[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] New Netherland, lying in the Northern part of America, in Latitude 41 J degrees north of the Equator, was frequented by the subjects of the United Provinces long before the High and Mighty Lords States General had granted the West India Company a Charter not only further to explore and trade at that quarter and Coast, as was done by individuals before the Charter, but to take possession, to inhabit and, as circumstances permitted, to people the country. Immediately after obtaining the Charter, the Hon"^ Directors sent divers ships to New Netherland with people and cattle, which people, being for the most part servants of the aforesaid Company, purchased many and various lands; among others, on the North (alias Maurice) river, Staten island, Pavonia, Hoboocken, Nut Island and the Island of Manhattans with many other lands thereabouts; on which Island of Manhattans was built Fort Amsterdam and subsequently the City of Amsterdam. A very extensive tract of country was also purchased from the Natives, being Mahikanders, 36 leagues up the North river, where Fort Orange was founded on behalf of the Company, and afterwards the Colonic of Renselaerswyk. From the Southern Indians a large tract of land, called Swanendaal, was purchased on the West sliore of the South bay, not far from Cape Hindlopen, and taken possession of by the building of a small fort, where 28 men were, one day, treacherously murdered by the Indians.