and but little distinction, unless in their dances and other ceremonies. They have hardly any knowledge of God; no Divine Worship, no law, no justice; the strongest does what he pleases, and the young men are masters. Their weapons are the bow and arrow, in the use of which they are wonderful adepts. Hunting and fishing, in addition to the maize which the women plant, furnish them food.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: IIL 181

By Whom and How New Netherland was Peopled.

The subjects of the Lords States General, had frequented this country a long time ago, solely for the purpose of the fur trade. Since the year 1623, the Incorporated West India Company caused four forts to be erected, two on the River Mauritius, and one on each of the others; the largest, which their Honors named New Amsterdam, stands on the point formed by the Mauritius and the other river already mentioned six and thirty miles higher up, is ;

another fort called Orange that on the south river is named Nassauw, and that on the Fresh ;

river, the Good Hope, in which the Company hath since continually maintained garrisons. In the beginning, their Honors sent thither a certain number of settlers, and caused to be erected at great expense, three saw mills, which never realized any profit of consequence, on account of their great charge a great deal of money was also expended for the advancement of the ;

country, but it never began to be settled until every one was permitted to trade with the Indians, inasmuch as, up to that time, no one calculated to remain there longer than the expiration of his bounden time, and therefore did not apply himself to agriculture ; yea, even the Colonie of Renselaerswyck was of little consequence. But as soon as the trade was opened, many servants who had prospered under the Company applied for their discharge, built houses and formed plantations, spread themselves far and wide, each seeking the best land, and to be nearest to the Indians, in order thus to trade with them advantageously ; others bought sloops with which to sell goods at the north and at the south, and as the Directors gave free passage from Holland thither, that also caused many to come.