Dedham.
The eighteenth is in the Government of theMattachusets, and call’dDedham, being an Inland Town, situate about ten Miles fromBostonin the County ofSuffolk, well water’d with many pleasant Streams, and abounding with Gardens and Fruit-Trees: It consisted at first of about a hundred Families, being generally given to Husbandry.
Weymouth.
The nineteenth being also in this Government is call’dWeymouth, batter’d on the East with the Sea Waves; on the South-West Rocks and Swamps make it delightful to the Deer, as the ploughable Meadow-Lands to the Inhabitants.
About the Year 1638.Printingwas brought over intoNew England.
Rowly.
About six Miles fromIpswich, North-Eastward, was erected another Town call’dRowly, being the twentieth.
Hampton.
About the Year 1639. began the one and twentieth TownHampton, in the County ofNorfolk, to be built: It is situate near the Sea-Coast, not far from the River ofMerrimeck: The great store of salt Marsh did entice the People to set down their Habitations there.
Salisbury.
Not far from this Town ofHampton, was erected the two and twentieth, call’dSalisbury, seated upon the broad swift Torrent ofMerrimeck-River: It lieth on the Northern side, over against the Town ofNewbury, the River between them being about half a Mile broad, but hath an Island in the midst thereof, which makes it the more easily passable. The situation of this Town is very pleasant, the Skirts thereof abounding in fair and goodly Meadows, with good store of stately Timber in many places upon the Uplands.
Long-Island, Southampton.
About the Year 1640. by a fresh Supply of People that setled inLong-Island, was there erected the twenty third Town, call’dSouthampton; by the Indians,Agawom.
Sudbury.
The same Year also the Town ofSudbury, being the twenty fourth, began to be built in the Inland Countrey: It is furnish’d with great store of fresh Marsh, but lying very low, it is much endammag’d with Land-floods.
Braintree.
About this time there was built at MountWollestone, by some old Planters and certain Farmers of the great Town ofBoston, a Town nam’dBraintree, being the twenty fifth, within theMattachusetsGovernment: It is well peopled, and hath great store of Land in Tillage.
Gloucester.
In the Year 1641. Mr.Richard Blindmancoming fromGreen Harbour, a Place inPlymouthPatent, with some few People of his acquaintance, setled inCape Anne, where they built the twenty sixth Town, and nam’d itGloucester.
Dover.
There is also situate uponPuscataqueRiver, to the North-East ofBoston, a Town call’dDover, being the twenty seventh, the People by voluntary resignation being under theMattachusetsGovernment.
Wooburn.
In the Year 1642. was erected the eight and twentieth Town, call’dWooburn.
Reading.
In the Year 1644.Readingthe nine and twentieth Town was built, being in the Government of theMattachusets; it is well water’d and situated about a great Pond, having two Mills, a Saw-Mill, and a Corn-Mill, which stand upon two several Streams.
Wenham.
A little after was built the thirtieth Town in this Colony, call’dWenham, situate betweenSalemandIpswich; it is very well water’d, as most Inland Towns are, and the People live altogether on Husbandry.
Spring-field.
About the Year 1645. one Mr.Pinchin, having out of desire to improve his Estate by Trading with theIndians, setled himself in a place very remote from any of the Towns of theMattachusetsColony, yet under their Government, and great store of People still resorting to him, they at last erected a Town upon the RiverCanectico, calling itSpring-field, being the one and thirtieth Town; it is very fitly seated for a Beaver Trade with theIndians, in regard it is situate upon this large Navigable River, and upon some Rivulets of the same.
Haverhill.
In the Year 1648. was founded the Town ofHaverhill, being the two and thirtieth, about a Mile or two from the place where the River ofMerrimeckreceives into it self the RiverShawshin, which is one of her three chief Heads.
Malden.
Not long after, the Town ofMalden, being the three and thirtieth Town, was built by certain People that came out ofCharles-Town; these two Towns being sever’d the one from the other by the large River ofMistick.
The rest we shall onely name, as 34.Berwick, aliasChawun. 35Oxford, aliasSagoquas.Falmouth, aliasTotam. 36.Bristol.37.Hull, aliasPassataquack. 38.Dartmouth, aliasBohanna. 39.Norwich, aliasSegocket. 40.Taunton, aliasCohannet. 41.Greens-Harbour.42.Yarmouth.43.Northam, aliasPascataqua. 44.Exeter.45.Weymouth.
The chief Rivers ofNew Englandare,Pascataway,Sagadahoc,Pemmaquid,Agamentico,Merrimeck,Tachobacco,Mistick,Narraganset,Mishuwin,Connectacut,Newichwavoch,Kynebequy.
The present state of the Natives.
TheIndianNatives are now become so weak in number, and in some measure reduc’d to a dread of the growth of theEnglish, that of late years they have not practis’d any thing against them, or at least, not justifi’d them by numbers in open Hostility, willing rather to purchase their Peace and buy off Injuries committed by them at the Price of their Lands and Possessions.
And although care and expence hath been many years apply’d to the Conversion ofIndiansto the Faith, however inclinable they seem’d at first to the imbracing thereof, not then so well discerning the insincerity of its Professors; yet there are so few of late who do imbrace it or persevere in it (wanting a good Foundation for instruction in Moral Honesty, and perhaps the example of it in those that undertake to instruct them in Religion;) thatChristianityto them seems aChimera, Religion a design to draw them from the libidinous Pleasures of a lazy Life; however, some there are who make Profession ofChristianity, and some who are educated in the Schools ofNew Cambridge, to entitle them to Preach the Gospel in their own Language.
One great hindrance to the Propagation of the Faith amongst thoseHeathens, is the diversity of their Languages; for it is commonly known, that the Natives themselves do not understand one another, if their Habitations are but at forty Miles distance.
Church-Government among theEnglish.
Their Church-Government and Discipline is Congregational and Independent, yet in some places more rigid than others, for in many Towns there yet remains some leaven ofPresbytery, from which Sects ourIndependencyhad its Original; insomuch,that one of the most remarkable Opposers ofEpiscopal Government, DoctorBastwick(who, spoil’d so much Paper in railing at the Church Government ofEngland, and crying upLiberty of Conscience) finding the Apostacy of his own Brethren ofBostonfrom their first Principles, and his, generally prevail over them, even to the denying that liberty to others, which they seem’d only to aim at, did write a large and vehementDehortatory Epistleto them from theirNew LightsorPaths, saying,That according to their present Tenents, they could not pretend to be, or other than a Christian Synagogue.
Their Civil Government and Laws.
Their Laws and Methods of Government are wholly of their own framing, each Colony for themselves, makes an Annual choice of Governor, Deputy Governor, and a certain number of Assistants, by the plurality of Suffrages collected from their several Towns, the Electors are only Free-men and Church-Members; for he that is not a Member of their Church, can neither chuse, nor be chosen a Magistrate, nor have his Children Baptiz’d; besides the loss of many other Priviledges, and liable moreover to frequent, if not constant Mulcts for absenting themselves fromDivine Worship(so call’d) in their Meeting-houses.
Since the transmitting of the Patent inNew England, the Election is not by Voices, nor erection of Hands as formerly, but by Papers, thus:
The general Court-electory sitting, where are present in the Church, or Meeting-house atBoston, the old Governor, Deputy, and all the Magistrates, and two Deputies or Burgesses for every Town, or at least one; all the Freemen are bid to come in at one Door, and bring their Votes in Paper for the new Governor, and deliver them down upon the Table, before the Court, and so pass forth at another Door; those that are absent, send their Votes by Proxies. All being deliver’d in, the Votes are counted, and according to the major part, the old Governor pronounceth,That such an one is chosen Governor for the year ensuing. Then the Freemen, in like manner, bring their Votes for the Deputy Governor, who being also chosen, the Governor propoundeth the Assistants one after another. New Assistants are, of late, put in nomination, by an Order of general Court, beforehand to be consider’d of: If a Freeman give in a Blank, that rejects the Man nam’d; if the Freeman makes any mark with a Pen upon the Paper which he brings, that elects the Man nam’d: Then the Blanks and mark’d Papers are number’d, and according to the major part of either, the Man in Nomination stands elected or rejected; and so for all the Assistants. And after every new Election, which is, by their Patent, to be upon the last Wednesday inEasterTerm, the new Governor and Officers are all new Sworn. The Governor and Assistants chuse the Secretary. And all the Court consisting of Governor, Deputy, Assistants, and Deputies of Towns, give their Votes as well as the rest; and the Ministers and Elders, and all Church-Officers, have their Votes also in all these Elections of chief Magistrates: Constables, and all other inferior Officers, are sworn in the general, quarter, or other Courts, or before any Assistant.
Every Free-man when he is admitted, takes a strict Oath, to be true to the Society or Jurisdiction.
There are two general Courts, one every half year, wherein they make Laws or Ordinances: The Ministers advise in making of Laws, especially Ecclesiastical, and are present in Courts, and advise in some special Causes Criminal, and in framing of Fundamental Laws.
There are besides four Quarter-Courts for the whole Jurisdiction, besides other petty Courts, one every quarter atBoston,Salem, andIpswich, with their several Jurisdictions; besides every Town, almost, hath a petty Court for small Debts and Trespasses, under twenty Shillings.
Actions and Causes.
In the general Court, or great quarter Courts, before the Civil Magistrates, are try’d all Actions and Causes Civil and Criminal, and also Ecclesiastical, especially touching Non-members: And they themselves say, that in the general and quarter Courts, they have the Power of Parliament, Kings-Bench, Common-Pleas, Chancery, High-Commission, and Star-Chamber, and all other Courts ofEngland, and in divers Cases have exercis’d that Power upon the Kings Subjects there, as is not difficult to prove. They have put to death, banish’d, fin’d Men, cut off Mens Ears, whip’d, imprison’d Men, and all these for Ecclesiastical and Civil Offences, and without sufficient Record. In the lesser quarter Courts are try’d, in some, Actions under ten Pounds, inBoston, under twenty, and all Criminal Causes not touching Life or Member. From the petty quarter Courts, or other Courts, the parties may appeal to the great quarter Courts, from thence to the general Court, from which there is no Repeal.
Grand-Juries.
Twice a year, in the said quarter Courts held before the general Courts, are two Grand-Juries sworn for the Jurisdiction, one for one Court, and the other for the other; and they are charg’d to enquire and Present Offences reduc’d by the Governor who gives the Charge.
Trials.
Matters of Debt, Trespass, and upon the Case, and Equity, yea and of Heresie also, are try’d by a Jury.
The Parties are warn’d to challenge any Jury-man before he be sworn; but because there is but one Jury in a Court for trial of Causes; and all Parties not present at their Swearing, the liberty of challenge is much hinder’d, and some inconveniences do happen thereby. Jurors are return’d by the Marshal, he was at first call’dThe Beadle of the Society.
The Parties in all Causes, speak themselves for the most part, and some of the Magistrates where they think cause requireth, do the part of Advocates without Fee or Reward.
Though among the several Colonies which were founded here by the confluence of dissenting Zealots, this Government is exercis’d, differing from that of the Church and State ofEngland: yet in those Provinces which are granted by particular Persons, the Government is much more conformable to that ofEngland; but as theMattachusetsorBostonerswere from the beginning the most Potent and Predominant of all the rest of the Colonies, (insomuch, thatBostonmay well be accounted the Metropolis of allNew England,) so of late years they have still usurp’d more and more Power and Authority over the rest; and especially have not stuck to give Laws to the foresaid Provinces allotted to particular Persons, and have gone about wholly to subjugate those places to themselves, intrenching upon the rights of the true Proprietors; and that, even contrary to the Kings express Commands by his Officers, there, and as it were in open defiance of his Majesty and Government, as is evident from this following Narration, of their behavior upon a business of this nature.
Proceedings of theMattachusetsagainst his Majesties Commissioners.
In the Year of our Lord 1665. his Majesties Commissioners for the Affairs ofNew England, being in the Province ofMayne, the People being much unsetled in Point or Government, by reason theMattachusetsColony, orBostonGovernment, did usurp compulsively a Power over them contrary to their wills; and the right of SirFerdinando GorgesHeir, who had his Commission then in the place, did unanimously Petition to his Majesties Commissioners to settle the Government; upon which the said Commissioners examin’d the Bounds and Right of Mr.GorgesPatent, with all the Allegations and Pretensions on both sides, and so accordingto their Instruction from his Majesty, did settle a temporary Government under his Majesty’s immediate Authority, until such time as his Majesty should give his final determination thereof; and for that end did Institute Justices of the Peace to Govern the Province according to the true Laws ofEngland. Also his Majesty was pleas’d by hisMandamusinApril 1666, to the Governors ofBoston, to signifie that it was his will and pleasure, That the Province ofMainshould stand good as his Commissioners had setled it, until he had more leisure to determine it; yet notwithstanding, after three years quiet possession, and exercising of Government by the Kings Justices, according to their Commission granted by his Majesty’s Commissioners, theBostoners, without any Conference with the said Justices, did in a hostile manner oppose the King’s Power,July 1668.which was as followeth:
The General Court ofBostonsent their Warrants to keep Court atYorkunder their Authority, and for that purpose Commissionated Magistrates by their own Authority, namely Major GeneralJohn Leveret, Mr.Edward Ting, CaptainRichard Walden, and CaptainRobert Pike: Whereupon the King’s Justices did oppose their Warrants, and sent Post toNew York, with an Address to GeneralNicholas, for Advice what to do therein; who forthwith dispatch’d away to the Governors ofBoston, informing them of the danger of their Proceeding, it being an open breach of Duty, to subvert the Government establish’d by his Majesty’s Power; also sent the King’sMandamus,April 1666.that will’d to the contrary. Notwithstanding theBostonMagistrates inJuly 1668.in order to theirBostonCommission, came toYorkTown in the said Province, with several Armed Men, Horse and Foot, to keep Court under their Authority; Opposition was made by the King’s Justices, and his Majesty’s Power was urg’d, but little regard thereunto shewn; his MajestiesMandamuswas likewise much insisted upon, and produced by the Justices, who ask’d theBostonerswhat they thought of it? and how they durst act so contrary to the King’s Will and Pleasure? Major GeneralLeverettold them, That he believ’d it might be the King’s Hand, but he had a Commission from the general Court atBoston, which he would follow and observe by the help of God. The same day in the Afternoon the said Major GeneralLeveret, with the rest of theBostonMagistrates, seiz’d and imprison’d the Province Marshal in doing his Office, and then forthwith went in warlike posture to the Court-house, where the King’s Justices sat in Judicature, and putting them from their Seats, sat down themselves in their Places, and Executed theirBostonCommission. The King’s Justices drew aProtestagainst their Proceedings, and so left the Decision to God’s Providence, and his Majesty’s good Pleasure. Then they turn’d out all Officers, both Military and Civil, and Swore others in their Places under their Authority; they forc’d the whole Record of the Province out of the Recorders House contrary to his Will, by vertue of a Special Warrant from that Court. They imprison’d the Mayor of the said Province about three weeks, forcing him to give in five hundred Pound Bonds, not to act according to his Commission; which with some Reservations he was forc’d to deny for the security of his Estate.
These riotous Proceedings thus acted with such a precipitate fury, so incens’d his Majesty, that speedy care had been taken to reduce them to reason, had they not upon mature consideration bethought themselves afterwards to yield Obedience to his Majesties Orders.
Having treated at large of all that concernsNew Englandin general, both in reference to the Natives and theEnglishPlanters, we shall conclude with a brief view of the Provinces ofLaconiaandMain, as they are truly Describ’d (among other ingenuous Collections and Observations of the Affairs ofAmerica, and especiallythese Parts) byFerdinando GorgesEsq; Heir to the above-mention’d SirFerdinando, and thereby sole Lord of the said Provinces, onely contracting what hath been by him deliver’d more at large.
A brief Description ofLaconia, a Province inNew England.
Among divers Plantations of theEnglishhappily Founded inNew England, is a Province to the Landward, nam’dLaconia, so call’d by reason of the great Lakes therein, but by the ancient Inhabitants thereof it is call’dThe Countrey of the Troquois: It lies between the Latitude of forty four and forty five Degrees, having the Rivers ofSagadehockandMerrimeckon the Sea-Coast ofNew England, Southerly from it; into each of which Rivers there is a short Passage, frequented by the Salvages inhabiting near the Lakes. Also it hath the great Lakes which tend towardsCaliforniain the South Sea on the West thereof: On the North thereof is the great River ofCanada, into which the said River disgorgeth it self by a fair large River, well replenish’d with many fruitful Islands: The Air thereof is pure and wholesom, the Countrey pleasant, having some high Hills, full of goodly Forrests, and fair Valleys and Plains, fruitful in Corn, Vines, Chesnuts, Wallnuts, and infinite sorts of other Fruits, large Rivers well stor’d with Fish, and inviron’d with goodly Meadows full of Timber-trees.
One of the great Lakes is call’dThe Lake of Troquois, which together with a River of the same Name, running into the River ofCanada, is sixty or seventy Leagues in length.
In the Lake are four fair Islands, which are low and full of goodly Woods and Meadows, having store of Game for Hunting, as Stags, Fallow-Deer, Elks, Roe-Bucks, Beavers, and other sorts of Beasts which come from the Main Land to the said Islands.
The Rivers which fall into the Lakes have in them good store of Beavers; of which Beasts, as also of the Elks, the Salvages make their chiefest Traffick.
The said Islands have been inhabited heretofore by the Salvages, but are now abandon’d by reason of their late Wars one with another: They contain twelve or fifteen Leagues in length, and are seated commodiously for Habitation in the midst of the Lake, which abounds with divers kinds of wholesom Fish.
From this Lake run two Rivers Southward, which fall into the Eastern and Southern Sea-Coast ofNew England.
Into this Lake there went many years since certainFrenchofQuebeck, who sided with theAlgovinquins, with the help of theirCanoos, which they carried the space of five Miles over theImpossible Falls, to Fight a Battel in revenge of some former Injuries done by theTroquoisto theAlgovinquins, who had the Victory; for which cause theFrenchhave been so hated ever since by the Nation of theTroquois, that none of them durst ever appear in any part of that Lake. But their Trade, said to be sixteen thousand Beavers yearly, is partly sold to theDutch, who Trade with the Westend of the said Lake over Land by Horses, from their Plantation uponHudson’sRiver: and another part is conceiv’d to be purchas’d by theHiroons, who being Newters, are Friends both to the one and the other; and theseHiroonsbring down the greatest part of all by the River ofCanada.
The Way over Land to this great Lake, from the Plantation ofPascataway, hath been attempted by CaptainWalter Neale, once Governor, at the Charges of SirFerdinando Gorges, CaptainMason, and some Merchants ofLondon, and the Discovery wanted but one days Journey of finishing, because their Victuals was spent, which, for want of Horses, they were enforc’d to carry with their Arms, and their Clothes, upon their Backs: They intended to have made a settlement for Trade by Pinnaces upon the said Lake, which they reckon to be about ninety or a hundred Miles from the Plantation over Land.
The People of the Countrey are given to Hunting of wild Beasts, which is their chiefest Food.
Their Arms are Bowes and Arrows. Their Armor is made partly of Wood, and partly of a kind of twisted Stuff like Cotton-Wool.
Their Meat is Flour ofIndianCorn, of that Countreys growth, sodden to Pap, which they preserve for times of Necessity when they cannot Hunt.
This Province ofLaconia, however known by a distinct Name, is included within the Province ofMain, which offers it self next to our consideration.
Of the Province ofMain.
All that part of the Continent ofNew England, which was allotted by Patent to SirFerdinando Gorgesand to his Heirs, he thought fit to call by the Name ofThe Province of Main. It takes it beginning at the entrance ofPascatowayHarbor, and so passeth up the same into the River ofNewichwavoch; and through the same unto the farthest Head thereof; and from thence North-Westwards for the space of a hundred and twenty Miles; and from the Mouth ofPascatowayHarbor aforesaid, North-Eastward along the Sea-Coast, toSagadehock; and up the River thereof toKinibequyRiver, even as far as the Head thereof; and into the Land North-Westwards, for the space of a hundred and twenty Miles.
To these Territories are also adjoyn’d the North half of the Isles ofSholes, together with the Isles ofCapawickandNautican, as also all the little Islands lying within five Leagues of theMain, all along the Sea-Coast, between the aforesaid Rivers ofPascatowayandSagadehock.
He no sooner had this Province setled upon him, but he gave publick notice, That if anyone would undertake by himself and his Associates, to Transport a competent number of Inhabitants, to Plant in any part of his Limits, he would assign unto him or them such a proportion of Land, as should in reason satisfie them, reserving onely to himself some small High-Rent, as 2s.or 2s.6d.for a hundred Acresper Annum: and if they went about to build any Town or City, he would Endow them with such Liberties and Immunities, as should make them capable to Govern themselves within their own Limits, according to the Liberties granted to any Town or Corporation within this Realm ofEngland. And as for others of the meaner sort who went as Tenants, that they should have such quantities of Land assign’d them as they were able to manage, at the Rate of 4d.or 6d.an Acre, according to the nature or situation of the Place they settle in.
And for the Division of the Province, and the Form of Government which he intended to Establish, he first divided the Province into several Parts; and those again he subdivided into distinct Regiments, as East, West, North, and South; those again into several Hundreds, Parishes and Tythings, and these to have their several Officers to Govern, according to such Laws as should be agreed upon by publick Assent of the Free-holders, with the approbation of himself or Deputy, and the principal Officers of the publick State.
The setled Government for the general State, to whom all Appeals were to be made, and from whom all Instructions for the welfare of the Publick were to issue, were to consist of himself or his Deputy, who was to be chosen every three year by himself, with the advice of his Council: Next a Chancellor for the determination of all Causes; A Treasurer, to whom the care of the publick Revenue was to be committed; A Marshal, whose Office was to oversee the Regiments, and to provide Men for publick Service; An Admiral, to take care of all Maritime Affairs, to whom a Judge of the Admiralty was to be joyn’d to determine all Maritime Causes; A Master of the Ordnance, to look to the publick Arms and Ammunition; A Secretary, to receive Intelligence, and to acquaint himself or Deputytherewith. To these belong all their several Officers and Ministers for the Execution of all Matters proper to their several Places.
The chief Town of this Province is call’dGorgiana, which is Govern’d by a Mayor, the rest are onely inconsiderable Villages or scatter’d Houses; but through Encouragement given to Adventurers and Planters, it may prove in time a very flourishing Place, and be replenish’d with many fair Towns and Cities, it being a Province both fruitful and pleasant.
That Tract of Land formerly call’dThe New Netherland, doth contain all that Land which lieth in the North parts ofAmerica, betwixtNew EnglandandMary-Land; the length of which Northward into the Countrey, as it hath not been fully discover’d, so it is not certainly known: The breadth of it is about two hundred Miles. The principal Rivers within this Tract, areHudson’s-River,Raritan-River,Delaware-Bay-River. The chief Islands are theManhatans-Island,Long-Island, andStaten-Island.
The first which discover’d this Countrey wasHenry Hudson, who being hir’d by theEast-IndiaCompany to seek a Passage in theNorthern AmericatoChina, set SailAnno 1609.in theHalf-MoonFrigat; coming beforeTerre-neuff, he stood about towards the South-West, where Sailing up a great River, he found two Men Clad inRuffelo’s Skins; and from thence arriv’d safe atAmsterdam.
New Netherlandthus discover’d, invited many Merchants to settle a firm Plantation there; to which purpose they obtain’d Letters Patents in 1614. granted them by theStatesin theHague, That they might onely Traffick toNew Netherland; whereupon they earnestly prosecuting the Design, sent outAdrian BlockandGodyn, who discover’d several Coasts, Isles, Havens, and Rivers.
The Countrey, as they said, being then void, was therefore free for any body that would take possession of it: Notwithstanding which pretence, they were scarce warm in their Quarters, when SirSamuel Argal, Governor ofVirginia, having first spoil’d theFrenchinAccadie, as we said, disputed the Possession with these also. And although they pleadedHudson’s Right (who by Commission from KingJames, and upon anEnglishAccount, had lately discover’d those Parts) and pretended they had not onely bought all his Cards and Maps of the Countrey, but all his Interest and Right also, and had fully contented him for all his Pains and Charges in the Discovery; yet the saidHudsonbeing anEnglish-man, and acting all that he did by Commission from the King ofEngland, upon Debate it was concluded, That the Land could not be alienated after Discovery without the King ofEngland’s consent, especially it being but a part of the Province ofVirginia, already possess’d by the Subjects ofEngland: So that they were forc’d to wave that Title, and theDutchGovernor submitted his Plantation to His Majesty ofEngland, and to the Governor ofVirginia, for and under him: Upon which Terms for a good while they held it. Afterwards, upon confidence, it seems, of a new Governor sent fromAmsterdam, they not onely fail’d to pay the promis’d Contribution and Tribute, but fell to fortifie themselves, and to entitle the Merchants ofAmsterdamto an absolute Propriety and Dominion of the Country, independent of any other; building Towns, asNew Amsterdam; raising Forts, asOrange Fort, near the Branch of theNordt River, which they callHell-Gate. Complaint whereof being made to KingCharles, and by his Ambassador represented to theStates, they disown the business, and declare by Publick Instrument, that it was onely a private Undertaking,viz.of theWest-IndiaCompany ofAmsterdam. Whereupon a Commission was granted to SirGeorge Calvert, made LordBaltimoreinIreland, to Possess and Plant the Southern parts thereof, lying towardsVirginia, by the name ofMary-land; and to SirEdmund Loyden, to Plant the Northern parts towardsNew England, by the name ofNova Albion: Which makes theDutchthe second time seem willing to compound; and for the Sum of two thousand and five hundred Pounds, they offer to be gone, and leave all they had there. But taking advantage of the troubles inEngland, which then began to appear, and soon after follow’d, they not only go back from their first Propositions, and make higher Demands, but also most mischievously (as some report) furnish the Natives with Arms, and teach them the use of them, as it may be thought, expecting to use their help upon occasion, against theEnglish.
NOVI BELGII
After His Majesties Restauration, His Majesty being truly inform’d of his just Pretences to all that Usurp’d Territory call’dNew Netherland, (the same having been formerly part ofNew England) and of how great prejudice to the Act of Navigation, and how dangerous Intruders theDutchmenare generally upon other Princes Dominions, what mischief might ensue to all ourEnglishPlantations in time of War, if theDutchwere permitted to strengthen themselves in the very heart of His Majesties Dominions, being Masters of one of the most commodious Ports and Rivers inAmerica: His Majesty resolv’d to seize upon the same, as his undoubted Right, and inMay 1664.having design’d four Commissioners to the perfecting of Affairs inNew England, CollonelRichard Nichols, SirRobert Carr,George Cartwright, andSamuel MawrickEsquires, with three Ships of War to convey them toBoston: The matter was so order’d, that the same Ships serv’d for the reducing of the Town and Fort ofNew Amsterdam, upon conditions, advantageous to His Majesty, and easie to theDutch.
Now beginsNew Netherlandto lose the Name, for His Majesty having conferr’d by Patent upon his Royal Highness the Duke ofYorkandAlbany, all the Acquisitions made upon Foraigners, together withLong-Island, the West end whereof was wholly setled and Peopled byDutch-men; his Royal Highness impower’d, by Commission as his Deputy-Governor, ColonelNichols, Groom of his Bed-chamber, to take the Charge and Direction of Reducing and Governing all those Territories; it was by him thought fit, to change some principal denominations of Places,viz.New NetherlandintoYork-shire;New AmsterdamintoNew York;Fort-AmscelintoFort-James;Fort-OrangeintoFort-Albany; and withal, to changeBurgomasters,Schepen, andSchout, into Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriff, with Justices of the Peace; so that all the Civil Policy is conformable to the Methods and Practise ofEngland, whereasNew Englandretains only the name ofConstablein their whole Rolls of Civil Officers.
It is plac’d upon the neck of the IslandManhatans, looking towards the Sea; encompass’d withHudson’s River, which is six Miles broad; the Town is compact and oval, with very fair Streets and several good Houses; the rest are built much after the manner ofHolland, to the number of about four hundred Houses, which in those parts are held considerable: Upon one side of the Town isJames-Fort, capable to lodge three hundred Souldiers and Officers; it hath four Bastions, forty Pieces of Cannon mounted; the Walls of Stone, lin’d with a thick Rampart of Earth; well accommodated with a Spring of fresh Water, always furnish’d with Arms and Ammunition, against Accidents: Distant from the Sea seven Leagues, it affords a safe Entrance, even to unskilful Pilots; under the Town side, Ships ofany Burthen may Ride secure against any Storms, the Current of the River being broken by the interposition of a small Island, which lies a Mile distant from the Town.
About ten Miles fromNew Yorkis a Place call’dHell-Gate, which being a narrow Passage, there runneth a violent Stream both upon Flood and Ebb; and in the middle lie some Rocky Islands, which the Current sets so violently upon, that it threatens present Shipwrack; and upon the Flood is a large Whirlwind, which continually sends forth a hideous roaring, enough to affright any Stranger from passing farther, and to wait for someCharonto conduct him through; yet to those that are well acquainted, little or no danger: It is a place of great Defence against any Enemy coming in that way, which a small Fortification would absolutely prevent, and necessitate them to come in at the West end ofLong-IslandbySandy Hook, whereNutten Islandforces them within the Command of the Fort atNew York, which is one of the best Pieces of Defence in the North parts ofAmerica. It is built most of Brick and Stone, and cover’d with red and black Tyle, and the Land being high, it gives at a distance a pleasing prospect to the Spectators. The Inhabitants consist most ofEnglishandDutch, and have a considerable Trade withIndiansfor Beaver, Otter, andRackoon-Skins, with other Furrs; as also for Bear, Deer andElke-Skins; and are supply’d with Venison and Fowl in the Winter, and Fish in the Summer by theIndians, which they buy at an easie Rate; and having the Countrey round about them, they are continually furnish’d with all such Provisions as is needful for the Life of Man, not onely by theEnglishandDutchwithin their own, but likewise by the adjacent Colonies.
ManhattansRiver.
TheManhattans, orGreat River, being the chiefest, having with two wide Mouths wash’d the mighty IslandWatouwaks, falls into the Ocean. The Southern Mouth is call’dPort May, orGodyns Bay. In the middle thereof lies an Island call’dThe States Island; and a little higher theManhattans, so call’d from the Natives, which on the East side of the River dwell on the Main Continent. They are a cruel People, and Enemies to theHollanders, as also of theSanhikans, which reside on the Western Shore. Farther up are theMakwaesandMahikans, which continually War one against another. In like manner all the Inhabitants on the West side of the RiverManhattanare commonly at Enmity with those that possess the Eastern Shore; who also us’d to be at variance with theHollanders, when as the other People Westward kept good Correspondency with them.
On a small Island near the Shore of theMakwaes, lay formerly a Fort, provided with two Drakes and eleven Stone Guns, yet was at last deserted.
Wholesom Waters.
This Countrey hath many removable Water-falls, descending from steep Rocks, large Creeks and Harbors, fresh Lakes and Rivulets, pleasant Fountains and Springs, some of which boyl in the Winter, and are cold and delightful to drink in Summer. The Inhabitants never receive any damage by Deluges; neither from the Sea, because the Water rises not above a Foot; nor by the swelling Rivers, which sometimes, for a few days covering the Plains, at their deserting them, leave them fat and fruitful. The Sea-Coast is Hilly, and of a sandy and clayie Soil, which produces abundance of Herbs and Trees.
Trees.
The Oak grows there generally sixty or seventy Foot high, and for the most part free from Knots, which makes it the better fit for Shipping.
The Nut-trees afford good Fuel, and a strange Prospect when the Wood is set on fire, either to hunt out a Deer, or to clear the Ground fit to be Till’d.
Some Plants brought hither, grow better than inHollandit self, as Apples, Pears, Cherries, Peaches, Apricocks, Strawberries, and the like.
NOVUM AMSTERODAMUM
Vines.
Their Vines grow wild in most places, and bear abundance of blue, white, and Muskadine Grapes: Sometime since the Inhabitants made a considerable advantage by the Wine of them, which is not inferior to eitherRhenishorFrench.
Water Lemmons.
All manner of Plants known inEuropegrow in their Gardens: The Water-Lemmons, no less pleasing to the Palate than healthful when grown ripe; they are about the bigness of an indifferent Cabbage: theEnglishpress a Juice out of them, which if it did not turn sowre in a short time, might well be compar’d withSpanishWine.
TheCalabasheswhich grow there, made hollow, serve for Water-cups.
Pumpions are also there in great abundance.
Wheat.
Their Wheat though Set six Foot deep, grows very speedily: Kidney-Beans being planted amongst it, they will wind about the Stalks thereof.
Pease.
Gray Pease grow here so fast, that they gather them twice a year.
In one Field Physical Herbs andIndigogrow wild in great abundance; and Barley springs above a Mans heighth.
Moreover, there are divers sorts of sweet-smelling Flowers.
Soyl of the Mountains.
The Hills are most of a fat and clayie Soil, fit to make Pots, Tobacco-pipes, or any other sort of Earthen Ware.
Gold and Silver-Mines.
In some places also is store of Mountain Crystal, and that sort of Mineral which we callMuscovia Glass: Others afford Marble, Serpentine Stone, and other sorts of hard Stone. And though the Natives did not think it worth their while, or were not in a capacity to dig for Minerals themselves, yet it remains without contradiction, that the Mountains inclose both Gold and Silver.
When CaptainWilliam Clieff,Anno 1645.us’d theIndianInterpreterAgheroense(to decide the Differences which arose between theWest-India Companyand the wild People call’dMakwaes,) he observ’d him to paint his Face with a yellow glittering colour, which he judg’d to be of some rich Mineral: whereupon buying some of the saidAgheroense, he put it into a Crusible, and gain’d two small pieces of Gold out of the same, valu’d at six Shillings; but keeping it private, and purchasing agreat quantity of the said Mineral fromAgheroense(who had show’d him the Mountain which produced the same) extracted good store of Gold out of it; which possessingClieffwith a belief of having found out a business of great consequence, he sentArent CorsenofNew-havenwith the fore-mention’d Mineral toHolland; but the Ship being never heard of afterwards, and the Princess Pink, in which CaptainClieffwas himself, with store of the new-found Mineral, being cast away, the Business came to nothing.
Paint after a strange manner.
The Inhabitants, though divided into several Nations, yet agree in many things, as in painting their Bodies, Shields, Clubs, and other Utensils in their Houses. The Colours wherewith they paint themselves they press out of Plants, or make them of certain Stones grownd into very fine Powder. The chiefest Plant is not unlike the Myrtle, onely it hath more Boughs, and bears red Berries; the Juice of which being dry’d in the Sun, is afterwards preserv’d in little Bags. The Natives temper their Colours with Water, and paint their Bodies with the same: It is as good a Purple as can be found. They also draw Ships, Trees, and Beasts after a very rough manner: In stead of Feathers they wear pleited Hair, which being colour’d red, hath an excellent gloss, which never fades though it Rain on the same.