On the 29th of August, 1641, the following proposals were made by the Director General and Council to the heads of families residing at and near New Amsterdam : " When the Indian warriors are absent on their hunting expeditions, then we may divide ourselves into two parties, one to land at Kapels and the other at Weckquaeskeeck and take them by surprise on both sides. The Director to supply as many negroes as he can spare, and arm them with a tommahawk and small half pike." Valentine's Manual, 1866, p. 537.

b OTallaghan's ITist. X. N. p. 240, l.

eO'Callaghan's Illst. N. N. p. 241. Journal van Nleuw Nederlandt, HoL Doc v. 314. De Vries corroborates the statements tn the text, d O'tallaghan's Di.-t. N. N. p. 242.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

two years stationed at New Amsterdam, to proceed with a force of eighty men against the Weckquaskecks, to execute summary vengeance upon that tribe, with fire and sword."

To ensure complete success, the expedition was placed under the di rection of a trusty guide, who professed to be intimately acquainted with the homes and haunts of the savages. This party started in the fore part of March, and pushed actively forward towards the Indian village; but fortune favored the red man. The night set in clouded and dark ; and when the expedition reached Armeperahin,a Van Dyck called a halt, notwithstanding the entreaties of his men to push on, ere the savages should have warning of their approach. An hour and a half was thus lost ; the guide then missed his way, whereupon Van Dyck lost temper, and made a retrograde movement to Fort Amsterdam, whither he returned without having accomplished the object for which he had been detailed. The expedition, however, was not without its effect.