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PREFACE.

The following historic particulars, relating to the condition, men and affairs of New Amsterdam, in Governor Stuyvesant's time, have been translated from the records of proceedings of the Schout, Burgomasters and Scbepens (the magistrates) of that city.

It is believed that no part of the matter now presented has been before published ; indeed, it is more than probable, that a great part of the records referred to has not, during many generations past, met the eye of any one conversant with the language and familiar with the antiquated style of the manuscript of which they are composed.

It will be observed that several important historical events, heretofore unrecorded, are mentioned, and the accounts of men and matters of a city, over whose local history a veil of obscurity has lain for a century and a half, will, it is hoped, prove of interest to our community.

AFFAIRS AND MEN

OF

NEW AMSTERDAM

30ME OF THE FEATURES OF NEW AMSTERDAM IN GOVERNOR STUYVESANT's TIME.

New Amsterdam, at the time of Governor Stuyve-sant*s arrival in 1647, contained about one hundred and fifty habitations, with a population, it is supposed, of from six to eight hundred persons.

It seems that before the above date, there had been Imt little regard paid to order Avith respect to the situ-tion of the houses along the several thoroughfares of the town; and it is certain that the streets had received no improvement by regulating or paving.

The common order of buildings in the city was of the poorest class; the great point looked to by their builders having, it would seem, been cheapness. One of the documents of the city court of that period says: " The greater part of the habitations in this city are built of wood and covered with reeds, and some have wooden chimneys.'^ It is said also, that " hog-pens and hay-barracks were in many of the gardens, fronting the street, adjoining the habitations of the citizens;" 1*

and that" many or the greater part of the citizens were accustomed to build their privies even with the ground and projecting into the street, with an opening, so that the hocfs mio-ht come and consume the filth and cleanse the same; by which, not only an offensive smell was occasioned, but the paths became filthy and unfit for

The following ordinance enacted for the improvement of the city, will serve to give a further insight into the condition of the town :

" Whereas we have remarked the disorderly practice now as well as heretofore existing, of building houses and extending house lots beyond their proper limits, of putting up hog-pens and privies along the public roads and streets, and of neglecting to make improvements upon lots granted by the authorities.— In order to the prevention of such irregularities in fu-tm'e, it is, by the Director General, Petrus Stup'esant, and their excellencies the Councillors, resolved to appoint three surveyors of buildings, to wit, his excellency Lubert Van Duicklargen, the equipage master Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, and the secretary Cornells Van Teinhoven, who are hereby authorized and empowered to condemn all improprieties and disorder in buildings, fences, palisades, posts, and rails. And w^e do also warn all our subjects who may design to build, plant, or settle within or about the City of New Amsterdam, that nothing shall be done or undertaken without the knowledge, consent, and examination of the aforesaid surveyors of buildings, in the penalty of

twenty-five carolus guilders; and also of having whatever they may have put up, removed.

We do also hereby warn and advertize all and every one who may have received grants of house-lots, that within nine months from this time they have their lots improved by suitable and convenient houses; in default whereof the unimproved lots shall revert to the patroon or landlord by whom they may have been granted."

It appears that a general license to pasturage upon the highways w^as at one period allowed to all the sorts of domestic animals owned by the inhabitants; horses, horned cattle, sheep, goats, and great numbers of swine were turned out upon the town to graze in the highways and open fields. It is found however that objections to this custom were sometimes taken by the authorities on account of the damages arising from the great inroads upon private property made by the animals. The following ordinances were at different times enacted against this common usage.

" Whereas the roads and highways here in New Amsterdam, are rendered difficult of passage for waggons and carts on account of the rooting of the hogs— it is ordered, that the inhabitants take care to stick a ring through the noses of all they may own."

" Whereas it has been seen that the goats and the hogs are in the habit of daily committing great damage in the orchards and plantations here about the Fort Amsterdam, it is ordered, that goats and hogs shall be kept in their own enclosures."

" Their High Mightinesses, the Director General

and -Councillors of New Netherland, to all persons who may hear, see, or read these presents, send greeting :

Whereas we have observed - that this fortress formerly in a tolerable state, has been of late much trodden down by hogs, goats, and sheep; and as at this time men are employed in repairing the same—therefore in order to prevent its being trodden down and damaged after this time, whether by goats, sheep, hogs, or any other anhiials—their High Mightinesses, the Director General and Councillors, do warn all the inhabitants that they shall not any more suffer to run at large, any hogs, goats, horses, or kine, between this place and the company's farm. 1650."

In Nov. 1655, measures were originated by the au-^ thorities, which on their completion greatly improved the appearance and condition of New Amsterdam. These measures w^ere founded on the following representation of the city magistrates :

*' To the honourable, the Ileer Director General, and the Heeren high Councillors of New Netherland.

It is with all respect, by the Burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, in New Netherland, given to know, that several requests have been presented by refugees and others, "who have come over here wdth the design to settle permanently in this city, that building lots may may be made over to them, on w^hich, if granted, they propose to erect dwelling houses: therefore we request your Lordships, that a proper regulation of the town may be made, so that these persons may attain their

OF NEW AMSTERDAM. y

object, and the public good be subserved. We also request that persons may be immediately commissioned to take the matter in charge.

Waiting a favourable answer, we remain &c. Allard Anthony,

Oloff Stevenson, (Van Cortland.)" 10th Nov. 1655.

Answer of the Government to the above.

" The Director General and Councillors, after serious consideration of the request of the Burgomasters, find the proposed regulations to be highly necessary, and do therefore by these presents, authorize besides the ordinary road masters, the Heer Councillor La Montagnie, and the Heer Burgomaster Allard Anthony, to make the necessary orders as to how all the garden lots and grounds shall be situated; and lest any person should take possession of grounds, without the authority of law, the above officers are specially authorized to fix a price (an honest and moderate consideration) for all gardens and lots; and their judgement shall be subject only to the after judgement of the Director General and Councillors.

Thus done, 10th Nov. 1655.'-

The year following (1656,) many building lots were-made over to the newly arrived settlers, on easy terms; some indeed with the simple condition that the grounds so granted, should be immediately enclosed within sub-

stantial board fences, and that buildings should be erected thereon as soon as practicable.

The Burgomasters having especially in charge all matters relating to the supervision of affairs connected with the city itself, held for a time daily sessions in the City Hall, for the purpose of settling the disputes which might arise between the officers and the citizens, and the record of their proceedings during this season is filled with entries of a character similar to the following :

" N. N. is by these presents ordered to build up his "heyninge," (or inclosure of boards,) according,to the general order, within fourteen days after the issuing of this notice, under penalty of fourteen guilders."

" Jan Videt asks permission to build on the ground heretofore given to Daniel Teneur, which has not been built upon: Answer. —Jan's application is refused, because that on the ground asked for a corner house should be built, and he wishes to build little houses thereon.'-

" Harman Smeerman says, that behind his house there lies a vacant piece of ground, about 70 feet broad and 80 feet long, which he would like to have, and asks if it will please the Burgomasters to convey the same to him, in the same manner as lands are given to others:—To this it is answered, that his application shall be referred to Joannes Nevius to look into it."

"Albert Jansen requests that, inasmuch as he is ready to build a house, a piece of ground may be given him, which is acceded to, and he may have the ground next to that of Jannette Boon."

It seems that during the thriving period here spoken of, the spirits of the people, as well as of the authorities, were highly elated. The Director General Stuy-vesant, in a proclamation pubhshed about that time, speaks in a happy strain of " the blessed augmentation of the population and trade of the city," and enlarges upon the beauties of a well-regulated city, with good dwelling-houses and spacious gardens.

In the year 1656-7, the thoroughfares of New Amsterdam were laid out as streets and given the following names:

T'Marckvelt, {the Marketfield.) —This name was given to a line of dwellings facing towards the green in front of the Fort, on the easterly side. This green had some years before the date above been the market place of the town ; from which circumstance, the name above was given to it.

De Heere Straat, {the principal street.) —This was a wide though thinly populated street, running northwardly from the green fronting the Fort. It was the principal way of egress from the city, through the * Lant poort,' or land gate, at the city wall. At the above date there were about twenty dwellings upon its

line. It was the origin of the avenue now so well known as Broadway.

De Hoogh Straat, (the High Street.) —The thoroughfare to which this name was given, is beheved to have been the avenue running in a line parallel with the East River, extending from the City Bridge to the Water Gate, (as the way of egress from within the walls on the easterly side of the city was called.) This was, in the day of Governor Stuyvesant, one of the principal thoroughfares in New Amsterdam. In 1661 it contained forty-one dwellings, beside several small shops—a greater number than any other street of the time. Upon the hne of the Hoogh Straat stood the Cit>' Hall.*

De Waal, {the Wall.')—'By this name was the line of several dwellings which fronted towards the city wall called. This thoroughfare was, at the time of the above date, of recent formation. It was the boundary street of the town, runnmg from the ' Heere Straat' at Ihe west to the ^Oost Revier' at the eastern side of the city. The population of the street was small in number.f

* This 'Hoogh Straat' was probably the same as that now called Pearl street, or that part of it between Broad street and Wall Btreet.

t The line of dwellings known as *De Waoi," was about the same now occupied by the southerly side of Wall street.

T' Water, {the Water.) —This name was given to a range of several dwellings fronting towards the bay, and forming a semi-circular line upon the extreme point of the island.* In front of these dwellings ran a road, at a few feet beyond which the land descended to the bed of the river, which was bedded with rocks uncovered at low tides.

De Perel Straat, {the Pearl Street.) —This was a street lying immediately behind the Fort, and w^as at this time thickly populated. Its extent was between *T'Water' and the opposite corner of the Fort. It was one of the parts of the city earliest settled. The number of buildings upon its line at the period above was about twenty.f

Aghter be Perel Straat, {behind the Pearl Street.) '—By this name was called a range of several small edifices lying near ' Perel Straat.'

De BRomvER Straat, {the Brewer Street. —This name was applied to a small thoroughfare extending between the • Marckvelt' and the street along the creek at the same time called the ' Heere Graft.' The name

* The same line of street is now called State street. At the early time above spoken of, however, only that part of the present street lying between Pearl street and Whitehall street was occupied.

t This ancient thoroughfare has retained its primitive title to this day. The limit of the street called 'Perel Straat' in the time of Governor Stuyvesant, was, however, bounded between Whitehall and State streets.

2

of the ' Bromver Straat' no doubt was chosen from the circumstance that upon the hne of the street were situated several breweries, among which was that of OlofF Stevensen Van Cortlant, one of the leading burghers of the day. The' Brouwer Straat' was probably the first street in JYew Arnsterdam regulated atid imved. The proceedings of the authorities in that matter are doubly interesting in view of this historic fact. A petition having been presented in March 1657, by the residents, setting forth the bad condition of the street, arising from severe weather, a warrant was issued, authorizing the paving of the street, in the following words:

" Whereas the inhabitants of the ' Brouwer Straat.' by request on the 15th March to the Heeren Burgomasters, have set forth that said street is becoming more and more mifit for use, and that therefore they wish that the same may be paved with pebble stones. The Burgomasters thinking the request a proper one, do comply therewith, and commission Isaack de Forest and Jeronimus Ebbingh to take charge of the work, of the expense of which all residents in the street shall bear a proportionate part."

This street, beside several breweries, contained a number of dwellings, residences of some of the principal citizens."*

De Winckel Str.u.t, (the Shop Street.) —There is

+ This street afterwards received the name of Stone street, no doubt from tlie fact of its being the first street paved with stone. It still retains that name.

some doubt as to the locality of the thoroughfare so called. The ' Winckel Straat' is known to have been among those streets which were regulated at the earliest period. The date of the order to pave this street was Sth August, 1658.

Be Brugh Straat, {the Bridge Street. —The' Brugh Straat,' (it was at first called the ' Brugh Steegh,' or lane,) was, as its name implies, the avenue leading to the bridge across the ' hecre graft.' It was paved in 1658.*

De Heere Graft, {the Principal Canal.) —The creek which penetrated inland, running from the ' Oost Revier,' (or East River,) in course of time formed the centre of a thoroughfare : this was called the ' Heere Graft.' In connection with the features of the plan of New Amsterdam, the ' Graft' (that is, the creek or canal itself,) is a conspicuous object. In early times it no doubt afforded an excellent shelter and harbor for small boats, and presented the conveniences of a good landing place, without the expense of a dock; especial care was therefore had by the authorities in the preservation of its banks, and keeping the bottom clear. Artificial sidings of wood were commenced in the creek about the year 1657. At the same time ordinances against throwing filth and offal therein were enacted, with the strictest penalties attached for their violation. Three laborers were employed upon the graft during

* This street has retained its name to tliis day.

working seasons for about two years, and when the work was completed in 1659, the creek, for its whole length, was furnished with a siding of boards stuck endwise into the earth. By this the sides were protected from caving, which, it is said, had before been a common occurrence after high tides, occasioning much inconvenience to passengers in the street.

In March, 1659, Resolvert Waldron, deputy sheriff, was made the " officer of the graft," with the following injunction: That he should " see that the newly-made graft was kept in order, that no filth was cast into it, and that the boats, canoes, and other vessels, which came into it, were laid in order."

Li 1660, a petition was presented to the Burgomasters and Schepens ia the following word^:

" To the respected Lords the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city Amsterdam, in New Netherland.

" It is given w^ith^all respect and reverence to know, by the undersigned neighbors, hving in the street of the graft, at the new part, as also at the part before cut, how that we unhappily do find by sad experience that the said street is becoming more and more unfit for use^ so that we think it not only for our own convenience, but for the good and profit of the city generally, that the said way should be paved -with key-stone \^dth the first opportunity. To which end, the action of your lordships is required as authority for the same, upon which the stone shall be drawn to the said street.

" Now it is also asked that each one benefitted shall be made to pay a proportion of the expense.

** Waiting a favorable answer, ^ve remain, &c.

Oloff Stevensen, (Van Cortlant,)

Johannes Van Brugh,

WiLLEM ToMASSEN,

Abram La Nooy, IsACK Kip, IsACK De Foreest, Jacob Kip,

his Teunis X Kraey,

mark. Hendrick Hendrickson Kip, ]VL\RiA Geraerd."

This petition was granted by the Comicil, and the road masters w^ere ordered to proceed with the work; upon its completion, a list of the persons owning property on the line of the street was returned by Jacques Cortelyou, surveyor, with the extent of front of each lot. These persons w^ere taxed as follows :

Hans Dreper, . . . g. 73 00

Hendrick the baker, . . . 214 17 Teunis Cray, . . . 81 13

Burg. OlofF Stevensen, (V. Cortlant,) 93 04 Frerick Lubberzen, . . 171 11

Burg. OlofF Stevensen, (V. Cortlant,) 69 14 Pieter Menist, ... 73 00

Gerrit Jansen Roos, . . . 80 00 Reinhout Reinhoutzen, . . 160 00 Coenraet Ten Eyck, . . . 88 05 2*

Guilders, 2792 19

Bv the measures thus taken, the street was put in passable condition for travel: it throve, in consequence, to such a degree, that its population soon after was doubled in number, and the * Heere Graft' became a street of considerable eminence as a business part of the town. A bridge covered the graft near its outlet; and it is probable there were other crossing places at different points along its line. These latter, however, were most likely slight erections, intended for foot passengers. The great bridge at its lower part was for a time the centre of the business section of the city: near it were several public establishments, such as the weigh-house, the companies' store-houses, and "the place where merchandize was loaden and unloaden.'^ It would seem from this that there was sufficient depth of water at the mouth of the graft to admit vessels of considerable tonnage.

The landing place above mentioned was known in Its day as the *hoofd.' The following extract sets forth some of the uses and conveniences of this place to the merchants and people of the city :

Petition.

" To the high honorable Lords the Heer General and Heeren Councillors of New Netherland. " Great and honorable Lords:

" It is respectfully represented by the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city Amsterdam, in New Netherland, that much inconvenience arises to the Burghers and inhabitants of this city at this time from the condition of the floating way at the bridge, where they have before this landed with little trouble their wares and merchandize, and could with great facihty load and unload the vessels which came thereto: Now, whereas the petitioners ex-officio are bound to be mindful and careful of the best interests of the citizens and inhabitants, therefore do they request your Lordships to consent, in order to the accommodation of said citi-ztns and inhabitants and the merchants, that they may make a' hoist,' by which the yachts, sloops and scliouw^s can be easily laden and unladen: furthermore, that they may appoint such prices as fees in regard to the same as your Lordships may think best.

" Expecting a favorable answer, w^e remain, &c.

" 9th October, 1658.

Answer. ^ The petitioners have permission to make a good and

substantial hoist. After the finishing of which, they shall receive, for every load that such hoist shall ship or unship, eight stuyvers; less quantities in proportion. " The ordinance of the Heeren Director General and Councillors. 14th Nov. 1658.

C. Van Ruyven, Secretary." *

De Prince Graft, {the Prince Canal.) —This name was given to the hne of dwellings built on either side of a small branch of the Heere Graft which ran from the main body of the creek in an easterly direction. This branch was no doubt a very small 'and shallow stream, and indeed may have been no more than sunken or marshy ground. It is probable, however, from the name of * graft' given to the place, that in early times a stream of water ran for a distance throuo-h the centre of the street. The ordinance to pave this street bears date Idth Oct. 1660, and is in the folloAving v/ords:

" On the request of the neighbors on each side of tin Prince Graft, it is ordered, that each one shall pave the way before his own door, as well as his garden, so that the same shall be made passable for foot travellers."

The Prince Graft, at the time that name was given to the street, contained about ten or twelve dwelling houses.f

* The * Heere Graft' was the name of the street now called Broad street. The graft or canal formerly ran through the centre of the Btrect as far as the street now called Exchange Place.

t The street of the Prince Graft, after many changes of its name is now a part of Beaver street, lying to the cast of Broad street.

De Prince Str.iat, (the Prince Street.) —This is supposed to have been given to a part of the Prince Graft.

De Beverr Graft, {the Beaver Canal.) —To the thoroughfare formed along a branch of the Heere Graft, on its west side, was given the above name. It is supposed that this inlet was in early times an especial haunt of the beaver tribe, and that it received its name from that circumstance.

This street was occupied by dwelling houses at a very early period, although the buildings were of the meanest character. It is probable that, from the nature of the ground at the banks of the inlet, it was almost impassable in wet seasons. The width between the opposite lines of the street being much greater than ia those streets where no embarrassment to travelling arose from the natural state of the soil, is evidence that the sides of the ' graft' were of a marshy character.

It was many years after this that the Beaver Graft, by filling up and other improvements, was made a respectable thoroughfare.*

T'Marcka^elt Steegie, {the Marketfield Path or Bye-way.) —This narrow thoroughfare extended from the ' Heere Graft' to the ' Marckvelt.' This street, in the earliest times of New Amsterdam, w^as probably a pathway leadiAg from the common landing place on

* The Beverr Graft is now known as that part of Beaver street between Broad and Whitehall streets.

the creek shore to the Marketfield in front of the Fort. At the time this name was given to tti€ street, it contained half a dozen habitations of the smallest kind.*

De Smee Straat. —The locality to which this name was given cannot be fixed with any probability of accuracy. It is known to have been a small street of the poorer class of houses.

De S.mit's ValeYj (the Smith''s Valley.) —This was a thoroughfare traversing a valley running from the ' Oost Revier' in a winding course. At this time the Smit's Valey was beyond the thickly populated parts of the city, although it was itself occupied by a number of dwelling houses of a respectable character.!

The Glassmaker's Street —Was an obscure street laid out by a cartway being run through it in 1657. It is described as being ^ near the strand,' but its precis, situation cannot be determined.

Among the principal public works undertaken and completed in the early part of Governor Stuyvesant's time was the " Schoeyinge," or " siding of boards," which was built along the East River shore.

* The 'Marckvelt Steegie' is now called Marketfield street

t The 'Smit's Valey' was about the present line of South William street.

The Schceyinge was first begun near the City Hall, (which fronted towards the river opposite the head of the present Coenties Slip.) The occasion of its construction is said to have been on account of the flow of the river at high tide, when the water ran up nearly to the building and occasioned an inconvenient passage along the street. The construction itself was a siding of wood built against the shore, the boards being placed endwise into the earth and elevated to a height (probably of two or three feet) sufficient to serve as a barrier against the overflow of the water. The " Schoeyinge," at this particular place, was begun in 1655. In August of that year, " Sybout Clasen made representation that he had been employed by the late Schepen Vandiegrist to build up the Schceyinge, but the water prevented the work."

In the early part of the year 1656, ordinances were passed for lining in the same manner the whole of the y shore of the East River between the City Hall and the water gate, (as the passage through the city wall near the East River was called.) This ordinance, on account of not being universally compliod with, was renewed in September of that year by the following:

" Whereas, the Schcei/inge is only made, as yet, at the East River, near the water gate, it is necessary, not only for the good of the city, generally, but particularly for that of the neighborhood along the East River, near the strand, that it be forthwith wholly made and finished. Therefore, The Burgomasters arwl Schepens do ordain that all persons who have hous€v«;

or yards at the East River, between the gate and the City Hall, forthwith proceed to build up and line the same with boards before their respective lots, under forfeiture, in default of compliance herewith, of twent^'-five guilders. 25 Sept., 1656."

FOREIGN TRADE OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

The foreign trade carried on by the factors of the West India Company resident in New Amsterdam, was principally confined to exports of peltries and returns of articles of merchandize suited to the Indian traffic.

Adventurous traders in the service of the West India Company, spread themselves through the Indian country and pursued the traffic in peltries ^vith great success and profit, and the Government left nothing undone which might purchase the good will of the natives and redound to the profit of their " patroons."

Governor Stujwesant won the friendship of most of the native tribes by the strict rules of trade which he prescribed to his people and by the fair and open manner in which he conducted all his intercourse with them.

The success which these measures produced w^as not, however, allowed to progress ^vithout competition for its advantages, as will be seen by the following.

" 18 Sept., 1648.

Whereas it has been seen w^ith great concern that many Scotch merchants and small traders who from

time to time come from their own country over here and aim at nothing else than with their imderselHng and manner of bartering to destroy trade, selhng their goods very rapidly, giving eleven to twelve guilders in loose seawant for one beaver and, after having sold out, going with their ships to some other place without doing any benefit to this country, which is an injury to our people, who are obliged to bear all the burdens: Therefore, for the purpose of putting a stop to such destruction of trade, it is deemed advisable for the inhabitants of New Netherlands to take action, so that from this time forth all Scotch merchants and small dealers who come over from their own country with the intention of trading here with Christians or heathen, in wholesale or retail, shall not be permitted to carry on any trade in the land until after they have had a residence here in New Netherland three years: And, furthermore, they shall be compelled, within one year after their arrival, to erect a decent and habitable -tenement in this city, Ne^^ Amsterd^in, and on^oer^.. „

^^^^yj ..^his and schippers of their High Mightinesses'

the West India Company) vessels shall be exempt from this order."

At a date some years subsequent to the above it was found expedient, on account of the " Scotch traders and others, who by their unlawful interference in trade and damnable mode of traffic, fairly took the bread out of the mouths of resident inhabitants," to enact a grant of privileges of citizenship to the inhabitants, which will be found at length in another part of this volume.

The enterprise of individual traders, resident in the province, carried them into the heart of the Indian country in pursuit of profitable speculations. This the Government thought fit to interdict by the following :

" Whereas His Excellency the Director General and

the Honorable the Council, have been informed that

traders are in the practice of going into the interior

and entering the Maquas country to trade, which is

ruinous to regular traffickers, who remain with their

cargoes at the usual places of deposit; besides which,

by such means the good understanding now" existing

with the Indians may be interrupted and the savages

be stirred up to murder persons here and there, where

districts of country are in danger of thereby being

brought into difficulty : Therefore, to the end that we

may in the most effectual way guard the interests and

honor of the West India Company, ^ve from this time

-- •^orbid and interdict every one of our inhabitants to go

into lac' ^ ''}\Sf'^^1^iTg6^Gi v^J^^chari^ze, but

they may leave them at the usual places of deposit kiiK^

there await for traffic."

There was considerable exportation of tobacco from New Amsterdam, although it seems the quantity raised on the plantations in ISew Netherland was itself inconsiderable. The tobacco traders in New Amsterdam were generally connected with Virginia planters and the tobacco being received from them was sent to Holland through the agency of the Company's officers.

It would seem that previous to the year 1659 no

foreign trade was allowed to any citizens of New Amsterdam on their own account. This, when merchants, having obtained wealth in the domestic trade, were ambitious of extending their commercial operations, was found to be a grievous drawback. It therefore, at the above date, was resolved by several of the most eminent merchants of New Amsterdam, to attempt to obtain a repeal of this prohibitive rule, and accordingly petitions were presented for that purpose. These having been forwarded to the West India Company, as the fountain-head of the Government, the request was acceded to, and a favorable answer received. Whereupon the magistrates of the city issued the following:

" Whereas certain citizens presented memorials asking that they may, before long, be allowed to carry on a foreign trade or commerce, w^hich memorial was referred to their High Mightinesses the West India Company ■ ' ^-^ • . ^. letter to t^- Director ^ .eral .i.a Councillors, the Lord's Directors have signified their grant to the people of this Province of a privilege to trade in foreign lands, with a view to the promotion of the growth and prosperity of this land, but with the express stipulation that the vessels which may go from this place to France, Spain, Italy the Carribean or other West India Islands, for the purpose of selling their land products or w^ares, shall turn right towards the city of Amsterdam with the proceeds of their sales, or else to this place, so that proper duties may be paid into the Treasury of the Company, This is made

known to such persons as raay design to open a foreign trade that they may govern themselves accordingly. Done 9th March, 1660."

CURRENCY.

The currency of New Amsterdam was in general composed of the Indian money, called wampum or sea-w^ant, and of the skins of animals, principally of the beaver. Seawant was the current article of exchange for things of small value, as from its nature it was subject to division into the smallest particles. It consisted of small perforated shells, black or white, either " loose," (as when in separate parts) or " strung," (as when strung like beads upon a string.)

The following document exhibits the derangement to which this currency was liable and the value set upon its different sorts.

" The Director General and Councillors of New Netherland to all persons who may see these presents, or hear them read, send greeting :

Whereas with great concern we have observed the present depreciated and corrupt quality of the loose seawant, of which there is current much that is not perforated, and is but half-finished, and also some made out of stone, bone, glass, muscle, shells, horns, and even out of wood, whereby occasion is given for frequent complaints of the inhabitants, that they caimot

go with such seawant to market, neither can they procure for themselves with it any commodity, not so much as a mean white loaf of bread, or a can of beer at the merchants, bakers and tapsters: Therefore, we have determined that for the furtherance of business, and the general good, from this time forth, no loose seawant shall be current, or a lawful tender, except the same shall be strung on one string, as the general custom has been heretofore.

For the purpose o^ preventing the circulation of clumsy and unperforated seawant, and in order that a fixed difference be made betwixt commercial (loose) seawant and strung seawant, the Director General and the Councillors aforesaid, do hereby ordain that seawant shall be current at the following rates: to wit.

The commercial seawant—six white or three black seawants for one stuyver.

The base-strung seawant—eight white or four black for one stuyver.

Done 30th May, 1650."

Another proclamation on the same subject was issued in September following the above date.

" "Whereas by the daily complaints of the inhabitants we are informed that our proclamation and order, of date 30 May, 1650, concerning the seaw^ant, w^hich were issued for the better accommodation of the inhabitants, are not observed and executed according to our good intentions and meaning; but, on the contrary, payments tendered under such order have been rejected, 3*

though they may have been for payment of trifling debts to shop keepers, brewers, bakers, tapsters, mechanics, or day laborers, whereby is occasioned great confusion, there being at this time no other currency with which the inhabitants may accommodate one another in their small daily commerce.

Wherefore once more in order to the accommodation of trade, do the Director General and Councillors ordain and decree, that the base strung seuwant shall be current, and shall be receivec^ by every one without distinction or exception, in payment for small commodities in house keeping, in the following amounts, to wit.

The base strung seawant shall be received for all payments of the amount of twelve guilders and under.

Half-and-half seawant (that is to say half base half strung seawant) for amounts between twelve and twenty-four guilders.

From twenty-five to fift^^ guilders—one third base strung, and two-thirds good strung seawant.

In larger sums payments shall be made and received according to agreements between buyer and seller.

The penalty for refusing to comply with this ordinance shall be for the first offence six guilders, for the second nine guilders, and for the third two pounds flemish and a prohibition from his handicraft and business.

Done 14th September, 1650."

In despite of these Governmental orders the seawant gradually depreciated in value, so that in 1659 sixteen

guilders in seawant, at the stated rate of value, were required in exchange for one beaver, of eight guilders value.

Beaver skins, or " beavers," as the article was commonly named, were of the stated value of eight guilders, or about three dollars each. This price was paid for them at the counter of the Company's agent, so that little variation took place in the value of the article, as a medium of current exchange. The beaver skins vvere sometimes divided in two parts, for convenience in exchange, when they were called " half-beavers." By this, however, they were lessened in standard value, as the Company would not receive two "half-beavers" for the same amount as one "beaver."

INCOME AND FINANCES OF THE CITY.

New Amsterdam had progressed from its origin with such slight revenue and so little call for funds, that its public financial affairs, before the arrival of Governor Stuyvesant, cannot be counted of any consideration. An adverse tide, however, set in upon the prosperity of the town several years after this event. In the course of the troubles with the English in 1653, it was found a debt had accrued, on account of works of defence and other preparations for war, of about seven thousand guilders. The fact of this amount of expense having been incurred was communicated to the cit}^ magistrates by the Director General, accompanied by

a sugo:estion that some measure should he taken for defraying it. The manner in which this suggestion was received will he seen by the following extract from the records:

" Saturday morning, 2nd August, 1653.

Present—Arent Van Hatten, Marten Crigier, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Pieter Couwenhoven, Wilhelm Beeckman, and M. Van Gheel.

Certain burghers having been notified to appear, the following attended:

Pieter Cornelisen Van Veen, Jan Vinge, Dirck Van Schellyne, Johannes De Peyster,

Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh, Abram De la Nooy, Johannes Gillesen Van Bruggh, Eg. Woutersen, Jacob Van Couwenhoven, Jan.JansendeCuyper,

Gouert Lockermans, Aert Willemsen,

OlofF Stevensen, (Van Cortlant) Coenraet Ten Eyck, Joh. Van Beeck, Daniel Litschoe,

Lambert Clomp, Philip Gera^rdy,

Jan Jansen, junior, Stryker,

Abram Verplanck.

At the session of the Burgomasters and Schepens, held in the town hall in New Amsterdam this 2nd August, 1653, several of the principal burghers and inhabitants being present by invitation, and having had read to them statements of what has already been done, with regard to the expenses incurred for the works of defence of this town, as well as for other things ; the amount of the whole of which is about seven thousand guilders. In consideration of what may be concerted

to meet such expenses, as well as those which may hereafter be incurred, the unanimous reply and conclusion is, that the citizens will not contribute aught before his High IMightiness the Director General shall give up the whole excise of wines and beers; and then, whatever expenses shall be incurred, the means shall be devised to cancel the same.

And it is furthermore resolved, that the above answer shall be presented to the Director General by the Burgomasters and Schepens; and in case the same be not approved, then there shall be another meeting to deliberate further."

The proposition above mentioned did not meet the approbation of the Director General, and that officer having signified his dissent, another meeting was called for the afternoon of the same day. At this were present the same as before.

Proceedings.

" The Burgomasters and Schepens having related* the verbal answer of his High Mightiness the Director General, who says that he is determined not to give up the excise of wines and beers, since the amount thereof has already been paid into the Company's counting house.

Whereupon the notified burghers having deliberated, give for answer, as in the forenoon, that they are determined by no means to contribute any thing, unless the Director General accedes to their terms, and shall

suffer the excise to be paid into the treasury of the Burgomasters and Schepens.

The Burgomasters and Schepens having heard their answer, do declare themselves (since the summoned citizens are not disposed to contribute, and it is impossible to continue the works that have been commenced without any thing to pay the expenses already incurred, or to go on w^ith what may be further required, w^ithout money,) to be without any ability to meet the demands; and they do unanimously protest, in case that any calamity may happen, that they will hold themselves excused.

Thus done, 2nd August, 1653."

This resolution on the part of the city magistrates and the citizens, served to induce the Director General to relinquish the " tapster's excise^' to the city authorities ; which was done, however, with the understanding that out of the receipts arising therefiom the magistrates were to pay the salaries of the two Dominies, Megapolensis and Drissius. This was the first revenue which came into the treasury of New Amsterdam.

In 1655 a tax list, embracing all inhabitants of the province holding property, was made out, and the proceeds of its collection were devoted to the liquidation of the debt made during the troubles.*

In ]656 the mao^istrates of New Amsterdam ad-dressed a letter to the West India Company respecting the condition of the city finances. This letter states,

* This list is given in another part of this work.

in the first place, that the magistrates, in consideration of the difficulties under which the city w^as laboring, had petitioned the Director General and Councillors for grants of certain subsidies, which had been refused them. It asserts that the only revenue to the city was that arising from the excise of wines and beers, and that this was needed for immediate expenses in the repairing and building of the city wall, which having been originally built up with a blind of planks, w^as constantly out of repair; also for the Schceyinge along the East River, a part of which was at the city charge; for repairs to the City Hall, the watch apartments, the building of the school house, the making of the graft, and for several other improvements. Besides this, says the letter, there is some of the old debt made in the time of the English troubles yet unliquidated. The magistrates concluded by asking the advice of their Governors, the High Patroons of the Province. This epistle bears date 7th November, 1656.

It is not known what answer was returned to this application; but if any attention was paid to it, it was probably of an adverse character, as the magistrates are found more than a year afterwards renewing their application for 'subsidies' to the Director General and Councillors. It would seem from the frequency of such passages in the records as the following, that in the year 1657 the treasury of the city was greatly impoverished.

" Hendrick Hendricksen, drummer, attended the meeting of Burgomasters, and requested payment of his

promised yearly wages; but as the diest at present is not well supplied, the applicant is requested to wait until the first convenient opportunity, when he shall be satisfied. 29th March, 1657."

"Jan Jansen, woodcutter, left at the meeting his account for cutting timber and other work for the city; but since he is not present himself, and the chest is not well supphed, the consideration of the same is put off."

In this time of distress considerable sums were advanced for the relief of the city by Allard Antony and Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlant, two of the principal citizens of New Amsterdam.

In January 1658, the magistrates petitioned to be allowed the proceeds arising from w^eigli-house fees 3 to which petition the Director General and Councillors returned a negative reply. The magistrates, however, renewed their application, setting forth in the strongest terms the necessity of the measure. To this the provincial authorities replied at length, stating, among other matters, the various sources of revenue which had been made over to the city since the year 1652, enumerating them as follows :

" 1st. In 1653, the income of the tapster's excise.

2nd. Authority to levy a tax on all the citizens and inhabitants, traders, merchants and factors in the province, amounting to 6,000 guilders.

3rd. A consent to a burgher excise of wines and beer, which was farmed out at 4,200 guilders.

4th. An impost on slaughtered animals, farmed out in 1658, at 1,457 guilders.

5th. A consent to a tapper's ' ceeltje,' for which every tapper paid six guilders every quarter of a year.

6th. The assize of all measures, cans, barrels and weights.

7th. Has been resigned to the Burgomasters and Schepens, the fees from lots purchased within the city walls.

8th. The fees from the great and small citizenship.

9th. There has been disbursed towards building the city wall one thousand guilders.

10th. The magistrates have been allowed to collect for every house in the city one beaver, and for every chimney one guilder.

11th. A positive impost upon all unenclosed yards within the city of fifteen pennings.

" Yet, notwithstanding," continues this document, " the Director General and Councillors do consent that, in order to assist in defraying the old and new debts, one-fourth part of the proceeds of the weigh-house shall be paid to the city treasurer."

MARKETS.

A Market was established in New Amsterdam, in 1656, by the following ordinance:

" The Du-ector General and Councillors of New 4

Netherland to all persons who shall see these presents, or hear them read, greeting :

Whereas, now and then, the people, from without, are in the habit of bringing into the city different commodities, such as veal, pork, butter, cheese, turnips, roots, straw, and other products of the soil, for the purpose of selling them; and it frequently happens when here at the strand, that they are obliged to tarry a long time and to lodge at considerable expense, the reason for which is that a great part of the community, especially those living out of the neighborhood of the strand, are not aware that such commodities have been brought for sale; therefore, the Director General and Councillors, do ordain, that, from this time forth, here in this city, Saturday shall be the market day and market shall be held at, or near, the house of Mr, Hans Kierstede, where, after him, every one may enter. Thus done, the 12th September, 1656."

In 1659 an ordinance passed in the following words, establishing a yearly market for cattle.

"The Schout, Bm^gomasters and Schepens, make known that they establish, for the accommodation of the public, a market for store and fat cattle, steers, cows, sheep, goats, hogs, bucks and such like, and to that end they mean to erect stalls, and other, conveniences, for those who bring such animals to market. This market will be opened the 20th day of October and closed the last day of November, precisely, in each year; during which time it shall remain a free cattle

market, and no stranger shall, during that tune, be liable to arrest, or citation, but shall be permitted to attend to his business without molestation or hindrance."

" 7th March, 1659. It is thought good, by the Burgomasters, that this proclamation, concerning the cattle market, be translated into English, and sent to the magistrates of the following places.

Standtfort, Straatfoort,

Uncque, Milfort,

Suidhampton. Oosthampton,

Suidhool. The proclamation to be accompanied by the follow-mg letter. Worthy Lords:

The object of this is to make known to you our resolution to erect and establish within this city a market for fat and lean cattle and to request of you to make known the same to your people, and that every one has leave to come to said market with his cattle who may be inclined to extend his voyage hitherwards.

We remain, your friends, the Burgomasters of the city Amsterdam in N. N.

To the Heeren magistrates of the tow^n, etc."

'' 8th April, 1659.

It is found good and resolved that for any fat cattle

brought to the market (not slaughtered) posts shall be

erected by the side of the church where those who

bring such cattle to market for sale shall present them.

It is, also, resolved, that shambles be built up, a cover made, and a block brought in, and that the key be given to Andries, the baker, who shall keep over-sidit of the same.''

SCHOOLS,

In 1656 Harmanus Van Hoboken was school master of New Amsterdam. His school house having been burned partly do^^^l, he addressed the following apph-cation to the cit}'' magistrates.

'• To the Heeren Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam.

The reverential request of Harmanus Van Hoboken, school master of this city, is that he may be allowed the use of the hall and side-chamber of the City Hall for the use of his school and as a residence for his family, inasmuch as he, petitioner, has no place to keep school in, or to live in during the winter, it being ne-cessaiy that the rooms should be made warm, which cannot be done in his own house from its unfitness. The petitioner further represents that he is burthened ^\ith a wife and children and, moreover, his wife is expected shortly to be brought to child-bed again, so that he is much at a loss how to make accommodation for his family and school children. The petitioner, therefore, asks that he may use the chamber wherein Gouert Coer-ten at present dwells. Expecting a favorable answer,

Haem. Van Hoboken."

Reply. " Whereas the room which petitioner asks for his use as a dwelhng and school room is out of repair and, moreover, is wanted for other uses, it cannot be allowed to him. But, as the town youth are doing so uncommon well now, it is thought proper to find a convenient place for their accommodation, and, for that purpose, petitioner is granted one hundred guilders yearly. 4th Sept., 1656."

This person remained in the city as school master during many subsequent years.

The foundation of the first academy and classical school established in this city was based upon the following representation, which was transmitted to Holland, 19th September, 1658, as part of a petition of the city magistrates to the patroons or West India Company,

" It is represented that the youth of this place, and the neighborhood are increasing in number gradually and that most of them can read and write, but that some of the citizens and inhabitants would like to send their children to a school, the principal of which understands latin, but are not able to do so without sending them to New England; furthermore, they have not the means to hire a latin school master, expressly for themselves, from New England; and, therefore, they ask that the West India Company will send out a fit person as latin school master, not doubting that the number of persons who will send their children to such 4*

teacher will, from year to year^ increase until an Ac.\DE^iY shall be formed, whereby this place to great splendor will have attained, for which, next to God, the Honorable Company which shall have sent such teacher here, shall have laud and praise. For our own part, we shall endeavor to find a fit place in which the school-master shall hold his school.'*

The year following Carolus Curtius arrived in New Amsterdam, having been sent out by the Company, in compliance with the above application. On the 4th of July he attended the meeting of the city magistrates to learn definitely the terms upon which he was to be employed. The Burgomasters proposed to give him, out of the city treasuiy, two hundred guilders annually, and tendered him fifty guilders, in part thereof, in advance. Mr. Curtius, thereupon, thanked the magistrates, but requested that a greater sum might be given him at first, inasmuch as he had so very few scholars engafT^ed, and greater trouble and pains were necessary in the beginning. He stated, also, that when he had obtained twenty-five or thirty scholars he would be content with a less sum. The Burgomasters had a conference with the Director General on this request and it was agi'eed that the teacher should be allowed to charge for every scholar six guilders per quarter.

The follo%^ing year (1660) some difference arose between the teacher, Curtius, and the magistrates, occasioned by an overcharge of the stated rates of school-monev. Curtius having, in several instances,

demanded a beaver (valued at eight guilders) per quarter. In consequence of this the annual salary, before voted to him, was withheld.

CITY WATCH.

A TEMPORArvY night-watch was established in New Amsterdam during the time of the troubles with the New England people in 1653. In that time of excitement the whole body of citizens of proper age was called into service. The head quarters of this night-guard was at the city tavern.

When, by the end of these troubles in the fall of 1654, this extensive system of watch police weis no longer called for, after consultation with the council of war, the Burgomasters and Schepens adopted a resolution to apply for the abolishment of the system and for authority to organize a 'ratel-wacht,'(consisting of watchmen to go about the city with rattles and cry the hour of the night,) to be of four or six men. This application was urged " in consideration of the small accommodation and convenience furnished for the citizens' watch, and likewise the great cost of fire and light for the same, making it burdensome upon the citizens during winter to sustain the expense."

The petition was granted, and the magistrates advertised such of the citizens as were so disposed to attend at the City Hall and hear the conditions upon which the new watch was to be established ; but no

one appeared at the time appointed, and the object of the magistrates was given over for the time.

It is supposed that for several years subsequent to the date last mentioned, no night-watch was held in New Amsterdam, except during the time of the troubles of 1655, when the citizens were called upon to serve in bodies by turns.

In 1658 a permanent system of watch pohce was established, concerning which the following record is found:

" 4th October, 165S.

By the Burgomasters it has been found good that a ' ratel-wacht' shall be holden in this city, and to that end the following persons, who are to enter into such service, are present, viz: Pieter Jansen, Hendrick Van Bommel, Jan Cornelisen Van Vlensburgh, Jan Pieter-sen, Garrit Pietersen, Jan Jansen Van Langstraat, Hendrick Ruyter, Jacques Pryn, and Tomas Verdran.

The Burgomasters have agreed with the above-named persons as v\-atchers at twenty-four stuyvers each per night; it being understood that they shall watch four and four a night. They are also promised that they shall have one or two beavers besides, and two or three hundred sticks of firewood.''

'' 12th October, 1658.

Articles made and ordered by the Heeren Burgo-. masters of the city Amsterdam, in New Netherland, to move the care and regularit}^ of the ratel-wacht.

In the first place, all the watchers shall be holden to

come on the watch at the hour the clock strikes the set time, in penalty of six stuyvers.

Whoso shall not come upon the watch, and cannot afterward present a good excuse for his absence, shall forfeit each time t\^^ guilders.

So, when any one comes on the watch, being drunk, or in any way insolent or unreasonable in his behavior, he shall be committed to the square room or to the battlements of the City Hall, and shall besides pay six stuyvers.

When any one shall hold watch in the battlements, he shall diligently be on the look-out; and if he be found asleep during his hours of watch, he shall forfeit ten stuyvers.

As a penalty for sleeping, negligence, or any other defect of any on the watch, (the fact being proven,) payment shall be made, for the first time, of one guilder; for the second time, of three guilders 3 and for the third time, a sum to be named by the Burgomasters.

If any one be heard to swear or blaspheme the name of God, he shall forfeit ten stuyvers.

If any one attempt to fight when on the watch, or tries to draw off from the watch for the purpose of lighting, he shall forfeit two guilders.

So, if any grapple with another in the morning after the time of watching is past, he or they shall severally forfeit two guilders.

And so too, if any fight during the watch-time, and also in the morning after watch-time, he or they shall severally forfeit six guilders 3 and for such misdemean-

ors shall likewise be corrected at the discretion of the Burgomasters.

If any watcher attempt to go from the watch on any pretence whatsoever, ^sithout express consent of the others, he shall forfeit each time two guilders.

If any take possession of goods while in performance of duty, he shall present the same to the Burgomasters.

So also, if a watcher receive any sum of money as a fee, he shall give the same to the captain, and this fee so brought in shall be paid to the city treasurer.

The penalties which are named above for swearing and other misdoings, shall each quarter year be deducted from the pay of the w^atchers.

When they receive their quarter money, they shall not hold any gathering for drink, nor any club meeting.

Finally, they shall at all corners of streets, between the ninth hour of the evening and the break of morning, call out the time of night or how late it is.

The Oath of the Watchers.

" We promise and swear in the name of the Most High, that we will fulfil the articles which have been read in our presence, as true watchers are boiond to do; so help us God Almighty."

To find means for the pay of the watch, the captain, Lodowick Pos, was authorized to collect monthly from each house, according to a list furnished him, fifty stuyvers.

FIRE POLICE,

A SYSTEM of Fire Police was established in New Amsterdam as early as the year 1648; the immediate cause of which is stated in the record to have been "occurrences of fires in two places, occasioned by negligence of certain careless persons, who were in the habit of neglecting to clean their chimnies, and of pay» ing no attention to their fires."

It is stated in a preceding chapter, that the manner of building at that day was of the rudest character, it being not uncommon to cover houses with thatched roofs and to build chimnies of wood. The two casualties above named directed the attention of the authorities to the impropriety of this loose manner of building in a considerable town, where great destruction might be apprehended to ensue from the slightest accident. The Director General therefore brought the matter by a formal letter to the attention of the city magistrates, with the suggestion that " they look closely into the matter and find a remedy." In compliance with this suggestion, the college of Burgomasters and Schepens issued an order that no wooden or platted chimnies be from that time forth erected between " the Fort and Fresh Water." To see that this ordinance w^as properly observed, four fire-wardens were appointed. The names of these ofl[icers w^ere, Adrian Keyser, (commissary on behalf of the Council,) Tomas Hal, Martin Crigier and Joris Wolsey, (on the part of the Commonalty.) The same ordinance enacted a penalty in

case of non-compliance with the orders of these wardens, the amount whereof was ordered to be set apart for the pm'chase of fire-ladders, hooks and buckets, which articles were to be procured from father-land by the first opportunity. The proposition to purchase fire utensils was not, however, at that time carried out. In 1657 the follo\\dng notice was published:

" The Director General and Councillors to all persons w^ho shall see these presents or hear them read, greeting:

Notice is given, that for the purpose of preventing calamities by fire, they long since condemned all flag roofs, wooden and platted chimnies, within this city, and to that end they appointed fire-wardens and inspectors of buildings, which ordinance has been and is at this time neglected by the inhabitants ; and in consequence of this negligence several fires have occurred, and more are to be apprehended j yes, indeed, even to the entire destruction of the city : so that it is necessary to make provision in the case.

To which end the Director General and Councillors do ordain, that all flag roofs, wooden chimnies, hay barracks and hay stacks, shall be taken down and removed within four months after the pubHcation of these presents, in penalty for non-comphance of twenty-five guilders for every month thereafter during which this order shall remain unexecuted : and this penalty shall be promptly claimed for every house, small or great, with reed roof, hay barrack, or hay stack, or wooden chimney, within the walls of this city, at the expiration

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

of the time before mentioned j h€n-houses and . pens shall be included." \

In December of the year 1657, the matter of procuring utensils for extinguishment of fires was taken into consideration by the Government, and the following order was issued:

" Whereas in all well-regulated cities it is customary that fire-buckets, ladders and hooks are in readiness at the corners of the streets and in public houses, for time of need; which is the more necessary in this city on account of the small number of stone houses and the many wooden houses here; therefore, the Director General and Councillors do authorize the Burgomasters and Schepens of this city, either personally or through their treasurer, to demand immediately for every house, whether small or great, one beaver or eight guilders in seawant, and to procure from father-land, out of the sum collected in this manner, two hundred and fifty leathern fire-buckets, and also to have made some fire-ladders and fire-hooks; and lo maintain this establishment, they may yearly demand for every chimney one guilder,"

This tax was promptly collected by the city authorities. The hooks and ladders were ordered of workmen in the city, and in accordance with the requirements of an ordinance of the Director General, were distributed about the town, " at the corners of the streets 5

and in public houses, in places of convenient access." It yet remained, however, to procure fire-buckets, which matter, as it Avas first supposed the articles would have to be obtained from Holland, occasioned some delay, on account of the unfrequency at that time of passages between the old and new worlds. After some months delay, it was resolved to try the shoemakers of New Amsterdam upon the task, and accordingly the Burgomasters advertised several shoemakers in the city to attend their meeting on the 1st of August, 1658. In compliance therewith, Coem-aet Ten Eyck, Remout Remoutzen, Arian Van Lair and Pieter Van Haalen attended. Coenraet Ten Eyck was not minded to undertake the work; Pieter Van Haalen declared he had no materials: the Burgomasters agreed with Ptemout Remoutzen on the following terms:

" Remout Remoutzen agrees to make the said buckets all out of tanned leather, and to do all that is necessary to finish them in the completest manner, for the price of six guilders two stuy^^ers each, half seawant half beavers; a fourth part of the half beavers to be " passable," three-fourtlis whole beavers: on these conditions he is to make one hundred buckets, which he promises to do between this and All-saints' day. Arian Van Lair on the same terms to make fifty buckets."

On the 20th January the one hundred and fifty buckets above contracted for were brought to the City Hall and numbered. They were ordered to be distributed about the city in the places hereinafter named, viz :

" Numbers 1 to 50, in the City Hall, . . 50

Numbers 51 to 62, in Daniel Litschoe's, . 12 Numbers 63 to 74, in the house of Abraham

Verplanck, in the Smith's Valley, . . 12 Numbers 75 to 86, in the house of Joannes

Pietersen Vanbruggh, . . . .12

Numbers 87 to 98, in the house of the Heer

Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, . . 12 Numbers 99 to 110, in the house of the Heer

Nicasius de Sille, in the sheep path, . . 12 Numbers 111 to 122, in the house of Pieter

Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, . . 12 In the house of Jan Jansen, jr. . . .10

In the house of Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, sen. 10

In the house of Jacobus Backer, . . 10"

CITIZENSHIP.

It may be seen by reference to the documents quoted under the item ' trade,' that the interests of the permanent residents of New Amsterdam were seriously injured by the acts of foreign traders, who, it is said, sailing their ships past New^ Amsterdam, penetrated to the heart of the Indian countr)^, and by underselling the Dutch traders, diverted to their own advantage a considerable portion of the traffic, which, as the Dutch held, belonged to themselves alone.

The repeated acts of this nature operating as they did so greatly to the pecuniary loss of the inhabitants

and the general interests of the Province, led the authorities to the design of enacting measures by which the trade could be secured to the inhabitants, and infringements of their rights by foreigners be interdicted. With this intent the magistrates of New Amsterdam addressed a petition to the Provincial Government, praying that a privilege of ", burgher-recht," or citizenship, might be granted to the citizens. The answer to this petition was in the following w^ords:

" The meeting of the Director General and Councillors of New Netherland, considering the statement of the Burgomasters and Schepens of New Netherland, wherein they set forth on the one side the many troubles, labors, burdens, expeditions and watchings, that the citizens w^ere compelled to sustain and undergo in the time of the last trouble with their Christian neighbors, as also in the sad and unexpected rencontres with the Indians; and on the other side the oft-made complaints of the citizens and inhabitants of the Province against the negociations and acts of base itinerant dealers in the uplands, who, by going into the best trading-places of our good citizens and settled inhabitants, fairly take the bread out of their mouths; and this, too, without the said foreigners, either in times of peace or war, sustaining any part of the labors, costs, watchings and expeditions, to which the citizens and other permanent inhabitants are subject ; so that in time of peace they draw away the profits of trade, and in time of war the inhabitants have to sustain themselves. In consideration of all whichj the Burgomasters and Schepens, on

behalf of their citizens, request that the privileges now enjoyed by the foreign traders be withheld.

This request we, the Director General and Councillors of New Netherland, having taken into serious consideration, do think a proper one, and do therefore provisionally (on the approbation of the Lords Patroons, as in their letter of 12th March, 1654, set forth,) order that for the future the overcoming traders, who come here to sell their goods and stuffs and to send back our staple articles, shall be bound to keep an open shop within the city gate and walls, in a house or room hired or owned by themselves ] and also to procure of the Burgomasters and Schepens a small citizen's or freeman's right, for which they shall pay twenty guilders each. And in order to establish the authority of the Burgomasters and Schepens in this respect, we do proclaim.

That for the future all overcoming passengers, traders, shopmen or tradesmen, within this city, following their business, shall procure of the Burgomasters and Schepens a small or common burgher-recht, (citizenship) and all such shall be obliged during their residence here to be under the same rule and government as other citizens, and pay scot-and-lot, (or a proportion of the burdens of the citizens.) Further,

In conformity with the customs of the city of Amsterdam in Europe, with the approbation and ratification of the Lords Patroons aforesaid, we give to the Burgomasters and Schepens of this city authority to create a great burgher-recht; for which privilege those who request the same shall pay fifty guilders, and shall 5*

be eligible to all offices and trusts within the city. To this privilege any citizen may be appointed who may have been a resident a year and six weeks and paid scot-and-lot during that period. They shall be un-arrestable by any inferior officer or court bench of the Province.

Thus done, 30th January, 1657.'*

On the 2d February following the act of authority was made out in form as follows:

" The Director General and Councillors of New Netherland to all who shall see these presents or hear them read : Be it known.

That they, in consideration of the several faithful and voluntary services in expeditions as otherwise and submission to burthens as shovv'n by the citizens of this city, and in the hope and confidence which the Director General and Councillors do foster that they will continue in the same loyal conduct, have, on the humble petition of the Burgomasters and Schepens, resolved to privilege the citizens and good inhabitants of this city with the distinguished favor of a great and small citizenship ; and whereas in all beginnings some thing or person must be the iirst, so that afterwards a distinction may take place, in like manner it must be in establishing the great and small citizenship; on which account the Burgomasters and Schepens requested in their petition an explanation as to who should actually be placed among great and who among small citizens. The necessity of this distinction is grounded in reason, and

therefore the Director General and Councillors of New Netherland do qualify and favor all such of the inhabit tants with the gre,at citizenship, as,

First, Those who have been members of the supreme Government, or who are at present, with their descendants in the male line.

Second, Those who have been or are yet burgomasters and schepens in this city, with their descendants in the male line.

Third, The ministers of the gospel who have been or are yet in office, with their descendants in the male line.

Fourth, The officers of the militia, from the staff to the ensigns included, with their descendants in the male line.

It is to be well understood, that the aforesaid persons shall not, by absence from this city or not keeping fire and light, lose this privilege of great citizenship—this being in conformity with the laudable customs of the city Amsterdam in Europe. Further,

All other persons who desire to be ranked among the great citizens and to enjoy their privileges, may by authority of this act obtain that privilege by addressing themselves to the Burgomasters and Schepens, and paying for the said privilege the sum of fifty guilders of Netherland coinage or its equivalent.

With the small citizenship are favored.

First, Such as have resided vdthin this city during a year and six weeks, and have kept fire and light.

Second, All born within this city.

Third, All who have married daughters of citizens

who have been born in this city. All who may marry such in future, and will look that the aforesaid citizenship shall not be lost by absence from the city or not keeping fire and hght.

Further, All those who have opened store in this city, under what name it may be, or who follow any business within this city or its jurisdiction: Provided, that all such persons shall have previously addressed the Burgomasters for this privilege, and paid for it twenty guilders Netherland coin or its equivalent.

All tradesmen may follow and exercise their craft, if they have previously solicited and obtained their citizenship.

All pensioned ministers of the Company, all passengers and strangers who intend to settle in the country provided they effect this within six weeks.

The money to be obtained from this source shall be received by the Burgomasters, to be administered by them, and chiefly employed in the fortification of this city.

All which, that it may be carried into practice in better order, so is it that the Burgomasters are commanded and authorized to prepare, as soon as it possibly can be effected, correct lists of all such as, agreeably to the tenor of this act, have been qualified and favored with the great or small citizenship, so too those who in future may obtain this privilege, and keep correct registers of the same, so that they can, whenever it is required of them, deliver faithful copies at the secretary's oflfice of the Director General and Councillors.

Done, declared and resolved, in meeting of the Di-

rector General and Councillors of New Netherland, in Fort Amsterdam.

P. Stutvesant,

NiCASIUS DE SiLLE, PlETEE TONNEMAN^"

Certificate of Citizenship,

" 6th February, 1657. In answer to a question of the Burgomasters and Schepens, as to who should be authorized to grant the privileges of citizenship, the Director General and Councillors appoint the Burgomasters, and order the following as the forms of certificates :

For the Great Citizenship.

" We, Bm'gomasters of the city New Amsterdam, in New Netherland, do certify and declare by these presents, that N. N. has asked and obtained of us the great citizenship, with all the benefits of the same; he has taken the citizens' oath, and has paid the money into the hands of the treasurer."

This certificate of great citizenship, sealed with the city arms, shall then be given him, for w^hich he shall pay three guilders.

For the Small Citizenship.

" N. N. has asked and obtained, the small citizenship; he has taken the citizens' oath and paid the money to the treasurer."

For this certificate shall be paid eighteen stuyvers."

The forms having thus been fixed upon, the Burgomasters on 9th April advertised as follows:

" The Burgomasters and Magistrates of the city Amsterdam, in New Netherlands do by these presents make know^n, that those who, by virtue of the act of favor of the Director General and Councillors, make pretensions to the great or small citizenship, shall give in their names within the time of eight days to the Burgomasters of the city, who during eight days, beginning on the morning of the 10th inst., shall assemble for two hours in the morning and five hours in the afternoon, in order to take down the names.

Warning is given, that those w^ithin the city who within the time mentioned do not make known their names, shall be deprived of their right to such privileges.

Thus done and published, 9th April, 1657."

In accordance with the above advertisement, the Magistrates sat on the 10th April and the succeeding days as mentioned, to grant the privileges of citizenship, during which time about two hundred and twenty burghers were recorded in the two classes. (The names of these are published in another place.) The oath taken by each was as follows:

" I, N. N., promise and swear in the presence of Almighty God, that I, under the sovereignty of their High Mightinesses the Heeren States General of the United Provinces, the high jurisdiction of the Lords Managers of the privileged West India Company as

Lords and Patroons of this Province New Netherland, the existing laws of the Director General and Councillors or those which may hereafter be made, will be faithfully and strictly obedient. In the first place, I will shew towards the Burgomasters and Magistrates of this city, present or to come, all respect and reverence, and will obey them in all honest and just matters, as a faithful subject and good citizen should do, so long as I in this Province and city shall remain. So truly help me God Almighty."

PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

THE FORT.

The Fort was in the form of a square, with bastions at the corners. The walls were of stone, with sloping sidings of earth running from the ground. Within the Fort were—

The Ccuncil Chamber of the Provincial Government. —The Government Council was composed of the Director General and several Councillors. The Director General was presiding officer, and at successive periods Cornells Teinhoven, Carel Van Bruggh, and Cornells Van Ruyven, were secretaries of the Council.

The Kirk, or Church, was a stone building covered with shingles.* Dominies Megapolensis and Drissius

♦ "As I was every day with commander Kieft, dining generally at his house when I happened to be at the Fort, he told me one day

were the officiating ministers in this place of worship. They were men of good attainments and strict teachers of their particular tenets. In 1657, a man named Joannes Ernestus, a Lutheran divine, came over with the design of preaching his doctrines in New Amsterdam. The resident Dominies waited upon

that he had now built a fine tavern of stone, for the English, who, passing continually there with tlieir vessels in going from New England to Virginia, occasioned him much inconvenience, and could now take lodgings there. I told him this was excellent for travellers, but that we wanted very sadly a church for our people. It was a shame, when the English passed there and saw only a mean barn in which we performed our worship. In New England, on the contrary, the first thing that they did when they had built some dwellings was to erect a fine church. We ought to do the same; it being supposed that the West India Com.pany were very zealous in protecting the Reformed (Calvinist) Church against the Spanish tyranny; that we had good materials for it—fine oak wood, fine building stone ; good lime, made of oyster shells, being better than our hme in Holland. Kieft asked me then who would like to superintend this building ? I replied, the friends of the reformed religion; certainly some of them could be found. He told me that he supposed that I myself was one of them, as I made the proposition, and he supposed I would contribute a hundred guilders. I replied that I agreed to do so; and that, as he was Governor, he should be the first. We then elected Jochem Pieterzen Kuyter, who having a good set of hands, and being also a devout Calvinist, would soon procure good timber. We also elected Damen, because he lived near the Fort: and thus we four formed the first consistory to superintend the building of the church. The Governor should furnish a few thousand guilders of the Company's money, and we would try to raise the remainder by subscription. The church should be built in the Fort, where it would not be exposed to the depredations of tho Indians. Soon the building was started of stone, and was covered by English carpenters with oak shingles, which, by rains and winds, become blue and look like slate."— From De Vrie's Voyages, Sept. 1643,

the authorities, with the request that the new comer be ordered not to carry out his design. Ernestus being sent for, a discussion took place before the magistrates, and in the end Ernestus was ordered not to preach in a pubhc manner the doctrines of his faith.

Jan Peeck w^as sexton of this church; Gerrit Jansen, klink, or bell-ringer.

The deacons and church-wardens were chosen by the Government.

The Governor's res-idence was within the walls of the Fort.

THE CITY HALL, OR STADT-HUYS.

The Stadt-huys of New Amsterdam was built some time previous to the arrival of Governor Stuyvesant, having (as is said) been erected in 1644. If the plate views which have been exhibited in late days be correct delineations of that ancient edifice, it was a building of respectable proportions, much indeed exceeding the common order of architecture in New Amsterdam. The building stood in a position fronting the East River opposite a small bay which made into the shore, as near as can be now defined at the head of Coenties slip. It was built of stone and was tvv^o stories in height. In front of the building on the line of the river shore was the construction before mentioned as the " Schoeyinge." While this was being built, the offices before held in the City Hall were removed to one of the Company's store-houses, on account of the inconvenience of access to the City Hall.

5

In after times it is found that the several apartments in the City Hall were occupied as follows:

The Jail. —The office of jailor of New Amsterdam was at one time held by Antony Lodowicksen Baeck 3 at another time by Jacob Schabanck. The instructions of the jailor (adopted 1658) were as follows:

" 1st. The jailor is obhged to secure all prisoners committed by the Schout, Burgomasters, Schepens, or the citizens' watch, until the further orders of the same.

2nd. The jailor shall see that the prisoners who may be sent to him are properly confined in security.

3rd. The jailor shall every night sleep in the chamber heretofore ordered for that purpose, and in no other place, except by consent of the president; and for every violation of this order he shall forfeit for the first twenty stuyvers, for the second thirty stuyvers, and for the third he shall be deprived of his office.

4th. In case any prisoner break out and run away, by reason of the carelessness of the jailor, the jailor himself shall answer to the judge.

5th. The jailor shall make an official statement of the fact of a prisoner's being brought to the lock-up house, with his name, also the time when he goes out, with the name of the offence for w^hich he was committed.

6th. In case of any prisoner being confined in prison for a capital crime, the jailor shall look sharply to the visitors who may go to see him, to see that they have no cord or other article with which the prisoner may be aided to escape. Likewise, the jailor shall visit the

prisoner and the gate two or three times a week, and in case of any thing going wrong, he shall call upon the Schout and give him notice of the same.

7th. In case of a prisoner's breaking out and being caught again, the jailor shall look to him day and night.

8th. The jailor shall not drink or hold conversation with any prisoner.

9th. The jailor shall furnish food and drink according to the order, and shall be compensated therefor.

10th. The jailor in his weekly visits shall observe if there be any noisome smell about the prison-house, and if he discover any he shall report it to the Schout.

11th. The jailor shall not when any prisoner is brought in speak to him before he shall be safely locked behind the grates.

12th. Neither shall he hold conversation with a prisoner as to his crime before examination is had into the case by the magistrate.

13th. Neither shall he permit any relative of the prisoner to visit him in time of night.

Fees of the Jailor. —The jailor shall receive at the entrance and dismissal of each prisoner six guilders.

In criminal cases the amount to be allowed for water shall be ten pennings.

There shall be allowed for the entertainment in the prison chamber of those confined in civil cases, by the day, twenty stuyvers.

By the week there shall be allowed for the same, three pounds of flesh, half a pound of pork, and a loaf of bread, weekly.

In summer two cans of small beer, and in winter one can of small beer per day. Any one wanting more must pay for it.

Those prisoners who sit in the general chamber shall every two days be furnished with a candle, which in summer they may burn until the ninth hour in the evening, and in winter imtil the eighth hour, and no longer."

The Council Chmnber of the J\'Iagisfrates.—This chamber was used by the Burgomasters and Schepens in their capacity as the judges of the city court. Of this court, at successive periods, Jacob Kip, Johannes Nevius and. Timotheus Gabry were secretaries, and had an office in the building. A singnjlar record of a privilege gi'anted to one of those functionaries has been found in these words: " On the request of Joannes Nevius, secretary of this court, that he may be allowed to sow grain in the yard behind the City Hall, it is ordered that his request be granted." On one of the windov\' panes in the Council Chamber the city arms were engraved in 1659 by Evert Duychingh.

Jan Pietersen^s tap-room was also in the lower part of the City Hall, where beer was sold by the whole can, but not in smaller quantities,

WEIGH-HQUSE AND COMPANY'S STORE-HOUSES.

These were several buildings belonging to the West India Company.

The workmen in these establishments were at one

time, Tomas Frericksen, Barent Jacobsen Cool, Adrian Vincent, Joost Goderis, Jan Cornelisen, Josep Waldron, Cryn Jacobsen, and Wesyn Briel.

FESTIVALS AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE PEOPLE.

The holidays of Christmas and New Year were the times of greatest festivity, and during two and sometimes three weeks about that time, were kept up frolics and games without cessation. Some of the sports which were prevalent during that happy season have been found recorded. There was, it is said, a firing of guns, beating of the drum, dancing, card playing, playing at tick-tacks, playing at bowls, playing at nine-pins, jaunting in sleighs or w^agons; tap-houses and tavern-rooms were much resorted to; and there were likewise many family festivities and amusements.

Not only, as it appears, was this holiday season the delight of the young and gay, but the aged and grave citizens joined the sports with great zest and enjoyment. The city Burgomasters and Schepens, with the rest of the city officials, upon the advance of the season of festivity made ready for the sport. They left the city affairs and other matters of public moment for the time, and the Council Chamber and other public offices were closed temporarily. " Whereas," says the record of the Burgomasters and Schepens, " the winter festivals are at hand, it is found good, that between this 6*

date and three weeks after Christmas the ordinary meetings of the court shall be dispensed with."

May-day was celebrated with great spirit in New Amsterdam; and on this occasion also the city magistrates accorded to the people the greatest license, as may be discerned by the following advertisement:

" ^Yith the customary bell-ringing at the City Hall was published the renewed order concerning the planting of the ]\Iay-pole, and the damage which may be done in consequence of the general sports.

By these words it is made known, that any damage which may ensue from the general rejoicings wdthin the city on JVIay-day, shall be made known to the Burgomasters at the City Hall immediately thereafter, when measures shall be taken to furnish reparation."

But Governor Stup-esant had no faith in some of these proceedings, and sometimes put a dampener upon them by such notices as the following:

'- Whereas experience has taught us that on New-Year's days and on May-days, from the firing of guns, the planting of May-poles, and drunken drinking, there have resulted unnecessary waste of powder and much intoxication, \sdth the bad practices and accidents which generally arise therefrom: Therefore, we expressly forbid on New Year and May-days any firing or planting of May-poles, or beating of the drum j nor shall there be at those times any wines, brandy-wines or beers dealt out."

This ordinance is supposed, however, to have been a mere matter of form, and it is probable its restrictions were Kttle observed.

THE MAGISTRATES AND THE MAGISTRACY OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

The municipal council of New Amsterdam was composed of five members, two of whom were called Burgomasters, and five Schepens. These officers, with the addition of the Schout, or Sheriff, also composed the city court, which, beside the provincial council, was the only tribunal of justice, whether over civil or criminal cases, in New Amsterdam. It will be seen by the following extracts (relating to a particular year) in what manner these magistrates were chosen:

'* Meeting of the Burgomasters and Schepens, January.

Cornells Van Teinhoven, Councillor and Fiscal of New Netherland and Schout of the city New Amsterdam, attended the meeting on behalf of the High Council, concerning the nomination of Burgomasters and Schepens for the ensuing year, and requested that the Burgomasters and Schepens would severally be pleased to nominate citizens of " goed naem and faem staen," (of good name and standing) and worthy of being endued w^ith places of trust, for such offices.

The members of the college proceeded to nominate the usual number of citizens, out of whom might be

chosen, by the Director General and Council, the magistrates for the ensuing year. 29th January, 1657.

Advice of Allakd Anthony. Fo7' Burgomasters.

Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist

For Schepens. Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, Joh. De Peyster, Gouert Loockermans, Pieter Prins,

Hendrick Jansen Vandervin, Adriaen Blommaert, Isack Greveraer, Cornelis Steenwyck.

Advice of Oloff Stevexsen Van Cortlant

For Burgomasters. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven

For Schepens.

Johannes De Peyster, Hendrick Jansen Vandervin, Jacob Backer, Pieter Prins, Adriaen Blommaert, Isack Greveraer,

Gouert Loockermans, Jan Gillesen Van BruggL

Advice of Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh.

For Burgomasters. Pauliis Leendersen Vandiegrist, Wilhelm Beeckraan,

For Schepens. Fieter Wolfersen Van Couwenlioven,, Johannes De Peyster, Hendrick Jansen Vandervin^ Cornells Steemvyck, Jacob Backer, Isack Greveraer, Adriaen Blommaert, Pieter Prins.

Advice of Jacob Stryker. For Burgomasters. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegristj Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh.

For Schepens. Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhovenj Johannes De Peyster, Gouert Loockermans, Jacob Backer, Pieter Prins, Cornells Steenwyck,

Nicholas Verleth, Hendrick Jansen Vandervin.

Advice of Jan Vinge.

For Burgomasters, Wilhelm Beeckman, Job. Pietersen Van Bruggh.

For Schepens. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, Job. De Peyster, Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh, Nicolas Verleth, Gouert Loockermans, Pieter Prins, Adriaen Blommaert.

Advice of Wilhelm Beeckman.

For Burgomasters.

Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Joh. Pietersen Van Bruggh.

For Schepens.

Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven,

Johannes De Peyster,

Gouert Loockermans,

Jacob Backer,

Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh,

Pieter Cornelisen Van Veen,

Cornells Steenwyck, Isack Greveraer.

Advice of Hendrick Kip. For Burgomasters, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Joh. De Peyster.

For Schepens,

Hendrick Jansen Vandervin, Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh, Gouert Loockermans, Nicokies Verleth, Adriaen Blommaert, Coenraet Ten Eyck, Isack Greveraer, Pieter Prins.

Canvass.

Pieter Comelisen Van Veen, . . 1111111 Hendrick Jansen Vandervin, . . 11111 Adriaen Blommaert, . . . 11111

Isack Greveraer, . . . . 11111 Cornells Steenwyckj . . . .1111 Jacob Backer, . . . . . 1111

Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh, . . . 1111 Nicolas Verleth, . . . . Ill

Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, , . 1

Coenraet Ten Eyck, .... 1

There being three of the same number for burgomaster, the members proceeded to a re-nomination, when Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh had . 1111 Wilhelm Beeckman, . . . . 11

Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh, ... 1

The nominations were then declared to be as follows • For Burgomasters.

Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist,

Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh. For Schepens.

Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven,

Joh. De Peyster,

Pieter Cornelisen Van Veen,

Gouert Loockermans,

Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh,

Hendrick Jansen Vandervin,

Adrian Blommaert,

Isack Greveraer.*

* In this count and list of nominees, it may be observed the name of Peter Prins who received six votes is omitted, the reason for which is not given.

The nomination having been transmitted to the Director General and Councillors, reply was made as follows :

Whereas according to custom, on the second ol February, yearly, some of the magistrates go out ot office and others are appointed in their places, therefore in conformity w^ith the customary practice, we have considered the nomination made to us bv the college of magistrates, and have made choice of the following citizens as magistrates for the coming year, viz. as Burgomasters, Allard Antony and Paulus Leender-sen Vandiegrist; as Schepens, Wilhelm Beeckman, Gouert Loockermans, Adriaen Blommaert, Joannes De Peyster, Hendrick Jansen Vandervin."

It will be observed m these extracts, that although more than the number of which the council of magistrates to be appointed was composed was put in nomination, the Director General and his council were not confined to the list of nominees in their selection.

List of Magistrates of New Amsterdam,*

IN GOVERNOR STUYVESA1\T's TIME.

1653.

Burgomasters.

Arent Van Hatten, Martin Crigier.

* The several years during Gov. Stuyvesant's terra which are not given in this list, are those of which there are no records extant.

Schepens. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Maximilianus Van Gheel, Allard Antony, Wilhelm Beeckman, Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven.

Schout. Cornells Van Teinhoven. 1654. Burgo7nasters. Arent Van Hatten, Martin Crigier.

Schepens. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Wilhelm Beeckman, Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven. Jocheni Pietersen Ruyten, OlofF Stevensen Van Cortlant.

Schout. Cornelis Van Teinhoven.

1655. Burgomasters. Allard Antony, OlofF Stevensen Van Cortlant.

Schepejis. Joannes Nevius, Joannes De Peyster, Jacob Strycker, Joannes Van Bruggh, Jan Vinge.

Sellout. Cornelis Van Teinhoven. 1656. Burgomasters. Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlant, AUard Antony.

Schepens. Joannes Pietersen Van Bruggh, Jacob Strycker, Jan Vinge, Wilhelm Beeckman, Hendrick Kip.

Sellout. (y. Van Teinlioven. 1657. Burgomasters. AUard Antony, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist.

Schepens. "■

Wilhelm Beeckman, Gouert Loockermans, Adriaen Blommaert, Joannes De Peyster, Hendrick Jansen Vandervin.

Sellout. Nicasius de Sille.

1658. Burgomasters. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlant,

Schepens. Joannes De Peyster, Pieter Wolfersen Van Couweniioven, Cornells Steenwyck, Isack De Foreest, Jacob Strycker.

Schout. Nicasius de Sille.

1659. Burgomasters.. Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlant, Martin Crigier.

Schepens. Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, Joannes Pietersen Van Bruggb, Hendrick Jaiisen Vanderyin, Jacob Kip, Jerordmus Ebbingh. Sellout. Nicasius de Sille*

1660. Burs;omasten. Allard Antony, Martin Crigier.

Schepens. Jacob Strycker, Gouert Loockermans, Timotbeus de Gabry, Jacobus Backer, Cornells Steenwyck*

Schoid. Nicasius de Sille.

1661.

Burgomasters. All arc] Antony, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist.

Schepejis. Timotheus de Gabr}-, Pieter Wolfersen Yan Couwenhoven Joannes Pietersen Van BruGfcrh. Jan Vinge, Jeronimus Ebbinsch.

Schout. Pieter Tonneman.

1665. BurgomcLsters. Cornells Steenwjxk, Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlant.

Schepens. Timotheus Gabr}', Joannes Pietersen Van Brucrcrh. Joannes De Peyster, Jacob Kip, Jacques Cousseau.

Schout. Ailard Antony.

The regular meetings of the court or council of Bur-iToraasters and Schepens, were held by rule •' once in •wr. weeks, or oftener, as occasion required.'* The 7*

meetings were commonly held in the morning, beginning at 9 o'clock, and closing at noon or dinner time; and all persons having business before the comt were required to be punctual in their attendance at the hour set for the opening : if any were an half hour behind the time they were fined six stuyvers—an hour twelve stupors—and during the whole meeting, forty stuyvers.

For thi^ee weeks in the summer season, beginning about the middle of July, there were commonly no sessions of the court; this was on. account of the season of harvest when the attendance of farmers was inconvenient, and many of the town people were abroad in the country.

There was also an intermission in the sessions of the court during the winter festivals, that is, the hohdays about Christmas and the first of the new-year. This was in New Amsterdam a period of great festivity and rejoicing, and little or no matter of business was attended to during the time.

The annual commencement of a new set of magistrates was opened by a prayer in the following words :

" Oh, God of Gods, and. Lord of Lords, Heavenly and merciful Father, we thank thee that thou hast not only created us in thine own image, but that thou hast received us as thy children and guests when we were lost, and in addition to all this it has pleased thee to place us in the government of thy people in this place.

Oh Lord our God, we thy wretched creatures acknowledge that we are not worthy of this honour, and that we have neither strength nor sufficiency to dis~

charge the trust committed to us without thine assistance.

We beseech thee, oh fountain of all good gifts, qualify us by thy grace, that we may with fidelity and' righteousness serve in our respective offices. To this end, enlighten our darkened understandings, that we may be able to distinguish the right from the wrong, the truth from falsehood ] and that we may give pure and uncorrupted decisions, having an eye upon thy word, a sure guide, giving to the simple wisdom and: knowledge. Let thy law be a light unto our feet and. a lamp unto our paths, so that we may never turn away from the path of righteousness. Deeply impress on all our minds that v/e are accountable not to men but unto God, who seeth and.heareth all things. Let all respect of persons be far removed from us, that we may award justice unto the rich and the poor, unto friends and enemies alike, to residents and to strangers according to the law of truth, and that not one of us m.ay in any instance swerve therefrom. And since gifts do blind the eyes of the wise and destroy the heart, therefore keep our hearts aright. Grant unto us also that we may not rashly prejudge any one w^ithout a fair hearing, but that we patiently hear the parties and give them time and opportunity for defending themselves, in all things looking up to thee and to thy word for counsel and direction.

Graciously incline our hearts that we exercise the power which thou hast given to us, to the general good of the community and to the maintenance of the church,

that we may be praised by them that do well and a terror to evil-doers.

Incline also the hearts of the subjects unto due obedience, so that through their respect and obedience our burthens may be made the lighter.

Thou knowest, oh Lord, that the wicked and ungodly do generally contemn and transgress thine ordinances; wherefore clothe us with strength, courage, fortitude and promptitude, that we may with proper earnestness and zeal be steadfast unto the death, against all sinners and evil-doers.

Oh, good and gracious God, command thy blessing upon all our adopted resolutions, that they may be rendered effectual and redound to the honor of thy great and holy name, to the greatest good of the trusts committed to us, and to our salvation.

Hear and answer us, oh gracious God, in these our petitions, and in all that thou seest we need, through the merits of Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, in whose name we conclude our prayer.

Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come ; Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the gloiy, forever. Amen."

In 1657 the duties of the two branches of the council (the Burgomasters and the Schepens) were separated. The unusual measures then in operation for the im-

provemcnt of the city, required the care of persons whose especial province it might be to oversee and (Hrect the different works which were at that time in progress. The Burgomasters took upon themselves this duly. Their reasons for this are set forth in the following document, which opens the record of " the proceedings of the Burgomasters of New^ Amsterdam.'*

" Whereas here within the city Amsterdam, in New Netherland, there is daily occurring considerable business which, according to the customs of the father-land and the privileges vouchsafed to this city, properly appertains to the Burgomasters; such as repairs and the making of necessary public works, financial matters, and the seeing that all things go on in a proper manner; also the hearing of any one having demands against the city, concerning his requests or what he may have to present, and the deciding of such cases in the best manner for the public good: and also, as to the necessity which may exist for any new officer or functionary, whose services may be required for the public good, that representation of such necessity and nomination of such officer may be made to the Director General and Councillors: Therefore is it that,

By the Burgomasters of the cicy before named it is found good and resolved, that from this time forward, once a week, a meeting shall be holden at the City Hall, the day for which is fixed at Thursday, and the hour for the commencement of the meeting at the ninth hour of the morning. At that time matters that concern the people of this city shall • be considered and

disposed of in such manner as shall be thought for the best.

Done this Sth March, 1657. Present, Burgomasters Allard Antony and Paulas Leendersen Vandiegrist."

In June following these officers presented the following petition to the Director General:

" To the esteemed Lords the Director General and Councillors of New Netherland.

The Burgomasters of the city with proper reverence make known, how that, in consequence of their daily service in the business of the city, their own particular affairs and family interests are going to wreck.

Not only do they assemble with the Schepens on the ordinary and extraordinary court-days, but every Thursday they set over matters concerning the city, which service is necessary in order to see that the progress of the work on the Schoe^inge, on the roads, and other public works, goes on in a proper manner.

And now, since they are informed that the Schout seeks to deprive them of the presidentship,* and to instal himself as president of the court of justice, the petitioners do humbly beseech that the facts above related be borne in mind, and that their privileges in that respect be not annulled."

The following records of civil cases brought before the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens, will serve to

* An office of fees.

show the simple manner in which the business of the court was conducted:

" Jan Haeckins, plaintiff.

Jacob Van Couwenhoven, defendant.

The plaintiff demands pay from defendant for certain beer and distilled liquors, according to contract.

The defendant says the beer is bad.

Plaintiff denies that the beer is bad, and asks whether people would buy it if it were not good. He further insists that the beer is of good quality, and such as is made for exportation.

Couwenhoven denies this, and requests that after the rising of the bench the court may come over and try the beer, and then decide.

The parties having been heard, it is ordered, that after the meeting breaks up the beer shall be tried ; and if good, then Couwenhoven shall make payment, according to the obligation and contract; if otherwise, the plaintiff shall make deduction."

" Wolfert Webber, plaintiff

Judith Verleth, defendant.

The plaintiff makes complaint that the defendant has for a long time pestered him, and with her sister Sara came over to his house last week and beat him (plaintiff) in his own house, and afterwards threw stones at him. He requests that said Judith may be ordered to let him live quietly in his own house.

The defendant acknowledges that she has struck Webber, but excuses the act because he has called her

names; moreover, he once threatened to strike her with a broom.

The parties are ordered to present their complaints at the next court-day, and meantime to leave each other unmolested.

Webber is fined twelve stuyvers for passing the lie during: the meeting^."

" Jacob Willemsen, plaintiff.

Frederic the baker's servant, defendant.

The plaintiff states that some six weeks past, as he had come out of church at noon and was passing by Hendrick the baker's, the defendant made a pass at him and thrust him in the shoulder, and in consequence of the wound he was confined three weeks to his house, during which time he was unable to do any kind of work. He therefore demands that the defendant may be ordered to pay him thirty guilders as compensation for lost time.

Defence was made that a beaver has already been given to the plaintiff.

But in consideration of the offence, the court order that the defendant pay the amount of thirty guilders r-^ demanded."

" Jan Vinge, plaintiff.

Daniel Litschoe, defendant.

The plaintiff states that the defendant's hog's have done great damage to his corn grounds, both this and the last year.

The defendant does not deny that his hogs have been

in plaintiff's field, but says that Claes Van Elslant, as mediator between them, settled the damage at thirty guilders, which was paid, on condition that the plaintiff was to keep his field well enclosed; but faihng in this, the hogs went in again, when his sow, which was well worth fifty guilders, had her legs broken; w^herefore he (defendant) demands satisfaction.

The plaintiff thereupon says that if defendant will deliver to him the hog he will pay him that sum, provided defendant shall satisfy him for damage to his ground.

The court appoint and authorize Egbt. Wouterzen and Jan d'Jonge, impartially to inspect the fences of the land of Jan Vino;e, and see whether there be suflS-cient to exclude hogs and cattle, and to deliver a written report thereon,"

The jurisdiction of this court over criminal cases was extended in 1656 over all such offences as were termed of " minor grade," or " such as might be punished by branding or binding with cords," which it is supposed included all grades of crime beneath those of a capital nature, punishable with death.

Several examples of records in criminal cases (of which cases there are, how^ever, very few in the whole series of volumes containing the court proceedings) are here given to exhibit the modes of punishment then customary.

Theft. " The court having looked into the complaint, state-

ments, documents and proofs of the Heer Schout Nica-sius d'Sille, produced against Harmen Barenzen, of Amsterdam, by whom, as is made to appear, have been stolen three half-beavers, two nose-cloths, and a pair of linen stockings; for which crime it is usual in this place to punish the offender (as a pubhc example) with stripes: Wherefore the court sentence the before-named Harmen Barenzen to be chastised within this chamber with the rod, and then banished from within the city-jurisdiction."

Slander.

" Whereas Jan Adamzen has maUciously slandered certain respectable persons, and said Adamzen was thereupon apprehended and confronted with the Burgomasters and Schepens, at a meeting of their court, was afterwards imprisoned and escaped from imprisonment: And now, that, after three proclamations (with bell-ringin2;s at the City Hall) calling upon him to come forward and answer, he has not attended the court; therefore, the court do resolve, that the said Jan Adamzen shall hereafter be deprived of all defence or excuse in the above case, and, moreover, shall remain subject to apprehension; and if found, he shall be taken to the court of justice in the place where he may be found, and there with a red-hot bodkin shall be stuck through the tongue, and afterwards banished from within the jurisdiction of this Province. Further, in order to cancel the expenses of this case, the goods of the said Jan Adamzen shall be confiscated and appHed as follows, namely: One-thiixi to the officer, one-third to the Pro-

vince, one-sixth to the church, aad one-sixth to the army."

CITIZENS OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

Burghers who were recorded in the classes of the great and small citizenship established in the year 1657.

THE GREAT CITIZENSHIP.,

Joh. La Montagnie, junior,.

Jan Gillesen Van Bruggh,

Hendrick Kip,

Isack Kip,

De Heer General Stuyvesant,

Dominie Megapolensis,

Jacob Gerritsen Strycker,

Jan Vinge,

The wife of Cornehs Van Teinhoven^

Hendrick Van Dyck,

Hendrick Kip, junior,

Capt. Marten Crigier,

Car el Van Bruggh,

Jacob Van Couwenhoven,

Lourens Cornelisen Van Wei,

Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh,

Cornelis Steenwyck,

Wilh. Bogardus,

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Daniel Litschoe,

Pieter Van Cou^Yenhoven.

THE SMALL CITIZENSHIP,.

Isack De Foreest,

Warnaer Wessels,

Nicolaes Langvelthuysen,

Jan De Jonge,

Jacobus Backer,

Pieter Cornelisen Van Veen^.

Pieter Jacobsen Buys,

Abram Nichels,

Pieter Schabanck,

Matewis d'Vos,.

Jan Rutgerzen,

Caspar St^-mets^.

Pieter Jansen,

Jochem Beeckman,

Arent Isaacksen, shoemaker^

Frerick Flipzen, carpenter-,

Jacob INIens,

Dirck Van Schelluyne,

Cornelis Jansen,

Evert Dirckzen, woodsawyer,

Tomas Pieterzen, woodsa^vye^,

Pieter Caspersen Van Naerden,

Gerrit Pieterzen, of Amsterdam,

Hendrick Harraenzen,

"Willem Jansen,

Hendrick Van Bommel, tailor,

David Wessels, Paulus Van Beeck, Cornells Jansen Clopper, smith, Idan Videt Frans, tailor, Gerrit Fullwever, Lambert Huybertzen Mol, Michiel Jansen, Joost Teunizen, Jacob Clazen, Claes Carstensen, Ryndert Pieter Van Bolfaert, Andries lioppen, Arent Lourizen, carpenter, Tryntie Hendricksen, widow, Hendrick Willemzen, baker, Joost Goderis, Michiel Paulizen, Coenraet Ten Eyck, shoemaker, Aldert Coninck, tailor, Rynhout Rynhoutzen, shoemaker^ Pieter Andriezen, Jan Jacobsen, Jan Nagel,

Barent Egbertzen, tailor, Jan Dirckzen, painter, Adriaen Vincent, Isack Teene, Johannes Beck, Barent Jacobzen Cool^, Hans Dreper, Adolph Pieterzen, 8*

Frerick Arentzen,

Claes Tysen, coopeij

Tosyn Briel,

Sybrant Jansen,

Luycas Dircksen,

Stoffel Elderzen,

Jacob Lennizen,

Hendrick Hendricksen,

Sybout Clasen,

Tomas Frans, carman,

Claes Bordingh,

Aryaen Wouterzen,

Symon Felle,

Lodowic Pos,

Jochem Bruynzen,

Tomas Lambertzen, carpenter,

Nicolaes De Meyer,

Evert Duychingh,

Abrcim Rycken,

Jan Cornelisen Van Hoom,

Jan Jansen,

Paulus Heymans,

Tomas Sandersen,

Willem Pieterzen, senior,

Nicolaes d' la Plyne,

Andries Jochemzen,

Jan Hendricksen, carpenter,

Pieter Lourenzen,

Francoys Allard,

Claes Van Elslant, senior,

Tennis Tomazen, mason,

Jan Schryver,

Jan Gerritzen, mason,

Jan de Perie,

Abram Pieterzen, miller,

Claes Paulizen,

Cornells Van Langvelt,

Frans Soselje,

Jan Evertsen,

Pieter Jacobs Marius,

Myndert Barentzen,

Jan Cornelisen Van Vlensborgh,

Andries Andriezen, of Sweden,

Gerrit Jansen Roos,

Roelof Jansen, mason,

Jan Hendricksen, chairman,

Jacob Hugers, surgeon,

Hendrick Pieterzen Van Hasselt,

Barent Gerritzen,

Mr. Jacob Hendricksen Varvanger,

Pieter Kock,

Matys Capito,

Abram Jacobsen, carpenter,

Aryaen Jansen,

Luycas Elderzen,

Rynier Gaichos, Van list,

Jacob Calf,

Nicolaes Backer,

Jacob Will. Van Bos, mason,

Hendrick Hendricksen, drummer,

Claes Pieterzen Kos,

Jacob Leenderzen Vandiegrist,.

Jan Cornelisen Buys,

Hendrick Jansen Van Schulckwyck,

Jan Liibberzen,

Resolvert Waldron,

Jan Jansen, carpenter,

Wessel Everts,

Ecrbt. Van Borsum,

Abram Verplanck,

Jan de Prie, cooper,

Gouert Coersten,

Jan Peeck,

Randel Huiort,

Laurens Andries, Van Bosherck,

Gerrit Gerritzen Van Vrieslant,

Tys Lubbertzen,

Egbt. Gerritzen,

Abram Lubberzen,

Haey Oelfers,

Jan Pieterzen, Van Struckhausen;

Corns. Hendricksen,

Rynier Wisselpenningh,

Christaen Barentzen,

Pieter Stoutenborg,

Harman Smeeman,

Egbert Wouterzen,

Leendert Aerden,

Jan Jansen, Langedyck,

Andries de Haes,

Claes Tysen, of Amsterdam,

Frans Jansen, Van Brestee, cooper,

Willem Kaeck,

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

Albert Jansen, carpenterj

Bartel Jansen,

Jores Ham,

Pietc Pieterzen, carpenterj

Mr. Hans Kierstede,

Samuel Edsal, hatter,

Frerick Lubberzen,

Willem Simson, Englishmany

Gcrrit Cornelisen,

The Widow of Jan H«ygen,

Jacob Teunizen,

Abram Clock,

Albert Leenderzen,

Jan Hendricksen Van Ganst,

Jan Pieterzen,

Nicolaes Verleth,

Herry Bresai',

Jacob Walnigh,

Borger Jorisen,

Mettie Wessels,

Jan Jansen Van St. Obyn,

Hendrick Arentzen,

Herry Piers,

Jacobus Pryn,

Jacob Stoffelzen,

Andries Clasen, tailor,

Hendrick Jansen, of Utrecht,,

Claes Pieterzen, smith,

Hendrick Barentzen,

Pelgram Klock,

B-eynich Gerritzen,

Jores Van Vorst, cooper,

Willem Clasen, butcher,

Aert Willemsen,

Claes Jansen Ruyten,

Harmen Douwensen,

Hendrick Volcherzen,

Wolfert Gerritsen,

Dirck Clasen, pot-baker^,

Juryaen Blanck,

Salamon la Chair,

Claes Jansen,

Frans Jansen,

Huybert Hendiicksen Van Keuren>,

Harman Hendiicksen, shoemaker,

Hans Albertzen, shoemaker,

Carsten Diers, shoemaker,

Abram d' la Nooy,

Luycas Andriezen,

Dirck Fieckeiij

Aryaen Symonzen,

Pieter Rudolphus,

Isack Greverair,

Jan Hutsinson, English carpenter^,

Philip Jansen=,

Contribution and tax list, containing the names of the property holders in the City of JVew Amsterdam and other portions of the Province of JVew JYetherland, in 1655, vnth the amount which they were severally taxed*

Guilders.

De Heer General Petrus Stuyvesant, presented 150

De Heer Cornells Van Teinhoven, presented . 100

De Heer Allard Antony, presented . . 100

De Heer OlofF Stevensen (Van Cortlant) presented 100

De Heer Joannes Nevius, .... 50

De Heer Joannes De Peyster, , . .50

Jacob Strycker, ..... 30

Jan Vinge, ^ ...... 30

Jacob Kip, secretary, .... 20

Capt. Martin Crigier, taxed at ... 50

Capt. Paulus Leendeizen Vandiegrist, taxed at 60

Dominie Megapolensys, voluntary, ... 50

Dominie Samuel Driessius, voluntary, . . 50

Cornelis Van Pvuyven, Governor's secretary, . 30 Lieutenant Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, voluntary, . . . . . .100

Lieutenant Daniel Litschoe, . . , 50

Ensign Johannes Pietersen Van Bruggh, taxed at 100

Ensign Cornelis Steenwyck, taxed at , . ]00 Joost Van Beeck, taxed at . . . .50

Schipper Jan J. Bestenaer, voluntary, . . 100

* This tax was levied to defray the debt accrued in consequence of the building of the city wall and fortifications in the time of the troubles with the people of New England.

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Gouert Loockermans, taxed at

Pieter Cornelisen Van Veen, taxed at

Pieter Jacobsen Buys, taxed at

Jacobus Backer, taxed at .

Rynier Rycken, taxed at

Abram Nickels, taxed at

Abram de la Nooy, taxed at .

Pieter Schabanck, taxed at

Elbert Elbertzen, taxed at

Rynier Stoflelzen, voluntary,

Hendrick Jansen Van Vin, taxed at

Jacob Messerau,

Dirck Clasen Boot, vol. 20, taxed at

Jacob Onnosel, .

Isack Mense, voluntary,

Pieter Rudolplius,

Daniel Verveele, (Fort Orange) taxed at

Cornells Martenzen, vol. 30, taxed at

Abram Goozen, taxed at

Arent Kerkhoff, taxed at

Robbert Vastrick, (Fort Orange) taxed at

Jeremias Van Rensselaer, vol. 20, taxed at

Jan de Jonge, voluntary,

Freric Warnaer, vol. 25, taxed at

Lourens Heyn, taxed at .

Nicolaes Staeloeck, taxed at

Gerrit Bancker, vol. 10, taxed at

Corn, de Bruyn, vol. 10, taxed at

Nicolaes Boodt, voluntary,

Alexander d'Ju Jossop, voluntary,

Joannes Withart, taxed at

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

97

Adriaen Blommaert, vol. 30, taxed at .

Nicolaes Beverlodt, vol. 18, taxed at

Cornells Schut, vol. 50, taxed at

Teunis Pieterzen Tempel, vol. 10, taxed at

Nicolaes Van Golstyn, vol. 25, taxed at

Marcus Volgelsany, vol. 20, taxed at

Cornells Van Schel, absent, taxed at .

Paulus Schrick, absent, taxed at

Mr. Gysbert Van Imbroecken, absent, taxed at

Symon Jansen, taxed at ...

Barent Van Marrel, taxed at . . .

Pieter d'Maker, (Fort Orange)

Jan Jansen Van Schol, taxed at .

Fredric Guysbertsen, taxed at

Jacobus Crap, vol. 6, taxed at . . .

Pieter Tonneman, voluntary, .

D'Schipper of the Boutehoo, Pieter Ludlas, ab

sent, taxed at .... . D'Schipper of the N. Amsterdam, Pieter d'Wald

bout, taxed at . D'Schipper of the Wittepaert, absent, taxed at Juryaen Blanck, taxed at . . . Claes Carsten, noorman, Isack Kip, voluntary, Andries de Haes, voluntary, Tomas Fredricksen, taxed at . Jan Gerritsen, mason, taxed at . Andries GofFry, .... Tomas Lambertzen, voluntary, Gouert Coerten, .... Jacob Boreem, voluntary, .

36

30 100 15 30 40 30 20 25 10 25

25 30 10 10

150

150

150

20

10

20

20

6

6

20 10 12

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Maryn Buycker, voluntary,

Claes Bordingh, vol. 16, taxed at

Jan d'Cuj-per, vol. 20, taxed at

Pieter Van Naerden, voluntary, .

Lodowic Pos, voluntary,

Jan Paulizen Jaquet, voluntary, .

Jan Dii'ck, voluntary,

Jan Preele, voluntary,

Freric Hendricksen, voluntaiy,

Reinhout Reinhoutzen, voluntary,

Pieter JacoLsen Marius, vol. 10, taxed at

Adriaen Wouterzen, ....

Abram Pieterzen, (miller) voluntary,

Andries Jochimsen, vol. 6, taxed at

Michiel Paulizen, taxed at .

Egbt. Yan Borsum, vol. 20, taxed at .

Hans Bru}!!, three days' work at the City Hall

HendricK Hendiiclcsen Snyder, voluntary,

Roelof the mason, voluntary,

Jan Perie, voluntary

Jacob I\Ieets, voluntary,

Ryndert Pieterzen, vol. 12, taxed at

Claes Tj'sen, cooper, vol. 10, taxed at

Frans Clasen, voluntary,

Coenraet Ten Eyck, voluntary, .

Isack de Foreest, vol. 16, taxed at .

Abram Clock, voluntary,

Dirck Van Schelluyne, voluntary, .

Aldart Coninck, vol. 12, taxed at

Auken Jansen, ....

Sybrant Jansen,

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

99

Willem Brommert,

G. Volchersen, vol. 6, taxed at . . . 10

Hans Steyn, voluntary, 15

Willem Pieterzen, absent, taxed at . . 15 Jan Gerritzen Brouwer, voluntary, . . .12

Albert Jansen, absent, taxed at . . . 15 Claes Van Elslant, absent, taxed at . .15

Dirck Tadens, absent, taxed at . . . IS

Warnaer Wessels, taxed at . . . , 2b

Salamon Pieterzen, absent, taxed at . . 10

Cornells Jansen Clopper, absent, taxed at . 15

Myndert the cooper, absent, taxed at . . 10

Claes Jansen, absent, taxed at . . . 15

Laurens, ....... 15

Abram la Cuia, taxed at .... 100

Jossep d'Voster, taxed at . . . . 100

David Freere, 100

Fusilador Dandrade, taxed at . . . 100

Jacob Cowyn, taxed at 100

Jacob Barsimsen, voluntary, ... 6 Assar Corsenus, voluntary, . . . .6

Abram Verplanck, voluntary, ... 20 Mr. Jacob Kierstede, voluntary, . . .20

Adolph Pieterzen, voluntary, . . . 12

Gerrit Fulwever, voluntary, . . ... 15

Frerick Flipzen, voluntary, ... 20

Borger Jorisen, voluntary, .... 20

D. Wouterzen, voluntary, .... 20

Jacob Steendam, voluntary, .... 25

Hendrick Willemzen, (baker) voluntary, , 25

Mr, Jacob Huyves, voluntary, . . . S

AFFAIRS AXD MEN

Willem Beeckman,

Joris Teunizen, (baker) voluntary

Carel Van Briiggh, voluntary,

Teunis Kxaj, voluntary,

Pieter Kock, taxed at

Jan Geraerdy, voluntary,

Rendel Huiort, voluntary, .

Jan J. Schepmoes, voluntary, .

Adriaen Van Burhans, voluntary,

Adriaen Keife, voluntary,

Evert Duycliingh,

Jan Hendricksen, (carpenter) voluntar}^

Abram Jacobsen, voluntary,

Jan Wygant, voluntary,

Jan Adelenzen,

Pieter Harmenzen,

Caspar Stymets, voluntary,

Allart, trumpeter, .

Sybout Clasen, (carpenter) voluntary

Adriaen Vincent, voluntary, .

Teunis the mason, vol. 5, taxed at

Tomas Hall, voluntary, .

Gabriel Barenzen, vol. 6, taxed at

Resolvert Waldron,

Jochem Beeckman, vol. 6, taxed at

Claes Poulizen, voluntary,

]\Ir. Isack Allerton, voluntary,

Claes Pieterzen, (smith) voluntary,

Albert Halchbuys, (carpenter) vol. three days'

Jan Jansen Van Ham, voluntary,

Gerrit Jansen Roos, (carpenter) vol. four days'

work.

work.

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

101

Harmens Sybrantzen,

Joost Goderis, voluntary,

Jan Cornelisen Clyn,

Jan Schryvcr, voluntary,

Symon Felle, voluntary,

Jan Rutgerzen, voluntary, .

Arent Isacksen, voluntary,

Cornells Van Langstreet, vol. one beaver,

Ryndtrt Jansen Van Hoorn, .

riendrick Van Dyck, voluntary, .

Samuel Edsal, vol. one beaver, value

Frans Jansen Van Goesby, vol. 12, taxed

Claes Hendrickscn,

Lourens Jansen, voluntary,

Barent Meyndert, voluntary, .

Jan Jansen Van St. Obyn, vol. 10, taxed

The Provost of the citizens, volnntary,

Mr. Tomae Willet, voluntary,

Matys Capita, ....

Hendrick Pieterzen, vol. six days' work.

David Wessells, ....

Thomas Marschal,

Hendrick Van Bommel,

Jacob Clomp,

Pieter Jansen,

Lambert Huybertzen Mol, .

Andries Van Fluyc, taxed at .

Pieter Stoutenborgh, .

Dirck Holgersen, noorman,

Claes Tysen,

Ryndert de Vries, .

9*

value

at

at

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

103

A DIPxECTORY

FOR TPIE CITY OF NEW AMSTERDxlM, IN 1665.

Shewing the residents in the several streets and tnG-roughfares of the city, and also the relative classes in value of the several i^esidences of the citizens^ numhered first, second, third and fourth.

T'MARCK^^LT.

Den Ed. Hr. Petrus Stuyi^esant,

Armetje Kocks,

De Hr. Marten Crigierj

Francois Boon,

De Hr. Cornells Van Ruyven,

Antony de Milt, .

De Heer Allard Antony,

Frerick Arenzen, .

Lysbet Ackerraans, .

Jonas Barteltzen, .

Metje Grevenraat, . . . .

DE HEERE STRAAT.f

Lucas Andriezen, . . . .

Dirck Wiggerzen,

De Hr. Paulus Leenderzen Vandiegrist,

* The Marketficld ; now Broadway.

t The principal (or great) street j now Broadway.

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Hendrick Van Byck, .... 3rd class.

Jacob Swart,

Tomas Major,

Abraham Pieterzen, (miller)

Gerrit Fullwever, .

Pieter Sirakam,

Jan Fries, ....

Jan Jelizen Kock,

Jan Hend. Van Gunst, .

Pieter Ebel,

Paulus Turck,

Albert Jansen, .

^larten Hofman, .

Aaltje Unstaples,

Barbara Unstaples,

Jan Joosten,

Adam Onclebagh,

Pieter Jansen, .

Adriaen Andriezen, ....

AEX DE STRANDT VAN D' N. REVIER.*

Jacob Leenderzen Vandiegrist, . . 4th

DE CINGEL OFTE STADT WAAL.f

Jan Jansen Van Langendyck, . . 4th

Jan Teunizen, Molenaar, (miller) . 4th

JanVidet, 4th

Abraham Kermer, .... 4th

♦ On the shore of the North River. t The walk at the city wall.

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

105

Gridtje Schoorsteenyergers,

Jacob J arisen, modsman,

Dirck de Wolspinder, (the woolspinner,

Barent Eghberzeii, . . . .

Pieter Jansen, ....

Dirck Van Clyf, . . . .

3rd class.

2nd "

DE HOOGH STRAAT.

Anneken Litsco,

Jan Laurens, ....

Andries Joghimzen,

Abraham Lubberzen,

Remout Remoutzen,

De Hr. Gouert Loockermans,

De Hr. Joannes Van Bruggh,

Wernaar Wessells,

Dirck Jansen Vandeventer,

Jeremias Jansen, Haydnaar,

Abraham Clock, .

Isack Bedlo,

Evert Duychingh,

Stoffel Hooghlant,

Abiggel, Verplanck,

David Joghimzen,

Asser Levy, .

Barent Com's,

Arien Huyberzen,

Wessel Everzen,

Arent Isackzen,

* The Hish Street.

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Cornells Jansen, woodsawycr, Cornells Jansen Plagvler, Cors Jansen, Henclrick Asuerus, Joannes Nevius, Pieter Jansen Schol, Nicolaes de Meyer, Huge Barenzen Clem, . Walraven Clearhout, . Freryck Hendrickzen, cooper, Alex. Stultke, . Sybout Clazen, Arien Van Laar, Aldert Coninck, Jacob Van Cou\venhoven, . Joannes Van Couwenboven, Lambert Barenzen, Hendrick Vandewater, . Laurens Vanderspygel, Walter Salter,

DE WAAL

Guliam d'Honneur, Hendrick Obe, Ballliazar de Haart, . Carel Van Bruggh, Gerrit Jansen Stavast, Hans Stein, . Sybrant Jansen Galina,

* The Wall.

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

107

AFFAIRS AND MEN

Gerrit Van Tright,

Pieter Cornelisen,

Claas Bordingh,

Jan Gerrizen Van Buytenhuysen,

Wil.Kock, .

Esterne Giiineaii,

Waldwyn Vanderveen, .

Tomas Franzen Karreman,

Jurrien Blanck,

Tybout, N.

Pieter Jacobzen Marius,

Tomas Lamberzen,

Tomas Laurens,

AGHTER DE PEREL STRAAT,

Symon Barenzen, Jan Schouten, . Isack Grevenraat, Jan Everzen Bout, Pieter de Rymer, . Jan Dirckzen Mayer, Lodowyck Post, .

DE BEOUWER STRAAT.f

Frerick Flipzen, .... Renier V^illemzen, Backer, (baker) Mattheus de Vos, .... Jeronimus Ebbinck,

1st class.

4th 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd

1st "

3rd "

3rd "

1st "

Behind the Pearl Street.

The Brewer Street, (nov,' Stone street.)

DE BRUGH STRAAT.f

De Hr. Cornehs Steenwyck, Barent Jacobzen Cool, . Jacob Vermont, Jacob Teunizen Kay, Hendrick Kip, senior, Jan Adriaanzen Duyvelant, Hendrick Wiliemzen, baker, Pieter Jansen, stone cutter, Pieter Nys,

DE HEERE GRAFT. |

Cornelis Melyn,

1st "

2nd "

4th "

2nd ^•

3rd "

4th "

+ The Shop Street.

I The Bridge Street; still Bridge street. I The Principal Canal ; now Broad street. 10

AFFAIRS AND MEN

* The Prince Canal.

OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

De Hr. Jacob Kip, Jan Arenzen, ....

Rutger the drayman, . ;

Freiyck Ilendrickzen Boogh, Claas Tyzen, .... Denys Isackzen, . . . . "VVillem Abrahamzen Vanderberde, Bay Roosvelt, .... Willem Deturnier,

DE PRINCE STRAAT.

Albert Pieterzen Swart, Daniel Verveelen, Gerrit Manate,

4th 3rd

DE BEVERR GRAFT.

Roelof Jansen Van Meppelen, Hendrick Van Bommelj Dirck Storm, Jan Janzen Van Brestee, Eghbert Wouterzen, . Eghbert Meinderzen, Tomas Sanderzen, Tennis Tomazen Quick, Jacob Leunizen,

4th

t'maRCKVELT STEEGIE.t

Claas Van Elslant, senior,

* The Prince Street. I The Beaver Canal. X The Marketfield Path, or by-way; now Marketfield street.

DE SMEE STR-'UT.

Jacob the Frenchman,

BAKERS IN ICGl.

Jacob Teunizen Kay,

Hendrick Janzen,

Renier Willemsen,

Jan Garrisen Van Buytenhuysen,

Andries de Haas,

Antony de Milt,

Hendrick Willemzen.

* Without the land gate. 10*

PROCEEDINGS ES' NEW AMSTERDA.M,

ARISIIS'G OUT OF THE EXPECTED WAR WITH THE PEOPLE OF NETV ENGLAND.

In the early part of the year 1653, difficulties which had been long pending with the people of New England began to assume a warlike aspect. In February, 1653, the English formally gave out that it was their intention forthmth to raise troops, for the purpose of laying siege to New Amsterdam. This notice reached New Amsterdam, and immediate measures were taken to meet the exigency. Governor Stu}wesant called together his high councillors and the city magistrates : in the proceedings of their meeting it will be observed that, among other things, measures were taken to prevent surprise by night, by the establishment of a night-watch. A proposition was made to enclose the city within 'palisades. An order was privately given to a certain mariner to be on the alert.

Record.

"13th March, 1653, in the morning.

A general session of the Director General and Councillors of New Netherland, the Bm^gomasters and Sche-pens of the city being at the same time present, with the exception Martin Crigier, who is absent.

On the reading of the epistle of their High Mightinesses the Directors, &c., concerning the last intelli-

genci from New England, as to their preparations, (though whether of defence or offence is not certainly known,) it is in general resolved and decreed,

First, That the whole body of citizens shall keep watch by night in such places as shall be particularly designated by the Director General and the Council, but especially at the city tavern, which shall be the watch-house from this time.

Second, It is judged first of all necessary to repair the fortress of New Amsterdam, and to make it sufficiently strong.

Third, Taking into consideration that the fortress of New Amsterdam is not sufficiently large to contain all the inhabitants, or to protect the houses and habitations in this city, it is deemed necessary to enclose the greatest part of the city with upright palisades and small breastworks, so that, in case of necessity, all the inhabitants may retire within the enclosure, to defend themselves and their property against an attack. At the present time it is deemed unnecessary to enclose and protect in this manner the outside villages, where the inhabitants live scattered and apart, in conformity with the good intent and directions of their High Mightinesses our Governors;* nor is it practicable to protect such places against attack; but it is judged to be more expedient to collect all the New Netherland force into one place, for the sake of better defence.

Fourth, It is deemed necessary to devise some way of raising money, with which to effect and accomplish

* The.West India Company.

the foregoing, and vrhatever else may be necessary for the purpose of defence. Upon this, the Director General, the Councillors and the Magistrates, shall severally express their views at the next meeting, after a due dehberation.

Fifth, It is ordered that the schipper Jan Jansen Vischer shall be spoken to privately, to get him to fix his sails, to have his piece loaded, and to keep his vessel in readiness on all occasions, whether by day or night. If he require any thing to assist his defence, it shall be sent to him.

A; Van Hatten, Burgomaster.

PI. Vandiegrist,

Wilh. Beeckman,

Pieter Wolfersen, > Schepens.

M. Van Gheel,

Allard Antony,

Pi Stuyvesant,

La jNIontagnie,

The Fiscal Teinhoven,

Bryan Newton.

Attested by me,

Caeel Van Bruggh, Secretary.

Record of a meeting of tlie City Magistrates the same, day in the afternoon.

" On Thursday in the afternoon, being the 13th March, 1653, in session at Fort Amsterdam. Present, Arent Van Hatten, Burgomaster.

CF NEW AMSTERDAM.

117

The arrangements for the Burger Watch having been already completed, his High Mightiness the Director General is requested to furnish fire and light.

It is resolved, that the Manhattans shall be defended ^vith palisades and breastworks.

It is further resolved, that the Fort shall be put in a better condition for defence.

It is further resolved, that the treasury of the Burgomasters and Schepens shall be supplied with from four to five thousand guilders, to accomplish the aforesaid

necessary works, which sum shall be levied by a tax on those interested in New Netherland, according to the value of their estates."*

Meeting of the City Magistrates, held on the 15th March, 1653, at which commissioners were appointed to make proposals and enter into a contract for the building of the palisades,

" Present—

Arent Van Hatten,

P. L. Vandiegrist,

Wilh. Beeckman,

Allard Antony,

Pieter Wolfersen, (Van Cn.)

M. Van Gheel. Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven and Wilhelmus Beeckman are nominated and chosen by the Burgomasters and Schepens, by plurality of votes, and are by these presents authorized, together with his High Mightiness Montagnie, appointed by the Director General and Councillors, to offer proposals and contract for the work of defence which has been resolved upon. And they are requested, during the progress of the work, to exercise a proper care and supervision over the same, so that it may be advanced and finished in a workmanlike manner. The Burgomaster Arent Van Hatten shall pay out the money which is to be raised."

* For the tax list made in pursuance of this resolution, see page 95.

ADVERTISEMENT BY THE COiLMISSIONERS.

JVotice,

" The Commissioners on the part of the Director General and Comicillors and the Magistrates of the city intend to issue proposals for a certain piece of work, to consist of palisades from twelve to thirteen feet in height; any body who feels inchned to imder-take the work may come to the Stadt Huys next Tuesday in the afternoon and hear the conditions.

This done at New Amsterdam the 15th March, 1653.^'

" Tuesday, ISth March, at the Stadt Huys. The

following are

The Conditions.

In accordance with which the work shall be undertaken.

The.palisades to be in length twelve feet.

Thick in the round eighteen inches.

The pahsades must be sharpened at the top and placed in a line.

At every rod a post of twenty-one inches thickness in the round, to which split rails shall be nailed two feet from the top of the palisades.

A breastwork shall be built against the pahsades four feet in height, with a breadth of four feet at the bottom and thi'ee feet at the top, of sod, to be thrown up from a ditch of three feet in breadth and two feet

in depth, which ditch shall be two and a half feet within the breastwork.

The length that shall be set off is about 180 rods.

The payments shall be made in seaw^ant currency.

Jacob Van Couwenhoven and Jacob Stoffelsen offer to take one-half at 50 guilders per rod.

Tomas Bacxter will take the whole or part at 45 guilders per rod.

Paulus —— offers for half at 40 guilders per rod.

The Commissioners offer the work at 25 guilders. There being no takers, the Commissioners adjourned their action in the matter until after further consideration.

The Commissioners having taken into consideration the several offers above named, are of opinion that no one has offered to undertake the said work for a reasonable price—it being from fifty to forty guilders per rod. Now, whereas, the same will at such rates amount to a great sum of money, the Commissioners do resolve to suspend action until after a consultation can be had with regard to setting of the work with boards, which they have ascertained will cost from three to four times half-thousand guilders. They think it expedient also to refer to the Council for advice.

La Montagnie,

PlETEil WOLFEKSEN.

This is the estimate of the cost of the work as last proposed—being in length 180 rods, or 2340 feet, (15 feet to the rod.)

11

The number of boards will be 156, one board in length.

9 boards in height.

1404 boards in all. 1^ guilders each.

2106 guilders.

340 posts, 340

Nails, 100

Freight of all, .... 120 Carpenter's fees for setting up, 500

Amounting in all to . . 3166 guilders.*'

Further Jfotice.

" Proposals will be received by the Commissioners—

For 300 oak posts, 12 feet long, 20 inches in circumference in the middle.

300 spht rails, 11 feet in length and from three to four inches in thickness.

Which wooden work is to be delivered here at the Manhattans on the strand, at Lockermans* or at the Beavers' Path, and that within fourteen days from date.

Payment for the same shall be made in good current seawant at the delivery of the work.

Tomas Bacxter undertakes to deliver all the said posts and rails as above proposed, for twenty stuyvers for each post and rail together, as before directed.

Done at the Stadt Huys, the 20th March, 1656.

Present—

La Montagnie,

PlETER WOLFERSEN."

Thus were consummated the arrangements for the commencement of this important work. This hne of fortifications, as marked out, extended along the East River, it is supposed, from the ' graft,' or creek, to a point beyond the then settled parts of the city, and thence ran directly across the island, on the present line of Wall street, to the opposite river. The North River side of the city was left unfortified, on account of its being easily defended from its natural formation, (being a pretty steep bluff.) The work was commenced to-w:ards the close of the month of March, 1653.

On the 3rd of April following, Governor Stuyvesant issued his missive, ordering a day of fasting and prayer in view of the then existing state of affairs, in the following words:

" To the most worshipful, most prudent and very discreet, their High Mightinesses the Burgomasters and Schepens of New Amsterdam. Most W'Orshipful and very distinguished.

For reasons us thereunto moving, we proclaim over the whole Province of New Netherland the observance of a day of general fasting and prayer on the 9th of April next.

Beloved, we your High Mightinesses' brother, propose to send forth, as an aid to this proclamation, our resolve missive, w^iich Vv^e request your H. M., and do charge you, that the same may be published and proclaimed openly to the inhabitants of the subordinate villages and hamlets, in the inlands and in the forts, either through yourselves or your order, to the end that

all may conduct themselves accordingly, and so tba'c the inhabitants can make no plea of ignorance thereof.

Meantime, we commend your High Mightinesses to. the grace and mercy of God..

P. Stuyvesant,.

New Amsterdam, 3rd April, 1653."

^' Accordingly," says the record, " the missive above Avritten for a day of fasting and prayer was publicly proclaimed in villages and hamlets, in the inlands and in the forts, by Jacob Kip,, secretary, supported by Burgomaster Arent Van Hatten."

The work was carried on with great activity and industry and completed about the first of May, 1653, A period of quietude and inaction on the part of the magistrates and citizens follovred this spirited season, which seems to have been regarded by Governor Stiiy-vesant as a dangerous apathy, and in the following correspondence it will be seen that he calls upon the city magistrates, as the direct representatives of the inhabitants, to carry out certain other measures as promised by them. The replies of the magistrates set: forth certain reasons as moving them to stay their labors.

Governor Stuyvesant to the Magistrates of JS'^ew Amsterdam. ^- Friends,

Whereas, for the peace and safety of the city and at the request of the citizens, you have surrounded and enclosed the city on the land side, on a line along the East River on the beach, with palisades, and to yonr

satisfaction have so far fortified it that the work thereon has been ceased: Now, for the further fulfilment of your promise to put the whole fortress in such a state of defence as to be a safe place for retreat, in conformity with your own representations and resolutions passed and signed on the 15th March, 1653, hereunto annexed, in consequence of which (your resolutions and promises) we have forced forward the Company's—yes ! our own needed works, in which the Company's negroes, as well as our own, have assisted by their labors; therefore,

Now the aforesaid Burgomasters and Schepens are not only requested but exhorted most earnestly to urge on the fulfilment of their promises, both in furnishing such sums of money and in completing the now almost finished fortress, as they by their signatures have promised : Furthermore,

The Burgomasters and Schepens are 'particularly requested and exhorted, that, by virtue of promises made an half year ago, they go to work and have a care that the hogs be driven away from the repaired ditched ramparts and works of the fortress, by some persons appointed out of their own college or out of the commonalty.; or, in failure thereof, we shall be under necessity to emplo}? such means as may be furnished by our resolution and proclamation: Furthermore,

The Burgomasters and Schepens are supplicated, in the civilest and most friendly manner, to make a disbursement of iron-work and nails, which was verbally promised by them through Paulus Leendersen, (Van-diegrist) by the failure of which heretofore the works IP

needed by the state have been retarded; and, moreover, to pay for the hand and side arms which were distributed among the citizens: Finally,

It is above all other things necessary that both the city and the fortress be supplied with necessary provisions, particularly bread-corn, without which all the^ labor done to the fortifications will be in vain. In this matter the Burgomasters and.Schepens are most earnestly requested to debase effective and prompt measures for procuring bread-corn before want overtakes us.

Of all of which we have thought proper to remind the Burgomasters and Schepens, for the purpose of acquitting ourselves of all blame and censure.

We expect a speedy answer.

Signed by your High Mightinesses' affectionate friend and Director, this 28th day of July, 1653.

P. Stuyvesant."

Answer of the Burgomasters and Schepens to the above.

" The Burgomasters and Schepens having examined the written propositions of the Director General, of date 28th July, 1653, they return in answer thereto—

First, That this town of New Amsterdam has been unfortunately brought to heavy trouble and great expense for works of defence.

With respect to the promise of furnishing from four to five thousand guilders, we calculate that after the accounts of the expenses laid out shall have been cast up, it will be found that the promised monies have already been expended.

With respect to the promise of bringing the fortress, into a defensible state, it is answered that the citizens have ah'eady redeemed the same by their work; besides, all business and handicrafts have been at a stand-still, whereby the citizens have been altogether getting in.the back-ground, in consequence of which they are not able to do all that is asked of them. Therefore it is prayed that the Director General will: excuse the Burgomasters, and Schepens from burdening the citizens anymore at this time.. Nevertheless, to evince their love and regard for the general welfare, the Burgomasters and Schepens beseech the Director General and Councillors that they will please to authorize them at a more convenient time to procure some monies from the commonalty.

With respect to providing for this town and fortress bread-corn, with your leave it is proposed that out of the college of your High Mightinesses, and out of the college of the Burgomasters and Schepens, one person from each may be commissioned to go to all the householders on the low-lands, in order to ascertain what quantity of grain can be procured for the strengthening of the common cause.

As it respects payment for the hand and side arms distributed among the citizens, it is answered that the citizens' general officers are not able as yet to pay for them; and if his High Mightiness the Director General demands restitution, the captain-at-arms shall cause Ihem to be returned and to be delivered to his High Mightiness the Director General.

With respect to compensation for the nails given out

by your High Mightiness, it is answered that Arent Van Corlaer has it in charge to purchase nails at Fort Orange, of which they have not yet received any information.

In the meanwhile, may it please your High Mightiness to keep in consideration what has already been done by us.

Signed this 29th July, 1653.

AfvENT Van Hatten, Martin Crigier, Pl. L. Vandiegrist, WiLH. Beeckman, Maxbiilianus Van Gheel."

Letter of Governor Stuyvesant to the Magistrates of' Jfeio Amsterdam.

••' Respected and particularly dear friends,

We cannot consistently "with duty omit protesting to your High JMightinesses against the injurious and intolerable destruction (as we to om^ gi'eat dissatisfaction are daily witnessing) which the hogs are making to the newly-finished works of the fortress: Now, whereas the Burgomasters and Schepens, in violation of their solemn promises, made in writing and by words, were unwilling to lend their hand to the repairing and strengthening of the same, we had hoped certainly they would have taken care that what we had brought so far, with such great anxiety and labor, should not again be destroyed by the hogs, and thus our labor be rendered useless.

Ic is certainly not permitted in any place that cattle should run at large, to the injury and damage both of individual and public property; and in case this matter is not speedily and promptly attended to by your High Mightinesses, we protest that necessity compels us to give you notice that w.e hold ourselves clear of all damage and injuries that may follow therefrom.

Done at Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 12th August, 1653.

P. Stuyvesant."

Ahswer of the Burgomasters and Schejjeiis to the above,.

^' The Burgomasters and Schepens met at the Stadt Huys in the afternoon of Tuesday, 12th August, to take into consideration the missive of the Director General ; at which meeting were present, Arent Van Hatten, Martin Crigier, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, and IMaximilianus Van Gheel.. The other magistrates being absent, a consideration of the matter was postponed-until their arrival.

On Wednesday in the afternoon, the Burgomasters again assembled, when Pieter Couwenhoven was absent; whereupon an adjournment was had until S o'clock the following morning.

On the 14th August the Burgomasters and Schepens of this city New Amsterdam again assembled.

Having looked over the remonstrance of his High Mightiness the Director General, and his lecture con--cerning the damage which the hogs are doing to the fortress and to the newly repaired works, the Burgo-^

masters and Scbepens resolved to notify their officers to adtlress the citizens and warn them that every one shall take care of his hogs and keep them shut up, until the fortress and the newly repaired works shall have been fenced off w^ith palisades, so that the said works may be preserved from damage. In default whereof, such persons shall be held responsible for the damage and injury which may be done.

Thus done, this 14th August, 1653. Signed, Arent Van Hatten,

Martin Crigier, Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist,

WlLH. BeECKMAN,

Pieter Wolfersen, (Van Cn.) Maximilianus Van Gheel."

In the fall of this year (1653) commissioners were mutually appointed by the Dutch and English Provincial Governments, wdth the design of making an amicable settlement of disputes. The commission sat in New Amsterdam, and after a lengthy session, in the course of w^hich many w^itnesses were examined and the old ground of contention was run over with pretty much the same spirit that had characterised the previous discussions between the governments, the commission separated with no fewer causes of difference than when it had come together. This, however, ended operations for the year 1653, for the winter soon after set in.

1654. The winter of 1653-4, passed over without any

occurrence in New Amsterdam of an uncommon nature. Business in all its branches was pursued as of old; and the citizens, secure in the natural protection of the season, allowed themselves the enjoyment of a period of repose. But, although this state of tranquillity temporarily reigned in New Amsterdam, and meanwhile a happy respite from the toils of military preparations was permitted to the inhabitants, it was not forgotten that the coming spring might bring with it a besieging army, and that measures in anticipation of such an event were necessary.

So soon, therefore, as the spring opened, the magistrates of New Amsterdam sat about their preparations for the coming season. It was found that the works erected the preceding summer had sustained such considerable damage during the winter as to require extensive repair. The magistrates decided to call upon the neighboring towns for assistance, and accordingly the following letter was addressed to the magistrates of the several towns therein mentioned :

^^ To the Magistrates of the towns of Breuckelen, Mid-wort and Araesfort. Right honorable friends.

The Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam are witnessing with sorrow the dilapidated state of the works, consisting of walls of earth and palisades, put up along the river during the last year, commenced and worked not only with great trouble, labor and time, but, on account of the necessities of the

time, finished in the completest manner, with the assist-^ ance of the hberal minded.

Therefore, the said Burgomasters and Schepens, as much as in their power hes, intend to pursue with vigor and zeal not only the best interests of this city, but the good of their countrymen and associate inhabitants of this Province, and especially that of their near neighbors the benches of justice and people of Breuckelen, Midwort and Amesfort, who the Burgomasters and Schepens hope will lend their assistance in this critical conjuncture, in furthering whatever may serve for the purpose of defence.

We, the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam, confiding in the discretion and good will of our countrymen and near neighbors and courts of Breuckelen, Midwort and Amesfort, towards the prosperity and preservation of the pubhc interests, do beseech in the most affectionate manner the honorable the courts of Breuckelen, Midwort and Amesfort, to lend iLS a helping hand in the up-building and repairing of the palisades necessary along the river. For this purpose, it is our request that it may please your honors each in his jurisdiction to procure and order that every peasant and farmer shall cut and deliver at the river twenty-five round pahsades, as straight as possible, twelve feet in length and at least from eighteen to twenty inches in thickness; all which we ask, not alone with a view to the advantage of this city, but to its consequence in the preservation of the country in general.

Not doubting your good will and regard, we remain most affectionately yours.

Done in session at New Amsterdam, this 23rd March, 1654.

Signed, Arent Van Hatten,

Martin Crigter, P. L. Vandiegrist,

WiLH. BeECKMAN,

Pieter Wolfersen, Oloff Stevensen."

Reply to the above.

*' To our worthy friends the honorable Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam.

The magistrates of the villages of Breuckelen, Mid-wort and Amesfort, having received and understood the letter of your Excellencies, send this brief answer.

First, We acknowledge to your Excellencies that with great trouble and labor, with the assistance of the inhabitants and those living in the vicinity, you have surrounded the city of New Amsterdam with walls. We your near neighbors have not spared our labor in the repair of the fortress and fortifications; yet we, as members of the same body, are obligated to assist one another with all our power, which, as to ourselves, we are ready to shew with all our might by our deeds, not only for the defence of the city of New Amsterdam, but also of all and each of our confederacy, under the sovereignty of their High Mightinesses the States 12

General and the high court of the Province; all which we, on the other hand, expect from our associate members.

In the meantime we remain your affectionate friends and neighbors.

Done at Midwort, 28th IMarch, 1654,

Signed, Albert Cornelisen,

Jan Snediger, Elbert Elbertsen."

This satisfactory answer having been received from the representatives of the Long Island villages, it was resolved by the cit}^ magistrates to propose to the Provincial Government that other aid from " outside people" be called in.

" 30th March, 1654.

By the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam, it is resolved to commission and authorize the honorable Arent Van Hatten to attend the session of the Director General and Councillors and propose the following:

First, Whether the Director General and Councillors do not deem it highly necessary that the decayed fortifications of this city should be repaired, and that the North River should be cut off with pahsades, and thus all be brought into a state of defence.

Secondly, Since the citizens of New Amsterdam are too weak to accomplish the aforesaid needed work and furnish necessary materials, whether the Director Gene-

ral and Councillors will be pleased to take measures that the people out of the city shew a helping hand therein. And,

Thirdly, Whether they will grant to the Burgomasters and Schepens the necessary powers to obtain such assistance.

The replies thereunto his Excellency A. Van Hatten shall report to the Burgomasters and Schepens, so that they may determine what to do further.

Done in session, this 30th March, 1654."

" 13th April, 1654. His honor Arent Van Haiten reports that, pursuant to the order of the Burgomasters and Schepens, he had an interview with his Excellency the Director General, who was in every particular well satisfied with the determination to bring this city into a state of defence, and appointed Friday or Saturday as a time when he \vill go along in person to greet the country members on this subject. His excellency also stated that he would write to Cornells Nelyn, of Staten Island, w^ho has said for some time past that he was ready to lend a helping hand,"

It seems that, notwithstanding the measures thus taken for bringing the whole city in a state of defence, some repairs to the fortilications already erected were their only result—the project for fortifying the North River side of the city naving fallen through.

An alarming crisis seemed now to have arrived, the

report of which in New Amsterdam at once threw the community into consternation. At a meeting of the magistrates, held 29th May, 1654, the Director General commmiicated the cm'rent intelhgence from New England, to the effect that ships with warlike ammmiitions and other things had arrived at Boston. He ordered, in consequence, that means be taken to meet these ships, in case they should be directed against this place. He proposed also to enact a morgen* tax, a horn tax,t and a house-lot tax, and provisionally to borrow money thereon from certain persons.

Secondly, " He asked whether they should send off the Company's ship or retain the same for service.

Thirdly, Whether they should send for the people at South River or let them stay."

To the above propositions the Burgomasters and Schepens replied, that they thought it was not for them to decide, unless the representatives of other parts of the country, upon which the proposed taxes were to be laid, were consulted. Whereupon, Governor Stuyve-sant summoned by express the magistrates of Breuck-elen, Midwort and Amesfort, to appear in New Amsterdam the day following, and lend their advice. Meantime the Director General demanded an answer to his propositions from the city magistrates for themselves the same day.

* Morgen, a piece of land about two acres, t A tax on horned cattle.

The Burgomasters and Schepens, in compliance with this- demand, met in council the same afternoon, and after deliberation returned the following answer:

'^ The Burgomasters and Schepens taking into further consideration the propositions of his Excellency the Governor General, made in the forenoon of this day, find themselves embarrassed in coming to any conclusion respecting the first point, or to pass their votes without first advising with their associate members of the Province.

With respect to the second point, as to the Company's ship, it is their opinion the Governor General and his council may do therein as they may deem conducive to the safety of the country.

And whereas the Burgomasters and Schepens, with reference to the verbal request of the Governor General that they delegate two from their college to meet the council, cannot agree whom to send, they have resolved 1o go in a body to the Governor and Council."

Ten days followed this reply, during which time it would seem that no steps were taken by the magistrates, in compliance with the requests and propositions of Governor Stuyvesant. At the end of that time, however, the following animated letter of the Director General served again to awaken the attention of the magistrates:

" To their High Mightinesses the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam.

Immediately upon the spread of the rumor or intelligence that Captain Leverett had arrived with four parliament's ships and some mihtary troops, the intent of which we did not know, yet we in person attended the board of your High i\Iightinesses the day following. We made your High Mightinesses acquaii:ited with the rumor, pressed upon the necessity of the occasion, recommended to you to attend to the means of defence and resistance, adding that it was very probable we should receive a visit from our neighbors, according to report.

Hitherto we have not been able to discover that any thing has been done by your High Mightinesses towards the defences of this cit}*, or the repairing of its works; but it appears your H. M. have been lulled to sleep by an idle rumor of peace.

We take the Lord God, our own consciences, 3-our High Mightinesses' selves, and all persons, to witness that we have reminded your H. M. of the necessit>% and have besought you tft devise measures, of raising assistance and money.

Your High Mightinesses' selves and your promises have been very good ; on account of which we surrendered to you the tapsters' excise, (pro^'isionally on your promise and pledge that hereafter your H. M. will take care and furnish means, that the ministers of God's word shall have their salaries paid.) Above all this, we have given up the ammunition, materials and pioneers' tools sent to us, all on the promise of restitution or payment for the same, which things are now missing, so that we are unable to go on with the repair-

ing of the fortifications, which is greatly requisite at this time. And above all, we have reason to apprehend that our OAvn cannon, which were put up on the outside works during the last year against our own advice and wish, will serve more to our injury than defence; and now, concerning which latter, we do beseech that, since your High Mightinesses cannot sus-. tain your own works and the outside works cannot be repaired and defended, the cannon may be brought back, as they are of no service there, and they may be used to the service of this city, which, under God, we are determined to preserve and defend so long as God will be pleased to vouchsafe his blessing thereunto.

Furthermore, we request that, according to duty and promise, either restitution or payment be made of the small arms and pioneers' tools furnished you, to the end that we may levy some soldiers and arm them, for the better defence of this our too confident people, and so -as to man our fortifications.

We remind you also to see that the ministers have their salaries paid them, as you promised on having the revenue from the tapsters' excise granted to you.

If in these things we are forsaken, we wash our hands before God and the whole world from the calamities that may come upon ourselves and upon our good subjects.

Done at New Amsterdam, this 8th June, 1654.

Your High Mightinesses' affectionate friend and Governor,

P. Stuyvesant."

Following the aboYe letter were sent these propo-sitiorxS:

'^ First, It is submitted whether the Burgomasters-and Schepens are disposed and resolved (even if the outside people will not concur) to help to the uttermost to fortify, maintain and defend this capitol, this first city, which has been so long getting enclosed, and to the last defend the fort for the honor of the nation and. our high superiors.

Second, Whereas the Director General and Coun=-cillors have several times received suggestions from the Burgomasters and Schepens, that the outside people ought to lend a common hand in the work, as well in the making and repairing as in defending the works, it is but reasonable and just that the Director General and Councillors should be well disposed to command the same by a public order, since they can readily con» ceive that it is nothing more than reasonable and just that the outside members, (people,) in consideration of the turning out of the magistrates three or four times during last season for them, they in turn should assist in fortifying and defending the city; the more, because it is for their own good as well as for the preservation and independence of the city. But in case (as it may turn out) they shall remain obstinate and unwilhng as heretofore, (which the Director General and Councillors do not expect from all,) will the Burgomasters and Schepens co-operate with the Director General and Councillors in punishing them according to law^ ?

Third, Finally and lastly, will the Burgomasters and Schepens co-operate with the Governor General and the High Councillors, by next Monday precisely, in commencing the work, and endeavor to persuade the citizens to lend their help I

Tlius done, this 13th June, 1654.

P. Stuyvesant."

Reply of the Magistrates to the above propositi

ions.

^' To the first.—They will co-operate and assist in fortifying the city with all their might.

To the second.—-They believe that such a proclamation is demanded, and should any under jurisdiction of this court of justice be unv/illing to comply therewith^ they will aid with all their might in constraining them thereunto; which must also be done by the country courts of justice belonging to the government of your High Mightinesses.

To the third.—They are ready with all zeal to institute the means for the speedy commencement of the work, provided that resolutions be taken before hand as to the manner in which the works shall be repaired and made.

Thus done in session, held this 13th June, 1654.

Arent Van Hatten, Martin Crigier, P. L. Vandiegrist,

WiLH. BeECKMAN, PlETER WoLFERSEN,

Oloff Stevensen."

Active operations were again commenced, the repairs to the fortifications were resumed, and funds were procured from citizens for the purpose of carrying on the defences. It will be seen by the following that several commissions were organised to oversee the various departments of the work :

" Whereas the Director General and Councillors, in respect of the current and continued reports, hav>e thought it necessary and proper to decide on the prompt and speedy security of this place, as well in the making of necessary new works as in the repairing of the old, (of the fort as well as the city,) and for that end have engaged certain laborers, to whom it is necessary to pay close attention, so that through inefficient labor we may not be defrauded. The following persons are by these presents authorized, commissioned and appointed as overseers and workmasters of the work; to wit:

Overseers and Workmasters of the Works of the Fort.

Their Lordships Nicasius de Sille, Councillor,

Arent Van Hatten, Burgomaster.

Overseers and. Workmasters of the Works of the City.

Their Lordships La Montagnie, Councillor, Gapt. Crigier, Schepen.

Overseer and Workmaster over the Carpenters. Pieter Wolfersen, Schepen.

Overseer and Workmaster over the Brush and Wood Cutters for gabions.

Wilhelm Beeckman, Schepen.

Paymasters,

'OlofF Stevensen, and

•Cornelis Van Ruyven, Secretar^i^o

And the laborers are ordered and commanded to obey the above-mentioned workmasters, as well particularly as generally, and all the works pointed out by the aforesaid overseers and workmasters in all fidelity and diligence to execute; and on all their wages being certified by the signatures of the said workmasters and exhibited to us on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the afternoon, they shall receive from us an order to receive their money from the treasurer and paymasters.*

Done at New Amsterdam, in New Netherland, 16th June, 1654.

P. Stuyvesant.

Attest, Cornelis Van Ruyven, Secretary."

The lively state of affairs shown to have existed at the time of this last written document continued about a month, w^hen all further proceedings of a warlike nature were happily put a stop to, by the arrival of news, which came in the ship ' Gonde Beer,' (or golden bear,) proclaiming the adoption of a treaty of peace between the governments of Holland and England.

These tidings were formally communicated to the

magistrates and citizens in the follo^ving letter from the Du'ector General:

" To the most noble and honorable the Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amsterdam. Dear and particular friends,

These presents serve to convey to you the proclamation of Peace, unity and confederation, made and concluded on the 15th of April last, at Westminster, between the Lords Commissioners of the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland on the one part, and the Lords Ambassadors of the high and mighty Lords the States General of the United Netherlands on the other side; which proclamation, sent to us from their High Mightinesses the Dh'ectors, &c., we have thought proper to send to your mighty Lordships, w-ith the charge and command that you vnll cause the said proclamation of peace, unity and confederation to be proclaimed, as is usually done, to the end that the same may be observed and fulfilled faithfully in its tenor, form and meaning.

Finally, we commend you to the gracious protection of the Most High.

Done in New Amsterdam, in New^ Netherland.

P. Stuyvesant, Dr. Genl. Cornells Van Ruyven, Secretary."

ProceeAings of the Magistrates therevpon.

" City Hall, Saturday, 18th July, 1654. Present—

Martin Crigier,

P. L. Vandiegrist,

Pieter Wolfersen,

OlofF Stevensen,

C. Van Teinhoven, Schoiit. On the date of these presents, the Burgomasters and Schepens of New Amsterdam, in conformity with the above missive, do cause to be published from the City Hall, and to be publicly affixed thereto, that Peace exists between Holland and England. Thereupon the ringing of the bell shall follow according to custom."

Thus was ended the rupture between New Amsterdam and New England, and the warlike preparations which for m.ore than a year had occupied the attention of the citizens of New Amsterdam, gave place to the peaceful conduct of business affairs, which had in a measure been suspended in the city during that period. These troubles had lasted long enough, however, to occasion serious losses of time, (which was money to the people of that day,) besides the cares and anxieties incident to so serious a conjuncture, and to leave at their close a heavy debt upon the citizens, on account of the works constructed for purposes of defence.

It may perhaps, judging from the documents herein set forth, be thought that the apprehensions of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam were excited in a greater degree than was justified by the measures of the enemy; but it is well known that a vigorous movement was at one time undertaken in New England to levy a force, for the purpose of proceeding against the

Dutch capital; and it is probable the design was relin-13

quished only on account of a report of the determined measures of resistance taken by the Dutch.

The cost of the several works of defence erected by the Dutch in New Amsterdam in the course of the years 1653-4, is stated to have been about 16,000 guilders.*

TROUBLES OF THE YEARS 1655-'56 & '68.

THE WAR WITH THE SWEDES.

The difficulties with the people of New England had hardly been long enough adjusted to give the inhabitants of New Amsterdam time to resume the pursuit of their peaceful avocations, when a note of war was unexpectedly sounded from another quarter.— Tidings of an inroad by the Swedes upon the Dutch territory and the capture of Fort Cassimer, a Dutch fortress on the ^Zuyd' (South, now Delaware,) river, were brought to New Amsterdam, and ser^^ed effectually to dispel any hopes of a season of quiet and prosperity' which may have been entertained.

Upon the receipt of this news. Governor Stuyvesant, with his characteristic promptitude, re-organized his disbanded militia companies, re-estabhshed his council of war, and prepared for sudden emergencies; for it was at first reported that the Swedes contemplated an advance upon the city.

* Or about five thousand dollars.

The first act of the new council of war is recorded as follows:

" Meeting of the Lords. —J. La Montagnie and OlofF Stevensen Van Cortlant, High Councillors 3 Allard Antony and OlofF Stevensen Van Cortlant, Burgomasters; Joannes Nevius, Joannes De Peyster, Jacob Strycker, and Jan Vinge, Schepens; Marten Crigier and Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, Captains of the militia companies; Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwen-hoven, Lieutenant.

The meeting, considering the present serious occasion, deem it (unanimously) necessary that the works formerly made be repaired, by spiking with good spikes a blind of planks, five or six in height, against the palisades.

The captains of the militia will request that a person be appointed to distribute gunpowder to the citizens.

Done this 20th February, 1655."

Preparations having thus been made to defend the city of New Amsterdam, in case the Swedish captain directed his steps tow^ards the capital. Governor Stuy-vesant despatched a letter to the " Patroons" in Holland, giving an account of this new aggression, and desiring to know the wishes of the Company wdth regard to the measures to be taken. The letter also set forth the distress to which the inhabitants of New Netherland were reduced from their repeated misfortunes, and described the people as becoming faint in heart and desponding.

Having resolved to await the reply of the Patroons to his missive before proceeding to active measures against the invaders^ Governor Stuyvesant employed the interval in drilling his militia companies and mending the cit}^ fortifications..

The greater part of the small force brought into the field by Gov. Stu^Tvesant were residents of New Amsterdam, and all the officers were bm^ghers of that cit}-.

The chief command was taken in person by Governor Stup'esant; Director General^ etc.

Cai^tains.

Martin Crigier, innkeeper of New Amsterdam. Paulus Leendersen Vandiegrist, trader of the same.

Lieutenants.

Pieter Wolfersen Van Couwenhoven, carpenter. Daniel Litschoe, innkeeper.

Ensigns.

Joannes Pietersen Van Bruggh, trader. Cornells Steenwyck, trader.

The troops were drilled regularly in martial exercises, and seem from several expressions in the records to have been regarded by their officers and fellow-citizens vs-ith considerable pride. About the first of i\Iay the "council of war" made application for the appointment of two drummers, to further the discipline of the companies in marching. After considerable altercation between the cit^' and provincial authorities,

as to which government of right belonged the payment of the salaries of the drummers, it was finally fixed upon the city. A meeting of the magistrates was thereupon called, to deliberate upon the application. The Burgomasters on their part, and the old (or president) Sche-pen on the part of that branch of the council, having been requested to give opinions in writing, the follow^-ing written advice was given by the Burgomasters:

" As to the request of the council of war that a drummer may be appointed for each company, it is our advice that the officers of the council of war be authorized to select two drummers out of the people who last arrived here, who shall be paid by the city.

Thus done in New Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 15th day of May, 1655.

Allard Antony, Oloff Stevensen."

Advice of the President Schepen.

" As to the request of the council of w^ar of this city New Amsterdam, in N. N., it is right in this time of necessity (as well as on other similar occasions which may occur) that consent should be given to their requests ; and therefore they should have the two drummers they desire, for the furtherance of martial science and discipline.

Which advice is given this 17th May, 1655, and signed,

Joannes Nevius." 13*

Final Resolution. '• The applicants are allowed, according to their request, that for the service of the citizens to each company a drummer may be appointed. This shall be done, however, at the least cost for which such may be obtained/*'

The long expected answer of the West India Company to the missive of Gov. Stuyvesant came in the ship Waege, in August, 1655. This reply, written in the most affectionate terms, exhorted the officers in authority in the Province of New Netherland, to continue in the patient exercise of their duties, and to endeavor by every effort to sustain the spirits of the community mider their charge, in such wise " as all good magistrates and governors should do." In respect of the aggressions of foreigners upon the Dutch territory, it called upon the Director General to take effective measures for their resistance, and to enable him to carr}' out his objects authorized a tax on every morgen of land, annually, of ten stuyvers, on every horned beast twenty stuyvers, and on all tenements a twentieth part of the value of their annual rent. The missive concluded %\ith an exhortation to the persons in authority, " to demean themselves with wisdom and circumspection, and to set a good example to the community by being content and of good cheer." It was dated 25th May, 1655, and signed on behalf of the Company by Eduard Mann and Isaack Van Beeck.

The pleasure of the "Patroons" being thus made known, Governor Stuyvesant resolved upon setting out

with his companies for Fort Cassimer, But before immediate preparations for the departure of the expedition were made, a day of thanksgiving and prayer was ordered by the follomng proclamation :.

" Orders for the observance of a day of thanksgiving and prayer by the people of New Netherland.

Considering on the one side the manifold blessings and benefits of God extended towards us from time to time, not only in past times but w^hich are still manifested towards this first-begun Province 3 and considering also the chances of a w^ar which has come upon us unexpectedly in a season of profound peace, but in regard to which up to the present time the grace and goodness of God has not failed us, neither in our preparations nor in the state of the weather, which has been favorable to the ships w^herein our good people had interest, in the ordering of which blessings the favor of God has been specially shewn; and on the other side, in view of the resolutions and orders of the High Magistrates of this Province and their request that we should with humble heart rely upon the continued favor of God—have we, the Director General and Councillors of the Province, thought good to order that an universal fast and thanksgiving shall be holden within this Province on Wednesday, being the 25th of the month of August; on which day, in the forenoon and afternoon, shall the word of God be preached and hearkened to, and all shall join in love and praise of the good God, who has extended such particular favors towards us. All shall invoke Him with humble heart

to continue the manifestations of His blessings, especially \vith regard to the success of the expedition to be undertaken*to make it successful in good end, and to give that assurance to the hearts of this people without which all efforts will be in vain.

Therefore, the ministers of God's word are requested to offer praise and thanks to His gracious goodness for all past benefits, and to pray a continuance of His favor over this land and the good inhabitants living therein, as also over the before-named expedition j moreover, that he will be pleased to take in hand the defence and protection of the Director General and all high and low officers of government, all the people and the ships.

For the better observance of this day, the Director General and Councillors do forbid and interdict on the same all customary avocations, such as ploughing, sowing, mowing, fishing, hunting, all trades, and tapping and drunken-drinking, on pain of arbitrary correction.

Thus done at a meeting of the Director General and Councillors, held in the Fort Amsterdam, in N. N., the 16th August, 1655.

P. Stuiwesant."

Immediate preparations were then made for the departure of the expedition 3 and after having placed the government in the hands of officers for its safe conduct during his absence. Governor Stuyvesant with his forces embarked at New Amsterdam towards the end of August.

Governor Stuyvesant, as history informs us, achieved the principal object of the expedition by the reduction

of Fort Cassimer on the IGih. September. Following up his success, he penetrated the Swedish territory and subdued the garrison of Fort Christina, the capital fortress of the Swedish government. This done, he directed his return to New Amsterdam, where he arrived about the first of October, 1655.

The eventful month which witnessed the triumph of the Dutch forces in the Southern country, was fated to be held in unhappy remembrance by a calamity of the most disastrous character which fell upon the " outside places," or settlements, near New Amsterdam.

It appears that for some time previous there had been a misunderstanding between the Dutch residents and some of the neighboring tribes of Indians -, and it is probable that the absence of most of the male inhabitants on the expedition presented too fair an opportunity for unresisting assault to be overlooked by the savages. They assembled on the night of the 15th September, and fell upon the exposed settlements, robbing and firing the tenements, and in some instances murdering the inhabitants. Those who escaped hastened to New Am.sterdam, and by their accounts occasioned considerable consternation in the town. The magistrates in temporary authority on the 20th September resolved to set up parts of the palisades " with planks, to the height at least of ten or twelve feet, so as to prevent the over-loojyen (jumping over) of the savages." No assault^

however, appears to have been ventured upon the town.*

That the differences with the natives were not settled for some time subsequent to this attack, is shewn by the following proclam.ation, dated in 1656 :

" The Director General and Councillors of Kew Netherland make known to all, that information has been given them, by certain Indians, that several Indians of the Tappans are harboring some evil design, and have intimated their intention to m^urder certain Christians on the flats; and as the Director General and Councillors have not been able to ascertain towards what place or against whom their design is entertained, and not knowing indeed but it may be a project of the whole nation, they can neither ordain nor apply a remedy in any other way than to revive their former

* The following extract from the statement of a witness in court ■vvill show how lively were the fears of the natives entertained by the inhabitants :

" Teunis Jansen Van Commel stated that on Friday night of the last week, he, in company with Joris de Caher and Harman the cooper, w^ent vip to the place of Joris to. thrash corn, as he had been in the custom of doing for some time before j and when there, they all three laid down in the garner to sleep. Presently they heard hens cackling several times, upon which they listened attentively. Soon a great knocking was heard upon the gate, with cries of Ho! Ho! Ho! Being terrified thereat, they all three crept from the barn and ran in different directions."

The witness goes on to state, that one of them ran towards "the chimney-sweepers' house," and creeping up to the door, heard a word in the Dutch language, when, venturing boldly in, he found a party in the act of spitting chickens, which turned out to belong to De Caher. The pretended Indians were then arrested for the theft.

orders, to wit: That those persons who are living without in separate habitations shall withdraw into the nearest village or hamlet, and form a combination for their protection; and, in the mean time, that they warn each other to be on their guard, and not to frequent the woods or the road without being armed j and that they always go in companies of two, three or four, so as to be able to resist these bushmen.

And further, in order to prevent such separate murders, the Director General and Councillors, with the advice of the City Burgomasters, can devise no better expedient than (in addition to that above written) to forbid that any Indian with a gun or other weapon shall be admitted into any fortified place, nor into the flat-lands, nor into any house, under penalty of forfeiting such weapon, which may be taken away by any schout, marshal, or magistrate. This shall go in force eleven days from this date of publication, of which they command their subjects to inform the Indians in the Indian tongue, and in the most civil manner.

Done 1st July, 1656."

FEVER IN 1658.

" 15th October, 1658.

On this date, after three bell-ringings, the following proclamation was published at the ' Stadt Huys:' Honest, dear people.

Whereas the Almighty and Righteous God, for our

gi'eat and numerous sins, has been pleased in his justness to visit this Province during the last summer with an unusually distempered atmosphere, in consequence of which a hot and burning fever and other maladies ensued to the people, of which many died; some afflicted families have laid weeks and months long (and still do lay so) with sickness and debilit}': and not only were these consequences experienced, but the appearance of the land-fruits has been seriously affected, and the farms been rendered in a manner barren; so that if this plague continue, it will be impossible to get in winter forage for the cattle. This messenger of God's anger, bearing with it as it has so many evils even to an approach of famine, tells us that we should now turn towards Him with a hearty repentance, as we should have done before, instead of our accustomed slights of his holy word, our profanation of his name, our abuse of his holy Sabbath, by misspending it in games and drunkenness; our affected show, superfluities, and commission of other sins; for to augment His anger by further practice of the same, is to invite the augmentation—yes, the sevenfold increase of God's righteous judgment and punishment.

To Him w'e should now turn ourselves in humbleness and repentance. In consideration of which, that it may be better practised by every one, the Director General and Councillors of this Province have thought proper in the first place to order a day of general fasting and supphcation, to be holden on the 23rd of this month of October; and in the second place, to direct all the inhabitants of this Province that on the day mentioned

they shall attend preaching at the churches, or perform the same in their own houses; and after the preaching of God's holy word, they shall join with each other in their several places of worship, in calling upon the Lord with lowly hearts, beseeching that in His godly majesty. He will please to remove the sickness and debility which now afflicts us and ours; to give seasonable weather to the fruits of the earth, both of early and late growth; to preserve his watchfulness over us, giving us truth and knowledge of himself; and to withhold from us all plagues and punishments, however well merited.

In order to the better observance and practice of which, the Director General and Councillors forbid on the day before mentioned, the exercise of all plays and amusements 5 and do request of the ministers of God's holy word, that they will adapt their preaching to the ends herein set forth.

Thus done, the 3rd October, 1658.

P. Stuyvesant."

1659.

Early in this year a day of fasting was ordered, in the proclamation for which the several evils and afflictions which had in past years been experienced are recapitulated:

" Well beloved people, To no one indeed pertains the knowledge as to the 14

manner in which the good but at the same time just God visits his piinislnnent upon those who misuse his blessings and mercies; yet the evils which we have experienced, first in an expected w^ar with our neighbors, wliich happily, however, turned into peace; afterwards in a wholly unlooked-for surprise and massacre by the wild barbarians , and the one or tw^o following years, in an unhappy sickly heat and pestilent fever, the path of which w^as stiewn w^ith much fatality to life, and left many lying on beds of sickness and languishnient, and which was also the cause of a scarcity of bread, besides the ruin of hope for a good harvest for the next summer, partly by reason of the sickness and partly on account of the flooding rains w^hich came about the time of harvesting: these cannot be accounted for otherwise than as visitations upon us for om' individual as well as general chastisement, and show that the holy, almighty and just God has turned upon us his vengeance, and his anger has been manifested by the many evils w^e hate been made to experience.

The Director General and Coimcillors have therefore thought proper to order and proclaim a time of fasting and prayer to be observed on the first Wednesday in the coming month, in the forenoon and afternoon of that day, (which will be the second of the month April.) Thus done in Fort Amsterdam, the 10th March, 1659.

P. STim^ESANT."

APPENDIX.

Extract from a document in the English records of 1698:

" The citty of New Yorke was first founded by the people of the Nether Dutch nation, in the year of our iord 1619, and had then granted to them by the Staets Generall of ye United Provinces and the West India Company, sundry rights and priviledges. Since the first settlement of the said citty, it hath been allways the metropolis, staple porte, and the only publick mer-cate of the whole Province; and hath allways without interruption enjoyed all the aforesaid priviledges, according to its growth and improvement; and so by that means hath been allways termed an ancient citty, and that justly, there being nothing more ancient in this Province then the time when itt was first settled, and att that time itt was incorporate by the name of the Citty of New Amsterdam, and governed in its trade by its own laws; and albeit itt is not one thousand years old, yett itt is older then any other citty corporation within this Province, all or most of the settlements of the same proceeded from itt, and fell upon the improvement of tillage, whereby graine became the staple community of the Province; and the cittizens of the said citty no sooner perceived that there were greater quantities of wheat raised then could be consumed within the said Province, but they contrived and invented the art ofhoUingy by wliic]) Uicy converted ihe

wheat into flower, and made itt a manufacture not only profitable to all the inhabitants of the Pro\'ince by the incouragement of tillage and navigation, but likewise beneficial and commodious to all the plantations, and the improvement thereof in this citty is the true and only cause of the growth, strength and encrease of buildings within the same, and of the riches, plenty of money, and the rise of the value of lands in the other parts of the Province, and the livelyhood of all the inhabitants of this citty did chiefly depend thereon.

Now the reason why this city was so incorporated and had granted to them the aforesaid rights and privileges, is because the first founders of the same were not suffered by the then government to extend themselves into particular settlements, until first there should be gathered together a sufficient number of people at this place that might be of a reasonable force for their common security and defence ; whereupon they began to fortify, and finding this place of their situation to be very barren, and unfit by their industry to make them any return for theu' subsistence, it was therefore projected that all such as would fix themselves at this place, should only adict themselves to trade for the accommodation of those that should go settle in the country, that they might be plentifully supplied with such things as was necessary for cultivation, and like-wise that they might finde at this place a mercate to vend what they raised from their industry, and that the trade thereof might be more regularly managed, the said inhabitants had power given them to make laws, rules, and orders for the governm.ent of the same trade

and the good and weale of the Burgers and inhabitants of the said city, by which reglement and good order this city did encrease in people, strength and riches, to such a degree that it became the envy of the crown of England.

" While this province was under the Dutch Government, they were so jealous of the trade of this city that they would not permit any settlement to be made in any place within their jurisdiction, but under such restrictions as they thought convenient for the security of their trade, and particularly did restraine the inhabitants of Hudsons River and Long Island, that they should not plant nor manadge any parte of husbandry without paying one-tenth parte of what they raised unto the government, and besides did oblige the planters that they should not apply themselves to any trade but only to husbandry, and that the inhabitants of Albany should only apply themselves unto the Indian trade, and all their grants or patents had that reservation or tenure in them."

PAGE.

PREFACE, 3

SOME OF THE FEATURES OF NEW AMSTERD-OI

IN GOV. STU YVES ANTS TIME, .... 5

STREETS AND THOROUGHFARES, .... II

" SCHCEYINGE/' 22

FOREIGN TRADE 0."^ THE CITV, .... 24

CURRENCY, ^

INCOME AND FINANCES, 31

MARKETS 37

SCHOOLS, 40

CITY WATCH, 43

FIRE POLICE, ... 47

CITIZENSHIP, 51

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, 59

FESTIVALS AND AMUSEMENTS, ..... 65

THE MAGISTRATES AND MAGISTRACY, . . 67

LIST OF MAGISTRATES IN GOV. STUYVESANTS

TIME, 73

CITIZENS OF NEW AMSTERDAM ENROLLED AS

GREAT AND SMALL CITIZENS IN 1657.. . . £7

PAGE.

CONTRIBUTION AND TAX LIST IN 1655, ... 95

A DIRECTORY FOR NEW AMSTERDAM, SHEWING THE RESIDENTS IN THE SEVERAL STREETS, WITH THE CLASS OF THEIR DWELLINGS, . ^03

PROCEEDINGS IN NEW AMSTERDAM —ARISING OUT OF THE EXPECTED WAR WITH THE PEOPLE OF NEW ENGLAND, 114

PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR WITH THE SWEDES, 146

THE MASSACRE OF DUTCH PEOPLE BY THE INDIANS, 153

FEVER IN 165S, 155

APPENDIX, 159