Part 6 (1/2)
(3) Hans Eencluys in the ma.n.u.script, according to _N.Y. Col.
Doc._, I. 287.
(4) ”Contrary to the law of nations, regardless of right or wrong.”
(5) Brouwerye, brewery, in the printed pamphlet, but bouwery in the ma.n.u.script.
Of the Roden-Berch,(1) by the English called New Haven, and other Places of less Importance.
The number of villages established by the English, from New Holland or Cape Cod to Stamford, within the limits of the Netherlanders, is about thirty, and they may contain five thousand men capable of bearing arms.
Their cattle, cows and horses are estimated at thirty thousand; their goats and hogs cannot be stated; neither of them can be fully known because there are several places which cannot well pa.s.s for villages, but which nevertheless are beginnings of villages. Among all these, Roden-Berch, or New Haven, is the first. It has a governor, contains about three hundred and forty families, and is counted as a province or one of the members of New England, of which there are four in all.(2)
(1) Red Hill.
(2) I.e., of the United Colonies of New England, the confederation formed in 1643.
This place was begun eleven years ago, in the year 1638, and since then the people have broken off and formed Milford, Stratford, Stamford and the trading house before spoken of, etc.
Director Kieft has caused several protests to be drawn up, in Latin and in other languages, commanding them by virtue of his commissions from the Lords States General, His Highness the Prince of Orange and the Most n.o.ble Directors of the Chartered West India Company, to desist from their proceedings and usurpations, and warning them, in case they did not, that we would, as soon as a fit opportunity should present, exact of them satisfaction therefor. But it was knocking at a deaf man's door, as they did not regard these protests or even take any notice of them; on the contrary they have sought many subterfuges, circ.u.mstances, false pretences and sophistical arguments to give color to their doings, to throw a cloud upon our lawful t.i.tle and valid rights, and to cheat us out of them. General Stuyvesant also has had many questions with them, growing out of this matter, but it remains as it was. The utmost that they have ever been willing to come to, is to declare that the dispute could not be settled in this country, and that they desired and were satisfied that Their High Mightinesses should arrange it with their sovereign. It is highly necessary that this should be done, inasmuch as the English have already seized, and are in possession of, almost half of New Netherland, a matter which may have weighty consequences in the future. It is therefore heartily to be desired that Their High Mightinesses will be pleased to take this subject into serious consideration before it shall go further, and the breach become irreparable.
We must now pa.s.s to the South River, called by the English Delaware Bay, first speaking of the boundaries; but in pa.s.sing we cannot omit to say that there has been here, both in the time of Director Kieft and in that of General Stuyvesant, a certain Englishman, who called himself Sir Edward Ploeyden, with the t.i.tle of Earl Palatine of New Albion, who claimed that the land on the west side of the North River to Virginia was his, by gift of King James of England,(1) but he said he did not wish to have any strife with the Dutch, though he was very much piqued at the Swedish governor, John Prins, at the South River, on account of some affront given him, too long to relate. He said also that when an opportunity should offer he would go there and take possession of the river. In short, according to the claims of the English, it belongs to them, and there is nothing left for the subjects of Their High Mightinesses--one must have this far, and another that far, but they all agree never to fall short.
(1) Plowden claimed under a patent from the viceroy of Ireland under Charles I., June, 1634. The history of his shadowy princ.i.p.ality of New Albion is best accounted by Professor Gregory B. Keen in Winsor's _Narrative and Critical History of America_, III. 457-468. The best account of the Swedish colony in the South River is by the same writer, ibid., IV. 443-500.
Of the South River and the Boundaries there.
As we have now come to speak of the South River and the most southerly portion of New Netherland, we will, although this is well performed by others, relate everything from the beginning, and yet as briefly as is practicable. The boundaries, as we find them, extend as far as Cape Henlopen, many miles south of Cape Cornelius, to the lat.i.tude of thirty-eight degrees. The coast stretches, one course with another, west-southwest and west, and although this Cape Henlopen is not much esteemed, it is nevertheless proper that it should be brought to our attention, as very important, not only in regard to the position of the country, but also as relates to the trade with the Indians at the South River, which the English and Swedes are striving after very hard, as we will show. If the boundaries of this country were settled, these people would conveniently and without further question be ousted, and both the enjoyment of the productions of the land and the trade be retained for the subjects of Their High Mightinesses.
Of the South Bay and South River.
The South Bay and South River, by many called the second great river of New Netherland, is situated at the lat.i.tude of 38 degrees 53 minutes. It has two headlands or capes--the more northerly bearing the name of Cape May, the more southerly that of Cape Cornelius. The bay was called New Port-May, but at the present time is known as G.o.dyn's Bay. These names were given to the places about the time of their first discovery, before any others were given them. The discovery, moreover, took place at the same time with that of the North River, and by the same s.h.i.+p and persons, who entered the South Bay before they came to the North Bay, as all can read at length in the _Nieuwe Werelt_ of Johannes de Laet.
At the same time that the forts were laid out on the North and Fresh rivers, since the year 1623, Fort Na.s.sau was erected upon this river, which, in common parlance, is called the South River. It was the first of the four, and was built with the same object and design as all the others, as hereinbefore related. It lies on the east bank,(1) but it would have done as well on the west bank, fifteen leagues up the river.
The bay runs for the most part north and south; is called New Port-May or G.o.dyn's Bay; and is nine leagues long before you come to the river, and six leagues wide, so that from one sh.o.r.e you cannot see the other.
On account of certain bars it is somewhat dangerous for inexperienced navigators, but not so for those who are acquainted with the channels.
This bay and river are compared by its admirers with the river Amazon, that is, by such of them as have seen both; it is by everyone considered one of the most beautiful, and the best and pleasantest rivers in the world of itself and as regards its surroundings. Fourteen streams empty into this river, the least of them navigable for two or three leagues; and on both sides there are tolerably level lands of great extent. Two leagues from Cape Cornelius, where you enter on the west side, lies a certain creek, which might be taken for an ordinary river or stream, being navigable far up, and affording a beautiful roadstead for s.h.i.+ps of all burdens. There is no other like it in the whole bay for safety and convenience. The main channel for navigation runs close by it; this place we call the h.o.e.re-kil. From whence this name is derived we do not know;(2) it is certain that this place was taken and colonized by Netherlanders, years before any English or Swedes came there. The States' arms were also set up at this place in copper, but as they were thrown down by some mischievous savages, the commissary there very firmly insisted upon, and demanded, the head of the offender. The Indians not knowing otherwise brought a head, saying it was his; and the affair was supposed to be all settled, but some time afterwards, when our people were working unsuspectingly in their fields, the Indians came in the guise of friends.h.i.+p, and distributing themselves among the Dutch in proportionate numbers, surprised and murdered them. By this means the colony was again reduced to nothing; but it was nevertheless sealed with blood and dearly enough bought.
(1) Fort Na.s.sau stood at the mouth of Timber Creek, opposite the present site of Philadelphia.
(2) Harlot's creek, from the behavior of the Indian women.
The story below is that of the short-lived colony of Swanendael, 1631-1632.
There is another kill on the east side called the Varckens Kil,(1) three leagues up from the mouth of the river. Here some English had settled, but Director Kieft protested against their proceedings, and drove them away, a.s.sisted somewhat by the Swedes, who agreed with him to keep out the English. The Swedish governor, considering an opportunity then offered to him, caused a fort to be built at this place, called Elsenborch,(2) and manifests there great boldness towards every one, even as respects the Company's boats or all which go up the South River.