The Sea gull arrived there 4*'i May, 1626

Two SHIPS came from New Netherland for the benefit of the said (W. I.) Company, with ten thousand Peltries, or w^^timilf' skins, together with a large quantity of timber, fit for N^w Ni^^hJ?. t^^® building of the vessels which are shortly to be '^'"'- launched. Those ships were despatcht by the Commander there, called Minuict ; one ship was the Three Kings, Skipper Jan Jacobsz. of Wieringhj' the other was, the Arms of Amsterdam.

1 Sent in 16:27 from the Dutch as Delegate to New Plymouth.

FIRST SETTLEMENT OE KEW-VOliK BY THi: DUTCH. 47

The government over the people of New Netherland continued on the 19"i of August of this year in the aforesaid Government. Minuict, successor to Verhulst, who went thither from Holland on 9^^ January, Anno, 1626, and took up his residence in the midst of a nation called Mcm/uitcs, building a fort there, to be called Amsterdam, having four points and faced outside entirely with stone, as the walls of sand fall down, and are now more compact. The population consists of two hundred and seventy souls, including Men, Women and Cliildren. They remained as yet without the Fort, in no fear, as the Natives live peaceably with them. They are situate tliree miles from the Sea, on the River by us called Mauritius^ by others, Rio de Montagne.

These strangers for tlie most part occupy their farms. Whatever they require is supplied by the Directors. The occnpation. WiutcT gfalu has turned out Avell there, but the Summer grain which ripened before it was half grown in consequence of the excessive heat, was very hght. The cattle sent thither have had a good increase, and every thing promises better, as soon as the land is improved, which is very poor and scrubby.