Peter of New Amsterdam: A Story of Old New York Read online

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  PETER OF NEW AMSTERDAM

  A STORY OF OLD NEW YORK

  BY

  JAMES OTIS

  NEW YORK -:- CINCINNATI -:- CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY

  COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY JAMES OTIS KALER ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL, LONDON W. P. 4

  FOREWORD

  The purpose of this series of stories is to show the children, and eventhose who have already taken up the study of history, the _home life_ ofthe colonists with whom they meet in their books. To this end everyeffort has been made to avoid anything savoring of romance, and to dealonly with facts, so far as that is possible, while describing the dailylife of those people who conquered the wilderness whether for consciencesake or for gain.

  That the stories may appeal more directly to the children, they are toldfrom the viewpoint of a child, and purport to have been related by achild. Should any criticism be made regarding the seeming neglect tomention important historical facts, the answer would be that these booksare not sent out as histories,--although it is believed that they willawaken a desire to learn more of the building of the nation,--and onlysuch incidents as would be particularly noted by a child are used.

  Surely it is entertaining as well as instructive for young people toread of the toil and privations in the homes of those who came into anew world to build up a country for themselves, and such homely factsare not to be found in the real histories of our land.

  JAMES OTIS.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  WHERE I WAS BORN 9

  ALONE IN HOLLAND 11

  AN IMPORTANT INTRODUCTION 13

  I GO MY WAY 15

  THE BARGAIN 16

  SAILING FOR THE NEW WORLD 18

  A VIEW OF NEW NETHERLAND 20

  THE "BROWN MEN" OR SAVAGES 22

  SUMMONED TO THE CABIN 24

  TOYS FOR THE SAVAGES 27

  CLAIM OF THE WEST INDIA COMPANY 29

  MAKING READY FOR TRADE 30

  HANS BRAUN AND KRYN GILDERSLEEVE 32

  THE GATHERING OF THE SAVAGES 34

  GOING ASHORE 36

  BUYING THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN 38

  BOATS USED BY THE SAVAGES 41

  WANDERING OVER THE ISLAND 42

  THE HOMES OF THE SAVAGES 44

  MASTER MINUIT'S HOME 46

  BEGINNING THE WORK 48

  A STRANGE KIND OF CRAFT 49

  BUILDING A FORT 52

  IN CHARGE OF THE GOODS 53

  THE VALUE OF WAMPUM 56

  BUILDINGS OF STONE 59

  THE GOVERNMENT 60

  A PROSPEROUS TOWN 61

  QUARRELSOME SLAVES 64

  A BRUTAL MURDER 67

  THE VILLAGE CALLED PLYMOUTH 68

  I GO ON A VOYAGE 70

  A LUKEWARM WELCOME 72

  TWO DAYS IN PLYMOUTH 74

  FORGING AHEAD 76

  THE BIG SHIP 78

  MASTER MINUIT'S SUCCESSOR 80

  TROUBLE WITH THE ENGLISH 82

  MASTER VAN TWILLER DISCHARGED 84

  DIRECTOR KIEFT 86

  UNJUST COMMANDS 88

  MASTER MINUIT'S RETURN 90

  THE REVENGE OF THE SAVAGES 91

  MASTER KIEFT'S WAR 93

  DIRECTOR PETRUS STUYVESANT 95

  TIME FOR SIGHT-SEEING 97

  HOW THE FORT WAS ARMED 99

  VILLAGE LAWS 101

  OTHER THINGS ABOUT TOWN 102

  A VISIT OF CEREMONY 104

  NEW AMSTERDAM BECOMES A CITY 106

  MASTER STUYVESANT MAKES ENEMIES 107

  ORDERS FROM HOLLAND 109

  MAKING READY FOR WAR 110

  AN UNEXPECTED QUESTION 112

  WITH THE FLEET 114

  DRIVING OUT THE SWEDES 116

  THE UPRISING OF THE INDIANS 118

  AN ATTACK BY THE INDIANS 120

  HASTENING BACK TO NEW AMSTERDAM 122

  COAXING THE SAVAGES 124

  INTERFERENCE WITH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 126

  PUNISHING THE QUAKER 128

  OTHER PERSECUTIONS 130

  DULL TRADE 132

  THE CHARGE MADE BY HANS BRAUN 133

  DISMISSED BY MASTER STUYVESANT 134

  ENGLISH CLAIMS 137

  IDLE DAYS 138

  ON BROAD WAY 139

  LOOKING AFTER THE FERRY 142

  THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH 143

  A WEAK DEFENSE 145

  MASTER STUYVESANT ABSENT 146

  DISOBEYING COMMANDS 148

  SURRENDER OF THE CITY DEMANDED 149

  A THREE DAYS' TRUCE 150

  VISITORS FROM THE ENGLISH 152

  MASTER STUYVESANT'S RAGE 153

  THE END OF DUTCH RULE 155

  THE CITY OF NEW YORK 157

  PETER OF NEW AMSTERDAM

  WHERE I WAS BORN

  If I ever attempted to set down a story in words, it would be concerningthe time when I was much the same as a slave among the Dutch of NewAmsterdam, meaning a certain part of the world in that America where somany of my father's countrymen came after they left England, because ofthe King's not allowing them to worship God in the way they believed tobe right.

  It sounds odd to say that an Eng
lish boy was ever held as slave by theDutch, and perhaps I have no right to make such statement, because it isnot strictly true, although there were many years in my life when I didthe same work, and received the same fare, as did the negroes in theearly days of New Amsterdam.

  Before I was born, my father was clerk to the post-master of Scrooby,one William Brewster, and perhaps thus it was that when, because oftroubles concerning religion, Master Brewster journeyed to Leyden with acompany of people who were called Separatists, my parents went withhim.

  And so it was that I was born in Leyden, in the year of our Lord, 1612,but I never knew what it was to have a mother, for mine died while I wasyet in the cradle. Thanks to the care of a loving, God-fearing father,however, I could do very much toward looking out for myself by the timeI had come to the age of eight, when I was left entirely alone in theworld. I love now to think that during the years of my life while thegood man remained on this earth, I did not cause him any great anxiety,and required little care.

  Within two months after my father died, which was in the year 1620, manyof the congregation in Leyden set off with Master Brewster for the NewWorld, there to build up a city where men might worship God inwhatsoever fashion they pleased.

  Those of the Separatists who were left behind, cared for me as best theymight until a year had passed; but none of them were overly burdenedwith this world's goods, and, young though I was, I realized, in someslight degree, what a tax the care of a lad nine years old was uponthem.

  ALONE IN HOLLAND

  Later, those who had in charity taken charge of me also set off to joinMaster Brewster's company in America, and I, an English boy, was leftmuch the same as alone in Holland. I could speak the Dutch language,however, and was willing to work at whatever came to hand, so that Iearned enough with which to provide me with food; as for clothing, Iwore the cast-off garments of the Dutch boys, whose mothers, takingpity upon an orphan, freely gave them to me.

  Among the few English then left in Leyden was Master Jan Marais, aprofessor in the University, whom my father had known; and he, so far aslay in his power, kept a watchful eye over me; but this was only to theextent of inquiring for my welfare when we met by chance, or inrecalling my name to those among his Dutch friends who were in need ofsuch services as so young a lad could render.

  Now it seems, although I knew nothing concerning it at the time, thatthere had been formed in Holland, among the merchants, what was known asthe West India Company, whose purpose was to make a settlement in thatpart of the New World which they had named New Netherland, claiming toown it, and there trade with the savages, or engage in whatsoever ofbusiness would bring in money.

  Master Peter Minuit--whom I should call Heer Minuit, because such is theDutch term for master, but the odd-sounding title never did ring true inmy ear--had been appointed by this company, which had already sent outsome people to the world of America, Director of the settlement that wasto be made. He came on a visit of leave-taking to Master Jan Marais, andit so chanced, whether for good or for evil, that while the two werewalking in the streets of Leyden, they came upon me, standing idly infront of a cook-shop, and saying to myself that if the choice were givento me I would take this or that dainty to eat.

  AN IMPORTANT INTRODUCTION

  It may have been in a spirit of fun, or that perhaps Master Marais hadin mind to do me a good turn, but however it came about, he said asgravely as if I were the burgomaster's son:

  "Heer Peter Minuit, allow me to present to you Master Peter Hulbert, whohas had the misfortune to lose both his father and his mother by death."

  Master Minuit was not unlike many others whom I had met, save that therewas in his face a certain look which bespoke a kindly heart, or so itseemed, while he gazed at me much as he would at a young calf that hehad in mind to purchase.

  I never did lay claim to being comely, either as boy or man; but yet itmust have been that this sturdy visitor saw something about me whichattracted either his closest attention or his charity, for he said witha kindly smile, as he patted me on the head:

  "Well, namesake Peter, since nearly all your English friends have goneto America, what say you to voyaging in the same direction?"

  I failed to understand the meaning of the question, and probably stoodstaring at him like a simple; yet at the same time I noted a quickglance from Master Marais, as if the Director had said something whichcaught his attention. An instant later, he said with more of seriousnessin his voice than seemed to me the matter warranted:

  "It may not be well, Heer Minuit, to put into the lad's head a desirethat cannot be gratified."

  "And why may it not be?" Master Minuit asked, wheeling sharply about."If namesake Peter has no friends in Holland who can take charge of him,why may he not go to that land on the other side of the world with me? Ayoungster of ten years might find many a meaner post than that of bodyservant to the Director of the new town in America."

  I GO MY WAY

  Whatever speech these two may have had together afterward, I know not;but certain it is that Master Marais, speaking to me hastily, as if itwere not well I should hear what passed between him and his friend,directed that I go my way until nightfall, when I was to come into theUniversity grounds with the intent of seeing him.

  It was all very well to tell me to go my way; but I had none. Onesection of Leyden was the same as another to me, who was penniless andhungry, casting about in the hope of earning as much, by whatsoeveremployment came my way, as would buy what might serve for supper.

  However, I was not so dull as to fail in understanding that MasterMarais would have me out of his path for a time, and I went offrapidly, as though business in Leyden would come to a standstill if Idid not make haste.

  Then, once out of sight of these two, I looked about, keeping my eyeswide open in the hope of seeing one who required my services, butfailing utterly, so that when night came, hunger had such a hold upon mystomach that I was like to have begged from whosoever passed me on thestreet.

  Had I done so, it would have been the first time in my life, and sincethat afternoon I have had no reason to ask in charity aught of any one,for surely have I earned double that which I have ever received.

  THE BARGAIN

  Now lest you think I am given to using too many words, it is enough if Isay that at the appointed time I met Master Marais at the University,and there learned from him that Master Peter Minuit had offered to takeme as servant to that place in America which was called New Netherland,pledging himself, in due time, to set me on a path which would lead tohonest manhood. He agreed to provide me with such an outfit as would beneeded, and to bear the charge of my living while we remained inHolland.

  Master Marais, after first stating that it was for me to decide, sincemy future, perhaps, depended upon the answer to be given Master Minuit,advised that I accept gratefully the Director's offer.

  And so I did. What other could a lad, who had neither father nor mother,say, when he was given a chance to earn honestly that which he neededfor the care of his body?

  To me, boy as I was, the long voyage overseas had no terrors; but wasrather an inducement, for I would see strange sights before coming tothe New World, and then who should say that I might not, one day, riseto be as great a man as was Master Minuit?

  Master Marais told me I had decided well, when I said that I believedmyself fortunate in having such an opportunity, and straightway tookcharge of my affairs, having been so instructed by my new master. I wasgiven of clothing more than ever I had before, and fed until I was nolonger hungry, during such time as I remained in Leyden.

  Then came the day when Master Marais sent me to Amsterdam with a letterto Master Minuit's agent, and from that hour I was no more than anyparcel of goods, which the West India Company counted to send into theNew World.

  It troubled me little, however, that I was considered of no importance,for in exactly that light did I look upon myself; yet I could not butwonder, if so be I was servant to the Director of the new country inAmeric
a, that no one told me to do this or do that, but left me to myown will, save that I was ordered to keep strictly the rules laid downby the mistress of the house in which I lodged, until such time as the_Sea Mew_ was ready to set sail.

  Then it was that one of the sailors came to my lodgings to summon me,and I know not how it was he chanced to learn of my whereabouts, for Ihad had speech concerning my affairs with no person in Amsterdam,although it may well be that Master Marais had sent informationconcerning what was to be done with me.

  SAILING FOR THE NEW WORLD

  It was in January, in the year of our Lord 1626, when the _Sea Mew_ setforth on her long voyage, and during a certain number of days after weleft port, it seemed as if my end was near at hand. There are those whomake light of the sickness of the sea; but I am not one, for verily mysufferings on board the _Sea Mew_ passed man's power of description.

  I saw Master Minuit when I first went on board; but it was as if a cathad been looking at a king, for he remained in the after part of theship where were the people of quality, while I, only a servant, washerded among the sailors, well up in the bow, where kicks and cuffs werethe rule, and blessings the exception.

  The life of a boy at sea, whether he be a servant in the employ of somepassenger, or belonging to the ship's company, is at its best trulypitiable. No one has a good word for him; strive as he may, he is alwaysin some person's road, and the end of a wet rope is ever ready to thehand of that person who, having lost his temper, would vent his spiteupon the most helpless being near at hand, which is the boy.