They also placed a Fort named " Wilhelmus " on Prince's Island, heretofore called iMiu'derer's Island ; it is open in front, and has a curtain in the rear and is garrisoned by sixteen men for the defence of the Elver below. On leaving there, the course lies for the west wind, and having got it, to the Bermudas and so along the channel in a short time towards Patria. The Yacht, the Mackerel, sailed out

36 FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW-YORK BY THE DUTCH.

last year on the 16tli June and arrived yonder on the 12th' of December. That was somewhat late, but it wasted time in the Indian Islands, to catch fish, and did not catch any, so lost tliis opportunity. The Hon^^^. Daniel Van Krieckebeeck, for brevity called, Eeeck, was Commissary here, and so did his duty that he was thanked.

Respecting these Colonies, they have already a prosperous

beginning ; and the hope is that they will not fall tlirough Order of the provided they be zealously sustained, not only in that

place but in the South River. For their increase and prosperous advancement, it is highly necessary tliat those sent out be first of aU weU provided with means both of support and defence, and tliat being Freemen, they be settled there on a free tenure ; that all they work for and gain be their's to dispose of and to sell it according to their pleasiu'e ; that whoever is placed over them as Commander act as their Father not as tlieir Executioner, leading them with a gentle hand ; for whoever rules them as a Friend and Associate will be beloved by them, as he who wiU order them as a superior will subvert and nullify every thing ; yea, they will excite against him the neighbouring provinces to which they will fly. 'Tis better to rule by love and friendship than by force.