Documents Relative to the Colonial History of New York, Vol. I — Passage 120 (part 2)
[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] In the beginning, their Honors sent thither a certain number of settlers, and caused to be erected at great expense, three saw mills, which never realized any profit of consequence, on account of their great charge; a great deal of money was also expended for the advancement of the country, but it never began to be settled until every one was permitted to trade with the Indians, inasmuch as, up to that time, no one calculated to remain there longer than the expiration of his bounden time, and therefore did not apply himself to agriculture; yea, even the Colonie of Renselaerswyck was of little consequence. But as soon as the trade was opened, many servants who had prospered under the Company applied for their discharge, built houses and formed plantations, spread themselves far and wide, each seeking the best land, and to be