Adriaen van der Donck

“ At a word, we could use those people and make them Netherlanders. Our neighbours must put up with it, and the people who now go to the New-Netherlands are not lost or destroyed, but are as if they were placed at interest, for we know how fast the population increases. ”

“ Thus they are induced to come to us, particularly craftsmen of every profession, who can always find advantageous employment, and in time, by conforming to our customs, become as citizens. Hence I conclude that out of this country we can send as many colonial settlers as Spain can, and one-half more, without missing any man out from the Netherlands. We could increase our strength by so doing; for they who are colonists in the New-Netherlands become Netherlanders as well as they do who become burghers here, and remain devoted to us. ”

“ The people of New-England are much stronger than we are; but that it will suit them better than it will us to enter into unnecessary disputes, is a matter I do not profess to know, seeing they possess a country wherein commerce must prosper, which they cannot pursue to advantage southward of Cape Cod without passing our channel within Long Island. Again, they lie open along the coast above one hundred miles, without forts, soldiers, or armaments for their security. Their planters and inhabitants are trained for defence against the Indians, for which they are sufficient ”

“ This I would now begin to understand with you; that the population of this city might not be unserviceable there, but this objection arises. When men of property and fashion go to that country, which is the case already, where, it is said, something may be gained, and where careful and industrious people flourish and prosper, for such become persons of importance, or at least their descendants do - what certainty can such persons have for themselves, and their property? ”

“ In conclusion, a country like the New-Netherlands, possesing such advantages for commerce, and that of and within itself, and abounding with articles for commerce beyond its own wants, which it can spare when attention is paid to the subject and the same be properly directed, will it not prosper? ”

“ Hence we have nothing to fear, although timid persons may have heavy minds about us, and say, after we have produced many articles, where will you shift and vend the same? Lastly, what will hinder the New-Netherlanders? Can they not visit France, Spain, Portugal, and the whole Mediterranean, as well from thence as from this country, when they have men and means? which two things their unfailing population will produce, if no more emigrate to the country. In such a case their own increase would in time be sufficient. The land, in process of time, will cover those advantages. ”

“ All other things are plenty, which, with the commerce of navigable streams, of which we will treat, quantities are sent to the islands in the West Indies, with which we have long since assisted the islands; and as the population increases, the productions will increase. The settlers who now come to the country raise their own provisions in the second year, and in the third year they have a surplus, which they exchange for wares and tobacco. ”

“ In New-Netherlands we have good courage, that when we have a more powerful population, we will be able to drive on a profitable trade by commissions or otherwise to those places. We have the means, and they cannot easily hinder us. ”

“ As for the native Indians they need not be feared. They may terrify a stranger or a new comer. Read the History of the New-Netherlands, under the title of their Wars, you will find no organized regiments, companies, or regular military force, they are impatient under restraint, and cannot effect much. The last war we had with them, when we were not half as strong as we now are, they remember so well that they will not readily begin again. ”

“ Thus in new countries at the first, there are few churchmasters but persons who anoint their own breast, and are careless about the means and the latter end, and regardless of the common good, worthy citizens not included. Still there are without deception many good men, who love orderly behaviour, and have erected good dwellings. ”

“ In Germany, under the Electors of Brandenburg, in the Palatine, and other places near at hand, there is land and territory enough; but that amounts to nothing, as they possess few places for trade, and therefore the countries cannot prosper.
New-Netherlander. We must look to commerce, and there we can have it; and that which at present is carried on in the New-Netherlands, consists mostly in grain, as wheat, rye, peas, barley, &c, and in pork, beef, fish, beer and wine, and what is necessary for families, for the back and the belly. ”

“ What kind of a country the New-Netherlands is, and how its possession was acquired, is fully detailed in the history of its discovery, whereon it is unnecessary to dilate in a particular manner. The West India Company, in connection with others from time to time, have expended many tons of gold in the establishment, and for the security of their colony. ”

“ Consider what quantities of peltries were purloined from the company, before the trade was thrown open, that may be best known by comparing the quantities then accounted for with the present shipments, although now the whole is not reported. After the trade has been free, little has been lost. All those who have knowledge on the subject know that the faith-penny which has been gained on the company's goods never came into their coffers, while all losses fell upon them. ”

“ Many fine farms, plantations, pasturages, grain fields, gardens and orchards, with many fine cattle; and if the land was not good, how could such things be there? From that which is not good, nothing extraordinary can be derived. ”

“ Fifthly. - And as we well know that this country is visited by many people who seek employment, and who always found business; but since the peace, there is not much employment, and there are many persons injuriously idle hence it certainly appears, that it would be of service to the country to settle another Netherland with the excess of our population, which can be easily done, as a sheet-anchor and support to the state. ”

“ To be brief, we consider the countries which lay contiguous to Spain, as Italy, France., and Portugal, as good as Spain itself, where there is abundant employment for vigilant native citizens, who are more frequently consumed and destroyed by wars than with us ”

“ You say in the second place, that the country is unprovided with proper fortifications for its defence, and that its seaboard is unprotected, the land sides also. You advance too much. Observe, sir, that the South and the North rivers, are lead-men's waters, [2] and for those who are unacquainted, the risk is great and the entries almost impossible. ”

“ In common I observe some reasons advanced by you; but I have frequently heard persons of understanding say that Spain need not thank herself for her outlandish colonies, because they attract so many persons from home as frequently to create internal troubles and injury, and leave dwellings vacant and neglected. ”

“ For I consider that to be a country which we have found, which is easy of access by sea and by land, open and unsupplied, or unfurnished with any considerable fortifications. The English and the Indians are strong and numerous around it. ”

“ The bars and sand flats frequently shift their positions, and when an enemy has entered, his work is not done, he must come to places where he will find business, and pass forts of considerable strength on advantageous positions, equal to the forts of this country ”

“ The Hook and the head lands will be fortified, and what is more, without passing under the cannon of Fort Amsterdam, you cannot get there, whereon there are so many cannon mounted, that I am of opinion the half will not be required to repel any invading foe for fifty years to come. ”

“ It is true you might with great hazard effect a landing, but your work would not be over, for the whole coast of the New-Netherlands presents double forelands, between which lay broad shallow waters, or there are islands two or three deep ”

“ All this appears favourable against an outward invasion from the sea; but you have the Indians within, and the English are numerous on either side. You know very well how dangerous it is to have such powerful and ticklish neighbours. ”

“ They who can import articles, find many kinds of peltries, such as beaver skins, otters, bears, elk and deer skins, &c, as may be seen in the History of the country. The planting of vineyards is progressing, and in time will be of importance. ”