The entire conduct of the Indians in their subsequent relations with the Europeans who settled in the land and gradually absorbed it was in strict keeping with the grim and fearless attitude shown upon this all the refirst occasion. To manifestations of force they opposed sistance thev could summon, and with the fiercest determination and and most relentless severitv administered such reprisals, both general these in stics characteri Their inflict. to individual, as thev were able

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

respects, and their disposition of complete unteachableness as to moderation and Christian precept, are described in quaint terms in a letter written in 1G28 by Domine Jonas Michaelius, the first pastor in New Amsterdam. " As to the natives of this country," writes the good domine, " I find them entirely savage and wild, strangers to all decency; yea, uncivil and stupid as posts, proficient in all wickedness and godlessness; devilish men, who serve nobody but the devil, that

Pl'KCIIASK

MANHATTAN

is, the spirit which, in their language, they call Mauetto, under which title they comprehend everything that is subtle and crafty and beyond human power. They have so much witchcraft, divination, sorcery, and wicked tricks that they can not be held in by any locks or bounds. They are as thievish and treacherous as they are tall, and in cruelty they are more inhuman than the people of Barbary and far exceed the Africans. 1 have written something concerning these things to several persons elsewhere, not doubting that Brother Crol will have written sufficient to your Bight Reverend, or to the Lords; as also of