeedland 
(Westchestee)  on  condition  that  they  leave  the  country  oe  being  security 
FOE  their  good  behavtoe. 

March  25.     Saturday  (1656.) 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Neiherlcmd  have  read  the  answers  given  in  their 
examination  by  the  Fiscal  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven  by  Capt.  Richard  Panton,  WilUavn  EUt,  Black 
llarchand,  Jan  Gray  and  Rogier  Whealer,  all  Englishmen,  detained  for  having  taken  up  arms 
against  the  Hon''''^  Director-General  and  his  command  at  Yreedland  on  [the  Id""  inst],  and  having 
heard  the  report  of  the  Commissaries  directed  to  be  present  at  this  examination,  the  Director-Gen- 
eral and  Council  resolve,  in  consideration  of  their  surrendering  on  our  promise  of  good  treatment, 
to  forget  their  former  misdemeanor  and  to  release  tlie  said  prisoners  from  arrest,  ordering  them  to 
remove  out  of  the  lioundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  New-Netherland,  unless  some  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village  desire  to  be  their  bondsmen  and  give  bail  for  tlieir  good  behavior. 

Thus  done  in  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  N.  on  the  dav  as  above. 


OeDEE  ox  AN  APPLICATION  OF  NiCOLAS  VaeLETH  FOE  LEAVE  TO  EEMOVE  TnE  FEAME 
OF  A  HOUSE  FROM  IToBOKEN  TO  AMSTERDAM  ;  DENIED  ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  InDIAN 
DIFFICULTIES. 

28  March  (1656) 

Before  the  Council  appeared  Nicliolas  Varleth  and  requested  permission  to  remove  the  frame 
of  a  house,  standing  at  Ilohoochen,  which  he  had  sold  to  Michiel  Jansen  for  230  11.,  and  asked  for 
6  or  8  soldiers  for  defense  or  protection,  which  having  been  taken  in  consideration,  several  diffi- 
culties presented  themselves,  which  might  arise  therefrom  and  which  were  suggested  to  him, 
among  others  that  upon  meeting  with  savages  our  men  might  come  to  words  with  them  and  from 
the  words  to  blows,  whereby  the  whole  country  and  all  the  savages  would  again  get  excited,  the 
more  so,  as  the  savages  pretended,  according  to  his  own  statement,  that  the  said  house  barring  the 
nails,  belonged  to  them  and  that  our  time  had  not  come  yet,  as  tlie  savages  still  lield  in  captivity 
about  20  of  our  children,  further  that  an  order  from  Holland  regarding  this  matter  was  expected 
everyday  and  several  other  reasons,  which  if  they  did  not  satisfy  him,  he  is  directed  to  make  his 
application  in  writing.     Date  as  above. 


Indictment  and  sentence  of  Sandee  Totjesen  and  wife  foe  selling  liquoe  to  the  Indians. 

Copy.  To  the  Right  Honorable  Director-General 

and  Council  of  New-NeiherlaTid. 

On  the  4"'  of  March  last  past  two  Indians  of  3Iochgeychkonkh  were  arrested,  who  were 
exceedingly  drunk  and  run  about  on  the  streets  here  and  into  the  Fort  with  a  great  deal  of  noise. 
These  Indians  declared  of  their  own  free  will,  after  having  been  in  prison  one  day,  that  they  had 


68  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

received  the  strong  liquor  from  Samder  Toursen  and  his  wife,  adding  thereto,  that,  in  proof  of  tlie 
truth  of  what  they  stated,  some  black  wampum  laying  at  the  end  of  a  certain  chest,  would  be  found 
near  the  bedstead,  which  belonged  to  them  and  had  been  given  to  Sander,  to  buy  more  brandy  for 
it  upon  another  occasion.  Tlie  deposition  of  Jan  Gerritsen  van  Immen  miist  be  added,  who  says, 
that  he  has  seen  the  wife  of  Sa?ider  Toursen  run  in  and  out  of  the  tavern  with  a  calabash  and 
carry  the  same  out  of  the  garden,  which  opens  on  the  strand,  to  the  savages,  who  run  along 
the  strand  very  intoxicated  and  whereas  we  have,  as  in  duty  bound,  made  great  endeavors  to  get 
more  information,  yet  Sander  Toursen  and  his  wife  remain  obstinate  in  their  denial,  the  Fiscal 
requests,  that  for  the  maintenance  of  justice  and  as  an  example  for  other  dealers  in  brandy,  these 
two  persons  be  publicly  placed  on  the  pillory  and  banished  the  country,  so  that  liquor  dealers, 
selling  to  the  Indians,  on  seeing  the  punishment,  may  be  on  their  guard  and  mischief  be  prevented. 
Dated  the  2''  April  A°  1656    (signed)  Coenelis  van  Tienhoven. 

The  foregoing  complaint  of  the  Honorable  Fiscal  Comelis  van  Tienhoven,  preferi-ed  ex  officio 
against  Sander  Toursen  and  his  wife,  having  been  seen,  read  and  deliberated  upon  by  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  and  it  being  further  considered,  that  several  persons 
greatly  suspect,  notwithstanding  their  obstinate  denial,  that  Sander  Toursen  and  his  wife  have 
sold  liquor  to  the  savages,  besides,  that  the  Indian  prisoners  have,  of  their  free  will,  declared,  they 
had  received  the  brandy  from  Toursen  and  his  wife  and  the  proof,  which  they  had  offered  in  veri- 
fication of  their  statement,  has  been  found  correct.  The  Director-General  and  Council  aforesaid 
have  banished,  as  they  herewith  do,  the  said  Sander  Toursen  and  his  wife  and  condemned  them 
to  be  sent  to  the  Fatherland  b}^  the  ship  "(ielTaa^A"  now  here  ready  to  sail,  as  an  example  for 
others,  who  sell  brandy  to  the  savages.  Thus  done,  at  our  meeting  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in 
New-JSetherland.     Date  as  above. 


OeDEE    foe    a    CONTErBUTION    OF    CLOTH    FEOM    THE     MEECHAJSTTS     FOE    THE    EANSOM    OF 
THE    PEISONEES,    STILL    HELD    BY    THE    InDLAJSTS. 

12'"  April  (1656). 

The  report  of  those,  authorized  to  make  a  collection  for  the  children  still  in  captivity  among 
the  barbarians,  has  been  received  and  as  for  their  ransom  (besides  what  has  been  already  col- 
lected or  given  from  the  lion.  Company's  and  the  Poor  funds,  consisting  in  wampum)  some  pieces 
of  duffels  ai-e  required  and  necessary  and  not  to  be  had  for  wampum.  Therefore  it  is  ordered,  that 
for  supplementing  it  the  merchants  are  hereby  required  and  requested  in  the  name  and  for  the  sake 
of  the  poor  prisoners,  to  deliver  each  one,  either  as  charity  for  the  poor  prisoners  or  else  for  our 
account,  to  the  bearers  hereof  one  piece  of  cloth.  Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland, 
date  as  above.     (Signed)  P.  Stuyvesant,  Nicasits  de  Sille,  LaMontagne,  Cok.  van  Tienhoven. 


Oedinance  of  the  Director-Geneeal  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  against 
lodging  Indians  in  New-Amstekdam.     Passed  May  29,  1656. 

(Sec  Laws  of  New  Netherlaud,  p.  228  ■) 


New  York  Historical  Records.  60 

Resolution  to  give  privatk  notice  to  Jan  Diecksen  and  his  wife  to  quit  the 
country,  thet  being  suspected  of  furnishing  liquor  to  the  indians  and 
another  resolution  to  suspend  the  first  one. 

Saturday,  A?  1656,  the  1"'  of  July. 

Present  at  the  meeting  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  JVew-Netherland  the  Right  Honorable  Di- 
rector-General Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  Honorable  Councillors  JY^icasius  de  Sille  and  J.  La  Mon- 
tagne  and  the  Worshipful  Burgomasters  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam,  Allard  Anthony  and  Oloff 
Stevenson  Cortlandt. 

Whereas  a  deplorable  experience  shows  and  has  shown  for  some  time  past,  that  many  savages 
run,  while  drunk,  on  the  streets  without  that  it  has  been  possible  so  far,  to  discover  with  certainty, 
where  they  get  the  liquor  contrary  to  the  strict  orders  and  further  that  the  savages  are  told  many 
things  by  evilminded  people  and  imposed  upon,  as  among  others,  that  the  Director-General  and 
Council  had  sent  for  five  hundred  men,  that  they  could  not  get  any  soldiers,  that  nobody  would 
come  hither  and  many  similar  stories,  the  parties  spreading  which  cannot  be  discovered,  and 
whereas  many  and  almost  general  complaints  and  suspicions  point  to  one  Jan  Dircksen  and  his 
wife,  whose  house  the  savages  frequent  uncommonly  much  and  have  done  so  some  time,  the  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  have  decided,  with  the  advice  of  the  Burgomasters,  (judging  it  would 
be  better,  that  the  interests  of  one,  as  the  lesser  part,  should  suffer  for  the  best  of  peace  and  safety 
and  to  stop  the  talk  of  the  people)  that  the  aforesaid  Jan  Dircksen  and  his  wife  should  be  pri- 
vately informed  and  directed  to  leave  by  the  first  ship.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  in  the  year  and 
on  the  day  as  above.     (Signed)  P.  Stuyvesant,  Nicasius  de  Sille,  J.  La  Montagne. 

Upon  the  intercession  of  the  Burgomasters  of  this  City  and  the  requests  of  the  preachere  and 
for  other  reasons,  it  has  been  resolved,  to  suspend  tlie  foregoing  resolution  and  to  reprimand  and 
warn  the  person  to  be  on  his  guard.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  Neio-Netherland,  the  3* 
of  August  A?  1656.  Present  the  Honorable  Director-General  and  the  Honorable  Councillors 
jVicasius  de  Sille  and  J.  La  Montagne. 


Ordinance  of  the  Director-General   and    Council    of    New-Netherland  re 
newtng  the  Ordinances  for  the  formation  of  villages  and  against  admit 

TING  ARMED    InDIA-NS    INTO    CITIES,    VILLAGES    AND    HOUSES.       PaSSED  JuLY  1°'  1656. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  234.) 


Patent  to  Cheistoffel  Davids  for  a  tract  of  land  in  the  Esopus  (Ulster  Co.) 

Petrus  Stuyvesant  etc  with  the  Hon''"'  Council  declare,  that  we  have  to-day,  date  underwrit- 
ten, given  and  granted  to  Christoffel  Davids  a  parcel  of  land,  measuring  36  morgens,  situate  about 
a  league  inland  from  the  North  river  in  the  Esojnis,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Great  Kil,  opposite  te 
the  land  of  Thomas  Ohamhers,  running  S.  W.  and  N.  E.  halfway  to  a  small  pond  (binnewatev) 


70  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

on  the  border  of  a  valley,  which  divides  this  parcel ^iid  the  land  of  the  Hon"^  Johan  de  Eulter, 
dec*.,  with  as  much  hayland  (meadow)  as  shall  pro  rata  be  allowed  to  the  other  bouweries.  Under 
the  express  condition  etc  etc.  Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  Neio-Nethedand,  the  25""  of  Septem- 
ber 1656. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stutvesant  and  Cotincil  : 

THEY  accuse  THE    (FORMER)    FiSCALS  VAN  TlENHOVEN   AND  VAN  DyK    AS  BEING  THE 
CAUSE  OF  THE  LATE  InDIAN  MASSACRE. 
****** 

The  reasons,  which  your  Honors  bring  forward  in  so  many  words  to  vindicate  and  excuse  the 
former  Fiscal  van  Tienhoven*  cannot  by  any  means  make  ns  retreat  from  our  former  position, 
Dissatisfaction  of  ^o  take  wliich  we  were  not  prompted  by  light  and  unimportant  reasons  :  we  do 
ors  over  the 'rea-"  not  think  it  necessary  to  repeat  them  all,  eithei-  to  discuss  them  or  to  hear  him 
sons  for  the  ex.-ui-  defended,  as  we  are  confident,  that  the  charges  are  true.  Whoever  considers  only 
van  Tienhoven.  his  last  transaction  with  the  savages,  will  find,  that  with  clouded  brains,  filled  with 
liquor,  he  was  a  prime  cause  of  this  dreadful  massacre.  Anyway,  he  might  have  prevented  it  to 
a  great  extent  by  caution  and  good  management,  either  in  warning  the  people  in  the  country  or 
Why  he  ought  not  by  rendering  some  slight  assistance;  your  Honors  ought  to  know  this  better,  than 
to  be  exculpated.  we  and  we  are  therefore  Very  mucli  astonished,  that  your  Honors  shield  him  in 
such  a  manner,  with  which  we  are  not  at  all  satisfied  and  shall  be  still  less  so,  if  the  same  Tien- 
Great  displeasure,     hoven  should  aaaiu  be  employed  by  your  Honors  in  one  or  the  other  service  there 

if  he  should  again  .  f     .  •  ]  i 

be  employed.  against  our  ctrict  instruction  and  order. 

Fiscal  van  Dyk  has  As  far  as  we  can  learn  from  the  transmitted  papers  and  verbal  reports  of 

Uon  for'the^ate       Other  private  parties,  also  the  former  Fiscal  va7i  DyJc\  has  laid  the  first  founda- 
massacre.  tion  for  this  dreadful  massacre  and  given   the  most  offence,  by  killing  one  of  the 

squaws  for  taking  some  peaches  or  other  fruits  from  his  garden.     If  this  is  true,  then  we  wonder, 
that  no  more  mention  is  made   of  it  and  that  he  has  not  been  brought  to  iustice 

If  true,  he  is  to  .  ^  . 

suffer  according  to     as  a  murderer  :  we  deem  it  necessary  to  remind  your  Honors  of  it  and  recommend 


law. 


it  seriously  to  your  attention. 


* 


No  opportunity  to  Although  we  are  still  inclined  to  revenge  the  disaster,  brought  upon  us  by 

fortune  'bn>i™ht      ^^^®  savages,  by  the  use  of  arms,  our  situation  does  not  yet  admit  of  giving  any 
about  by  the  assistance  by  sending  troops  and  other  required  necessaries.     We  trust  however, 

that  the  arrival  of  the  City's  ship  and  troops  at  the  South  river  shall  strike  these 
tribes  with  awe  and  that  consequently  it  will  be  easier  to  keep  them  in  submission.  Tour  Honors 
must  try  to  remain  in  the  meantime  on  the  former  footing  with  them  and  deprive  them,  as  far  as 
They  approve  of  possible,  of  all  chauces  to  injure  our  people  there.  We  are  well  pleased  with  the 
concerning  settL  o^der  issued  by  your  Honors  in  that  respect,  also  with  the  placat  in  regard  to  the 
ments  which  is  to     concentration  of  the  scattered  farms,  provided,  that  it  only  affect  the  erection  of 

affect    only   the  i      -i  i. 

erection  of  new       new  Duildiugs  and  not  such  parties,  as  have  already  built  their  houses,  for  we  do 
buildings.  jjq(.  consider  it  just  to  compel   these  to  move.     In  the  meantime  we  are  very 

*  Cornelis  van  Ticnhovcn,  the  Fiscal  or  Attorney-General  of  ITew-Netherland  had  been  charged  with  irregu- 
larities already  in  A|)nl  1655,  the  complaints  against  him  and  his  brother  Adrian,  Collector  of  the  Revenues,  in- 
creased so,  that  in  March  1050  the  Comijany  dismissed  him;  when  called  upon  to  render  his  accounts,  he  ab- 
sconded in  Novbr.  1650. — B.  F. 

t  He  had  been  removed  by  Stuyvesant  in  March  1653,  for  slandering  the  Director.— B.  P. 


New  Yoi'k  Historkal  liecords.  71 

anxious  to  htar,  how  the  deputation,  to  be  sent  by  your  Honors  to  the  meeting  of  the  Legishiture 
'They  desire  to  of  the  Emjltsh,  to  make  an  offensive  alliance  with  this  nation,  has  succeeded  ;  we 

hear  of  the  result     trust,  that  your  Honors  will  have  proceeded  in  this  matter  with  such  discretion 

of  the   deputation  t-ii  i*(?i  r^  •     ^  • 

to  the  English  As-     ^nd  caution,  that  the  authority  or  tlie  supreme  (jovernment  or  this  country  has 
^^■"'''y-  not  been  compromised. 

****** 


Petition  of  Johanna  de  Laet,  widow  of  Johak  de  Hultee  foe  lettees  patent 

TO  LAND  PUKCHASED  FROM  THE  InDIANS  BY  HEE  DECEASED  HUSBAND. 

To  the  Noble,  "Worshipful,  their  Honors 
the  Director-General  and  Council  oINew- 
Neiherland. 

Shows  with  due  reverence  Johanna  de  JIulter,  widow  of  the  late  Johan  de  Hulter,  that  her, 
the  petitioner's  deceased  husband  petitioned  your  Honorable  Worships  on  the  5""  of  November 
165-t  for  letters-patent  in  proper  shape  for  tlie  land,  which  he  had  bought  with  the  consent  of  your 
Honorable  Worships  from  the  natives,  who  declared  themselves  to  be  the  lawful  ownei's  of  the 
same,  and  paid  for  with  goods,  whereupon  your  Honorable  Worships  were  pleased  to  decree  and 
to  order,  that  the  bill  of  sale  and  conveyance  should  be  exhibited  to  your  Honorable  Worships  and 
properly  recorded,  when  letters-patent  in  the  usual  form  would  be  issued  and  granted,  as  may  be 
seen  by  the  register  of  your  Honorable  Worships'  resolutions  of  the  aforesaid  date.*  As  since 
that  the  Lord  has  taken  out  of  the  world  the  husband  of  your  Hon**'*  Worships'  petitioner,  leaving 
her  as  an  afflicted  widow  with  four  fatherless  children  in  this  vale  of  tears,  she  is  now  compelled 
to  turn  to  your  Honorable  Worships  with  the  humble  petition,  that  your  Honorable  Worships 
will  please  to  favor  her  with  letters-patent  for  the  land  bought  by  her  deceased  husband  with  the 
knowledge  and  consent  of  your  Honorable  Worships,  so  that  your  Hon''"'  Worships'  petitioner  and 
her  young  children  may  have  some  hope,  to  reap  evenings  and  mornings  some  advantage  of  the 
great  and  excessive  expenses  and  labors,  which  her  late  husband  has  had  with  it  in  rather  an 
excessive  manner.  The  bill  of  sale  and  conveyance,  demanded  by  your  Plon*"'*  AVorships,  are 
hereunto  annexed  and  I  respectfully  request,  that  after  they  have  been  recorded,  they  may  be 
returned  to  your  Hon*"'"  Worships'  petitioner,  which  doing  etc. 

(Below  stood)  Your  Honorable  Worshijjs'  humble  servant  (and  it  was  signed)  Johanna  de 
Hultee. 

The  following  decision  was  given  on  the  foregoing  petition,  after  the  question  had  been  put. 

Fiat  quod  petitur  according  to  the  decision  given  to  petitioner's  husband  on  the  5"'  9'""'  l(35i. 
Dated  the  27'"  of  March  1657.    • 


.   Patent  to  Johanna  de  Laet,  widow  of  Johan  de  Hultee,  foe  500  moegens  of 

LAND    on    the    EsOPUS. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant,  on  behalf  of  their  High  Mightinesses  the  Lords  States-General  of  the 
United  Netherlands  and  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorj^orated  West-India  Company  Di- 

*  The  Council-Minutes  of  that  time  make  no  mention  of  the  petition  of  Johan  de  Hulter. —  B.  F. 


72  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

rector-General  of  New-NetKerland,  Curacao,  Bonayro,  Aruha  and  its  dependencies,  together  with 
the  Honorable  Council  testify  and  declare,  that  to-day,  date  underwritten,  we  have  granted  to' 
Mrs.  Johanna  de  Laet,  widow  and  remaining  possessor  of  the  late  Johan  de  Rulter's  estate,  a 
parcel  of  land  at  the  Esoj)us,  containing  altogether  in  arable  lands,  meadows  and  woodland  five- 
hundred  morgens,  contiguous  on  the  northside  to  the  land  of  Thomas  Chambers  and  Christoffel 
Davits,  where  the  boundary  is  formed  by  a  large  Kil  and  it  is  further  divided  at  the  north  from 
the  land,  on  which  Juriaen  van  Westj)halen  lives  now  by  a  small  Kil,  under  express  conditions 
and  reservations  etc. 

Done  at  New-Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  on  the  27""  of  March  A°  1657. 


Resolution  or  the  Magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beterwyck,  permitting 

THE  inhabitants  TO  EMPLOY  InDIAN  BROKERS  FOE  ONE  YEAR. 

The  magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  and  of  the  village  of  Beverwyck  etc.",  having  been  informed 
of  the  complaints  made  by  the  community  concerning  the  trade  with  the  savages,  in  which  they 
state  to  be  much  interested,  because  they  have  been  forbidden  by  placat  to  employ  brokers,  resolve 
to  satisfy  the  community  and  consent,  that  they  may  employ  Indian  brokers  for  the  trade  during 
this  year.     Actum  Fort  Orange,  the  6""  June  A"  1057. 


Propositions  of  the  three  Mohawk  Castles,  to  renew  the  old  covenajsti'  chain 
and  answer  thereto. 

The  16*''  of  June  A°  1657  the  Sachems  of  the  three  Castles  of  the  Mohawks  sent  to  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Lamontagne,  the  Vice-Director,  a  chief,  called  Sasiadego,  who  requested  in  the  name  of  the 
same  Sachems,  that  they  should  be  heard  the  same  day,  whereupon  the  Vice-Dii-ector  called  the 
Court  together. 

The  three  Sachems  of  the  three  Maquaes  Castles  appeared  before  the  Court  and  made  the  fol- 
lowing propositions,  after  going  through  the  usual  ceremonies : 

First.  They  request  us,  as  old  friends,  that  we  should  accommodate  them  with  a  few  horses, 
to  haul  pallisades  out  of  the  woods  for  the  repairing  of  their  Castle  and  that  we  should  protect 
their  wives  and  children  here  in  the  village,  in  case  they  should  go  to  war  with  the  Sinnehes. 
They  present  on  this  proposition  a  string  of  wampum,  worth  fl  16.12. 

Second.  They  ask,  because  all  three  Castles  belong  to  the  same  tribe  and  they  are  bound  to 
help  each  other  in  time  of  need,  which  can  be  done  only  with  difficulty,  if  they  cannot  warn  one 
the  other  of  their  distress,  that  we  might  assist  each  of  the  Castles  with  a  cannon  and  that  the 
same  should  be  brought  by  horses  from  here  to  the  flats,  a  distance  of  8  miles.  They  present 
another  string  of  wampum,  valued  at  fl.  16.9,  on  this  proposition. 

Third.  They  state,  that  they  have  called  on  us  in  passing  through  on  their  way  to  the  Mahi- 
kanders,  to  renew  the  old  friendship  between  us  and  thein,  giving  thereupon  a  third  string  of 
wampum,  worth  fl.  13.10. 

On  the  22'^  of  Jmie  1657  the  Sachems  or  Chiefs  of  the  Maquaes  Castles  appeared  again  and 
asked  the  Court  for  the  answer  to  the  propositions,  made  by  them  on  the  16"'  of  this  month.  The 
Court  gave  the  following  answer  to  their  requests. 


New   Yorh  Historical  Records.  73 

The  answer  to  tlie  first  proposition,  eoneerniiig  the  horses,  was,  tliat  they  had  no  liorses  of 
their  own,  but  if  they  wish  to  pay  for  them,  then  the  Court  will  see  to  induce  some  of  the  inhab- 
itants to  help  them.  As  to  the  receiving  here  of  their  wives  and  children,  in  case  of  war  with  the 
Sinnckens,  they  are  ready  to  do  it  for  the  sake  of  om-  old  friendship,  but  we  hope  it  will  not  be 
necessary. 

The  answer  to  the  second  proposition,  concerning  the  request  for  cannons,  was,  that  the  can- 
nons did  not  belong  to  them  (the  Court),  but  to  their  Chief,  who  had  given  them  for  their  own 
defense,  so  that  they  cannot  give  them  away  nor  lend  them  witliout  his  consent,  but  they  will 
write  about  it  to  the  Director-General  and  await  his  answer. 

The  answer  to  the  third  proposition,  concerning  the  renewal  of  the  old  friendship  between  us 
and  them,  was,  that  we  are  ready  to  maintain  and  thank  them  for  the  friendly  opinions,  which 
they  have  expressed. 


EXTKACT  FEOM  A  LETTBE  OF  THE  DiEECTOES  TO  PeTETJS  StUYVESANT  :  THE  PEISON- 
EES  IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  InDIANS  TO  BE  DEMANDED  FEOM  THEM  IN  THE  NAME 
OF    THE    StATES-GeNEEAL  :     A    BLOCKHOUSE    TO    BE    BUILT    AT    EsOPUS.       IS'^"  SePTBE 

1657. 
*  *  e  *  K  * 

1. 

It  is  difficult  to  understand  the  unbearable  boldness  of  the  savage  and  barbarian  tribes  there 

in  demanding  and  insisting  upon  so  large  a  ransom  for  4  or  5  Christian  children,  captured  by  them 

They  do  not  ap-         at  the  time  of  the  last  surprise  and  massacre  and  although  we  would  be  glad  to 

prove  of  paying  a      ^^^  them  released  and  would  contribute  our  share  to  it,  we  have  as  yet  not  been 

large  ransom  for  ^  '  «^ 

captured  children  able  to  approve,  that  these  barbarous  tribes  should  be  humored  in  their  dishonest 
to  the  °'*'^°° ""  proposals ;  and  that  only  on  account  of  the  consequences  and  results  of  the  case, 
consequences.  as,  having  their  appetite  whetted  thereby,  they  would  often  i-epeat  these  practices. 

Your  Honors  must  therefore  make  an  experiment  and  send  some  delegates  to  the  said  tribes  to 
To  demand  the  demand  the  aforesaid  children  in  the  name  of  Their  High  Might :  the  Lords-States 

prisoners  by  dele-         „  i  i     i       -trr         tt*-i  t   '  c  iici  -i 

gates.  General  and  the  vVest-lndia  Company  and  it  necessary  to  ask  tor  them  with  great 

threats,  perhaps  they  migiit  be  persuaded  thereby ;  we  shall  expect  to  hear  the  result  of  it  by  the 
first  opportunity. 

****** 

3. 
We  do  not  deny,  that  the  erection  of  a  wooden  blockhouse  or  of  a  little  fort  on  the  extreme 
The  erection  of  a       boundaries  against  New-England  would  be  advantageous  for  determining  our 
wooden  block-  Hmits  or  that  a  redoubt  at  the  Esopus  for  the  defense  and  protection  of  our  inhab- 

house  on  theboun-  ■'  ^ 

daries  with  New-  itauts  there  would  be  not  only  useful,  but  also  necessary,  as  we  have  recommended 
England  and  at  the     j^  before  to-dav  to  vour  Honors  and  especially  the  first :  however,  that  we  should 

Esopus  19  cousid-  J  J  r^  ^  j  ^  ^' 

ered  necessary.  assist  your  Honors  in  it,  the  bad  condition  of  our  finances  in  this  country  would 

permit  as  little  as  your  Honors'  own  scarcity  of  funds ;  the  treasury  there  ought  to  be  in  a  better 
condition  now,  considering  that  the  debts  contracted  before  by  your  Honors  for  an  unexpected 
emergency,  have  undoubtedly  been  paid,  so  that,  as  soon  as  your  Honors  shall  have  sent  over 
the  remitted  4  p.  ct.  and  consequently  also  the  8  p.  ct.  retour  recognition,  we  shall  not  fail,  to 
10 


74  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liiver. 

invest  them  here  and  supply  your  Honors  in  return  not  only  with  the  required  commodities, 
but  also  with  some  soldiers  and  more  mechanics,  who  are  needed  for  the  garrisoning  and  erecting 
of  the  aforesaid  places  and  strongholds.  Meanwhile  we  intend  and  shall  give  our  orders  accord- 
ingly, to  provide  and  send  to  your  Honors  the  one  or  the  other,  as  far  our  means  and  the  situation 
permit,  by  the  ships,  wliich  are  to  sail  from  here  before  winter. 


Affidavit  of  Jan  Gillisen  Kock  in  kegard  to  Cattle  at  Catskil. 

Before  me  Johannes  Lamontagne,  Commissary  of  Fort  Oi^ange,  the  village  of  Beverwycknnd 

dependencies  appeared  Jan  GilUsen  Kock,  who  declares,  that  while  on  board  the  yacht  of  Evert 

Pels  on  the  last  of  October  he  had  heard,  that  Jan  van  Breemen  had  gone  to  the  farmers  at 

Katskil  for  fodder  for  the  cattle  on  board  of  the  yacht  of  the  said  Evert  Pels  and  that  he  had  said, 

he  could  not  obtain  any  fodder  for  the  animals,  six  in  number,  because  the  kil  was  dry  and  he  had 

then  taken  two  men,  to  wit  the  farmer  from  his  bouwery  and  Gerrit  Segersen,  to  drive  the  cattle 

overland  to  Fort  Orange ;  whereupon   Tryntie  Juriansen  asked  of  the  said  Jan  van  Bremen, 

whether  no  fodder  could  be  brought  there  overland  or  in  carts,  to  which  Jan  van  Bremen  had 

answered,  "  the  Devil  may  carry  it  overland  "  and   he  had   said   further   to   Tryntie  Juriansen : 

"Before  we  let  the  animals  starve,  wo  better  drive  them  overland  to  Fort  Orange"     The  aforesaid 

Tryntie  Juriansen  then  remarked  :  '•  Is  there  no  danger  for  the  cattle  from   the   savages "  and 

Jan  van  Bremen  answered  "  For  one  guilder  I  will  run  all  the  risk."     They  then  landed   the 

cattle  from  the  yacht  and  the  animals  ran  away  and  could  not  be  found.     He  certifies  this  to  be 

the  truth  and  will  if  necessary  coutirm  it  by  his  oath.     Actum  at  Fort  Orange,  the  7""  Novbr  A. 

D.  1657  in  presence  of 

J.  Peovoost 

Gillisen  Kock. 

Nathaniel  Pieteesen. 


List  of  the  faemers,  men,  women,  children,  male  and  female  servants  sent 

BY    YONCKEK    HeNRICK    VAN    DER    CaPELLEN    TOE     RySSEL    TO     StATEN-IsLAND    IN 

New-Nethekland  in  West-India  since  May  1650. 
And  of  those  who  were  alive  aftee  the  dreadful  and  bloody  massacre  by 

THE    savages    in    SEPTEMBER    1655. 

1.  Captain  Aclr'uun  Post  with  his  wife,  five  children,  one  male  and  one  female  servant,  is  still 
on  the  Island. 

2.  Hendrick  Swerinck  with  his  wife,  two  children  and  a  man-servant,  is  at  the  ManJiatans. 

3.  Paul  Erchs  with  his  wife,  a  child  and  a  man-servant,  is  at  Foil  Orange. 

4.  Hendrick  MarcelUs  with  his  wife,  two  children  and  a  man-servant,  is  at  Fort  Orange. 

5.  Jan  Aertsen  van  Heerde  with  his  wife  and  eiglit  children  lives  at  the  Manhatans. 

6.  Aelhert  Giiyssebertsen  van  Heerde  with  his  wife,  four  children  and  a  man  servant,  is  at  Fort 
Orange. 

7.  The  wife  of  Aerent  van  Hengel,  now  married  to  one  Severyn,  with  three  children,  lives  at 
the  3fanhatans.  He  has  stepped  into  the  contract  of  Aerent  van  Hengel,  whose  widow  has  a  son 
doing  all  kind  of  fann  labor. 


New  Yurh  Historical  Records.  75 

8.  The  wife  of  Jan  van  Oldenzeel,  called  Elsken,  married  to  a  basketmaker,  with  three  children 
lives  on  Long  Inland. 

9.  The  wife  of  Jan  Wesselinck,  married  to  an  Englishman  wlio  is  a  carter,  lives  with  Iier  three 
children  at  the  Manhatans. 

10.  Gylart,  the  servant  of  the  late  farmer  Jan  Wesselinck  lives  at  Mespackkil. 

11.  The  wife  of  the  basketmaker  (?),  engaged  at  Zutphen,  named  Ilermhen,  lives  with  two  child- 
ren at  Fort  Orange.     She  is  married  to  a  carpenter. 

12.  Three  children  of  Corporal  Gerrit  Jansen  van  Steenwycl',  who  have  been  brouglit  at  his 
Excy's  expense. 

13.  Wi/noit,  servant  to  the  late  Sans  Berenisen  of  Osenhrugge,  was  taken  North  by  Mehjn,  but 
has  returned  and  learns  ship  carpentering. 

14.  Also  a  boy  of  Berene  Driessen  from  Oostenengh  lives  on  LongJsland  with  a  farmer. 

15.  The  smith  van  Steenderen,  called  the  crooked  smith  lives  at  Breuckel,  opposite  the  Manhatans. 
There  are  all  together  sixty-two  living  souls.     This  has  been  reported  at  Zutphen  on  the  i-^ 

November  1657  by  the  wife  of  Captain  Adriaen  Post  and  by  the  farmer  Jan  Aerentsen  van 
Heerde. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  to  Director- General  and  Council  of 
New-Netherland;  Indian  Affairs;  the  colont  on  Staten-Island.  22'' De- 
cember 1657. 


"What  diKtarbed  us  most  in  your  Honors'  letter  was  the  information,  that  tlie  savages  continue 
in  their  old  boldness,  threats  and  insolence  and  have  only  lately  murdered  three  Christians  and  as 
we  have  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  this  should  not  be  submitted  to  any  longer,  but  ought  to  be 
resisted,  therefore  and  to  carry  it  out  so  much  better  we  are  about  to  send  yotir  Honors  herewith 
1000  lbs.  of  powder  and  a  detachment  of  about  50  soldiers,  who,  added  to  those,  whom  your  Hon- 
ors have  there  already,  ought  to  be  sufficient,  to  attack  one  or  the  other  of  the  dangerous  tribes  or 
the  most  principal  of  our  enemies,  especially  if  use  is  made  of  the  assistance  of  the  savages,  who 
are  our  friends  and  allies,  which  we  understand  the  Long-Island  savages  to  be.  Although  your 
Honors  are  better  informed  concerning  these  matters,  than  we,  yet  we  must  earnestly  recommend, 
to  handle  this  affair  with  the  utmost  caution  and  choose  the  most  convenient  time  for  it,  that  our 
good  success  may  serve  as  an  exampel  to  make  other  tribes  more  circumspect  and  easier  to  be  kept 
in  check.  We  consider  it  therefore  also  especiall}'  necessary,  that  henceforth  the  said  savage  tribes 
be  not  indulged  in  such  liberties  and  freedoms,  as  tliey  have  now  there  and  at  the  llanfuittans, 
for  they  are  only  emboldened  by  it  and  made  to  respect  our  people  still  less,  wlio,  to  gain  an 
advantage  in  trade  one  over  the  other,  caress  and  cajole  them,  even  have  armed  them  to  their  own 
destruction. 

****** 

13. 
We  have  seen,  that  Lvhhert  van  DinMagc,  attorney  of  Baron  Hendrick  van  der  Capellen  has 
bought  there,  for  accoimt  of  the  same,  from  the  natives  or  savages  the  Staten-Lsland,  without  giv- 
ing any  information  either  to  us  here  or  to  your  Honors,  which  astonished  and  puzzled  us  very 
much,  as  it  is  a  matter,  which  infringes  upon  the  prerogatives  of  the  Company,  to  whom  alone  it 


76  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liiver. 

is  and  must  be  reserved  and  as  such  proceedings  neither  can  nor  ought  to  be  allowed  in  any  shajie, 
we  have  deemed  it  highly  necessary,  to  direct  your  Honors  herewith  to  annul  the  conveyance 
made  for  it  and  to  have  the  respective  chiefs,  savages  and  owners  make  a  new  conveyance  to  your 
Honors  in  behalf  of  the  Company,  under  condition  that  the  same  goods  shall  be  paid  for  it,  as  have 
been  stipulated  at  the  sale  and  as  may  be  learned  from  the  enclosed  bill  of  sale :  and  then  your 
Honors  may  grant  to  the  said  Mr.  van  der  Capelle  or  his  attorney  as  much  of  the  land  there,  as 
ho  may  be  entitled  to,  under  the  same  conditions  as  it  is  granted  and  conveyed  to  others :  this 
until  we  shall  give  other  orders. 

14. 

As  his  Honor  has  informed  ns,  that  the  majority  of  his  people,  sent  there  at  his  expense,  have 
since  the  last  massacre  removed  from  the  Island  and  are  now  living  here  and  there  in  places  under 
the  Company's  jurisdiction,  according  to  the  enclosed  list  and  as  he  therefore  requests  us  to 
assist  him  in  getting  the  people  back  into  his  service,  agreeably  to  their  duty,  therefore  we  desire 
to  recommend  herewith  to  your  Honors  to  give  him  or  his  attorney  every  possiblt-  assistance,  pro- 
vided it  goes  no  farther,  than  what  reason  and  equity  demand,  so  that  his  Honor  might  be  satis- 
fied by  it. 


Action  foe  Debt.     Coknelis  Teunissen  against  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  foe  ex- 
cise ON  slaughteeed  cattle,  involving  a  question  of  the  jueisdiction  or 
Esopus. 
(Taken  from  Volume  A  of  Mortgages  in  the  County  Clerk's  office  at  Albany.) 

29"'  January  16.5S. 

Cornells  Teunissen,  plaintiff,  contra  Jacob  Jansen  StoUe,  defendant.     The  plaintiff  asserts, 

that,  as  he  has  rented  the  excise  on  slaughtered  cattle,  the  people  of  Esopus  and  KatsTcil  must  also 

pay  the  said  excise. 

The  Defendant  answers,  tliat  tlie  inhabitants  of  Esopus  are  exempted  from  every  excise  for 

the  time  of  4  years  more,  pursuant  to  the  "Exemptions  of  New-Netherland''''  but  in  case  they 

ought  to  pay  the  excise,  the  proceeds  should  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  their  place,  according  to  the 

orders  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland, 
The  Court  refers  the 
matter  to  His  Hon'"'' 
Worship  the  Director- 
General  and  Council. 


Lettee  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  to  Dieector  Stuyvesant  with  a  cargo  of  whf.at. 
No.  43. 

Honorable  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant ! 

Your  letter  has  been  received.  It  is  all  right  about  Harman  Jacdhsen,  as  far  as  I  am  con- 
cerned, that  I  owe  him  one  hundred  guilders,  to  wit  the  wheat  at  three  guilders  per  schepel  and 
not  otherwise  (nothing  else)  and  whereas  he  refers  to  Frederic  Flipsen,  that  I  should  pay  him  the 


New    Yorh  Historical  Records.  77 

same  sum,  viz.  one  hundred  guilders,  I  am  always  ready  to  deliver  it  at  the  rate  of  tliree  guilders. 
As  to  the  rest,  I  do  not  kuow  anything  about  it. 

Sir!  I  send  herewith  in  your  Honor's  yacht  fifty  schepels  of  wheat  and  also  one  hundred 
sehei^els  of  oats.  Please  excuse  me  this  time ;  I  have  done  the  best  I  could,  as  I  have  some  more 
\\heat  to  thresh,  besides  I  have  got  a  little  behindhand  through  the  last  flight  and  I  try  to  liquidate 
my  debts  with  the  help  of  God  Almighty,  so  that  I  shall  easily  send  your  Honor  some  grain  in  a 
month  or  six  weeks,  but  not  now,  for  we  have  had  already  too  many  guests  in  our  granary  {al 
vry  lichters  aen  hoort).  Besides,  Sir,  please  not  to  take  it  amiss,  if  I  ask,  whether  the  people  of 
JFort  Orange  have  leave  to  sell  openly  brandy  and  distilled  waters  to  the  savages,  the  barbarous 
people,  as  we,  not  only  I,  but  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Great  Soopis  see  them  daily  drinking, 
while  they  say,  that  they  get  it  from  there ;  no  good  can  come  from  it,  but  it  must  tend  to  the  ruin 
of  the  whole  country.  They  have  also  caused  great  inconveniences  to  Jacob  Andriesen  on  the 
Strand,  while  they  were  intoxicated.  Closing  herewith  and  commending  your  Honor  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Almighty,  who  may  grant  good  health  and  a  long  life  to  your  Honor  and  your  Hon- 
or's family,  Amen  !  I  am  and  remain 

Your  Honor's  faithful  servant  and  subject 
On  the  12""  of  April  A"  1658.  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll. 

To  the  Honorable,  "Wise  and 
Very  Rigorous,  His  Honor 
Pieter  St^iyvesant 
General  for  the  Privileged 
West-India  Company 
at  the  Manhatans  in 
Foi't  Amsterdam. 


Letter  of  Thomas  Chambers  to  Director  Stuyvesant  :  demands  assistance,  as 
THE  Indians  have  murdered  some  of  the  settlers  at  Esopus. 

Very  Noble  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  Honorable  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  of  Ifew- 
Netherland.     Greeting  I 

To-day,  the  first  of  May  1658  great  trouble  has  arisen  here  through  the  fearful  intoxication  of 
the  cruel  barbarians  and  I  myself  with  one  Pieter  Dircksen  and  Hendrick  Cornelissen  came 
to-day  to  the  tennis-court  and  saw  that  the  savages  had  an  ancre  of  brandy  lying  under  a  tree  and 
have  tasted  myself,  that  it  was  pure  brandy  and  according  to  all  appearances  they  got  madly  intoxi- 
cated and  about  dusk  they  fired  at  and  killed  Ilarmen  Jacopsen,  who  was  standing  on  the  yacht  of 
Willen  Moer,  and  during  the  night  they  set  fire  to  the  house  of  Jacop  Adrijansen,  so  that  the 
people  were  compelled  to  fly  ;  therefore  I  request,  that  we  should  receive  assistance  of  troops,  that 
■we  may  make  some  stronghold  for  our  defence;  as  we  have  been  driven  away  once  before  and 
expelled  from  our  property  and  it  begins  anew  now,  therefore,  as  long  as  we  are  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Hon'''''  West-India  Company,  it  is  proper,  that  we  should  ask  your  Honor  for  assist- 
ance, so  that  this  fine  country  might  be  retained  and  we  remain  in  our  property,  for  this  Aesopus 
is  a  place,  which  if  well  peopled  could  feed  the  whole  of  New-Netherland  and  it  would  be,  so  to 
say,  a  sin,  which  could  be  avoided,  if  we  should  have  to  leave  such  splendid  country  :  hence  we  do 
not  doubt,  but  your  Honor  will  assist  us  speedily  and  I  have  informed  myself  among  the  savages. 


78  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

who  or  which  savage  had  killed  the  aforesaid  Harmen  and  they  liave  promised  to  deliver  the 
said  savage  in  bonds  to  myself  and  I  shall  then  send  him  to  your  Honor,  but  please  to  be  careful 
and  not  begin  the  war  too  suddenly,  so  that  we  may  first  have  a  stronghold  for  our  defence  and 
as  there  is  a  good  chance  here,  to  inflict  great  damages  to  the  savages,  we  hope  your  Honor  will 
(juickly  assist  us  and  not  desert  us  in  our  need,  for  we  here  are  also  Christian  people  and  it  is 
everybody's  duty  to  give  help  in  time  of  distress.  Closing  herewith,  I  commend  your  Honor 
with  many  good  wishes  to  the  protection  of  God  Almighty  and  am  and  remain 

Your  Excy's  servant 
Great  Aesopus  Thomas  Chambeks. 

the  S""  of  May  An"  1658. 

To  the  Noble  Mr.  Petrus  Stuyvesant 

and  the  Hon"'"  Gentlemen  of  the  Council 

of  New-Netherland  in  the  City  of 
New-Amsterdam. 


Letter  from  Andries  van  der  Sluys  and  other  iNHAsrrANTS  or  Esopcs  to  Di- 
rector Stuv\t;sant  confirming  the  foregoing  letter. 

The  Noble  Honorable  Petrus  Stuyvesant  is  hereby  informed,  that  the  savages  have  used  vio- 
lence at  the  house  of  Jacob  Adrijansen  on  the  first  of  May  1658,  whereby  I,  Andries  van  der 
Sluys,  living  in  the  family  of  the  said  Jacqp,  was  compelled  to  fly  with  the  said  Jacop,  his  wife 
and  children  to  the  yacht  of  Willem  Martensen,  Ifoer  towards  evening,  after  the  savages  had  killed 
Harmen  Jacopsen  on  the  yacht  of  said  Moer  and  towards  midnight  they  sat  fire  to  the  house  and 
on  the  morning  of  the  2''  of  May  we  and  the  yacht  of  Louwrens  Louivrensen  left  the  Kil  and 
remained  at  its  mouth  and  transferred  the  body  of  the  aforesaid  deceased  Harmon  Jacopsen  to  the 
yacht  of  the  said  Louwrens,  that  he  should  take  it  with  him  to  the  Mannathans.  We,  the  under- 
signed, declare  all  this  to  be  true  and  truthful  and  promise  to  confirm  it  under  oath  and  have 
therefore  signed  it  with  our  own  hands. 

Actum ;  2  :  May :  An"  1658  Great  Aesopus. 

Andries  Yander  Sluts 
Willem  Maktensen  Fuers  (?) 
Harmen  Harmensen  Gansevort 
Jacob  Adrijaensen 
The  mark  of  — J.  Dikrick  Hendeicksen. 


Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  and  others  to  the  CotTiciL  op  New-Nethee- 

LAND   complaining    AGAIN   OF   THE    InDIANS    AND   ASKING   FOR  ASSISTANCE:    POPULA- 
TION   AND    PEODUCE    OF    EsOPUS. 

Honorable,  Wise,  Rigorous  Gentlemen. 
Loyal  Gentlemen !    This  is  to  inform  your  Honors,  that  we  have  received  yoiu-  Honoi-s'  letter 
of  the  4""  of  May  and  that  we  are  pleased  to  Icam  of  your  Honors'  anxiety  and  great  affection  for 


New  York  Historical  Records.  79 

us.  "We  now  have  to  report,  that,  although  we  have  done  our  best  to  ajjprehend  the  murderer, 
we  are  mockingly  refused  by  the  barbarians  and  as  to  the  seller  of  the  brandy  the  savages  refer 
us  to  no  one,  but  to  many,  now  Peter  then  Paulus.  But  it  is  evident,  that  not  only  for  the  sake 
of  selling  their  stock  of  beavers  they  all  keep  near  Fort  Orange,  whei-e  as  the  make  of  the  brandy- 
keg  proves,  the  coopers  have  hardly  sufficient  time,  to  supply  the  demand  by  these  people.  The 
savages  have,  as  we  previously  communicated  to  your  Honors,  set  fire  to  the  cowshed,  the  pigsty 
and  then  the  dwellinghouse  of  Jacoj)  Adrijaensen  and  not  being  satisfied  compelled  us  here,  to 
plough  for  them,  taking  upon  refusal  a  fire-brand  and  holding  it  under  the  roofs  of  the  houses, 
to  set  fire  to  them  ;  they  use  great  violence  every  day,  which  we  are  not  capable  to  relate  to  your 
Honors,  and  derisively  say,  that  if  they  kill  a  Christian  or  more,  they  can  pay  for  it  in  wampum 
and  we  have  so  far  been  obliged  to  carry  out  their  wishes  ;  further,  your  Honors  are  well  acquainted 
with  this  fine  country  and  know,  that  there  are  990  schepels  of  seed-grain  in  the  ground,  that 
our  dwellinghouses  and  furniture  are  here  also  and  that  between  GO  and  70  Christian  people  live 
here  and  attend  divine  service  on  all  the  proper  days  and  that  we  maintain  our  reader  at  our  own 
expense :  therefore  we  believe,  that  your  Honors  would  regret  sincerely,  if  so  many  innocent 
souls  should  be  so  wretchedly  murdered  and  driven  away  by  the  cruel  barbarians  and  it  looks  very 
much  like  it,  (which  the  Good  and  Almighty  God  may  prevent).  We  hope,  your  Honors  will 
consider,  that  it  is  useless  to  cover  the  well,  after  the  calf  has  been  drowned ;  for  the  common 
rabble  of  the  savages  do  not  pay  any  attention  to  their  chiefs  now  and  the  latter  have  no  more 
authority  over  them  and  we  are  obliged  to  remain  in  our  houses,  as  the  savages  would  immedi- 
ately attack  us,  as  soon  as  we  began  to  stir  about,  and  set  everything  on  fire,  so  that  we  are  in  such 
a  distress,  that  we  dare  not  turn  about  or  move.  Therefore  we  most  humbly  request  your  Honors, 
our  faithful  Mastei-s,  for  help  and  a  succor  of  about  40  to  50  men.  Christ  did  not  desei-t  us,  but 
assisted  and  saved  us  and  gave  his  own  blood  for  us,  Christ  has  gathered  us  in  one  sheepsfold, 
therefore  let  us  not  desert  each  other,  but  rather  help  each  other  to  alleviate  our  sufferings  and  if 
it  may  please  your  Honors,  our  faithful  Masters,  let  some  of  the  Honorable  Council  come  here 
quickly  with  the  desired  assistance,  (but  arrived  here  at  the  strand,  please  to  keep  the  men  quiet 
and  close  to  the  bank  and  inform  us  of  the  arrival)  and  take  a  look  at  the  situation  here  and  if  it 
does  not  seem  advisable  to  your  Honors  and  worth  the  trouble  and  expense,  then  we  leave  all  at 
your  Honors'  discretion.  While  we  expect  your  Honors'  speedy  assistance  we  commend  the  Hon- 
orable Council  of  New-Netherlan,cl  to  the  protection  of  God  Almighty  and  remain 

The  Honorable  Council's  of  New-Netherland  obedient  faithful  servants 
Great  Aesop  us  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll 

the  18""  of  May  Thomas  Chambers 

An°  1658  CoKNELis  Barentsen  Slecht 

The  mark  ''y  )/-   of  Pieter  Diecksen 

The  mark  ^y  of  Jan  Broeesen 
Jan  Jansen 
Andries  van  der  Sluys 

To  the  Wise.  Prudent,  then  present 

Rigorous  Gentlemen, 

the  Council  of  Neio-Netherland 

in  the  City  of  Amsterdam 

by  the  yacht  oi  Jan  Coppen,  which  God  may  guide. 


80  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

ExTEACT   FROM    A    LETTEE    OF    THE    DlEECTOES    TO    DiEECTOE-GeNEEAL    AND   CoUNCIL ; 

Indian  affairs  ;  emigeants  and  soldiees.     20''°  May  1658. 
****** 

3. 
Although  we  have  in  our  last  etter  sufficiently  explained  to  your  Honors  our  opinions  and 
intentions  concerning  the  unbearable  conduct  and  insolence  of  the  savages,  we  shall  nevertheless 
add,  to  make  them  still  clearer,  that  we  are  by  no  means  willing,  that  these  commotions,  robberies 
and  violent  proceedings  of  the  barbarous  tribes  should  be  submitted  to  any  longer,  they  must  be 
Ordered,  not  to  Suppressed  by  all  possible  means ;  for  it  is  impossible,  to  make  them  desist,  as  long 
submit  any  longer     ^s  they  perceive,  that  we  concede  everything  to  their  threats  and  let  them  pass 

to  the  insolence  of  -iii  i  -i  e    ^  i  i  rrii 

the  savage  but  to  unnoticed  and  do  not  dare  to  punish  any  one  ot  them,  who  may  have  oiiended  our 
resent  and  resist  it.  people.  And  when  sucli  offenders  and  malefactors  should  have  fled  and  are  de- 
manded from  their  tribe,  but  refused,  then  we  think  to  have  reasons  enough  and  the  time  to  have 
come  for  immediate  revenge  and  a  forcible  attack  on  such  a  tribe,  so  that  for  once  we  may  be  ena- 
bled by  such  an  example  to  keep  others  in  check.  Without  it  we  consider  it  to  be  absolutely 
impossible  and  in  case  your  Honors  should  think  themselves  not  sufficiently  strong  to  carry  out 
this  plan  with  the  soldiery  now  there,  althougli  we  believe  they  are  sufficient,  then  your  Honors 
might  employ  for  assistance  such  free  men,  as  may  offer  themselves,  and  of  well-affected  savages,  our 
allies,  as  many  as  your  Honors  may  judge  advisable  for  a  safe  result.  We  would  furtlier  direct 
and  recommend  in  this  regard  not  to  let  pass  the  best  and  most  suitable  time  and  to  undertake 
and  carry  out  the  plan  with  caution,  provided  that  good  arrangements  have  first  been  made  for 
the  people  in  the  open  country  to  be  secured  as  much  as  possible  and  protected  against  surprises, 
which  your  Honors  being  there  on  the  spot  will  know  better  how  to  do,  than  we  could  say. 


Resolution,  that  the  Directoe-Geneeal  peooeed  to  the  Esopus. 
28"'  May  A"  1658,  Tuesday,  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  Nd. 

Present  at  the  meeting  the  Honorable  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Hon"'" 
Councillors,  Nicaslus  de  Sille,  Pwter  Tonneman  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  took  up  and  seriously  considered  the 
letters  of  the  2''  and  18"'  inst,  received  from  the  Esopus,  by  the  first  of  which  they  were  informed, 
that  the  savages  had  killed  one  Uarmen  Jacohsen  alias  Bamhoes,  liad  set  fire  to  two  houses  and 
behaved  and  acted  very  insolently  and  wantonly ;  by  the  second  that  the  savages  were  continuing 
in  their  unbearable  boldness,  forcing  our  people  living  there  to  plough  for  them  and  threatening, 
in  case  of  refusal,  with  the  firebrands  in  their  hands,  to  fire  the  houses,  calling  them  dogs  and 
heaping  upon  them  other  such  unbearable  treatment,  M-ith  which  the  verbal  reports  of  people, 
coining  from  there,  agree  and  on  account  of  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus,  numbering  about 
60  to  70  souls,  ask  for  military  assistance.  After  having  considered  this  request,  it  was  resolved, 
that  the  Honorable  Director-General  should  go  there  forthwith,  taking  50  or  60  soldiers  with  him 
as  liis  bndy-guard,  in  order  to  make  such  arrangements,  as  he  shall  find  necessary  and  the  best  ad- 
vantage of  the  Company,  this  province  and  its  inhabitants  shall  require.     Date  as  above. 


Hew   YurJc  Historical  litcurda.  81 

Ageeemknt  made  bt  the  Settlers  of  Esopus  to  eemove  theie  dwellings  and  form  a  tillage. 

Copy. 

We,  the  undersigned,  all  inhabitants  of  the  Aesopus,  having  from  time  to  time  experienced 
very  distressing  calamities  and  felt  and  discovered,  to  our  loss,  the  unreliable  and  unbearable  au- 
dacity of  the  savage  barbarous  natives,  how  unsafe  it  is  to  trust  to  their  promises,  how  dangerous 
and  full  of  anxiety  to  live  at  separate  places  away  from  each  other  among  so  faithless  and  mis- 
chievous tribes,  have  resolved  (upon  the  proposition  and  promise  made  by  the  Director-General, 
the  Hon"'*  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  that  he  will  give  us  a  safe-guard  and  further  help  and  assist  us  in 
future  emergencies)  and  deemed  it  necessary  for  the  greater  safety  of  our  wives  and  children,  to 
pull  down  our  scattered  habitations  in  the  most  convenient  manner  immediately  after  signing  this 
agreement  and  to  move  close  to  each  other  to  the  place  indicated  by  the  non"'"  General,  to  inclose 
the  place  with  palisades  of  proper  length  with  the  assistance  provided  thereto  by  the  Hon''"'  Gen- 
eral, so  that  we  may  protect  ourselves  and  our  property  by  such  means,  to  which  the  All-Good  God 
may  give  His  blessing,  against  a  sudden  attack  of  the  savages ;  while  we  bind  ourselves,  after  im- 
ploring God  and  His  divine  blessing  on  all  lawful  means,  to  carry  out  directly  imanimously  and 
without  opposition  the  foregoing  agreement  and  to  accomplish  it  as  quick  as  possible  under  a  pen- 
alty of  one  thousand  guilders*  to  be  paid  for  the  benefit  of  the  settlement  by  him,  who  should 
hereafter  make  any  opposition  by  word  or  deed.  To  insure  this  still  more,  we  have  signed  this 
agreement  ^vith  our  own  hands  in  presence  of  the  Hon"'"  Director-General  and  S^  Goovert  Loock- 
ermans  on  board  of  the  ship  '■^Steele  Amsterdam  "f  in  N ew-Netherland.  Done  the  last  of  May 
An"  1658. 

It  is  signed  :  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll 

Thomas  Chambees 
Present:  Coenelis  Baeentsen  Slecht 

P.  Stuyvesant  "Willem  Jansen 

Oovert  Loockerman.  Pietee  Diecksen 

Jan  Jansen 
Jan  Beoeesen 
DiECK  Hendeicksen  Geaaff 
Jan  Lootman. 


Jouenal  of  Dieectoe  Stfyvesant's  visit  to  the  Esopus. 

Verbal  and  written  report  made  by  his  Excellency, 
General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  concerning  the  occur- 
rences and  the  affairs  at  the  Es&pus. 

In  conformity  with  the  resolution  we  left  in  the  private  yachts  on  the  28""  of  May  and  arrived 
safely  at  the  Kil  or  river  of  the  Esopus  on  the  29"".  In  order  to  avoid  making  any  commotion 
among  the  savages,  either  by  astonishing  them  by  the  sight  of  so  many  soldiers  or  by  making  them 
flee,  before  we  had  spoken  with  them,  fearing  also  that  during  or  before  theii"  flight  they  might 

*  $400.00.  t  I.  e.,  the  City  of  Amsterdam. 

11 


82  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

inflict  some  more  harm  upon  the  small  number  of  Christians,  I  had  given  orders  to  the  accompa- 
nying yachts  which  carried  most  of  the  soldiers  before  arrival  at  the  said  Kil,  to  follow  separately 
at  a  distance  and  not  to  anchor  near  me  before  night-fall  and  not  to  show  upon  deck  any  soldieis 
or  at  least  as  few  as  possible.  While  we  thus  led  in  the  yacht  of  Master  Ahram  Staats,  ill  luck 
would  have  it,  that  in  entering  the  Kil  at  low  water  we  run  aground.  Meanwhile  we  sent  S''  Go- 
vert  Loockermans  with  the  barge  ashore,  opposite  to  the  two  little  houses  of  the  savages  standing 
near  the  bank  of  the  Kil,  to  invite  2  or  3  savages  on  board  and  despatch  one  or  two  others  inland 
for  the  farmers,  to  regulate  my  conduct  by  the  knowledge  of  their  present  condition.  When  he 
came  back  he  brought  with  him  two  savages  and  with  them  came  Thomas  Chamhers  and  the  Pre- 
centor (voorleeser)  Andries  van  der  Sluys,  induced  to  come  down  to  the  river  by  the  longing  for 
help  and  the  good  south  wind,  to  look  out  for  the  requested  and  e.xpected  relief.  Their  report  and 
complaints  agreed  substantially  with  the  letters  previously  sent  to  the  Hon*"'"  Council ;  they  added 
that  the  boldness  and  threats  were  still  continuing  and  that  they  (i.  e.  the  Indians)  had  since  killed 
two  sows,  being  with  pigs,  of  Jacob  Jansen  Uaj)  near  his  lot.  It  would  be  too  long,  if  it  were 
possible,  to  repeat  all  the  particulars,  because  they  were  given  verbally,  not  in  writing,  and  are 
therefore  not  all  remembered.  But  a  further  detailing  is  unnecessary,  because,  as  I  said  before, 
they  agreed  substantially  with  tlie  letters  previously  sent. 

I  persuaded  the  savages,  brought  along  by  S"'  LoocJcennans,  by  a  little  present  to  go  inland  to 
their  Sachems  or  chiefs  and  inform  them  of  my  arrival,  which  was  not  to  do  them  or  the  savages 
in  general  any  harm,  but  to  inquire  into  the  causes  and  who  was  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the  quar- 
rels, murders  and  incendiarism :  they  were  therefore  to  tell  the  Sachems  and  savages  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, that  they  need  not  be  afraid,  but  that  they  should  come  to  meet  me  and  speak  with  me 
at  the  house  of  Jacoi  Jansen  Stoll  the  following  day  or  the  day  after,  no  harm  should  be  done  to 
tliem  or  theirs  :  they  agreed  to  do  it  and  left  after  some  further  talk  together  with  the  aforesaid 
two  Christians,  viz.  Thomas  Chamhers  and  Yan  der  Sluys.  The  other  yachts  arrived  in  the  mean- 
time towards  evening  and  passed  by  us,  who  were  sitting  aground.  I  ordered  the  Captain-Lieu- 
tenant to  land  the  soldiers  with  the  least  possible  noise,  without  beating  the  drum,  to  keep  them 
well  together  and  after  having  landed  them,  to  send  for  me  and  the  peojile  on  my  yacht :  this  was 
done  by  sunset :  we  marched  on  the  same  evening  to  the  bouwery  of  Thomas  Chambers,  being  the 
nearest,  and  remained  there  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of  the  SO"",  Ascension-day,  we  marched 
to  the  bouwery  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stall,  which  is  the  nearest  to  most  of  the  habitations  and  planta- 
tions of  the  savages,  where  we  had  appointed  to  meet  the  Sachems  and  where  on  Sundays  and  the 
other  usual  feasts  the  scriptures  are  read.  After  this  had  been  done  on  that  day  in  the  forenoon, 
the  inhabitants,  who  had  assembled  there,  were  directed  either  to  remain  or  to  return  in  the  after- 
noon, that  they  might  report  for  our  better  information  everything  concerning  the  reasons  of 
their  request  for  assistance  and  hear  from  us,  what  they  and  we  were  to  do. 

When  they  had  assembled  in  the  afternoon,  pursuant  to  orders,  I  stated  to  them,  what  they 
saw,  namely  that  at  their  urgent  and  repeated  requests  I  had  come  M'ith  the  soldiers,  numbering  60 
men,  and  asked,  what  in  their  opinion  was  now  best  to  do  for  the  welfare  of  the  country  generally 
and  for  their  own  greater  safety,  adding  in  a  few  words,  that  I  did  not  think  the  present  time  was 
favorable,  to  involve  the  whole  country  in  a  general  war  on  account  of  the  murder,  the  burning 
of  two  small  houses  and  the  other  complaints  about  threats,  that  before  now  massacres,  incen- 
diary fires,  sustained  losses,  injuries  and  insults  had  given  us  much  more  reason  for  immediate 
revenge,  which  nevertheless  we  had  for  prudence's  sake  deferred  to  a  better  time  and  chance 
and  that,  as  they  knew  themselves,  now,  m  summer,  with  the  jyrospect  of  a  good  harvest  before 
us,  it  was  not  the  jyroper  season,  to  malce  lad  worse,  least  of  all  by  giving  room  so  hastily  to  a 


New   Yvrh  Historical  Records.  83 

hlind  fear  /  that  on  the  other  side  they  also  knew  very  well,  it  was  not  in  our  power  to  protect 
them  and  other  out-lying  farmers,  as  long  as  tliey  lived  separately  here  and  tlicre  and  insisted  upon 
it  contrary  to  the  orders  of  the  Company  and  our  well-meant  exhortations.  They  answered,  that 
they  had  no  objections  to  make,  but  they  were  now  situated  so,  tliat  they  had  spent  all  they  were 
worth  on  their  lands,  houses  and  cattle  and  that  they  would  be  poor,  indigent  and  ruined  men,  if 
they  were  now  again,  as  2  or  3  years  ago,  obliged  to  leave  their  property.  This  would  be  tlie 
unavoidable  consequence,  if  they  could  get  no  assistance  and  protection  against  the  savages.  I 
told  them  then,  that  no  protection  was  possible,  as  long  as  they  lived  so  separate  from  each  other, 
that  it  would  therefore  be  for  their  best  and  add  to  their  own  safety,  in  fact  absolutely  necessary, 
as  I  thought,  that  they  should  either  immediately  move  together  at  a  suitable  place,  where  I  could 
and  would  help  and  assist  them  with  a  few  soldiers  until  further  arrangements  are  made,  or  retreat 
to  the  Manhattans  or  Fort  Orange  witli  their  wives,  children,  cattle  and  most  easily  moved  prop- 
erty, so  as  to  prevent  further  massacres  and  mischiefs  ;  else,  if  they  could  not  make  up  their  minds 
to  either,  but  preferred  to  continue  in  such  a  precarious  situation,  they  should  not  disturb  us  in 
futui-e  with  their  reproaches  and  complaints.  Each  proposition  was  discussed,  but  it  would  be  too 
tedious  to  repeat  the  debates  in  detail. 

Every  one  thought  it  nnadvisable  and  too  dangerous  to  remain  in  their  present  condition  with- 
out the  assistance  and  succor  of  troops ;  the  prospect  of  a  good  harvest,  so  close  at  hand,  the  only 
means,  with  wliich  they  are  to  clothe  and  feed  themselves  and  their  families  during  the  coming 
winter,  would  not  admit  of  abandoning  so  suitable  and  fertile  lands  and  of  throwing  themselves 
and  their  families  thereby  into  the  most  abject  poverty. 

The  necessity  of  a  concentrated  settlement  was  conceded,  although  discussion  ran  liigh  regard- 
ing this  point  as  well  as  on  account  of  the  time,  harvest  being  so  near  at  hand  and  it  being  therefore 
thought  impossible  to  transplant  houses,  barns  and  sheds  before  it,  as  on  account  of  the  place, 
where  the  settlement  was  to  be  made,  for  every  one  proposed  his  own  place  as  being  most  con- 
veniently located ;  to  this  must  be  added,  that  they  were  to  help  in  inclosing  the  settlement  with 
palisades,  which,  they  apprehended,  could  not  be  done  before  harvest-time.  Therefore  they  pro- 
posed and  requested  very  urgently,  that  the  soldiers,  whom  I  had  brought  up,  might  remain 
there  till  after  the  harvest,  which  we  considered  unadvisable  for  many  reasons  and  therefore  re- 
fused peremptorily,  insisting  upon  it,  as  I  did  not  want  to  lose  time,  that  they  should  make  up 
their  minds  without  further  delay  in  regard  to  one  of  the  abovestated  propositions  and  in  order  to 
encourage  them  to  take  the  safest  and  most  advantageous  step,  I  promised  them,  to  remain  there 
and  assist  with  my  soldiers,  until  the  place  for  the  settlement  was  inclosed  witli  palisades,  provided 
they  went  to  work  inmiediately  before  taking  up  anything  else  and  carried  it  out,  whereupon  they 
finally  desired  time  for  consideration  until  the  next  day,  M'hich  I  granted. 

On  the  next  day,  which  was  the  last  of  May,  the  aforesaid  inhabitants  of  Esopns  brought  as 
answer,  that  they  had  agreed  imanimously  and  come  to  the  conclusion  to  make  a  combined  settle- 
ment, to  acquiesce  cheerfully  and  faithfully  regarding  the  spot  and  arrangements,  which  we  were 
to  indicate  and  prescribe,  and  they  signed  immediately  the  inclosed  agreement ;  the  place  was 
inspected  and  staked  out  the  same  forenoon. 

I  have  forgotten  to  mention  at  the  proper  place,  that  some  savages,  but  only  few,  about  12  or 
15,  made  their  appearance  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Jnnsen  Stoll  yesterday,  but  there  were  only  two 
Sachems  or  chiefs  among  them ;  they  said,  that  the  other  Sacliems  and  savages  could  not  come 
before  the  next  day  and  that  some  were  \'ery  much  frightened  and  hardly  dared  to  appear,  because 
there  were  so  many  soldiers  here  and  the  report  was,  that  many  more  were  to  follow.  After  I 
had  given  them  verbal  promises  and  assured  them,  that  no  harm  should  happen  to  them,  they  be- 


84  Colonial  Settlemenls  on  the  Hudson  River. 

came  a  little  more  clieerfnl  and  satisfied  and  promised  to  communicate  it  to  the  other  savages  the 
same  evening,  in  consequence  of  whicli  about  50  savages,  but  few  women  and  children  among 
tliem,  presented  themselves  at  the  house  of  the  aforesaid  Jacob  Jansen  in  the  afternoon.  After 
they  had  gathered  under  a  tree  outside  of  the  enclosure  and  about  a  stone's  throw  from  the  hedge, 
I  went  to  them  and  as  soon  as  we  liad  sat  down,  they  began  according  to  their  customs  a  long 
speech  through  their  spokesman,  which  consisted,  as  the  inhabitants  iutei-preted  it  to  me,  in  the 
relation  of  occurrences,  whicli  had  happened  before  my  time,  especially  of  the  war  waged  between 
them  and  our  nation  in  Mr.  Kieffs  time,  how  many  of  their  people  had  then  been  killed, 
which  they  had  put  away  and  forgotten  and  great  many  other  things  having  no  reference  to  the 
matter  in  hand.  We  answered,  as  was  proper,  that  all  this  had  taken  place  before  my  time  and 
therefore  did  not  concern  me,  that  they  and  the  other  savages  had  drawn  the  war  upon  themsel  ves 
by  killing  several  Christians,  the  particulars  of  which  we  would  not  repeat,  because,  when  the 
peace  was  made,  they  had  been  forgotten  and  put  away  by  us,  (this  is  one  of  their  customary  ex- 
pressions on  such  occasions) ;  I  had  them  asked  by  the  interpreter,  whether  since  the  peace  was 
made,  or  since  my  coming  and  remaining  here,  the  least  harm  had  been  done  to  them  or  theirs  : 
as  they  kej^t  a  profound  silence,  I  stated  to  them  through  Jacob  Jansen  Stall  and  upbraided  tlieni 
for  the  murders,  injuries  and  insults,  which  I  then  could  remember  and  which  they  and  other 
savages  had  committed  against  our  people  during  my  administration,  adding  thereto  finally  what 
was  still  in  everybody's  memoiy,  their  latest  proceedings  in  the  J^sopns,  to  discover  the  truth  and 
the  authors  of  which  had  induced  me  to  come  to  the  Ksojnos  this  time,  without  as  yet  having  any 
desii-e  to  begin  a  general  war,  to  punish  or  do  harm  and  evil  to  any  one,  who  was  innocent  of  it, 
if  the  murderer  would  bo  surrendered  and  the  damages  for  the  burned  houses  paid.  To  con- 
vince them  hereof  still  more,  I  added,  that  we  had  not  asked  them,  but  they  us,  to  come  and  settle 
on  the  Esoj)us,  that  we  did  not  own  one  foot  of  their  land,  for  which  we  had  not  paid  nor  did 
we  desire  to  own  it,  unless  it  was  paid  for.  I  closed  with  the  question,  why  then  did  they  commit 
such  murders,  burned  the  houses,  killed  the  hogs  and  did  other  injuries  and  continually  threatened 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Eiopus.  For  their  vindication  they  had  little  to  say,  which  was  to  the  point, 
they  hung  their  heads  and  looked  upon  the  ground  ;  finally  one  of  the  Sachems  stood  up  and  said 
in  reply,  that  the  Dutch  sold  the  "  hoisson  ",  that  is  brandy,  to  the  savages  and  were  consequently 
the  cause,  that  the  savages  then  became  cacheus,  that  is  crazy,  mad  or  drunk  and  then  com- 
mitted outrages  ;  that  they,  the  chiefs,  could  not  keep  in  bounds  the  young  men,  who  then  were 
spoiling  for  fight ;  that  the  murder  had  not  been  committed  by  one  of  their  tribe,  but  b}'  a 
Newesinh  savage,  who  was  now  living  at  Haverstroo  or  about  there ;  that  the  savage,  who  set 
fire  to  the  houses,  had  run  away  and  would  henceforth  not  be  permitted  to  cultivate  his  land. 
As  far  as  they  were  concerned,  they  had  done  no  evil,  they  were  not  angry  nor  did  they  desire 
or  intend  to  fight,  but  they  had  no  control  over  the  young  men.  I  told  them  hereupon,  that  if 
any  of  the  young  men  present  had  a  great  desire  to  fight,  they  might  come  forward  now,  I  would 
match  man  with  man,  or  twenty  against  thirty,  yes  even  forty,  that  it  was  now  the  proper  time 
for  it,  but  it  was  not  well  done  to  plague,  threaten  and  injure  the  farmers,  their  women  and  chil- 
dren, who  could  not  fight :  if  they  did  not  cease  doing  so  in  future,  then  we  might  find  ourselves 
compelled,  to  lay  in  return  hands  upon  old  and  young,  women  and  children,  and  try  to  recover 
the  damages,  which  we  had  suffered,  without  regard  to  person :  we  could  partly  and  easily  do  that 
now  by  killing  them,  capturing  their  wives  and  children,  and  destroying  their  com  and  beans ; 
I  would  not  do  it  because  I  had  told  them  and  promised,  that  I  would  do  no  harm  to  them 
now,  but  I  hoped  that  they  would  indemnify  the  owner  for  the  burning  of  his  houses,  arrest  and 
surrender  the  murderer,  if  he  came  again  to  them  and  do  no  more  evil  in  future.     In  closing 


W 


I    Tlirlilocli/ioiise 

i  The  (hi/r/i  ,(■'  l>i/iri/ir/p/f//r 

■1  T/ir  Mi/iislrr.s-  llniiy,- 

■{■   Tlic  i><irl  xrpanitrd .(  fortified 


0   Tlie  Stockade 

0  TheJIonxi-  where  thf  (kiirr/wr  i.t  entertained 
7. 7  The  Town  &(tte.i 
SM  llie  ff/ites  to  the  scpmate  fortified  fiiirl 


!>  The  House  where  die  first  Srneitr  of  the  Steite  of 
J^'nvTnrk  silt  ui  ft  7? 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  85 

the  conference  I  stated  and  informed  them  of  my  decision,  that  to  prevent  further  harm  being 
done  to  my  people  or  brandy  being  sold  to  them,  all  my  people  should  move  to  one  place  and  live 
close  by  each  other ;  that  it  would  be  the  best,  if  they  were  to  sell  me  the  whole  country  of  the 
Esopus  and  move  inland  or  to  some  other  place ;  that  it  was  not  good,  that  they  lived  so  near  to 
the  Sioa7inekus,  that  is  white  men  or  Dutch,  so  that  the  cattle  and  hogs  of  the  latter  could  not  run 
any  more  into  the  cornfields  of  the  savages  and  be  killed  by  them  and  similar  reasonings  after  the 
customs  of  the  savages  to  the  same  purjiose,  namely,  that  they  ought  to  sell  me  all  the  land  in  that 
vicinity,  as  they  had  previously  offered  and  asked  us  to  do,  which  they  took  in  further  considera- 
tion, as  the  day  was  sinking  and  so  we  separated. 

On  the  first  of  June  we  viewed  and  marked  out  the  place  for  the  settlement ;  tlie  savages 
came  in  the  afternoon  and  their  chiefs  asked  again  through  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  and  Thomas  Cham- 
hers,  that  I  would  not  begin  a  war  with  them  on  account  of  the  late  occurrences,  they  promised 
not  to  do  so  again,  as  it  had  been  done,  while  they  were  drunk  and  requested  the  aboveinentioned 
men  to  speak  a  good  word  for  them  to  me.  I  went  to  the  savages  with  the  aforesaid  savages, 
when  they  reported  this,  and  they  offered  me  a  small  present  of  about  6  or  7  strings  of  wampum 
making  thereby  these  two  requests  : 

First,  that  they  were  heartily  ashamed  as  well  because  of  what  had  happened,  but  still  more 
because  I  had  challenged  their  young  men  and  they  had  not  dared  to  fight  and  that  therefore  they 
requested,  not  to  say  anything  about  it  to  others. 

Second,  that  they  put  away  now  all  malice  and  evil  intentions  and  would  do  no  harm  to  any- 
body hereafter. 

I  ordered  to  give  them  in  return  a  present  of  two  coats  and  two  pieces  of  duffel,  together 
about  four  yards,  and  told  them,  that  I  too  had  put  away  my  anger  against  their  tribe  in  general, 
but  that  the  savage,  who  had  killed  the  man,  must  be  surrendered  and  that  full  satisfaction  and 
indemnification  must  be  given  to  the  man,  whose  houses  were  burned. 

They  answered  in  regard  to  the  first  demand,  that  it  was  impossible,  because  he  was  a  strange 
savage,  who  did  not  live  among  them,  but  was  roving  about  the  country. 

Concerning  the  second  demand,  namely,  the  payment  for  the  fire,  they  thought,  that  it  should 
not  be  asked  from  the  tribe  in  general,  but  from  the  party,  who  had  done  it  and  was  now  a  deserter 
and  dared  not  return  ;  as  he  had  a  house  and  land  on  the  bank  of  the  Kil  and  had  planted  there  some 
Indian  com,  they  thought,  that,  if  he  did  not  return,  this  property  ought  to  be  attached  ;  finally, 
however,  they  said,  that  satisfaction  stiould  be  given  for  it. 

Before  separating  I  stated  again  to  them,  that  it  was  my  will,  that  my  people  should  live  close 
to  each  other  for  the  reasons  given  before  and  that  we  had  never  taken  nor  would  ever  take  any- 
body's land,  therefore  I  asked  them  again  to  sell  me  the  land,  where  the  settlement  was  to  be 
formed,  which  they  promised  to  do. 

On  Monday,  the  S"*  of  June,  in  the  morning  I  began  with  all  the  inhabitants  and  the  soldiers 
of  my  command  to  dig  out  the  moat,  to  cut  palisadoes  and  haul  them  up  in  waggons.  The  spot 
marked  out  for  the  settlement  has  a  circumference  of  about  210  rods*  and  is  well  adapted  bv 
nature  for  defensive  purposes.  At  the  proper  time  when  necessity  requires  it,  it  can  be  snrrouiidLd 
by  water  on  three  sides  and  it  may  be  enlarged  according  to  the  conveniences  and  the  requirements 
of  the  present  and  of  future  inhabitants,  as  the  inclosed  plan  will  show.f 

On  the  4""  of  June  I  went  to  work  again  with  all  hands,  inhabitants  and  soldiers.  For  the 
sake  of  carrying  on   the  work  with  better  order  and  greater  speed  I  directed  a  party  of  soldiers 

*  One  Dutch  rod  is  equal  to  12  feet. 

t  Missing,  the  Editor  has  substituted  for  it  a  copy  of  a  map  of  Kingston,  published  in  1695. 


86  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

under  Sergeant  Christian  and  some  experienced  woodcutters  to  go  into  the  •woods  and  to  help 
load  the  palisades  on  the  waggons,  of  which  there  were  6  or  7 ;  the  others  I  divided  again  into  two 
parties  of  20  men  each,  under  Captain-Lieutenant  Newton  resp.  Sergeant  Andries  Lourcnsen, 
who  were  to  sharpen  the  palisades  at  one  end  and  put  them  up ;  the  inhabitants,  who  were  able  to 
do  it,  were  set  to  digging  the  moat  and  continued,  as  long  as  the  weather  and  rain  permitted. 

Towards  evening  about  40  or  50  savages  came  to  where  we  were  at  work,  so  that  I  ordered  six 
men  from  each  squad  to  look  after  their  arms.  After  the  working  had  been  stopped  the}-  asked 
to  speak  to  me  and  stated,  that  they  had  agreed  to  give  me  the  land,  which  I  had  desired  to  buy 
and  on  which  the  settlement  was  being  made,  to  grease  my  feet,  because  1  had  made  such  a  long 
journey  to  come  and  see  them :  at  the  same  time  they  repeated  their  former  promises,  that  they 
would  put  away  all  their  evil  intentions  and  that  in  future  none  of  them  would  do  any  harm  to 
the  Dutch,  but  that  they  would  go  hand  in  hand  and  arm  in  arm  with  them,  meaning  thereby, 
that  they  would  live  like  brothers.  I  answered  them  becomingly,  that  we  would  do  the  same,  if 
they  lived  up  to  their  promises. 

On  the  5""  and  C"*  we  continued  our  work  and  the  Company's  yacht  arrived.  As  I  found  my- 
self in  need  of  several  necessaries,  especially  gunpowder,  of  which  we  had  not  more,  than  what 
was  in  tlie  measures  or  bandoleers,  nor  had  the  yacht  received  more  than  two  pounds  for  its  own 
use,  and  as  we  were  much  in  need  of  a  few  live  and  six  inches  planks  for  building  a  guardhouse 
and  some  carpenters  to  help  us  at  our  work  first  and  then  to  assist  the  inhabitants  in  erecting  their 
dwellinghouses,  after  the  enclosure  had  been  made,  I  concluded,  in  order  to  promote  the  one  and 
the  other,  to  go  as  quickly  as  possible  on  the  Company's  yacht  to  Fort  Orange  and  was  still  more 
forced  and  encouraged  to  go  by  a  good  south-east  wind,  which  blew  all  Thursday  morning,  and  by 
a  drizzling  cold  rain,  which  promised  little  prospect  of  progress  for  our  work  on  that  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7""  I  arrived  at  Fort  Orange,  to  the  surprise  of  everybody. 

The  yacht  did  not  arrive  before  the  S"",  the  tide  running  down  so  fast,  and  I  shipped  on  her 
for  account  of  the  Company  160  hemlock  boards,  100  five  and  six  inch,  iron  pins  and  an  anker  of 
brandj'  for  the  people  working  at  the  Fsopus,  as  none  had  been  put  aboard  or  sent  to  me  nor  had 
I  any  for  my  own  private  use. 

On  the  9""  was  Pentecost. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  10"^  I  left  again  after  divine  service  and  pass  over  for  brevity's  sake 
and  for  other  reasons  what  happened  there,  as  it  has  no  relation  to  this  subject. 

I  arrived  again  at  the  Fsopus  in  the  afternoon  of  the  12""  and  found  everybody  at  his  work 
and  two  sides  completed.  The  wet  and  changeable  weather  had  hindered  the  workers,  as  they 
unanimously  declared. 

On  the  13"",  14""  and  15""  we  were  busy  making  the  east-side  and  Fredrick  PhiUipsen  erected 
with  the  help  of  Claes  de  Ruyt^r  and  Thomas  Chamhers  in  the  north-east  corner  of  the  enclosure 
a  guardhouse  for  the  soldiers,  23  feet  long  and  16  feet  wide,  made  of  boards,  M'hicli  had  been  cut 
during  my  absence. 

The  16"'  was  Sunday  and  after  divine  service  I  inspected  with  the  inhabitants  the  land  on  the 
Esopus,  which  had  not  been  purchased  as  yet,  and  found  it  suitable  for  about  50  bouweries. 

On  the  17""  and  18""  I  had  palisades  put  up  on  the  northside.  This  was  harder  work,  because 
this  side  could  not  be  made  as  straight  as  the  others,  which  the  plan  will  show. 

Four  carpenters  came  also  on  the  IS"",  engaged  by  Mrs.  dc  Hulter  to  remove  her  house,  barns 
and  sheds  and  on  the  19""  three  more,  whom  I  had  asked  and  engaged  at  Fort  Orange  to  make  a 
bridge  over  the  Kil.  They  were  also  to  help  the  others  remove  their  buildings,  for  which  they 
had  asked  me  before  my  departure  for  Fort  Orange. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Hecords.  87 

Further,  as  tlie  inhabitants  were  still  hauling  palisades  with  their  waggons  and  horses  and 
therefore  not  yet  ready  to  employ  the  cai-penters  immediately  and  as  I  had  given  them  a  promise 
at  J^ort  Oratiffi',  that  they  should  be  employed  immediately  or  else  receive  free  return  transporta- 
tion and  daily  wages  besides,  therefore  I  resolved  to  have  them  score  some  timber  for  a  small  house 
or  barn  at  my  own  expense ;  the  ridge  of  it  was  to  lie  on  two  beams  and  the  people,  who  could 
not  move  their  houses  so  quickly,  were  at  first  to  be  lodged  there  and  afterwards  I  tliought  to  use 
it  according  to  circumstances  as  waggonshed  or  stable  for  horses  and  cows,  for  I  had  long  intended 
to  begin  the  cultivation  of  my  bouweries  in  the  Esopus,  incited  thereto  by  the  fertility  of  the  soil, 
but  prevented  so  far  by  the  audacity  of  the  savages  and  because  tlie  people  were  so  scattered.  The 
last  objection  ha\-ing  now  been  removed  and  thereby,  as  I  hoped,  also  the  first  one,  I  toolc  the 
aforesaid  resolution  principally  to  encoiu-age  the  good  inhabitants,  by  hazarding  my  own  property 
together  with  theirs,  to  make  the  settlement  and  cultivate  the  ground  and  to  fulfill  my  former 
promise,  although  I  was  not  obliged  to  do  it  at  present  nor  would  be  in  a  year  or  two  and  there- 
fore the  building  is  made  as  small  and  plain  as  possible,  for  I  thought  more  of  employing  the  car- 
penters, who  had  come  there  at  my  request,  and  of  the  convenience  of  the  people,  than  of  my  own 
advantage.  When  the  timber  had  been  scored  and  brought  to  the  sjiot,  my  carpenter  and  others 
told  me,  that  it  would  make  only  a  little  difEerence  in  the  costs,  if  I  had  a  small  barn  of  5  or  6 
crossbeams  made,  in  case  the  ridge  was  laid  on  two  beams,  as  I  said  before :  I  referred  the  carpen- 
ter's work  to  the  opinion  of  my  carpenter,  Fredrick  Philipsen. 

About  noon  of  the  20""  the  sides  of  the  stockade  were  completed  and  it  was  only  necessary, 
to  stop  up  a  few  apertures,  where  roots  of  trees  had  been  in  the  ground :  this  was  accomplished  in 
good  time  on  that  day. 

We  might  have  inarched  on  the  21^'  or  22'',  but  the  wind  was  unfavorable  and  I  let  the  men 
rest ;  some  helped  in  breaking  down  and  removing  the  houses  of  Thomas  Chambers  and  Jacob 
Jansen  Sloll  and  put  up  six  crossbeams  for  their  barns. 

Towards  evening  of  the  24""  it  began  to  clear  up  in  the  northeast  and  I  ordered  the  Captain- 
Lieutenant  to  march  off  with  36  men,  leaving  2-t  men  under  Sergeant  Andries  Lourensen  in  the 
guardhouse;  before  departing  myself  I  had  some  of  the  Sachems,  who  live  near  there,  informed 
of  my  departure,  but  that  I  could  easily  return  ;  I  reminded  them,  that,  pursuant  to  their  promises, 
they  must  leave  the  inhabitants  in  peace  :  the  inhabitants  would  have  liked  to  keep  8  or  10  soldiers 
more,  but  I  did  not  consider  it  necessary,  if  they  would  only  be  on  their  guard,  for  they  count 
themselves  30  fighting  men,  besides  the  25  soldiers  and  7  or  8  carpenters,  who  too  are  well-armed: 
they  are  therefore,  in  my  opinion,  perfectly  able  to  protect  themselves. 

On  the  25"",  about  noon,  we  left  the  Kil,  the  wind  being  fair  and  the  soldiers  embarked  on 
the  Company's  yacht ;  we  were  two  days  coming  down  and  arrived  at  the  Manhattans  on  the 
28"'.  The  Lord  be  praised  for  His  mercy  and  blessings  on  the  successful  execution  of  a  matter, 
which  every  almost  approved,  as  being  necessary  and  honorable  to  our  nation. 

Thus  done  and  delivered  at  the  meeting  of  the  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  N.  Netherlands 
the  last  of  Jime  A°  1658. 


Ceettficate,  that  Haemen  Jacobsen  alias  Bamboes  was  shot  by  an  Indian  at 

THE    ESOPUS    AND   BROUGHT   TO    AmSTEKDAM    FOR   INTERMENT. 

(ll'"  July  1658) 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  certify  and  declare  hereby  at  the 


88  Colonial  /Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

request  of  Marretje  Pieters,  widow  of  S'  Harmen  Jacohsen  alias  Baniboes,  that  it  is  true  and 
correct,  that  the  said  Harmen  Jacohsen,  her  late  husband,  was  iu  the  beginning  of  May  last  past, 
while  standing  in  a  yacht,  which  lay  off  the  Esopus  on  the  Northriver  about  18  miles  from  this 
place,  accidentally  shot  by  a  drunken  Indian  or  savage,  who  stood  on  the  shore  opposite  the  yacht, 
that  he  died  immediately  after  and  was  brought  here  and  buried  a  few  days  after.  In  testimony 
whereof  we  have  signed  this  and  confirmed  it  with  the  impress  of  our  seal.     Date  as  above. 


Letter  from  Sergeant  Louwrens  at  Esopus  to  Director  Stutvesant:  the  In- 
dians   RENEW    THEIR    INSOLENCE  ;    A    SUPPLY    OF    AMMUNITION   IS    NEEDED. 

Honorable  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Greeting  ! 

May  it  please  your  Honor  to  send  me  quickly  orders,  hj  which  I  can  govern  myself,  because 
the  savages  here  are  becoming  very  arrogant  and  spiteful  and  have  already  killed  a  fine  mare  of 
Jacob  Janseji's ;  they  are  very  angry  that  your  Honor  had  challenged  twenty  of  their  men  to  fight 
against  us  and  those,  who  have  now  returned  from  the  beaverhunt,  say,  that,  if  they  had  been  here, 
they  would  have  accepted  the  challenge ;  they  talk  about  it  a  great  deal  every  day  and  to-day 
about  500  savages  are  assembled ;  their  number  is  constantly  increasing,  God  only  knows,  what 
their  intentions  are  :  but  the  Almighty  will  vouchsafe  us  what  shall  be  for  our  safety :  I  therefore 
ask,  that  your  Excy.  will  please  to  send  quickly  orders,  for  Thomas  {Chambers)  and  all  the  people 
from  over  the  Kil  have  not  yet  come  into  the  Fort  with  their  dwellings  and  I  cannot  well  compel 
them.  I  pray,  that  your  Excy.  will  please  to  send  orders  about  it  as  quickly  as  possible,  for  I  am 
of  opinion,  that  it  is  necessary,  that  we  should  all  be  together  and  further,  that  the  Hon'''''  General 
will  please  to  provide  us  as  quickly  as  possible  with  a  much  needed  supply  of  ammunition,  upon 
which  I  rely  and  commending  your  Excy.  to  the  protection  of  the  All-High,  I  am  and  remain 
Great  Aesopus  Your  Excy's  obedient  and 

the  8""  of  August  faithful  servant 

An"  1658.  Andbies  Louwrens. 

To  the  Worshipful 

Rigorous,  His  Honor 

Petrus  Stuyvesant 

in  the  City  of  Amsterdam. 


Minute  of  the  Council  fob  Fort  Orange.  Appeabance  ra  court  of  15  Mo- 
hawk Sachems  ^vith  a  French  prisoner,  whom  they  desire  to  return  to 
the  Governor  of  Tbois  Rivieres. 

(Albany  City  Records.) 
Present  Lamontagne  Extraordinary  Session 

Pieter  Ilartgers  held  at  Fort  Orange  on  the 

Jan  Tomassen  13""  day  of  August  1658. 

Francoys  Boon 
Adrian  Gerritsen 
Dirch  Janssen  Croon. 

Before  the  Court  appeared  the  eldest  Sachems  of  the  Maquas,  15  in  number,  who  brought 


Ne%o   YorTc  Historical  Records.  89 

with  them  a  Frenchman,  Louis  Parraget  by  name :  they  declared,  that  tliey  desired  to  surrender 
him  with  two  other  prisoners  to  the  French  Governor  at  Trois  Rivieres  in  Canada  in  exchange 
for  six  of  their  people,  who  had  been  taken  prisoners  by  the  French  and  tliat  they  were  willing  to 
make  a  general  peace  with  the  French,  asking  for  this  purpose,  that  we  might  assist  them  by  lend- 
ing them  one  of  our  men,  who  could  talk  French. 

The  Court  answered  to  this  request,  they  were  glad,  that  they  desired  to  return  the  French 
prisoners  and  they  hoped,  that  they  (the  Maquas)  also  would  get  back  their  people,  but  they  did 
not  know  whether  anybody  could  be  found  here,  who  would  undertake  such  a  journey. 

The  aforesaid  Maquas  replied  hereto,  that  at  the  time  of  the  war  against  the  savages  they  had 
gone  down  to  the  Manhattans  and  had  done  their  best  to  preserve  peace,  therefore  we  too  were 
in  duty  bound  to  do  the  same  for  them,  while  they  promise  to  exert  themselves  in  future  as  medi. 
ators  between  us  and  other  savages. 

The  Court  thereupon  summoned  immediately  the  crier  and  had  it  proclaimed,  that  if  anybody 
would  undertake  such  a  journey,  he  should  receive  for  his  troubles  one  hundred  guilders.  Pursu- 
ant to  this  proclamation  Hetulrick  Martensen  offered  his  services  to  the  Court,  which  pleased  the 
savages  very  much  and  they  expressed  their  joy  by  all  kinds  of  gestures. 

The  aforesaid  Ilendrick  Martensen  was  despatched  on  the  16"'  inst.  to  Canada  with  the  Ma- 
quas, who  promised  to  bring  him  back  in  40  days.     The  following  letter  was  given  him : 

A  Monsieur 

Monsieur  De  la  Poterie,  Gouverneur 

des  Trois  Rivieres 

En  la  Nouvelle  France. 
Monsieur. 

The  Indians,  which  our  people  call  Maquas  and  yoiir  people  call  Trroquoys,  have  come 
here  bringing  with  them  a  Frenchman,  called  Louys  Paraget,  whom  (as  they  have  told  ns)  they 
desire  with  two  others  to  bring  back  there  and  surrender  to  you  in  exchange  for  six  of  their  peo- 
ple, whom  you  hold  as  prisoners :  at  the  same  time  they  desire  to  make  a  general  peace  with  all 
the  Indians  in  your  country  and  as  they  dare  not  do  it  of  their  own  accord,  they  have  asked  me 
instantly  to  assist  them  with  somebody,  who  knows  the  French  language,  to  make  use  of  him  for 
that  purpose  :  I  could  not  very  well  refuse  it  for  fear  of  preventing  or  spoiling  the  chances  of  so 
laudable  an  object.  This  is  the  reason,  why  I  have  sent  this  soldier,  the  bearer  hereof,  Henry 
Martin  by  name,  to  serve  them  in  this  matter  according  to  his  ability.  I  hope  your  Lordship  will 
iind  acceptable  what  I  have  done ;  it  results  only  from  good  intentions  and  affection.  In  the 
meantime  I  remain  with  my  dutiful  salutations 
Foi^t  Orange  IS""  Aug  A°  1658.  Your  very  humble  and  obedient  servant 

La  Montagne. 


Lettke  fbom  Seegeant  Andkies  LotJwRENs  TO  Director  Stuyvesant:  failuke 

OF   THE   CEOPS  ;    MOVEMENTS    OF    THE    InDIANS. 
(The  first  nine  lines  are  gone.) 

The  harvest  turns  out  a  very  poor  one,  so  that  Thomas,  Jacob  and  companion  ha\'e  brought 
in  only  about  one  half  of  their  wheat,  while  Comelis  Slecht  has  not  gathered  anything  yet :  it 
12 


90 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hndson  River. 


must  therefore  be  feared,  as  the  grain  begins  to  grow  on  the  field  through  the  continuous  rain 
(God  may  prevent  it),  that  only  little  grain  shall  be  won  this  year.  Concerning  the  gathering  of 
the  savages,  they  separated  about  two  or  three  days  after  I  sent  the  last  letter.  It  is  rumored 
among  them,  that  they  would  return  in  a  day  or  two  aud  go  to  war  with  the  2Iorahicanders,  but 
God  only  knows,  what  will  come  of  it.  On  the  2P'  of  August  two  Maquaes  Sachems  came  here, 
but  I  cannot  yet  hear,  what  their  intentions  were;  the  soldiers  here  are  still  in  good  spirits  and 
health,  except  Gerrit  van  Canipen.  Herewith  closing  I  commend  your  Excy.  and  family  after 
sincere  salutations  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain 
Great  Aesopus, 

the  26"*  of  August  Your  Excy's  faithful  and 

An°  1G58.  obedient  servant 

Andries  Lodwrensen. 
To  the  Noble,  AYorshipful  "Wise,  Prudent,  Rigorous  His  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant  Director-Gen- 
eral of  N.  Netherlands  Curacao,  Bonayro  and  dependencies,  residing  in  the  City  of  N.  Am- 
sterdam. 


Complaint  against  Chris.  Davidsen,  a  native   of  Englaito,  for  spreading  a 

FALSE    REPORT   AMONG   THE    HIGHLAND    InDIANS. 
(Albany  City  Records). 

Extraordinary  Session 
held  at  I^ort  Orange  on 
The  Hon'"^  Comjnaxjder  Pltif.  against  the  3*  of  September  A"  1658. 

Christoffel  Davidsen,  Deft. 

Plaintiff  says,  that  an  .affidavit,  made  at  the  Esopus,  has  been  handed  to  him,  according  to 
which  Defendant  came  from  the  Manhatans  in  the  yacht  of  Euert  Pels  and,  when  they  were  in 
the  Highlands,  said  to  two  savages,  who  had  come  on  board,  that  the  Sachem,  meaning  the  Hon""' 
General,  had  killed  at  the  Manhatans  4  savages  and  tiiat  he  would  come  to  the  Esopus  during 
the  following  night  and  break  the  necks  of  all  the  savages  there,  whereupon  the  savages  of  the 
Esopus  took  some  Christians  prisoners  and  committed  a  great  deal  of  mischief.  The  Hon*"" 
Plaintiff  asks  therefore,  that  Defendant  be  examined  by  an  interrogatory. 

Interrogatory  held  with   Christoffel  Davidsen  at 
the  requisition  of  the  Hon'"'"'  Commander  in  pres- 
ence of  the  Commissaries  of  the  District. 
1.  1. 

How  old  and  where  were  you  born  ? 

2. 
Whether,  coming  from  the  Manhatans  and 
while  in  the  Highlands,  he  had  not  called  out 
or  said,  that  the  Dutch  had  killed  many  sava- 
ges at  the  Manhatans  in  the  night  of  the  23'' 
of  August  and  would  come  to  the  Esopus  dur- 
ing the  following  night,  to  break  the  necks  of 
the  savages  there. 


Answer :  42  years  and  born  in  England, 

2. 
Answer :  No,  but  that  he  had  said  to  the  sav- 
ages, who  came  on  board  :  I  do  not  know  any- 
thing about  it. 


New  Yoi'k  Historical  Records.  91 

Defendant  pleads  not  guilty  and  produces  two  affidavits,  one  from  Henderich  van  Dych  and 
one  from  Dirck  Jansen,  a  skipper,  who  attest,  that,  while  they  were  in  the  Highlands,  two  sava- 
ges came  on  board,  who  asked  Cbristoffel  Davids,  whether  the  Sachem  would  come  and  kill  all 
tlie  savages  in  the  Esoj>us  and  the  Highlands  and  Christoffel  Davids  answered :  I  know  nothing 
about  it. 


Lettek  from  Andriks  van  der  Sluys  to  the   Director  requesting  to  be  ap- 
pointed  PRECENTOR   AND   SCHOOLMAS'lER   AT   EsOPDS. 

Honorable  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant. 

The  object  of  these  few  lines  is  to  request  your  Excy.  most  humbly,  that  your  Excy.  will 
please  to  inform  me,  whether  your  Excy.  has  not  been  informed  in  regard  to  the  office  of  pre- 
centor, which  was  given  to  me  by  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Privileged  West-India  Com- 
pany, as  your  Excellency  saw  and  read  in  the  extract.  I  need  the  said  position  very  much  to 
support  myself,  my  wife  and  child  with  decenc}',  whereas  the  present  prospect  is  very  bad  and 
besides  I  have  suffered  great  loss  here  on  the  strand  during  the  last  troubles,  which  brings  us 
3-oung  people  much  behindhand.  The  inhabitants  here  would  like  to  keep  me  in  the  office,  to 
proclaim  the  Lord's  gospel  according  to  my  ability  and  catechise  the  children  and  teach  them  read- 
ing and  writing :  but  because  the  Hon""  General  has  spoken  with  them  about  a  preacher,  therefore 
they  dare  not  or  cannot  engage  me  for  several  years.  I  request  therefore  most  humbly  and  sub- 
missively, that  the  Hon"'"  General  will  please  to  assist  me  in  one  way  or  the  other,  that  I  may 
honorably  make  my  way  through  the  world  by  these  means  and  with  God's  assistance ;  awaiting 
hereupon  your  Excy'  favorable  reply  in  as  short  a  time  as  possible  and  commending  your  Excy. 
after  sincere  salutations  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  I  am  and  remain 
Great  Esopus  Your  Excy''  faithful  and  obedient  servant 

the  28'"  September  Andries  van  der  Sluys. 

An"  1658. 

To  His  Noble  Honor, 
the  Director-General 

Petrus  Stuyvesant 
residing  in  the 

City  of  N.  Amsterdam. 
by  a  friend. 


Letter  from  Sergeant  Andries  Loowrens  at  Esopus  to  Director  Stuyvesant: 

THE   BRIDGE    SWEPT    AWAY  ;    FAILURE    OF   THE    OATS    CROP  :    StUYVESANT's    FARM. 

Honorable  General  Petrtis  Stuyvesant. 

This  serves  as  answer  to  your  Excellency's  last  letter  of  the  23''  of  September.  The  bridge 
has  been  swept  away  with  the  exception  of  one  beam,  so  that  it  cannot  be  repaired  and  the 
farmers  say,  that  it  will  not  suit  them  to  begin  making  a  new  one  before  winter. 

I  cannot  inform  your  Excy.  for  what  pui-pose  the  savages  brought  the  wampum  to  the  Chris- 
tians, except  in  giving  the  statement,  which  they  have  made. 


92  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

I  have  spoken  with  Jacob  Jansen  and  Thomas  Chambers  about  the  feeding  of  the  horses ; 
they  answered,  that  they  could  accommodate  your  Excy.  with  long  fodder,  but  they  have  no  oats 
whatever,  as  the  worm  has  destroyed  it  and  they  have  not  harvested  any  oats.  If  your  Excy.  is 
satisfied  with  it,  then  please  to  send  up  the  horses. 

As  to  Jurryen  We^tfalen,  he  thinks,  he  will  come  down  by  the  first  opportunity  and  see, 
whether  he  can  agree  M-ith  your  Excy.  about  the  rent  of  the  farm  here,  but  that  the  oxen  would 
be  of  no  service  to  him  at  present ;  he  will  speak  about  it  more  in  detail  with  your  Excellency. 

Please  to  inform  me  by  the  first  chance,  how  it  shall  be  held  ^vith  the  barn,  for  it  stands  just 
as  at  the  time,  when  your  Excy.  left  here.  I  have  got  people  to  mow  reeds  and  Jurryen  Westfa- 
len  is  willing  to  put  up  the  roof ;  the  reed-cutters  demand  30  stivers  for  mowing  the  marsh :  I 
expect  your  Excy"  orders  in  this  regard  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Hon'"''  General  will  also  please  to  remember  our  provisions,  also  bricks  for  the  guard- 
house, for  a  chimney  is  much  needed.  Closing  herewith  I  commend  3'our  Excy.  to  the  protection 
of  the  Almighty  and  am  and  remain 

Great  Aesopus,  Your  Excy'  faithful  and  obedient  servant, 

the  28""  September  in  the  name  of 

An"  1658.  Andeies  Louwrensen. 


Minutes  of  the  Court  at  Fort  Orange.  Attendance  of  the  Mohawks  to 
inquire  for  the  frenchman,  whom  they  had  brought  on  the  13™  of  au- 
GUST AND  ASKING  FOR  AN  INTERPRETER,  WHO  COULD  GO  WITH  THEM  TO  CaUADA 
TO    MAKE    A    PEACE    ■WITH    THE    FrENCH. 

(Albany  City  Records.) 
Present  Commissary  Lamontagne  Extraordinary  Session  held  at 

Jan  Tomassen.  Fort  Orange  on  the  S'""  of  Oc- 

Fieter  Ilartgers  tober  An"  1658. 

Adriaen  Gerritsen. 

Before  the  Court  appeared  the  Sachems  of  the  three  Maquas  Castles  with  Saciadego  as 
speaker  and  they  made  the  following  requests : 

First,  that  we  should  tell  them,  whether  we  knew,  where  the  Frenchman  was  now,  who 
came  here  with  them  the  last  time. 

Second,  whether  we  knew,  that  they  had  not  killed  that  Frenchman. 

Third.  They  asked,  that  we  should  write  to  the  Governor  of  Canada,  that  they  had  not 
killed  that  Frenchman. 

Fourth.  Whether  Commissary  La  Montague  would  not  go  with  them  to  Canada  to  make 
their  peace  with  the  French. 

The  Court  answered  to  these  questions  or  propositions,  first,  they  did  not  know  where  that 
Frenchman  was  now. 

Second,  that  they  had  not  heard,  they  had  killed  him. 

Third,  they  were  willing  to  write  to  that  effect. 

To  the  fourth  proposition  :  that  the  Commissary  had  been  appointed  to  look  after  this  place 
and  therefore  could  not  leave  it  without  consent  of  the  Great  Sachem. 

Hereupon  they  asked,  that  we  would  provide  them  with  a  man,  who  understood  French  and 


New  YotTc  Historical  Records.  93 

also  with  a  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Canada.  This  was  promised  to  them  and  Jacob  Begyn,  a 
soldier,  offered  immediately  his  services.  He  went  with  them  on  the  9""  inst.  and  took  a  letter  to 
that  effect. 


Minute  of  the  Dieectoe-Geneeal's  depaetuee  for  the  Esopus.     (His  second  visrr  theke) 

(9'"  October  1658) 

To-day,  the  Honorable  Director-General  Petrtis  Stuyvesant  left  with  about  50  men  for  the 
Esopits,  to  see  whether  the  Indians  had  made  good  the  losses  caused  by  them,  according  to  their 
promises,  given  when  the  Honorable  General  was  there  the  last  time.     Date  as  above. 


Peoposals  made  to  the  Esopds  Indians  and  theie  answees. 
1658,  15«'  October. 

On  the  IS""  October  we  called  up  and  there  appeared  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Chamhers,  a 
resident  at  the  Esopui^,  several  Sachems  or  chiefs  of  the  savages,  namely  Pajypequahen,  Preuwa- 
mackan  aiid  Nachchamatt.  to  whom  the  following  propositions  were  made  in  the  presence  of  Cap- 
tain Martyn  Cregier,  Schepen  Pieter  WoljyJiertsen,  Pieter  Cornelissen  van  der  Veen,  Augustyn 
Ileermans  and  others : 

First,  whether  they  were  authorized  and  willing  to  execute,  what  they  should  agree  upon  in 
behalf  of  the  other  chiefs  of  this  place,  called  Eso_pus,  with  the  Director-General,  the  Sachem  and 
chief  of  all  the  Dutch. ;  to  which  they  answered,  tliat,  what  they  did  and  promised,  would  be  car- 
ried out. 

2*.  They  were  then  asked,  what  were  the  names  of  the  other  chiefs  of  the  Esopus,  for  whom 
they  answered,  so  that  we  might  know,  with  which  and  how  many  chiefs  we  made  the  compact. 
Sewackenaem,  Caelcop,  Pemirawachgink,  Juhoeron  were  named. 

3.  Then  the  affronts  and  injuries,  which  they  had  done  to  our  Christiiins,  were  again  repre- 
sented to  them,  as  it  had  been  done  in  the  month  of  May,  to  wit :  that  they  or  their  tribe  had 
killed  two  horses  of  the  widow  Hulter. 

That  about  a  year  or  eighteen  mouths  ago  they  had  wounded  with  a  hatchet  one  .Jacob  Adri- 
aensen  on  the  head,  while  in  his  own  house,  in  consequence  of  which  he  is  still  blind  on  one  eye 
and  they  had  also  mortally  wounded  his  little  child. 

That  since  the  spring  they  had  burned  his  house  and  plundered  his  goods,  also  killed  a  Dutch- 
]nan  on  one  of  the  sloops. 

That  they  had  stolen  and  taken  with  them  from  the  aforesaid  burned  house  some  duffels  and 
shirts  of  Adriaen  van  der  Sluys. 

That  they  had  compelled  the  farmers,  namely  Cornells  Barentscn  Sl^cht,  to  plough  their  land 
for  corn  and  had  threatened  to  burn  his  house,  in  case  he  should  refuse,  taking  a  firebrand  for  that 
purpose  and  running  up  under  the  roof  to  fire  the  barn. 

That  they  had  extorted  at  different  times  new  payments  from  the  Dutch,  who  had  bought 
land  from  them  and  had  paid  for  it  according  to  the  bill  of  sale  and  had  inflicted  many  more  threats, 
affronts  and  damages  upon  our  nation,  which  have  been  the  cause,  that  the  people  have  been  obliged 


94  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  pull  down  their  houses  and  to  move  close  together  and  that  the  Director-General  has  been  forced 
to  inclose  this  place  by  palisades  with  great  labor  and  expenses  and  to  send  and  keep  here  so  many 
soldiers. 

That  since  they  have  killed  again,  contrary  to  their  promise,  a  horse  and  several  hogs,  belonging 
to  Jacob  Ilajo,  for  all  which  losses  and  damages  caused  by  them,  proper  satisfaction  is  demanded 
or  else  we  shall  be  compelled  to  look  for  it  and  time  was  given  them  to  consult  about  it  until  to- 
morrow, provided  they  would  promise  to  give  an  answer  to-morrow ;  if  they  did  not  do  this,  but 
were  to  flee,  they  would  give  us  cause  to  think  and  believe,  that  they  did  not  wish  to  give  xis  satis- 
faction and  therefore  intended  mischief. 

First,  the  land  from  the  Esopus  so  far  as  I  have  viewed  it,  is  demanded  for  the  expenses  and 
troubles  incurred  by  the  Director-General  in  coming  here  and  establishing  this  fort,  also  because 
the  farmers  have  had  to  pull  down  their  houses. 

For  Hulter's  horses  we  demand,  that  they  should  be  satisfied  with  the  payment  once  made 
for  the  land  and  not  trouble  his  widow  again  about  another  payment. 

They  shall  give  within  one  year  one  hundred  strings  of  wampum  for  the  house  of  Jacob  J^eus, 
for  the  killing  of  Jacob  Janserus  horse  50  strings  of  wampum. 

For  Andries  van  der  Sluys  forty  strings. 

After  the  aforesaid  propositions  and  demands  had  been  stated  to  the  said  chiefs,  they  tried  to 
avail  themselves  of  many  subterfuges  and  told  a  long  tale  of  what  had  happened  long  years  ago, 
before  our  time,  in  and  before  the  last  war,  when,  as  they  said,  they  had  suffered  great  losses  and 
had  lost  many  of  their  friends  in  the  wars;  for  which  they  had  received  no  satisfaction,  but  now 
one  ought  to  be  balanced  with  the  other  and  people  ought  to  live  in  friendship ;  they  added  hereto 
by  their  interpreter,  that  the  demands  had  surprised  them  and  they  asked  for  time  to  consult  with 
others  of  their  friends  and  fellow-chiefs  who  were  out  hunting,  before  they  could  give  an  answer ; 
this  was  absolutely  refused,  as  in  their  reply  to  the  foregoing  second  proposition  they  had  abso- 
lutely declared  themselves  to  be  qualified  and  authorized  for  what  they  should  contract  and  transact 
with  us ;  we  therefore  persisted  in  the  demands  made  by  us  and  in  the  last  proposition  to  wit,  that 
they  should  promptly  answer  now  and  declare  themselves,  whether  they  would  give  us  proper 
satisfaction  or  not,  the  answer  to  which  was  only  Yes  or  No ;  wliereupon  after  many  discussions 
they  requested  to  consult  over  night,  promising  to  come  again  the  next  day ;  this  was  granted  to 
them. 

On  the  16"",  at  about  one  or  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  they  stated,  according  to  promise, 
through  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  and  Thomas  Chambers,  both  residents  at  the  Esopus,  that  they  were 
inclined  to  peace  and  friendship,  they  would  give  also  fair  satisfaction,  but  our  demands  -were  too 
great  and  they  are  badly  provided  with  wampum  ;  they  offer  first,  in  compensation  for  the  killing 
of  Widow  Hult^rs  horses,  to  desist  from  their  claims  for  payment  as  to  one  half  of  the  land, 
whereupon  we  informed  them  by  the  said  interpreters,  that  the  offer  concerned  only  the  Widow 
Hulter,  that  neither  I  nor  the  other  parties  in  interest  were  satisfied  with  it ;  when  this  had  been 
comnmnicated  to  them,  they  repeated,  that  they  had  no  wampum,  but  if  the  demanded  large  tract 
of  land  would  satisfy  me,  they  -would  give  and  convey  it  to  me :  I  had  them  answered  upon  this 
last  offer,  that  it  would  satisfy  me,  but  that  the  three  other  interested  parties,  namely  Jacob  Jansen 
Stol,  Jacob  A7idriesen  and  Andries  van.  der  Slwjs  did  not  receive  any  satisfaction  nor  compensa- 
tion by  it  and  therefore  I  had  them  asked  a  third  time,  whether,  as  they  said,  they  had  now  no 
wampum,  they  would  not  satisfy  the  aforesaid  persons  hereafter,  that  then  I  should  be  satisfied 
and  talk  and  treat  with  them  about  the  continuation  of  our  friendship,  whereupon  they  stated  the 
following  according  to  their  custom. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  95 

1"  As  to  the  land  of  the  Widow  Hulter,  they  surrendered  it  to  nie  for  the  killing  of  her  two 
horses  and  would  not  demand  any  further  payment  for  it. 

2^  They  give  a  beaver  and  say,  that  it  was  sent  here  by  the  Southern  Indians  for  the  purpose, 
that  they  should  not  begin  a  war  with  the  Dutch,  but  live  in  friendship  with  them,  which  they 
were  inclined  to  do. 

3*  They  say,  that  the  Minquaes  will  come  into  our  land  in  the  summer  and  when  they  see, 
that  there  is  everywhere  peace  between  the  Dutch  and  the  savages,  then  they  will  come  with  all 
their  beavers  to  StuyvesanV s  land  to  trade  there  and  with  nobody  else ;  they  give  a  beaver. 

4"'  They  say,  that  the  Minquaes  had  told  them,  the  Dutch  measured  tlie  powder  by  snuff- 
boxes, they  would  be  very  glad,  if  it  were  measured  to  them  by  the  handful,  they  would  then  bring 
many  beavers ;  they  give  a  beaver. 

S""  They  say,  the  Minquaes  had  told  tliem,  you  are  our  subjects  and  have  to  submit  to  us  or 
hide  yourselves,  as  we  also  have  to  submit  to  the  Dutch  or  hide ;  why  will  you  fight  against  the 
Dutch  ?  they  give  a  beaver. 

6""  They  give  a  string  of  wampum,  saying,  that  the  Minqimes  and  the  S'mnekes  of  the  first 
castle  say,  they  would  like  to  have  powder  and  lead  from  the  Dutch  to  shoot  deer  with  and  trade 
these  to  the  Dutch. 

T""  They  give  a  short  string  of  wampum,  saying,  that  they  desire  to  inform  me,  that  a  horse 
of  Jacob  Jansen  Stall  has  been  in  their  corn-field  and  has  damaged  two  plantings  and  a  boy  came 
and  has  killed  it,  for  which  they  gave  to  Jacob  Jansen  70  strings  of  wampum,  but  they  do  not 
give  this  small  string  on  that  account,  only  that  the  soldiers  should  leave  them  in  peace,  \vlien  they 
come  to  this  place  and  not  beat  them. 

■  As  the  foregoing  statement  made  by  them  did  not  agree  with  that,  which  they  had  first  made 
to  the  interpreters  Jacob  Jansen  Hap  and  Thomas  Chambers  and  had  asked,  I  should  be  informed 
of,  I  asked  them  througli  the  said  interpreters,  whether  they  intended  to  satisfy  me  thereby  and 
whether  it  was  this,  which  they  had  first  offered  tlirough  the  interpreters  regarding  the  land ; 
whereupon  they  answered,  that  one  of  their  fellow<'hiefs,  called  Poenap,  the  greatest  landowner, 
had  gone  to  Fort  Orange  and  that  Caelcop,  who  had  been  here  with  them  yesterday,  had  not  come 
now,  they  could  therefore  do  nothing  herein,  but  would  come  again  with  the  said  chief  to-morrow 
morning  and  give  a  conclusive  answer,  which  although  I  thouglit  to  be  a  subterfuge  only,  to  gain 
time  either  until  my  departure  or  until  the  arrival  of  other  savages,  yet  to  give  them  full  measure, 
I  allowed  them  this  delay  until  to-morrow,  notwithstanding  that  the  wind  was  favorable  and  my 
departure  necessary. 

As  the  savages  did  not  come  on  the  IS""  according  to  their  promise,  I  asked  Jacob  Jansen  Ilap 
and  Marten  Metselaer  (the  mason)  whether  they  would  not  go  to  the  houses  of  the  savages  to  recon- 
noitre, whether  they  were  there  still  and  then  to  ask  what  conclusion  they  had  come  to,  whether 
they  would  give  satisfaction  or  not.  They  returned  about  noon  and  brought  as  answer,  that  the 
said  chiefs  had  made  game  of  them  and  had  plainly  said,  they  had  no  intention  of  giving  satisfac- 
tion, as  they  considered  what  they  had  done  of  no  consequence.  Therefore  I  judged  it  best  for  the 
present  to  depart  as  soon  as  possible  and  to  leave  there  imtil  further  resolutions  and  order  the  ensign 
Dirck  Smith  with  50  men  and  the  following  instructions. 

Instructions  for  Ensign  Dirck  Smith 
First.  He  shall  join  to  the  old  garrison  25  men  from  the  military  brought  up  here,  so  that 
they  will  number  50  men  and  he  is  to  have  the  supreme  command  and  authority  over  them  until 
our  further  orders  and  give  out  the  countersign  and  put  and  keep  everything  in  good  order. 


96  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

Second.  "With  the  assistance  of  the  inhabitants  he  shall  iininediatelj  make  secure  the  inclosed 
place,  mount  a  proper  guard  at  the  two  gates  and  the  guardhouse  in  daytime  as  well  as  at  night, 
not  allow  any  savage  to  pass  through  except  upon  permission  of  Jacob  Jansen  StoU  and  Thomas 
Chambers. 

Third.  Until  further  resolution  and  order  he  shall  not  act  hostilely  against  the  savages,  unless 
they  begin  first  and  harm  the  Christians,  in  which  case  he,  with  the  advice  of  the  said  Stoll  and 
Chambers  and  the  assistance  of  the  inhabitants,  shall  attack  defensively,  apprehend,  resist  and 
pursue  the  savages,  as  the  occasion  may  require  always  being  well  on  his  guard  and  lookout,  to 
keep  this  place  garrisoned  by  some  men. 

Fourth.  The  jjloughing  and  sowing  shall  proceed  and  be  kept  up  as  far  as  possible  and  for  the 
present  only  when  a  guard  of  about  20  or  25  men  under  the  command  of  a  sergeant  can  be  given, 
according  to  the  decision  of  the  inhabitants  each  on  his  own  land  or  all  working  together,  to  pro- 
tect them  against  the  hostilities  of  the  savages ;  the  inhabitants  besides  must  take  their  arms  with 
them,  that  in  case  of  attack  they  may  make  a  better  stand  against  the  savages. 

Fifth  and  last.  He  shall,  except  during  the  ploughing  and  sowing,  keep  his  men  as  close  to- 
gether as  possible,  without  granting  leave  to  one  to  run  here  and  to  the  other  there  or  detaching 
them.     Thus  given  until  further  resolution  and  order  at  the  Esopus,  the  IS""  of  October,  1658. 


Letter  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;   the  Indians  do  not 
surrender  the  land  according  to  agreement. 

Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant  Sir,  Mr.  Pctrus  Stuyvesant,  Greeting!  I  have  at  present 
nothing  to  write  to  your  Honor,  except  that  the  savages  promise  us  daily  with  a  good  deal  of  talk, 
that  they  will  come  from  day  to  day  and  give  us  their  decision  and  it  does  not  go  further.  Now, 
on  the  2S"'  October,  they  have  promised  me  to  be  here  at  noon  and  announce  us  their  intentions ; 
as  Monsieur  Montanie  was  here  at  the  Kil  and  we  did  not  think  it  worth  while  to  detain  the 
sloops  any  longer,  because  they  lie  so  much  to  us,  we  shall  not  wait  for  a  sloop,  but  send  down  a 
canoe  to  inform  your  Honor  as  soon  as  we  have  been  informed  by  them.  We  trust,  that  pursuant 
to  orders,  they  will  finally  give  up  the  land,  of  which  your  Honor  knows.  In  the  haste  I  know 
at  present  nothing  more  to  write  to  your  Honor,  except  to  recommend  your  Honor  to  God's 
mercy  and  to  send  my  sincere  greetings,  remaining 

Your  Honor's  faithful  servant  and  subject 
Actum  Great  Esopus  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll. 

the  2S"'  October  A"  1658. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant,  his  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  General  for  the 
Privileged  West-India  Company,  at  Manatans  in  the  Fort  Amsterdam 


Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same:  the  Indians  have  made  a  conveyance  of 
the  tract  of  land,  as  agreed  and  ask  for  a  return-present. 

Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant  Sir,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Greeting ! 
Whereas  on  the  28"'  of  October  of  the  present  year  the  Soopu^s  Sachems  or  right  owners  of  a 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  97 

certain  piece  oi  land,  whic^li  your  Honor  well  knows  of,  namely  the  largo  tract  spoken  of  by  your 
Honor,  came  to  my  house  and  have  given  one  half  of  it  as  a  present  to  me  in  reconipensation  of  what 
they  liave  done,  saying  they  hoped,  that  now  they  need  fear  notliing  and  the  soldiers  would  lay 
down  their  arms  and  live  as  good  friends  ought,  and  that  it  is  not  always  their  fault  but  also  the 
fault  of  those,  who  sold  intoxicating  liquors  to  them,  further  that  they  were  ashamed  now  befoi'e 
other  savages,  who  might  upbraid  them,  that  they  had  given  away  their  land  to  the  Dutch  for 
fear  and  saying  on  tiie  other  side,  that  they  had  now  satisfied  the  General  and  would  discover  by 
this  grand  present,  what  the  heart  of  our  Sachem  said,  whether  he  would  not  make  some  presents 
to  them  in  return,  whereby  they  could  see,  that  there  were  no  more  doubts  or  dangers  for  them 
and  when  this  was  done,  they  should  make  a  present  of  land  to  him,  as  it  is  an  established  custom 
with  them ;  that  should  then  be  a  sign  of  solid  peace  and  they  would  do  all  possible  favors  to  us, 
either  in  bringing  a  good  trade  in  beavers  or  otherwise,  whereby  they  could  be  of  service  to  us, 
but  we  should  endeavor  to  be  provided  with  everything;  they  would  go  to  hunt  many  beavers  in 
the  spring  or  during  the  winter  and  would  then  pass  by  Fort  Orange  and  come  with  their  trade 
to  us. 

And  that  we  should  not  lie  to  them,  but  that  they  might  firmly  rely  on  our  word,  as  our  Sa- 
chems may  now  firmly  trust  to  them  and  shall  see,  tliat  after  this  time  we  shall  do  no  more  harm 
to  the  Dutch  neither  to  their  cattle  nor  otherwise,  therefore  the  land  shall  be  given  as  a  present  to 
the  Honorable  General  in  proof  hereof,  under  the  condition,  that  they  request  and  would  like  to 
see,  that  it  should  soon  be  inhabited,  so  that  they  might  be  supplied  with  everything,  not  in  the 
manner,  in  which  as  they  say,  the  late  Johan  De  Hulter  did  it,  who  fenced  in  the  land  and  then 
let  it  lie  unused ;  they  do  not  like  that,  but  desire  to  have  it  inhabited  so  that  many  Dutch  may 
come  here ;  they  could  see  that  we  try  to  live  in  friendship ;  they  said,  they  liked  to  see  the 
ploughs  work  and  no  soldiers. 

Further,  Honorable  General,  we  ought.  Christian  like,  give  them  some  presents  in  return,  as 
they  make  such  fine  promises,  which  could  be  done  easily.  The  proverb  says,  "  a  child's  hand  is 
soon  filled"  ;  your  Honor  could  also  easily  fill  their  hands,  upon  wliich  they  sincerely  rely  and  say 
as  before,  they  will  see  thereby  your  Honor's  good  heart  and  be  assured,  that  your  Honor  forgives 
their  misconduct  and  says  "quits".  "\Ve  therefore  replied  to  them,  that  they  should  have  some- 
thing either  next  spring  or  during  this  fall  and  otherwise  the  last  mistake  may  be  worse  than  the 
first. 

Then  we  went,  three  of  us,  to  the  land  and  on  the  29""  had  them  show  us,  how  much  and  which 
parts  they  intended  to  keep  for  themselves;  there  are  some  plantations,  but  of  little  value;  it  is  a 
matter  of  one  or  two  pieces  of  cloth,  then  they  will  surrender  the  whole  piece  and  remove.  Closing 
herewith  I  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  remaining  Your  Honor's 
faithfid  servant  and  subject 

Great  Soopus  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll. 

29'"  October  A"  1658. 

All  this  talking  has  been  done  with  dry  lips.  Your  Honor  may  imagine,  how  zealously  we 
have  sat  here  with  these  kings,  but  we  hope,  your  Honor  will  remember  his  servants  and  give  us 
something  good  for  our  lungs,  which  we  could  apply  ourselves,  if  we  had  it. 

Jacob  Jansen  Stoll 
Thomas  Chambers. 
Done  as  above  Derck  Smidt,  Ensign. 

13 


98  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant  and  his 

council;     they    approve    of    the    proceedings    at    the    ESOPIJS    AND    WILL    SEND 
CLERGYMEN   TO    SUPPLY    THE    WANT   OF    PREACHERS.       IS"*  FeBR'  1659. 


"We  are  well  pleased  with  the  commissioning  of  the  Director-General  to  the  Esopus  to  curb 
They  are  well  ^'^^  boldness  of  the  savages  and  with  his  proceedings  there,  for  the  drawing  to- 

pieased  with  the  gether  of  the  inhabitants  is  the  safest  and  best  way  for  their  protection  and  defense 
ceeding"'arthe  ™  ^"*^  therefore  it  must  be  done  at  all  occasions  and  in  all  settlements  of  outlying 
Esopus.  farmers  in  the  open  country,  as  we  also  think,  like  your  Honors,  that  it  is  more 

reputable  and  safer  to  employ,  in  case  of  a  punishment  to  be  inflicted  on  this  or  other  tribes,  the 
help  of  your  own  subjects  as  well  as  the  assistance  of  some  allied  savages.  The  matter  is  left 
altogether  to  your  Honors  to  do  on  such  occasions,  the  best  and  safest  and  at  the  proper  time. 

****** 

The  report  made  by  the  Director  in  his  aforesaid  letter  in  regard  to  the  bad  condition  of  the 
public  church-service  in  the  open  country  on  account  of  the  lack  of  preachers  and  that  the  same 
troubles  may  take  place  in  the  villages  there,  has  been  so  conceived  by  us,  that  we  have  considered 
his  proposition  to  be  well  founded  and  of  importance  and  therefore  intend  to  look  out  here  for  two 
suitable  and  pious  candidates,  who  shall  be  sent  there  in  due  time  and  occasion.  Arrived  there, 
they  are  to  be  placed  by  your  Honors,  where  they  may  be  of  service  and  needed.  But  as  the  Com- 
pany's treasury  and  revenues  are  consumed  and  diminished  by  such  charges,  your  Honors  must 
arrange  to  have  them  paid  in  the  most  convenient  manner  by  the  community,  as  we  told  your 
Honors  several  times  before. 


Action  about  a  Bridge  at  Esopus.     Court- Minutes  of  Fort  Orange,  April  5^°  1659. 
****** 
Coriielis  Woutersen  ag'  Mrs.  Johanna  de  Laet,  wife  of  Jeronimus  Elibingh. 

Plaintiff  demands  payment  of  fi  275  for  making  the  bridge  at  the  Esopus,  for  which  Defend- 
ant has  promised  to  pay  and  offers  to  prove  it  by  Geert  Ilendricksen  and  Jan  Barentsen,  whose 
testimony  he  produces. 

Philijyp  Pieterse  Schuyler,  as  attorney  of  Defendant,  requests  to  have  the  case  adjourned 
until  the  return  of  Defendant  and  her  husband. 

The  Court  having  heard  the  witnesses  and  read  their  testimony,  from  which  it  appears,  that 
Defendant  has  been  talking  with  Plaintiff  in  regard  to  the  bridge,  and  not  knowing,  whether  a 
later  contract  may  not  have  been  made  between  the  parties,  consents  to  adjourn  the  case,  until 
Defendant  or  her  husband  should  next  come  up  here,  without  prejudice  to  the  claims  and  rights 
of  either  party. 


New  Yorh  Historical  liecai-ds.  99 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  tite  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stutvesant  ;  in  re- 
gard   TO   COPPER   mines    IN    TUB    NevERSINGHS    AND   A   CRYSTAL    MOUNTAIN    IN    THE 

Catskils.     25''''  April  1659. 

****** 
We  liave  lately  been  shown  a  small  piece  of  mineral,  which  is  said  to  have  come  from  New- 
NetJierland  and  which  we  found  to  be  good  and  pure  copper,  so  that  we  have  thought  it  worth 
while  to  hear  Claes  de  liuyter  about  it,  a  person  who  showed  that  he  was  not  ignorant  of  it  and 
consequently  demonstrated,  that  a  copper-mine  was  said  to  be  in  the  N'evesinJcs,  also  that  there 
was  lying  between  the  Manhattans  and  the  South-river  a  crystal  mountain,  of  which  he  says  he 
brought  several  specimens,  as  your  Honors  will  be  able  to  hear  from  him  in  detail,  as  he  at  least 
is  going  over  again.  Your  Honors  are  therefore  earnestly  desired,  to  inform  3'ourselves  well  hereof 
and  send  us,  if  possible,  samples  of  the  one  or  the  other  by  the  first  ship,  to  ascertain  here  their 
quality  and  worth,  as  we  are  sure  that  the  population  there  will  increase  upon  the  discovery  of 
such  minerals  and  in  consequence  also  the  country  will  so  much  sooner  gain  in  prosperity  and 
influence. 

Gerrit  Jansen  Kuyjper  and  Abel  de  Wolf  have  also  requested  us,  that  such  lands  and  min- 
erals might  be  granted  to  them  (as  we  conceive  situate  near  the  £sojous  Kil  in  and  about  the  high 
Catskil  Mountains),  as  may  be  allotted  to  them  there  by  Gerrit  Baancker  and  Ilarmen  Yedders. 
And  as  the  aforesaid  petition  is  not  unreasonable  but  just  and  equitable,  therefore  we  have  resolved 
to  direct  your  Honors  herewith  and  to  recommend  that  the  said  lands  and  minerals  be  vested  in 
these  parties,  as  they  shall  show  and  elect,  provided  however  that  they  are  not  owned  and  held  by 
anybody  else,  and  this  imder  such  conditions  and  obligations  as  they  are  now  made  there  by  the 
Company  and  by  which  they  have  to  govern  themselves. 


Letier  from  Sergeant  Andries  Laurensen  to  Director  Stuyvesant  on  affairs  at  the  Esopus. 

Laus  Deo  semper. 

I  beg  to  inform  his  Honor,  the  General,  by  these  few  lines,  that  I  have  received  the  goods 
on  the  20""  of  May,  2  barrels  of  meat,  one  barrel  of  bacon,  50  pounds  of  powder,  915  bullets, 
11  musket-matches,  4  ells  of  duffels  and  the  weights,  C  kettles,  and  the  corn,  when  measured,  was 
found  to  be  29J.  I  have  heard  from  A7idries  van  der  Sluys  and  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll,  that  your 
Honor  had  promised  some  presents  to  the  Indians,  that  the  Indians  are  said  to  murmur  on  tliat 
account.  I  have  heard  on  Ascension  day,  that  the  aforesaid  persons  have  left,  that  the  savages 
intend  to  build  a  fort  on  the  land,  which  they  have  given  to  your  Honor,  God  knows,  whether  it 
is  true.  Geonje  Westphal  does  his  best  to  plough  the  land  and  fence  it ;  I  have  lent  him  69  pounds 
of  bacon,  as  he  needed  provisions.  The  oats  are  in  the  ground,  all  which  your  Honor  has  sent, 
the  spring-wheat  came  too  late  and  the  land  is  fenced  nearly  all  the  way  round,  the  ploughing  con- 
tinues, since  your  Honor  has  sent  the  oxen.  The  oxen,  in  which  your  Honor  is  privately  inter- 
ested, draw  well.  He  has  sold  his  cows  by  order  of  your  Honor.  I  have  delivered  the  iron  and 
ropes,  which  your  Honor  had  sent.  No  more  at  present,  except  to  commend  your  Honor  to  the 
protection  of  the  Almighty  God.     Sighatum  Aesopus,  the  Si""  May  Anno  1659. 

Your  Honor's  servant  Andreis  Ladrens. 


100  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  -River. 

Extract  feom  a  letter  of  the  Dieectob- General  and  Council  to  the  Direct- 
ors m  Holland  ;  nothing  is  known  of  a  Coppermine  m  the  Neveblnghs,  bdt 

THEY    WILL   TRY   TO    GET    INFORMATION    AND    SAMPLES.       23"  JuLY  1659. 
****** 

We  learn  with  astonishment  from  your  Ilonors'  letter  of  tlie  report  made  there  by  Claes  de 
Ruyter,  of  a  Coppermine  in  the  Newesinghs  and  of  the  request  of  Gerrit  Jansen  Kuyper  and  Abel 
de  Wolff  2i%  neither  before  nor  since  any  communications  in  this  regard  have  been  made  to  us  nor 
any  petition  been  presented :  if  it  should  be  done  hereafter,  your  Honors'  orders  in  this  respect 
will  be  obeyed.  The  shortness  of  time,  the  distance  of  the  places,  the  inconveniences  of  the  season, 
for  the  land  is  now  everywhere  covered  with  high  bushes,  which  make  the  passage  impracticable 
at  this  season  of  the  year,  prevent  for  the  present  to  get  some  samples  of  the  minerals,  agreeably 
to  your  Honors'  orders  and  to  send  them  to  your  Honors  by  these  ships.  We  shall  have  better 
time  and  opportunity  to  look  for  them  either  late  in  the  fall  or  early  next  spring,  when  the  woods 
and  the  hills  are  burned  over  and  cleared  of  brushes,  and  if  the  good  God  gives  us  life  we  shall 
then  not  fail  to  make  inquiries  and  send  your  Honors  samples  of  the  discovered  minerals. 


Letter  of  Sergeant  Andeies  Laurensen  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;  he  reports 
THE  Indians  are  dissatisfied  and  the  crops  have  to  be  cut  under  an  armed 

GUARD. 

Honorable,  Yaliant  and  Worshipful  Sir  ! 
Honorable  Peter  Stuyvesant,  Greeting  ! 

These  hasty  lines  are  to  inform  your  Honor,  what  the  savages  intended  to  do  with  us,  as  on 
the  29""  of  July  A°  1659  we  were  warned  by  a  certain  3Iaquaes,  called  Amit^os,  to  be  on  our 
guard,  because,  he  said,  the  savages  about  here  were  looking  out  for  us,  as  it  was  close  to  harvest- 
time,  they  intended  to  murder  us ;  also  from  another  side,  a  certain  southern  savage  said  the  same 
and  we,  having  been  warned,  keep  together  good  watch ;  besides  we  have  heard  from  Claes  de 
Ruyter' s  own  mouth,  that  he  stated  in  presence  of  Jacoh  Jansen  StoU,  that  he  had  been  advised 
at  Little  Soopus  not  to  come  in  here,  because  the  savages  intended  to  go  to  war.  We  therefore 
decided  and  have  resolved  with  the  farmers,  to  mow  and  bring  in  the  corn  all  together.  After  a 
genei-al  consent  had  been  given  hereto,  Cornells  Slecht  and  Willem  Jansen  went  to  their  own  fields 
and  barns  and  broke  the  resolution  without  gi'ving  notice  to  anybody  and  consider  their  treachery 
to  be  nothing  and  not  worth  mentioning,  but  Jacob  Jansen^ s  people,  Thomas  Sianiher  {Chambers), 
Pieter  DircTcsen  and  Jurgen  Westval  help  each  other ;  to  them  I  have  given  a  detail  of  soldiers  as 
guard  in  the  country,  until  your  Honor,  the  General,  shall  come  here  himself,  for  we  were  told  by 
Claes  de  Ruyter  that  we  may  expect  your  Honor  soon.  I  commend  your  Honor  in  haste  to  the 
protection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain  your  Honor's  faithful  servant  by  name 
Great  Soopus,  4""  Aug  1659.  Andries  Loirissen. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant  Sir,  the  Honorable  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  at 

Fort  New-Amsterdam 
Manhatans. 


New  York  Historical  Records,  101 

Minutes  of  the  Court  of  Fokt  Orange.     Arrival  of  Major  General  Will- 
iam Hawthorn  and  Captain  John  Plnchon,  proposing  to  take  tip  land  East 
^  of  Wappingers  Creek. 

On  the  4"'  August  [1659]  appeared  at  Fort  Orange  before  the  Commissary  and  Magistrates 
Major-Geueral  William  Hawthorn  and  Capt.  John  Pinclwn  who  declare  to  have  come  here  from 
Hartford,  to  open  friendship  and  correspondence  with  us,  also  to  supply  this  place  with  cattle  and 
that  they  had  found  a  convenient  place,  to  facilitate  it.,  at  a  village  five  Dutch  miles  from  the 
JVorth  river  East  of  the  Wappingers  Kil.  They  intend  to  establish  themselves  at  this  place,  if  it 
is  not  within  our  jurisdiction  and  if  they  would  be  allowed  free  passage  by  the  said  Kil  to  the 
Northriver.  AVe  answered  to  their  proposition  after  having  thanked  them  for  their  offer  of 
friendly  intercourse,  that  we  had  here  onlj'  subordinate  jurisdiction  under  the  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Netherland  and  therefore  had  no  authority  to  give  them  a  consent  or  permis- 
sion, which  properly  had  to  come  from  the  Director-General  and  Council,  to  which  they  assented. 


Letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Sergt.  Laurensen  at  the  Esopus  ;  rev.  Mr. 
Megapolensis  proceeds  thfthek  ;  increased  vigilance  recommended. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir ! 

Your  Honor's  letter  of  the  4"'  instant  has  been  duly  received  on  the  6"',  but  has  remained 
unanswered  because  I  intended  to  come  to  the  Esopus  myself,  on  the  following  day,  which  mv 
indisposition  has  so  far  prevented,  as  I  have  had  since  that  time  daily  violent  fever,  which  still 
continues. 

As  to  the  rumors,  which  your  Honor  mentions,  we  have  since  learned  from  passengers,  who 
came  from  above,  that  everything  is  as  yet  quiet  there  and  that  they  were  only  sensational  rumors 
and  reports,  which  God  may  grant !  meanwhile  your  Honor  is  strictly  charged  and  recommended 
to  be  well  on  your  guard  under  all  circumstances,  as  if  they  were  true,  and  to  watch  by  night  and 
by  day,  to  hold  together  the  soldiers,  as  well  those  who  have  been  there  before,  as  the  15  who 
were  sent  up  from  here  last  Saturday  and  to  recommend  in  our  name  to  the  inhabitants,  that  they 
shall  scatter  as  little  as  possible  and  be  well  on  their  guard  with  your  Honor  and  the  soldiers.  —  In 
case  your  Honor  should  discover  any  probabilities  in  the  rumors  or  signs,  that  the  savages  might 
attempt  sometliing,  your  Honor  will  communicate  it  to  the  bearers  hereof,  the  reverend  D*"  Mega- 
polensis and  Ensign  Dirck  Smith,  upon  receipt  of  whose  report  and  opinion  such  orders  shall 
be  given,  as  will  be  found  to  be  needed :  wherewith  closing  we  will  commend  your  Honor  to  the 
protection  of  God  and  remain 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir 

Your  Honor's  affectionate 
Amsterdam  in 

New-j^etherland,  P.  Stuyvesant 

the  ll'"  August  A»  1659. 


102  .        Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hridson  River. 

Letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant   to  Sergeant   Lourissen  and  others  at  the 
Esopus ;  Kev.  D°  Bloem  proceeds  thither  to  take  charge  of  the  congrega- 

TION    THERE. 

Honored,  Dear  and  Beloved  Friends 

According  to  the  promise,  -n-hich  I  made,  I  have  informed  the  Lords-Directors  last  year  of 
vour  just  demand,  to  have  there  a  good,  orthodox  and  pions  preacher,  which  their  Honors  did  not 
less  judge  proper  and  necessary  and  tliey  resolved  thereupon,  to  inquire  for  some  suitable  and  pions 
candidates  and  send  tlicni  here.  As  in  the  meantime,  the  rumor  spread  of  the  lack  of  preachers 
in  the  open  country  here,  D°  Jlarinanus  Bloem,  a  candidate,  resolved  to  make  a  voyage  hither 
and  inspect  the  condition  of  affairs  and  he  arrived  here  by  the  ship  "  de  Otter ",  bringing  with 
him  very  good  testimonials  from  several  ministers  concerning  his  life  and  good  qualities  for  preach- 
ing ;  during  his  stay  here  he  has  several  times  publicly  preached  God's  Word,  as  well  in  this  city 
as  in  the  villages  of  Brooklyn  and  Midwout,  to  the  great  satisfaction  and  pleasure  of  his  hearers, 
so  that  some  of  tlie  neighboring  villages  have  made  several  requests,  to  have  him  as  their  minister, 
l>ut  considering  tliat  these  neighboring  villages  can  go  to  church  to  one  or  the  other  place  near  by 
and  have  the  benefit  of  partaking  of  the  sacraments,  while  on  the  other  side  you  can  get  to  hear 
God's  Word  and  partake  of  the  sacraments  only  with  great  difficulties  and  troubles,  I  have  per- 
suaded the  said  D"  Blom  to  make  a  trip  to  the  Esopus  with  me,  as  I  intended  to  visit  you  before 
the  sailing  of  the  lately  departed  homeward  bound  ships,  but  being  prevented  by  the  great  mass 
of  our  business  and  the  time  for  the  Lord's  Supper  coming  on  in  the  meantime,  I  resolved  to  par- 
take of  it  myself,  so  that  it  was  finally  decided  to  leave  here  next  Thursday,  but  Homo proponit, 
Deus  dispanit ;  since  that  time  I  \\a,ve  suffered  almost  daily  from  a  %iolent  fever,  which  still  con- 
tinues, so  that  my  indisposition  does  not  allow  me  to  go  from  home  now.  But  in  order  not  to 
delay  so  important  a  matter  but  to  let  it  have  progress,  I  have  resolved,  to  request  our  reverend 
D''  Megapolensis,  the  bearer  hereof,  to  conduct  the  said  D'  Blom  thither  and  inform  you  of  our 
wishes  in  this  regard.  You  will  now  hear  yourselves  the  said  D"  Blom  preach.  If  you  are  satis- 
fied with  his  gifts  (and  we  do  not  doubt,  but  he  will  please  yon)  you  may  take  hold  of  this  chance, 
which  will  not  offer  again  apparently  in  some  years,  to  ask  iiis  Reverence  to  be  your  minister  and 
notify  us  of  it  by  letter,  also  how  much  you  will  contribute  yearly  for  his  maintenance,  which  you 
will  have  to  raise  from  the  inhabitants  in  due  time  in  the  best  and  most  convenient  manner.  Re- 
lying hereon  we  commend  j'ou  all,  with  cordial  salutations,  to  God's  merciful  protection  and  remain 

Honored,  Dear  and  Beloved  Friends 
Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  Your  affectionate  friend, 

in  New-NetKerland 
the  [11^'']  August  A"  1G59. 


Pkoi'osai.s  made  by  the  Esopus  Indians  and  the  answers  of  the  Dutch  thereto. 

On  the  17"'  of  August,  Sunday-  in  the  even-  Answers  made  by  us,  through  Jacob  Jansen  and 
ing,  at  the  Esopus.  Thomas  Chambers  in  presence  of  all  of  us. 
1.  The  Sachems  stated,  that  they  had  no  evil  in-  AVe  answered  in  general,  that  we  should  re- 
tentions towards  us  and  tliat  there  was  no  truth  port  their   statement  to  the  Hon.  General  and 
in  the  reports  made  to  us.  that  the  Hon"'''  General  has  long  ago  desired  and 


New  York  Historical  Records.  103 

2.  Tliey  had  patiently  borne  the  blows,  which     intended  to  come  here,  but  that  ho  fell  sick  on 
each  of  us  had  often  given  them.  the  day  before  his  departure ;  therefore  it  was 

3.  X^iey  had  quietly  suffered,  that  our  people     delayed,  but  as  soon  as  his  Honor  was  well  again, 
had  taken  away  from  them  i  com  heaps.  he  will  make  the  journey  with  God's  help. 

4.  The  Sachems  showed  17  staves  of  wood,  with 
which  they  signified,  that  our  people  had  at  dif- 
ferent places  wrongfully  beaten  and  injured  their 
tribe. 

5.  The  Sachems  said  also,  that  they  were  very 
willing  to  keep  in  peace  with  us  and  would  pre- 
fer to  submit  to  many  things,  that  they  also  ex- 
pected, the  Honorable  General  would  fulfill  his  (Endorsed) 

promise  as  to  presents,  for  as  long  as  that  was  Heport  made    by    Domine  {^MegapolenslsfA^ 

not  done,  thej'  could  not  imagine,  that  the  Gen-  upon  his  return  from  Fort  Orange  and  the  Eso- 

eral  intended  sincerely  to  remain  in  peace  with  pus. 

them.  1659. 


Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Esopus,  eequesting  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bloem  be 
aprointed  theie  minister. 

To  their  Noble  Yery  Worshipful  Honors, 
the  Hon'"'"'  Du-ector-General  and  Council 
of  New-Netherlmid, 

Show  with  due  humility  the  inhabitants  of  the  place,  called  the  Esopus,  that  on  the  17th  of 
August  the  Rev.  Harrnanus  Bhem  has  preached  at  the  place  of  the  petitioners  in  the  fore  and 
afternoon,  which  has  satisfied  the  petitioners  very  well  and  they  wish  sincerely,  that  they  could 
obtain  him  for  their  duly  authorized  minister.  They  request  therefore  respectfully,  that  j'our 
jjQj^bie  "Woi-gliips  ^vill  please,  to  consider  this  matter  and  effect,  that  he  may  be  appointed  here 
by  the  proper  authority,  while  we  promise  to  treat  him  decently  and  in  order  that  his  Reverence 
shall  be  able  to  sustain  himself  and  be  more  encouraged  in  his  work  we  have  all  resolved  (subject  to 
your  Hon*'"  "Worships'  approval)  to  make  a  good  bouwery  for  him,  provide  it  with  a  house,  barns, 
cows  and  other  cattle  as  proper,  to  tend  the  land,  which  your  Hon*"'"  Worships  shall  please  to  allot 
to  him,  plough  it  and  bring  the  whole  in  good  order,  so  that  he  may  cultivate  it  himself  or  hire  it 
out  advantageously,  as  long  as  he  shall  fill  the  position  of  preacher  here,  but  in  case  he  should 
leave  or  die,  then  this  bouwery  shall  always  remain  for  the  support  of  the  minister,  then  being 
here,  and  as  the  number  of  the  petitioners  is  as  yet  very  small  and  the  establishing  of  sucli  a  bouw- 
ery will  be  troublesome  and  costly  for  them,  may  the  petitioners  therefore  be  granted,  that  all 
who  hereafter  come  to  take  possession  of  lands  and  bouweries  here  shall  also  contribute  pro  rata 
to  the  obligations  of  the  present  petitioners,  who  must  now  incur  these  expenses.  We  await  a 
favorable  decision  hereon. 
Esopus,  the  17'"  of  August  1659. 

WiLLEM  07  JanSEn's  JaCOB    JanSEN    StOLL 

•^^  Thomas  Chambers. 

-  mark  Jueiaen  — -^  Bestvaal's  mark 


104  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Jan  "xT  y  Beokesen's  Jacob  J«.  Jansen  Stoutknboegh's 


mark 
Jan  Jansen 


DmcK  ^4*'  Heneichsen  ETeneick  ^  Coenelissen'8  mark 

Matihys;?^  Roloffsen  Pietee -^\^-^  Diecksen's  mark 

Aelbeet  j4,  Goebeetsen  Coenelis  Baeentsen  Slecht. 


Statement  kegaeding  the  feaes  of  the  people  at  Esopus  and  theie  eeasons 
FOE  rr;  they  ask  foe  a  little  bell  feom  Foet  Oeange  and  bequest  a  visit 
FEOM  Die.  Stuyvesant. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  fear,  that  the  savages  have  evil  intentions,  their  suspicions  hav- 
ing been  roused  by  the  causes  given  here.     Their  suspicions  were  caused: 

1.  By  tlie  departure  of  a  young  savage,  who  worked  for  Clapboard* 

2.  By  a  Maquaas. 

3.  By  a  southern  savage,  who  told  them,  that  the  Esojnis  s;ivages  intended  to  murder  the 
Dutch. 

4.  Claes  de  Huyter  says,  that  he  has  been  warned  by  the  Wa2jpi7igs  or  Iliyhland  savages  not 
to  go  to  the  Esopus,  because  etc  *. 

5.  Kit  Davidsen  says,  that  he  was  warned,  the  Esopus  savages  would  beat  the  Dutch,  that 
he  understood  it  perfectly,  that  the  Indians  meant  them. 

Keasons. 
That  General  Stuyoesant  had  not  kept  his  promise  of  giving  them  presents,  as  he  had  prom- 
ised. That  some  complaints  had  been  made,  but  that  his  Honor  General  Stuyvesant  had  promised 
to  come  himself,  to  complete  the  conclusion  of  a  permanent  peace ;  as  this  has  not  yet  been  done, 
they  cannot  believe,  that  it  was  really  intended,  but  to  keep  it  in  suspense  and  then  all  at  once 
attack  them  unexpectedly. 

2.  They  complain,  that  their  corn-pits  were  robbed  by  the  Dutch  last  winter  and  some  bea- 
verskins  were  taken. 

3.  That  Boertsen  had  badly  beaten  an  Indian  and  pointing  a  knife  to  his  breast  had  threat- 
ened to  kill  him. 


It  had  been  agreed,  in  pursuance  of  "an  order  from  the  Hon''"'  General  Stuyvesant,  to  assist 
each  other  during  the  harvest  and  help  in  hoeing  the  corn  and  that  for  the  protection  of  the  inhab- 
itants and  laborers  some  soldiers  should  go  with  the  laborers  to  the  field  to  protect  them,  but  some 
of  tliem  separated  themselves  immediately  after  the  resolution  and  agreement  had  been  made. 

The  laborers,  who  earn  high  wages  there,  still  refuse  to  join  in  an  expedition  or  to  do  guard- 
duty  and  all  this  falls  on  the  shoulders  of  the  few  inhabitants. 

It  is  necessary,  that  some  men  were  appointed,  also  a  messenger,  to  hold  some  kind  of  a  court, 
that  everybody,  no  matter  who,  could  be  made  to  go  along. 

Tliey  desire,  that  an  order  be  given  regarding  the  thatch-roofs  of  houses,  in  which  people  live 
and  make  fire  without  chimneys.  , 

♦  Clajiboard  was  a  uicknamc  givcu  to  Thomas  Chambers. — Ed. 


JSfeto  Yorh  Historical  Records.  105 

That  they  might  have  tlie  little  bell  from  Fort  Orange. 

That  they  might  have  a  drum,  because  there  are  now  40  soldiers  tliere,  besides  the  iuliabitants. 

2  or  three  little  pieces  for  a  present  to  the  Indiaus. 

The  Sergeant  talked  also  of  intending  to  make  a  redoubt  near  the  guardhouse ;  if  the  IIou""^ 
General  consented,  they  would  make  it  of  sods. 

Montagnw  asks  for  some  muskets  fuses. 

Jurriaen  Bestvaal  would  like  to  have  2  or  3  more  cows,  a  dwellinghouse  and  a  farmhand. 

The  inhabitants  of  Ksopus  desire  the  Iion'"'=  General  to  come  there,  that  some  more  lots  may 
be  surveyed,  as  there  are  several  people,  who  would  like  to  cultivate  the  land,  but  they  have  no 
lots.  Likewise  the  people  of  Fort  Orange  desire  the  Hon'''''  General  to  come  there,  to  settle  some 
matters. 


Leti-ek  OF  Sergeant  Andeies  Laurensen  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;  Indian  news 

AND    REQUEST    FOR    SUPPLIES. 

Honorable,  Wise  and  Yery  Discreet  Sir ! 
Honorable  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant,  Greeting ! 

These  few  words  are  to  inform  your  Honor  only,  that  the  savages  are  rather  quiet  at  present 
I  trust,  their  hasty  undertaking  has  been  postponed :  furtlier,  Cit  Davits  continues  in  his  old 
tricks  of  selling  liquor  and  tattling,  as  I  with  other  persons  have  found  a  drunken  savage  there, 
called  PoeM«/?,  on  Tuesday,  being  the  IS""  of  August  of  the  present  year;  then,  your  Honor, 
please  to  think  of  us  with  victuals,  meat  or  bacon,  as  it  is  all  consumed  and  the  farmers  are  them- 
selves as  badly  off  as  possible.  Herewitli  goes  a  soldier,  Gerrit  Velser,  who  has  poor  health. 
Closing  I  remain  Your  Honor's  faithful  servant  by  the  name  of 

Actum  Great  Esoj}us  Andries  Loorissen. 

2P'  August  A°  1659. 
In  haste. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Yery  Yaliant  Sir  His  Honor,  General  Peter  Stuyvesant  at 

Fort  N.  Amsterdam 
on  the  Manhatans. 


Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same  :  the  Esopus  Indians  are  preparing  for  w.ui. 

Honorable,  Wise  and  Yery  Valiant  Sir! 
Honorable  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant,  Greeting ! 

Whereas  we  have  heard  from  Mr.  Abram  Stoats  on  the  29""  August,  that  the  savages  had 
killed  some  people  at  Mespat  there,  therefore  I  inform  your  Honor  by  these  few  lines  (as  the  skip- 
per would  not  wait),  that  the  savages  keep  all  away  from  us,  but  they  prepare  themselves  evidently 
for  a  war,  for  we  have  been  informed  by  a  certain  savage  here,  that  the  savages  are  making  bows 
and  arrows  day  and  night.  However  we  cannot  learn,  what  their  intentions  are ;  we  were  further 
advised  by  Cit,  that  the  Sachem  Caelcop  had  said  to  him,  he  should  move  away  from  the  strand 
14 


106  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

for  the  savages,  not  only  the  barebacks  but  also  the  Sachems  had  resolved,  to  beat  ns.     How  ranch 
truth  is  in  this,  God  knows.     Please  send  us  some  bacon  or  meat  for  the  soldiers. 

In  haste. 
Closing  I  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  am  and  remain 

Your  Honor's  faithful  servant  in  the  name  of 
Actum,  Great  Esopus  Andries  Loukissen. 

1".  Septbr  1659. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant  Sir,  His  Honor  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant 

at  iV(?t«  Amsterdam 
on  the  Manahataes. 


Peoposals  made  by  the  Esopus  Indians. 

The  Esopus  Indians,  numbering  about  9C,  small  and  large  all  told,  made  the  following  ]>ropo- 
sitions  on  the  l""  of  September. 

First ;  that  on  the  3''  of  September  they  had  been  together  at  one  of  their  savage  houses  and 
only  deliljerated  upon  good  things,  as  they  now  proved  coming  with  women  and  children  and 
without  arms,  so  that  we  might  not  have  any  suspicion  of  them. 

Second,  that  two  Mingaes  Sachems,  Sinnekens  and  southern  Indians  had  been  with  them  and 
had  advised,  that  they  should  reconcile  themselves  again  with  the  Christians,  for  wlii(;h  pui-posc 
they  had  now  come :  they  had  also  said,  they  should  be  ashamed  to  act  so  towards  the  Christians. 

Third,  three  years  ago  last  fall  they  had  been  at  the  Manliatans,  then  they  came  here  to  the 
Esopus,  but  they  did  not  injin-e  any  one  of  the  Dxiteh  nor  did  any  other  liarm  and  they  let  the 
Christians  return  to  their  possessions  and  shortly  after  they  made  an  everlasting  compact  M'itli  the 
Christians  and  the  ^laquaes  and  to  confirm  it,  they  locked  their  arms  together  with  iron  chains 
and  said,  who  shall  first  break  this,  he  shall  be  made  war  against  in  common. 

Fourth,  that  they  altogether  willing  to  be  peaceful  and  had  no  more  evil  intentions,  people 
may  go  to  work  now,  as  one  fire  is  burning  between  us  and  we  may  go  to  sleep  on  either  side 
with  safety  and  that  formerly  many  news  reports  had  come  from  other  savages,  that  the  Dutch 
would  come  to  kill  them,  and  then  this  and  that,  but  that  now  they  would  not  listen  to  such  talk. 

Fifth,  that  they  cannot  understand,  why  the  Fort  had  been  made  here ;  that  it  would  have 
been  better,  if  every  one  had  remained  on  his  bouwery,  for  then  we  Christians  would  have  been 
enabled  to  harvest  our  corn  better,  while  now  it  is  spoiled  and  the  horses  would  have  brought 
home  more  in  one  da^',  than  what  now  has  been  cari-ied  off  by  the  water. 

Sixth,  that  they  have  been  wondering,  why  we  do  not  plough ;  they  had  suspected  us  of  evil 
intentions,  but  we  should  commence  ploughing,  whereas  we  need  not  fear  an}'  harm  from  them 
and  that  tliey  are  not  very  well  pleased,  because  they  can  not  use  the  path,  wliich  formei-ly  run 
through  the  guardhouse-grounds;  that  it  was  lucky,  that  the  soldiers  had  beaten  just  a  Sachem  or 
some  others,  for  using  that  path,  for  if  it  had  been  barebacks,*  they  \\o\\\A  have  lustily  fought  for  it. 

Seventh,  they  say,  that  JaroVs  liorses  and  hogs  had  destroyed  a  whole  plantation  and  they 
guess,  that,  when  they  drove  out  the  animals,  the  horse,  which  Jacob  lost,  nmst  have  fallen  on  a 
stump,  for  if  it  had  been  shot  with  a  bullet  or  an  arrow,  the  bullet  or  arrow-stick  would  have  been 
found  and  they  say,  it  died  from  the  cutting  open. 

*  Young  warriors, 


N(w   Yoric  Historicul  Records.  107 

Eighth,  they  brought  wampum  for  the  horse  and  acknowledged,  that  they  liad  killed  it ;  40 
strings  of  white  wampum. 

Ninth,  they  bring  wampum  for  Jacob  Jansen^s  hogs  and  acknowledge,  they  had  killed  them 
too ;  10  strings. 

Tenth,  Wampum  for  capturing  our  four  Christians ;  3  strings. 

Eleventh,  Wampum,  that  we  should  declare  ourselves  satisfied ;  5  strings. 

Twelfth,  Wampum,  that  the  soldiers  shall  not  beat  them  any  more ;  5  strings.' 

Twelfth,*  Wampum,  that  the  Dutch  shall  pay  the  savages,  who  have  worked  for  them ;  5 
strings. 

And  we  have  answered,  that  we  could  not  do  anything,  but  that  all  would  be  arranged  prop- 
erly, when  his  Honor,  the  General,  came.  Your  Honor  will  please,  to  send  also  an  order,  what 
we  shall  do  with  the  wampum. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  and  Council  to  the  Direct- 
ors IN  Holland  :  a  settlement  on  Wappinger's  Kil  recommended  :  Indian 
murders  and  causes  thereof  :  reinforcements  sent  to  Esopus.  4:'"^  Septem- 
ber 1659. 

*  *  *  *  *  *    + 

We  consider  of  greater  importance,  what  we  heard  from  J^ort  Orange  lately,  that  is,  that  in 
the  latter  part  of  July  some  Englishmen  from  Boston  arrived  there,  among  them  two  of  position 
and  distinction  according  to  their  commission ;  they  inquired  for  a  fortnight  or  3  weeks  after  the 
territory  between  the  two  places  and  having  spied  the  land  along  the  North  river  under  pretext  of 
investigating  and  looking  up,  how  and  where  the  lines  and  limits  of  their  Colony  or  Province  may 
terminate,  they  came  finally,  as  they  say,  to  Fort  Orange.  After  the  usual  compliments,  they 
made  among  others  a  proposition,  that  they  were  willing  and  intended  to  make  a  village  or  settle- 
ment at  the  end  of  the  Wappinger'' s  Kill.  This  Kil  has  its  source  some  leagues  inland  to  the  east- 
ward and  empties  into  the  North  river  above  the  Highlands,  above  13  or  14  leagues  from  this  ])lace. 
According  to  the  reports  there  are  good  and  fertile  lands  on  either  side  of  it  and  whereas  there  is 
no  other  way  to  it  than  along  this  North  river,  the  aforesaid  Englishmen  proposed  and  requested 
to  have  unmolested  passage  up  to  and  down  from  it.  Your  Honors  may  easily  infer,  in  your  usual 
sagacity,  what  the  consequences  hereof  would  be,  that  is,  to  get  into  our  beaver-trade  with  their 
wampum  and  divert  tiie  trade ;  we  can  very  well  imagine,  that  your  Honors'  advice  and  order  will 
be,  to  resist  their  undertaking  by  all  means  and  prevent  it  if  possible.  Right  Honorable  Gentle- 
men, there  will  be  no  M-ant  of  our  inclination  to  do  so,  while  however  the  power  may  be  wanting, 
if  they  undertake  it  in  earnest  and  will  continue  or  hold  it  forcibly.  Many  hounds  are  the  hare's 
death.  I  can  hardly  imagine  the  latter,  at  least  as  long  as  the  state  of  affairs  in  England  under 
the  last  changes  is  so  uncertain,  but  it  is  undoubtedly  to  be  feared,  that  they  may  send  some  colo- 
nists with  cattle  there  overland,  to  crawl  along  in  time  and  finally  obtain  their  end  ;  your  Honors 
are  most  likely  of  opinion,  to  oust  and  drive  away  the  colonist,  who  should  settle  there  ;  this  would 
be  feasible  at  first,  if  it  remained  so  and  they  had  no  followers;  in  our  opinion  the  best  and  safest 
plan  would  be  to  forestall  the  English,  by  peopling  and  settling  the  lands  with  some  good  and 

»  So  ju  the  original. — Ed.  t  For  the  preceding  see  Vol.  XII  Col.  Doc.,  p.  349. — Ed. 


108  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

clever  farmers,  abont  25  to  30  families  and  to  assist  these  witli  a  guard  of  20  to  25  soldiers  for  two 
or  three  years  for  their  protectious  against  the  barbarians,  who  are  thereabout  somewiiat  strong 
and  bold.  That  this  might  be  carried  out  the  sooner  and  with  greater  celerity  and  siifety,  your 
Honors  will  please,  if  jwssible,  to  cause,  that  some  homeless  I'oJish,  Lithuanian,  Prussian,  Jut- 
Mndish  or  Flemish  farmers  (who,  as  we  trust,  are  soon  antl  easily  to  be  found  during  this  Eastern 
and  Northern  war)  may  be  sent  over  by  the  tirst  shijjs.  We  shall  on  our  side  endeavor  to  provide 
them  with  cattle  and  necessary  provisions  and  other  means  and  in  order  that  these  people  may  not 
be  delayed  upon  their  arrival  here,  I  hope,  if  it  pleases  God  to  give  me  life  and  sufficient  health, 
to  go  there  during  the  coming  autumn,  view  the  land  and  buy  it  from  the  savages  and  at  the  same 
time  look  up  an  opportunity,  to  make  the  settlement  defendable,  which  with  the  blessing  of  God 
will  increase  and  not  only  will  promote  civilization  and  bring  safety  to  the  yachts  and  passengere 
travelling  up  and  down  the  I'iver,  but  will  also  cause  mistrust  and  terror  among  the  bai'barians  or 
natives. 


Without  wishing  to  excuse  the  foregoing*  cruel  deeds  of  the  savages,  we  shall  meanwhile  not 
fail  to  revenge  them  in  due  time  and  are  already  endeavoring  to  discover  with  perfect  certainty, 
what  savages  and  from  which  tribe  have  committed  this  last  murder  (at  Mespat  Kil,  L.  I.) :  to 
take  revenge  for  it  at  the  proper  time  with  your  Honors'  advice  and  approval ;  this  must  not  be 
undertaken  too  rashly  or  too  soon  and  therefore  we  shall  await  your  Honors'  advice,  partly  for  the 
aforestated  reasons,  that  the  separate  living  people,  of  whom  there  is  a  considerable  number,  cannot 
now  remove  so  suddenly  their  corn  and  winter  fodder  for  tlieir  cattle,  which  they  have  gathered 
up  near  their  houses  and  if  they  remain  in  their  scattered  dwellings,  cannot  be  protected  ; 

Partly  because  we  are  informed  by  verbal  and  written  reports  from  the  Esojnts  (as  your  Hon- 
ors may  see  from  the  enclosed  copies  of  the  letters)  that  the  affairs  with  the  savages  there  are  not 
in  the  best  and  safest  condition.  Already  a  month  ago,  we  have  sent  15  men  there  as  reinforce- 
ment for  the  garrison  of  22  or  23  men  stationed  there ;  but  as  we  have  been  verbally  warned  of  a 
larger  gathering  of  the  savages  up  to  the  number  of  500  (to  which  daily  more  are  added),  we  con- 
sider it  advisable  to  send  there  10  or  12  men  more  by  the  first  opportunity;  we  hope  and  have  no 
doul)t,  but  assisted  l)y  tlie  inhabitants  and  with  God's  blessing  these  will  be  able  to  defend  the 
place,  in  case  the  savages  should  make  any  attempt  against  it,  as  is  firmly  believed,  which  I  how- 
ever trust  will  not  come  to  pass,  at  least  not  before  they  have  harvested  their  corn.  1  hope  in  the 
meantime  to  prevent  if  possible  the  mischief  and  war,  should  the  good  God  please  to  give  me 
health.  Our  military  meanwhile  is  and  remains  too  scattered  to  make  any  aggressive  beginning 
in  regard  to  the  above  stated  affairs  before  better  times  and  chances  appear. 


PitoPosmoNs  OF  THE  Mohawks.     ^riNUTEs  of  tuk  Court  of  Fort  Orange,  Septbr  fi,  ir>5i>. 

Present  J.  Lamontagne.  Extraordinary  Session  held  by  both 

Jeremiaa  van  Rensselaer.  the  Courts  to  hear  the  j>ropositions 

*  In  the  fort'goiti;;  paia<jraplis  two  murilers,  committod  I).v  the  Indians,  are  rei)orteil.     The  cause  of  the  mur- 
ders is  indicated  to  have  been  tlie  distance  of  the  dwellings  of  the  murdered  persons.  — Ed. 


New  York  Ilidorical  Records.  1 00 

Arent  van  Curler.  of  the  Maquaes  this  6""  of  Septem- 

Francis  Boon.  ber  1659. 

DivcTc  Jansen  Croon. 

Andries  Jlerherttsen. 

Sander  LenderUen. 

Jan  Yerheeck  and  all 

the  late  magistrates. 

1.  They  say,  they  had  made  tlie  journey,  to  treat  with  ns  in  friendship  and  give  a  string  of 
wampum. 

2.  They  say,  that  tliey  and  other  savages  do  not  Hke  to  see  their  tribe  drink  so  much  liquor 
and  give  two  beavers. 

3.  They  say,  we  have  been  agreed  here,  that  we  had  made  an  alliance ;  the  Dutch  say,  we  are 
brothers  and  joined  togetlier  with  chains,  but  that  lasts  only  as  long  as  M'e  have  beavers,  after 
that  no  attention  is  paid  to  ns,  but  it  shall  always  be,  as  if  we  needed  each  other.  They  give  two 
beavers. 

4.  The  alliance  made  in  the  country,  who  can  break  it  ?  Let  ns  at  all  times  keep  together 
what  has  been  made  one.     They  give  two  beavers. 

5.  We  have  to  expect  our  enemies,  the  French,  and  if  we  drink  too  much,  we  cannot  fight ; 
we  request  therefore  not  to  sell  any  brandy  to  our  people,  but  to  put  the  bung  in  our  casks.  They 
give  two  beavers. 

6.  When  we  go  away  now,  we  shall  take  with  us  a  good  deal  of  brandy  and  after  that  no 
more,  for  we  will  burn  our  kegs ;  but  although  we  propose  that  now,  it  will  not  be  carried  out. 
Therefore  when  the  savages  come  into  the  country  with  brandy,  we  shall  come  to  the  chiefs  of  the 
Dutch  and  tell  them,  who  has  sold  the  brandy  to  them.     They  give  a  string  of  wampum. 

7.  The  Dutch  must  leave  off  their  wickedness  and  not  beat  them  as  much,  as  they  have 
done.     They  give  one  beaver. 

8.  We  desire,  that  the  smiths  should  repair  our  things,  even  when  our  people  have  no  money, 
or  let  them  have  much  or  little  wampum.     They  give  a  beaver  and  a  string  of  wampum. 

9.  We  request,  that  the  gunmakers  shall  dispatch  making  the  guns  and  not  let  us  wait  so  long 
and  lose  time.     They  give  a  beaver  and  a  string  of  wampum. 

10.  When  M'e  come  from  the  country  and  the  muskets  are  all  repaired,  we  have  no  powder, 
you  must  therefore  give  us  some  powder  and  when  the  enemy  comes,  j'ou  must  be  willing  to  help 
us ;  you  are  too  timorous,  but  send  us  50  or  60  men  for  assistance.     They  give  two  beavers. 

11.  He  has  two  sons,  taken  prisoners  by  the  French  and  held  a  long  time.  We  trust,  that 
the}'  will  bo  released  and  request,  that  the  Dutch  will  send  for  them,  we  shall  be  very  willing  to 
do  the  same  for  you.     They  give  two  beavers. 

12.  Look  at  the  French  and  see  what  they  are  doing  for  their  savages,  when  they  are  in  dis- 
tress.    Do  tlie  same  for  us  and  help  us  repairing  our  castles.     They  give  a  coat  of  beaverskins. 

13.  Come  to  us  with  30  men  and  with  horses  to  choj)  wood,  cany  it  to  our  castles  and  assist 
us  in  repairing  them  and  the  Dutch  can  carry  their  wood-sleds  into  the  country.  They  give  a 
beavercoat  and  a  beaverskin. 

14.  When  any  one  of  us  dies  and  one  of  the  Dutch  should  be  his  companion,  it  was  his 
duty  to  give  to  the  friends  of  the  deceased  one  or  two  pieces  of  linen.     They  give  a  beaver. 

15.  It  is  not  necessary,  that  you  should  make  us  now  presents  in  return.    Tliey  give  a  beaver. 
Action  taken  on  the  proposition  of  the  Mohawks  and  answer  gi\'eu  to  them  on  the  S""  of  Sep- 
tember. 


110  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liivei'. 

The  Court  resolved  and  decided,  that  a  provisional  answer  should  be  given  to  the  Maquaes  to 
the  effect,  that  no  doubt  has  arisen  in  regard  to  the  brotiierhood  between  the  Dutch  and  the  JMa- 
qua^s,  agreed  upon  many  years  ago  and  that  it  should  always  be  maintained  and  the  chain  remain 
unbroken. 

2.  We  expect  here  every  day  Mr.  Stuyvesant,  to  confer  with  you  and  we  shall  let  you  know, 
when  he  arrives  or  some  of  the  Dutch  Sachems  will  come  to  you. 

Then  50  tl  in  wampum  were  given  to  the  Maquaes. 

Further  action  of  the  Magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  on  the  Mohawks'  propositions,  Septbr  16, 
1659. 

Court  Minutes. 

"Whereas  their  Honors  have  been  gathered  here  on  the  6""  mst.  to  listen  to  the  propositions, 
which  tlie  eliiefs  of  the  Maquaes  had  to  make,  and  having  heard  them,  gave  a  provisional  answer 
to  the  said  Maquaes  on  the  8""  to  the  effect,  that  a  conclusive  answer  should  be  given  upon  the 
arrival  here  of  his  Honor,  the  General,  and  whereas  they  were  afterwards  informed  to  their  great 
sorrow,  that  the  General  could  not  come  on  account  of  ill-health  and  sickness, 
Therefore  their  Honors  have  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  the  well-being  of  the  country  decided,  to 
depute  some  members  of  the  Ilon''''^  Court  to  make  a  further  alliance  with  the  said  Maqyaes,  to 
thaidi  them  for  their  old  and  continued  friendship,  shown  to  our  nation  and  further  to  give  them 
a  fair  and  proper  answer  to  their  propositions  and  to  bring  them  at  the  same  time  a  present  of  tl 

in  wampum,  75  lbs  of  powder,  100  lbs  of  lead,  15  axes  and  2  beavers  worth  of  knives.  Mr. 
Jeremias  van  liensselaer,  Francis  Boon,  Dirck  Jansen  Croon,  Andries  Ilerhertsen,  Mr.  Arent 
van  Curler,  Adrian  Gcrritsen,  Jan  Tomassen,  Volckert  Jansen,  Philipp  Pietersen  and  Johannes 
Provoost  offered  voluntarily  to  go  as  dejjuties. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Stdyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland:  no  news 
from  the  esopus,  but  reinforcements  have  been  sent  there  ;  eqcipments  for 

CAVALRY    required;    THE    ReV.   HaRMANUS    BloEM    HAS    ARRIVED    AND    TV    IS    PRO- 
POSED   TO    SEND    HIM    TO   THE    EsOPUS ;     A    SETTLEMENT    ON    "VVaPPINGERSKIL    AGAIN 

•  URGED.  17'"  Septbr  1059. 
****** 
Since  our  last  we  have  liail  no  news  from  the  JSsopus ;  5  or  6  days  ago  we  sent  some  men 
under  command  of  Ensign  Dirck  Smith  there  with  three  light  ciinnons  and  some  other  ammuni- 
tion of  war.  We  believe  and  trust,  tliat  it  shall  be  nothing  hut  an  Indian  bravado,  nevertheless 
these  and  other  rumors  make  the  out-lying  farmers  circumspect  and  not  without  reason  timid  and 
jilacc  them  on  their  guard;  tliey  have  therefore  requested  us  through  their  magistrates  to  be  pro- 
vided with  sonre  powder,  lead  and  small  arms,  also  a  drum  for  eaeli  village,  to  call  together  the 
inhabitants  at  night  or  in  case  of  mischief.  We  have  provided  them  with  the  tii-stmentioned  arti- 
cles, as  far  as  our  stores  permitted,  giving  each  village  ;10,  40  or  50  pounds  of  powder  and  lead 
and  some  muskets  to  those,  who  needed  them  under  i)romiso  to  pay  for  them  with  grain,  the  small 
arms  fo  be  returned,  when  asked  for ;  whereas  our  stores  jiave  been  considerably  diminished  hereby 
and  through  the  daily  consumption,  we  respectfully  request  your  Hoimrs  to  su]>ply  us  soon,  that 
we  may  accommodate  the  villages  with  a  goodly  quantity  of  powder,  lead  and  fuses,  also  a  dozi'ii 
of  drums,  which  may  l)e  put  one  into  the  otlier  to  reduce  the  freight. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  HI 

Should  jour  Honors  deem  it  advisable,  to  attack  the  savages  on  account  of  the  present  and 
repeated  murders,  we  have  previously  asked  thereto  for  some  cavalry  saddles  and  pistols  to  organize 
a  little  troop  of  horsemen  on  Long-  and  on  this  island,  which  would  be  of  great  service  and  very 
much  needed,  to  keep  the  two  places  free  from  Indians;  your  Honors  sent  pistols  before  this,  25 
to  30  common  saddles  are  herewith  respectfully  asked  for. 

Your  Honors  inform  us  in  their  favor  of  the  13""  February,  received  by  "(?<?  Trouw''\  among 
others,  that  for  the  promotion  of  divine  service  in  the  country  your  Honors  had  resolved  and  already 
issued  orders  to  send  over  2  or  3  God-fearing  and  suitable  candidates.  Upon  the  strength  of  that 
rumor  one  Uarmanus  Bloem  of  Amsterdam  has  now  proceeded  hither,  persuaded  and  advised 
thereto,  as  his  Reverence  says,  by  some  preachers  of  the  aforesaid  city ;  he  has  preached  here  as 
well  as  in  the  country  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  hearers,  so  much  so  that  we  have  been  petitioned 
in  regard  to  him,  to  have  him  as  their  minister,  as  your  Honors  may  see  by  the  enclosure  N"  4; 
under  the  circumstances,  as  your  Honors  are  the  Lords  and  Patroons  in  general  and  consequently 
this  matter  concerns  the  Classis,  we  did  not  wish  to  meddle  any  further  in  this  matter,  except  to 
recommend  the  said  D"  Uarmanus  Bloem  to  your  Honors  and  to  request,  partly  on  his  account 
as  he  has  been  candidate  for  a  long  time,  partly  for  the  sake  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus, 
that  your  Honors  will  please  to  look  upon  him  with  favor.  We  hope  and  trust  from  the  short 
conversation  had  with  him,  that  he  will  be  for  many  a  good  leader  to  salvation  and  should  your 
Honors  indeed  send  beside  him,  2  or  3  God-fearing  candidates  more,  even  though  only  at  a  salary 
of  5  or  600  guilders,  we  trust,  nay,  we  may  assure  your  Honors,  that  the  balance  up  to  10,  11  or  12 
hundred  guildei's  will  be  raised  here  by  the  parishes,  one  contributing  less,  the  other  more,  accord- 
ing to  the  ability  of  the  villages. 

We  asked  in  our  last  of  the  4"'  of  September  to  send  over  some  farmers,  to  make  a  village  or 
settlement  on  the  Wappimjhshil  next  spring  and  gave  the  reasons  for  it  in  detail  in  that  letter. 
We  shall  accommodate  these  farmers  to  the  best  of  our  abilities,  but  we  would  require  thereto  above 
all  some  ploughshares,  sickles,  scythes  and  other  farming  implements,  which  are  very  scarce  here 
and  hard  to  be  obtained,  and  then  at  pawnbrokers'  prices.  Your  Honors  are  respectfully  reminded 
and  requested  to  send  with  the  farmers  the  above  and  other  necessary  farming  implements. 


Lettee  from  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  at  tue  Esopus  to  Director  Stuyvesant:  all 

QUIET    ON    THE    EsOPUS. 

Sir. 

Your  Honor's  favor  has  been  duly  received  by  the  Ensign  and  his  soldiers,  with  whose 
coming  we  were  well  pleased.  We  hope  further,  that  the  Almighty  God  will  please  to  give  health 
to  your  Honor  and  remove  our  anxiety,  if  it  would  tend  to  j-our  Honor's  salvation  ;  may  the  Al- 
mighty grant  your  Honor,  what  will  be  beneficial  to  your  Honor ;  but  I  hope  to  hear  with  great 
joy  of  your  Honor's  good  health.  What  regards  the  savages,  they  are  very  quiet,  but  we  do  not 
know,  what  intentions  the  Almighty  has  concerning  us. 

I  send  further  to  your  Honor  3  muds*  of  wheat;  I  would  have  provided  your  Honor  with 
more,  but  as  I  have  no  time  now,  the  skipper  desiring  to  sail  immediately,  I  have  to  pay  my  com- 

*  One  mud  is  equal  to  4  schepels^G  bushels. — Ed. 


112  Colonial  Settlements  on  tJie  Hudson  River. 

plimeuts  to  your  Honor  with  these  few  lines  and  the  seed-wheat ;  also  your  Honor's  further  com- 
niiinds  and  orders  shall,  if  God  grants  me  life  and  liealth,  be  projjerly  carried  ont,  until  tlie  last 
drop  of  blood  lias  been  spent  for  and  to  tlie  honor  of  tlie  Incorporated  Company,  whereupon  your 
Honor  may  lirmJy  rely,  as  if  your  Honor  were  present  in  person. 

I  am  your  Honor's  faithful  servant 

Jacob  Jansex  Stoll. 

The  Honorable  General  will  please  to  provide  me  with  a  piece  of  good  linen  for  shirts,  which 
I  need :  I  shall  paj-  your  Honor  in  good  wheat. 

Jacob  Jansen  Stoll. 
This  by  the  yacht 
Actum  Great  Emj>us,  the  17""  Septbr.  1659. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant,  His  Honor  General  Peter  Stxtyvesant. 


Final  Answer  given  to  the  Mohawks  at  their  first  Castle  Kaghnuwage  in 

PRESENCE   OF    THE    CHIEFS    OF   THE   THREE    MoHAWK    CaSTLES,  SePTBR    24,  1G59. 

1.  Brotliers,  we  have  come  here  onlj'  to  renew  our  old  friendship  and  brotherhood  and  you  must 
tell  it  to  your  children ;  our  cliildren  will  always  be  able  to  learn  it  from  the  contents  of  our  writ- 
ings, which  we  leave  behind  us,  for  they  remain  while  we  die.  From  them  they  will  always  see, 
how  we  have  lived  in  friendship  with  our  brothers.  Brothers,  we  could  not  bring  any  cloth,  for 
we  could  not  get  men  to  carry  it ;  but  friendsiiip  cannot  be  bought  for  merchandise,  our  heart  has 
always  been  good  and  is  still  so  and  if  that  is  of  no  value  to  you,  then  we  come  not  to  buv  friend- 
ship, even  if  the  land  was  full  of  merchandise  and  beavers.  Three  boxes  of  wampum  were  given 
to  them. 

2.  Brothers,  sixteen  j-ears  have  now  passed,  since  we  made  the  first  treaty  of  friendship  and  brother- 
hood between  you  and  all  the  Dutch,  whom  then  we  joined  together  with  an  iron  chain.  Since 
that  time  it  has  not  been  broken  either  by  us  or  by  our  brothers  and  we  have  no  f&ir  that  it  will 
be  broken  by  either  side,  we  will  therefore  not  speak  of  it  any  more,  but  we  will  all  be  and  remain, 
as  if  we  had  lain  under  one  heart  and  in  grateful  remembrance  of  our  brotherhood  we  give  you 
now  two  boxes  of  wampum. 

3.  Brothers,  18  days  ago  you  were  with  us  and  made  your  propositions  to  the  Dutch,  your 
brothers,  we  did  not  give  you  a  conclusive  answer  then,  as  we  expected  Mr.  Stuyvesant  and  prom- 
ised to  inform  you,  when  Mr.  Stuyvesant  should  come.  But  as  he  has  fallen  very  sick,  he  cannot 
come  for  the  present  and  we  now  tell  you,  brothers,  that  what  we  shall  say,  wo  say  with  the  au- 
thority of  Mr.  Stuyvesant,  all  the  other  chiefs  and  of  all  the  Dutch  and  their  children.  Wc  give 
the  brothers  as  a  present  and  as  a  token  of  truth  two  boxes  of  wampum. 

4.  Brotliers,  we  now  say  for  once  and  for  all  times  in  our  own  behalf  and  in  behalf  of  all  the  Dutch, 
now  in  the  country  or  who  may  yet  come  and  of  all  the  cliildren,  as  we  cannot  come  here  every- 
day, the  roads  being  very  bad  to  go  over,  that  you  henceforth  must  have  no  doubt  of  our  always 
remaining  brothers  and  whenever  some  tribe  or  other  savages,  whoever  they  might  he,  should 
come  to  incite  you  and  s;iy,  tiie  Dutch  are  going  to  war  against  you,  do  not  listen  to  it  or  believe 
it,  but  tell  them,  tlii'y  lie,  and  we  shall  say  the  same;  the  brothers  shall  say  of  you  tlie  same  thing 
an<l  shall  not  believe  any  prattlers ;  we  are  not  going  to  war  against  you  nor  leave  you  in  distress, 
if  we  are  able  to  help  you,  but  we  cannot  compel  our  smiths  and  gunmakers  to  repair  the  muskets 


New  Yo7'h  Historical  Records.  113 

of  our  brothers  without  receiving  pay  for  it,  as  they  must  earn  a  living  for  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, who  would  otlierwise  perish  from  hunger;  or  they  would  remove  from  our  country,  if  they 
received  no  wampum  for  their  work  and  then  we  and  our  brothers  would  be  very  much  embar- 
rassed.    We  give  you  hereon  two  boxes  of  wampum  as  a  present. 

5.  Brothers,  18  days  ago  you  requested  us  not  to  sell  brandy  to  your  people  and  to  bung  our  casks. 
Brothers,  do  not  allow  your  people  to  come  to  us  for  brandy,  none  shall  be  sold  to  them ;  but  only 
two  days  ago  we  have  met  20  to  30  little  kegs  on  the  road,  all  going  to  obtain  brandy ;  our  chiefs 
are  very  angry,  because  the  Dutch  sell  brandy  to  your  people  and  always  forbid  it  to  our  people, 
now  you  forbid  it  to  your  people  and  if  you  desire  lis  to  take  away  from  your  people  the  brandy 
and  the  kegs,  then  say  so  now  before  all  these  people,  but  if  we  do  it  afterwards,  you,  brothers, 
must  not  be  angry.     They  were  given  two  boxes  of  wampum. 

G.  Brothers,  we  give  you  now  as  a  present  this  powder  and  lead,  which  you  must  well  take  care 
of,  so  that,  if  you  want  to  attack  your  enemies,  you  may  use  it  and  divide  it  among  your  3'oung 
men,  with  which  we  give  75  lbs  of  powder  and  100  lbs  of  lead. 

7.  Brothers,  we  see  that  you  are  very  busy  cutting  wood  to  build  your  fort.  You  had  requested 
us  for  horses  to  haul  it  out,  but  that  is  impossible  to  do  with  horses,  for  the  hills  are  too  high  and 
steep  and  the  Dutch  cannot  carry  it  out,  because  they  have  become  weiik  from  their  march  to  this 
place,  as  you  may  see  by  looking  at  our  people ;  how  should  they  now  be  able  to  carry  pallisades? 
But  as  the  brothers  sometimes  break  their  axes  in  cutting  wood,  we  give  you  herewith  a  present 
of  fifteen  axes. 

8.  Brothers,  as  some  of  your  people,  also  of  the  MaMcanders  and  Sinnehus  occasioiialy  kill  our 
horses,  cows,  pigs  or  goats,  we  request  you,  brothers,  to  forbid  your  people  doing  it  and  we  give 
you  two  beavers'  worth  of  knives. 

All  the  foregoing  propositions  having  been  made  the  same  were  courteously  accepted  by  the 
chiefs  and  all  the  people  standing  around,  also  that  the  brandy  kegs  should  be  taken  from  them. 

As  we  had  made  our  propositions,  a  letter  was  handed  to  us  by  the  negro-servant  of  Mr.  La 
Montagne,  expressly  sent  after  us  by  his  Honour.  We  learned  from  the  letter,  that  some  mischief 
and  fighting  lias  taken  place  between  our  people  and  the  Esopus  savages ;  we  immediately  com- 
municated the  news  to  the  chiefs  and  the  people  around  us,  who  listened  to  it  with  great  astonish- 
ment and  said,  they  were  very  glad  and  we  had  very  well  done,  by  making  it  known  so  promptly, 
because,  when  now  the  Esopus  or  other  River  savages  should  come  to  them  with  presents  and  ask 
for  assistance,  to  fight  against  us,  they  would  kick  them  and  say.  You  beasts,  you  pigs,  get  away 
from  here,  we  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  you. 

After  having  attended  to  this  matter,  we  requested  the  Maquaes  to  I'elease  froin  captivity 
their  eight  French  prisoners  and  to  bring  them  back  to  their  country.  They  answered,  that  they 
must  first  deliberate  about  it  with  their  Castles,  that  done,  they  would  inform  us  by  two  or  three 
of  their  chiefs.  They  complain  bitterly  of  the  Frenchmen,  because  the  French  do  not  keep  the 
peace  made  with  them,  but  French  savages  attack  them,  whenever  they  are  out  hunting  and  thrash 
them,  because  parties  of  disguised  Frenchmen  are  always  among  them. 

We  were  further  informed  by  a  French  prisoner,  that  the  wreck  of  a  small  vessel  was  said  to 
have  been  found  on  the  island  at  the  mouth  of  Canada,  of  a  sloop  rowing  there  with  6  or  8  men 
and  the  Frenchmen  said  and  insisted,  that  it  had  been  the  bark  of  Jan  Peree.  This  for  informa- 
tion. 

We  received  also  a  package  with  letters,  brought  by  a  Maquaes  of  the  third  Castle  from  Trois 
Rivieres.  It  was  directed  to  Mr.  Jacob  de  Hinson,  who  being  present,  we  opened  the  package 
15 


114  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

and  found  in  it  3  or  4  letters  to  the  Captain  of  a  bark,  said  to  have  sailed  from  Canada  for  the 
Manhatiu/M,  also  a  letter  to  his  Honour,  the  General,  vkich  npon  a  uuanijuoud  resolution  was 
also  opened  to  learn,  whether  its  contents  might  be  of  service  to  us  on  tliis  occasion,  as  it  was  writ- 
ten by  the  Jesuit  Si>/i07i  LeMoyne.  We  hope,  his  Honour  the  General  will  not  be  angry,  for  we 
have  done  it  for  the  public  service  and  the  best  of  the  community. 


Order  That  no  offence  shall  be  given  to  the  Inbians  under  severe  penalty. 
Fort  Orange  Court-Mintjtes,  Sept  27,  1659. 

Their  Honours  the  Commissary  and  tlie  Magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck  Village, 
having  received  several  complaints  against  the  insolence  and  injuries  done  to  the  savages  by  beat- 
ing and  throwing  of  stones,  which  must  tend  to  a  dangerous  ending,  forbid  herewith,  in  order  to 
prevent  and  forestal  any  mishap  during  these  dangerous  times,  all  residents  within  their  jurisdic- 
tion to  molest  any  savage,  of  whatever  tribe  he  may  be,  under  pain  of  arbitrary  correction.  Thus 
done  at  the  session  of  the  Hon**'"  Court  for  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck  village,  at  Fort  Orange, 
the  27'"  of  September  1659. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Director  Stutvesant  enclosing  a  report  of  the 
rising  of  the  esopus  indians  and  of  a  collision  between  tuem  and  the  set- 
tlers ;  war  is  declared. 

Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant  Sir, 
Honorable  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant  Greeting  ! 

Your  Honor's  favor  of  the  IS""  has  been  duly  received,  but  whereas  some  trouble  has  arisen 
here,  I  request  the  inhabitants  to  give  further  information,  who,  it  seems,  have  immediately  hired 
a  yacht,  to  give  your  Honor  a  detailed  report  of  it ;  although  I  shall  always  obey  your  Honor,  your 
Honor  will  please  to  answer  me  by  the  bearer  hereof,  that  I  may  govern  myself  accordingly.  I 
remain  Your  Plonor's  faithful  servant  and  subject 

Actum  G-reat  Sopez  Dikck  Smitii. 

22"  Septbr  1659. 

To  the  Honorable,  Wise  and  Very  Valiant,  His  Honor,  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant  at 

N.  Ainsterdam. 

To  the  Honorable  Director  General  Pieter  Stuyvesant. 

I,  Dirck  Smith,  Ensign  of  the  Company,  beg  to  inform  your  Honor,  that. I  have  not  refused 
to  obey  your  Honor's  orders,  but  have  executed  them  in  every  way  and  respect  and  after  receiving 
the  Hon*"'"'  General's  letter  on  the  2()"'  I  prepared  myself  to  leave  here  witji  eigiiteen  men  for  the 
Manhattans.  The  iidial^itants  kept  me  on  account  of  a  commotion  among  the  savages  and  thei-e 
were  no  yachts  here,  except  tlie  one,  by  which  I  received  your  Honor's  letter  and  which  sailed  up 
the  river.  As  on  the  20"'  at  night  between  ten  and  eleven  some  savages  raised  a  great  noise  and 
yelling  under  tlie  fort,  whereupon  Pirck  de  Goyer,  Marten  Ilofman  and  Gdlis  de  Xecker  alarmed 
me  and  the  guard,  I  comniaudi'd  the  Sergeant  to  take  9  or  10  men  and  directed  him  togo  out  by 
one  of  the  gates  and  return  by  the  other  one  and  not  to  molest  anybody,  but  to  see,  what  was  to 
l)e  (lone ;  the  Sergeant  sent  a  man  back  to  me,  saying  that  a  crowd  of  savages  was  there  and  Jacob 
Janseii  Stall  came  to  the  guard,  saying:  I  will  go,  give  me  four  or  live  men  ;  he  thereupon  took 


New  York  Historical  Mccords.  115 

four  or  five  men,  namely  Jacob  Jatuen  van  Stoutenbu7'gh,  Tomes  Iliggens,  Gisehert  Philtjts, 
Eoert  Pelts,  Jan  Artsen,  Berent  Ilermsen  ;  His  Honor,  the  General,  may  at  any  time  inquire  of 
these  inhabitants,  whether  I  have  given  any  other  command,  as  to  shoot,  fight  or  boat,  but  the  one 
to  see,  what  mischief  was  brewing  there  outside  of  the  Fort.  After  their  return,  I  asked  them, 
who  had  ordered  them  to  fire  and  they  said,  the  savages  had  shot  first  and  Jacob  Jansen  abusing 
the  Ensign  violently,  said:  We  wanted  to  slap  their  mouths,  for  the  dogs  have  vexed  us  long 
enough  and  Jacob  Jansen  said,  I  know  very  well  what  orders  I  had  from  the  Hon"'"  General  and 
how  they  have  sat  here  all  in  the  Fort  for  eight  days  and  could  not  get  out,  for  they  lie  in  the 
bushes  all  around  and  how  they  have  skirmished  against  them  during  twice  twenty-four  hours  and 
they  have  fired  with  innumerable  brand-arrows  into  the  grain  stacks  and  the  barn,  the  barn  of 
Hap  being  however  covered  with  planks  the  eoi-n  was,  God  be  praised !  saved,  but  they  killed  the 
horses  and  cattle,  of  the  Hon*'*  General's  three,  of  Evert  Pelts'  three,  of  Tomas  Clabherfis*  four 
and  at  the  date  of  this  letter  we  have  got  back  one  prisoner,  who  run  away  from  them.  I  have 
asked  this  returned  captive,  Harmen  Hendrichsen,  how  strong  they  may  have  been,  he  said  in 
answer  to  me,  that  they  must  have  counted  over  four  hundred  and  thought  that  our  prisoners  were 
all  still  alive  and  how  badly  they  were  off,  for  they  had  to  lie  every  day  under  the  blue  sky,  as 
they  had  long  intended  this;  if  we  had  not  had  some  cannons  here,  not  one  of  us,  large  or  small, 
should  have  escaped. 

On  the  20""  inst.  when  I  received  orders  from  the  Hon""'  General  to  come  down  with  so 
many  men,  Jacob  Jansen  and  Thomas  (Jlabbert  went  to  the  Strand  and  hired  one  of  the  yachts, 
which  were  to  go  up  the  river,  to  make  their  report  to  the  Hon"'''  General  and  after  having  dis- 
patched their  letter  they  wanted  to  go  back  to  the  Fort,  numbering  together  13  able-bodied  men, 
the  Sergeant  with  five  men,  Thomas  Clabbert,  Jacob  Hob,  a  carpenter,  Abraham  by  name,  Pieter 
Dircks  and  his  man,  Eoert  Pelts''  boy,  I^wies,  the  Frenchman.  At  the  tennis-court  near  the 
strand  they  allowed  themselves  to  be  taken  prisoners.  Thomas  Clabbert  was  exchanged  for  a 
savage,  and  a  soldier  came  back,  who  run  away  during  the  night:  and  ten  are  still  in  captivity 
and  they  have  actually  declared  war  and  do  not  want  to  know  anything  of  peace,  as  the  inhabit- 
ants can  testify.  We  have  still  an  Indian  prisoner  and  so  far,  thanks  to  God,  no  one  else  has  been 
wounded  but  two  and  Buertiei  son  is  killed.  The  ■wounded  have  recovered  rapidly.  I  cannot 
write  any  more  for  the  time  is  too  short.  His  Honor  La  Montagnie  has  sent  Kit  Davit  with  a 
Maq^ias  Indian  irom  Eort  Orange,  to  hear  how  matters  stand  here  and  will  assist  us,  if  your 
Honor  approves.  I  have  been  ready  to  come  with  my  men  at  any  time,  but  no  yachts  have  been 
liere.     I  remain  Your  Honoi''s  servant  till  death 

DiECK  SCHMIT. 

To  the  Noble  Honorable  Director  General  Petrtis  Stuyvesant  this  is  to  be  given. 
Anno  1659  the  29'"  Septbr, 

Manathans. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  La  Montagnie  at  Fort  Orange  (Albany)  to  Di- 
rector Stuyvesant  with  particulaks  of  the  troubles  at  the  Esopus. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  the  honWe  Honorable,  Valiant,  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

La  Montagnie  in  which  he  com- 
municates the  unfortunate  state         Gentlemen.  I  regret  sincerely,  that  I  have  to  inform  your  Hon- 
of  aflEairs  at  the  Esopus.  ors  of  the  dreadful  occurrence,  which  has  taken  place  at  the  Esopus 

*  Chambers. 


116  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  HuJtion  River. 

last  Suiulay  the  21"  iiist.  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Avhcu  of  tliirtecn  well-armed  men 
one  was  killed,  one  mortally  wounded  and  eleven  taken  prisoners,  to  wit  the  Sergeant  of  the  Fort, 
Thomas  Chamhers,  Jacob  Jansen  Slol,  badly  wounded,  Ahraham  Vonhorgh,  two  farmers  men,  six 
soldiers  and  Leivies  the  Frenchman  killed.  I  cannot  write  your  Honors  all  the  particulars  this 
time,  considering  a  north  wind  just  begins  to  blow  and  I  cannot  detain  the  yachts  here,  to  inform 
your  Honoi-s  of  what  is  necess;iry.  I  expect  to-morrow  the  men  sent  from  here  to  the  Maqunas, 
who  went  there  with  considerable  presents.  Captain  Ahraham  Staets  shall  leave  here  immediately 
after  their  arrival  and  inform  your  hon''"'  "Worships  as  well  by  his  journal  as  liy  letters,  what  has 
occurred  here.  lu  the  meantime  your  Hon''"'  Worships  ought  not  to  allow  any  weak  parties  to 
land  at  the  Esopuskil,  for  the  savages  are  there  with  more  than  four  hundred  well-armed  men  and 
have  taken  possession  of  Kit  Davits  house,  where  they  keep  a  good  watch  and  a  look-out.  I  shall 
inform  your  Hon'''"  Worships  by  ray  next  letter  according  to  my  promise  and  as  in  duty  bound. 
Meanwhile  I  remain 

Your  Honorable  Worships  most  humble  and  obedient  servant 

(signed)         La  Montagnie. 
Fort  Orange 
26'"  Septbr  1659. 

I  have  previously  asked  your  Hon'''*  Worships  for  a  ban-el  of  powder  and  7  boxes  of  fuses, 
which  I  hope  to  receive  from  your  Honors  soon,  as  they  are  much  needed  here.  We  have  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  lead. 


Letter  from  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll,  Thomas  Ch^vmbers  and  Evert  Pelts  to  Di- 
rector Stuyvesant  reporting  the  late  conflict  with  the  Indians. 

Honorable,  AVise,  Very  Discreet  Sir. 

By  these  few  lines  we  intend  only  to  inform  your  Honor,  that  on  the  18""  of  September  1659 
we  or  the  Ensign  received  a  certain  letter  from  the  Hon'''''  General,  by  wliich  we  learned  that  the 
Hon""'  General  directed  the  Ensign  to  get  ready  with  IS  men  as  quickly  as  possible  and  leave  for 
the  Manatans.  However  on  the  21"  of  September  1659  at  about  10  or  11  o.'c.  p.  m.  the  inhalv 
itaiits  heard  a  great  commotion  among  the  savages  and  as  the  state  of  the  savages  is  somewhat 
alarming  the  Ensign  ordered  and  directed  Sergeant  Amlries  Lourissen  to  go  outside  with  8  or  10 
men  and  to  see,  what  the  matter  was.  Meanwhile  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  had  come  with  his  gun  to 
the  guardhouse,  although  he  was  undressed  to  go  to  bed,  and  with  him  all  the  inhabitants  and  as 
the  Sergeant  had  sent  back  a  soldier,  to  receive  further  instructions  the  Ensign  said,  that  some 
more  men  should  go  out,  whereupon  Jacob  Jansen  replied.  Please  let  me  go,  which  having  been 
done  was  thus  reported  to  the  Sergeant  by  the  soldier  and  the  Ensign  ordered,  that  we  should  try 
to  get  the  savages  here  into  the  Fort,  because  they  made  such  terrible  noise  outside.  Then  the 
afore.said  Sergeant  and  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  went  out  to  the  savages,  the  savages  perceiving  them 
fired  immediately  at  them,  we  replied,  one  savage,  who  had  helped  himself  freely  to  brandy  was 
killed  by  the  Sergeant,  another  was  captured.  Wc  have  since  been  warned,  that  they  will  roast 
and  burn  the  soldiei-s  pursuant  to  orders. 

Therefore,  your  Honor,  wc  iidiabitants  have  concluded  to  inform  your  Honor  as  sjwedily  as 
](iissible  of  the  cruel  uprising  of  the  savages,  to  address  ourselves  in  a  friendly  manner  to  your 
Hum ir  witii  the  rcipH'st,  not  to  reduce  our  garrison  in  this  ]irecarious  state  of  alTairs,  but  we  hujie 


New    Yovh  Historical  Hecords.  117 

it  will  be  increased  and  whereas  it  has  pleased  God,  to  visit  the  Hon'''''  General  with  sickness,  we 
will  on  our  side  not  fail  in  either  giving  advice  or  naaking  pallisades,  whicli  are  necessary  for  this 
settlement ;  we  hope  however,  that  God  Almighty  will  not  leave  your  Honor,  our  highly  honored 
Master,  in  this  condition.  In  haste  —  Closing  herewith  we  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protec- 
tion of  the  Almighty  and  are  your  Honor's  faithful  subjects  and  servants.  In  the  names  of  all 
the  inhabitants  of  Great  Esopus,  in  whose  presence  this  is  signed. 

Jacob  Jansen  Stoll 
TuoMAs  Chambees 
Evert  Pels 
The  mark  of  Pietee  Dirckskn   ■'X/  y   made  by 
himself. 
In  my  presence 

Andeies  Loueissen. 
Done  G-reat  Esopus,  the  29'"  Septbr  1659. 


DeCLAEATION    MiVDE    BY    INHABITANTS    AND    SOLDIERS    AT   THE     EsOPUS,    THAT    EnSIGN 

Smith  did  not  oedee  an  attack  on  the  Indians. 

"We,  inhabitants  and  soldiers,  who  have  been  out  with  the  Sergeant  and  with  Jacob  Jansen 
Stoll,  desire  to  declare  and  attest,  at  the  request  of  our  Ensign,  that  the  Ensign  did  give  us  no 
order  to  fight  or  to  beat,  of  which  we  will  bear  witness  and  testimony,  especially  Jacob  Jansen 
Sfoutenborgh,  Tomes  Hlggens,  Gisehert  Philipsen,  Evert  Pelts,  Jan  Artsen,  Berent  Ilermensen, 
all  inhabitants  and  also  the  following  soldiers,  Martin  IJofman,  Gillis  de  Necker,  Abel  DircTcsen, 
Dirck  Hendricksen,  Michael  Vreeg,  Jooris  Metser  who  have  all  been  with  the  Sergeant  and  Jacob 
Jansen  Stoll. 

•^  the  mark  of  Jan  Aetsen  Smtt 

-^  the  mark  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stoutenboeg 
t^  the  mark  of  Tomes  Higgens 

Gysbeet  Phillipsen  van  Yelthdtsen 
-J—  the  mark  of  Beeent  Heemensen 
1-^  the  mark  of  Gillis  de  Neckee 

Abel  Diecks 
2^  Makges  Heemens 

^  the  mark  of  Jores  Metser 

Maeten  Hoffman 

Machgiel  Ferch 
\  H  2  the  mark  of  Dirck  Hendricksen. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  at  Esopus  to  Vice-Director  La  Montagnie  at  Fort 
Orange;  progress  of  the  war  wfth  the  Indians. 

To  the  Honorable  Mr.  de  La  Montagne.     I  inform  your  Honor,  that  I  shall  willingly  obey 


118  Colonial  S^ttleiTient^.an,  the  Hudson  River. 

tlie  Hon'''"'  General's  order  in  every  respect  and  that  I  have  received  a  letter  from  his  Honor  the 
General  on  the  20"'  7^'",  to  come  up  and  I  have  been  ready  to  leave  with  my  men,  when  the  inhab- 
itants, little  and  big,  all  who  were  here,  prevented  me  by  prayers  and  a  report  of  the  General  (?) 
and  as  Jacob  JaiutnJStoll  and  Tomes  Clabhert  had  been  on  the  strand  and  had  heard,  that  the 
yachts  had  gone  up  the  river,  they  overtook  one  of  the  yachts  and  hired  it  without  my  Icnowledge, 
so  that  I  could  not  go  along  with  my  men.  Whereas  his  Ilonor  the  General  is  very  angry  here- 
with, therefore  I  request  your  Honor,  Mr.  La  Montagnie,  to  write,  if  the  hon*'"  Mr.  llontagnie 
will  please.  These  people,  numbering  18  or  19  men,  went  to  the  strand  guarded  by  a  detachment 
of  eiglit  soldiers  under  tlia  Sergeant's  command,  altogether  17  or  18  persons,  able-bodied  men,  to 
dispatch  the  letter  to  the  Ilon"'^  General.  Coming  back  toward  the  Fort  they  let  themselves  be 
taken  prisoners,  without  making  any  resistance,  to  wit  Jacob  Jansen,  Tomes  Cldbberi,  a  carpenter, 
Pieter  Hillehrantsen,  Pieter  de  Buer,  the  boy  of  Evert  Pelts  and  the  Sergeant  with  6  soldiers ; 
the  rascally  savages  have  long  had  this  in  their  mind.  It  has  been  done  through  the  liquor,  that 
comes  here  to  the  Esopus  from  Fort  Orange,  for  we.  are  very  badly  off  at  present,  obliged  to  be 
under  arms  da}'  and  night  and  there  have  been  here  so  many  savages  of  all  sorts  and  we  have  skir- 
mished with  them  continually  for  twice  twenty-four  hours,  for  they  have  opeidy  declared  us  war 
and  will  not  hear  of  any  peace.  The  grain  is  all  safe  yet,  but  great  damage  has  been  done  to  the 
cattle  and  horses ;  God  be  praised  not  more  than  two  men  have  been  wounded  and  one  killed. 
We  cannot  tell,  how  many  wounded  and  killed  the  savages  have  had  for  they  attacked  us  fiercely. 
Jacob  HaFs  house  was  fired  by  brand-arrows  and  it  burned  down  and  they  fired  nxunberless  brand- 
arrows  into  the  cornheap  and  the  barn,  but  the  Lord  has  protected  it.  May  God  grant  us  delivery. 
Herewith  I  commend  you  to  God's  protection.     Written  on  the  29""  Septbr  Anno  1659. 

Your  Honor's  ser\'ant 

.  DiKCK  Smit. 
I  have  order  and  direction  from  the  Honorable  General,  to  send  off  Jxit  J)avids.     His  Honor 
Im  Montagnie  must  be  guided  by  his  own  pleasure  and  opinion. 


,    Letter. F^M  Co^tNELis -I^^ENTSEN  Slecht  and  other  inhabitants  of  Esopus  to 

DiKECTOE    StUYVPSANT  ;     THE    SETTLERS    ARE    BESIEGED    IN    THE    FoRT  ;     NO    BLAME 
CAN    BE   ATTACHED   TO    EnSIGN    SmTTH. 

Does  your  Honor,  Pctrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  of  Ncw-Netherland,  know,  that  we 
are  in  great  danger  to  be  sui-prised  by  the  savages  at  any  hour,  for  they  have  kept  us  in  the  Fort 
full  eight  days,  so  that  nobody  dares  to  go  out,  and  they  make  great  endeavors  to  fire  the  Fort. 
Jacob  Janseri's  house  has  been  burned  down,  but  his  grainstack  and  barn  have  been  saved  by  us 
with  great  trouble  and  danger  and  there  are  already  taken  and  still  kept  as  prisoners  among  the 
savages  eleven  men,  five  soldiers  with  the  Sergeant  and  Jacob  Jansen  with  four  others  and  Loowies 
has  been  killed  with  ray  son  Jan.  Therefore  we  sincerely  request  your  Ilonor,  that  you  please  to 
leave  the  Ensign  here  with  us,  for  if  he  had  not  been  here,  wo  would  all  have  been  murdered  anil 
the  Ensign  has  given  no  orders  to  create  this  mischief,  but  I  believe,  that  it  was  brought  about  by 
nobody  else,  but  by  Jacob  Jansen  and  the  Sergeant ;  therefore  we  sincerely  ask  your  Ilonor,  that 
you  will  plejise  to  assist  us,  for  else  it  is  impossible  to  hold  out  here.  Three  of  your  Honor's 
horses  have  also  been  killed,  which  were  shot  below  the  Fort  and  eleven  belonging  to  other  farmere, 
also  several.  co\vs  and  1  might  write  more  of  the  situation, here,  but  your  Honor  shall  hejir  it  soon. 


Nexo  Yorh  Historical  liecords.  1 1  i> 

I  beg  of  your  Honor  not  to  think  ill  of  iny  writing,  if  I  slionld  not  have  shown  you  the  projwr 
respect,  please  receive  it  in  good  part.  No  more  in  regard  to  this,  than  to  commend  you  to  God'B 
grace  and  to  greet  you  sincerely. 

COKNELIS    BakENTSEN    SlECHT 

Jan  Jansen 
tliis  is  the  mark  ^v  '^^  J-^^  Bkoeksen 
this  is  the  mark  ^^  of  Wil'm  Jansen 
this  is  the  mark  ^^  of  IIeyndrick  Coenelis 
this  is  the  mark  — e  of  Jukian  "Wesi-val 
this  is  the  mark  ^/W  of  Mati's  Roeloffsen 
this  is  the  mark  -4—  of  Dieck  de  Geaeff 
this  the  mark  -f.  of  Jacob  Stoutenbdegh 
Paulus  Juecksen 
Jan  Aeesen 

this  is  the  mark  -+?'  of  Baeent  Heemens. 

This  letter  is  to  be  delivered  to  the  Honorable  Gentleman,  to  wit  His  Honor  the  Director 
General  of  New-Netherland,  Petrus  Stuyvesant, 
at  the  Manatis. 


Lettee  feom  Seegeant  Andeies  Loueissen  to  Dieectoe  Stutvesaijt.    (October  3"  1659) 

Copy  of  a  letter,  written  by  the  captured  Sergeant  Andries  Lourissen,  to  the  Hon"^  General 
at  the  instance  of  two  £sopus  savages. 

Honorable  General !  I  inform  youT  Honor  by  this  savage,  that  matters  at  the  Esapus  are  in 
ai  bad  condition  ;  it  is  besieged  by  500  to  600  savages,  so  that  nobody  can  go  in  or  near  it.  I  am  a 
prisoner  with  9  men,  Jacob  Jansen  is  dead  with  3  others.  If  Esopus  receives  no  assistance,  I  am 
afraid,  it  will  have  no  good  end.     Our  people  have  taken  one  prisoner  of  them. 

Your  Honor's  servant 

Andeies  Laueens,  Sergeant. 
Received  the  12'"  Oetbr  1659, 
Sunday  before  noon,  but 
the  savage  said,  he  had  been 
on  the  road  for  9  nights. 


Declaeation  of  ceetaxn  Catskil  Indians,  as  to  the  oeigin  of  the  collision  with 
THE  Indians  at  the  Esopus,  dieected  to  Vice-Dieectoe  La  Montagnie  bdt 
without  date. 

Booy  alias  Esquasicame,  Ma^hach  Nemeno  alias 
Maechschapet,   Catskil  Indiana,  make  the  fol- 
lowing declaration  and  explanation  of  the  iirst 
exploit  and  its  consequences  at  the  Esopi's. 
They  say,  first,  that  the  Esopus  savages,  eight  in  number  had  broken  off  corn-ears  for  Thomas 


120  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

CJiamhers,  there  had  been  nine  of  them,  but  one  went  away  and  they  were  at  work  until  towards 
evening;  then  the  savages  said,  "  Come,  give  us  brandy  now,"'  whereupon  Thomas  replied,  "  When  it 
is  dark."  The  evening  having  come,  he  gave  a  large  bottle  with  brandy  to  the  savages  and  the 
savages  said,  "We  thank  you,  that  you  have  given  us  so  much  brandy."  Then  the  savages  spoke  to 
each  other,  "  Come  let  us  go  to  the  liquor-house  and  drink  there  our  brandy,"  but  the  savage,  who  is 
now  a  prisoner  in  the  Fort  said,  "  No,  let  us  remain  near  the  little  Kil  and  make  a  fire  there." 

They  then  went  to  a  place  at  no  great  distance  from  the  Fort  and  there  the  eight  sat  down  to 
drink.  These  eight  savages  drank  there  until  about  midnight,  then  the  brandy  came  to  an  end 
and  they  begun  to  yell,  being  drunk.  Said  one  to  another,  "  We  have  still  some  wampum  to  buy 
more  brandy."  The  savage,  wlio  was  killed,  went  towards  Thomas  Chambers'  house,  to  fetch  more 
brandy.  When  he  came  to  Thomas  Chamhers  he  said,  "  I  have  no  more  brandy,"  whereupon  Thomas 
answered,  "  I  have  given  you  all  I  had."  The  savage  then  said  to  himself,  "  I'll  go  and  see,  whether  I 
caimot  get  brandy  from  the  soldiers."  The  savage  went  up  to  a  soldier  with  the  bottle  under  his  gar- 
ment, askino-  the  soldier,  "  Have  you  any  brandy,"  whereupon  the  soldier  said,  "  Yes,  I  have  brandy" 
and  the  savage  replied,  "  Here  is  wampum,  give  me  brandy  for  it."  Said  the  soldier,  "No,  what  is 
wampum,  what  shall  I  do  with  it "  and  he  asked,  "  Where  is  your  kettle"  ;  the  savage  answered,  "  I 
have  no  kettle  but  I  have  a  bottle  under  my  cloak."  Said  the  soldier,  "  Give  it  to  me,"  and  he 
filled  it,  without  receiving  anything  for  it  and  the  savage  said,  "  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  " 
and  caressed  him  and  went  away.  Outside  of  the  gate  a  soldier  met  him,  who  asked,  "  Comrade, 
where  will  you  drink  your  brandy,"  to  which  the  savage  replied,  "Close  by,  near  the  little  Kil"  ; 
the  savage  went  on  and  came  to  the  other  savages,  who  were  lying  about  crying  and  he  said  to  them, 
"Why  do  you  cry,  I  have  brought  brandy."  Thereupon  they  rejoiced  and  began  to  laugh  and  clap 
their  hands.  They  asked  him,  "  Have  you  given  all  the  wampum  for  it "  and  the  savage  answered, 
"No,  it,  namely  the  brandy  has  been  given  to  me."  Said  the  others,  "That  is  very  good"  and 
they  drank  lustily  out  of  the  bottle,  because  they  had  no  goblet  or  laddie.  In  the  meantime,  when 
the  bottle  had  been  passed  around  once,  the  savages  began  to  quarrel,  among  others  one  or  two 
savages  who  were  present  and  had  no  cause  to  fight  said  to  each  other,  "I  will  go  away,  I  am  too 
small  to  fight  against  them."  So  these  two  went  away  and  si.x  savages  remained  drinking ;  there 
was  however  one  drunken  savage,  who  twice  fired  oft'  his  gun  charged  witli  powder  only ;  they 
beo-an  ao-ain  to  drink  and  there  was  a  savage,  who  M'as  n<it  quite  so  intoxicated  and  he  said,  "Come, 
let  us  go  away,  I  feel  it  in  my  body,  that  we  shall  be  killed."  Said  the  other  five,  "  You  are  crazy, 
who  should  kill  us."  Then  the  savage,  who  is  now  a  prisoner,  said,  "  We  would  not  kill  the  Dutch  ; 
we  have  done  them  no  harm,  why,  then,  should  they  kill  us  and  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from 
other  savages."  "  Yes,  said  the  other  savage,  that  is  true,  but  I  am  nevertheless  so  heavy-hearted." 
So  they  continued  drinking  until  the  bottle  had  passed  twice,  when  the  aforesaid  savage  said  again, 
"  Come,  let  us  go,  we  shall  surely  be  killed,  may  it  come  from  whatever  side  it  pleases,  my  heart  is 
full  of  fears." 

Then  this  anxious  savage  did  not  want  to  drink  any  more  brandy,  went  off  and  hid  his  goods 
at  a  little  distance,  then  coming  back  he  drank  once  more,  M'hen  they  heard  the  bushes  crackle,  as 
the  Dutch  came  there,  without  knowing  who  it  was. 

Then  this  savage  went  away  and  said,  "  Come,  let  us  go,  for  else  we  shall  be  killed  "  and  the 
other  ran  away  and  the  rest  laid  down  together,  whereupon  the  Dutch  came  and  all  of  them  fired 
into  them  and  shot  one  savage  in  the  head  and  captured  another.  One  savage  was  moving  about 
intoxicated,  whereupon  the  Dutch  fired  at  him  continually  taking  nearly  his  dress  from  his  body ; 
then  they  surrounded  him  and  wanted  to  take  him  prisoner,  the  savage  called  out,  "  Come  kill 
lue,  I  am  not  afraid" :  the  Dutch  crowded  around  him  and  began  to  tattle  among  themselves,  but 


Nefio  YorTc  Historical  Rtconh.  121 

meanwhile  the  savage  escaped,  then  the  Dutch  looked  all  over  and  conld  not  find  the  savage  :  then 
the  Dutch  ran  up  to  the  tire  and  found  there  a  drunken  savage  asleep,  whom  they  cut  into  the 
head  with  a  sword  or  hanger,  but  the  savage  jumped  up  and  ran  away  a  little  distance  and  the 
Dutch  ran  then  back  to  the  Fort. 

Thomas  Chambers  is  free  again,  five  have  been  cut  in  the  head  with  a  hatchet,  one  lias  been 
shot  dead,  the  Sergeant  is  still  living  with  two  others. 

Fighting  continued  for  seven  days,  night  and  morning. 

This  is  to  be  given  to  the  Honorable  La  Montaynie  at  Fort  Orange. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  I^^  Holland  to  Stutvesai^t  :  Melyn 

SURRENDERS  THE   PATROONSHIP  OF    StATEN-IsLAND  ;    NO  NEW  COLONIES   TO  BE   ESTAB- 
LISHED IN  New-Netherland;  van  dek  Capellen  dead. 

The  9'"  of  October  1659. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Dear  and  Faithful. 

B3'  the  ship  "  r/tf  Trouw''^*  arrived  here  in  safety  on  the  ll""  of  last  month,  we  have  duly  re- 
ceived your  letters  with  enclosures.  Although  we  had  deferred  answering  it  to  the  next  opportu- 
nity, yet  as  among  other  passengers  of  the  ship  "  de  Liefde  "f ,  going  by  way  of  Curacao.,  Cornells 
Melyn  comes  over  in  her,  we  thought  it  especially  necessary  to  inform  you  herewith  of  the  agree- 
ment, made  with  him  by  us  for  the  surrender  of  the  patroonship  over  the  colony  of  Staten- Island., 
which  he  has  reconveyed  to  the  Company  under  such  conditions,  as  you  may  learn  from  the  an- 
nexed copy  of  the  contract.  We  desire  and  wish,  that  its  contents  be  strictly  followed  and  that  all 
former  charges  and  animosities,  whatever  they  may  liave  been,  shall  not  only  be  buried  in  eternal 
oblivion,  but  also  be  entirely  banished  from  everybody's  thoughts ;  also  that  all  possible  and  fair 
assistance  be  given  to  him  and  his  people,  especially  in  the  restitution  of  the  money,  at  least  as 
far  as  the  Company's  funds  can  afford,  for  certain  houses  and  lots  of  his  sold  there  under  execu- 
tion in  behalf  of  Daniel  Michielsen,  formerly  master  of  the  ship  '■'■Nieiu-Nederlandsche  Fortuyn  ":]: 
and  in  all  other  matters  and  respects :  for  we  have  found  it  necessary  and  best  for  the  Company's 
service. 

You  will  further  learn  from  this  contract,  that  by  revoking  these  privileges,  given  formerly, 
M-e  express  our  intention  not  to  allow  henceforth  the  establishment  of  new  colonies  in  that  country 
upon  such  a  footing ;  for  they  are  very  disadvantageous  to  the  Company.  Although  Baron  van 
der  Capellen,  who  lately  died,  had  assumed  the  title  of  Patroon  of  Staten- Island,  we  see  little  dif- 
ficulties in  that,  because  his  Honor  had  never  been  authorized  thereto  :  for  there  is  no  reason  and 
it  is  entirely  without  precedent,  to  sustain  his  position  on  the  private  agreement  made  and  entered 
into  here  with  Cornelis  Melyn,  who  is  now  involved  in  a  lawsuit  about  it  with  the  heirs  of  the 
Baron,  or  on  a  second  purchase  of  the  said  island,  which  his  Honor  is  said  to  have  made  later  from 
the  savages.  Especially  the  latter  event  makes  it  initenable  on  account  of  the  consequences  for 
the  Company.  If  therefore  bis  Honor's  heir  should  happen  to  follow  his  example  in  assuming  the 
same  title,  no  long  connivance  can  be  allowed,  but  it  must  be  prevented  and  resisted  by  proper 
and  discreet  means,  offering  him  and  promising  as  much  land  upon  the  said  Island,  as  under  the 
general  rules  he  may  be  able  to  settle. 

*  I.  e.  tlie  Faith.  t  I.  e.  the  Love.  J  I.  e.  New-Netherland  Fortune. 

16 


122  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Peopositions  made  by  Mohawk  Sachems. 

Present  Extraordinaiy  Session  held  at 

J.  LaMontagne  Fort  Orange,  the  19*"  of  Oe- 

Jeremias  van  Rensselaer  tober  1659,  to  hear  some  prop- 

Francis  Boon  ositions  to  be  made  by  two  Ma- 

Andries  Herhertsen  quaes  Sachems,  wlio  are  sent 

Dirck  Jansen  Croon  by  and  speak  for  all  of  them. 

Sander  Leendertsen 
Jan  Verheeck 
Arent  van  Curler 
Volckert  Jansen. 

1.  They  say,  it  is  very  wrong,  that  the  Dutch  scold  the  savages  so  much  without  regard  to 
tribe,  and  that  they  call  them  "  dogs  "  and  "  rascals  "  and  they  say  even  now,  "  You  too  are  an 
Esopus  dog."     They  give  a  string  of  wampum. 

2.  They  request,  that  the  Dutch  shall  do  no  harm  to  any  Maquaes,  Mahicander  or  Katshil 
savages,  but  that  they  live  with  them  as  brothers. 

3.  They  have  advised  with  their  four  Castles  on  account  of  the  fighting  between  the  Dutch 
and  the  Esopus  savages  and  inquire,  whether  we  intend  to  go  to  war  against  the  Esojnis  or  whether 
we  here  would  keep  cpiiet,  for  all  their  Sachems  leave  the  decision  about  the  war  to  us  and  desire 
an  answer.     They  give  a  string  of  wampum. 

4.  You  say,  you  have  no  war  and  that  you  will  have  none  against  savages.  The  savages  are 
very  angry  on  that  account,  why  do  you  say  it,  for  you  and  the  Manhattan  people  are  one.  The 
Esopus  might  come  now  or  next  spring  and  kill  the  people  on  the  out-lying  places,  what  would 
you  then  do,  you  have  no  common  sense.  They  demanded  back  the  strings  of  wampnm  and 
despatched  a  Mahikander  Sachem  to  the  Esopus,  to  bring  here  the  Christian  prisoners  and  the 
Esopus  chiefs,  directing  their  messenger  to  give  the  three  strings  of  wampum  in  the  name  of  the 
Maquaes,  that  the  Esopus  savages  should  do  no  harm  to  the  Dutch  up  here  and  down  at  the 
Jvatskil  and  release  the  Christian  prisoners  or  else  to  proclaim  war. 


Leiter  from  Ensign  Dirck  SMrrii  to  Director  Stuyvesant;  progress  of  affairs 

AT  THE  Esopus. 

This  is  one  of  the  papers,  stolen  from  the  files  and  returned  JIarch  22d,  1877,  one  month  after  the  publica- 
tion of  the  list  of  stolen  documents. — Ed. 

Honorable,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir,  Honorable  Director-General  of  New-Nether- 
land,  Petrus  Stuyvesant. 

I  beg  to  inform  your  Excellency  herewith  that  on  the  evening  of  the  JJO""  S*""  I  have  received 
by  savages  a  letter  dated  the  13"'  inst.,  the  contents  of  which  I  have  well  understood.  As  to  the 
Highland  Indians,  they  numbered  110,  as  the  Sachems  said  themselves  at  Thomas  Siamhers'  house. 
They  say  also,  that  the  Esopus  savages  must  deliberate  3  days  more,  before  they  can  give  a  defi- 
nite answer ;  we  expect  also  upon  the  statement  of  these  savages,  to  get  back  our  prisoners  in  3 
days,  if  they  keep  their  promise,  but  we  cannot  rely  on  it  with  safety.  On  the  13'"  we  have 
spoken  with  some  savages  here  under  the  Fort,  who  called  out  to  us,  they  would  come  upon  us 


New  York  Historical  Records.  123 

with  400  men  to  fight.  Regarding  ourselves,  we  endeavor  to  keep  good  watch  and  good  order. 
In  regard  to  Mr.  LaMontagnie,  I  have  had  no  news  since  his  Honor's  departure ;  tliese  savages 
inform  us  also,  that  the  Esojyus  still  live  on  their  plantations  and  we  do  not  go  out  with  any  soldiers 
or  other  people.  There  is  as  yet  no  chance  for  tilling  the  land,  for  the  fanners  do  not  like  to 
endanger  their  horses  and  we  do  not  now  know  any  more  to  write  to  your  Excy.,  except  that  we 
are  all  in  good  health,  which  we  hope  is  also  the  case  with  your  Excy.  and  remain 

Your  Excy's  humble  servant 
Actum  Esojnts  Dieck  SMixn. 

the  20  8''"  1659. 

To  the  Honorable  General 
Petrus  Stuyvesant 

at  the  Manhatans. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  at  Fort  Orange  to  Ensigx  SMrrn  ; 
Mohawk  and  Mohican  delegates  are  sent  to  Esopus  to  arrange  an  ar- 
mistice. 
Copy. 

Sir  Ensign  !  These  two  chiefs  of  the  Maqriaas  and  one  chief  of  the  Mahikanders  go  to  the 
Esopus,  to  ransom  the  captive  Christians  and  make  arrangements  for  an  armistice,  therefore  your 
Honor  will  not  molest  the  savages,  as  long  as  the  negotiations  last,  but  be  upon  your  guard  and 
do  not  trust  the  savages.  Meanwhile  write  us,  what  has  occurred  there  since  the  departure  of  the 
Hon"""  General,  to  advise  him  thereof. 

Your  Honor's  good  friend  and  servant 
At  Fort  Orange  (signed) 

21''  October  A°  1659.  La  Montagne,  Commissary 

at  Fort  Orange. 

On  the  4i-^  of  November  another  letter  of  the  same  tenor  as  above  was  sent  to  the  said  Ensign 
at  the  Esopus  by  a  Sachem  of  the  Mahikanders  called  Nitamoret. 


Copy 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stdtvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  : 

BAD  condition  OF  THE  COUNTRY  :     SIEGE  OF  ESOFCS  :     FAILURE  TO  RAISE  VOLUNTEERS  : 

Stuyvesant  proceeds  with  reinforcements  to  the  Esopus  ;  siege  raised. 

Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet 
Gentlemen. 

Gentlemen !  The  very  precarious  and  dangerous  condition  of  the  countiy,  which  is  so,  that 
according  to  the  judgment  of  the  most  sensible  and  best  minded  people  it  has  not  been  more  dan- 
gerous for  years  compels  me  to  lay  it  before  your  Honors  and  inform  you  of  it  by  a  circuitous 
route  over  New-England  as  well  as  over  Virginia,  hoping  that  one  or  the  other  letter  may  reach 
your  Honors  before  the  sailing  of  the  summer  ships  — 


324  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hiuhon  River. 

That  your  Honors  may  speedily  send  such  succor  and  assistance,  as  your  Honors,  in  their 
usual  wisdom,  providence  and  knowledge,  shall  consider  necessary  for  the  maintenance  and  pro- 
tection of  this  weak  province  and  its  inhabitants. 

The  circuitous  route  and  consequent  insecurity  of  transmission  do  not  admit  a  particularization 
of  the  present  situation  and  distress  of  the  country.  The  enclosures  will  however  give  your  Hon- 
ors some  explanations  in  regard  to  it. 


On  the  22''  or  23''  of  September  we  received  by  an  expressly  hired  yacht  from  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Esopus,  the  letter  marked  A,  by  which  your  Honors  will  learn  the  inconsiderate  beginning 
and  from  the  letter  marked  B  the  sad  consequences.  I  myself  did  not  imagine  from  the  first  let- 
ter, that  the  savages  could  be  so  well  prepared,  to  resent  the  rash  undertaking  so  quickly  and  wrote 
to  Mr.  LamoJitagne,  to  settle  the  matter  and  bring  it  to  an  end,  the  more  so,  because,  being  about 
to  send  60  men  besides  the  officer  to  the  support  of  the  Southrlver  and  keeping  here  only  six  or 
seven  sick  and  unfit  men,  we  found  ourseh'es  unprepared  for  a  war  M'ith  the  savages.  The  coun- 
try-people, made  circumspect  and  frightened  by  the  murder  of  four  Christians,  the  unexpected 
rencontre  in  the  Esopus  during  the  night  from  the  20'"  to  the  21'*'  of  September  and  other  bad 
rumors,  and  fearing  a  new  surprise  and  massacre  began  soon  to  flee  everywhere,  leave  their  houses, 
the  corn  just  brought  in  and  their  cattle,  even  those  living  in  the  western  villages  on  Long-Island 
and  on  tlie  bouweries  on  this  island.  I  myself  not  believing  the  distress  so  great  tried  by  showing 
myself  and  riding  about  (notwithstanding  my  bad  health  made  it  difficult  and  troublesome)  to 
encourage  the  country-people  to  remain  and  to  strengthen  their  villages :  this  resulted  by  means 
of  my  personal  presence  in  their  taking  courage  and  going  to  work  and  so  far  it  has  remained  so, 
thanks  to  God !  On  the  29"'  of  September  I  rode  to  Breuckelen,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  and 
after  having  made  some  arrangements  there,  I  received  on  my  return  late  in  the  evening  the  letter 
marked  B,  from  which  your  Honors  may  learn  the  result  of  the  inconsiderate  action  committed 
the  night  before  against  some  drunken  savages.  These  woeful  news  came  very  unexpected  to  me 
and  were  so  much  more  distressing,  as  we  were  unprovided  with  soldiery,  to  assist  the  garrison  at 
the  Esopus  as  quickly  as  they  desired  and  their  bad  situation  required,  in  which  we  have  however 
not  failed  to  do  our  dutj',  as  is  shown  in  my  answer  to  that  letter,  marked  C. 

On  the  following  day,  the  30"'  of  September,  I  called  together  the  Burgomasters,  Schepen 
and  the  Captains  of  the  trainbands  and  stated  to  them  the  distressed  condition  of  the  Esopus  and 
that  succor  and  relief  were  necessarily  i-equired,  which  for  the  present  could  not  be  given  except 
with  the  assistance  of  the  citizens.  They  were  unanimous  in  their  advice  and  opinion,  that  by 
beating  the  drum  a  sufficient  number  of  men  could  be  got  for  the  service  or  as  volunteers,  if  the 
savages,  who  might  be  captured,  were  declared  prizes.  Although  this  advice  did  not  coincide  with 
my  ideas,  because  it  was  an  unsafe,  or  at  least  slow  way  and  because  there  was  great  danger  in 
waiting,  the  Esopus  people  being  then  attacked  and  besieged  already  during  9  or  10  days  and  at 
least  8  or  10  days  more  would  pass,  before  we  could  be  there  with  the  relief,  yet  they  prevailed 
with  their  unanimous  advice.  The  captains  of  the  citizens  undertook  to  incite  each  as  many  of 
his  men  as  possible,  two  days  were  spent  in  this  maimer  to  enlist  men,  but  few  or  none,  any  way 
not  more  than  6  or  8  made  their  appearance,  who  wished  or  better  said  dared  to  be  employed  to 
I'elieve  the  oppressed  people  at  the  Esopus.  Such  a  terror  and  fear  had  taken  hold  of  the  citizens, 
much  more  than  of  the  country-people.  Meanwhile  Lieutenant  Neuton  was  sent  to  the  English 
and  Dxi,tcK  villages :  I  myself  called  together  the  six  soldiers  of  New-Haerlem,  3  from  Staten- 
Mand,  the  train-men  down  to  the  clerks  in  our  offices  inclusive,  to  whom  I  joined  four  of  my  house- 


JSfeio  Yorh  Historical  Records.  125 

servants,  three  from  my  bonwery,  5  or  6  newly  enlisted  men,  making  up  a  company  of  36  men. 
The  enlistments  by  beat  of  drum  and  the  encouraging  of  volunteers  thus  went  on  slowly  and  in 
the  meantime  I  was  from  every  side  well  posted  and  informed  of  the  unwillingness  of  the  citizens, 
who  encouraged  and  instigated  each  other  not  to  let  themselves  be  employed  for  the  expedition  to 
the  Esojiris,  while  the  most  inconsiderate  ones  even  dared  to  say,  that  they  were  bound  only  to 
defend  their  own  place,  that  no  citizen  could  be  compelled,  to  place  liis  body  and  life  in  danger 
against  barbarous  savages.  These  and  similar  reports  and  talks  made  me  very  angry,  anxious  and 
liopeless,  to  get  a  sufficient  number  of  men  in  this  manner,  therefore  I  convened  the  magistrates 
and  captains  of  the  trainbands  the  same  evening,  reminded  them  as  before  of  the  danger  of  delay 
and  that  the  case  required  haste  and  progress  :  I  told  them,  I  had  36  to  40  men,  soldiers  as  well 
as  train-men  ready  and  hoped  that  20  or  30  Englishmen  would  join  from  the  villages,  therefore  I 
directed  them  to  assemble  under  arms  the  three  companies  of  citizens  early  next  dav,  tliat  I  might 
inform  them  of  my  resolution  and  demand,  which  was,  first  to  try,  by  reminding  tliem  of  their 
honor  and  duty,  who  would  step  out  as  volunteer  and  join  those,  who  were  assembled  there  and 
ready ;  then,  if  this  should  not  succeed,  as  I  hoped,  to  detail  one  of  the  three  companies  by  lot  and 
to  punish  those,  who  opposed,  according  to  their  merits.  After  some  discussions  they  acquiesced 
in  my  proposition.  On  the  following  da}',  the  3''  of  October,  the  three  companies  of  citizens  were 
called  out  under  arms  and  after  reminding  them  of  their  honor  and  duty  and  how  they  would  wish 
to  receive  assistance  and  relief  I  said.  If  any  volunteers,  men  of  honor  and  courage,  are  willing  and 
I'esolved  to  go  with  me  (although  I  am  as  yet  weak  from  my  sickness)  either  for  monthly  pay  or 
of  their  own  free  will  and  assist  the  besieged  at  the  Esopus,  and  relieve  them  with  God's  help, 
they  could  step  forward  and  join  the  officers  and  train-men  of  the  Company ;  but  few  came  for- 
ward, not  more  than  24  or  25  men,  which  number  was  thought  to  be  insufficient.  Therefore  one 
of  the  3  companies  was  immediately  detailed  by  lot  and  the  one,  upon  which  the  lot  fell,  was 
ordered  to  be  ready  for  embarcation  the  next  Sunday  after  divine  service,  under  a  penalty  of  50 
guilders ;  but  if  anybody  was  fiiinthearted  or  afraid,  then  he  might  find  a  substitute  or  be  free 
upon  payment  of  the  fine,  provided  he  declared  himself  on  the  spot.  A  sense  of  honor  and  shame 
compelled  all  to  be  silent.  Meanwhile  some  provisions,  ammunition  and  other  necessaries  were 
brought  on  board  of  the  yachts  on  that  day  and  the  following  Saturday.  On  Sunday  evening 
after  the  last  sermon  the  aforesaid  company  of  citizens,  numbering  about  one  hundred,  embarked 
with  the  few  officers  and  clerks  and  train-men,  to  whom  came  late  in  the  evening  24  or  26  English- 
men and  hardly  as  many  savages  from  Long- Island^  our  friends,  who  embarked  the  next  morning. 
We  sailed  on  the  6'"  Monday  about  noon,  the  wind  not  being  quite  favorable  at  first,  arrived  off 
the  Esopus  Kil  on  the  10"",  when  the  contrary  wind  and  tide  did  not  allow  us  to  run  into  the  Kil 
and  land  at  the  usual  place.  We  had  to  land  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below  the  Kil  in  order  not 
to  lose  any  time  and  not  to  show  any  discouragement.  The  men  got  ashore  at  about  noon  and 
marched  immediately  up  to  the  settlement,  —  a  march  of  about  one  hour  and  a  half  from  the  strand 
— -a  day  and  a  half  before  the  savages  had  left,  after  having  made  continual  attacks  and  assaults 
upon  the  settlement  the  previous  night ;  our  people  had  had  one  man  killed  and  5  or  6  wounded, 
the  number  of  the  killed  and  wounded  among  the  savages  is  as  yet  not  known.  The  savages  had 
besieged  and  surrounded  the  place  during  23  days,  fired  with  brand-arrows  one  dwelling-house 
and  four  grain  stacks.  After  thanking  the  Lord  and  providing  the  place  with  powder,  lead,  medi- 
cines and  other  necessaries  we  left  again  with  the  citizens,  the  Englishmen  and  the  savages  the 
next  d.ay  towards  evening,  seeing  no  advantage  could  be  gained  from  a  pursuit  of  the  savages,  who 
had  been  gone  now  2  or  2J  days,  because  the  land  on  the  Esojnis  was  inundated  and  covered  with 
nearly  5  feet  of  water  in  consequence  of  a  heavy  rain,  which  fell  about  the  time,  -when  the  savages 


126  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

left.     How  far  and  where  the  Esopus  savages  had  retired  during  the  time  of  3  or  4  days,  may  be 
seen  from  the  postscript  to  the  letter  marked  — . 

Right  honorable  Gentlemen !  Against  my  intention  I  have  enlarged  greatly  in  this  report, 
especially  on  the  circumstances  attending  to  the  assembling  of  the  men,  only  to  inform  your  Hon- 
ors with  perfect  truth,  how  difficult  it  would  be  to  get  any  courageous  men  out  of  the  community 
here  and  how  dangerous  it  is  for  an  officer,  who  has  some  regard  for  his  oath,  honor  and  duty,  to 
go  into  the  field  with  such  men.  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  write,  that  at  our  departure,  while  the 
whole  company  of  citizens  could  not  be  embarked  all  at  once  and  half  of  it  or  more  had  to  wait, 
until  the  first  were  on  board,  the  sentries  and  outposts  created  an  alarm  by  discharging  their  pieces 
2  or  3  times  at  the  noise,  made  by  a  dog,  as  we  found  afterwards,  whereupon  many  of  the  citizens 
took  to  the  water,  before  they  had  seen  any  enemy.  I  tell  this  here  only,  that  your  Honors  may 
form  a  correct  idea  of  the  present  distress  and  situation  of  the  country  and  may  not  allow  the  main- 
tenance and  protection  of  the  country  to  depend  on  the  body  of  citizens. 

*  *  »  *  *  * 

We  wrote  your  Honors  detailedly  in  our  letter  of  the  4"'  of  September  of  the  pretexts  of  some 
English  emissaries,  to  begin  a  village  or  settlement  on  this  Northriver  near  the  Wappinglis  Kil ; 
we  have  since  been  further  informed,  (as  your  Honors  may  see  by  the  enclosure  marked  AA, 
which  is  a  letter  from  the  General  Committee  of  the  4  English  Colonies*  and  our  short  provisional 
reply),  that  their  aim  goes  farther,  as  they  intend  to  settle  above,  near  or  back  of  Eort  Orange, 
without  doubt  to  ruin  and  cut  o£E  our  beaver-trade,  as  they  have  done,  now  23  or  24  j'ears  ago,  at 
the  house,  the  Hojye  on  the  Eresh  river.  *  *  *  * 

****** 

(This  letter  was  sent  to  the  Directors  under  corcr  to  Mr.  Edward  Man,  merchant  at  Amsterdam.) 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;    an   armistice  concluded 
WITH  THE  Esopus  Indians. 

The  first  of  November  1659,  at  the  Esopus. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir . 
Honorable  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant. 

I  beg  to  inform  your  Excy.  herewith,  that  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Hon'''*  Mr.  Lamontagne 
on  the  26""  of  October  by  two  Mahikanders.  We  learned  from  this  letter,  that  your  Excy.  had 
written  to  Mr.  Lmnontagne,  we  should  make  an  armistice  with  the  savages,  if  possible,  which 
directions  his  Honor  gave  us.  The  two  aforesaid  savages  brought  with  them  2  small  strings  of 
wampum  from  the  Maquaas,  one  string  from  the  Mahikanders,  also  from  the  Katskils  5  fathoms 
of  wampum  as  an  offering  of  peace  and  armistice  with  the  Esopus  savages.  The  aforesaid  savages 
brought  with  them  also  an  offering  to  the  Esopus  savages,  to  make  them  agree  to  an  armistice  with 
us  and  the  two  Mahikanders  have  been  with  the  Esopus  for  5  days  and  on  the  first  of  this  month 
they  came  back  to  us  and  brought  witii  them  2  prisoners,  a  soldier  and  a  free  man.  The  soldier's 
name  is  Pieter  Lamertzen  and  that  of  the  free  man  Peter  Hillebrantzen  and  some  Sachems  came 

*  See  Records  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  Vol.  IV,  Part  1,  p.  395,  and  Records  of  Plymouth  Colony, 
Acts  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New  England,  Vol.  X,  p.  230. — Ed. 


New   Ywh  Historical  Records.  127 

wUlh  tJie prisoners.  The  Sachems  came  at  the  instance  of  the  Ma<piaas,  Mahihanders  and  Kats- 
kils,  to  ask  us  for  an  arrnistice,  to  which  we  agreed  for  as  long  a  time  as  it  shall  please  the  Hon'''" 
General.  Tlien  tlie  savages  told  us,  that  we  might  till  our  lands  and  sow  again  and  do  every- 
thing, as  we  had  done  it  before  this.  But  we  are  nevertheless  on  our  guard  and  expect  the  lion'"''' 
General,  as  do  also  the  savages.  Herewith  closing  1  commend  your  Excy.  to  the  protection  of  the 
Almighty. 

Your  Excy's  humble  servant 

DiRCK  Smith,  Ensign. 
To  His  Noble  Honor 

Petrus  Stuyvesant 

at  the  Manathans. 

(Ensign  Smith  wrote  a  letter  of  the  same  tenor  to  Vice-Director  Lamontague  at  Fort  Orange  (Albany)  on  the 
same  day,  for  which  see  N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.,  Vol.  XIII,  f.  53.) 


Letter  from  Ensign   Smith   to  Vice-Director    Lamontagne  at  Fort   Orange: 
progress  of  affairs  at  e^opos. 

The  13'"  November  1659 

Honorable  Worshipful  Sir. 
Honorable  Director  Lamontagne  ! 

I  beg  to  inform  your  Honor  herewith,  that  I  have  received  a  letter  dated  the  2P'  of  last 
month,  as  well  as  that  I  have  received  to-day  a  letter  dated  by  your  Honor  the  10""  of  November, 
l)ut  the  bearer  hereof,  Nietonnoret,  Sachem  of  the  Mahikanders,  would  then  not  wait  so  long,  that 
^ve  could  write  to  your  Honor,  but  he  engaged  another  savage  to  carry  the  letters  the  next  day, 
but  the  savage  never  came  to  fetch  tlie  letters  and  we  hehave  ourselves  as  friends  hut  they  show 
tliemselves  as  rascals  ;  it  is  true,  we  have  got  back  2  prisoners,  but  they  keep  the  boy  yet  and  have 
killed  all  the  others ;  it  is  true,  we  have  made  an  armistice  with  them,  hut  none  of  the pnncipal 
Sachems  have  heen  present.  We  respectfully  request,  that  a  yacht  may  come  here  and  that  she 
fire  3  or  4  signal  shots,  when  we  will  come  to  the  strand  with  a  guard.  We  have  been  twice  on 
the  strand  with  soldiers,  but  did  not  discover  any  3'^aclits,  which  astonishes  us  much  and  I  request 
your  Honor,  that  His  Honor  the  General  may  be  informed  of  this  letter  and  v^e  wish,  it  were  other- 
wise, than  what  our  condition  now  is.     Closing  I  commend  your  Honor  to  God's  protection. 

Your  Honor's  humble  servant 

DiRCK  Schmidt,  Ensign 
To  the  Honorable  Mr.  Lamontagne 
Commander  at 

Fort  Orange. 


Minutes  of  the  Court  of  Fort  Orange.     Extraordinary  Session  Novbr  18^" 
1659  TO  consider  a  letter,  received  from  the  Director-General. 

The  Hon'''*  Members   of   both   the    Courts   met   to   consider    a  letter  from  the  Hon""^  Gen- 
eral to  the  Courts  dated  the  12"'  9""",  in  which  the  General  speaks  of  retaining  the  Esopus  savages. 


128  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

About  this  matter  we  are  still  uncertain.  As  to  speaking  with  the  Katskils  and  Mahicanders,  vre 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  after  due  deliberation,  that  it  is  not  necessary,  as  we  do  not  know, 
whether  his  Honor  the  General  shall  be  able  to  carry  out  his  plan,  pursuant  to  his  letter,  for  in 
case  the  General  could  come  to  the  desired  agreement  with  the  savages,  as  he  writes,  then  it  would 
be  unnecessary  to  exehide  the  Esojpus  savages  from  the  llahihanders  and  Katskils  at  this  time. 
But  as  soon  as  we  learu,  that  any  fighting  has  been  going  on  at  the  Esopus,  we  shall  speak  with 
the  said  savages. 

By  order  of  both  the  Courts. 

Johannes  Peovoost,  Clerk. 


Letter  from  Dikector  Stutvesant  (in  his  own  HANDWErriNo)  to  Ensign  Smith 
AT  the.Esopus:  instructions  for  the  treatment  of  the  Indians  and  orders 
to  capture  if  possible  12  OR  15  OF  them  and  keep  them  as  hostages. 

Monsieur  Ensign. 

As  the  bearer,  Derek  StniJ,t,  intends  yet  to  make  the  trip  to  the  Esoj)us,  although  it  is  uncer- 
tain, whether  the  weather  will  permit  the  voyage,  we  did  not  like  to  lose  the  opportunity  to  send 
you  directions  for  the  officers  of  the  Company  and  the  freemen,  all  according  to  the  enclosed  list, 
besides  to  recommend  to  you,  what  you  have  been  told  by  the  Honorable  Director,  namely  to  treat 
the  savages  as  fair  as  possible  until  a  better  opportunity  comes  and  to  trade  with  them  now  and 
then  for  maize  and  venison,  when  they  come  themselves  and  desire  it  *  *  ?  and  to  give  them 
some  goods  in  return ;  but  meanwhile  you  must  be  well  on  your  guard  and  not  allow  the  savages 
to  see  or  get  information  of  the  strength  of  the  garrison ;  you  must  therefore  not  let  them  come 
farther  into  the  fort,  than  Thomas  Chambers''  house  between  the  pallisades  and  allow  them  as  little 
communication  and  conversation  with  the  free  people,  as  in  any  way  possible  and  if  it  should  hap- 
pen, that  some  should  remain  in  Thomas  Chambers''  house  on  account  of  bad  weather,  in  such  a 
case  you  must  remain  there  yourself  and  place  there  some  other  competent  person,  who  understands 
the  language  of  the  savages,  so  that  no  conversation  can  be  held  between  the  savages  and  our 
people  without  your  knowledge. 

As  to  the  order,  left  with  you  at  the  departure  of  the  Hon'''*  General,  to  keep  some  savages  in 
the  fort,  we  still  wish  it  carried  into  effect,  but  agreeable  to  the  verbal  instructions  you  must  pro- 
ceed  herein  with  caution,  when  you  can  persuade  12,  15  or  20  together  to  come,  for  it  would  not 
be  worth  while  to  begin  with  some  5  or  6. 

We  would  further  consider  it  advisable,  not  to  carry  out  this  project,  until  the  river  is  open 
again,  unless  it  should  suit  you  to  make  immediately  on  the  evening  after  the  capture  of  the  savages 
a  sally  and  attack  the  nearest  village  of  the  savages :  we  must  defer  herein  to  your  own  discretion. 
We  hope  to  send  you,  as  soon  as  the  river  opens,  some  more  troops  for  assistance.  You  must 
above  all  keep  this  order  secret  and  promote  as  much  as  possible  the  threshing  of  the  grain  for  the 
seed-time. 
11">  December  1659. 


New  Yoi-h  HistoiHcal  Records.  129 

Letter  EEOJt  Ensign  Ssiitii  to  Director  Stuyvesant;  reports  the  progress  of 

AFFAIRS    AT   TUE    EsOPUS. 

The  1?"  X*"'%  from  the  Esopus. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  "Wise  and  Prudent  Sir! 
Honorable  Director-General  of  New-Netherland. 

I  beg  to  inform  your  Excy.,  that  we  have  had  a  talk  with  the  savages  on  the  12"'  and  14'" 
inst.  and  we  reproached  them  for  not  coming  to  his  Honor,  the  General,  when  your  Honor  was 
here.  Whereupon  they  answered,  they  were  afraid  of  his  Honor  and  dare  not  come  near  his 
Honor  and  the  savages  make  great  promises  now,  that  they  would  like  to  be  friends  with  us  and 
do  harm  to  no  one  and  we  too  gave  them  good  words  and  treated  them  friendly  :  they  promised  to 
bring  us  maize  in  exchange  for  cloth,  but  they  did  not  come.  I  have  received  3  letters  from  your 
Honor  and  a  fourth,  which  I  shall  do  my  best  to  send  to  Fort  Orange.  I  have  read  the  contents 
of  the  letter  marlced  DC  and  will  keep  it  safe,  as  directed,  if  your  Honor  will  trust  me  and  I  hope, 
it  will  go.  Regarding  the  letter  about  the  wheat,  which  is  due  to  your  Honor  for  the  cloth,  I 
shall  forward  as  much  as  possible.  I  send  your  Honor  the  probable  measure  (?  loop-radeii).  I 
have  received  1  piece  of  linen  from  skipper  Dirck  Vetsen  with  some  buttons  and  •!  kettles,  and 
the  Honorable  General  will  please  to  excuse  me,  as  we  have  no  time  to  M'rite  more,  for  the  yacht 
must  depart  directly  and  I  wish  a  happy  New-Year  to  the  Hon''"'  General  and  your  Excy"*  whole 
family. 

Your  servant 

Dirck  Smidt,  Ensign. 

In  regard  to  the  remaining  bags,  of  which  the  Hon"''^  Secretary  writes,  I  have  made  inquiries, 
but  could  learn  nothing  of  theni  nor  what  had  become  of  them  :  but  I  shall  continue  to  do  my  best. 

To  the  Honorable  Director-General 
Petnis  Sttoyvesajit 

at  the  Manatlians. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Director  Stittvesant  : 
English  settlements  on  the  Northriver  must  be  prevented  :  Rev.  Harmanus 
Bloem  returns  to  New-Netherland.  22"  Decbr.  1659  received  5^"  April  1660. 

****** 
Thus  far  in  answer  to  your  Honors'  first  letter  of  the  23*  of  July ;  we  now  come  to  the  sub- 
sequent letters  of  the  4""  16'"  and  17'"  September,  in  which  the  principal  topic  is  the  distressing 
condition  and  decline  of  the  City's  Colony* ;  as  we  have  replied  to  this  in  our  last,  we  shall  pass 
it  over  here  and  come  to  the  one,  which  follows,  that  is  the  inclination  of  and  the  efforts  made  by 
the  English^  to  form  a  settlement  on  the  Northr'wer  near  the  Wappinghskil ;  we  judge  the  reasons 
To  prevent  the  En-  and  difficulties,  Stated  by  your  Honors  regarding  this,  worth  consideration;  also 
fandson"the''North  ^^^'^  advice,  to  anticipate  this  nation:  therefore  their  coming  in  and  settling 
river.  must  above  all  be  prevented  and  hindered  by  whatever  means  it  can  be  done  with- 


17 


New  Amstel,  now  New-Castle,  Del.     See  Col.  Doc.,  Vol.  XII. — Ed. 


130  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudaon  River. 

out  difficulty,  as  there  is  no  other  passage  to  that  place,  than  along  the  Northriver.  The  English 
government  here  in  this  country  is,  we  believe,  not  in  a  position  to  care  for  or  trouble  itself  about 
N.  B.  such  affairs  and  illegal  usurjjations  in  foreign  countries,  we  are  nevertheless  glad  to 

hear  of  your  Honors'  intention  to  buy  the  land  in  that  neighborhood  in  order  to  make  our  right 
indisputable  and  thus  to  avoid  all  further  cavilling  as  much  as  possible,  for  they  often  make  won- 
derful claims  elsewhere,  which  cause  here  great  troubles  and  dissatisfaction.  "We  shall  not  rest  in 
the  meantime,  but  make  efforts,  to  get  some  farmers,  (for  whose  accommodation  farming  implements 
are  going  over  now)  towards  spring,  for  which  we  shall  also  call  upon  the  Polish  nobleman  Lodeni 
Bachio'*  and  others  for  help  and  assistance,  that  hencefortli  the  expenses,  which  the  Company 
incurs  in  bringing  over  such  people,  may  become  a  source  of  profit.  "We  intend  also  to  look  about 
for  some  young  fellows  of  15,  16  or  more  years,  whom  we  shall  not  be  afraid  of  sending  over  at  a 
monthly  salary  of  4  guilders,  trusting  tliat  they  will  be  in  demand  and  may  be  employed  in  pro- 
moting agriculture.  In  tiiat  case  the  masters,  who  shall  hire  them,  must  refund  to  the  Company 
the  sums  advanced  for  the  passage  and  handsel  of  the  boys,  farmers  and  farm  laborers.  Close 
attention  must  be  paid  to  tlieir  conduct  and  work :  the  indolent  must  be  compelled  to  work,  for  it 
is  at  least  their  duty  to  repay  by  their  labor  the  sums  advanced  to  them.  You  will  make  such 
regulations  in  this  matter,  as  yon  will  deem  best  for  the  welfare  of  the  Company  and  the  com- 
munity. 

We  have  heard  with  deep  regret,  that  the  savages  have  again  murdered  six  Christians  there : 
Separate  habita-  as  this  Can  Only  be  prevented  by  the  concentration  of  the  separate  dwellings,  the 
,tgj  people  must,  necessarily,  be  compelled  to  submit  to  it  as  a  measure,  founded  upon 

sound  political  reasons  and  adopted  for  the  benefit  and  preservation  of  the  community.  Meanwhile 
you  must  endeavor  to  obtain  possession  of  the  murderers  or  at  least  of  some  members  of  their  tribe, 
which,  we  think,  would  serve  to  get  hold  of  the  others  by  means  of  threats :  or  else  you  must 
Murders  ot  Chris-     punisli  the  iunoccnt,  in  the  hope  of  checking  these  barbarous  tribes.     You  ought 

lians  not  to  be  .  ,  ,  i  r    /-n     •      •  i  •   ■  i 

compounded,  but  xmdcr  no  circumstanccs  settle  such  murders  or  Christians  by  composition,  but 
the  murderers  or      rather  take  the  chance  to  fall  upon  them  tooth  and  nail.     For  this  purpose  we 

others  of  the  tribe  .  •  i        i         i      •       i  i  n  ,  •   •  n  i  i  i 

to  be  punished.         provide  you  With  the  desired  saddles  and  ammunition  ot  war,  as  the  enclosed 
invoices  show,  so  that  you  ma}'^  make  use  of  them  upon  this  or  other  occasions. 
D»  Biom  engaged.  At  your  Ilonors'  recommendation  we  have  engaged  here  D"  Ilarmanus  Blom 

who  now  goes  there  as  preacher  at  a  yearly  salary  of  600  guilders,  the  balance  up  to  1000  or  1200 
guilders,  which  is  to  be  raised  by  the  community,  must  not  be  counted  and  paid  to  him  by  them, 
but  by  your  Honors,  as  chief-magistrates,  for  reasons,  Avhich  your  Honors  will  easily  comprehend ; 
the  proper  manner,  in  which  tliis  is  to  be  carried  out,  is  left  to  your  Honors'  judgment. 


Extract  feom  a  letter  of  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  :  A-rrrrnDE 

OF    THE    SAVAGES    AT    EsOPUS.       26'"'  DeCBK  1659. 

-»  -:;-  «  *  *  * 

In  regard  to  matters  with  the  savages  here  and  at  the  Esopus :  they  have  done  little  since 

*  The  war  carried  on  successfully  at  this  period  by  King  Frederic  of  Denmark,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
Dutch,  against  Charles  Gustavus  of  Sweden  and  Poland,  seems  to  have  brought  the  Dutch  into  closer  connection 
with  Poland  and  put  this  notion  into  the  heads  of  the  Directors. — Ed. 


jSfew  Yorh  Historical  Records.  131 

our  last,  apparently  and  without  doubt  hindered  and  kept  back  by  the  unfavorableness  of  the  win- 
ter ;  they  cannot  be  trusted  however,  which  makes  us  keep  on  our  guard,  draw  in  the  separate 
dwellings  and  surround  tiie  distant  Dutch,  villages  with  pallisades ;  we  have  not  been  able  to  come 
to  a  conference  with  tlie  Esopus  savages,  as  is  shown  by  the  written  report  of  the  Hon"'"  Director- 
General  under  letter  H.  Meanwhile  other  savages,  who  are  at  present  our  apjjarent  friends,  inform 
and  warn  us,  that  the  Esopus  are  decidedly  bent  on  war ;  they  solicit  urgently  help  and  alliance 
from  other  tribes ;  the  separate  bouweries  of  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck  and  the  imminent  lack 
of  bread  stuif,  in  case  it  should  be  destroyed  or  fired,  before  the  grain  was  threshed,  compel  us  to 
abstain  from  hostilities  against  the  Esopus  savages  and  their  allies  for  the  present  and  to  await  a 
better  and  more  suitable  time,  which  your  Honors  may  find  in  detail  in  the  aforesaid  written  report 
and  the  copy  of  a  letter  on  this  subject  sent  by  the  Hon'''^  General  to  the  authorities  of  Eort 
Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck,  here  annexed  under  lit.  I.  On-  c  more  we  request 
your  Honors  respectfully,  to  consider  quickly  and  timely  their  own  interests,  the  preservation  of 
the  country  and  the  safety  and  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  and  send  us  over  such  orders  and  means, 
as  the  enclosed  list  calls  for  or  as  your  Honors  shall  deem  necessary  and  serviceable  in  their  wonted 
wisdom  and  far-seeing  observation.  There  is  no  question,  that  if  the  countryman  in  a  new  country 
cannot  plough,  sow  and  harvest  without  being  molested,  or  the  citizen  and  trader  may  not  travel 
unhindered  on  streams  and  ri\'ers,  they  will  both  leave  and  transport  themselves  to  such  a  govern- 
ment and  dwelling  places,  where  they  shall  be  better  protected. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Director  Lamontagne  on  affairs  at  Esofus. 

The  28'''  X""  1659,  at  Esopus. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  "Wise  ana  Prudent, 
Honorable  Mr.  De  Lamontagne. 

I  beg  to  inform  your  Honor,  that  his  Honor  the  General  has  Deen  here  on  the  28""  of  Novem- 
ber and  that  he  has  taken  away  the  grain  which  had  been  threshed  and  he  went  off  on  the  3d  X''". 
On  the  16"'  X'""'  a  yacht  from  the  Manathans  arrived  here,  by  which  I  received  several  letters 
from  the  Hon*'''  General,  also  a  letter  to  the  Court  of  Fort  Orange,  which  I  could  not  dispatch 
sooner  than  by  the  bearer  hereof:  and  after  the  departure  of  the  yacht  several  savages  have  been 
here  and  they  brought  with  them  2  deer  and  2  or  3  turkeys,  for  which  we  traded  with  them  and 
we  treated  them  friendly  and  his  Honor  the  General  desired  to  have  a  letter  sent  to  your  Honor, 
but  I  had  no  chance  to  forward  it  and  I  have  received  your  Honor's  letter  on  the  27"'  X''"  and 
understand,  that  your  Honor's  letter  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Menates,  but  after  the  departure  of  the 
Hon'"''  General  nothing  of  importance  has  occurred  here,  of  which  I  could  make  a  special  report  to 
his  Honor,  except  that  7  or  8  savages  have  been  here.  We  remain  however  watchful,  as  we  have 
been  before.     I  wish  a  happy  New- Year  to  your  Honor  and  whole  family  and  remain 

Your  Honor's  faithful  servant 
To  His  Honor  DutcK  Smith,  Ensign. 

Mr.  De  Lamontagne 
Connnander  at 
Eort  Oranqe. 


132  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Letter  fkom  the  same  to  Director  Stuyvesant,  on  affairs  at  Esopus. 
The  2S"'  X""  1659,  at  ^sojms. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir, 
Honorable  Director-General  of  Beio-NetJierland. 

I  beg  to  inform  yonr  Excy,  that  I  received  to-day  by  a  Maquaas  a  letter  from  the  Hon*'* 
Montague  at  Fort  Orange  and  that  I  have  forwarded  the  letter,  destined  for  the  Court  at  Fort 
Orange,  by  the  same  Maquaas.  I  further  inform  your  Honor  of  the  condition  of  Fsojms.  After 
the  departure  of  the  last  yacht  of  D'^rck  Schmidt  on  the  IS"*  or  19"'  X''"',  we  have  talked  with  the 
savages  and  they  promised  to  come  again  to  supply  us  with  meat  and  corn,  which  they  did  the 
next  day  with  2  deer  and  2  or  3  turkeys.  Our  people  bought  them  for  wampum  and  traded  one 
turkey  for  a  small  box  full  of  powder,  upon  which  they  insisted  eagerly,  apparently  to  disco^'er, 
whetlier  we  were  well  intentioned  or  not  and  when  they  had  received  the  small  box  of  powder  they 
said,  we  were  now  good,  and  promised  to  come  henceforth  every  day  with  Indian  corn,  but  they  staid 
away  and  forgot  to  return  and  the  savages  still  live  at  their  places  and  we  hope  by  the  help  of  God 
Almighty  to  lead  them  with  good  words  and  inducements  until  the  proper  occasion,  which  the 
spring  will  indicate  with  God's  help  and  I  and  my  men  are  still  thrifty  and  in  good  health  and  I 
expect  the  gi-ain,  of  which  your  Honor  has  written  ;  I  shall  do  ray  best  to  get  it  together  for  j'our 
Honor's  cloth.  As  to  the  missing  bags,  I  have  got  back  three  of  them  and  shall  look  about  for 
the  rest.  I  do  not  know  to  write  any  more  to  j^our  Honor  this  time,  but  to  wish  a  happy  New- 
Year  to  your  Excy.  and  the  whole  family  and  remain 

Your  Excellency's  humble  servant 

DiECK  Smit,  Ensign. 

To  the  Nolile,  "Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent,  His  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-Gen- 
eral of  New-Netherland  at  the  Manathans. 


Letter  from  Abraham  Staas  of  Beaverwyck  (Albany)  to  Director  Stuyvesant  : 
DisposmoN  OF  the  Esopds  Indians;  the  Mohawks  promise  to  make  peace  with 
the  Canada  Indians. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 

Sir!  Besides  wishing  happiness,  prosperity  and  good  success  in  the  New- Year,  these  few  lines 
are  only  to  inform  you,  that  since  the  departure  of  the  last  yachts  nothing  special  has  occurred, 
which  is  worth  while  the  writing,  except  that  the  Esopus  savages  keep  very  cpyet  now,  but  some 
well-known  Mahikanders  say,  that  they  do  so,  in  order  to  carry  out  their  intentions  so  much 
better  and  are  watching  for  the  chance  of  a  surprise,  when  the  Dut^h  will  not  expect  it  and  then 
to  kill  every  body,  whom  they  can.  They  have  also  stated  to  the  aforesaid  Mahikanders  in  plain 
words,  that  they  would  not  allow  the  Dutch  to  live  any  longer  on  the  Esopus,  only  one  house  on 
the  bank  of  tlie  Kil  close  to  the  river  for  their  own  convenience,  to  get  some  necessaries  for  their 
own  use.  The  Maquaes  keep  away  from  the  Esopus  savages  at  present,  they  have  not  been  there 
at  all  and  say,  that  they  mostly  go  out  to  catch  beavers.     It  is  also  asserted,  that  the  Slnnehes  are 


New  Yorh  HUtorical  Records.  l;^3 

at  war  with  the  Minquaes  and  River  Indians  at  the  South.*  As  to  the  coming  of  the  French, 
whom  the  Maquaes  have  expected  so  long,  it  is  again  all  quiet  now.  They  say,  they  will  bring 
back  to  Canada  the  French  prisoners  in  the  sj)ring  and  then  make  a  solid  peace  witli  the  French. 
We  are  all  in  good  health  for  which  God  the  Almighty  be  praised  and  thanked  for  His  mercy. 
We  hope  from  the  bottom  of  our  hearts  to  hear  the  same  in  regard  to  your  Hon'^'"  Worship,  which 
would  please  us  very  sincerely.  Closing  herewith  T  commend  your  Hon''''^  Worship  and  family  to 
the  protection  of  the  Almighty  with  our  cordial  greetings. 

I  am  and  remain  Your  Honor's  humble  subject  and  very  obedient 
Seaverwych  Abeam  Staas. 

16'"  January  A°  1660. 

To  the  Honorable,  Valiant,  Rigorous  His  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  of  N. 
Netherland,  Curacao  and  the  islands  thereof  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  Lamontagne  at  Fort  Orange  (Albany)  to  Director 
Stuyvesant  :  reporting  progress  of  the  affairs  at  Esopus. 

Honorable,  "\"aliant  and  Worshipful  Sir. 
Sir 

It  having  been  reported  by  several  savages  that  the  Dutch  on  the  Fsopus  had  attacked  the 
Fsqpus  savages,  killed  and  captured  many  of  them,  among  whom  three  Sachems,  I  was  induced, 
(in  order  to  ascertain  the  truth)  to  send  a  Maquaes  there  on  the  23  X*""  last  past,  with  a  letter  to 
the  Ensign.  This  savage  arrived  here  on  the  S*"  instant,  bringing  an  answer  from  the  said  Ensign, 
which  is  here  inclosed,  as  well  as  the  copy  of  my  letter.  The  said  savage  brought  among  other 
letters  one  from  the  Hon*"'  General,  directed  to  both  the  courts,  which  I  communicated  to  them 
immediately.  After  they  had  read  it,  they  were  greatly  astonished  on  account  of  the  rascality  of 
\X\Q Maquaes,  called  Adoquatho,  who  was  sent  by  them  to  j'our  Honor;  but  they  presume  that 
the  interpreter,  whom  your  Honor  employed  at  the  Esopus,  could  not  understand  this  savage  quite 
well  and  that,  as  it  is  very  probable,  the  Maquaes  had  told  him,  what  he  had  said  here,  to  cause 
a  continuation  of  the  alliance,  namely,  that  the  Maquaas  and  the  Dutch  were  brothers  and  bound 
by  one  chain  since  a  long  time :  if  this  chain  were  broken,  they  would  all  be  very  much  distressed 
and  weep  like  children.  Hearing  however  that  the  said  savage  has  arrived  here  or  in  the  Maquaas 
country,  we  shall  examine  him  in  regard  to  this  matter,  as  your  Honor  will  see  by  the  answers  of 
the  two  courts,  here  enclosed. 

****** 
We  hear  so  far  nothing  bad  of  the  savages,  they  behave  themselves  more  civil  and  modest, 
than  they  have  done  formerly.     Expecting  your  Honor's  answer  I  remain 

Your  Hon"'"  Worship's  humble 
At  Fort  Orange  and  obedient  servant 

16""  January  A"  1660.  Lamontagne. 

To  the  Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful,  His  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant  Director-Gen'  and 
Council  of  iV.  Netherland  at  Foi't  Amsterdam. 

*  See  Vol.  XII. 


134  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Letter  from  Ensign  Smh'h  at  Esopus  to  Director  Stuyvesant:    ague  preva- 
lent:   HEAVY   snow-storms. 

The  19'"  of  January  1660,  at  Eaopus. 

.  Noble,  "Worshipful,  "Wise  and  Prudent  Sir. 
Honorable  Director-General  of  New-Netherland, 
Petrus  Stuyvesani. 
I  beg  to  inform  your  Excy.  that  on  the  SS""  of  December  a  Maq^iam  from  Fort  Orange  sent 
by  his  Honor  Lamontagne  has  been  here,  to  whom  I  have  given  the  letter,  intended  for  the  magis- 
trates there,  and  I  have  also  given  him  a  letter,  intended  for  the  Hon'''*  General,  but  I  believe, 
that  your  Honor  shall  receive  the  one  by  this  savage  first  and  I  have  received  no  letter  by  this 
savage  from  his  Honor  Montagne.     So  much  snow  has  fallen  at  present,  that  we  cannot  make  the 
savages  travel.     Once  a  while  a  savage  comes  here,  but  they  bring  nothing  and  we  treat  them  with 
gi-eat  kindness,  as  well  as  we  can.     As  to  our  people,  they  are  in  fairly  good  health,  only  fever 
begins  to  trouble  them  here  and  there  and  the  Ensign  has  also  the  fever  and  Cadet  Ilendrick  Tett- 
nissen  from  Suytloh  died  of  a  severe  rupture  on  the  4"'  of  January  and  I  do  not  know  to  write 
anything  special  this  time,  than  to  commend  your  Excy.  and  his  whole  family  to  the  Lord  and  we 
remain  constantly  on  our  guard  as  we  have  done  formerly,  for  the  savages  hereabout  cannot  be 
trusted  and  I  remain  your  Excy's  faithful  servant 

DiRCK  SMrr,  Ensign. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  His  Honor  the  Director-General  of  New-Neth- 
erland Petrus  Stuyvesani  at  the 

Manathans. 


LETrER    FROM    DIRECTOR    StDYVESANT    TO    (EnSIGN  SmITH  AT    EsOPUS)    RECOMMENDING 
CAUTION    AND    CIVILITY    TOWARDS    TUE    IndIANS    ETC. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir: 

Your  favors  of  the  28"'  of  December  and  19""  of  January  have  been  duly  received  on  the  26"" 
inst.  through  the  savage,  who  brings  this.  As  since  our  last  of  the  ll""  December  no  or  only 
slight  changes  have  taken  place  here  and  on  the  Esopus.,  therefore  we  refer  to  our  former  letter 
and  repeat  again  the  orders,  which  we  then  gave  you,  namely,  to  be  as  civil  and  outwai'dly  kind  as 
possible  towards  the  savages  and  to  accommodate  them  occasionally  with  goods  in  exchange  for 
maize  and  venison,  when  they  come  to  ask  for  it,  even  now  and  then  (to  deprive  them  of  all  sus- 
picions) with  half  a  pound  or  a  pound  of  powder  and  some  lead,  but  you  must  be,  above  all,  upon 
your  guard  and  not  allow  the  savages  to  see  or  get  information  of  the  strength  of  the  garrison. 

As  to  the  further  orders,  given  you  before  this,  to  inveigle  some  savages  into  the  fort,  when 
occasion  offers  and  keep  them  there,  that  must  be  carried  out  with  special  caution.  I  consider  it 
expedient,  not  to  attempt  it  sooner,  than  when  the  sloops  begin  again  to  sail  and  when  we  can  assist 
you  from  here  with  men,  provisions  and  ammunition  of  war,  unless,  as  I  said  in  my  former  letter, 
you  believe  yourselves  sufficiently  strong,  to  make,  directly  after  taking  them,  an  attack  on  the 
nearest  village  of  the  savages,  M'hicli  we  must  leave  to  your  own  discretion. 

We  hope  and  wish,  that  at  the  receipt  of  this  letter  you  and  your  men  will  again  be  fresh  and 


New  York  Historical  Records.  135 

in  good  liealth,  nieaiiwliile  we  coiiiniend  you  all  to  the  protection  of  God  and  remain  with  our 
greetings 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir, 
29"*  January  1660.  Your  affectionate  friends. 


Lettkk  from  Ensign  Smith  at  Esopus  to  Vice-Dieector  Lamontagne  at  Fort 
Orange  (Albany)  :  condition  of  affaiks  at  his  post  :  his  garrison  70  men. 

The  5'"  of  February  1660,  at  Esopus. 

Honorable,  Worshipful  and  Prudent  Sir. 

Honorable  Mr.  DehiTnontagne.  I  inform  your  Honor,  that  this  savage  an-ived  here  from  the 
Manathcs  on  the  4""  inst.  and  he  has  brought  me  a  letter  from  the  Hon"'"  General.  I  could  not 
omit  to  inform  your  Honor  by  this  opportunity,  that  everything  here  has  remained  in  the  state,  in 
which  it  was  before  and  now  and  then  a  few  savages  come  here,  but  we  do  not  trust  them  far  nor 
they  us  and  we  show  them  much  kindness,  as  directed  by  the  General.  I  speak  fair  to  them,  that 
they  shall  bring  us  some  venison  or  maize,  but  they  bring  us  little  and  our  storehouse  is  not  well 
provided  with  bacon  and  meat  for  70  men,  but  we  hope,  that  with  a  change  of  the  weather  we 
shall  receive  sufficient  victuals.  I  do  not  know  of  anything  more  to  write  to  your  Honor  this  time, 
except  that  we  are  constantly  on  our  guard  as  formerly  and  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protection 
of  the  Almighty  and  remain  your  Honor's 

Humble  servant 

DiRCK  Smitt  Ensign. 

To  the  Honorable,  Woi"shipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  His  Honor  Delariiontagiie,  Commander  at 
Fort  Orange. 


Proposals  of  Director  Stuyvesant  kespecting  the  measures  to  be  adopted 
against  the  hostile  Indians  at  the  Esopus  and  answers  of  the  Council  to 
them. 

Propositions  made  to  the  Honorable 
Council  and  the  Burgomasters  of  this 
City. 
Honorable  Gentlemen. 

Nobody,  unless  he  be  a  stranger  or  a  new  arrival  in  New-Netherland,  can  be  ignorant  of  the 
injuries,  massacres  and  murders,  which  the  savage  barbarians,  natives  of  this  country,  have  from 
time  to  time  committed  and  inflicted,  contrary  to  the  treaty  of  peace  made  and  several  times 
renewed  and  their  fair  promises,  upon  the  Dutch  Colonists  and  inhabitants  of  this  newly  opened 
province,  not  to  mention  the  murders  in  the  time  of  the  Honorable  Mr.  Kieft  and  the  dreadful 
massacre  in  our  time  in  the  year  1655,  during  which  about  50  to  60  were  slaughtered  and  killed 
mostly  in  cold  blood,  besides  that  about  one  hundred  souls  were  taken  prisoners,  whom  we  had  to 
ransom  from  the  barbarians'  hands  at  a  high  price. 

More  than  20  Christians  have  been  unexpectedly  killed  at  different  times  and  places  in  and 
about  their  houses  and  isolated  dwellings  during  the  twelve  years  of  our  administration. 


136  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

It  is  too  dreadful  and  unbearable  for  a  nation;  loving  honor  and  liberty  and  delivered  by  the 
blessing  of  God  from  Spanish  tyranny  and  inc^uisition  ;  Your  Honors  are  aware  of  what  has  passed 
and  been  done  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Etsopus  by  the  barbarians  and  it  is  therefore  unnecessary, 
as  it  is  still  fresh  in  your  memories,  to  trouble  your  Honors  with  details,  while  in  my  present  prop- 
ositions I  have  no  intention  to  demonstrate  by  a  tedious  relation  what  has  passed,  how  we  have 
fallen  into  this  abyss  but  how  we  may  get  out  of  it  with  the  least  expense  and  the  most  honor, 
how  for  the  greater  safety  of  our  good  inhabitants,  honor  to  our  nation  and  the  public  welfare 
such  murders  and  massacres  may  in  future  be  prevented  as  much  as  possible,  for  which  I  first  desire 
your  Honors'  good  advice  and  then  faithful  assistance. 

The  boldness  of  the  Esopus  Indians,  first  in  capturing  12  or  13  well-armed  farmers  and  sol- 
diei's,  in  the  actual  siege  of  and  attack  on  the  well-pallisadoed  settlement,  the  fearful  murder  of 
the  greater  part  of  the  aforesaid  'jjrisoners,  contrary  to  promises  and  after  receiving  and  keeping 
the  offered  ransom,  is,  with  submission  to  better  reason  and  Aviser  judgment,  too  ignominious  and 
unbearable  for  an  honor  and  liberty  loving  nation  and  it  is  therefore  my  opinion,  in  consideration 
.of  the  suffered  injuries  and  the  restoration  of  the  almost  ruined  Batavian  reputation  (as  one  sav- 
age considers  himself  now  as  good  as  two  Dutchmen)  and  on  accoimt  of  the  fertility  of  the  lands 
(directly  ready  for  the  plough  without  roding  of  trees  or  bushes  and  settled  with  2  or  3  villages, 
each  of  20  to  24  families,  which  according  to  the  convenience  of  the  place  are  able  and  capable 
each  to  produce  every  year  as  much  grain,  as  all  the  Dutch  and  English  villages  in  New-Netlt/- 
erland  together  are  as  yet  able  to  produce)  that  it  is  necessary  to  make  war  on  the  Esopus  Indians, 
using  all  imaginable  means  to  get  the  advantage  of  them  and  to  kaxxj  it  on  against  them  as  vigor- 
ously as  possible;  when,  with  what  forces  and  means,  thereto  my  propositions  demand  your  Hon- 
ors' consent  or  better  advice  and  judgment. 

After  calling  iipon  God  for  his  assistance  and  blessing,  and  confessing  our  sins,  which  are  the 
causes  of  all  general  punishments  and  obstacles  to  all  desirable  results,  the  following  considerations 
and  means  would  be  necessarily  required  thereto. 

We  are  credibly  informed  by  verbal  and  written  reports  of  the  continued  sinister  and  deceitful 
intention  of  the  aforesaid  Esopus  barbarians  to  make  peace  with  us  and  to  be  in  readiness  for  a 
blow  and  attack  our  people  unexpectedly,  when  they  are  in  their  fields,  while  some  even  dare  to 
say,  they  would  have  no  Dutch  on  the  Esopus,  except  one  house  on  the  bank  of  the  Kil,  to  provide 
them  with  the  necessary  commodities. 

As  violence  is  encountered  by  violence,  so  cunning  may  be  opposed  by  cunning  and  the  enemy, 
desiring  to  make  only  a  pretended  peace,  may  be  diverted,  allured  and  entrapped  with  so  much 
more  justice,  as  we  have  painful  proofs  of  their  deceit  and  credible  reports  of  their  falseness  and 
of  the  miirders  committed  by  them  imder  the  pretext  of  peace. 

I  beHeve,  submitting  however  to  wiser  judgment  and  better  information,  that  a  diversion  is 
necessary  and  under  cover  of  it  an  expedition,  which  must  be  entrusted  to  but  few,  whether  suc- 
cessful or  not ;  then  we  nmst  make  war  and  carry  it  on  first  against  the  Esopus  tribe  alone  in  their 
dwelling  places  and  wherever  they  may  retreat  to. 

To  begin  this,  according  to  human  ideas  the  sooner  the  better,  with  God's  help  and  blessing, 
140  to  150  resolute  men,  soldiers  as  well  as  volunteers,  would  be  required  and  necessary  for  the 
first  attack,  besides  20  to  30  to  remain  in  the  settlements.  The  greatest  difficulty  is,  where  to  get 
these  from. 

It  is  true,  the  Hon'''''  Company  has  in  its  service  in  this  province  about  200  men  and  more,  but 
your  Honors  know  well,  that  they  are  scattered  here  and  there  according  to  the  situation  and  the 
unavoidable  demands  of  the  country,  so  thr.t  we  cannot  get  together,  ]iere  and  at  the  Esopus,  more 


Neto    Yorh  Historical  liecurJs.  137 

than  120  men  and  although  -we  could  make  up  the  number  for  the  expedition  against  the  Jll'oj?us 
Indians,  it  is,  in  raj  judgment,  considering  late  trials,  not  advisable  thus  to  deprive  at  once  this 
and  other  places  of  their  garrisons,  so  that  upon  one  or  the  other  occasion  we  would  have  no  sol- 
diers immediately  ready.  The  troubles  and  difficulties,  M'liich  we  have  had  to  get  some  men  for 
the  relief  of  our  people  on  the  Esojyus,  when  the  Hon''"'  Company's  soldiers  had  been  sent  to  the 
Southriver,  are  of  a  late  date  and  well  known  to  your  Honors  all,  which  relief  would  been  given 
easier,  sooner  and  with  less  trouble,  if  we  had  had  a  moderate  number  of  soldiers  at  hand. 

For  this  reason  it  is  necessary,  to  prevent  in  future  such  inconveniences,  that  these  principal 
places,  at  least  this  island  remain  garrisoned  by  50  or  60  soldiers,  so  that  in  case  of  a  disastrous 
rencontre,  fresh  succor  might  be  sent  to  the  Esojjus  or  in  case  of  more  and  other  savages  rising,  the 
villages  on  Long-Idcuid  and  elsewhere  might  speedily  be  succored,  before  the  country  and  the 
fields  are  deserted  to  the  great  disadvantage  of  the  inhabitants.  Therefore  I  believe  it  is  necessary, 
to  enlist,  if  possible,  GO  or  70  soldiers  more,  without  distinction  as  to  nationality,  at  least  for  the 
time  and  until  we  receive  assistance  from  the  Fatherland  by  fresh  recruits,  for  it  is,  according  to 
my  poor  judgment,  best  and  most  expedient,  to  resent  the  affronts,  done  to  us,  by  making  with  all 
possible  force  and  means  an  aggressive  war  first  against  the  Esojpus  Indians  and  afterwards  against 
those  who  may  have  assisted  or  countenanced  them. 

To  restore  the  almost  ruined  glory  of  the  Dutch  nation,  to  hope  for  an  early  success  by  force 
of  arms  and  freedom  for  the  open  coimtry,  instead  of  ruining  ourselves,  burdened  for  the  sake 
of  defense  with  so  much  soldiery  and  expecting  and  waiting  for  an  vmcertain  improvement  of 
savage  barbarous  tribes,  not  fettered  by  any  form  of  government  or  laws  or  divine  service. 

That  all  this  might  be  continued  and  carried  out  with  some  expectation  of  success,  the  fol- 
lowing propositions  are  referred  to  your  Honors'  better  judgment  and  information. 
1.  Not  to  engage  ourselves  too  far,  before  we  do  not  see  a  prospect  of  success  against  the  Esojnis 
savages  and  are  assisted  from  the  Fatherland.  My  advice  would  be  to  overlook  the  suffered  inju- 
ries, especially  the  murders  lately  committed  at  MespatJikil  and  to  keep  the  savages  about  here 
as  quiet  as  possible  and  to  renew  the  peace  with  them  upon  as  fair  and  conciliatory  conditions  as 
possible,  until  they  give  the  slightest  provocation.  It  is  notorious  and  everybody  knows  from 
experience  that  the  murders  and  massacres  committed  on  Christians  in  this  vicinity  fi'oni  time  to 
time  have  been  the  result  of  the  isolated  habitations  and  have  never  happened,  where  10  or  13 
persons  have  dwelt  together  in  a  kind  of  village,  which  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  in  future, 
it  is  necessary  to  renew  and  execute  the  well-intentioned  order  of  the  Lords-Directors  and  the 
placat,  resulting  therefrom,  of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  to  discountenance  all  separate 
liabitations  and  farm-buildings  as  well  on  Loncj-lsland  as  at  other  places,  to  exhort  and  if  possible 
give  some  assistance  to  these  people  and  encourage  them  to  live  together  in  villages  or  form  new 
settlements  on  the  most  suitable  and  best  places  and  secure  the  same,  further  to  prohibit  by  post- 
ers and  warn  the  Indians,  that  they  must  in  future  not  come  into  or  near  such  villages  with  their 
arms,  under  penalty  of  losing  them. 

3.  It  cannot  be  doubted,  that,  if  the  farmer  should  be  compelled  to  leave  his  village  and  fields  or 
run  considerable  risk  to  have  his  horses  and  cattle  killed  in  the  open  country,  which  cannot  be 
kept  in  the  stables  and  witliin  the  villages  during  the  summer,  very  pernicious  inconveniences,  as 
poverty,  famine  and  finally  desolation  and  complete  abandoning  would  be  the  consequences.  To 
prevent  this  as  far  as  possible,  it  is  not  only  necessary  to  keep  the  beforementioned  reserve-detach- 
ment of  about  60  to  70  soldiers  here  and  in  the  neighborhood,  besides  those,  who  are  required  for  an 
aggressive  war  on  the  Esopus,  but  also  to  have  a  mounted  guard,  to  patrol  and  make  rounds  on  this 
18 


138  '  Colonial  SettleTnents  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

and  on  Long-Island,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  villages  and  settlements  now  and  then  for  the,  if 
possible,  better  j)rotection  of  the  animals  and  laborers,  who  have  to  plough,  sow,  mow  and  work 
outside  of  the  villages  every  day ;  the  following  propositions  may  answer,  to  execute  this  so  mucli 
better  and  with  the  least  inconvenience. 

We  must  consider,  that  as  long  as  the  state  of  the  open  country  is  so  unsafe  and  as  many  will 
be  comjielled  to  leave  their  habitations  and  fields,  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  and  hamlets  as 
well  as  of  pallisadoed  settlements  will  be  very  unwilling,  many  even  unable  to  raise  the  tithes  now 
due,  of  whicii  as  yet  very  little  has  been  paid  and  very  little  may  be  expected  for  the  present :  also 
■whether  (in  order  to  have  ready  in  an  emergency,  besides  the  before  required  force  as  foundation, 
some  more  troops,  footsoldiers  as  well  as  horsemen)  we  shall  propose  to  the  magistrates  and  inhab- 
itants of  the  villages  an  exemption  from  tithes  for  a  period  of  5  or  6  years,  provided  that  each 
keep  in  readiness  6,  8  or  10  men,  according  to  their  situation,  subject  to  the  command  of  the 
Director-General  and  Council,  either  for  attack  or  for  defense,  as  the  necessity  and  the  situation  of 
the  country  may  require,  even  if  we  had  to  promise  them  proper  pay  in  case  of  an  aggressive  war 
and  relief  and  indemnification  according  to  the  articles  of  war,  if  the  service  in  the  active  troops 
was  prolonged. 

5.  Whereas  the  mounted  service,  necessary  for  the  abovementioned  reasons,  but  also  more  expens- 
ive, requires  more  incentive  and  encouragement,  I  am  of  opinion,  that  it  is  necessary  to  keep  with 
the  foot-militia,  a  few  horsemen,  at  first  12,  16  or  18,  and  in  order  to  incite  others,  to  establish  a 
general  stable  and  provide  this  during  the  winter  with  fodder  and  25  schepels  of  oats  for  each 
horse,  the  balance  at  the  charge  of  those  who  desire  to  keep  there  a  good  and  suitable  horse,  to  be 
used  in  the  public  service,  if  necessity  required  it :  if  such  a  horse  be  shot  in  an  attack  from  our 
side,  one-half  of  its  loss  shall  be  borne  by  the  commonwealth,  the  other  half  by  the  owner,  in  whose 
option  it  shall  be,  to  do  service  in  person,  to  put  another  suitable  person  on  it  or  to  let  one  be 
chosen  by  the  Director-General  and  Council,  on  condition  that  during  an  aggressive  expedition  he 
shall  draw  pay  like  the  regular  horsemen  of  the  lion""'  Company.  Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in 
New-jSietherland,  the  9""  February  A°  1660. 

The  foregoing  propositions  were  read  in  the  meeting  of  the  Honorable  Council  and  the  Bur- 
gomasters of  this  City  by  the  Right  Plonorable  Director-General  and  a  copy  thereof  was  handed 
to  each  of  them,  that  they  might  deliver  their  advice  upon  them  at  the  next  meeting  or  sooner. 
Date  as  above. 

Answer  of  the  Honorable  Nicasius  de  Sille 
12"'  February  1660.  to  the  propositions  of  the  Eight  Hon""'  Di- 

rector-General, written  by  himself. 

On  the  first  proposition  de  Sille  agrees  with  the  opinion  of  the  Hon''"'  General,  adding  how- 
ever that  no  mention  ought  to  be  made  of  it,  before  we  shall  have  heard  the  result  of  Oncques' 
plan. 

As  to  the  second,  he  thinks  well  of  it  and  the  sooner  the  better,  that  nobody  of  the  scattered 
settlers  shall  be  indulged,  but  they  must  be  constrained  and  if  necessary  assisted  to  pull  down. 

On  the  third  de  Sille  also  agrees  with  the  hon"'"  General,  but  he  thinks  it  is  necessary,  to  keep 
here  100  or  more  soldiers,  so  that,  in  case  an  alai-m  was  caused  here  or  there  in  one  or  the  other  vil- 
lage, each  place  might  be  assisted  with  some  soldiers ;  he  thinks  it  further  advisable,  to  bring  together 
a  file  of  horsemen  under  the  command  of  a  good  corporal  and  horseman,  to  live  in  or  near  the 
stable,  to  watch  it  and  that  good  fodder  is  provided  at  the  Company's  or  the  country's  e.vpense,  of 
which  they  would  have  to  take  good  care  as  well  as  of  the  arms  and  that  these  might  be  enlisted 
and  employed  not  only  as  horsemen,  but  also  as  dragoons. 


Neio  Yorh  Historical  Records.  139 

Regarding  the  fourth,  he  ■would  not  find  it  advisable  to  remit  the  tithes  for  a  period,  but  to 
farm  them  out  and  to  buy  with  tue  proceeds  as  niucii  corn  and  long  fodder  or  at  least  short  fodder, 
as  it  will  pay  foi',  for  the  horsemen  may  Mell  be  told,  where  to  make  hay,  as  there-are  about  here 
on  Long-Island  sufficient  public  meadows  and  I  think,  that,  if  we  were  to  rely  on  the  farmers, 
they  would  in  ease  of  need  or  danger  do  their  best  to  bring  away  with  their  own  people  and  horses 
their  own  property  and  save  their  wives  and  children,  instead  of  defending  their  villages. 

To  the  5"'  d^  Sille  says,  that  the  cavalry  stable  must  have  nothing  in  common  with  the  stable 
of  the  volunteers,  for  then  some  might  think,  that  the  cavalry-men  must  serve  them  as  servants, 
feed  their  horses  better  and  take  better  care  of  them,  than  of  others,  they  would  spare  also  their 
own  horses  and  ride  every  day  and  overexert  the  cavalry  horses  and  ruin  and  break  their  horse- 
equipments,  from  whence  often  quarrels  and  squabbles  would  arise. 

The  stable  of  the  volunteers  must  also  have  a  good  superintendent,  as  above  said,  but  no  con- 
nexion with  the  cavalry-stable  and  then  they  must  be  employed,  as  the  Hon''''^  General  says. 

The  riders  or  dragoons  must  be  enlisted  for  cadet's  pay  and  they  must  go,  one  fourth  of  them 
every  four  days,  into  the  stable,  not  only  to  mount  guard  there  for  2i  hours,  but  also  to  clean  all 
the  horses  and  the  stable  and  provide  them  with  water  and  feed. 

As  to  the  recruiting,  to  get  more  men,  it  seems  necessary,  that  the  Swedish  sergeant  should 
be  dispatched  by  the  first  opportunity,  to  go  to  the  Swedish  quarter  on  the  Southriver  and  enlist 
there  as  many  Swedes  and  Finns,  as  he  can  get  for  our  service,  for  those,  who  are  not  fit  for  sol- 
diers, are  fit  for  peasants  and  it  would  cause  a  reduction  of  the  Swedish  quarter,  while  it  would 
strengthen  us  here.* 

It  seems  to  me  further,  that,  when  the  report  of  enlistments  being  made  becomes  known  among 
the  people,  a  tax  of  the  40""  penny  for  assistance  of  the  recruiting  and  maintenance  of  the  levies 
could  easily  be  levied,  also  a  tax  on  cattle  for  the  time  until  a  firm  peace  is  made  between  the  bar- 
barians and  our  nation.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  date  as  above. 

NicAsius  DE  Sille, 

Councillor. 

The  propositions,  made  by  the  Honorable  Director-General  verbally  and  in  writing  in  the 
meeting  of  the  9""  inst.  have  been  seriously  considered  by  me,  the  undersigned,  and  I  find  them 
to  contain  in  substance  : 

First,  a  short  relation  of  the  injuries,  naassacres  and  murders  conmiitted  by  the  cruel  barbarous 
natives  against  our  nation,  whereby  the  legality  of  making  Mar  on  the  Fsojpus  Indians,  if  it  is  so 
concluded  by  a  majority  of  votes,  is  established. 

2*  Causes  and  reasons,  why  it  is  necessary  to  make  war  on  the  Fsojnis  Indians,  of  which  as 
the  most  prominent  is  mentioned,  to  resent  the  suffered  injuries,  then,  to  restore  the  almost  ruined 
Batavian  reputation  and  further  to  obtain  peaceful  possession  of  the  land. 

Thirdly,  some  propositions  as  to  when  to  begin,  with  what  forces,  how  to  get  the  latter  and 
how  to  govern  ourselves  in  regard  to  the  other  savages  etc''. 

Whereupon,  before  I  give  my  opinion  on  the  principal  point,  I  consider  it  necessary,  to  say 
something  by  the  way  on  the  first,  although  our  advice  is  requested  only  regai-ding  the  second  and 
third  point. 

I  admit  willingly,  that  the  injuries,  affronts  and  massacres,  committed  from  time  to  time  by 
these  cruel  barbarians  are  imbearable  for  an  honor  and  liberty  loving  nation,  but,  since  only  the 
question  of  making  war  on  the  Esojnis  savages  has  been  raised,  I  think  it  is  necessary,  because  we 

*  See  Vol.  XII,  p.  297. 


140  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

are  at  all  times  responsible  to  their  High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords-States-General  and  onr  Loi'ds- 
Principals,  to  investigate  strictly,  not  whether  the  Indians  in  general,  hut  whether  the  Esopus  Indi- 
ans have  given  ns  sufficient  and  legal  causes  for  the  war,  for  we  could  not  justify  a  wish  to  punish 
the  Esojms  Indians  for  deeds,  committed  by  others.  It  is  said  in  the  propositions,  that  the  boldness 
of  the  Esopus  savages  is  unbearable  (as  indeed  it  is)  first  in  taking  prisoners  12  or  13  -well-armed 
farmers  and  soldiers,  in  attacking  the  settlements  and  further  in  cruelly  executing  as  they  did,  most 
of  the  aforesaid  prisoners,  but  the  cause  for  these  their  actions  has  been  omitted,  to  wit,  that  the 
people  there  very  thoughtlessly  and  without  having  any  lawful  reason  for  it  at  the  time,  attacked 
some  of  them  with  an  armed  force,  killed  one  and  took  others  prisoners.  It  is  true,  that  the  reply 
to  this  might  be,  that  they  therefore  ought  not  have  captured  so  many  men,  attacked  the  settle- 
ments and  executed  the  prisoners  so  cruelly,  but  to  this  again  it  can  be  sustained  for  their  side  and 
with  gofid  reason,  that  they  could  not  but  presume  and  know,  whether  this  was  not  a  general  design 
of  all  the  inhabitants  at  the  Esopus  to  kill  all  the  savages ;  that  they  therefore  have  endeavored  to 
inflict  all  possible  damage  on  their  enemies.  But,  it  may  be  said,  besides  this,  the  savages  have 
given  us  still  other  reasons,  namely,  by  shooting  Ilarmen  Bamnboes,  so  that  he  died  shortly  after- 
wards, by  killing  saveral  animals  and  other  affronts.  What  regards  the  wounding  of  Harmen 
Ba7nboes,  we  are  told,  that  it  was  done  by  a  savage,  who  does  not  live  among  them,  but  goes  here 
and  there,  yet  when  the  Honorable  Director-General  went  with  a  party  of  soldiers  to  the  Esopus 
in  May  1658,  to  demand  of  them  the  murderer  and  at  the  same  time  a  compensation  for  the  suffered 
damages,  the  aforesaid  savages  knew  how  to  make  excuses  as  to  the  impossibility  of  apprehending 
the  murderer,  because  he  did  not  live  among  them,  but  they  promised  to  make  compensation  for 
the  damage  done  in  burning  two  little  houses  and  it  was  further  promised  on  our  side,  to  live  with 
them  like  brothers,  as  is  clearly  shown  by  the  report  of  the  Honorable  General,  dated  nlt°  June 
1658  and  delivered  in  Council.  Since  that  time  not  they,  but  our  people  have  very  rashly  broken 
the  compact ;  this  I  have  thought  necessary,  to  remind  your  Honors  of,  that  above  all  a  close 
inquiry  and  consideration  may  be  had,  whether  the  above  stated  causes  are  sufficient,  to  base  thereon 
the  legality  of  a  war,  so  that  if  tlie  result  should  be  a  different  one  from  what  we  picture  it  in  our 
minds,  we  may  not  be  justly  blamed  for  having  thoughtlessly  invoh'cd  ourselves  into  an  illegal  war. 

Since  the  condition  of  the  country  does  at  present  not  admit  of  making  war,  as  I  shall  show 
subsequently  with  more  detail,  I  think,  under  correction,  that  it  is  best  to  persist  on  the  i-esolution 
adopted  on  the  26'-''  Octbr  last  past,  namely  to  try  once  more  to  keep  the  open  question  and  Avar 
in  the  background  and  in  suspense,  yet  in  order  to  check  and  bridle  somewhat  the  savages'  bold- 
ness, to  make  strict  arrangements  and  a  compact  with  them,  which  if  they  break,  the  war  and  the 
punishment  will  be  so  much  more  justifiable  and  lawful.  Thus  far  in  answer  to  the  first  point, 
what  follows  is  meant  as  an  opinion  on  the  second. 

Although  the  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians  may  be  lawful  and  justifiable  (which  I  do  not 
contradict  absolutely),  I  believe,  that  the  present  condition  of  the  country  does  not  allow,  to  create 
a  greater  loss  for  the  sake  of  resenting  a  lesser  one.  Reasonableness  is  not  always  admitted,  when 
choosing  what  appears  good.  Other  savage  tribes  have  certainly  given  us  before  this  by  previous 
massacres  and  burnings  sufficient  reasons  for  prompt  revenge,  which  nevertheless  has  been  deferred 
to  better  times  and  opportunities  for  our  advantage  ;  that  now  our  condition  does  not  adinit  it,  can 
be  inferred,  I  believe,  from  the  following : 

Your  Honors  know  the  pretenses  and  the  right,  which  our  neighbors  of  Maryland  believe  to 
have  on  the  Company's  indisputable  lands  on  the  South  river  and  that  they  persist  in  their  opin- 
ions, notwithstanding,  that  your  Honors'  deputies  have  demonstrated  the  contrary  to  them  verb- 
ally and  in  writing.     Your  Honors  also  know  what  our  neighljors  on  the  North  have  tried  and 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Recards.  141 

will  doubtless  still  further  endeavor  and  attempt  to  obtain.  These  cannot  wish  for  a  better  oppor- 
tunity, if  we  arc  involved  into  a  war  with  the  Indians,  to  invade,  the  one  on  the  South  river,  the 
other  on  the  JYortk  river,  the  territories  of  the  Hon'''"  Company ;  besides,  no  reliance  can  be  placed 
on  the  neighboring  savages,  who  are  not  bound  by  any  government  or  laws  (even  though  the  peace 
with  them  might  be  renewed)  and  it  must  be  taken  into  consideration,  that  though  they  may  not 
openly  declare  themselves  our  enemies,  they  will  yet  assist  each  other  secretly  as  much  as  possible, 
for  which  instigation  from  outside  will  doubtless  not  be  wanting.  The  answer  to  this  could  be, 
that  we  must  guard  and  provide  against  all  this  by  recruiting  soldiers :  this  would  serve  our  repu- 
tation, but  where  shall  we  get  so  many  men,  since  in  my  opinion  we  require  for  this  purpose  not 
only  60  or  70  men,  besides  the  soldiers,  M'ho  are  already  in  the  service,  but  at  least  one  hundred 
to  150  more:  the  Honorable  Director-General  has  had  an  experience  of  the  difficulty  of  getting 
men  here,  as  not  six  persons  presented  themselves  in  the  most  pressing  necessity  for  assistance  of 
the  besieged  inhabitants  of  Esopus,  notwithstanding  that  the  drum  was  beaten  for  several  days. 

I  believe,  that,  humanly  speaking,  it  is  impossible  to  resent  the  suffered  injuries  without  the 
aforesaid  military  and,  in  case  of  uprisings  among  other  savages  or  anticipations  by  our  neighbors, 
to  be  able  to  resist  them  and  therefore  it  is  decidedly  unadvisable  to  begin  anything  without  it,  so 
that  we  may  not  instead  of  restoring  the  glory  of  our  nation  and  of  obtaining  peaceful  possession 
of  the  Esoptis  territory,  lose  them  altogether.  If  however  it  is  decided  that  the  condition  of  the 
country  allows  it  and  that  we  have  sufficient  strength  to  begin  the  war,  then,  I  think,  it  ought  not 
be  commenced  before  the  month  of  August  or  September,  for  the  following  reasons : 

First,  that  we  may  then  be  able  to  destroy  their  corn  for  the  next  winter,  which  we  could  not 
do  if  we  commence  now,  because  they  will  doubtless  send  their  women  and  children  inland  to  one 
or  the  other  unknown  nook  to  plant  corn  there  and  gather  winter  provisions  for  them. 

Second,  because  we  have  at  present  very  little  or  no  provisions  on  hand  for  the  subsistence  of 
so  many  soldiers,  much  less  to  assist  either  the  people  from  outside,  who  without  doubt  will  come 
in  here  from  their  isolated  plantations  in  great  numbers,  or  our  good  inhabitants  here,  who  may 
run  short  of  provisions  and  there  is  little  hope  of  receiving  a  quantity  of  provisions  within  the 
next  time,  as  the  neighbors  have  little  to  spare  on  account  of  the  good  market,  which  they  find  at 
Barbadoes  and  other  islands.  It  must  be  further  considered,  that  our  people  will  not  sow  much 
and  consequently  will  harvest  little,  if  we  begin  the  war  so  suddenly,  which  would  by  its  continu- 
ation create  great  distress  and  famine ;  therefore  it  is  best  to  postpone  it,  until  we  are  supj^lied  with 
the  required  provisions  and  other  necessaries. 

3'"'^  It  is  not  advisable  to  begin,  according  to  my  opinion,  until  the  newly  surveyed  villages 
and  hamlets  have  been  properly  fenced  in  and  put  in  a  state  of  defense,  as  directed,  that  the  poor 
out-lying  farmers  may  not  become  the  prey  of  the  cruel  barbarians. 

4thiy  jj]j(j  lastly,  I  think  it  best  to  begin  in  the  aforesaid  months  of  August  or  September  not 
only  because  of  the  destruction  of  their  corn,  as  above  mentioned,  but  also  because,  the  winter 
being  then  at  hand,  they  can  be  discovered  more  easily  in  the  woods  during  the  winter  by  their 
fires  or  their  foot-tracks  in  the  snow,  while  on  the  other  side  during  the  summer  they  can  subsist 
and  so  conceal  themselves  in  the  tangled  shrubs  and  underwoods,  that  they  are  almost  indiscover- 
able  for  our  people  and  nevertheless  have  a  great  advantage  over  us  by  surprising  us  unexpectedly 
from  hollows  and  bushes. 

"Whereas,  further,  we  have  in  our  last  letter  to  the  Lords-Principals  asked  for  their  assistance 
and  help,  also  orders  and  advice,  it  is,  I  think,  necessary  to  wait  with  an  aggressive  war,  imtil  we 
get  an  answer,  unless  we  desire  to  lay  ourselves  open  to  the  reproach  of  rashness  in  asking  for  help 
and  advice  and  meanwhile  following  our  own  mind,  before  it  could  come. 


142  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Therefore,  in  order  to  answer  your  Honor  briefly,  my  advice  (under  submission)  would  be 
according  to  the  aforesaid,  that  out  of  consideration  for  the  present  condition  of  the  country  we 
should  try  once  more  to  put  a  stop  to  the  disputes  now  raised  and  to  tlie  war,  make  a  safe  and 
bindino-  comj^act  with  the  savages  and  if  they  again  should  break  this,  then  to  attack  them  with 
all  our  might  — 

In  the  meantime  directly  to  disapprove  of  all  separate  habitations  and  farmbuildings  and  to 
assist  and  promote  the  establishment  of  hamlets  as  much  as  possible,  either  by  lending  negroes  or 
carting  out  pallisades  and  further  to  take  care,  that  10  or  12  hundred  schepels  of  bread  corn  and 
other  victuals  in  proportion  are  continually  kept  in  store  either  by  the  Hon'''*  Company  or  the  City 
and  that  all  prepartions  necessary  for  a  war  or  a  powerful  expedition  against  the  savages  be  made, 
above  all  to  enlist  secretly  as  many  soldiers  as  Ave  may  get  somehow,  so  that  we  are  immediately 
ready  if  they  should  again  break  the  new  compact ;  but  if  the  said  savages  are  not  willing  to  make 
such  a  compact,  then  to  make  necessitj^  a  virtue,  enlist  and  send  to  the  Esopus  as  many  men  as 
can  be  spared  here  to  protect  the  settlements  and  the  fields  as  best  they  can,  until  the  demanded 
succor  and  further  orders  shall  have  been  received  from  the  Fatherland.  Regarding  the  proposition 
of  the  Hon'''''  General,  to  propose  to  the  magistrates  an  exemption  from  tithes  for  5  or  6  years  on 
condition  that  they  should  then  keep  some  men  ready  for  the  orders  of  the  Director-General  and 
Council,  also  conceruing  the  other  proposition,  to  keep  some  horees  in  readiness  and  build  a  com- 
mon stable,  I  agree  with  the  opinion  of  the  Honorable  General,  because  I  consider  these  measures, 
especially  the  last,  necessary  not  only  in  times  of  war,  but  also  in  times  of  peace.  Done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  Mew-Netherland  the  12'"  Feb'^  A"  1660. 

C.  V.  Rdyven. 


Resolution  to  declare  war  against  the  Esopus   Indians,  to  be  commenced  in 
THE  fall  and  meanwhile  to  enlist  men. 
12"'  Febr. 

Present  in  Council  the  Hon'"'"  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Mr.  Nicasius  de  Sille  and 
the  two  burgomasters  of  this  city.  The  foregoing  opinions  were  read  and  the  worshipful  burgo- 
masters asked,  whether  they  had  also  given  their  opinions  in  writing ;  to  which  they  answered 
excusing  themselves,  that  they  had  no  authority  to  do  so.  They  were  told,  that  having  been 
requested  to  do  it  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  was  suflicient  authority.  Finally  after 
many  debates  pro  et  contra  it  was  decided  by  a  plurality  of  votes,  that  the  war  was  unavoidable, 
but  that,  on  account  of  the  present  embarrassments  and  weakness  it  should  not  be  begun  against 
the  Esopus  Indians  before  the  fall  and  to  enlist  in  the  meantime  a  number  of  men  up  to  100  and 
more,  if  they  could  be  procured,  without  distinction  of  nationality  either  from  Virginia  or  from  the 
North.     Date  as  above. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Vice-Director  at  Cura- 
cao ;  eeoardino  negroes,  who  are  to  be  sent  from  there  to  the  Manhattans 

AND  might  be  employed  AGAINST  THE  InDIANS  ;    HORSES  AND  FUNDS  WANTED.        17''* 

February  1660. 
****** 
The  negi-oes,  whom  the  Lurds-Directors  ordered  to  send  hither,  must  be  clever  and  strong 
men  so  that  tliey  can  immediately  be  put  to  ^vork  here  at  the  Fort  or  at  other  places,  also  if  they 


New  York  Historical  Hecoi'ds.  14;J 

are  fit  for  it,  in  tlie  war  against  the  wild  barbarians  eitlier  to  pursue  tliem,  when  they  run  away  or 
else  to  carry  the  soldiers'  baggage,  for  it  is  quite  evident,  that  in  order  to  possess  this  country  in 
peace  and  revenge  the  frequent  affronts  and  murders  we  shall  be  forced  into  a  lawful  offensive 
war  against  them.  An  important  service  would  be  done  to  the  Company,  to  us  and  to  the  country, 
if  among  the  expected  negroes  some  experienced  men,  who  have  been  some  time  in  Curacao,  were 
sent  to  ns. 

****** 

For  the  greater  security  and  protection  of  the  outlj'ing  fanners  in  the  country,  we  have  found 
it  necessary,  to  engage  some  mounted  men  ;  we  therefore  need  for  the  service  of  the  Company  and 
of  this  territory  some  good  and  well  trained  liorses,  strong  stallions  or  geldings,  the  latter  being 
preferable  as  of  greater  service  to  ns.  We  expect  them  with  their  equipments,  that  is  the  saddles 
and  bridles,  which  are  used  there  on  the  horses,  by  the  galiot  as  soon  as  possible  and  in  such  a 
number,  as  can  be  conveniently  shipped;  among  them  three  or  four  good  mares;  all  for  account 
of  the  Company. 

****** 

On  account  of  the  troubles  witli  the  savages  we  shall  be  obliged  to  recruit  and  reinforce  with 
over  150  freemen  and  the  necessai-y  horsemen  our  large  garrison,  which  we  must  maintain  against 
them,  numbering  now  about  200  men,  if  with  God's  help  and  blessing  we  desire  to  attack  the 
savages  and  protect  the  farmers  in  the  country.  To  carry  out  this,  we  need  funds ;  if  your  Hon- 
or's treasury  is  well  provided,  then  your  Honor  is  requested  to  accommodate  us  with  12  to  1500 
pieces  of  eight  for  account  of  the  Company  either  by  the  galiot  or  by  next  opportunity. 


Letter  fkoji  Ensign  Sihth  at  Esopus  to  Diekctoe  Montagne  ;  affairs  at  the  Esopus. 

The  24">  of  February  1660,  at  Esopus. 

Honoi'able,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir,  Mr.  Delamontagne.  I  inform  your  Honor 
lierewith,  that  Jacobus  Theunusen  arrived  here  on  the  19""  inst.  to  ransom  the  boy  of  Evert  Pels, 
in  which  he  does  not  seem  to  have  been  successful,  as  Jacobus  has  been  here  four  days  and  four 
nights  and  the  savages  have  kept  him  day  for  day  and  he  lias  been  on  the  I'oad  to  the  savages,  but 
he  could  not  get  through  on  account  of  the  deep  snow  and  they  promised  every  day  to  come  to  ns 
and  they  say,  the  boy  has  a  wife  there  and  the  wife  is  with  child,  who  will  not  let  him  go  and  lie 
will  not  leave  her,  as  they  say  and  as  the  snow  is  deep  now,  he  dared  not  wait  any  longer.  I  wish, 
lie  had  not  come  here  to  make  such  a  difficult  journey  for  nothing,  but  I  trust  to  the  help  of  God 
Almighty,  that  I  shall  get  him  in  due  time.  Therefore  your  Honor  ought  not  to  incur  any  more 
expenses,  for  I  shall  not  attend  to  it,  as  the  savages  here  cannot  be  trusted  and  we  ha^■e  already 
done  a  great  deal  for  the  boy  and  they  have  promised  us  daily  to  bring  the  boy.  That  has  been 
going  on  for  about  a  month,  but  we  are  waiting  for  the  same,  that  they  are  waiting  for,  only  we 
shall  be  on  our  guard  and  if  they  bring  the  boy,  I  have  still  some  cloth  and  wampum  to  ransom 
him,  which  I  shall  not  fail  to  do  and  I  with  all  my  men  are  still  well  and  in  good  condition,  the 
Lord  be  praised.  Hoping  that  it  is  the  same  with  your  Honor  and  your  Honor's  whole  family  I 
shall  close  and  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protection  of  God  Almighty  and  remain  your  Honor's 
servant 

To  the  Honorable  Mr.  Delamontagne  Derck  Smit,  Ensign. 

Commander  at  Fm't  Orange 
this  to  hand. 


144  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liivei: 


Copy. 


Petition  of  Nicholas  Varleth  fob  the  use  of  the  Company's  yacht  for  a  voy- 
age TO  Virginia  4nd  Resolution  to  hire  the  yacht  to  Me.  Yarleth  and  send 

AN  OrnCEE  WITH  HIM  TO  ENLIST  SOLDIERS  IN  ViEGINIA. 

To  the  Noble,  Right  Honorable,  Very 
"Worshipful  Director-Geueral  and  High 
Council  of  New-Netherland. 


Shows  with  great  respect  and  humble  reverence  Nicolaes  Varleth,  Commissary  in  the  service 
of  jour  Right  Honorable  Worsliips,  that  he,  the  petitioner,  is  interested  deeply  in  the  (estate  of 
the)  lately  deceased  Governor  of  Virginia  and  whereas  he,  the  petitioner,  is  exceedingly  anxious 
to  go  there  in  person  and  he  can  attend  to  it  best  during  the  j^resent  season  of  winter,  therefore  he, 
the  petitioner,  very  respectfully  requests,  that  your  Right  Honorable  Worships  will  please  to  con- 
sent to  it,  and  whereas  no  suitable  ship  is  now  here  present  or  to  be  had  for  his  use  on  the  voyage 
there  anji  back,  therefore  he,  the  petitioner,  also  requests,  that  your  Right  Honorable  Worships 
will  please  to  grant  or  hire  thereto  the  Hon*"'^  Company's  yacht  under  such  conditions,  as  may  be 
agreed  upon  with  j'onr  Right  Plonorable  Worships.  If  he,  the  petitioner,  might  be  of  any  service 
in  Virginia  to  your  Worships,  he  will  endeavor  zealously  to  do  it  to  the  satisfaction  and  pursuant 
to  your  Hon'"'^  Worships'  instructions.  Expecting  hereon  yonr  Hon'''*  Worships'  favorable  decision 
I  remain 

Your  Right  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servant 

N.  Vaelet. 
25'"  February.  (1660) 

Whereas  we  have  at  j^resont  little  to  do  for  the  Hon*"'*  Company's  yacht  and  yachts  can  always 
be  had  here  for  hire  for  any  extraordinary  occasions,  it  is  resolved,  to  let  the  yacht  to  the  petitioner 
and  to  demand  for  it  a  reasonable  hire,  certainly  not  less  tlian  six  guilders  for  each  day. 

The  petitioner,  Nicolaes  Varleth,  was  summoned  before  the  Council  and  the  yacht  was  let  to 
him  for  six  guilders  per  day,  the  rent  to  begin  on  the  day  of  his  departure  from  here  and  to  end, 
when  she  arrives  here  again  and  has  discharged  her  cargo  under  the  express  condition  and  obliga- 
tion, that  he  shall  give  free  passage  both  ways  to  the  Captain-Lieutenant,  who  is  to  go  to  Virginia 
to  see,  whether  ho  can  engage  some  soldiers  there  and  that  if  the  said  Captain-Lieutenant  should 
get  some  men  there,  he  shall  take  as  many  aboard,  as  he  conveniently  can,  without  charging  any- 
thing to  the  Company  for  it,  but  he  shall  not  be  obliged  to  wait  longer  than  one  day  or  two  (after 
he  has  informed  the  Lieutenant,  that  he  is  ready  to  sail).  The  petitioner  accepted  the  yacht  under 
these  conditions.     Done  at  I'ort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netliedand.     Date  as  above. 


Proclamation  ai'i-oin-hng  a  day  of  general  fasting  and  prayer. 

Respected,  Dear,  Faithful ! 

Whereas  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  God,  the  just  judge  of  heaven  and  the  whole  earth,  to 
visit  us,  or  at  least  many  of  us,  justly  for  our  sins,  the  cause  of  all  punishments,  with  hot  fevers, 
heavy  colds,  giddiness  of  the  head  and  many  other  diseases,  the  province  in  general  with  threatened 
invasions  and  attacks  by  our  neighbors  on  the  territories,  streams  and  rivers,  long  possessed  by  us, 
with  rumors  of  war  and  its  immediate  consequences,  murder  and  arson  by  the  savage  barbarous 


Neiv  Yorh  Hifitorical  Records.  145 

natives  coniinilted  liere  as  well  as  principally  on  our  friends,  countrymen  and  fellow-inliaLitants  on 
the  Esopus,  which  though  the  righteous  but  not  less  merciful  God  has  mitigated  and  so  directed, 
that  it  did  not  happen,  against  our  expectation,  in  the  worst  manner  and  according  to  the  evil 
intentions  of  the  barbarians  and  has  made  it  cease  for  the  present  desiring  doubtless  our  penitence 
and  turning  away  from  our  crying  and  God  irritating  sins,  as  the  abominable  desecration  of  His 
Sabbath  and  His  Name  by  swearing  and  cursing,  our  indifference  and  negligence  regarding  His 
service,  our  drunkenness,  feasting,  voluptuousness,  adultery,  deception  and  other  heinous  sins,  which 
prevail  among  us  to  our  shame  before  Christian  neighbors  and  barbarous  natives,  from  which  if  we 
do  not  turn  away,  we  can  only  expect,  that  like  others  we  shall  perish  and  that  not  the  tower  of 
Siloa  but  the  wrath*  of  God  will  fall  upon  us  from  heaven  and  envelop  us  in  flames  for  our  gi-eater 
punishment,  if  we  do  not  change  to  prevent  one  and  obtain  the  other  from  the  All-Good  God, 
Therefore,  the  Director-General  and  Council  have  thought  necessary  to  appoint  and  proclaim  for 
this  purpose  a  day  of  general  fasting  and  prayer,  which  shall  be  kept  throughout  this  pro\'ince  on 
"Wednesday  before  Easter,  being  the  24"'  of  March,  and  all  inhabitants  of  this  province,  officers  as 
well  as  subjects  are  hereby  directed  to  ajipear  on  the  aforesaid  day  in  the  churches  or  where  God's 
word  is  xisually  preached  and  taught,  and  after  listening  to  God's  Holy  Words  to  call  with  humble 
and  contrite  hearts  solemnly  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  pray  and  beseech  Him  that  His  divine 
Majesty  may  please,  to  turn  aside  His  righteous  visitations  and  well-deserved  punishments  which 
our  crying  and  dreadful  sins  have  brought  upon  us,  and  to  make  them  cease,  to  continue  the  peace 
and  good  correspondence  between  us  and  our  neighbors,  to  take  us  and  this  newly  opened  province 
into  his  fatherly  protection  and  to  maintain  it  against  the  practices  of  these  barbarous  natives  and 
all  evil-minded  ])eople,  who  attempt  its  niin  and  destruction,  to  bless  the  fruits  of  the  earth  with 
early  and  late  rains  and  above  all  to  allow  the  fear  and  knowledge  of  His  Name  and  hate  of  our 
own  sins  to  grow  and  to  increase  among  ns,  principally  also  that  His  Divine  Majesty  will  please 
to  favor  the  authorities  of  this  country  with  understanding,  wisdom,  discretion  and  godliness,  that 
they  may  contemplate,  resolve  and  courageously  carry  out  what  may  be  useful  for  the  welfare  of 
the  country  and  the  wellbeing  of  its  good  inhabitants.  That  this  may  be  done  and  executed  so 
much  better,  the  Director-General  and  Council  forbid  during  divine  service  on  the  aforesaid  day 
of  general  fasting  and  prayer  all  exercises  of  playing  tenuis  or  ball,  hunting,  fishing,  driving,  j^lough- 
ing,  sowing,  mowing,  all  illicit  amusements  as  dicing  and  hard  drinking  under  the  penalty  formerly 
imposed  thereon  and  the  servants  of  God's  holy  word  within  this  our  Government  are  requested, 
to  adapt  their  sermons  and  prayers  accordingly.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Right  Honor- 
able Director-General  and  Council,  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  Netherland,  the  23''  of  Feb- 
ruary A»  1660. 


Commission  of  Nicolas  Vaeleth  and  Bryan  Newton  as  envoys  to  ViEomiA,  to 

CONDOLE  THE  DEATH  OF  GoVEENOE  MatHEWS,  TO  PROPOSE  A  LEAGUE,  OFFENSIVE  AND 
DEFENSIVE,  AGAINST  THE   InDIANS   AND  TO  BEQUEST  PERMISSION   TO   ENLIST   SOLDIERS 

IN  Virginia.     Also  their  Instructions. 

Petrus  Stuyvesatit,  on  behalf  of  their  Noble  High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords  States-General  of 
the  United  Netherlands  and  the  Noble  Lords-Dii-ectors  of  the  Incoqjorated  West-India  Company, 

*  In  the  original  ;   "  (?e  tooren  van  Siloa,  maer  de  toorne  Oodts",  a  play  of  words,  which  cannot  bo  rendered 
into  English. — Ed. 

19 


146  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudso^i  River. 

Depai'tment  of  Amsterdam,  Director-General  of  New-NetJierland,  Curagao,  Bonayro,  Aruha  and 
its  dependencies,  together  with  the  Honorable  Council,  To  all,  who  shall  see  this  or  hear  it  read 
Greeting.  Know  ye,  that  now  as  before  actuated  by  a  sincere  and  upright  affection  and  desirous, 
for  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  our  mutual  subjects,  to  continue  with  the  government  and  admin 
istration  of  our  neighbors  in  Virginia  in  good  neighborly  coiTespondence,  peace,  union  and  com- 
merce, "We  have,  upon  the  sad  and  unexpected  decease  of  the  Honorable  /Samuel  Mathews,  late 
Governor  of  Virginia,  deemed  it  best  for  the  public  service,  to  commission,  qualify  and  send  thither 
as  our  representatives,  as  We  herewith  commission,  qualify,  authorize  and  send  Our  very  dear  and 
faithful  Sieurs  JVicolaes  Varleih,  Commissary  in  the  service  of  the  aforesaid  Lords-Directors  here, 
and  Bryan  Newton,  Captain-Lieutenant  of  Our  Company,  to  address  themselves  as  Our  trusty 
envoys  to  the  Right  Honorable  Lieutenant-Governor,  President  and  Council  of  Virginia  and  after 
condoling  the  death  of  the  aforesaid  late  Honorable  Governor  Samuel  Mathews  to  renew  not  only 
the  former  old  friendshi]),  correspondence  and  neighborly  intimacy,  but  also  to  propose  a  closer 
union,  offensive  and  defensive,  against  the  barbarous  Indian  natives,  the  enemies  of  both  our  nations, 
some  further  and  surer  footing  in  regard  to  commerce  and  trade,  on  the  basis,  which  Our  mutual 
Govei-nments  and  their  subjects  in  Europe  enjoy,  besides  this  to  request  pennission  and  consent 
(whicli  is  especially  recommended  to  Our  Captain-Lieutenant)  to  enlist  there  a  detachment  of  25  to 
30  free  men  as  soldiers,  for  the  reinforcement  of  Our  Company.  We  request  by  this  Our  Commis- 
sion and  credentials  that  the  afoi-esaid,  Our  beloved  faithful  Nicolaes  Varleth  and  Bryan  Newton 
and  their  servants  and  baggage  may  not  only  be  received,  heard  and  believed  in  this  capacity  but 
also  granted  and  given,  according  to  the  laws  of  nations,  free  and  unmolested  passage  and  repas 
sage,  while  We  promise  to  ratif}',  approve  and  value  what  Our  aforesaid  envoys  may  do,  contract, 
negotiate  and  resolve  upon  with  the  Honorable  Lieutenant-Governor,  President  and  Councilof  Vir- 
ginia, as  if  it  had  been  done  and  resolved  upon  by  Ourselves.  Thus  done  and  given  under  Our 
usual  signature  and  seal,  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  N.  Netherland  the  27""  of  February  A°  1660. 

Instructions  for  S"^  Nicolaes  Varleih  and  Captain-Lieutenant  Brian  Nuton. 
First  to  touch  at  Kychetan  and  salute  Colonel   Cldborn  and  learn  from  him,  to  whom  you 
will  have  to  address  yourselves  now,  the  Honorable  Governor  being  dead,  to  get  a  speedy  answer, 
also  to  request  his  advice,  counsel  and  help  for  the  greater  security  of  the  yacht. 

2. 
Having  been  informed  by  Colonel  Claborn,  to  whom  to  address  yourselves,  and  having  deliv- 
ered the  credentials  to  such  person,  you  will  request  a  speedy  dispatch,  as  the  service  of  the  country 
and  of  the  Company  demand  it. 

3. 

Having  received  an  answer  and  consent  to  engage  some  men  there,  which  is  especially  recom- 
mended to  the  Captain-Lieutenant,  you  will  try  to  get  good  and  resolute  men  and  among  them  as 
many  Scots  as  possible,  bearing  in  mind  not  to  engage  more,  than  you  have  a  chance  to  bring 
with  you  in  the  Company's  yacht  and  the  yacht  of  Beyntje  or  any  other  vessel  lying  ready  or 
which  could  follow  within  a  very  short  time  and  altogether  not  more  than  25  or  30. 

4. 
If  during  the  meeting  of  the  Council  or  the  enlistment  of  the  men  after  the  business  has  been 
transacted  some  time  is  to  spare  or  if  you  have  to  wait  for  one  or  the  otlier,  you  might  cross  over 
to  Maryland,  if  feasible  without  too  nuieli  loss  of  time  or  danger  and  inquire,  as  secretly  as  pos- 
sible, whether  any  preparations  against  puf  people  on  the  South  river  arc  being  made  there. 


JS'ew  Yorh  Jlidorical  JRecords.  147 

5. 
In  proposing  and  negotiating  a  closer  correspondence,  an  offensive  and  defensive  alliance 
against  the  barbarians,  in  case  tlie  Government  of  Virginia  inclines  to  it,  you  will  not  conclude  it 
absolutely  and  iinally,  only  subject  to  approbation  and  revision  by  either  side,  to  be  exchanged 
within  six  weeks  and  the  following  must  be  borne  in  mind  regarding  it : 

I.  In  case  of  an  aggressive  war  the  lawfulness  and  approbation  of  the  war. 

II.  Not  to  demand  nor  promise  more  succor,  than  wliat  the  condition  of  either  country  may  be 
able  to  spare,  one  hundred  good  resolute  men  certain,  fifty  more  according  to  the  situation  of  affairs, 
subject  to  the  judgment  of  the  party  sending  it. 

III.  The  demanded  succor  to  be  as  long  as  the  necessity  and  condition  of  the  party,  demanding  it, 
requires,  under  oath  to  and  in  the  pay  of  this  party  and  to  be  commanded  by  no  higher  officer  than 
a  Captain-Lieutenant  and  subaltern  officers  of  their  own  nationality,  but  when  they  are  in  another 
government,  to  obey,  after  having  taken  the  oath,  the  orders  of  such  a  Captain,  Major  or  Colonel, 
as  that  government  may  see  fit. 

IIII.  The  demanded  succor  shall  not  be  kept  alone  in  the  field  by  either  side,  but  with  them  if  not 
more,  at  least  not  less,  of  the  succored  nation. 

6. 

You  will  propose  with  all  possible  persuasive  reasons  a  mutual  correspondence  and  unmolested 
commerce  and  traffic,  back  and  forwards,  of  the  yachts,  as  both  nations  enjoy  them  in  the  Father- 
land, with  goods  and  wares  from  their  own  countries  and  places. 

7. 
In  case  upon  the  death  of  the  Governor  no  other  has  been  chosen  in  his  place  and  the  Council 
might  therefore  make  delay  or  take  exceptions  or  if  the  Council  will  not  meet  for  a  long  time,  for 
which  you  may  not  wait  more  than  8  or  10  days,  you  will  take  leave  in  proper  form  and  request, 
(if  you  see  any  inclination  and  hope  for  the  aforesaid  closer  union  and  correspondence)  to  ap]5oint 
a  more  convenient  time  towards  the  fall. 

8. 

Finally  in  order  to  accomplish  everything  better,  if  you  should  learn,  that  S^  Heermans,  who 
is  weU  acquainted  with  the  Encjliah  tongue,  is  still  in  Virginia  and  about  there,  then  you  will  send 
for  him  and  let  him  serve  you  with  his  assistance  and  tongue. 

Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Nethevland,  the  first  of  March  1660. 


Teeatt  of  pkace  renewed  with  the  chiefs  of  Maesepingh  and  Rechkawick 
(Queens  County)  Hackinkasaky  (Hackensack,  N.  J.)  the  Highlands,  Najeck 
(Ntack),  Staten  Island,  Eumachenanck  (IIaveesteaw)  and  Wiechquaeskeck 
(Westchester  County). 

To  day,  the  6""  of  March  1660  appeared  at  the 
City-Hall  before  the  Honorable  Director-General 
in  presence  of  the  Council  and  the  Burgomasters 
of  this  City  the  following  Sachems  or  chiefs  of 
the  savages  in  this  neighborhood,  to-wit : 

Meautinnemin,  alias  Tapousagh,  chief  of  Marsepingh  and  Rechkawyck, 


148  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Oratam,  chief  of  Hackinkasacky  for  himself  and  the  chief  of  the  Hujlilands, 

Mettano,  former  chief  of  Najeck,  now  chief  of  Staten-Island, 

Cori'usp'm,  brother  and  representative  of  the  chief  Rumachenanck  alias  Haverstroo, 

Achkhongh,  one  of  the  chiefs  or  coimcillors  of  Wiechquaeskeck. 

The  aforesaid  chiefs  were  asked,  why  the  other  chiefs  and  especially  the  chief  of  the  Wap- 
pings  had  not  come  with  them,  whereupon  Oratamy,  chief  of  the  Hackinkasacky,  answered  that 
the  chief  of  the  Wappmgs  did  not  come,  because  he  had  no  dispute  with  us  and  that  the  chief  of 
the  Wappings  inter-preted  the  return  of  the  child  and  the  presents  made  to  him  for  it  so,  as  if  at 
that  time  the  treaty  of  peace  had  been  renewed  and  consolidated  and  that  he  and  they  altogether 
were  willing  to  continue  the  peace  formerly  concluded. 

Whereupon  they  were  answered  through  the  interpreters  Claes  de  Ruyter,  Claes  de  Norman 
and  Waeringh,  an  Indian  understanding  and  speaking  the  Dutch  and  Indian  languages, 

That  we,  too,  are  willing  to  continue  in  peace  with  them  and  the  Wappr?igs  under  the  foUow- 

ins:  conditions : 

1. 

That  Meautinnemin,  alias  Tapousagh,  chief  of  Marsepingh  should  be  included,  because  neither 
he  nor  his  people  had  ever  done  much  harm  to  the  Dutch  and  if  it  should  happen,  that  any  harm 
was  done  to  him  or  his  people,  it  should  be  considered  as  having  been  done  to  us. 

This  having  been  said  to  them,  they  answered  that  they  were  well  satisfied  with  it  and  that 
they  jointly  promise  to  keep  the  peace,  but  that  they  did  not  speak  for  the  Indians  oi  Esopus  nor 
for  the  Raretanys,  with  whom  they  declared,  they  would  have  nothing  to  do. 

2. 

To  prevent,  that  no  more  mishaps  or  murders  should  in  futiu-e  take  place  between  our  people 
and  them,  no  Indian  should  come  with  his  arms  into  our  fort  or  villages,  but  they  nmst  deliver 
them  at  the  gate  or  at  the  first  house  of  the  village  or  settlement,  to  which  they  came  and  they 
would  be  returned  to  them,  when  they  left.     They  answered,  that  this  was  very  good. 

3. 

Since  it  has  been  noticed,  that  some  Dutchmen  surround  and  press  hard  and  occasionally 

inconvcTiience  the  savages,  who  come  here  to  market  with  peltries,  fish  and  other  wares,  they  shall, 

to  prevent  this,  come  henceforth  to  no  other  places,  than  to  near  the  former  beaver-path  and  to  the 

neck  {hoold)  near  the  weigh-house,  except  if  coming  with  firewood,  with  which  they  may  go,  where 

they  please.     Suitable  houses  shall  be  built  at  the  aforesaid  places.     They  were  well  pleased  with 

this. 

4. 

That  henceforth  no  war  should  be  commenced  for  any  private  action,  but  if  a  Dutchman  sliould 

happen  to  kill  an  Indian  he  shall  again  be  punished  with  death  and  if  an  Indian  happened  to  kill 

a  Dutchman  he  should  be  delivered  to  the  Dutch  and  also  be  punished  with  death  and  if  any  cattle 

are  killed,  they  shall  be  paid  for  with  double  their  price. 

5. 

In  order  that  the  peace  may  be  the  better  kept,  all  the  savages,  comprised  in  this  treaty,  shall 

be  held  to  assist  in  hunting  and  surrendering  a  murderer,  if  such  a  murderer,  be  he  a  Dutchman 

or  a  savage,  should  fly  and  run  away  after  having  committed  the  murder.     The  foregoing  4"'  and 

5""  points  having  been  comnumicated  to  them,  they  declared  themselves  perfectly  satisfied  with  it. 

G. 
Whereas  our  descendants  for  many  years  can  see  and  know  what  we  now  talk  over  with  them 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  14i) 

and  conclude,  wliieh  their  descendants  cannot  do,  because  they  can  neither  read  nor  write,  it  would 
be  good  and  necessary,  that  they  leave  some  of  their  children  with  us  to  be  educated. 

They  answered  hereto,  that  they  would  leave  one  child  here  immediately,  which  they  had  with 
them,  and  would  bring  more  upon  some  other  oc^ision. 

After  the  foregoing  had  been  agreed  upon  with  them  to  their  satisfaction,  they  were  asked, 
whether  they  had  anything  more  to  say,  whereupon  they  answered  with  a  counter-question,  why 
Sauwenaro  was  not  also  present,  whereas  he  was  also  a  chief  and  their  friend.  They  were  told, 
that  on  account  of  some  charges  made  against  him,  he  had  been  imprisoned,  but  that  he  should  be 
brought  and  released,  if  the  Sachems  Tapousagh,  Oratam  and  Mattano  and  the  others  would 
engage  themselves,  that  he  or  his  people  should  do  no  more  harm  to  us  or  to  ours  or  in  case 
it  should  happen,  that  they  would  then  deliver  the  evil-doer  into  our  hands,  to  which  they  all 
answered :  Yes. 

Sauwenar  was  brought  up  and  informed  of  the  foregoing,  whereupon  he  answered  that  he 
was  glad,  that  the  peace  was  renewed,  that  his  heart  would  henceforth  be  that  of  a  Dutchman  and 
he  would  live  with  them  like  a  brother.  Thus  they  left  satisfied  and  the  Sachems  engaged  them- 
selves, to  inform  all  their  savages  and  it  was  made  known  to  the  neighboring  villages  by  the  firing 
of  a  cannon.     Done  at  Amsterdam  in  N.  Netherlaml,  date  as  above. 


Extract  feom  a  letter  of  toe  Dieectoes  in  Holland  to  Dieectoe  Stdyvesant: 
Esopus  Indians  must  be  punished  :  no  English  settlement  can  be  peemitted 
NEAE  FoET  Oeange.     9^''  Maecii   1660. 

****** 
After  we  had  written  so  far,  the  ship  ^^ Spheramundi''''  arrived  here,  by  which  we  received 
your  Honor's  letters  of  the  29"'  of  October  and  26"'  of  December  of  last  year  with  enclosures ;  in 
About  the  Esopiia     them  our  attention  in  the  first  place  is  called  to  the  sad  and  unexpected  occurrence 
savages.  at  the  Esojcius,  between  the  savages  and  our  people  there,  which  we  fear  and  are 

also  told  by  other  people  has  been  caused  and  begun  by  our  men.  This  is  really  unbearable,  con- 
sidering that  innocent  parties  are  mostly  suffering  thereby  and  lose  often  their  lives  and  property, 
as  it  was  seen  in  the  previous  general  massacre  b}'  the  savages,  of  which  too  our  people  were  more 
than  the  cause,  especially  the  late  Fiscal  van  Dych.  And  as  such  deeds  and  petulancy  by  our 
people,  originating  in  licentiousness  and  intoxication,  must  not  be  connived  at  any  longer,  your 
Honors  will  thoroughly  inform  themselves  in  this  regard  and  if  any  one  is  found  guilty,  punish 
him  as  an  example  for  others  according  to  the  exigency  of  the  case :  not  that  we  thereby  excuse  the 
action  of  the  savages  or  consider  ourselves  satisfied  with  it,  not  at  all,  for  we  understand  perfectly 
well,  that  these  and  other  injui-ies,  which  we  have  suffered,  must  necessarily  be  resented  and 
avenged  on  this  barbarous  Esopris  tribe,  from  which  neither  the  Company  nor  the  inhabitants 
derive  the  least  profit  or  advantages.  For  this  reason  we  have  been  willing  to  provide  your  Hon- 
ors with  the  required  ammunition  of  war  and  other  implements  by  this  and  other  ships,  now  ready 
to  sail.  "We  send  besides  such  a  number  of  soldiers,  as  we  have  already  engaged  or  as  still  may  be 
engaged,  while  your  Honors  must  watch  for  the  best  time  and  opportunity  to  carry  it  out.  To  do 
this  with  the  least  danger  and  tlie  greatest  safety,  we  submit  to  your  Honors'  consideration,  whether 
the  Maquas  and  other  friendly  savages  there  could  not  be  persuaded  and  instigated  against  the 
Esojnis  savages,  to  punish  them  through  these  and  humble  and  reduce  them,  either  through  the 


150  Colonial  Settlemeats  on  the  Hudson  River. 

aforesaid  friendly  savages  alone,  or  by  joining  our  men  to  tliem,  as  your  Honors  may  judge  it  best 
and  safest. 

As  to  the  intentions  of  some  Englishmen,  who  proposed  to  settle  not  only  on  the  North  river 
near  WappingliH  Kil,  but  even  above  or  back  of  Fort  Orange.,  in  order  to  ruin  and  cut  off  so  much 
Concerning  the  easier  our  beavertrade,  the  reasons  and  the  instance,  quoted  by  yom-  Honors  as  to 
usurpation  of  the      j^|     ,j^anQgi.  i,^  vvhicli  WO  fared  with  that  nation  on  the  Fresh  river,  ai'e  so  forcible 

English  above  Fort  ' 

Orange.  and  w'ell-founded  that  not  the  slightest  encroachment  or  possession  by  them  in 

this  direction  must  be  allowed  there.  And  if  this  has  been  done  in  any  other  way  and  without 
our  knowledge,  then  your  Honors  must  immediately  dislodge  such  unlawful  usurpers  and  if  neces- 
sary proceed  against  them  by  force,  as  we  are  very  sensitive  on  this  point  in  consequence  of  the 
former  experience.  Your  Honors  must  in  the  same  manner  oppose  tlie  Maryland  people,  if  they 
iihould  want  to  settle  on  the  South  river  within  our  boundaries,  first  notifying  and  warning  them, 
tliat  they  abstain  from  such  usurpation  and  it  they  pay  no  attention  to  it,  then  prevent  them  by 
nction  as  before,  for  the  Company's  right  to  that  river  is  indisputable,  as  well  by  virtue  of  first 
possession  as  by  purcliase  of  the  lands  from  the  natives  and  lawful  owners  themselves.  To  check 
and  prevent  such  usurpers  the  better,  we  have  resoh'ed  that  the  ship  "  ^S^^.  Johii  ",  which  will  come 
there  from  Curagao,  shall  be  employed  in  place  of  the  little  vessel  "  Dwmen  " ;  it  is,  as  we  have 
wi-itten  your  Honors  before,  very  suitable  and  therefore  your  Honors  can  make  good  use  of  it  on 
such  an  occasion.  ***** 


Minute  of  the  appearance  of  Coetheos  chief  waeeioe  of  the  Wappings,  sent 
BY  the  Esopus  Indians  to  make  peace  with  the  Ddtch. 
15"'  March  1660. 

Present  in  Council  at  Fart  Amsterdam,  the 
Honorable  Director-General,  Mr.  La  Mon- 
tague, Pieter  Wolphertsen  and  does  do  Ruy- 
ter  as  interpreter. 

Coetheos,  chief  warrior  of  the  Wajjpings,  made  his  appearance  and  said  he  was  sent  by  the 
chiefs  of  Esopus,  namely  by 

Kaelcop  (Baldhead) 

Pcgh  Peghquanoch 

Pemm.yrawech 

Preuwamach 

Scmeclcamenec, 
to  inform  the  Right  Honorable  Director-General,  that  they  had  been  in  great  fear  last  winter,  lest 
the  Dutch  should  come  to  make  war  against  them,  but  since  they  did  not  come  and  because  the 
Dutch  had  made  peace  with  all  the  other  savages,  they  too  desired  to  make  peace  and  t\\ej  had 
wampum  and  bearskins  ready  to  bring  here,  so  that  the  Dutch  and  the  saviiges  at  theFsopus  might 
again  be  at  liberty  to  plant ;  they  would  have  come  hci-e  themselves,  but  they  were  afraid. 

The  answer  to  the  foregoing  was,  that  we  were  quite  willing  to  make  peace  with  them,  but 
that  we  had  learned,  the  Esopus  Indians  had  said,  that  they  would  make  only  a  mock-peace  with 
us  and  when  the  Dutch  on  the  Esopus  least  expected  it,  they  would  sur|)rise  and  kill  them  ;  what 
security  shall  we  have,  that  they  will  keep  the  peace,  if  we  make  it  with  them  ? 


New  York  Historical  Records.  151 

He  said,  tliat  lie  too  had  lieard  this  of  the  Esopus  Indians,  hut  only  the  harcbacks  say  it,  who 
arc  opposed  to  make  peace,  hut  that  the  chiefs  especially  Kaelcop  and  Pemmyrawcch  arc  very 
willing  to  make  a  peace  with  the  Dutch,  that  they  would  also  persuade  and  induce  the  barebacks, 
low  or  bad  savages. 

When  again  asked,  what  security  we  should  have  for  the  keeping  of  the  peace,  as  the  bare- 
backs  desired  war,  he  made  no  answer  to  the  point  and  he  was  finally  told,  that  if  the  chiefs  of 
Esopus  wished  to  make  peace,  they  must  come  here  themselves.  Being  informed  hereof,  he  said 
in  answer  as  before,  that  they  were  afraid :  after  taking  this  proposition  into  consideration  he  was 
told,  that,  if  they  did  not  dare  to  come  here,  the  Director-General  would  go  there  at  an  early  day, 
that  they  then  could  state,  what  they  had  to  say :  this  he  undertook  to  communicate  to  the  chiefs 
of  the  Esopus  savages.     Amsterdam  in  N.  JV.  the  IS""  March  1660. 


Commission  providing  foe  tue  administration  of  public  affairs  during  the  Di- 
eectoe-Geneeax's  absence  at  the  Esopus. 

Wliereas  the  interests  of  the  Hon*"'"  Company  and  of  the  country  urgently  require,  that  I 
should  go  to  the  Esopus  and  be  absent  for  a  short  time  and  whereas  during  my  absence  some  una- 
voidable incidents  might  happen,  either  in  the  civil  administration  or  in  the  employ  of  the  Hon''"' 
Company's  military,  therefore  during  my  and  the  Fiscal's  absence,  the  administration  of  civil  affairs 
is  hereby  entrusted  to  Secretary  van  Iiuyve7i,  tho  Burgomasters  Capt.  Cregier  and  Oloff  Stevenson, 
the  management  and  command  of  the  military  is  absolutely  committed  to  Capt.  Marten  Cregier, 
after  having  advised  with  the  aforesaid  gentlemen  and  for  this  purpose  all  upper  and  under  officers 
are  hereby  ordered,  to  obey,  during  our  absence,  his  orders  and  commands  and  to  follow  him,  as  if 
we  were  personally  present,  as  we  deem  this  necessary  for  the  service  of  the  Company  and  arc  well 
satisfied,  with  what  during  my  absence  shall  be  transacted  and  done  for  the  public  welfare  by  the 
aforesaid  officials.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  Netherland  the  15"'  March  1660. 


Letter  feom  Peteus  Stutvesant  to  Secretary  van  Ruyven.  The  Esopus  In- 
dians HAVE  been  attacked  AND  DEFEATED;  THE  OUT  SETTLEMENTS  ARE  TO  BE 
PUT   ON   THEIE   GUAED. 

Honorable  Sir. 

On  account  of  contrary  wind  wc  have  not  been  able  to  make  the  Esopus  before  Thursday 
evening.  We  fired  immediately  a  shot  and  received  an  answer  from  the  fort,  but  to  my  great 
astonishment  and  not  less  anxiety  no  men  came  out  of  it.  Of  this  we  learned  the  cause  and  reason 
only  the  next  day,  namely  that  the  ensign  with  40  men  was  out  on  an  expedition  ;  about  3  miles 
inland  he  came  upon  a  house  with  about  60  savages,  who  made  no  resistance,  but  started  to  fly ; 
they  saw  the  ensign  and  his  troop  too  early,  but  nevertheless  3  or  4  have  been  killed  on  the  flight. 

Our  people  saw  3  being  carried  off ;  the  evening  did  not  permit  a  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  savages ; 
they  have  burned  a  large  quantity  of  Indian  corn,  bearmeat,  bearskins  and  the  house,  of  which  we 
thought  necessary  to  inform  your  Honor  and  have  therefore  expressly  dispatched  the  yacht  of 


152  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Tfwmassen,  in  wliieli  are  sent  well  secured  12  prisoners  of  the  principal  ninners  and  ringleaders. 
I  hope  to  follow  in  a  short  time,  meanwhile  your  Honor  will  please  to  put  the  out  lying  settlers 
on  their  guard  and  to  keep  good  watch,  in  case  I  should  go  directly  to  the  Kats  Kil,  to  drive  the 
murderers  from  there. 

I  would  else  have  come  down  at  once  with  one  of  these  yachts.     My  love  to  my  wife  and 
children,  tide  and  time  forbid  my  writing  to  them  and  to  lengthen  this,  wherewith  I  recommend 
your  Honor  with  my  respects  to  God's  safekeeping  and  protection  and  remain 
On  board  the  Your  Honor's  affectionate 

yacht  "(?e  Haen''^  friend 

Friday,  the  18""  P.  SxuTVESAjfT. 

March  1660 

Let  the  free  and  the  Company's 
negroes  keep  good  watch  on  my  bonwery. 

Monsieur  Cornelis  van  Euyven  Secretary  and  the  present  Council  at  Amsterdam,  N.  N. 


Letter  of  Secretary  van  Ruyven  to  the  out  settlements,  warning  them  against  surprise. 

The  foregoing  letter  of  the  Honorable  Director-General  having  been  received  and  read  the 
surrounding  villages  have  been  immediately  informed  by  the  following  letter  of  the  state  of  affairs 
at  the  Ew])us. 

Good  friends. 

This  is  to  inform  you,  that  onr  people  liave  captured  a  party  of  Esopus  Indians  last  Thurs- 
day and  made  a  sortie  against  them.  You  are  therefore  earnestly  recommended  and  directed,  to 
be  on  your  guard  and  keep  a  good  watch  continually,  that  you  may  not  be  surprised  and  attacked 
by  the  barbarians.  Trusting  you  will  do  this  I  commit  you  with  my  salutations  to  God's  protec- 
tion and  remain 

Amsterdam  in  W.  N.  •  Your  affectionate  friend 

22"  March  A°  1660.  C.  v.  Ruvven. 


Proclamation  of  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians. 

Whereas  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  after  having  suffered  many  mas- 
sacres, affronts  and  unbearable  injuries  committed  from  time  to  time  by  the  Esopus  Indians,  find 
themselves  compelled,  for  the  sake  of  maintaining  and  protecting  their  subjects,  to  begin  a  war, 
offensive  and  defensive,  against  the  aforesaid  Esopus  savages  and  their  supporters,  the  good  inhab- 
itants of  this  province  arc  herewith  informed  of  it,  that  everybody  may  be  on  his  guard  and  keep 
good  watch,  travel  cautiously  and  in  company  on  roads,  streams  and  rivers,  especially  are  all  skip- 
pers and  shipmasters  hereby  warned,  directed  and  ordered  not  to  sail  up  or  down  the  North  river 
e.xcept  in  company  of  three  or  at  least  two  yachts,  well  and  properly  manned  each  with  at  least  six 
able  men  under  the  penalty  formerly  fixed.  Everybody  is  warned  of  the  danger. 
Done  at  Fort  Orange,  the  25"'  of  March  1660. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records. 


153 


Muster-roll  of  the  Comi-any  at  the  Esopcs. 

On  tlio  28""  of  Marcli  Ifil^O,  on  tlie  Esopus  tlu;re  were  in  Netherland'ush  service  in  tiie  com- 
pany of  his  iSoble  llunur,  tlie  Diructor-Generul. 


went  to  the  2lannihes 
went  to  the  Jlanat/ws 
by  order  of  the  Hon. 
General,  because 
lie  was  wounded. 


went  to  J^ort  Orango 


gone  to  the  Manaihes 


20 


Dirck  Schm.itt,  Ensign 

Paulu^  Jansen,  Sergeant 

Cristiaen  Nis-sen,  Sergeant 

Paulus  Cristiaens,  Druninier 

Jan  Piersscn,  Corporal 

Jonas  liimtzaio,  Corporal 

Godfried  Chuts,  Corporal. 

Vrhanus  die  Graeff,  Corporal 

Noel  lieyss,  Lancepesade 

Joris  Metzer,  Lancepesade 

Marcus  Jantzen,  Lancepesade 

Jellis  Buttein,  Lancepesade. 

Jacob  Buirhans. 

Jelliss  die  Needier,  Cadet 

Domini cus  Siebrantz 

Carrel  Garret 

Fransois  die  Gardous. 

Jan  Laquire 

Marten  Warners 

Marten  Jfarmsen,  mason 

Adam  Bremen. 

MarcxiS  Harmsen 

Jacob  van  Campen 

Fransois  Hey 

Gernt  Ahelhn 

Pieter  Lambertz. 

Abell  DercTisen. 

Michiel  Verrie. 

Jan  Joris 

Adrian  van  Puinhercken 

Walraett  die  Mont 

Jacob  Meloen 

Perck  Hendricks 

Andries  Hansen 

Perck  die  Goyer 

Jochem  Hendricks 

Valentyii  Claessen 

Caspar  Lauter 

Coenraedt  Ham 

Berent  Jansen  from  Oldenbiirg 

Joris  Esias  van  Acker 


154  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Willem  Croeger 
gone  to  the  Manathes  Jan  Graeffs 

Jan  from  Amersfoort 
Tomas  Tomassen 
Paulus  Tomassen 
Jacob  Daniels 
Gerrit  van  Campen 
Jan  Jurryaens  Steenman 
Marcus  Hoemoett. 
Adriaen  Varnier 
Jan  Ji/io,  Englishman 
Knuitt  Mauritz. 
Wolfgangk  Kasten 
Jan  van  den  Buss 
Pieter  Wessels 

Herman  Ilendricks  van  Bamefelt 
Hendrick  Laurensen 
Paul  Laurens. 
Cornelis  Hogelandt 
Willem  van  Vredeid)orgh 
Anthony  Carrll 
Tennis  Vaegt 
AWert  Goefers 
Mathias  Roeloffs,  Constable 
Jan  Arisen,  Smith 
Jan  Loottman,  Baker 
Jan  Broersen  fioiii  Husum 
The  following  have  come  from  Fort  Orange 

Jacob  Toennissen  from  Naerden 
Michael  Verbruggen  from  Leuwaeren 
Jan  Karstensen  from  Husum, 
Peter  Bruin  from  Rensborgh 
Jan  Pietersen  from  Guilyck 
Jan  Wybes  from  Harlingen 
Cuelis  Brantsen  from  Nykerk 
Huibert  Jansen  from  Prang 
Paulus  Paxdsen  from  Amersfoort. 
This  one  was  enlisted  on  the  SO^*"  of  March 

Derek  Willemsen  from  Schalckwyck. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  at  the  Esopus  to  Director  Stuyvesant:  affairs  at  the  Esopus. 

The  29'"  of  March  1660,  at  the  Esopxis. 
i"^oble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir.     Honorable  Director-General.     I  beg  to  inform 
your  Honor,  that  Tomas  Schambers  has  j-et  300  schepels  of  wlieat  for  tlie  service  of  the  garrison 


New  Yorlc  Histoi-ical  Records.  155 

in  Esojms  and  at  the  house  of  Cornellis  Bernizcn  Schlegt  with  his  farmhands  also  300  schepels, 
on  condition,  that  tlie  laborers  shall  have  for  each  sehepel  which  they  deliver  3  guilders  in  beaver, 
the  beaver  at  8  guilders ;  concerning  the  100  schepels,  which  your  Honor  took  from  me  and  which 
the  Hon"'*  Secretary  had  bought  from  me,  I  thought,  these  too  were  purchased  for  the  Company. 
No  savages  have  been  here  imtil  now  and  I  humbly  request  your  Honor,  that  j'our  Honor  will 
please  to  provide  me  by  first  opportunity  with  bacon,  ineat  and  peas,  shirts,  socks  and  shoes  for  the 
men  and  our  garrison  consists  now  of  73  good  soldiers  according  to  the  muster-roll  and  I  shall  not 
detain  this  skipper,  as  your  Honor  directed  :  I  do  not  know  to  write  anything  more  to  your  Honor 
and  remain  Your  Excy°  servant 

Derck  Smft,  Ensign. 
To  the  Noble,  Worshipful   Wise  and  Prudent  the  Honorable  Director-General,  Petrxis  Stuy- 
vesant  at  the  Manailies. 


Leiter  from  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant.     Rev.  Haemantjs  Blom 

RETURNS  TO  NeW-NeTUEELAND  TO  TAKE  CHARGE  OF  THE  CONGREGATION  AT  EsOPUS. 

The  29""  March  1660. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Beloved,  Faithful. 

We  forgot  in  our  last  letter,  a  copy  of  which  is  here  enclosed,  to  mention  the  engagement 
here  of  another  preacher,  besides  D"  Blom  (who  has  been  married  here),  called  D°  Ilenricus  Selyns 
under  the  same  s;dary  and  conditions ;  they  both  go  over  in  the  ship  "  de  Bever  ",  the  first  to  take 
chai'ge  of  the  ministry  at  the  Esopus,  the  other  in  the  viUage  of  Breuckelen.  To  carry  on  the 
service  some  books  are  sent  over,  which  your  Honors  will  hand  to  them,  besides  the  small  psalters, 
prayers  and  catechisms,  to  be  distributed  and  used  as  proper  under  the  community  in  each  respective 
place  for  teaching.  Closing  herewith,  as  the  time  does  not  permit  to  write  more.  Honorable,  Pru- 
dent, Beloved,  Faithful,  we  commend  your  Honors  to  the  protection  of  God. 
Amsterdam  By  order  of  the  Lords-Directors  of 

29""  March  1660.  the  W.  I.  Company,  Dep'  of  Amsterdam 

To  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland 

Received  by  "c^  vergulde  Bever''''  ari-ived  11""  June  1660. 


Resolutions  aikjpted  by  the  Coitet  of  Rensselaeeswyck  during  the  Esopus  troutsles. 

Rens.  Manor  Papers. 
April  1"  1660. 

Whereas  on  the  last  day  of  March  and  this  first  day  of  April  several  reports  have  been  made 
to  us,  that  the  Esopus  intend  to  attack  the  country  people  on  their  bouweries,  lying  within  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  either  by  firing  their  buildings  or  by  killing  and  taking 
prisoners  the  people,  who  might  have  remained  on  the  bouweries. 

Therefore  their  Honors  of  this  Court  wishing  not  to  neglect  any  possible  preparations,  direct 
that  one  shall  warn  the  other  by  firing  three  signal  shots,  which  must  be  repeated  quickly  by  who- 


156  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

ever  hears  them,  that  also  the  next  neighbor  may  be  informed  and  no  other  shooting  shall  be  done, 
unless  and  before  the  colonists  have  been  warned,  that  some  of  them  have  been  attacked  or  annoyed 
by  the  savages. 

Everybody  whom  this  resolution  concerns,  is  hereby  warned  not  to  take  it  upon  himself  to 
fire  shots,  unless  necessity  requires,  on  a  penalty  of  25  Carolus  guilders  for  those,  who  shall  disobey 
this  our  well  meant  order. 

Everybody  is  further  warned  and  directed  to  post  during  the  night  one  or  if  possible  two  sen- 
tinels, who,  when  necessary,  shall  warn  the  neighbors  by  the  three  signal  shots. 

The  Court  wishing  to  prevent  harm  being  done  as  much  as  possible,  have  resolved  that  at 

present  and  provisionally,  a  watchman  shall  be  placed  on  duty  during  the  night  in  the  settlement 

at  the  Green  Bush,  that  the  signal  of  three  shots  may  be  more  easily  heard,  if  fired  at  any  of  the 

bouweries  below.     As  chief  officers  of  the  watch  we  appoint  our  colleague  Cornelis  van  Nes,  Evert 

Pels  and  Thomas  Coninck,  corporal. 

Thus  done  etc 

By  order  of  the  IIon'''°  Court 

Present  D-  V.  Ham  el.  Seer''. 

J.  van  Jiensselaei' 

A.  van  Curler 

C.  van  Nes 

C.  T.  van  Breuckeler 
T.  Spitsbergen 

G.  Swart,  Sheriff 

D.  V.  Ilamel,  Seer''. 


LErrER  FEoii  Ensign  Smith   ai'  Esopus  to  Director  Stuyvesant:   the  Indians 

ARE    GROWING    INSOLENT. 

Noble,  "Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir. 

Honorable  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  I  beg  to  inform  your  Excy. 
herewith,  that  we  have  asked  the  savages  very  civilly  to  return  the  arms  and  the  wampum,  which 
they  had  taken  from  our  men  ;  wo  have  expected  them  patiently  from  one  day  to  the  other,  as 
they  delaj-ed  and  promised  us  from  day  to  day  to  bring  it,  but  now  we  hear,  that  it  is  only  trickery 
and  that  they  try  to  delay  us,  as  yesterday  afternoon  we  have  conferred  with  them  the  whole  after- 
noon and  had  a  parley,  for  they  kept  themselves  in  two  parties  on  the  other  side  of  the  Kil,  so 
that  the  evening  surprised  us  and  the  last  answer,  which  we  received,  was,  that  we  might  hang  the 
captive  savages  and  they  challenged  us  to  fight,  which  creates  anxiety  and  uneasiness  among  our 
farmers,  to  contiinie  with  their  tillage  and  out-of-door  labors.  We  shall  nevertheless  do  our  best, 
to  continue  with  it  near  the  Fort  here,  but  if  it  should  happen,  that  we  have  an  opportunity  to 
attack  them  once,  we  have  no  doubt  but  we  shall  bo  successful  and  we  shall  then  be  more  at  ease 
with  our  out  of-door  work.  We  have  also  made  an  estimate  of  our  grain  here,  but  as  we  now  find, 
that  we  must  compel  the  savages  by  force  and  many  men  might  be  sent  here  by  your  Honor's 
order,  we  shall  require  much :  however  what  your  Honor  decides  in  this  regard,  shall  be  willingly 
obeyed,  for  it  lies  here  at  your  Honor's  service  and  shall  not  be  diminished.  We  send  yonr  Honor 
one  hundred  schepels  of  oats  by  skipper  Bnrtdt ;  we  have  received  by  the  same  skipper  meat  and 
bacon,  of  which  1008  lbs.  were  issued  as  rations  for  this  month  on  the  3'*  of  April.    1  have  received 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  157 

the  38  sclicpels  of  wheat  from  Widow  StoLscn  and  as  to  the  balance,  due  your  Honor,  I  t^liall  (h) 
my  best.     No  more  this  time,  only  I  wish  your  Honor  good  health  and  connneud  your  Honor  to 
the  j)rotection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain  your  Honor's  faithful  servant 
Actum  ^sopus,  the  5th  of  April  1660 

.Derck  Swrrr,  Ensign. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful  His  Honor  the  Director-Gen'  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at 
the  Manathans. 


Letter  from  the  same  to  Secretary  van  Rotven  :  sKiEMisn  with  the  Indians. 

Honorable,  Worshipful  and  Prudent  Sir,  Secretary  Cornells  van  liuyven.  I  beg  to  inform 
your  Honor,  that  I  have  received  from  Mathias  Roeloffs'  wife  here  20  schepels  of  wheat  for  your 
Honor  and  from  skipper  Vlodder  or  out  of  his  yacht  145  schepels  of  spring-wheat,  of  which  Jur- 
ryen  WestphaUn,  your  Honor's  fanner  has  received  50  schepels,  Cornelis  Barentsen  Schlegt  also 
50  schepels,  the  widow  Jacob  Jansen  Sloll  and  Jaxdb  Stoutenhurgh  together  45  schepels.  I  have 
also  received  47  schepels  and  3  pecks  of  peas,  of  which  I  gave  21  schepels  to  84  men,  each  1  peck. 

1  have  further  received  from  Vlodder'' s  yacht  3  barrels  of  meat,  together  825  lbs.  and  2  barrels  of 
bacon,  weighing  400  lbs,  of  which  we  have  issued  as  rations  1008  lbs,  and  2  boxes  with  matches. 
From  the  yacht  of  Dirck  Jansen  I  have  also  received  the  spices,  which  your  Honor  sent  me  ;  they 
are  very  acceptable  and  will  be  used  to  advantage.  On  the  4"'  inst.  some  savages  have  been  before 
the  Fort  here,  who  bragged  much  and  we  paid  them  in  return  with  good  words,  we  thought  to  get 
back  from  them  the  muskets  and  swords,  which  they  had  taken  from  our  men,  also  the  cloth  and 
wampum,  but  they  tried  to  entrap  us  with  treachery,  on  account  however  of  our  watchfulness  they 
could  not  carry  out  their  deviltry.  This  went  on  until  evening  and  when  they  left  us,  they  called 
out  to  us,  that  we  might  hang  our  prisoners  and  they  would  fight  us  and  come  back  in  the  morning. 
Then  I  resolved  to  lie  during  the  night  in  ambush  with  45  men,  I  and  the  sergeant  with  me,  about 

2  or  3  shots  distance  frona  the  Fort.  We  did  so,  but  were  discovered  by  them,  whereupon  we  made 
a  sortie  against  them  and  took  one  of  them  prisoner  and  they  had  some  killed  and  wounded,  but  we 
do  not  know  how  many  and  we  pursued  them  a  long  distance,  about  one  hour,  but  we  have,  God 
be  praised,  not  a  single  man  killed  or  wounded,  but  of  4  horses  3  have  been  killed  under  the  men, 
who  rode  them  and  some  of  our  muskets  have  been  injured  by  their  bullets  and  they  keep  their 
noses  now  from  the  Fort  and  we  intend  to  continue  now  our  ploughing  and  sowing  from  day  to 
day,  to  carry  out  the  Hon"'*  General's  order,  which  with  God's  help  shall  not  be  delayed.  I  do 
not  know  of  anything  more  important  to  write  your  Honor  this  time,  except  to  commend  your 
Honor  and  the  whole  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain  in  everything,  which  I  can  do, 
your  Honor's  willing  servant 

Act.  JEsopus,  the  9'"  of  April  1660.  Dieck  Smitt,  Ensign. 

To  the  Worshipful  and  Prudent  the  Honorable  Secretary  Cornelis  van  Buyven  at  Fort  Am- 
sterdam, Manalhans. 


158  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant:  they 
have  appointed  roeloff  swartwout,  sheriff  at  esopus  and  grant  extension 

OF  TIME,  IN    WHICH    TO  COMPLY'  WITH  THE  LAW    CONCERNING   SETTLEMENTS    TO  JeRON- 

iMus  Ebbing  ;  Rev.  Blom  and  the  question  of  baptism.     16'"'  of  April  166U. 


By  the  ship  "  de  guide  Bevcr  ",  hy  which  we  sent  3'ou  a  duplicate  of  our  hist  letter,  we  iuforincd 
your  Honors  briefly,  but  especially,  that  besides  the  two  preachers,  D"  Blom  and  Seli/ns,  also  some 
books  were  sent  over,  which  were  to  be  given  to  them,  to  make  use  of  for  the  ])ublic  service;  this 
must  be  strictly  adhered  to :  before  their  departure  we  had  sounded  both  tlie  aforesaid  preachers 
Formulary  of  bap-  if  regard  to  the  old  formulary  of  baptism  and  whether  their  Reverences  might 
'^''""-  have  some  doubts  as  to  using  it,  to  which  they  answered  negatively,  as  being  indif- 

ferent to  it  and  they  both  engaged  themselves  to  make  nse  of  it  in  the  exercise  of  their  clerical 
duties.  ***-»** 

****** 

One  Roeloff  Swartlwut,  who  now  comes  over  %vith  some  3'oung  men  and  farmers,  to  settle  at 
the  Esopus  and  engage  in  agriculture,  has  petitioned  us  here  for  the  office  of  Sheriff  at  that  plaice 
and  although  it  is  premature  in  our  opinion,  we  have  granted  the  aforesaid  request  to  encourage 
the  man  and  proinote  justice,  as  soon  as  a  court  is  establislied  and  have  engaged  him  in  this  quality 
provisionally  on  tlie  usual  emoluments  and  such  further  salary  as  may  bo  granted  him  in  due  time 
subject  to  our  approval  ;  this  for  your  Honors'  information  and  go\'ernment. 

Jeronhnus  Ehhiiuj  and  his  wife,  the  widow  of  the  Hon'''"  Johan  de  Hulter  have  informed  us, 
that  his  predecessor,  lier  late  liusband,  had  bought  a  piece  of  land  on  the  Esopus  and  erected  on 
it  buildings  and  barns,  which  were  pulled  down,  wiien  the  habitations  were  drawn  together  and  a 
part  of  the  land  was  taken  into  the  fortifications  there,  whereby  they  suffered  a  great  loss.  They 
request  therefore,  that  they  may  not  be  subject  to  the  general  order  and  that  the  time  be  extended 
and  especially,  that  they  may  have  two  years,  in  which  to  cultivate  the  said  piece  of  land.  We 
have  consented  to  their  request  for  the  reasons  adduced  above,  so  that  the  aforesaid  general  order, 
concerning  the  cultivation  of  laud  shall  have  no  effect  as  far  as  these  people  are  concerued. 


Commission  and  instruchons  of  Roeloff  Swartwout,  appointed  Sheriff  at  Esopus. 

The  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  "West-India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  being 
especially  directed  and  authorized  to  manage  the  affairs  of  New- Netherlands  make  known,  that 
whereas  it  is  necessary  for  the  promotion  of  justice  in  the  village  on  the  Esopus  that  a  suitable 
person  perform  the  duties  of  a  provisional  Sheriff,  for  which  one  Roeloff  Swartwout  has  been 
propo.sed  to  us,  who  has  been  in  that  country  a  long  time,  therefore,  jilaeing  confidence  in  tlie 
capability,  piety  and  fitness  of  the  said  Roeloff  Swartwout  we  have  provisionally  appointed  nnd 
commissioned,  as  we  herewith  appoint  and  commission  him  Sheriff  in  the  aforesaid  village  on  tlio 
Esopus,  giving  him  full  power,  order  and  authority  to  occupy  this  position  in  the  said  place  and 
in  that  district,  to  attend  to  and  perfi)rm  the  duties  according  to  the  usages  of  the  Sheriffs  here  in 
the  country  and  the  instructions,  given  him  or  which  may  in  future  be  given,  to  bring  to  trial  all. 


]>few   YorTc  Historical  liecoi-ds.  159 

■who  obstnict  and  break  political,  civil  and  criminal  laws,  ordinances  and  placats  and  sue  all  delin- 
quents in  the  said  village  and  its  jurisdiction  according  to  his  aforesaid  instructions  and  to  have 
them  conformably  mulcted,  executed  and  punished  by  the  punishment  set  forth  therein,  to  demand, 
that  upon  his  order  and  complaint  all  criminal  matters  and  abuses  shall  be  settled  and  abated  and 
all  sentences  be  executed  speedily  and  veithout  delay  and  to  do  further  in  this  regard,  what  a  good 
and  faithful  Sheriff  is  in  duty  bound  to  do,  on  the  oath,  taken  by  liim.  We  command  therefore 
all  Burgomasters,  Schepens  and  inhabitants  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  aforesaid  village  to 
acknowledge  and  respect  the  aforesaid  Roeloff  Swartwout  as  our  officer  and  Sheriff  as  aforesaid 
and  if  asked,  to  give  him  all  necessary  and  possible  assistance  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  for 
we  have  found  this  to  be  necessary  for  the  service  of  the  Company  and  the  promotion  of  justice. 
Done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Directors  at  Amsterdam^  this  fifteenth  of  April  A°  1060  (signed)  Ja- 
cob Pekgens  (Below  stood)  By  order  of  the  same  (Signed)  C.  van  Seventee. 

Instructions  for  Roeloff  Swartwout,  who  goes  as  provisional 
Sheriff  to  the  village  on  the  Esoj>us  in  New-Netherlatid,  by 
which  he  will  govern  himself. 

He  shall  have  no  other  office,  than  that  of  Sheriff. 

And  he  shall  take  rank  of  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  and  sit  in  their  meeting,  when  it 
is  a  judicial  one,  as  president,  also  to  exhort  the  culprits,  sentenced  by  the  court,  before  sentence 
is  passed  on  behalf  of  the  magistrates. 

He  shall  publish  and  execute  in  conformity  with  their  contents  all  decisions  regarding  the 
excise,  the  village  and  other  subjects  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Director  and  the  assistance  of  two 
members  of  the  court. 

Also  take  good  care  that  the  village  is  kept  free  from  unruly  people  and  peddlars. 

Also  that  no  whorehouses,  whoremongers  or  similar  bad  houses  are  permitted  in  the  place. 

To  this  end  (and  to  prevent  all  kind  of  licentiousness  and  violence)  the  Sheriff  must  endeavor 
always  to  be  at  hand  and  his  employes  must  continually  go  through  the  place  and  be  found  in 
churches,  on  the  market  place  and  other  places,  where  people  congregate. 

He  shall  be  obliged  to  make  or  have  made  all  arrests  and  then  examine  the  prisoner  without 
delay,  at  least  within  four  days  after  the  arrest,  to  avoid  great  expenses  and  within  four  days  there- 
after bring  hmi  to  trial  and  proceed  against  him  according  to  law. 

Also  bring  up  all  culprits  for  execution,  without  favoring  any  one  except  by  decision  or  advice 
of  the  court. 

He  shall  make  his  list  of  persons,  who  are  summoned  to  appear  before  the  court,  in  con- 
formity with  the  Sheriffs  roll  of  Amsterdam,  made  the  27""  of  April  1656. 

For  all  these  services  he  shall  receive  one  half  of  all  civil  fines,  which  are  paid  in  during  the 
term  of  his  service  according  to  the  statutes  of  the  ^-illage,  either  under  sentence  or  by  composition, 
except  such  as  concern  ordinances  made  or  to  be  made  in  regard  to  taxes. 

He  shall  also  have  and  receive  one  half  of  all  fees  for  tax-  and  courtnotices  and  one  third  of 
everything  that  falls  to  the  village  in  criminal  cases,  also  such  salary  as  in  time  may  be  allowed  him. 

But  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  receive  any  presents  either  directly  or  indirectly  by  somebody 
else,  which  is  forbidden  by  law. 

He  shall  further  uphold  the  Director  and  Council,  as  well  as  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens, 
when  they  come  to  be  elected,  in  their  respect. 

And  he  shall  take  before  the  Director  and  Council  the  oath  specified  below,  which  shall  remain 
in  force  for  the  period  of  four  consecutive  years,  after  expiration  of  which  the  office  of  Sheriff  shall 


160  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

be  abolished,  unless  the  Directors  may  have  thought  fit  before  to  abolish  it  or  extend  the  time. 
Done  at  Amsterdam^  the  15""  of  April  A°  1660  (Signed)  Jacob  Peegens.  (Below  stood)  By  oi-der 
of  the  same  (Signed)  0.  van  Seventee. 


Oedee  dieecting  the  people  living  rcatteeed  theoughout  the  countey,  to  form 
hamlets  and  villages. 
12"'  April,  Monday 

Present  in  Council  at  Fort  Ainsterdam,  the  Honorable  Director-General  P.  St-uyvesant  and 
Mr.  Nicasius  de  Side. 

The  under-sheriff  Resdlveert  Waldron  and  Court  messenger  Claes  van  Ehlant  ai-e  directed 
to  warn  once  more  the  outlying  settlers,  each  separately  and  to  order  them  in  the  name  of  Director- 
General  and  Council,  that  in  accordance  with  the  orders,  formerly  issued  and  communicated  to 
them,  they  must  abandon  their  isolated  places  within  a  given  time  and  move  into  the  settlements, 
under  the  penalty  stated  in  the  orders,  because  the  Director-General  and  Council  have  again 
decided  it  best  for  the  country  and  highly  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants.  Thus  done 
at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  H.  Netherlands  the  12"'  of  April  A°  1660. 


Lettee  feom  Dieectoe  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith  at  Esopus  :  the  attack  on 
THE  Indians  on  the  4'"'  Apeil  appeoved  and  eeinfoecements  sent. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 

We  received  by  the  yacht  of  DircTc  Smith  your  favor  of  the  5""  of  April,  from  which  we 
learned  of  your  expedition  against  the  savages,  which,  (although  you  suffered  no  loss  and  did  them 
also  little  damage)  we  still  approve  and  you  must  continue  these  proceedings  cautiously,  when  they 
return  in  such  manner,  especially  after  the  ploughing  and  sowing  has  been  done,  the  accelerating 
of  which  we  urge  upon  you  most  earnestly  and  that  this,  the  one  and  the  other,  may  be  done  with 
more  order  and  safety,  we  shall  send  you  herewith  25  to  26  soldiers,  among  whom  are  two  volun- 
teers, according  to  the  enclosed  list,  besides  also  some  provisions,  among  them  an  anker  of  brandy 
and  one  of  strong  water,  to  be  issued  according  to  your  discretion  to  those  who  may  need  it  and 
are  sick. 

As  to  the  3  horses,  killed  in  the  last  affair,  their  owners  shall  receive  a  proper  and  fair  indem- 
nification or  be  supplied  in  time  with  others  in  their  place. 

You  must  by  occasion  inquire  from  the  prisoners,  where  the  women  and  children  of  the  sava- 
ges keep  themselves,  also  what  savages  of  other  tribes  give  assistance  to  the  Esojnis  and  furnish 
us  as  far  as  possible  with  the  names  of  these  savages  and  give  us  at  every  occasion  pertinent  infor- 
mation and  report. 

If  you  should  require  still  more  seed-corn  and  there  is  time  enough  to  get  it  into  the  ground, 
please  to  inform  me  by  the  first  opportunity.    No  more  for  the  present.    I  commend  you  to  God's 
protection  with  my  greetings 
On  the  15"'  April  16G0.  Your  affectionate  friend. 

P.  S. 


FiC  SIMllE  OF  THE  LETTER  OF  DIRECTOR  STDIYESAl  TO  ENSIGN  SMITH  OH  PAGE  160. 


"  rti  "ii  I II  I'  1 1  J     , 


-7  /^^X^—C- 


-'Vvvy/ 


Vi*   ^'/^    V^   '^'"'^'"^/^      ^^^Mir>yW^  f'^^^'^^J  J 
W-'wjv  ...-vj  jv-    ^^^-v'^     (^  i>/<tf'»*4->-vvir^     'Irv^U-.^v-V   A-^r^0^f^~C 


0  »/r~wW*^     -^/^  ^-*-«-**lf> 


n)v 


"7^ 


ip^^  v 


'^JKi— «^*V 


(/  r-r^^yv-  '^  c^>»^-^^^W  •  ' 


£^ 


01  ■ 


■itaku^ 


w2l-> 


New  York  Historical  Records.  101 

Letier  of  thk  s.vme  to  Vice-Dikector  Lamontagne  at  Fort  Orange  (Albany): 

INFORMATION     REQUESTED,     WHETHER     OTHER     InDIANS     ARE     IN    LEAGUE    WITH     THE 

Esopus. 
Honorable,  Beloved,  Faithful. 

"VVe  are  verj  much  astonished,  that  since  our  departure  from  thence  we  have  not  received  one 
word  of  information  from  jou  in  regard  to  the  state  of  affairs  there,  whether  the  savages  in  your 
iieighborliood  are  peaceful  and  do  not  molest  the  out-lying  farmers.  We  expect  to  hear  of  this 
by  the  first  opportunity  now,  also  to  receive  the  list  of  the  newly  engaged  soldiers,  who  have  been 
sent  thence  to  the  Aesojnis,  and  what  and  how  much  each  received  as  enlistment-bounty. 

Tour  Honor  will  please  to  inquire  if  possible,  but  cautiously,  at  every  opportunity,  whether 
the  Mah'tkander  and  CatsJcill  Indians  do  not  assist  the  Esojnis  and  if  possible,  discover  the  opinions 
of  the  runners,  that  we  may  make  use  of  it  in  due  time ;  your  Honor  must  also,  at  all  occasions, 
admonish  the  Sachems  of  the  Mahihanders  and  Catsh'dls  to  come  oftener  and  remind  them  of 
what  has  been  proposed  to  them  and  what  they  promised  us,  to  wit,  that  they  would  not  favor  the 
Esopus  savages  and  would  not  allow  them  to  remain  among  them  nor  give  them  any  assistance. 

Herewith  goes  the  letter  of  confirmation  for  the  Commissaries,  wJio  with  your  Honor  are  to 
attend  to  the  public  welfare  and  the  administration  of  justice  in  the  place  for  the  following  year, 
of  which  your  Honor  will  make  use  at  the  proper  time ;  wherewith  etc. 
On  the  15'"  of  April  16G0. 


Letter  from  the  Magistrates  of  Fort  Orange  and  Renselaerswyck  to  Ensign 
Smith  at  Esopus,  with  proposals  made  by  Catskil  and  Mahikan  Indians  in 
regard  to  the  Esopus. 

Monsieur  Ensign. 

Your  Honor  may  judge  from  the  inclosed  propositions,  made  by  the  Katsk'd  and  MaJulcander 
savages,  what  the  chances  are  to  make  peace  with  the  Esopus,  especially  as  we  hear  only  good-will 
expressed  by  the  Mahihanders  and  the  savages  in  this  neighborhood.  And  whereas  the  Mahi- 
Jcanders  go  thither  themselves,  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  favorable  end  and  fear  that  being  witli  the 
Esopus  savages  and  communicating  with  them  they  might  be  captured  or  killed  in  a  fight  or  other- 
wise, therefore  they  have  asked  us  for  tliis  letter  of  safe  conduct  and  requested  also,  that  j-our 
Honor  will  please  to  defer  any  further  hostilities  until  orders  from  his  Excy.  the  Director-General, 
with  whom  too  they  are  to  confer  in  this  matter  and  closing  herewith  we  wish  to  commend  your 
Honor  to  God's  protection  and  remain  your  Honor's 
Actum,  Eort  Orange  Obedient  Friends 

this  21"'  April  1660.  La  Montagne 

After  closing  this  we  Francoy's  Boon,  Jeremias  van  Rensselaer 

have  resolved  to  write  to  the  Hon.  General  A.  van  Curler 

by  the  next  sloop,  as  the  savages  are  afraid  Jan  Yorbaeck,  Sander  Conraedt. 

of  going  to  the  MoAfihattans. 

21 


162  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Propositions  made  by  the  Chiefs  of  the  KaiskUs, 
in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  Ewjjus  Chiefs 
and  in  presence  of  some  Mahikan  Chiefs. 

They  say  and  offer  to  surrender  the  whole  Esojnis  and  the  lands  on  and  along  the  Kil  alto- 
gether and  to  abstain  from  and  leave  it. 

Also  to  make  restitution  of  everything,  which  they  may  have  taken  from  your  people,  wam- 
pum, clotli,  cutlasses,  ploughs  and  other  articles. 

Also  to  surrender  against  ransom  the  imfortunate  Christians  and  reconcile  them  with  wampum. 

They  request,  that  you  should  on  the  other  hand  release  and  deliver  the  captured  £sopus  sav- 
ages. 

Finally  they  ask  for  a  firm  and  permanent  peace  for  all  times. 
Done  this  21st  of  April  1660 

at  jFort  Orange. 

Propositions  made  by  the  Maldkander  and  Katskil  Chiefs  for  themselves. 

They  sa}',  that  they  are  very  well  inclined  to  peace  and  request  that  Mr.  Stuyvesant  will  make 
peace  with  the  £sopus  savages ;  they  offer  to  make  a  large  present  of  wampum  to  Mr.  Stuyvesant 
as  token  of  their  gratitude. 

They  request  also,  that  this  may  quickly  be  written  to  Mi\  Stuyvesant  and  to  the  Esapus, 
that  an  armistice  may  be  made  there  imtil  Mr.  Stuyvesatifs  answer  comes,  and  that  in  the  ujean- 
time  the  Katskil  savages  may  have  free  access  to  the  Esapus. 


Extract  from  a  letfek  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland: 
THE  English  project  of  a  settlement  on  the  Northriveb  between  Fort  Or- 
ange AND  Wappingh  Kil  :  report  on  the  Esopus  war  etc.     21^^  April  1660. 

«  *  »  *  *  * 

Concerning  the  people  of  New-En(jlaiul :  although  we  have  not  received  a  written  answer  to 
our  imperative  i-efusal  of  free  passage  along  the  North,  river,  yet,  we  hear  from  passengers  and 
skippers,  lately  arrived  from  Boston,  that  they  persist  in  their  intention  to  form  a  colony,  with  or 
against  our  will,  not  far  from  the  North  river  between  Eort  Orange  and  the  Wappinghs  Kil  and 
will  again  ask  through  two  commissioners  free  passage  there  and  our  permission.  In  obedience 
to  your  Honors'  order,  for  the  sake  of  our  own  roj^utation  ami  the  public  welfare  we  shall  not  onl}- 
refuse,  but  also  offer  all  possible  impediments  and  resistance  and  prefer  rather  to  be  driven  out  by 
force,  than  to  suffer  shipwreck  of  our  honor  and  oath  by  intentional  forbearance ;  the  subsequent 
occurrences  shall  be  communicated  to  your  Honors  in  due  time.  Meanwhile  we  request  your 
Honors  as  before  for  the  sake  of  your  own  ititerests  and  the  welfare  of  this  country  and  its  good 
inhabitants  to  give  us  in  good  tiuie  such  assistance  in  troops,  ammunition  and  goods,  as  your 
Honors  may  think,  we  need  in  the  dangerous  situation  of  the  country  and  not  to  put  any  hope  in 
tiie  weakness  of  the  English  government  in  Europe,  and  its  disposition  to  meddle  in  affairs  here ; 
New-England  does  not  need  her  interference  and  assistance  in  this  matter,  for  she  is  conscious, 
that  her  power  ovefbalances  ours  ten  times  and  it  is  to  be  apprehended,  that  they  will  in  this  mat- 
ter make  an  attempt  so  much  sooner,  as  the}"^  see  and  trust  that  during  the  present  monstrous  con- 


New    Yorh  Ilidorical  Recorih.  ]()3 

ditioii  of  tlio  EiKjlifilh  government  no  countermanding  order  ^vi^  be  issued  from  that  side:   but  wo 
will  willingly  submit  our  speculations  to  wiser  judgments  and  hope  tlio  best. 

*  *  *  -X-  *  * 

The  distressing  situation  of  the  country  had  compelled  us,  before  wc  received  your  Honors' 
peremptory  order,  to  draw  the  out-lying  farmers  together  in  settlements,  to  be  at  once  delivered, 
as  far  as  possible,  from  murders  of  single  persons,  as  your  Honors  may  see  from  the  enclosed 
placat*  No.  5,  which  is  now  daily  carried  out.  We  could  wish,  that  the  before  reported  single 
murder  had  remained  the  only  one,  but  your  Honors  will  have  learned  with  regret  from  our  last 
letters  and  enclosures  or  may  learn  from  the  here  enclosed  duplicates,  that  it  has  not  been  the  case. 
Irritated  patience  and  our  owii  good  reputation  have  forced  us  to  an  active  revenge  and  war  against 
the  E'sopus  Indians,  the  success  of  which  so  far  gives  us  hope  of  a  favorable  final  result  under 
God's  gracious  help  and  blessing:  we  captured  by  a  stratagem  14  or  15  of  their  most  prominent 
men ;  two  or  three  sallies  have  since  been  made  against  them ;  the  expeditions  of  our  military 
would  have  better  results  and  the  barbarians  would  be  sooner  conquered  if  they  stood  firm  :  how- 
ever none  of  all  the  expeditions  was  quite  without  a  result,  if  the  reports  of  other  savages  can  be 
relied  upon,  which  we  do,  because  it  is  confirmed  from  various  sides ;  they  are  said  to  be  willing 
now,  to  lay  their  heads  into  our  laps,  to  which  we  are  as  yet  not  willing  to  agree  nor  shall  we  soon 
accept  it,  in  order  to  give  a  sharp  lesson  to  others,  unless  the  apprehended  and  threatened  invasion 
of  so-called  Christian  neighborsf  places  us  in  a  different  situation.  As  soon  as  we  have  done 
with  these  with  God's  help  aud  blessing  and  if  no  other  inconveniences  arise,  we  intend  to  pay  a 
visit  to  the  N^eu.ioesinh  and  Rarltan  tribes,  among  whom  most  of  the  perpetrators  of  all  the  single 
murders  keep  themselves,  should  they  persist  in  refusing  to  surrender  the  well-known  murderers ; 
meanwhile  we  pray  God  for  a  successful  result  and  your  Honors  for  all  possible  and  much-needed 
assistance. 


From  the  enclosure  No.  8,  your  Honors  may  infer  and  can  consider  and  weigh  in  j-our  far- 
seeing  wisdom  the  continued  claims,  requests  and  projects  of  the  Entjlish  from  Boston  or  the 
Massachusetts  Colony,  which  although  they  were  answered  to  the  best  of  our  ability  and  informa- 
tion regarding  the  matter  and  will  also  be  resisted  and  defended  by  us,  as  far  as  we  are  able,  still, 
as  we  explained  to  your  Honors  above,  as  their  power  is  ten  times  greater  than  ours,  we  shall 
hardly  be  able,  speaking  humanly,  to  hinder  them  in  their  project,  if  it  is  taken  up  in  good  earnest, 
which  we  and  many  others  presume  —  will  be  done,  unless  we  receive  withotit  delay  and  loss  of 
time  from  your  Honors  assistance  and  help  in  the  shape  of  troops  and  means:  our  former  letter 
via  Neio-England  recites  our  necessities. 

-»  -X  -X-  *  *  « 

Our  beloved,  faithful  Nicholas  Yarletli  and  Capt.  Lieutenant  Bryan  Newton  '"  *  arrived 
here  2  or  3  days  ago.  "Wliat  tlicj"  accomplished  and  the  answer  of  that  Government  {ofVin/inia) 
your  Honors  will  find  in  their  letter  and  the  resolution  marked  No.  9  of  the  enclosures,  also  the 
reasons,  why  they  could  not  allow  us  to  recruit  men  there  for  a  reinforcement  of  our  company. 

*  *  *  *  a  * 

*  This  is  an  Ordinance  for  the  establishment  of  villages,  p.assed  February  9th,  1G60,  for  which  see  "  Laws  of 
New-Netherland,"  p.  368.— Ed. 

t  Not  only  tlie  English  of  the  New-England  Provinces  set  up  claims  on  parts  of  New-Netherland,  but  also 
Maryland  under  Lord  Baltimore  tried  to  get  possession  of  some  of  the  Dutch  territory  on  the  Delaware  about 
this  time.     See  Col.  Doc.,  Vol.  XII,  p.  347.— B.  F. 


164  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Mivei: 

Leiter  from  Ensign  Smith  at  Esopus  to  Directok-Stuyvksant  :  all  quiet  :  nego- 
tiations WITH  the  Indians. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  "Wise  and  Prudent  Sir. 

Honorable  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland.  I  inform  your  Honors  here- 
with, that  I  have  received  tlie  goods  and  your  Honors'  letter  on  the  23''  of  April,  also  that  on  the 
ll""  inst.  3  Mirvckquas  savages  arrived  here,  who  asked  to  make  peace  with  us  on  behalf  of  the 
Esopus  and  they  brought  us  11  fathoms  of  wampum  out  of  their  own  means,  as  a  present,  they 
said,  because  they  came  as  strangers  to  talk  with  us :  as  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  make  peace 
with  them  and  we  do  not  know,  how  your  Honor  intends  to  act  in  this  matter,  we  have  given  them 
in  return  3  coats  of  duffels  and  they  promised  to  come  back  the  next  day  with  muskets  and  the 
swords,  also  the  wampum,  which  they  had  formerly  taken  from  us  and  to  bring  with  them  the 
Sachems  of  the  Esopus  and  they  have  been  here  twice  again,  but  all  they  ask  for,  is  onlj'  peace 
and  I  have  directed  them  to  your  Honor  at  the  Manuthans  and  I  will  further  inform  your  Honor, 
that  on  the  G""  of  this  month,  when  we  had  the  last  engagement  with  the  savages,  3  of  them  were 
killed,  2  badly  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner,  but  now  they  keep  their  noses  at  a  good  distance 
from  the  fort  and  do  not  molest  us  and  we  continue  daily  with  our  agricultural  pursuits,  so  tliat 
your  Honor's  farmer  has  now  about  40  schepels  of  spring-wheat  in  the  ground.  As  to  the  black 
horse  of  Thomas  Schambers,  your  Honor  will  get  it  by  this  same  yacht  and  I  shall  not  detain  the 
skipper,  but  urge  him  to  depart  as  soon  as  possible. 

Concerning  the  erection  of  your  Honor's  house,  wiiich  the  carpenter  is  to  build,  I  shall  assist 
the  carpenter,  as  your  Honor  desires  to  have  it  done  and  as  he  had  made  the  agreement  with  your 
Honor,  but  as  we  have  had  bad  weather  for  some  time  and  we  are  helping  now  in  the  ploughing, 
we  shall  still  do  our  best,  that  the  timber  is  brought  to  the  work,  but  one  MicJiiel  Verrie,  who  is 
about  to  go  to  tlie  Manathans  and  get  married  with  your  Honor's  consent  and  who  was  to  help, 
has  promised  me  to  return  by  the  first  yacht,  whereupon  I  have  given  him  permission  to  go  and 
get  married  and  when  he  comes  back,  the  work  shall  be  continued  with  all  diligence.  I  do  not 
know  of  anything  else  to  write  your  Honor  tliis  time  and  commend  your  Honor  to  the  protection 
of  the  Almighty  and  remain  your  Honor's  humble  servant 
Act.  Aesopus,  the  Si'-''  April  1660.  Derck  Smitt,  Ensign. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet,  the  Honorable  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland, 

at  Fort  Amsterdam 
in  N.  NetTierland. 

Sir !  I  inform  your  Honor,  that  after  writing  the  foregoing  a  Katsl'il  Sachem,  called  Kecssi- 
eniueij,  arrived  here  with  a  letter  of  the  Hon*"  Delamontagne  from  Fort  Orange,  whicli  I  send 
herevvitli  to  your  Honor  and  the  aforesaid  Keessie  Weij  goes  to  the  Esopus  Sachems  to  make  them 
come  together  and  then  he  was  to  go  to  the  Hon"'"  General,  to  make  a  permanent  peace  and  tiiey 
offer  to  the  Hon'''"  Genei-al  all  the  Esojnis  country  and  propose  to  return  everything,  muskets, 
cutlasses,  clotli  and  wampum  and  make  large  presents  besides  and  tiiey  call  only  for  peace,  peace 
and  await  your  Honor's  mercy.  Closing  herewith  I  remain  your  Honor's  humble  servant 
Act.  Aesopus,  S-t""  April  Dekcjc  Smiti,  Ensign. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  His  Honor,  the  Director-General  of  Neio-Neth- 
erland  Manathans.. 


Neio  York  Historical  Records.  1G5 

Le'itek  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  (Ensign  Smith)  :  with  directions  yov.  the 

NEGOTIATIONS    WITH    AND    TREATMENT    OF    THE    InDIANS. 

Honorable,  Valiant. 

You  may  infer  from  the  enclosed  instruction,  for  what  purpose  Claes  Jansen  liiiyter,  the 
bearer  hereof,  is  sent  thither;  if  you  can  get  the  better  of  the  ^Esopus  savages  upon  his  or  other 
reliable  information  and  report  (but  after  Claes  de  Rxt)jter''s  departure),  then  you  are  hereby  com- 
manded and  directed  to  do  it  at  the  first  favorable  occasion,  which  offers,  in  quietness  and  with  all 
possible  safety,  especially  if  you  have  any  hopes,  to  get  a  great  advantage  over  them.  We  leave 
this  M'ith  God's  help  and  blessing  to  yonr  pleasure  and  discretion. 

If  some  ^'Esopus  Sachems  or  savages  should  come  with  the  bearer,  Claes  de  Ruyter,  to  you  to 
ask  for  an  armistice,  then  you  will  treat  them  friendly  and  say,  that  the  peace  must  be  concluded 
here,  that  you  can  only  do,  what  you  have  been  ordered  by  xis  and  if  then  the  chiefs  desired  it,  you 
must  let  them  go  and  come  unmolested,  but  if  they  are  willing  to  come  to  the  21anhathans  with 
Claes  de  Riujter,  then  you  must  not  prevent  them,  but  rather  give  them  one  of  the  Council  as  a 
proper  safeguard  on  the  yacht. 

At  the  request  of  Jurian  (?)  Helm,  made  to  ns,  we  have  given  him  j)ermission  to  bring  20  or 
25  schepels  bread  corn  from  the  Aesopus. 

Postscript. 

If  the  bearer  hereof,  Claes  Jansen  liuyter,  should  be  necessary  for  the  better  execution  and 
promotion  of  the  exploit,  then  yon  may  join  him  to  your  present  force  either  as  guide  or  in  another 
capacity. 
May  5,  1C60 


Instkuctions  fok  Claes  de  Kuyter,  sent  to  the  Esopus  to  negotiate  with  the  Indians. 

Instrnctions  for  Claes  de  Jiuyter 

lie  shall  go  aboard  of  the  Company's  yacht  and  proceed  with  it  to  the  Esojnis ;  if  he  meets 
any  savages  on  his  way  there,  he  is  to  tell  them,  we  had  been  informed,  that  the  Minquas,  Mahy- 
cander  and  other  Sachems  asked  for  peace  with  the  Aesopus  savages  and  that  he  is  therefore  sent 
to  speak  with  the  chiefs  of  that  tribe  ;  if  the  savages  should  say,  that  they  were  going  to  the  Man- 
hattans, then  he  shall  answer,  that  it  was  good,  but  he  wished,  they  had  come  to  meet  him  and  go 
first  with  him  to  the  Aesopus  chiefs  and  to  hear,  what  they  had  to  say  and  whether  they  them- 
selves asked  also  for  peace ;  by  such  means  or  under  such  pretexts  he  shall  try  to  find  out  from 
the  savages,  M-here  the  Aesopus  chiefs  and  savages  are  and  whether  there  was  no  chance  to  have  a 
talk  with  them  and  hear  from  their  own  mouth,  that  the  Aesopus  savages  asked  unanimously  for 
peace  and  he  is  further  to  state,  that  if  they  did  not  demand  it  unanimously,  they  need  not  speak 
of  peace.  By  snch  pretexts  and  under  promise  of  a  small  present  he  sliall  try  to  find  a  savage,  to 
bring  him  to  the  Aesopus  savages,  if  he  considers  it  advisable  and  safe  for  hiniself ;  else,  if  possible, 
he  is  to  inquire  and  find  out,  where  the  Aesopxis  savages  are  and  make  thereof  as  full  a  report  as 
possible  to  Ensign  Derek  Smitt,  but  to  nobody  else  at  the  Aesopus,  after  which  he  shall  depart 
immediately. 

If  some  of  the  Aesopus  Sachems  desire  to  go  with  him  to  the  Ensign,  he  shall  tell  them,  that 
that  would  be  useless  and  that  the  Ensign  can  only  do,  what  he  is  ordered. 


166  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

If  however  the  Aesopus  Sachems  should  wish  to  go  witli  him  to  the  Manhattans,  to  sue  for 
peace  here,  then  lie  shall  not  refuse  it,  but  lie  shall  not  allow  more  than  2  or  3  of  them  come  in 
the  Company's  yacht  and  make  all  possible  haste  in  his  going  and  returning. 
The  5'"  of  May  1660. 


Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same:    state  of  affairs:    the  agricultural  im- 

rORTANCE    of    EsOPUS. 

'Noble,  Worsliipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir.  Honorable  Director-General  of  New-Nethei'land. 
I  have  to  inform  your  Honor,  that  I  have  dul}'  received  the  letters  by  Claes  de  Ruyter  on  the  7"" 
iust.  On  the  S"^""  of  May  I  have  been  on  the  strand  with  a  few  men  and  had  Claes  de  Ruyter 
ferried  over,  to  go  to  the  savages  and  speak  with  them  and  as  he  was  detained  a  long  time  I 
returned  with  my  men  to  the  fort  and  he  came  to  me  in  the  fort  during  the  evening  and  reported, 
that  the  savages  would  come  to  me  the  next  day,  but  nobody  came,  except  one  savage ;  therefore 
he  went  witli  this  savage  again  to  the  strand  on  the  ll""  and  this  one  savage  went  thence,  to  fetch 
the  Sachems,  but  he  returned  the  same  evening  and  brought  no  Sachem  with  him,  which  aston- 
ished me  very  much.  Then  I  went  down  to  the  strand  on  the  12"*,  to  dispatch  the  yacht,  for  I  had 
seen,  that  the  yacht  could  do  no  good  for  the  service  of  the  Compan}',  for  since  Claes  de  Ituyter 
had  spoken  to  the  savages,  we  have  not  been  able  to  lay  hands  on  a  savage,  while  we  could  do  it 
before.  We  stopped  it  however  on  account  of  our  sowing  and  ploughing  in  conformity  to  the 
order  of  the  Hon'"'''  General  and  if  we  can  reajj  any  benefits  from  this  place,  we  shall  not  neglect 
to  do  it  and  the  skipper  of  the  yacht  sliall  give  a  full  verbal  report  of  the  atfairs  to  your  Honor. 

I  have  to  inform  your  Honor  in  regard  to  the  spring-corn,  wliich  we  sowed,  that  Thomas 
Siambers  has  100  schepels  of  barley  and  peas  in  the  ground  and  Jurryaen  Westphalen,  your  Hon- 
or's farmer,  has  in  the  ground  100  schepels  of  spring-wheat  and  barley,  as  well  as  peas  and  oats 
and  Cornells  Barentsen  Schlegt  50  schepels  of  s]iring- wheat,  nine  of  peas  and  a  few  of  barley  and 
the  Widow  Stol  45  schepels  of  spring-wheat,  12  schepels  of  barley  and  four  of  peas,  so  that  alto- 
gether 320  schepels  of  spring-grain  have  been  sowed  ;  Thomas  Schambcrs  has  alco  sowed  75  sche- 
pels of  winter-wheat  and  Cornells  Barentsen  Schlegt  20  schepels  of  winter-wheat  and  it  has  come 
up  nicely  in  the  fields  and  we  shall  not  be  hindered  in  the  ploughing  and  continue  with  it  every 
day,  as  your  Honor's  orders  direct,  but  I  cannot  write  your  Honor  with  certainty,  where  the  sava- 
ges keep  themselves.     Written  in  haste  on  board  of  the  yacht,  the  12"'  of  May  16G0 

Derck  Smut,  Ensign. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Pnident 

His  Honor  the  Director-General  of 

New-Netherland,  at  the  Manathans. 


Conference  between  the   Director-General  and   Council  ano  the  chiefs  of 
Hackinkasacky  (N.  J.),  Na,iack  (Ntack),  Wiechquaeskeck  (Westchester  Co), 
Haverstraw  and  the  Wappinos.     Peace  concluded  with  the  AVappings. 
IS'"  May. 

Present  the   Honorable   Dircetor-Gcnei'al   Petrus  Stuyvesant,  ]\[r.  JVlcasins  de  Sllle,  Mr. 
Allard  Anthony,  Burgomaster  and  Oloff  Stevensen,  ex-Burgomaster. 


New   Yorli  Jlistorical  liecorda.  107 

To-d.aj  appeared  in  the  Council  chamber 
Oraktm,  chief  of  Hackinkfsacky, 

Mattano,  hite  chief  of  JVajack,  now  living  on  Siaien-Idand, 
Sauwenaro,  chief  of  Wiechqnatskecl:, 

Corruspin,  brother  and  representative  of  the  chief  of  Ilaverstroo, 
Kessachauw,  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Wappingi^. 

They  propose  and  say  throngh  the  Indian  interpreter  Waerhen,  that  the  Wajpjpi.ngs  have  deter- 
mined among  each  other  not  to  injure  the  Dutch  to  the  extent  of  a  straw. 

2.  That  the  abovenientioned  chief  of  the  Wajypings  has  been  sent  by  the  Esopus  Indians  to 
ask  for  peace  for  them  and  to  say,  that  they  will  not  make  war  any  more. 

3.  He  says  on  behalf  of  the  aforesaid  chief  of  the  Wappings,  that  five  of  the  captured  savages 
and  a  squaw  are  of  the  Wapping  tribe  and  of  his  savages. 

4.  He  says,  that  when  before  this  the  peace  was  renewed  with  the  otlicr  abovenamed  Sachems, 
the  chief  of  the  Wappings  was  not  here  and  he  comes  therefore  now  and  says,  that  he,  like  the 
others,  accepts  the  continuation  of  the  peace,  as  aforesaid,  and  promises  to  keep  it. 

The  answer  given  to  the  first  and  the  last  propositions,  covering  the  same  ground,  namely  the 
continuation  of  the  peace  and  that  they  would  not  do  us  any  more  harm,  was,  that  they  may  rest 
assured,  that  we  neither  would  injure  them  and  that  it  was  well,  that  he,  who  had  not  been  here 
before  at  the  renewal  of  the  peace,  had  come  himself  and  confirmed  what  had  been  previously 
transacted  with  the  other  savages  on  the  6"'  of  March, 

He  was  told  on  the  2''  point,  regarding  the  request  for  peace  by  the  Esopus  Indians, 

I.  Whereas  no  Esopus  chiefs  have  come,  how  shall  we  know,  that  the  Esopus  Indians  make 
this  request  through  him. 

II.  That  the  Esopus  chiefs  had  before  this  frequently  declared  to  us,  they,  the  chiefs,  were 
quite  willing  to  continue  in  peace  with  us,  but  that  the  young  people  always  wanted  to  fight  and 
they,  as  chiefs,  had  no  command  or  power  to  punish  the  barebacks  and  yoimg  people  and  we  see 
no  occasion  and  safety  in  making  peace  with  the  chiefs  only  ;  therefore  it  would  first  be  necessary, 
that  he  first  and  above  all  informed  the  Esopus  Indians,  old  and  young.  Sachems  and  barebacks, 
hereof  and  if  they  altogether  desire  peace,  they  nnist  come  themselves. 

To  the  third  proposition,  regarding  his  statement  that  five  of  the  prisoners  and  a  squaw  were 
of  tlie  Wapping  tribe  and  of  his  people 
The  following  answer  was  given. 

1.  That  we  are  not  aware  of  it ;  the  Maquaas  chief,  who  was  with  us  and  the  aforesaid  sava- 
ges, when  they  were  captured,  says  and  declares,  that  they  are  all  Esopus  Indians. 

2.  Supposing,  that,  as  he  says,  they  are  Wajypings,  we  did  not  bring  them  from  the  Wapping 
country,  but  from  the  Esopus.  What  have  his  people  to  run  to  our  enemies  and  help  them  ?  We 
have  warned  beforehand  all  the  tribes  as  far  as  the  JIahicanders,  Maquaas  and  Menissinges  sava- 
ges, to  keep  their  people  out  of  the  Esopus  and  that  we  consider  and  keep  as  our  enemies  all  whom 
we  find  or  catch  there. 

Tliat  nevertheless,  as  proof  of  the  affection  which  we  have  for  the  Wappi7igs,  we  would  give 
the  squaw  to  the  Sachem  of  the  Wajpings  as  a  present  on  the  condition,  that  he  should  command 
all  his  savages  not  to  trouble  themselves  with  the  affairs  of  the  Esopus  nor  to  come  there  nor  let 
the  Esopus  savages  come  to  them.  Whereupon  he  accepted  the  squaw.  Done  at  Eort  Amst&f- 
dam  in  N.  Neiherland,  on  the  day  as  above. 


168  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

CoNFEEENCE    BETWEEN    THE    DiEECTOE-GenEEAL    AND    THREE    CHIEFS    OF    THE    MoHI- 
CANS,  AVHO    ASK    THAT    PEACE    MAY    BE    MADE    WITH    THE    EsOPUS    INDIANS. 

Si'*  May. 

Present  the  Houorable  Director-General,  Claes  de  Ruyter  and  Jan  Darech  as  interpreters. 

To-day  appeared  in  the  Council  chamber  three  Mohican  chiefs,  namely 
Eskuvias  alias  Aepje7i  (Little  Ape) 
Appamet  and 
Kesseway. 

Whereas  it  was  stated,  that  they  came  as  envoys,  they  were  asked,  whether  they  came  for 
themselves  or  in  the  name  of  others. 

They  answered  in  substance,  that  they  came  in  the  name  of  the  Esopus  Sachems  to  ask  for 
peace,  because  they  were  no  longer  willing  to  make  war,  but  wished  to  live  as  friends  and  that 
tliey  would  leave  the  Esopus  altogether  and  convey  it  to  the  Dutch. 

They  were  asked,  what  security  they  brought  with  them  or  could  show,  that  the  Sachems 
desire  peace  and  that  we  must  also  know,  whether  the  savages  generally  wanted  peace  too  and 
would  not  go  to  war  any  more,  because  the  Sachems  had  declared,  that  they  cannot  punish  them, 
but  must  let  them  do  as  they  please. 

The  Sachem  Acpje  put  down  two  strings  of  wampum,  saying,  that  is  as  security,  that  tlie 
Sachem,  barebacks,  young  and  old,  squaws  and  men  desire  peace  and  ask  for  it ;  putting  down  two 
more  strings  he  said,  that  this  was  as  security,  that  they  were  sent  to  make  peace.  The  strings  of 
wampum  were  taken  up  and  they  were  answered,  we  believed  willingly,  that  they  had  been  sent 
and  had  come,  but  that  no  peace  can  nor  shall  be  made,  before  and  until  the  Sachems  of  the  Eso- 
pus came  themselves  here  or  at  least  to  Eort  Orange,  to  consider  the  conditions  of  the  peace. 

They  put  down  again  two  strings  and  requested,  that  the  Indian  prisoners  should  be  released. 

The  aforesaid  two  strings  were  handed  back  to  them  with  the  answer,  that  we  ^^•ould  not 
accept  them,  as  we  did  not  intend  to  release  the  aforesaid  prisoners. 

They  offered  twelve  strings  again  asking  that  the  prisoners  should  be  released.  The  same 
answer  as  before  was  given  and  the  strings  returned  to  them. 

Whereupon  they  inquired,  what  we  would  do  with  the  said  prisoners. 

The  answer  was  the  question,  what  they  liad  done  with  our  prisoners. 

After  the  said  three  chiefs  had  spoken  to  each  other  for  a  while,  one  of  them  laid  down  a  string 
of  wampum  before  the  Honorable  General's  feet,  saying,  that  they  requested,  we  should  not  carry 
the  war  fartlier  than  to  the  Esopus^-  tlie  answer  was:  As  long  as  they  kept  quiet  and  lived  in 
peace  with  us,  we  would  do  the  same  and  not  make  war  against  them.  They  put  down  another 
string  of  wampum,  saying,  that  we  must  not  be  angry  with  them,  if  it  should  happen,  that  the 
Esopus  savages  were  to  injure  or  capture  some  Dutchmen  along  the  river  and  near  Eort  Orange. 
The  answer  was,  that  as  our  friends  tliey  should  prevent  tliis  as  much  as  possible  and  if  they  should 
receive  any  information  of  it,  they  must  warn  our  people ;  if  tliey  did  that,  there  would  be  no 
reason  to  feel  angry  with  them.  The}'  again  put  down  a  string,  sa^-ing  that  thereby  they  cast 
away  the  remembrance  of  the  refusal  of  their  present,  which  they  had  offered  for  the  captive 
savages  and  that  they  had  no  ill  feeling  on  tliat  account. 

Giving  still  another  string,  they  requested  that  the  Sachems  or  chiefs  of  Esopus  should  accord- 
ing to  promise,  have  a  safe  conduct  to  Eort  Orange,  on  which  the  aforesaid  string  was  accepted. 

They  were  further  told,  that  we  were  willing  to  live  with  them  as  friends  and  brothers,  (as 


New  Yorh  IFisiorical  Jieconh.  169 

with  tlic  other  neighboring  savages),  provided  that  they  kept  quiet  and  would  have  nothing  to  do 
with  the  Esopus  Indians,  whereupon  tlie  following  presents  were  given  thein  in  return : 
3  blankets  at  11  guilders  fl  33  3  axes  3  knives 

3  pieces  togetlier  2}  ell  duffels         7.4  3  pair  of  socks 

6  small  kettles  each  a  pound  of  powder 

Nota:  the  eight  strings  of  wampum,  given  by  them,  were  found  upon  counting  to  amount  to 

in  light  money fl  13S.5  wliich  is  in  heavy  money  fl  92.3.5. 

For  this  the  cash  book  of  the  Receiver  Ruyoen  has  been  duly  debited  on  the  26'"  of  Maj'. 
Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  jV.  Netherlands  on  the  day  as  above. 


Resolotion  to  tkanspoet  to  Curacao  all  bct  two  or  tukee  of  the  lately  cap- 
tured Esopus  Indians. 
May  25,  16C0. 

It  is  quite  evident  from  the  propositions  and  the  talk  of  the  savages,  that  we  shall  not  obtain 
a  firm  and  stable  peace  with  the  K»o])U8  savages,  unless  the  captured  Esopus  Indians  (of  whom 
the  eleven  here  and  the  others  still  in  prison  at  the  Esopus  are  all  bold  and  hardhearted  fellows  and 
the  most  inconsiderate  of  the  tribe)  are  released  or  they  are  deprived  of  all  hope  ever  to  get  them 
back  and  they  are  forced  to  a  solid  peace  by  force  of  arms  (with  God's  blessing).  Having  consid- 
ered this,  after  several  serious  deliberations  it  has  been  unanimously  decided,  that  to  release  them, 
would  not  only  tend  to  create  disregard  and  contempt  of  our  nation  among  neighbors  as  well  as 
our  own  subjects,  but  also  the  neighboring  barbarians  and  especially  the  Esojnis  savages  would 
glory  iu  it,  as  if  they  inspired  such  great  awe  to  our  people,  that  we  were  afraid  to  rouse  their 
anger  and  that  we  had  no  courage,  to  treat,  according  to  their  merits  and  as  an  example  for  others, 
the  prisoners,  among  whom  there  are  some,  who  have  dared  to  miirder  our  people,  captured  by 
them,  in  cool  blood  and  with  imheard  cruelty.  Hence,  we  have  for  the  abovestated  and  other 
reasons  judged  it  to  be  best,  to  send  the  aforesaid  Indian  captives  to  Curacao  by  the  fii-st  good 
opportunity  and  at  the  expense  of  the  Company,  to  be  employed  there  or  at  Bonayro  with  the 
negroes  in  the  service  of  the  Company  and  to  keep  here  only  two  or  three  of  the  aforesaid  cap- 
tives, who  have  murdered  our  prisoners  in  cool  blood,  and  to  punish  them  at  the  proper  time  in 
such  a  manner,  as  shall  be  decided  upon,  in  the  meantime  to  continue  a  defensive  and  offensive  war 
against  the  Esopus  savages  and  inflict  all  possible  harm  upon  them,  until  such  time,  that  we  can 
obtain  a  peace  with  them  on  favorable  conditions.  Amsterdavi  in  N.  Nether^land,  on  the  day 
as  above. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Sjoth  at  the  Esopus  :   Mohican 
chiefs  sent  back  from  the  manhattans  to  esopus,  as  the  dibector  desires 

TO  TREAT  WITH  THE  EsOPUS  InDIANS  DIRECT  ;  THE  HOSTILITIES  AGAINST  THE  EsO- 
PUS  ARE  TO  BE  RENEWED,  AS  SOON  AS  THE  EnSIGN  SEES  THAT  THERE  ABE  NO 
CHAJ>fCES,  THAT   THEY    WILL    SUE   FOR   PEACE   THEMSELVES. 

Honorable,  Valiant. 
Since  our  last  letter  and  your  answer  to  the  same  we  have  not  heard  anything  in  regard  to 
the  state  of  affairs  at  the  Esopus,  which  has  rather  made  us  resolve  to  send  the  Company's  yacht 
22 


170  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  tlie  ^Esopus,  to  carry  up  tlie  Mahicander  chiefs,  who  have  been  here  to  ask  for  peace  with  the 
^Esopus  Indians.  We  have  as  yet  not  been  able  to  come  to  a  conchision,  because  they  demand 
the  i-elease  of  the  captured  savages :  in  the  meantime  we  have  referred  tliem  back  to  the  ^sopus 
Sacliems,  to  tell  them,  that  if  they  wanted  peace,  they  must  ask  us  personally  either  here  or  at 
Fort  Orange,  where  we  would  send  a  representative  in  that  case.  You  will  therefore  allow  these 
Mahicander  chiefs  to  go  and  come  unmolested,  also  the  Aesopus  chiefs  and  savages,  as  long  as  the 
Mahicanders  are  with  them  ;  but  as  soon  as  these  have  left  and  bid  good-bye  to  you,  then  you  are 
strictly  charged  to  annoy  and  harrass,  as  before,  in  every  manner  the  Aesopus  savages  and  all 
those,  who  may  come  to  them  or  are  with  them ;  if  you  should  require  thereto  now  or  hereafter  a 
gi-eater  number  of  soldiers  or  any  ammunition  of  war,  then  yon  will  inform  us ;  we  shall  not  fail, 
to  assist  you  according  to  our  means.  Nineteen  soldiers  were  sent  us  from  the  Fatherland  by  the 
last  ship  "  de  Moesman  "  and  a  greater  number,  up  to  one  hundred  men,  is  expected  by  the  next 
shi])s ;  may  the  good  God  bless  our  just  cause  and  grant  us  a  good  and  desirable  success !  We  are 
informed,  that  soldiers  as  well  as  freemen  are  altogether  too  confident  and  run  out  in  small  parties 
now  and  then  and  dare  to  go  on  the  strand,  as  if  there  was  no  danger  or  no  more  savages :  we  warn 
and  command  you  therefore,  to  prevent  and  stop  it  and  to  allow  no  small  parties  of  men  to  go  out, 
but  to  attack  at  every  possible  occasion  with  the  greatest  caution  and  courage,  beat  and  pursue  the 
Aesojnis  savages  as  far  as  shall  seem  advisable  to  you  and  not  to  trouble  yourself  about  any  armis- 
tice, unless  you  receive  from  here  or  from  Fort  Orange  express  orders  thereto. 

Six  soldiers  are  going  up  for  the  better  protection  of  the  Company's  yacht  and  as  safeguard 
for  the  Mahikander  chiefs;  you  may  keep  them  there,  if  necessary  or  send  down  in  their  places 
some  disabled  or  sick  men,  but  do  not  leave  the  yacht  without  proper  protection  during  her  stay 
there. 
The  25"'  of  May  1660. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Smith  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;  he  reports  a  raid  on  ax 
Indian  village  on  the  Esopus  and  its  result. 

The  30^''  of  May  1660,  at  the  Aesopus. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent  Sir, 

Honorable  Director-General  of  Neio-Netherland.  I  have  to  inform  your  Excy.,  that  I  have 
received  the  letter  and  the  provisions  sent  by  your  Honor  in  the  yacht,  conform  to  the  invoice. 
But  as  Claes  de  Ruyter  came  to  the  Aesopus  in  the  morning  and  as  we  did  not  know  of  his  arrival, 
we  had  marched  out,  75  men  strong,  an  hour  before  daylight,  to  make  a  visit  to  the  savages  and 
took  along  one  of  the  savages  captured  here,  to  get  good  information,  where  the  savages  might 
keep  themselves.  Thus  I  came  with  my  men  to  the  second  valley  on  Kit  Davietsen^s  river,  on 
which  this  valley  is  situated  and  there  I  discovered  some  savages,  who  were  planting  and  also  fish- 
ing. We  did  our  best  to  get  through  there,  but  it  M'as  not  possible  on  account  of  the  high  water; 
then  we  retreated  very  quietly,  so  that  not  one  got  wind  of  our  presence,  and  returned  to  the  fort 
on  Saturday  morning,  where,  on  making  known  our  predicament  and  that  they  were  at  such  a 
queer  place,  where  we  could  not  get  at  them,  I  was  instantly  informed  by  the  wife  of  Juryen 
Wcstphalen,  that  there  was  a  passage,  but  about  3  hours'  march  farther  up  in  the  aforesaid  valley. 
We  resolved  then  to  undertake  it  again  immediately  and  took  our  road  according  to  the  infonna- 
tion   of  tiie  aforesaid  wcjniau   and  got  tlu'uugli  and   found  their  houses,  but  they   discovered  us 


New  Yoih  lliafoi  ical  Iiecoids.  171 

through  the  barking  of  their  dogs  and  fled  qnietlj'  into  tlio  woods,  without  a  shot  having  been 
fired  by  us  or  by  them  and  we  got  only  one  gun  in  the  house  and  while  looking  for  a  canoe,  to 
cross  over  the  Kil,  we  found  the  canoe,  in  which  tlie  old  Premaeker  had  fished :  this  Premaeker 
is  the  oldest  Saehein  of  the  Aesopus  savages  and  father  to  our  jirisoner  Pissguartas.  As  he  was  a 
very  old  man  and  spoke  in  arrogant  words  to  our  men,  saying  "  What  are  you  doing  here,  you 
dogs  "  and  aimed  his  gun  at  us,  we  took  away  his  gun  and  six  knives  and  a  hatchet  and  as  it  was 
a  great  distance  we  could  not  take  \\\m  along  and  therefore  gave  him  a  whack  with  his  own  hatchet. 
About  noon  on  Sunday  we  reached  the  fort  again,  but  on  our  march  here  some  savages  leaped  out 
of  the  bushes  and  fired  a  few  shots  at  our  rearguard  and  wounded  one  of  them,  but  pursued  by 
our  men  they  retreated  immediately  into  the  thickness  of  the  bushes  and  because  the  bushes  are 
now  green  and  full  of  foliage,  they  go  there  now  out  of  their  houses  and  live  everywhere  in  the 
woods,  for  they  have  found  out,  that  we  pursue  them,  and  they  stay  in  bo  place  and  we  shall  not 
give  them  any  rest,  if  we  hear,  where  they  keep  themselves  now  and  begin  to  plant,  but  shall  again 
pay  them  a  visit,  if  possible.  Concerning  the  ploughing  and  sowing,  it  is  all  done  now  and  yes- 
terday, Saturday,  the  last  grain  has  been  worked  into  the  ground,  so  that  now  neai'ly  all  the  land 
is  sowed;  we  have  continually  given  them  forty  men  as  safeguard  while  tilling.  Before  the  arri- 
val of  Claes  de  Ruyter  I  have  tried  diligently  to  attract  the  savages  and  to  outwit  them  with 
flattery,  but  since  he  and  Jacob  Toennissen  have  been  with  the  savages,  we  have  not  seen  one  of 
them,  for  none  has  been  here  in  the  fort,  except  a  mute  one,  who  coming  with  some  Highland 
savages,  our  friends  whom  we  did  not  dare  to  molest,  brought  some  fishes.  As  to  powder  and 
lead,  we  are  not  yet  in  want  of  it,  but  socks,  shoes  and  shirts  are  much  needed  by  the  soldiers. 
The  gunner  was  engaged  at  16  guilders  per  month  on  tlie  15""  of  October  1659;  as  he  was  not 
satisfied  with  his  pay  and  as  I  can  spare  him,  I  have  discharged  him  on  the  IS""  of  May.  Closing 
I  commend  your  Excy.  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain  your  Excy's.  faithful  servant 

Dip.cK  Smitt,  Ensign 

To  the  Noble,  "Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent,  the  Honorable  Director-General  of  New-Neth- 
erlamJ,  Petrus  Stuyvesant  at  the  Manathans. 


Conference  between  the  Director-General  and  Council  and  the  chiefs  of 
Hackensack  and  Haverstkaav.  An  armistice  is  granted  to  the  Esopus  In- 
dians. 

3"  June  (1660) 

Present  in  Council,  the  Right  Honorable  Director-General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  Mr.  Nica- 
sius  de  Sille. 

At  the  meeting  appeared 

Oratamy,  chief  of  Hacliinkesack  and 

Curruppin,  chief  of  Haverstroo  with  some  other  savages. 

1.  The  chief  Oratamy  says,  that  during  the  last  rencontre  at  the  Esopus  4  or  6  days  ago,  when 
only  the  chief  Preumaecker  was  killed,  about  20  Esopus  savages  were  together,  who  all  wished 
to  live  in  peace. 

2.  He  says,  that  the  Esopus  chief  Seuioackenamo,  who  was  with  them  at  Gemoenepa  and  on  Sta- 
ten-Island  yesterday,  was  very  sad  upon  hearing  of  the  death  of  the  aforesaid  chief  Preumaecker 


172  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

and  that  lie  suddenly  departed  thereupon,  whereas  he  did  not  know  now  what  to  do  or  not  to  do, 
but  he  had  left  in  haste  in  order  to  see,  M'hether  he  could  quiet  the  savages  and  would  come  back 
in  10  or  12  days. 

3.  He  states,  that  the  aforesaid  chief  Seuwaclienamo  had  told  him  and  the  chiefs  hereabout,  that 
just  before  he  came  here  he  had  spoken  with  the  soldiers,  that  is  the  fighting  savages,  who  camp 
by  themselves  and  had  asked  them,  what  they  desired ;  thej'  had  answered :  We  do  not  want  to 
fight  any  more ;  then  he  had  spoken  Avith  the  women  about  what  tlicy  thought  best ;  they  had 
answered,  that  we  may  peacefully  plant  the  land  and  live  in  peace  :  then  he  had  gone  to  the  unex- 
perienced young  men,  who  camp  alone  upon  another  place,  to  ask  them,  what  they  thought  and 
they  had  said,  to  make  peace  with  the  Dutch  and  that  they  would  not  kill  a  pig  nor  a  chicken. 

After  the  foregoing  propositions  had  been  answered  to  the  effect,  that  we  too  were  inclined 
to  make  peace,  the  chief  Oratamy  replied,  that  he  thought  it  strange  then,  that  our  people  had 
only  lately  made  an  expedition  against  the  savages  and  killed  the  chief  Preumaecker.  He  was 
told,  it  was  our  way,  to  do  our  best  as  long  as  we  had  no  firm  peace,  whereupon  he  requested  that 
there  might  be  an  armistice  on  both  sides  during  the  negotiations  for  jieace.  We  answered  him, 
that,  if  he  would  go  there  himself  with  our  interjjreter  Claes  de  Ruyter  or  send  somebody  in  his 
name,  to  hear,  whether  the  Esopxts  Indians  were  minded  as  they  said,  we  would  send  him  and 
them  in  the  Company's  yacht  and  keep  an  armistice  until  their  return.  He  accepted  immediately 
to  do  this,  saying,  he  would  now  see  himself,  whether  the  Esopus  savages  were  well  disposed. 
Done  at  Fort  Amsterdain  in  N.  Nethcrland  on  the  day  as  above. 


Commission  foe  Claes  de  Kuyter  to  accompany  the  chiefs  to  Esopcs  to  keceive 

THE    PEOPOSALS    OF   THE    EsOPUS    InDIANS    AJJD    HIS    INSTEUCTIONS. 

Whereas  several  tribes  of  savages,  among  others  especially  the  Mahicanders,  the  Wapjnngs 
land  those  of  Ilnckinkesacky,  JIaverstroo  and  Staten-Islaiid  have  at  different  times  made  proposi- 
tions and  tried  to  intercede  for  and  in  the  name  of  the  Esopus  savages,  asking  for  peace  or  at  least 
an  armistice  for  the  same,  which  has  been  denied  by  us,  although  not  absolutely,  while  we  as  yet 
have  neither  agreed  to  it,  but  have  deferred  it  from  time  to  tune  on  the  grounds,  that  we  could 
not  know,  whether  the  Esopus  savages  desired  it  themselves  and  were  disposed  for  peace,  as  long 
as  some  of  their  Sachems  did  not  personally  appear  before  us  and  submitted  to  us  some  security 
and  reasonable  conditions  in  this  regard,  whereupon  the  aforesaid  solicitants  every  time  stated  to 
ns,  that  the  Esopus  Sachems  did  not  dare  to  appear  here  in  person,  that  they  had  been  on  the  road 
once  or  twice,  but  had  each  time  returned  for  fear, 

Whereas  among  others  Oratam  chief  of  IlacMnkesacJiy,  Corruspln,  chief  of  Ilaverstroo  with 
two  of  his  officers  appeared  to-day  before  the  Council  and  declared  that  a  few  days  ago  one  of  the 
Esopus  chiefs,  by  name  Seuwackenamoo  had  come  to  theni  and  left  again  yesterday,  expressly  sent, 
as  he  stated,  by  the  other  chiefs  and  savages  of  Esopus  to  sue  for  peace,  who  had  told  to  the  said 
Oratam  that  he  had  first  sjjoken  with  the  Wauwapiesjes  that  is  soldiers  or  fighting  savages,  wlio 
camp  by  themselves  and  had  unanimously  declared,  that  they  did  not  wish  to  fight  any  more  ;  that 
he  then  had  gone  to  the  women  and  young  children  camping  at  another  place  and  had  asked  them, 
what  they  thought  about  it  and  how  they  were  disposed  ;  they  had  called  for  peace  and  that  they 
might  peacefully  plant  their  corn  ;  then  the  aforesaid  Esopus  chief  had  gone  to  the  young  fellows, 
who  did  the  most  harm  and  had  asked  them,  whetlier  they  wanted  peace  and  they  liad  answered, 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  173 

that  henceforth  they  would  not  kill  a  pig,  not  even  a  chicken  and  that  he  then  had  conic  to  thcin 
to  state  this  and  to  request  peace,  whereas  he  had  heard  in  the  meantime,  that  in  the  expedition  of 
our  men,  while  he  was  away,  the  greatest  and  oldest  chief  Preumaecker  had  been  killed  and  he 
did  not  know  consequently,  what  to  do,  therefore  he  returned  suddenly  overland,  but  had  said,  if 
the  Esopus  savages  were  still  resolved  to  make  peace,  as  before,  he  would  come  back  to  them  in 
10  or  12  days  and 

Whereas  the  aforesaid  Oratain,  chief  of  HacklnJcesacli/,  and  Curru/pjJin,  chief  of  Ilaverstt'oo, 
now  request,  that  we  will  put  a  stop  to  our  fighting  for  such  a  time  and  direct  our  soldiers  at  the 
Esopus  to  make  no  more  expeditions  against  the  savages,  so  that  in  the  meantime  a  good  peace 
might  be  concluded, 

Therefore,  after  due  consideration  of  the  propositions  and  the  condition  of  the  season,  the 
country  beginning  to  grow  thick  with  busheS  to  the  considerable  advantage  of  the  savages  and 
disadvantage  of  our  people  and  having  further  considered,  that  if  we  should  refuse  suddenly  the 
various  applications,  we  might  arouse  many  more  enemies.  We  have  for  these  and  some  other 
reasons  of  importance  judged  it  best  to  reply  to  the  aforesaid  solicitants,  that,  if  they  would  go 
themselves  or  send  somebody  in  their  name  with  our  interpreter  Claes  Jansen  Ruyter  to  the 
Esopus  savages,  to  hear  whether  they  are  so  disposed,  as  they  say,  we  would  send  him  and  them 
thither  in  a  yacht  and  keep  the  armistice  until  their  return  and  whereas  they  immediately  accepted 
this  without  conditions,  to  which  the  aforesaid  chiefs  added,  that  they  would  now  see  themselves, 
whether  the  Esopus  savages  were  well-disposed,  therefore  we  have  thought  it  best  for  the  Com- 
pany and  the  good  inhabitants  of  this  province,  the  time  for  tillage  being  at  hand,  and  advisable 
to  let  Claes  Jansen  Ruyter  go  thither  with  the  savages,  to  hear  the  propositions  of  the  Esopus 
Sachems  and  savages,  to  answer  conform  to  the  following  instructions  and  to  promise  an  armistice. 
Done  at  Eort  Amsterdam  in  If.  Netlierland,  the  3*  June  A°  1660. 

Instructions  for  Claes  Jansen  Rxiyter. 

He  shall  proceed  with  Oratam,,  chief  of  IlackinTcesacky,  Corruspin,  chief  of  Haverstroo  or 
their  messengers  to  the  Esopus  Sachems  and  savages  and  inform  himself  there,  whether  they  are 
so  disposed,  as  the  chiefs  of  the  Mahicanders,  of  the  Highlands,  Haverstroo,  HacMnkesacky  and 
others  had  stated,  to  wit :  to  make  peace. 

If  they  show  any  inclination  thereto,  he  shall  tell  them  from  us,  that  we  are  quite  willing  to 
make  peace  with  them,  but  only  upon  good  and  safe  conditions. 

That  the  prisoners,  whom  we  have  and  who  must  be  counted  as  dead,  shall  remain  in  caj> 
tivity  for  greater  security's  sake,  while  he  may  give  them  hope,  that,  if  they  keep  the  peace  well, 
they  or  at  least  some  of  them  may  be  returned. 

That  they  must  repay  the  muskets,  wampum,  duffels  and  other  goods,  which  they  had  received 
for  our  prisoners,  whom  they  nevertheless  had  murdered. 

That  they  shoidd  leave  the  Esopus  or  remove  a  considerable  distance  from  our  people,  to  pre- 
vent mischiefs  and  that  if  any  of  their  people  should  hereafter  do  any  harm,  they  must  repair  it 
immediately,  or  else  the  war  will  begin  again. 

And  if  he  finds  them  well  disposed  toward  peace  under  the  above  conditions,  he  shall  send  us 
information  of  it  and  direct  the  Ensign  upon  sight  hereof  and  until  further  orders  not  to  commit 
any  hostilities  or  midertake  any  expedition  against  the  savages.  Amsterdam  in  N.  N^etherland, 
the  Z^  June. 


174  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River, 

Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Dirck  Smith,  directing  him  to 

CEASE  hostilities,  IF  THE  EsOPUS  InDIANS  ARE  \VILLING  TO  MAKE  PEACE. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir ! 

You  will  learn  from  his  instructions  for  what  purpose  Claes  de  Ruyter  has  been  sent  to  the 
Esopus.  In  case  the  savages  are  inclined  to  make  peace  on  the  proposed  conditions,  you  will  dis- 
continue hostilities  and  expeditions  against  them  until  further  orders,  but  keep  constantly  good 
watch  and  be  well  on  your  guard. 

As  to  the  request,  made  by  you  in  your  last  letter  of  the  SO'*"  May,  for  socks,  shoes,  shirts  etc  for 
the  garrison  there,  we  expect  a  large  quantity  by  the  ship  "  de  Bever  ",  which  is  looked  for  daily ; 
as  soon  as  she  has  arrived,  we  shall  provide  you  with  these  and  other  necessaries,  with  which  etc". 
Fort  Amsterdam,  in  N.  Netherlands 
the  3^  June  1660. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Dirck  Smith  to  the  Director  and  Council,  with  particu- 
lars OF  A  CONFERENCE  HELD  WITH  THE  InDIANS. 

12"'  June. 

Honorable,  Worshipful,  "Wise  and  Prudent  Gentlemen,  Honorable  Director-General  and  Coun- 
cil of  New-NetJierland. 

I  inform  your  Honors  herewith,  that  we  have  duly  received  your  Honors'  letter,  dated  the  3'' 
June,  through  Claes  de  Ruyter.  Pursuant  to  j'our  Honors'  orders  we  have  called  upon  the  Esopiis 
savages  to-day  and  have  heard  their  statement  and  they  avowed,  that  they  had  all  requested  the 
Sachems  to  make  peace  with  us  and  that  they  came  now  themselves  to  us  for  this  purpose  under 
the  blue  sky  to  despatch  it. 

Secondly,  that  they  with  all  their  soldiers,  their  women  and  children  were  sincerely  disposed 
for  it  and  they  were  glad,  that  it  had  proceeded  so  far. 

Thirdly,  they  promise,  that  neither  they  nor  their  children  shall  do  any  harm  to  us  or  to  our 
animals,  much  less  commit  any  thefts  or  mischiefs. 

Then  we  proposed  to  them  all  what  your  Honors  ordered  in  the  letter  written  to  us,  to  all  of 
which  they  assented  and  were  satisfied  with,  but  they  requested,  that  a  small  piece  of  land  might 
be  granted  to  them  for  their  habitations  and  plantations  and  that  at  a  great  distance. 

They  requested  also,  that  your  Honor  should  come  here  by  the  first  opportunity,  bringing 
along  a  good  interpreter,  who  understands  their  language  well,  as  whom  they  name  one  called 
Waerhen  in  order  then  to  conclude  with  your  Lordship  a  firm,  inviolable  and  eternal  peace  ;  then 
all  the  neighboring  Sachems  shall  appear  together  at  this  place,  to  make  the  peace  so  much  faster 
and  surer.     Herewith  commending  your  Honor  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty,  I  am 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servant 
Esopus,  the  12""  June  1660.  Derck  Smitt,  Ensign. 


Resolution  that  the  Director  proceed  to  the  Esopus  and  conclude  a  peace 
with  the  Indians. 
2P'  June. 

The  foregoing  letter  having  been  opened  and  read  it  was  resolved,  that  the  IIoi\orable  Director- 
General  should  go  there,  as  soon  as  the  ship  "  de  Tronw  "  has  sailed,  in  order  to  conclude,  if  pos- 
sible, a  peace  on  the  formerly  proposed  conditions.     Date  as  above. 


New  Yorh  Historical  liecords.  175 

Letter  from  Vice  D'r.  La  Montagne  at  Fort  Orange  to  Dik.  Stuyve6ant  and 
Council  ;  Indian  brokers  ;  Mohawks  and  Senegas  cut  off  a  French  fort. 

Honorable,  Valliant  aud  Worsliipful  Gentlemen. 

Having  left  you,  gentlemen,  ou  the  14""  of  May  last  I  arrived  here  Friday  the  21"  of  the  same 
month  at  night,  since  which  time  I  have  had  no  opportunity,  nor  even  leisure  to  answer  the  objec- 
tions made  by  Mr.  van  Rmjven  to  my  accounts.  On  the  Monday  following  my  return  my  wife's 
sister  was  by  an  accident  mortally  (as  we  then  thought)  wounded,  Tuesday  the  Commissaries 
met  to  dispose  of  more  than  forty  cases  and  a  petition  by  the  principal  traders  of  this  place  was 
handed  in  against  the  placat  issued  by  his  Honor  the  Director-General  and  Council  and  since 
republished  annually,  that  only  Indian  brokers  should  be  admitted  to  carry  on  the  trade.  After 
the  bench  had  taken  this  into  consideration,  it  was  ordered  to  call  the  whole  community  into  the 
fort,  to  learn  their  opinion  on  this  matter.  They  assembled  on  "Wednesday  and  having  been  heard 
individually  they  expressed  a  different  opinion,  viz  that  it  would  be  better,  to  give  the  enormous 
amount  of  brokerage,  which  went  now  yearly  into  the  pockets  of  the  Indian  brokers —  about  fifty 
thousand  guilders  —  to  Dutchmen.  As  this  opinion  went  directly  against  the  request  of  the  peti- 
tioners, the  latter,  increased  to  twenty-five  altogether,  presented  "Wednesday  a  second  petition, 
repeating  their  former  demands.  Friday  the  other,  small  traders,  also  presented  a  petition  signed 
by  fifty -four  persons  and  now  they  began  to  scold  and  call  each  other  bad  names  and  threats  were 
littered:  Saturday  the  Court  was  convened  to  deliberate  how  to  settle  this  matter,  in  which  the 
parties  were  so  bitter  and  hostile  against  each  other :  the  Court  could  not  come  to  any  conclusion 
and  on  that  account  was  adjourned  over  till  Monday,  when  the  Court,  having  assembled,  decided 
to  deny  the  petitions  of  either  party  and  ordered  that  in  accordance  with  the  placat  neither  Dutch. 
nor  Indian  brokers  should  be  employed  during  the  trading  under  a  penalty  of  300  guilders  and 
suspension  from  their  pursuits  for  the  time  of  two  months. 

Since  that  time  I  have  been  obliged  to  go  into  the  woods  with  soldiers  to  prevent  mishaps 
and  to  see  that  the  ordinances  are  observed.  It  comes  very  hard  upon  me,  as  I  have  no  deput}- 
sheriff,  and  it  has  gone  so  far,  that  I  must  frequently  remain  over  night  in  the  woods :  that  is  the 
reason,  why  I  have  until  now  been  unable  to  answer  the  objections  to  my  accounts  and  to  bring  or 
send  them :  they  will  be  brought  down  by  me  or  by  Johannes  Provost  in  the  next  sloops. 

Nothing  new  concerning  the  savages  has  happened  here,  except  that  the  Maquas  and  Sinnc- 
kus,  six  hundred  strong,  have  attacked  a  fort,  defended  by  seventeen  Frenchmen  and  one  hundred 
savages :  they  overpowered  the  garrison  and  put  them  all  to  death  with  the  exception  of  two 
Frenchmen  and  twenty  savages,  whom  they  carried  as  prisoners  back  to  their  fort ;  they  have  lost 
fourteen  killed ;  nineteen  were  wounded.  Hoping  shortly  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  or 
sending  you  my  regards  through  Johannes  Provost  I  remain  meanwhile 
Fort  Orange  Your  Honors'  obedient  servant 

15  June  1660.  La  Montagne 


Letter  from  Directoe  Stuyvesant  to  Ensign  Smith,  respecting  affairs  at  Esopus. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 
I  have  with  pleasure  learned  by  your  last  letter  that  the  Esopus  savages  desire  peace ;  before 
we  come  to  confirm  it,  we  judge  it  advisable  and  also  necessary,  that  the  two  savages,  who  are  still 


176  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Rivei'. 

kept  as  prisoners  at  the  Aesojms,  be  first  sent  down  and  the  sooner  the  better,  which  you  will  carry 
out  upon  sight  of  this,  after  the  yacht  shall  have  been  unloaded  and  you  will  despatch  the  sailing 
of  the  yacht  as  much  as  possible.  Claes  de  Ruyter  shall  in  the  meantime  remain  there,  until  I 
come,  to  have  the  Sachems  and  other  Aesapus  savages  ready  at  my  arrival.  No  more  at  present ; 
I  commend  you  to  God's  protection  and  am  etc. 
Amsterdam,  18'"  June  1660. 


Extracts  from  a  letter  of  the  Director  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  to 
THE  Directors  in  Holland  ;  defending  their  course  against  the  Indians  ajstd 

OBJECTING   to   THE   APPOINTMENT  OF   RoELOFF   SwABTWOUT   AS    SHERIFF   AT  EsOPUS. 

Dated  25^«  June  1660. 
■ji-  *  *  *  *  * 

It  is  only  rumored,  that  during  the  distressing  occurrences  and  unexpected  conflicts  with  the 
savages  on  the  Esopiis  as  well  in  the  last  general  massacre  some  acts  have  been  committed  by  our 
nation,  either  prematurely  or  rashly,  which  had  been  better  left  undone,  but  in  investigating  the 
matter  thoroughly,  sufficient  proof  could  not  be  found  to  punish,  as  an  example  for  others,  this  or 
that  act  as  tlie  cause  of  these  massacres.  We  have  informed  your  Honors  before  this  in  detail 
regarding  the  general  massacre  and  could  enlarge  on  the  occurrences  at  the  Esopxis,  which  however 
at  present  time  does  not  permit  and  it  would  also  be  unnecessary,  as  we  have,  in  our  former  letter 
of  the  29""  Octbr.,  reported  the  circumstances,  origin  and  progress  of  it  in  detail,  to  which,  if  we 
have  given  any  cause,  we  are  not  aware  of  it ;  the  barbarous  tortures,  which  they  suffered  at  the 
hands  of  the  savages,  overbalance  their  deserved  punishment  and  it  is  therefore  not  necessary  to 
make  further  inquiries,  as  to  how  they  and  we  have  fallen  into  the  ditch,  but  it  would  be  better  to 
think  of  means  how  to  get  out  of  it  and  fill  it  up.  If  concerning  the  subject  of  the  Esopxis,  you 
would  take  up  again  our  letters  of  A"  '58  and  '59,  the  vexation,  threats  and  aff'ronts,  inflicted  from 
time  to  time  upon  our  nation  by  the  Elsopus  savages  would  become  apparent.  Et  tandem  pati- 
entia  laesu  jit  furor,  therefore  we  have  not  failed  to  resent  and  resist  them  as  far  as  possible  with 
the  force  and  means,  entrusted  to  us  by  God  and  by  your  Honors  and  thus  far  we  have  abundant 
cause  to  thank  the  All-Good  God  for  His  blessing  and  the  good  results,  of  which  more  below  or 
in  the  next  letter. 

What  your  Honors  recommend  on  this  subject  to  our  consideration,  namely  to  punish,  reduce 
and  subdue  the  Esopus  Indians  through  the  Maquas  or  other  friendly  savages,  that  has  often  been 
thought  of  by  us  and  we  have  tried  to  make  the  experiment,  but  we  find  the  thing  partly  unsafe, 
because  they  are  all  savages  and  the  word  and  promise  of  one  cannot  be  believed  any  more,  than 
that  of  the  other,  partly  dangerous,  especially  and  more  so  if  we  were  to  attempt  it  with  the 
Ma<pi,as,  than  with  other  savages,  for  they  are  a  self-exulting,  arrogant  and  bold  tribe,  made  too 
haughty  through  their  continuous  victories  and  advantages,  which  they  have  gained  over  the 
French  themselves  and  French  Indians  in  Canada',  if  we  were  to  ask  them  hereto  and  they 
obtained  and  gained  the  desired  result,  they  would  exalt  themselves  and  belittle  us  so  much  more 
among  the  other  tribes  and  in  case  we  should  not  reward  them  according  to  their  avidity  and  appetite 
and  did  not  continually  stand  there  open-handed,  we  would  constantly  hear  ourselves  upbraided  and 
would  have  to  fear  an  attack,  if  we  contradicted  them.  For  these  and  many  other  considerations 
It  is  best,  to  stand  as  far  as  possible  on  our  own  feet  and  to  pray  the  good  God  for  a  happ\'  result; 
He  has  so  far  blessed  our  work,  that  the  Esopus  Indians  have  themselves  and  through  neighboring 


]^ew  YorTc  Historical  Recorih.  177 

tribes  asked  for  peace  several  times,  to  which  we  have,  for  reasons  shown  in  the  enclosure  No.  , 
so  far  iitisented  that  an  armistice  has  been  granted.  Your  Honors  will  be  informed  of  the  further 
issue  by  our  next  letter. 

****** 

"We  have  been  very  much  astonished  by  the  appointment  to  and  the  delivery  of  the  Sheriff's 
place  at  the  Esopus  to  one  lioeloff  Swartwout,  as  well  because  of  his  minority  as  on  account  of  his 
unfitness  for  the  place,  especially,  when  a  court  shall  be  needed  there,  which,  as  your  Honors  say, 
is  as  yet  premature,  as  there  is  for  the  present  no  court  of  justice  there  and  it  does  not  appear, 
that  one  shall  be  there  in  a  long  while  for  want  of  inhabitants,  fit  to  sit  on  the  bench, 

Anyway,  if  in  the  course  of  time  this  should  occur  a  man  of  greater  age,  capacity  and  esteem 
is  required  to  take  the  Sheriff's  place  ;  it  must  be  one,  who  at  the  same  time  is  able  to  attend  there 
to  the  duties  of  Commissary  for  the  Company. 

The  sequel  of  your  Honors'  letter  informs  us  of  the  concession  and  grant  made  to  Jeronimus 
Ebbingh,  who  married  the  widow  oi  Johan  de  Hulter,  that  contrary  to  the  general  order  he  may 
leave  his  land  untilled  for  two  years.  Regarding  his  petition,  we  hav^e  to  say  that  it  will  not  only 
cause  a  great  delay  in  the  cultivation  and  settlement,  but  your  Honors  have  also  been  deceived 
and  mis-informed,  as  well  concerning  the  extent  and  location  of  the  land,  as  that  one  part  of  the 
same  land  was  comprised  or  brought  within  the  fortifications ;  the  contrary  can  be  made  as  clear 
as  daylight.  As  to  your  Honors'  extension  of  time,  if  it  should  go  into  effect,  then  not  one  bouw- 
ery  can  during  that  period  be  made  within  the  fortified  settlement  to  the  great  inconvenience  of 
the  farmers,  who  came  over  in  this  ship,  and  of  others  who  might  desire  to  settle  there,  whereas 
otherwise  the  lands  would  have  been  taken  by  them  at  a  reasonable  price,  to  wit  10  or  12  guilders 
per  morgen,  the  same  for  which  they  offered  their  land  here  at  their  departure  leaving  verbal  orders 
and  powers  of  attorney  behind  in  regard  to  them,  to  convey  them  for  that  price  to  others,  who 
should  like  them :  this  would  have  been  done  already,  if  the  war  with  the  savages  had  not  delayed : 
12, 13  or  14  good  bouweries  can  be  made  out  of  this  land  and  the  houses  may  be  placed  in  and 
near  the  settlements  for  the  greater  security  of  all.  It  would  be  very  expensive  and  inconvenient 
for  the  Company  to  begin  a  new  village  at  a  distance  of  a  mile  or  one  and  a  half  miles,  before  this 
first  one  was  properly  established,  but  in  order  to  sustain  your  Honors'  concession,  as  far  as  the 
situation  will  permit  and  to  guard  as  much  as  possible  the  owners  against  losses  and  complaints,  we 
shall  treat  with  them  in  this  regard  with  all  possible  amity  and  friendship,  either  by  buying  the 
land  from  them  at  the  aforesaid  price  or  else,  which  is  equally  good,  but  somewhat  remote  to  leave 
them  in  their  places,  that,  when  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years  a  new  village  should  be  estab- 
lished, they  might  be  cultivated  or  conveyed  to  others  according  to  their  wish. 


Petition  of  Dieck  Jansen  and  Loueens  Lourensen  fob  payment  of  hike  foe 

THEIE  sloop,  which  WAS  USED  FOE  THE  PUBLIC  8EEVICE  AT  THE  EsOPUS  AND  OEDEE 
THEEEON. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Honorable  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-NetJierland. 

Show  with  humble  reverence  Dirck  Jansen  and  Laurens  Laurensen,  skippers  of  the  yacht 
"<Ze  Arent''\  that  they,  the  petitioners,  being  with  the  same  near  the  Em])us  last  year,  with  the 
23 


178  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

intention  of  continuing  their  voyage  to  Fort  Orange,  Jacob  Ilap  deceased,  and  Thomas  Chamhera 
came  on  board  there  with  letters  to  your  noble  Worships,  complaining  of  the  great  inconveniences, 
created  there  by  the  savages  and  demanding  of  them,  that,  as  the  welfare  of  the  country  was  deeply 
involved,  they  should  quickly  return  and  deliver  the  letters,  which  they  did  and  they  brought 
down  at  the  same  time  two  soldiers;  that  they  were  quickly  dispatched  by  your  Noble  Worships 
to  the  £!soj>us,  which  they  executed  also,  and  that  they  have  been  in  service  with  their  yacht  for 
ten  days  and  have  had  to  make  the  trips,  without  taking  in  any  cargo  to  their  great  loss  and 
whereas  the  farmers  are  not  willing  now,  to  pay  them  for  the  aforesaid  service,  saying  that  it 
should  be  done  by  the  country  or  by  your  Noi^le  Worships,  therefore  they  are  compelled  to  address 
themselves  to  your  Noble  Worships  and  respectfully  request,  that  your  Noble  Worships  will  please 
to  order  that  their  aforesaid  services  and  the  transportation  of  the  two  soldiers  be  paid  with  such  a 
sura,  as  your  Noble  Worships  shall  deem  equitable  and  fair ;  doing  which  etc^. 

Your  Noble  Worships  obedient  servants 
(signed) 

LOUEENS    LoUBENSEN 

DiRCK  Jansen. 

The  question  having  been  put,  the  following  decision  was  rendered  : 

Before  we  can  dispose  hereof,  the  petitioners  nmst  prove,  that  they  have  been  hired  by  ■the 
chief-officer  there  C)r  upon  his  orders,  else  they  must  apply  to  them,  M'ho  have  engaged  them.  On 
the  29'"  of  June  A"  1660. 


Oedee  foe  the  teanspoetation  of  the  captueed  Esopds  Indians  to  Cueacao 

AND    AGEEEMENT    FOE   THEIR    PASSAGE. 

29'"  June. 

Whereas  a  resolution  was  passed  on  the  25'"  of  May,  to  send  the  captured  Esopus  Indians  to 
Curagao,  for  which  an  opportunity  presents  itself  now,  as  Nicolae^  VarUth  and  Jacob  Backer 
intend  to  let  their  ship  soon  depart  for  Ouraqao,  therefore  it  is  resolved  to  make  a  contract  with 
them  for  the  passage  of  the  said  savages,  for  which  the  Hon"'°  Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Secretary 
Cornelis  van  Huyven  are  hereby  specially  authorized.     Date  as  above. 

In  pursuance  of  the  foregoing  resolution  the  Honorable  Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Secretary  Cor- 
nelis van  Ruyven  agreed  in  presence  of  the  Hon'"^  General  with  S'  Varleth  and  Jacob  Baclcer, 
that  for  each  savage  should  be  paid  as  fare  thirty-six  guilders  beaver  value  here  or  thirty  guilders 
in  silver  or  goods  at  current  prices  at  Curcgao.     Date  as  above 


Appointment  of  Maeten  Ceegiee  and  Oloff  Stevenson  van  Coetland,  to  ac- 
company   THE    DiEECTOE-GeNERAL   TO   THE    EsOPCS. 

5'"  July,  Monday. 

Present  in  Council  the  Honorable  Director-General,  Pttrus  Stuyvesant  and  Mr.  Nicasius  de 
Sille. 

Pursuant  to  the  former  resolution  of  the  21"  of  Juno  and  the  promise  made  to  the  Esop^is 
savages,  to  make  a  peace  with  them  upon  the  conditions  proposed  to  them  by  the  intei-jireter  Claes 
Jansen  de  Ruyter  and  accepted  by  them  according  to  a  letter  of  Ensign  Dirck  Smith  and  the 


New  York  Historical  Hecords.  179 

%-erbal  report  of  the  aaid  interpreter,  requesting  only  that  the  Hon'''"  Director-General  should  him- 
self come  with  a  good  interpreter  to  conclude  the  peace  and  to  let  them  have  a  small  piece  of  land 
at  a  great  distance,  which  they  might  plant  and  after  due  consideration  thereof  and  reflection  upon 
the  importance  of  the  matter  and  weakness  of  the  board  of  Director-General  and  Council,  they 
have  unanimously  decided  and  resolved,  to  send  thither  with  the  Honorable  Director-General,  one 
of  the  active  Burgomasters  and  a  former  Burgomaster  of  this  City,  namely  the  Worshipful  Marten 
Cregier  and  Oloff  Stevenson,  van  Cortlandt,  to  assist  the  Hon'''"'  Director-General  in  any  difficulty 
with  their  advice  and  counsel.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  in  Fort  Amst"^  in  N.  Netherland  on 
the  day  as  above. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 


Extract  from  a  lktter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Vice-Director  at  Cn- 

RAfAO  ;     REGARDING    THE    EsOPUS    InDIANS    TRANSPORTED    TO    CURACAO.       5^"    JuLY 

1660. 

*  *  4f  *  *  * 

I  said  in  my  last  letter,  that  we  were  at  open  war  with  the  savages  of  the  Esopus,  which  the 
good  God  has  thus  directed  and  blessed  that  the  barbarians,  seeing  no  other  way  out  of  it,  have 
solicited  peace  through  nearly  all  the  surrounding  savages,  offering  all  their  lands  for  their  depre- 
dations and  leaving  for  greater  security  thereof  the  prisoners,  taken  since,  in  our  hands,  who  are 
sent  to  the  number  of  10  or  11  by  this  vessel  to  your  Honor,  to  be  in  safer  keeping  there  on  the 
Island  and  to  be  employed  with  the  negroes  in  the  Company's  service  until  further  advice. 

Hope  is  held  out  to  the  other  savages,  that  if  they  keep  their  word  in  maintaining  the  peace, 
they  may  perhaps  get  back  some  of  their  transported  friends ;  as  I  am  about  to  leave  to  conclude 
the  solicited  peace,  I  find  little  material  and  less  time  to  enlarge  this,  therefore  in  closing  etc. 


Treaty  of  peace,  concluded  with  the  Esopus  Indians  on  the  15^"  July  1660. 

Articles  of  peace,  made  at  the  request  of  the  below  named 
chiefs  of  the  savages  between  the  Hon.  Petrus  Stuyvesant^ 
Director-General  of  New-Netherland  and  the  Sachems  or 

Names  of  the  chiefs,  who  asked  chiefs  of  the  Indians  of  the  Esopus. 

for  peace  in  the  name  of  the 

Esopus  savages  and  in  whose  ,  „  ,       ....             .  ,         . ,     i    i,                ,    ,,               ... 

^,  All  hostilities  on  either  side  shall  cease  and  all  acts  and  iniu- 

presence   the  peace  was  con-  .       r  „  ,     ,          ,           ,  r      •        ,       .  ,        . , 

,    ,    ,  ries  shall  be  forgotten  and  iorgiven  by  either  side, 

eluded :  o                       e           j 

2. 

Of  the  Maquas :  .    '                         .    ,        .  „      . 

A  1    I    •       1  Ihe  ILsopus  savages  promise  to  convey,  as  mdemnmcation, 

Adognmnoakque  ,      ,       /•         ..  t~v          V,          i    ,■    i           •           ,■   i      r- 

TTT  ,               ,  to  the  aforesaid  Director-General  all  the  territory  ot  the  A«£>jtws 
w  othesaQiiaCi^ 

^  ,  and  to  remove  to  a  distance  from  there,  without  ever  returning 

again  to  plant. 

Of  the  Mohicans:  3. 

Esk^iyas,  alias  A&pye  They  promise  further  to  pay  to  the  said  Director-General  in 

Amp^imet  return  for  the  ransom,  taken  for  the  captured  Christians,  500 


180 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Catskil : 


Machahnemeno 

Minqiias  : 
On  derishochq  ue 
Kakonyentsschage 

Wapj)ings  : 
Isschachga 
Wisachganioe 

Of  Ilackinkesachy  : 
Oratamy 
Carstangh 

Of  Staten-Island  • 
Warrhan 

The  following  are  the  names 

of  the  Esopus  Sachems,  with 

whom  the  treaty  was  made : 

Kcelcop 

Seewackemamo 

Neskaliewan 

Paniyruways 


schepels  of  Indian  corn,  one  half  during  the  next  fall,  when  the 
corn  is  ripe,  the  other  half  or  its  value  during  the  fall  next  fol- 
lowing. 

4. 
The  Esopus  savages  promise  to  keep  this  treaty  inviolable, 
not  to  kill  horses,  cattle,  hogs  nor  even  a  chicken  or  if  it  should 
happen  to  be  done,  then  the  chiefs  undertake  to  pay  for  it  and 
in  case  of  refusal  one  of  them  shall  be  kept  in  prison  or  imder 
arrest  until  the  loss  has  been  paid  or  made  good,  while  on  the 
other  side  the  Director-General  promises,  that  the  Dutch  neither 
shall  be  permitted  to  do  any  harm  to  them. 

5. 
If  the  Dutch  should  kill  a  savage  or  the  savages  a  Dutchman, 
war  shall  not  be  immediately  commenced  again  for  that  reason, 
but  a  complaint  shall  be  made  and  the  murderers  shall  be  deliv- 
ered to  be  punished,  as  they  deserve. 

6. 
The  Esopus  savages  shall  not  come  armed  to  the  Dutch  planta- 
tions, houses  and  habitations,  but  without  arms  they  may  go, 
come  and  trade  as  before. 

7. 
Whereas  the  last  war  was  caused  by  drunken  people,  no  savage 
shall  be  allowed  to  drink  brandy  or  strong  liquor  in  or  near  the 
Dutch  plantations,  houses  or  settlements,  but  he  must  go  with  it 
to  his  land  or  to  some  distant  place  in  the  woods. 


Included  in  this  peace  shall  be  all,  not  only  the  aforemen- 
tioned tribes  of  savages,  but  also  all  others,  who  are  in  friend- 
ship with  the  Director-General,  among  others  especially  the  chief 
of  Long- Island,  Taj)ousagh  and  all  his  savages ;  if  any  act  of 
hostility  should  be  committed  against  these,  the  Director-Gen- 
eral would  consider  it  his  duty,  to  assist  them. 

9. 
The  aforesaid  chiefs,  as  mediators  and  advocates  of  the  Esopus 
tribe,  remain  bondsmen  and  engage  themselves,  to  have  this 
treaty  kept  inviolate  and  in  case  the  Esopus  Indians  should 
break  the  peace,  now  concluded,  they  undertake  altogether  to 
assist  the  Dutch  to  subdue  the  Esopus  savages. 

10. 
On  the  foregoing  conditions  the  said  Director-General  offered 
first  to  the  aforesaid  mediators  and  they  accepted  eacli  a  piece 
of  cloth  and  to  the  chiefs  of  the  Esopus  savages  3  of  their  cap- 
tives and  each  a  piece  of  cloth. 
Thus  done  and  concluded  at  the  settlement  on  the  Esopus,  under  the  blue  sky,  in  presence  of 
the  Hon.  Marten  Cregier,  Burgomaster  of  the  City  oi  Amsterdam  in  Nexo- Netherlands  Oloff  Ste- 


Neto  York  Historical  Records.  181 

venson  Cortland,  ex-Burgomaster,  Arent  van  Curler,  deputy  of  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck 
and  many  people  of  the  Esapus,  both  Christians  and  Indians,  the  15"'  July  1660. 

,  P.  Stuyvesant  Marten  Cregier 

Oloff  Stevenson  A.  van  Curler. 

Endorsements  on  the  foregoing : 

5"'  of  August. 

After  the  report  of  the  Hon*''"  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  concerning  the  occurren- 
ces at  (the  Esoj)us),  had  been  heard  and  read  in  Council,  the  same  was  duly  thanked,  on  the  day 
as  above. 

The  peace  at  the  Esoptis  having  been  concluded,  the  Director-General  and  his  party  left  for 
Fort  Orange  and  what  has  passed  there,  worth  writing  down,  has  been  recorded  hereafter.  This 
pro  inemoria. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Council  of  New-Netherland  to  the  Directors 
IN  Holland,  communicating  the  conclusion  of  the  peace  with  the  Esopus 
Indians.     26.^"  July  1660. 
****** 

In  onr  last  preceding  letter  it  has  been  stated,  that  the  Esopus  savages  as  well  themselves  as 
through  other  neighboring  tribes,  had  several  times  applied  to  us  for  peace  and  that  an  armistice 
had  been  granted;  since  that  time  the  Director-General  has  proceeded  thither  and  after  many 
debates  finally  a  peace  lias  been  concluded  with  them,  at  the  request  and  intercession  of  the  Ma- 
quaas,  Minquaas,  Mohicans,  and  other  chiefs,  the  conditions  of  which  are  in  substance  as  follows : 

All  former  acts  are  forgiven  and  forgotten. 

The  country  for  2  or  3  miles  on  either  side  of  the  Esopus  Kil  is  given  to  us  for  reparation  of 
the  damages. 

For  the  ransom,  which  they  took  for  our  prisoners,  whom  they  nevertheless  killed,  they  are 
to  pay  500  schepels  of  Indian  corn  or  their  value. 

No  animal,  small  or  large,  is  to  be  injured,  much  less  killed,  else  they  must  immediately  give 
prompt  satisfaction  or  go  to  prison,  until  the  damage  is  made  good. 

No  war  is  hereafter  to  be  commenced  for  the  sake  of  private  quarrels,  but  the  murderers  are 
to  be  punished  by  either  side  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  injured  party. 

They  are  not  to  come  armed  into  our  places  nor  on  our  land. 

They  are  not  to  drink  wine  or  other  strong  drinks  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  houses  or 
settlements. 

The  mediators  are  security  for  the  concluded  treaty. 


Minute  of  the  return  of  the  Director- General  and  party  from  the  Esopus 

AND    journal    of   THE    DiRECTOE-GeNERAL   ON    HIS    JOURNEY. 

The  Hon.  Director-General,  accompanied  by  the  Burgomasters  Marten  Cregier  and   Olof 
Stevenson,  who  had  left,  pursuant  to  a  former  resolution  of  the  5"'  of  July,  on  the  7"'  of  the  same 


182  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

month,  arrived  here  again  on  the  31"  and  delivered  the  following  report,  entered  nnder  date  of 
the  5"'  of  August.     This  pro  rnemoria. 

Journal  and  adventures  of  the  Hon**'"  Birector 
on  the  journey  to  the  Esopus. 

On  the  7""  of  July  we  left  pursuant  to  the  resolution  and  on  the  9"",  Friday,  the  chief  of  the 
Highlaiuls  came  aboard ;  through  him  we  sent  two  of  his  savages  to  the  Esopus,  to  inform  the 
savages  of  our  coming. 

The  11""  of  July,  Sunday,  we  arrived  at  the  Esopus  and  sent  again  some  Savages  to  the  Eso- 
pus savages  and  informed  them  of  our  arrival  and  that  if  they  desired  to  talk  with  us,  they  should 
come  the  sooner  the  better. 

12""  do;  savages  again  sent  out;  they  sent  word,  that  they  should  come  to-morrow,  Tuesday. 

IS""  do ;  no  Sachem  has  been  heard  from,  but  10  common  savages  came,  who  said,  the  Esopus 
Sachems  would  not  come  on  that  day,  but  perhaps  to-morrow  or  may  be,  they  would  not  come  at 
all ;  nevertheless  we  sent  again  a  savage  to  them. 

14*"  do ;  when  up  to  noon  no  Esojms  Sachem  nor  any  news  from  them  had  been  heard  from 
we  called  before  us  the  chiefs  of  the  Alaquaas,  3  in  number,  the  chiefs  of  the  Mahicanders,  also 
3  in  number,  the  chief  of  the  Wapjnngs  and  the  chief  of  Ilackinghsachin,  also  one  of  the  deputies 
from  Staten- Island  and  made  the  following  statement  to  them  : 

First,  that  they  all  knew  very  well,  that  we  had  given  no  cause  for  the  war  between  us  and 
the  Esopus  savages,  but  that,  after  their  having  killed  one  of  our  people  and  burned  2  or  3  houses 
the  year  before,  we  had  nevertheless  forgiven  it  and  renewed  the  peace  promising  each  other,  that 
henceforth  no  war  should  be  begun,  even  though  a  man  might  be  killed,  but  that  the  murderer 
should  be  surrendered  and  punished. 

The  Esopus  savages  have  nevertheless,  now  about  10  months  ago,  taken  prisoners  some  of 
our  people,  fired  some  of  our  houses,  besieged  and  attacked  this  place  on  the  Esopus  and  making 
us  believe  during  the  siege,  that  they  desired  to  make  peace  and  would  let  us  ransom  the  prisonere 
ftnd  the  ransom  for  our  captives  being  ready  and  brought  before  the  gate,  tiie  Esopus  savages 
took  it  away  by  force,  kept  our  prisoners,  and  afterwards  shamefully  killed  them,  whereby  we 
were  compelled  to  begin  this  war. 

However,  at  the  request  of  all  the  savages,  who  are  our  friends  and  who  solicited  peace  for  the 
Esopus  savages,  at  the  intercession  of  our  friends,  the  Maquaas,  Mahicandey's,  Highlanders,  Min- 
quaas,  Catskils  and  others  we  have  made  an  armistice  with  the  Esopus  savages,  who  thereupon 
were  very  glad  and  requested  of  our  soldiers,  stationed  at  the  Esopus,  that  we  should  come  ourselves 
to  the  Esopus  to  conclude  a  firm  peace.  Having  come  and  brought  some  of  our  friends,  to  make 
a  firm  peace  in  their  presence,  the  Esopus  savages  stay  away,  without  once  coming  to  us  or  speak- 
ing of  peace. 

I  had  the  aforesaid  chiefs  informed,  that  they  all  could  see  now,  that  it  was  not  our  fault,  but 
that  the  Esopus  savages  were  trifling  with  us  as  well  as  with  them. 

And  as  it  did  not  suit  us,  to  remain  here  long  waiting  for  an  uncertainty  and  as  further  the 
Maqnaas  and  other  chiefs  were  tired  waiting  and  would  like  to  leave  as  much  as  we,  I  requested 
them  all  to  take  notice  thereof  and  to  inform  all  otlier  chiefs  and  savages,  our  friends,  of  it  and  to 
tell  them  not  to  trouble  themselves  any  more  about  the  Esopus  savages  nor  to  let  them  live  among 
them. 

Yet  to  give  them  full  measure,  I  had  them  informed,  that  we  should  wait  till  evening  and  if 
they  did  not  come  then,  we  would  leave  during  the  night. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  183 

Towards  evening  of  the  li""  of  July  four  of  the  Eaopus  chiefs,  to  wit  Kalcop,  Seewackaenarao, 
JVesAa/u'waa  and  Pamijyrawach  appeared  at  the  gate  of  the  settlement  of  Esopus. 

In  presence  of  the  below  named  chiefs  of  the  Maquaas,  MinquoMs,  Mahicanders,  Catskils, 
Wappin^s,  Ilackinkeaackinyhs,  and  the  representatives  from  JVaJack  and  Ilaveratroo  one  of  the 
Jlinquaas  chief,  called  Onderlshoghque  took  the  word  in  the  name  of  the  others.  His  first  propo- 
sition was  in  substance  as  follows :  that  the  Esopus  savages  had  come  to  them,  the  Minquaae, 
complaining,  they  were  engaged  in  such  a  terrible  war  with  the  Dutch  /  to  which  the  answer  was 
made,  You  have  first  done  or  commenced  it,  it  is  your  fault,  therefore  we  cannot  give  you  any 
assistance  upon  j-our  complaint  but  we  will,  as  far  as  is  in  our  power,  solicit  peace  for  you  and 
help  to  promote  it ;  for  the  present,  made  by  the  Esopus  savages  when  asking  for  help,  he  has 
now  brought  in  return  a  present  towards  the  peace,  which  he  asks  for  them ;  he  says,  that  if  they 
could  not  obtain  it,  the  Esopus  savages  would  return  home  crying. 

We  answered  him  upon  the  foregoing  statement  through  our  interpreter,  that  not  only  the 
Jlinquas  but  also  the  Mahicanders,  Maquas,  Catskils,  Highlanders,  JIackinghsacks  and  other 
surrounding  friendly  tribes  had  asked  for  peace  for  the  Esopus  savages  and  that  out  of  regard  for 
the  requests  made  by  our  friends,  we  were  quite  willing  to  treat  with  the  Esopiis,  if  we  could  feel 
assured  of  peace;  after  this  had  been  represented  to  them  once  or  twice,  the  Maquaas,  Minquaas 
and  other  beforementioned  chiefs  were  asked,  whether  they  would  be  bail,  that  the  Esopus  Indi- 
ans should  not  again  begin,  as  they  have  done  now. 

Whereupon  the  Macquaa  chief  Adoghwatque  proposed  and  said  to  the  Esopus  savages :  The 
whole  country  is  now  assembled  on  your  account,  (who  have  always  quarrelled  and  begun  war,) 
to  solicit  peace  for  j'ou  and  to  conclude  it.  If  this  shall  have  been  made,  do  not  begin  again 
for  your  lives,  for  if  you  begin  again  and  do  not  heed  us,  we  shall  most  surely  not  intercede  for 
you  another  time.  The  Minquaas  chief  took  up  the  word  and  admonished  the  Esopus  savages  in 
the  same  manner,  that  they  must  not  begin  again  nor  that  they  should  kill  any  horses  or  cattle 
nor  that  they  should  steal  anything,  but  they  must  buy  or  earn  it  and  live  with  the  Dutch  like 
brothers. 

After  a  little  consultation  and  talking  among  each  others  the  Minquaas  chief  continued  his 
proposition  to  the  Esopus  savages:  You  harm  us  Minquaas  and  the  Macquaas  every  time;  it  is 
not  your  land,  but  it  is  oure,  therefore  do  not  begin  it  again,  but  throw  down  the  hatchet  and 
trample  it  into  the  ground,  that  the  hatchet  may  never  again  he  taken  up.  He  gives  thereupon 
a  string  of  white  wampum. 

The  aforesaid  Macquaes  taking  the  word  spoke  to  our  Dutch  people  of  the  Esopus  and 
admonished  them  in  his  manner,  that  they  too  should  not  begin  again  and  that  they  should  not 
box  the  ears  of  the  Esopus  Indians  and  then  ridicule  them ;  thereupon  he  took  the  hatchet  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  Esopus  savages,  threw  it  down  and  trampled  it  into  the  ground,  saying  Now 
they  shall  not  begin  again  for  their  lives. 

The  Esopus  savages  continued  then :  Now,  we  have  let  the  hatchet  be  taken  from  us  and 
trampled  into  the  ground,  we  shall  not  take  it  up  again  in  eternity. 

After  the  foregoing  discussion  we  answered  the  Esopiis  savages  through  our  interpreter,  that 
we  were  willing,  at  the  request,  made  in  their  behalf  by  all  the  aforesaid  chiefs,  our  friends,  to 
conclude  a  treaty  of  peace  with  them  on  the  conditions  previously  communicated  to  them  by  our 
interpreter  Claes  de  liuyter,  to  wit: 

1.  That  they  must  return  all  the  muskets,  wampum,  duffels  and  other  goods,  given  by  our 
people  for  om-  prisoners  and  taken  by  them,  notwithstanding  which  they  shamefully  murdered 
the  prisoners  afterwards. 


184  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

2.  To  compensate  for  the  damages  done  to  us  and  that  the  peace  may  be  kept  better,  they 
must  remove  from  the  lands  on  the  Esopus  to  some  distance  and  convey  the  land  to  us,  without 
being  allowed  to  plant  there  again. 

3.  They  should,  not  do  any  harm  either  by  killing  hogs  or  otherwise ;  if  any  harm  should 
happen  to  be  done  by  somebody,  they  must  pay  for  it  immediately  and  if  they  did  not,  then  some 
one  of  them  is  to  be  arrested  until  the  payment  is  made. 

Fourthly  and  lastly,  the  other  chiefs  of  the  Macquaas,  Mahikdnders,  Mincqxiaas  and  other 
tribes  shall  be  bail,  that  the  corn  will  be  delivered  and  that  they  do  not  begin  again  and  if  they 
should  default,  that  then  they  shall  help  us  to  whip  the  Esopus  savages. 

Fifthly,  not  only  we,  but  all  other  savages,  our  friends  shall  be  included  in  this  treaty  and 
among  others  especially  those  of  Long-Island,  to  wit  the  chief  Tapusagk  with  his  savages  of 
Iteckowacky ,  Marsepyn  and  Canaresse. 

The  aforesaid  having  been  accepted  by  them,  the  peace  with  the  Esopus  Indians  was  concluded 
under  the  following  stipulations. 


Conference  held  at  Foet  Orange  (Albany)  between  the  Director-General 
AND  the  Senegas. 
Present  the  Hon.  Director- 
General  and  the  gentlemen  Propositions  made  to  us  by  the 
of  the  two  courts  here.                                                                        Sinneekes   at  Fo7-t   Orange,  the 

25"'  July  A"  1660. 

They  say  in  the  beginning,  that  it  is  now  some  years  past,  since  they  have  been  at  the  Mam,- 
liatans  and  brought  presents  there,  without  having  received  any  return  for  it,  not  even  a  pipeful! 
of  tobacco,  whereupon  they  give  three  beavers. 

Secondly,  they  say  that,  a  year  or  two  ago,  they  requested,  that  they  should  receive  a  blanket 
and  a  piece  of  cloth  for  one  beaver,  to  which  they  got  no  other  answer,  than  that  we  would  tell 
them,  when  the  ships  came ;  whereupon  they  give  three  beavers. 

Thirdly,  we  have  only  a  little  request  to  make  to  you  and  yet  what  we  ask  for  is,  as  if  M^e  run 
against  a  stone ;  they  give  thereupon  three  beavers. 

Fourthly,  they  say,  when  we  were  at  the  Manhatans  we  have  concluded  our  friendship  with 
a  chain  and  united  each  others  and  this  is  now  for  a  renewal  of  it,  giving  three  beavers. 

Fifthly,  they  say,  let  us  have  one  mind  and  if  you  make  a  request  to  us,  we  shall  listen  to 
you,  whereupon  they  give  three  beavers. 

Sixthly,  they  say,  we  are  now  engaged  in  a  great  war  and  cannot  obtain  either  powder  or  lead 
or  else  we  must  have  beavers  and  a  good  soldier  ought  to  have  powder  and  lead  instead  of  nothing ; 
they  give  thereupon  three  beavers. 

7"".  They  say,  we  thank  you,  that  we  now  receive  everything  as  a  present,  caps,  socks,  shoes, 
shirts,  cloth,  whereupon  they  give  two  beavers. 

S"*.  They  say,  now  number  of  Sinnekes  shall  again  come  and  request,  that  they  may  barter 
their  beavers  at  pleasure  and  that  they  may  not  be  locked  up  by  the  Dutch,  but  that  they  may  go 
with  their  beavers  where  they  please,  without  being  beating,  when  they  want  their  beavers  to  go 
to  another  place  to  trade ;  they  give  three  beavers. 

9"".  They  say,  you  have  taken  us  and  the  Macquaas  and  Mahikanders  with  you  to  the  peace 
conference  at  the  Esopus,  now  you  should  return  the  captured  Esopus  savages;  they  give  two 
small  beavers. 


New  Yoj'h  Historical  Records.  185 

2Qth_  ■^g  jjj.g  very  well  pleased,  that  3'ou  have  made  peace  with  the  Esopus,  we  have  soiiie- 
tiines  to  make  use  of  the  road,  it  is  very  good,  that  brothers  live  in  peace. 

11"'.  They  say,  you  are  the  chief  of  the  whole  country,  to  whom  we  all  look  up  and  we  have 
asked  a  piece  of  cloth  for  one  beaver,  50  hands  full  of  wampum  for  one  beaver,  and  30  hands  full 
of  powder  for  one  beaver,  but  you  have  been  sleeping  until  now  and  therefore  we  now  wake  you 
up  again  ;  they  give  three  beavers. 

j2th_  They  say,  we  must  work  hard  to  fetch  the  beavers  through  the  enemy's  country,  there- 
fore we  ask,  that  we  may  obtain  much  powder  and  lead,  for  if  the  enemies  overpower  us,  where 
shall  we  then  catch  the  beavers ;  they  give  two  beavers. 

IS"".  They  say,  they  ask,  that  henceforth  it  shall  be  fixed,  that  they  shall  receive  30  hands 
full  of  black  wampum  for  one  beaver ;  they  give  thereupon  2  beavers. 

li"".  They  say,  that  they  request,  they  may  get  from  now  60  hands  full  of  white  wampum 
for  one  beaver  and  give  thereupon  2  beavers. 

IS"".  They  say,  when  we  are  sometimes  in  a  trader's  house  and  wish  to  go  to  another's  to  buy 
goods,  which  suit  them,  then  we  get  a  good  beating,  so  that  we  do  not  know  where  our  eyes  are 
and  that  ought  not  to  be,  each  ought  to  go  where  he  pleases  and  where  the  goods  suit  him  best ; 
they  give  hereupon  2  beavers. 

IG"".  They  say,  we  have  now  asked  that  the  Dutch  shall  not  beat  us  any  more,  you  must  now 
forbid  the  Dutch  to  do  it,  so  that  we  may  smoke  tobacco  in  peace ;  buy  3'ourselves  now  tobacco  for 
two  beavers  then  you  can  smoke  it  and  consider  everything  well ;  we  intend  to  come  with  all  the 
chiefs  next  year  and  hear  it  all ;  this  is  now  only  to  wake  you  up,  but  then  we  will  speak  to  you 
plainly  ;  they  give  thereupon  2  beavers. 

IT"*.  They  say,  the  Dutch  send  so  many  brokers  into  the  woods  from  one  house,  that  they  do 
not  know,  where  to  go  with  tlieir  beavers,  each  ought  to  have  something ;  they,  that  is  the  brokers, 
drag  one,  that  he  does  not  know,  which  M'ay  to  go ;  this  ought  not  to  be  permitted,  but  each  house 
ought  to  have  something ;  they  give  thereupon  one  beaver. 

18"".  They  say,  the  French  savages  are  to  come  to  the  Cahoos  to  the  Mahikanders,  wherefor 
they  lament  very  much ;  now  as  you  are  boimd  to  them  by  a  chain,  you  too  ought  to  be  sorry ; 
they  give  1  beaver. 

IG"".  They  request,  that  the  Director-General  should  warn  all  the  Dutch,  not  to  beat  the 
Indians  any  more,  else  the  Diitch  will  say,  we  do  not  know  anything  about  it  and  that  we  with 
our  beavers  may  go  where  we  like  without  being  beaten ;  they  give  thereupon  1  beaver. 

Answers  to  the  propositions  made 
by  the  Sinnecus  chiefs.  Dated  26"' 
July  A"  1660. 

l"'  proposition  answered :  It  is  true,  our  brothers  have  been  at  the  Manhatans  2  or  3  years  ago 
and  made  a  treaty  of  friendship  with  us,  which  we  shall  always  maintain,  as  we  have  done  so  far 
and  always  will  and  because  the  tobacco  was  forgotten  at  that  time,  we  give  them  now  a  roll  of 
tobacco,  that,  when  they  return  to  their  country,  they  may  remember  their  friendship  and  keep  it 
as  firmly,  as  if  they  were  bound  to  us  by  a  chain. 

2.  "We  have  made  peace  with  the  Mopus  at  the  request  of  our  brothers,  the  Macquaas,  MahiJcan- 
ders  and  other  friends,  so  that  we  and  they  may  freely  and  safely  use  the  roads  and  rivers  and  we 
give  you  the  hatchets,  which  we  now  lock  up  and  you  are  charged  not  to  kill  any  horses  or  cattle, 
when  you  go  away  from  here. 
24 


186  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

3.  Our  brothers,  the  Sinnekus,  have  tlianked  us,  because  we  have  made  peace  with  the  Esopus  ; 
we  now  request  them,  that  they  too  should  make  and  keep  peace  with  the  Macquaas,  so  that  we 
may  also  use  the  roads  to  them  freely  and  safely,  as  both  our  brothers  do  here. 

4.  As  our  brothers  complain,  that  they  cannot  get  enough  powder,  we  give  them  now  a  keg  full 
of  powder,  but  they  must  not  use  it  against  our  brothers,  the  Macquaas,  only  against  their  distant 
enemies,  where  they  have  to  bring  the  beavers  from. 

5.  The  brothers  complain,  that  their  beavers  are  locked  up,  when  they  come  into  the  houses;  we 
have  forbidden  our  people  to  do  so  three  days  ago  and  the  brothers  may  go  with  their  beavers, 
where  they  please. 

6.  Brothers,  if  any  Dutchman  beats  you,  come  to  the  Sachems  and  make  a  complaint  or  if  any- 
body of  the  Dutch  keeps  or  locks  up  your  beavers,  they  will  see  that  you  get  them  back. 

7.  Brothers,  it  is  well,  that  everybody  goes  now  with  his  beavers,  where  he  likes,  and  no  brokers 
shall  henceforth  be  sent,  but  everybody  may  go  with  his  beavers,  where  he  likes  and  you  are  there- 
fore directed  not  to  listen  to  any  broker,  but  strike  them  on  the  head,  so  that  one  cannot  see, 
where  his  eyes  stand. 

8.  The  Dutch  cannot  consent  to  what  the  brothers  request,  that  we  should  give  so  much  cloth  or 
wampum  for  one  beaver,  as  it  has  to  come  a  great  distance  over  the  sea. 


Lease  of  a  Farm  at  Claverak. 
(Fort  Orange  Records.     Vol.  Notarial  Papers,  16G0-1676.) 

This  IT""  day  of  August  1660  appeared  before  me,  Dirck  van  Schelluyne,  Notary  Public  etc 
Mr.  Abraham  Staats,  merchant  at  Beverwyck,  party  of  the  first  part,  and  Christoffel  Davids  and 
Hendrick  Eets,  farmers,  parties  of  the  second  part.  The  said  Staats  declares  to  have  let  and  the 
said  Davids  and  Eets  to  have  rented  from  him  a  certain  bouwery,  belonging  to  the  lessor,  situate 
and  lying  at  the  Claverak  for  the  term  of  three  consecutive  years,  beginning  on  the  next  first  of 
October  and  to  end  the  last  of  September  1663.         ******** 

Kent  150  fl  a  year  during  the  first  two  years  and  200  fl  the  third  year.         *         *         * 


PExmoN  OF  Rev.  Hermanos  Blom  and  Rev.  Heneicus  Seltnus  foe  an  allow- 
ance FOE  BOAED  AND  LODGINGS,  WHILE  DETAINED  AT  NeW-AmSTEEDAM  ON  THEIE 
WAY   TO   THEIE   PLACES   OF   DESTINATION,  EESP.  EsOFUS   AND    BeOOKLTN  ;    GEANTED. 

Thursday,  2''  September  (1660) 

Present  in  Council  the  Hon''"'  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvcsant,  Messires  Nicasius  de 

Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere,  Councillors. 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

"Whereas  we,  the  undersigned,  have  left  home  in  the  service  and  employ  of  the  Right  Honor- 
able  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-Lidia  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  to 
preach  the  Holy  Gospel  and  by  God's  grace  have  safely  arrived  in  New-Netherland,  but  could 


New   Yoi'h  Hiatoiical  liecords.  187 

not  be  immediately  forwarded  to  our  places  (to  wit  Esopus  and  Brooklyn,  where  wc  were  ordered 
by  their  Lordships  to  take  charge  of  the  divine  service  and  propagate  the  knowledge  of  God) 
except  upon  a  proper  and  solemn  order  of  your  Honorable  Worships  and  have  especially  at  the 
Manhatans,  where  we  took  up  our  provisional  residence,  waited  with  sincere  desire  for  the  time 
and  opportunity  of  being  forwarded  and  introduced  into  the  service  of  the  church,  Therefore  we, 
the  petitioners,  request  with  all  respect  and  due  reverence,  that  your  lion'''''  Worships  will  please 
to  take  upon  themselves  the  payment  of  our  expenses  for  board  and  lodgings,  according  to  the 
laudable  instructions  given  by  the  Hon""  Assembly  of  the  XIX  and  delivered  to  us,  the  petitioners, 
with  new  signatures  by  the  Lords-Directors,  reading:  Artie.  XV  the  preachers  etc*. 

By  doing  this,  your  Hon"'"  Worships  will  oblige  the  petitioners  and  animate  them  in  their 
service  of  the  Word,  in  the  meantime  they  hope  for  a  favorable  resolution  and  i-emain 

Your  Honorable  Worships' 

faithful  servants 
(signed)     Heemanus  Blom 
Pastor  at  Esopus 
Henricus  Seltns 
Pastor  at  Breuckelen 

The  foregoing  petition  having  been  received  and  read,  the  following  decision  was  made : 

For  as  long  a  time  as  the  petitioners  have  been  here  at  this  place  from  their  arrival  until  this 
day  one  beaver  per  week  shall  be  allowed  to  them  for  board  and  lodgings.     Date  as  above. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Petrus  Stuyvesant; 
they  have  received  the  news  of  the  peace  on  thf,  esopus  with  pleasure, 
on  account  of  the  consequent  revival  of  agriculture  and  are  astonished 

OVER    THE    OBJECTIONS    TO    RoELOFF    SwaRTWOUt's     APPOINTMENT    AS     SHERIFF    AT 

Esopus.  20"  Septbr  1660 
****** 
We  have  been  pleased  and  gratified  to  hear  of  the  good  success,  which  your  Honors  have  had 
against  the  Esopus  Indians,  as  it  is  in  our  opinion  a  matter  of  great  importance.  For,  if  the  wings 
of  this  barbarous  nation  could  be  clipped  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  are  kept  without  the  power 
and  danger  of  doing  harm,  then,  it  is  certain,  that  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  shall  be  undertaken 
with  greater  zeal  and  better  result  and  shall  increase  directly  more  and  more.  And,  while,  as  we 
have  said  before,  we  trust,  that  your  Honors  shall  not  be  disturbed  by  the  English  neighbors  and 
consequently  shall  have  the  hands  free  in  that  direction,  yet  your  Honors  ought  not  to  neglect  to 
pursue  and  bring  to  a  successful  end  the  results  gained  from  the  said  Esopus  Indians,  so  that  then 
the  Newesinks  and  Raritans  tribes  may  be  taken  in  hand  with  so  much  more  safety  and  brought 
to  reasonable  terms  or  perhaps  be  reduced  and  made  undangerous. 

****** 

We  are  glad,  that  the  Eisopus  savages  have  asked  and  solicited  jjeace  as  well  directly  as  through 
others,  as  it  is  a  sign,  that  their  courage  indeed  failed  them  and  we  had  grown  more  awe-inspiring 
Esopus.  to  them.     The  motives,  which  caused  your  Honors  to  grant  them  first  an  armis- 

tice, are  not  without  foundation  and  as  a  peace  was  to  be  the  final  consequence,  we  will  hope  that 


188  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hvdaon  River. 

the  same  shall  be  kept  by  them  and  shall  be  firm  and  permanent.  Your  Honors  should  have  the 
hands  free  in  that  direction,  to  resist  the  English  usurpations,  in  case  they  should  contrary  to  our 
expectations  carry  them  out. 

"We  have  more  reason  to  be  astonished  over  the  rejection  of  and  objection  to  our  choice,  made 
Roeioff  Swart-  o^  the  person  of  Roeloff  Swartwout  as  Sheriff  on  the  Esopxis,  than  your  Honors 

wout.  have  had  in  regard  to  his  having  been  chosen,  in  which  as  we  have  had  sufficient 

judgment,  we  also  believe  to  possess  power  and  authority,  to  have  our  orders  and  commands  strictly 
obeyed  and  we  desire  this  especially  in  this  case,  unless  much  can  be  said  of  the  said  Swartwouf  s 
life,  for  in  other  respects  he  is  old  enough  to  be  fit  and  if  there  were  any  deficiency  herein,  then 
he  has  time  to  outgrow  it,  as  he  cannot  execute  his  duties  as  long  as  there  is  no  court  of  justice 
established  there,  which  will  not  be  the  case  yet  for  some  time  as  your  Honors  say  yourselves. 
****** 

When  we  had  answered  your  Honors'  letter  so  far  and  as  far  as  we  thought  necessary,  the 
ship  called  "  S'^  Catherina  "  arrived  here  and  with  it  a  letter  from  the  Council,  dated  26""  July, 
in  which  we  find  nothing  but  the  substance  of  the  conditions  of  peace  entered  into  and  made  with 
the  Esopus  savages ;  we  can  therefore  only  say  in  regard  to  it,  we  hope  and  wish,  that  it  will  and 
may  tend  to  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  its  inliabitants. 


OeDER  on  a  PETmON  OF  THE  WIFE  OF   ThOMAS  HuGGENS,  FOR  PAYMENT  OF  A   HORSE 
KILLED  IN  THE  PUBLIC  SERVICE  DDEING  THE  LATE  EsOPUS  WAR. 

(23"  Septbr  10.60) 

The  petition  of  Marritje  Huyherts,  wife  of  Tomas  Huggens  was  taken  up  and  read,  who 
demonstrated,  that  during  the  defense  against  the  Esojms  savages  she  had  loaned  a  horse  to  Ser- 
geant Christian  Niesen  by  order  of  the  Ensign,  for  the  service  of  the  Company;  this  horse  having 
been  killed  by  the  savages,  she  asks  for  payment  for  it. 

Everybody's  opinion  having  been  asked,  it  was  answered: 

Before  a  decision  is  given  hereon,  the  petitioner  must  prove,  that  the  horse  belonged  to  her 
alone  and  after  that  has  been  done,  she  must  have  it  appraised  by  impartial  men,  not  according  to 
what  it  was  worth  at  the  purchase,  but  at  the  time  and  under  the  circumstances,  when  it  was 
Jdlled  in  the  service  of  the  country.     Date  as  above. 


Petition  of  Surgeon  Gysbert  van  Imboech  for  Payment  of  his  bill  for  attend- 
ance ON  A  SOLDIER,  WHO  WAS  WOUNDED  DURING  THE  EsOPUS  WAR  ;    GRANTED. 

(SO"-  Septbr  1660) 

Copy.  To  the  Right  Hon"'"  Director-General 

and  the  Hon"'"  Council  of  New-Neth- 
erland. 

Shows  with  due  reverence  Geysben  van  Imhurch,  surgeon  at  Fort  Orange,  that  a  short  time 
ago  during  the  war  with  the  Esopus  Indians  lie,  the  petitioner,  has  treated  one  Dominicus,  a  sol- 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Recoi-ds.  189 

dier  of  the  Ilon'''^  West-India  Comjjany,  who  was  brought  to  Fort  Orange  by  the  Hon'''"  Director- 
General  himself  on  account  of  bis  severe  wounds,  he  having  eighteen  different  wounds  and 
whereas  he,  the  petitioner,  cannot  be  credited  by  the  lion"'*  Receiver  for  the  amount  of  his  fees 
the  sura  of  which  is  80  fl.  in  beavers  according  to  the  account  rendered,  without  your  non""  Wor- 
shij)s'  order,  therefore  lie  requests  with  all  respect,  that  j'our  Hon'''°  Worehips  will  please  to  direct 
his  Honor,  the  Receiver,  to  credit  him,  the  petitioner,  for  the  amount  of  his  fees  either  on  the 
account  of  his  former  patient  or  that  of  the  Hon"'"  Company,  as  your  Hon'''"  Worships  may 
decide,  so  that  in  due  time  he  may  have  the  benefit  of  it;  not  doubting  which  he  remains 

Tour  Hon"'"  Worships  obedient  servant 

(signed)     Gysbert  van  Imborch. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  taken  up  and  read  and  after  everybody's  opinion  had  been  asked, 
it  was  decided,  as  follows : 

Fifty  guilders  in  beavers  are  allowed  to  the  petitioner  on  account  of  the  Company  for  curing 
the  aforesaid  person.     Date  as  above. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Director  and  Coukcil  to  the  Directors  in  Hol- 
land :  Rev.  Blom  has  been  put  in  charge  of  his  church  :  Serg''.  Andries  Lou- 
rensen  returns  to  holland  well  recommended.     6'"  octbr  1660. 

****** 

The  two  preachers,  lately  arrived  here,  D°  Blom,  and  Selyns  have  been  put  each  in  his  place, 
in  accordance  with  your  Honors'  orders  and  their  nomination. 

****** 

The  former  Sergeant  Andries  Laurens,  who  goes  over  in  the  ship  "  Kyckcnhooin  ",  has  re- 
quested us  for  a  letter  of  recommendation,  that  the  balance  of  the  monthly  pay  due  him,  94  guild- 
ers, might  be  paid  to  him  by  your  Honors  in  silver-money  (as  he  said,  he  had  no  other  money  for 
his  travelling  expenses).  Considering  his  good  services  at  all  occasions,  in  war  and  in  peace,  we 
could  not  refuse  his  request.  We  would  therefore  respectfully  ask  your  Honors  to  accommodate 
him  in  this  matter. 


Report  of  Director  Stutvesant's  visit  to  Esopus  and  Fort  Orange. 

9"-  November  (1660) 

It  was  stated  at  the  meeting  by  the  Hon'''"  Director-General,  Petrus  Shiyvesant,  that  his 
Honor  intended,  to  go  from  here  to  the  Esopus  to  morrow  if  the  weather  was  favorable,  to  accel- 
erate the  threshing  of  a  quantity  of  grain  for  the  Company  and  make  arrangements  for  completing 
the  redoubt  there,  preparing  the  dwelling  of  the  preacher  etc.     Date  as  above. 

On  the  lO""  November  his  Honor  sailed  in  the  yacht  of  Ylodder  and  returned  here  on  the  27"" 
reporting  in  substance  as  follows : 

First,  that  there  was  little  hope  at  the  Esopus  to  get  from  there  a  quantity  of  grain  before 
the  winter,  because  the  fanners  there  had  as  yet  threshed  nothing  or  only  a  little. 


190  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Second,  that  this  had  made  his  Honor  resolve  to  take  a  trip  to  Fort  Orange,  to  see  whether 
they  had  more  in  store  there,  but  that  on  account  of  the  sudden  frost  he  had  not  been  able  to  get 
more  than  150  schepels. 

Third,  that  his  Honor  had  also  met  there  some  of  the  Macquaas  chiefs,  who  said,  it  was  their 
intention  to  make  an  expedition  with  a  number  of  men  against  the  Kinnebeck  Indians  in  a  short 
time,  upon  which  statement  his  Honor  had  proposed  to  them,  in  consequence  of  the  request  pre- 
viously made  to  us  by  his  Honor,  the  Governor  of  Boston,,  rather  to  try  and  make  peace  with' each 
other  etc  and  that  he  had  finally  persuaded  them  so  far,  that  they  promised  first  to  speak  about  it 
with  the  other  chiefs,  before  they  started.     On  the  27""  Novbr.  1660. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Director  and  Codncil  to  the  Directors  in  Hol- 
land ;    FEARS  ARE   ENTERTAINED,  THAT  THE  PEACE  WITH  THE   EsOPUS   InDIANS  WILL 

not  last  long.     9'"'  December  1660. 
****** 

Matters  here  are  in  a  reasonably  quiet  condition  as  well  in  regard  to  the  barbarians  as  to  the 
neio-hbors,  at  least  we  neither  hear  nor  learn  of  any  troubles,  though  some  people  believe,  that  the 
Esopus  savages  will  keep  the  peace  no  lounger,  than  until  they  see  a  decided  advantage:  against 
this  we  keep  good  watch  and  an  eye  on  the  sail ;  they  are  quite  bold  and  saucy  in  their  talk  and 
have  as  yet  not  delivered  the  promised  corn ;  the  Sachems  plead  in  excuse,  that  on  account  of  the 
war  they  could  plant  little  or  nothing ;  which  stands  to  reason  and  therefore  we  have  less  insisted 
upon  it. 

We  have  not  yet  attended  to  the  Newesinks  Indians,  because  the  Sachems  and  the  greater 
part  of  these  savages  make  the  excuse,  not  to  have  had  any  knowledge  of  the  murder  and  at  the 
same  time  show  the  impossibility  of  apprehending  and  surrendering  the  delinquents,  without  plac- 
ing themselves  in  danger  of  being  massacred  by  their  relations.  They  have  asked  several  times 
and  also  made  presents,  that  the  matter  should  be  adjusted  and  forgotten  this  time,  which  we  have 
so  far  refused  for  good  reasons  and  have  insisted,  that  they  should  surrender  the  murderers  or  at 
least  some  of  them,  while  we  take  in  consideration  the  uncertainty  of  the  result  and  that  the  war 
would  be  very  injurious  to  the  newly  commenced  plantation  and  through  fresh  complaints  would 
delay  the  increase  of  population :  we  hesitate  therefore  to  give  them  fresh  causes  for  it  and  to 
compel  them  by  force  of  arms  to  an  act  of  probable  impossibility. 


Letter  from  Sergeant  Christian  Ntssen  to  Director  STurvESAin'  on  the  state 

OF  AFFAIRS  AT  THE  EsOPUS. 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise  and  Prudent,  Honorable  Director-General. 

I  inform  your  Honor  herewith,  that  I  have  duly  received  on  the  12  X'"  by  Willem  Moer,  the 
skipper,  the  goods  sent  to  me  and  that  the  roof  of  the  house  on  the  strand  is  ready,  my  quarters 
have  also  been  prepared,  as  they  ought  to  be  and  as  your  Honor  ordered  it.  I  would  have  sent 
your  Honor  some  wheat,  but  a  sutficient  quantity  had  not  yet  been  threshed,  but  I  shall  send  a 


JS'ew  York  Historical  Records.  lyl 

party  of  it  by  the  first  opportunity.     I  coinuiend  your  Honor  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty. 
In  haste 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  most 
Esopu.%  1660  obedient  servant 

the  13"'  X"".  Cheistiak  Nyssen. 


Council  Minutes.     Indian  Conference  at  Fort  Orange. 

Proposals  made  by  the  chiefs  of  the  Maquas  in 
presence  of  both  the  Courts,  this  22"  day  of 
January  A"  1661,  at  Fort  Orange. 

They  say  first,  that  they  have  travelled  over  the  whole  country  and  have  also  been  in  the  Sin- 
nekus  country  and  they  intend  at  present  to  go  to  the  Southriver,  to  bring  presents  there  and  in 
passing  here,  they  give  us  notice  of  their  passage  and  of  their  intention  to  go  through  the  Esojpus, 
because  the  Esopus  savages  had  said,  that  when  the  Maquas  would  go  to  the  Southriver  and  would 
pass  there,  they  would  kill  them :  they  mean  to  show  hereby,  that  they  do  not  fear  the  Esopus 
savages  and  present  two  fathoms  of  wampum. 

Second.  They  will  not  call  upon  the  Esopus  savages  in  passing  there,  because  the  latter  have 
said,  the  Maquas  were  the  cause,  why  they  had  lost  so  many  men  in  the  war  against  the  Dutch. 
They  present  a  belt  of  wampum. 

They  say  finally,  that  the  chain,  by  which  they  and  the  Dutch  are  held  together  in  brotherly 
friendship,  shall  not  be  broken  by  them  and  they  thank  the  Hon''''^  General  for  the  cloth,  which  he 
gave  them,  when  he  was  here.  They  say,  that  they  came  too  late  into  the  country,  their  people 
were  already  out  on  their  expedition  and  like  madmen  did  not  want  to  return.  Hereupon  they 
present  a  belt  of  wampum. 

The  members  of  both  the  Courts  thank  the  Maquas  for  the  continuation  of  their  good  feel- 
ings and  for  having  called  in  passing ;  they  present  them  with  5  pounds  of  powder,  5  staves  of 
lead,  a  dozen  of  knives,  some  awls  and  a  roll  of  tobacco. 


Letter   from   the   Magistrates   of    Fort    Orange   to   Director    Stuyvesant; 

PEACE  negotiations   AMONG    THE    InDIANS. 

Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

The  report  brought  by  several  savages  of  the  Highland  and  Northern  tribes  concerning  the 
mortality  at  and  around  the  Manhatans  has  created  such  a  fear  here,  that  we  could  get  the  bearer 
hereof  only  with  difficulty,  to  send  him  down  according  to  the  yearly  custom.  He  comes  therefore 
so  late. 

The  chiefs  of  the  Maquas  put  in  an  appearance  here  on  the  22''  inst.  and  made  some  proposals 
in  presence  of  both  the  courts,  of  which  a  copy  is  sent  herewith.  Your  Honors  will  sec  by  it, 
what  must  be  done  to  mediate  between  them  and  the  Northern  savages,  to  bring  about  an  armis- 
tice or  peace.  We  have  tried  to  induce  them  to  make  one  or  the  other,  but  their  answer  was,  that 
their  children  cried,  because  they  had  not  revenged  such  treachery. 


192  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  aforesaid  Maquas  go  South  with  considerable  presents,  to  make  peace  between  the  Min- 
quas  and  the  Sinnekus,  pursuant  to  the  wishes  of  the  Hon"'"  General. 

No  change  in  the  affairs  here  has  taken  place,  which  it  is  worth  while  to  report.  The  savages 
keep  quiet  on  all  sides,  but  the  Esopus  savages  are  in  danger  of  being  attacked  by  the  Maquas,  if 
they  do  not  keep  their  tongues  in  check.  That  would  do  us  no  harm.  We  close  herewith  and 
commend  your  Honors  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty,  while  we  remain 

Your  Honorable  Worships' 
I^ort  Orange,  hmnble  servants 

29"'  January,  A°  1661.  La  Montagne 

Andeies  Hekbeets 
EuTGEE  Jacobs 
Feanz  Barentz   Pastook 
Ehveet  Jansen  Wendel 


Indian  Deed  for  an  Island  in  the  Esopus. 

(Fort  Orange  Records.     "Vol.  Notarial  Papers,  1660-1676.) 

This  25"'  of  January  1661  Yolckert  Jansen  and  Jan  Thomasen  acknowledged  and  declared 
to  have  made  an  agreement  with  the  Indians  called  Syme,  Capachik  and  Nachanan,  acting  for 
themselves  and  for  their  blood  relations  and  co-proprietors,  in  regard  to  the  sale  of  one  half  or  of 
as  much  as  they  still  have  a  right  and  title  too  in  an  island  lying  Eastwards  in  the  Kil  by  afore- 
aid  Volckert  Jansen^ s  and  Jan  Thomasen! s  bouwery,  including  the  little  island  near  by,  called  by 
the  Indians  Nanoseck  and  by  the  Dutch  Little  Cupper'' s  Island,  etc.  etc. 


Deposition  in  regard  to  the  Division  of  Land  at  the  Esopus  in  1654. 

This  2''  of  FeV  1661,  appeared  before  me  Dirck  van  Sehelhiyne  Notary  Public  etc.  Jan 
Verbeeck  and  Francis  Pietersen  carpenter,  who  at  the  request  of  Evert  Pets  declared  it  true  and 
well  known,  that  they  had  both  been  present,  Avhen  in  the  spring  of  1654  Evert  Pels  and  the  late 
Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  divided  the  land,  bought  by  them  together  from  the  Indians  at  the  Eopus  and 
as  by  the  survey  it  was  foimd  that  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  had  received  7  or  8  morgens  more  than  said 
Pels,  Jacob  Jansen  said  he  would  request  the  Director-General  Stuyvesant  and  try  to  obtain  in 
place  of  it  as  much  land  more  from  the  Indians  for  said  Pels,  where  it  was  most  convenient  for 
his  lot.     Thus  done  etc. 

G.  SwARTT  Jan  Verbeeck 

Jan  Dieoksen  van  Beemen  Frans  Pietersen 

D   V.  ScHELLUYNE,  Notary  Public,  1661. 


Nexo   Yoj-h  Historical  liecords. 


193 


Indiak  deed  foe   an  Island   in  Hudson's    eiver,  opposite   BExnLEUEM,  caxled 
Long  or  Mahicander's  Island. 
Copy. 

Before  me,  Johannes  La  Montague,  appointed  by  the  Hon'''''  Director-General  and  Conncil 
of  JVew-NetJierland  as  Vice-Director  and  Commissary  of  J^ort  Orange  and  the  village  of  Beuer- 
wych,  three  savages  and  a  squaw  appeared,  to  wit :  Machsapeen  alias  Macsac/i  Niemanau,  Sanse- 
wanou,  Pamenseen  and  the  squaw  Nipapoa,  who  are  together  owners  of  the  island  called  Pucho- 
nahellich,  and  declared  in  presence  of  Aepjen  and  JVita.morit,  both  Sachems  of  the  3[ahicam.ders, 
that  they  have  sold,  ceded  and  conveyed,  as  they  herewith  sell,  cede  and  convey  as  real  and  actual 
property  to  and  in  behalf  of  Andries  Herhertsen  and  Ruiger  Jacohsen,  inhabitants  of  the  village  of 
Beverwyck,  the  aforesaid  island  Pachonahellick,  situate  in  this  river  opposite  Betldelietn  and  called 
Long  or  Mahicander'' s  Island  by  the  Butch,  together  with  all  the  rights  and  privileges,  which  they 
possess,  in  consideration  for  a  certain  sum  paid  to  them  in  goods,  which  they,  the  sellers,  acknowl- 
edge to  have  received  to  their  satisfaction.  This  done  in  the  village  of  Beverwyck  in  presence  of 
Gerrit  Bancher  and  Johannes  Proovost,  called  as  witnesses,  this  S"*  day  of  Fe1iruary  A"  1661. 

It  was  signed :  This  cT^z/w-v—  is  the  mark  of  Macsach  Nieilinou,  this  '__  is  the  mark 
of  Sansewanou,  this  is  the  mark  i/\/\/\^  of  Pamenseen,  this  the  mark  j  I  of  Nipapoa,  this  -f  of 
Aepjen,  this    !?;  of  Nitamoeit,  Geerit  Banckeb,  Johannes  Provoost. 

Agrees  with  the  original. 
A  Patent  for  the  T  To  my  knowledge 

above  was  issued 
on  the  10'"  March  1661. 


Nota :  For  the  above  island  the  following  was  paid. 


6  rugs 

10  coats  of  duffel 

a  30  pounds  kettle 

60  strings  of  wampum 

10  hatchets 

8  adzes 


z  guns 

12  lbs  of  powder 

30  lbs  lead 

3  dozen  knives 

12  cans  of  brandy 

1  half  barrel  of  beer. 


La  Montagne,  Commissary 
at  Fort  Orange. 

10  pounds  of 
tobacco. 


Letter  from  John  Stickland  to  ,  requesting  him  to  ascertain, 

whether  the  place  called  Achtee  Cull  be  open  to  settlement,  etc. 

"Worthy  Sir :  After  my  due  respects  p''sented  vnto  you  these  few  lines  are  to  request  a  keind- 
ness  of  you,  taking  you  to  be  my  spetial  frend  and  know  no  other  like  yourself  to  intrust  in  such 
a  case  as  this  :  that  you  woulde  be  pleased  to  take  the  first  and  moste  sutable  oppertunity  to  speake 
with  the  honered  gouernor  deziring  him  to  resolue  in  these  parteculars  first,  whither  or  no  that 
place  vpon  the  mayne  land,  which  is  called  Arther  Cull  bee  free  from  any  ingagements  :  secondly 
if  free,  then  whither  or  no  he  will  be  plesed  to  grant  it  to  a  company  of  honest  men  that  may  de- 
ziere  to  sit  doune  ther  to  make  a  plantasion  vnder  his  gouemment  and  that  you  would  be  pleased 
hauing  so  done  to  return  an  answer  by  the  first,  which  we  shall  waight  for,  and  hauing  incorage- 
25 


1^4  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Itlve?: 

meat  we  shall  forthwith  adres  oursehies  to  treate  further  with  him  aboute  the  matter  thus  not 
doubting  of  your  faithf ullues  herin  I  take  leaue  and  rest  yours  to  couiaude  John  Stwklin :  From 
Huntington  February  1 5""  1660 :  {old  style) 

Lett  me  intreate  you  to  send  the  answer  to  Samuevell  Mathies  at  Rusdorpe,  that  it  maye  be 
conveied  to  me  in  safety :  and  that  you  woulde  be  pleased  that  it  may  be  kept  seerit  houever  itgoe. 
(In  another  handwriting) .  S'  if  you  Can  w'*"  Convenience  I  would  intreate  you  to  send  me  an  answer  by 
y"  bearer  of  this,  all  convenient  speede  being  requisite. 


CONTKACT   BETWEEN     ThOMAS     ChAMBEES    AND    OTHER    INHABITANTS    OF    EsOPDS    AND 

Rev.  Hekmanus  Bloem. 

The  undersigned  inhabitants  of  tlie  settlement  at  the  place,  called  Esopus,  promise  to  give  our 
reverend  minister  Hermanus  Bloem  as  salary  for  the  first  year  (which  salary  has  commenced  with 
his  arrival  here  on  the  5"'  of  September  1660)  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  guilders  in  corn,  at 
beaver  valuation,  in  case  his  farm  should  fail  and  we  promise  further  to  put  the  farm  in  good 
order  according  to  contract,  as  soon  as  the  land  has  been  allotted  and  to  raise  that  sum  at  the  latest 
for  the  coming  farming  season.  This  we,  the  imdersigned,  promise  faithfully  and  truly  to  do. 
^'hus  done,  the  4'"  of  March  1661. 

Thomas  Chambers. 

CORNELIS    BaEENTSEN  SlECHT. 

The  mark    r£.  of  Gteetrdt  Andeies. 

KoELOFF    SwABTWOUT. 

Alaeedt  Heymensen  Roose. 
The  mark  ^  of  Juriaen  Westvael. 


Oedinanoe  of  the  Dieectoe  and  Council  of  Renselaeeswyck  forbidding  the 
teading  with  Indians  in  the  woods.  Passed  25"*  March  1661  and  appeoved 
25"'  Apeil  1661. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  394.) 


Exteact  feom  a  lettee  of  Dieectoe  Stuyvesant  to  the  Vipe-Director  at  Cu- 
racao,   EECALLING    THE     EsOPUS     InDIANS,    SENT    THEEE    ON    A    FOEMEE   OCCASION. 

16"'  Apeil  1661. 
****** 
As  the  Esopus  savages  have  kept  quiet  and  behaved  well  since  the  peace  lately  made,  they  sug- 
gest, that  we  would  still  more  oblige  them  and  show  our  good  will  and  favor,  if  we  would  release 
now  and  then  one  of  their  transported  friends.  Your  Honor  will  therefore  please  to  send  two  of 
them,  of  the  better  sort,  liither  by  this  or  the  first  opportimity  hereafter  and  with  proper  ti-eatment 
give  them  hope,  that  if  they  behave  well  the  others  too  shall  be  released  and  sent  back  iu  due  time. 


New  Yorh  Historical  litcords.  19!") 

Leti'ek  from  John  Stickland  to  (Brian  Newton)  asking  whether  the  country 
on  the  achter  cull  18  open  for   settlement. 

■Worthy  Sir.  After  my  due  respects  p''sented  vnto  you  these  few  lines  ar  to  iutreate  a  courtesi 
of  you,  that  you  woulde  be  plcsed  to  speake  with  the  honored  gouernor  and  lorde  Stevenson,  to 
know  of  him,  if  that  place  which  is  called  Arthor  Coll  be  free  to  be  disposed  of  and  whither  or  no 
he  will  giue  incoragement  to  a  Company  of  the  inglish  nasion  there  to  settle  themselues,  if  vpon  a 
vew  made  they  shall  take  satisfaction  and  when  3'ou  know  his  minde  herin,  that  you  would  be 
pleased  to  return  me  a  few  words  in  answer  by  this  bearer  Samevell  Matthews  and  accordingly  my 
self  with  sum  other  frends,  who  haue  an  I  that  waye  will  address  ourselues  :  I  shall  trubble  you 
no  fudder  at  p''seut,  but  to  intreate  to  pardon  my  bowldnes  and  so  rest  your  loving  frend  to  comand 
John.  StiHarid  from  huntington  April  29  :  1661  : 

The  foregoing  request,  made  to  Captain-Lieutenant  Brian  Nut07i,  was  handed  in  and  com- 
municated by  him  to  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  who  produced  the  same  to  the  Council. 
After  due  consideration  it  was  resolved,  to  reply  to  the  said  Captain-Lieutenant,  that  he  might  in- 
form the  petitioners,  that  they  could  safely  come  to  view  the  piece  of  land  in  question  and  if  it 
suited  them,  further  orders  would  be  given  on  their  request  and  propositions.     2*  June  1661. 


Allotment  and    distribution  of  lots  in  the  Esopus. 

Whereas  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  has  been  informed  by  several  letters,  that  different 
persons  had  come  to  the  Esopus  to  build  there  and  are  now  only  waiting  to  have  proper  places 
assigned,  therefore  his  Honor  and  retinue  proceeded  thither  in  the  galiot  Neio-Avistel  on  tlie  26"' 
of  April  and  returned  on  the  5"'  of  May,  after  having  enlarged  tlie  settlement  and  allotted  and 
distributed  parcels  of  land  to  different  parties  imder  the  following  conditions : 

The  lots  were  distributed  by  lot  under  the  condition,  that  every  one  enclose  its  breadth  on 
the  outside  with  good,  stout  and  suitable  pallisades.  As  the  cross  lots  have  a  length  of  14  rods  on 
the  outside,  which  is  too  much  to  bear  for  one  person,  whose  parcel  might  by  lot  fall  on  the  border 
of  the  garden,  therefore  the  said  14  rods  shall  be  enclosed  by  the  owners  of  the  four  cross  lots 
together,  each  marking  3|-  rods. 

Subject  to  the  foregoing  condition  the  following  persons  drew  lots : 
Kept  open  No.  1  Willem  Jansen  8 

Hendrick  Martensen  2  Pieter  van  Haelen  9" 

Uarmen  Hendrick  3  Matthys  Boeleffs  10 

Jan  Jansen  from  Amesfoort  4  Jan  Will£mse  11 

Jacob  Barentsen  5  Anthony  C7'eupel  12 

Jan  Lootrnan  6  Gerrit  Jansen  van  Campen  13' 

Ja^ob  Joosten  7 

After  the  enlargement  of  the  settlement  had  been  completed,  his  Honor  gave  the  following 
notice,  which  was  then  published  and  affi.xed,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  and  those  who 
claim  any  land  there. 

Notice. 

All  Inhabitants  of  the  settlement  on  the  Esopus  now  called  WiltwycTc  and  all  others,  who 
have  or  claim  to  have  land  in  that  vicinity  are  hereby  commanded  and  directed,  to  have  their  cul- 


196  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

tivated  and  uncultivated  land  surveyed  by  tlie  sworn  surveyor  within  the  time  of  six  months,  also 
to  liave  it  marked  and  divided  by  proper  signs  and  to  ask  and  receive  upon  showing  a  certificate 
of  survey,  signed  by  the  surveyor,  a  proper  deed  and  j^roof  of  ownership  under  penalty  of  confis- 
cation, so  that  the  rest  of  the  land,  which  might  not  be  covered  by  the  deeds  after  the  survey,  may 
be  distributed  by  Director- General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  for  tlie  accommodation  of 
others,  as  it  is  proper ;  let  every  body  be  warned  against  loss  and  subsequent  complaint.  Done  in 
the  village  of  Wiltwych,  this  2"  May  1661. 


Appointment  of  magistrates  for  Wiltwyck  and  thfjr  oath  ;  a  house  fob  the 

MINISTER    ordered    TO    BE    BUILT. 

Whereas  the  settlement  in  the  Esopus  increases  daily,  it  has  been  considered  necessary  to 
establish  there  a  small  bench  of  justice,  as  Commissaries  of  which  his  Honor,  the  General,  has 
chosen  Evert  Pels,  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slecht  and  Albert  Heymanse  Hoose,  who  took  the  follow- 
ing oath  as  Commissaries : 

We  promise  and  swear  in  the  presence  of  the  Almighty  and  Everpresent  God,  that  we  will  be 
true  and  faithful  to  the  Director-General  and  Council,  now  in  office  or  hereafter  to  be  appointed, 
under  the  authority  of  Their  High :  Might :  the  Lords  States-General,  and  the  Lords-Directors  of 
the  Incorporated  West-India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  as  our  Masters  and  Patroons, 
that  we  will  hold  them  and  their  orders  in  great  respect  and  obey  them,  that  we  will  administer 
good  law  and  justice  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge,  prevent  all  mutiny,  strife  and  disorder  and 
assist  in  preventing  them  by  all  our  power,  that  we  will  maintain  and  exercise  the  Reformed 
church  service  and  no  other,  obey  the  instructions  received  or  hereafter  to  be  received  and  finally 
do  everything,  which  good  and  faitliful  magistrates  are  bound  to  do.     So  help  us  God  Almighty ! 

After  the  preceding  had  been  aceomi^lished,  his  Honor,  the  General,  gave  also  some  orders 
concerning  the  erection  of  the  preacher's  house,  which  done  his  Honor  left  speedily,  as  he  had 
received  information  of  the  arrival  of  two  ships  from  Fatherland  and  returned  to  this  place,  as 
before  mentioned,  on  the  S""  of  May. 


Instruction  for  the  Court  of  Justice  in  Wiltwtck. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant,  in  behalf  of  the  High  and  Mighty  Lords,  the  States-General  of  the  United 
Netherlands,  and  the  Lords-Directors  of  the  Privileged  West-India  Company,  Director-General  of 
New-Netherland,  Curacao,  Aruha,  and  Bonayro  and  dependencies,  together  with  the  High  Coun- 
cil, To  all  who  shall  see,  or  hear  this  read.  Greeting.  Be  it  known,  that  their  Honors,  hoping  and 
wishing  nothing  else  but  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  their  good  inhabitants  generally,  and  par- 
ticularly that  of  the  residents  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  situated  in  the  Esopus ;  and  desiring 
that  this  may  be  effected  and  preserved  with  more  love,  peace  and  harmony,  and  to  show  to  each 
inhabitant  of  the  aforesaid  village,  and  prove  by  deed  its  eiiects ;  so  is  it,  that  the  aforesaid  Director- 
General  and  Council,  considering  the  increased  population  of  said  village,  resolve  to  favor  its  inhab- 
itants with  a  subaltern  court  of  justice,  and  to  organize  it  as  far  as  possible,  and  the  situation  of 
the  country  will  permit,  in  conformity  with  the  customs  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam  in  IToUand, 
but  so,  that  from  all  judgments  an  appeal  may  be  made  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  in 
New-Netherland,  who  shall  reserve  the  power  to  give  their  final  decision. 


New   Yorh  Ilistorical  Hecords.  197 

It  is,  therefore,  necessary,  so  tliat  everything  may  be  effected  with  dne  order  and  respect,  that 
there  be  chosen  as  judges,  honest,  intelligent  persons  possessing  real  estate,  peaceable  men,  good 
subjects  to  their  Lords  and  Patroons,  and  the  high  administratiou  appointed  by  them  in  this  coun- 
try, professors  of  the  Reformed  religion,  as  it  is  now  preached  in  the  United  Netherlandish  churches, 
in  confoniiity  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  orders  of  the  synod  of  Dordrecht ;  which  conrt  of  jus- 
tice for  the  present  time,  till  otherwise  shall  be  ordained  by  the  aforesaid  Lords- Patroons  in  their 
authorized  administration,  shall  consist  of  a  Sheriff,  being  in  loco,  who  shall  summon  in  the  name 
of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  the  appointed  Schepens,  and  preside  at  their  meeting ;  and 
with  him  three  Schepens,  who  for  the  present  time  and  ensuing  year,  beginning  with  the  last  of 
May  next,  are  elected  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  aforesaid,  and  confirmed  after  they 
shall  have  taken  their  oath.  Evert  Pels,  Cornells  Barentsen  Sleght,  and  Elhert  Heymans  lioose. 
Before  whom  all  cases  relative  to  the  police,  security  and  peace  of  the  inhabitants  of  Esopus,  so 
too  all  suits  between  man  and  man,  shall  be  brought,  heard,  examined  and  determined  by  delini- 
tive  judgment,  to  the  amount  of  fifty  guilders  and  below  it,  without  appeal.  But  on  higher  sums 
it  shall  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  aggrieved  to  appeal  to  the  Director-General  and  Council 
aforesaid,  provided  that  he  enters  the  appeal  in  due  time,  and  procures  bail  for  the  prosecution  and 
expenses  of  the  law-suit,  according  to  law. 

If  there  be  a  disparity  of  votes  and  opinions  on  any  occurrent  affairs,  then  the  minority  shall 
coincide  with  the  majority  without  contradiction.  But  it  is  permitted  to  those  who  adopt  another 
opinion  or  advice,  to  have  their  sentiments  and  advice  registered  on  the  roll  or  protocol.  But  they 
shall  by  no  means  publish  out  of  court  their  advice,  or  communicate  the  same  to  the  parties,  under 
arbitrary  correction,  at  the  discretion  of  the  bench. 

The  Sheriff  shall,  in  conformity  to  the  first  article,  preside  at  the  meeting,  collect  the  votes, 
and  act  as  secretary  till  further  orders,  or  until  the  population  is  increased.  But,  whenever  he 
shall  either  act  for  himself,  or  in  behalf  of  the  rights  of  the  Lords-Patroons,  or  in  behalf  of  justice 
in  the  place  of  the  Attorney-General,  in  all  such  cases  he  shall  leave  his  seat,  and  absent  himself 
from  the  bench,  and  in  such  cases  he  shall  not  have  an  advisory,  much  less  a  casting  vote.  In  all 
such  cases,  one  of  the  oldest  Schepens  shall  preside  in  his  place. 

Wliat  in  the  aforesaid  article  is  decreed  with  regard  to  the  Sheriff  shall  take  place,  in  a  similar 
manner,  with  respect  to  the  Schepens,  whenever,  in  the  aforesaid  court,  any  cases  or  questions 
might  occur  between  them  as  parties  or  others,  nearly  allied  in  blood  to  the  appointed  Schepens, 
as  when  a  brother,  a  brother-in-law,  or  a  cousin  is  concerned,  viz. :  in  the  first  and  right  line. 

All  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  are,  till  further  orders,  either  from  the  Lords-Patroons,  or  their 
higher  magistrates,  subjected  and  may  be  summoned  before  the  aforesaid  Sheriff  and  Commissa- 
ries, who  shall  hold  their  court,  in  the  village  aforesaid,  every  fortnight  —  harvest  time  excepted 
—  unless  necessity  or  occasion  might  otherwise  require. 

To  procure  the  good  inhabitants  oiWiltwyck  a  civil  and  easy  administration  of  justice,  the 
Sheriff  as  President,  and  the  Schepens  of  this  court,  shall,  for  the  better  conveniency  of  parties, 
appear  at  the  appointed  day  and  place,  on  the  fine  of  twenty  stivers,  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  col- 
lege, when  they  shall  have  been  informed  by  the  court  messenger,  qualified  for  that  pui-pose  by 
the  Director-General  and  Council,  at  least  twenty-four  hours,  of  the  sessions  of  the  court,  and 
double  this  sum  for  the  President,  except  by  sickness  or  absence.  If  they  arrive  too  late,  or  after 
the  stated  hour,  the  penalty  shall  be  six  stivers. 

No  extraordinary  sessions  shall,  at  the  expenses  and  burdeTis  of  the  parties,  be  called,  except 
at  the  request  of  both  parties,  with  submission  to  the  costs,  in  case  of  the  loss  of  the  suit ;  which 
costs  shall  previously  be  secured  by  the  solieitant  or  plaintiff,  viz. :  for  each  Schepeu,  fifteen  stivers; 


198  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

for  the  President,  three  guilders ;  besides  a  provision  for  the  clerk,  yet  to  be  appointed,  the  court 
messenger,  and  other  necessary  costs,  agreeably  to  law. 

All  criminal  cases  shall  be  directly  referred  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  in  Neio-Neih- 
erlandi  provided  that  the  court  remains  obliged  to  apprehend,  arrest,  detain  and  imprison  the 
delinquents  till  they  have  a  proper  opportunity  to  transport  them  with  safety  before  the  supreme 
magistrate  of  the  land,  while  in  the  meantime,  they  are  holden  to  take  good  and  correct  informa- 
tions with  regard  to  the  committed  crime,  at  the  expense  of  the  criminal,  or  in  behalf  of  the  Attor- 
ney-General, and  transmit  these  together  with  the  delinquent. 

Lesser  crimes,  as  quarrels,  injuries,  scolding,  kicking,  beating,  threatenings,  simply  drawing  a 
knife  or  sword,  without  assault  or  bloodshed,  are  left  to  the  judicature  and  decision  of  the  aforesaid 
court,  in  which  cases  the  Sheriff  may  act  as  plaintiff  before  said  court,  with  reservation  of  the 
clause  of  appeal,  if  the  condemned  feel  himself  aggrieved  by  the  decision  of  said  court. 

All  criminals  and  delinquents  guilty  of  wounding,  bloodshed,  fornication,  adultery,  public  and 
notorious  thefts,  robberies,  smuggling  or  contraband,  blasphemy,  violating  God's  holy  name  and 
religion,  injuring  and  slandering  the  Supreme  Magistrates,  or  their  representatives,  shall,  with  the 
informations,  aflidavits  and  witnesses,  be  referred  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  Neia- 
Netherland. 

Should  the  situation  of  affairs  be  such  that  the  President  aind  Schepens  deem  it  advisable  for 
the  security  and  peace  of  the  inhabitants,  during  the  absence  of  the  Director-General  and  Council, 
for  the  greater  advantage  and  peace  of  the  village  and  court  aforesaid,  to  issue  in  said  district  any 
orders,  respecting  public  roads,  enclosure  of  lands,  gardens  or  orchards,  and  further,  what  might 
concern  the  country  and  agriculture ;  so,  too,  relative  to  the  building  of  churches,  schools,  and 
other  similar  public  works ;  as  well  as  the  means  from  which,  and  in  what  manner,  these  shall  be 
regulated,  they  are  authorized  to  bring  their  considerations  on  such  subjects  in  writing,  support 
these  by  argument,  and  deliver  them  to  the  Director-General  and  Council,  to  be,  if  deemed  nsoful 
and  necessary,  confirmed,  approved  and  commanded  by  the  Director-General  and  Conucil. 

The  aforesaid  Sheriff  and  Schepens  shall  further  take  care,  and  are  obliged  to  see  the  laws  of 
our  Fatherland,  and  the  ordinances  and  placards  of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  already  pulv 
lished,  or  which  may  be  published,  in  future,  carefully  executed  and  kept  in  strict  observance,  and 
not  to  jjermit  that,  under  any  pretext,  anything  shall  be  done  contrary  thereto,  but  that  the  trans- 
gressor shall  be  prosecuted  according  to  law. 

The  aforesaid  Sheriff  and  court  are  not  permitted  to  enact  any  ordinances,  placards  or  similar 
acts,  or  publish  and  affix  these,  except  by  previous  consent  of  the  Director-General  and  Council. 

The  Sheriff  and  Schepens  shall  further  take  care  and  be  holden,  to  assist  the  Noble  Lords- 
Directors,  as  Lords  and  Patroons  of  this  New-Netherland  province,  under  the  sovereignty  of  the 
High  and  Mighty  Lords  the  States-General  of  the  United  Provinces,  and  to  aid  to  maintain  them 
in  their  high  jurisdiction,  rights,  domains,  and  all  their  other  pre-eminences. 

Whereas,  it  is  customary  in  onr  Fatherland  and  other  well  regulated  governments,  that  annu- 
ally some  change  takes  place  in  the  magistracy,  so  that  some  new  ones  are  appointed,  and  some  are 
continued  to  inform  the  newly  appointed,  so  shall  the  Schepens,  now  confirmed,  pay  due  attention 
to  the  conversation,  conduct  and  abilities  of  honest  and  decent  persons,  inhabitants  of  their  respect- 
ive village,  to  inform  the  Director-General  and  Council,  about  the  time  of  tlie  next  election,  as  to 
who  might  be  sufficiently  qualified  to  be  then  elected  by  the  Director-General  and  Council.  Done, 
and  given  by  the  Director-General  and  Council,  at  their  meeting  in  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  New- 
Netherland,  this  IG"-  day  of  May,  1661. 


New  York  Jlisioi'ioal  Mecords.  199 

PeTITIOM    of   i^ELOFF   SwAKTWOUT   TO   BE    APPOINTED    SlIEEIFF    OF    WiLTWYCK. 

To  the  Worshipful,  Vahant  and  Rigorous,  the 
Right  Honorable  Director-General  and  High 
Council  of  New-Netherland. 

I,  lioeloff  Swartwout,  request  very  respectfully  their  Noble  Honors,  the  Worshipful  Director- 
General  and  High  Council  of  J^e%o-Netherland,  while  I  submit  myself  as  a  subject  to  your  Honors' 
wise  government,  that  whereas  the  Hon'''"  Director-General  has  been  pleased  to  favor  and  provide 
us  hert  in  Wiltioyck  with  a  lower  Court  of  Justice  for  the  safety  of  the  pious  inhabitants  and  pun- 
ishment of  evil-doers,  so  that  we  may  now  live  in  freedom  and  peace,  your  Hon'''^  Worships  of 
the  High  Council,  not  excepting  the  Right  Honorable  Director-General,  or  all  your  Hon"""  Wor- 
ships together  will  please  to  consider  me  worthy  to  serve  here  in  the  capacity  of  Schout  and  I 
produce  herewith  the  recommendation  from  the  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-India 
Company,  my  Lords  and  Masters,  submitting  obediently  to  your  Hon''''^  Worships'  order  and  asking 
herewith  for  a  short  marginal  decision. 

Thus  by  me,  your  Hou"''^  Worships'  humble  and  obedient  servant 
Actum  Wiltwyck,  Roeloff  Swaetwout. 

the  16'"  May,  Anno  1661.  In  haste 

To  the  Valiant,  Wise,  Very  Learned  Governor-General  and  the  High  Council  of  New-Neth- 
erland, at  New-Ainsterdam. 


Commission  of  Roeloff  Swartwodt  as  Shekiff  of  Wiltwyck. 
23  May. 

The  foregoing  letter  of  Roeloff  Swartwout  was  opened  and  read  in  Council,  in  which  he  sub- 
stantially requests  to  be  appointed  and  installed  as  Schout  for  the  Esopus.  Although  Director- 
General  and  Council  do  not  deem  the  said  Swartwout  a  fit  person  for  that  office  for  several  reasons, 
yet  taking  up  again  the  order  and  directions  of  the  Noble  Lords-Directors,  dated  the  .  .  .  , 
they  have  appointed  and  installed  the  same  as  provisional  Schout  ou  the  £sqpus  and  have  given 
him  the  following  commission: 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  to  All,  who  shall  see  this  or  hear  it 
read  Greeting.  Know  ye,  that  in  conformity  with  directions  of  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the 
Incorporated  West-India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  we  have  appointed  and  installed, 
as  we  herewith  appoint  and  instal  Roeloff  Swartwout  as  provisional  Schout  in  the  village  of  Wilt- 
wyck on  the  Esopus,  to  serve  there  in  the  capacity  of  Schout  in  accordance  with  this  Commission 
and  the  Instructions,  already  given  to  him  or  hereafter  to  be  given,  as  a  good  and  faithful  Schout 
is  bound  to  do.  We  therefore  command  and  charge  all  and  everybody,  to  acknowledge  the  said 
Roeloff  Swartvjout  as  such  and  to  afford  and  give  him  any  help  and  assistance,  when  called  upon, 
in  the  performance  of  his  duties.     Date  as  above. 


200  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Council  Minute.     Coenelis  Melyn's  refusal  to  sureendee  the  soil  of  Staten- 

ISLAND  TO  THE  WeST-InDIA  CoMPANY. 

Carnelis  Melyn  was  summoned  and  appeared  before  the  Council.  He  was  asked,  upon  taking 
up  the  contract  made  between  the  Lords-Directors  and  the  said  Melyn  regarding  Staten- Island  on 
the  13"'  June  1659,  whether  he  had  in  his  care  any  records  or  documents  concerning  said  island 
and  whether  he  was  willing  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  Director-General  and  Council,  agreeable  to 
the  said  contract  and  further  to  transfer  the  said  island  for  the  behalf  of  the  Incorporated  West- 
India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  except  the  land,  houses  and  lots,  which  he  has  now 
or  may  enter  upon  hereafter,  on  the  aforesaid  island,  pursuant  to  said  contract. 

The  said  Cornells  Melyn  answers  substantially,  that  he  is  willing  to  deliver  the  said  records 
and  documents  in  his  care  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  and  does  so  directly,  by  handing 
over  the  papers  specified  below  and  declaring,  that  he  has  no  others  concerning  the  aforesaid  island. 
He  says  in  regard  to  transferring  and  conveying  tlie  said  island  to  the  Hon'''''  Incorporated  West- 
India  Company,  excepted  the  land,  houses  and  lots,  which  he  has  there  etc'',  that  it  has  never  been 
intended  by  him,  but  only  that  he  should  give  up,  surrender,  convey,  cede  and  transfer  all  com- 
mand, authority,  jurisdiction,  pre-eminence,  prerogatives  etc",  which  belonged  to  him  in  his  capacity 
as  Patroon  of  the  said  island :  he  requests  however,  that  a  new  deed  of  ownership  for  the  said 
island  may  be  issued  to  him,  as  he  has  surrendered  the  deed  given  hira  for  it  by  Mr.  Kieft. 

It  was  replied,  that,  if  it  had  been  the  intention  to  leave  him  in  possession  of  the  whole  island, 
it  would  seem  not  to  have  been  necessary,  to  make  the  condition,  that  he  should  have  and  keep  for 
himself  and  his  heirs  as  free  allodial  property  the  lands,  houses  and  lots,  which  he  has  on  the 
aforesaid  island  and  has  used  and  cultivated  heretofore  or  which  he  may  want  to  enter  upon  etc" ; 
further,  if  the  whole  island  belonged  to  him,  what  had  the  Lords-Directors  bouglit  then  from  the 
heirs  of  Baron  van  der  Capellen,  who  have  now  re-transferred  their  share  to  the  Hon'''''  Company. 

Cornells  Melyn  acknowledged  then,  that  he  had  made  over  one  third  of  the  said  island  to 
Baron  van  der  Capelle,  but  that  he  had  still  great  claims  on  the  island,  as  far  as  tiie  other  two 
thirds  were  concerned  he  did  not  intend  to  resign  his  title  to  them,  but  it  looked  as  if  the  Hon'"'" 
Lords-Directors  had  understood  it  so. 

The  aforesaid  Cornells  Melyn  was  then  informed  that  he  was  charged  for  his  own  passage 
and  that  of  the  servants,  whom  he  had  brought  over,  like  all  others,  who  come  over  at  the  expense 
of  the  Company,  as  it  says  in  the  abovementioned  contract,  that  he  and  his  family  shall  be  brought 
over  at  the  expense  of  the  Company  according  to  present  custom,  which  means  that  the  advanced 
fare  shall  be  refunded  here  in  due  time.  Melyn  contended,  that  he  and  the  Lords-Directors  also 
had  understood  it  to  mean,  that  he  and  his  people  were  to  be  brought  over  free  this  time,  without 
refunding  the  advanced  fare,  and  that,  as  he  was  granted  exemption  from  duties  on  goods  valued 
at  1000  guilders  and  has  not  brought  so  much  from  Holland,  he  may  deduct  the  remainder  here 
in  paying  the  duties. 

It  was  resolved  after  divers  discussions  pro  et  contra,  to  send  a  copy  hereof  to  the  Noble 
Lords-Directors  and  not  to  proceed  any  further  in  this  matter,  until  a  better  explanation  of  the 
aforesaid  contract  has  been  received  from  the  Lords-Directors.    Date  as  above.  (23''  of  May  1661.) 

The  papers,  which  Cornells  Melyn  surrendered  as  concerning  Staten- Island,  were : 

A  petition  of  Cornells  Melyn  to  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  and  their  reply  to  it,  by  which 
he  receives  consent  to  establish  a  Colony  on  Staten-Island  and  is  acknowledged  as  its  Patroon, 
dated  3*  July  1640. 

Another  petition  of  the  said  Melyn  to  the  Lords- Directors,  of  the  18""  February  16-11,  sub- 


Neio  Yoi'h  Historical  Records.  201 

mitted  after  his  release,  having  been  taken  a  prisoner  by  the  Dunkirlcers,  in  which  lie  requests 
permission,  to  go  to  New-Netherland  with  his  wife,  children,  servants  and  some  animals  in  the 
Company's  ships. 

Two  extracts  from  the  Resolutions  of  the  Lords  Directors,  dated  IS"*  and  25""  February  IGil, 
which  renew  the  consent  formerly  given. 

A  title  deed,  which  is  the  conveyance  of  Staten-Island  to  Cornelis  Mehjn,  issued  in  pursuance 
of  the  aforesaid  consent  and  signed  by  the  IIou''"  General  Wille7n  Kieft,  dated  19"'  June  1642. 


Letter  from  Koeloff  Swartwout,  Sheriff,  in  the  name  of  the  Magistrates  of 

WiLTWYCK,  in  which  HE  ACKNOWLEDGES  THE  RECEIPT  OF  INSTRUCTIONS  ETC.  AND  RE- 
QUESTS COPIES  OF  ORDINANCES  ETC. 

To  the  Honorable  and  Valiant  Director-General. 

"We  of  the  Court  have  received  on  the  9""  of  June  your  Honor's  letter,  inclosing  our  instruc- 
tions and  orders ;  the  Schout  has  also  shown  us  the  document,  which  your  Honor  has  sent  to  him 
and  henceforth  we  consider  him  our  Schout  and  officer,  as  directed  by  your  Honor  and  the  High 
Court  or  as  will  be  directed. 

This  village  is  at  present  in  a  good  condition,  only  when  Claes  de  Ruyter  came  here,  we  do 
not  know  on  what  errand,  on  the  13'^''  of  this  month  of  June  about  nightfall,  about  120  savages 
came  into  the  village  and  as  tricks  were  played  on  them  by  firing  off  the  guns  of  the  dischai-ged 
soldiers  some  of  them  were  found  to  be  unfit  for  defense,  we  deemed  it  necessary  immediately  to 
put  some  burghers  on  guard  for  the  night  for  our  security  ;  else  we  hear  nothing,  but  that  every- 
thing is  well  with  the  Indians. 

"We  further  learn,  that  your  Honor  has  forbidden  us  in  the  instructions,  to  make  in  our  capac- 
ity as  Commissaries  any  ordinances,  placards  or  orders,  we  therefore  request,  that  your  Honor 
will  please  to  send  us  by  first  opportunity  some  placai-ds,  especially  concerning  drunkenness  and 
others,  which  your  Honor  will  please  to  send  for  the  public  welfare.  Lastly  my  salutations  and 
be  everybody  commended  to  God's  mercy. 

Actum,  1-1"'  June  In  the  name  of  the  Commissaries 

iAWiltwyck^  A"  1661.  by  me,  your  Honor's  obedient  servant 

To  his  Valiant  Honor.  Koeloff  Swarfwout. 

Director-General 
Pieter  Sttiyvesant 

at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


MuSTER-RoLL    of   the    GARRISON    AT    WiLTWTCK. 

List  of  the  garrison  on  the  Esopus,  now  called  Wiltwyck,  the  IS""  June  1661. 

Christian  Niessen,  at  present  Commander 
Jan  Pierssen,  Corporal 
Jonas  Rantzou,  Corporal 
IlendricTc  from  Utrecht 
26 


202  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Hendrick  the  Rider 

Hendrick  Cornelissen 

Hendrick  Martensen 

Andries  Noorman 

Gerrit  AheUy,  Cadet 

Conraet  Hayra,  private  soldier,  desires  his  discharge.  •  .     ■ 

Paulus  Thomassen 

Gerrit  van  Campen 

Cornelis  Hinssendorp         These  have  been  discharged : 

Frederick  Claessen  Marten  Harinsen,  Cadet 

Jacob  Melone  Jan  the  Brabanter,  Cadet 

Christian  Andriesen         Marten  Warners,  Cadet 

Pieter  Jellissen  Thomas  Thomassen,  Cadet 

Adriaen  Vornier  Jellis  Bottien,  Lance-pesade 

Jan  Hamelton Pieter  van  Halen,  Cadet 

Joannis  Leblein  Andries  Barentz,  private  soldier 

Ja7i  Westhuysen  Jan  Broersen 

Arriaen  Yorbert         Michiel  Yerbrugge 

Jan  Gerritsen  Paulus  Paulsen 

Jacob  Biirhannsen         These  ask  for  their  discharge : 

Jan  Lootman  Joris  Metzer,  Scotchman  (?) 

Andries  Booatz  desires  to  remain  in  the  service,  while  Wihn  Croeger,  Scotchman  (^) 
Hendrick  Cornelissen  desires  to  be  discharged  iu  his  stead.  they  are  both  here 


RePOET  made  by  ClAES  JaNSEN  DE  E.UYTER  OF  THE  RESULT  OF  HIS  VISIT  TO  THE  EsOPUS  InDIANS. 

Claes  Jansen  Ruyter,  who  had  been  sent  out  to  the  Esopus  to  ascertain,  how  the  Esopus 
savages  behaved,  reports,  that  they  will  not  allow  him  to  come  to  their  village,  but  that  some  came 
to  meet  him,  who  among  other  speeches  said,  that  they  had  forgotten,  wliat  had  passed  during  the 
war,  but  they  wanted  their  captured  friends  back,  to  see  whether  the  heart  of  the  Dutch  was  good 
and  they  requested,  that  the  savages,  who  had  been  recalled  from  Curacao,  might  be  delivered  at 
their  arrival  to  Oratatn.    Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-I^etherland,  16'"  June  1601. 


Letter  from  Arent  van  Curler  to  Director  Stutvesant,  requesting  authority 

TO  purchase  and  SEITLE  A  GREAT  FLAT  BACK  OF  FoRT  OrANGE  (SouENECTADY). 

Very  Worshipful  Sir. 
When  I  was  last  at  the  Manhatans,  I  spoke  to  your  Honor  about  some  friends,  wlio  are  very 
anxious  to  acquire  and  cultivate  with  your  Honor's  approbation  and  knowledge  the  Great  Flat, 
which  your  Honor  knows ;  there  are  already  6  or  8  families  inclined  to  it.  Your  Honor  consented 
then  and  promised  me  a  document  from  your  Honor,  which  was  to  assist  in  the  purchase  of  these 
lands,  but  nothing  came  of  it  on  account  of  the  daily  occupation  of  your  Honor,  so  that  your  Honor 


New   Yorh  Historical  Records.  2  0.'] 

promised  to  send  it  to  me.  As  I  fear,  that  tlie  daily  business  of  your  Honor's  administration  may 
have  driven  it  out  of  your  Honor's  memory  and  as  the  way  is  opened  now  and  the  savages  are 
quite  willing  to  give  it  up  for  a  small  price,  especially  on  account  of  the  poor  trade,  which  turns 
out  very  bad,  therefore  the  parties  desiring  to  acquire  it  have  resolved  to  send  the  bearer  hereof, 
Philipp  Hendricksen  Brouioer,  as  express  messenger,  to  remind  your  Hon'''*  Worship  of  it,  for 
it  is  high  time  (if  3-our  Hon**'"  Worship  should  please  to  give  consent),  that  they  provide  them- 
selves in  due  time  with  hay  and  food  for  their  cattle  and  also  make  a  road  there.  Your  Honor 
will  please  not  to  be  in  doubt  about  the  population,  as  it  is  done  here  mostly  by  the  poorer  people, 
and  least  of  all  that  one  piece  of  bread  shall  be  eaten,  before  the  next  is  earned.  It  would  there- 
fore be  better  to  look  out  in  time  for  getting  there  in  a  good  manner,  for  afterwards  it  may  be  too 
late.  I  do  no  doubt,  as  your  Hon'''''  Worship  is  also  fond  of  farming,  that  your  Honor  will  with 
your  Honor's  inborn  urbanity  consent  to  the  fair  request  of  these  people.  They  are  quite  willing 
to  furnish  the  money  for  the  purchase  of  the  said  lands  out  of  their  own  pockets,  until  it  shall  be 
decided  otherwise  by  your  Honor.  Closing  herewith  I  pray  your  Honor's  decision  will  please  to  be 
favorable  to  these  people  in  their  good  intention,  as  far  as  possible  and  conclude  by  commending 
your  Honor  to  the  grace  of  God,  wishing  a  happy,  long  and  prosperous  administration  while  1 
shall  always  be  and  remain. 

Sir,  Your  Honor's  most  humble  servant 

Hens.  Henselaersioych, 

IS'"  June  1661.  .  A.  van  Cuklek. 

P.  S.  If  your  Honor  should  need  3  or  4  muds  of  oats  for  feed  for  your  Honor's  horses,  please 
to  give  me  an  order  and  I  shall  send  your  Honor  some  of  my  own. 

Your  Honor's  servant 

A.  v.  CUELEE. 

23'^  June. 

Received  and  read  the  foregoing  letter  from  S''  Arent  van  Gorier,  dated  the  18th  inst.,  con- 
taining in  substance  a  request  made  as  well  for  himself  as  in  the  name  of  some  others,  to  have 
permission  for  the  cultivation  of  a  certain  great  plain,  lying  back  of  Fort  Orar^ge  inland,  and  con- 
sent for  the  purchase  of  the  same  fi-om  the  lawful  owners  and  the  establishing  of  a  settlement 
there.  After  due  consideration  Director-General  and  Council  gave  their  consent  and  granted  the 
request,  provided  that  the  lands,  which  the  petitioners  desire  to  buy  from  the  lawful  owners,  be 
transported  and  conveyed  in  usual  manner  to  Director-General  and  Council  aforesaid,  as  repre- 
sentatives of  theii"  Worships,  the  Lords-Directore  of  the  Incorporated  West-India  Company  :  what- 
ever the  petitioners  pay  out  to  the  lawful  owners  for  the  aforesaid  lands,  shall  be  refunded  to 
them  in  due  time  or  balanced  against  the  tithes. 

Done  at  the  meeting  held  in  Fort  Amsterdam  \n  New-Netherland,  the  23'*  of  June  1661. 


Lettee  feom  Dieectoe  and  Council  to  the  Commissaries  at  Foet  Orange  in  an- 
swer  TO   A   EEMONSTRAliCE   FEOM   BeVEEWTCK  (AlBANt)  AGAINST  THE   SETTLEMENT 

ON  THE  Geeat  Mohawk  flat  (Schenectady). 

Honorable,  Beloved,  Faithful. 
Your  Honors'  letter  of  the  12"'  inst.  has  been  duly  received  by  ns  on  the  24"" :  we  find  therein 
little  worth  answering,  except  what  your  Honors  mention  only  with  one  word  regarding  the  dam- 


204  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Itiver. 

age,  which  might  be  done  to  Beverioyck,  if  the  settlement  on  the  wellknown  Great  Plain  near  the 
Mohwiok  country  should  be  undertaken  and  we  are  astonished  by  what  follows,  that  the  reasons 
given  to  you  cannot  be  repeated  and  that  they  must  be  deferred  until  the  arrival  of  the  Director- 
General,  who  as  yet  is  not  sm-e,  when  he  will  come.  "We  think,  that  they  can  better  be  given  in 
writing,  than  by  word  of  mouth ;  this  was  also  proposed  before  now  to  several  persons  of  your 
Honors'  board,  who  made  oral  propositions  especially  concerning  this  matter.  Your  Ilonors  may 
easily  imagine,  that  written  propositions  are  better  discussed  and  defended  than  oral  ones  and 
your  Honors  are  therefore  once  more  requested  to  communicate  to  us  in  writing  by  next  chance 
the  presupposed  damages  and  grievances,  in  order  that  such  a  change  or  a  continuation  may  be 
ordered  with  so  much  more  equity,  as  then  shall  appear  to  be  for  the  best  of  the  public  welfare. 

Honorable,  Beloved,  Faithful. 
This  serves  only  as  invoice  for  the  accompanying  100  lbs.  of  powder  and  the  enclosed  pla- 
cards, which  your  Honors  must  publish  on  receipt  thereof  and  affix  properly ;  the  merchants  must 
also  be  informed,  that  they  have  either  to  come  down  themselves,  or  direct  somebody,  to  see  the 
cases  and  packages  opened,  which  they  send  away,  so  that  the  Company  may  not  be  defrauded  of 
the  duties  any  longer.  With  cordial  salutations  we  commend  your  Honors  to  God's  protection 
and  remain, 

Fort  Amsterdam  Honorable,  Beloved,  Faithful, 

in  New-Netherland  Your  Honors'  affectionate  friends 

the  24:'"  June  1661.  The  Director-General  and  Council  of  N.  iV. 


Extract   feom  a    Lktter   of    Stutvesant   to   the    Dieectoes    in   Hollajs'd  :    he 

SUSPECTS  the  EsoPUS  AND  OTHEE  InDIANS  OF  EVIL  DESIGNS,  NOTWITHSTANDING 
THE  PEACE  LATELY  MADE,  DISCUSSES  THE  MILITIA  QUESTION  AND  COMPARES  jSTew- 
EnGLAND  INSTITUTIONS  WITH  THOSE  OF  NeW-NeTHEELAND  ;  SwAETWOUT  IS  AT 
LAST   APPOINTED    ShEEIFF    OF     EsOPUS ;    OONDI'nON    OF     StATEN     IsLAND     ETC.       21^' 

July  1661. 
****** 
We  have  informed  your  Honors  in  detail  by  our  last  letter  of  last  year,  what  the  result  of  the 
war  with  the  JS^-opus  savages  had  been  and  under  what  conditions  a  peace  had  been  concluded 
with  them.  Although  the  aforesaid  Esopus,  as  well  as  the  Raritan  and  Nevesinck  savages  have 
since  that  time  kept  cpiiet,  we  are  nevertheless  not  without  fears  and  anxiety,  that  when  they  see 
an  opportunity  tliey  will  take  advantage  of  it  to  strike  a  blow  and  revenge  themselves;  we  are, 
indeed,  almost  constantly  warned  against  them  by  other  savages  and  are  made  very  uneasy  and 
circumspect ;  we  have  nevertheless  found  ourselves  obliged  (as  well  by  your  Honors'  urgent  re- 
commendations and  absolute  ordei's,  as  by  our  own  inability  to  maintain  so  many  soldiers  without 
a  subsidy  from  Fatherland)  to  discharge  a  large  number  of  them,  God  grant  that  it  may  turn  out 
to  the  best  and  without  danger :  the  proverb  says  "  Necessity  has  no  law "  and  "  Who  obeys 
orders,  does  well,"  therefore  we  hold  ourselves  blameless,  if  in  consequence  of  the  dismissal,  as 
ordered  by  your  Honors  and  necessitated  by  our  situation,  some  unexpected  mishap  slioukl  befal 
your  Honors'  territory  and  its  inhabitants.  In  the  meantime  we  shall  not  fail  to  make  all  possible 
efforts  to  protect  the  same  with  the  power  and  means,  which  God  and  your  Honors  have  eiitrusted 
to  and  left  us. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  205 

"We  might  reply  miach  to  the  motives  and  reasons,  whieli  your  Ilonors  quote  (to  wit,  that  in 
time  of  necessity,  soldiers  might  be  enlisted  here  for  a  short  time,  as  the  Frencli  and  English 
nation  always  have  done,  who  never  employed  or  maintained  military  in  the  estaijlishment  of  their 
colonies),  but  will  not  do  it  to  avoid  unpleasant  feelings  and  reproaches,  while  with  your  Honors' 
permission  we  will  state  briefly  in  regard  to  the  first,  that  the  deplorable  experiences  have  shown 
us  as  well  in  the  rencontres  with  the  English  as  with  the  savages,  that  no  or  at  least  very  few 
soldiei-s  can  be  enlisted  and  taken  into  service  here  in  an  emergency.  As  to  the  second  point, 
namely,  that  the  French  and  English  Colonies  are  maintained  without  military,  it  is  well  known, 
that  these  nations  are  exempted  from  all  duties  and  taxes  to  foreign  masters  and  that  they  are 
their  own  masters  here  in  this  country,  they  elect  here  their  own  chiefs,  magistrates  and  what  de- 
pends thereon,  settle  their  own  taxes  and  are  in  consequence  subject  to  being  impressed  here  as 
well  as  in  their  home  countries,  a  proceeding  which  is  not  allowed  by  the  Netlierlandish  people 
nor  by  your  Honors'  subjects,  who  have  said  regarding  this  matter  and  repeatedly  say,  the  Com- 
pany has  engaged  itself  by  the  Exemptions  to  protect  us  and  receives  for  it  the  export  aiid  import 
duties  and  the  excise.  Aside  from  this  the  afoi'esaid  the  English  and  French  colonies  are  continued 
and  populated  by  their  own  nation  and  countrymen  and  consequently  bound  together  more  firmly 
and  united,  while  your  Honors'  colonies  in  New-Nethei-land  are  only  gradually  and  slowly  peopled 
by  the  scrapings  of  all  sorts  of  nationalities  (few  excepted),  who  consequently  have  the  least  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  and  maintenance  of  the  commonwealth.  In  short,  the  English  are  too  much 
for  us  and  the  natives  by  their  numbers  and  power.  Experience  shows,  what  the  French  colony 
in  Canada  will  come  to  through  the  absence  of  military.  The  French  pi-isoners,  brought  away 
by  the  Maquas  savages  from  under  their  forts  every  year,  and  occasionally  ransomed  by  our 
people,  declare  unanimously,  that  if  the  French  receive  no  assistance  by  soldiers  from  France, 
they  will  shortly  be  obliged  to  leave  the  country ;  the  gracious  God  may  grant,  that  the  Maquas 
will  not  begin  with  us,  after  they  have  destroyed  and  finished  with  the  French.  As  far  as  we  are 
concerned,  we  wish  sincerely,  that  we  could  govern  and  maintain  your  Honors'  territories  without 
fear  and  military. 

The  second  point  which  your  Honors  recommend  us  concerning  the  discharge  of  the  soldiers, 
who  have  served  their  time,  is  to  animate  them  to  remain  here  and  to  give  them  for  that  pui'pose 
some  good  and  suitable  lands.  We  do  not  fail  to  do  our  duty  in  one  or  the  other  direction  by 
ofiiering  them  full  payment,  but  on  the  other  side  nobody  can  be  kept  here  against  his  will  and 
wish  or  be  paid  here,  the  more  so  as  the  major  part  of  them  reply,  "  We  have  not  learned  any 
trade  nor  farming,  the  sword  must  earn  us  our  subsistence,  if  not  here,  then  we  must  look  for  our 
fortune  elsewhere ; "  hence  some  discharged  soldiers,  enlisted  in  the  Fatherland,  will  come  back  by 
this  ship. 

****** 

Far  be  it  from  us.  Most  Worshipful  Gentlemen,  to  slight  your  Honors'  authority  and  to 
disapprove  the  choice,  made  by  your  Honors,  of  Roeloff  Swartwout  for  Schoiit  at  t\\e  Esoj}us ; 
we  have  only  delayed  his  installation  until  a  fit  opportunity  should  offer  and  the  arrival  of  your 
Honors'  further  orders,  for  we  mistrusted  his  capabilities  and  kept  the  place  vacant  so  far.  In 
pursuance  of  your  Honors'  special  request  he  is  now  appointed  and  we  leave  the  result  to  his  be- 
havior and  suitableness. 

****** 

"We  found  in  your  Honors'  last  letter  and  the  enclosures  belongmg  to  it  the  contract  made 
with  the  heirs  of  the  late  Frederick  van  der  Capelle  to  Ryssel  concerning  his  claims  on  Staten- 
Island  and  your  Honors'  order  to  deliver  in  due  form  to  his  attorne}'  all  buildings,  implements, 


206  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

cattle  etc.  Summoned  before  lis  the  attorney  of  the  Late  Baron,  one  Adriaen  Post,  said  and  de- 
clared, that  all  the  houses  had  been  burned  during  the  well-known  affair  with  the  savages  Anno 
1655  and  that  no  other  property  had  been  left,  except  a  few  heads  of  cattle,  which  he  himself  had 
hunted  up  after  having  been  released  from  captivity.  Most  of  these  have  died  and  a  few  have 
been  sold  by  him  for  means  to  maintain  his  wife  and  children.  "We  shall  upon  occasion  inquire 
further  into  the  truth  and  the  details  and  inform  your  Honors  as  in  duty  bound.  But  we  meet 
here  a  new  and  unexpected  claim  upon  this  island  made  by  Cornelis  Melyn,  who  pretends,  that 
although  he  has  sold  to  your  Honors  the  title  and  privileges  as  Patroon  of  the  island,  he  has  not 
disposed  of  the  land  itself,  so  that  the  said  Melyn  claims,  as  your  Honors  will  see  by  the  enclosed 
extract  from  our  minutes,  to  be  owner  of  two-thirds  of  the  land  on  Siaten- Island,  besides  the 
claims,  which  he  has  on  the  other  third  against  the  heirs.  This  is  the  reason,  why  these  suitable 
lands  are  not  settled  and  cultivated  and  they  will  be  settled  and  cultivated  only  slowly,  as  long  as 
the  aforesaid  Melyn  makes  claims  to  be  owner  of  either  the  whole  or  part  of  it.  What  he  says 
regarding  the  money  advanced  by  your  Honors  to  him  and  his  farmservants,  your  Honors  will  see 
by  the  aforesaid  extract  from  our  resolutions  and  we  await  your  Honors'  explanation  as  well  for 
the  one  as  the  other. 

****** 
The  widow  of  Dirck  Smith,  the  late  Ensign,  who  died  to  our  great  regret  towards  the  end 
of  last  3'ear,  comes  over  by  one  of  these  ships.  She  requested  our  recommendation  and  interces- 
sion with  your  Honors,  that  she  might  receive  her  late  husband's  monthly  pay  there.  Consider- 
ing the  good  and  faithful  services  of  the  deceased,  especially  during  the  last  affair  with  the  savages, 
we  could  not  refuse  to  the  widow,  to  request  your  Honors  respectfully  to  favor  her  with  as  quick 
a  dispatch  as  possible. 


PETrrioN  OF  Peter  Billou,  Claude  le  Maptre  and  others,  all  recently  ar- 
rived  EMIGRANTS,    FOR   LAND   ON   StATEN-IsLAND. 

The  22'^  August  (1661),  Monday. 

Present  in  Council  the  Honorable  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Hon''"'  mem 
bers  of  the  Council  Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Johan  de  DecTcere. 

Before  the  Council  appeared  Pieter  Billou  and  Walrm'<€n  Luten,  wlio  stated  for  themselves 
as  well  as  for  some  other  persons,  arrived  by  the  last  ships,  that  the  locality  of  Staten-Island  suited 
them  well  and  they  requested  therefore,  that  some  of  the  lands  on  the  said  Staten-Island  might 
be  allotted  and  given  them  as  property  for  farm-land,  meadow  and  pastures  and  that  lots  for  houses 
and  gardens  might  be  laid  out  at  a  convenient  place. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  heard  the  petition  and  after  taking  it  in  consideration, 
they  resolved  to  look  up  a  convenient  place  on  Statei\rlsland  and  lay  it  out  for  a  village.  Date 
as  above. 

The  persons,  who  asked  for  lots  on  Staten-Island,  are,  besides  Pieter  BiUou  and  Valrave 
Luten,  Harmen  Bartels,  Jacob  Salomons,  Jan  Claesen,  Johannes  Christofels,  Glaude  U  Metre, 
Andries  Jemands,  Thys  Barentsen  from  Leerdam,  Ryck  Ilendriclcs,  Gerrit  Mannaai,  Myndert 
Coerten,  Gerrit  Cornelissen,  Teunis  Cornelissen,  Capt.  Post,  Gooert  Loocquermans,  Jan  Jacobsen 
from  Reenen,  Wynant  Pieters,  Paulus  Dirck  from  Luxemhourg. 


New  Yorh  Historical  liecords.  207 

Report  of  the  State  of  Feeling  among  the  Catskil  and  Esopus  Indians. 

(Not  signed,  but  in  the  haudwriting  of  Roeloli  Swartwout,  the  Sheriff  at  Esopus.) 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  High  Council, 
Honorable  Director-General  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  High  Council  in  the  City  of 
New-AmsUrdain  in  New-lVetherland. 

Whereas  to  day,  the  27""  of  August,  a  letter  from  the  High  Council  was  received  by  the 
Schout  and  the  Commissaries,  the  matter  was  taken  in  hand  and  to  heart,  after  learning  its  con- 
tents, and  we  are  still  engaged  with  it  as  mucli  as  possible.  The  Maquas,  who  has  been  to  the  Cats- 
kil with  C'laes  de  Ruyter  and  seems  to  keep  faith  with  us,  has  been  afterwards  requested  to  go  to 
the  Esopus  savages  and  inform  himself  of  it,  they  pretended  not  to  know  anything  about  it,  finally 
being  pushed  to  get  information,  the  Maquas  reported  to  us,  that  a  Catskil  savage,  who  had  for 
wife  an  Esopus  squaw,  travelled  with  an  Esopus  boy  from  the  Esopus  savages  to  the  Catskils  / 
on  the  road  they  came  across  some  horses  and  the  Catskil  savage  is  said  to  have  offered  his  gun  to 
the  Esopus  boy  and  said,  "  Kill  one  of  the  Dutchmen's  horses,"  and  when  the  boy  refused,  the 
CatskU  savage  said,  "  What  are  these  Dutch  dogs  to  me,  I  am  not  afraid  to  kill  one  of  their  horses." 


Commission  of  TiELEiiAJSf  vajst  Vleeck  to  be  Sheriff  of  Beegen  (N.  J.) 

The  5""  of  September  1661. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant,  in  behalf  of  their  High  :  Might :  the  Lords  States- General  of  theUnited 
Netherlands  and  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Privileged  West  India  Company  Director- 
General  of  New-Netherland,  Curacao,  Aruha,  Bonayro  and  dependencies  with  the  Honorable 
Council  Greeting: 

Know  ye,  Wliereas  for  the  promotion  of  justice  in  the  village  of  Bergen,  situate  on  the  west 
side  of  the  North  Piver  of  New-Netherland  a  suitable  person  is  required,  to  attend  there  to  the 
duties  of  the  Schout's  office,  for  which  place  one  Tieleman  van  Yleeck,  Notary  public  in  this  city, 
has  been  proposed.  Therefore  we  have,  confiding  in  his  ability,  piety  and  good  parts  appointed 
and  commissioned,  as  we  hereby  appoint  and  commission  the  same  to  be  Schout  of  the  aforesaid 
village,  to  hold,  have  charge  of  and  serve  in  the  said  ofiice  at  the  aforesaid  place  and  the  district 
thereof,  pm-suant  to  the  instructions,  which  he  has  already  received  or  may  hereafter  receive,  to 
bring  to  justice  accordingly  all  breakers  of  all  political,  civil  and  criminal  laws,  ordinances  and 
placards,  to  fine,  execute  and  punish  them  with  the  punishments  ex]3ressed  therein,  to  demand 
that  upon  his  direction  and  accusation  all  criminal  matters  and  abuses  shall  be  corrected  and 
abated  and  all  sentences  speedily  and  without  delay  be  executed  and  to  do  further,  what  a 
good  and  faithful  Schout  is  bound  to  do  in  this  I'egard,  on  the  oath  taken  by  him.  We  charge 
therefore  the  Schepens  and  inhabitants  in  the  district  of  the  aforesaid  village  to  acknowledge  the 
said  Tieleman  van  Yleeck  as  our  officer  and  Schout,  as  aforesaid,  and  to  give  and  cause  to  be  given 
to  him,  upon  request,  all  necessary  and  possible  assistance  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  for  we 
have  concluded,  that  this  is  necessary  for  the  service  of  the  Hon*'^  Company  and  the  promotion  of 
justice.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Noble  Director-General  and  Council,  held  at  Fort  Am- 
sterdam in  New-Netherland,  the  5""  of  September  A"  1661. 


208'  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Okdinajjce  erecting  a  Court  of  Justice  in  Bergen,  N.  J. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Nether!and,  p.  403.) 


Letter  from  Mathew  Gilbert  to  the  Director-General,  informing  him  that 

A    COMMITTEE     HAD     BEEN     APPOINTED   ON   THE    PART   OF    A    COMPANY    IN    NeW-EnG- 
LAND,    WHO   DESIRE   TO    SETTLE    AT    AcHTER    CuLL. 

To  the  much  honored  Gouerno'  of  the  New-Netherlands  humble  salutations. 

Seeing  it  hath  pleased  God  to  order  it  in  his  p'uidence,  that  a  companie  of  Considerable  per- 
sons, that  Came  into  N.  E.,  that  they  might  serue  God  w""  a  pure  Conscience  and  enjoy  such 
liberties  and  priueledges  both  Civill  and  Ecclesiasticall,  as  might  best  aduantage  vnto,  and  strengthen 
them  in  the  end  and  worke  aforesaid,  w*  also  thorough  the  mercy  of  God  they  hauve  enjoyed  for 
more  then  seuentie  yeares  together  and  the  Lord  hauing  blessed  them  w*""  posterities  so  that  their 
numbers  are  increased  and  they  being  desirous  to  p'uide  for  their  posterities,  so  as  their  outward 
comfortable  subsistance  and  their  soulles  welfare  might  in  the  use  of  sutable  means  thorough  the 
blessing  of  the  almightie  be  attained,  In  order  hereunto  they  haue  appointed  some  to  view  some 
adjacent  parts  of  this  Amerrican  wildernes,  who  haue  bin  Curteously  &  encom-ageingly  enter- 
tained by  Y  Hono'',  w'*"  the  Companie  doeth  acknowledge  w""  all  thankfullnes — And  haue  now 
sent  some  of  our  honor'^'*  trusties  and  well  beloved  friends,  to  wit,  M''  Benjamin  ffen,  'W  Robert 
Treatt,  MJ  Lawes  &  Deacon  Gun  in  the  name  of  the  Committee  empowred  by  the  Companie  and 
in  y'=  behalf  of  the  Companie  to  treat  and  Conclude  as  they  shall  see  cause  with  your  hono''  or 
whom  it  shall  eoncerne  About  the  tearmes  upon  w*  they  may  be  encouraged  to  begin  to  plant  and 
so  from  time  to  time  as  they  are  able  to  proceed  yearly  by  some  of  themselues  and  by  some  of 
their  posteritie  or  their  friends  that  may  hereafter  desire  to  joine  w""  them  for  the  enlargm'  of  the 
Kingdom  of  Christ  Jesus  in  the  Congregationall  way  and  all  other  meanes  of  Comfort  in  subord- 
ination heervnto.  And  seeing  that  this  Designe  if  sutably  encouraged  may  hopefully  be  more  for 
the  glory  of  God  and  benefit  &  welfare  of  the  D^iteh  nation  In  Amerrica  and  the  hono"'  of  their 
principalis  in  Europe  then  any  yet  hath  bin  by  planters  vnder  their  shaddow  in  these  parts.  The 
Companie  doeth  therfore  desire  that  neither  any  queries  or  p'^positigns  made  by  our  hono"''^  messen- 
gers betrusted  and  Instructed  might  be  in  the  least  measure  greiuous  or  offensiuo  to  your  hono''  or 
any  Intrest  w""  you,  for  we  are  true  men  and  noe  spies,  but  to  p'uide  good  righteous  and  honest 
things  for  o'selues  posterities  and  friends  like  minded :  As  we  haue  alreadie  for  many  yeares  en- 
joyed and  are  come  by  these  our  messengers  to  you  And  therfore  in  order  to  p''posaUs  wee  desire 
that  w"'out  offense  wee  may  haue  as  plaine  and  cleare  an  answer  as  may  be  to  these  following  en- 
quiries and  p''positions. 

ffrom  Milford  Dated  the  8""  of  Mathew  Gilberte  in  the  name  of 

November  1661.  In  New  England.  the    Coraittee   impouered    by  the 

Companie. 


N^ew  Yorh  Historical  Records.  209 

Peopositioxs  agreed  upon  by  the  Committee    in   the   name  &  BEnAi.FE  of  the 

COMPANIE  TO  BE  PRESENTED  TO  THE  MUCH  HONOr'^''  GoUERNO"  OF  THE  NeW- 

Netheelands  by  those,  whose  names  are  subscribed. 

1.  That  if  a  Church  or  Churches  of  English  shall  be  planted  in  the  place  p'pounded  they  may  be 
allowed  by  the  Authoritie  of  the  high  and  mighty  Lords  &  States  General  of  the  United  P'uinces 
in  the  Netherlands  in  Europe  And  w""  the  app'bation  of  the  Bewindhebbers  of  the  West  India 
Companie  to  enjoy  all  such  powers  priuiledgcs  and  liberties  in  the  Congregationall  way  as  they 
haue  enjoyed  them  in  New- England  aboue  twentie  yeares  paste  without  any  disturbance  Impedini' 
or  Imjjositions  of  any  other  formes,  orders  or  customes  to  be  obserued  by  them';  And  that  therein 
they  be  Allowed  and  Ajjproued  churches  by  some  publique  testimonie  vpon  Record. 

2.  That  if  the  English  Churches  planted  vnder  the  Dutch  Gowernement  shall  consent  to  conso- 
ciate  together  for  mutuall  helpfullues  :  They  may  be  allowed  by  the  Authoi-ity  &  with  the  appro- 
bation aforesaid  soe  to  doe  and  to  call  a  synod  and  therein  to  establish  by  common  consent  such 
orders  according  to  scripture  as  may  be  requisite  for  the  suppressing  of  haeresies,  schismes  and  false 
worships  and  for  the  establishm'  of  truth  w""  peace  in  those  English  churches.  And  that  the 
Gouernor  &  Courts  at  JVew-Amsterdam  shall  protect  the  said  English  churches  and  Synnods  from 
any  that  oppose  them  or  be  Injurious  to  them. 

3.  The  English  planters  doe  desire  that  they  may  haue  libertie  and  power  by  y"  Authority  & 
w""  y""  approbation  aforesaid  to  haue  the  ordering  of  all  Judicature  and  of  all  their  civill  affaires 
within  themselves,  to  chuse  their  owne  magistrates  and  all  other  officers  and  Constitute  and  keep 
Courts  and  make  all  such  lawes  and  orders  as  they  shall  find  most  sutable  to  their  condition  and 
weKare  in  that  place  And  that  all  persons,  planters  and  others,  for  the  time  they  are  amongst  them 
w"'in  their  p''cincts,  shall  be  bound  to  acquiesce  in  all  their  lawes,  orders,  sentences  and  appoint- 
m"  of  any  of  their  owne  Court  or  Courts  and  officers  determinately  according  to  such  orders  and 
lawes  as  are  or  shall  be  from  time  to  time  agreed  vpon  &  enacted  by  them  and  unto  their  senten- 
ces made  &  verdicts  declared  without  apj)eales  to  any  other  Authority  or  jurisdiction.  This  power 
the  English  in  Amerrica  within  New-England  have  had  and  exercised  in  all  causes  by  the  graunt 
of  the  late  King  of  England,  Charles  the  First,  as  is  to  be  seen  in  his  Majesties  letters  pattent 
aboue  twentie  years  together.  And  it  is  much  more  necessary  that  they  haue  it  vnder  the  Dutch 
(whose  lawes  they  know  not  nor  vnderstand  their  language  and  the  way  and  manner  of  their  ex- 
erciseing  this  their  sole  power).  "We  purpose  according  to  the  fundamentalls  receiued  in  New 
Hauen  Collonie  w'^''  are  in  print  to  be  seen  (or  the  Most  of  them)  so  far  as  wc  shall  finde  it  will 
alike  suite  Christ's  ends  and  our  conditions  there. 

4.  That  all  the  lands  agreed  for,  be  clearly  and  vndeniably  purchassed  of  the  Indians  by  an 
Athentik  lustrum'  or  lustrum'^  and  that  wee  may  haue  one  of  them  in  our  Custody  and  that  the 
hands  of  those  Indians  that  haue  y°  naturall  and  ciuill  right  be  subscribed  and  soe  owned  by  them 
In  the  p'sence  of  English  Duch  and  Indians  as  lawfully  bought  and  sould  and  that  then  these 
lands  shall  be  made  y°  p''p'  Inheritance  of  the  English  Planters  and  their  posteritie  for  euer  bj' 
the  Authoritie  and  pow'  w""  the  approbation  aforesaid  according  to  all  p'sent  and  future  ordere, 
graunts  and  agreem''  or  deuisions  of  all  such  lands  so  bought  as  shall  be  made  by  the  English  alone 
amongst  themselues  by  p'sous  Intrusted  and  empowred  by  them  for  such  afaires. 

5.  That  noe  Inhabitants  be  put  vpon  vs  by  the  Duch  but  that  we  have  the  sole  power  of  dispose- 
ing  our  lands  and  entertaineing  or  rejecting  all  Inhabitants  according  to  agreem'^  that  shall  from 
time  to  time  be  made  amongst  ourselues, 

27 


210 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


6.  That  tlie  English  Planters  in  the  aforesaid  places  by  Authoritie  and  w"'  approbation  afore- 
saide  may  haue  equall  liberties  of  tradeing  with  the  Duck  in  all  resjiucts,  they  payeing  all  lawfull 
dues  and  custonies  as  the  Duch  doe  or  w""  any  other  whom  so  euer. 

7.  Our  humble  desire  is  that  the  p'mises  being  graunted  by  those  in  Uolland  or  to  whom  the 
Pattent  and  power  of  such  graunts  appertaineth,  may  be  declared  and  ratified  by  an  Authenticall 
Instrum*  signed  and  sealed  by  the  Pattentees  in  Enrope,  if  it  remaines  witli  tliem  And  that  a 
coppie  of  it  so  signed  sealed  and  Authentically  Attested  may  be  procured  for  the  English  Planted 
vnder  the  Duch  to  be  by  them  kept  among  their  publique  Records  for  y"  benefitt  of  Posteritie. 
Dated  this  8""  of  November  1661  Beniasiin  ffex 
ffrom  Milford  in  New  Eyigland.                                                                                  Kobeet  TREAxr 

Rich:  Lawe 
Jaspek  Gun. 


Answer  of  the  Directoe-Geneeal  and  Council  to  the  foeegoing  propositions. 

Extract  ontli  of  the  Recordes  and  Resolu- 
tions of    the   Lord   Director-General  and 
Counsels  of  the  N.  Nederlarids,  taken  in 
their  Court  vppon 
Monday,  the  28"'  of  Novemb'  1661; 

The  Director  Generall  and  Counsells  off  the  iV^.  Netherlands  haveing  perused  the  Commis- 
sione  and  Propositions,  produced  by  Benjamin  Fenne,  Robert  treat.  Hitch :  Lawe  and  Jasper 
Gun,  Deputies  of  a  greather  Conipanic  English  People,  propoundinge  vppon  Certaine  terines  to 
be  admitted  as  Inhabbittens  and  subjects  vnder  this  Govcrnement,  Doe  judge  the  matters  off  a 
hevier  Consernement  as  to  give  soo  full  and  satisfactory  answer  vppon  Every  pertieull, 

Nevertheless,  Consideringe  the  abovementioned  Deputies  are  very  desirous  to  obtaine  any 
Answer  for  to  Relate  vnto  their  principals,  is  Resolved  to  give  this  followeinge  provisionate  An- 
swer: 

Because  there  is  no  difference  in  the  fundamental  poincts  of  the  "Worship  of  God  betwixt  tliese 
and  the  Churches  of  New  England,  as  onely  in  the  Ruelinge  of  the  same 

The  Director  Generall  and  Counsell  doe  make  noo  Difficulte  to  give  way  &  Consent  vnto  the 
twoe  first  Propositions,  because  in  our  natyff  Country,  alsoo  here  was  never  practised  restraint  of 
Conscience.  In  the  meane  tyme  wee  wish  &  hope  that  by  a  neerer  meetinge  and  Conference  be- 
tween oure  &  theire  Ministers  further  Obstructions  in  this  poinct  shall  be  remocved  and  that  all 
Lovinge  Vnity  shall  be  observed. 

Uppon  the  Thirth  Proposition  vnto  the  petitioners  shall  be  graunted  in  the  waye  of  Magis- 
trature.  Judicature  and  Sivill  affaires,  all  such  power,  Authoritie,  Priveledge  and  Liberty  as  all 
other  townes  &  Collonies  of  N.  Netherland  have  obtained,  to  wit,  the  Komination  off  theire  owne 
Magistrates  within  herselfes  yearely  in  a  dabble  Number  to  be  present  vnto  the  Director  Generall 
and  Counsell  for  to  be  Elected  out  of  the  same  the  Magistrates  for  that  yeare  and  to  Contirme 
them,  the  which  shall  be  qualified  with  sufficiant  power  tt  authority  for  to  make  and  to  see  appro- 
bated and  confirmed  by  the  Director-Generall  &  Counsell  all  such  Ordinances  as  they  shall  finde 
good  for  the  benifitt  of  theire  townes  or  plantations,  Accordinge  to  the  same  to  doc  Right  it 
Justice,  the  Appelle  beinge  Reserved  vnto  the  high  Court,  in  Conformite  of  the  Generall  Order 
and  E.xemptions  graunted  vnto  all  the  Inhabitans  of  the  N.  Netherlands. 


New   Yorh  Hi  dor  ical  Records.  211 

Tlic  fourth  it  Sixt  propositions  were  granted. 

Conseriiinge  the  fifte  proposition,  none  of  the  Townes  in  the  N.  Netherlands  are  troubled 
with  Inhabitanee,  tlie  which  doe  not  Lyke  her  or  her  Magistrates,  beinge  reserved  that  they  doe 
not  adniitt  any  Inhabitanee  without  approbation  and  acknowledgement  of  the  Dirocf  Generall  & 
Counsell  and  give  their  oath  for  the  AfRrinatioii  of  Fidellyty.  Thus  enacted  in  the  Fortres  named 
Amsterdam  att  the  Court  kept  by  the  Lord  Director  Generall  &  Counsell  of  the  N.  Netherlands, 
a  dij  ut  supra. 

Signed 

P.  Stdyvesant. 
Agreed  with  the  foresaid  Recordes. 
Subscryved  C  v.  Ruyven  Secretary. 
Translated  by  me 

Salomon  La  Chaie,  Notary  pub. 

His  Honor,  the  Councillor  Johan  de  Dechere  refused  to  give  his  opinion  on  the  foregoing 
propositions  of  the  Emjlish  Committee,  because  the  said  propositions  were  addressed  only  to  the 
Hon^"'  Director-General  of  New  Netherland  and  not  to  the  Noble  Director-General  and  the  Hon- 
orable Council,  as  it  ought  to  have  been  done.     A  dij  ut  supra. 


Ordinance   of  the   Dieector-General   imposing   a  land  tax  at  Esopus  to  de- 
fray  THE   EXPENSE   OF   BUILDING   A   MiNISTEe's   HOUSE  THERE. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  pages  413  and  448.) 


Ordinance  foe  the  obseevance  of  the  Sabbath,  peeyention  of  fires,  con- 
struction OF  FENCES  and  HOUSES,  AJ^D  FOB  KEEPING  IN  EEPATB  THE  PALISADES 
AT   WiLTWTCK,    PASSED    IS""  NoVBE.  1661. 

(Ibidem  page  415.) 


OeDINANCE   FOR   THE    CONSTRUCTION    OF    A   NEW   EOAD    AT    EsOPUS,    PASSED    22^    NoVBE.    1661. 

(Ibidem  page  420.) 


OeDINANCE   FOE   THE    SPEEDY   COLLECTION    OF    THE   AEEEAJtS    DUE   ON   THE    HOUSE   AJTD 
8ALAEY    OF    THE    MtNISTEE    AT    EsOPUS,    PASSED    NoVB.    24,    1661. 

(Ibidem  page  421.) 


212 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Account  of  the  excise  in  the  village  of  Wiltwvck,  with  the  names  of  those  who  paid  it. 


Excise  of  the  wine  and  beer,  recorded  in  the  vil- 

9. 

lage  of  Wiltwyck  since  the  24"" 

9""  1661. 

9. 

fol 

9. 

1.  Uendrick  Jochems 

fi.  75-7 

10. 

1.  Pieter  Hillebrantz 

2 

10. 

1.  Aelbert  Gyssbertz 

12 

10. 

2.  Jacob  BurJians 

71  14 

10. 

2.  Gerrit  Forcken 

12 

10. 

2.  Walraeff  du  Mont 

24 

10. 

2.  Jan  Barentz  Timmerman 

1 

11. 

3.  Barent  Gerritzen 

65 

11. 

3.   Gritiez   Westerkamps 

1 

11. 

3.  Jam  Jansen  Brabander 

14 

11. 

3.  Jan  Lamhertz 

3 

11. 

3.  Joannes  Leblein 

2 

11. 

4.  Jan  Barentz  Snyder 

14 

11. 

4.  Michiel  Verhruggen 

1 

11. 

4.  Jan  Pierssen 

12 

12. 

4.   Wouter  AeThertz 

24 

12. 

4.  Thomas  Swartwout 

12 

12. 

4.  Pieter  van  Halen 

6 

12. 

4.  dejonge  Gesellen 

2 

12. 

4.  Theunis  Vooeht 

1 

12. 

5.   Cornells  Barentz  Slecht 

70  7 

12. 

5.  Arent  Jacobs 

4 

12. 

5.  Aelbert  Heimans 

65 

13. 

6.  Mathies  Capita 

4 

13. 

6.  Dirck  Ariaens 

1 

13. 

6.  Hendrick  Cornelissen 

3 

13. 

6.  t7a«,  Barentz  Backer 

6 

13. 

6.  Dom.  Herm.  Blom 

58 

7.  Juriaen  Westphalen 

33 

7.  Matthies  Roeloffs 

16 

7.  Michiel  Verre 

3 

7.  t/ffiTi  t)a74  Bremen 

4 

8.  Gertruyd  Andriesen 

14 

8.  e7a«,  ^(ST-teew  /Swi^ 

17 

8.  Cornelis  Jansen,  sawyer 

13 

8.  TFiZwi  Jansen 

12 

8.  Pieter  Bruyn 

2 

fl     670.   8 

441.   7 

fl  1111.15 

• 

Dirck    Wilmssen 
Evert  Pehen 
Thomas  Chambertz 
Sohout  Swartwout 
Hendrick  Hendrix 
does  Pietersen 
Pieter  Martensen 
Sergeant  Christiaen 
Andries  Barentz 
Jonas  Eantzou 
Ariaen  Huyberts 
Cornelis  Brantz 
Maryken  Huygen 
Tiarck  Claesen 
Pieter  the  miller 
Kerst  Kerstensen 
Bart  Siebrantz 
Gerrit  van  Campen 
Uuybrecht  Bruyn 
Hendrick  Jansen  JLooman 
Arent  Pietersen  Tack 
Matthies  Pr^incen 
Wilm  Jansen  Stoll 
Jan  du  Parcq 
Wilm  van  Vredeiiborg 
Marten  Harmsen 
Gyssbert  Gyssbertzen 
Matthies  Blanciau 
Lewis  Dubo 
Pieter  Jellissen 


f    9 

40 

84 

32 

4 

2 

2 

23 

9- 

5 

1 

2 


2 
2 

22 
2 
3 

20 
6 
2 
4 
2 

16 

17 


)-7 


51 
11 

2 


fl  441  7 


To  the  15  9""  incl. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Ilecords.  213 

Extract   from  a  letter    of  Vice  Director  La  Montagne  to  Stuyvksant,   re- 
garding   BRICKS    purchased    FOR    AND    SENT   TO     DojIINE    BloM    AT   EsOPUS.       FoRT 

Orange,  lO""  November  1661. 
*  *  *  *  *  * 

la  pursuance  of  your  Honor's  order  I  have  called  upon  Anderies  Ilerhcrtsen,  the  Constable, 
for  5000  bricks  ;  he  stated,  that  he  had  none  and  could  not  get  any,  so  that  I  have  been  obliged 
to  purchase  them  to  fill  your  Honor's  order  :  I  bought  3000  from  Master  Jacoh  de  Ilince  at  10 
guilders  in  beaver  the  thousand,  which  lions'"  Cousseau  was  to  take  for  himself  to  the  Manhatans ; 
I  have  given  a  receipt  for  these  bricks  and  bought  3000  more  from  Jan  Verheech  for  22  guilders 
in  wampum  to  be  paid  here,  which  lieyndert  Pietersen  was  to  take  to  the  Manhatans ;  I  ha\e 
sent  these  6000  bricks  to  Dom"  Blom  together  with  a  letter  to  the  same  by  Jan  van  Bremen. 


Ordinance  of  the  Director  General  directing  the  fencing  and  improving  of 
THE  Lands  and  Lots  at  Esopus.     November  25"'  1661. 

(See  Laws  of  New  Netherland,  p.  387.*) 


Names  of  persons  who  supplied  wheat  at  the  Esopus. 

Received  wheat  from  the  following  persons  and  shipped  it  in  the  yacht  of  Flodder. 
Received  from  Sergeant  Christian  Nisen  29  schepel   of  wheat 

from  Thomas  Ghatribers      •  70 

from  Cornells  Slecht  30 

from  Jacoh  Hap  28 


List  of  those  who  have  bubscribed  for  the  support  of  the  preacher  Haemanus  Bloom. 

Thomas  Siamher  (Chambers)  il  100 

Jacob  Jansen  Stoll  100 

Cornelis  Slecht  50 

Willem  Jansen  50 

Jacoh  Jansen  Stoutenhergh  50 

Jan  de  Brabander                                         ^  15 

Juriaen  Westvael  50 

Pieter  Dircksen  60 

Dirck  de  Goier  20 

Hendrick  Sewantryger  20 

*  The  date  there  is  erroneously  given  as  1660,  but  Stuyvesant  was  not  at  the  Esopus  in  November,  1660,  and 
this  ordinance  was  made  simultaneously  with  the  preceding  ones  on  page  211. — Ed. 


21-1:  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Matys  20 

Marten  Harmensen  25 

Jan  de  Backer  12 

Jan  Broerisen  15 

Wilhm  Jansen  30 

AUtert  G&iiertsen  20 


fl  637 


Order  on  a  petition  of  Willem  Jansen,  ferryman  between  Eergen  and  the 
Manhatans,  for  the  establishment  of  rates  of  ferriage. 

Thursday,  the  22'*  of  December  (16G1.) 

Present  in  Council  his  Honor  the  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Hon'''  °  Coun- 
cillors Nioasius  de  Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

The  petition  of  WiUem,  Jansen  was  taken  up  and  read,  which  substantially  states  that  the 
Sellout  and  Schepeus  of  the  village  of  Bergen  had  given  him  a  provisional  permission  to  work  a 
ferry  between  Bergen  and  the  Island  of  Manhatans.  He  requests,  that  their  Honors,  the  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  will  please  to  ratify  it  and  to  order,  what  he  shall  ask  for  ferriage. 

It  is  answered. 

The  petitioner  is  referred  back  to  the  Schout  and  Committee  of  Schepens  of  the  village  of 
Bergen.,  who  are  hereby  authorized,  to  enter  into  a  provisional  agreement  concerning  the  ferriage 
with  the  petitioner  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  village  and  until  further  orders. 
Date  as  above. 


Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bergen  for  additional  land. 

The  22'*  of  December. 

The  petition  of  Tielma/n  van  VleecTc,  Harmen  Smeeman  and  Casper  Steimits,  proprietors  of 
land  in  the  village  of  Bergen,  was  taken  up  and  read,  in  which  they  demonstrated,  that  their 
bouweries  in  the  said  village  cannot  be  larger  than  10  or  12  morgens  and  they  request  therefore, 
that  a  corner  of  land,  situate  back  towards  the  woodland,  about  8  or  9  morgens,  might  be  given 
and  granted  to  them,  so  that  with  the  help  thereof  they  may  make  convenient  bouweries. 

It  is  answered, 

As  the  statement  of  the  petitioners  is  correct,  the  surveyor  is  authorized  to  survey  the  desired 
piece  of  land  for  the  petitioners  and  to  make  a  pertinent  report  to  the  Director-General  and 
OouncU.     Date  as  above. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  215 

Judgment  in  a  suit  of  Dirck  Jansen  of  Oldenburg  against  Thomas  Chambeks, 
foe  expenses  incueked  in  caeeyino  dispatches  during  the  late  war  with 
THE  Esopus  Indians. 

Dirck  Jansen  from  Oldenhurgh,  plaintifi"  against    Thomas  Hal,  attorney  for  Thomas 
Chambers,  defendant. 
January  5,  1662. 

The  plaintiff  states,  that  he  has  shown  to  their  Honors,  the  Director- General  and  Council  on 
the  29"'  of  June  1660,  that  he  was  sent  by  Thomas  Chamhers  and  Jacob  Hap  hither  with  letters 
from  the  Esopus,  as  the  emergency  and  condition  of  the  country,  arising  from  the  troubles  with 
the  savages,  required  it  and  that  he  was  sent  back  by  the  Hon''"'  Director-General  with  orders. 
He  requested,  that  he  may  receive  a  fair  compensation  for  it,  whereupon  at  that  time  he  was  sub- 
stantially told,  tliat  the  petitioner  must  make  it  appear,  that  he  had  been  employed  by  the  chief 
officer  there  or  upon  his  order,  else  he  must  apply  to  them,  who  had  engaged  him. 

And  whereas  the  defendant,  in  his  aforesaid  quality,  had  undertaken  to  carry  out  the  orders 
of  their  Honors,  the  Director-General  and  Council,  concerning  this  matter  for  account  of  Thomas 
Chambers,  therefore  the  plaintiff  believes,  that  defendant  ought  to  be  condemned  to  pay  him, 
plaintiff,  for  the  journe^^s  made  six  bevers. 

The  defendant  answers,  that  the  journeys  were  made  for  the  service  of  the  country  and  main- 
tains, that  they  must  therefore  be  paid  out  of  the  public  funds,  any  way  not  by  Thomas  Chambers 
alone,  as  Jacob  Hap  had  given  orders  about  it  as  well  as  Thomas  Chambers. 

The  reply  hereto  was,  that  then  this  ought  to  have  been  done  with  the  knowledge  of  the  offi- 
cer there  and  not  upon  his  own  authority. 

The  defendant  answered,  that  the  situation  undoubtedly  did  not  allow  it,  else  it  would  most 
likely  have  been  done. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  heard  the  parties  and  after  considering  again  the  petition 
made  by  plaintiff  and  his  partners  on  the  29""  June  1660  and  tlieir  answer,  both  recorded  in  the 
Register  of  Resolutions  of  that  date,  they  condemn  the  defendant  in  his  aforesaid  quality  of  agent 
to  pay  to  plaintiff  three  beavers  or  the  value  thereof,  without  prejudice  to  any  claim,  which  he 
believes  to  have  upon  the  widow  or  heii-s  of  the  above  mentioned  Jacob  Hap.  The  balance  of 
three  beavers  are  to  be  paid  for  reasons  to  the  plaintiff  by  the  Company.     Date  as  above. 


Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Albany  to  Director  Sjuyvesant  ;  the  grant 

MADE  to  AeENT  VAN  CuRLEE  OF  THE  GeET      FlAT  ON  THE  MoHAWK  RiVEE  (ScHE- 

nectady). 

Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

These  two  savages  are  dispatched  according  to  custom,  to  keep  up  the  communication  between 
the  two  places  during  the  winter.  We  salute  your  Worships  by  them  and  wish  a  happy  and 
blessed  New-Year,  prosperity  to  your  Worships'  administration  and  health  to  your  Worships'  per- 
sons, may  it  so  be  for  the  honor  of  God,  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  our  souls  and  sahation 
Amen! 

We  have  been  expecting  the  Hon'''*  Director-General  during  last  autumn,  according  to  reports 
of  several  people  and  had  resolved  to  speak  to  bis  Honor  about  the  document  given  to  S'  Arent 


216  Colunial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

van  Curler  regarding  the  great  Flat,  lying  between  this  place  and  the  Maqxias  eountiy,  which  was 
granted  to  S''  Curler,  but  whereas  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  did  not  come  here  and  the 
interests  of  this  place  cannot  well  be  explained  in  a  letter,  we  shall  leave  it  till  the  arrival  of  the 
Hon""'  Director-General,  who,  we  hope,  will  come  here  next  spring. 

No  change  has  occurred  here  during  the  winter,  which  it  is  worth  while  to  write,  everything 
is  in  good  order,  wherewith  closing  we  coumieud  your  Worships  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty 
and  remain 

Your  Hon''"'  Worships'  obedient 
Fort  Orange,  servants 

12"'  January  A"  16G2.  La  Montagne 

RUTGKR  JaCOBSEN 

Feanz  Barents  Hastcoeen 
Evert  J  ansen  Wendel 
Abeam  Staats 

Philipp  Pietersen  Schuylee 
Adriaen  Geeeetsen. 


Ordinance  of  the  Court  of  Bergen  for  the  construction  of  a  public  well  in 
THE  village,  passed  28'"'  January  1662,  ratified  12'"'  Febe''. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  424.) 


Purthee  answer  of  THE  Dieector-General  and  Council  to  the  peoposals  of 
Messrs.  Fenn  and  others,  of  New  PIaven  Colony,  stating  the  conditions, 
on  which  they  may  settle  a  town  on  acutek  cull. 

John  Gregorie,  arrived  here  yesterday  from 
New-Migland,  requested  further  answer  to 
the  propositions  of  some  Englishmen,  which 
are  recorded  in  the  Register  of  Resolutions 
under  date  of  28'"  November  1661.  The  fol- 
lowing answer  was  given  to  him  : 

Worthj'  and  Lovinge  friendes 

Wee  doe  Conceave,  that  our  Scriptuall  answer  more  largly  declared  by  words  of  mouth  and 
mutnall  discourses  are  such  as  possybely  can  be  Expected  and  as  is  Answcrabel  to  our  Superiore 
in  Europe :  it  is  known  (Honnor  and  thancks  be  given  for  it  to  the  BountifuU  God),  that  there  is 
no  at  the  Least  difFerency  In  the  fondamentall  points  off  Religion,  the  differency  in  Churches 
orders  and  gouvernment  so  small  that  wee  doe  not  stick  at  it,  therefore  have  left  and  leave  it  still 
to  the  freedom  off  your  owne  Consiences. 

In  Civil  matters  which  doe  not  Schruppel  the  Consicncy,  It  is  a  Common  Proverb,  in  Strainge 
places,  we  may  finde,  but  must  make  noe  Lawes ;  Conferringe  our  Common  Practis  in  matters  of 
Civil  Justice  with  your  Printed  orders  we  find  soo  little  difference,  that  it  wil  not  hinder  the 
buissenis  in  hand,  only  the  Appeale  and  Confirmation  of  Magistrates  out  a  dubbel  Number  (:  as  a 
token  of  an  acknowledgement  to  a  higher  authority :)  must  be  Referred  to  the  Gouverneur  General 


New  York  Historical  Records.  217 

&  Counsel  in  tyme  beeinge ;  but  if  tlie  summe  wheereof  a  party  may  appeale  &  the  Feynes  before 
he  may  Appeale  (beinge  Coiuinouly  hundert  gilders  and  the  feynes  twee  Pound  Sterlinge)  to  j'oiir 
judgement  is  to  Smal  both  may  be  exalted  to  a  heyer  Summe. 

The  Confirmation  of  Magistrates  out  a  dubbel  Number  is  in  several  Respects  requisit  &  need- 
ful, more  for  the  good  of  the  township,  as  for  the  Authority  of  the  Government ;  the  Reasons 
Shortenes  Sake,  wee  shal  deferre  to  more  Convenient  tyme  &  Place,  the  Common  practis  of  the 
Govern  our  &  Counsel  before  they  proceed  to  the  Election  &  Confirmation  of  the  New  Magistrates 
is  to  advyse  with  the  deputy  of  the  old  Magistrates  presentinge  the  nominations  before  them, 
which  the  most  fitted  men  are  for  that  office,  wliereout  in  part  the  premisses  may  be  deducted. 

These  twoe  poincts  beinge  amongst  your  Propositions  the  Principals,  whereabouts  at  the  last 
meetiuge  the  diflerancy  (to  our  Remembrance)  was  left  &,  the  Bearer  your  Present  messenger  ife 
agent  John  Gregorie  beinge  not  further  Instructed,  wee  shall  breake  off  for  the  Present,  only  wee 
thought  it  meete  for  the  Furthei-ance  of  the  matters  in  hand  to  acquaint  yow  &  those  it  may  Con- 
serne  with  the  oath  of  Fidellity  which  in  the  first  place  all  Inhabitants,  secondly  all  Magistrates 
and  military  officers,  every  one  in  his  place  are  to  doe,  Soe  after  our  love  &  Respects  wee  shal  Rest 
Amsterdam  in  the  N.  Netherlands  Your  Lovingo  friend, 

this  11"^  of  March  1662. 

A  Coppie  of  the  Oath  of  Fidelity  to  be  done 
and  Subskrybet  by  those  that  are  to  Come  and 
to  Settel  vnder  the  Governement  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  the  N.  Nethiirlands. 

Wee  doe  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty  God  heereby  acknowledge,  declare  and  sweare, 
that  wee  shal  be  true  and  faithful  vnto  the  high  &  mighty  Lords  the  States  Generals  of  the  Vnited 
Belgicq  Provinces,  the  Right  Honnourable  the  Lords  Bewinthebbers  of  the  West-India  Comp?, 
theire  Governour  &  Counsel  in  tyme  Beinge  all  fittinge  &  due  obediance  accordinge  as  other 
Inhabitants  of  this  Province  in  duty  are  Bound  to  doe ;  that  wee  shal  not  acknowledge  any  other 
Prince  or  State  to  have  dominion  over  vs,  Soo  longe  as  wee  shal  live  and  Continue  in  this  theyre 
Province  and  Jurisdiction  off  the  N.  Netherlands. 

Soo  help  my  (or  vs)  the  God  Almighty. 

Oath  for  Magistrates. 

I,  N.  N.,  doe  wel  &  truely  sweare  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty  and  Everlivinge  God  to 
be  true  &  faithful  to  the  high  and  mighty  Lords  the  States  Generals  of  the  Vnited  Belgicq  Prov- 
inces, the  Right  Honnourable  the  Lords  Be-^inthebbers  of  the  West-India  Comp?,  their  Governour 
General  &  Counsel  in  tyme  Beinge,  that  I  as  Choosen  and  Confirmed  Magistrate  for  the  towne  of 
N.  N.  shal  maintaine  the  true  &  Protestant  Religion,  soo  as  the  same  accordinge  to  the  word  of 
God  is  declared  and  in  this  Province  is  Professed,  that  I  shal  vse  my  best  and  vtmost  Endeavor 
for  the  Supression  off  Mutinis,  Sedition,  Conspiraces  or  Invasion  whatsoever  I  shal  heare,  may  be 
Prejudical  to  the  abovementioned  high  &  mighty  &  honnourable  Lords  &  their  Government  here 
Established,  as  also  to  the  welfare  of  this  Province  in  general  as  to  the  Particular  Towne,  whereof 
I  was  Chosen  ;  that  I  accordinge  to  my  best  Skil  as  one  of  the  Magistrates  Chosen  by  the  afore- 
said Towne  Shal  vse  &  Exercyse  good  and  Equal  Administration  of  Justice,  without  favour  or 
affection,  hatred  or  malicy  to  the  Persons  or  Partys,  and  not  be  a  Counselar  in  Privat  in  any  Cause 
dependinge  before  mee —  , 

Soo  help  me  God  Almighty. 
28 


218  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Oath  for  Military  Officers  iu  the  Townships. 

I,  N.  N.,  Captain,  Leiftennant,  Eynsen,  Sergiant  &  all  the  Compagnie  before  this  Present 
Coulers,  doe  well  &  truely  Sweare  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty  and  Everliveinge  God,  that 
we  shal  be  trne  &  faithful  to  the  high  &  mighty  Lords  the  States  Generals  of  the  Vnited  Belgicq 
Provinces,  the  honuourable  Loi-ds  the  Bewinthebbers  of  the  "West-India  Comp?  &  their  Gouver- 
neur  &  Government  heere  Established,  that  we  Shal  Shew  them  and  alsoo  our  Subalterne  Magis- 
trates al  due  Kespects  and  obediance  not  Bearingh  any  Armes  against  them  in  wath  Kespeet 

soever  — 

So  help  my  (or  vs)  God  Almighty. 

Here  follows  a  private  letter  of  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  sent  concerning  the  forego- 
ing matter  to  Mr.  Eobbert  Triatt. 

Worthy  and  Loveinge  Friend. 

By  Mr.  John  Gregorie  was  our  answer  to  the  Compagnie  in  general  and  therefore  sent  open, 
■where  out  may  be  deducted,  that  all  the  Points  of  your  propositions  where  graunted,  Except  the 
Appeale,  Election  and  Confirmation  of  Magistrates,  from  the  first  wee  kan  not  declaine,  the 
Reasons  of  the  other  wheerefore  it  iu  a  dubbel  Number  ought  to  be  Presented  to  a  heyer  Author- 
ity ware  to  my  opinion  soo  just  and  waithy  that  I  see  noe  Reasons  how  to  Answer  the  denyal, 
notwithstandinge  if  any  to  the  Contrary  Can  be  brought  forth,  which  may  give  more  Light  and 
Satisfaction  to  our  Court  after  due  Examination,  I  wil  and  shal  by  al  possible  meanes  endeavor 
both  heere  and  if  need  Requires  by  our  Superiors  in  Europa,  that  the  Corapanie  in  that  point  and 
in  Sum  other  grevances  may  obtaine  al  Reasonable  Satisfaction :  I  hope  not,  that  such  a  smal  dif- 
ference wil  Cut  off  the  buissinis  in  hand,  therefore  I  shal  Request  you  wil  Be  Pleased  to  send  me 
word  by  the  Bearer,  your  &  the  ConipS  final  Resolution,  that  we  in  Buyinge  and  disposiiige  of 
that  trackt  of  Land  may  order  our  Occasions  as  the  Present  tyme  for  the  Common  good  of  this 
Provincy  shal  offer,  so  after  my  love  &  respects  I  shal  Rest 

Your  lovinge  friend. 
Post  Schript. 

The  Bearer  Dirch  Johns  desyred  my  a  letter  of  addres  in  the  behalfe  of  his  Cause,  depend- 
ingh  before  the  Governour  &  Court  of  New-Haven  Jurisdiction,  my  Request  is  yow  will  be 
pleased  to  be  helpfull  vnto  him,  if  Securitie  should  be  Required,  for  his  goods  Layinge  vnder 
Arrest,  if  yow  wil  be  Pleased  to  become  his  Security  for  itt,  these  shal  oblidge  me  to  save  yow 
harmles,  so  after  my  love  I  Rest  as  before.  — 
Amsterdam  in  the  N.  Neth-erlands 
this  13'"  of  March  1662. 


Waeeant  empowering  Oeatam,  chief  of  Hackingkeshackt,  and  Mattano,  an- 
other CHIEF,  TO  seize  any  BRANDY  FOUND  IN  THEIE  COUNTRY  AND  TAKE  IT  WrTH 
THE    PERSONS    SELLING    IT    TO   NeW- AMSTERDAM. 

Whereas  Oratam,  chief  of  Jlachinghesahy,  and  other  savages  have  complained  several  times, 
that  many  selfish  people  dare  not  only  to  sell  brandy  to  the  savages  in  this  city,  but  also  to  carry 
whole  ankers  of  it  into  their  country  and  peddle  it  out  there,  from  which,  if  it  is  not  prevented  iu 
time,  many  troubles  will  arise,  therefore  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  N ew- Netherlands 
not  knowing  for  the  present  a  better  way  to  stop  it,  authorise  the  said  chief  together  with  the  Sa- 


Hew    York  liidorical  Recorch.  219 

diem  2rattenoticTc,  to  seize  the  brandy  brouglit  into  their  conntry  for  sale  and  those  offering  to  sell 
it  and  bring  them  here,  that  they  may  be  punished  as  an  example  to  others. 

This  is  the  document,  given  to  the  Sachems  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  resolution : 

The  chiefs  Oratam.  and  Mattano  are  hereby  authorized,  to  seize  the  brandy  brought  into  their 
country  for  sale,  together  with  those,  who  bring  it  and  conduct  them  hither.  Done  at  Fort  Am- 
sterdam in  N.  NetJierland,  the  30'"  of  March  1662. 


PETmoN  OF  Aeent  van  Curlee  for  a  survey  of  the  great  Flat  behind  Fort 
Orange  (Schenectady). 
The  6'"  of  April  (1662.) 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  his  Honor  the 
Director-General  and  the  Honorable  Council  of 
New-Netherland. 

Shows  with  due  reverence  Arent  van  Curler,  that  he  cum,  suis  (and  his  friends)  had  received 
permission  by  a  certain  resolution  of  their  Honors  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  Neio-Neth- 
erland,  dated  the  23''  of  June  1661,  to  buy  from  the  lawful  owners  the  lands  on  the  well  known 
Great  Flat,  situate  behind  Fort  Orange  inland  and  whereas  by  virtue  thereof  the  said  lands  were 
bought  by  the  petitioner  cum  suis  and  are  now  owned  by  them  and  whereas  the  same  are  also 
busy  now  erecting  houses,  mills  and  other  buildings  and  whereas  petitioner  cu7n  suis  wish  to  cul- 
tivate and  sow  some  of  these  lands  during  this  season,  which  cannot  well  be  done,  unless  tiie  said 
lands  are  surveyed,  therefore  the  petitioner  request  in  his  and  his  friends'  name,  that  yom*  Hon'''^ 
Worships  will  please  to  authorize  the  surveyor  Jacques  Corteljouw  that  he  survey  and  partition 
the  land  and  that  he  proceed  thither  now  with  the  petitioner.  Awaiting  hereupon  your  Hon''''' 
Worships'  favorable  decision,  he  remains  etc  etc. 

Your  Hon'''''  Worships'  servant 

Arent  van  Curler. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  taken  up  and  read  and  the  following  reply  was  given : 

Before  the  village  is  laid  out  and  formed,  as  desired,  the  persons,  who  intend  to  go  there  as 
settlers  must  be  of  a  sufficient  number,  at  least  twenty  families,  and  must  report  their  names  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Director-General  and  Council.  They  must  engage  themselves  and  promise,  not 
to  carry  on  any  trade  with  the  savages  under  whatever  name  or  pretext  it  might  be,  neither  dii-ectly 
nor  indirectly.     Date  as  above. 


PETrriON  OF  Philipp  Pietersen  Schuyler  and  others  foe  leave  to  plant  a  vil- 
lage AT  THE  Great  Esopus. 

To  the  Noble,  Worshipful,  his  Honor  the 
Director-General  and  the  Honorable  Coun 
cil  of  New-Netherland. 

Show  with  all  respect  Philipp  Pietersen  Schuyler,  VolcJcert  Jansen  and  Goosen  Gerrltsen 
van  Schaick,  together  with  Jan  Thomas  and  Andries  Herhertsen,  inhabitants  of  the  village  of 


220  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

BeverwycJc  rear  Fort  Orange,  that  it  is  evident  that  the  prosperity  of  this  province  of  New-Neth- 
erland  rests  principally  on  agricultnre  and  commerce ;  therefore  the  petitioners  are  very  desirous 
to  establish  ■with  many  more  people  a  new  village  at  the  Great  Esopus,  where  a  great  deal  of 
uncultivated  land  lies  and  the  petitioners  and  other  people  are  very  willing  and  resolved,  to  begin 
farming  in  earnest  and  continue  in  it ;  they  address  tliemselves  therefore  to  your  Hon'"'^  Worships 
with  their  humble  request,  that  your  Hon"'^  Worships  will  please  for  the  benefit  of  the  province 
to  order  a  survey  for  a  new  village  and  farmlands  on  the  Great  Esopus,  in  the  most  convenient 
locality,  which  may  be  found  and  to  have  it  laid  out  in  as  many  lots  as  the  area  of  the  land  may 
admit  and  whereas  the  abovenamed  petitioners  are  the  first  undertakers  and  settlers,  to  enter  upon 
and  cultivate  the  aforesaid  lands  on  the  Esopus,  they  respectfully  request,  that  your  Hon"'*  Wor- 
ships will  please  to  give  and  grant  to  each  of  them  forty  to  fifty  morgens  of  land,  at  and  near  the 
spot,  where  the  new  village  on  the  Esoptis  shall  be  laid  out :  the  petitioners  promise,  each  for 
himself,  to  enter  upon  their  allotted  lands  immediately,  to  fence,  plough,  sow  it,  to  build  on  the 
lots  "in  the  village  houses,  barns  etc"  and  to  furnish  the  cattle,  necessary  for  such  bouweries ;  that 
the  petitioners  may  also  receive  title-deeds  in  dehita  forma  for  the  lands  and  house  lots,  which 
doing  etc  they  remain 

Your  Hou'''^  Worships  Very  obedient  servants 

PlIILIPP  PlETEESEN  ScHUTLEB 
VOLCKEKT    JaNSEN 

GoosEN  Geeeitsen 
Andeies  IIekbertsen. 
The  6'"  of  April  (1662). 

Aiter  the  foregoing  request  had  been  taken  up  and  read,  it  was  i-esolved,  to  lay  out  a  new 
settlement  on  the  Esopus  and  to  accommodate  the  petitioners,  as  much  as  occasion  shall  permit. 
Date  as  above. 


Lease  of  Lot  ISTo.  4  in   the  New  Village  at  the  Esoptts. 
(Fort  Orange  Records.     Vol.  Notarial  Papers,   1660-1676.) 

This  4""  of  May  1662  appeared  before  me  Dirok  van  Schelluyne,  Notary  Public  etc.  Jan 
Thomassen  and  Volckert  Jansen,  partners,  parties  of  the  first  part  and  Gerritt  Tooche  and  Jan 
Gerritsen  of  Oldenlnirg,  farmers  and  partners,  as  parties  of  the  second  part.  The  said  Jan  Thom- 
assen and  Yolckert  acknowledge  to  have  let  and  Gerritt  Toocke  and  Jan  Gerritsen  to  have  rented 
the  lessors'  lot  of  land  No.  4,  situate  at  the  Esopus  in  the  newly  opened  village,  known  to  the  les- 
sees, under  the  following  conditions : 

The  lessees  are  to  enter  upon,  use  and  cultivate  the  said  land  from  now  to  the  first  of  May 
1663  without  paying  rent  therefor. 

The  lessors  promise  to  furnish  to  the  lessees  during  this  season  as  much  oats  for  seed,  as  the 
lessees  can  conveniently  sow  upon  the  land,  on  condition  that  the  same  quantity  of  oats  shall  be 
returned  to  the  lessors  at  the  end  of  the  terra  of  rent. 

The  lessors  shall  deliver  to  the  lessees  free  of  charge  at  the  landing  of  the  Esopnis  one  hun- 
dred boards  to  build  a  convenient  house,  which  house,  barn,  stacks,  fences  around  the  land,  made 
for  their  convenience,  are  to  belong  at  the  end  of  the  term  to  the  lessors  according  to  a  valuation 
by  impartial  parties,  likewise  a  bridge,  which  must  be  built  over  the  Ivil  running  by  the  land. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  231 

In  accordance  witli  such  valuation  the  price  shall  be  refunded  to  the  lessees,  wlio  however  shall  be 
held  to  pay  the  full  price  of  the  above  said  boards  at  the  end  of  their  term. 

The  lessors  also  give  now  to  the  lessees  the  below  stated  animals  to  be  used  during  their  term, 
viz.  three  mares  and  one  gelding,  a  stallion  and  a  young  stallion,  two  cows,  two  heifers,  two  sows 
with  pigs,  two  young  boars,  six  hens  and  a  rooster.  The  lessees  shall  keep  all  these  animals  on 
half  share  of  the  increase  according  to  the  custom  of  the  country. 

The  lessors  will  supply  the  lessees  with  the  following  implements,  a  plow  and  a  cart  with  all 
things  belonging  to  it  except  a  plow-chain,  to  be  furnished  by  the  lessees,  who  shall  return  these 
implements  in  good  order  at  the  end  of  their  term. 

The  lessees  shall  have  the  use  of  the  said  land,  horses  and  other  animals  for  the  time  of  four 
consecutive  years,  beginning  on  the  1"  of  May  1GC3  and  ending  on  the  last  of  April  1667. 

The  lessees  promise  to  pay  as  rent  during  the  said  four  years  450  fl  a  year  in  beavers  at  8  fl 
or  in  grain  at  the  market  price  beaver  valuation  or  else  in  wampum,  calculating  a  beaver  at  IH  fl, 
payments  to  be  made  each  year  and  not  to  run  from  one  year  to  another. 

At  the  end  of  their  term  the  lessees  shall  have  the  preference  before  others  in  case  the  land 
is  to  be  let  again  and  if  they  are  willing  to  pay  as  much  as  others. 

All  expenses  and  costs,  arising  on  account  of  the  village  during  the  term  of  this  lease,  also  the 
working  on  and  repairing  of  the  fortifications  shall  fall  on  the  lessees.     Etc.  etc. 
Jeremitts  van  Rensselaer  \  ^j^-^ggggg  Jan  Thomassen 


Abram  Staats  )  Volckeet  Jansen 

Geerit  Tockkn 
The  mark  -K  of  Jan  GEERrrsEN 
of  Oldenberg. 
D.  V.  ScHELLUYNE,  Notary  Public  1662. 

Like  leases  are  made  by  Philipp  Pieterse  Schuijler  owner  of  lots  1  and  5  with  Barent  Har- 
Tnense,  Septbr  SG""  1662,  by  Goosen  Gerritsen,  owner  of  lot  3,  with  Pieter  Helbrantse,  Octbr  21, 
1662  and  Novbr  17, 1664,  by  Ja7i  Tamassen  and  Volckert  Jansen,  as  owners  of  lot  5  (bought  from 
Ph.  P.  Schuyler  ?)  with  Gerrit  Toocke  and  Jan  Gerritsen,  Febr^  9,  1663,  also  for  lot  No  5  at 
Schenectady  by  Willem  Tailler  with  Claes  Frederickse  van  Petten  and  Isaac  Cornelise  June  16, 
1664. 


FUETHEE  ANSWEE  TO  THE  PEOPOSALS  OF  RoBEET  TeeAT,  PhiLIPP  GrAVES   AND  JoHN 

Gregoet  of  New-Haven  concerning  the  settlement  on  Achter  Cull. 
30""  May  (1662) 

At  the  house  of  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  present  the  Director-General  and  the  Coun- 
cillors, Messrs.  Nicasitos  de  Sille,  JLa-Montagne  and  Johan  de  Peckere. 

Vppon  the  propositions  made  by  the  English  deputies  Bohhert  Triatt,  Philip])  Groues  and 
John  Gregoi'y  the  Gouernour  &  Counsel  of  the  N.  Netherlands  doe  stil  Remaine  by  that  answer 
as  formerly  in  Schriptis  was  given  and  Sent  vnto  them  and  for  further  Explanation  of  Sum  par- 
ticulars, which  they  thincke  to  be  doubtfull,  this  presents  may  serve. 

First  Conserninge  the  twoe  former  Propositions  about  the  Churches  orders  and  government 
wee  Referre  that  vnto  themselves,  that  they  not  any  way  shal  lie  molested  therein  and  iff  need 
should  Require  that  advyce  should  be  taken  with  Sum  English  Ministers  or  Churches  within  these 


222  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlte  Hudson  Hiver. 

Province  of  the  N.  Netlierlands  that  shall  be  left  to  theyre  owne  liberty,  But  in  Case  iff  a  Synode 
therevnto  most  be  Kequiered  the  approbation  and  Consent  of  the  Governour  and  Counsel  then 
beinge. 

Conserninge  the  Third  Proposition  the  Governour  &  Counsel  doe  give  Consent  that  the  afore- 
said English  Nation  beinge  setlet  vnder  this  government  shal  have  power  by  the  most  vote  of  the 
Churches  members,  to  nominate  their  owne  Magistrates  in  such  a  quantity  as  they  shall  thinck 
most  meete  and  needfull  for  their  towue  or  Townes,  which  Magistrates  with  the  freemen  shal  be 
Impoured,  to  make  such  Lawes  and  Ordinances,  as  occasion  slial  require,  which  lawes  and  ordi- 
nances after  Examination  beinge  found  not  oppugnant  to  the  general  Lawes  of  the  Vnited  Belgieh 
and  tiiis  Provinces  shal  by  the  Governour  &  Counsel  be  Ratified  and  Confinned  vnto  them,  only 
the  Governour  &  Counsel  doe  Reserve  the  Appeale  of  Criminel  and  Civil  Sentences  above  the 
Sum  of  fifty  pound  Sterlinge,  without  Reformation  or  appeale  to  that  Sum,  for  all  such  Inhabitans 
as  therevnto  shal  Subschrybe  and  y''  Confirmation  of  the  Magistrates  out  of  dubbel  Number  jearly 
to  be  presented  vnto  them,  out  of  which  dubbel  Number  with  advyce  or  Communication  of  the 
old  Magistrates  or  their  deputies  the  foUowinge  Magistrates  by  the  Governour  &  Counsel  then 
beinge  shal  be  Confirmed. 

Conserninge  the  further  propositions,  they  are  by  these  presents  graunted.  Actum  in  Foi't 
Amsterdarn  iu  New-Netherland,  the  30"'  of  May  1662. 


Minute  of  Council,  kejecting  the  petition  of  Jueiaen  Teunissen  to  keep  a 

TAVERN   AT   EsOPUS. 

June  15,  1662. 

The  petition  of  Juriaen  Teunissen  was  taken  up  and  read,  who  requested  permission  to  live 
and  keep  a  tavern  at  the  mouth  of  the  Esopus  Kil,  at  the  northside  of  it,  where  his  foster  father 
Kit  Davitsen  had  formerly  lived 

Whereas  this  would  tend  to  debauch  the  soldiers  and  other  inhabitants  there  and  whereas  it 
is  also  to  be  feared,  that  strong  liquor  might  be  sold  there  to  the  savages 

Therefore  it  is  decreed : 

The  request  is  denied  for  pregnant  reasons.     Date  as  above. 


Petition  or  Sergeant  Christian  Niessen  at  the  Esopus  for  an  increase  of  pat. 

To   the   Noble,  Worshipful   Director-General 
and  the  Honorable  Council  oi  New-Netheiiand. 

Shows  with  all  due  reverence  Christian  Niessen^  chief  sergeant  in  the  service  of  your  Hon*"'* 
Worships,  that  I  have  had  charge  in  this  quality  for  some  time  of  the  garrison  at  the  Esopus  and 
find  that  my  pay  is  not  suflicient  for  my  subsistence,  to  attend  duly  to  my  position  and  therefore 
I  request,  that  your  Hon'"'''  Worships  will  please  to  consider,  that  I  need  a  little  higher  pay  and  I 
do  not  doubt,  that  after  your  Hon'''*  Worships  have  taken  it  into  consideration,  they  will  favor  me 
with  higher  pay.     Which  doing  I  remain 

Yonr  Hon'''''  Worships'  servant 

Christian  Niebsen. 


New  Yorh  Hisloricvl  Records.  223 

The  Director-General  and  Council  considered  the  expenses,  which  the  petitioner  must  now 
and  then  necessarily  incur  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  and  as  the  same  have  been  attended  to 
with  great  diligence  and  vigilance  since  his  appointment,  it  is  decided, 

That  the  petitioner  shall  henceforth  receive  20  guilders  monthly  pay.  Date  as  above  (29"' 
June  1G62). 


Extract  feom  a  letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  : 
ON  the  militia  question  ;  TUREATS  OF  Esopus  Indians.  15'"  July  1662. 
****** 
To  avoid  your  Honors'  displeasure  we  hardly  dare  to  write  anything  fiu'ther  in  reply  to  wliat 
your  Honors  say  about  discharging  of  more  soldiers  and  that  the  inhabitants  are  bound  to  defend 
themselves,  after  what  we  have  formerly  in  detail  explained  regarding  this,  but  we  must  remark 
with  submission  to  your  Honors'  wiser  judgment,  that  if  your  Honors  persist  absolutely  upon  this 
principle,  namely  total  abolition  of  .the  military  and  reliance  on  the  inhabitants  alone  for  the 
offensive  and  defensive  maintenance  of  this  territory,  it  must  not  only  be  feared,  but  may  undoubt- 
edly be  expected,  that  it  will  come  to  as  bad  an  end  with  this  acquisition  as  with  others.  As  to 
that  the  inhabitants  are  bound,  to  defend  themselves,  nature  and  necessity  compel  everybody  to 
do  it  and  further  (as  your  Honors  continue)  that  at  extraordinary  occasions  they  must  bear  uncom- 
mon imposed  burdens  and  be  subject  to  the  guarding  of  their  own  and  other  frontier  places,  in 
that  we  agree  with  your  Honors.  We  promise  ourselves  and  in  behalf  of  their  subjects  to  your 
Honors,  that  they  will  not  be  found  unwilling  to  do  their  best  herein  according  to  their  powers, 
when  necessity  and  the  circumstances  require,  that  the  military  pursue  the  barbarians :  our  former 
letter  on  this  subject  intimated  only  the  reluctance  and  unwillingness  of  the  inhabitants,  to  attack 
the  savages  in  the  open  field,  and  in  relieving  or  bringing  help  to  other  outside  places :  we  do 
not  remember,  without  desiring  to  contradict  your  Honors'  better  information,  that  citizens  and 
inhabitants  in  the  Fatherland  were  held  or  compelled  to  it.  It  is  desirable  and  would  cause  us 
less  anxiety,  if  this  your  Honors'  territory  could  be  governed  and  maintained  without  military,  at 
least  with  less,  than  we  are  keeping  now,  but  it  must  be  presumed,  that  the  parties  have  little 
dealings  or  interests  in  this  country,  who  inform  and  report  to  your  Honors  otherwise,  and  that 
they  care  less  for  the  keeping  or  loss  of  it.  Your  Honors  have  seen  from  the  list  sent  over  last 
year,  how  many  soldiers  remained  then  in  the  service  and  how  they  were  distributed,  namely  pur- 
suant to  your  Honors'  former  order  10  or  12  at  Fort  Orange,  12  to  14  at  Fort  Altena  on  the  South 
river,  indeed  few  enough  in  our  poor  opinion  considering  the  multitude  of  barbarians,  who  visit 
the  distant  places  dayly,  25  men  at  the  Fsoj>us,  whom  we  have  reinforced  while  writing  this  by  6 
or  8  men  fi"om  the  garrison  here,  on  account  of  warnings  from  other  savages,  that  the  Esopus  sav- 
ages had  threatened  to  attack  some  of  our  people  there  during  seeding  time  in  revenge  for  the 
savages  sent  to  Curacao,  6  men  on  Staten- Island  for  the  safety  of  the  few  inhabitants  there,  the 
balance  of  about  70  to  80  remain  for  the  reasons,  given  in  our  former  letter,  here  in  gan-ison : 
some  of  these  have  been  discliarged  since  and  several  more  will  be  sent  home  discharged  by  the 
ships,  now  about  to  sail,  so  that  not  more  than  60  or  70  remain  here  in  garrison  as  a  reserve  troop 
for  any  arising  emergencies ;  all  together  they  do  not  number  over  one  hundred  and  twenty  five 
military  persons.  We  leave  it  to  a  farther  seeing  judgment,  whether  this  present  distribution  of 
soldiere  or  sometimes  agreable  to  circumstances  a  still  greater  scattering  (especially  when  the 
potash  maker  shall  come  to  get  the  number,  promised  to  him,  from  this  garrison)  is  not  more  a 
bravado,  than  a  necessity.     If  your  Honors  had  from  your  own  experience  a  perception  of  the 


224  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liiver. 

interests,  losses,  sudden  attacks,  unexpected  murders,  manslaughters,  different  incendiary  fires,  hap- 
pened to  the  inhabitants  before  and  during  our  time,  as  we,  your  Honors'  faithful  othcers  and  good 
inhabitants  have  experienced  them  and  if  your  Honors  knew,  that  the  wild  barbarians  have  so  far 
only  been  held  somewhat  in  check  by  the  dread  of  the  few  soldiers,  then  we  trust,  that  your  Hon- 
ors would  with  us  deem  it  better  for  this  their  territory  and  its  inhabitants,  to  think  of  some  con- 
venient means,  whereby  for  their  greater  security  a  larger  number  of  soldiers  could  be  maintained, 
than  to  reduce  and  discharge  the  small  number  at  a  greater  risk.  Twenty  five  men  more  or  less 
will  not  make  the  public  treasury  richer  or  poorer  by  „  fl, which  if  drawn  and  collected  from  the 
peojile  will  add  little  to  the  taxes,  considering  that  the  same  ■will  give  us  respect  and  advantage  in 
times  of  need.  Anyway  7  years  ago,  when  the  reduction  of  the  Swedish  forts  on  the  Southriver 
was  undertaken  a  great  deal  of  damage  by  fire  and  otherwise  on  Staten-Island,  at  Gemoenepa  and 
elsewhere  could  have  been  prevented,  if  25  or  30  enlisted  soldiers  had  then  remained  in  garrison 
here.  We  will  not  go  farther  in  these  inferences,  but  rather  await  your  Honors'  further  delibera- 
tions and  orders,  to  be  governed  by  them. 

****** 
Your  Honors'  orders  and  instructions  regarding  the  pretensions  of  Melyn  are  strictly  obeyed. 
It  must  be  presumed,  that  the  lands,  formerlj^  cultivated  by  him,  will  remain  abandoned,  as  since 
he  has  been  driven  from  them  now  7  years  ago,  he  has  not  troubled  himself  about  the  land.  We 
hardly  believe,  that  for  the  present  he  will  again  take  possession  of  them,  for  he  has  taken  up  his 
residence  at  New  Haven  in  New-England  for  a  few  years  past,  where  he  still  lives. 


MiNDTE  OF  Council  on  the  eeceipt  of  lettees  feom  John  Endicott,  Governor 
OF  Massachusetts  and  Thomas  Bredon,  Governor  of  Nova  Scotia  complain- 
ing OF  AN  ATTACK  MADE  BY  THE  MoHAWKS  ON  ONE  OF  THEIR  TRADING-POSTS  IN 
THAT    QUARTER. 

Two  letters  were  read  in  Council,  one  from  the  Governor  of  Boston,  John  Endecott,  dated 
the  27""  of  June,  the  other  from  the  Governor  of  Nova  Scotia,  T.  Breedont,  dated  30"*  June  last, 
wherein  they  state,  that  the  Maquas  have  been  there  in  May  last  and  plundered  one  of  their  trad- 
inghouses,  killing  also  a  number  of  Indians  and  cattle,  contrary  to  the  treaty  of  peace  made  be- 
tween the  Maquas  and  the  Northern  savages  at  Fort  Orange  last  year.  They  request  in  substance, 
that  we  assist  their  agents  Capt.  Gardner  and  Walker  to  get  satisfaction  for  the  sustained  damages 
and  that  the  peace  between  the  said  Maquas  and  the  Northern  savages  be  renewed.  It  was 
resolved, 

To  contribute  everything  to  accomplish  this  and  to  carry  it  out.  Date  as  above  (24"'  July 
1662). 


A  Copt    of   Propositions   Made  vnto  the   Maques  August  the  1'*  1662.    By 
Thomas   Gardner  &  Nathaniell  Walker  with   the  Answers  to    the   same 

THE   DAY    AND   TIME    AbOUESAYED    AT    FoRT    OrANGE    OR    FFORTT   VerINAH. 

1.  Q.  The  first  Proposition  made  vnto  the  Maques  was  wheather  the  English  had  not  always  bin 
theyre  frinds  which  had  more  Espeshaly  Apered  in  three  pirticulars. 


New  York  Historical  Hecoi'ds.  225 

first  wlieather  that  thes  Thirty  or  forty  yeares  past  the  English  had  not  bin  thcyr  friuds  not 
wronging  them  any  way. 

secondly  theyr  frindship  had  Appeared  in  deniall  the  ffrench  A  passage  through  the  English 
Country  to  light  with  the  Maques 

thirdly  it  had  Appeared  in  laboring  to  make  A  Pease  for  the  Mowhohs  with  Northern  In- 
dianes  not  helping  the  Northern  Indiaues  though  the  Maques  wares  with  them  wear  to  the  Eng- 
lishes great  Lose. 

An.  The  Maques  or  Mohoks  Answer  was  it  was  tiiie  the  English  had  so  bin  theyr  frinds  as 
Abouesayed. 

2.  Q.  The  second  Proposition  made  vnto  the  Maquas  was  why  they  did  then  so  breake  the  Pease 
with  the  Northern  Indianes  that  was  made  for  them  by  the  English  After  the  Indian  was  rune 
away,  that  Came  to  make  Pease  and  that  the  sayed  Pease  wase  made  at  the  Englishes  Cost. 

2.  An.  To  this  they  Answer  it  was  fals  theyr  was  no  pease  made  for  the  Indianes  at  All  but  the 
pease  wase  made  with  the  English  &  that  they  had  good  ground  to  war  with  the  Northern  In- 
dianes ;  who  at  two  severall  times  had  helped  the  Canide  Indianes :  that  by  theyr  meanes  thay 
had  lost  near  100  men  &  that  som  of  the  Dutch  should  tell  them  thay  might  fall  vpon  the  North- 
ern Indianes  Notwithstanding  the  former  Pease,  the  Dxitch  in  the  meane  time  denieing  the  same 
&  Afirming  as  by  theyr  Records  was  made  to  Apeare  that  ther  was  an  absolute  &  firm  pease  with 
the  English  in  behalf  of  the  Northern  Indianes  made  the  last  year  hear  at  Eartt  Orange  att  A 
Solemn  meeting  with  the  names  of  Severall  men  to  the  same  that  wear  Comanders  at  Fortt  Orange. 

Vnto  this  Answer  of  the  Maques  the  Dutch  reply  is  farther  that  likewise  the  Maques  sayed 
the  English  had  betrayed  the  Northern  Indians  into  theyr  hands  because  they  had  killed  ther 
Cattle  &  that  the  English  brought  them  to  the  fortt,  which  was  A  truth,  the  Maques  had  so 
sayed. 

3.  Q.  The  third  Proposition  was  why  thay  did  take  the  Northern  Indianes  vnder  the  Protection 
&  Comand  of  Penobscott  fortt  itt  being  Contrary  to  the  former  peace  &  Contrary  to  the  Customes 
of  Nationes  &  very  Predgidishall  to  the  English 

An.  To  this  Nothing  is  Answered  butt  as  before  they  wear  ther  Enymies  &  thay  had  ocasion  so 
to  doe. 

4.  Q.  The  fourth  proposition  was  why  thay  did  so  falsly  and  Perfidiously  breake  the  pease  with 
the  English  at  Neagers  house  &  at  Penobscott  fortt  most  Solemnly  made  &  giufts  being  both 
given  by  them  &  requited  by  the  English,  yet  Imeadeately  that  thay  killed  the  Englishes  Cattell 
&  Robed  the  Abouesayed  house  to  the  value  of  400  lb  Sterlinge  &  afterwards  they  Biult  a  strong 
Fortt  by  Neagers  house  tarieing  ther  A  fortnight  which  we  supose  wase  for  nothing  else  but  to 
surprise  the  English  Coming  for  ther  goods. 

4.  Ans.  To  this  they  Answer,  it  is  true  they  killed  some  Cattell,  though  not  so  many  as  we  say 
it  being  dun  by  youths  &  because  the  Cattell  did  Run  so  wildly  when  they  ran  after  the  other  In- 
dians &  that  it  was  but  A  smale  mater  that  which  they  did  Usually  to  the  Dutch  &  for  wrong  dun 
to  the  house  they  p''ferred  a  p^'cell  of  wampum  denieing  ther  was  so  much  goods  as  we  sayed  ther 
was,  it  likewise  being  dun  by  youths  and  if  the  English  would  not  so  be  satisfied  they  could  not 
helpe  it. 

5.  Q.  A  5""  query  was  why  they  did  threttn  to  Cutt  of  the  English  that  live  Eastwards  in  the 
fall  of  the  year  vnder  the  Notion  of  French  men. 

5.  An.  Theyr  Answer  was  it  was  false  thay  did  not  so  thretten  the  English  for  our  men  wear  in 
29 


226  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

theyr  hands  &  thay  had  power  to  have  killed  them  if  thay  had  hirx  freneh,  but  thay  had  jealousies 

we  vfe&Y frenck  it  was  true  and  our  bands  were  Vike  freneh  mens  bands. 

6.   Q.  To  A  6"'  query  which  was  wheather  thay  would  now  Returne  the  prisoners  that  wear  by 

them  taken  of  the  Northern  Indianes  &  giue  the  Northern  Indianes  satisfaktion  for  those  thay 

had  killed  it  being  Contraiy  to  Articles  of  Peace  made  the  last  year 

6.  An.  Theyr  Answer  was  we  should  then  bring  these  men  of  theyrs  the  Northern  Indianes  had 

killed  both  heartofor  and  now  of  late  and  that  the  Prisoners  wear  giuen  by  them  to  theyre  frinds 

who  formerly  had  lost  theyr  frinds  by  the  wares. 

These  Abouesayed  things  being  thus  propounded  &  thus  Answered  the  Indianes  Brake  of  in 
A  Snufe  &  went  and  told  in  the  towne  we  weare  no  better  then  Hogges  &  that  thay  Cared  not 
for  the  English  &  if  thay  ■would  not  now  manifest  theyr  satisfektion  in  thre  weaks  time  they  would 
set  vpon  the  outmost  plantations  of  Connitiqett  &  burns  them  and  that  thay  would  go  ten  or  12 
men  in  A  Company  fiering  remote  houses  &  destroy  what  thay  could.  These  things  being  dun  in 
the  forenone. 

The  Aftemoone  we  meett  Agayne  the  Dutch  Gouernor  hauing  propounded  this  to  them  in 
the  Morning  wheather  they  would  Kefrayne  from  fighting  with  the  Northern  Indianes  vntil  the 
Spring  next  year  that  some  Northern  Indianes  might  be  brought  to  make  Pease  with  them  ;  theyr 
Answer  was  thay  would ;  we  Considering  of  All  things  tooke  hold  of  this  opertimity  to  preuent 
theyr  present  Incurtiones  &.  to  gayne  time  to  proceed  farther  with  them.  Therefore  we  made 
them  this  3  folde  Reply,  first  that  we  had  Considered  of  theyr  Answers  to  the  former  pirticulers 
&  theyr  Peage  proferred  in  satisfaction  &  that  •we  should  one  &  the  other  to  the  Gouernors  of  the 
Bay. 

Secondly  we  had  Considered  of  theyr  Resolution  not  to  fight  with  the  Northern  Indianes  till 
some  might  Com  to  Conclude  A  peace  the  which  Resolution  wo  liked  well  &  therefore  gaue  them 
A  parsell  of  Peage. 

Thirdly  we  told  them  it  was  our  desier,  thay  shoidd  do  theyre  best  to  let  vs  haue  the  prison- 
ers thay  had  in  hold  and  therfore  to  Ineoridge  them  hearin  we  gaue  them  Another  p'sell  of  Peage. 
The  Mohohes  liked  very  well  this  present  &  told  vs  thay  would  performe  the  first  and  do  theyr 
best  to  performe  the  last 

That  this  is  A  true  relation  we  ar  witnesses  whose  Names  are  vnderwritten. 

Thomas  Gardner. 
Nath.  "Walker. 


A   True   relation  of   the   Maques   Coming  to    Penobscott   ffortt  and  what 

THAT  DID,  BY  ThOMAS  GaEDNER,  ComANDEE  OF  THE  SAME. 

The  last  of  Aprill  one  Thousand  sixe  hundred  sixty  twoe  the  Maques  Came  to  Neagew  house 
belonging  to  the  sayed  flFort  &  sent  thre  men  before  them  to  tell  the  English  that  the  Maqxies 
theyr  frinds  wear  Coming  and  desiered  to  Trade  with  them  but  whilst  thay  wear  Speaking  About 
two  hundred  &  sixty  men  of  them  had  Incompassed  the  house  pulling  downe  the  fence,  entered 
into  the  sayed  house  &  filled  it  fuU  of  men  :  thear  being  but  fowar  English  men  in  the  house  (& 
then  as  the  three  men  thay  sent)  so  now  these  desier  Trade  with  the  English  &  promis  that  thay 
would  do  them  no  harme  nor  theyr  goods  or  Cat  tell  &  gave  vnto  the  Truke  Master  fowar  or  fiue 
girdles  of  Peage,  telling  him  that  thay  weare  theyr  Asured  frinds  &  After  A  fayer  Trade  of  what 
thay  desired  Contrary  to  theyr  former  promises  Compeled  the  Truke  Master  to  go  downe  the 


New   Yorh  Historical  liecords.  227 

River  witli  them,  the  tliree  men  then  left  in  the  iiouse  fearing  to  stay  when  theyr  Master  was 
Caried  Away  in  the  Niglit  thouglit  to  hauo  Come  downe  to  tlie  fortt  to  haue  Informed  vs  of  tlieyr 
Coming  but  wear  surprised  by  tlie  way  of  the  Maques  &  kept  thre  dayes  prisoners. 

The  Tliird  of  May  sixty  two  the  sayed  Maques  Came  to  P'enobscott  fortt  bring  the  Aboue- 
sayed  fowar  men  and  setting  them  vpon  a  Roke  in  the  Riuer  it  being  in  the  twilight  in  the  morn- 
ing whilst  thay  themselues  went  and  surprised  the  Indianes  that  wear  vnder  the  Protection  of 
sayed  fortt  and  wear  Com  ther  to  Trade  which  wear  to  the  Number  of  one  hundred  men  women 
and  Children  and  haueing  Ended  theyr  biusnes  About  the  Indianes  in  theyr  surprissall :  thay  Came 
and  desiered  Trade  of  vs  as  thay  had  done  Aboue  at  the  house :  haueing  before  sent  home  our 
men  thay  had  taken  prisoners:  Thoug  with  great  discord  About  them  Amongst  themselues. 

Now  although  we  well  know  thay  had  broken  the  pease  made  the  last  yeare  at  Fortt  Orange 
by  the  Duches  helpe  we  ouerlooked  the  same  &  knowing  that  we  could  not  recouer  the  prisoners 
thay  had  taken  &  that  All  our  goods  vp  the  Riuer  was  at  theyr  dispose  thought  it  not  fitt  to  ofend 
them  Anye  waye  but  to  preserue  the  sayed  house  &  Tradeing  goods  &  therfore  According  to  the 
Maqueses  desier  we  Traded  with  them  for  prouision  &  goods  in  frindly  maner  the  Maqnes  Sagi- 
mores  in  the  mene  time  promising  great  frindship  to  vs  and  glueing  vs  a  present  of  Moose  Skins 
&  Peage  &  we  in  requitall  gaue  the  Maques  the  valine  in  Cloth  Bread  &  pruenes,  fflower  &  Pease 
&  Corne,  Butt  in  most  fallse  &  Perfidious  maner  thay  no  sooner  went  of  the  fortt  in  Pease  but 
Killed  ten  of  our  Cattell  that  wear  of  sight  of  the  fortt  &  went  vp  the  Riuer  &  Robed  our  house 
of  All  wase  in  it  to  the  valine  of  400  lbs  &  Builtt  A  strong  ifortt  in  A  quarter  of  A  mile  of  the 
sayed  house  &  Tarid  ther  A  forttnight  as  we  suppose  by  what  had  pased  before  to  surprise  our 
men  when  thay  should  Come  vp  to  fetch  our  goods. 

This  is  a  true  relation  by  me  Thomas  Gardner 

Edward  Nay  lor,  Truke 
(5'"  August  1662.)  Master  at  the  house. 


Ordinances  regulating  the  Trade  with  the  Indians,  passed  5"^  August  1662. 
(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  pages  425-6.) 


Letter  from  Roeloff  Swartwout,  Schout  at  Wiltwyck,  to  Director  Stutvesant 
concerning  a  recent  alarm  at  the  esopus  and  its  cause. 

To  their  Honors  the  Noble  Director- 
General  and  the  High  Council  of  the 
City  of  New-Amsterdomi. 

I  report  to  your  Hon*"''  Worships  by  this  my  letter,  that  on  the  11""  of  August  one  of  YolcTcert 
Jansen^s  horses  has  been  found  dead  in  the  M-oods,  about  half  an  hour's  way  into  them,  just  back 
of  the  newly  made  fort.  I  rode  there  on  horseback  with  two  Commissaries  and  eight  or  ten  inhabit- 
ants on  the  IS"",  turned  the  dead  horse  over  and  found,  that  it  was  shot  with  a  bullet  in  or  near 
the  heart.  It  created  great  consternation  among  the  inhabitants,  for  it  is  presumed,  that  the  sav- 
ages have  done  it.  We  had  thought  of  making  a  verbal  report  of  it  to  his  Honorable,  the  Director- 
General,  but  as  the  wind  was  not  favorable,  we  had  to  give  it  up.     The  Maqua  was  here  to  ask 


228  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

me  for  his  piece  of  cloth  and  as  no  cloth  can  be  obtained  here,  I  hardly  could  pacify  the  Maqua. 
I  told  him  that  it  would  come  from  the  Manliatans  by  the  first  opportunity.  , 

The  Schout  and  Commissaries  request,  that  your  Hon"'"  Worships  will  please  to  send  one 
hundred  pounds  of  gunpowder  and  two  hundred  pounds  of  lead,  we  shall  pay  for  it  in  time. 
Wiltwyck,  Your  Honorable  Worships  always 

16''''  August  obedient  and  faithful  servant 

A"  1662.  RoEI.OFF    SwAETWOUT. 

In  haste 
To  the  Valiant,  the  Noble  Director- General  and  the  Hon"'^  High  Council  of  Fort  and  City 
JVew-Amsterdam. 


Lettek  fkom  the  same  to  the  sasie  ;  affairs  at  the  Esopus  ;  evils  arising  from 

THE  UNLIMITED  SALE  OF  LIQUOR  TO  THE  InDIANS. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful 
his  Honor  the  Director-General 
and  the  High  Council. 

Tour  Honors'  servant  Roeloff  Swartwout  reports  in  behalf  of  his  Magistrates  and  in  their 
absence  from  this  place  with  the  assistance  of  some  inhabitants. 

We  could  not  omit  to  inform  your  Hon''"'  "Worships,  that  the  situation  here  is  such,  that  if  no 
precautions  are  taken  we  are  in  great  danger  of  drawing  upon  us  a  new  war.  The  cause  wiU  be 
the  selling  of  liquor  to  the  savages,  \vhich,  God  better  it !  begins  to  increase,  notwithstanding  that  I, 
your  Honors'  servant,  do  my  best  as  well  by  watching  day  and  night  as  sometimes  with  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Commissaries  and  good  will  of  many  citizens,  who  try  to  prevent  it  with  all  their 
power,  but  the  experience  of  stricter  inquiries  has  proved,  that  we  are  nevertheless  often  imposed 
upon,  we  as  well  as  the  Sergeant  of  the  garrison  here,  for  it  is  well  known  and  customary,  that 
soldiers  are  called  upon  for  assistance,  when  it  is  necessary,  upon  whom  we  rely  and  trust,  but  we 
are  very  much  deceived  by  them,  they  even  say  upon  being  questioned 

*  *  *     (iUegible)     *  *  * 

to  sell  liquor  ;  others  with  the  small  still  of  Jacobsen  Backer  are  of  the  devil,  who  has  taken  hold 
of  several  soldiers  not  much  to  the  advantage  of  the  inhabitants. 

Jonas  Rantsou  has  taken  special  liberties,  after  he  had  been  examined  by  the  Court  in  the 
presence  of  the  citizens'  military  counsel  and  the  Magistrates  to  show  cause,  whereas  your  Honors' 
servant  had  seen  him,  Hantsou,  come  out  of  a  citizen's  house,  where  some  beavers  were  traded  that 
evening  for  brandy  ;  we  could  get  no  information  from  him.  Rantsou  went  the  same  night  or  early 
next  morning  without  permission  of  the  Magistrates  in  company  of  a  dumb*  savage  to  the  newly 
made  village  of  the  savages,  to  trade  among  them ;  he  took  with  him  some  few  little  things,  men- 
tioned below.  When  they  came  to  the  fort  of  the  savages,  the  dumb  savage  went  in  first,  a  little 
while  later  Rantsou  was  conducted  into  the  fort  by  a  savage  and  arrived  inside,  he  was  asked, 
whence  he  came ;  he  answered  that  he  came  from  Wiltwyck  and  during  the  night 

he  wanted  to  leave of  the  savages ,     believing 

that  he  had  come  there  to  spy  upon  them,  in  consequence  of  what  several  southern  Indians  had 
reported  to  them,  that  his  Honor,  the  General,  was  angry  and  would  come  with  two  hundred 

♦  One  who  could  not  talk  Dutch. — Ed. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  229 

soldiers  to  make  war  upon  them  and  this  seemed  to  confirm  it.  The  savages  strengthened  their 
fort  immediately  and  put  a  good  breastwork  around  it ;  they  also  sent  out  three  messengers,  one 
to  the  Highlands,  another  to  the  MinisincJis  and  a  third  to  the  Catskils,  with  the  latter  one  was 
sent  to  go  further  to  the  Mahicanders,  to  inform  them  all  that  the  matters  were,  as  before  stated 
and  that  they  had  put  more  reliance  into  the  negotiations,  which  the  savages  had  had  with  the 
Director-General  at  the  house  of  D°  Blom,  when  the  peace  was  renewed  and  a  present  promised 
to  them  to  be  given  next  year.  Rantsou  was  again  asked  by  the  savages  on  the  next  day  whence 
he  had  came  and  he  answered,  that  he  had  come  from  the  Fort  at  Wiltwyck.  He  was  once  more 
asked  on  the  third  day,  from  where  he  had  come  and  said,  that  he  had  come  from  the  new  village 
and  after  having  found  him  willing  to  testify,  they  let  him  go  and  quickly  sent  a  savage  after  him 
to  get  information  from  us,  whether  we  had  sent  him,  but  as  soon  as  Rantsou  arrived  home,  after 
having  been  absent  six  days,  he  was  immediately  arrested  by  the  Magistrates.  The  savage  messen- 
ger informed  us,  that  he  had  had  as  large  a  package  of  things  as  one  man  can  carry ;  in  it  were 
two  pieces  of  cloth,  gunpowder  and  lead,  with  a  roll  of  tobacco  and  pipes  and  according  to  the 
savage's  statement  he  has  received  for  it  some  beavers  and  other  skins  and  some  wampum.  They 
had  intended  to  keep  him  a  prisoner  until  spring.  Another  savage  said  in  going  by,  to  Jam  the 
smith,  whom  he  met  in  the  woods,  that  Rantsou  had  been  killed,  when  he  came  there  with  brandy. 
We  do  not  know  by  whom  he  was  sent  and  I  despair,  that  anything  will  be  done  in  this  matter. 
The  greatest  mischief,  which  we  have  to  ex-pect  herefrom,  is  caused  by  the  contraband-traders, 
who  try  to  swallow  up  this  place  and  sell  a  pint  of  brandy  for  a  schepel  of  wheat. 

*  *  *  *  *  (a  sheet  missing) 

By  close  examinations  of  the  boy  by  the  Esopus  Sachems  this  has  been  brought  to  light.  The 
Esopus  savages  are  still  busy  to  get  at  the  truth  and  we  do  not  know,  what  the  evidence  of  the 
other  savage  will  be.  In  the  meantime  it  is  said  of  them,  that  the  Esopus  and  Katskil  savages 
will  each  pay  one  half.  The  Esopus  have  informed  us  through  the  Maquas,  that  they  are  willing 
to  give  ten  strings  of  wampum,  but  that  they  are  innocent  of  killing  the  horse.  The  opinion  of 
the  Sellout  and  Commissaries  is,  that  we  are  confident,  the  Esopus  savages  have  done  it  and  we  do 
our  best  to  bring  it  out.  As  soon  as  we  have  further  details,  we  shall  take  the  first  opportunity 
to  inform  your  Honors. 

May  the  Triune  God  keep  you  in  his  protection. 
Wiltivyck,  Written  in  the  name  of  the  Schout  and 

5""  Septr  1662.  •  Commissaries,  which  certifies 

ROELOFF    SwAETWOUT. 

The  piece  of  cloth,  promised  to  the  Maquas  by  the  Hon''''^  General,  has  been  given  to  him 
and  he  was  very  well  satisfied  with  it.     Another  piece  was  promised  to  him  for  his  further  trouble. 

In  haste. 


Kevenue  and  Expenditure  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  including  the  build- 
ing OF  the  minister's  house. 

Income  of  Wiltwyck  Village.  The  outlays  for  the  Minister's  house. 

From  525  morgens.  Bricks,  tiles,  lime,  boards,  wainscoting,  slat- 

The  land  pays  fl  2.10  st.  per  morgen  in  gen-  ing,  iron,  hinges,  locks  and   nails 

eral,  which  computed  gives  a  total  of           fl  1313.10  coin  and  every  thing  required  for  it 

The  house  lots,  not  paying  land  tax,  in  wampum                                  680.  5. 

have  brought  in  in  coin                                           958.13. 


230 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


in  wampum 
in  coin 


272  fl 
136 


In  Coin 


The  excise  on  wine  and  beer,  farmed  out,  has 
fetched  so  far,  that  is  to  the  31"  Novbr. 
1662 

In  wampum 

In  coin 

The  revenue  is  altogether 
Remains  a  balance  of 


1003.18. 
1505.17. 


2117.16.  6 
889.11.10 


All  reduced  to  coin 
Paid  for  wages  of  the  carpenters  and  masons, 
hod  carrier,  for  freight  of  bricks, 
tiles,  boards  to  this  place, 

in  wampum  1387.5. 

in  coin  570. 

Reduced  to  coin 
Board  for  the  carpenters,  masons  and  the  hod 
carrier  altogether 
in  coin 
Total  in  wampum  fl  2067.10 

Total  in  coin  1973.13 

The  wampum  reduced  and  added  to  the 
coin  makes  it  t 


1263.12.8 


Besides  the  above  there  must  be  paid  to  the  Court  Messenger,  for  the  making  and  keeping  in 
repair  of  the  gates,  to  Juriaen  Westvael  for  hire  of  the  house  of  D°  Hermanns  Blom,  who  lived 
in  his  upper  room,  80  florins. 


No   1  Hendrich  Jochemsen 

2  Hendrick  Martensen 

3  Harmen  Hendricksen 
Jan  Jansen  Timmerman 
Jacob  Barentsen 
Jam  de  Backer 
Jacob  Joosten 

8  Willem  Jansen 

9  Pieter  van  Alen 

10  Mathys  Roeloffsen 

11  Jacob  Boerhans 

12  Gerrit  van  Campen 

13  Anthony  Cruepel 

14  Albert  Oerretsen 

15  Meerten  Oysbert 

16  Dirck  Adriaen 


List  of  the  lots  newly  laid  out. 

No  17  Mathys  Capita 

18  Jan  Lammersen 

19  Carsten  de  Noorman 

20  Barent  Gerretsen 

21  the  Churchyard 

22  Jan  Barensen 
23 

24  Albert  Heymansen 

25  Juriaen  Westvael 

26  Nicolaes  Willem  Stuyvesant 

27  Albert  Gysbertsen 

28  Tjerick  Claesen 

29  Aert  Jacobsen 

30  Jan  Schoon 

31  Aert  Pietersen  Tach. 


List  of  the  old  lots,  before  the  place  was  laid  out. 


No 


1  Thomas  Chambers 

2  Evert  Pels 

3  Balthasa/r  Laser  Stuyvesant 

4  Preacher's  house  and  lot 

5  Mrs.  de  Hulter 

6  Jacob  Map's  little  bouwery 

7  Jacob  Map's  second  bouwery 

8  Henry  Zeewant  ryger  (Wampuramaker) 


No   9  Andries  the  Weaver 

10  Jan  the  Brabanter 

11  Jan  Brouwersen 

12  Michiel  the  first 

13  Michiel  Verre 

14  Jan  the  Smith 

15  Andries  van  der  Sluys 

16  house  and  lot  of  Gertrey  Hansen,  lying 

opposite  to  Nos.  6  and  7. 


New  York  Historical  liecords.  231 

Contract  to  do  faem  woek   at  ScnENECTADT. 

(Fort  Orange  Records.     Vol.  Notarial  Papers,  16G0-1676.) 

This  26**"  of  September  1662  Jan  Barentsen  Wemp  and  Ifartm  Mouvei^ensen  engaged  Ilen- 
dnk  Arentsen,  sugarbaker,  to  serve  them  in  cultivating,  ploughing,  sowing,  mowing,  thrashing, 
winnowing,  chopping  wood  and  every  thing  else  connected  with  it,  also  in  doing  all  other  duties, 
which  may  be  assigned  to  him  at  their  bouwery,  lying  at  Schenechtede,  which  Ilendrik  well  knows, 
for  the  time  of  one  year  beginning  on  this  day.  Jan  Barentsen  Wemp  and  Martin  Mouverenseri 
promise  to  pay  him  for  his  services  300  fl  in  beavers  at  8  fl  the  beaver  or  else  in  grain  or  other 
merchandise  at  beaver  value,  deliverable  to  said  Hendrick  here  at  the  "  Fuyck  "  or  to  his  order. 
Jam,  Barentsen  binds  himself  personally  for  the  payment  of  the  aforesaid  hire,  as  if  it  were  a  per- 
sonal debt.     Date  as  above  at  Colony  Rensselaerswyck. 

The  mark  A^^  of  Mahten  Meuverensen  The  mark  I  R  An  of  Jan  Barentsen  Wemp 

Hendeik    Arentsen. 


Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  the  Village  of  Bergen. 

16"^  October  1662,  Monday 

Present  in  Council  their  Honors,  the  Director-General  Stuyvesant  and  Mr.  Johan  de  Deckere. 

The  nominations  made  and  delivered  by  the  Schout  and  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Bergen 
were  received  with  the  request,  that  the  Director-General  and  Council  will  please  to  select  from 
them  the  Schepens  for  the  said  village  for  the  coming  year. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  have  therefore  selected  and  confirmed  as  Schepens  for  the 
said  village  Engelbert  Steenhiiysen,  Gerrit  Gerritsen  and  Casjyer  Steinmets  is  continued  as  first 
Schepen.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam.     Date  as  above. 


Ordinance  against  the   burning  of  straw  and   other  refuse   combustibles  in 
the  Village  of  Wiltwtck,  passed  16""  October  1662. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  page  430.) 


Petftion  of  the  Magistrates  of  "Wiltwtck  foe  a  supply  of  powder  and  lead. 

To  their  Honors,  the  Noble  Director-General 
and  High  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

The  Schout  and  Commissaries  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyek  request,  tliat  their  Hon"'"  Worships 
will  please  to  send  by  the  bearer  hereof,  Albert  Hymansen  Roose  one  hundred  pounds  of  powder 
and  two  hundred  pounds  of  lead,  because  we  have  only  little  of  it  on  hand  in  case  the  times  and 
necessity  should  require  it,  for  we  find  that  the  citizens  have  none,  because  there  is  none  to  be  had 


232  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hitdson  River. 

here  and  if  we  should  receive  this  supply,  we  will  pay  for  it  specially.     In  expectation  of  which 
we  remain 

Wiltwyclc,  Your  Honors'  obedient  servants 
ll""  Octbr  1662.  The  Schout  and  Commissaries. 

That  this  is  done  in  the  name  of  the  Commissaries  attest  your  Honors  undersigned  obedient 
and  faitliful  servants  Roeloff  Swaetwout 

Alerdt  Hetmansen  Roose. 


OeDINAJn'CE    against    SELLraO    GEAIN    AT   THE    EsOPUS    BY    THE    UNSTAMPED    MEASUEE, 
PASSED  27'^"  NOVEMBEE  1662. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  431.) 


OeDINANCE  AOAINST  EECEIVING  in  pawn  AEMS,  clothing  etc.  BELONGING  TO  BOLDIEES 
STATIONED  AT    WlLT^VYCK,  PASSED  2V^  NoVEMBEE    1662. 

(Ibidem,  page  432.) 


Ordinance  against  making  openings  in  the  palisades  at  Wiltwyck,  passed  27''° 

November  1662. 

(Ibidem,  page  433.) 


Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Beegen,  asking  to  be  peovided  with  a  cleegyman. 

To  the  Noble,  Yery  Worsliipful,  his  Honor,  the  Director-General  and  the  Honorable  Council 
of  New-Netherland. 

Show  with  due  reverence  the  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Bergen,  that  having  observed  and 
considered  the  fatherly  direction  and  care  of  your  Hon''''^  Worships  in  erecting  churches  and  school- 
houses,  they  request,  that  they  may  have  a  God  fearing  man  and  preacher,  to  be  an  example  to 
and  teach  the  fear  of  God  in  the  community  of  Bergen  and  its  jurisdiction.  The  Scliepens  have 
found  it  advisable,  each  for  himself,  to  propose  it,  to  learn  what  every  man  would  be  willing  to 
pay  yearly  of  his  free  will,  affection  and  love  for  God's  holy  and  blessed  word,  to  liave  a  good 
teacher,  till  such  a  time,  when  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West-India  Com- 
pany shall  begin,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  country,  to  levy  tithes.  After  the  Schepens  had 
made  these  propositions,  the  below  named  persons  have  vohmtarily  declared,  that  tlie}^  will  give  a 
yearly  contribution  ;  the  sum  to  be  paid  by  such  voluntary  offerings  may  be  calculated  at  417 
guilders  in  wampum,  but  there  are  among  these  people  some,  who  have  expressed  themselves  will- 
ing to  do  more  according  to  their  abilities  if  God  our  Lord  would  bless  them  and  increase  their 
prosperity ;  among  the  others,  who  stated  no  sum,  there  are  some  very  willing,  some  very  dull, 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records. 


233 


those,  who  are  willing,  are  the  majority  and  declare,  that  when  a  preacher  comes,  they  too  would 
do  their  best  according  to  their  circumstances,  like  the  others.  Whereas  the  petitioners  do  not 
know,  whether  the  people  of  Haersimons*  come  under  this  jurisdiction ;  therefore  the  petitioners 
cannot  report,  what  they  would  do,  but  the  Schepens  find  it  advisable  and  very  necessary,  that  the 
village  be  provided  with  a  preacher  and  submit  to  the  mature  consideration  and  decision  of  your 
jjQjjbie  Worships,  that  it  might  be  notified  to  the  Noble  Lords-Directors,  our  Patroons,  by  the  next 
ships.  Your  Hon'''''  Worships  know,  with  what  courage  the  village  of  Bergen  has  been  established 
by  the  community  and  that  the  same  has  maintained  itself  at  great  expense  to  the  inhabitants,  with- 
out any  trouble  to  the  Lords-Directors.  The  community  is  therefore  of  opinion,  that  their  Noble 
Honors  should  take  that  into  consideration  and  therefore  assist  the  village  of  Bergen  so  much 
readier  according  to  their  discretion  and  to  send  one  over  for  one  or  two  years  at  their  expense ; 
during  that  time  the  land  will  with  God's  help  have  increased  in  value,  so  that  then  that  which 
the  good  hearted  community  will  liberally  give,  can  be  taken  for  assistance.  Awaiting  your 
Hon*"^  Worships'  decision  hereon  the  petitioners  remain 

Your  Noble,  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servants 

Tielraan  van  Neeck 
Machghyel  Jansen 
Herman  Smedman 
Casper  Steinmets. 


List  of  the  voluntary  contributors, 

Tielman  van  Neeck 
Michielsen  Jansen 
Harmen  Smedema/n 
Casper  Steinmets 
Jan  Schulten 
Michiele  Teunissen 
Jan  Luhhersen 
Dirck  Qerritsen 
Jacob  Leendertsen 
Jan  the  Englishman 
Paulus  Pietersen 
Willem  Jansen 
Joost  van  Linden 
Adrian  Post 


with  the  sum  promised  by  each. 

fl  50  Pouwe  Sarmens 

25  Jacob  Sergiant 

25  Arent  Louwrens 

25  Jan  Cornelis 

25  Jan  Cornelis  d''  ryeck 

6  Thomas  the  cooper 

6  Cornelis  Abrahams 

20  Claes  Pietersen  Cos  of  Gemoenepa 

25  Evert  Coertsen 

6  Dirck  Classen 

25  Jan  Loserechi 

10  Gerrit  Qerritsen 

10  Cla£s  Arentsen 
20 


10 
3 

10 
3 

6 
50 
13 
10 


fl  417 


List  of  those,  who  are  willing,  but  give  no  specified  sum,  keeping  it  at  their  discretion. 

Lourens  Andries 

Claesje  Teunissen,  the  widow  of  Romein 
Teunissen 

Refused  have 
Tyes  Lubbersen,  Hendrick 
Jansen  Spyer,  Frerick  the  cobbler. 


Jan  Swaen 
Hendrick  Teunissen 
Dirck  Teunissen 
Engelbert  Steenhuysen 
Widow  Pieter  Rudolphsen 
Harmen  Edwards 
Nicholas  Varlet 


*  Ahasimus. 


30 


234  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Petition  of  Inhabitants  of  Bergen   and  Comunipaw   against  fencing  in  cer- 
tain  LANDS   and   order   THEEEON. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful  their 
Honor,  the  Director-General  and  Coun- 
cil of  New-Netherland. 

Show  with  due  reverence  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Bergen  and  Gemoenepa,  that  they, 
the  petitioners,  have  seen,  that  the  Sellout  van  Vleeck,  Caspar  Steinmets  and  Harmen  Smeeman 
have  fenced  in  a  parcel  of  highland,  situate  at  the  south  end  of  the  village  enclosure,  in  the  best 
part  of  the  pasture,  which  they  appropriate  to  themselves :  it  is  also  said,  that  Mr.  Nicholas  Var- 
leth  desires  a  piece  of  highland,  situate  at  the  north  of  the  aforesaid  village  back  of  Hohoocken, 
which,  if  it  is  done,  would  tend  to  the  ruin  and  destruction  of  this  village,  because  they  would  be 
entirely  deprived  of  an  outlet  for  their  cattle  and  nothing  but  a  marshy  underwood  would  remain 
to  them,  where  already  three  or  four  animals  have  been  smothered  ;  hence  there  would  hardly  be  any 
pasture  left  for  the  draught  beasts,  for  the  Mincqkaghoue  people  are  also  fencing  in  their  land, 
so  that  this  village  will  be  enclosed  in  a  fence  all  round.  They  therefore  respectfully  request,  that 
your  Hon'''^  Worships  will  please  to  make  some  provision  and  guard  the  common  interests  of  the 
aforesaid  village  and  of  Gevioenepa.  Awaiting  hereupon  your  Hon'''^  Worships'  favorable  decision 
etc. 

(Signed)  Adolph  Haedenbrooch,  Adeiaen  Hendrick,  Adriaen  Post,  La0eens  Andeiessen, 
DiECK  Geeeitsen,  'A-r  the  mark  of  Dieck  Te0nissen,  Maghiel  Jansen,  Jan  Scholten,  Tomas 
Feedeeicks,  Douwe  Haemensen,  j^^.T!  the  mark  of  Hendrick  Teunnissen,  -p- the  mark  of 
Paulus  Pietersen,  Harmen  de  Vos,  ^j^  the  mark  of  Jan  Lubbeesen,  p  the  mark  of  Egh- 
beet  Sandees,  Baeeent  Lott,  /\  tlie  mark  of  Claes  Coeesen,  Cheistiaen  Pietersen,  C  the 
mark  of  Jan  Swach,  Jan  Coenelissen,  Engelbeet  STEENHtrrsEN. 

It  was  answered : 

The  petitioners  or  a  committee  of  them  shall  appear  with  Tielman  van  Vleeck,  Casper  Stein- 
mets and  Hannen  Smeeman,  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  petitions,  personally  before  the  Director- 
General  and  Council.     Date  as  above  (28"'  Decbr  1662.) 


Summons  of  the  Sheriff  and  Magistrates  of  Beegen  to  answer  a  complaint 

MADE    BT    WiLLEM    JaNSEN,    THE    FEEEYMAN. 

28'"  December  1662. 

W  hereas  Willem  Jansen,  ferryman  at  Bergen  over  the  Worth  River,  has  informed  us  in  a  pe- 
tition among  other  points,  that  Tielman  van  Vleeck  the  Sellout  and  Engelbert  Steenkuysen,  Com- 
missary in  the  aforesaid  village,  had  told  the  community  there,  that  every  inhabitant  of  the  place 
could  keep  a  barge  and  ferry  over  whom  he  pleased,  therefore  the  said  van  Vleeck  and  Steenkuy- 
sen are  hereby  ordered  and  directed  to  appear  before  their  Honors,  the  Director-General  and 
Council  of  New-Netherland,  on  next  Court-day,  to  give  an  account  of  their  action.     Date  as  above. 


JVew    York  Historical  Records.  ■  235 

Order  for  the  survey  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  in    dispute    at  Bergen. 

4"'  January  1663. 

Pursuant  to  the  appointment  made  the  28""  of  December  1662  at  the  request  of  some  inhabit- 
ants of  the  village  of  Bergen,  Michlel  Jansen,  Adriaen  Post  and  Jan  Scholten  made  their  ap- 
pearance as  deputies  of  the  said  viUage  on  one  side  and  Tielman  van  Vleeck,  Caspar  Steinmets 
and  Harman  Smeeman  on  the  other  side. 

The  said  deputies  state,  tliat  it  would  cause  great  damage  to  their  village,  if  the  other  party 
continued  with  the  fencing  in  of  the  high  ground  in  question,  granted  to  them  22'^  X*"  1661. 

The  aforesaid  van  Vleech  and  Company  maintained  on  the  other  side,  that  no  obstacle  what- 
ever could  arise  therefrom  to  the  said  village. 

After  hearing  the  parties,  it  was  ordered,  that  the  piece  of  land  in  dispute,  granted  to  the  said 
van  Vleeck  upon  his  petition  by  the  order  of  the  22''  December  1661,  should  be  surveyed  and  that 
the  surveyor  shall  make  a  report  of  its  situation  and  area  to  their  Ilonors,  the  Director-General 
and  Council.     After  that  directions  will  be  given  upon  the  petition.     Date  as  above. 


Order   m  the  case   of  "Willem  Jansen,  the   Bergen   ferryman,  against  the 
ScHouT  VAN  Vleeck. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  28""  Decbr.  Willem  Jansen,  ferryman  at  Bergen,  appeared  on 
one  side  and  the  Schout  van  Vleeck  and  Engelhert  Steenhuysen  on  the  other  ;  the  said  ferryman 
stating  in  his  complaint,  that  the  Schout  van  Vleeck  and  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  had  given  per- 
mission to  all  and  every  one  of  the  inhabitants  there  to  carry  over  goods  for  others  etc. 

"Whereupon  the  said  Schout  and  his  companion  answered,  that  they  had  not  done  it  without 
reason,  as  the  ferryman  had  refused  to  carry  over. 

The  ferryman  says,  that  he  left  nobody  behind,  except  those  who  would  not  pay  him  etc. 

After  hearing  the  parties,  the  Schout  was  directed  to  assist  the  ferryman,  that  he  may  obtain 
the  ferriage  earned  by  him  and  if  he  should  forget  himself  and  act  unbecomingly,  to  report  it  to 
the  Director-General  and  Council,  who  will  then  issue  such  orders,  as  occasion  may  require.  Date 
as  above  (i""  January  1663). 


Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  and  other  militia  officers  to  Director  Stuy- 

VESANT,    complaining    THAT    THE    CIVIL    MAGISTRATES    OF    "WiLTWYCK    HAD    PULLED 
DOWN   AN    ORDINANCE    PUBLISHED   BY    THEM. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  "Worshipful,  "Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen,  Honor- 
able Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

We,  the  undersigned  militia  officers  of  the  village  of  WiltioycJc  respectfully  report  to  your 
Hon*'"  Worships,  that  on  the  SO'''  of  May  of  last  year  we  have  been  appointed  officers  of  the  militia 
by  the  president  of  the  Court  for  this  village.  Evert  Pels,  in  the  name  of  Director-General  and 
Council  of  New-Netherland,  not  knowing,  whether  this  appointment  was  approved  by  the  Director- 
General  and  Council.     After  the  savages  have  had  several  gatherings  here  with  their  kinte  keying. 


236  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

while  we  did  not  know,  what  they  might  attempt,  we  have  not  dared  to  omit  calling  together  the 
people  on  the  1^'  of  January  of  this  year  and  tried  to  keep  good  order  to  the  best  of  our  knowl- 
edge ;  we  send  herewith  a  copy  of  an  ordinance  passed  by  the  militia  officers,  which  we  published 
on  the  following  day,  the  S"*.  The  Court  here  has  been  pleased  to  pull  down  the  published  ordi- 
nance on  the  Q'""  without  our  knowledge  and  we  do  not  know  for  what  reason,  but  they  have  sum- 
moned us  on  that  account  on  the  IS""  and  we  appeared,  requesting  them,  that  they  would  please 
to  put  up  again  our  ordinance.  This  they  refused  to  do  and  we  can  therefore  not  carry  out  our 
plan,  to  make  use  of  it  in  time  of  need.  The  consequence  is,  that  some  people  begin  to  banter 
and  say,  that  we  publish  ordinances  to  be  pulled  down  by  the  Court.  Therefore  we  respectfully 
request  your  Hon''"^  Worships  to  be  sustained  in  this  matter,  else  we  shall  not  be  able  in  time  of 
need  to  acquit  ourselves  of  our  duties.  Awaiting  your  Hon*'^  Worships'  further  orders  we  remain 
Actum  in  Your  Noble,  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servants 

Wiltwyck  Village,  Thomas  Chambers 

this  IS""  of  January  1663.  Hendrick  Jochemseji 

Cornells  Barentsen  Slecht 

The  mark  y^  of  Pieter  Jacohsen. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet,  their  Honors, 
the  Director-General  and  Council  of  N ew-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New- 
Paid.  N eilierland. 


Okdinance  to  be  observed  in  time  of  need,  made  by  the  officers  of  the  trainband. 

1.  Whoever  appears  for  training  at  the  appointed  place  of  gathering  without  proper  side  and 
handarms,  powder  and  lead,  shall  be  fined  and  pay  the  first  time  twelve  guilders,  the  second  time 
double  that  sum  and  the  third  time  he  shall  be  punished  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  Court- 
martial.  Everybody  must  be  provided  with  at  least  ten  charges  of  powder  and  lead  in  the  car- 
tridgebox  besides  his  full  side  and  handarms. 

2. 

Whoever  does  not  appear  unless  excused  or  comes  too  late,  shall  pay  a  fine  of  two  guilders ; 
who  remains  away  from  contumacy  or  willfuUness,  without  sufficient  excuse,  shall  be  fined  and 
corrected  arbitrarily  by  the  Courtmartial  in  addition  to  the  above  fine  of  two  guilders. 

3. 
Sergeants,  Corporals  and  Lancepesades,  who  are  too  late  or  remain  away,  shall  pay  a  double 
fine. 

4. 

In  case  of  alarm  or  fire  the  members  of  the  Captain's  squad  shall  assemble  at  the  place  near 
JBarent  Gerritsen,  the  brandy  distiller,  the  members  of  the  Lieutenant's  squad  near  the  wheel- 
wright's Albert  Cysbertsen,  the  third  squad  under  Sergeant  Pieter  Jacobsen  Molenaer  at  Hen- 
drick Jochemsen^s,  under  a  penalty  of  five  and  twenty  guilders. 

5. 
All  officers  are  forbidden  to  exchange  with  others,  every  one  must  appear  personally  under  a 
penalty  of  four  and  twenty  guilders. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  237 

6. 
It  is  ordered,  that  every  one,  who  mounts  guard  or  reports  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  must 
have  his  own  side  and  handarnis,  under  penalty  of  confiscation  of  the  arms,  which  he  may  have 
borrowed  from  another  and  he  shall  besides  pay  a  fine  of  twelve  guilders. 

7. 
Nobody  shall  in  being  relieved  from  or  mounting  gnard  or  marching,  be  allowed  to  load  his 
musket  with   ball,  wadding  or  paper,  nor  to  discharge  it  at  any  window,  gable   or  weathervane 
under  a  penalty  of  six  guilders  and  reparation  of  the  damage  done ;  but  in  discharging  their  mus- 
kets, they  shall  raise  it  above  man's  height  under  a  like  penalty,  to  prevent  thus  all  mishap. 

8. 
If  an^'body  desires  to  remove  from  here  to  do  his  business  elsewhere,  either  at  the  Manhatans, 
Fort  Orange  or  some  other  place,  he  shall  uotity  the  Mustermaster  of  his  departure,  under  a  pen- 
alty of  twenty-five  stivers. 

9. 

Nobody  shall  be  allowed  to  mount  guard  or  appear  at  the  rendezvous,  while  intoxicated,  and 
having  reported  nobody  shall  curse  or  swear  or  profane  God's  holy  name  and  sacraments,  under  a 
penalty  of  twenty-five  guilders. 

Thus  enacted  at  the  meeting  of  the  Citizens'  Council  of  War  in  the  Village  of  Wiltwyck,  the 
first  day  of  January  Anno  1663.  (Signed)  Thomas  Chambers,  Hendrich  </ochemsen,  the  mark 
^?  of  Pleter  Jacohsen,  Cornells  Barentsen  Slecht. 

This  was  also  published. 

Evei'ybod}'  is  hereby  informed,  that  muskets,  powder  and  lead  may  be  bought  at  Wouter  the 
baker's  and  further,  if  no  more  is  to  be  had  at  Wouter  the  baker's,  people  may  come  to  the  officiers 
of  the  trainband,  who  will  inform  them,  where  they  may  buy  it  for  money.  Done  at  Wiltwyck^ 
the  ^^  of  January  1663. 

(Signed)  By  order  of  the  officers  of 
the  trainbands  of  Wiltwyck  Village 

Matheus  Capito,  Mustermaster. 


Lettee  from  the  Magistrates  of  Wiltwyck  to  Directoe  Stdtvesant  ;  dastgee 
OF  selling  liquok  to  the  Indians  ;  the  new  village  ;  seasons  fob  disappeoving 

THE  PEECEDING  OEDINAifCE. 

To  the  Noble, Vei-y  Worshipful  High 
Council  of  the  City  oi  Amsterdam  in 
New-Netherland. 

Show  with  proper  salutations  and  wishes  for  every  bodily  and  spiritual  blessing  both  the 
Commissaries  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  the  good  order  and  well  being  of  this  village  so  far. 
The  Almighty,  the  God  of  us  all,  may  grant  peace  to  this  country,  but  it  is  to  be  feared,  that 
unless  provisions  are  made  for  it,  especially  at  this  place,  the  abuse  carried  on  here  in  the  sale  of 
liquor  to  the  savages  will  prevent  it,  for  it  has  come  quite  in  vogue  now  at  the  new  village,  so 
that  the  savages  have  thrown  each  other  into  the  fire  and  upon  the  report  of  it  we  inquired  and 


238  "  '/Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

found  at  the  house  of  Loweys  Dubo,  a  "Walloon  living  in  the  new  village,  half  an  anker  of  distilled 
water,  which  had  not  been  reported  at  this  place  and  had  been  made  by  his  father  Mathew 
Blanchart.  For  the  reasons  given  before  the  court  confiscated  it,  because  some  mischief  might 
result  from  it.  We  request,  that  your  Hon"''^  "Worships  will  please  to  assist  us,  that  we  may  obtain 
some  ordera  for  the  welfare  of  this  country,  so  that,  if  some  one  from  the  new  village  should 
happen  to  purchase  some  wine  or  strong  liquor,  he  is  to  declare  and  pay  the  duties  for  it  to  the 
Receiver  Jacob  Boerhans,  for  the  liquor  distilled  here  is  not  to  the  taste  of  the  savages,  which  is 
for  the  advantage^of  the  savages  and  to  the  loss  of  the  country  and  although  the  citizens  do  not 
pay  any  attention,  nevertheless  through  the  declaration  it  can  be  ascertained,  what  liquors  are 
removed  and  whereto.  It  is  the  further  request  to  know,  whether  those,  who  are  caught  selling 
liquor  to  the  savages,  shall  be  sent  to  the  High  Council  in  charge  of  his  Honor  the  Fiscal  or 
whether  this  court  may  sentence  them  to  the  pecuniary  tine,  as  fixed  by  law ;  if  so  please  to  send 
the  placards  regarding  it. 

A  pint  of  smuggled  brandy  has  been  sold  here  for  a  schepel  of  wheat  to  and  among  them  to 
the  great  disadvantage  of  the  inhabitants.  We  hope,  that  herein  also  some  arrangements  will 
be  made,  one  or  two  inns  would  be  quite  sufficient  and  application  ought  first  to  be  made  to  the 
court  to  find  out  the  fitness  of  the  person. 

The  trainband  has  been  under  arms  on  New-Years  Day  and  they  were  well  entertained  by 
some  citizens,  but  everything  went  well.  Then  the  officers  met  in  Council  of  "War  and  made  some 
ordinances  for  the  regulation  of  the  trainband  containing  ten  articles,  which  they  published  by 
affixing  it  without  acknowledging  the  authority  of  any  magistrate.  The  Magistrates  therefore  had 
the  placard  pulled  down  on  the  S"",  to  review  them,  and  they  saw  in  the  eighth  section,  that  no 
one  shall  mount  guard  with  a  borrowed  musket,  else  he  shall  forfeit  it  and  pay  a  fine  of  12 
guilders.  "We,  the  Commissaries  of  WilhoycJc,  disapprove  this  abuse  of  making  ordinances  and 
request  your  Hon*"'  "Worships'  advice.  Closing  herewith  we  wish  to  your  "V^ery  "Worshipful  High 
Council  a  happy  and  peaceful  New- Year  and  remain 

Your  Hon"'*  "Worships'  obedient 
Actum  Wiltwyck,  servants 

the  24'''  of  January,  The  Commissaries  of  Wiltwyck, 

Anno  1663.  Evekt  Pels 

Tjeeck  Classen  de  "Witt. 

This  is  the  mark  +^  of  Albeet 
Gysbeetsen. 
"Which  attests  your  Hon*""  Worships 
always  obedient  servant 

ROELOFF    SwAETWOUT 

To  the  Valiant,  Honorable  High  Council  at  their  office  in  New-ATnsterdam  in  New-Nether- 
land. 


Nomination  and  appointment  of  Magistrates  foe  Wiltwttck. 

Conform  to  the  ordinances  and  common  custom,  the  Commissaries  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck 
proposed  at  the  election  the  below-named  inhabitants  of  this  village 

Thomas  Chambers  Jan  Aersen  Smit 

Mr.  Gysbert  van  Imbrogh  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slecht. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  239 

The  Commissaries  await  liereupon  a  short  rescript  from  his  Honor,  tlie  Director-General  and 

remain 

Your  Hon''"'  Worsliips 

Actum  Wiltwyck,  faithful  servants 

the  .    .  March  A"  1663.  Evert  Pels 

Alaerdt  Heymansen 

TjERCK   Classen  de  Witt 

This  is  the  mark  ^  of 

Albert  Gysbertsen 

Witness:  Roeloff  Swartwout. 


MnsruTE  of  Director  Stutvesant's  visit  at  the  Esopus. 

His  Honor  the  Director-General  left  here  for  the  Esopus  on  the  22''  of  Marcli  and  returned 
on  the  3''  of  April.     His  Honor  published  there  the  following : 

Ordinance  for  the  perfecting  of  titles  to  land   at  Wiltwyck  and  for  the 
more  speedy  settlement  of  the  same. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  page  437.) 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors   in   Holland   to  Director  Stuyves- 
ant  ;  they  approve  of  the  proposed  English  Colony  on  the  Achter  Cull  : 

WAR   BETWEEN   THE    MoHAWKS    AND   NeW- ENGLAND  AND  NoVA  ScOTIA  ;    NECESSrTY 

of  the  acquisition  of  the  mohawk  country  ;  immense  beaver  trade  of  the 

Senecas.  (26""  Maech  1663.) 
****** 
Thus  far  in  answer  to  the  two  letters,  signed  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  and  we 
come  now  to  Director  Stuyvesanfs  private  letter,  wherein  we  note  above  all  the  requests,  made  by 
some  of  the  English  neighbors,  for  permission  to  settle  in  considerable  numbers  under  the  Com- 
pany's jurisdiction  back  of  Staten- Island  on  the  Maritan^s  Kil ;  we  have  likewise  seen  from  the 
enclosures,  what  your  Honors  have  answered.  We  are  well  pleased  with  it,  considering  especially, 
that  it  will  serve  us  as  a  strong  outpost  against  the  Raritan  and  Nevesinh  savages.  We  could 
have  wished  therefore,  that  the  project  had  been  carried  out  and  every  effort  to  have  it  continued 
must  be  made.  As  we  understand  the  matter,  the  principal  obstacle  was  the  appeal  in  criminal 
and  capital  cases,  as  adultery,  fornication  and  similar  offenses,  which  they  punish  according  to  the 
law  and  word  of  God  ;  we  do  not  object  so  much  against  this  principle,  although  the  laws  of  our 
Fatherland  close  their  eyes  to  them,  as  against  giving  them  absolute  disposition  of  all  criminal 
cases  without  appeal  to  us,  which  right  we  do  not  like  to  surrender  entirely  ;  however,  in  case 
the  coming  in  and  settling  at  the  aforesaid  place  by  these  people  is  of  such  an  importance  to  our 
nation  there,  then  we  would  allow,  to  facilitate  the  matter,  that  in  such  offenses,  where  extra- 
ordinary proceedings  are  taken  and  where  consequently  the  crime  is  confessed,  the  appeal  be 
waived,  but  this  cannot  be  allowed  in  cases  of  ordinary  proceedings  and  where  the  testimony  makes 


240  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hvdson  Hiver. 

it  dubious  and  uncertain,  as  your  Honors  will  easily  perceive ;  besides  that  their  laws  in  punishing 
such  offenses  are  against  the  maxims  of  our  Fatherland  and  s/wuld  therefore  only  he  practised 
among  their  own  people  and  not  07i  such  of  ours,  who  should  happen  to  settle  among  them.  Your 
Honors  will  do  well  to  insist  upon  this  point  in  further  negotiations  with  them,  but  only  so  far, 
that  the  project  may  not  he  hindered  in  its  progress.  Your  Honors  are  therefore  hereby  author- 
ized to  treat  upon  this  matter  with  the  English  people  in  such  a  manner,  as  shall  be  found  most 
advantageous  for  the  welfare  of  this  State  and  its  inhabitants. 

The  dissatisfaction  of  our  English  neighbors  in  New -England  and  Nova  Scotia  with  the 
Maquaes  savages  and  the  consequences  likely  to  arise  therefrom,  in  case  they  should  attack  each 
other  and  the  Maquaes  should  be  vanquished,  together  with  the  speculations  on  such  events,  arc 
well  understood  by  us  and  we  can  therefore  easily  fall  in  with  your  Plonors'  advice  and  opinions, 
which  consist  principally  in  that  we  ought  to  try  to  persuade  the  Maquaes  by  all  possible  means, 
that  they  give  the  English  the  satisfaction,  demanded  by  them,  even  though  some  goods  and  mer- 
chandises must  be  sacrificed  for  it,  provided  that  by  such  an  occasion  the  Maquaes  country  could 
be  acquired  for  and  conveyed  as  property  to  the  Company,  whereby  the  English  and  other  neigh- 
bors could  be  prevented  and  estopped  from  the  great  beaver  trade,  which  our  people  carry  on 
there  with  the  Sinnehus  savages.  If  the  dissatisfaction  and  the  probability  of  aggressive  move- 
ments between  the  English  and  the  savages  continue,  which  we  do  not  believe,  anyway  not  hope, 
your  Honors  must  carry  this  out  and  these  lines  may  serve  as  rules. 


Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  "Wiltwtck. 
S'l"  of  April  1663,  Thursday. 

Present  in  Council  the  Hon*'*'  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  Councillors  Nicasius 
de  Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

****** 
The  Director-General  and  Council  took  up  and  read  the  nomination  made  and  sent  in  by  the 
Schout  and  Commissaries  of  the   village  of    WiltwycTc  on  the  Esopus  and  from  the  nominees 
selected  and  confirmed  as  Commissioners  there 
T7wmas  Chambers 
Gysbert  van  Imhurgh 
Actum  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  New-Netherland.     Date  as  above. 


Deed  to  Hendrick  Cornelissen  from  Holstein  for  land  at  Esopus. 

Petriis  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  of  New-Netherland  etc  etc.  and  the  Council  testify  and 
declare,  that  we  have  on  this  day,  date  underwritten,  given  and  granted  to  Hendrick  Cornelissen 
from  Holstein,  a  piece  of  land  situate  at  the  Esopus  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  bounded  on  the 
East  by  the  Kil,  on  the  "West  and  South  by  the  meadows  lying  under  the  village,  containing  in 
these  bounds  between  the  Kil  and  the  meadows  two  morgens  and  five  hundred  and  sixty  rods. 
Under  the  express  condition,  that  he,  Hendrick  Cornelissen,  or  his  heii-s  and  assigns  shall  acknowl- 


New  Yorh  Historical  Itecords.  241 

edge  the  aforesaid  Lords-Directors  as  his  Masters  and  Patrons  under  the  sovereignty  of  their  High: 
Might :  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands  and  obey  their  Director-General  and 
Council  here  in  every  respect,  as  it  is  the  duty  of  all  good  inhabitants;  also  that  he  further  shall 
agree  to  pay  after  the  expiration  of  ten  3'ears  from  the  date  hereof  a  tithe  for  the  benefit  of  the 
LordsPatroons  and  such  other  taxes  and  imposts,  as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  to  levy  upon  all 
inhabitants  for  the  revenues  of  the  country.  We  constitute  the  said  ITendrich  Cornelissen  here- 
with as  the  real  and  actual  owner  of  the  aforesaid  parcel  of  land  in  our  stead  and  place  and  give 
him  full  power,  authority  and  special  charge,  to  cultivate,  take  possession  and  make  use  of  the 
said  parcel,  as  he  would  do  with  his  other  lawful  property,  without  retaining  for  us,  in  our  quality 
as  aforesaid,  any  claim  or  pretense  thereon,  but  relincpiishing  the  same  for  ever,  promising  further 
to  keep  this  conveyance  inviolably  and  to  carry  it  out  according  to  law  and  equity  and  sign  it  with- 
out subterfuge  or  reservation,  affixing  thereto  our  seal  in  red  wax.  Actum  J^hrt  Amsterdam  in 
N.  Netherland  April  25'''  1G63. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 
By  order:  C.  v.  Ruyven,  Seer''. 

Herewith  we  grant  to  Hendrick  Cornelissen  from  Holsteiu  or  his  heirs  and  assigns  besides 
the  laud  granted  and  given  in  the  foregoing  patent  and  on  the  same  conditions  another  small  par- 
cel of  land  situate  at  the  Esopus  contiguous  to  the  parcel  described  above  containing  together  with 
the  swamp,  meadow  etc  about  six  morgens. 

Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  JSetherland,  the  7"'  9'"'  1663. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 
Py  order :         C.  v.  Euyven,  Seer''. 


PETrnON    OF    CORNELIS    pAEENTSEN    SlECHT    FOE    A    GEANT   OF  CERTAIN  LANDS  AT  THE 
ESOPUS    AND    OEDEK    THEEEON. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Yery  Worship- 
ful, Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet, 
their  Honors  the  Director-General  and 
Council  of  New- Netherland. 

Humbly  shows  with  due  reverence  the  undersigned  Cornells  Barentsen  Slechi,  an  inhabitant 
of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  that  your  Hon"'"  Worships  have  graciously  granted  and  given  me  last 
autumn  a  certain  parcel  of  land  at  the  JE'soj^us,  Ij'ing  near  the  New  Dorp  (new  village)*,  which  said 
piece  of  land  is  really  good  soil,  but  too  far  for  my  convenience  and  as  we  are  now  old  people,  we 
would  prefer  living  near  to  the  church,  the  more  so  as  my  wife  is  the  midwife  for  the  village  of 
Wiltwyck.  I  therefore  humbly  and  respectfully  request,  that  yom-  Hon'''''  Worships  will  graciously 
give  and  grant  me  as  my  own  the  remainder  of  the  lands,  which  are  laid  out  for  Thomas  Cham- 
bers to  complete  his  number  of  acres  out  of  the  land,  formerly  bought  by  me  from  the  savages, 
for  which  I  have  been  obliged  to  pay  the  tax  to  build  the  minister's  house :  a  little  piece  of  land 
is  lying  close  to  it,  called  in  the  savage  tongue  Wichquanis.  I  would  like  to  get  during  the  year 
out  of  this  remainder  of  the  land,  bought  by  me,  my  subsistence  for  next  winter  by  breaking  and 

*  Now  Hurley. — Ed. 
31 


242  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

cultivating  it  and  from  the  other  piece  of  land,  called  Wichquanis,  the  hay  and  fodder  for  my 
cattle.  If  your  Hon'''^  Woi'ships  should  be  pleased  to  grant  me  for  the  benefit  and  advantage  of 
my  children  the  aforesaid  piece  of  land  lying  near  the  new  village  on  the  Esojjus,  then  I  would 
accept  it  gratefully,  while  I  have  no  doubt,  that  your  Hon"'^  "Worships  will  please  to  grant  me  the 
foregoing  petition,  whereupon  awaiting  your  Hon''"^  Worships'  decision  I  remain 
Actum   Wilttoyck,  Your  Honorable  Worships'  servant, 

this  31°'  of  March  1663.  Cornelis  Baeentsen  Slecht. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  taken  up  and  read  and  after  the  question  had  been  put,  it  was 
ordered. 

That  disposition  shall  be  made  of  the  aforesaid  land,  as  requested  in  the  petition,  after  the 
same  has  been  surveyed  and  a  report  niade  by  the  surveyor.  Actum  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New- 
Netherland,  the  12"'  of  April  1663. 

Taking  up  again  the  preceding  order,  it  was  decided  to  direct  Thomas  Chambers  and  he  is 
hereby  directed,  not  to  take  possession  of  or  use  the  land,  j^etitioned  for  by  petitioner,  without 
our  special  order  and  consent.     On  the  19"*  of  April  1663. 


Petition  of  the  Overseers  of  the  new  village  on  the  Esopus,  praying  that 

MEASURES    MAY    BE    ADOPTED    TO    PACIFY    THE     InDIAXS     AND    A    MILITARY     FORCE    BE 
SENT   FOR    PROTECTION   AGAINST    THEM.      ' 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worship- 
ful Director-General  and  Council  of  Wew- 
Netherland. 

Show  with  great  humility  your  Hon'''^  Worships'  petitioners,  the  Overseers  lately  appointed 
by  his  Honor,  the  Director-General,  for  the  early  fencing  and  enclosing  of  the  newly  made  village 
and  lands  on  the  Esopus,  the  progress  of  which  they,  as  interested  parties,  desire  sincerely  and 
would  like  to  see  promoted,  that  they  have  repeatedly  considered  the  threats  of  the  savages,  who 
say,  that  they  are  willing  to  allow  the  erection  of  buildings,  but  that  no  fortification  must  be  made, 
which,  if  it  should  be  done,  would  show  that  we  had  evil  intentions ;  these  barbarians  say  also, 
that  the  second  large  piece  of  land  was  not  included  in  the  treaty  of  peace  made  with  them  in  the 
year  1660  and  they  will  therefore  not  allow,  that  we  should  plough  and  sow  it  nor  that  our  cattle 
and  horses  shall  pasture  upon  it,  before  they  are  not  paid  for  it.  Your  Hon"'^  Worships'  petition- 
ers are  therefore  compelled  to  address  themselves  to  your  Hon'''®  Worships  and  to  petition  them 
most  humbly,  that  your  Hon"''  Worships  will,  as  before  this  in  the  cases  of  Wiltwyck,  New-Har- 
lem, New-  Utrecht  and  other  places  of  less  dangerous  location  and  less  consequence,  also  graciously 
please  to  assist  this  new  place  and  village  with  a  few  soldiers  and  ammunition  of  war,  at  least  un- 
til the  settlement  has  been  put  into  a  proper  state  of  defense  and  inhabited  by  a  good  number  of 
people.  We  also  request,  that  the  gifts  promised  last  autumn,  when  his  Honor  the  Director- 
General  and  the  Secretary  were  here,  may  be  given  to  the  savages  and  that  they  receive  some 
satisfaction  for  the  second  large  tract  of  land,  so  that  your  Hon"'"  Worships'  humble  petitioners 
and  faithful  subjects  may  remain  without  fear  and  molestations  from  tliese  barbarous  people  and 
with  some  assurance  for  the  peaceful,  undisturbed  and  unhindered  continuation  of  the  work  just 


Nexo  YorTc.  Historical  Records.  •  243 

begun,  for  if  rumors  and  warnings  may  be  believed,  it  would  be  too  anxious,  if  not  too  dangerous 
an  undertaking  for  your  Hon""'  Worships'  humble  petitioners  and  faithful  subjects  to  continue  and 
advance  their  work  otherwise.  Awaiting  hereupon  your  Hon"''"  Worships'  favorable  decision  we 
are  and  remain  bound  to  pray  to  God  for  your  Hon"'"  Worships'  good  health  and  praiseworthy 
administration  and  rest 

Your  Honorable  Worships' 
Actum   WiUwyck,  humble  petitioners  and  faith- 

the  7""  of  April  f  ul  servants 

A"  1663.  Alaerdt  Heysiansen  Roose 

Jan  Joosten 
The  mark  ^  of 

Jan  Geeeetsen. 


Petition  of  the  peopetetoes  of  the  new  village  to  the  same  effect  as  the 
preceding  and  for  free  passage  to  the  new  village  through  wiltwyck, 
which  the  latter  now  effuse. 

This  petition  is  word  for  word  the  same  as  the  preceding,  except  the  following  addition  at  the  close  : 

We  also  request,  whereas  there  is  no  convenient  place  in  the  settlement  to  cultivate  garden- 
fruits,  the  fields  being  too  far  and  inconvenient,  that  to  each  of  the  petitioners  a  convenient  lot 
may  be  granted  for  a  garden  in  the  lowland  on  the  Kil,  also  that  they  may  pass  and  repass  free 
and  unmolested,  without  hindrance  or  obstacle  with  their  cattle,  baggage,  wine,  beer  and  other 
effects  to  and  from  the  strand  tlu"ough  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  for  the  Wiltwych  people  have 
already  dared  to  make  a  search  in  the  aforesaid  new  village.  Awaiting  hereupon  your  Hon"''^ 
Worships'  favorable  decision  etc"  as  above. 

Beverwyck,  Tour  Hon"'*  Worships   humble 

the  XXMI  April  petitioners  and  faithful  servants. 

A°  1663.  VoLCKEET  Jansen* 

Philipp  Pieteesen  Schutlee. 

Jan  Thomas. 

GOOSEN    GEERETSENf. 

The  10"^  of  May  1663. 

The  foregoing  petitions  were  taken  up  in  Council  and  read  and  it  was  resolved,  that  to  pre- 
serve the  peace  a  considerable  present  shoiild  be  made  to  the  Esopus  savages  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, to  wit,  three  or  four  pieces  of  duffels,  some  muskets,  powder,  lead  and  some  mercer's  or 
Nurembergh  wares.     Actum  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Neiherland  on  the  10'"  of  May  A°  1663. 

P.  Stutvesant. 

NicAsius  de  Sille. 

*  Douw.      ■  t  Van  Schaick. 


244  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

Letper  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  (Vice-Dieector  La  Montagne  at  Fort 

OrAJSGE)  ;    A    SURVEYOR    GOES    TO    SIJEVEY    AND    LAY    OUT   LOTS   ON    THE    GrEAT  Mo- 

hawk  Flat  (Schenectady)  ;  a  pledge  to  be  signed  by  settlers,  before  they 
can  obtain  lots. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Sir. 

Tour  Honor's  favor  without  date  has  been  duly  received  by  us  and  we  have  seen  from  it, 
how  far  the  proceedings  against  the  fugitive  delinquent  Andries  Herhertsen  have  progressed. 
Yoiir  Honor  will  please  to  send  over  hj  first  chance  the  ofScer's  complaint  and  the  proofs  and 
documents  relating  to  it,  that  we  may  make  use  of  it  and  decide  upon  according  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  as  it  shall  be  found  necessary. 

Tour  Honor  will  learn  from  the  enclosed  extract,  who  has  been  selected  and  confirmed  by  us 
as  Commissaries  there  for  the  ensuing  year  in  place  of  the  outgoing  ofBcers. 

Tour  Honor  is  hei-eby  authorized  to  discharge  the  outgoing  Commissaries  with  proper 
acknowledgments  for  their  past  services  and  to  instal  the  new  ones  after  they  have  taken  the  oath 
and  to  inform  the  citizens  thereof. 

The  enclosed  ordinances  must  be  published  by  your  Honor  immediately  after  receiving  them 
and  affixed  at  the  usual  place,  so  that  nobody  may  have  reason  to  plead  ignorance  in  this  regard. 

Upon  the  request  of  some  friends  there  the  sworn  surveyor  Jacques  Gorteljou  comes  up  now, 
to  survey  and  lay  out  the  well  known  Great  Flat,  but  as  we  have  been  informed  fi-om  another  side, 
that  a  few  new  beginners  have  taken  the  liberty  to  sell  strong  liquor  to  the  savages  there,  contrary 
to  our  express  order  of  the  O""  of  April  1662,  which  we  again  send  herewith  for  your  Honor's 
information  and  observation,  we  have  directed  the  said  Corteljou,  not  to  survey  any  land  for  any 
one,  unless  he  signs  previously  in  presence  of  the  Commissary  and  two  deputies  the  enclosed 
pledge ;  the  pledge  signed  and  a  report  thereof  made  by  your  Honor  to  the  surveyor,  the  same 
shall  survey  and  lay  out  the  land.     9""  May  1603. 

"We,  the  undersigned  proprietors  of  land  on  the  Flat,  called promise  here- 
with that  we  shall  have  no  dealings  with  the  savages,  whatever  name  they  may  have,  on  the  said 
Flat  or  thereabouts  nor  will  we  permit  them  under  any  pretext  soever,  neither  directly  nor  indi- 
rectly, under  penalty,  that,  if  we  or  one  of  us  should  hereafter  happen  to  forget  this  our  promise, 
we  shall  pay  as  fine  without  any  resistance  whatever  the  first  time  fifty  beavers,  the  second  time 
one  hundred  and  the  third  time  forfeit  the  land  allotted  to  and  obtained  by  us  on  the  aforesaid 
Flat.     This  we  attest  by  our  signatures  at  Fort  Orange  the Anno  1663. 


Extract  from  a  letter  op  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  to  Director  Stuyve- 
sant ;   the  settlers  on  the  Great  Flat  (Schenectady)  refuse  to  sign  the 
ABOVE  pledge.     19^"  May  1663. 
****** 
As  to  the  proprietors  of  land  on  the  Great  Flat,  we  sent  upon  receipt  of  the  aforesaid  letter 
an  express  messenger  thither,  to  warn  them  of  the  surveyor's  arrival  and  that  they  must  come  to 
Fort  Oran.ge,  pursuant  to  your  Hon"'"  "Worship's  order,  to  sign  the  pledge.     They  refused  this  and 
sent  a  written  answer,  which  we  send  herewith  and  to  which  we  refer. 


New  Yoi'h  Historical  Ilecorth.  245 

Letter  feom  the  Magistrates  at  "Wiltwyck  to  Director  Stdyvesant  ;  massacre 
AT  the  Esopus  ;  the  village  destroyed. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  "Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Tour  Hon*'®  Worships'  favor  of  the  30"'  of  May  last  has  been  duly  received  by  us  on  the  d**" 
of  June  and  we  have  according  to  your  Hon"''^  Worships'  order  contained  therein,  informed  the 
Sachems  of  your  Hon*'"  Worships'  opinion  on  the  5"".  On  the  7""  following  an  unexpected,  sud- 
den attack  was  made  by  them  and  pitiful,  lamentable  murders  and  arson  has  been  committed  by 
them  against  us.  They  took  a  good  time  to  strike,  for  the  village  was  almost  bared  of  men,  who 
were  pursuing  their  necessary  occupations  in  the  fields.  They  have  burned  12  dwelling-houses  in 
our  village,  murdered  18  persons,  men,  women  and  children  and  carried  away  as  prisoners  10  pei- 
sons  more.  The  new  village  has  been  burned  to  the  ground  and  its  inhabitants  are  mostly  taken 
prisoners  or  killed,  only  a  few  of  them  have  come  safely  to  this  place,  so  that  we  find  about  65 
persons  to  be  missing  in  general,  either  killed  or  captured,  besides  these  9  persons  in  our  villasre 
are  severely  wounded.  We  are  compelled  to  inform  your  Hon"'"  Worships  hereof,  your  Hon'''" 
Worships  may  judge  in  what  misery  and  need  we  are.  We  doubt  not,  your  Honors'  utmost  pity 
shall  be  extended  to  us  and  we  will  speedily  be  succored  by  soldiers,  with  ammunition  and  cloth- 
ing, for  the  inhabitants  have  been  mostly  robbed  of  it  and  are  almost  naked  in  consequence  of  the 
fire  and  the  robberies.  Kelying  hereupon  we  will  in  the  meantime  do  our  duty  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  ourselves.     We  commend  your  Honors  to  God's  protection  and  remain 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  obedient  and  faithful  servants 
Actum  in  Wiltwych,  Tjerck  Classen  de  Witt. 

this  lO**"  of  June  1663.  Thomas  Chambers 

Gysbert  van  Imbrogh. 

ROELOFF  SwARTWOUT 

your  Honors'  faithful  Schout. 


List  of  the  soldiers  and  settlers,  killed,  wounded  or  taken  prisoners  by  the 
Indians  at  Wiltwyck  on  the  7""  of  June  1663. 

Men. 
Barent  Gerretsen  murdered  in  front  of  his  house. 

Jan  Alberts  "        in  his  house. 

Lichten  Dirrieh  "         on  the  farm. 

Willem  Jansen  Seha  "         before  his  door. 

Willem  Jansen  Hap  "        in  Pieter  van  UaeVs  house. 

Jan  the  Smith  "        in  his  house. 

Uendrick  Jansen  Looman         "         on  the  farm. 
Thomas  Chamher^  negro  "         on  the  farm. 

Hey  Olferts  "         in  the  gunner's  house. 

Soldiers. 
Uendrick  Martensen  on  the  farm. 

Dominicus  in  Jan  Alberts'  bouse. 

Christiaen  Andriesen  on  the  street. 


246  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

"Women. 
Lichten  DirrecT^s  wife  burnt,  with  her  lost  fruit,  behind  Barent  GerritserCs  house. 
Mattys  Capito's  wife  killed  and  burnt  in  the  house. 
Jan  Alhertseti's  wife,  big  with  child,  killed  in  front  of  her  house. 
Pieter  van  HaeVs  wife  shot  and  burnt  in  her  house. 

Children. 
Jan  Alberts^  little  girl  murdered  with  her  mother. 
Willem  Sap's  child  burnt  alive  in  the  house. 

Taken  Prisoners. 
Master  Gysberfs  wife.     Hester  Douwes. 
Sara  the  daughter  of  Hester  Douwes. 
Grietje,  Dommelaer's  wife. 
Femme^e,  sister  of  Hilletje,  being  recently  married  to  Joost  Ariaens. 

Children. 
Tjerck  Claessen  de  Wiifs  oldest  daughter. 
Dommelaer's  child. 
Ariaen  Gerritsen^s  daughter. 
Two  little  boys  of  Mattys  Roeloffsen. 

Killed  in  the  New  Village : 
Men. 
Marten  Harniensen  found  dead  and  stript  naked  behind  the  wagon. 
Jacques  Tyssen  beside  Barents  house. 
Derrick  Ariaensen  shot  on  his  horse. 

Taken  prisoners : 
Men. 
Jan  Gerritsen  on  Volckerfs  bouwery. 

Women.  Children. 

Of  Louwis  du  hois 1                 3 

Of  Mattheu  hlanchan 2 

Of  Antoni  drupel 1                  1 

Of  Lamhert  Huyhertsen 1                 3 

Of  Marten  Harmensen 1                4 

Of  Jan  Joosten 1                  2 

Of  Barent  Harmensen 1                 1 

Of  Grietje  Westercamp 1                 3 

Of  Jan  Barents 1                 1 

Of  Michiel  Ferre 2 

Of  Henderich  Jochems 1 

Of  Henderich  Martensen 1 

Of  Albert  Heymans 2 

Women  8     Ch'n  26 


Neto  Yoi'h  Historical  Records. 


24^ 


Houses  burnt  in  Wiltwyck. 


Of  Michiel  Ferre. .  .  . 

Of  Willem  Hap 

Of  Maitys  Roeloffsen 
Of  Albert  Gerretsc7i  . 
Of  Lichten  Dirrick. . 


1         Of  Hans  Carolusen 1 

1         Of  Pleier  van  Ilael 1 

1         Of  Jacob  Boerhans 2 

1         Of  Barent  Gerretsen 2 

1         Of  Mattys 1 


Houses  12 
The  new  village  is  entirely  destroyed  except  a  new  uncovered  barn,  one  rick  and  a  little  stack 
of  reed. 

Wounded  in  WiUwych 

shot  in  the  woods. 

"    in  his  house. 

"    in  front  of  his  house. 

"    in  front  of  his  house. 

"    in  front  of  his  house. 

"    in  the  house  of  Aert  Pietersen  Tack. 
Henderich  the  Director-General's  servant  in  the  street  in  front  of  Aert  Jacohsen. 
Paulus  the  Noorman  in  the  street. 


Thomas  Charabers 
Henderich  Jochemsen 
MicJiiel  Ferre 
Albert  Gerretsen 
Andries  Barents 
Jan  dto  parck 


PETmoN  OF  Cheistophee  DAvros  foe  peemission  to  ee-entee  on  land  on  the  Eso- 

PUS,  EEOM  WHICH  HE  HAD  BEEN  DEIVEN  BY  THE  InDIANS. 

Monday,  the  11">  of  June  1663. 

Present  in  Council  his  Honor,  the  Director-General  Petrus  Stnyvesant  and  tlie  Honorable 

Councillors  Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  the  Hon 
orable  Director-General  and  Council  of 
New-NetTierland. 

Shows  with  great  reverence  Christoffel  Pavids,  that  the  Commissary  and  Vice-Director  Jo- 
hannes Dyckman  granted  to  petitioner  in  the  year  1653  a  parcel  of  land  measuring  about  five  or 
six  morgens,  situate  on  the  Esopus  and  that  this  grant  was  approved  by  your  Hon""^  Worships, 
as  may  be  seen  by  the  records.  This  parcel  of  land  has  been  inhabited  and  cultivated  until  the 
time,  when  the  savages  began  their  war  against  the  Christians ;  then  petitioner's  dwelling  on  the 
said  land  was  burned  by  the  savages  and  he  was  compelled  to  fly  with  wife  and  children,  to  save 
their  lives,  and  to  abandon  everything:  since  that  time  he  has  very  poorly  subsisted  himself  and 
family  on  a  sterile,  scantj"-  place  in  a  barkhouse  and  whereas  petitioner  cannot  support  and  pro- 
vide lor  his  family  there,  he  addresses  himself  to  your  Hon'"'^  Worships  with  the  humble  request, 
that  your  Hon""'  Worships  will  out  of  commiseration  allow  and  grant  to  petitioner  to  take  again 
possession  of  the  aforesaid  piece  of  land,  to  inhabit,  cultivate  and  plant  it  and  that  a  title-deed  foi 
the  same  may  be  issued  to  petitioner  in  communi  forma.,  doing  wliicli  he  remains  etc 

Your  Hon""'  Worships'  humble  servant 
In  my  husband's  name 

Maeia  Meeetens. 


248  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Tlie  foregoing  petition  liaving  Leen  read  and  the  question  put,  it  was  ordered, 
That  petitioner  lias  to  govern  himself  according  to  the  judgment  pronounced  against  him  on 
the  9""  June  1659.     Date  as  above. 


ClRCULAKS  TO  THE  TOWNS  AROUND  NeW-AmSTEEDAM,  NOTIFYING  THEM  OF  THE  EsOPUS  MASSACRE. 

Worthy  good  friends. 

We  have  just  been  informed  by  a  letter  from  the  Esopus,  that  the  savages  have  suddenly 
attacked  our  people  there,  burnt  some  houses  and  killed  and  captured  a  number  of  people.  You 
are  therefore  hereby  requested  and  directed  to  be  on  your  guard  and  to  keep  good  watch,  not 
doubting  which  I  remain   . 

Fort  Amsterdam  in  N.  N.  Your  friend 

the  12'"  of  June  1663.  C.  v.  Rutven. 

A  letter  of  the  foregoing  contents  has  been  sent  to  all  the  neighboring  villages. 

Worthy,  good  friends. 

This  is  to  inform  you,  that  according  to  trustworthy  reports  the  neighboring  savages  have  had 
no  part  in  the  Esopus  affair,  but  they  desire  to  continue  in  peace  with  us,  upon  which  we  thor- 
oughly rely,  because  they  have  been  already  scared  by  the  Sitmekus,  who  long  ago  have  threat- 
ened to  make  war  upon  them  and  therefore  they  will  not  draw  two  enemies  upon  themselves  at  the 
same  time.  Hence  we  cannot  believe,  that  they  will  molest  us,  but  in  the  meantime  we  will 
nevertheless  recommend  you  to  be  on  your  guard  and  keep  good  watch.  If  you  do  this,  you  need 
not  fear,  with  God's  assistance,  any  danger  from  their  side.  For  greater  safety  we  send  herewith 
two  soldiers  and  commending  you  to  God's  protection  we  remain  with  greetings 
Actum  Eort  Amsterdam  Your  good  friends 

in  Nexo-Neiherland,  the  Nicasius  de  Sille 

IS""  June  1663.  C.  v.  Euyven. 

The  foregoing  letter  was  sent  to  the  people  on  Staten-Island. 


Instruction  for  the  Magistrates  and  militaet  officers  at  Wiltwyck. 

Provisional  orders,  by  which  the  Commissaries,  the  officers  of  the  trainband  and  the  Com- 
mander of  the  military  have  to  govern  themselves. 

First  they  shall  keep  on  a  good  footing  with  each  other  and  live  in  harmony  and  take  no  steps, 
except  sanctioned  by  the  majority  and  if  time  allows  it,  recorded  in  the  book. 

2. 
Whatever  they  decide  upon  by  a  majority  of  votes,  the  community  shall  be  held  to  carry  out 
promptly,  recusant  parties  shall  be  arrested  immediately  and  either  be  punished  or  sent  off  by  next 
chance. 

3. 

They  shall  immediately  with  the  assistance  of  the  community  and  the  Company's  officers 
repair  the  palisades  around  this  stronghold  and  close  all  gates,  except  the  two  sally-ports  and  the 
cattle-drift. 


Neto  York  Historical  liceords.  249 

4. 
They  imist  not  go  far  off  into  the  woods  in  snuiU  parties,  but  take  good  care,  that  of  the  few 
people  left  no  more  are  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 

5. 
"Whenever  they  decide,  to  send  out  a  party  either  to  look  for  and  save  their  cattle  or  to  con- 
vey something  to  the  strand,  it  is  left  to  their  own  discretion  [how  to  do  it],  but  a  few  men  on 
horseback  must  always  keep  near  them,  so  that  they  may  capture  some  savages,  but  until  further 
orders  and  succor  are  received,  in  no  ease  must  they  leave  the  high  woods  or  the  open  field  and 
go  into  some  underwood,  narrow  passages  or  defiles,  even  though  they  might  see  or  hear  there 
some  savages,  that  they  may  not  be  deceived  and  taken  in  by  an  ambush  or  ti-eachery  of  the  savages. 

e. 

In  order  to  induce  the  freemen  as  well  as  the  servants  of  the  Company  to  do  their  duty,  they 
are  hereby  promised,  that  as  soon  as  delivered  from  this  trouble,  they  shall  receive  a  fair  compen- 
sation, to  be  decided  by  impartial  men,  for  the  horses,  which  might  be  killed  in  the  military  service 
or  in  an  attack ;  all  free  people,  who  may  have  been  wounded  or  maimed  in  an  aggressive  attack 
or  in  the  defense  of  this  place  shall  be  cured  at  the  public  expense  and  in  case  of  mutilation  receive 
such  relief,  as  if  they  were  Company's  servants. 

7. 
Until  further  orders  the  following  persons  are  hereby  appointed  to  deliberate  and  decide  upon 
what  has  been  stated  above  and  what  else  may  be  necessary,  namely  the  Commander  of  the  mili- 
tary company,  Christiaen  Niessen,  Thomas  Chambers,  one  of  tiie  Commissaries  and  Captain  of 
the  trainband,  further  the  Schout  and  the  three  Commissaries  together  with  the  Lieutenant  of  the 
trainband  UendriGk  Jochemsen.  Whatever  these  may  decide  upon  and  project  and  carry  out  for 
the  welfare  of  the  community  shall  be  considered  by  us,  that  it  was  well  and  maturely  weighed 
and  considered  and  resolved  upon  and  carried  out  either  unanimously  or  by  majority  of  voices. 
The  inhabitants  are  hereby  commanded  and  directed  to  obey  them  and  execute  their  orders.  Thus 
done  in- haste  at  the  village  of  Wiltwyeh  the  14"'  of  June  1663. 

P.  Stutyvesant. 

At  the  request  of  the  Court  his  Honor  the  Director-General  has  consented,  tliat  Jlatheus 
Capita  may  serve  as  Secretary  here  and  directed  us  to  record  it. 

In  presence  of  the  Commissaries 

Witness  Roeloff  Swaetwout. 


Letter  from   Director   Stuyvesant  to    the   Magistrates    at    Fort    Orange  ; 

AFFAmS    AT   the    EsOPUS. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

The  murderous  deeds  committed  by  the  barbarians  on  so  many  men,  women  and  children 

at  the  Esojni'S,  they  having  killed,  wounded  and  captured  about  six  or  eight  and  seventy  persons 

according  to  the  list  handed  to  bearer,  was  first  communicated  to  me  by  your  Honors'  messenger, 

for  the  previously  dispatched  three  yachts  have  missed  me  coming  up  in  the  night  from  Tuesday 

32 


250  Colonial  Settlements  on  tJie  Hudson  River. 

to  Wednesday.  I  arrived  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  at  about  G  o'clock  and  after  having  issued 
some  orders  suitable  to  the  time  and  circumstances  and  seeing  that  I  could  do  nothing  for  the 
service  or  advantage  of  the  community  or  of  the  place,  I  resolved  with  some  of  our  friends  there 
to  come  and  visit  your  Honors,  to  see  whether  the  forty-five  captured  women  and  children 
cannot  be  ransomed  with  the  assistance  of  either  the  Maquas  or  the  Sinnekus.  It  was  my  fixed 
intention  to  go  up  river  only  for  this  purpose,  but  when  I  came  to  the  strand  I  did  not  find 
there  the  yacht  of  Claes  Bordingh  nor  that  of  Claes  Tyssen,  which  I  had  sent  off  upon  my 
arrival  at  the  Esopus  after  Claes  Bordingh,  who  had  sailed  from  the  Manhatans  about  an  liour 
or  an  hour  and  a  half  after  me,  and  was  still  missing  much  to  our  fear,  as  he  had  only  a  small 
crew,  who  might  have  run  away.  This  not  only  made  me  resolve,  but  in  fact  compelled  me  to 
give  up  my  intention  of  visiting  your  Honors,  to  make  some  arrangements  there,  and  deliberate 
the  best  means  with  our  friends  ;  in  going  down  the  river      ....      Long  reach  upon  Claes 

Bordingh     ....      the  fourth   tide  having   now   run  down this 

increased  my  cares  and  anxieties  regarding  a  surprise,  whereto  in  the  meantime  came  my  very 
uneasy  thoughts  that  the  first  three  yachts  having  missed  me  and  bringing  the  pitiful  tidings  to 
the  Manhatans,  M'ould  throw  everything  into  dismay  there  and  cause  much  anxiety  and  care  for 
the  yacht,  its  cargo  and  the  small  crew,  which  I  had  with  me  and  whereas  the  necessary  relief 
for  the  afflicted  people  on  the  Esopus  must  have  been  on  its  way  from  the  Manhatans  and  as 
according  to  the  report  of  your  Honor's  messenger,  many  volunteers,  who  to  the  number  of  50 
or  60  had  offered  themselves  were  by  your  Honors'  measures  prevented  and  held  back  from 
assisting  their  friends  at  the  Esopus,  therefore  I  was  the  more  obliged  to  change  my  first  plan 
and  to  go  with  Claes  Tyssen^s  yacht  and  some  of  the  men,  sent  by  your  Honors,  to  the  Man- 
hatans, to  make  there  arrangements  as  well  for  relief  as  for  protection.  This  letter  is  only  to 
inform  your  Honors  hereof  and  to  recomniend  further  very  earnestly,  that  your  Honors  will 
do  everything  possible  to  induce  the  2£aquas  and  Senecas  to  help  us  get  the  poor  women  and 
children  out  of  the  hands  of  the  barbarians.  For  this  purpose  we  send  your  Honors  the  articles 
of  the  peace  made  with  the  Esopas  sa.vs.g&5,  which  they  have  broken  so  murderously  and  villain- 
ously. Your  Honors  must  further  have  as  good  a  care  of  the  safety  of  those  places  and  the 
surrounding  bouweries  as  possible  and  as  we  are  informed,  that  Fort  Orange  is  bared  of  soldiers 
and  destitute  of  proper  means  of  defense  and  hard  to  rejjair,  we  would  consider  it  advisable,  that 
the  Company's  stonebuilding  only  be  fortified  and  all  miserable  huts  be  broken  off  with  the  least 
expense  and  the  greatest  sj^eed,  which  we  leave  to  your  Honors'  better  experience  and  discretion. 
Your  Honors  will  have  been  taught,  I  trust,  by  the  example  of  the  Esopus  not  to  rely  on  any 
savage  and  not  to  let  them  come  into  their  houses  in  large  numbers,  much  less  provide  them  with 
strong  liquor  or  ammunition  of  war,  except  for  saving  and  ransoming  the  captive  women  and 
children,  for  which  end  every  possible  exertion  must  be  made.  Henceforth  no  yacht  must  sail  up 
or  down  the  river  by  itself,  unless  well  manned,  to  prevent  possible  surprises  or  at  least  troubles 
and  they  must  on  their  up  and  down  voyages  call  at  the  Esopus,  to  get  news  now  and  then,  by 
which  we  may  govern  ourselves.  Your  Honors  will  send  there  one  hundred  pounds  of  fine  gun 
powder  by  the  first  sailing  yacht,  I  have  pi-ovided  them  pretty  well  with  coarse  powder  and  lead ; 
this  is  written  in  haste  on  board  the  Jersman's  yacht  and  as  I  have  no  time  to  copy  it  or  have 
it  copied,  your  Honors  are  requested  to  send  down  a  copy  hereof  by  first  chance,  that  we  may 
make  use  of  it,  when  necessary  and  with  my  cordial  greetings  I  commend  your  Honors  to  the 
protection  of  the  All-good  God. 

Actum  15"'  June  1663.  Your  affectionate  friend 

in  the  Lons;  reach  P.  Stuyvesant. 


Neiv  York  Historical  Jiecords.  251 

As  I  liavo  left  one  half  of  the  6  soldiers,  sent  down,  at  the  Exopus  and  taken  the  other  three 
to  protect  Claes  2'yi<se)is  yacht,  your  Honors  are  hereby  authorized  to  enlist  others  for  the  main- 
tenance of  justice  and  the  safety  of  the  place,  if  they  can  be  engaged  at  a  fair  monthly  pay. 

To  the  Honorable  Members  of  the  Courts  for  the  village  of  Beaverwyck  and  Colony 
Renselaerswyck. 


Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;  report 
.     on  the  progress  of  affairs. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen,  Hon- 
orable Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Neiherland. 

Your  Hon*'*  Worships'  favor  of  the  lo""  of  June  has  been  received  by  the  undersigned  to- 
day and  we  have  well  understood  its  contents,  which  we  shall  carry  out  as  far  as  possible  with  the 
Lord's  help.  We  send  herewith  according  to  your  Hon*'*  Worships'  order  the  desired  three  copies, 
informing  your  Hon*''"  Worships  further,  that  we  have  lost  to-day  Michiel  Ferre,  one  of  the 
wonnded,  and  yesterday  a  soldier  has  been  M^ounded  near  the  redoubt,  while  fetching  water; 
otherwise  we  are  still  in  the  same  situation,  except  that  the  savages  rove  all  around  the  fort  and 
show  themselves  occasionally.  We  request  humbly  and  earnestly,  that  your  Hon*"'"  Worships  will 
remember,  to  send  saddles  and  bridles,  pistols  and  saddle  bags,  because  they  can  be  of  great 
service  to  us.  We  thank  your  Hon'''*  Worships  for  the  present  assistance  and  trust  that  j'our 
Hon*'*  Worships  will  continue  in  their  help  by  further  succor,  that  we  may  above  all  harvest  our 
grain  with  safety,  if  the  Lord  God  will  let  the  same  prosper  on  our  fields  and  take  care  of  it  and 
that  we  may  carry  on  farming  in  greater  peace  after  the  pursuit  and  defeat  of  the  savages,  which, 
we  trust  in  God,  will  be  done.  In  the  meantime  we  shall  do  our  best,  as  the  opportunity  for  it 
may  offer  remaining 

Your  Honorable  Worships' 
Actum  at  WilticycJi,  humble  and  very  obedient  servants, 

the  le""  of  June  1663.  The  mark    ,A    of  Albert  Gtsbertsen. 

Tjeeck  Classen  de  Witt 
•  Thomas  Chambers 

Present  Hoeluff  Swartwout,  Gtsbert  van  Imbeough 

Christian  Niessen 
Hendrick  Jochemsen. 


Resolution  to  make  war  on  the  Esopus  Indians  and  to  employ  the  Mohawks 
in  the  recovery  of  the  captive  women  and  children. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-JVetherland  repeatedly  and  seriously  considered 
the  bad  situation  of  the  country,  caused  by  the  treacherous  attack  upon  and  massacre  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  and  of  the  new  settlement  in  that  neighborhood  by  the 
Esopus  savages. 


252  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  following  important  points  connected  with  this  subject  came  up  for  discussion,  viz. : 
whether  to  resent  the  injuries  immediately  by  force  of  arms,  which  was  thought  necessary  for  the 
reputation  of  the  country  and  of  the  Christian  nations,  but  the  Director-General  and  Council  found 
their  hands  bound,  because  about  45  captured  women  and  children  and  one  man  were  prisoners 
among  the  barbarians ;  or  whether  and  how  to  get  these  prisoners  first  out  of  their  hands,  whether 
it  should  be  a  direct  attack,  which  could  not  be  made  and  carried  out  so  quickly  and  secretly, 
that  the  barbarians  would  not  receive  information  of  it  and  then  without  doubt  they  would 
murder  all  their  prisoners  to  the  extreme  sorrow  of  the  parents  and  kindred  and  consequent  blame 
of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  unless  they  first  made  attempts  and  endeavors  to  release 
them  by  ransom.  Concerning  the  ransoming  them  from  the  barbarians,  it  had  to  be  considered, 
that  it  could  not  be  effected  without  great  presents  and  an  excessive  ransom  and  doubtless  not 
without  stipulating  for  a  thu-d  or  fourth  uncertain  peace,  each  time  broken  by  the  savages  and 
dishonest  men  and  it  was  to  be  feared  that  the  new  peace  would  also  be  broken  again  under  this 
or  that  trumped  up  pretext. 

After  having  discussed  all  these  points  2)ro  et  contra,  the  Director-General  and  Council  re- 
solve for  the  safety  of  the  country  and  its  good  inhabitants,  not  to  make  peace  with  the  deceitful 
and  treacherous  nation,  but  to  revenge  with  the  help  and  blessing  of  God  these  and  all  former 
injuries  by  force  of  arms,  to  enlist  the  earlier  the  better  for  that  purpose  here  and  elsewhere, 
wherever  they  can  be  got,  as  many  soldiers  as  shall  be  found  necessary  and  required ;  to  request 
in  the  meantime  the  Maquaes  to  release  and  ransom  our  unhappy  captives,  if  by  offering  to  theni 
a  suitable  present  they  might  get  the  said  prisoners  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Esopus  savages  and  to 
advise  the  husbands,  parents  and  relations  of  the  abovementioned  women  and  children,  that  each 
of  them  do  his  best  to  ransom  his  people  without  knowledge  of  the  Director-General  and  Council 
and  all  will  be  assisted  secretly  with  some  merchandises.  Actum  Fm't  Amsterdam  in  New- 
■Heiherland,  the  IT'"  of  June  1663. 


Appointment  of  Commissionees   to   foetift  Communipaw. 

Monday,  the  IS'"  of  June  1663. 

Present  in  Council  their  Honors  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  Councillor  Nicasius 
de  Sille. 

They  listened  to  the  verbal  request  of  Harmen  Smeeman,  Nicholas  Backer  and  Fytje  Har- 
vnetis,  Widow  of  Michiel  Jansen,  to  enclose  in  consideration  of  these  dangerous  times  their  settle- 
ment at  Gemoenepa  with  long  palisades  for  the  safety  of  their  houses  and  barns  and  that  for  this 
purpose  one  as  well  as  the  other  should  be  compelled  to  contribute  pro  i-ata.  The  Director-Gen- 
eral and  Council  praise  and  approve  the  request  and  appoint  herewith  as  commissioners  to  hasten 
this  necessary  work  Gerrit  Gerritnen,  Harmen  Smeeman  and  J)irch  Claesen,  ordering  and  em- 
powering them,  to  compel  every  inhabitant  to  contribute,  as  they  shall  judge  it  equitable  and  in 
proportion  to  the  area  and  location  of  the  lands  and  lots.     Date  as  above. 


Neto    Yorh  Historical  liecords.  .  253 

Okdinance  against  cakuyino  on  any  Indian  trade  at  Schenectady,  passed  IS"'  June  1GG3. 
(Laws  of  N.  Netherlaud,  p.  443.) 


PeITTION    of    the     SE'ITLKKS    AT     ScHANECTADE     FOK    PERMISSION    TO    CULTIVATE    THEIR 
LANDS    ETC    AND    ORDER    THEREON. 

Copy. 

Arent  van  Curlaer  communicated  and  read  to  tlie  unaersigned  proprietors  of  land  at  Scha- 
nectade  on  the  IS""  of  May  1663  the  order  of  their  Honors,  the  Director-General  and  Council  of 
New-Netherland,  dated  the  7'"  of  that  month,  and  proposed  to  them,  that  they  sign  a  pledge, 
added  to  that  resolution,  which  had  heen  communicated  and  a  copy  whereof  had  been  given  to  him 
by  the  Hon"'"  Vice-Director  La  Montague  and  the  Commissaries.  The  nndei-signed  proprietors 
unanimously  agree  and  are  willing  to  obey  the  Hon"'^  Company  and  the  authorities  of  New- 
Netherland  in  every  respect,  like  others,  their  subjects  and  vassals,  to  paj'^  the  taxes  and  duties 
and  not  to  do  nor  attempt  anything  against  the  published  ordinances  and  placards  of  their  said 
Honors,  the  Director-General  and  Council ;  we  trust  and  do  not  doubt,  that  your  Hon*''  Worships 
shall  treat  us  not  less  nor  otherwise  nor  impose  any  other  duties,  than  upon  other  inhabitants  of 
this  province.  We  feel  assured  that  your  Hon*"®  Worships  will  be  convinced,  that  in  consequence 
of  their  resolution  of  the  23'*  June  1661  we  bought  the  land  with  our  own  money  for  behalf  of 
the  Company  (to  be  repaid  at  a  convenient  time),  took  possession  of  it  with  great  expenses,  erected 
buildings  on  it  and  provided  it  with  horses  and  cattle  and  if  neveitheless  ti  °!  proprietors  are  to  be 
treated  in  a  different  manner  or  with  less  consideration,  than  other  inhabitants,  then  all  their  work 
has  been  done  to  no  purpose  and  they  are  themselves  completely  ruined,  which  God  may 'beware 
them  of!  We  request  very  instantly,  that  your  Hon'''*  Worships  will  please  to  allow  us  to  culti- 
vate and  till  the  land  in  our  possession,  as  your  Hon'"'^  Worships  have  already  given  a  patent  to 
Jan  Barentsen  Wemj)  and  Jacques  N.  JV.  without  such  an  obligation  or  burthen,  as  proposed  in 
the  aforesaid  pledge.  Finally,  whereas  the  surveyor  is  here  now,  but  has  no  order  to  survey  the 
land,  unless  this  pledge  is  signed,  we  request,  that  the  surveyor  be  authorized,  to  survey  the  land 
in  order  to  prevent  differences  and  disputes  among  us,  else  we  shall  be  compelled  to  help  our- 
selves, as  best  we  can.  Date  as  above.  (Signed)  A.  van  Cuelaer,  Philipp  Hendricksen, 
Sander  Leendertsen  Glen,  the  mark  of  Simon  Volckertsen,  Pietee  Sogemacklie,  the  mark 
of  Teunis  Coenelissen,  the  mark  of  Maeten  Coenelissen,  Willem  Teller,  Geeeet  Banckee, 
Bastian  de  Wintee  authorized  to  sign  in  the  name  of  Cateletn,  the  widow  of  Arent  Andeie- 
SEN,  Pietee  Jacobsen  Boesboom,  Pieter  Danielsen  van  Olinda,  the  mark  of  Jan  Baeentsen 
Wemp,  the  mark  of  Jacques  Coenelis. 

After  having  received  and  read  the  foregoing  petition,  the  following  decision  was  made : 

As  some  of  the  ]ietitioiiers  pretend  not  to  have  anything  else  in  view,  than  agricultural  pur- 
suits, they  are  allowed,  to  cultivate  the  said  Flat.  We  would  not  have  given  peiTnission  other- 
vdse  on  account  of  the  perils,  which  are  likel}'  to  arise  there,  if  trade  with  the  barbarians  were 
allowed  and  tolerated  at  such  a  distant  place  and  whereas  we  have  already  been  authoritatively 
informed,  that  some  people  hare  dared  and  are  daily  taking  the   liberty  to  trade  there  with   the 


254  Colonial  Settlernents  on  the  Hudson  River. 

savages,  tlierefore  the  Director-General  and  Council  adhere  to  their  order,  made  at  the  request  of 
the  petitioners  on  the  6""  of  April  1662,  for  they  do  not  intend,  to  establish  one  place,  to  ruin 
thereby  another  or  even  the  whole  country,  and  Director-General  and  Council  refer  tlierefore  to  the 
ordinances  made  regarding  this  matter.  Thus  done  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the 
18'"  of  June  A"  1663. 


Letter   feom    Director    Stityvesant    to  Vice-Dieector    Lamontagne    at    Fort 
Orange;  means  adopted  for  the  release  op  the  captured  people. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Sir. 
Your  Honor  was  informed  by  my  last  hasty  and  therefore  badly  written  letter  of  the  terrible 
condition  of  our  people  at  the  Esopus,  especially  of  the  women  and  children  in  captivity,  whose 
release  and  ransoming  out  of  the  wild  barbarians'  hands  we  not  only  pray  and  demand  of  our  good 
Lord,  but  would  also  like  to  see  accomplished  and  promoted  by  all  conducive  means.  We  have 
deemed  it  necessary  for  that  purpose,  not  only  to  recommend  it  most  earnestly  to  your  Honors  by 
the  foregoing  letter,  but  also  to  depute  for  its  better  promotion  from  our  Council  the  Hon'''''  Johan 
de  Deckers,  who  with  your  Honors  or  what  we  tliink  still  better  with  two  deputies  from  each 
Court  shall  do  his  best  towards  it,  push  the  matter  and  accomplish  further,  what  we  have  recom- 
mended to  his  Honor  per  memorandum,  given  him  in  writing.  We  have  no  doubt,  that  your 
Honors  will  allow  him  to  make  use  of  your  Honors'  aid  and  advice,  relying  upon  which  we  com- 
mend your  Honors  to  God's  gracious  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  salutations 

Honorable,  Dear,  J'aithful  Friends 
ig""  June  1663.  Your  affectionate  Friend. 

To  both  the  Courts  of  the  village  of  Bevenoyck  and  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck. 

Postscript. 

I  mentioned  in  my  last,  leaving  it  to  your  Honors'  discretion,  tlie  repairing  of  Fort  Orange 
or  its  destruction,  to  enclose  the  Company's  stonehouse  as  a  place  of  retreat  with  less  expense  and 
for  the  greater  security.  I  still  leave  it  to  your  Honors,  but  we  desire  to  recommend  and  direct 
our  deputy  to  send  us  by  first  opportunity  8  or  4  of  the  lightest  cannons,  to  use  them  at  distant 
outlying  places  here,  where  they  are  much  needed. 
Date  as  above.  Your  Honors'  affectionate  friend. 

Honorable  Gentlemen. 
These  few  lines  are  simply  to  say,  what  was  forgotten  in  tlie  preceding  letter,  namely,  that 
yachts,  coming  down  from  above,  must  touch  at  the  Esoj)us,  to  get  news  from  there,  under  a 
penalty  of  50  guilders.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  JS ew-Netherland,  the  IQ"'  of  June  1663. 
To  the     ....     at  Fort  Orange. 


New  Yoi'Tc  Historical  litcords.  255 

Instructions  for  Councillor  Johan  de  Decker,  sent  to  Fort  Orange  on  public  business. 

Memorandiini  foa  his  Honor,  Johan  de 
Deckere,  Councillor  of  Neio-Netherland, 
commissioned  by  the  Director-General 
and  Council  to  make  a  journey  to  Fort 
Orange. 
■  1. 

With  the  advice  and  knowledge  of  the  Commissary  La  lloniagne  and  the  deputies  of  the 
two  Courts  he  is  to  try  in  pursuance  of  our  former  letters,  whether  the  release  of  the  captured 
Christians  can  be  brought  about  through  the  Maqiiaes,  but  if  possible  without  making  engage- 
ments for  a  new  peace  with  the  treacherous  Ksopus  savages  or  promising  to  give  the  least  presents 
on  behalf  of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  except  to  the  Maouues  or  Sinnekus  after  deliver- 
ance of  the  pi'isoiiers. 

2. 

To  inquire  of  both  Courts  what  number  either  of  volunteers  or  perhaps  for  continued  service 
might  be  obtained  in  the  village  of  Bevenoijck  or  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck,  if  the  oppor- 
tunity should  come,  to  make  an  expedition  against  the  Esojpus  savages. 


If  he  can  get  a  dozen  resolute  men  for  that  purpose,  his  Honor  is  authorized  and  qualified 
hereby  to  engage  them  at  the  usual  pay  of  8  or  10  guilders  per  month  at  the  usual  rate  of  16 
pieces  of  wampum  for  a  stiver,  to  provide  them  with  the  necessary  weapons  and ,  send  or  bring 
them  to  the  Esopus. 

4. 

If  the  release  of  the  prisoners,  either  of  all  of  them  or  the  greater  part,  cannot  be  effected  by 
either  the  Maquaes  nor  Senecas,  he  shall  with  the  aforesaid  ad\ice  try  to  induce  the  Maquaes  or 
Senecas  to  capture  some  of  the  Esopus  savages  and  surrender  them  to  us,  that  we  may  recover 
our  prisoners,  or  at  least  a  few  of  them  by  these  means,  on  condition  that  they  receive  for  each 
prisoner  such  a  present,  as  his  Honor  shall  agree  upon  in  presence  and  through  the  mediation  of 
the  aforesaid  deputies  from  the  Courts. 

5. 

To  get  as  much  information  as  possible,  either  through  the  Maquaes  or  through  the  Senecas, 
of  the  situation  and  condition  of  the  prisoners  as  of  the  strength  of  the  Esopus  savages,  the  loca- 
tion of  their  forts  etc". 

6. 

To  consider  with  the  aforesaid  Courts  or  the  deputies  therefrom,  as  his  Honor  shall  deem  ad- 
visable, whether  10  or  12  faithful  Maquaes  would  be  willing  to  enter  the  service  of  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  for  2  or  3  months  and  make  an  expedition  with  our  men  against  the  Esopus 
savages,  to  get  some  prisoners  by  these  means. 

7. 

To  report  and  give  information  as  quickly  and  exact  as  possible  upon  every  occasion  as  well 
of  his  doings,  as  of  the  state  of  affairs  at  the  Esopus  and  what  our  people  there  may  require. 

S. 
Finally  to  request  the  Courts,  or  with  help  of  the  deputies  of  the  same,  some  merchant  to  ad- 


256  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liiver. 

vance  a  sum  of  three  or  four  thousand  guilders,  half  in  goods,  haK  in  wampum,  cither  in  form  of 
a  loan  or  perhaps  at  a  fair  rate  of  interest,  if  it  cannot  be  returned  within  a  year,  for  which  the 
Director-General  and  Council  ofi'er  to  give  as  security  not  only  the  Company's  property,  but  also 
their  own  private  ones.     Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-JS etherland,  the  19'^  of  June  A°  1663. 


Report  of  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  on  the  massacre  coMMrnED  by  the  Indians. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Worshipful,  AVise,  Prudent  and  very  Discreet. 

We,  your  Honors'  faithful  subjects  have  to  report,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  R'  Hon''"' 
Director-General,  in  the  form  of  a  Journal,  that  in  obedience  to  his  Honor's  order,  received 
on  the  30^''  of  May  last,  we  caused  the  Indian  Sachems  to  be  notified  on  the  5""  of  June,  to  be 
prepared  to  expect  the  arrival  of  the  E'  Hon*''^  Director-General,  to  receive  the  promised 
presents,  and  to  renew  the  peace.  This  notification  was  communicated  to  them  through  Capt. 
Thomas  Chamiers,  to  which  they  answered  — "  If  peace  were  to  be  renewed  with  them,  the 
Hon*''^  Dii-ector-General  should,  with  some  unarmed  persons,  sit  with  them  in  the  open  field, 
without  the  gate,  as  it  was  their  own  custom  to  meet  unarmed  when  renewing  peace  or  in  other 
negotiations."  But,  unmindful  of  the  preceding  statement,  they  surprised  and  attacked  us  between 
the  hours  of  11  and  12  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  on  Thursday  the  7""  instant ;  entering  in  bands 
through  all  the  gates,  they  divided  and  scattered  themselves  among  all  the  houses  and  dwellings 
in  a  friendly  manner,  having  with  them  a  little  maize  and  some  few  beans  to  sell  to.  our  inhabit- 
ants, by  which  means  they  kept  them  within  their  houses,  and  thus  went  from  place  to  place  as 
spies  to  discover  our  strength  in  men.  And  after  they  had  been  about  a  short  quarter  of  an  hour 
within  this  place,  some  people  on  horseback  rushed  through  the  Mill  gate  from  the  New  Village, 
crying  out  —  "  The  Indians  have  destroyed  the  New  Village  !"  And  with  these  words,  the  Indi- 
ans here  in  this  Village  immediately  fired  a  shot  and  made  a  general  attack  on  our  village  from 
the  rear,  murdering  our  people  in  their  houses  with  their  axes  and  tomahawks  and  firing  on  them 
with  guns  and  pistols ;  they  seized  whatever  women  and  children  they  could  catch  and  carried 
them  prisoners  outside  the  gates,  plundered  the  houses  and  set  the  village  on  fire  to  windward,  it 
blowing  at  the  time  from  the  South.  The  remaining  Indians  commanded  all  the  streets,  firing 
from  the  corner  houses  which  they  occupied  and  through  the  curtains  outside  along  the  highways, 
so  that  some  of  our  inhabitants,  on  their  way  to  their  houses  to  get  their  arms,  were  wounded  and 
slain.  When  the  flames  were  at  their  height  the  wind  changed  to  the  west,  were  it  not  for  which 
the  fire  would  have  been  much  more  destructive.  So  rapidly  and  silently  did  Murder  do  his  work 
that  those  in  different  parts  of  the  village  were  not  aware  of  it  until  those  who  had  been  wounded 
happened  to  meet  each  other,  in  which  way  the  most  of  the  others  also  had  warning.  The  greater 
portion  of  our  men  were  abroad  at  their  field  labors,  and  but  few  in  the  village.  Near  the  mill 
gate  were  Albert  Gysbertsen  with  two  servants,  and  Tjerck  Claesen  de  Wit  •  at  the  Sheriff's  he  him- 
self Mdth  two  carpenters,  two  clerks  and  one  thresher ;  at  Cornelius  Barentsen  Sleghfs,  himself 
and  his  son  ;  at  the  Doraine's,  himself  and  two  carpenters  and  one  labouring  man  ;  at  the  guard 
house,  a  few  soldiers ;  at  the  gate  towards  the  river,  Menderick  Jochemsen  and  Jacoh,  the  Brewer ; 
but  Henderick  Jochemsen  was  very  severely  wounded  in  his  house  by  two  shots  at  an  early  hour. 
By  these  aforesaid  men,  most  of  whom  had  neither  guns  nor  side  arms,  were  the  Indians,  through 
God's  mercy,  chased  and  put  to  fiight  on  the  alarm  being  given  by  the  Sheriff'.  Capt.  Thomxis 
Chambers,  who  was  wounded  on  coming  in  from  without,  issued  immediate  orders  (with  the  Sheriff 


New  YorJc  Historical  Mecoi'ds.  257 

and  Commissaries,)  to  secure  the  gates  ;  to  clear  the  gun  and  to  drive  ont  the  savages,  vcho  were 
still  about  half  an  hour  in  the  village  aiming  at  their  persons,  which  was  accordingly  done.  The 
burning  of  the  houses,  the  murder  and  caiuying  off  of  women  and  children  is  here  omitted,  as  these 
have  been  already  comnmnicated  to  your  Honors  on  the  10""  June.  After  these  few  men  had 
been  collected  against  the  barbarians,  by  degrees  the  others  arrived  who,  it  has  been  stated  were 
abroad  at  their  iield  labors,  and  we  found  ourselves  when  mustered  in  the  evening,  including  those 
from  the  new  village  who  took  refuge  amongst  ns,  in  number  69  efficient  men,  both  qualified  and 
unqualified.  The  biu-nt  palisades  were  immediately  replaced  by  new  ones,  and  the  people  distrib- 
uted, during  the  night,  along  the  bastions  and  curtains  to  keep  watch. 

On  the  10""  inst.,  10  horsemen  were  commanded  to  ride  down  to  the  Eedoubt  and  to  examine 
its  condition.  They  returned  with  word  that  the  soldiei-s  at  the  Eedoubt  had  not  seen  any  Indi- 
ans. They  brought  also  with  them  the  Sergeant,  who  had  gone  the  preceding  morning  to  the 
Eedoubt  and  as  he  heard  on  his  return  of  the  mischief  committed  by  the  Indians  in  the  village, 
he  went  back  to  the  Eedoubt  and  staid  there.  In  addition  to  the  Sergeant  they  brought  the  men, 
who  had  fled  from  the  new  village. 

On  the  IB"",  towards  evening.  Sergeant  Christiaen  j}^iessen  went  with  a  troop  of  soldiers,  sent 
us  by  your  Honoi's,  being  42  men,  and  three  wagons,  to  the  Eedoubt,  with  letters  for  the  Man- 
hafans,  addressed  to  your  Honors,  and  to  bring  up  ammunition  from  the  Eedoubt.  On  their 
retm-n,  the  Indians  made  an  attempt  at  the  first  hill  to  take  the  ammunition  from  these  troops. 
The  Sergeant  having  divided  his  men  into  separate  bodies,  evinced  great  courage  against  the  Indi- 
ans, skirmishing  with  them  from  the  first  to  past  the  second  hill  and  defending  the  wagons  so 
well  that  they  arrived  in  safety  in  the  village.  He  had,  however,  one  killed  and  six  wounded. 
The  dead  man  was  brought  in  next  morning,  having  been  stripped  naked,  and  having  had  his 
right  hand  cut  off  by  the  Indians.  Some  of  the  Indians  were  also  killed,  but  the  number  of  these 
is  not  known.  This  skirmishing  having  been  heard  in  the  village,  a  reinforcement  of  horse  and 
foot  was  unmediately  ordered  oiit,  but  before  they  arrived  the  Indians  had  been  put  to  flight  by 
the  above  named  Sergeant. 

This,  your  Honors,  is  what  we  have  deemed  necessary  to  commxmicate  to  you  in  the 
form  of  a  jom-nal  as  to  how  and  in  what  manner  the  Indians  have  acted  towards  us  and  we  towards 
them  in  the  preceding  circiimstances.  And  we  humbly  and  respectfully  request  your  Honors  to 
be  pleased  to  send  ns  hither  for  the  wounded  by  the  earliest  opportunity  some  prunes  and  linen 
with  some  wine  to  strengthen  them,  and  whatever  else  not  obtainable  here  your  Honors  may  think 
proper;  also,  carabines,  cutlasses  and  gun  flints  and  we  request  that  the  carabines  may  be  snap- 
haunce,  as  the  people  here  are  but  little  conversant  with  the  use  of  the  arquebuse  (v-i/er  roer)  / 
also  some  spurs  for  the  horsemen.  In  addition  to  this  also  some  reinforcements  in  men  inasmuch 
as  harvest  will  commence  in  about  l-t  days  from  date.  Herewith  ending  we  commend  your  Hon- 
ors to  God's  fatherly  care  and  protection.     Done,  Wiltwych  this  20"  June  1663. 

EoELOFF    SwAETWOUT, 

the  mark  of  ,JL,  Albert  Gtsbeetsen, 

TiEEECK  Classen  DEWnr, 
Thomas  Chambers, 
Gysbert  Yan  Imbroch, 
Christiaen  Ntssen, 
Hendrick  Jochemsen. 

83 


258  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Letter  from  the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange  to  Director  Stdtvesant  ;  lit- 
tle   PROSPECT    of    the    RELEASE    OF    THE    PRISONERS    AMONG    THE    EsOPUS. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Petrus  Stuyvesomt,  Director-General  of  New-Netherland. 

Your  Honor's  letter  of  the  15""  inst.  has  been  received  by  us  on  the  20"^ ;  we  will  say  in  an- 
swer, that  we  shall  do  our  best  for  the  release  of  the  unhappy  captives  on  the  Esojnos,  but  we  see 
little  prospect  for  it  at  present,  because  it  is  rumored,  that  the  Maquaes  are  hard  pressed  and  sur- 
rounded by  their  enemies. 

Your  Honor  will  please  to  inform  us,  who  the  volunteers  are  said  to  have  been,  whom  we 
have  prevented  from  helping  tiie  Esopus  people,  then  we  shall  answer  in  detail,  trusting  in  the 
meantime,  that  your  Honor  will  believe  our  principles  to  be  only  friendly  and  brotherly  according 
to  our  sincere  and  plain  judgment. 

Pursuant  to  your  Honor's  order  we  send  herewith  a  copy  of  your  Honor's  aforesaid  letter. 
May  God  in  the  meantime  give  to  your  Honor  and  the  Hon'''"  Councillors  permanent  health  and 
prosperous  administration,  with  which  we  remain 

Your  Honor's  obedient  friends  and  servants 
Done  at  Fort  Orange,  La  Montagne 

the  SS""  of  June  A°  1663.  J.  V.  Renselaeb 

By  order  of  the  Courts  of  Beverwyvk  Village 
,  and  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyck. 

Johannes  Provoost,  Clerk. 
D.  V.  ScHELLUTNE,  Secretary 

of  the  (Jolony  of  Reriselaerswyck. 
To  his  Honor,  the  Valiant  and  Noble  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  oi  New-Netherland. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  Lamontagne  to   the   same  ;  the   defenceless  con- 
dition OF  THE  FORT   OrAIJGE. 

Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful  Sir. 

Whereas  your  Honor's  letter  to  the  two  Courts  mentions  the  disabled  and  defenceless  con- 
dition of  Fort  Orange,  which  is  indeed  a  fact ;  it  ought  to  be  repaired  and  put  in  a  proper  condition 
in  a  short  time.  The  Courts  did  not  say  anything  of  it  in  their  letter,  yet  they  have  with  me 
concluded  to  let  the  old  houses  and  huts  stand  and  merely  to  repair  the  angles  at  the  least  ex- 
pense and  with  the  greatest  speed,  for  it  would  hardly  be  convenient  to  everybody  to  pull  down 
their  houses  now  and  to  remove ;  it  would  also  be  disadvantageous  for  the  Hon'''''  Company,  as 
the  people  would  have  to  be  bought  off,  while  my  hands,  with  which  it  would  have  to  be  done,  are 
closed  to  my  great  regret :  hereto  comes  the  people's  scoffing  at  the  Hon'''*  Company  on  account 
of  the  fort,  which  cannot  be  borne  any  longer.  I  have  tlierefore  undertaken  to  make  a  beginning, 
as  the  posts  and  the  outside  covering  are  ready  and  the  burghers  offered  to  turn  out  daily  8  or  10 
men,  but  plancks  for  the  platforms  and  sills  with  rails  for  anchors,  spikes  and  especially  two  car- 
penters are  still  needed.  As  I  have  all  this  not  at  hand,  I  hope  Your  Honor  and  the  Council  will 
come  to  my  assistance  and  provide  the  money,  to  pay  for  the  aforesaid  articles  and  feel  assured, 
that  I  for  my  part  shaU  keep  good  and  faithful  account  and  supervision  of  the  whole.     I  commend 


New  York  Historical  Hecoi'ds.  259 

herewith  your  Honor  to  tlie  protection  of  God,  who  may  gi-ant  your  Honor  strength  in  this  un- 
happy time  and  a  prosperous  administration,  remainmg  meanwhile 

Fort  Oraiuje  Your  Honor's  humhle  and 

23''  June  1663.  obedient  servant 

La  Montagne. 
To  the   Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  of  New- 
Netherland. 


Letter    from    the   AUTHOErriEs  at  "Wiltwtck  to   Jan    Tomassen   anb   others, 

INTERESTED    IN   THE    "  NEW  ViLLAGE "    ON   THE   EsOPUS ;    STATE    OF   ATFAIRS  THERE. 

Honorable,  Good  Friends. 

Your  letter  of  the  20"'  June  has  been  handed  to  us  and  we  understand  its  contents  well. 
Our  answer  is,  that  the  horses,  belonging  to  you,  had  to  be  taken  by  us  out  of  the  enemy's  very 
hands  with  great  danger ;  we  require  them  now  with  our  own  for  our  defense  and  have  some  of 
them  already  under  the  saddle.  Your  request  is  therefore  refused  for  the  present  and  if  you 
are  not  satisfied  with  it,  then  we  inform  you,  that  the  horses,  used  for  our  defense,  which  may 
have  been  shot  or  killed  by  the  enemies  in  an  attack,  shall  be  paid  for  according  to  the  appraise- 
ment of  impartial  men,  pursuant  to  an  order  given  us  by  his  Honor,  the  Director-General.  We 
consent  to  let  the  cows  go  and  shall  endeavor  in  your  behalf  to  convey  them  to  the  strand,  for  we 
do  not  deem  it  advisable  to  send  them  to  you  overland,  not  wishing  to  drive  them  again  into  the 
enemies'  hands.  In  the  meantime  we  thank  you  for  your  kind  care  and  intentions  for  our  captives 
and  do  not  doubt,  that  you  will  further  do  your  best  for  their  release.  Closing  herewith  with 
many  greetings  we  commend  you  to  God's  protection. 

Actum  at  WiltwycJc,  By  order  of  the  Court  and  the 

this  23"  June  A°  1663.  Council  o^  War  at  Wiltwych 

(Signed)  Matheus  Capito,  Secretary. 

To  the  Honorable  and  Yery  Discreet  Jan  Tmnassen,  Yolckert  Jansen,  Cornells  Wynkoap 
and  partners  at  Beverwyck. 


Extract  from  a  imniTE  of  the  Director-General's  visit  to  Hempstead  23''  June  1663. 

*  «  *  *  -:■:•  * 

To  induce  some  of  the  English  to  take  part  in  the  expedition  to  the  Esopus,  the  Director- 
General  promised  them  free  plunder  and  all  the  savages,  whom  they  could  capture ;  this  was  pro- 
claimed by  a  handbill. 


Proclamation  calling  out  volunteers  for  the  war  against  the  Esopus  Indians. 

Whereas  the  Director-Genei-al  and  Council  of  New-Neiherland,  after  having  suffered  many 
massacres,  affronts  and  unbearable  injuries,  committed  by  the  Esopus  savages*  from  time  to  time, 

*  The  English  proclamation  calls  them  "  Warynawoncks." 


260  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

are  compelled  for  the  maintenance  and  protection  of  their  good  inhabitants  to  begin  an  offensive 
and  defensive  war  against  the  said  Esojnts  savages,  therefore  all  inhabitants  of  this  province, 
Dutch  as  well  as  English,  are  hereby  informed,  that  all,  who  are  willing  and  resolved  to  assist  in 
this  necessary  and  honorable  affair  and  to  take  np  arms  against  the  said  Esojpus  savages  for  a  year 
or  a  year  and  a  half  or  longer,  until  the  same  shall  be  destroyed  with  the  help  of  God  or  all  those, 
who  will  send  one  of  their  farm  laborers  or  ser\'ants,  able  to  carry  arms,  in  their  places,  shall  have 
and  enjoy  above  the  usual  soldier's  pay : 

1.  Free  plundering  and  all  the  barbarians,  who  are  captured. 

2.  Exemjition  from  tithes  for  6  years  and  those,  who  are  not  yet  subject  to  tithes,  shall  enjoy 
the  same  exemptions,  when  they  become  subject  thereto,  of  which  a  document  shall  be  issued  to 
them  for  their  assurance. 

3.  If  somebody  should  be  hurt  or  wounded,  he  shall  be  properly  treated  by  the  surgeon  with 
good  remedies  and  such  persons,  as  may  be  maimed  or  deprived  of  their  health  in  the  service 
of  the  Hon'''*  Company  shall  have  the  following  indemuiticatious : 

for  the  loss  of  the  right  arm  fl  800 

«  "  "  of  the  left  arm  "  500 

"  "  "  of  a  leg  "  450 

"  "  "  of  both  legs  "  800 

"  "  "  of  an  eye  "  300 

"  "  "  of  both  eyes  "  900 

"  "  "  of  the  right  hand  "  600 

"  "  "  of  both  hands  "  1000 

«  "  «  of  the  left  hand  "  400 

If  any  of  the  citizens  or  inhabitants  of  this  or  other  places  within  this  government  are 
inclined  to  go  themselves  or  to  send  somebody  in  their  places,  they  shall  further  be  exempted 
for  the  time  of  one  year : 

From  guardmounting,  firewatch  and  chimney-tax  and  besides  that  the  owners  of  bouweries 
shall  be  exempted  from  tithes  for  6  years ;  those,  who  have  no  bouweries  now  shall  enjoy  this 
exemption  besides  the  10  years  commonly  allowed,  whenever  they  should  go  into  the  country  and 
establish  bouweries,  for  which  they  shall  receive  a  proper  warrant.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Ainster- 
dam  in  New-Netherlcmid.  the  25""  of  June  A°  1663. 


Letter  from  Councillob  de  Decker  to  Dieectok  Stutvesant;  efforts  for  the 
release  of  the  prisoners  at  the  esopus. 
Sir. 

I  arrived  at  the  Esnpus  at  break  of  day  on  Thursday  the  21^*  inst  and  landed  immediately. 
I  ordered  a  soldier  of  the  Redoubt  to  fire  a  shot  with  a  blank  cartridge  as  signal  for  the  garrison 
of  Wiltwycl;  that  they  should  come  and  convey  me  thither  and  after  waiting  about  an  hour  and 
a  half  I  let  him  fire  another  shot,  but  understanding  in  the  meantime  from  the  Corporal  that 
since  Saturday  he  had  received  no  information  nor  tidings  and  had  seen  not  a  single  man  ;  after 
having  waited  about  half  an  hour  after  the  second  shot,  while  the  wind  was  very  favorable  and  I 
did  not  like  to  delay  the  yachts  and  retard  my  own  voyage,  I  came  to  the  resolution  to  march  on 
with  five  men  to  Wiltioyok,  I  myself  carrying  a  musket.     Arriving  there,  the  people  were  aston- 


New  York  Historical  Records,  261 

ished,  when  they  saw  nie  with  such  a  small  force  and  when  I  had  learned,  what  had  happened 
and  in  how  great  a  danger  I  and  my  companions  had  been,  then  I  saw  no  reason  to  be  astonished, 
but  rather  to  be  glad  and  grateful  to  God. 

Your  Honor  will  see  bj'  the  enclosure  and  judge  of  the  attack  and  what  a  pitiful  result  it 
would  have  had,  if  it  was  cai-ried  out  so  well,  as  they  had  intended  it,  but  the  Almighty  has  ruled 
differently. 

I  enclose  also  Hantsou's  answers,  although  not  quite  pertinent. 

I  had  the  two  Courts  together  yesterday,  but  could  not  obtain  upon  Za  Montagne's  proposi- 
tion the  selection  of  deputies,  which  caused  the  usual  and  apprehended  confusion.  Finally  they 
resolved  to  send  Jacques  the  Mestis  savage,  to  the  Maquas  country  to  fetch  some  of  the  Sachems 
and  as  he  was  not  at  home  and  could  not  be  found,  they  got  the  savage,  called  Smith's  Jan,  who  pre- 
sented himself  and  offered  his  services,  saying,  that  he  felt  himself  driven  to  it  by  his  conscience, 
to  go  with  a  Dutchman,  2  or  3  savages  and  a  Mahikander  to  the  Esopus,  to  ask  for  the  prisoners 
first  on  the  gromid  of  conscience ;  if  that  did  not  avail  anything,  then  with  threats  and  after  that 
to  wring  the  prisoners  from  them  by  war.  The  Dutchman,  who  went  with  him  is  Jan  Dirck, 
who  offered  himself  voluntarily  for  the  expedition ;  the  directions,  given  to  him,  will  be. seen  by 
your  Honor  in  the  enclosures ;  we  wish  and  pray  to  God  for  a  good  success. 

Some  Catskil  savages  came  here  to-day  in  the  name  of  the  Esopus  savages  with  the  intima- 
tion, that  the  Dutch  at  this  place  should  keep  quiet,  else  all  the  houses  on  this  side  of  the  Sagerskil 
would  be  burned. 

I  send  herewith  a  list  of  medicaments,  required  by  the  soldiers'  surgeon  at  the  Esopus  for 
the  prisoners,  I  mean  the  wounded. 

The  quartermaster-sergeant  requests  some  smith's  utensils  and  the  Commandant  some  cara- 
bines, short  bandeliers,  pistols  and  holsters,  all  of  which  I  wish  to  recommend  to  your  Honor's 
attention. 

On  accoTint  of  the  good  wind  the  yachts'  people  and  others  are  so  pressing,  that  I  can  find  no 
time  to  copy  this  nor  to  refine  it  nor  to  add  some  more  details.  I  shall  therefore  close  and 
remain. 

Sir, 
Beverwyck,  Your  Honor's  affectionate  servant 

the  26«''  June  1663.  J.  de  Deckeee. 


Proposals  communicated  to  the  Sachems  of  Hackensack  and  Staten-Island  wixn 

THEIE    ANSWERS. 

27""  June.  Propositions  made  to  Oratamin,  Sachem 

or  chief  of  Hackinkesaky  and  Mattanoa, 
Sachem  of  Nayeck  and  Staten-Island  the 
27""  Jime  1663. 

1st  proposition,  that  they  had  been  called  hither  on  account  of  the  difficulties  with  the  Esopiis 
savages  to  prevent  misunderstanding  in  the  future  and  to  ask  them,  how  they  were  inclined ;  as 
to  our  side,  we  were  inclined  to  keep  the' peace,  made  with  them,  if  they  too  were  willing. 

They  answered,  it  is  well  and  they  too  on  their  side  are  willing  to  keep  the  peace. 

2d.  It  is  necessary,  in  order  to  uphold  and  keep  the  peace  between  them  and  us,  that  they 
should  have  no  intercourse  whatever  with  the  Esopus  savages,  that  they  allow  none  of  their  people 


262  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  go  amoug  them  nor  Esopus  savages  to  come  here,  for  oue  or  the  other  would  be  cause  for  a  war 
between  them  and  us. 

They  answer  and  promise,  that  they  will  not  meddle  with  the  war,  they  promise  also,  that 
they  will  not  allow  any  Esopus  savage  to  hide  among  them  and  if  any  of  their  people  should  run 
to  the  Esopus,  that  they  will  not  receive  him  again  among  them. 

3d.  Whereas  we  are  now  at  war  with  the  Esopus  savages  and  we  and  our  people,  living  in 
the  villages,  can  hardly  tell,  which  are  Esopus  and  which  other  savages,  especially  if  they  come 
armed,  therefore  we  inform  them  herewith,  that  we  have  given  orders  in  all  our  villages,  not  to 
trust  any  armed  savage  nor  to  allow  any  armed  savage  to  come  into  their  places,  that  they  may  not 
be  suddenly  attacked  and  killed,  as  it  happened  at  the  Esopus,  but  to  be  on  their  guard  at  all  times 
and  not  to  trust  an  armed  savage.  They  must  therefore  warn  all  their  savages  and  all  their  and 
our  friends,  not  to  come  with  arms  into  our  villages  and  houses,  that  no  difBculties  may  arise  and 
likewise  we  \vill  not  allow  any  of  our  people  to  come  armed  into  their  settlements,  unless  one  or 
two  men  were  sent  ahead  to  say,  why  they  come  and  where  they  want  to  go. 

They  answei",  that  it  is  very  good  and  that  they  wiU  comply  with  it,  but  they  want  to  come 
to  this  place  with  their  muskets,  to  have  them  repaired. 

4th.  Whereas  we  have  now  renewed  the  old  peace  and  they  have  promised  not  to  have  any 
intercourse  with  the  Esopus  savages,  we  now  request  of  them,  whether  they  could  not  get  one  or 
two  Esop>us  savages  and  surrender  them  to  us,  to  employ  them  as  guides ;  we  are  not  only  willing 
to  give  them  a  present  for  them,  but  promise  also  not  to  kill  them  nor  do  them  any  harm,  but  to 
return  them,  when  the  war  is  over. 

They  undertake  to  inform  and  show  us,  where  some  Esopus  savages  may  be  found. 

5th.  That  we  are  good  friends  not  only  of  them,  but  also  of  all  other  savages  surrounding  us 
and  that  we  are  quite  willing  to  keep  the  peace  with  these  too,  if  they  will  not  assist  our  enemies, 
the  Esopus  savages.  They  are  therefore  requested  herewith  to  tell  us,  who  has  helped  the  Esopus 
savages  in  this  plot  and  further  to  please  and  inform  tis,  whether  they  knew  of  any  tribe  of  sav- 
ages, willing  to  help  them. 

They  answer,  that  they  do  as  yet  not  know,  who  will  join  the  Esopus  savages,  but  they  will 
tell  and  inform  us  as  soon  as  they  have  heard. 

In  confirmation  and  proof,  that  we  are  their  friends,  each  of  the  Sachems  received  for  the 
trouble,  which  they  have  taken  to  come  hither  upon  our  call,  the  following  articles : 
a  piece  of  cloth  for  a  coat  a  shirt 

a  small  piece  a  knife 

The  other  savages,  who  had  come  with  them,  5  in  numbers,  were  given  each  a  small  piece  of 
cloth,  a  shirt  and  a  knife,  with  the  request  to  inform  the  other  tribes,  their  friends,  that  they  too 
should  send  their  Sachems  hither  to  renew  the  peace. 

After  the  foregoing  was  over,  Oratam  said,  he  was  very  glad,  that  we  would  keep  quiet  here 
and  that  the  war  would  only  be  made  at  the  Esop^is  ;  he  had  not  a  single  spark  in  his  heart,  that 
was  bad  and  thus  they  left  the  Council  chamber.  Actum  at  Eart  Amsterdam  in  New-NetKerlcmd 
on  the  day  as  above. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  263 


Notice,  that  the  Esopus  Indians  are  on  a  war-expedition  and  warning  all  peo- 
ple TO  BE  ON  THEIR  GUARD. 

27'"  June 

Dear,  Good  Friends. 
These  few  lines  are  to  inform  you,  that  we  have  just  been  told  by  the  savages,  our  friends, 
that  about  20  to  25  Esopus  savages  have  left  their  fort  3  or  -4  days  ago,  with  the  intentions,  as  the 
savages  say,  to  come  down  here  and  get  prisoners  or  kill  some  Dutchmen.  You  are  therefore 
warned  to  be  cautious  in  going  into  the  fields  or  along  the  roads,  that  is  always  in  company  and 
well  armed  according  to  the  published  orders.  If  further  news  are  received,  they  shall  be  com- 
municated to  you  in  due  time,  wherewith  after  our  salutations  we  commend  you  to  God's  protec- 
tion etc. 


Letter  from  Volckert  Jai^sen  and  others  to  Director  Stfyvesant,  respecting 

THE  LOSS  of  their  CATTLE  AT  THE   EsOPDS. 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Honorable  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

We,  your  Hon*"'"  Worships'  undersigned  humble  subjects  are  very  distressed  on  account  of  the 
loss  of  our  goods  and  .blood  on  the  Esoj)us,  which  has  brought  us  nearly  to  the  door  of  ruin,  anyway 
has  done  us  great  damage,  considering  that  we  cannot  recover  it  in  years  without  God's  blessing. 
We  cannot  restore  to  our  farmers  the  horses  and  cattle  to  continue  our  farming  at  the  Esopus, 
except  some  old  cows,  of  which  IS  in  number,  young  and  old,  arrived  here  yesterday  at  great 
expense  and  danger ;  three  of  them  belonging  to  the  late  Jan.  Barentsen  Wernp  and  we  do  not 
know,  what  else  is  missing,  except  that  the  Hon""'  Com-t  at  Wiltwyclc  has  written  us  a  letter  on  the 
23*  inst,  of  which  a  copy  is  enclosed,  in  which  among  others  it  says :  "We  inform  you,  that  the 
horses,  used  for  our  defense,  which  may  have  been  shot  or  killed  by  the  enemies  in  an  attack,  shall 
be  paid  for  by  the  Hon'''^  Company  according  to  the  appraisement  of  impartial  men,  pursuant  to 
an  order  given  us  by  his  Honor,  the  Director-General." 

Your  Hon"'*  Worship  may  well  conceive,  that  we  need  our  property  much  more  now,  than  at 
the  time,  when  we  sent  it  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  our  farms  there.  Our  affections  are,  as 
your  Hon"''*  Worship  may  perceive,  for  our  distressed  friends  at  the  Esopus,  but  we  hope  not  to 
suffer  any  more  troubles  and  losses,  since  among  others  the  harm  done  to  our  horses  under  the 
saddle  and  otherwise,  as  we  are  informed,  can  give  us  little  advantage  in  the  appraisement ;  besides 
that  we  cannot  submit  to  it  and  wait  for  the  scant  remuneration  by  the  Company.  We  trust 
therefore,  that  your  Hon"'''  Worship  will  not  tax  and  trouble  us  any  more,  at  least  not  now,  in  our 
distress  and  losses,  for  we  can  indeed  bear  no  more.  We  could  have  wished,  that  your  Hon''''' 
Worship  would  have  satisiied  the  savages  in  time,  as  we  humbly  requested  last  April  in  the  peti- 
tion sent  by  Pieter  Jacobsen  Marius  to  your  Hon"'''  Worship,  concerning  the  claims  of  the  savages 
at  the  Esopus  and  their  threats ;  then  our  good  and  blood  would  have  been  saved.  God  save  us 
from  further  harm  and  troubles  and  we  hope,  that  next  to  God  your  Hon"'"  Worship  will  take 
good  care  to  prevent  further  destruction  and  bloodshed.     Expecting  to  receive   your  Hon"" 


264  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Worship's  favorable  reply  by  first  opportunity,  we  coniiueud  your  Hon'''''  "Worship  in   the  mean- 
time to  God's  grace  and  remain 

Your  Hon''"'  Worship's  hmnble 
Beverwyck,  subjects 

the  28"'  June  1663.  Volckeet  Jansen 

Jan  Thomassen 
Philipp  Pieteesen  Schuylek 
GoosEN  Gaeeetsen 

COENELIS  WtNKOOP. 


Letter  feom  Yice-Dieeotoe  Lamontagne  at  Foet  Oeange  to  Dieectoe   Stuy- 

VESAKT ;     EEPAIES     ON    THE    FOET   DELATED ;     EEFOETS    TO    EECOVEE  THE    ChEISTIAN 
PEISONEES;    NEW   FOET   BUILT    BY    Me.    VAN    KeNSELAEE     AT    GeEENBUSH. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Worshipful  Sir. 

Since  my  last  of  the  QS*",  by  which  I  informed  your  Honor  of  my  intention  to  begin  the  re- 
pairs of  the  fort  at  the  four  corners  and  to  take  advantage  of  the  good  will  of  the  burghers,  who 
were  willing  to  assist,  trusting,  that  some  friends  would  help  me  with  money,  necessary  for  the 
work,  which  would  not  cost  much  more  than  500  guilders,  Mr.  de  Decker  has  come  here  to  the 
meeting  of  the  two  Courts  and  declared,  that  lie  has  no  orders,  to  decide  in  such  a  matter  or  to 
procure  money  for  such  a  purpose,  therefore  I  have  been  obliged  to  let  the  occasion  pass  by,  in 
which  the  fort  could  have  been  put  into  as  good  a  state  of  defense,  as  it  has  ever  been  during  my 
time,  at  least  against  the  attack  of  some  savages  and  I  could  have  done  it  in  8  days. 

On  the  26"',  when  both  the  Courts  were  together  to  consider  with  Mr.  Decker  upon  suitable 
means  for  the  release  of  the  prisoners  at  the  Esopus  and  I  had  sent  for  that  purpose  for  AJcus, 
the  savage,  to  dispatch  him  to  the  Maquas  country  and  induce  them  to  come  here,  thei-e  arrived 
suddenly  Smits  Ja7i,  a  chief  of  the  said  Maqiias,  with  three  others  of  his  people  and  two  Mohicans, 
whom  I  had  asked  by  the  Maquas  Sassiadego  eight  days  ago,  to  come  here  and  by  Jan  Dareth 
and  Aepien,  chief  of  the  Mohicans,  to  induce  them  thereto.  They  went  on  their  journey  the 
same  day  in  good  spirits,  that  they  would  recover  the  prisoners  and  they  sailed  in  Claes  Bor- 
dingKs  yacht  on  the  27"'  together  with  Jan  Dareth.  We  shall  know  shortly,  what  they  have 
accomplished  in  the  matter. 

The  ordnance,  for  which  your  Honor  calls,  is  ready,  at  your  Honor's  pleasure,  but  I  have  no 
men  to  put  it  aboard  a  vessel  nor  money  to  pay  the  laborers.  I  pray,  your  Honor  will  consider, 
that  there  are  not  more  than  eight  pieces  on  the  foiir  corners  and  one  12  pounder,  which  has  never 
been  mounted  in  my  time.  Mr.  Rensselaer  claims  three  of  these  pieces  and  demands  them  imme- 
diately, to  place  them  at  the  Green  Bush  in  a  little  fort  or  fortification,  which  they  build  there 
and  if  your  Honor  takes  four  from  the  balance,  not  more  than  two  would  be  left  to  us.  It  is  true, 
there  are  yet  three  light  pieces,  which  the  Commissaries  had  brought  in  from  Mr.  Bensselaer^s 
place  in  the  year  1656  and  placed  on  the  church  :  these,  the  Commissaries  say,  his  Honor  had 
given  to  them  to  use  in  the  defense  of  the  planck  enclosure.  I  dare  not  take  these  away  from 
there,  without  his  Honor's  express  order. 

While  I  write  this,  four  yachts  have  sailed  past  the  fort,  to  whom  Mr.  Decker  had  told  me 
not  to  give  a  pass,  before  he  had  spoken  with  me ;  in  the  meantime  he  has  given  them  passes  with- 


New  Yorh  Historieal  Records.  265 

out  my  knowing  of  their  departure.  I  do  not  know,  whetlier  they  are  to  touch  at  the  Esopus  or 
not ;  tliey  left  behind  also  this  my  letter,  written  in  great  haste.  Closing  herewith  I  commend 
your  Hon'''''  Worship  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  remain  meanwhile 

Your  Honor's  humble  and 
Fort  Orange,  obedient  servant 

the  29"'  June  1663.  La  Montagne. 

The  Maquaes  have  just  now 
cut  off  two  fingers  of  an  Esopus 
savage  and  keep  him  here  at  the 
house  of  Jem  Mangelse7i  in  the 
Colony :  it  is  a  sign  of  bad  feeling 
against  them. 

To  the  Honorable,  Valiant  and  Worshipful  Petrus  Stuyvesa/nt  Director-General  of  New-Neth- 
erland. 


Letter  from  Councillor  de  Decker   to  Director  Stutyesant  ;  the  Christian 

PRISONERS    IN    the    HANDS     OF     THE    EsOPUS     InDIANS  ;     COMPLAINTS     AGAINST     THE 

Esopus  magistrates. 
Sir. 

I  had  forgotten  in  my  last  letter  by  Claes  Bordingh,  written  in  great  haste  and  amid  much 
noise,  that  some  friends  here  had  dispatched  Christoffel  Damits  to  the  Esopus  savages  on  the  20"" 
inst.,  to  learn  and  see,  whether  he  could  not  get  Mons''  La  Montagues  daughter  and  some  other 
prisoners  out  of  the  hands  of  the  barbarians.  He  took  his  way  directly  through  the  country  and 
strayed  from  the  right  road  at  a  Kil  about  4  leagues  from  Wiltwych  inland,  when  the  friends 
hearing  of  his  intention  advised  against  his  proceeding  further  for  peace,  as  they  say,  that  the 
rascals  may  keep  him  also ;  he  is  consequently  returned  here  yesterday,  without  accomplishing 
anything  and  without  having  met  a  savage  on  the  road.  We  are  in  the  meantime  waiting  here 
and  hoping  for  a  good  result  of  the  expedition  of  Jan  Daret  and  the  savages  with  him  and  there- 
fore the  Messieurs  judge  it  most  advisable  and  best,  to  delay  my  sojourn  here  until  his  return,  to 
which  I  am  obliged  to  consent,  as  I  have  hardly  carried  out  one  half  of  the  designs  of  my  com- 
mission. 

I  find  the  calumnious  and  injurious  reports,  which  your  Honor  knows  well  as  having  heard 
them  and  by  reports,  that  I  had  persuaded  your  Honor  not  to  make  the  voyage  to  the  Esopus  and 
on  the  other  side,  that  I  was  the  cause  of  the  discharge  of  the  soldiers,  are  carried  hither  and 
thither ;  some  people  accept  them  as  true,  although  not  in  their  exorbitant  extent,  others  not ; 
meanwhile  it  looks  suspicious  to  me,  as  I  have  been  shown  by  a  friend  here  a  letter  from  a  certain 
friend  tliere,  saying  among  others,  that  I  was  much  blamed  and  scolded  at  the  Manhatans  and 
running  much  danger,  in  case  more  misfortunes  should  happen  to  spring  up.  Whereas  I  have 
had  as  little  to  do  with  the  delay  of  your  Honor's  journey  to  the  Esopus,  as  my  child  in  Holland 
and  with  the  discharge  of  the  soldiers  as  much  as  your  Honor  and  others  of  the  Council  and  whereas 
nevertheless  the  contrary  is  believed  by  the  majority  and  the  most  ignorant  and  therefore  worst 
canaille,  whereby  the  person  of  John  de  Dechere  is  placed  and  exposed  as  m  colluvione  rerum 
contumelie,  therefore  circumstances  compel  me  to  believe,  that  the  source  of  these  infamous  reports 
34 


266  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

is  to  be  found  in  the  midst  of  onr  Board,  for  how  conld  people  think  and  speak  the  same,  as  has 
been  thought  and  spoken  of  there  ?  unless  one  or  the  other  member  of  the  Boai-d  had  divulged  it 
and  done  it  with  palpable  honorability,  to  make  out  himself  pure  and  white  and  me  foul  and  black. 
Truly  it  is  the  act  of  dull  and  cowardly  souls,  which  strive  more  for  vain  and  unstable  glory  and 
the  applause  of  the  jjopulace,  than  for  the  solid  consolation  of  a  good  conscience  before  God  and 
themselves.  Therefore  I  request  your  Honor  once  more,  to  inform  all  the  world  in  one  way  or 
the  other,  as  I  have  asked  by  word  of  mouth  and  in  writing,  that  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  the 
first  and  with  the  second  not  more,  than  you  yourself  and  others  about  there. 

Your  Honor  will  show  thereby,  that  your  Honor  has  not  been  in  favor  of  these  calumnies 
and  insulting  rumors  and  besides  do  an  act  of  distributive  justice.  Otherwise  I  should  feel  obliged, 
to  keep  away  and  absent  myself  from  the  meetings  and  the  public  affairs  connected  therewith  and 
furtlier  give  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  it  to  my  Masters  by  the  first  oj)portunity. 

Pliilipp  Pietersen  Schuyler,  Jan  Tomas,  Goosen  Gerritsen,  Volohert  Jansen  and  Cornells 
Wijnlvop  have  complained  to  me,  that  the  Schout  and  Commissaries  at  the  Esojyus  have  refused 
to  give  up  their  horses  with  the  cattle,  which  latter  arrived  here  yesterday  in  the  barge,  making 
difficulties  under  the  pretext  stated  and  mentioned  in  the  enclosure.  I  remark,  that  the  com- 
plainants or  at  least  some  of  them  are  very  much  dissatisfied,  they  have  therefore  requested  me  to 
write  about  it  to  your  Honor  and  to  send  the  enclosure  ;  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  am  of  opinion, 
that  every  one  ought  to  be  master  of  his  own  property,  any  way,  that  the  Commissaries  had  no 
authority  to  undertake  retaining  the  horses,  unless  they  were  ordered  to  do  so  by  your  Honor, 
which  however  I  doubt.  Although  I  explained  to  them  the  conditions  proposed  by  your  Honor 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Wiltwi/ch  concerning  the  loss  and  wounding  of  their  horses  in  military  ser- 
vice, which  might  befal  them  and  must  be  expected,  they  nevertheless  demanded  to  have  their 
horses  here  at  home ;  Wynlcooj)  said  besides,  that  he  would  be  satisfied,  if  he  could  get  of  his  six 
horses  only  the  three  mares.  It  is  my  opinion  therefore  that  these  people  ought  to  be  satisfied 
and  trusting  that  your  Honor  will  make  the  proper  arrangements  I  close  on  account  of  the  urgency 
of  the  skippers,  while  I  remain  with  cordial  greetings 

Beverwych,  Your  Honor's  obedient 

the  29'"  June  1663.  J.  De  Deckere. 

His  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  of  Neio-JS'etherland  at  the  Manhatans. 


Letter  from   Robert  Treat   of   Milford,  Conn,  to   Director    Stuyvesant   in 

REGARD   to   THE    PROPOSED    EnGLISH    SETTLEMENT    ON    THE    KiL    VAN    KoL. 

After  my  humble  p'sentation  of  many  thanks  to  yo'  Lo''''  for  all  yo^  former  expressions  of 
you'  Lone  and  kindnesse  doe  sende  greetings :  And  being  thereby  encouraged  to  p'sent  you  w"" 
these  leines  intreating  so  much  fauo''  of  yo'  Lo**"  when  yo'  leisure  wil  by  the  first  p'mit  and  if  you 
se  cause  any  longer  and  further  to  encourage  the  companie  or  such  of  them  as  haue  been  waiteing 
for  M'  Winthrops  coming  to  put  to  an  end  all  p'tended  claims  to  y'^  lands  vnder  treatie  w"" 
yo'selfe  &  Hono^'*  Counsell  that  o'  neighbo"  thereby  seemed  to  hinder  and  obstruct  y''  matter  what 
they  could.  And  also  to  hear  what  encourageing  answers  or  returnes  you  may  haue  Receaued 
from  yo''  Lo'"'  in  Holland  after  which  they  haue  been  and  are  still  muclj  waiteing  to  see  if  you 
haue  receaued  any  further  liberty  and  power  to  encourage  And  will  be  pleased  to  let  them 
vnderstand  the  same,  w'ch  if  they  may  obtaine  this  request  of  you  they  wil  acquaint  one  another 


New   York  Jlis.to rival  liecordn.  267 

therew*""  &  promise  to  returue  vou  and  answer  vpon  what  teannes  they  will  pi'oceed  if  they  do  at 
all  speedily  Aud  whether  or  noe  it  is  uot  within  your  couipasse  to  graunt  them  free  liberty  as 
vnder  your  Authority  &  Province  payeing  all  dues  &  duties  as  sliall  be  agreed  vpon  they  may 
not  be  a  free  people  of  theraselues  to  act  subordinately  for  themselues  both  in  all  Civill  &  Ecle- 
siasticall  Respects  And  not  further  at  present  to  trouble  saucing  my  humble  desire  to  pardon  my 
boldnes  and  obruptnes  and  to  fauo''  me  with  an  answer  heerto  by  this  bearer  Jo.  Alsup  and  to 
take  leaue  to  subscribe  myselfe 

As  I  am  your  loucing  freind  to  Connnand 
Milford,  y"  29"'  June  1663.  in  what  I  may 

lioBEET    TeeATT. 


Letter  from  Matheits  Capito,  Secretary  at  Wiltwtck  to  Director  Stuyve- 
sant;  uis  wife  killed  and  burned  with  all  his  effects;  requests  a  supply 


OF   clothing. 


Noble,  Honorable,  Yery  "Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Gentlemen  Whereas  I,  your  Hon'"''^  "Worships'  humble  petitioner,  have  also  been  brought  to 
ruin  during  these  late  troubles  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  caused  by  the  savages,  not  having  lost 
only  my  dear  wife,  who  was  killed  by  the  barbarians  and  then  burned  with  the  house,  to  which 
they  set  fire,  but  in  the  same  fire  also  all  my  movable  effects,  that  nothing  else  is  left  to  me,  but 
my  honest  name.  Now,  as  I  need  during  my  further  life  for  covering  my  body  and  keeping  it 
clean  some  linen  and  cloth,  which  at  present  cannot  be  obtained  here  and  which  even  if  it  were 
to  be  had  here,  I  cannot  pay  for,  therefore  I  am  compelled  to  turn  to  your  Hon'''°  "Worships  with 
my  humble  and  respectful  petition,  that  your  Hon"''*  Worships,  in  pity  of  my  distressed  circum- 
stances and  misery,  will  please  to  assist  me  and  provide  me  with  low-priced  clothing,  to  wit,  some 
cheap,  plain  cloth  for  a  suit  of  clothes  and  what  is  needed  for  it,  two  or  three  store-shirts  or  linen 
to  make  them,  one  or  one  and  a  half  els  of  linen  for  handkerchiefs  and  nightcaps,  a  blanket  and 
enough  coarse  linen  for  a  straw  tick  and  a  pillow,  two  pair  of  Icelandish  socks  and  a  pair  of  shoes 
and  charge  these  goods  according  to  their  prices  to  my  account ;  I  promise  to  make  it  good  to 
your  Hou*''"  Worships,  as  soon  as  I  can  and  as  with  God's  blessing  I  shall  have  again  prospered 
somewhat.  Not  doubting  I  expect  to  receive  them  by  the  first  opportunity,  because  my  needy 
circumstances  require  them.  Closing  with  ni}^  greetings  I  commend  your  Hon""'"  Worships  to  the 
Almighty's  protection,  wishing  and  praying  sincere!)',  that  the  good  God  will  save  your  Hon'"'^ 
Worships  and  us  all  from  all  such  and  similar  misfortunes  and  troubles,  while  I  remain 
Actum  at  Wiltwyclc,  Your  Hon'"''  Worships  humble 

the  29""  Jime  1663.  subject  and  obedient  servant 

Matheus  Capito  m.  p. 

To   the  Noble,  Honorable.  Yery  Worshipful,  Wise    Prudent  and   Yery  Discreet  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Atristerdam  in  New-Netherland. 


268  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

Lettek    feom  Councillor  de    Decker  to  Director    Stutvesant  ;    information 

RESPECTING    THE    PRISONERS  ;    NO    VOLUNTEERS    TO    BE    OBTAINED    AT    FoRT    OrANGE. 

Sir. 

If  we  might  rely  on  uncertain  and  vague  rumors,  then  our  prisoners  have  been  distributed 
and  scattered  and  there  since  the  last  attack  at  the  Esopus.  Anyway  Mons'  Gorlaer  reported  to 
nie  yesterday,  that  he  had  learned  from  a  savage,  who  had  been  peddling  brandy  towards  the 
Uatskils,  that  he  had  seen  and  spoken  with  deaf  Hester,  her  child  and  two  or  three  other  women  ; 
he  had  advised  Hester  to  try  and  escape,  while  the  savages  lay  intoxicated,  but  that  she  had  had 
fears  and  did  not  dare  to  do  it.  The  same  savage  was  willing  to  go  again  on  the  same  errand  to 
the  Catskils  with  the  daughter  of  the  said  Hester,  who  lives  here,  persuaded  thereto  by  the 
promise  of  a  musket  and  some  trifles,  if  he  should  endeavor  and  try  to  carry  away  and  bring 
hither  mother  and  daughter,  after  having  made  the  savages  drunk.  Time  will  show,  what  will  be 
the  result  of  the  undertaking. 

There  is  little  prospect  here,  to  enlist  a  dozen  soldiers  or  to  obtain  volunteers,  and  your  Honor 
must  therefore  not  rely  much  upon  it.  De 2>resentibus  non  de  futuris  gaudet  ecclesia.  Closing 
with  hearty  greetings  I  remain. 

Sir, 
Beverwyck,  Your  Honor's  affectionate  friend 

29""  June  1663.  J.  de  Deckbre. 

1663. 

To  His  Honor,  Petriis  Stuyvesant  Director- General  of  New-Neiherland  at  the  Manhatans. 


Appointment  of  MiLrrAEY  officers  foe  Beegen  and  Gemoenepa. 
30'"  June. 

The  Director- General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  selected  from  the  nominees  proposed 
by  the  Sehout  and  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Bergen  and  its  neighborhood  and  contirmed  for  the 
village  of  Bergen 

Adriaen  Post  as  Ensign 
Jam,  Swaen  as  Sergeant 
for  Gemoenepa  as  Sergeants 
Harmen  Smeeman 
Gerrit  Gerritsen 
Actum  at  Port  Amsterdam.     Date  as  above. 


Commission  of  Martin  Ceeqiek  to  be  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Commandee  of  the  forces. 

Petrus  Stuyvesant,  in  behalf  of  their  High  :  Might :  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United 
Netherlands  and  the  Lords-Directors  of  the  Incorporated  "West-India  Company,  Director-General 
of  New-Netlierland  and  the  Honorable  Council  Greeting  ! 

Whereas  we  have  deemed  it  necessary  for  the  greater  security  and  protection  of  this  province 
and  its  good  inhabitants,  to  engage  and  keep  in  service  besides  the  old  soldiers  a  considerable 
number  of  uew  ones,  for  which  we  required  a  good  and  experienced  person,  to  command  under 
the  orders  and  in  the  absence  of  the  aforesaid  Hon'"'^  Director  and  Captain-General  Petrm  Stuy- 
vesant as  Captain-Lieutenant  over  his  company  and  all  other  military  officers,  therefore  relying 


New  York  Historical  Records.  269 

upon  tlie  piety,  fitness  and  the  good  management  of  Marten  Crieger,  Burgomaster  of  this  city, 
who  has  ah-eady  served  tlie  Hon''"^  Company  under  our  directions  in  several  other  military  capaci- 
ties and  whose  services  have  well  pleased  us,  we  have  engaged,  appointed  and  commissioned  the 
said  Marten  Crieger,  as  we  hereby  engage,  appoint  and  commission  him  as  Captain  Lieutenant  over 
all  our  military,  to  command  the  same  agreeably  to  the  instructions  already  given  or  hereafter  to 
be  given,  to  drill,  to  march  them  up  and  down  and  have  them  commanded,  drilled  and  marched 
up  and  down  by  other,  his  subaltern  officers,  as  the  situation  and  circumstances  of  affairs  shall 
require  it  for  the  best  of  the  Company  and  the  greater  safety  of  the  country  ;  and  to  do  further 
in  our  absence  everything,  which  a  good,  pious  and  faithful  Captain-Lieutenant  is  in  duty  bound 
to  do,  conform  to  the  oath  to  be  taken  in  our  presence.  After  he  has  taken  the  same  we  summon, 
order  and  command  herewith  all  and  everybody,  whom  this  concerns,  and  especially  all  our  officers 
and  private  soldiers  to  respect,  accept,  acknowledge  and  obey  the  said  Marten  Crieger  as  our 
Captain-Lieutenant,  each  in  his  position  and  rank,  because  we  have  thus  deemed  it  necessary  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Hon'^'^  Company,  the  better  protection  of  the  country  and  the  better  employment 
of  the  military'.  Thus  done  and  given  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  30""  of  June 
1663. 

Capt. -Lieut.  Cregier  took  the  following  oath  • 

I  promise  and  swear,  to  be  faithful  and  true  to  their  Noble  High :  Might :,  the  Lords  States- 
General  of  the  United  Netherlands,  to  the  Noble  Lords-Director  of  the  Incorporated  West-Lidia 
Company  and  their  Hon''"'  Director-General  and  Council,  to  serve  them  honestly  and  piously,  as 
it  behooves  a  good,  pious  and  faithful  Captain-Lieutenant  to.     So  help  me  God  Almighty- ! 

Nota  :  The  foregoing  oath  was  also  taken  by  the  Lieutenants  Pieter  Wolphertsenvan  Couwen- 
hoven  and  Nicolas  iStillewil. 


Instbuotions    roR  Captain  Ceegiee. 

Provisional  instructions  for  the  Captain- 
Lieutenant,  Marten  Crieger  and  the  Coun- 
cil of  War. 
1. 
The  Council  of  War  shall  be  composed  of  the  said  Captain-Lieutenant,  Lieutenant  Nicolas 
Stillewel,  Pieter  Wolphertsen,  Captain-Lieutenant  of  a  detachment  of  natives  and  volunteers,  the 
oldest  Sergeant  Christian  Niessen  and  to  their  decision  are  left  all  matters  of  war  as  well  in  send- 
ing out  parties  as  concerning  the  expedition  in  general,  which  are  to  be  decided  by  plurality  of 
votes  and  in  case  of  a  tie,  Captain-Lieutenant  Crieger  shall  east  a  double  vote. 


If  one  or  two  members  of  the  said  Council  should  happen  to  be  absent,  it  is  left  to  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Captain-Lieutenant  to  associate  with  himself  such  persons,  as  he  may  think  most 
able  and  fit. 

3. 

It  is  also  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Council  to  associate  with  them- 
selves in  grave  and  unexpected  events  some  persons,  selected  either  from  the  magistrates  of  Wilt- 
wych  village  or  other  civil  officers,  whom  the  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Council  shall  judge  most  fit. 


270  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Whereas  the  Director-General  and  Council  have  as  yet  no  certain  and  sufBeient  reports  and 
knowledge,  what  assistance  by  other  tribes  the  Esopus  savages  may  have  received  and  what  their 
strength  may  be  in  their  fort  and  also  in  the  field,  they  can  hardly  give  any  further  orders,  how 
and  with  what  forces  the  savages  must  be  attacked.  They  leave  it  therefore  to  the  better  and 
surer  experience  of  the  said  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Council,  but  the  Director-General  and  Council 
are  in  the  meantime  of  opinion,  that,  if  the  savages  should  make,  resistance  iu  their  fort,  as  their 
intention  is  said  to  be,  they  must  not  be  attacked  and  fought  with  less  troops,  than  they  them- 
selves are  reported  and  thought  to  have  inside,  so  that  we  may  not  be  compelled  to  give  it  up  with 
losses  and  without  having  accomplished  anything. 

5. 
For  the  benefit  of  the  Christian  captives  and  in  order  to  gain  as  much  time  as  possible,  they 
may  hold  parleys  with  the  Kmpus  savages,  also  make  an  armistice  for  as  long  a  time,  as  they  shall 
think  best  for  the  public  welfare  and  the  Christian  prisoners,  but  they  must  iu  no  case  enter  upon 
peace-negotiations  without  special  order  of  the  Director-General  and  Council. 

6. 

It  is  further  left  absolutely  to  the  discretion  of  the  Captain-Lieutenant  and  his  Council  of 
War  to  act,  if  an  opportunity  should  present  itself,  that  with  good  information  they  might  make  a 
successful  attempt  on  the  fort  of  the  savages,  perhaps  by  a  surprise  or  if  they  have  reason  to  hope, 
that  they  wUl  become  masters  of  it. 

7. 

The  aforesaid  Council  is  finally  directed,  to  use  all  possible  precautions  in  sending  out  parties 
for  the  protection  of  the  coming  harvest  and  the  cattle,  to  send  out  as  frequently  and  in  as  good 
order  and  with  all  precautious  as  many  parties,  as  they  may  think  fit  and  as  circumstances  require, 
especially  if  no  general  attack  is  made  on  our  fort ;  by  every  chance,  which  presents  itself,  they 
must  report  in  detail  to  the  Director-General  and  Council,  what  has  taken  place  and  Avhat  else  is 
required  and  necessary.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New- Netherlands  the  SO""  of  June 
1663. 


Report  of  Lieutenant  Cotjwenhoven  and  others  of  their  ill  success  in  rais- 
ing   VOLUNTEERS    ON    LoNG-IsLAND    AND    DECLARATION    CONCERNING    IT. 

Before  the  Council  appeared  Pieter  'Wolphcrtsen  van  Coinoenhoven,  Nicolas  Stillioell  and 
Saviuel  Fdsal,  who  had  been  to  the  English  villages  He7nsteede,  Vlissingen,  Middlehorgh  and 
Bustdorp,  to  see,  whether  there  were  some  volunteers  willing  to  take  part  in  an  expedition  to  the 
Esopus  in  the  lion"""  Company's  service.  Tliey  report,  that  in  the  beginning  some  men  showed 
themselves  willing,  but  that  they  were  persuaded  by  some  of  the  Magistrates  and  other  persons  to 
remain  and  not  to  march  out,  so  that  they  could  not  accomplish  anything;  not  more  than  5  or  6 
men  will  come  down  from  the  aforesaid  villages.     (3"  July  1663.) 

Christian  Jacdbsen  Wolf  son,  declares,  that  he  has  heard,  Witloch  and  James  Grover,  inhabit- 
tants  of  Gravesend  on  Long-Island,  had  written  to  and  been  personally  in  several  English  villages 


New   YorTc  Hutorical  Iiecvr<h.  271 

under  this  government,  to  dissuade  the  inhabitants  from  marching  to  the  E^opus.  Thns  it  was 
reported  and  declared  in  our  presence  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  the  S**  of  July 
1663. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 

NiCASIUS    DE    SiLLE. 


Letter  feom  the  MrLiTART  officees  at  Bergen  to  the  Director-General  ex- 
pressing THEIR  WILLINGNESS  TO  COMPLY  WITH  HIS  REQUISITION  AND  SENDING 
NAMES    OF    VOLUNTEERS. 

The  Council  of  War  of  the  village  of  Bergen  in  JSfew-Netlierland  inform  his  Hon''"'  Worship, 
the  Director-General,  that  they  have  received  his  non""*  Worship's  letter  and  learned  his  request, 
by  which  the  Council  of  War  find  themselves  heavily  taxed,  to  contribute  some  soldiers  notwith- 
standing the  weakness  of  the  village,  for  tliey  think,  under  correction,  that  it  too  requires  assist- 
ance, considering  the  dangerous  location. 

However,  that  your  Hon''"'  Worship  may  know  the  affection  of  the  community  on  this  side 
and  learn  of  its  existence,  the  Council  has  read  your  Hon*'"  AVorship's  letter  to  the  community  and 
encouraged  some  as  much  as  possible,  as  the  following  list  shows  ;  but  only  under  such  condition, 
that,  if  our  village  is  in  need,  we  shall  receive  assistance  from  your  Hon''"'  Worship  and  the  other 
villages,  upon  which  the  request  has  been  carried  out,  with  the  understanding,  that  the  volunteers 
are  not  to  go  any  farther,  than  the  neighboring  villages,  if  they  are  in  need  and  attacked  and  ex- 
pressly excluding  the  Esopus  and  that  the  volunteers  be  provided  with  good  arms  as  promised, 
upon  which  a  man  may  i"ely  for  his  safety  in  such  an  adventure,  the  same  to  be  delivered  here 
either  in  the  oiBcer's  or  the  Lieutenant's  house  and  to  be  kept  ready  for  every  occasion,  when 
your  Hon'''^  Worship  shall  need  these  men.  We  commend  your  Hon"'"  Worship  to  the  protection 
of  God. 

Thus  done  at  Bergen  in  New-Netherland,  the  •t"'  July  1663  in  the  meeting  of  the  Council 
of  War. 

List  of  volunteers. 
Arendt  Lawrensen  Evert  Gerritsen  Kesolution  of  the 

Elias  Jansen  At  Oemoenepa.  Council  of  War 

Pieter  Hasselt  Joost  van  der  Linde  of  Bergen  village 

Claes  Argansen  Comelis  L^dibersen.  in  N.  N. 

Jan  Uagell  Tielman  van  Yleeck,  Seer''. 


Information  furnished  by  Rachel  La  Montagne,  wife  of  Gysbert  van  Imborgh, 
late  a  prisoner  among  the  esopus  indians. 

Information  given  on  the  4""  of  July  1663  at  Wildwyck  by  Rachel,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Gysbert 
va/n  Imh&rgh,  who  has  been  a  prisoner  among  the  Esopus  Indians,  according  to  the  instructions 
given  to  Sieur  Ja7i  Daret  from  Fort  Orange  by  Johan  de  Deckere. 

To  the  first  question,  in  what  direction  the  fort  of  the  savages  was  lying  from  Wiltwyck,  she 
says,  towards  the  south  at  a  distance  of  about  8  hours'  march. 


272  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  Mwer. 

To  the  second,  the  road  there  is  a  good  footpath  and  it  is  possible  to  get  by  wagon  in  about 
one  or  two  hours  from  WiUwyck  to  theii-  fort,  tliere  are  only  one  or  two  bad  hills  on  the  road. 

Thirdly :  on  the  road  there  3  or  i  little  creeks  will  be  found,  about  one  or  two  hours'  march 
from  their  fort,  the  creeks  are  almost  dry  and  easily  crossed,  the  largest  is  5  or  6  paces  wide. 

Fourthly :  their  fort  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  and  leans  on  to  it  on  one  side,  on  the 
other  sides  the  land  is  flat,  a  creek  washing  one  corner  of  the  fort. 

Fifthly :  the  fort  is  fortified  with  palisades  on  the  creek  side  and  all  around ;  the  palisades 
could  easily  be  pulled  out ;  the  creek  is  not  deep  near  the  fort  and  at  3  or  4  places  there  are  rocks 
in  it,  so  that  it  is  easy  to  get  across ;  the  creek  is  as  wide,  as  the  creek  near  Ehhingh^s  land. 

Sixth :  there  is  a  good  view  of  the  surrounding  country  from  the  fort. 

Seventh :  the  fort  is  large,  a  little  larger  than  the  fort  at  Fort  Orange,  where  his  Honor,  Mr. 
La  Montague  lives ;  it  has  two  rows  of  palisades  put  up  like  chevaux-de-frise,  through  wliich  it  is 
easy  to  pass ;  they  are  putting  up  a  third  row  of  palisades  close  to  each  other,  with  port  holes  like 
those  in  WiUwyck  /  the  fort  has  two  gates,  one  to  the  south,  the  other  to  the  north. 

Eighth :  ten  dwellings  are  in  the  fort  and  she  has  not  seen  more,  than  about  30  men,  who 
guard  the  fort  and  she  says  further,  that  they  were  in  great  anxiety  about  their  wives  and  children 
and  that  they  lodge  them  outside  or  the  fort  during  the  night,  sometimes  with  the  prisoners,  when 
a  startling  rumor  reaches  them  and  they  do  not  rely  much  on  escape. 

Lastly:  (illegible). 


Letter  from  Captain  Cregier  to  Director  Stutvesant  ;  reports  his  akrival  at 

THE  EsOPUS  ;    ESCAPE  OF  MrS.  VAN  LuBORGH. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  "Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Sir. 

I  arrived  here  at  the  Esopus  near  the  Eedoubt  with  the  yachts  on'the  4"'  July  and  sent  imme- 
diately 40  men  up  to  WiUwyck  to  get  wagons ;  they  returned  about  one  hour  after  noon  with  9 
wagons,  we  have  loaded  on  them,  as  much  as  we  could  and  towards  evening  I  and  my  detach- 
ment and  the  wagons  arrived  at  WiUwyck.  I  found  the  people  here  in  low  spirits,  but  upon  my 
arrival  their  courage  revived,  for  the  day  before  my  arrival  they  had  sent  three  barges  with  cattle, 
about  100  heads,  to  Fort  Orange  and  everything  is  wanting  here ;  the  soldiers  here  have  received 
their  last  ration  ;  nor  have  I  found  any  hard  bread,  for  it  was  consumed  before  they  had  arrived 
with  the  yachts ;  what  I  have  brought  with  me  will  hardly  be  sufficient  for  a  month,  including 
the  troops  brought  along  by  me  and  those  found  here ;  hence  your  Honor  will  please,  to  provide 
these  troops  in  times  with  victuals  and  ammunition,  of  which  I  send  herewith  a  specification.  I 
have  had  no  rencontre  either  in  landing  at  the  Fsopus  nor  in  marching  up,  but  during  the  dis- 
charging and  landing  of  the  troops  3  savages  could  at  all  times  be  seen  on  a  hill  and  while  we 
marched  into  WiUwyck  the  sentry  saw  also  two  savages ;  for  this  reason  I  place  some  men  in 
ambush  during  the  night  at  some  convenient  time,  to  try  whether  we  cannot  obtain  some  prisoners. 
"We  are  now  busy  to  bring  our  goods  up  from  the  strand  to  the  Fsopus.  When  I  arrived  at  the 
Fsopus,  I  found  there  the  Maquaes,  who  had  been  to  see  the  Fsoj)us  savages  about  the  prisoners, 
but  they  brought  no  one  witli  them,  except  Mr.  Gysberfs  wife ;  the  savages  and  Mr.  Oyslert's 
wife  had  been  examined  by  the  Magistrates  here,  the  day  before  my  arrival,  as  to  her  adventures ; 
the  Magistrates  are  sending  the  result  of  the  examination  to  your  Honor ;  as  the  Maquaes  and 
Mr.  Gyshert's  wife  say,  the  savages  have  never  more  than  30  men  in  the  fort,  but  they  are  always 


New    YorTc  Historical  Records.  273 

out  on  expeditions ;  I  shall  try  to  verify  this,  as  far  as  possible.  Mr.  Oysberfs  wife  says,  the 
savages  were  busy  putting  up  a  third  row  of  palisades  around  their  fort  and  that  they  had  also 
made  a  breastwork  for  the  protection  of  their  watering  place,  but  they  were  nevertheless  afraid  of 
the  Dutch,  so  that  they  had  taken  all  the  prisoners  out  of  the  fort  into  the  mountains  during  several 
nights  and  had  them  guarded  together  with  their  wives  and  children  and  old  men,  only  the  men, 
able  to  bear  arms,  remaining  in  tlie  fort  to  guard  it.  A  Maquaes  chief,  who  brought  away  Mr. 
Gysberfs  wife,  says,  when  he  returns  to  the  Maquaes  fort,  he  shall  ask  the  other  chiefs,  whether 
they  will  go  with  40  savages  to  the  Esopus  savages  and  carry  off  the  prisoners  by  force.  I  am  of 
opinion,  that  we  are  able  to  take  the  fort  of  the  savages,  but  as  they  bring  the  prisoners  immedi- 
ately into  the  mountains  upon  rumors  and  for  fear,  that  the  Dutch  are  coming,  and  leave  only  a 
few  savages  in  the  fort,  who,  when  they  see  us,  will  take  to  their  heels,  so  that  we  could  not 
accomplish  anything,  therefore  I  propose,  to  await  first  the  arrival  of  Pieter  Wolphertsen  and  his 
savages  and  to  see,  what  they  can  do  or  to  wait  for  the  result  of  the  Maquaes'  attempt  for  the 
recovery  of  the  prisoners.  I  expect  hereon  your  Honor's  order  and  shall  in  the  meantime  do  my 
best,  to  inflict  as  many  injuries  to  them  in  the  woods,  as  we  can.  I  am  not  able  to  send  your 
Honor  a  complete  list  at  present,  for  I  have  now  too  much  to  do  to  bring  the  goods  np  from  the 
strand,  but  I  will  say,  that  we  number  here  about  130  men  bearing  arms,  all  counted  except  the 
negroes,  nine  of  them  are  wounded  and  six  are  at  the  Redoubt  and  there  are  about  9  or  10  among 
them,  who  cannot  march  out,  so  that  we  cannot  bring  much  more  than  100  men  bearing  arms  into 
the  field.  Your  Honor  will  please  to  take  care,  that  the  ordered  goods  be  sent  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, for  we  cannot  get  anything  here,  it  must  all  be  brought  from  the  Manhatans.  I  would 
prefer  bacon  instead  of  meat,  for  it  is  better  for  expeditions,  reconnoitering  parties  and  ambus- 
cades ;  nothing  or  only  little  can  be  ground  here  on  account  of  little  water ;  hence  all  the  grain 
must  be  groiind  at  the  Manhatans  and  packed  in  good  barrels,  for  the  cooper  had  not  looked  well 
after  the  baiTels,  which  I  brought  away ;  the  middle  hoop  must  be  better  secured  with  nails. 
Closing  with  my  cordial  salutations  I  commend  your  Honorable  Worships  to  God's  protection. 
Actum  Wiltwyck,  Your  Honorable  Worships' 

the  S""  July  1663.  obedient  and  faithful  servant 

Martin  Ceegiee. 
To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Yery  Discreet,  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland. 


Report  of  the  Indians  sent  to  negotiate  with  those  of  the  Esopus  (beginning  lost). 

they  said,  "  where  is  the  cloth,  powder,  lead  and  black  wampum  "  and  "  no  more  than  five  bun- 
dles of  wampum?"  and  they  refused  the  present,  holding  the  Dutch  not  better  than  dogs  and 
would  not  hear  one  of  them. 

4. 
Towards  evening  CunacTcquaeese  said  to  the  Esopus  savages.  Shall  I  not  even  bring  a  child 
to  my  masters,  having  so  many  presents  and  having  made  such  a  long  journey,  and  he  offered 
again  the  cloth,  which  had  been  given  him  as  a  present  by  the  Court  here,  together  with  his  own 
strings  of  wampum,  whereupon  the  Esopus  Sachems  went  all  to  sleep,  except  one,  called  Pami- 
rawachginck,  who  had  Mr.  Gysiert  van  lmbo)'gh''s  wife  as  prisoner  ;  he  touched  his  hand  and  took 
35 


274  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

the  present,  putting  it  away  he  said,  I  shall  not  keep  a  bead  of  this  wampum,  I  shall  have  to 
distribute  it  among  the  mischiefmakers,  to  satisfy  them. 

5. 

After  they  had  given  to  him  the  wampum,  he  consented,  that  they  should  take  with  them 
next  morning  the  captured  woman,  whereupon  they  requested  permission  to  take  another  prisoner, 
but  it  was  refused. 

6. 

Next  morning,  at  daybreak,  the  Sachem  had  left  and  he  asked,  where  is  she,  whom  I  have 
ransomed?  The  other  savages  then  wanted  to  return  the  presents  to  him,  but  he  said,  Do  you 
mean  to  fool  us  ?  If  we  had  our  arms  with  us,  we  would  take  her  by  force,  for  you  have  accepted 
the  presents  and  our  custom  is  to  keep  a  promise  after  having  accepted  a  present. 

7. 
He  says  further,  that  both  of  them  had  as  much  to  do  with  the  Esopus  savages  for  two  days, 
as  it  was  possible  in  the  above  matter. 

8. 

He  says  further,  that  they  were  willing  to  keep  at  peace  with  the  people  of  Catslcil,  of  Fort 

Orange  and  the  Mahicanders  and  Maquas,  but  not  by  any  means  with  the  Esopus  people,  against 

whom  they  would  make  war  with  fire  and  sword  to  the  last  man  and  they  add,  that  if  the  Esojnis 

people  do  not  leave  the  place  and  abandon  the  land,  they  will  drive  them  out  by  fire  and  sword. 

9. 

They  are  weak  now  and  have  only  a  small  castle,  but  they  will  spread  from  the  Esopus  to  the 
Manhatans,  if  the  Christians  do  not  obey  their  commands,  whereupon  they  gave  to  them,  the 
Maquaes,  a  present  of  some  wampum,  to  grease  their  feet,  if  they  might  hurt  them  against  a 
stone  on  theii*  journey  and  thanked  them  for  their  troubles. 

10. 

<  To  prevent  the  bringing  in  of  the  harvest,  they  are  said  to  lie  in  small  detachments  on  all 
roads  and  paths.  Shall  they  be  asked  by  our  Masters  for  an  armistice,  to  gather  the  crops  and 
shall  the  land  then  be  deserted  or  purchased  again  from  them  in  the  presence  of  other  tribes,  as  it 
has  been  done  before  ? 

11. 

Smits  Jan  said  especially  this :  If  the  Dutch  will  not  abandon  the  Esopus  nor  make  peace 
with  the  Esojnis  savages,  what  then  about  the  release  of  the  prisoners  ?  for  he  himself  neither  saw 
nor  knew  any  better  means,  than  to  go  with  44  Maquaes,  there  being  44  prisoners  still  in  their 
hands,  to  the  castle  of  the  Esopus  savages  and  thus  to  get  each  a  prisoner  and  bring  him  away. 

Jan  Daeeth,  interpreter. 

Agrees  with  the  original,  as  recorded  by  the  Schout,  Commissaries  and  Council  of  War  at 
Wiltwyck,  which  attests 

Mati'heus  Capito,  Secretary. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  275 

MrNTJTE    OF    THE    CoUUT    AT    WiLDWYCK. 

On  tlie  5"'  of  July  Sieur  Jan  Daret  came  to  the  Magistrates  here  at  WiUioi/ck  and  stated  that 
the  Ma<iuaes  had  forgotten  to  say  in  tlieir  report  as  to  the  best  way  to  release  the  prisoners  in  a 
sensible  manner,  that  the  Esopus  savages  had  told  them,  they  cared  not  so  much  for  the  captured 
savages,  as  for  the  payment  for  the  large  tract  of  land,  called  the  New  Village,  but  if  the  sum  to 
pay  it  should  be  brought  there  by  the  Maquaes  or  somebody  else,  they  would  liberate  the  prison- 
ers and  return  them. 

The  Commissary  Thomas  Chainbers  engages  himself,  to  refute  promptly  all  the  propositions 
which  the  Esojpiis  have  made  to  the  Maquaes  and  Mahicanders,  if  it  should  be  required  by  any 
court. 

Agrees  with  the  minute,  taken  at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Schout,  Commissaries  and  Council 
of  War,  which  is  attested  by 

Mattheus  Capito,  Secretary. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the   authorities   at  Fort  Orange;  the 
Catskil  Indians  must  not  harbor  any  Esopus  Indians. 

Honorable,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

I  am  informed  and  told  by  good  authority,  that  some  JEsojjus  savages,  especially  women  and 
children  are  staying  in  and  near  the  Catsklls  and  liave  also  planted  corn  there,  which  would  be 
very  easy  to  destroy.  The  officers  of  our  military  force  have  therefore  requested  our  orders  to  do 
it,  but,  although  we  consider  it  necessary,  yet  to  add  to  the  strength  of  our  just  cause  also  with 
the  Catskil  savages,  who  set  themselves  up  if  not  as  our  declared  enemies,  at  least  as  protectors  of 
our  enemies,  and  to  keep  free  from  blame  and  evil  report,  we  have  resolved  first  to  inform  your 
Honors  of  it  requesting,  that  your  Honors  will  tell  the  Maquaes  and  Catskil  savages  in  our  behalf, 
not  to  suffer  any  Esopus  savages  among  themselves,  because  we  shall  bo  obliged  to  liunt  them  up, 
wherever  we  may  find  them  and  as  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  one  tribe  from  the  other  on  such 
an  occasion  we  wish  to  clear  us  hereby  beforehand,  if  during  the  search  for  and  seizure  of  the 
Esopus  some  Catskil  or  other  savages  should  be  attacked.  Meanwhile  your  Honors  may  give  such 
information  and  warnings  to  the  fanners  in  the  coimtry,  as  your  Honors  should  deem  proper. 

the  9"'  July  1663. 

To  the  Courts  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck. 


276  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Pkoposals  made    to  Sachems  of   the   River  ajvd   Staten-Island   Indians  and 

theib  answers. 

On  the  lO"-  of  July  the  following  chiefs 
came  summoned  by  Oratam,  the  chief  of 
HacJcinkesaky,  pursuant  to  the  conditions 
made  with  him  on  the  27""  of  May,  to  wit : 
Sauwenaare,  chief  of  Wiechquaeskeck,  Met- 
seivackos,  chief  of  Kichtaioangh,  alias 
Sleeper's  haven.  Here  follows  the  proposi- 
tion made  to  them  and  what  they  answered 
in  the  presence  of  Oratami,  the  chief  of  Ac.li- 
kingkesacky,  Waerhen  Kastangh  and  several 
other  savages,  Sara  Kiersteede  acting  as 
interpreter. 

1.  That  now  about  14  days  ago  there  had  been  summoned  by  us  and  had  also  come,  the  chief 
of  Staten- Island,  Matteno,  and  the  chief  of  Achkingkesaky,  Oratam,  who  had  renewed  the  peace 
with  us  and  upon  that  occasion  we  had  requested  them  to  inform,  to  warn  or  to  ask  the  other 
Sachems,  that  they  too  should  come  here  and  declare,  what  their  opinion  was  in  regard  to  the 
troubles  with  the  Esojpus  savages  and  whether  they  would  continue  the  peace  with  us,  so  that  we 
might  know  our  friends  to  distinguish  them  from  our  enemies. 

They  answered  hereupon,  that  they  agreed  with  Oratam  and  Matteno  and  that,  what  OrOj- 
tam  and  Matteno  had  said  and  promised  was  as  much,  as  if  they  themselves  had  said  and  promised 
it.     They  say,  that  they  too  are  willing  to  continue  at  peace  with  us. 

2.  That  the  peace  may  be  kept  well,  it  is  necessary,  that  they  should  pay  no  attention  what- 
ever to  the  Esopus  savages,  that  they  should  not  allow  any  of  their  people  to  go  to  them  or  to  the 
Esopus,  that  our  people  could  not  distinguish  the  savages  and  that  we  should  take  all  the  savages 
found  there  as  enemies,  that  they  must  not  allow  any  Esojnis  savage  to  come  among  them,  for 
that  would  be  a  cause  of  war  between  us  and  them. 

They  promise  in  regard  to  the  second  point,  that  they  will  not  trouble  themselves  with  the 
Esopus  savages  and  say,  if  some  of  their  people  should  go  to  the  Esopus  savages,  they  will  not 
receive  them  again. 

3.  They  are  informed,  that  we  have  charged  all  the  farmers  in  the  open  country,  not  to  trust 
any  savage,  coming  with  arms,  nor  to  let  him  come  into  their  places,  so  that  they  may  not  be 
unexpectedly  surprised,  as  it  has  happened  at  the  Esopus  ;  they  must  therefore  warn  all  their 
savages  and  all  their  friends,  not  to  come  armed  to  our  villages  ;  nobody  from  our  side  shall  come 
with  arms  to  their  settlements,  without  giving  them  previous  notice  and  stating,  where  he 
wanted  to  go. 

They  answered  hereupon,  that  they  would  act  accordingly. 

4.  Whether  they  know,  what  allies  the  Esopus  savages  have  and  who  has  helped  them  in 
this  attack. 

Oratam  answers,  that  ho  has  not  heard  yet,  that  other  savages  held  with  the  Esopus,  except 
the  Menessinghs. 

As  a  sign  of  our  good  heart  imd  in  confirmation  of  the  renewed  peace  a  coat,  a  piece  of 
cloth,  a  shirt  and  a  knife  was  given  to  each  of  the  chiefs  of  luchtawangh  and  Wiechquaeskeck  ; 


New    Yorh  Hidorical  Records.  277 

the  eleven  savages,  who  had  accompanied  them   inchiding  Oratam,  the  chief  of  Tlachinghesahj, 
in  whose  presence  the  proposals  were  made,  received 
Each  a  piece  of  cloth  and  a  knife. 

They  received  these  presents  thankfully  and  the  aforesaid  chiefs  were  once  more  warned  and 
requested,  to  communicate  to  their  savages,  that  they  must  not  go  to  the  Esopus  nor  allow  an 
Enopus  to  hide  among  them,  for  it  is  our  intention,  to  pursue  them,  wherever  they  could  be  found, 
even  if  it  were  way  off  in  the  Maquaes'  country. 

They  promise  not  to  allow  any  savage  to  hide  among  them. 

After  this  had  taken  place,  the  chiefs  complained,  that  the  Dutch  sold  so  much  brandy  to 
the  savages,  that  they  even  carried  it  into  their  country. 

They  were  told,  that  we  tried  to  prevent  it  as  miich  as  possible,  but  that  we  could  not  very 
well  discover  it,  because  the  savages  would  not  tell  us,  from  whom  they  bought  and  who  brought 
it  into  their  country,  also  that  we  had  authorized  Oratam,  the  chief  of  JIackinkesacky,  a  long  time 
ago,  to  arrest  the  Dutchmen,  who  came  into  their  country  to  peddle  brandy. 

Their  reply  hereto  was,  that  they  were  cheated  by  the  Dutch,  who  say,  his  Honor,  the  Gen- 
eral, was  informed  of  it  and  had  given  his  consent;  tlva.t  Pietet'  Wolphertsen  had  been  in  their 
country  and  showed  them  a  letter,  saying,  it  was  written  therein,  that  he  might  go  into  their 
country  to  sell  brandy,  that  he  had  been  there  and  taken  away  with  him  a  large  quantity  (heele 
nootas)  of  wampum,  whereby  their  savages  were  entirely  empoverished,  for  they  always  wanted 
it  again,  if  they  had  had  a  taste  of  it. 

We  listened  to  thorn  and  took  it  into  consideration  and  then  authorized  the  savages,  to  an'est 
all  the  Dutchmen,  who  brought  brandy  into  their  country  and  to  bring  them  here  in  fetters. 
We  promised,  that  they  should  have  a  piece  of  cloth  for  a  coat  besides  the  brandy,  which  such 
persons  sliould  carry,  and  he,  who  brought  in  the  first,  should  have  two  pieces.  Thus  done  at 
Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  in  the  Council-chamber.     Date  as  above. 


OEOraANCE    I"0E    THE    AKKEST    OF    HOSTILE    InDIANS,   PASSED    12'"'    JdLT    1663. 
(Laws  of  New  Netherland,  p.  444.) 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to   the  Magistrates  at  Fort  Orange;  he 

OFFERS    to    pay    A    REWARD    FOR    THE    RELEASE  OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    PRISONERS. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

Your  Honors'  favor  of  the  23*  June  has  been  received  by  us  in  due  time,  wherein  M'e 
found  little  requiring  an  answer,  except  your  Honors'  request  to  be  informed,  who  the  volunteers 
are  said  to  have  been,  whom  your  Honors  were  reported  to  have  prevented  from  going  to  the 
assistance  of  the  Esopus  people  and  who  has  told  vis  so.  The  names  have  not  been  given  to  us, 
but  the  fact,  that  many,  who  offered  their  services  as  volunteers,  have  been  prevented  by  your 
Honors,  has  been  reported  to  us  not  only  by  tlie  men,  hired  and  placed  by  your  Honors  upon  Claes 
TyseiiJs  yacht,  but  also  since  by  many  others,  so  that  we  would  not  lack  proof,  if  the  cabbage 
was  worth  the  soup.     We  shall  let  the  matter  rest  here,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned  and  say  only 


278  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

about  it,  that  if  jour  Honors  should  happen  to  get  into  similar  troubles  there,  against  which  the 
Only  good  God  may  protect  you  as  he  has  done  until  now,  your  Honors  would  wish  to  see 
assistance  come  the  sooner  the  better ;  the  golden  lesson  of  Christ  requires,  Do  as  thou  wilt  be 
done. 

The  efforts  made  bj'  your  Honors  in  the  speedy  dispatch  to  the  Esopus  of  Jan  Darett, 
Smits  Jan  and  some  other  Maquas  to  release  the  captive  Christians  from  the  hands  of  the  Esopus 
have  pleased  us  very  much,  notwithstanding  that  so  little  has  been  accomplished  by  them.  We 
must  infer  therefrom,  that  as  little  reliance  can  be  placed  iipon  this  as  upon  other  tribes  of  bar- 
barians; we  desire  heartily  to  receive  assurance  and  proof  of  the  result  oi' Smits  JarCs  proposi- 
tion, to  go  with  44  Maquaes  to  the  Esopus  fort,  to  take  each  a  prisoner  by  the  hand  and  carry 
him  off,  even  if  we  had  to  promise  a  considerable  present,  say  one  hundred  guilders  or  more  for 
each  Christian  prisoner,  small  or  large,  returned  in  that  way.  Your  Honors  must  use  all  possible 
means  to  bring  this  about,  but,  as  we  have  stated  before,  without  engaging  us  in  any  way  for  a 
peace  or  an  armistice  with  the  Esopiis  or  any  of  their  adherers  and  accomplices. 

Although  we  have  provided  our  Captain-Lieutenant  Kryger  with  a  considerable  quantity  of 
gunpowder,  when  he  left  here,  we  are  now  however  informed  by  him,  that  the  same  is  a  little 
too  coarse  and  not  quite  suitable  for  muskets  and  flintlocks.  Your  Honors  are  therefore  requested, 
to  order  for  us  2  or  300  lbs.  of  good,  fine  musket  powder,  which  we  engage  to  return  as  soon  as 
we  receive  any  by  the  next  ships  from  the  Fatherland.  Please  send  it  to  our  aforesaid  Capf.- 
Lieutenant,  wherewith  etc''. 
the  12th  July  1663. 

To  both  the  Courts  of  Fort  Orange  and  of  the  Colony  of  lienselaerswyek. ' 


Letter  from  Director  Stutvesant  to  Councillor  de  Deckbre  at  Fort  Orange  ; 
Sergeant  Niessen  promoted  for  his  successful  attack  on  the  Indians  ;  peace 
with  the  Indians  around  the  Manhatans. 

Honorable,  Prudent  and  Yery  Discreet  Sir. 

Your  Honor's  favors  of  the  26""  and  QQ""  June  with  their  respective  enclosures  have  been 
received  by  us  in  due  time.  "We  learned  from  them  among  others  with  especial  pleasure  and  grate- 
fulness to  the  good  God  the  successful  attack  made  by  our  people  under  the  command  of  Sergeant 
Niessen  on  the  barbarians.  For  the  encouragement  of  others  and  of  himself  we  have  given  him 
the  ensign's  place. 

We  are  well  satisfied  with  the  expedition  of  Jan  Darett  and  Smits  Jan  with  some  other 
Maquaes  to  the  Esopus  savages,  although  we  must  regret,  that  they  have  accomplished  so  little. 
Meanwhile  we  are  very  eager  to  learn,  what  has  been  the  result  of  the  second  proposition  of  the 
aforesaid  Srnits  Jan  to  go  there  with  44  Maquaes  and  take  each  a  prisoner  by  the  hand.  It  is 
desirable,  that  the  captured  Christians  should  be  released  in  this  manner,  even  if  we  had  to  promise 
a  considerable  reward  up  to  one  hundred  guilders  or  more  for  each  Christian  captive,  either  young 
or  old ;  all  possible  endeavors  must  be  made,  without  however  engaging  us  in  any  way  towards 
the  Esopus  for  the  slightest  hope  of  peace  or  armistice.  We  see  by  your  Honor's  letter  of  the 
29""  June,  that  since  the  last  attack,  made  by  our  people  upon  the  Eopi^is,  the  captured  Christians 
have  been  scattered  here  and  there  among  the  others  tribes,  as  deaf  Hester  and  her  child  among 


N&w  York  Historical  Mecords.  279 

the  Oatskil  savages,  a  probable  proof,  that  one  or  the  other  tribe  has  had  a  hand  in  the  execrable 
deed  and  nuist  be  considered  and  treated  as  enemies  and  it  must  be  further  presumed  that  neither 
the  Esopus  nor  their  allies  will  make  much  resistance  in  their  forts,  notwithstanding  their  boast- 
ings, but  that  they  will  disperse  in  small  detachments  here  and  there  among  other  tribes.  We 
recommend  and  trust  to  your  Honor's  circumspection  to  gather  as  secret  and  exact  infoi'niation  in 
regard  to  the  one  and  the  other  as  possible  and  to  report  the  result  to  Captain-Lieutenant  Knjger, 
that  he  may  make  use  of  it  upon  occasion. 

The  shortness  of  time  and  necessary  business  do  not  allow  us  to  arrange  every  thing  as  we 
desire  and  as  it  ought  to  be  done,  especially  what  your  Honor  complains  of  in  regard  to  the  former 
and  still  daily  occurring  affronts  and  injuries  done  to  your  Honor  by  this  or  that  unreasonable  and 
evilminded  person.  Tour  Honor  will  meanwhile  please  to  feel  assured  and  trust,  that  we  shall 
not  leave  your  Honor  nor  anybody  else  without  support  in  due  time  and  place,  much  less  that  for 
our  own  defense  we  shall  refuse  to  testify  to  the  truth  concerning  your  Honor's  innocence  in  pre- 
venting the  pretended  present  to  the  barbarians  and  in  the  discharging  of  the  military  ;  but  it  is 
well  to  remember  here,  that  a  word  in  season  is  like  a  silver  apple  in  a  golden  peel. 

More  important  matters  and  at  present  the  urgent  requests  of  the  yachts  people  for  permission 
to  sail  prevent  me  to  write  to  our  friends  Philipp  Jr'ietersen,  Volckert  Jansen  and  company  con- 
cerning your  Honor's  and  their  request  for  their  horses  and  cattle,  which  are  not  nor  have  been 
detained  there  by  any  order  of  ours,  if  they  are  not  already  sent  or  delivered  as  we  hope,  for 
Capt. -Lieut.  Martyn  Kryger  reports,  that  on  the  day  before  his  arrival  there,  about  one  hundred 
heads  of  cattle  and  horses  had  gone  in  three  barges  from  the  Enojnis  to  Fort  Orange.  We  agree 
with  your  Honor's  opinion,  that  everybody  ought  to  be  and  remain  master  of  his  own. 

Willem  Bogardus  reports  upon  his  return,  that  the  farmer  of  the  excise  there  had  about  one 
thousand  guilders  on  hand  and  had  offered  to  send  them  down  with  him,  but  that  your  Honor  had 
received  the  money  and  kept  it  until  your  Honor  should  come  here ;  this  has  astonished  om* 
Receiver  van  Ruyven  very  much ;  in  some  necessary  matters,  especially  the  enlisting  of  soldiers 
he  is  somewhat  in  arrears,  anyway  he  has  been  compelled  to  boi-row  wampum  for  the  time  being 
and  beavei-s,  at  16  guilders  for  a  beavei-,  which,  if  he  had  had  that  sum,  he  might  have  avoided 
up  to  that  amount.  Tour  Honor  is  earnestly  recommended  to  send  down  the  same  and  what 
other  amounts  may  be  on  hand  there. 

We  have  renewed  the  peace  with  the  savages  around  here;  if  the  heart  is  as  good  as  the 
mouth,  then  we  may  hope  for  a  good  result.     Affairs  in  the  Fatherland  are  in  statu  quo prius. 
No  more  herewith  after  our  salutations  than  to  commend  your  Honor  to  God's  grace. 
12"'  July  A"  1663. 

To  the  Honorable,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet,  his  Honor  Johan  de  Deckere,  Member  of  the 
High  Council  of  New-Netherla.nd,  at  present  at  Beverwyck. 


Extract   from   a   letter   of    Director   Stdtvesant   to   the   Vice-Director  at 

COEACAO  ;    THE    WAR    AGAINST    THE    EsOPDS    InDIANS    AND    THE  RESOURCES    OF    THE 
COUNTRY  ;    ASSISTANCE  IN  MERCHANDISE  ASKED  FROM  CuRACAO  20'^''  JuLY  1663. 

****** 

Through  the  treachery  of  the  Esojyus  savages  and  their  adlierents  we  are  again  involved  into 
an  offensive  and  defensive  war  against  them  ;  it  is  more  properly  speaking  a  defensive  war  for  the 


280  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

protection  atid  security  of  the  apparently  good  crops,  which  so  far  have  not  suffered  the  least  dam- 
age, thanks  to  the  good  God,  but  it  is  also  an  aggressive  war,  for  we  have  already  attacked  them 
once  or  twice,  whenever  we  could  find  them.  The  safety  of  the  country  and  the  desire  to  subdue 
by  legitimate  means  and  with  God's  help  and  blessing  this  false  and  barbarous  tribe  once  for  all, 
have  compelled  us  to  engage  a  considerable  number  of  soldiers,  in  fact  many  more,  than  the 
country  can  support  in  its  present  condition  and  the  state  of  its  revenues ;  we  are  consequently 
obliged  to  request  of  and  recommend  to  your  Honor,  that  your  Ilonor  think  of  all  possible  means 
to  send  us  at  the  earliest  convenience  the  required  and  ordered  negroes,  salt,  horses  and  other  mer- 
chantable goods,  which  your  Honor  may  judge  advantageous  and  suitable,  whereby  a  considerable 
service  will  be  done  both  to  the  Hon''"'  Company  and  their  conquests  here. 


MmnTE  OF  Council.     Acceptance  of  the  offer  of  Eastern   Indians  to  march 

AGAINST  the  EsOPUS. 

20"'  July  1663. 

Seventeen  savages  came  into  the  Fort,  who  stated,  that  they  lived  on  the  East  end  of  Long- 
Island,  and  offered  their  services  to  go  also  into  the  fight  against  the  Esopus  savages.  The  offer 
was  accepted  and  they  were  asked,  when  they  would  come  ;  they  answered,  that  they  would  first 
wait  for  news,  how  matters  stood  at  the  Esopus.     Adij  ut  supra. 


Proposal  of  the  Hackensack  Indians  to  sell  their  lands  on  the  Kil  van  Kul  ; 
efforts  of  the  Esopus  Indians  to  engage  the  Menessinghs  on  their  side. 

On  the  20"'  of  July  Oratam  chief  of 
Ackinckesalty  and  WaerJien  van  Couwe 
and  the  interpreter,  Sara  Kiersteede, 
appeared  in  the  Council  Chamber  at 
Fort  Amsterdam. 

He  says,  he  has  come  to  bring  an  answer  to  the  propositions  made  by  his  Honor,  the  General, 
namely,  whether  the  savages  would  sell  us  the  hook  of  land  behind  the  Kil  van  Kol  etc.,  to  which 
he  answers,  that  most  of  the  young  men  of  the  tribe  are  out  hunting,  so  that  he  has  not  been  able 
to  speak  with  them,  but  he  has  talked  with  the  old  warriors,  who  say,  that  they  would  not  like  to 
sell,  preferring  to  keep  a  portion  of  it  to  plant,  for  they  dare  not  go  further  inland  for  fear  of 
being  robbed  by  their  enemies.  He  says  further,  that  there  is  land  enough  both  for  us  and  for 
them  divided  by  the  Kil  and  that  it  is  as  good  as  the  land  on  the  Esopus. 

It  was  resolved,  to  inspect  the  aforesaid  land  at  the  first  convenient  time. 

The  said  Oratam  made  also  a  long  report,  that  the  Esopus  savages  had  tried  to  involve  the 
Menissinghs  into  the  war  with  the  Dutch,  but  the  Menissinghs  had  refused  etc.  He  says  the 
present  chiefs  of  the  Esopus  are  Pemyrawech,  Seweckenamo,  Wajperononck,  Caelcop,  Neshahewe. 
Date  as  above. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  281 

Concessions  to  be  granted  to  the  Englishmen,  who  desire  to  settle  on  the  Kil  van  Kol. 

The  foregoing*  letter  of  Mr.  Robert  Treat  was  read  and  thereupon  tlie  propositions,  made  bv 
him  and  some  other  Englislt,  neighbors  and  recorded  here  in  the  register  of  Resohitioiis  the  28"' 
November  1661,  were  taken  up  again.  Pursuant  to  the  letter  of  the  Lords-Directors  the  follow- 
ing answer  was  given  to  the  propositions : 

The  twoe  first  propositions  were  absolutely  granted. 
Vppon  the  3*  proposition 

1.  "We  doe  graunt  by  these  presents  the  English  Townes  shall  have  the  Choyee  off  theire  owne 
Magistrates  in  quality  and  number  as  they  See  most  expedient  for  the  Towne  or  Townes  benefit 
and  welfare  only  that  the  Chosen  Magistrates  annually  shal  be  presented  before  the  Gouernour 
and  Counsel  for  to  be  Confirmed  by  them  and  to  Reuue  the  Oath  ofE  Magestracy. 

2.  They  Shall  have  Consent  &  power  to  keepe  Court  or  Courts  and  to  make  such  Orders  and 
Lawes  as  they  shal  fynde  most  sutable  to  the  Condition  &  Welfare  off  that  place,  only  that  the 
Lawes  and  orders,  made  for  the  better  administration  off  justice  shal  be  presented  vnto  the  Gov- 
ernour  and  Councell  and  beinge  found  to  Concure  with  the  holy  Schripture  shall  be  Confirmed 
vnto  them  and  alsoo  Standinge  Lawes  to  be  observed  by  all  persons  and  Planters  for  the  tyme 
they  are  and  Live  amongst  them. 

3.  Conserninge  the  appeels  it  is  hereby  graunted  and  Confirmed,  that  all  Capitall  sentences 
wherein  the  partys  are  Convinced  by  owne  Confession,  Shal  be  put  in  Execution  by  the  Court  or 
Courts  with  out  appeel,  but  in  dark  &  dubious  matters,  especially  in  Wich  craft  such  Sentences 
off  Death  shal  not  be  put  in  E.xecution,  as  with  approbation  oft  the  Governo""  General  &  Counsel 
in  tyme  beinge. 

4.  In  Civill  matters  and  qilestions  all  persons,  planters  &  other  Lihabitants  shall  accquesse  in  the 
Lawes,  orders,  Sentences  and  appointments  off  theire  owne  Court  or  Courts  officers  to  the  valine 
off  hundred  poimds  vlaems  without  appeel. 

The  4"'  point  is  absolutely  graunted. 

The  S""  point,  noe  Inhabitants  shall  be  put  or  send  in  their  Townes,  w"""  doe  not  lyke  her  or 
her  Magistrates,  beinge  Reserved  that  they  doe  not  admit  any  Inhabitants  without  approbation 
and  acknowledgment  off  the  Governo''  &  Counsell  and  have  given  theire  oath  oflf  fidelity. 

The  6"'  point  is  absolutely  graunted  and  accepted. 
Vppon  the  T""  propositions. 

The  former  propositions  and  What  thereunto  is  Belonginge  beinge  Concluded,  the  graimts 
&  Conditions  thereoff  Shall  by  a  publicq  Instrument  Charter  or  pattent  be  Confirmed  vnto  them, 
by  the  Governour  &  Counsel  subscrybed  and  sealed. 

Here  follows  the  answer  of  the  Hon'''*  General  to  the  preceding  letter  of  Mr.  Robert  Treat : 

Lovingh  frinde,  Mstr  Treatt. 

Jours  off  29  Juny  send  bee  Mstr  Alsop  I  haue  receaued  the  18  off  July  Niew  style.  In  an- 
swer whereoff  I  kan  and  sal  say  thatt  wie  haue  receaued  from  our  lords  and  Masters  in  Ilolland  a 
ful  and  satisfactory  Answer  and  consent  to  al  wich  haue  beene  done  and  agitated  in  the  treatie  stil 
vTider  hand  and  withal  thyre  advys  hoe  far  to  condescent  att  the  points  &  questions  the  wych  thatt 

♦  See  the  letter  on  page  266. — Ed. 
36 


282  Colonial  Settlevieiits  on  the  Hudson  River. 

they  miglifr  te  better  bee  examined  conned  over  and  vnderstanded,  we  have  tought  meet  to  copie 
them  from  word  to  word,  soo  as  they  in  wreytings  were  delivered  and  presented  vnto  vs 
by  you  and  the  rest  of  the  Compagnie  and  haue  sett  in  the  Margine  our  Clare  and  catecoricall  answer 
to  each  off  them,  wych  beeingh  Communycated  to  your  Compagnie  wee  sal  bee  the  bearer  iff  pos- 
sible or  else  wyth  the  first  opportunytie  expect  the  Compagnys  answer  and  resolution  weyther  they 
are  intend  to  proceed  wyth  the  treatie  iff  thatt  wee  may  order  our  occasions  thereunto,  soo  after 
my  services  I  sal  rest. 
20'"  July  1663. 


Minute  of  Council.     Attendance  of  the  chief    of   the  Wiechquaeskeck    In- 
dians   TO    NOTIFY    THE    CoUNCIL    OF    A    EEPOET,    THAT   THE    EsOrUS    WEKE  COMING. 

26"'  July,  Thursday. 

Sauwekaro,  Sachem  of  WiechquaesquecJc,  came  of  his  own  accord  with  his  brother  and  said 
he  was  warned  by  a  Wappingh  savage  that  the  Esopus  savages  would  come  down  with  40  to  50 
men  in  about  5  or  6  days,  to  kill  them  and  the  Dutch  of  JVew  Haerlem,  Hasimxus,  Hoboocken, 
Gemoenepa  and  the  new  village.  He  says  also,  that  therefore  he  has  come  to  take  refuge  with  his 
people  near  New-Ilaerlem,  he  gives  notice  of  it  and  why  they  come,  so  that  the  people  of  Neio- 
Haerlem  may  not  get  frightened.  He  says  further,  that  he  has  warned  the  inhabitants  of  New- 
Haerlem  and  requests  that  we  give  notice  to  the  people  on  the  other  side  of  it  and  on  the  General's 
bouwery. 

He  says  in  regard  to  the  two  prisoners  captured  by  our  men  at  the  Esojnis,  that  they  are 
Wappinghs  and  that  the  chief  of  the  Wappinghs  has  been  to  see  him  on  their  account,  being  ver}' 
distressed  and  that  he  is  now  gone  to  J^ort  Orange  to  talk  over  the  matter  with  the  Sachems  there, 
how  to  get  back  his  prisoners ;  if  he  did  not  succeed  there  the  chief  of  the  Wappinghs  would  come 
here  to  us. 

Asked  concerning  his  statement,  that  40  or  50  Esopus  were  coming  down  here,  how  strong 
the  Esopus  really  were  and  who  would  guard  their  fort,  he  answered,  that  they  numbered  only  SO 
warriors,  that  they  had  abandoned  their  fort,  so  that  nobody  was  in  it,  but  they  keep  here  and 
there  in  the  woods  in  such  dense  underwood,  that  it  was  hardly  possible  to  look  or  creep  through. 
Upon  the  question,  whether  he  did  not  know  or  had  not  heard,  where  our  prisoners  were,  he  said, 
I  won't  lie,  what  I  say  is  the  truth,  I  have  not  heard  anything  of  the  Dutch  captives. 

Asked,  whether  he  had  heard,  what  the  Maquaes  chiefs  had  accomplished,  he  said  only,  that 
three  Maqriaes  had  fetched  the  daughter  of  La  Montague  and  brought  her  home,  but,  he  says,  the 
chief  of  the  Wappinghs  went  with  presents  to  the  Mahicanders  to  get  information  of  the  Dutch 
prisoners  ;  when  he  returns,  he  will  hear  where  they  are  and  he  will  inform  me  of  it.  Date  as 
above. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  283 

Letter  from  Yice-Director  La  Montagne  and  Jeremias  v^vn  Rensselaer  to 
Director  Stdyvesant  ;  they  defend  themselves  against  the  charge  of  re- 
fusing VOLCTNTEERS  ;  EFFORTS  FOR  THE  EELEABE  OF  THE  PRISONERS. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Very  "Worshipful  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

Your  Hon'''''  Worships'  letter  of  the  12"'  of  this  month  of  July  has  been  received  by  us  on 
the  20""  and  having  read  it,  we  beg  to  state  in  reply,  that  we  have  examined  before  our  meeting 
and  in  presence  of  Mr.  de  Decker  one  Storm  Alhertsen,  who  with  others  had  gone  aboard  of  Claes 
Tyseii's  yacht,  destined  for  the  Esopus,  without  our  order  and  from  his  statement  we  have  learned, 
that  it  is  not  worth  the  trouble  to  concern  ourselves  about  the  accusation  of  having  prevented 
volunteers  from  helping  at  the  Esoj>us  ;  we  refer  to  the  report  of  Mr.  de  Decker  and  to  a  personal 
interview  in  due  time,  so  that  we  too  leave  the  soup  with  the  cabbage.  God  and  we  ourselves 
know  best,  how  gladly  we  would  see  our  neighbors  and  friends  helped  and  what  efforts  we  are 
making  in  this  direction  and  we  are  pleased  by  the  satisfaction  expressed  by  your  Hon"'"  Wor- 
ships :  we  wish,  that  we  could  accomplish  more,  but  we  have  to  consider  besides  the  golden  lesson 
of  Christ,  that  we,  who  live  here  quietly  surrounded  by  heathens  and  barbarians  without  being 
able  to  get  assistance  from  anybody,  except  God,  in  times  of  need,  which  God  may  keep  from  us, 
are  obliged  first  to  take  care  of  our  own  houses  and  especially  not  to  get  involved  in  quarrels 
and  troubles. 

Concerning  the  enlistment  of  soldiers,  authorized  by  Mr.  ds  Decker,  we  refer  to  his  report. 

The  proposition  of  Smits  Jan  to  go  with  44  Maquaes  and  release  and  bring  away  the  prison- 
ers appeared  to  us  too  dangerous,  first  because  he  was  tipsy  at  the  time  and  coming  in  to  our  meet- 
ing made  the  offer  without  knowledge  of  the  older  fellow-chiefs  of  the  Maquaes,  second,  when  he 
returned  hei-e  with  S''  Jan  Dareih  and  had  got  the  daughter  of  Mr.  La  Montagne  {Rachel)  by 
stealth  and  thought  the  reward  for  it  and  for  his  troubles  was  given  by  Mr.  de  Decker  in  place  of 
what  he  had  taken  with  him  as  present  to  the  Esopus  to  get  speech  of  them  about  the  release  of 
the  prisoners,  he  answered  as  Mr.  de  Decker  knows,  to  whom  we  refer ;  thirdly,  when  Jan  Darcth 
retiu-ned,  he  said  that  he  had  reported  to  Mr.  ds  Decker,  what  happened  to  meet  him,  to  whom  we 
again  refer.  As  to  the  required  2  or  300  pounds  of  fine  gunpowder,  we  hope  that  your  Hon'''*'  Wor- 
ships shall  receive  some  with  the  arrival  of  the  next  ships  from  the  Fatherland,  ■^herewith  after 
cordial  greetings  we  commend  your  Hon'''''  Worships  to  God's  grace  and  remain. 

Tom-  Hon'"'"  Worships'  affectionate 
Fort  Orange,  friends 

the  28'"  July  A"  1663.  La  Montagne 

Jeremias  van  Rensselar. 

By  order  of  the  Honorable  Courts  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck. 

J.  Provoost.  Clerk,  D.  v.  Schelluyne,  Secretary 
of  the  Colony. 
1663. 


284  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudeon  lliver. 

Part  of  a  letter   feom  Dieectob  Stuyvesant  to  Capt,  Ceegiee  ;    the  Esopus 
to  be  txneelentingly  puesued ;  mischiefmakees  to  be  punished. 

(The  begiuuiiig  of  this  letter  is  missiug.) 

give  them  no  rest,  but  the}'  must  be  pursued  and  attacked  upon  every  information  received,  as 
much  as  possible,  which  we  leave  to  yom-  circumspection  and  prudence. 

Your  journal  and  other  reports  inform  us  of  the  unwillingness  and  bad  beliavior  of  some  farm- 
ers, even  of  such,  of  whom  M-e  had  never  expected  it ;  M'e  see  among  others,  that  one  Tjerck  Claes- 
sende  Witt\\AS,  refused  to  furnisli  his  horses  and  wagon,  to  haul  up  the  provisions  and  ammunition 
sent  there,  also  that  one  Albert  Ileyviansen  Roose  has  uttered  and  spolien  several  unsufferable 
and  tlireatening  words  against  the  Council  of  War  and  the  Magistrates,  he  has  even  threatened  to 
shoot  the  two  arrested  savages,  if  they  are  released  and  set  free  by  the  Council  of  War  or  the 
Commissaries.  Tou  would  have  done  well  either  to  punish  such  unwilling  and  mischiefmaking 
people  exemplarily  there  or  to  send  them  down  innuediately  after  the  deed  and  we  recommend 
you  to  do  this,  in  case  such  unbearable  threats  and  refusals  shoidd  be  made  again ;  the  two  Marse- 
pingh  savages,  sent  down  here,  complain  to  us,  that  the  captured  squaw  and  three  children  ha\'e 
been  taken  away  from  them  unjustly  and  contrary  to  promise  and  have  been  exchanged  for  cap- 
tured Christians  ;  altliough  the  matter  in  itself  is  praiseM'ortliy  and  becoming,  it  is  nevertheless 
said,  that  for  this  and  other  reasons  they  have  become  dissatisfied  and  have  already  expressed  a 
desire  to  i-eturu  home.  As  we  presume,  that  their  stay  there,  if  not  of  all  of  them,  at  least  of 
the  greater  part  is  necessary  and  advantageous,  even  if  only  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  to  hunt 
up  the  scattered  Esopus,  for  they  know  more  about  it  than  any  one  of  us,  thei'efore  we  would 
like  to  see  them  persuaded  by  some  presents  to  remain  there  so  long  and  go  on  expeditions  with 
our  soldiers,  until  some  others  are  sent  in  their  places.  To  accomplish  this,  we  have  resolved  to 
send  our  Secretary,  the  bearer  hereof,  to  your  place  to  deliberate  with  you  and  the  Council  of 
War  about  this  and  some  other  questions  and  to  report  speedily  to  us.  His  Honor  has  been 
recommended  among  others,  first  to  advise  with  you  specially,  as  it  is  not  evident,  that  the  Esopus, 
having  abandoned  their  present  fort  or  being  driven  out  of  it,  are  making  another  stronghold, 
whether  the  Company's  negros  and  a  few  soldiers  coidd  not  be  spared  for  the  better  protection  of 
the  people  in  tlie  open  country,  whom  to  assist  gives  us  great  trouble,  the  more  so  as  some  savages 
have  several  tunes  warned  them  and  us,  that  Esopus  savages  have  been  seen  in  this  neighborhood. 
Wherewith  etc 
Adij  30"'  July  1663. 


Instructions  for  Secretary  vom 
Rtiyven,  to  serve  him  as  a  me- 
morandum. 
30"'  July. 

Arrived  at  the  village  of  Wiltinyck  he  is  to  inquire  closely  into  the  state  of  affairs,  as  to  the 
strength  of  the  Esopus  savages,  who  are  their  allies,  where  they  keep  themselves  at  present, 
where  their  corn  cribs  are  and  where  their  plantations,  whether  some  of  them  are  not  with  or 
without  Christian  prisoners  among  the  Katskil,  Iligliland  or  Menissingh  savages  or  among  some 
Other  tribes  3  he  is  also  to  make  inqun-ies,  liow  and  in  what  way  these  may  be  attacked  and  when 


New    YorJc  Ilidorkul  lie-cords.  28") 

he  has  any,  even   the  least  hope  of  a  success,  to  instigate  and  encourage  in  our  name  the  ofiiccis 
as  much  as  possible  to  make  quick  and  secret  expeditions  against  theui. 

2. 

To  consider  with  the  said  officers  of  the  troops,  when  it  is  best  and  most  convenient,  either 
before  or  after  our  harvest,  to  destroy  the  corn  plantations  of  the  savages.  According  to  the 
information,  which  we  have  so  far  heard  and  received,  we  would  deem  it  proper,  to  defer  the  cut- 
ting down  of  the  corn  until  after  the  whole  harvest  has  been  gathered  or  at  least  the  greater 
jjart  of  it,  unless  they  should  come  in  their  expeditions  upon  some  small  plantations,  wliieli  to 
destroy  a  second  expedition  would  not  pay  ;  they  are  to  destroy  these  small  plantations  whenever 
time  and  occasion  seems  most  tit. 

3. 

As  it  cannot  be  presumed,  that  the  Esop^is  savages,  having  been  driven  out  of  their  fort, 
will  make  another  stronghold  or  settlement  or  gather  in  great  crowds,  but  that  they  will  scatter 
here  and  there  among  other  tribes  or  perhaps  in  the  underwood  of  the  forests,  where  they  must 
be  harassed  as  much  as  possible  upon  the  slightest  information,  he  is  to  consider  with  the  Council 
of  War  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  it  on  more  effectually,  whether  it  would  be  advantageous  to 
enclose  with  palisades  and  secure  a  savage  village  or  house  either  in  their  abandoned  fort  or  in 
their  cornfields  or  still  further  inland  and  garrison  it  for  the  time  of  3  or  4  weeks  with  50  to  60 
men,  so  that  they  can  make  all  possible  sallies  upon  the  savages  with  so  much  less  trouble. 

4. 
To  consider  with  the  Council  of  War,  whether  it  is  not  advisable,  to  go  with  a  yacht  full  of 
soldiers  to  the  Catukll  and  thence  to  march  overland  back  to  tlie  Ksopus,  even  if  it  were  only  to 
discover  whether  any  Jisojnis  savages  are  staj'ing  with  that  tribe,  to  learn  their  status  and  location 
and  in  case  hereafter  some  should  come  to  hide  there  to  warn  the  Catslils,  that  they  must  not  allow 
any  Esojnis  to  come  among  them,  also  to  ask  them  for  guides  and  inquire  after  our  prisoners. 

5. 
To  satisfy  the  Marsepingh  savages  as  far  as  possiljle  and  to  persuade  them,  or  at  least  the 
majority  of  them  to  remain  with    our  troops,  until  others  are  sent  in  their  place  by  the  Sachem 
Tapausagh  /  they  may  be  brought  down  for  that  purpose,  to  gain  time. 

6. 
As  we  and  the  farmers  in  the  country  have  at  different  times  been  warned  against  Ewpus 
runners  and  as  we  are  daily  importuned  for  assistance,  he  is  first  to  deliberate  privately  with  Cap- 
tain-Lieutenant Cregier  on  this  matter,  whether  after  the  expeditious  are  made,  20  or  30  soldiers 
and  the  Company's  negroes  could  not  be  spared  without  detriment  to  the  service  and  sent  down 
in  parties  of  3,  4  or  5  occasionally  on  different  yachts  for  the  better  protection  of  the  country 
people  here  and  especially  for  the  repulse  of  the  expected  attack  here.  It  could  perhaps  be  done 
by  the  Captain-Lieutenant  alone  without  further  commotion,  but  if  the  said  Captain-Lieutenant 
should  raise  difficulties  and  in  case  he  saw  an  opportunity  to  do  better  ser\-ice  with  the  soldiei-s 
there  or  if  the  sending  off  should  create  a  commotion  among  the  savages,  the  English  or  the  vol- 
imteers,  then  the  general  Council  of  War  must  pass  a  resolution  to  that  effect  stating  the  motives 
and  reasons,  why  the  garrison  there  ought  not  to  be  diminished. 

7. 
To  establish  with  the  Council  of  War  and  if  it  seems  advisable  to  him   and   them,  also  with 
some  of  the  JVIauistrates  associated   with  them,  in  the  name  of  tiie  Director-General  and  Council 


2S6  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

some  laws  and  fines  against  all  unwilling  farmers  or  farmlaborers,  who  should  refuse  to  assist  with 
their  horses  and  wagons  for  the  general  benefit,  also  against  all  foul  mouthed  speakers,  against  the 
unnecessary  waste  of  powder  and  lead  and  some  other  necessary  orders,  which  are  hereby  ratified, 
as  if  we  ourselves  had  drawn  them  up  and  proclaimed  them.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Avbstcnlani  in 
New-Netherland.     Date  as  above. 


Letter  from  Captain  Cregipir  to  DrRECTOR  Stuyvesant,  reporting  an  attack 
ON  AN  Indian  castle  ;  kexukn  home  of  some  Indian  allies  and  Long-Island 
volunteers. 

Honorable,  Noble,  Very  "Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Yery  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

I  have  received  your  Hon'''^  "Worships'  letter  by  Mr.  Secretary  van  Rxiyven  and  noted  its 
content.  The  expedition  against  the  castle  of  Esopus  savages  has  not  had  the  result,  which  we 
wished  and  hoped  for,  but  it  was  God's  pleasure,  that  it  should  be  so.  To  abbreviate  the  report 
of  what  has  taken  place,  I  have  entered  it  as  a  journal,  which  I  send  your  Hon*"  "Worships  by  Mr. 
van  Ruyven.  We  have  had  here  also  great  difficulties  with  the  Marsepinghs,  who  want  to  have 
everything  their  own  way;  we  have  humored  thein  and  given  way,  have  spoken  smoothly  to  them 
and  treated  them  well,  but  could  not  satisfy  them ;  we  have  also  given  them  a  part  of  the  booty 
beforehand,  consisting  in  4  kettles,  a  blanket,  two  bearskins,  a  linen  coat,  three  basins  and  some 
spoons  and  they  have  besides  shared  ■with  our  soldiers.  We  have  earnestly  reciuested  them, 
to  remain  and  make  some  small  expedition  with  us  against  some  of  the  Esopus,  but  we  could  not 
persuade  them  to  do  it,  finally  we  asked  them  to  leave  at  least  10  or  12  of  their  men,  promising 
to  give  each  who  remained  20  guilders  in  wampum  and  Mr.  van  Ruyven  had  the  wampum 
fetched  from  on  board  for  this  purpose,  but  nothing  could  be  obtained  from  them,  they  pei-sisted 
in  leaving  altogether,  as  my  journal  shows.  They  wanted  also,  that  their  Captain-Lieutenant 
Couwenhoven  sliould  return  with  them  to  the  Manhatans,  to  which  all  the  ofiicei's  agreed.  Con- 
cerning the  prisoners  of  the  Marsepinghs,  about  whom  they  have  complained  to  your  Hon'"*  Wor- 
ships, I  can  only  saj^  that  the  savages  never  said  a  word  here  about  the  prisoners.  An  order  and 
fine  has  been  established  regarding  the  wagons  and  as  to  the  unwilling  people,  I  shall  punish  all 
mischiefmaking  and  disobedient  men  or  send  them  for  punishment  to  your  Ilon*'"  Worships. 
What  regards  some  Esopus,  who  may  be  hiding  among  the  CatsTcil  or  Wajypingh  savages,  I  am 
awaiting  your  Hon'"'*  Worshi])s'  order,  how  we  shall  act  about  it.  Meanwhile  we  will  see  to  bring 
in  the  grain  or  the  corn  from  the  fields  and  when  the  harvest  is  over,  then  I  shall  see  how  many 
soldiers  we  can  spare  here  and  will  send  them  to  your  Hon''''^  Worships.  The  six  volunteei-s  from 
New- Utrecht  go  lierevnih.;  they  have  asked  permission  to  go  down  for  the  bringing  in  of  their 
harvest,  which  was  granted.  With  salutations  I  commend  in  the  meantime  your  Hon'''''  Worship 
and  the  Hon''"'  Council  to  God's  protection  and  remain 

Your  Noble,  Honorable  Worships' 
Actum  in  Wildioyck,  obedient  friend  and  servant 

3"  August  1663  Martin  Kregier. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable.  Very  Woi-shipfnl,  Wise  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet,  their  Honors 
the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  a.t  Fort  AiHstcrdam  in  New-Netherland. 


New   Yoi'h  Historical  Records.  287 

Minute  of  a  Council  of  War,  held  at  WiLTwrcK  on  the  proposed  operations 

AGAINST   THE   EsOPUS. 

(Beginning  lost.) 

it  was  done  because  some  Esopus  savages  are  said  to  be  planting 

among  the  [Jiatslil-s],  also  because  one  of  the  Esopus  Sachems,  called  Caelcop,  with  some  friends 
are  said  to  live  and  have  a  plantation  among  the  Highland  savages.  I  have  a  great  mind  to  attack 
them,  but  am  afraid,  that  in  such  an  expedition  some  of  the  HighlaTid  or  Catskil  savages  might 
be  killed,  for  it  is  impossible  for  our  people  to  distinguish  them  from  the  others,  and  then  the 
whole  nation  would  be  drawn  into  the  war.  I  must  add  hereto,  that  the  Maquaes  have  said,  all 
the  savages  above  Sagertjen,  among  whom  the  Catskils  are  comprised,  had  engaged  themselves  for 
their  friends,  that  these  should  do  no  harm  to  the  Dutch  nor  the  Dutch  to  them.  It  was  there- 
fore and' for  other  reasons  resolved  to  request,  before  making  the  sallies,  the  advice  of  the  Hon"'* 
Director-General  and  expect  it  speedily,  meanwhile  to  send  out  a  party  and  keep  it  constantly  in 
the  field  to  see  whether  information  might  be  obtained  somewhere,  further  to  promote  with  all 
possible  assiduity  the  bringing  in  of  the  harvest ;  also  to  summon  by  the  first  upward  bound  yacht 
Christoffel  Davidts  from  above,  to  serve  us  as  a  guide,  for  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  localities 
of  the  Esojms  savages  and  without  him  little  or  nothing  could  be  accomplished. 

It  was  further  proposed,  whether  20  or  30  of  the  soldiers  stationed  here  could  not  be  sent 
down  at  some  convenient  time  for  the  greater  protection  of  the  country  people  on  Manhatans 

Island  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Northriver,  because they  have 

been  warned  ....  Esopus  runnei-s.  It  was  said  hereupon,  that  only  about  16  soldiers 
were  available,  who  were  required  for  the  guarding  of  the  fort,  so  that  none  or  only  few  could  be 
sent  out,  when  Esopus  runners  shall  come  liere.  After  considering  this,  we  concluded,  that  for 
the  above  reasons  none  of  the  soldiers  stationed  here  now  could  be  missed  for  tlie  present,  for  we 
number  not  more  than  155  men  now  after  the  departure  of  the  savages  and  volunteers.  It  must 
also  be  said,  that  it  is  necessary  to  keep  ready  constantly  a  detachment  for  the  convoy  of  coming 
and  going  goods  and  therefore  it  is  resolved  not  to  send  down  a  soldier  from  the  present  garrison, 
except  upon  special  order  of  the  Hon''"'  Director-General  and  Council. 
Actum  at  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  the  3*  of  August  A°  1663. 

Martin  Kkegier. 


Letter  from  Director  Stut^'esant  to  Captain  Cregier  ;  directions  to  save  the 

nAitVEST  AT   THE    EsOPUS. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 

Your  Honor's  favor  by  the  hands  of  Secretary  van  Jiuyven  has  been  received  in  due  time, 
from  which  we  note  your  request  to  know,  how  to  act  in  regard  to  the  Highland  and  Catskil  sav- 
ages among  whom  it  is  reported  that  some  Esopus  are  hiding ;  you  will  learn  by  the  enclosed  copy 
of  our  letter  to  the  two  Courts  above  and  tlie  instructions  given  to  Lieutenant  Pieter  Wolphei^tsen 
van  Couioenhoven,  what  we  have  deemed  necessary  concerning  this  point  and  before  these  savages 
are  attacked  among  other  tribes.  You  must  meanwhile  take  care  and  push  with  all  possible  dili- 
gence and  caution  the  bringing  in  of  the  harvest  with  the  utmost  safety  and  send  out  for  this  pur- 
pose and  put  in  ambuscade  as  many  troops,  as  you  shall  think  best. 

We  cannot  imagine,  that  the  Esopus  will  gather  in  any  large  numbers  in  your  neighborhood, 


288  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

but  believe,  they  will  rather  scatter  in  small  parties  and  make  at  some  time  or  the  other  attacks 
upon  the  country  people  here  and  elsewhere.  We  desire  therefoi'e  to  submit  once  more  to  j'our 
judgment,  that  you  advise  us  by  the  first  chance,  whether  25  or  30  soldiei-s  could  not  conveniently 
be  spared,  to  be  stationed  in  the  country  places  about  hei'e  and  as  some  soldiers'  wives  importune 
us,  that  they  can  hardly  maintain  themselves,  as  long  as  their  husbands  are  there  and  as  it  is  diffi- 
cult for  us  to  provision  the  husbands  there  and  the  wives  here,  we  have  provisionally  consented, 
that  the  men  mentioned  in  the  list,  should  be  sent  down  by  the  first  convenieuce,  wherewith  etc. 
9""  of  August,  sent  by  Mr.  de  Deckere. 


Instrtictions  foe  Lieutenant  van  Couwenhoven,  sent  to  renew  the  peace  with 

THE    WaPPINGHS  and  TO    PROCCEE  THE  RELEASE  OF  THE    CHRISTIAN  PRISONERS. 

9""  August.  Instructions. 

As  we  are  informed,  that  some  Esopus  savages  are  hiding  among  the  Wappinghs  and 
HigJiland  savages,  it  is  deemed  best  and  necessary  to  send  thither  Lieutenant  Pieter  Wolphertsen 
van  Couwenhoven,  to  get  information,  how  much  truth  there  is  in  these  reports.  If  he  finds,  that, 
as  the  report  goes,  one  of  the  Esoptis  chiefs,  Keercop,  and  his  friends  are  planting  among  the 
Highland  savages,  then  he  shall  offer  to  the  chief  of  the  Wappinghs  a  continuation  of  our  old 
friendship  (in  order  not  to  get  into  a  war  with  him  and  his  tribe)  and  shall  present  him  a  coat, 
sent  along  for  this  purpose;  he  shall  also  request  him  in  the  best  possible  manner,  without  using 
threats  of  war,  that  he  will  not  allow  any  Esopus  to  live  among  his  people,  much  less  assist  tliem 
or  provide  them  with  corn  or  other  victuals. 

2. 

He  shall  minutely  inquire  after  the  Christian  prisoners  and  ask  of  the  chief  and  the  Wap- 
pinghs,  how  and  by  what  means  the  same  could  be  released ;  if  he  sees  any  hope  or  way,  to 
effectuate  the  release  through  wampum  or  goods,  then  he  may  freely  promise  for  each  prisoner, 
be  it  woman  or  child,  one  hundred  guilders,  according  to  circumstances  he  may  offer  20  or  30 
guilders  more  or  less. 

If  he  sees  no  hope  of  ransoming  the  prisoners  or  getting  them  back,  then  to  try  by  making  some 
promises  about  peace,  as  the  Esopus  have  proposed  in  their  last  negotiations  with  the  Maquaes  ; 
if  he  sees  a  sure  hope  of  obtaining  the  prisoners  by  these  and  no  other  means,  then  he  is  hereby 
authorized  to  consent  to  a  provisional  armistice,  in  case  it  should  be  proposed  and  asked  by  the 
Wappingh  chief. 

As  it  must  be  presumed,  that  little  will  be  accomplished  regarding  the  release  of  the  Christian 
prisoners,  unless  the  two  captured  savages  and  the  squaw  are  first  exchanged  against  some  of  our 
prisoners,  we  willingly  give  our  consent  to  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  captive  Christians,  if  a 
general  release  of  all  our  prisoners  has  first  been  agreed  upon,  promised  and  executed.  This  is 
judged  absolutely  necessary,  that  after  the  release  of  some  of  them  the  balance  of  our  prisoners 
may  not  be  treated  so  much  worse  and  placed  beyond  ransom  by  the  release  on  our  side  of  the 
prisoners  which  we  have  already,  while  it  is  uncertain,  how  and  when  we  may  get  others.  Actum 
Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  9''''  of  August  A°  1663. 


New  YorJc  Historical  Records.  289 

Letier  fkom  Dieectok  Stuyvesant  to  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven  at  Wappinghs  Ivil. 

To  Pieter  Wolphe?-tse)i,  lying  on  the 
NortJiriver  before  the  Wwppinyhs  Kil. 
Honorable,  Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 

Tour  favor  of  yesterday  by  Mr.  Willefs  yacht  has  been  received  to-day,  the  13""  ;  we  are  well 
pleased  with  what  you  have  done  so  far,  only  Capt.  Willefs  son  tells  us,  that  the  Wajjpingh  sav- 
ages are  very  bold  and  come  on  board  10  and  20  at  a  time ;  you  are  therefore  hereby  directed  and 
warned,  to  be  well  on  your  guard  and  not  to  trust  them  much,  if  you  should  remain  there  much 
longer,  to  look  out  for  the  Wappinghs  or  perhaps  for  some  Esopus,  to  which  we  have  no  objec. 
tion,  should  yoii  see  any  hope  of  getting  some  prisoners,  but  my  advice  is  and  I  recommend  it 
hereby  most  earnestly  to  you,  that  you  make  a  quick  trip  to  the  Esopus  and  take  there  6  or  8  men 
more  for  the  protection  of  the  yacht  and  people.  If  the  wind  does  not  serve,  do  not  remain  at 
anchor  with  the  yacht,  but  keep  sailing  even  if  it  is  only  from  one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other. 
I  believe,  that  by  so  doing  j'ou  will  have  fewer  savages  on  board  and  run  less  danger  ;  still  I  think 
it  advisable  to  get  6  or  8  men  from  the  Esopn,s  /  if  you  get  again  some  prisoners,  do  not  send  them 
down  here,  but  bring  them  directly  to  the  Esopus  and  report  to  Capt.  Creyier  your  adventures, 
wherewith  etc. 
IS'"  August  A"  1663. 


Letter  from  Director  STurvESAJstT  to  Captain  Cregier  at  Wiltwtck  ;  further  instructions. 

Honorable,  Yaliant,  Faithful  Sir. 

Our  last  letter  was  of  the  Q"*  July  {sic !)  by  Mr.  de  Deckere.  We  have  not  heard  since  from 
you  nor  of  the  condition  of  the  prisoners,  except  that  Pieter  Wolphertsen  van  Couwenhoven  has 
reported  to  us,  the  Wappinghs  Sachem  had  gone  to  the  Esopus  savages  and  hoped  to  bring  back 
some  prisoners,  which  we  pray  and  wish  from  our  hearts,  that  God  will  grant.  In  place  of  going 
to  you  according  to  the  letter,  Kits  Davidts  arrived  here  yesterday  with  Capt.  Willefs  yacht  and 
says,  the  letter  reads,  that  he  was  first  to  come  here ;  although  we  do  not  believe  this,  yet  to  pre- 
vent mistakes  in  future,  I  give  this  to  him  to  hand  to  you.  You  may  employ  him  as  you  think  fit ; 
according  to  my  opinion  you  will  not  be  much  benefitted  by  his  services,  except  to  send  him 
hither  and  thither ;  all  possible  efforts  must  first  be  made  to  get  information  of  the  prisoners  and 
to  ransom  them  as  well  as  to  gather  the  harvest.  Closing  herewith  etc. 
li"-"  August  A"  1663. 


Proposals    offered  by   the  Minissingh  Indians  on  renewing  the  peace  wfth 
THE  Dutch  and  answers. 

To-day  the  IS""  of  August  appeared 
before  the  Council  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam, Oratamy,  chief  of  Hacking- 
Tcescahy  and  with  him  Weswatewchy, 
Meninger,  Wemessamy,  chiefs  of  the 
Menissinch  savages. 
37 


290  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

1.  The  Menissinch  chiefs  say  through  Oratamy,  they  have  come  here  to  tell  us,  that  they  have 
no  connexions  with  the  Esopus  savages  regarding  the  present  war. 

2.  They  say,  that  all  their  savages,  young  as  well  as  old  men,  have  determined  not  to  do  any 
harm  to  the  Dutch,  not  even  as  much  as  to  kill  a  chicken  or  take  a  piece  of  bread,  because  they 
desire  nothing  better,  than  to  live  in  peace  with  the  Dutch,  for  they  are  afraid,  that  the  Sinnekus 
might  kill  them. 

3.  They  ask  for  a  small  piece  of  ordnance,  to  use  it  in  their  fort  against  the  Sinnelcus  and  protect 
their  corn. 

4.  He  says,  that  some  of  his  friends  have  planted  among  the  Esopus  a  long  time  ago,  who  would 
like  to  return  to  the  Menissinchs  now  and  he  asks  permission  for  them,  because  it  is  said,  that 
they  should  not  allow  any  one  of  the  Esopiis  to  come  among  them  ;  he  expresses  his  hope,  to 
obtain  thereby  some  of  the  Dutch  prisoners. 

5.  They  say,  that  they  have  inquired  for  our  prisoners,  but  that  none  of  them  has  been  brought 
to  them  nor  to  the  Southriver,  nor  to  the  Wapjpinghs  ;  but  that  there  is  a  horse  among  them, 
which  one  of  their  young  men  had  bought  from  the  Esqpus. 

Answer  to  the  preceding  propositions. 

1.  It  is  well,  that  they  have  come  to  inform  us,  they  had  no  connexions  with  the  Esoptis  in  this 
present  war  and  that  they  would  have  none  we  are  inclined  to  continue  in  peace  Muth  them,  as  with 
Oratara,  as  long  as  they  keep  quiet. 

2.  That  we  likewise  would  not  harm  any  of  their  jaeople,  biit  that  it  is  necessary  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  peace,  that  none  of  their  savages  should  come  armed  into  the  neighborhood  of  the 
Dutch  plantations :  because  our  people  not  being  able  to  distinguish  the  savage  tribes  one  from 
another,  might  take  them  for  Esopios  and  kill  them ;  they  undertook  to  inform  their  savages 
hereof. 

3.  That  our  small  pieces  of  ordnance  had  altogether  been  sent  off  and  the  others  were  too  large, 
to  bring  them  into  their  country  and  that  the  Sinnekus  were  our  friends  as  well  as  they ;  they 
would  be  angry  and  would  figlit  against  us  and  against  our  people  at  Eort  Orange. 

4.  The  answer  to  their  4"'  point  was,  it  is  well,  that  they  inform  us,  we  are  pleased,  that  they 
wish  to  have  their  friends  back  among  them  provided  they  have  not  had  a  hand  in  the  late 
massacre. 

5.  "Whether  they  could  not  give  us  two  of  their  people,  to  show,  where  our  prisoners  are  and  we 
would  make  them  a  good  present,  if  led  to  them  or  if  they  could  not  or  dared  not  do  it,  that  they 
should  buy  our  prisoners  for  us,  we  would  return  the  advanced  money. 

They  answered,  that  they  would  first  try  their  best  to  get  the  prisoners  by  kindness  or  to  buy 
them  from  the  Esopus,  if  not  successful  herein,  they  will  then  bring  us  information,  where  they  are. 

"We  gave  hereupon  four  coats  and  pieces  of  cloth.  Actum  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New- 
J^etherland,  date  as  above. 


Letter  feom  Director  Stutvesant  to  Lieut,  van  Couwenhoven  ;  no  individual 
Indian  prisoners  to  be  released  or  exchanged. 

Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 
"We  learn  to  our  regret  from  your  letter  of  the  25""  iust.,  that  the  savages,  Wappings  as  well 
as  Esopus,  have  put  you  off  from  time  to  time,  so  that  until  now  you  have  been  able  to  accom- 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Ixecurds.  291 

plisb  only  little  or  nothing,  except  to  ransom  three  children  and  a  woman,  whose  release  you  could 
only  obtain  by  liberating  the  captured  squaw.  Tliis  was,  however,  not  according  to  our  inten- 
tions, as  you  were  not  only  charged  verbally,  but  also  by  written  instructions,  not  to  make  any 
promises  to  any  of  the  captured  savages  nor  to  release  them,  except  under  the  condition,  that  first 
and  above  all  au  agreement  should  be  made  for  the  exchange  of  all  the  prisoners.  "We  direct  you 
once  more  to  follow  the  instructions  closely  and  so  does  the  Council  of  War  at  the  Esopits. 

We  are  pleased  to  learn,  what  you  further  write  in  your  letter,  that  the  chief  of  tlie  Wap- 
pinghs  has  given  you  hope  and  promised  to  release  all  the  prisoners  within  four  days  and  that 
you  have  to  wait  until  then.  We  wish  and  pray,  that  the  good  God  may  give  his  blessing  to  it 
for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  and  misei-able  captives.  If  it  should  not  turn  out  according  to  your 
wishes  and  intentions,  you  say,  you  hoped  to  get  the  better  of  them  in  a  manner,  which  they  will 
not  like  much.  You  must  use  in  this  regard  the  precaution,  that  they  must  be  the  first  to  show 
signs  of  hostility,  by  refusing  either  to  drive  the  Esopus  from  them  or  to  turn  over  to  you  such 
of  our  prisoners  as  are  among  them  or  in  their  country.  In  case  of  such  a  refusal  you  must 
inform  them,  pursuant  to  your  instructions  and  as  we  have  done  with  all  other  tribes,  that  we 
shall  be  compelled  to  look  up  and  kill  our  enemies,  where  we  may  find  them,  in  order  to  obtain 
our  prisoners  and  that  it  will  not  be  our  fault,  if  then  some  of  their  people,  whom  we  cannot 
distinguish  from  the  Esopus,  should  be  captured  or  killed.  If  you  can  gain  an  advantage  over 
them,  after  they  have  thus  been  warned  and  informed,  we  sliall  bo  much  pleased,  but  we  doubt 
very  much,  whether  you  shall  be  able  to  accomplish  it  with  the  small  force  under  your  command. 
We  would  think  it  for  the  benefit  of  our  prisoners,  who  as  we  learn  are  mostly  hidden  among  the 
Wappinghs  with  the  Esopvs  savages,  if  you  could  strike  a  blow  at  both  the  tribes,  who  accord- 
ing to  your  letter  and  the  reports  of  others  still  keep  together ;  you  should  do  it  with  the 
knowledge  and  assistance  of  the  Council  of  War  at  the  Esopus,  for  the  first  blow  must  be,  with 
God's  blessing  and  help,  a  sure  one,  else  it  would  do  more  harm  to  us  and  especially  to  our  poor 
prisoners. 

The  requested  brandy  and  powder,  also  some  provisions  are  sent  herewith.  The  Only-good 
God  may  provide  you,  the  officers  and  soldiers,  engaged  with  you  in  this  undertaking,  with  pru- 
dence and  courage  and  grant  a  good  result  for  the  honor  of  his  nanie  and  the  best  of  our  poor 
prisoners.     No  more  herewith,  than  to  commend  you  to  God's  grace  with  our  salutations. 

Your  affectionate  friend. 
Actum  Eort  Amsterdam  Sent  to  Pieter  Wolphertsen,  who  lies   in  the 

in  N.  Netherlands  27""  Aug.  1663.  Northriver  at  the  mouth  of    Wcqyjnng  Ed. 


Letter  from  the  Fort  Oraj^ge  authorities  to  Director  Stutvesant  on  Indian  affairs. 

Noble,   Very   Worshipful    Gentlemen,   tlie    Director-General    and    Council   of    JVew- 
Netherland. 

We  beg  to  say  in  answer  to  the  letter  of  the  9"'  of  this  month  of  August,  that  the  warning 
or  something  similar  has  been  given  us  to  our  regret  long  ago.  May  God  save  us  from  more 
trouble.  Some  Maquaes  chiefs  have  agreed  in  their  last  propositions  to  sail  down  the  river  in  a 
yacht  and  bring  presents  to  the  southern  and  northern  savages,  with  whom  we  are  allied.  Our 
neighbors  are  the  Maquaes,  Sinnekics,  Mahicanders  and  Katskd  savages.     We  have  answered  to 


292  Colonial  SettlemenU  on  the  Hiulson  River. 

tlie  propositions  of  the  savages  several  times  lately  or  since  the  troubles  in  the  Esopus,  that  they 
must  not  suffer  any  Esopus  savages  among  them  nor  let  any  of  their  people  live  among  the 
Esopus.  They  have  promised  to  remember  this  warning  and  accepted  j^resents  on  it.  Their 
propositions  and  our  answers  to  the  same  shall  be  sent  soon  to  your  Hon""'  Worships.  As  to  the 
warning  of  the  country  people,  they  have  been  informed  of  it  long  ago  ;  some  fly,  some  remain  : 
Eldert  dc  Oojer  himself  has  been  aided  in  the  harvest  by  the  savages  at  EatsTcil  and  we  have 
so  far  no  information,  that  Esopus  savages  are  staying  in  Katshil  or  in  this  neighborhood. 
Closing  with  cordial  greetings  we  commend  your  Hon"'"  Worships  to  God's  grace. 
Eort  Orange,  Your  Hou"'"  Worships  affectionate  friends 

the  27"'  August  1663.  La  Montagne 

Jeeemias  van  Rensselaer. 
By  order  of  the  two  Courts  of  Eort  Orange  &  Rensselaerswyck 

Johannes  Provost,  Clerk,  D.    V.  Schelldtne,  Secretary. 


Letpers  from  Director  Stutvesant  and  Council  to  Captain  Cregier  ;  comments 

AJND    instructions   RESPECTING   THE    EsOPUS    CAMPAIGN. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 

Your  letter  of  the  24:""  inst.  with  the  continuation  of  the  journal  has  been  handed  to  us  by  the 
Rev.  Harrnanus  Blom.  We  have  read  your  diary  and  seen  among  other  things  some  ordinances 
made  regarding  the  militia  and  concerning  the  mowing  and  bringing  in  of  the  harvest  and  the 
running  into  the  country  by  small  parties ;  we  willingly  coniirra  them  all,  only  we  see  under  date 
of  the  IS""  and  19""  inst.,  that  Ensign  Niessen  has  been  sent  out  with  fifty-five  men  to  some 
corn-plantation  of  the  savages  about  three  leagues  from  Wiltioyck,  but  it  is  not  stated  in  which 
direction,  whether  up  or  down  the  river  or  inland  ;  next  day  about  noon  the  Ensign  returned 
without  finding  any  savages  and  you  do  not  say,  whether  he  destroyed  the  corn  or  not  and  for 
what  reasons. 

Coming  now  to  your  letter  of  the  abovesaid  date,  you  give  us  therein  hope  of  a  so  good  and 
bountiful  harvest,  as  we  have  not  had  in  three  years,  but  you  say  in  your  diary  of  the  22*  inst., 
that  tlie  grain  is  spoiling  in  the  field  through  rain  and  the  lack  of  mowers  and  that  the  farmers 
shall  hardly  be  able  to  bring  in  one  fourth  part  among  themselves ;  this  seems  to  be  a  contradic- 
tion, at  least  to  us,  who  do  not  know,  what  to  hope  and  to  believe. 

We  shall  order  the  required  necessities  as  quickly  as  possible  and  send  them  you.  There  are 
no  shoes  or  at  least  only  few  in  store  here.  We  have  ordered  fifty  or  sixty  pairs  from  the  shoe- 
makers and  will  send  them  as  soon  as  made. 

We  understand  the  necessity  of  a  good  surgeon  perfectly  well,  but  you  know  as  well  as  we, 
how  difficult  it  is  to  obtain  one ;  ]\Iaster  Hans*  is  a  burgher  and  besides  cannot  be  spared  here  with- 
out detriment  to  the  whole  place  and  all  the  inhabitants.  You  and  we  know,  what  the  other  two 
are.  We  see  for  the  present  no  better  expedient,  tlian  that  the  sick  and  wounded,  whom  the 
sawbones  there  can  neither  help  nor  cure,  be  sent  down  by  every  chance. 

What  Lieutenant  Fieter  Wolphertsen  has  reported  to  us,  that  he  will  try  to  gain  an  advantage 
over  the  Wappinghs  and  Esopus,  who  still  keep  together,  if  he  does  not  accomplish  concerning 

*  Kiersted,  the  son-in-law  of  AnneTce  Jans.- — Ed. 


New   York  Historical  liecards.  293 

the  release  of  the  prisoners,  what  he  intends  and  hopes,  what  he  writes  about  it  and  our  answer, 
you  will  learn  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  his  letter.  If  you  and  the  Council  of  War  have  any  hope  of 
a  considerable  advantage  over  tlie  Esopus  and  Wappinghs  benefitting  our  poor  prisoners,  then  we 
leave  it  to  you  and  the  Council  of  War  to  do  your  best  for  the  benefit  of  the  public  welfare  and 
the  poor  prisoners  with  every  precaution  and  courage,  to  ask  God's  blessing  for  a  good  result  and 
await  it.  If  for  the  carrying  out  of  the  plan  one  or  more  yachts  might  be  necessary;  then  you  may 
employ  the  one,  which  brings  this  letter ;  I  have  ordered  the  skipper  to  wait  for  your  orders  and 
answer.  Should  you  and  the  Council  of  War  know  better  means  and  have  a  better  plan  for  the 
release  for  the  prisoners,  than  what  Lieutenant  Coutvenhoven  proposes,  then  carry  it  out,  the 
heaviest  must  weigh  most.  Please  do  your  best  according  to  your  information  and  judgment. 
When  after  failing  to  recover  our  prisoners  the  design  against  the  Wappinghs  is  taken  in  hand 
and  the  same  results  as  we  desire  or  as  we  do  not  desire,  then  you  and  the  Council  of  War  are 
hereby  expressly  counnanded  and  charged  to  send  inmiediately  after  having  made  the  attempt  60 
soldiers  under  Lieutenant  Coinoenhoven,  to  be  stationed  here  in  the  villages  of  Neio-Tlaerlem,, 
Bergen  and  elsewhere,  for  it  must  not  be  overlooked  that  iinder  such  circumstances  the  country 
people  in  this  neighborhood  will  suffer  some  hardships  and  in  consideration  hereof  the  attempt 
must  not  be  made  lightly  and  on  uncei'tain  grounds,  but  with  hope  of  a  good  result  as  we  said 
before ;  we  must  leave  it  to  your  better  information  and  judgment.  Closing  witli  cordial  greetings 
and  commending  you  and  your  soldiers  to  God's  protection  we  remain 
27""  Aug.  1663.  Your  affectionate  friends 

the  Director-General  and  Council 
of  New-Netlierland. 
Honorable,  Yaliant,  Faitliful  Sir. 

As  tlie  yacht  has  remained  here  until  to-day  on  account  of  contrary  winds  and  we  have  as  yet 
heard  nothing  from  Lieutenant  Kouwenhoven,  which  makes  us  feai-,  that  the  Wappinghs  have  not 
kept  their  word  and  jiromise  to  bring  our  prisoners  within  four  days  and  that  consequently  Lieu- 
tenant Koiiwenhoven  has,  in  accordance  with  his  letter,  undertaken  one  or  the  other  exploit,  but, 
we  hope,  not  without  calling  upon  you  for  aid  and  advice,  or  at  least  not  without  having  made 
every  effort  to  obtain  our  prisoners  from  the  Wappinghs  by  consciencious  means  and  in  friend- 
ship, therefore  you  and  the  Council  of  War  are  once  more  warned,  if  they  should  refuse  and  you 
shoidd  on  that  accoimt  resolve  to  strike  a  blow  at  them  and  we  think,  that  it  would  be  better  at 
present  not  to  attempt  anything  against  them,  but  to  wait  for  a  better  opportunity,  unless  you  had 
eveiy  chance  and  opportunity  to  get  hold  of  some  Esopus  savages  or  our  prisoners  among  the 
Wappings  and  you  could  catch  one  or  the  other  by  surprise  or  otherwise  and  take  a  good  number 
of  prisoners.  We  leave  this  to  your  judgment,  but  desire  to  recommend  herewith  again  most 
earnestly  and  to  command,  that  the  50  or  60  men,  ordered  down  before,  be  sent  on  by  the  first 
yacht  and  chance,  for  we  consider  this  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  the  country  etc. 
29'"  Aug.  1663. 

Tomos  Lodewjck  and  Claes  Look  are  hereby  commanded  and  required  to  tarry  before  the 
Redoubt  until  they  receive  the  answer  and  orders  of  our  Captaiu-Lieutenant  Oregier  and  obey  his 
orders  promptly. 


294  Colonial  SeUlements  on  the  Hudson  River, 

Minute  of  Coctncil.     Information  given  concerning  an  intended  massacre  of 

THE    whites    on    THE    NoRTHEIVER. 

30'"  Aug.  1663. 

Sara  Kierstede,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Ila^is,  says,  she  has  beeu  informed  b}'^  a  savage  yesterday, 
that  8  tribes  of  savages  had  united  to  kUl  all  the  Dutch  on  the  Nortliriver^  Fort  Orange  included. 
Ady  ut  supra. 

The  wife  of  Michiel  Jwnsen  reports  to  have  been  warned  by  a  savage,  that  some  tribes  of 
savages  had  united  for  the  purpose  of  getting  more  Dutch  prisoners  etc.     Ady  ut  supra. 


Information  furnished  by  Oratam,  chief  of  the  Hackingkesackt,  respecting 
THE  Esopus  Indians. 

Oratam,  chief  of  Hac'kin'kesa'ky ,  was  asked,  whether  after  having  taken  his  leave,  he  has 
heard  or  sent  for  information  of  our  prisoners,  where  they  are,  how  they  fare  and  whether  they 
could  be  ransomed  or  not.  He  answered,  that  the  chief  of  the  Menissmghs  had  gone  to  the 
Esopus  about  8  days  ago  to  see,  whether  he  could  not  ransom  some  prisoners  and  that  he  would 
give  us  information,  as  soon  as  the  said  chief  had  returned ;  he  says  also,  the  Esopus  savages  were 
making  a  new  castle  at  a  distance  of  a  few  hours  inarch  from  their  old  castle  and  that  they  had 
there  another  coru-plautation  etc.     Date  as  above  (30""  August  1663.) 


Order  directing  the  survetoe  to  lay  out  land  near  Bergen  N.  J. 

SO'"  August. 

The  petition  of  Tlelman  van  VleecTc,  Caspar  Steynmits,  Adrian  Post  and  Geurt  Gerritsen, 
inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Bergen  on  the  west  side  of  the  J^orthriver,  asking  for  some  lowlands 
was  taken  ujd  and  read. 

The  answer  was : 

The  surveyor  is  directed  to  proceed  as  soon  as  he  can  to  the  village  of  Bergen  and  to  lay  out 
the  valleys  petitioned  for  the  best  accommodation  of  the  petitioners  and  other  interested  parties ; 
and  then  to  make  a  report  of  his  proceedings  to  the  Director-General  and  Council.     Ady  ut  supra. 


Information  brought  by  a  Hackinkesacky  Indian  of  the  defeat  of  the  Esopds 
and  recapture  of  the  christian  prisoners. 

To-day  t-he  10'"  of  September  a  savage,  called  by  the  Dutch  Pieter  of  HachinghesaTcy, 
came  here  to  the  Fort  and  reports,  that  a  savage  arrived  at  Eachingkesaky  yesterday,  who  brought 
the  news,  that  our  people  had  made  an  expedition  against  the  Esopus  four  days  ago,  that  30  Esopus 
had  been  killed  together  with  some  women  and  children  and  that  our  men  had  also  taken  fi-om 
them  our  prisoners,  who  were  with  them. 

A  new  coat  was  promised  to  the  bearer  of  the  news,  if  they  are  true.     Ady  ut  supra. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records,  295 

Letter  feom  the  Council  to  Captain  Cregiee;   the  victoey  over  the  Esopus 
Indians  ;  reinforcements  sent. 
Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 

"While  bis  Honor  the  Director-General  was  on  the  ca'c  of  leaving  for  Boston,  we  received  your 
letter,  from  which  we  principally  learn  the  confirmation  of  the  report,  made  to  us  by  Oratam  a 
few  days  before  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  regarding  the  success  and  the  advantage,  gained  by  you 
and  your  troops  over  the  barbarians.  We  let  this  serve  us  as  a  reason  to  thank  God  the  Almighty 
from  the  bottom  of  our  hearts  and  to  pray  that  his  divine  kindness  may  bless  our  further  exploits 
and  designs  more  and  more.  We  have  cursorily  spoken  with  his  Honor,  the  General  regarding 
the  destruction  of  the  fort  of  the  savages,  especially  of  their  corn,  which  we  understand  must 
necessarily  be  done  sooner  or  later.  "We  shall  send  messengers  to-day  and  to-morrow  to  the  Eng- 
lish villages,  also  to  the  Marsepinghs,  to  get  as  many  men  from  fhera  as  possible.  Lieutenant 
Couwenhoven  also  informs  us,  that  he  is  about  to  send  down  20  men  by  the  first  yaelit ;  but  we 
judge,  that  this  would  cause  delay  and  obstacles  to  our  aforesaid  design,  anyway  would  put  it 
back,  therefore  we  desire  hereby  to  direct  and  recommend  yon  to  send  down  no  more  military 
until  further  orders,  but  keep  all  the  soldiers  there  and  as  it  may  already  have  been  done  before 
receipt  of  this  letter,  therefore  we  have  given  to  the  bearer  hereof  an  open  order,  by  which  the 
skippers  and  barquiers,  on  board  of  whose  vessels  the  said  soldiers  might  have  been  embarked,  are 
directed  to  return  with  them  directly  or  if  it  can  be  done  conveniently  to  transfer  them  to  the 
barge  of  the  bearer.  According  to  your  request  we  send  you  herewith  for  the  present  412  lbs  of 
bacon,  several  hundred  pounds  of  meat  will  follow  by  the  next  yacht,  also  socks  and  shoes  and 
whatever  else  circumstances  will  allow  to  send.  Closing  herewith  we  commend  you  to  God's 
protection  and  remain 
j3th  -^bre  ig63_  Yq^jj,  affectionate  friends 

the  Council  of  JSew-Netherlcmd. 

Here  follows  the  order  mentioned  in  the  preceding  letter : 

The  skij^per  or  bargeman,  to  whom  these  presents  are  shown,  is  commanded  and  ordered,  to 
carry  the  soldiers  aboard  his  vessel  back  to  the  Esopxhs  or  if  it  can  be  done  conveniently  to  debark 
or  transfer  them,  for  we  have  considered  it  thus  necessary  for  the  public  welfare.  Actum  in  Fort 
Amsterdam,  this  13  T^'^  1663. 


Peoposaxs  of  the  chief  of  the  Marsepiijghs  and  answer  thereto. 

Anno  1663  on  the  20'"  September  the 
chief  of  the  Marsepinghs  made  the 
following  propositions  and  received 
answers  as  follows  in  the  Council 
Chamber  in  Fort  Amsterdam. 

1.  He  says,  he  has  not  yet  received  his  share  of  the  horses,  retaken  from  the  Esopus  savages. 
Answer :  The  horses  have  been  sold  to  the  highest  bidder  and  as  soon  as  the  money  is  paid 

he  shall  have  his  share.     Should  he  not  be  paid  at  the  Esopus,  then  we  will  do  it  here. 

2.  He  says,  he  has  no  intention  to  fight  against  any  other  tribe,  than  the  Esopus. 
Answer :  Nor  are  we  willing  as  yet  to  fight  against  other  tribes. 

3.  He  says,  he  would  not  like  to  be  absent  longer  than  a  montli. 


296  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Answer :  He  and  his  men  shall  be  brought  back,  as  soon  as  the  new  castle  of  the  Esojms  and 
their  corn  has  been  destroyed. 

4.  He  requests,  that  all  his  savages,  who  are  to  go  with  him  to  the  number  of  44,  receive  im- 
mediately a  piece  of  duffel  each  and  he  himself  a  coat  besides. 

Answer  :  It  shall  be  done  directly. 

5.  He  requests,  that  the  savages  may  keep  the  booty  made  by  them,  without  dividing  it  with 
the  Diiteh  and  that  the  Dutch  too  may  keep  their  booty. 

The  request  was  granted  this  time  for  divers  reasons,  also  because  they  showed  a  disinclination 
to  go,  if  it  was  not  conceded. 


Letter    feom  Dieectoe  Sttttvesant   to  Captain  Ceegiee  at  the  Esopus   with 

EEmrOECEMENTB. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 

Your  letter  by  Thomas  the  Irishman  has  just  been  received  ;  we  have  given  orders,  to  satisfy 
your  request  concerning  gunpowder  ;  meat,  hard  bread,  socks,  shoes  etc.  has  been  sent  yesterday 
by  the  yacht  of  the  Spaniard.  Herewith  come  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Pieter  Wolphertson 
forty  Marsepingh  savages :  witli  these  and  your  soldiers  there,  we  think,  you  will  be  able  to  make 
another  march  against  the  Eaopus  savages  and  besides  that,  against  all,  who  should  wish  to  attack 
you.  You  are  hereby  directed,  to  make  all  possible  efforts,  that  this  expedition  may  have  tte 
desired  result ;  as  we  however  believe,  that  the  savages  shall  have  been  made  more  careful  and 
cautious  by  the  last  rencontres,  keeping  their  rmmers  and  outposts  all  around  to  be  warned  against 
an  unexpected  arrival  of  our  people,  so  that  in  all  probability  we  could  not  sm-prise  them  or  gain 
anj'thing,  therefore  you  must  at  least  destroy  their  newly  begun  castle  and  ruin  their  corn,  leaving 
ther  est  to  God's  blessing  and  your  own  circumspection ;  if  our  situation  had  allowed  to  bare  our 
place  of  the  few  soldiers  still  here,  we  would  have  sent  some  of  them  to  you  ;  the  aforesaid  Marse- 
pi7ighs  have  protested  against  and  expressly  stipulated  for  no  further  employment,  than  during 
the  present  expedition  against  the  Esoptis  alone ;  you  will  have  to  bear  that  in  mind  and  to  send 
them  off  directly  after  having  made  the  exploit,  also  so  many  men  under  Lieutenant  Couwenh&ven, 
that  you  keep  the  number  of  seventy  without  forgetting  the  two  negroes.  Wherewith  etc. 
21='  Septbr  A°  1663. 


Lettee  feom  the  Council  to  the  authoeities  at  Foet  Oeajstge  ;  Indian  affaies. 
Honorable,  Dear,  Beloved  Friends. 

This  serves  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  sent  by  Colonel  Temple'^  to  Capt. 
Willett  and  delivered  by  Capt.  Willett  to  his  Honor,  the  Director-G-eneral,  while  on  the  point  of 
leaving.  After  having  read  it,  we  found  it  necessary  to  send  the  same  to  your  Honors  by  the 
first  opportunity,  that  its  contents  might  be  made  known  to  the  Maquaes,  but  we  have  had  no  prior 
chance,  until  now,  as  since  that  time  no  yachts  have  left.     "We  must  request  your  Honors  most 

*  Sir  Thomas  Temple,  Proprietary  and  Governor  of  Nova  Scotia. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  297 

earnestly  hereby,  to  inform  the  Maquaes  at  the  first  opportunity  of  the  complaints  of  our  English 
neighbors  and  to  use  all  possible  persuasion  and  other  means,  that  a  permanent  peace  be  made 
between  them  and  the  Northern  savages ;  we  do  not  doubt,  that  if  they  can  be  disposed  for 
peace,  it  will  be  accepted  by  the  other  side,  as  your  Honors  can  infer  from  the  enclosure,  although 
the  most  injury  seems  to  have  been  done  to  them.  But  if  it  is  not  possible  and  matters  remain 
as  they  are,  then  we  are  sure,  the  Maquaes  will  be  shortly  attacked  by  the  Encjlish  neighbors  and 
the  savages.  Should  your  Honors  see  any  hopes  to  bring  about  a  desirable  result,  then  we  leave 
it  to  your  Honoi-s'  own  deliberations,  how  and  by  which  means  the  parties  might  be  persuaded 
first  to  an- armistice.  "We  should  think,  it  would  not  be  strange,  if  the  Maquaes  sent  some  mes- 
sengers; opportunity  to  send  them  by  water  could  easily  be  found  here.  "We  expect  your  Honors' 
answer  and  report  of  what  has  been  done.  Meanwhile  we  commend  your  Honors  to  God's  pro- 
tection and  remain  with  cordial  greetings,  Honorable,  Dear,  Beloved  Friends. 
Actum  Fort  Amsterdam,  Your  Honors'  affectionate  friends 

the  21^'  7""  1663.  the  Council  of  New-Netherland. 


ExTKA-CT     FROM    A   LETTER     OF     DiRECTOK     StUTVESANT    TO     THE   ViCE-DlRECTOR    AT 

Curacao  with  details  of  the  defeat  of  the  Esopus. 

****** 
I  had  informed  your  Honor  by  Capt.  Lord  among  others  of  the  troubles,  in  which  we  were 
with  some  savages  and  the  expectations,  which  we  had  of  a  good  result.  So  far  the  good  God 
has  wonderfully  blessed  the  means,  which  we  have  employed.  On  the  day  of  my  departure,  14 
days  ago  to-day,  I  received  a  sure  and  detailed  report,  that  our  troops  had  again  surprised  the 
newly  made  castle  of  the  savages,  27  remained  dead  on  the  field,  besides  the  men,  who  were 
wounded  or  shot  while  swimming  across  the  Kil  or  little  river  and  whom  the  current  took  away, 
22  captured  christians  were  retaken  and  19  savages  fell  alive  into  our  hands.  To  the  Lord,  our 
God,  is  here  for  due  our  praise,  honor  and  thanks. 

****** 
Boston  in  Nem  England 
the  2i"'  Septbr.  1663. 


Minute  of  proceedings  at  Fort  Orange  with  the  Mohawks  regarding  Col- 
onel Temple's  remonstrance  against  their  making  war  on  the  Indians  m 
his  government. 

Extraordinary  Meeting  held 
by    both    Courts    at    Fort 
Orange  the  26""  September 
Extract.  1663. 

The  letter  of  the  Hon'''^  Council  of  New-Netherland  dated  the  21='*  Septbr  1663  was  opened 
and  read,  also  the  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  Colonel  Temple  to  Capt.  Willett  under  date  of  the 
6""  of  July  A°  1663  and  received  by  us  through  Gerrit  Visheeck.   The  meeting  was  then  adjourned 
to  the  next  day,  the  27"'. 
38 


298  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

On  the  27""  September  A"  1663  we  summoned  before  our  meeting  Saheda,  chief  of  the 
Maquaes  and  he  appeared  in  company  of  some  of  his  tribe.  The  letter  of  Col.  Temple  was  read 
and  translated  into  the  Maquaes  tongue  by  the  Commissaries  Gerrit  SUchtenhorst  and  Jan 
Tomassen. 

First  we  stated  to  them  the  complaint  of  Col.  Temple,  that  the  Maquaes  had  attacked  his 
people  near  their  fort  last  summer  and  wounded  some  of  them,  according  to  the  aforesaid  letter  of 
the  6'"  of  July  A"  1663. 

Secondly  we  have  urgently  requested  them  to  make  a  permanent  peace,  agreeably  to  Col. 
Teinple's  request,  and  we  warned  them  at  the  same  time,  that  not  only  the  English  savages,  but 
also  the  English  themselves  would  fall  upon  them  ;  the  peace  was  further  earnestly  recommended 
to  them  and  the  difficulties,  which  would  arise  from  an  English  attack,  were  explained.  Saheda, 
the  Sachem  of  the  Maquaes  answered  ;  that  in  regard  to  the  first  he  requests  Col.  Temple  to  leave 
him  and  his  people  alone  and  not  trouble  himself  about  the  war  between  them  and  the  Nmthern 
or  else  Onejagese. 

Secondly,  they  do  not  consider  tliemselves  as  at  war  with  the  people  of  Onokonquehaga 
while  they  have  fled  to  the  Onejagese  j  they  request  therefore,  that  they  may  be  allowed  to  make 
war  against  the  Onejagese,  also  called  Soquachjck,  and  their  adherents. 

Thirdly  he  says,  next  summer  he  intends  to  sail  in  a  Dutch  vessel  to  the  OnaTconque,  also 
called  KinneiecJi',  unless  the  Hon"'^  General  consented,  that  these  savages  were  summoned  to  the 
Ma/nhatans  to  treat  there  of  a  permanent  peace. 

Fourthly  they  complain,  that  they  cannot  travel  over  their  roads  without  fear  and  that  they 
must  provide  themselves  with  arms,  for  the  English  savages  lie  upon  the  roads  and  paths  and 
attack  them  and  have  already  beaten  some  of  them.  They  are  therefore  astonished,  that  they  will 
not  keep  an  armistice,  while  asking  for  peace.  Besides  this  they  say,  that  they  have  built  a  castle 
in  this  neighborhood  about  one  or  two  days'  travel  from  here. 

Agrees  with  the  original. 
Attested  by  us 

Johannes  Provoost,  Clerk 
D.  Van  Schellutne,  Secretary 

of  the  Colony  of  Hensselaerswyck. 


Lettee  from  the  authorities  of  Fort  Orange  to  Director  Stutvesant,  trans- 
mitting THE  PRECEDING  MINUTES. 

Noble,  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

Pursuant  to  your  Hon'''''  Worships'  written  request  of  the  21^'  September  last  past,  delivered 
to  us  by  Gerrit  Yisbeeck  we  had  spoken  with  the  Maquaes  and  made  every  effort  to  bring  about 
a  peace ;  they  have  given  us  the  answers,  which  will  be  found  in  the  enclosed  minutes.  We  know 
at  present  not  what  else  to  do  in  this  matter,  of  which  your  Hon''"'  Worships  might  make  use,  if 
it  was  thought  proper  and  recommend,  that  your  Hon'''°  Worships  will  also  promote  everything, 


Neio  Yorh  Historical  Records.  299 

required  for  a  peace,  as  much  as  possible  among  the  English  and  their  neighbors.     Meanwhile  wc 
commend  yoiu'  Hon''''  Worships  to  God's  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings. 

Yoiu"  EEon''''*  Worships'  afEectionate 
Fort  Orange  friends 

the  2''  Oetbr  1663.  La  Montagne 

Jeeemias  van  Rensselaer 
By  order  of  the  two  courts  of 
Fort  Orange  and  the  Colony 
of  HensselaerswycJc. 

J.  Pkovoost,  Clerk 
D.  y.  ScHELLUTNE,  Secretary 
of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck  1663. 

To  the  Honorable  and  Worshipful  the  Council  of  Neto-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Menute  of  Council.     Pkoceedings  on  receipt  of  intelligence,  that  the  Indians 
were   about   to    make   a   descent   on   the    dutcii    settlements  at  hoboken, 

AhASIMUS  ETC*. 

On  the  15"'  of  October  ui  the  morning  S''  Cornells  Steenwyh  reported :  Last  night  at  abo^^t  9 
o'clock  Secretary  van  Ruyven  was  with  me  at  my  door  to  tell  me,  what  a  Northern  savage  had 
related  at  Jan  de  Schilder''s  house,  namely,  that  the  balance  of  the  Esopus  savages  had  fled  with 
their  prisoners  to  the  T\^appinghs,  where  also  the  Mahicanders,  Kichtawangh,  Wiechquaeskech 
and  other  River  savages  had  gone.  There  they  Mntekoyed  and  deliberated  and  made  a  plan  to 
make  common  cause  after  having  gathered  the  corn  and  come  down,  500  or  600  men  strong,  to 
destroy  first  all  the  Dutch  plantation  over  the  River  at  Hoboocken,  Hasimus,  the  corn-land 
and  then  the  Manhatans  Island,  to  bm-n,  to  kill  everybody  or  take  prisoners,  whom  they  could 
get  and  that  it  should  be  done  in  a  few  days. 

About  noon,  before  the  meeting  broke  up,  the  Company's  yacht  an-ived  from  the  Esopus 
with  letters  from  Capt.-Lieut.  Creyier,  which  with  letters  fi-om  Fort  Orange  confirm  the  above 
report,  as  may  be  seen  from  them  and  the  daily  annotations  made  there.  The  matter  being  of 
very  great  importance,  it  was  resolved  to  defer  deliberation  upon  it  until  afternoon  and  to  have 
some  of  the  City-Magistrates  join  the  Council,  to  hear  also  their  advice  and  to  inform  them  of  the 
very  dangerous  situation  of  the  country,  the  low  state  of  the  treasury,  the  want  of  provisions, 
clothing  and  other  necessities  for  the  troops  and  what  is  connected  with  it. 

In  the  afternoon  the  foregoing  information  was  also  communicated  to  the  majority  of 
the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens,  the  advices  received  from  the  Esopus  were  read  to  them 
and  then  a  frank  statement  was  made  of  the  present  situation  of  the  country  and  its  perillous 
state,  of  the  impossibility  to  redress  it,  unless  either  by  subsidies  or  by  negotiation  of  drafts 
on  the  Fatherland  money  could  be  raised  for  the  maintenance  of  the  too  small  military  force, 
but  neither  counsel  nor  help  could  be  thought  of  or  proposed  by  them ;  however  it  was  resolved 
for  the  present  to  send  some  troops  to  protect  New-Haerlem^  situate  at  the  end  of  this  island  and 
two  yachts,  each  manned  by  10  or  12  men  up  the  Northriver  to  prevent  the  designs  of  the  savages 
and  divert  them  as  much  as  possible ;  meanwhile  also  to  warn  the  villages  in  the  country  around 


300  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

here,  that  they  miist  be  on  their  guard ;  16  or  20  men  were  sent  in  the  City's  lighter  to  New- 
Haerlejn,  to  remain  there  in  the  river  and  to  prevent  as  far  as  possible  the  savages  from  crossing 
over  to  Long-Island. 

Two  yachts,  namely  the  Company's  and  that  of  the  Spaniard,  each  with  10  men  under  Lieu- 
tenant Couwenlwven  were  sent  up  the  Eiver  to  the  Wapjjings.  Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in 
New  Netherland,  on  the  day  as  above. 


Instructions  fok  Lieutenant  van  Couwenhoven  to  ascertain  and  PREVEirr  the 

MOVEMENTS  OF  THE   EsOPUS,  WapPINGS  AND  HIGHLAND  InDIANS. 

Instructions  for  Lieutenant  Pieter 
'Wolphertsen  van  Couwenhoven. 
1. 

He  shall  proceed  as  c|uickly  as  possible  to  the  Wappings  or  Highland  savages  and  make 
every  effort  to  get  information  either  from  the  Kichtowanghs  or  from  the  Wiechquaeskecks  sav- 
ages regarding  the  plans  of  the  Esopus  and  Highland  savages. 

2. 
After  he  has  received  information  of  their  plans  and  that  they  will  carry  them  out  in  as  ^hort 
a  time  as  we  are  told,  which  they  will  in  canoes  according  to  their  custom  and  if  they  have  not 
already  dropped  down  the  river,  he  shall  constantly  cruise  from  one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other 
in  the  Higlilands  or  elsewhere,  where  it  is  narrowest,  especially  at  night,  to  prevent  the  coming 
down  of  their  canoes,  or  at  least  to  discover  them. 

3. 
Should  he  hear  that  they  have  passed,  then  he  must  speedily  return  to  inform  us  or  if  he 
thinks  it  more  advantageous,  he  may  follow  them  to  hinder  their  plans  or  at  least  divert  them. 

4. 

If  he  obtains  information  among  tne  Kechtawangh,  Tappaen  or  other  savages,  that  the 
Esopus  and  Highland  savages  are  not  coming  down  so  soon,  then  he  must  sail  up  the  river  with 
both  yachts  to  the  Wappings  and  send  one  or  the  other  savage  after  them  and  try  to  make  the 
chief  or  some  of  the  Highland  tribe  to  come  on  board  and  treat  with  them  about  the  ransoming 
of  the  rest  of  the  Christian  prisoners,  in  default  of  other  things  for  the  captured  savages,  of  whom 
we  hold  a  like  number. 

5. 

While  engaged  in  the  negotiation  he  shall  closely  inquire  into  the  condition  and  state  of  the 
savages,  how  strong  the  tribes  are  together,  where  they  lie  and  what  their  intentions  are. 

6. 
If  he  could  make  an  armistice  for  some  time  with  the  expectation  of  peace  with  them,  then  it 
would  be  well,  so  that  we  can  in  the  meantime  get  ourselves  in  better  condition  to  resist  them. 

7. 
The  savage  prisoner,  whom  he  takes  along  and  who  is,  as  we  are  told,  a  Wapping  and  brother 


New  Yorli  Historical  Records.  301 

of  the  chief  must  not  be  released,  unless  3  or  4  captured  Christian  children  can  be  obtained   for 
him. 

8. 

If  he  should  not  be  able  to  get  speech  of  the  Ilighland  savages,  then  it  is  a  sure  sign,  that 
their  intentions  are  bad ;  he  shall  then,  whenever  convenient,  take  most  of  the  soldiers  from  the 
Spaniard's  yacht  over  into  his  and,  as  was  said  above,  constantly  cruise  in  the  Highland  or  where 
the  river  is  narrowest  especially  at  night  and  send  down  the  Spaniard's  yacht  to  inform  us  of  every- 
thing and  meanwhile  be  always  on  his  guard.  Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New- Netherlands  the 
16'"  of  October  1663. 

P.  Stutvesant. 


Instbuctions  fok  Mr.  Verbeaagk  A^fD  Sergeant  van  den  Bosch,  sent  with  Lieu- 
tenant COUWENHOVEN. 

Instructions  for  S'   Verhraack 
and  Sergeant  Harmen  Mar- 
teTisen  van  den  Bosch. 
1. 
Coming  up  with  the  Company's  yacht  at  Kichtavmngh  they  shall  take  8  men  out  of  the  same 
into  theirs  and  go  up  the  river  as  soon  as  the  Company's  yacht  makes  sail. 

2. 

During  the  night  they  must  never  or  at  least  as  httle  as  wind  and  weather  permit,  remain  at 
anchor,  but  as  long  as  they  are  out  they  must  cruise  with  the  other  yacht  from  one  side  of  the  river 
to  the  other,  where  it  is  narrowest,  to  prevent  the  coming  down  of  canoes. 

3. 
Daj'  and  night  they  must  keep  close  together,  so  that  they  can  assist  each  other,  if  necessary, 
and  they  must  at  all  times  look  well  to  their  arms. 

4. 

If  they  get  some  savages  on  boai'd,  they  must  especially  inquire  as  much  as  possible  after  the 
Esopus  and  Wajppings,  where  they  are,  what  other  savages  have  joined  them,  how  strong  they 
are  and  what  their  force  is. 

5. 

Sr.  VerhraacTc  is  requested  to  assist  Lieutenant  Couioenhoven  in  the  writing  and  noting  down 
of  what  the  savages  say  and  what  they  themselves  hear  and  to  enter  it  all  correctly. 

6. 
If  Lieutenant  Couwenhoveji  should  think  it  proper  to  remain  cruising  in  the  Highlands,  the 
Sergeant  shall  turn  over  to  him  4  or  5  men  and  come  down  with  speed,  to  make  us  a  report  of 
every  thing. 

They  shall  read  and  communicate  to  Lieut.  Couwenhoven  the  preceding  as  well  as  these 
instructions,  as  soon  as  they  reach  him. 
Actum  IG'"  October  A°  1663. 


302  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Letteb  from  Director  Stutvesajsit  to  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  ;  instbuctions 

FOR  EXCHANGE  OF  PRISONERS  WITH  THE    InDIANS. 

Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 
I  understand  from  the  verbal  and  the  written  report  of  the  bearer,  that  the  chiefs  of  the 
Stnsinchs,  Kichtawangs  and  Wiechquaeskechs  solicit  very  earnestly  the  exchange  of  the  captive 
savage  against  a  girl ;  considering  that  he  is  himself  a  Sachem  and  brother  to  the  chief  of  the 
Wappings,  we  ought  to  have  at  least  2  or  3  for  him,  but  if  they  promise,  that,  if  we  release  this 
prisoner  for  the  girl,  the  aforesaid  four  Sachems  will  come  down  with  you,  to  speak  with  us  and 
renew  the  old  treaty,  and  if  you  believe,  that  any  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  their  promise,  then 
we  consent  and  authorize  you  to  let  go  the  savage  prisoner  for  the  girl  and  to  come  down  here 
with  the  chiefs  the  sooner  the  better,  for  I  would  like  to  go  to  J^ort  Orange  before  the  winter  and 
speak  with  the  Magiiaas,  to  see  whether  peace  can  be  made  between  them,  the  Mahicanders  and 
the  Northern  savages,  so  that  each  tribe  may  go  quietly  hunting  beavers.  You  must  impress  this 
on  the  minds  of  the  chiefs,  who  are  with  you,  to  induce  them  to  come  down  sooner  and  get  every- 
thing quiet.  I  recommend  you  in  the  meantime  once  more  to  inquire  after  everything  and  to 
find  out  where  our  prisoners  are  and  where  the  Esapus  savages.  That  this  may  be  the  better 
understood  and  explained  I  send  herewith,  in  company  with  the  Sargeant,  the  son-iu-law  of  Pau- 
lufi,  tlie  guardian,  namely  Andries,  who  well  understands  and  speaks  the  savages'  tongue.  You 
can  take  him  with  you,  when  you  speak  with  the  savages.  No  more  for  the  present,  than  to  com- 
mend you  with  our  salutations  to  God's  grace,  from  whom  alone  a  good  result  must  be  asked  and 
expected.  Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  New-Neiherland,  the  21''  of  October  1863. 
To  Pieter   Wolphertsen. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Capt.  Cregier  ;  the  peace  with  the  Wap- 
pings,  just  made,  violated  again  by  them. 

Honorable,  Valiant,  Faithful  Sir. 
"We  are  informed  to  our  great  regret,  that  Lieutenant  Pieter  WoVpliertsen,  van  Couwenhoven, 
after  having  made  and  renewed  the  peace  with  the  Wappings  about  12  days  ago  and  stipulated 
for  an  exchange  of  prisoners  according  to  his  written  and  verbal  report,  went  there  yesterday  a 
week  ago  in  Put  JacohserCs  yacht ;  on  the  3*  inst.,  last  Saturday,  he  was  surprised  by  the  TF«/)- 
pings,  the  yacht  was  captured  and  burnt  and  the  6  or  8  men  with  him  were  murdered  and  he  him 
self  taken  as  prisoner  to  the  Waj}j)itig  castle.  We  deemed  it  urgent  to  acquaint  your  Honor  of 
this  affair  by  the  bearer  and  at  the  same  time  to  request  and  command,  that  your  Honor  come 
down,  to  consider,  after  having  put  everything  in  good  order,  but  we  leave  it  to  your  Honoi-'s  and 
our  friends'  discretion,  if  yoiu-  Honor  should  in  the  meantime  see  a  chance,  in  consequence  of 
good  information,  to  gain  an  advantage  over  the  said  Waj)pings  with  the  assistance  of  some  vol- 
unteers and  the  force  under  your  command.  We  send  herewith  a  quantity  of  meat,  about  2000 
pounds,  for  the  garrison.  Wherewith  etc". 
The  7""  November  1664:  {sic far  1663.) 


New   YorTc  Historical  Records.  303 

Ordinance  fok  the  bettek  secukity  and  settlement  op  Bekgen,  N.  J.,  passed 
15th  Novembek  1663. 

(See  Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  449.1 


Mmui'E  OF  Council.     Permission  granted  to  several  Indians  to  fish  near  Haerlem. 

IS""  November. 

To-day  Schanwenaer-ach,  chief  of  Wiechguaeskeek,  came  into  the  fort  and  requested  for 
himself  and  his  people  permission  to  fish  unmolested  near  the  village  of  New-Haerlem.  It  was 
granted  to  him  on  condition,  that  they  shall  not  come  armed  into  the  neighborhood  of  the  Dutch. 
And  that  people  might  be  quite  sure,  that  it  were  no  Esopus,  but  his  men,  he  was  given  tlie  seal 
of  the  Company  impressed  in  wax  on  little  cards,  which  they  can  show  meeting  some  Dutchmen. 
Ady  ut  supra. 

Nota :     He  received  altogether  12  such  card?  or  seals,  namely 

for  the    Wiechquaeskecks,  whose  chief  is  8auwenaar-ach  4 — 

for  the  Kichtawanghs,  whose  chief  is  Meghtsewakes  4 — 

for  the  Heweghjioncks,  whose  chief  is  Currispin  i. 

the  -Kis  Kightkonck  and  Shisincqs  have  no  chief  now,  but  are  counted  among  the  foregoing 
savages. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  to  Director  Stutvesant  ;  repair  of 

the  fort  ;    FLIGHT  OF  THE    MoHEGANS. 

Honorable,  Valiant  and  "Worshipful  Gentlemen, 
Gentlemen. 

Tour  Hon""'  Worships'  letter  of  the  first  of  November  has  been  handed  to  us  by  William 
Bogardus  on  the  IS""  inst.  After  having  read  it  in  our  meeting  we  called  together  the  principal 
men  of  the  place  and  conununicated  the  contents  to  them  ;  they  were  satisfied  with  it  and  made 
the  advances  to  the  Hon"'"  Company  as  entered  on  the  enclosed  list,  to  which  we  refer. 

His  Hon'''''  Worship  the  Director  General  [has  explained  to  us  in  his  letter]  of  the  IS""  of 
June  last  past  [the  necessity]  of  repairing  the  now  decayed  fort  here,  [leaving  it  to  our  judgment] 
whether  it  would  not  be  better,  to  strengthen  the  stone-house  here  and  break  off  all  the  old  huts 
around  it,  but  we  found  that  all  the  houses  were  in  the  fort  and  that  it  could  not  be  done  without 
great  expenses,  therefore  we  let  the  matter  rest  so  far,  expecting  that  the  Hon"'''  General  would 
come  here,  to  give  his  opinion  on  it ;  however  on  the  lO""  of  October  a  certain  rumor  reached  us 
that  several  tribes  had  gathered  behind  the  Keesienweyshoeck  {Mallowsmeadowhook)  and  that 
they  would  come  in  2  or  3  days  to  attack  the  country-people,  in  consequence  of  which  some  fled 
and  we  resolved  unanimously  to  repair  the  comers  as  before  with  the  least  expense  and  the  greatest 
speed  and  leave  the  old  huts  to  stand  altogether  and  it  was  done  so  that  the  corners  are  now  more 
solid  and  stronger,  than  ever  before  and  there  remains  only  to  make  the  sally-port  and  the  gun- 
carriages  for  which  the  material  is  ready  and  which  they  will  begin  to  do  to-morrow. 

The  flight  of  the  Mahicanders,  who  have  left  their  land  and  corn,  as  well  as  the  strange  and 


304  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

unheard  of  disposition  of  the  other  savages  takes  away  our  hope  to  write  to  your  Hon"'^  Worships 
during  this  winter.     Meanwhile  we  commend  your  Hon""^  Worships  to  God  protection  and  remain 

Your  Hon*'*  Worships'  affectionate  friends 
The  Vice-Director  and  Commissaries  of  Fort  Orange  and  the 

village  of  Beverwyck. 
La  Montagne,  Yice-Director. 
Fort  Orange  Jan  Thomassen 

the  15"'  November  1663.  Goosen  Geeeettsen 


Stoffel  Jansen. 


To  the  Honorable,  Valiant,  and  Worshipful  Gentleman, 
his  Honor  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  and 
Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Letter  from  Director  Stutvesant  to  Captain  Cregier  :   the  Wappings  have  not 

BEOKEN  THE  PEACE,  CaPTAIN  C.  OEDERED  TO  THE  ManHATANS. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 

Our  last  letter  to  you  was  expressly  sent  in  the  Company's  yacht  12  days  ago  on  receipt  of 
the  distressing  news,  which  we  had  heard  about  Pieter  Wolphertsen,  namely  that  he  had  been 
attacked  by  the  Wappings  under  a  simulated  friendship  and  the  pretext  of  negotiating  about  the 
release  of  the  prisoners  and  that  he  and  all  his  men  had  been  murdered.  We  had  proposed  to 
you  on  that  occasion  and  left  it  to  your  judgment  and  better  information,  to  take  revenge  for  it 
of  the  Wappings  and  strike  a  heavy  blow  at  them  with  your  soldiers  and  some  volunteers.  We 
have  since  been  informed  by  Mr.  Abraham  Staats  to  our  great  joy  and  delight,  that  it  was  not 
true  and  that  he  had  spoken  with  Pieter  Wolphertsen  and  Put  Jacohsen  near  the  Esopus  river. 
We  are  very  much  astonished  and  displeased,  that  during  all  this  time  not  a  letter  nor  a  word  of 
news  has  been  received  from  either  Pieter  Wolphertsen  or  you  and  that  the  yacht  is  detained 
there  contrary  to  our  verbal  and  written  orders,  we  cannot  imagine  for  what  reasons,  the  more  so, 
because  we  had  so  plainly  commanded  you  to  come  down  with  the  yacht  for  the  purjDose  of  con- 
ferring with  us  over  the  matter  for  the  best  of  the  country.  We  repeat  the  order  herewith  and 
wish  it  done  upon  receipt  of  this  letter  with  all  possible  speed  and  direct  that  the  design  upon  the 
Wappings  be  deferred  until  then,  if  it  cannot  be  caiTied  with  prospect  of  a  good  success  and  in 
safety  or  if  it  is  not  done.  Wherewith  etc''. 
19'"  November  1663. 


Instructions  for  Lieutenant  van  Couwenhoven  and  two  others  to  ascertain 

THE   disposition    OF  THE    EsOPUS  AND    WaPPING    InDIANS  TOWARDS  A  PEACE. 

Instructions  for  Lieutenant  Pieter  Wolphertsen  van 
Couwenhoven,  Sergeant  Pieter  Ehel  and  Uarmen 
Douwesen,  all  three  well  versed  in  the  savage  tongue. 

Whereas  we  are  informed  by  Thomas  Hall,  that  the  chief  of  the  Wappings  has  sent  one  of  his 
savages,  whom  the  aforesaid  Thomas  Hall  has  seen  and  heard  speak,  to  the  Governor  of  New- 


New    Yorh  Historical  Records.  305 

Haven  and  requested  him  to  act  as  mediator  and  advocate  for  a  continuation  of  the  peace  between 
lis  and  his  tribe  and  to  bring  it  about,  asking  for  this  purpose  a  letter  from  the  said  Governor  to 
this  government  and  gi^^ng  as  reason  to  tlie  said  Governor,  that  his  chief  and  his  tribe  had  never 
done  anj'  ill  to  the  Dutch  nor  tried  to  do,  but  desired  to  cdntinue  in  peace  with  them,  to  which 
must  be  added,  that  on  the  17"'  of  this  month  the  chiefs  of  Hachinghsahij  and  Staten- Island 
appeared  before  our  board,  bringing  with  them  some  of  the  most  prominent  matrons  of  this 
place,  through  whom  t\\&j  asked  for  peace  not  only  for  the  aforesaid  Wappings  but  also  for  the 
£sopus  savages,  declaring  frankly,  that  they  had  been  requested  and  directed  by  both  tribes  to  do 
it:  And  whereas  we  have  yesterday,  the  20"",  received  and  heard  the  written  and  verbal  reports 
of  Lieutenant  Couioenhoven,  sayitig  in  substance,  that  on  the  6"'  and  7""  inst.  the  Esopus  chief 
called  .....  came  to  him  on  board  and  declared  frankly,  that  he  was  ashamed  to 
speak,  that  he  neither  could  nor  would  continue  at  war  with  us  any  longer,  but  sued  for  peace, 
Therefore,  all  this  having  been  considered  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland, 
they  have  resolved,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Burgomasters,  to  send  the  above-named 
three  persons,  who  undei-stand  and  speak  the  savage  language  very  well,  to  the  Wappings,  that 
they  may  inquire  for  themselves,  whether  they  are  so  minded,  as  we  are  informed  and  if  they  find 
it  correct,  to  tell  them  in  our  name,  that  we  are  willing  to  continue  and  renew  the  peace  with 
them  on  solid  and  good  conditions,  also  to  make  peace  with  the  Esojnis,  when  the  balance  of  our 
prisoners  shall  have  been  released  in  exchange  for  those,  whom  we  have  of  their  people. 

2. 
If  they  find  the  Wappings  and  Esopus  so  disposed,  as  they  are  said  to  be,  they  are  to  tell 
them,  that  they  must  be  quick  in  their  resolves,  as  the  winter  is  before  the  doors  and  the  yachts 
cannot  go  much  longer,  that  they  speedily  must  come  down  to  conclude  the  peace  with  ns,  coming 
either  in  this  yacht  or  following  in  a  short  time  in  their  canoes. 

3. 
If  the  Wapping  and  Esopus  chiefs  and  savages  should  be  afraid  to  come  down  to  this  place, 
the  aforesaid  messengers  are  authorized  to  appoint  time  and  place  with  the  savages  either  on  the 
end  of  this  island,  at  HohoocJcen,  on  Staten^Island  or  elsewhere  between  Staten-Island  and  the 
end  of  Manhatans  Island. 

4. 

Should  however  the  Wappings  and  the  Esopus  savages  be  found  not  quite  or  absolutely 
inclined  to  make  a  firm  and  inviolable  peace  according  to  their  request  and  propositions,  which 
they  will  be  able  to  learn  and  find  out  soon  and  in  the  first  place,  then  they  must  quickly  return 
and  report  to  us. 

5. 

They  may  forgive  the  Esopus  their  last  attempts  on  the  "  corn  land,"  but  the  six  captured 
Christians  must  also  be  exchanged  and  delivered,  before  we  can  make  peace  with  that  tribe.  If 
the  Esojyus  savages  are  inclined  hereto,  then  they  shall  go  up  to  the  Esopus,  to  fetch  the  squaws 
and  children,  still  held  there  and  to  surrender  them  upon  receipt  of  the  Christian  prisoners. 


If  compelled  to  go  to  the  Esopus  for  the  above  stated  reasons,  then  they  must   inform  us 
minutely  in  wi'iting  of  their  proceedings  by  a  savage  sent  either  overland  or  in  a  canoe.     Pieter 
Jansen  van  Kuyck  is  sent  with  them  for  this  pm'pose,  to  note  and  write  down  ever^'thing  properly. 
39 


306  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

7. 
They  shall  bring  away  from  the  Esopus  the  three  bronce  pieces  with  their  appurtenances,  the 
saddles  and  bridles,  which  have  mostly  been  borrowed  from  other  people  and  are  being  called  for, 
also  the  powder  carts  and  the  large' rope,  sent  up  there,  so  that  they  may  be  laid  away  here  until 

better  use  and  service. 

S. 

Finally  as  the  winter  is  before  our  doors  the  greatest  speed  as  well  in  their  upward  trip  as 
comino-  down  is  recommended  to  them.  Actum  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the 
21='  9""  1663. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  magistrates  at  Wiltwtck  :  collec- 
tions FOE  THE  CHURCH  AND  FOR  THE  POOR  ;  SUPERINTENDENCE  OF  INTESTATES' 
ESTATES. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

Yon  will  learn  from  the  enclosed  copy  what  we  have  written  to  the  reverend  Consistory  of 
Wiltwyck  and  we  do  not  doubt,  that  snch  abuses  will  be  prevented  in  future.  We  have  also  been 
informed  from  that  side  and  we  shall  learn  in  due  time,  whether  it  is  true  or  not,  that  you  have 
arrogated  the  disposal  of  what  is  collected  in  the  community  either  for  the  church  or  for  the 
poor.  If  it  is  so,  then  it  is  our  opinion  and  we  comnjand,  that  the  disposal  and  the  distribution 
of  it  shall  only  concern  the  Consistoi-y  and  remain  until  further  order  in  its  hands.  Therefore  you 
must  in  no  way  presume,  but  one  side  and  the  other  must  remain  within  the  boundaries  of  their 
respective  positions  and  confer  with  each  other  in  love  and  friendship,  which,  we  hope,  will  be 
done.     We  commend  you  to  God's  grace  and  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 
Fort  Amsterdam 
in  N.  N.  21^'  9""  1663. 

Postscript. 
As  we  have  referred  to  you,  because  it  was  proper  for  the  avoidance  of  further  difficulties,  and 
now  do  it  again,  that  a  good  and  strict  attention  and  care  should  be  given  to  the  goods  and  effects 
left  behind  by  such  persons,  as  should  die  without  lawful  heirs  or  testamentary-disposition,  therefore 
we  have  also  for  pregnant  reasons  resolved,  that  the  money-proceeds  from  such  estates  shall  be 
placed  in  charge  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  after  the  liabilities  and  assets  have  been  adjusted ; 
so  that  the  same  may  be  better  taken  care  of,  until  it  is  proved  who  has  a  right  to  the  money. 
Relying  hereupon  we  commend  you  again  to  God's  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  friends. 
Actum  Amsterdam 
in  N.  Netherld,  21"  9"'='  1663. 


Ne^o  Yorh  Historical  Records.  307 

Lettee  from  the  same  to  the  Consistory  at  Wiltwyck    they-  aee  not  to  inter- 
fere IN  matters  concerning  intestate  estates. 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Very  Discreet  Friends. 

You  will  see  by  the  enclosed  copy,  of  what  the  magistrates  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  have 
complained  to  us.  It  appears  strange  to  us,  that  you  oppose  the  magistrates  in  matters  of  such 
a  nature,  for  upon  them  falls  the  duty  properly,  to  appoint  administrators  and  to  have  the  estates 
inventoried;  the'Consistory  has  no  direction  in  it,  much  less,  should  it  pronounce  any  interdict 
through  the  Court  messenger  against  rendering  an  account  to  the  Commissaries  or  the  ad- 
ministrators appointed  by  them  for  the  estate  left  behind  by  this  or  that  person  without  heirs 
or  testamentary  disposition,  for  they  are  bound  by  their  official  duties  to  take  care  of  the 
estates  through  orphanmasters  or  curators,  that  after  tlie  liabilities  and  assets  have  been  ad- 
justed, absent  heu-s  may  obtain  their  own.  In  case  the  overseers  of  the  poor  or  the  Consis- 
tory should  have  or  pretend  to  have  some  claim  upon  an  estate  for  advanced  money,  given 
either  for  funeral  expenses  or  on  interest  or  as  a  loan  to  this  or  that  person,  then  they  could  not 
be  their  own  judges,  much  less  arrogate  the  estate  on  their  own  authority,  but  they  must  proceed 
according  to  law  and  get  an  order  of  attachment,  when  it  is  required.  You  are  therefore  hereby  re- 
quired not  to  make  any  opposition  to  the  inventory  of  some  intestate  estate,  much  less  to  order 
anybody  through  the  Courtmessenger  or  forbid  him,  to  give  a  specified  account  or  reliquat  to  the 
Court  or  the  guardians  appointed  by  it,  nor  to  forbid  or  prevent  the  payment  of  a  debt  in  any 
other  manner,  than  by  attachment  and  other  such  legal  proceedings  before  the  Court.  You  may 
aj^peal  in  behalf  of  the  deacons  or  the  church  if  you  find  yourself  wronged. 

As  renewed  complaints  have  been  made  in  this  regard  by  the  Magistrates,  we  trust  that  the 
error  committed  by  you  will  be  promptly  corrected  and  avoided  in  future  ;  but  we  are  also  in- 
formed and  shall  hear  in  due  time,  whether  it  is  true  or  not,  that  the  Magistrates  tried  to  arrogate 
the  disposal  of  what  is  collected  in  the  community  for  the  church  or  the  poor.  If  it  is,  as  we 
are  informed,  then  we  are  of  opinion  and  direct,  that  the  disposal  and  distribution  of  it  properly 
concerns  and  shall  remain  in  the  care  of  the  Consistory.  We  recommend  you,  the  one  side  and 
the  other,  before  closing  each  to  remain  within  the  boundaries  of  your  respective  positions  and 
to  continue  as  well  ofiicially  as  privately  to  live  together  in  mutual  friendship  and  harmony ;  we 
inform  you  both  hereof  in  love  and  friendship  and  rely  upon  its  proper  observance.  "We  com- 
mend you  all  to  God's  protection  and  remain  with  greetings, 

Honorable,  Pious  and  Very  Discreet  Friends. 
Fort  Amsterdam, 
21"  November  1663. 


Letter  from  Vice-Director  LaMontagne  and  Jeremias  van  Rensselaer  to 
Director  Stuy'vesant  ;  letters  received  from  Col.  Temple  and  General 
PiNCHON  ;  the  Mohawks  on  the  war  path. 

Honorable,  Very  Worshipful  General  and  Council. 

Since  your  last  letter  of  the  21"  September  with  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Col.  Temple,  dated 
the  26"'  July  and  his  letter  to  Captain  Willett,  sent  to  us  by  the  Hon"'"  Council  an  open  letter  in 
English  from  General  John  Pinchon  who  lives  at  Springfield*  in  New-England  has  been  brought 

*  Massacliusetts . 


308  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River'. 

us  by  '      savages,  which  we  have  answered,  as  the  enclosure  will  show.     After 

a  party  of  Sinnekus  and  Maqiiaas  has  left,  to  march  against  their  enemies  ,  they  took 

their  course  above  the  Oahoose*  that  neither  the  Dutch  nor  the  Mahikanders  should  know  or 
get  information  of  it.  They  are  still  out  and  we  have  no  news  nor  information  of  their  plans 
and  adventures.  You  will  have  heard  by  this  time,  that,  God  be  praised,  there  is  no  truth  in  the 
report  of  the  capture  of  the  yacht  and  Lieut.  Pieter  Wolphertsen  van  Couwenhoven.  Concerning 
the  warning  to  be  on  our  guard  and  keep  good  watch,  we  hope  that  the  good  God  will  save  us ; 
as  to  the  Mahihanders  and  Kat&kil  savages,  Aepje  and  Eeesien  Wey  came  here  to-day,  with 
whom  we  transacted  what  your  Hon"'®  Worships  will  see  by  the  annexed  proposals  and  answers. 
Your  Hon''''^  Worships  will  find  among  others,  that  the  Katskils  do  not  concern  themselves  about 
the  Esojpus^  as  we  urgently  recommended  to  them  and  they  promised  to  act  upon  it.  They  are 
also  satisfied  and  pleased,  that  they  may  live  in  Katskil,  therefore  we  request,  that  your  Hon''''' 
Worships  will  please  not  to  molest  the  Katskil  savages.  We  hope,  his  Honor,  the  General,  has 
again  recovered  his  good  health.  Whereas  it  seems  evident,  that  we  shall  not  be  able  to  write  to 
your  Hon''''^  Worships  before  winter  sets  in  fully,  we  hope  yet  to  receive  your  Hon'''"  Worships' 
answer.     We  commend  herewith  your  Hon'''®  Worships  to  God's  protection  and  remain 

Your  Hon''''^  Worships'  affectionate  friends 
Fori  Orange,  .  La  Montagne 

the  24""  9''"  1663.  Jeeemias  van  Rensselaee 

Br  OEDER  of  both  the  Coijets 
D.  V.  ScHELLUTNE,  Secretary  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaersxoyck. 

Johannes  Peovoost,  Clerk. 


Message  of  the  Indians  of  Agawajvi  to  the  Dutch  and  answee  to  it  by  the  Mo- 
hawk chief  Adogodqtjo. 

This  is  written  to  your  Honors  at  the  request  of  the  Indians  of  Agawam,  Pajassuck,  JVal- 
wetog  Pacomtuck  and  the  Wissatinnewag,  to  inform  their  friends,  the  Dutch,  that  they  are  very 
mucu  put  out,  because  the  Sowquackick  Indians  had  killed  and  murdered  some  of  the  Maquaas  ; 
all  the  above  named  Indians  request  herewith,  that  the  Dutch  Commissai-ies  will  believe,  that  only 
Sowquackick  Indians  had  been  kiUing  the  Maquaas. 

As  to  the  other  Indians  of  the  Caneticot  river,  as  Pacomtuck,  Nanatan,  Agawam  and  further 
down,  they  deplore  it  exceedingly,  repudiate  the  deed  and  s^  ear  at  the  Sowquackick,  because  they 
have  killed  the  Maquaas  and  they  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  them,  for  they  axe  resolved 
to  keep  up  their  intercourse  and  friendship  with  the  Maquaas  as  before.  The  Indians  of 
the  several  places  mentioned  before  request  the  Sachems  of  the  Dutch  to  assure  the 
Maquaas  and  inform  them  how  the  matter  is ;  they  assure  the  Maquaas  that  they  had  no 
knowledge  of  it,  they  were  at  too  great  a  distance,  to  prevent  the  proceedings  of  the  Sowquackick 
and  tell  the  Maquaas,  that  they  will  remain  their  friends.  The  Sowquackicks\\scv&  indeed  broken 
the  friendship  with  the  Maquaas  and  we  will  let  the  Maqxuias  act  according  to  their  pleasure. 
The  Sowquaekicks  live  at  the  head  of  the  river  of  Caneticot  and  they  are  the  ones,  who  fell  upon 
the  Maquaas  and  the  Indians  beyond  them  to  the  North  and  Northeast  as  far  as  Nolongewock, 

*  Cohoes. 


New    YorTc  Historical  liecords.  309 

but  the  Southern  Indians  of  Pacomtuclc  and  Agawam  and  fai-ther  South  assure,  that  they  will 
remain  friends  witli  tiie  Maquaas  and  hope,  that  they  will  live  in  peace  with  theni.  It  was  signed 
SpHnsfield,  July  28'"  1663. 

John  Pynchon. 

This  is  the  answer  to  an  open  letter  of  the  28""  July,  written  in  EncjUsh  by  Mr.  John  Pyn- 
chon and  lianded  to  us  by  two  Northern  savages  yesterday  the  21''  of  October.  AVe  have  trans- 
lated the  contents  of  this  letter  to  a  Mcujtuias,  called  Adogodquo  alias  the  Big  Spoon,  who 
answered,  It  was  well,  that  other  savages,  their  friends,  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  Ono- 
coricquehagas  or  Sawquachiclcs,  their  enemies.  But  if  the  savages,  their  friends,  would  send 
hither  some  of  their  people  with  presents,  then  the  friendship  and  peace  would  be  so  much  tinner 
and  he  says,  that  he  will  then  do  his  best.  The  Dutch,  too,  must  make  every  possible  effort  to 
have  the  peace  maintained.  This  was  interpreted  into  the  Maquaas  tongue  to  the  said  Adogodquo 
by  the  Commissary  Ja7h  Thomas  at  Fort  Orange  the  22''  October  1663. 

In  presence  of  D.  V.  Schelluyne, 

Secretary  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck. 


CoDNCIL-MlNUTES.       PeOCEEDINGS  WITH    EaTSKIL    iNDIAifS. 

Extract.  Extraordinary  Session  held  by  both  Courts 

at  Fort  Orange,  the  10"'  October  1663. 

We  have  heard  to-day  a  certain  ominous  rumor,  namely,  that  the  Esojptis  savages  intended 
to  come  up  here  in  2  or  3  days,  to  do  harm  to  the  country  people.  We  have  therefore  gath- 
ered information  from  the  Mahilcanders,  who  thought  we  knew  of  it  and  informed  us,  that 
more  than  15  days  ago  some  Fsopus  had  been  at  Keessien  Wey''s  hook  who  wanted  to  come  up, 
but  had  been  prevented  this  time  and  in  order  to  get  at  the  truth  of  the  matter,  we  have  unani- 
mously concluded,  to  send  for  2  or  3  Sachems  of  the  Katskils  with  Keesien  Wey,  and  to  see, 
whether  they  can  give  further  news. 

Flhert  Gerhertsen  Cruyff. 

Whereas  a  rumor  is  circulated,  that  troubles  with  the  Fsopus  and  other  savages  are  about  to 
arise  here,  therefore  the  Courts  both  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  have 
resolved  and  found  it  necessary,  to  dispatch  the  bearer  hereof  Jan  the  weaver  with  a  savage  called 
Tomas  to  you,  that  you  will  please  to  take  care  as  quickly  as  possible,  that  2  or  3  of  the  principal 
savages  in  KatshU,  especially  Macsachnimanau  and  Saf2>agood,  also  Keesien  Wey  come  hither, 
upon  which  we  rely  and  we  sliall  expect  your  early  arrival  here  ^rith  the  aforesaid  savages. 
Actum  Fort  Orange,  10""  October  Anno  1663. 

Extraordinary  Session  held  by  both  Courts 
at  Fort  Orange  the  23*  November  1663. 

The  letter  of  the  Honorable  Director-General  written  by  his  Honor's  Secretary  van  Ruyven 
of  the  7th  inst.  was  opened  and  read  and  the  following  answer  given  : 

On  the  aforesaid  day  Eldert  Gerhertsen  Cruyff  appeared  in  the  Court  with  the  Indians  from 
Katskil,  namely  MaGsachnimanau,  Sacsamoes,  Keesien  Wey,  Sichano  alias  Teunis,  and  Aepje 
and  reports,  that  he  has  several  tunes  sent  word  and  requested  them  to  come  to  the  Fort,  but  they 


310  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

excused  themselves,  because  tliey  had  to  look  out  for  their  livelihood  by  shooting  and  hunting  and 
the  aforesaid  savages  say  it  also.  The  Commissary  Jan  Tomassen  then  asked  Keesien  Wei/, 
whether  they  were  concerned  in  the  war  of  the  Esojjxis,  whereupon  he  answered,  that  he  lias  pre- 
vented the  Esopus  five  times,  who  wanted  to  do  harm  at  Katskil  and  further  up  to  the  bouweries, 
dissuading  them  every  time  and  making  them  presents  of  wampum.  He  comj^lains,  that,  when 
he  comes  here,  the  Dutch  pull  him  by  the  ears  and  call  him  an  Esopus  rascal. 

Hereupon  the  meeting  was  adjourned  until  to-morrow  and  four  strings  of  wampum,  amount- 
ing to  20  guilders,  were  presented  to  the  savages,  on  condition  of  coming  again  to-moi-row. 


Pkoceedings  at  Fort  Orange  wnn  the  Mohawks  and  Mohegans. 

Extract.  Extraordinary  session  of 

the  two  Courts  at  Fort  Orange 
....     1663. 

The  Honorable  members  of  the  two  Courts  (say  to)  Keesien  Wey,  in  presence  of  the  above- 
named  ....  savages  and  of  ...  .  and  of  Saghwiha,  two  chiefs  of  the  Maquaas 
and  Mahicanders.     {Ae^^e     .      .      .      WeTcepe  not  being  present.) 

(Translated  as  before.) 

1.     The  Catshils  and  Mahikanders for  what  the  Esopus  and  their  adherents 

done  up  here,  but  that They  give  herewith   ten   strings  of 

wampum. 

:i.     \i  you,  Keesien  Wey  or  any  (of  your  tribe)  our  brothers  up  here  have  (been  injured)  by  the 

Dutch,  then  tell  us,  we  shall  (redress  it).    We  gave  them  hereupon  ten  strings  of  white  wampum. 

3.  Warn  the  Esopus  and  their  adherents  against  doing  any  harm  to  the  Dutch  from  Catskil  up 
to  this  place  or  to  the  yachts  and  vessels  sailing  up  and  down,  for  we  have  done  no  harm  to  them. 
Keep  no  Esopus  or  other  bad  savage  among  your  people  nor  allow  your  men  to  go  among  them, 
for,  as  we  have  told  you  before,  it  might  be  detrimental  to  you  and  that  would  grieve  us.  We 
gave  hereupon  twenty  strings  of  white  wampum. 

4.  As  you  are  our  brothers,  promise,  that  you  will  warn  us  and  resist  those,  who  will  injure  us, 
giving  them  ten  strings  of  black  wampum. 

5.  Brothers,  you  receive  these  presents  now,  on  the  condition,  that,  according  to  your  custom, 
you  keep  your  wora  and  be  and  remain  our  friends.  We  gave  them  then  ten  strings  of  black 
wampum. 

The  Catshils  answered  then  through  the  mouth  of  Keesien  Wey :  We  have  now  made  a 
firm  alliance  with  our  brothers,  the  Dutch,  and  can  now  come  up  without  fear.  We  shall  keep 
the  peace  firmly  and  inviolably  for  us  and  them  and  both  our  descendants. 

In  testimony  hereof  we  also  give  to  the  aforesaid  Ilagioaas  ten  strings  of  white  wampum  and 
to  the  Mahikander  Wekepe  ten  strings  of  white  wampum,  whereupon  the  Maquaas  Adogodquo 
answered,  I  shall  bring  this  present  to  the  Maquaas,  my  brothers,  and  inform  them  of  all  that 
has  been  concluded  and  confirmed  here  by  handshaking. 


Neio  Yorh  Historical  JRecords.  311 

Answer  of  Rev.  Heemanus  Blom  to  Director  Stdyvksant's  letter,  concern- 
ing  CLERICAL   AFFAIRS   AT   WlLTWYCK. 

Yeiy  Worshipful,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Sir. 
Sir. 

Your  letter  of  the  21^'  November  has  been  received  by  us  as  well  as  the  enclosed  copy,  sent 
by  your  Honor.  We  should  have  answered  the  same  properly,  but  cannot  do  it  now  on  account 
of  the  hurried  departure  of  the  yachts  and  defer  it  therefore  to  a  better  opportunity.  In  regard 
to  tlie  estates  of  deceased  pereoiis  we  have  done  no  more,  than  to  send  our  clerk  to  Cornells  Slecht 
and  Juriaen  Westval,  that  they  should  not  give  up  the  surplus  of  the  estates  into  the  hands  of 
the  Magistrates,  before  we  have  examined  whether  the  overseers  of  the  poor  or  the  village  were 
authorized  to  receive  it  and  we  maintain  that  position,  nntil  we  ai-e  better  informed ;  that  is  the 
whole  of  the  matter,  while  they  write  so  amply  about  it,  that  we  do  it  judicially  and  trouble  our- 
selves with  their  business  and  assume  their  duties  and  other  things.  Your  Honors  may  see  now, 
what  it  amounts  to  ;  methinks,  we  are  not  so  wrong  in  the  matter,  if  we  want  to  examine  the  case 
ourselves  and  discover  who  has  a  claim  to  the  money,  when  there  are  no  heirs,  for  it  is  our  duty  to 
take  care  of  the  poor  and  we  have  at  present  a  heavy  burden  laid  upon  us ;  much  less  we  meddle  with 
matters  of  this  nature  in  opposition  to  the  civil  authorities,  to  compel  the  same  to  appoint  curators 
of  the  estate,  nor  have  we  ever  thought  of  it,  much  less  even  to  forbid  them  through  the  Court 
messenger,  while  it  has  only  been  done  by  our  clerk,  who  simply  spoke  to  the  aforesaid  persons : 
we  leave  them  to  attend  to  their  duties  and  have  enough  to  do  with  ours,  but  they  do  not  the 
same,  as  the  following  will  show. 

We  also  learn  from  your  Honor's  letter,  that  they  have  made  several  complaints,  while  the 
Magistrates  have  not  yet  heard  the  Consistory,  except  Albert  Ilayinensen,  whom  they  call  the 
Consistory  and  him  they  heard  whimsically  at  their  meeting  instantaneously  summoned,  while  he 
is  only  a  member  of  the  Consistory,  for  the  Consistory  consists  in  the  country,  where  the  number 
of  elders  is  only  small,  of  the  preacher,  the  elders  and  deacons,  according  to  the  order  of  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  as  your  Honor  knows 

The  Magistrates  summoned,  as  your  Honors  know,  the  preacher  and  I  answered,  that  they 
must  not  let  me  wait,  but  they  say,  the  messenger  had  given  as  reason,  because  it  was  a  day  of 
prayer  the  next  day  and  I  had  to  preach  therefore;  then  I  had  to  come  immediately  with  Albert 
Heymansen,  one  of  the  Consistory,  so  that  the  matter  was  not  delayed ;  we  will  show  your  Honor 
in  due  time,  how  they  have  treated  us  in  regard  to  other  ecclesiastical  matters  etc.  as  well  as  to 
the  house  of  Claesje?i  Teunis,  also  how  they  have  compelled  us  by  some  documents  to  ,  .  . 
before  the  church  in  the  afternoon.        ******** 

(Parts  of  this  letter  are  gone . )  Hekmanus  Blom. 

Wiltwick,  Dec"'  3^  1663. 


InSTEUCTIONS    given    to    MaETIN  CeEGIEE  and  GovEET  LoOCKEEMANS    FOR   THE    PUR- 
CHASE OF  THE  NeVESING  COUNTET,  FROM  BaENEGATT  TO  THE  RaEITAN. 

e"-  December  1663. 

Whereas  the  Director -General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  have  been  several  times  in- 
formed by  the  Newesingh  as  well  as  by  the  Staten  Island  savages,  that  the  English  have  repeat- 
edly tried  to  buy  the  country  of  the  Newesmgks  and  that  for  that  purpose  some  Englishmen  went 


312  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

there  in  a  barge  last  night,  therefore  to  hinder  and  prevent  this  and  to  anticipate  all  such  preten- 
sions the  Director-General  and  Council  have  resolved  to  send  there  with  all  possible  speed  Capt. 
Lieutenant  Martin  Cregier  and  Sr.  Govert  Loockermans,  who  are  not  only  to  look  at  and  view 
the  country  of  the  Newesvnghs,  but  also  to  purchase  the  same  from  the  lawful  owners,  as  far  as 
the  same  has  not  been  previously  bought  and  paid  for  by  the  agent  of  Baron  van  der  Capelle,  or 
at  least  persuade  the  savages  b}^  cogent  reasons  not  to  sell  much  less  to  convey  the  unbought  por- 
tion of  their  land  in  future  to  any  Englishmen  or  other  strange  nation,  according  to  their  promise. 
If  they  wish  to  sell  the  land,  they  may  come  here  with  the  aforesaid  persons,  to  make  with  the 
Director-General  and  Council  an  agreement  of  sale.  The  few  following  rules  are  given  for  their 
direction : 

FiEST.  They  must  endeavor  to  get  speech  of  the  Newesingh  Indians  and  advise  them  by  all 
imaginable  reasons  against  selling  their  land  to  the  English  or  to  strangers,  the  more  so  as  tlie 
greater  part  of  the  lands  has  been  sold  and  conveyed  to  our  people  a  long  time  ago. 

2. 
The  owners  must  be  requested,  to  go  with  them  and  point  out  the  lands,  which  they  desire 
to  sell,  unless  the  Sachsms  and  other  owners  of  the  Newesingh  lands,  as  far  as  they  have  not  been 
sold  and  conveyed  to  the  agent  of  Baron  van  der  Capelle,  wish  to  sell  to  nobody  else  generally, 
but  the  Director-General  and  Council  the  land  from  Barnegatt  to  the  Raritan  river,  which  would 
obviate  much  tramping  over  the  country  and  inspecting  ;  if  they  are  willing  to  do  this,  then  the 
Sachems  and  owners  must  be  persuaded,  to  come  hither  and  agree  upon  the  price  and  conditions. 

3. 
In  order  to  persuade  them  the  easier,  the  aforesaid  agents  are  hereby  authorized  to  state,  that 
all  former  acts  and  claims  shall  be  forgotten  and  forgiven,  if  the  Newesingh  savages  \vill  sell  the 
land  to  nobody,  but  the  Director-Genei-al  and  Council. 

4. 
They  are  to  inquire  for  the  Englishmen,  who  went  there  last  night,  as  it  is  reported,  to  view 
and  purchase  the  lands  from  the  Newesingh  savages.  "When  they  find  them,  they  shall  protest 
against  the  English  in  the  most  polite  manner,  prove  to  them  by  the  placat,  which  they  will 
take  along,  that  nobody  is  allowed  to  purchase  lands  within  this  province  without  the  consent  of 
the  Director-General  and  Coi;ncil  and  therefore,  if  the  purchase  has  been  made,  declare  it  null 
and  void.     Adij  ut  supra.  P.  Stuyvesant, 

NiOASIUS  DE  SlLLE. 


Complaint  AGArasT    Fredeeick  Philippsen,  Nicholas  Meter  and   others  for 

DRIVING  FROM  WiLTWTCK  TO  THE  KeDOUBT    WITHOUT  A  CONVOY. 

To  their  Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Honors,  the  Du'ector-General  and  Council  of  New- 
Netherland. 

Shows  with  due  reverence  Nicasius  de  Sille,  Fiscal,  that  according  to  a  letter  from  Ensign 
Niessen,  Nicholas  Meyer,  FredericTc  Philippsen,  Jeronimus  Ehhingh,  and  Lvycas  Andriesen 
have  presumed  to  drive  with  six  wagons,  loaded  with  grain,  to  the  Redoubt  without  a  convoy, 
as  they  were  not  willing  to  wait  for  the  letters  to  the  Director  General  and  Council  and  for  the 
escort,  which  is  contrary  to  orders  and  in  derision  of  the  placards,  because  great  danger  was  im- 


Neio  YorTc  Historical  Records.  813 

minent ;  a  heavy  reproacli  would  have  fallen  upon  tlie  officers,  if  an  onslaught  had  heen  made 
upon  them,  as  it  has  happened  before  and  it  was  further  in  disobedience  to  the  orders  of  the  Di- 
rector-General and  Council.  To  prevent  such  proceedings  in  future,  these  people  ought  not  to 
be  allowed  to  go  impunished  as  having  done  well,  but  must  be  punished.  Therefore  the  Fiscal 
has  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  aforesaid  persons  ought  to  be  condemned  to  a  fine  of  twenty- 
five  guilders,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  l""  August  last  past,  if  they  will  promise  not  to  do  so 
again,  but  to  obey  such  orders,  as  the  officers  appointed  by  the  Director-General  shall  give. 
Fort  Amsterdam,  the  S""  X""  1663. 

Your  IIon*''°  Worships'  servant, 

NlCASruS  DB  SiLLE. 

The  foregoing  complaint  of  the  Fiscal  was  read  to  the  accused,  who  answered,  that  not  only 
had  the  convoy  been  ready,  to  go  with  them,  but  the  soldiers  were  also  already  outside  of  the  gate 
and  whereas  the  wagons  with  the  grain  were  already  ahead,  as  it  is  the  common  custom,  they,  the 
defendants,  followed  their  wagons,  supposing  the  escort  would  go  with  them  ;  they  do  not  know, 
why  the  Ensign  held  them  back. 

It  was  decided : 

Eefore  sentence  is  pronounced  in  this  case,  it  is  resolved,  to  send  a  copy  of  the  defendants' 
excuse  to  Ensign  Christian  Niessen  and  to  await  his  further  report  and  verification  of  their 
reply.     Date  as  above. 


Petition  of  CoENELnrs  Bakentsen  Slecht  for  a  lot  neab  the  mill  gate  at 

WlLTWTCK. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  "Worshipful,    Wise,   Prudent   and   Very  Discreet  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

Shows  with  due  reverence  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slecht,  inhabitant  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck, 
that  by  a  petition  to  the  Hon*'^  Court  at  Wiltwyck  he  has  asked  for  a  lot  to  build  upon,  which  is 
situate  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  and  is  a  small  corner  of  land  west  of  the  mill  gate  against  the 
lot  of  Aert  Otter  S])oor  ;  the  petitioner  would  like  to  erect  a  dweUinghouse  upon  it  before  winter, 
as  he  is  about  to  move  from  EhhinclUs  bouwery  and  whereas  he  has  been  referred  with  his  petition 
by  the  Hon'"''  Coiu't  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  that  they  should 
decide  upon  it,  he  requests  humbly  and  respectfully,  that  your  Hon"'*'  Worships  will  please  to 
give  and  grant  him  as  his  property  the  aforesaid  corner  of  land  convenient  for  a  dweUinghouse,  a 
brewery  and  a  bakery,  in  consideration  that  the  petitioner  is  an  old  inhabitant  of  the  place,  upon 
which  relying  he  awaits  yom*  Hon''"'  Worships'  favorable  decision.  Actum  in  Wiltwyck,  the  17"" 
November.     (It  was  signed.) 

Tour  Hon^'"  Worships'  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

COENELIS    PaEENTSEN    SlECHT. 

It  was  decided  on  the  foregoing  petition  : 

If  it  can  be   done  without  considerable  prejudice  to  anybody,  the   Court   at  Wiltwyck  is 
authorized  to  let  the  piece  of  land  in  question  be  laid   out  for  the   petitioner,  considering  that  he 
IB  an  old  inhabitant.     The  S""  December  1663. 
40 


314  Colonial  Setilements  on  the  Htidaon  River. 

Minute    of    Council.     Information    communicated    by  Oeatamy,    chief  of   the 
Hackinkesaky,  that  the  Wapping  and  Esopus  Indians  aee  coming  to  conclude 
a  treaty  of  peace. 
10""  December. 

To-day  Oratamy,  chief  of  Hdehinghsachy ,  came  into  the  Council  chamber  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam and  reported,  that  the  two  savages,  sent  b}^  bira  according  to  the  agreement  of  the  14""  9*""  to 
the  Wapping  and  Esopus  Sachems,  liad  returned  and  brought  the  information,  tliat  the  Wappings^ 
Esopus  and  other  savages  were  very  ghad,  that  the  Dutch  were  willing  to  make  at  their  request  a 
peace  with  them.  To  promote  it  the  said  Sachems  had  promised  to  come  down  here  with  the  5 
captive  Christians,  who  are  still  in  their  hands,  within  8  days.  He  requests  a  blanket  for  the  sav- 
ages, who  had  been  to  the  Wappi?igs  and  was  told,  that  they  should  receive  a  present,  when  the 
said  Sachems  should  arrive  here,  as  they  report. 

Present  the  Hon''"=  General,  the  Fiscal  and  Lieut.  Pieter  Wolpliersten  as  interpreter.  Date 
as  above. 


Journal  of  a  voyage  to  the  Newesinghs  by  Captain  Ceegier. 

1663.  Voyage  to  the  Newesiiighs,  made  in  the  Hon""  Company's  yacht  and  what  has  hap- 
pened during  the  same,  on  board  of  the  yacht  having  been  M.  Kregier,  Goovert  Loochermans, 
Jakes  Cortdjiou  and  Pieter  Evel  with  ten  soldiers,  two  sailors,  the  Sachem  and  another  savage  of 
Staten-Island. 

6""  December.]  About  three  o'clock  we  left  the  Mamhatans  under  sail  and  arrived  behind 
Staten-Island  at  about  6  o'c.  in  the  evening,  where  the  Sachem  of  this  island  and  the  savage 
went  ashore ;  they  remained  about  one  hour  on  land  and  then  came  again  ou  board,  the  tide  coming 
in  we  set  sail  and  sailed  through  the  Kil  van  Kol,  we  came  past  the  Schutters  island  into  the 
shallow  water  and  dropped  anchor,  to  remain  here  until  the  tide  should  go  out. 

T""  December.]  About  three  hours  before  break  of  day  we  heaved  the  anchor  again  and 
went  with  the  ebb  down  the  Kil  behind  Staten  Island.  In  the  morning  we  put  on  sails  and 
tacked  until  the  ebb  had  run  out,  when  we  again  cast  anchor.  The  tide  having  run  out  at  about 
two  o'clock  of  the  afternoon  we  raised  the  anchor  and  tacked  again  ;  toward  evening  we  saw  a 
sail,  with  which  we  came  up  in  the  evening  and  we  hailed  her,  for  it  was  Pieter  Lowrensen  with 
his  sloop,  having  on  board  Jacob  Coiowenhoven.  They  said,  they  were  going  to  barter  for  deer 
meat.  We  tacked  with  our  two  yachts  the  same  evening  as  far  as  the  end  of  Staten-Island  and 
then  came  to  anchor  just  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ra'ryian  Kil,  where  two  houses  of  southern  sav- 
ages stand.  The  said  Couioenhoven  told  us,  the  English,  numbering  nineteen  men  had  gone  in 
an  open  sloop  up  the  Rari.tan  on  the  day  before,  to  where  the  Newesinghs  and  Raritans  were 
camping  together  about  3  long  leagues  up  the  Kil.  The  savages  reported  to  us  the  same.  "We 
remained  before  the  Raritan  Kil  over  night,  to  go  up  the  Kil  also  next  day  and  follow  the 
English,  but  as  it  began  to  blow  very  hard  from  the  northwest  during  the  night,  we  had  to  remain 
over  night. 

8"".]  It  still  blew  very  hard  from  the  Northwest,  so  that  we  could  not  go  up  the  i?ar^ 
tan  Kil,  we  had  to  remain  through  the  day  and  resolved  to  send  the  savage,  Hans,  overland  to 
the  Newesingh  savages,  who  were  camping  3  leagues  up  the  Kil.  It  was  done  directly.  "We 
sent  him  off  immediately  with  verbal  orders  to  inform  the  Sachems  of  the  Newesinghs  and  Rari- 


Nev)   Yovh  Historical  Hecords.  815 

to/w,  that  we  were  laying  with  tlie  yacht  before  the  Kil  and  that  we  desired  thein  to  eomo  down 
to  us  at  onee  to  speak  with  them.  We  directed  Hans  also  to  tell  the  Sachems,  that  if  some 
EiujUshnieii  should  come  there  or  were  there  already  and  wished  to  purchase  from  them  some 
land,  they  must  not  sell  the  same  to  the  English,  for  they  had  not  asked  tlie  Dutch  Sachems  at 
the  Manhatans  and  had  stealthily  gone  here  and  if  the  Sachems  of  the  Mewesinghs  wished  to 
sell  some  land,  they  should  come  liere  to  us,  we  would  then  speak  together.  Hans  left  directly 
at  sunrise,  to  tell  this  to  the  savages,  while  we  remained  before  tlie  Kil. 

9"^.]  At  about  9  o'cloclc  in  tlie  morning  we  saw  tlie  English  vessel  come  down  the  Kil,  where- 
upon we  raised  anchor  immediately  and  sailed  towards  them  to  hail  them.  This  done  and  come 
up  with  them,  we  inquired,  whence  they  came,  tlie  skipper  Stoffel  Elswort  answered,  Down  the 
Kil,  upon  our  question,  what  they  had  done  there,  he  said,  I  carried  the  English  tliere.  I  told 
them,  that  it  was  unbecoming  and  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  country  to  proceed  in  this  manner 
and  that  they  would  be  punished.     Thereupon   Willem  Golden  called  out,  'Tis  well,  'tis  well. 

In  the  boat  were  Caerels  Morgen,  Jan  Bou,  Jeems  Hobbert,  Willein  Galdert,  Rendel  Huyt, 
Dirrick  Staut,  Jems  Grover,  Jan  Rotman,  Sam  Sjjyser,  Tomas  Wittock,  Sergeant  Gybhincks 
from  Oysterbay,  a  man  called  Kreupelhos,  one  from  Vlissingen  and  2  from  Jamycke  and  some 
otliers,  whom  we  did  not  know,  about  20  altogether.  At  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  same  day  Hans,  the  savage,  whom  we  had  sent  on  the  8""  to  the  Neioesingh  Sachems,  camp- 
ing some  way  up  the  Raritan  Kil,  came  back  and  brought  with  him  6  or  7  savages,  who  told 
us,  the  English  had  come  to  them  the  day  before  Hans  the  savage  arrived  and  had  given  them 
some  wine,  2  strings  of  black  and  1  string  of  white  wampum,  asking,  whether  they  were  willing 
to  sell  some  of  their  lands  to  them.  Meanwhile  Ha7is  the  savage  arrived  and  nothing  came  of  it, 
so  that  the  English  left  again. 

lO"".]  "We  left  the  Raritan  Kil  again  and  two  savages  came  with  us,  who  knew  the  country 
towards  the  'Neioesinghs.  We  went  down  the  bay,  came  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kil  which  empties 
into  the  sea  between  Renselaer's  Hook  and  the  Sandpoint  and  found  there  Stoffel  Elswort  with 
his  sloop  and  all  the  Englishmen  aground  in  the  Kil.  We  could  not  enter  the  Kil  with  our  sloop 
and  landed  in  a  boat ;  we  went  along  the  strand  towards  them  and  when  we  came  near,  we 
saw  them  standing  under  arms.  The  Schout  Carls  Morgen  and  Jan  Bou  came  without  anns 
towards  us.  Jack  asked  them,  what  business  they  had  here,  to  which  they  answered,  they  had  come 
to  trade,  we  told  thein,  why  are  you  come  in  sucii  numbers,  if  you  only  go  to  trade  and  they 
replied,  the  savages  are  rascals  and  cannot  be  trusted,  therefore  we  have  come  in  such  numbers. 
We  then  said,  we  had  been  informed,  that  they  had  gone  out  to  buy  land  from  the  savages,  to 
which  they  replied,  we  only  go  to  look  at  it.  Said  we  again,  they  should  not  undertake  to  buy 
any  land  from  the  savages,  as  it  has  mostly  been  bought  by  the  Hutch  already.  Jan  Bou  answered 
me,  Under  what  government  do  you  consider  us  to  be.  I  said,  that  they  stood  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  States  General  and  under  the  Hon''"=  Director-General  and  Council  here,  to  which  he 
replied,  Why  may  we  then  not  go  out  to  trade  and  look  out  for  land  just  as  well  as  you  do. 
I  answered,  they  must  not  undertake  to  buy  land  from  the  savages,  unless  they  had  proper  per- 
mission from  the  Director-General  and  Council.  Jan  Bou  said  then,  It  is  well,  and  Stoffel 
Elswort  called  out,  I  told  them  the  same  before,  that  they  should  not  do  it.  Govert  Loock&rmans 
then  told  them,  you  are  a  pack  of  traitors,  for  you  act  agamst  the  laws  of  the  country.  They 
said,  the  King's  patent  covered  the  whole  of  America  and  Loockermans  answered,  from  whom 
have  you  your  patents,  to  which  they  said,  from  the  Manhatans.  Loockermans  replied,  Why 
then  do  you  act  against  this  state,  to  which  Carls  Morgen  said.  Take  notice  of  it.  The  English 
had  with  them  a  savage,  who  was  from  the  Neioesinghs  and  had  taken  part  in  the  murder  at  Mcs- 


316  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

path  Kil ;  so  onr  savages,  whom  we  had  on  board  of  our  sloop  and  who  had  come  with  us,  told  ns. 
His  name  is  Suckkurus  and  he  lives  beyond  the  Newesinghs  KU  on  the  land  called  Romsingh. 
"We  then  left  the  English  and  went  along  on  the  west  side  of  the  strand  up  the  Kil  for  about  one 
hour,  where  the  land  is  very  mountainous,  but,  as  the  savages  said,  on  the  other  side  of  it  the  land 
was  level  and  good  and  much  of  it ;  there  was  much  old  corn  land  and  some  savage  corn 
plantations,  which  Jacques  Corteljou  has  visited  and  inspected  formerly.  We  then  went  across 
the  mountains  again  and  came  back  on  board  at  about  3  o'clock.  "We  saw,  that  Stoffel  Elswort 
with  his  sloop  and  the  Englishmen  had  gone  into  the  Kil  and  we  remained  before  it  overnight, 
ll"".]     The  wind  being  S.  W.  we  resolved  to  return  to  the  Maiihatans,  which  we  did. 


Ageeement  made   by  the   Newesestgh   Indians   to   sell   to   the  Dutch  theie 

LANDS,    not    already    SOLD. 

We,  the  undersigned,  thoroughly  conversant  with  and  speaking  the  language  of  the  savages, 
certify  and  declare,  that  there  appeared  before  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Nether- 
land,  the  Burgomasters  of  this  City  being  present,  the  chiefs  Matanoo,  Barrenach,  Mechat, 
brother  to  and  deputed  by  Pajpemoor,  empowered  by  Pasachynom,  MenarJiohondoo,  SycakesTca 
and  the  aforesaid  Pojpemoor,  all  chiefs  and  owners  of  the  lands  in  the  Newesinghs.,  which  have 
heretofore  not  been  sold  and  conveyed  to  the  Dutch  according  to  tlie  bill  of  sale  and  deed  of  con- 
veyance made  for  it,  called  Arromsinok,  Potpocka,  Narowaikongh.  They  declared,  that  they 
were  herewith  conveying  all  the  aforesaid  lands  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New- 
Netherland,  under  promise  and  condition  not  to  sell  or  convey  the  same  to  anybody  else,  but  their 
Honors  aforesaid.  The  price  of  the  purchase  and  the  mode  of  payment  have  been  deferred,  until 
the  aforesaid  chiefs  and  some  other  owners  of  the  said  unpurchased  and  not  conveyed  lands  shall 
have  appeared  here  before  the  Director -General  and  Council,  to  close  the  bargain  completely  and 
then  to  receive  the  payment  for  it.  Meanwhile  the  aforesaid  chiefs  declare  the  said  lands  con- 
veyed to  the  Director-General  and  Council  and  to  have  received  and  accejited  in  confirmation 
thereof  each  a  red  blanket,  to  wit 

Mattano  Passachynmn  Sycakeska 

Barrenach  Pojpemoor  Pievjecherenoes 

Mechat  Menarhohoncla  alias  Hans 

and  a  coat  of  duffels  was  given  to  their  great  chief  Passachynom  and  a  piece  to  Barrenach  under 
the  above  conditions. 

It  was  repeated,  that  they  should  not  now  nor  never  sell  or  dispose  of  the  said  lands  to  any- 
body else.  In  testimony  and  confirmation  thereof,  the  contracting  parties  have  signed  this  with 
us,  the  undersigned,  after  the  above  specified  goods  had  been  given  to  them  in  our  presence,  at 
Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  12'"  December  A°  1663. 

The  mark )       made  The  mark     A.         made 

by        /    7   MATTAifo  by         Lx    Baeeenach 

The  mark  \         made  In  our  presence 

by         x"    Mechat  .  Peteds  Stuyvesant 

Director-General  of  New-Netherland. 


New  York  Historical  Records. 


317 


As  ■witnesses  and  interpreters : 
Maeten  Keegiek 
govekt  loockekmans 
Ja.  Cokteljou. 

The  mark   fjr-     of 

PlETEE      T    L-  EbeL. 

The  mark  4-  of 

PiEWEHEEENOEs,  alias  Hans  the 

SAVAGE. 

The  mark      L,      of 


Inteeenemont, 


X 


NiCAsius  DE  SiLLE,  Couucillor  and 

Fiscal  of  N.  W. 
P.  L.  VAN  DEE  Geist  Presiding 

Burgomaster. 
O.  Stevenson  van  Coetlandt 
Burgomaster. 


In  my  presence : 

C.  V.  RuYVEN,  Secretaiy. 


Letters   feom   the    Magistrates   at    Wiltwyck   to    Dieectoe    Stdtvesant  on 

GENEEAL    MATTEES    AND    THE    QOAEEEL    WITH    THE    ChUECH. 

Nohle,  Yery  "Worshipful,  Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

We  trust  your  Hon'''''  Worships  have  received  our  last  letter  of  tlie  3''  of  December  with  the 
■journal  of  daily  occurrences.  We  inform  your  Hon'*''^  Worships  herewith,  that  since  the  3''  of  De- 
cember we  have  not  heard  of  any  hostile  rencontres,  we  i-emain  in  the  meantime  on  our  guard 
and  shall  continue  so.  We  send  your  Hon"'*'  Worships  some  old  pieces  of  property  in  Meijntje 
Pieteri  yacht,  namely  six  muskets  with  five  locks  and  eleven  cutlasses  and  sabres.  We  hope  to 
receive  from  your  Hon'''°  Worships  the  necessary  provisions  for  the  military  in  the  Company's 
yacht  before  winter  and  the  heavy  frost ;  most  of  the  soldiers  are  ill  provided  with  clothing  for  expe- 
ditions and  standing  on  guard  and  as  to  eatables  for  their  subsistence,  they  cannot  very  well  get 
them  here,  because  peas  and  other  victuals  cannot  be  obtained  here  in  WiltwyGk  except  with 
great  trouble  and  at  excessive  prices.  With  God's  help,  our  o^wn  good  information  and  other 
reports,  we  shall  do  our  best  during  the  winter,  to  do  as  much  harm  to  our  enemies,  as  we  can 
and  wherever  it  might  be,  with  detachments  of  15,  20,  25  or  more  men  from  the  military  or  resi- 
dent volunteers,  whom  we  think  fit  thereto,  unless  your  Hon"'*'  Worships  should  give  us  other 
orders.  The  book  !N"o.  4  kept  in  Wiltwyck  has  been  closed  and  only  half  of  it  has  been  copied, 
it  can  therefore  not  be  sent  down  unless  during  the  winter  by  a  mail  from  Fort  Orange  or  next 
spring.  Closing  with  our  salutations  we  commend  your  Hon"""  Worships  to  God's  protection  and 
remain  Your  Honorable  Worships'  faithful  and  obedient  servants 

Wiltwyck,  

December  12""  1663.  Thomas  Chambees. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable, 
Yery  Worshipfnl,  Wise, 
Prudent  and  Yery  Discreet 
Gentlemen,  the  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Netherlcmd 

at  Fort  Amsterdam 

in  New-Netherland. 


318  Colonial  Settlements  07i  the  Hudson  JRiver. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Tour  Hon''''  Worships'  letter  was  thankfully  received  by  us  on  the  26"^  of  November  last  past 
and  we  have  accepted  most  of  its  contents  with  pleasure,  but  we  are  highly  astonished,  that  your 
Hon'""  Worships  as  our  supreme  authority  here  in  New-Netherland  should  have  taken  away  the 
small  privileges  of  this  village  and  destroyed  the  authority  of  the  Commissaries,  for  we  see  by 
your  Hon''"'  Worships'  order,  that  the  surplus  resulting  from  estates  left  behind  by  this  or  that 
person  shall  be  placed  into  the  hands  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  that  it  may  be  better  and  more 
safely  taken  care  of  by  them.  The  Magistrates  of  this  village  are  therefore  much  dissatisfied, 
unless  your  Hon""'  Worships  had  appointed  orphanmasters  for  this  place  or  mistrusting  us  had 
required  security,  as  it  is  done  in  Court  when  guardians  are  appointed.  If  your  Hon"'"  Worships 
should  think  fit  to  persist  in  this  first  order,  then  we  request,  that  your  Hon'""  Worships  will 
transfer  not  only  part,  but  all  the  duties  and  rights  of  the  Commissai'ies  to  Dotn'  Hermanus 
Blom  and  his  Consistory  Albert  Ileymansen,  for  before  or  during  our  time  no  deacon  has 
been  elected,  who  could  either  read  or  write,  except  the  Domine  alone,  who  sides  with  Alhert 
Heymansen,  who  has  shown  himself  more  than  once  as  an  instigator  of  quarrels. 

Finally  the  Court  of  this  village  is  amazed,  that  your  Hon"'"  Worships  have  given  us  no  an- 
swer to  our  request  concerning  the  farming  of  the  beer  and  wine,  as  we  are  dunned  by  several 
parties  on  account  of  the  arrearage  on  the  Domine' s  house  and  have  no  revenues,  while  the  ex- 
penses of  the  village  increase  daily.  Closing  with  salutations  we  commend  your  Hon'''"  Worships 
to  God's  protection  and  in  the  expectation  of  further  orders  we  remain 
Actum    Wiltwyck,  Your  Honorable  Worships' 

the  12'"  Decbr  1663.  obedient  and  faithful 

KOELOFF  SWAETWOUT. 

The  mark  ^  of  Albert 

Gysbertsen. 
TiEECK  Classen  de  Wrrx 
Thomas  Chambers 
Gtsbeet  van  Imborgh. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable, 

Very  Worshipfid,  Wise,  Prudent, 

Very  Discreet  Gentlemen, 

the  Director-General  and 

Council  of  New-Netlierland 
at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Petition  of  the  Schout  aito  Magistrates  of  Bergen,  that  Engelbeet  Steen- 
hdtsen  shall  perform  his  contract  as  schoolmastee. 

To  the  Noble,    Honorable,  Very  Worshipful  Director-General  and  Council   at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New-Netlierland. 

Show  humbly  the  Schout  and  Commissaries  of  the  village  of  Bergen^  that,  as  your  Honoi-s 
undoubtedly  know,  before  the  going  out  of  office  and  the  election  of  new  Commissaries,  Michael 
Jansen  Sail  has  been  before  your  Honors  and  requested,  that  we  might  have  a  precentor,  who 
could  also  keep  school  for  the  instruction  and  education   of  our  young  children  and  that  your 


New  York  Historical  Record's.  319 

Honors  proposing  one  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  as  a  suitable  person  the  Schout  and  Commissaries 
repeated  tliis  proposition  more  than  a  year  ago  to  the  commnnitj,  which  resolved  to  employ  him 
not  only  as  precentor,  but  also,  this  was  expressly  stipulated,  to  keep  school.  The  said  Steenhuij- 
sen  accepted  this  and  has  now  served  for  more  than  iifteen  months,  for  which  he  was  allowed  a 
salary  of  250  guilders  in  wampum  annually  and  some  other  emoluments,  besides  the  school  fees, 
considered  proper  and  fair.  Now  being  the  owner  of  a  liouse  and  lot  and  of  a  double  bouwery 
in  the  jurisdiction  of  the  village  of  Bergen  the  said  Engelhert  Steenhuysen  has  upon  the  com 
plaint  of  the  majority  of  the  community  been  directed  to  maintain  a  soldier  like  the  other  in- 
habitants ;  his  has  aggrieved  the  said  Engelhert  Steenhuysen  so  much,  that  lie  has  resigned  his 
office,  asserting  that  a  schoolmaster  should  be  exempt  from  all  village  taxes  and  burden,  as  it  is 
customary,  he  says,  everywhere  in  Christendom.  The  Schout  and  Commissaries  interpret  this  to 
be  the  case,  when  a  precentor  has  only  the  school  lot,  but  not  when  a  schoolmaster  owns  a  lot 
and  a  double  bouwery  ;  the  community  is  also  opposed  to  his  being  exempted  for  his  lot  and  lands, 
for  he  receives  a  salary  as  precentor  and  is  bound  to  serve  not  only  as  precentor,  but  also  to  select 
himself  and  provide  a  fit  and  convenient  place  to  keep  school  in,  which  he  has  failed  to  do  until 
this  day,  pretending  the  community  must  designate  and  provide  such  a  place  fit  for  a  schoolhouse. 
The  petitioners  are  of  opinion,  that  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  caimot  resign  his  office,  without  giv- 
ing a  notice  of  six  months  of  his  intention  so  to  do  and  therefore  the  petitioners  address  them- 
selves to  your  Honors  with  the  humble  request,  to  direct  the  said  Engelhert  Steenhuysen  that  he 
must  continue  his  services  during  the  second  year  now  commenced,  and  to  decide  whether  he  is 
not  bound  to  maintain  on  behalf  of  his  lot  and  land  a  soldier  like  the  other  inhabitants.  Await- 
ing your  Honors'  decision  we  remain 

Y^our  Honors'  very  obedient  servants 
Caspar  Steinmets,  Tielmajst  van  Vleeck. 
December  IT"". 

The  Schout,  Commissaries  and  Engelbert  Steenhuysen,  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  petition, 
having  been  summoned  before  the  Council  and  heard,  the  parties  were  made  to  agree  after  divers 
debates  and  it  was  arranged,  that  Engelbert  Steenhu/ysen  should  duly  serve  the  rest  of  his  term 
according  to  contract,  as  mentioned  above. 


Lettee    from   Dieectoe  Stuyvesant    to    the   Magistrates  at  "Wiltwtck  ;    he 
censures  them  foe  theie  insolent  letter  of    the  12""    december  ;     schout 

SwAETWOUT    SUSPENDED    AND   THE    REMOVAL     OF     THE     MAGISTRATES    THREATENED, 
IF   THET    CONTINUE   CONTUMACIOUS. 

To  the  Schout  and  Commissaries  of  the  village  of    Wiltwyck. 

We  shall  not  reply  for  the  present  to  the  insolent  expressions  in  your  last  letter  of  the  12"' 
inst.,  much  less  correct  them  on  account  of  the  unfavorable  season  and  the  approach  of  winter, 
for  without  doubt  this  will  be  the  last  yacht  going  up  or  down  before  the  frost  sets  in.  But  in 
the  meantime  the  Schout  Roeloff  Stvartwout  is  hereby  suspended  from  this  position  and  duties, 
subject  to  the  Fiscal's  proceedings  against  him,  and  we  appoint  in  his  place  until  further  orders 
and  provisionally,  that  the  course  of  justice  may  in  no  way  be  delayed,  Mathys  Capito,  who  shall 
at  the  same  time  act  as  before  as  clerk  in  all  civil  and  military  sessions.  As  to  the  present  Com- 
missaries, who,  we  trust,  if  not  all,  at  least  the  majority  of  them,  were  either  misled  or  not  well 


320  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

informed,  we  do  not  intend  to  continue  tlieni  any  longer  in  ofBce,  if  they  persist  in  their  unbear- 
able expressions  and  proceedings  except  on  the  condition  intimated  in  their  last  insolent  answer, 
which  we  cannot  as  yet  agree  to.  All  and  every  one  in  particular,  who  should  persevere  in  this 
insolent  obstinacy  are  hereby  informed,  that  they  in  resigning  their  office  (subject  as  before  to 
the  action  of  the  Fiscal)  nmst  leave  and  remove  from  the  village  and  its  jurisdiction  within  the 
time  of  six  months  and  the  bearer  hereof,  our  Captain  Lieutenant  Martin  Cregier,  is  hereby  au- 
thorized to  fill  the  places  of  the  obstinate  and  e\'il  minded  officers  by  others,  selected  from  the  most 
pious  and  honest  inhabitants,  so  that  the  necessary  administration  of  justice  and  all  official  pro- 
ceedings may  be  attended  to.  We  direct  also  hereby  the  provisionally  appointed  Schout  and  the 
Commissaries,  who  either  are  continued  in  or  newly  appointed  to  the  office,  to  administer  and 
execute  the  laws  and  justice  promptly  without  delay  and  regard  to  persons,  as  it  behoves.  That 
this  may  be  the  better  carried  out,  we  have  further  resolved,  that,  if  it  should  come  to  pass,  that 
our  aforesaid  Captain  Lieutenant  is  compelled  to  winter  there,  which  is  simply  left  to  his  judg- 
ment to  decide,  he  shall  have  the  direction  of  all  civil  and  military  matters  and  fn  law  proceed- 
ings.    Relying  hereupon  we  close  with  our  greetings  and  remain 

Actum,  Fort  Amsterdam  Tour  well-meaning  friends 

in  N ew-Netlierland,  The  Director-General  and  Council 

the  19'"  December  1663.  of  Mew-Netherland. 


Letter  from  the   same  to  Ensign  Niessen,  censuring  him  for  disobedience  of 

ORDERS. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir. 

"We  are  very  much  surprised  by  your  improper  disobedience  in  not  carrying  out  our  so  plainly 
expressed  orders  and  directions  to  sent  back  the  saddles,  the  surplus  hand  and  side  arms,  not  in 
use,  the  three  bronce  pieces  and  the  old  rope.  Although  we  cannot,  on  account  of  the  unfavor. 
able  season,  correct  at  present  your  disobedience  and  disregard,  as  it  ought  to  be  done,  yet  we 
warn  you  not  to  disobey  henceforth  any  of  our  orders  upon  so  unfounded  presumptions  and 
made-up  pretexts,  but  to  execute  and  obey  them,  as  it  is  projier,  else  we  shall  be  obliged  to  pro- 
ceed with  cashiering  or  otherwise  according  to  circumstances.  Meanwhile  we  command  you  here- 
with to  send  down  the  required  tilings  promptly,  if  the  state  of  the  weather  permits,  which  is 
left  to  the  judgment  of  the  bearer.  Closing  herewith  etc* 
Actum  Fort  Amsterdam, 
19'"  December  A"  1663. 

To  Ensiffn  Christian  Niessen. 


Conference  ■with  the  chiefs  of  Hackingkesast  and  Staten-Island  respecting 
A  continuance  of  the  armistice  with  the  Esopus. 
28'"  December  A".  1663. 

To-day  appeared  before  their  Honors,  the  Director-General  and  Council,  at  Fort  Amsterdam 
Oratainy  and  Matteno,  chiefs  of  Haekinghesaki/  and  Staten-Island,  who  came  in  company  of  a 
savage,  called  Neshewetsim,  a  brother,  as  they  say,  to  the  chief  of  the  Wappings.     They  report, 


Neto  YorJc  Historical  Records.  32 1 

that  Seweclcenamo  one  of  the  cliiefs  of  the  Esojjus  had  come  to  them  at  IlacJcingJcesaJfy,  and  that 
the  same  was  very  anxious  for  peace,  but  that  ho  was  ashamed  to  come  hither,  because  he  could 
not  bring  with  liim  the  5  Christians  still  in  captivity,  because  the  savages  were  out  hunting  here 
and  there.  But  he  promised  to  do  his  best  and  get  them  as  quick  as  possible,  but  whereas  it  could 
not  be  done,  before  the  savages  had  done  theu*  hunting,  which  will  be  souie  time  yet,  he  requests 
two  months  more  of  armistice. 

The  answer  was  substantially,  that  such  subterfuges  appeared  very  strange  to  us,  after  they 
had  promised,  to  bring  us  our  prisoners  without  fail :  they  had  disappointed  us  now  so  often,  that 
we  could  no  longer  rely  upon  their  word  and  we  must  have  our  prisoners,  before  we  can  think  of 
peace. 

This  was  told  to  Oratamy  and  2[atteno  by  the  intei-preter  and  they  made  excuses,  that  it 
was  not  their  fault,  but  that  the  other  savages  had  disappointed  them  also,  but  what  the  other  sav- 
ages stated  Avas  in  so  far  true,  that  they  could  not  come  together  so  quickly,  because  they  were  out 
hunting.  "We  answered.  If  Seioeckenamo  desires  peace  and  really  means  it,  let  he  himself  come 
here ;  should  he  be  afraid,  we  will  send  one  or  two  hostages  in  his  place.  They  undertook  to  tell 
hini  so.     Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  adij  ut  supra. 


Proposals  op  the  above  chiefs  foe  an  armistice  with  the  Esopds  for  rwo  months 

AND  CONSIDERATIONS,  WHY  IT  IS  GRANTED. 

29"'  December. 

Oratamy  and  Mattetw,  the  chiefs  of  TIacMngkesacky  and  Staten-Island,  came  into  the  Council 
chamber,  Pieter  WolpJiertsen  and  Trientje  Evertsen  being  present  as  interpreters,  and  declare,  as 
they  did  yesterday,  that  the  Esojnis  chief  Seweckenamo  is  anxious  for  peace  and  asks  for  it  through 
them,  but  that  he  is  frightened  and  ashamed  to  come  himself,  because  he  could  not  get  together 
the  five  Christian  prisoners,  for  the  Esopus  savages  are  obliged  to  make  their  living  by  the  chase, 
as  they  have  no  corn  and  every  one  with  his  prisoner  is  scattered  here  and  there,  so  that  the  chief 
could  not  gather  the  jjrisoners.  Meanwhile  they  ask  once  more  for  peace  and  for  two  months' 
time  to  bring  together  the  prisoners ;  they  will  then  surely  come  and  bring  them  and  make  peace 
and  summon  all  the  cliiefs  of  the  savages  to  witness  it.  They  promise,  that  during  the  time  no 
harm  shall  be  done,  but  that  everybody  may  freely  go  upon  his  land  to  work  or  on  the  chase  or 
wood  chojjping.  Matteno  then  made  a  long  speech  saying,  that  if  the  Esopus  meant  well  and 
had  a  good  heart,  they  could  have  come  here,  even  if  they  could  not  bring  all  the  prisoners ;  the 
chief  might  have  brought  one  or  two,  to  show,  that  his  heart  was  good  ;  he  added,  the  Esopus 
savages  had  now  disappointed  them  so  often  and  not  kept  their  promises,  that  he  himself  was 
quite  ashamed  to  speak  any  more  for  them ,  he  did  not  wish  to  live  any  longer  amidst  such  ani- 
mosities, if  no  peace  was  made,  he  would  remove  to  the  South  and  live  there. 

After  Matteno,  the  chief  of  the  Nayack  and  Staten-Island  savages  had  spoken,  as  above 
stated  he  and  Oratamy  talked  together  and  then  Oratamy  made  through  the  interpreter  the  fol- 
lowing propositions  and  said : 

He  knows,  that  the  heart   of  Seweckenamo  is  good  and  that  also   the  other  savages  have 

agreed  to  make  peace  ;  he  only  requests  two  months'  time  and  an  armistice  to  bring  the  prisoners 

together  and  if  \)ivi,  Esopus  do  not  come  then  with  the  prisoners  and  conclude  a  firm  peace  and  if 

in  the  meantime  any  injury  is  done,  then  he  promises  to  help  us  with  all  his  people  to  defeat  the 

41 


322  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Esopiis  and  take  our  prisoners  by  force,  in  confirmation  whereof  he  gave  a  string  of  wampum 
and  received  from  our  side  a  gun,  which  he  promised  to  return,  if  his  promise  was  not  kept.  It 
was  further  agreed,  that  not  only  the  Dutch,  but  also  all  their  friends,  especially  the  Marse- 
ping  and  liechowachy  savages,  must  suffer  no  harm. 

After  the  foregoing  statements  and  promises  had  been  heard  the  present  very  dangerous  situ- 
ation of  the  country  was  also  taken  into  consideration  and  duly  weighed  in  regard  of  the  neigh- 
boring and  subordinate  English,  w-ho  do  not  only  threaten  to  bring  this  province  under  ^n^^an.(i's 
Majesty,  but  have  already  debauched  for  that  pui'pose  the  majority  of  the  English  inhabitants  in 
the  English  villages  on  Long-Island  and  the  whole  English  village  of  Westchester,  by  us  called 
Oostdurp  and  have  made  them  revolt  against  the  obedience  and  fidelity,  which  they  owe  to  the  Hon''"' 
Company  according  to  their  oath  and  duty.  Not  satisfied  herewith,  some  Englishmen,  number- 
ing about  20  men  from  several  villages,  have  been  to  inspect  the  land  of  the  Newesinghs,  back 
of  Renselaers  hoeck,  on  the  west  side  of  the  North  river  and  tried  to  buy  the  same  from  the 
natives,  which  is  all  made  evident  by  the  minutes  and  letters  already  sent  to  the  Lords-Directors, 
but  especially  by  the  journal  of  Captain  Lieutenant  Cregier,  who  was  expressly  dispatched  to 
discover  the  plans  of  the  English  in  tlie  Newesinghs.  And  whereas  we  have  been  since  informed 
daily,  that  the  English,  not  only  of  Long-Island,  but  also  from  other  quarters,  make  all  possible 
preparations  to  take  possession  of  the  Nexoesinghs  country,  therefore  the  Director-General  and 
Council  of  New-Netherland  have  with  the  advice  of  the  Burgomasters  of  this  City  found  it 
necessary  for  the  public  welfare,  to  accept  the  foregoing  propositions  and  promises  and  to  consent 
to  a  cessation  of  hostilities  with  the  Esopus  savages  for  the  time  of  two  consecutive  months,  that 
meanwhile  a  part  of  our  military  force  may  be  drawn  from  the  Esopus  and  be  used  for  occupy- 
ing the  territory  of  the  Newesinghs,  where  it  has  been  resolved,  to  erect  for  their  greater  safety 
a  bloclvhouse  or  stockade  in  the  most  convenient  place  and  to  put  into  it  against  the  coming  of 
the  English  a  garrison  of  30  or  40  men,  more  or  less,  as  the  situation  of  the  country  shall  per- 
mit. This  would  be  impossible,  if  the  whole  garrison  were  left  at  the  Esopus  and  for  this  and 
other  reasons  we  are  compelled  (notwithstanding  that  for  many  reasons  it  may  be  thought  neces- 
sary to  follow  np  during  this  winter  our  advantages  over  the  Esopus  savages),  to  agree,  pursuant 
to  the  above  stated  propositions,  to  an  armistice  and  temporary  peace  and  to  recall  Captain  Lieu- 
tenant Martin  Cregier  with  25  or  30  men  from  the  Esopus,  to  employ,  as  above  said,  in  the 
Newesinghs.     Actum  Foi't  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  29""  of  December  A"  1663. 

P.  Stuyvesant, 

NiCASinS    DE    SiLLE, 
P.  L.    VAN    DEE    GeIST, 

O.  Stevenson  van  Coetland. 

"Whereas  an  armistice  has  been  made  with  the  Esopus  savages  for  the  time  of  two  months,  be- 
giiming  to-day,  therefore  all  inhabitants  of  New-Netherland,  especially  the  officers  and  soldiers 
at  the  Esopus  and  in  the  Redoubt  are  required  and  directed,  to  let  pass  and  return  unmolested  the 
bearers  hereof,  two  savages,  to  wit  Kastangh  and  Neshetvetsim,  with  our  letters.  Actum  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  N.  Netherland,  29'"  December  1663. 


iS^cio  Yorh  HiHtorical  Records.  152."} 

Letter  fkom  Dieectok  Stuyvesant  to  (Captain  Cregiee);  aeshstice  wmi  the 

Esopus. 
Honorable,  Yaliant,  Faithful  Sir. 
The  chief  of  the  Esojyus,  Syokanamo,  has  come  to  Oratam  and  Mattano  at  Hackinckesaky 
and  coni]ihiined  bitterlj^,  that  since  tlie  Esopus  savages  are  deprived  of  all  means  of  subsistence 
through  the  destruction  of  their  corn,  they  have  scattered  hunting  for  provisions  and  he  has  there- 
fore not  been  able,  to  bring  together  the  Christians  still  in  their  hands  as  captives,  he  is  conse- 
quently too  frightened  and  ashamed,  to  come  to  us,  but  he  is  still  inclined  to  make  peace  and  still 
asks  for  it  and  for  time,  till  they  had  done  hunting  and  catching  deer  and  till  he  could  gather  his 
people  -vrith  the  Christian  prisoners.  "We  have  taken  it  into  consideration  for  weighty  reasons  and 
have  at  the  request  and  upon  the  promise  and  assurance  of  Oratam  and  Mattano  resolved,  to 
continue  the  period  of  the  armistice  for  two  months,  that  we  may  meanwhile  obtain  all  the 
prisoners  and  then  conclude  a  final  peace  if  possible.  You  are  therefore  hereby  directed  and 
ordered,  to  communicate  this  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  and  especially  to  the  military  there 
and  to  come  down  here  by  the  Company's  yacht  as  soon  as  you  have  put  everything  in  good  order, 
leaving  30  or  40  soldiers  there  as  garrison  and  bringing  the  rest  with  all  the  surplus  arms,  the 
bronce  cannons  and  other  war-materials  with  you.  Direct  and  order  the  Ensign  and  the  Council 
of  "War,  the  Commissaries  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  not  to  commit  acts  of  hostility 
against  the  savages  until  our  further  orders,  but  to  remain  well  on  their  guard  against  an  attack, 
not  to  allow  a  savage  to  come  into  the  settlement  under  any  pretext  whatever,  but  to  keep  them 
outside  the  gates  and  handle  with  them  there,  should  they  bring  deer-meat  or  other  things  for 
sale.  Tou  must  put  these  two  into  one  or  the  other  house  and  not  allow  them  to  examine  the 
place ;  also  if  possible  dispatch  them  immediately  with  an  answer,  before  you  march  out  with  the 
soldiers  as  ordered.  Wherewith  etc''. 
29«>  December  A°  1663. 

Postscript. 

Should  the  yacht  have  left  before  receipt  of  this  letter  on  account  of  the  frost  or  drifting  ice, 
then  we  expect  you  and  the  soldiers  overland  as  soon  as  the  weather  admits. 

The  above  was  returned  to  us  on  account  of  the  frost,  for  the  yacht  could  not  go  to  the 
Esopus  for  tlie  ice. 


JoTTRNAX    OF   THE    EsOPUS   War,  BY    CapTAIN    MaeTIN    CrEOIEE. 
(Translated  and  annotated  by  Dr.  E.  C.  O'Callaghan.) 

On  the  4""  July  we  entered  the  Esopus  Kill  in  front  of  the  Eedotibt  with  the  two  yachts, 
and  sent  the  Sergeant  Pieter  Ebel  with  40  men  up  to  the  village  Wildwyck  to  fetch  wagons ;  he 
returned  to  the  river  side  about  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  accompanied  by  Sergeant  Christiaen 
Ifyssen,  60  men  and  9  wagons  ;  they  loaded  these  and  departed  with  them  to  the  village  where 
I  arrived  towards  evening.  'Saw  nothing  in  the  world  except  three  Indians  on  a  high  hill  near 
the  Redouht. 

5"'  ditto.  Keturned  to  the  water  side  with  60  men;  10  hoi-semen,  and  9  wagons  to  bring  up 
supplies,  but  saw  scarcely  anything  on  the  way. 

O'"  ditto.  Made  another  journey  to  the  shore  with  10  wagons  and  brought  up  the  remainder 
of  the  supplies,  but  did  not  perceive  anything.     In  the  evening  went  for  grass  with  12  wagons, 


324  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

30  soldiers  and  10  Lorseraeii ;  then  Saw  10  or  13  Indians  calling  to  each  other  but  nothing  further 
transpired. 

T""  ditto.  "Went  again  twice  for  grass  with  50  men  and  12  horsemen  but  saw  nothing.  Two 
Indians  arrived  at  the  fort  about  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  with  a  deer  and  some  fish.  Said  they 
came  from  the  river  side  and  that  they  had  been  at  the  Redoitht  wliere  they  had  traded  some  fish 
for  tobacco  ;  that  they  had  left  their  canoe  at  the  Jiedouht,  and  that  they  are  Wappinger  Indians. 
Meanwhile  detained  them  and  conveyed  them  to  the  guard  house. 

8"'  ditto.  Sunday.  About  noon  came  5  Indians  near  our  fort  —  they  called  out  to  vis  to  know 
if  we  had  any  Indians  in  the  fort  ?  To  which  we  answered,  yes  :  They  asked,  why  we  detained 
them  as  they  were  Wappinger  Indians  ?  To  which  we  answered,  they  ought  to  keep  at  a  distance 
as  we  could  not  distinguish  one  tribe  of  Indians  from  another,  and  if  we  found  that  they  had  not 
done  any  injury  to  the  Dutch,  we  should  release  them.  We  told  them  also,  that  they  must  keep 
away  from  here,  and  go  home,  for  if  we  should  meet  them  in  the  woods  we  would  kill  them  as 
well  as  the  other  Indians  —  if  they  were  desirous  to  come  here  to  speak  to  us,  they  must  stick  up 
a  white  flag.  Whereupon  they  answered,  '  Tis  well,  adieu  ;  and  thereupon  went  their  way.  Im- 
mediately after  their  departure,  sent  out  40  soldiers  and  10  horsemen  to  look  after  the  cattle, 
whether  they  had  not  been  near  them,  but  on  reaching  these  they  did  not  remark  any  mischief — ■ 
they,  therefore,  returned  with  the  cattle  to  the  fort.  After  the  afternoon  sermon  we  examined 
the  oldest  Indian  as  to  whether  he  was  not  acquainted  with  some  Esopus  Indians  and  whether  he 
would  not  lead  us  to  them —  gave  him  fair  words  and  promised  him  a  present  ;  for  the  Dutch  at 
tlie  Esopus  had  told  us  that  some  Indians  dwelt  about  two  miles  from  there,  wherefore  we  were 
I'esolved  to  go  in  search  of  them  the  same  evening  with  50  men.  But  this  Indian  said  to  us  — 
go  not  there,  for  the  Indians  have  gone  tlience  and  dwell  now  back  of  Magdalen  Island*  on  the 
main  land  in  the  rear  of  a  Cripple  bush  on  the  east  side  of  Fort  Orange  river,  and  number  8  men, 
9  women  and  11  children;  and  he  even  offered  to  guide  us  thither  if  we  had  a  boat  to  put  us 
across  the  river.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved  by  the  Council  of  War  to  despatch  two  parties  that 
same  evening  to  procure  some  craft  to  put  us  over  the  river.  I,  therefore,  sent  Sergeant  Christiaen 
Nyssen  and  Jnn  Peersen,  each  with  16  men,  to  look  up  a  boat.  The  same  old  Indian  betrayed 
his  companion  who  had  come  with  him  on  the  preceding  day  into  the  fort  —  stating  that  he  had 
assisted  the  Esopus  Indians  against  the  Dutch,  and  for  so  doing  had  received  in  hand  5  fathom  of 
Sewan  [wampum]  ;  that  9  Wapjjingers  and  30  Manissings  were  with  the  Esopus  Indians  and 
aided  them  —  also  that  he  said  they  were  together  about  200  Indians  strong. 

9""  ditto.  Monday  I  marched  very  early,  [with  40  soldiers]  and  10  horsemen  to  the  water 
side  to  ride  up  and  planks  to  construct  a  cabin  to   store  the  provisions  and  ammunition. 

About  o'clock  the  two  detachments,  I  had  sent  out  in  the  evening,  to  look  for  craft,  came  to 
me  at  the  Redoiibt,  but  they  saw  neither  Indians  nor  boat.  They  were  marched  all  together  to 
fort  Wildwgck  and  arrived  there  about  12  o'clock.  Then  sent  30  men  with  10  horsemen  out  scout- 
ing, who  returned  about  4  o'clock  ;  had  seen  nothing.  About  6  o'clock  Dieter  Wolpherts€7i\ 
and  Lieutenant  Stilwil  arrived  here  with  their  troops ;  I  then  immediately  called  a  Council  of 
War  and  it  was  resolved  unanimously  to  set  out  in  the  evening  with  20  soldiers  and  12  Indians 
under  the  conmiand  of  Christiaen  Niesen  and  Peiter  Wolfertsen  in  order  to  visit  the  East  shore 
near  Magdalen  Island,  to  see  if  they  could  not  surprize  the  Esopus  Indians  who  were  lying  there  ; 
they  took  the  old  Indian  along  as  a  guide,  who  well  knew  where  they  lay. 

♦Magdalen  Island  is  situate  between  the  Upper  and  Lower  Red  Hook  Landings.     These  Indians  must  there- 
fore have  been  in  the  town  of  Redhook  —  Dutchess  county. 
t  Van  Couwenhoven. 


ISfew    Yorh  Historical  Records.  325 

10""  ditto.  I  have  gone  again  to  the  river  side  with  40  soldiers  and  10  horsemen  to  fetch 
plank.  In  returning,  the  horsemen  on  the  right  flank  rode  too  far  from  the  foot  soldiers  and 
alongside  the  mountain  on  which  12  to  1.5  Savages  lay  in  ambush  who  simultaneously  fired  at  the 
horsemen,  one  of  whom  they  shot  through  the  boot,  and  grazed  a  horse.  On  hearing  this,  we 
immediately  reinforced  the  cavalry  with  25  men,  pursued  the  Indians  through  the  moimtain  a  good 
half  hour,  but  they  would  not  once  make  a  stand ;  we  therefore  returned  to  the  wagons  where 
I  had  left  15  men  and  marched  together  to  the  village  of  Wildwyclc.  In  the  afternoon,  the  scout- 
ing party  went  out  again  ;  I  sent  therewith  Lieutenant  Stilwil  with  15  men  of  his  company  and 
Sergeant  Pieter  Ebel  with  28  men  and  20  Indians  with  10  horsemen.  They  discovered  nothing 
except  a  path  which  the  Indians  foiind  by  which  savages  had  recently  passed  to  their  fort  ;  they 
followed  this  a  long  way,  but  saw  nothing.     Meanwhile,  they  returned  all  together. 

11"'  ditto.  Again  sent  out  a  party  to  the  mountain  near  the  water  side,  but  they  saw  nothing, 
they  returned  in  the  evening. 

12""  ditto.  Pieter  Wolfertsen  and  Sergeant  Niessen  returned  with  their  troops,  bringing  with 
tliera  one  Squaw  and  three  children  whom  they  had  captured  ;  they  killed  five  armed  Indians 
and  a  woman ;  the  &qpus  Captain  ( Veldove?-ste)  was  among  the  slain ;  they  cut  off  his  hand 
which  they  brought  hither.  Had  not  the  Indian  led  them  astray  and  missed  the  houses,  they 
would  have  surprized  all  the  Indians  who  were  there  to  the  number  of  28,  with  women  and 
children.  For  through  the  mistake  of  the  Indian,  our  people  first  came  about  midday  where 
they  found  the  Indians  posted  and  in  arms.  They  immediately  fell  on  the  latter  and  routed  and 
pursued  them.  In  the  chase  one  of  our  soldiers  was  slain.  Meanwhile  the  huts  were  plundered 
wherein  they  found  19  blankets,  9  kettles,  a  lot  of  Sewan,  and  i  muskets  belonging  to  the  Indian, 
who  were  killed.  They  returned  on  board  with  the  plunder  and  four  prisoners,  and  arrived  safe 
except  one  of  our  soldiers  who  was  bit  in  the  leg  by  a  rattlesnake.  About  5  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, I  went  with  60  men  to  the  river  side,  to  bring  up  the  booty  and  prisoners ;  returned  to  the 
fort  in  the  evening ;  encountered  no  harm. 

13""  ditto.  Examined  the  squaw  prisoner  and  enquired  if  she  were  not  acquainted  with  some 
Esopus  Indians  who  abode  about  Iiere  ?  She  answered  that  some  Cattskill  Indians  lay  on  the 
other  side  near  the  Sagers  Kill,  but  they  would  not  fight  against  the  Dutch  ;  says  also  that  an 
Indian  on  the  preceding  evening  before  our  people  ffttacked  them,  had  brought  news  from  the  fort 
of  the  Esopus  Indians  that  many  Dutch,  English  and  Indians  had  gone  from  the  Manhatans  to 
the  Esopus  and  that  they  should  be  on  their  guard,  for  the  Hackinsach  Indians  had  brought  the 
news  to  the  fort  of  the  Esopus  Indians.  Then  Long  Jacob,  the  chief  who  lived  there  with  the 
Indians,  demanded,  What  should  they  do  ?  Should  they  fly  toward  their  fort  or  not  %  They  then 
concluded  to  remain  there,  for  the  chief  said,  Were  the  Dutch  to  come  to  the  fort  and  we  also 
were  in  it,  we  should  be  all  slaughtered  ;  '  tis  best  for  us  to  remain  here  on  the  opposite  shore  ;  the 
Dutch,  would  not  learn  much  of  us ;  states  also  further,  that  the  Indian  had  said  that  40  Manis- 
sing  Indians  had  ari-ived  at  their  fort,  and  that  40  more  were  to  come  on  the  next  day  ;  further 
says,  that  each  night  they  conveyed  the  prisoners  always  to  a  particular  place  without  the  fort  and 
remained  themselves  tlierein;  says  also  that  they  were  resolved  to  make  a  stand  in  their  fort,  and 
that  they  had,  moreover,  in  their  fort  9  horses  with  which  they  draw  palisades,  ai\d  had  sold  a 
horse  to  the  Mannissing  Indians ;  that  the  Indians  had  also  three  houses  in  which  they  reside, 
these  were  4  hours  farther  oil ;  says  also,  that  one  sachem  in  the  fort  would  advise  them  to  negotiate 
peace,  but  the  other  sachems  would  not  listen  to  it ;  says  also,  that  the  fort  is  defended  by  three 
rows  of  palisades,  and  the  houses  in  the  fort  encircled  by  thick  cleft  palisades  with  port  holes  in 
them,  aud  covered  with  bark  of  trees ;  says  that  the  fort  is  quadrangular  but  that  the  angles  are 


826  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  liiver. 

constructed  between  the  first  and  second  rows  of  palisades  and  that  the  third  row  of  palisades 
stands  full  eight  feet  off  from  the  others  towards  the  interior,  between  the  two  first  rows  of  pali- 
sades and  the  houses,  and  that  the  fort  stands  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  and  all  around  is  table  land. 

Sent  also  for  Mr.  GysberCs  wife  *  and  asked  her  if  it  were  so  ?  She  answered,  it  was  true, 
and  said  they  had  built  a  point  near  nnto  the  water  to  secure  it.  Then  again  examined  the 
Wappinger  prisoner  and  asked,  why  he  had  aided  the  Esopus  Indians?  Said  it  was  not  true  and 
that  his  mate,  the  old  Indian,  had  belied  him.  Asked  liim  if  he  would  guide  us  to  the  fort  of 
the  Esojnis  Indians  ?  Answered,  Yes ;  and  says  the  Esopus  Indians  are  about  80  warriors  strong, 
but  does  not  know  how  many  have  come  there  belonging  to  other  tribes.  Says  also  that  the  fort 
is  defended  with  triple  rows  of  palisades,  as  the  squaw  had  stated.  Whereupon  the  council  of 
war  decided,  firstly  to  await  news  either  from  above  or  below  as  to  what  the  Moliaiol's  had  resolved 
respecting  the  prisoners  —  whether  they  could  have  them  restored  before  our  troops  should  proceed 
against  the  fort  to  achieve  the  self  same  thing.  On  the  same  day  two  detachments  went  out ;  one 
to  scout,  the  other  on  an  expedition,  but  they  returned  in  the  evening,  having  seen  scarcely 
any  thing. 

M""  ditto.  Fifty  men  were  out  again  in  the  woods  behind  the  new  burnt  village  and  a 
scouting  party,  but  hai'dlj'  any  thing  occurred,  nor  was  any  thing  seen. 

IS"*  ditto.  The  Ilee.r  de  Decker  arrived  here  with  Jan  Davets  and  5  Moliatoks ;  had  them 
conducted  from  the  river  side  by  50  men  and  10  horsemen.     Nothing  else  transpired. 

16""  ditto.  The  Heer  de  Decker  assembled  the  Council  of  War  and  it  was  resolved  that  Jan 
Davets  accompany  the  5  Mohawks  to  the  fort  of  the  Esopus  Indians  to  see  on  what  terms  the 
Christian  prisoners  will  be  restored,  but  after  divers  discourses  Jan  Davets  declined  going  with 
them,  although  the  Heer  de  Decker  had,  the  day  before,  drawn  up  and  prepared  an  instruction  for 
him,  but  before  the  time  appointed  he  refused  to  go.  Meanwhile  it  is  resolved  that  the  Mohawks 
should  go  thitlier,  and  they  requested  of  us  that  they  might  take  with  them  some  of  our  prisoners 
to  present  them  to  the  Esopus  Indians  as  a  suitable  introduction  to  obtain  some  of  their  prisoners 
in  return,  or  to  induce  them  to  surrender  them.  The  council  concluded  that  a  captive  girl  should 
be  given  to  the  Mohawks  and  about  63  guilders  in  sewan  in  order  to  ascertain  what  they  could 
accomplish  thereby ;  for  it  was  reported  at  Fcn't  Orange,  as  the  Heer  de  Decker  informed  lis,  that 
the  Esopus  Indians  had  said  —  If  they  could  olitain  payment  for  the  land,  named  the  Great  Plot 
{het  groote  Stuck),  then  they  should  give  up  all  the  prisoners.  Now,  it  is  impossible  to  determine 
whether  tliis  be  so  or  not.  Meanwhile,  the  3Iohaujks  who  were  going  thither  were  directed  to 
inquire  about  it,  and  they  promised  us  to  bring  us  an  answer  the  next  day  about  noon.  Had  3 
parties  out  in  the  interim  ;  one  to  the  shore  to  bring  cattle,  another  for  wood  and  a  third,  scouting. 
They  returned  all  at  the  same  time ;  experienced  no  difficulty. 

17""  ditto.     Three  parties  were  out  in  ambush,  but  saw  nothing. 

IS""  ditto.  Six  sloops  arrived  here  from  the  Manhatans  in  which  Juriaen  Blanclc  brought 
up  provisions  for  our  troops  ;  had  them  conveyed  up  under  a  guard  ;  a  party  was  also  in  the  field 
to  protect  those  reaping  the  barley  and  a  party  lay  in  ambush.  They  returned  towards  evening; 
saw  nothing. 

19"'  ditto.  Sent  out  40  soldiers  and  10  Indians  scouting,  they  did  not  meet  any  one.  In  the 
evening  about  7  o'clock,  the  three  Mohaivks  returned  from  the  Esopus  Indians.  They  had 
brought  three  Indians  and  two  Dutch  women  and  two  children  whom  they  left  about  two  hours 
from  Wildwyck  ;  said,  they  had  been  freely  given,  and  had  they  not  been  so  tired,  they  should 

*  She  had  been  taken  prisoner  as  before  stated  by  the  Indians  on  the  burning  of  the  village  of  Wildwyck  but 
had  effected  her  escape.  —  O'C. 


New  Yoi'lc  Historical  Records.  327 

have  brought  them  with  them  to  the  fort ;  said  the  Esojnis  Indians  had  abandoned  the  fort,  and 
had  retired  to  the  mountains  where  they  were  mostly  dispersed  liero  and  there  hunting. 

20'°  ditto.  Sent  Jan  Davets  with  2  Mohawlcs  to  the  3  Esopus  Indians  who  were  in  the 
woods  with  the  above-named  prisoners,  to  see  if  he  could  get,  and  bring  with  him  the  four 
prisoners  from  here,  and  have  a  talk  with  the  Indians  relative  to  the  other  prisoners ;  whether 
tliey  will  not  restore  these  to  us ;  returned  about  noon  with  a  woman  whom  one  of  the  Moliawks 
liad  fetched ;  but  he,  himself,  had  not  been  with  the  Indians  as  one  of  the  Mohawks  had  been 
taken  sick  and  he  was  obliged  to  remain  with  him.  In  the  afternoon  one  of  the  Mohawlcs 
returned  thither,  he  took  with  him  half  a  loaf  for  the  prisoners  who  remained  with  the  above- 
mentioned  Esopus  Indians.  Being  come  there,  he  asked  the  Esopus  Indians  whether  they  would 
not  entrust  the  3  prisoners  to  him  to  convey  them  to  the  Dutch  ;  whereupon  they  allowed  hiiu  to 
take  the  3  prisoners,  with  whom  he  arrived  at  the  fort  about  11  o'clock  at  night,  but  under  promise 
as  they  informed  us,  that  they  should  have  in  return  their  three  prisoners  whom  we  held.  The 
prisoners  told  us  that  the  Esopus  Indians  had  fled  to  a  high  mountain  through  fear  of  the  Dutch, 
and  that  they  lay  here  and  there  in  small  bands,  and  that  the  prisoners  were  also  distributed  and 
dispersed  among  them  here  and  there,  and  were  not  together  and  that  they  would  not  trust  them 
in  their  fort,  and  that  the  Indians  daily  threatened  them  —  Should  the  Dutch  come  thither,  we 
will  give  you  a  knock  and  kill  j-ou  all  at  once.  "Were  thus  a  long  time  in  terror.  Meanwliil&  we 
had  some  scouting  parties  out,  who  returned  having  seen  nothing  —  had  also  a  party  to  cut  barley ; 
came  back  safe. 

21"'  ditto.  Three  Sloops  have  come  from  the  Manhatans,  with  which  a  supply  of  provisions 
for  this  garrison  has  arrived  at  Rut  JncobserCs  Yacht.  Sent  three  convoys  to  the  water  side  and 
parties  to  cut  corn ;  but  they  saw  nothing.  Sent  for  the  5  Mohawks  and  Jan  Davets  acting  as 
Interjjreter,  informed  them  what  insults  the  Dutch  of  Esopus  had  from  year  to  year  experienced 
and  suffered  from  the  Indians,  and  that  they  now  even  this  last  time,  had  murdered  and  carried 
off  our  people,  when  we  had  given  them  no  provocation.  Whereupon  they  answered.  Come, 
give  US  a  piece  of  duffels;  we  shall  afterwards  go  with  it  and  see  whether  we  shall  not  be  able  to 
recover  all  the  prisoners.  It  was  accordingly  resolved  by  the  Heer  de  Decker  and  Council  of 
War,  that  a  piece  of  duffels  should  be  brought  up  from  the  river  side  and  given  them ;  which 
being  done,  they  took  the  piece  of  duffels,  cut  it  into  three  parts,  and  thus  departed  with  it  about 
11  o'clock  in  the  forenoon ;  with  them  went  Jan  Davets  with  the  Squaw  and  2  children  who  had 
been  captured  by  us  and  were  released  in  exchange  for  the  2  Dutch  women  and  2  children  whom 
the  Indians  had  brought  back. 

22*  ditto.     A  scouting  party  went  out  but  saw  nothing. 

23''  ditto.  A  Party  went  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  supplies,  and  three,  to  cut  and  draw 
grain.     They  experienced  no  interruption. 

21""  ditto.  Sent  for  all  the  wagons  to  make  a  journey  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  the  pro- 
visions which  had  been  sent  hither  by  the  Executive  government ;  but  only  4  wagons  came.  As 
I  required  ten,  I  excused  these ;  Some  refused  to  work  for  the  Company ;  some  gave  for  answer, 
if  another  will  cart  I  also  shall  cart ;  some  said,  my  horses  are  poor,  I  cannot  cart ;  others  said, 
my  horses  have  sore  backs,  and  other  such  frivolous  answers  that  1  was  thus  unable,  this  time,  to 
bring  up  the  Company's  stores.  Wliereupon  it  was  resolved  by  the  Council  of  War,  that  the 
farmers  should  not  be  furnished  with  any  men  for  their  protection  in  the  fields,  unless  they  would 
assist  in  bringing  up  the  Company's  Supplies  from  the  water  side.  Nay,  further  —  one  Tjerck 
Claesen  de  Wit,  himself  a  magistrate,  would  turn  Lieut.  StUwil's  soldiers  out  of  a  small  house 
they  occupied  — he  said,  he  had  hired  it,  though  he  had,  notwithstanding,  neither  possession  of 


328  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

nor  procuration  for  it,  I  gave  him  for  answer,  that  I  should  remove  them  on  condition  that  he,  as 
a  magistrate,  would  have  them  billetted  in  other  houses  as  the  men  could  not  lie  under  the  blue 
sky,  and  as  they  had  been  sent  here  by  the  Chief  government  for  the  defence  of  the  Settlers 
But  he  made  no  answer  to  this ;  and  so  there  are  other  ringleaders  and  refractory  people  in  this 
place.  Meanwhile  the  convoy  which  was  ready  to  conduct  the  provisions,  was  dismist  each  to  its 
own  post  until  further  orders.  At  noon  I  went  with  a  troop  of  Dutch  and  Indians  to  the  New 
Village  where  the  Heer  de  Decker  himself  was ;  met  with  no  interruption.  A  party  was  also 
out  with  the  reapers.  In  the  evening  Jan  Davets  and  the  5  Mohawks  returned  from  the  Esopus 
Indians  —  they  brought  with  them  a  female  prisoner ;  they  would  not  at  present  release  any  more 
prisoners,  evinced  great  fierceness  and  repeatedly  threatened  to  kill  them,  both  the  Mohawks  and 
Jan  Davets  —  told  them  they  should  not  release  any  more  prisoners  unless  they  should  secure 
peace  thereby,  and  that  Corlaer  and  Rentslaer  should  come  to  their  fort,  and  bring  goods  with 
them  to  conclude  peace  and  to  redeem  the  prisoners ;  said  that  they  must  be  within  ten  days  in 
their  fort  to  conclude  peace  ;  said,  that  they  demanded  a  truce  during  that  time.  Jan  Davets  also 
informed  us,  that  he  had  seen  but  -i  prisoners  in  the  fort,  and  that  the  others  were  scattered  far 
and  wide ;  says,  there  are  about  30  warriors  in  the  fort,  and  that  the  others  dwelt  without  here 
and  there;  they  also  said  they  were  determined  to  make  a  stand  iu  the  fort,  whereupon  we  have 
resblved  to  go  in  search  of  them  on  the  first  opportunity. 

25""  ditto.  The  Heer  de  Decker  leii  to-day  for  the  Manhaians  in  the  company's  yacht, 
taking  with  him  two  of  the  wounded,  and  Jan  du  Parck,  Surgeon  and  two  soldiers  to  take  care 
of  the  sick  ;  two  sick  Indians  left  also ;  sent  along  with  them  a  convoy  and  9  wagons  to  bring  up 
the  remainder  of  the  goods.  They  returned  and  saw  nothing.  Also  sent  out  two  detachments 
with  the  reapers ;  they  did  not  remark  any  thing.  Convened  the  Council  of  War  and  it  was 
unanimously  resolved  to  send  out  an  exposition  against  the  Esopus  Indians,  which  should  start  the 
next  day,  if  the  weather  were  favorable. 

Se""  ditto.  The  following  troops  set  out  against  the  Esopus  Indians,  having  as  a  Guide  a 
woman  who  had  been  prisoner  among  them,  to  wit  ^  of  Captain  Lieutenant  Cregier's  Company, 
91  men;  of  Lieutenant  Stilwil's,  30 men;  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  with  41  Indians;*  volunteers 
from  the  Manhatans,  6 ;  volunteers  from  the  Esopus,  35  men,  of  whom  11  were  horsemen,  and  7 
of  the  Hon'''*  Company's  negroes  with  two  pieces  of  cannon  and  two  wagons,  the  whole  party 
provided  each  with  one  pound  of  powder  and  a  pound  of  ball,  2'^'  of  hard  bread  and  \  a  soft  loaf, 
with  2"''  of  pork  and  ^  a  Dutch  cheese  ;  left  in  garrison  at  Wildwyck  36  soldiers  and  25  freemen. 
Marched  out  about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  came  in  the  evening  about  two  great  miles  from 
Wildwycl;vfheve  he  remained  until  the  moon  rose.  We  then  started  anew,  but  could  not  march 
more  than  a  long  half  hour  on  account  of  the  cannons  and  wagons,  which  we  could  not  get  through 
the  woods  at  night.     We  then  bivouacked  until  day  break. 

27"*  ditto.  We  got  on  the  riglit  road  when  day  dawned  and  continued  our  march.  On  the 
way  we  passed  over  much  stoney  land  and  hills,  and  had  to  tarry  at  the  swampy,  long,  broken  and 
even  frequent  kills  where  we  halted  and  must  cut  trees  to  make  bridges  to  pass  over,  and  divers 
mountains  were  so  steep  that  we  were  obliged  to  haul  the  wagons  and  cannon  up  and  down  with 
lopes.  Thus  our  progress  was  slow.  When  about  two  miles  from  the  Indian  fort,  sent  forward 
Captain  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven,  Lieutenant  Stilwil  and  Ensign  Christaen  Niessen,  with  1 16 
men  to  surprise  it.  I  followed,  meanwhile,  with  the  remainder  of  the  force,  the  guns  and  wagons, 
but  on  coming  within  a  short  mile  of  the  fort,  found  the  way  so  impassable  that  I  was  under  the 
necessity  of  leaving  the  cannon,,  as  I  could  not  get  it  farther.     I  left  40  men  there  and  gave  them 

*  These  Indians  were  of  Long  Island. 


JSfew   Yorlc  Histoncal  Records.  329 

orders  to  fortify  themselves  and  set  palisades  around,  which  they  did,  and  I  followed  the  precediiifr 
troop  with  the  remainder  towards  the  Indian  fort.  On  arriving  there,  found  our  peoi)lo  in  pos- 
session of  it,  as  it  had  been  abandoned  by  the  Indians  two  days  before.  Our  Indians  had  caught 
a  Squaw  in  the  corn-field,  whither  she  was  coming  to  cut  maize.  T^ow  the  evening  falling,  for  it 
was  about  6  o'clock  when  we  came  to  the  fort,  wo  passed  the  night  there,  having  found  3  horses 
at  their  fort. 

28""  ditto.  The  Council  of  War  assembled  at  the  breaking  of  the  day  and  unanimously 
resolved  to  go  in  search  of  the  Indians  to  the  mountain  where  the  above  mentioned  female  had 
been  a  prisoner  and  to  take  the  captured  Squaw  along.  Whereupon  Lieutenant  C'ouwenhoven 
and  Lieutenant  Stilwil  and  Ensign  ^Tiessen  were  detached  with  140  men,  and  remained  in  the 
fort  with  about  29  men.  The  above  named  troops  then  set  forth  towards  the  mountain  and 
arrived  where  the  Indians  had  been  ;  they  had  left  that  place  also.  The  captured  Squaw  being 
asked  if  she  did  not  know  where  the  Indians  had  fled  to,  said  they  were  on  a  great,  high  moun- 
tain, which  she  pointed  out  to  them,  distant  about  2  miles,  whither  they  had  fled  with  the  seven 
prisoners  tliey  had  with  them  ;  whereuj)ou  the  ofiicers  resolved  to  go  to  tlie  other  mountain  in 
search  of  them,  which  they  afterwards  did  with  their  troops,  after  experiencing  vast  difhculty, 
but  found  no  Indiaps  there.  The  Squaw  being  again  questioned  whether  she  did  not  know 
where  they  were  ?  said  they  had  moved  to  another  mountain,  which  she  pointed  out,  about  i 
miles  from  there,  but  there  was  no  path  tliither.  Being  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  our  people  saw 
9  Indians  coming  towards  them,  whereupon  they  fell  flat,  intending  thus  to  siii-prise  the  Indians 
on  their  approach,  but  they  did  not  succeed,  our  people  being  noticed  at  a  distance  of  about  2  musket 
shots.  Eight  of  them  ran  off  in  an  oblique  direction,  and  the  ninth  attempted  to  run  back  to  the 
place  whence  they  had  come.  As  our  force  was  discovered  on  all  sides,  and  even  our  Indians 
said  that  no  savages  could  be  caught  at  this  time  as  they  were  every  where  fully  informed  of  us, 
it  was  resolved  to  return  to  the  fort,  where  they  arrived  about  one  o'clock.  After  they  had  taken 
some  rest,  I  convened  the  Council  of  War  to  determine  what  was  now  best  to  be  done.  They 
unanimously  resolved  to  cut  down  their  com  and  burn  it,  together  with  last  year's  maize,  which 
they  still  had  in  pits  in  great  abundance  in  their  corn-fields  and  around  their  fort.  Whereupon 
I  went  out  of  their  fort  with  50  men  to  a  distance  of  a  full  half  mile ;  there  cut  down  several 
plantations  of  maize,  threw  into  the  fire  divers  pits  full  of  maize  and  beans,  returned  to  the 
fort  at  sun-down  and  saw  that  divers  Indians  and  horsemen  found  some  pits  with  plunder  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  fort,  which  they  brought  in.  Meanwhile  I  had  the  whole  party  called  together, 
and  told  them  that  all  the  plunder  that  was  or  should  be  found  was  to  be  in  common,  and  was 
so  understood  by  the  Council  of  War  before  we  started  from  our  fort.  Whereupon  one  of  the 
horsemen  stepped  out  of  the  troop  and  said  to  me.  What  we've  found  we'll  keep  and  divide 
among  us  horsemen.  To  which  I  said,  that  they  should  not  do  that,  for  they  were  under  com- 
mand. Whereupon  the  horseman,  named  Jan  JlendricJcsen,  answered  —  They  are  under  the 
command  of  no  man  but  Zo7}g  Peter,  whom  they,  forsooth !  called  their  Cornet,  and  uttered 
divers  unmannerly  words  in  presence  of  all  the  officers.  Upon  which  I  gave  him  2  or  3  slaps  of 
a  sword,  and  he  seemed  as  if  he  would  put  himself  in  a  postui-e  against  me.  But  I  being  close  up 
to  his  body  he  could  not  act  as  he  wished,  and  I  said  to  him  that  I  should  bring  him  to  an  account. 
This  said  Jan  Hendncl'sen,  with  one  Allert  Hey  mans  Hoose,  acted  insolently  on  the  7""  July. 
Wiilst  we  were  examining  the  two  WajJplnger  Indians,  in  the  presence  of  the  Scout  and  Com- 
missaries, in  Thomas  Qhamhers'  room  a  messenger  came  in  and  said  that  two  or  three  Boors 
were  without  the  door  with  loaded  guns  to  shoot  the  Indians  when  they  came  forth.  Whereupon 
42 


330  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

I  stood  up  and  -went  to  the  door  —  found  this  Albert  Heymayis  Roose  and  Jan  Hendrichsen  at 
the  door  with  tlieir  guns.  Asked  them  what  they  were  doing  there  with  their  guns  ?  They 
gave  me  for  answer,  "We  will  shoot  the  Indians.  I  said  to  them,  you  must  not  do  that.  To 
which  they  replied,  We  will  do  it  though  you  stand  by.  I  told  them  in  return,  to  go  home  and 
keep  quiet  or  I  should  send  such  disturbers  to  the  Manhatans.  They  then  retorted,  I  might  do 
what  I  pleased,  they  would  shoot  the  savages  to  the  ground,  even  though  they  should  hang  for  it ; 
and  so  I  left  them.  This  Albert  coming  into  the  Council  told  the  Commissaries  that  one  of  them 
should  step  out.  "What  his  intention  with  him  was  I  can't  say.  This  by  way  of  memorandum. 
Meanwhile  arrested  Jmi  Hendrichsen. 

29"'  ditto.  Four  parties  went  out  again  to  cut  down  the  corn  and  to  bum  the  old  maize. 
About  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  some  Indians  made  their  appearance  on  a  high  hill  near  the 
fort  and  called  out  to  us,  that  they  would  come  and  fight  us  on  the  morrow  whereupon  we  brought 
the  captive  Squaw  out  of  the  fort  to  speak  to  them,  and  they  called  out  to  her  that  they  should 
now  come  and  fight  the  Dutch.,  for  the  Dutch  had  now  come  and  taken  their  fort,  cut  their  corn 
and  burnt  all  their  old  maize  and  that  they  should  die  of  hunger.  I  said  to  them,  the  Dutch  had 
gone  in  search  of  you  to  the  mountain  but  ye  always  ran  away  and  dare  not  make  a  stand.  But 
the  Indians  would  not  give  any  answer,  and  so  Avent  away. 

30""  ditto.  We,  in  two  large  parties,  each  of  80  men,  cut  down  all  the  corn  and  bxumt  the 
old  maize  which  remained  in  the  pits.  Returned  to  the  fort,  all  together,  in  the  evening,  and 
made  preparations  to  set  out  in  the  morning.  Meanwhile  the  Indians  who  the  day  before  had 
called  out  that  they  would  come  and  fight  us,  did  not  make  their  appearance.  We  cut  down 
nearly  one  hundred  morgens  *  of  maize  and  burnt  above  a  hundred  pits  full  of  corn   and  beans. 

31*'  ditto.  In  the  morning  at  the  dawu  of  day  set  fire  to  the  fort  and  all  the  houses,  and 
while  they  were  iu  full  blaze  marched  out  in  good  order,  Capt.  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  forming 
the  van  guard.  Lieutenant  Stilwils  company,  the  centre,  and  I  with  my  company  the  rear  guard. 
So  arrived  iu  safety  at  our  fort  about  9'clock  in  the  evening  with  our  cannon  and  wagons.  Ke- 
marked  scarcely  anything  on  the  way.  The  road  or  course  from  Wilclwych  to  the  fort  of  the 
Esopus  Indians  lies  mostly  sout  west,  about  10  \Dwtcli\  miles  from  our  foi't. 

l*'  August.  In  the  morm'ng  heard  two  shots  from  the  Hedoubt  on  the  river  side.  Sent  oif 
Ensign  Christiaen  Niessen  with  50  men.  He  found  there  the  Hon'"'  Company's  yacht  in  which 
the  Heer  Secretary  van  Ruyven  had  come.  Had  him  escorted  to  the  village  of  Wildwych,  and 
did  nothiug  more  as  it  was  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

2''  ditto.  Nothing  occurred  as  it  rained  during  the  whole  day  and  night. 

3'*  ditto.  The  Heer  Secretary  departed  on  his  return  to  the  Manhatans,  accompanied  by  Lieu- 
tenant Couwenhoven  and  the  Indians  being  41  iu  the  whole,  who  would  not  remain  any  longer ; 
also  5  of  the  Hon""'  Company's  Negroes.  Through  great  intercession  and  promise  of  better  be- 
havior in  future,  the  Council  of  war  pardoned  Jan,  Hendriokse7i  the  faults  committed  by  liim 
and  he  is  released  from  confinement.  Meanwhile  I  had  two  parties  in  the  field  with  the  reapers 
and  one  in  Ambush.  They  saw  nothing  and  returned  in  the  evening.  I  this  day  sold,  by  public 
beat  of  drum,  the  three  horses  which  we  had  brought  with  us  from  the  Indians'  fort. 

4"^  ditto.  A  Mohegan  Indian  came  from  Fort  Orange ;  he  had  a  pass  from  Mansieur  Mon- 
tagnie  /  brought  two  letters,  one  to  Mr.  Gysbert  and  one  to  Hendrich  Jochems  ;  there  was  hardly 
any  news  in  them  excejit  that  they  were  longing  to  receive  some  intelligence  relative  to  the  con- 
dition of  the  Eso^us.     Convened  the  Council  of  war  and  invited  thereto  the  Commissaries  of  the 

*  About  215  acres  — O'C, 


New  Yo7'Tc  Historical  Jiecords.  SP.l 

village  Wddwijcl-,  anJ  made  tins  ordinance  and  read  it  to  the  people,  both  freemen  and  military, 
and  had  a  copy  affixed  to  each  beat  or  post.     It  is,  word  for  word,  as  follows  :  — 

"  Ordinance  made  and  enacted  hy  the  Captain  Lieui-enant  and  the  valiant 
Council  of  wak  at  pkesent  cojimandino  the  tkoops  and  Military  in  the 
Esopus  ok  Wildwyck. 

"  Tiliereas  we  learn  by  daily  experience  that  many,  as  well  militarj'  as  freeman,  are  removing 
from  the  village  WUdwrjek,  without  the  consent  of  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  Commissaries  of 
this  village,  therefore  it  is  necessary  that  timely  provision  be  made  therefor,  so  that  none  may  at 
any  time  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  barborous  Indians,  our  enemies  ;  and  that  families  every  day 
xmnecessarily  waste  and  fire  off  j^owder  and  ball.  Therefore  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  valiant 
Council  of  War,  wishing  to  provide  for  and  prevent  all  inconveniences  and  mischiefs  which  may 
arise  therefifom,  have  ordered  and  directed,  as  they  do  hereby  order  and  direct. 

1. 

"Firstly,  that  no  one,  whether  military  or  freeman  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Captain 
Lieutenant,  Council  of  War  and  Commissaries  of  this  place,  depart  from  this  village  of  Wildwyck, 
either  in  large  or  small  bodies,  whether  to  cut  grain  or  for  any  other  business  whatsoever  it  may 
be,  lest  an}'  of  them  may  chance  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  barbarous  Indians,  our  enemies; 
and  if  any  one  remove  beyond  this  village  of  Wildwych  without  consent  or  proper  convoy, 
whatever  the  business  or  occasion  may  be,  he  shall  pay  a  fine  of  five  and  twenty  guilders  for  the 
first  offence ;  for  the  second  fifty  guilders  and  for  the  third  offence  an  arbitrary'  punishment ; 
and  should  any  one,  in  violating  and  disobeying  tliis  order,  happen  to  be  captured  by  the 
Indians,  our  enemies,  no  expenee  or  trouble  shall  be  incurred  for  him,  inasmuch  as  he,  by  his 
perverse  and  stiffnecked  course,  contrary  to  this  ordinance,  will  have  brought  down  this  mis- 
fortune on  himself. 

2. 

"If  any  one  unnecessarily  and  preversely  waste  or  fire  off  his  powder  and  ball,  be  it  on  the 
departure  or  arrival  of  convoys  or  otherwise,  he  shall,  for  the  first  offence,  pay  a  fine  of  three 
guilders  for  each  shot;  for  the  second  offence  six  guilders  and  for  the  third  offence  suffer  arbitrary 
punishment,  unless  when  desirous  to  discharge  his  gun,  being  out  of  order  or  wet,  he  shall  ask 
permission  therefor  from  his  superior  or  inferior  officer.  And  for  the  better  observance  and 
obedience  of  this  ordinance,  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  hereby  particularly  and 
imperatively  command  all  superior  ofiicers,  Serjeants,  and  corporals  to  pay  strict  attention  that  this 
ordinance  be  observed  and  respected.  Thus  done  in  the  village  of  Wildwych  by  the  Captain 
Lieutenant,  Council  of  War  and  the  proper  Commissaries  of  said  village,  on  the  4""  of  August 
1663." 

Same  date  a  letter  is  also  sent  by  the  Mohegan  Indians  to  Christoffel  Davids  at  Fort  Orange 
requesting  him  to  be  pleased  to  come  down  to  the  Esopus  on  important  business  which  we  should 
then  explain  and  communicate  to  him. 

S*""  ditto.  Thomas  the  Irishman  arrived  here  at  the  Redoubt  from  the  Manhatans.  Mean- 
while nothing  was  done  as  it  was  Sunday,  and  no  detachments  were  sent  out. 

6""  ditto.  Sent  out  a  party  of  32  men  to  lie  in  ambush,  and  two  detachments  with  the  reapers 
They  returned  in  the  evening  ;  perceived  nothing. 

7'"  ditto.  Three  detachments  were  sent  out  with  the  reapers  ;  returned  in  the  evening  with- 
out having  seen  anvthing. 


332  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River 

8"'  ditto.  Sent  out  Ensign  Niessen  with  a  detachment  to  lie  in  ambush  behind  the  new  vil- 
lage which  was  burnt,  and  observe  the  Indians.  Also  two  parties  with  the  reapers.  They  came 
back  in  the  evening  without  having  noticed  anything. 

9""  ditto.  Three  detachments  were  again  sent  out ;  two  in  the  field  with  the  reapers  and  one 
in  ambush.     They  returned  towards  evening  having  perceived  nothing. 

10""  ditto.  Sent  out  two  detachments ;  one  in  the  field  with  the  reapers,  the  other  in  ambush 
behind  the  recently  burnt  village,  under  the  command  of  Ensign  Niessen.  They  came  in  towards 
evening  without  having  observed  anything.  Some  yachts  also  touched  at  the  Redouht  bringing 
letters  from  the  Manliatans  which  they  left  at  the  Redouht  and  then  sailed  upwards  for  Fort 
Orange. 

11""  ditto.  Eeceived  this  morning  the  letters  which  the  yachts  left  at  the  Redoubt ;  had  two 
parties  in  the  field  with  the  reapers ;  they  returned  in  the  evening  without  having  seen  anything. 

12"'  ditto.  Sunday.  Nothing  occurred  except  sending  two  convoys  to  the  Redouht  to  relieve 
the  men  who  lay  there  and  to  bring  up  some  stores  with  Mr.  Oysherfs  wife  coming  from  Fort 
Orange  who  brings  news  that  the  Northern  Indians  had  killed  some  Mohawks  and  a  Mohegan, 
whereupon  the  Mohegans  have  obtained  the  consent  of  the  Mohaiohs  to  build  a  fort.  Nothing 
else  occurred  here. 

IS""  ditto.  Sent  out  two  detachments  with  the  reapers  and  one  to  lie  in  ambush.  Tliey 
returned  in  the  evening ;  saw  nothing.  On  the  same  day  is  made  and  enacted  by  the  Captain 
Lieutenant  and  the  valiant  Council  of  War  the  following  Ordinance  for  the  maintenance  as  far  as 
possible  of  better  order,  and  the  observance  and  enforcement  of  discipline  among  the  Military, 
and  read  the  same  before  the  Military  and  freemen  and  afiixed  it  at  each  post.  It  is  word  for 
word  as  follows :  — 

"  Oedinaijce  made  and  enacted  by  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  the  valiant 
Council  of  War  commanding  the  MiLriAKY  in  the  Esopds  and  Yillage  of 

WiLDWTCK. 

"  Whereas  some  in  this  village  of  Wildwyck  who  follow  the  trade  of  selling  strong  drink  to 
the  military  sufEer  some  of  them  to  get  drunk  not  only  on  week  days  but  especially  on  the  Lord's 
Rest  and  Sabbath  day,  unfitting  them  for  their  proper  duties,  and  more  especially  creating  confu- 
sion and  disorderly  conduct ;  the  Hou"'^  Company's  servants  not  hesitating  to  sell,  pawn  and  plege 
their  own  necessaries  for  strong  drink  to  the  traders  in  intoxicating  liquors;  the  traders  also 
receiving  the  same ;  yea,  even  not  hesitating  to  give  them  more  credit  and  trust  whether  they 
have  any  thing  to  the  good  or  not.  Therefore  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  War 
desirous  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  all  disorders  and  mischiefs,  have  therefore  ordained  and 
directed  as  they  hereby  direct  and  ordain :  — 

1. 
"  That  none  of  the  military,  be  his  rank  whatever  it  may  be,  presume  to  sell  or  to  pawn  for 
any  strong  drink  any  of  the  stores  advanced  to  him  by  the  Hon"'*  Company  on  his  monthly  wages, 
for  his  needs  and  support,  under  a  fine  of  one  month's  wages. 


"  No  one,  whether  military  or  freeman,  following  the  business  of  selling  strong  drink,  shall 
presume  to  take  in  pledge  or  endeavor  to  embezzle  any  propei-ty  belonging  to  the  military  in 
excliange  for  strong  drink,  under  the  forfeiture  of  the  tapped  drink  and  to  return  to  tlie  owner 


New  Ywh  Historical  Records.  3.33 

free  of  cost  and  charges  the  received  property  and  pay  in  addition  a  fine  of  twelve  guilders  as 
often  as  he  is  discovered  so  doing. 

3. 
"  All  those  who  follow  the  trade  of  selling  strong  drink  arc  fnrther  warned  not  to  sell  nor 
furnish  any  strong  drink  on  the  Lord's  Rest  and  Sabbath  day  much  less  entertain  any  clubs, 
■whether  before  or  after  the  sermon  on  pain  of  forfeiting  the  strong  drink  tapped  on  that  occasion, 
and  in  addition  a  iiue  of  five  and  twenty  guilders  as  often  as  they  shall  be  cauglit  in  the  act. 

4. 

"  Those  who  sell  strong  drink  are  also  fnrther  warned  they  take  heed  not  to  sell  any  to  the 
military  either  on  credit  or  on  account,  be  it  in  what  manner  it  may  be,  on  pain  of  not  being  paid 
therefor,  unless  on  order  of  his  superior  officer.  Tuns  done  by  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  valiant 
Council  of  War  in  the  village  WildwycJc,  this  13""  August  1663." 

Itt"'  ditto.  Sent  out  fifty  reapers  to  the  burnt  village,  called  the  Great  Plot,  and  sent  with 
them  about  thirty  wagons  and  Ensign  JVeissen  with  a  convoy  of  eighty  men ;  gave  him  orders  to 
remain  there  all  night  witli  the  reapers  and  binders,  and  the  major  part  of  the  wagons  and  forty 
men  per  convoy.  The  remaining  forty  men  returned  to  Wildwyck,  and  said  ensign  with  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  as  well  reapers  and  binders  as  convoys,  passed  the  night  at  the 
Oreat  Plot  because  it  was  so  distant,  and  they  could  not  make  up  more  than  one  sheaf  for  they 
could  not  begin  the  work  as  fresh  as  they  wished.  Brought  the  grain  to  Wildwyck  as  soon  as  it 
was  cut  down.  Kept  si.x  parties  by  the  way  in  ambush  to  protect  the  said  wagons.  However 
nothing  occurred  on  this  day. 

lo""  ditto.  Brought  more  grain  from  the  burnt  village  wherefore  I  kept  two  parties  in 
ambush  and  one  with  the  reapers  and  two  on  the  road  for  the  protection  of  the  wagons  which 
went  through  and  fro.     Returned  in  the  evening  altogether;  observed  nothing. 

le""  ditto.  Two  parties  are  again  sent  out  to  the  field  with  the  reapers ;  came  back  in  the 
evening  without  having  seen  anything. 

17"'.  Two  parties  were  again  sent  into  the  field  with  the  reapers.  Returned  in  the 
evening  without  seeing  anything.  The  Heer  Decker  ai-rived  here  at  the  Redoxdt  from  Fort 
Orange  ;  had  him  escorted  to  the  village  Wildwyck,  but  he  did  not  tarry  here  long  as  his  Honor 
was  in  a  hurry  to  depart  again.  Had  the  said  Ileer  de  Decker  escorted  back  to  the  river  side  and 
then  he  returned  to  the  Maiihatans.  Nothing  occurred  this  day.  Gave  three  Englishmen  leave 
to  go  to  and  return  from  the  Manhatans.     They  belong  to  Lieutenant  StilwiVs  Company. 

IS""  ditto.  Had  three  detachments  again  in  the  field  with  the  reapers,  they  returned  in  the 
evening ;  saw  nothing.  The  Council  of  "War  resolved  and  concluded  to  send  a  party  three  miles 
from  Wildwyck  to  some  plantations  of  Esopus  Indians  planted  with  maize ;  whereupon  Ensign 
Niessen  was  sent  thither  with  fifty-five  men.  They  went  forth  from  Wildwyck  about  ten  o'clock 
at  night,  and  had  a  Dutchman  named  Jacob  Jansen  Stoutenhoryh  for  a  guide. 

IQ""  ditto.  "Was  this  morning  with  fifty  men  and  sixteen  wagons  to  the  burnt  viDage  to  fetch 
grain ;  came  back  to  Wildwyck  about  eight  o'clock.  Did  not  see  anything.  About  noon  Ensign 
Niessen  returned  with  his  troop  from  the  Indian  maize  land.  Neither  saw  nor  noticed  any 
Indians.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Christqfel  Davids  came  from  the  Manhatans  in 
a  canoe.  Brought  with  him  a  letter  from  the  Heer  General,  dated  l-i""  August,  brought  also  a 
letter  from  Pieter  Couwenhoven  who  lay  with  the  sloop  in  the  Danskamer*     The  letter  was 

*Six  miles  north  of  Newburgh,  Orange  co.  — O'C. 


334  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

dated  17""  August,  and  addressed  to  me.  Its  contents  were,  That  I  should  be  on  my  guard  for 
he  was  advased  that  the  Esopus  Indians  together  with  the  Manissings  and  Wappingers  were  pre- 
pared to  attack  and  surprize  our  fort  in  about  two  days  with  four  hundred  men,  and  that  they  also 
daily  threatened  him  in  an  InsufEerable  manner ;  he  daily  expected  the  arrival  of  the  sachem  who 
had  already  been  four  days  gone  about  the  captured  Christians  to  learn  what  he  should  then  do 
and  what  should  be  the  issue  of  it.  But  he  had  not  received  any  intelligence  in  all  that  time. 
He  also  writes  —  That  the  Indians  who  lay  thereabout  on  the  river  side  made  a  great  uproar  every 
night,  firing  guns  and  kintehaying*  so  that  the  woods  rang  again  ;  and  he  hoped  to  be  with  me 
in  two  days.  —  Ilis  letter  contains  divers  other  circumstances.  Christoffel  Davids  informs  us,  that 
he  slept  one  night  with  the  Indians  in  their  wigwams  —  that  some  Esopus  Indians  and  sachems 
were  there  who  had  four  Christian  captives  with  them,  one  of  whom,  a  female  captive,  had 
secretly  told  him,  Davids,  that  forty  Esoptis  Indians  had  already  been  near  our  fort  to  observe 
the  reapers  and  the  other  people.  Whereupon  the  Council  of  "War  resolved  to  send  for  the 
sheriff,  who  being  come,  an  order  was  handed  him  directing  him  to  warn  all  the  inhabitants  not 
to  go  from  the  fort  into  the  fields  without  a  suitable  escort,  as  directed  in  the  preceding  Ordinance 
of  the  4""  August.  Said  Christoffel  Davids  also  informed  us,  —  that  the  Indians  had  on  shore 
several  bowls  and  gourds  Math  brandy,  which  they  obtained  daily  from  the  sloops,  as  the  Indians 
had  informed  him  they  could  get  as  much  as  they  required  and  whatever  powder  and  lead  they 
wanted.  Now,  we  cannot  determine  wliat  this  may  amount  to,  but  this  I  understand  that  the 
woman  who  is  on  board  the  sloop  with  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  brought  four  ankers  of  brandy 
with  her  from  the  Manhatans,  but  none  of  it  came  ashore  here. 

20"'  ditto.  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  arrived  with  the  yacht  at  the  RedouJjt ;  brings  a 
Christian  woman  and  boy  with  him  ;  says  he  gave  about  eighty  guilders  for  the  youth,  and 
promised  to  give  our  captive  squaw  for  the  woman.  Left  ninety  guilders  in  pledge  for  her ;  the 
Council  of  War  disapproved  of  his  having  promised  the  squaw  in  exchange  as  such  was  not  con- 
tained in  the  Director-General  and  Council's  Instruction  to  him.  Says,  the  Indians  promisetl  him 
to  bring  in,  within  two  days,  all  the  prisoners  they  had,  and  that  he  should  return  with  her  to 
them  within  that  time.  Says  also,  that  two  MohawTcs  coming  from  Fort  Orange  in  a  canoe 
passed  his  yacht  in  the  Wappingers  Kill.  They  had  full  four  hundred  pounds  of  lead  and  over 
three  hundred  pounds  of  powder  in  the  canoe.  He  would  have  them  on  board  but  they  would 
not;  so  they  passed  by.  The  Dutch  woman,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner,  was  brought  to  bed 
of  a  young  daughter  on  entering  the  Esopus  Kill.  Nothing  occurred  during  the  day  as  it  rained 
almost  incessantly,  and  the  farmers  could  not  go  out  in  the  fields  to  reap  or  to  bring  in  the  grain. 

^1"'  ditto.  The  Council  of  War  resolved  to  send  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  down  again  with 
the  sloop.  I  victualled  the  yacht  and  gave  him  five  soldiers  additional  for  his  defense ;  also 
resolved  to  give  him  the  two  Indians  and  the  squaw  which  we  had  prisoners,  but  he  is  not  to  leave 
them  out  of  his  hands  before  we  have  our  prisoners  back.  Furnished  hun  also  with  an  instruction 
as  to  how  he  should  act  therein.     It  reads,  word  for  word  as  follows  :  — 

*  The  Delaware  word,  Gent'keh'n,  to  dance,  seems  to  be  engrafted  here  into  the  Dutch  language.  The  term 
is  also  to  be  found  in  Van  der  Donck's  Bcschryvinge  van  Nieuw  Nederlandt,  Tvhere  speaking  of  the  amusements  of 
the  Indians,  he  says — "The  old  and  middle  aged  conclude  with  smoking  and  the  young  with  a.  Kintecmn." 
N.  Y.  Hist.  Coll.  2d  Ser.  i.  304.  Again  in  the  Breeden  Baedt  we  read,  "The  first  of  these  savages  having  received 
a  frightful  wound,  desired  them  to  permit  him  to  dance  what  is  called  the  Kinie  Kaeye,  a  religious  custom  observed 

among  them  before  death He  then  ordered  him  to  be  taken  ut  of  the  fort  and  the  soldiers 

bringing  liim  to  the  Beuvcrs  path  (he  dancing  the  Einte  K(.u»je  all  the  time).  —  O'C. 


New  York  Historical  liecords.  335 

Insteuction  fob  Libutenant  Pieteb  Couwenhoven. 

"  Whereas  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven,  sent  by  the  Xlon"""  Director  General  &  Council  to 
release  the  Christians  captured  by  the  Kiojjus  Indians,  lay  several  days  near  the  Wappinger 
Indians  who  acted  as  meditators  in  the  affair,  and  as  yet  could  not  effect  much  except  releasing 
one  child  and  a  woman  for  which  woman  he  promised  to  exchange  the  Squaw  who  had  been  cap- 
tured by  us,  on  condition  that  they  should  then  bring  all  the  Christian  captives  to  the  river  side 
and  release  them  ;  and  also  promised  the  Wappimjer  Indians  to  take  down  with  him  the  two 
Indians  we  captured.  The  Council  of  War,  therefore,  resolved  and  concluded  to  surrender  the 
two  Indians  &  the  Squaw,  but  on  certain  conditions  and  also  by  express  order  of  the  Ileer  Direc- 
tor General  and  Council,  according  to  instruction  accompanying  the  same,  that  no  prisoners  should 
go,  or  be  released,  unless  we  first  bad  all  our  Christians,  prisoners,  out  of  their  hands. 

1. 

"  Therefore,  the  said  Council  of  War  recommend  and  order  Lieutenant  Coxiwenhoven  not  to 
surrender  nor  give  up  any  Indian  or  Squaw  unless  our  Christian  captives  be  first  released  and 
exchanged  and  placed  in  our  hands,  but  he  is  at  liberty  to  promise  the  Indians,  if  they  discharge 
all  our  prisoners  and  restore  them  to  us,  that  they  shall  then  again  have  and  regain  their  prisoners, 
either  in  exchange  or  in  some  other  manner  as  shall  then  be  agreed  to  and  arranged. 

2. 

"  Should  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  see  no  probability  of  obtaining  back,  receiving  or  releasing 
our  captives,  and  the  Indians  be  obstinately  opposed  to  the  discharge  or  release  thereof  he  may 
watch  his  time  and  opportunity  to  seize  as  many  Esopus  Indians  as  possible,  either  on  land  or 
by  inducing  them  with  fair  words  to  go  on  board,  according  as  opportunities  shall  then  offer; 
or  if  many  Esopus  Indians  should  come  thither  with  the  Christian  captives  and  refuse  to  surren- 
der or  give  these  up,  be  shall  then  endeavor  to  detain  them  on  shore,  whether  by  means  of 
intoxicating  liquors  or  by  any  other  means  he  shall  at  the  time  judge  most  expedient,  and  then 
advise  us  immediately  thereof  by  a  yacht  that  may  come  there,  in  order  that  we  may  regulate 
ourselves  accordingly  as  much  as  lies  in  our  power  so  as  to  surprise  and  seize  them.  Done, 
Wildwycl;  the  2V'  August  1663." 

Escorted  said  Couwenhoven  to  the  Redoubt  on  the  river's  side  and  he  sailed  again  to  the 
Wapplngers  in  the  yacht.  A  party  was  also  in  the  field  with  the  Boars  ;  they  retiu-ned  home 
without  seeing  anything. 

22°'^  ditto.  Sent  out  one  escort  with  the  reapers  and  two  parties  to  lie  in  ambush,  but  it 
commenced  raining  about  noon  and  they  came  in.  The  rain  came  down  in  such  torrents  that 
the  Boors  were  obliged  to  take  up  the  Bridge  lest  it  be  carried  away  as  it  was  three  weeks  ago. 
It  is  to  be  feared  that  considerable  grain  will  be  destroyed  in  the  field  for  want  of  reapers,  in 
consequence  of  the  great  rain  that  has  fallen,  for  a  great  deal  of  grain  lies  under  water  and  the 
farmers  on  an  average  have  not  harvested  above  one  fourth  part  of  it.  Nothing  else  occurred 
to  day,  except  that  the  great  rain  carried  away  several  of  the  palisades  of  the  fort. 

23"^  ditto.  Sent  an  Order  to  the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  and  directed  them  to  have  the 
palisades  of  the  fort  replaced.     It  reads  word  for  word  as  follows :  — 

"  Acti. 
"  The  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  of  this  village  of  WildwycJi,  are  hereby  ordered  and  directed 


336  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

to  liave  replaced  and  repaired  the  palisades  of  this  fort,  which  were  washed  away  by  the  water, 
and  the  same  is  urgently  required.     Done,  Wildwych  the  23*  August,  1663." 

The  Answer  of  the  Court  of  the  Village  of   Wildwtck. 

The  Court  of  this  village  Wildwych  having  seen  and  read  this,  find  that  it  cannot  be  done  at 
present,  inasmuch  as  the  grain  in  the  field  is  almost  ruined,  and  it  is  necessary  to  draw  it  home  as 
soon  as  possible  with  the  aid  of  all  hands.  Wildtoyck,  23'^  August,  1663,  (was  subscribed)  Roelof 
Svmrtwout.  Lower  stood  —  ^^  order  of  the  Worshipful  Court  of  the  village  of  Wildwyck, 
(signed) 

Mattts  CAPrro,  Secretary. 

Two  detachments  were  out  in  the  field  with  the  reapers ;  did  not  remark  any  thing. 

24"^  ditto.  Sent  out  two  detachments  with  the  reapers  and  one  in  ambush.  They  returned 
in  the  evening,  having  seen  nothing.  Received  a  letter  at  night  from  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven, 
which  he  had  sent  up  from  the  Waj^jnngers  creek  by  an  Indian,  a  Dutchman  and  two  captive 
Christian  children  belonging  to  the  wife  of  the  gunner  who  was  on  board  the  sloop  with  said 
Couwenhoven  ',  and  as  the  Indian  told  me  he  had  given  theca2>tive  Squaw,  whom  he  had  entrusted 
to  said  Couwe7ihoven,,  in  exchange  for  these  two  children,  without  any  hope  of  a  general  redemp- 
tion ;  and  that  he  had  so  thoughtlessly  and  contrary  to  orders  surrendered  this  Squaw  for  the  two 
children  on  an  uncertainty,  not  knowing  whether  he  should  receive  another  prisoner  or  not ;  now 
let  him  defend  liimself  to  the  Director-General  and  Council.  Said  Couwenhoven'' s  letter  was  to 
this  effect :  That  he  hopes  to  get  all  the  prisoners,  but  that  he  should  be  in  want  of  supplies  ;  for 
the  powder  he  has  is  good  for  nothing,  and  the  cry  among  the  Indians  is  all  for  powder  and 
brandy ;  requests  me  to  send  him  some,  as  it  was  for  the  public  good  ;  that  the  Sachem  had  gone 
with  five  men  into  the  interior,  and  bad  promised  him  to  return  with  all  the  Christian  captives  ; 
had  given  him  the  Squaw  in  order  to  succeed  the  better  for  us,  and  he  had  a  fair  prospect  for  a 
good  delivery.  In  case  it  happened  otherwise  then  he  should  acquaint  me  of  it,  and  so  forth,  as 
appears  by  his  letter.  It  is  Dated  the  25""  August,  but  I  received  it  on  the  24"'  August ;  this 
liappened  through  a  mistake  of  his  in  writing.  Domine  Blom  departed  hence  to-day,  with  his 
wife,  for  the  Manhatans ;  had  him  escorted  to  the  river  side  by  Ensign  Niessen  and  forty  men. 
Experienced  no  harm  on  the  way. 

25""  ditto.  Sent  down  the  Indian  and  the  Dutchman  agam  to  the  sloop  lying  by  the  Wapj}- 
ingei's,  with  some  bread.  Also  sent  a  letter  to  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven,  which  reads  as  follows  : 
"  Good  fi'iend.  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven.  Your  letter  came  to  hand,  and  I  have  noted  its  con- 
"  tents.  As  regards  your  surrender  of  the  Squaw  before  you  had  in  exchange  all  our  prisoners, 
"  in  my  opinion  it  is  not  well  done.  But  you,  yourself,  must  vindicate  that  act.  In  answer  to 
"  your  request  for  Sewan  and  Brandy,  I  have  none,  as  you  well  know,  and  the  Council  of  War 
"  does  not  consider  it  prudent  to  furnish  our  enemies  with  powder  at  this  conjuncture.  You 
"  promise  to  do  your  best  for  our  Christians  in  captivity,  and  to  get  these  out  of  their  hands. 
"  Should  you  not  succeed,  you  will  act  according  as  you  have  been  already  instructed  and  told.  I 
"  send  you  some  bread  and  request  you  not  to  go  to  the  Manhatans,  but  first  come  here  to  take 
"  off  the  sick  and  wounded.  You  can  see  whether  you  will  not  be  able  to  obtain  some  sewan  and 
"  brandy  from  the  passing  sloops,  for  if  I  had  any  and  should  send  them  to  you,  they  would  run 
"  great  risk  of  being  plundered  on  the  way  by  the  Indians.  Done,  Wildwych  the  25"'  August, 
"  1663."  Had  three  parties  out ;  two  with  the  reapers  and  one  in  ambush.  They  returned  in  the 
evening  having  seen  nothing. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  337 

20""  ditto.  Two  escorts  were  down  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  supplies  and  sonic  soldiers' 
wives  coming  from  tlic  Manhakms ;  a  party  lay  in  ambush  behind  the  newly  burnt  village;  re- 
turned in  the  evening  without  having  remarked  any  thing. 

27""  ditto.  There  were  two  detachments  with  the  reapers  in  the  field  and  one  in  ambush,  re- 
turned in  the  evening  without  meeting  any  thing. 

28""  ditto.  Had  two  parties  again  in  the  field  and  one  in  ambush;  returned  in  the  evening 
having  seen  nothing. 

29"'  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  out  again  in  the  field  with  the  reapers,  and  one  in  ambush. 
Saw  nothing.  A  soldier  of  Lieut.  StilwiFs  Company  was  wounded  by  his  Sergeant  in  some  dis- 
pute respecting  orders.  Said  soldier  was  arrested  and  afterwards  examined  by  the  court  martial, 
and  it  was  found  that  the  Sergeant  was  as  blameworthy  as  the  soldier.  The  soldier,  who  is  named 
Thomas  Coed;  is  condemned  by  the  court  martial  to  stand  sentry  with  six  muskets  for  the  space 
of  three  days,  and  during  one  hour  each  day. 

30""  ditto.  Lieutenant  Oouioen/toven  returned  from  the  Wajypinr/ers  at  the  liedouM  with 
the  yacht,  and  arrived  in  Wildwyck  with  his  people  and  the  two  Wapplnger  Indians,  but  released 
and  liberated  the  Stpiaw  there  ;  could  not  obtain  any  more  Christian  captives  from  the  Empus 
Indians.  The  Wappbujer  Sachem  had  been  with  the  Esopus  Indians  at  their  fort  (which  they 
were  erecting  anew),  in  order  to  ascertain  if  he  could  not  obtain  the  release  of  the  Christian 
captives.  But  when  he  had  been  two  or  three  days  with  them  in  their  new  fort,  to  negotiate  with 
them  respecting  the  pi'isoners,  two  2Iohawks  and  one  Mirupua  came  there  with  Sewan  and  a  long 
messiige,  which  rendered  the  Esop>xis  Indians  so  ill  disposed  towards  the  Wapj)ingier  Sachem  that 
they  caused  him  to  depart.  He  then  returned  without  receiving  any  other  Christian  captives. 
He  came  on  board  of  Lieutenant  Couioenlioven  and  told  the  same  to  him,  and  said  Lieutenant 
reported  it  to  me.  Now,  I  cannot  imagine  what  there  is  in  it.  Convened  the  Council  of  War 
and  they  resolved  and  concluded  to  attack  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  the  Esopus  Indians 
who  reside  in  their  new  fort  about  four  hours  farther  than  their  first  fort  which  we  had  burnt. 
We  take  with  us  as  a  guide  one  of  our  captured  Wappinger  Indians.  Meanwhile  issued  rations 
to  the  people,  and  orders  to  start  on  the  expedition  this  evening  or  to-morrow  morning;  but  as  it 
began  to  rain  in  the  afternoon  we  did  not  set  out  to-day.  Sent  an  order  to  the  Sheriff,  Commis- 
saries, and  superior  officers  of  the  village  of    Wildwyck,  which  reads  as  follows : 

"Wheeeas  another  expedition  is  on  foot  against  our  enemies,  the  Esopus  Indians,  the 
Sheriff,  Commissaries  and  superior  officers  of  the  Burghery  are  requested  to  furnish  twenty  horse- 
men from  the  hired  men  {Enechts)  of  this  village  of  Wildwyck  to  accompany  the  military  in  the 
attack  on  the  Indians.     Done,   Wildwyck  the  30""  August,  1663." 

Answer  of  the  Court  to  this  Oedek. 

"  The  Court  and  superior  officers  of  this  village  of  Wildioyck  having  read  the  communica- 
tion sent  them  by  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  have  at  their  request  convoked  the 
farmers  and  read  to  them  the  aforesaid  demand,  whereunto  they  gave  for  answer  that  they  were 
well  disposed  to  do  their  best  for  the  public  interest,  but  find  at  present  that  the  horses  fatigued 
from  the  harvest,  are  unfit  to  be  rode  by  men.  The  Coui-t  having  heard  this  answer,  hereby  re- 
quest the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War,  if  it  can  be  possibly  done  without  prejudice 
to  the  public  service,  that  the  expedition  be  postponed  for  six  or  seven  days  until  the  harvest  be 
completed  as  the  grain  yet  in  the  field  is  already  injured.  Done,  Wildwyck,  this  SO""  August 
1663  (was  siibscribed),  Roelof  Swaetwout.  (Lower  stood.)  By  order  of  the  Sheriff,  Commis- 
saries and  superior  officers  of  the  Burghery  in  Wildwyck  (signed)  Mattheus  Capito,  Secretary." 
Nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 
43 


338  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

31"  ditto.  It  rained  somewliat  all  this  day,  therefore  the  expedition  must  rest  for  the  present  ; 
sent  an  escort  to  the  river  side  and  victualled  the  people  at  the  Redoubt  and  Sloop.  Asked  the 
Sheriff  and  Commissaries,  verbally,  whether  they  could  not  get  some  horses  to  accomjjany  us  in 
the  attack  so  that  we  may  be  able  to  jjlace  the  wounded  on  them  if  we  happen  to  have  any. 
After  great  trouble  they  obtained  six  liorses  from  a  few,  but  spiteful  and  insulting  words  from 
many.  One  said,  let  those  furnish  horses  who  commenced  the  war.  Another  said,  I'll  give 'em 
the  Devil  —  if  they  want  any  thing  they  will  have  to  take  it  by  force.  The  third  said,  I  must 
first  have  my  horse  valued  and  have  security  for  it ;  and  so  forth  with  miich  other  foul  and  unbe- 
coming language,  not  to  be  repeated. 

1''  September.  Thomas  the  Irishman  and  Olaesje  Hoorn  arrived  with  their  yachts  at  the 
KUl  from  the  Manhatans  ;  sent  an  escort  to  the  river  side  ;  intended  to  set  forth  to-day  but  the 
arrival  of  the  yachts  and  the  escort  to  the  river  side  prevented  this,  and  the  weather  was  so  low- 
ering and  threatened  rain  so  much  that  we  concluded  to  start  next  night  towards  the  break  of 
day  ;  but  as  it  rained  the  whole  night  we  could  not  set  out.  Nothing  else  occurred  to-day.  A 
party  was  out  in  the  field  with  the  farmers,  but  nothing  happened. 

2''  ditto.  Sunday.  The  weather  continued  lowering,  and  heavy  rain  fell.  In  the  afternoon 
very  heavy  rain  fell  again  so  that  we  could  not  stir  out.     Nothing  occurred  during  the  entire  da}-. 

S**  ditto.  About  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  started  from  fort  Wildwyck,  ha\nng  of  my 
company  two  and  twenty  men  ;  of  Lieutenant  StilioiVs  company,  four  and  twenty  men,  and  seven 
freemen,  with  two  of  the  Ilon'"'^  Company's  Negroes.  We  took  as  guide  the  young  Wappinger 
Indian,  and  Christoffel  Davids  as  Indian  interpreter,  and  promised  the  Indian  his  freedom  with 
with  a  cloth  coat,  on  condition  that  he  brought  us  truly  to  the  Esopus  Indians.  We  got  eight 
horses  with  very  great  difficulty  from  the  farmers,  as  they  were  so  very  unwilling  and  could  not 
be  brought  to  give  us  any  horses,  except  Thomas  Chambers,  who,  without  any  solicitation, 
presented  me  with  two  for  the  expedition.  Several  of  the  others,  who  would  not  give  any, 
used  much  offensive  language  to  the  Sheriff  and  to  the  company's  officers,  saying  — "  They 
will  have  horses ;  they  may  see  if  they  can  get  them."  Marshed  that  afternoon  about  three 
miles  from  our  fort  to  the  creek  which  runs  past  the  Redoubt;  lay  there  that  night,  during 
which  we  had  great  rain. 

4'"  ditto.  Found  such  high  water  and  swift  current  in  the  kill  that  it  was  impossible  to  ford 
it ;  sent  six  men  immediately  on  horseback  to  our  fort  Wildwyck  to  fetch  rope  and  axes  to  make  a 
raft  or  some  other  convenience  to  cross  the  creek  ;  they  returned  to  us  about  ten  o'clock ;  brought 
three  axes  and  rope.  Passed  the  rope  over  the  stream  in  order  to  hold  fast  to  it  so  that  the  peo- 
ple may  not  be  swept  far  down  the  creek.  Crossed  over  with  all  the  men  about  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  and  marched  about  four  miles  further  on,  where  we  bivouacked  during  the  night. 
Considerable  rain  fell  this  afternoon. 

5^''  ditto.  Set  out  again  at  day  break,  and  about  noon  came  to  their  first  maize  field  where 
we  discovered  two  squaw^and  a  Dutch  woman  ;  who  had  come  that  morning  from  their  new  fort 
to  get  corn.  But  as  the  creek  lay  between  us  and  the  cornfield,  though  we  would  fain  have  the 
women  it  was  impossible  to  ford  the  stream  without  being  seen  and  then  disco\-ered.  We  there- 
fore, adopted  the  resolution  to  avoid  the  cornfield  and  the  road,  and  turned  in  through  the  woods 
so  as  not  to  be  seen.  Arrived  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  within  sight  of  their  fort,  which 
we  discovered  situate  on  a  lofty  plain.  Divided  our  force  in  two  —  Lieutenant  Couioenhoven  and 
I  led  the  right  wing,  and  Lieutenant  Stilwil  and  Ensign  Wiessen  the  left  wing.  Proceeded  in 
this  disposition  along  the  hill  so  as  not  to  be  seen  and  in  order  to  come  right  under  the  fort ;  but 
as  it  was  somewhat  level  on  the  left  side  of  the  fort  and  the  soldiers  were  seen  by  a  squaw,  who 


New    YorJc  Historical  Records.  389 

was  piling  wood  there  and  who  sent  forth  ;i  terril)le  si-roiiiii  which  w:is  heard  liy  tlio  Indians  who 
were  standing  and  working  near  tlio  fort,  wo  instantly  fell  upon  tiieni.  Tlu^  Indians  rushed  fortii- 
with  through  the  fort  towards  their  honses,  which  stood  about  a  stone's  throw  from  the  fort,  in 
order  to  secure  their  arms,  and  thus  hastily  picked  up  a  few  guns  and  hows  and  arrows,  hut  we 
were  so  hot  at  tiieir  heels  that  they  were  forced  to  leave  many  of  them  behind.  We  kept  up  a 
sharp  fire  on  them  and  ])ursued  them  so  closely  that  they  leaped  into  tiie  creek  which  ran  in  front 
of  the  lower  part  of  their  maize  land.  ()u  reaching  the  opposite  side  of  the  kill,  they  courage- 
ously returned  our  tire,  which  we  sent  back,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  send  a  party  across  to 
dislodge  them.  In  this  attack,  the  Indians  lost  their  Chief,  named  PapeiiucmoA^hen^  fourteen 
other  warriors,  four  women  and  three  children,  whom  wo  saw  lying  both  on  this  and  on  the  other 
side  of  the  creek  but  probably  many  more  were  wounded,  when  rushing  from  the  fort  to  the 
houses,  when  we  did  give  them  a  brave  charge.  On  our  side  three  were  killed  and  si.\  wounded 
and  we  have  recovered  three  and  twenty  Christian  prisoners  out  of  their  hands.  We  have  also 
taken  thirteen  of  them  prisoners,  both  men  and  women,  besides  an  old  nuin  who  accompanied  us 
about  half  an  hour  but  would  not  go  farther.  We  took  him  aside  and  gave  hiin  his  last  meal. 
A  Captive  Indian  Child  died  on  the  way,  so  that  there  remained  eleven  of  them  still  our  prisoners. 
The  enemy  being  conquered,  we  reviewed  our  men ;  found  we  had  one  wounded  more  than  we 
had  horses.  Convened  the  Council  of  War  ;  submitted  to  them  what  was  now  best  for  us  to  do 
relative  to  cutting  down  the  maize.  The  Council  of  War  decided  that  we  could  indeed  cut  it 
down,  but  were  any  more  of  our  uaen  wounded,  how  could  they  be  removed  having  already  one 
more  tliaii  we  had  horses,  and  this  one  must  be  borne,  with  great  trouble,  on  a  litter  by  two. 
Resolved  to  let  the  maize  stand  for  the  present ;  plundered  the  houses  wherein  was  considerable 
booty,  such  as  bear  skins,  deer  skins,  notassen,  blankets,  elk  hides,  besides  several  other  smaller 
articles  many  of  which  we  were  obliged  to  leave  behind  that  we  could  not  bring  along  with  us, 
for  we  could  well  fill  a  sloop.  We  destroyed  as  much  as  we  could;  broke  the  kettles  into  pieces; 
got  also  twenty-four  or  five  guns,  more  than  the  half  of  which  we  smashed  and  threw  the  barrels 
here  and  there  in  the  stream,  hacking  and  breaking  in  pieces  as  many  as  we  could.  Found,  also, 
several  horns  and  bags  of  powder,  in  all  about  twenty  pounds ;  got  also  thirty-one  belts  and  some 
strings  of  wampum  ;  took  the  best  of  the  booty  along  and  resolved  to  set  off.  Placed  the  wounded 
on  the  horses  and  had  one  carried  in  a  blanket  on  poles  by  two  soldiei-s  in  turns.  Set  out  thus  iu 
good  order  on  our  return  and  marched  that  day  full  two  miles  from  the  fort.  The  fort  was  a 
perfect  square  with  one  row  of  palisades  set  all  round  being  about  fifteen  feet  above,  and  three 
feet  under  ground.  They  had  already  completed  two  angles  of  stout  palisades,  all  of  them  almost 
as  thick  as  a  man's  body,  having  two  rows  of  portholes,  one  above  the  other ;  and  they  were  busy 
at  the  third  angle.  These  angles  were  constructed  so  solid  and  strong  as  not  to  be  excelled  by 
Christians.  The  fort  was  not  so  large  as  the  one  we  had  already  burnt.  The  Christian  prisoners 
informed  us  that  they  were  removed  every  night  into  the  woods,  each  night  to  a  different  place, 
through  fejir  of  the  Dutch,  and  brought  back  in  the  morning ;  but  on  the  day  before  we  attacked 
them,  a  Mohaioh  visited  them,  who  slept  with  them  during  the  night.  When  they  would  convey 
the  Christian  Captives  again  into  the  woods,  the  Mohawh  said  to  the  Empus  Indians  —  What! 
do  you  carry  the  Christian  prisoners  every  night  into  the  woods  ?  To  which  they  answered  —  yes. 
Whereupon  the  Mohaioh  said.  Let  them  remain  at  liberty  here  for  you  live  so  far  in  the  woods 
that  the  Dutch  will  not  come  hither,  for  they  cannot  come  so  far  without  being  discovered  before 
they  reach  you.  Wherefore  they  kept  the  prisoners  by  them  that  night.  The  Mohmok  departed 
in  the  morning  for  the  Manessings  and  left  a  new  blanket  and  two  pieces  of  cloth  which  fell  to  us 
also  as  booty ;  and  we  came  just  that  day  and  fell  on  them  so  that  a  portion  of  them  is  entirely 


340  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

annihilated.  "Wherefore  praise  and  thanks  be  given  to  God  Ahuighty.  The  course  lies  about 
South  iSouth-West  to  the  Indians  new  fort  which  is  distant  about  12  miles.*  The  way  is  some- 
what stoney  and  hilly,  but  the  road  for  the  greater  part  is  good.  After  leaving  their  fort  we 
mai'ched  that  day  two  miles  where  we  passed  the  night.     Perceived  the  Indians  on  the  road. 

6"'  ditto.  Early  in  the  morning  we  started  anew  ;  were  obliged  to  cross  a  rapid,  stoney  creek, 
and  came  this  day  just  beyond  the  Esoj>us  Kill,  which  runs  by  the  Redoubt,  where  we  remained 
this  night,  and  there  died  the  Indian  child,  which  we  threw  into  the  creek.  Saw  scarcely  any 
Indians  that  day  on  the  road. 

7""  ditto.  Started  again  and  arrived  about  noon  at  Wildwyck  ;  did  not  remark  any  thing  by 
the  way. 

8"'.  An  escort  attended  the  reapers  in  the  field ;  returned  in  the  evening  without  having 
seen  any  thing.      Christoffels  Davids  departed. 

9"'  ditto.  Sunday.  Lieutenant  Stilwil  and  Lieiitenant  Couwenhoven  left  for  the  Manhatana 
with  the  sloop ;  sent  witb  them  seven  wounded  and  some  sick,  together  with  seventeen  of  Lieu- 
tenant StilwiVs  men  and  twelve  of  my  company ;  had  them  escorted  to  the  river  side.  Nothing 
else  occurred  to-day. 

10"'  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  out  with  the  reapers  and  those  driving  the  teams.  Noth- 
ing occurred.  They  returned  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  as  it  commenced  raining  hard 
and  they  saw  nothing. 

11"'  ditto.     Nothing  new  ;  it  rained  the  entire  day. 

la""  ditto.  Two  yachts  arrived  at  the  Redmtht  from  Fort  Orange ;  had  Eeyntje  Pietersen 
and  Ilayis  Carolmsen  escorted  up ;  detached  a  party  in  ambush  and  one  in  the  field  with  those 
pulling  hemp,  but  nothing  happened. 

13"'  ditto.     Nothing  occurred  as  it  rained  the  whole  day. 

14"^  ditto.  Sent  an  escort  to  the  Redoubt  by  the  river  side.  Nothing  else  transpired,  as  it 
rained  again  nearly  the  entire  day. 

IS""  ditto.  Maet  8eeu  arrived  at  the  Redoubt  with  his  boat  and  eight  soldiers  and  some  letters 
from  the  Heeren  Councillors,  dated  IS""  Septemljer.  Had  him  conducted  up  to  the  village  of 
Wildwyck.     An  ordinance  is  enacted  by  the  Council  of  War ;  it  reads  as  follows : 

"  Ordinance    made    and  enacted    by   the    Captain    Lieutenajsit    and    valiant 
Council  of  War  Commanding    the   Military   troops    at  Wildwyck    in  the 

Esopus. 

"  Whereas  it  is  found  by  daily  experience  that  several  of  the  military  do,  without  permission 
of  the  Sergeant  or  Corporal,  leave  their  posts  or  stations  either  to  work  with  the  farmers  or  on 
some  other  pretence,  Wherefore  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  War  being 
desirous  to  provide  therefor,  have  ordered  and  directed,  as  they  do  hereby  order  and  direct  — 

•  1. 

"  That  no  one  shall  presume  to  quit  his  post  or  station  without  permission  of  the  Sergeant 
or  Corporal  in  command,  under  the  penalty  of  twenty  stivers  for  the  first  offence,  40  stivers  for 
the  second,  and  arbitrary  punishment  for  the  third. 

*This  line  leads  to  about  Blooininburg,  in  the  town  of  Mamakating,  Sullivan  Co.,  in  tlie  vicinity  of  -svliich 
village  it  is  presumed  the  above  battle  was  fought.  — O'C. 


Kew  Yorh  J  Historical  liecords.  I'.  4 1 


'' No  person  sliall  pivsiiiiie  to  take  nr  steal  aiiotliur's  jjiiii,  powik'r  nr  load  in  any  manner 
whatsoever,  on  pain  of  corporal  piinislmiciit,  according  to  the  gravity  uf  the  case. 

3. 

"  Neither  shall  any  pereon,  be  he  who  he  may,  commence  or  begin  any  cpiarrel  on  gnard, 
mncli  less  come  drunk  or  to  drink  there,  niuler  a  penalty  of  twenty  stivers  for  each  offence. 

"  Every  one  shall  hold  himself  in  readiness  with  his  gun,  duly  provided  witli  powder  and 
ball,  to  appear  immediately,  or  on  the  first  command  of  the  superior  or  inferior  otHceu,  wherever 
lie  may  be  required,  then  to  await  further  orders,  and  whoever  acts  contrary  or  disobeys  herein 
shall  be  arbitrarily  punished  according  to  his  deserts,  pursuant  to  the  sentence  of  the  Court 
Martial. 

5. 

"  No  one  shall  go  from  one  guard  or  post  to  another  without  taking  with  liim  his  proper 
hand  and  side  arms,  so  that  he  ma^-  be  immediately  prepared  to  defend  himself  in  case  of  alarm, 
under  a  penalty  of  twenty  stivers  for  each  offence,  and  as  often  as  be  shall  bo  found  disobeying 
herein.  Thus  done  by  the  Cap'  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  War,  in  WUdwijcl;  this  15 
September,  1663." 

Nothing  else  occurred,  inasmuch  as  it  was  again  rainy  weather. 

16""  ditto.     Sunday.     Noticing  occurred  and  no  detachment  was  sent  out. 

17""  ditto.  Maet  Seeu  left  again  with  his  boat ;  took  with  him  two  sick,  Peter  Andr lessen 
and  Jan  Coppenou  and  two  horses  for  Monsieur  Yerlet  and  sundry  empty  barrels  for  the  Hon'''' 
Company ;  had  him  escorted  to  the  Redoubt  by  32  men.  Tkomas  the  Irishman  arri\'ed  to-day, 
at  the  Redoubt  and  a  small  straw  cabin  in  which  a  soldier  resided  was  burnt,  but  nothing  can  be 
ascertained  as  to  how  the  fire  originated.  Meanwhile  the  Soldier  lost  all  his  jiroperty.  Nothing 
else  occurred  this  day. 

18""  ditto.  Presented  the  following  request  to  the  Magistrates  of  this  vOage  of  Wildvn/ck : 
—  "  Whereas  the  Ileer  Director-General  and  the  Heeren  Councillors  have  written  to  us  here  that 
it  is  their  intention  to  send  hither,  by  the  first  opportunity,  additional  Soldiers  and  a  party  of 
Marseping  savages,*  to  seek  out  and  subdue  as  much  as  possible  the  Esojnis  Indians,  our  enemy, 
the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  CouncU  of  War,  therefore,  request  the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  of 
this  village  of  Wildwych  to  be  pleased  to  allot  two  or  three  houses  in  this  village  to  lodge,  pro- 
visionally, the  aforesaid  force  whenever  it  shall  arrive.  This  doing,  our  friendship  shall  follow. 
Done,  Wildivyck,  IS""  Sepf  1663."  Answer  of  the  Court  as  follows :  —  "  The  W.  Court  having 
looked  ai'ound  at  the  request  of  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  for  proper  lodgings  for 
the  coming  forces,  have  induced  Pieter  Jacoisen  to  give  his  mill  for  iO  to  50  Soldiers,  and  the 
W.  Court  will  do  its  best  to  find  out  quarters  for  the  savages.  Done  Wildwyck,  this  IS""  Sep- 
tember 1663.  (was  subscribed)  Roelof  Swaetwout.  (Lower  stood)  By  order  of  the  W.  Court 
in  Wildioyclc  aforesaid.  Mattheds  CAPrro,  Secretary.  Two  detachments  were  out,  to-day,  with 
the  reapers  in  the  field  and  at  the  Great  Plot,  and  20  men  in  ambush.  Returned  in  the  evening: 
saw  nothing. 

19"^  ditto.  Thomas  the  Irishman  sailed  for  the  ManJmtans ;  had  him  escorted.  Two 
detachments  were  out  in  the  field  with  the  reapers,  but  saw  nothing. 

*  These  were  Queens  Co.  Indians.  Thompson  calls  them  Mursepeagues,  and  says  their  principal  settlement 
was  at  Fort  iV«ci. —O'C. 


342  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

20"'  ditto.  Two  detaeliments  were  out  at  the  Great  Plot  by  Tjerck's  to  cut  oats  and  to 
plough  ;  they  returned  in  the  evening  having  seen  nothing. 

2P'  ditto.  Two  detachments  went  out  again  ;  one  with  the  ploughers,  the  other  witii  those 
drawing  home  the  oats,  but  they  did  not  see  any  thing. 

22''  ditto.  Another  detachment  was  out  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  ;  saw  nothing. 
Sent  a  party  about  midnight  along  the  Kill  where  some  maize  lay  ;  distant  South  from  Wildioyck 
about  2  hours'  march ;  but  on  arriving  there  found  only  a  small  patch  of  maize,  as  it  had  all  been 
plucked  by  some  straggling  Indians  or  bears.  Our  people  took  away  the  remainder,  but  'twas  of 
little  value.  The  Indian  prisoners  whom  we  hold  had  first  informed  us,  to-day,  that  a  small  spot 
of  corn  had  been  planted  there  principally  to  supply  food  to  stragglers  who  went  to  and  fro  to 
injure  the  Christians.     Should  they  come  again  they'll  not  find  any  food. 

23*  ditto.  Sunday.  Nothing  particular.  Towards  evening  sent  a  convoy  to  the  river  side 
to  bring  up  bread  for  the  garrison.  About  eleven  o'clock  that  night  sent  out  a  party  to  Sage/s 
little  kill  in  an  easterly*  direction  from  our  village  of  Wildwych  about  three  miles  from  our 
fort,  having  been  informed  that  there  was  some  maize  there,  to  see  if  they  could  not  remove 
it  thence,  either  by  land  or  water. 

24"'  ditto.  Monday.  The  party  that  was  sent  out  in  the  night  returned  home  about  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon ;  they  were  at  Sager''s  Killetie,  on  the  Indians'  maize  plantation,  but 
saw  no  Indians  nor  any  thing  to  indicate  that  they  had  been  there  for  a  long  time,  for  the 
maize  had  not  been  hoed,  {aangehoocht)  and  could  not  come  to  its  full  growth,  but  had  been 
much  injured  by  the  wild  beasts ;  neither  will  any  of  it  reach  perfection,  except  one  plantation 
which  was  good,  having  been  hoed  by  the  Indians.  'Twas,  however,  much  injured  by  the  wild 
beasts ;  each  of  our  people  brought  a  load  of  it  home  on  his  back,  and  left  some  more  standing, 
which  we  will  when  convenient  bring  hither.  They  also  say  that  it  is  beautiful  maize  land, 
suitable  for  a  number  of  bouweries  and  for  the  immediate  reception  of  the  plough.  Had  an 
escort  in  the  field  to  bring  in  the  oats  and  buckwheat,  and  sent  one  to  the  Redoubt,  as  Domine 
Blom  had  arrived  in  the  Spaniard's  yacht,  and  some  supplies  had  also  been  sent  from  the  Man- 
hatan's  by  the  Ueeren  Councillors  for  the  troops  in  the  Esopus.  Otherwise,  nothing  particular 
occurred  to-day. 

SS""  ditto.  Had  an  escort  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  sent  one  to  the  river  side  to 
fetch  up  supplies  or  provisions.  A  soldier  named  Jurien  Jansen  fell  out  of  a  canoe  at  the 
Redoubt  and  was  drowned ;  he  was  reaching  for  a  squirrel  and  the  canoe  thus  upset  and  he 
■was  drowned.  Nothing  else  occurred  to-day  except  sending  some  horses  and  wagons  to  Fort 
Orange  which  were  required  by  the  owners. 

26"'  ditto.  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  arrived  at  the  Redouht  and  Wildwyck  with  some 
Marseping  savages.  Sent  a  detachment  to  the  water  side  to  fetch  up  some  supplies.  Inasmuch 
as  Lieutenant  Couwenhoveri  has  arrived  at  WildwycJc,  and  the  gunner's  wife  has  again  brought  a 
quantity  of  strong  drink  along,  which  she  retails  as  well  to  Indians  as  to  Christians,  without  mak- 
ing any  exception  as  to  habitual  drunkards,  and  furnishes  them  with  so  much  that  they  cannot 
distinguish  even  the  door  of  the  house,  and  then,  conaing  out,  fight  with  and  strike  the  Indians. 
Therefore,  desirous  to  prevent  all  mischiefs  which  might  arise  from  strong  drink,  the  rather  as 
an  expedition  is  again  about  to  set  out,  according  to  letters  from  the  Supreme  Council,  and  in 
order  to  have  sober  and  proper  men  to  march  at  the  first  command  of  the  ofli^ers,  the  Cap'.  Lieu- 
tenant and  valiant  Council  of  War  have,  for  the  present,  sent  an  order  to  the  Sheriff  of  this  vil- 

*  Oostbjek.     This  must  evidently  be  an  error,  as  they  could  not  go  3  Dutch  or  9  English  miles  from  Kingston, 
iu  an  easterly  direction.   It  is  presumed  that  "  northeasterly"  was  intended,  in  which  direction  Saugerties  lies.  O'C. 


New   Ywh  Histmneal  Records.  343 

lage,  which  reads  as  follows —  "  The  Cap'.  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  War  having  oi-dors 
from  the  yupronie  government  to  get  up  another  expedition,  and  the  entire  military,  and  the  Na- 
tives our  friends,  the  Marxcping  Indians,  heing  here  also  holding  themselves  in  readiness  to  set 
out  at  the  first  connnaud  of  the  ofticers.  Tiie  Cap'.  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  War  do 
therefore  hereby  authorize  and  order  Siiei'ilf  Swartwoiit  of  this  villagi;  to  notify  and  forhid  the 
tappers  or  retailers  of  strong  drink  who  follow  the  profession  of  selling  li(p;or  in  this  village,  that 
they  do  not  luider  present  circumstances  sell  strong  drink  to  any  one,  be  he  Christian  or  Indian, 
under  the  forfeiture  of  the  intoxicating  liquor  that  may  be  found  in  his  house.  Done,  Wihlwyrk, 
26"'  September,  1663."     Meanwhile,  nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 

27"'  ditto.  An  escort  was  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  and  one  to  the  river  side  to  fetch 
u})  provisions.     Nothing  else  happened. 

28"*  ditto.  Th  Council  of  War  engaged  Derrick  Smith  to  remain  at  the  Redouht  with  his 
yacht  until  we  return  with  the.troops  from  the  expedition,  in  order  to  carry  back  the  forces  and 
Marsejnng  Indians,  and  agreed  witli  said  Smith  that  he  shall  have  in  Seawan  eight  guilders  liglit 
money  per  day.  A  detachment  was  out  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  ;  10  to  12  of  our  Indians 
were  out  in  the  bush  shooting.  They  returned  in  the  evening;  say  that  they  have  discovered 
signs  of  where  the  Indians  are  going  to.     Nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 

29"'  ditto.  Convened  the  Council  of  War  and  resolved  and  concluded  to  set  out  on  another 
expedition  against  the  J^qpt/s  Indians  next  Monday  being  the  1"  of  Octobei-,  and  each  man  shall 
be  furnished  with  three  pounds  of  biscuit,  one  pound  of  powder  and  one  pound  of  ball  for  the 
expedition.  An  order  is  also  given  to  the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  as  follows  —  "Whereas  by 
ordere  from  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  J^ ew-Netherland  an  expedition  is  about  to  set 
out  against  the  Esopus  Indians,  our  enemies,  and  sixteen  horses  are  required  to  accompany  and  to 
be  used  by  said  expedition,  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  valiant  [Council  of  War,]  therefor  request 
the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  of  this  village  of  Wildwyck  to  supply  said  horses  from  the  inhab- 
itants by  the  first  of  October  proximo,  being  next  Monday.  Done,  'Wildwych  the  29""  Septem 
ber  1663."  A  detachment  was  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  to  the  river  side;  saw 
nothing. 

30""  September,  Sunday  afternoon,  caused  powder  and  ball  to  be  distributed  to  the  soldiers 
and  Indians ;  one  pound  powder,  one  pound  lead  each,  with  three  pounds  biscuit  for  this  expedi- 
tion.    Nothing  else  happened  to-day. 

1"  October  being  Monday,  we  marched  from  Wildwyck  with  these  following  troops :  of  the 
military  102  men  ;  of  the  Marseping  Indians  46  men  ;  of  the  freemen  6  ;  \vith  14  horses  obtained 
from  the  farmers  of  Wildwyck  for  the  use  of  the  expedition  so  as  to  be  able  to  accommodate  the 
wounded,  should  we  have  any.  Marched  with  these  troops  about  9  hours  and  arrived  in  the  even- 
ing about  7  miles  from  Wildwyck  where  we  passed  the  night.  Experienced  scarcely  any  trouble 
through  the  day  ;  had  considerable  rain  in  the  night. 

2'"'  ditto.  Started  again  with  our  troops  and  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  came  to  the 
fort  of  the  Esojfu-s  Indians  where  we  had  attacked  them  on  the  S""  September  and  there  found 
five  large  pits  into  which  they  had  cast  their  dead.  The  wolves  had  rooted  up  and  devoured  some 
of  them.  Lower  down  on  the  Kill  were  four  other  pits  full  of  dead  Indians  and  we  found, 
further  on,  three  Indians  with  a  Squaw  and  a  Child  that  lay  unburied  aiid  almost  wholly  devoured 
by  the  ravens  and  the  wolves.  Sent  oxit,  immediately  a  party  of  Diitch  men  and  Indians  four 
miles  beyond  the  fort  in  a  south  westerly  direction  where  our  guide  presumed  some  Esopus  In- 
dians would  be,  but  on  coming  there  discovered  nothing  but  some  wigwams  which  had  been  a 
long  time  abandoned  by  the  Indians.     Meanwhile  I  had  been  over  the  Kill  with  a  party  of  men 


344  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Ihidson  River. 

and  pulled  off  tlie  corn  and  threw  it  into  the  Kill.  The  troops  returned  in  the  evening  without 
having  seen  any  Indians.  About  two  miles  from  the  fort  perceived  the  trail  of  two  Indians  who 
had  gone  across  the  mountain  ;  supposed  to  be  strange  Indians ;  the  trail  was  a  day  old. 

3''  ditto.  Early  in  the  morning  despatched  a  party  of  soldiers  and  Indians  into  the  woods  to 
see  if  they  could  not  find  any  Indians ;  sent  a  detachment  again  over  the  Kill  to  pull  up  the 
maize  and  throw  it  into  the  Kill.  In  the  afternoon  sent  two  other  detachments  into  the  corn 
fields  to  throw  the  maize  into  the  creek,  as  the  corn  which  stood  about  the  fort  was  all  thrown 
into  the  Kill  by  the  evening.  After  sundown  our  party  returned  without  having  captured  or 
discovered  any  thing. 

4"*  ditto.  We  pulled  up  'the  Indian  fort  and  threw  the  palisades,  one  on  the  other,  in  sundry 
heaps  and  set  them  on  fire,  together  with  the  wigwams  which  stood  around  the  fort,  and  thus  the 
fort  and  houses  were  destroyed  and  burnt.  About  10  o'clock  wo  marched  thence  down  along  the 
creek  where  lay  divers  maize  plantations,  which  we  also  destroyed  q,nd  cast  the  corn  into  the  creek. 
Several  large  wigwams  stood  also  there  which  we  burnt.  Now,  having  destroyed  every  thing,  we 
marched  that  day,  on  our  return,  about  four  miles  further,  where  we  remained  with  the  troops 
that  night  by  a  small  creek,  the  rain  falling  the  entire  time.  Two  Hackinsack  Indians  who  had 
come  up  with  the  Marsepings  staid  behind  at  the  fort.  They  told  the  Chief  that  they  should 
return  home  from  thence,  as  they  could  reach  Hachlnsach  as  soon  as  Esopus  ;  but  the  Chief  did 
not  mention  it  to  us  until  we  had  marched  back  some  two  miles.  These  two  Indians  had.  each, 
a  gun  from  the  Esopus,  which  they  took  away  with  them. 

S""  ditto.  Still  raining  incessantly  ;  but  we  again  resumed  our  homeward  march  to  Wildwych. 
This  night  one  of  the  farmers'  horses  strayed  away  ;  searched  for  it  this  morning  every  where, 
but  could  not  find  it.  Meanwhile  continued  our  march,  and  arrived  in  the  evening  at  Wildivyek. 
Saw  nothing  on  the  road.  Tlie  course  from  Wildwych  to  the  Indians'  burnt  fort  lies  mostly  South 
Southwest  across  several  large  creeks,  some  of  which  are  breast-high,  some  not  so  deep.  The  way 
is  very  bad  and  hilly  ;  in  some  places  is  very  fine  land. 

6""  ditto.  Had  two  escorts  to  the  river  side  ;  nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 

7""  ditto.  Sunday.  At  break  of  day  sent  out  forty  soldiers  with  twenty  Indians  to  the /S'a(/ers 
KUletje,  lying  easterly  (Oostwaerts)  from  Wildwyela,  where  there  were  two  fields  planted  with 
maize,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  this  and  throwing  it  into  the  creek ;  they  returned  in  the 
evening  each  with  a  load  of  maize  having  thrown  the  remainder  into  the  creek.  About  noon, 
to-day,  a  girl  was  brought  up  from  the  Redoubt  who,  the  day  before  had  arrived  on  the  opposite 
bank  there  and  was  immediately  conveyed  across  [the  stream].  When  the  girl  came  to  Wildwych 
she  was  forthwith  asked,  where  she  came  from?  Said,  she  had  escaped  from  an  Indian  who  had 
taken  her  prisoner,  and  who  resided  in  the  mountain  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek  about  three 
miles  from  Wildwych  where  he  had  a  hut  and  a  small  patch  of  corn  which  he  had  pulled  and  had 
been  there  about  three  weeks  to  remove  the  corn.  The  Council  of  War  forthwith  resolved  to 
send  thither  forty  men  to  try  and  catch  him,  whereupon  Ensign  Niessen  with  36  soldiers  and 
Lieutenant  Couivenhoven  with  5  Indians  were  ordered  out.  They  marched  from  Wildwych  about 
noon  and  crossed  over  at  the  Jiedouht.  They  reached  the  hut  about  sunset  which,  having  com- 
pletely surrounded,  they  surprized,  but  found  it  empty.  The  Indian  had  abandoned  it  before 
their  arrival.  They  found  a  lot  of  corn  near  the  hut,  and  another  lot  at  the  kill,  part  of  which 
they  burned  and  brought  a  part  here.     Remained  in  the  hut  during  tlie  night  and  watched  there. 

8""  ditto.  About  ten  o'clock  the  troops  returned  to  Wildwych.  Convened  the  Council  of 
War  and  resolved  and  concluded  to  send  off  Lieutenant  Cduwenhomn  and  the  Marseping  Indians 
and  about  forty  of  our  soldiers  to  the  Manhatans  on  the  morrow  being  the  ninth  of  October. 


New  Yorh  Ilii^torical  Records.  345 

The  Council  of  War  also  resolved  to  scud  down  all  tho  ludiau  prisoners  likewise  to  the  Manhaians 
beiug  cleveu  F.sojius  ludiaus,  big  and  little  and  ow^iWappimjcr^  niakiui;  twelve  in  all,  as  there  is 
no  prohahility  of  tlicir  being  redeemed  here,  none  of  tho  Ksoiyus  Indians  cduiing  here  to  speak 
to  or  enquire  after  them.     Nothing  else  oeeurred  to-day. 

9""  ditto.  Lieutenant  Comvcnhoven  departed  in  Dlrick  Smithes  yacht,  took  with  liiin  all  the 
Marseping  Indians  and  40  of  the  nn'litary.  Sent  no  escort  to  the  river  side  with  them.  Xothing 
else  happened.     The  horse  which  we  left  on  the  expedition  returned  back  to  WUdwych  to-day. 

10""  ditto.  A  detachment  was  out  in  the  field  witli  tho  ploughmen  —  they  returned  about 
noon  as  it  began  to  rain  hard.  Louis,  the  Waloon,  M'ent  to-day  to  fetch  liis  o.xen  which  had  gone 
back  of  Juriaen  Westjihaelen^s  land.  As  he  was  about  to  drive  home  the  o.xen,  three  Indians,  who 
lay  in  the  bush  and  intended  to  seize  him,  leaped  forth.  When  one  of  these  shot  at  him  with  an 
arrow  but  only  slightly  wounded  him,  Louis,  having  a  piece  of  a  palisade  in  his  hand,  struck  the 
Indian  on  the  breast  with  it  so  that  he  staggered  back,  and  Louis  escaped  through  the  kill,  and 
came  thence  and  brought  the  news  into  the  fort,  whereupon  two  detachments  were  instantly 
despatched  to  attack  them,  but  they  had  taken  to  flight  and  retreated  into  the  woods.  And 
although  a  party  searched  for  them  an  hour  they  could  not  discover  them ;  they  thereupon  returned 
to  Wildwi/ck.  No  other  harm  was  done  by  the  three  Indians.  This  evening  the  Company's 
yacht  arrived  at  the  Eedouht.     Nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 

ll""  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  and  one  in  ambush; 
retxu'ned  in  the  evening  without  seeing  any  thing. 

12"'  ditto.  Two  parties  were  again  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen.  About  noon,  to-day, 
Reyntje  Pieters  came  from  Fort  Orange  with  his  yacht  in  which  also  arrived  Thomas  C'hamhers 
and  Evert  Pels.  Brought  news  that  Peter  the  Fleming,  residing  on  the  east  shore  opposite 
Bethlehem  had  been  warned  by  a  Mohaivk  to  depart  if  he  wish  not  to  be  killed,  for  he  said  that 
all  the  Indians  on  the  east  side  of  Fort  Orange  river  had  assembled  and  were  to  come  in  five  days 
to  attack  Fort  Orange.  This  Indian  had  given  him  this  warning,  he  being  his  great  Nytap  *  and 
the  Mahicanders  and  the  Cattskill  Indians  had  all  abandoned  their  maize  plantations ;  yea,  had 
offered  to  sell  divers  maize  plantations  to  the  Dutch  for  a  piece  of  cloth.  Peter  the  Fleming 
brought  this  news  to  Fort  Orange  on  Monday,  being  the  Y""  of  October,  the  day  before  he  left 
Fort  Oratuje  w\\h.  the  yacht.  Now,  the  result  hereof  time  will  determine.  I  also  received  a 
letter  from  Cattskill,  from  Elbert  Eerhertsen  which  I  enclose  to  your  Honors.  It  is  dated  26"" 
September.  In  like  manner  Capt.  TJiomas  Chambers  informs  me  that  many  of  the  Dutch  of 
Fort  Orange  are  removing  in  canoes  the  corn  from  the  Indians'  plantations  which  had  been  aban- 
doned by  the  Indians.  This  Mohawk  had  also  said  that  five  Indian  Nations  had  assembled 
together;  namely  the  Mahicanders,  the  Catskills,  the  Wappingers,  those  of  Esopus  besides 
another  tribe  of  Indians  that  dwell  half  way  between  Fort  Orange  and  Llartford.  Now,  time 
will  tell  what  there  is  herein.  He  said  their  place  of  meeting  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  Fort 
Orange  river,  about  three  miles  iidand  from  Claveracl;  and  that  they  were  about  five  hundred 
strong.  Sent  two  escorts  to  the  river  side  to  fetch  up  the  Hon'''"  Company's  goods.  They 
returned  to  Wildwyck  together  with  the  detachments  that  had  been  out  in  the  field  with  the 
ploughmen.     Saw  nothing. 

IS""  ditto.  The  Company's  yacht  returned  to  the  Manhaians  ;  the  same  day  two  yachts  also 
arrived  from  the  Manhatans  and  sailed  for  Fort  Orange,  after  having  touched  at  the  Redoubt. 
A  detachment  was  out  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  and  one  in  ambush,  and  I  sent  an  escort 

*  An  Algoukia  word  meauing,  "  Frieud."  —  O'C. 
44 


346  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  H^idson  River. 

to  the  river  side.  Tlie  beer  sent  up  by  the  Heer  General  was  likewise  distributed,  to-day,  to  the 
soldiers.     Nothing  else  occurred. 

14""  ditto.  Sunday.  Nothing  to  note  except  that  I  sent  a  convoy  in  the  evening  to  the  river 
side  to  drive  up  some  cattle  which  had  arrived  from  Foi't  Orange. 

IS""  ditto.  Communicated  another  Order  to  the  W.  Court  i-elative  to  the  non  repairs  of  the 
fortress  of  Wildwyck.     It  is  verbally  as  follows : 

"  Whereas  an  Acte  dated  23''  August  has  been  communicated  to  the  .schout  and  commissaries 
of  this  village  Wildwych  respecting  the  repair  of  this  fortress  of  Wildwyck  and  nothing  resulted 
therefrom  to  this  date,  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  do,  therefore,  again  recommend 
and  order  the  W.  Court  of  this  village  of  Wildivych  to  cause  the  said  fortress  to  be  properly 
secured  by  the  Commonalty  of  this  Village  against  all  unexpected  attacks  as  necessity  requires  it, 
and  the  fort  lies  open  at  divers  points  as  the  W.  Court  can  itself  see  in  what  state  it  at  present  is: 
Wherefore  the  W.  Court  of  this  village  of  WildwycTc  is  again  condescendingly  requested  to  be 
pleased  to  give  orders  to  repair  the  above-mentioned  fort  in  a  proper  manner,  and  in  default 
thereof  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  do  hereby  protest,  should  any  attack  be  made 
by  our  enemies  on  this  fortress,  that  they  hold  themselves  guiltless  thereof,  this  fortress  being  at 
present  incapable  of  defence  —  and  there  appears  no  disposition  as  yet  to  repair  it  —  although  the 
said  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  Council  of  War  will  perform  their  duty  with  the  force  entrusted  to 
them  by  the  Supreme  Government  and  shall  constantly'  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  both  in  gar- 
rison and  in  the  field,  to  maintain  this  place  for  the  public  interest,  trusting  that  the  W.  Court  will 
please  to  give  order  herein  to  their  Commonalty  for  the  proper  reparation  thereof,  which  awaiting 
&c.     Done,  Wildwyck  lo'"  8"'='  1663." 

Two  convoys  were  out  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen  and  one  in  ambush ;  saw  nothing 
during  the  day.  Hans  the  Norman  arrived  at  the  Redoubt  with  his  yacht  from  Fo7't  Orange ; 
reports  that  full  seven  thousand  Indians  had  assembled  at  Claverach,  on  the  east  side,  about  three 
miles  inland,  but  he  knows  not  with  what  intent.  Now  what  this  can  mean,  whether  it  be  true 
or  not,  we  cannot  determine,  but  in  my  opinion  it  looks  somewhat  like  fiction.  Meanwhile, 
nothing  else  occurred. 

16"'  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  again  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  an  escort  was 
also  down  to  the  river  side.     They  returned  and  nothing  else  happened. 

17""  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  again  abroad  with  the  ploughmen,  and  likewise  one  in 
ambush  and  had  another  as  an  escort  to  the  river  side.  Nothing  occurred  to-day.  An  Ordinance 
was,  this  day,  drawn  up  by  the  Council  of  War  for  the  soldiers  at  the  Redoubt  and  posted  there. 
It  reads  as  follows : 

Okdinancb  made  by  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of  Wak  com- 
manding THE  military  TEOOPS  AT  WiLDWYCK,  AND  DEPENDENCIES,  FOR  THE  MILI- 
TARY stationed  at  present  AT  THE  E.EDOUBT. 

Whereas  by  daily  experience  we  learn  that  some  remove  from  the  Redouht  to  the  village  of 
Wikliinjck  without  the  consent  or  order  of  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  or  other  officers,  the  Capt.  Lieu- 
tenant and  valiant  Council  of  War,  therefore,  wishing  to  prevent  all  irregularities  and  infractions 
of  military  discipline  herein  order  and  direct  the  officer  and  the  military  under  his  command  sta- 
tioned at  the  Redoubt.,  not  to  remove  himself,  from  tlie  Redoubt,  much  less  to  send  any  of  his 
command  hither  to  the  village  of  Wildwyck  without  proper  consent  of  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  or 
or  other  Couunander  who  represents  him  for  the  time,  nor  without  being  accompanied  by  a  proper 


New   York  Historical  JRecords.  347 

escort  oil  imiii  of  beiiij^  arbitrarily  punished   hy    Court  Martial.     Tuus   done  by  the   Capt.  Lieu- 
tenant and  valiant  Council  of  War  lu  the  fortress    Wildwi/ck  the  1.""'  S^'",  1C63." 

18'"  ditto.  Received  an  answer  from  the  Court  of  this  village  to  the  order  sent  to  them  the 
15"'  October,  respecting  the  nonrepair  of  the  fortress  Wildwi/ck.     It  reads  as  follows: 

'"The  W.  Court  having  read  the  oider  dated  the  15""  8^"",  sent  hither  by  the  Capt.  Lieutenant 
to  the  W.  Court,  which  is  therein  requested  to  repair  and  renew  the  palisades  of  this  village  of 
Wil(lwi/ok,  so  that  the  same  may  be  in  a  state  of  dcience,  the  W.  Court  finds  that  necessity  re- 
quires that  tins  villiige  be  projwrly  secured  and  protected  by  setting  up  of  good  palisades  ;  the  W. 
Court,  therefore,  ordei-s  and  directs  that  each  fanner  shall  duely  set  up  and  repair  the  old,  with 
new,  palisades  in  front  of  his  lot ;  and  the  othei-s,  being  inhabitants  or  Burghers  occupying  34 
lots  in  this  village,  shall  be  obliged  jn-operiy  to  repair  and  sent  up  new  palisades  in  place  of  the 
old,  from  the  water  gate  along  the  curtains  unto  the  lot  of  Arent  Pietersoi  Tack;  the  new  pali- 
sades being  at  least  two  feet  in  circumference,  but  the  thicker  the  better,  and  13  feet  in  length, 
according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  case  to  be  determined  by  the  W.  Court.  This  renewal  and 
setting  up  shall  commcuce  next  Monday,  being  the  22''  October.  Wherefore  every  inhabitant  is 
hereby  notified  to  appear  at  7  o'clock  on  the  day  aforesaid,  at  the  gate  near  Ilendrick  Jochem- 
S6'n' A',  there,  ;is  his  name  is  called,  to  proceed  to  work  aforesaid,  and  to  continue  at  it  until  the 
same  shall  bo  completed,  on  pain,  in  case  of  neglect  or  unwillingness,  of  paying  for  the  first 
ofl'ence  three  guilders  ;  for  the  second  offence  double  as  much,  and  so  on  adding  three  guilders. 
Thus  done  at  the  Court  of  the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  of  this  village  Wildwyck,  this  16""  Oc- 
tober, 1663.  (Under  written)  By  order  of  the  Sheriff  and  Commissaries  aforesaid.  (Signed) 
MATruEus  Cai'ito,  Secretary. 

Two  detachments  were  out  in  the  field  to-day  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  at  the  Redoubt 
by  the  river  side.     Nothing  else  was  done  to-day. 

19""  ditto.  Two  detachments  were  out  again  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  to  the  river  side  ; 
a  party  was,  also,  in  ambush  to  make  some  discovery  ;  but  did  not  see  any  thing. 

20""  ditto.  Three  detachments  were  out  in  the  field  again  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  in 
ambush,  but  did  not  remark  any  thing.  An  escort  was  also  down  to  the  river  side  at  the  Redoubt. 

21"  ditto.  Sunday  ;  nothing  occurred. 

22''  ditto.  Three  detachments  were  again  out  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  in  ambush  as 
scouting.     An  escort  was  likewise  sent  down  to  the  river  side ;  they  did  not  see  any  thing. 

23"  ditto.  Three  detachments  were  again  out  with  the  ploughmen,  but  saw  nothing. 

24"'  ditto.  Two  parties  were  again  out  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  I  Wiis  until  even- 
ing with  a  party  in  ambush,  but  did  not  perceive  any  thing. 

25"'  ditto.  Two  escorts  were  again  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  to  the  river  side. 
Nothing  happened. 

26"'  ditto.  An  escort  was  in  the  woods  with  those  cutting  palisades,  and  another  party  was 
was  111  ambush,  but  saw  nothing. 

27""  ditto.  An  escort  was  in  the  field  with  the  ploughmen,  and  one  in  ambush,  and  another 
to  the  river  side.     Nothing  else  was  done. 

28'"  ditto.  Sunday.     Nothing  occurred. 

29""  ditto.  Two  parties  were  out ;  one  with  the  wood  cutters,  the  other  in  ambush  —  but  sa\v 
nothing 

30"'  ditto.  A  detachment  was  in  the  woods  with  those  cutting  palisades,  and  a  party  to  the 
river  side,  and  also  a  troop  in  the  woods  scouting ;  did  not  see  any  thing. 


348  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

31*'  ditto.  Gerrit  Abel  was  tried  before  the  Valiant  Court  Martial  for  his  offence  committed 
on  the  29'"  October  and  is  sentenced  by  tlie  Court  as  follows : 

"  "Whekeas  Gerret  Abel  being  in  command  at  tlie  Redoubt,  hath  in  contravention  to  the  ordi- 
nance dated  17"^  8''"  enacted  by  the  Valiant  Council  of  War  and  posted  at  the  Redoubt,  proceeded 
to  the  village  of  Wildwyck  on  last  Monday,  the  29"'  October,  without  leave,  escort  or  any  neces- 
sary business,  but  merely  to  get  drunk,  as  actually  happened,  which  being  notified  to  the  Capt. 
Lieutenant,  he  caused  him  to  be  placed  under  arrest,  and  to  be  tried  this  day,  31^'  October,  before 
the  Valiant  Court  Martial  and  prosecuted  for  this  his  committed  offence,  for  which  the  Capt  Lieu- 
tenant demands  the  Valiant  Council  of  War  duly  to  punish  the  accused  Gerret  Abel. 

"  The  accused  gave  as  an  excuse  for  his  coming  here  to  WildwycJc  that  he  wanted  to  get  a 
skepel  of  wheat  ground,  and  as  it  could  not  be  immediately  ground  for  him,  he  was  to  a  friend's 
with  whom  he  drank  half  a  pint.  And  the  accused  having  heard  the  charge  aforesaid,  acknowl- 
edges to  have  transgressed  the  ordinance  above  mentioned,  and  supplicates  herein,  not  justice, 
but  mercy. 

"  The  Valiant  Council  of  War  having  maturely  considered  this  matter;  that  a  soldier  and 
more  especially  one  who  is  m  command  over  others  hath  deserved  punishment  for  his  committed 
offence  according  to  the  complaint  and  confession  ;  seeing  that  the  prisoner's  e.xcuse  hath  no 
foundation,  sentence  the  accused  Gerret  Abel,  to  be  dismissed  from  his  post  of  Cadet  {Adelborsi) 
and  to  be  reduced  to  the  ranks  {Schildergastendienst  te  doeti)  at  Sfl.  per  month,  and  to  remain  at 
the  Redoubt  until  further  orders,  he  Gerret  Abel  being  unfit  to  perform  the  duty  of  Cadet.  Done 
at  Wildwyck  the  31""  October,  1663.  (Subscribed)  Marten  Cregiee,  Christiaen  Niessen, 
Thomas  Chambers,  Evert  Willem  Munnick,  Jan  Peersen,  Jonas  Rantson." 

Same  day,  a  detachment  was  out  in  the  woods  ^nth  the  wood  cutters  and  one  in  ambush 
scouting,  but  they  did  not  see  any  thing. 

November  the  1".  A  party  was  in  ambush,  and  a  detachment  with  the  wood  cutters  ;  saw 
nothing. 

2'"'  ditto.     A  detachment  was  out  with  the  wood  cutters  and  another  in  ambush  to  scout. 

3"^  ditto.  A  detachment  was  down  at  the  river  side  to  carry  rations  to  the  people  at  the 
Redoubt,  and  another  party  was  at  the  Great  Plot,  but  did  not  notice  any  thing. 

4""  ditto.     Sunday.      Nothing  done. 

5'°  ditto.  An  escort  was  down  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  some  supplies  and  people  that 
had  arrived  from  the  Manhatans  in  Lucassen^s  yacht,  they  being  freemen  belonging  to  Wild- 
wyck.    A  party  was  also  out  in  the  bush  with  the  wood  cutters.     Nothing  else  happened. 

C"'  ditto.  Ordered  two  soldiers  to  accompany  Arent  Moesinan  to  Beeren  island  near  Fort 
Orange.*  An  escort  was  also  to  the  river  side  and  being  near  the  Redoubt  lay  there  in  ambush 
until  the  evening,  but  saw  nothing.  Another  party  25  in  number  was  at  the  Great  Plot ;  they 
returned  in  the  evening,  without  having  remarked  any  thing. 

T""  ditto ;  Wednesday.  This  being  a  day  of  Prayer  {Bededag)  nothing  was  done.  In  the 
evening  Picter  Wolfe rt8ens.vv\ve(\.  at  the  Redoubt  with  Rut  Jacobsen^s  yacht ;  brought  with  him  two 
Christian  children  wliich  he  had  in  exchange  from  the  Esopus  Indians  for  a  Squaw  with  a  big 
girl ;  brought  back  the  other  Indian  prisoners ;  brought  also  the  Wappinger  Sachem  whom 
Couwenhoven  had  detained  in  the  yaclit ;  says  a  Christian  woman  is  kept  a  prisoner  by  the  Wap- 
pingers,  and  that  he  had  detained  the  chief  in  her  stead  until  they  shoiild  surrender  the  Christian 
woman.  Nothing  else  occurred.  Sent  an  escort  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  the  two  captive 
children.  Couwenhoven  said  that  he  has  concluded  a  ten  day's  truce  with  the  Esopus  Sachem. 
*  This  island  is  opposite  Coeymans. — 0"C. 


New   Yorh  Historical  Jieconk.  349 

S""  ditto.  Have  been,  myself,  with  an  escort  to  the  river  side  to  bring  up  to  WildwycJc  the 
£sqpus  Indiiin  prisoners  &  the  children  with  the  Wapjnngcr  Indian  (•;ii)tive,  being  iu  all  9  in 
number.  On  arriving  at  the  shore,  found  the  Wapjrhxjer  chief  and  also  one  of  his  Indians  on 
board  RiitJac<A>Miis  yacht.  Asked  Lieutenant  Couwcvkfyven,  what  were  these  two  Indians  for? 
Said  it  was  the  Sachem  of  the  Wupjnnijem  with  one  of  his  Indians  wliotn  he  had  brought  along 
but  not  as  a  prisoner — -had  come  wilhngly  on  board  as  a  friend.  Asked  him.  If  he  would  wish 
to  return  home  and  endeavor  to  let  us  have  the  female  Christian  captive  ?  To  which  he  answered, 
yes ;  says,  he  will  bring  her  himself  iu  six  or  seven  days.  Whereupon  the  Council  of  War 
decided  that  he  and  the  Indian  with  him,  sliould  be  released,  and  as  they  were  at  present  our 
friends  and  had  reneweil  peace  we  promised  him  if  he  brought  back  the  Christian  woman  we 
should  then  let  his  brother  go  together  with  another  prisoner.  Whereunto  he  said,  '  Tis  well ; 
gave  liiin  a  bark  amoe  it  let  him  go.     Nothing  else  happened  to-day  as  it  rained  unceasingly. 

9""  ditto.  It  still  rained  considerably.  Sent  an  escort  to  the  river  side  ;  Jint  Jacobseii  sailed 
with  his  yacht  for  Fort  Orange.     Nothing  else  happened. 

10"'  ditto.     A  detachment  was  out  with  the  wood  cutters  ;  nothing  elscd  occurred. 

ll'"  ditto.  Sunday,  nothing  was  done  except  sending  a  party  to  the  river  side  with  bread 
for  the  people  iu  the  Redoubt. 

12"'  ditto.  A  detachment  was  out  in  tlio  busli  witli  the  woodcutters.  Nothing  else  tran- 
spired. 

13""  ditto.  The  Company's  yacht  arrived  ;  brings  some  provisions  for  the  garrison ;  also  arrived 
at  the  Redoubt  a  Wappinger  Saehem  with  eight  Indians,  bringing  a  female  Christian  captive 
whom  he  had  purchased  from  the  Ulsopus  Indians  and  which  he  had  promised  us  on  the  8"" 
inst.  on  board  Rut  Jacohson^s  yacht.  The  Council  of  War  resolved  that  he  and  his  attending 
Indians  should  be  brought  up  to  Wildwyck  ;  they  were  accordingly  conducted  up  by  Lieutenant 
Couwenhoveti  and  Captain  Thomas  Chambers  and  brought  to  Wildwi/ck.  Sent  for  him  to  the 
Council  of  War  and  asked,  what  he  had  to  communicate  ?  He  answered,  I  am  come  to  perform 
my  promise  which  I  gave  on  board  the  yacht  at  the  Redoubt,  to  bring  in  the  Christian  woman 
whom  I  bought  from  the  £soj>us  Squaw,  and  I  bring  and  present  her  to  you  now,  because  we 
are  both  friends.  Whereupon  we  thanked  liim  and  said,  that  we  should  speak  together  on  the 
morrow.  Lodged  them  in  Capt.  Chambers  house  and  had  food  furnished  them.  Meanwhile  a 
detachment  went  down  to  the  river  side.     Otherwise  nothing  occurred  to-day. 

li"'  ditto.  The  Council  of  War  met  again  and  resolved  to  release  the  Wappinger  Indian, 
and  to  give  him  back  to  the  Chief  with  one  of  the  Esopnis  captive  Squaws,  pursuant  to  our  pre- 
vious promise,  made  on  the  eighth  of  November  to  the  Wappinger  chief,  on  board  the  j-acht  at 
the  Redoubt.  Invited  the  chief  and  his  Indians  into  the  Council  chamber  and  presented  him  the 
Esopus  Squaw  and  a  little  sucking  infant,  whicli  they  took ;  presented  him  also  with  two  pieces 
of  cloth  in  token  of  friendship.  The  chief  then  requested  that  we  should  live  with  him  in  friend- 
ship, which  should  be  preserved  by  him.  He  gave  us,  in  token  thereof,  a  bow  and  arrow  and  said, 
I  will  not  make  war  against  the  Dutch,  but  live  in  peace  with  them.  We  promised  him  likewise ; 
gave  each  other  the  hand,  and  the  said  chief  promised  us  to  do  his  best  to  obtain  back  for  us  all 
the  ]>risoners  from  the  Ksopus  Indians  that  a  mutual  exchange  should  be  made  ;  for  to  morrow 
being  Thuisday,  the  Esopus  Sachem  would  then  come  with  the  prisoners  according  to  the  promise 
he  gave  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven  and  the  provisional  truce  agreed  upon  for  ten  days  with  him, 
for  he  had  promised  to  fetch  the  Christian  prisoners  to  the  Redoubt  in  the  space  of  ten  days,  to 
be  then  exchanged  one  for  the  other.  Now,  what  the  result  will  be,  when  the  ten  days  are 
expired,  time  will  tell      So  they  again  departed  well  satisfied.     Gave  them  an  escort  to  conduct 


350  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

thein  to  the  river  side,  and  tlie  Council  resolved  that  the  sloop  shall  remain  until  the  expiration 
of  the  time  agreed  ujjon  between  Lieutenant  (Jouwenhoven  and  the  Esopus  Sachem  on  the  5"" 
November,  on  board  tlie  sloop  in  the  Wappinger  Creek,  to  wit :  that  the  Esopus  chief  should 
bring  up  all  the  Christian  prisoners  to  the  Redoubt  to  exchange  them  then,  one  for  another, 
whereupon  a  ten  days'  truce  w;is  mutually  agreed  to.  A  soldier  named  Jurien  Helm  died  to-day. 
An  escort  was  also  down  to  the  river  side.     Notliing  else  occurred  to-day. 

15'"  ditto.  A  vessel  arrived  from  Fort  Orange  with  cattle;  sent  a  convoy  to  the  river  side. 
Nothing  else  happened. 

16'"  ditto.  Another  detachment  was  down  to  the  river.  A  yaclit  bound  for  the  Manhatans 
arrived  from  Fort   Orange  to-day.     Nothing  else  occurred. 

IT""  ditto.  Arranged  every  thing  in  order  and  departed  with  some  of  the  Military  for  the 
Manhatans  leaving  in  Wildicyck  about  sixty  soldiers  under  tiie  conunand  of  Ensign  Christiaen 
Niessen* 

18"'  Sunday.  After  Capt  Lieutenant  Martin  Gregiers  departure  yesterda}-,  Jan  Hendrich- 
sen  Van  Baal  came  the  fourtli  person  up  tt)  Wildwyck.  He  arrived  from  the  Manhatans  in  ]VI^ 
Ahrahain's**  yacht  and  reported  that  two  Dutchmen  were  killed  by  the  savages  between  Gem- 
onapa\  and  the  maize  land.  Had  them  escorted,  on  tlieir  i-eturn,  to  the  river  side.  Nothing  else 
occurred. 

19'"  ditto.  Sent  another  party  to  the  Redoubt  and  had  provisions  brought  up.  Discharged 
one  man  at  the  Redoubt  and  sent  two  others  thither ;  also,  distributed  powder  to  the  men,  half 
a  pound  to  each.     Notliing  else  done. 

20'"  ditto.     Sent  a  detachment  to  the  woods  to  draw  out  timber.     This  was  all  that  occurred. 

21^'  ditto.     Notliing  happened. 

22''  ditto.     Sent  a  detachment  to  the  river  side.     Otherwise  nothing  occurred. 

-23'^  ditto  The  only  thing  done  to-day  was  to  send  another  party  to  the  river  side  with 
grain. 

24'"  ditto  The  yachts  of  lieyndert  Pieterson  and  the  Spaniard  arrived  at  the  Redoubt  ; 
seut  an  escort  thither.     No  other  occurrence  took  place. 

25'"  ditto.     Sunday.     Nothing  happened. 

26'"  ditto.  Sent  down  an  escort  to  the  river  side  to  fetch  up  the  Hon"'"  Company's  sup- 
plies.    No  other  circumstance  occurred. 

27'"  ditto.  Sent  another  convoy  to  the  river  side  to  take  down  grain.  Otherwise  noth- 
ing happened. 

28'"  ditto.  About  one  o'clock  in  t;he  afternoon  a  Wappinger  Indian  came  to  Wildwyck  with 
a  flag  of  truce;  reports  that  a  Wappinger  Sachem  lay  at  the  river  side  near  the  Redoubt  with 
venison  and  wished  to  have  a  wagon  to  convey  the  venison  up  for  sale,  which  was  refused.  The 
said  Indian  told  uie  that  the  Sachem  had  not  much  to  say  ;  added  further,  that  the  IlaA^ingsack 
Indians  had  represented  that  four  of  the  Esopns  Indians,  prisoners  in  our  hands,  had  died. 
Whereupon  the  Indian  prisoners  were  brouglit  out  to  the  gate  to  him,  to  prove  to  him  that  they 
were  still  living  and  well.  Sent  him  down  inimediately  to  his  Sachem  at  the  river  side,  to  say  to 
him  that  we  should  come  to  him  to-morrow. 

29"'  ditto.  At  day  break  had  notice  given  that  tliose  who  were  desirous  of  purchasing 
venison  from  the  Indians  should  go  along  with   the  escort  to  the  river  side.     Accompanied  the 

*That  part  of  the  Journal  between  asterisks  is  by  Eusigii  Niesseu. — O'C. 

*♦  Abraham  Staats . 

\  Now  Communipaw  N.  J. 


New   Yorh  Hhtovical  liecords.  351 

detachment  to  the  shore  and  conversed  with  the  Sachem  in  the  presence  of  Capt  Thomas  Cham- 
hers  and  Sergeant  Jan  Peersen.  lie  said,  he  had  been  to  receive  tiie  Ciiristian  prisoners  and 
shoukl  have  liad  tiiem  with  us  before,  iiad  he  not  vinfortunateiy  oiunt  hiniselt  in  his  sleep  wlien 
lying  before  the  tire ;  shewed  us  his  buttock  witli  the  mark  of  the  burn  whicii  was  very  large ; 
Also  said,  that  six  Christian  captives  were  together  at  the  river  side,  and  gave  ten  fatiiom  of 
Sewan  to  anotlier  Indian  to  look  up  the  seventli  Christian  wlio  is  Albert  Jleyinati's  oldest  daugh- 
ter, promising  us  positively  that  he  should  restore  all  the  Christian  prisoners  to  us  in  the  course 
of  three  days,  provided  it  did  not  blow  too  hard  from  the  North ;  otherw-ise,  he  could  not  come 
before  the  fourth  day.  We,  then,  parted  after  he  had,  meanwhile,  sold  his  venison.  He  left 
immediately  in  his  canoe. 

30"'.     Sent  an  escort  to  the  river  side  with  grain.     Nothing  else  occurred. 

1»'  December.  The  only  circumstance  that  happened  to-day  w-as  the  sending  away  the  three 
Indians  with  a  letter  to  the  Hon""  Ileer  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  to 
wliom  the  following  was  written  in  haste. 

"Noble,  Respected,  Right  honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  most  discreet  Lords- 

"  To  be  brief,  we  could  not  omit  advising  Your  Honours  that  three  Indians  arrived  here  yes- 
terday, being  come,  as  they  said,  from  the  Manhatans,  with  an  open  letter,  being  a  pass  not  to 
commit  any  hostility  against  their  people  to  this  date.  But  we  cannot  determine  what  sinister 
design  these  Indians  may  have  recourse  to  under  cover  of  this  pass.  We  maintain  that  such  and 
other  Indians  resort  here  with  such  passes,  to  spy  out  this  our  place.  Meanwhile,  we  being  on 
our  guard,  placed  sentinels  everywhere  before  them,  to  prevent  them  passing  through  the  village 
to  examine  and  pry  into  it,  as  they  are  strongly  inclined  to  do.  In  the  meantime  we  inform  your 
Honours  that  on  the  day  before  yesterday  the  Wajipinger  Sachem 'came  with  venison  to  the  Re- 
douht,  and  we  have  had  a  talk  with  him,  and  he  promised  us,  among  other  things,  to  bring  us 
hither  all  the  Christian  prisoners,  within  three  or  four  days,  according  to  the  entries  in  our  daily 
journal  which  your  Honors  shall  receive  from  us  by  the  first  Yacht.  Done,  Wildwych  this  first 
December  1(563.     (Was  subscribed)  Christiaen  Niessen,  Thomas  CnAxmERs." 

2'^  ditto.  Sunday.  Nothing  happened,  except  that  on  account  of  the  hard  frost,  I  requested 
the  skippers  of  the  vessels  to  go  down  to  the  liedoiibt  to  examine  their  Yachts  which  they  con- 
sented to  do.  In  the  afternoon,  after  the  Sermon,  sent  a  party  to  the  shore  to  take  down  grain 
and  to  put  it  on  board. 

S**  ditto.     The  military  Council  having  met,  the  following  resolution  w-as  adopted  : — 

"  Ensign  Christiaen  Niessen  proposes  to  send  down,  pursuant  to  despatches  from  the  Hon'"'' 
Director  General  and  Council,  the  saddles,  pistols,  holsters  and  carbines,  the  best  whereof  was  left 
by  Capt.  Lieutenant  Martin  Cregier  and  remains  with  the  Clerk,  Mattheus  Capito,  as  appears 
also  by  letters  from  the  Capt.  Lieutenant  aforesaid  together  with  the  three  metal  guns  and  their 
accoutrements  as  they  were  used  in  the  field,  and  also  one  sail. 

"  The  Military  Council  decided  that  it  was  impossible,  in  view  of  the  approaching  winter,  to 
send  the  articles  down  at  present  as  here  at  Wzldwi/ck  we  have  no  smith  sufliciently  expert  to 
repair  the  arms,  and  as  the  Wappingers  come  almost  daily  under  pretence  of  exchanging  Christians, 
to  spy  out  this  place  which  already  hath  suffered  massacre  enough,  and  consequently,  if  the  arti- 
cles in  readiness  were  sent  away  (which  would  be  publicly  seen  by  other  tribes  of  Indians)  two 
massacres  (whicli  God  forbid  !)  may  occur  through  want  of  all  adequate  means,  save  God's  Provi- 
dence. 

((2nd\y_  "pjjg  Ensign  aforesaid  moves,  inasmuch  as  the  setting  out  of  the  palisades  is  found 
as  yet  to  be  for  the  greater  part  inadequate  and  not   in   accordance  with   the  Capt.  Lieutenant's 


352  Colonial  SetilemenU  on  the  Hudson  River. 

request,  and  as  in  many  places  palisades  have  been  removed  from  the  curtains  and  not  replaced  by 
others,  much  less  attention  paid  to  setting  out  the  same,  to  the  imminent  ruin  and  destruction  of 
this  village  of  Wildwych,  which  God  forfend  ;  and  demands  further  tliat  the  inhabitants  of 
Wildwyck  may  be  notified  by  the  "W.  Court  to  put  the  fort  in  a  suitable  state  of  defence  within 
the  space  of  three  days,  and  in  default  or  neglect  thereof,  that  he  do  it  with  the  best  means  he 
may  at  present  find  at  hand,  and  demand  repayment  therefor  when  done  from  the  W.  Court  at 
Wildwyck. 

"  The  Military  Council  unanimously  resolved  that  for  the  due  execution  of  said  proposal,  it 
be  forthwith  communicated  to  the  W.  Court  in  Wildioyclc,  and  that  they  answer  the  same  without 
delay.  (Signed)  Thomas  CnAirBERs,  Hendeick  Jochems,  Jan  Peersen,  Eveet  Pels,  Jonas 
Rantsou,  Walean  du  Mond,  Antonie  delava." 

Also,  sent  a  convoy  down  in  the  morning  with  grain  to  the  river  side,  which  on  returning 
brought  up  the  Wapjnnger  Sachem  and  his  wife,  and  Sjdiitwse,  the  Indian  last  taken  by  us. 
Which  Sachem  brought  with  him  two  captive  Christian  children,  stating  to  lis  that  he  could  not, 
pursuant  to  his  previous  promise  of  the  29""  November,  bring  along  with  him  the  remainder, 
being  still  five  Christian  captives,  because  three  were  at  their  hunting  grounds,  and  he  could  not 
find  them,  but  tliat  another  Indian  was  out  looking  for  them  ;  the  two  others  are  in  his  vicinity, 
the  Squaw  who  keeps  them  prisoner  will  not  let  them  go,  because  she  is  very  sick  and  hath  no 
children,  and  expects  soon  to  die  ;  and  when  he  can  get  Albert  Heymaii^s  oldest  daughter,  who  is 
also  at  the  hunting  ground,  and  whom  he  hath  already  pui'chased  and  paid  for ;  then  he  shall 
bring  the  remainder  of  the  Christian  captives  along.  For  the  two  Christian  children  which  he 
hath  brought  with  him,  an  Indian  child  is  given  him,  being  a  little  girl,  and  three  pieces  of  cloth, 
with  which  he  was  content.  In  the  afternoon,  Jeronimus  Ehhing,  Nicolaes  Meyer  and  Frederick 
the  rion'"''^  Company's  late  carpenter,  went  down  unescorted  to  the  Bedouht,  with  six  wagon  loads 
of  grain,  not  being  willing  to  wait  for  the  writings  and  letters  which  should  be  sent  b}'  them  to 
the  Heeren  Director  General  and  Council  of  N.  Netherland  ;  and  the  Skipper  Lvcas  Andr lessen, 
also,  said  that  he  would  not  wait  for  the  Director  General's  nor  any  man's  letters  but  be  off,  as  the 
wind  was  fair.* 

19'-'' ditto.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  started  from  the  JIanhaians  ior  the 
Esopus  in  the  Hon*'*  Company's  Yacht,  with  a  W.  S  west  wind  ;  arrived  that  night  at  Ta\^i->pan-\ 
hook,  where  ^ve  cast  anchor  as  it  was  calm  and  the  ebb  was  running  against  us. 

20'*"  ditto.  Weighed  anchor  about  eight  o'clock  and  drifted  upward  with  the  flood,  but  about 
10  o'clock  the  wind  came  up  from  the  north  —  so  that  we  could  make  sail  and  weathered  the  High- 
land to-day,  where  we  came  to  anchor  anew,  as  the  flood  was  again  gone ;  saw  an  Indian  paddle 
across  the  river  in  a  canoe,  but  he  was  a  full  half  mile  from  us.     Nothing  else  occurred  to-day. 

21^' ditto.  The  flood  set  in  about  two  hours  before  day  ;  ran  ihrow^^x  t\\Q  Highlands  ;  having 
got  through  which,  we  caught  a  southern  breeze  but  at  day  break  it  became  calm  again  ;  so  ran 
by  the  Karaer  and  arrived  this  niglit  about  10  o'clock  at  the  mouth  of  the  Esopus  Kill.  Des- 
patched a  man  up  with  a  note  to  Ensign  Nyssen  to  send  down  some  wagons  in  tlie  morning  with 
an  escort  to  convey  up  the  rion"'*  Company's  supplies  which  were  sent  for  the  garrison. 

22d''.  About  9  o'clock  the  escort  arrived  at  the  beach  with  the  wagons  ;  entered  the  Kill  with 
the  yacht  in  order  to  discharge  the  goods;  remained  this  night  in  the  Kill  in  front  of  the  Jiedouht  ; 
it  froze  during  the  niglit  so  hard  that  the  yacht  was  hemmed  in  by  the  ice ;  arrived  at  Wildwyck 
about  noon ;  sent  a  convoy  to  haul  stone. 

»  Capt.  Cregier  now  resumes  and  concludes  the  Journal.  — O'C. 


i\W    Yorl  Jlistorical  llecords.  353 

23*  ditto.     Sunday.     No  business. 

24"'  ditto.  Monday.  Assembled  tlic  SlierifT  and  Commissaries  of  tlic  village  Wildn^ijck 
and  handed  them  the  letter  sent  to  them  by  the  Ilon''''^  Direetor-Geuend  and  Council  and  dis- 
charged Sheritl  Swartwout  from  his  office  and  put  [Mattheus  CapitoJ  i)rovisionally  in  his  place 
and  presented  hira  to  the  Court  of  Wildwyclc  according  to  order,  whom  the  siiid  Conmiiesaries 
congratulated  and  were  well  pleased  with  ;  they  promised  honestly  to  obey  what  the  IJeer  Direc- 
tor-General and  Council  have  been  pleased  to  order.  A  party  was  sent  to  the  Great  Plot  to  cut 
oats  which  happened  to  be  late  in  ripening,  as  an  opportunity  now  presented  to  cut  it  and  draw 
it  home.  The  farmers  thrashed  some  of  it  also,  and  the  viJ7ti  [a  hundred  and  four  sheafs]  pro- 
duced fi\'e  skepels  of  clean  oats. 

25"'  ditto.  Tuesday.  Nothing  happened  except  that  Iteyntje  Pieters  came  from  the  river 
side  :  he  informs  us  the  l:ill  at  the  Redoubt  was  still  fast. 

26"'  ditto.     No  occurrence. 

27""  ditto.     A  party  was  out  on  the  Great  Plot  hauling  stone  ;  nothing  else  occurred. 

28"'  ditto.  The  Captain  and  Lieutenant  of  the  Biu-ghcry  of  WiUiri/ck  requested  to  have  a 
drum  according  to  the  promise  given  them  by  the  Heer  General.  By  permission  of  the  Military 
Council  a  drum  and  appurtenances  were  given  to  the  officers  of  the  burghery  of  Wildwyck.  A 
party  was  down  to  the  river  side  to  see  if  circumstances  would  admit  of  the  sloop  leaving  the 
kill.     The  party  returned  and  stated  that  there  was  no  way  as  yet  to  go  out  of  the  kill. 

28"'.  The  officers  of  the  Burghery  presented  a  petition  ;  it  reads  as  follows :  —  "We  the 
undersigned,  Tomas  Chandjrets  Captain  and  Ilendrick  Jochenus,  Lieutenant  of  the  Burghery  in 
Wildwi/cA;  hereby  request  the  Hon'''"  Yaliant  Heer  Marten  Kregier,  Cap*^  Lieutenant  to  be  pleased 
to  furnish  a  keg  of  gunpowder  with  lead  in  proportion  on  the  village  account,  to  be  distributed 
and  used  in  time  of  need  for  the  safety  of  this  place,  and  we  await  your  Hon"  favorable  answer. 
Done  Wiltioych  this  28'"  Xber  1663.  (Signed)  Tomas  Cuajlbres,  Hendrick  Jochkms.  The 
answer  thereto  is  as  follows  —  Petitioners'  request  is  granted.  "Whenever  they  require  it  at  the 
public  expense  or  for  their  own  defence,  it  shall  be  furnished  them  from  the  Hon''"  Company's 
Magazine  by  the  officer  who  M-ill  be  here.     Done,  Wiltwych  this  28"'  December,  1663. 

29"'  ditto.  The  Military  Council  resolved  to  issue  an  Ordinance  against  the  gunners  who 
usually  rnn  about  firing  on  New  Year's  day  or  night,  which  was  also  publislied  and  affixed.  It 
reads  as  follows  :  — 

"  ^Vhereas  we  find  by  Experience  that  some  persons  presume  from  year  to  3'ear  to  discharge 
guns  on  the  day  of  the  new  incoming  year  thus  wasting  powder  unprofitably  both  in  the  morning 
and  throughout  the  day  and  sometimes  to  the  great  danger  of  each  other  and  to  their  own  de- 
struction, both  in  wounding  or  destroying  their  own  persons  which  frequently  occure  there  fi-om  ; 
and  whereas  there  are  here  many  ricks  and  barns  full  of  grain  and  straw,  and  as  great  disorder 
and  rashness  prevail  in  many  places  especially  on  this  day,  both  in  the  raoniing  and  throughout 
the  day,  by  firing  of  guns  which  is  practised  and  prevails  more  particularly  in  this  place  on  the 
above  mentioned  New  Year's  day.  Therefore  the  Captahi  Lieutenant  and  valiant  Council  of 
"War  order  and  forbid  all  pei-sons  whom  it  may  concern  that  no  one  shall  presume  on  New  Year's 
day,  being  the  first  of  January  to  discharge  any  gun  or  other  fire  arms  in  front  of  any  houses  or 
any  other  places  where  it  is  not  absolutely  necessary,  unless  for  some  approaching  enemies,  and 
that  under  the  penalty  of  six  guilders  for  each  shot  fired  by  the  person.  Both  the  Sheriff  and 
military  officers  are  ordered  to  pay  strict  attention  hereunto  so  that  this  our  order  may  be  duly 
obeyed.  Thus  done  and  enacted  by  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  Valiant  Council  of  "War  in  Fort 
Wiltwick  this  29'"  X""  1663." 
45 


354  Colonial  SettleinentH  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Have  been  down  witli  a  party  to  the  river  side  to  bring  away  the  guns  and  other  munitions 
of  war.     Nothing  else  occurred. 

30"'.  Sundaj'.  Nothing  done  as  it  rained  almost  the  entire  day  and  the  Kill  became  again 
open. 

SP'.  Left  the  Esojius  again  in  the  Hon''"'  Company's  Yacht  for  the  Manhatans,  the  wind 
Southerly.  Weathered  the  Long  Reach  where  ■we  came  to  anchor  in  the  night  about  twelve 
o'clock. 

1664.  1st  January.  The  wind  continuing  southerly,  tacked  to-day  as  far  as  the  entrance  of 
the  nighlMnds  where  we  anchored  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  ;  the  flood  being  spent  weighed 
anchor  and  passed  through  the  Iliyhlancls  where  we  again  cast  anchor. 

2"'.     Weighed  anchor  again,  and  drifted  with  the  ebb  as  far  down  as  Tapjpaen. 

3^.  Having  weighed  anchor  again,  drifted  down  anew  with  the  ebb  to  the  end  of  Manhat- 
ans island,  where  we  made  sail  about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  wind  being  westerly,  and 
arrived  about  twelve  o'clock  at  the  Manhatans. 

MIktin  Kkeuiee. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen  at  the  Esopos  to  Director  Stutvesant  ;  depakt- 
DRE  of  Capt.  Cregier;  great  sickness  on  the  Esopus. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Your  Hon'''"'  Worships'  favor  of  the  29"'  of  December  last  has  come  to  hand  and  its  contents 
are  well  understood.  1  have  to  say  in  answer,  that  Captain  Lieutenant  Marten  Cregier  left  here 
in  the  Hou'''^  Company's  yacht  on  the  31='  of  December,  taking  with  him  7  soldiers  from  the  gar- 
rison, in  place  of  which  one  remained  here.  There  are  many  sick  here  among  the  military  as 
well  as  the  inhabitants  of  a  strange  disease.  In  case  your  Hon'''''  Worships  should  be  pleased  to 
send  here  further  orders  by  a  savage  for  the  return  of  soldiers  overland  to  the  Manhatans,  then 
I  shall  obey  it,  but  as  some  have  now  already  gone  down  with  the  Captain  Lieutenant  and  some 
are  sick  here,  I  do  not  clearlj^  understand  your  Ilon'''^  Worships'  order,  whether  some  more 
soldiers  shall  go  overland  to  the  Manhatans.  The  letters  sent  to  me  shall  be  dispatched  immedi- 
ately to  Fort  Orange  with  two  Dutchmen.  I  could  not  find  savages  here  to  employ  on  such  an 
errand.  The  letters  were  brought  by  two  savages,  one  called  Hastang,  the  other  Waniassaan,  a 
Wajypinger,  as  he  says,  who  came  in  place  of  the  dispatched  savage  Neshahetssin.  We  find  that 
this  Wa7nassaan  has  had  part  in  the  murder  here,  he  took  prisoner  the  son  of  Derick  Jochemsen. 
Meanwhile  we  shall  be  on  our  guard  as  much  as  possible.  Closing  with  sincere  salutations  I  com- 
mend your  Hon''"'  Worships  to  the  protection  of  God  Almighty.  Actum  at  WUtwycl;  4"" 
Jannai-y  Anno  1664. 

Your  Honoral)le  Worships' 
humble  and  obedient  servant 
Christian  Nyssen. 

To  their  Honors,  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherlard. 


I^ew    YofJc  Historical  Itecords.  355 

LETiiat  FROM  Messes.  La  Montaone  and  van  Rknssklakb  to  Directou  Stuvve- 
sant;  the  Mohawks'  expedition  into  Maine. 

Iloiionible.  Veiy  Worsliipful  Director-CTCuonil  and  (\)uiicil  of  New-NetJun-lcmd. 

On  the  11"'  and  12""  of  last  December  a  war-party  of  Maquaes,  Sinnekua  and  Onondaken 
came  here  from  the  Northern  savanjcs,  called  Onojalce,  they  passed  through  liere  in  detachments 
and  left  without  causing  trouble  or  doing  iiarm  to  any  one.  To  our  questions  as  to 
their  designs  they  told  ns,  that  some  of  their  men  had  been  killed  and  wounded ;  20  had  been 
wounded  of  the  2laquaes  and  Sinnekus  and  30  or  40  of  the  Northern  savages  had  been  killed  ; 
besides  these  two  of  the  Oiwjake  have  been  ,  after  the}'  had  together  resolved  outside 

of  the  fort  .  .  .  .  ,  they  went  out  with  presents,  to  negotiate  with  the  2IaquacH  about  a 
peace;  the  Maqiiaes  accepted  it  M-ithout  however  tlie  consent  of  ilxa  Sinnekus ;  tiicrcfore  some 
of  the  Sinnekus  and  Onondakes  started  and  said  to  the  21aijuaes,  We  from  the  Onondakc  will  go 
and  see,  where  tiie  Northern  savages  live,  to  which  the  2[aiiuacs  answered.  We  liave  not  resolved 
to  storm  tlieir  castle,  for  it  is  strong  and  cannot  be  taken  by  us,  but  finally  pereuaded  by  the  Sin- 
nekus  the  Jlaijuacs  too  went  and  attacked  the  castle  by  storm  ;  here  they  lost  tlie  greatest  number 
of  their  men.  We  hope  to  receive  information  from  your  Honors,  how  matters  stand  with  the 
savages  there  and  at  the  ^qpii/i  and  with  other  people  having  evil  designs  against  the  province  of 
jWnv-Ji'etherland,  so  that  we  may  govern  ourselves :  we  trust  however  that  every  thing  is  quiet. 
Closing  we  hope  that  his  Honor,  the  General,  is  again  quite  well  and  with  wishes  for  a  happy 
New  Yciir  and  our  cordial  greetings  we  commend  your  Honors  to  God's  protection  and  remain 

Your  Honors'  aflfectionate  friends 
J^ori  Orange  La  Montagne 

the  8""  January  166i.  Jeeemias  van  Rensselaeb. 

Tour  Honors,  While  closing  this  By  order  of  the  two 

letter  two  soldiers  arrived  here  from  Courts  of  JFo?'t  Orange  and 

the  Esoj)its  with  letters  to  private  par-  the  Colony  of  Eensselaerswyck 

ties  from  there  as  well  as  from  the  Johannes  Pkovoost  Clerk 

Manhatans.     We  hear  that  every  thing  D.  V.  Schellutne  Secre- 

is  well  there,  praise  to  God  !  tary  of  the  Colony, 

Tour  Honors  will  please  to  despatch  1664. 

again  quickly  the  savage,  who  brings 
this  and  to  remember  to  pay  him  as 
reward  a  sailor's  rug  and  20  guilders  in  wampum, 
for  he  was  engaged  for  the  journey  down  and  back 
for  100  gmlders  in  wampum  or  its  value  to  liis  benefit. 


Letter  from   Ensign   Ntssen  to  Directoe  Stuyvesant;   the    sickness  at  the 
Esopus  increases. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

I  cannot  let  this  present  chance  by  the  savage  messenger  from  Fort  Orange  pass  by,  without 
informing  your  Hon"'*  Worships,  that  our  condition  here  lias  not  changed  ;  the  disease  here  doe 


356  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

not  diminish,  but  increases  daily ;  it  is  a  strange  disease  ;  but  the  Almighty's  will  be  done.     Mean- 
while I  commend  your  Hon'"^  "Worships  to  God's  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings 
Actum  Wiltwycl;  Your  Hon''"^  Worships 

the  ll""  of  January  1664.  humble  servant 

Christian  Nyssen. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Director  Stutvesant  to  the  co0rt8  of  Fort 
Orange  and  Rensselaerswyck  ;  the  Mohawks'  losses  in  Maine  ;  the  dis- 
persing OF  the  Esopus  Indians,  2P'  January  1664. 

Honorable,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Your  Honors'  favor  of  the  S**"  inst.  has  been  duly  received  on  the  17"' ;  we  note  from  it 
especially  the  bad  success  of  the  Maquaes  and  Sinnekus  against  their  enemies,  the  Northern 
savages.  It  must  be  presumed,  that  they  have  lost  more  men  than  they  say  or  try  to  make  your 
Honors  believe ;  the  rumor  here  was,  that  the  Maquaes  and  Sinnekus  had  lost  about  2  or  3  hun- 
dred. God  may  give  his  blessing  and  grace,  that  your  Honors  may  remain  unmolested  by  the 
war-parties  there ;  the  worst  of  this  war  is,  that  we  can  expect  only  little  trade,  as  long  as  this 
war  between  the  natives  lasts  and  it  would  be  therefore  best  to  pacify  them  by  intervention. 

We  could  not  hear  or  learn  anything  from  the  Esopus  savages  for  a  long  time,  except  that 
they  are  scattered  here  and  there  among  other  tribes,  who  have  to  support  them,  for  they  have 
nothing  to  eat,  their  corn  is  ruined;  one  of  their  chiefs  has  been  at  HacMnghsacky  and  through 
the  chief  there  and  the  chiefs  of  Staten- Island  has  most  instantly  asked  for  peace  promising  to 
return  the  few  Christian  prisoners,  still  among  them,  within  two  months.  We  have  granted  him 
an  armistice  for  that  time.  If  in  the  meantime  your  Honors  could  learn  something  about  their 
situation  and  disposition  through  others,  please  to  inform  us  in  due  time. 


Ordinance  erecting  a  Court  of  Justice  for  Staten-Island,  passed  28^"  January  1664. 
(Laws  of  New-Netherland,  p.  458.) 


CouNciL-MrNUTE.     Order  for  the  construction  of  a  redoubt  in  the  Newesinghs. 

28*''  January. 

It  having  been  stated,  that  the  rumors  are  still  current,  according  to  which  the  English  fi-om 
Gramesend  and  some  other  vagabonds  intend  to  go  to  the  Newesinyhs  early  in  the  spring  and  tiike 


Kew    Yorh  Historical  Records.  057 

possession  of  the  land  there,  tl»e  Director-General  and  Council  have  resolved,  to  send  there  a 
party  by  the  first  convenient  opportunity  and  favorable  weather,  who  is  to  look  up  the  situation 
and  conveniences  and  choose  a  proper  place  to  build  a  redoubt  or  a  block  house  and  garrison  it 
(as  far  as  circumstances  will  allow),  at  least  until  further  advices  from  the  Fatherland.  Adij  ut 
supra. 

P.  SrUYVEBANT. 
NiCASICS  DE  SiLLE. 
C.  V.  RUYVEN. 


PirnTION    OF    RoELOFF    SWARTWOUT    TO    BK    REINSTATED    IN    HIS    OFFICE    AS    ScHOUT   AT 
WiLTWTCK    AND    ORDER    GRANTING    IT. 

l-t""  February  To  the  Noble,  A^ery  Worsliijifnl, 

Honorable  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Nether- 
land. 

Shows  with  all  humility  Roeloff  Swartwoid,  who  has  served  as  Schout  in  the  -snllage  of  Wdt- 
wych  on  the  great  £i<oj)iis,  but  was  suspended  for  reasons  by  your  Honorable  "Worships,  that  he, 
the  petitioner,  has  before  now  informed  your  Hon'"'^  Worships  by  an  humble  petition,  that  he  had 
been  induced  by  fair  words,  pereuasions  and  impositions  to  sign  a  certain  document,  known  to 
your  Hon'"'''  Worships  and  whereas  the  petitioner  after  further  thinking  of  it  perceives,  that  by 
signing  the  same  officiaUy  he  has  made  n  grave  mistake,  which  he  regrets  from  the  bottom  of  his 
heart  to  have  done,  and  that  on  account  of  it  he  may  get  into  difficulties,  unless  he  is  pardoned  by 
your  Honorable  Worships'  special  grace,  therefore  he,  the  petitioner,  humbly  turns  to  your  Hon*'" 
Woi-sliips  praying  and  requesting  that  your  Hon""'  Worshijis  will  first  please  to  consider,  that  the 
said  error  of  signing  was  not  committed  by  the  petitioner  intentionally,  but  through  credulousness 
and  upon  persuasion,  while  he  confesses,  that  he  could  not  distinguish  the  office  of  an  executive 
officer  from  that  of  a  Commissary  ;  on  the  other  side  your  Hon''"'  Worships  will  please  to  take  into 
consideration,  that  the  petitioner,  (it  is  said  without  boasting)  has  heretofore  never  forgotten 
himself,  but  has  always  acted  honestly  and  piously ;  tliirdly  your  Hou'''°  Worships'  attention  is 
called  to  the  fact,  that  the  petitioner  is  burdened  with  a  wife  and  eight  small  children  and  has 
perfomied  the  Sellout's  duties  all  through  the  war  and  the  troubles  on  the  £soj?us,  hoping,  that 
some  time  after  the  end  of  these  troubles  the  place  would  increase  in  wealth  and  population  and 
that  he  would  reap  more  profit  and  advantages  from  his  office  as  Schout  than  heretofore ;  he,  the 
petitioner,  has  employed  and  consumed  all  his  little  means  and  if  your  Hon*'"  Worships  should 
resolve  to  dismiss  him  from  the  place,  which  he  trusts  will  not  be  done,  he  would  be  reduced  to 
poverty,  misery  and  hardship.  Whereas  the  petitioner  really  needs  and  requires  the  emoluments 
and  profits  of  the  said  Schout's  office,  to  support  his  large  family  and  to  protect  and  maintain 
honorably  his  little  property,  therefore  he  very  humbly  prays  and  requests,  that  your  Hon*'® 
Worships  will  please  to  pity  and  commiserate  him  and  pardon  his  aforesaid  error  with  special 
grace,  reinstating  the  petitioner  in  his  fonner  position  as  Schout  and  giving  him  a  letter  of  pardon 
in  optima  J'armd,  while  he,  the  petitioner,  promises  to  serve  as  Schout  honestly  and  faithfully, 
with  due  regard  and  obedience  to  his  superiors  and  courtesy,  urbanity,  modesty,  temperateness  and 
simplicity  towards  the  inhabitants  there.     He  hopes  to  perform  henceforth  his  aforesaid  duties  in 


358  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

such  a  manner,  that  your  IIoii"'"  Worships  will  uot  only  have  reason  to  continue  hira,  but  also  to 
promote  him.     Which  doing  he  remains 

Tour  Noble,  Worshipful  Honors' 
humble  subject 

HoELOFF  SWAETWOTJT. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  Neio-Netherland  received  and  read  the  humble  petition 
of  lioeloff  Swartwout,  M'ho  has  served  as  Schout  in  the  village  of  Wiltioyck  and  was  suspended 
for  reasons,  as  he  confesses,  that  he  has  made  a  grave  mistake  by  not  obeying  the  orders  of  the 
Director  General  and  Council  and  regrets  having  done  so,  asking  that  the  error  committed  by 
him  might  be  forgiven  ;  therefore,  although  the  unfitness  of  the  said  lioeloff  Swartwout  to  act 
as  Schout  to  the  advantage  of  the  Plon"'''  Company  and  the  good  inhabitants  has  several  times 
become  apparent,  the  Director-General  and  Council  graciously  forgive  this  time,  in  the  hope  of 
amendment,  the  committed  error  and  reinstate  the  said  Swartwout  into  the  office  of  Schout. 

Actum  2^01't  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  14"'  February  A°  1664. 


Minutes  of  Council.     Complaint  of  a  Tappaan  Indiaj;  against  Jacob  Wolphert- 

SEN  VAN  CoUWENHOVEN    FOB   NOT   GIVING    UP  HIS    GUN,  PAWNED   FOR    LIQUOR.      ThE 

Newesinghs  land  and  the  English. 
16'"  February,  Saturday  (1664). 

Present  in  Council  his  Noble  Honor,  the  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  Hon*"' 
Fiscal  Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Captain  Lieutenant  Marten  Cregier. 

Unsichan,  a  savage  from  Tappaan,  complains  that  he  bought  from  Jacob  Wolphertsen  and 
his  wife  Z^  cans  of  brandy  in  the  month  of  September,  for  which  he  paid  in  wampum  and  that 
afterwards  he  bought  again  from  the  said  Wolphertsen  \^  cans  of  brandy,  but  as  he  then  had  no 
wampum  he  left  his  gun  in  pawn  with  the  Couwenhovens.  Coming  later  to  ]3ay  for  the  brandy 
and  take  his  gun,  he  was  told,  that  another  savage  had  come  and  fetched  it. 

Hastangh,  a  Hachingh  savage,  declares,  that  Pojpemoor,  one  of  the  Newesingh  Sachems, 
has  been  at  Gravesend  10  days  ago  and  said  there  to  the  English,  he  did  not  want  to  sell  the 
Newesingh  lands  to  the  Dutch  of  the  Manhatans,  but  would  sell  it  to  the  English,  whereupon 
the  English  gave  him  a  roll  of  tobacco. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  take  up  again  the  resolution  of  the  28'*  of  January,  con- 
cerning the  occupation  of  the  Newesingh  country  and  find  it  necessary  to  carry  the  same  into 
effect,  because  the  rumors  still  continue,  that  some  EnglishTnen  have  made  up  their  minds,  to 
settle  there  ;  to  send  the  yacht  there,  if  the  M'eather  is  favorable  next  Monday,  for  the  purpose 
of  selecting  a  good  place  and  then  to  send  20  or  24  men  there,  who  shall  take  possession  of  it. 
Adij  ut  sujjra. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwtck;  restora- 
tion OF  Sheriff  Swartwout  ;  recall  of  the  military  ;  Indian  affairs. 

Honorable,  Beloved,  Faithful  friends. 
This  letter  serves  above  all  as  a  safe-conduct  for  the  bearer  lioeloff  Swartwout,  whom  wo 
have  again  appointed  to  his  former  position  he  having  made  his  submission  and  for  other  reasons. 


New  Yorlc  Ilistoncal  Records.  359 

You  will  therefore  accept  and  recognize  him  as  before  and  assi.-t  him   in  every  way  in  the  execu- 
tion of  his  duties,  as  it  is  proper. 

The  public  service,  which  has  always  the  precedence  of  private  affairs,  requires  the  recall  to 
this  place  of  30  or  40  soldiei-s,  whom  wc  therefore  ex])ect  without  delay  by  the  yacht  specially 
sent  for  them.  As  there  is  no  peace  concluded  yet  with  the  savages,  for  which  wo  have  never- 
theless good  liopcsand  as  they  are  savage,  barbarous  people  upon  whose  woi-d  little  or  almost  no 
reliance  can  be  placed,  as  you  have  felt  to  your  damage  2  or  3  times,  we  must  recommend  you,  to 
keep  a  good  watch  with  your  inhabitants  and  the  few  remaining  soldiers  and  not  to  trust  any 
savage,  much  less  allow  them  to  come  into  the  settlements,  except  perliaps  one  or  two  and  as  soon 
as  they  are  inside  the  gates,  they  must  be  taken  into  one  or  the  other  house  and  remain  there  until 
their  departure,  so  that  they  arc  not  allowed  to  inspect  the  place  or  discover  the  strengtli  of  the 
military.  As  it  is  further  not  our  intention,  to  place  the  village  and  its  inhabitants  again  in  danger, 
but  in  case  no  peace  is  made  to  assist  you  again  with  some  military,  we  shall  leave  it  to  the  better 
infonnation  of  our  Commandant  and  yourselves,  whether  it  is  not  best  to  carry  no  grain  to  the 
Redoubt  until  further  orders,  which  shall  be  sent  immediately  after  expiration  of  the  armistice 
and  the  return  of  the  yachts.  We  await  hereupon  your  earliest  possible  advice  and  answer,  and 
in  that  reliance  we  remain  etc*. 
IS"-  Februarv. 


Letter  from  the  s^sjme  to  Ensigx  Xyssen  at  the  Esopus  ;  orders  to  send 
DOWN  soldiers  ;  Indian  affairs. 
Honorable,  Valiant  Sir.  , 
These  few  lines  serve  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  list,  according  to  which  you  wall  send  down 
the  men  named  therein  upon  receipt  of  it.  If  the  yacht  is  prevented  by  ice  from  coming  into 
the  Kil,  then  you  must  send  them  overland  to  where  the  yacht  lies  with  their  empty  bed  ticks 
and  a  blanket  for  every  one  ;  their  remaining  movables  and  baggage  to  follow  by  the  next  yacht 
or  perhaps  it  may  remain  there  until  further  orders.  "We  have  recommended  to  the  Commissaries, 
that  the  inhabitants  and  the  few  remaining  soldiers  shall  keep  good  watch  and  not  let  any  savages 
come  into  the  settlements,  anyway  never  more  than  2  or  3  and  to  take  these,  as  soon  as  they  enter 
the  fort,  into  one  or  the  other  house  and  keep  them  there  until  their  departure.  "We  have  also 
referred  it  to  their  opinion  and  recommended  not  to  convey  any  grain  to  the  Redoubt,  until  you  and 
they  shall  have  received  further  orders  from  us,  as  to  the  result  of  the  armistice,  which  you  will 
know  by  the  very  first  opportunity,  at  the  latest  by  the  return  of  this  yacht.  You  are  meanwhile 
charged  to  be  well  on  your  guard  and  to  keep  good  watch,  wherewith  etc". 
18'"  February  1664. 

On  account  of  the  sudden  frost,  the  foregoing  letter  has  been  brought 
To  Ensign  Niesen.  back,  as  the  yacht  could  not  get  in  the  Esopus  for  the  ice. 


MrsTTE  OF  CorNCiL,  that  Samtel  Edsal  had  employed  four  men  on  his  farm 
AT  Bergen.     Order  appointing  trustees  for  an  estate  at  Nooetwyxk. 

2P'  February,  Thursday. 

Present  in  Council,  the  Hon'"'''  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  Fiscal  Nicadus  de 

sale. 


360  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  wife  of  Samuel  Edsal  produced  an  order  from  the  Sehoiit  of  the  village  of  Bergen,  by 
"which  she  was  directed  to  send  another  man  there. 

It  was  ordered,  as  follows : 

Our  abovesaid  friend  appeared  before  our  Secretary  and  declared,  she  had  there  four  men 
able  to  work  on  her  lands,  namely  the  farmer  and  his  servant  and  two  soldiers  on  furlough.  If  it 
is  so,  the  Director-General  and  Council  consent,  that  during  her  husband's  absence  she  may  go  on 
with  them,  without  being  troubled  about  sending  any  more  men  until  her  husband's  return. 
Adij  ut  supra. 

Whereas  in  the  newly  commenced  settlement  of  Nooi'tioyck  on  the  Northriver  a  farmer, 
caWeA.  Theunissen  Bastiaenseyiirom.  .  .  has  just  died,  who  left  a  young  son,  by  name  of  .  .  , 
about  8  years  old,  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  Nev)-Netherland  request  and  authorize 
hereby  Mr.  Paulus  Leendertsen  van  der  Grist,  present  Burgomaster,  and  Mr.  Allard  Anthony, 
ex-Burgomaster  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam  and  Co-Patroons  of  the  said  new  settlement  to  act  as 
guardians  and  trustees  for  the  aforesaid  orphaned  child  and  promote  its  welfare  as  much  as  possible, 
also  to  take  an  inventory  of  the  property  of  the  said  Theunissen  Bastiaensen,  if  he  left  any,  and 
to  use  and  dispose  of  it  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  child,  as  it  seem  proper  and  expedient  to 
them.     Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-NetJierland,  the  21"'  February  1664. 


Petition  of  the  commissioners  for  the  erection  of  a  blockhouse  at  Bergen,  to 
have  certain  orders  made  by  them  confirmed  and  answer  of  the  council.  ' 
Copy.  To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful, 

Honorable  Director-General 
and  Council  at  Amsterdam, 
in  New-Netherlamd. 
The  community  of  the  village  of  Bergen  \\a.\e  unanimously  decided,  to  erect  for  the  main- 
tenance and  necessary  protection  of  this  village  a  blockhouse  at  each  gate  and  in  order  to  have  it 
undertaken  and  promoted  with  diligence  the  Hon""  Court  here  has  directed  and  authorized  us, 
the  undersigned,  to  promote  each  in  his  quarter  the  work  as  much  as  possible  and  to  take  good 
care  of  it.  For  the  better  prosecution  of  this  much  needed  improvement  we  have  ordered,  that 
the  men,  who  absent  themselves,  shall  pay  part  of  the  expenses  and  besides  a  fine  of  six  guilders 
for  each  day,  on  which  they  are  absent,  to  which  order  we  request  your  Hon"*  Worships'  consent. 
The  community  complains  also  of  Frederick  Philippsen,  who,  it  seems,  has  made  an  incorrect 
report  to  your  Hon'''''  Worships.  We  refer  ourselves  to  the  statement  of  the  bearer,  who  will 
give  your  Hon"'*  Worships  correct  information  and  request  that  somebody  may  be  hired  here  in  his 
place  or  sent  here.  The  tenants  are  opposed  to  pay  their  share  of  the  expenses  of  the  new  work, 
although  willing  to  assist  in  maintaining  it,  unless  it  is  especially  expressed  and  stipulated  in  theii* 
contracts.     We  await  hereupon  your  Hoii"'"  Worships'  decision.     (It  was  signed.) 

Arent  Lourens 
Jacob  Luby  his  mark 
Hakmen  Edwards 
Lourens  Andriesen 
Paulus  Pietf.rsen  his  mark 
Jan  Swaen  his  mark 
Jan  Lubbketsen  his  mark. 


New  Yorlc  IliMforical  Rfcords.  3G1 

The  foregoing  request  having  been  received  jind  read,  it  was  decreed : 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  J}^ew-A\'t  he  viand  approve,  praise  and  consent  to  the 
enclosed  resolution  and  order;  they  therefore  command  all,  whom  it  may  concern,  to  govern 
themselves  accordingly  under  the  penalty  fixed  by  it.  As  to  the  exception,  taken  by  the  tenants,  it 
is  conceived,  that  tlie  same  are  bound  to  assist  in  making  the  fortifications  in  question ;  but  if 
they  believe  to  have  any  action  in  law  against  their  landlords  in  this  regard  (which  is  for  the 
present  not  quite  evident  to  the  Director-General  and  Council),  they  may  institute  legal  proceed- 
ings before  the  proper  tribunal.     Adij  ut  supra.     (Febr*'  21,  1GG4.) 


Proposals  i>k  Okatamy  and  otueu  IIackingkesaky  and   Statkn-Island   chiefs 

witu  answeks. 
23"*  February,  Saturday. 

In  J^hi't  Amsterdam  appeared  to-day  Oi'atamy,  Sachem  of  JJaeTcinglcesacTc,  accompanied  by 
Kastangh,  Hans  and  other  IlacJihiglcesack  and  Staten-Island  savages. 

1.  He  says,  that  SewecTcenamo,  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  remnant  of  Esopus  savages,  had  gone  to 
the  Soitthnver  and  that  the  Esojyus  desired  very  much  his  return,  so  that  they  could  then 
exchange  the  captive  Christian  children  against  the  savage  prisoners  and  conclude  a  peace. 

2.  He  presents  an  otterskin  as  sign,  that  his  heart  is  good  and  that  also  the  savages  of  Uackvng- 
l\csack  and  Staten-Island  were  good,  but  he  does  not  know  yet,  how  the  heart  of  our  Sachems  is. 

3.  He  gives  another  otterskin  and  sa^'s,  that  Hans  shall  be  Sachem  after  liim  over  the  Ilaclhuj- 
l:esacJc  and  Staten-Island  savages.  If  after  his,  Oratami/s,  death  we  had  anything  to  say  to  the 
savages,  we  shoidd  send  for  Hans,  as  we  now  send  for  Oratam.  He  asks  for  a  small  piece  of 
ordnance,  to  be  used  in  his  castle  against  his  enemies. 

He  was  answered,  that  the  time,  for  which  they  asked,  to  return  the  captured  children,  had 
now  almost  expired.  "We  had  expected,  that  they  would  be  brought  now,  but  as  they  excused 
themselves  with  the  absence  of  Setoeckenamo,  we  would  accept  it  so  far  and  give  tbem  14  days 
more  from  to-day,  to  bring  the  prisoners.  If  they  did  not  do  it  then,  they  would  have  to  fulfill 
their  promise  of  going  with  us  to  the  Esopus. 

We  accepted  the  otterskins  and  would  make  them  a  present  in  return,  when  SewecJcenamo 
canae  with  the  captured  children. 


Proposals  of  the  same  and  Minissink  Indians  with  answers. 
G""  March,  Thursday. 

Into  the  Council  chamber  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  came  Oratam,  chief  of  HacJcinghesack,  Hans 
and  Kastangh  and  with  them  the  following  Menissinck  chiefs,  Memmesame,  Meninger,  Mama- 
rikickan ;  tbey  brought  one  of  the  captm-ed  children  (it  was  the  child  of  Jan  Lootman,  ihe 
baker  at  the  Esopus)  in  token  of  their  good  hearts  and  frieudship  towards  the  Dutch,  as  they  say. 

They  state,  that  the  Sinnecus  had  threatened  to  come  and  kill  the  Menissincks,  but  that  the 
Minquaes  from  the  Southriver  had  allied  themselves  with  the  Menissincks  and  if  the  Sinnecus 
46 


362  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

■were  to  come  now,  the  Minqxiaes  would  also  come  to  assist  tlie  Menissincks,  who  are  now  their 
friends.     They  tell  lis  this  for  our  information  and  give  a  quantity  of  deerskins. 

2.  They  give  beavers  and  deerskins  and  desire  to  know,  what  we  would  advise  them  to  do, 
whether  to  remain  on  their  land  or  remove.  Should  we  advise  them,  to  remain,  then  they  would 
do  it,  even  if  they  were  killed. 

3.  They  give  some  more  deerskins  only  in  token  of  their  good  heart  and  say,  they  do  not 
expect  any  cloth  in  return,  but  they  request,  that  when  they  come  here,  they  may  be  well  treated 
and  have  something  to  eat. 

KoTA. — The  presents  of  deerskins  and  beavers  were  appraised  by  Paulus  Leendertsen  van  der  Grist  and 
Captain  Marten  Cregier  and  valued  at  65  guilders.     They  were  turned  over  to  Cornelis  Steenwyck. 

We  replied,  that  we  received  the  child  in  token  of  their  good  heart  and  that  to  show  our 
kindness  of  feeling  we  should  send  by  the  first  yacht  to  the  Esopua  for  one  of  the  captive  Esopxis 
savages  and  surrender  him  to  them,  and  gave  to  the  squaw,  who  brought  the  child,  20  guilders  in 
wampum. 

To  the  l'*^  We  are  glad,  that  they  were  united  with  the  Minquaes  and  it  would  be  well,  if  they 
would  make  friends  with  the  Sinnecus  also,  so  that  everybody  could  peaceably  plant  his  laud  and 
go  hunting  and  do  his  business.  When  a  chance  offered  and  somebody  came  down  from  above, 
we  would  say  the  same  to  the  Minquaes.  We  returned  their  present  by  giving  them  39  guilders 
in  wampum. 

2.  We  do  not  know  much  about  their  country,  but  it  seemed  best  to  us,  that  they  should  go 
to  the  Minquaes,  if  they  feai-ed  to  be  attacked  by  the  Sinnecus,  or  that  some  Minquaes  came  to 
them  to  help  them.     We  gave  them  in  return  for  their  present  -ilj-  guilders  in  wampum. 

3.  When  Sachems  or  chiefs  came  to  see  us,  we  always  provide  them  with  something  to  eat ; 
it  would  have  been  done  so  with  them,  if  we  had  been  at  home.  We  gave  them  in  token  of  our 
good  heart     .     .     .  guilders  in  wampum.     Ady  ut  supra. 

NoTA. — They  received  altogether  G5  guilders  in  heavy  money  as  a  present. 


Order  granting  Claes  Arentsen,  Court  messenger  of  Bergen,  a  piece  of  land 
outside  of  the  village. 
IT""  March. 

The  petition  of  Claes  Arentsen,  Courtm,essenger  of  the  village  of  Bergen,  was  received  and 
read,  in  which  he  states,  that  the  Court  of  the  said  village  had  given  and  granted  him,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  on  the  last  of  January  1664, 
as  reward  for  his  services  as  Court  messenger,  a  garden  and  a  parcel  of  land  outside  of  the  North 
gate  of  the  said  village,  which  he  requests  to  have  confirmed. 

After  the  question  had  been  put,  the  consent  and  confirmation  for  the  garden  and  parcel  of 
land  is  hereby  given  and  granted  to  the  petitioner.     Ady  ut  supra. 


KtrW    Toil-   Illstoiiciil  Jiccordfi.  ^(\^ 

Commission  for  Baltiiazau  JJayakh  to  iik  Ci.kkk  or  inn  Corur  at  Bkiwkn. 
1?"  Mari'li. 

Till-  Direftor-Gonernl  and  CcMincil  of  Neio-Nctkerldnd  to  all,  who  may  see  or  hear  tliis  read, 
greeting:  Know  ye,  that  they  found  it  necessary  for  tlie  ])nblic  welfare,  the  ini])roveinent  and 
inerejuse  of  tiie  village  of  Bcnjcn  and  for  the  better  and  more  convenient  administration  of  jus- 
tice to  appoint  a  fit  j)ei'son  who  shall  act  as  clerk  in  the  meetings  of  the  Sellout  and  Commissaries 
of  the  said  village.  Balthazar  Bayard  having  been  ]>ro])osed  to  ns,  we  have  engaged  and  aj> 
pointed  him,  as  we  hereby  engjige  and  a])])oint  liim,  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  said  ofHcc,  pur- 
suant to  the  instructions  already  given  or  hereafter  to  be  given,  as  a  good  and  faithful  (/'lerk  ought 
to  do.  We  direct  therefore  all,  whom  it  may  concern,  to  recognize  the  said  Balthazar  Bayard 
as  to  what  we  iiave  ajtpointed  him  and  to  assist  liim  in  the  ])erformance  of  his  duties. 

Tims  done  at  Fort  Aiiiderdaiii  iu  Neio-Netherland,  the  17"'  March  10G4. 


ReI'OKT  made  by  p.  W.  van  CoUWENHOVEN    of    information    RESPECTINO    INTKIOUE9 

OF  THE  English  with  the  Wappings  and  Esopls  Indians. 

On  the  IS""  of  March  Anno  1664  a  savage,  called  nicl-emicl-,  came  to  my  house  and  said, 
Friend,  I  must  tell  you  something.  There  is  great  dissatisfaction  among  the  Esopiifi  and  Waj)- 
pings.  They  had  expected  to  kill  all  the  Dutch  and  drive  them  away,  as  the  Enylish  of  West- 
chester liad  promised  to  them,  that  they  would  first  take  Long-Island  and  then  tlie  Manades. 
"  If  the  Dutch  do  not  surrender  willingly,  we  shall  kill  them,  but  then  you  must  assist  us."  The 
savages  answered,  they  would  do  that.  But  the  English  asked  them,  "  When  you  have  done  it, 
how  much  land  shall  we  have  then,"  and  the  savages  promised  them,  "  The  laud  on  Esopus  shall 
be  yours,  if  you  help  us  kill  the  Dutch  and  we  shall  give  you  a  present  beside."  "  Well,  we  are  satis- 
fied and  it  will  not  bo  long,  before  we  shall  begin,  but  you  too  must  be  ready  to  helj)  us."  The  sav- 
ages answered,  "  Surely,  we'll  do  that."  About  8  days  ago  a  party  of  savages  of  the  Wapping  a.nA 
Esopus  tribes  went  towards  Westchester  with  a  lot  of  peltries,  consisting  of  beaver,  otter,  bear,  elk, 
fo.x  and  raccoon  skins.  Arrived  there  they  asked  the  English,  whether  they  were  ready  to  kill  the 
Dutch,  but  the  English  answered,  "  It  cannot  be  done  at  present,  our  Sachem  has  made  an  agree- 
ment with  Stugve^atit  for  a  year."  "  But  we  do  not  at  all  like  to  wait  so  long,  answered  the  sav- 
ages, why  have  you  made  us  believe  it.  Come,  let  us  only  begin,  wc  will  give  you  all  these  goods." 
The  English  replied,  "  It  cannot  be  done  now,  but  if  you  will  sell  the  land  on  the  Wapping  and 
at  Ilaverstraw,  we  shall  pay  for  it  ?"  The  savages  then  left  very  discontented  and  said,  '•  It 
is  better,  we  make  peace  with  the  Dutch,  the  English  are  only  fooling  us." 

The  foregoing  report  having  been  made  by  Lieutenant  Picter  Wolphertsen  van  Couwenhoven, 
at  the  meeting  of  the  IIou''''^  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland,  it  was  deemed 
necessary,  to  send  the  said  Lieutenant  and  2  or  3  others,  conversant  with  the  savage  tongue,  in 
the  Company's  yacht  to  the  Wappinglis,  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  foregoing.  The}'  returned 
here  on  the  23''  of  March  and  made  the  following  report : 

Anno  1664,  on  the  IS""  of  March,  we  left  the  Menn-cules  and  arrived  on  the  20""  off  the  High- 
lands. Three  savages  came  immediately  on  board,  I  asked  them  where  their  Sachem  was  and 
they  said,  he  was  on  shore.  The  names  of  the  three  savages  was  Quemacherne,  Pachhichme, 
Piemisime.  I  inquired  what  the  English  had  wanted  of  them,  they  said.  To  buy  our  lands,  but  the 
English  are  Morthless  people,  we  will  not  have  anything  to  do  with  them,  they  have  promised  to 


364  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

the  Esopus  and  Wapxnngh  savages,  to  kill  the  Dutch,  if  they  too  would  do  their  best.  '•  But 
■what  laud  shall  we  have  then  ?"  The  savages  answered,  "  All  the  laud  on  the  Esopiis,  after  tlie 
Dutch  have  been  killed."  On  the  21"'  the  Sachem's  son  Quemackemis  aiso  stated,  that  it  is  truly 
so,  but  he  says,  the  English  have  taken  the  peltries,  consisting  in  beaver,  otter,  bear,  raccoon  and 
fox  skins  and  said  to  them,  that  they  had  to  wait  a  year.  On  the  same  day  the  Sachem  came  him- 
self on  board  and  brought  with  him  an  interpreter,  named  Aerent.  The  Sachem  of  Ilaverstraw 
is  the  brother  of  Semackese,  the  Sachem  of  the  Esopus.  The  Sachem  of  Haverstraio  said,  the 
Sachems  were  quite  willing  to  make  peace,  but  the  "  barebacks  "  will  not.  He  says,  what  you 
have  heard  from  their  savages,  that  the  English  wanted  to  kill  the  Dutch  and  had  asked  the  sav- 
ages to  help,  is  tnie.  Then  the  Sachem  Sacsigout  came  on  board  with  7  others  and  said,  that  no 
decision  should  be  made  before  30  days,  all  the  Esopus  and  Wapi/mghs  being  far  inland  and  then 
a  decision  would  be  made  either  for  peace  or  for  war. 

This  is  the  mark  V    ^  of  Sessikout. 

This  is  the  mark  f>r^  of  Aeeent. 


This  is  the  mark  of        1  T       Wensemot. 
This  is  the  mark  of  ^L     Qewnackement. 

This  is  the  mark  of  /^^  Pachhicke. 


t 


Proposals  made  by  the  chiefs  of  the  Kichtawanghs,  "Wappings,  Wiechquaes- 
kecks  and  others  with  the  answers. 
25""  March,  Tuesday. 

Appeared  before  the  Council  Mechtsewach,  chief  of  Eichtavxtn,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
North  river,  Messachkewath,  chief  of  the  Wappings,  Hiptamick,  chief  of  Wiechquaeskeck  in 
place  of  his  brother  Sauwenarach,  who  made  the  following  proposals  through  Oratamy,  the  chief 
of  Hackinghesad'y. 

1.  That  they  bring  hither  and  suiTender  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  a  Dutch  child, 
which  they  have  bought  from  the  Esojms  savages  for  31  strings  of  wampum,  for  whom  they  ask 
nothing  whatever,  not  even  a  bead,  as  they  say,  but  they  give  him  as  a  token  and  in  proof  of  their 
good  heart. 

2.  He  has  six  Christian  prisoners,  whom  he  has  delivered  to  Lieutenant  Couicenhoven  before 
now,  and  another,  whom  he  bought  from  the  Esojms. 

3.  One  of  the  captured  Christians,  a  large  girl,  had  promised  him  some  wampum,  but  had 
neither  given  nor  sent  it  to  him. 

4.  They  say,  that  they  had  not  asked  for  war  nor  intended  it,  although  they  have  been 
accused  of  it  and  that  they  still  desire  to  live  in  peace  with  us.  In  token  and  proof  thereof  they 
bring  now  altogether  the  captured  child,  which  the  aforesaid  three  chiefs  had  bought  and  give 
now  to  us  as  a  token  of  friendship  and  they  say,  that  all  their  young  men  are  satisfied  with  it. 

The  following  answers  were  given  to  these  propositions : 

We  say  to  the  first,  that  we  accept  the  child  with  thanks  and  whereas  they  do  not  ask  for  any 
wampum  in  return,  but  give  us  the  child  in  proof  of  their  friendship,  we  too  will  give  them  as  a 


N'ero  York  Historical  liecords.  305 

token  of  our  frioiulsliij)  a  I'uptureil  s;vviigo  eliilil   aiict   prost'iit  it  as  juDdf  of  uur  j^ood  liuart   and 
good  intentions. 

2.  Concerning  tlie  six  prisoneivi,  among  whom  they  count  a  cliild,  born  upon  tiic  yaclit,  and 
a  big  girl,  wo  answer,  that  they  have  received  in  return  for  them  a  captive  squaw  and  two  cliildren, 
30  strings  of  wampum,  a  piece  of  cloth,  two  cans  of  brandy,  also  one-lialf  of  an  anker,  15  strings 
of  wampum,  three  yards  of  duffel  and  10  lbs.  of  powder  and  that  the  Sachem  of  tlie  Ilhjldanda 
received  besides  a  small  piece  of  cloth  for  his  trouble. 

3.  As  to  the  captured  Christian  girl,  a  savage  cliild  was  returned  for  her  at  tlie  Esopus  ;  if 
she  has  promised  anything  more,  it  shall  be  given. 

4.  They  are  told,  that  if  it  is  true,  as  they  say,  that  tliey  do  not  think  of  making  war  against  us 
and  that  to  make  us  sure  of  their  f  riendsliip  they  bring  now  this  captured  child,  then  we  too  will  not 
think  of  war  against  them  and  tliat  no  harm  has  been  done  to  them.  If  we  had  intended  to  in- 
jure them,  we  could  ha\-e  pursued  and  killed  them  as  well  as  the  Esop^ifi,  and  destroyed  all  their 
corn,  as  the  Eiopus"  corn  has  been  destroyed  and  in  proof  of  our  good  heart  we  give  them  in 
return  a  child. 

After  the  preceding  statement  had  thus  been  answered,  Ecliko  made  the  following  proposition 
in  presence  of  all  the  above-named  chiefs,  to  wit :  he  was  sent  by  the  chief  of  the  Newesinghs  to 
tell  us,  that  the  EmjUsh  pressed  him  very  hard,  to  sell  the  land  of  the  Newesinghs,  but  the  chief 
had  answered,  he  coidd  not  sell  it  to  them,  they  had  received  already  from  iis  wampum  and  goods 
for  it. 

They  infoi'med  us  therefore,  that  we  had  to  make  haste,  if  we  wanted  to  buy  the  laud,  they 
could  not  keep  off  the  English  any  longer  and  we  must  come  immediately  after  having  bought  it 
and  erect  a  house  there. 

We  answered,  it  was  well,  that  they  had  thus  spoken  to  the  English  and  as  to  our  coming 
soon  and  make  a  contract  for  the  land  and  put  up  a  house  there,  we  could  not  do  that,  as  long  as 
we  were  engaged  in  a  war  and  had  no  stable  peace.  When  that  was  made,  we  would  come,  to 
make  a  contract  with  them,  but  it  was  now  too  cold  and  the  kils  too  full  of  water,  to  view  the 
land.     We  would  come  to  see  it,  when  the  corn  planting  began.     AdiJ  ut  supra. 


Letter  from  Director  STt-Y^T:s.«rr  to  Ensign  Ntssen  and  Magistrates  at  Wild- 
■WTCK ;  Indian  affairs. 
Honorable,  Dear  Friends 

These  lines  are  to  inform  you,  that  since  the  departure  of  Ckies  Bordingh,  with  whom  we 
sent  a  captured  child  (brought  here  by  the  Newesinhs  savages)  three  chiefs  have  been  here  yes- 
terday, to  ^vit  of  the  Wappingers,  from  Eichtawangh  and  WieckquaeskecTce,  who  brought  the 
child  sent  herewith  ;  we  do  not  know  whose  it  is  and  the  said  savages  have  reported,  that  there 
are  only  three  more  captured  Christians  among  the  Esopus  savages  in  the  interior,  whom  they 
have  promised  us  to  do  their  best  and  get  them  and  deliver  to  us.  We  must  leave  it  to  time,  to 
see  what  the  residt  will  be.  As  however  little  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  a  savage's  promise,  we 
recommend  and  charge  you  once  more,  to  be  on  your  guard  and  strictly  observe  our  former  orders 
concerning  the  ploughing  in  company  and  the  going  into  the  country  of  peojjle  without  proper 
escort,  until  further  ordei-s.     As  we  have  promised  to  the  aforesaid  chiefs,  who  have  brought  us 


366  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

the  clnldren,  to  give  tliera  in  tlieir  place  two  of  tlie  captured  savage  children,  we  send  the  bearer 
hereof,  Lieutenant  Comoenlioven,  to  .you,  to  bring  down  the  two  squaws  and  three  children,  who 
arc  still  prisoners  there.     Wherewith  etc.'' 
26"'  March  1664. 

To  the  Honorable,  Valiant  Christian  Niesen,  Ensign, 
the  Schout  and  Commissaries  at  Wiltwyck. 


Letter  from  Ensign  Niessen  to  Dieector  Stuyvesant  ;  all  quiet  on  the  Esopus. 

Noble,  ITonorable,  Veiy  AVorshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and 
Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

I  cannot  omit  to  inform  your  Hon'''^  Worships  by  this  opportunity,  that  after  the  expiration 
of  the  armistice  between  us  and  the  Esopus  savages  nothing  special  has  occurred  ;  it  has  been 
the  same  during  the  armistice  on  account  of  the  heavy  snowfall  and  now  lately  on  account  of  the 
freshets.  I  had  intended  to  make  an  expedition  to  the  old  or  first  castle  of  the  Esopus  savages 
on  the  21^'  of  March,  but  was  prevented  by  the  thaws  and  freshets,  which  filled  the  kils,  also  by 
the  inconvenience  to  get  through  with  soldiers  at  this  season,  therefore  the  e.xpedition  was  not 
made.  I  would  have  sent  your  Hon'''''  Worships  the  military  as  ordered  by  Captain  Lieutenant 
Marten  Cregier,  but  I  did  not  know,  whether  it  would  be  acting  well  or  not,  for  if  sent  down 
and  immediately  returned,  the  loss  through  the  transport  would  have  fallen  on  the  Hon*'^  Com- 
pany. I  send  down  herewith  two  men,  Barent  Hoist  and  Otio  Jansen,  both  sick  and  cripples.  I 
await  meanwhile  your  Hon"'*  Worships'  further  orders,  which  I  expect  within  three  or  four  daj's 
from  date.  Closing  with  greetings  I  connnend  your  Hon""  Worships  to  God's  protection.  Actum 
Wildwyck,  the  27'"  of  March  1664. 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servant 
To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Cukistiajs'  Nyssen. 

Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  Neio-Netherland 
at  Fort  Amsterdam. 


Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  Wiltwyck. 

The  Hon"'''  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  received  and  read  the  nomina- 
tions made  and  sent  in  by  the  Schout  and  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyclk  in  X\\g  Esopus  and 
selected  and  confirmed  as  Schepens  there  Jan  Willemsen  Iluochteylingh  and  Ilendrick  Jochemsen. 

Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  the  3*  April  1664:. 


Patent  to  Ide  Cornelissen  van  Vorst  for  a  piece  of  land  at  AnAsiMtrs  (Jersey  City,  N.  J.) 

Petrua  Stuyvesant  etc  with  the  Hon'''^  Council  declare,  that  we  have  to-day,  date  underwritten, 
given  and  granted  to  Ide  Cornelissen  van  Vorst  a  lot  situate  at  Ahasimus  on  the  Northeast  side 


New  York  Ilistoruul  Hecords.  3(>7 

of  Cliit'ii  Jannen  and  tlio  southwest  side  of  the  wayonroad,  uieasiiriiii;  on  the  S.  E.  and  N.  W.  sides 
16  ivds,  on  tho  N.  E.  side  22  rods  i)  feet,  on  the  S.  W.  side  21  rods.  With  the  express  condition 
etc  etc.     Douo  at  lort  Aiimlcnlaui  in  ^^ew-JVeiherland  April  5"*  lOOi. 


Okukk  on  TnK  iMCTmoN  OF  Sander  Leknoertsen  Glen  and  otueks  fou  a  survey 

OF  LAND  AT  ScUENECTAUY. 

17""  April  lOtU. 

The  petition  of  Sajider  I^endei'Uen  Gla'tn,  Wdlem  Teller  and  IlarmenVedder  was  received 
and  road,  who  in  their  own  behalf  and  in  the  name  of  other  proprietors  of  land  in  tho  settlement 
called  Schanhe(jtede  request  substantiall}',  that  the  surveyor  might  be  sent  to  lay  out  for  each  one 
his  piece  of  land  and  buildiuglot  for  the  prevention  of  further  disputes. 

It  was  decreed  : 

The  Director-General  and  Council  deem  the  survey  of  the  land  mentioned  necessary  to  pre- 
vent further  cpiarrels  and  will  send  up  the  sui-veyor  for  that  purpose  by  the  first  chance.  Adij 
ut  suj»'a. 


Instructions  for  the  Cleek  of  the  Court  at  Wiltwyck. 

Instruction  for  the  Clerk  or  Secretary  of  the  inferior  Court  of  Justice  in 
the  village  of  Wiltwyck  on  the  Esopus. 
Fii-st  he  shall  be  obliged  to  be  present  at  the  ordinary  and  extraordinary  meetings  and  sittings 
of  the  Schout  and  Schepens,  to  serve  their  Court  of  Justice  with  his  pen  and  to  record  in  detail 
and  according  to  its  true  bearing  and  meaning,  what  the  presiding  officer  directs. 

2. 
He  shall  take  care  to  record  in  tlie  minutes  properly  and  full}-,  without  favor  or  regard  to 
person  the  complaint  of  the  plaintiff  as  well  as   tho  defendant's  answer  and  add  to  it,  after  the 
question  has  been  put,  the  conclusion  arrived  at,  by  order  of  the  presiding  officer. 

3. 
In  case  the  Schout  and  the   Schepens  should  differ  in  some  matters,  the  majority  of  votes 
must  decide  and  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  publish  the  opinion  of  the  minority  to  outsiders,  but 
he  may,  if  requested  thereto  by  the  minority,  enter  their  opinion  beneath  the  order  or  decision  of 
the  majority. 

4. 
After  the  adjournment  of  the  Court  he  shall  properly  enter  in  a  register  the  complaints  and 
answers  of  the  parties  in  litigation  and  all  the  orders  of  the  Sellout  and  Schepens  and  send  authen- 
tic copies  thereof  once  or  twice  during  the  year  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Director-General  and 
Council 

5. 
He  shall  be  allowed  to  charge  twelve  stivers  as  fee  for  each  order  made  by  the  Schout  and 
Schepens  or  apostil  given  to  petitions. 


368  Colonial  Settlements  an  the  Hudson  River, 


In  order  to  accommodate  residents  as  well  as  strangers,  he  shall  have  permission  to  draw  up 
petitions,  if  asked  to  do  it,  provided  he  lets  the  petitioner  sign  it,  for  which  he  may  charge  as  fee 
sixteen  stivers,  if  the  petition  is  to  be  used  in  civil  eases,  twenty  stivers  if  it  is  to  be  used  in  a 
suit  for  injuries  done  or  in  criniinal  cases  of  the  middle  degree  and  for  giving  a  certificate  and  a 
copy  thereof  he  shall  receive  four  and  twenty  stivers. 

Finally  he  shall  promise  to  practice  the  afore-stated  rules  as  well  as  he  can  and  to  the  best  of 
his  knowledge  and  further  to  promote  and  help  to  promote  as  far  as  his  position  is  concerned  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  pure  service  of  his  word,  the  sovereignty  of  their  Noble  High :  Might : 
the  Lords  States-General,  the  high  jurisdiction  and  authority  of  the  Noble-Lords-Directors  and 
their  supreme  government  now  appointed  or  hereafter  to  be  appointed,  without  meditating,  much 
less  do  any  thing  against  them.  Actum  Fort  Amsterdmn  in  New- Netherlands  the  21^'  of  April 
K\  1G61. 


Leiter  from  Ensign  Nyssen  to  Dieectoe- General  Stutvesant,  reporting  the 
VISIT  OF  AN  Englishman  at  Wildwyck,  who  said  that  the  English  would 
possess  New-Netheeland  in  6  oe  8  weeks. 

Noljle,  Ilonoi'able,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. 

Little  has  occurred  here,  except  that  the  farraere  are  busy  to  bring  their  summer  grain  into 
the  ground,  as  far  as  they  can  do  it  at  this  season  and  for  what  else  has  happened  during  this  time 
I  refer  to  my  enclosed  daily  journal.  Among  others  I  mention,  that  on  the  10""  of  April  an 
Englishman  arrived  here  with  Claes  Tyssen,  who  desired,  as  he  said,  to  buy  some  land  from  the 
Dutch  ;  he  went  with  the  same  Claes  Tyssen  to  Foi't  Orange,  without  having  accomplished  any 
tiling  here.  As  far  as  I  afterwards  found  out,  this  Englishman  must  have  been  a  spy,  for  accord- 
ing to  his  statement,  lie  wished  to  live  among  the  Dutch,  because  he  had  been  badly  treated  by 
the  magistrates  on  the  North  and  then  he  said,  tliat  the  English  would  take  and  possess  this  place, 
Fort  Orange  and  the  Manhatans  within  6  or  8  weeks.  I  await  your  Hon'''*  Worships'  order, 
whether,  if  some  other  stranger  or  Englishman,  who  has  no  passport  from  the  Manhatans,  should 
act  thus,  I  shall  arrest  and  send  him  to  the  Manhatans,  as  I  am  also  waiting  for  provisions  for 
the  soldiers  here,  for  only  one  barrel  of  meat  is  left  in  the  storehouse  and  I  have  no  peas.  Closing 
herewith  1  commend  your  Honorable  Worships  to  God's  protection  and  remain  with  greetings. 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  humble  servant 
Actum  Wildwyck,  the  21^'  of  April  1664.  Christian  Ny^ssen. 

Honorable  Worships  !  the  miller  here  refuses  to  grind  lienceforth  for  the  Hoii*'°  Company, 
because  his  account  has  been  returned  to  him  unpaid,  while  the  necessity  to  pay  others  presses  liini. 
To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet 

Directoi-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland. 


New    York  Jlistorical  Reconh.  369 

Pianiu.v  Ml'  TiHiMAS    Ciiamhkks  and  Gysbkkt  van    iMiiuooii,  dki.koatks,   asking 

KOK    AMKNUMKNTS    TO    TIIK    CIIAKTKK    ril>'  WiLTWYCK. 

Ti>  tlio  \ul)le,  Worslii]iful,  lloiionihlo  Director-General  aiul  Council  of  New-Netlierland. 

Iliinibly  show  Tliomas  Chambtrs  anil  Gijshert  van  Imht'oeck,  delegates  from  tlie  village  of 
WUtmjch,  that  the  Court  of  Justice  there  is  quite  willing  to  maintain  quiet,  peace  and  harmony 
among  the  inhabitants  of  tho  said  village  for  the  best  of  the  })lace  and  as  it  has  been  found,  with 
due  reverence,  that  tho  instructions  sent  by  your  Hon'''''  Worehips  to  the  said  Court  require  very 
much  to  be  amplified,  to  carry  on  and  support  this  praiseworthy  work,  which  is  o]iposed  by  evil 
minded  persons.  Therefore  the  petitioners  address  themselves  to  your  Hon'''"  "Worships  witli  tho 
respectful  request,  nuxde  in  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  the  said  Court,  that  your  Hon'''''  Worships 
will  please  to  grant  to  the  same  tho  points  and  articles,  which  will  serve  to  the  welfare  of  the 
\-illage  of  Wilitvi/cl;  as  follows : 

First.  That  your  IIon'''°  Worships  will  ])leasc  to  enlarge  the  instructions  for  the  Court  of 
Justice  at  Wiltwi/ck  to  the  same  extent,  as  the  instructions  for  the  Court  at  Beverwyck. 

Second.  As  cases  come  up  often  requiring  a  prompt  remedy,  your  Hon'''''  Worships  will 
please  to  authorize  tho  said  Court  at  Wiltioyck  provisionally,  to  make  statutes  and  ordinances  con- 
cerning the  making  and  repairing  of  roads,  streets,  posts  and  fences  around  fields  and  gardens  and 
orchards  and  whatever  may  be  best  for  the  farming  interests  and  the  safety  of  the  village,  also 
concerning  the  building  of  churches,  schools  and  such  other  public  works  and  the  finding  and 
raising  of  the  means  thereto  required,  subject  to  your  Hon'''''  Worships'  approbation  and  as  during 
the  winter  season  no  news  can  be  obtained  from  here  for  4  or  5  months,  that  the  concerted  statutes 
and  ordinances  may  not  only  be  published,  but  also  provisionally  enforced. 

Third.  An  instruction  for  the  Courtmessenger,  by  which  he  may  govern  himself  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties. 

Fourth.  As  it  has  been  found,  that  the  schoolmaster  is  making  rather  absurd  demands  for 
schoolmoney  from  the  children,  whicli  compels  many  people  to  keep  their  children  at  home,  that 
your  Hon"'"  Worships  will  grant  him  a  fair  salary. 

Fifth.  An  instruction  for  the  Secretary  concerning  the  division  of  the  fees  for  summons 
between  him  and  the  messenger. 

Si.\th.  Concerning  the  auctioneers  duties,  who  has  to  attend  to  them,  the  Sellout  or  the 
Secretary  ? 

Seventh.  Whether  the  duties  of  jailor  and  executioner  belong  to  the  Sellout's  or  the  Secre- 
tary's office. 

Eighth.  Whereas  the  village  of  Wiltvjyck  has  had  to  bear  many  burdens  during  the  war  with 
the  savages  and  is  still  bearing  them,  by  which  its  people  have  got  much  indebted,  therefore  the 
petitionei-s  hereby  respectfully  request,  that  the  tapster  s  impost  on  beer,  wine,  brandy  and  distilled 
watei-s  and  the  like  may  be  let  annually  by  the  said  Court,  that  the  rent  thereof  may  be  adminis- 
tered and  applied  to  the  expenses  already  laid  out  by  the  said  village  or  hereafter  to  be  incurred 
and  for  the  common  welfare ;  also  that  no  one  shall  be  allowed  to  sell  drinks  before  he  has  not 
obtained  a  tapster's  license  or  spimiing  house  (i)  schedule,  as  it  is  in  usage  within  this  city.  They 
await  your  Hon''''  Worships'  favorable  answer  and  remain 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen 

Your  humble  servants  and  subjects 

ToMAS  Chambers 
25""  April  16C4.  Gysbekt  van  Imbkoch. 

47 


370  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  receiver!  and  read  and  tlie  following  answer  given. 

Bj  virtue  of  the  instiiictious  given  to  the  Court  of  Justice  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  the 
Court  maj  make  statutes  and  ordinances  according  to  circumstances  for  the  best  advantage  of  the 
inhabitants,  provided  they  submit  them  first  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  Nexo-Nether- 
land  with  the  reasons  for  their  necessity  and  ask  for  and  obtain  their  approbation  and  ratification, 
unless  they  are  prevented  to  do  so  by  the  winterseason  or  other  inconveniences,  in  which  case  the 
said  Court  is  authorized  to  concert  upon  and  execute  some  provisional  orders  in  an  emergency,  on 
condition  that  they  inform  the  Director-General  and  Council  thereof  by  the  first  opportunity  and 
obtain  their  confirmation. 

To  the  third.  An  instruction  for  the  Courtmessenger  shall  soon  be  drawn  up  and  sent  to 
them. 

To  the  fourth.  The  petitioners  are  to  inform  the  Director-General  and  Council  by  the  first 
opportunity,  how  much  and  what  the  inhabitants  pay  to  the  schoolmaster ;  after  this  has  been 
done,  further  orders  M'ill  be  issued. 

To  the  fifth.     The  instruction  for  the  Secretary  or  Clerk  is  sent  herewith. 

To  the  sixth.  Provisionally  and  until  further  orders  the  sales  of  voluntary  auctions  shall  be 
taken  care  of  and  attended  to  by  the  Clerk  or  Secretary,  all  Schout's  and  involuntary  sales  by  the 
Sellout. 

The  seventli  point  is  answered  above. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  had  hoped  that  the  petitioners  would,  as  they  had  agreed 
to  do,  have  thought  of  some  means,  by  which  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  village  might  have  been 
paid ;  it  is  now  once  more  seriously  recommended  to  them :  in  the  meantime  the  petitioners  are 
authorized,  to  let  the  tapster's  excise  publicly  and  in  the  name  of  the  Director-General  and  Council 
to  the  highest  bidder  under  the  conditions  sent  hei-ewith :  the  farmer  of  the  excise  shall  pursuant 
to  an  order,  which  will  be  issued  in  due  time,  turn  over  to  the  petitioners  for  reducing  the  debts 
of  the  village  one-half  of  what  the  excise  shall  bring. 

The  last  point,  namely,  that  nobody  shall  have  permission  to  sell  beer  or  liquors,  without 
having  asked  for  and  obtained  permission,  is  granted  pursuant  to  an  order  made  in  this  regard,  an 
extract  of  which  shall  be  gi\-en  to  the  petitioners  for  their  information.     Ady  ut  supra. 


PETrrioN  OF  Paulus    Coenelissen  and  Jan  Coenelissen  van   dee   Hyden    con- 

CEENING    THE    ESTATE    OF    JaN    BaEENTSEN  WeMP. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  their  Honors  the  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New-Netherlaiid. 

Noble,  Very  "Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

Whereas  Maritie  Meynders,  widow  of  Jan  Barentsen  Wemp,  deceased,  a  resident  of  the 
Colony  of  liensselaerwyck  finds  herself  extremely  injured  and  damaged,  because  some  creditors  of 
Ae7't  Pietersen  Tacli  in  the  Exo^ms  have  not  hesitated  to  sell  his,  Aert  Pietersen^s,  movable  and 
immovable  goods  there  as  also  his  horses  and  cattle  and  have  partially  received  the  proceeds  thereof 
or  try  to  collect  them,  while  the  whole  property  was  mortgaged  and  secured  to  her  deceased  hus- 
band and  herself,  who  has  had  no  opportunity,  during  the  last  winter,  to  assert  her  good  claim, 
why  her  mortgage-bond  should  have  the  preference  to  a  later  one  and  to  personal  debts,  therefore 


I\ew   York  J/itiforical  JiccOi'dts.  371 

wo  tlio  umlersigned  agents  of  the  aforesaid  Maritle  Meynders  rerinest,  in  consideration  tliat  tlie 
house,  burn,  grainstalks,  liorscs,  cattle,  even  the  hind  have  heen  paid  for  by  the  said  Jan 
Barentseii  Wemp  deceased,  that  your  lion*""  Worsliips  will  please  to  order,  that  the  creditors 
aforesaid,  who  have  already  been  paid  and  still  try  to  collect  their  debts,  abstain  therefrom  and 
give  up  their  presumptions  until  the  aforesaid  widow  shall  by  virtue  of  her  mortgage-bond  have 
had  her  claim  adjudicated  and  satisfied  and  that  for  this  end  the  Hon'''"  Court  at  Wiltwyck  be 
written  to  and  directed,  to  assist  the  said  widow  in  obtaining  her  just  claim.  Asking  for  your 
non"'"  Worships'  favorable  answer  we  remain 

Amsierdam  in  jV.  Xetha'land.  Your  Honorable  Worsliips'  subjects 

the  25"'  April  1G04.  Paulus  Coknklissex 

Jan  Coknklissen  van  inoit  Hydkn. 


Orpkh  to  tuk  Magistrates  at  AViltwyck  t<>  inqi;ikk  into  tuk  aisonJ':  affair. 

llduorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

You  will  see  by  the  enclosed  petition  the  statement  made  to  us  by  the  agents  of  the  widow  of 
Jan  Barentsen  Wcmp  deceased.  If  it  is  so,  as  they  say,  then  we  can  only  decide  the  request 
made  by  them  to  be  reasonable  and  equitable  :  but  as  we  do  not  know,  what  reasons  the  other 
parties  might  luring  forward,  we  wish  to  direct  you  hereby,  not  to  be  too  hasty  or  to  proceed 
herein  too  rashly,  but  to  take  the  money  proceeds  of  the  goods  sold  into  a  provisional  deposit,  that 
those,  who  may  be  found  to  have  a  just  claim  to  it,  may  not  be  injured.  This  done,  you  will  let 
the  parties  proceed  according  to  law,  as  it  is  proper,  and  the  course  of  justice  be  quick.  Where- 
upon relying  we  commend  you  to  God's  jirotection  and  remain  with  cordial  salutatious 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends 
Amsterdam  in  J^^eio-  Your  aflfectionate  friends. 

Netherlands  the  25'"  April  16(34:. 


CouNcii,  Minute.     Attendance  of  Oeatam,  the  chief  of  Hackinghesacky  and 

OTHERS  concerning  THE  MURDER  OF  A  DUTCHMAN  BY  A  WaPPING  InDIAN. 

On  the  26"'  of  April  1664  at  the  Couneilchamber  before  the  Director-  * 
General    and    in   presence    of   Sarah   Kierstedc,    the    interpreter, 
appeared  Oratam,  the  chief  of  Ilackinghesahj,  Ejachke  and  Aeltie 
Sihrants,  the  widow  of  2faUys  lioeloffsen,  the  gunner,  who  had 
been  killed  8  days  ago  by  the  Wa])ping  savages. 

Ejachke  says,  he  has  been  sent  by  Metsewachset,  the  chief  of  Kichtewangh,  to  inform  us  of 
what  the  savages  had  said  and  reported  concerning  the  killing  of  Hattys  Roeloffsen  ;  the  common 
Wappings,  or  as  they  are  usually  called  the  "  barebacks,"  say,  that  their  chief  has  received  from 
Pieter  Wolphertsen  30  strings  of  wampum  and  three  coats  of  cloth ;  the  common  Wappnngs  have 
become  jealous  and  dissatisfied  on  that  account,  because  their  chief  fead  not  informed  them  of  it 
nor  shared  with  them,  butiie  did  everything  by  himself,  without  telling  them  anything  and  so  he 
told  us  here,  that  all  his  people  were  satisfied  to  have  peace,  but  he  had  done  it  by  hunself  and 
without  their  knowledge  aiid  without  saying  anything  to  them. 


372  Colonial  Settlemei^ts  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Secondly  he  says,  a  savage  from  Ilaverstraiu  arrived  with  meat  near  tlie  Fort  at  the  Esojnis 
and  the  soldiers  came  out  from  two  sides  and  took  him  jjrisoner  and  locked  him  up ;  he  remained 
there  until  the  afternoon,  when  he  took  a  letter  out  of  his  bag  and  showed  it  to  them  and  then 
they  let  him  go,  but  that  for  all  that  they  were  not  angry. 

Thirdly  the  said  EjacKke  says,  two  squaws  and  a  man  have  taken  the  woman  here  present, 
Aeliie  Syhranisen,  widow  of  the  killed  Mattkys  Roelofsen,  by  the  hand  and  said,  tlie  savage,  who 
has  killed  j-our  husband,  is  also  going  to  kill  you,  go  with  us  into  another  house.  She  did  it  and 
shortly  afterwards  the  said  savage,  who  killed  her  husband,  called  Eihtaworis,  came  into  the  house 
and  wanted  to  kill  her,  but  he  was  at  first  prevented  by  the  other  squaws  and  men  and  the  said 
savage  wanted  still  to  kill  her,  but  Sewechenamy,  the  chief  of  the  Esojnis,  would  not  allow  it  and 
prevented  him  saying,  "We  are  about  to  make  peace  with  the  chief  of  the  Manhattans  and  you 
come  and  kill  a  Dutchman  and  want  now  to  kill  also  this  woman  and  thwart  everything :  the  said 
chief  then  gave  a  string  of  wampum  to  the  said  Aeltie  Syhrants  saying,  Go  with  that  as  with  our 
safe  conduct  to  the  chief  of  the  Manhattans  and  tell  him,  that  we  are  not  guilty  of  this  murder, 
but  desire  to  make  peace  with  the  Sachem  of  the  Manhattans,  tell  him  further,  that  all  the  men 
and  squaws  are  very  sorry  for  the  murder  and  weep  over  it. 

The  said  Aeltie  Syhrants  being  present,  svhen  this  statement  was  made,  says,  that  in  the  main 
it  had  happened  so,  but  that  many  more  and  other  words  had  been  spoken  in  their  Mnterlcasien 

The  aforesaid  savage  Ejachhc  being  asked,  whether  lie  had  been  present,  said,  N'o,  but  an- 
other savage  called  Eeentakain,  who  had  brought  this  captured  woman  to  them  and  did  not  dare 
or  would  not  come,  had  requested  him  to  go  with  the  woman  hither  and  tell  us. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in  Holland  ; 

THE    result    of    THE    WAR    AGAINST    THE    EsOPUS    InDLANS  ;    IMPORTANCE    OF    THE 

Indian  trade. 
26"'  April  1664 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

As  to  the  war  against  the  treacherous  Esopus  savages,  they  are  so  tired  out  and  dispersed, 
some  here,  some  there  among  other  tribes,  by  two  or  three  successful  attacks,  made  upon  them 
.  last  summer,  by  the  burning  of  their  long  gathered  provisions  and  by  the  utter  destruction  of 
their  corn  plantations,  that  we  could  hardly  learn  during  the  whole  winter,  where  5  or  6  of  them 
could  be  found  together :  we  ha\e  got  back  all  our  Christian  prisoners,  except  three.  The  veiy 
heavy  snowfall  during  the  winter  and  the  consequent  high  water  in  all  kils  and  creeks,  but  espe- 
cially the  lack  of  shoes  and  socks  for  our  soldiers,  have  prevented  us  during  the  whole  winter  and 
spring  from  pursuing  them  as  much  as  we  desired  or  at  least  from  attacking  them.  Small  detach- 
ments of  our  troops  have  nevertheless  been  out  several  times  to  this  or  that  place,  where  they 
suspected  savages  to  be,  but  they  never  found  any.  Other  tribes  inform  us,  that  they  are  willing 
to  renew  the  peace  with  us.  but  experience  has  taught  us,  that  no  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  the 
statements  and  declarations  of  this  uncivilized,  treacherous  and  mendacious  people  nor  credit  be 
given  to  what  they  tell.      Wq  shall  comnumicate  to  your  Honors  what  further  may  happen. 

*  *  *  *  ik  * 

The  expenses  (for  the  List  year)  will  amount  to  80,000  guilders,  while  on  the  other  side  the 
revenue  will  not  be  more  than  30,000  guilders  on  account  of  the  poor  trade  in  beavers,  caused  by 


I\ew  York   Historical  liecords,  ;i73 

the  \v:ii-s  which  the  Maquaes  and  Slnnekux  waf;o  aj;;iiii8t   the  JVurthcrn  and    Canadian  savages. 
We  shall  therefore  have  a  deficit  of  40  or  50,000  guilders. 


Letticu  from  Rkv.  IIkrmants  Blom  to  Dikkctor  Stuyvksant,  rkcjuksting  in  the 

NAME  OF  TIIK  CONSISTORY,  THAT  THE  7tII  OF  Jl'NE  BE  ANNUALLY  OBSERVED  AS  A  DAY 
OF  THANKSGIVING  AT  THE  EsOPUS,  IN  COMMEMORATION  OF  THE  ESCAPE  OF  80  MANY 
PERSONS    FROM    THE    InDIAN    MASSACRE. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Direetor-General  and  the  Honorable  Council  of  New-NetJiei'laiul. 
Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 

Your  lion""''  "Worships  all  know,  that  last  year  1603  on  the  T""  of  June  the  great  God  has  al- 
lowed the  savages  heavily-  to  visit  our  neighbor  hamlet  and  this  place,  whereby  the  one  was  totally 
ruined  and  reduced  to  ashes  and  the  other  partially  destroyed,  in  both  places  several  people  were 
killed,  smothered  in  their  blood  and  wounded,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  animals;  many  of  us 
have  even  been  captured  by  the  heathens  and  led  away  as  prisoners  and  all  this  w-as  done  under 
the  cover  of  friendship  in  an  instant  and  with  great  cruelty,  so  that  it  was  pitiful  and  distressing 
to  look  at,  as  we  did  not  know,  how  it  would  go  with  those  of  us,  who  had  been  spared,  for  Death 
had  come  upon  us  and  into  our  houses  quickly  and  une.xpectedly  to  destroy  the  children  in  their 
cradles,  the  young  men  on  the  streets,  the  dead  bodies  of  men  lay  here  and  there  like  dung  heaps 
on  the  field,  and  the  burnt  and  roasted  corpses  like  sheaves  behind  the  mower.  We  have  been 
living  witnesses  thereof  as  well  as  of  the  distress  of  our  town  and  the  uncertainty  of  our  escape. 
The  heathens  fell  then  into  this  newly  settled  inheritance  of  the  Lord  intending  to  storm  it  at 
once  and  destroy  it,  which  would  have  been  done,  when  they  rose  so  tyrannically  against  us  in  their 
rage  and  fury.  If  the  Lord  had  not  still  been  with  us,  they  would  have  devoured  us  all  alive,  so 
that  the  waters  of  anxiety  rose  daily  up  to  our  souls,  even  went  over  all  our  souls,  but  our  souls 
have  escaped,  like  a  bird  from  the  snare  of  the  bird  catcher  and  in  that  anxiety  the  Lord  has  in- 
creased our  pleading  and  lamenting,  so  that  we  may  say,  where  is  there  in  New-Netlierland  such 
sorrow  as  ours,  with  which  the  Lord  has  visited  us,  for  He  it  is,  who  on  account  of  our  sins  has 
given  up  Jacob,  the  plunderer  and  Israel  the  robber,-  because  we  would  not  walk  in  his  ways  and 
not  listen  to  his  word,  therefore  he  has  emptied  upon  us  the  fullness  of  his  wrath  and  the  fury  of 
war  and  he  has  set  all  around  us  afire,  but  we  pay  no  attention  to  it  and  he  has  made  us  burn, 
but  we  do  not  take  it  to  heart. 

But  from  all  these  needs  and  death,  through  which  we  have  passed,  the  Lord  alone  has  now 
delivered  us,  and  no  man  has  helped,  for  men's  assistance  was  far  from  us,  though  they  got  the 

credit  for  it  and  our  deliveiy so  that  the  Loi-d  revives  the  dead  again 

descend  and  he  comes  up  again,  as  it  has  been  proved,  for  his  mercifulness  knows  no 
end  ;  he  has  said,  mountains  may  move,  hills  may  fall  down,  but  my  mercy  shall  not  be  taken 
from  you,  j'ea,  a  mother  may  desert  her  child  and  forget  it  but  I  shall  never  desert  and  forget  ^'ou, 
for  the     ...   is  broken  and  we  have  escaped,  for  as  long  as  the  Lord  pleases. 

So  that  we  cannot  sufficiently  praise  and  thank  the  good  Lord  every  day  of  our  lives  for  the 
great  mercy  and  benevolence,  which  he  has  shown  us  and  for  the  delivery  from  the  hands  of  these 
heathenish  people,  for  which  peace,  honor  and  thanks  are  due  to  him  only  now  and  in  all  eternity, 
amen. 


374  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  "Worshipful  Consistory  of  this  place  requests  therefore  with  due  humility  and  proper  rev- 
erence of  your  Hon""^  Worships,  that  for  the  merciful  delivery,  brought  about  by  God's  power, 
the  T""  day  of  June  in  every  year,  on  whatever  day  it  may  fall,  shall  be  kept  as  an  anniversary' 
and  thanksgiving  day  in  our  place  and  that  it  be  forbidden  to  do  any  work,  on  that  day,  so  that 
we,  who  have  been  spared  and  are  still  alive,  may  praise  and  thank  his  divine  Majesty  for  it.  "We 
are  sure,  that  your  Hon"'"  "Worships  will  grant  us  this  request,  whereupon  we  rely  and  expect  a 
pertinent  answer  at  that  time,  to  notify  the  community  of  it.  Meanwhile  we  commend  your 
jjQjjbie  Worships  to  God's  gracious  protection  and  shall  not  cease  to  pray  God  for  your  Honors' 
persons  and  administration.  "We  wish  your  Hon*'^  Worships  all  blessings,  good  luck,  welfare  and 
peace  for  soul  and  body,  amen. 

Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Pious  and  "Verj^  Discreet  Gentlemen 

Your  Honors'  Very  obedient  subjects  and  servants 
The  6'"  of  May  1664,  at  ^iltwyck. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Consistory. 
Heemanus  Blom. 
To  the  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet,  their  Honors, 

the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherlwnd  at  Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  Manhatans. 


Lease  of  land  in  Schenectady. 

This  IS""  of  May  1664  Maritie  Ileyndertsen,  widow  of  Jan  Barentsen  Wemp  dec*,  declares 
to  have  let  and  Aeckes  Comelissen  {van  Style)  acknowledges  to  have  rented  half  of  the  bouwery, 
belonging  to  both  of  them  in  company,  situate  at  Schenechtede,  upon  which  he,  Acques,  lives. 
The  lease  to  be  for  the  term  of  four  consecutive  years  beginning  this  day  or  with  the  present 
sowing-time  and  the  rent  to  be  1 80fl.  in  beavers  or  corn  at  beaver  price  (the  beaver  at  Sfl.)  for  each 
year,  every  time  to  be  paid  promptly  without  delay  and  deliverable  at  Scheneehtade. 

It  is  further  conditioned,  that  the  lessee  shall  keep  for  his  use  during  his  term  a  stallion  and 
a  gelding,  the  risk  for  them  remaining  with  the  lessor;  except  if  the  horses  should  die  or  be  ruined 
by  a  notorious  neglect  of  the  lessee,  then  he  shall  pay  for  them. 

Next  spring  two  milchcows  with  yearling  calves,  shall  be  turned  over  to  the  lessee,  which  cows 
and  possibly  to  be  expected  calves  the  lessee  shall  keep  during  his  term  of  lease  on  half  shares 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  land. 

The  lessee  promises  to  put  into  the  ground  at  the  end  of  his  term  as  much  seed  grain  as  he 
has  now  already  sown  in  partnership  with  the  lessor  and  is  still  sowing  and  of  which  each  shall 
have  a  just  half,  sharing  in  the  expenses  alike,  whOe  during  the  other  years  of  his  lease  the  lessee 
shall  retain  the  products  of  the  land  for  himself. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  ■ 

Done  at  Colony  liensselaerswyck,  date  as  above. 

The  mark  ^i —   of  ]\[AETriE  Meyndertsen 

Aenout  Coenelissen  Viele 
Jan  Coenelissen  van  dee  Heyden. 
On  the  12""  July  1669  Bent  Bagge  let  his  house  and  lot  at  Schenectady  to  Jan  Binckhout 
for  one  year.     Rent  9  good  beavers. 


New  Ywh  Historical  Records.  375 

Articles  of  the  peace,  >rAiiE  with  the  Esopus  Indians. 

On  tlic  15"'  of  May  \WA,  Tlmrsday,  tlio  following  Sachemfl  or 
cliicfs  of  tlio  savages  appeared  in  the  Council  Chamber  at 
Fort  Amsterdam : 

Seweckenamo,  Onaglcotin,  Powsawagh,  chiefs  of  the  Esopus,, 

t Sees-Sagh-Gauw,  chief  of  the  Wap^mighs, 

Meeght  Seioakes,  chief  of  Kighteioangh, 

Ses-SegJi-IIout,  chief  of  Itewechnongh  or  Iliwerstraw, 

Sauwenarocque,  chief  of  Wiechqua«Jiecl\ 

Oratamy,  chief  of  IlaokingkesacJcy  and  Tappaeii, 

Maiteno,  chief  of  the  iSfati'n- Island  and  Nayack  savages, 

Siejjpekenouw,  brother  of  Tajausagh,  chief  of  Marsepingh  etc* 

with  about  twenty  other  savages  of  that  tribe. 
Seweckenamo  arose  and  said  in  belialf  of  the  Esopus  savages  substantially,  that  he  had  asked 
his  God  (whom  he  called  Bachtaino  and  to  whom  he  appealed  several  times  as  a  witness  to  grant),  that 
he  might  negotiate  something  good  with  the  Dutch  in  presence  of  all  the  chiefs  now  here  and  that 
the  treaty  made  might  be  as  solid  as  in  a  stick,  which  he  took  hold  of,  one  end  was  attached  and 
firmly  united  to  the  other. 

2.  He  proposes  and  says,  that  all  the  chiefs  and  tribes  in  the  neighborhood,  as  far  as  the 
Maqxiaes,  are  well  satisfied  and  pleased,  that  the  peace  between  the  Esopus  and  the  Dutcli  is  to  be 
concluded  and  that  the  2farsepingh  savages  shall  be  included  in  it. 

3.  That  the  chiefs  and  savages  present  have  now  heard,  what  he  has  proposed  and  said,  which 
is  all  that  he  has  to  say  for  the  present. 

As  this  chief  had  so  far  not  said  in  his  speech,  that  the  Esopnis  savages  asked  for  peace,  but 
only,  that  all  the  savages  would  be  glad,  if  the  peace  between  us  and  the  Esopus  was  made  and 
concluded,  therefore  the  said  chief  and  the  other  savages  were  asked  by  the  interpreter,  whether 
they  wanted  peace  now  and  came  to  ask  for  it. 

The  chief  Seweckenamo  answered  in  substance,  that  he  had  come  to  ask  for  peace  in  behalf 
of  the  Esopus  and  that  it  should  be  henceforth  so  firm  and  binding  as  the  arms,  which  he  folded  ; 
he  gave  then  his  right  hand  to  the  General  and  said,  that  he  meant  sincerely,  what  he  had  said 
and  it  was  also  the  intention  and  desire  of  all  the  Esopus,  in  whose  name  he  spoke. 

2.  The  chief  was  asked,  why,  if  all  the  Esopus  desired  peace,  all  the  chiefs  of  the  Esopus 
had  not  come,  to  wit:  Keercop,  Pamyrawech,  and  JViska/iewan,  and  what  proof  they  could  give, 
that  these  chiefs  and  the  other  savages  desired  peace  also. 

He  answei-s,  that  one  of  these  chiefs  is  a  very  old  and  blind  man  and  the  other  two  are  his 
friends,  who  have  given  him  their  instructions  and  are  satisfied  with  all,  that  he  shall  say  and 
conclude. 

After  hearing  the  foregoing  answer,  it  was  unanimously  resolved,  to  teU  the  Esopus  savages, 
that  they  had  made  peace  with  us  before  this  and  that  they  had  broken  it  without  cause  or  reason  ; 
that  nevertheless,  as  they  have  now  returned  all  our  prisoners  and  got  back  from  us  all  theirs  and 
as  they  now  asked  iis  for  peace,  we  would  make  peace  with  them,  but  on  conditions,  which  we 
shall  propose. 

The  above  was  stated  to  them  in  detail  by  the  inteijireter,  who  gave  them  also  a  short  account 
of  all  what  they  had  done  formerly  and  again  now  lately  ;  tliey  acknowledged  all  this  to  be  the 
tnith  without  any  contradiction  whatever.     They  were  further  reminded,  that  notwithstanding  all 


376  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

this  we  were  inclined  to  make  peace  at  theii-  request  and  to  keep  it,  if  we  could  be  assured,  that 
they  would  also  keep  it  on  their  side. 

They  answered,  that  henceforth  they  would  keep  the  peace  inviolate  and  the  foUowine;  condi- 
tions were  proposed : 

Terms  and  Conditions,  on  which  a  firm  and  everlasting  peace 
has  been  made  and  concluded  between  their  Noble  Honors, 
Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director-General  and  the  Council  of  New- 
Netherland  and  the  Sachems  or  chiefs  of  the  Eaopus  savages. 


All,  that  has  happened  formerly,  shall  be  forgiven  and  forgotten  and  not  be  remembered 
again :  the  people  killed  and  gone  on  either  side  shall  and  must  be  forgotten. 


All  the  land,  which  they  have  previously  given  to  the  Dutch  in  payment  of  losses,  caused  by 
them,  and  which  we  have  now  retaken  with  the  sword  shall  be  and  remain  ours  as  far  as  their  two 
captured  forts,  they  shall  not  be  allowed  to  plant  this  land  again  nor  to  come  into  the  villages 
there  nor  into  any  of  our  distant  places,  neither  with  nor  without  arms,  except  here  to  the  Man- 
hatans  and  to  Fort  Orcunge. 

3. 

But  that  they  may  not  be  entirely  deprived  of  their  land,  they  shall  have  permission  to  plant 
around  their  new  fort  and  during  this  year  also  near  the  old  fort,  as  they  inform  ns,  that  they 
have  already  planted  there :  but  after  that  the  land  taken  by  the  sword,  as  well  around  the  new 
fort  as  near  the  old,  shall  be  and  remain  ours. 

To  prevent  all  troubles  in  the  future,  the  savages  shall  do  no  harm  to  om*  people  nor  our 
people  to  them  and  it  is  covenanted,  that  no  savage  shall  be  allowed  to  come  either  armed  or 
unarmed,  as  was  said  in  the  second  section,  upon  land,  where  the  Dutch  are  ploughing,  sowing, 
mowing,  planting  or  pasturing  cattle  neither  at  the  Esopiis  nor  elsewhere  and  if  they  are  found 
there  and  caught,  they  shall  be  sent  hither.  It  is  however  conceded  to  them,  that  they  may  come 
to  the  Redouht  to  sell  their  corn,  meat  etc'',  but  not  more  than  at  the  highest  2  or  3  canoes,  pro- 
vided that  they  shall  be  obliged,  to  send  a  savage  with  a  flag  of  truce  ahead,  who  is  to  give  infor- 
mation of  their  coming.  For  their  better  accommodation  a  house  shall  be  built  for  them  over 
the  kil,  where  they  can  remain. 

6. 

K  it  should  happen,  that  a  Dutchman  killed  a  savage  or  a  savage  a  Dutchman,  then  it  is 
covenanted,  that  no  war  shall  immediately  be  begun  on  that  account,  but  that  a  meeting  shall  first 
be  held  over  it  and  the  murderer  shall  be  punished  by  death  in  presence  of  the  Dtitch  and  savages. 

6. 
It  is  also  covenanted,  that  if  an  Esopus  savage  .should  happen  to  kill  some  horses,  cattle,  pigs 
etc^,  the  chiefs  shall  have  to  pay  for  it  or  if  they  refuse,  one  of  them  shall  be  arrested  and  kept 
in  prison,  until  the  killed  animal  has  been  paid  for,  and  the  loser  satisfied,  while  the  Director-Gen- 
eral on  the  other  side  promises,  that  no  Dutchman  shall  do  any  damage  to  the  Esopus  savages. 

7. 
The  chief  of  Marsepingh  and  all  his  savages  are  included  in  this  peace. 


New  Yarh  Historical  Records.  377 


The  afuiTsaid  Esoptifi  Sucheins  engMjjjc  llu'uit^L'lvi's  to  liave  \\w.>ni  articles  of  ])cacc  ratilif(l  liy 
tlie  other  Etsoptis  Sachems  and  savages,  to  iiifonii  us  thereof  within  a  montii  and  come  liither  with 
the  other  Sachems. 

It. 

It  is  also  covenanted,  that  they  or  sonic  of  their  people  shall  conic  down  lierc  every  year,  to 
renew  this  compact  and  that,  if  they  bring  a  present,  we  shall  also  give  them  one. 

Thus  done  and  concluded  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  the  16"'  of  May  A"  1664 
in  presence  of  his  Noble  Worshi])  the  Director-General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  Hon''"'  Mr.  de  Sille, 
of  both  the  Burgomasters  of  this  city,  their  Honors  Cornells  Steenwyck  and  Paulus  Leendertsen 
van  der  Grist,  of  Captain  Lieutenant  Marten  Cregier,  Lieutenant  Couwenhoven,  Oovert  Loocker- 
mans,  old  Schepen,  and  Thomas  Chambers,  Commissary  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  Jacob  Backer 
President  of  the  Schepens,  Abraham  Wilmerdonx  junior,  Saara  J.  Kiersteede  as  interpreter  and 
the  aforesaid  chiefs  and  savages. 

The  mark        \^        made  by  P.  Stuyvesant 

Skweckenajio  >y  hiiusclf 

The  mark  made  by  NiCAsros  de  Sille 

Pawsawagh    <^  himself.  C.  V.  Rutven. 
As  inteqjreter  and  witness  As  witnesses 

Saka  Kieesteede  Cok.  Steenwyck 

GOVEET    LOOCKEEMANS  P.  L.  VAN  DEE  GeIST 

Pietee  Couwenhoven  J.  Backee 

Thomas  Chambees  Abe.  Wilmeedonj. 

Maetitj  Keegiee. 
U^j^  Maeehinnie  tuwee 

Whereas  Oratamy  and  Mati^no  have  asked  first  for  this  peace  in  behalf  of  the  Esopus 
savages,  it  is  further  stipulated  and  covenanted,  that  they  shall  be  securities  for  this  peace,  that  it 
be  kept  well  and  inviolate  and  if  the  Esopns  savages  should  be  the  first  to  break  it,  that  they  and 
their  savages  shall  then  assist  to  make  war  upon  the  Esopiis  and  to  subdue  them  and  should  the 
Dutch  at  any  time  violate  the  aforesaid  peace,  then  they  shall  go  to  war  with  all  tlieir  men  against 
the  Dutch.  Thus  done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland,  the  16"'  of  May  1664  in  presence 
of  the  above-named  witnesses,  who  have  signed  this  in  testimony  thereof. 

Peteus  Stuyvesant 

Maetyn  Keegiee  The  mark    /    made  by 

CoE.  Steenwyck  Otatam     V'  himself 

P.  L.  VAN  DEE  GkIST 

The  maik  \y\JX/  made 
by  Mattexo  himself. 

The  mark    n^  made  by 
Hans  alias  Pieweseeenves  himself 


48 


srs 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Pkoposals  of  the  Mohawks  at  Foet  Orange  with  the  answers. 


(Much  defaced.  Words  in  [  ] 

Present 

La  Montayne,  Vice-Director 

Gerret  Swart,  Sellout  of  the  Colony 

Jan  Verbeeck 

Gerret  SUchtenkorst 

Stoffel  Jansen 

Jacob  Schermerhorn 

Jan  II.  van  £ael,  Jan  Coster  van  Aken. 


supplied  by  the  translator.) 

Extraordinary  Session 
held  at  Fort  Orange 
by  both  the  Courts 
with  the  Maquaas  on 
the  17"^  of  May  1664, 
in  which  they  made  the 
following  statements. 


The  Maqiiaas 
have  shown  7  strings    . 
shall  send  provisions 
to  [ransom]  their  prisoners 
should  take  notice 
arrival  and  the  news 

who  have  come  thither  [to  learn  whether  the  prisoners]  were  alive  and  they  reported,  that  the  3Ia- 
quaas  who  are  [prisoners]  of  the  aforesaid  savages  are  still  alive  and  may  be  ransomed,  which  [is 
at  the  same  time]  a  good  chance  to  make  peace  with  the  [Northern]  savages  under  the  condition, 
that  the  Dutch  shall  at  the  request  of  the  [savages  ?]  send  [messengers]  thither  together  with  the 
Maquaas  and  the  .  .  .  ,  in  order  to  make  [peace]  and  as  their  know[ledge  is]  necessary, 
therefore  they  request  ....  the  Courts,  that  two  Dutchmen  might  be  given  to  for  them, 
to  wit  [Jan  DaretK\  and  Jacob  Loockermans,  whereupon  the  said  Jan  Dareth  and  Jacob  Loocher- 
mans  were  called  before  the  Court,  who  have  undertaken  to  make  the  journey  and  left  on  the 
18'"  inst.  The  Courts  gave  them  a  letter  of  safe  conduct  in  token  of  their  knowledge  and  media- 
tors' office  and  two  strings  of  wampum,  worth  about  50  florins,  as  a  present  for  the  Northern 
savages. 

Whereas  the  savages,  called  Maquaas,  have  very  urgently  requested,  that  we  should  [endeavor 
to  make  peace  between  that]  tribe  and  the  said  Maquaas  [and  send  some]  Mahicanders  to  the 
Northern  savages,  called  Onconntehocks,  to  procure  the  release  of  the  Maquaas,  who  have  been 
captured  by  the  said  savages,  and  to  assist  them  in  every  thing  and  do  what  the  circumstances 
shall  require  to  conclude  a  peace,  therefore  we  have  commissioned  and  dispatched  S"^.  Jan  Dareth 
and  JcKob  Loock£r7nans  as  mediators.  We  reqtiest  all,  who  shall  read  or  hear  this  read  to  let  our 
said  messengers  pass  to  and  fro  without  let  or  hindrance  and  jiromise  to  do  the  same,  if  occasion 
ofi'ers.     Thus  done  at  Fort  Orange  the  17'"  of  May  1664:,  at  the  meeting  of  the  two  Courts. 

La  Montagne, 
Gekkit  Swaet, 

Schout  of  the  Colony. 


New    York-  Historical  Jxrconh.  379 

Present 

La  Montague,  Vice-Director  Extniordiiiury  yei^biuii 

Gerret  Swart,  Sellout  of  the  Colony.  lield  at  Fort  Orange 

Jan  Verbeeck  by  both  the  Courts 

Stqfel  Janssen  in   presence  of  the  Ma- 

Jacob  Schermerhorn  quaas  on  the 

Jan  Jlendrickiien  van  Bad  1064,  who  made  tlie 

Jan  van  Aken  following  propositions : 

Derick  van  Schdluyne,  Secretary  of  the  Colony. 
They  say  that  ....... 

and  Smcquackicks         ....  .  . 

three  Maquaas  ....... 

are  and  request  ....... 

live,  that  two  or  three  ...... 

together  with  tliree  of  their  ...... 

to  procure  the  release  of  the  prisoners  and  negotiate  a  ])eace  with  the  aforesaid  savages,  but  if  the 

same  have  fled  to  the  Pacamteho  [they  are  not]  willing  to  make  peace,  if  fled  to  the  Onnogonges, 

they  will  make  peace,  for  which  purpose     ....     go  with  them,  [to  treat]  with  the  English. 
They  request,  that  we  should     ....     the  Mahicanders,  if  in  case  of  war  or  peace  [not 

being  made]  they  should  leave  here,  but  in  the  [manner],  to  which  they  are  used. 

They  ask  further  for  the  three  expected  \^Mahicanders]  which  they  understand  have  come 

here  and  wish  to  know,  whether  it  is  true,  so  that  they  may  speedily  send  word  to  their  people  in 

their  country. 

The  Maquaas  speak  in  our  presence  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Katskil  savages,  Machackine- 

inanati,  Keesje  Wey  and  Wichpe ;  they  remind  them  of  the  peace,  in  which  they  live  with  all 

the  tribes  of  the     .      .   and  along  the  river  as  far  as  the  South  river  and  they  request  the  said 

savages,  that  they  give  their  assistance  to  obtain  peace  with  the  Northern  savages,  for  war  is  now 

inconvenient  to  them  and  they  prefer  to  live  in  peace. 

Answer  to  the  Maquaas. 

As  soou  as  the  three  2£ahicande)'s,  of  whom  you  say  they  are  out,  have  arrived,  we  will 
inform  yon,  what  news  they  bring  and  see  what  we  have  to  do. 

your  request,  the  Mahicanders  remain, 
communicated  to  you,  several 

two  pieces  of  ordnance  have  been  received,  which     .  .  .as 

you  wish. 

"We  shall  also  take  notice  of  what  you  have  said  to  the  Katskil  savages  in  regard  to  peace. 
Eeesje  ^yey  appeared  before  the  meeting  and  presented  a  string  of  wampum  in  grateful  return 
for  the  gift,  which  the  Dutch  had  given  him  last  autumn,  as  we  had  done  our  best  concerning  the 
peace. 

They  also  request  Jan  Dareth,  to  tell  the  Maquaas,  that  they  will  give  them  a  present  and 
whereas  they  have  been  informed,  that  the  Maquaas  would  come  hither,  they  are  saved  the  trouble, 
to  go  into  their  country. 


380 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


[Proposals  made  by  both  the  Courts  at  the  request  of  the  Sachems 


and  several  citizens  of  Fort  Orcmge.l     (^Translated  by  Vander 


Donck.) 


1.  They  say  that 
passing  tlirough 
their  enemies 
tliat  we  should 
done  formerl}',  when 
shall  be  necessary 

Secondly.  That  they  [were  bringing]  23  strings  of  wampum  as  a  present  and  to  confirm 
[the  peace]  and  it  now  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Northern  savages,  whether  they  would  keep  the 
peace  or  not. 

Thirdly.    They  request  also,  that  we  should  assist  them  with  wampum. 

Answer  to  the  foregoing. 

Brothers,  we  are  glad,  that  you  intend  to  make  peace  with  the  Northern  savages,  because 
[they]  and  our  brothers  have  lost  many  of  their  best  men  by  the  small-pox  as  well  as  by  war. 

Seeonilly.  The  present  of  23  strings  of  wampum  is  ver}'  good,  if  you,  brothers,  will  keep 
the  peace,  but  it  will  not  help  you  otherwise,  if  you  break  it  again,  because  the  Dutch  and  the 
have  done  their  best  herein  and  should  it  occur,  then  you  make  us  liars  and  deceivers; 
you  must  do  no  harm  to  the  Northern  savages,  as  you  have  threatened  this  day,  but  live  like  broth- 
ers in  peace  with  the  people  of  the  North  and  they     .      .      .     here  among  you. 


JouENAL  OF  Jan  Daeeth  and  Jacob  Loockeemans,  commissioners  to  negotiate  a 
peace  between  the  Maquaas  and  the  Northern  Indians. 


Copy.  Journal  kept  by  Jan  Dareth  and  Jacob  Looclcermans 

on  their  journey  to  the  Northern  savages. 

166-lr,  19""  May.]  We,  Jan  Dareth  a.x\A  Jacob  LoocJcermans,  started  with  our  savages,  three  Mahi- 
canders  and  three  Maquaes  for  the  North. 

On  Monday  morning  we  came  to  a  little  kil  near  the  Castle  Pa  ha\'ing  made,  as  we 

judged,  about  7  leagues     ....     our  course  being  north. 

Tuesday,  the  20"^  we  broke  camp  before  sunrise,  taking  a  south  easterly  course  until  [after- 
noon ?,  when  we  changed  it]  to  south  by  east ;  we  made  this  day  about  ....  and  slept  the 
night  at  some  ....  called  Hoossick,  by  the  Maquaas  ....  place  QuackansicTc,  these 
two  days  ...  able  to  go,  but  our  first  Sachem  could  not  get  along  up  the  three  hills  .  .  . 
We  passed  also  three  great  kills. 

Wednesday,  the  21''  we  started  again  with  daybreak  and  arrived  at  noon  at  the  Winterberg, 
wiiere  it  rained  at  the  foot  and  when  after  a  good  hour's  climbing  and  plodding  arrived  at  the  top 
the  rain  changed  to  snow ;  we  became  so  cold,  that  we  had  to  keep  marching  ;  it  was  very  steep, 
steeper  still  in  going  down  ;  about  three  o'clock  we  arrived  below.  We  made  this  day  as  we  cal- 
culated about  11  or  12  leagues,  the  course  being  south  east,  sometimes  .  .  .  We  crossed  this 
day  4  large  kills  and  camped  in  the  evening  on  the  bank  of  a  spring,  from  where  the  saviiges  said, 

it  was  only     ....     to  tlie  Castle,  called  by  the  savages  Facamtekock the  first 

village  called  by  the  English  Narington. 


2^ew  Yoih  Jlistorical  Jieconh.  .*581 

Tluirscliiy,  the  22''.  we  went  atiain  over  vcrv  bad  and  .^tocp  hills  ;  we  ai'iived  at  the  Castle  at 
4  oV'.  and  were  well  received  aeft>rdiii<^  t()  tlieir  customs  ;  un  the  day  before  10  Kntjllnhincn 
mounted  on  horses  liad  been  tliere  and  had  charged  the  savages,  to  [inforin  them  when  we  came], 
wliich  was  quickly  done  by  tiie  Sacliem. 

Friday,  the  23''.  five  EmjUshnun  came  to  us,  ^Ir.  C/ercl;  'Mv.   WitteiiK,  Mr.     .     .     .  and  two 
young  men  who  came  from  Iladlc,  the  village  liighest  up  on  the  Freshriver,  with  whom  we  dis- 
coursed mucii  and  we  showed  them  our  commission,  in  the  evening  (juite  a  innnber     .... 
came     ....     and  we  got  60  far,  that  in  the  morning 
The  Eitgllsfi  come  from  the  neaiest  village     .     .     .     .1-1:  miles  from  here. 

.  liad  come  to  us  and  liave  .  .  .  liaving  seen  the  same  they  went  out 
.  asked  what  the  reason  was  .  .  .  stating  in  answer  '  .  .  .to 
make  peace  between  the  3fatjuaas  and  their  savages  ....  whereupon  they  said,  that 
.  .  .  .  they  had  promised  and  it  was  their  duty  to  do  herein  ....  inttircsted  in  it  as 
cm-  .  .  .  in  tlie  land,  bouweries,  raising  of  cattle  .  .  .  interested  in  the  trade  with  the 
savages  .  .  .  desire  to  .  .  .  and  come  to  [persuade]  our  savages  to  make  peace  .  .  .  sureties 
for  the  peace  .  .  .  doubt  wliether  the  J/fff^i^ftcs  who  [live]  among  you  [shall]  keep  their  word 
the  reply  to  which  was  yon  must  have  confidence  in  them  and  he  closed  by  saying,  that  it  was  in 
his  interest  to  liave  the  savages  meet.  The  first  [proposition]  made  by  Mr.  Wittens  was  :  The 
Dutch  and  the  Maquas  come  to  olfer  }-ou  peace,  to  forget  all  that  has  been  done  and  to  make  a 
firm  covenant  with  you  :  we  have  no  doubts,  for  we  know,  that  tlie  Maquaes  hold  to  their  word 
and  we  desire,  that  you  should  make  peace  with  them  or  leave  our  land  and  if  [on  your  account] 
we  shall  have  to  go  to  war,  we  will  get  rid  of  you  and  kill  you. 

They  also  s;iid,  the  Maquaes  have  always  been  faithful  to  the  Dutch  and  our  nation,  as  they 
proved  at  the  ArgansH'l',  when  we  had  a  war  with  the  savages  about  30  years  ago  ;  I  myself  was 
pi'esent  there  at  the  time  ;  now  make  peace  when  it  is  offered  you. 

The  Pacamtekocks  answered.  We  have  had  no  war  for  36  years  and  have  not  troubled  our- 
selves about  our  neighbors,  the  SoqtcacJcicls,  when  the  Maquaes  were  at  war  with  them  last  year. 
Let  them  send  us  a  present,  then  we  will  release  their  prisoners  and  bring  a  present  to  their  country, 
thus  to  renew  our  old  friendship.  This  was  agreed  to  and  they  promised  to  do  it.  Thereupon 
the  savages  left  and  we  sent  for  the  SoquacJciclc  chiefs,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  the  aforesaid  Cas- 
tle, to  the  number  of  35  or  36 :  we  talked  long  with  them  to  induce  them  to  make  peace,  for  the 
war  had  been  brought  on  by  them  and  they  were  uo\v  too  weak,  to  have  [a  chance]  against  the 
Maquaes. 

The  Maquaes  messengers  said,  you  have  acted     .  .     like   fools,  the  Onoqanqes,  our   real 

enemies,  have  [instigated]  you     .     .     .     people  you  have  killed      .      .      .     thence  came     .     .. 
friends  the  Dutch     ...     to  make  peace  with  you     .     .     .     whereupon  the  English     .     .     . 
to  take  it  into  consideration     .     .     .     because  they  wanted  [to  keep]  the  Sabbath     ....     to 
make  [peace]  or  [leave]  their  land     .     .     .     about  midnight. 

Saturday  2i"'  the  whole  day     ...     to  [pei'suade]  the  savages  to  make  peace     .     .     .     savages 
met  and  about     .     .     .     whether  we  might  not  come  uj)     .     .       .      coming  to  us,  he  said.  Good 
.     .     .     it  being  Sunda}',  to  conclude  the  treaty     .     .     .     the  Z'wifA,  about  two  o'clock     . 
have  treated  us  with  much  kindness     .      .      .      the  same  evening  before  closing  the  gate  . 
Maquaes  messenger  with  his  wife     .      .      .     mm  away,  the  reason  why  is      .      .     .     we  believe 
it  was  because  he  was  afraid  for  his  wife     .     .     .     Sunday  25""  About  eleven  o'clock 
we  met  and  concluded  the  treaty     .     .     .     presents  given  according  to  their  custom,  also     .     .     . 


382  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Miver. 

given  a  belt  of  wanipnm,  that  we  slionld  be  witnesses  to  the  peace  now  made  and  keep  the 
M\aq}iaes]  from  breaking  it  as  they  promise  to  do  the  same.  On  the  same  day  at  two  o'clock  we 
left  the  Castle,  [escorted  by  the  chief-Sachem  and  many  others,  [who  came]  with  us  to  the 
first  moimtain  and  took  leave  of  us  very  kindly  after  we  had  together  smoked  a  pipe  of  tobacco 
.  .  .  .  with  us  14  savages,  who  went  along  ....  the  three  prisoners  shall  be  released 
as  soon  as  the  Maquaes  come  with  more  presents  ....  they  are  treated  well,  not  as  pris- 
oners, but  as  visiting  friends. 

We  camped  that  night  upon  a  [branch]  of  the  Fresh  river  near  a  fall,  where  the  [fishes] 
jumped  up  in  such  cjuantities,  while  we  were  close  by,  that  [the  savages]  made  their  nets  ready ; 
we  had  [plenty]  to  do  [with  fishing]  as  long  as  we  were  there  and  caught  [some]  fishes  of  28 
inches  length,  [we  would]  have  caught  more,  but  the  rain  prevented  us. 

.  .  .  we  continued  our  march  about  noon  .  .  .  high  mountains,  about  5  o'c.  the  same  . 
.  .  .  between  one  of  the  Maquaes  messengers  after  the  troop  ...  to  see  in  a  savage,  in 
his  fright  he  threw  all  his  things  away  and  came  running  in  full  haste  up  to  us  ..  .  .  with 
their  nniskets  in  that  direction  but  [they  found  nothing]  and  he  went  to  pick  iip  his  things  after 
which  we  travelled  on. 

.     .     .     We  continued  our  march  and  nothing  happened  this  day. 

SS"".  Again  on  the  march  we  reached  at  about  10  o'c.  in  the  morning  the  river  above  the  Cahoos 
and  in  the  afternoon  we  arrived  here  in  Beoerwyck  with  several  Northern  savages  to  the  great  sat- 
isfaction of  the  Dutch  and  savages. 

Jan  Dareth, 
Jacob  Loockermans. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  authorities  at  Fort  Orange; 
transmits  the  articles  of  peace  concluded  wrrH  the  Esopus  Indians  ; 

the  new  village  at  the  Esopus;  Schenectady. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

This  letter  serves  principally  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  articles  of  peace,  made  with  the  Esopus 
savages,  which,  we  send  your  Honors  for  communication  to  the  community,  that  they  may  govern 
themselves  by  the  tenor  thereof.  Now,  as  upon  occasion  of  this  peace  we  have  deemed  it  proper 
and  necessary  (for  the  encouragement  of  the  pai'ties  desirous  and  interested  in  the  new  village  on 
the  Esopus  to  take  possession  again  of  their  abandoned  lands)  to  erect  there  a  stockaded  place  of 
refuge  and  to  keep  there  provisionally  one  half  of  the  garrison  of  Wiltioyck,  and  as  we  recpiire 
thereto  some  hemlocks  plancks,  your  Honors  are  hereby  directed  and  authorized  to  buy  from  one 
or  the  other  party  300  to  400  plancks  and  to  ])ay  for  them  by  an  order  on  the  farmer  of  the  excise, 
or  if  he  has  better  means  to  get  plancks  instead  of  wampum,  then  to  take  the  plancks  from 
him  at  the  common  market  price  and  to  send  them  down  to  the  Esoj)us  by  the  first  convenient 
chance,  directed  to  Capt.  Lieut.  Marten  Cregier,  to  whom  we  have  sent  the  necessary  ordei-s,  to 
have  the  fortification  quickly  completed.  In  case  there  are  no  plancks  to  be  obtained  or  that  a 
cargo  could  not  be  made  up,  your  Honors  are  earnestlj-^  charged  not  to  fail  in  the  utmost  endcavoi-s, 
that  they  can  be  sent  down  by  the  first  yacht  following. 

At  the  request  of  the  parties  interested  in  Schanectede  the  surveyor  Cortetjou  goes  up  here- 
with, to  survey  and  lay  out  the  lands  in  the  manner  most  convenient  to  the  parties  in  interest. 
Your  Plonors  are  directed  to  take  care  and  assist,  that  it  may  be  done  as  quickly  as  possible  and 


jVew  York  Jli.sforical  J,\c(>r'l'<.  383 

that  tlio  sjiid  Cortcljoii  returns  hero  by  the  first  c-lmiu-e,  for  tlirre  arc  hero  several  people  waiting 
for  him  to  have  their  lands  surveyed. 

This  letter  serves  further  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  ])roclani:i,ti()n  for  a  general  day  of  thanks- 
giving on  account  of  the  successful  peace  and  especially  for  God's  signal  grace,  which  he  has 
shown  us  during  the  war  with  the  A^^ojrus  savages  in  delivering  all  the  ("hristian  captives  from  the 
hands  of  the  barbarians  against  all  human  hope  and  expectation.  Your  Honors  will  deliver  it  to 
Domine  iSc/iaat^,  after  taking  a  copy,  that  he  comniuuicate  it  from  the  altar  to  the  conummity. 

(Rest  missing.) 


OrDKR    directing    THK    SriiVKYOlt   TO    LAY    our   THK    LANDS    OF    ScUANUEGnTEDE. 

20"'  May  16(U. 

Having  taken  up  again  the  answer  given  to  the  petition  of  the  parties  interested  in  the  lands 
of  Schanhegatede,  dated  the  17'"  of  April,  the  surveyor  S'.  Jacques  Corteljou  was  directed,  to 
proceed  by  the  firet  yacht,  sailing  from  here,  to  Fort  Orange,  to  lay  out  the  lands  in  question  in 
the  most  convenient  and  suitable  manner  for  the  accommodation  of  the  interested  parties  and 
allot  to  every  one  his  share.  In  cases  of  disputes  between  neighboi's,  the  said  Corteljou  and  the 
Commissary  La  Montague  are  authorized,  to  reconcile  the  parties  and  if  that  cannot  be  done,  to 
report  his  information  and  the  circumstances  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  jVew-Neth- 
erland.     Actimi  Fort  Amsterdam  in  JVeiu-JYet/ierla?id,  the  20"*  of  May  A°.  1664. 


Grant  of  a  piece  of  land  at  Beegen  to  Arent  Lawrensen. 

The  petition  of  Arent  Lawrensen,  residing  at  Bergen,  was  taken  up  and  read,  who  requests, 
that  a  piece  of  low  land,  close  to  his  plantation,  may  be  given  and  granted  to  him ;  he  exhibits 
besides  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  village  of  Bergen,  whereby  it  appears,  that  the  Court 
there  has  promised  it  to  liim  subject  to  approval. 

It  was  decided 

The  petitioner  may  have  the  said  pior-eof  low  land  surveyed  by  the  surveyor  and  after  that  a 
patent  shall  be  granted  to  him.     Actum  Fort  Amsterdam,  ady  ui  siq^ra.     (29'"  May  1661-.) 


Proclamation  for  a  day  of  thanksgiving  on  account  of  the  peace  with  the 
Esopus  and  circclar  communicating  it  to  the  Magistrates  throughout  the 

COUNTRY. 

As  it  has  pleased  the  Only-good  God  in  his  especial  mere}'  to  deliver  all  the  Christian  prison- 
ers out  of  the  barbarian's  hands  against  all  human  expectation  and  to  give  and  grant  us  with  their 
release  an  honest  and  advantageous  peace  with  the  Fsopus  savages,  it  is  not  only  becoming,  but 
also  very  necessary,  that  the  Only -good  God  be  thanked  and  praised  for  it  not  only  by  the  released 
Christians,  but  also  by  all  and  everybody,  ■n-ho  have  so  long  oflered  to  God  their  prayers  for  the 
prisoners.     That  this  may  be  done  so  much  better  and  with  so  much  more  unity,  the  Christian  com- 


384  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

munity  is  hereby  informed,  that  by  order  of  our  high  superiors  we  shall  close  the  usual  monthly 
days  of  prayer  with  a  general  da}'  of  thanksgiving  to  be  held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June, 
that  is  the  fourth  day  of  that  month,  when  a  sermon  will  be  preached  here  in  the  fore  and  after- 
noon.    Every  one  prepare  his  heart  to  be  truly  and  sincerely  grateful. 

Here  ibllows  the  letter  sent  to  communicate  the  order  for  a  day  of  thanksgiving : 
Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends  : 

This  serves  only  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  proclamation  for  a  general  day  of  thanksgiving  as 
well  on  account  of  the  desired  peace  as  specially  for  God's  signal  mercy,  which  he  has  shown  us 
during  the  war  with  the  Esopus  savages  in  delivering  all  the  captive  Christians  out  of  the  hands 
of  the  barbarians  contrary  to  all  human  hope  and  expectation  :  After  perusing  the  said  notifica- 
tion you  will  deliver  the  same  to  the  reverend  ministers  of  God's  word,  that  it  may  by  them 
be  commimicated  from  the  altar  to  the  community.  Whereupon  relying  we  commend  you  to 
God's  gracious  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings. 

Your  affectionate  Friends 
The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netlierlamd 
Actum,  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New-Wetherland,  the  31'"  May  A°  1664. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Rev.  IIeneicus  Selyns  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Lack  OF  Ministers  ;  Sad  state  of  affairs  in  New-Netherl  and;  June  9  1664.* 
Domine  Samuel  Megapolensis  arrived  in  safety,  but  Domine  War7ierus  Hudson,  who  was 
sent  by  your  Rev.  body  as  minister  for  the  South  river,  died  on  the  passage.  It  is  necessary  to 
provide  a  minister  in  his  place,  as  the  children  remain  unbajjtized  since  the  death  of  Dom.  Weliits, 
as  well  as  on  account  of  the  diversity  of  sentiment  jjrevailing  there;  there  being  some  who  speak 
disrespectfully  of  the  sacred  scriptures.  Besides  there  is  among  the  Swedes  a  certain  Lutheran 
minister,  who  leads  an  unchristian  life  and  a  person  who  has  chosen  the  Lutheran  ministry  after 
first  having  been  a  schoolmaster  which  doubtless  would  have  done  no  great  injury  to  the  sheep 
wandering  without  a  shepherd,  were  it  not  for  the  ivncliristian  life  of  the  aforesaid  minister. 

You  have  heard  of  the  sad  state  of  New-Netherland.     The  Indians  have  killed  some,  wounded 
others  and  taken  a  number  of  captives  and  at  the  same  time  burned  a  number  of  houses  at  Esopus. 
The  English  have  declared,  that  they  would  take  our  town  and  all  Long-Island  with  flying  colors. 
****** 

BRooKtYN,  June  9, 1664.  •  Heneicus  Selyns. 


Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  a  Committee  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  June  23,  1664. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Jolin  Polhemus,  pastor  at  Midwout  in  New-Netherland,  dated  April 
22'',  1664,  wherein  his  Rev.  complains,  as  in  his  preceding  letter  of  Sepf  21"',  1663,  that  no  cor- 
respondence is  maintained  among  the  churches  ;  2''.  that  ecclesiastical  discipline  is  not  practiced 
by  punishing  the  offenders ;  S*".  that  no  means  are  provided  for  the  propagation  of  religion  among 
the  savages  and  the  English,  although  authority  therefor  had  been  received. 

*  This  letter,  as  well  as  the  following  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  and  other  corresi)ondeuce  be- 
tween the  clergy  of  New-Netherlaud  and  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  tlie  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  D.  D.,  of  Jlillstone, 
N.  J.,  has  kindly  allowed  to  be  used.  They  belong  to  a  collection  in  the  i)ossession  of  the  Tlieological  Semi- 
nary at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — Ed. 


Ntio    York  Historical  Jiicco7'ds.  .'385 

CoM.Ml!>SION   OK  "WlI.I.IAM   r>KKCKM.\N  TO  1!K  C'u.MMISSAKV   AT  1  H  K  EsoPlfl  AND  HIS  INSTRUCTIONS. 

Petnis  Stxiyvesant,  on  bclialf  of  tlioir  Iligli :  ^liglit:  the  Lords  States-General  of  tlie  United 
I^ethcrlanda  and  the  Koblc  Lords-Directors  of  tlie  Priv.  W.  L  Company,  Director-General  of 
I^ew-Xetherland,  Curacao,  Bonayro,  Aruha  and  its  dependencies,  together  with  the  Honorable 
Conncil  to  all  who  shall  see  or  hear  this  read,  Greeting:  Whereas  we  reqnired  for  the  adminis- 
tration and  promotion  of  the  Ilon^'"  Company's  and  our  own  affairs  in  the  Esoims  and  its  neigh- 
borhood a  suitable  and  experienced  person,  to  command  there  in  our  absence  as  Commissary  and 
Chief  officer  and  to  manage  eveiything  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  said  Company,  Therefore 
relying  upon  the  capacity,  piety  and  experience  of  Wilhclm  Beeckmaii,  who  has  for  several  years 
served  us  in  the  same  capacity  at  the  South  river  and  whose  services  there  have  well  pleased  us, 
we  have  commissioned  and  appointed  him,  as  we  herewith  do  commission  and  appoint  him  as  our 
Commissary  and  Chief  officer,  to  take  care  there,  in  our  absence,  of  the  safety  of  the  country,  the  fort, 
of  the  military  and  freemen,  who  are  there  already  or  may  come  hereafter,  and  to  keep  and  maintain  in 
our  name  good  order,  administer  law  and  justice  in  civil  and  military  matters  to  the  best  of  his 
knowledge  and  to  do  further  in  the  service  of  the  said  Company,  concerning  his  duties  and  office, 
what  a  good  and  faithful  Commissary  is  in  duty  bound  to  do,  pursuant  to  the  oath  of  fidelity  to 
be  taken  before  us.  This  having  been  taken,  we  hereby  order,  command  and  direct  all  and  every- 
body, whom  it  may  concern,  either  servants  of  the  Company  or  freemen,  to  receive,  acknowledge, 
respect  and  obey  the  said  Wilhelm  Beeckman  as  our  Commissary  and  Officer,  to  give  him  in  the 
execution  of  his  duties  all  lielp,  favor  and  assistance,  every  one  as  far  as  he  is  concerned,  for  thus 
we  find  it  necessary  for  the  service  of  the  Hon'''*  Company  and  the  welfare  of  this  province. 
Thus  done  and  given  in  the  meeting  held  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  JSew-Nether- 
land  at  Fort  Aiasterdam  in  New-Nethei'land,  the  4"'  July  1664. 

Provisional  instructions  for  Wilhelm  Beeckman^  Schout  and  Commissary 
at  tiie  Eso]}Xis. 

Arrived  at  the  Esopus  he  shall  make  a  pertinent  inventory  of  all  the  goods  and  effects  be- 
longing to  the  Hon'''"  Company,  what  and  however  they  may  be  and  i-eceive  the  balance  from 
Ensign  Xiesen,  Matthys  Capita  and  Jacob  Burhans  and  open  and  keep  a  proper  account  thereof 
in  the  same  manner,  as  he  has  done  at  the  South  river,  with  which  we  are  well  pleased.  Hence- 
forth we  shall  consign  to  him  all  goods,  sent  thither  for  the  garrison  and  they  will  be  charged 
against  him,  until  he  proves  by  a  clear  account,  how  and  to  whom  they  were  distributed. 

2. 
He  shall  convene  the  Schepens  of  tlie  village  of  Wilticyck  in  the  name  of  the  Director-Gen- 
eral and  Council  of  N^eio-Netherland,  preside  at  their  meetings,  count   their  votes  and  in  case  of 
a  tie  have  the  deciding  vote. 

3. 
"WTien  however  he  is  himself  a  party  to  a  suit,  or  acts  for  the  privileges  of  the  Lords  Patroons 
or  on  behalf  of  the  law  for  the  Hon"'*  Fiscal,  then  he  must  rise  and  leave  the  bench  and  he  shall 
in  such  cases  have  no  advisory  vote,  much  less  a  deciding  one ;  in  his  place  one  of  the  ex-Schepeus 
must  then  preside. 

4. 

He  shall  strictly  govern  himself  in  what  concerns  his  office  by  the  instructions,  given  to  the 
49 


386  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Court  of  Justice  in  the  village  of  WdtwycJc  by  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netli- 
ei'land  oil  the  IG""  of  May  1664,  of  which  a  copy  shall  be  given  him  for  information. 

5. 

In  our  or  our  deputies'  absence  he  shall  further  have  supreme  command  at  the  Esojms  and  in 
all  villages  already  made  or  hereafter  to  be  established  over  the  Company's  servants  and  the  free- 
men, who  shall  be  obliged  to  assist  him  at  all  occasions  in  the  execution  of  his  duties  ;  as  far  as 
possible  he  shall  maintain  good  order  and  discipline  among  the  former  and  administer  and  uphold 
among  the  others  law  and  justice  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  in  civil  and  military  matters  as  well 
as  in  criminal  cases  in  minori  gradu  pursuant  to  the  instructions  already  given  or  hereafter  to  be 
given  according  to  circumstances. 

6. 

Whereas  a  sad  experience  has  taught  us,  that  the  peddling  and  selling  of  strong  drink  to  the 
savages  is  extremely  injurious  there,  he  is  especially  commanded  and  charged  to  watch  closely, 
that  the  articles  and  conditions,  under  which  the  peace  with  the  Esopus  savages  was  made  on  the 
15""  of  May  1664,  are  strictly  observed  and  carried  out  by  Christians  as  well  as  savages,  and  not 
to  allow,  under  penalty  of  being  discharged,  that  any  savages  come  to  the  Esopus  contrary  to  the 
said  conditions  or  that  any  trade  is  carried  on  with  them,  except  as  stipulated  by  the  aforesaid  arti- 
cles of  peace. 

7. 

The  tapsters'  excise  of  wine,  beer  and  distilled  waters  to  be  consumed  at  the  Esopus,  without 
distinction  of  place,  either  in  the  new  or  in  the  old  village,  shall  be  let  out  by  him  at  the  first  con 
venient  opportunity.  One  half  of  the  proceeds  for  the  first  year  shall  be  turned  over  to  the 
Magistrates  there  for  the  payment  of  the  village-debts,  pursuant  to  our  order  given  upon  their 
petition  on  the  25'"  April  last  past. 

8. 

"Whereas  the  Magistrates  of  the  peace  have  asked  our  consent  to  levy  a  municipal  burghers' 
excise,  to  defray  some  necessary  expenses  and  we  have  given  our  permission,  it  may  be  put  into 
execution  at  some  convenient  time  under  the  enclosed  conditions,  which  are  the  same,  imder  which 
the  excise  is  let  within  this  city.  Thus  given  provisionally  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  Neio-Nether- 
land,  the  4'"  July  1064. 


Proposal  of  Seweckenamo,  one  of  the  Esopcs  Sachems,  to  have  some  provi- 
sions  SENT  TO   THEIR  COUNTRY   BEYOND   HaVEKSTRAW. 

8'"  July  1664.  To-day  appeared  in  the  Councilchamber  at  the  Fort 

Seweckenamo^  one  of  the  Esopus  Sachems,  who 
made  the  following  statement  in  presence  of 
Oratam,  chief  of  Hackinghesaclcy,  Samoenaar 
of  Wiecliquaeskech,  Meghtsewakes  of  K'lchU- 
wangh  through  Sarah  Kierstede,  the  interpreter. 

1. 
He,  Seweckenamo,  comes  to  sa}',  that  the  other  Esojnis  Sachems  cannot  come  according  to  the 
promise  made  at  the  conclusion  of  the  peace,  for  they  are  mostly  sick  and  very  lean  because  of  the 


^l;io    York  Jl/s/on'cal  Jicconl-i.  .".87 

« 
want  of  food,  but.  tlioy  will  cuinc,  as  soon  iis  tlioir  corn  is  ripe  iiml  In;  comes  now,  to  tell  us.     Tic 

gives  an  clkskiii. 

2. 

WlicroiU;  all  the  provisions,  wliich  they  liail  gathered  have  been  destroA'cd  and  they  have  now 
notliing  to  live  upon,  ho  recpiests,  that  the  Dutch  niigiit  sell  them  some  provisions  and  send  them 
to  tiieir  country  on  the  otiier  side  of  Ilarei-straw  in  a  vessel,  for  they  aro  all  in  M-ant  and  suffer 
some  h\uigor.     lie  gives  three  or  four  strings  of  Manipnm. 

The  answer  to  the  first  was,  that  we  liad  expected  the  EKOjnis  Sachems  according  to  their 
promise  and  that  they  ought  to  have  come,  that  we  still  expected  them  as  soon  as  they  recovered. 
We  gave  a  coat  of  duffels  to  the  Sachem  Seweckenamo. 

2. 
"We  answered,  that  the  savages  may  freely  come  here  to  purchase,  what  thoy  require,  that  it 
was  better  for  tiiem  to  come  here,  than  for  our  people  to  go  there,  but  that  nobody  of  oin-  people 
shall  be  prevented,  if  lie  is  willing,  to  sell  them  provisions  in  their  country.  We  gave  him  some 
wampum  and  a  piece  of  duffels.  Thus  transacted  and  done  at  the  Councilchamber  in  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New-Nctherland,  S'"  July  16Gi. 


PeTTTIOX  of  PuII.IPP  PietERSEX  ScnUYI-ER  ANT>  GOOSEX  GERRrrSEN  FOR  LEAVE 
TO  P0RCHASE  THE  IIai.F  MoON  FROM  THE  MoHEGAJsS,  IN  ORDER  TO  J'REVENT  ITS 
PURCHASE    BV   THE    EnGLISH  ;    GRANTED. 

To  the  Noble,  Yery  Worshipful  Honorable  Director-General 
and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

Respectfully  show  PMUpp  Puierscn  ScJniyler  and  Goosen  Gerretsen,  residents  of  the  village 
of  Beverwyck,  tliat  the  Malnkanders  have  informed  the  petitioners,  the  English  of  Connetikot 
on  the  Fresh  river  had  requested  them  to  sell  a  certain  plain,  called  by  the  Dutch  the  Half  2foon, 
situate  at  the  third  or  fourth  month  with  an  island  between  the  second  and  third  mouth,  about 
three  or  four  leagues  to  tiie  northward  from  here.  The  said  Mahikanders  have  offered  to  sell 
this  land  to  the  petitioners  in  preference,  but  as  the  petitioners  may  not  do  it  without  the  consent 
of  your  Hon""'*  Worships,  therefore  they  pray,  that  your  lion'''''  Worships  will  grant  them  peiinis- 
sion  to  purchase  the  said  land,  as  it  will  be  done  for  the  best  of  the  country  and  to  keep  the 
English  away  from  this  river.  Waitmg  for  a  favorable  apostel  we  remain 
Beverioyck,  Your  Noble,  Honorable  Worships' 

the  27"^  May  1664.  obedient  servants 

Philipp  Pietersen  Schuyler 
Goosen  Gerretsen. 

After  the  question  had  been  put,  it  was  resolved : 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  JVevj-NetJierland  give  permission  to  the  petitioners  to 
buy  the  s;vid  piece  of  land  from  the  lawful  owners,  provided  that  the  same  be,  as  usual,  transferred 
and  conveyed  to  the  Dii'eetor-General  and  Council  as  representatives  of  the  Noble  Lords  Directors. 
What  the  petitioners  pay  for  it  to  the  lawful  owners,  shall  be  refunded  to  them  at  some  conven- 
ient time  or  be  balanced  against  the  tithes,  but  all  under  this  reservation,  that  if  this  piece  of  land 


388  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  IlndHOn  River. 

should  be  found  upon  determination  of  the  limits  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  to  be  within 
the  boundaries  thereof,  they  must  properly  acknowledge  the  patroou  of  that  Colony  as  their 
patroon.     Actum  FoH  Amsterdam  iu  New- Netherlands  the  10"'  July  166i. 

P.  StUTVES/VNT 
NiCASIDS  DE  SlLLE. 


Petition   of    Thomas   Powel   and   others  for   leave   to  purchase   fkom   the 
Indians  a  piece  of  land  between   Kinderhook  and  Neutenhook;   granted. 

To  the  "Worshipful  Honorable  Yice-Director  and  Commissaries 
of  Fort  Oraiuje  and  the  village  of  Beverwyck. 

Show  respectfully  the  undersigned  petitioners,  burghei-s  and  inhabitants  of  the  village  of 
Beverwyck,  that  the}-  are  desirous  of  pm-chasing  a  fine  piece  of  land  between  Kinderhook  and 
Neutenhook.  Whereas  the  petitioners  can  no  longer  make  a  living  here  in  this  village,  they  are 
obliged  to  settle  with  their  families  in  the  country,  to  gain  their  bread  with  God's  help  and 
honorably.  The  petitioners  know  well,  that  they  cannot  do  this  without  your  Honoi-s'  order  and 
consent  and  therefore  they  request  most  earnestly,  that  your  Honors  will  give  them  permission  to 
purchase  the  land,  while  they  promise  to  be  governed  by  the  usages  of  this  country,  like  other 
inhabitants.     Awaiting  hereupon  a  speedy  and  favorable  answer,  they  remain. 

Your  Honors'  obedient 

Thomas  Powel 
A7  the  mark  of  Teunis  Abrahamsen 
yC  the  mark  of  Claes  van  den  Berch 
Hendrick  Cat. 
A-V-  ^^  mark  of  Jochem  Ketel. 

Evert  Luycassen. 
— J-  the  mark  of  Bert  Bagge. 
Jan  Dircksen. 

The  CoTirt  of  Beverwyck  gave  the  following  answer  to  the  preceding  petition : 
The  Court  refers  this  to  the  Hoii"'"  Director-General  and  Council  of  Neio-Netherland  to  dis- 
pose thereof  according  to  their  pleasure.     Actum  Fort  Oranye,  the  20""  June  1664. 
By  order  of  the  Court,     lu  absence  of  the  Clerk 

LlTDO■\^c^s  Cobes,  Court  Messenger. 

To  the  Noble,  "Veiy  Worshipful  Director-General  and  Council 
of  New-Netherland. 

Whereas  Tliomas  Pa^dus,  Teunis  Ah'ahamsen,  Claes  van  der  Berck,  ITendrick  Cay,  Jochem 
Ketel,  Evert  Luycassen,  Bert  Bagge,  Jan  Dirricksen  and  others,  who  have  not  yet  signed,  are 
very  desirous  to  purchase  a  fine  piece  of  land  between  N%ieten  and  Kinderen  hoeck,  for  which  the 
petitioners  have  submitted  the  request  here  annexed  to  the  Hon''''^  Courts  of  Fort  Orange  and 
Beverwyck,  therefore  the  petitioners  are  referred  to  your  Hon"'"  Worship  and  the  High  Council  of 


New  YorJc  Hhtorical  liecords.  389 

New- Netherlands  to  be  answered,  while  the  petitioners  do  not  doubt,  but  a  short  and  favorable 

decision  wdl  be  given  to  them.     Which  doing  etc*. 

Actum  Bevenoyclc,  Tour  II ou''''^  Worships'  obedient 

the  23"  June  166i.  Thomas  Powel 

Jdeiaen  Teunissen. 

The  foregoing  petition  having  been  received  and  read,  it  was  resolved  : 

The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland  grant  permission  to  the  petitioners  to 
purchase  the  land  in  question  from  the  lawful  owners,  provided  that,  as  usual,  the  land  is  trans- 
ferred and  conveyed  to  the  Director-General  and  Council  aforesaid  as  representatives  of  the 
Lords-Directors  of  the  Priv.  W.  I.  Company.  Whatever  the  petitionei's  shall  pay  to  the  lawful 
owners  for  the  said  land,  shall  be  refunded  in  convenient  time  or  be  balanced  against  the  tithes. 
Actum  J^ort  Amsterdam  in  New-Netherland  the  lO""  July  1664. 

P.  Stutvesant. 
KicAsius  de  Sille. 


EXTBAORDINAET  MeETING  HELD  B\'  BOTH  THE  CoUBTS  AT  FoRT   OrANGE  ON  THE  12tH  OF  JuLY  1664. 

related  by  his  Honor  the  Commissary  .  .  .  Gerritt  Slichtenhorst, 
a  savage,  called  Cajadogo,  and  ....  from  Ixa7iJchlo  report  to  the 
meeting  that  yesterday  morning  four  Northern  savages  [came  to]  Claverack,  who  have  been  upon 
the  llaquaes  path  or  upon  ....  and  from  the  west  side  of  the  river  at  the  JIdl  Kd 
crossed  in  a  canoe  arriving  at  the  bouwery  of  Peter  the  Fleming  and  they  said  to  them,  How  will 
it  be  now  with  the  Northern  savages,  for  the  Onejages  have  a  knife  and  a  hatchet  lying  upon  their 
arms ;  they  answered,  the  English  had  told  the  Northern  savages  to  carry  on  the  war  against  the 
Maquaes. 

They  say  f m-ther,  the  Onejages  had  said  to  them.  Brothers,  we  will  not  conceal  it  from  you,  for 
you  have  long  lived  among  us  and  have  had  wives  and  children  there  and  you  understand  our 
language  well,  the  English  have  told  and  directed  the  savages,  to  fight  or  kill  the  Dutch  and 
Maqxuus  and  the  English  have  threatened,  if  you  do  not  do  as  we  tell  you,  we  shall  kill  you. 

They  say  also,  that  40  ships  shall  come  across  the  sea  to  make  war  here  and  ask  for  the  sur- 
render of  this  country  and  if  we  were  not  willing  to  give  it  up,  they  intend  to  kdl  us  all  together 
and  the  English  shall  fight  agamst  the  Dutch  and  now  the  Northern  savages  against  the  Muijuaes. 

They  say  further,  that  at  the  time  when  the  messengers  of  the  Maquaes  had  come  to  the 
fort  of  the  Pacamtekock  savages  to  confirm  the  peace,  several  Englishmen  were  in  the  fort,  who 
[m-ged]  the  savages  to  kill  the  Maquaes  and  they  are  dead  now. 

He  says  further     ....     (rest  illegible.) 


Ordinance   for   the   more   careful  navigation  of  the  North  river  by  sloop 
captains,  passed  17™  july  1664. 

(Laws  of  New-Netherland,  page  4C5.) 


390  Colonial  Seitlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Minute  of   Council,   concerning  a  communication   made    to    Captain    Thomas 

WlLLE'lT   OF    complaints    BY   THE    MoHAWKS    AGAINST   THE    NoETHEEN    InDIANS. 

24'"  July  1604. 

****** 

The  complaints  of  the  Maquaas  against  some  Northern  savages  were  communicated  and  read 

to  Captain  Thomas  Willett  and  a  copy  of  it  was  given  to  him,  which  he  engaged  to  send  to  the 

government  at  Boston.     Ady  ut  supra. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  Director  Stutvesant  to  the  Deeectoes  in  Holland; 

THE  INTRIGUES  OF  THE  EnGLISH  AMONG  THE  InDIANS.       4'"  AuGUST,  1664. 
****** 

The  next  few  lines  serve  as  an  introduction  and  explanation  of  the  enclosures  No. ; 

if  your  Honors  will  please  to  peruse  them,  especially  the  two  last  letters  between  us  and  the 
authorities  of  Fo7't  Orange  and  the  Colony  of  Rensselaer stoyck,  then  your  Honors  will  learn  the 
particulars  of  our  new  and  increased  anxieties,  which  trouble  us  on  account  of  the  good  inhabit- 
ants there  because  of  the  dangerous  and  for  us  not  less  damaging  wars  between  the  Maqitaes  and 
the  Northern  savages :  the  reasons  of  this  supposed  liurtfulness  have  been  explained  and  com- 
municated to  the  aforesaid  two  courts  in  our  letter  enclosed  among  other  papers  and  numbered 
NB.,  so  that  we  need  not  trouble  your  Honors  with  a  repetition  thereof. 

But  we  must  say  concerning  the  above  said,  that  the  2laquaes  pretend  upon  their  own  version 
and  perhaps  reports  made  by  our  people,  that  the  English  of  the  North  are  the  cause  of  the  mas- 
sacre of  their  messengers  and  consequently  also  of  the  present  implacable  and  pernicious  wars. 
Your  Honors'  undersigned  faithful  servants  eaa  however  not  accept  this  vei'sion  as  true,  they 
believe  rather,  that  it  is  a  fabrication  of  the  Ilaquaes,  to  engage  us  as  their  allies  in  this  war. 
This  is  not  advisable  for  us  for  many  reasons,  as  aside  from  the  danger  and  losses  arising  from 
such  a  war  for  our  side,  the  delay  if  not  the  diversion  of  the  furtrade  must  be  feared.  It  is  in 
the  meantime  out  of  question,  that,  if  the  boundaries  are  once  settled  between  us  and  our  neigh- 
bors, then  the  daily  cpiarrels,  bickerings,  jealousies  and  claims  shall  be  avoided  from  either  side 
and  a  good  understanding  and  correspondence  established ;  these  pernicious  wars  between  the 
Maquaes  and  the  Northern  savages  would  then  soon  be  settled  and  brought  to  an  end  and  all  the 
savages  could  be  made  to  submit  or  at  least  to  deliberate,  when  they  see  the  Christians  united  and 
drawing  a  line,  to  keep  the  barbarians  in  submission  or  at  least  cpiiet. 


Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Council  to  the  Directors   in   Holland;   the 
Indlan  wars,  17™  August  1664. 

****** 

The  new  and  grievous  anxieties,  with  which  we  find  ourselves  burdened  because  of  the 

dangerous  and  very  pernicious  war  between  the  Maquaas  and  the  Northern  savages  and  which 

have  been  particularized  in  our  former  letter  by  the  "  Trouw  "  (duplicate  by  the  "  Gekrui/ste 

Hart'''')  are  increasing  daily  on  account  of  the  continuous  excursions  and  expeditions  made  by  one 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  301 

party  against  the  other.  "We  have  therefore  conehided  and  resolved,  that  liis  Efonor,  the  Director- 
General,  should  make  a  trip  to  Fort  Orange,  to  make  there  if  possible  such  arrangements,  that 
our  people  sliall  not  l)e  molested  by  either  party,  who  pass  along  there  every  day  as  well  as  through 
a  new  settlement  formed  lately  a  few  leagues  from  there  inland ;  however  we  have  little,  but  still 
some  hope  for  it,  when  the  contending  parties  shall  observe  that  our  people  keep  neutral  and  treat 
one  as  friendly  as  the  other. 


Lettek   FEOii   Eev.    Samuel    Deisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  :    State  of 
THE  Hefoemed  Church. 

Heverend,  Learned  and  Eeloved  Brethreu  in  Christ  Jesus ! 

I  find  I  have  a  letter  fi-om  the  Hev.  Classis,  which  I  have  not  answered.  Having  an  oppor- 
tunity by  our  brother,  Rev.  Ilenrieus  Selyns,  I  could  not  neglect  the  opportunity  of  writing  to 
you.  We  had  indeed  wished  that  Dom.  Selyns  might  have  remained  longer  among  ns,  both  on 
account  of  his  diligence  and  success  in  preaching  and  catechizing  and  also  on  account  of  his  humble 
and  exemplary  walk.  He  has  attached  very  many  unto  him,  among  them  a  number  of  the  negroes, 
who  are  greatly  grieved  by  his  departure.  But  considering  the  fact,  that  he  owes  filial  obedience 
to  liis  parents,  it  is  the  will  of  God,  that  he  should  leave  us.  ****** 

In  reference  to  the  places,  in  which  he  preached  viz. :  the  town  of  Brooklyn  and  the  Bouwerie, 
it  is  not  yet  positively  decided,  but  1  think  it  probable,  that  the  son  of  Dom.  Megapolensis,  who 
has  recently  come  over,  will  take  the  charge  of  them,  as  he  has  not  been  sent  by  our  patrons  to 
any  other  place.  The  French  on  Staten- Island  would  also  gladly  have  a  preacher,  but  their 
families  are  few  in  number  and  poor,  so  that  they  cannot  contribute  much  to  the  support  of  the 
Gospel  and  as  our  support  here  is  unpunctiial  and  small,  there  is  no  probability,  that  they  will 
settle  a  preacher.  In  the  meantime,  that  they  may  not  be  wholly  destitute  Governor  Stuyvesant, 
at  their  request,  has  permitted  me  to  go  and  preach  there  every  two  months  and  administer  the 
Lord's  Supper.  This  I  have  done  for  about  a  year:  in  the  winter  season  it  is  troublesome  on 
account  of  the  great  water  or  bay,  which  must  be  crossed,  and  the  showers  and  stoi'ms,  which 
occur  **************** 
New-Amsterdam,  Samuel  Deisius. 

Aug.  li'"  1664. . 

Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Westchester  to  the  English  Commissioners. 

To  the  Hono*'"  his  Ma"^'  Com"  for  the  affaires  of  New-England  The 
Inhabitants  of  West  Cliester  Humbly  Shew. 

1.  That  the  said  Tract  of  Land  called  West  Chester  was  jjurchased  for  large  Sumes  under  the 
Title  of  England  by  Mr.  Thos.  Pell  of  the  Knowne  Ancient  proprietors  in  ye  yeare  165-t. 

2.  The  ]3retended  power  of  the  Manhatoes  did  thereupon  continue  protesting  ag'  and  threating 
of  the  said  Plantacon  keeping  the  Inhabitants  at  continual  watch  and  ward  until  at  length  the 
persons  of  Twenty-three  Inhabitants  of  West  Chester  aforesaid  were  seized  under  Commission 
from  the  said  powers,  committed  Pi-isoners  into  the  Hould  of  a  Vessell,  where  they  continued  in 


392  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

restraint  from  all  friends  for  the  space  of  thirteene  dajes,  fed  with  rotten  Provision  creeping  with 
wormes,  whereby  some  of  them  remained  diseased  to  this  da}',  after  w'^''  they  weie  carryed  away 
in  Cliaines,  and  layed  in  tlieir  Dungeon  at  Maiihattoes. 

3.  That  the  said  Inhabitants  had  perisiied  w"'  famine  in  the  said  Imprisonment,  but  for  the  relief 
obtained  at  other  hands. 

4.  That  all  this  suffering  was  inflicted  on  them  under  noe  other  pretence,  but  that  they  were 
opposers  of  ye  Dutch  Title  to  the  Lands  afores''. 

5.  That  when  the  said  p''tended  powers  had  freed  the  said  Prisoners  and  introduced  their  own 
Governm'  over  the  s'^  Planta9on  they  drove  away  such  as  would  not  submit  to  their  p'tended 
Authority,  to  their  great  Endamagem'  and  the  enslaving  of  such  as  remained. 

6.  Tliat  when  in  May  1663  the  said  Plantaeon  was  reduced  to  the  King's  authority,  by  virtue  of 
his  Ma'"'"  Patent  to  Connecticuti,  the  pretended  powers  aforesaid,  sent  in  hostile  manner  for 
certaine  Inhabitants  of  West  Chester,  whom  they  confined  in  Manhatoes  and  the  next  day  sent  for 
one  Mr.  Richard  Mills,  whom  they  cast  into  their  Dungeon  and  afterwards  soe  used  him  for  thirty- 
eight  dayes  space,  as  there  are  yet  strong  and  crying  presu  rations,  they  caused  his  death,  which 
followed  soone  after. 

7.  That  the  unreasonable  damage  of  the  Purchaser  and  the  low  estate  of  the  Plantaeon  occa- 
sioned by  the  premisses,  hath  had  no  other  recompense  to  this  day,  but  new  threatenings  and 
thereby  an  utter  obstruction  from  the  peopleing  and  improving  of  a  hopefull  countrey,  all  which 
as  an  unsufl'erable  abuse  to  his  Royal  Ma"''  and  our  English  Nation  is  humbly  offered  to  the  con- 
6idera9on  of  the  Hon""  Commiss'^     Aug.  22,  1664  O.  S. 


Information  of  English  intrigues  among  the  Ebopus  Indians. 

27""  August  A"  1664. 

Carstangh,  a  HackinghesacTiy  savage,  says,  that  he  has  heard  last  night  from  a  Maquaas,  who 
was  on  the  west  shore  of  the  Worthriver,  some  Englishmen,  among  a  chief  of  the  English,  had 
said  :  Well,  as  the  Dutch  have  so  beaten  you,  what  will  you  give  us,  if  we  kill  the  Dutch.  There- 
upon the  savages  handed  to  the  English  a  bag  with  wampum  and  promised  the  land  of  the  Esqpus. 


Order,  directing  the  commanding  officer  at  the  Esopus  to  bring  down  his 

DETACHMENT,  AS    THE    EnGLISH    FLEET   IS    AT  NaJACK. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Sir. 

The  bearers  hereof  will,  no  doubt,  inform  jo\i  minutely  of  the  very  distressed  and  anxious 
state^  in  which  we  are,  seeing  that  English  ships,  four  in  number,  have  arrived  in  the  bay  yesterday 
and  cast  anchor  near  Nayaclc,  intending,  as  the  report  goes,  to  bring  first  Long  and  Staten-Island 
under  the  King's  authority  and  then  attack  also  this,  the  principal  place.  If  that  is  lost,  the 
whole  coiintry  is  lost.  We  have  therefore  resolved  for  the  better  protection  of  this  foi-t  and  conse- 
quently of  the  whole  country  to  call  down  here  the  military,  except  that  the  Eedouht  remain 
properly  garrisoned.  You  are  therefore  directed,  to  send  upon  receipt  hereof  the  Sergeant  with 
the  rest  of  the  men  immediately  to  this  place.     Meanwhile  we  will  recommend  to  all  of  you  to  be 


New    Yorh  Histoi'ical  Heconls.  393 

well  on  your  guard,  whereupon  relying  we  eomnieud  you  to  God's  mercy  and  protection  and 
remain  with  cordial  salutations 

J^ort  Amsterdam,  Your  affectionate  friends 

the  29""  August  A°  IBBl.  The  Director-General  and  Council  of  New-Netherland. 

Postscript. 

The  Sergeant  must  be  instructed  and  ordered,  to  keep  a  good  look-out,  while  coming  down 
and  if  an  opportunity  offers,  send  ahead  a  savage,  to  find  out,  whether  any  strange  vessels  are  in 
his  way.  If  he  hears  of  any,  he  can  land  his  men  and  come  down  through  the  woods  or  as  best 
as  he  can. 


Letter  from  Key.  Samitel  Deisius  to  the  Classis  op  Amsterdam  ;  the  sukren- 
DEE  of  New- Amsterdam  to  the  English. 

To  the  reverend,  learned  and  pious  brethren  of  the  Reverend  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  • 

I  cannot  refrain  from  informing  you  of  our  present  condition,  viz.  :  that  we  are  now  brought 
under  the  govermuent  of  the  King  of  England. 

On  the  26"'  of  August  there  arrived  in  the  bay  of  the  North  river,  near  Staten-Island,  four 
large  men-of-war  or  frigates,  well  mounted  and  manned  with  soldiers  and  marines.  They  had  a 
patent  or  commission  from  the  King  of  Great  Jiritain  to  summon  this  province  to  suri'ender  and 
to  take  possession  of  it  in  the  name  of  his  Majesty.  If  this  was  not  done  amicably,  the  place 
was  to  be  attacked  with  violence  and  every  thing  given  up  to  the  English  soldiers  for  sacking, 
rapine  and  booty.     The  people  here  were  not  a  little  frightened  at  the  arrival  of  these  frigates. 

Our  rulers,  the  Director  and  Council,  as  also  the  officers  of  the  City,  took  the  matter  very 
much  to  heart.  They  earnestly  endeavored  to  delay  the  affair  by  repeated  embassies  to  the  Gen- 
eral, Hichard  Wicholls,  requesting  that  the  business  should  be  submitted  to  his  Majesty  of  Eng- 
land and  the  Lords  States  of  Holland  /  but  all  was  in  vain.  They  disembarked  their  soldiers 
about  two  miles  off  at  Gravesend,  and  then  marched  them  on  foot  over  Long  Island  to  the  feriy 
opposite  this  place.  The  frigates  came  up  under  full  sail  on  the  4P^  of  September.  They  had  put 
all  their  cannons  on  one  side,  having  orders  and  intending,  if  any  resistance  were  offered,  to 
pour  a  f uU  broadside  into  this  open  place  and  so  take  the  city  by  assault  giving  up  every  thing  to 
plunder  and  massacre. 

Our  honorable  superiors,  both  of  the  "W.  I.  Company  and  of  the  City,  were  fully  inclined  to 
defend  the  place  ;  but  they  realized,  that  it  would  be  impossible,  as  the  town  was  not  in  a  defensi- 
ble condition  and  that  even  if  it  M'ei'e  fortified  it  could  not  be  done,  as  all  the  men  within  the 
bounds  of  the  City  could  defend  only  one-fourth  part  of  the  City's  front ;  there  was  also  but  a 
slender  supply  of  powder  either  in  the  fort  or  in  the  town  and  no  hope  of  deliverance  or  aid  could 
be  entertained.  Every  day  the  concourse  of  the  English,  both  on  foot  and  on  horseback,  increased  ; 
they  came  from  New  England  with  desire  to  pillage  the  place ;  they  offered  their  services  against 
us  as  privateers,  being  about  600  in  number,  according  to  report,  with  50  French  privateers.  The 
English  permitted  this.  Therefore  our  authorities  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  inhabitants  and 
burghers,  were  obliged,  although  imwillingly,  to  resolve  to  come  to  terms  in  order  to  prevent  pil- 
lage and  bloodshed. 
50 


394  Colonial  tSettlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

After  the  surrender  of  tlie  place  several  English,  people,  wLoiu  we  liave  long  known  and  wlio 
were  well  affected  towards  us,  came  to  us  and  said,  that  God  had  singularly  overruled  the  matter, 
in  that  the  province  had  passed  over  by  treaty  ;  otherwise  nothing  else  could  have  happened  but 
pillage,  murder  and  general  ruin.  This  is  also  confirmed  by  several  soldiers,  who  say,  that  they 
came  hither  from  England  in  hope  of  booty,  and  since  it  has  turned  out  so  differently,  they  de- 
sired permission  to  return  to  England. 

It  is  stipulated  in  the  articles  [of  surrender],  that  the  religious  teaching  shall  continue  as 
before  and  the  ministers  shall  remain.  "We  could  not  abandon  our  congregation  and  hearers  ;  we 
judged,  that  we  must  continue  M'ith  them  for  a  time  at  least  and  perform  our  duties,  lest  they 
should  become  entirely  scattered  and  grow  wild. 

The  West  India  Company  owes  me  quite  a  sum,  which  I  hojje  and  desire  will  be  paid.  Thus 
I  close,  commending  your  persons  and  services  to  the  love  of  God.     I  remain 

Tour  Reverences'  Obedient  Brother 

Manhattan,  Sejyt.  15"',  1GG4.  Samuel  Drisius. 


Second  Period. 


The  Province  under    English  Rule,  from  the  Surrender  by  the 
Dutch  to  the  establishment  on  Counties. 

(1664  to  1684.  ) 


License  to  purchase  Indian  Lands  at  the  Nevesinks  ;  a  warrant  to  Wm  Goldinge,  etc. 

Upon  the  request  of  Wm.  Goldinge,  James  Grover  and  John  Browne,  in  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  their  associates,  I  do  hereby  authorize  them  to  treate  and  eonchide  with  the  several 
Sachims  of  the  Nevisans  or  any  otliei-s  concerned,  about  the  piu-chase  of  a  parcel  of  laiids  lyeing 
and  being  on  the  maine  extending  from  Chaioyoranissa  near  the  mouth  of  tlie  Raritans  Kiver 
nnto  Pontopecke  for  the  doeing  whereof  this  shall  be  their  warrant.  Given  under  my  hand  at 
fort  James  in  New  Yorke  on  Manhattans  island  this  IT"-"  day  of  October  1664, 

R.  NiCOLLS. 


Order  directing  the  Magistrates  of  Bergen,  N.  J.,  lo  receive  and  quarter  a 

GARRISON  OF  SOLDIERS. 

You  are  hereby  required  to  receive  into  3'our  town  Corporal  Poioell  with  the  souldiers  under 
his  command  and  them  to  accommodate  with  lodging,  not  above  two  of  them  to  bed  in  any  one 
house  and  furthur  you  are  required  to  joyne  six  of  the  inhabitants  with  three  of  the  soldiers  to 
be  upon  constant  guard,  to  secure  the  peace  ot  the  said  towud  until  furthur  order  whereof  you 
are  not  to  faill.      Given  under  my  hand  ni  fort  James . 

To  the  magistrates  of  Bergen. 


Permission  to  purchase  land  from  the  Indians  given  to  Philipp  Pietersen  Schiiyler. 

Upon  the  Petition  of  Philipp  Pietersen  Schuyler  That  hee  may  have  Liberty  to  Purchase  a 
certaine  Parcell  of  Land  of  the  Natives,  lying  and  being  near  ffort  Alba?!]/,  as  in  the  said  Petition 
is  exprest ;  I  do  hereby  grant  Liberty  unto  the  said  Philips  Pietersen  Sehuyler,  so  to  do,  of  which 
when  hee  shall  bring  a  due  Certificate  unto  mee,  hee  shall  have  a  Patent  for  the  said  Lands  by 
Authority  fi-om  his  Royale  Highnesse  the  Puke  of  Yorke  for  the  farther  Confirmation  thereof. 
Given  imder  my  hand  &tffort  James  in  Neio  Yorke  on  Manhatans  Island  this  30"'  day  of  March 
1665. 

Rich.  Nicolls.     , 


396  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

Permission  to  ptjkchase  land  at  Claveeack  from  the  Indians  given  to  Johannes 
Clcte  and  Jan  Hendrick  Brityn. 

Upon  the  Peti<;on  of  Johannes  Clute  and  Jan  Hendrick  Uruyns,  That  they  may  have  leave 
and  Liberty  to  Purchase  of  the  Indyans,  a  certaine  parcell  of  Land  lying  and  being  on  the  west 
side  of  y'^  Noi^th  River  and  against  Clave  Hack  near  ffort  Albany,  as  in  their  Peti(;on  is  exprest 
and  that  they  may  likewise  Plant  the  same,  I  do  hereby  Grant  leave  and  Liberty  unto  the  said 
Johannes  Clute  and  Jan  Hendrick  Bruyns  to  make  Purchase,  thereof  and  to  Plant  it  Accord- 
ingly, as  is  desired,  of  which,  when  they  shall  bring  imto  mee  a  due  certificate.  They  shaU  have  a 
patent  for  the  said  Lands  by  Authority  from  his  Poyall  Ilighnesse  tlie  Duke  of  Torke  for  their 
farther  Confirma90n  therein.  Given  under  my  hand  at  ffort  James  in  New  Yorke  this  1"  day 
of  April  1665. 

Rich".  Ts^icolls. 


Patent  fob  the  Land  at  the  Neversinck,  N.  J. 

To  All  whome  these  presents  shall  come  I,  Richard  Nicholls,  Esquire,  Governour  under  his 
Eoyall  highness.  The  Duke  of  York,  of  all  his  Territories  in  America  Send  Greeting  :  Whereas 
there  is  a  certain  tract  or  parcell  of  Land  within  this  Government,  lying  and  being  near  Sandy 
point  upon  the  maine,  which  said  parcell  of  land  hath  been  with  my  consent  and  approbation 
bought  by  some  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Gravesend  on  Jong-Island  of  the  Sachems,  chief  pro- 
prietors thei-eof,  who  before  me  have  acknowledged  to  receive  sattisfaction  for  the  same  to  tlie  end 
the  said  Land  may  be  planted,  manured  and  Inhabited  and  for  divers  other  good  causes  and  con- 
siderations, I  have  thought  fitt  to  give,  confinn  and  grant  and  by  these  presents  Do  give,  confirm 
and  grant  unto  Wm.  Goulding,  Sam.  Spicer,  Ric.  Gihbons,  Ric.  Stout,  James  Grover,  John 
Boon,  In'.  Tilton,  Nat.  Silvester,  Wm.  Reep,  Walter  Clark,  Nicholas  Davis,  Ohediah  Holmes, 
Pattentees  and  their  Associates,  their  Heirs,  successors  and  Assignes,  all  that  tract  and  part  of  the 
maine  land  beginning  att  a  certaine  place  comonly  called  or  knowne  by  the  name  of  Sandy  point 
and  so  running  along  the  Bay  W.  IST.  W.,  till  it  comes  to  y"  mouth  of  tlie  Raraton  River,  from 
thence  goeing  along  the  said  River  to  the  Westermost  part  of  a  certaine  Mash  Land,  which  divides 
the  River  into  two  parts  and  from  that  part  to  Run  in  a  direct  S.  W.  line  into  y"  Woods  twelve  miles 
and  y°  to  turn  away  S.  E.  6d  untill  it  fall  into  y°  maine  Ocean  together  with  all  Lands,  Sayles, 
Rivers,  Creeks,  Harbours,  Mineral  (Royall  Mines  excepted).  Quarries,  Woods,  Meadows,  Pastures, 
Marshes,  Waters,  Lakes,  Fishings,  Hunting,  Hawkeing  and  Fowleing  and  all  other  profitts, 
comodities  and  hereditaments  to  the  said  Land  and  premises  belonging  and  appertaining  with 
their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances  and  of  every  part  and  parcell  thereof.  To  have  and  to  hold 
all  and  Singular  the  said  Lands,  premises  and  hereditaments  with  their  and  every  of  tlieir  appurten- 
ances hereby  given  and  granted  or  liereinbefore  mentioned  to  be  given  and  granted  is  to  the  only 
proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  pattentees  and  their  Associates,  their  heirs,  successors  and 
assignes  forever  upon  such  terms  and  conditions  as  hereafter  are  expressed  (viz'.)  That  the  said 
pattentees  and  Associates,  tlicir  lieires  and  assignes,  shall  within  the  space  of  Three  yeares,  begin- 
ning from  the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  manure  and  plant  tlie  aforesaid  Land  and  premisses  and 
settle  there  One  hundred  families  att  least.  In  consideration  whereof  I  do  promise  and  grant,  that 
the  said  pattentees  and  their  associates,  their  lieires,  successors  and  assignes,  sliall  enjoy  the  said 
Lands  and  premisses  with  their  appurtenances  for  the  terme  of  seven  years  next  to  come  after  the 
date  of  these  presents,  free  from  payment  of  any  Rents,  Cnstonies,  Excise,  Tax  or  Levey  whatso- 


Ntw  York  Historical  Records.  307 

ever  but  after  the  expiration  of  said  terme  of  seven  yeares  the  persons,  who  shall  be  in  possession 
thereof  shall  pay  after  the  same  rate  with  others  within  this  His  Eoyall  Highnesse  his  Territories 
shall  be  Obleiged  unto,  and  the  said  pattentees  and  their  associates,  their  heirs,  successors  and 
assignes  shall  have  free  leave  and  liberty  to  erect  and  build  Towns  and  villages  in  such  places,  as 
they  in  their  discretions  shall  tliink  most  convenient ;  Provided,  that  they  associate  themselves  and 
that  the  hou'ses  of  their  Townes  and  villages  lye  not  too  farr  distant  and  scattering  one  from  the 
other  and  also  they  make  such  fortifications  for  tlieir  defence  ag\  an  Enemy,  as  may  seem  need- 
full.  And  I  do  likewise  grant  unto  the  Pattentees  and  their  associates,  their  heires,  successors 
and  assignes  and  unto  any  and  all  other  persons,  whe  shall  plant  and  Inhabitt  in  any  of  the  Lands 
aforesaid,  that  they  shall  have  free  liberty  of  conscience  without  any  Molestation  or  disturbance 
whatsoever  in  their  way  of  worship.  And  I  do  further  grant  imto  the  aforesaid  Pattentees,  their 
heires,  successors  and  assignes,  that  they  shall  have  liberty  to  Elect  by  the  vote  of  the  major  part 
of  the  Inhabitants  five  or  seven  other  persons  of  the  ablest  and  discreetest  of  the  said  Inhabitants 
or  a  greater  number  of  them,  (if  the  Pattentees,  their  heires,  successors  and  assignes  shall  see  cause) 
to  joyne  with  them  and  they  together  or  the  major  part  of  them  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  to  make  such  peculiar  prudentiall  Lawes  and  constitutions  amongst  the  Inhabitants  for 
the  better  and  more  orderly  governing  of  them,  as  to  them  shall  seem  meet :  Provided  they  be 
not  repugnant  to  the  publick  Lawes  of  the  Government :  And  they  sliall  also  have  liberty  to  try 
all  Causes  and  Actions  of  Debt  and  trespass  arising  amongst  themselves  to  the  value  of  Ten 
pounds  without  appeale.  But  that  they  remitt  the  hearing  of  all  criminall  matters  to  the  Assizes 
att  Neio  Yorh  and  furthermore  I  do  promise  and  grant  unto  y'=  Pattentees  and  their  Associates 
aforementioned,  their  heires,  successors  and  assignes,  that  they  shall  in  all  things  have  equall 
priviledges,  freedomes  and  Immunities  w""  any  of  his  Ma""^  Subjects  within  this  Governm'.  The 
said  Pattentees,  their  Associates,  heires,  successors  and  assignes  rendring  and  paying  such  Duties 
and  acknowledgm''  as  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be  constituted  and  established  by  the  Lawes  of 
this  Government  iinder  the  obedience  of  his  Eoyall  Highness,  his  heires  and  successors :  Pro- 
vided they  do  no  wa^-s  Infringe  the  Priviledges  above  said.  Given  under  my  hand  and  Seale  att 
Fort  James  in  New  York  on  Manhattans  Island  the  8"^  day  of  April  in  the  17""  year  of  the 
Eeigne  of  Our  Soveraigne  Lord  Charles  the  Second,  By  the  Grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland, 
France  and  Ireland  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  God  1665. 
Entred  In  the  Office  of  Pecords  Richakd  Niccolls. 

In  New  Yorh  the  day  and  year  above  written,         _ 

MATrniAs  NiccoLLS,  Seer''. 


Indian  Deed  fok  Caniskkk  (Athens,  Greene  Co.) 
(Fort  Orange  Records.     Vols.  Deeds  No.  1.) 

Whereas  Jan  Cloet,  Jan  Hendrichsen  Bruyn  and  Jurian  Teunisscn  have  produced  before 
the  Court  of  Albany  the  consent  given  to  their  petition,  of  his  Honour  the  Governour  of  New 
Yorh,  to  purchase  from  the  Indians  a  certain  parcel  of  land,  situate  on  the  west  side  of  the  North 
river  opposite  to  the  Claverrach  near  Fort  Albany. 

Therefore  appeared  before  me,  the  undersigned  Secretary  of  Albany,  five  savages,  named  Sacha- 
moes,  Matoinata,  also  called  Schermerhoorn,  Keesie  VTey,  Papenua,  Maweha,  owners  and  proprie- 


398  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

tors  of  the  said  land,  representing  the  other  co-owners,  wlio  declared  in  the  presence  of  the  under- 
signed witnesses,  that  they  have  sold,  ceded  and  transferred,  as  tliey  herewith  cede  and  transfer 
the  same  to  the  real  and  actual  possession  of  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  aforesaid  Jan  Cloet  and 
Jan  Hendricksen  Bruyn,  to  wit,  the  land  called  CanisJcek,  which  stretches  along  the  river  from 
the  land  of  Pieter  Bronh  down  to  the  valley,  lying  near  the  point  of  the  main  land  behind  the 
Baeren  Island,  called  llacJiaioameck,  and  runs  into  the  woods  both  at  the  North  and  South  ends 
to  the  Katskil  road.  The  price  for  it  is  a  certain  sum  to  be  paid  in  merchandise,  which  they,  the 
sellers,  acknowledge  to  have  received  from  the  purchasers  to  their  full  satisfaction;  they  there- 
fore renounce  their  former  claims  and  declare  Jan  Cloet  and  Jan  Hendricksen  Bruyn  to  be  the 
lawful  owners  of  the  land,  promising,  etc. 

Thus  done  at  Albany  in  the  presence  of  Harinen  Bastiansen  aiid  Hendrick  Gerritsen, called 
in  as  witnesses,  the  20""  of  April  1665  Old  Style. 

This  is  tlie  mark  ^— ^  of  Ivkesje  "We\' 


Hakmen    Bastiens,  This  is  the  mark  ffl'=s-^    of  Sachamoes 

Hendkick  Geekitsen,   witnesses.  ''^ 

This  is  the  mark  \^  of  Papenua 

This  is  the  mark  (JSrt  of  Masseha 

In  my  presence,  ^     /]  ^^  Mawinata  alias 

JoHANNis  Pkovoost,  Sec'y.  This  js  the  mark    ^^>^X.    Scheumekhokn 


Oepee  concerning  the  settlement  of  the  Nevesings. 

Whereas  I  am  informed  that  yo"  Bichard  GiUbons  are  one  of  the  seven  men  made  choyce  of 
by  the  rest  of  the  Persons  concerned  for  the  Ordering  and  laying  out  of  such  Lands,  as  tiie  Gen''" 
hath  given  Leave  unto  you  and  yo'  Partners  to  Purcliase  of  the  Natives  of  JVavcsand,  and  the 
Purchasers  having  proposed  and  promised  to  the  Gen''"  to  lay  out  some  Townes  and  to  Plant  and 
Build  near  one  to  another,  for  their  mutuall  Safety  and  Security ;  These  are  to  require  you,  that 
yo"  take  care,  that  the  Persons,  who  are  gone  over  with  yo"  or  shall  hereafter  go,  do  Settle  and 
make  their  Planta9ons  as  neare  together  as  conveniently  they  can  and  every  Person  concerned 
therein  is  duly  to  observe  the  Rules  Agreed  upon  for  your  Settlement  in  those  Parts,  and  promised 
to  be  performed  by  you ;  and  if  at  any  time,  you  shall  discover  any  Shipps  or  Yessells  upon  the 
Coast,  that  yoit  immediately  give  Notice  thereof  unto  mee  or  send  the  Intelligence  to  the  Inhab- 
itants of  Gravesend,  who  I  have  ordered  to  repair  hither,  according  as  in  yo''  Judgments  may  bee 
thought  the  quickest  dispatch  and  the  Persons  Employed  shall  bee  satisfied  for  their  Paines. 

Given  under  my  hand  atj^ort  James  in  New  Yorke  this  SO""  day  of  Aprill  1665. 

Robekt  Needham. 
To  RiclCd.  Gibbons  or  whom  else  this  may  concern. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  399 

Indiai?  Deed  foe  land  neau  Kindeehook. 
fFort  Orange  Records.     Deeds  3.) 

Before  me  Johannis  Provoost,  Secretary  of  the  Court  of  Albany  and  Captain  John  Manning 
appeared  a  Mahicander  Indian,  named  Wattawit,  proprietor  of  a  certain  parcel  of  land,  situate 
back  of  the  Kinderhook,  which  he  declares  in  the  presence  of  Jan  Dareth,  acting  as  interpreter, 
to  have  sold,  ceded  and  conveyed  to  Evert  Luycassen,  as  he  herewith  cedes  and  conveys  it.  The 
aforesaid  land  lies  East  of  the  Kil  and  is  half  of  the  middle  piece  ;  he  declares,  that  he  has  given 
the  other  half  to  Volckert  Jansen  as  a  present  and  token  of  his  friendship  to  satisfy  an  old  debt 
for  corn,  also  that  he  renounces  his  right  to  the  middle  piece  east  of  the  Kil  acknowledging  Evert 
Luycassen  and  Volckert  Jansen  as  the  lawful  owners  thereof  and  to  have  received  full  satisfac- 
tion from  Evert  Luycassen. 

Thus  done  at  Fort  Albany,  the  6^''  May  1665  Old  Style. 

This  is  the  mark  TA  "  of  Mattawit. 


made  by  himself. 
The  mark  (^^  of  Musqtjamseeck, 
made  by  himself  as  witness. 
John  Manning.  The  mark  of  Q^  of  Obamp  Snade, 

In  my  presence,  by  himself  as  witness. 

Johannis  Peovoost,  Secretary.  Jajj  Daeeth. 


An   Ageeement   made    between    Kichaed   Nicolls  Esq"^  Goveeno"  undee  his 

ROTALL    HiGHNESSE   THE    DuKE    OF    YoEK    AND  THE  SaCHEMS  AND  PeoPLE  CALLED 
THE    SapES    InDTANS. 

(Minutes  of  the  Kingston  Trustees.)* 

1.  That  no  Act  of  Hostillity  shall  at  any  time  bee  committed  on  either  pai-t  or  if  any  dam- 
age shall  happen  to  bee  done  by  either  Party  to  the  Come,  Cattle,  Horses,  Hoggs,  Houses  or  any 
other  Goods  whatsoever  of  the  other  Party  full  6atisfa9on  shall  be  given  upon  demand  for  the 
same. 

2.  That  if  any  Christian  shall  wilfully  kill  an  Indyan  or  any  Indyan  a  Christian  bee  shall  bee 
put  to  death,  And  the  said  Sachems  do  promise  on  their  parts  to  bring  any  such  Indyan  to  ye 
officer  in  Chief e  at  the  Sopes,  to  receive  his  Punishment  there. 

3.  That  a  convenient  House  shall  bee  built,  where  the  said  Indyaus  may  at  any  time  Lodge 
without  the  Ports  of  the  said  Towne,  in  which  House  y'=  Indyans  are  to  leave  their  Armes  and  may 
come  without  molestaQon,  to  sell  or  Buy  what  they  please  from  the  Christians. 

4.  That  in  Case  any  Christian  should  kill  an  Indyan  or  any  Indyan  a  Christian,  the  Peace 
shall  not  bee  broaken  or  any  Revenge  taken,  before  Satisfa9on  is  demanded  by  the  one  Party  and 
refused  by  the  other,  allowing  a  competent  time  for  the  apprehending  of  the  Offender,  in  which 
Case  the  Indyans  are  to  give  Hostage,  till  y^  Offender  is  brought  to  Punishm',  the  said  Hostage 
is  to  bee  civilly  treated  and  shall  suffer  no  other  Punishm'.  but  Imprisonm*. 

*  This  is  the  only  document  saved  from  the  Wiltwyck  (Kingston)  Records  previous  to  1684.  According  to 
an  entry  in  the  first  volume  of  1684,  there  have  been  24  volumes  of  Dutch  minutes  which  seem  to  be  completely 
lost. 


400  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

5.  That  tlie  said  Sachems  and  their  Subjects  uow  psent  do  for  and  in  the  names  of  them- 
selves and  their  heires  forever,  give,  Grant,  alienate  and  coniirme  all  their  Eight  and  Interest, 
Claime  or  demand  to  a  certaine  Parcell  of  Land,  lying  and  being  to  the  west  and  Southwest  of  a 
Certaine  Creeke  or  Eiver  called  by  the  name  of  Kahankson  &  so  up  to  the  head  thereof,  where 
the  old  fEort  was.  And  so  witli  a  direct  line  from  thence  through  the  woods  and  Crosse  the  Mead- 
owes  to  the  Great  Hill  lying  and  being  to  the  "West  or  Southwest,  which  great  Hill  is  to  bee 
the  true  west  or  Southwest  Bounds  of  the  said  Lands,  And   the  said   Creeke  called  Eahanksen, 

the  North  and  Northeast  Bounds  of  the  said  Lands  herein  mentioned,  to  bee  given,  granted 
and  confirmed  unto  the  said  Richard  Nicolls,  Governo""  under  his  Eoyal  Highnesse  the  Duke  of 
York  or  his  Assignes  by  the  Sachems  and  their  Subjects  forever,  to  hold  and  Enjoy  the  same  as 
his  free  Land  and  Possession  against  any  Clayme  hereafter  to  bee  made  by  the  said  Sachems  or 
their  Subjects  or  any  their  heires  and  successo".  In  token  of  the  afores*  Agreemen',  the  afore- 
said Sachems  do  deliver  two  small  Sticks  and  in  eonfirma9on  thereof  do  deliver  two  more  small 
sticks  to  the  said  Richard  Nicolls,  And  in  the  name  of  the  Indyans,  their  Subjects,  one  of  the 
Subjects  do  deliver  two  other  round  Small  Sticks  in  token  of  their  Assent  to  the  said  Agree- 
ment. And  the  said  Richard  Nicolla  does  deliver  as  a  p''sent  to  their  Sachems  three  Laced  Eedd 
Coates. 

6.  The  said  Sachems  doth  Engage  to  come  one  every  yeare  and  bring  some  of  their  young 
People  to  Acknowledge  every  Part  of  this  Agreem'.  in  the  Sopes,  to  the  end  that  it  may  be  kept 
in  perpetuall  memory. 

7.  That  all  past  Injuryes  are  buryed  &  forgotten  on  both  sides. 

S.  Tliat  the  yoimg  Sachem,  called  Wingeei-inoe,  hath  Liberty  for  three  yeares  to  Plant  upon 
a  small  neck  of  Land  over  against  a  Small  Creeke  called  OloughkawaJcanoe,  iinlesse  the  said  young 
Sachem  bee  warned  Off  by  Order  to  remove  and  give  place  to  such  Christians,  as  shall  have  Order 
from  the  said  Richard  NicoUs  or  his  Assignes  to  Plant  there,  at  which  time  the  said  young 
Sachem  is  to  receive  a  Blankett,  by  way  of  Courtesie,  and  to  remove  to  the  other  side  of  the 
Creeke  without  delay  or  Clayming  any  future  Interest  thereupon. 

9.  In  consideraQou  of  the  p'misses,  the  said  Richard  Nicolls  doth  further  give  and  pay  to 
the  said  Sachems  and  their  Subjects  forty  Blanketts,  Twenty  Pounds  of  Powder,  Twenty  Knives, 
Six  Kettles,  Twelve  Barre  of  Lead,  which  paym'.  wee  acknowledge  to  have  received  in  full  satis- 
fac9on  for  the  p'misses  And  do  bind  Ourselves,  Our  heires  &  Success"'''  forever  to  p^forme  every 
Part  of  this  Agreem'.  w'^''out  any  fraud  or  reserva9on  of  minde.  And  further  that  wee  will  main- 
tayne  and  justifie  the  said  Richard  Nicolls  or  his  Assignes  in  the  full  &  Peaceable  Possession  of 
the  said  Tract  of  Land,  Eoyalties  and  Priviledges  forever  against  any  Nation  of  Indyans  whatso- 
ever, p'tending  >ight  to  the  same ;  In  testimony  whereof.  Wee  have  Sett  our  Markes  to  two 
severale  Writings,  the  one  to  remaine  in  the  hands  of  the  Sopes  Sachems,  the  other  upon  Eecord 
at  New  York,  this  7'"  day  of  October  1665. 

Eich'd  Nicolls. 

f  The  marke  of  J^^^^__^   Onackatin, 

Witnesses, 

Jeremias  van  Rennsellaer, 

Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler,  Sachims  - 

Rohert  Nedham^ 

S.  Salisbury, 

Edw.  Saclcvile. 


^ 


Tlie  marke  of     S  Waposheqdiqua, 
The  marke  of  (^\  Sewakonama, 
The  marke  of       ^^)~^  Schekvotin. 


New    Yoi'Tc  Historical  Records.  401 

Indyan  "Witnesses,  of  tlie  Empes  young  men. 
Pepuickhais  ,K^d 
The  markes  of  Eobin  Cinnaman  (J^  '^  Pelcoct  Sachem 
Eemawmen   fl 
Bywackds  ^ 
Sept.  25^"  1669.     There  appeared  the  second  and  thh-d  Sachems  abovenamed  and  owned  their 
markes  Witnes  Mechecock  his  marke  ^ /lAj~{J~~f\/' 

Aprile  tlie  ll""  1670.     There  appeared  before  mee  a  new  made  Sachem  of  the  Sopes  Indyans 
named  Calcop,  who  hath  this  day  owned  and  Confirmed  the  Agreement  made  between  Coll 
Nicolls  &  y'=  Indyans  for  y"  Land  adiacent  to  Sopez  as  appears  by  his  marke  here  under  set. 
The  marke  -A-'  of  Sachem  Calcop. 

"Witnes  here  unto 

Dudley  Lovelace,  Pres'. 

Thomas  Chambers 

"Wilh.  Beeckman 

Henry  Pawling 
Indyan  "Witnesses 

Tantapawhee  3v-+^  Sachem  Calcop  his  young  son. 

Mamasheenan. 
On  the  27""  January  1671  the  Sachems  have  renewed  these  Articles  of  Peace. 

The  mark    7        of  Asinnieahan,  Sachem. 

6C 

The  mark  J^  of  Bowasktjs,  young  Sachem, 
C  son  of  SiwHiNAMiEA,  Sachem. 
Thomas  Chambers 
Isaac  Grevenraedt 
Henry  Pawling 
Jan  "Willenisen 
Quod  attestor  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slecht, 

"W.  De  La  Montagne,  Secretary.  George  Hall. 

This  5  Febr''.  1674  the  undersigned  Esopus  Sachems  have  again  renewed  tlie  peace  with  the 
English  agreeable  to  an  order  from  the  Hight  Honorable  Governor  Edmond  Andros  and  have 
again  signed  these  Articles. 


"Witnesses                                                The  mark  of  ^^^        Sewakenamie 

The  mark  of  (f\)  Asenerack  Sachems 

George  Hall,  Sheriff  t  ,.  .,  —  <■  t.\  ,„„„i„ 
_,  „  '  Indian  witnesses,  of  the  young  people. 
Cornelis  Wynkoop 

JoosT  Adryaensen                            The  mark  yL  of  Tamagipo 

William  Asfordbie.  o  ^^^^^^^ 

Testis  *■ — 

"William  La  Montagne,  .decretory.  ^  Eawichtanech. 
51 


402  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Jau''.  22   1676  Febr''.  23    1678 

?  1677  Febr.    11    1680 

This  day  all  the  Indians  have  acknowledged,  that  the  land  called  Easineh,  which  Kentkamin 
has  given  to  Harmen  Hendrix  and  Hendricus  Beecqman,  shall  belong  to  them  and  that  they 
may  dispose  of  it  at  their  pleasm-e.     la  testimony  whereof  they  have  signed  this,  as  follows 

The  mark      K\\     "  of  Kentkamin 

'^''^i/C^^    Sewakajstamte 

^^  Panneewack 

Jan^.   19,  1681  j\ )  Koepawa 

Febr-.  23,  1682  UjO/^^  Sasakabop 

(Endorsed.)     Rec'd.  these  Records  in  Court  of  Sessions   of  Sarah  Rosecrans,  the  3d  October  1733. 


Letter  from  Gov'e.  ITicolls  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Westchester  concerning 
the  limits  of  the  town. 

Fort  James,  28""  December  1665 
When  yon  were  last  w"*  mee  I  did  tell  yo"  that  I  should  send  some  Persons  authorized  to 
lay  out  y"  Bounds  of  Westchester  in  w'^''  Pesolu^on  I  still  remain,  but  upon  due  considerapon  and 
Advice,  I  have  found  it  necessary.  That  in  tlie  first  Place  yo"  make  an  Enquiry  into  every  man's 
Estate  now  dwelling  w^'in  the  Limitts  intended  for  your  Towne  and  remitt  the  same  to  my  Con- 
sideraQon,  To  the  end,  that  w""  y"  better  Eqnality,  the  whole  being  divided  into  Lotts,  every  man 
may  have  his  proporcjon  of  Lotts  according  to  y"  Estate  wherewith  hee  doth  value  himselfe  Rate- 
able in  y''  Assessments :  The  Sooner  yo"  shall  dispatch  and  send  this  Breviate  to  mee,  the  Sooner 
will  yo'  Settlement  bee  made  and  those  Persons,  whom  I  shall  send  to  that  purpose,  will  have  a 
Shorter  worke,  my  whole  Endeavours  being  to  lessen  yo"'  Charge  and  increase  yo''  Satisfac9on, 
whereunto  I  expect  yo'  full  compliance  and  remaine 

i'our  loving  ffriend  Pich'd.  Nicolls. 

To  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Westchester,  to  be  commimicated 
to  y°  Inhabitants  and  farmers  in  and  about  Westchester. 


Indian  Deed  for  Land  in  Westchester  (Town  of  Harrison)  to  John  Rttod. 

To  all  Christian  People,  Indians  and  others  whom  it  may  Coneeme,  that  wee  whose  n;unes 
are  hereunto  subscribed  living  upon  Hudsori's  river  in  America,  Shonorocka,  Sagemore  and 
Romackc[ue  and  Pathunge.  Whereas  wee  have  formerly  sold  a  tract  of  Land  unto  Mr.  John 
Rudd  seniour  bounded  on  the  Sea  on  the  South,  on  the  North  by  Westchester  path  and  the  name 
of  the  tract  of  Land  is  comonly  called  Apauamis.  And  whereas  wee  have  sold  unto  the  said 
Mr.  John  Rudd  twenty  English  miles  northwards  from  the  above  s'^  tract  of  Land,  which  is  called 


New  York  Historical  Records.  403 

Apauamin  is  the  above  s''  tn'enty  Emjlhh  Miles  Wee  do  aclinowledge  that  M-ee  liave  sold  imto 
Mr.  John  Rudd  for  Range  for  feed  for  Timber  for  Grasing  to  liiiii  and  his  heirs  forever  and  now 
wee  do  acknowledge  that  we  have  bargained  sold  and  delivered,  wee  and  every  one  of  us  for  o'' 
Heirs  Executors  and  Assignes  jojntl}'  and  severally  unto  John  Rudd  his  Heirs  Executors  and 
Assignes  a  tract  of  Land  lying  within  the  Compas  of  the  above  s"'  Twenty  English  mile  bounded 
on  the  south  by  Westchester  path  and  on  the  East  by  the  Blind  h'ooh  and  on  the  West  by  Mamori- 
naok  river  and  the  Northbound  is  sixteen  Miles  English  from  Westchester  path  up  into  the  Country 
for  which  land  wee  have  received  already  in  hand  a  Certaine  sunie  to  the  value  of  Twenty  pounds 
starling  for  the  above  s*  tract  for  w'^''  land  wee  are  fully  satisfied  by  the  s"^  John  Rudd  ffor  the 
above  s""  tract  of  land  for  the  which  wee  do  acknowledge  wee  have  bargained  sold  and  dehvered 
unto  John  Rudd  and  his  Heirs  forever  with  Warranty  against  all  men  English  Dutch  and  Indians 
and  do  give  him  full  possession  and  promise  so  to  keep  him  to  the  which  Bargaine  and  Agreem' 
wee  have  hereunto  set  o'  hands  this  day  being  the  29""  of  Aprill  1666. 

Wittnes  Joseph  Hoeton  'X^e  mark  9:^  of  Shanoeocke 

Wittnes  John  Rawls 

The  mark  ^--^t-  of  Cockeo  the  The  mark  Q  of  Eomackqtje 

Indian. 


lark  / 


The  mark  /   of  Pathung 


May  10'"  1673  p^  me 

John  Alltn  Seer''  CoUony  of  Connecticut. 


A  Lettek  weitten  by  y^  Goveeno""  Oedee  tFNTO  Mr.  Thomas  Pell,  conceenino 

HIS    LAND    IN  AVeSTCHESTEE. 

Memokanock,  July  3*,  1666. 

The  Govemo''  having  been  Informed  by  Mr.  Delavall  and  others  that  yo"  Complaine  of  veiy 
hard  Measure  that  you  have  rec*  in  that  hee  disposeth  of  the  Lands  at  Westchester  and  there  about 
to  which  you  pretend  a  Title ;  his  Hone''  gave  mee  Order  to  acquaint  you,  that  for  y^  present  hee 
hath  putt  a  Stopp  to  Westchester  Patent,  as  well  as  others  there  about  (although  they  have  for 
some  time  laying  ready  for  his  Passing)  That  if  you  have  any  just  Clayme  to  those  Lands  or 
Exceptions  to  what  hee  doth,  or  is  about  to  do,  you  may  deliver  them  in  to  him,  But  hee  con- 
ceiveth,  no  Person  hath  a  more  Lawfull  Power  to  dispose  thereof,  than  himselfe  by  vertue  of  his 
Commission  and  Authority  from  his  Poyall  Highnesse  And  hee  did  believe  the  Tryall  about 
VornhilVs  Neck,  was  a  Sufficient  President  for  the  Clearing  of  the  Title  to  the  rest ;  However, 
Its  his  pleasure  to  heare  what  yo"  can  alleadge  or  object,  so  that  you  do  it  Speedily  for  he  thinkes 
it  not  convenient,  to  leave  those  matters  much  longer  in  Suspense ;  yo'  Answer  hereunto  by  the 
first  oppertunity  will  bee  expected.  This  is  all  I  had  in  Charge  to  deliver  unto  j^o",  So  I  subscribe 
S'. 

Tour  humble  Serv' 

Mathias  Nicolls. 


404  Colonial  ^Settlement.'i  on  the  HuJfiOii  liiver. 

A  Letter  weitien  to  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Westchester,  concern- 
ing  THE    DI^^SION    OF    LAND. 

Gentlemen. 

I  have  acquainted  the  Governo'  w""  the  particulars  wee  discourst  abont  yesterday  morning 
and  hee  hath  given  me  Order  to  returne  you  this  Answer.  That  as  to  the  Division  of  yo'  Mead- 
owes  j'Oii  may  proceed  and  make  it  when  yo"  please,  observing  the  order  made  by  Mr.  Delavall 
and  Mr.  Ilubhard,  That  you  are  to  have  so  much  of  that  yo"  call  Mrs.  Bridget's  Meadowes,  as 
was  ordered  by  Mr.  Delavall  and  Mr.  Iluhlard,  but  for  the  42  acres  by  liattlesnalce  Brooke, 
Claimed  by  the  ten  flarmes,  you  are  not  to  meddle  with  them,  they  being  for  the  aecommoda9on 
of  those  ffarmes,  that  are  or  shall  bee  settled  there,  who  ai-e  to  bee  concluded  thereby  and  to  bee 
Bounded  by  the  said  Brooice,  That  after  you  have  laid  out  to  every  100""  Estate  6  Acres  and  to 
200"'  8  Acres  of  good  Meadow  lying  most  convenient  for  each  Lott,  You  are  not  to  make  another 
Division,  but  leave  the  rest  in  Common  for  an  Eneouragera'  to  others  to  come  and  live  w"'  yo". 
This  is  all  at  p'sent  from 
July  T"*  1666.  Your  very  loving  iiriend 

Math  IAS  Nicolls. 


An  Order  to  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Westchester,  forbidding  them 
TO  forbeaee  y*  giving  1'^  Inhabit''^  of  the  10  ffaemes  any  further  Molesta^on 
about  their  Meadow  Grounds. 

Whereas  I  have  formerly  given  order,  That  the  Meadow  Ground  Ij'ing  between  Hutchinson's 
and  Battle  Snake  Brooke  should  wholly  belong  to  y^  Inhabitants  of  the  Tenn  ffarmes  and  that 
y^'  rest  of  yo''  Towne  should  no  way  bee  concern'd  therein,  Notw"'standing  w*  (as  I  am  gi\'en  to 
understand)  yo"  have  laid  out  particulars  Lotts  to  other  men  out  of  the  s''  Meadow  and  have  for- 
bidden those  of  ij^  Tenn  ffarmes  to  Mow  there,  these  are  to  require  and  Command  you,  that  you 
forbeare  y"  giving  y'=  said  Inhabitants  of  the  10  ffarms  any  further  trouble  or  Molesta9on  in  their 
Enjoyin'  of  the  said  Meadow  Ground  and  that  yo"  p'sume  not  to  lay  out  Lotts  of  any  part  thereof 
to  other  persons  or  y'  imd"'  any  p'tence  whatsoever  yo"  give  them  any  disturbance  in  their  Mowing 
there  or  otherwise  disposing  thereof  as  they  shall  thinke  fitt  as  you  M'ill  answer  y''  contrary  at  yo' 
utmost  p'ills.     Given  und"'  my  hand  at  ffoi't  James  in  New  Yorke  y"  ll""  day  of  July  1666. 

Rich".  Nicollb. 


A  Letter  written  to  Capt.  Daniell  Broadhead  on  behalf  of  Mathew  Blanchman  of  Sopas. 

Capt.  Broadhead. 

The  Bearer  hereof  Mathew  Blanchman  an  Inhabitant  w"'  you  having  Peti9oned  the  Generall, 
that  hee  may  have  leave  to  Build  a  Horse  IMill,  on  a  Small  Spott  of  Ground  (as  hee  alleadges 
belonging  to  no  particular  Parson)  near  adjoyning  to  his  House,  which  Avill  bee  for  the  benefitt 
and  commodity  of  the  Towne  in  Generall  as  well  as  for  his  owne  particular;  I  am  commanded  by 
his  Ilono'  to  acquaint  j'ou,  That  it  is  his  pleasure  you  should  make  Enquiry  of  the  Commissaryes 
and  Officers  of  the  Towne,  if  the  matter  bee  so  as  is  suggested  ;  If  it  may  prove  no  inconvenience 
to  the  Towne,  hee  may  proceed  with  his  desigiie  of  Erecting  the  Mill  in  the  place  hee  proposes 


New  Yorh  HistoriGal  Records.  405 

and  it  may  bee  confirmed  to  him  here ;  An  Ace'  whereof  }o"  are  desh-ed  to  Signify  w""  the  first 
oppertimity ;  S^ 

Yo\  very  Loving  ffriend 

New  Yorke  IT*""  September  1666.  M.  Nicolls. 


Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  a  CoMMm'EE  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  October  IS'"'  1666. 

A  letter  from  Hev.  John  Megajpolensis,  pastor  at  Manhattan  in  Hew-Netherland,  addi-essed 
to  the  K.ev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  and  dated  Aug.  16"',  1666,  was  read  ;  it  contained 

1^'.     A  defense  of  liis  Eeverence  respecting  the  transfer  of  that  place  to  the  English. 

2*.  A  report  of  the  condition  of  that  church,  viz.  :  that  there  are  between  three  and  four 
hundred  communicants  and  that  the  place  together  with  the  surrounding  villages  is  served  by 
three  pastors,  viz. :  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  his  son  Samuel  Megajjolensis  and  Rev.  Drisius,  but 
that  their  salary  is  limited  and  comes  in  slow. 

3'^.  A  request  that  through  the  intercession  of  the  deputies  of  the  Rev.  Classis  with  the 
Directors,  he  might  obtain  certain  arrears  of  salary,  which  still  remain  unpaid  by  the  Hon""'  W 
I.  Company. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  as  above  December  10'"',  1666. 

The  request  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  which  was  presented  in  the  meeting  of  the  xix, 
was  rejected,  until  his  Rev.  shall  give  further  satisfaction  concerning  the  events  at  the  surrender 
of  New-Netherland  to  the  English. 


Deed  for  the  Land  between  the  Rarffan  and  Rawake  Rivers  in    N.  J. 
given  by  Philipp  Carteret  and  others  to  Daniel  Pierce  and  Associates. 

Coppie  out  of  the  Records. 

This  Indenture  made  the  11""  day  of  Decemb'  1666  and  in  the  IS""  yeare  of  o'  Soveraigne 
Lord  Charles  ?/'  Second  of  Great  Britain,  ffrance  and  Ireland  King  Defend''  of  the  faith  etc 
Between  Capt.  Philipp  Carteret  Esq.  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  John  Ogden 
Setf  &  Luke  Wattson  of  Elizabeth  Towns  in  the  said  Province  of  the  one  parte  and  Daniell 
Peirse  of  Newherrg  &  his  associates  of  the  other  parte  Witnesseth,  That  the  said  Capt.  Philipp 
Carteret,  John  Ogdon  &  Luke  Wattson  for  &  in  Consideration  of  the  Sum  of  fowerskore  pounds 
Sterling  to  them  in  liand  paid  by  the  said  Daniel  Peirse,  the  receipt  whereof  they  doe  hereby 
acknowledge  and  do  by  these  p''sents  fully  discharge  &  acquitt  the  said  Daniel  Peirse  his  heires, 
execuf'  &  Administraf^  forever,  Have  demised  bargained  and  sold  the  one  Moyety  or  half  parte 
of  a  certains  tract  of  Land  Scituate  lying  &  being  on  the  maine  Continent  of  America  &  Corn- 
only  called  or  known  by  the  name  of  Arthur  Cull  or  Amboyle  or  by  what  other  name  or  names 
soever  it  hath  been  or  now  is  called,  the  w'^''  said  tract  of  Land  was  lawfully  purchased  from  the 
Natives  or  Indeans  by  John,  Bailey,  Daniel  Denton  and  the  said  Luke  Watson  as  hy  the  said 
Bill  of  Sale  from  tlie  Natives  bearing  date  the  28""  of  Octob''  1664  will  more  at  large  appears  ; 
w'^''  said  John  Bailey  and  Daniel  Denton  have  made  over  bargained  and  sold  all  their  Right,  tytle 


406  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

and  intrest  in  the  said  pvirchase  vnto  tlie  aforesaid  PliiUpp  Carteret  &  John  Ogdon  as  will  appeare 
by  their  bills  of  Sale  vnder  their  hands  vpon  Eecord  ;  To  have  &,  to  hold  the  one  raoyety  or  halfe 
of  the  said  purchase  beginning  from  the  Eai-atan  River  and  soe  to  come  Northward  to  Eawake 
Eiver  w''''  is  to  be  the  aljsolute  bounds  as  farr  as  the  tyde  doetli  flow  between  the  one  moyety  of 
the  purchase  &  the  other  belonging  to  Elizahetli  tmone  and  from  thence  to  Ruiin  the  same  Lyne 
"West  into  the  Land  w**"  y''  north  and  South  Lyne  as  exprest  in  the  said  Indean  bill  of  Sale  equall 
with  the  other  moyety  belonging  to  Elizahetli  towne  aforesaid  with  all  &.  singular  Rights,  tytles, 
intrest  &  Conveyance  therevnto  belonging  or  in  any  manner  of  wise  of  Right  appertaining 
together  w""  all  Ri^'ers,  ponds,  Creeks,  Inletts,  bayes  &  springs  and  all  other  appurtenances  what- 
soever to  the  said  Daniel  Peivse  and  his  Associates,  their  Heires,  Execut"  ifc  Administrat"^  that 
bee  the  said  Daniell  Peirse  and  his  associates  shall  &  inay  Inioy  all  &  singular  the  before  demised 
premises  in  as  full  &  ample  manner  as  the  said  Capt.  Carteret  John,  Ogdon  &  Luke  Wattmn  doe 
hold  and  inioy  the  same  forever.  In  Witness  whereof  wee,  the  said  Philipp  Carteret,  John 
Ogdon  &  LuTce  Wattson  have  heervnto  sett  o"'  hands  &  scales  the  day  &  yeare  first  above  written. 

Signed  Sealed  &  delivered  Philipp  Caeteeet 

in  the  presence  of  William  John  Ogdon 

Hill,  Charles  Gillmaji  &  James  Soil  en.  Luke  Wattson 

Indorsed  on  the  backside  of  the  said  deed  as  followeth  : 

Whereas  mention  is  made  in  this  Deed  of  Sale  to  Daniel  Peirse  and  his  Associates  the  said 
Daniel  Peirse  doth  hereby  declare  &  acknowledge  that  these  persons  whose  names  are  heer  vnder- 
written  are  his  associates  and  are  to  have  an  equall  priviiidge  &,  Share  with  him  in  that  third  parte 
of  the  whole  of  the  said  purchase,  that  is  for  the  accomodation  of  the  towne  called  Woodbridge 
except  that  hee  the  said  Daniel  Peirse  is  to  have  the  first  choyce  for  his  accomodation  ;  vizt. 
Joshua  Peirse,  John  PyJce,  John  Bishop,  Henery  Jacques  &  Hugh  March  of  N^eioberry,  Steephin 
Kent  of  Hamerelle,  Rohert  Dennis  of  Yarmouth,  John  Smith  of  Barnstaple  and  ...  of 
in  Wew  England.  In  Witness  whereof  the  said  Daniel  Peirse  hath  heervnto  set  his 
hand  at  Elizabeth  tcnone  the  3''  Decemb''  1667. 

Signed  in  the  presence  of  Daniell  Peiese. 

James  Bollen,  Secretary. 


The  papers  that  conceenk  y'^  Esopus  mutineys  wiph  y"^  heath  of  Heneick  Cornelius. 

As  allsoe — 
The  peoceedings  and  Sentences  of  the  Couet  held  In  Esopus  \-^  25  .  26  .  27  . 
bayes  of  Apeill  by  vietue  of  a  commission  given  to  Cai''^  Robeet  Need- 
ham  AJiD  M^  Thamas  De  Lavall  Esq'"',  and  Me.  Coknelius  Van  Ruyven 
Justice  of  y'^  peace.  By  y^  Right  Hon'"'''  Collonell  Rich.  Nicolls,  Govern" 
undee  his  royall  highness  the  dukb  of  yoeke  of  all  his  teeeytoeies  in 
Ameeica.     To  the  Hon"  Magistrates  op  the  Towne  Wiltwyck. 

Sheweth,  the  underwritten  generall  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Wiltwyck,  that  since  the 
Hono'''''  Governo''  Richard  Nicolls,  is  departed  from  hence,  we  have  suffered  soo  much  Injurie  & 
Violence  not  only  from  the  Sould"  in  General,  But  alsoe  from  the  Capt".  Broadhead  in  particu- 
ter,  whoe  ought  to  have  punished  the  wronge  w'^''  tlie  s'*  SouW^  have  done  unto  us,  Videllez'". 


New  York  Historical  Jiecords.  407 

1.  Cornells  Barentsen  Slegt-  is  beaten  in  his  owne  house  by  Ins  Sould''  George  Porter,  and 
after  this  by  the  otiier  Sould"  forced  to  prison,  and  was  by  some  souki"  at  his  imprisonment  used 
very  hard ; 

2.  and  afterwards  hath  Cap'.  Broadhead  beaten  Tierch  Claesen  &  without  any  Reason 
brought  to  Prison. 

3.  It  is  happened  that  Cap'.  Broadhead,  comminge  at  the  house  of  Lewies  Bu  bois  tooke 
an  anchor  of  Brandy  and  throwed  it  uppon  the  ground,  because  the  s'*  Bois  Refused  him 
Brandy  without  paiment,  and  did  Likewise  force  the  s'^  Bois  to  give  him  Brandy. 

i.  And  the  s*  Bois  his  wife  comming  for  bur  monny  at  the  s''  Broadheads  house,  he 
drove  the  s*  Bois  his  wife,  with  a  beare  knyff  out  off  his  house. 

5.  The  Sould''  George  jporter,  comminge  in  the  Barne  of  Pieter  UiUehrants,  and  findinge 
there  Dirck  Hendrix,  the  s*  Porter,  tooke  his  sword  &  thrusted  the  same  threww  the  s* 
DircJc  Uendrixes  Breeches. 

6.  Albert  Heymans  Boos,  going  with  his  j)louw  yrou  towards  the  Smits,  was  assalted  by  five 
sould''^  whoe  wounded  him  very  miich,  whereupon 

7.  The  souldiers  said  ....  the  s*^  Albert  Heymans  going  ....  without 
any  Reason  brought  him  to  .  .  .  Imprisonment  was  most  griviously  .  .  .  wounded 
by  Richard  Hamer. 

8.  Two  sould",  f ranee  Vreman  and  Wm.  Fisher,  comming  to  the  Millers,  to  steale  his  hens, 
the  s*  Miller  in  defending  of  his  hens,  was  by  the  s''  sould"  beaten  in  his  owne  hoiise. 

9.  JSarmen  Hendricx  was  wounded  in  his  Legge  by  Richard  Cuge,  in  soo  much  that  the  s* 
Harmen  is  lame  unto  this  present  day,  and  that  only  because  his  Goates  where  eaten  by  the  sould'■^ 

10.  It  is  happened  uppon  New  Year  day,  that  Walrait  du  Mont,  haveing  some  friends  & 
Neighbours  to  eat  with  him  at  his  house,  where  uppon  Cap'.  Broadhead  comming  in  he  treated 
the  s'^  Walrau  very  badly,  and 

11.  herewith  not  being  satisfied,  tooke  the  wife  of  Hannen  Hendricx,  from  thence  to 
Prison,  in  the  Guards. 

12.  John  Cornelissen  Smith,  going  alonge  the  Streete  was  assalted  &,  persecuted  to  his  verry 
shop,  &  was  Like 

13.  to  have  been  murthered,  by  George  Barter,  but  he  was  hindered  in  his  desseyn  by 
frans  Vreeman  /  and  the  s'^  George  porter  hath  Likewise  uppon  the  s**  day  in  open  streete 
assaulted  Roelof  Swartivout. 

14.  Cornells  Barentsen  Slegt,  beinge  by  Cap'.  Broadhead  verry  ill  Treated,  in  his  owne 
house,  was  afterwards  by  the  s**  Cap',  forced  to  prison,  and  his  armes  by  force  taken  out  of  his 
house,  w*  still  doe  Remaiue  by  the  s*  Cap'.  Broadhead. 

15.  Andries  Pietersen  being  at  the  said  time  in  the  house  of  the  s*  Slegt,  was  beaton  by 
Christoffer  Berresfort  w""  his  halbard  that  the  s"*  Andries  fel  downe  in  a  sounding  and  was  in 
great  danger  of  his  life. 

16.  And  Hendric'k  Cornelissen  Lindrayer,  is  by  William  Fisher  without  any  the  Least 
Reason,  wounded  in  his  Belly  &  ...  is  apparent,  that  Gerrit  Focken  .  .  .  would 
have  been  killed  by  the     .      .      .     escaped  being  wounded  in  his     .... 

18.  Wee  passe  by,  all  the  offences,  done  to  the  ofiicer  &  magestrates  in  generall,  and  besides 
all  this,  we  are  threatned  by  Cap'.  Broadhead  &  his  souldiers,  to  burns  downe  this  Towne,  &  that 
they  will  murther  al  what  is  thei'ein  ;  Therefore  —  we  do  most  humbly  supplicate,  that  you  wil 
be  pleased  to  Remonstrate  &  make  knowne,  unto  the  Right  hon"'^  Governo""  the  sade  condition 
we  are  in,  from  whome  we  hope  to  have  Redresse,  and  to  be  maintained  in  o''  Right,  so  Remaininge 


408  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Thomas  Chamhrits  Cap',  and  overseer,  and  Evert  Pels  overseer,  are  hereby  authorised  by 
the  Court  to  acquaint  Cap*.  Broadhead,  the  answer  of  y^  Inhabitants,  that  Cornells  Barentsen 
Sleght  by  him  Imprisoned,  might  be  Ileleased  out  of  his  Imprisonment,  for  to  prevent  further 
trouble  &  danger ;  and  in  case  the  afore  said  Cornelis  Barentsen  Slegt,  hath  offended  the  s'^  Cap'. 
Broadhea/l^  tliat  the  s"*  Broadhead  (:  according  to  the  Governo"  order  :)  should  sue  him  to  the 
Court,  for  to  be  examined  and  Corrected,  dated  in  Wiltwyck  this  ^  day  of  Feb'".  1667. 

Wm.  Beeckmai^^ 
Jan  Joosten 

EoELOF    SwAUTWOUT. 

In  answer  to  this  above  standings,  Cap'.  Broadhead  Replyes,  that  he  will  keepe  Cornelis 
Sleght  in  apprehension,  as  Longe  he  thincks  good,  and  in  case  the  Inhabitants  will  fetch  him  by 
force,  that  he  would  waight  uppon  them,  dated  in  Wiltwyck  this  y\  off  Feb^.  1667. 

Thojiias  Chambeits 
EvEET  Pels 
Right  Honorable. 

Your  humble  servants  and  Souldiers  hath  made  bold  to  Present  yo''  honour  with  these  few 
lyues  and  to  give  yo"  a  a  more  clearer  demonstration  of  our  first  proceedings  and  the  testimonies 
of  all  those  men  that  were  of  both  y*  parties  Comanded  by  our  Officer  in  Chiefe  the  which  they 
will  all  testifBe  upon  oath. 

The  first  party  of  men  was  Commanded  by  Sergion  Beresford  from  the  gaurd,  to  the  Burgers 
house,  by  Cap'.  Brodheades  Command,  wher  they  found  the  Burger  with  his  piece  Cocked,  and 
his  hanger  drawnd  hanging  upon  his  Arme,  we  disarming  him  per  force,  and  brought  him  prisoner 
to  the  gaurd  according  to  order,  but  att  our  first  arrivall  att  the  afore  said  house,  we  found  Cap'. 
Brodhead  witli  his  Crevatte  torne,  and  throwne  away,  and  his  face  Scratcht  and  very  much 
abussed,  the  names  of  those  men  that  went  to  the  burgers  house, 

Sergion  Beresford, 

Corprall  Hamer, 

George  Hall,  thire  testamonys. 

Savfi.  Oliver, 

George  Porter. 

2.  Eiglit  or  nine  dutch  men  went  to  the  Scouts  house  but  wliat  ther  meaning  was  we  cannot  say 
but  Straight  they  were  all  in  ther  Arraes  and  the  Scouts  Sarvant  with  them  also,  in  Armes,  he 
not  having  any  Armes  of  his  owne,  but  haveing  tliem  out  of  his  M"  house. 

3.  Ilendrich  Yocka/ns,  ther  lieutenant  Commanded  them  to  ther  Armes  and  drew  them  up  in 
battallia :  and  headed  them  him  selfe  att  his  owne  dore. 

Then  Cap'.  Brodhead  with  a  party  of  7  men  marcht  to  them  and  demanded  the  ocasion  of 
being  in  ther  armes,  ther  lieu',  made  answer,  that  they  would  have  the  burger  out  of  y''  gaurd,  but 
Cap'.  Brodhead  Commanded  them  to  returne  all  with  ther  armes  to  ther  houses,  but  denyed  the 
motion  and  Standing  all  upon  ther  gaurd  with  ther  peices  Cockt,  would  not  obey  our  Cap'.  Com- 
mand, ther  Lieu'.  Replyed  that  they  would  not  but  would  have  the  prisoner  out  of  the  gaurd. 
4r.  There  was  one  of  ther  party  by  name  Anthony  A  french  man,  presented  his  peice  Against 
our  Cap',  being  Loaden  with  nine  small  bullats  and  swere  that  if  he  moved  on  foot  he  would  fire 
upon  him,  and  avouM  not  be  persuaded  nor  Comanded,  but  did  persist  in  ther  Rebelious  Acetions 
and  would  not  Return  with  ther  Armes. 

5.  They  sent  for  Cap'.  Ghamhers,  thinking  he  would  have  headed  them,  but  when  he  came  would 
not,  but  likewise   Comanded  them  all  to  returne  with  ther  Armes,  to  ther  houses,  but  denying 


New    YovTc  Historical  Records.  409 

him,  did  maintaine  tlier  former  Eesolutions ;  continneing  in  ther  Armes,  untill  about  nine  of  y° 
clock  att  night ;  with  threatening  that  they  would  fetch  the  burger  out  perforce  that  night  and 
villifying  us  with  our  Small  party  of  men.  Saing  what  is  15  or  IG  men  to  60  or  SO:  as  Continu- 
ally they  have  done  from  y'  begining. 

6.  Another  of  ther  Rebellious  party  by  name  Albert  Hyinons  otherwise  caled  the  new  boore, 
who  was  the  Cheife  in  the  first  Eysiug  against  us,  gave  out  speeches  in  y'=  hereing  of  one  of  our 
Souldiers,  Iluinfory  fforgison  by  name ;  if  he  had  had  y*"  Comand  of  ther  party  he  would  not 
have  left  one  English  Souldier  alive  in  the  Esopes. 

7.  Cap'.  Chamhers  did  relate  unto  Edw.  Whiticar,  and  Francis  Freeman  both  Souldiers  quarter- 
ing in  his  house,  That  he  was  verry  sorry  y'  be  "had  misinformed  yo'  honour  Concerning  ther  first 
Rysing  of  y°  burgers  against  us,  when  he  Satisfied  yo''  hono'  that  they  Returned  to  ther  houses 
with  ther  Armes,  but  did  not  att  his  Comand  Upon  hopes  of  ther  futer  obedience,  and  is 
ashamed  y'  he  should  excuse  or  countenance  such  a  stoubern  people  as  they  bee. 

A  list  of  the  names  of  ther  officers  that  headed  them. 

Henry  Yockams,  Lieut. 

Tirick  Gloss,  Sergion. 

Hen.  Seawant  Walraven. 

Hen.  Fowlebeard,  )  ^         „  .-,■,        -r^ 

Jo.  Johnson  Brabande,  \  ^"^'P^^^^"  ^^^^''^  Hymons. 

"With :  50  or  60  :  more  of  the  Inhabitants  that  were  In  Armes  against  us :  omiting  Severall  other 
abuses  Received  from  them,  att  other  times,  we  Remaine  yo''  hon"  Servants  with  our  lives  to  our 
powers. 

AU  what  is  before  herein  mentioned  these  men  herein  named  will  testaffie  upon  oath  the 
which  is  nothing  but  y°  truth  and  the  very  truth. 

The  names  of  the  party  of  men  that  Cap'.  Brodhead  Comanded  with  him. 

Corprall  Hamer. 

George  Hall. 

Samuell  Oliver. 

Thomas  Mathewes. 

William  Horton. 

Hum.  fforgison. 

Will.ffisher. 

COMP''^^  AGAINST  Cap''.  BrOADHEAD. 

Tyerk  Clauson. 

Saith  y'=  reason  why  Cap'.  Broadhead  abused  him  was  because  hee  would  keepe  Christ- 
mas day  on  y°  day  accustomary  with  y'  Duch,  and  not  on  y'  day  according  to  y*"  English 
observacjon. 

Ca])'.  Broadhead  accknowledged  it. 
Lues  Be  Boys  his  wife. 

Saith  Cap'  Broadhead  had  a  knife  in  his  hand  when  Shee  demanded  y^  money  hee  owed 
her,  and  he  told  her  y'  if  shee  were  not  with  child  hee  would  Cutt  her  and  called  her  many 
bad  names. 
Lues  De  Boys  saith. 

Cap'.  Broadhead  used  his  best  endeavo''  to  show  his  anchor  of  wyne  when  hee  threw  it 
downe  but  cold  not,  and  y'  hee  lost  none  of  y"  Drinke. 
Walra/oen  De  Mont  sworne. 

Saith  y'  last  new  yeares  day  hee  had  some  freinds  at  his  house,  and  Cap'.  Broadhead 
52 


410  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hiuhon  River 

quarrelled  with  y^  wife  of  Ilarman  HendricTcson,  and  threw  a  glass  of  Beere  in  her  face 
and  called  her  many  bad  names  &  carryed  her  to  y^  Guard  a  prisoner. 

Cap'.  Chambei's. 

Concurreth  with  y^  former  evidence  being  then  p'sent  at  y°  house. 

Cap'.  B roadhead  ownetli  y"  same,  but  saith  y'^  Harmans  wife  called  his  sister  whore, 
w*  occasioned  y°  quarrell. 

The  Bui-gers  brought  into  y"  Court  a  paper  to  excuse  their  being  in  Armes,  and 
y®  reason  y'  induced  them  to  it  they  say,  was  because  Cap'.  Broadhead  andy"  soldiers 
threatned  to  burne  y°  Towne  and  all  y'  was  in  it,  and  alsoe  because  Captaine  Broad- 
head  had  committed  their  Searjt.  being  a  Burger  of  the  Towne  to  y'^  Guard  a  prisoner 
and  had  misused  and  cut  him,  ^f"^  made  his  wife  and  children  run  about  ye  Towne  and  cry 
murder  y*  English  soldiers  had  killed  their  father. 
Henry  Pawling  Sworne,  Saith 

Article  2^.  That  Cornells  Barnsan,  Vrian  Westf alius,  Tunis  Jacohson,  John  Brewerson, 
&  Jacob  Van  Elmendorp ;  hee  see  these  5  p''sons  come  out  He  Batmans  house  but  not 
in  their  armes  at  y'  tyme,  and  her  heard  Elmendorp  say,  lett  us  goe  from  house  to  house 
for  wee  will  have  y^  Searj'  at  Liberty  out  of  y"  guard. 

The  Burgers  being  in  their  armes  was  by  very  many  of  them  confessed. 
Article  3''. ' 

But  y''  lef  being  charged  with  standing  at  the  head  of  them  with  his  pistoll  and  sword, 
made  this  his  defence,  That  hee  was  not  at  home  when  they  gathered  together  in  their 
armes,  but  ye  Burgers  telling  him  y'  Cap'.  Broadhead  had  threatned  y"^  setting  y*^  towne  one 
fyer  hee  came  among  them,  and  alleaged  that  that  was  not  y*"  right  way  to  get  the  Serf,  free 
and  when  Cap'.  Broadhead  came  to  know  y'=  reason  of  their  being  in  armes,  hee  comanded 
them  not  to  shoote  w''"'  was  proved  by  there  following  p'"sons. 
Sam''.  Oliver  sworne  afirmeth  y"  same. 

Anto  Dalva — Albert    Hymens  —  Jan   Broerson  —  Jan   Cornelison — Corn"\   Barnson  — 
Ariant  Albertson   Jioss  —  all  upon  oath  afirme  y""  same  —  Richard  Haymour  &   George 
Hall  afirme  y^  Like,  upon  oath. 
Richard  Haymour  sworn  saith 

Oeorge  Hall.     That  they  heard  Anthonio  Dalva  say  to  Cap'.  Broadhead  with  his  piece 
presented,  stand  oif  for  if  you  move  a  foot  He  fyre  upon  you. 
Jacob  Jonson,  Glaus  Clason. 

Both  sworne  say  that  y°  reason  why  Antonio  Halve  presented  his  gun  at  C.  Broadliead 
was  because  hee  made  to  him  w'*  his  naked  cutlax  and  threatned  there  with  to  cut  him  in 
peeces. 
George  Hall  sworne. 

Saith  that  when  Cap'.  Broadhead  was  gathering  some  of  y"  young  Burgers  to  goe  to 
Albany,  hee  heard  Antonio  Dalva  say  —  Shall  wee  goe  and  fight  against  our  f  reinds  and  leave 
our  enemies  at  home.  To  w*  Antmiia  Dalva  in  his  owne  defence  replyed  Tliat  hee  said  fight 
for  their  f reinds  meaning  y"  Duch  at  Albany  who  in  y"  Last  warr  sold  y*"  So_pes  Indians  powder 
&  Lead,  and  leave  their  enemyes  at  home,  meaning  the  /Soj)es  Indians. 
Humphry  Forgison  sworne. 

Saith  being  once  at  y"  house  of  Albert  Hymens  with   William,  Fisher,  hee  heard  Alhert 


New  Yorh  Historical  JReconh.  411 

say  y*  if  y°  Burgers  would  bee  ruled  by  liiin,  Lee  would  not  leave  an  Englishman  alive  in  the 
house,  and  that  if  there  any  disturbance  againe  hee  would  prosecute  him  selfe  let  y'  Magis- 
trates doe  what  they  would. 
Frederick  Ilussey  sworne. 

Hee  heard  Albert  Ilymens  say  that  if  the  English  had  any  quarrell  againe  with  them, 
they  would  4  or  5  fall  upon  one  Englishman,  as  y'^  English  had  done  to  y°".  But  Albert 
Ilymens  utterly  denyeth  all.  Another  complaint  was  brought  in  against  Albert  Hymens  & 
his  sonn  &  couzen  but  3'°  Court  understanding  that  hee  had  bine  fined  for  it  by  y"  civill  Magis- 
trate would  not  p'^mitt  it  to  bee  prosecuted. 
These  Persons  Acckuowledged  to  bee  in  Armes. 

Geekit  Aete. 

John  Baenson 

Asian  Guneson 

Jan  Janson  Van  Oysteehoud 

Anto.  Dalva 

AjtIENT  HUBEETSON. 


To  THE  Right  Honoueable  Gen^all  Rich.   Nicolls  Goveenee  of  his  Majesties 

Teeitoeies  In  Ameeica. 
The  Testimonies  of  to"  Hon"^  Souldiees  in  foet  Esopes  And  nothing  but  what 

THEY  WILL  TESTIFIE,   ITPON  OATH  : 

Imprimis.  A  partie  of  five  men  being  commanded  from  the  gaurd,  by  Sergion  Berisford, 
according  to  Cap'.  Broadheades  order,  to  the  Burge"  house,  where  comeing  they  found  him  y'  said 
Broadhead  with  his  Crevate  Torne  in  peices  from  of  his  neck,  with  his  face  scratch'  and  very  much 
abused,  and  the  burger  with  his  peice  in  his  hand  Ready  cocked,  and  his  Sword  drawne  hanging 
upon  his  arme,  wherupon  by  order  of' Cap'.  Broadhead  they  Brought  him  prisoner  to  the  gaurd. 

2.  There  was  7  or  8  of  the  townes  men  went  to  the  Scouts  house  ;  but  what  answer  they  Received 
we  cannot  say  but  presently  they  were  all  in  their  armes,  and  the  Scouts  servant  with  them  in  his 
armes,  and  to  our  knowledge  he  have  none  of  his  owne. 

3.  Tlier  were  60 :  or  70 :  of  th3  burgers  in  ther  armes  in  the  Fort,  being  headed  by  ther  Lieu- 
tenant Hendrick  ITockams  and  the  other  of  ther  infEeriow  officers,  wherupon  Cap'.  Broadhead 
commanded  a  partie  of  7  men  from  the  gaurd  and  march'  to  them,  they  being  drawne  up  att  ther 
Lieu"  dore,  our  afore  said  officer  demanded  ther  Reason  of  being  in  ther  armes ;  ther  Lieu'  made 
answer  they  would  have  the  burger  out  of  the  gaurd,  nore  they  should  not  Keturne  ther  armes, 
untill  they  had  him  out. 

4.  Anthony  a  frencli  man  on  of  ther  party  presented  his  peice  against  Cap'.  Broadhead  :  with 
an  oath  that  if  he  moved  on  foote  he  would  fire  upon  him,  his  peice  being  loaden  with  nine  bul- 
lits  the  testimony  of  Avery  price  to  Sergion  berisford.  As  to  y"  clause  of  y"  9  Bulletts  Evert 
Price  saith  hee  forgeeteth  y'  there  was  any  such  thing. 

5.  When  Cap'.  Chambers  commanded  them  in  ther  armes,  to  lett  them  understand  yo''  hon"  com- 
mand, concerning  marching  to  fort  Albany  the  last  winter,  the  said  Anthony  said  that  we  goe 
and  fight  with  our  friends  and  leve  our  enimies  att  home.     Geo.  Ball. 

6.  They  sent  for  Cap'.  Chambers  to  his  house  who  comeing  to  them  commanded  them  to  retm'ne 


412  Colonial  Settlemeniii  on  the  Hudtson  River.. 

with  ther  armes  to  tlier  liouses  they  would  not,  but  repljed  they  would  have  the  burger  out  of  the 
gaurd,  then  he  comeing  to  us  to  y^  gaurd,  said  they  were  a  company  of  Stuborn  Roages  and 
would  not  be  comanded  by  him.  Where  upon  he  said  he  would  have  nothing  to  doe  with  such 
mutinus  Roages,  and  returned  to  his  owne  house  tliey  remaining  in  their  armes  untill  about  S :  or 
9  :  of  the  Clock  that  night.     All  y°  Soldiers  in  Generall. 

7.  Cap'.  Chanibers  said  in  his  owne  house  to  Edward  Whiticer  and  Frances  Freeinan  that  he  was 
very  much  troubled  that  he  had  misinformed  yo'  honour  in  exeuseing  therein  ther  first  mutinie 
aad  y''  his  information  to  yo"'  bono''  ou  thir  behalfe  was  an  abomenable  lie,  in  saying  they  returned 
thir  armes  when  they  did  not. 

8.  Ilumpherij  jfergison  was  att  Albert  Hyeinonds  house  with  Will.  Fisher  being  his  quarters, 
where  y''  said  Albert  Hymonds  said  that  if  thir  party  would  have  beene  Ruled  by  him,  he  would 
not  have  left  on  english  man  alive  in  y''  town  ;  and  y'  if  there  were  any  disturbance  againe,  lett  y^ 
Magestrates  doe  what  they  would,  he  would  prosecute  by  himselfe. 

9.  Albert  Hymonds  with  his  son  and  his  Cozen,  being  att  the  Strand  with  thir  armes,  then  in  y^ 
winter  the  diference  about  A  Canon,  the  afore  said  3  men  Chalenged  3  of  our  Souldiers  of  from 
y°  Redoubt  thir  gaurd  to  fight  with  them  and  drew  thir  small  shot  and  loaded  thir  peiees  with 
bulitts. 

10.  Upon  Easter  Monday,  John  Williamson  servant,  by  name  Thomas  y^  ,  Related  to 
Corprall  hamer  y*  he  had  not  beene  in  his  armes  had  he  not  beene  comanded  by  two  of  y'^  inhabit- 
ants and  y'  in  thir  Leuits.  name. 

11.  Thomas  Elgur  heard  his  landlord  say  Ard  Mattlson  being  on  of  thir  Corpralls  they  were 
all  in  generall  comanded  to  thir  armes  in  thir  Lieutenants  name. 

The  testimonies  of  these  as  Followeth, 

Christopher  Beresford,  Sargion. 
The  first      Richard  Earner,  Corp'", 
party.        Oeorge  Porter. 

Samuell  Olimer. 

George  HalZ.  These  are  y"  wittnesses  to 

Anthony  Cooke.  y"  first  Article. 

The  second  Richard  Hamer. 
party.       Sam,.  Oliver. 
Geo.  Hall. 

Will.  Horton.  All  y^  Soldyers  see  it. 

Hum.  fforgison. 
The  Y  Tho.  Mathews. 

men.         Will,  ffisher. 

Att  the        Geo.  Porter.  The  whole  Soldyers 

Redout.  Sam.  Oliver.  and  y°  7  men  in  p'ticuler. 

Endorsed  The  Soldiers  Testimonyes  In  Generall. 


New   Yorh  Historical  Records.  413 

An  extract  out  of  y"  Pkodusall  ok  Register  of  tub  Towne  of  Esopus. 

The  wife  of  Cornelius  Barnson  Sleight  and  her  daughter  complained  to  y"  Court,  that 
Cap'.  Broadhead  had  grievously  cut  beate  and  wounded  Cornelius  Barndson  her  husband  in  his 
owne  house,  and  y'  hee  bad  alsoe  coniitted  his  body  close  confined  to  y^  guard  and  would  not 
release  him. 

Upon  vf"'^  y  Coiu-t  ordered  y'  y"  Courts  messinger  should  bee  sent,  to  request  Cap'.  Broad- 
head  to  come  to  y"  court  and  tlie  s'^  messinger  received  this  following  answer,  That  if  y*"  comis- 
sary  would  speake  with  him  they  might  come  to  him,  then  y°  Bui-gers  being  in  armes,  the  court 
endeavored  .  .  in  them  lay  to  prevent  any  further  danger,  and  thereupon  ordered  y'  Cap'. 
Chamhers  tfc  Evert  Pelce  to  desyre  Capt.  Broadhead  to  release  y""  said  Burger  from  y°  Guard  & 
if  y"  said  Cornelius  Barnson  had  any  wise  oifended  him,  hee  shold  according  to  y^  Govern"  order 
complaine  to  the  Maiestrates,  who  would  see  that  liee  make  satisfaction  or  be  punished  according 
to  ye  merritt  of  his  crimes.  But  when  y"  said  2  Commissaryes  had  delivered  the  message  to  Capt. 
Broadhead,  hee  made  them  this  answer,  that  hee  would  keepe  the  said  Cornelias  as  long  as  hee 
pleased  and  if  they  would  fetch  him,  hee  would  be  ready  to  waite  for  them. 

The  Com-t  alsoe  used  many  arguments  to  y"  Burgers  were  in  armes  to  goe  quietly  whome 
to  tbeir  houses  and  went  p'sonally  themselves  to  persuade  tbem,  y'  they  should  not  doe  any  thing 
against  y*  Militie,  but  told  them  they  would  adress  their  cause  to  y"  lion""*  Govern''. 

Then  the  burgers  told  them  y"  Magistrates,  that  Captaine  Broadhead  &  more  of  y°  soldiers 
had  many  tymos  threatened  to  burne  the  Towne  and  that  with  other  reasons  moved  them  to 
appeare  in  their  armes  and  therfore  they  requested  to  bee  impowred  by  their  Maiestrates  to  con- 
tinue in  their  armes.     But  the  said  Maiestrates  uterly  denyed  the  same. 


The  Burgees  Reasons  &  Confession  of  their  being  in  Armes. 

Wee  whose  names  are  here  underwritten,  inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Esopes  doe  certifye  & 
ackowledge  that  on  the  4""  day  of  February  last  upon  the  dolefuU  cry  &  lamentation  of  the 
children  of  Cornelius  Barndson  Sleight,  that  their  father  was  miserably  beaten  and  wounded  by 
Capt.  Broadhead  and  y'  another  p''son  named  Andreas  Peitersen  van  Lewen  was  killed  in  y* 
browhouse,  at  w*^**  accjon  Some  of  us  being  eye  witnesses  wee  gathered  together  in  an  assembly  at 
y*  first  and  through  the  ihreatning  of  y^  inillitia  formerly  to  hurne  up  the  Towne  and  through 
their  beating  their  drumm  and  their  further  saying  they  would  burne  y°  Towne  and  y' was  therein, 
the  aforesaid  motives  and  resons  moved  us,  that  every  one  of  us  without  order  of  Burger  or  ofticer 
did  take  our  \Veapons  in  hand  not  knowing  otherwise  but  this  might  be  the  beginning  or  fore- 
runner of  the  utter  Ruein  of  the  towne  by  y"  millitia  and  that  they  would  doe  with  us  what  they 
pleased,  as  they  had  done  with  several  p''sons  sence  y°  Governour  went  from  hence,  as  is  p'ticulerly 
mentioned  in  our  remonstrance  to  his  honnour  dated  this  28'"  Aprill  1667  In  y°  towne  of  Wild- 
wycTce. 

Tyerck  Clausen  de  Wrrr  Peter  Helebeantzen  Cornelius  ffinchard 

Peter  Arienson  John  Williamzen  Corn.  Hoghbome 

Lambert  IIubertson  Hendrick  Martensen  John  Jacobs  Burhans 

Gerrat  ffowkee  Ard  Martinsen  Henr.  Arianson 

Tunis  Jacobson  Paulus  Paulsen  "Walrav  De  Mont 


414  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Andries  Petkkson  Claus  Clauson  ffranc.  La  Cheie 

Arian  Gekitson  ffredk.  Petebson  John  Lodman 

Yeian  Westfall  Derick  IIendricksen  Thomas  Harmonzen 

John  Corneliusen  Thom.  van  Makken  Bajbnakd  Holsten,  34. 

John  Hendrix  Jan  Jansen 

Koloph  Hendricks  Albert  Jansen  V.  Steenwyck 

John  Barntson 

John  Adrianson 

Adrian  Hubertsen 


The  Proceedings  of  the  Court. 

At  a  Court  held  iu  j"  Towue  of  Esojjus  ats  Wildwyclc  upon  the  25,  26  &  27dayes  of  Aprill 
A°  1667  by  virtue  of  a  Coinission  from  y"  Right  hono*"'®  Collon"  Richard  Nicolls,  Goveru''  under 
his  Royall  highness  the  Duke  of  Yorke  of  all  his  territoryes  In  America,  Given  to  Capt.  Robert 
Needham  &  Mr.  Thomas  Delavall  Esq  two  of  his  hon*'^  Privy  Councell  and  Mr.  Comeliux  van 
Ruyven  one  of  his  Ma*'"'  Justices  of  y"  peace  and  were  present  the  Schout  &  Comissaryes  of  y* 
said  Towne. 

Articles  against  Albert  Hymens  of  Esopus. 

1.  That  the  said  Albert  Hymens  was  the  occasion  of  the  first  rebellious  Mutiney  in  y"  Esopus 
and  likwise  a  great  incouriger  of  this  last  mutiny  being  himselfe  in  amies  and  since  that  tj-me 
hath  spoken  very  dangerous  words  to  y"  preiudice  of  his  Ma''"*  subiects  and  peaceable  government 
&  contrary  to  his  oath  of  Alegience. 

That  hee  was  y'^  occasion  of  y*^  first  mutiney  is  Proved  by  Edward  ffrench  upon  Oath,  who 
saith  : 

That  y''  said  AUiert  Hymens  wounded  one  Daniell  JBuierworth  in  y°  hand  for  demanding  his 
provisions  and  calling  him  and  more  of  us  the  soldiers  in  Esopus  Shellums  {schelm,  rascal)  starts 
(scum)  and  more  of  y"  like  provoking  speeches. 

2.  That  hee  was  in  y°  second  mutiney  is  by  himselfe  confessed  in  a  double  manner  and  y' 
hee  was  then  in  his  armes  is  owned  by  his  signeing  y®  petition  and  secondly  y'  hee  confessed  the 
leittenant  comanded  him  &  y^  rest  to  lay  downe  their  armes  and  goe  home  w"""  hee  did  not  and 
therefore  needs  noe  more  to  prove  him  guilty. 

3.  That  hee  spoke  since  very  dangerous  &  mutinous  words  is  proved  by  y°  Oathes  of  2  wit- 
nesses, Humphrey  fforgison  and  ffrederick  Hussey. 

Humphrey  fforgison  saith  hee  being  once  at  y°  house  of  Albert  Hymans  and  'William  ffisher 
ilea  heard  Albert  say  y'  if  y^  Burgers  would  bee  ruled  by  him,  hee  would  not  leave  an  English 
man  alive  iu  the  house,  and  that  if  there  any  disturbance  againe  hee  would  prosecute  him  selfe 
let  y°  Burgers  and  ilagistrates  doe  w'  they  would. 

Frederick  Hussey  saith  Hee  heard  Albert  Hymens  say  that  if  the  English  had  any  qnarrell 
againe  with  them,  they  would  i  or  5  fall  upon  one  English  man,  as  y"  English  had  done  upon  them. 

That  formerly  Albert  Hymans  with  his  soim  and  kinsman  was  at  y"'  Redoubt  where  there 
was  a  Canew  left  in  charge  of  y'  souldiers  at  y"  Redouht,  which  Canew  as  it  seems  did  belong  to 
y"  said  Alhert  and  annother  man,  but  y"  souldiers  haveing  charge  of  it  from  y"  other  man  would 
not  lett  her  goe,  whereu})on  there  was  some  dispute  and  one  of  his  Company  did  abuse  Samuell 


New  Yo7'h  Historical  Records.  415 

Oliver  and  tooke  his  annes  from  him  and  after  wards  they  challenged  to  figlit  with  any  3  of  y* 
souldiers  and  one  of  y™  drew  his  small  shott  and  loaded  his  gunn  with  Bulletts.  ^  This  was 
Sworne  to  by  Sam^  Oliver,  George  Porter  &  Edward  Shackleton,  but  by  reason  it  was  soe  long 
since  and  the  Court  haveing  fined  the  said  Albert  for  the  said  fault  This  Court  took  litle  notice  of 
it,  however  cold  not  doe  less  then  represent  it  to  y"  Genei'all  to  order  what  his  honnour  shall  see 
meete  in  y^  Matter. 

Articles  agains*  Antonio  Dalva. 

1.  That  y^  said  Antonio  was  in  y^  first  and  last  mutiney  and  hath  spoken  very  dangerous  and 
seditious  words  contrary  to  his  alegiance  and  y**  peace  of  this  Gouernment. 

He  confesseth  his  being  in  y^  2  Mutineys. 

2.  George  Hall  upon  oath  saith  that  when  Cap'.  Broadhead  was  gathering  some  of  y"  young 
Burgers  to  goe  to  Fo74  Albany,  hee  heard  Antonio  Dalva  say  Shall  wee  goe  and  light  with  our 
friends  and  leave  our  enemies  at  home. 

To  w'"^  Antonio  Dalva  replyed  in  his  owne  defence  hee  said  shall  we  goe  and  fight  for  our 
friends  meaning  y"  Dutch  at  Albany  who  in  y''  Last  warr  sold  y'=  sopes  Indians  powder  &  Lead, 
and  leave  their  enemyes  at  home,  meaning  the  Sopes  Indians. 

3.  Richard  Haymour  and  George  Hall  Being  both  sworne,  they  say  they  did  see  Antonio _ 
Dalva  present  his  peece  against  Capt.  Broadhead  and  they  alsoe  heard  him  y°  said  Antonio 
threaten  Capt.  Broadhead  that  if  he  moued  a  foote  forward  hee  would  fyer  on  him. 

Articles  ag'  Cornelius  Barnson. 

That  hee  hath  bin  in  y'^  last  mutiney  and  a  great  fEorwarder  promoter  and  abettor  thereof. 

Henry  Pawling  upon  Oath  saith  that  y*  said  Cornelius  Barnson  was  one  of  y^  first  5  that 
went  to  y"  Schout's  house  and  one  of  y'  Company  who  said  right  before  y^  last  Mutiney,  let  us  goe 
from  house  to  house,  for  we  will  have  y°  Serg'  at  liberty  out  of  y^  Guard. 

The  Schout  and  Comissaryes  doe  give  a  Caraeter  of  the  said  Corneli^is  Barnson  to  be  an  Idle 
seditious  fellow. 

That  Ariant  Albertson  was  in  y^  first  quarrell  with  y*  soldiers  at  y"  Redoubt  is  proued  by 
George  Porter  Sam'  Oliver  and  Edioard  Shackleton  and  y'  hee  was  the  occasion  of  y'  first  Mu- 
tiney by  quarrelling  with  DanK  Butterworth  is  owned  by  his  father  and  y'  hee  was  in  armes  the 
last  mutiney  is  owned  by  his  owne  hand  vnderwritten  in  y"  General  acknowledgment. 

Vpon  which  Complaints  and  informa^on  of  his  Ma"'"'  officers  in  tlie  Garrison  of  Esopus 
against  y'  Burgers  &  inhabitants  thereof  and  it  being  evidently  proued  and  made  appeare  that  at 
2  seuerall  tymes  a  Considerable  number  of  the  said  Burgers  were  gott  together  in  Armes  without 
or  Comand  of  their  ofiicers  in  very  dangerous  riottous  and  mutinous  manner  contrary  to  their  dxity 
and  alegiance  to  our  soueraigne  Lord  the  King  and  the  peace  of  this  gouernment. 

And  vpon  strict  and  serious  examina9on  wee  have  found  that  Antmiio  Dalva,  Albert  Hy- 
inenson,  Cornelius  Barnson  and  Arient  Albertson  are  guilty  of  the  said  Rebellious  and  Mutinous 
Riot  and  therefore  for  the  more  peaceable  Gouernment  of  this  towne  for  y'^  future,  w-ee  doe  thinke 
meete  to  can-y  downe  the  foure  abovemen9oned  persons  to  New  Y&rJce  there  to  reeeiue  from  y' 
honoured  gouernour  their  finall  Sentence  for  y"  said  fact. 


A  Warrant  from  the  Govebno"  to  the  Inhabit^'  of  Staten  Islaijd,  empower- 
ing  THEM   TO   CHUSE   CIVILL   OFFICERS. 

Whereas  Mr.  Nicholas  Stillwell  hath  by  y°  Mayo'  pt  of  yo'  Inhabit*'  beene  elected  Constable 
of  yo'  Towne  I  have  this  day  confirmed  him  in  y*  s'^  office  for  this  ensueing  yeare :  You  are 


416  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

hereby  likewise  appointed  and  authorized  to  clmse  out  of  yo"'  planta9on  two  good  and  sufficient 
men  to  be  Overseers,  to  whom  y'=  Constable  in:.y  administer  their  oath,  who  with  the  said  Consta- 
ble shall  have  power  to  decide  and  determine  all  matters  of  debt  &  difference  betweene  you  or 
any  of  you  arising,  under  y""  value  of  five  pounds  &  for  what  shall  bee  above  the  s*  sume,  you 
are  to  liave  recourse  to  y^  Sessions  at  Gravesend  upon  Lony  Island  &  in  all  other  matters  you 
are  to  bee  guided  according  to  the  Rules  prescribed  in  the  Lawes  for  the  Townes  within  this 
Goverum'  Given  under  my  hand  at  ffort  James  in  N.  T.  this  7"*  day  of  Sept.  1667. 

R.  NlOOLLS. 

To  the  Inhabit'*  of  the  planta9on  upon  Staten  Island. 


A  Gkant  to  the  Soijldiers  at  Esopus,  Apeill  the  6™  1668. 

The  Governo"'  hath  this  day  beene  pleased  to  make  a  grant  vnto  tlie  Souldiers  now  being  at 
the  Sopez  &  to  such  oth"  as  shall  bee  allowed  to  settle  there.  That  they  shall  have  the  First  Great 
pie^^e  of  Land  &  alsoe  the  second  piece  w*  adioynes  vnto  it,  They  both  lying  &  being  Westward 
beyond  the  Washmakers  land  being  bounded  on  the  South  by  a  Certayne  Ryver  or  Creeke.  The 
number  of  Lotts  that  are  to  bee  laid  out  there  shall  be  Thirty  &,  each  lott  shall  have  Thirty  acres 
of  the  Lowe  Land  &  Two  acres  &  a  halfe  of  the  Up  Land  to  belong  to  their  Home  Lotts  for 
planting  laud.     The  rest  of  the  Woodland  is  to  lye  in  Comon. 

By  Order  of  y^  Governo' 

M.  KicoLLs,  Secretary. 


Minutes  of  a  Committee  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  August  27,  1668. 

Rev.  Ilerman  Bloem,  who  was  sent  by  our  Rev.  Classis  as  pastor  to  Esopus  in  New-Neiher- 
larid  in  the  year  1660,  has  now  returned.  He  has  given  an  account  of  his  experiences  and  exhib- 
ited a  lawful  dismissal  and  a  good  testimonial.  He  requests  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Brethren 
with  the  Directors  of  the  W.  L  Company,  that  he  may  obtain,  what  liis  Reverence  deems  his 
right  for  transportation  and  board.  Whereupon  the  Rev.  Brethren  resolved  to  send  his  Rev.  to 
the  Classis,  that  he  may  there  make  a  complete  report  and  present  his  aforesaid  request. 


Certificate  of  former  Dutch  Officers  as  to  the  loyalty  of  Domine  Megapolensis. 

As  we  are  in  duty  bound  to  bear  testimony  to  the  truth,  especially  when  requested  :  There- 
fore We,  the  undersigned,  formerly  Director-General,  Burgomasters  and  oihcers,  attest  and  declare 
as  tnitli,  that  tlie  Rev.  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis  (having  been  a  minister  here  about  19 
years  at  the  time  of  the  capitulation  of  this  pLace),  has  not  as  far  as  we  know,  behaved  in  any 
other  manner,  than  was  becoming  to  a  faithful  subject  of  the  States-Genei-al  and  of  the  W.  I. 
Company  and  to  a  pious  and  godly  minister.  In  everything  lie  has  always  appeared  to  us  to 
exhibit  these  traits.  In  testimony  of  the  truth  hereof  we  have  affixed  our  signatures  on  the 
Island  of  Manhattans  in  Neio-  York,  formerly  New- Amsterdam,  Aug.  27,  1668. 

Oloff  Stevenson  Van  Coetlandt.  P.  Stuyvesant 

J.  S.  Yandie  Gkift.  Timothy  Gabey 

Isaac  Greveneaet 
Nio.  De  Meyee 


Nexo   YorTc  Historical  Records.  417 

A  L*^  To  Mr.  Phillip  Fieters  (Schuyler)  eegaeding  his  claim  to  the  land  in 
THE  New  Village  (Sept.  3,  1668) 
M^  Phillip  Pibtees. 

I  am  Comanded  by  the  Governo''  to  acquaint  you  That  he  intends  (God  willing)  to  be  at 
Esopus  vpon  AVednesday  next  come  Senight  w'""  will  be  the  Three  &  Twentith  day  of  this  month, 
where  he  expects  yo"  should  meet  him  &  bring  w""  you  the  Clayme  or  pretence  of  Goosen  Ger- 
ritts  YolcJcert  Jans  or  any  oth'  of  Albany  to  the  lauds  in  the  New  Dorpe  at  Eposus.  He  intends 
then  to  issue  then  all  differences  &  Contests  about  those  lands  &  to  lay  out  anothe''  Towne  To 
w"*  end  he  will  take  .  .  as  Survey'  w'"  him.  I  shall  wait  upon  the  Governo''  thith^  I  will 
bring  w'"  me  y''  Lres  of  Deniza9on  yo"  spoke  to  me  for.     This  is  all  at  p''sent  from 

S"'  Yo''  humble  servant 

Math.  Nicolls. 


An  Oedee  foe  the  beinging  of  the  Clatmes  to  the  land  at  Esopus. 

All  mann''  of  persons  who  have  any  Clayme  or  p''tence  to  any  lotts  or  lands  at  the  New  Dui"pe 
at  Esopus  or  to  any  other  lands  there  adiacent  And  all  oth''  p''sons  who  came  over  into  these  partes 
w""  the  late  Govern^  Coll.  Richard  Nicolls  or  to  whome  he  hath  promised  land  &  have  now  a 
mynde  to  settle  themselves  the  first  are  to  bring  in  their  Claimes  or  p''tences  &  the  latf  their 
names  to  the  Secretaryes  office  in  the  Forte  by  the  Tenth  day  of  this  instant  Month,  the  Govern'' 
intending  to  goe  up  to  Esopus  the  latf  end  of  the  next  weeke  to  settle  matf'  concerning  the  s* 
New  Durpe  &  partes  adiacent  aforesaid  &  to  cause  lands  to  be  laid  out  thereby  to  such,  oth"  as 
have  had  premisses  for  the  same  &  resolve  to  live  &  settle  thereon.  Dated  at  New  Yorke  the 
5'"  Septbr.  1668. 

By  ord'  of  the  Govern' 

Math.  Nicolls. 


Septbe.  23"  1668  At  Esopus. 

Memorandum,  That  this  day  three  of  the  Esopus  Sachems,  who  had  sould  the  Great  Tract  of 
Land  there  to  Govern'"  Nicolls  accompanyed  w'"  divers  oth''  Indians  came  to  the  Gov'  and 
brought  the  Countei-parte  of  the  deed  of  purchase  desiring  to  Continue  Friendship  which  was 
then  Katifyed. 


Oedee  foe  keeping  y^  Watch  at  y''  Guaed  at  Esopus. 

To  Mr.  Berisford  Comand''  of  the  Souldiers  at  Esopus. 

For  the  furth'  Incouragem'  of  y''  setling  the  furthest  planta^on  w"^*"  is  to  consist  of  most 
Souldiers,  I  doe  ord'  that  the  Military  Guard  hitherto  maintained  by  the  Souldiers  be  discharged 
of  that  duty  &  that  the  Townesman  of  the  Sopes  are  to  keep  their  watcli,  w'""  formerly  was  main- 
tained by  them  onely  y^  Redouht  is  to  be  maintained  &  kept  by  the  Souldiei-s  und''  Mr.  Beris- 
ford  Comand  who  is  required  to  see  it  executed  according  to  the  true  meaning  of  this  my  ord'. 

Fean.  Lovelace. 
Esopus,  25"'  Septbr.  1668. 
53 


418  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

An  Answer   to   the  Desires   of  the   Inhabitants  of   the  Esopus  tendeed  to 
MB  24™  OF  September,  1668. 

1.  To  the  First  concerning  the  Boundaryes  of  the  Dorp  of  Esopxis  my  answ"'  &  opinion  is 
that  I  conceive  the  extrcmety  of  their  land  as  to  aN.  W.  lyne  to  be  the  utmost  bounds  on  that  lyne 
And  then  a  lyne  drawne  S.  or  S.  &  by  East  from  the  Sojms  Kill  in  straight  lyne  to  the  Redoubt  Kill 
to  be  the  true  boundearie  of  that  Dorp  on  that  side,  &  there  to  beginne  the  lymitts  of  tlie  next  Towne. 

2.  To  the  Second  concerning  the  Swamp  lying  und''  the  Towne  my  order  is  that  it  remain 
to  the  use  of  the  towne  of  Sopus  onely  what  my  p''decess'  Coll.  Nicolh  has  already  allotted  to  Mr. 
Pawling  w"*  all  with  this  provisoe,  that  the  Towne  in  the  next  spring  cause  a  sufficient  Draine 
to  be  made  whereby  the  Valley  may  be  made  dry  &  Consequently  healthy  otherwise  I  shall  dis- 
pose thereof  to  such  as  I  am  Confident  will  doe  it. 

3  For  the  Preachers  Bowry  w*  is  at  the  New  Dorpe  it  being  not  w'"  in  their  lymitts  I 
conceive  it  concernes  them  not  since  I  am  resolved  to  make  that  a  distinct  Towne  &  to  those 
that  shall  settle  there  it  properly  belongs  to  clayme  the  right  if  any  be  tliough  since  it  be  forfeited 
to  his  Boyall  Highnesse  by  an  Eseheate  I  see  no  reason,  why  he  should  be  deprived  of  his  right. 

i.  For  the  Quartering  of  the  Souldiers  ife  providing  them  their  provisions  I  am  willing 
(since  it  proves  a  burthen  to  them)  to  ease  them  in  that  perticnlar  &  shall  take  to  send  them  pro- 
visions at  my  arrivall  at  New  Yorke,  till  when  I  thinke  it  reasonable,  that  they  provide  for  them 
as  formerly. 

5.  Concerning  the  constraining  of  Souldiers  to  pay  their  iust  debts,  I  thinke  it  reasonable, 
that  they  should  doe  it.  Provided  that  the  Officer  that  Comands  them  be  first  acquainted  with  it, 
before  they  are  sumoned  to  the  Bancke,  who  will  take  care  that  in  reasonable  tyme  satisfaction 
shall  be  given  to  the  Creditor  or  else  to  be  left  open  to  y*"  Law  equall  w""  the  rest  of  the  Inhabit- 
ants, but  w'"  all  I  desire  that  the  Inhbts  will  be  carefull  not  to  trust  the  Souldiers  w"'out  a  prob- 
able power  of  their  Repayment. 

6.  As  to  their  last  Desire  concerning  tlie  House  where  Mr.  Beresford  lives  I  refer  them  to 
y^  ord''  made  by  my  p'decess'  the  late  Governo''  bearing  date  the  7""  day  of  August  1668. 
Esopus,  26'"  September  1668. 


The    names   of   those   that  Coll.  Nicolls    p^mised   land   to  at  Esopus  being 

now  there. 

Christopher  Berisford,  Serg'.  Edward  Price 

Thomas  Quennill  Win.  Houghton 

Rich.  Cage  Thomas  Elger 

Geo.  Hall  John  Biggs 

Rob.  Peacock  Robt.  Bloke7'staff 

Erederich  Ilussey  Win.  Eisher 

Henry  Paulin  John  Henry 

Edioard  Whettaker  John  Pound 

Thomas  Mathews  Antlwny  Addson 

Anthony  Cooke  Thomas  Skilhnan 

Samuel  Oliver  Edw.  Erench 
George  Porter 
Those  that  are  Crost  finde  themselves  provisions. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Mecords.  419 

An  Oedee  foe  Cdtting  Pallisadoes  at  Esopus. 

Tliese  are  to  give  notice  to  all  persons  concerned  in  eith''  of  the  new  Dorpes  or  Villages  latel}' 
laid  out  l)y  my  ord'',  That  every  such  person  doe  repaire  or  send  some  one  in  his  stead  to  their 
respective  Dorpes  or  Villages  duering  this  eusueing  winter  to  cut  &  provide  their  proportions  of 
Pallisadoes  against  the  next  spring,  when  each  persons  dividend  of  land  belonging  to  his  lott  shall 
be  sett  forth  for  their  settling  thereupon.  Ilereof  they  are  not  to  faile.  Given  under  ray  hand 
at  Esojtus  this  26'"  day  of  Septemb^  1668. 

Fran.  Lovelace. 


An  Oed^  foe  the  peovision  of  Planks,  boards  etc.  foe  y^  settling  t'  rtrRTHEST 

New  Doep. 

"Whereas  a  Kesolu9on  is  taken  to  settle  the  furthest  New  Doi-pe  or  Village  with  all  con- 
venient speed  &  in  the  first  place  it  being  requisite  &  necessary  to  mak^  some  place  of  defence 
for  the  w'^''  there  will  be  occasion  of  Plankes  &  otli'  materials.  These  are  to  authorize  and 
empower  yo"  Heni^y  Pauling  on  the  belialfe  of  yo'self  &  the  rest  that  are  to  settle  there  to  take 
such  Plankes,  boards  &  oth'  materialls  as  yo"  shall  finde  fitting  for  that  pui-pose  at  the  next  Dorj^e 
from  any  Two  of  the  watchhouses  or  fower  Flankers  there  belonging  to  the  Publique  &  being 
nearest  at  hand  &  to  see  them  imployed  for  the  use  aforesaid.  In  the  perfourmance  whereof  the 
Schout  &  Commissaryes  are  desired  to  be  aiding  &  assisting  to  yo"  in  providing  of  such  Carts  & 
Horses  as  may  be  requisite  for  their  transporting  to  the  said  New  Dorpe  And  for  soe  doeing 
this  shall  be  to  yo"  a  sufficient  warrant.  Given  und''  my  hand  at  Esojjus,  this  26"'  day  of  Sep- 
tember A".  Dom.  1668. 

Fran.  Lovelace. 


The   names   of    those   peesons   that  aee  willing  to  take  theie  dividends  of 
LoTTs  at  the  fcethest  New   Doepe. 

"We  who  have  hereunto  subscribed  o''  names,  are  willing  to  take  o'  Dividends  of  Letts  at  the 
Furthest  New  Dorpe  or  Village,  when  the  Governo"^  shall  please  to  give  order  for  the  laying  them 
out  unto  us.     Dated  at  Esopus  the  26""  day  of  September  1668. 

Tho.  Qutnnell  Cheistofer  Beeisfoed 

ROBT.    BiCKEESTAFFE  GeOEGE    HaLL 

Jn".  Beiggs 


The  marke  R\  of  Robt.  Peacock. 


Feedeeick  Hussey 

Heney  Fabling  The  marke  -Q-  of  Wm.  Houghton 

Anthony  Cooke 

Samuel  Oliver  Avert  j-tT   Peice 

Edwaed  "Whittakek  Thomas  Elgee 

Thomas  Mathews  George  Poetee 

Tho.  Skillman  Anthony  Addison 

CoENELis  Arson  Jn".  Pume 

Davey  Ceawfoed  Wm.  Fishee 

Jn".  Hendeick 

Rich"  Cage. 


420  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Instructions  to  the  Schout  and  the  best  of  the  Comissakyes  at  Escpus. 

To''  are  with  convenient  speed  to  remove  y°  Palisadoes  &  place  them  at  the  extremity  of 
yo'  Towne  where  the  new  addition  is  made  &  to  open  the  Coming  in  of  the  Towne  in  the  middle 
of  it  as  is  designed. 

The  place  for  buriall  mnst  be  Impaled  as  likewise  the  place  for  a  Townehouse. 

The  Morasse  that  lyes  und'  the  Towne  yo"  are  to  take  care  that  it  be  drayned,  whereby  the 
place  will  not  onely  be  improved  to  be  betf,  but  it  will  Contribute  much  to  the  health  of  the  place. 

That  according  to  the  Agreem'  made  before  me  you  goe  on  w""  the  fence  betweene  you  & 
yo"'  neighbours  on  the  other  syde,  That  there  may  be  no  further  occasion  of  difference  on  that 
Account. 

Yo"  are  to  be  very  Circumspect  in  observing  the  motions  and  Inten^ons  of  the  Indians 
especially  those  of  the  Wapingoes  who  are  now  gone  to  ioyne  w""  the  Mohawks  against  the 
Mahikanders. 

Yo"  are  upon  all  convenient  opertunityes  to  give  me  an  account  of  the  welfare  and  affaires  of 
this  place  &  if  any  thing  happens  extraordinary  to  send  an  express. 

Yo"  are  to  take  care  for  the  quartering  y^  Souldiers  till  such  tyme  I  can  send  them  provisions 
w''*'  will  be  w"'  the  first  oppertunity  &  likewise  to  live  friendly  «fe  peaceably  w""  them  &  to  assist 
them  in  what  conveniently  you  can  towards  their  planting  the  New  Towne. 

Fkan.  Lovelace. 


A    WAEEANT    to    THE    CoNSTABLE    OF    EasT    ChEST"    TO    APEEHEND    SUCH    PEESON    AS 
TEAVELL    on    THE    SuNDAT. 

Whereas  I  am  informed  that  severall  persons  not  regarding  the  Lawes  do  presume  to  profane 
the  Sunday  or  Lord's  day  by  travelling,  labouring  or  other  Vicious  wayes  to  the  great  Scandall  of 
the  Governm'.  These  are  to  authorize  yo"  the  present  Constable  or  Officer  at  Eastchester  to 
apprehend  any  such  person  or  persons  &  to  bynde  him  or  them  over  to  answer  their  offence  & 
contempt  at  the  next  Com't  of  Sessions,  where  yo"  are  to  make  a  due  returne  of  their  name  & 
present  their  misdemeanour.  Given  und''  my  hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  York  this  28"'  day  of 
October  1668. 

To  SamueU  Drake  at  Eastchester. 


Oedee  DrEECTiNG  Heney  Pawling  to  lay  OUT  Lots  at  the  "  furthest  New  Dorp 
AT  Esopus"  (Maebletown). 

Whereas  I  am  informed  that  some  of  y"  Persons  who  have  leave  to  settle  at  the  furthest 
New  Durp  at  Esopus,  have  a  desire  to  goe  there  this  winter,  These  are  to  autliorize  &  appoint 
you  Henrij  Pauling  w""  the  fii-st  Conveniency  to  lay  out  to  such  person  their  respective  House 
Lotts  in  the  place  aforesaid,  for  the  doing  whereof  this  shall  be  yo"'  warrant.  Given  und'  my 
hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  Torke  this  9""  day  of  November  16G8. 

To  Mr.  Henry  Pauling. 


New  YorJe  Historical  Records.  421 

Council  Mikute.     Dispute  over  land  betwen  the  Town  of  Haelem  and  John 
Aec'hee.     Novbe.  6,  1668. 

At  a  Speciall  Meeting  appointed  by  the  Govemo''  to  heare  a  Matf  in  Difference  between 
The  Inhabit'^  of  Ifew  Haerlem        T 
by  Dan.  Turnier,  Jno.  Verveelen     j-Plts. 
Resolved  Waldron  &  y"  Constable  J 
John  ArcJier  Deft. 

Theii-  Peti9on  by  way  of  Plaint  is  read  &  their  Patent  produced. 

The  Def  denyes  any  Clayme  to  y'=  Lotts  upon  the  Maine  No.  1,  2,  3, 4,  w""  w'^''  hee  is  charged, 
but  hath  purchased  Land  near  adjoyning  that  was  the  Yoimcker  Van  der  DoncTcs. 

It  being  taken  into  ConsideraQon,  It  was  order'd  that  the  Deft,  doe  bring  in  the  Pa'  for  the 
Yoimckers  Land  in  15  dayes  time,  w*  what  Eight  hee  hath  to  the  Land,  where  hee  hath  built,  at 
w*  time  some  Persons  shall  bee  appointed  to  view  the  meadow  belonging  to  Harlem  upon  the 
Maine,  and  to  make  Report  how  it  may  bee  preserved  from  the  Def'^  trespassing  on  it ;  w""  said 
Persons  shall  also  bee  ordered  to  view  the  Passage  of  Spltliig  Devil,  how  it  may  bee  made  con- 
venient for  Travailers  and  Deift  of  Cattle,  y^  fferry  at  Harlem  being  found  incommodious  and 
not  answering  the  Ends  formerly  proposed.     *************** 

November  21",  1668. 
Present  The  Govemo' 

Mr  Mayo"  John  Archer  according  to  the  Order 

Mr  Bedloo  of  the  6*  Instant  appeared  to  make 

Mr  Boone  out  his  Title. 

The  Secret^' 
The  Order]  :  "Whereas  by  an  Order  of  the  G""  Instant  Jno.  ArcJier  was  appointed  to  make  out 
his  Title  to  the  Land,  where  hee  is  now  seated  and  having  accordingly  appeared  but  not  clearly 
made  it  out,  Hee  having  noe  Bill  of  Sale  nor  Bonds  setting  forth  his  Purchase,  It  is  this  day 
Ordered,  that  the  said  Jno.  Archer  have  farther  time  till  y''  14""  day  of  fEeb'''  next  to  cleare  his 
Title ;  In  y"  meantime  hee  is  to  remaine  where  hee  is  without  Molesta9on  &  giving  noe  disturb- 
ance to  his  Neighbours.  It  is  likewise  Ordered,  that  in  pursuance  of  the  former  Ord"'  some  Per- 
sons shall  bee  appointed  to  view  y^  Land,  where  Jno.  Archer  now  lives  &  the  Meadows  belonging 
to  Harlem  upon  the  Maine,  as  also  about  the  Passage  at  Spiting  Devil  for  y"  conveniency  of  Trav- 
ellers and  p''serva<;ou  of  Cattle  upon  the  Island,  when  the  fferry  at  Harlem  is  to  bee  removed. (*) 


An  Order  foe  six  of  the  Souldiees  at  Esopus  to  goe  to  woeke  weekly  at  the 

FTJETHEST  NeW  DuEPE. 

"Whereas  It  is  intended  that  the  furthest  New  Durpe  shall  be  settled  w""  all  Convenient  speed, 
There  are  to  require  yo"  upon  the  receipt  hereof  to  appoint  six  of  the  Souldiers  und"'  yo''  Com- 
and  to  goe  each  weeke  to  worke  there  or  to  send  &  take  provisions  along  w"'  them,  who  are  to 
be  relieved  the  follo\ving  weeke  by  six  other  Souldiers  &  so  to  take  turnes  successively  weeke 
aff  weeke  until  further  order.  Given  und'  my  hand  at  Fort  James  in  N.  Yorke  this  9""  day  of 
November  1668. 

To  Mr.  Christofer  Berisford  at  Esopus. 

*As  commissioners  under  this  order  Jno.  Rkhhell  of  MamaronecTc,  Wm.  Lawrence  of  Flushing,  Jacques  Cortil- 
leau  of  Neio  Utrecht,  Besohed  Waldron  of  Harlem  and  Thomas  ]VandaU  were  appointed  Febry  23,  1669. 


422  Colonial  Setdemevts  on  the  Hudson  River. 

An  oeder  concerning  the  taxes  to  be  paid  in  West  aot)  East  Chester. 

"Whereas  I  am  informed  that  the  Farmers  at  Eastchester  and  others  who  liave  perticular 
Patents  for  severall  parcells  of  Land  w"'in  tlie  lymitts  and  JiirisdicQon  of  the  Towne  of  West 
Chester  do  refuse  to  pay  their  Proportions  towards  the  Generall  Pattent  for  the  Towne  &  other 
Publique  charges  incumbent  upon  the  said  place,  These  are  to  certefy,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
p'ticuler  p''sons  w'^in  the  lymitts  &  iurisdiction  of  the  said  Towne  to  beare  their  parte  or  pro- 
por9on  of  all  such  publique  charges  their  perticuler  Patents  notwithstanding.  Given  und'  my 
hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  YorJce  this  IT""  day  of  November  1668. 

F.  Lovelace. 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Westchester  &c. 


The  Governo"^  Lre  to  the  Officers  and  Souldiers  at  Esoptis. 
Gentlemen. 

Having  now  paid  yo^  of  thes  6  months  last  past  so  y'  yo"  caniiot  p'tend  any  obstructions  to 
the  setling  the  new  PlantaQon  I  have  laid  out  for  yo",  in  w'^'"  I  desire  yo''  vigorous  endeav'  that  so 
by  that  tyme  I  shall  come  up  to  jo"  w*  (w'"  God's  permission)  will  be  as  soone  as  that  weather 
will  p'mitt  I  may  see  some  fruites  of  yo'  Labour  yo"  may  be  sure  of  all  the  Countenance  &  assist- 
ance I  can  afford  yo"  &  I  shall  expect  nothing  from  yo"  but  a  Civill  Comportment.  I  doubt  not 
but  by  your  vei'tuous  endeavours  &  God's  blessing  on  yo''  labour  to  give  a  comfortable  account  of 
yo"  to  his  Eoyall  Ilighnesse  who  (I  know)  will  be  very  well  satisfyed  w'"  your  undertakings  & 
the  benefitt  &  content  will  needs  redound  to  yo''  future  felicity,  w*  as  no  man  wishes  more  than 
myselfe,  so  none  shall  promote  it  more  than 
Fort  James  in  N.  YorTce  the  IT""  of  Novbr.  1668.  Yo'  affectionate  freind 

F.  Lovelace. 

For  the  Officers  <&  Souldiers  at  Esopus. 


An  Ord"  excusing  the  Inhabitants  of  Eastchest"  from  paying  and  coi^ributing 

TO  ANT  OTH"  ToWNES. 

Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  Eastchester  are  men9oned  in  a  former  Order  to  be  lyable  to  pay 
towards  the  Gen"  Pattent  of  yo'  Towne  &  other  publique  charges  Incumbent  vpon  the  place  as 
being  w'''in  yo''  jurisdiction  Upon  further  Information  &,  consideratjon  thereupon  had  that  they 
are  a  distinct  village  of  themselves  by  their  Pattent,  though  in  some  things  depending  upon  your 
Towne  &  that  they  receive  no  benefitt  or  privileges  from  yo'  Towne,  they  having  likewise  beene 
at  considerable  charges  in  making  &  repairing  the  Highways  about  them  without  any  helji  from 
you,  I  think  it  reasonable,  that  they  should  be  excused  from  Contributing  to  these  Charges  w'^'' 
concerne  yo' selves  alone  ;  the  w""*"  yo"  are  to  observe  any  former  ord'  to  the  Contrary  notw"'8tand- 
ing.     Given  und'  my  hand  at  ffort  James  in  New  Yorke.  this  ll""  day  of  December  1668. 


New  Yoi'h  H'mtorical  Records.  423 

The  Goveeno"^  Lett"  to  y^  Magistrates  at  Esopus. 
Loving  friends. 

Ml-.  Pawling  hath  fully  informed  mo  of  what  hath  past  betweene  yo"  &  y*  Esopus  Indians, 
as  also  of  their  proposalls  Joyned  w"'  the  South  Indians  &  those  of  Nevisans  to  make  a  firme 
peace  w""  y'  Maques  &  Si/nnekes.  I  doe  very  well  approve  of  what  yo"  have  already  done  & 
do  thinke  it  convenient  that  their  designe  of  peace  should  be  encouraged  &  promoted  w"*  all 
speed  To  w"^*"  end  you'l  do  well  to  send  some  Christian  w""  yo'^  Indians  (but  at  their  charge)  to  see 
y""  same  agreed  &  Concluded  upon.  If  yo"  are  not  provided  better  I  thinke  Christofer  Davies 
may  bo  a  litt  person  to  receive  instruc9ons  from  yo"  therein  &  to  be  a  witness  of  what  shall  be 
done  w*  when  it  shall  be  effected  at  his  &  the  Indians  returne  back,  I  shall  expect  an  Account 
thereof  here,  when  I  shall  be  ready  to  Eatify  &  eonfirme,  what  they  shall  agree  &  Conclude  upon 
tending  to  peace  &  Unity.     I  am 

Foj't  James  in  JVew  Yorke  Yo''  very  Loving  friend 

24'"  fEebr''  1668-9.  Fkan.  Lovelace. 


Letter   from  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsteedam  : 
Aeeeaes  of  Salary  :  State  of  the  Chdech  under  the  English  :  Lutherans. 

Heverend,  Pious,  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus ! 

The  W.  I.  Company  has  unrighteously  withheld  from  me  about  2000  guilders,  due  me  as 
salary,  M'hich  had  accrued  previous  to  the  change  of  government  and  the  capitulation  of  this  place 
to  the  English,  the  false  charge  having  laid  to  me,  that  I  had  an  agency  in  procuring  the  capitida- 
tion.  Evidence  of  the  falsity  of  this  charge  has  been  forwarded  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  honorable 
men  may  see  it  in  my  defense.  I  doubt  not,  that  the  Classis  has  done  its  duty  in  defending  me 
before  the  Hon'''''  Directors  and  that  they  will  obtain  for  me  the  balance  of  my  salary.  But  I 
have  not  as  yet  received  a  written  answer  from  the  Rev.  Classis,  although  I  none  the  less  hope, 
they  wiU  continue  their  kind  favors. 

Tlie  Classis  will  learn  from  my  son  Samicel,  lately  a  minister  of  the  church  here  and  as  well 
acquainted  with  it  as  I  am,  the  condition  and  circumstances  of  the  church.  On  that  account  I 
have  not  written  you  lately.  There  is  a  large  attendance  on  the  Sabbath  and  the  church  is  full. 
They  seem  to  take  great  interest  in  the  preaching,  but  the  greater  part  of  my  hearers  take  but 
little  interest  in  contributing  to  the  support  of  the  Gospel  in  paying  our  salary.  We  have 
addressed  our  Governor  several  times,  but  he  has  answered,  that  as  the  Dutch  enjoy  their  freedom 
of  worship,  they  should  provide  for  the  support  of  their  minister.  It  remains  thus  with  our 
salaries  and  in  consequence  we  are  greatly  pressed  in  sustaining  ourselves.  For  this  reason  my  son 
SamvA  has  resigned  his  call  to  the  church  here  and  taken  his  dismission  in  order  to  return  to  the 
Fatherland  and  reside  there.  I  doubt  not,  yom*  Rev.  Classis  will  kindly  receive  him  and  assist 
him,  so  that  when  a  convenient  opportunity  occurs,  he  may  again  be  employed  in  the  service  of 
the  ministry. 

Domine  Drisius  is  also  an  old  man  of  about  the  same  age  as  myself.  Although  we  are  both 
in  the  decline  of  life,  we  shall  endeavor  to  do  our  duty  and  fulfil  tlie  ministry.  I  trust  that  God, 
who  has  dealt  so  kindly  with  me  from  iny  youth,  will  provide  for  me  during  the  short  remainder 
of  ray  life.  When  in  my  youth  1  renounced  popery,  ray  patrimony  was  forfeited.  I  am  now 
sixty-eight  years  old  and  have  been  forty  years  in  the  ministry,  twenty-seven  years  in  this  country 
and  the  rest  in  North  Holland.     One  thing  occurs  to  my  mind  and  fills  me  with  sadness,  namely 


424  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Ihidson  River. 

the  welfare  of  my  congregation,  when  Domine  Drisius  and  I  come  to  die.  As  there  is  so  little 
inclination  to  support  the  Gospel  adequately,  I  see  not  how  they  will  obtain  another  minister. 
There  is  besides  another  difficulty.  The  Lutherans,  this  spring,  obtained  a  parson  from  Amster- 
dam and  received  him  with  great  pleasure.  Therefore  I  fear,  that  when  we  die  there  will  be  a 
great  scattering  and  diminution  of  the  church.  But  God  can  direct  all  for  the  best  and  give  a 
happy  issue. 

New-  York  in  America  Your  dutyful  brother  in  Christ 

on  the  Island  of  Manhattan  April  |-|t>i  1669.  Joannes  Megapolensis. 


LiBEETT  to  John  Archer  to  settle  16  familtes  at  Spiting  Devill. 

These  are  to  certefy  all  whome  it  may  concerne  That  I  have  given  leave  to  John  Archer  to 
settle  sixteene  familyes  upon  the  Maine  neare  the  wading  place  according  to  directions  formerly 
given  and  that  what  agreem'  liee  shall  make  w*''  y''  Inhabitants  as  to  their  propor9ons  of  improv- 
able Land  and  hamelotts,  I  shall  bee  ready  to  confirme,  but  doe  respite  the  Setting  out  the  uttmost 
bounds  for  their  Range,  untill  I  shall  come  once  more  upon  y''  Place  after  w*  I  shall  graunt  a 
patent  for  their  further  assurance.    Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  James  this  2>^  day  of  May  1669. 

Fk.  L. 


An  order  concerning  the  Militia  on  Staten-Island. 
Gentlemen. 

I  have  received  yo'  returne  of  two  p''sons  for  y°  Employm'  of  Lieutenant  of  y^  Militia  of  yo^ 
Towne,  for  the  w"^*"  I  doe  approve  of  Thomas  Carle,  who  is  to  follow  the  directions  ali-eady  given 
in  my  late  order  to  goe  to  y^  Generall  Rendevous,  And  in  complyance  to  yo''  Request  that  a  file  of 
men  should  stay  behind  for  y'=  Protection  and  Safeguard  of  the  Place,  I  doe  thinke  fitt,  that  Peter 
Bileaih  doe  stay  with  a  file  of  men  for  that  pui-pose,  one  of  y'  ancient  Inhabitants  and  is  best 
acquainted  among  y"  Indyans.  I  doe  intend  in  some  short  time  to  give  you  a  visitt  to  settle  y" 
affairs  amongst  you.     In  y"^  meantyme  I  am. 

Fr.  L. 
Postscript. 

This  Settlement  of  y'=  Militia  is  for  y"  Present  iuncture  of  Time  untill  my  coming  amongst 
you  when  I  shall  take  further  Order  therein. 
May  14"^  Fort  James  New  Yorlce. 


Letter  from  Gov"  Lovelace  to  the  Governor  of  Bermuda  concerning  immigration. 

Honored  Sii* : 

It  being  the  positive  comand  of  my  Royall  Master  His  Highnesse  the  Dulce  of  Yorl'e,  That 
after  my  arrival  in  these  partes  I  should  fix  and  maintaine  a  firme  and  freiudly  correspondence 
with  the  Govern"  of  all  the  neighbouring  Oolonyes  &  planta9ons  in  these  parts  of  the  world. 
This  being  premised,  I  hope  my  letter  (though  a  Stranger  to  you)  will  require  no  further  patron- 
age or  Apologie.     To  bee  brief,  the  word  of  Capt.  Stone  has  rendered  the  country  very  prosperous, 


Nexo  Yorh  Historical  Records.  425 

bejond  the  strength  of  afEourding  all  the  Inhabitants  a  plentiful!  subsistanee,  And  (if  hee  flatters 
mee  not)  hee  beleeves  with  your  approbation  and  leave  many  would  bee  ioyfuU  and  willino-  to 
transport  themselves  heather,  of  which  I  may  truly  say  there  is  a  want  of  nothing  but  an  Indus- 
trious and  well  disposed  people  to  make  it  considerable  both  by  the  world  and  themselves.  It  will 
doe  a  gratefuU  service  unto  his  R.  Highnesse,  if  you  advance  this  designe  as  it  will  doe  an  accept- 
able worke  to  your  Countrymen,  if  out  of  yo'  superfluity  you  persuade  some  to  dispose  themselves 
into  His  R.  Highnesse  Territoryes,  where  (besides  all  other  conveniencyes)  they  will  fiude  more 
room  for  themselves  and  make  for  others,  they  shall  leave  behind,  I  have  here  sent  you  a  Copy  of 
y°  Conditions  the  planters  may  settle  on,  which  if  it  finde  any  acceptation  with  you  (when  Capt. 
Stone  returnes)  you  may  sent  some  authorized  from  them  to  vew  the  place  and  to  make  such  a 
finall  conclusion  as  may  require  no  further  expostala9on.  S'.,  I  beg  yo"'  pardon  for  this  confidence, 
to  expiate  which  I  can  onely  assure  you,  that  wherein  I  can  any  way  bee  serviceable  to  you,  you 
may  assuredly  make  use  of  mee,  as  one  who  is 

Forte  James  in  New  YorTce  on  the  To'  affectionate  friend  and  Servant 

Tsland  Manhatans  in  America  June  3'',  1669.  Fk.  Lovelace. 


PeOPOSITIONS    AOT)     C0NDI9ONS    FOB    A     COMPETENT    NTTMBER    OF    FAMILTES    FEOM    T* 

Island   Baemudas   to   settle  a  Towneshipp   upon   Staten-Island,  belonging 
TO  these  his  Royal  Highnesse  Teeeitoeyes. 

First  upon  their  arrivale  they  shall  have  a  convenient  place  sett  out  for  them  upon  the  said 
Staten-Island  on  the  South  or  Southwest  part  of  itt  neare  the  waterside  to  erect  a  Towne,  the 
which  shall  bee  divided  into  lotts  according  to  the  number  of  Inhabitants  proposed  and  intended 
to  bee  settled  there. 

That  Each  home  lott  shall  have  ....  Acres  of  Ground  to  build  a  house  upon  and  for 
gardens  or  other  necessary  accomoda^ons,  as  they  shall  thinke  best  to  dispose  of  itt. 

That  there  shall  bee  allotted  of  Ploughland  or  Arable  ground Acres  and  of 

Meadow  a  convenient  proporQon. 

That  there  shall  bee  no  taks  or  levey  imposed  on  them  more  then  there  is  on  other  part  and 
places  within  this  Goverm',  which  is  onely  to  bear  their  propor9on  of  Charges  to  y"^  Country  Rates 
toward  the  keeping  Courts  of  Judicature  and  other  matters  relating  to  themselves  with  some 
small  acknowledgments  to  his  R.  H.,  being  in  all  a  very  inconsiderable  matter. 

That  after  they  are  in  a  way  of  Settlem'  they  shall  a  Patent  by  Authority  from  their  Royall 
Highnesse  for  the  Conflnna9on  of  their  Lands  and  proprietyes  with  the  Same  Condi9ons  as  the 
rest  of  the  Towne  of  the  Goverm'. 

That  the  Inhabitants  shall  have  Liberty  of  Conscience,  the  which  is  graunted  to  them  in  the 
Lawes  nor  shall  any  person  bee  molested,  fined  or  imprisoned  for  deffering  in  Judgment  in  matters 
of  Religion,  provided  he  profess  Christianity  and  doe  not  molest  or  disturbe  others  in  the  divine 
exercise  of  their  Religion. 

That  they  shall  have  liberty  to  elect  and  choose  their  owuq  Minister,  to  whom  they  are   to 
give  a  competent  allowance  for  his  Subsistanee  as  they  shall  agree  and  to  lay  out  and  cleare  a  lott 
of  ground  for  him  propor9onable  with  the  Rest,  the  which  lott  shall  bee  after  their  first  Ministers 
decease  or  deserting  them  at  the  Towne  disposal  for  their  succeeding  Ministers. 
54 


426  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River, 

That  in  considerapon  of  what  is  before  proposed  for  y"  benefitt  of  the  Settlers,  They  shall  bee 
obliged  to  cleare  and  fence  two  home  lotts  with  equall  proporcjon  of  arable  or  ploughland  as  is 
allotted  to  the  Rest  for  the  use  of  the  Govern'  or  to  bee  at  his  disposall. 

That  in  all  other  matters  and  things  they  are  to  bee  conformable  to  the  Lawes  and  Constitu- 
90ns  of  the  Governm'  Confirnjed  and  Established  by  his  Royall  Highnesse,  being  in  most  things 
consonant  to  and  agreing  with  and  no  way  repugnant  unto  the  Lawes  of  Englandt. 

Fe.  L. 


An  oedee  PEOHiBrriNG  to  teade  with  Indyans  at  Schanechtade. 

Wliereas  I  am  given  to  understand  that  divers  persons  doe  presume  contrary  to  former  acts 
and  Lawes  Establisht  within  this  Governm'  to  trade  with  the  Indyans  from  divers  places  to  Scha- 
nechtade  and  that  others  from  that  place  pretending  or  that  the  goods  really  belong  to  them  doe 
treade  there  witli  the  Indyans  contrary  to  the  Custome  and  practize  of  former  times  and  the  Con- 
di9ons  upon  which  they  first  settled,  which  already  doth  and  hereafter  may  tend  to  the  ruine  and 
destruction  of  the  trade  in  the  Towne  of  Albany,  which  is  of  farr  greater  consideragon  and  benefitt 
of  the  Governm*  then  the  private  end  and  respects  of  particular  persons  can  redound  to.  These 
are  to  require  you  to  see  that  the  former  acts  and  Lawes  in  the  behalfe  aforesaid  bee  putt  in  Exe- 
cu9on  and  that  you  take  care,  that  no  such  Liberty  bee  taken  or  hereafter  graunted  for  any  per- 
sons under  what  pretence  whatsoever  to  traficke  or  trade  with  the  Indians  at  Schanechtade.  And 
that  the  Inhabitants  have  no  further  liberty  to  trade  with  them  but  onely  for  their  necessary  sub- 
sistance  and  releife.  Hereafter  you  are  not  to  fayle.  Given  under  ray  hand  and  seal  at  Fort 
James  in  New  YorJce  this  T""  day  of  June  in  the  21^*'  yeare  of  his  Ma"''  Kaigne  Annoque  Dom- 
ini 1669  Fe.  L. 


Lettee  feom  Gov"  Lovelace  to  Seegeant  Beeisfoed  at  Esopus  on  the  lack  of 

DISCIPLINE    among    THE    S0LDIEE8. 

Me.  Beeisfoed 

I  have  received  yo'  Letter  of  the  IT""  of  July  together  ^vith  William  Fisher.  I  approve 
well  of  yo'  presecu9on  of  yo'  duty ;  But  this  I  must  informe  you,  that  if  a  Stricter  hand  had 
beene  kept  over  the  Souldiers,  wee  should  not  have  had  such  frequent  Comp"'  of  them  as  dayly 
aproway  (?)  my  eares;  For  besides  fact  of  this  p'ticular  person,  I  cannot  but  take  notice 
to  you  of  the  great  Comp"  of  the  sould"  often  drunkenesse,  debauchery,  breaking  windowes, 
quarelling  with  all,  vindicating  themselves  in  their  owne  Causes  and  such  like  Exorbitances, 
that  (to  speake  plainely)  are  becoming  more  the  nursery  of  Newgate,  then  persons  who 
have  taken  on  them  a  settled  and  resolved  life ;  Pray  therefore  lett  these  things  bee  amended 
and  that  I  may  have  no  fm-ther  Cause  to  expostulate  with  you  on  y^  like  subject ;  I  am  soriy 
I  could  not  in  person  visitt  you  this  Spring,  but  send  mee  word  if  anything  bee  to  bee 
done  in  point  of  laying  out  the  Lotts  of  their  feilds,  I  will  send  then  the  Survey'  and  Coramiss''  to 
effect  it,  however  lett  them  goe  on  with  their  homelotts  according  to  the  description  I  gave  to 
I^awling.     Comend  mee  kindly  to  all  and  beleeve  mee  to  bee 

Tom  Walton  was  on  the  point  of  death  and  he  bequeathed  Lst.  to  Mrs.  Broadhead,  to 
whom  comend  mee  and  tell  her  her  debt  from  Fisher  is  as  safe  now  as  before. 

Fort  James,  the  25'"  of  July  1669. 


jSfew  Yorh  Historical  Records.  427 

Letter  feom  the  same  to  Henry  Pauling  at  Esopus  on  the   peace  among  the 
Indians. 
Herrt. 

Yd'  Letter  of  y^  5""  Instant  I  answered,  since  which  I  received  another  of  17"^  ditto.  I  thanke 
yo"  for  yo"'  frequent  letters,  I  approve  very  well  of  yo'  advancing  the  peace  with  y"  Indyans. 
Though  I  must  confesse,  it  had  beene  better,  had  the  appearance  of  yo'  formality  of  the  Magis- 
trates of  Esopus  concerned  themselves  here :  I  cannot  imagine  how  that  peace  will  bee  of  any 
duration,  in  regard  the  Maquas  will  not  accord  with  the  Wappingos  and  other  na9ons  of  that  side 
of  Hudsons  River  and  there  being  so  great  a  Correspondence  with  them  of  the  Esoj)us,  Cattskile 
&c  that  hee  that  attack  the  one,  must  needs  injure  the  other,  since  in  all  extremityes  they  will 
recourse  one  to  the  other.  I  am  endeavouring  to  make  it  a  generall  peace  and  doubt  not  but  to 
accomplish  it,  for  if  the  Indyans  under  Mr.  Winthrop  bee  but  as  pliable  as  our  Indyans,  the  worke 
is  already  done ;  you  may  on  all  occasions  assure  them  so,  it  will  relieve  their  doubt  much,  when 
they  see  but  a  possibility  for  a  generall  peace.  For  y^  Oare  sent  mee,  I  have  tryde  it  and  find  it 
right.  But  with  all  I  desire  a  greater  quantity  to  bee  sent  mee  b^^  the  next  convenience,  for  the 
Last  was  so  little,  that  I  could  hardly  make  a  Tryall.  For  the  Land  you  relate  to  be  neare  the 
Mine,  pray  take  it  up  for  mee  and  if  it  bee  in  such  a  place,  as  may  render  it  Comunicable  to 
other,  I  will  settle  it.  For  y'^  Washmakers  Land  I  shall  not  dispose  it  till  I  lieare  out  of  England. 
Pray  proceed  vigorously  toward  the  Settlem'  of  your  Towne  and  I  will  invest  you  with  sufficient 
authority  to  administer  Justice  amongst  them,  I  have  from  England  advertisement  of  200  Scotch 
familyes,  that  are  to  bee  transported  hether  (if  so)  I  pui-pose  to  settle  them  neare  you,  that  so  you 
may  strengthen  each  other  y''  better.  Comend  mee  to  the  Magistrates  there  and  the  Rest  and 
believe  mee  to  bee 

You''  loving  friend 
Fort  James  the  25""  day  of  July  1669  Fran  Lovelace. 


Letter    from    the    same   to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany.     jS^egotiations  with 

THE  Indians. 
Gentlemen 

My  last  to  you  was  about  the  letting  out  the  great  Paclit  or  Tappers  Excise  for  the  yeare 
ensueing  for  the  w*  I  therein  gave  you  some  Instructions.  I  then  also  required  you,  that  the 
double  excise  for  liqu"^'  goeing  up  to  Albany  is  taken  off,  it  being  onely  to  bee  paid  here. 

In  answer  to  yo'  letters  concerning  the  peace  betweene  the  Indyans,  I  doe  very  well  approve  of 
what  you  have  already  done  and  shall  desire  you  continue  yo'  best  endeav"  for  y"  promoting  of  it 
to  effect.  I  have  given  an  Ace'  of  all  your  proceedings  about  it  to  the  Maquaes  part  unto  Mr. 
Winthrop,  from  whome  I  every  day  expect  an  answer,  how  farre  he  hath  wrought  with  those 
Indyans  about 'him  as  also  an  agreem'  upon  the  place  where  the  meeting  shall  bee  for  y"^  conclu- 
sion of  the  peace,  whether  in  this  city  or  not. 

I  am  informed  that  the  Maquaes  have  made  a  peace  with  y^  Esopus,  CattsTcill  and  other 
Indyans  adiacent,  but  have  excluded  the  Wappingos,  which  will  bee  an  occasion  of  breach  of  it 
againe  unlesse  they  will  bee  included,  also  there  being  so  great  affinity  and  correspondence  betweene 
them  and  those  other  Indyans.  When  I  receive  letters  from  Gov'  Winthrop  you  shall  heare 
further  from  mee  concerning  this  matter,  in  the  meantime  yo'  Care  and  Prudence  in  the  managem' 
of  Affayres  with  the  Maquaes  will  bee  very  acceptable  to         Yo'  affectionate  friend 

New  Yorke  this  26'"  of  July  1669.  Fran.  Lovelace. 


428  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Letter  written  by  order  of  Gov"  Lovelace  to  the  Commissaries  at  Albany 
ON  Indian  affairs. 
Gentlemen. 

Here  hath  been  with  the  Govern''  Perewyn  lately  chosen  Sachem  of  y"  HacJcingsach  Tappan 
and  Staten  Island  Indians  to  renew  &  acknowledge  y"  peace  betweene  them  &  y^  Xtians  here 
&  w"'  all  declared  y^  peace  made  betweene  them  &,  j"  Maquaes  &  SynneJcs  Indians,  The  w'^''  they 
say  they  are  resolved  to  keep  inviolably.  The  Govern''  hath  comanded  me  to  signify  y''  same 
unto  you  &  yo"  may  putt  it  upon  record  there  as  it  will  be  here  to  be  a  Testimony  against  those, 
that  shall  make  y'  first  Breach,  This  is  all  at  p'sent  from 

Gent, 
New  Yorke,  Aug'  13'",  1669.  Yo""  very  loving  freind 

To  y"  Com''^  at  Albany,  These. 


Council  Minute.     Esopus  Matters. 

At  a  Councell  Sept.  9'"  1669 
Before  the  Governo''. 
Present  Mr.  Wliitfield 
Mr.  Nicolls. 

The  Busynesse  of  Esopus  into  Considera^on. 

It  is  Ordered,  that  y'^  Garryson  at  Esopus  shall  bee  henceforth  Disbanded  and  Dismist  of 
their  Military  Employment,  they  being  a  needless  Charge  to  y"  Duke. 

It  is  ordered,  that  Commission''^  bee  appointed  to  goe  up  to  Esop>us,  to  whom  some  others 
there  shall  bee  joyned  to  Regulate  the  AfEayres  of  Esopus  and  of  the  New  Dorpes. 
That  y^  persons  appointed  for  Commission'^^  bee 
Mr.  Balph  Whitfield,  Presid' 
Capt.  Jno,  Manning 
Capt.  Jacques  Cortelyou 
Capt.  Thomas  Chambers 
Mr.   Win.  Beakman,  Schout 
Mr.  Henry  Pawling 
Mr.   Christopher  Berrisford. 
Of  w*  any  five  of  them  shall  bee  a  Quorum  to  settle  the  Affayres  of  all  the  Places  there- 
abouts, for  the  which  they  shall  have  a  Commission  and  Instructions. 


The  Govern"^  Comission  to  severall  p^sons  foe  y^  regulation  of  y''  Affaires 

at  Esopos  &c. 

Francis  Lovelace  Esq''"  Governo''  Gen"  und''  his  Eoyall  Highnesse  James  Duke  of 

York  and  Albany  &c  of  all  his  Territoryes  in  Amreica,  To  all  to  whome  these 

p''sents  shall  come  sendeth  greeting. 

Whereas  there  are  severall  afiaires  at  Esojnis  &  y*  New  Dorpes  or  villages  adjacent  w""  require 

a  regulation  by  some  p'sons  of  Integrity  &  Experience  to  be  upon  y°  place  and  there  lying 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  429 

likewise  before  me  some  Complaints  of  irregular  proceedings  in  y^  Co**  there,  w*  onglit  to  be 
Examined  &  rectifyed,  For  y"  better  managing  y^  s**  affaires  &  to  put  an  end  to  any  such  differ- 
ences, I  have  thought  fitt  to  nominate,  constitute  &  appoint  yo"  Jialjjh  Whitfield  Esq''"  Capt. 
Jno.  Manning,  Capt.  Thomas  Ckainhers,  Mr.  William  BeecTcman,  Mr.  Christopher  Berisford 
&  Mr.  Henry  Pawling  to  be  Com"  to  Examyn  into  &  to  regulate  y"  affaires  there  according  to  such 
instructions,  as  I  shall  herew""  give  yo"  of  w^''  said  Com''^  yo"  Ralph  Whitfield  are  to  be  p''sident 
&  any  foure  of  yo"  shall  be  a  Quorum ;  yo''  are  upon  yo'  arrivall  there  to  make  y"  Inhabitants  in 
generall  acquainted  with  this  my  Comission  &  if  there  shall  happen  to  be  any  difference  betweene 
any  of  them  w*^*"  may  be  of  a  nature  above  y*  ordinary  cognizance  of  y°  Schoiit  &  Commissaryes 
yo"  are  hereby  impowered  to  heare  &  determyn  y"  same  or  what  ever  else  of  the  like  nature  shall 
occurre  besides  what  p'^ticularly  is  given  yo"  in  charge  in  yo""  instructions.  And  as  yo"  shall  see 
cause  yo"  may  call  before  yo"  any  p''son  or  p''sons  &  for  y"  clearing  of  y"  truth  administer  an  Oath 
unto  them  (y"  w"^**  yo"  are  hereby  impowered  to  give)  &  whatsoever  yo"  or  so  many  of  yo"  as  shall 
make  a  Quorum  shall  lawfully  Acte  or  due  in  y''  prosecution  of  this  my  speciall  Comission  this 
shall  be  to  yo"  &  every  of  yo"  a  sufficient  warrant  Given  und"'  my  hand  &  seale  at  ffort  James  in 
JSfew  YorTie  this  ll""  day  of  September  in  the  21^  yeare  of  his  Ma""^  Kaigne  Annoque  Dom.  1669. 

Instructions  for  Ralph  Whitfield  Esq''^  Capt.  Jno.  Manning  &  y"  rest  of  y"  Com'' 
for  y"'  Affayres  at  y*'  Esopus  &  y^  new  villages  adjacent. 

Inprimis  That  after  yo"  have  first  publisht  y""  Com""  w'^"  yo"  are  to  doe  w""  all  Convenient  speed 
af  f  yo''  arrivall  yo"  doe  send  to  y"^  Sachems  y"  Hsop^is  who  sold  their  land  to  my  p''decess''  Coll.  Nicolls 
to  come  and  acknowledge  y"  sale  of  y'^  said  land  before  you  &  upon  acknowledgm'  thereof  &  renew- 
ing of  ffreindship  yo"  Engage  them  to  doe  y"  like  yearely  at  y**  same  place  for  y°  future. 

2.  That  you  acquaint  y"  Souldiers  »fe  all  y"  Inhabitant  in  Gen"  that  now  being  a  Tyme  of 
peace  &  lande  being  allotted  to  every  Souldier  for  his  Subsistance  have  thought  fitt  to  reduce  y° 
Garrison  &  to  take  that  Charge  of  from  his  Royall  Highnesso  the  Duke. 

3.  That  then  yo"  make  inquiry  into  y''  strength  of  y"  place  by  taking  Account  of  y"  numb'' 
of  familyes  &  p''sons  Capable  to  beare  Armes  both  at  y'  Esopus  &  y''  Two  neare  villages,  aff^  w'^'' 
yo"  are  to  endeav''  to  f ynde  out  y''  best  &  most  Convenient  way  for  maintaining  a  constant  watch 
at  y°  Redoubt. 

4.  That  yo"  make  inquiry,  how  y°  Inhabitants  of  Esopus  have  proceeded  in  following  my 
Ord"  &  Instructions  left  w"'  them,  when  I  was  there  &,  what  is  y"  Remora  *  or  reason  why  they 
have  not  proceeded  therein 

5.  To  make  inquiry  aff  &  to  view  y'  land  commonly  called  Washmakers  Land  &  to 
endeavour  to  know  y"  p''tence  of  Govern'"  Stuyvesant  or  any  oth'^  p'son  thereupon  &  upon  what 
Account  &  consideration  they  clayme  it. 

6.  To  make  Enquiry  aff  &  to  view  a  peice  of  Land  adjacent  Claymed  or  belonging  to 
Thomas  Hall  lately  deceased. 

7.  To  Enquire  aff  y*  Ljanitts  &  bounds  of  Capt".  Thomas  Chambers  his  Land,  wheth'  it  be 
according  to  his  Graunts   &  Pattents  &  how  much  furth'  it  extends. 

8.  To  Enquire  how  Capt"  Thomas  Chamber's  is  enclyn'd  to  perfourme  his  undertaking  y" 
last  yeare  about  Erecting  &  keeping  y"  Storehouse  (at  y°  Redoubt  of  w'^"  yo"  have  the  Articles) 
&  if  he  still  dec!_)Ties  it  to  propose  it  to  some  oth"'  undertaker. 

9.  That  yo"  make  a  speciall   Injunction  that  noe  wheate  or  oth'  Grayne  be  transported  & 

'Delay,  obstacle.     AVebster. 


430  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Miver. 

mingled  w""  oth'  w^'oiit  y°  Corne  be  very  well  Cleansed  that  place  haveing  already  lost  in  parte  y* 
reputation  they  formerly  had. 

10.  That  yo"  give  Ord"^  for  y*^  farming  of  y"^  Excise  to  y*  best  advantage  &  take  Account 
how  y°  last  yeares  Income  is  disposed  of. 

11.  That  yo"  take  Ord''  that  all  p''sons,  who  have  any  p''tenees  to  Lotts  at  3'"  Hew  Dorjye  (w"'' 
was  burnt)  doe  forthw"'  settle  there  und'  y*  penalty  of  some  fyne  or  forfeiture. 

12.  That  if  iJLrs.  Broadhead  doe  remove  from  y'  TFasAjwafers  Land  yo"  take  care  to  make  a 
very  good  provision  for  her  at  y*^  furth"'  Dorjyem  regard  of  her  great  Charge  &her  being  a  Com"" 
Offic''^  widdow. 

13.  That  yo"  take  it  into  yo''  Consideration  how  y''  furth"'  Neio  Dorj)e  shall  be  Governed  as 
to  officers  and  by  what  Lawes. 

14.  That  yo"  appoint  some  Officers  to  ord''  y°  well  laying  out  y'  High  wayes  from  one  village 
to  anotli'"  &  keeping  them  passable. 

15.  That  yo"  inquire  aff  &  appoint  fitt  places  of  Rendevous  in  Case  of  Insurrections  or 
Invasions  &  how  each  place  may  have  Recourse  one  to  y^  other  for  succour. 

16.  That  yo"  take  some  Ord''  for  y*^  Reparation  of  yMiousenext  toMr.  ^eeclwa/i's  comonly 
called  j'  Dominies  or  y*  State  house. 

17.  That  yo"  take  greate  Care  to  regulate  y*^  Abuses  of  y°  Indians  &  their  drunkenesse  at 
Esopus,  &  make  inquiry  who  trausgresse  in  giving  them  more  drink  or  liqu'^  than  is  fitting  or 
allowed  of. 

18.  That  yo"  Cause  an  Offic''  to  be  made  in  y"  j^ature  of  a  Constable  amongst  y°  Indians  to 
keep  them  in  y"  better  ord''. 

19.  That  one  or  more  Office'"'  be  appointed  by  yo"  at  y*^  furth''  Dorjie,  to  whome  y"  Indians 
thereabout  may  have  Recourse  for  redresse  upon  Occasion. 

20.  That  yo"  take  Care  and  give  yo''  best  advice  &  direction  for  y"  Continuance  of  y'^  late  made 
peace  amongst  y"  Indians  &  if  any  breach  shall  happen  that  yo"  give  Ord''  to  make  inquii-y  & 
where  y"  fault  lyes  to  cause  satisfaction  to  be  given  by  them  to  those  injured  or  abused. 

21.  That  yo"  Cause  a  prohibition  to  be  made  that  no  Strangers  be  p''initted  to  come  amongst 
y®  neighbor  Indians  there  &  disturbe  y"  publique  peace. 

22.  That  yo"  acquaint  y"  Souldiers  that  as  sooneas  their  Accounts  can  be  stated  to  know  what 
is  due  to  them  their  Airears  shall  be  all  paid  off. 

23.  That  yo"  likewise  take  into  yo"^  Consideration  how  some  rate  may  be  imposed  upon  y" 
Inhabitants  there  according  to  y^  Lawes  Establish'  for  y'  defraying  their  owne  publique  Charge. 

24.  And  Lastly  that  having  done  yo""  utmost  in  p''secuting  my  Com°"  &  following  theise  my 
Instructions  that  yo"  breake  of  &  repaire  to  yo""  respective  Employm'  &  Occasions. 

Given  und""  my  hand  aiffort  James  in  New  Yorke 

this  ll"*  day  of  September  1669.  Fkancis  Lovelace. 


Proceedings   of   tue   Commissioners   appointed   to    regulate   affaers   at   the 

ESOPDS    AND    THEIK    REPORT. 

Aesopus,  Sept.  17'^  1669. 
At  a  Speciall  Court  held  there  by  vertue  of  a  Commission  from  his  Hon'  the  Governour  to 
Regulate  the  AfEayres  of  that  place  and  the  Villages  adjacent. 


New  Ycn'Tc  Historical  Records.  431 

All  the  Com""^  being  present,  the  Sachems  were  sent  for  to  attend  them  &c. 

They  likewise  gave  Notice  to  the  Souldiery  of  that  place  to  appeare  the  next  day  at  2  of  the 
Clock  in  the  Afternoon. 

Tlie  Com"  then  adjourned  till  y*  next  daj'  at  8  of  y'^  Clock  in  y°  fforenoone  and  went  to  View 
the  Villages  and  nam'd  the  further  Village  Marhleton  according  to  his  Hon"  directions. 

Three  places  of  Rendevouz  were  appointed  for  Safegard  of  the  villages,  vizt.  the  first  in  y^ 
middle  of  Marhleton,  the  second  at  Halfe  way  ground,  the  third  iu  Hurley^  which  is  the  Village 
next  to  Esopus  and  then  so  nam'd  by  them. 

Septem'  18'". 
Present  all  y"  Com"  John  Joesten  peti9oned  about  the  exchange  of  a  Lott,  it  lyeing  not  prop- 
erly before  us,  it  was  thrown  out. 

*****  4f 

The  Com"  then  drew  up  this  Ord"'  w'^"  was  immediately  publishd  and  after  affixed  to  the 
door  of  the  Townehouse  as  followeth : 

Whereas  the  Com"  appointed  by  his  Hon''  the  Govern''  to  regulate  &  settle  y^  affayres  at 
So_pus  and  y'' Villages  adjacent  have  heard  of  severall  p''tences  or  Titles  to  y"  Washniaher'' s  Land 
and  the  Villages  adjacent  made  by  severall  pei'sons  and  the  Lands  p''tended  to  by  Thomas  Hall 
lately  deceased,  they  have  thought  fitt  for  the  clearing  and  determining  of  all  Claymes  concerning 
those  places  to  warn  all  persons  to  bring  in  Patents  or  p''tences  to  the  places  aforemen9oned  and 
doe  hereby  strictly  Enjoyne  all  persons  to  bring  in  their  Patents  or  P''tences  on  Munday  next 
about  2  of  the  Clock  in  the  Afternoon  to  them,  who  shall  then  be  sitting  at  the  Townehouse  at 
Sopez  Then  &  there  to  receive  a  Conclusion  &  Judgm*  of  their  severall  Titles  &  p''tences  as  may 
be  most  satisfactory  to  the  said  severall  Pretenders.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Sopez  this  18'"  of 
September. 

Ralph  Whitfield,  Pres'. 

Eesolved  then,  that  y'  Watch  at  y°  Redoubt  should  be  maintained  by  y°  Towne  of  Sopez  only, 
the  Villages  having  enough  to  doe  to  defend  themselves. 

Septbr.  20"^. 
A  Speeiall  Ord''  from  his  Hon''  Dated  September  y"  last  and  directed  to  y°  Scout  and  Com- 
missaryes  there  was  read,  And  the  Towne  was  ffyned  ffifty  Skeppls  of  Wheate  for  not  performing 
one  Particular  there ;  vizt  ffor  not  impaleing  the  Buriall  place.     The  rest  of  the  Injunctions  of 
the  Scout  is  to  give  further  Answer  to. 

It  was  agreed  to  make  an  Ord''  to  p''vent  the  making  of  y"  Indians  drunk,  for  the  first  Offence 
five  pounds  to  be  paid  by  y"  Offender,  for  the  second  ten  pounds,  for  the  third  Banishment. 
****** 

It  was  orderd  y'  y*  Scout  &  Comissaryes  should  take  care  that  two  Men  should  constantly 
watch  at  y°  Redoubt. 

A  List  of  y®  Men  able  to  beare  Armes  at  Sopez  was  then  brought  in,  with  y""  number  of  the 
ffamilyes  there,  but  noe  Acco'  then  given  of  the  two  Villages. 

The  Court  examining  all  y°  Patents,  which  were  then  brought  in  (excepting  only  Mr.  Stuyve- 
sant,  Pieter  Schuyler  &  Thomas  Hall)  and  finde  in  them  nothing  named  concerning  the  2'*  Styck 
or  peece,  either  by  Dutch  patent  or  English. 

Complaint  was  made  by  an  Indyan,  that  Tyerch  Class  had  employed  &  not  paid  him ;  the 
Court  made  him  make  satisfaction  and  fyned  Tyerh  Glaes. 


432  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Septem^  21'\ 
Capt.  Chambers  ijroduced  severall  Patents  for  Land  and  House-Lotts. 
The  first  for       38  Morgan  151  rods. 
The  second  for    5        "       230     " 
The  third  for     26        "  52     " 

Tlie  fourth  for  45  rods  floor  floot  being  a  Home  Lott. 

f  The  first      440  rood. 


The  fifth  Patent  had  foure  Grants  in  one 


j  The  second  160  " 
I  The  third  504  " 
[  The  fourth  128     " 


The  6'"  Patent  4  Morgan  and  a  halfe. 
Ordered  that  the  Excise  should  be  oiferd  to  ffarme  on  y®  22'"  instant  at  4  of  y^  Clock  in  y^ 
Afternoon. 

Then  orderd  that  Hoht.  Gouldsherry  should  have  12  Acres  of  Land  in  Ilarbleton. 
Capt.  Chambers  refused  to  meddle  with  the  building  of  a  Storehouse  at  the  Hedoubt,  it  was 
then  offerd  to  others,  but  noe  man  would  undertake  it. 

****** 

September  22'\ 
The  Instructions  being  then  read  over  againe  every  Particular  was  debated  and  y'=  Resolution 
of  them  will  appeare  in  the  Answer  to  y"^  Instructions  at  large. 

****** 
The  Scout  &  Comissaryes  desyred  Time  to  consider  of  the  Watch  at  y^  Eedoubt  &  to  Answer 
the  Instructions  formerly  directed  to  them  from  his  Honour  and  were  to  bring  in  their  Answer  on 
Thursday. 

September  23'". 

Mr.  Pawling  was  voted  to  be  j"  Officer  to  whom  y'^  Indyans  should  repaire  for  Redress  of 
Injuryes  in  Kingston,  Hurley  &  Marbleton  and  that  hee  take  care,  noe  stranger  Indyans  come 
among  them. 

Mr.  Beresford  chosen  Chief  Magistrate  of  Marbleton  &  Hurley  to  bee  above  a  High  Con- 
stable &  short  of  a  Justice  of  Peace  &  two  Overseers  in  each  Towne  to  be  chosen. 

That  hee  have  power  to  hear  &  determine  concerning  the  High-Wayes,  the  overseers  to  give 
him  an  Ace'. 

That  Mr.  Chambers  have  an  Ace'  from  y'  Scout  &  Comissaryes  of  Kingston  of  the  High- 
Wayes  belonging  to  that  place  &  have  the  same  power  to  heare  and  determine. 

The  Towne  to  be  fiined,  if  y^  Morass  be  not  drayned  by  y"  last  of  November,  one  hundred 
skepples  of  wheate. 

****** 

The  Scout  &  Comissaryes  then  gave  an  Aec'  of  certain  Instructions  formerly  sent  to  them, 
viz*.  That  to  the  Motions  of  the  Indyans  they  will  be  watchfull  over  them  and  will  upon  any 
Occasion  give  Notice  to  the  Governour. 

That  they  will  new  Tyle  the  Towne  house  where  wanting. 

The  Scout  &  Comissaryes  will  provide  an  Officer  to  Cleanse  the  Corne  &  measure  it. 

The  Watch  at  the  Redoubt  to  be  kept  by  two  Men  appointed  by  them ;  And  the  Scout  & 
Comissaryes  are  to  take  care  to  keep  it  in  repayre  at  the  charges  of  Kingston. 

****** 

Mr.  PawUn</  peti^oned  the  Commiss"  to  dischai-ge  him  under  their  hands  from   certaine 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  433 

Injunctions  his  Hon''  formerly  had  Lxid  upon  hiui ;  They  answered,  they  would  make  his  lion'" 
acquainted  with  it. 

These  Orders  following  were  then  drawn  up  and  afterwards  publisht  and  affixt  to  the  Doore 
of  the  Towne  House. 

An  Ord''  that  noe  Wheat  or  other  Graine  be  transported  or 
mingled  with  other  without  the  Corue  be  very  "well  cleansed. 
Whereas  y®  Com"  appointed  by  his  Hon''  the  Governour  to  Regulate  &  settle  y*  AfEayres  of 
Kingston  &  the  Villages  adjacent  have  had  certaine  Information  that  all  sorts  of  Graine  growing 
here  and  being  the  proper  product  of  Kingston  &  the  Villages  adjacent  have  not  beene  well 
cleansed  &  soe  become  less  merchentable  to  the  great  disrej^ute  &  prejudice  of  the  place,  To  p''vent 
w'^''  Inconvenience  for  the  future.  They  have  thought  fitt  to  Order  and  doe  hereby  strictly  Order 
&  enjoyne  that  noe  Person  doe  utter  or  sell  any  Graine  whatsoever  to  be  transported  from 
Kingston,  Hurley  &  Marhleton,  but  such  as  shall  be  well  cleansed  &,  unmingled  with  other  upon 
paine  of  forfeiture  for  any  such  negligence  or  defaxilt  one  full  quarter  of  such  Graiue  soe  utterd  or 
sould  contrary  to  this  Order,  one  third  part  soe  forfeited  to  goe  to  our  Soveraigne  Lord  the  Xing, 
one  third  part  to  the  Informer  &  the  other  third  part  to  the  Scout  and  Comissaryes  then  being 
(who  have  hereby  power  to  name  the  officer  for  this  purpose)  to  goe  toward  the  charges  for  keep- 
ing the  Watch  at  the  Redoubt :  And  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  Informer  to  seize  &  detaine  in 
possession  such  graine  until  complaint  made  to  y^  Scout  &  Comissaryes  or  any  two  of  them,  the 
matter  in  question  be  determined  :  Which  they  are  to  doe  with  all  speed  convenient  according  to 
the  Tenure  of  this  Order.     Given  &c  23'*  Septbr.  1669. 

An  Ord"'  for  y*  Drayniug  y^  Swampish  or  Morasse  Ground 
adjoining  to  y'  Towne  of  Kingston. 
Whereas  his  Hon""  y^  Governo''  had  formerlj^  sent  Instructions  to  the  Scout  and  Comissaryes 
of  Ksojms,  now  called  Kingston,  about  severall  things  relating  to  that  place  and  hath  since  Comis- 
sioned  severall  p^sons  to  Regulate  &  settle  y"  Affaires  there,  who  among  particulars  in  their 
Instructions  are  obliged  to  enquire  after  the  performance  of  what  was  formerly  given  in  Charge 
to  the  said  Scout  and  Commissaryes,  and  finding  one  Article  belonging  to  y^  Publique  good  as 
yett  unperformed  vizt.  y"  Draining  of  y''  Swampish  or  Morasse  Ground,  lyeing  &  adjoyning  to 
the  said  Towne,  The  Com''^  in  pursuance  of  those  Instructions  have  thought  fitt  to  hasten  the  per- 
formance of  it.  And  doe  hereby  strictly  charge  y''  Scout  &  Conaissaryes  (in  regard  it  would  very 
much  conduce  to  the  health  of  the  place  &  the  Improvera'  of  soe  much  Ground,  w'^'^  is  rendred 
at  p'sent  almost  useles)  to  Draine  the  said  Swampish  or  Morasse  Ground  by  the  last  day  of 
November  next  ensuing  upon  paine  of  forfeitm-e  of  one  hundred  skepples  of  Wheat  to  his  Ma"' 
according  to  the  vote  &  sentence  of  the  Court  held  this  day  by  the  said  Commissioners  to  be 
levyed  on  the  said  Towne  of  Kingston.     Given  &c  this  23'^  of  Sept^  1669. 

An  Ord"^  for  y^  Repayre  of  y"  Domine's  House  or  Towne 
House  in  Kingston. 

Whereas  the  Com""*"  appointed  &c  &c  have  among  other  Instructions  one  concerning  the 
Repara9on  of  the  Domine's  House  or  Towne  House  in  Kingston  w'^''  now  grows  ruinous,  to  p''vent 
further  damage,  it  being  of  absolute  necessity,  to  keep  that  House  in  good  repaire,  in  regard  of 
the  frequent  use  of  it  both  for  Religious  Dutyes  and  Civill  Affayres,  It  is  thought  fitt  to  give 
Ord'  in  that  behalfe.  And  the  Scout  &  Comissaries  of  this  Towne  are  hereby  strictly  enjoyned  to 
55 


434  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

repaire  y®  said  House  as  soon  as  they  can  get  Pan-Tiles  to  do  it  and  other  niaterialls  thereto 
requisite,  Which  Reparation  (it  being  for  the  publique  good)  ought  to  be  performed  at  the  publique 
Charge  ;  And  which  they  are  hereby  empowered  to  demand  and  Levy  in  this  Towne  of  Kingston, 
And  that  they  doe  give  an  Acco'  to  his  Honor  tiie  Governour  of  the  performance  of  this  Order  as 
soon  as  it  shall  bee  by  them  Obeyd.     Given  &c  this  23''  of  Septbr.  1669. 

An  Ord''  to  p''vent  Drunkenness  among  the  Indyans. 

Whereas  the  Comm"  &e  &c  have  been  inform'd  that  severall  persons  Inhabitants  of  Kingston 
have  for  their  private  Lucre  &  Gaine  sold  to  the  Indyans  thereunto  resorting  great  quantityes  of 
Strong  Liquors  wherewith  they  have  been  frequently  drunk  to  the  great  dishonour  of  Christian 
Religion  and  the  breach  of  the  Laws  of  the  place,  they  have  thought  fitt  in  order  to  prevent  all 
Excess  and  Deboishery  in  that  kinde,  for  the  future  strictly  to  enjoyne  and  they  do  hereby  strictly 
Enjoyne  all  person  or  persons  not  to  utter  or  sell  to  any  Indyan  or  Indyans  such  quantityes  as  shall 
make  them  drunk  upon  the  Penaltyes  following  :  vizt  for  the  first  Offence  the  person  soe  selling  is  to 
pay  five  pounds,  for  the  second  Offence  Ten  pounds  and  for  the  third  Offence  to  suffer  Banishm' 
out  of  this  Towne  :  Which  summe  or  Sunnues  the  Scout  is  hereby  empowered  to  Levy  by  way  of 
Seizure  or  Distress  of  any  such  Offender's  Goods  ;  Two  parts  of  wliich  said  penaltyes  or  fforfeitures 
are  to  goe  to  the  Reliefe  of  the  poore  of  this  place,  and  the  third  part  to  the  Scout.  Given  &c. 
this  23'^  of  Septb-- 1669. 

The  like  Order  was  drawn  up  for  Hurley  &  2£arhleton,  Mutatis  mutandis. 

September  24"^. 

An  Order  for  the  laying  out  &  keeping  passable  the  Higli- 
Ways  &  Comon  Roads  in  Kingston,  Hurley  &,  Marbleton. 

Whereas  the  Com"^"  appointed  &c  &c  are  obliged  by  a  particular  Article  in  their  instructions 
to  take  care  thaty"  Highwayes  &  Comon  Roads  belonging  to  those  three  Townes  be  conveniently 
layd  out  and  constantly  kept  passable,  They  have  thought  fitt  to  Order  and  doe  hereby  Order, 
that  the  Highwayes  &  Common  Roads  belonging  to  Kingston  be  kept  passable  by  y"  Scout  & 
Commissaryes  belonging  to  Kingston,  who  have  hereby  power  to  command  every  person  (whom 
they  shall  adjudge  lyable)  to  attend  their  Orders  in  the  mending  of  the  Highwayes  &  Comon 
Roads  and  to  ffyne  such  as  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  obey  their  Summons  according  to  such  Con- 
tempt :  And  if  the  Scout  &  Commissaryes  shall  neglect  their  Duty  herein  of  supervising  or  ffineing 
Offend''^  where  just  cause  is.  That  then  Capt.  Thomas  Chamhers,  who  is  hereby  made  &  consti- 
tuted Surveyour  Generall  of  the  Highwayes  &  Comon  Roads  for  the  three  abovemengoned  Townes 
or  Villages,  shall  have  and  hereby  hath  power  to  ffyne  the  Scout  &  Commissaryes  or  any  such  of 
them  as  shall  omitt  his  Duty  therein.  As  before  expressed  20  skepple  of  wheat  to  be  paid  to  our 
Soveraigne  Lord  the  King,  w''''  power  of  Surveyour  Generall  hee  is  to  exercise  within  twenty  one 
dayes  after  the  Date  of  this  Order  in  Kingston ;  And  whereas  Mr.  Christojpher  Beresford  is  chosen 
Chiefe  Magistrate  for  the  Townes  of  Hurley  &  Marbleton,  hee  is  hereby  empowered  to  Command 
the  Overseers  in  each  Towne  to  take  the  like  care  for  the  mending  &  repaireing  of  the  Highwayes 
in  those  two  last  menponed  Townes  &  to  fiine  all  the  Overseers  of  both  places  or  any  of  them,  as 
shall  neglect  their  duty  in  20  skeppels  of  Wheat  to  be  paid  to  his  Ma'''^  and  hath  hereby  power  to 
Levy  the  same  ;  And  if  the  said  Christopher  Beresford  shall  refuse  any  part  of  his  duty  herein, 
That  then  y"  said  Surveyour  Generall  of  the  Highwayes  shall  have  power  to  fiine  him  20  skepples 
of  Wheat  to  his  Ma""  and  to  Levy  for  the  use  aforesaid,  which  power  in  both  the  said  Thomas 
Chamhers  &;  Christoj)Jier  Beresford  shall  begin  within  twenty  one  dayes  after  the  date  hereof  in 


New  York  Historical  liecords.  435 

Ilurley  autl  21  dayes  after  the  laying  out  of  the  Lotts  in  Marhleton.     Given  &c  this  23''  Septbr. 
1669. 

All  Ord"'  for  the  settling  of  Hurley. 
Whereas  severall  persons  by  virtue  of  former  Groundbriefs  or  Patents  claime  Lotts  or  pro- 
portions of  Land  in  Hurley  &  have  neglected  their  Settlements  there,  alledging  frivolous  reasons 
for  their  soe  doing,  to  the  publique  p''judice,  It  is  thought  fitt  by  y°  Comra"  authorized  &e  &c  to 
Declare  &  Order;  And  they  doe  by  this  Declare  &  Order  that  any  person  haveing  a  Groundbrief 
or  Patent  to  any  Lott  or  proportion  of  Ground  doe  settle  their  j^roportion  by  the  first  of  Aprill 
next  eusueiug  the  Date  hereof  ;  And  if  any  person  so  claimeing  shall  refuse  to  Settle  his  Lott  or 
proportion  according  to  y'=  Tenor  of  this  Order,  That  tlieii  such  Lott  or  proportion  shall  imme- 
diately become  forfeit  to  his  Ma''"  and  to  be  disposed  of  as  his  Hon''  the  Governour  shall  think 
fitt  and  withall  to  pay  Twenty  pounds  as  a  fiyne  to  liis  Ma''',  w^''  the  chiefe  Magistrate  of  this 
Towne  is  empowered  to  Clayme  &  Levy  to  the  use  above  said. 
Given  &c  Septbr.  24'"  1669. 

There  appeared  some  Indyans  though  none  of  y°  Sachems,  that  sett  their  hands  to  the  sale 
of  y^  Lands  to  Coll.  Nicolls ;  two  of  the  Sachems  to  that  sale  &  one  of  y"  Witnesses  are  dead. 
It  is  left  to  Mr.  Pawling  to  Summon  them  and  to  endeavour  y"  performance  of  that  article. 
*****  «  *  *  *  * 

Septr.  25'" 
*******  *** 

Instructions  were  then  drawn  up  for  Mr.  Beresford  chiefe  Magistrate  for  Hurley  &  Mar- 
hleton. 

Instructions  were  drawn  up  for  Mr.  Paioling,  Officer  over  the  Indyans. 

The  Ord'  for  the  Redmlt. 

Whereas  y"  Com'''  appointed  &c  &c  have  taken  into  Consideration  the  keeping  of  a  Constant 
Watch  at  the  Redoubt  at  the  Cliarge  of  the  parrish  of  Kingston,  obligeing .them  to  finde  two 
Men  to  remaine  constantly  there  upon  this  Duty,  They  have  thought  fitt  to  Order  and  doe  hereby 
Order  that  y^  Scout  &  Comissaryes  of  Kingston  doe  take  constant  care  for  the  Relief e  of  that  Watch  ; 
And  whereas  the  said  Redouht  is  very  ruinous,  they  are  hereby  enjoyned  to  repaire  well  and  suf- 
ficiently the  said  Redoubt  within  six  weeks  after  the  Date  hereof  upon  paine  of  forfeiture  of  20 
skepple  of  Wheat  to  our  Soveraigiie  Lord  the  King  And  soe  constantly  keep  it  in  good  repayre. 
Given  &c  this  SS""  of  Septbr.  1669. 

On  this  day  (viz'  25"")  the  Towne  formerly  called  Sopez  was  named  Kingston. 

Septem""^  27'". 
****** 

Two  Orders  were  then  drawn  up  for  settling  the  Excise  in  the  two  New  Villages  —  vizt  for 
Hurley. 

Whereas  it  is  thought  fitt  to  settle  the  Tapper's'  Excise  in  Hurley,  it  is  hereby  Ordered  that 
Mr.  Beresford  doe  take  care  for  the  settling  &  gathering  of  it  in  the  said  Towne  of  Hurley  ;  And 
that  he  observe  to  sett  the  same  Rates  &  use  the  same  course  in  gathering  it  and  have  the  same 
power  in  every  regard  upon  refusall  of  payment  to  Seize  or  distreyne  as  it  is  us'd  at  Kingston  / 
And  is  hereby  oblig''  every  yeare  to  give  an  Ace'  thereof  to  his  lion''  tiie  Governour. 

Directed  to  Mr.  Beresford. 

The  like  for  Marhleton. 


436  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

These  3  Lotts  following  are  vacant  by  j"  death  of  y°  p''sons  to  whom  they  were  promised  and 
are  to  be  dispos'd  of  as  his  Hon""  y"  Governour  shall  appoint  vizt. 
Constaplis    Jan  Joosts    David  Craiofords 
1.  2.  3. 

An  Ord''  was  drawn  np  for  Albert  Heymensens  erecting  of  a  Brew  House  &   setting  up  of 
Tan-ifats ;  referred  to  Mr.  Beresford  to  consider  of  the  place. 

r\  j:      TT    1      \  Letois  de  Boys 

fjvevseers  lor  J I  urtei/  <  " 

K  Atbert  Meyinens. 

Overseers  for  MarhUton   -j  f^ 

(  rrednck  Hussey. 

Anhruj),  an  Indyan,  petigond  again  Capt.  Chambers  p''tending  hee  was  not  paid  for  certain 
Lotts  of  Lands.     It  was  referred  to  y"  next  morning. 

Septbr.  28'". 
Anhmp  the  Indyan  appearing,  Capt.  Chambers  produced  the  Bill  of  Sale  &  y®  Indyan  then 
owned  his  niarke  &  full  satisfaction  for  the  Land ;  tlie  Com'"'"  then  caused  that  Acknowledgment 
to  be  Endors'd  on  the  Bill  of  Sale  ;  And  they  took  care  that  unjust  Complaints  from  y*'  Indyans 
in  that  nature  should  be  puuisht 

Septem:  29*\ 
An  Ord'^  for  the  Officer  to  measure  Corne  was  then  made  as  followeth,  vizt : 
Whereas  it  was  thought  necessary  by  y"  Com'''  &c  that  an  Officer  should  be  chosen  to  super- 
vise &  measure  all  sorts  of  Corne  and  Graine,  that  shall  be  transported  from  Marbleton,  Hurley 
and  Kingston  to  other  parts,  To  y'^  End  that  nothing  but  what  is  merchantable  may  be  uttered  or 
sold,  It  is  hereby  ordered,  that  y"  Scout  &  Comissaryes  of  Kingston  shall  elect  &  choose  a 
person,  whom  they  shall  judge  most  fitt  for  y"  Execution  of  that  place ;  And  they  are  hereby 
empowered  to  Charge  every  person  soe  uttering  or  selling  any  Corne  or  graine  with  the  paym'  of 
one  styver  upon  the  skeppel  then  to  y'^  said  Officer,  when  any  such  Corne  or  Graine  shall  be 
brought  to  be  view'd  or  measur'd,  by  the  Owner  or  buyer  of  y"  same  to  the  said  officer ;  Who  is 
hereby  Comanded  to  sufEer  noe  Transportagons  to  be  made  of  any  such  Corne  or  Graine  but  what 
is  truely  merchantable.  And  that  the  Scout  and  Comissaryes  or  any  two  of  them  be  made  Judges 
of  any  default  or  Complaint  or  have  power  to  punish  where  any  Cause  is  in  any  thing  men^on'd  in 
this  Order  both  to  the  Officer  soe  chosen  or  any  person  that  transports  such  Oorne  or  Graine. 
Given  at  Kingston^  September  29"'  1669. 
This  morning  the  Court  was  Dissolved. 


The  Answer  of  y*^  Comm'"^"^  to  his  Hon"'  Instructions  annexed  to  the  Comm" 
AS  followeth  : 
1.  On  Thursday  y'^  16'"  of  this  Instant  the  Cora'^^  arrived  &i  Kingston.  In  the  Evening  meetting 
with  Capt.  Chambers  &  Mr.  Beakman  joyn'd  likewise  in  Commission  with  them,  'twas  privately 
read.  The  next  morning  being  y'^  17'"  Instant  a  Court  being  called  y*^  Commission  was  publii^uely 
read,  all  y'=  Comm''^  being  present  (&  were  constantly  soe  duering  the  setting  of  the  said  Commis- 
sion; and  the  Inhabitants  were  fully  inform'd  of  the  Cause  of  their  Coraeing ;  and  how  great  a 
care  liis  Hon''  y^  Governo"'  had  for  their  prosperity  and  welfare,  not  only  in  remedying  some 


New    Yorlc  Historical  Records.  437 

former  irregular  Proceedings  there  and  composing  the  private  differences  of  unfriendly  persons, 
but  by  takeing  y°  best  way  for  setling  y®  two  New  Townes  and  endeavouring  to  render  them  as 
flourishing  as  the  place  could  make  them,  which  was  soe  pleasing  to  the  Inhabitants,  that  they  ex- 
pressed that  acknowledgm',  which  was  due  to  soe  excellent  a  person. 

The  Sachems  being  then  sent  for,  a  few  days  after  appeared  Wcqjoshequiqua  and  Sewalcanoma, 
two  of  those  Sachems,  that  sould  the  Land  to  y'  late  Governor  JVicolls,  who  owned  their  marks 
with  y°  whole  agreem'.  An  Indyan,  who  came  with  them,  sett  his  hand  to  the  paper  &  they  were 
then  obliged  to  bring  two  young  Men  to  wittness  what  they  own  ;  the  other  two  Sachems  men- 
(joned  in  that  Agreem'  are  dead,  but  these  Sachems  that  appeared  obliged  themselves  to  bring 
y^  success"  of  those  deceased  to  Mr.  Pawling,  to  whom  it  is  referred  to  give  full  answer  to  y°  rest 
of  this  Article. 

2.  This  they  were  acquainted  with  &  they  are  willing  to  turne  the  Sword  into  a  Plowsheare,  Only 
in  regard  their  Lotts  are  not  measured  out  to  them  yett  and  the  little  Groxmd  they  manure  at 
present  bringing  in  a  poore  Revennew,  likely  to  discourage  new  Beginners,  it  is  humbly  desir'd 
y'  their  Provisions  may  be  continued  six  Months  longer. 

3.  They  have  a  List  of  the  ffamilyes  of  the  three  Townes,  w"'  y"  number  of  them  that  are  able 
to  beare  Armes. 

ffor  the  maintaining  the  Watch  at  the  Redoubt  it  is  imposd  wholly  upon  Kingston,  the 
other  Towns  being  exposd  to  more  danger  from  y'^  Indyans  and  in  that  regard  may  very  well  be 
excusd  from  that  Duty,  the  Scout  &  Comissaryes  are  to  take  that  Charge  upon  them  and  an 
Order  is  drawn  up  for  it. 

4.  The  former  Instructions  to  y"  Scout  &  Comissaryes  are  these,  first  to  renew  the  Pallizadoes& 
place  them  at  y"  extremity  of  the  Towne,  where  y"  addition  is  to  be  made  &  to  open  the  Towne 
in  the  middle. 

To  this  y^  Scout  &  Comissaryes  answer,  that  they  doe  repaire  the  Stockadoes  &  that  they 
conceive  the  Towne  needs  noe  Enlargem',  it  decreasing  in  people  ;  when  it  increaseth  they  will 
be  very  ready,  which  will  if  now  be  a  very  great  Charge  to  the  few  Inhabitants. 

Secondly  y*^  place  of  Buriale  was  to  be  impaled,  this  hath  been  altogether  omitted  &  the  Towne 
fyn'd  for  it  50  skepples  of  AYheat. 

ffor  the  impaleing  a  place  for  a  Towne  House  there,  they  conceive  it  is  a  mistake,  they  have 
a  Towne  House  already,  standing  conveniently  w'''in  y"  Towne. 

Thirdly  to  Drayne  the  Morasse. 

This  hath  been  omitted,  but  an  Order  is  drawn  up  under  a  penalty  to  have  it  suddenly  done. 

Lastly  for  the  ffence,  when  any  come  to  live  on  the  other  side,  they  are  ready  to  obey  that 
Command. 

n  \      They  have  viewd  both  Lands,  but  noe  Patents  were  produced,  though  enquird  after. 

7.  A  Patent  was  granted  to  Capt.  Chmnbers  by  Coll.  Nicolls  of  the  Land  here  menQond  &  was 
never  surveyd  ;  soe  wee  cannot  give  any  Ace'  of  it ;  his  other  Patents  wee  have  seen  and  judge 
them  to  be  indifferently  measurd. 

8.  Capt.  Chambers  doth  absolutely  refuse  to  meddle  with  it,  'twas  offerd  to  others,  but  none 
accepted  it. 

9.  An  Order  was  publishd  to  redress  it. 

10.  The  Excise  was  offered  to  ffarme,  but  noe  person  comeing  neer  the  valine,  it  is  continued  as 
before ;  ffor  the  last  yeares  Income,  they  have  y"  Scout's  Acco'. 

11.  An  Order  is  publishd  concerning  it. 


438  Colonial  SettlemenU  on  the  Hudson  River. 

12.  Mrs.  Broadhead  hath  100' Acres  allotted  her. 

13.  They  have  chosen  Mr.  Christopher  Beresford  Cheife  Magistrate  over  Hurley  &  Marhleton, 
who  is  to  Govern  by  English  Lawes,  there  is  likewise  chosen  two  Overseers  in  each  Towne  under  him. 

The  Instructions  they  left  for  Mr.  Beresford  till  yo''  Hon"^"  further  directions  are  as  f olloweth : 
"Whereas  you  are  chosen  by  y°  rest  of  the  Commiss^^  Chiefe  Mag' rate  over  Hurley  &  Marble- 
ton,  You  are  to  observe  these  Instructions  following :  If  any  Order  or  Command  shall  be  directed 
to  you  from  his  Honor  y^  Governour  concerning  those  places  committed  to  your  Charge,  You  are 
speedily  to  Obey  them,  which  you  may  y^  better  doe  by  the  help  of  y"  Overseers  in  each  Towne, 
whom  3'ou  have  power  to  Command  in  anything  that  concernes  the  Execution  of  yo''  Office.  If 
any  difference  ariseth  between  y"*  Inliabitants,  you  are  to  give  them  a  speedy  decision,  not  regard- 
ing partyes,  but  y*^  merritt  of  y"  Cause,  And  you  are  likewise  to  take  the  same  Care,  that  the  Over- 
seers doe  their  Duty  in  whatsoever  they  are  comanded  in  relation  to  tlieir  places.  You  are  to  Govern 
by  English  Lawes,  which  will  speedily  be  sent  you  ;  &  as  you  are  obligd  to  preserve  the  peace  as 
much  as  you  can  between  particular  persons,  soe  you  must  endeavour,  that  those  Townes  com- 
mitted to  your  Cliarge  may  well  agree  themselves  and  both  with  Kingston  ;  And  that  you  take 
away  all  Obstructions  from  that  Trade  or  Correspondency,  You  have  with  y*^  Indyans  &  give  his 
Hon''  the  Governour  an  Accorapt  of  whatsoever  you  judge  considerable  by  the  first  Opportunity. 

14.  An  Order  is  publishd  &  y"  Oificers  namd. 

15.  Three  Places  of  Rendevous  are  appointed,  y®  first  in  y*  middle  of  Mai'ileton,  y"  second  at 
Halfway  Ground,  the  third  at  Hurley. 

16.  An  Order  is  publishd  for  it. 

17.  The  same. 

18.  19,  20,  21.     Mr.  Henry  Paioling  is  made  the  Officer  over  y"  Indyans  and  those  foure  particu- 
lars fall  under  his  care. 

His  Instructions  are  as  followeth  : 

Whereas  you  are  chosen  an  Officer  over  the  Indyans,  you  are  strictly  to  observe  the  above 
written  particulai-s  and  not  to  make  your  own  InterpretaQons,  but  to  follow  precisely  the  Letter  of 
those  Articles ;  And  you  are  not  hereby  anyways  empowered  to  prevent  or  hinder  y"  Trade  of  any 
person  with  the  Indyans  or  give  any  Cause  of  just  Complaints,  but  to  carry  your  selfe  answerable 
to  the  Trust  reposed  in  you  ;  And  in  case  of  any  disturbance  or  riott  among  the  Indyans,  that  may 
Endanger  the  publique  quiet.  You  are  to  repaire  to  the  next  Magistrate  in  that  Towne  &  consult 
with  him  or  the  rest  of  the  Magistrates  what  is  best  to  be  done  for  yo''  assistance  &  y'  keeping  of 
y"  publique  peace  ;  And  you  are  likewise  to  performe  the  remaining  parte  of  the  first  Article  in 
the  Generall  Instructions  and  send  an  Acco*  thereof  to  his  Hon''  y"  Governour,  as  likewise  of  any- 
thing of  Moment  concerning  the  Indyans  by  the  first  Opportunity. 

22.  The  Souldiers  are  acquainted  &  well  pleased  with  it. 

23.  This  is  to  be  Regulated  as  in  Long-Island  And  it  is  desird  a  Copy  of  the  Lawes  naay  be  sent 
them. 

24.  This  is  willingly  obeyd  &  they  humbly  desire,  that  in   this  and  all  other  yo''  Commands  yo"" 
Hon'  would  be  pleased  to  accept  of  their  endeavo'. 

Ralph   WnrrFiELo  pr* 
John  Manning 
Thom.  Chambeks 
Wm.  Beekman 
Cheistoph.  Beeesford 
Henet  Pawling. 


New    Yorh  Historical  liecords.  439 

Letter  from  Gov"  Lovelace  to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany  on  Indian  affairs. 

Gentlemen. 

I  have  ReC'  yo"  of  y"  5'^  Instant  w""  some  further  propositions  from  y"  Maquaes  Indians 
■whereto  I  can  at  present  say  little  or  nothing  nutill  Governour  Winihrop  retorne,  w'=''  is  daily 
expected,  bnt  1  am  glad  they  continne  in  so  Calme  &  peaceable  myndes  notwithstanding  their  last 
victory.  I  have  also  an  Account  from  yo"  of  yo''  Election  of  yo"'  Coramissaryes  and  doe  approve  of 
Capt.  Philipp  Pieters  Schuyler  for  Albany  in  y"  place  of  Mr.  Jacob  de  Ilinse  &  of  Pieter 
Meenssen  in  y®  stead  of  Jan  Tlwmas  for  Renzlaersviyck  w'*'  is  all  at  p''sent  from 

Yo''  very  Loving  freiud. 
ffort  James  in  New  YorTce  this  13'^"  day  of  October  1669. 


Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same. 

Gentlemen. 

The  Govemo"'  hath  rec*  y"  Propositions  yo"  sent  from  y*  Mahicanders  Indians,  Copy  whereof  he 
doth  intend  to  transmitt  to  Governour  Winthroj),  from  whome  he  dayly  Expects  a  retorne  of  all 
y'  former  papers  of  w'^'^  yo"  will  have  an  Ace'.  Tlie  Govern''  liath  given  me  ord''  to  acquaint  j'o", 
that  he  would  have  yo"  as  formerly  to  provide  a  Scow  to  helpe  y"  Souldiers  in  their  provision  of 

firewood  against  winter,  w'^''  is  all  at  p'sent  from 

Yo'^  very  Loving  freind 
Octb'  27*  1669.  Math.  Nicolls. 

To  y®  Schout  &  Commissaryes  at  Albany. 


Letter  from  Gov"  Lovelace  to  Gov"  Winthrop  of    Massachusetts  on  Indian  affairs. 

Deare  S'. 

I  am  heartily  sorry  so  sad  an  Occasion  as  y''  Indisposi(;on  of  yo''  wife  obstructed  yo''  retorne 
to  yo''  house,  but  am  as  well  pleased  at  her  recovery  &  thereby  y'  advantage  I  shall  reape  by  a 
more  frequent  Correspondency,  if  all  my  Letters  arriv'd  yo''  hands  yo"  will  fynde  them  of  one 
Tenure  (vizt)  y°  Earnest  desire  of  y"  Maquases  to  conclude  a  firm  peace  with  y®  Mohica^ids : 
What  overture  (of  this  nature  they  have  made  before)  I  cannot  be  inform'd  in  &  1  am  not  apt  to 
believe  what  they  now  represent  to  be  (as  farre  as  Infidells  are  to  be  Creditted)  very  Cordiall. 
Yo''  see  their  propositions  &  haveing  had  y°  Experience  of  their  Actings  formerly  you  can  best 
give  a  Judgment  of  y"  Event,  to  be  breife  (if  it  can  be  aecomplisht)  I  doubt  not  but  it  very  much 
tend  to  y®  good  of  all  Xpians  in  their  tranquillity  &  to  y*  Advancem'  of  Trade  (y"  first  step  to 
plenty).  How  farre  yo"  believe  me  to  be  Capable  to  promote  that  designe  I  shall  receive  Instruc- 
tions from  yo",  but  I  am  apt  to  believe  y°  Progress  will  be  very  slow,  if  it  be  managed  by  Letters, 
there  will  be  therefore  a  necessity  of  an  Intercourse  w"^*"  I  shall  attend,  when  I  know  from  yo"  y^ 
tyme  and  place.  For  these  Exceptions  yo"  inferre  of  y'  tyme  &  place  &  Jelousy  y°  Mahicanders 
Conceive  of  y°  Maquesyes  by  reason  of  some  former  misactings  y'^  others  use  y"  same  Arguments 
against  them  &  if  true  [rebus  sic  stoMtihis)  there  is  little  hope  of  a  period,  but  if  all  former  mis- 


440  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

carnages  are  oblitterated  &  we  enter  on  a  Treaty  de  iwvo  it  is  possible  a  good  issue  may  be  Expected. 
However  all  faire  endeavours  are  to  be  practiced  that  may  accomplish  so  univei-sall  a  benefitt  to 
this  Corner  of  y"  World.  I  believe  I  can  resolve  your  doubt  concerning  what  is  meant  by  y' 
Highland  Indians  amongst  us,  y''  Wapphigoes  &  Wickersheck  &c  have  alwayes  beene  reckoned 
so.  And  for  these  I  dare  respond  to  have  them  included  in  y''  Gen"  Peace  ;  thus  yo"  see  how 
that  affaires  now  stand  &  through  y''  Churlishnesse  of  y"  weather  will  not  suffer  us  to  Acte  any 
further  (y*  well  wishes  towards  it).  Tett  as  soone  as  y^  wayes  be  passable  I  shall  be  glad  to  give 
j'O"  a  meeting  that  so  we  may  consid''  y^  best  way  &  method  to  bring  y'=  worke  to  a  desii-d  conclu- 
sion.    I  have  no  more  but  wishing  you  all  happinesse  &  a  beleef  that  I  am 

Yo''  most  affectionate  humble  servant 
Fort  James,  December  29""  1669.  Fean.  Lovelace. 


Letter  from  Got"  Lovelace  to  the  Commissaries  at  Albany,  on  the  Ltoian  peace. 

Fort  James  in  New  Yorke  this  2i*''  day  of  January  1669-70. 
Gentlemen. 

I  Received  yo'  Lett'  of  y°  8"'  of  January  by  y"  Indian,  by  w<=''  I  understood  of  yo'  health  & 
welfare,  w"^"  to  me  was  a  most  welcome  New  Yeares  guift  &  as  it  hath  beene  my  sole  ConsideraQon 
yo'  peace  &  happiness  so  y^  Continuance  of  it  shall  be  my  cheifest  study.  I  am  glad  all  y^ 
Indians  are  so  well  disposed  as  to  Imploy  themselves  to  y°  Beaver  hunting,  I  doubt  not  but  yo" 
will  receive  y^  good  effects  of  it  by  yo'  next  yeares  handling,  by  w'^''  tyme  I  am  in  great  hopes  to 
constitute  a  firme  peace  w*''  y^  Indians  now  in  Hostility  w"'  each  oth'  &  am  soiTy  I  have 
hitherto  brought  it  to  no  greater  perfection,  but  must  w*"^  all  assure  yo"  y"  fault  lay  not  in  y^  least 
on  my  parte,  in  regard  Mr.  Winthroj),  who  govern  es  those  Indians  (by  an  Accident  of  y^  indispo- 
sition of  his  wife)  has  beene  absent  from  his  Governem'  all  this  sumer  &  retorn'd  not  till  y* 
Churlishnesse  of  y*  wint'  forbad  all  manner  of  Intercourse.  In  y^  springe  I  am  resolved  to 
proceed  in  y^  worke  of  making  a  Gen"  peace,  to  w'^''  end  I  have  already  made  some  p'paration 
thereunto,  w'"  I  beseech  God  to  blesse,  It  tending  so  much  to  the  universall  benefitt  of  theise 

partes  &  perticuler  yours. 

*  *  *  * 

Your  assured  f  reind 

Fran.  Lovelace. 


Letters  Graunted  to  Tierck  Claesen  de  Wit,  that  he  mat  have  lebertt  to 
Erect  a  house  &  barne  &c  on  his  owne  Land  at  Esopus. 

Upon  y*  Request  of  Tierck  Claesen  de  Witt,  that  he  may  have  hberty  to  Erect  a  house  & 
Barne  w""  convenient  outhouses  for  his  Cattle  upon  his  owne  Land  at  Fsopus  lying  betwixt 
Hurley  and  Kingston,  for  y^  w*  (as  I  am  informed)  he  formerly  had  a  Graunt  from  my 
Predecesso'  Coll.  Nicolls,  In  Confidence  whereof  he  hath  Provided  all  materialls  ready  for  y"  same, 
I  have  thought  fitt  to  likewise  to  graunt  his  request.  And  y"  said  Tierck  Claessen  hath  hereby 
liberty  to  Erect  a  house  &  barne  w'"  Convenient  outhousing  for  his  Cattle  in  y"  Land  aforemen- 
tioned, It  appearing  not  to  be  any  way  p'judiciall  to  the  Townes  adjacent,  but  rath'  in  tyme  may 
prove  a  benefitt  &  releife  to  such  as  shall  ti-availe  that  way.     Given  &c  2-1*''  January  1669-70. 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Records.  441 

An  Oed"  Excusrao  William  Betts  &  oth"^  feom  making  a  beidg  ovee  y'=  Maesh 

BETWEENE    PaPIEINIMON    &    FFOEDHAM. 

Whereas  it  was  proposed  unto  me  by  William  Betts,  George  Tippett  &  Johi  Hedyer,  that 
living  at  some  distance  from  y"  Towne  of  Fordham,  where  a  Cawsey  is  to  be  made  over  y'=  Marsliy 
ground  betweene  Papirinimon  &  y°  Towne  of  ffordham,  if  they  may  be  Excused  from  their 
Proportion  of  worke  in  making  up  that  Cawsey  they  will  be  obliedged  to  make  a  bridg  at  their 
own  Charge  over  Bronlcx  Ryver  in  y^  wa}'  to  Ecmtchesff',  w'^"  is  also  a  thing  veiy  requisite  & 
comodious,  Upon  debate  of  y"  said  Projjosigon  in  y"  p''sence  of  y"  said  Three  p''sons  &  also  of  divers 
of  y'^  Inhabitants  of  Fordham,  those  of  y"^  Towne  offering  to  give  their  Assistance  in  making  of 
y*  said  bridg  aff"  y'=  Cawsey  shall  first  be  finisht,  for  y'^  w*  all  their  Assistance  will  be  little  Enough 
&  finding  that  what  is  jiroposed  by  y°  Towne  tends  to  y"^  greater  Expedition  of  both  workes,  It  is 
ordered,  that  y"  three  p''sons  aforenamed  shall  first  joyne  w""  y'^  rest  of  y"  Towne  of  Fordham  in 
making  y*  Cawsey  agreed  upon  as  aforesaid  &  that  afterwards  they  do  all  Jointly  give  their  best 
help  &  assistance  in  making  a  Convenient  bridg  over  Broiikx  Ryver,  w""  a  Gate  on  EastchesV 
syde  to  hind"'  their  Hoggs  from  comeing  over.  In  consideration  whereof  &  for  their  Inconragem' 
it  being  a  new  Plantation,  they  shall  have  3'"  liberty  &  priviledg  of  having  y"  Passage  of  y"^  Ferry 
free  to  &  fro  for  themselves,  Horses,  Hoggs  &  Cattle  for  &  duering  y^  space  of  tyme  Johannes 
Vervelen,  y*  p''sent  Constable  or  his  Assigns  shall  injoy  y''  Ferrj',  as  by  agreem'  betweene  us  is 
sett  downe.    Given  imd"'  my  hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  Yorke  this  lO""  day  of  February  1669-70. 


Lettee  feom  Governoe  Lovelace  to  ?  (on  Staten  Island)  on  buying  land  feom  the  Indians. 

Gent. 

Having  Rec''  a  Complaint  against  yo'  neighbour  Indians  from  Mr.  StillweU  &  Nathan  Whit- 
more  on  y^  behalfe  of  y"  Inhabitants  in  Gen"  of  yo''  Towne  efe  likewise  heard  &  debated  what  they 
had  to  say  as  to  your  Jealousyes  &  feares  of  y*^  Indians  Insolencyes  &  threatnings  grounded  upon 
their  p''tences,  that  y^  Land  there  hath  not  beene  paid  for  &  that  }our  Horses,  Hoggs  &  Cattle 
have  done  them  damage  in  their  Come,  I  have  thought  good  to  retorne  yo"  this  in  answer.  That 
in  y^  first  place  yo"  send  to  them  &  treate  w""  those  concerned  in  a  freiudly  way  touching  y"^  pur- 
chase of  soe  much  of  that  Island,  as  hath  not  beene  already  bought  &  paid  for,  y"  w"^"  can  be 
proued  to  have  beene  perfourmed  in  parte  notw"'standing  their  denyall  &  that  yo"  do  it  as  for  yo'' 
selves  &  at  as  easy  a  rate  as  possible,  y'  w'='^  will  turne  to  yo''  owne  perticuler  advantage  &  having 
so  done,  that  yo"  cause  y"  sauie  to  be  remitted  to  me  for  a  Confirmation  iz,  wheth''  yo"  shall  be 
admitted  purchasers  or  that  I  shall  comply  w""  yo''  Agreem'  &  buy  it  for  his  Royall  Highness,  It 
shall  be  still  for  yo''  good  &  benefitt.  1  shall  onely  expect  y"  p''ference  in  y'^  purchase  on  y^ 
Duke's  behalfe.  As  to  their  threatnings  yo"  ought  not  to  show  y^  least  Apprehension  of  feare  of 
them,  But  it  is  yo''  parte  to  have  a  Vigilant  Eye  over  their  Actions,  &  Motions,  &  that  you  cause 
a  Guard  to  be  kept  in  y*  Towne  for  yo''  defence  against  any  suddaine  mischeife  from  them,  y"  w'^'' 
as  there  shall  be  occasion  &  I  have  notice  thereof  shall  be  strengthened  w""  a  supply  of  a  partye 
of  Souldiers  &  an  Officer  from  hence  capable  to  offend  them  as  well  as  defend  yo".  That  upon 
discourse  of  y"  damage  they  p''tend  to  have  rec'*  by  yo''  cattle,  horses  &  hoggs  j'o"  may  shew  to 
them  y"'  greate  difficulty  of  preventing  it  as  long  as  their  Corne  lyes  unfenc't  &  y°  greate  charge 
66 


442  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

it  will  be  to  fence  in  their  ground,  as  it  lyes  in  y''  midst  of  Y  woods,  but  if  they  could  pitch  upon 
some  Neck  of  land  fitt  for  that  purpose  w"^*"  may  w"'  more  ease  be  fenc't  in,  that  yo''  will  be  ready 
to  assist  them  in  setting  of  it  up,  unless  they'l  agree  upon  Tennes  to  leave  y^  Island  wholly.  —  If 
yo"  can  prove,  that  they  have  killed  oi-  destroyed  any  of  yo''  horses.  Cattle  or  Hoggs  yo''  may 
acquaint  them,  that  the  English  Law  will  Constrayne  them  to  make  Satisfaction  for  them  &  that 
it  is  not  Trespasse  for  them  to  come  upon  any  ground  unfenc't,  but  lett  yo''  discourse  tend  to  a 
freindly  composure  of  all  differences. 

In  Conclusion  yo"  may  acquaint  them,  that  my  resolution  is  to  be  upon  y"  Island  in  y"  spiing, 
when  if  thev  have  anything  extraordinary  to  propose  or  Complaint  to  make,  I  shall  be  ready  to 
ord''  all  due  satisfaction  to  be  given  therein  &  will  endeavo"^  to  remove  all  future  Occasions  of 
difference  betweene  yo"  &  them.  This  is  all  at  p''sent  I  have  to  Recomend  to  yo",  so  conclude 
being 

Yo""  very  Loving  freiud 
Febrs"  16,  1669-70.  Fean.  Lovelace. 

In  Regard  that  Mr.  Richard  Stilwell  hath  for  a  long  tyme  Inhabited  in  this  Countrey  &  is 
acquainted  w""  y''  language  &  customes  of  y^  Indians  I  doe  appoint  him,  y''  said  Richard  Stilwell, 
Nathan  Whitmor'e  &  Nathaniell  Brittaine  togethe''  w'"  y^  Constable  &  Overseers  to  be  Com'^  of 
whome  Mr.  Stilliudl  to  be  p^sident  to  treate  &  agree  w"'  y'  Indians  according  to  y"  Instructions 
herein  given  &  to  looke  after  y'  safety  &  welfare  of  y*  place,  of  y*"  w"''  they  are  to  render  me  an 
Ace'. 


Lettee  from  Gov^  Lovelace  to  Mr.  W.  Beeckman  and  others  at  Kingston  con- 
cerning THE  NEW  VILLAGE. 

Gent. 

I  make  use  of  y°  first  opportunity  aff  y'=  opening  of  y"  Ry ver  to  recomend  to  yo'  care  y* 
Ord''*  &  Instructions  already  given  yo"  by  myself e  or  left  w'"  yo"  by  y"  Com"  I  sent  as  to  y°  goeing 
forward  w"'  y"  New  Dorpe  or  oth''  raatf^  relating  to  yo"  in  Gen".  Intending  to  visitt  yo"  in  a 
short  tyme  &  to  bring  a  Survey''  w""  me  to  lay  out  yo''  Lands  before  y'^  grasse  growes  too  high, 
when  I  hope  to  fynde  yo'^  forwardness  according  to  Expectation :  what  is  to  be  done  on  my  parte 
for  yo'  Encouragem'  yo"  may  confidently  promise  yo'"selve8.  So  wishing  yo"  good  success  I 
remaine 

Eort  James  in  New  YorJce  Yo'  veiy  Loving  freind 

this  11'"  day  of  March  1669-70.  Fran.  Lovelace. 

I  Expect  to  heare  from  yo"  by  y^  next,  how  affaires  stand  w"*  yo"  in  Eelagon  to  y°  Indians 
about  y"  Peace. 
To  Mr.  Win.  Beerlcman 
Mr.  Xpqfer  Berisford  & 
Mr.  Henry  Pawling  In  Kingston 
At  Esopus. 


New    Yorh  Historical  Records.  443 

A  Commission  to  Capt.  Dodlet  Lovelace  &  al.  for  t'^  saEVEYiNG  &  laying  out 

SEVEEALL  LOTTS  OF  LAND  AT    Y^  EsOPUS,  WITH  InSTEUCTIONS  AND  PEOCEEDINGS. 

Francis  Lovelace  Esq^'=  &c  Wliereas  y"  bounds  &  Limitts  of  y"  Townes  at  Esopus,  That  is  to 
say  of  Kingston  Hurley  &  Marhle  Towne  have  not  hitherto  beene  sufficiently  hiyd  out  &  ascer- 
tained neith'  hath  a  division  as  yett  Ijeene  made  of  y''  perticuler  new  Lotts  &  some  of  y°  p''tend- 
ers  to  y^  old  Lotts  laying  clayme  to  greater  qnantityes  of  Land  then  is  graunted  to  them  in  their 
Patents  or  Groundbriefs  y''  w''*'  requires  an  ins])ectioii  thereinto  &  a  due  Regulation  thereof,  To 
y"  end  theise  severall  matt"  may  be  y'^  better  concluded  I  have  thought  iitt  to  nominate,  consti- 
tute &  appoint  &  by  this  my  speciall  Commission  doe  nominate,  constitute  and  appoint  you  Capt° 
Dudley  Lovelace.,  Capt"  Jacques  Cortileau,  Mr.  William  Beeokma)i,  Mr.  Christopher  Beresford, 
&  Mr.  Llenry  Pawling  to  be  Coin"''  to  inspect  y^  surveying  and  laying  out  y*  several  Lotts  in  y" 
Esopus  &  to  aseertaino  y°  bounds  &  lymitts  of  y®  respective  Townes,  as  also  to  regulate  affiiyres 
there  according  to  such  instructions,  as  I  shall  herewith  give  yo",  of  w"^*"  said  Coin''''  you  Capt" 
Dudley  Lovelace  are  to  be  president  &  any  of  yo"  to  be  a  Quorum. 

To"  are  upon  yo''  arrivall  to  acquaint  y"  Inhabitants  of  each  Towne  w"'  this  my  Com""  y^  w'^'' 
yo"  are  to  prosecute  w'*"  all  care  and  dilligence  And  as  yo"  shall  see  cause,  where  yo"  fynde  any 
difficulty  in  ascertaining  y"  old  or  laying  out  y°  new  bounds,  yo"  may  call  before  yo"  any  p'son  or 
p''sons  to  receive  information  from  touching  y°  same  &  for  y"  clearing  of  y"  truth  administer  an 
Oath  unto  them  or  any  of  them  (y**  w'*"  Oath  yo"  are  hereby  empowered  to  give)  And  whatso- 
ever yo"  or  any  of  yo"  as  shall  make  a  Quorum,  shall  lawfully  Acte  or  doe  in  prosecution  of  this 
my  special  Comission  this  shall  be  to  yo"  &  every  of  yo"  a  sufficient  warrant.  Given  und''  my 
hand  &  sealed  w"'  y*  scale  of  y*^  Province  ?X  ffort  James  in  New  Torhe  this  IT""  day  of  March 
in  y°  22""  yeare  of  his  Ma"**^  Eaigne  Annoque  Domini  1669-70. 


Insteuctions  FOE  Captain  Dudley  Lovelace,  Me.  Jacques  Coetilleau  &  the 

BEST    OF    Y*^     CoMM""^     FOE    THE    AfFAIEES    AT    EsOPUS   AUD   THE   !NeW   VILLAGES 
ADJACENT. 

Inprimis  that  the  Precincts  of  every  Towne  be  justly  stated,  according  to  their  severall 
Patents  and  that  the  particular  Lotts  be  laid  out  as  the  Ground  falls  out,  onely  in  case  a  larger 
proportion  of  vile  Land  or  Swamps  shall  happen  to  One  Man's  share,  that  then  it  be  in  the  Breast 
of  the  Com''^  to  make  some  Addition  of  good  Land  over  &  above  his  allowance  specifyed  in  his 
Ground  Brief,  otherwise  each  man  must  be  contented  with  his  Lott  as  it  falls  out. 

2.  That  after  y°  exact  Bounds  of  Kingston  is  laid  out,  that  there  is  to  begin  y^  Boundaryes  of 
Hurley  and  where  that  terminates  Marhleton  is  to  begin  &  soe  y"  Lymitts  of  that  so  be  sett  out 
as  farr  as  that  extends  towards  the  Indyans,  w''''  beare  as  I  suppose  South. 

3.  That  noe  persons  have  noe  more  Land  laid  out,  but  what  is  comprised  in  their  Patents  and  the 
Souldiers  their  proportion. 

4.  For  }°  Washmahers  Land  I  shall  referr  you  to  the  particular  Instructions  of  his  Eoyall  High- 
ness wherein  you  are  to  use  Mr.  Styvesant  with  all  y"  ffixvour,  soe  it  prejudices  not  y"  Towne. 

5.  That  Mrs.  Broadhead  be  accomodated  at  Marhleton  and  have  the  first  choice  of  her  Lott. 

6.  That  y"  Land  that  belongs  to  Mr.  Yarlett  be  Surveyed  &  noe  more  allowed,  but  what  is  com- 
prised in  his  Patent. 


444  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

7.  The  like  for  Thomas  Rail,  wlio  under  the  p''tence  of  150  Morgan  layes  Claime  to  above  300, 
but  if  the  Occasion  of  that  Patent  were  througlily  Inspected,  it  would  appeare  he  had  tittle  or 
noe  p''tentious  to  it  at  all. 

8.  There  is  a  Tract  of  Land  by  y*  Cale  Berge,  which  I  purpose  to  improve  for  a  ffeeding  ground, 
which  I  would  have  you  to  survey'  &  give  niee  an  Acco'  of  it,  it  is  called  the  Butterfield.  —  Mr. 
Pawlitig  will  direct  you. 

9.  That  such  strict  Rules  be  left  to  y""  Planters  to  finish  their  severall  Lotts,  that  whosoever  com- 
pleats  not  the  ffence  of  his  Lott  &  improves  the  Land,  shall  make  a  forfeiture  of  it,  if  it  be  not 
Inclosed  within  one  year. 

10.  That  you  review  all  y'=  Instructions  sent  to  the  Conmiissioners  for  the  regulating  the  Affaires 
the  last  yeare  &  to  give  mee  an  Acco'  where  the  non-performance  lyes. 

11.  That  all  be  compelld  to  settle  in  Townes,  except  one  I  have  given  Lycence  to,  who  in  regard 
hee  lives  between  Hurley  &  Marhleion  may  be  of  convenience  to  Travellers  and  make  a  nearer 
Correspondence  between  the  two  Townes. 

12.  That  in  regard  many  occurrences  may  arise,  w*  will  bee  impossible  for  mee  to  foresee  here, 
therefore  you  are  at  Liberty  to  take  anything  into  debate,  that  may  conduce  to  advantage  of  y* 
Publique,  though  not  expressd  in  these  particidar  Instructions  according  to  your  prudence  &  Con- 
science, Jievertheless  soe  that  it  be  not  obligatory,  till  it  receive  my  approbation  &  Confirmation. 

13.  Lastly  that  having  done  yo''  utmost  Endeavours  for  y''  regulateiug  and  settling  the  Affairs  at 
the  Esopus,  according  to  these  and  other  Instructions  deliverd  you  &  noe  new  matter  arising 
worthy  your  Attendances,  that  then  you  break  off  and  each  Commissioner  repaire  to  their  severall 
other  Employments,  rendering  mee  a  just  Ace'  of  all  Transactions  in  the  Prosecution  of  this  my 
Commission  directed  to  you.     Given  under  my  hand  this  24""  day  of  March  1669-70. 

Francis  Lovelace. 


Towne  Hall  at  At  a  Speciall  Court  held  there  by  vertue  of  a 

Kiiigdon  in  Commission  from  his  Hon"'  y"  Governour  for 

Esopus.  setting  out  the  Boundaryes  of  Kingston,  Hur- 

ley  &  Marhletan  &  for  Regulateing  the  Af- 
faires of  those  places  &  y"^  parts  adjacent.  Die 
Mercurij  vizt  30™°  die  Martij  Anno  Regni 
Caroli  2"'  Dei  gra  Angliae,  Scotiae,  Franciae 
et  Hibniae  Regis,  Fidei  Defeusoris  &c 
XXij"*"  Annoquc  Dni  1670. 
There  being  present 

Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace  Presid' 

Capt.  Thomas  Chambers 

Capt.  Jaques  Cortelliau 

Mr.  William  Beeckman 

Mr.  Christopher  Beresford 

Mr.  Henry  Pawling. 
It  is  this  day  Ordered,  that  y^  Lands  of  Thomas  Hall  &  Nicholas  Varlett  cont.  about  44  Acres 
150  Rodd  lyeing  upon  the  first  great  piece  of  Laud  next  Hurley  is  Elapsd  &  forfeited,  by  reason 
y''  Patent  for  it  was  not  renewd,  according  to  the  Law  in  that  behalfe  provided.     And  that  Mr. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  445 

Jagues  Cortilleau  doe  Survey  the  same  and  as  liee  fiudes  the  Extent  of  it  to  make  report  thereof 
to  the  Governour. 

It  is  this  day  Ordered,  that  Mathias  Blanchan  shall  have  in  Hew  of  foure  Acres  of  Meadow 
which  hee  setts  over  to  the  use  of  Marhleton,  foiire  Acres  of  Woodland  elsewhere. 

The  like  is  ordered  for  all  the  rest  who  have  subscribed  to  the  Transport  hereunto  annexed  ; 
And  that  they  choose  out  the  said  Woodland,  which  is  to  hee  in  Liew  of  their  other  soe  disposed, 
where  they  shall  judge  fitt.  And  they  are  to  repau-e  to  the  Chief  Officer  of  their  Towne  for  a  Con- 
firmation thereof. 

Coppy  of  y"  Transport  of  y"  Inliabitants  of  UurUy,  Wee  the  Inhabit''  of  y"  Towne  of  Hurley 
in  the  Esojyus,  whose  Names  are  underwritten,  doe  remitt  &  sett  over  unto  his  Hon''  Coll.  Francis 
Lovelace^  the  Governour,  the  severall  parts  and  parcells  of  Land  contained  in  a  schedule  annexed 
to  dispose  of  it  for  the  better  provision  of  Marhleton.  And  the  Commissioners  for  y*"  setting  out 
y^  Boundaryes  and  Lymitts  of  y*  Townes  aforesaid  are  desired  to  take  care,  that  the  severall 
parcells  of  Land  soe  given  by  us,  may  be  disposed  of  to  the  Pretenders  &  Inhabitants  of  Marhle- 
ton., there  being  not  Land  enough  thereunto  belonging  to  satisfy  them  according  to  the  Grants 
given  them  by  the  Authority  of  the  Governour. 

Signed 
Thomas  Delavall  — —         Acres 

Lambeet  Heybeetsen  12  " 

ROELOFF  SwAETWOUT  4  " 

Lewis  de  Boys  4  " 

John  Joesten  8  " 

COENELIS    WiNECOOP  10  " 

Matthias  Blanchan  4  " 

Gaeeett  Fokak  6  " 

Albeet  Hetmens  8  " 

Copia  vera 
Jo.  Clarke,  Cler  :  Cur : 

Upon  the  humble  request  of  Mr.  Cornelius  Winecoop  the  Commissioners  doe  unanimously 
agree,  that  the  said  Cornelius  Winecoop  shall  have  Liberty  to  lay  his  two  parcells  of  Land 
scituate  in  Huyley  into  one  ffarme,  upon  consideration  that  hee  allowes  &  setts  over  ffive  Morgan 
of  Land  to  the  assistance  of  Marhleton  •  he  likewise  rendering  up  againe  one  of  the  Home-Lotts 
at  Hurley  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  Comm''^  shall  think  fitt. 

The  Comm"  have  granted  the  said  Home-Lott  to  one  Francois  La  Ceire  of  Hurley  to  build 
there  in  the  place  &  stead  of   Cornelius  Winecoop. 

Ordered  that  Capt.  Jaques  Curteleau  be  desired  to  begin  to  Morrow  being  the  last  of  this 
instant  March  to  survey  the  Land  belonging  to  the  Towne  of  Hurley  at  the  North  West  Line, 
which  Terminates  the  extent  of  Kingston  •  and  so  onwards  towards  Marhleton  soe  farr  as  the 
Patents  will  reach  and  to  make  report  to  the  Comm"  what  quantity  is  therein  contained  at  their 
nest  meetting. 

Capt.  Jaques  Curteleau,  was  this  day  sworn  Surveyour  in  open  Court. 


446 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Registee 

Of  all  the  Lands  geanted  by  t^  Authority  of  his  E..  H.  lyeing  within  the 
Peecincts  of  Kingston. 


Acres. 

Rodd. 

Soeloff  Swartwout 

4 

560 

Evert  Pels 

180 

Widdow  Jacob  Hwp 

85 

122 

Wallrave  de  Mount 

8 

Edward   Whittacre 

56 

Edward  Wliittacrre  \ 
Thomas  Mathew      \ 

24 

Ilendrick  Joahims 

32 

Jacob  Hop]) 

72 

Heere  Petrus  Stuyvesant 

92 

Mr.  Jeronimus  Ebbings 

1000 

Capt.  Thomas  Chambers 

10 

390 

More  iu  y''  same  Patent 

34 

82 

Capt.  Thomas  Chambers 

6 

ISO 

do 

9 

do 

10 

230 

do 

•74 

451 

do 

52 

30 

More  pui-chased 

24 

80 

Jan  B a/rents  Kunst  now  of  H% 

wley    24 

460 

Register 
Of  the  Patents  granted  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Hurley. 


Cornelius   Winecoop 

do  more 

Thomas  Hall 
Ariam,  Hybertsen 

do  more 

Capt.  Delavall  by  Transport  from  Oosen  Garetson 

do  more  from  the  same  man 

Philipp  Pieters  Schuyleen 
More  the  same  man 
Albert  Heyraensen 
Lewis  de  Boys 

do  more 

Mathias  Blomchan 
More 

Antho.  Crippell 
Yolcaert  Jcmsen 
More 


Acres. 

Rod. 

24 

450 

48 

580 

10 

500 

25 

450 

17 

400 

.    18 

250 

48 

460 

16 

250 

50 

440 

10 

600 

24 

450 

16 

408 

16 

248 

24 

450 

16 

350 

18 

250 

40 

460 

New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  447 

Vltimo  MartiJ. 
The  Presid'  employ'd  the  Sui-vey''  &  all  other  persons  concerned  to  measure  the 
first  Great  piece  of  Land  next  Hurley  containing  by  Estimation 300, 000 

Primo  Aprilis. 

They  also  survey'd  y''  2'^  piece  cont 420, 000 

The  Survey'  also  makes  Keport  that  the  Washmakers  Land  containes 148, 000 

Easter  Eve. 

Whereas  John  Joesten  of  Marhleton,  Husbandman,  hath  putt  in  his  Clayme  or  Pretence  to 
two  parcells  of  Land  containing  fourty  foure  Acres  &  150  Rod  by  vertue  of  a  Bill  of  Sale  formerly 
granted  to  him  from  Thomas  Hall  &  Nicholas  Varlett  deceased,  whose  Patent  could  not  bee 
produced,  by  reason  'twas  then  (as  hee  alleged)  in  y"  Office  of  Records  in  New  Yorke ;  The 
QQQjners  jjave  therefore  upon  serious  &  mature  deliberation  thought  fitt  to  lay  out  the  quantity 
of  Land  aforesaid  upon  the  second  great  piece  adjoyning  to  y^  Bounds  of  Hurley :  And  that  Mr. 
Jaques  Cortilleau  doe  make  Report  thereof  to  his  Hon''  the  Governour,  that  upon  sight  of  his 
Patent,  hee  may  Enjoy  &  possess  the  said  parcells  of  Land  accordingly. 

Ordered  that  y®  Bounds  between  Kingston  &  Hurley  Eastward  doe  beginne  at  y°  fibot  of  the 
Hills  iipon  y"  Easterly  side  of  Premackers  Land  &  then  running  from  the  Hills  along  the  great 
Creeke  to  the  East  end  of  the  Washmakers  Land  directly  to  y°  Woods  &  then  with  a  North  West 
Line  thorow  the  Woods  to  a  certaine  Creeke  commonly  calld  &  known  by  y^n  ame  of  the  Redoubt 
Creek  or  Kill. 

Ordered,  that  y"  Bounds  between  Hurley  &  Marhleton  do  begin  at  the  ffoot  of  the  Hills  all 
along  the  great  Creeke  between  the  iirst  and  second  piece  of  Land,  Hurley  Including  the  first, 
Marhleton  the  second.  And  then  with  a  North  West  Line  from  the  nearest  part  of  that  Greek  to 
y''  place  of  Rendevouz,  cleare  thorow  the  Woods  to  the  Redouht  Creek  or  Kill  as  in  the  other 
Boundary. 

In  pursuance  of  an  Order  made  y"  30"^  of  March  last  past,  Capt.  Jaques  Cortilleau  doth  re- 
port to  the  Comm"  that  hee  hath  surveyd  not  oiily  all  y^  Lands  given  by  Patent,  but  also  those 
promised  to  y'^  Souldiery  And  findeing  y"  quantity  thereof  ffall  short  of  Expectation.  To  the  end 
therefore  that  y"  Townes  of  Hurley  &  Marhleton  may  be  supplyed  with  good  &  valluable  Lands 
to  give  each  Man  content  as  near  as  may  be,  The  Com"  have  thought  fit  to  sett  over  and  by  this 
Speciall  Order  have  sett  over  soe  much  of  the  Washmakers  Land  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Hurley,  as 
by  the  Survey  doth  api:)eare  to  fall  short  in  that  Precinct. 

Vpou  a  motion  made  by  Capt.  Thomas  Chambers  &  seconded  by  Mr.  Henry  Pawling  •  It  is 
this  day  oi'derd  that  the  Washmakers  Land  bee  divided  into  two  equall  parts.  The  one  moiety  to 
be  recommended  to  his  Hon"'  to  be  granted  to  Mr.  Petrus  Stuyvesant  in  pursuance  of  his  R.  H'. 
his  Directions  and  fourty  Acres  of  the  other  moiety  to  Capt.  Thomas  Delavall  towards  the  satis- 
faction of  his  Patent,  hee  being  excluded  the  second  piece.  The  Overplus  containing  34  Acres  is 
hereby  more  especially  recommended  to  be  disposed  of  to  his  brother  Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace  in 
compensation  of  the  great  care  &  paines  hee  hath  taken  in  laying  out  the  Lands  and  settling  the 
Affaires  of  this  parts  to  the  Generall  Content  &  satisfaction  of  all  partyes  concerned  herein. 

This  Day  y®  Presid'  gave  Ord"'  to  y^  Min^  or  ffore-Leser  to  pray  publiquely  the  day  following 
(being  Easter  day)  and  soe  from  time  to  time  hereafter  for  the  K*.  Qeen,  his  R.  H.  the  Duke 
of  Yorke  »&  all  y^  Roy"  ffamily,  w'^''  was  obeyd  accordingly. 

Munday,  April  4"^. 
The  Com"  fell  into  debate  about  settling  y"  Militia  but  findeing  noe  Commission  Officers 


448 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


already  establislit  Thought  good  in  Obedience  to  his  R.  H'.  Lawes  &  the  Govern"  Instructions  to 
nominate  Mr.  Henry  Pawling  Capt.,  Mr.  Christopher  Beresford  Lieutenant,  John,  Biggs  Eusign 
to  be  officers  for  tlie  time  being  and  to  raise  and  exercise  the  Inhabitants  of  Hurley  &  Marhleton 
according  to  the  Discipline  of  Warr ;  Whereupon  Proclamation  was  made  by  Beat  of  Drum  accord- 
ing to  the  Warrant  underwi-itten. 

You  are  upon  sight  hereof  to  give  notice  to  all  the  Inhabitants  of  Hurley  &  Marhleton  and 
also  all  the  Pretenders  to  the  Land  now  to  be  allotted  and  laid  out  for  them,  that  they  appeare  in 
Armes  at  the  Rendezvous  appointed  the  last  yeare  and  that  you  cause  Samuell  Olliver,  Sergeant 
or  Albert  Hymensen  or  either  of  them  to  read  the  summons  lierewitli  sent  you  publiquely  by  beat 
of  Drum  in  the  Towne  of  Kingston  and  afterwards  affix  the  same  upon  the  Doore  of  the  Towne 
Hall.  And  for  soe  doing  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  Wan-ant.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Fox 
Hall*  this  fourth  of  April  1670. 

To  Ensigne  Biggs.  DmjLEY  Lovelace,  Pres*. 

Proclamation  was  made  by  Beat  of  Drum  accordingly  &  the  Souldiers  Lysted. 

The  Names  of  y^  Officers  &  Souldiers  appointed  to  be  present  at  the  Rendezvous  at  Marhle- 
ton Tomorrow  y"  5'"  of  April  1670,  as  followeth  vizt. 
Officers 

Hen.  Pawling         Captain 
Christ.  Beresford    Lieuten'. 
John  Biggs  Ensigne 

Sam^''  Olliver  Sergeant 

Alhert  Heymensen  Serg'. 
Rich^.  Cage  Drummer 


Thorn.  Quynell 
WilV^.  Fisher 
John  Hendrick 
Geo.  Porter 
Fred.  Hussey 
John  Pound 
Edw.  Whittacre 
Thorn.  Mathews 
Geo.  Hall 
Antho.  Cooke 
Antho.  Addyson 
Evert  Price 
Thorn.  Eager 

Paulus  Paulenson 
Jacob  Johnson 
Lewys  de  Boys 
Aaron  Tunys 
Antho.  Crippell 
Lambert  Hyberts 
Wardener  Horiihech 


Marhleton  Souldiers. 


Hurley  Souldiers. 


Edw.  French 
Will"'.  Horton 
Poht.  Bickerstaffe. 
Robt.  Peacock 
John  Reynolds 
John  Joesten 
Joesten 
Jacob  de  Wael 
Henry  Crumjp 
Fred.  Pieterson 
Corn,  ffinehold 
Gishert  Crump 
Garret  Johnson 

Arien  ATbertsen 
Jacob  Carle 
Robert  Goldsberry 
John  Dihoih  , 
Arian  ffrancon 
Allard  Rose 
Arian  Rose 


'•  Fox  Hall,  later  erected  into  a  baronial  Manor,  was  the  property  of  Thomas  Chambers;  N.  E.  of  Kingston.— Ed. 


New    Yorh  Historical  liecords.  449 

Oerrett  Fdkar  John  Hose 

Garrett  Corneliuson  Pieter  the  Negroe 

francois  Le  Shiere  Matthias  Blanchan 
John  Albertsen  In  all  54. 

Tuesday,  Aprill  5"-  1670. 
This  day  Capt.  Pawlings  ffoot  Company  appeared  at  the  Kendezvons,  where  they  were  must- 
ered &  exercised  in  their  Armes.  The  President  also  caused  all  the  Lawes  relateing  to  Military 
Affaires  to  be  read  before  them  &  then  marched  them  with  ilying  Colours  to  the  Towne  of 
Hurley  and  there  dismissed  them.  The  Colours  were  lodged  with  a  Guard  at  the  Towne  Hall  in 
Kingston,  where  the  Souldiers  were  Commanded  to  appeare  next  day  in  Court  to  draw  their  Lotts. 

Wednesday  Aprill  6"*. 

The  Com^  this  day  took  care  for  the  publishing  of  the  Orders  for  the  Boundaryes  of  all  the 
three  Townes,  Kingston,  Hurley  &  Marhleton,  causing  the  same  to  be  ffixt  upon  the  Towne  Hall 
of  Kingstmi  to  publique  view.  And  that  noe  man  might  plead  ignorance  of  the  same,  the  same 
Orders  were  also  publisht  and  affixed  in  the  Dutch  Language  by  order  of  the  President :  The  which 
were  likewise  recorded  in  the  Hutch  Register. 

This  day  also  y'  Comm''^  thought  fitt  upon  y*  Debate  of  Mrs.  Broadheads  Land  to  order,  that 
shee  according  to  his  Hon"'"  Instructions  shoiJd  have  the  first  choice  of  her  two  Lotts,  whereupon 
she  pitched  upon  the  seaventh  &  eighth  parts,  upon  the  first  peice  of  Land  belonging  to  Marhleton. 

The  Commissioners  doe  order,  that  Mr.  Pawling  and  Mr.  Beresford  shall  have  three  Lotts 
out  of  the  Lands  belonging  to  Marhleton,  to  be  divided  this  day  by  the  Comni"  aforesaid  by  ver- 
tue  of  the  Authority  granted  them  by  his  Honour  the  Governour. 

Ordered  that  for  the  more  just  and  impartiall  distribution  of  the  Souldiers  respective  parcells 
of  Land,  whereby  there  might  be  noe  murmuring  or  cavilling  on  any  side,  They  should  submitt 
to  draw  Lotts  for  y"  same.  And  the  Comm''^  to  that  end  appointed,  that  the  next  Childe  (or  that 
M'hich  was  nearest  at  hand)  should  draw  the  Lotts  &  Numbers  out  of  two  Hats  and  as  they  are 
drawn  to  deliver  each  Lott  &  Number  to  y°  President  to  open  &  publiquely  to  read  the  same  and 
Kegister  it  in  the  Journall. 

The  first  Lott  was  that  John  Hendrick,  Richard  Cage  &  Tliomas  Quynell  should  have  each 
10  Acres  of  Land  upon  the  first  piece  of  Ground  belonging  to  Marhleton,  -^"^  was  forthw'^''  orderd 
them  by  the  Comm"  No     4. 

The  like  Order  for  Porter      ) 

Hussey     V  No  10. 

Addyson  ) 
The  like  Order  for  Horton     ) 

Elgar       \  No    5. 

Olliver     ) 

The  like  Order  for  Peacock    ) 

Price        \  No    6. 

Reynolds  ) 

The  like  Order  for  Biggs       ) 

Clinton     \  No    9. 

Fisher      ) 

The  Court  adjourns  till  2  of  the  Clock  in  y**  Afternoon.     A  Paper  delivered  into  the  Presi- 

57 


450  Colonial  Settlements  on  tJie  Hudson  River. 

dent  by tending  to  Sedition  &  Mutiny  ;  wliicli  was  torn  as  a  scandalous  Libell 

repugnant  to  tlie  Lawes  of  tliis  Government  and  the  Authority  thereof. 

The  Coin''^  proceeded  to  draw  y"  rest  of  tlie  Lotts  (14)  for  divideing  y"  2''  piece  of  Land  be- 
longing to  Marhleton  amongst  the  Souldiers  by  the  same  Rules  of  proceeding  as  in  the 
morning. 

This  being  done,  'twas  Ordered,  that  (according  to  the  Chance  of  the  Lotts)  Corporall  Biggs, 
W'"  Fisher  &  Clinton  J/own^?  should  have  20  Acres  a  piece  on  the  3"^  Styck  No.  15.16. 

The  like  Ord'  for  Jo.  Ilendrick,  Cage  &  Quynell  "    19.20. 

The  like  Ord"'  for  Elgar,  Olliver,  Horton  "    11.12. 

The  like  Ord"'  for  Ilussey,  Addyson  Porter  "    17.18. 

The  like  Ord""  for  Peacock,  Price,  Reynolds  .  "    13.14. 

This  day  upon  y"  humble  Request  of  Rol/  Bickerstaffe  setting  forth  severall  reasons  there 
unto  moveing  him  to  yield  up  his  Right,  Title  &  Interest  of  all  the  Lauds  allotted  him  within  the 
precincts  of  Marhleton,  the  Courth  doth  order,  that  Clinton  J!/&?<n(?  having  formerly  had  a  promise 
from  his  Honour  the  Governour  be  inserted  in  the  Roome  of  Rol>t.  Bickerstaffe  aforesaid  and  re- 
ceive, possess  and  Enjoy  the  same  parcell  or  parcells  of  Land,  if  his  Hon"'  the  Govern"'  think  fitt  to 
confirme  the  same. 

Also  upon  the  I'ecpiest  of  John  Pound,  setting  forth  severall  reasons  thereunto  moveing  him 
to  yield  up  his  Right,  Title  &  Interest  of  all  the  Land  allotted  to  him  within  the  precincts  of 
Marhleton,  the  Court  doth  order,  that  TF'"  Fisher  be  inserted  in  the  Roome  of  y"  said  John  Pound 
&  receive  possess  <k  Enjoy  the  said  parcell  or  parcells  of  Land  to  the  use  of  him  ife  his  Heyres 
forever;  If  his  Hon''  the  Governo''   shall  think  fitt  to  confirme  the  same. 

Ordered  by  y"  Court,  that  y"  Land  upon  y'  first  &  second  pieces  belonging  to  Marhleton  thus 
divided  &,  drawn  by  Lott  as  aforesaid  for  the  use  of  the  Souldiers  be  forthwith  recommended  to 
the  Govern''  for  his  allowance  &  confirmation.  And  that  his  Hon"'  be  supplicated  in  their  Name 
to  settle  y''  same  by  Patent  to  them  &  either  of  them  &  their  Heyres  &  Assignes  forever.  And 
tliat  his  Hon"'  would  be  pleased  to  send  them  halfe  a  yeares  provision  (now  due  to  them  as  they 
alledge)  &  their  Discharges  (as  they  were  promised)  by  the  first  convenient  Opportunity. 

Joest  Arian  haveing  this  day  given  to  Gishert  Crump  his  Home-Lott  lyeing  at  Marhleton, 
the  Court  has  unanimously  ordered  and  Granted,  that  the  said  Joost  Arian  be  Released  from  that 
Towne,  seeing  hee  has  gott  this  Gishert  aforesaid  to  supply  his  place. 

Thursday,  Aprill  7"". 

This  day  Mr.  Christopher  Beresford  was  sworne  chief  Magistrate  of  Hurley  &  Marhleton. 

Also  Mr.  John  Biggs  was  then  sworne  Overseer  of  Marhleton. 

Ordered,  that  Mr.  Christ.  Beresford  ehiefe  Magrate  John  Biggs,  Fredrick  Ilussey,  Lewys 
de  Boys  and  Alhert  Hymens,  Overseers  for  the  Townes  of  Hurley  &  Marhleton  or  any  three  of 
them  are  hei-eby  Empowered  &  Enjoyned  to  settle  a  due  way  of  flfences  (improveing  and  pre- 
serving such  Common  ftields  &  the  ffruits  of  them)  as  lye  within  the  precincts  of  the  Townes  re- 
spectively, where  they  dwell  and  the  said  Chiefe  Magistrate  &  Overseers  shall  from  yeare  to 
yeare  appoint  one  of  y^  Planters  for  all  &  each  Common  flield  belonging  to  the  Townes,  where 
they  dwell,  to  view  the  Common  ffeuces  within  their  Trust,  &  to  take  Tioticeof  the  defects  thereof 
and  forthwith  to  accpuiint  the  Owners  with  the  same  ;  And  if  the  Owners  or  Occupy''*  doe  not 
make  or  repairey"  Common  ffence  proportionably  to  the  quantity  of  Land  allotted  them  before  the 
first  of  May  next  &  to  measure  the  said  ffence  within  six  days  after  the  date  hereof,  That  then 
upon  report  of  the  Viewer  or  Viewers  soe  chosen,  the  said  Viewer  or  View''"  shall  renew  them,  if 


Kew    Yo7-h  Historical  lieeords.  451 

they  think  fitt  &  have  double  recompence  for  the  same  to  be  paid  according  to  the  known  Lawes 
of  this  Government  in  that  case  provided. 

****** 
Upon  the  speciall  Instance  &  Request  of  the  Inliabit'"  of  Marlleton  setting  forth  y'  great 
necessity  of  erecting  a  bridge  at  Marhleton  to  pass  over  to  the  certaine  tliird  piece  of  land,  called 
y"  3''  Styck  ;  It  is  this  day  ordered  that  Capt.  Pawling  doe  take  care  for  the  Erecting  &  building 
of  a  Bridge  there  &  to  take  to  his  assistance  Capt.  Tlwmas  Chavibers,  Survey''  Geuerall  of  his 
Ma'"'  Highwayes  in  these  parts  &  to  make  the  Bridge  with  all  convenient  speed.  The  Labourers, 
that  are  employed  therein  to  l)e  duly  paid  out  of  the  Geuerall  Eate  assessed  or  to  be  assessed  upon 
all  the  Inhabitants  of  Mwrbleton  for  makeing  or  Building  the  Bridge  aforesaid. 

Tlie  names  of  the  persons  that  this  day 
in  open  Court  surrendered  up  their  seveiaJl 
parcells  of  Land,  allotted  them  in  MarUdon 
for  the  good  of  their  Fellow-Souldiers. 
Anthony  Cooke  Edward  Whittacre 

Edward  French  George  Hall 

Thomas  Mathews  Robert  Beckerstaffe, 

Copia  vera 

Jo.  Clarke.  Cler.  Cur. 
These  Men  did  then  petition  to  y"  Com"  that,  (since  they  had  thus  given  up  their  lands  to 
the  Enlargem'  of  their  ffellow-Souldiers  proportions)  They  might  be  ffreed  from  llarhhton,  a.s 
also  that  they  might  have  their  halfe  yearss  provision  sent  them  down  with  their  discharges  from 
his  Hon''  the  Governour.  The  Grant  of  w"^*"  recpiests  falling  not  properly  under  the  power  of  the 
Com''''  the  Presid'  thought  fitt  to  recommend  the  same  to  his  Hon"'  the  Govern''  for  a  Resolve. 

Friday  Aprill  8"". 
****** 

Tlie  Comm''^  doe  also  agree  that  all  Persons  whatsoever  in  the  Precincts  of  Kingston,  Hurley 
and  Marhleton  shall  hold  &  Enjoy  all  Lands  &  Inheritances  granted  them  bv  Patent  or  Lott 
paying  iu  Corue  Two  Shillings  six  pence  Quittreut  amuudly  for  every  hundred  Acres  to  his  Roy- 
aU  Highness  according  to  Law. 

****** 
Saturday,  the  9'"  Aprill. 

Vpon  Reading  the  Peticons  of  Tierck  Claus  de  Witt  &  Mr.  IP"  Montania  setting  forth, 
that  his  Hon''  the  Governour  hath  given  them  a  Grant  for  the  setting  up  of  a  Sawmill  for  the 
publique  benefitt,  humbly  requesting  also  that  y^Com''^  would  be  pleased  to  recommend  tlieirgood 
intentions  to  his  Hon''  for  the  speedy  Erecting  of  the  said  Sawmill  some  five  Miles  North  from  the 
Towne  of  Kingston  and  likewise  imploring  the  Grant  of  a  certaine  piece  of  Land  scituate  &  lyeing 
a  Mile  further  (called  Dead  Mens  Bones)  upon  a  North  Line  Easterly  containing  about  seaventy 
Acres  for  the  sustentation  of  themselves  and  their  Cattle,  being  soe  remote  from  the  Towne  of 
Khigston  /  The  Connn"'''  have  viewed  the  same  &  referred  the  Debate  hereof  till  Munday  next. 

Upon  reading  ye  Peti9on  of  John  Osterhout,  Jan  Burhans  &  Cornelius  Vernoy,  Husband- 
men of  the  Towne  of  Kingston,  alledging  that  his  Hon''  the  Gov''  hath  been  pleased  to  promise  & 
Grant  to  them  a  certaine  Neck  of  Land  five  miles  distant  from  Kingston  or  thereabouts  over  the 
Kill  neare  tlie  ffootpath  leading  to  Albany  containing  by  Estimation  fifty  foure  acres  cleare  and 
Good  Laud,  The  Com''*  have  this  day  viewed  the  same  &  have  referred  the  Consideration  thereof 
till  Munday  next. 


452  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

These  five  Persons  last  men(;oned  have  obliged  themselves  to  bnild  their  Houses  all  togetlier 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Kill  due  North  from  the  Land  of  Capt.  Thomas  Chambers,  intending  y* 
same  for  an  In-shipp  within  the  precincts  of  Kingston. 

Capt.  Chambers  desires  also  to  Build  a  House  for  a  Tenant  witliin  Two  Musquett  Shott  of 
the  said  Innshipp  And  also  another  House  for  his  Son-in-Law.  All  which  are  referred  till  Munday 

Munday,  Aprill  11"' 
Ordered  that  the  several!  Petipons,  vizt.  of  Tierck  Claus  de  Witt,  Mr.  Wm.  Montania,  John 
Osterhout,  Jan  Burhans,  Cornelius  Yernoy,  Capt.  Chamhers  &  John  Teyson  be  forthwith  recom- 
mended to  his  Hon''  the  Governour  to  confirme  and  allow  the  severall  desires  ol  the  Peti^oners, 
as  hee  in  his  wisdom  shall  judge  most  fitt  &  convenient. 

The  Orders  now  Read,  Corrected  &  Amended,  we  doe  Assent  vnto  vnder  o'  Hands,  desiring 
liis  Honour  to  Pardon  o"'  Imperfections  &  to  accept  of  o''  Endeavours. 

Dudley  Lovelace,  Presid'. 
Thomas  Chambers 
Wm.  Beeckman 
Cheisto  :  Beeesfokd 
This  Evening  the  Court  was  dissolved.  Henky  Pawling 

M'^"'  that  there  appeared  the  last  day  of  o''  sitting  (in  Obedience  to  our  summonse)  before  us 
one  Calcop  an  Indyan  Sachem  with  his  young  Son  and  another  young  Indyan,  who  have  sett  their 
hands  to  the  agreem'  made  between  Richard  Nicolls,  the  late  Governour  &  the  Sachems  &  peo- 
ple, called  tlie  Sopez  Lidyans  ife  doe  owne  the  same  according  to  Right  &  Honesty.  They  were 
likewise  admonished  to  Continue  the  same  Custome  yearely. 

The  next  day  Capt.  Chambers  his  Company  aj)peared  in  Arnies  ;  They  were  commanded  to 
remove  the  East  Gate  of  Kingston  to  the  middle  of  the  Curtaine,  soe  that  the  Towne  is  now 
opened  according  to  his  Hou"'^  Instructions  directed,  to  y''  Com''^  y"  last  Sessions. 

The  Compaii}'  was  mustered  &  exercised  &  the  Lawes  relateing  to  the  military  Affaii-es  were 
read  at  the  Head  of  them  in  the  Dutch  language.  The  Artillery  was  drawn  into  the  ffield  & 
ff^'red  when  the  Pres*^  took  Horse  to  depart  for  New  Yorke. 


Present 


Council  Minute.     Staten  Island  business. 
At  y'=  Fort  Apr.  7""  1670. 


The  Govern'  Tjjg  indyans  who  p'tend  an  Interest  in  Staten 

Mr.  Delavall  tijia        -i.*  jij?  »y-i 

^  Island  by  Appomtm'  appeared  before  y^  Govern' ; 

Mr'  vcm  Ruyven  '^^^^  ^^^  "<^*  '^o™'^  Yesterday  (y-^  day  p'-fixed)  being 

The  Secretary.  hindered  by  Windy  Weather. 

It  was  askt  of  y°  Indyans,  how  they  could  make  it  appeare,  that  they  were  y"  Owners  of 
Staten  Island,  the  w"^"  at  y°  last  Meeting  they  undertook  to  doe. 

They  say,  there  are  five  Principal  1  Owners,  the  rest  are  only  ffriends. 

It  was  demanded,  what  the  first  Owners  Name  is,  they  having  markt  out  y'  severall  Divisions, 
beginning  at  the  South. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  453 

They  say,  his  name  is  —  Matackos,  a  Boy,  hee  was  at  Staten  Island.  The  second  —  Karara- 
mint,  hee  is  in  Towne,  but  hath  Entrusted  some  here^  The  3''  Matarus,  hee'l  come  To-morrow, 
The  4"*  Craoquy,  hee  is  ahnost  dead,  soe  cannot  come,  hee  is  of  Rock-way,  some  of  his  ffi-iends 
will  hee  here  To-morrow.     The  5"'  Wenonecameke  of  Staten  Island. 

Three  of  these  were  narned  at  Staten  Island,  the  other  two  not. 

Its  askt,  if  these  beforenamed  are  y"  Hight  Proprietors  &  noe  other  ?  They  say,  yes  &  can 
make  it  appeare :  The  2  ancient  men,  who  speak  for  the  rest,  doe  not  p''tend  to  have  any  Interest 
in  the  Island,  but  are  entrusted  for  the  rest,  who  they  know  to  bee  Proprieto''^. 

Its  demanded  of  thena,  if  they  or  any  of  them  have  heard  of  the  names  in  the  Dutch  Kecords, 
of  w*  diverse  were  read  to  them.  They  say,  some  they  remember,  but  they  are  dead,  soe  doe 
not  love  to  heare  of  them.     It's  40  yeares  agoe  since  that  Record. 

It  was  askt,  if  they  then  lived  upon  Staten- Island.  They  say  —  Tes  &  that  these  now 
Clayming  are  descended  from  them. 

It  was  then  enquired  of  them,  since  those  whose  names  were  read  did  40  yeares  agoe  sell 
their  Interest,  why  these  now  would  sell  it  againe.  They  say,  they  sold  but  part :  It's  told 
them,  that  it  appears  upon  Record,  that  all  was  sold :  They  being  told,  that  since  these  now 
would  sell  the  Land  againe,  after  it  had  been  sold  40  yeares  agoe,  their  children  40  yeares  hence 
may  doe  y*  like.  They  say  still,  that  then  only  part  of  it  was  sold,  so  they  continued  on  it,  but 
now  if  they  shall  sell  it  all,  they  will  go  off  &  leave  it. 

They  are  told,  how  it  is  made  appeare  y^  Island  hath  long  since  been  bought :  however  in 
Consideracjon  of  their  quiet  Leaving  y*  Island  a  Present  shall  bee  made  them  some-what  extra- 
ordinary for  their  Satisfaction. 

They  still  insist,  tliat  a  part  was  only  sold  &  a  small  matter  only  paid. 

All  the  Old  Dutch  Records  were  produced  &  Examined  into  ;  wherein  it  was  found,  that 
the  said  Staten  Island  was  sold,  &  the  Cousideracjon  Agreed  upon  therein  mencjoned  with  all  the 
Indyans  Names  &  Markes,  who  sold  it, —  of  which  Warriner  &  Aquepo  &  MinquOrSachemacks 
at  Staten  Island  are  3.     It  was  in  1657. 

This  being  prest,  they  say,  they'l  speak  noe  more  of  it,  but  lett  those  that  are  alive  of  them, 
who  made  the  Agreem'  come  to  the  Govern"'  &  satisfy  him  about  it. — Then  they  are  told, 
that  though  there  was  an  Agreem*,  yet  nothing  of  it  was  paid,  for  they  did  not  goe  off  the  Island, 
but  if  they  will  now  goe  all  off.  That  Agreement  shall  be  made  good  to  them. 

The  Particulars  are  read  vizt 
10  Shirts  2  Pieces  of  Duffelds,  about  36  Coates 

30  paire  of  stockings  woollen  30  Kettles,  small  &  Great 

10  Gunns  50  Hattchets  small  &  great 

10  Barrs  of  Lead  25  Hoes 

30  pounds  of  powder  Some  Knives 

30  Ells  of  Redd  Dogens,  w'^''  make  12  Coates       Some  Awles. 

They  say,  they'l  acquaint  y*  rest,  that  are  concerned  w***  it  &  will  send  to  Warriner,  Aquepo 
&  Minqua-Sachemack  to  come  hither.  At  last  they  promise  to  biing  Aquepo  &  Warriner  to 
the  Govei'n''  To-morrow. 

At  f  Fort  Apr.  Q'^  1670. 
Pres'. 
The  Governo'  etc 

The  Busynesse  was  again  had  binder  Consideracjon  about  y*  Indj'ans  Pretences  etc.  to  Staten- 
Island. 

The  Indyans  brought  only  Aquepo  w"*  them ;  they  say,   Warriner  is  sick  &  besides  if  hee 


454  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

were  well,  liee  would  not  come  for  that  hee  hath  play'd  away  all  his  Interest  in  Staten  Jslanrl. 
Afterwards  came  also  Minqua-Sacheinack.  Aquejyo  being  then  shown  the  Kecord,  where  his 
Marke  was,  hee  presently  found  it  out. 

Hee  saith  farther,  that  y'  Governo'"  then  promised  y^  severall  things  mentioned  to  bee  Agreed 
for  the  Island  &  sent  into  Jlolland  for  them,  but  they  never  were  sent. 

It's  askt  if  the  Govern""'  will  now  make  good  that  Agreem',  whether  they  are  content  to 
quitt  the  Island. 

Aquepo  pretends.  It  was  agreed  but  for  a  part,  bnt  they  are  told  y*  Record  mentions  the 
whole  Island,  w"^"  is  more  certaine,  then  what  hee  saith.  They  refuse  to  take,  what  was  then 
agreed  upon. 

It's  told  them,  if  they  will  not  sell  the}'  must  Plant  in  some  Corner  of  the  Island,  that  may 
be  flenct  in ;  And  if  they  shall  disturbe  y''  People,  Cattle  or  Hoggs  that  live  there,  they  shall  bee 
severely  punisht. 

Some  of  y'^  Indyans  present  lay  Clayme  to  y'  Land  by  Ilarlem,  but  y°  Records  shews,  it  was 
bought  &  paid  for  4-1  yeares  ago. 

It  being  askt,  what  they  demand  more  then  was  Agreed  formerly ;  They  desire  to  know 
what  y*^  Govern''  will  give  for  the  Island,  It's  told  them,  what  was  Agreed  for  formerly.  They 
still  insist,  that  the  Agreem'  was  but  for  part.     They  demand  for  the  whole  as  follows : 
300     600  ffatliom  of  Wampum  30  Axes 

30       60  Match  Coates  30  Hoes 

8  Coates  of  Dussens  made  up  30  Shirts 

30      40  Kettles  A  ffirkin  of  Powder,  judged  to  bee  50  pounds 

20       30  Gunns  60  Barrs  of  Lead 

50  Knives 

Afternoone. 

It  is  offerd  to  make  an  Abatem'  as  in  y"  Margent.  The  Indyans  ask  more  100  ffathom  of 
Wamp™  10  Kettles,  &  10  Gunns.     The  100  iiathora  of  Wamp"'  is  consented  to. 

The  Governo''  offers  more  to  give  them  3  halfe  fiatts  of  Beai-e,  each  of  them  a  white  six  Stive'' 
Loafe  &  halfe  a  Mutch  of  Liquor. 

Quererom,  who  was  Employed  to  bring  the  Indyans  together,  is  to  have  a  Blanket  &  a 
ffathom  of  Duffells.  Wackechanoking,  one  of  the  Speakers,  is  to  have  a  small  Iron  Pott  in  lieu 
of  one  hee  lost  in  Towne. 

On  Wednesday  ne.xt,  being  the  13""  day,  they  are  to  come  againe  &  receive  their  Pay.  The 
Persons  p'sent  &  concerned  stroolce  hands  upon  the  Bargaine. 

To  leave  the  Island  upon  receiving  the  Pay. 
Their  names : 

Aquepo  Quewequeen 

Minqua^Sachemack  Wewav  ecu  meek 

Wewanecameck  Mataris 

Pemantowcs-Aquepo  Aquepo  in  y"  name  of   Wamner. 

April  13'\ 

The  Sachems  appeare,  but  not  all ;  those  that  appeare  for  them  absent  are  written  above  over 
against  them. 

There  appeare  4. 

The  Payment  is  made  &  Deed  of  'Conveyance  signed  Possession  of  y*  Island  by  Turfe  «fc 


New    YorJc  Historical  Records.  455 

Twigg  was  given  by  y=  Indyans  tlie  P'  of  May  following  to  Mr.  Tliomas  Lovelace  &  Mr.  Mat- 
thias Nicolh  Deputed  from  the  Governor 


Indian  Df:ED  foe  Staten-Island  to  Governor  Lovelace. 

This  Indenture  made  the  thirteenth  Day  of  Aprill  in  tlie  22"'  yeare  of  the  Eaigne  of  o"" 
Soveraigne  Lord  Charles  the  Second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland,  ffrance  and  Ire- 
land Kiuge  Defend'  of  the  Faith  &e  &  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  God  1670,  Between  y^  R'  Hon""" 
Francis  Lovelace  Esq"''  Governo'  Gen"  und'  his  Eoyall  Highness  James  Duke  of  York  &  Albany 
&c  Of  all  his  Territoryes  in  America  for  &  on  y*'  behalfe  of  his  said  Eoyall  Highness  on  y^  one 
part  and  Aquepo,  Warrines,  Mimjua-Sachemacl",  I^emantmoes  Quewequeen,  Wewanecavieck,  and 
Mataris  on  y"  behalfe  of  themselves  as  the  True  Sachems  Owners  &  lawfully  Indian  Proprietors 
of  Staten-Island  &  of  all  other  Indians  any  way  concerned  therein  on  y"  oth''  parte  Witnesseth, 
That  for  &  in  consideration  of  a  certaine  sums  of  Wampum  &  divers  other  goods,  which  in  the 
Schedule  hereunto  annext  are  Exprest  unto  y''  said  Sachems  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Governo' 
ffrancis  Lovelace  or  his  Order,  the  receipt  whereof  they,  y"  said  Sachems,  Doe  hereby  Acknowl- 
edge &  to  be  fully  satisfyed  &  thereof  &  every  parte  tliereof  Doe  for  tliemselves  &  all  otiiers  con- 
cerned their  heires  and  Successoi's  &  eveiy  of  them  clearly  acquitt  and  discharge  the  said  Govern- 
our  &  his  Successors,  Have  given,  graunted  bargained  &  sould  &  by  theise  i^resents  Doe  fully  & 
absolutely  gi\'e,  graunt,  bargain  &,  sell  unto  y*"  said  ffrancis  Lovelace,  Governour  for  &  on  y^  be- 
halfe of  his  Eoyall  Highness  aforementioned  All  that  Island  lyeing  &  being  in  ILudsons  Eyver, 
comonly  called  Statetv- Island  &  by  y*^  Indians  Aquehonga  Manachnong,  having  on  y*'  South  y" 
Bay  &  Sandypoint,  on  y°  K'orth  y®  Eyver  &  y''  Citty  of  New  Yorke  on  Manhatans  Island,  on  y" 
east  Long-Island  &  on  y"  west  y"  maine  Land  of  After  Coll  or  New-Jersey,  Together  w""  all  y° 
Lands,  soyle,  meadows,  fresh  and  salt  pastures,  Comoiis,  woodlands,  Marshes,  Ey vers,  Eyvolettes, 
streames  Creeks  waters  Lakes  &  wiiatsoever  to  y"  said  Island  is  belonging  or  any  way  apperteyning 
&  all  &  singuler  oth''  y°  p''misses  w"'  th'appurtenances  &  everye  parte  &  parcell  thereof  w'^out  any 
reservation  of  y''  herbage  or  Trees  or  any  other  thinge  growing  or  being  thereupon  And  the  said 
Sacliems  for  themselues  &  all  others  concerned  their  heires  &  success''^  Doe  Covenant  to  &  w"'  y" 
said  Govern""  &  his  success''^  for  &  on  y'=  behalfe  aforesaid  in  manner  &  forme  following.  That  is 
to  say,  That  they  y'^  said  Sachems  now  are  y°  very  True  sole  &  Lawful!  Indian  Owners  of  tlie  said 
Island  &,  all  &  singuler  of  y'^  p''misses  as  being  derived  to  them  by  their  Anncestors  &  that  now 
at  th'ensealing  &  delivery  of  these  p''sents  they  are  lawfully  seized  thereof  to  y"  use  of  themselues 
their  heires  &  Assignes  for  ever  according  to  y^  use  &  Custome  of  y"  rest  of  y®  Native  Indians  of 
this  Country  And  further  That  y"  said  Island  now  is  &  at  y°  tyme  of  Executing  of  y*  said  Estate 
to  be  made  as  aforesaid  shall  be  &  from  tyme  to  tyme  &  at  all  tymes  hereafter  shall  &  may  stand 
remaine  and  continue  unto  y'^  said  Governo''  &  his  successors  to  y*^  use  of  his  Eoyall  Highness  as 
aforesaid  freely  &  Early  discharged  &  Acquitted  from  all  &  every  former  bargaines  sales  guifts 
Graunts  &  Incumbrances  whatsoever  &  furthermore  the  said  Sachems  for  themselues  and  all 
others  concerned  their  heires  &  Success''^  Doe  Covenant,  That  y"  said  Govern"^  his  success'^  &  As- 
signes for  &  on  y"  behalfe  of  his  Eoyall  Highness  as  aforesaid  shall  &  may  from  henceforth  for- 
ever Lawfully  peaceably  &  quietly  haue  hould  possess  &  Enjoy  all  tlie  said  Island  w'"  th'appur- 
tenances &  all  &  every  oth''  y''  p''misses  w""  their  appurtenances  w"'out  any  Lett  resistance  or 
Disturbance  or  interruption  of  the  said  Sachems  or  any  others  concerned  their  heires  &  success''^ 
&  w"'out  any  manner  of  LawfuU  Lett  resistance  molestation  or  interruption  of  any  other  person 
or  persons  whatsoever  Clayming  by  from  or  under  them  or  any  of  them  And  It  is  likewise  Lastly 


456  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Miver. 

Covenanted  &  agreed  That  y*  said  Sachems  &  y^  rest  of  y®  Indians  concerned  w*''  them  now  In- 
habiting or  residing  upon  y°  said  Island  shall  haue  free  Leaue  &  Liberty  to  be  &  remaine  there- 
upon untill  y®  First  Day  of  May  next,  when  they  are  to  surrend''  the  possession  thereof  unto  such 
person  or  persons  as  y*  Govern''  shall  please  to  appoint  to  see  y"  same  put  in  Execution  upon  w* 
day  They  are  all  to  Transporte  themselues  to  some  other  place  &  to  resigns  any  Interest  orClayme 
thereunto  or  to  any  parte  thereof  forever  To  haue  and  to  hould  y°  said  Island  so  bargained  & 
sould  as  aforementioned  unto  y"  said  Francis  Lovelace  Govern''  &  his  success''^  for  &  on  y^  behalfe 
of  his  Royall  Highness  his  heires  &  Assignes  unto  y''  proper  use  &  behoofe  of  his  said  Royall 
Highness  his  heires  &  Assignes  forever.  In  witness  whereof  y'^  Partyes  to  theise  p'sent  Indenture 
haue  Interehangably  sett  to  their  hands  &  seales  the  day  and  yeare  first  herein  wrytten. 

Sealed  &  Delivered  in  y'^  presence  of  The  marke  of  ^^  Aquepo  (L  S) 
Corn.  Steenwyck,  Mayor 

Thos.  Lovelace  The  marke  of  Aquepo 

Matthias  Nicolls  on  the  behalfe  of    V.  "Waerenes  (L  S) 

C.   V.  RtJTVEN 

Oloff  Stevenson  van  Cortlandt  The  marke  of  Wawanecameck 

Allard  Anthony  on  the  behalfe  of  y-  '  Minqua-Sachemack 


Johannes  van  Beugh 


C. 


Gerret  van  Tricht  The  marke  of  Aquepo 

I.  Bedloe  on  the  behalfe  of  \^  Pemantowes 

Warn.  Wessels,  Constab : 

William  Nicolls        "1  The  marke  of   j       Quewequeen 

Humphrey  Dauenport     ,  ^     ,, 
„  r.  r*  louths 

CORNELIS  BeDLOO 

Nicholas  Anthony        J 


The  marke  of  ,^-'_    Wawanecameck 


The  marke  of  (3  Mataris 
Memorandum :  That  the  young  Indyans  not  being  present  at  the  Ensealing  &  delivery  of  the 
within  written  deed,  it  was  again  delivered  &  acknowledged  before  them  whose  names  are  here 
underwritten  as  witnesses. 

Signed  in  presence  of  -<v> 

The  Governo'  The  marke  of    V^    Pewowahone 

Capt.  Manning  about  5  yeares  old,  a  boy. 

The  Secretary.  The  marke  of  d^  Kohique 

about  6  yeares  old,  a  boy. 

The  marke  of  c^  SHmomNEMO 

about  12  yeares  old,  a  Girle. 
The  marke  of  O  Kanarehanse 

about  12  yeares  old,  a  Girle. 
The  marke    j-^   of  Maquadus 
about  15  yeares  old,  a  young  man. 

The  marke  of  C'S''^  Asheharewas 
about  20  yeares  old,  a  young  man. 


New  York  Historical  Itecorda.  45^^ 

The  Paj'inent  Agreed  upon  for  y"  Pui-cliase  of  Staten-Island  Coaveyed  this  Day  by  y"  In- 
dian Saeheius  Propriet"  (viz :) 


1  Power  Hundred  Fathoms  of  Wampum " 

2  Thirty  Match  Coates 

3  Eight  Coates  of  Dozens  made  up 

4  Thirty  Shirts 

5  Thirty  Kettles 

6  Twenty  Gunnes 


A  ffirkin  of  Powder  ^  7 

Sixty  Barres  of  Lead  I  8 

Thirty  Axes                 I  9 

Thirty  Howes  &  10 

Fifty  Knives  11 


Memorandum :  It  is  Covenanted  &  Agreed  upon  by  y"^  Partyes  within  mentioned  Francis 
Lovelace  Esq''^  Govern"'  etc  for  &  in  y^  behalfe  of  liis  Royall  Highn''^  &  y^  wi"'in  wrytten  Sachems 
on  y*  behalfe  of  themselues  &  all  others  concerned  before  th'ensealing  &  delivery  hereof  That 
Two  or  Three  of  y*^  said  Sachems  their  heires  or  success"  or  so  many  Persons  Imployed  by 
them  shall  once  every  yeare  (viz*.)  upon  y*^  First  day  of  May  yearly  after  their  surrend'^  repair  to 
this  Sort  to  acknowledge  their  sale  of  the  said  iStaten- Island  to  y'^  Governour  or  his  Successors 
to  continue  a  mutuall  friendship  betweene  them  As  witness  their  hands. 

The  marke  of  Aqdepo  The  marke  of  Aquepo  on  behalfe 

"  Wewanecameck  of  Waerines 

on  the  behalfe  of  Minqua  Sachemack  The  marke  of  QnEWEQUEEN 

The  marke  of  Aquepo  on  behalfe  The  marke  of  Wewanecameck 

of  Pemaio'owes  "  "  Matabis. 


The  Goveen"'  Oed"  foe  y''  non-Sale  of  y^  Land  at  Esopus,  w™  was  given  to  y^ 

SOULDIEES    THEEE. 

Francis  Lovelace  Esq"""  &c  Whereas  I  am  given  to  understand,  That  some  of  y^  late  Souldiers, 
who  have  had  Lands  allotted  them  at  y®  New  Village  at  Esopus  called  Marhleton  &  have  had 
Discharges  from  their  Military  Imploym',  have  contrary  to  y^  end  &  intent  both  of  myselfe  & 
Predecess''  for  y"  w'^''  the  Land  there  was  gi-aunted  to  them  p''sumed  to  make  Sale  of  their  Lotts, 
whereby  y"  said  jjlace  instead  of  being  settled  will  inevitably  come  to  Ruine  «fe  Decaye  unless  some 
speedy  Eemedy  be  used,  These  are  to  publish  and  declare.  That  y*  sales  vi"^  already  have  beene  or 
shall  w"'in  y"  space  of  Three  yeares  be  made  by  any  perticuler  person  that  hath  Land  laid  out  for 
him  at  Marhleton  for  his  service  as  a  Souldier  are  &  shall  be  voyde  &  that  what  person  soever 
shall  p''sume  to  sell  or  buy  any  such  Land  w"'in  y*  space  of  Three  yeares  aforesaid  w'^out  my 
perticuler  Lycence  &  consent  shall  be  lookt  vipon  as  a  Contemner  of  this  Declaration  &  shall  be 
lyable  to  undergoe  such  fyne  or  censure  as  by  myselfe  &  Councell  shall  be  thought  fitt  to  be 
imposed  upon  them.  And  I  do  likewise  hereby  ord""  that  Publication  hereof  be  forthw'"  made  in 
each  respective  Towne  at  Esopus  &  this  Declaration  read  by  beate  of  Drum  &  afterwards  affixt 
in  some  Eminent  place  in  every  Towne,  that  none  may  plead  ignorance  hereof.  Given  und'  my 
hand  &  sealed  w""  y»  scale  of  y'=  Province  a.i  ffort  James  in  New  Torke  this  23d  day  of  August 
in  the  22'"  yeare  of  his  Ma"''*  Raigne  Annoque  Dm  1670. 


58 


458  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Me.  Jacques  Coetilleau  oedeeed  and  appointed  foe  t^  Convenient  laying  out 
40  LoTTS  foe  t^  seitllnq  2  Towneships  on  Staten-Island. 

Whereas  it  is  Eesolved  upon  that  Two  Towneships  shall  be  settled  upon  Staten-Island  of  40 
Familyes  each,  You  are  hereby  ordered  &  appointed  fortliw*''  to  repaire  to  y°  said  Island  &  first 
of  all  to  take  a  view,  where  18  Lotts  more  may  be  added  to  y"  22  already  lay**  out  or  so  many  as 
shall  compleate  y'  said  number  of  40  &  that  it  be  so  Contrived  that  y°  Lotts  be  not  laid  out  strag- 
ling  but  neare  one  another,  w'^''  when  yo"  shall  have  done,  that  yo"  goe  to  y*'  great  Kill  &  pitch 
upon  y"*  most  convenient  place  for  a  Towne  tliere  of  y"  like  number  of  40  Familyes  and  having 
made  an  Exact  Calculation  thereof,  that  yo"  bring  an  Account  thereof  unto  me  by  Monday  morn- 
ing next  &  for  so  doing  this  shaU  be  yo''  warrant.  Given  und'^  my  hand  this  24'"  day  of  Octob' 
1670. 

To  Capt"  Jacques  Cortyleau  Survey''  Gen". 


Council  Minute.     New-England  people  teading  with  the  Indians  at  Albany 
Indian  Teeaty. 

At  a  Councell  held  y<=  22"'  day  of  October  1670. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

3.  As  to  Capt.  Salisburyes  Letter  about  the  New-England  Mens  Trading  at  Albany  w"* 
Horses  &  Cattle  for  Beaver.  That  an  Ord^  &  Proclama^on  bee  made  to  Prohibitt  the  Importapon 
of  Cattle,  Horses  or  Goods  from  any  other  Government  to  that  Place  over  Land  or  of  Exporta^on 
of  Beav'°  or  Peltry  from  thence  that  way,  without  particular  Ord"'  from  the  Govern"'  under  the 
penalty  of  forfeiture  &c  untill  his  Eoyall  Highnesse  Pleasure  shall  bee  further  known  herein. 
******* 

6.  About  yo  peace  between  y°  Maquaes  and  Mahica7iders,  To  leave  this  in  suspense,  untill 
y*  Certainty  of  Govern''  'SYinihrops  Voyage  for  England  bee  knowne  &  the  Returne  of  Mr. 
Mayo'  from  Albany. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

At  a  Councell  held  in  y^  ffort  Decemb"^  1,  1670. 
******* 

About  the  peace  between  y*  Maques  &  Mahicanders  Ordered  that  a  Letter  of  what  hatlr 

past  at  Albany  &  Sohanechtide  with  a  Translation  of  y*  Proposicjons  made  by  y"  Indyans  there 

bee  sent  to  Goveruo''  Winthrojp  with  a  Desire  of  his  Answer  upon  it. 


Oedee  dieecting  the  Sheeiff  of  the  Esopus  to  keep  an  Account  op  Yessels  coming  theee. 

Mr.  Isaack  Gravejmert,  Schout  of  Esopus,  appointed  to  take  an  Acco*  of  all  Sloops  or  Boats 
coming  thither. 

Wliereas  severall  Sloops  and  Boates  doe  go  up  from  this  place  to  Esopus,  where  they  unload 
&  there  load  againe  without  making  Entry,  as  in  other  Portes  within  this  Governme'  is  usuall, 
whereby  sometimes  his  Ma"°  is  defrauded  of  y°  Customes  due  upon  Strong  Lic[u''*  &  other  Cus- 


New    York  Historical  Records.  459 

tomary  Goods ;  To  y°  end  y®  same  may  be  p''vented  and  a  more  regular  course  taken  for  y°  future  ; 
These  are  to  Authorize  and  Appoint  Mr.  Isaack  Graveraert  y°  p''sent  Schout  at  Kingston  in  Eso- 
pus  to  take  an  Acco'  of  all  Sloops  or  Boats,  w"''  shall  come  in  there  bound  for  that  place,  and 
make  an  Entry  of  their  Loading ;  And  likewise  that  hee  cause  y'^  Master  or  Skipper  of  any  such 
Sloope  or  Boate  before  hee  comes  away  to  take  a  Certificate  or  Pass-porte  for  iiis  Vessell  and  Load- 
ing, as  is  practized  in  other  Fortes;  Hee  takeing  y"  ordinary  ffees  allowed  therefore  and  rendring 
an  acco'  of  all  such  matt"  to  y"  [Receiver]  of  y"  Customes  in  this  City.  And  all  Masters  of 
Sloops,  Boats  or  other  Vessells  goeing  thither  or  comeing  thence  are  to  observe  and  take  notice 
hereof,  as  they  will  answer  y°  Contrary  at  then-  perills.  Given  xinder  my  Hand  at  Forte  James 
in  New  Torke  this  12th  day  of  July  1671 

Fran  Lovelace. 
To  all  Mast"  of  Sloops  or  other  Vessells, 
whom  this  may  concerne. 


FKOOEEDrerGS  IN  THE  Matoe's  Court.     Differences  between  Haklem  and  Fordham. 

(New  York  City  Records.) 
Sep'.  8,  1671. 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Fordhani  Flff. 

John  Archer  Deft. 

The  Flfs.  do  complaine  that  y"  deft,  severall  times  hath  bene  y'  occasion  of  Great  Troubles 
betwixt  y*"  Inhabitants  of  y''  s''  Towne  he  takeing  uppon  himselfe  to  Ruel  and  Governe  over  them 
by  Rigur  and  force  and  do  humbly  desiere  Reliefe  and  y""  protexion  of  this  C"  ag'  him  or  any 
other  that  should  disturbe  y''  peace  of  y"  s**  Inhabitants. 

Uppon  y"  Hearing  of  both  p''ties  y"  Court  ordered  y^  deft  John  Archer  to  behavie  himselfe 
for  y''  future  Civilly  and  quietly  ag^'  y'=  Inhabitants  of  y^  s'^  towne,  as  hee  will  answer  y'=  Contrary 
att  his  perrill ;  And  it  is  further  Ordered  that  all  small  DifEerances  w'=''  for  the  future  shall  happen 
to  fall  out  at  Fordham  afores''  shall  be  Decided  at  Haerlem  by  y''  Magistrates  of  Fordham  w""  y* 
Assistance  of  two  of  y''  Magistrates  of  Haerlem  afores**,  Except  those  of  Fordham  will  be  at  y° 
Charge  to  satisfy  y'=  Magistrates  of  Haerlem  for  Comming  up  to  their  Towne  of  Fordham. 


Orders  foe  y'^  Regulating  of  y^  Civill  &  Military  Affayres  at  Esopus. 

1.  Inprimis,  That  Capt.  Chambers  command  y"  Militia  at  Kingston  and  that  Capt.  Pawling 
Command  y®  other  Company  at  Hurley  and  Marhletowne. 

2.  That  for  exercizing  y"  said  Militia  both  private  &  Gen"  they  follow  y°  25''scription  of  the 
Booke  of  Lawes  in  that  Case  establisht ;  And  see  likewise  for  ffining  of  Delinquents,  p''serva9on 
of  Armes,  Ammiini^ons  ifeC. 

3.  That  every  Towne  in  y"  Administragon  of  Justice  follow  y"  Rules  of  y"  Lawes  already  sett 
forth,  Tiiat  is  to  say,  That  each  Towne  shall  determine  definitively  all  Actions  under  flive  pounds 
according  to  y"  Lawes  of  Towneshipps. 

4.  That  there  shall  bee  a  C"^  of  Sessions  held  each  halfe  yeare  at  Kingston,  which  shall  determine 
all  Actions,  whether  Criminall  or  other  (not  extending  to  Death)  &  inflict  punislim'^  according  to 


460  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

the  Merritt  of  y'=  ffact,  whether  on  Christians  or  Indyans;  And  for  Matt''  Civill  as  other  C'  of 
Sessions  doe  here  hold  &  determine ;  w""  this  Provisoe,  That  any  Party  aggrievd  may  have  like 
Liberty  to  Appeale  to  y"  Gen"  C"  of  Assizes  held  at  New-YorTce. 

5.  The  Persons,  that  are  to  sitt  at  y*  C"^  of  Sessions  shall  bee  Capt.  Charnbers,  Justice  of  y" 
Peace,  who  is  to  p''side  as  Presid',  y'^  Schout  of  Kingston  &  Elect  Commissary,  Capt.  Pawling  for 
Marhleton,  Albert  TIeymans  for  Hurley  &  the  Eldest  Commissary  at  Kingston. 

6.  That  in  regard  y"  Traffick  at  Esojnis  consists  chiefly  in  Corne,  w'^''  invites  Merchants  from  this 
City  of  Neio  Yorke  to  repaire  hither  to  Negotiate  w""  y°  fFarmers,  and  that  it  may  often  happen 
out  soe,  that  some  difference  ariseing  above  y**  determina^on  of  Towne  Courtes,  soe  that  the  Mer- 
chant according  to  y"  ordinary  course  of  Justice  must  be  Constreyned  to  attend  y"  Sessions,  w'='* 
may  prove  prejudiciall  to  his  Affayre  by  y''  approaching  of  Winter  or  any  other  Intervening  Lett 
or  hindrance ;  ffor  p''vention  thereof  It  may  be  lawfull  for  any  Person  at  any  other  time  to  cause 
a  Speciall  Court  to  be  called  (as  a  Court  of  Sessions),  the  Person  being  at  y'  Charge  that  convenes 
it;  And  all  Actions  soe  determined  there  shall  bee  Esteemed  as  Effectuall,  as  if  it  had  past  at  y" 
Court  of  Sessions  held  at  their  usuall  Seasons. 

OctoV  25"",  1671.  Feancis  Lovelace. 


Council  Minute.     Pdechase  of  Laio)  in  "Westchester  County. 

At  a  Councell  held  y?  30""  day  of  October  1671     Present  —  The  Governor 
Mr.  Steenwyck  The  Secretary. 

The  Matter  under  Considera9on  is  the  Purchase  of  the  Land  of  y"  Wickersoreek  Indyans, 
offered  to  Sale.     Part  of  it  was  purchased  in  y^  yeare  1649,  as  appeares  upon  Record. 

Showan  Orockeits  Brother,  &  other  Indyans  present  being  demanded,  what  they  came  for, 
they  replyed,  they  come  to  sell  their  land  to  the  Governo"".  They  were  offered  a  Price  &  could 
sell  it  to  others,  but  would  not,  having  more  a  Desire,  that  the  Governor  should  have  it  or  the 
Refusall ;  It  was  told  them  none  could  buy  it  without  the  Governo"  Licence. 

Then  they  went  by  clialking  it  out  to  shew  their  Bounds  &,  what  was  sold,  w"^"  they  describe 
by  a  small  Stroake  alongst  the  East  River. 

The  Names  of  those  that  pretend  to  bee  y*  Owners  —  Ramaque,  Tapongeere,  Nepahnickan, 
Inquiis,  Nenemarck,  Ama^iung,  Wyrandis,  Cheimis,  Sessepoos. — They  would  reserve  a  piece  of 
Land  for  themselves. 

It  was  askt  them  how  farr  it  was  from  Monussing  to  Ilarlem  River,  And  from  John  Rich- 
ardsons  Crosse  over  to  Wyckerscreeke,  They  answer,  it  is  a  good  halfe  dayes  Journey,  about  6 
hours  or  18  miles  in  breadth.     In  length  as  before.  They  say  It  is  a  good  dayes  Journey. 

It  is  3  dayes  Journey  about  in  Circumference.  It  being  askt,  now  tliey  are  beaten  off  by  the 
Maques,  how  they  can  make  a  good  Title  thereinto,  if  it  were  sold  ?  They  say,  the  llaques  will 
not  say,  they  have  any  pretence  to  their  Land,  though  being  at  "Warre,  they  would  destroy  their 
Persons  &  take  away  their  Beavers  &  Goods. 

It  was  demanded  what  Meadow  or  Valley  did  belong  to  their  Land,  They  say  there  is  a  great 
deale  of  Meadow  within  the  Land. 

They  are  bid  to  consider  of  what  pi-ice  they  will  ask  for  their  Land  &  give  an  Answer  about 
two  ocloek  Afternoone. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  4G1 

The  Acco'  they  returne  of  their  Price  is 

300  fatliom  Wamj)™  30  Chipping  Axes 

30  Matcli  Coates  50  Knives 

10  Blanketts  30  BaiTs  of  Lead 

5  Cleat  Coates  of  Duzzines  ^  a  Barrell  of  powder 

30  Kettles  2  \  ffatts  of  Beere 

30  Gunns  1  Anchor  of  Ruiuiii 

20  Shirts  3  Howes. 
20  pairs  Stockings 
30  Hatchetts 


Letter  from  y^  Governo''  &  Councell  to  Capt.  James  Carterett  as  an  Inter- 
POS190N  FOR  a  renewed  ffriendship  betwixt  him  &  Capt.  Philipp  Carterett. 

Tlie  Governo'  having  lately  received  a  Letf  from  his  Ma"'=  Dated  y^  10""  of  March  167^,  who 
out  of  a  Paternall  &  Princely  Pegard  to  y*^  Safety  of  these  his  Dominions  in  America^  admonishes 
us  (by  the  great  Revolutions,  that  are  now  likely  to  happen  in  Christendom)  that  wee  might  timely 
provide  against  y''  Common  Enemyes  of  his  Ma"''^  Just  Right  and  y'^  true  Interests  of  y"  particular 
Proprief",  to  whom  his  Ma"*  hath  most  graciously  transferred  over  liis  Clayme  of  any  of  these 
his  Territoryes  or  Colonyes  on  this  Continent  of  America,  by  a  more  strict  Vnion  of  ourselves 
together,  whereby  wee  may  bee  the  better  able  to  assist  each  other  as  Occasion  or  Exigence  should 
require,  And  having  taken  Notice  of  late,  that  our  next  Neighbour  Governour,  Capt.  Phili^rp 
Carterett,  with  whom  hitherto  wee  have  had  a  friendly  &  amicable  Correspondence,  is  now  in  a 
manner  extruded  from  freely  Exercizing  that  Authority,  by  w"^*"  hee  was  commissioned  to  Rule  & 
Governe  those  committed  to  his  chai-ge  &  trust  &  y*  legislative  Powers  now  exerciz'd  by  others; 
To  the  end  his  Ma"'''  gracious  Advice  &  Commands  may  bee  loyally  &  solemnly  observed.  It  will 
bee  necessary,  that  a  true  Vnderstanding  bee  known  by  what  means  this  suddaine  Mutation  is 
made,  that  soe  wee  may  not  bee  to  seek  to  whom  legally  to  apply  ourselves  to,  if  ever  any  Immerg- 
encyes  should  call  on  us  conformable  to  his  Ma'"'  most  Gracious  Will  &  Pleasure,  AUwayes  pro- 
fessing where  the  just  Authority  does  reside  to  bee  willing  &  ready  on  all  lawfull  Occasions  to  bee 
soe  serviceable  to  them,  as  wee  desire  y"  like  from  others,  if  need  should  require.  Neither  have 
wee  occasion  to  f eare,  that  those  unhappy  Breaches,  w'^*'  have  happend  amongst  you  bee  altogether 
soe  desperate  and  uncurable,  but  that  by  y'^  Interposition  of  moderate  &  unbyasst  persons  to  either 
Party  such  a  Composure  may  bee  proposed,  as  may  satisfy  all  Interest,  but  those  that  delight  in 
Nothing  soe  much  as  in  Dissent. 

S^,  if  these  amicable  Proposigons  of  ours  bee  but  harken'd  to  {&  by  the  Blessing  of  Allmighty 
God)  take  that  Effect,  wee  cordially  wish  in  y°  Peace  &  Tranquillity  of  you  our  nearest  Neighb", 
wee  shall  have  Cause  to  bless  God  in  makeing  us  y"  happy  Instruments  to  soe  worthy  a  Worke ; 
But  if  it  fall  out  Contrary  to  our  profest  Desires  (which  God  forbid)  yet  wee  shall  acquitt  our- 
selves to  all  the  World  qf  the  entire  Syncerity  wee  have  us'd  to  heale  tliose  Wounds,  w'^  (perhaps) 
the  Enemyes  to  his  Ma""  A:  Lord-Propriet"  would  bee  gladd  to  see  fester  into  a  Gangreen  &  soe 
become  incuralJe. 

S''.,  wee  heartily  desire  you  to  take  these  our  Reflections  into  yo''  serious  Consideragon  &  to 
believe  noe  sinister  end  whatever  doth  prompt  us  to  this  Interposition,  but  it  being  a  Christian 
Charitable  Worke  acceptable  (wee  believe)  to  God,  who  is  a  God  of  Order,  to  y*  Loyalty  &  Duty^ 


462  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

wee  owe  to  his  sacred  Ma"«^,  &  that  Comon  Charity  wee  desire  may  be  paid  to  each  other,  by 
endeavouring  to  p''serve  a  Vnity  of  Spiritt  in  y"  Bond  of  Peace. 

Thus  recomending  these  our  Eeflections  into  your  candid  &  ingenuous  Acceptapon  wee 
heartily  take  Leave  of  you,  desireing  you  to  send  an  Answ''  in  "Writing  by  this  Gentleman,  y« 
Bearer  Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace^  who  M'ill  deliver  this  to  your  Hands. 

By  Order  of  y'  Govern''  and  Councell. 
Forte  James  in  New  Torke  j]  W^  day  of  June  1672. 

Cai'T.  James  Carteeetts  Answer. 
Eight  Hon'"^  S' 

& 
Worthy  Gentlemen. 

I  received  yo"  per  y"  hands  of  Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace  Dated  y"  11""  of  this  Instant.  The 
Contents  I  have  perused  &  part  of  them  do"  finde  meriting  all  Loving  acceptance  &  kinde  enter- 
tainm' ;  assureing  you  that  I  doe  fully  concurr  &  acquiess  w"'  you  in  respect  to  any  friendly 
Association,  whereby  wee  may  Bee  made  more  capable  to  signify  y^  Integrity  and  Sincerity  in 
serving  his  sacred  Ma""  in  his  concerns  either  here  or  elsewhere,  &  when  Occasion  doth  present 
myselfe  &  y"  Inhabitants  here  shall  readyly,  &  chearfuUy  manifest  the  same  according  to  his 
Ma""  Gracious  Advice  &  Comands  in  whatsoever  wee  are  or  may  be  found  capable  ;  w'^''  I  hope  & 
desire  may  satisfy  you  or  any  others,  who  are  all  dubious  whom  to  apply  themselves  unto,  if  ever 
any  Immergencyes  should  call  on  them  ;  flor  you  may  please  to  believe  That  in  what  is,  or  may 
be  proper  to  use  wee  shall  show  y"  like  williuguess  to  assist  you  against  any  of  his  Ma"""  Comon 
Enemyes ;  But  w"""  will  afford  you  y"  less  Encouragem',  &  wee  indeed  are  ashamed  to  divulge, 
our  Inhabitants  are  in  a  raw  &  undisciplined  Condition,  brought  thereunto  by  Capt.  Philip 
Carterett,  who  differing  from  all  Martiall  Men  that  ever  I  knew  in  the  "World,  hath  for  severall 
yeares  past  threatened  &  forbidden  our  People  upon  paine  of  Death  not  to  Exercise  themselves 
in  Military  Affayres  or  Discipline  ;  w'^''  together  with  other  Gross  Miscarriages  of  his,  contrary  to 
our  Concessions,  &  contrary  to  bis  own  Commission  hath  formerly  (in  bis  time  of  Governm') 
unjustly  dissatisfyed,  disturbed,  «fe  impoverisht  the  Kings  Subjects  in  this  Province ;  And  if  then 
you  or  others  who  pretend  such  amicable  ffriendship  &  coiTespondence  w""  him,  had  been  pleased 
to  advise  &  Councill  him  better.  It  might  have  been  better  for  him  than  at  this  time.  "What  you 
mean  by  Reflections,  is  above  my  minor  &  feeble  capacity  to  apprehend  ;  And  as  I  favourably 
conjecture  they  are  as  inexpedient  to  promote  &  eiicrease  Love  &  Peace,  as  Interpositions  are  to 
heale  iinhappy  Breaches  ;  of  w"^**  (by  the  Blessing  of  God)  wee  are  freed  of  late,  &  doe  enjoy 
very  much  Tranquility  among"'  oiu-selves  to  our  great  satisfaction ;  yett  possibl}'  not  wholly 
exempt  from  turbulent,  Jehu,  &  Ishmaelite  Spirits  asappeareth  in  all  Ages,  Provinces,  &  Jurisdic- 
tions, together  with  the  old  pernitious  Sect  of  Tale-Bearers,  w*  the  wise  man  speaks  of ;  And  I 
wish  that  you  &  I  may  take  that  judicious  &  divine  Advice  of  his ;  Proverbs  y"  20'"  &  19  ver :  & 
■f  17'"  &  15'"  ver. 

S'^  In  respect  toy"  Differences  or  Breaches  that  have  hapened  between  Capt.  Carterett  &  myself, 
there  is  (as  you  say)  noe  occasion  to  dispair,  but  they  will  in  time  be  healed  or  cured  by  the  Hon'''" 
Lords  Proprietor  unto  whom  they  are  already  p''sented  &  referred  as  y"  most  ample  &  compitent 
Judges  in  those  Matt'''' ;  And  I  doubt  not  but  yo''selves  will  grant  them  to  bee  moderate  &  unby- 
assed  Persons  on  either  side ;  And  if  soe  then  most  requisite  that  they  should  receive  that  acco' 
w""  is  rendered  to  them  ;  the  same  which  I  suppose  you  mean  by  a  suddaine  Mutation  here ;  A 
true  understanding  where  of  is  as  much  unnecessary  to  bee  declared  to  unconcerned  Persons,  as 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  463 

by  what  Authority  I  act  &  transact  AfEayres  here  in  this  Government,  a  thing  w"^*"  I  have  never 
sought  to  pry  into  in  other  Governments  ;  and  why  any  Acco'  there  of  should  bee  required  or 
expected  by  you  as  a  Councill  I  know  noe  Eeason,  seeing  that  I  am  not  iinder  Obligations  to  render 
the  same  to  any  but  to  his  Ma'"^  &  my  Superiours  the  Lords  Proprieto''*  by  whose  Order  &  Instruc- 
tions I  act  &  shall  in  an  orderly,  meek  &  peaceable  way  endeavor  to  suppress  such  who  doe  most 
falsely  without  either  shew  or  Colour  of  truth  repute  mee  a  Disturber  of  y"  Countrey,  like 
unworthy  Persons  as  they  are  ;  who  some  I  have  accused  of  speaking  treasonable  words  against 
his  Ma''°  the  King,  &  under  y°  Guilt  of  y°  Breach  of  their  Oath  of  ffidelity  to  y°  Lords  Proprieto", 
&,  have  fatally  ruined  their  Interest  here,  &  y*  poore  Inhabitants  of  their  Province  in  a  great 
measure.  These  have  only  lately  publislied  mee  by  their  writts  a  Rebell  &  Mutineer,  who  am 
Proprieto"'  of  my  ffathers  Interest  in  this  Province ;  They  are  likewise  great  Disturbe"  of  our 
Peace.  They  and  only  they,  &  doe  frequently  arrogantly,  &  falsely  Declare  in  New  Yorhe  that  I 
have  done  it,  because  I  have  taken  a  Legall  Course  to  putt  a  stopp  to  their  unjust  &  unrighteous 
Proceedings,  greatly  dishonorable  to  God,  his  Ma"^  y"  King,  &  y°  Lords  Proprieto'^ ;  All  w'^''  I 
can  sufficiently  prove  &  make  appeare  to  y"  Damage  &  shame  of  the  aforesaid  Persons,  counte 
nanced,  encouraged,  &  believed  by  some  in  New  YorT^e  •  which  I  take  unkindly;  And  if  God 
spare  life,  I  will  give  his  Poyall  Highness  an  Accom2:)t  of  them  by  the  first,  &  after  second  it 
myself  by  a  Verball  Declaration  how  I  am  used  in  his  Territoryes,  as  also  who  they  bee  that  have 
appeared  like  Enemyes  to  King  &  Countrey,  &,  perhaps  (as  you  say)  would  gladly  see  wounds 
fester  into  a  Gangreen,  &  soe  become  incurable ;  which  God  f orbidd,  &  grant  that  I  may  bee  by 
all  Lawfull  &  just  Endeavo"'  an  Instrument  to  preserve  Unity  in  the  Bond  of  Peace  ;  A  thing 
w*  I  can  appeale  to  God  (w*  a  conscience  unblameable)  &  acquitt  myself  before  all  the  world.  I 
never  did  obstruct  in  any  unrighteous  or  illegall  way  ;  And  it  is  my  hearty  and  unfeigned  Desire 
to  hve  in  all  amicable  Correspondence  &  Tranouility  with  you  and  all  Men.  Soe  you  shall  ever 
find  me — 

Your  Ready  Friend 
Elizabeth  Towne  in  New  Jersey  James  Caetekett.* 

Juney-^  U"^  1672. 


Council  Minute.  -  Commission  fob  Indian  Affairs. 

At  a  Councell  held  ia  Fort  James  j"  24"^  of  June  1672. 
«  *  *  *  «  * 

The  Commission  for  y"  Indyan  AfEayres  soe  farre  to  continue  in  force  as  shall  relate  to  keep 

y''  Indyans  in  good  Ord'' ;  But  as  to  any  matter  of  difference  of  meum  and  tuum  or  trespasse,  that 

it  be  decided  by  the  next  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Constable  &  Overseers  of  the  Towne,  where 

the  cause  of  Action  shall  arise,  but  if  the  Action  bee  above  5  £,  they  may  Appeale  to  y*  next 

Court  of  Sessions. 

«  *  *  «  *  * 

*  See   "East  Jersey  under  the  Proprietary  Governments  "  and  "  New  Jersey  ArcUives,"  Vol.  I.  — -Ed. 


464  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

Instkuctions   for  Capt.   DeLavall   &   Me.    Steenwyck,  at  their  goeesig   for 
Albajiy,  June  y^  IG''",  1672. 
Gentlemen. 

Forasmucli  as  you  are  sufficiently  acquainted  w""  his  Ma'""^  Kesolutlons  of  prosecuting  a  Warr 
w""  y"  States  of  y*  united  Provinces,  as  appeares  both  by  his  Published  Declara9on,  &  likewise  by 
his  particular  Lett"  directed  to  mee  to  bee  communicated  to  you  with  said  Letters  &  Declaration 
you  shall  carry  along  with  you  for  your  better  Guidance  &  Instruction,  you  are  in  the  first  place 
after  yo'  Arrival  to  cause  your  said  Declaration  to  bee  solemnly  proclaymed,  by  what  fformality 
you  shall  conceive  to  bee  most  effectuall  according  to  his  Ma'"^  Intention  &  good  pleasure. 

Tou  are  lilcewise  to  see  that  y"  Forte  and  Militia  bee  put  in  that  posture  as  may  best  secure 
themselves  against  the  Attempts  of  any  Euemyes  to  his  sacred  Ma"'^  &  his  Royall  Highness  either 
publick  or  private. 

If  you  find  their  ifeares  too  great,  you  may  assure  them  an  Expedient  shall  bee  propounded,  as 
will  infallibly  secure  their  Doubts  by  locking  up  ye  Kiver  soe  that  noe  fforce  shall  bee  able  to  attack 
them ;  to  that  end  I  propound  this ;  In  my  travails  I  have  observed  (w'^''  I  desire  you  to  take  a 
more  strict  observation  of  y*  Scituation  as  you  pass  that  way)  at  Antonios  Nose  upon  the  West 
Coast  there  is  in  a  Corner  a  piece  of  ground  well  watered,  low,  &  very  strong  by  nature,  where  if 
a  Block-liouse  were  but  erected,  &  a  Breast-work  cast  up  to  make  a  Battery,  &  but  4  Gunns 
planted  there.  It  would  stop  y'=  Passage  of  any  Yessell  or  Vessells  from  passing  up  the  Piver,  y° 
place  lyes  in  an  Angle  w"*"  y°  Stream  makes  there,  &  y?  Current  Setts  on  that  Shore,  within  less 
than  halfe  PistoU  Shott ;  This  fforte  being  supplyed  but  with  a  douzen  Men  from  Albany  &  Esopus 
to  manage  y®  Gunns  &  to  afford  some  small  shott  must  of  necessity  give  a  Stopp  to  any  Vessell 
from  attempting  their  Designe,  if  this  bee  not  thought  a  proper  Place,  any  other  may  bee  pitcht 
in  on  y"  East  side  of  the  Piver  in  the  Highlands  ;  Provided  y°  Scituation  bee  naturally  low  & 
capable  to  Erect  a  Battery  &  well  watered. 

You  are  to  use  yo'  best  skill  and  Industry  to  bring  the  Inhabitants  to  a  complyance  to  a 
voluntary  Contribution  towards  y®  Reparation  of  this  fforte,  their  Mother  &  greatest  Concern,  & 
you  are  to  acquaint  them  of  the  readyness  of  these  parts,  &  What  Diligence  is  used  to  compleat 
the  same. 

You  are  to  call  for  the  Ord"'"  made  when  we  were  last  there,  &  to  see  what  is  executed,  &  if 
any  thing  happens  anew  to  heare  and  determine  it. 

AVhat  is  here  directed  for  Albany  you  may  communicate  to  the  Esopus,  still  leaving  the 
manner  &  method  to  your  prudent  Determination. 

Lastly  as  soon  as  conveniently  you  can  dispatch  yo''  Affayres  both  publick  &  private  I  shall 
desire  yo'  speedy  Peturn  to  mee  againe,  you  well  knowing  how  much  I  am  destitute  in  your 
Absence  of  any  helps,  and  soe  God  send  yoii  a  prosperous  Journey  &  Retm-n. 


Agreement  between  the  Inhabitants  of  Schenectady  and  the  Four  Mohawk  Castles. 

On  this  Day  the  S"*  of  July  1672  did  Appeare  before  me  John  Oarretson  van  Marken,  pub. 
Notary  admitted  by  the  WorshippfuU  Co''  (ii  Albany  zx\^  the  Inhabitants  of  Schenectady  To- 
gether with  a  sartain  Indian  called  Dohorywachqua  &  Crage,  being  the  Representative  of  y"  foure 
Mohoakh  Castells,  Who  declared  &  promised  to  hold  firme  &  stable  &  will  Cause  to  be  held  in 
full  force  &  vertue  all  and  Whatsoever  hee  shall  act  &  doe  in  The  sale  of  y"  Lands  Lying  Neare 
The  Towne  of  Schanhectade  within  Three  Dutch  Myles  in  Compasse  on  boath  Sides  of  y*  River 


New  Yoi'h  Historical  Recwds.  465 

Westwards  which  eudes  in  Kinaqua/riories,  Where  the  Last  Battell  was  betwean  the  Mohoahe 
and  the  North  Indians,  Provided  that  Jaaclces  CorneUssen  shall  have  the  tirst  flatts  or  playne, 
except  the  Inhabitants  of  Schanhectade  will  Kestore  unto  said  Jacques  CorneUssen  two  Rundlets 
of  Brandy  and  one  hundred  hand  of  Wampum,  Which  being  pajd  unto  s"*  Jaaqties,  The  said  first 
Playne  is  to  Remaine  to  the  Towne,  Whereuppon  Sander  Leenders  Gehn  being  a  former  Magis- 
trate &  John  van  Eps  and  Sweer  Teunissen  being  y"'  present  Magistrates  of  y^  s'^  Towne  did 
acknowledge  &  declare.  That  They  were  agi'eed  with  y"  s*  Indian  uppon  y"  purchase  of  y'  Land 
for  y*  summe  or  c[uantity  of  Six  himdred  hands  of  good  wlieyte  Wampum,  Six  Koates  of  Duffels) 
Thirty  Carres  of  Lead  &  Nine  Bagges  of  powder,  Wliich  they  do  promis  to  pay  unto  Y"  s* 
Indians  in  two  Termes,  viz.  The  First,  as  soon  as  the  Sachems  or  any  person  by  them  authorized 
shall  Comme  out  of  y*  Country  &  produce  full  power  from  theyr  Inliabitants  according  to  theyr 
Usuall  Manner  and  have  Thereuppon  delivered  imto  y'=  s''  Indian  as  a  present  for  the  Old  Man  in 
The  MohoaJcx  Country  a  Eundlet  of  Brandy. 

To  the  End  all  Misunderstanding  &  Complaint  may  be  washt  of  and  Remooved ;  To  the  true 
performance  of  the  premises  the  s*  parties  have  hereunto  sett  theire  hands  and  was  Intei-preted  by 
Cornelia  Yiele  in  the  absence  of  Jacques  Comelissen,  In  Schanhechtade  The  date  above  written. 

The  mark     iC      of  Dohoeiwaohqua 


9 


The  mark     ^^p^^    of  Crage 

Sander  Leenderts  Glen 
John  van  Eps 
Sweer  Teunissen 
Attested  by  me  J.  G.  v.  Maeken  Not.  Publ. 

This  day  the  IS""  of  July  is  payd  unto  the  Indians  above  mentioned  in  parte  of  y=  purchaze 
foure  hundred  hands  of  Wampum,  30  barres  of  Lead,  3  bagges  of  powder  More  for  a  present 
three  ankers  of  good  beere,  one  Koatt  of  dufiels,  together  -with  the  above  mentioned  Rundlet  ot 
Brandy. 

A"  1672  The  IS'"  day  of  July 
Did  the  underwritten  Indians  appears  before  us  and  do  declare  that  they  did  confirme  all  and 
whatsoever  the  abovewritten  Indians  named  Tohorio^vachque  and  Crage  in  the  Annexed  Instru- 
ment have  acted  &  do  by  these  p''sents  promise  with  the  last  payment  to  give  all  fiu-ther  Assur- 
ance of  the  s*  Land  and  that  they  and  theyre  heires  shall  desist  from  all  fiu-ther  Claymes  &  pre- 
tenses whatsoever.  In  witness  whereof  they  have  hereunto  sett  they're  hands  in  Schanhechtade 
at  the  house  of  Gcrrit  Banner  and  in  the  presence  of  severall  particular  Indians,  the  day  and 
yeare  above  written 


The  marke  of 
The  marke.  of 


■yc    Canachquo 

■f-J     OcQTTARET 


t 


The  marke  of    TY    Tohoeiowachque 


Attested  by  me,  J.  G  van  Marken 
69 


466  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

An  Oed^  foe  Capt.  Lovelace,  Me.  Noewood,  &c  ;  to  take  a  Sdevey  of  Staten  Island. 

These  are  to  Authorise  &  Empower  you  Capt.  Dudley  Lovelace,  Mr.  Andrew  Norwood,  & 
Mr.  Robert  Rider,  by  the  best  skill  &  Judgment  that  you  have  to  take  a  Survey  of  y"  Bounds 
&  Lymitts  of  Staten  Island,  together  with  its  Dimensions  &  Circumference,  the  w*  you  are  to 
putt  upon  a  Piatt,  &  make  Keturn  thereof  unto  me.  And  y^  Justice  of  y*  peace.  Constable  & 
other  Offic"  upon  y'=  said  Island  are  hereby  required  to  bee  ayding  ife  assisting  unto  you  herein, 
as  Occasion  shall  require ;  And  for  wluit  you  shall  Act  or  do"  in  prosecu9on  of  y"  Premisses,  this 
shall  bee  unto  you  a  sufficient  Warrant.  Given  under  my  Hand  at  fforte  James  in  New  York 
this  22"^  day  of  July  1672. 


Council  Minute.     Teade  at  Schenectady. 

At  a  Councell  held  at  Fort  James,  Sept.  6"'  1672 
****** 

The  Commissaryes  Letter  about  y"  handling  at  Sohanechtide  was  taken  into  Consideration ; 
It  was  brought  downe  by  Capt.  Salishtiry  ;  There  was  also  two  Requests,  one  from  Schanechtade, 
'tother  from  Albany  brought  by  Mr.  Delavall  made  to  him  &  the  Commissaryes  when  above  w"" 
the  Appostills  thereupon. 

For  Schanechtide,  it  is  Ordered, 

That  for  Redresse  of  small  Grievances  by  Trespasse,  Debt  or  otherwise,  they  shall  have  a 
Towne  Court  to  try  all  such  Causes  to  the  Value  of  one  hundred  Guilders,  the  persons,  who  shall 
try  the  same  to  bee  two  to  bee  nominated  by  the  Governo''  out  of  three  to  bee  chosen  amongst 
themselves  annuall}',  but  for  greater  Suraes  to  have  Application  as  formerly  to  the  Co"  of  Com- 
missaryes at  Albany.  As  to  the  matter  of  trade  with  Indyans  or  others  there,  they  ai-e  to  be 
regulated  by  the  Ord"  made  by  the  Governo'  &  Councell  the  last  Summer  at  Albany  till  further 
Ord'. 


Lett"  feom  y"^  Goveeno"  to  Capt.  James  Caeteeett  of  New  Jersey.  Sept.  18.  1672 

s^ 

I  received  yo"'  Letf  by  y*^  hands  of  M''.  Jones ;  y"^  Contents  were  a  narrative  of  what  had 
past  between  one  of  yo''  Magisstrates  &,  my  Marshall ;  I  must  confess  I  have  heard  something  of 
that  Story  though  imperfectly  ;  neither  did  I  give  too  much  Credit  to  liis  Relation,  finding  him 
to  bee  too  much  transported,  w"''  I  can  attribute  to  noe  other  i-eason,  then  what  he  averrs,  his  hard 
Treatm' ;  Tis  true,  I  employ'd  him  to  forewarne  all  persons  (that  had  not  that  common  Civility 
in  them  to  desire  Liberty  of  mee)  to  cutt  &  carry  away  Hay  from  Staten  Island  without  my  Ap- 
proba9on  ;  but  it  seemes  M''.  Hopkins  (whether  in  contempt  or  Derision)  pr^um'd  to  make  an 
Essay,  whither  the  Propriety  belonged  to  his  Royall  Highness,  or  y"  Lord  Proprieto''^,  &  as  my 
Servant  averrs,  when  that  was  y"  Dispute,  he  was  soe  confident  as  to  decide  it  theirs  (for  that  was 
the  Terme)  And  upon  that  Conclusion  perhaps  us'd  him  more  rigorously  than  some  undecent 
Reply  of  my  Servant  might  meritt.  S''  I  hope  there  will  not  bee  an  Occasion  of  a  Controversy 
of  the  Title  of  that  Place  after  5  years  possession,  together  with  .a  lawf ull  Purchase  of  the  Na- 
tives, &  not  the  least  Contradiction  from  y*  Lord  Proprieto" ;  but  if  any  pragmatick  Person,  out 


New  Yorl:  Historical  Records.  467 

of  any  OfBeiousness  or  sinister  Ends  of  liis  own  sliall  intermeddle  in  that  Affayre,  I  shall  assure 
him  to  maintain  my  Eoyall  Masters  Interest  to  that  place,. to  the  utmost  of  my  Ability  ;  M^  Jones 
brought  another  Letter,  but  finding  the  Superscription  to  be  W.  Hopkins  his  Hand,  with  whom 
I  never  had  any  Con-espondence  (neither  desire  I  any)  I  refus'd  the  Accepta^on.  I  have  noe 
more  at  present,  but  that  I  am 

Yo''  humble  Servant 
E.  Y.  IS  Sep:  1672  Fe.  Lovelace. 


Lke  to  Cap'.  James  Cabterett  at  Elizabeth  Towne  in  IN'ew  Jersey. 
Hon.  S"-. 

I  received  yo"'  Lre  of  y"  12"'  of  Octob'',  wherein  you  seem  to  complaine  of  a  barbarous  &  mur- 
therous  Act  (as  you  are  pleased  to  name  it)  committed  on  Y*  Body  of  yo"'  Marshall,  &  at  y^  same 
time,  I  am  sollicited  by  M^  La  Preary,  and  y"  Deputy  Governo''  Capt.  Berry,  who  both  are  in 
the  natm-e  of  Exiles,  not  daring  to  return,  the  one  to  y"  peaceable  enjoyment  of  his  Estate,  pur- 
chas'd  by  his  hard  Labour  &  Industry,  the  other  from  Exercizing  that  Authority  of  Deputy  Gov- 
erno"' in  the  Dispensation  of  Justice,  and  y*  preserva9ou  of  the  Publick  Peace,  according  not  only 
to  y^  Oath  hee  stands  oblig'd  to,  but  likewise  to  that  Trust  lawfully  invested  in  him  by  y°  Gov- 
erno'' Capt.  Philip  Carterett.  What  to  doe  in  this  case,  &  to  satisfy  two  different  Opponents 
might  puzzle  a  greater  Statesman  than  I  pretend  to  determine ;  yet  when  T  reflect  on  y°  Answ'' 
you  were  pleased  to  returne  to  that  Letf  of  ours,  wherein  (mov'd  out  of  tender  sence  of  the  Iii- 
conveniencyes  &  mischiefs  which  were  dayly  growing  to  y*  hazard  of  y*  effusion  of  Christian 
Blood,  w*^"  since  has  hapned,  &  wee  having  noe  other  Ayme  then  the  peace  &  tranquillity  of  you 
our  Neighbo"  consonant  to  y^  Commands  of  his  Sacred  Ma"",  who  enjoyn'd  all  Neighbouring 
Colonyes  toe  nter  into  a  strict  Association  w""  each  other,  that  then  (I  say)  you  were  pleased  to 
have  soe  little  regard  to  those  our  kinde  &  friendly  Proff"'^,  as  in  returne  of  an  acknowledgm'  of 
those  sentiin'^  of  ours,  you  wondered  wee  should  concerne  our  Selves  in  y^  Afiayrs  of  yo''  Governm' 
since  you  never  sought  it  in  ours ;  If  soe  you  continue  in  those  resolutions  still,  you  have  then  an- 
swered yo''  Selfe ;  Neither  doe  I  intend  for  y''  future  to  concerne  myselfe  w""  yo"  in  any  Publick 
Affayre,  unless  you  undeceive  mee  by  showing  mee  a  sufficient  Deputagon  from  the  Lord  Proprie- 
to''^  to  act  as  a  Governo''  w"'out  w'^''-  I  cannot  safely  adhere  to  you  as  a  Publique  Minisf  but  ab- 
stracted from  that.  As  you  have  had  y^  large  Experience  of  my  Civility  towards  you,  Soe  (keep- 
ing within  that  circle)  you  shall  all  ways  finde  mee  ready  to  acknowledge  you  as  I  desire  to  be  by  you. 

Yo'  affection'"  Friend 
Fe.  Lovelace. 
Oct.  13.  1672 

I  had  forgott  to  acquaint  yo"  that  y'  Prosecute''*  attempted  to  enter  on  Staten  Island  in  Quest 
of  M''.  Za  Prery  where  if  they  had  found  him  were  resolved  to  carry  him  away  w'^out  my  Leave. 
I  shall  desire  for  y°  future,  you  to  refrayne  that  course,  least  you  constrayne  me  to  fetch  them 
back  from  you. 


468  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

A  Pkiviledg'^  granted  to  Cap''  Thomas  Chambees,  for  t*^  Erecting  ffox  Hall 
INTO  A  Manno^. 

Francis  Lovelace  Esq''  &c:  "Whereas  Capt.  TJiomas  Ghamhers  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Eso- 
pus  hath  beeu  an  ancient  Inhabit'  in  those  parts,  where  hee  hath  done  signall  &  notable  Service 
in  the  time  of  the  warrs  against  the  Indyans,  &  having  by  his  Industry  in  the  time  of  Peace 
acquired  a  considerable  Estate,  of  which  hee  now  stands  possest,  Amongst  the  rest  having  a  Man- 
sion house  not  farr  from  the  Towne  of  Kingston  commonly  called  ffox  Hall,  with  a  great  Tract 
of  Land  thereunto  belonging,  w'*"  said  House  is  made  defensible  against  any  sudden  Incursion  of 
y"' Indyans  or  others;  In  acknowledgm'  of  the  Services  heretofore  done  by  the  Capt.  Thomas 
Chambers,  &  in  part  of  recompence  thereof,  I  have  thought  fitt  to  Erect  the  said  Mansion  house 
called  ffox  Hall  &  Land  belonging  to  it  into  a  Manno"'  to  be  known  by  y^  name  of  the  Manno"'  of 
ffoja  Hall,  the  w'^''  shall  for  the  time  to  come  bee  held,  deemed,  reputed,  taken,  &  bee  an  entire 
infranchized  Manno'  of  it  selfe,  and  shall  allways  from  time  to  time  have,  hold,  &  enjoy  life  & 
equall  priviledges  Avith  other  Manno"'^  within  the  Goverum',  &  shall  in  noe  manner  or  anywise  bee 
under  the  Pule,  Ord''  or  Direction  of  any  Towne  Court,  but  by  the  Generall  Co'''  of  Assizes,  or 
as  from  time  to  time  y^  said  Capt.  Ghamhers  shall  receive  Ord'^  or  Directions  from  y°  Govern''  & 
his  Councell.  Given  imder  my  hand  &  Seale  at  ffort  James  in  New  York  this  16"*  day  of 
Octob'^  in  y'^  24""  yeare  of  Ma""^  Keigne,  Annoque  Domini  1672. 


Lett"  to  Capt.  James  Caeterett  at  Elizabeth  Towne  in  New  Jersey,  Dated  22"'  Octob  :  1672. 

s-- 

Before  Mr.  Delavall  resolved  to  shake  hands  with  Albany  for  this  Winter  Season,  hee  was 
determined  to  kiss  yours,  &  I  have  perswaded  M''  Steenwyck  &  M''  Nicolls  to  accompany  him,  to 
try  if  yet  there  were  a  possibility  left  by  a  fair  &  amicable  Intei-])osition  to  make  up  those 
Rents  w*  by  y"  sufferings  of  some,  &  y*  Asperity  of  others  (if  not  prevented)  will  grow  past 
their  skill  to  close  ;  Neither  can  I  dispaire  but  by  this  inconcern'd  Interview  (on  their  parts)  but 
to  hope  for  a  good  Issue,  &  the  rather  in  regard  M''  ILelyen  &  Baker  when  parting  last  from  mee 
returned  to  you  with  great  resolutions  of  j)ropounding  such  Expedients  for  a  Gen  erall  Accomoda- 
<;on  as  might  secure  each  party  (by  severall  Propositions  &  Conclusions  thereon)  both  of  their 
persons  &  fortunes,  till  the  determinative  Resolution  of  the  Lords  Proprieto''''  might  putt  a  period 
to  all  mistaken  Distinctions  on  either  side.  S''  contrary  to  ray  once  resolved  Opinion  of  not 
troubling  either  you  or  myselfe  more  on  this  Subject,  I  have  (upon  y°  Address  of  very  many  of 
your  Inhabitants)  adventur''d  to  make  this  last  Essay,  w'*"  I  wish  may  prove  effectuall,  that  soe 
when  ever  a  Transmutation  should  succeed  between  my  R  :  Master  &  the  Lords  Proprieto''',  I 
might  not  present  him  instead  of  a  peaceable  &  well  dispos'd  Territory  (such  as  I  hope  to  have) 
&  in  Exchange  of  that  a  Land  only  replenisht  with  Bryars  and  Thorns  ;  thus  heai'tily  wishing  you 
to  make  a  Serious  reflection  on  all  the  evill  consequences  that  necessarily  must  attend  those  Dis- 
orders, &  that  by  yo''  prudence  &  Moderation  strive  to  prevent  them,  that  not  only  the  Proprie- 
to''*  may  be  assured  of  their  indubitable  Rights,  but  the  Inhabit*'  of  their  Immunitys  &  ffree- 
doms,  w*  &  w'^''  alone  is  the  Cordiall  wish  of 

S''  Yo-^  Aff^ec""^  Friend 

Fr  :  Lovelace. 
Fort  James,  Octob''  y  22'^  1672 


New   Yoi'lc  Historical  Records.  469 

Lettek  feom  King  Charles  II  to  John  Beret,  Depdtt-Governoe  of  New 
Jersey,  directing  him  to  enforce  the  authority  of  Lord  John  Berkeley 
AND  Slk  George  Carterett. 

Charles  R. 

Trusty  &  wellbeloved.  Wee  greete  yoii  well,  having  bcene  informed  that  some  turbulent  & 
disaffected  persons.  Living  &  inhabiting  within  the  Province  of  Cesarea  or  iVew  Jersey,  The  pro- 
priety whereof  wee  have  granted  to  our  right  Trusty  wellbeloved  Councello"  John  Lord  Berkeley 
of  Straito7i  &  Sir  George  Carterett  Kn'  &  Baronet,  doe  refuse  to  submit  &  bee  obedient  to  the 
authority  derived  from  us  to  the  s'^  L*  Berkeley  &  Sir  George  Carterett  as  absolute  Proprieto"  of 
the  same  to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  s"*  L"*^  Proprieto",  the  disturbance  of  the  Inhabitants  & 
hindrances  of  the  whole  Planta9on  there  designed.  Wee  doe  therefore  hereby  require  you  in  our 
Name  strictly  to  charge  &  comand  all  persons  whatsoever  inhabiting  within  the  said  province 
forthwith  to  yield  obedience  to  the  Lawes  &  Goverm'  there  settled  &  established  by  the  s''  L"*' 
Proprieto''''  having  the  sole  power  under  us  to  settle  and  dispose  of  the  s*  Countrey  upon  such 
Terines  &  Condicjons,  as  they  shall  think  fitt.  And  wee  shall  expect  a  ready  complyance  with 
this  our  will  &  pleasure  from  all  persons  whatsoever  dwelling  or  remaining  within  y"  fores*  Prov- 
ince upon  paine  of  incurring  our  high  displeasure  &  being  proceeded  ag''  w"'  due  severity  accord- 
ing to  Law,  whereof  you  are  to  give  publick  notice  to  all  persons  that  are  or  may  bee  concerned 
&  so  wee  bid  you  farewell.  Given  at  our  Co"  at  Whitehall  the  9"'  day  of  Decbr  1672  in  the  24'" 
year  of  our  Reigne. 

By  his  Ma"-<=^  Comand 

Henet  Coventry. 
To  o''  trusty  &  wellbeloved  Capt.  John  Berry,  Dep.  Gov.  of  Wew  Cesarea  or  New  Jersey  in 

America  &  to  his  Council  there. 


Council  Minute.     Trading  at  Schenectady.     Taxes  on  the  Esopus. 

At  a  Councill  held  in  Fort  James  Jan^^  27"^,  1672-3. 
****** 

Jeuffrou  Curlers  Peti(;on  from  Schanechtade  desiring  some  ffavour  about  Liberty  to  trade 
w"'  the  Indyans,  in  regard  of  her  great  Losse  by  the  fEre. 

Her  Letf  to  Mr.  Delamall  &  another  to  Mr.  Beekman  upon  the  same  Acco'. 

An  Order  thereupon  as  followeth  : 

Upon  y''  Request  of  Antonia  van  Curler  of  Schanechtide  p''sented  to  his  Hono''  y^  Governo'',  that 
having  not  long  since  received  a  very  great  Losse  by  ffire,  shee  may  for  her  p''sent  Reliefe  bee  soe 
farr  indulged  as  to  have  Licence  to  sell  some  Pumm  to  y°  Indyans,  as  also  some  quantity  of 
Powder  «fe  Lead;  The  Premisses  being  taken  into  serious  ConsideraQon,  It  is  Ordered,  That  in 
regard  of  the  very  great  Losse  cfe  Damage  sustayned  by  the  said  Antonia  van  Curler  in  having 
her  House,  Barnes  &  Corne  destroyed,  as  by  her  is  sett  forth,  as  also  the  Losse  of  her  Husband, 
Arent  van  CurUr,  while  hee  was  employed  in  his  Ma*"'"  Publick  Service,  Shee,  the  said  Ant07iia, 
his  Widdow,  shall  have  free  Liberty  &  Licence  for  y**  space  &  terme  of  one  whole  yeare  &  two 
Months  after  the  Date  hereof.  That  is  to  say,  from  the  first  day  of  Aprill  next  untill  the  29"^  day 
of  May  w''*'  shall  bee  in  the  year"  of  o''  Lord  1671  to  sell  &  dispose  of  to  the  Indyans  or  others  in 
or  about  Schanechtide  in  Eumme  one  hundred  Anckers  &  in  lead  to  the  value  of  two  hundred 


470  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Beav"  or  1000  Weight ;    But  for  Powder  in   this  Conjuncture  of  time  during  the  Warr,  It's 
thought  inconvenient  any  Extraordinary  Liberty  should  be  granted  therein. 

By  Ord'  &c. 

The  Matf  of  Diiierence  between  y*  two  Tappers  at  Schanechtide,  not  thought  fitt  any  order 
shall  bee  made  therein  further,  this  Liberty  to  the  Widdow  probably  being  a  meane  to  defeat 
both  their  Expectations. 

Esopxis  Contribution. 

The  Commissaryes  Lett'  to  y'^  Govern''  about  y"  Contribution  not  yet  ready,  &  a  Request  that 
a  Tax  imposed  about  three  yeares  agone  upon  their  Land,  Working  Horses  &  Cowes  may  con- 
tinue to  support  the  charge  of  the  Towne, —  Mr.  Graveraets  Letter  for  y°  Continuance  like- 
wise. 

The  Ord'"  thereupon. 

Upon  Considera9on  had  of  what  hath  been  represented  to  his  Hon"^  y®  Govern''  by  y"  Schout 
&  Commissaryes  at  y*"  Eso]pus  as  touching  their  Voluntary  Contribution  towards  the  ffortifications 
here  and  a  Tax  heretofore  Agreed  to  bee  imposed  for  y''  time  of  three  yeares,  upon  each  Margen 
of  their  Improved  Land,  as  also  upon  their  Working  Horses  &  Milch  Cowes  towards  the  defray- 
ing y®  Publick  Charge  of  their  Towne,  w'^"  said  Time  being  now  expired,  they  desiring  a  Con- 
tinuance of  the  said  Tax,  upon  the  same  Acco'  as  before ;  Both  the  said  Particulars  having  been 
taken  into  considera9on  It  is  Ordered,  That  the  said  Voluntary  Contribution  bee  collected  &  paid 
into  Mr.  Isaack  Graveraat,  the  Schout,  in  good  Corne  according  to  y*  Intent  &  Meaning  of  the 
Donation,  otherwise  it  shall  bee  in  the  Liberty  of  the  said  Schout  to  refuse  the  same  &  constrayne 
them  to  pay  better,  And  likewise  that  y"^  former  Tax  upon  y^  Land,  y*  Working  Horses  &  Kine 
bee  continued  for  two  years  longer  or  untill  farther  Order,  beginning  from  the  Expira^on  of  the 
last  three  yeares.  And  for  that  there  was  y"  last  yeare  the  Summe  of  sixteen  hundred  Guild"'^ 
allowed  toward  the  Publick  Charge  of  the  Towne  out  of  y"  Excize,  It  is  also  Ordered,  That  an 
Acco*  bee  given  to  the  Govern''  how  the  said  1600  Guild"  &  y"  last  tliree  j'eares  Tax  hath  been 
expended  ;  when  consideraon  will  bee  had,  how  the  two  yeares  Taxe  for  the  time  to  come 
shall  be  disposed  of. 

By  Ord"^  etc. 

That  some  particular  Ord''  bee  sent  to  Capt.  Chambers,  who  is  exempted  from  being  rated  by 
the  Towne,  in  regard  of  his  manno'' —         ******* 


LlBEETT  GIVEN  TO  Mk.  DelAVALL  TO  ErECT  HIM  A  WarE-HOUSE  AT  Y^  StEAND  IN  KINGSTON. 

These  are  to  certify  all  whom  it  may  concerne  that  I  have  given  free  Leave  &  Liberty  to 
Capt.  Thomas  Delavall  one  of  y^  Councell  to  Erect  or  build  a  Storehouse  or  Ware-house  adjoin- 
ing to  the  Block-house  at  the  Redouht  near  Kingston  in  the  Esojnis.  either  of  fourty  or  fifty  iioot 
in  length,  and  twenty  or  thirty  tfoot  in  breadth,  or  such  like  Dimension  as  bee  shall  think  fitt  for 
his  convenience.  Given  under  my  hand  &ifort  James  in  New  York  y"  IQ""  day  of  March  in  the 
25""  yeare  of  his  Ma"'"  Reign,  Anuoque  Domini.  1672-3. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  471 

An  Ord*  about  y^  Maj^no"  of  ffordham,  viz'^  that  a  Co"''  bee  kept  there  qijar- 

TEELY,   &  THAT  Mr.  Jn"  RiDER  BEE  StEWABD  &    PkESID''. 

Whereas  Mr  Jn°  Archer  having  obtayued  a  Patent  from  mee  for  a  certaiue  Parcell  of  Laud 
upon  y*  Maine  (of  w*^*"  hee  had  made  Purchase)  lyeing  &  being  over  against  this  Island  Man- 
hatans,  neare  Sjaiting  Devill,  where  a  New  Village  is  seated,  &  is  called, ^wfZAa/w,  unto  y^  w* 
I  have  thought  fitt  to  Grant  y'^  Priveledge  of  a  Manno''  &  the  said  Mr  John  Archer  being  the 
Principall  Proprieto"^  having  requested  of  mee.  That  being  y°  Principall  Proprieto'^  for  y*  Decision 
of  Matters  of  Debt  &  Trespasse  between  him  &  his  Tenants,  or  between  one  Tenant  &  another 
there  may  be  held  a  Court  quarterly  or  as  often  as  there  shall  bee  Occasion,  of  w*^**  some  Person 
as  Steward  of  the  Manno''  shall  bee  Presid'  taking  as  his  Assistants  y"  Constable  of  y®  Place,  & 
one  or  two  more  of  the  discreetest  of  the  Inhabitants  ;  The  holding  of  a  court  there  by  y'  Con- 
stable &  Overseer  bemg  not  practicable  amongst  them  in  their  J!^  ew  Settlement,  By  these  Presents 
I  doe  well  approve  of  y^  Proposall  afore-mentioned,  &  doe  Order  that  there  shall  bee  held  for  y^ 
said  Manno''  of  ffordham  a  Court  quarterly  or  oftner  if  Occasion  shall  bee,  the  first  Court  to  bee 
on  y®  24""  day  of  this  Instant  month  when  the  Steward  for  the  time  being  shall  bee  Presid'  & 
that  hee  take  as  his  Assistants  y*^  Constable  of  y^  Towne,  &  one  or  two  more  of  the  discreetest  of 
y®  Inhabitants  as  afores"*  or  neighbourhood,  for  the  Decision  of  all  Differences  of  Debt  or  Trespass 
between  the  Landlord  &  Tenants,  or  one  Tenant  w""  another,  according  to  y"  Direction  in  the 
Law  &  y"*  Priveledges  in  his  Patent.  And  M''.  John  Rider  being  recommended  by  y'  s"*  Mr. 
Archer  to  bee  Steward  of  the  Court,  I  doe  hereby  Allow  there  of,  the  said  Steward  taking  his 
Oath  to  doe  Justice  in  y*  said  Employm'  between  Man  &  Man  according  to  Law  c%  good  Con- 
science, &  Regulating  himselfe  as  a  Steward  of  a  Manno''  ought  to  doe,  for  y^  w"^*"  as  Occasion 
requires  hee  shall  have  particular  Directions  from  myselfe.  Given  under  my  hand  at  ff^ort  James 
in  iV^.  Yorh,  this  20""  day  of  Aprill  in  y^  25"^  yeare  of  his  Ma""  Reign,  Annoque  Domini  1673. 


CouNcrL  MiNTJTE.     New  Jeeset  Matters. 

At  a  Councell  in  y«  Fort  May  IS""  1673 

The  Duke's  Letf  dated  November  25"'  read,  relating  to  Wew  Jersey. 

A  Letf  from  y^  Lord  Berkley  &  S"".  George  Carterett  to  recommend  y^  Affayres  of  New  Jersey 
to  the  Governor. 

Coll.  Nicolls  Patents  of  Elizaheih  Town  and  Nemsans  now  made  void  by  the  Duke. 

A  Letf  from  y^  Lords  Proprietors  to  Coll.  Nicolls  confirming  his  Patents  before  Capt.  Philijyp 
Carteretts  Arrival  being  objected,  the  State  of  y*  Case  to  bee  returned  to  His  Royall  Highness. 


CoTmcTL  MrNUTE.     Inteodtjction  of  English  Laws  at  the  Esopub. 

At  a  Councell  held  in  the  Fort  &c  June  12""  1673. 

****** 
The  Letf"  from  Esopus  taken  into  Consideration  about  being  Governed  by  English  Lawes  ; 
Whereupon  it  was  Ordered  as  f olloweth,  viz' : 

The  Petition  from  severall  of  y"  Inhabitant  at  Esopus  being  taken  into  Consideracon,  wherein 


472  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

they  desire  to  have  the  Privilege  &  Benefitt  of  Enjoymeii'  of  y"  English  Lawes  Establisht  by  bis 
floyall  Higbnesse  &  in  practice  abnost  throughout  all  his  Territoryes,  It  is  Ordered,  that  y" 
said  Lawes  shall  bee  settled  &  practized  in  y*"  Three  Townes  of  Esojyus  as  in  other  Places,  for  the 
w*  they  shall  receive  particular  Instructions.  In  the  meantime  y''  Inhabit'^  of  Marhleton  &  Hur- 
ley have  Liberty  to  make  choice  in  each  Towne  by  a  double  Vote  of  a  Constable  &  Overseers 
&  returns  their  Names  unto  y°  Governour,  who  will  out  of  them  pitch  upon  the  Persons  to  bee 
Confirmed  in  that  Employmen'  for  the  ensueing  yeare ;  Whereupon  they  are  to  take  the  Oath 
prescribed  iu  the  y*  Booke  of  Lawes  before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  Performance  of  their 
Trust. 

By  Order  &c  &c. 


Letter   of  King  Chaeles  II  to  Goveenoe  Philipp  Carteeett,  dieecting  heu 
TO  sustain  the  AUTHOErrY  OF  SiE  Geoege  Caeteeett  m  New  Jeesey. 

Charles  H. 
Trusty  &  wellbeloved.  "Wee  greete  you  well.  "Whereas  our  right  Tnisty  &  wellbeloved  Councell'' 
Sir  George  Carterett,  Kn'  &  Baron*,  by  grant  derived  under  ns,  is  seized  of  the  Province  of  New 
Cesarea  or  New  Jersey  in  America,  &  of  the  Jurisdiction  thereof,  as  Proprieto''  of  the  same,  In 
the  plantacjon  of  which  s'^  Province  the  s''  S''  George  Carterett  hath  lieene  at  great  Charge  &  Ex- 
pence  :  And  whereas  of  late  great  Troubles  &  Disorders  haue  hapned  there  by  some  ill  affected 
persons,  "Wee  being  willing  and  desirous  to  encourage  the  inhabiting  &  planting  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince &  to  preserve  the  peace  &  welfare  of  all  our  Loving  Subjects  residing  there.  Wee  doe  there- 
fore hereby  require  you  in  our  name  to  use  yo''  utmost  Endeavo'''  to  prevent  all  troubles  &  disor- 
ders here  for  y^  future  &  strictly  to  charge  &  command  all  p''sons  whatsoever  inhabiting  within  the 
s*  Proyince  forthwith  to  yield  obedience  to  the  Lawes  &  Governm'  which  are  or  shall  be  there 
establisht  by  the  s'^  S''.  George  Carterett,  who  hath  the  sole  power  under  us,  to  settle  &  dispose 
of  the  s'^  Countrey  upon  such  Termes  &  Condi^ons  as  hee  shall  think  fitt.  And  wee  shall  expect 
a  ready  Complyance  with  this  our  Will  &  pleasure  from  all  persons  whatsoever  dwelling  or  re- 
maining within  the  same,  upon  paine  of  incurring  our  high  displeasure  &  being  proceeded  against 
with  due  severity  according  to  Law,  Whereof  you  are  to  give  publick  notice  to  all  persons,  that 
are  or  may  bee  concerned.  And  so  wee  bid  you  farewell.  Given  at  our  Court  at  Windsor  the 
13""  day  of  June  1674,  in  the  26"'  year  of  our  Reigne. 

By  his  Ma*'"  Comand 
S"".  George  Carteretts  Arlington 

Letter 

To  our  trusty  &  wellbeloved 
Philipp  Carterett  Esq''".  Governo'' 
of  New  Jersey  in  America  &  to  the  Council  there. 

Copia  vera  compared  w""  the  original 

James  Bollen,  Seer''. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  473 

Order  allowing  Elizabethtown,  Newark  etc.  in  New  Jersey  to  send  dele- 
gates TO  surrender  their  towns. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Noble  Honorable  Commanders  and  their  Hon""  Council 
of  War  at  the  City  Hall  of  this  City  of  New-Orange  on  the  12"'  of  August 
A°  1673. 


Present  - 


Commanders  |  '^''^"'"^•^'^  Evertsen  junim- 

{  Jacob  Benckes 
Capt.  Anthony  Colve 
Capt.  Nicolas  Hoes 
Capt.  Ab.  Ferd.  van  Zyll 


John  Backer,  Jacob  Melyn,  John  Oghdon  cum  sociis  request  as  delegates  from  the  villages 
of  Elizabeth  Town,  New  Work,  Woodbridge  and  Piscataway,  situate  in  the  province  formerly 
called  New-Jersey,  that  they  may  be  allowed  to  send  commissioners  from  their  said  villages,  to 
negotiate  with  the  Hon"'"  Commanders  and  Council  of  "War  in  regard  to  the  submission  of  their 
villages  to  the  sovereignty  of  Their  High :  Might :,  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United 
Netherland  and  his  Serene  Highness,  the  Prince  of  Orange ;  also  that  no  audience  be  given  to 
their  former  Governor,  Capt.  John  Berry,  until  their  commissioners  had  been  first  admitted. 

It  is  ordered :  Tlie  petitioners,  namely  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Elizabethtown,  New 
Work,  Goodhridge  and  Piscataway  have  herewith  permission  given  them,  to  send  their  commis- 
sioners on  Tuesday  morning  next  following  to  negotiate  with  us. 
Done  at  the  City  Hall  of  New  Orange,  Aug.  12'",  1673. 

Signed 

cornelis  evertsen  the  younqer 
Jacob  Benckes 
By  order. 

N.  Bayard,  Secr^. 

The  Admirals  and  the  Council  of  "War  upon  further  resolution  dispatched  the  following  order 
to  the  remaining  three  villages  in  the  same  Province 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Bergen  and  the  farms  and  settlements  thereto  belonging. 
You  are  hereby  directed  and  charged,  to  send  commissioners  of  your  town  hither,  in  order  to 
negotiate  with  us  on  Tuesday  morning  next  concerning  the  surrender  of  your  village  to  the  juris- 
diction of  their  High  Might :  the  Lords  States  General  of  the  United  Netherlands  and  his  Serene 
Highness,  the  Prince  of  Orange,  or  upon  refusal  we  shall  be  compelled,  to  subdue  your  place  by 
force  of  arms. 

Done  at  the  Stadthuys  of  the  City  of  New  Orange,  Aug.  12"",  1673. 

Cornelis  Eveetsen  the  Totjnger 
Jacob  Benckes. 
By  order. 

N.  Bayard,  Seer''. 

(The  same  order  sent  to  Middletown  and  Shrewsbury.) 


60 


474  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Peivlleges  granted  to  the  several,  Towns  in   New  Jersey. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Council  of  War  held  at  Fort  Willem  Hendrih 
Aug.  18%  1673. 

On  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Elizahethtown,  New  Worh  and  Piscata- 
%vay,  situate  behind  the  Coll  {Achter  Coll)  the  following  order  is  made : 

The  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  EUzabethtoivn,  New  WorJc  and  Piscataway  having  been 
received  and  read  by  the  Commanders  and  the  Council  of  War,  they  direct,  that  all  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  said  villages  shall  be  allowed  the  same  privileges  and  liberties,  which  are  granted  to 
the  born  subjects  and  tlie  Dutch  nation,  the  petitioners  and  their  heirs  shall  further  possess  and 
enjoy  without  molestation  their  lawfully  bought  and  paid  for  lands,  which  the  Governor  is  to  con- 
firm to  them  hereafter  in  due  form.  The  boundaries  of  each  village  shall  be  settled  by  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Council  at  a  later  date  and  orders  to  that  effect  shall  be  published.  As  to  impressment, 
no  Englishman  shall  be  impressed  to  serve  against  his  own  nation  in  case  of  war  against  his 
Majesty  of  England,  provided  they  comport  themselves  in  such  case  quietly  and  peacefully,  but 
their  ships  and  vessels  shall  be  subject  to  it.  Regarding  inheritances  they  are  to  be  ruled  by  the 
laws  of  Netherlands  but  they  may  dispose  of  their  estates  by  testaments  as  they  think  fit  and  in 
case  some  are  willing  to  withdraw  from  this  territory  with  their  property,  they  may  do  it  within 
the  time  of  six  months,  provided  they  have  paid  their  debts  and  obtained  a  pass-port  from  this 
Government.  Further,  no  person  shall  be  allowed  to  settle  under  this  Government  except  on 
previous  approbation  by  the  Governor  and  lastly  the  petitioners  are  granted  such  freedom  of  con- 
science, as  it  exists  in  Netherland. 

The  deputies  from  Woodhridge,  Shrewsbury  and  Middletown  appearing  before  the  Council 
the  same  privileges  are  granted  to  their  villages  at  their  verbal  request,  all  until  further  orders 
from  their  High :  Might :  and  his  S.  H.  of  Orange. 


Council   Mindte.     Submission   of   East  and  Westchester  with   Ex-rENT  of  the 

JURISDICTION    OF   THEIR    CoURTS. 

At  a  Council  etc.  Aug.  21,  1673. 
»*  *  *  *  *  *** 

The  deputies  from  Oostdurp  alias  Westchester  and  the  neighboring  farms,  called  East  Chester, 
delivered  their  credentials  to  the  Council  and  stated  further,  that  they  submitted  to  their  High : 
Might:  and  his  Highness  of  Orange.  They  are  directed,  to  have  their  people  nominate  by  a 
majority  of  votes  and  to  present  at  the  earliest  opportunity  a  double  number  of  names  for  magis- 
trates of  their  said  villages,  from  which  we  ^vill  select  three  magistrates,  two  for  the  village  of 
Westchester  and  one  for  Eastchester,  who  shall  decide  in  their  respective  villages  all  cases  up  to 
30  shill.  English  ;  cases  of  greater  value  must  be  determined  by  the  whole  bench  in  the  aforesaid 
village  of  Westchester. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  475 

Okdek  on  a  Petition  fkom  the  Esopus  for  the  Government  of  that  District. 

In  Council  etc.  Septbr.  1"',  1673. 

The  delegates  from  the  Jisopus  appearing  handed  np  a  certain  petition,  upon  which  the  fol- 
lowing order  was  made : 

First.  The  petitioners  shall  send  in  a  list  showing  the  number  of  their  inhabitants  and  what 
tliey  can  do  towards  the  support  of  a  minister,  whicli  will  be  referi-ed  by  us  to  our  superiors.  The 
requested  instructions  shall  be  prepared  by  liis  Honor,  the  Governor,  at  the  earliest  convenience 
and  sent  to  them. 

Second.  Tlie  population  of  the  three  respective  villages  shall  together  nominate  three  per- 
sons for  the  office  of  Schout  and  tliree  for  that  of  Secretary,  from  which  we  will  then  select  one 
as  Schout  and  another  as  Secretary  for  all  these  villages.  The  community  of  Swanenburgh* 
sliall  further  nominate  eight  persons  for  Commissaries  of  their  village ;  Hurley  and  Marhletown, 
which  have  heretofore  been  under  the  jurisdiction  of  one  court,  may  continue  so  until  further 
orders,  but  they  shall  also  nominate  and  present  to  us  eight  persons,  from  whom  we  will  make  a 
selection  ;  it  is  further  recommended  to  them  to  make  a  nomination  for  chief-officer  of  the  train 
band  and  send  it  to  us. 

Third.  The  Governor  will  consider  the  cpiestion  of  the  excise  as  soon  as  possible  and  the 
consumption  in  the  families  of  the  petitioners  is  also  recommended  to  him. 

The  fourth  point  is  granted  to  the  petitioners  and  they  ai'e  specially  charged  to  take  care,  that 
nobody  be  nominated,  who  is  not  of  the  Reformed  religion. 

5.  Nor  shall  anybody  be  nominated,  who  is  not  at  least  well  inclined  towards  the  Dutch  nation. 

6.  The  article  in  regard  to  the  extension  of  the  said  villages  by  farmers  shall  be  referred  to 
our  superiors,  who,  we  have  no  doubt,  will  decide  upon  quickly. 

7.  It  shall  be  recommended  to  the  Governor  to  provide  the  petitioners  in  time  of  need  with 
the  necessary  amunition  and  militia. 

The  8"*  point  about  the  retail  sale  of  strong  liquor  to  the  savages  is  granted  and  the  Schout 
directed  to  see  to  it. 

The  present  Magistrates  are  further  directed  to  publish  and  affix  the  enclosed  notice.     Done 

I  St   Y^re    lgJ3_ 


Appointment  of  Magistrates  for  the  Tillages  behind  the  Coll. 

The  Lords  Commanders  &  honnor^"  Counsel   of  Warre  of  y^  New- 
Neverlants  residing  in  fort  Willejn  Hendrick  &c. 

Whereas  wee  have  thought  fitt  tt  Necessary  to  discharge  the  forme  of  Governm*  late  in  prac- 
tice here  and  to  reduce  it  under  the  Stile  of  Schoutt  &  Schepens,  w'^''  is  customary  in  our  Native 
Country,  the  United  Belglck  Provinces,  Know  yee  therefore,  that  wee  by  Vertue  of  our  Com- 
mission from  y"  high  &  mighty  Lords,  y'  States-General  &  his  Serene  highnesse,  the  Prince  of 
Orange  &c  out  of  y"  nomination  presented  unto  us  by  y"  Deputies  of  Elizabeth  Towne,  Wood- 
ridge  Sahrousbury,  New  Worke,  Piscataway  &  Middletowne  have  Elected  &  Established 

Mr.  John  Oqden  to  be  Schout  f    /•    n  .i  i.-      t 

,,      „  /_     ,.  ,     ^  >  of  all  the  respective  iownes. 

Mr.  bamuel  Mopk^ns  to  be  Secretary  \ 

*  Kingston,  Ulster  Co. 


476  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  Hiver. 

Giving  &  by  these  presents  granting  unto  the  s*  Jno.  Ogden  &  Samuel  Hopkins  &  each  of 
them  full  power,  Strength  &  authority  in  their  s""  oifices,  the  Schout  together  with  y^  Schepens  or 
Magistrates  of  respective  Townes  to  Kule  &  Governe  as  well  their  Inhabitants  as  Strangers  and 
y'  s"'  Samuel  'BqpHm  to  administer  y=  office  of  Secretary  in  y^  s"*  Townes  according  to  Lawes  of 
y*  United  Belgick  Provinces  and  such  Particular  Instructions  as  they  from  time  to  time  shall 
receive  from  us  &  from  our  Govern"  for  y°  time  being  and  wee  doe  hereby  Strictly  order  &  Com- 
mand all  y°  Inhabitants  of  y"  s'^  Townes  to  obey  &  Execute  all  such  LawfuU  Orders  &  Constitu- 
tions, as  shall  be  made  by  y""  Schout  &  Magistrates  for  y"  welvare  of  y'^  s*  Respective  Townes  & 
he  Inhabitants  thereof.     Dated  Ut  supra,  Sept.  1,  1673. 


Renewal  of  the  Peace  with  the   Hackensack  Indians. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Hon'"^  Commanders  and  the  Council  of  War  held 
the  13">  of  September  1673. 

r  Jacoi  Benches  ) 

Present  -j  Cornelis  Evertsen,  the  Younger    C 
[Capt.  Anthony  Colve 

The  Sachems  and  Chiefs  of  the  Mackensach  Indians  with  about  twenty  savages  requested 
admittance  and  appearing  before  the  Council  stated,  that  they  had  been  sent  by  the  re- 
mainder of  their  people,  to  ask  the  Commanders,  that  they  might  continue  to  live  in  peace  with 
the  Dutch,  as  they  had  done  in  former  times  ;  they  declare,  that  on  their  part  they  are  very  desir- 
ous of  doing  so  and  in  token  thereof  about  twenty  dressed  deerskins,  two  or  three  pieces  of  beaver 
and  a  string  of  wampum  were  given  by  them  as  a  present. 

They  were  told,  that  their  presents  and  propositions  were  accepted  and  that  they  should  con- 
sider the  Government  here  their  good  friends  as  formerly.  In  confirmation  thereof  a  present  was 
made  to  them  in  return  of  6J  dosyntjes  of  cloth,  12  pairs  of  woolen  socks  and  five  handfuUs  of 
powder,  for  which  they  gave  their  most  cordial  thanks  and  retired. 


Census  of  the  several  towns  m  New  Jersey. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the   Hon"'"  Commanders  and  the  Council  of  "War 
held  the  14'">  of  Sept.  1673. 

Capt.  Knyf  and  Lieutenant  Siiel,  having  returned  yesterday  from  the  country  behind  the 
Coll,  report,  that  in  pursuance  of  their  commission  they  have  administered  the  oath  as  prescribed 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages,  named  below,  and  have  found  the  population  to  be  as  follows, 
according  to  the  lists  delivered  to  them. 

Eltzaheth  Town,  population  80  heads,  of  whom  76  have  taken  the  oath,  the  others  were 
absent. 

New  WorTi,  pop.  86,  of  whom  75  took  the  oath,  the  others  absent. 

Woodbridge,  pop.  51  heads,  who  all  took  the  oath,  except  one,  absent. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  477 

Piscataway,  pop.  43  heads ;  all  took  the  oath. 

Middletown,  pop.  60  heads ;  52  took  the  oath,  the  rest  were  absent. 

Shrewsburi/,  pop.  68  heads ;  38  took  the  oath,  18  being  Quakers,  promised  allegiance,  tlie 
rest  were  absent. 


Minute  of  the  Depabtdee  of  Mohawk  Chiefs  from  New  Yoek.     Schenectady  Affairs. 

At  a  Meeting  etc  held  Septbr.  18"",  1673. 

The  Sachems  and  Chiefs  of  the  Moliawks  appeared  before  the  Council,  having  come  hither, 
to  view  the  naval  force  under  the  Commanders  and  to  report  thereon ;  they  now  request  leave  to 
return,  which  is  granted  and  a  present  of  8  dozens  of  handkerchiefs,  6  pairs  of  woolen  socks,  3 
cartridges  of  powder  and  3  guns  is  given  to  them. 

The  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Schenectady  was  taken  up  and  read,  they  ask  in  substance, 
that  the  privileges  and  liberties  given  and  granted  to  them  by  the  late  Governor  Stuyvesant  be 
confirmed.     It  is  ordered. 

The  petitioners  have  our  consent  and  permission,  to  enjoy  their  former  privileges  and  liber- 
ties, provided  the  same  have  not  subsequently  been  countermanded  by  the  said  Governor  Stuy- 
vesant and  Council. 


Order  to  the  Magisteates  of  the  Villages   in  the  Nevesinks  in  eegaed  to 
approaching  ships  and  foe  a  new  election  of  officers  at  Sheewsbuet. 
****** 

A  letter  was  written  to-day  to  the  Magistrates  of  the  villages,  lying  in  the  JSfevesinks  on  the 
sea-coast  to  direct  that  they  and  their  inhabitants  should  speedily  inform  the  Governor  General  of 
the  arrival  of  any  ship  from  sea. 

Whereas  the  Late  Chosen  Magistrates  ofE  Shroushwy  are  found  to  be  Persons,  whoes  Re- 
ligion will  not  Suffer  them  to  take  any  oath  or  administer  the  same  to  others,  wherefore  they  can 
Nott  be  fitt  Persons  for  that  office.  I  have  therefore  thought  fitt,  to  order  that  by  y"  e^  Inhabitants 
off  y^  s''  Towne  a  New  Nomination  shall  be  made  off  four  Persons  off  the  true  Protestant  Christian 
religion,  out  off  which  I  shal  Elect  two  and  Continue  one  off  y''  former  for  Magestrates  of  y*"  s,^ 
Towne.     Dated  &it  ffort  Willem  Hendrich  this  29"'  7tember  1673. 

Signed.         A.  Colve. 


Lettee  from  Goveenoe  Colve  to  Schout  John  Ogden  at  Elizabeth  N.  J.  on 
Indian  Affairs  ;  seizure  of  Gov"  Carterets  peopeety  in  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  John  Ogden: 

Yesterday  I  sent  you  y''  Instructions  by  y°  way  of  N'ew  Worke.  Since  that  time  I  received 
y"  of  y^  29""  of  Septb^  last  and  vnderstood  out  of  y°  same  y°  proceedings  of  your  people  with  y^ 
Indians,  of  w'^'"  I  do  wel  approve  and  according  to  your  desire  I  wil  alsoe  Endeavour  that  Satis- 
faction may  be  given  by  j"  Indians  to  y^  owners,  to  w'^''  End  I  have  once  more  thought  fitt,  that 
y""  Indian  Sachem  bo  summoned  to  appeare  before  me  to  give  me  satisfaction  about  it  and  that  y^ 


478  •  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River: 

Messenger  doth  signify  to  him,  that  I  do  much  wonder  that  all  j"  Cheife  Sachems  hereabouts,  as 
also  tliose  of  y'=  Mohacks  have  bene  here  to  present  themselves  unto  me  and  that  he  onh'  Kemains 
Defective  therein  :  wherefore  I  would  willingly  speake  w'^  him  to  know  y''  Eeason  and  that  I 
promise  him  &  his  Company  freely  to  Passe  &,  Kepas  without  any  Molestation  you  may  alsoe  give 
order  what  goods  he  hath  Tendred  or  yett  shall  Tender  to  Restore  y"  People  may  Receive  from 
him  and  lett  an  acco'  be  sent  me  what  y"*  loss  may  be  of  y''  goods,  w'^''  still  are  wanting.  Tou  are 
also  required  to  send  hither  by  y"  first  opportunity  the  armes  &  other  goods  according  to  Inventory 
formerly  belonging  to  y*'  late  Govern"  Carterett  and  to  Caiise  this  Inclosed  order  of  arrest  to  be 
published  in  your  severall  Townes  and  to  order  y^  several!  Clarkes  to  returne  an  ^cco'  thereof 
unto  yon  for  to  be  presented  unto  me.  And  lett  Mr.  Hopkins  Examin  uppon  what  Conditions 
y''  Tennants  are  seated  uppon  the  plantations  of  Capt.  Carterett  and  ace'  thereof  Returned  unto 
me.     Not  Else  att  Present,  but  that  I  am 

Dated  Aiffort  Willem  •  Your  loving  fEriend 

Hetidrick,  14'"  Oct.  1673.  (Signed)  A.  Colve. 


Order  in  Council  on  the  Pttrchase  of  Indian  Lands  in  New-Jersey  and  on 
THE  Trade  to  the  Esopus 

At  a  Meeting  in  Fort  Willem  Hendrich  etc,  Thursday  the  8""  of  March  1674. 
Received  and  read  the  petition  of  BartholoTneus  Ajojilegadt,  Thomas  Applcgadt  and  Richard 
Sadler  requesting  permission  to  purchase  from  the  Indians  a  parcel  of  land,  situate  about  two 
Dutch  leagues  on  the  other  side  of  the  village  of  Middletown  towards  the  Nevesings  and  suitable 
to  settle  6  or  8  families  thereon.     It  is  ordered. 

The  petitioners'  request  is  granted  on  the  condition,  that  after  having  purchased  the  land, 
they  shall  obtain  proper  patents  tlierefor  and  actually  settle  it  within  two  years  on  pain  of  confis- 
cation.    Date  as  above. 

****** 

Whereas  several  skippers  and  boatmen  have  requested  permission  to  sail  with  their  sloops 
to  the  Fsojnis  and  Willemstadt* ,  which  would  deprive  this  city,  we  fear,  of  sloops  and  weaken  the 
population,  therefore  in  order  to  prevent  this,  the  authorities  of  this  city  are  directed  to  summon 
before  them  all  skippers  and  masters  of  boats  and  inform  the  same,  that  not  more  than  two  yachts 
may  go  to  Willemstadt  and  Esopxos  and  one  to  the  Southriver,  the  same  to  be  designated  in  turn 
by  lot,  also  that  they  must  not  take  from  here  any  passenger  unprovided  with  a  passport ;  for 
thus  it  has  been  decided  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  this  city.     Date  as  above. 


Council  Minute.     Order  approving  an  Ordinance  made  by  Middletown.     In- 
dian Claim  on  Secaucus  Island,  N.   J. 
****** 

A  certain  ordinance  was  handed  in  on  behalf  of  the  Magistrates  of  Middletown^  directing 
that  no  inhabitant  should  be  allowed  to  leave  their  village  unless  he  gave  bail  to  return,  as  soon 
as  he  had  done  his  business  or  unless  he  was  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  place  etc.     They  ask 

*  Albany,  N.  T. 


New  York  Historical  Records. 


479 


for  its  approval  by  his  Honor,  the  Governor-General.  The  ordinance  having  been  read  and 
considered  the  Governor  and  Council  order :  No  inhabitant  can  be  prevented  from  changing  his 
residence  within  this  province,  unless  he  is  arrested  for  lawful  reasons  :  but  no  resident  of  the 
village  of  Middletoion  shall  be  allowed  to  leave  without  having  first  given  notice  of  it  to  the 
Magistrates. 

The  Councillors,  Messrs  Cornells  Steenwych  and  Cornelis  van  Rnyven  have  to-day  heard,  by 
order  of  the  Governor,  the  claims  made  by  some  savages,  that  Sicakus,  a  smaU  island  lying  back 
of  Bergen,  had  not  been  sold,  but  only  Espating  and  its  dependencies  and  that  they  were  now  re- 
proached by  the  other  savages  for  having  sold  laud,  which  did  not  belong  to  them.  The  contract 
of  sale  was  thereupon  examined  and  after  liearing  further  debates,  it  was  found,  that  the  said  island 
was  included  in  the  sale  made  in  January  1658,  but  not  in  the  sale  of  Espating.  After  Saartie 
van  Horsim  had  interpreted  and  explained  the  matter  to  them,  they  said,  they  had  not  known  it 
and  represent,  that  they  were  now  entitled  to  have  an  anker  of  rum,  which  the  parties  in  interest 
agreed  to  give  them  to  avoid  further  trouble.     Date  as  above. 


Peopositions  of  the  Mohawks  to  Governor  Colve  and  his  answer. 

Propositions  made  to  his  Honor,  the  Governor 
General  of  New-Neiherland  by  the  Mohawk 
Chiefs  from  the  two  nearest  Castles,  situate 
above  Fort  Nassau*  and  called,  the  first  Kaghe- 
newage  and  the  second  Kanagaro,  interpreted 
by  Jan  Jansen  Bleycker  and  Hendrick  Lans- 
ing. 


Answers  by  his  Honor,  the  Governor : 

To  the  first.  Whereas  they  say  they  come  here 

as  to  brothers,  who  are  of  their  own  flesh  and 

blood,  we  receive  and  welcome  them  as  such 

and 


His  Honor  has  been  well  pleased  by  the  re- 
newal of  the  covenant  at  Nassau  last  fall  and 
he  will  take  care  that  the  Dutch  shall  duly  ob- 
serve it. 

3 
They  are  thanked  for  their  offer  to  assist  the 
Dutch  against  the  French  and  other  enemies 
and  a  promise  is  given  that  they  shall  in  like 
manner  be  protected  against  invasion  by  their 
enemies. 

♦Albany, 


First  they  say,  they  have  come  here  as  to  their 
brothers,  as  the  Dutch  at  Nassau  and  here 
have  always  been  of  one  flesh  with  them  and 
they  give  notice  that  they  are  going  to  four 
nations  to  renew  their  peace.  They  give  a 
string  of  wampum. 

2 
They  say,  last  fall  they  have  made  a  new  cove- 
nant with  tlie  Dutch  at  Nassau,  they  come 
now  to  confirm  it  and  give  a  string  of  wampum. 


They  say,  that  if  the  French  should  come  as 
rumor  has  it,  to  attack  the  Dutch,  they  will 
march  out  with  the  Dutch  and  live  and  die 
with  them.     A  string  of  wampum. 

N.  T. 


480                               Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

4  4 

The  answer  given  is,  that  his  Honor,  the  Gov-  They  express  their  pleasure  seeing,  that  his 

ernor,  has  built  this  fort  and  fortifications  ex-  Honor,  the   Governor,  has  built  such  a  strong 

pressly  with  a  view  to  keep  off  all  enemies,  yet  fort  here  and  hope  that  this  country  shall  be 

he   is  grateful   for  their   affection   and  good  defended  by  him  against  all  enemies  and  that 

wishes.  no  other  nation  will  again  become  master  of 

it.     They  give  a  string  of  wampum. 

5  5 

Whereas  they  are  sent  out  and  are  going  to  They  say,  they  were  sent  out  to  some  other 

some  other  nations,  his  Honor,  the  Governor,  nations  to  renew  their  covenants  and  intend  to 

wishes  them  a  happy  journey  and  good  sue-  pass  througli  here  on  their  return,   therefore 

cess  in  the  renewal  of  their  covenants   with  they  ask  permission  to  come  and  give  a  string 

these  nations :  they  have  permission  to  come  of  wampum, 
here  on  their  return. 

6  6 

His  Honor,  the  Governor,  believes  that  when  They  say,  that  at  Nassau  they  had  asked  to  be 

they  came  down,  there  was  no  yacht  at  Wil-  brought  down  in  a  yacht,  but  at  the  time  there 

letnstadt  to  bring  them  here,  but  after  having  was  none  at  Nassau  and  as  they  are  old  men 

done  their  business  with  the  other  nations  and  they  request,  that  upon  their  return  they  may 

returned  here,  they  shall  receive  a  token   of  be  taken  up  the  river  in  a  yacht, 
his  friendship  and  be  taken  up  to  Willemstadt 
without  expense. 

Done  at  Fort  Willem  Hendrick  in  NewNetherland,  May  22*,  1674. 


FUETHEE  TeAJSTSACTIONS  WITH  THE  MoHAWKS. 

At  a  meeting  in  Foj't  Willem  Hendrick,  held  by  his  Honor  the  Governor  General 
Anthony  Colve  and  the  Council  of  War,  June  5"",  1674. 

The  Maquaes  Sachems,  who  left  here  on  the  22''  of  May  last  past,  retm-ned  and  appeared 
to-day  before  the  Council,  requesting,  that  they  might  now  be  taken  in  a  yacht  to  Fort  Nassau, 
as  they  had  been  promised.  They  ask  further,  that,  as  for  some  time  past  neither  they  nor  all 
other  savages  have  been  allowed  to  remain  over  night  at  Willemstadt,  this  privilege  might  be 
given  to  them,  they  being  the  brothers  of  the  Dutch,  also  that  some  orders  concerning  trade 
might  be  made,  so  that  they  could  buy  as  formerly  a  duffel  coat  for  one  beaver  and  a]l  other  goods 
in  proportion.  Lastly  they  promise  to  remain  faithful  to  the  Dutch,  their  brothers,  for  all  times 
and  say,  that  in  order  to  increase  their  strength  and  power  to  resist  all  enemies,  they  have  drawn 
theu'  three  castles  into  one.     They  give  hereupon  two  strings  of  wampum. 

His  Honor,  the  Governor,  answered,  that  according  to  promise  they  should  be  taken  to  Wil- 
lem^tadt  by  the  first  yacht  going  up  the  river  and  he  gave  them  a  letter,  du-ecting  the  Commis- 
saries to  show  to  the  Maquaes,  as  the  brothers  of  the  Dutch,  all  possible  favor.  As  to  the  high 
price  of  goods,  he  said,  the  same  was  caused  by  the  long  and  wearisome  wars  in  Europe,  but  as 
soon  as  peace  was  reestablished  and  the  Dutch  can  ship  lai-ge  quantities  of  goods  from  the  Father- 
land, then  they  will  sell  them  as  cheap  to  the  Maquaes,  their  brothers,  as  possible.  Three  duffel 
coats,  two  packages  of  gunpowder,  about  20  pounds  of  lead,  one  pair  of  socks  and  a  hat  was  then 
given  them  as  a  present  and  highly  satisfied  they  left. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  481 

Lettee  from  Goveknoe  Colve  to  Isaac  Grevenbaedt  Schout  at  Esopus,  direct- 
ing HTM  TO  SURRENDER  THAT  PLACE  TO  THE  EngLISH.    (Novbr.  10,  1674.) 

(See  N.  T.  Doc.  History  III,  p.  77) 


An  Ord".  of  Attachment  on  Goveeno"  Lovelaces  Estate,  on  Staten-Island. 

Whereas  I  Lave  received  particular  directions  and  Order  from  his  Royall  Higlinesse,  to  inform 
myselfe  what  Estate,  reall  or  personal!,  there  is  in  these  Parts,  belonging  to  Colonell  Francis 
Lovelace,  late  Governo"'  here,  and  to  possesse  myselfe  of  the  same,  in  his  Eoyall  Highnesse  name 
and  to  his  use :  These  are  in  his  Ma'''^^  name  to  will  and  require  you,  forthwith  to  lay  at  Attach- 
ment upon  the  Houses  and  Planta9on  upon  Stat£ri-Islaiul,  lately  belonging  to  Colonell  Francis 
Lovelace,  as  also  upon  the  Water  Mill  sett  up  by  him,  and  Lands  there  unto  appertaining,  to- 
gether with  the  Horses  and  Cattle  which  may  be  found  upon  the  said  Island,  or  any  other  Goods 
there,  of  the  said  Coll.  Lovelaces,  the  which  shall  bee  prosecuted  by  due  course  of  Law,  on  behalfe 
of  his  Royall  Highnesse,  against  the  said  Coll.  Lovelace,  for  Moneys  and  Arrearages  of  Moneys 
or  Goods,  due  unto  his  Royall  Highnesse ;  And  for  so  doing,  this  shall  be  yo'  Warrant,  Given 
under  my  hand  &  Seale  in  Ifew  YorTc,  the  12""  day  of  November,  in  the  26""  yeare  of  his  Ma"'^ 
Reigne,  Annoque,  Domini,  1674. 

E.  Andros. 
To  M''  Thomas  Walton,  Constable  upon  Staten-Island,  who  is  lo  make  retume  of  the  Service  of 

this  Attachment,  at  the  next  Court  of  Sessions,  to  be  held  at  Gravesend. 


PETmON  OF  JiTEIAN  ThEUNISSEN  AND  OTHERS    FOE    PeEMISSION    TO    PUECHASE    InDLAN 

Lands  at  Katskil. 

To  the  Honorable  Schout  and  Commissaries  of  Alhany,  Hensselaerwych  etc 

Show  with  due  reverence  Jurian  Theunissen,  Herman  van  Gansevocrrt  and  Gerrit  Theunissen, 
that  they,  the  petitioners,  are  desirous  of  purchasing  some  lands  in  Katskil,  the  refusal  of  which 
the  Indians,  who  are  very  wiUing  to  sell,  have  already  given  them  and  considering  the  difficulty  to 
earn  a  living  by  trade  or  a  profession,  they  intend  to  settle  there  themselves  with  their  families 
and  cultivate  and  plant  the  said  lands.  The  petitioners  therefore  humbly  request  and  pray,  to 
have  liberty  given  them,  to  purchase  the  said  lands,  promising  to  submit  to  all  such  orders,  as  are 
made  in  such  cases.     Awaiting  a  favorable  reply  etc  they  are 

Tom'  Honors'  well-inclined  subjects 

Jtjei  Jan  Teijnissen 
Hakmen  Harmense  Gansevooet 
The  mark  of    \^    Geeeit  Theunissen 
made  by        /J\       himself 
{In  margine :)  The   Court   refers  the  petitioners   to  his  Honor,  the  Governor-General  of  Wew 
York;  if  his  Honor  gives  them  the  desired  liberty,   this  Court  has  no  objection  to  it. 
Alhany,  December  17*  1674.     By  order  of  the  Court 

Johannes  Provoost,  Secretary. 
61 


482  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Miver. 

The  Govern'  doth  consent  vnto  &  allow  of  the  within  written  purchase,  Provided  the  Pur- 
ehas'''  doe  forthwith  settle  it  as  they  ought  &  not  hinder  others  by  having  greater  Quantityes, 
then  they  can  improve. 


A  Letter  sent  to  the  iNHAsrrANTS  of  Hurley  and  Marbleton. 
Gent. 

I  received  yo'  Letters  and  addresses  of  the  4"'  of  January,  and  shall  not  bee  wanting  in  main- 
taining every  ones  just  Rights  and  Priviledges,  But  thinke  I  had  suiBciently  Authorized  Capt. 
Thornas  Chambers  as  Justice,  and  Mr.  George  Hall  as  Schout  in  your  Towne,  as  well  as  Kings- 
ton '  Nor  do  I  finde  upon  due  exaniinapon,  any  ground  for  yo'  late  Scruples  or  Actings ;  How- 
ever I  haverein  forc't  my  former  Orders,  to  the  which  I  do  expect  a  punctuall  obedience,  for  his 
Royall  Highnesse  service,  and  the  good  of  all  the  Inhabitants,  and  that  you  beware  of  any  Partyes, 
factions  or  discontents,  amongst  you,  which  I  shall  in  no  ways  Suffer.  When  I  come  up  (which 
I  hope  will  bee  this  Summer)  I  shall  give  further  Orders,  in  what  may  bee  then  necessary,     I  am 

New  York,  January  Yo'  affectionate  ffriend 

11"'  1071^5  E.  Anueos. 


A  Letter  written  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Kingston  at  Esopus. 
Gent. 

I  received  yo''  of  the  2d  instant,  that  all  things  are  well  and  quiet  in  yo'  Towne,  I  thank 
you  for  yo'  care  therein ;  I  thinke  the  Magistrates  being  discharged  from  their  Oathes,  is  a  Suffi- 
cient discharge  for  all  others  in  yo''  Towne ;  However,  if  yo"  thinke  it  necessary,  you  may  appoint 
a  Generall  Towne  meeting  where  M''  Greveraet  according  to  Orders,  may  declare  it  to  them  all ; 
As  to  the  Militia,  I  have  appointed  Capt.  Thomas  Chambers,  to  Command  till  further  Order ; 
For  the  Peace  you  mention  with  the  Indyans,  you  will  do  well  to  renew  it,  as  hath  been  Custom- 
ary formerly  :  I  do  intend  to  see  you  this  Summer,  and  give  all  necessary  Orders  for  yo"'  future 
good  Settlement.  I  do  againe  recommend  unto  you,  the  carefull  exercize  of  yo"'  Charge,  and  shall 
bee  ready  upon  all  opportunities  for  yo"'  welfare,  to  testify  my  being 

NewYorh,  January  Yo"  affectionate  ffriend 

12"'  167i-5  E.  Andeos. 


Indian  Deed  foe  Land  m  Greene  Cohntt. 
(Fort  Orange  Records.     Vol.  Deeds  3.) 
Before  me,  Johannes  Provoost  etc,  appeared  an  Indian,  by  the  Dutch  commonly  called  Scher- 
merhoor?i,  who  in  his  own  behalf  and  specially  authorized  by  another  Indian,  named  Siachemoes, 
declared  in  the  presence  of  the  Hon"'^  Mr.  Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst  and  Adrian  Gerritsen,  Com- 
missaries, that  he  cedes,  transfers  and  conveys  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  Jan  Bronh,  his  heirs  and 
successors  a  certain  piece  of  land  at  Katskil  on  the  northside  of  the  Kil,  called  by  the  Indians 
Paslcaecq,  lying  under  a  hill  to  the  "West  of  it.     Etc  etc. 
Done  at  Albany  the  25"*  January  1671:-5 

Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst  This  is  the  mark   (3-Tl  f)   of  the  Indian. 

Ad?-ian  GeiTetsen  called  Schekmeehooen 

In  my  presence 

Johannes  Peovoost  Secr'' 


New   Yorh  Historical  Recwds.  483 

The  Order  for  keeping  the  Court  at  Fordhaji. 

The    Governo'  having  given  Permission,  that  the  iisuall  Coiu-t  of  the  Mannor,  should  be  held 

at  Fordhmn,  according  to  the  Pri\iledges  of  the  Patents,  and  former  Practise,  It  is  Agreed  upon, 

that  the  Court  sliall  be  kept  at  M'.  Archers  House,  on  Wednesday  come  senight  next,  being  the 

3"  day  of  March,  of  which  you  are  to  give  notice  to  all  Persons  concerned,  who  may  have  businesse 

there ;  Dated  at  jSlew  Tarlce,  the  18'"  day  of  ffebruary,  1674-5. 

r.,    -.,     ^.  ,;.  ^        ^  JVIatthias  NicoLLs  Seer. 

To  M'.  Rvih^  Gage,  Constable  of  ffordham. 


Council  Minute.     Iiojian  Affairs. 

At  a  Coimcell  Aprill  IG"-,  1675. 
Present  ■ 

The  Governo""  Mr.  Laurence 

The  Secretary  Capt.  TF™  Dyre. 

The  letters  from  y"  Commissaryes  at  AThamy  and  Propositions  from  the  Maques  Indians  to 
them  w"*  the  Answer  being  taken  into  Considerapon 

Resolved,  That  y"  Maques  Indyans  bee  encouraged  in  their  Loyallty  &  friendship  to  y" 
English  &  y"  French  to  bee  sent  to,  not  to  molest  them  without  Cause  and  forthwith  to  release 
any  Hostages  they  may  have  of  theirs ;  Engageing  to  interpose  or  help  (for  due  satisfaction  to  bee 
given  from  y*  Maques  to  the  French)  upon  all  just  occasions  requiring.  The  ffrench  Governo"' 
promising  the  like  for  y"^  Natives  in  their  Limitts. 

That  y"  Jesuit  or  other  French  resideing  with  the  Maques  bee  sent  for  to  y^  Governo''  at  his 
Arrivall  at  Albany,  to  give  an  Ace'  of  his  bemg  &  Actings  in  those  parts  and  if  to  Continue,  to 
give  such  Assurance,  as  is  proper,  for  his  future  Comport. 


A  Letter  sent  by  the  Governo"  to  the  Commissartes  and  Schout  of  Axbant, 
Aprill  the  19^",  1675. 
Gent. 

I  have  received  yo'''  of  the  8""  instant,  together  with  the  inclosed  Copyes  of  the  Maques 
Indyans  Proposigons  and  desires,  of  a  continued  ffriendship ;  To  which  (as  you  have  already  told 
them)  I  shall  give  effectuall  Answers,  when  I  come  up;  which  will  he  about  the  beginning  of 
June,  upon  my  returne  from  Delaware,  where  I  am  now  preparing  to  go ;  In  the  meane  time  (as 
you  may  have  occasion  and  thinke  it  necessary)  you  may  further  let  the  Maques  Indyans  know, 
and  assure  them,  that  if  they  bee  not  wanting  themselves,  I  shall  not  on  my  part,  in  continuance 
of  the  ffriendship,  hath  been  liitherto  w"'  them,  and  also  Interposing  \vith  the  ffrench,  or  any  other 
Neighbour,  in  any  just  matter,  nor  shall  suffer  any  to  come  to  Fsoqnis,  Albany  and  Precincte,  or 
any  other  his  Eoyall  Highnesse  Territoryes,  for  the  Prosecution  of  any  Indyans,  under  the  Pro- 
tec9on  of  this  Government :  And  so  I  jiray  be  not  wanting  on  yo''  Parte  in  taking  Care  that  all 
Indyans  have  faire  and  just  dealings  in  yo^  Jurisdicyon  till  my  arrivall.     I  am  Gent. 

Yo'  affectionate  ffriend, 

E.  Andros. 


484  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

A  Letter  to  Capt.  Chambees  and  George  Hall  of  the  24^"  Apeill,  1675. 
Gent. 

Heer  having  been  a  late  report  of  the  Murther  of  two  Christians  about  the  S'**  day  of  this 
Moneth,  between  the  JS'evisans  and  Delmvare  River,  of  the  which  the  Governo"'  was  yesterday- 
advertized  by  L'"^  from  thence,  sent  hither  expresse;  And  the  South  Indyans  of  those  parts, 
having  been  lately  somewhat  troublesome  to  Strangers,  and  have  refused  to  deliver  up  the  Mur- 
derers of  those  two  other  Christians,  killed  by  them  the  last  yeare,  as  they  were  Travelling  this 
way,  upon  p''tence  of  two  of  theirs  being  killed,  which  wee  finde  to  bee  no  other  then  by  accident 
and  through  their  occasion,  I  am  Ordered  by  the  Governo''  to  give  you  notice  thereof,  and  the 
rather  for  that  its  also  represented  to  his  Hono'',  that  the  Sojpez  Indyans  are  in  Combina9on  with 
them,  the  truth  of  which  latter  report,  you  are  desired  forthwith  to  make  inquiry  into,  and  know 
of  them  whether  they  will  concerne  themselves  with  them,  m  case  we  should  be  obliged  to  use 
force,  to  bring  them  to  Heason,  and  to  retm-ne  Answer  thereof  to  the  Governo''  by  the  first  con- 
venience, or  by  expresse,  if  you  shall  finde  occasion ;  The  Governo'  did  on  the  20"'  instant  make 
a  Peace  with  three  Sachems  of  y*  Nevisans  and  adjoyning,  having  about  30  in  company  with 
them;  And  they  did  also  engage,  that  they  would  neither  assist,  Harbo'  or  have  any  thing  to  do 
with  their  Neighbo''Mo  the  Southward,  or  any  others  that  might  bee  our  Enemyes;  The  Gov- 
erno'' is  resolved  for  Delaware,  either  this  day  senight,  or  Monday  following,  accompanyed  with 
40,  or  50  men :  As  to  a  Message  you  may  have  had  from  Albany,  of  the  ffrench  menacing  yo' 
Indyans,  the  Governo''  hath  writ  to  Albany,  That  hee  will  not  suffer  the  prosecution  of  any 
Indyans,  within  his  Koyall  Highnesse  Territoryes,  whilst  they  shall  continue  under  the  Protection 
of  this  Governm' ;  But  if  there  shall  bee  occasion,  will  bee  willing  to  interpose  in  any  Just  matter. 
This  is  all  at  p'"sent  from     Gent. 

Yo''  most  humble  Serv"^ 
New  York  April  the  24,  1675.  Matthias  Nicolls. 


A  PEOCLAMA90N  about  tue  Indyans  and  making  of  Block  Houses. 

Whereas  there  hath  lately  been  severall  Reports,  or  rumours  spread,  of  the  Indyans  Evill 
and  mischevous  intents  and  readynesse,  to  execute  it  against  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Government, 
particularly  long  Islmid,  which  hath  very  much  disturbed  the  mindes  and  the  Lawf  ull  occupa9ons 
of  his  Ma"''^  Subjects  in  the  same ;  And  Avliere  as  upon  a  strict  Examina9on,  there  appeares  no 
Evidence  or  cause  for  such  reports,  but  the  contrary ;  These  are  therefore  by  the  Advice  of  my 
Councell,  in  his  Ma"'''  name,  to  require  and  charge,  all  his  Ma""'  Subjects,  of  this  Government. 
Christians  and  Indyans,  that  shall  know  or  heare  any  thing,  of  such  a  Publicke  nature,  forthwith 
to  repaire  and  give  a  full  Pela9an  thereof,  to  the  next  Magistrate,  or  Cheife  Ofiicer,  And  the  said 
Magistrate  or  Officer,  to  take  the  Examina9on  and  give  necessary  Orders  or  notice,  and  send  mee 
a  present  Account  there  of  as  the  thing  may  require. 

And  where  as  it  is  necessary  to  keep  watch  and  ward.  All  Magistrates  and  Officers,  of  the 
severall  Townes  &  places  within  this  Government,  are  hereby  required  to  see  y'^  same  continued, 
and  punctually  performed  ;  And  where  there  is  not  a  Block  House,  or  some  Stockadoed  or  Palisa- 
doed  House  or  Place,  That  there  bee  one  forthwith  fitted,  in  the  most  convenient  place,  in  each 
respective  Towne,  for  a  Retreat  to  the  women  and  children ;  Into  which,  our  ludyan  women  and 
Children,  to  bee  also  received  &  Protected,  if  they  desire  it ;  And  that  all  our  Indyans  bee 
friendly  treated,  and  have  equall  Justice,  according  to  Law ;  Of  which,  all  Persons  are  to  take 


New   York  Historical  Records.  485 

notice,  and  conforme  themselves  tliere  unto  accordingly,  as  they  and  every  one  of  them  will  Answer 
the  contrary,  at  their  utmost  Perille :  Given  under  my  hand  in  New  Yorke,  this  16""  day  of 
Sept,  in  the  27""  yeare  of  his  Ma"*^  Keigne,  Annoque  Domini,  1675. 

E.  Andeos.  S. 
To  the  Mayo'  and  Aldermen  of  this  City  &c. 


Council  Minute.     Encouragement  of  immigeation  :  Staten  Island  Land  Matters. 

At  a  Councell  August  5"»  1675. 
Present ;  The  Governo"',  The  Secretary,  Mr.  J.  Lawrence,  Capt.  Brochholes,  Capt.  Dyre. 

Upon  a  proposall  to  give  publicli  Notice,  what  Encouragement  will  bee  given  to  persons,  y' 
shall  come  out  of  Europe  hither  to  inhabit  &  plant  in  this  his  Koyall  Highnesses  Province. 

Resolved,  That  every  Freeman  shall  have  for  himself  y^  Propor9on  of  60  Acres  of  Land  of 
Inheritance  &  for  his  wife  and  every  child  50  Acres  per  head  and  every  working  servant,  that 
shall  be  brought  over,  shall  have  each  of  them  50  Acres  after  the  Expira9on  of  then-  service 
according  to  y"  Custome  of  the  Country. 

A  Copie  of  this  was  sent  for  England  by  George  Jleathcott.     ' 

Staten  Island  businesse  taken  into  Considera9on. 

Ordered  that  each  Lott  of  New  Land  upon  Staten  Island  after  3  years,  shall  pay  4  bushels  of 
good  wheate,  encluding  Commonage  &  Meadow.  The  old  Lotts  to  bee  free  from  any  paym',  but 
what  shall  bee  added  to  them  of  new  to  pay  propor9onably. 

Ordered,  That  all  persons,  who  have  Warr'"  for  Land  upon  Staten-Island  doe  make  applica- 
gon  to  y"  Sxirveyo''  to  have  their  Lands  laid  out  in  six  weeks  time  after  y°  Date  hereof  and  y" 
Survey  to  bee  returned  into  y''  Secretaryes  office  iu  the  Fort,  in  Order  to  their  taking  out  Patents 
for  y''  same,  otherwise  y''  Warr'^  to  bee  voyde. 

That  eight  rod  be  layd  out  for  a  Highway  for  Outdrifts  and  by  y"  Sea  Side  six  Lotts  to 
joyne  together. 

Ordered,  That  all  improveable  Uplands  being  layd  out,  the  Meadow  ground  to  be  layd  out 
next  proportionably. 

That  somewhat  of  Improvem'  be  made  by  each  person  in  one  yeare,  an  Improvement  accord- 
ing to  Law  in  three. 

The  Neck  of  Land  Capt.  Billopp  is  upon,  is  judged  to  bee  about  1300  Acres. 

Ordered,  That  he  have  the  whole  Neck  allowing  halfe  to  be  divided  into  Lotts,  y^  rest  to  be 
allowed  for  Commonage,  so  to  be  entyre  unto  him,  but  then  he  to  have  no  Commonage  upon  y'= 
rest  of  y''  Island ;  —  That  a  Survey  thereof  be  made  to  know  the  true  Extent. 


By  the  Governo".     Instructions  for  the  Commissartes   of  Schanectade. 

1  You  are  to  keep  Court,  the  second  Tuesday  in  every  Moneth,  and  oftner  (if  there  be  occasion) 
to  which  all  Persons  are  to  have  free  accesse,  and  all  Cases  to  be  heard  and  determined  Publickly 
and  impartially. 

2  You  are  to  Act  in  the  Administra90u  of  Justice,  according  to  Law  and  former  Pi-actice,  not 


486  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Kepugnant  to  the  Laws  of  the  Government,  and  to  determine  definitively,  to  the  vahie  of  40 
Gilders  Beavers ;  Above  which,  to  admitt  an  Appeale  to  the  Court  at  Albany,  and  in  Crime,  you 
are  to  Judge  as  farre  as  putting  in  the  Stocks,  or  ffine,  not  exceeding  fforty  Guilders  Beaver. 
3.  Tou  are  Authorized  to  make  necessary  prudenciall  Ord",  or  by  Lawes,  which  are  to  bee  ob- 
served, but  presently  sent  to  the  Comander  at  Albany  ;  And  if  not  otherwise  determined,  or  dis- 
approved, to  bee  of  fforce,  till  the  next  Gen''"  Court,  when  (if  not  confirmed)  to  bee  void,  if  con- 
firmed to  continue  till  the  next  Gen^"  Court  after  that,  or  Order  from  the  Governo'  Gen^". 

4  You  are  not  to  make  or  Raise  any  CotisaQon  or  Taxes,  on  the  Inhabitants,  without  the  approba^on 
of  the  Govern o'  Gen''"  unless  in  Case  of  emergent  occasion  or  necessity,  with  the  knowledge  and 
consent  of  the  Commander  at  Albany ;  And  all  Taxes  or  Le^^es,  to  bee  yearly  accompted  for,  at 
the  next  Gen^"  Court,  and  then  sent  to  the  Governo'^  for  his  approba^on. 

5  The  Gen""  Court  is  to  consist  of  the  Commander  at  Albany,  and  five  or  more  of  the  com- 
missaryes  of  Albany  and  Colony  of  Renslaerswyck,  and  two  or  more,  of  the  Commissaryes  of 
Schanectady,  to  meet  and  sitt  once  a  yeare,  to  begin  the  first  Wednesday  in  Jime,  and  to  deter- 
mine all  Cases  under  five  hundred  Guild'■^ 

6  As  per  Instructions  at  Albany,  you  are  not  to  Suffer  any  Traders,  or  to  have  any  Indyan 
Trade,  for  the  Indians  in  yo''  Towne,  nor  any  Liquo''"  to  bee  sold,  but  in  the  Licensed  Houses,  which 
to  be  Limited  as  to  the  Indyane,  not  to  exceed  one  or  two  Drams,  and  Beer  to  refresh  them,  under 
Penalty  of  forfeiting  all  such  Trade  and  Drinke  in  the  Houses,  and  further  ffine  or  Punishment, 
by  you,  or  the  Court  at  AJhany,  (if  above  40  Guilders)  as  the  Case  may  deserve. 

7  The  Gen""  Com-t  is  to  Choose  yearly,  two  Commissaryes  of  Albany  and  Renslaerswyck,  and 
one  of  Schanectady,  to  go  to  Yorlce,  and  Assist  at  the  Gen""  Court  of  Assiiies  there.  Given 
under  my  hand  at  Schanectady,  this  30'"  August,  1675. 

E.  Andkos. 


CoTTNCELLS    OpnnONS    CONCERNING    CoLL.    NiCHOLLS    PATTENT   AND  InDIAN    PUEOHASES. 

The  Land  Called  N.  7ork  &  other  parts  in  America  now  called  N.  East  Jersey,  was  first 
Discovered  by  Sebastian  Cobhitt  a  Subject  of  England  in  King  Henery  y'  T"'  time  about  180 
years  Since  &  afterwards  further  by  S''.  Walter  Raleigh  in  y^  Reign  of  Queen  Elis.  and  after  him 
by  henery  Hudson  in  y''  Reign  of  Ejng  James  and  also  by  the  Lord  Delaware  &  begun  to  be 
planted  in  y''  year  1614  by  Dutch  &  English  the  Dutch  placed  a  Govemour  there  but  Upon 
Complaint  made  by  the  King  of  England  to  y"  States  of  Roland  the  s""  States  Disown'd  y"  Bisness 
&  Declared  it  was  only  a  private  Undertaking  of  y*  West  India  Company  of  Amsterdam.  So  y* 
King  of  England  Granted  a  Comison  to  S''.  Edward  Layden*  to  plant  these  parts  Calling  them 
New  Albion  &  y^  Dutch  Submited  themselves  to  y*  English  Goverm'.  but  in  King  Charles  y*  1" 
Reign  y®  troubles  in  England  breaking  forth  the  English  not  minding  to  promote  these  New 
plantations  because  of  y°  troubles  y"  Dutch  pretended  to  Establish  a  Gover'  there  again  untill.y® 
year  1660  when  afterwards  it  was  Reduc'd  under  y^  English  Goverm*  &  included  &  Ratifyed  in 
y°  peace  made  between  England  &  Holland  then  it  was  granted  to  y"  Duke  of  Yorh  1664  who 
y"  same  year  Granted  it  to  y'  L''  Barchley  &  S'  George  Cartrett  betwixt  y"  Dukes  Grant  to  y^ 
L'*  BarcTdy  <&  S"'  George  Cartrett  and  Notice  there  of  in  Atnerica  Severall  persons  took  Grants 
of  Lands  from  Coll.  Nicolls  y°  Dukes  Goven''.  Severall  of  y*  planters  have  purchased  of  y°  In- 
dians but  Befuse  to  pay  any  acknowledgment  to  y®  Kings  Grantees. 

*  Ployden,  Knight,  Earl-Palatine  of  New-Albion.     See  N.  Y.  Col.  Doc.  I.  289. 


JSfew  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  487 

Q:  1^'  Wither  y*  Grants  made  by  Coll.  Nlcolls  are  good  ag'  the  Assigns  of  y°  L''  BercMey 
&  S'^  George  Cartrett. 

Q :  2°'*  Wither  the  Grant  from  y*  Indians  be  Sufficient  to  any  planter  without  a  Grant  from 
y®  King  or  his  Assignes. 

A  us.  1^'  To  y''  first  Question  the  Authority  by  which  Coll.  Nicholls  Acted  Determined  by  y" 
Dukes  Grant  to  y"  L''  Berckly  &  S'  George  Cartrett  &  all  Grants  made  by  him  Afterwards  (tho 
according  to  y°  Comison:)  are  void  for  y®  Delegated  power  w**  Coll.  Nicolls  had  of  making 
Grantes  of  y®  Land  could  Last  no  Longer  then  his  Ma"''  Intrest  who  gave  him  y'  power  &  ye 
having  or  not  having  notice  of  y°  Dukes  Gi'ant  to  y'  Lord  Berckly  &  S'  George  Cartret  makes  no 
Difference  ia  y"^  Law  but  y''  want  of  Notice  makes  it  Great  Equity  y'  y"  present  proprit"^'  Should 
Confirm  Such  Grants  to  y"  people  who  will  Submit  to  the  Conssions  &  payments  of  the  present 
proprioters  Quitt  rents  other  wise  they  may  Look  Upon  them  as  Desseizers  &  treat  them  as  such. 

Answ.  To  the  2''  Question  by  y'^  Law  of  Nations  if  any  people  make  Discovery  of  any 
Country  of  Barbarians  the  Prince  of  y'  people  who  make  y*'  Discovery  hath  y*  Right  of  y'  Soyle 
&  Goveim'  of  y'  place  &  no  people  can  plant  there  without  y*  Consent  of  y*"  Prince  or  of  Such 
Persons  to  whom  his  Right  is  Devoulved  &  Conveyed  the  Practice  of  all  Plantations  has  been 
according  to  this  &  no  people  have  been  Suffered  to  take  up  Land  but  by  y°  Consent  &  Lyceuce 
of  y^  Gov'  or  proprietors  under  ye  princes  title  whose  people  made  y*  First  Discovery  &  Upon 
their  Subraition  to  y'^  Laws  of  y"  Place  &  Contribution  to  y"  Publick  Charge  of  the  place  &  y" 
payment  of  Such  Rent  &  other  Value  for  y"^  Soile  as  y"  Propriet"  for  y"  time  being  Require  and 
tho  it  hath  been  &  Still  is  y"^  Usuall  Practice  of  all  Propriet"  to  give  their  Indians  Some  Recom- 
pence  for  their  Land  &  So  Seems  to  Pm-chase  it  of  them  yet  y'  is  not  done  for  want  of  Sufficient 
title  from  y'  King  or  Prince  who  hath  y'  Right  of  Discovery  but  out  of  Prudence  &  Christian 
Charity  Least  otherwise  the  Indians  might  have  destroyed  y^  first  planters  (who  are  usually  to  few 
to  Defend  themselves)  or  Refuse  all  Commerce  and  Conversation  w""  }'"  planters  &  thereby  all 
hopes  of  Converting  them  to  y°  Christian  faith  would  be  Lost  in  this  the  Common  Law  of  England 
and  y"  Civill  Law  doth  agree  and  if  any  Planter  be  Refractory  &  will  Insist  on  his  Indian  Pur- 
chase and  not  Submit  to  this  Law  of  Plantations  y"  Propri'*  who  have  y"  Title  Under  y'  Prince 
may  deny  them  y°  benefit  of  y^  Law  &  Prohibitt  Comerce  with  them  as  Opposers  &  Enemys  to 
y^  Publick  peace.  Besides  tis  Observable  y'  no  man  Can  goe  from  England  to  plant  in  an  English 
Plantation  without  Leave  from  y^  Goverm'  &  therefore  in  all  Patents  &  grants  of  Plantations 
from  y"  King  a  Particular  Lycence  to  Carry  Over  Planters  is  ineerted  w""*"  Power  in  Prohibitting 
is  now  in  y*  Proprie"  As  y"  Kings  Assigns,  and  therefore  tho  Some  planters  have  purchased  from  y® 
Indians  yett  having  done  Soe  without  y®  Consent  of  y^  Propriet"  for  y"  time  being  y®  title  is 
good  against  the  Indians  but  not  against  the  Propriet"  without  a  Confirmation  from  them 
upon  the  usuall  terms  of  Other  Plantations. 

"W"  Leck  —  Jo.  Holt  — 

W"  Williams  —  W"  Thomson 

Jo.  HoLLES  —  Rich"  Wallop 

John  Hotle  Hen.  Pollexfen 

A  true  Coppy. 

Garvin  Lawkie. 
Rob'^  West 


488 


Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 


Assessment   Roll  of  West  &  East  Chester  in  1675. 


Parsons 

horses. 

Oxen. 

Cows. 

3  yr.  oW. 

2  yrs. 

lyr. 

Swine. 

land. 

Meadow. 

Sheep. 

Henry  Gardener 

1 

0 

3 

0 

3 

1 

2 

4 

8 

0 

Isaac  DUarman 

0 

0 

3 

0 

3 

1 

2 

4 

12 

0 

Will""  Shippard 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Joseph  Tailor 

1 

0 

3 

1 

0 

2 

1 

5 

6 

0 

John   Wintar 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

— 

— 

- 

John  Ginby 

4 

4 

6 

3 

3 

3 

3 

20 

23 

4 

Joseph  Palmar 

1 

2 

3 

4 

2 

3 

4 

6 

24 

6 

Samuel  Palmar 

0 

2 

2 

2 

0 

0 

3 

14 

13 

0 

Pich''  Oziufi 

1 

2 

3 

2 

2 

4 

1 

3 

12 

0 

Widow  Plat 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

2 

9 

0 

0 

Thomas  Mulcucx 

2 

8 

8 

6 

3 

6 

4 

14 

22 

10 

Ward  Hulard 

1 

2 

2 

2 

0 

1 

2 

15 

13 

2 

John  Turnar 

1 

0 

2 

0 

0 

3 

0 

5 

6 

0 

Nicies  Bayly 

0 

4 

6 

1 

3 

2 

10 

8 

15 

0 

Robt.  Huested 

1 

0 

2 

0 

2 

2 

0 

19 

17 

0 

John  Wily 

0 

0 

4 

2 

0 

1 

2 

3 

6 

0 

Tom.  Seabruch 

2 

0 

6 

3 

0 

3 

2 

5 

12 

0 

John  Firis 

2* 

4 

6 

1 

1 

6 

5 

2 

50 

10 

Timothy  Wintar 

0 

0 

3 

0 

1 

1 

1 

2 

5 

0 

Nathan  Bayly 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 

2 

0 

2 

3 

0 

James  Pyly 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

— 

— 

- 

John  HitchcocTcs 

1 

2 

1 

0 

1 

1 

3 

0 

6 

- 

Pic¥  Pontun 

1 

4 

5 

2 

0 

1 

3 

5 

18 

0 

TF™  Colard 

3 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

1 

0 

Thos  Farington 

0 

2 

4 

0 

0 

2 

0 

2 

6 

- 

TJios.  Vaill 

1 

2 

3 

2 

2 

0 

0 

6 

8 

0 

Edward  Watars 

0 

4 

4 

2 

3 

1 

3 

20 

20 

6 

Miles  0.  Kely 

0 

0 

2 

2 

0 

1 

0 

4 

4 

8 

DiricTc  Garitson 

1 

0 

1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

3 

6 

5 

Joseph  Himt 

2 

2 

5 

0 

2 

2 

2 

7 

10 

0 

John  Hunt 

0 

2 

4 

2 

2 

2 

4 

6 

8 

4 

Francis  Peats 

1 

0 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

5 

0 

0 

Considax  Wood 

1 

0 

3 

1 

4 

0 

5 

3 

12 

0 

Thos.  Hunt  S" 

3 

5 

6 

4 

6 

6 

6 

15 

30 

9 

John  Forgasonn 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

— 

— 

- 

BoV  Maning 

2 

2 

8 

6 

7 

5 

2 

6 

60 

0 

Thos.  Hunt  J^ 

1 

4 

4 

5 

4 

1 

2 

8 

20 

0 

John  Richard 

- 

- 

_ 

- 

_ 

- 

- 

— 

— 

- 

Tom  Baxter 

0 

2 

3 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

John  Palmar 

1 

2 

3 

0 

3 

0 

6 

0 

12 

0 

Josiah  Hunt 

2 

0 

5 

1 

1 

4 

0 

4 

6 

0 

Westchester 

Sept 

the  12'"  1675 

By  mee  Edward  Watars 


JSfew    Yoi'Ti  Historical  Records. 


489 


Parsons 

horses. 

Oxen. 

Cows. 

3  JT.  old 

2  yrs. 

1  yr.            Swine. 

land. 

Meadow.      Sheep 

Samuel  Drake 

- 

i 

3 

3 

2 

2             3 

14 

12 

Sam  Drake  J^ 

1 

8 

0 

0 

0 

0            0 

0 

3             0 

John  Drake 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

. . 

—             _ 

TT'™  Hayden 

3 

2 

4 

3 

4 

1             4 

12 

12 

Moses  Hoyt 

2 

2 

8 

6 

4 

1             6 

11 

15 

Naihai^  Tonkins 

0 

2 

3 

1 

0 

0            4 

6 

6 

John  Hoyt 

2 

•i 

7 

3 

0 

2             1 

15 

15 

John  Jacksonn 

2 

2 

2 

2 

0 

1            7 

2 

7 

John  Goden 

1 

0 

3 

0 

2 

3             0 

.      2 

0 

Ebenesar  Jones 

1 

0 

3 

0 

2 

1             0 

5 

8 

BicM  Hedly 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0             2 

0 

0 

TP"  Sqidre 

0 

2 

3 

0 

2 

0             5 

0 

0 

Samuel  Ooden 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0             1 

4 

5 

Thomas  Sherwod 

1 

1 

1 

2 

0 

0             0 

4 

4 

John  Tomkins 

0 

2 

3 

0 

0 

0             1 

8 

10 

Rkh^  Shoot 

2 

2 

4 

4 

2 

2             8 

10 

15 

David  Ozhun 

2 

4 

5 

1 

1 

4          10 

15 

15 

Philip  Pinkny 

1 

2 

8 

0 

3 

0            9 

14 

15 

John  Pijikny 

2 

0 

4 

2 

2 

0            0 

5 

4 

John  Helyard 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

2             0 

0 

0 

Estchester 

The  list  of  John  Richardson 

Estate  foure  Oxen  Eaig 

ht  Couese  Six  three  yeare 

ouids  foure 

two  yeare  oulds  three 

!  yearlings  one  hors  one  mare 

seven  i 

swine  twenty  eakers  of  meddow  three 

eakers  of  upland. 

Westchester  Yaluation  brought  in 

byM^. 

Palmer 

Sept  16  — 1675. 

Ex  rate  £22  5sh  8d 

An  Oed"  to  M''  George  Hall  to  enquire  after  Ptiblicke  Debts,  due  at  Esopus 

Whereas  there  are  severall  Publicke  Debts,  standing  out,  of  Goods  exposed  to  Sale,  and  other 
dues,  in  and  about  the  Esopus  ;  These  are  in  his  Ma"'^'*  name  to  Authorize  you,  M'  George  Hall, 
Sheriffe  of  Esopus,  to  make  diligent  enquiry  there  into,  and  what  shall  come  to  yo"  knowledge, 
that  you  cause  the  same  to  bee  secured,  and  give  mee  Acco'  thereof ;  And  for  so  doing,  this  shall 
bee  yo'^  Warrant :     Given  under  my  hand  in  Hew  Yorke,  this  13'"  day  of  Octob'',  1675. 

E.  Andros. 


Council  Minute.     Purchase  of  Indian  Lands  at  Schenectady.     Schenectady  affairs. 

At  a  Councell  Octbr.  15'",  1675. 
Present  The  Governo' 

The  Secretary,  Capt.  Dyre, 
Mr.  Philips. 
Sanders  Leenderts  Glen  and  Lodovicus  Cobez,  Schout  of  Schenechtade,  produce  (with  a  request 
from  their  village)  severall  papers  relating  to  an  Indyan  purchase  &c  made  Anno  1672,  somewhat 
62 


490  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

before  the  Surrend''  of  this  place  to  y^  Dutch  and  desire  a  patent  for  y"  land  three  miles  of  each 
side  of  the  Eiver. 

They  desire  twelve  miles  farther,  which  they  pretend  to  have  purchased  and  make  severall 
other  proposalls. 

In  answer  whereunto,  It  is  resolved  as  followeth,  viz'.  To  y°  first  Proposall :  That  they  may 
have  a  Patent  for  y''  Land  about  and  above  Schanechtade,  but  their  apjiearing  no  leave  from  y* 
Governour  to  buy  the  same,  nor  a  full  Information  of  the  Premises,  It  is  to  be  suspended  for  y° 
present,  but  no  one  else  shall  have  a  Grant  for  that  land  before  them,  In  meane  time  it  may  con- 
tinue in  Commons  as  formerly . 

The  boweryes  or  farmes  of  Schanechtade  are  to  pay  for  each  of  them  conteyning  20  Morgans 
&  so  propor9onably  four  Bushells  of  winter  wheate  p''  Annum  as  a  quitt  Rent. 

To  y°  2''  concerning  their  Priviledge  of  Trade  or  handling  with  y®  Indyans  : 

The  Governo"  Order  made  above  to  bee  observed. 

To  y^  3'^,  That  they  may  bee  excused  y^  paym'  of  their  Bm-gers  Packt  or  Excise  att  Albany 
&  may  be  admitted  to  pay  it  at  Schanechtade. 

It  is  Ordered,  That  y"  Packt  or  Burg''  Excise  iipon  Liquors  for  Schanechtade  being  not  well 
to  be  distinguisht  at  Albany,  It  is  not  thought  fitt  to  make  any  Altera9on  therein,  but  those  of 
Schanechtade  may  have  liberty  to  take  anothers  Burgers  Packt  at  home,  over  &  above  y*  former 
for  drinke,  that  shall  come  there,  as  is  practised  at  Alhany,  the  which  to  be  disposed  of  by  the 
Magistrates  for  publick  Charges,  they  being  aceomptable  for  y°  same  to  y"  Generall  Court  at 
Albany,  as  for  any  other  their  publique  moneys,  so  to  be  sent  to  y"  Governour  for  his  appro- 
ba9on. 

To'y"  ■i"',  That  they  may  have  leave  to  impose  a  tax  or  Quotization  to  pay  present  Debts  or 
defray  publick  Charges. 

Ordered,  That  y''  Magistrates  of  Schanechtade  shall  at  this  time  have  liberty  to  impose  and 
levy  upon  y*  Inhabitants  there  the  300"'  penny  for  those  uses. 

To  y°  last,  That  they  may  have  a  peculiar  Seale  for  their  own  particular  affaires  relating  to 
their  Towne. 

It  is  likewise  graunted  and  that  a  Seale  shall  be  made  and  sent  them  with  j'"  first  Convenience. 


Lett*  feom  the  Gov.eno*  to  Esopus,  &c  : 
Gent. 

I  have  just  now  received  yo'^  of  the  IG"*  Instant,  and  think  you  have  done  well  to  putt  yo'- 
selves  in  a  fitting  posture  for  all  Events,  &  securing  the  Goods  &  Conxe  of  yo'  Out-ffarms,  w'^'"  is 
also  done  in  these  parts,  where  all  is  quiet,  but  have  a  Rumour,  That  Stanford  Indyans  are  in 
Arms,  but  have  done  noe  harm  :  However  It's  thought  they  have  noe  good  Intent  in  it.  I  doe 
not  know  that  I  have  any  Brass  Gunn  of  yours,  but  if  you  have  Occasion  shall  notwithstanding 
bee  ready  to  send  you  one  or  more  such  Iron  Gunns  as  are  here,  the  least  of  which  is  a  Small 
Saker ;  and  if  I  can  will  gett  and  fitt  up  a  Petrara  for  Capt.  Chambers,  having  none  in  the  Ifort 
ready,  &  the  Sloop  in  hast  not  to  loose  their  Tide.     I  am 

To"'  affec'"^  ffriend 
N.  Torhe  Octob.  19*\  1675.  E.  Andeos.  S. 


New    York  Historical  Recm'ds.  491 

Tuesday  y®  27""  instant  is  appointed  a  day  of  Humiliation  and  Prayers  to  Allmighty  God  for 
the  continuance  of  his  Blessings  to  us ;  which  day  is  to  bee  punctually  observed  thorow  the  whole 
Governm',  &  for  which  you  are  to  give  Orders  accordingly. 


Letter  to  the  Governo"  of  Maktland. 

1  writt  to  yon  lately  by  a  Ketch  of  this  place,  giving  you  an  Acco'  of  ray  return  from 
Albany^  &  state  of  things  here,  ife  of  my  Engaging  Maques  &  Sinnehes,  not  anyway .s  to  injure 
any  Christians  to  the  Eastward,  &  particularly  in  yo''  parts  Southward,  in  their  "Warrs  with  the 
Susquehanna's ;  but  others  apprehending  it  would  bee  difiicult  to  restrain  those  People,  especially 
Young  Men,  when  soe  farr  abroad,  &  Opportunityes,  I  did  endeavor  to  bee  rightly  informed  of 
things  relating  to  that  "Warr,  &  found  that  the  SusquehanncC s  being  reputed  by  the  Maques  of 
their  Off-Spring,  that  they  might  bee  brought  to  joine  Peace,  or  Concorporate  again,  and  soe  take 
away  the  Occasion  of  those  Mischiefe  or  Inroads,  though  I  find  still  the  Sinneques  wholly  adverse 
to  it ;  desiring  their  Extirpa9on,  but  hearing  now  of  Indyan  Troubles  w'^''  hath  lately  occasioned 
raising  fforces  in  yo'  parts,  I  have  sent  this  Bearer  expresse  to  wait  on  you  herewith ;  And  if  it 
bee  by  the  Maques  or  Sinneques  againe  to  offer  you  my  Service  according  to  my  former  and  this 
Letter,  which  I  hope  &  beleeve  may  bee  effectuall,  if  taken  in  time.  And  therefore  pray  yo'' 
Answer  &  Kesolves  as  soon  as  may  bee  :  And  if  you  think  good  would  desire  some  from  the 
Susquehannas  to  come  to  mee  as  soon  as  can  bee,  that  so  [  may  Order  Matters  accordingly.  "Wee 
are  (I  thank  God)  very  quiet,  not  the  least  stirr  or  Attempt  on  any  part  of  the  Government. 
However  have  made  all  flitting  Preparation  for  all  Events.     I  am 

S'.  Yo'  Most  humble  Servant 
N.  Torlce  Octob'  Sl'^'  1675.  E.  Andros. 


Council  Minute.     Indian  Affairs.     Esopus. 

At  a  CoimceU  Oct"'  24*  1676. 
Present 

The  Governor 
The  Secretary  Capt.  Dyre 

Mr.  Fred.  FMllips. 
*#  *  *  **  *** 

Letteis  being  brought  from  y"  Commissaryes  at  Albany  by  Mr.  Kiiaptoii,  who  had  been 
Commander  there,  concerning  a  peace  newly  made  or  renewed  by  them  at  the  ffort  betweene  y° 
Maques  and  MaJdcanders  Indyans,  though  without  leave.  It  is  Ordered  to  be  kept.  It  is  likewise 
Resolved,  That  there  be  at  this  juncture  a  prohibition  of  selling  powder  &  lead  to  any  Indyans 
whatsoever  at  Albany,  Unlesse  it  be  to  y"  Maques  &  Sinners,  The  same  to  be  under  y^  penalty 
of  one  hundred  Guild"  beaver  for  each  quarf  of  a  pound  &  so  propor^onably  for  more  or  lesse  or 
Corporall  punishment,  extending  to  life  as  the  Case  may  require ;  Except  allowed  by  the  Com- 
mander himselfe  under  his  hand  to  some  adjacent  Mahicander  Indyan  well  knowne  to  himselfe 
or  Magistrates,  the  quantity  of  one  quarter  of  a  pound  for  y"  present  hunting  or  to  some  few  such 
Indyans,  who  shall  be  knowne  by  thenr  to  be  designed  for  y^  beaver  hunting,  who  may  by  the  said 


492  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Commander  be  allowed  one  pound  with  Lead  Propor9ionable.  This  Prohibi9on  to  continue  for 
y°  space  of  six  months  after  this  date. 

It  is  also  Ordered  &  Resolved,  That  y*  like  Ord"^  be  sent  up  to  Esojnis,  Only  the  alteration  of 
the  words  {Mutatis  Mutandis)  Instead  of  y"  Comander  the  Justice  or  Cheife  Officer  to  be  incerted. 

Upon  y^  receite  of  a  letter  from  y°  Esopxis,  relateing  their  great  apprehension  of  y^  Indyans, 

It  is  Resolved,  That  y^  Magistrates  there  be  checkt  for  their  needlesse  feares  and  they  are  all 
ordered  to  keep  at  their  usuall  habita9ons  &  places  of  abode,  both  at  y'  distant  Villages  &  Out- 
farmes,  untill  more  apparent  Cause  to  y°  Contrary. 

Ordered,  That  y"  Magistrates  doe  give  a  present  Ace',  what  is  meant  by  the  Indyans  offering 
to  deliver  up  y'^  Articles  made  betweene  Coll.  Nicolls  and  them  and  who  spake  of  it  first,  whether 
private  persons  amongst  the  Indyans  or  Sachems.  The  Agreera*  in  y'  said  Articles  sett  forth 
having  been  renewed  with  those  Indyans  this  very  Spring  and  themselves  having  no  authority  to 
alter  or  make  either  Peace  or  Warre,  nor  to  treate  of  either  in  y^  least,  but  to  do  their  dutyes  in 
continuing  things  as  they  are. 


Petition  of  Inhabitants  of  Tonkees,  peaying  to  be  excused  feom  joining  the 

PEOPLE   of   FoEDHAM    IN   CASE    OF    AN    InDIAN    INVASION. 

To  the  Right  honorable  Edmund  Andros  Esq''  Gov''  Gen"  under  his  Royal  Highnesse  of  all 
his  Territoryes  in  America. 

The  humble  petipon  of  John  Heady  Inhabitant  of  the  place  called  Yonkers 
Land,  on  the  behalf  of  him  and  his  neighbours  consisting  in  4  Familyes. 

Sheweth  with  all  Submission  yo'  hono"  Pef  living  at  a  distance  of  a  Long  mile  from  the 
Towne  Fordham  as  that  being  comanded  by  M"'  John  Archer  proprieto''  of  the  said  Towne  Ford- 
ham,  to  come  hee  and  his  neighbours  into  his  Towne  and  there  to  make  Such  Fortificagons  as  hee 
Shall  order.  But  yo'  bono'''  Pef^  and  his  neighbours  being  removed  from  the  said  M'  Archer  his 
Towne  above  a  mile,  and  we  being  strong  enugh  (or  thought  so)  to  resist  this  heathenish  warr, 
having  a  good  and  Strong  blockhouse :  And  to  remove  and  retire  their  Selves  to  Fordham 
Should  bee  but  an  occasion  of  prey  to  the  Heathens. 

Therefore  it's  yo'  bono"  Pet"  humble  Request  that  hee  and  his  Neighbours  may  not  bee 
bound  to  leave  their  houses,  and  goods  and  to  please  the  humours  of  the  said  M''  Archer  and 
thereby  perhaps  to  loose  all  what  they  have :  But  that  yo"'  bono''  bee  pleased  to  graunt  to  yo' 
bono"  Pet"  and  to  his  Neighbo"  to  joyne  togather  and  to  make  Such  defences  as  (with  the  helpe 
of  God)  to  Secure  them  Selves. 

Yo'  bono''''  Pet"  and  neighbours  being  at  all  tymes  ready  to  be  helpfull  to  their  neighbours 
in  a  Christian  way,  Shall  expect  from  yo'  bono''  an  order  which  shall  be  observed  from 

Yo''  bono"  hiimble  Pef' 

"Which  shall  euer  pray. 
No*"-  8,  1675. 

Ordered  &c. 

Whereac  a  petipon  hath  been  presented  unto  the  Governo''  by  John  Heddy  on  the  behalfe  of 
hiraselfe  &  the  other  Inhabitants  upon  the  plantation  at  Tounckers  Land  that  in  regard  of  their 
distance  from  the  Village  of  Fordham,  &  their  having  for  the  defence  of  their  wives  &  children 
already  a  wooden  Blockhouse  at  their  owne  plantations  &  they  may  be  excused  from  the  giving 
assistance  to  their  neighbours  at  Fordham  about  their  Fortifications,     These  are  to  certify  that 


New  YorTc,  Historical  Recoi'ds.  493 

Inhabitants  upon  the  Younckers  land  are  by  the  Go :  order  excused  from  any  further  worke  at 
Fordham  they  being  vigilant  at  their  owne  place  and  keeping  watch  iipon  all  occasions. 

Dated  in  N.  Y.  this  8 :  day  of  Nov.  1675. 

Copies  of  Certificate  given  by  mee  to  John  Heddy  by  the  Governour  to  excuse  them  from 
workinar  at  John  Archers  Fortification. 


A  Letter    weitten  to  the  JVLaqisteates   at   Esopus. 

New  Yorke,  January  6"*  1675-6 
Gent. 

I  rec"*  both  Yo"  of  the  25""  past,  and  am  glad  you  are  quiet,  and  in  so  good  a  posture  for  all 
Events,  in  w*  I  pray  continue  yo''  vigilancy,  And  that  no  Christian  show  any  apprehen(;on  of 
feare  or  Danger ;  You'l  do  well  as  you  menpon,  and  as  is  usuall,  to  send  to  the  Iiidyan  Sache- 
macks,  for  confirming  the  ffreindship,  according  to  the  Agreement :  The  weather  hath  been  so 
hard,  that  wee  have  not  heard  anything  from  the  Eastward,  almost  this  three  weekes ;  When  a 
Ship  from  London,  was  arrived  to  Road  Island,  and  some  others  there  bound  to  this  Place ;  As 
also  a  Boston  Army  &c  marcht  against  the  Narrogansett  Indyans,  who  are  reported  to  have 
great  Success,  but  no  certainty ;  I  doubt  not  but  will  heare  from  time  to  time,  from  Albany, 
according  to  which,  you  are  to  Order  yo'  selves  in  this  Juncture,  giving  mee  notice  upon  all  occa- 
sions. I  Pray  faile  not  to  take  care  of  the  Wheat,  which  I  am  to  have  upon  M''  Minvieles  Acco' ; 
As  to  the  Dutch  Debts,  I  can  determine  nothing  in  it,  until!  I  see  you,  or  have  a  more  particular 
Ace'  of  the  same ;  I  doubt  not  y"'  care,  and  then  (God  willing)  all  will  do  well  with  you,  remaining 

Yo"^  loving  ffriend 

E.  Andros. 


Council  Minute.     Westchester  Indians.     Indian  War. 

At  a  Councell,  Feb'  26'"  1675-6. 
**  *  *  *  *  «* 

Present : 

The  Governo' 
The  Secretary  Capt  Dyre 

Mr  Fred.  Philips. 
Upon  reading  Governo"  Coddington's  letter  and  Considera9on  of  other  letters  &  retumes  of 
messages  from  other  Colonyes : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  not  adviseable  at  this  jimcture  to  make  any  application  or  send  any 
friendly  message  to  y^  North  Indians,  but  if  they  apply  themselves,  not  to  refuse  hearing  of  them, 
The  other  Colonyes  viz'  y°  Massachxisetts,  Conecticott  &  PUmouth  principally  engaged  in  y« 
Warre  not  having  made  us  acquainted  with  their  concernes  and  some  of  them  slighted  our 
friendly  tenders,  to  continue  our  Endeavours  as  Christians  and  y"  Kings  subjects,  for  y^  good  of 
this  Governmen'  without  fixrther  application  to  the  said  Colonyes. 

Eesolved,  That  y"  Governour  goe  forthwith  to  Albany  to  settle  matters  there,  It  being  of 
very  great  import. 


494  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

That  y*  Wickerscreek  Indyans,  if  they  desire  it  be  admitted  with  their  wives  &  children,  to 
plant  upon  this  Island,  but  no  where  else,  if  they  remove  &  y'  it  be  upon  y^  North  point  of  y*" 
Island  neare  Spiting  Bevill ;  The  s""  Indyans  to  be  protected  comporting  themselves  as  they 
ought  and  all  our  other  Indyans  round,  doing  y"  like,  to  be  assured  of  Protection. 

That  a  letter  be  written  to  y®  Govern'  of  Roade- Island  to  acquaint  him  with  y^  Govern" 
o-oing  up  to  Albany  to  take  order  there,  having  notice  of  y°  Maques  Indians  being  moved  in 
a  warrelike  manner  against  y*  North  Indians :  That  y'  Govern'  hath  not  time  to  write  now  in 
answer  to  y"  particulars  of  his  letter,  but  shall  have  all  due  regard  to  them,  of  w"''  he  shall  give 
him  an  Act  at  his  returne. 


Oeder  DrRECTiNs  LiECT.  Geeeit  Teunise  to  pursue  Phillipp  or  other  Noetu  Indians. 

By  the  Governour, 
You  are  hereby  authorised  and  required,  with  the  Indian  Guide  order'd  w""  you,  forthwith 
to  s:oe  eastward,  &  the  furthist  pairt  of  the  Governm',  or  as  farr  as  Caneticut  river,  to  iinde  out 
Phillip  or  other  north  Indians,  Lately  within  this  Governm'  and  Lett  him  or  other  Sachems  or 
Commanders  iu  Chief  know,  y'  having  heard  of  there  being  in  Warrlike  Posture,  intruded  and 
brought  some  Christian  Prisoners  in  our  Pairts,  I  have  therefore  sent  you  to  demand  the  said 
Christian  Prisoners,  brought  by  them  into  this  Governm',  and  to  Command  and  forewarne  them, 
from,  or  returning  into  any  Pairt,  of  the  Government,  or  Confines.  If  they  should  be  divided, 
into  severall  partys  or  Parts,  you  are  then  as  you  see  cause,  and  have  opportunity,  to  goe  to  each, 
but  to  make  no  Longer  stay,  in  any,  then  to  deliver  your  messadge,  and  receive  Such  Prisoners  as 
they  shall  deliver,  and  refresch  and  rest  your  self,  and  without  delay  to  return  and  make  the  best 
of  your  way  to  me.     Given  under  my  hand  and  Seall  in  Albany  the  4"^  March  1675-6. 

"Was  signed  E.  Andross. 

Aggrees  w"'  y'  Principall,   Quod  attestor 

P.  Livingston,  Seer. 
To  Gei^rit  Teunisse  Leift  to  Cap'.  Volekert. 


Council  Minute.    Exajviination  of  "Westchestee  Indians  as  to  theie  intention 
TO  join  King  Philip. 

Present :  Comand''  Brockholls  etc. 

March  29'\  1676. 

The  Indyans  of  Wickerscreeke  having  beene  sent  to  the  27""  ins'  come  now  this  day  here. 

Their  names  are  Wissakane  &  Amone  the  two  Sachems  Sent  for  to  come. 

The  occasion  of  their  sending  for  was  upon  a  Letter  from  y'=  Go :  intimating  a  mistrust  of 
them  by  report  above. 

M'.  Sam.  JEdsall  Interpret'. 

The  matf  being  told  them  by  the  Interpret'  they  deny  to  have  said  or  thought  of  joyning  or 
treating  with  North  Indians  or  others  not  friends  to  this  Governm',  under  whose  protection  they 
desire  to  live,  according  to  their  Engagement  w"*  y'^  Gov. 

The  Sachems  had  each  of  them  a  Councell  with  them,  without  whom  they  were  not  willing 


New   Yorh  Historical  Recoi'ds.  495 

to  speake.  They  declare  rather  to  Suffer  either  by  Cliristian  or  Indyan,  before  they  stirr  then  to 
offer  any  harnie  to  any  they  desiring  to  Hve  quietly. 

They  promise  when  they  certainely  know  of  any  disturbance  or  like  to  bee,  tliey  will  give 
notice  to  y'  Go.  &  they  hope  to  have  notice  from  hence  of  any  hurt  intended  against  them,  and 
they  promise  to  bee  true  to  their  Engagem'  to  3''^  Go.  They  desire  as  before  fronr  ]V[^  Philips  to 
have  leave  to  come  upon  this  Island  &  here  about  Oystering. 

They  are  promist  to  have  a  Note  to  certify  that  they  have  liberty,  behaving  themselves  as 
they  ought. 

They  desire  liberty  to  send  some  young  men  with  Canoes  to  M''.  Pells  for  the  Remainder 
of  their  Corne,  (having  had  but  one  halfe  from  thence  already)  efe  to  fetch  about  halfe  a  dousen 
old  men,  women  &  boys  from  Greenwich  that  they  left  behind  them.  They  are  told,  wee  shall 
speake  to  y"  Govern''  about  it  but  referre  it  to  y"  Go.,  who  wee  dayly  expect.  They  say  they  shall 
stay  till  then,  when  they  will  come  againe. 

Upon  their  friendly  Comport,  &  foe  that  they  came  so  willingly  being  sent  for.  They  are  pre- 
sented with  a  Coate  for  y*  2  Sachems. 

They  pretend  not  to  expect  or  desire  them,  their  hearts  being  good  without  them,  but  they 
being  desired  to  accept  of  them  for  that  reason  receive  them. 

The.y  are  appointed  to  goe  to  Thmnas  Laurens  the  baker  on  Pearle  Streate  to  stay  all  night. 


An  Okdek  about  the  out  Faumes  belonging  to  Hurley  and  Maeble-Towne  at  Esopus. 

Whereas  there  are  severall  Farmes  on  Planta9one,  belonging  to  Hurley  and  Marliletowne,  in 
Esopus,  Seated  Scatteringly,  beyond  or  over  that  River  or  Kill,  which  not  being  convenient  at 
any  time,  and  a  Gen""  inconvenience,  prejudice  and  great  Charge,  to  all  the  Inhabitants  of  those 
parts,  to  maintaine  an  extraordinary  ffence,  many  Miles  Long ;  And  the  said  Farmers  or  Planters 
Houses,  being  also  very  uniitt  and  Beggarly ;  I  have  therefore  (by  Advice  of  my  Councell) 
Ordered,  and  do  hereby  give  notice,  that  all  such  ffarmers  or  Planters  do  with  all  convenient  expe- 
di9on,  remove  and  provide  themselves  convenient  Houses,  within  the  said  Townes  of  Hurley  or 
Marble-Towne  ;  And  that  no  Cattle  bee  turned  loose  over  the  River,  on  Penalty  of  forfeiting  the 
same;  And  the  Magistrates  and  Officers  of  Esopus  are  required  to  cause  this  Order  to  be  Pub- 
lished, put  in  Execution,  and  duly  Observed ;  Given  under  my  hand  in  Nem  Yorhe,  this  10'"  day 
of  April,  1676. 

£.  Andkos,  S. 

To  the  Magistrates  of  Esopus,  to  bee  forthwith  Published  and  put  in  Execution. 


MmuTE  OF  A  Tisrr  to  the  Governor  of  tvvo  Wiokeescreek  Sachems. 

Aprill  14,  1676. 

There  appeared  the  two  Sachems  of  the  Wickerscreek  Indyans  that  were  here  last  in  y^  Go  : 
absence. 

They  desire  to  know  of  the  Go :  how  matters  above  at  AVf  are  with  y°  Indyans,  for  that 
they  have  had  no   News  of  it.     The  Go:    tells  them  that  when  hee  came  up  hee  found  the 


496  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Maques  returned  from  following  y^  North  Indyans,  that  the  MaMcan^'  were  fled,  but  hee  sent 
to  them  to  come  backe  &  that  one  of  y'=  MahicarV"  going  over  being  taken  by  the  Maques  hee 
demanded  him  &  being  delivered  sett  him  free,  that  some  of  them  were  come  backe  upon  the  Go. 
promissing  the  protection  if  they  should  come,  &  stay  if  they  wanted  land  that  hee  would  supply 
them.     That  hee  left  all  well  there. 

That  the  Gov.  coming  at  the  Esopus  the  Sachemackers  were  with  him  —  &  all  things  were 
well  there  also,  &  that  some  of  them  desiring  land  by  the  Hedouht  Creek  the  Go :  consented  to 
it.  They  pretend  they  would  come  upon  this  Island  or  any  where  neare,  but  being  neare  y' 
Christian  plantations  their  Cattle  &  horses  would  allways  bee  trespassing  upon  them. 

Its  answered  if  they  receive  Injury  they  may  complaine  &  shall  bee  relieved.  They  are 
expected  to  finde  out  some  Necke  easy  to  secm-e  either  upon  this  or  Lo7ig  Island.  They  pause 
upon  it ;  After  desire  to  joyne  w"'  the  Stamford  Indyans  &  to  plant  upon  a  Neck  at  Wickerscreeke 
together  &  that  they  may  have  liberty  to  fetch  some  come  from  Stamford  that  they  left,  Its  a 
fallacy,  &  in  no  way  belongs  to  them,  they  are  offered  all  freedom  of  fishing  or  Oystering  any 
where  hereabouts. 

Their  farme  at  Stamford  is  offered  to  bee  bought.     They  will  come  again  10  days  hence. 


Minute  of  a  meeting  held  with  Watattanoc,  Wickeesceeek  and  Stamfoed  Indians. 

Apr.  27,  1676. 

Present  —  The  Councell,  the  Mayor  &  Some  of  the  Aldermen  &  others  of  w'"  2  Justices. 

Severall  Indyans  appeared  before  the  Governo''  in  the  Fort. 

They  say  they  belong  to  a  place  called  Wayattano,  at  the  head  of  Stratford  River,  with  them 
were  some  of  Wickerscreeke  &  some  Stamford  Indyans.  The  Sagamore  of  Wickersecreeke,  Wes- 
secanoe  came  with  them.  They  declare  themselves  to  bee  good  friends  &  desire  to  continue  so 
&  make  a  present  of  about  ten  deere  skin,  a  beare  skin  &  4  small  beavers,  given  at  three  times 
repeating  their  desire  of  friendship,  The  Governo'  accepts  of  it,  &  promises  protection  to  them 
within  this  Governm'  but  will  not  undertake  any  thing  w""  out. 

That  hee  had  heard  from  the  Wickerscreeke  Indyans  that  they  are  good  Indyans,  &  now  finds 
them  so,  &  they  may  have  all  friendship  &  freedom  here,  so  long  as  they  behave  themselves  well. 

The  Governo'  presented  them  with  three  Sachems  Coates,  one  to  the  Wickerscreeke  Sachem, 
the  other  two  to  the  two  cheife  from  Stratford  river. 


Council  Minute.     Indian  Affairs. 

At  a  Councell,  May  y»  29'S  1676. 
**  *  *  *  *  *** 

Ordered,  That  all  North  Indyans,  that  will  come  in  may  be  protected  &  a  stop  to  be  put  to  the 
Maques  farther  prosecuting  s*  North  Indyans. 

At  a  Councell  May  30'",  1676. 
Eesolved,  The  Govern'  being  intended  for  Albany  the  next  weeke  &  Capt.  The.  Delavall 
being  now  goeing  up.  That  he  be  desired  &  authorized  as  soon  as  hee  arrives  there,  to  communi- 
cate it  to  Serg'  Sharpe,  the  present  Command',  &  with  said  Sharjpe,  by  means  of  Arnold^  the 
*  Arnold  Cornelissen  VJele,  for  many  years  a  famous  Indian  interpreter.     Ed. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Recoi'ds.  497 

Intei-preter,  send  word  to  the  Maqxies  and  Sennehes  of  y"  Govern''''  said  coming  and  that  he  desii'es 
&  Orders,  that  some  of  them  will  meete  him  there  and  particularly  Carriconty ;  The  said  Mes- 
sage to  be  sent  by  a  Maques  from  Albany,  who  is  to  be  well  paid  and  no  further  menc^on  to  any 
others  or  talke  thereof  at  Albany  ;  Also  to  send  word  by  some  good  Mahicander  Eastward  (who 
is  likewise  to  bee  rewarded),  that  all  Indyans,  who  will  come  in  &  submitt,  shall  be  received  to 
live  under  the  protection  of  the  Government  and  that  the  Govern'  will  bee  there  as  afore,  where 
any  of  them  may  fi-eely  come  and  speake  with  him  and  returne  againe,  as  they  see  cause  without 
Molestation. 

Memorand".  That  the  ffrench  do  receive  North  Indyans  under  their  Protection,  and  its 
said,  that  five  hundred  of  them  are  already  there. 

That  the  Governm'  of  Conecticutt  hath  likewise  made  an  order,  at  their  late  Gen""  Court, 
That  any  Indj'ans,  that  will  come  in,  shall  be  received,  have  land  assigned  them  &  be  protected 
under  their  Government. 


Minute  of  esttervtews  between  the  Governor  and  StrsQUEHAimA  Indians. 

At  a  Meeting  in  the  Fort  of  some  Susquehamna  Indyans  from  Deleware 
the  head  of  y°  Bay  &  those  parts,  having  beene  sent  for  by  the  Gv : 
June  2"''  1676. 

Conacheoweedo,  1  ^  ^.^^^^^^^^ 
bneeao.  j 

Jacolj  The  Go.  tells  them  they  are  welcome  &  Iiee  is  glad  they  have  come  hither  to  see 

LooeJcermoM  him,  &  saith  that  if  hee  can  doe  them  or  any  of  their  Nation  Courtesy  bee  will 
Interpret  doe  it.     They  are  told  that  if  they  will  come  &  live  any  where  within  the  Gov- 

Mr.  Edsall  ernm'  the  Go :  will  protect  them,  but  cannot  undertake  it  at  great  distance, 

also  pros*  but  The  Governou''  saith  he  hath  spoken  to  the  Maqus  already  about  them,  and 
understands  they  told  him  these  were  their  brothers  &  children. 

them  not  well  The  Governo"'  bids  them  to  thinke  w'  hee  can  doe  for  them  with  the  Maques 
nor  Mr.  Stej)?), :  now  at  his  going  up,  (w'=''  will  bee  in  few  days).  That  having  heard  a  good  Ee- 
V.  Cortland.  port  of  them  hee  is  sorry  from  his  heart  of  their  trouble,  and  would  willingly  help 
They  speake         them  out. 

Maques.  They  are  wish*  to  goe  eate  &  Drinke  &  thinke  upon  w'  they  have  to  say,  & 

come  againe  tomorrow.  They  are  told  further  that  if  they  are  afraid  &  not  well  where  they  are, 
if  they  will  come  into  this  Governm',  they  shall  bee  welcome  &  protected  from  their  Enemys. 

That  the  Go :  will  take  Care  the  Maques  &  Sinnekes  shall  bee  at  peace  with  them  &  will  also 
make  peace  for  them  with  Virginia  &  Maryland. 

The  Go  :  gave  the  2  Sachems  2  Coates  &  to  eate  &  drinke. 

June  3"  1676. 

The  same  Indyans  appeared  againe  They  being  demanded  what  they  now  have  to  say.  They 
answer  that  they  now  have  no  mind  to  goe  up  to  AW"  but  to  returne  to  the  Sauth  River,  to  their 
folkes. 

The  Go :  saith  it  is  well  &  further  tells  them  that  the  Maques  shall  doe  them  no  hurt,  for  he 
hath  spoken  with  the  Maques  about  them  already,  &  they  have  promised  it,  calling  them  their 
brothers  &  Children  &  if  they  will  they  may  goe  &  live  with  them. 
63 


498  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudmn  River. 

The  Go:  asks  tliera  if  tbey  will  goe  &  speake  with  their  owue  Nation  about  it  &  return  an 
Answer. 

They  say  they  are  but  two  so  can  give  no  other  answer  than  that  they  will  goe  to  the  rest  of 
their  people.  &  tell  them  what  the  Go.  said  &  will  returne  with  an  answer. 

The  2  Sachems  will  returne  themselves.  They  say  they  will  when  they  come  againe  bring 
some  present  with  them  to  appeare  like  themselves. 

The  Go.  tells  them  its  no  matter  bee  hath  heard  a  good  Report  of  them,  &  they  shall  bee 
welcome  whether  they  bring  anything  or  not. 

The  Go :  saith  further  that  they  should'  say  whether  they  will  come  into  the  Govemm'  or  no, 
if  they  will  not  it  is  well,  if  they  will  bee  wiU  make  provision  for  them,  &  they  shall  bee  pro- 
tected &  welcome.  So  that  when  they  return  Tbey  should  make  answer  whether  tbey  will  come 
or  no  in  briefe. 

They  bad  given  them  to  eate  &  drinke,  so  they  departed  well  satisfyed. 


Minutes  of  the  appeaeance  before  the  Governor  of  Wickersceeek   Indians, 

CLAIMING    PAYMENT  FOE  THE  YoNKEES  LaND. 

July  25'S  16Y6. 

There  appeared  Claes  the  Indyan  with  others  before  the  Governour  and  Wickerscreeke 
Indvans  etc.  They  pretend  not  to  bee  p""  for  the  Younokers  Land.  Mr.  Delavall  produces  a 
patent  to  H.  Oneale  and  deed  from  El.  Doughty,  the  record  viewed  of  the  Indyans  acknowledge- 
ment to  have  rec*  satisfaction,  Glaes  was  then  ...... 

The  Go :  will  speake  with  Mr.  Doughty  about  it  in  a  few  dayes,  when  bee  will  answer  them 
farther. 


Council  Minute.     The  Authority  of  the  Sheriff  at  Esopus  defined. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Upon  some  misunderstanding  of  the  place  and  power  of  the  Sheriffe  at  the  Esopus,  Ordered, 
That  Capt.  Chambers  and  Mr.  Uall  have  notice,  that  the  Sheriff  is  the  person,  who  is  to  see  the 
Law  putt  in  Execu9on  and  to  apprehend  &  prosecute  any  Transgressors,  as  bee  shall  see  cause, 
though  not  to  bee  judge  in  the  Case.     (August  4,  1676.) 


Council  Minute.     Indian  Report  of  a  meditated  Invasion  by  the  French. 

At  a  Councell  August  8'*'  1676. 
Present 

The  Governo' 
The  Secretaiy       Capt.  Brochholes 
Capt.  Delavall      Capt.  Dyre. 
The  Occasion  of  meeting  was  upon  y*  receit  of  a  Letter  from  the  Govern''  of  Canada  with 


New   Yorh  Historical  Records.  499 

j^rcs  from  Albany  from  the  Commaud"'  and  tlie  relation  made  there  by  Caniacho,  y"  llaques 
Sachem  (who  is  now  come  hither)  of  the  approaching  of  the  ffi-euch. 
Resolved,  To  stand  by  y*'  Maques  as  formerly. 
A  farther  determina(;on  to  be  made,  when  it  is  known,  w'  the  Sachem  hath  to  say. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Governo"^  and  Council,  Aug'"  y*"  lO""  1676,  when 
Caniacho,  one  of  the  Maques  Sachems  of  the  first  Castle  declared 
the  occasion  of  his  Coming  downe  to  visitt  the  GoFerno^ 
There  was  another  Sachem  with  him,  wliose  name  was  DeJiassiadagareere  and  some  other 
Indyans. 

The  Interpreter  was  Cornells  Arnout,  who  came  downe  with  them. 

Caniaoko  tells  the  having  heard  strange  news  above,  which  caused  him  to  come  hither,  to  be 


The  news  was  brought  from  Canada  by  an  Indyan  present  with  him,  named  Tayadoras 
who  related  severall  things  spoken  to  him  by  an  Interpreter  in  tlie  presence  and  by  Order  of  the 
ffrench  Govern'',  The  most  tending  to  breede  a  distrust  and  difference  betweeue  the  Govern''  (who 
they  call  Curler)  and  y"  Maques  Indyans. 

But  Ganiacko  declares  his  not  believing  those  reports,  jett  iindertook  the  voyage  to  know 
the  truth  and  now  saith  he  is  satisfyed  of  their  falcity  and  is  ashamed  of  itt,  so  gave  a  band  of 
Sewant  on  behalfe  of  the  Maques  to  the  Governour. 

The  GovernT  tells  them,  its  a  wonder,  the  Governour  of  Canada  should  discourse  of  things 
of  so  great  import  to  a  private  Indyan,  he  being  no  Sachem,  and  admires  the  more  it  being  so 
gi'eat  an  untruth. 

The  Govern''  acquaints  them,  that  he  intends  to  send  up  an  answer  in  writing,  to  shew  that 
his  heart  is  good  and  it  shall  be  read  to  them  here  hrst. 

The  Indyan  Tayadoras  sett  his  marke  in  acknowledgement  of  the  truth  of  what  he  had  related, 
the  which  is  more  fully  and  at  large  amongst  y"  Relations  of  Indyan  Affaires. 


Minutes  of  the  appeaeance  befoee  the  Gov"  of  Maquas  Indyans,  eepoeting  on 
Canada  and  Noetheen  Indyans. 

At  a  meeting  in  the  Fort  before  the  Governour  &  Councell  of  some  Maquas  Indyans  vizt, 
Caniaco  &  Dehassiedegareere,  Sachems  of  the  1st  Castle,  Aug.  lO""  1676.  Cornelis  Arnout, 
Interjjreter. 

Caniaco  says  that  they  came  down  to  the  Go  :  having  heard  strange  rumours  of  the  war  above. 
That  An  Indyan  now  pres'  by  name  Tayandoras  has  been  att  Canada  where  the  Go :  there 
told  him  by  his  Intei-preter  (the  interpreter's  name  was  Oqueeso  in  french  Moris'^  Le  Mon)  that 
the  Go :  of  iT.  Y.  was  not  right  and  showed  him  a  letter  liee  had  written  to  him,  that  when  the 
war  was  done  with  the  North  Indyans  hee  would  [fall  upon]  the  Maquas  and  destroy  them,  that 
they  had  small  pres''  given  them  was  only  to  blind  them. 

That  if  .  .  .  not  .  .  .  the  war  with  the  North  Indyans  they  would  have  fallen  upon 
them  before  now. 

That  they  shall  have  another  great  pres  given  them  yet  before  they  be  destroyed. 

That  the  Go :  of  Canada  gave  Canonondage  son  of  the  fourth  Castle  a  packet  of  lett"  which 
hee   was  to  deliver  with  his,  but  knew  not  [to]  whom  they  were  whether  for  the  father  Jesuit  or 


500  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Rivet: 

who  else,  the  Indyaii  had  gone  with  a  party  of  twenty  more  to  the  southward  to  fight  and  has  not 
come  home.     .     . 

[Hee  says]  that  .  .  .  left  them  some  days  ago  having  made  p'  of  the  way  with  .  .  . 
and  had  some  letters  from  a  Jesuit  in  Canada  to  the  Jesuit  above. 

That  the  Go  :  of  Ca/nada  was  coming  with  1000  men  to  Cat'uraxas,  and  had  three  Indyans 
w"'  them  w'""  hee  intend  to  send  out  one  of  the  Maqas,  another  of  the  Onondagxies,  another  of 
ih.Q  Huniedes  which  he  intended  to  send  to  the  .  .  .  Nations  to  come  to  them,  other  .  .  . 
that  .  .  .  will  fall  upon  them  ...  To  give  warning  to  the  Maqas  that  they  should  not 
refuse  or  delay  their  coming  when  hee  should  [come] 

The  French  told  him  that  the  Sinnelces  liad  so  well  behaved  themselves  to  the  Jesuits  of 
which  hee  had  two  letters  from  them  and  doubted  if  yet  alive  so  was  now  resolved  to  goe  and 
destroy  the  said  Sinnelces  &  Cayugas. 

That  the  Sennekes  were  upon  the  way  to  All^.  when  hearing  these  rumours  &  news  returned 

backe     ....     to  the  Onondagues  &  IIu     ....     the  pres'  of 

therefore  [they  had]  expressed  themselves  as  they  did  &  they  might  doe  as  they  pleased. 

That  hearing  these  news  in  the  Maqas  land,  it  did  very  much  ....  there.  That 
Curler  should  prove  soe  to  them,  who  they  took  to  bee  all  one  their  heart  &  that  Coniaco  said  he 
could  not  believe  it,  biit  would  come  &  see  which  they  approved  of,  M'here  upon  hee  was  come  on 
the  behalfe  of  all  the  4  Castles  &  therefore  desires  to  know  if  there  bee  anything  of  ...  . 
which  for  his  aco'  he  does  not  creditt.  *  «  *  * 

*  *  (Destroyed  and  illegible.)  *  * 

#  *  *  *  *  * 

The  mark  of   /  Tatandoeas. 
in  acknowledgment  of  the  truth  of  what  he  has  related. 

CanjegTcoo  had  a  blanket  given  him  &  the  other  Sachem  &  other  2  Indyans  which  were  all 
there  present  each  a  coat  of  Duffles. 


A  Commission  granted  to  the  Commissaetes  of  Schanectade,  to  keep  a  Couet 

OF    JuDICATUEE. 

Edmond  Andros,  Esq'  &c. 

Upon  the  returne  of  a  nominaijon  of  new  Magistrates,  By  vertue  of  the  Authority  derived 
unto  mee,  I  do  hereby  in  his  Ma*'=^  name,  constitute  and  appoint  you,  Alexander  Glen,  Sweer 
Teunissen,  Jan  van  Eps,  Teunis  Cornelissen  Swart,  and  Daniel  Jansen,  to  bee  Commissaryes  of 
Schanectade  and  Dependences,  "With  Power,  (any  three  or  more  of  you)  to  keep  a  Court  of 
Judicature,  the  first  in  nomina9on  to  preside,  and  upon  Equality  to  have  the  Casting  Voice,  to 
heare  and  Determine  all  Causes,  according  to  Law  and  Practice ;  And  all  Persons  whom  it  may 
concerne,  are  required  to  give  you  that  respect  and  Obedience,  due  to  yo'  Places,  in  Execu9on  of 
the  Trusts  reposed  in  you  ;  ffor  which  this  shall  bee  to  you  and  every  of  you  a  Sufficient  Warr*. 
This  Commission  to  bee  of  fforce  for  the  space  of  one  whole  yeare,  or  till  further  Order .  Given 
under  my  hand  and  Scale,  in  Neio  YorTce,  this  ll""  day  of  August  1676. 

E.  Andeos,  S. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  501 

Council  Minute.     Indian  Affairs. 

At  a  Couucell  Sept""'  S"'  1676 
****** 

A  Letter  from  the  Councell  of  the  Massachusetts  to  the  Govern'',  desireing  that  severall  North 
Indyans,  now  in  this  Governm',  who  have  been  their  Enemyes,  may  be  secured  and  sent  to  be 
delivered  into  their  hands,  The  same  being  taken  into  consideragon. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  not  proper,  but  the  same  Liberty  to  be  used  by  us,  as  they  take  to  them- 
selves, as  there  shall  bee  occasion. 

As  to  any  North  Indyans,  that  are  or  shall  bee  received  by  the  Mahicanders  contrary  to 
Order,  to  be  still  delivered  up  to  the  Maques. 


A  Letter  sent  by  the  Goveeno"'  Ord"  to  the  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Offi- 
cers OF  Westchester. 
Gent. 

The  Governo''  formerly  thought  to  have  sent  Boats  to  fetch  down  yo'  Timber  and  Stockadoes, 
for  the  wharfe,  But  so  it  is,  That  all  the  Boates  and  Sloopes  being  Employed  to  fetch  Stones,  and 
the  hands  of  the  Towne,  in  their  Dayly  worke  about  that  businesse,  it  cannot  bee  expected  from 
hence ;  I  am  there  fore  Comanded  by  the  Governo''  to  Lett  you  know,  that  he  desires  and  expects, 
that  yo"  will  do  yo"'  best  Endeavo'^%  forthw'"  to  put  yo"'  Stockadoes  «fe  Timber  (if  any  left)  into 
Rafts  to  bee  floated  downe,  as  the  Townes  of  flushing,  Jamaica,  Hempsteed  &c,  are  engaged  to 
do ;  And  you  may  assure  those  that  are  employed  about  that  worke,  that  they  shall  have  Satis- 
faQon  for  the  same.  I  am  also  to  acquaint  you,  that  though  in  the  time  of  danger  of  the  Indyans, 
the  Village  of  Eastchester  was  excused  from  giving  their  attendance,  at  the  Towne  Trainings,  at 
Westchester,  yet  now  that  matter  being  over,  They  are  to  be  joyned  to  the  Company  as  fornferly, 
they  never  being  Ordered  wholy  to  be  taken  from  them,  but  upon  such  emergent  occasion,  not  to 
go  farre  from  their  Habitations : 

This  is  all  I  have  in  Charge,  being 

Gent. 

Yo''  fEriend  and  Serv' 

M.    NiCOLLS. 

N.  YorTce,  Sept. 

19'"  1676 
For  the  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Constable  &  Overseers  of    Westchester,  &  Dep*''  Constable  of 
Eastchester . 


Council  Mintjte.     Indian  Affairs. 

Present  At  a  Councell  Oct*'  ll'\  1676. 

The  Governour 
Capt.  Brockholes  The  Secretary 

Capt.  Dyre  Mr.  Philips 

Capt.  T.  Delavall 

Major  {^Robert~\  Treat  Dep.  Governo''  of  Coneoticutt  being  j^resent, 
Proposes,  That  one  or  more  of  y°  Maques  Sachems  may  come  to  some  of  their  Townes  to 


502  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

renew  friendship,  That  they  may  acknowledge  their  kindnesse  in  assisting  them  against  their 
Ennemyes,  y"  North  Indyaus  and  gratify  them. 

And  that  what  prisoners  of  y'^  j^orth  Indyans  are  in  this  Governm'  may  be  delivered  up  to  him. 

Its  alleadged  the  Governo''  received  none,  till  themselves  made  proclamation  to  receive  all 
those,  that  would  come  in  and  that  he  hath  Security  for  them  he  hath  received. 

And  that  the  Maques  are  our  Indyans  and  are  so  to  be  acknowledged  and  will  be  of  ill  Con- 
sequence for  the  Maques  to  treate  or  to  make  application  to  another  Governm',  the  which  Avill 
breede  a  distraction  amongst  them. 


Account  of  Presents  gfven  to  Indiajt  Scouts  bt  order  of  Coll.   Schuyler. 

6"*  (Oct.)     To  the  river  Indians  who  had  been  captured  when  Jurian  was  killed  and  who  run 

away  from  the  Enemy  2|-  ells  of  Duffles,  1  shirt,  1  pan-  Socks,  the  Duffles  belong  to  mee,  and  by 

order  of  Coll.  Schuyler  2  lbs.  of  Powder  2  bars  of  Lead. 

6"*  (Oct.)     To  Awans  a  duffle  coat,  for  his  claim,  upon  the  French  woman  and  her  child,  from 

my  store  by  order  of  Coll.  Schuyler. 

6"".     To  WallanscacMes  1  Shu-t,  and  a  pair  of  Socks  by  order  of  Coll.  Schuyler. 

To  Quaqu£ndarous  son  1  Kettle,  1  pair  Socks,  1  knife,  2  bars  of  lead,  by  order  of  Coll. 
Schuyler,  because  his  father  had  sent  him  from  the  Susquehanna  river  to  learn  the  condition  ot 
our  place. 

To  Quaqicendarous  son  before  leaving  for  his  country  he  took  along  for  his  father  2  lbs  of 
powder,  3  bars  of  lead,  and  a  pair  of  Socks. 

27"^  Nov.     Coll.  SchuyUr  sent  to  the  store  for  himself  for  2  bars  of  Lead,  and  6  lbs  Powder. 
3"^  Nov.     To  the  Sachim  of  Kanadagerea  Oneidas  was  given  for  his  endeavors  last  year  to  ani- 
mate the  Oneidds  to  take  possession  of  their  Castle  \  lb.  of  Paint,  1  Shirt,  1  Hat,  1  pair  of  Socks, 
12  bars  of  Lead,  6  lbs.  of  Powder,  1  Hatchet  from  the  store. 

18"'  (Nov.)     To  Towenjourve  and  Hendrich  who  went  with  the  french  woman  to  Canada,  each 
a  shirt,  a  hat,  and  a  kettle  from  the  store  by  M'.  Banker,  for  the  expedition  to  Canada,  3  lbs  of 
Powder,  and  3  bars  Lead  to  the  same. 
IS"'.     To  the  Savage  who  joined  the  fire  watch  a  knife,  and  to  another  one,  also  a  knife. 


Council  Minute.     Enlargement  of  the  village  of  Kingston.     Indians,  Indian 
Lands  at  the  Esopus.     French  Pretensions. 

At  a  CounceU  March  12'",  1676-Y. 

Upon  the  request  of  divers  persons  from  Kingston  in  Fsopus,  that  they  may  have  new  Letts 
laid  out  for  them  w'^out  the  Towne, 

It  is  allowed,  That  Land  shall  be  laid  out  for  them  near  the  Towne  as  desired,  but  their 
buildings  to  be  within  y'^  Towne  and  such  as  want  place  to  build,  may  pitch  upon  any  vacant,  the 
which  is  to  be  ascertained  to  them  by  agreem'  or  by  Order  of  y^  Magistrates  to  bee  apj)rized  as 
vacant  ground  &  so  paid  for,  unlesse  y"  Owner  will  make  like  building  thereon  without  delay  & 
where  any  Owner  undertakes  it,  y""  party  may  choose  other  ground. 


New   Yorh  Historical  Hecvrds.  503 

Ordered,  That  all  strange  Indyans,  which  come  in,  may  live  &  be  incorporated  under  y'' 
Maqrtes,  Mahicanders,  Ji'sqpus  or  other  our  Indyans  and  bee  equally  protected. 

That  a  Co})ie  of  j"  Agreem'  &  purchase  made  by  Governo''  Nicolls  be  sent  up  to  Esopus  and 
a  perainbulaQon  of  y°  bounds  to  be  gone  publiquely  by  Xtians  and  Indyans,  the  better  to  ascer- 
taine  them  without  delay  and  so  a  decision  in  a  friendly  manner  of  any  Difference,  that  may 
appeare,  or  not  well  Exprest. 

If  the  Indyans  neare  y"  Esopus  will  not  sell  their  Lands  together  or  be  unreasonable,  they 
may  keepe  it  and  then  particular  men  may  apply  to  y°  Governo''  for  parcells,  as  there  shall  be 
occasion. 

Upon  propositions  from  y"  Maques  sent  by  the  Coinmand"'  and  Commissaryes  at  Albany. 

That  y°  Govern"^  of  Canada  doth  pretend  some  juiisdiction  over  y^  Maques  Indyans. 

Ordered,  That  y"  Maques  Indyans  and  Associates  on  this  side  y"  Lake,  (having  been  alwayes 
under  a  part  of  this  Governm')  have  nothing  to  do  with  y''  ffrench,  only  as  they  are  our  friends, 
but  in  no  case  are  to  bee  commanded  by  them ; 

And  that  y"  Commissaryes  do  send  for  y''  Maques  Sachems  and  Father  Bruyas  and  signify 
this  to  y^  said  Sachems  before  him  and  to  y''  said  Father,  that  y"  Govern""  desires  and  does  not 
doubt  his  Comport  accordingly,  for  y"  Quiet  of  those  parts  pursuant  to  y*^  Friendship  of  our  Kings 
at  home. 

That  y"^  Orders  for  timber  be  duly  observed  att  Albany,  and  all  timber  not  so  fell'd  and  also 
barked,  (if  not  sawed  in  Winter)  to  be  forfieted  and  if  not  so  sawed,  each  hundred  plancks  to  pay 
two  beavers  per  hundred  and  passe  as  refuse ;  The  Scout  to  see  these  Orders  observed  on  Land 
and  y°  Clei-ke  of  y''  Permitts,  if  shipt  off. 

Upon  Complaint  of  severall  abuses  &  disorders 
Ordered, 

That  a  Proclamation  be  issued  forth  to  Inforce  y"  Law  for  y''  Prohibiijon  of  trading  Liquors, 
Guns,  powder  and  Shott  with  the  Indyans  or  carrying  anything  else  to  trade  with  them  out  ot 
Towne  on  any  pretence. 

No  Cannoes  whatever  to  cany  Xtians  up  to  Esopus  or  y''  High  Lands  without  speciall 
Lycence. 

The  Indyans,  that  shall  discover  the  breaker  of  y"  Law  and  Orders  herein,  to  have  all  or  the 
full  value  of  that  w*  shall  be  so  sold  and  those  y'  shall  conceale  or  not  discover  it,  to  foi-fiet  y^ 
like  value  and  to  be  further  punisht,  as  y°  Case  may  require. 

The  like  for  Christians. 


A  Peoclama^on  PEoniBiTiNQ  Trade  wrrn   the  Indtans,  or  going  tip  Hudson 
RrvER  IN  Canoos. 

By  the  Governo^ 
Whereas  many  disorders  and  mischiefe  (and  likelyhood  of  greater)  have  lately  hapned  by 
Christians  Trading  with  Indyans,  contrary  to  Law,  in  Indyan  Townes  or  Planta9ons,  or  abroad 
in  the  Country  or  Rivers ;  These  are  therefore  by  the  advice  of  my  Coimcell,  in  his  Ma'"=^  name, 
to  require  all  Magistrates,  Officers,  or  persons  whatsoever,  to  bee  very  vigilant  in  their  Dutyes 
therein,  that  no  person  or  Persons,  Vessell,  Boat  or  Canooes,  do  on  any  pretence,  by  Land  or 
Water,  Trade  with  any  Indyans,  on  penalty  to  forfeit  the  same,  and  to  bee  further  proceeded 


504  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Kiver. 

against,  according  to  Law ;  And  also,  That  after  Saturday  the  14^''  of  Aprill  next,  no  Canooe  or 
small  Boat,  go,  or  passe  up  IIudso?is  Rivei\  to  Esopus,  or  the  High  Land,  without  speciall 
Licence,  on  like  penalty ;  And  such  as  shall  presume  to  do  it,  to  bee  secured  with  their  Goods, 
Canooes  or  small  Boats,  and  safely  conveyed  to  the  Sheriffe  of  this  City,  or  present  notice  given, 
that  they  bee  proceeded  against  as  above,  when  the  discoverer  shall  have  all  the  said  Goods,  or  value 
allowed  them,  and  any  Sachem  or  Indyan,  to  have  the  like  forfeiture  for  discovery  ;  But  if  any 
Christian  or  Indyan  do  know  and  coneeale,  or  not  discover  the  same  as  above,  and  can  bee  con- 
victed thereof  within  one  yeare,  they  shall  bee  proceeded  against  as  principalis,  and  any  that  make 
resistance  as  Criminalle,  Of  which  all  persons  are  to  take  notice  at  their  perills ;  This  to  bee  of 
force  for  the  space  of  one  whole  yeare,  from  the  14"'  day  of  Aprill  next ;  Actum  in  New  York, 
that  14""  day  of  March,  in  the  29""  yeare  of  his  Ma"''"  Eeigne,  Annoque  Dom.  1676-7. 

E.  Andeos,  S. 


OeDEK   in  CoUNCtt,  DIRECTING    THE   MoHAWK    InDIANS   TO   DESIST   FEOM   MAKING  WAK 

UPON  Eastern  Indians,  with  a  letter  from  Gov"  Andeos. 

By  the  Governo"'  and  Councell  in  New  York,  March  28''',  1677. 

Upon  Intelligence,  To  prevent  any  Mischiefe  that  may  happen  betweene  y"  Maques  and 
English  forces  Eastward. 

Resolved  &  Ordered ; 

That  y**  Maques  have  J^otice  &  Order  given  them  to  send  no  more  partyes  farre  Eastward 
beyond  our  bounds,  but  recall  such  as  are  already  out,  till  y'  Governo''  can  so  settle  things  there, 
that  they  may  be  in  no  danger  of  Christians,  but  received  by  them  as  our  friends. 

And  if  any  Christians  or  Indyaus  do  come  or  speake  to  them  of  any  buisnesse  or  Newes,  that 
they  give  us  Notice  and  bring  such  to  Albany  or  here  and  y'  Governo"^  will  take  care,  that  all 
things  shall  be  ordred  for  their  best  advantage  &  profitt. 

If  Capt.  Saleshury  be  come  away.  That  Serj'  Sharpe,  Lieut'  Martin  Gerrittse  &  Lieut*^  Jan 
Jansen  Bhjcke?-  do  send  for  some  Maques  Sachem  and  deliver  the  above  Order  in  the  New  Fort 
by  Aimold  the  Interpreter. 

Matphias  Nicolls,  Seer. ' 
Letter. 

I  have  but  litle  time  and  nothing  to  adde  to  y^  above,  but  that  you  take  Order  to  putt  it  in 
Execu9on  by  sending  for  some  Maqxies  Sachem  and  signify  it,  as  is  directed,  Yourselves  being 
only  named  for  to  prevent  the  buisnesse  noise  or  discourse  usually  made  on  the  least  matters  and 
this  matter  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent  any  Inconvenience,  that  might  otherwise  (and  likely 
to)  happen  by  default  thereof.  I  am  Your  firiend 

E.  Andross. 


Conference  between  Goveenoe  Andeos  and  the  Esopus  Indians. 
Present  Kingston,  the  27'"  of  Aprill  1677. 

His  Honor  The  Governor 
Capt.  Salisbury 
Capt.  Chambers 
Mr.  West 

and  the  Magistrates 
George  Davit  Interpreter.     His  Honor  the  Governor  asked  the  Esopus  Sachems,  Sewera- 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  505 

lean,  Pomerewague,  Kaelhoj),  AnTcrop  and  the  majority  of  the  Esopus  Indians,  women  as  well  as 
men  and  youths,  wliether  they  had  any  claims  upon  the  land,  occupied  by  us  in  pursuance  of  the 
agreement  made  with  his  Honor,  Governor  Nicolls.  They  went  out  and  after  some  time  spent 
in  deliberation,  Kaelcop  said,  that  they  did  not  think,  they  had  sold  land  so  far  North,  but  they 
were  well  satisfied  we  should  have  it,  provided  his  Honor  would  give  him  a  blanket,  a  shirt  and  a  loaf 
of  bread.  The  Governor  then  inquired,  whether  that  would  satisfy  them  completely,  to  which  he 
replied.  Yes,  but  if  his  Honor  would  add  a  piece  of  cloth,  it  would  be  well.  He  and  tlie  Sachems 
and  all  the  other  Indians  were  told  to  point  out  or  describe  the  boundaries,  as  they  were  to  be 
now.  They  described  them  as  follows :  Beginning  at  the  Eonduyt  KU,  thence  to  a  kil  called 
Kahakasnik  North  along  the  hills  to  a  kil  called  Magoioasinginck,  thence  to  the  second  fall,  East- 
erly to  FrudeyacKkamick  on  the  "  Groote  Revier"  along  the  river  South  to  Ronduyt  Kil  with 
everything  lying  within  these  boundaries,  good  and  bad,  hills,  valleys,  waters,  etc. 

Kaelcop  further  declared,  that  he  had  ceded  to  the  old  sawyer  his  claim  upon  a  kil,  called  the 
Sawyer^s  KU,  and  the  land  stretching  up  to  the  boundary  of  the  land  belonging  to  the  Katskil 
Indians  along  the  river  as  far  as  the  mountains  above.  "Whereupon  his  Honor,  the  Governor, 
asked  the  Sachems  and  all  the  other  savages,  old  and  young,  whether  this  was  so ;  they  should 
give  a  free  and  fearless  answer.  They  replied,  it  was  so  and  nobody  else  had  any  claim  upon  the 
land.  Questioned  once  more,  whether  they  were  satisfied  with  the  aforesaid  payment,  they  said. 
Yes,  fully.  His  Honor  then  gave  to  Kaelcop>,  in  presence  of  all  the  others,  the  articles  agreed 
upon  as  full  pay,  to  wit : 

A  blanket  a  shirt  baize  for  socks. 

a  piece  of  cloth  a  loaf  of  bread 

All  being  well  satisfied,  his  Honor  said,  he  intended  to  have  the  boundaries  reviewed  for  bet- 
ter satisfaction  and  desired  Kaelcop  and  some  other  Indians  to  go  along  and  point  out  the  land- 
marks, for  which  they  should  receive  extra  pay.  They  accepted  this  proposition  with  thanks  and 
said,  they  were  ready  to  do  it  at  any  time. 

The  mark  of  --4^  Kaelcop 

for  the  Amogaeickakan  family 

The  mark  of  ((J/^Y  Ankeeop 

for  Kettstpowy 
The  mark  of  J^    Kugakapo 

for  the  Mahow  family 

The  mark  of   ^^CT}  Wengiswaes 

for  the  Kakatawis  family 


Pamieee  Wack,     .inf»*    his  mark 
Sachem 


Seneea  Kau  I    \  his  mark. 

Sachem 
Mamaeij  Backwa  ^jf  Sachem, 

in  the  name  of  all  Esopus  Indimis. 


64 


606  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

In  presence  of  bis  Honur  the  Governor  and  the  undersigned. 

Thomas  Chambers  E.  Whittakee  Silvester  Salisbuky 

(t.  Hall  Wessel  ten  Broek  Will.  Rodeney 

JoosT  Hendrick  Jochemsen         John  West 

DiECK    SCHEPMOOS  JoRIS  DaVIT  "E .  De  MeYEK 

Testis  :  Wm.  La.  Montagne,  Secr^. 


Indian  Deed  to  Lewis  Dubois  and  others  for  land  in  Ulster  County  (New  Paltz.) 

To-day,  the  26^''  of  May  in  the  year  1677,  an  agreement  was  made  by  the  below-named  par- 
ties, pursuant  to  a  bcense  from  the  Hon''''^  Governor  Edmond  Andros,  dated  the  28"'  of  April 
1677,  with  the  undersigned  Esojms  Indians  concerning  the  purchase  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  on 
the  other  side  of  Rondoid  Kit. 

Matsayay,  Nehahaway,  MagaJcahoos,  Assmarahan  and  Wawawanis  acknowledge  to  have 
sold  to  Lewis  Dubois  and  liis  associates  the  land  within  the  following  boundaries:  Beginning  at 
the  high  hill,  called  Moggoneck,  thence  Southeast  towards  the  Great  River  to  the  point,  called 
Juffrouid's  Hook  in  the  Lmig  Reach,  by  the  Indians  called  Magaat  Ramis,  thence  North  along 
the  river  to  the  island,  lying  in  the  Crum  Elbow  at  the  beginning  of  the  Long  Reach,  by  the 
Indians  called  Liaphoos,  thence  West  to  the  high  hill  at  a  place,  called  Waracahaes  and  Tawaer- 
etaque,  along  the  high  hill  southwest  to  MoggonecTc,  including  between  these  boundaries  all  con- 
tained therein,  hills,  valleys,  waters  etc  and  a  free  passage  to  the  Rondout  Kil  as  convenient,  as  it 
may  be  found.  The  Indians  shall  also  have  fully  as  much  hberty  and  license  to  hunt  all  kind  of 
wild  animal  and  to  fish,  as  the  Christians.  This  land  the  Indians  have  engaged  to  sell  for  the 
goods  specified  here  below 

40  Kettles,  10  large  30  small  100  knives 

40  axes  4  ancres  of  wine 

40  addices  40  guns 

40  shirts  60  duffels  coats 

100  fathoms  of  white  wampum  60  blankets 

300         "       "    black         "  100  nails  (?) 

60  pairs  of  socks,  one  half  of  them  small  ones  1  schepel  of  pipes 

100  bars  of  lead  Wine  has  been  given  for  the  horses 

1  keg  of  powder 

The  parties  of  either  part  herewith  acknowledge  to  have  agreed  and  have  signed  this  with 
their  own  hands. 

Signed : 
LowiEs  Du  BooYS  Matsayay  <^   his  mark 

Christian  Deyo    A    his  mark  ™.  <r\  ,  .  , 

,  TT  W  ACHTONCK       y  his  mark 

Abraham  Haesbeoocq  '"^ 

Andries  Lefebre  Senerakatst     5^    his  mark 

Jan  Broocq  -.^  n  ,  . 

Tj  T.  Mayakahoos    ^^  his  mark 

Peter  Deyo 

Lowie  BiNEViE  Wawawamis    //2,  her  mark 

Anthony  C.  Respel  "^ 


Neio  Yorh  Historical  Records. 


507 


Abraham  Du  Booys  Witnesses: 

BuGi  Feeee  Jan  Elton 

IsAACK  Dd  Boots  Jacomintje  Slecht 

Sqikon  Lefebee  Jan  Mattysen 

Agrees  with  the  original : 
De  la  Montagne  Sec^ 
We  the  undersigned  former  joint-owners  of  the  laud  sold  to  Lewis  Dubois  and  his  associates 
acknowledge  to  have  received  from  them  full  satisfaction  according  to  the  agreement  and  there- 
fore convey  the  said  land  with  a  free  passage  to  them  and  their  heirs  forever,  relinquishing  our 
right  and  title  and  freeing  them  from  all  further  claims :  in  witness  whereof  we  have  signed  this 
with  the  Justice,  Sheriff,  Magistrates  and  others  present  on  the  15'"  day  of  September  1677  at 
Hurley.  Signed 


Esopus  Sachems 
Sewakanamt  <iC,j — .   his  mark 
Pajstneeewach   ^    his  mark 
Mamakooh  (  her  mark 
Maheny 

Haroman    ^  his  mark 
Pagotaeamin  ^   his  mark 
WiNGAWis     \     his  mark 

Wessenach   ^  his  mark 
Maccamossingh       his  mark 
W  itnesses 
Jan  Elton 
Roeloff  Ilendricks 
Jan  Waerd 
Jan  Harris 
Alberdt  Jamsen 


Matsayay'  his  mark    ^ 

ASSENERAKAN       "  (/t 

Wachtonck        "       !_ , 

Wawamis    :;s.  her  mai-k 
Machkahoos  his  mark    r^ 
Wawesaska  (y   his  mark 
Namas   (7"-^   his  mark 
Tomachkapay  (p-'    his  mark 
Saagaeowon  his  mark 

Sawunowis  <-j/y  his  mark 


Machkakamoca    £^ — 9-    his  mark 

Thomas  Chambers 

G.  Hall 

Wessel  Ten  Broocq 

Dirck  Schepmoos 

Hendrick  Jochemsen 

Joost  Adriamsen 

Geri%t  Cornelessen 

Lambert  Huysbertsen 

Matsayay  publicly  proclaimed  before  the  surrounding  Indians  that  the  land  liad  been  paid 
for,  and  they  were  all  satisfied  witli  it. 


CoxmciL  Minute.     The  War  of  the  Mouawks  and  Senegas  against  Maryland. 

At  a  CouDcell  June  6'"  1677. 

Coll.  Henry  Courcey  sent  from  the  Governo"'  of  Maryland  upon  acco'  of  making  a  peace 
with  the  Maques  &  Sinnekes  Indyans,  Present,  as  also  Martin  Gerrittsen  of  Albany  &  Mr. 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  w"'  the  Councell. 

It  was  Proposed,  whether  it  will  be  Proper  to  send  any  present  of  bands  of  Sewant  or  the 
like  by  a  Messenger,  that  is  to  goe  to  those  Indyaus  or  not,  It  being  aymed  at  to  Speake  with 
them. 


508  Colonial,  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

It's  thought,  that  it  will  be  best  to  send  a  band  to  each  Nation. 

Resolved,  that  the  Commander  and  Co'''  of  Albany  send  to  the  Maques  and  SinneTces,  to  lett 
them  know,  that  there  is  a  p'son  come  from  Maryland,  who  desires  to  see  and  Speake  w'"  them 
at  Albany  in  four  weekes  time  after  the  Messenger  shall  begin  his  Journey  from  thence,  A  band 
of  Sewaut  to  bee  sent  to  each  of  the  five  Respective  Castles  as  a  token  of  his  Intent  to  bee  there. 

If  no  bands  of  sewant,  then  the  value  thereof  in  strung  wampum  of  about  20  or  25  gild'^ 
each. 

Ujion  Informacjon  of  some  Injuryes  done  upon  the  River  by  the  Maques  &  that  they  have 
carryed  away  a  man  and  woman  of  the  Mahicanders. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commander  bee  writt  to,  that  he  send  to  some  of  the  Maqiies  Sachems  & 
Reprove  them. 

The  same  Messenger  to  carry  3  fathom  of  sew'  to  the  Maques  &  give  them  notice  of  their 
Coming  to  Albany,  according  to  the  Governo"  order  of  this  same  date. 

An  answer  likewise  to  bee  given  to  some  Mahicander  Indyans,  who  are  come  hither  &  are 
afraid  of  the  Maques  Indyans.  They  are  five  in  all,  to  give  them  one  hundred  gild"  strung 
white  wampum  or  sew'. 


Council  Minute.     The  Mohawks  on  the  Waepath. 

At  a  Councell  June  11"'  1677. 
*  *  *  *  » 

Afternoone. 

The  Occasion  was  the  Receit  of  Lett"  from  Albany  sent  by  an  Expresse  from  thence,  Relate- 
ing  that  eighty  or  one  hundred  of  the  3faques  Indyans  had  fallen  upon  some  Mahicand"  &  North 
Indyans  at  Phillip  Peiters  Bowery  and  the  Halfe  Moo77e,  robbing  the  Mahicand"  and  carrying 
the  Others  away  Prisoners,  butt  they  had  returned  some  other  Prisoners  and  Promised,  the  rest 
should  follow. 

Also  the  Maques  routing  some  of  JJncasmen,  four  falling  upon  eighty  &  Destroying 
Divers  &c. 

Moreover  the  Maques  desire  the  Govern''  to  come  up  to  meete  them  at  AThany  in  15  days. 

Whether  adviseable  the  Gtjverno''  having  already  appointed  a  time,  when  he  will  be  there, 
Resolved  not  to  alter  his  former  Resolution  upon  their  j)roposalls. 


Peoceedings  on  the  claim  of  New-Jeesey  to  have  a  Poet  of  Entet. 
New  Yoek. 

Att  an  extraordinary  Court  in  the  City  Hall,  the  11""  of  July,  1677. 

Present. 

The  Governour  and  Councell. 
The  Court  of  Mayor  and  Aldermen. 
&c. 
Governo''  Philip  Carterett  of  Neio  Jersey,  with  Capt.  John  Berry  &  Capt.    Wm.  Sandford 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Records.  509 

of  liis  Councell,  pretend  to  have  Authority  and  orders  for  a  distinct  Port  and  Custom  house  in 
Wew  Jersey,  and  produce  a  Graimt  or  Indenture  from  his  Roy"  Highnesse  to  S"  George  Carterett 
of  Saltnom  in  the  (^ounty  of  Devon  Knight,  Vice  Chaniberlaine  of  his  Ma"'=  Household  &c. 
bearing  date  the  29">  of  July  in  tlie  26'"  yeare  of  liis  Ma"'^>'  Reigne,  1674,  for  part  of  the  land 
comprised  in  his  Ma'"^  Letters  Patents  to  his  Ilighnesse,  to  the  westward  of  the  Manhatans  and 
Lorig  Island,  and  hounded  to  the  eastward  by  the  Sea  and  part  by  Hudsons  River,  &c.  as  by  said 
Deed,  to  bee  called  Wew  Caesarea  or  Ifew  Jersey. —  Also  a  Commission  from  S'  Oeorge  Carterett 
to  PMlip  Carterett  Esq'  for  the  Government  of  said  Neio  Jersey. 

Produce  also  a  Commission  from  Commissioners  of  the  Customes  att  London,  Letter 
and  Instructions  of  y*  10"'  of  January  1673.  to  said  Governour  Carterett  for  Collector  &c  of  the 
Dutys  on  Tobacco,  and  other  American  Produce,  nott  giving  bond  to  goe  directly  for  England. 
Coppy  of  said  Governours  five  hundred  pound  bond  of  the  l*'  of  Februaiy  1673.  The  Kings 
Lettei-  of  the  26""  of  November,  in  the  So""  yeare  of  his  Ma""'*  Reigne;  and  acts  of  Parliam*  for 
said  Dutys ;  Which  being  all  read,  and  Governo"'  Carterett  and  Councell  fully  lieard  thereupon, 
and  no  more  to  produce ;  The  Dukes  above  specifyed  Graunt  or  Indenture  being  the  same  for 
said  part,  as  the  Graunt  in  1664  was  for  all  New  Jersey,  Vizt  for  the  land  to  the  westward  of 
Manhatans  and  Long  Island,  bounded  by  the  eastward  by  the  Sea,  and  part  by  Hudsons  River, 
and  the  other  parts  land  bounds,  (except  by  the  upper  part  of  Delaioare  River  &c)  as  per  said  Deed. 

Resolved  unanimously  by  the  whole  Court,  and  declared  by  the  Governour  as  their  Judg- 
ment in  Court,  That  they  find  no  Port  or  Harbour  graunted  thereby  to  S'  George  Carterett  or 
Neio  Jersey,  (distinct  or  independent  from  this)  But  all  Shipps  or  Vessels  as  hitherto  enter  and 
Cleaer  att  the  Custome  liouse  here,  or  Subordinate  OfBcers  thereof,  with  due  regard  to  Governour 
Carteretts  or  others  authoritys  for  y^  Dutys  on  Tobacco  and  other  produce  of  America,  according 
to  acts  of  Parliament,  and  Orders  thereujjon. 


Letter  from  Gov"  Andros  to  the  Magistrates  of  Albany,  declining  to  mef>t  the 
Maquas  there  and  condemning  the  violence  of  the  Mohawks  towards  the 
mohegans. 
Gen'^ 

Yo"  of  the  8"^  came  to  my  hands  yesterday,  by  the  expresse  you  sent.  In  answer  to  the 
Proposall  made  by  the  Maquas  Sachemacks  of  ray  coming  up  to  speake  with  them  in  fifteene 
dayes,  I  know  no  reason  for  it,  having  already  appointed  a  certaine  time  of  being  there,  if  they 
have  any  thing  extraordinary  to  s&y,  they  may  acquaint  you  the  Magistrates  with  it,  who  will 
transmit  it  to  mee,  or  some  of  them  may  come  hither. 

As  to  the  Insolence  &  violence  used  by  the  Maquas  &  North  Indyans  with  them,  in  yo'' 
houses  or  quarters,  upon  the  Mahieand"  or  any  other  Indyans  received  into  protection,  I  much 
admire  at  it,  but  since  they  seeme  not  to  justify  it,  &  yoa  desire  it,  I  shall  passe  it  by,  &  it  shall 
bee  buryed  in  Oblivion,  but  you  may  put  them  in  Mind  how  I  protected  them  in  the  time  of  the 
warr,  &  gave  their  old  men,  wives  &  children,  admittance  w"'in  our  Towne  &  Fortificatjons,  & 
that  I  doe  expect  that  whosoever  doth  or  shall  come  in  &  submitt  themselves  &  live  quietly  Avith 
our  Indyans,  shall  be  protected  from  any  outrage  or  force  &  I  shall  not  suffer  them  to  bee  disturbed 
or  harmed,  but  shall  looke  upon  any  violence  offered  that  way,  as  done  to  my  selfe. 

A  draught  of  my  Letter  not  sent  Sz  of  y^  Go.  sent  to  Alb. 

July  12,  1677 

By  Major  Ahramson  Jochems. 


510  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Council  Minute.     Indians  veky  unquiet  and  warlike. 

At  a  Councell  16"'  July  1677 
****** 

A  letter  from  Capt  Salisbu7'y  and  one  from  Coll.  Courcy  of  the  lO"'  men^oning  an  Intelli- 
gence from  father  Bruyas  and  his  letter  also  read  fi-om  Maques  Castle,  of  forty  O-neydas  designed 
to  fall  on  our  River  Indyans  at  Cattskill  and  about  an  English  girle  among  the  Oneydas  and 
Capt.  Salisbu7'y  writing  to  father  Bruyas  reqnireiug  the  Indyans  to  bring  her,  also  of  report  of 
Sinneques  coming  in  10  dayes  and  advice  for  the  Govern''  going  up. 

Advised  and  Resolved,  That  the  Govern''  do  nott  goe  up  till  appointed  time  y°  latter  end  of 
Aug''  and  in  y"  Interim  any  Indyans  may  deliver  their  message,  if  occasion,  at  Albany  to  be  sent 
to  the  Govern''  or  come  to  Yorh  themselves. 

Capt.  Salisbury  to  be  Checkt  for  writing  about  the  girle  w*"  out  order,  but  particularly  for  em- 
ploying tlie  Jesnite  and  upon  all  occasions  and  addresses,  that  he  referre  to  what  is  past  or  if  occa- 
sion to  the  Govern''  &  in  no  Case  give  any  other  answer  or  resolves  of  himselfe. 


The  Oneydes  Answers  to  y*^  Propositions  made  to  them  the  20'"'  July  by  y'' 

HON"  CoLLONELL  HeNRY   CoURSEY  Esq""^       AUTHORISED  BY  ChARLES  LoRD  BarRON 

OF  Baltamoee  Lord  Proprietor  of  Maryland  in  y^  Court  house  of  Albanie 
the  21  of  July  1677. 

M    Ger  van  Sl.ichtinhorst,  Intei-preter 

The  names  of  y'^  Sachems     Sweensie  —  /Sa?richtoa  —  CanacJiynd.ia  ■ —  Cannantkaera. 

1  They  say  wee  doe  also  Lately  approove  of  y'  which  y"  Onnondages  have  now  said,  calling 
them  there  fathers  (as  they  doe  Likewayes  tlie  Christians  of  this  Government)  and  are  willing  and 
Readie  to  obey  the  Command  of  y'=  great  King  Charles  who  livetli  over  y'^  great  Lake,  meaning 
our  Souveraign  Lord  y°  King  of  great  Brittain  &c,  &  doe  Pressent  one  belt  of  Zew' 

2  Wee  doe  recommend  that  j'ou  will  take  care  (as  we  shall  on  our  Pairts)  that  y"  Propositions 
which  you  made  Yesterday  be  Punctually  observed.  There  is  formerly  one  of  our  Indians  wounded 
by  you,   whicli   occasioned   our  Plundering      ....     houses.     We  must  also   acknowledge 

.     Killed  some  hoggs  &  beasts     .     .     .     .     ,  were  hungry,  but  never     ....     any 
Christians,  doe  Present  twoo  Otters 

3'^  We  are  now  come  together  to  make  y"  Covenant,  &  doe  again  absolutly  approove  of  y' 
^ch  yg  Onnondages  have  done.  But  doe  Let  you  know  y'  there  are  twenty  of  our  Indians  gone 
out  to  fight  ag'*' y'=  Indians  of  Your  Nation.  We  desire  y'  if  y'^'' doe  any  hai"m,  that  it  may  be 
excused  this  time,  because  it  is  Unknown  to  y'"  and  if  we  for  y'^  future  after  our  People  are  come 
home  shall  use  any  hostility  y'  way,  then  you  may  thinke  we  doe  not  according  to  our  Promise, 
but  are  not  Soe  minded,  &  doe  give  2  bevers. 

This  is  a  Draught  Examined  by  me, 

Rob''  Livingston  Sec'' 

N.  B.     These  Oneydes  were  present  when  y"  Propos :  were  made  to  y°  Omnondages  &  when 
they  gave  there  answer. 


Ne%o  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  511 

Lettek  from  John  Pynchox  at  Springfield  to  Capt.  Salisbury  at  Albany  on 
Indian  troubles. 

Springfeild  OctoL'"  5"'  1677. 
Just  at  Night. 
Capt.  Salisbury. 

Worthy  S"'  yesterday  morning  I  Eecd.  yo''  kind  lines  by  JBenja  Waite,  whereby  I  understand 
yo''  Simpathy  with  us  in  o''  sad  disazter  by  y"  Indians  ;  &  yo'  readyness  in  making  strict  inquiry 
&  greate  forwardness  to  doe  what  Posible  lys  in  yo"  for  us  which  I  have  abundance  Cause  to 
acknowledge  ife  doc  most  thankfully  accept  from  yo'"  hands,  &  as  to  yo''  opinion  of  the  Maquas 
being  free,  &  assureing  me  of  their  Innoceney,  I  doe  fully  Concur  with  yo",  having  Satisfaction 
from  what  yo"  writ  &  from  Ben  Waites  Relation,  But  to  put  it  out  of  all  doubt,  God  in  his 
Providence  hath  sent  in  one  of  o""  Captivated  men,  Benoni  Stehbvngs  by  name,  w*  is  y*  occasion 
of  these  lines  to  yo""  selfe  by  Post,  To  give  yo"  an  acco'  there  ofE  &  to  desire  yo"  to  Put  y"  Maquas 
upon  p^'sueing  their  own  Enymys  there  being  greate  likelyhood  of  y*  Maquas  overtaking  y"' 
Benoni  Stebhings  came  in  to  Hadly  last  night  in  y'^  nigbt,  whose  relation  was  Pent  to  me  w'^''  being 
but  an  lioure  since  I  had  it.  I  p'sently  resolved  upon  sending  Post  to  yo".  Take  his  relation  as  fol- 
loweth,  The  Company  of  Indians  was  twenty  only  about  sixe  or  7  Squasmade  26  in  all,  they  were 
this  Country  Indians  belonging  to  Nalvotogy,  all  of  y",  but  one  a  IN arrigansset.  They  came  from 
Canada,  3  Months  agoe,  &  had  bin  Hunting,  &  were  doubtfull  whether  to  fall  on  Northamton  or 
Hatfield,  at  last  resolved  on  Hatfield  &  Caryed  away  from  HaifiAd  17  p'sons  &  3  from  Deere- 
field,  besides  tbis  man  y'  is  come  in,  so  y'  they  now  liave  20  Captives  with  y™  3  of  y™  being  men, 
&  all  well  as  he  says,  when  they  took  y'"  At  Deerefeild,  after  the  noise  &  Cohoops  were  over  at 
Deerefeild,  their  first  Inquiry  was,  whether  there  were  any  Maquas  thereabouts  &  upon  Informa- 
tion y'  some  had  beene  there,  &  were  supposed  not  to  be  far  off,  they  were  all  liuslit,  &  Startled 
&  greately  afraid  &  goeing  silently  away  f ortbw*,  they  tooke  up  their  lodging  at  Deerefield  River 
Mouth  &  next  day  crossed  y"  River  viz  Conecticot  to  y°  east  side  of  it,  tlie  next  day  crossed  the 
River  againe,  &  againe  afterward,  they  Passed  y"  River  many  tymes  having  Cannoes  where  in  they 
caryed  y°  woamen  &  cliildren  being  about  2  days  journy  above  Squalcfieag,  they  sent  a  company 
of  y""  about  half  of  y"  to  JVasshaway  to  call  of  some  Indians  y'  have  bin  there  all  this  tyme  of  y'' 
war  &  tooke  this  Benoni  Stebhings  along  w*  y™  thither  Coming  to  Nashaway  Ponds  there  were  3 
Indian  men  &  about  halfe  a  score  squaws  w""  their  children,  these  they  went  too  to  take  along  w"" 
y""  :  having  travelled  from  y°  company  they  left  2  days  to  Sqioahheag  &  then  from  SquaJcheag 
somewhat  more  than  thirty  Miles,  to  y°  Indians  neere  Nashaway :  who  Pluck'  up  their  Stakes 
having  Plenty  of  fish  especially  Eeles,  &,  many  dryed  hurtleberrys  but  noe  Corne  ;  this  Benoni 
being  sent  w""  2  women  to  carry  Hurtleberrys  ;  Ran  away  fro™  them,  &  was  p''sently  p''sued  by 
some  men  &  at  one  tyme  was  but  a  swamp  between  y™,  but  night  Comeing  on  he  escaped  fro™  his 
p'suers.  He  says  y'  one  of  y°  Indians  y'  they  Had  fro"  about  Nashaway  Ponds  Semes  to  be  a 
Counsellor,  &  w""  him  they  Consulted  much  &  spake  of  sending  to  y'^  English,  but  at  last  resolved 
for  Canada  yet  talk'  of  making  a  fort  a  greate  way  up  the  River  &  abiding  there  this  winter, 
talked  also  of  carying  the  Captives  to  y"  french  &.  selling  y"  to  y^  french  which  he  concludes,  they 
resolved  on,  but  make  but  slow  Passage,  having  so  many  women  and  children,  He  Concludes  it 
would  be,  it  may  be  20  days  Er  they  gat  to  y"  lake  hunting  by  y'=  way.  It  was  Tuesday  Morning 
last  that  he  escaped  fro"  y'  p''ty  w'=''  caryed  him  w""  them  nere  Nashaway,  and  they  had  above  30 
Miles  to  goe  back  to  SquaJcheag,  &  then  nere  2.  d.  journy  more  to  y*  Rest  above  Squahlieag :  y" 
way  he  says  up  this  River  is  unpassable  for  English  men  &  their  goeing  is  by  Barken  Cannoes 
much  of  y"  way  &  then  to  y"*  left  side  of  y"  Rivery*^  men  foote  it  leaving  y"  worst  way  :     The  un- 


512  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

PassaLleness  of  j'^  way  tliis  way  renders  it  impossible  for  lis  to  p^'sue  or  doe  any  good.  But  y' 
Conveying  Speedy  word  to  y"  Maquas  gives  not  only  a  Possibility  but  a  probability  of  their  over- 
taking y"",  w''''  deare  S''  is  y'  end  of  those  lines  to  yo" :  To  request  yo"  (If  none  of  y"  Maquas 
Sachems  be  at  Albany)  to  send  at  o'  charge  to  y^  Cheifs  of  y^  Maquas  &  give  y""  an  acco*  of  mat- 
ters &  desire  their  Spedy  p''sueing  these  Bloody  villains  &  Enymys  of  y""  &  forthw"',  &  w"'out  any 
delay  by  which  meanes  I  hope  this  Barbarous  Crew  (who  are  Enymys  to  Peligion,  Civillity  &  all 
humanitj'  &  have  so  deepely  Imbrewed  their  hands  in  most  Innocent  chtian  Blood)  may  be  met  w"" 
on  their  returne  before  they  come  to  y"  lake  or  at  y'  Lake  &  so  o""  Cajjtives  Recovered  for  w^*"  we 
shall  give  y"  Maqiias  Sutable  rewards.  Good  S"'  Put  forward  y"  Maquas  to  Surprise  &  cut  oif 
these  villaines,  Let  y"  know  y*  it  will  be  a  greate  demonstration  of  their  fidellity  tfe  freindship  to 
us  &  it  is  a  very  Likely  opportunity  for  y™  to  kill  &  Catch  Indians  whom  the}'  so  much  Hunt  after. 
And  this  man  y'  is  Come  horn  says  they  dred  y*^  Maquas,  &  all  their  feares  was  least  some  Ma- 
quas should  p''sue  y"",  they  did  not  expect  or  think  y*  English  could,  &  desired  to  get  out  of  y'= 
Maquas  way  at  first  goeing  off  from  Deerefield  &  thinking  they  were  got  high  Enough  up  from 

them y"  more  secure  &  at  rest :  so  y'  now  I  believe  they  are  at  ease  &  will  make 

so  slow  progress  having  beside  o'  Women  &  children  a  p'sell  of  their  owne  women  cfe  children 
to  clogg  y™  y'  they  may  safely  be  taken  And  The  lighting  upon  &  destroying  this  Com- 
pany of  y"=  Enyniy  (being  as  it  is  S''  by  him  y'  is  come  in  y"  remaining  strength  of  this  River 
Indian)  will  be  a  breaking  Blow  to  y™  &  a  greate  meanes  of  o''  Security.  I  pray  S"  doe  what  yo" 
Can  to  Ingage  y*  Maquas  to  go  out  forthw""  &  to  deale  Effectually  in  it.  We  desire  to  doe  o' 
duty  &  to  waite  for  y®  salvation  of  God.  S""  Excuse  my  Scribling.  I  am  in  greate  haste  to  send 
away  y«  Messenger  to  Westfield  this  Night :  bee  The  need  in  getting  y Maquas  to  goe  out  upon 
y°  Enymy  before  they  get  on  y"  Lake  is  all  in  all :  If  they  can  but  come  up  with  y"  It  will  be  easy 
to  take  y",  for  I  tell  yo"  their  strength  as  y°  man  relates,  &  how  they  are  clogged  w"*  women  & 
children,  I  doubt  not  of  yo""  helpfullness  in  this  Exigence  -v,'"^  will  abundantly  Ingage  us  &  w"" 
greate  readyness  shall  sattisfie  what  yo"  disburse :  w""  my  endeared  Love  &  respects  to  yo"  Corn- 
ending  yo"  to  y^  p'tection  of  y^  Almighty  God,  I  remaine  S"' 

Yo''  very  Loving  ffreind  &  Servant, 

John  Pynchon. 

Ben  Waite  is  gon  hom  before  this  Intelligence  came  to  me,  He  talk*  of  goeing  to  Canada  before 
&  I  suppose  will  rather  be  forward  to  it  now  then  Backward,  Posible  he  may  be  at  Alhanj  about 
a  fortnight  hence  in  refference  to  a  journy  to  y'^  french  when  if  I  be  not  gon  to  Boston  (w*^''  I  have 
some  thoughts  to  doe  next  weeke)  I  shall  have  opportunity  again  to  write  yo".     Yale. 

J.  P. 

These  ffor  his  Honored  ffriend  Capt.  Salislmry  :  Comander  in  Cheife  atffort  Albany. 

Hast  Post  hast,  for  his  Ma""''  speciall  Service. 


REGULA90N  FOB  MiLrriA  Officees  and  Oedee  coNCEENrNG  Qurr  bents  at  Esopus. 

Cap'  Thomas  Chambers  to  Command  both  Horse  &  ffoot ; 
Lieu'  Geo :  Hall  next  in  Command  as  Capt.  Jlio :   Chambers  Leiu' 
The  Eldest  Lieu'  in  Commission  of  Hurley  or  Marbleton, 
The  Other  Lieu'  of  s"*  Towne. 


Neio  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  513 

The  Eldest  Connnissiou  of  Ensigne  or  cparter  Master  iu  absence  of  Superio''  w"'  Regiila9on 
to  be  Observed  till  ffurther  Order  Actum  in  JS^ew  Yorke.  Octob""  6""  1677 

E.  Andkos,  S. 
By  the  Governo'^ 

Whereas  the  severall  ffiirmers  Inhabitants  Planters  or  persons  of  Kingston,  Hurley,  and  Mar- 
hleton  in  Esopus,  have  for  these  two  yeares  last  Past,  Since  the  Late  Change  of  Governm',  Neg- 
lected to  pay  in  their  Quitt  Rents,  due  ffor  their  Severall  Tenures,  as  by  their  grants ;  I  do  there- 
fore by  Vertue  of  My  Authority  under  his  Royall  Highnesse,  appoint  and  Authorize  yo  Lieu'' 
Oeorge  Hall,  to  Demand,  and  receive,  s*  quitt  Rents  due  for  the  Past  &  Present  or  ensueing 
Yeare ;  giveing  a  due  accompt  thereof  from  time  to  time ;  And  for  so  doing  this  shall  bee  to  you 
and  every  of  them  a  sufficient  Wai-r*  &  Discharge.     Given  under  my  hand  in  New  Yorke,  this 

6""  of  Octob--:  1677 

E.  Ajstdeos,  S. 
To  Lieut.  Geo.  Hall,  Receiver  of  the 
Quitt  Rents  att  Esojnis 


Letteb  from  Gov^  Leveretp  to  the  Mohawk  Sachems,  waening  them  not  to 
INJURE  the  friendly  Indiajsts  of  his  colony. 

For  the  Sachems  of  the  Maqitas. 

Boston  Oct.  12'"  1677. 
You  may  by  these  Take  notice  that  six  of  your  men  (as  we  Since  understand)  Lately 
found  neere  Boston  in  the  woods,  who  being  well  armed  &  in  a  .  .  .  .  posture,  were  by  some 
of  our  People  Surprised  &  Cai-ryed  to  prison,  <&  there  not  knowing  but  that  they  were  Enemy 
Indians,  till  being  Examined  ....  they  were  found  to  be  Maquas  as  some  of  Albany  . 
.  so  thereupon  were  Avell  used  &  are  Sett  at  Liberty,  by  whom  we  send  these  Lynes  to 
lett  you  know  how  ready  we  are  to  hold  and  continue  friendship  with  you  which  was  so  lately 
renewed  at  Albany  ....  John  Pynchon  &,  yourselves  &  hath  bene  by  us  in  all  respects 
attended.  However  it  Comes  to  pass  that  it  hath  bene  a  failui-e  on  your  part  by  some  of 
by  some  of  your  men  not  observing  of  it  and  we  the  rather  suggest  because  the  Indians 
your  men  who  are  now  with  us  acknowledge  their  neglect  of  attending  what  was  Concluded 
at  Albany,  Namely  to  be  friends  to  all  our  fi-iend  Indians  which  M'as  one  of  the  great  things  we 
aimed  at.  Now  our  then  moving  you  to  destroy  the  Eastern  Indians  our  Enemies,  we  iiigaged 
you  not  to  meddle  with  our  friend  Indians,  &  ....  to  take  Care  of  them  who  were  Ti-ue 
to  us,  in  all  the  time  of  our  war,  &  ventured  their  Lives  for  us,  &  now  we  must  not  Let  them 
Loose  their  Lives     .     .     our  friends,  that  having  to  Carry  it 


Man,  as  he  was  fishing  Cloase  by  an  English  house,  and  Can-ying  away  two  Squaws  who  were 
about  their  occasions,  at  Hasanemesett,  all  which  being  contrary  to  the  agreement  made  with 
your  Seines.  Wee  hope  you  will  Cause  your  men  to  make  full  sattisfaction,  for  we  have  now  an 
opportunity  in  our  hand  &  might  detaine  Some  of  those  your  men,  but  to  prevent  all  ground  of 
disquiett  to  your  spirrits,  &  being  Confident  you  will  do  it,  namely  retume  back  those  2  Squa%vs 
and  forbeare  all  further  mischeife  upon  or  Toward  our  friend  Indians,  wee  Sett  in  Liberty  all 
65 


514  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

your  men,  resolvinge  there  shall  be  noe  breach  on  our  parts,  but  yet  we  will  protect  &  defend 
our  Indians  &  therefore  desire  you  give  all  your  people  notice  of  it,  to  be  more  CarefuU  for 
future,  that  no  Spoile  or  wronge  be  done  to  any  of  our  friend  Indyans.     Let  none  of  yours  come 
TiQ&vQ  Natiok  PunTcqu  .     .  Hasanemesett,  nor  Wamesttt,  nor  among  any  of  ourTownes  where  our 
friend  Indians  are,  who  are  &  will  be  friends  to  your  Selues,  as  wee  are,  all  being  under  his  Majes- 
ties protection,  &  therefore  not  to  be  disturbed  by  you.  There  are  other  Indians  for  you  to  fall  upon, 
whose  persueing  &  destroying  wee  shall  take  kindly  from  your  hands,  namely  a  Parcell  of  Indians 
who  Came  lately  from  Canada  &  fell  upon  Hattjield  the  same  day  when  4  of  your  people  Lodged 
in  Jlattfield  &  were  then  kindly  used  the  night  before  These  Indians  who  Came  from  Canada 
as  wee  Since  Came  to  know  by  one  of  our  Captives  that  is  gott  away  from  them,  have  Carryed 
with  them  Twenty  of  our  people,  women  &,  children  with  three  men,  whom  wee  understand  are 
returning  toward  Cam,ada,  It  wiU  be  an  acceptable  Service  to  us  if  you  Can  destroy  this  parcell  of 
Indians.     And  may  you  be  Instrnmentall  for  the  Savinge  or  recoveringe  of  any  of  our  Captives, 
wee  Shall  give  you  good  reward  for  the  Same,  we  have  further  to  lett  you  know,  that  now  there 
arising  enemy  Indians  against  us  about  Northhampton  &  those  Towues,  our  people  are  upon  their 
guard,  &  Scouting  forth,  So  that  it  may  be  hazzardous  for  your  People  wee  not  being  able  to  dis- 
tinguish betweene  such  enemy  Indians  &  Maquas  whom  wee  would   not  wronge  &  therefore 
yom*  men  may  not    .  .......... 

Some  one  or  two  at  most  with  a  Letter  in  their  hands  may  adventm'e  into  our  Tovmes  unarmed, 

& . 

them  to  be  Maquas  wee  shall  aiiord  reliefe  as  need  be         .  .  .  .  .  '  . 

because  of  some  four  people  who  were  Lately  Taken,  were         ..... 
by  taking  the  Enemy  Indian  for  Maquas,  whom  also  they  should  have  avoided,  wee  have  not  to 
adde  at  present  But  that  wee  are, 

Tour  ever  Loving  friend, 

John  Levebett,  Gov'. 


Extracts  feom  the  Mikutes  oe  the  Couet  at  Schenectady  est  eefeeence  to  the 
puechase  of  the  sec0nx>  and  thied  flat  on  the  mohawk  rivee. 

^T'^Mohawrni^T  "^^^  ^°Py-  Extract  from  the  Minutes,  Oct.    22*  1677. 

No.  6.  Daniel  Jansen   respectfully  requests,  that  their  Honors  will  give  him   let- 

ters of  recommendation,  in    consideration  of  his  various  services,  that  he  may  have  the  tliird 
flat  on  this  side  of  the  Mohawk  River. 

Their  Honors  promise  their  countenance  to  the  petitioner,  Daniel  Jansen,  their  colleague  and 
acknowledge  that  he  has  done  much  good  service.  The  hon"''^  General  shall  therefore  be  written 
to,  on  condition  that  the  lands  be  duly  paid  for. 

By  Order  of  the  Court 

LuDovicus  CoBES,  Secr^. 
Below  stood 

He  shall  have  preference,  when  it  is  thought  advisable  to  occupy  the  land.  Done  in  New 
Torh,  Oct.  29,  1677. 

Signed         E.  Andeos. 
Compared  by  me  :  Ludovicus  Cobes,  Seer''. 
True  Copy.         Extract  from  the  Minutes  Oct.  22,  1677. 


JSfew  Yorh  Historical  Records.  515 

Jacobus  Peech  and  Isaac  de  Ti'eux  hiimbly  request,  that  their  "Worships  will  recommend 
them  to  his  Honor,  tlie  Governor  General,  for  the  second  flat  on  this  side  of  the  Mohawk  River, 
provided  they  pay  the  proper  proportion  of  the  amount  advanced  for  the  piu'chase  of  all  the 
lands. 

Theu"  "Worships  promise  to  recommend  the  case  of  the  petitioners  to  his  Honor,  the  General. 

By  order  of  the  Court 

LuDovicus  CoBES,  Secr''. 
Below  stood ; 

They  shall  have  preference,  when  it  is  thought  advisable  to  occupy  the  laud.  Done  in  Hew 
York,  Oct.  29,  1677. 

Signed     E.  Andegs. 
Compared  by  me  :  Lttdoviciis  Cobes,  Seer''. 


Liberty  Graijted  to  Louis  du  Bois  &  p^tner  to  Settle  upon  their  lajjd  at  Esopus. 

By  the  Govern  o''. 
Upon  the  Request  of  Louis  du  Bois  &  p''tners  at  Esopus  that  they  may  have  Liberty  to  goe 
and  Settle  upon  the  Land  by  them  purchased  on  the  Southside  of  the  Redoide  Creek,  at  then-  first 
Convenience,  These  are  to  Certify  that  they  have  Liberty  so  to  do,  Provided  they  build  a  Redoute 
there  first  for  a  place  of  Retreate  &  Safeguard  upon  Occasion ;  Actum  in  Ifew  Yorke,  Novemb"' 
2\  1G77. 

E.  AnDEOS. 


An  Order  to  M''.  Stephanus  Cortlandt  to  purchase  land  at  "Wickers  Creek. 

"Whereas  applica9on  hath  been  made  unto  mee  by  divers  Persons  for  lands  at  Wyckers  Creek 
or  adjacent  parts  on  the  Eastside  of  Hudsons  River,  the  which  have  nott  as  yett  bene  purchased 
of  the  Indyan  Proprieto'''',  These  are  to  Authorize  &  appoint  you  M^  Stephanus  Cortlandt  Mayo' 
of  this  Citty  if  ffitting  Opportunity  shall  present  to  treate  with  and  agree  for  any  part  of  the  said 
Land,  for  which  there  may  be  piresent  Occasion  of  Settlem',  or  for  the  whole  with  the  Indyan 
Sachems  or  Proprieto'■^     Given  under  my  hand  in  New  Yorke,  Novembo""  16,  1677. 

E.  Andeos. 

The  Paym'  to  be  made  Publickly  at  the  flort  or  Citty  Hall  att  New  Yorke. 


Indian  Deed  for  Land  at  Claveeeack. 

{Fort  Orange  Records,  Deeds,  3.) 
Before  me,  Eolert  Livingston,  Secretary  etc.  appeared  Wattaioyt  and  his  sou  Apjponewayett, 
Wattawyps  sister  Sassioucha  and  her  little  sou  Metschkekamek,  all  Mahicanders,  living  at  Seho- 
tack  who  declared  to  have  received  full  and  satisfactory  payment  from  Mr.  Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst 
for  their  title  to  a  certain  piece  of  land ;  which  they  herewith  cede  and  convey  to  him,  at  the 
Cloverrack,  between  the  bouwery  of  Jan  Eoothaer  and  Major  Abraham  Staes,  beginning  at  a  fall 


5 1 6  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

of  the  Kil  called  Kesie  Ways  Kil  and  reaching  to  the  Kil  of  Major  Ahr.  Staes,  with  the  meadows, 
ishiuds  and  trees  standing  thereon  etc.  etc.  Thus  done  and  interpreted  hy  Arnout  Cornelisse 
Yiele  at  Alhariy  the  first  of  January  1677-8. 

Tlie  mark  «*/^/  of  Wattawyt  made 
Rich"  Pretty  1^^  j^j^    Ps/  -^    own  hand  for  himself 

A.Teller.  and  his  son. 

The  mark  \^  of  Sassioucha  made  by 
Arnout  Cor  her  own         |_   hand  for  her  herself  and 

Interpreter.  j^ej.  ^^^^ 

In  my  presence 

TioBEKT  Livingston,  Seer''. 


Letter  from  Sece''  Nicolls  to  the  Magistrates  at  Albany  on  Indian  affaies. 

At  a  Couucell  held  in  N.  Y.  the  IS""  day  of  Jan :  1677-S. 
Gent. 

The  propositions  made  to  you  by  the  Oneydes  Indyans  the  20"'  December  last  concerning  the 
delivery  of  the  Ilakicander  boy,  as  formerly  ordered  by  the  Go :  &  also  of  y°  party  of  SinneJces 
&  Oneydes  which  fell  upon  the  Sicsquehannes  Indyans  behind  Virgiiiia  excusing  their  ignorance 
of  the  Covenant  made  betwixt  Col.  Goursey  &  them  &c,  with  yo''  Answere  thereupon,  which  we 
doubte  not  but  will  bee  very  well  approved  of  by  y®  Go,  &  are  glad  to  heare  those  Indyans  doe 
so  well  comport  themselves  &  comply  with  y^  Go.  orders,  hoping  they  will  still  continue  in  their 
duty  we  shall  take  Care  by  the  first  opportunity  to  give  notice  to  Coll.  Coursey  of  what  hath  past 
upon  this  occasion.     "We  have  not  further,  but  take  Leave. 

By  order  of  the  Councell. 

For  y"  Comand'^  &  Comissaryes  at  Albany. 

N.  T.  Jan.  17,  1677-78. 

Order  of  Councell  Jan.  15,  1677-78,  in  answ"'  to  the  Proposi(,'on  nip.de  by  the  Oneydes 
Indyans  to  y*^  Comand''  &  Comissary^ 


Letteb  from  John  Talcot  of  Hartfohd  to  Capt.  Salisbury  at  Albany  on  Indian  affairs. 

Cap'  Salisbury. 

S"  —  My  service  being  p'"sented  hopeing  yo''  prosperity,  have  Sent  only  to  acquant  you  y'  two, 
Indians  viz :  Wontlioqum  &  Wopray  cam  from  yo'  parts  as  they  say  and  being  taken  up  heer  were 
examined,  and  now  at  yo'  desyres  have  given  y"  a  passe  for  ther  returne,  and  commend  it  to  yo' 
Wisdom,  whether  it  may  not  be  a  prudent  way:  When  any  of  the  Indians  of  yo'  parts  Shall 
desyre  to  jorney  into  those  pairts,  that  they  receive  y'  passe  or  a  Ticket  from  such  as  you  shall 
appoynt,  and  we  shall  doe  the  Lyke,  for  the  truth  is  in  such  a  Criticall  tyine,  wee  are  at  a  loss  to 
know  how  wee  shall  behave  oiu-  selves  among  the  Indians,  thar  wayes  arc  so  full  of  Tricks,  and 
know  not  friends  from  Enemyes,  when  wee  meet  y".  Especially  in  the  woods,  o'  peoplle  are 
at  a  losse,  I  make  bold  to  suggest  it  to  yo'  consideration  for  preventing  anie  Inconveniencie,  y' 
oy'wyse  may   happen  to  y'"  or  our  selves,  Knowing  y'  a  word   from  yo'self  will  be  a  Sufficient 


New   Yorh  Historical  Hecords.  517 

clieke  to  the  Indians,  wee  have  no  Newes  only  a  catch  is  com  Into  Boston,  with  Intelligence  that 
a  ffrench  ffleet  Arrested  one  Island  called  Tohagoe,  Situat  60  or  70  Leagues  from  Burrhadosse, 
that  was  planted  by  the  Dutch,  and  Cutt  off  all  men,  women  &  children.  Sparing  non,  which  if 
true  is  most  barbarons  &  Inhuman  creulitie,  So  to  serve  a  Christian  peopell,  although  one  Ene- 
mie  in  repute.  People  are  generally  weell  with  lis,  the  Small  Pox  yet  remanes  in  Boston,  beeing 
spred  upon  the  skirts  of  y^  Toun,  and  no  Infection  in  y°  man  strets  and  body  of  y'^  Toun,  18 
families  Infected  in  Charleston,  it  being  Lately  Increased  thar,  I  sent  yon  a  letter  the  last 
August  y'  I  might  have  given  you  a  visit,  but  o"  Indians  were  frighted  and  returned,  &  now  is 
out  of  daite,  it  was  in  reference  to  one  Muntoiv  y'  the  Mohauhes,  alias  Moquas  carryed  off  from 
Boston,  that  belonged  to  o''  Indians,  and  with  request  of  his  returne,  and  that  the  Moquas  will 

keepe  thar  promise  made  to  y"  Gent,  before  y"  hono'''^  Gov"'  Andros 

And  not  molest  our  Indian  ffriends,  but  damnifie  our  Enemys.  (What  they  pleased)  but  of  that 
I  shall  not  Trobule  you  with,  at  this  tym,  I  heare  the  Moquase  are  in  the  JVarraganset  Cuntry  and 
have  killed  one  of  y"  Surrendring  Indians,  that  Live  by  JV^orwich  Toun,  first  shott  him  through, 
then  cutt  of  his  Scalpe  and  run  away,  &  yet  remane  Squlking  up  and  down  in  our  Cuntrey,  I 
hard  Majo''  Pinchon  say  that  Uncass  wold  have  sent  Wampara  to  the  Ilaquass,  but  y'  Gent,  of 
o''  Collony  for  bid  it,  and  that  the  S'^  Uncass  had  fomented  this  amongst  the  Moquase  which  I 
thought  good  to  acquaint  you,  that  it  is  a  most  grose  Lye,  for  this  I  cau  assure  you  that  o"'  Gov  : 
and  councell  have  given  Uncass  advyce  from  time  to  time  yt  he  should  keep  his  covenant  with 
the  Mohcvukes  to  pay  Wampim  in  Case  he  had  made  anie  Covenant  with  them,  wee  alwayes  told 
him  it  was  his  Interest  &  Saftie  so  to  doe,  and  Sundry  tymes  wold  faine  have  had  him  send  to 
them  what  "Wampam  was  due  by  Covenant  &  he  alwayes  slighted  our  Motion,  Saying  nothing 
was  due  onto  them  I  mention  it  at  this  tym  &  the  rather  that  I  might  take  off  an  unjust 
reflection  or  Imputation  that  may  be  cast  upon  us  by  Uncass  and  y'  the  Moquase  may  not  bee 
disgusted  at  us,  for  Councelling  Uncass  about  keeping  of  his  Wampam  peay  from  them,  knowing 
that  hee  Needed  no  Such  councell  his  covetous  heart  being  Such  a  great  freind  to  that  Littel  pairt 
of  the  world  hee  haith  in  Possession,  but  I  am  sorry  I  have  being  so  troublesome  to  you,  hooping 
you  will  grant  me  excuse  for  aU  Erratas  of  this  Natur,  shall  only  add  y'  I  am  yo"^  affectionat 
ffriend  &  Ser'  Subscribitur 

John  Talcott. 
fFor  the  Ilono''''  Cap*  iSalishury,  Commander  in  Chief  at  ffort  Albany. 

Hartford,  Aprill 

These  may  Enform  any     ....     Collony  that  the  Indians Wonthoqu?n, 

&  womjjray  ....  Lately  com  from  ffort  Albany  ....  upon  thar  desyres,  have 
heirby     ....     to  return  to  the  place  from  when     .     .     .     without  any  Lett  or  disturbance 

.     .     .     .     themselves  peaceably  and  suitably     ....     English. 

]f  John  Talcott  Ass' 
of  his  Ma""*'  collony  of  Coneticutt. 

Copie  of  Majo''  Talcotts  Letter  to   C.  Salisbury  Apr.  8'^  about  two  Indians  of  the  Maquet 
seized  on  for  want  of  passport  &  releast. 
Arrived  here  the  25""  16Y8. 
To  bee  answered. 
The  proposall  of  Ticketts   approved  of,  &  Signifyed  to  C.  Salisbiiry. 


518  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

Letter  eeom  Commandek  Bbockholls  to  Gov''  Leete  of  Connecticut  about 
RrvEE  Indians,  detained  at  Winsoe. 
Hon'"»  S'. 

By  an  Express  This  day  from  y"  Command'  at  Albany  am  informed  y'  3  of  our  River 
Indians  (young  men)  who  were  hunting  eastward,  in  their  progress  fell  neare  Winsor  in  yo' 
Colony  and  having  exhausted  their  small  Stock  of  Shott,  for  a  new  supply  in  order  to  y®  prosecu- 
tion of  their  Bever  killing ;  Two  of  y'  3  went  to  y^  Town  of  Winsor  w"'  a  Bever  skin  or  two  for 
a  Eecrute  of  shott,  y"  third  remaining  at  y°  Indian  ffire,  and  in  Expectation  of  his  Companions 
Return  wayted  five  days,  but  in  y®  time  neither  seeing  nor  hearing  of  them,  under  some  appre- 
hentions  of  ffeare  hasted  home,  and  made  Relation  of  y®  matter  w*  hath  a  Little  amused  our 
Indians,  where  upon  j^  ffather  of  y°  absent  (  Watiawyt  by  name)  y"  bearer  here  of  immediately 
Repaired  to  me  at  Yorh  and  made  applycation  desiring  This  my  Letter  to  yo'  hono'  to  Retume 
his  sons  if  taken  by  any  of  yo'  people  as  is  by  them  supposed  and  ffear'd,  w'^''  if  so  These  are  to 
Request  yo""  most  prudent  favo'  and  firiendly  assistance  in  ffreeing  and  Returning  Those  two 
young  men.  Excusing  their  mistake  if  through  Ignorance  they  have  extended  Their  Rang  too 
ffarr  or  intrenched  on  yo""  Limits  :  Yet  if  detained  may  prove  of  very  111  consequence  and  kindle  a 
fflame  not  soon  to  be  Extinguished ;  Therefore  my  desires  and  further  Request  to  yo'  hono'  is, 
ffor  y"  preservation  of  y*^  Generall  publique  peace  That  you  will  be  pleased  to  Give  Such  orders 
for  their  Release  (if  w"'  you)  as  may  (in  yo"'  wisdom  and  Good  Neighborhood)  Be  fit  and  Satis- 
factory to  their  Relations  and  Nation,  who  as  yet  Continue  Both  ours  and  yo'  ffriends,  I  have 
ordered  this  Bearer  To  Take  a  Christian  w"*  him  from  Albany  to  your  Colony,  and  pray  y*  if  y'' 
said  two  young  men  bee  at  any  other  Town  in  yo'  Govemm*  y"  whats  mentioned,  you  will  afEord 
them  yo'  assistance,  or  ffurther  as  Occasion  (w"'  Safety)  may  Require,  and  in  all  things  of  y'^ 
Like  Nature  as  flormerly,  shall  be  still  ready  &  willing  To  Retaliate ;  and  alwaise  desirous  of  hold- 
ing and  maintaining  a  Good  and  Amicable  Correspondence  w"^  yo'  hono"*  self  and  all  y°  worthy 
Gentlemen  of  yo'  Colony  while  I  am  and  Remaine 

Hon''>'=  S' 
Yo'  bono"*  most  afEectionate  ffriend  and  humble  Serv'. 
ffort  James  in  New  Yorh  A :  B : 

ApriU  y«  16-1678. 
Toj^hon''''^   T^^7Z  Zeefo  Esq' Gov' of   Coneticutt  Colony.     These. 


Note  from  Sece^  Nicolls  to  Subvetoe  Anbeew  Norwood  to  lay  out  land  on 
Staten  Island  foe  Petek  Ceoisson. 

May  14,  1678. 
I  writte  a  note  (upon  Peter  Croisson  peti^on  to  C.  Brockholls^  to  M'  Andr  Nm'wood  the  Sur- 
veyo',  to  lay  out  a  Lott  for  him  upon  Staten  Island  neare  the  Lon^  Neck  by  the  Fresh  kill, 
hee  having  bene  formerly  abused  by  Robt  Rider  then  in,  &  his  old  neighbor  at  Ha/rlem  having 
bene  unkind  to  him,  desiring  his  returne  of  whats  done. 

M.  N.  S. 


New   Yorh  Historical  Records.  519 

Letteb  feom  Rich"  Woodhull  at  Seatalcott  to  Sece^  Nicolls,  reporting  a  ett- 

MOE  OF  A  COMBINATIOlSr  BETWEEN   THE    FeENCH  AJSTO  THE   InDIANS. 

Sii-. 

I  thought  it  my  dutie  to  informe  you  of  what  M''  Tomson  &  the  wife  of  John  Poe  hath  De- 
clared to  me  concerning  an  Indian  who  lives  on  the  maine  land  heing  a  p''prietor  of  Setak  that  the 
French  at  Cannada  and  the  Indians  on  the  maine  have  made  a  combination  tliis  Summer  To  cut 
of  the  English.  I  have  not  had  the  Indian  in  Examination  of  it,  but  desire  to  acquaint  you  w""  it 
first,  and  know  your  advith,  in  it  before  I  stire  in  it,  to  Disturb  the  Indians,  I  Suppos  y'  Indian 
might  speak  it  in  hope  to  geet  Drink,  I  humbly  request  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  send  som 
directions  about  it  that  it  might  Stop  the  mouthes  of  timeros  people,  that  are  redy  to  tak  up 
every  report  for  truth  though  there  may  be  litle  in  it.  Thus  w"'  my  Service  p'sented  to  Capt. 
Brockholls  I  rest  your  humble  Servant 

KiCHAED  Woodhull. 

ffor  Capt.  Mathias  Nicolls,  Secretary  at  Neio  York. 

Eec"*  May  lY,  1678,  brought  yesterday. 

M"'  Rich'^  Woodhnll  Seatakcott  May  17—1678 

Thought  fitt  by  the  CounceU  to  examine  the  Indyan  of  the  Groimds  of  this  report  without 
troubling  the  other  Indyans. 

Answered  May  22,  1678. 


LsTDLAN    Deed  for  Land  in  Columbia  Cotitsity. 
(Fort  Orange  Records.     Deeds  3.) 

Before  me,  Robert  Livingston,  Secretary  etc  appeared  a  Mahicander  Indian,  called  by  the 
Christians  Knaep  and  by  the  savages  Pamitachnatt,  who  having  also  authority  from  his  mentie  (?) 
named  Paunichkam,  declared  to  have  received  full  and  satisfactory  payment  from  Mr.  Dirch 
Wessels  and  Cornelis  van  Dyk  for  their  right  and  title  upon  a  certain  piece  of  land,  situate  on 
the  East  side  of  Hudson  river  back  of  Jan  Ooms,  about  five  English  miles  from  the  river,  it 
being  a  meadow  called  by  the  savages  Takkichenon  and  reaching  to  or  bordering  on  a  piece  of 
woodland  called  Pamschenakassik,  also  upon  another  piece  of  land  called  Kehantik,  having  for- 
merly been  used  as  a  cornfield,  reaching  towards  the  river.     Etc.  etc. 

Done  at  Albany,  June  ll"',  1678. 

The  mark  \ L      of  Kjstaeip 

made  by    C — -/y  himself. 


The  mark  f^  of  Tiamokenis 

Richard  Pretty  made  \\    by  himself. 

Jan  Thomas  h 
Arnout  Cornelisse  Viele  Intei-preter.  In  my  presence 


Ko.  Livingston,  Sec'y. 


Lettee  from  Cap''  Salisbuet  at  Albany  to  Commandee  Beockholst,  about  par- 
ties OF  Mohawks  going  on  the  war  path. 
Cap*  Brockholls. 

S'.    Upon  the  20'"  of  present  I  received  a  Lef  from  Scannecstada,  y'  there  is  2  great  troopes 
goeing  out  of  the  Mantquas,  fighteing  to  y'^  North  one  troope  for  the  Unagoungas,  but  y^  other  I 


520  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

am  in  thoughts  y'  thay  will  goe,  to  wards  Major  Pynehons  or  that  way,  to  say  how  many  there  ■ 
is  in  each  troops  I  cannot  Learne,  and  what  j"  Event  will  be,  time  muste  bring  to  passe.  I  have 
not  had  noe  op''tunytie,  to  writ  to  Major  Talkutt,  since  I  have  received  his  Let',  but  if  you  pleas 
to  Let  me  know  any  thing,  what  I  shall,  write,  to  hime,  if  op''tunity,  Doeth  present,  I  shall  be 
very  Kedy,  all  is  well  at  the  present,  but  my  poore  Child  is  at  y°  present  very  sore,  but  I  hope  in 
God  he  shall  doe  well,  which  is  all  at  present  from  hime     Y'  is  your  very  humble  Serv' 

Silee:  Salisbury. 
fforte  Albany,  y"  24""  of  June,  1678. 


Lettee  feom  Cap''.  Salisbuet  at  Albaitt  to  Commanbee  Beockholst  ;  eepoets 

THE  AEEIVAL  OF  A  PAETT  OF  MoHAWKS  WITH    22    NatICK     InDIAJ^J     PEISONEES. 

Hon"  S'  Albany  27  June  1678. 

This  day  there  arrived  here  a  troop  of  60  Maquas  with  22  Prisoners,  to  witt  3  men  17  women 
2  Boys  &  2  Crounes  (?)  who  say  they  are  frind  Indians  of  y'=  Miglish,  whereupon  I  called  y^  Court 
forthwith  and  Eesolved  to  send  y"  Secretary  &  Aernout  y®  Literpreter  to  y'=  Prisoners,  to  exam- 
ine them  from  whence  they  were,  who  doe  say  they  are  Natioh  Indians  frinds  to  y*  English  & 
under  the  Command  of  Major  Guggine  and  say  they  were  taken  in  a  Indian  Cornfield  called 
Magaehnah  6  mile  from  Suddberry,  whereupon  Tahaidons  the  fore  fighter  of  y''  Maquase  was 
told  &  Eeminded  of  y^  Propositions  made  by  Major  Pinclion  &  Mr.  Richards  then  agents  of 
N :  England,  that  y''''  should  befrind  y"'  friend  Indians,  and  like  wayse  how  y"  Maquase 
Promised  to  do  them  no  harm,  who  answered  and  said  they  were  taken  about  6  mile  from  any 
English  Place  &  therefore  did  take  them  to  be  there  enemies,  Neverthelesse  Tahaidons  Promises 
that  they  shall  not  be  damnifyed  till  further  order,  but  I  cannot  Eely  upon  his  word.  This  is 
that  which  hath  now  lately  happened,  I  Desire  that  you  would  send  me  your  advise  there  abouts, 
by  y'=  first,  I  doubt  not  if  y'^''  be  frind  Indians  (as  they  say)  but  you  or  I  will  Keceive  Letters 
there  anent  Speedily,  but  if  not  Possiblie  they  will  not  trouble  Them  Selfs,  but  I  doe  Presume 
hey  are  of  there  Praying  Indians,  because  there  is  one  amongst  them  that  brought  y*^  Indian 
Bible  here  in  Govern'  Nicolls  time,  N"o  more  at  Present 

I  am  S'  Tour  very  humble  Serv'  Silee  :  Salisbuey. 


Letter  from  Cap'  Salisbitby  to  Commander  Beockholst  on  Indian  affairs,  most 
OF  the  Natticks  have  been  burned  by  the  Mohawks. 
Cap'  Brockholls. 

I  have  Received  yours  baring  Daite  ye  4the  of  July,  Concerning  Tyador  y"  Maguas  fore 
fighter,  &  his  prissoners,  y=  Natick  Indians  which  I  doe  beleive,  that  y*^  Moste  part  of  them  Are 
burned  eare  this  time,  as  I  have  hard  from  others  Indians  yt  Comes  Every  Day  out  of  ye  Laude, 
you  say  y'  I  shoulde  Sequere  them  in  my  hands,  or  be  put  to  be  kep'  in  y*'  hands  of  our  frends,  y" 
Mohocanders  all  this  was  well,  what  you  write,  but  the  Ilauquas,  Are  not  those  sorte  of 
people,  y'  Deliver  up  ther  prissoners,  for  nothing,  I  doe  beleive,  I  coulde  have  Released  them  for 
fl  200  or  there  abouts,  but  neaver  had  any  orders.   To  Disburse  any  Money  for  another  Collonys 


New  Yoi'h  Historical  Eecords.  521 

Indians  &  if  I  shonlde  then,  the  Gov'  woulde  be  Angoriy,  we  haveing  nothing  to  Doe  with 

them,  nor  Eeceive  any  proffitt  by  them,  and  with  your  leave  my  thoughts  is,  f  if  ye  J^ew  England 

people  had   any  kindness  for  them,  thay  would  have  sent  a  man,  time  Noffe  to  have  bene  at 

Albany,  to  have  spoken  with  Tyadory  for  he  was   Long  anoffe,  on  his  way  but  about  14  Days 

affier,  Sends  me  a  Let^  to  Desire  me,  to  Threaten  y^  Mauquas,  for  them,  but  I  Doe  think  Such 

sort  of  Tmplyment,  will  beeom  them  Selves  better,  y'=  Copy  I  have  Sent  to  in  my  Laste  for  in 

Stead,  of  Sending  of  Such  a  Lef,  if  thay,  had  sent  me  order  to  have  Disboursed  for  them  500  or 

600  Gilders,  to  have  Given  y''  Mmiquas,  then  perhapes  there  Eyees  might,  have  bene  open,  but 

other  ways  they  be  as  Deaffe  as  a  stone.     There  are  more  troopes  of  y»  Mauquas  out  as  I  Doe 

here  but  Come  not  in  our  towne,  but  goe  over  by  y«  half  Moons,  I  here  f  one  troop  Containes 

of  30  ISTorth   Indians  &  but  one  Mauquas  in  yer  Company,     What  it  will  produce  God  knows 

but  I  fere,  it  will  not  be  good.     This  is  all,  at  present  from  hmie  whose  Desire  is  to  be  Esteemed 

your  friend  &  humble  Serv' 

„    ,    .  „  SiLv"   Sausbuet. 

^ort  Albany  y^ 

11«»'  of  July  1678. 

Ffor  the  bono''*  Cap*  Anthony  Brockholls  at  James  fforte  In  Hfew  York, 

These. 


Orders  &  Instructions  for  M".  Samuell  Ely  and  Benjamin  "Waite,  AGErrrs 
OF  Massachusetts  on  a  Mission  to  the  Mohawks  with  Peter  de  Voes  yo" 
Interpreter. 

1  Tou  are  heerby  ordered  (according  to  yo"^  Comission)  by  the  first  opportunity  and  as  spedely 
&  by  the  best  way  you  can  To  Travle  to  y"  Macquas  Cuntry. 

2  As  soon  as  yea  cane  speake  w"'  any  of  the  Macquas  tell  them  yea  are  sent  from  y'=  Gov"'  and 
Councell  of  the  Massachusetts,  and  with  a  Message  of  great  Concernment,  which  you  are  to  Im- 
pairt  to  the  Seachems  &  therfor  desyre  a  full  meeting  of  all  thar  Seachems,  or  as  many  of  the 
cheife  of  them  as  can  be  procm-ed  to  whom  when  mett  declare  unto  y™  from  whom  you  are  sent 
&  show  y"  yo''  Commission. 

3  Then  tell  them  y'  y''  Gov''  and  all  the  Inglish  in  these  pairts,  have  bene  (ever  since  thar  first 
coming  hither)  good  ffriends  to  the  Macquas,  ct  have  Never  don  them  any  wrong,  and  have 
estemed  the  Macquas  to  be  ther  ffriends,  and  so  have  alwayes  Used  y™  when  upon  anie  occasion 
they  had  com  amongst  us,  as  they  well  know  and  may  remember.  And  Therfor  that  they  think  it 
strange  &  can  not  but  tak  it  very  111  that  Last  act  of  Hostilitie  at  Mayuncog,  where  they  killed 
three  &  carried  away  Captive  Twentie  four  of  our  friend  Indians,  who  are  his  Ma*'"'*  Subjects  w"" 
out  any  cause  given  by  them  y'  wee  know  off,  or  any  Complaint  made  to  use  by  the  Macquas  and 
so  contrary  to  ther  agreement  &  promise  to  Majo""  Pinchon  at  Albany  j"  Last  yeare  &  at  Boston 
afterwards  by  a  party  of  y"'  y'  Cam  to  Majo'  Pinchon  at  Hadley  and  to  M^  Salisbury  at  ffort 
Albany,  as  hee  Informes  us,  that  they  wold  not  kill  or  hurt  anie  of  our  Indian  ffriends  Especially 
any  of  those  belonging  to  Natick,  which  those  did,  and  therefor  telly"  you  are  sent  to  know  the 
Cause  &  resone  of  ther  thus  acting  as  enemyes,  <fe  contrary  to  so  many  rejterated  premisses ;  and  be 
verie  Carfiill  to  understand  all  thar  answeres  clearly  and  f uly,  which  you  are  to  Sett  doun  in 
wryting. 

66 


522  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

4  If  they  alleadge  that  ou'  Indians  have  done  them  aiiie  wrong,  you  may  Tell  them,  that  if  y' 
cane  bee  made  appear,  the  Gov'  &  Councell  will  cause  them  to  Make  due  Satisfaction,  and  io  wold 
have  done  befor  upon  Complaint  &  prooff. 

5  Tell  y'"  as  the  Inglish  vse  to  keepe  tliar  word  and  jjvomise  w"'  all  Indians  so  they  expected 
the  Lyke  from  them,  above  oy'  Indians  as  seeming  moi-e  generous  &  Ingenous,  &  having  Till  now 
of  Laitt  Never  found  it  otherwayes ;  but  have  now  great  Cause  to  complein  &  be  offended,  That 
instead  of  restraning  o''  Indian  Enemyes  w'*"  are  com  amongst  them,  from  doeing  us  or  o''  ffriends 
any  hurt  or  Injurie,  as  they  promissed  Major  Pinchon  at  AThanie,  they  should  joyne  w""  them  to 
Destroy  kill  &  Captivat  those  y'  are  ou"'  ffriends  &  Subjects  &  under  o''  protection,  which  wee  may 
not  suffer,  for  as  wee  will  not  willinglie  wrong  the  least  company  of  Indians  that  have  not  Injuried 
us.  So  wee  cane  not  beare  to  great  ane  Injurie  &  Indignitie  from  the  greatest  &  proudest  of 
them  all. 

6  ly  You  are  to  propose  to  y"  that  if  they  bee  willing  &  desirous  (as  the  Inglish  are)  that  peace 
and  ffreindship  may  bee  preserved  &  continued  betwixt  us  &  them  as  formerly,  that  then  they 
wold  send  som  of  thar  Sachems  or  cheife  Men  to  Treat  &  conclud  av'"  ou"'  Commissioned  and  those 
of  the  oy''  CoUonyes  who  are  also  heerin  concerned  at  Hartford  about  the  midle  of  Sep"'  next,  or 
at  Hadley  if  they  Lyk  that  place  better,  or  rather  then  faile  at  Boston,  if  they  chuse  it  rather, 
that  so  thare  may  be  a  right  understanding  had  off  all  thinges  betwixt  us  &  them,  offences  removed, 

6  a  firme  peace  setled  for  tyme  to  Come  w"^*"  if  they  accept  &  will  Ingage  to  attend,  and  in  the 
Mean  tyme  promise  to  forbear  any  further  attempts  ag'  our  freind  Indians,  thar  need  litell  mor 
bee  said  to  them  but  friendly  discourse  (when  you  may  take  occasion  to  tell  y"",  that  all  the  Ing- 
lish in  this  Cuntry  are  King  Charles  his  Subjects  (Tho  under  severall  Govrments)  and  tharfor 
what  wrong  is  done  to  any  of  y"  he  will  acco'  it  as  done  to  all,  and  to  himself  also,  who  haith 
Multitud  of  Men  to  revenge  it  if  there  should  bee  Need)  and  you  may  promise  them  a  save  con- 
duct for  thar  coming  and  returne  what  ever  the  conclusion  should  bee,  But  if  they  absolutly  re 
fuse  to  attend  any  Meetings  in  any  of  the  places  propounded,  then  you  are  to  demand  of  them 
what  thar  Intention  and  Kesolution  is  for  tyme  to  Come,  in  reference  to  on''  ffreind  Indians,  & 
declare  unto  them  that  wee  cane  not  distinguish  y"  from  other  Indian  Enemyes,  nor  Look  at  them 
other  then  Such,  if  heerefter  they  com  so  near  to  the  Plantations  &  habitationes  of  the  English 
and  that  ag'  thar  Consent,  and  to  destroy  our  ffreinds  who  have  Subjected  themselves  under  our 
protection. 

7  ly  In  the  generall  you  are  to  understand  y'  wee  much  rather  desjTe  peace  &  ffreindschip  w"' 
the  Macques  then  to  have  them  our  Enemyes  iff  it  may  bee  oljteaned  upon  just  &  honorable 
tearmes  and  thearfor  yea  are  to  treat  them  accordingly  fforbearing  all  threatning  and  provoking 
speeches,  nor  are  yea  tyed  Exactly  to  declare  unto  y"  the  particulars  of  yo'  Instructiones  in  order 
as  they  are  sett  doun,  but  as  may  best  suite  w""  ther  ansrs  &  preciding  discourse. 

8  ly  If  you  finde  y"  Inclyne  to  a  Complyance  &  shewing  any  reluctancy  for  what  they  have  done, 
and  any  reall  desyre  to  keepe  ffreindschip  w***  the  Inglish  then  you  are  to  propose  to  them  the 
releasing  of  all  the  Capatives  they  have  of  our  ffriend  Indians,  which  yea  may  Tell  them,  will  bee 
taken  as  a  reall  pledge  of  thar  Love  &  good  will,  and  not  forgotten  by  the  English,  when  oppor- 
tunity serves  to  Testifie  thar  Love  &  kynd  acceptance  thereof.  But  if  yea  finde  they  Carry  them- 
selves highly  and  proudly  as  bent  to  Quarells,  slighting  the  English  &  refusing  all  former  propo- 
salls  Tending  to  Peace,  you  may  then  tell  them  if  it  bee  thar  myndes  &  resolutione  to  break  peace 
&  ffreindschip  w"'  the  English,  and  to  become  thar  Enemyes,  without  any  Cause  given  by  them, 
that  then  they  should  doe  well  to  declare  it,  that  so  wee  may  know  how  to  Esteme  of  them  heerefter. 

9  ly     You  are  to  avoyd  as  mucht  as  possibile  yea  Can  the  Speaking  w"'  the  Macquas  in  the 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  523 

presence  of  any  ffrier,  Jesuits,  or  other  ffrench  or  any  of  our  Indian  Eneniyes  y'  are  amongst 
them.     Given  at  Boston  in  New  England  ll'"  July  1678  and  Signed  by 

Edwaed  Rawson,  Secf^  by  Order  of  the  Councell. 

This  is  a  true  Coppy  Examined  by  me 

Rob''  Livingston  Seer*''. 


John  Leveret  Esq"  Gov"  of  y'^  Massachusetts  Colony  in  N".  England  w'"'  y'" 
Consent  of  y'^  Consell  there 

To  M^  Samuell  Ely  &  Benjamin  Waitt. 

Ton  are  appointed  &  hereby  Commissionate  &  fully  Impowred  by  y^  Gov''  &  Councill  of  y' 
said  Colony  with  all  Speede,  to  take  your  journey,  &  by  y'=  best  ways  &  meanes  you  can  to  Repaire 
into  y*  Maquas  Countrey,  &  find  out  some  of  y'^  Maquas  shewing  this  Commission,  &  acquaint 
them,  that  you  are  sent  by  y'^  Gov""  &  Councill  aforesaid  w""  a  message,  of  great  Concernment, 
w'^''  you  are  to  Impairt  faithfully  unto  the  Sachems  of  y°  said  Maquas,  their  frinds,  in  as  full  a 
meeting  of  them  all  or  cheifest  of  them  as  you  can  Procure  according  to  y^  Instructions  herewith 
given  &  Committed  to  you,  &  your  Prudent  Mannagement  thereof  And  when  you  have  attayned 
a  cleere  &  full  understanding  of  y'  said  Sachems  Mindes,  about  what  you  are  sent,  by  you  &  your 
Interpreters,  Peter  de  Voi's,  best  skill  &  knowledge  you  are  at  all  Possible  Speed  &  diligence  to 
make  your  Pepaire  to  y"  Gov'^  &  Councill  in  Boston,  &  declare  to  them,  in  writeing  &  what  you 
have  had  and  Received  from  them  In  testimony  whereof  y'^  Gov'^  of  y®  Said  Colony  hath  hereto 
affixed  the  Seale  thereof  &  Subscribed  his  name,  12  July  1678. 

Sic  Stibscrihitur,  John  Leveret,  Gov. 

This  is  a  true  Copy  Examined  by  me, 

Rob''  Livingston,  Seer. 


Letier  from  Peee  Beuyas,  S.  J.  to  Cap^  Salisbury  on  Indian  'affairs  enclosed 

IN    A    LETTER    FROM    Cap''    SALISBURY    TO    CoMMANDER    BeOCKOLST. 

TioNNONTOGUiN,  July  13"",  1678. 
S". 

I  give  this  small  Letter  to  this  Sakemake  to  Let  you  know,  that  a  party  of  the  Mahingans 
TaraTctons,  have  past  this  way  with  two  prisoners  of  the  Algonquins,  who  are  Subjects  under  the 
Conte  of  Frontenac,  Major  Andros  did  forbid  those  Indyans  to  make  warre  in  those  parts,  &  I 
doubt  not  but  heo  will  disapprove  so  unworthy  an  action,  &  will  cause  those  prison"  to  bee 
returned  back  out  of  the  hands  of  those  treacherous  persons ; 

You  will  infinitely  oblige  the  Governo''  of  Canada  in  yo'  endeavo"  to  maintaine  the  peace  in 

those  parts  under  yo"  obedience,  &  that  you  will  use  those  mutinous  ones,  with  the  like  severity 

he  hath  lately,  shewne  towards  those  Mahingans  inhabiting  about   Canada,  who  brought  away 

those  English  prison",  from  Boston.     It  is  the  prayer  which  in  particular  is  made  by  him  that  is, 

S'',  yo''  thrice  humble  &  thrice  obedient  Servant, 

J.  Bruyas, 

De  la  Corap*  de  Jesus. 


524  Colonial  Settlements  on,  the  Hudson  River, 

The  Superscription  was, 

Monsieur  Salishury,  Governeur,  Alhanie. 
Cap'.  Brockhols. 

I  have  not  anything,  to  acquaint  you  with  since  my  laste,  only  upon  the  12  of  this  mounth 
Come  to  this  Towne,  y*  Greate  Seacheni  of  y"  Mauquas,  called  by  y*  JMame  of  Cannonundowa  to 
hand  us  his  beavers  &  with  all  he  brought  me,  a  Lef  from  Fere  Breuyas,  the  which  I  have  herein 
cloesd,  y*  when  you  have  perused  I  pray  you  to  give  me  your  Advis  &  Let  me  have  it  gaine  I 
Likewis  tould  this  greate  Sachem  what  an  Evell  thing,  thay  have  done  in  takeing  the  Waitticke 
Indians,  &  Did  Demands  them  as  you  Did  advise  in  yours,  he  tould  me  y'  thay  was  ther  olde 
enemys  and  Coulde  say  Littell,  at  y"  present  it,  but  when  he  Came  into  y^  Lande,  he  woulde  Call 
y''  Woulfe,  y"  Beare  &  Siellpott  meaning  there  3  houses  togeather  and  woulde  see  what  would  bee 
Done  &  he  woulde  Let  me  here  by  y^  ferste,  I  have  written  to  M''.  Wells  y^  Laste  month  for  pro- 
vitions,  for  y""  Garrisson  but  Doeth  not  Let  me  here  from  hime  neathr  by  provition  or  Let',  I  pray 
you  take  some  Care  in  it  &  Let  there  be  som  sent  up  by  the  ferst,  for  I  have  bought  3  barrells  & 
noNs^  its  up,  &  here  is  not  any  to  be  gotten,  Soe  having  noe  more  to  truble  you  with,  but  Desires 
to  Remaine  your  humble  Serv'  to  Command. 

SiLVE.  Salisbury. 

fort  Albany  y^  IS"-  of  July,  1678. 

S'',  I  have  spoken  to  y^  Catkils  Indians  y'  have  those  2  prisoners  about  them,  &  thay  have 
promised  me,  y*  the  Indians,  shall  be  forth  Coming. 

For  Cap'  Anthony  Brockholls  at  fort  James  in  JVew  York. 

These. 

(Endorsed  by  Seer.  Nicolls  ;)  that  M"'.  Wells  hath  already  sent  two  barrells  &  sends  now  two 
by  T/io.  Yerdun,  for  Pork  M"'.  Wells  sayes  they  had  enough,  before,  for  fresh  provisions  not  fitting 
to  be  killed  to  save  &  old  very  scarce  to  bee  gott. 


Letter  from   Commander  Brockholst  to    Cap''.  Salisbury  on  the  murder  of 

THE    NatTICKS    and    THEIR   NEGLECT    BY   THE    !NeW    EnGLAND    PEOPLE. 

Cap'.  Salisbury. 

I  have  rec'*  yo''*  of  the  6""  &  11"'  instant  In  the  former  were  the  pticular  bills  of  the  french- 
mans  Expences  at  Albany,  w"^  you  excuse  upon  occasion  of  the  order  from  hence.  Truly  had  it 
beene  imagined  that  it  would  have  admitted  such  a  Lasitude,  wee  should  have  beene  more  cau- 
tious in  giving  it,  for  I  am  very  confident  it  will  bee  scrupled  at,  if  not  downe  right  found  fault 
with  by  the  Go :,  &  I  know  not  how  it  can  now  bee  put  upon  the  Governo'  of  Boston  to  pay  it. 
Except  Avee  could  have  had  it  time  enough  to  send  when  these  Gents  were  there,  for  they  have 
already  concluded  with  them  &  paid  all  their  disbursem'',  &  pretences  &  so  that  this  after  bill  will 
hardly  find  acceptance  which  wee  thinke  it  more  convenient  to  Let  it  rest,  till  the  Go: 
comes.  As  to  yo'  owne  enhansing  the  reckoning,  or  countenancing  any  extravagance  to  occasion 
it,  I  can  not  thinke  any  of  the  Councell  are  of  that  opinion,  but  doe  believe  you  will  doe  yo'  best 
to  render  a  good  ace'  of  all  matters  with  you  to  the  Go : 

In  yo'  other  of  the  ll""  concerning  Tyados  the  Maquis  forefighter  &  his  carryeing  the 
Natuck  Indian  prisoners  to  their  Castles,  where  its  said  they  have  burnt  the  greatest  part  of  them, 
If  the  Letter  from  hence  came  to  you  before  they  went  away  &  you  demanded  those  prison™ 
according  to  the  directions  therein,  mee  thinkes  they  should  not  bee  so  perverse  to  deny  it,  &  it 


New  YorTi  Historical  Jiecords.  525 

seemes  very  strange  that  the  Peace  betweene  us  should  bee  held  upon  such  unequall  &  ticklish, 
Teniies,  that  not  withstanding  wee  deale  with  them  in  all  Friendship  jet  they  shall  p'sunie  to 
breake  it  when  they  please  without  eontroiile,  as  now  p''ticularly,  their  falling  upon  our  Neighbo" 
friend  Indyans,  contrary  to  their  Engagem*,  &  to  expect  money  for  their  delivery,  They  deserve 
rather  a  Check  for  their  Insolence,  then  to  bee  soothed  up  in  it,  If  they  have  such  Encouragem' 
their  next  attempt  may  bee  upon  Christians,  so  they  may  bee  p''  for  their  Eansome.  I  suppose 
that  Considera9on  hindred  the  IVew  Encf-  men  from  sending  money,  neither  could  it  bee  expected 
yon  should  liave  disburst  it  for  them,  but  its  a  wonder  they  neglected  them  so  much  as  not  to  send 
after  them  sooner,  when  they  themselves  might  have  come  &  spoken  with  them  &  heard  their 
reasons  &  not  to  impose  the  trouble  on  you,  However  its  not  thought  amisse,  that  they  should  bee 
made  acquainted  of  their  breach  in  this  p''ticular  with  our  jSTeighbo" ;  which  is  not  to  bee  endured: 
The  troope  of  30  J^orth  Indyans  with  one  Maques  onely  gone  out  as  you  mention,  seeme  to  per- 
tend  no  good,  &  having  begun  this  by  a  party  of  Maqttes,  greater  Mischeife  may  bee  expected 
from  these  others  probably  ag''  Christians  as  well  as  Indyans,  which  I  pray  God  divert. 

I  have  a  Letter  from  M^  Griffith  complaineing  of  Christopher  Scaffe,  who  instead  of  making 
him  payment  of  what  hee  owes  him,  gives  him  ill  words,  which  is  an  unreasonable  thing,  I  pray 
take  some  Order  for  Scaffes  making  M^  Griffith  satisfaction,  or  Let  him  have  his  Eemedy  at 
Law  ag*'  him. 

Thus  having  auswerd  the  p''ticulars  of  yo''  Lett"  I  conclude,  remaining 

Your  humble  Serv'. 
July  20,  1678. 


LETfEK    FROM  JoHN  PyNCHON  TO  Cap''  SaJLISBUEY,  EECOMMENDING  THE  MaSSACHUSETI'S 
AGENTS  TO  HIS  KINDNESS. 

Springfield  July  20«'  1678 
Ca]it.  Salisbury. 

S",  Having  Reed  order  fro  o''  Governour  &  Council  to  send  away  fro  hence  M''  SamP-  Ely  & 
Benja.  Waite  who  are  Commissionated  to  treate  y"  Maqnas  in  behalf e  of  y°  Natich  Indians,  Two 
whereoff  are  goeing  upon  y'  designe,  w"*  an  Interp'ter  sent  fro  o''  Councill  Peter  Van  vorjs  a 
dutchmati  who  formerly  Lived  at  Albany  :  so  that  there  are  five  in  all  viz  a  Dutchman,  2  English 
men  &  y'  2  Natich  Indians.  I  am  advised  &  ordered  to  acquaint  yon  w**"  y^  affaire  &  to  crave 
yo'  favorable  aspect  towards  y"\  &  p''moteing  of  y°  designe  v;"'^  is  quietness  &  Peace  among  y^  In- 
dians &  consequently  w'"  y'=  English  In  order  to  w""*"  a  right  understanding  betweene  us  &  y^ 
Maquas  is  needfull,  &  y*  they  may  know  &  understand  o''  Praying  Indians  are  o"^  Subjects,  and 
that  w"^"  is  more  his  Ma"^' ;  whose  corporation  in  London  for  p'^pagating  the  Gospell  in  N.  E.  (some 
where  off  are  of  his  Ma''*''  Privy  Councill)  have  desyred  &  advised  y"  securing  &  p'serving.  of 
them,  &  It  will  not  be  well  resented  by  his  Ma"'*  right  Honorable  Corporation  whereoff  W  Boile 
is  Governour,  That  the  Maquas  who  are  under  Goverm'  &  order  of  y'^  English  should  w""  out 
any  cause  destroy  &  captivate  such  his  Ma"'^'  good  Subjects,  w'^"  I  hope  when  known  &  Consid- 
ered will  occasion  a  stop  to  further  p'"ceeding  &  p''cure  release  &  d'lry  up  of  y'=  captives,  y'  they 
have  taken,  I  request  yo''  furtherance  of  o''  Messengers  there  in  &  that  they  may  as  o''  Councill 
Judges  it  best  treate  y"  Maquas  in  their  owne  land,  yo'  civillity  toward  these  o'  Messengers  &  fur- 
therance of  y"  that  they  may  have  free  Passage  to  y'^  Maquas,  will  I  hope  tend  to  settlement  of 
Peace  &  quiet  &  p'mote  all  o'  Interests,  And  unanimity  among  all  y*  English  &  setling  Peace  & 


526  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

quiet  betwixt  all  o''  Indians  may  be  of  grt.  concernm',  should  y°  French  make  any  Incursions  ■«•<='' 

iff  warr  goe  on  betwixt  o'  King  &  them  they  may  be  like  enough  to  attempt.     Greate  p'parations 

for  war  are  in  Engld,  &  expectations  y'  it  will  be  w""  France  yet  it  is  by  some  conceived  to  be  a 

measuring  cast  whether  it  will  be  or  noe,  for  y^  Dutch  Boggle  at  an  Ihibition  of  French  goods 

for  3  years  w'^"  o''  King  req'^  of  y""  &  all  y'  Confederates.     A  ship  w^'^fre7ich  goods  at  Weymouth 

in  Engld.  was  burnt  according  to  ordinance  of  Parlam'  &c :  I  suppose  yo"  have  these  things  at  a 

better  hand  then  I ;  S'  Edmond  Andros  is  coming  over  &  at  Sea  so  y*  yo"  may  expect  his  happy 

arrivall  at  Yorke  Spedyly,  w*  I  pray  God  grant ;  S'  I  have  not  to  adde  at  p'sent  but  begging  yo"^ 

Excuse  for  this  Troble,  w""  my  endeared  Love  &  reall  respects  to  yo'  self e  &  M"  Salisbury,  I  am 

S'',  yo"'  assured  ffriend  &  Servant, 

John  PYNcnoif. 

S'',  it  is  reported  y'  one  Nathanel  Panumpum  an  Indian  Murdered  an  English  man  nere 
Braintry\&&i  Sep*  (by  stabbing  him  in  severall  places,  and  then  Eun  away  ;)  is  at  or  about  Albany, 
if  it  so  prove  y'  he  is  there,  Please  to  dlv"'  him  to  o""  Messengers  to  bring  away  y'  he  may  answer 
for  so  horrid  an  act. 

These,  fibr  y'=  Honored  Capt.  Silvester  Salisbury  at  y®  fort  in  Albany. 


Lettee  from  Capt.  Salisbury  to  Comm"  Beockholst  on  Indian  mattees. 

Capt.  Brochhols 

These  Are  to  Let  you  know  y'  yesterday.  Did  Arrive  here  5  people  from  Major  Pynchon, 
by  ord''  of  the  Gov''  of  boston,  as  you  will  see  by  y'  Lef  and  y^  Commission  Inclosed,  &  Sse 
ordered  to  goe  to  y*"  Mauquas  Land,  &  to  treate  with  them,  and  to  see  if  they  Cane  gett  y''  Natick 
Indians  againe,  but  I  am  very  much  afraid,  y'  thay  will  Come  to  Laite,  for  as  I  have  hard,  y*  y^ 
moste  p*  of  them  Are  burned,  they  Desired  noe  Assistance  from  me,  only  y'  thay  might  have  Lib- 
erty to  goe,  which  I  have  Given  Leave,  not  seeing  how  I  could  avbyde  it,  &  have  sent  Arnolt 
alonge  with  them,  into  ye  Lande,  but  not  to  Assiste  them,  only  to  goe  alonge  to  heere,  what  there 
Demandes  is  of  the  Mauquas,  soe  y'  I  may  by  y'  next  Give  you  An  Account  of  there  proceedings 
but  my  thought  is,  y'  y^  Mauq^ias  will  not  answer  them  any  tiling  there  in  y'^  Lande,  because  y' 
thay  have  Desired  y'  if  any  body  that  was  strangers  should  Come  for  to  speake  with  them,  y'  thay 
muste  speake  at  Albany,  thay  Demand  of  the  Ilauquas  y*  thay  will  live  in  quiet  and  not  to  mol- 
leste  any  of  these  nations  of  Indians  as  followeth  viz,  Mawyk  Indians,  Punquapok  Indians, 
Hassanamasasitt  Indians,  Wamasit  Indians,  neere  Concord,  Urikus  Indmns  &  Martins  Vineyard 
Indians.  Soey'  if  thay  Doe  prejudice  to  any  of  these  nations  in  Confedrecy  togather  &  if  y'  Mau- 
quas will  not  be  still  then  thay  will  fall  upon  the  Mauquas  with  800  Indians,  &  soe  as  one  troop 
Corns  in  another  to  goe  for,  but  if  thay  will  be  quiat  untill  our  Gov'^  good  Arrivall  thay  will  bee  Con- 
tent, &  then  to  make  a  generall  peace,  I  Doe  not  understand  y'  y^  English  will  have  anything  to 
doe  in  y^  Warr,  but  if  it  Cane  posable  to  make  pease,  soe  S''  I  Desire  your  advise  if  that  the 
Mauquas  should  not  Consent  to  there  Demands,  what  I  shall  Doe  or  behave  myselfe  in  such  a 
Casse,  Soe  haveing  no  more  at  present,  but  I  Kemaine 

Your  verry  humble  Servant,  S' 
July  23  1678  Silee.  Salisbukt. 


New  Yai'h  Historical  Records.  527 

Letter  from  Capt,  Salisbury  to  Comm"  Brockiiolst  •  the  murder  of  the  Natticks. 

Capt.  Brockholse 

S''.  These  are  to  Let  you  know  y'  at  y"  present,  wee  bee  at  qiiiat,  but  howe  Longe  it  will  Con- 
tinew  God  Doeth  know,  y*'  Mauquas,  Are  verry  much  trubled,  seineingly,  at  there  Laste  Action 
in  taking  and  buring  of  thos  Natick  Indian  prisoners,  for  Contrary  to  what  thay  promised  me, 
thay  have  burned  the  moste  parte  of  them,  if  not  all,  and  finde  thay  have  hard,  y'  7iev}  England 
people  Are  very  Angory  with  them,  which  makes  y™  feerefull,  y'  thay  shall  Come  &  fall  on  them, 
but  I  Doe  here  that  y°  Maquas,  Are  procuring  beavers,  and  Zeaw',  to  give  to  y^  people  of 
New  England,  and  to  make,  An  Exseuse  for  there  Misstake.  This  is  all  the  News  at  y°  present, 
\\\efrench  yt  Came  from  Boston  &  New  York  staide  here  3  Days  &  affter  on  y'  4""  Day  tooke 
there  jorny  to  wards  Cannaday  and  was  very  well  sattisfied  with  y"  -entertainment,  y'  thay 
Received  at  New  Yorke,  and  this  plase,  but  not  sattisfied  with  Boston  Entertainm'  &  thay  toaild 
them,  at  Boston  how  kindly  thay  was  Entertained  at  Albany,  Soe  thay  of  Boston  gave  them 
y'  answer,  y*  its  nothing  but  Reason,  for  what  was  Exspended,  they  muste  pay  it  againe,  this  depo- 
sition is  had  from  m"'  De  Lesignys  owne  mouth  I  Like  wis  Let  you  knowe  y'  with  y"^  helpe  of 
the  people  of  the  towne,  &  ye  hours,  T  have  brought  into  ye  forte,  y*  fountaine  y'  Lay  with  out, 
after  14  days  hard  labour,  &  Doe  hope  it  shall  proove  a  very  Excelent  peece  of  work,  for  y^  well- 
fare,  of  y^  Garrisson,  &  Doe  hope  y*  all  will  be  Compleated  this  weeke,  but  not  with  out  Charges 
to  his  Royall  hynesse.     Soe  having  noe  more  but  Remaine  your  humble  Serv'  to  Command, 

SiLRE.  Salisbury 
ffort  Albany  y^  25"'of  July,  1678. 

ffor  the  Houno''''  Capt.  Anthony  Brockliols  at  James  ff arte  in  New  York     These. 


Letter  from  Comm"  Brockholst  to  Capt.  Salisbury.     Indian  affairs. 

C.  Salisbury. 

I  have  rec"*  yo'^  of  the  15"'  currant,  Tlie  enclosed  Letter  from  the  Jesuite  iaiher  Brmjas  who 
eomplaines  of  the  wrong  done  to  the  Indyans  Avhich  hee  calls  Mahinyans  Tarrakions  in  taking 

&  carrying  away  two  who who  are  subjects  of  the  Count  of  Frontcnac,  They 

having  beene  forbid  by  o''  Governo"^  to  make  warre  in  these  parts.  Hee  speaks  somew'  of  pun- 
ishing these  who  have  done  this  Injury  as  the  Governo'  of  Canada  hath  lately  beene  Severe  with 
those   Indyans  of   Canada  (whom  hee  calls  Mahingans  likewise  that  brought  the  prison"  away 

from  Boston  Governm'.     As  wee  are  ignorant  what Seventy  hath  beene  so  wee 

from  thence but  its  thought  requisite 

you  secure  the  two  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  Catskill  Indyans  which  I  take  to  bee  the  same 
complaned  of  &  take  them  out  of  their  hands  that  (if  understood  to  bee  freinds)  they  may  bee  sent 
againe  to  their  people. 

The  Letter  I  have  here  enclosed  sent  you    back.     As  to  yo'  discourse  with  the  great  Sachem 

of  the  Maques  Cannonundewa  who  brought ,  &  yo"'  demand  of  those     . 

Indyans  taken  &  carryed  away  by  them,  you  did  very  well  in  it,  &  theyl  I  hope  advise  together 
for  their  returning  them  back  againe.  I  have  spoke  to  Mf.  Wells  about  some  proyissions  for  the 
Garrison  with  you,  who  tells  mee  hee  hath  already  sent  you  up  two  barrels  ....  &  now 
sends  Two  more  by  Thomas  Verdun  .    .     .hee  sayes  you  had  enough  before       .       .     There 


528  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

had  beene  fresh  provissions  sent,  but  in  this  weather  its  not  fitting  to  bee  killd  to  save,  &  old  pro- 
vitions  are  very  scarce,  but  however  Care  will  bee  taken  you  shall  not  want ;  There  is  a  vessel 
arrived  from  London  that  liad  12  weeks  passage,  the  Master  brings      .      .       Newes  of  the  Gov- 
erno"  being  prepar     ....     when  hee  came  w'^''  was     ....     Aprill  no  warres  the     . 
great  prepara9ons.     I  sliall  conclude  having  not  further  at  present,  &  Remaine 

July  28,  1678.  Yo"  humble  Serv'. 


The  Maquase  answer  to  y^  Peopositions  Propounded  to  them  this  day  by 
M^  Sam'-"'  Ely  &  Ben  "Waite  Messengers  sent  by  y^  Gov"  &  Councill  of 
Boston  &  in  y'^  Codet  house  of  Albany  this  1^''  day  of  Aug^''. 

A"  Dom.  1678. 
The  Names  of  y^  Sachems. 

Camachhoo  —  Soriwezee  —  Karahize  —  Kaewannere  — ■  Auworongee  —  Turie  —  Interpreted 
by  Aernout  Corn.  Viele. 

1.  They  doe  say,  that  y'  English  of  If.  England  &  they  have  alwaji^es  been  good  f rinds,  and  are 
so  still,  &,  must  Acknowledge  to  have  been  always  welkom  &  well  Received  by  y'^  English  in 
there  Plantations,  but  neverthelesse  that  this  is  y^  ordained  Place  to  hear  Propositions  in,  lett  them 
come  from  what  pairt  they  will,  to  speak  w"'  them,  &  were  spoke  to  here  Last  year  by  Major 
Pynchon  &c  in  y'^  presence  of  y"  Gov"'  Gen". 

2.  You  say  there  is  a  fault  Committed  in  takeing  away  of  those  Indians  at  Magoneog,  tis  true 
we  acknowledge  it.  Butt  in  who  lyes  y^  fault  ?  it  may  be  in  our  young  Indians  who  are  like 
wolves,  when  they  are  abroad  ;  Possibly  in  y^  North  Indians  that  live  among  us,  &  y"  Indians  of 
Magoneog  are  not  y''  lesse  to  blame,  they  not  dwelling  as  frind  Indians  in  y"  Woods,  haveing  a 
Castell  so  well  fortifj'ed  w'*'  Stockadoes,  which  frind  Indians  need  not  have,  therefore  did  Imagine 
them  to  be  Enemycs,  for  these  Indians  that  live  in  or  about  y**  English  Plantations,  w'out  fortifi- 
ca9ons,  we  did  never  any  harm  too. 

You  have  spoken  to  us  by  way  of  discourse  without  giving  of  any  Presents  (though  usuall 
upon  bussinesse  of  Consequence)  and  we  shall  answer  you  y**  same  way  y'  never  by  us  is  Practiced. 

3.  That  which  is  now  done  by  our  Young  Indians  or  Soldiers  vizt  y^  takeing  of  those  Indians  at 
Magoneog,  we  give  them  no  thanks  for,  neither  was  it  by  your  order,  but  it  is  as  we  liave  said, 
when  they  are  abroad  are  like  wolves  in  y^  wood. 

4.  Brethren  you  had  warrs  w'  y°  Indian  Enemyes  before  we,  for  when  diverse  of  your  touns 
were  burnt  doun,  then  our  Gov''  Gen"  did  Ineourage  us,  &  told  how  his  frindes  in  N.  England 
were  Involved  in  a  great  warr  w'  Indians  and  that  some  of  y"'  Enemys  were  fledd  to  hosaeh, 
■Incourageing  us  to  goe  out  against  them,  and  we  and  our  Gov''  Gen"  being  as  it  were  on  body, 

went  out,  upon  his  desire  against  them,  and  killd  some  and  Putt  y"  Eest  to  y'=  flight,  &  soo  have 
Continued  in  y°  warr  ever  since,  and  if  we  came  to  night  to  your  Praying  Indians,  why  were  not 
we  warned  &  bid  hold  up,  &  goe  no  further.  Therefore  y"  Brethren  may  be  assured  of  our  good 
heart  &  y°  Continuation  of  Peace  &  vrindship  on  our  sides. 

5.  The  Brethren  desire  that  we  should  Restore  all  y"  Captives  y'  we  have  of  your  frind  Indians 
taken  by  our  folks,  w'^''  we  doe  not  Refuse  to  doe.  You  desire  likeways  that  we  may  come  to 
Hartford,  hadley,  or  Boston,  to  treate  w""  your  Commissioners  there,  to  that  end  there  might  be  a 
Right  understanding  of  all  affares  betwixt  us  &c  which  we  cannot  Resolve  upon  to  come  &  treat 
in  your  Governm'      This  place  being  thereunto  ordained,  but  let  Major  Pynchon  (or  any  other 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  529 

whom  y^  Brethren  please  to  send)  come  here  cas  he  did  last  year,  we  shall  then  in  his  hon''  y"  Gov- 
Geu"  Presence  deliver  up  y^  Demaunded  for  Prisoners  &  treate  of  all  Aiiares,  seeing  this  is  y^ 
house  to  hear  Propositions  in,  as  Major  Pynchon  well  knows.  The  Governo''  Gen"  &  you  of  N. 
England  &  we  are  one  in  one  triple  Allyance  w*  another. 

Upon  this  following  Proposition  we  cannot  forbear  (according  to  our  Custom)  but  give  a 
small  Present  though  of  little  value  being  a  faddom  of  Sew'. 

6.  Brethren  the  Covenant  that  was  made  here  last  year  betwixt  Major  Pynchon  &  us  in  the 
Presence  of  y'^  Gov"^  Gen"  is  as  fast  firm  &  Inviolable  as  ever  it  was,  and  if  our  warring  against 
y^  Indians  of  y''  North  in  Generall  doth  not  Please  you,  Pray  aquaint  us  here  therewith. 

7.  They  doe  Repeat  again  that  y"  Covenant  made  w"'  y'^  Brethren  is  as  firm  as  ever  it  hath  been, 
&  doe  Present  some  Zw'  made  Round  as  a  Circle  which  y^''  Compare  to  y''  Sonne,  saying  that  there 
alyance  is  as  firm  and  Inviolable  as  y'^  Sonne,  and  shall  have  such  a  Splendor  as  y^  beames  thereof, 
&  say  fm-ther  more  y*  if  any  will  speak  w""  them,  that  this  is  j"  appointed  Place,  as  they  of  Mary- 
land have  done,  &  that  in  y"  Gov.  Gen"  Presence. 

8.  Brethren  There  is  a  troop  or  2  of  our  Indians  out,  against  your  and  our  Enemies,  who  know 
nothing  of  this,  &  if  they  should  come  to  your  liabita9ons,  let  not  them  be  kept  fast,  or  any  harm 
done  to  y™  and  if  y""  should  Ignorantly  take  any  of  your  frind  Indians  then  shall  be  no  harm 
done  to  them  but  Restored  again  to  any  whom  you  shall  Commissionatt  to  Receive  y^  same,  w""  y® 
Rest  Provided  our  Gov"'  Gen"  be  Present. 

This  is  a  true  Coppy  Translated,  Compared  &  Revised  p''  me 
Albany  Rob''  Livingston  Seer'', 

datum  up  supra 


Letter  feom  Comm"  Beockholst  to  Capt.  Salisbuet,  censueing  him  foe  allow- 
ing THE  Agents  of  Massachusetts  to  go  into  the  Mohawk  countey. 

Capt.  Salisbury.  N-  Y-  Aug.  2°^  1678. 

I  rec'*  two  Letters  from  you  this  morning  by  the  hands  of  M^  Hambleton,  with  the  enclosed 
Letter  from  Major  Pynchon  to  you,  &  a  Coppie  of  the  Go :  of  Bostons  Passe  to  two  of  his  peo- 
ple to  goe  to  the  Maques  Laud.  The  Letter  of  greatest  Concerne  was  without  date,  but  doe 
guesse  it  varyed  not  much  from  the  ...  the  other  being  the  25*''  past.  The  matter  being  of 
more  than  ordinary  importance  I  forthwith  Communicated  it  to  the  Councell,  &  upon  serious  & 
Mature  deliberation  doe  find  that  you  have  done  unadvisedly,  &  quite  contrary  to  the  Governo" 
practice  &  positive  Orders  (which  you  cannot  be  unacquainted  with)  to  suffer  persons  of  another 
Government,  to  goe  to  the  Maques  upon  any  ace*  whatsoever  to  treate  with  them  in  their  owne 

Land,  &  if  they  at  this  push them  as  to  refuse  to  give  their 

Messengers  any  answere  there,  but  to  putt  them  off,  both  to  the  making  of  their  demands,  c% 
receiveing  their  Answer  at  Albany  (as  you  intimate)  It  will  be  very  well  (but  no  thankes  to  you 
for  it)  who  p^mitted  them  to  goe  in.     Certainely  yon  cannot  but  remember  this  very  thing  of 

goeing  to  treate  with  them  hath  attr Here  came 

p>-8on8  from  the  government  of  Conecticutt  upon  the  same  Errand,  (of  W^"  one  of  them  by  name 

M'. Willis  one  of  the  first  the  Councell)  who  used  many  Arguments  that  they  might  bee 

p'mitted  to  goe  to  &  treate  with  these  people  for  a  future  good  understanding  betweene  them  &  to 
give  them  thankes  for  the  diversion  they  had  made  of  theii-  Indyans  enemyes  Armes  from  them, 
67 


530  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

by  their  falling  on  &  engaging  agf  them,  then  that  after  came  their  deputy  Governo"'  Major  Treate 
to  reinforce  what  formerly  had  been  pi'oposed  who  though  all  civilly  treated  by  his  hono'  went 
away  with  flatt  denyalls  of  their  making  any  treat  with  them  unless  at  Albany,  with  the  Governo"^^ 
approbation  &  in  his  presence,  which  afterward  yoii  very  well  know  was  admitted  when  Major 
Pincheon  &  M'.  Richards  appeared  there  on  behalf e  of  y^  two  Colouyes  (whose  Interests  are 
Lincked)  &  Coll.  Coursey  upon  another  subject  from  the  Go :  of  Ma/ryland.  The  Go :  being 
allwayes  present,  &  Managing  the  discourse  on  all  hands  that  they  might  not  prove  prejudiciall  to 
the  Interest  of  his  E.  II''  in  this  Province ; 

It  is  a  thing  of  extraordinary  Consequence  &  most  uncertaine  how  the  promises  of  those  of 

&  treats  on  the  other  may  worke  with  those  Indyans,  who  formerly 

lookt  on  none  but  o''  Go :  for  tlieir  Patron  &  now  will  find  him  slighted  by  these  Gent^  both  who 
sett  up  for  themselves,  &  would  make  warre  or  Peace  with  our  Indyans  without  our  Consent  or 
privity,  wee  are  all  troubled  to  think  how  ill  the  Go.  will  resent  this,  especially  when  hee  shall 
reflect  on  the  vast  expences  hee  hath  beene  at,  in  obliging  these  people  which  now  will  probably 
bee  to  litle  or  no  purpose,  if  the  Maqties  should  bee  tempted  to  seeke     .     .     .     .  It  is  somewhat 

also  to  bee  admired  what  the  Go  :  of  Boston for Indyans, 

knowne  sufhcientlj'  to  bee  in  this  Government  &  in  his  haste  hee  takes  no  notice  of  our  Governo'' 
or  his  deputy  by  whom  they  are  to  passe  but  directs  them  to  goe  to  the  Maques  Land,  &c  In  the 
passe  there  is  mention  made  of  Instructions  given  them,  but  you  particularise  none  of  them,  wee 
hope  thev  had  the  good  manners  to  shew  them  to  you  or  that  you  demanded  the  sight  &  copy  of 
them  which  would  have  beene  well  to  have  sent  down.  Toii  suggest,  that  the  English  will  have 
nothing  to  doe  in  y'  warre,  if  there  should  be  any ;  tis  not  well  comprehended  by  lis  for  the  out 
plantaQons  at  least,  will  bee  lyable  to  outrages  &  Mischeifs  on  one  side  or  the  other,  &  it  may  bee 
the  whole  Governm'  rue  for  it :  Major  Pincheons  plausible  pretences  to  yoii  &  desyre  of  your 

assistance  in designe  of  sending  their  Messengers  forward  inight  bee  admitted 

of  some  longer  Considera9on,  &  it  would  have  beene  more  acceptable  to  have  sent  them  doune 
hither,  or  to  have  kept  them  there,  untill  you  had  some  advice  or  directions  from  hence,  then  the 
sending  Benjamin  Waite  &  his  Comerade  downe  was,  who  went  in  Quest  of  their  .  .  neither 
as  yo''  saying  understood  that  you  could  not  avoyde  their  goeing,  when  but  that  one  word  of  your 
mouth  I  know  would  have  put  a  stop  to  it,  then-  number  or  force  was  not  so  great,  but  the  buis- 
nesse  being  so  f arre  gone,  wee  can  onely  give  our  sentiment,  but  know  not  what  to  doe  in  it  now  but 
Leave  the  rest  to  the  Events  &  the  Go ;  Judgment  &  determina9on  who  will  not  bee  absent  much 
longer. 

As  to  what  you  mention  in  yo''  Last  Letter,  of  the  uncertainty  how  long  things  will  bee 
quiet  with  you,  &  the  Maques  being  troubled  about  the  jVatiick  Indyans,  who  you  thinke  are 
most  burnt  by  them,  what  is  past  cannot  bee  recalled,  but  doe  wish  you  had  more  vigorously 
demanded  these  prison'^  out  of  the  Maques  hands,  whilst  with  y"  (as  directed)  which  might  have 
prevented  these  apprehensions,  but  there  is  no  living  with  the  Maques  at  this  rate,  that  they  shall 
take  what  prisoners  they  please  either  freind  or  foe  &  without  a  ransome  destroy  them.  I  shall 
conclude  &  heartily  wish  there  may  bee  a  right  understanding  of  these  matters,  that  the  Go  :  at 
his  Returne  bee  not  too  much  displeased  therewith  w'^'^  I  am  not  willing  to  question  but  you  have 
done  to  y^  best  in  yo"^  Judgm'  so  I  remaine. 


Neio  Yoi'Tc  Historical  Records.  531 

Letters  from  Capt.  Salisbuey  to  Seck^  Nicolls  and  Commander  Brockholst. 
Indian  affairs  ;  French  Fort  near  to  the  Senecas  above   Cadarackqui. 
Deare  S^ 

I  have  not  anything  worth  acquinteing  you  with  onely  on  the  5  of  this  mounth  about  5  in  the 
afternoone  god  was  pleased  to  bestoe  &  blese  me  with  a  doughtr  &  as  to  other  News  is  this  y' 
Takaghkaratt  a  foreiightr  of  y*'  Maques  has  bene  in  y*^  North  with  20  men  &  has  met  with  a  Neste 
of  Eoges  of  j"  North  Indians,  y'  hath  Lived  this  2  year  by  therselves  without  any  coraspondeancy 
with  Christian  or  Indian,  and  have  killed  5  &  have  tooke  6  alive,  &  yesterday  M''.  Windall  of  this 
towne  being  at  Scannecstada  spoake  with  a  Maiiquas  that  came  from  Cannada  &  he  toulde  him 
y'  there  was  Arived  ivomfrance  five  Shipes  with  2000  men  and  y'  thay  had  found  a  Sylver  mine 
and  y'  thay  was  bilding  by  it  a  greate  fort  to  Containe  80  great  gouns  &  y'  thay  was  bildeing 
another  for  betwixte  Cauderaque  up  y''  Lake  Neere  to  y*  Sennickes  to  get  all  the  trade  &  to  hinder 
all  thay  Cane  for  Coming  heere,  this  is  all  the  news  at  present  from  him  y'  is  your  Loveing  f reind 
&  Serv'. 

Silve:  Salisbury. 
ffo7-te  Albany  y^  b'*"  of  Augs'  1678. 

ffor  Capt.  Mathias  Nicolls  at  James  fforte  in  Neio  Yorke. 

These. 
Capt.  Brockhols. 

S""  Tours  I  have  Received  bareing  Daite  y"  20'"  of  y*  Laste  mounth  wherein  you  hinte,  y'  y° 
Gov"'  will  be  Downe  Right  Angry  Conserning  y''  Exspenee  of  the  french  when  heere  if  he  be  it 
Cannot  be  helped,  for  it  is  too  Laite  to  Call  yesterday  againe. 

S'  y*  5  of  this  mounth  God  has  bene  pleased  to  Increase  my  fammily  with  a  Littell  Doughter, 
&  on  y®  7  Came  from  y^  North  a  forefighter  with  a  troope  of  20  Indians  under  his  Command  his 
name  is  called  by  y^  Mauquas  Takaghharat  and  he  haith  Light  on  a  Company  of  15  North  In- 
dians that  has  bene  from  all  manor  of  Sosyaty  of  Father  Christians  or  Indians  this  2  years  thay 
have  brought  alive  2  men  1  woman  &  3  Litell  boys  &  have  kild  5  »fe  4  maid  an  Eskape  Soe  y' 
•  neste  of  murdei-ars  is  broken,  the  Mauquas  Came  through  all  the  English  plantations  &  was  very 
Glad  of  the  Enteqjris,  I  had  Likwis  an  Aceomp'  given  me  by  M''.  Windall  one  of  this  towne 
that  he  being  at  Scannecstada  Spoake  with  a  Mauquas  y*  Came  from  Cannada  Lately  and  he 
toulde  hime  y'  there  was  5  Shipes  Arrived  from  france  with  2000  men  and  y'  thay  had  found  a 
Silver  Mine  not  far  from  Queheclc  &  y*  thay  was  goeing  to  make  a  greate  forte  and  to  put  in  80 
peeces  of  Ordeuanee,  &  more  y'  thay  Are  makeing  Another  forte  a  greate  way  above  Caderrock- 
que  Neere  to  y"  Sennickes  to  Ingrose  all  the  traide  possable  they  Cane,  This  is  all  the  News  y'  I 
have  at  present  from  hime  y^  Remaines  your  very  humble  Serv'. 

Silve.  Salisbury. 
forte  Albany,  y*  8">  of  Aug'  1678. 

fEor  the  Hon''"=  Capt.  Anthony  Brockhols  at  James  fforte,  in  New  Yorke. 

These. 


Council  Minutes.     Measures  to  counteract  French  influences   among  the  Mohawks. 
August  20,  1678. 

Two  of  the  Comissaries  of  All :  Marten  Gerrits  &  Dirck  Wessell  &  M"".  Livingston  the 
Seer,  were  with  the  Go :  to  represent,  That  they  do  apprehend  &  finde  that  the  Indyans  both  Ma- 


532  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

quas  &  North  Indians  with  the  River  Indyans,  are  like  to  bee  drawne  away  from  us  by  ihefrench 
who  come  frequently  amongst  them,  give  great  Encom-agemen'^  to  them  by  giving  them  Land  & 
fforts,  divers  being  already  gone  to  them,  to  whom  they  have  given  4  Forts,  &  put  a  head  over 
them  done  by  the  Go :  of  Canada  one  Cryne  is  made  their  Sachem,  a  Maques.  Their  opinion  is 
That  the  Maques  may  bee  underhand  advised  to  give  all  Encouragement  to  draw  back  the  Indyans 
that  are  gone  to  Canada  whether  Maques,  North  Indyans  or  Mahicand^^  by  proposeing  to  make 
them  Forts  bj'  themselves  &  to  have  liberty  to  chuse  a  Sachem  or  head  over  them  as  the  others 
have,  the  which  the  Governo'^  will  also  countenance  them  in. 

There  was  discoiirse  whether  it  bee  prop''  that  those  of  Alb.  who  trade  direct  with  Eng¥  should 
handle  with  the  Indyan,  and  thought  not  convenient. 

Aug  22"'. 

It  being  represented  by  M'.  Martin  Gerrits  &  MJ.  Dirck  Wesells,  Two  of  the  Comissaryes 
at  Albany  deputed  That  divers  of  our  Indyans  of  the  Maqioes  &  Mahicand'^  with  them  are  drawne 
away  by  those  of  Canada  by  the  great  promises  &  Encouragements  given  them,  which  may  prove 
of  ill  Consequence,  praying  &  desiring  a  remedy  to  put  a  stop  to  it,  Orch'ed  That  all  fitting  En- 
couragement bee  given  to  the  Maques,  Mahicanders,  our  Indyans  or  others  &  land  assigned  them 
to  build  forts  together  or  a  part  in  some  convenient  place  if  desired  in  y"^  Governm'. 
Aug  23"* 

The  trading  with  the  Indyans  at  Albany,  &  of  the  Inhabitants  there  trading  into  Europe 
being  complained  of  &  enquired  into.  It  is  ordered  That  for  the  futm-e  no  person  shall  trade  with 
the  Indyans  at  Albany,  but  the  Inhabitants  there,  nor  none  of  Albany  shall  so  be  Merchants  & 
trade  over  sea  into  Europe.  That  all  Free  men  of  New  York  who  are  allowed  to  goe  up  the 
River,  may  sell  to  or  trade  with  Christians  att  Albany  paying  the  usuall  Dutyes  as  formerly,  & 
former  priveledges  continued  for  these  of  Alb :  at  N.  Y. 


Council  MrfroTE.     Schenectady  Affairs. 

At  a  Councell  Held  in  New  Yorke,  September  the  e*""  16Y8. 

The  Commissaryes  of  Sohanecktade  having  made  Applica9on  to  the  Govemour,  that  the  fifth 
plaine  or  filatt  Land  on  the  other  side  of  the  Maques  River  may  be  disposed  of  for  a  Minisf 
Reader  &c. 

And  also  that  the  Rest  of  the  plaines  or  iflatts  may  bee  at  the  disposall  of  the  Court,  Ordred 
that  the  Land  on  this  side  to  the  South  of  the  River  may  bee  disposed  of  to  bee  settled  and  upon 
returne  of  Surveys  thereof  Pattents  shall  be  granted,  but  not  on  the  other  side  until  further  Order. 

An  Extract  out  of  the  Records  at  Alb :  signed  by  Robt.  Livingston  Seer.  Concerning  a  mat- 
ter in  difference  betweene  Johannes  Provost  Sher^  of  Alb :  p"  &  Lodevicus  Cobes  Schout  of 
Schanecktade  Def '  about  two  Boots*  or  Fines  imposed  or  compounded  by  the  s'*  Schout  above  the 
Regula(;on  of  Schanecktade,  which  gives  no  farther  power  then  for  40  g''  bev''^  &c.  There  being 
an  arrest  layd  on  100  g''^  (p't  of  the  !"■  fine)  the  w'^"  was  so  to  continue  untill  the  Go :  pleasure  should 
bee  knowne  ordered  to  bee  determined  according  to  former  practice  &  last  Regula9on  &  orders. 

*  The  Dutch  word  "  Boete,"  a  fine. — Ed. 


New  York  Historical  Records.  533 

Letters  fkom  Gov"  Andkos  to  the  Magistrates  of  Albany  and  Schenectady. 

GeD'=.  N,  T.  Oct.  31, 1678. 

I  have  rec*  yo"  of  the  25'"  in  answere  Whereunto  yon  may  take  Notice,  that  all  Indian 
Trade  is  Strictly  prohibited  at  Schanectcule,  as  in  all  other  out  places,  as  per  Order,  to  be  Executed  by 
the  Co"^  &,  Schout  of  Albany  as  formerly  ags'  all  Infring"'"  in  said  Schanectade  as  well  as  other  out 
places,  &  s'*  Schanectade,  As  in  Appeales  to  bee  in  this  Case  of  trade,  &  all  Cases  relateinge  to  it 
Concluded  by  the  Co'''  of  Albany. 

The  Duke  Intends  the  ffamily  of  Menslaers,  their  Just  rights  formerly  enjoyed,  to  bee  Con- 
firmed to  them,  but  without  wronging  any  Others  of  w'^''  all  Care  and  Eegard  Shall  bee  had,  & 
therefore  the  Co'''  and  Offic"^*  are  to  take  Care  there  bee  no  disturbanceorNeedlesseExpencemade 
by  the  Inhabitants,  upon  Reports  or  Rumor^  to  their  prejudice. 

I  have  Ordered  the  33J:  &  ^  Sches  of  Wheate  and  60  Schepis  of  pease  to  y**  Church  OfSc''  for  y^ 
Redeeming  Slaves  in  Algiers  as  sent  &  not  doubting  yo"^  continued  Endeavor'  for  all  publick 
Concerns  as  authorised  I  remain  e, 

ffor  the  Comissaryes  &  Schout  of  Alb.  Yo'^  affectionate  friend, 

E.  A. 

Gent'. 

I  have  together  with  a  Lre  from  the  Co'''  at  Alb.  rec*  yo''  order  or  Result  of  y°  21"  inst'.  for 
obstructing  the  Sheriffe  or  Schout  of  Alb.  doeing  his  duty  in  yo''  Towne,  according  to  former 
practice  &  orders  relating  to  Indyan  trade  which  priveledge  &  power  of  the  Co'''  &  Schout  of 
Alb  :  I  doe  not  understand  to  bee  any  way  infringed  or  taken  away  from  them,  but  as  yo'  fii'st 
Settlement  was  onely  for  husbandry  with  Expresse  conditions  not  to  trade  in  yo'"  Towne  often 
confirmed  since,  if  you  have  in  yo''  Late  act  or  Shall  trausgresse  therein  you  must  bee  Lyable 
to  Seizure  &  concluded  by  any  Censure  therein,  or  determina^on  of  the  Co"  at  Alb.  or  formerly 
&  in  any  of  y"  particular  Concerns  or  Risks,  you  shall  Allways  find  mee 
For  y"  Commissary es  of  SchanecTcstade,  Yo''  ajfectiouate  friend, 

iT.  Y.  Oct  31, 1678.  E.  A. 


Indian  Deed  to  Lewis  Dubois  for  land  in  Ulster  Co. 

Appeared  before  me  Wm.  De  La  Montagne  Secretary  at  Kingston  in  y*  presence  of  Wm. 
Ashfordhy  and  Joost  Adrians  two  out  of  y"  Court  of  Kingstown,  Kenthamin,  Kapetagin  &  Sema, 
Esoims  Indians,  whoe  acknowledged  to  have  given  unto  Lewis  Dubois  their  lands  laying  to  y^ 
lands  of  Lewis  Dubois  &  his  partners,  to  y'=  Lands  of  Sewahanamie  &  the  Same  on  both  sides 
of  y"  Creeke  and  y'=  land  called  in  y^  Indian  tongue  Pawachta  to  Pakaseech,  Wahaseek,  Wakan- 
Tconach,  beginning  from  y"  high  mounts  obliquary  through  y"  woods  to  y*^  greate  Swamp  laying 
between  y*  river.  The  said  Indian  doe  confesse  to  have  given  y"  said  Land  freely  and  not  to  act 
anything  against  it  &  doe  promise  to  free  y"'  said  Dubois  for  further  demand  and  doe  transport  y° 


534  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

said  Land  free  &  Liber  &  not  incombred  for  him  &  his  heii'es  and  they  have  signed  this  into  y® 

records  with  their  owne  hands  y^  28'"  Decbr  1678  at  Kingstown. 

Agreed  with  y"  records  Signed  by  y'  marke  of 

Quod  attestor  E^petagin 

Wm.  De  La  Montagne  by  y'  marke  of  Kentkamin 

Secr^.  by  y'^  marke  of  Sema. 


Petition  of  John  Ward  fob  leave  to  purchase  Indian  Land  neae  Maebletown. 

To  his  Excelentie,  f 

Sir  Edmund  Andross  K'  and  Gov"'  Gen"  :  Etcetara. 

The  humble  petition  of   John  Ward  Sheweth  y*  he  hath  always  been  bound  to  your  Hon'' 
for  your  former  favors  And  humbly  craveth  Leave  of  your  hon''  for  one  more  y'  is  to  have  Leave 
to  buy  ap'  of  Land  from  y'  Esojjus  indians  cald  Cochsingh  it  lyeth  Almost  behind  Marhletown  about 
30  or  something  more  acres  And  your  petitioner  Shall,         Ever  pray. 
An  order  sent  to  Esojjes  hereupon  to  have  a  patent  at  the  retume. 


Oedees  To  be  Obseeved  by  all  Mastees  of  vesells  &  Traders  att  Albany, 
AT  Importation  &  Expoetatton. 

By  the  Govemour. 

1.  That  no  Sloop  or  vessell  goeing  up  Hudsons  River  for  Albany,  doe  unload  any  Goods  by 
the  way,  Entered  for  said  place,  imless  by  License  &  Certificate  from  the  Officer  &  Magistrate  of 
Esopus. 

2.  That  no  Sloop  or  Vessell  when  Arived,  &  att  Albany,  unload  any  Goods  or  Merchandize 
before  Notice,  &  a  permit  for  the  same  &  time  for  the  wayter  to  goe  aboard. 

3.  That  no  Merchant  or  trader  or  Master,  att  Albany,  doe  ship  or  Receive  on  Board,  any 
Beavers  or  poltry,  without  a  due  &  perticuler  Entry,  of  the  same,  &  Clearing,  or  permitt  for  it. 

4.  All  which  to  be  observed  upon  penalty  of  Seisure,  as  by  Acts  of  Parlement. 
New  Yorks  Aprill  the  ll"'  1679. 

Past  the  office.  E.  A. 

M.  N.  Secpy. 


Letter  from  Thomas  Chambers  to  Govk  Andeos  sending  two  sealed  sacks  of 
wheat  each  of  foue  schepels,  according  to  Ail  order  of  Council. 

fox  Hall  May  y«  23"'  1679 
Right  Honorable. 

S'^  according  to   an  order  received  from  yo"'  Hon''  bearing  date  y"  25"*  of  Aprill  1679  I  have 

sent  downe  by  Menls  Hoogaboome  two  Baggs  or  Sackes  of  wheate  containing  four  scheples  each 

bagge  being  exactly  measured  by  y''  sworne  meeters  in  preasence  of  y^  Maiestrates  of  this  place  & 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  535 

soe  cairfully  sealed  np  w**  y°  same  seale  as  in  y°  Margent.  S''  Wee  have  heere  above  200'^  of 
Buckwheate  w'^''  was  not  upon  y'  account  of  y'  Excise  w'=''  I  would  desire  yo''  Hon'  to  give  mee 
or  what  I  shall  doe  with  it,  for  it  must  be  disposed  of  speedily,  other  wayes  itt  shall  take 
hurt  w'*  lyeing,  having  not  further  to  acquaint  yo"'  Hono''  w""  at  preasent  but  y'  wee  are  (Blessed 
bee  God)  all  in  good  health,  «fe  in  peace  &  quietness,  soe  wishing  yo"'  Hon''  all  health  and  pros- 
perity I  humbly  take  leave  &  rest, 

Yo'^  Hon"  most  obleeded  Servant  to  remaine,  Thomas  Chambers. 

Eight  Honorable  having  heere  2  meeters  &  each  of  them  have  a  Scheple  soe  y'  wee  have 
marked  y*  Sackes  w'"  y*  first  letters  of  his  name  to  whom  y^  Scheple  did  beloug,  the  one  hath  F. 
H.  y^  other  E.  P. 

iior  y^  Right  Honorable  S''  Edmund  Andross  Govern""  Generall  of  all  his  Royall  Highness 
Teritories  in  America  dXtffarU  James  this  humbly  present.     N.  Yorke. 


Letter  From  Gov.  Anbeos  to  Gov^  Carteret  nsr  New  Jersey  caxling  upon 
HIM  for  such  contributions  of  material  for  the  repair  of  Foet  James,  as 

HAVE   BEEN    DELIVERED    TO    HIM. 
S' 

Having  had  Extraordinary  Expence  since  my  coming  to  the  Government  for  the  Fortifica- 
tions &  repaires  (perticiderly)  of  this  his  Ma'"'^  Fort  not  yet  Compleated,  and  for  which  as  of  pub- 
lick  Import  to  the  whole  Countrey,  there  was  in  the  time  of  Governour  Colve  the  late  Dutch 
Governour  Severall  Materialls  Ordered  to  be  provided,  in  the  Severall  parts  round  us,  as  lime  &c 
now  wanted,  some  of  which  having  been  sence  demanded  &  received  by  you  ;  This  is  to  desire 
you  to  take  present  Order,  that  Such  lime  or  other  Materialls  received  by  you  upon  these  Accompt 
bee  forthwith  remitted  here,  to  be  applyed  as  designed,  for  the  Repaires  of  this  his  Ma"'^  Garri- 
son, It  Importing  his  Ma""'^  Speciall  Service  &  preservation  of  the  whole  Coimtrey 
S' 

Your  affectionate  &  most  humble  Servant, 

E.  A. 
Fort  James  in  New  YorJce 
June  4*"  1679 


Letter  From  Secr^  Nioolls  to  M"^  Billop  at  Staten  Island,  requesting  per- 
mission TO  HAVE  lime  BURNT  ON  HER  LAND,  BY  THE  GOVERNORS  OrDER. 

Madam. 

Here  hath  beene  two  Men  with  the  Governour,  Bartlett  &  CJias  Smith,  Complaining  that 
having  (as  formerly  in  other  places)  provided  Shells  &  burnt  a  lime  Kill  upon  Staten  Island, 
about  a  mile  &  a  halfe  from  your  house,  jou  have  fors't  them  from  thence,  upon  pretence  that  it 
was  y''  Land,  &  though  out  of  fence,  you  would  not  suffer  it ;  The  which  the  Gov"''  having  referred 
to  mee,  These  are  to  Acquaint  yon,  and  lett  you  know,  that  it  hath  been  the  Constant  practice 
(Throughout  the  whole  Government,  that  all  persons  may  &  have  had  Liberty,  &  soe  adjudged) 
to  cutt  wood,  timber,  fetch  stones,  make  &  carry  a  way  lime  &c,  upon  &  from  any  Land  or  Ground 
not  within  Fence,  though  some  regard  to  be  had,  near  the  habitation  or  planta9on  of  Such  as  are 


536  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlie  Hudson  River. 

Settled,  According  to  which  j'Oii  are  also  to  have  regard  &  not  only  Suffer  those  men  to  proceed 
in  their  Lawfull  Labour,  (if  without  fence)  but  also  to  take  care  so  to  Satisfy  them,  that  thej  do 
not  further  Complaine  of  your  obstructing  them,  nor  any  other  in  the  like  occation. 

I  am  Madam 

Tour  Humble  Servant 

M.  N. 
Neio  YorTce  June  IS'"  1679 


Council  Minute.     Reception  of  Colonels  Kendall  and  Littleton  Agents  fbom 
YiEGmiA  to  meet  the  five  Nations  at  Albany. 

At  a  Councell  held  in  New  Torke  the  31='  day  of  July  1679  Present,  S^ 
Edm.und  Andross^  Governour,  M''  MatJdas  NichoUs  Seer.  Mr.  Fred- 
rick Philips  &  M''  Will"'  Delavall  of  the  Councell,  Mr.  Thomas, 
Mayor''  of  the  City,  M"'  Cornelius  Steenwyck,  Mr.  Nicholas  De  Meyer 
&  M''  Stephen  Cortlandt  of  y^  same  merch 

Upon  Applyca9on  of  Colonell  William  Kendall  &  Colonell  Southy  Littleton  Commission"  & 
Agents  from  his  Excelence  S'  Henry  Chicheley  the  Governour  &  the  Grand  Assembly  of  his 
Maj""^  Colony  of  Virgi7iia  to  y^  Governo'  of  this  Colony  relating  to  their  treaty  with  the 
Oneyades  Indyans  or  others  in  confederacy  with  them  who  have  made  Inroades  and  Committed 
Outrages  in  their  Coimtrey. 

Resolved  &  it  is  the  opinion  both  of  the  Governo''  &  Councell  &  the  other  Gentlemen  of  the 
place  present  That  it  will  be  most  proper  &  Safe  to  send  to  all  the  nations  of  the  Magues,  Oneyades, 
Sinnekes  &c  to  bee  at  Alhany  to  meet  the  S"^  Commission''^  or  Agents  of  Yirginia  there,  about  the 
middle  of  September  next  in  order  to  their  Speaking  or  Treating  with  all  of  them  concerning 
their  affaires.  To  which  End  an  Expresse  is  forthwith  ordered  to  bee  sent  up  to  Albany  from 
thence  to  give  notice  thereof  to  the  respective  nations  of  those  Indyans  to  be  at  the  place  at  the 
time  appointed. 

By  Order  of  the  Governo"^  in  Councell 


Letter  feom  Gov^  Andkos  to  Capt.  Salisbuet  at  Axbant,  directing  him  to  call 

TOGETHER  THE   FIVE  NATIONS  AT  AlBANT. 

New  Yoeke,  August  8"',  1679. 
Cap:  Salisbury. 

I  hope  you  gott  good  Messengers  (as  ordered)  to  y"  Maques  and  other  Indyans  westward,  and 
that  they  will  bee  at  Albany  accordingly  about  y"  niidle  of  Septemb''  to  speak  with  Coll.  Kendall 
and  Coll.  Littleton,  deputed  from  Virginia  when  I  also  hope  to  be  back  from  Pemaquid  (for 
which  am  ready  to  take  y^  first  wind)  liowever  s""  Gentlemen  resolve  to  bee  there  soone  to  whom 
pray  shew  all  Cevility  &  fitting  respect,  they  are  sent  upon  occation  of  the  Oneides  Inroads  with 
whom  and  other  Indyans  sent  for,  y"  must  also  give  them  all  freedom  to  speak  or  treate,  your 
eelfe   &  Magistrates  may  bee  p''sent  if  desired,  and  also  to  Advice  or  Assist  them  in  anything 


Neto  Ycri'h  Historical  Records.  537 

Else,  they  shall  aske  or  may  have  occation  for  but  their  maiue  or  general!  propersisions  they  have 
resolved  already.     I  am  your 

Affectionate  friend  and  Servant, 

E.  Andeos. 
Eor  Capt.  SllvesV  Salisbury,  Command''  of  Alb. 

These 


CouNciLL  Minutes  ;   Indians  declaeed  free  and  not  slaves. 

At  a  Conncell  held  in  New  Yorke  December  S""  1679 

Upon  Complaint,  that  the  Inhabitants  of  Easthampton  doe  frequently  kill  Southton  mens 
horses,  upon  ace'  of  Trespasse. 

Ordered  That  any  person  or  persons  killino;  horses  upon  pretence  of  Trespasse  or  otherwise, 
to  be  proceeded  against  criminally. 

That  the  Law  &  Order  of  the  Co"  of  Assizes  concerning  small  unsizeable  stone  horses,  bee 
strictly  put  into  execuQon. 

Resolved,  That  all  Indyans  here,  are  free  &  not  slaves,  nor  can  bee  forct  to  bee  servants. 
Except  such  as  have  beene  formerly  brought  from  the  Bay  of  CampeoMo  &  other  foreign  parts, 
but  if  any  shall  bee  brought  hereafter  withiu  the  space  of  six  months,  they  are  to  bee  dispose 
of  as  soone  as  may  bee  out  of  the  Government,  but  after  the  Expera^on  of  six  months,  all  that 
shall  bee  brought  here  from  those  parts  shall  bee  free. 

All  Christian  Servants  that  shall  be  brought  into  this  Government  shall  bee  recorded  att  y° 
Secretarys  office  att  importation  by  the  Masters  of  Vessels  or  others  that  shall  bring  them,  &  they 
have  liberty  to  assigne  them  to  another,  for  the  time  specifyde  in  their  Indentures,  &  no  such  Ser- 
vant be  reassigned  or  transferred  over  to  serve  his  time  with  another,  without  the  Consent  or 
Approbacjon  of  the  next  Co'''  of  Sessions  or  Juresdiction,  at  great  distance  of  the  time  of  Co'''',  by 
the  Appi-oba9on  of  two  Justices  of  peace,  one  being  the  president  or  first  Justice  of  said  Riding 
or  Corpora^on  to  bee  recorded  in  y°  respective  place  &  transmitted  to  the  office  of  Records. 

The  killing  of  wolves  by  the  Indyans,  beiug  taken  into  Considera9on  that  they  doe  not  kill 
the  more  for  the  paym'  So  not  to  bee  p'*  for  y°  future. 

Resolved  That  Indyans  being  not  willing  to  goe  out  to  kill  the  wolves  or  valueing  it,  are  not 
to  be  p''  for  them  :  And  Christians  beiug  supposed  the  like,  the  same  to  bee  represented  to  the 
Co'''' of  Sessions,  Their  payment  being  a  great  charge  out  of  the  Rates  &  the  countrey  in  debt. 

For  the  limiting  of  publick  Charges  at  Sessions  &  Assizes. 

That  it  be  recomended  to  the  severall  Co''"  of  Sessions  to  assert  what  each  man  shall  bee 
allowed  per  diem  giving  their  attendance  there  &  the  like  for  the  Assizes. 

There  being  differences,  as  to  the  prices  of  what  is  p""  in,  upon  ace'  of  the  Countrey  Rates, 
It  is  likewise  to  be  recomended  to  the  Co"^"  of  Sessions  for  RegulaQon  or  asserting  the  prices 
thereof,  for  this  present  yeare,  &  for  the  future  to  the  Co'''  of  Assizes. 

Defaulf'  for  not  Training  &c. 

The  fSnes  to  bee  levyed  according  to  Law.  Wood  for  sale  to  bee  l)y  the  Cord,  as  formerly 
ordered.     Stillyards  not  judged  a  Lawfull  waight. 

The  ill  Consequence  of  keeping  Indyans  to  bee  Servants  or  Slaves  witliiu  this  Government 
being  represented  and  taken  into  Considera9on, 
68 


538  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Resolved  That  all  Iiidyans  here  are  ii'ree  and  not  Slaves,  no  can  bee  forct  to  bee  Servants, 
Except  Such  as  have  been  formerly  brought  from  the  Bay  and  other  forraigne  parts,  but  if  any 
Shall  bee  brought  hereafter  into  the  Government  within  the  Space  of  Six  months  they  are  to  bee 
disposed  of  as  Soone  as  may  bee  out  of  the  Governni'  but  after  the  Expira(;on  of  s*  Six  months 
all  that  shall  bee  brought  here  from  those  parts  and  Landed  to  bee  as  others,  fEree  Indyans. 

By  order  of  the  Governour  in  Councell. 


ConNCiLL  Minutes.     Spuyten  Ddyvel  to  be  viewed  with  eefeeence  to  a  bridge. 

Jan  :  7'",  1679-80,  At  a  Councell. 

M"".  Joanes,  M''.  West.,  &  M''.  Pinlwrne  appeare  according  to  order. 

M^  Joanes  putts  in  an  abstract  of  a  Lre  from  M'.  Lewin  &  M''.  Woolley,  complaineing  of  the 
great  Losse,  they  are  like  to  bee  at,  by  the  latitude  left  by  the  Co''''  of  M''.  Palmers  jjaym'  in 
Tobacco,  which  they  seeme  to  desire  releife  in,  but  being  tendred  a  Review  or  appeale,  M^  Joanes 
&  M''.  West  declare  not  to  bee  unsatisfyed  in  what  is  already  past,  M^  Pinhorne  speaks  dubiously 
as  to  an  Appeale  that  it  might  bee  well  for  their  employers,  but  saith  hee  hath  uo  power  nor 
directions  to  act  therein. 

They  againe  say  matters  being  so  farre  they  have  no  reason  to  complaine  but  are  satisfyed 
with  all  past  proceedings  here  &  desire  neither  Appeale  nor  Review,  w'^''  might  have  beene  had 
of  Course  before  as  they  say  &  for  the  hardship  complained  of  by  M''.  Lewin  &  Woolly,  they  knew 
no  cause  for  it.  If  they  had  not  rec''  this  last  Lre"^  for  the  complaining  of  y^  Tobacco,  They  had 
no  Cause  of  Comp'"*^  at  all. 

All  former  Orders  about  the  prohibiQon  of  bringing  dead  Iloggs  &c  to  Towne  to  bee  put  in 
Execu^on. 

The  passage  at  Spiting  devill  to  bee  viewed  &  considered  of,  for  a  bridge  &c. 

Whether  any  store  house  is  in  the  Yalley  or  at  the  Ferry. 

No  Store  house  or  bolting  Mills  in  the  Valley,  nor  Water  to  bee  kept  there,  but  in  lieu  thereof 
As  well  as  at  all  out  places,  as  Harlem,  the  Bowery,  &a  being  under  the  Jiu'isdiction  of  the  City  doe 
pay  propor(;onably  w"'  them,  or  worke  at  the  ffortification. 

No  Store  house,  bolting  Mills  or  Trade  at  the  Ferry  or  parts  adjacent,  nor  any  bolting  Mill 
unlesse  for  private  use  through  the  Governm'  unlesse  allowed  of  by  the  Go :  &  Councell. 

A  Comp'*  about  the  Coopers  of  tiie  towne  making  a  private  agreem'  amongst  themselves  to 
raise  the  price  of  Caske  etc.  Cleme  Seahroke  d;  Evert  the  cooper  named,  ordered  to  bee  sent  for 
this  afternoon. 

All  appointed  to  meet  at  2  O'clocke  tomorrow  afternoone. 


Letter  from  Gov"  Andeos  to  Philipp  Caeteeett  of  New  Jeesei-,  complaining 
OF  his  doings,  and  asserting  the  Dukes  of  York  rights  to  New  Jersey. 

S'.  Being  advised  of  yo"'  actings  without  any  Legall  authority  to  the  great  disturbance  of 
his  Ma"'=^  Subjects,  I  doe  here  w""  send  you  attested  Coppy  of  the  K^  Lett"  patents,  &  his  R.  H' 
Comission  for  Lands  &  Territoryes,  as  also  farther  for  authority  &  Jurisdiction  over  all  persons 


New   YorJc  Historical  Records.  539 

within  those  bounds  etc,  as  by  his  Ma"'''  S""  patent  to  his  E.  H'  in  which  being  comprized  you  are 
therefore  in  obedience  to  his  Ma"«^'  said  authority  to  forbeare  &  not  presume  further  to  assume  or 
exercise  (distinct  or)  any  Jurisdiction  over  liis  Ma'"='  Subjects  or  any  person,  within  any  the  bounds 
of  that  his  Ma""  patent  to  his  s''  E.  H'  without  Lawf  ull  power  recorded  as  it  ought  in  this  place : 
I  doe  also  accpiaint  you,  that  it  being  necessary  for  the  Kings  Service,  &  welfare  of  his 
Ma""'  Subjects  living  or  trading  in  these  parts,  that  Beacons  for  land  or  Sea  Marks,  for  shipping, 
sayling  in  &  out  &  a  fortificapon  bee  erected  at  Sandy  Point,  I  have  resolved  it  accordingly,  but 
having  due  regard  to  all  Eights  or  propertyes  of  land  or  soile,  shall  bee  ready  to  pay,  or  give  first 
satisfaction  to  M''  Mich''-  Ilartshorne,  or  any  assigned  to  or  interested  in  S"*  Sandy  point,  or  place, 
&  not  doubting  your  due  regard  &  observance  of  the  above,  remaine  S""  yo"  affectionate  friend  & 
Servant 

N.  Y.  March  8"^  1679  —  80  E.  Adross. 

For  Go  :  Phil :  Carterett  at  his  house  in  Elizabeth  Towne. 


A  DECLABA90N  Setting  Forth  Cap''.  Philip  Caeteeetts  actings  in  EELA90N  to 
THE  Goveenm''  of  New  Jeeset  to  bee  Illegall. 

S"'  Edrmind  Andros  Kn'.  Leif.  and  Governour  Gen"  &  Vice  Admirall  under  his  Eoyall 
Highnesse,  James  Duke  of  YorTce  and  Albany  &c  of  New  YorTce  &,  Dependencyes  &c  in  America. 

Whereas  upon  Informa9on  of  the  Actings  of  Cap*.  Phillip  Cartterett,  Assumeing  &  Author- 
izing others  to  Exercise  Jurisdiction,  without  any  Legall  Authority,  to  the  great  Disturbance  &c 
of  his  Ma"""'  Subjects  within  y°  Bounds  of  his  Ma"*^'  Letters  Pattents  to  his  Eoyall  Highnesse,  I 
have  Sent  to  forwarn  the  S''  Cap*.  Phillip  Cartterett  from  Such  his  Illegall  Actings  &c,  I  doe 
hereby  by  advice  of  my  Councell  by  vertue  of  his  Ma"^'  Letters  pattents  and  Authority  derived 
unto  mee  under  his  Eoyall  Highnesse,  In  his  Ma"'^'  name  further  Eequire  and  Comand  the  S* 
Ca])*.  Phillip  Cartterett,  and  all  other  pretended  Majestrates  and  Officers  Civill  or  Millitary,  Au- 
thorized by  hiin  to  forbeare  and  not  presume  further  to  Assume  or  Exercise  distinct  or  any  Juris- 
diction, over  his  Ma"<''  Subjects  or  any  Person  with  in  any  y^  Bounds  of  that  his  Ma""''  Pattent  to 
his  Eoyall  Highnesse,  and  alsoe  that  noe  person  or  persons  doe  any  wayes  Abett,  Assist  or  observe 
y^  Same,  or  any  Such  Illegall  Authority,  but  they  and  all  persons  Forthwith  to  Submitt  as  they 
ought  to  the  Kings  Lawfull  Authority,  Signify ed  by  his  Ma"''  Letters  Pattents  to  his  Eoyall  High- 
nesse here  Established,  as  they  and  every  of  them  will  answer  the  contrary  at  their  utmost  perrills 
upon  which  I  doe  remitt  all  past  Actings  on  S*  Ace",  and  for  the  preservaQon  of  the  peace  and 
Quiett  of  his  Wd^'"^  Sul)jects  In  those  parts,  I  doe  confirme  all  the  present  Constables  In  their 
Severall  and  Eespective  Townes  and  precincts,  and  Shall  bee  ready  to  take  further  order  for  the 
good  and  wellfare  &c.  of  his  Ma"'='  Subjects,  Pursuant  to  his  Ma"'='  S"*  Letters  Pattents  and  his 
Eoyall  Highnesse  Comission  and  Authority  to  mee,  Eespecting  the  Jurisdiction  &c,  without  In- 
trenching upon  any  mans  Just  Eight,  Property,  Freehold  or  Possession.  Given  under  my  hand 
and  y'=  Scale  of  the  Province  in  New  YorTce  tins  13*"  day  of  March  in  the  32"'  yeare  of  his  Ma""' 
Eaigne  Annoq.  Domini  1679—80  E.  Andeoss. 

One  of  the  above  Declaracjon  Sent  to  Cap*.  Philip  Carterett  and  one  to  each  of  the  ffollow- 
ing  Townes.  (vizt)  Berghen,  Newark,  Elizabeth  Towne,  Woodhridge,  Piscataqua,  Midleton  & 
Shrewsbury. 


540  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Htulson  River. 

LeTTKK    FKOM    SecR^.    NiCOLLS    to    CapT.    SanDFORD     with     the     FOEEGOmG     PEOCLA. 
MATION    AND    INVITING    HIM    TO    COME    TO    New    YoKK. 

S'. 

I  take  tliis  occasion  to  present  yon  my  Respects  at  this  particular  Juncture  of  affairs,  relating 
to  no  Lesse  then  the  Revolution  or  Alteracjon  of  Governm'  &  shall  bee  glad  I  may  bee  serviceable 
to  you  in  my  Station.  S'.  Edm :  Andros  at  length  well  considering  the  latitude  of  his  Ma"*" 
Lres.  patents  to  his  R.  11^  with  all  power  of  Governm',  which  by  Commission  hee  invested  in  his 
Governo'',  &  having  Likewise  due  regard  to  the  scantynesse  of  his  R.  H\  Conveyance  by  Lease  & 
Release  to  that  part  of  his  patent  comprehended  in  New  Jersey  (I  meane  relating  to  Governm'  of 
which  there  is  not  one  word  incerted  in  the  release,  although  sufficient  for  transferring  Rights  of 
Land,  thinking  hiinselfe  obliged  in  duty,  to  prevent  disturbances  that  might  otherwise  ensue  upon 
y*  jarring  Consultapons  to  the  detriment  of  his  R.  H^.  Interest,  hath  thought  fitt  no  longer  to  de- 
lay the  same  but  hath  sent  to  Cap'.  Carteret  &  all  the  Townes  in  order  to  their  complyance,  &  it 
is  by  his  allowance  &  approba^on  that  I  now  send  this  to  you,  &  give  you  my  advice  as  a  friend 
not  to  act  further  but  to  repaire  as  soone  as  may  bee  to  N.  Y.  where  you  may  receive  assurances 
of  a  right  understanding  &  have  Satisfaction  in  all  matters  from  the  Go :  with  free  liberty  to  re- 
turne  at  y''  pleasure.  This  I  doe  engage  to  you,  both  as  from  the  Go :  &  also  from  myselfe  having 
his  word  first,  being  fitt  to  preserve  old  friendship  w""  Go :  Carteret  &  all  other  my  friends,  & 
desirous  to  appeare  yo'  affectionate  friend  &  Serv'         N.  Y.  March  IS""  1679  —  80. 


Extract  from  the  Concessions  to  New  Jersey.     (Drawn  up  est  1665.) 

To  those  that  goe  over  at  first  with  the  Go :  anno.  1665,  provided  as  in  the  Concessions  ex- 
prest  to  have  150  Acres  of  Land,  &  for  every  man  servant  the  like  quantity  &  for  every  weaker 
servant  or  slave  male  or  female  above  ll  yeares  old  75  acres,  &  to  every  Christian  Serv'  exceeding 
the  age  afores*  after  the  expira9on  of  their  time  of  service  75  acres  for  their  owne  use. 

To  every  Mast'^''  or  Mistresse  that  shall  goe  before  the  1"  of  January  1665,  120  Acres,  &  to 
every  able  man  servant  provided  as  afores"^,  the  like  &  for  every  weaker  Serv'  or  slave  exceeding 
the  age  of  li  as  before  60  acres,  &  to  every  Christian  Servant  to  their  owne  use  the  like. 

It™  to  every  free  man  or  woman  that  shall  come  into  the  s''  province  to  plant  &  within  the  s* 
yeare  90  acres  of  land,  &  for  every  able  Serv'  the  like,  &  or  every  weaker  Serv'  for  Slave  (aged  as 
afores**),  45  Acres  &  for  every  Christian  Serv'  that  shall  arrive  the  2*  yeare  after  the  expira^on  of 
his  or  their  time  45  Acres  to  his  owne  use. 

It"  to  every  such  p''son  that  shall  come  within  y**  3''''  yeare  provided  as  afores*,  60  acres  of  land, 
&  for  every  able  man  Serv'  the  like,  for  every  Weaker  Serv'  &c  so  earryed  as  afores*  30  acres,  & 
to  every  Xpian  Serv'  so  earryed  30  acres,  after  the  Expira9on,  of  his  or  her  time. 

All  that  shall  come  within  thirteen  yeares,  to  bee  obliged,  that  for  every  Mast^"'  or  Mr*"  that 
shall  have  100  Acres  of  Land,  nor  besides  what  is  granted  to  his  owne  person  that  serves  one  able 
man  Serv'  or  2  such  weaker  Serv''  &c. 

The  7"*  part  of  the  land  taken  up  to  bee  to  the  proprieto'''. 

The  half  e  of  golden  &  silvei-  mines  reserved.  The  Quitt  rent  said  to  bee  one  penny  or  half  e 
penny  p'  acre,  according  to  the  value  of  the  land,  for  what  will  bee  layd  out  for  particular  per- 
sons &c. 


JSfetv  York  Historical  Records.  541 

CoimCTL  MmoTEs:  The  towns  in  New  Jersey  to  have  delegates  as  othee 
TOWNS  of  the  neighborhood.  The  Question  of  Government  in  N.  J.  An 
election  in  New   Jersey  ordered. 

At  a  Councell  New  Yorke  March  21"'  1679—80. 

Upon  Considera9on  whether  it  will  bee  for  his  Ma""'^  Service  to  admit  of  Deputyes  from  the 
Townes  in  Neio  Jersey,  as  others  o"'  Neighbor'  have. 

Eesolved  That  it  will  bee  necessary,  &  convenient  for  his  S''  Ma"*^"  Service,  that  they  have 
Deputyes  &c. 

New  Torlce,  at  a  Councell,  etc.  Mar.  23,  1679-80. 

A  Letter  from  C.  Ph.  Carteret  Dated  y"  20"'  March  in  answer  to  the  Go:  of  the  S"", 
brought  by  0.   TF".  /Smidford,  &  M^  Johnson  with  other  pap''s.    vizt. 

A  Letter  to  Go.  Nicolls  from  the  Duke  No.  18,  1664  relating  to  his  E.  H^  Grant  to  y^  L" 
Berhely  &  S''  Geo.  Carteret. 

Another  to  Go :  Lovelace  from  the  Duke  also  dated  No.  25,  1672  to  assist  etc.  &  declaring 
Go  :  Nicolls  Grant  to  C.  Baker  &c  to  bee  Null,  bearing  date  after  the  deed  granted  to  y"  L*  B. 
&  S'^  G.  C. 

The  K^  Letter  to  C.  Berry  dep :  Go :  Dec  9'"  1672.  Another  to  0.  Ph.  Carteret  June 
13,  16n.     The  K'  Grant  to  the  Duke  — dated  June  29"^.     Nothing  materiall  in  either  Ires. 

C.  Sandford  &  M'.  Johnson  appearing  (being  sent  for)  declare  not  to  know  the  Contents  of 
y®  Letter  brought  by  them,  nor  to  have  authority  to  speake  any  thing  concerning  it,  but  are  as 
private  p''sons. 

Eesolved,  An  answer  to  C.  Carteretts  Lres.  &  being  inform'' the  K' Lres.  patents  have  not  been 
publisht  or  made  knowne  amongst  them,  That  each  Towne  bee  sent  to  who  are  to  chuse  Eepre- 
sentatives  to  meete  upon  y^  7"^  day  of  Apr.  next  at  Woodhridge  in  order  to  y*^  K''  Service,  &  the 
quiet  of  all  his  Ma"""^  Subjects  in  these  p''ts. 


An  Order  Sent  to  the  Constable  of  Middleton  in  New  Jersey,  to  issue  writs 
OF  Election  of  Deputies  to  meet  at  Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

S'^  Edmund  Andres  Kn.  &c 

Whereas  by  vertue  of  his  Ma"''^  Letters  pattents  under  the  Great  Scale  of  England  and 
Authority  derived  unto  mee  under  his  Eoyall  Highnesse,  I  did  the  13""  Instant  give  publick  notice 
of  Illegall  assumed  Authority  and  Actings  to  bee  forborne  for  y'=  future,  and  did  Confirme  the 
present  Constables  in  their  severall  Townes  aud  precincts  And  that  I  should  bee  ready  to  take 
Further  order  for  the  good  and  wellfare  of  his  Ma'"'^  Subjects  in  your  parts  &c  as  therein  at  Large 
Appears,  By  which  Letters  Pattents  any  former  or  other  Letters  Pattents  or  Grants  whatsoever 
are  revoked  and  made  Null  as  by  s''  Letters  Pattents  at  Large  Appeares  I  doe  hereby  by  advice 
of  my  Councell  in  his  Ma""  name  Authorize  &  order  that  the  ffreeholder  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
Towne  of  Middleton  and  precincts  have  notice  and  doe  meete  together  with  all  convenient  Speed 
and  make  choice  of  two  Fitt  persons  to  bee  their  Eepresentatives,  who  are  to  repaire  to  Elizabeth 
Towne  being  the  place  ap])ointed  For  their  assembling  on  Wednesday  the  7"^  of  Aprill  next  in 
order  to  his  Ma""  Service  &  quiet  Settling  the  publick  Concemes  of  your  parts  (having  due  Eegard 
to  all  Just  Eights  Lands  and  possessions)  And  the  Constable  or  his  Deputy  to  make  due  Eeturne 


542  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hvdson  River. 

with  the  names  of  the  persons  so  chosen  to  the  Secretaryes  Office  in  this  place ;  Given  under  my 
hand  &  the  Scale  of  the  province  in  New  ijorTce  this  23""  day  of  March  in  y""  32*''  yeare  of  his 
Ma"'=^  Eaigne  Annoq.  Domini  1680 . 

To  y°  Constable  of  Middleton  or  his  Deputy  to  bee  Forthwith  put  in  ExecuQou,  the  Like  for 
the  rest. 

Examined  by  mee  M.  N.  Seer. 


Paeticulaes  of  Gov.  Andeos  visit  to  Gov.  Caeteeett  in  New  Jeeset  aistd  the 
discussions  of  theie  claims  to  the  government. 

Monday  Apr   S'"  1680 

It  was  Eesolved  in  Councell,  That  the  Go  :  goe  in  person  to-morrow  in  his  Sloope  towards 
New  Jersey,  to  bee  there  the  next  day  being  the  7*,  the  time  appointed  for  the  Dep" :  to  meete, 
&  that  hee  goe  in  a  friendly  way,  with  his  owue  Eetmue  &  some  Volunteers  too  attend  him,  with- 
out other  Arnies  then  their  Swords. 

Tuesday,  the  6*" 

The  Go:  &  his  attend*'  (as  volunteers  attend  the  Go  :  Mr.  Ilorris, Nicolls, J^y^r, 

Darrall, Willett, Collyer,  James  Graham,  Mr.  J.  White,  J.  Wandall,  S.  Wilson, 

J.  West)  went  aboard  about  two  o.  Clock  afternoone,  toward  N.  Jersey  having  a  briske  Gale  of 
wind  at  W.  S.  W.  or  there  about.  In  the  Evening  wee  came  up  to  Shooters  Isl.  where  wee  ran 
aground  &  afterwards  came  to  an  anchor  on  Staten  Jsl.  side  not  farre  from  C.  Youngs.  It  was 
there  proposed  if  not  convenient  to  send  some  one  to  C.  Carterett  that  very  Evening  to  acquaint 
him  of  o""  coming  in  peace  w'^''  was  resolved  on.  C.  Collyer  was  pitcht  upon,  &  (by  his  owne 
Request)  Mr.  Samuel  Willson  to  accompany  him  who  went  away  to  the  point  where  they  were 
Challenged  but  declaring  to  bee  friends  went  up  the  Creeks  in  Coll.  Morriss  boate,  They 
found  p*  of  a  Comp>'  with  C.  Greenland  at  the  point,  and  heard  of  another  Comp^  by  the  way, 
when  they  arrived  at  C.  C'arteretts  there  were  others  in  Armas  who  challenged  them  why  &  from 
hence  they  were,  &  C.  Saiidford  with  his  sword  drawne  came  to  the  landing  place,  &  demanded 
if  they  were  friends,  to  the  m^°''  C.  Collyer  replying  yes,  hee  s**  how  shall  wee  know  that,  but  let 
them  come  ashoare.     The  boate  came  back,  but  they  stayed  all  night. 

Wednesday  the  7"" 

The  same  boat  was  sent  over  to  the  point  about  SLx  of  the  Clock  in  the  morning,  to  bring 
the  Messeng''''  aboard,  who  were  come  dowue. 

At  their  arrivall  they  gave  ace'  of  their  Reception  &  of  C.  Carteretts  answer,  That  if  the  Go : 
&  his  Retinue  would  come  to  him  as  friends,  hee  should  bee  welcome. 

About  an  houre  after,  the  Go :  &  Comp^  went  in  his  pinnace  &  Coll.  Morris  boate  up  the 
Creeke,  There  was  at  the  point,  Oapt.  Greenland  w""  part  of  a  Company  without  Colours  who 
saluted  the  Go :  they  were  relieved  by  another  party  from  the  Towne,  just  as  wee  went  up  the 
Creeke. 

The  Go :  etc.  went  ashoare  a  little  below  M''  Hopkins  house,  &  walkt  to  C.  Carteretts  house 
on  the  hill  as  we  crost  the  hollow  just  by  the  house,  there  was  part  of  a  Company  with  C.  White- 
head at  their  head  who  making  a  passage  for  us,  wee  walkt  through  to  where  wee  mett  C.  Carterett, 
with  Capt''  C.  Sandford,  C.  Pike,  &  Capt.  Bollen,  Capt.  Carteret  inviting  the  Go :  in  to  his 
house  in  the  Stockades,  another  party  opened  for  to  receive  the  Go :  which  was  comanded  by  C- 
Sandford,  who  gave  a  volley  just  as  wee  passed  through. 


New  YorTc  Historical  Records.  543 

A  while  after  o"'  being  goue  in,  S"^  Edm.  Andros  acquainted  C.  Carteret  Sz  the  rest  with  the 
occasion  of  his  coming  to  undeceive  the  people,  and  to  shew  his  pretensions  on  his  Eoy"  Highnesse 
behalfe  to  the  Governm'  There  upon  conaanded  mee  to  read  the  K^  patent  to  himselfe  &  to  re- 
ceive the  place  &  Coiintrey  from  the  Dutch,  which  -was  done  Together  with  Go :  Colves  orders 
under  his  hand  &  scale  to  all  offic"  to  surrender  unto  the  Go :  &  one  particularly  to  W  Ogden 
the  Schout  for  the  surrender  of  I^.  Jersey. 

The  K"  patent  to  his  E  H"  was  likewise  began  to  bee  read,  but  the  people  crowding  in  to 
heare  it,  being  debarred  by  C.  Sandford's  Comand  to  the  Marshall  to  keepe  them  out,  which  he 
did  somewhat  Churlishly,  S''  Edm.  being  unsatisfyed  therew""  &  not  willing  to  trouble  C.  Carterets 
house,  he  ordered  mee  to  follow  him  out  of  doores,  there  to  reade  it  in  the  open  field  without  the 
Stockados,  that  all  his  Ma""  Subjects  there  pres*,  might  heare  the  same,  which  was  done  accord- 
ingly, also  the  Duke  Comission  to  the  Go :  &  the  Kings  order  under  the  Signet,  to  resurrender 
all  back  to  his  Roy"  H'  order  etc. 

Whereupon  C.  Carteret  desiring  S'  Edm.  &c  to  goe  into  the  house  againe  where  hee  would 
produce  all  his  Eights  to  the  Governm',  he  shewed  the  lease  &  Eelease  from  his  E.  H''  to  S' 
George  Carteret,  w'^''  was  read  by  C.  Berry,  &  pleaded  to  by  him  &  Capt.  Saudford,  C.  Carteret 
in  the  midle  betweene  them,  and  C  Bollen  thereby,  who  read  one  of  the  letters  with  the  signet 
from  his  Ma"'  to  C.  Carteret,  there  being  also  another  to  C.  Berry  as  dep.  Go :  &  2  others  the  one 
from  his  E.  H.^  to  Coll.  Nicolls,  another  to  Coll.  Lovelace,  relating  his  Conveyance  to  s''  Gov:  & 
order  of  assistance  to  his  Go :  or  dep :  There  was  also  a  Copie  of  another  Letter  part  read  from 
the  proprieto"^  to  Coll.  Nicolls,  promising  to  Continue  his  Grants. 

S''  Edm.  Andros  insisted  upon  his  Ma'"''  Ires  contents  as  being  of  greater  force  then  the  K*  pri- 
vate Lre*  &  the  Conveyance  by  lease  &  release  so  very  comon  with  other  material!  Argum'**,  That 
which  they  at  last  centred  upon,  was  that  S"^  Geo.  was  the  s''  Assignee,  &  by  vertue  there  of  had 
as  ample  power  of  Go""'  as  the  D.  himselfe,  &  both  C.  Carteret,  Berry,  Sandfm'd  & 
Bollen  declared  that  they  could  to  their  uttermost  hold  &  defend  their  Go™'  untill  the  K''  pleas- 
ure were  knowne  therein,  who  would  onely  bee  judge  in  the  Case  with  his  Councell  betweene  his 
E.  H."  &  S''  Geo.  Carteret.  Sometimes  they  insisted  upon  the  long  possession  unmolested,  but  a 
while  after  the  discourse  was  broke  off. 

After  dinner  S'^  Edm.  walkt  downe  to  the  point  accompanyed  by  C.  Carteret  &  Capt.  Berry 
with  a  party  of  men  in  Armes,  a  guard  being  made  for  him,  from  the  doore  to  the  Stockados, 
&  after  to  the  bank  of  the  kill,  each  of  the  pty.  giving  a  Volley.  There  was  only  one 
Colour  amongst  them.  The  Souldry  gave  a  volley  or  two  at  o""  going  above,  soe  having  a  very 
good  wind  we  reached  home  before  night. 

C.  Berry  Talks  of  Appealing  into  ErujV-,  w-^"  hee  s'^  They  had  already  sent  about  it,  but  being 
minded  by  S'  Khn.  That  it  was  an  Improp""  thing  to  doe  before  yt  Judg-^',  however  they  per- 
sisted in  it. 


Petition  of  the  iNHABiTAin's  of  Esopus  foe  a  Ministee  of  the  Gospel. 

To  the  E'  Honorable  S^  Edmund  Andros  K'.  Signo''  of  Saucamares ;  Lieutenan'  and  Gov- 
erno"'  Generall  Undar  his  Eoyall  Highnes  James  Duke  of  Torhe  and  Albany  and  Dependan*^ 

The  humble  Pettison  of  Severall  of  the  Inhabittance  of  Esopus  humbly  sheweth  unto  yo' 
Hono'' 

"Whereas  this  place  is  desstitute  of  a  Ministar  for  the  Instruction  of  the  people ;  It  is  our 


544  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Ernest  desiar  and  humble  request,  w""  all  Submission,  that  _yo''  Hono''  will  bee  pleased  to  bee  aid- 
ing and  assisting ;  in  the  procuring  one  for  us ;  that  can  preache  bothe  Inglish  and  Dutche,  w"^" 
will  bee  most  fitting  for  this  place,  it  being  in  its  Minoritty  ;  and  having  great  charges  is  not  very 
able  to  maintaine  twoo  Ministars ;  uethar  to  bee  at  the  Chai-ge  of  Sending  for  one  out  of  England 
or  Holand,  and  wee  are  Informed,  M"'.  Peetar  Taschemaker  is  at  Liberty,  who  is  a  person,  well 
knowne  to  yo''  hono''  and  oficitted  in  this  place,  for  sum  time,  And  if  to  bee  procured,  is  very  well 
aproved  of  and  much  dessired  by  moste,  hee  being  a  man  of  a  Sobar  life  and  conversason  having 
Deportted  himseLfe  to  sattisfaction  of  y°  Inhabitanse,  Wherfor  wee  Humbly  pray  that  your  Hono' 
will  bee  pleased  to  be  Instrumentall  in  the  same  and  yo"'  Hono""  humble  Petticjon''^  shall  Evai-  pray. 
Harmon  Gerritson  Thomas  Vandemarlc,  Henrich  Herriekson,  Robert  Blcherstaff,  Andrie  Pe- 
tersen, An  Broadhead,  lioht.  Paycock,  Wm.  Gray,  Jacob  Johnson  van  Eten,  Richard  D.  Wiltson, 
Melgur  Clare,  Robert  Chisam,  Tho^.  Garton,  John  Cock,  Georg  Mailes,  John  Bigges,  George 
Porter,  Jacob  J  arisen  Pecker,  Fredrick  Peterson,  Jeremiah  Keetel,  ■  William  Janson,  Thomas 
Quynell,  John  Parton,  Anthony  Addison,  Tho.  Quick,  Teunis  Jacobson-,  Clans  Teunison,  Arson 
Garreson,  Garett  van  Jflet,  Henry  Pawling,  Gilbert  Krorn,  Gerrit  Gisbert,  his  va'SiYkQ  Peter  a^ 
Hillibrand,  Evert  Price,  ^  this  is  the  mark  of  Warrener  Hooris  Beeck,  Niekla£s  Rosevelt,  his 
marke  Jacob  J  ^  Basteyaensen,  Hey  man  Albertson  Roose,  Arien  Albertson  Roosa,  his  marke  Lamr 
bart    \   Hubertson,  Roelof  Swartwout,  John  Albertson  Roose,  his  marke  Garret  H  Carnelisen, 

!  I  Mattys  Blanchan,  his  marke  Derick  ^^  Keyser,  Anthoine  Crespel,  his  marke  Albert 
A  Gowersen,  Johannes  de  Hooges,  Jan  Joosten,  Louys  Pubois,  W"K  AsfmdMe,  M  .  Garton, 
TF™.  Fisher,  his  marke  Cornelius  rj^  Per  .  .  .  ,  Ed.  Whittaker,   Jan   Jansen     Van  .  .  .  ,   his 

marke  Thomas   ^-f-o  Mattliews,  William  Legg,  John  Ward,  Walter  Panniell,  John  Hall,  his 


marke  Thomas  —J—  Chadock,  his   marke   Poidus  'V^  Poulison,   his   marke   Hendrick    AA 
Aldersen,  his  marke  Peter /'j"  Petersen,  Weynte  Ariens  jun"". 


A  Speciall  warrant  from  the  Goveenoitr  to  Summons  Cap''  John  Beret  of  New 
Jersey  to  appeaee  here  before  him  &  the  Councell. 

Whereas  I  am  Informed  That  you  still  persist  to  act  as  a  magistrate  without  any  Legall 
authority  with  in  the  bounds  of  his  Ma'"'^  Letters  pattents  to  his  Eoyall  Highnesse  I  doe  hereby 
Further  by  the  ad\'ice  of  my  Councell  in  his  Ma''^^  name  require  &  comand  you  Forthwith  to 
make  your  personall  appearance  to  answer  before  mee  and  my  Councell  in  this  place  what  shall 
bee  alleadged  against  you  on  that  behalfe.  Of  which  you  are  not  to  Faile  In  default  at  your 
utmost  perrill ;     Given   under  my  hand  and  Seale  in  New  Torke,  this  30*''  day  of  Aprill  1680 

Edmund  Andros 

To  Capt.  John  Berry. 

The  Like  was  sent  to  Cap'    William  Sandford  &  Laurens  Andriesen, 


New  Ym-h  Historical  Records.  545 

A  Commission  to  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  Sheewsbuet  &c  to  keepe  a  court 

OF  Sessions. 

S''  Edmund  Andros  Kn*  &c.  I  doe 'hereby  by  advice  of  my  Coimcell  Appoint  and  order 
that  the  sev.  Justices  of  the  Peace  with  in  y^  Townes  of  MiddUon  Shreiosbury  and  Precincts 
doe  Convene  and  meete  together  the  Last  Wednesday  in  August  next  Ensueing  at  Shrewsbury 
then  and  their  Hold  and  Iceepe  a  court  of  Sessions  For  the  S"  precincts,  of  which  the  Constables, 
to  give  pnblique  notice  in  their  Sev.  precincts  and  that  as  soone  as  may  bee  the  S>^  Justices  doe 
meete  and  Returne  mee  the  names  of  two  Fitt  persons  of  which  one  to  bee  clarke  of  the  Sessions 
and  the  S"  Constables  are  Likewise  Forthwith  to  sumons  the  ffreehold"  and  Inhabitants  of  their 
Sev'"'  Townes  together  to  make  choice  and  returne  the  names  of  three  Fitt  persons  for  keeping  of 
Monthly  courts  and  Determineing  of  small  matters.  Given  under  my  hand  and  Scale  of  the  Prov- 
ince in  JSfeio  TorJce  this  25'"  day  of  June  in  the  32"^  yeare  of  his  Ma""^  Eaigne  Annoq  Dom- 
ini, 1680. 

To  any  of  the  Justices  of  the  peace  for  Middleton  Shrewsbury  and  precincts  and  every  of 
them. 

M.  N.  Seer. 


Absteacts  of  Indlan  Deeds. 

(Fort  Orange  Records,  Deeds  3. ) 

Deed  given  by  the  Indians  {CatsMls  and  Mahicanders)  Maetsepeet  alias  Mahac  mminaio, 
Tamongwes  alias  Volkert,  Fapawachketek  alias  Evert,  Mamaetcheeh  alias  Johns,  Kachhetowaa 
alias  Cobus  and  UneJceeh  alias  Jan  de  Backer  to  Capt.  Sylvester  Salisbury  and  Martin  Gerritse 
for  certain  parcels  of  land,  situate  at  the  Catsk.il,  above  the  land  of  Evert  de  Goyer,  consisting  of 
five  great  flats  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  Kil,  and  being  called  the  first  Machachkeek,  the  second 
Wichquanachtchak,  the  thu-d  Pachquayack,  the  fourth  Assiskmoachkok,  and  the  fifth  Potick 
with  the  woodland  for  outlet  to  the  cattle  or  free  passage  generally,  the  circumference  of  the 
whole  tract  being  four  English  miles.     Albany  July  8""  1678. 

Indian  Deed  of  Land  on  Kinderhook  Kil  given  by  the  Westenhook  Indians  Wieshaghcaet,  his 
two  brothers  Powhyates  and  Maxinhaet  and  their  nephews  Waespa,oJieek  and  Pinonak  to  Dirck 
Wessells  and  Gerritt  Teunise,  the  track  consisting  of  four  flats,  lying  on  both  sides  of  Kinder- 
hook  Kil,  about  one  Dutch  mile  from  Jan  van  TyserCs  place;  the  two  largest  flats  are  on  the 
East  side  of  the  Kil  aud  the  one  towards  the  North  contains  about  27  morgens,  the  southerly  one 
about  fourteen ;  the  other  two  flats  are  on  the  Westside  of  the  Kil  containing  about  twenty-five 
and  six  morgens.  The  four  flats  with  the  woodland  to  the  high  hills  are  bounded  at  the  South 
by  the  land  bought  by  Jan  Bruyn  of  Painpoen  and  at  the  North  by  Matit  minimaws  land. 
Albany,  Octbr  1"  1679. 

Indian  Deed  for  Land  given  by  the  Indian  owners  Kashekan  alias  Calkoen,  Waspacheek  alias 
Spek  and  Philippuwas,  having  power  of  attorney  from  Awannis,  one  of  the  owners,  to  Aimout 
Cornelissen  Yiele  as  a  present.  The  land  consists  of  three  flats,  through  which  a  kil  called 
Mynachkee  runs,  one  being  of  about  twenty  five  morgens  and  lying  on  the  Northside  of  the  Kil, 
the  other  two  on  the  Southside  containing  together  about  twelve  morgens.  The  grant  includes 
69 


546  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

the  above  Kil  from  the  river  to  the  second  fall  called  Mntajjan,  a  distance  of  about  three  English 
miles,  also  the  woodland  adjoining  it  and  stretching  abont  two  Engl,  miles  to  the  North  and  one 
mile  to  the  South  of  the  above  described  land  along  the  river  and  back  from  the  river  as  far  as  the 
aforesaid  second  fall,  including  two  small  kils,  one  in  the  woods  to  the  North,  Avhich  empties  into 
the  river  and  is  called  Pahahemg,  the  other  emptying  into  the  largo  I\j1  from  the  South.  Albany 
June  15,  1680. 


Rob''  Livingstons  Peti^on  to  puechase  Land  upon  Roeleff  Jansens  Kill  neeee 
Catts  kill  and  oedek  theeeupon. 

To  his  Excellency  S'  Edmund  Andros  R'h.  Governo'  Gen"  under  his  Roy"  Highnesse  of 
NewYorke  and  Dependences  in  America. 

The  humble  PetiQon  of  Ro¥  Livingston  of  AJlmny  Humbly  Sheweth. 

That  where  as  there  is  a  Certaiue  tract  of  Land  Lying  upon  Roeloff  Johnsons  kill  or  Creeke 
upon  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  River,  near  Catskill  belonging  to  the  Indyan  Proprietors  not  pur- 
chased by  any  body  hithertoo,  and  your  humble  Petitioner  being  Informed  that  the  owners  are 
willing  to  Dispose  of  the  same  w""  the  runn  of  Water  or  Creeke,  Tour  Excelly.  humble  Petition 
ers  requests  your  Excellencyes  Graunt  to  purchase  the  same  of  the  said  proprietors  who  shall 
Sattisfy  them  to  their  Content  and  produce  A  Retnrne  thereof  from  the  Court  of  Albany,  hope- 
ing  that  your  Excellencye  will  then  be  pleased  to  Graunt  him  a  Patteut  Accordingly. 

And  he  shall  Ever  be  bound  to  Pray  &c. 

Granted  to  be  Purchased  according  to  Law  And  upon  A  Survey  thereof  Duly  returned  a 
Pattent  to  be  graunted  him  for  A  Bowery  or  farme  there  as  Desired. 

New  Yorke  the  12'"  of  November,  1680.  E.  Andeos. 


A  Lycense  to  Puechase  Land  on  Each  side  Pocanteco  att  Wiskeesoeeeke  bt 
M".  Feed:  Phillips  (Westchestee  Co.) 

By  the  Governour. 
Upon  Applyca^on  and  Desire  of  M .  Fredrick  Phillips  for  Liberty  to  purchase  a  parcell  of 
Land  on  Each  side  of  the  Creeke  Called  by  the  Indians  Pocmiteco  att  Wiskerscreeke  on  the  East 
side  of  Hudsons  River  and  Adjoynmg  to  the  Land  lie  hath  already  Purchased  And  Confirmed  to 
him ;  there  to  build  and  Erect  a  Saw-Mill  or  Mills  thereon  These  may  Certifie  that  I  have  Given 
Lycence  and  Liberty  to  the  said  Fredrick  Phillips  to  Purchase  the  said  Land  According  to  Law 
and  on  Survey  and  Retnrne  made  to  be  Confirmed  to  him  Accordingly.  Given  under  my  hand 
in  New  Yorke  the  First  Day  of  December  1680. 

E.  A. 


Names  of  peesons  applying  foe  land  on  Staten  Island. 

Pattents  Humbley  Desiered  by  thees  under  mentioned  that  have   bin  settled   and   Made 
improvement  on  the  north  west  side  of  Staten  Hand  nei-e  Smoaking  Poynt,  viz. 

John  Bridges  for  80  Akei"s,  Francis  Barbor  80  ditto,  Cap'.   Thomas  Williams  160  ditto. 


New  Yorlc  Historical  Records.  547 

Doctor  Ge(yrge  Lockert  228  ditto,  Edmund  Land  80  ditto,  John  Rendrixson  130  ditto,  Peeler 
Corson  80  ditto,  Jacob  Corson  SO  ditto. 

Land  Humbly  desiered  by  tbees  undermentioned  being  upon  the  South  Side  of  Statten 
Hand,  viz. 
Warrants  past  for  all       ]y;r_  JHchard  Halle  for  160  Akers,  M''.  William  Darnall  21:0  ditto,  Anthoney 

ye  first  of  Decern-  m  c^n    ^■  7  j 

ber.1680.  Yy/'e  80  ditto. 

Land  bumbley  Desiered  by  the  undermentioned  upon  the  Northwest  side  of  Statten  Hand 
being  situated  betwixt  Black  j^oynt  and  Jacoh  de  Mvffe^s  neck  viz. 

John  West  540  Akers,  John  Shottwell  80  ditto,  Phillip  Welles  160  ditto,  Anonias  Turner 
140  ditto. 

Desiered  on  tlie  north  side  of  Statten  Hand  in  the  Rare  of  Peeter  Johnson  &  Claus  Arents, 
viz. 

Peeter  Johnson  80  Akers,  John  Vincent  80  ditto. 

M"^.  James  Graham  for  A  peece  of  Land  on  the  North  side  of  Statten  Hand  and  Likewis  for 
Shuters  Hand  Adjacent,  126  Akers.     M"'.  Robert  Ryder  att  the  head  of  the  Fresh  Kill,  Y  320 

acres. 

Land  humbly  desiered  by  thees  undermentioned  being  Siteuated  on  the  north  side  of  Statten 
Hand  and  knowne  by  the  name  of  the  Great  Playne. 

'  Cornelius  Corson  for  &  Company  160 
John  Taylor  Sargant  80 
John  Fitsgarratt  80 
{^Daniel  Thomas  80 

Desiered  on  the  Tittle  Playne,  John  Shottwell  80,  Daniel  Shottwell  80,  Francis  Lee  80. 
Pattents  humbly  desiered  by  thees  undermentioned  that  have  settled  and  Made  Improvement 
on  the  West  side  of  Statten  Hand. 

Francis  Harbor  SO,  John  Bridges  80. 

Edmond  Arosmitlb 80 

Jacob  Corbett 80 

Edw.  Clarke 80 

Era'  Lee 60 

■  Anonias  Turnlr 120 

Phillip  Bendall 60 

John  Taylor 120 

Akers. 

Lambert  Dorian 130  )  North  side  of  Staten  Hand,  the  front  of 


Wants  past. 


A   Warrant   for  Survay  of  Land  on  the 
North  Side  of  flatten  Hand  neare  Sioter  Hand. 
Seated  by  them  or  vacant. 


Phillip  Welles  about 300 


Governo''  Lovlace  Land  to  the  water  side. 


Jacob  Cornelius 30  )  The  Rare  of  Garrett  Corson,  Peeter  John- 
James  Gilles 120  )  san. 

Warrants  past  for  the  above. 

£135  to  be  payed  in  3  paym'^  by  Equall  Por^ons,  in  Winter  Wheate  or  winter  barley  not 
exseeding  one  halfe  y"  wheate  att  4'  p.  bushell  barley  att  first  paym',  25">  March  1681,  2'"'  25"> 
March  1682,  S"-"  25'"  ditto  1683. 

Pattents  Humbly  desired  by  thees  undermentioned  that  have  bin  Settled  &  Made  Improve- 
ment on  the  South  side  of  the  Fresh  Kill,  there  being  no  Claime  or  Improvement  Made  before, 
viz. 


548  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Robert  Write  desires  80  Akers,  Frances  Pew — 80  ditto,  WilUam  Elston — 

SO  ditto,  Francis  Waller  —  80  ditto,  Bic^  Curtis  —  80  ditto,  Daniell  Stillwell  — 

80  ditto,  John  Morgan  —  SO  ditto,  George  Garrett  —  80  ditto,  Abraham  Lal- 

man  — ■  80  ditto,  Francis  Uselton  —  80  ditto,  Bartell  Lott  —  80  ditto. 

Robert  Rider  liumbley  desiers  A  parsell  of  Land  siteuated  on  tlie  "West  side  of  Statten  Hand 

at  the  head  of  the  Fresh  Kill  Liene;  on  the  East  side  of  Peeler  RucJclew. 


Letters  Feom  Captaine  Beockholls  to  Capt.  Caeteeett. 

Cap'  Carterett:  New  Fw>t<?  Aprill  the  14"" :  1681 

Pursuant  to  my  Promise  Inclosed  is  a  Coppy  of  a  Letter  I  Received  from  S"  John  Werden* 
wherein  a  Conlirma^on  and  release  is  mengoned  to  be  given  of  that  Eight  which  heretofore  hath 
been  Doubtful!,  and  when  the  Deeds  themselves  are  produced  to  me  shall  yeild  all  Dae  Conformity 
and  hence  Regard  accordingly,  and  Endeavour  as  much  as  in  me  lyes  to  serve  you  in  whatever 
you  shall  be  Lnpowered  and  Commanded  in  any  parte  of  the  Governm'  att  present  und''  my  Com- 
mand, and  though  you  are  noe  wayes  Concerned  in  said  Letter,  yett  haveing  relacjon  to  Newjersey 
to  which  you  make  some  Pretence  am  the  Willinger  to  lett  you  know  the  Full  Contents  thereof 
that  you  may  not  be  Lead  in  Errors  by  Reumors  and  Reports  which  as  you  have  Promissed  I 
Expect  you  will  Avoyd  For  the  Future  And  oblidge  me  to  Remaine 

Yo''  Affectionate  fEriend  and  humble  Servant. 
Cap'  Carterett : 

S--  New  Yarke  Aprill  the  18'"  1681. 

I  thought  Since  I  had  Given  Soe  Large  Demonstragon  and  Assurance  of  my  Readynesse  to 
Serve  you  in  Whatever  you  shall  be  Impowered  and  sent  you  an  Attested  Copy  of  S""  John 
Werdens  Letter,  you  would  have  Followed  its  Directions  soe  farr  or  att  Least  yo'  owne  Former 
practice  and  the  present  Intent  and  Designe  of  yo''  Neighbours  of  West  Jarsey  as  before  you  act 
or  assume  any  power  or  Authority  to  Cause  that  Deed  or  Instrum'  which  gives  it  you  to  be  pro- 
duced and  Shewed  here  and  Recorded  and  not  have  obstructed  or  Delayed  that  by  Sending  Letters 
and  parte  thereof  which  otherwise  might  meete  with  none  Did  you  doe  as  you  aught  on  yo''  parte 
you  may  well  thinke  that  Such  Loose  and  Imperfect  Coppyes  soe  unattested  Carry  Little  Force 
or  Creditt  with  them  and  that  it  is  not  that  nor  yo''  Letf  but  his  Royall  Highnesse  whole  act  and 
Deed  which  signifies  his  "Will  and  pleasure ;  that  will  by  my  Warrant  and  Discharge  and  that 
Requires  my  Observance  And  as  I  am  Ready  to  obey  and  Follow  all  his  Ma"^^  and  Royall  High- 
nesse Commands  when  made  knowne  to  me  as  they  aught  soe  I  must  Command  you  to  Desist 
medling  with  the  Governm'  till  (if  you  have  any  such)  you  produce  them  to  me  and  Cause  them 
to  be  Recorded  here  accordingly,  when  shall  take  such  Orders  as  may  Settle  you  in  peace  and 
Quiett  and  wish  you  much  happynesse  and  alwayes  Remaine, 

Yo"^  Affectionate  ffriend  and  Servant  &c 

A.  B. 

*  See  for  the  letter  N.  Y.  Col.  Doc.  Vol.  in,  p.  286. 


New    YorJc  Historical  Recorth.  549 

A  Letter  From  Cap^.  Beockholls  to  S"  John  Wkeden  EEaAKoiNo  the  New  Jersey   title. 

New  Yorke,  May  the  14'^  1681. 
Hono""  S^ 

Yo''  of  the  sLxth  JSTovember  past  Received  wherein  Is  Advised  that  his  Royall  Ilighiiesse  was 
pleased  to  Confirme  and  Release  to  the  Proprietors  of  both  Moyetys  of  New  Jersey  all  their  and 
his  Right  to  any  thing  besides  the  Rent  reserved  Whether  as  to  Government  or  publique  Dutyes 
Referring  to  Respective  Deeds  to  be  produced  which  as  yett  have  not  been  nor  any  thing  Else 
shewne,  soe  that  Neto  Jersey  as  S''  Edmund  Andross  Left  it  Remaines  under  my  Command  An- 
nexed to  the  Governm'  of  New  Yorke  and  if  Devided  From  thence,  "Will  much  Predjuce  his 
Royall  Highnesse  Interrest  In  those  parts  The  Advise  was  very  Convenient  to  Prevent  any  Doubt 
or  Inconveniency  and  shall  be  Attended  and  Observed  Accordingly  when  what  therein  Men9oned 
is  produced  and  showne  I  have  one  thing  of  Greate  Moment  to  acquaint  you  with  which  is  the 
Losse  or  att  Least  wise  a  present  Cessation  From  payment  of  his  Royall  Highnesse  Customs  Es- 
tablished here  the  time  to  w'^''  They  were  Limitted  to  be  Received  Being  Expired  in  Novemb'' 
Last  it  being  menponed  in  the  Regulacjon  of  the  Customs  that  it  is  to  hold  good  for  three  yeares 
from  November  1677  which  being  Publiquely  Knowne  to  the  Merchants  they  all  Refuse  to  pay 
any  Customes  or  Dutyes  and  Cap'.  Dyre  the  Collector  being  now  Very  ill  a  Pinke  from  Lmidon 
hath  Unloaded  her  goods  and  Carryed  them  to  their  Warehouses  without  takeing  any  notice  of 
the  Custome  house  or  Officers  absolutely  Ref useing  to  pay  any  Customs.  I  have  Done  as  much  as 
in  me  Lyes  to  maintaine  and  Supporte  it  Considering  the  Greate  Charge  of  the  Garrison  and 
Sold"  which  know  not  now  how  it  will  be  Defrayed  and  have  advised  w*  the  Councell  but 
Finde  noe  Power  or  Authority  to  Continue  the  Same  without  ord"  From  his  Royall  Highnesse 
of  the  w*^""  thinke  fitt  to  Acquaint  you  and  have  Likewise  Wrott  to  the  Governo''  that  his  Royall 
Highnesse  may  be  Informed  here  of  and  Such  ord"  given  therein  as  shall  be  thought  Convenient 
w*  I  Expect  p''  First  opportunity  wee  are  else  all  well  and  Quiett  Throughout  the  Governm'  and 
pray  you  may  be  and  Continue  soe  att  home  and  Remaine, 
S^ 

Yo''  assured  li'riend  and  most  humble  Servant 

A:  B. 


A  Letter  From  Captaine  Anthony  Bkockholls  to  the  Governotje. 

New  Yorke,  May  the  14">  1681. 
Hono"''  S--. 

Since  yo''  Departure  I  Received  a  Lre  From  S''  John  Werden  wherein  he  advised  that  his 
Royall  Highnesse  was  pleased  to  Confirme  and  Release  to  the  Proprietors  of  both  Moyetyes  of 
New  Jersey  all  their  and  his  Right  to  any  thing  Besides  the  rent  reserved  whether  as  to  Governm'  or 
Publique  Duty  Refering  to  respective  Deeds  to  be  Produced  which  as  yett  are  not,  soe  that  New 
Jersey,  as  yo"^  Hono-  Left  it  Remaines  under  my  Command  Annexed  to  his  Royall  Highnesse 
Governm',  And  hope  you  will  soe  Informe  and  Advise  his  Royall  Highnesse  that  it  may  Continue  : 
The  Customs  is  now  wholly  Denyed  to  be  payed  the  three  yeares  for  which  the  Regula9on  was 
to  hold  good  from  JSTovember  1677  Being  Expired  and  the  Councell  Have  mett  and  Advised 
thereupon  but  find  noe  power  or  Authority  to  Continue  the  Same  Longer  w'^out  order  from 
Home.  Soe  that  it  will  be  wholly  Lost  or  att  Least  Cease  for  the  present  And  Capt.  Byre  being 
now  Very  Sick  of  a  Feavor  A  Pinke   from  London  hath  Unloaded  without  takeing  any  Notice 


550  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hiodson  River. 

Either  of  Custorae  House  or  Officers  and  Carrj^ed  their  goods  to  their  Storehouses  without  paying 
any  Customs  of  the  which  I  have  Given  S''  John  Werden  an  account  that  liis  Royall  Highnesse 
may  be  made  acquainted  there  with  and  ord"  taken  For  paym'  of  the  Garrison  w^''  1  know  not  now 
how  it  will  be  Defraj^ed  liere  Unlesse  ord"  From  his  Royall  Highnesse  to  Continue  the  Same  my 
Lady  and  all  Here  are  AVell  and  I  pray  God  Keep  it  soe  with  you.     Kemaine 

S' 

Yo''  ffriend  &  Servant 

A :  Beockholls. 


Letters  Feom  Capt.  Beockholls  to  Capt.  Caeteeett   eefuslng  to  acknowledge 
Cap''.  Caeteeetts  authoeity  in  New  Jeeset. 

JVeio  Yorle  July  the  26'"  1681. 
Cap'.  Carterett. 

This  Day  Beceived  Severall  Papers  from  you  by  M''.  Bullen  and  il"'.  Leprery  which  have 
been  shewn  and  read  in  Councell  but  Find  noe  Power  thereby  for  you  to  act  in  or  Assume  the 
Government  of  N^ew  Jersey  and  till  you  Pursuant  to  o''  Former  Ord"  andPesolves  in  Councell  & 
yo"'  Paroll  to  me  Produce  and  Shew  a  Sufficient  Authority  you  are  and  I  Doe  hereby  Require  you 
to  Disist  acting  in  any  Publique  Capasety  and  Remaine, 

Yo''  ffriend  and  Servant 

A.B. 

Cap*.  Carterett.  Neio  Torke  July  the  30'''  1681. 

s^ 

Yo''^  of  the  28""  Received  by  which  I  perceive  that  if  any  Incivility  were  in  mine  of  the  26"^ 
(as  I  know  of  none)  you  are  Resolved  to  Exceed  But  I  Cannot  aeknowhdge  you  A  Governo''  nor 
A  Gentl :  of  that  worth  I  Esteemed  you  till  you  performe  your  ParroU  and  Comply  with  o''  Former 
Ord''^  and  Resolves  in  Councell  by  Producing  the  power  if  you  have  any  that  makes  you  soe  and 
thinke  you  have  noe  Reason  to  be  higher  now  then  att  yo''  first  Comeing  or  in  1674  yo''  Reflects 
I  mind  not  but  till  am  Better  Satisfied  have  Just  Cause  to  finde  fault  with  and  Complaine  of 
yo''  actings  w''*'  must  Doe  to  yo'  Superiors  and  must  Still  Declare  against  them  and  fonvarne  yo'' 
further  Proceedings  being  without  any  knowne  Authority  you  abuse  my  kindnesse  and  Misconstrue 
my  plainenesse  to  you  which  if  you  take  not  better  measures  will  Redound  to  yo''  Disadvantage 
I  wish  you  Better  then  I  thinke  you  Doe  yo''  selfe  and  am  Sorry  for  yo''  unadvisednesse  being 
"Willing  to  Remaine 

Yo"'  ffriend  &  Serv' 

A.  B. 

I  was  soe  Kinde  to  give  you  a  Coppy  of  S'  John  Werdens  Lre.  which  thought  you  woidd 
have  better  Complyed  w'"  and  observed  it  perticulerly  Directing  to  what  I  Desire  and  Expect. 


ISfew    Yorh  Historical  Records.  551 

A  Lettee  Feom  Capt.  Ekockholls  to  S"  John  Weeden  on  the  claim  to  New  Jersey. 

Nexo  Torke  July  the  SO'*  1681. 
Hono"'^  S"'. 

Since  mine  of  the  25"'  the  Inclosed  Demand  of  Staten  Island  hath  Come  to  my  hands  with  a 
Coppy  of  the  Dukes  Grant  but  the  Original]  not  having  been  shewn  here  and  Eecorded  as  I  Judo-e 
they  ought  and  hath  been  formerly  Practiced  Doe  take  Little  notice  thereof  nor  give  any  Per- 
ticnler  answer  to  the  Demand  the  within  Men9oncd  Capt.  Phillip  Cartereit  not  haveing  Produced 
and  Shewne  any  Sufficient  power  to  make  the  Same  or  act  as  Governo'.  But  have  in  answer 
thereto  Commanded  him  to  Desist  Acting  in  and  Assumeing  the  Government  Till  Such  Au- 
thority Shall  be  Produced  and  Shewne  and  am  Kesolved  not  to  parte  with  Staten  Island  without 
Perticuler  Direc9ons  therein  from  his  Eoy"  Highnesse,  It  being  soe  Materially  Necessary  for 
this  Govemm'  and  never  in  their  Possession  who  I.  tliinke  Incroach  much  on  his  Roy'll  High' 
Kindnesse  to  Clayme  the  Same  I  thought  ffitt  to  Advise  you  there  of  that  Suitable  Ord'  may  be 
Given  accordingly  and  am 

Hono'"'^  S'' 

Your  AfEectionate  fl'riend  and  humble  Servant 

A.  B. 


Peopositions  of  Minissestk  Indians  and  answee  theeeto. 

Att  a  Councell  held  in  Mew  Yorh  the  12"'  day  of  Sepf  1681. 

Present,  Capt.  Brockholls,  W.  Pidllips,  M^  Courtlmid. 

The  Minnissinke  Sachamaker  Rathquack,  spoake  first,  &  Sayed. 

That  he  was  here  last  yeare  &  spoake  with  the  Govei-uo"^  that  is  Gone  of  their  goeing  to  Hunt 
&  they  went  as  farr  as  the  Spanish  Indians  who  found  to  be  Angry  ^^eople  &  they  fell  on  them  & 
killed  2  of  there  Indians  then  they  gathered  together  &  Sent  out  20  of  his  stoutest  men  to  see  what 
People  they  were  &  ord'ed  them  to  Kill  as  many  as  they  Could  &  they  Killed  6  &  brought  nine 
Prisoners  of  w'^''  2  men  &  2  weomen  Escapefd  Soe  they  brought  but  5  home  &  gave.     .     . 

This  place  being  the  old  place  &  the  first  Citty  here,  they  doe  not  Ruun  about  to  other 
places  but  alwa3'es  Come  here,  to  make  their  Covenant  &  speake  of  greate  things  in  y"  P''sence  of 
y"  Sachem  of  Tappan,  that  as  they  have  Alwayes  had  peace  soe  hope  it  will  Continue  as  long  as 
they  &  their  Children  Live,  c%  though  they  are  but  poore  people.  And  have  not  a  Shirte  to  their 
back,  yett  they  will  allwayes  Keep  their  words  &  gave.     .     . 

Although  I  have  before  Spoake  of  a  firme  peace  yett  it  being  Soe  Good  a  thing  doe  againe 
Repeate  it  &  if  any  of  his  Indians  shall  breake  it  or  Doe  any  hurte  to  the  Ckristians  he  will  Kill 
them  &  this  he  speakes  in  y"  P''sence  of  his  Young  men  &  will  take  Care  it  be  Kept  &  p''formed 
amongst  all  his  Indians  accordingly  &  gave. 

Relates  that  his  People  haveing  been  hunting  thought  to  Have  bought  good  Cloaths  for  y" 
winter  but  finding  Rumm  in  every  house  their  men  stayed  there  &  Drunk  rum  &  Spent  their 
Beavers,  &  ab'  60  were  Killed  by  Knives  in  their  Drhike  in  3  yeares,  therefore  Desires  y"^  Cap'. 
Ca/rterett  may  be  sent  to  to  forbid  his  people  to  sell  Drinke  to  y"  Indians  &  y'  an  Orde"'  be  made 
here  for  that  purpose  least  this  land  w*  now  in  peace  &  quiett  should  be  in  warr  gave  19  Dressed 
Skins  &  1  Otter  &  a  Musse, 

38  beavers  in  all. 


552  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Answer  to  t^  Minissinke  Indians  Pkoposi9ons. 

I  am  Glad  to  See  yo"'"  Safe  Returns  &  that  yo"  have  foinid  out  soe  good  a  Country  to  gett 
Beaver  in  believe  yo"  have  behaved  yo''selves  as  Stout  Souldiers  &  am  sorry  for  yo''  losse  but  that 
must  be  Expected  when  wee  Goe  to  Warr,  w*  I  hope  will  not  happen  againe ;  yo"'  Endeavoring 
to  make  an  advantageous  Peace  that  you  may  hunt  in  quiett.  You  Doe  well  to  Come  &  Continue 
y*  Peace  &  friendship  between  us  &  soe  long  as  yo"  Doe  well  on  yo''  Parts  shall  not  be  broake  on  o'^ 
12  Shirts,  6  fathom  A  Continued  firme  Peace  is  good  &  yo"  Doe  well  to  take  Care  of  yo''  Young 

"^■^.f 'n^l^""""^*"'       men  the  Same  be  not  broaken  &  wee  will  Doe  the  like  on  o''  parts. 

S  Rolls  Tobacco,  _  ... 

yi  grosse  pipes.  There  is  ord''''  und''  Create  penaltj^es  here  to  prohibite  y®  Selling  of  Eumm 

to  Indians,  &  shall  Send  to  Cap'.   Carterett  that  it  be  Soe  there,  but  if  they  will  Discover  who 
sells  to  y®  Contrary  they  shall  be  punished. 


A  Letter  from  Cap''.  Brockholle  to  Cap'^.  Thomas   Delavall  at  the  Esopus 

DESIREING    HIM   TO    KEEP    PEACE    AND   GOOD    ORDER    IN    HIS    DISTRICT,    LATELY   MUCH 
DISTURBED. 

New  Torhi,  Novemb'^'  lO""  1681. 
Cap .  Tliomas  Delavall. 

S".  —  Being  Infoi-med  that  Severall  Disord"  and  Troubles  have  and  Doe  Happen  and  Arize  att 
the  Esopus  tending  to  the  Greate  Disturbance  and  Breach  of  the  Peace  which  you  Being  Cheife 
Magistrate  there  aught  to  prevent  and  now  Goeing  to  those  partes  Doe  hereby  Perticulerly  Kecom- 
mend  the  same  to  yo'  prudent  Care  and  Mannagem'  not  Doubting  all  other  Officers  will  be  Assist 
ing  on  their  partes  and  performs  their  Dutyes  in  Like  Manner  that  the  publike  peace  and  Quiett 
of  the  Inhabitants  may  be  preser\^ed  and  the  Generall  publique  good  Advanced  and  Promoted. 
To  which  end  I  would  have  all  undue  and  Unlawfull  Meetings  of  people  without  Authority  pre- 
vented and  all  Erreguler  practices  in  procureing  Subscriptions  from  the  Inhabitants  avoyded, 
Being  not  Justifiable  by  Law  And  that  you  will  take  Care  the  Eight  hundred  GiW^  payable  for 
his  Roy"  High'  use  be  Secured  and  Collected  which  is  all  att  present  wishing  you  a  Good  Voyage. 

Remaine  S"" 

Yo'  Affectionate  fii-iend, 

A.  B. 


A  Letter  from  Cap'^.  Brockholls  to  Cap  .  Thomas  De  Lavall  :    Distribution 
OF  Land  at  the  Esopus.     Quarrels  to  be  avoided. 

New  YorJce,  January  12'",  1681-2. 
Cap'.  Thomas  De  Lavall. 

S".  —  Yo''*  of  the  Second  Instant  Received  am  Glad  to  heare  of  yo'  Good  Health  But  sorry 
soe  much  trouble  happens  to  you  which  thaught  my  Last  would  have  Greatly  prevented.  To 
the  Matter  of  Disposall  of  Land  Being  the  thing  Cheifely  Insisted  on  I  thinke  you  much  in  the 
Right  when  you  Insist  on  the  Observance  of  the  Law  which  Gives  perticuler  DireCQons  and  is 
the  Rule  for  all  to  walke  by,  and  the  Best  way  to  Prevent  Disord'*  According  to  which  as  yo' 
selfe  soe  all  Others  Aught  to  Regulate  themselves.  Yo'  many  yeares  Practice  Being  a  Good  and 
Lively  Example  As  for  Building  in  out  farmes  if    the  Law  be  sylent  in  that  Perticuler,    the 


New  Yorli  Historical  Records.  553 

Severall  Orders  of  Former  Governo"  must  be  Enquired  after  and  Observed  But  Certainly  most 
Neecessary  in  yo''  Parts  to  Keep  togatlier  in  Towneships,  and  If  any  Act  Contrary  to  be  Pi-o- 
ceeded  against  Accordingly.  I  Know  yo''  Good  jSTature  Did  soe  Farr  Condesend  when  here  to 
Passe  by  all  Former  Affronts  From  Justice  Lewis  De  Bois  and  Hoped  his  Carriage  and  Comport- 
ment "Would  not  Have  Provoaked  you  Againe  but  finds  my  Expecta9on  Deceived  and  a  further 
Tryall  putt  on  yo''  Patience  which  I  must  Intreate  you  to  beare  as  Easie  as  Possible  their  Being 
att  Present  noe  Other  Eemedy  to  Prevent  Quarrell  and  the  Further  111  Effects,  yo"'  Assistance  is 
soe  Neccesssary  in  the  Publique  Concerns  of  those  Parts  that  Cannot  any  wayes  Admitt  the  Lay- 
ing Downe  your  Commission  Butt  Desire  the  Dilligent  Execution  thereof  for  the  Generall 
Good,  in  which  you  Never  Have  Been  Wanting  and  shall  Oblidge  me  to  Eemaine  S', 

Yo''  Affectionate  ffriend, 

A.  B. 


A  Lycence  to  Jacob  Rdtgees  &  "W".  Fisher  to  Puechase  Land  att  Esopus  of  the  Indians. 

By  the  Comand''  in  Cheife. 
Whereas  Jacob  Rutgers  of  the  Esopus  Did  on  the  ll""  of  Aprill  past  make  Applycapon  to 
the  Court  there  for  Liberty  to  buy  of  the  Indians  a  parcell  of  Laud  over  the  Redouht  Kill  Eye- 
ing against  his  Land  which  the  Said  Court  Granted  him  on  Condipon  If  I  Should  Approve 
thereof  and  the  said  Jacob  Euttgers  now  desireing  my  Approbacjon  These  are  to  Certifie  that  I 
have  &  Doe  Hereby  Approve  of  the  Same  and  Grant  Liberty  and  Lycence  to  the  said  Jacob 
Ruttgers  to  purchase  of  the  Indian  Proprietors  the  said  Parcell  of  Land  makeing  Due  Returne 
thereof  to  the  Office  of  Records  Here  in  Order  for  Confirmacjon  and  Improvement  According  to 
Law  Given  under  my  Hand  in  New  Yorke  this  12''''  January  1681-2. 

A.  B. 


A  PROCLAMA90N  Renewing    A    Former   peoclama^on   prohibiting   trade    with 
THE  Indians  in  their  Townes  and  planta^ons  in  the  Country. 

By  the  Comander  in  Cheife  &  Councell. 
Whereas  Upon  Complaint  of  many  Disorders  and  Mischeifs  that  had  Happened  and  were 
Likely  to  Happen  by  Christians  tradeing  with  Indians  Contrary  to  Law  in  Indian  Townes  or 
Plantacjons  or  Abroad  in  the  Country  or  Rivers,  There  Issued  out  a  ProclamaQon  the  14  of  March 
167f  Requiring  all  Magistrates  Officers  or  Persons  Whatsoever  to  very  Vigilent  that  noe  person 
or  persons  Yessells  Boate  or  Canoe,  Doe  on  any  Pretence  by  Land  or  Water  trade  with  any  In- 
dians on  penalty  of  fforfiture  of  all  Such  Vessells  Boate  or  Canoes,  and  the  Goods  they  shall  soe 
Carry  to  trade  with  or  trade  for.  Which  were  to  be  Secured  and  Conveyed  to  the  Sherriffe  of 
this  Citty,  or  present  ISTotice  Given  that  they  may  be  proceeded  Against  as  Above,  When  the 
Discoverer  whether  Indian  or  other  to  have  all  the  said  Goods  or  the  Value  Allowed  them  for 
Discovery  with  Piinishm'  for  Concealing  or  not  Discovering  the  Same,  as  in  and  by  the  said 
Proclaraa9on  may  more  att  Large  Appeare,  Which  being  Limitted  for  one  yeare  from  the  said 
Date  is  Expired.  And  Dayly  Complaints  Being  made  of  Like  Disord''  and  Mischeifs  Occasioned 
by  said  trade  with  the  Indians  as  Aforesaid  These  are  therefore  to  Continue  and  Renue  the  said 
70 


554  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hndnon  River. 

Prodamagon  and  in  liis  Ma"'''  name  to  Require  all  Magistrates  and  Other  Officers  fnlly  to  pntt  the 
same  in  Execii9on  and  to  Exact  and  take  the  penaltyes  therein  Directed  as  Aforesaid  from  the 
person  or  persons  Offending  or  Acting  Contrary  there  to  till  further  Order,  of  which  all  persons 
are  to  take  Notice  and  Conforme  themselves  Accordingly  Att  their  perrills,  Dated  in  New  YorTce 
this  twenty  Eighth  Day  of  January  one  thousand  Six  Hundred  Eighty  one*  in  the  thirty  third 
yeare  of  this  Ma'"'^  Reigne  : 

A.  B. 
To  the  Dep :  Mayor  and  Ald''meu  of  the  Citty  of  New  Yorhe  to  be  forthwith  Published. 


A  Lycence  Granted  to  Coenelts  Van  Buesum  to  Puechase  Land  of  the  In- 
dians   BACK    OF   THE    HIGHLANDS    ON    THE    HuDSON. 

By  the  Comander  in  Cheife. 
Whereas  Cornells  Van  Bursum  of  this  Citty  hath  made  Applica9on  For  Liberty  and  Lycence 
to  purchase  of  the  Indians  a  Certaine  parcell  or  ti'act  of  Land  Lyeing  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson 
River  Behither  the  High-Lands  to  Settle  A  fEarnie  or  Planta9on  or  for  the  Tmprovem'  of  Hus- 
bandry, These  are  to  Certifie  that  I  have  and  Doe  Hereby  with  Advise  of  the  Councell  Grant 
Liberty  and  Lycence  to  the  said  Cornells  Yan  Bursum  to  purchase  of  the  Indians  the  said  Parcell 
or  tract  of  Land  and  to  Settle  A  ffamie  or  Planta(;on  thereupon,  he  makeing  Due  Returne  thereof 
to  the  Office  of  Records  Here  in  Order  to  Confirmagon,  and  makeing  Improvement  and  perform- 
ing what  the  Law  in  Such  Cases  Requires,  Given  under  my  Hand  in  New-  Yorhe  this  third  Day 
fFeV  in  the  thirty  Fourth  yeare  of  his  Ma''^*  Reigne  Aimoq.  Domini  1681-2. 

A.B. 


A  Lettee  Feom  Cap'^.  Beockholls  to  Cap''.  De   Lavaxl.     Inteenal   disoedees 

AT    THE    ESOPUS    CONTINUE.       DeFENCE    OF    THE    DISTRICT.         A    "  PeTEAEA  "    TO     BE 
SENT    TO    THE   EsOPUS. 

New  Yorhe  March  9'"  1681-2. 
Cap'.  Thomas  De  Lavall. 

Yo"  of  the  third  Instant  Received  and  Expected  a  Better  Ace'  of  yo''  Partes  then  the  Con- 
tinued Disord'  Especially  Amongst  the  Magistrates  whose  Bnisnesse  it  is  to  Prevent  it  in  Others 
much  more  to  Avoid  it  in  themselves.  I  know  not  where  the  fifault  Perticulerly  Lyes  But  Beleeve 
you  will  be  noe  wayes  "Wanting,  what  you  Men9on  About  Indian  Reports  Beleeve  to  be  Ground- 
lesse,  But  Commend  yo''  Care  to  be  truly  Informed  and  to  Putt  yo''  selfe  into  A  Good  Posture  of 
Defence  to  Prevent  Surprize,  Have  Gott  onePreterereeof  M''.  Minviel  and  two  Chambersf  which 
will  Come  to  you  in  Lucas  Sloope  and  shall  speake  to  M''.  Courtland  for  Another  who  att  Present 
is  out  of  towne.  It  hath  not  benn  Practiced  nor  Cann  it  be  Expected  that  any  Come  from  hence 
to  Assist  att  yo""  Court  of  Sessions  but  the  same  must  be  kept  as  formerly,  I  have  Lately  Re- 
ceived Orders  from  his  Roy"  High^  for  the  Continuance  of  all  Magistrates  &  Justices  in  their 
Severall  Stations  till  further  Order  w'=''  Please  to  Communicate  to  the  Rest,  all  is  well  here  and 
hope  will  Continue  soe  with  you,  Remaine 

S''     Y"'  affectionate  ffriend 

A.  B. 
*  1682.  f  A  species  of  ordnance,  'Webster. 


New    Yoj-k  Historical  liecords.  555 

A  Lettp]e  Feom  Cap^.  Brockholls  to  the  Commisaries   att   Albany    &c.    on 

THE   EELATIONS    BETWEEN    THE   New    Yoi4Ji    LnDIANS    AND    MakV-LAND. 

New  Yorhe  March  29  :  1682: 
Gentlemen. 

Yo''^  of  tlie  21"'  Instant  with  the  Indians  Proposi9ons  received  hy  which  Perceive  are  Senci- 
ble  of  wrong  Done  to  the  Christians  in  Maryland  but  Excused  and  Denyed  by  themselves  and 
Seeiueingly  Desireons  to  Continue  Peace  and  ffriendship  Since  whicli  I  have  Received  an  Ex- 
presse  from  my  Lord  Baltimore  Concerneing  the  same  Relateing  that  Nine  Christians  were 
Killed  by  some  of  the  Northerne  Indians  the  Last  Summer  Suspecting  those  with  whom  Coll. 
Coursey  made  A  Peace  in  their  Behalves  att  w*  are  much  Troubled  but  have  not  (as  was  Re- 
ported), Resolved  or  Declared  Warr  Against  the  Indians  butt  Expect  Sattisfa9on  Otherwise  if 
Possible,  for  whose  Safety  and  tlie  Prevention  of  the  Like  for  the  future  I  have  Promissed  and 
Desire  you  to  use  all  Endeavours  Possible  and  that  the  Murtherers  be  Discovered  And  when  next 
you  Speake  with  the  Maquas  and  Seanecas  or  Others  in  Amity  with  us  Acquaint  them  thereof 
and  Recommend  to  them  the  Continuance  and  Due  Observa9on  of  the  Peace  and  ifriendship  with 
us  and  that  made  with  Coll.  Coursey  for  Maryland  to  which  in  their  Leagues  with  Other  Indians 
they  must  have  A  Perticuler  Regard  and  not  joyne  with  any  to  wrong  or  Prejudice  the  Christians 
who  Offer  none  to  them  Butt  the  Contrary  and  they  need  not  Apprehend  or  feare  Any  Will. 
They  Keepeing  their  Covenant  firme  and  Invyolable,  you  must  Likewise  give  them  in  Charge 
that  they  be  very  Carefull  and  Prevent  Any  of  their  Young  men  Rambling  or  Makeing  any  In- 
cursions on  the  Chi'ibtiaua  to  the  Southward,  which  is  the  Only  Needfull  att  Present  from 

Yo''  Affectionate  ffiriend. 

A.  B. 


Letter    from    Cap'.    Brockholls    to    my  Lord    Baltemoee  and    Councell    att 
Maryland,  (on  the  relations  between  New  York  Indlans  and  Maryland.) 

JSTew  Torke,  March  29'^  1682. 
Right  Hono*"^ 

Yo"  of  the  4'"  Instant  per  Cap'.  RicTiarcl  Hill  yesterday  Came  to  Hand  whom  kindly 
Received  and  with  all  Speed  Dispatched  Am  Extreamly  Troubled  att  the  Effusion  of  Christian 
blood  and  Other  Deprada9ons  in  your  Province  (which  were  not  Before  Informed  of,  and  Although 
Rumoured  Unwilling  to  beleeve  Hopeing  their  might  be  noe  truth  therein)  to  Prevent  which  as 
it  hath  Alwayes  been  the  Care  and  Endeavour  of  my  Predecessors  not  only  out  of  Christian  Duty 
but  A  Perticuler  Respect  wee  Beare  to  your  Province  soe  in  my  Station  shall  be  as  Dilligent  and 
Ready  and  noe  wayes  wanting  to  Doe  you  any  Service  therein;  Assureing  you  that  all  his 
Ma"''  Subjects  in  all  our  Leagues  and  Treatyes  with  Indians  Have  had  Ahke  Equall  Esteeme, 
And  wee  the  same  Regard  for  their  Safty  and  Defence  as  our  Selves,  However  Vyolated ;  the 
Northerne  Indians  whom  you  Charge  to  have  been  the  Actors  of  those  Mischeifs  are  soe  Numer- 
ous farr.  Distant  and  of  soe  many  Severall  Nations  that  I  know  not  whom  to  Aske  Sattisfac9on 
off  and  Have  Little  Cause  to  thinke  the  Maquas  and  Senecas  who  have  Heitherto  Continued  true 
and  keepe  their  League  with  us  should  soe  soone  forgett  that  more  Pertieulerly  made  for  you  by 
Coll.  Coursey  (and  wliich  I  Beleeved  would  Prove  an  Effectuall  meanes  For  Future  Quiett)  butt 
Rather  that  they  thinke  you  Slight  or  fforgett  them  none  from  your  Partes  Haveing  been  to 
Renue  the  Peace  as  is  usuall  and  Expected  by  them  wee  Doeing  the  same  yearly  and  if  Duly 


556  Colonial  Settlements  on  tlte  Hudson  River. 

Observed  might  be  of  Greate  BenefEtt  and  Advuutage  for  the  Preserva9on  of  Peace  and  quiett 
and  Continua9on  of  ffriendship  The  Very  Rumour  of  what  in  yo"  is  Perticulerly  Mengoned  liath 
been  see  Resented  by  this  Government  that  the  Maques  and  Sennecas  haveing  this  month  been  to 
Renue  the  Peace  Doe  wholly  Excuse  themselves  and  Deny  to  have  had  Any  hand  in  Killing 
the  Christians  in  Ilaryland  or  Done  Any  Harrae  to  them  and  are  Sorry  to  Heare  Any  is  Done 
and  that  they  Seeke  to  Live  in  peace  and  not  have  Any  "Warr  with  the  Christians.  I  have  Ord''ed 
Strict  Inqnirey  to  be  made  Amongst  the  Several!  nations  of  Indians  for  the  Murtherers  and  that 
none  Doe  ramble  or  make  Any  Incursions  in  your  Partes.  And  Doe  not  find  the  Indians  Any 
wise  Inclynable  to  make  Warr  but  all  Desireous  of  the  Continua9on  of  peace  and  ffriendship  and 
Am  sorry  the  Present  luncture  of  Affaires,  will  not  admitt  me  to  serve  you  as  I  Could  wish  and 
Renue  your  Perticuler  League  which  Judge  Absolutely  Necessary  you  give  Order  in  and  I  thinke 
was  Promissed  Should,  and  may  prevent  further  trouble  or  Addresses  In  the  meane  time  bee 
Confident  you  shall  not  be  out  of  my  thoughts,  And  as  farr  as  I  have  Power  and  Abillity  will 
Serve  you  and  Indeavour  the  Peace  and  Qniett  of  all  his  Ma""^  Subjects  Perticulerly  yo''  Province 
whose  Happinesse  and  Prosperity  I  Rejoyce  att  as  our  Owne  And  yo''  Desires  in  all  Respects 
shall  meete  with  as  Ready  Concurrence  and  Accomoda9on  as  Cann  Possiblie  bee  Expected  from 
and  is  in  the  Power  off". 

Right  Hono"'" 

Yo'  Affectionate  Neighbour  and  humble  Servant, 

A.  B. 


A  Letter  from  Cap''.  Beockholls  to  the  Commysaeies  and  Coixet  att  Albant 

(iNFOEMING  THEM  THAT  CoLONELS    CofESEY    AND    LoYD,    AGENTS    FOE    LoED    BalTI- 
MOEE,  AEE    coming   TO    AlbANY    TO   MAKE    PEACE   WITH   THE   NeW  YoEK    InDIANS). 

Gentlemen.  JSfew  Yorhe,  June  the  10'",  1682. 

This  Accompanyes  Coll.  Coursey  and  Coll.  Loyd  who  are  Commissionated  from  the  Lord 
Baltemore  and  Province  of  Maryland  to  treate  with  the  Indians  and  Procure  A  firme  and  Last- 
ing Peace  for  which  Haveing  made  Applyca9on  Have  Granted  them  Liberty,  and  Desire  you  to 
be  Assistant  to  them  therein  as  Needfull  my  Occassions  will  not  Admitt  Mee  to  Come  up  There- 
fore Desire  that  you  or  Some  of  you  be  Present  att  all  Discourses  or  Meetings  of  the  Indians 
And  see  that  Due  Method  Observed  as  may  be  Best  for  the  Accomplishing  the  Same  And  Con- 
tinuance of  Peace  &  that  you  see  nothing  be  Any  wise  to  Farr  Insisted  on  to  Give  Any  Dislikes 
or  Predjuce  Haveing  Regard  to  the  Peace  made  with  Coll.  Coursey  Alone,  w*  is  Perticulerly 
Recomended  to  them  And  that  all  Treaty's  And  Discourses  be  in  Publique  to  Maintaine  the 
Hono"'  of  o''  Goverimi*  in  all  which  not  Doubting  of  yo"'  Care  &  Circumspec9on  And  that  from 
time  to  time  may  have  an  Account  of  your  Proceedings. 

I  Remaine,  Gentlemen,  yo''  Affectionate  ffriend, 

A.  B. 


Resolution  of  a  Town  Meeting  on  Staten  Island  about  the  pay  of  theie    Ministee. 

Att  a  Towne  meeting  held  the  10"*  Day  of  June  1682  By  ord''  of  Eich'^  Stillwell  Esq'  one  of 
his  Ma*''""  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

Being  put  to  the  vote  whether  the  Inhabitants  would  freely  Consent  that  a  Towne  Rate 


New   YorJc  Historical  Records.  557 

should  be  forthwith  made  in  ord''  to  y"  Satisfaction  &  paym'  of  M''.  Morgan  Jones  who  by  the 
Choice  &  at  y«  desire  of  y^  Inhabitants  aforesaid  has  Exercised  the  function  of  a  Minister  in  this 
Island  this  yeare  hast  Past,  It  was  carryed  in  the  affirmative  for  which  there  were  thirty  eiglit 
votes  &  for  the  Negative  but  thirty  one,  "Where  upon  Orders  tliat  y<=  Com'rs  formerly  Chosen  & 
appointed  by  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Island  for  that  purpose  doe  cause  a  Rate  to  be  made  whereby 
a  Sufficient  Summe  of  money  may  be  raised  for  the  imediate  Satisfaction  of  y'^  s"  M^  Morgan 
Jones  according  to  agreement  &  that  they  take  some  speedy  Course  that  y"  Same  may  be  collected, 
Ordered  that  this  be  presented  to  the  Court  of  Sessions. 

Per  Fka.  Williamson  Cler.  Cur. 
Copia  Vera. 


Letter  from  the  Commissionees  op  Maryland  at  Albai^  to  Comm"  Brockholls. 
The  Oneidas  and  Onondagas  on  the  war  path  against  Maryland. 

Honored  S^  Att  Albany  June  24,  1682. 

The  7""  Day  after  oar  departure  from  you  being  the  23''*  instant,  we  arrived  here  at  Alha^iy 
&  that  day  obtained  the  favour  of  the  Commysares  to  come  to  us,  who  readily  procured  for  us  5  belts 
of  peak  to  send  to  the  five  nations  to  come  and  speak  with  us,  (which  this  morning 
Arnold  went  away  with)  Since  his  going  we  have  rec''  Informa^on  y'  there  were  gone 
2  troopes  of  the  Oniades  down  into  Maryland.  &  a  Third  preparing  to  goe.  The  Conse- 
quence of  w'^''  wee  believe  may  bee  very  ill  to  our  Country.  This  S'  put  us  upon  Inquireing  of  y^ 
Commissayries  whether  yo'  bono"  instructions  yo"  were  pleased  to  acquaint  us  w"",  were  put  in 
practice  (viz.  y'  the  S'^  Indians  should  not  attempt  any  more  to  goe  into  Maryland  or  Virginia  to 
disturbs  or  destroye  any  of  his  Ma'"'^  Subjects  there,  &  upon  the  discourse  wee  find  y'  y°  Indians 
have  no  such  Commands  layed  upon  them,  Only  some  kind  of  words  used  to  some      .       Indians 

tending  to  y'  purpose  &  this ill  consequence,  this 

will  be  wee  are  here  coming  to  treate  for  y"  peace  &  they  whom  wee  are  to  treate  w""  are  cutting 
the  throats  of  his  Ma'"*^^  subjects  in  Virginia  &  Maryland  in  the  meanetime,  &  this  we  con- 
ceive arise  in  y'  y'^  s"  instructions  were  not  soe  positive  or  well  carryed,  as  the  quality  of  the  affair 
required.  Now  S"'  o'  humble  request  to  you  is  y'  y"  will  please  to  send  up  by  y^  first  y'  comes  this 
way  a  power  from  under  }'our  hand  to  us  to  despatch  away  from  hence  some  person  y'  wee  may 
employ  for  our  money  to  goe  after  the  s"*  troopes,  in  such  manner  &  wayes  as  wee  shall  find  most 
probable  to  draw  y"  back  &  prevent  y''  going  of  the  3'''',  &  this  wee  the  more  earnestly  desire,  be- 
cause wee  understand  some  of  the  troopes  are  commanded  by  Susquehannas  of  whom  wee  have 
too  greate  cause  to  believe  y'  they  will  bend  their  designs  upon  y"  Xtians.  2'"'ly  That  this 
being  the  only  &  greate  affair  M'ee  came  about,  may  not  be  slighted  or  neglected,  in  passing 
through  other  hands  soe  y'  wee  may  use  all  our  endeavors  for  the  preservation  of  his  Ma'"'^ 
two  Collonies,         .  .         Request  y'  in  case  any  Ship  bee  come  from  .         .         y'  you  will 

please  to  communicate  w'-''  us  the  news  from  tlience.     All  being  secure  in  good  order  and  quiett. 

Henry  Codrsey,  Coll.  Phil  Lloyd. 


Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same. 


Forte  Albany  June  25  1682. 
This  aftemoone  I  rec*  yo"  by  the  hands  of  M'.  Browne  &  though  I  writ  yesterday  joyntly 
w""  Coll.  Coursey  I  am  unwilling  to  omitt  making  any  particular  acknowledgment  of  the  favor  y' 


558  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

you  have  pleased  by  the  covert  of  yours  to  bring  mine  soe  safely  to  niy  hands,  &  least  I  should 
be  behinde  hand  in  my  gratitude  if  any  of  .  .In  the  escaped  ....  tumultuous  Rabble 
in  Virginia  have  destroyed  [my  tobacco]  in  four  counties  computed  to  be  8  or  10  000  h.heads, 
&  .  .  persist  notwithstanding  }'  10  or  12  have  beene  slain,  &  many  taken  prisoners,  yett 
there  was  hopes  y'  they  would  bee  fully  suppressed  in  some  short  time,  for  y'  the  Governm'  had 
very  timely  secured  all  arms  from  them. 

S''  The  news  you  had  of  S''  Henry  ChicJileys  house  being  burnt  is  too  trew,  but  my  Lord  in- 
forms me  it  was  not  b}^  them,  But  by  accident,  whereby  S''  Henry  had  a  very  great  losse,  saving 
no  part  of  his  goods,  S"'  This  w'-''  my  humble  service  is  all  at  present,  from  y''  very  thankful  as 
well  as, 

Honor''  S"'  y'  very  humble  Serv' 

Phil.  Lloyd. 

S'  We  have  thought  it  necessary  to  despatch  two  of  our  attendants  to  Maryland  to  informe  my 
Lord  y'  some  troopes  of  the  Uniades,  ife  Unedagoes,  are  gone  downe  into  our  Contry  &  as  we  hear 
under  such  capotaines  as  are  likely  to  doe  us  mischiefe.  Thatt  he  may  take  such  course  as  best 
pleaseth  him  to  prevent  the  evill,  &  we  have  ordered  them  to  waite  on  yo'  bono''  for  letters  if 
y°  please  to  write  thatt  way,  &  I  earnestly  hope  y'  you  will  not  fayl  sending  us  upp  a  permission 
to  Imploy  such  persons  as  wee  can  agree  w""  all  to  goe  to  those  nations,  &  gett  what  Indians  bee 
can  downe  with  him  to  recall  those  troopes,  &  see  if  he  can  make  a  peace  between  them  &  our 
nayboring  Indians,  soe  y'  we  may  never  see  them  more,  for  we  shall  never  be  att  quiett  so  long 
as  their  warre  continues. 

S'  your  most  humble  Servants, 

Henet  Coukset,  Phillip  Lloted. 

We  have  further  Information  of  some  Quingoes  troopes  gone  into  our  Country,  &  wee  cannot 


Letter  from  Coknelius  van  Dtck  in  regard   to   the    Maryland    Commission- 
ers ;  conference  with  the  Five  Nations  called. 

Ilono"  S^  ATb.  26  June  1682 

Yours  accompanying  Coll.  Coursey  en  Col.  Loid  Rec*  y^  22"'  instant  and  according  to  your 
desyre,  shall  be  assisted  .  .  as  shall  be  Requisited,  and  see  y*  due  Method  in  every 

Particular  observed  as  formerly,  wee  did  Procure  y°  5  Belts  of  Zw'  to  send  to  y^  5  Nations  of 
Indians  that  very  day  .  .  &  next  morning  betimes,  Aemout  took  horse  and  Proceeded  on 
his  journey  who  intends  w""  Gods  Assistance,  to  be  here  again  in  20  days  tune.  They  have  desyred 
him  to  speak  to  y°  Indians,  to  be  all  here  att  one  time,  soe  y'  the  nearest  Indians,  must  waite  y^ 
furthest  Indians  comeing  downe,  &  soo  be  here  altogether,  w'''  indeed  will  bee  more  advantageous 
to  their  Proceedings,  y'=  one  being  apt  to  accuse  the  other  and  So  probably  (as  you  intimated  in 
yours  of  y*  29"'  March  Last)  y"  Murtherers  may  be  discovered. 

They  have  not  yett  shown  us  there  Propositions,  neither  have  they  divulged  to  us,  what  their  In- 
tentions were,  and  how  they  intend  to  Proceed,  but  as  farr  as  wee  can  understand  it  a  distance  would 
willingly  draw  us  in  there  Line,  &  have  y'^  People  unanimous  &  to  be  Ranked  in  y"  Covenant  w'" 
us  being  his  Ma"<=^  Subjects,     Alleaging  that  it  is  our  dutyes  Soe  to  doe,  &  our  Preservation,  Butt 


Neiv  YorTc  Historical  Records.  659 

wee  doe  not  judge  it  fit  or  Convenient  .  .  for  our  Preservation  or  hon'' of  y' Governm' to  Insist 
on  y'  Point,  tliinliing  it  most  Saife  to  Iceep  our  finger  out  of  y  fire,  so  ong  as  wee  can,  for  if  wee 
did  but  once  aggree  to  y*,  That  there  Covenant  &  ours  were  one  &  y=  same,  then  whatsoever  Evill 
done  by  y''  Indians  to  them,  wee  were  obliged  to  Prosecute  y""  Offenders,  as  done  to  ourselfe,  by 
vertue  of  s'^  Covenant,  but  wee  shall  acquaint  y"  Indians  as  you  mention  in  yo'^  Letter  by  way  of 
discourse  after  y"  Propositions.  That  they  are  ...  his  Maj''  subjects  as  well  as  wee  &  y'  in 
violating  y"  Covenant  w""  them,  they  cannot  Expect  any  Reliefe  or  assistance  from  us,  &  Recom- 
mend to  them  the  Continuance  &  due  observation  of  y"  Peace  made  w"'  Col.  Coursey,  and  y'  they 
must  have  a  Particular  Regard  in  there  Leagues  w"'  other  Indians,  not  to  joyne  w""  any  to  wrong 
or  Prejudice  y°  Christians,  and  to  prevent  there  young  mens  goeing  out  a  fighting  to  y"  South- 
ward, for  fear  of  making  Incursions  on  y"  Christians,  which  wee  think  is  as  much  as  neighbours 
can  doe,  Except  wee  make  no  difterence  at  all  betwixt  our  Peace  &  there  Peace,  and  our  warr  and 
there  warr. 

This  is  all  y^  aco'  wee  can  give  you.  at  p''sent  of  Proceedings  till  wee  are  Certainly  Informed 
of  y^  Intentions  when  wee  shall  also  give  you  a  particular  ac'.  Expecting  a  line  from  you  p'  y° 
first.  Wee  Remaine, 

Your  most  humble  Serv'' 
Y*^  Comis.  of  Alhanie. 

CoENELTs  Van  Dyck. 

To  the  Honored  Capt.  AntJio.  BrocklioUs,  Comander  in  Cheefe  at  N.   Yorke. 


A   Letter   Feom    Cap^.  Beockholls   to    mt   Lord   Baltemoee   att  Maryland. 

Indian  affairs. 

R'Hon"'".  New  Tor^-e  June  30'"  1682. 

Yo''  Lordships  of  the  15""  Past  by  Coll.  Coursey  and  CoU.  Lloyd  Gratefully  Received  and 
to  them  Doe  Give  all  faith  and  Credence  Being  Persons  truly  worthy  of  and  Capable  to  Performs 
yo''  Lordshij^s  Coraands  and  Countrys  Service.  For  the  Expediteing  of  which  what  Capable  to 
Serve  them  in  Hath  in  noe  Case  Been  wanting  And  they  are  now  att  Albany  where  my  Occasions 
would  not  Admitt  me  to  waite  on  them  my  Selfe  But  have  ordered  all  in  place  to  Serve  and  Give 
all  Assistance  to  them  in  their  Negotia9on.  This  Day  Received  two  Letters  from  them  by  the  Bearers 
Hereof  In  which  they  Intimate  to  ha\'e  Received  Informa9on  that  Some  Troops  of  Indians  ai-e 
Gonn  towards  y'  Parts  of  Avhich  Have  noe  Certaine  Advise  And  Haveing  Formerly  on  yo"  by 
Cap',  mil  Ordered  the  Contrary,  Cannot  Absolutely  Creditt  the  same  Butt  shall  Give  Renued 
Orders  for  the  Generall  Safety  of  liis  Ma""  Subjects  Especially  in  yo'  Province  and  Virginia. 
The  Enclosed  Came  under  Cover  to  me  by  A  Yessell  that  Arrived  here  From  London  the  27'" 
Instant  which  by  this  as  the  first  and  safest  Conveyance  I  Forward  to  yo''  Lordship  have  Little  of 
News  Butt  that  all  is  Quiett  and  his  Roy"  High'  well  att  London  Am  Sorry  to  here  the  Tumidt 
in  Virginia  is  Gott  to  Such  A  Head  Butt  hope  they'  bee  Snpprest  without  much  Losse  all  well 
here  as  I  hope  it  will  Continue  with  yo"'  Lordship,  To  whom  the  Tenders  of  my  most  Humble 
Service  with  full  Assurance  that  I  am  and  will  Remaine 

R'  Hono"'". 
Yo''  Lordships  most  faithfull  and  Humble  Servant, 

A.  B. 


560  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

A  Letter  Feom  Cap''  Beockholls  to  the  Commtsaeies  att  Albany.      Indian 

AEFAIES. 

Gentlemen.  New  Yorke  June  the  30""  1682. 

Yo''s  of  the  26""  this  Afternoon  Received  and  this  Day  two  from  Coll.  Coursey  and  Coll 
Lloyd  Intimateing  that  they  are  Informed  that  Severall  Troops  of  the  Oniades  and  other  Indians 
are  Gonue  And  Goeing  For  Maryland  &c  which  they  Feare  to  be  of  111  Consequence.  Butt 
Haveing  noe  Account  there  of  From  yo''  Selves  or  Other  Hands  being  A  Matter  of  Importe 
And  wholly  Forbiden  Give  Little  Creditt  there  to  However  would  Have  you  Advise  And 
Assist  them  in  all  Neccessary  For  his  Ma'"'^  And  Coiintrys  Service  Especially  to  Prevent  Any 
Incursions  or  ffurther  Trouble  in  Maryland.  And  if  true  to  Diverte  them  the  Methods  Men- 
9oned  in  yo''^  for  the  Indians  Meeting  I  will  Approve  off  And  Leave  fEurther  ConsideraQon  to 
yo''  Prudent  Mannagement  Being  well  Acquainted  And  more  Experienced  In  Such  Affairs. 
Your  Apprehensions  are  Good  About  Hanking  us  in  the  Covenant  with  them  And  Judge  most 
Proper  to  be  Answered  as  you  MenQon  with  Eegard  to  o''  Perticul'"  Honour  And  Interest  and 
Generall  Safety  of  all  his  Ma"'^'  Subjects  Lett  all  Proposicjons  be  Considered  and  Agreed  on  Be- 
fore Spoake  to  the  Indians  And  Prevent  as  miach  as  Possible  Private  Persons  Babbleing  and  False 
Reports  w*  Breed  Confusion,  the  27"^  Arrived  A  Shipp  from  London  Little  News  butt  that 
the  Duke  was  there  and  all  Quiett.     Lett  me  here  From  you  by  all  Opportunityes     I  Remaine, 

Gentlemen,  Yo''  Affectionate  ffriend, 

A.  B. 


A  Lettee  Feom  Cap^  Beockholls  to   Coll.  Cotjrset  and  Coll.  Lotd  at  Albany. 

Indlajst  affaies. 

Honored  S'^  New  Yorke  June  30"'  1682. 

Yo''s  of  24""  And  25"'  Instant  this  Day  About  noone  Came  to  Hand  And  Am  Glad  to  here 
of  your  Good  Health  and  Safe  Arrivall  Butt  sorry  you  should  be  Informed  of  Troops  of  Indians 
Goeing  Towards  Maryland  A  tiling  soe  Perticuler  Forbiden  And  which  the  Commysaries  noe 
wayes  Advise  me  off  which  makes  me  Doubt  the  Truth  However  Have  Given  Orders  to  the  Com- 
mysaries And  all  in  place  to  Advise  and  Assist  you  in  all  Necessary  to  prevent  any  Trouble  to  his 
Ma*'^^  Subjects  in  Maryland  or  Else  where  and  if  Such  Reports  be  true  to  Diverte  the  Indians 
from  Such  Inten9ons  &c  Question  not  but  yon  will  meete  with  Full  Sattisffac9on  Accordingly 
the  27"'  Instant  Arrived  A  Shipp  from  London  by  whom  Cap'  Baxter  A  Leiften*  in  the  Gar- 
risson  Little  News  butt  the  Dukes  Being  in  London  And  all  Quiett  there.  I  wish  you  a  Speedy 
and  Sattisffactory  Dispatch  In  yo''  Negotia9on  That  I  may  have  the  Happinesse  to  Enjoye  yo' 
Good  Companys  much  Acceptable  to 

Hono"  S" 

Yo'  most  humble  Servant, 

A.  B. 


A  Letter  Feom  Cap^  Beockholls  to  Coll.  Cottesey  and  Coll.  Loyd  att  Albany. 
Indian  Teoubles. 

Hono*'^  S™  New  YorJce  July  the  4*"  1682. 

Yo's  of  the  24"'  and  25'"  June  I  Answered  the  30*  Ditto  since  which  yo''s  of  the  First  of 
July  is  Come  to  Hand  in  Answer  to  which  I  am  Strangely  Surprized  and  much  Admire  soe 


New  YorTc  Historical  Records.  561 

Groundless  A  Eeporte  as  that  of  Indian  Troops  Gone  to  Maryland  Should  Gett  soe  much  Creditt 
as  to  give  you  the  Trouble  of  an  Exjjresse  whicli  Possibly  may  Allarum  those  parts  with  Greater 
Feares  and  Jealosies  then  ever  which  Haveing  fully  Enquired  and  Examned  After  Cann  finde 
noe  Cause  for  nor  could  I  have  thought  you  would  have  made  Proposi9ons  to  the  Coinmysaries 
his  Ma"°^  Subjects  in  that  Manner  yo"^  Buisinesse  According  to  the  Commission  you  Produced 
Being  to  treate  with  and  Coufirme  A  peace  with  the  Senecas  And  Other  Indians  According  to 
the  Articles  made  by  CoU.  Coursey  in  which  wee  are  requested  (if  need  be)  to  Give  you  All 
Assistance  And  I  thought  Before  you  went  From  Hence  yon  had  A  Full  Assurance  thereof  and 
of  o''  Keall  and  Neighbourly  Inclynapon  to  Serve  you  And  all  his  Ma'''="  Subjects  in  Such  Methods 
as  o'  Long  Experience  hath  Given  us  to  Know  is  most  UsefuU  Neccessary  and  Expedient  pur- 
suant to  which  wee  Sent  Orders  to  the  Commysaries  And  those  in  Place  to  Assist  and  Advise 
you  Accordingly.  The  matter  Being  Cheifly  to  Coufirme  or  Renue  a  Peace  Formerly  made  may 
more  Properly  be  Done  and  Accomphshed  without  soe  much  Threats  of  Warr  or  Giveing  them 
Opportunity  of  Greater  Feares  or  Jealosies  then  they  have  The  Method  that  heitherto  Kept  us 
in  Peace  And  by  o""  meanes  the  Rest  of  his  Ma"""^  Subjects  Both  East  and  West  is  Certainly  Best 
Still  to  be  ffollowed  And  not  to  be  Led  by  New  Coiincells  Out  of  the  Usuall  and  Common  Road 
in  which  wee  are  best  Understood  as  wee  are  Acquainted  with  the  Indians  soe  best  know  our  owne 
Condicjons  And  Consequently  what  most  suitable  for  Both,  Should  be  Glad  if  in  my  Power  to 
have  A  League  and  Confederary  with  Maryland.  Butt  Doe  not  find  you  Any  wayes  Authorized 
to  Propose,  or  conclude  the  Same  being  A  thing  of  Another  Nature  then  Confirmeing  A  Peace 
with  Indians  which  I  Cannot  Apprehend  soe  Diflicult  as  Rencbed  The  Neighbourly  Affection 
this  CoUony  Beares  to  yo''  Province  hath  Alwayes  and  shall  Indure  A  Greater  Readynesse  to  serve 
them  then  Any  yo"^  Threats  Cann  Oblidge  nor  Cann  they  bee  Received  Kindly  not  Expecting 
Such  Unsavory  Returnes  Especially  from  yom-  Selves  whom  yo'  Capacity  Place  And  Circum- 
stances might  have  kept  to  more  Moderate  termes,  I  Presume  to  know  my  Duty  and  shall  Alwayes 
be  Accomptable  for  the  Same  to  my  Superiours  and  Duly  Discharge  my  Selfe  Accordingly  And 
now  hope  you  will  Proceed  to  your  Buissinesse  Pursuant  to  yo'  Commission  And  if  Any  thing 
to  Add  Relateing  to  the  Pisscattaways  or  Other  yom-  ffriend  Indians  may  Act  therein  as  shall 
thinke  fitt  wee  not  Concerneing  our  Selves  to  be  Oblidged  or  Ingaged  for  them  Butt  have 
Ordered  you  all  Assistance  and  Advise  possible  which  May  Freely  Accept  From  those  in  Place 
Without  Any  Apprehensions  or  Jealosies,  or  that  Any  thing  but  his  Ma''"*"  Service  and  Preserva- 
9on  of  Jiis  Subjects  is  Designed  And  Intended  by, 

S" 

To'  Assured  ifi-iend  and  Seiwant 

A.  B. 


A  Lettee  fkom  Cap^  Beockholls  to  the  C0MMTSAEIE8  ATT  Albakt.     Indian  teotjbles. 
Gentlemen.  ^e,o  Torke  July  the  4'>'  1682. 

Yo''  of  the  28'"  June  and  1^'  of  July  hj  Mertye  Gerriitsen  Received  and  much  Admired  you 
meete  with  soe  much  Difficulty  About  A  matter  Soe  Plaine  and  Easie  as  these  Gents  Message 
and  Negotiation  is  Being  only  to  Coufirme  A  Peace  which  you  all  know  was  Formerly  made  with 
Coll.  Coursey  Alone  And  if  they  Cann  Add  Anything  in  BehaKe  of  the  Piscattawayes  or  Other 
their  ffriend  Indians  itt  is  theii-  Owne  Concerne  and  wee  noe  wayes  to  be  ObUdged  or  meddle 
71 


562  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

therein  o''  Assistance  is  Only  Desired  if  need  be  And  that  to  Procure  the  Indians  to  Come  to 
Speake  with  them  and  to  see  that  noe  thing  be  Proposed  or  Done  in  Prejudice  to  the  Honour  and 
Interest  of  our  Collouy  About  which  by  my  two  former  Have  Advised  you  Desireing  you  to  be 
Present  att  all  Discourses  And  see  all  Done  in  Publique  wee  Have  nothing  Perticulerly  to  Pro- 
pose or  say  to  the  Indians  but  when  Doe  shall  in  our  Usuall  Manner  Generally  Enclude  all  his 
Ma*"*^  Subjects  I  Could  not  have  thaught  Prpposi9ons  would  have  Been  made  to  you  in  Such 
Manner  Being  from  their  Buisenesse  and  Commission  Butt  Expected  They  would  Shew  and  make 
yoii  Acquainted  what  they  intend  to  say  to  the  Indians  which  you  must  see  and  Approve  of  Be- 
fore Declared  and  Proceed  in  o""  former  Accustomary  Method  by  which  wee  have  Hitherto 
Enjoyed  A  Long  peace  and  Enclyne  not  to  New  Councells  or  Projects  which  may  Produce  Con 
trary  Effects.  I  have  Sent  A  Coppy  of  their  Commission  for  yo""  Better  Sattisffac9on  And 
Desire  your  Care  and  Dilligence  with  all  Courtesie  and  Civillity  Being  for  the  Generall  Good 
and  Hono''  of  the  CoUony  butt  more  Perticulerly  yo''  Selves  whose  Trade  they  are  not  to  meddle 
with  Lett  me  Heare  From  you  by  all  Opportunities  I  Bemaine 

Gentlemen 

Yo""  Affectionate  fiEviend 

A.  B. 


A  Leti'ee  from  Cap''.  Beockholls  to  Coll.  Henet  Cottrset  A2^d  Coll.  Phill 
LoYD,  agents  of  Maeylajsd  at  Albany.     Indlan  teoubles. 

July  the  15'''  1682. 
Honor*  S". 

Yo"  of  the  11'"  Instant  this  Day  Received  with  M''.  SMcjte'nhorst  DeclaraQon  Concerneing 
Indians  &c.  which  if  true  Cannot  Apprehend  is  Designed  or  Intended  to  hurte  or  anoy  his  Ma"*' 
Subjects  in  Maryland  and  Virginia  nor  Judge  the  Same  Sufficient  to  Declare  or  make  them  the 
Kings  Enemyes  who  heitherto  have  and  hope  will  Continue  in  Peace  and  ffriendship  with  us  and 
all  his  Ma""  Subjects  o'  Neighbours.  But  as  wee  never  have  Concerned  o''  Selves  in  their  Differ- 
ences Quarrells  and  Disputes  with  Other  ]S'a9ons  of  Indians  Especially  soe  Bemote  soe  thiuke  it 
noe  wayes  Adviseable  or  Serviceable  to  the  King  or  Country  to  Doe  it  now  The  Supply  of  Am- 
muni9on  Being  A  Principall  Parte  of  o''  Trade  have  noe  Cause  to  Forbidd  till  they  are  Really 
knowne  and  Declared  to  be  o"'  Enemyes  and  then  Selfe  Preserva9on  as  well  as  o"'  Perticuler  Regard 
to  your  Parts  &c  will  Oblidge  us  to  take  all  Due  Coui'ses  and  Ord''^  to  Prevent  the  Same  Butt 
hope  when  the  Indians  and  you  Speake  togather  the  Peace  may  be  soe  Friendly  and  Amicably 
made  and  Confirmed  that  these  matters  Premised  may  Give  you  and  us  noe  Further  Trouble. 
I  was  sorry  att  the  Occassion  Butt  Could  Doe  noe  Lesse  then  Resent  yo"  which  much  Surprized 
me  and  I  must  now  Lett  you  know  that  none  is  more  Zealous  for  his  MaJ'''  Service  and  Good  of 
his  Ma"'"'  Subjects  in  Generall  nor  Ready  to  Assist  you  in  this  your  Negotia9on  And  to  Endeavour 
the  Quiett  Peace  and  Tranquility  of  this  and  the  Provinces  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  then  my 
Selfe  to  the  Utmost  of  my  Capacity  who  Desires  Only  to  be  truly  Understood  and  Esteemed  as  I 
Really  and  Sincerely  am. 

Hono''''  Sirs 

Yo^  Assured  ffriend  and  Humble  Servant 

A.  B. 


New   York  Historical  Hecoi-ds.  563 

A  Letter  feom  Cap''.  Brockholls  to  Governo"  Carteeett,  giving  him  permission 
TO  USE  A  Meadow  on  Staten  Island,  without  acknowledging  Cap".  Caetbbett's 
eventual  claim  to  it. 
Sir.  August,  1082. 

I  have  heard  that  you  Formerly  Cutt  Grasse  and  made  Hay  on  Statten  Island  butt  whether 
you  have  an  absohite  Right  to  the  Same  by  Pattent  or  only  on  Suffei-ence  am  not  Sattisfied  in 
B-itt  Doe  Hereby  Grant  and  Confirme  to  you  the  Liberty  to  Cutt  Grasse  and  make  Hay  as 
formerly  (the  meadow  not  Being  Appropriated  or  Layed  out  to  Any  Perticuler  Person)  till 
further  order  and  if  Any  Molest  you  in  yo"^  Legall  Possession  you  know  how  farr  the  Law  will 
give  you  Sattisfac^on  to  which  must  have  Eecourse  as  Occassion  I  cann  Serve  you  noe  further  in 
this  Perticuler  butt  Remaine  Sir. 

To'  ffriend  and  Servant 

A.  B. 


A  Letter   from   Capt.    Brockholls  to  the    Lord    Baltimoee.     Peace    made 
between  Maeylaito  and  the  New  Toek  Indians. 

E'  Hono"'*.  New  TorTce  August  the  li'"  1682. 

This  Aceompanyes  those  truly  worthy  Gentlemen  Coll.  Henry  Coursey  and  Coll.  Fhilleman 
Loyd  yo''  Lordships  Imbassedors,  who  after  Long  Patience  have  att  Last  accomplished  A  Happy 
Issue  and  in  this  their  Treaty  ife  Negotia9on  Acted  and  Done  as  much  as  Possible  &  which  I  hope 
will  Prove  and  Continue  for  the  Peace  And  Quiett  of  all  his  Ma*"=^  Subjects  Especially  those  of 
yo""  Lordshipps  Province  and  Virginia  in  the  Obteineing  of  which  noe  Service  or  Assistance  this 
Collony  or  my  Selfe  Could  Afford  them  was  wanting  nor  Ever  will  be  on  the  Like  or  any  Other 
Occassion  it  should  Happen  which  God  Prevent  and  be  Assured  I  shall  never  Omitt  to  mind  the 
Indians  on  their  Partes  to  keepe  and  Performe  their  Promisses  as  often  as  Opportunity  to  Dis- 
course them  and  to  Endeavour  the  Good  of .  all  in  Generall,  I  write  noe  Perticulers  by  Reason 
those  Gentlemen  are  soe  Capeable  fully  to  Informe  yo  Lordshipp  Butt  beg  yo''  Excuse  if  the 
Present  Condition  of  the  Governm'  hath  not  Capasitated  me  to  serve  you  as  Willing  none  being 
more  Ready  then  my  Selfe  on  all  Occassious  Fully  to  Demonstrate  that  I  am 

Yo"^  Lordshipps  most  humble  Servant 

A.  Brockholls. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Brockholls  to  the  Lord  Baltimoee. 

R'  Hon"''  JSfew  Yoi'ke,  Sept.  21'"  1682. 

Since  the  Departure  of  Coll.  Coursey  and  Coll.  Lloyd  by  whom  was  my  Last  to  your  Lord- 
ship have  Received  Informapon  from  Coll.  Coursey  that  some  of  our  Indians  have  taken  severall 
your  Friend  Indians  Prisioners  and  will  Carry  them  Away  and  have  done  some  hurte  to  the 
Christians  which  am  Extreamly  troubled  att  butt  being  gone  before  Late  Peace  made  cannot  be 
Imputed  to  a  breach  thereof  however  that  I  might  in  noe  wise  be  negligent  or  wanting  to  Serve 
your  Lordship  or  Province  (though  Could  ill  be  Spared  hence)  have  made  a  Voyage  to  Albany 
on  Purpose  to  Acquaint  the  Indians  therewith  and  Endeavour  their  Releasem*  and  speak  with 
Some  of  the  Cheife  my  Selfe,  Coppy  of  which  with  their  answers  is  Enclosed  who  seeme  Like- 
wise sorry  att  the  ac^on,  and  have  Sent  to  the  Rest  butt  as  yett  noe  answer  and  Doubt  not  butt  to 


564  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Rvoer. 

Gett  all  the  Friend  Indians,  they  being  alive  releas'd  and  SattisfacQon  for  the  Damage  Done  to 
the  Christians  when  knowne.  For  the  Accomplishing  of  which  nothing  of  Care  paines  or  Indns- 
try  shall  be  wanting  in  me,  and  two  Dayes  since  Returning  From  Albany  Received  yo"'  Lordships 
of  the  18"'  past  Conteineing  Expressions  of  Gratitnde  farr  Transcending  the  Deserts  of  your 
humble  Servant  who  Cann  never  Sufficiently  acknowledge  yom*  Hono''s  Kindenesse  and  Favour 
therein  haveing  Already  Received  Greater  Obliga(;ons  From  your  Lordship  then  Capable  to  Repay 
and  as  already  soe  Shall  Still  Continue  my  Endeavours  to  Divert  our  Indians  From  Visiting  your 
Parts  Espetially  to  Disturbe  or  Prejudice  any  of  his  Ma""  Subjects  which  I  hope  the  Late  peace 
will  be  a  good  Step  to  Attaine,  shall  Greatly  Rejoyce  to  see  your  Lordship  in  these  parts  &  hope 
when  so  neere  nothing  will  Hinder  or  Divert  but  all  Forward  and  Incourage  soe  good  an  Incly- 
na9on  though  truly  not  in  A  Capacity  to  Receive  soe  noble  A  person  as  yoiu*  Lordship,  Cap' 
JVicoUs  is  not  yett  Arrived  but  Expected  shortly  about  three  Dayes  Since  arrived  A  Ship  From 
London  little  new's  all  things  att  home  Remaiueing  quiet  and  as  they  were,  nor  Any  Orders  for 
Settlem'  of  this  Province  of  the  Disposall  of  which  is  Various  Reports  I  shall  be  Allwayes  ready 
to  Serve  your  Lordship  And  Province  on  any  Occassion  and  to  Demonstrate  that  I  am, 
Right  Honourable 

Tour  Lord'^ps  Most  Humble  and  Faithfull  Servant, 

H.  Bkockholls. 


A  Letter  Feom  Capt.  Beockholls  to  the  Magistrates  and  Court  att  Albany. 

Gentlemen.  New  Yorke  October  25«'  1682 

The  Messuage  From  the  Maquas  was  this  Day  read  in  Councell  which  finde  very  Uncer- 
taine  and  DoubtfuU  of  Complyance,  of  which  Expect  further  Account  Butt  thereby  Observe 
That  Robert  Sanders  Continues  his  Meddleing  Taiketive  humor  Concerning  himselfe  with  Indians 
In  matter  of  Publique  Imports  to  the  Prejudice  and  hurte  of  the  Governm'  as  well  as  perticuler 
Persons  of  w"*  SeveraH  Complaints  haveing  been  formerly  made  and  now  Committed  the  like 
offence,  I  would  have  you  fully  to  Examine  and  be  Sattisfied  therein  and  as  he  shall  appeare  faulty 
that  he  be  Censured  therefore  by  fine  or  otherwise  as  you  shall  thinke  fitt  that  thereby  if  possi- 
ble his  Tongue  may  be  Confined  to  his  perticuler  Concernes  if  any  thing  further  from  the  Indians 
Lett  me  be  Speedyly  Informed  thereof  and  presse  what  you  Cann,  the  Releasem'  of  the  Indian 
Captives.  I  am. 

Your  Affectionate  ffriend  A :  B. 

Endorsed. 

Since  the  writeing  of  this  have  Received  the  Messuage  from  the  Maquas  of  the  20"^  Instant 
w'^'^  is  Something  in  Complyance  mth  our  Desires  and  perceive  the  Rest  are  not  Deteined  but  stay 
on  their  owne  acco"'  of  which  Shall  Acquaint  my  Lord  Baltimore  and  Expect  an  Account  of 
their  Meeting  att  Tionondoge  as  Soone  as  possible. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Bkockholls  to  the  Magistrates  &  Court  att  Esopus. 

Gentlemen.  Wew  Yorke  October  25'"  1682 

I  have  by  the  Advice  of  the  Councell  Pursuant  to  his  Roy"   High^  order  Continued  the 
Present  Magistrates  and  Justices  in  the  Exercises  of  their  Severall  Functions  till  further  Orders 


Neto  Yoi'h  HistmHcal  Records.  565 

And  to  Supply  the  Tacancy  by  the  Death  of  Capt.  Thomas  De  Lmall  have  Inclosed  A  Commis- 
sion to  Capt.  Thomas  Chambers  to  Act  as  Justice  of  the  peace  Accordingly;  your  Designe  of 
Building  A  Prison  and  Court  House  is  well  Approved  of  and  the  Charges  must  be  borne  and 
Defrayed  by  all  the  Inhabitants  in  the  Severall  Townes  Propor^onably  to  be  Collected  in  the 
best  manner  as  usuall,  I  have  Lately  had  an  Account  of  Towne  Troubles  Occassioned  by  Lewis 
BSois  att  the  Last  Court  of  Sessions  and  y*  the  Same  was  putt  of  on  his  Account  which  and  the 
Former  Complaintes  of  his  ill  Carriage  hath  made  me  Resolve  to  Remove  him  Therefore  by  the 
first  Opportunity  send  me  the  names  of  two  fitt  persons  Inhabiting  neere  him  to  be  putt  in  Com- 
mission of  the  peace  which  shall  be  Sent  before  winter,  all  well  here  and  hope  wiU  Continue  soe 
with  you.  I  am  Gentlemen, 

Your  Affectionate  ffriend 
November  the  13th  :  1682:  A.  Brockholls. 

A  Commission  was  Granted  to  Abraham  Haesbrooke  to  be  Justice  of  the  Peace  For  Esopus. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Brockholls  to  the  Lord  Balthioee. 

R'  Hono*'"  New  Yorke  October  26'"  1682. 

I  have  at  Length  obteined  Some  Effectuall  Issue  of  ouv  Endeavours  for  Releasem  of  the 
Indian  Captives  14  thereof  being  Released.  Accordingly  as  the  rest  may  and  I  beleeve  are  att 
their  Liberty  either  to  Returne  home  or  stay  with  the  Northerne  Indians,  Butt  am  Certainly  In- 
formed that  Some  Doe  Deny  to  Returne  to  their  Country  haveing  A  more  Pleutifull  one  and 
better  Provission  where  they  are.  Those  willing  to  Retm-ne  Judge  will  Goe  over  Land  else 
Should  have  taken  Care  to  Transporte  them  by  Water  and  Shall  Continue  Indeavours  that  none 
be  forceably  Stayed  but  all  att  Liberty  to  Goe  to  their  Country  orstay  as  they  thinke  fitt.  An 
Opportunity  presenting  by  the  Beai-er  M'  Edward  Antill  bound  for  your  Province,  Could  not 
Omitt  to  Acquaint  your  Lordship  of  the  above  and  of  my  Continued  Endeavours  to  Serve  you 
and  Province  for  which  as  Occassion  need  no  other  Prompter  then  your  Lordships  Commands, 
have  nothing  of  news  to  Imparte,  butt  to  begg  your  Lordships  Acceptance  of  my  humble  Service 
with  full  Assurance  that  I  am, 

R'  Honourable, 

Your  Lordships  most  humble  and  faithfull  servant, 

A.  Brockholls. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Brockholls  to  the  Lord  Balttmoee. 

R»  Honourable.  New  YorTce  November  IT"',  1682. 

This  Accompanyes  14  of  your  Indians  willing  to  Returne  this  winter  the  Rest  att  Liberty 
butt  the  Cold  weather  soe  neere  Approaching  Likeing  the  Provission  and  Entertainem*  to  the 
Northward  are  not  willing  to  Returne  till  Spring,  therein  have  fully  Accomplished  your  Lord- 
ships Desire  and  my  Earnest  Endeavours  though  not  without  Some  Difficulty,  which  Resolved  to 
wade  through  to  Serve  your  Lordships  as  Shall  in  any  thing  Else  for  the  Good  of  the  Province 
and  his  Mat''''  Subjects  in  Generall  hopeing  you  will  StiU  beleeve  that  I  am, 
R*  Honourable, 

Your  Lordships  most  humble  Serv'  A.  B. 


566  Golmiial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Contract  to  sell  land  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson's  Rivek  neae  Magdalen  Island. 
(Fort  Orange  Records,  Vol.  Notarial  Papers  1677-1695.) 

This  day,  the  3"^  of  January  1682-3  appeared  before  me,  Adrian  van  Ilpendam,  Notary 
Public  residing  in  Neio  Albamy,  and  before  the  undersigned  witnesses  an  Esopus  Indian,  called 
Capt.  Jan  Bachter,  who  engages  himself  herewith  to  the  effect,  that  he  will  not  sell  the  land, 
which  belongs  to  him  with  all  its  privileges  on  the  East  side  of  the  river  near  Magdalen  Island!, 
or  the  kils  and  creeks  to  anybody  else,  but  to  those,  who  have  given  hira  already  earnest-money 
upon  his  promise  of  the  said  land,  to  wit  Jaco^  Jamsen  Gardenier  and  Juria/rv  Teunissen  van 
Tajppen  and  Ha/rnum,  van  Oansevoort,  The  aforesaid  Indian  acknowledges  herewith,  to  have 
already  received  as  earnest-money  half  a  barrel  of  good  beer  and  in  confirmation  hereof  he  has 
signed  this  act  with  his  own  hand  in  the  presence  of  Jan  van  Loon  and  Pieter  Pietersen  Wog- 
gelom  as  witnesses. 

New  Albany,  date  as  above. 

As  witness  and  This  is  the  mark   AS  of  Capt.  Jan  Bachten,  made  by 

Interpreters  |[  ^^^^-^^  ^^^^^  j  ^^^.^jfy^ 

Jan  van  Loon  JT 

Pieter  Woggelom  Adrian  van  Ilpendam,  Not.  Publ. 


A  Letter  From  Cap''  Brockholls  to  Cap''  Chambers  Justice  of  the  peace  ait 

Esopus. 

Cap'  Chamlers.  •  New  Torke  January  IB""  1682-8. 

¥"ours  of  the  28'"  Past  by  the  Indian  Post  yesterday  Received  with  the  Good  News  of  peace 
And  Quiettnesse  in  your  Partes  as  here  and  hope  will  Continue,  I  thought  Debois  being  putt 
out  of  Commission  would  have  Ceased  Giveing  you  further  trouble  which  find  he  Does  not  but 
if  Persists  Troublesome  Such  Legall  Course  must  be  taken  as  may  make  him  Quiett.  The  Sallery 
Allowed  in  the  Law  was  Long  Since  taken  off  and  none  payed  to  any  in  the  Governm'.  your  Care 
in  Restoreing  the  Indian  Child  is  much  Commended  It  being  Insufferable  That  any  thing  Should 
be  taken  by  force  from  the  Indians  much  more  their  Children,  And  if  the  Inhabitants  trust  Any 
of  them  it  is  on  their  owne  Perill  and  Risque  Being  without  Remedy  for  Recovery  imlesse  will- 
ingly payed  by  the  Indians  but  in  noe  Case  any  force  to  be  used  towards  them.  An  Ordinary 
for  Entertainm'  of  Strangers  Judge  very  neccessary  and  if  an  honnest  Sufficient  man  will  under- 
take the  same  may  be  Lyceuced  and  Authorized  as  the  Law  Dii-ects.  have  Nothing  of  News  but 
Dayly  Expect  our  new  Govern''  when  all  things  may  be  well  Settled,  In  the  meane  time  your 
prudent  Mannagem*  for  the  Preserva9on  of  the  peace  and  Publique  Good  to  be  Continued    I  am, 

S^ 
Your  Affectionate  ffriend, 

A.  B. 


New  Torh  Historical  Records.  567 

Petition  of  Feancois  Maetinou,  John  Boulyn  and  othees  of  Staten  Island  ask- 
ing TO  BE  EXCUSED  FROM  CONTEIBUTING  FOB  THE  SUPPORT  OF  A  MlNISTEB. 

To  the  Right  hono"'''''  Capt.  Anthony  BrockTiolst  Coman*  in  Chief e,  and  the  hono''''''  Coimcel  of 
Nev}  YorTce,  etc : 

The  humble  Petition  of  francois  Martimyu,  &  Jno.  Boidyn  inhabitants  of  Staten  Island, 
for  themselves  and  in  behalfe  of  the  Major  Part  of  the  Inhabitants  of  S'^  Island, 

Most  humbly  Shew  &  Complaine,  That  at  the  last  Court  of  Sessions  held  at  Gra/vesend, 
jo'  petiou",  when  ordered  to  Contribute  towards  the  Maintaniance  of  a  Certaine  person  called 
Joanes  Moy^gan  a  pretended  minister  in  ord"  but  by  reason  of  his  111  life  &  Conversation,  is  much 
doubted  of  by  y''  pet",  w*  s"*  order  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  was  obtained  by  the  meanes  of  Jus- 
tice Stilwel  without  any  Summons  given  to  the  jjetit"  but  only  uppon  the  Misinformation  of  the 
s*  Stilwel  alledging  that  the  Major  part  of  the  Inhabitants  had  consented  thereunto,  w"''  y''  petit" 
are  reddy  to  make  appeare  is  a  great  falsehood,  for  soe  it  is  that  the  Major  part  of  the  s**  Inhabit- 
ants although  several  times  attempted  by  the  s*  Stilwel  and  some  few  others  to  dispose  the  petit" 
thereunto,  yet  the  petit"  have  alwayes  refused,  and  still  do  refuse,  to  give  any  consent  to  the 
calling  or  maintainance  of  the  s''  Joanes  ;  And  yo'  petit"  are  further  Informed  that  the  s*  Stilwel 
is  Empowered  to  make  the  taxe  for  the  same  at  his  discretion ;  and  are  threatened  by  the  Constable 
Thomas  Walton  for  to  straine  uppon  yo''  pet"  Estates  for  the  same. 

Wherefore  y"''  pet",  do  humbly  Implore  to  yo"'  hono"  humbly  requesting  that  a  Stopp  may 
be  made  to  the  lUeageU  proceedings  of  the  s^  Stilwel  /  and  that  y"'  hono*^'  will  please  to  graunt 
the  pet",  with  the  s"*  Stilwel  a  hearing  of  the  whole  matter,  or  otherwise  that  the  same  may  be 
remitted  by  way  of  an  appeale  to  the  Court  of  Assizes ;  where  the  Petit"  doubt  not  but  will  be 
releived  from  the  oppression  of  s**  Stilwel,  and  obtaine  justice  &  Equity, 

And  as  in  duty  bound  shall  'ever  pray  viz.  This  is  the  mark  /y  made  by  francois 
Martinou  Jan  boilin 

January  15"^  1682-3. 


Letters  from  Justice  Sttllwell  to  Secretary  West  m  relation  to  the  foeegoing-  petition. 

Staten  Island  Januaiy  19'"  1682-3. 
S^.  —  I  Received  yors  of  y°  15""  instant  &  was  much  Sui-prised  when  I  perused  y*^  inclosed 
Petition,  but  more  to  see  y°  confidence  or  rather  y*  impudence  of  y"  Subscribers,  who  assume  to 
themselves  a  power  w*  I  am  very  confident  they  can  no  more  produce,  then  they  are  able  to  prove 
what  they  have  in  the  said  Petition  alleadged  —  I  have  discoursed  w""  Severall  of  y"  Inhabitants 
of  this  Island  since  the  receipt  of  yo"  &  have  not  yet  found  one  man,  that  knew  any  thing  of 
the  Petition,  either  English  or  Dtotch,  &  if  there  be  any  others  concerned  in  it  beside  y*  Sub- 
scribers they  are  onely  some  few  of  y  ffrencli  &  Walloons,  As  to  the  matter  contained  in  y°  peti- 
tion it  is  all  false,  for  M'.  Morgan  Jones  was  hired  pubhquely  at  a  Towne  Meeting,  most  of  y° 
Inhabitants  being  present  &  in  particular,  Framcis  Martina  one  of  the  Petitioners,  who  did  then 
&  there  approve  of  the  Choice  as  will  be  most  easily  proved ;  Soe  did  likewise  the  major  part  of 
y°  rest.  &  afterwards  at  another  Towne  Meeting  the  S"*  M'.  Morgan  Jones  was  againe  confirmed 
&  his  Salary  voted  to  be  paid  him  as  by  the  inclosed  will  playnly  appeare.  At  this  Towne  Meeting 
there  were  present  Sixty  nine  of  the  Inhabitants ;  the  greatest  appearance  I  ever  Saw  at  Such  a 


568  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

meeting  on  this  Island,  &  it  was  carryed  in  favour  of  M^  Jones  by  the  Major  part  the  Sub- 
scribers of  y*"  Petition  being  both  then  there  present :  afterwards  the  s^  order  was  presented  to 
the  Court  of  Sessions  who  confirmed  the  same  &  this  is  y'  whole  truth  of  the  matter,  I  never  did 
anything  of  myself  but  by  y'^  good  likeing  &  by  y*  approbation  of  the  Major  part  of  the  Inhabit- 
ants, neither  did  I  ever  heare  y'  M^  Jones  was  a  person  soe  Scandalouse  as  they  represent  him, 
nor  doe  I  know  any  thing  concerning  his  ordination  but  from  his  owne  mouth,  but  I  beleive  hee 
was  quallified  as  hee  ought  to  bee,  because  hee  was  recomended  to  us  by  S"'  Edmund  Andross 
who  I  presume  would  not  knowingly  encourage  Soe  ill  a  man  —  As  to  what  they  Charge  me  with- 
all  about  my  being  iinpowere  to  make  a  Tax  for  his  payment  according  to  my  discretion  'tis  a  very 
great  untruth  for  I  never  concerned  myself  further  therein,  then  by  my  warrant  to  Convene  the 
Comrs  who  by  the  Unanimouse  consent  of  the  whole  Island  are  annually  Chosen  &  appointed  to 
make  all  Rates  and  Taxes  for  the  defraying  publique  Charges,  and  it  was  by  them  the  Rate  was 
made  &  none  else.  The  Reasons  formerly  opposed  against  M^  Jones  when  his  time  of  payment 
drew  neere,  were  none  of  those  specified  in  the  Petition :  All  that  ever  was  alleadged  against  him 
was  by  the  french  &  Dutch,  who  said  hee  not  being  of  their  Nation  they  coiild  not  Understand 
him,  &  therefore  were  not  obliged  to  pay  an  English  Minister  pleading  the  articles  made  w"" 
Generall  Nicolls ;  &  in  truth  those  are  their  reasons  still  although  in  their  petition  they  Cloake 
it  w""  other  pretences,  however  they  were  allwayes  out  voted  &  everything  was  concluded  accord- 
ing to  the  opinion  of  the  Major  part  as  the  Law  directed.  Thus  S''  I  have  given  you  the  whole 
truth  of  y^  matter,  &  doe  desyre  that  Capt.  BrocJcholls  &  y*  Councill  may  be  theirewith 
acquainted  not  doubting  but  they  will  take  into  Consideration  the  abuse  w"''  is  offered  to  mee,  in 
this  false  &  Scandalous  Petition,  when  my  reputation  is  soe  neerely  Concerned,  &  my  authority 
brought  into  Contempt,  for  if  such  things  as  these  are  Countenanced,  it  will  tend  to  y*"  destruction 
of  the  peace  of  this  Island,  which  I  have  hitherto  carefully  preserved  &  for  the  future  wiU  doe 
my  endeavour  to  continue  the  same  whilst  it  is  comitted  to  my  Charge,  having  noe  reason  but  to 
hope  I  shall  be  justified  in  aU  my  lawfull  actings  by  their  Authority  —  If  my  presence  bee 
needfull  at  N.  Yo7'ke  upon  advice  given  mee  I  shall  be  there,  &  am  i-eady  to  Confirme  what  I  have 
here  writt  by  sufiicieut  evidence  in  the  meane  time  it  is  my  humble  Request  to  the  Councell  that 
noe  stop  may  be  put  to  our  proceedings  in  this  businesse  for  M'.  Jones  hath  beene  long  out  of  his 
money :  wants  it  extreamly  &  'tis  a  greate  Shame  hee  is  not  yet  paid,  having  honestly  performed 
his  part,  Pray  give  my  humble  Service  to  Capt.  Brockliolls  &  accept  the  same  yo''self  from 

Yo''  affectionate  friend  &  humble  Servt. 

RiCHAED    StILWELL. 

M'.  West. 

I  wrote  you  at  large  oti  the  19*  of  this  instant  in  answer  to  yo"  of  the  IS"'  but  the  badnesse 
of  Y  weather  hath  not  afforded  an  opportunity  of  conveyance.  Since  w''''  I  have  heard  y'  y"  Peti- 
tion" have  made  it  their  businesse  to  send  roimd  y"  Island  to  perswade  y*  People  to  deny  their 
former  act  &  deed,  concerning  M''.  Jones  w"'  promises  if  they  would  soe  doe  that  they  should  pay 
him  noething,  &  otherwise  telling  them  that  they  muste  pay  a  greate  deale  more  then  they  really 
oiight  to  pay ;  I  am  greately  troubled  at  such  proceedings  &  now  hope  y'  y"  Councill  will  consider 
how  much  I  am  hereby  affronted,  &  by  their  authority  put  a  stop  to  such  irregular  dealings  w** 
will  be  acknowledged  as  an  obhgation  by  S"' 

Yo''  ffriend  &  Servant, 

RiOHAED    StILLWBLL. 

Statten  Island  Jan.  24:"^  16S2-3. 

This  for  M"".  West,  Secretary  att  Nexo  Yorh. 


New    YorJc  Historical  Records.  569 

A    LtCENCE   to   FFEANCI8    EuMBOUTS    AND    GuLTNE   VerpLANKE   TO    PURCHASE    LaND 

OF  THE  Indians  on  Hudsons  Eivek,  (Fishkil,  Dutchess  Co.) 
By  the  Commander  in  Cheife. 
"WTiereas  Francis  Eumhotds  and  Gulyne  Verplmike  have  by  their  Peti^on  Desired  Liberty 
to  purchase  A  Quantity  of  Laud  Lyeing  on  Eudsmis  River  not  yett  taken  up  or  Purchazed  from 
the  Indians  as  may  be  A  Suitable  and  Convenient  Settlem'.  Por  Each  of  them  thereon  to  make 
Speedy  Improvem'  These  may  Certifie  that  the  said  ffrancis  Rumlouts  &  Gulyne  Ver  Flanke 
have  hereby  Liberty  and  Lycence  to  purchase  of  the  Indians  A  Quantity  of  Land  on  s"  Kiver 
Accordingly  of  which  Survey  and  Eeturne  to  be  made  According  to  Law.  Given  under  my 
hand  in  JVew  Torke  this  28*''  Day  of  February  1682  (1683). 

A.B. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Beockholls  to  Cap'.  Chambers  att  Esopus. 

ISfew  Yorle,  Aprill  6'"  1683. 
Gentlemen. 

Contests  and  Disorders  w""  you  appointed  to  keep  &  Preserve  Peace  and  order  Amongst  his 
Ma*'*^  Subjects  and  to  Shew  good  Patterns  and  Examples  for  the  Same  is  the  unwelcomest  News 
that  Cann  be  And  I  thaught  not  to  have  found  Such  Spuitts  Soe  Easely  heated  with  Passion  or 
by  Prejudice  Incensed  the  whole  matter  intimated  to  me  by  yours  of  the  third  Instant  Giveing 
noe  Provoca9on  for  the  Same,  Your  Duty  and  office  is  to  Distribute  Jiistice  EcpiaUy  And  Impar- 
tially to  all  And  that  with  Moderayon  And  meekenesse  the  Law  being  your  Rule  and  Guide  and 
in  all  matters  where  any  Perticuler  Judgm'  or  Opinion  is  Over  voted  Silently  to  Give  way  and 
Accquisse  without  Resentment  of  which  hope  never  to  heare  more  Complaints  att  this  time  most 
Unseasonable  when  our  Governour  is  Dayly  Expected  who  I  would  have  finde  us  in  a  Good  and 
orderly  Condi9on  and  not  in  Confusion  I  see  noe  Cause  for  the  Removeall  or  Suspending  of  M"". 
Mountagne  but  as  he  hath  been  an  Officer  for  many  yeares  Amongst  you  soe  must  Continue,  and 
liope  he  will  not  now  be  wanting  in  any  parte  of  his  Duty  the  Constable  or  President  of  the  Court 
upon  equall  Division  hath  the  Casting  Vote  and  you  might  Easiely  have  been  Sattisfied  therein 
without  this  Ti-ouble  which  find  is  Occassioned  more  by  humor  tlian  merritt.  Such  Fiudes  are 
of  ill  Consequence  Rendring  Authority  Contemptable  And  Obstructing  the  Due  Course  of  Justice 
Which  is  not  to  be  Denyed  or  Deferred  to  any  and  hope  will  not  be  Occassioned  but  all  Truly 
Discharge  their  severall  Dutyes  and  Trusts  to  the  Honour  of  God  and  Good  of  his  Ma"'"  Subjects 

I  am 

Gentlemen 

Your  affectionate  fEriend 

A.  B. 

To  Capt.  Thomas  Chambers  Justice  of  the  Peace  to  be  Communicated  to  the  Constable  and 
Inferior  Magistrates  att  Fsopus. 


570  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

A  Lettee  to  Capt.  Gaevis  Baxtee  Commandee  att  Albany. 

Nevj  Yorke  Aprill  6""  1683. 
Sir. 

By  Letter  from  the  Commisarjes  of  the  Second  Instant  Am  Advised  of  A  Barborons  and 
Cruell  Act  Committed  by  A  Maquas  Indian  on  a  Boy  att  Albany  and  that  they  have  Secured  the 
Indian  And  Sent  for  the  Sachems  to  whom  the  whole  matter  with  its  Circumstances  must  be  Ee. 
lated  and  the  Indian  kept  in  Safe  Custody  till  its  fully  knowne  whether  the  Boy  will  Recover  or 
not  for  as  I  understand  he  is  Dangerously  wounded,  And  by  Another  of  the  fourth  Instant  Am 
Advised  the  Indian  has  Confessed  the  fact  if  the  Boy  Dyes  notice  being  Given  A  .Commission 
will  be  Sent  to  try  the  Indian  for  the  miu'ther  And  he  must  be  Proceeded  against  as  the  Law  in 
such  Cases  Directs  of  which  the  Sachems  may  be  Likewise  Acquainted  And  that  he  has  noe  other 
usage  therein  Then  if  one  of  the  Christians  has  Committed  the  like  fiict  for  raurther  will  not  be 
hid  nor  the  murtherer  Goe  Unpunisht  please  to  Communicate  the  Above  to  the  Commissaryes 
This  to  your  Selfe  being  in  Answer  to  theirs  have  Orders  About  the  Trade  up  the  Eiver  And 
Expect  the  Governour  very  Spedyly  Capt.  WicoJls  Being  Arrived,  Glad  all  else  well  in  your  Parts 
and  hope  will  Continue,  I  am,  Sir,  your  affectionate  ifriend 

A.  B. 


A  Lettee  Feom  Capt.  Beockholls  to  M".  Sam''"'.  Geoome  att  East  New  Jeeset. 

M"".  SantIK  Groome.  New  Yorke  Aprill  7'"  1683. 

S^ 

This  Day  had  Perusall  of  A  Letter  from  you  dated  the  29*  past  Directed  to  one  Stennitts 
A  Tennant  on  his  Roy"  High'  Farme  and  Planta9on  att  Hasemus  there  in  Requiring  him  to 
Come  and  Even  Accounts  And  agree  with  you  about  the  Rent  for  the  Same  in  which  matter  I 
thaught  none  would  have  meddled  bub  my  Selfe  he  not  being  Accountable  for  the  Same  to  any 
butt  his  Roy"  High"  or  Deputy  of  whom  he  holds  and  Possesses  the  said  farme  and  Soe  hath  Done 
and  Payed  Rent  to  him  and  his  use  only  ever  since  the  Settling  or  this  and  the  Province  of  New 
Jersey  under  his  Ma'''^  if  you  or  any  one  have  to  Demand  from  the  said  farme  my  Selfe  in  be- 
halfe  of  his  Roy"  High"  the  Chiefe  own"  and  Proprietor  must  and  will  Answer  the  same  it  not 
being  the  Buisnesse  or  in  the  Power  of  the  under  Tennera*  to  make  Any  Termes  or  Agrement, 
And  that  Right  &  Possession  which  the  Authority  of  East  neiu  Jersey  for  Soe  many  yeares  past 
have  Allowed  and  Admitted  his  Roy"  High"  to  hold  and  Enjoye  I  thaught  you  would  noe  wayes 
Endeavour  to  Distroye  but  Rather  Countinance  and  Encourage  And  therefore  wonder  att  this 
your  Proceeding  therein  And  hereby  Lett  you  know  that  I  must  &  will  maintaine  and  Assert  his 
Roy"  High"  Interest  and  Right  in  the  Said  farme  to  the  Utmost  and  maintaine  his  Tennant  in 
the  Quiett  Possession  there  of  with  whom  you  are  not  to  Expect  any  Account  or  Agreem'  to  be 
made  but  what  Ever  your  Pretences  or  Desires  are  therein  Lett  be  Communicated  to  me  that  his 
Roy"  High"  may  be  made  Acqainted  therewith  And  you  Shall  have  all  friendly  and  ISTeighbourly 
Satti8fa90u  from 

S^ 
Toiu'  Affectionate  ffriend 

A.  B. 


Neto  YorTc  Historical  Records.  571 

Quitclaim  foe  land  and  a  fai.l  called  Pooohkepesingh,  given  by  an  Indian. 
(Fort  Orange  Records,  Vol.  Notarial  Papers  1677-1695.) 

This  lifth  day  of  May  1683  appeared  before  me,  Adrian  van  Ilpendam,  ISTotary  Public  in 
New  Albany,  and  the  undersigned  witnesses  a  Highland  Indian,  called  Massany,  who  declares 
herewith  that  he  has  given  as  a  free  gift  a  bouwery  to  Pieter  Lansingh  and  a  bouwery  to  Jan 
Smeedes,  a  young  glazier,  also  a  waterfall  near  the  bank  of  the  river,  to  build  a  mill  thereon. 
The  waterfall  is  called  FooghJcepesingh  and  the  land  Minnissingh,  situate  on  the  Eastside  of  the 
river.  He  acknowledges  this  gift  herewith  in  presence  of  their  Honors  the  Commissaries  Cor- 
nelis  van  Dyh  and  Dirch  WesseUen  Ten  BroeJc,  who  themselves  have  heard  two  Indians  testify, 
one  called  Speck  and  the  other  Vechpaidmo,  that  the  aforesaid  Massany  had  surrendered  the  afore 
said  land  to  the  said  Pieter  Lansingh  and  Jan  Smeedes,  without  retaining  for  him  or  for  his 
descendents  the  right  to  claim  hereafter  even  a  stuyver's  worth  from  them ;  also  that  the  said 
Indian  Massany  is  the  lawful  owner  and  inheritor  of  the  said  land! 

The  foregoing  has  been  interpreted  in  the  presence  of  their  said  Honors,  the  Commissaries, 
by  the  wife  of  Jurian  Teunissen  and  the  aforesaid  Indian  has  signed  it  with  his  own  hand  at 
New  Albany,  on  the  date  as  above. 

As  witnesses  This  is  the  mark       \/^     made  by 

Gornelis  vam,  DyTc  Massany  ,/  ^^  himself, 

Dirch  Wesselsen  which  I  certify 

Adeian  van  Ilpendam  Not.  PubHc. 


A  Letter  From  Capt.  Beockholls  to  Capt.  Chambers  att  Esopus. 

S'  New  YorTce  June  29*"  1683 

Have  Received  yours  of  the  25*  Instant  and  Enquired  Into  the  Difference  between  Hurly 
and  Pauling  which  find  Occasioned  by  a  Grant  given  by  the  Governour  to  said  Pauling  for 
twenty  Acres  of  meadow  or  thereabouts  neere  there  towne  which  j'ou  are  ordered  to  Lay  out  and 
if  the  towne  have  any  Perticuler  Clayme  or  Property  in  the  same  Prior  to  the  said  Grant  they 
Aught  to  have  a  faire  tryall  therefore  in  yom*  Courts  of  Sessions  p"'  Jury  and  then  if  Either 
Party  Disatished  with  the  Judgm'  may  make  their  Applyca9on  to  the  Governour  and  Court  of 
Assizes  by  appeale  which  is  the  only  proper  method  for  Determineing  all  Controversies,  You 
Should  Likewise  take  Care  that  none  Purchaze  Land  of  the  Indians  without  Lycense  first  Obteined 
as  the  Law  Directs  the  Kemissenesse  in  the  observance  thereof  haveing  made  Contest  between 
John  Ward,  Cornelis  Sivits  and  Andries  de  Witt  who  as  am  Informed  without  any  Lycence 
have  purchased  of  the  Indians  a  Piece  of  Land  called  Cuchsinh  which  was  Perticulerly  granted 
to  John  Wa)'d  to  purchase  the  Right  whereof  thinke  not  fitt  att  Present  to  Determine  butt  Leave 
till  the  Governors  Arrivall,  only  in  the  meane  time  building  and  Improvem'  thereon  by  any  may 
be  stayed  till  the  Right  and  Property  therein  be  fully  knowne  and  Desided  and  the  trouble  of 
many  Orders  Especially  Contradietive  which  rather  Enlarge  then  Lessen  the  Difference  Presented. 
I  am, 

Tour  Affectionate  Friend  A :  B : 


572  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Miver. 

Abstbacts  of  Indiai^  Deeds. 
(Port  Orange  Records,  Vol.  Kot.  Papers,  1677-1695.) 
Laud  at  Niskayuna. 
Rhode,  Sachem  of  tne  first  Mohatoh  Castle,  Sagoddioquisax,  Sacliem  the  second  Castle  and 
Todorasse,  in  place  of  his  grandfather  the  late  Caniaclikoo,  sell  in  presence  of  the  other  Mohaxoh 
Sachems  to  Jan  Mangelse,  a  piece  of  woodland  near  Canastagione  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
stretching  up  the  I'iver  froui  the  upper  end  of  the  land  of  Ryk  Claesen  van  Bokhooven  at  a  tree 
marked  with  the  mark  of  Harmen  Vedder  and  Barent  Ryndertsen  and  running  along  the  river 
over  a  kil,  called  by  the  Indians  OtsTcondaraogoo,  included  in  the  sale,  to  a  large  oak  tree,  marked 
by  the  Indians'  and  Jan  Mangelse's  mark  and  stretching  into  the  woods,  as  far  as  Jan  Mangelse 
or  his  heirs  shall  have  occasion  to  use  it.     Albamnj,  March  4"',  1682. 

Land  at  Catskil. 
Wanjiachquatin,  an  old  £Jsojms  Indian,  Mamanauchqua  and  her  son  Cunpaewn,  TJsa/waiv- 
neen  alias  Squinting  Jacob  and  other  Esopus  Indians  sell  to  William  Loveridge  sen"'  hatter,  their 
wood  land  reaching  from  the  mouth  of  the  kil,  where  the  house  of  William  Lovei'idge  now  stands 
southwards  along  the  North  or  Hudsori's  River  to  beyond  one  half  of  the  great  bend,  where  the 
trees  are  marked  W  and  from  the  River  Westwards  to  a  fall  up  Kaetershil  called  Quatawichnaak 
and  then  along  the  East  side  of  the  Kaetershil,  where  it  empties  into  the  Catskil  and  then  along 
the  Catskil  to  the  house  of  TF™.  Loveridge  and  to  the  North  river,  with  all  the  kils,  creeks,  flats 
etc  except  a  field  bought  by  TF™.  Loveridge  from  Jan  Conell.     Albany,  July  19,  1682. 

Land  in  Pntnam  County. 
Bond  and  Mortgage  given  by  an  Indian  of  the  Highlcmd,  Tapieas,  for  a  debt,  to  Lawrence 
van  Ale  and  Oerrit  Lansing,  secured  by  his  land  situate  upon  Hudson^ s  River,  on  the  Eastside, 
nearly  opposite  to  the  Danskamer,  it  being  a  flat  on  the  Westside  of  a  Kil  called  Wynachkee, 
beginning  at  the  second  fall,  where  Aernout  Gornelissevus  land  ends. 

Land  on  RoelofE  Jansens  Kil  (Livingston  Manor,  Columbia  County.) 
The  Mahicander  Indians,  owners  of  the  land  on  Roelof  Janserus  Kil  east  of  Hudson's 
River,  a  little  below  the  Catskil  viz  ;  Ottonowaw,  Tataemsheet,  Maneetpoo  and  two  squaws 
Tamaranachquae  and  Wavianetsaioaw,  also  Auxhys,  Newameen,  &  Maquoavfie  as  representatives 
of  MamaranecMak,  absent  at  the  Esoptis,  Takanitto,  Tamaranachqua^s  son,  Attoqtiassovma 
her  brother,  representing  Kachkanawaw  and  Sausquas  declare  in  the  presence  of  several  members 
of  their  tribe,  that  they  have  sold  and  conveyed  to  Robert  Livingston  all  their  land  on  Roeloff 
Jansen^s  Kil,  situate  on  both  side  of  the  Kil  which  the  Indians  call  Sankhenak  and  consisting  of 
three  flats  and  several  small  flats,  together  with  the  woodland  kils,  creeks  and  all  their  rights  and 
privileges,  the  land  running  along  the  River  Northward  from  Roeloff  Jansens  Kil  to  a  small  kil 
opposite  the  Catskil,  called  Waohanekassik,  and  Southward  down  the  River  to  a  place  opposite  to 
Sagertyes  Kil,  called  by  the  Indians  Saaskahampka  and  further  Eastward  through  the  woods  to  a 
copse,  called  by  the  Indians  Mahaskahook.     Albany,  July  12""  and  18"'  1683. 

For  Saratoga. 

The  Mohawk  Sachems  of  the  flrst  and  second  Castles,  Roode,  Saggodiochquisak,  Aihagari 

and  Taiskanounda,  representing  their  tribe,  then  present  declare  to  have  sold  and  conveyed  to 

Cornells  van  Dyk,  Jan  Jansen  Sleeker,  Peter  Philippsen  Schuyler  and  Johannes  Wendel,  a  tract 

of  land  called  Sarachtogoe  or  by  the  Maquas  Ochseratonque  or  Ochsechrage  and  by  the  Mahv 


New    YorJc  Historical  Records.  573 

canders  Amissohaendielc,  situate  to  the  North  of  Albany,  beginning  at  the  iitmost  limits  of  the 
land  bought  from  the  Indians  by  Goose  Gerritse  and  Fhilijjj)  Pieterse  Schuyler  deceased,  there 
being  a  kil  called  Tioneendehouwe,  and  reaching  Northwards  on  both  sides  of  the  Kiver  to  the 
end  of  the  lands  of  Sarachtoge,  bordering  on  a  kil  on  the  Eastside  of  the  River  called  Dionoerv- 
dogeha  and  having  the  same  length  on  the  Westside  to  opposite  the  kil,  reaching  Westwards 
through  the  woods,  as  far  as  the  Indian  proprietors  will  show  and  the  same  distance  through  the 
woods  to  the  East.  They  surrender  all  the  land,  kils,  creeks,  woodland  etc  except  liberty  to  hunt 
and  fish. 

Albany,  July  26,  16S3. 

Under  the  same  date,  as  the  foregoing  deed,  the  Mahicander  Indians  renounce  their  claims 
upon  the  fore  described  lands,  which  they  might  have  upon  it,  "  because  in  olden  times  the  land 
belonged  to  them,  before  the  Maquaes  took  it  from  them." 


Deed  of  gift  to  Arnold  Viele  by  Mohawk  Sachems. 

Before  the  Commissaries'  Court  for  Albany,  Colony  Eenselaerswyck  etc.  appeared  the  fol- 
lowing Maquaes  Sachems,  representing  all  the  three  tribes  of  the  Maquaes,  owners  of  a  certain 
piece  of  land,  lyeing  above  Schinnechtady  on  the  Northside  of  the  river,  covering  about  16  to  17 
morgens,  over  against  the  flat,  where  Jacobus  Peek  lives,  called  by  the  Maquaes  Wac/dcees/ioka, 
which  flat  the  Maquaes  herewith  cede,  transfer  and  convey  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  Aernout 
Cornelise  Viele,  Interpreter,  in  consideration  of  his  having  great  trouble  every  day  with  travelling 
to  their  land,  to  the  Sinnehus  and  to  the  North  and  in  his  other-duties  among  the  Savages.  The 
transfer  is  made  by  them  in  their  quality  of  lawful  owners  and  proprietors  of  the  aforesaid  land 
and  they  convey  it  to  Aernout  Cornelise,  his  heirs  and  successors,  free  and  unencumbered, 
without  burden  or  tax,  giving  him,  Aernout  Cornelise,  his  heirs  and  successors  full  power  and 
authority  etc. 

Interpreted  by  Ahus  Cornelise  at  the  Courthouse  in  Albany,  Sept.  26,  1683. 
Dirch  Wesselsen  fif 

Jan  Jansen  Bleecker  The  mark    yf   y   of  Tioskanoenda 

l^     the  Turtle 

The  mark      j^    of  Arcs  -pj^^  mark    VV^     o^  Oweadachane 

the  J^  Interpreter  V\>   the  Bear 

The  mark    "^VV         ^^  Tahaiadoeie 
VC  -     the  "Wolf. 


574  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

Acco'^  OF  WHAT  Estate  the  Inhabitants  of  Westchestee  have  given  in  to  be 


1683. 


Rated  this  yeaee. 


Oabriell  Leggatt 

6 

10 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

07 

10 

Thomas  Hunt  Juii"' 

8 

20 

4 

5 

3 

2 

4 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

12 

1 

Thomas    Williams 

6 

20 

2 

4 

2 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

8 

8 

William  Collard 

4 

6 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

Joseph  Hadly 

0 

15 

0 

3 

2 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

5 

11 

Josiah  Hunt 

6 

6 

2 

4 

0 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

6 

1 

Thomas  Farrington 

6 

9 

0 

4 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

4 

11 

John  Forgason  Seiir 

6 

60 

2 

7 

u 

2 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

12 

4 

William  Richardson  &  his  man 

8 

20 

8 

3 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

30 

2 

0 

13 

7 

John  Crumwell  Sen'' 

4 

10 

2 

6 

0 

1 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

5 

3 

0 

8 

1 

John  Hunt 

8 

14 

2 

1 

3 

4 

2 

2 

0 

1 

0 

12 

1 

0 

9 

8 

Widdow  Oakly 

7 

10 

0 

6 

0 

2 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

10 

2 

0 

5 

2 

John  Buclihy 

5 

li 

0 

1 

0 

1 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

7 

3 

0 

3 

4 

Edward  Waters  &  his  man 

12 

20 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

5 

3 

0 

11 

3 

Tliomas  Vaile  Sen' 

0 

2 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

3 

5 

Samuell  Vaile 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

2 

2 

Hichard  Ponton 

7 

15 

2 

3 

3 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

4 

0 

7 

11 

Joseph  Hunt 

3 

12 

2 

4 

1 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

7 

5 

Derrick  Garretson 

1 

2 

0 

1 

1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

11 

Edward  Hornet 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

4 

Robert  Maning 

0 

0 

0 

5 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

6 

John  Ferris  &  his  Son 

30 

50 

4 

6 

5 

7 

6 

1 

0 

0 

0 

30 

3 

1 

0 

2 

Robert  Huestis 

14 

17 

2 

5 

2 

2 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

10 

1 

John  Nelson 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

11 

James  Miller 

% 

8 

0 

2 

0 

0 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

6 

Thomas  Pritchet 

7 

6 

0 

4 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

5 

5 

Thomas  Mullinex  &  his  Son 

14 

24 

4 

6 

6 

6 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

9 

14 

0 

16 

7 

Nicholas  Bayly 

12 

15 

2 

5 

2 

3 

4 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

18 

0 

10 

9 

John  Turner 

3 

6 

2 

1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

4 

5 

Sa7nueU  Palmer 

12 

13 

2 

3 

3 

1 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

6 

6 

0 

9 

1 

Thomas  Baxter 

14 

10 

2 

0 

5 

4 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

4 

3 

0 

8 

9 

Joseph  Palmer 

4 

13 

2 

4 

4 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

5 

4 

0 

8 

10 

John  Forgason  Jun' 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

3 

1 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

4 

9 

John  Quenby  Sen"^ 

12 

19 

2 

4 

3 

2 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

9 

3 

0 

11 

5 

John  Quenby  Jutf 

3 

0 

0 

1 

1 

0 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

8 

Edward  Hubbert 

2 

4 

2 

2 

2 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

5 

3 

John   Winter 

2 

4 

2 

2 

2 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

5 

3 

Isaac  Dickerman 

6 

12 

2 

4 

0 

3 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

7 

9 

Henry  Gardner 

3 

8 

2 

4 

0 

2 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

9 

Matthew  Barnes 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

4 

Joseph  Tajylor 

3 

6 

0 

3 

0 

1 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

10 

Thomas  Hunt  Sen' 

20 

40 

4 

10 

2 

8 

9 

1 

0 

0 

0 

12 

10 

0 

18 

4 

Nathan  Bayly 

6 

14 

2 

3 

2 

0 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

2 

3 

0 

7 

8 

John  Palmer  &,  his  man 

20 

16 

2 

5 

0 

2 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 

0 

11 

7 

Richard  Osburne  &  his  man 

15 

12 

1 

6 

4 

4 

4 

1 

3 

0 

1 

0 

8 

0 

13 

6 

Matthew  Pugsby 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

6 

John  Jennings 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0     0     0 
Sum  totall 

0 

0 

0 

1 

6 

17 

10 

2 

The  Estimations  of  Westchester  ffor  y"  yeare  1683. 


Neto  Yorh  Historical  Records.  575 

An  Act  to  divide  the  PEo^^NCE  and  Dependenctes  into  Shiees  and  Counttes 
Passed  Novembee  1"  1683. 
(Dougan's  Laws.) 

Haveing  taken  into  Considerapon  the  necessity  of  divideing  the  Province  into  respective 
Conntyes  for  the  better  governing  and  setling  Courts  in  the  same,  Bee  It  Enacted  by  the  Gov- 
emour  Councell  and  Representatives  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same  That  the  said  Province  bee 
di\'ided  into  twelve  Countyes  as  followetli : 

The  Citty  and  County  of  New  YorTce  to  containe  all  the  Island  Comonly  called  Manhattans 
Island  Mannings  Island  and  the  two  Barne  Islands,  the  Citty  to  be  called  as  it  is  JVew  Yorke 
and  the  Islands  above  specifyed  the  County  thereof. 

The  County  of  West  Chester  to  containe  West  and  East  CJiester,  Bronx  land,  ffordham, 
Anne  Hooks  Week,  Hichhells,  Minfords  Island  and  all  the  Land  on  the  Maine  to  the  Eastward 
of  Manhattans  Island  As  farr  as  the  Government  Extends  and  the  Yonckers  Land  and  North- 
wards along  Hudsons  River  as  farr  as  the  Highlands. 

The  County  of  Ulster  to  containe  the  Townes  of  Kingston,  Hurley  and  MarhleTowne,  ffox 
Hall  and  the  New  Paltz  and  all  the  villages  neighbourhoods  and  Christian  Habita9ons  on  the  West 
Side  of  Hudsons  River  from  the  Murderers  Oreeke  neare  the  Highlands  to  the  Sawyers  Creeke. 

The  County  of  Albany  to  containe  the  Towns  of  Albany,  the  Collony  of  Henslaerswyck, 
Schoneoteda,  and  all  the  villages,  neighbourhoods  and  Christian  Planta9ons  on  the  East  Side  of 
Hudsons  River  from  Hoelof  Jansens  Creeke  and  on  the  west  Side  from  Sawyers  Creeke  to  the 
Sarraghtoga. 

The  Dutchesses  County  to  be  from  the  bounds  of  the  County  of  Westchester  on  the  South 
Side  of  the  Highlands  along  the  Eastside  of  Hudsons  River  as  farr  as  Moelof  Ja/nsens  Creeke 
and  Eastward  into  the  woods  twenty  miles. 

The  County  of  Orange  to  begin  from  the  Limitts  or  bounds  of  East  and  West  Jersey  on  the 
West  Side  of  Hudsons  River  along  the  said  River  to  the  Murderers  Creeke  or  bounds  of  the 
County  of  Ulster  and  Westward  into  the  Woods  as  farr  as  Delaware  River. 

The  County  of  Richmond  to  containe  all  Staten  Island,  Shutters  Island  and  the  Islands  of 
meadow  on  tlie  Westside  thereof. 

Kings  County  to  conteyne  the  Severall  Townes  of  Boshioyck,  Bedford,  Breuklin,  fflattbush, 
ffiattlands,  JSfew  Utrecht  and  Gravesend  with  the  severall  Settlements  and  Planta(;ons  adjacent. 

QuEENES  County  to  Conteine  the  Severall  Townes  of  New  Towne,  Jamaica,  flushing, 
Hempsteed  and  Oyster  bay  with  the  Severall  Outfarmes,  Settlements  and  Planta9ons  adjacent. 

The  County  of  Suffolke  to  Conteine  the  Severall  Townes  of  Huntington,  Smithfeild,  Brooke, 
haven,  Southampton,  Southold,  East  Hampton  to  Montauk  Point,  Shelter  Island,  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  ffishers  Island,  and  Plumb  Island  with  the  Severall  Outfarmes  Settlements  and  Planta- 
90ns  adjacent. 

Dukes  County  to  Conteine  the  Islands  of  Nantuckett,  Martins  Vineyard,  Elizabeth,  Island 
and  Noe  Mans  land. 

The  County  of  Cornwall  to  Conteine  Pemaquid  and  all  his  Royall  Highnesses  Territoiyes 
in  those  parts  with  the  Islands  adjacent. 

And  for  as  much  as  there  is  a  necessity  for  a  High  SherifEe  in  Every  County  in  this  Province 

Bee  It  therefore  Enacted  by  the  Governour  CounceU  and  Representatives  in  Generall  Assembly 

mett  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  there  shall  be  yearly  and  Every  yeare  an  High 

■  Sherriffe  Constituted  and  Commissionated  for  Each  County  And  that  Each  Sherriffe  may  have 

his  under  Sherriffe  Deputy  or  Deputyes. 


APPENDIX  A. 


Extracts  from  the  Narrativk  of  the  Oaptivitt  of  Father  Isaac  Jogues,  of 
THE  Society  of  Jesus,  among  the  Mohawks,  in  1642  and  16i3,  with  notes 
BY  John  Gilmary  Shea. 

(Reprinted  from  "Collections  of  the  N.  Y.  Hist.  Society,  Second  Series.") 

Reverend  Father  in  Christ, 

The  Peace  of  Christ : 

Wishing  to  write  to  yoiir  Reverence,  I  at  iirst  hesitated  in  what  language  to  do  so,  for  after 
so  long  a  disuse,  almost  equally  forgetful  of  both,  I  found  equal  difficulty  in  either.  Two  reasons, 
however,  induced  me  to  write  in  the  less  common  idiom.*  I  shall  be  better  enabled  to  employ  the 
words  of  Holy  Scripture  which  have  at  all  times  been  ni}-  greatest  consolation,  "  amid  tlie  tribula- 
tions which  have  found  us  exceedingly,"  (Ps.  xlv.  2  ;)  I  also  wished  this  letter  less  easily  understood. 

The  exceeding  charity  of  youi-  Reverence,  which  in  other  days  overlooked  my  manifold  trans- 
gressions, will  excuse  me  if,  after  eight  years'  intercourse  and  residence  with  savages,  nay,  a  savage 
now  in  form  and  dress  myself,  aught  be  here  wanting  in  correctness  or  decorum.  I  fear  still  more, 
that,  rude  in  language,  I  may  be  more  so  in  knowledge,  "  nor  know  the  time  of  my  visitation," 
(Luke  xix.  44,)  nor  remember  the  character  imposed  on  me  by  God,  of  preacher  of  his  Gospel, 
Jesuit  and  Priest.  This  induced  me  to  write  to  you,  that  if  this  letter  should  ever  reach  your 
hands,  I  may,  though  living  here  in  this  hard  land  amid  Iroquois  and  Maaquas,  be  helped  by  your 
masses  and  the  prayers  of  your  whole  province.  This  aid,  I  trust,  will  be  more  earnestly  given, 
when  from  a  perusal  of  this  letter  you  shall  have  seen  both  how  much  I  am  indebted  to  the  Al- 
mighty, and  in  what  need  I  am  of  the  prayers  of  tlie  pious,  in  which,  I  am  aware,  I  have  a  pow- 
erful shield. 

We  sailed  from  the  Hurons  on  the  13th  of  June,  1642,  in  four  small  boats,  here  called  canoes ; 
we  were  twenty-three  in  all,  five  of  us  being  French.\  The  line  of  travel  is  in  itself  most  difficult 
for  many  reasons,  and  especially  because  in  no  less  than  forty  places  both  canoes  and  baggage  must 
be  carried  by  land  on  the  shoulders.  It  was,  moreover,  now  f Till  of  dangers,  from  fear  of  the  enemy, 
who  every  year,  by  lying  in  wait  on  the  roads  to  the  French  settlements,  carry  off  many  as  prison- 
ers ;  in  fact.  Father  John  de  Brebeuf  had  been  all  but  taken  the  year  before.  Besides  this,  they 
not  long  previous  had  carried  off  two  Frenchmen,  but  afterwards  brought  them  back  to  their 
countrymen  unharmed,  demanding  peace  on  most  unjust  terms,  and  tlien  conducted  themselves  in 
a  very  hostile  manner,  so  that  they  were  driven  off  by  our  cannons.  On  this  they  declared,  that 
if  they  took  another  Frenchman  prisoner,  they  would  torture  him  cruelly,  like  their  other  captives, 
and  then  burn  him  alive  at  the  stake. 

*  The  letter  is  written  in  Latin. 

t  The  place  from  which  they  departed  was  the  Mission-house  of  St.  Mary's,  on  a  little  river  now  called  the 
Wye.  Traces  still  exist  to  mark  the  site  of  this  cradle  of  European  colonization  in  Upper  Canada.  It  was  at 
first  at  some  distance  from  any  Huron  town,  but  some  years  after  this  date,  ou  the  ruin  of  the  frontier  towns, 
a  village  was  grouped  around  it. 

73 


578  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  Superior,  conscious  of  the  dangers  to  which  I  was  exposed  on  this  journey,  (one,  how- 
ever, absolutely  necessary  for  God's  glory,)  assigned  the  task  to  me  in  such  a  way  as  to  leave  me 
at  liberty  to  decline  it  if  I  chose.  "  I  did  not,"  however,  "  resist,  I  did  not  go  back,"  (Isaias  1.,) 
but  willingly  and  cheerfully  accepted  this  mission  imposed  upon  me  by  obedience  and  charity. 
Had  I  declined  it,  it  would  have  fallen  to  another,  far  more  worthy  than  myself. 

Having  therefore  loosed  from  St.  Mary's  of  the  Hiorons,  amid  ever-varying  fears  of  the 
enemy,  dangers  of  every  kind,  losses  by  land  and  water,  we  at  last,  on  the  thirtieth  day  after  our 
departure,  reached  in  safety  the  Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgiti.  This  is  a  French  settlement 
or  colony,  called  Three  Hivers,  from  a  most  charming  stream  which  just  there  empties  by  three 
mouths  into  the  great  Eiver  St.  Lawrence.  We  returned  hearty  thanks  to  God,  and  remained 
here  and  at  Quebec  about  two  weeks. 

Having  transacted  the  business  which  had  brought  us  down,  we  celebrated  the  feast  of  our 
holy  father,  Ignatius ;  and  on  the  second  of  August  were  once  more  on  our  way  for  Huronia. 
The  second  day  after  our  departure  had  just  dawned  when,  by  the  early  light,  some  of  our  party 
discovered  fresh  foot-prints  on  the  shore.  While  some  were  maintaining  that  they  were  the  trail 
of  a  hostile,  others  that  of  a  friendly  party,  Eustace  Ahatsistari,  to  whom' for  his  gallant  feats  of 
arms  all  yielded  the  first  rank,  exclaimed,  "  Brothers !  be  they  the  bravest  of  the  foe,  for  such  I 
judge  them  by  their  trail,  they  are  not  more  than  three  canoes,  and  we  number  enough  not  to 
dread  such  a  handful  of  the  enemy."     We  were,  in  fact,  forty,  for  some  others  had  joined  us. 

We  consequently  urged  on  our  way,  but  had  scarcely  advanced  a  mile  when  we  fell  into  an 
ambush  of  the  enemy,  who  lay  in  two  divisions  on  the  opposite  banks  of  the  river,  to  the  number 
of  seventy  in  twelve  canoes.  As  soon  as  we  reached  the  spot  where  they  lay  in  ambush,  lurldng 
in  the  reeds  and  tall  grass,  they  poured  in  a  volley  of  musketry,  for  they  were  well  supplied  with 
arms,  riddling  our  canoes,  but  killing  none :  one  Huron  only  was  shot  through  the  hand.  At  the 
first  report  of  the  fire-arms,  the  Hiirons,  almost  to  a  man,  abandoned  the  canoes,  which,  to  avoid  the 
more  rapid  current  of  the  centre  of  the  river,  were  advancing  close  by  the  bank,  and,  in  headlong 
flight,  plunged  into  the  thickest  of  the  woods.  We,  the  four  Frenchmen,  thus  left  with  a  few 
either  already  Christians,  or  at  least  Catechumens,  offering  up  a  prayer  to  Christ,  faced  the  enemy. 
We  were,  however,  outnumbered,  being  scarcely  twelve  or  fourteen  against  thirty  ;  yet  we  fought 
on  till  our  comrades,  seeing  fresh  canoes  shoot  out  from  the  opjiosite  bank  of  the  river,  lost  heart 
and  fled.  Then  a  Frenchman  named  Rene  Goupil,  who  was  fighting  with  the  bravest,  was  taken, 
together  with  some  of  the  Ilurons.  When  I  saw  this,  I  neither  could  nor  cared  to  fly.  Whither, 
indeed,  could  I  escape,  barefooted  as  I  was  ?*  Conceal  myself  amid  the  reeds  and  tall  grass  I  could 
indeed,  and  thus,  perhaps,  escape  ;  but  could  I  leave  a  countryman  and  the  unchristened  Ilurons 
already  taken,  or  soon  to  be  ?  As  the  enemy,  in  hot  pursuit  of  the  fugitives,  had  passed  on,  leaving 
me  standing  on  the  battle-field,  I  called  out  to  one  of  those  who  had  remained  to  guard  the  prison- 
ers, and  bade  him  place  me  beside  his  French  captive,  that  as  I  had  been  his  companion  on  the 
way,  so  would  I  be  in  his  dangers  and  death.  Scarce  crediting  what  he  heard,  and  fearful  for  him- 
self, he  advanced  and  led  me  to  the  other  prisoners. 

"  Dearest  brother,"  I  then  exclaimed,  "  wonderfully  hath  God  dealt  with  us  ;  '  but  he  is  the 
Lord,  let  him  do  what  is  good  in  his  sight,'  (1  Kings,  iii.  18 ;)  as  it  hath  pleased  him,  so  hath  it 
come  to  pass,  blessed  be  his  name."  Then,  hearing  his  confession,  I  gave  him  absolution.  I  now 
turned  to  the  Huron  prisoners,  and  instructing  them  one  by  one,  baptized  them.  As  new  prison- 
ers were  constantly  taken  in  their  flight,  my  labor  was  constantly  renewed.     At  length,  Eustace 

*  To  keep  their  canoes  free  from  sand  and  gravel,  the  Indians  required  all  to   enter   them  barefoot.     Few 
even  of  the  missionaries  were  exempted  from  this  rule. 


New  Yorh  Historical  Records.  579 

Ahasistari,  that  famotis  Christian  chief,  was  brought  in  :  when  he  saw  me,  he  exclaimed 
"  Solemnly,  indeed,  did  I  swear,  brother,  that  I  would  live  or  die  by  thee."  What  answer  I  made 
I  know  not,  so  much  had  grief  overcome  me.  Last  of  all,  William  Couture  was  dragged  in  :  he, 
too,  had  set  out  from  Huronia  with  me.  When  he  saw  all  routed,  he  had,  with  the  rest,  taken  to 
the  woods,  and  being  a  young  man,  as  gifted  in  body  as  in  mind,  had  by  his  agility  left  the  enemy 
far  behind  ;  but  when  he  looked  around  and  could  see  nothing  of  me, — "  Shall  I,"  said  he  to  him- 
seM,  "  abandon  my  dear  Father  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  savages,  and  fly  without  him  ?— not 
I."  Then,  returning  by  the  path  which  he  had  taken  in  flight,  he  gave  himself  up  to  the  enemy. 
Would  that  he  had  fled,  nor  swelled  our  mournful  baiid !— f or,  in  such  a  case,  it  is  no  comfort  to 
have  companions,  especially  those  whom  you  love  as  yourself.  Yet  such  are  the  souls  who,  thouo-h 
but  laymen,  serve  God  and  the  society  among  the  Hurons,  with  no  views  of  earthly  reward.*  It 
is  painful  to  think  even  of  all  his  terrible  sufferings.  Their  hate  was  enkindled  against  all  the 
FrencJi,  but  especially  against  him,  as  they  knew  that  one  of  their  bravest  had  fallen  by  his  hand 
in  the  fight.  He  was  accordingly  first  stripped  naked,  all  his  nails  torn  out,  his  very  fingers 
gnawed,  and  a  broad  sword  driven  through  his  right  hand.  Mindful  of  the  wounds  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  this  pain,  though  most  acute,  he  bore,  as  he  afterwards  told  me,  with  great  joy. 

When  I  beheld  him  thus  bound  and  naked,  I  could  not  contain  myself,  but,  leaving  my  keep- 
ers, rushed  through  the  midst  of  the  savages  who  had  brought  him,  embraced  him  most  tenderly ; 
exhorted  him  to  offer  all  this  to  God  for  himself,  and  those  at  whose  hands  he  suffered.  They  at 
first  looked  on,  in  wonder,  at  my  proceeding  ;  then,  as  if  recollecting  themselves,  and  gathering 
all  their  rage,  they  fell  upon  me,  and  with  their  fists,  thongs  and  clubs  beat  me  till  I  fell  sense- 
less. Two  of  them  then  dragged  me  back  to  where  I  had  been  before ;  and  scarcely  had  I  begun 
to  breathe,  when  some  others,  attacking  me,  tore  out,  by  biting,  almost  all  my  nails,  and  crunched 
my  two  fore-fingers  with  their  teeth,  giving  me  intense  pain.  The  same  was  done  to  Rene  Goupil, 
the  Huron  captives  being  left  untouched. 

When  all  had  come  in  from  the  pursuit,  in  which  two  Hurons  were  killed,  they  carried  us 
across  the  river,  and  there  shared  the  plunder  of  the  twelve  canoes  (for  eight  had  joined  us).  This 
was  very  great ;  for,  independent  of  what  each  Frenchman  had  with  him,  we  had  twenty  packages, 
containing  Church  plate  and  vestments,  books  and  other  articles  of  the  kind  —  a  rich  cargo,  indeed, 
considering  the  poverty  of  our  Huron  mission.  While  they  were  dividing  the  plunder,  I  com- 
pleted the  instructioii  of  such  as  were  imchristened  and  baptized  them.  Among  the  rest,  was  one 
sere  octogenarian  warrior,  who,  when  ordered  to  enter  the  canoe  to  be  borne  off  with  the  rest,  ex- 
claimed, "What!  shall  I,  a  hoary  old  man,  go  to  a  strange  and  foreign  land?  Never!  here  will 
I  die,"'  and  there  he  died,  for  absolutely  refusing  to  go  they  slew  him  on  the  very  spot  where  he 
had  just  been  baptized. 

liaising  then  a  joyful  shout,  which  made  the  forest  ring,  "  as  conquerors  who  rejoice  after 
taking  a  prey,"  [Isaiah  ix.  3,]  they  bore  us  off,  as  captives  towards  their  own  land.  We  were 
twenty-two,  three  had  been  killed.  By  the  favor  of  God  our  sufferings  on  ttat  march,  which 
lasted  thirteen  days,  were  indeed  great ;  hunger  and  heat  and  menaces,  the  savage  fury  of  the 
Indians,  the  intense  pain  of  our  imtended  and  now  putrifying  wounds,  which  actually  swarmed 
with  worms.     No  trial,  however,  came  harder  upon  me  than  to  see  them  five   or  six  days  after 

*  Goupil  aud  Couture  were  what  are  called  in  the  old  French  writers,  Doniies,  tliat  is  men  given:  they  were 
not  religious  of  the  order  to  which  they  attached  themselves,  but  laymen,  who,  from  motives  of  zeal,  gave  them- 
selves to  the  missionaries,  to  be  employed  as  they  saw  fit.  There  probably  never  was  a  set  of  more  humble  and 
heroic  men  than  the  Donnes  of  the  early  Catholic  missions. 


580  Colonial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  Hiver. 

approach  ns  jaded  with  the  march,  and,  iii  cold  blood,  with  minds  in  nowise  excited  by  passion, 
pluck  out  our  hair  and  beard  and  drive  their  nails,  which  are  always  very  sharp,  deep  into  parts 
most  tender  and  sensitive  to  the  slightest  impression.  But  this  was  outward  ;  my  internal  suffer" 
ings  affected  me  still  more,  when  I  beheld  that  funeral  procession  of  doomed  Christians  pass  be- 
fore my  eyes,  among  them  five  old  converts,  the  main  pillars  of  the  infant  Huron  Cliurch. 
Indeed  I  ingenuously  admit  that  I  was  again  and  again  unable  to  withhold  my  tears,  mourning 
over  their  lot  and  that  of  my  other  companions,  and  full  of  anxious  solicitude  for  the  future.  For 
I  beheld  the  way  to  the  Christian  faith  closed  by  these  Iroquois  on  the  Murons  and  countless 
other  nations,  unless  they  were  checked  by  some  seasonable  dispensation  of  Divine  Providence. 

On  the  eightli  day  we  fell  in  with  a  troop  of  200  Indians  going  out  to  fight ;  and  as  it  is  the 
custom  for  savages  when  out  on  war  parties  to  initiate  themselves,  as  it  were,  by  cruelty,  under 
the  belief  that  their  success  will  be  greater  as  they  shall  have  been  more  cruel,  they  thus  received 
us.  First  rendering  thanks  to  the  Sun,  which  they  imagine  presides  over  war,  they  congratulated 
their  countrymen  by  a  joyful  volley  of  musketry.  Each  then  cut  some  stout  clubs  in  the  neigh- 
boring wood  in  order  to  receive  us.  After  we  had  landed  from  the  canoes  they  fell  upon  us  from 
both  sides  with  their  clubs  in  such  fury,  that  I,  who  was  the  last  and  therefore  most  exposed  to 
their  blows,  sank  overcome  by  their  number  and  severity,  before  I  had  accomplished  half  the 
rocky  way  that  led  to  the  hill  on  which  a  stage  had  been  erected  for  us.  I  thought  I  should  soon 
die  there  ;  and  so,  partly  because  I  could  not,  partly  because  I  cared  not,  I  did  not  arise.  How 
long  they  spent  their  fury  on  me  lie  knows,  for  whose  love  and  sake  it  is  delightful  and  glo- 
rious thus  to  suffer.  Moved  at  lengtli  by  a  cruel  mercy,  and  wishing  to  carry  me  to  their  country 
alive,  they  ceased  to  strike.  And  thus  half  dead  and  drenched  iu  blood,  they  bore  me  to  the  scaf- 
fold. Here  I  had  scarce  begun  to  breathe  when  they  ordered  me  to  come  down  to  load  me  with 
scoffs  and  insTilts,  and  countless  blows  on  my  head  and  shoulders,  and  indeed  on  my  w^hole  body. 
I  should  be  tedious  were  I  to  attempt  to  teU  all  that  the  French  prisoners  suffered.  They  burnt 
one  of  my  fingers,  and  crunched  another  with  their  teeth ;  others  already  thus  mangled  they  so 
wrenched  by  tlie  tattered  nerves,  that  even  now,  though  healed,  they  are  frightfully  deformed. 
Nor  indeed  was  the  lot  of  my  fellow  sufferers  much  better.  *  *  * 

My  sufferings  were  great  in  themselves,  heightened  by  the  sight  of  what  a  like  cruelty  had 
wreaked  on  the  Christian  Hurons,  fiercer  than  all  in  the  case  of  Eustace  /  for  they  had  cut  off 
both  his  thumbs,  and  through  the  stump  of  the  left  one  they,  with  savage  cruelty,  drove  a  pointed 
stake  up  to  his  very  elbow.     This  frightful  pain  he  bore  most  nobly  and  piously. 

The  following  day  we  fell  in  with  some  other  war  canoes,  who  cut  off  some  of  our  compan- 
ions' fingers  to  our  great  dread. 

On  the  tenth  day  about  noon,  we  left  our  canoes,  and  performed  on  foot  the  rest  of  the  jour- 
ney, which  lasted  four  days.  Besides  the  usual  hardships  of  the  march  came  that  of  carrying  the 
baggage ;  hunger,  too,  was  ever  increased  by  the  ever  increasing  want  of  food,  so  much  so  that 
for  three  days  wg  ate  nothing  but  some  berries  once  gathered  on  the  way. 

*  *  *  *  * 

On  the  eve  of  Assumption,  then,  about  three  o'clock,  we  reached  a  river,  which  flows  by  their 
village  {Ossernenon).  Both  banks  were  filled  with  Iroquois,  who  received  us  with  clubs,  fists  and 
stones.  As  a  bald  or  thinly  covered  head  is  an  object  of  aversion  to  them,  this  tempest  burst  in 
its  fury  on  my  bare  head.  Two  of  my  nails  had  hitherto  escaped,  these  they  tore  out  with  their 
teeth,  and  with  their  keen  nails  stripped  off  the  flesh  beneath  to  the  very  bones.  When  satisfied 
with  the  cruelty  and  mockeries  which  we  thus  received  by  the  river  side,  they  led  us  to  their  vil- 
lage on  the  top  of  the  hill.     At  its  entrance  we  met  the  youth  of  all  that  district,  awaiting  us  in 


Neio   Yorh  Historical  Records.  581 

a  line  on  each  side  of  the  road,  all  armed  with  clubs.  Conscious  that  if  we  withdrew  ourselves 
from  the  ranks  of  those  chastised,  we  no  less  withdrew  ourselves  from  those  of  the  children,  we 
cheerfully  offered  ourselves  to  our  God,  thus  like  a  father  chastising  us,  that  in  us  "  he  might  be 
well  pleased."  Our  order  was  as  follows:  in  the  front  of  the  line  they  placed  a  Frenchman,  alas! 
entirely  naked,  not  having  even  his  drawers;  Bene  Goupil  was  in  the  centre,  and  I,  last  of  all, 
closed  the  line. 

***** 

We  had  but  just  time  to  draw  breath  on  this  stage  when  one,  with  a  huge  club,  gave  us 
Frenchmen  three  terrible  blows  on  the  bare  back ;  the  savages  now  took  out  their  knives  and 
began  to  mount  the  stage,  and  cut  off  the  fingers  of  many  of  the  prisoners,  and  as  a  captive  meets 
with  cruelty  proportioned  to  his  dignity  they  began  with  me,  as  my  manner  of  acting  sliowed  me 
to  be  in  authority  among  the  French,  and  Hurons.  Accordingly  an  old  man  and  a  woman 
approached  the  spot  where  I  stood ;  and  he  commanded  her  to  cut  ofE  my  thumb ;  she  at  first 
drew  back,  but  at  last  when  the  old  wretch  had  three  or  four  times  repeated  the  order,  as  if  by 
compulsion  she  cut  off  my  left  thumb  where  it  joins  the  hand. 

***** 

On  the  following  day,  the  Assmnption  of  the  Blessed  Yirgin,  after  spending  the  morning  on 
the  stage,  we  were  taken  about  mid-day  to  another  village  {Andagioron),  about  two  miles  distant 
from  the  first.  As  I  was  on  the  point  of  starting,  the  Indian  who  had  brought  me,  loth  to  lose 
my  shirt,  sent  me  off  with  nothing  but  an  old  and  tattered  pair  of  drawers;  when  I  beheld  myself 
thus  naked,  "  Surely,  brothei',"  said  I,  "  thou  wilt  not  send  me  off  thus  naked,  thou  hast  taken 
enough  of  our  property  to  enrich  thee."  This  touched  him,  and  he  gave  me  enough  of  the  hempen 
bagging,  in  which  our  packages  had  been  put  up,  to  cover  my  shoulders  and  part  of  my  body. 
But  my  flesh,  mangled  by  their  blows  and  stripes,  could  not  bear  this  rough  and  coarse  cloth.  On 
the  way,  while  scarcely  and  at  last  not  at  all  covered  by  it,  the  heat  of  the  sun  was  so  intense,  that 
my  skin  was  dried,  as  though  in  an  oven,  and  peeled  off  from  my  back  and  arms. 

As  we  entered  the  second  village  blows  were  not  spared,  though  this  is  contrary  to  their  iisual 
custom,  which  is  to  be  content  with  making  prisoners  run  the  gauntlet  once.  The  Almighty, 
doubtless,  wished  us  to  be  somewhat  likened  in  this  point  to  his  Apostle,  who  glories  that  he  was 
thrice  beaten  with  rods,  and  though  they  received  us  with  fewer  blows  than  the  first,  these  were 
more  cruelly  given,  being  better  aimed  from  there  being  less  of  a  crowd,  and  some  struck  con- 
stantly on  the  shins  to  our  exquisite  pain. 

The  rest  of  the  day  we  spent  on  the  stage,  and  the  night  in  a  hut  tied  down  half  naked  to 
the  bare  ground,  at  the  mercy  of  all  ages  and  sexes ;  for  we  had  been  handed  over  to  the  sport  of 
the  children  and  youth,  who  threw  hot  coals  on  our  naked  bodies,  which,  bound  as  we  were,  it  was 
no  easy  matter  to  shake  off.  In  this  manner  Indian  children  make  their  apprenticeship  in  cruelty, 
and  from  less  grow  accustomed  to  greater. 

In  this  village  we  spent  two  days  and  nights,  with  scarcely  any  food  or  sleep,  in  great  anguish 
of  mind  as  far  as  I  was  concerned ;  for  from  time  to  time  they  mounted  the  stage,  cutting  ofl'  tiie 
fingers  of  my  Huron  companions,  and  bindiiig  their  clenched  hands  in  hard  cords  so  tightly  drawn 
that  they  fainted,  and  while  each  suffered  but  his  own  pain,  I  suffered  that  of  all.  I  was  afflicted 
with  as  intense  grief  as  you  can  imagine  a  most  loving  father's  heart  to  feel  at  the  sight  of  his 
children's  misery,  for,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  old  Christians,  I  had  begotten  them  all  recently 

in  Christ  by  baptism. 

***** 
Never  till  now  had  the  Indian  scaffold  beheld  French  or  other  Ciiristian  captives.     Hence, 
contrary  to  usual  custom,  we  were  led  around  through  all  their  villages  to  gratify  the  general 


582  Colanial  Settlements  on  the  Hudson  River. 

curiosity.     The  third  indeed  [Teonontoge'ii)  we  entered  scatheless,  bnt  on  the  scaffold  a  scene  met 

my  eyes  more  heart-rending  than  any  torment ;  it  was  a  group  of  four  Hurons  taken  elsewhere 

by  another  party  and  di'agged  in  to  swell  our  wretched  company.     Among  other  cruelties,  every 

one  of  these  had  lost  some  lingers,  and  the  eldest  of  the  band  his  two  thumbs.     As  soon  as  I 

reached  them,  I  began  to  instruct  them  separately  on  the  articles  of  faith,  then  on   the  very  stage 

itself  I  baptized  two  with  rain-drops  gathered  from  the  leaves  of  a  stalk  of  Indian  com  given  us 

to  chew ;  the  other  two  I  baptized  at  a  little  stream  which  we  passed  when  led  to  another  village. 

At  this  place,  cold  setting  in  after  the  rain,  we  suffered  extremely  from  it  as  we  were  eiitirely 

uncovered.     Often  shivering  with  cold  on  the  stage,  I  would,  unordered,  come  down  and  enter 

some  hut  but  I  could  scarcely  begin  to  warm  myself  when  I  was  commanded  to  return  to  the 

scaffold. 

*  -X-  *  *  * 

They  next  hung  me  between  two  poles  in  the  hut,  tied  by  the  arms  above  the  elbow,  with 
coarse  rope  woven  of  the  bark  of  trees.  Then  I  thought  I  was  to  be  burnt,  for  this  is  one  of 
their  usual  ^preliminaries ;  and  that  I  might  know,  that  I  had  thus  far  borne  any  thing  with  forti- 
tude or  even  with  patience,  this  came  not  from  myself,  but  from  Him  who  gives  strength  to  the 
weary.  Now  as  though  left  to  myself  in  this  torture  I  groaned  aloud,  for  "  I  will  glory  in  my 
iniirmities  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  dwell  in  me  "  (2  Cor.  xii.  9),  and  from  my  intense  pain  I 
begged  my  torturers  to  ease  me  some  little  from  those  hai"d  rough  ropes.  But  God  justly  ordained 
that  the  more  I  pleaded,  the  more  they  drew  my  bonds.  At  last,  when  I  had  been  hanging  thus 
aboiit  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  they  unloosed  me,  as  I  was  on  the  point  of  fainting.  I  render  thee 
thanks,  O  Lord  Jesus,  that  I  have  been  allowed  to  learn,  by  some  slight  experience,  how  much 
thou  didst  deign  to  suffer  on  the  cross  for  me,  when  the  weight  of  thy  most  holy  body  hung  not 
by  ropes,  but  by  thy  hands  and  feet  pierced  by  hardest  nails ! 

Other  chains  followed  these,  for  we  were  tied  to  the  ground  to  pass  the  rest  of  the  night. 
What  did  they  not  then  do  to  my  poor  Huron  companions,  thus  tied  hand  and  foot  ?  What  did 
they  not  attempt  on  me  ?  But  once  more  I  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  didst  save  me,  thy 
priest,  ever  unsullied  from  the  impure  hands  of  the  savages. 

When  we  had  thus  spent  two  days  in  that  village,  we  were  led  back  to  the  second  {Anda- 
goron)  which  we  had  entered,  that  our  fate  might  be  finally  determined.  We  had  now  been  for 
seven  days  led  from  village  to  village,  from  scaffold  to  scaffold,  become  a  spectacle  to  God  and  to 
his  angels,  as  we  may  hope  from  his  divine  goodness,  a  scoff  and  jeer  to  the  vilest  savages,  when 
we  were  at  last  told  that  the  day  should  end  our  lives  amid  the  flames.  Sooth  to  say,  this  last  act 
was  not  without  its  horrors,  yet  the  good  pleasure  of  God,  and  the  hope  of  a  better  life,  where 
sin  should  have  no  place,  rendered  it  rather  one  of  joy.  Addressing  my  French  and  Huron  com- 
panions, for  the  last  time,  I  bid  them  be  of  good  heart,  and  amid  their  mental  and  bodily  suffer- 
ings to  think  "  diligently  upon  Him  that  had  endured  such  opposition  of  sinners  against  himself ; 
not  to  be  weary,  fainting  in  their  minds"  (Heb.  xii.  3),  but  to  hope  that  the  morrow  would  unite 
us  to  our  God,  to  reign  for  ever. 

Fearing  lest  we  might  be  torn  asunder,  I  especially  advised  Eustace  to  look  towards  me  when 
we  could  not  be  together,  and  by  laying  his  hand  on  his  breast  and  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven,  to 
show  contrition  for  his  sins,  so  that  I  could  absolve  him,  as  I  had  already  frequently  done  after 
hearing  his  confession,  as  well  on  the  way  as  after  our  arrival.  Acting  on  my  advice,  he  several 
times  made  me  the  sign. 

The  sachems,  however,  on  further  deliberation  resoh'ed  that  no  precipitate  action  was  to  be 
taken  with  regard  to  the  French  prisoners,  and  summoning  us  before  the  council  they  declared 
that  our  lives  were  spared.     To  almost  all  the  Hurons  they  likewise  granted  hfe  ;  three  only  were 


New  Yor-h  Historical  Records.  583 

excepted,  Paid,  Eustace,  and  Stejphen,  who  were  pnt  to  death  in  the  three  vilLages  which  make 
lip  the  tribe ;  Stephen  in  Andagoron,  the  village  where  we  were  •  Paul  iu  Ossernenon,  and  Eustace 
in  Teonontogen. 

***** 

Towards  evening  of  that  day  they  carried  of  William  Couture,  whom  they  regarded  as  a 
young  man  of  unparalleled  courage,  to  Teonontogen,  the  furthest  village  of  their  canton,  and  gave 
him  to  an  Indian  family.  (It  is  the  custom  of  these  savages,  when  they  spare  a  prisoner's  life,  to 
adopt  him  into  some  family,  to  supply  the  place  of  a  deceased  member,  to  whose  rights  he,  in  a 
manner,  succeeds ;  he  is  subject  thenceforward  to  no  man's  orders  but  those  of  the  head  of  the 
family,  who,  to  acquire  this  right,  offers  some  presents.)  But  seeing  that  Rene  and  I  were  less 
vigorous,  they  led  us  to  the  first  village,  the  residence  of  the  party  that  had  captured  us,  and  left 
us  there  {Ossenienon)  till  some  new  resolution  should  be  taken. 

After  so  many  a  long  day  spent  fasting,  after  so  many  sleepless  nights,  after  so  many  wounds 
and  stripes,  especially  after  such  heart-rending  anguish  of  mind,  when  time  was,  so  to  speak, 
given  us  at  last  to  feel  oiir  sufferings,  we  sank  into  a  state  of  helplessness.  Scarce  able  to  walk  or 
even  stand  erect,  nor  night  nor  day  brought  a  moment  of  repose,  from  many  evils,  but  chiefly 
from  our  still  untended  wounds ;  all  this  state  was  rendered  more  trying  by  the  myriads  of  lice, 
fleas  and  bugs,  which  it  was  not  easy  to  keep  from  us  with  maimed  and  mutilated  fingers. 
Besides  this,  we  suffered  from  hunger ;  more  true  here  than  elsewhere  is  the  saying : 

"Non  cibus  utilis  segro." 
So  that,  with  nothing  but  unripe  squashes  to  add  to  their  American  (or,  as  we  Europeans  call  it, 
Turhish)  corn,  carelessly  bruised  between  two  stones,  we  were  brought  to  the  verge  of  the  grave, 
especially  Rem,  whose  stomach  refused  this  food,  and  who,  from  his  many  wounds,  had  almost 
lost  Ills  sight.  The  Indians  then  seeing  us  fail  day  by  day,  hunted  up  in  the  village  some  small 
fishes  and  some  bits  of  meat  dried  in  the  sun  or  smoke,  and  pounding  them,  mixed  them  with  our 
sagamity.  After  three  weeks  we  were  just  recovering  from  our  illness,  when  we  were  sought  to 
be  put  to  death.  The  two  hundred  Indians  who  had  maltreated  us  so  on  the  way,  advanced  into 
New  France,  to  the  point  where  the  i-iver  Iroquois,*  so  called  from  them,  empties  into  the  river 
St.  Lawrence  :  here  seeing  a  party  of  French  engaged  in  laying  the  foundations  of  Fort  Rich- 
elieu, they  thought  they  could  easily  kill  some  and  carry  off  the  rest  as  prisoners.  Accordingly 
the  whole  two  hundred,  in  a  single  column,  almost  all  armed  with  muskets,  rushed  almost  unex- 
pected on  the  whites  engaged  in  their  various  works.  At  the  first  onset  of  the  foe,  the  French, 
though  but  a  handful  compared  to  the  hostile  forces,  flew  to  arms,  and  so  bravely  and  successfully 
withstood  their  savage  assailants,  that  after  Idlling  two  and  wounding  many  more,  they  put  the 
rest  to  flight.  The  war  party  returned  furious,  and  as  though  they  had  been  greatly  wronged, 
who  had  gone  forth  to  do  wrong,  demanded  the  death  of  such  of  us  as  were  yet  alive.  "  It  is 
a  shame,"  they  cried,  "  that  three  Frenchmen  should  live  quietly  among  us,  when  they  have  so 
lately  slain  three  of  our  braves."  Amid  these  complaints  Rene's  safety  especially  and  my  own 
were  brought  into  great  jeopardy.    He  alone,  who  as  he  gave,  so  protecteth  life,  wardeth  off  the  blow. 

[Sept.  7.]  On  the  eve  of  the  nativity  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  one  of  the  principal  Holland- 
ers, who  have  a  settlement  not  more  than  twenty  leagues  from  these  Indians,  came  with  two  others 
to  effect  our  liberation,  f     He  remained  there  several  days,  offered  much,  promised  more,  obtained 

*  The  Sorel,  or  Richelieu. 

1  This  was  the  celebrated  Arendt  Van  Curler,  so  highly  esteemed  by  the  French  and  Indians.  The  latter 
even  gave  his  name  perpetually  to  the  English  governors.  He  was  the  constant  friend  of  Father  Jogues,  and 
after  many  ineffectual  attempts  to  ransom  him,  by  the  charitable  contributions  of  the  Dutch  colonists,  aided  him 
to  escape. 


584  Colonial  Settlements  on  tJie  Hiidson  River. 

nothing.  But  as  they  are  a  wily  and  cunning  race  of  savages,  in  order  not  to  seem  to  refuse  all 
that  a  friend  asked,  but  to  concede  something  to  his  desires,  they  lyingly  asserted  that  they  would 
in  a  few  days  restore  us  to  our  countrymen.  This  was  perhaps  the  wish  of  some  of  them  ;  but  in 
the  latter  part  of  September  (for  constant  rains  had  put  oS.  the  matter  till  that  time)  a  final  coun- 
cil was  held  on  our  fate,  although  ostensibly  provisions  had  been  prepared  and  men  appointed  to 
take  us  back.  Here  the  opinion  of  the  few  well  inclined  was  rejected,  confusion  carried  the  day, 
and  some  clamorous  braves  declared  that  they  would  never  suffer  a  Frenchman  to  be  taken  back 
alive.  The  council  broke  up  in  alarm,  and  each,  as  if  in  flight,  returned  to  his  lodge  or  the  village 
whence  he  came.  Left  thus  to  the  cruelty  of  bloodthirsty  men,  attempts  were  constantly  made 
on  our  lives.  Some,  tomahawk  in  hand,  prowled  around  the  cabins  to  find  and  despatch  us.  How- 
ever, towards  the  close  of  the  council,  God  had  inspired  me  with  some  thought  that  induced  me 
to  draw  ray  companions  together,  without  the  village,  in  a  field  belonging  to  the  cabin  where  I 
was.  Here,  ignorant  of  what  had  transpired,  we  lay  hid  in  comparative  safety,  until  the  storm 
under  which  we  should  all  have  fallen,  had  we  remained  in  the  village,  was  somewhat  calmed.* 

*  Tliis  letter,  addressed  to  the  Provincial  of  the  Jesuits  in  Paris,  was  written  at  Rensselaerwyck  Aug.  6th, 
1643,  after  Father  Jogues  had  managed  to  escape  with  the  assistance  of  Domiue  Megapolensis. 


Index  of  Names 


VOL.  XII  (NEW  SERIES  YOL.  I)  AND  YOL.  XIII  (NEW  SEMES  YOL.  11.) 


A. 

Abell,  Lucas,  xii,  492. 

Abelleu,  Gerritt,  xiii,  153,  202,  348. 

A.berdeaiie,  si  I,  544. 

Abergaveny,  xii,  544. 

Abrahams,  Cornells,  xiii,  233. 

Abrahams  DeUght,  xii,  544,  547. 

Abrahams,  Jan,  xii,  200. 

Abrahamsen,  Isaac,  xii,  63. 

Abrahamsun,  Teunis,  xiii,  338. 

Abuses  iu  land  grants,  xiii,  33. 

Accomack,  Va.,  xii,  503,  571,  583,  587,  655,  G59. 

Ackerman,  John,    xil,   634,  646. 

AcUerman,  John,  jr.,  xii,  624. 

Ackerman,  Mary,  xil,  659. 

Achinkeshaky,  xiii,  14. 

Blockhouse  at,  .53,  55.     See  Hackeiuack. 
Achter  Col,  xii,  131,  518,  519;  xiii,  216,  221,  476. 

English  people   desire   to  settle  on   the,  xiii,  193, 

195,  308. 
Addams,  Fenwyck,  xii,  569. 
Addison,  Anthony,  xiil,  438,  448,  544. 
Adrian,  Dirck,  xiii,  230. 

Adriaeusen,  Jost,  xii,  325;  xiri,  401,  507,  533. 
Adriaensen,  Maryn  (Van  der  Veere),  xiii,  10,  12,  13,  22. 
Adrianson,  John,  xiii,  414. 
Aepje's  Island  (Schodack),  xiii,  26. 
After  Coll,  xiii,  455.     See  Achter  Coll. 
Agawam  (Springfield),  xiii,  308. 
Agriculture,  xii,  418,  420,  450,  485,  506;  xiii,  79,  171, 
231,  293,   333,   337,  342,  353,  374.     See  Plantation; 
Orain ;    Villages. 
Ahasimus,  N.  J,  XI II,  1,  2,  55,  233,  282,  299,  366,  570. 

See  Saersimons. 
Albany,  xii,  463,  506,  513,  543  et  seq.,  556,  560,  633; 

XIII.  464,   466,  468,  481  et  seq.,  491  et  seq.,  496, 

499,  504,    509,   512,   517-8,  521-3,  524-5,  528-9, 

531-2,  536,  563-4,  570,  578. 
commissioners  of  Maryland  at,  XI  I,  508,  510,  557 

trade  of.  xiii,  426,  439,  532,  534. 
trade  with  Indians  at  Oimited),  XI 1 1,  491. 
New  Englanders  trading  at,  458. 
jurisdiction  of  the  court  of,  xlll,  490. 
called  "Willemstadt,  xiii,  478. 
See  Fort  Orange;  Fort  Nassau;  Willemstadt. 

74 


Alberts,  Dirck,  xil,  491,  517,  530  etseq.,  540,  649. 
Alberts,  Hubert,  xii,  291. 
Alberts,  Jan,  xiii,  245,  246. 
Albertsen,  Albert,  xill,  45. 
Albertsen,  Arian,  xill,  415,  448. 
Albertsen,  Hans,  from  Brunswick,  xil,  178. 
Albertsen,  John,  xiii,  449. 
Albertsen,  Storm,  xiil,  283. 
Albertzen,  Wouter,  xili,  212. 
Aldersen,  Heurick,  xiii,  544. 
Allard,  John,  xil,  506. 
Allen,  Anthony,  xn,  613. 

Allerton,  Isaac,  petition  of,  xil,  160;  one  of  the  eight 
men,  xili,    16 ;  mentioned,  xii,  60,  63,  71,   98,   120, 
126,  142  et  seq.,  154  et  seq.,  158,   161,  168,   173,   204, 
208;  XI 1 1,  55  et  seq. 
Allvn,  John,  secretary  of  Connecticut,  xiii,  403. 
Alrlchs,  Jacob,  xii,  132,  166,  169,  175,  184,   197,  212, 
215,  216,  221,  232,  246,  249,  252,  253,   254,   255, 
258,  259,  260,  262,  264,  265,  266,  267,  269,   272, 
280,  383,  383,  388,  290,  391,  393,  393,  394,  396, 
304,  305,  307,  309,  317,  318,  336,  337,  328,  330,333, 
333,  335,  343, 847,  348,  349,  351,  357,  374, 421,  443. 
vice-director  of  the  colony  of  the  city  of  Amster- 
dam on  the  South  river,  xii,  132,  166. 
letters  from,  xii,  163,  173,  185,  187,  192,  194,  197, 
198,  300,   301,  304,  305,  218,  216,  222,  223,  224, 
226,  338,  339,  331,  335,  236,  242,  243,  245,  247, 
248,  250,  253,  257,  272,  284,  285. 
letters  to,  xii,  280. 
death  of,  xn,  389,  305. 
Alrichs,  Pieter,  xn,  292,  321,  351,  354,  855,  357,  358, 
368,  391,  395,  404,  414,  447,  450,  453,  454,  459, 
460,  461,  462,  471,  476,  484,  485,  488,  491,  492, 
493,  496,  504,  505,  506,  508,  509  et  seq.,  513,  517, 
521,  533,  530,  535,  544,  548,  589,  591,  599,  608, 
633,  633,  633,  634,  647,  649,  650. 
letter  from,  and  William  Toon,  xn,  493. 
sheriff  and  commander  at  the  South  river,  xn,  509. 
Alsop,  Mr.,  XIII,  381. 
Alstoue,  Arthur,  xn,  665. 

Altena,'xi'i,  188,  193,  303,  207  et  seq.,  238,  255,  257, 
263,  273,  274,  278,  294,  302,  309,  314,  315,  316, 
329,  339,  340,  349,  350,  355,  356,  366,  376,  379, 
388,  386,  389,  393,  403,  412,  419,  423,  427,  429, 
485,  437,  445,  449,  451. 


586 


Index. 


Altena,  Fort  Christina  (so  called),  xii,  188,  193. 
strength  of  garrison  at,  255. 
Englisli  commissioners  at,  xill,  356. 

Alward,  .John,  xii,  605. 

Amboyle,  xi  1 1,  405. 

Amersfoort  (Flatlands,  L.  I.),xii,  99;  xiii,;66,  124,  154. 
order  for  the  safety  of,  xill,  45. 

Amersfoort,   Holland,  xiii,  154. 

Ammersland,  xil,  647. 

Aminonseu,  Hans,  xii,  412. 

Anderson,  Hendrick,  XI  i,  469,  470. 

Anderson,  Laes,  xil,  527. 

Anderson,  Will,  xii,  587. 

Andreas,  Peter,  xil,  490. 

Andresen,  Carl,  xil,  529. 

Andrew  the  Fin,  xii,  647. 

Andrews,  Frederic,  xii,  648. 

Andrews,  Peter,  xii,  648. 

Andries,  Q-ertruy,  XI 1 1,  194,  212. 

Andries,  Lo wrens,  xill,  233,  234,  360,  544. 

Andries,  Mensje,  xii,  304. 

Andries,  Mons,  xii,  107,  137,  141,  153,  155,   158,   162. 

Andries  the  Weaver,  xiii,  280. 

Andriesen,  Andries,  the  Fin,  xii,  366,  426,  470,  491. 

Andiiesen,  Arent,  xiii,  253. 

Andriessen,  Christian,  xiii,  202,  245. 

Andriesen,  .Jacob,  xiii,  77,  78. 

Andriesen,  James,  xii,  339.  340. 

Andriesen,  Jan,  xii,  26,  40,' 49,  178,  181  et  uq. 

Andriesen,  Jan,  from  Berenbach,  xii,  67. 

Andriesen,  Jan  of  Riga,  xii,  186. 

Andriaensen,  Joost,  xii.  210. 

Andriessen,  Lars,  xii,  530,  535,  557,  559,  634. 

Andriesen,  Lucas,  xiii,  312,   352. 

Andriesen,  Mary,  xii,  339,  340. 

Andriessen,  Pieter,  xii,  312  ;  xiii,  5,  341. 

Andros,   Sir  Edmund,    Gov.,   xii,  521,    529,   530,  532, 

535,  540,  545,  561,    571,  577,  578,  580,  582,   583, 

587,  588,  590,  GOO,  601,    604,   609,  610,   611,  612. 

613,  614,  61.5,  616,  619,  620,  626,  632,   645,  646, 

649,  650,  651,  653,  656,  657,  660,  662,  664;  xiii, 

485,   489,    492,   494-5,  500-1,  504,   506,  512,  514 

517,  524,   526,   534,  536  539-41,  543-4,  546,  549. 

letters  from,  xii,  513,  516,  518-9,  528,  538,542-3, 

554,    566,    581-2,    584,   585,  608;   xiii,   483-3, 

490-1,  493,  509,  533,  535-6,  538. 

letters  to,  xii,  535,  539,  545,  571,  575-7,  587,  590, 

620,    624,  632,  645,  650,    653-5,  661;  xiii,  534, 

549. 

visits    Governor   Carterett   of  New   Jersev,    xiii 

542. 

Anies,  Goestaffsen,  xil,  107. 

Anthony,  AUard,  xii,  97,  208;  xiii,  41,  69,   160,   360, 
456. 

Antliony,  Nicholas,   xill,  456. 

Antill,  Edward,  xiii,  565. 

Antonios  Nose,  a  fortification  recommended  to  be  built 
at,  XII  I,  464. 

Antonissen,  Cornelis  (van  der  Slyck),  Indian  interpreter, 
XIII,  18,  Catskil  granted  to,  20. 

Apauamis,  part  of  AVestchester  so  called,  xiii,  402. 

Apopcalyck  (Communipaw,  N.   J.)  granted  to  Egbert 
Woutersen,   xill,  22. 

Apequenamingh  (Apoquimini),  Md.,  xii,  357,437,  446, 
450,  464,  477,  539. 

Apoquemini  Kil,  xil,  508,  511,  517.  527,  548,  618. 

Appel,  Jan  Lawrenscn,  xii,  53. 

Appleboom,  Harald,   Swedish   Mmister  at  the  Hague, 
XII,  47  n. 


Applegadt,  Bartholomeus,   xiii,  478. 
Applegadt,  Thomas,  xiii,  4T8. 
AquehongaManacknong,  Indian  name  for  Staten  Island, 

XI 1 1,  455. 
Archer,  John,  xiii,  421,  424,  459,  471,  492. 

Fordham  Court  to  be  held  at  the  house  of,  x  1 1 1 , 

483. 
Arents,  Claus,  XI I,  447. 
Arentsen,  Claes,  xiii,  233,  862. 
Arentsen,  Hendrick,  xill,  231. 
Aressick  Island,   xiii,  2. 
.4.rgansen,  Claes,  xiii,  271. 
Argansick,  xiil,  381. 
Arians,  Dirck,  xiii,  212,  246. 
Ariaus,  Joost,  xiii,  246,  450. 
Arianson,   Henr.,   xiii,  413. 
Arien's  Kil,  xii,  513,  517. 
Ariens,  Weynte,  jr.,  xiii,  544. 
Arienson,  Peter,  xill,  413. 
Arlington,  Earl  of,  xii,  460;  xiii,  472. 
Armeperal,  xiil,  9,  (Armepperahin.) 
Arnestead,  Daniel,  xii,  665. 
.Vroencmeck,  xii,  300. 
Arosmith,  Edmond,  xni,  547. 
Arromsinck,  N.  J.,  xill,  316. 
Arsen,  Bartel,  xii,  394. 
Arsen,  Cornelis,  xiii,  419. 
Arsen,  Jan,  xiii,  119. 
Arte,  Gerrit,  xill,  411. 
Artse,  Bartolomeus,  xii,  339. 
Artsen,  Jan,  xill,  115,  117,  154. 
Arthur  Cull,  xiii,  405.     ^its  Achter  Gull. 
Ashfordby,  William,  xill,  401,  533,  544. 
Ashman,  John,  xil,  490,  648,  651. 
Ashman,  Robert,  xil,  490,  648. 
Askud,  John,  xil,  491. 
Assawarnou  Creek,  xii,  583. 
Assawoma  Inlet,  xii,  577. 
Assnerus,  Henrick,  xil,  248. 

Augsburg  Confession,  XII,  105,  446,  529.  &ee  Lutherans. 
Avery  (Auere),  John,  xil,  559,  578,  582,  586,  589,  603, 

604,  605,  624,  625,   626,  637,  631,  633,  634,  635, 

653,  654,  659. 
letter  from,  xii,  582. 
Awiehaken  (Weehawken,   N.    J.),    granted   to   Maryn 

Adriaensen,  xiil,  22. 
Awme,  a  liquid  measure,  xil,  187. 
Axton,  George,  xil,  544,  549. 


B. 

Bachtamo,  Indian  name  for  God,  xiii,  375. 

Backer,  Bone,  xii,  648. 

Backer,  Claes  Jansen,  xill,  37. 

Backer,  Jacobsen,  xiii,  228. 

Backer,  Jacobus,  xii,  295,  296,  311,  342;  xiii,  178,  377. 

Backer,  Jan,  xiii,  9,  230. 

Backer,  Jan  Barentz,  xill,  212,  214. 

Backer,  John,  xill,  473.    • 

Backer,  Nicholas,  xiii,  252. 

Backstcad,  John,  xii,  597. 

Bagge,  Bent,  xiii,  374,  388. 

Bagyn,  Jacob,  xii,  193. 

Baliia  de  todos  los  Santos,  xii,  55. 

Bailey,  John,  xili,  405. 

Baker,  C,  xiii,  541. 

Baker,  Mr.,  xiii,  468. 

Balsch,  Isaac,  xii,  665. 


Index. 


587 


Baltimore  (Baltlius  More),  Lord,  xii,  247,  248,  250,  252, 
299,  330,  324,  337,  333,  347,   360,  417,  437,  457, 
496,   504,    510,    528,    571,    653,   662,   668;  xili, 
163  n,  555,  564. 
letters  to,  xiil,  555,  559,  563,  565. 
Baltimore,  Mr.,  x:i,  437. 
Baltimore,  the  youujj,  xii,  43.0. 

Bamboes,  Herman,  xiii,  140.     See  Jacohsen,  Harman. 
Bancker,  Gerritt,  xiii,  99  et  seq.,  193,  253,  465,  502. 
Barbadoes,  xii,  64,  89,  469,  472,  532,  607. 
Barber,  Francis,  xiii,  540-7. 
Barends,  Jan,  xii,  539. 

Barens,  Fred  (baker),  xii,  153. 

Barents,  Andries,  xiil,  202,  212,  247. 

Barents,  Christian,  xii,  225. 
Barents,  Frans,  xii,  595. 

Barents,  Jan,  xiii,  246. 

Barents,  Janneke,  xri,  339,  340. 

Barents,  Marcus,  xii,  336. 

Barentsen,  Frederic,  xil,  138. 

Barentsen,  Jacob,  xiii,  2,  30,  195. 

Barentsen,  Jan,  xii,  184,  307;  xiii,  98,  230. 

Barentsen,  Thj-s,  xiii,  206. 

Baret,  Samuel,  xiii,  66. 

Barker,  Ambrose,  xii,  660. 

Barker,  John,  xil,  549. 

Barker,  Thomas,  xii,  639. 

Barksteede,  Joshua,  xii,  647. 

Barnegat,  xii,  831,  334;  xiii,  312. 

Barnes,  Benoni,  xii,  665. 

Barnes,  Matthew,  xiu,  574. 

Barneson,  John,  xii,  649. 

Barnson,  Corn,  xili,  410,  415. 

Barnson,  John,  xil,  555;  xiii,  411,  414. 

Barnstaple,  xiil,  406. 

Baron,  Michael,  xil,  471,  473,  608. 

Barrett,  John,  XI I,  665. 

Bartels,  Harmen,  xiii,  306. 

Bartes,  Barent,  XI  ii,  40. 

Bartlcson,  Mathias,  xii,  460,  470. 

Bartlctt,  XIII,  535. 

Barton,  John,  xii,  665. 

Bassett,  Robert,  xiii,66. 

Bastiausen,  Harmen,  xiii,  398. 

Bastiausen,  Jacob,  xiii,  544. 

Basliansen,  Teunis,  xili,  360. 

Baswell,  John,  xil,  665. 

Batcheller's  harbor,  xii,  544,  620. 

Baton,  Machicl,  xii,  593. 

Batten  kill,  Indian  name  for,  xili,  573. 

Bawcom,  Peter,  xii,  544,  641,  661,  665. 

Baxter,  Garvis,  commander  at  Albany,  letter  to,  xiii 
570. 

Baxter,  George,  xiii,  18. 

Baxter,  Tom,  xin,  488,  574. 

Baxter,  Captain,  xiil,  560. 

Baxter,  Lieutenant,  xii,  41. 

Bayard,  Balthazar,  clerk  of  Berger  court,  xiil,  363. 

Bayard,  Mc,  Secretary,  xii,  512;  xiii,473. 

Bayard,  Peter,  xii,  647. 

Bayly,  Nathan,  xiii,  488,  574.   - 

Bayly,  Nicies,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Bear  or  Godfried's  Island,  xii,  245,  246,  247. 

Beales,  Robert,  xii,  647. 

Beck,  Mr.,  xil,  217. 

Becker,  Jan,  xii,  283. 

Becker,  Jan  Juriansen,  xil,  296,  290,  339  et  seq. 

Bedloo,  Cornelius,  xill,  456. 

Bcdloo,  Isaac,  xiii,  431,  456. 


Bedwell,  Robert,  xii,  G47,  665. 
Beeck,  Warrener  Hooris,  xiii,  544. 
Beeckeman,  Cornells,  xili,  40. 
Beekman,  Hendrick  (son  of  Wm.),  xii,  320. 
Beekman,  Henry,  xiii,  403. 

Beekman,  William,  Commissary  for  the  W.  I.  Company 
at  the  South  river,  xii,  219,  230,  232,  238,  242  et 
seq.,  246,  348,  259,  260,  369,  272,  273,  288,  295, 
296,  302,  314,  337,  328,  329,  338,  839,  375rfsfy., 
881,  382,  386,  387,  388,  389  et  seq..  386,  898,  399, 
400,  401,  403,  412,  417,  421,  422,  425,  437,  429, 
517. 
Commissary  at  the   Esopus,    xiil,    885,   401,  408, 

428,  486,  442,  443,  452. 
letters  from,  253,  2.j5,  257,  264,  265,  282,  283,  286, 
289,   392,   293,  298,   300,  306,  309,  312,  315,  318, 
321,   322,  324,  331,  338,  334,  336,  343,  844,  345, 
346,   349,  850,  351,  3.54,  355,  356,  358,  359,  360, 
361,   363,   364,  368,  379,  381,  384,  887,  391,  395, 
403,  406,  410,  411,  412,  418,  414,  415,  417,  418, 
419,  423,  481,  433,  433,  434,  435,  436,  437,  438, 
446,  447,  448,  449,  451. 
letters  to,  259,  837,  380,  409,  416,  424,  443. 
petition  of,  for  cadet's  pay  for  his  son,  xil,  339. 
son  born  to  him,  xii,  335;  another,  410. 
brother  of,  xii,   350. 

Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Kingston,  xiii,  566. 
Beekman,  Mr.,  xii,  642,  648;  xiii,  469. 
Beekman,  Mrs.,  xii,  339. 
Beer,  Cornells  Willemseu,  xil,  110. 
Beercn  Island,  xiil,  348,  898. 
Beetmau,  Mr.,  xii,  855. 
Beets,  Goodman,  xiii,  41. 
Benckes,  Jacob,  xii,  507;  xiii,  473,  476. 
Benckson,  Andries,  xii,  586. 
Bendall,  Philipp,  xiii,  547. 
BeufuU,  William,  xili,  66. 
Bengson,  Mathys,  xii,  415. 
Bcreutsen,  Hans,  xiii,  75. 

Bergen,  N.  J.,  xiii,  207,  214,  231,  234  et  seq.,  268,  271, 
294,  818,  360  et  seq.,  383,  395,  479,  589. 
wants  a  clergyman,  XIII,  332.     See  Ordinances. 
Berkeley,  Lord  John,  of  Stratton,  proprietor  of  New 
Jersey,  xii,   56-3,  568,  579,  592;  xiii,  469,  471,  486, 
541. 
Berisford,  Christopher,  xiii,  407  et  seq.,  417,  421,  426, 

428,  432  et  seq.,  442,  443,  448,  450,  452. 
Bermuda,  xiil,  425. 
Berrown,  Michiel,  xil,  649. 

Berry,  John,  Deputy-Governor  of  New  Jersey,  xil,473, 
486,  492,  494  et  seq.  ;  xiii,  467,  478,  508,  543. 
letter  to,  from  King  Charles  II,  xiil,  469. 
summoned  before  the  N.  Y   Council,  xili,  544. 
Berry,  William,  xil,  647. 
Berry,  Willm,  jr.,  xil,  665. 
Bestevaer,  Jan  Jansen,  xii.  110. 
Bethlehem,  Albany  county,  xiii,  193,  345. 
Betts,  William,  xiii,  441. 
Beverwyck,  xiil,   36,  39,  114,  133,  186,  198,  230,  351, 

255,  258,  304,  382,  887  et  seq. 
Bichason,  Walter,  xii,  647. 
Bicker,  Gerrit,  xii,  86. 

Bickerstafif.  Robert,  xiil,  418,  448,  450  et  seq.,  544. 
Biggs,  John,  xili,  418.  436,  448,  4.50,  544. 
Bijcker's  in  Virginia,  xii,  356. 
Biles,  William,  xil,  646,  659. 
Billing,  Edward,  xii,  579. 

BUlop,  Capt.  Christopher,  xii,  580,  581,  584,  593,  595, 
599,  607,  613;  xiii,  485. 


588 


Index. 


Billop,  letter  to,  xii,  584. 

Billou  (Bileaii),  Peter,  xiii,  20fi,  424. 

Binckson,  John,  xil,4G8.     Sue  Coidngsmar'k. 

Binevie,  Lewis,  xiil,  500. 

Bintgen,  Thomas,  xii,  186. 

Bishop,  John,  xiii,  406. 

Bitter,  Frederic,  XII,  137,  139. 

Bhxck  Point,  Staten  Island,  xiii,  547. 

Bhick,  William,  xii,  615. 

Blackwood,  Phine,  xii,  630. 

Blanchan,  Matliies,  xiii,  212,  238,  246,  404,  445  el 

448,  544. 
Blank,  Juriaen,  xii,  80,  31,  32,  149;  xiii,  326. 
Blcecker  (Blycker,  Bleycker),  Jan  Jansen,   xili, 

504,  572-3. 
Blind  Brook,  xiii,  403. 
Blinks,  Richard,  xii,  544. 

Block,  Uans,  xii,  292,  331,  369,  402,  462,  475,  490, 

506,  530,  531,  532,  533,  534,  535,  540,  553  ct  seq. 

Block  Island,  R.  I.     See  Red  Island. 

Bloem  (Blom),  Rev.  Harmanus,  xiii,  111,  186,  189, 

312  et  seq.,  229  et  seq.,  292,   311,   318,   336, 

37.3,  416. 

goes  to  the  Esopus,  xili,  102. 

inhabitants  of  Esopus  ask  for  his  installation, 

engaged  as  minister,  xiil,  130. 

comes  to  take  the  charge  at  Esopus,  xiii,  155. 

letters  from,  xiii,  311,  373. 

letters  to,  and  consistory  of  Wilt^vyck,  xiii, 
Bloemert,  Ariaen,  xii,  62,  63. 
Blooniiuburg,  Sullivau  county,  xiii,  340  ?i. 
Blotke,  Hans,  xii,  649. 
Boathman,  Uriu,  xii,  648. 
Boecker,  Jems,  xii,  49. 
Boelsen,  Jan,  xii,  607. 
Boen,  Andries,  xii,  607. 
Boers,  Lars,  xii,  137,  143,  153,  158. 
Boes,  Nicolas,  Capt.,  xiii,  473. 
Boertjen's  inn,  xii,   156. 
Bogardus,  Rev.  Everardus,  xii,  36,  27. 
Bogardus,  William,  xiii,  279,  303. 
Boghard,  Harman  M.,  Commissary,  xiii,  22. 
Bohemia  River,  Md.,  xii,  337. 
BoUen,  James,  Secretary  of  New  Jersey,  xi  1 1,  406, 

542-8,  550. 
Bombay  Hook,  Del.,  xii,  368,  477. 
Bones,  Ensta,  xii,  648. 
Boners,  Hans,  xil,  490,  491,  649. 
Bontemantel,  J.,  xii,  234. 
Boollassen,  Peter,  xii,  648. 
Booniptjes  Hook,  Del.,  xii,    166,    215,    221,    368. 

508. 
Boon,  Francis,  xiii,  88,  109,   110  123. 
Boon,  John,  xiii,  396. 
Boone,  Mr.,  xill,  421. 
Bordingh,  Claes,  xiii,  250,  204,  205,  803. 
Bore,  Joshua,  xii,  615. 
Borgh,  Mr.,  xil,  335. 
Borsboom,  Peter  Jaeobsen,  xiii,  353. 
Borton,  Wm.,xil,   586,  605. 
Bostiek,  Thomas,  xii,  647,  665. 
Boston,  XII,  39,  41,  03,  249,  437,  532;  xiii    102, 
29.5,  890,  493,  512,  517,  521,  523-4,  526-8,  5 

Englishmen  from,  at  Port  Orange,  xiii,  107. 

Governor  of,  xiii,  190. 
Bottien  (Buttein),  Jcllis,  xiii,  202. 
Boudt  (Bout),  Jan  Evertsen,  xii,  3,  10,  18,  60. 
Boulsa,  John,  xii,  048. 
Boulyn,  John,  xi  1 1,  567  et  seq. 


103. 


Boutje,  Willem,  xii,  96. 

Bovatz,  Andries,  xill,  302. 

Bow,  John,  XIII,  315. 

Bowery,  the,  xiil,  538. 

Bowman,  Mr.,  xii,  646. 

Bowne  (Boune),  "William,  xiii,  43. 

Boyd,  James,  xii,  524. 

Bover,  Alexander,  xii,  30,  83,  38,  44,  49,  137,  142,  158, 

178  et  seq.,  182,  193,  353,  255,  257,  283,  290,  308, 

371. 
letter  from,  43. 
Brabander,  Jan  Jansen,  xiii,  212,  230,  409. 
Bradborne,  John,  xii,  492,  534,  549,   020 
Bradford,  "William,  Gov.  of  Plymouth,  xii,  53. 
Braey,  Gisbert,  sergeant,  xn,  133  et  seq. 
Braintree,  Mass.,  xiii,  526. 
Braley,  Richard,  xii,  586. 
Brand,  Bernard,  xii,  620. 
Brantsen,  Cuelis,  xiii,  154. 
Brantsen,  Evert,  xii,   223. 
Brantz,  Corn.,  xiii,  212. 
Brasey,  Richard,  xii,  605. 
Brasev,  Robert,  sr.,  xii,  586,  605. 
Brasidy,  Robert,  jr.,  xn,  586,  605. 
Brate,  Abram,  xii,  665. 
Bratesman,  Jurian,  xii,  585. 
Braun,  "William,  xn,  414. 
Brazil,  xn,  55,  87. 
Bread  and  Cheese  Island,  xn,  648. 
Bredon,  Thomas,  Gov.  of  Nova  Scotia,  xill,  234. 
Breen,  Daniel,  xn,  533. 
Bremen,  Adam,  xn,  153. 
Breukelen  (Brooklyn,  L.  I.),xii,  66,99;  xiii,  103,  134, 

187,  391. 
Dominie  Bloom  preaches  at,  andMidwout,  xiii,103. 
minister  at,  xili,  155. 
Brewer,  Seneca,  xn,  647. 
Brewery,  xn,  375,  379,  443. 
Bridge  over  Esopus  Kil,  xiii,  86,  91,  98. 
Bridges,  John,  xn,  627;  xiii,  546-7. 
Bridges,  Mrs. ,  x  i  n ,  404. 
Briggs,  John,  xn,  544,  647,  665. 
Brightwen,  "William,  xn,  615. 
Brinekloe,  Jnc,  xn,  647,  657,  665. 
Brinckloe,  "William,  xn,  649. 
Brindley,  Luke,  xn,  615. 
Brinson,  Daniel,  xn,  624. 
Brinson,  Darius,  xn,  646. 
Bristol,  England,  xn,  663. 
Britton,  Lionell,  xn,  659. 
Brittaine,  Nathaniel,  xrn,  442. 
Broadhead,  Mrs.  Ann,  xiii,  426,  438,  443,449,  544. 
Broadhead,  Daniel,  Capt.,  xiii,  404,  406  et  seq. 
Broadway,  Edward,  xn,  008,  010,  635. 
BrockhoUs,  Anthony,  Capt.,  xn,  536,  537,    540,545, 

592,  595,  603,  663,  660,  667,  608,  069;  xin,  485, 

494,  498-501,  518,  551,  567-8. 
letters  from,  xn,   668;  xin,   518,  524,   527,  529, 

548-53,  554-6,  559,  560-6,  569,   571. 
letters  to,  xn,  663-3;  sin,  519,  530,  524,  526,  527, 

558. 
Broen,    Thomas,  xn,    37,   49,  53,   57,  124,  141  et  seq., 

149,  155,  158,  161,  182,  370,  373. 
Broerscn,  Jan,  XII,  342;  xin,  79,   81,   103  et  seq.,   119, 

154,  202,  214,  230,  410,  et  seq. 
Bronck,  Jan,  xlll,  482. 
Bronck,  Jonas,  xni,  5. 
Bronck,  Pieter,  xin,  898. 
Bronkx  River,  xin,  20,  bridge  over,  441. 


Index. 


589 


Brooklyn,  L.  I.     See  Brevkelm. 

Broundish,  John,  xiii,  66. 

Brouwer,  Phil.  Hendr.,  xiii,  203. 

Browne,  Daniel,  xi  i,  499,  545,  588  et  seq.,  624,  638. 

Browne,  George,  xli,  646,659. 

Browns,  John,  xiii,  395. 

Browne,  Mr.,  xiii,  557. 

Brunei,  Lewis,  xii,  136. 

Brusten,  Mr.,  xii,  60. 

Brayas,  Father,  xiii,  503,  510,  538,  527. 

letter  from,  xlll,  523. 
Bniylet  in  France,  xll,  145. 
Bruyn,  Hendrick,  xlil,212. 
Bniyn,  Jan  Hendrick,  xlii,  396,  397. 
Bruyn,  Jan  of  Pampoen,  xiii,  545. 
Bruyn,  Peter,  from  Rendsburg,  xill,  154,  213. 
Bruyn,  Thomas,  xn,  107,  136,  183. 
Bryant,  Anthony,  xll,  304,  560. 
Buckby,  John,  xlli,   574. 
Bucklew,  Peter,  xiii,  548. 
Budd,  John,  xii,  634. 
Budd,  Thomas,  xii,  650. 
Burhans  (Boerhans,  Buirhans),  Jacob,  xlli,   153,  30^, 

330,  247. 
Burhans,  Jan,  xiii,  451. 
Burhans,  John  Jacobs,  xin,  413. 
Burlington,  N.  J.,  xii,  48,  615,  634,  633,  046,  050. 
Burton,  J  no.,  xii,  647. 
Busaine,  Mattys,  xii,  140. 
Buttein  (Bottien),  Jellis,  xiii,  153. 
Butterfield,  the,  at  Esopus,  xiii,   444. 
Butterworth,  Daniel,  xiii,  414. 
Buys,  Jan  Cornelissen,  land  granted  to,  xlii,  37. 
Buys,  Juste,  xii,426. 
By  rams  River,  xiii,  24. 


c. 

Cabot,  Sebastian,  xiii,486. 

Caderaqui  (Caderrockque,  Cauderaque),  fort  near,  xiii, 

531. 
Cage,  Richard,  xiii,  407,  418,  448,  483. 
Cahoos,  the,  xiii,  185. 
Calc  Berge  (Bald  Mountains),  xiii,  444. 
Callcoons  Ilook,  xii,  648. 
Calton,  XII,  549. 
Calvert,  Charles,   Governor-General  of  Maryland,   xii, 

478,  528. 
Calvert,  Philipp,  Governor  of  MaiTland,  xii,  847,  856, 

357,  417,  422,  500. 
Campanius,  John,  xn,  28  »,  30. 

Canada,  xn,  48,  131,  542;  xin,  89,  92,  118,  133,  176, 
305,  511,  524,  531. 
governor  of,  xin,  498  ct  seq. 

claims  jurisdiction  ovir  the  Mohawks,  xin,  503. 
Mohawks  invade,  xin,  28. 
Canaresse,  Indian  name  for  Boomptjes  Hook,  xn,  160. 
Canastagione  (Niskayuna),  xni,  573. 
Caniff,  Ermod.  xin,  66. 

Caniskek  (Athens,  Greene  county),  xin,  397. 
Cantwell,  Edmund,  Captain,  xn,  496,   500  et  seq.,  506 
et  seq.,  515  et  seq.,  518  et  seq.,  533,  535,  527,  529, 
531,  536  et  seq.,  542  et  seq.,  553  el  seq.,  560  et  seq., 
576-8,    582,    587-8,    592,   594-5,   597,    602,   605, 
607-8,  611-3,  614,  630,  633,  633,  638,  641-5,  649, 
651. 
letters  from,  xn,  505,  545,  578,  631-3. 
letters  to,  xn,  516,  518,  519,  538,  543,  554,  555,  683. 


Cape  Cod,  xii,  48. 

Cape  Fonda,  xn,  48. 

Cai^e  Henlopen,  xn,  48,   194,  305,  215,  231,   331,  414, 

508,  577,  583,  669. 
Cape  Malabar,  xn,  48. 
Cape  May,  xn,  346,  650. 

Capito,  Mattheus,  xn,  351,  421;  xiii,  312,  330,  387, 
246,  259,  267,  274,  819,  836,  341,  347,  351. 
letters  from,  xn,  338;  xin,  367. 
Carcoon's  Hook,  xn,  482. 
Cardoso,  Isaac,  xn,  136. 
Carl,  Anthony,  xiii,  154. 
Carl  Gustaf,  King  of  Sweden,  xn,  87. 
Carle,  Jacob,  x  n  i ,  448. 
Carle,  Thomas,  xin,  434. 
Carman,  Caleb,  xn,  648. 
Carman  (Carreman),  Michael,  xn,  385,   338,  243,  248, 

285-6,  291,  293,  299,  301,  306,  315. 
Carolus,  Laurentius,  xn,  491,  544,  550,  620,  622.     See 

Laers,   Domine. 
Carolusen,  Hans,  xlll,  247,  340. 
Carr,  Andrew,  xn,  490,  491,  552,  018,  630,  648. 
Carr,  John,   Captain,  xn,  461-2,  464,   466,473-7,480, 

485,  488,  490,  493,  497,  501,  506-7,  526-7,  530, 
534-5,  587-40,  589,  606,  618,  643,  649. 

letter  from,  xn,  503. 

letters  to,  xn,  488,  508. 
Carr,  Nath'l,  Capt.,  xn,  574. 
Carr,  Patrick,  xn,  492. 
Carr,  Sir  Robert,  xn,  457,  458,  460. 
Carsten,  the  Norman,  xin,  280. 
Carstensen,  Claes,  the  Norman,  xin,  31. 
Carstensen,  RoelofE,  xn,  94. 

Carterett,    Sir  George,  of  Saltrum,  Proprietor  of  New 
Jersey,  xn,  568,  579;  xin,  469,  471,  472,  486,  509, 
541,  548. 
Carterett,  Capt.  James,  xn,  484,  486,  493;  xin,  461  et 
seq.,  466  et  seq. 

letter  from,  xin,  463. 

letters  to,  xni,  461,  466,  467,  468. 
Carterett,  Philipp,  Governor  of  New  Jersey,   xn,  484, 

486,  519,  524,  526,  545,  649;  xni,  405,  461  et 
seq.,  467,  471,  477,  508,  539-41,  551. 

estate  of,  in  New  Jersey,  seized  by  the  Dutch,  xin 

477. 
visit  of  Gov.  Andros  to,  xin,  542. 
letters  to,  xin,  535,  538,  548,  550,  563. 
Cartwright,  George,  xn,  458-9. 
Cathcrwood,  Jno.,  xn,  567. 
Catskil,  xin,  20,  26,  28,  74,  76,  290. 
Indian  lands  at,  xin,  481,  572. 
Catskil  Mo\mtains,  xin,  99. 
Caturaxas,  French  going  to,  xni,  500. 
Cay,  Hendrick,  xin,  388. 
Cedar  Neck,  xn,  616,  631,  646. 
Census  of  the  Delaware  District,  xn,  646. 

of  the  New  Jersey  towns,  xni,  476. 
Chadock,  Thomas,  xin,  544. 
Chaffan,  James,  xn,   649. 

Chambers,  Thomas,  xin,  69,  72,  79,   81-2,  86-9,  93-7, 
100^,   115-6,    130,  122,  128,  154,  164,  166,  178, 
194,  212-5,  230,  236^1,  245,  247,   249,  351,  256, 
275,  817-8,  329  et  seq.,  338,  845,  348-9,  351  et  seq., 
369,  377,  401,  408,  411,  438,  432  et  seq.,  436,  446 
et  seq.,  451  et  seq..  459  et  seq.,  468,  470,  482,  490, 
498,  504,  506-7,  512,  565. 
letters  to,  xin,  484,  566,  569,  571. 
letters  from,  xni,  77,  78,  335,  534. 
Chamnis,  Edward,  xn,  608. 


590 


Index. 


Champion,  John,  xii,  615. 

Chaptanke,  Md.,  xii,  631,  640. 

Charlus  I  of  England,  xil,  48;  xlli,  486. 

Charles  II  of  England,  xii,  468;  xiii,  469. 

letter  from,  to  Capt.  Berrv,  xili,  469. 
Phil  Carterett,  473. 
Charleston,  Mass.,  xiii,  517. 
Chew,  Mr.,  xii,  539. 

Chiepiessing,  xii,  478,  494,  636,  643,  651,  6.55. 
Chicheley,  Sir  Henry,  Gov.  of  Virginia,  xlll,  536,  557. 
Cliisara,  Robert,  xiii,  544. 
Chnltserae,  Del.,  xil,  648. 
Christina,  Del.,  xii,  468,     ^^.^  Fort  Christina. 
Christina  kil,  xii,  141,   175,  508,  532,  581.     See  Min- 

guaea  kil. 
Christina,  Queen  of  Sweden,  xii,  73,  413. 
Christiansen,  Paulus,  xiii,  153. 
Christofels,  .Johannes,  xin,  206. 
Claerhout,  Walraef,  xn,  432. 
Claes,  the  Norman,  xlii,  36,  148. 
Claes,  the  Smith,  xn,  178. 
Claesen,  Abbe,  xn,  191,  192. 
Claesen,  Hendrick,  xn,  491. 

Claesen,  Jacob,  alias  De  Vrint,  xn,  4.5,  307,  317,  335. 
Claesen,  Jan,  xni,  206. 
Claesen,  Pieter,  xn,  491. 
Claesen,  Tjerck  (De  Witt),  xni,  313,  330. 
Claessen,  Dirck,  xn,  164. 
Claessen,  Frederick,  xni,  203. 
Claessen,  Valentin,  xni,  153. 
Claessen,  WUliam,  xn,  158,  511. 
Claiborne,  Col.,  xni,  146. 
Claiborne,  William,  jr.,  letter  from,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant, 

xn,  406. 
Clare,  Melgur,  xni,  544. 
Clark,  Walter,  xni,  396. 
Clark,  Wilham,  xn,  633,  624,  6.54,  659. 

letter  from,  to  Gov.  Andros,  620,  654. 
Clarke,  Edward,  xin,  547. 
Clasen,  Leendert,  xn,  158,  161. 
Classen,  Dirck,  xin,  233. 
Classen,  Peter,  xn,  529. 
Classen,  William,  xn,  142. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Holland,  minutes  of  the,  xin, 
405,  416. 

letters  to,  384,  390,  393,  423. 
Clauson,  Claus,  xin,  414. 
Clauson,  John,  xn,  648. 
Clauson,  Peter,  xn,  648. 
Clauson,  William,  xn,  648. 
Claverack,  xin,  345,  389,  396-7,  51.5. 

farm  at,  leased,  xni,  186. 
Clayton,  William,  sr.,  xn,  615. 
Clayton,  William,  jr.,  xn,  615. 
Cleft,  Samuel,  xn,  624. 
Clement,  Abr.,  xn,  586,  588,  589,  605 
Clement,  Mrs.,  xn,  624. 
Clementson,  Jacob,  xn,  647. 
Clemmy,  Abraham,  xn,  545. 
Clemontee,  Olle,  xn,  491. 
Clentz,  Gottfried,  xin,  153. 
Clerck,  Mr.,  xin,  381. 
Clcyn  (Kleyn),  Elmerhuysen,  xn,  114,  133,  135  et  scq., 

158,  161,  169,  205,  290,  299,  303,  321. 
Cleynschmidt,  Marten,  xn,  282. 
Cliford,  Tlios.,  xn,  065. 
Clock,  Abraham  Martensen,  xin,  61,  71. 
Cloeck,  Cornells,  xn,  443. 
Cloughkawakanoe  Creek,  xni,  400. 


Clute,  Johannes,  xni,  396,  397. 

Cobes,  Ludovicus,  Sherifi  of  Schenectady,   xin,   388, 

489,  514,  .533. 
Cock,  E-ick,  xn,  544,  551,  586,  620. 
Cock  (Koch,  Kocx),  Gerrit,  xn,  440,  443. 
Cock,  Jan,  xn,  586. 
Cock,  John,  xni,  544. 
Cock,  Lanse,   xn,  533,  524,  560,  636. 
Cock,  Lars,  xn,  647. 

Cock,  Lawrence,  xn,  544,  551,  586,  620,  651. 
Cock,  Mon-is,  xn,  586. 

Cock,  Otto  Ernest,  xn,  544,  551,  557,  559,  620,  634. 
Cock,  Peter,  xni,  17,  44,  330,  366,  425,  463,  491,  505-6, 

519,  527,  530,  535,  544,  545,  550,  551,  557,  559,  620, 

634. 
Cock,  Peter,  jr.,  xn,  586. 
Cocksingh,  Indian  name  for  a  tract  of  land  in  Ulster 

Co.,  xin,  534,  571. 
Coddington,  Governor,  xin,  493. 
Coelen  (Cool),  Cornells  Jansen,  xni,  16,  17. 
Coen,  Adrian  Dircksen,  xn,  40. 
Coen,  Jacob,  xn,  117. 
Coenratsen,  Comelis,  xn,  59. 
Coerten,  Myndert,  xin,  206. 
Coertsen,  Evert,  xin,  233. 
Coettrier,  Hendrick,  xn,  429. 
Coettrier,  Jacob,  xn,  429. 
Coffin,  Abraham,  xn,  545. 
Cohanzy,  xn,  650. 
Cohocksinks  Creek,  xn,  551. 
Cohoes,  N.  Y.,  xni,  308. 
Colard,  Wm.,  xni,  488,  574. 
Cole,  Samuel,  xn,  650. 
Coleman,  Henry,  xn,  463,  469,  470,  648. 
Coleman,  Lar.s,  xn,  648. 
Collens,  Geo.,  xn,  646. 

Collier,  John,  Capt.,  xn,  556,  558,  572,  576,  581,  590, 
649. 
letter  from,  xn,  577. 
Collissen,  John,  xn,  589. 
Collyer,  Mr.,  xin,  542. 
Columbia  County,  xin,  519,  573. 

Colve,  Anthony,   Capt.,  Governor,   xn,   507,  509,  512  ; 
XIII,  47"3,  476,  535,  543. 
letter  from,  to  John  Ogden,  xin,  477. 
Comegys,  Corn.,  xn,  337. 

Comunipaw  to  be  fortified,  xin,  253.     See  Oemoenepa. 
Concord,  Mass,  xin,  526. 
Conell,  Jan,  xin,  572. 
Coney,  John,  xn,  665. 
Coninck,  Thomas,  xin,  156. 
Coningh,  Frederick  de.  Captain,  xn,  89,  91,  93,  95,  99, 

144,  272;  xin,  63. 
Coningsmarc,  Count,  supposed  son  of,  xi  i,  463,  465,  468, 

469.     See  Biiiclson,  John. 
Connecticut,  xn,  537;  xni,  493,  497,  539. 
Connecticut  river,  xn,  39;  xni,  308,  494,  511. 
Conrad,  Sander,  xin,  101. 
Conradus,  Mathias,  xn,  471. 
Consistory  of  Sweden,  xn,  307. 
Consistory  of  Wiltwyck,  xin,  306,  307,  311. 
Constable's  Hook,  granted  to  J.  J.  Roy,  xin,  19. 
Content,  Md,  xn,  619. 
Cooke,  .^nthonv,  xin,  412,  418,  448,  451. 
Cooke,  Edward,  xn,  586,  605,  634. 
Cooper,  William,  xn,  646. 
Corn,  Nicholas,  xn,  26. 
Coorncl,  Thomas,  land  on  Broncks  River  granted  to, 

XIII,  20. 


Index. 


591 


Coppenou,  Jan,  xiii,  79,  341. 

Corbett,  Jacob,  xiii,  547. 

Coresen,  Claes,  xiii,  234. 

Corhold,  Powell,  xii,  648. 

Corlaer's  Flat,  L.  I.,  xiii,  27. 

Corlaer's  Hook,  xiii,  10. 

Cornells,  Jacques,  xill,  253. 

Cornells,  Jan,  xill,  233,  234. 

Cornelissen,  Gerritt,  xiii,  306,  449,  507,  544. 

CorneUssen,  Hendrick,  xiii,  40,  77,  104,  119,  203,  312, 

340. 
Cornelissen,  Isaac,  xiii,  221. 
Cornelissen,  Jacques,  xill,  465. 
Cornelissen,  Jan,  xiii,  410,  414. 
Cornelissen,  Lawsa,  xii,  470. 
Cornelissen,  Lourens,  skeppel,  xi  i,  185,  187. 
Cornelissen,  Marten,  xili,  253. 
Cornelissen,  Peter,  xii,  55,  56,  59. 
Cornelissen,  Tennis,  xiii,  200,  253. 
Cornelius,  Harmen,  xii,  496,  532,  605,  620. 
Cornelius,  Hendrick,  xiii,  406. 
Cornelius,  Jacob,  xiii,  547. 
Cornelius,  John,  xil,  586. 
Cornell,  Richard,  xii,  524,  527. 
Cornelj's,  Laers,  xil,  545. 
Comh ill's  Neck,  xlli,  403. 
Corson,  Cornelius,  xiii,  547. 
Corson,  Garrett,  xiii,  547. 
Corson,  Jacob,  xiii,  547. 
Corson,  Peter,  xiii,  547. 
Corteljou,  Jacques,  xii,  133;  xili,  219,  244,  314,  382, 

421,  438,  443  et  seq.,  458. 
Cortes,  John,  xii,  665. 
Cos,  Claes  Pieterseu,  xiii,  37,  233. 
Coudrey,  Elias,  xii,  586. 
Coudrey,  Josias,  xli,  605. 

Courcev,  Henry,  xii,  301,  310,  312,  315,  355,  435;  xiii, 
507,  510,  516,  530,  555,  558  et  seq. 
agent  of  Maryland  to  treat  with  K.  Y.  Indians, 

536  et  seq. 
letters  from,  and  Col.  Lloyd,  557. 
Courcey,  James,  xii,  607. 
Cousseau,  Mr.,  xii,  472. 
Cousturier,  Mr.,  xii,  357,  434,  447,  449,  466. 
Couwenhoven,  Pieter,  xll,  491.     See  Wolphertsen,   Van 

Couwenltoven. 
Coventry,  Henrj',  xiii,  469._ 
Cowdry,  Joseph,  xii,  646. 
Crab,  Peter,  XII,  649. 
Crabbe,  Jacob,  xii,  137,  140  et  seq.,  149,  158,  177,  181, 

319,  335,  338. 
Cram  Kil,  xii,  551. 
Crane,  Robert,  xii,  69. 

Crane  Hook,  Del.,  xii,  536,  532,  535,  539,  645,  648. 
Crate,  Johan,  xll,  282,  289,   293,   395,   303,    310,   333, 

335. 
Crawford,  David,  xiii,  419,  430. 
Crawford,  James,  xii,  490,  493,  543. 
Cregier,  Francis,  xir,  323.  321,  331,  359,  375  et  seq.,  399 

et  seq.,  410,  423. 
Cregier,    Martin    (Cruger,    Cruvger,    Cryger),    Captain 
Lieut.,  XII,  03,  93,  97,  132,  103,  175,  186-7,  196, 
200,  203-4,  318,  333,  255,  259,  360,  261,  263,  266, 

267,  269,  373,  375,  378,  386,  388,  304,  308,  309, 
310,  316,  335,  343  e«  seq.,  360,  370,  459,  479,  494, 
496,  518,  522,  542,  544,  546,  662;  xiii,  151,  178, 

268,  272,  278-9,  385  ei  seq.,  293,  299,  303,  311, 
314,  317,  330,  322,  323,  348,  350,  351,  353,  358, 
362,  366,  377,  382. 


Cregier,   letters   from,  and  Secretary  van  Ruyven,  xir, 
262,  206,  3S0;  xiii,  273,  386. 

letters  to,  xiii,  284,  287,  289,  292,  295,  296,  302, 
304,  323. 

journals  of,  xiii,  314,  323. 
Creiipel  (Crespel),   Anthony,   xiii,  195,  330,  246,  446 
448,  506,  544. 

Creupelbos, ,  xiii,  315. 

Crewcorne  (Creekehorne),  xii,  645,  650,  658. 

Cripps,  Jolin,  xii,  615. 

Croeger,  Willem,  xiii,  154,  203. 

Crompton,  Thomas,  xii,  637  et  seq.,  633,  639  et  seq. 

Crooked  kill,  xli,  191. 

Croon,  Dirck  Janscn,  xiii,  88,  109,  110,  122. 

Croon,  Peter  Claesen,  Commissary,  xll,  110. 

Crosson,  Pierre,  xii,  314,  326;  xlli,  518. 

Cruder's  Neck,  xii,  574. 

Cruger.     See  Cregier. 

Crum  Elbow,  the,  xlll,  506. 

Crump,  Gysbert,  xiii,  448,  450. 

Crump,  Henry,  xiii,  448. 

Crumwell,  John,  sr.,  xiii,  574. 

Cruyff,  Elbert  Gerbcrtsen,  xiii,  309. 

Crynneri,  Jan  Cornelissen,  land  granted  to,  xiii,  38. 

Cm-ler,  Arent,  xii,  67;  xlii,  15. 

letter  from,  xiii,  15.     See  Van  Curler. 
Curler,  name  given  to  the  English  Governors  by  the 

Indians,  xlii,  499. 
Curtis,  Juo.,  XII,  647. 
Curtis,  Richard,  xiii,  548. 
Cuyper's  Island,  xii,  399. 
Cuyper,  Jan  Jansen,  xii,  36. 

D. 

D'Albo,  Andries,  xii,  218. 

Dalbo,  Elizabeth,  xil,  648. 

Dalboo,  John,  xii,  586. 

Dalboo,  Peter,  xii,  544. 

Dalva,  Antonio,  xili,  351  et  seq.,  408  et  seq.,  415. 

Damen,  Jan  Jansen,  one  of  the  eight  men,  xiil.  10. 

Dandrada,  Salvador,  xil,  117. 

Daniel,  Maurice,  xii,  548,  620,  636. 

Daniel,  Walter,  xiii,  544. 

Daniels,  Jacob,  xiii,  154. 

Daniels,  Johan,  xii,  415. 

Danielsen,  Jan,  xll,  425-6. 

Danskamer   (Dancechamber),   the,   on   Hudson's  river, 

XIII,  333,  352,  573. 
Dareth,  Jan,  xiii,  168,  264,  265,  271.  274,  278,  283,  336, 
378,  380,  399. 

journal  of,  xill,  380. 
Darnall,  William,  xlli,  547. 
Darrall,  Mr.,  xili,  543. 
Danes,  David,  xii,  644. 
Danse,  Euan,  xll,  665. 
Davenport,  flumphrey,  xill,  456. 

Davids,   Christ.,   xili,  73,  90,  104,  105,  115,  170,  186 
333,  347,  265,  287,  289,  331,  338,  423. 

patent  to,  for  land  in  the  Esopus,  xlil,  69. 
Davids,  Judith,  xll,  635. 
Davids,  Thos.,  xii,  635. 
Davidsen,  David,  xii,  33,  44,  49,  53,  371. 
Davidsens,  Kit,  River,  xiii,  170. 
Davis,  Nicholas,  xiii,  396. 
Davis,  Thomas,  xii,  586,  605,  625. 
Davit,  George,  interpreter,  xili,  504,  506. 
Davits,  Margaret,  xii,  340. 
Dawson,  John,  xii,  665. 


592 


Index. 


Deacon,  George,  xri,  608. 

Dead  Men's  Bones,  xiii,  451. 

Deale,  xli,  6G7,  669.     See  Horehil. 

Dear  Point,  xii,  647. 

De  Boogh,  Gerritt  Hendricksen,  xii,  387,  401. 

De  Capur,   Jan,   xii,   312,  316,  331,  346,  377,  391,   397, 

404,  40.5,  413,  415,  433,  451,  479. 
Decies,  Thomas,  xii,  62. 
Decker,  Mr.,  xii,  410. 
Decker,  Jacob  Jausen,  xiii,  544. 
De  Commer,  Jacob,  surgeon,  xii,  381  et  seq.,  401  et  seq., 

432. 
De  Cru.so,  Thimoty,'Xii,  111. 
De  Decker,  Abr.,  xii,  111. 

De  Decker,  Johan,  councillor  of  N.  N.,  xii,  108,  111, 
210,  312,  348;  xlll,  80,  186,  206,  214,  221,  231, 
240,   247,  254,  260,  204,   368,  278,  283,  289,  336 
et  seq. 
letters  from,  xiii,  260,  265,  3G8. 
letter  to,  xiii,  278. 
Deerfield,  xi  1 1,  511. 
De  Forreest,  Isaac,  xiii,  38. 
Deforest,  Madis  Lars,  xii,  534. 
De  G-ardous,  Frangois,  xiii,  153. 
De  Goyer,  Dirck,  xili,  114,  153,  213. 
De  Goyer,  Eldert,  xiii,  292. 
De  Goyer,  Evert,  xiii,  545. 
De  Graefif,  Dirck,  xiii,  119. 
De  Graeff,  Urbanus,  xiii,  153. 
De  Groot,  Gerrit,  xii,  387,  398,  406. 
De  Haes,  Annitje,  xil,  150. 
De  Hae.s, 'Gabriel,  xii,  154,  156,  158,  161. 
De   Haes,    Johannes,    xn,    150,    530,    535,    536,    538, 

560,  561,  563,  589,  606,  634. 
De  Haes,  Marietje,  xii,  150. 
De  Haes,  Roeloff,  xn,  149,  177,  179,  180,  181. 
De  Hinse,  Jacob,  xii,  177. 
De  Hinson,  Jacob,  surgeon,  xiii,  113,  439. 
De  Hit,  Willems,  xn,  181. 
De  Hooges,  Johannes,  xiii,  544. 
De  Hulter,  Johan,  xiii,  70,  71,  97,  158,  176. 
De  Hulter,  Mrs.,  xni,  86,  Q3  et  seq.,  98,   230.     See  De 

Laet. 
De  Jager,  Cornells  Herperts,  xn,  337,  308. 
De  Jonge,  Peter,  xn,  130. 

De  Laet,  Johanna  (Mrs.  de  Hulter),  xni,  71,  98. 
De  la  Praire,  Mr.,  xn,  486. 

De  la  Poterie,  Governor  of  Trois  Rivieres,  xni,  89. 
Delavall,  Thomas,   xn,  469,  472,  497,  506,   507,   525, 
577,  592,  595,  600,  602;  xni,  403,  406,  414,445 
et  seq.,  452,  466,  468-9,  496-8,  501,  536,  dead  565. 
letters  to,  from  Capt.  Brockholls,  xni,  552,  554. 
Delaware,  the  District  on  the,  as  a  place  of  exile,  xn, 
20,  131. 
the  duke's  laws  introduced  in,  561. 
weights  and  measures  in,  578. 
trade  of,  xn,  459,  462,  481,  506-7,  564,   566,   573, 

593,  606. 
privileges    granted    to    the  inhabitants    of,     xll, 

507. 
defenses  of,  487,  493,  501. 

magistrates  of,  xn,  533,  538,  557-9,  563,  566,  581, 
585,  590,  608,  610,  634,  669. 
letters  from,  xn,  539,  575,  590,  600. 
letters  to,  xn,  513,  566,  581,  585. 
Delaware  bay,  xn,  313,  484. 
Delaware  falls,  xn,  531,  541,  611,  633,  626,  645. 
court  of,  X  n ,  646. 
feny  at,  xn,  520. 


Delaware  bay,  xn,  457,  459,  460  et  seq.,  463,  467,  469, 
472,  473,  474,  475,  480,  484,  487,  494,  497,  498,  500, 
501. 

Delaware,  xi  i,  506,  513,  514,  530,  536,  537,  543,  545,  553, 
556,  559,  560,  561,  565,  567,  579,  580,  581,  585,  592, 
593,  594,  597,  610,  611,  613,  616,  617,  630.  639,  636, 
640,  650,  651,  660,  666,  669. 

Delaware,  Lord,  xni,  486. 

Delaware  river,  xin,  484. 

De  Lesigny,  Mr.,  xlii,  537. 

De  Loper,  Hendrick,  xn,  466,  485. 

De  Lucena,  Abr.,  xn,  117. 

De  Meyer,  N.  Capt,  xn,  033;  xin,  416,  506,  530. 

De  MuHe,  Jacob,  xin,  547. 

De  Necker,  Gillis,  xni,  114,  117,  153. 

Denne,  John,  xn,  544. 

Dennis,  Robert,  xin,  406. 

Denny,  John,  xn,  651. 

Denton,  Daniel,  xni,  405. 

De  Peyster,  Joannis,  xn,  308. 

De  Pruyn,  Abr.,  xii^  341. 

De  Raeth,  Henrick,  Capt.,  xn,  195,  199,  342. 

Derby,  Conn.,  xin,  21. 

Derckseu,  Abel,  xin,  153. 

Dericke,  Gilbert,  xn,  649. 

Dericksen,  Gisbert,  xn,  471,  589. 

De  Ring,  Mr.,  xn,  643. 

De  Ringe,  Amelius,  xn,  636  641. 

De  Ringe,  Matheus,  xn,  641,  649. 

Pe  Ringe,  Paulus,  xn,  636. 

De  Ringh, ,  xn,  312. 

Deringh,  Nic.,  xn,  334,  341,  354,  438. 

De  Ruvter,  Admiral,  xn,  334. 

De  Ruyter,  Claes,  xn,  57,  63,  63,  126,  363,  413.  419,423. 

De  Ruyter,  Claes  Jansen,  Indian  interpreter,  xiii,  48, 
86,  99  et  seq.,  104,  148,  150,  168,  170,  173,  174,  178, 
201-2,  207. 

De  Ruyter.     See  Ruyter. 

De  Ryke,  Jan  Cornells,  xn,  236. 

Do  Schilder,  Jan,  xni,  299. 

De  Shaw,  John,  xn,  647. 

De  Sille,  Nicasius,  Councillor  of  N.  N.,  xn,  77,  83, 
91-7,  99,  118,  120-4,  127-8,  144,  165-9,  171-3,  174, 
184,  193,  195-6,  310,  212,  226,  295-7,  311,  313,  339, 
388;  xin,  54,  61,  69,  80,  138,  160,  166,  171,  178,  186, 
306,  314,  331,  340,  243,  347-8,  253,  313,  317,  322,  357-9, 
377,  388  et  seq. 

Desjardins,  John,  Dr.,  xn,  534-7. 

De  Treux,  Isaac,  xin,  515. 

De  Visser,  Jan,  xn,  98. 

De  Vogel,  Matty,  xn,  140. 

De  Vogelaer,  Jacob,  xn,  440. 

De  Vos,  Harmen,  xni,  234. 

Devos,  Mathiason,  Mathias,  xn,  586. 

De  Vos,  Matheus,  xn,  170,  340. 

De  Vors,  Peter,  Indian  interpreter,  xin,  521,  533.  See 
Van  Voris. 

De  Vries,  David  Pietersen,  xn,  38  7i. ;  xni,  6,  7. 

De  Vries,  Frederick,  xin,  6. 

De  Vries,  Regnier,  xn,  203. 

De  Vrint,  Jacob,  xn,  250,  337.     See  Clnesen,  Jneoh. 

De  Wael,  Jacob,  xin,  448. 

De  Winter,  Bastian,  xin.  253. 

De  "Witt,  Andries,  xin,  571. 

De  Witt,  Claes,  xn,  256. 

De  Witt,  Jan,  xn,  340. 

De  Witt,  Peter,  xn,  530,  655. 

De  Witt,  Tjerck  Classen,  xin,  238,  239,  245,  240,  251, 
256,  284,  318,  327,  407,  413,  431,  440,  451. 


Index. 


593 


De  Wolf,  Abel,  xiii,  99  et  %eq. 

Deyo,  Christian,  xiii,  506. 

Deyo,  Peter,  xlll,  506. 

D'Hiaojossa,  Alex,  Lieut.,  xii,  163,  165,204,  318,  227, 
230,  335,  337-9,  243,  358,  263,  264,  365,  269,  270, 
282,  383,  386,  287,  289,  390,  393,  398,  394,  395, 
296,  298,  399,  301,  803,  805,  306,  308,  309,  310, 
311,  313,  318,  321,  333,  325,  327,  338,  339,  333, 
333,  334,  335,  343,  345,  847  et  seq.,  854,  356, 
357  et  seq.,  868,  373,  375  et  seq.,  384  et  seq.,  888, 
dSdetseq.,  392,  396,  397,  398,  400,  403  et  seq.. 
406,  408,  411  et  seq.,  416,  431,  423.  437,  434,  437, 
442,  447,  448,  449,  451,  460. 
letter  from,  xii,  880. 
letter  to,  xii,  881. 

Dickenson,  Walter,  xii,  635,  6^2  et  seq. 

Dickerinan,  Isaac,  xiii,  574,  657. 

Dicks,  Robert,  xii,  544,  573. 

Diliotb,  John,  xiil,  448. 

Dirck,  .Jan,  xiii,  361. 

Dirck,  Paulus,  from  Luxemburg,  xiii,  206. 

Dircks,  Abel,  xiii,  117. 

Dircks,  Gysbert,  xii,  534. 

Dirckseu,  Barent,  one  of  the  Eight  Men,  xiii,  16. 

Dircksen,  Jan,  from  Bremen,  xiii,  26,  69,  388. 

Dircksen,  .Joris,  xiil,  8. 

Dircksen,  Lucas,  Sergt.,  xii,  119,  148,  153,  179. 

Dircksen,  Peter,  xui,  77,  79,  81,  100,  104,  115,  213. 

Dirck,  Evertje,  xil,  131. 

Directors  of  the  W.  I.  Company,  letters  from,  to  Dir. 
Stuyvesant,  xii,  47,  73,  78,   74,   85,  86,  90,  113, 
119,  128,  131,  183,  185,  214,  215,  216,    333,   271, 
287,  326,  332,  359,  407,  424,  437,  484,  440,   443, 
445;  XIII,  21,  28,  26,  27,  33,  34,  35,  68,   70,  73. 
75,  80,  98,  99,  121,  129,  149,  155,   158,  187,   339. 
letters  to,   from  Dir.    Stuyvesant,    xii,   346,    249, 
254,  388,  304,  317,  336,  833,  347,  373,   389,  408, 
421,  453,  455;  xiii,  100.  107,  110,  123,  180,  163, 
176,  189,  190,  204,  333,  372,  890. 
from  the  Council  of  N.  K,  xiii,  181,  390. 
to  the  Council  of  N.  N.,  xli,  88,  90,  91. 
to  Vice-Director  Beekman,  xii,  443. 

Dirrick,  Lichten,  xlli,  245,  246. 

Dishaa,  Jno.,  xii,  665. 

Ditarman  (Dickerman),  Isaac,  xlli,  488. 

Doedesen,  Meyndert,  xii,  197,  300. 

Domenicus,  Regnier,  xii,  54,  140,  178,  180. 

Dorchester  County,  Md.,  xii,  638,  639. 

Dorian,  Lambert,  xiii,  547. 

Doughty,  Elias.  xiii,  498. 

Doughty  (Douthey),  Francis,  xiii,  18. 

Douglas,  Wm.,  xii,  472. 

Douw.     See  Jansen,  Volelcert. 

Douwes,  Anne,  Capt.,  xii,  94,  103. 

Douwes,  Hester,  xiii,  346. 

Douwesen,  Harmen,  xiir,  804. 

Douxen,  Paulus,  xii,  649. 

Downer,  Harman,  xlil,  33. 

Doxy,  Ralph,  xli,  513. 

Drake,  John,  xiii,  489. 

Drake,  Samuel,  xiii,  420,  489. 

Drake,  Samuel,  jr.,  489. 

Driessen,  Berene,  xiii,  75. 

Drisius,  rev.  Samuel,  xiii,  59,  391,  393,  405,  420,  433. 
letters  from,  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  xni    390, 
393. 

Droochetraeder,  Herm,  xii,  532. 

Drumers  Neck,  xii,  547. 

Dubois,  Abraham,  xiii,  507. 

75 


Dubois,  Isaac,  xiii,  507. 

Dubois,  Lewis,  xiii,  212,  238,  246,  407  ei  sea.,  448,  450, 

506-7,  515,  533,  544,  558,  565-6. 
Dubreuil,  Mathien,  xii,  882  <;!;  seg.,  406. 
Duck  Creek,  xii,  544,    600,   619,  638,  636  et  sen..  639, 

644,  047,  651,  656,  661,  666. 
Duke's  laws,  the,  xii,  561. 
Dumont,  Walrave,  xiii,  353,  212,  351,  407,  Am  ct  seq  , 

418,  446. 
Duncke,  William,  xii,  648. 

Du  Parck,  Jan,  xii,  815,  839;  xiii,  212,  247,  338. 
Du  Pre,  John,  xii,  586,  605. 
Durham,  Robert,  xii,  615. 
Duten,  Jan,  xii,  49. 
Dux,  Paulus,  XII,  490. 
Duyts,  Laurens,  xiii,  5. 

Dyck,  Hendrick,  xii,  381,  383,  385,  386,  392,  431. 
Dyckman,  Johannes,  xiii,  247. 
Dyre,  Capt.  Wm.,  xii,   536,    537,    540,    542,    545,    593, 

594;  xiii,  483,  485.  491,  493,  498,  501,  543,  549. 

E. 

Eager,  Thos.,  xiii,  448. 

Easineh,  part  of  Ulster  Co.,  so  called,  xiii,  403. 
Eastchester,  xiii,  420,  433,  441,  501. 
Assessment  Roll  of,  xiii,  488. 
contributions  of,  xiii,  433. 
Court  at,  XIII,  474. 
Easthampton,  L.  I.,  xiii,  537. 
East  Jersey,  xiii,  486. 
Eaton,  Sam,  xii,  83. 

Eaton,  Theo.,  Gov.  of  New  Haven,  xii,  70,  83. 
Ebel,    Peter,    xii,    57,    181;    xiii,    48,    304,    314,    317, 

833. 
Ebbingh,  Jeronimus,  xiii,  98,  158,  176,  313,  352,  446. 
Eck,  Evert  Hendrickseu,  xii,  533,  534,  535. 
Eckhoff  (Eeckhoft),  Jan,  xii,  106,  136,  346,  148,  154, 

158,  179,  181-3. 
Edmonson,  ,Tohn,  xii,  578,  631. 
Edsall,  Samuel,   xii,   449,   490,   493,   533-5,   541,   570; 

xiii,  370,  359,  494,  497. 
Edwards,  Harmen,  xiii,  233,  360. 
Eets,  Hendrick,  xiii,  186. 
Egbert,  Barnard,  xii,  535,  543. 
Egbert,  Heindrik,  xii,  158. 
Egbertsen,  Barent,  xii,  649. 
Eken,  Bernard,  xii,  490. 
Elbertsen,  Elbert,  xiii,  45. 
Elders,  Jacob,  xii,  207,  218. 
Eldertsen,  Luycas,  xii,  58. 
Elgar,  Thomas,  xiii,  412,  418. 
Elit,  William,  xiii,  67. 

Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  xil,  486;  xiii,  405,  473  et  seq., 
539. 
patent  for,  by  Col.  Nichols  made  void,  xiii,  471. 
delegates  of  N.  J.  to  meet  at,  xiii,  541. 
Elkinton,  George,  xii,  615. 
EUett,  Ch.,  XII,  647. 
Elenburgh,  N.  J.,  xii,  010. 
Elsenburgh  in  Sweden,  xii,  145. 
Elston,  William,  xiii,  548. 
Elswort,  Staffel,  xlii,  315. 

Elsvs^ck,  Hendrick  van,  xii,  83,  101,  104,  110-1. 
Elton,  .Jan,  xiil,  507. 
Ely,   Samuel,   agent  of  Massachusetts,  xiii,   521,   533, 

535,  528. 
Emmens,  Elias,  xil,  135,  137-8,  140,  179. 
Endicott,  John,  Gov.  of  Mass.,  xii,  50;  xiii,  224. 


594 


Index. 


Euglish,  the,  XII,  48,  64,  186,  205,  215,  247,  249,  250, 
253,  254,   255,   257,  258,  264,  271,  274,  275,  278, 
280,  306,   316,  337,  338,  343,  344,  345,  346,  347, 
349,  375  et  aeq.,  414,  416,  427,  430,  436,  437,  440, 
443,  449,  510;  xiii,  8,  10,  21,  23,  30,  379,   389, 
393. 
from  Boston,  xiil,  224. 
of  Connecticut,  xill,  887. 
from  Hartford,  .xiil,  101,  107. 
of  Long  Island,  xii,  99;  xiil,  41,  270,  322. 
of  New  England,  XI 1 ,  34,  39, 50, 62,  82,  113 ;  xi  1 1,33. 
of  Nova  Scotia,  xiii,  224,  297. 
of  Virginia,  xli,  200,  247. 
at  ttic  Newesinghs,  xiii,  193,   195,  208,  239,  281, 

311,  314. 
intrigues  with  N.  N.  Indians,  xili,  363,  390,  392. 
ill  Westcliester,  xlii,  36,  62  et  seq. 
claims  of,  on  the  South  river,  xii,   52,  63,  242-8, 
250,  253,  355,  362,  333,  347. 
English  river,  xii,  357. 
Eiiloos,  Abraham,  xii,  544,  548. 
Enloos,  Pr.,  XII,  317,  222. 
Ercks,  Paul,  xiii,  74. 
Ericksen,  Erick,  xii,  470. 
Ericksen,  Jan,  xli,  491,  568,  648. 
Ernest,  Otto,  xii,  524. 
Erskin,John,  xii,  490,  649. 
Eskels,  Abr.,  xii,  253. 
Eskelson,  Bartel,  xii,  647. 
Eskelson,  Lawsa,  xii,  469,  470,  648. 
Eskelson  (Escholsen),  Hattys,  xii,  490,  649. 
Espating,  N.  J.,  xin,  479. 
Esselse,  Mathys,  xii,  107. 

Esopus,  XI  I,  216,  255,  267,  270,  297,  301,  305-6,  310, 
315,  484-6,  438,  463,  513,  542;  xiil,  69,  71,  73, 
70-8,  81,  84,  86,  89,  91,  98,  102-4,  111,  114,  118, 
124,  135,  154,  158-9,  1G6,  170,  187,  192,  195,  221, 
228,  240-3,  245,  256,  272,  280,  283,  286,  391-3, 
332,  354-5,  382,  385,  428  et  seq.,  440,  443  et  seq., 
457,  464,  496,  498,  515,  534,  543,  552-4. 
Indian  name  of,  xiii,  47. 
called  Wildwyck,  x III,  195;  Kingston,   432;    Swa- 

nenburgh,   480. 
boundaries  of,  xiii,  418. 
dominies  or  State-house  at,  xiii,  429. 
government  of,   xiii,  420,  475,   by  English  laws, 

438,  471. 
new  village  at,  xiii,  220. 
population  of,  xiii,  79. 
taxes,  XI  n,  211,  470. 
trade  of,  xill,  458,  403. 
Esopus,  Great,  xiii,  77. 

Esopus  kil,  XI II,  99,  304,  333,  334,  340-353,  418. 
Esopus,  Little,  xiii,  100. 
Esopus,  the,  Mutiny,  xili,  406—115. 
Eues,  Thomas,  xii,  015. 
Eues,  Witten,  xii,  492. 
Eustace,  John,  xii,  491,  648. 
Eustasen,  James,  xii,  G20. 
Eustason,  Urmus,  xii,  648. 
Evans,  Mr.,  xll,  68. 
Eversen,  Arent,  schoolmaster,  xil,  423. 
Eversen,  Cornelis,  jr.,  xil,  507. 
Evert,  Mr.,  xii,  318. 
Evert,  the  cooper,  xili,  538. 
Evert,  the  precentor,  xil,  390. 
Evert,  the  fin,  xil,  470. 
Evertsen,  .Cornells,  jr.,  xiii,  473,  470. 
Evertsen,  Trientjc,  xiii,  321. 


Eyfgrauw  (Ifgrouw),  Ele,  xii,  148,  161. 
Eymans,  Johannes,  xll,  153,  154. 


Fabricius,  Rev.  Jacob,   xii,   466  h,  473,  513,531,  539, 

531,  533,  534,  535,  537,  538,  539,  540. 
Factor,  Cornelis  M.,  xii,  376,  381,  385,  391,  399. 
Faen,  Jacob,  xii,  548. 
Farington,  Thomas,  xlii,  488,  574. 
Farling,  Henry,  xiii,  419. 
Fen,  Benjamin,  xii,  83  ». ;  xiii,  308,  210. 
Feudal,  Josias,  Governor  of  Maryland,  xii,  248,  253, 

261,  320,  333. 
Fenix,  Sander,  xii,  179. 
Fenwyck,  Jolin,  Major,  xll,  542,  545,  559,  561,  565.  566, 

568,  579,  592,  594,  595,  597,  598,  599,  600,   602,  606, 

609,  610. 
Ferch,  Michar-l,  xiii,  117. 
Ferguson,  Huraplirey,  siii,  409  e<  sej.,  414. 
Ferris,  John,  xiii,  574. 
Ferry  between  Bergen  and  the  Manhattans,  xiii,  214, 

234. 
Field,  Samuel,  xii,  646,  659. 
Finances  of  N.  N.,  xili,  372. 
Finchard,  Cornelius,  xlii,  413. 
Finehold,  Corn,  xiii,  448. 
Finland,  Penn.,  xii,  109,  191. 
Fins,  XII,    105,    126,    130,    169,    287,   298-301,    306-8, 

336,  345,  350,  384,  406,  426,    451,    463-4,    508,    533, 

536,  539. 
Firis,  John,  xiii,  488. 
Fish,  Gasper,  xll,  544,  549,  551,  620. 
Fisher,  William,  xlii,   407  et  seq.,  414,  418,  436,  448, 

450,  544. 
Fishkill,  Dutchess  county,  xiii,  569. 
Fiske,  Jasper,  xii,  586. 
Fitzger.ald,  John,  xiii,  547. 
Flamman,  Jan,  Captain,  xii,  97,  137,  liO  et  seq.,  140  eJ 

seq.,  195,  201. 
Flatbush,  L.  I.     See  Midwout. 
Flatlands,  L.  I.     See  Amersfoort. 
Flayle,  Thomas,  xii,  648. 
Fletcher,  Mr.,  xll,  499. 

Flipsen,  Frederick,  xlli,  76.     See  PJiilipps. 
Florissen,  Joris,  xil,  406,  409,  410,  418. 
Floyd,  Charles,  xii,  490. 
Flushing,  xlll,  421.     See  Tlissingen. 
Ford,  Wm.,  xii,  544. 
Pordham,  xiii,  459,  493. 
bi'idge  at,  xi  ii,  441. 

manorial  court  to  be  held  at,  xiii,  471,  483. 
Forgason,  John,  xiii,  488. 
Forgason,  John,  sr.,  xlll,  574. 
Forgason,  John,  jr.,  xlli,  574. 
Forcken  (Focken,  Foker),  Gerritt,  xiii,  212,  407  etseq., 

413,  445,  449. 
Fort,  about  twenty  leagues  north  of  Albany,  proijosed, 

XIII,  35. 
Fort  Albany,  xiil,  395,  397,  399. 

Fort  Altena,  xii,  175,  183,  198,  202,  304,  311,  313,  220, 
236-7,  341,  356,  307,  316,  446;  xiii,  333. 
condition  of,  xii,  299,  307,  439. 
Fort  Bevcrsreede,  xii,  38,  43,  45,  46. 
Fort  Casimir,  xii,  72,  75-7,  83,  85,  98,  100-3,  115,  119, 
132,  138,  139-40,  145,  151,  160-7,  170,  173,  175, 
177  ctseq.,  197,  305. 
called  New  Amstel,  xii,  133. 
condition  of,  xii,  135. 


Index. 


oyjj 


Fort  Casimir,  Indian  name  of,  xii,  100. 
inhabitants  of,  xii,  158. 
(New  Castle,  Del.) 
Fort  Christina,    xli,   28  (note),  29,  90,  98,  100-2,  104, 
106-7,  109,  119,  132.  173,  175,  188,  193,  207,  253, 
314,  423,  441,  445. 
called  Altena,  xii,  132. 
(Wilmington,  Del.) 
Fort  Elsenburgh,  xii,  29,  101. 
Fort  James,  xii,  458-9,  463,  482;  xiii,  395. 
Fort  Nassau,  Fort  Orange  so  called,  xiii,  479. 
Fort  Nassau,  on  the  Delawai-e,  xi  i,  26,  28  (note),  32,  39, 
41-3,  53,  56,  370  et  seq. 
demolished,  73. 
Fort  New-Amstel,  xii,  174. 
Fort  on  the  Sandhook,  xil,  105. 

(Fort  Casimir.) 
Fort  Orange,  xii,  48,  55,  64,   108,   117,  196,   199-301, 
308,  237,  255,   872;  xiil,  21,  23,  36,  39,  72,   77, 
79,  83,  86,  88,  90,  95,  98,  101,  105,  107,  114,  131, 
162,  168,  170,  175,  178,  188,  190-1,  193,  203,  315, 
219,   223-4,  244,   250,  254,   273,  375,  277  et  seq., 
283-3,  294,  296-7,  299,  302,  317,  334,  330  et  seq., 
345,  348  et  seq.,  355,  308,  378,  383,  388  et  seq.,  390. 
bricks  from,  xli,  236. 
called  Fort  Nassau,  xiii,  479. 
Canada  Indians  to  be  eucom'aged  to  come  to,  xi  1 1, 

35. 
condition  of,  xiii,  258,  303,  309. 
conferences  with  Indians  at,  xni,  73,  93,  108.     See 
Albany,  ^ew-Albany,  Wlllemstadt. 
Fort  William  Henry,  xii,  508,  509  et  seq. 
Fourloung,  Edw.,  xii,  586,  605. 
Fowlebeard,  Hen.,  xiii,  409. 
Fowler  (Fouler),  Joseph,  xiii,  41. 
Fox  Hall,  XIII,  448. 

erected  into  a  manor,  468. 
France,  Hubertus,  xii,  58(3. 
Francis,  OUe,  xil,  648. 
Francis,  Robert,  xii,  544,  G;j5. 
Franfon,  Arian,  xiii,  448. 
Franien,  Oloflf,  xii,  107. 
Fransen,  Dirck,  xii,  584. 
Fransen,  Hinricli,  xii,  539. 
Fransen,  Olle,  xii,  470. 
Frazer,  Robert,  xii,  605. 

French,  the,   of  Canada,   xil,   90;  xiii,  109,  183,  176, 
305,  335,  483,  519. 
on  Staten-Island,  xlii,  391,  567. 
prisoners  among  the  Mohawks,  xiii,  15,  113. 
Mohawks  at  peace  with  the,  xiil,  33. 
Mohawks  at  war  with  the,  xiii,  38. 

must  redeem  their  own  jjrisoners,  id. 
the  Mohawks  promise  assistance  against  the,  xiii, 

479. 
menacing  Englisli  Indians,  xiii,  484. 
receive  North  Indians  into  their  protection,  xm, 

497. 
reported  as  meditating  an  invasion,  xm,  498. 
French  fort  cut  off  by  Mohawks  and  Senecas,  xi  ii,  175. 
Fredericks,  Thomas,  xiii,  234. 
Fredericksen,  Wm.,  xm,  9. 
Fredricks,  Herman,  xii,  493. 
Fredricks,  Michael,  xm,  549. 
Freeman,  Francis,  xm,  ^Ql  et  seq. 
French,  Edward,  xm,  414,  418,  448,  451. 
Frere,  I3ugi,  xm,  507. 
Fresh  Kill,  S.  I.,  xm,  518,  547-8. 
Fresh  river,  the,  xm,  58,  150,  381,  387. 


Freshwater  river,  xii,  48. 

Frontenac,  Comte  de,  xm,  534,  527. 

Frounsen,  Simon,  xii,  665. 

Frudeyachkamick,  place  on  Hudson's  river,  xm,  505. 

Fugitive  servants,  xii,  195,  305,  311,  21.5,  238,  247,  350, 

355,  394,  397,  801,  310,  313,   821,  846,  406,  414,  416, 

427,  450,  453,  503. 
Fuller  (Wheeler?),  xii,  338. 
Fur  trade,  importance  of,  xm,  27. 
Futcher,  William,  xii,  638. 
Fuyck,  the,  xm,  231. 

G. 

Gabry,  Timothy,  xil,  311;  xm,  416. 

Galdert,  William,  xm,  315. 

Gansevoort,  Harmen  Harmeusen,  xm,  78. 

Gardener,  Henry,  xm,  488,   574. 

Gardenier,  Jacob  Jansen,  xm,  566. 

Gardiner's  Island,  xii,  338. 

Gardner,  Thomas,  Capt.,  xm,  334,  336,  227. 

Garland,  Susan,  xil,   624. 

Garret,  Carl,  xm,  153. 

Garrett,  Evert,  xii,  649. 

Garrett,  George,  xm,  548. 

Garretson,  Arson,  xm,  544. 

Garretson,  Derrick,  xm,  488,  574. 

Garretson,  John,  xii,  649. 

Garretson,  Martin,  xii,  556. 

Garton,  Thomas,  xm,  544. 

Garton,  M.,  xm,  544. 

Gegout,  ,  XII,  476.     See  Jejow. 

Gemoenepaw,  xll,    253;  xm,   86-7,  171,  233-4,   353, 

268,  382,  350  {Communipaw,  N.  J.) 
Gemoenepaw  Kil,  xm,  23. 
Gerardy,  Johannes,  xli,  54. 
Gerraert,  Philipp,  xil,  30. 
Gerret,  Jan,  xii,  149. 
Gerrett,  Mars,  xii,  490. 
Gerritsen,  Albert,  xm,  330,  247. 
Gerritsen,  Adrian,  xm,  88,  93,  110,  316,  482. 
Gerritsen,  Arian,  xm,  346,  414. 
Gerritsen,  Barent,  xm,  313,  230,  336,  245. 
Gerritsen,  Dirck,  xm,  238,  234. 
GeiTitsen,  Evert,  xii,  490-1;  xm,  271. 
Gerritsen,  Gerrit,  xm,  231,  333,  352,  368,  294. 
Gerritsen,  Goose,  xm,  243,  264,  266,  304,  387,  417,  573. 
Gerritsen,  Harmen,  xm,  544. 
Gerritsen,  Hendrick,  xm,  398. 
Gerritsen,  Jan,  xil,  178,  181;  xm,  202,  248,  346. 
Gerritsen,  Jan,  from  Oldenburg,  xm,  330. 
Gerritsen,  Martin,  xm,  504,  507,  530-1,  545,  561. 
Gerritsen,  Olfert  (Wolfert),  xm,  33. 
Gerritsen,  Reymck,  xli,  143. 
Gerritsen,  Wessel,  xil,  95. 
Gerritsen's  Bay,  xii,  333. 
Gertsen,  Martin,  xii,  534. 
Getes,  John,  xii,  665. 
Gibbons,  Ric,  xm,  396,  398. 
Giker,  Hoye,  xii,  410. 
Gilljert,  Isaiah,  xm,  66. 
Gilbert,  Matthew,  xm,  308. 
Gilbert,  Obadiah,  xm,  66. 
Gillengrey  (Guldengreis,  Gulengreyn),   Elias,   xii.   71, 

141,  143,   151 
Gilles,  James,  xm,  547. 

Gillis,  ,  XII,  167. 

Gillman,  Charies,  xm,  406. 
Ginby,  John,  xm,  488. 


596 


Index. 


Gisbert,  Gerrit,  xiii,  544. 

Glen,  Sander  Leendertseii,  xil,  63;  xiii,  233,  307,  405 

48y,  500.     See  Leendertsen,  Sandi-r. 
Glocester,  xii,   544. 
Glover,  John,  xii,  636  et  seq.,  005. 
Goden,  John,  xiii,  489. 
Goden,  Samuel,  xiii,  489. 
Goebertsen,  Albert,  xiii,   104. 
Goefers,  Albert,  xiil,   154. 
Goesey,  Jafetli,   xii,  665. 
Goldinge,  Wm.,  .xiii,  395,  396. 

Goldsmith,  ,  xii,  620. 

Goodyear,  Stephen,  Dep.  Gov.,  xll,   82. 

Gorsuch,  Richard,  xii,  506. 

Gottenburg  in  Sweden,  xii,  110. 

Gouldsberry,  Robert,  xiii,  433,  448. 

Gouldsmid,  Mr.,  xii,  355,  433. 

Governor's  Island.      See  Noteii  Island. 

Govertsen,  Albert,  xiii,  314. 

Gowersen,  Albert,  xiii,  544. 

Graaff,  Dirck  Hendricksen,  xiii,  81. 

Graeffs,  Jan,  xiii,  154. 

Graevenraet  (Greveraet),  Isaac,  schout  of  Esopus,  xiii, 

401,  416,  458,  470,  482. 
Graham,  .James,  xiii,  543,  547. 

Grain,  xii,   63,  64,   134,  168,   186,  194,  303,  204,  206, 
222,  236,  244,  393,  354,  418,  481,  663;  xiii,  313. 
at  the  Esopus;  xiii,  77,  154. 
Gravesend,  L.  I.,  xii,  51;  xiii,  39-41,  43,  47,  270,  356 

358,  393,  396,  398,  416,  567. 
Gray,  John,  xili,  67. 
Gray,  Samuel,  xil,  638. 
Gray,  William,  xiii,  544. 
Great  Mohawk  Flat,  xiii,  344. 
Great  Plain,  S.  I.,  xiii,  ,547. 

Great  Plot,  the,  at  the  Esopus,  xiii,  333,  348,  353. 
Gregory,  John,  xiii,  216,  221. 
Greenbush,  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  xiii,  156. 

fort  at,  264. 
Greene,  William,  xii,  647. 

Greene  county,  Indian  deed  for  land  in,  xiii,  482. 
Greenland,  Captain,  xiii,  543. 
Greenwich,  Conn.,  xill,  24,  495. 
Greyn  (Grien,  Gryne),  Otto,  xii,  126,  135,  143,  157. 
Griffin,  Richard,  xii,  665. 
Griffith,  Mr.,  xiii,  525. 
Grilsaw,  John,  xii,  647. 
Groencnbergh,  Coustantinus,   xil,  106,  139  «<  seg.,  148, 

154-5,  158,  177. 
Groenendyke,  Peter,  xii,  523,  571,  582. 
Groeningen  on  the  Delaware,  xii,  544,  647. 
Groome,  Samuel,  letter  to,  .xiii,  570. 
Grotenhuysen,  Sheriff,  xll,  323. 
Grover,  James,  xiii,  270,  315,  395-6. 
Groves,  Philipp,  xiii,  221. 
Groves,  Thomas,  xii,  647,  665. 
Guggine,  Major,  xiii,  520. 
Guilyck,  xiii,  154. 
Guldengrys.     See  Oillengrey. 
Gun,  Deacon  Jasper,  xiii,  308,  310. 
Guudey,  Charles,  xii,  639,  639. 
Guneson,  Arian,  xiii,  411. 
Guy,  Richard,  xii,  608,  610,  635. 
Gybbinks,  Sergeant,  xiii,  315. 

Gylart,  ,  xiii,  75. 

Gysbcrt,  Merten,  xiii,  230. 

Gysbertsen,  Albert,   xili,   313,   230,   336,   338-9    351 
356,  318.  ' 

Gysbertsen,  Fred.,  xii,  429. 


Gysbertsen,  Gysbert,  xiii,  313. 
Gysbertsen,  Lubbert,  xiii,  37. 

H. 

Hack,  Dr.,  xii,  343. 

Haekensack,  xii,   312,  815;  xiii,  147    201     294  321 
333,   361,  386.     See  AchUnkesuchj.  '       - '        ' 

Hackister,  John,  xii,  638. 

Hadley,  Mass.,  xni,  381,  511,  521-3,  528. 

Hadly,  Joseph,  xiii,  574. 

Hadson,  Rev.  Warner,  xiii,  384. 

Haen,  Diick  Cornelissen,  xii,  184. 

Haersimons.     See  Ahaumus. 

Haesbroocq,  Abraham,  xiii,  506,  565. 

Hagell,  Jan,  xiii,  271. 

Half  moon,  the,  xiii,  387,  508,  531. 

Halfway  Ground,  xill,  438. 

Hall,  George,  xiii,  401,  408  et  seq.,  415,  418,  448,  451, 
483,  489,  498,  506-7,  513. 
letter  to,  from  Secretary  NicoUs,  xu  i,  484 

Hall,  .John,  xili,  544. 

Hall,  Thomas,   xii,  333,  326;  xiii,   16,  215,   304,  429 
et  seq.,  444,  446. 

Halle,  Richard,  xiii,  547. 

Ham,  Conrad,  xill,  153. 

Haman,  Jan,  xii,  158. 

Hambleton,  Mr.,  xiii,  529. 

Hamel,  D.  V.,  Secretary,  xiir,  156. 

Hamel's  Neck,  xiii,  3. 

Hamelton,  Jan,  xiii,  302. 

Hamer,  Richard,  xiii,  407  fi  sej'.,  415. 

Hamilton,  William,  xli,  578. 

Hancock,  Richard,  xu,  569,  608,  635. 

Hand,  Jurian,  from  Poland,  xu,  153. 

Hand  wick,  Jan,  xu,  490. 

Hanouw,  Jurian,  from  Poland,  xii,  137. 

Hans  the  Norman,  xiii,  346. 

Hansen,  Andries,  xiii,  153. 

Hansen,  Gertrey,  xiii,  230. 

Hansen,  Harman,  xu,  134. 

Hansen,  Lawrens,  xu,  137,  160,  193. 

Hansen,  Michiel,  xu,  99. 

Hanson,  Matys,  xu,  211,  366,  425. 

Hanseson,  Hans,  xu,  649. 

Hansjen,  Cleyn,  xu,  411. 

Hap,  Jacob,  xui,  178,  213,  315,  330. 

Hap,  Jacob,  widow  of,  xiu,  446. 

Hap,  Jacob  Jansen,  xiii,  83,  94-5,  115. 

Hap,  William  Jansen,  xiu,  345. 

Harboken.     See  Uoboken. 

Harcke,  William,  xui,  59. 

Hardenbroock,  Adolph,  xui,  234. 

Harder,  Pieter  Pietersen,  xu,  381,  392,  396,  401  st.  ecq. 

Harding,  Thomas,  xu,  615. 

Harlem,  xu,  355;  xiu,  459,  518,  538. 

Harlem  river,  xiu,  460.  • 

Harman,  Marcus,  xu,  153. 

Harmansen,  Frederick,  cadet,  xu,  134. 

Harmansen,  Jan,  from  Lemmct,  xui,  13. 

Harinen,  Henry,  xu,  620. 

Harmens  Choice,  xu,  620. 

Harmens,  Douwe,  xiu,  233,  234. 

Harmens,  Fytje,  xui,  253. 

Harmensen,  Barent,  xui,  331,  346. 

Harnienson,  Martin,  xiu,  246. 

Harmensen,  Pieter,  xu,  26,  38,  44,  49,  180,  371. 

Harmensen,  Thomas,  xiu,  414. 

Harmons,  John,  xu,  471. 


Index. 


597 


Harmsen,  Marcus,  xiii,  153. 

Harmseu,  Martin,  xiii,  95,  153,  203,  313,  314. 

Harris,  John,  xiii,  507. 

Harrison,  town  of,  Westchester  county,  xiii,  403. 

Hart,  Robert,  xii,  646. 

Hart,  Robert,  jr.,  xii,  586,  605. 

Harte,  Daniel,  xii,  544. 

Hartford,  Conn.,  xil,  TO;  xili,   38,   60,   64,   101.   345, 

516,  532,  538. 
Hartgers,  Peter,  XIII,  88,  93. 
Hartop,  .John,  xii,  549. 
Hartshorne,  Richard,  xiii,  539. 
Harwood,  Thomas,  xii,  586,  633. 
Hasanemesett,  xiii,  513^. 
Hasselt,  Peter,  xili,  371. 
Hastcoren,  Franz  Barentz,  xiil,  316. 
Hatfield,  Mass.,  xii  i,  511,  514. 
Haverelle,  xlil,  406. 
Haverstraw  (Haverstroo),   xili,   84,  147,  167,  363,  373, 

375,  386.      See  Rumacheiumk. 
Hawthorn,   William,    Major-General,    at   Fort   Orange, 

XIII,  101. 
Hayden,  William,  xili,  489. 
flaye,  Jno.,  xil,  665. 
Haym,  Conrad,  xiii,  203. 
Heady,  John,  xiii,  492. 
Heathcote,  George,  xii,  570;  xiii,  485. 
Hedge,  Samuel,  xii,  592,  608. 
Hedly,  Richard,  xiil,  489. 
Hedyer,  John,  xlll,  441. 

Heerraans,  Augustine,  xii,  63,  67,  70-1,  93,  359,  261-2, 
265,  288,  301,  305,  310,  312,  343,  345,  406,  414, 
416,  422,  448,  481,  503,  553^;  xiii,  147. 
letters  from,  xii,  337,  555. 
Heerraans,  Caspar,  xil,  511,  517,  549,  586. 
Heermans,  Ephraim,  xii,  511,  573,  575-6,  581,  584,  586, 
590,   593,   595,   599,   000,   608,  611-2,  619,   636, 
668-9. 
letters  from,  xii,  641,  662,  663. 
Heiffer,  Thomas,  xii,  647,  665. 
Hellegat,  xll,  333;  xiii,  37,43. 
Hellekas,  Jacob,  xiii,  40. 
Helm,  Israel,  xii,  463,  474,  490,  506,  519,  533^,   537, 

557,  559,  561,  572,  586,  591,  632-4,  636,  648. 
Helm,  Jurian,  xiii,  165,  350. 
Helrasly,  Joseph,  xii,  579,  585,  635. 
Helyard,  John,  xiii,  489. 
Hemmes,  Brandt,  xii,  393. 

Hempstead,  L.  I.  (Hemstede),  xii,  317;  xiii,  39,  270. 
Henderson,  Evert,  the  Fin,  xii,  439,  425. 

(Iver,  the  Fin.) 
Hendrick,  Adrian,  xiii,  234. 
Hendrick,  Hermen,  of  Deventey,  xii,  436. 
Heudrick,  the  Rider,  xlli,  203. 
Hendrick,  from  Utrecht,  xill,  301. 
Hendricks,  Dirck,  xlii,  153,  407,  414. 
Hendricks,  Jochem,  xlil,  153. 
Hendricks,  Johannes,  xii,  353,  493. 
Hendricks,  John,  xiii,  414,  448. 
Hendricks,  Harmeu,  xiii,  195,  403,  407  et  seq. 
Hendricks,  Roloff,  xiii,  414,  507. 
Hendricks,  Ryck,  xiii,  306. 
Hendricksen,  Bertie,  xii,  470. 
Hendricksen,  Dirck,  xiii,  78,  104. 
Hendricksen,  Evert,  xii,  470. 
Hendricksen,  Geert,  xiii,  98. 
Hendricksen,  Haimen,  xiii,  115,  330. 
Hendricksen,  Harmen,  cadet,  xii,  388  et  seq. 
Hendricksen,  Herman.from  Deventer,  xii,381  eise2'.,405. 


Hendricksen,  Jacob,  soldier,  xii,  33. 

Hendricksen,  Jan,  xiii,  339. 

Hendricksen,  Jan,  of  Marcus  Kil,  xli,  471. 

Hendricksen,  Jan,  from  Struckhousen,  xil,  178. 

Hendricksen,  Phil,  xiii,  253. 

Hendricksen,  Bernard,  xii,  548. 

Hendrickson,  John,  xii,  544,  547,  648;  xin,  547. 

Hendricksen,  Peter,  xii,  630. 

Hendrix,  Hendrick,  xili,  213. 

Hendryck,  Harmans,  of  Bielefeld,  Corporal,    xii,  134, 

151,  154,  158. 
Henerics,  John,  xii,  470. 
Henrichscn,  Dirck,  xiii,  104,  117. 
Henrickson,  Hendrick,  xm,  544. 
Henriesen,  Bravert,  xii,  491. 
Henry,  John,  xii,  471,  41)0;  xiii,  418. 
Henry  VII,  King  of  England,  xiii,  486. 
Herasmus,  Jan.  xil,  345. 
Herbertsen,  Andries,  XIII,    109,   110,   132    192-3,   319, 

344. 
Herbertsen,  Elbert,  xm,  345. 
Herder,  Peter  Pietersen,  xil,  353. 
Hermansen,  Peter,  xii,  160. 
Hermens,  Marges,  xm,  117. 
Hermens,  Pieter,  sii,  180. 
Hermsen,  Berent,  xm,  115,  117,  119. 
Herrisons,  Peter,  xil,  615. 
Hey,  Fraugois,  xm,  153. 
Heyinans,  Albert,  X III,   312,   230,   239,   346,   311,   318, 

351,  414,  436,  445  et  seq.,  448,  450,  460. 
Heymensen,  Albert.     See  Roose. 
Heyn,  Jan,  xii,  65. 
Higgins,  Thomas,  xm.  115,  117. 
Highlands,  the,  xm,  29,  147,  354,  363,  503,  554. 
Hill,  Nicholas,  xm,  66. 
Hill,  Richard,  xii,  586,  005;  xm,  555,  559. 
Hill,  Thos.,  XII,  665. 
Hill,  William,  xm,  406. 
Hillebrantsen,  Peter,  xm,  118,  126,  213,  231,  407,  413, 

544. 
Hillyard,  John,  xil,  600-1,  647,  665,  668. 
Hinks,  Mathews.     See  Cmiingsmarc. 
Hinssendorp,  Corn.,  xm,  303. 
Hitchcocks,  John,  xm,  488. 
Hobbert  (Hubbard),  xm,  315. 
Hoboken  (Harboken,   Hobockan,   Hobokan-Hacking), 

XII,  98;  XIII,  1,  3,  67,  399,  305. 
Hodges,  Barnarci,  xii,  653,  657. 
Hoemoett,  Marcus,  xm,  154. 
Hofman,  Martin,  xm,  114,  117. 
Hog  Creek,  xii,  610. 
Hogelandt,  Cornells,  xm,  154,  196. 
Hoghbome,  Corn.,  xm,  413. 
Hog's  Neck,  L.  I.     See  Gerritsens  Bay. 
Holies,  Jo.,  XIII,  487. 
Hollingworth,  William,  xii,  343. 
Hokncs,  Obadiah,  xm,  396. 
Hoist,  Barent,  xm,  366. 
Holsten,  Barnard,  xm,  414. 
Holsten,  Mathias,  xil,  648. 
Holt,  .Jo,,  XIII,  487. 

Honingh,  Dirck  Cornelissen,  xll,  184,  187,  208. 
Hoochteylingh,  Jan  Willemsen,  xm,  366. 
Hoofman,  Hans,  xil,  470. 
Hoofman,  Martin,  xii,  494. 
Hoogeboom,  Menis,  xm,  534. 
Hoogenburgh,  Engel  Cornelissen,  xii,  137. 
Hoorn,  Claesje,  xm,  338. 
Hoorn,  Meyndert  Jansen,  xii,  443. 


598 


Index. 


Hosack  (Hoosick),  xiii,  380,  538. 

Hopkins,  .Mr.,  secretary  for  the  N.  J.  towns,  xiii,  466, 
475,  478,  543. 

Hopman,  Hans,  xii,  133,  135  et  seq.,  151,  471,  544,  547, 
648. 

Hopp,  Jacob,  XIII,  446. 

Horekil  (Deale,  Del.,  Sikonesse),  xii,  201,  215,  321,  339, 
335,  337,  343-3,  254,  373^,  383,  385,  391,  315, 
331,  331,  334,  344,  362,  414,  416,  436,  450,  459, 
473,  475,  479,  481,  484,  496-7,  499-501,  503,  505- 
8,  511,  513,  515-6,  523,  524,  537,  543,  544,  545, 
546,  556,  559,  561,  562,  571,  576,  578,  585,  587, 
588,  589,  594,  600,  601,  604,  609,  612,  616,  620, 
633-3,  631,  634,  635,  653,  657,  659,  664,  669. 
magistrates  at,  letter  from,  xii,  054. 

Hornbeck,  Wardener,  xiii,  448. 

Hornet,  Edward,  xiii,  574. 

Horton,  .Joseph,  xiii,  403. 

Horton,  William,  xiil,  409,  H8  ct  seq. 

Hoskin,  Kolf,  xii,  640. 

Hoskins,  Robert,  xii,  634. 

Houghton,  William,  xiii,  418. 

Howard,  Thomas,  xii,  638. 

Hoyle,  John,  xlll,  487. 

Hoyt,  John,  xiil,  489. 

Hoyt,  Moses,  xiii,  489. 

Hubbard,  Mr.,  xiii,  404. 

Hubbert,  Edward,  xiii,  574. 

Hubertson,  Arient,  xiii,  411,  414. 

Hubertson  (Huybertsou),  Lambert,  xill,  413,  544. 

Hudde,  Andries,  xii,  31,  33-4,  41-6,  53,  68,  83,  114, 
133,  135  et  seq.,  138-9,  158,  160-3,  168,  170,  175, 
178,  183,  103-3,  207,  318,  383,  386,  388,  393,  398, 
299,  301,  303,  310,  313,  314,  315,  335,  345,  353, 
366,  371,  383,  386,  388,  391,  430,  433-3,  435,  439. 
dead,  446;  xiii,  37. 

secretary  and  surveyor  at  the  South  river,  115. 
letters  from,  33,  36,  38,  370,  374,  430. 

Hudson,  Henry,  xiii,  486. 

Hudson's  river,  xill,  515,  554,  573. 

ti'afHc  on,  503,  534.     (Groote  river.) 

Huested,  Robt.,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Huggens,  Thomas,  xill,  188. 

Hulard,  Ward,  xiii,  488. 

Hulke,  John,  xii,  649. 

HuUengreen,  Elias,  xil,  412. 

Hulst,  Laurens,  xil,  537. 

Hulter,  Mrs.,  xil,  196. 

Humphreys,  Alex.,  xii,  647,  665. 

Hunt,  John,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Hunt,  Joseph,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Hunt,  Josiah,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Hunt,  Thomas,  sr.,  xiil,  488,  574. 

Hunt,  Thomas,  jr.,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Huntington,  xili,  194. 

Hurley,  xiii,  341  (note),  439,  443  ct  seg.,  446,  459,  475, 
483,  495,  507,  513,  571. 
boundaries  of,  xi  1 1,  443  et  seg. 
order  for  the  settling  of,  xiii,  435. 

Huss.     See  Huys. 

Hussey,    Frederick,    xiii,    411,    414,   418,    436,   448, 
450. 

Hutchins,  Charles,  xii,  493. 

Hutchinson's,  xiii,  404. 

Hutchinson,  Ralph,  xii,  534,  525,  617,  641-2. 

Hutchinson,  Robert,  xii,  621,  643  ti  »«}. 

Huyberts,  Arian,  xiii,  313,  446. 

Huyberts,  Marietjo,  xiii,  186. 

Huybertsen,  Lambert,  xiii,  346,  445,  448,  507. 


Huygen,  Hendrick,   xil,  30,  32,  33,  36,  37,  38,  55,  57, 
133  et  seq.,   146,    174-5,   188-90,   192,    207,   344, 
357-8,   365,  376  et  seg.,  406,  413,  415,   418,  419, 
420,  433,  430,  439. 
letter  from,  xii,  434. 

Huygen,  Maryken.  xiii,  213. 

Huys  (Huyseu,  Huss),  Jacob  Jansen,  xil,  71   195,  198, 
304,308,214,223,250,316,331.      , 

Huyt,  Randal,  xiii,  315. 

Hyshebon,  John,  xii,  496. 


Immigration,  xi  I,  130,  163-4,  183, 194,  316,  337,  231,  293, 
350,    360,   427,    431,  436,   447,    579,  584-5,  592, 
601,    650,    663;   xill,  8,  108,  130,  193,  195,  208, 
427. 
invited,  xiii,  434. 
encouragement  of,  xiii,  485. 
Indian  Affairs,  Commission  for,  continued,  xiii,  463. 
Indian  brokers,  runners  and  scouts,  xii,  300,  334,  434; 

XI 1 1,  73,  175,  503. 
Indian  castles,  xiii,  380. 
Indian  customs.      See  Kintekoy. 
Indian  corn  plantations,  xlii,   393. 
Indian,    description   of   the,  coimtry  west   of  Esopus, 

XIII,  372. 
Indian  lands,  licenses  to  purchase,  xiii,  395-6. 
at  Esopus,  XIII,  553  et  seq. 
near  Schenectady,  XIII,  489. 
in  New  Jersey,  xiii,  478. 
deeds  fori,  2,  5,   Schodack,  xiii,   26. 
in  Westchester  Co.,  xiii,  34,  402. 
for  an  island  in  Hudson's  River,  xiii,  192. 
Mahicander's  Island  near  Albany,  xiil,  193. 
in  Greene  county,  xiii,  397,  481-3,  545,  573. 
Columbia  county,  xiii,  399,  515,  519,  545,  573. 
Ulster  county,  xiii,  506,  533,  553. 
Putnam  county,  xiii,  554,  573. 
Saratoga  county,  xiii,  573. 
Dutchess  county,  xiii,  569. 
Staten  Island,  xiii,  455. 
Indian  murders  and  outrages,  xii,  193,  197,  337-8,  343, 
417,462,477,  484,  487-8,  503,  519;  xiii,  11,  16-7, 
23,  49  etseg.,  77-9,  83,  93,  136,   245. 
Indian  names,  for  places  in  Columbia  Co.,  xiii,  573. 
in  Greene  county,  xiil,  545. 
Albany  county,  xiii,  193. 
Ulster  county,  xiii,  533. 
Indian  River,  xll,  574,  616. 

Indians,  xii,  34,  39,  115,  126,  129,  138,  149,   156,  161, 
186-7,  193,  201,  242-3,  247,  252,  254-5,  357,  263, 
366,  283,  290,   292-3,  295-6,   308,  311,   318,    339 
etseg.,  343-4,   355,   368,   370,  409-10,   414,  446, 
449,  462  et  seg.,  466,  475-7,  493,  505,  510,  518-9, 
524,  526,  528,  541-6,  553,  556,  576,  585,  501,  Oil, 
615,  623,  633-3,645,   650,    655,   658,  660;  xill, 
13,  16,  30,  39-41,  45,  48,  59,69,  77,  ISO,  337,484. 
conferences  with,  xii,  533,  541. 
attack  New-Amsterdam,  xii,  98-9. 
make  peace  with  Maryland,  xi  i,  357. 
to  be  treated  leniently,  xiii,  23. 
treaty  of  peace  with,  xiii,  147. 
war  among  the,  xill,  90. 
declared  free  and  not  slaves,  xiii,  537. 
soldiers  called  Wauwapifs/e^,   xni,  173. 
Indians,  trade  with,  xii,  157-8,   480;  xiii,   175,    194, 
I      227,  353,  373,  436,  491,  503,  553.     See  Ordinanees. 


Index. 


599 


Indians,  tribes — 

Agawam,  xill.  308. 
Algouquins,  xlll,  524. 
Armewamese  {^Armewamui),  xii,  34,  430. 
Catskil,  XIII,  119,  122,  126,  161,  229,  261,  368,  275, 
284,  286  et  seq.,  291,  308,  335,  345.  379,  437, 
505,  524,  527,  545. 
proposals  made  by,  xiii,  161  H  acq. 
unfriendly  to  the  Dutch,  xili,  207. 
threatened  by  the  Oneidas,  xiii,  510. 
Cayugas,  x ii i ,  500. 
Eastern,  xiii,  504. 

'E.so^ns,  {Warynmooncks),  xii,  313,318,  446,  530; 
XIII,  47,  88,  96-7,  99,  100,  104-5,  113-14, 
119-20,  122,  126,  131-3,  149-52,  156-7,  161, 
164,  169-73,  174,  17S-9,  190-1, 194,  202,  304, 
223,  229,  245,  250,  255,  261,  264,  270-3,  282, 
384,  287,  293,  394,  331,  325  et  seq.,  363^,  373, 
375,  377,  386,  423,  437,  503,  533,  573. 
strength  of,  xii,  303. 
conferences  with,  xiii,  93,  103,  106,  137,  105, 

373,  331,  504. 
other  Indians  intercede  for,  xiii,  167-8. 
treaty  of  peace  with,  xiii,  179,  377. 
nearly  destroy  Wiltwyck,  xiil,  345,  350. 
cede  their  lands  to  Gov.  Nicolls,  xiii,  399. 
French,  xiil,  176,527. 

at  war  with  the  Mohawks;  not  to  be  allowed  to 

cross  the  North  river,  xlii,  34. 
trade  with  the,  xill,  35. 
at  the  Cahoos,  xiii,  185. 
Hackensack,  xlii,  172,  394,  305,  314,  350,  361,428. 
renew  the  peace  with  tlie  Dutch,  xi  1 1,  476.  See 
Oratamin,   chief  of  Hackensack. 
Hasanamasett,  xiii,  526. 
of  Haverstroo,  xiii,  84,  172. 
Highland,   xiil,  90,    104,  123,  229,  284,   387,  300, 

440,  572.      See  Wajipings. 
Kennebeck,  threatened  with  war  by  the  Maquaes, 
XI 1 1,  190,  298,  309. 
also  called  Ouakonque,  xiii,  298. 
Kiohtawanghs,  xiii,  376,  399,  300,  303-3,  364-5. 
Kis  Kightkonk,  xiii,  303. 
Long  Island,  xiii,  16,  147,  380. 

renew  the  peace  with  the  Dutch,  xiii,  58. 
at  war  with  Narragansetts,  ib. 
allies  of  the  Dutch,  xiii,  75. 
Mahingans  Taraktons,  xlli,  524,  527. 
Mantas,  xii,  346,  414,  463. 

Marsepinghs,  xl  1 1,  384,  386,  295  et  seq.,  333,  375. 
Mawyk,  xli  i,  536. 

Minissiuks,  Minissinghs,  Menissings,  xli,  306,  315, 
438,  446;  xui,  167,  339,  376,  380,  384,  389, 
294,  334  et  seq. 
conference  witli,  551. 
Minquaes,  Mingoes,  xii,   39,   30-3,  34,  36,40,  43 
46,  55,  57-8,  61,  66-7,  99, 193.  393,  313,  317-8, 
331,  343-4,  346,  357,  363,  418-19,  430-1,  434, 
438;  XI 1 1,  95,  106,  133,  337,  361. 
assisted  by  the  English  of  Maryland,  xil,  346. 
intercede  for  the  Esopus  Indians,  xiii,  164. 
Minquaes,  Black,  xii,  419. 
Minquaes,  Southern,  xiii,  35. 
Mohawks,  Maquas,  Maques,  Mauquas,  Mohoacs,  by 
the   French   called   Iroquois,  xii,  98,    306, 
308-9,  313,  439,  530,  540,  553-6,  573;  xiil, 
15,   18,   34-5,  88-9,  92,    106,  109,   112,  123, 
133-3.  149,   167,  190-1,  305,  307,  340,   350, 
253,  355,  364,  373,  375,  378,  382-3,  286,  291, 


Indians,  tribes — 

397-8,  302,  308,  310,  336  el  seq.,  345,  355' 
375,  378  et  seq.,  389-90,  430,  433,  437,  439, 
440.458,  460,  464-5,  477,  479.  483,  491,  494, 
496-7,  500,  501.  507-9,  511,  513,  517,  519-32, 
525-31,  536,  555,  564,  570,  572-3. 
the  Dutch  endeavor   to  keep  the,  friendly  to 

the  French  and  English,  xlli,  23. 
invade  Canada,  xiii,  28. 

renew  the  covenant  with  the  Dutch,  xiii,  72. 
conference  with,  at  their  castle,  xiii,  112. 
at  Fort  Orange,  xiii,  108,  122,  224,  479,  528. 
Massachusetts   people  call   for  the  assistance 

of,  XIII,  511. 
Massachusetts  send  agents  to,  xiil,  521. 
plunder  a  fort  in  Nova  Scotia,  xiii,  234. 
cut  off  a  French  fort,  xi 1 1,  175. 
in  the  Narragansett  country,  xiii,  517. 
make  war  on  Canada  Indians,  xi  1 1,  34. 
make  war  on  Northern  Indians,  xiii,  519. 
Maryland  desires  peace  with,  xili,  507-8. 
French  influences.among  the,  xiii,  531. 
names  of  two  castles,  xi  1 1,  479. 
divided  into  three  castles,  xiii,  534. 
letter  of  Governor  of  Massachusetts  to,  xiii, 
513. 
Mohicans,  Mohegans,  Mahicanders,   xll,  98,    520; 
XIII,  18,   72,    113,    122,    126,   132,161,167, 
170,  172,  339,  361,   374,  383,   391,    299,  303, 
308-10,  330,   345,    378,   387,   420,   439,  458, 
496,  501,  503,  507,  509,  520,  532,  545,  572. 
propositions  by,  xiii,  161. 
intercede  for  the  Esopus  Indians,  xiii,  168. 
peace  between,  and  the  Mohawks,  xiii,  440,491. 
ofNalwetog  (Nalvotogg),  xi  ii,  308,  511. 
Narragansetts,  xii,  543;  xili,  493,  511. 

at  war  with  L.  I.  Indians,  xill,  58. 
Natick,  captured  by   Mohawks,  xi  ii,  520  et  seq., 

524-6,  530. 
Nevisinks,  Nevisans,   xii,  308,  519;  xiii,  84,  163, 

190,  204,  239,  311,  314,  316,  423. 
of  New  Jersey,  xi  1 1,  261,  276. 
of  New  York,  relations  of,  with  Maryland,  xiii. 

Northern,  xli,  59;  xili,  225,  397,  390,  493^,  496. 

499,  501-2,  508-9,  525,  538,  555,  565. 
Northern  or  Onejagese,  Onojakes,  or  Soquachjck, 

XI 1 1,  398,  355,  389.     See  Soquachicks. 
North  River,  xiii,  17-18,  35,  53,  518. 
Onconntehocks,  xiii,  378. 

Oneidas  (Hunides,  Uniades),  xlii,  500,  503,  536. 
castle  of,  called  Kanadagerea,  xiil,  502. 
intend  to  fall  on  the  Catskil  Indians,  xlii, 

510. 
answer  of  the,  to  the  propositions  of  the  Mary- 
land agent,  xiii,  510. 
at  war  with  the  Susquehannas,  xiii,  516. 
going  to  Maryland  and  Virginia,   xlli,   557, 
560. 
Onnogonges,  Onagongas,  xlll,  379,  381,  519.     Sea 

Kenneieks. 
Onoudagas,  Unedagoes,  xlil,  355,  500,  510,  558. 
Pacamtehock,  xi  1 1,  379  et  seq.,  389. 
of  Pacomtuck,  xiii,  308. 
of  Pajassuck,  xi  1 1,  308. 
Piscattaways,  xiii,  561. 
Praying,  xiii,  530,  535,538. 
Punquapok,  xili,  .526. 
Quingoes,  xiii,  558. 


600 


Index. 


Indians,  tribes — 

Raritans,  xir,  235,  208,  312;  xiii,  7,  28,  163,  204, 

239,  314. 

trade  with,  xiii,  23. 

formerly  living  in  Westchester  Co.,  xii,  25. 
Rechowacky,  xiii,  322. 
of  Reweglinonk,   xlli,  303. 

Senecas,  Sinnecus,  Sinnekes,  Sinneques,  xii,  131, 
344-6,  357,  362,  409-13,  418-19,  432-6,  439, 
543,  553^,  664;  xiii,  72,  95,  106,  113,  133, 

240,  250,  255,    291,  308,    355,  361,  423,  491, 
497,  500,  510,  531,  536,  555. 

strength  of,  xli,  430-1. 
conference  with,  xrii,  184. 
Maryland  desires  peace  with,  xiii,  507. 
attack  the  Susquehannas,  xlii,  516. 
of  Sinsincks,  xiil,  302,  303. 
Southern,  xill,  95,  106. 
South  river,  xii,  30,  57-8,  135-6,  337,  844  et  scq., 

357,  362,  389,  410,  417,  430,  435,  438,  572. 
Sowquackicks,  xiii,  308,  377,  381. 
Spanish,  xiii,  551. 
Stamford,  in  arms,  xiii,  490-^96. 
Staten  Island,  xiii,  172,  261,  276,  305,  311,  428. 
claim  not  to  have  been  paid  for  their  lands, 
XIII,  452. 
Susquehan nocks   (Susquehannas),    xii,    338,   488, 
543,  546,  553-4,  557-8,  560,  573;  xiii,  557. 
the  offspring  of  the  Mohawks,  xiii,  491. 
in  conference  witlr  Gov.  Andros,  xiil,  497. 
attacked  by  Oneidas  and  Senecas,  xiii,  516. 
of  Tappaan,  xiii,  300,  438. 
Uncas,  XIII,  508,  526. 
Wamaset,  xiii,  526. 

Wappings,  Wappingers,  Wappingoes,  or  Highland, 

XI 1 1,  17-8,  47,  104,  148,  150,  282,  286,  290, 

292,  299,  302,  304,  314,  324,  334  et  seq.,  345, 

349,  3G3  et  seq.,  371,  420,  437,  440. 

the  English  of  N.  E.  resolve  to  make  war  upon, 

XIII,  27. 
at  peace  with  the  Dutch,  xiii,  167. 
intercede  for  the  Esopus  Indians,  xiii,  172. 
peace  with,  renewed,  xm,  388. 
Westenhook,  XIII,  545. 

Wiequaeskeck,  Wyckerscreek,  Westchester,  xm. 
53,  59,  276,  299,  300,  302-3,  864-5,  440,  460, 
495. 
not  willing  to  join  King  Philipp,  xm,  494. 
allowed  to  take  refuge  on  Manhattan  Island, 
xm,  494. 
of  Wissatimewag,  xm,  308. 
Inkhorn,  Andrews,  xii,  648. 
Inons,  Symon,  xii,  647. 
Insten,  Jan,  xil,  137. 
Isaac,  Mr.,  xii,  647. 
Israel,  Isaac,  xil,  136,  147,  447,  450. 
Iver  the  Fin,  xii,  425. 


J. 


.Tackson,  Christopher,  xii,  586,  605,  040. 
Jackson,  Jolin,  xii,  524;  xm,  489. 
Jackson,  Samuel,  xii,  G51. 
Jackson,  Tliomas,  xii,  490,  491. 
Jacob,  Hendrick,  xil,  490. 
Jacob,  Masten,  xil,  136. 
Jacob,  my  Friend,  XII,  430. 
Jacobs,  Arent,  xm,  212. 


Jacobs,  Arian,  xii,  180,  181. 

Jacobs,  Henry,  xii,  525,  015. 

Jacobs,  Jan,  xii,  146,  164. 

Jacobs,  Marcus,  xii,  472.     Bee  Long  Fin. 

Jacobs,  Thomas,  xii,  490. 

.Jacobsen,  Aert,  xm,  230,  247. 

Jacobsen,  Geertruy,  xii,  149. 

Jacobsen,  Hans,  xii,  37,  55,  57. 

Jacobsen,  Hendrick,  xii,  614,  648. 

Jacobsen,  Herman,  alias  Bamboos,  xm,  76-7,  80,  87. 

.Jacobsen,  Jan,  xm,  40. 

Jacobsen,  Capt.  Jan,  xii,  131,  126. 

Jacobsen,  Jan,  gunner,  xil,  140. 

Jacobsen,  Jan,  from  Reeneu,  xm,  200. 

Jacobsen,  Peter,  xm,  236,  237,  341. 

Jacobsen,   Rutger  (van  Schoenderwort),  magistrate  of 

Fort  Orange!;   xm,    36,    192-3,   216,   302,   304,  327, 

348. 
.Jacobsen,  Thomas,  xii,  532,  534,  583,  620,  636. 
Jacobspu,  Tunis,  xm,  410  et  seq.,  544. 
Jacques,  Henry,  xm,  406. 
Jacquet,  Jean   Paul,  vice-director  on  the  South  river, 

XII,  87,  113,  115,  120-1,  124-5.  129,   133,  135  et  seq., 

144,  158,  160-1,  167-9,  170-5,  191,  219,  283,  357,  490, 

558-9,  564-7,  589,  599,  608. 
Jagersland,  xil,  409. 
Jamaica,  L.  I.,  xm,  315. 

James  I,  of  England,  xii,  48,  51  n.,  252;  xm,  480. 
Jamieson,  David,  xm,  573. 

Jan  the  Brabanter,  xm,  302.  213.     See  Brahandcr. 
Jan,  the  Englishman,  xm,  233. 
Janes,  Robert,  xii,  491. 
Jan  Evertsen's  kil,  xm,  33. 
Jans,  Anneke,  xm,  392. 
Jans,  Catrine,  xi  i,  144,  154. 
Jansen,  Albert,  xm,  507. 
.Jansen,  Andries,  xll,  107,  471. 
Jansen,  Anthony,  xm,  48. 
Jansen,  Barent,  xii,  107;  sm,  21. 
Jansen,  Bercnt,  from  Oldenburg,  xm,  153. 
Jansen,  Carel,  xli,  30,  471. 
Jansen,  Charles,  xil,  544,  547,  648. 
Jansen,  Claes,  xii,  57,  140,  180;  xm,  367. 
Jansen,  Corneli.?,  xii,  58,  539,  630;  xm,  313. 
Jansen,  Cors,  xii,  193. 
Jansen,  Daniel,  xm,  500,  514. 
.Jansen,  Dirck,  xii,  470;  xm,  91,  157, 177. 
Jansen,  Dirck,  from  Oldcnbm-gh,  xm,  315. 
Jansen,  Elias,  xm,  371. 
Jansen,  Francis,  xm,  8. 
Jansen,  Poppe.     See  Otithout. 
Jansen,  Gcrrit,  xii,  178;  xm,  9. 
Jansen,  Harman,   xli,  46,  49,  134,  137,  139,  158,  371, 

539. 
Jansen,  Hendrick,  xii,  403,  506,  524,  529. 
Jansen,  Hendrick,  of  Bremen,  xil,  529. 
Jansen,  Henr.,  from  Jever,  xii,  381  et  seq. 
Jansen,  Hubert,  xm,  154. 
Jansen,  Jacob,  xii,  525;  xm,  26,  119. 
Jansen,  Jacob,  from  Amsterdam,  xm,  15. 
.Jansen,  Jan,  xii,  529;  xm,  79,  81,  104,  119,  414. 
Jansen,  Jan,  from  Ainesfoort,  xm,  195. 
Jansen,  Jurian,  xii,  490-1;  xm,  342. 
Jansen,  Lauris,  xm,  48. 
Jansen,  Marten,  xm,  45. 
.Tansen,  Mathys,  xii,  491. 
.lansen,  Maurits,  xm,  4,  5. 
Jansen,  Michael,  xii,   54,  217;  xm,  37,  01,  67,  233-5, 

252,  294. 


Index. 


601 


Jansen,  Mons.,  xii,  471. 

Janseu,  Otto,  xiii.  366. 

Jansen,  Paul,  xii,151,  160-1,  170,  175,  182-3,  470. 

Jansen,  Paulus,  Sergt.,  xiii,  153. 

Janseu,  Peter,  xii,  138. 

Jansen,  Phil.,    xll,  151,  177,  403. 

Jansen,  Philipp,  from  Vollenhooven,  xii,  388. 

Jausen,  Roeloff,  xiii,  17. 

Jansen,  Stoffel,  xlii,  304,  378. 

Janseu,  Sybrandt,  xi  t,  539. 

Jansen,  Volkert  (Douw),  xii.  110,  123,  192,  219-20,  227, 

243,  259,  264,  366,  279,  399,  417,  446. 
Janseu,  Walraven,  xil,  293. 
Jausen,  Willem,  xii,  529;  xiii,  81,  100,  103,  119,  195, 

214,  230,  233-5. 
Jansen,  Mr.,  xii,  226. 
Janson,  William,  xiii,  544. 
Jantzen,  Marcus,  xiii,  153. 
Janz,  Herman,  xii,  106. 
Jecsons,  Christopher,  xll,  665. 
Jcgo,  Pieter,  xii,  491,  525,  534,  614-5.     See  Oegmi. 
Jellissen,  Peter,  xiii,  202,  212. 
Jemands,  Andries,  xili,  206. 
Jenkins,  Francis,  xil,  613. 
Jenkins,  Mr.,  xii,  496. 
Jennings,  John,  xili,  574. 
Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  xiii,  366. 
Jessop,  Edward,  xili,  41. 
Jesuits,  XII,  131,  543;  xil  I,  16,  114,  499. 
Jews  exempted  from  military  service,  xii,  06. 

not  allowed  to  trade  on  the  South  river,  118. 
.Toakims,  Heudr.,  xiil,  446. 
Joanes,  Mr.,  xiil,  538. 
Jochem,  Peter,  xii,  38. 
Jochems,  Abramson,  xiii,  509. 
Jochemsen,  Bareut,  xii,  216,  244. 
Jocherasen,  Dirck,  xiii,  354. 
Jochemsen,  Hendrick,  xiii,  312,  330.  336-7,  246-7,  249, 

351,  356,  330,  351-3,  506-7.     See  Joahims,Yohmm. 
Jockum,  Peter,  xii,  586. 
Joeseu,  Jurian,  xii,  158. 
Johnson,  Albert,  xii,  471. 
Johusou,  Andries,  xii,  469. 
Johnson,  Arent,  xii,  620,  636,  649. 
Johusou,  Charles,  xii,  470,  638. 
Johnson,  Cornelius,  xii,  623. 
Johnson,  Dereck,  xii,  649. 
Johnson,  Garrett,  xii,  448. 
Johnson,  Henry,  xii,  555,  589,  647. 
Johnson,  Jacob,  xii,  533,  534;  xill,  448. 
Johnson,  John,  xli,  492,  605,  620. 
Johnson,  Mathias,  xli,  648. 
Johnson,  Peter,  xiii,  547. 
Johnson,  Robert,  xil,  665. 
Johnson,  Simon,  xil,  469,  471. 
Johnson,  Mr.,  xiil,  541. 
Johnz,  Dirck,  xiii,  318. 
Jones  creek,  xil,  544. 
Jones,  Daniel,  xii,  647,  665. 
Jones,  Ebenezar,  xiii,  489. 
Jones,  Gabiiel,  xii,  647,  665. 
Jones,  Griffith,  xii,  637,  653,  658,  665. 
Jones,  Henry,  xii,  534. 
Jones,  Rev.  Morgan,  xiii,  557,  567-8. 
Jones,  R.,  xii,  505. 
Joues,  Robert,  xii,  491,  493. 
Jones,  Mr,,  xii,  477,  647;  xiii,  466. 
Jongh,  Jacol),  xil,  355,  356,  366,  368. 
Joorson,  Oly,  xii,  555,  589. 
76 


Joosten,  Baes,  xii,  319. 

Joosten,  Jacob,  xiii,  195,  330. 

Joosten,  Jan,  xiii,  243,  246,  408,  431,  436,  445,  447-8, 

544. 
Joris,  Jan,  xiii,  153. 
Journals  of  Dir.  Stuyvesant's  visits  to  the  Esopus,  xiii, 

81,  182. 
Journal  of  a  voyage  to  the  Nevesinghs,  xiii,  314. 
Journal  of  the  Esopus  war,  xiii,  333. 
Journal  of  the  messengers  sent  to  make  peace  between 

the  Mohawks  and  Northern  Indians,  xiii,  380. 
Jouwes,  Tomme,  xii,  338. 
.Judd,  Michael,  xil,  524,  525. 
Juffrouws  Hook,  xiii,  506. 
Junstersen,  Juers,  xii,  471. 
Jurcksen,  Paul,  sin,  119. 
Jurgen  the  Fin,  xii,  191. 
Juriaen,  Hans,  xii,  537. 
Jurriaen,  Jan,  farmer,  xil,  153,  325. 
Juriaensen,  Jan,  xil,  141,  148,  155,  170,  175,  226,  283, 

390-1.      See  Becker. 
Juriansen,  Jurian,  xil,  491. 
Juriauseu,  Tryntje,  xiii,  74,  339-40. 
Justen,  Jan,  xil,  107,  141. 

K. 

Kaeterskil,  the,  sin,  573. 

Kaghnuwage,  first  castle  of  the  Mohawks,   xiii,  112, 

479. 
Kahakasuik  kil,  xill,  505. 
Kahauksen  creek,  xiii,  400. 
Kaik,  Pieter,  xii,  211. 
Kakarikonk,  xii,  30,  36. 
Kanadagerea,  Oneida  castle,  xiii,  502. 
Kanagaro,  second  Mohawk  castle,  xiii,  479. 
Kanjchko,  xiii,  389. 
Karstensen,  Jau,  xiii,  154. 
Kasten,  Wolfgang,  xiii,  154. 
Kechkawes  kil  (Maharnes  river),  XI 1 1,  24. 
Keen  (Kyn),  Jurian,  xii,  425,  490,  648. 
Keene,  Jonas,  xii,  537. 

Keesienweyshook,  near  Albany,  xiii,  303,  309. 
Keesjeways  kil,  xiii,  516. 
Keetel,  Jeremiah,  xiii,  544. 
Keetel,  Jochem,  xill,  388. 
Kelv,  Mies  0.,  xiii,  488. 
Kendall,  Thomas,  xil,  615. 
Kendall,  William,  xili,  536. 
Kensey,  John,  xii,  635. 
Kent  county,  Md.,  xil,  350. 
Kent,  Stephan,  xill,  406. 
Kerstensen,  Kerst,  xil  I,  212. 
Keskeskick.  xiii,  5. 
Kessen,  Charles,  xil,  620. 
Kett,  John,-  xii,  648. 
Keyser,  A.,  Commissary,  xii,  43,  64. 
Keyser,  Dirck,  xii,  331;  xiii,  544. 
Kichtawangh  (Sleepy  Hollow),  xiii,  14,  17-8,  276,  299, 

301,  303,  364,  375,  386. 
Kieft,  William,  Director  of  N.  N.,  xil,  28,  32,  40,  48, 

52;  XIII,  3,  4,  6,  13,  14,  15,  17-33,  38,  84,  135,  300. 
Kiersted,  Hans,  xiii,  292. 

Kiersted,  Sarah,  xiii,  276,  280,  394,  371,  377,  386. 
Kil  van  Col,  xiii,  19,  37,  366,  280-1,  314. 
Kinderhook,  xiii,  388,  399. 
Kinderhook  kil,  xiii,  545. 
Kinaguariones,  Battlefield  of,  xiii,  465. 
King  Joha,  six,  544,  573,  589. 


602 


Index. 


King  Pliilipp's  war,  xii  i,  493-4. 

Kingston,  xiii,  44G,  451,  459,  468,  470,  482,  503,  533. 

laid  out,  XIII,  85. 

Esopus,  so  called,  xiii.  432. 

town  of,  boundaries  of,  xiii,  443  ct  seq. 

called  Swanenburgh,  xi  1 1,  475.     See  Esopus;  WiU- 
wycl: 
Kinsessing  (Upland,  Pa.),  xii,  29,   3G,  191,  300,  411, 

438,  648. 
Kintekoy,  xil,  485,  524;  XI 1 1,  235,  299,  334,  372. 
Kip,  Hendrick,  xi  i,  120, 149.  150,  303,  312,  318-9,  375-7. 
Kip,  Hendr.,  jr.,  381  et  seq.,  899  et  .teg.,  405,  417. 
Kip,  Jacob,  XII,  120. 
Kip,  Jacob  Hendricksen,  xii,  53,  54,  71. 
Kip,  Mr.,  XII,  368,  449. 
Kipshaven,    Jolin,   xil,    522,   588-9,    603-4,    622,    627, 

634-5,  638,  652,  654. 
Kipshaven,  John,  jr.,  xii,  620. 
Kip's  Island,  xii,  461. 
Kirke,  John,  xii,  586,  605. 
Klaessen,  Pieter,  xii,  339. 
Klaesen,  Willem,  xil,  522. 
Klingh,  Moens,  xii,  37. 
Knapson,  C,  xil,  633. 
ICnapton,  Mr.,  xill,  491. 
Ivneuwles,  Jan,  xii,  342. 
Knyf,  Captain,  xiii,  467. 
Kock,  Jan  Gillisen,  xiii,  74.     See  Coei. 
Kock,  Pieter,  xii,  312,  356,  446,  475.     See  Cock. 
Koerens,  Pieter,  xii,  385. 
Kooko,  OUe,  XII,  648. 
Koomenakanokonck  Island,  xii,  461. 
Krora,  Gilbert,  xiii,  544. 
Kryger.      See  Cregier. 
Kuiist,  Jan  Barents,  xiii,  446. 
Kuyper.  Gerrit  Jan.sen,  xill,  99,  100. 
Kuyter,  Jochem  Pitersen,  one  of  the  Eight  Men,  xiil, 

16,  49,  71. 
Kycketan,  Virginia,  xiii,  146. 


Labatie,  Jean,  xiii,  15. 

La  Chaire  (La  Ceire,  La  Shiere),  Francis,  xi  1 1,  414,  445, 
449.      . 

Lachair,  Solomon,  notary  public,  xii,  120;  xiii,  211. 

Laers,  Domine  (Laersen,  C'arolus  Laurentius),  xii,  150, 
307,  355,  357-60,  366-8,  433,  446,  470-1,  529,  648. 

Laersen,  OUe,  xii,  491. 

Laersen,  Nils,  xii,  150,  168,  172. 

Laersen,  Paul,  xii,  470-1,  491. 

La  Grange,  Arnoldus  de,  xii,  618. 

La  Grange,  J.  de,   xll,   391,  396,  402  rf  .sc^.,  405,  411, 
415,  416,  419,  420,  422,  424. 
letter  from,  xii,  390. 

La  Grange,  Joost  de,  xii,  018. 

La  Grange,  Marg.arct  de,  xi  i,  018. 

Lalman,  Abraham,  xiii,  548. 

Lambertz  (Lammertsen),  Jan,  xiii,  212,  230. 

Lambertz,  Peter,   xili,  126,  153. 

Lammensen,  Jan,  xiii,  230. 

La  Montagne,  Jean  de,  Vice-Director  at  Fort  Orange, 
XII,  37,  41,  51,  58-9,  77,  83,  91,  97,  118,  120-4, 
415;  XIII,  13,  18,  41,  43,  55,  69,  72,  74,  88,  92, 
96, 105, 108, 113,  115, 122,  126, 132, 150, 161, 192-3, 
216,  221,  244,  253,  255,  258,  261,  265,  282-3,  292, 
299,  304,  307,  330.  355,  378,  383. 
letters  from,  xiii,  89,  115,  123,  131,  133,  175. 
letters  to,  xiii,  117,  135,  143,  161. 


La  Montagne,  Rachel  de,  xiii,  271,  283. 

La  Montagne,  William  de,  secretary  at  Kingston,  xiii, 
401,  451,  506-7,  533,  569. 

Land,  Edmund,  xiii,  547. 

Land,  Samuel,  xii,  589. 

Lansing,  Gerritt,  xiii,  572. 

Lansing,  Hendrick,  xili,  479. 

Lansingh,  Peter,  xiii,  571. 

La  Prairie,  Mr.,  xiii,  467,  550. 

Laquire,  Jan,  xiil,  153. 

Lardt.  Mr.,  xii,  61. 

Laurens,  Paul,  xiii,  154. 

Laurens,  Peter,  xii,  130,  182. 

Laurens,  Thomas,  baker  in  Pearl  St.,  N.  T.,  xiii, 
495. 

Laurensen,  Hendrick,  xill,  154. 

Laurensen,  Laurens,  xii,  27. 

Lauter,  Caspar,  xiii,  153. 

Lauwerts,  Pieter,  alias  Leertouwer,  xii,  137. 

Lawes,  Richard,  xiii,  208,  210. 

Lawrence,  John,  xii,  536-7,  540. 

Lawrence,  William,  xiii,  421. 

Lawrence,  Mr.,  xii,  525;  xiii,  483,  483. 

LaAvrensen,  Arent,  xiii,  271,  383. 

Lawrson,  Marcus,  xii,  470. 

Lawrson,  P.aulus,  xu,  470. 

Lawry,  Gawan  (Garvin),  xii,  579;  xili,  487. 

Lawsa,  Neals,  xii,  471,  490,  648. 

Lawson,  Heniick,  xii,  648. 

Lawson,  Paulus,  xu,  648. 

Leblein,  Joannis,  xiii,  202,  212. 

Leek,  Wm.,  xiii,  487. 

Lee,  Francis,  xlll,  547. 

Leem,  Simon,  xu,  124,  183. 

Leendertsen,  Jacob,  xlll,  233. 

Leendertsen,  Sander,  xil,  102,  181,  182;  xiil,  109,  132. 
See  Olen. 

Leendertsen,  Paulus.      See  Van  der  Orist. 

Leete,  William,  Governor  of  Connecticut,  letter  to,  xi  1 1, 
518. 

Lefebre,  Andries,  xill,  506. 

Lefebre,  Simeon,  xiii,  507. 

Legs,  William,  xin,  544. 

Leggatt,  Gabriel,  xiii,  574. 

Lemmes,  Hendricksen,  xii,  539. 

Le  Maitre,  Claude,  xiii,  206. 

Le  Jloine,  Simon,  Jesuit  father,  xlli,  114. 

Le  Mon,  Mons'r,  xiil,  499. 

Leverett,  Governor  of  Boston,  letter  from,  to  the  Mo- 
hawk sachems,  xiii,  513;  mentioned,  523. 

Levey,  Gabriel,  xu,  647. 

Levick,  Richard,  xu,  638. 

Lewin,  Mr.,  xiii,  538. 

Lewis,  the  Frenchman,  xill,  115. 

Lewis,  Thomas,  xu,  488,  506. 

Lewis,  Walter,  xu,  586,  605. 

Leysler,  Mr.,  xu,  662. 

Lichtvoet,  Jan,  xu,  63. 

Lille,  James,  xu,  586,  605. 

Lime,  Is.aac,  x ii ,  649. 

Liming,  John,  xu,  586,  605. 

Linbergge.  Mathins,  xu,  649. 

Lindr.aycr,  Ilendr.  Cornelissen,  xill,  407. 

Listen,  Morris,  xu,  543,  651. 

Little  Crock,  xu,  578,  652. 

Little  Cupper's  Island,  xili,  192. 

Little  Plain,  S.  I.,  XIII,  547. 

Littleton,  Smith,  xili,  536. 

Litschoe,  Daniel,  xu,  77,  108. 


Index. 


603 


Livingston,  Robert,  xiii,  494,  .510,  .TIS,  519,  533,  528, 

531-2,  546,  572. 
Livingston  Manor,  xiii,  572. 
Lloyd,  John,  xil,  G(i5. 

Lloyd,    Philleman,    agent  of   Maryland   to   treat    with 
N.  Y.  Indians,  xiii,  550,  558  t<  .sej. 
letters  from,  and  Col.  Courcey,  to  Capt.  BrockhoUs, 

XIII,  557. 
Lock,  Claes,  xiii,  293. 
Lockert,  George,  doctor,  xiii,  547. 
Lodem,  Bachio,  a  Polish  nobleman,  xiii,  130. 
Lodewick,  Thomas,  xni,  293. 
Lorn,  Sweu,  xil,  580. 
London,  Md.,  xii,  019. 
Long  Fin,   the,  xii,  464,  406,  468,  469,  471,  473,  481, 

497,  501,  536. 
Long  Hook,  on  the  Delaware,  xii,  048. 
Long-Island,  sii,  131,  163,  323-1,561,  661;  xlii,  27-8. 

40,  49,  53,  60,  124,  300,  363,  384,  392. 
Long  or  Mahicander's  Island,  near  Albany,  xiii,  193. 
Long  Neck,  S.L,  xiii,  518. 
Long  Reach,  the,  xiii,  506. 

by  Indians  called  Magaat  Ea 
Loockermans,  Govert,  xii,  55,   56,  57,   59,  GO,  61,  62, 

04;  XIII,  28,  81-2,  200,  312,  314,  317,  377. 
Loockermans,  Jacob,  xiii,  378  eJ  seg.,  497. 
Looman,  Hendr.  Jansen,  xin,  213,  245. 
Lootman,  Jan,  xiii,  81,  154,  195,  203,  301,  414. 
Lopcr,  Jacob,  xii,  51. 
Lord,  Capt.,  xlii,  297. 
Loseu,  James,  xii,  620. 
Losereclit,  Jan,  xiii,  233. 
Lott,  Barent,  xiii,  234. 
Lott,  Bartell,  xiii,  548. 
Loucks,  Richard,  xii,  005. 
Lourensen,  Andries,  Sergt.,  xll,  297,  301,  300,  310,  311; 

xiii,  80-7,  89,  91,  99,  100,  110,  119. 
Lourensen,  Lourens,  xlll,  77,  78,  177. 
Lourensen,  Peter,  xii,  95,  179-80,    323,  391,   395,   404, 

412,  418;  XIII,  314. 
Louwrens,  Arent,  xiil,  233,  360. 
Love,  Timothy,  xii,  544. 
Lovelace,  Dudley,  xiii,  401,  443  et  seg.,  447,  452,  462, 

406. 
Lovelace,  Francis,  Governor,  xii,  463,    467,   495,   503, 
505,  514,  517,  520,  538,  500,  501,  563,  573;  xiil, 
419  et  seg.,   433,   433,  429,  445,  455  et  seq.,  481, 
541-2,  547. 
letters  from,  xii,  400,  473,  476,  477,  485,  488,  500, 
503,   613,    017,    018,    658;    xiii,    422-4,   420-7, 
439-42,  461,  466. 
Lovelace,  Thomas,  xii,  486;  xiii,  456. 
Loveridge,  William,  sr.,  xili,  572. 
Lubbersen,  Cornells,  xiii,  271. 
Lubber.sen,  Tyes,  xlll,  233. 
Lubberts,  Fred,  xii,  153. 
Lubbertsen,  Gysbert,  xiil,  37. 

Lubbertsen,  Jan,  schoolmaster,  xili,  37,  233^,  300. 
Luby,  Jacob,  xiii,  300. 
Lucas,  John,  xil,  634. 
Lucas,  Nicholas,  xii,  579. 
Lucas,  Robert,  xil,  624,  659. 
Lucassen,  Evert,  xiii,  388,  399. 
Lucassen,  Peter,  xii,  429,  436. 
Ludekens  David,  surgeon,  xii,  201,  205. 
Lumley,  Edward,  xii,  050. 
Lute,  Samuel,  xii,  508. 
Luten,  Walraven,  xiil,  200. 
Lutcr,  Caspar,  xii,  383,  386. 


Lutherans,  xii,  432,  473,  494,  512,  529;  xiii,  384. 
Luycassen,  Andries,  skipper,  xii,  44,  55. 
Luyck,  Aegidius,  Uoraine,  xii,  302,  363. 
Lyfleringh,  Mr.,  xii,  436. 

Mo 

Machawamock,  Indian  name  for  Beeren  island,  xi  1 1,  398. 

.MacTscn,  Niels,  xii,  420. 

Magaat  Kami.s,    Indian  niime    for  the  Long  Reach  on 

lludsou's  river,  xiii,  506. 
Magdalen  island,  xiii,  21,  324,  566. 
Magowasinginck  kil,  xiii,  505.- 
Maguncog,  xiii,  521,  528. 
Maharnes  river,  Conn.,  xiii,  24. 
Mahicander's  (Long)  Island,  near  Albany,  xlii,  193. 
Mailes,  George,  xiii,  544. 
Maine,  xiil,  355. 
JIakeey,  Daniel,   xil,  555. 
Mallock,  Erick,  xii,  544,  552,  620. 
Malison,  Sander,  xii,  030,  640. 
Malster,  Wm.,  xii,  608,  610,  650. 
Mamakating,  xiii,  340  (note). 
JIamarranok,  Indian  sachem,  xiil,  17. 
Mamaranock,  Westchester  Co.,  xill,  403,  431. 
Mamorinack  river,  xiii,  403. 
Man,  Abraham,  xil,  006,  634. 
Man,  Edward,  xii,  544. 
Man,  Mr.,  xii,  663. 
Mangelse,  Jan,  xiii,  573. 
Mauing,  Robert,  xiii,  488. 
Manitou  (Manetto),  xii,  315,  435. 
Mannaat,  Gerrit,  xiii,  306. 
Manning,  John,  xiii,  399,  428,  456,  472. 
Mausa,  Hanse,  xii,  648. 
Manslanst,  Pieter,  xii,  529. 
Mantaes  Hook,  xii,  370. 
Mara,  Isaac,  xii,  158,  160,  163. 

Marbletown,  xiii,  420,  429,  447,  457,  459  et  seq.,  475. 
482,  495,  512,  534. 

so  called,  xi  ii,  430. 

boundaries  of,  xi  1 1,  443  et  seq. 

allotment  of  land  at,  xi  1 1,  449. 

bridge  at,  xiii,  451.     See  A'ew  Dorp. 
Marcellis,  Hendrick,  xiii,  74. 
March,  Hugh,  xiii,  400. 
Marchand,  Black,  xili,  67. 
Marcus,  Johannes,  xii,  45,  46,  49. 
Margin,  David,  xii,665. 

Markham,  Wm.,  Gov.  of  Penn.,  xiii,  663,  067-8. 
Marius,  Pieter  Jacobsen,  xiii,  203. 
Marloe,  Gregory,  xii,  579,  584. 
Marquesse  Hook,  xii,  048. 
Marquesse  kil,  xii,  648. 

Marriages,  xii,  137,  149,  153-4,  150,  360,  512,  596,  634. 
Marriott,  Wm.,  xii,  544. 
Marsepain,  Marsepingh,  L.  I.,  xiii,  58,  147. 
Marsh,  Paul,  Capt.,  xii,  572,  588-9,  597. 
Marshall,  John,  xii,  491. 
Martens,  George,  xii,  665. 
Martensen,  Cornells,  xii,  129,  375. 
Martcnsen,  Hendrick,  xin,  89,  195,  202,230,  240,413. 
Martensen,  Peter,  xiii,  312. 
Marthyn,  Robert,  xii,  140,  142. 
Martinon,  Francis,  xiii,  567  et  seq. 
Martinson,  .Tolin,  xii,  649. 
Martinson,  Martin,  xii,  047. 
Martins  Vineyard,  xii,  056;  xiii,  526. 
Martyn,  Capt.,  xii,  147. 


604 


Index. 


Marylaiifl,  XI  I,  G5,  247-50,  252,  254,  258-0,  261,  265, 
208,  278,  286,  288,  294,  297,  299,  301,  305-0,  308, 
310,  321,  324,  331,  333,  330,  343-0,  355-6,  358-9, 
860,  303,  375,  389,  414,  410,  419,  422,  427,  435-0, 
439,  446,  448,  450,  457,  404,  479,  480,  481,  493, 
494,  497-8,  500,  501,  503,  508,  510-1,   513,  543, 
543,  553,  557,  558,  560,  564,  571,   576,  577,  583, 
598,  600,  606,  612,  623,  025,  626,  029,   639,   642, 
653,  057,  063;  xiil,  140,  150,497,  507,  555,  557. 
agents  of,  at  Albany,  xiii,  557. 
letters  from,  xiil,  557. 
letters  to,  xiii,  500,  502. 
governor  of,  xi  1 1,  530. 

letter  to,  from  Gov.  Andros,  xiii,  481. 

Maryties  Hook,  xii,  412,  547. 

Massachusetts,  sii,  52,  69,  543;  xiii,  136  h.,  163,  493, 
501,  524. 
agents  of,  on  a  mission  to  the  Mohawks,  xiii,  521 
et  seq. 

Massan,  Hendrick,  xii,  648. 

Mastemaekers  Hook,  xii,  38,  44,  45 

Mataen,  Andries,  xii,  491. 

Matapan  Falls,  xiii.  545. 

Matliews,  James,  xii,  570. 

Mathews,  Samuel,  Governor  of  Virginia,  xil,  201;xili, 
146. 

Mathews,  Thomas,  xiii,  409,  418,  446,  448,  451,  544. 

Mathiason,  Neets,  xii,  648. 

Mathiason,  Peter,  xii,  555. 

Mathiassen,  Mathias.  xii,  642. 

Mathies,  Samuel,  xili,  194,  195. 

Matinnekonk,  xil,  30,  36,  401. 

Matinikonk  House,  xil,  480. 

Matinikonk   Island,   Delaware  river,   xil,  484-5,  487, 
506,  611,  014-5,  647. 

Matlock,  "William,  XII,   615. 

Matsa,  Neals,  xii,  471. 

Matse,  Jan,  xii,  470. 

Matsen,  Niles,  xii,  151,  491,  550-1. 

Matson,  Erick,  xil,  409,  470. 

Matson,  Jan,  xii,  539. 

Matson,  John,  xli,  470. 

Matson,  Margaret,  xil,  470. 

Matson,  Mathias,  xii,  470,  048. 

Mattison,  Ard,  xiii,  413  rf  sei/. 

Mattison,  Mathias,  xii,  143,  158,  647. 

Mattson,  Andrew,  xil,  048. 

Mattson,  Nicholas,  xil,  105. 

Mattysen,  Jan,  xiii,  507. 

Maurice  river,  xil,  050,  651. 

Maurits,  Knut,  xiii,  154. 

Maurits,  William,  xil,  136-7,  141,  149,  155,  161. 

Mauritsen,  Cornelis,  xii,   38,  49,  136,  149,  152,  157-8, 
177,  371. 

Mauritius  river,  xiii,  3,  20. 

Maverick,  S,  xii,  458,  459. 

May,  Edward,  xiil,  31. 

Mayen,  Pieter,  xii,  182,  290,  301,  307-8,  334,  340. 

Meaker,  Robert,  xiii,  06. 

Meautinnemin,  chief  of  L.  I.,  xiii,  147.    See  Tiipoumrjh. 

Meenssen,  Peter,  xiii,  439. 

Meertens,  Maria,  xiii,  247. 

Megachkamio,  xiii,  25. 

Mega])olensis,  Rev.  Johannes,  xii,  99;  xiii,  25,  101-2, 
405,  416,  423. 
letter  from,  xill,  423. 

Mcgapolensis,  Rev.  Samuel,  XI 1 1,  384,  405,  433. 

Meggeckcssou,   Mcggcckasjouw  (Trenton  Palls,  N.  J.), 
XII,  255,  273,  386,"315,  355,  370,  384,  413-4,  440. 


Melis,  Engel,  xii,  153. 

Jleloen,  Jacob,  xiii,  153,  202. 

Melyn,  Cornelis.  patentee  of  Staten  Island,  xill,  6,  8, 

9,  16,  27,  30,  33,  47,  51,  63,  75,  121,  300,  206,  224. 
Melyn,  Jacob,  xiii,  473. 
Melyn,  Mr.,  xiii,  468. 
Merrite,  Thomas,  xii,  493,  617,  653,  057. 
Merten,  George,  xii,  601. 
Mespath,  L.  I.,  xili,  105,  108. 
Mespath  kil,  L.  I.,  xiii.  41,  75,  31.5. 
Metselaer,  Martin,  xiii,  95. 
Mctzer,  Joris,  xiii,  117,  153,  203. 
Meyer,  Nich.,  xiii,  313,  352.     Sec  De  Meyer. 
Meynders,  Maritie,  xiii,  370,  374. 
Meyndertsen,   Meyndert   (van  Keeren),    owner   of   the 

Colony  behind  the  Col,  xiii,  9,  19. 
Michiels,  Jan,  xii,  533. 
Micliielsen,  Daniel,  skipper,  xiii,  121. 
Michielsen,  Dirck,  xil,  139. 
Micliielsen,  Lambert,  xii,  107. 
Midwout  (Flatbush,  L.  I.),  xii,   99;  xiii,  44,  66,  102, 

134,  384. 
Middelburgh,  L.  I.,  xiii,  66,  370. 
Middletown,  N.  J.,  xiii,  474  et  seq.,  478,  539,  541,  545. 
Mifflin,  .John,  sr.,  xii,  624. 
Mifflin,  John,  jr.,  xii,  624. 
Milford,  Conn.,  xiii,  308,  306. 
Military,  the,  xi  1 1,  134,  143,  153,  201,  205,  323,  236,  248, 

259,  208  et  seq.,  359,  395,  406,  424,  448,  510,  520. 
Miller,  Hans,  xii,  649. 
Miller,  James,  xiii,  574. 
Mill  Hook,  XII,  648. 
Mill  Kil,  the,  xiii,  389. 
Mills,  XII,  151,  219,  237,  368-9,  482,  581;     xiii,  404, 

451. 
Mills,  Richard,  xiii,  392. 
Millstone  River,  xii,  519,  541. 
Mincgkaghoue,  N.  J.,  xiii,  334. 
Minerals  and  Mines,  xii,  33;  xiii,  19,  21,  99,  100. 
Minnisingh,  a  tract  of  land  east  of  Hudson's  River, 

XIII,  571. 
Minquas  Country,  xii,  166,  197,  308,  815,  331-2. 
Minquas  Kil  (Christina  Kil),   xii,  28  (note),   29,  166, 

337. 
Minsterman,  John,  xii,  648. 
Minuit,  Peter,  xii,  29,  36,  876  e«  seq. 
Minvielle,  Gabr.,  xii,  524,  527;  xiii,  493,  554. 
Mitten,  Robert,  xii,  665. 
Mitten,  Thomas,  xii,  665. 
Mitten,  William,  xii  ,605. 
Mochgeychkonk,  xiii,  48,  67. 
Moenissen  (Monsen),  Hans,  xii,  313,  491,  586. 
Moers,  William  Martensen,  xiii,  77-81,  90. 
Moesman,  Arent,  xiii,  348. 
Moggoneck  Hill,  xiii,  506. 
Mohawk  River,  xiii,  15,  514,  533. 
Mol,  Pieter  Cornelissen,  xii,  184. 
Mol,  Reyer  Lammersen,  xil,  179,  180. 
Molenaer,  Peter  Jacobsen,  xiii,  236. 
Molestine  (^laelstevn),    Alexander,  xii,  511,  522,   545, 

572,  574,  586-9,  597,  604-5,  637,  634-5,  638,  653. 
Jlolestyne,  Henry,  xii,  630. 

Moll,  John,  XII,  530,   531,    532,   539-40,  544,  545,  558, 
559,  560,  563,  576,  589,  599,  606,  620,   634,  630, 
669. 
letter  from,  xii,  643. 

Mollart,  ,  XII,  414. 

Monsen,  Card,  xii,  471. 
Montagnie.     See  La  Montagne. 


Index. 


605 


Monussing  (Westchester  Co.),  xiii,  460. 

Moor,  Mr.,  xil,  68,  286. 

Moore,  George,  xii,  490,  544. 

Moorman,  Harmer,  xii,  319. 

Morgan,  Charles,  xiii,  315. 

Morgan,  John,  xli,  544,  651;  xlii,  548. 

Modtius  Creek,  xii,  547. 

Morris,  Mr.,  xill,  543. 

Morris,  William,  xii,  107. 

Mott,  Jacob,  XII,  647. 

Mott,  James,  xii,  647. 

Mound,  Clinton,  xiii,  450. 

Mouverensen,  Martin,  xiii,  231. 

Moymansy,  xii,  648. 

Mudde,  a  grain  measure,  xii,  172. 

Mud  Kil,  XI  I,  511. 

Mulberry  Swamp,  xil,  652. 

Mulcucx,  Thomas,  xiii,  488. 

Mulk,  Erick,  xii,  586. 

MuUinex,  Thomas,  xiii,  574. 

Munnick,  Evert  Willem,  xlii,  348. 

Murderkil,  Delaware,  xii,  498,  654. 

Murdick,  Robert,  xii,  589. 

Mutiny  at  the  Esopus,  xiii,  406. 

Mynachkee  Kil,  xiii,  545. 

N. 
Naamaus  Creek,  xii,  547. 
Nanoseck  Island,  xiii,  192. 
Narington,  xiii,  380. 
Narowatkongli,  N.  J.,  xiii,  316. 
Narragansett  Countrj',  xiii,  517. 
Narraticou  Kil,  xii,  61,  373. 
Nasshaway  (Nashua,  N.  H.),  xiii,  511. 
Natick,  R.  I.,  xiii,  514,  521. 
Nayack  (Nayeeck,  Neyick,  Nyack)  (on  L.  I.),  25,  35,  60, 

147,  361,  321,  375,  392. 
Naylor,  Edward,  xiii,  227. 
Neagers  House,  xiii,  225,  236. 
Neale,  Francis,  xii,  544. 
Neale,  Jas.,  Capt.,  xii,  320,  334. 
Nealson,  Hendrick,  xii,  470. 
Nealson,  Mathias,  xii,  470. 
Nealson,  Neals,  xli,  470. 
Necken,  Stephen,  xiii,44. 
Nederhorst,   Lord  of,   xii,    131;    xiii,   39.     See  Van 


Needham,  Robert,  xiii,  398,  400,  406,  414. 

Neelsen,  Jonas,  xii,  588. 

Neeyeck  Kil,  xii,  49. 

Neilsdon,  Peter,  xii,  648. 

Neilson,  Hendrick,  xii,  648. 

Neilson,  Jonas,  xli,  648. 

Neilson,  Mathias,  xll,  648. 

Neilson,  NeiLs,  xii,  474,  648. 

Neilson,  Olle,  xii,  648. 

Nelisen,  Hans,  xlll,  16. 

Nelson,  John,  xiir,  574. 

Neuman,  Thomas,  xiil,  66. 

Neus,  Jacob  Adriaensen,  xiii,  93  et  seq. 

Neuten  Hook,  xiii,  388. 

Nevesinks,  Navecinx,  xii,    355,  452,   493,   520;  xiii, 

29,  31-3,  84,  100,  312,   314,  322,   356,  358,  365,  395, 

398,  477,  484. 
Nevisinks,  patent  for,  by  Col.  NicoUs,  made  void,  xiii, 

471. 
Nevesinghs  Kil,  XIII,   316. 
Nevill  (Newell),  James,  xii,  593,  608,  610,  635. 


Nevill,  James,  letter  from,  xii,  650. 
Nevius,  Johannes,  ex-Alderman,  xiii,  41. 
New-Albany,  xiii,  560,  571. 

NewAmstel,  xii,  132,  175,  189,  197,  301,  310,  220  et 
seq.,  233,  354,  255,  258,  261,  263,  366,  373,  391,  393 
293,  295,  398,  301,  303,  304,  305,  307,  314,  315,  316 
319,  332,  335,  339,  335,  336,  340,  343.  351,  354,  355, 
358,  363,  868,  374,  387,  383  et  seq.,  387,  388,  389,  393, 
397,  408,  410  et  seq..  417,  419,  422,  434,  427,  430,  431, 
433,  436,  437.  439,  446,  447,  448,  451,  453,  454,  511 
517. 
Newark,  N.  J.  See  New  Work. 
Ne wberry ,  x  1 1 1 ,   406. 

New-Castle,  xii,  178  ei  seq.,  462,464,  471-4,  477,  480, 
481  et  seq.,  484,487,  494. 
incorporated,  xii,  496,  500,  501,  503,  513,  515,  516, 
521,   532,  533,  526,  529,  530,  533,  533,  534,  538, 
543,  544,  545,  553,  554,  556,   560,  561,  562,  563, 
566,  585,  589,  593,  594,  598,  601,  608,  609,  610, 
613,  618,  621,  633,  634,  636,  645,  649,  650,   660, 
666,  669. 
New  Dorp,  or  "Villages  at  the  Esopus,  xiii,  319,  221-2, 
246,  256,  359,  383,  417,  428,  442.     See  Burley,  Mar- 
hhtown . 
New  England,  XII,  278,    304-5,   356,    417,    543;xiii, 

60,  73,  162,  205,  340,458,  521  et  seq. 
New  Gottenburg,  xii,  33,  called   Katteuburgh  Island, 

133. 
New  Harlem,  xiii,  134,242,  283,   299,   303,   421.     See 

Harlem. 
New  Haven,  xii,  52,  69,  82?i;  xiii,  21,  304. 
New  Hooveu  (New  Farm),  xii,  37. 
New  Jersey,  xi  i,  484,  545.  559,  563,  565,  568,  579,  584-5, 
594,  610,  614,  635,  649;  xiii,  455,  469,  472,  570. 
Col.  NicoUs'  patent  in,  xiii,  486. 
courts  of  sessions  in,  xiil,  545. 
claims  a  port  of  entry,  xi  1 1,  508. 
election  of  delegates  in,  xiii,  541. 
title  to,  XI 1 1,  539^2,  549  et  seq. 
concessions  to,  xiii,   540. 

Dcp't  Gov.  of,  summoned  before  the  N.  Y.  Coun- 
cil, 544. 
New  Leyden,  xii,  406,  420,  423. 
Newman,  Francis,   xii,  83. 
New  Orange,  name  of  New  York,  xiii,  473. 
New  Paltz,  Ulster  Co.,  xni,  506. 
New  Salem,  xii,  593,  594. 
New  Seven  Hooven,  xii,  630. 
New  Spain,  xii,  338. 
New  Sweden,  xii,  73,  87,  132. 
Newton,  Brian,  Capt.  Lieut.,  xii,  41,  51;  xiii,  43,  45, 

63,  86,  134,  144,  163,  195. 
Newton  (Nuton),  Henry,  xiil,  41. 
Newton  (Nuton),  Thomas,  xiil,  41. 
Newtown,  L.  I.,  xiii,  39. 
New  Utrecht,  xiii,  343,  386,431. 

New  Work  (Newark,  N.  J.),  xi  1 1,  473  et  seq.,  477,  539. 
Nicambanak  creek,  xii,  500. 

NicoUs,  Math.,  xii,  464,  467,  471,  486,  494,497,  505, 

533,  536,    555,  569,  573,    573,  595,  600,  603,  605, 

617,    641,  642,  653,  657;  xiii,  4^03  et  seq.,  416  et 

seq..  428,  456,  468,  483,  518,  536,   543,  564,  570. 

letters  from,  XI  I,  571,  595,631,636,  631,  633;  xiii, 

403^,  417,  428,  484,  501,  516,  535,  540. 
letters  to,  xii,  600,  603,  641-3;  xiii,  519,  531. 
Nicolls,  R.,  XII,   458,   459  et  seq.,  474,    494,  514,  536, 
570,618;  xill,  393,  395  etseq.,  399,403,  404,400, 
414,  410  et  seq.,  435,  440,  453,  471,  486,  493,  504, 
530,  541,  543,  568. 


606 


Index. 


Nicolls,  R.,   letters  from,  xii,  4G0  (and  Col.  Lovelace), 

403;  XIII,  403,   404. 
Nicolls,  William,  xii,  450. 
Nielsen,  Michael,  xii,  544,  551. 
Nielson,  Olle,  xii,  544,  547. 
Nielson,  Otto,  xii,  552,  G20. 
Nielson,  Peter,  xii,  544,  551,  030. 
Nison,  Henry  A.,  xii,  G30. 
Niskayuna,  XIII,  573. 

Nissen,  Christian,  Sergt,  xiii,  60,  153,  188,  190,  301, 
312-3,  333,  340,  251,  257,  309,  378,  393,  313,  320, 
333  et  )eq..  348,  350  et  seq.,  354,  300,  368. 

letter  from,  xiii,  190,  351,  354-5,  366,  368. 

letters  to,  xiii,   320,  359,  305. 
Nochpeem,  xi  1 1,  17. 
Noizet,  Frangois,  xii,  54. 
Nolongewocb,  xiii,  308. 
Noniers,  John,  xil,  544,  552. 
Noormau,  Andries,  xiii,  303. 
Noortwyck,  xiii,  300. 

Nooten  Island  (Governor's  Island),  xiii,  37. 
Norman,  Claes,  xiii,  18. 
Northampton,  Mass.,  xiii,  511,  514. 
North  river,  Swedish  designs  on  the,  xii,  373. 
Norwich,  Conn.,  xiii,  517. 
Norwood,  Andrew,  surveyor,  xiii,  400,  518. 
Noten-Island,  xiii,  56. 
Nova  Scotia,  xii,  455;  xiii,  224,  340,  296. 
Nut's  Island,  xii,  98. 


0. 

Oakly,  Widow,  xiii,  574. 
Obbe's,  Emme,  xil,  237. 
Oelsen,  Otto,  xii,  470. 
Ogden,  John,  xiii,  473. 

sheriff  for  the  N.  J.  towns,  475. 
letter  to,  477. 
Ogden,  John,  sr.,  xiii,  405. 
Ogle,  John,  xii,  531-2,  534-5,  537-9,  543,  013. 
Old  Swedes  Church,  Philadelphia,  xii,  105,  526. 
Oleson,  l-as,  xli,  470. 
Olferts,  Hey,  xiii,  345. 
Olive  (Olave),  Thomas,  xii,  579,  615,  635. 
Oliver,  Saml.,  xiii,  408  et  Keq.,  415,  418,  448. 
Olleson,  Hans,  xii,  544,  547. 
Olleson,  Olle,  xii,  474. 
Ollesen,  Pieter,  xii,  491. 
Omella  (O'Malle),  Bryan,  xli,  630,  630. 
Onckeway,  Conn.,  xiii,  58,  59. 
Ondcrhil.     See  Underhill. 
O'Noale,  Hugh,  xiii,  498. 
Onkelbach,  Adam,  from  Rouen,  xii,  153. 
Onokonquehaga,  xiii,  298,  309. 
Ooms,  Jan,  xii  i,  519. 
Oostdorp,  XI 1 1,  474.     (  Westchester.) 
Opdyek,  Gysbert,  xiii,  18. 

Oratainin,  sachem  of  Ilackensack  Indi.ans,  xiii,  14,  18 
25,  40,  148,  107,  171,  180,  203.  318,  201,  270   380  389' 
294-.5,  314,  320-1,  333,  301,  371,  377,  380. 
Ordinance  respecting  Bergen,  N.  J.,  xiii,  316,  303. 
respecting  Schenectady,  xiii,  353. 
Staten-Island,  xili,  336. 

Wildwyck,    xlll,   311,   213,   231-2,   330    239 
331-3,  340,  340,  353. 
against  runners  in  the  Mohawk  and  Seneca  coun- 
try, XIII,  34. 
against  selling  licpior  to  Indians,  xi  1 1,  36. 


Ordinance  regulating  Indian  trade,  xiii.  237. 

respecting  navigation  on  the  North  river,  xiii,  389. 

Orechtou  Island,  xii,  033. 

Orema,  L.,  xii,  665. 

Oryon,  Wm.,  xii,  535,  580. 

Osbourne,  Will.,  xii,  479,  519,  524. 

Osburne,  Rich'd,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Osenbrugge,  xiii,  75. 

Ostcnengh,  xiii,  75. 

Osterhout,  John,  xiii,  451. 

Otskondaraegoo  kil,  xiii,  572. 

Otten,  John,  xii,  580,  005. 

Otto,  Ernestus,  xii,  618. 

Otto,  Gerritt,  xii.  558,  559,  500,  504,  589,  599,  608,  034 
648. 

Otto,  Herman,  xii,  648. 

Outhout,  Foppe  Janseu,  xii,  93,  318,  331,  335,  343,  863, 
375  ei  seq.,  381  et  seq.,  387,  391,  399,  401,  502,  539, 
558-60,  504,  589,  592,  599,  008,  610,  634,  649. 

Oyster  Bay,  xiii,  315. 

Ozbun,  David,  xiii,  489. 


Paauw,  Michiel,  xiil,  1,  3,  4. 

Pachonabellick,  Indian  name  for  Maliicanders  or  Long 
Island,  XIII,  193. 

Pack,  E,  XII,  650,  005. 

Pacamtekock,  Indian  castle,  xiii,  380. 

Page,  Abraham,  xiii,  7. 

Paghahacking,  xii,  37. 

Paham's  Land,  xii,  98. 

Pakaseek,  a  tract  in  Ulster  county,  xiii,  533. 

Paling,  Simon,  xii,  589. 

Palmer,  John,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Palmer,  Josepli,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Palmer,  Samuel,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Palmer,  Thomas,  xii,  015. 

Palmer,  Mr.,  xiil,  538.  * 

Panton,  Richard,  Captain,  xiii,  67.     See  Pontun. 

Papegaay,  Armgard,  daughter  of  Gov.  Prints,  xii,  130, 
490,  560,  618,  648.      See  Prints,  Arm. 

Papegaay,  John,  xii,  37,  131,  120,  193. 

Papirinimon  (Spuyten  Duyvel),  xiii,  441. 

Parde  Hook  (Delaware  river),  sii,  488,  049. 

Pardon,  Mr.,  xii,  486. 
Parraget,  Louis,  xiii,  89. 

Parrote,  Mr.,  xil,  503. 

Parton,  John,  x  1 1 1 ,  544. 

Pasaquesing,  xii,  500, 

Paskaecg  kil,  xiii,  483. 

Passayonk,  xii,  36,  191,  300,  302,  310,   313,  334,   336, 

356,  418,  450,  506,  520,  048. 
Pastoor,  Franz  Jacobs,  xiii,  193. 

Patents  for  land  on  the  Delaware  river,  xll,  16-7,  124, 
177-83,  401,  403,  494,  511,  527,  537,  543,  567,  572-4, 
580,  005,  616-7,  620,  631,  635-6,  051,  663. 
Patents  for  land  on  Hudson's  river,  xiii,  31,  23,  240, 

360,  390. 
Patents  for  land  in  New  Jersey,  xiii,  30-38. 
Patterson,  Hans,  x  1 1 ,  409. 
Pattoxcnt,  Md.,  xii,  301,  310. 
Paugasset  river.  Conn.,  xlll,  21. 
Paulsen,  Jan,  xll,  471. 
Paulsen,  Olle,  xii,  630,  636. 
Paulson  (Pauleuson),  Paulus,  xiii,  154,  203,  413,  448, 

544. 
Paulus  Hook  (Pouwels  Hook),  N.  J.,  xiii,  3,  2'),  44. 


Ivdex. 


607 


Paulus,  Peter,  xii,  223. 

Pauweison,  Mons,  xii,  539. 

Pavonia,  N.  J.,  xii,  98;  xiii,  3,  10-1,  37. 

Pawachta,  Indian  name  for  a  tract  in  Ulster  county, 

XIII,  533. 
Pawling,   Henry,  xiii,  401,  410  et  seq.,  415,  418,  420, 

423,  426,  428,  432  et  seq.,  442  et  seq.,  447  et  seq.,  452, 

459,  544,  571. 
Paycock,  Robert,  xiii,  544.     See  Peacock. 
Peachell,  William,  xii,  615. 
Peacock,  Robert,  xill,  418,  448  et  seq. 
Peats,  Francis,  xiii,  488. 
Peaty,  Richard,  xiii,  620,  638. 
Peck,  James,  xii,  58(5. 
Pedy,  James,  xii,  605. 
Peeck,  Jacobus,  xiii,  515,  573. 
Peersen,  Jan,  sin,  324,  348,  351. 
Peersen,  Pouwels,  xii,  426. 
Peirse  (Pierce),  Josluia,  xill,  406. 
Pell,  Thomas,  xiii,  391,  403,  495. 

attempts  a  settlement  in  Westchester  county  and  is 

warned  off,  xiii,  38. 
reported  drowned,  xiii,  60. 
residence  of,  Onckeway,  Conn.,  xiii,  64. 
Pels,  Evert,  xiii,  74,  90,  115-6,  143,  156,  192,  196,  212, 

230,  235,  238-9,  408,  446. 
Pemaquid,  xil,  633;  xill,  536. 
Pemecacka  creek,  xii,  500. 
Penford,  John,  xil,  579,  585,  635. 
Penn,  William,  xii,  579,  608,  663,  667,  669. 
Pennoyer,  Robert,  xiii,  12. 
Pennsylvania,  xii,  662,  666,  668. 
Penobscott  fort,  xiii,  225. 

attack  on,  by  the  Mohawks,  xiii,  226. 
Penton,  William,  xii,  608,  610,  635. 
Peree,  Jan,  xiii,  113. 
Pergens,  Jacob,  Director  of  W.  I.  Co.,  xll,  234;  xiii, 

159. 
Pernatry,  Robert,  xii,  665. 
Pernon,  Peter,  xii,  492. 
Perrot,  Richard,  letter  from,  xii,  498. 
Perry,  Peter,  xii,  544. 
Peter,  the  Fleming,  xiii,  345,  389. 
Peter,  the  Miller,  xiii,  212. 
Peters,  Jan,  xii,  346. 
Petersen,  Andries,  xill,  544. 
Petersen,  Charles,  xii,  543. 
Petersen,  Claes,  xil,  94. 
Petersen,  Frederick,  xiii,  414,  544. 
Petersen,  Hans,  xil,  543,  648. 
Petersen,  John,  xii,  470. 
Petersen,  Lucas,  xll,  106. 
Peterson,  Mathias,  xii,  649. 

Peterson,  Peter,  xii,  544,  549,  551,  620;  xiii,  544. 
Peterson,  Samuel,  xii,  107,  470,  048. 
Pew,  Francis,  xiii,  548. 
Philipse,  Fred,  xii,  540,  542;  xiii,   86,  313,  352,  360, 

491,  493,  495,  501,  536,  546,  551. 
Philippg,  Gisebert,  xiii,  115,  117. 

(  Van  Velthuysen. ) 
Philipps,  Mr.,  xil,  592. 
Phillips,   Thoms,   xii,  544,  589,   620,  631,   638  et  seq., 

056. 
Pia,  Pierre,  Cadet,  xiii,  14. 
Pickaer,  a  Frenchman,  xii,  433. 
Picket,  Jan,  xii,  316. 

Picolet,  Jan,  xii,  144  et  seq.,  148,  155,  177,  181. 
Pierce,  Daniel,  xiii,  405. 
Pierssen,  Jan,  xiii,  153,  201,  213. 


Pieters,  Abr.,   xii,  592. 
Pieters,  Anthony,  xii,  533. 
Pieters,  Dirck,  xll,  491. 
Pieters,  Hans,  xii,  491. 
Pieters,  Lawrence,  xii,  143,  154-5,  158,  161. 
Pieters,  Lucas,  xii,  158. 
Pieters,  Maritjc,  xiii,  88. 
Pieters,  Reyuer,  xii,  446. 
Pieters,  Reintjc,  xiii,  317. 
Pieters,  Wynant,  xili,  306. 
Pietersen,  Abraham,  xiii,  16. 
Pietersen,  Andries,  xiii,  407,  414. 
Pietersen,  Anna,  xii,  649. 
Pietersen,  Anthony,  xil,  45-9. 
Pietersen,  Christian,  xiii,  334. 
Pietersen,  Claes,  xii,  178-9;  xiil,  213. 
Pietersen,  Cors,  xiii,  33. 
Pietersen,  Evert,  xii,  303. 
Pietersen,  Francis,  xili,  193. 
Pietersen,  Fred,  xiii,  448. 
Pietersen,  Gerrit,  x l li ,  37. 
Pietersen,  Hans,  xii,  470,  471. 
Pietersen,  Harmen,  xil,  180-1. 
Pietersen,  Jan,  xiii,  49,  154. 
Pietersen,  Lucas,  xli,  143,  369. 
Pietersen,  Nathaniel,  xiil,  74. 
Pietersen,  Paulus,  xiii,  333-4,  360. 
Pietersen,  Philipp,  xill,  110,  379.     See  Schuvler. 
Pietersen,  Reintje,  xiii,  340,  345,  350,  353.  ' 
Pietersen,  Samuel,  xli,  539. 
Pietersen.     See  Knyter. 
Pike,  Capt.,  xiii,  543. 
Pimmepakka,  xii,  544,  551. 

Pinchon  (Pynchon),  John,  xiii,  101,  307,  309,  513,  532, 
536,  528-30. 
letters  from,  xlii,  511,  524. 
Pinhorne,  Mr.,  xlii,  538. 
Pinkney,  John,  xiii,  489. 
Pinkney,  Philipp,  xiil,  489. 

Piscataway  (Piscataqua),  N.  .1.,  xiii,  473  et  seq.,  539. 
Plainer,  William,  xii,  571. 
Plank,  Abraham  Isaacsen,  xii,  37. 
Planck,  Jacob   Albertsen,  sheriff  of  Rensselaerswyck. 

See   VerplancTc. 
Plantations,  xii,  151,  217,  236,  345,  474,  477,  485,  494, 

499,  574,  586,  600-1,  613-5,    618,  621,  628,  639,  641, 

644,  6.54,  661;  xiii,  206,  208,   220,    334-5,   253,  374, 

404,  419-30,  435,  435. 
Plat,  Widow,  XI 1 1,  488. 
Plockhooy,  Peter  Com.,  xii,  439. 
Ploetgoet,  carpenter,  xii,  248. 
Plomer,  Henry,  xii,  665. 
Plowden  (Ployden),  Sir  Edward,  xli,  57  (note);  xiil, 

486. 
Plumgut  (Pluymgate),  xii,  333, 
Plymouth  Colony,  xil,  53-3,  543;  xiii,  493. 
Pneys,  Cornelis.  xii,  492. 
Pocanteco  Creek,  xiii,  546. 
Pocock,  William,  xii,  626,  636. 

letter  from,  xil,  645. 
Poe,  John,  xiii,  519. 
Poetquessing,  XI  I,  500. 
Point  Pleasant,  xii,  547. 
Polhemus,  Rev.  .John,  xlll,  384. 
PoUexfen,  Hen.,  xiii,  487. 
Pontopecke,  N.  .L,  xiii,  395. 
Pontun,  Richard,  xiii,  488,  574.     See  Pantm, 
Pooghkepesingh  Fall,  xlli,  571. 
Poplar  Neck,  xii,  617. 


608 


Index. 


Population,  xii,  64,  66-7,  131,  158,  189,  249,  354,  288, 
299,  310,  384,  450,  523,  580,  646,  065. 
of  Esopus  in  1658,  xiii,  79.     See  Census,  Immigra- 
tion. 
Porter,  George,  xin,  407  et  seq.,  414,  418,  448  et  seq., 

544. 
Porter,  Robert,  xii,  665. 

Post,  Adrian,  Capt.,  xlii,  44,  46,  48,  60,  74,  206,  333-5, 
268,  294. 
letter  to,  xiii,  45. 
Potpocka,  N.  J.,  XIII,  316. 
Poulson,  Andres,  xii,  613. 
Poulson,  Mens.,  xll,  648. 
Poulson,  Paulus,  xii,  491,  648. 
Poulston,  Wolley,  xii,  490,  491. 
Pound,  John,  xiii,  418,  448,  450. 
Pouwels,  Abraham,  xll,  363. 
Pouwels,  .Jolin,  xii,  469. 
Powel,  Thos.,  XIII,  388. 
Powel,  Walter,  xii,  665. 
Powell,  Corporal,  xiii,  395. 
Powell,  Robert,  xli,  615. 
Powson  (Paulson),  Mons.,  xii,  469,  470. 
Prang,  xi  ii,  154. 

Prentice,  Wm.,  xii,  586,  589,  605,  613. 
Pretty,  Richard,  xiii,  516,  519. 
Price,  Evert  (Avery),  xiii,  411,  418,  448  et  seq.,  544. 
Prime  Hook  (Delaware  river),  xii,  573,  654. 
Prince,  Ed.,  xii,  665. 
Priuce  Hendrick  river.     See  South  river. 
Prince,  John,  xii,  527. 
Princen,  Mathies,  xill,  313. 
Prints,  Armegard  (Mrs.  Papegay),  xii,  300,  310,   419, 

447,  618. 
Prints,  John,  Gov.  of  New-Sweden,  xii,  38-30,   33-5, 
37,  40,  43,  45,  51  ».,  56,  59-64,  70,  73-4,  82,  143, 
193,  370-1,  413,  618. 
letter  from,  31,  33. 
Printsdorp,  xii,  109,  130,413,  648. 
Pritchet,  Thomas,  xiii,  574. 
Provoost,  Johannes,  secretary  at  Fort  Orange,  xiii,  74, 

110,  175,  193,  358,  383,  292,  298,  355,  398-9,  481  et  seq., 

532. 
Pugsby,  Mathew,  xili,  574. 
Pume,  John,  xiii,  419. 
Punquapock,  xiii,  514. 
Putnam  county,  xill,  572. 
Pyke,  John,  x'lii,  406. 
Pyl,  Jan,  xil,  311. 

Q- 

Quackansick,  xiii,  380. 

Quakers,  xii,  336,  592,  608,  636;  xiii,  477. 

Quebec,  xiii,  531. 

Queens  Co.,  xiii,  147,  574. 

Quenby,  John,  sr.,  xill,  574. 

Quenby,  .John,  jr.,  574. 

Qucnnill  (Quynnell),  Thomas,  xiii,  418,  448,  574. 

Quessanawomineck  creek,  .xii,  544,  550,  551,  553. 

Qui.ackitkunk  kil,  xii,  500. 

Quick,  Tho.,  xiii,  544. 

Quyn,  Abr.,  xii,  158,  101,  162. 

R. 

Radcmacher,  Mr.,  xii,  205,  218. 
Radcmaker,  Claes,  xiii,  11. 
Radetnan,  Anthony,  xil,  237. 
Raleigh,  Sir  W.,  xiii,  480. 


Rambo,  Gower,  xii,  544,  551,  586,  620. 

Rambo  (Rombouts),  Peter,  xii,  211,  307,  338,  462,  475, 

477,  491,  506,  523,  527,  557,  559-60,  634,  648. 
Ramkokus  kil,  xii,  48,  49,  523. 

Rautzau,  Jonas,  xiii,  153,  201,  212,  228,  361,  348,  351. 
Raphoos  Island,  xlii,  506. 
Raritan  country,  mine  in  the,  xiii,  19. 
Raritan  (Raretangh)  kil,  xii,  77,  81,  518;  xiii,  7,  31-3, 

339,  313,  314,  395-6,  405. 
Rattlesnake  brook,  xiii,  404. 
Rauen,  Uald,  xii,  648. 
Rausa,  Olle,  xii,  648. 
Ravens,  Clerk,  xli,  453. 
Rawake  river,  xiii,  405. 
Rawlings,  John,  xii,  630. 
Rawls,  John,  xlil,  403. 

Rawson,  Edward,  secretary  of  Boston,  xiii,  523. 
Rawson,  Olle,  xii,  544,  547. 
Ray,  Alexander,  xii,  647,  665. 
Read,  Thomas,  xiii,  41. 
Read,  William,  xiii,  41. 
Rechgawawanck,  xiii,  14,  18. 
Rechkawyck,  L.  I.,  xiii,  147. 
Redhook,  Dutchess  Co.,  xlll,  31. 
Red  Island,  xii,  333. 

Redoubt,  the,  at  the  Esopus,  xiii,  357,  373,  393,  312, 
322-3,  331,  338,  340,  346,  351,  359,  392,  413,  414, 
417,  439  etseq.,  470. 
warehouse  at,  xiii,  470. 
Redoubt  at  the  Newesinghs,  xiii,  356. 
Redoubt  creek,  xiii,  447,  515,  553. 
Reep,  Wm.,  xiii,  396. 
Reguersen,  Rich'd,  xii,  646. 
Rehobath  bay  (Delaware  river),  xii,  574,  616. 
Rehobath  creek,  xii,  544. 
Rekter,  Commissary,  xil,  307. 
Remahenonc,  xiii,  25. 
Renierse,  Renier,  xll,  490. 
Renselaer's  Hook,  xiii,  315,  333. 
Revel,  Randall,  xii,  318,  537,  544,  571,  Sli  et  seq. 
Revell,  Thomas,  xii,  624. 
Rewechnongh  (Haverstraw),  xill,  375. 
Reyndersen,  Harmau,  xii,  430. 
Reyners,  Herman,  xii,  490. 
Reyniertsen,  Adrian,  xii,  67. 
Reynolds,  John,  xiii,  448. 
Reynst,  Jacobus,  xii,  443. 
Reyss,  Noel,  xiii,  153. 
Rho,  Jan,  xi  ii,  1.54. 
Rhoades,  Dr.  John,  xii,  511,  516,  518,  533,  545,  597, 

604,  613,  637,  634-5,  638,  654. 
Rhode  Island,  xii  i,  493  et  seq. 
Riall,  Edmund,  xii,  629. 
Richard,  John,  siii,  488. 
Richards,  John,  xii,  544,  630,  631. 
Richards,  Mr.,  xiii,  530,  530. 
Richardson,  John,  xii,  636  et  seq.,  639,  647,  653,  660; 

XIII,  460,  489. 
Richardson,  John,  sr.,  xii,  638. 
Richardson,  John,  jr.,  xii,  638,  665. 
Richardson,  William,  xiii,  574. 
Richbell,  John,  xiii,  431. 
Richbell,  Mr.,  xii,  525. 
Richcson,  John  R.,  xii,  665. 

Rider,  John,  Stewart  of  the  court  at  Pordham,  xn  i,  471 . 
Rider,  Robert,  xiii,  466.  518,  547-8. 
Ridgcway,  Rich'd,  xii,  659. 
Rinckhout,  Jan,  xiii,  374. 
Ringo,  Phil.  Janseu,  xii,  177. 


Index. 


609 


Roberts,  Robert,  xii,  570. 

Rodeney,  Will.,  xiii,  506. 

Rodolff,  .Jurian,  sergeant,  xiii,  10,  14. 

Roe,  Elias,  xii,  137, 

Roelollsen,  Matthys,  xiii,  104,  119,  154,  157,  195,  212, 

230,  240,  371. 
Roeloff  Jansen's  kil,  xiii,  540,  572. 
Roes,  John,  xill,  66. 
Roes,  Robert,  xiii,  60. 
Roeter,  Ernst,  Dr.,  xii,  440. 
Rogers,  John,  xii,  615. 
Romey,  Frederic,  xil,  586. 
Romsingh,  N.  J.,  xlll,  316. 
Ronduyt  kil,  xlll,  505,  506.     See  Redoubt  kil. 
Rongell,  Michael,  xii,  648. 

Roodenburgh,  Vice-Director  at  Curasao,  xli,  62,  64. 
Roods,  Willem,  xii,  543. 
Roophakesky,  xii,  49. 
Roo.se,  Albert  Heymensen,  xi  1 1,  194,  19G,  231,  243,  284, 

329,  407  et  seq.,  544. 
Roose,  Arian  Albertson,  xiii,  410,  544. 
Roose,  John  Albertson,  xiii,  544. 
Root,  SimoD,  XII,  27,  38,  40,  44,  46,  48-50,  53,  57,  66, 

371. 
Roothaer,  Jan,  xiii,  515. 
Rose,  Alard,  xiii,  448. 
Rose,  Arian,  x  i  ii ,  448. 
Rose,  .John,  xiii,  449. 
Rosecrans,  Sarah,  xiii,  402. 
Roseman,  Harraan  J.  M.,  xii,  141. 
Roseman  (Rosamond),  Marten,  xii,  161,  179,  50G,  524, 

589,  649. 
Roseuburgh,  William,  surgeon,  xii,  362,  437. 
Rosevelt,  Niclas,  xiii,  544. 
Rotman,  Jan,  xlll,  315. 

Ronts,  Elias,  xil,  381,  383,  389,  405,  413,  431. 
Rowles,  Bryant,  xll,  624. 
Roy,  .Jacob  Jacobsen,  xlil,  19. 
Rudd,  John,  sr.,  xiii,  402. 
Rudolphsen,  Peter,  xiii,  238. 
Rumaclienanck.     See  Baversiraw. 
Rumbouts,  Francis,  xiii,  569. 
Rustdorp,  XI 1 1,  194,  370. 
Rutgers,  Jacob,  xni,  553. 
Rutter,  Gerrit,  xii,  343. 
Ruyter,  Claes  Jansen,   xii,    361;    xiii,   165.     See  De 

Ruyter. 
Ryan,  Edmond,  xli,  640. 
Rycke,  Abr.,  xii,  148. 
Ryckevryer,  Willem  Cornelissen,  xii,   364,   375  et  seq., 

"381  et'seq.,  399  et  seq. 
Ryly,  James,  xlii,  488. 
Ryndertsen,  Barent,  xiii,  572. 
Rynevelt,  Abraham  van,  xii,  237. 
Rynevelt,  Commissary,  xli,  204,  213,  229. 
Rysingh,  .John.   Governor  of  New  Sweden,   xii,  76  e* 
seq.,  82,  101,  104-8,   110-1,  139,  191-3,  306,  340, 
845,  413. 
answer  of,  to  Dir.  Stuyvesant's  protest,  xii,  108. 
Rysingh,  Joh.,  jr.,  xii,  169. 
Rywerts,  Dinna,  xii,  149. 

s. 

Sackvillc,  Edw.,  xiii,  400. 
Sadler,  Richard,  xi  1 1,  478. 
Safford,  Joseph,  xiii,  41. 
Sagerskil,  xiii,  335,  343. 
Sagertjen,  xiii,  287. 

77 


Sagertyes  kil,  xiii,  573. 
St.  Augustine  creek,  xii,  548,  549. 
St.  George's  creek,  xii,  548. 
St.  Jones,  xri,  601,  635,  647,  654,  661,  666,  668-9. 
St.  Jones  creek,  xii,  537,  653,  657,  664. 
St.  Mary's,  Md.,  xii,  478,  503,  505,  538,  557,  613. 
Salem,  N.  J.,  xii,  593,  599,  608,  610.     See  iVeM  8aUm. 
Salisbury,  Mrs.,  xiii,  536. 

Salisbury,  Silvester,  Captain,  xii,  536;  xill,  400,  458, 
466,  504,  506,  510,  521,  545. 

letters  from,  xiii,  519,  530,  534,  536,  527,  529,  581. 

letters  to,  xiii,  511,  516,  523,  535,  537. 
Sail,  Michael  Jansen,  xlil,  318. 
Salloou,  Bent,  xii,  648. 
Salloon,  Andrews,  xli,  648. 
Salomons,  Jacob,  xiii,  206. 
Salsbury,  John,  xii,  630. 
Salter,  John,  xii,  650. 
Samensen,  liinier,  xll,  50. 
Sandelyn,  Jacob  Evertsen,  xii,  26. 
Sander,  Antony,  xii,  533. 

Sanders, ,  xii,  503. 

Sanders,  Egbert,  xiil,  334. 

SHnders,  Robert,  xiii,  564. 

Sanderson,  Gerrit,  xll,  490,  649. 

Sandford,  Wm..  Capt.  of  N.  J.,  xiii,  508,  541-3. 

summoned  before  the  N.  Y.  Council,  xill,  544. 

letter  to,  xi  ii,  540. 
Sandhoek,  on  Delaware  river,  xil,  118,  387-8. 
Sandjioint  (Sandy  Hook),  xii,  104,  195,  300;  xiii,  33, 
60,  315,  396,  455. 

beacon  at,  xiii,  539. 
Sandylands  (Sanderline),  James,  xi  1,490-1,  519,  533^, 

537,  586,  648. 
Sanghikans,  xii,  33,  57. 
Sanghikans  Island,  xii,  570. 
Saratoga   (Sarachtogoe,    Ochseratonque,     Ochsechrage, 

Amissohaendiek),  xiii,  572. 
Sargant,  John  Taylor,  xni,  547. 
Sassafras  river,  xii,  308,  336,  355.  439. 
Sawkin,  N.  J.,  xii,  523. 
Sawyers  kil,  xiii,  505. 
Scalie,  Christopher,  xiil,  525. 
Scarborough,  Edward,  xil,  93. 
Schael,  Pieter,  xil,  169. 
Schaep,  Wouter,  x  1 1 ,  375. 
Schaep,  Wouter  Clasen,  xli,  348. 
Schaggen,  Jan,  xii,  137-43,  155,  158,  160, 163,  167, 173, 

183. 
Schenectady,  xiii,  303,  215,  219,  331,  381,  244,  367,  874, 
382  et  seq.,  464-5,  477,  514,  519,  581-2,  573. 

trade  at,  xiii,  436,  466,  469. 

tire  at,  xiii,  469. 

government  of,  xlil,  485,  490. 

purchase  of  Indian  land  near,  xlli,  489. 

magistrates  of,  letter  to,  xiii,  588. 
Scliepmoos,  Dirck,  xiii,  506-7. 
Scliermcrhorn,  Jacob,  xiii,  378. 
Schodack  bought  from  the  Indfans,  xlll,  36. 
Schoenmaecker,  Jan  Cornelissen,  xili,  37. 
Schoffel,  Jau,  xii,  106. 
Scholey,  Robert,  xii,  646,  659. 
Sclioley,  Thomas,  xii,  646. 
Scholtcn,  Jan,  xii,  386,  394,  340;  xiii,  238-5. 
Sclioon,  Jan,  xill,  330. 
Schot,  Rosier,  Si  I,  180. 
Schreck,  Mons.,  xii,  318. 
Schreck,  Paulus,  xii,  360. 
Schut,  Jan,  xii,  179. 


610 


Index. 


Schuvler,  Col.,  xiii,  503. 

Scliuvler,  Peter,  xiii,  431,  439,  44G. 

SclmVler,  Peter  Philippsen,  xiii,  343,  364,  3G6,  572. 

Schuyler,  Philipp  Pietersen,  xiil,  98,  110,  31G,  319,  331, 

387,  395,  400,  417,  508,  573. 
Schuyler.     See  Pietersen,  Philipp. 
Schuylkil,  XII,  39-31,  36-8,   43,  44,  61,  67,    199,   370, 

372. 
Scott,  Benjamin,  xil,  579,  585,  635. 
Scott,  John,  XII,  544. 
Scott,  Robert,  xii,  491. 
Seabroke,  Cleme,  xiii,  538. 
Seal>ruck,  Tom,  xiii,  488. 
Seatalcott,  L.  I.,  xiit,  519. 
Seba,  Willein  Jansen,  xiir,  345. 
Sebra,  Clement,  xii,  570. 
Secaucus  Island,  xiti,  479. 
Seecongh,  xii,  333. 
Seely,  Lieut.,  xri,  69. 
Seen,  Maet,  xiii,  340. 
Seete,  William,  xii,  83  (note). 
Segersen,  Gerrit,  xiii,  74. 
Selyns,  Rev.  Henricus,  xiir,  155,  186,  189. 

letters  from,  xiii,  384,  391.  * 

Semple,  William,  xii,  606,  634. 
Senbille,  Christopher,  xil,  493. 
Sergiant,  Jacob,  xiii,  333. 
Sericks,  Widow,  xii,  649. 
Serjackes,  Hendrick,  xii,  138. 
Seth,  .Jacob,  xii,  605. 
Seth,  James,  xii,  586. 

Severyn, ,  xm,  74. 

Swantregger,  Hendrick,  xiii,  313,  330. 

Seweyruckil  (Byrams  River),  xill,  24. 

Shackleton,  Edward,  xm,  415. 

Shackerley  fShakleday),  John,  xii,  630,  638,  646. 

Shackerly,  Mr.,  xii,  577. 

Shakhamexunk  creek,  xii,  550,  551. 

Sliakhamuxunk,  xii,  620. 

Sharpe,  John,  xii,  535. 

Sharpe,  William,  xii,  544. 

Sharpe,  Sergeant,  xm,  496,  504. 

Sherreck.s,  John,  xii,  493. 

Sherwood,  Thomas,  xm,  489. 

Sherwood,  William,  xii,  647. 

Ships — 

De  Arent,  yacht,  xni,  177. 

AventujT,  yacht,  xii,  257. 

De  Barbary,  barkship,  xii,  63. 

De  Beer,  ship,  xii,  110,  163. 

de  Bover,  ship,  xii,   95,   133,  163,    173,   175,    185, 
354,  304,  349,  361;  xm,  15.5,  174. 

Bontekoe  (Brindled   Cow),  ship,  xil,  90,  95,  110. 

de  Bruynvisch,  sliip,  xii,  327. 

Diemen,   sliip,    formerly  de  "  Hay,"  xl  I,  83  (note)  ; 
xm,  150. 

Dolphin,  bark,  xii,  73. 

de  Draatvat,  ship,  xii,  190. 

Eendracht,  Swedish  ship,  xll,  118. 

Eendracht,  yacht,  xii,  164;  xm,  60. 

de  Endt  (the  Duck),  yacht,  xii,  185. 

de  Eyckenboom,  ship,  xii,  330;  xm,  189. 

Falconier,  ship,  xll,  65,  67. 

de  Fenix,  barkship,  xii,  148. 

Foit  Albany,  sliip,  xii,  473. 

de  Gekruysle  Hart,  x  m ,  390. 

Gelderse  Bloom  (Flower  of  Gelderland),  ship,  xii, 
133,  103. 

Goude  Menkn,  xii,  185,  190,  316. 


Ships — 

de  Gouden  Sonne,  ship,  xii,  308. 

de  Groene  Arent,  ship,  xii,  333,  335,  431. 

Grote  Christoflel,  ship,  xii,  87. 

the  Guinea,  frigate,  xii,  458. 

de  Haen,  yacht,  xm,  153. 

de  Hay,  ship,  xii,  71  et  seq.,  185. 

de  Hollandsche  Tuyn,  ship,  xii,  49. 

Kent,  ship,  xii,  579. 

Kouinck  (King)  SalouKm,  ship,  xii,  75,  76,  85. 

"L'Esperance,"  French  privateer,  xli,  96. 

De  Liefde  (the  Love),  ship,  xll,  103,  304,  333, 
335;  XI 1 1,  121. 

Martha,  of  Hull,  il3'-boat,  xii,  584,  585. 

Marygold,  sliip,  xll,  650. 

Mary  of  Liverpool,  sliip,  xii,  593,  594. 

Mercurius,  Swedish  ship,  xll,  120,  131,  12S  ei  seq. 
to  129. 

de  Meulen,  ship,  xii,  223,  336,  344. 

de  Moesman,  ship,  xii,  215,  333,  371,  304;  xm, 
170. 

Nicuwe  Amstel,  galiot,  xii,  194,303,  318,  286, 
320. 

New- Amsterdam,  ship,  xii,  95. 

Kieuw-Nederlandsche  Fortuyn,  xm,  121. 

de  Otter,  ship,  xii,  183;  xm,  103. 

de  Prinses,  yacht,  xii,  433. 

de  Prints,  a  ship,  x  1 1 ,  64. 

Prints  Maurits,  ship,  xii,  133,  184,    187,  308,  307. 

Prints  Mauritius,  ship,  wrecked  on  L.  L,  xii,  163. 

Prints  Maurits,  yacht,  xii,  345. 

Prince  Willem,  ship,  xii,  58,  64. 

Purmeriand  Kerck,  ship,  xii,  360,  363,  368,  373, 
379,  403,  407,  443,  447,  451. 

Pyn-Apple,  ship,  xii,  60. 

de  Koseboom.  ship,  xii,  303. 

St.  Jacob,  ship,  XII,  438,  437-8,  4C0. 

St.  John,  XIII,  150. 

St.  Michiel,  ship,  xii,  66. 

Scotch  Dutchman,  ship,  xii,  36. 

de  Sonne,  ship,  xii,  241,  384. 

Sphera  Mundi,  ship,  xii,  304;  xm,  149. 

Stede  Amsterdam,  xm,  81. 

Swan,  yacht,  xii,  54,  68. 

Swarte  Arent,  ship,  xii,  86. 

Swol,  ship,  XII,  55,  57,  62. 

De  Trouw,  ship,  xii,  275,  317,  327;  xrn.  111,  131, 
174,  390. 

de  Valck,  Swedish  frigate,  xii,  445. 

Vergulde  Meulen,  ship,  xii,  293. 

Vergnlde  Sonne,  ship,  xii,  317. 

Vogelsang,  ship,  xii,  185,  190. 

de  Waasbleek,  xii,  313,  317. 

De  Waegh,  (the  Balance), man-of-war,  xii,  89,  91, 
95,  103,  104,  107,  124,  145,  183,  190,  193-6, 
198-9,  301-3,  218,  240,  373;  xm,  43,  63. 

Welcome,  yacht,  xii,  73. 

William  and  Nicholas,  frigate,  xii,  458. 

de  Zee-Bears,  yacht,  xii,  363,  296,  323. 
Shippard,  William,   xm,  488. 
Shoem.aker,  011a,  xli,   648. 
Shoets  (Schoete,  Shuts),    Swen,   Swedish  Lieut.,   xii, 

45,  101-3,  105,  131,  134,  139,  141  et  seq.,  213,  335. 
Shoot,  Richard,  xm,  489. 

Shooters  (Scliutter's)  Lsland,  xm,  314,  543,  547 
Shottwcll,  Daniel,  xm,  547. 
Shottwell,  John,  xm,  547. 
Shrewsbury,  N.  J.,  xm,  474  et  .vq.,  539,  545. 

magistrates  of,  arc  Quakers,  xm,  477. 


Index. 


611 


Sibly,  Robert,  xii,  624. 

Sibly,  Thomas,  xii  624. 

Sichtewagh,  L.  I.,  xii,  163. 

Siebrauts,  Aeltje,  xiii,  371. 

Siebrants,  Sibrants.     See  Sybrants. 

Siebrantz,  Bart,  xnl,  212.' 

Siebrantz,  Dominic,  xii,  153. 

Sikoaesse.     See  Horehil. 

Silliakes,  Jacob,  xiii,  43. 

Silvester,  Nat.,  xlii,  396. 

Simpson,  WilHam,  xii,   544. 

Simpson's  choice,  xn,  544. 

Sincleer,  Wittin,  xii,  492. 

Sintsinck  (Sing  Sing),  xiii,  14,  18,  302.      See  Indiati^. 

Sissowokissink  creek,  xii,  549,  552. 

Skillman,  Thomas,  xiil,  418. 

Skilepott  kil,   xii,  648. 

Skrick,  John,  xli,  648. 

Shiughter's  creek,  xii,  573-4. 

Slecht,  Cornells  Barentsen,  xiii,  79,   81,    89,    93,  100, 

104,  119,  155,  157,  166,  194,  196,   212-3,  236-8,  341, 

311,  313,  401,  407  et  seg. 
Slecht,  Jacomintje,  xiii,   507. 
Sleeper's  Haven,  xiii,  276. 
Sleepy  Hollow  (Dutchess  Co.)     See  Kichtawanc. 
Slichtenhorst,  Gerrit,  xill,  298,  378,  389. 
Slom,  Mens.,  xii,  33. 
Sloubee,  011a,  xii,  647. 
Smeedes,  Jan,  xiii,  571. 

Smeeman,  Harmen,  xiii,  214,  233-5,  252,  268. 
Smit,  Jan  Aertzen,  xiii,  212,  238,  245. 
Smith,  Andrew,   xri,  615. 
Smith,  Capt.  Lieut.,  xil,   101. 
Smith,  Claes  Pietersen,  xn,  179. 
Smith,  Charles,  xlli,  535. 
Smith,    Dirck,  Ensign,   xii,    118,  124,    133,    135,    164, 

174-5,  188,  323;  xiii,  95,  97,  101,  110,  114,  128,  153, 

165,  170,  178,  206. 
Smith  (Smidt),  Dirk,  Skipper,  xn,  434,  436,  505;  xni, 

123,  127-8,  132,  343,  345. 
Smith,  Doctor,  xn,  583. 
Smith,  Fraus,  xn,  169,  179. 
Smith,  Garrett,  xn,  649. 

Smith,  Henry,  xn,  582,  589,  597,  603,  613,  654,  659. 
Smith,  Jan  Cornelissen,  xin,  407. 
Smith,  John,  xn,  008. 
Smith,  John,  xni,  406. 
Smith,  Jos.,  xn,  524. 
Smith,  Mathew,  xn,  535. 
Smith,  Mathys,  xn,  531. 
Smith,  Peter,  xn,  532,  546. 
Smith,  Richard,  xn,  72;  xni,  18. 
Smith  (Smythe),  Thomas,  xin,  7. 
Smithson,  William,  xn,  630,  640. 
Smoking  Point,  Staten  Island,   xni,  546. 
Smuggling  on  the  S.  R.,  xn,   314. 
Sneer,  Barth,  xn,  648. 
Snel,  Lieut.,  xin,  476. 
Snelling,  Thomas,  xn,  644,  649. 
Snewit,  Juriaen,  xn,  435.     See  Keen. 
Snyder,  Jan  Barentz,  xin,  313. 
Sogemacklie,  Peter,  xni,  353. 
Soupnapka,  xn,  533. 
Southampton,  L.  I.,  xni,  537. 
Southrin,  Edward,  xn,  572,  574,  587,    589,   597,  603, 

613,  638. 
Spartes,  William,  xn,  665. 
Specht,  Gerret,  xn,  186. 
Spelcn,  Fabryk,  xn,  207,  218. 


Spicer,  Samuel,  xni,  315^   396. 

Spitsbergen,  T.,  xin,  156. 

Spoor,  Aert  Otten,  xin,  313. 

Springfield,  Mass.,  xin,  21,  307,  511. 

Spry,  Thomas,  xn,  543. 

Spuyten  Diiyvel    (Spiting  Devil),   xin,   431.471,   494. 

bridge  at,  xni,  441,  538. 

settlement  at,  xni,  434. 

Indian  name  Papirinimou,   xin,  441 
Spyer,  Hendrick  Janseu,  xin,  333. 
Squakheag,  xin,   511. 
Squire,  William,   xin,  489. 
Staats  (Staas),  Abraham,   xn,   96;  xin,  81,   105,   133, 

186,  216,  304,   350,  515. 
Stacy.  Robert,  xn,  579,  611,  614,  635. 
Staelcop,  Jan,  xn,  131,  141,  159,  169,  183-3,  324,  369, 

399,  417,  466,  469-70,  607,  647. 
Stamford,  Conn.,  xin,  17,  58. 
Stangh,  .lacob,  xin,  13. 
Stapelfort,  Bayd.,  xn,  630. 
Starker,  Bartel,  xn,  470. 
Starvelt,  Adrian  Hubertsen,  xn,  342. 
Staten  Island,  xn,  59,  80,  252,  255,  434;  xin,  6,  7,  9, 
22,  30,  32,  49,  57,  60,  74,  131,  124,  147,  171,  300, 
205-6,  223,  239,  305,   314,  321,  356,  391-2,  424, 
466,  481,  485,   518,  535,  542,  546,  563,  567,  747. 

government  of,  xin,  415. 

conditions  for  settlers  on,  xin,  425. 

Indian  lands  on,  xin,  441. 

Indians  claim  not  to  have  been  paid  for  their  lands 
on,  xin,  453. 

Indian  name  for,  xin,  455. 

Indian  deed  for,  xin,  455. 

two  new  townships  on,  to  be  surveyed,  xin,  458. 

survey  of,  ordered,  xni,  466. 

settlement  of,  xin,  485. 

claimed  by  New  Jersey,  xni,  551. 

town  meeting  on,  xin,  556,567. 
Staut,  Dirck,  xin,  315. 
Stebbings,  Benoni,  xni.  511. 
Steeubakers  Hook  (Brickmakers  Point),  xn,  140. 
Steenhuysen,  Engelbert,  xin,  331,  333-5,  318. 
Steenman,  Jan  Jurian,  xin,  154. 

Steenwyck,  Corn.,  xn,  180-1,  475-7,  479,484,  486,497, 
506,  507,  513;  xni,  299,  363,  377,  456,  464,  468,479, 
536. 
Steenwyck,  Cornelis  Jacobsen,  xn,  111;  xiii,  51. 
Steinmits,  Caspar,  xin,  314,  231,  233-5,  294,  319. 
Steinmits  (Stennits),  xni,  570. 
Sterdeur,  Bernard,  xn,  269,  278. 
Steurs,  Oloff,  xn,  137. 
Stevens,  Francis,  xn,  561. 
Stevens,  Henry,  xn,  647,  665. 

Stevens,  John,  xn,  544,  573,  578,  586,  619,  637  et  seq. 
631,  636,  644,  647,  652,  657,  660. 

letter  from,  xi  i,  582. 
Stevens,  William,  xn,  544.  636  et  seq. 
Stephens,  Witt,  xn,  630. 
Stevenson,  Henry,  xn,  544,  620. 
Stevensen,  Oloff,  xn,  150,  308;  xin,  18,  41, -151,  166. 

See  Van  Cortlandt. 
Stickland,  John,  letters  from,  xin,  193,  195. 
Stidden,  Timen,  Dr.,  xn,  106,  158,  301,  362,  412,  423, 

426,  607,  642. 
Stiles.     See  Styles. 
Stille,  Jan,  xn.  586. 

Stille,  Oloff,  xn,  33,  307,  336,  366,  435,  439,  550. 
Stillwell,  Daniel,  xni,  548. 
Stillvvell,  Nicolas,  xni,  269-70,  324  et  seq.,  415. 


612 


Indev. 


StiUweU,  Richard,  xiii,  441,556,  567. 
letter  from,  xiii,  567. 

Stire,  Olofif,  -xii,  311. 

Stirssen,  Ele,  xii,  138. 

Stock,  Arthur,  ensign,  xii,  462. 

Stoffelsen,  Jacob,  xiii,  18. 

Stoker,  Jaii,  xii,  351. 

StoU,  .Jacob  Jansen,  xiii,  76,  79,  81,  83,  85,  87,  89,  93, 
94,  96,  99,  100,  103-3,  111,  114,  116,  157,  193,  313. 

StoU,  Willcm  Jansen,  xiii,  313. 

Stone,  Capt.,  xiii,  434. 

Stouebrook,  xii,  568. 

Stoock,  Huybert  Jansen,  xiii,  40. 

Stout,  Richard,  xiii,  396. 

Stoutenburgh,  Jacob,  xiii,  119. 

Stouteuburgh,  Jacob  J.,  xiii,  104,  115,  117    157,   313, 
333. 

Straatemaker,  Uirck,  xiii,  14. 

Straatemakers  kil,  N.  J.,  xiii,  31,  33. 

Stratford  river,  xiii,  496. 

Streeter,  Henry,  xii,  588. 

Stretcher,  Henry,  xii,  586,  605. 

Strieker,  Henry,  xii,  544. 

Stringham,  Peter,  xii,  615. 

Strycker,  Jacob,  x  1 1 1 ,  43. 

Stuyte,  Andries,  xii,  137. 

Stuyvesant,  Balthazar  Laser,  xiii,  230. 

Stuyvesant,  Nicolaus  Will.,  xiii,  230. 

Stuyvesant,   Petrus,   Director-General  of  New  Nether- 
land,  XII,  35,  38,  40-1,  43,  45-6,53,  73,  77,  83,  89-93, 
95-8,  105-7,  111,  113,   117,  120-1,  123  et  seq.,  137-8, 
130,  133,  140,  145,  163,  165,  166, 168, 170,  171, 173,  173, 
174,  178,  183,    184,  185,  191,  193,  194,  195,  196, 
198,   199,  301  et  seq.,  310,  212  et  seq.,  215,  219  et 
seq.,  333  et  seq.,  253  et  seq.,   360,   361,   373,  395, 
304,  313,  330,  336,  339,  367,  449,  453,  455;  xiii, 
51,  58-9,  81,  83,  95,  104,  110,  113,  134,  166,  171, 
178,   186,   189,   190,  192,  206,  211,  214,  331,  231, 
239^1,  243,   247,  249,  353,   358,  266,  268,  301, 
303,  312,  315,  322,  357  et  seq.,  366,  377,  388  et  seq., 
391,  416,  429,  446,  477. 
journals  of,  xiii,  87,  182. 

letters  from,  xii,  39,  50,  53-67,  69,  101,  103,  346, 
349,  354,  259,  288.  304,  317,  336,  333,  347,  373-3, 
389,  408,  431,  453,  455;  xiii,  33,  43,  45,  100, 
101,  103,  107,  133,  138,  130,  134,  143,  151,  160, 
161,  162,  165,  109,  174,  175,  176,  179,  189,  190, 
194,  204,  333,  344,  349,  354,  375,  279,  284,  387, 
289,  390,  393,  396,  397,  303,  306,  307,  319,  330, 
333,  356,  358,  359,  365,  373,  383,  390. 
letters  to,  xii,  41,  43,  46,  47,  53,  68,  73,  73,  74,  85, 
86,  88,  90,  91,  101,  113,  119,  138,  131,  163,  173, 
183,  185,  187,  193,  194,  197,  198,  300-1,  304-5, 
213-316,  332-4,  236,  328-9,  331,  335-6,  242-3, 
245,  247-8,  250,  252-3,  255,  357-8,  364-5,  282-3, 
286-7,  289,  392-3,  298,  300,  306,  309,  312,  315, 
318,  331-2,  324,  336,  338,  331-4,  336,  343-6, 
349-51,  354-6,  358-61,  363-4,  308,  374,  379,  384, 
387,  391,  395-0,  403,  406-7,  410-5,  417-9,  423, 
434,  437,  430-1,  433-8,  440,  443,  445-9,  451; 
XIII,  23,  26-7,  33-5,  39,  47,  63,  70,  73,  75-8,  80, 
88-9,  91,  96,  98-100,  105,  111,  114-6,  118-9, 
131-2,  126,  129,  132-4,  149,  154-6,  158,  164,  166, 
170,  174-5,  187,  190-1,  301-2,  208,  313,  215, 
237-8,  235,  237,  244-5,  358,  260,  263,  265,  266-8, 
271-3,  383,  286,  298,  303,  308,  311,  317-8,  351, 
354-5,  366,  308,  373. 

Styles  (Stiles),  Samuel,  xii,  580,  588,  605,  644,  652. 

Sudbury,  xii  i,  520. 


Sullivan  Co.,  N.  T.,  xiii,  340  n. 

Suppeckongh,  Indian  name  for  Fort  Casimir,  xii,  166. 

Surveys,  xii,  547.    See,  also  I'atents. 

Swamptown,  xii,  592,  608,  610.     See  JN'ew  Salem,  N.  J. 

Swaen,  Jan,  xiii,  233^,  368,  360. 

Swaenenburgh,  Kingston  so  called,  xiii,  475. 

Swaenewyck,  xii,  533,  535,  575,  645. 

Swaine,  Woolle,  xii,  557,559, 

Swannekes,  Indian  name  for  the  Dutch,  xiii,  47,  85. 

Swansen,  Andrew,  xii,  647. 

Swanson,  Otto,  xii,  634,  636,  647. 

Swanson,  Swan,  xii,  047. 

Swart,  G.,  sheriff,  xiii,  156,  192,  378. 

Swart,  Jacob,  xiii,  48. 

Swart,  Jan,  xii,  141. 

Swart,  ,  XII,  136. 

Swart,  Teunis  Cornelissen,  xill,  500. 

Swartwout,  Roeloff,  sheriff  at  the  Esopus,  xi  1 1, 158, 176, 
188,  194,  201,  30.5,  312,  337,  332,  238-9.  345,  349, 
351,  357,  318-9,  336,  341,  353,  357-8,  408,  445  et 
seq.,  544. 
appointed  sheriff,  xiii,  199. 
suspended 
reappointed 
letters  from,  xiii,  237,  338. 

Swartwout,  Thomas,  xiii,  313. 

Swedes,  xii,   38,  30,  37,  38,  40,  43-7,  51  n.,  56,  57,  61, 
63-5,  67,  73,   73,  83,  85,  80,  88,  90,  99.  100,  102, 
105,  100,  110,  113,  115,  119-23,  126,  133,  139.  169, 
173,  174,  188,  190,  311-2,  331,  332,  336,  247,  350, 
254,  356,  371,  283,  287,  297,  298,  299,  300,  301, 
303,  304,  305,  306,   308,  315,  316,  319,  322,  330, 
340.  345,  350,  353,  357,  368,  370,  372,  376  et  seq., 
406,  410,  419,  433,   445,  446,  450,  451,  455,  457, 
403,  508,  536,  539;  xiii,  384. 
uprising  of  the,  feared,  xii,  131. 
on  the  S.  R.  to  form  a  village,  xii,  190. 
and  Fins,  number  of,  xii,  399. 
the  sheriff  of  the,  discharged,  xii,  338. 

Swedish  designs  on  the   S.  R.,  xii,  445. 

Swedish  South  Company,  xii,  83,  104,  106-7,  109,  111, 
191. 

Swens,  Jacob,  xii,  303,  312,  316,  344,  406,  414,  419. 

Swensen,  Oele,  xil,  586. 

.Swenske,  Jacob,  xii,  172,  213. 

Swenson,  Jacob,  xii,  430,  434,  436. 

Swerinek,  Hendrick,  xi  ii,  74. 

Swits,  Cornells,  xill,  571. 

Sybrants,  Dominicus,  XII,  377  ct  seq.,  883  et  se^.,  393, 
405. 

Sybrants,  Hendrick,  xii,  561. 

Sybrautsen,  Hendrick,  xii,  530. 

Sybrantsen,  Jan,  xii,  490,  491. 

Symensen,  Arien,  xii,  96. 

Symons,  Willem,  xii,  433. 

T. 

Tach,  Aert  Pietcrsen,  xiii,  330,  347. 

Tachpausaan  (Tackpusha,  Tapousagh),  chief  of  Marse- 

pingh,  XI 1 1,  58,  147,  180,  385,  375, 
Tack,  Arent  Pieterson,  xili,  313,  347,  370. 
Tackquirasv,  xil,  544. 
Tade,  Miohiel,  xii,  194. 
Taillcr,  Willem,  xii,  182;  xiii,  331. 
Tailor,  Joseph,  xiii,  488,  574. 

Talcot,  John,  letter  from,  to  S.  Salisbury,  xi  1 1,  516,  520. 
Tallent,  Robert,  XII,  644. 
Talleur,  Will'm,  xu,  657. 


Index. 


613 


Talman,  Peters,  xil,  73. 

Taorackan,  xii,  651. 

TapiMen,  xm,  14,  18,  29,  55,  300,  354,  375,  551. 

Tappaen  Hook,  xiii,  353. 

Tanta,  Hendrick,  xii,  648. 

Taylor,  John,  xm,  547. 

Taylor,  William,  XII,  537,  623. 

't  Dyrsen,  Jan,  xii,  56,  57. 

Teeman,  Mr.,  xii,  647. 

Teenemau,  Dr.,  xii,  623. 

Teller,  Andrees,  xii,  649. 

Teller,  William,  xm,  253,  367. 

Temple,  Sir  Thomas,  xm,  296,  298,  307. 

Tea  Broek,  Dirck  Wessels,  xm,  571,  57.3. 

Ten  Broek,  Wessel,  xm,  506-7. 

Ten  Eyck,  Conrad,  xii,  436. 

Ten  Farms,  the,  xm,  404. 

Tennis-court  at  Esopus,  xm,  115. 

Terheun,  John  Albertson,  xii,  666. 

Teschemaeker,  Rev.  Peter,  xi  i,  633,  636,  641,  643;  xm, 

544. 
Teschett,  Pieter  Jansen,  xii,  381. 
Teunissen,  Claesje,  xm,  23.3,  311. 
Teunissen,  Cornells,  xii,  124,  158,  180;  xm,  76. 
Teunissen,  Dirck,  xm,  233,  234. 
Teunissen,  GeiTit,  xm,  481,  494. 
Teunissen,  Hendrick,  cadet,  from  Suytloh,  xii,  134. 
Teunissen,  Hendrick,  xm,  233,  234. 
Teunissen,  Jacob,  from  Naerden,  xm,  143,  154. 
Teunissen,  Jan,  xii,  118,  276,  330. 
Teunissen,  Joost  van  Noorden,  xil,  54,  71. 
Teunissen,  Jurian,  xm,  223,  389,  897,  481. 
Teunissen,  Leendert,  xii,  492. 
Teunissen,  Michael,  xm,  333. 
Teunissen,  Romein,  xm,  338. 
Teunissen,    Sweer,    Magistrate  of   Schenectady,   xm, 

465,  500. 
Teunissen,  Tobias,  xm,  9. 
Teunison,  Claus,  xm,  544. 
Thomas,  the  Cooper,  xm,  383. 
Thomas,  the  Irishman,  xm,  296,  331,  388,  341. 
Thomas,  Daniel,  xm,  547. 
Thomas,  Jan,  xm,  219,  220,  243,  259,   263,  260,  439, 

519. 
Thomas,  Jannetje,  xii,  137. 
Thomas,  Mr.,  Mayor  of  N.  T.,  xm,  586. 
Thomasen,  Jan,  xm,  192,  304,  809. 
Thomasou,  Christian,  xii,  552. 
Thomason,  Peter,  xii,  544,  552. 

Thomason,  ,  xil,  630. 

Thomassen,  Klas,  xii,  106. 
Thomassen,  Paulus,  xm,  302. 
Thomassen,  Thomas,  xm,  303. 
Thomson,  Christiana,  xii,  544. 
Thomson,  William,  xm,  487. 
Throckmorton,  John,  xm,  10,  15. 
Throckmorton's  Neck  (Westchester  Co.),  xm,  15. 
Thusk,  XI  I,  544. 
Tibout,  Jan,  xli,  156,  158. 
Tiddens,  Tymen,  xii,  138-9,  148  e<  sey.,  162. 
Tillmouth  Haven,  xii,  620. 

Tilton,  John,  Clerk  of  Gravesend,  xm,  39,  396. 
Timmer  (Timber)  Island,  xii,  104. 
Timmerman,  Jan  Barentz,  xm,  212,  230. 
Tinnekonck   (Tinicum,  Pa.),  xii,    29,  32,  48,   49,    130, 
151,  160,  204.  207,  303,  310,  357,   365,   368,  420, 
425,  446,  506,  648. 
Court  of,  XI  I,  159. 
Tinnekonck  Island,  xii,  526,  618. 


Tionnontoguin,  xm,  524,  564. 
Tippett,  George,  xm,  441. 
Tison,  John,  xii,  648. 
Toennissen,  Jacob,  xm,  171 

Tom,  William,  XII,  463,  464,  471,  474,   476,  480    484 
490,  492,  495,   496,  501,  506,  515,  517,  524,'   525, 
534,  558,  559,  560,  561,   56i,    575,  577,  581,  589, 
dies,  XII,  592,  595,  597,  600,  606,  649. 
letters  from,  xii,  493,  585. 
Tom,  the  Irishman,  xii,  485. 
Tomassen,  Jan,  xm,  40,  48,  88,  93,  110. 
Tomassen,  Paulus,  xm,  154. 
Tomassen,  Tomas,  xm,  154. 
Tomissen,  Jan,  xii,  386,  306,  311. 
Tomkins,  John,  xm,  489. 
Tomkins,  Nathaniel,  xm,  489. 
Tomson,  Mr.,  xm,  519. 
Tonneman,  Pieter,  xii,   166,    173,    174,  192,   210,    212; 

xm,  80. 
Toocke,  Gerritt,  xm,  220. 
Tornaborg,  xii,  109. 
Torsen,  Olle,   xii,  143,   158,   161,  470,   490,   506,  539, 

648-9. 
Toursen,  Sander,  xm,  67. 
Touw,  Samuel,  xm,  41. 
Towocanowinck,  xil,  544,  550,  553. 
Trade  to  and  in  the  Delaware  District  xii,  59,  60,  68, 

70-1,  87,  117,  138,  130,  195,  313,  316,  338,  418. 
Trade  on  Hudson's  River,  xm,  458,  478. 
Trade  with   the  Indians,  xm,  34-5,  89,  67,  157.     See 

Ordinancei. 
Traily,  xii,  605. 
Trayly,  Robert,  xll,  586,  588. 
Treat,  Robert,  Dep.  Governor  of  Connecticut,  xm,  308, 

210,  218,  331,  266,  281,  501,  530. 
Trenton  falls,  N.  J.,  xii,  255.     See  Meggeckesaou. 
Trinity  Hook,  xii,  191,  474.     See  Verdrietige  Hook. 
Trois-Rivieres,  xm,  113. 
Trois-Rivieres,  Governor  of,  xm,  88. 
True,  William,  xii,  586,  605. 
Trumpeters,  Andrews,  xii,  648. 
Tudden,  Andries,  xli,  138. 
Tunys,  Aaron,  xm,  448. 
Turner,  Anonias,  xm,  547. 
Turner,  John,  xm,  488,  574. 
Turner,  Nathaniel,  Capt.,  xii,  70. 
Turnier,  D.auiel,  xm,  421. 
Turtle  falls,  xii,  210. 
Turtle  falls  Kill,  xii,  368,  869. 
Twyler's  Flat,  L.  I.,  xm,  27. 
Tym,  Isaac,  called  Pieriere,  xii,  137,  503. 
Tyre,  Anthonv,  xl  1 1,  547. 
Tyson,  John,  xm,  482. 
Tyssen,  Claes,  xm,  250,  277,  383,  368. 
Tyssen,  Jacques,  xm,  346. 
Tyssen,  Lisbet,  xm,  13. 

u. 

Ulster  County,  xm,  583,  574. 
Underbill,  John,  Captain,  xm,  17,  18. 
Upland,  Pa.,  xii,  36,  109,  191,  807,  856,  867,   435,  439, 
506,  508,  524,  526,  561-2,  585,  606,  609,  634,  648, 
650. 
Court  of,  XII,  525,  586. 
Upland's  Kil,  xii,  321,  412,  425. 
Urian,  Hansa,  xii,  648. 
Urianson,  Andrew,  xii,  648. 
Urianson,  Erick,  xii,  469. 


614 


Index. 


Uselton,  Francis,  xiii,  548. 
Xjstjis  Jcus    XII   469. 

Utie,  Nathaniel,' XII,  247,   250,  252,  255,  259,  261,  263, 
364,  307,  321,  337,  355,  417. 


V. 

Vaegt,  Teunis,  xlii,  154. 

Vaill,  Tliomas,  xiii,  488. 

Vaile,  Thomas,  sen.,  xlli,  574. 

VaUe,  Samuel,  xiii,  574. 

Vallett,  Capt.;  xii,  406. 

Van  Acker,  Joris  Esias,  xi  1 1,   153. 

Van  Aken,  Jan  Coster,  xlii,  378. 

Van  Ale,  Lawrence,  xill,  573. 

Van  Alen,  Peter,  xiii,  230. 

Van  Baal,  Jan  Heud  rick  sen,  xiii,   350,  378. 

Van  Baruefelt,  Herman  Hendricks,  xiii,  154. 

Van  Beek,  Mr.,  xii,  190. 

Van  Bergh,  Lucas  Dirks,  xii,  473. 

Van  Bookhoven,  Ryk  Clasen,  xiii,  572. 

Van  Borsini,  Saartie,  Indian  intei-jjreter,  xili,  479. 

Van  Bremen,  Dirk  Jansen,  xiii,  193. 

Van  Bremen,  Jan,  xiii,  74. 

Van  Breuckeler,  C.  T.,  xiii,  156. 

Van  Brugge,  Carel,  Commissary,  xii,  172-3. 

Van  Brugh,  Johannes,  xiii,  456. 

Van  Bursuni,  Cornells,  xlil,  554. 

Van  Campen,  Gerrit,  xlll,  90,  154,  203,  213,  330. 

Van  Campen,  Gerrit  Jansen,  xiii,  195. 

Van  Campen,  Jacob,  xiii,  153. 

Van  Campen,  Jan,  xill,  153. 

Van  Corler,  Jacobus,  xiii,  40,  43,  48. 

Van  Coi-tlandt,    Oloff  Stevenson,   xiii,   69,    ITS,    317, 

322,  416,  456. 
Van  Cortlandt,    Stephanus,   xii,  633;  xiii,   497,  507, 

515,  536,  551,  554. 
Van  Cortlandt.     See  Stevenson,  Oloff. 
Van  Couwonhoven,  Jacob,  xiii,  314. 
Van  Couwenhoven,  Jacob  Wolfertson,  xii,  66. 
Van  Couwenhoven,  P.  W.,  xiii,    286  et  seq.,  393,   296, 

300,  303,  304  et  seq.,  308,  314,  338  etseq.,  363-4,  377. 
Van  Couwenhoven,  W.  G.,  xiii,  27. 
Van  Couwenhoven.     See  Oerritsen  and  Wolfert.ien.. 
Van  Curler,  Arent,   xiii,  25,   109,    110,    133,    156,  161, 

181,  215,  219,  253,  268,  469.     See  Curler. 
Van  Curler,  Mrs.  Antonia,  xiii,  469. 
Vandemark,  Thomas,  xiii,  544. 

Vanden  As,  ,  xii.  312. 

Van  den  Berch,  Claes,  xiii,  388. 

Van  den  Bosch,  Harmcn  Martensen,  xlii,  301. 

Van  den  Burgh,  Hcndrick,  xil,  641. 

Van  den  Buss,  Jan,  xiii,  154. 

Van  der  Bilt.     See   Walingen,  Simeon. 

Van  der  Bosch,  Jan,  watchmaker,  xii,  214,  229,  231. 

Van  der  Burgh,  xii,   636. 

Van  der  Capelle  toe  Ryssell,  Baron,  xiii,  61,  131,  200, 

313. 
Van  der  Capelle  toe  Ryssell,  Baron  Alexander,  xi  1 1,  33. 
Van  der  Capelle,  Frederick,  xm,  205. 
Van  der  Capelle,  Baron  Hcndrick,  xm,  38,  31-2,  74-5. 

letter  from,  xii  I,  32. 
Van  der  Donck,  Adrian,  xm,   31,  59. 
Van  der  Donck,  Younker,  xm,  431. 
Van  der  Goes,  Peter  Lucas,  xii,  458. 
Van  der  Grist,    Paulus  Leendersen,   xii,    45,    50,    98, 

295-6,311,  342,  374;  xm,  50,  55-6,  317,    332,   360, 

363,  377,  414,  416.     See  Leendeiisen,  Paulus. 


Van  der  Hoykens,  Cornelis,  Fiscal  of  N.   N.,  xm,  5, 

12,  14,  18,  26. 
Van  der  Hyden,  Jan  Cornelissen,  xm,  370,  374. 
Van  der  Hyden,  Paulus  Cornelissen,  xm,  370. 
Van  der  Linde,  Joost,  xm,  271. 
Van  der  Liphorst,  Lucas,  xm,  40. 

Van  der  Nas,  ,   xii,  234,  241. 

Van  der  Sluys,  Andries,  xm,  78-9,  82,  91,  93,  99,  230. 
Van  der  Slyck,  Corn.  Aut.,  fails  to  assert  his  claim  on 

the  Catskil  lands,  xm,  26. 
Van  der  Slyk.     See  Anionissen,    Cornelia, 
Van  der  Veelde,  Jacob,  xii,  490. 
Van  der  Veeu,  Pieter,  xm,  93. 
Van  der  Veen,  Walewyn,  xm,  183. 
Van  der  Veer,  Jacob,  xii,  183,  345,  584,  623,  641,  643, 

647. 
Van  der  Veere.     See  Adriansen,  Maryn. 
Van  der  Venne,  Jan,  notary,  xm,  28. 
Van  Dienien,  William,  xli,  339. 
Van  Dincklage,  Lubbert,    Vice-Director,   xii,   37,  41, 

43,  51,  58,  59;  xm,  23,  30,  33,  75. 
Van  Dor,  Cornelis,  xii,  98. 
Van  Duinkercken,  Adrian,  xm,  153. 
Van  Dyk,  Cornelius,  xm,  519,  571. 

letter  from,  xi  1 1,  558. 
Van  Dyk,  Gregory,  xii,  30,  37,  151,  173,  190,  311,  3-56, 

258,  264,  294,  298,  301,  308,  312,  336,  338. 
Van  Dyk,  Hcndrick,  Fiscal  of  N.  N.,  xii,50,  98;  xm. 

50,  56,  70,  91,  149. 
Van  Eimendorp,  Jacob,  xm,  410. 
Van  Elslandt,  Claes,  xm,  38,  160. 
Van  Elswyck,  Hcndrick,  xii,  76  et  seq. 
Van  Eps,   Jan,   Magistrate  of  Schenectady,   xm,  465 

500. 
Van  Eten,  Jacob  Johnson,  xm,  544. 
Van  Eyst,  Reynier,  xii,  473. 
Van  Flet,  Garrett,  xm,  544. 
Van  Gansevoort,  Harman,  xm,  481,  566. 
Van  Gezel,  Cornelis,  xii,  279,  390,  393,  294,  296,  298 

309,  316,  330-1,  328,  348-50,  353,  354  et  seq.,  431. 
Van  Haelen,  Peter,  xm,  195,  302,  212,  245-6. 
Van  Hardenburgh,  Arnoldus,  xii,  53,  60. 
Van  Harris,  Mary,  xii,  512. 
Van  Hartogveldt,  Johan,  xii,  440. 
Van  Hengel,  Arent,  xm,  74. 
Van  Heerde,  Jan  Aertsen,  xm,  74. 
V.an  Heerde,  Albert  Gysbertsen,  xm,  74. 
Van  Heyst,  Reynier,  xii,  286,  291. 
Van  Ilpendam,  Adrian,  xm,  566,  571. 
Van  Ilpendam,  Jan  Jans^cn,  xu,  26. 
Van  Imborgh,   Gysbert,   surgeon,  xm,  188,   338,   304 

245,  251,  257,  271^3,  336,  330,  369. 
Van  Imborgli,  Rachel,  xm,  271. 
Van  Immen,  Jan  Gerritsen,  xii,  303;  xm,  37.  68. 
Van  Keeren.      Sec  McyniJertsen,  Meyndert. 
Van  Kuyck,  Peter  Jansen,  xm,  305. 
Van  Leinborgh,  Matthys,  xii,388. 
Van  Linden,  Joost,  xm,  233. 
Van  Loon,  ,Ian,  xm,  566. 
Van  Marckcn,  Jan  Gerrettsen.  xii,  303,  311,  314,  326, 

347;  xm,  464-5. 
V.an  Marken,  Tliomas,  xm.  414. 
Van  Nas,  Abraham,  xi  i,  248,  253,  255,  357-8,  338,  335, 

352.  360,  364,  368,  375,  379,  383,  386,  399,  415. 
Van  Nes,  Cornelius,  xm,  156. 
Van  Oldcnzeel,   Elskc,  xm,  75. 
Van  Olden/.oel,  Jan,  xm,  75. 
Van  Olinda,  Pieter  Daniels,  xm,  253. 
Van  Oystcrhoud,  Jan  Jansen,  xm,  411. 


Index. 


615 


Van  Petten,  Claes  Frederick,  xiii,231. 

Van  Reede,  Gerard,  Barou  of  Nederhorst,  xiii.  9. 

Van  Reusselaer,  Jeremiah,  xlii,  108,  110,  133,  156,  161, 

258,  264,  283,  392,  299,  307,  355,  400. 
Van  Rensselaer,  family  of,  xiii,  533. 
Van  Ruyven,  Cornells,  secretary  of  N.  N.,  xii,  17,  91, 

94,97  107-8,   171,  183,   213,  "220,  244,  259-61,  263-6, 

269,  272,  286,  388,  304,  330,  374,  433,  436,  512,  618; 

XIII,  142,  151-2,   169,  175,  178,  211,  241,  248,  284, 

286-7,  299,  306,  317,  330,  357,  377,  406,  414,  453,  456, 

479. 
Van  Rynevelt,  Abr.,  xii,  329. 
Van  Schaick.     See  Gerretsen,  Goose. 
Van  Schaick,  Goose  Gerritse,  xiii,  219,  231. 
Van  Schalkewyck,  Hendrick  Jansen,  xiii,  38. 
Van  Schelluyne,   Dirck,   xii,  83,   108,  308;  xiii,  186, 

192,  220,  258,  383,  392,  398,  308-9,  355,  379. 
Van  Schoenderwort.     See  Riitger,  Jacohsen. 
Van  Schoffen,  Col.  Sigismund,  xii,  55. 
Van  Seventer,  L.,  xii,  89,  315;  xiil,  31,  159. 
Van  Slechtenhorst,  Brant,  xii,  48,  373;  xiii,  36,  38. 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Gerritt,  xiii,  483,  510,  515,  562. 
Van  Slyck,  Aeckes  Cornelisseu,  xiii,  374. 

Vau  Steenderen, ,  xiii,  75. 

Van  Steenwyck,  Albert  Jansen,  xiii,  414. 

Van  Steenwyck,  Gerrit  Jansen,  corporal,  xiii,  75. 

Van  Sweeringen,  Gerrit,  xii,  166,  185,  229,  255,  265,  282, 

293,  295,  303,  309,  311,  314,  319,  325,  328,  332,  333. 

335,  349,  360,  363,  364,  381  et  seq.,  388,  390,  893,  397. 

398,  400,  403,  405,  406,  408,  416,  423,  434,  427,  431, 

436-9,  450,  453,  643. 
Van  Swol,  Barent  Jansen,  xii,  179. 
V;m  Tappen,  Jurian  Teunissen,  xiii,  566. 
Van  Tienhoven,  Adrian,  xii,  38,  44-5;  xiii,  70. 
Van  Tienhoven,  Cornells,  xii,  26,  28,  40,  42,  44,  46-7, 

63,  65-6,  76-7,  83,  91,  93,  95-7,  118,  130-1,  133  et  seq.. 

137_8,  144,  371;  xill,  3-5,  7-9,  12,  17-8,  30,  23,  36, 

38,  56,  61-2,  70. 
Van  Tricht,  Gerret,  xiii,  456. 
Van  Twiller,  Johannes,  xiii,  35. 

Vau  Twiller  (Twyler),  Wouter,  xii,  48;  xiii,  26-7,  33. 
Van  Tysen,  Jan,  xiii,  545. 
Van  Veer,  Jacob,  xii,  308,  819,  321,  334. 
Van  Vleek,  Tielman,  xi  i,  342,  345 ;  xi  1 1, 207,  214, 233-5, 

271,  294,  319. 
Van  Vorjs,  Peter,  xiii,  525.     See  De  Vors. 
Van  Vorst,  Gerrit,  xill,  11. 
Van  Vorst,  Hendrick  Cornelissen,  xiii,  4. 
Van  Vorst,  Ide  Cornelissen,  xiii,  366. 
Van  Vredenborgh,  William,  xiii,  154,  212. 
Van  Weesp.     See  M'illemsen,  B. 

Van  Werckhovcn,  Cornells,  xii,  133;  xill,  29,  31^,  60. 
Van  Westphalen,  Jurian,  xiil,  72.     See  Westxilialen. 
Van  Zyll,  Ab.  Ferd.,  Capt.,  xiii,  473. 
Varleth,  Nicolas,  xiii,  67,  144-5,  163,  178,  333^,  341, 

443,  447. 
Varlet,  William,  xii,  71. 
Varnier,  Adrian,  xiii,  154,  202. 

Vasterick,  ,  xil,  55,  373. 

Vasterick,  Gerrit,  xii,  56-7,  62. 

Vedders,  Harmen,  xiii,  99,  367,  572. 

Velcker,  Peter,  xii,  529. 

Velsen,  Gerrit,  xiii,    105. 

Velthuysen,  Nicolas,  sergeant,  xiii,  74. 

Verbeeck,  Jan,  xiii,  109,  123,  161,  193,  378. 

Verbraak,  C.  H.,  xn,  383  et  seq.,  401-3,  433. 

Verbraack,  Mr.,  xlli,  301. 

Verbraek,  Claes,  xii,  384. 

Verbruggen,  Michael,  xiii,  154,  203,  313. 


Verckens  kil,  xii,  610. 

Verdrietige  Hook  (Trinity  Hook),  xii,   191,  384,  506, 
530,  539,  648. 

Verdun,  Thomas,  xiii,  524,  527. 

Verhoofe,  Cornells,  xii,  572,  575,  582,  586-9,  597,  600-1, 
605,  612,  620,  623.  636  et  seq.,  031,  635,  637  et  seq., 
653,  655,  657,  667. 
letter  from,  xii,  653. 

Verlyden,  Jan  Swart,  xn,  137. 

Vernoy,  Cornelius,  xiii,  451. 

Verplanck,  Abr.  Isaacsen,  xiii,  3,  7. 

Verplanck,  Guilian,  xn,  570,  633;  xiii,  569. 

Verrie,  Michael,  xni,  153,  164,  212,  230,  246-7,  251. 

Verveelen,  Johannes,  xiii,  421,  441. 

Vetsen,  Dirck,  skipper,  xin,  139. 

Vidette,  .Jean,  xn,  341. 

Viele,  Arnout  Cornelissen,  xni,  374,  465,  496,  499,  504, 
516,  519-20,  536,  528,  557-8,  572-3. 
land  given  to,  as  a  present,  by  Indians,  545. 

Vincent,  John,  xi  n,  547. 

Vine,  .John,  xn,  632,  626. 

Virginia,  xn,  64,  93,  190,  195-7.  200,  202,  305,  215,  218, 
236-7,  244-5,  247,  249,  250,  268,  271,  278,  287,  289, 
297,  305,  316,  317,  318,  320,  328,-  331,  332,  346, 
413,  414,  434,  453,  493,  494,  498,  501,  503,  510, 
513,  571,  583,  587,  623,  643,  650;  xin,  144-5, 
163,  497,  516,  557. 
agents  of,  sent  to  meet  the  N.  Y.  Indians  at  Al- 
bany, XIII,  536. 
Swedish,  xn,  47. 

Vinge,  J.,  XI  n,  43. 

Vis  (Visch),  Jacob,  xn,  146,  197. 

Visbeeck,  Gerrit,  xin,  297,  398. 

Vlissingen  (Flushing,  L.  I.),  xin,  270,  815, 

Vlodder,  skipper,  xni,  157,  189,  213. 

Voeler,  Capt.  (Wheeler?),  xn,  336. 

Vogelesant  Island,  xn,  27. 

Vokmer,  John,  xn,  529. 

Volckertsen,  Simon,  xin,  353. 

Voocht,  Teunis,  xin,  312. 

Vorbert,  Arrian,  xni,  202. 

Vorck,  Mr.,  xn,  333. 

Vornier,  Adrian,  xin,  154,  202. 

Vorst  (Forst),  Thos.,  xn,  383,  391,  393. 

Vreedland  (Westchester),  first  settled,  xni,  15. 
Englishmen  at,  xin,  30,  38,  63,  66. 

Vryman,  Heyndrick,  xn,  158. 

VuUer,  Capt.,  xn,  355. 

w. 

Wade,  Edward,  xn,  608. 
Wade,  Robert,  xn,  645. 
Waite,   Benjamin,  agent  of  Massachusetts,   xin,  511, 

521,  523,  525,  538,  530. 
Wakaseek,  a  tract  in  Ulster  Co.,  xni,  533. 
Wakaukonach,  a  tract  of  land  in  Ulster  Co.,  xin,  533. 
Waldenses,  xn,  133. 

Waldron,  Resolved,  xn,  261,  263,  288;  xni,  160,  431. 
Wale.  Ann,  xn,  543,  548. 
Walebut,  Dr.,  xn,  537. 
Walingen,  Simon,  xin,  49. 

Walker, ,  xn,  519. 

Walker,  Francis,  xii,  550,  648. 

Walker,  John,  xn,  665. 

Walker,    Nathaniel,  Capt,    xn,  616,    631;   xiii,  224, 

226. 
Walle,  Adam,  xn,  621. 


616 


Index. 


Wrtller,  Francis,  xiii,  548. 

Walloons,  on  Staten  Island,  xiii,  567. 

Wallop,  Richard,  xiii,  487. 

Wallram,  .James,  xii,  589. 

Walter,  Hans,  xli,  648. 

Walters,  Kier.  xli,  427. 

Walton,  Tom,  xiii,  426,  481. 

Wamesitt,  xi  1 1,  514. 

Wandall,  .J.,  xiil,  542. 

Wandall,  Thos.,  xil,  524;  xill,  421. 

Wappinger  kil,  xii,  255;  xiii.  101,  107,  111,  129,  162, 

289,  334. 
Ward,  Edward,  xii,  608,  610,  635. 
Ward,  Henry,  xii,  543,  558,  559,  563,  575,  589. 
Ward,  John,  xiii,  507,  534,  544,  571. 
Ward,  William,  xiii,  66. 
Warners,  Martin,  xlli,  153,  202. 
Warren,  William,  xil,  586,  605. 
Warrensen,  Jau,  xiii,  16. 

Washmaker's  Land,  xiii,  416,  427,  429  et  seq.,  447. 
Waters,  Edward,  xiii,  66,  488,  574. 
Watson,  Luke,    xii,  604,  627  et  seq.,   634-5,  638,   640, 
652;  XIII,  405. 

letter  from,  xii,  624. 

and  others,  xi  i,  654. 
Watson,  Thomas,  xii,  650. 
Watson,  William,  xii,  629,  630,  639  et  seq. 
Weale,  George,  sr.,  xii,  493. 
Web,  .John,  xii,  544. 
Webe,  Isaac,  xii,  665. 
Webber,  Jan,  xii,  392,  404,  423. 
Webber,  Wolfert,  jr.,  xii,  381. 
Webster,  John,  xii,  665. 
Weedon,  James,  xii,  522. 
Welins,  Rev.  Domine,  xii,   208,  312,  228,   386-7,   305; 

XIII,  384. 
Wellburne,  Thomas,  xii,  587,  588. 
WcUburne's  Wilderness,  xil,  588. 
Welles,  Philipp,  xiii,  547. 
Wellingbrook,  xi  i,  628,  636  et  seq.,  638. 
Wells,  Mr.,  xii,  662;  xiii,  524,  .527. 
Wells,  James,  xii,  586,  604-5,  637,  634-5,  638,  652. 
Wemp,  Jau  Bareutsen,  xiii,  331,  353,  363,  370,  374. 
Wendel,  Evert  Jansen,  xiii,  193,  316. 
Wendel,  Johannes,  xiii,  572. 

Werden,   Sir   John,    Secretary  to  the   Duke   of   York, 
XI 1 1,  ,548-50. 

letters  to,  548,  551. 
Wesselink,  Jan,  xiii,  75. 
Wessels,  David,  xii,  170. 

Wessels,  Dirck,  xiii,  519,  531.     See  Ten  BroecTc. 
Wessels,  Peter,  xiii,  154. 
Wessels,  Warner,  xiii.  456. 

West,  John,  Deputy-Secretary  of  N.  Y.,  xii,  663,  667; 
XIII,  504,  506,  538,  542,  547. 

letter  to,  xiii,  567. 
West,  John,  Major,  of  Accomack,  Va.,  xii,  583. 
West,  Robert,  xiii,  487. 

Westchester,  xiii,  60,  322,   363,   391,  402  et  seq.,  422, 
460,  501,  574. 

Court  at,  XIII,  474. 

Assessment-roll  of,  xi  ii,  488. 
Westchester.     See  Vredeland,  Wiegnaeshech 
Westchester  County,  xiii,  5,  20,24,  147,  574. 
Westchester  Path,  xiii,  402. 
Wcsterkaraps,  Grille,  xiii,  213,  346. 
Westtield,  xiii,  513. 
Westhuysen,  Jan,  xil  I,  303. 
Westmoreland,  xii,  544. 


Westphal.  Westfal,  Jurian,  xiii,  93,  99,  100,  103,  105, 

119,   157,   166,   170,   194,    212-3,  230,  311,   345,  410 

et  seq.,  414. 
Whale,  Mr.,  xii,  477. 
Whale,  George,  xii,  490,  493. 
Wharton,  Walter,  Captain,   xii,477,  495,  496,  498,  503, 

507,  578,  589,  596,  601,  606,  613,  617,  643,  645,  651, 

657. 
Wheeler,  Gilbert,  xii,  646,  650,  659-60. 
Wheeler,  Roger,  xiii,  67. 
Wheeler,  Thomas,  xiii,  40-1,  64-6. 
White,  J.,  XIII,  542. 
Whitehead,  Captain,  xiii,  542. 
White  Clay's  creek,  xii,  547. 
White  Clayes  fall,  xii,  544. 
Whitfield,  Ralph,  xii,  464,  469;  xiii,  438. 
Whitley,  Daniel,  xii,  567,  605. 
Whitley,  David,  xii,  586. 
Whitniore,  Nathan,  xiii,  441. 
Whittaker  (Whiticarj,  Edward,  xiii,  409  et  seq.,  418, 

446,  448,  451,  506,  544. 
Wliitwell,  Francis,  xii,  601,  603,  604,  637  ei  seq.,  634r-5, 
638,  647,  653,  656,  658,  665,  668. 
letters  from,  xii,  661-3. 
Whorehook,  N.  J.,  xiii,  3. 
Whorekil.      See  Horekil. 
Wicaquake,  xii,  506. 

Wichquanis,  name  of  a  parcel  of  land,  xiii,  241. 
Wickakoe  (Wicaco,  Witkacoo),  xii,  526-7,  647. 
Wicaco  church  (Gloria  Dei,  Pliiladelphia),  xii,  105. 
Wiechquaeskeck  (Wieqkaskeck,Wickers  creek, Wyckers 
creek,  Westchester),  xiii,  17-8,  34,  53,  147,  276, 
386,  460,  515,  546. 
Raritan  Indians  formerly  lived  in,  xiii,  25. 
See  Westchestei: 
Wilkins  (Willekens),  William,  xiii,  43. 
WiUeborgh,  Tobias,  xii,  149,  153. 
Willem,  Jonas,  xii,  315. 
Willcm,  Peter,  xii,  529. 
Willem  of  Tappaen,  xiii,  25. 

Willems,  Jan,  xii,  390,  393,  357,  381,   391-3,   396,  401 
etseq.,  418,  431. 
letters  from,  409,  416. 
Willemsen,  Dirck,  xiii,  154. 
Willemsen,  Henr,  xii,  193. 
Willemsen,  Jan,  xii,  303;  xiii,  195,  401. 
Willemsen,  Rutgert,  xii,  340. 
Willemsen,  Willem,  xiii,  40. 
Willeinstadt,  Albany  so  called,  xiii,  478. 
Wilier,  Jan,  xii,  169. 
Willes,  Daniel,  xii,  579,  615,  635. 
Willet,  Daniel,  xii,  646. 
Willett,  Thomas,  xii,   94,  97,  99,  646;  xiii,   14,   389, 

296,  307,  390,  543. 
William,  Thomas,  xii,  639,  665. 
Williams,  the  city's  surgeon,  xii,  303. 
Williams,  Dunk,  xii,  550. 
Williams,  Hendrick,  xii,  606. 
Williams,  Thomas,  xii,  629,  647;  xiii,  546,  574. 
AVilliains,  William,  xil,  570;  xiii,4S7. 
Williamson,  Francis,  xiii,  557. 
Williamson,  John,  xiii,  413  «i  stfj. 
Willis,  Mr.,  xiii,  529. 
Willoughby,  William,  xn,  544,  573. 
Willson,  Richard  D.,  xiii,  544. 
Willson,  Thomas,  xii,  647. 
Wihnerdonk,  Abraham,  xill,  377. 
Wilm.sen,  Dirck.  xiii,  212. 
Wilmington,  Del.,  xii,  28  «.,  183,  314. 


Index. 


617 


Wilson,  Samuel,  xiii,  542. 

Wiltbank,    Harmanus,    xii,    511,   559,    572,  574,   582, 
588-9,  597,  G13,  622,  635,  638,  654,  659. 
letters  from,  571,  587,  602. 
Wiltbauk,  Hemi.  Frederick,  xii,  523,  533. 
Wiltwyck,  XIII,   195-6,  201,  238-31,  335,  240,  242,  245, 

250,  256,  260,  263,  265,  269,  371,  274  et  seg.,  287,  292, 

313,  819,  333  et  .leq.,  357,  366-8,  382,  385,  406.     See 

Empus  ;  Kingston  ;   Ordinances. 
Wily,  John,  xiii,  488. 
Winblad,  Johan,  xii,  88. 
Windall,  Mr.,  xiii,  531. 
Winder,  Robert,  xii,  544. 
Winder,  Samuel,  xii,  592. 
Windsor,  Conn.,  xill,  518. 
Winehard,  Cornelius,  xil,  649. 
Winkelman,  Johannes,  xiii,  9,  16. 
Wiusmore,   William,  xii,  647. 
Winter,  John,  sin,  488,  574. 
Winter,  Timothy,  xill,  488. 
Winterberg,  the,  xiii,  380. 

Winthiop,  John,  Gov  of  Mass.,  xii,  89,  69;  xiii,266, 
437,  439,   458. 
letter  from,  xii,  41. 
letter  to,  xi  ii,  33. 

Wilcock,  •,  SI  I,  36. 

Witlock,  ,  XIII,  270. 

Witlock,  Thomas,  siii,  315. 

Wittens,  Mr.,  xiii,  381. 

Woggeloni,  Peter  Petersen,  xiii,  566. 

Wolason,  Charles,  xii,  470. 

Wolfson,  Christ.  Jacobsen,  xiii,  270. 

Wolgast,  Otto,  SIX,  532,  545,  588-9,  638,  654. 

Wolphertsen,   Gerritt,  one  of  the  Eight  Men,  sin,  16. 

Wolphertsen,  Jacob,  xiii,  358. 

Wolphertsen,  Peter,  xiii,  58,  98,  150,  369-70,273,  331, 

334,  348,    371. 
Wolphertsen.      See  Van  Oovwenhoven. 
Wolson,  Lawsa,  sii,  470. 
Wolston,  John,  xii,  615. 


Wood.  Consider,  xiii,  488. 

Woodbridge,  N .  J.,xii,518;  xiii,406,  e<  seq.,  539,  541. 

Woodhouse,  William,  xii,  615. 

WoodhuU,  Richard,  letter  from,  xiii,  519. 

Wooluston  (Wolleston),  Thomas,  xil,  490,  491,  648. 

Woolbanck,  Herm.,  xi  i,  544. 

Wooldridgc,  John,  xi  i,  650. 

WooUey,  Mr.,  xiii,  538. 

Woutersen,  Cornelis,  xiii,  98. 

Woutersen,  Egbert,  xiii,  14. 

Wright,  John,  letter  from,  xii,  655. 

Wright,  T.,  XII,  615. 

Wright  (Wryght),  xii,  307. 

Write,  Robert,  x  1 1 1 ,  548. 

Wybes,  Jan,  xiii,  154. 

Wyler,  Jan,  xii,  168. 

Wyles,  Mr  ,  schoolmaster  at  Onckeway,  xiii,  59. 

Wynachkee  kil,  xiii,  573. 

Wynhart,  Corn.,  xii,  492. 

Wyukoop,  Corn.,  xiii,  259,  264,  266,  401,  445  et  seq. 


Yennett,  John,  xiii,  66. 

Tockams,  Hendrick,  xi  1 1,  408  et  seq. 

Yonkers,  xiii,  5,  421,492,498. 

Young,  Capt.,  xi  1 1,  542. 

Young,  George,  sii,  638. 

Young,  Jacob,  xii,  524,  543,  559,  560,  589. 

Young,  Sarah,  xii,  534-5. 

Young,  Thomas,  xii,  493,  617. 

Young,  William,  xii,  617. 


Zeehelm,  Hendr.,  Gerr.  Admiral,  xii,  445,  455. 
Zenen,  WiUem   Mauritsen,     xii,   158.      See   ManriUen 

Willem. 
Zetscoorn,  Abelius,  Rev.,  xii,  433,  433,  446. 
Ziecken,  Dirck,  sin,  36.