" We respectfully request 3'our honours to institute a rigid inquiry into this matter ; how many first-class bouweries and ])lantations were abandoned in the war EARLIEST MAI' OF THE crrY b}' our Dutch and English, whose houses were burnt as has been stated." It may well be believed that, except within the stockades at Manhattan or under the protection of the fort at Rensselaerw}'k, few ornamental gardens were peri6 The Hudson River

manently established until after the animosity of the Indians became a thing of the past. In one old paper has been preserved a striking picture of colonial hardships:

The season came for driving out the cattle, which obHged many to desire peace. On the other hand, the Indians seeing also that it was time to plant maize, were not less solicitous for a cessation of hostilities; so, after some negotiation, peace was concluded in May, A 1643, rather in consequence of the importunity of some, than of the opinion entertained by others, that it would be durable. The Indians kept still after this peace, associating daily with our people; yea, even the greatest chiefs came to visit the Director. Meanwhile Pacham, a crafty man, ran through all the villages urging the Indians to a general massacre. Thereupon it happened that certain Indians called Wappingers, dwelling sixteen leagues up the river, with whom we never had the least trouble, seized a boat coming from Fort Orange, wherein were only two men, and full four hundred beavers. This great booty stimulated others to follow the example ; so that they seized two boats more, intending to overhaul the fourth also; from which they were driven, with loss of six Indians. Nine Christians, including two women, were murdered in these two barks; one woman and two children, remaining prisoners. The rest of the Indians, as soon as their maize was ripe, followed this example; and through seml)lance of selling beavers, killed an old man and woman, leaving another man with five wounds, who, however, fled to the fort, in a boat, with a little child in his arms, which, in the first outbreak, had lost father and mother, and now grandfather and grandmother; being thus twice rescued, through God's merciful blessing, from the hands of the Indians; first, when two years old.