people, and that very justly, for it was first discovered, and taken possession of, by resembles nd in mauy Netherlanders and at their expense, so that even at the present day, the natives of the country, (who are so old as to remember the event)' testify, •' J that on seeing o ^hcn the indh ' ^ fIrBt eaw tlie sh the Dutch ships on their first coming here, they knew not what to make of them, f{'w!!^°*nie"'irn

and could not comprehend, whether they came down from Heaven or whether wo'rw or people'.' they were Devils. Some among them, on its first approach, even imagined it to be a fish, or some sea monster, so that a strange rumor concerning it flew throughout the whole country. We have heard the Indians also frequently say, that they knew of no other world or people previous to the arrival of the Netherlanders here. For these reasons, therefore, and on account of the similarity of Climate, Situation and fertility, this place is rightly called New Netherland. It is situate along the North Coast of America, in the latitude of 38, 39, 40, 41, Nel'Knd' ^^ 42 degrees, or thereabouts. It is bounded on the North East side by New Bmmdary of Ne •' Nutlierland. England, on the South West by Virginia ; the coast trends mostly South West and North East, and is washed by the Ocean ; on the North runs the river of Canada, a great way oft' in the interior; the North West side is partly still unknown. (4) The land of itself is fertile, and capable of being entirely cultivated by an abundance of people, were it judiciously divided according to circumstances. The climate here is pleasant, ' and more temperate than in Netherland. "^ The eiimate te The perate i> the noi ;