New Netherland bounded on the south west by Virginia, stretches on the north east to NewSscovery “/“New England, on the north it is washed by the river Canada , and on the coast by the Ocean :Netherland . north westerly, inland, it remains wholly unknown. The first who discovered thiscountry was Henry Hudson. Engaged by the East India Company to find out a passage to China north of America , he set sail with the Yacht Half Moon , in the year sixteen hundred and nine.In front of Newfoundland he took a course directly southwest; entered a large river ; there [met]two men clothed in Elk skins, and subsequently arrived safe at Amsterdam. New Netherland beingthus discovered, divers traders set about establishing a stable trade here. Wherefore they soughtfor and obtained a charter in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen, from the States General at theHague , to trade to New Netherland to the exclusion of all others. Earnestly, now, was the tradeprosecuted. Adriaen Blok and Godyn soon discovered here divers coasts, islands, harbours andrivers. Among the rivers is the Manhattans or Great river, by far the most important, whichdisembogues into the Ocean by two wide mouths, washing the mighty island Matouwacs. The south
entrance was called Port May or Godyn’s Bay : Midway lies Staten Island , and a littleania ans. ^ t p e Manhattans, «o called from the people which inhabit the mainland on
the east side of the river. These are cruel and wicked men, enemies of the Dutch, as well as of theSanhikans who dwell on the west side. Higher up lie the Makwaes and Mahikans, who are constantlyat war with each other : in like manner all the inhabitants on the west bank of the Manhattan riverfrequently make war on those residing on the east side. And the latter in like manner entertainconstant animosity against the Dutch, with whom the other nations to the west maintain goodfriendship. On a little island adjoining the Makwaes shore, formerly stood a fort furnished withtwo guns and eleven stone pieces, but it was finally abandoned. On the Manhattans island standsNew Amsterdam , five miles from the Ocean : Ships run up to the harbour there from the sea withone tide. The city hath an earthen fort. Within the fort, and on the outermost bastion towardsthe river, stand a wind mill, and a very high staff, on which a flag is hoisted whenever any vesselsare seen in Godyn’s bay. The church rises with a double roof between which a square towerlooms aloft. On one side is the prison, on the other side of the church the governor’s house. With-out the walls are the houses mostly built by Amsterdamers. On the river side stand the gallowsand whipping post. A handsome public tavern adorns the farthest point. Between the fort andthis tavern is a row of suitable dwelling houses : among which stand out the ware houses of the^est India Company. New Netherland hath, moreover, divers remarkable water falls tumblingdown from lofty rocks, broad creeks and kills, fresh lakes and rivulets and pleasant springs andwi,, fountains, which smoke in winter, are right cold in summer, and, nevertheless, are
Y froiesome waters. ' , \ 1 1
much drank. Meanwhile the inhabitants are at no time much incommoded by floods,n °r by the sea, inasmuch as at spring tide the water scarcely ever rises a foot higher; nor byfreshets (op water) which cover only some low lands for a short while and enrich them by theiralluvium. The sea coast rises hilly out of sand and clay, wherefore it produces abundantly alls °i'ts of herbs and trees.