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Documents Relative to the Colonial History of New York, Vol. I — Passage 255 (part 4)

E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856) 237 words View original →

[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] 54 426 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. The Fort not being properly repaired, is no concern of the colonists; 'tis not their domain, but the Company's. They would fain be protected by good forts and garrisons belonging to the Company, without affording any aid, assistance in labor or money for those objects. But it seems they do not wish to see a fort properly fortified and duly garrisoned, from the apprehension that the ill-disposed and seditious might be the more effectually punished; this they call, cruelty. The fort had, doubtless, been already completed, had the Director not been obliged to supply the garrison of New Netherland and Cura§ao with provisions, clothing, and money. With whom had Director Stuyvesant an unprovoked and unjustifiable personal quarrel? They call a present of Maize or Indian corn, a contribution; a present has never been received from the Indians without double as much being given in return; for these people being very covetous, throw a herring in order to catch a cod; as every one acquainted with the Indians can testify. Francis Douthay, Adriaen van der Donck's father-in-law and an English Minister, was granted a colonic at Mespacht, not for himself alone as Patroon, but for him and his associates whose Agent he was, and who at the time were residing at Rhode Island and at Cahanock and other places. Mr. Smith was one of the leaders of these people, for said Minister had