lakes and fine islands ; the country agreeable and abounding in hunting and lisliing ; fit to be settled were it not for the wars the Indians liave the one against the other.

Tiie Mer douce is a vast lake in which are an infinite number of Islands ; it is very deep and abounds with fish of all sorts and of a monstrous size which are caught at divers times and seasons as in the wide ocean. The south coast is much more agreeable tlian the north, where there is a quantity of rocks and a great many Elk [Caribou.)

Lake Bisserenis is very handsome having a circumference of

25 leagues and a number of islands full of trees, and meadows where the savages camp to fish in the river for sturgeon, pike and carp of monstrous size and very excellent ; they are caught in quantities; game is also very abundant there, though the country is not very agreeable on account of the rocks in most places.

•,• For the localities occupied by the several tribes above mentioned the reader is refencil lo Clium|)lain s Map, accompanying this Vol.

PAPERS

AELATING TO THE

S'nst 0ctllcmcut of Ncit) flork

BY THE DUTCH.

OKSCRIPTION AND FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW NETHERLAND.

[From H'assenaers Historie Van Europa. Amsterdam; 1K21-Iti32.]

Numerous voyages realize so much profit for adventurers that they discover other countries, which they afterwards ^•^^^ settle and plant. Virginia, a country lying in 42i ^""laiid"''^'' ^it^gi'^^s, is one of tliese. It was first peopled by the French ; afterwards by the English and is to-day a flourishing colony. The Lords States General observing the great abundance of their people as well as their desire to plant other lands, allowed the West India company to settle that same country. Many from the United Colonies did formerly and do still trade there ; -- ^yea, for the greater security of the traders, a Castle -- Fort Nassau -- had been built on an Islajid in 42 degrees, on the North side of the River Montag^ie^ now called Mauritius.