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. But as the Natives there were somewhat discontented, and not easily maufiged, the projectors abandoned it, intending now to plant a Colony among the Maikans a Nation lying 25 miles' on both sides of tiie Kiver, upwards.

This River, or the Eay, lies in 40 degrees, running well in • being as broad or v.ide as tlie Thames, and navigable Of the River, full fifty mllcs Up, through divers Nations, who sometimes manifest themselves with arrows, like enemies, sometimes like friends ; but when they had seen the ships once or twice, or traded with our people, they became altogetiier friendly.

1 The miles stated in this paper are Dutch, one of which is equal to three American miles.

28 FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW-YORK BY THE DUTCH.

jBelow tlic Mai/cans are situate these Tribes ; Mechkentoweonj

Tapanis^ on the West side ; Wiekagjock, Wyeck, on the

What Nations ^^st Side. Tvvo Nations lie there lower down at

ate tliereuljouts.

Klinckersberg. At the Fisher's hook are Pachany^ Wurenecker Warrawannankonckx: In one place, Esopes, are two or three Tribes. The JWa?i/ia^€5 are situate at the mouth. In the interior are also many, as the Maquas. Full fifty miles further are found likewise many villages, aU which come to thls' River to trade from the interior which is very swampy, great quantities of water running to the River, overflowing the adjoining country, which was frequently the cause that Fort Nassau lay under water and was abandoned.