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Regarding the people who are sent hither by your Honors' permission, I think it would be wise that the most or greater portion of those forwarded should be males, inasmuch as strong and working people are, in the first instance, the most serviceable in these parts, and can do more than those who are weakly.

And as some freemen, who do not apply themselves to farming, and the soldiers, most of whom, in addition to their wives and children, have brought over servant girls for their housework, are importunate, yea, would draw right plentifully from the store; whilst from many of them, in my opinion, but little is to be expected in return; and whenever proper reasons are objected to such a course, they become very touchy and make a great uproar, and unreasonably say, that they have been brought hither and cannot get what they require and therefore suffer from want, &c.; and the soldiers, in like manner, are mostly all dissatisfied, although good rations have hitherto, been issued to them and their wives, and will insist on them for their servant maids and children, have the goodness, therefore, not to postpone stating how many rations, or for what amount of money they are entitled to draw, annually, from the store, or when their fixed or apportioned board money shall annually commence here. This, by no means, ought to be in force any longer than the end of the year from the date of their sailing. This, also, ought be the case with all Colonists and tradesmen, if your Honors have no objection, but the Colonists ought to be allowed 12 months after their arrival.

In regard to the Bay of this river, which is about five leagues wide and nine long, as strange skippers or pilots, who are ignorant of, or unacquainted with it, will find this somewhat serious inasmuch as there are many sand-banks, shoals, and flats which extend to a considerable distance, I have conferred with some seafaring people on the subject, in order to ascertain by what means those obstructions could be remedied, or managed so as to insure the greatest safety or least danger. It was agreed that it would be of use to lay five or six buoys there; to sound the shoals in the most exact manner, and then to write a description thereof for general information. Your honors will please to consider of this in such manner as may be found proper. There is very good land at the mouth of the Bay, where some people might be settled, to the number of one hundred, or at least eighty, men. If many persons were sent here in a short time, then a sloop might also sail hither and thither, to drive some trade, and, meanwhile, to look out at sea for arriving vessels and then to pilot or bring them in.

I find, likewise, that the greater the immigration hither, the greater is the importation of all sorts of merchandize, especially of strong liquors, such as brandies and distilled waters, as there is no impost thereupon when retailed by tapsters, tavern-keepers or others. The consequence is, that many, for the sake of the profit, seek to sell them, and do sell them to the Indians, who, by drunkenness, become very rude, quarrelsome and disorderly. Should your Honors make any objection to putting some impost on this trade for the removal of such evils, I shall, nevertheless, meanwhile, think of, and try to introduce other means, according to circumstances, for the prevention thereof.

As many persons repair hither for purposes of agriculture, and also for building huts or houses, some carpenters' tools are required, of which each family hath great need, such as hand-saws, adzes, axes, augers, etc., nails, to wit, double and single mediums, two-inch nails, wainscot nails, the latter most, and three times as many as of the others, for clapboards, which are used here instead of tiles for covering roofs; iron and copper pots and kettles, also, are in much demand here. The agricultural implements ought, by all means, be of the strongest and best kind, not liable to break or to become loose by use, namely, hoes, axes, spades,

shovels, etc. Item. We have great need of 10 or 1,200 lbs. of sheet lead, 2 or 3 grindstones, and also a bundle of steel, together with all sorts of measures, skepels and smaller measures, quarter casks, and some of less dimensions, which Corss Janss, says were not put on board; quart measures, etc., and small weights, few of which were brought here and are difficult to be had.

Salt.

Please, also, not to forget sending some reams of paper.

Also, when sending, do not, by any means, forget, if convenient, or when forwarding cargoes, to let us have Pork somewhat plentifully, in order to be able to buy up here, on the best terms, in season, or at the fitting time, all sorts of necessary provisions, which can be purchased here cheap, as already stated; and as Salt in this place is worth about 3 @. 3 guilders, of this currency, the skepel, and sometimes a little more, which, being paid for in goods, I estimate would stand in about half in Holland currency, I should like much to have a supply of it especially for curing beef, pork, &c., which I shall attempt by the next opportunity if you have no objection; unless it be previously found requisite, inasmuch as it is profitable and most useful, to purchase one or two hundred deer or the venison thereof on commission. These, as I am informed, are to be had, at most, for three guilders and less, because they are shot by thousands here every year. The carcass of each deer might weigh, one with another, in meat, at least 60 and 70, 80 and 90, and sometimes even 100 lbs., which, again, is to be paid for in goods; that amounts to only half in Holland currency, as I shall be able, with full certainty, to advise you by the next opportunity, after further experience and final purchase.

The two seins which were sent in the Prins Maurits are almost spoiled and in part rotten, as the ship made considerable water when it was stranded, and previous to its being discharged, whereby the nets got wet; therefore, please furnish us with others, by the first opportunity, as they are very necessary and useful for the purpose of making the rations and provisions go further.

Herewith ending, I shall pray God, Honorable, Worshipful, Wise and Right Prudent Gentlemen, to bless your administration, and to preserve yourselves in lasting prosperity and health.

Your Honors obliged and

Fort New Amstel,

on the South river, 8th May, 1657.

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Bond for Nine Thousand Guilders borrowed for the Colonie on the Delaware.

Holland Documents,
XV., 209.

[From the Bundle endorsed Verscheide Stukken raekende de Colonie van N. Nederlandt, No 12, in the Stad Huys, Amsterdam.] We, the undersigned Commissioners and Directors, appointed and commissioned by the Right Worshipful, the Burgomasters and Regents of this city of Amsterdam to superintend its Colonie established and planted on the South river in New Netherland, hereby acknowledge to have fully received, and to be indebted to Margareta, daughter of Gysbert Cornelissen Fuyck, in the sum of Nine thousand gl. in heavy silver money, which aforesaid

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sum of Nine ousand gl., at the interest thereof at three and a half per cent. per annum, we promise to repay precisely 12 after date hereof to the above named Margareta, daughter of Ghysbert Cornelissen Fuyck, or the bearer hereof, in heavy silver money (the patacoon at 50 stiv. and the ducatoon at 63 stivers), and that under pledge of this city's means and revenue, being specially authorized thereunto by resolution of the 9th March past, adopted by the Right Worshipful Burgomasters and Common Council of this city, without the above named Commissioners and Directors being hereafter in any wise holden or responsible therefor, either in their persons or property. In testimony of the truth whereof, the above named Commissioners and Directors have signed this, the 8th of May, XVI hundred and fifty-seven, in Amsterdam.

(Signed),

HECTOR PIETERSEN and
JAN TAYSPEl.

Vice-Director Alrichs to the Commissioners of the Colonie on the Delaware.

[From the Bundle indorsed Verscheide Stukken rackende de Colonie van N. Nederlandt, No. 23, in the Stud Huys, Amsterdam. ]

Honorable, Worshipful, Wise, Right Prudent Gentlemen.

XVI., 14.

Holland Documents, My last to your Honors was dated the 8th instant, whereunto I refer; nevertheless, I am under the necessity to repeat here, and again herein respectfully to request you to be pleased, should you not have already sent out the materials necessary for a suitable warehouse, as well two carpenters at least, who, without whom we cannot get along, and the requisite boat and clergyman, no longer to postpone forwarding them, for, in consequence of the heavy rain that frequently falls here in great quantities, which will leak. through any old sails, there is imminent danger that whatever is dry or susceptible of damage, will be spoiled.

As an apology for, or in place of a storehouse, we have only a sort of hut made of props and boards, and covered with old sails, which I, through great necessity, was obliged to take from the late skipper of the Prins Maurits, on condition of paying for them, and he would give short credit. I have therefore secured this, as I must close at once with him; 'tis a large topmastsail, a pretty fair piece, and a mainsail, tolerably tight. I had them valued by Paulus Leenders, Burgomaster, in New Amsterdam, and Claes Willemsz, skipper of Beer, who estimated them at 19 and 11 stivers the ell, amounting together to three hundred and forty-six guilders of this currency, which is 30 or more per cent. lighter than Holland currency. In exchange for this is delivered to him wherewith to support his people from the 1st to the 15th of April, since the loss of the ship and since the goods were put again on board a small sloop and sent to the Manhattes; this was for 15 men, estimated at least at 7 stivers per day, and after that, again at the Manhattes, was delivered out of the ship Bever what is specified in the annexed account, the amount whereof is by guess at my valuation; it can be again valued there, inasmuch as the price or what the provisions cost, is not mentioned in the invoice; they can then be offset against one another.

Again, the skipper, in consequence of the misfortune that has overtaken us, is inclined to refuse justifying the bills of lading. In reasonable fairness and under the circumstances, all

is or should be considered, since, in such misfortune or mishap, much went entirely to loss. There occurred not only much leakage in the liquors, but on shore much was stolen in the discharging, &c.; and how was it kept or preserved during the night? The sentinels crawled under, drew out in tubs what was found sufficient. Some of the dry goods, entirely scattered about, were wet and injured by the quantity of water in the ship, and the skipper could not resolve on cutting a hole in the vessel to let the water run out; and, moreover, one thing or the other was wholly carried away and lost; amongst the rest, a barrel of hams, smoked beef and tongues, a box with side arms (sedarmen) and a flag. I would have willingly bought his flag and have offered to pay him for it, but he will not give up nor surrender it; some tubs of bullets, whole pikes, two newly made tackles, some Spanish wine and oil, also, other goods such as fans, muds, sieves, skepels and other small measures, have been thrown overboard and drifted away, few of which were recovered, and only about some dozen muds; some of these, again, broken or stove into pieces by being thrown overboard, were swept away. I have therefore resolved, by advice, to have his goods seized, which have been saved and brought to the Manhattes, in order to bring him to reason, because, also, he has not consented to give me receipts for the provisions he applied for there, and which were delivered from the ship, de Beer; but I have let it be known that he may take his goods on giving security, and dispose of them to his benefit, according to his pleasure. The matter can be better disposed of in this country, where all the circumstances of the loss and misfortune are best known and understood, than elsewhere, and 'twas done principally with this view; whether the proprietors decide on setting up any claim against the above named skipper, or be willing to acquiesce, I expect their pleasure by receipt.

In regard to the rations, these are issued according to the annexed table determined on here, except that fish is also used, in order to make the provisions go farther. The rations cannot well be issued otherwise than equally among the Colonists, free handicrafts men and soldiers, in order to prevent disputes and dissatisfaction, which are of no use here. It is also to be considered that there are many who have heavy families, for all sergeants and corporals have brought over maid servants with them; provisions must, of necessity, be issued both for their wives and themselves, and for their maids and children. At the lowest calculation, a soldier who earns twelve guilders a month receives in weekly rations for himself one, his wife one, and the maid and child, both one; in all, three rations; and in four weeks twelve, which, in a year of 52 weeks, each ration at least at 30 stivers, amounts, for such married people, to 234 guilders yearly, exclusive of daily necessaries, such as stockings, shoes, shirts, clothing, etc.; this will still run on and ought to be continued until further orders, so as to avoid at the outset much umbrage, and I expect the diminution or augmentation in value thereof, and at what price each species shall be charged; also, especially the first cost of all the goods, how and at what prices shall these be charged to the people. When the cost of all the goods is specified or marked, about 50 per cent. should, in my opinion, be added for advances, risk, waste, freight, labor and other expenses of packing, etc. But the provisions can hardly bear this, and ought to put down lower, with the full understanding that all be done under such limitation and order as your Honors have already made, or shall, as a general basis or measure, still further decide on.

Since my preceding letters I have made some enquiry, and taken some information respecting the country and its advantages, also regarding the situation of this fort, and the circumjacent lands. I have, accordingly, comprised in a little map the location of Fort New

Amstel and the adjoining territory belonging thereunto; also of Fort Christina, now called Altona; and in like manner, shown, generally, how near it is to Virginia or the English river, which can be reached in two days, or even less. On this road or way, 'tis also said, is a good and rich iron mine, and if so, I shall, at the earliest moment, have a sample brought in. 'Tis situate or contained in a certain mountain, near which is a cataract or waterfall, on a river that runs past and close by the place, and is adapted to the turning of mills. This river likewise, affords facilities for bringing away such substance in a boat, as can be further seen in the rough sketch of the above mentioned map annexed hereunto.

I have, also, drawn up a plan of a city, as is to be seen in the accompanying sketch; the circumstances and situation of the spot are not very much unsuited or ill-adapted for such fortification, inasmuch as the place where the ditches of the city are to run, and the two harbors are, but particularly one, in some sense, and apparently suited thereto by nature, save that in a matter of such importance there are still many considerations, and nothing will possibly be effected without inconveniences arising against it. I am convinced that the first harbor, by clearing it, could be so made that a large ship could sail into and be discharged and loaded in it; by this accommodation the ships would be protected against, and prepared for, the drifting of ice, which sometimes here, of a winter's day, flows in such masses that no ship, lying in the river could, without danger, withstand it; add to this, that they could then be loaded and unloaded with greater convenience. I shall willingly await other considerations and opinions thereupon, should the matter come, in any wise, under deliberation.

No one here is very conversant with engineering on whose survey and judgment reliance could, or dare, be placed in a matter of such great importance. I was obliged to have laid out, as best I could, the house lots and gardens by a man who possesses some trifling knowledge of land surveying. The people were anxious and craving to be under a roof, in order to do something for their own support, which usually is willing labor, for had they gone immediately inland, they would have to go and settle more apart or separated, at their own risk and to the general insecurity, and could never be brought to dwell within (the town) near each other. And I think it ought to be the rule, not to give land to any person unless he reside here himself, or is domiciled, and have kept or was keeping a man and arms, inasmuch as 'tis of primary necessity to establish a capital, where a goodly number of inhabitants live together and in good order.

The condition of the land on the other side of this river is likewise good and fertile; nor is it bad policy to begin a hamlet or village there, were it right opposite this place or nearly so, in order to completely defend this river thereby, which these lands and places deserve; neither can it do any harm at first to keep a strict watch here and there, so as to ascertain somewhat the intentions or actions of the Swedes. There are many here thoroughly conversant with the circumstances of this place, and they are trying to keep the claim of the Crown alive; that is not of much moment, but neither ought it to be taken too little into account.

I have also made one drawing of Fort New Amstel, but it is somewhat handsomely sketched; the walls are not nearly half so good as they appear on paper, and it threatens to fall down where there is much superstructure before it can be rebuilt or repaired. It is, moreover, small, so that it would afford but poor accommodation for the Captain and Lieutenant, which, however, it has not yet done for want of materials and carpenters. Each, in particular, has already a somewhat large family and moveables. Wherefore, when at the Manhattes, each of them, knowing the condition and smallness of the fort, did hire a proper house which they occupy and need. For these reasons none can or will, as yet, watch in the fort.

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