History of New-York : from the first discovery to the year M.DCC.XXXII, to which is annexed, a description of the country, with a short account of the inhabitants, their religious and political state, and the constitution of the courts of justice in that colony

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PART I. From the Discovery of the Colony to the Surrender

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, a Genoese, employed by Ferdinand and Isabel, king and queen of Castile, was the first discoverer of America.* He sailed from St. Lucar in August, 1492, and made sight of one of the Bahama islands on the eleventh of October following. Newfoundland and the main continent, were discovered live years after, by Sebastian Gabato, a Yenetian, in the service of Henry VII. of England, from the 38th to the 68th degree of north latitude.

On the tenth of April, 1606* king James I. for planting two colonies, passed the great north and south Virginia patent; To Sir Thomas Gates and others, leave was given to begin a plantation, at any place on the continent, they should think convenient, between

* Some authors alledge, that Columbus first offered his services (is the republick of Genoa ; then to John II, of Portugal, and afterwards to our king Henry VII 5 but this disagrees with Lord Bacon's account, who informs us, that Christopher Columbus sailed, before his brother Bartholomew had laid the project before the king, which wa3 owing to his falling iuto the hands of pirates on his way to England, the 34th and 41 st degrees of latitude : and all the landextending fifty miles, on each side, along the coast, one hundred miles into the countrv, and all the islands within one hundred miles opposite their plantations, were granted in fee, to be called the first colony. By the same patent, a like quantity was granted to Thomas Henham, Esq. and others, for a plantation between 38 and 45 degrees of latitude, under the name of the second colony. The first began a settlement in the great bay, (Chesapeake) in 1007. The latter was planted at Plymouth, in New-England, 1620.

Henry Hudson, an Englishman, according to our authors, in the year 1008,* under a commission from the king his master, discovered Long Island, New-York, and the river which still bears his name ; and afterwards sold the country, or rather his right, to the Dutch. Their writers contend, that Hudson was sent out by the East-India company in 1 609, to discover a north west passage to China ; and that having first discovered Delaware bay, he came hither and penetrated up Hudson's river, as far north as the latitude of 43°. It is said^ however, that there was a sale, and that the English objected to it, though they for some time neglected to oppose the Dutch settlement of the country.

In 1610,, Hudson sailed again from Holland to this country, called by the Dutch, New-Nether] and ; and four years after, the States General granted a patent to sundry merchants, for an exclusive trade on the North

* Charlevoix, a French Jesuit, author of die General History of New-France, thinks this discovery whs in 1609, vol. X. 12nio. edition, p. 221. But Stilh, Douglas, Oldmixon, and other English writers agree that Hudson's first voyage was iu the preceding year.

River, who in 1614 built a fort, on the west side, near Albany, which was first commanded by Henry Christiaens. Captain Argal was sent out by sir Thomas Dale, governour of Virginia, in the same year, to dispossess the French of the two towns of Port-Royal and St. Croix, lying on each side of the bay of Fundy in Acadia, then claimed as pail of Virginia*. In his return, he visited the Dutch on Hudson's river, who being unable to resist him, prudently submitted for the present to the king of England, and under him to the governour of Virginia. The very next year, they erected a fort on the south-west point of the island Manhattans, and two others in 1623 : one called Good-Hope, on Connecticut river, and the other Nassau, on the east side of Delaware bay. The author of the account of New-Netherlandf asserts, that the Dutch purchased the lands on both sides of that river in 1632, before the English were settled in those parts ; and that they discovered a little fresh river, farther to the east, called Varsche Riviertie, to distinguish it from Connecticut river, known among them, by the name of Varsche Rivier, which Vanderdonk also claims for the Dutch.

* Charlevoix places this transaction in 1613. Vol. I- Hist, of New- France, in 12mo, p. 210. But Stith, whom I follow, being a clergyman iu Virginia, had greater advantages of knowing the truth than the French Jesuit.

f The pamphlet is entitled, " Beschryvinghe van Virginia, Neiuw Nederland," &c. and was printed at Amsterdam in 1651. It contains two descriptions of the Dutch possessions. The first is a copy of that published by John De Laet, at Leyden. The second gives a view of this country several years after, in 1 649. A short representation of the country of the Mahakuase Indians, written in 1644, by John Megapoleusis, jun. a Dutch minister residing here, is annexed to that part of the pamphlet concerning New-Netherland.

gO History of New-York:

Determined upon the settlement of a colony, the States General made a grant of the country, in 1621, to the Westrlndta company. Wouter Van Twiller, arrived at Fort- Amsterdam, now New-York, and took upon himself the government in June, 1629. His style, in the patents granted by him, was thus, " We director and council, residing in New-Netherland on the island Manhattans, under the government of their high mightinesses, the lords States General of the United Netherlands, and the privileged West-India company." In his time the New-England planters extended their possession Westward as far as Connecticut river. Jacob Van Curlet, the commissary there, protested against it, and in the second year of the succeeding administration, under William Kieft,* who appears first in 1638, a prohibition was issued, forbidding the English trade at fort Good-Hope ; and shortly after, on complaint of the insolence of the English, an order of council was made for sending more forces there, to maintain the Dutch territories, Dr. Mather confesses, that the New-England men first formed their design of settling Connecticut river in 1635, before which tune, they esteemed that river, at least 100 miles from any English settlement; and that ihey first seated themselves there in 163(3, at Hartford, near fort Good-Hope, at Weathersiield, Windsor, and Springfield. Four years after, they seized the Hutch garrison, and drove them from the banks of the river.

* We have no books among our Dutch records remaining in the secretary's office, relating to state matters, before Kieft's time, nor any enrolment of patents, till the year after Van Twiller arrived here. Mr. Jatob Cioelet supplied us with several cxUucts from the Dutch records.

having first settled New-Haven in 1638, regardless of Kieft's protest against it.

The extent of New-Netherland was to Delaware, then called South River, and beyond it ; for I . find, in the Dutch records, a copy of a letter from William Kieft, May 6, 1638, directed to Peter Minuit*, who seems by the tenour of it, to be the Swedish governour of New- Sweden, asserting, " that the whole South Iliver of New- Netherland, had been in the Dutch possession many years above and below, beset with forts, and sealed with their blood." Which Kieft adds, has happened even during your administration " in New-Netherland, and so well known to you."

The Dutch writers are not agreed in the extent of Nova Belgia, or New-Netherland ; some describe it to be from Virginia to Canada ; and others inform us, that the arms of the States General were erected at Cape Cod, Connecticut, and Hudson's river, and on the west side of the entrance into Delaware bay. The author of the pamphlet mentioned in the notes gives Canada river for a boundary on the north, and calls the country, north west from Albany, Terra Incognita.

* The anonymous Dutch author of the Description of Ncw-Netherland in 1G49, calls him Minnewits ; and adds, that in 1638 he arrived at Delaware with two vessels, pretending that he touched for refreshment in his way to the West-Indies ; but that he soon threw oif the disguise, by employing his men in erecting a fort. The same historian informs us, of the murder of several Dutch men, at South River, by the Indians, occasioned by a quarrel, concerning the taking away the States' arms, which the former had erected at the first t'scovery of that country; in resenting which an Indian had been killed. If Kieft's letter alludes to this affair, then Minuit preceded Van Twill er, in the chief command here ; and being perhaps disobliged by the Dutch, caLercd into the service of the queen of Sweden.

In 1640, the English, who had overspread the eastern part of Long Island, advanced to Oysterbay. Kieft broke up their settlement in 1642, and fitted out two sloops to drive the English out of Schuylkill, of which the Maryland*] s had lately possessed themselves. The instructions, dated May 22, to Jan .Tansen Alpendam, who commanded in that enterprise, are upon record, and strongly assert the righl of the Dutch, both to the soil and trade there. The English from the eastward shortly after sent deputies to New- Amsterdam, for the accommodation of their disputes about limits, to whom the Dutch offered the following conditions, entered in their books exactly in these words :

We have no account that the English acceded to these proposals, nor is it probable, considering their superior strength, that they ever did : on the contrary, they daily extended their possessions, and in 1643 the colonies of the Massachusetts' Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New-Haven, entered into a league both against the Dutch and Indians, and grew so powerful as to meet shortly after, upon a design of extirpating the former. The Massachusetts' Bay declined this enterprise, which occasioned a letter to Oliver Cromwell from William Hooke, dated at New-Haven, November 3, 1653, in which he complains of the Dutch, for supplying the natives with arms and ammunition, begs his assistance with two or three frigates, and that letters might be sent to the eastern colonies, commanding them to join in an expedition against the Dutch colony. Oliver's affairs would not admit of so distant an attempt,* but Richard Cromwell afterwards drew up instructions to his commanders for subduing the Dutch here, and wrote letters to the English American governments for their aid ; copies of which are preserved in Thurloe's collection, vol. 1. p. 721, &c.

Peter Stuyvesant was the last Dutch governour, and

"* The war between him and the Slates, which began in July, 1652, was concluded by a peace on the fifth of April, 1654. The treaty makes no particular mention of this country. If any part of it can be considered as relating to the American possessions, it is to be found in the two first articles, which are in these words : " Imprimis, It is agreed and concluded, that, from this day forwards, there be a true, firm, and inviolable peace, a sincere, intimate and close friendship, affinity, confederacy, and union, betwixt the republick of England and the States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and the lands, countries, cities, and towns, under the dominions of each', without distinction of places, together with their people and inhabitants of whosoever degree.

" II. That hereafter all enmity, hostility, discord, and contention betwixt the said republicks, and their people and subjects, shall cease, and both parties shall henceforwards abstain from the committing all manner of mischief, plunder, and injuries, by land, by sea, and on the fresh waters, in all their lands, countries, dominions, places, and govern* meats whatsoever.

21 History of Nav-Yoi'k.

though he had a commission in 1646, h<1 did not begin his administration till May 27, 1617. The inroads and claims upon his government, kept him constantly employed. New-England on the east, and Maryland on the west, alarmed his fears by their daily increase ; and about the same time captain Forrester, a Scotchman, claimed Long Island for the dowager of Stirling. The Swedes too were perpetually incroaching UpOn Delaware. Through the unskilfulness of the mate, one Deswyck, a Swedish captain and supercargo arrived in Raritan river. The ship was seized, and himself made a prisoner at New-Amsterdam. Stuyvesant's reasons were these. In 1651, the Dutch built fort Casimir, now called Newcastle, on Delaware. - The Swedes, indeed, claimed the country, and Printz, their governour, formally protested against the works. Risingh, his successor, under the disguise of friendship, came before the fortress, 'fired two salutes, and landed thirty men, who were entertained by the commandant as friends ; but he had no sooner discovered the weakness of the garrison, than he made himself master of it, seizing also upon all the ammunition, houses, and other effects of the West-Ihala company, and compelling several of the people to swear allegiance to Christina, queen of Sweden. The Dutch, in 1655, prepared to retake fort Casimir. Stuyvesant commanded the forces in person, and arrived with them in Delaware the 9th of September. A few days after, he anchored before the garrison, and landed his troops. The fortress was immediately demanded as Dutch property : Suen Scutz, the commandant, desired leave to consult Risingh, which being refused, he surrendered the 16th of September on articles of capitulation. The whole strength of the place consisted of four cannon, fourteen pounders, five swivels, and a parcel of small arms, which were all delivered to the conquered. Foil. Christina was commanded by Risingh. Stuyvesant came before it, and Risingh surrendered it upon terms the 25th of September. The country being thus subdued, the Dutch governour issued a proclamation, in favour of such of the inhabitants, as would submit to the new government, and about thirty Swedes swore, " Fidelity and obedience to the States General, the lords directors of the West-India company, their subalterns of* the province of New-Netherlands, and the director general then, or thereafter, to be established*" Risingh and one Elswych, a trader of note, were order* ed to France, or England, and the rest of the Swedish inhabitants to Holland, and from thence to Gottenberg* The Swedes being thus extirpated, the Dutch became possessed of the West side of Delaware bay, now called the three louver counties.

This country was afterwards under the Command of lieutenant-governours, subject to the controul of, and commissioned by, the director general at New- Amsterdam, iohan Paul Jaquet was the first vice-director, or lieutenant-governour, of South River. Kis successors were Alricks, Hinojossa and William Beekman, The posterity of the last remains amongst us to this day* These lieutenants had power to grant lands, and their" patents make a part of the ancient titles of the present possessors. Alrick's commission, of the 12th of April* 1657, shews the extent of the Dutch claim on the west side of Delaware at that time. He was appointed " Director general of the colony of the South River of New- Netherlands, and the fortress of Casimir, now called Niewer Amstel, with all the lands depending thereon?

according to the first purchase and deed of release of the natives, dated July 19, 1651, beginning at the west side of the Minquaa, or Christina Kill, in the Indian language named Suspecough, to the mouth of the bay, or river called Bompt-Hook, in the Indian language Cannaresse ; and so far inland as the bounds and limits of the Minquaas land, with all the streams, &c. appurtenances, and dependencies." Of the country northward of the kill, no mention is made. Orders in 1658 were given to William Beekman to purchase Cape Hinlopen from the natives, and to settle and fortify it, which, for want of goods, was not done till the succeeding year.

In the year 1659, fresh troubles arose from the Maryland claim to the lands on South River ; and in September Colonel Nathaniel Utie, as commissioner from Fendal lord Baltimore's governour, arrived at Niewer Amstel from Maryland. The country was ordered to be evacuated, lord Baltimore claiming all the land, between 38 and 40 degrees of latitude, from sea to sea. Beekman and his council demanded evidence of hb lordship's right, and offered to prove the States General's grant to the West-India company, their payment to them for 1he land and possession ; and upon the whole proposed to refer the controversy to the republicks of England and Holland, praying at the same time, three w7eeks to consult Stuyvesant, the general. The commissioner, notwithstanding, a few days after, warned him to draw of, beyond the latitude of 40* : but Beekman disregarded the threat. Colonel Utie thereupon returned to Maryland, and an immediate invasion was expected.

Early in the spring of the year 1660, Nicholas Vai*- leth, and Brian Newton, were dispatched from fort Amsterdam to Virginia, in quality of ambassadors, with full power to open a trade, and conclude a league, offensive and defensive against the barbarians. William Berckley, the governour, gave them a kind reception, approved their proposal of peace and commerce, which Sir Henry Moody was sent here to agree upon and perfect. Four articles, to that purpose, were drawn up, and sent to the governour for continuation. Stuyvesant artfully endeavoured, at this treaty, to procure an acknowledgement of the Dutch title to the country, which Berckley as carefully avoided. This was his answer :

" Sir, " I have received the letter, you were pleased to send me, by Mr. Mills his vessel, and shall be ever ready to comply with you, in all acts of neighbourly friendship and amity. But truly, sir, you desire me to do that, concerning your titles, and claims to land, in this northern part of America, which I am in no capacity to do ; for I am but a servant of the Assembly's : neither do they arrogate any power to themselves, farther than the miserable distractions of England force them to. For when God shall be pleased in his mercy, to take away and dissipate the unnatural divisions of their native country, they will immediately return to their own professed obedience. What then they should do in matters of contract, donation, or confession of right, would have little strength or signification ; much more presumptive and impertinent, would it be in me to do it, without their knowledge or assent. We shall very shortly meet again, and then, if to them you signiiy your desires, I shall labour all I can, to get you » gatisfactory answer.

" I am, sir,

" Your humble servant, " William Berckley."

« Virginia, August 20, 1660."

Governour Stuyvesant was a faithful servant of the West-India company : this is abundantly proved by Iris letters to them, exciting their care of the colony. In one, dated April 20, 1660, which is very long and pathetick, representing the desperate situation of affairs on both sides of the New-Netherlands, he writes, " Your honours imagine, that the troubles in England will prevent any attempt on these parts : alas ! they are ten to one in number to us, and are able without any assistance, to deprive us of the country when they please." On the 25th of June, the same year, he informs them, *' that the demands, encroachments, and usurpation, of the English, gave the people here great concern. The right to both river?, says he, by purchase and possession is our own, without dispute. We apprehend, that they, our more powerful neighbours, lay their claims under a royal patent, which we are unable hitherto to do in your name.*" Colonel Utie being unsuccessful the

* If we should argue, from this letter, that the West-India company had no grants of the New-Netherlands, from the States General, as some suppose, we discredit De Laet's History, dedicated to the States in 1624, as well as all the Dutch writers, and even Stuyvesant himself, who, in his letter to Richard Nicolls, at the surrender, asserts that they had a grant, and shewed it under seal to the English deputies. But the genuine construction of the Dutch governour's letter, is this, that in 1660. he had not the patent to the West-India company, to lay Ibefore the English in America, who disputed the Dutch right to tbip iWjintry, last year, in his embassy for the evacuation of the Dutch possessions on Delaware, Lord Baltimore, in autumn, 1660, applied, by captain Neal, his agent, to the West-India company, in Holland, for an order on the inhabitants of South River to submit to his authority, which they absolutely refused, asserting their right to that part of their colony.

The English, from New-England, were every day encroaching upon the Dutch. The following letter, from Stuyvesant to the West-India company, dated July 21, 1661, shews the state of the colony at that time, on both sides. " We have not yet begun the fort on Long Island, near Oysterbay, because our neighbours lay the boundaries a mile and an half more westerly, than we do, and the more as your honours, by your advice of December 24, are not inclined to stand by the treaty of Hartford, and propose to sue for redress on Long Island and the Fresh Water River, by means of the States' ambassador. Lord Sterling is said to solicit a confirmation of his right to all Long Island, and importunes the present king, to confirm the grant made by his royal father, which is affirmed to be already obtained. I5ut more probable, and material, is the advice from Maryland, that Lord Baltimore's patent, which contains the south part of South River, is confirmed by the king, and published in print : that Lord Baltimore's natural brother, who is a rigid papist, being made governour there, has received Lord Baltimore's claim, and protest to your honours in council, (wherewith he seems but little satisfied) and has now more hopes of success. We have advice from England, that there is an invasion intended against these parts, and the country solicited of the king, ihe duke, and the parliament, is to be annexed to their dominions ; and for that purpose, they desire three or four frigates, persuading the king, that the company possessed and held this country under an unlawful title, having only obtained of king James leave for a watering place on Staten Island, in 1623."

In August 1663, a ship arrived from Holland at South River, with new planters, ammunition, and implements of husbandry. Lord Baltimore's son landed a little after, and was entertained byBeekman at Niewer Amstel. This was Charles, the son of Cccilius, who in 1661, had procured a grant and confirmation of the patent, passed in favour of his father in 1632. The papistical principles of the Baltimore family, the charge of colonizing, the parliamentary war with Charles I. and Oliver's usurpation, all conspired to impede the settlement of Maryland, till the year 1661. And these considerations account for the extension of the Dutch limits, on the west side of Delaware bay.

While the Dutch were contending with their European neighbours, they had the art always to maintain a friendship with the natives, until the war which broke out this year with the Indians at Esopus, now Ulster county. It continued, however, but a short season. The Five Nations never gave them any disturbance, \vhich was owing to their continual wars with the French who settled at Canada in 1603. I have before observed, that Oliver Cromwell was applied to, for his aid in the reduction of this country, and that his son Richard took some steps towards accomplishing the scheme ; the work was however reserved for the reign of Charles II. an indolent prince, and entirely given up to pleasure, who was driven to it, more perhaps, by the differences then subsisting between England and Holland, than by any motive that might reflect honour upon his prudence, activity, and publick spirit. Before this expedition, the king granted a patent on the 12th of March, 1664, to hk brother, the duke of York and Albany, for sundry tracts of land in America, the boundaries of which, because they have given rise to important and animated debates, it may not be improper to transcribe.

" All that part of the main land of New-England, beginning at a certain place, called or known by the name of St. Croix, next adjoining to New-Scotland in America, and from thence extending along the sea coast, unto a certain place called Pemaquie, or Pemequid, and so up the river thereof, to the furthest head of the same, as it tendeth northward ; and extending from thence., to the river of Kimbequin, and so upwards, by the shortest course, to the river Canada northward : and also all that island, or islands, commonly called by the several name or names of Meitowacks, or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Cod, and the narrow Higansetts, abutting upon the main land, between the two rivers, there called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson's river, together also with the said river, called Hudson's river, and all the land from the West side of Connecticut river, to the east side of Delaware bay, and also, all those several islands, called or known by the names of Martin's Vineyard, or Nantuck's, otherwise Nantucket : together, &c* "

Part of this tract was conveyed by the duke, to John lord Berkley, baron of Stratton, and sir George Carteret of Saltrum in Devon, who were then members of the king's council. The lease was for the considers tion of ten shillings, and dated the 23d of June, 1664. The release, dated the next day, mentions no particular sum of money, as a consideration for the grant of the lands, which have the following description :

" All that tract of land, adjacent to New-England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and partly by Hudson's river; and hath upon the west, Delaware bay, or river, and extendeth southward, to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delaware bay : and to the northward, as far as the northermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is forty one degrees and forty minutes of latitude : which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name, or names of Nova Caesarea, or New- Jersey."

Thus the New-Netherlands became divided into New- Jersey, so called after the isle of Jersey, in compliment to sir George Carteret, whose family came from

thence ; and New- York, which took its name in honour of the duke of York.

, The Dutch inhabitants, by the vigilance of their governour, were not unapprised of the designs of the English court against them, for their records testify, that on the 8th of July, " The general received intelligence, from one Thomas Willet, an Englishman, that an expedition was preparing in England, against this place, consisting of two frigates of 40 and 50 guns, and a fly boat of 40 guns, having on board three hundred soldiers, and each frigate one hundred and fifty men, and that they lay at Portsmouth, Availing for a wind." News arrived also from Boston, that they had already set sail. The burgomasters were thereupon called into

.council. The fortress was ordered to be put into a posture of defence, and spies sent to Milford and Westchester for intelligence. Boston was in the secret of the expedition, for the general court had in May preceding, passed a vote for a supply of provisions, towards refreshing the ships on their arrival. They were four in number, and resolved to rendezvous at Gardener's Island in the Sound, but parted in a fog about the 20th of July. Richard Nicolls and Sir George Carteret, two of the commissioners, were on board the Guyny, and fell in first with Cape Cod. The winds having blown from the southwest, the other ships, with Sir Robert Carr, and Mr. Mavenick, the remaining commissioners, were rightly concluded, to be driven to the eastward, After dispatching a letter to Mr. Winthrop, the governour of Connecticut, requesting his assistance, Colonel Nicolls, proceeded to Nantasket, and thence to Boston. The other ships got into Piscataway. John Endicot, a very old man, was then go vernour of Boston, and incapable of business. The commissioners, therefore, had a conference with the council, and earnestly implored the assistance of that colony. Colonel Nicolls and Sir George Carteret, in their letter from Boston, to Sir H. Bennet, secretary of state, complain much of the backwardness of that province. The reasons urged in their excuse, were poverty and the season, it being the time of harvest ; but perhaps disaffection to the Stewart family, whose persecuting fury had driven them from their native country, was the true spring of their conduct. The king's success in the reduction of the Dutch, evidently opened him a door to come at his gnejmes m New-England, who were far from being

,5

M History of New- York.

few*; and whether this consideration might not have

given rise to the project itself, I leave to the conjectures of others.

On the 27th of July, Nicolls and Carteret made a formal request in writing, " That the government of Boston would pass an act to furnish them with armed men, who should begin their march to the Manhattans, on the 20th of August ensuing, and promised, that if they could get other assistance, they would give them an account of it." The governour and council answered, that they would assemble the general court, and communicate the proposal to them.

From Boston, a second letter was written to governour Winthrop, in Connecticut, dated the 29th of July, in which he was informed that the other ships wore then arrived, and would sail with the first fair wind, and he was desired to meet them at the west end of Long Island.