INFORMATION RELATIVE TO TAKING UP LAND IN NEW NETHERLAND , IN THE FORM OF

COLONIES OR PRIVATE BOWERIES. 1650.

[Hoi. Doc. V.]

If any man be disposed to begin either by himself or others, Colonies, Bouweries or Plantationsin New Netherland , lying in the Latitude of one and forty degrees and a half, he shall first haveto inform himself fully of the situation of the lands lying on rivers, havens and Bays, in orderthus to select the most suitable and particularly the most convenient grounds : It is therefore tobe borne in mind that the lands in New Netherland are not all level & flat and adapted to raisingof grain, inasmuch as they are, with the exception of some few flatts, generally covered withtimber, in divers places also with large & small stones.

In order, then first to describe those lands which are actually the most convenient and best adaptedfor early occupancy, where and how located, I shall enumerate the following places, and commendthe remainder to the consideration of proprietors of this country.

I begin then at the most easterly corner of Long Island , being a point situate on the Main Ocean,inclosing within, westward, a large inland sea' adorned with divers fair havens and bays, fit for allsorts of craft; this Point is entirely covered with Trees, without any flatts and is somewhat hilly,and stoney, very convenient for Cod fishing, which is most successfully followed by the Nativesduring the Season.

This Point is also well adapted to secure the trade of the Indians in Wampum (the mine ofNew Netherland ) since in and about the abovementioned sea and the islands therein situate, lie thecockles whereof Wampum is made from which great profit could be realized by those who wouldplant a Colonie or hamlet on the aforesaid hook for the cultivation of the land, for raising all sorts ofcattle, for fishing, and the Wampum trade.

■ It would be necessary, in such case, to settle on the aforesaid land some persons thoroughly con-versant with agriculture and others with the fishery.

Oysterbay, so called from the great abundance of fine and delicate oysters which are found there.This bay is about a short mile across, or in width at the mouth; deep and navigable, without eitherrocks or sands, runs westward in proportion, and divides itself into two rivers, which are broad andclear, on which said rivers lie fine maize lands, formerly cultivated by the Indians, some of whichthey still work ; they could be had for a trifle. This land is situate on such beautiful bay, and riversthat it could at little cost be converted into good farms fit for the plough ; there are here, also,some fine hay valleys.

Martin Gerritsen’s bay or Marlimiehotick, is much deeper and wider than Oyster bay, and runsWestward in, divides into three rivers, two of which are navigable ; the smallest stream runs up infront of the Indian village called Martinne houck, where they have their plantations. This tribe isn °t strong, and consists of about 30 families. In and about this bay there were formerly greatnumbers of Indian Plantations, which now lie waste and vacant. This land is mostly level and of

1 Gardner's Bay. Ed,