The storehouse in the fort is much too small; and when a more suitable one is built it will only make the space narrower or more limited, but the preservation of the goods is most important. The people must be secured thereby, and also by their own good care and attention. I have, therefore, made a sketch of the fort and also of its proximate dimensions, so as to ascertain them and to order everything proportionally; if it come to this, I shall duly consider what course to take for the disposition and arrangement thereof. The Colonists, free mechanics, civil servants, with the freemen who were here before our arrival, and some few who have come and settled here since, may amount, altogether, to about sixty men capable of bearing arms. They shall and will be placed under burgher officers to keep watch and ward, agreeably to the conditions which are thereunto enacted; this is of use for the security and strength of this Colonie. The gun-carriages, and whatever belongs to them, are bad and mostly all unserviceable; if new ones be made, the sun and heat will immediately dry them up, and cause them to split and warp (verspaken), unless tarred, they will be, in a short time, rendered wholly useless. Therefore, a stock of five or six tons of tar ought to be sent hither. In like manner, for private houses on 25 new lots, on each of which a small building has been, or will hereafter be, erected. Though country fashion and make, they require a quantity of nails, especially double and single ones, a good many spikes, and not a few wainscot nails, inasmuch as a great number of these are used for clapboarding, or roofing the houses with wood. Mr. Jan Oosting, the Surgeon, hath given in this annexed memorandum of necessary medicines, which, he says, will not amount to much. He requests that they be sent out by the earliest opportunity. Herewith I also send a list of the tobacco and peltries, etc., shipped on board the Bever whenever it sails hence to the Manhattes; also, what is likewise sent hence in another yacht called the ..... As a beginning, something, 'twill be seen, is to be done here; already some persons have traded a large quantity; this trade, most probably, will experience a considerable augmentation and improvement, so that it would not be surprising if a large quantity of peltries will be sent over as a return cargo in the first coming ships. And as there are many good kinds of timber here, it is a matter of consideration whether the inhabitants will not find herein, in course of time, a source of advantage and profit, moreover, as it supplies, with tobacco, loading for the arriving ships. And I have heard that some Swedes have expressed a willingness to cut masts on condition of paying reasonable freight thereon. I shall talk with them on this subject more fully and finally on the next opportunity. In order that this Beaver country may be the better remembered, I also send with this a beaver skin, which, in my opinion, is somewhat of a curiosity. Herewith ending I will pray God, Honorable, Worthy, Wise and Prudent Gentlemen, to bless your Honors' government, and to preserve your Honors' persons in continual health. I remain your Honors' obliged and Faithful servant, Through lack of time, and as I must do almost everything, I have not written to Mess", the Burgomasters. Please to communicate to them the maps and plans. Resolution granting further Aid to the Colonie on the Delaware. Holland Documents, 1. Directors of New [From the Resolutien van de Vroedschappen, A., 225, in the Stad Huys, Amsterdam. ] 4th July, 1657. The Burgomasters have informed the Council that the Directors of the f. 6,000 for the Colonie in New Netherland still require to borrow from the Orphan Chamber Netherland. full 6,000 gl., for the advancement of said Colonie on the credit of the city, as was done on the 11th November, 1656, in regard to the sum of 25,000 gl., and whereas 10,000 gl. were afterwards borrowed from the Orphan Chamber on the 15th January, 1657, and 36,000 on the 9th March following, without the clause, pledging the property of the city; they request the opinion of the Council whether it were not tacitly understood that the means and effects of this city were bound for the said 10,000 and 36,000. Which, being considered, the Council consent to the required loan of 6,000 gl, and resolve that the revenue and property of this city shall be pledged as well for the 10,000 gl., borrowed on the 15th January last, as for the 36,000 gl. raised on 9th of March, the same as was voted on the 11th November, A° 1656, in regard to the 25,000 gl. Evert Pietersen, Schoolmaster, to the Commissioners of the Colonie on the Delaware. [From the Bundle endorsed Verscheide Stukken raekende de Colonis van N. Nederlandt, No. 15, in the Stad Huys, Amsterdam. ] Holland Documents, We arrived here at the South river, on the 25th April, and found 20 families there, mostly Swedes, not more than 5 or 6 families belonging to our nation. I find the land here right good and well timbered. I have been full 5 or 6 hours in the interior in the woods, and found fine oak and hickory trees; also, excellent land for tillage, and saw many plants growing, except nettles, all very good, so that the land produces whatever it can, but of the best kind; I therefore firmly believe were we to have 1 to 2 thousand hearty farmers we should reap an excellent crop here, where, therefore, nothing is wanting but people. Wharves are already laid out here and almost built; land is also given out already, and every effort made to get the winter grain in the ground. Your Honors are also informed that there is considerable black walnut timber here to make gun-stocks with; you can have enquiries made of the gunsmiths what it is worth, and whether they purchase by the stick or foot, and how long the pieces must be, and then calculate the profit to be made on it. It costs only the labor, and makes good ballast, for a great deal of it is worked up at home. I already begin to keep school, and have 25 children, etc. Your Honors' most obedient servant, On one side was: 3 EVERT PIETERSEN. Vice-Director Alrichs to the Commissioners of the Colonie on the Delaware. [From the Bundle endorsed Verscheide Stukken raekende de Colonis van N. Nederlandt, No. 14, in the Stad Buys, Amsterdam. ] Honorable, Worshipful, Wise and Right Prudent Gentlemen. Holland Documents, My last letters to you were dated the 13th April and 8th and 5th of May, and were sent by the ships, Beer, Gelderse blom and Bever. I hope they have all got safe to hand, and refer thereunto. I had requested therein a sloop and a scow or champan, row-boat, yacht and galliot, but learn that a row-boat and galliot are coming and sent by the Waeg, which is looked for with great impatience. But the scow and yacht of 8 or 9 lasts are also very necessary here. I expect that a large quantity of material, such as bricks (steenen), tiles, smiths' coals, etc., will be sent out; they are much needed here, as we have not a solitary brick in store to repair an oven which is in ruin. We have here only a little oven which is unsuitable, and cannot last longer. Two more must therefore be built, wherefore I expect what thereunto belongeth as well as other necessary materials. Provisions, generally, are very scarce, and the arrival of the ship, the Wacg, is anxiously looked for; otherwise, we shall be in great distress. I have already had 200lbs. of English pork purchased at the Manhattes, payable in Duffles, at 4 guilders the ell. And, as I was somewhat apprehensive, and moreover greatly afraid, that no warehouse would be sent over early, which is the cause of greater inconvenience and injury than can be expressed, I have therefore been obliged to conclude, and have deemed it proper to have a storehouse built. But as we have no brick here, and as it must be constructed entirely of wood, and there is no room in the fort to set up coarse and rough work, and of great dimensions, I have had it located on one side and under the fort for protection of the work, 56 feet long and 25 feet wide, 9 high, with a ceiling, but I cannot get any suitable carpenters; consequently, it makes little progress. Notwithstanding, I do all I can. Your Honors will please not to omit sending out 3 or 4 of the best carpenters who are well versed in their work. They are the cheapest, inasmuch as they save time, and the work is better made and faster. They will have steady employment here, as there is considerable to be made and repaired. Three or four carpenters only came over among the freemen; one of them is sometimes sick or ailing; the other will not work; the third demands something better, and so forth, so that it is a very troublesome and difficult matter. Furthermore, as a secretary or clerk was necessary for the dispatch of law suits and occurring differences or questions, I have been obliged provisionally to engage Andries Hudde, who also understands somewhat of surveying, in which he can likewise be, in some degree, useful; and, as he hath filled the same office for the company, and is here domiciled, settled and also licensed, I have agreed with him for 30 guilders, this currency, a month, payable here, with rations. Such was the salary and board received before by him, he also provisionally performing the duties of Deputy Sheriff (for which office he was proposed and recommended by the Deputies of the Commonalty) for the avails or emoluments thereof, without having any other perquisite in respect thereto, all subject to your Honors' approval, or until another be sent out. As relates to the deed given me of lands for your Honors' Colonie here, it is only from Boomtjes hook to Christina kill, including also many inferior tracts, of which there are several better here, both in the Bay and on the river. And it were most proper, when this established Colonie shall become successful, as is to be hoped, that the whole should be placed under one head or government. But so soon as only five or six hundred are here in one place, they must be located and spread farther apart, as there is still here much excellent and fine land, under the jurisdiction of and belonging to the Company. Besides, there are also many Netherlanders and other inhabitants here who, with the consent and permission of the government, have purchased and possess deeds of some miles, or many thousand morgens, of land, which could be obtained easily for a trifle or very little. And I think it would be of advantage to acquire, by degrees, as much as possible of it, because occasions often present themselves to me to prevent any of them hypothecating their right or property to the English or other nations. But what the Company owns on the South river must be wholly under your Honors' authority. I have understood here that the General proposes to send a Vice-Director to Fort Altona, and is offering favorable terms in order to plant a Colonie there. Time will determine what progress it will have. Being hitherto obliged to furnish and supply the rations of the soldiers, and also of their wives and children, a large consumption was the consequence. Add to this, that a great deal of dry provisions were injured and ruined by water in consequence of the wreck of the ship. We are now approaching the end, and are longing for the arrival of the ship Waeg, with the Galiot, to which all eyes are beginning to be turned, both for those without who intend to repair hither, as for the encouragement of the insiders; because already many difficulties are created by reason of the war which, it is reported, exists between the Crown of France and us, wherefore 'tis feared that the ship or ships may be late in coming, and this might then cause inconvenience here. I trust, as I observe from the letter, that the Waeg will supply and bring over everything that is most necessary. Besides, I am here in want of all sorts of measures and of whatever appertains thereunto, so that I am inconvenienced on all sides. Cors Jansen, the steward, hath gone away and broken his troth; he is, therefore, outlawed, his wages confiscated for the profit of the State, and himself banished for three times seven years from this southern Colonie. Be pleased, from time to time, to let the prices of all goods, provisions, iron ware, and all other necessaries whatsoever which are sent here, be written out with the invoices. When receiving and sending people, please to observe that the most of those drawn and sent, be conversant with farming and accustomed to work, so that everything may be more expertly done and more speedily finished. I have already stated that there is a very fine and excellent country called the Whorekill, abounding very much in wild animals, birds, fish, etc., and the land is so good and fertile that the like is nowhere to be found. It lies at the entrance of the Bay, about two leagues up from Cape Hinlopen. I shall send a draft of it by the next opportunity. Please to keep it recommended; the place can be conveniently visited with a yacht of 8 or 10 lasts, but some people must be there for security. This can be regularly done, or set about in course of time, after numbers are sent and have arrived here, and more of the place is taken up. And whereas considerable provisions and liquors are being forced here at excessive prices by private individuals, as well retailers as tavern-keepers and tapsters, and as there is neither baker nor brewer here, and thin drink makes hungry bellies which recoil on the store, and as working people must sometimes take a drink of beer or wine to comfort their hearts, I resolved, with the advice of the Municipal government, and on the representation of those authorized by the Commonalty, that the tapsters and tavern-keepers should not retail the can of Manhattan beer for any more than nine stivers which they used to sell for fifteen, and the wine in proportion, to the end that the articles of food which are scarce here, and sometimes not to be had, and which are imported, such as wheaten flour, English loaves or bread, butter, rice, etc., when not abundant here, may be also regulated at a reasonable price, for the good, relief and advantage of all the inhabitants and settlers. This is a new beginning, delicate in all or many respects, and accompanied by many difficulties; but hitherto everything has come on well and in good order; every possible effort will be made to continue so; the people are well, and well disposed, but the soldiers are sufficiently inclined to be troublesome and importunate. It also sometimes occurs to me, I know not wherefore, that a certain person who is bound especially to promote peace and quiet, seeks to cause disturbance by himself, or by others, in my absence. I thought this was best met by civility and reason, and I avoid, as much as possible, to afford any man the least cause of dissatisfaction. If it happen that any one should furnish any food for misconstruction, please to reflect and fully to believe that such person can well be spared from this place. By the ship de Meulen has arrived your Honors' most welcome letter, dated 10th April, which reached me for the first time on the last day of July. I have been much pleased to learn by it that the ship de Waeg was taking in a cargo, together with a schooner and several families of Colonists and free tradesmen, etc., also provisions, goods and materials, and a Clergyman; this affords me pleasure. They were then to leave for this place in about 15 or 16 days after the above date, but nothing has yet been heard of them up to this day. I have, also, word from the Manhattes that no news of them had been received there up to the 6th instant. I have understood that the Waeg was to go there first; 'tis somewhat out of the way, and injurious to this place. The Bay of this river is shallow (licht), and such appropriation ought to be made to render it safer and better for incoming ships, that operations may be commenced without delay; this would bring a greater resort, commerce and improvement to this place, not only from thence but also from the neighboring Colonies. The amount of your Honors' disbursements is large at first; the thing is here for which and to which all was done, and what is still of much greater importance, the result thereof, and what is to be expected from it remain yet unknown. Were a vigorous policy soon or now immediately adopted and put in force, it will in my opinion, afford proof that such vigor was not employed in vain, and without foundation. I have seen the proposal respecting the loading of the ship the Waeg. I should willingly see it sail to its destination from this place, with a full cargo, and not from the Manhattes. Since I have received your Honors' letters, I have endeavored to encourage some persons to bring some timber together to freight it. A sort of beginning has been made. I fear they will be distressed for want of hands. It would be highly gratifying to me should the first of the ships belonging to the city arrive there direct with a return cargo of timber from this place. I am very anxious for that, and if it will succeed in the brief time that is allowed, I dare assure your Honors at least of another ship load or perhaps two in the spring, unless, as already observed, we come to want hands to do the work here, which, indeed, is heavy work. As provisions are now rapidly consumed and run low, I have been obliged to discover means whereby I may, as best I can, provide some stock of supplies. I shall write more fully on this subject in my next. |