had then slain, adding, however, that they had obliterated these things from their hearts and forgotten them. 1

all

Stuyvesant replied to this address, that those things had oc curred before his time, and that the recollection of them had

been u all thrown away" by the subsequent peace.

He asked

them, however, if any injury had been done them, in person or The Indians property, since he had come into the country. remained silent.

Stuyvesant then proceeded to enumerate the

G'Callagbari New Ncthtrland, n, 358. 's

OF HUDSON'S RIVER.

various offenses which the Indians had committed on the Dutch.

" Your

"

is known. overbearing insolence at Esopus," said he, I come to make to and not this war, pro matter, investigate

vided the murderer be surrendered and all damage repaid.

The

Dutch never solicited your sachems for leave to come here. Your sachems have requested us, over and over again, to make

We have not had a foot of your land

a settlement among you.

nor do we desire to have any more compensation therefor. Why then have you committed this murder ? Why have you burned our houses, without paying you for

without making

it,

full

killed our cattle, and continue to threaten our people ?"

To this harangue the sachems made no reply, but " looked on At length one of them arose and responded " You Swannekins have sold our children the botsson" It is you who have given them brandy and made them cachens^ intoxicated and mad, and caused them to commit all this mis the ground."