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} + .left {text-align: justify; display: block; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: auto; + max-width: 50%;top: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } + .blackletter {font-family: 'Old English Text MT'; font-weight:bold; + font-style: normal; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + .pageno {color: #595959; } + </style> + </head> + + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78730 ***</div> + + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber's Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/i_cover.jpg' alt='Black-and-gold decorative book cover illustration featuring a colonial-era figure walking with a cane, framed by ornate patterns; above, a harbor scene labeled “Nieuw Amsterdam” with a sailing ship, windmill, and clustered buildings along the shoreline.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/endpaper.jpg' alt='Endpaper' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div id='Frontispiece' class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“AS THEY DEFILED THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL GATE THAT STOOD AT THE HEAD OF WALL STREET.”<br> <br> <span class='left'><i>Frontispiece.</i></span></p> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class='titlepage'> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/titlepage.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c001'> + <div><span class='blackletter'>Van Twiller Edition</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <h1 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Knickerbocker’s History of New York</span></h1> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c001'> + <div><span class='blackletter'>By</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='xlarge'><span class='blackletter'>Washington Irving</span></span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='blackletter'>With Illustrations</span></div> + <div><span class='blackletter'>by</span></div> + <div><span class='blackletter'><span class='large'>Edward W. Kemble</span></span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='large'><span class='blackletter'>Vol. II.</span></span></div> + <div class='c003'>G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS</div> + <div>NEW YORK            LONDON</div> + <div>27 West Twenty-third St.      24 Bedford Street, Strand</div> + <div class='c003'><span class='blackletter'>The Knickerbocker Press</span></div> + <div>1894</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c001'> + <div><span class='small'>COPYRIGHT, 1893</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>BY</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS</span></div> + <div class='c001'><span class='small'>Electrotyped, Printed and Bound by</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>The Knickerbocker Press, New York</span></div> + <div><span class='small'><span class='sc'>G. P. Putnam’s Sons</span></span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div><span class='xlarge'><span class='blackletter'>A History of New York</span></span></div> + <div class='c001'><span class='blackletter'>From the beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty. Containing, among Many Surprising and Curious Matters, the Unutterable Ponderings of Walter the Doubter, the Disastrous Projects of William the Testy, and the Chivalric Achievements of Peter the Headstrong; the Three Dutch Governors of New Amsterdam, being the Only Authentic History of the Times that Ever Hath Been or Ever Will Be Published</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='blackletter'>by</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='blackletter'>Diedrich Knickerbocker</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='blackletter'><span lang="nl">De waarheid die in duister lag,</span></span></div> + <div class='line'><span class='blackletter'><span lang="nl">Die komt mit klaarheid aan den dug</span></span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image-iv.jpg' alt='Black-and-white illustration of a young girl in traditional dress, standing with hands in her apron pockets, wearing a fitted bodice, short-sleeved blouse, and a full skirt with a patterned hem.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> + <h2 class='c006'>Contents.</h2> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>BOOK IV.—(<i>Continued.</i>)</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'>PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VII.</span>—Growing discontents of New Amsterdam under the government of William the Testy</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VIII.</span>—Of the edict of William the Testy against tobacco—Of the Pipe Plot, and the rise of feuds and parties</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_6'>6</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IX.</span>—Of the folly of being happy in time of prosperity—Of troubles to the South brought on by annexation—Of the secret expedition of Jan Jansen Alpendam, and his magnificent reward</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. X.</span>—Troublous times on the Hudson—How Killian Van Rensellaer erected a feudal castle, and how he introduced club-law into the province</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_22'>22</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. XI.</span>—Of the diplomatic mission of Antony the Trumpeter to the Fortress of Rensellaerstein—and how he was puzzled by a cabalistic reply</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_28'>28</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span><span class='sc'>Chap. XII.</span>—Containing the rise of the great Amphictyonic Council of the Pilgrims, with the decline and final extinction of William the Testy</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_34'>34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>BOOK V.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>CONTAINING THE FIRST PART OF THE REIGN OF</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>PETER STUYVESANT, AND HIS TROUBLES WITH</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>THE AMPHICTYONIC COUNCIL.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. I.</span>—In which the death of a great man is shown to be no very inconsolable matter of sorrow—and how Peter Stuyvesant acquired a great name from the uncommon strength of his head</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. II.</span>—Showing how Peter the Headstrong bestirred himself among the rats and cobwebs on entering into office—His interview with Antony the Trumpeter, and his perilous meddling with the currency</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_58'>58</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. III.</span>—How the Yankee League waxed more and more potent; and how it outwitted the good Peter in treaty-making</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IV.</span>—Containing divers speculations on war and negotiations—showing that a treaty of peace is a great national evil</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. V.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant was grievously belied by the great council of the League; and how he sent Antony the Trumpeter to take the Council a piece of his mind</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_87'>87</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span><span class='sc'>Chap. VI.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant demanded a court of honor—and what the court of honor awarded to him</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_95'>95</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VII.</span>—How “Drum Ecclesiastic” was beaten throughout Connecticut for a crusade against the New Netherlands, and how Peter Stuyvesant took measures to fortify his Capital</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VIII.</span>—How the Yankee crusade against the New Netherlands was baffled by the sudden outbreak of witchcraft among the people of the East</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IX.</span>—Which records the rise and renown of a Military Commander, showing that a man, like a bladder, may be puffed up to greatness by mere wind; together with the catastrophe of a veteran and his queue</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>BOOK VI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>CONTAINING THE SECOND PART OF THE REIGN OF</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>PETER THE HEADSTRONG, AND HIS GALLANT</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE DELAWARE.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. I.</span>—In which is exhibited a warlike Portrait of the Great Peter—of the windy contest of General Van Poffenburgh and General Printz, and of the Mosquito War on the Delaware</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_133'>133</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. II.</span>—Of John Risingh, his giantly person and crafty deeds; and of the catastrophe at Fort Casimir</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span><span class='sc'>Chap. III.</span>—Showing how profound secrets are often brought to light; with the proceedings of Peter the Headstrong when he heard of the misfortunes of General Van Poffenburgh</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IV.</span>—Containing Peter Stuyvesant’s voyage up the Hudson, and the wonders and delights of that renowned river</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_168'>168</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. V.</span>—Describing the powerful Army that assembled at the city of New Amsterdam—together with the interview between Peter the Headstrong and General Van Poffenburgh, and Peter’s sentiments touching unfortunate great men</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VI.</span>—In which the Author discourses very ingeniously of himself—after which is to be found much interesting history about Peter the Headstrong and his followers</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_194'>194</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VII.</span>—Showing the great advantage that the Author has over his Reader in time of battle—together with divers portentous movements; which betoken that something terrible is about to happen</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_210'>210</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VIII.</span>—Containing the most horrible battle ever recorded in poetry or prose; with the admirable exploits of Peter the Headstrong</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_221'>221</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IX.</span>—In which the Author and the Reader, while reposing after the battle, fall into a very grave discourse, after which is recorded the conduct of Peter Stuyvesant after his victory</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>BOOK VII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>CONTAINING THE THIRD PART OF THE REIGN OF</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>PETER THE HEADSTRONG—HIS TROUBLES WITH</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>THE BRITISH NATION, AND THE DECLINE AND</td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>FALL OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. I.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant relieved the Sovereign People from the burden of taking care of the nation; with sundy particulars of his conduct in time of peace, and of the rise of a great Dutch aristocracy</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_259'>259</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. II.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant labored to civilize the community—how he was a great promoter of holidays—how he instituted kissing on New-Year’s Day—how he distributed fiddles throughout the New Netherlands—how he ventured to reform the ladies’ petticoats, and how he caught a Tartar</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_270'>270</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. III.</span>—How troubles thicken on the province—how it is threatened by the Helderbergers, the Merrylanders, and the Giants of the Susquehanna</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_278'>278</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IV.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant adventured into the East Country, and how he fared there</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_284'>284</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. V.</span>—How the Yankees secretly sought aid of the British Cabinet in their hostile schemes against the Manhattoes</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_296'>296</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span><span class='sc'>Chap. VI.</span>—Of Peter Stuyvesant’s expedition into the East Country, showing that, though an old bird, he did not understand trap</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_300'>300</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VII.</span>—How the people of New Amsterdam were thrown into a great panic, by the news of the threatened invasion; and the manner in which they fortified themselves</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_308'>308</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. VIII.</span>—How the Grand Council of the New Netherlands were miraculously gifted with long tongues in the moment of emergency—showing the value of words in warfare</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_315'>315</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. IX.</span>—In which the troubles of New Amsterdam appear to thicken—showing the bravery in time of peril, of a people who defend themselves by resolutions</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_323'>323</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. X.</span>—Containing a doleful disaster of Antony the Trumpeter—and how Peter Stuyvesant, like a second Cromwell, suddenly dissolved a Rump Parliament</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_338'>338</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. XI.</span>—How Peter Stuyvesant defended the city of New Amsterdam for several days by dint of the strength of his head.</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_347'>347</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. XII.</span>—Containing the dignified retirement, and mortal surrender of Peter the Headstrong</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_360'>360</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chap. XIII.</span>—The Author’s reflections upon what has been said</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_372'>372</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span> + <h2 class='c006'>Illustrations</h2> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Page</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“AS THEY DEFILED THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL GATE THAT STOOD AT THE HEAD OF WALL STREET”</td> + <td class='c009'><i><a href='#Frontispiece'>Frontispiece</a></i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“BLACKSMITHS SUFFERED THEIR FIRES TO GO OUT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE EDICT OF WILLIAM THE TESTY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A LONG PIPE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A POT-HOUSE POLITICIAN</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_13'>13</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MERRYLANDERS WERE FOND OF BOXING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“I LOWER IT TO NONE”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_25'>25</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“A WHOLE ROW OF HELDERBERGERS REARED THEIR ROUND BURLY HEADS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE WISE MEN AND SOOTHSAYERS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_32'>32</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THEY SOLD THEM GUNS THAT EXPLODED AT THE FIRST FIRING”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_39'>39</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>DUTCH FAMILY PIPE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“DRINKING, FIDDLING AND DANCING”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“SO AS TO DELIGHT THE GOVERNOR WHILE AT HIS REPASTS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“A NANTUCKET WHALER WITH A SPY GLASS TWICE AS LONG”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_71'>71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span>“THE OLD WOMEN REJOICED THAT THERE WAS TO BE NO WAR”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THE ANGRY BULL BUTTS WITH HIS HORNS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>TWO AMBASSADORS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“SNIVELLING SCOURINGS, BROILS, AND MARAUDINGS, KEPT UP ON THE EASTERN FRONTIERS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_85'>85</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WAS INJURED</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“TWANGING HIS TRUMPET LIKE A VERY DEVIL”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THE KNOWING COMMISSIONERS WINKED TO EACH OTHER”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MILITIA</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_105'>105</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE FORTIFICATIONS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“HAVING A MOST SUSPICIOUS PREDILECTION FOR BLACK CATS AND BROOMSTICKS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_111'>111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE WORTHY JUDGES</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>JAN JANSEN ALPENDAM</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_119'>119</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“HE FRIGHTED ALL, CATS, DOGS, AND ALL”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_123'>123</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>VAN POFFENBURGH’S VALOR</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_127'>127</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>KELDERMEESTER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>PETRUS STUYVESANT</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>JAN PRINTZ</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MOSQUITO PLAGUE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THE MAIN GUARD WAS TURNED OUT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“WITH GREAT CEREMONY, INTO THE FORT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“TO ROB ALL THE HEN-ROOSTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>DIRK SCHUILER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_157'>157</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“AND PADDLED OVER TO NEW AMSTERDAM”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_161'>161</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>“AND STUMPING UP AND DOWN STAIRS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“SOME LITTLE INDIAN VILLAGE”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE OMNIPOTENT MANETHO</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_174'>174</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE KILLING OF THE STURGEON</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_179'>179</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THESE WERE OF A SOUR ASPECT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_184'>184</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“AS THEY DEFILED THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL GATE THAT STOOD AT THE HEAD OF WALL STREET”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_185'>185</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“A CREW OF HARD SWEARERS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“CRAMMED THE POCKETS OF HER HERO WITH GINGERBREAD AND DOUGHNUTS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“HAVING SHOT THE DEVIL WITH A SILVER BULLET, ONE DARK STORMY NIGHT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“BARRICADED THE DOORS AND WINDOWS EVERY EVENING AT SUNDOWN”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_204'>204</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“MARCHED OUT WITH THE HONORS OF WAR”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>ANIMATING HARANGUES</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_212'>212</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“BEFORE A BIT OF BROKEN LOOKING-GLASS, SHAVING HIMSELF”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>MARS AS A DRUNKEN CORPORAL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_223'>223</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE CHARGE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_227'>227</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_230'>230</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“ON BLUNDERED AND THUNDERED THE HEAVY-STERNED FUGITIVES”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_233'>233</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THIS HEAVEN-DIRECTED BLOW DECIDED THE BATTLE”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_238'>238</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“SPITTING HALF A DOZEN LITTLE FELLOWS ON HIS SWORD”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_243'>243</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>THE SHADES OF DEPARTED AND LONG-FORGOTTEN HEROES</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_246'>246</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“MYNHEER WILLIAM BEEKMAN”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_250'>250</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THE OLD WOMEN FLOCKED AROUND ANTONY”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_252'>252</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“‘NAY, BUT,’ SAID PETER, ‘TRY YOUR INGENUITY, MAN’”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_262'>262</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“SEATED ON THE ‘STOEP’ BEFORE HIS DOOR”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“PLATTER-BREECHES”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_269'>269</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>NEW YEAR’S DAY AT THE GOVERNOR’S</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE DANCE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_275'>275</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A SUSQUESAHANOCK</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_281'>281</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A BUXOM LASS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE JOURNEY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_291'>291</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THEY BESTRODE THEIR CANES AND GALLOPED OFF IN HORRIBLE CONFUSION”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_293'>293</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>LORD STERLING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_298'>298</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“HE WAS TREATED TO A SIGHT OF PLYMOUTH ROCK”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_304'>304</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“NOR WOULD HE GO OUT OF A NIGHT WITHOUT A LANTERN”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_311'>311</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE LONG TALK AT THE COUNCIL-FIRE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_317'>317</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“THE SUDDEN ENTRANCE OF A MESSENGER”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_321'>321</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE ARRIVAL OF PETER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_325'>325</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“WAS TO MOUNT THE ROOF, WHENCE HE CONTEMPLATED WITH RUEFUL ASPECT THE HOSTILE SQUADRON”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_328'>328</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“METAMORPHOSING PUMPS INTO FORMIDABLE SOLDIERS”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_331'>331</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>A PUBLIC MEETING IN FRONT OF THE STADTHOUSE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_335'>335</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE DEATH OF ANTONY VAN CORLEAR</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_341'>341</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“APOLLO PEEPING OUT NOW AND THEN FOR AN INSTANT”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_344'>344</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>DETERMINED COCK</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_352'>352</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“A LEGION OF BRITISH BEEF-FED WARRIORS POURED INTO NEW AMSTERDAM”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_357'>357</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“CONDUCTED EVERY STRAY HOG OR COW IN TRIUMPH TO THE POUND”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_362'>362</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“ON APRIL FOOL’S ERRANDS FOR PIGEON’S MILK”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_365'>365</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>“‘WELL, DEN!—HARDKOPPIG PETER BEN GONE AT LAST!’”</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_369'>369</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image-xv.jpg' alt='Black and white sketch of a man in a nightcap drinking from a large mug.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image-xvi.jpg' alt='A pen-and-ink drawing of several small sailboats with passengers on a calm sea, with a large fish tail splashing in the foreground.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c006'><span class='blackletter'>Book IV.</span> (<i>Continued.</i>)<br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE CHRONICLES OF THE REIGN OF WILLIAM THE TESTY.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class='c001 figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image-xvii.jpg' alt='Black and white sketch of a man with a wooden peg leg seen from behind, walking with a cane and his hands clasped at his back.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter ph1'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>A HISTORY OF NEW YORK</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> + <h3 class='c011'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VII.</span><br> GROWING DISCONTENTS OF NEW AMSTERDAM UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF WILLIAM THE TESTY.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage001.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +It has been remarked by +the observant writer of +the Stuyvesant manuscript, +that under the +administration of William +Kieft the disposition +of the inhabitants +of New Amsterdam experienced +an essential +change, so that they +became very meddlesome +and factious. The +unfortunate propensity of the little governor to +experiment and innovation, and the frequent +exacerbations of his temper, kept his council +in a continual worry; and the council being to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>the people at large what yeast or leaven is to a +batch, they threw the whole community in a +ferment; and the people at large being to the +city what the mind is to the body, the unhappy +commotions they underwent operated most disastrously +upon New Amsterdam,—insomuch +that, in certain of their paroxysms of consternation +and perplexity, they begat several of +the most crooked, distorted, and abominable +streets, lanes, and alleys with which this +metropolis is disfigured.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The fact was, that about this time the community, +like Balaam’s ass, began to grow +more enlightened than its rider, and to show +a disposition for what is called “self-government.” +This restive propensity was first +evinced in certain popular meetings, in which +the burghers of New Amsterdam met to talk +and smoke over the complicated affairs of the +province, gradually obfuscating themselves +with politics and tobacco-smoke. Hither resorted +those idlers and squires of low degree +who hang loose on society and are blown +about by every wind of doctrine. Cobblers +abandoned their stalls to give lessons on political +economy; blacksmiths suffered their fires +to go out while they stirred up the fires of faction; +and even tailors, though said to be the +ninth part of humanity, neglected their own +<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>measures to criticize the measures of government.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Strange! that the science of government, +which seems to be so generally understood, +should invariably be denied to the only one +called upon to exercise it. Not one of the +politicians in question, but, take his word for +it, could have administered affairs ten times +better than William the Testy.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image003.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“BLACKSMITHS SUFFERED THEIR FIRES TO GO OUT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Under the instructions of these political +oracles the good people of New Amsterdam +<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>soon became exceedingly enlightened, and, as +a matter of course, exceedingly discontented. +They gradually found out the fearful error in +which they had indulged, of thinking themselves +the happiest people in creation, and +were convinced that, all circumstances to the +contrary notwithstanding, they were a very +unhappy, deluded, and consequently ruined +people!</p> + +<p class='c013'>We are naturally prone to discontent, and +avaricious after imaginary causes of lamentation. +Like lubberly monks we belabor our +own shoulders, and take a vast satisfaction in +the music of our own groans. Nor is this said +by way of paradox; daily experience shows +the truth of these observations. It is almost +impossible to elevate the spirits of a man groaning +under ideal calamities; but nothing is +easier than to render him wretched, though on +the pinnacle of felicity; as it would be an Herculean +task to hoist a man to the top of a +steeple, though the merest child could topple +him off thence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I must not omit to mention that these popular +meetings were generally held at some +noted tavern, these public edifices possessing +what in modern times are thought the true +fountains of political inspiration. The ancient +Greeks deliberated upon a matter when drunk, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>and reconsidered it when sober. Mob-politicians +in modern times dislike to have two +minds upon a subject, so they both deliberate +and act when drunk; by this means a world of +delay is spared; and as it is universally allowed +that a man when drunk sees double, it follows +conclusively that he sees twice as well as his +sober neighbors.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image005.jpg' alt='Black and white line drawing of a cow standing in a field, facing away toward a windmill on a distant hill.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VIII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>OF THE EDICT OF WILLIAM THE TESTY AGAINST TOBACCO—OF THE PIPE-PLOT, AND THE RISE OF FEUDS AND PARTIES.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage006.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Wilhelmus Kieft, as +has already been observed, +was a great legislator +on a small scale, and +had a microscopic eye in +public affairs. He had +been greatly annoyed by +the factious meeting of +the good people of New +Amsterdam, but, observing +that on these occasions +the pipe was ever in +their mouth, he began to think that the pipe was +at the bottom of the affair, and that there was +some mysterious affinity between politics and +tobacco-smoke. Determined to strike at the +root of the evil, he began forthwith to rail at +tobacco, as a noxious, nauseous weed, filthy in +all its uses; and as to smoking, he denounced +<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>it as a heavy tax upon the public pocket,—a +vast consumer of time, a great encourager of +idleness, and a deadly bane to the prosperity +and morals of the people. Finally he issued an +edict, prohibiting the smoking of tobacco +throughout the New Netherlands. Ill-fated +Kieft! Had he lived in the present age and +attempted to check the unbounded license of +the press, he could not have struck more sorely +upon the sensibilities of the million. The pipe, +in fact, was the greatest organ of reflection and +deliberation of the New Netherlander. It was +his constant companion and solace: was he +gay, he smoked; was he sad, he smoked; his +pipe was never out of his mouth; it was part of +his physiognomy; without it his best friends +would not know him. Take away his pipe? +You might as well take away his nose!</p> + +<p class='c013'>The immediate effect of the edict of William +the Testy was a popular commotion. A vast +multitude, armed with pipes and tobaccoboxes, +and an immense supply of ammunition, +sat themselves down before the governor’s +house, and fell to smoking with tremendous +violence. The testy William issued forth like +a wrathful spider, demanding the reason of +this lawless fumigation. The sturdy rioters +replied by lolling back in their seats, and puffing +away with redoubled fury, raising such a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>murky cloud that the governor was fain to take +refuge in the interior of his castle.</p> + +<p class='c013'>A long negotiation ensued through the medium +of Antony the Trumpeter. The governor +was at first wrathful and unyielding, but was +gradually smoked into terms. He concluded +by permitting the smoking of tobacco, but he +abolished the fair long pipes used in the days +of Wouter Van Twiller, denoting ease, tranquillity, +and sobriety of deportment; these he +condemned as incompatible with the despatch +of business, in place whereof he substituted little +captious short pipes, two inches in length, +which, he observed, could be stuck in one +corner of the mouth, or twisted in the hatband, +and would never be in the way. Thus +ended this alarming insurrection, which was +long known by the name of The Pipe-Plot, and +which, it has been somewhat quaintly observed, +did end, like most plots and seditions, in mere +smoke.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But mark, oh, reader! the deplorable evils +which did afterwards result. The smoke of +these villanous little pipes, continually ascending +in a cloud about the nose, penetrated into +and befogged the cerebellum, dried up all the +kindly moisture of the brain, and rendered the +people who used them as vaporous and testy as +the governor himself. Nay, what is worse, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>from being goodly, burly, sleek-conditioned +men, they became, like our Dutch yeomanry +who smoke short pipes, a lantern-jawed, smoke-dried, +leathern-hided race.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image009.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE EDICT OF WILLIAM THE TESTY.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>Nor was this all. From this fatal schism in +tobacco-pipes we may date the rise of parties in +the Nieuw Nederlandts. The rich and self-important +burghers who had made their fortunes, +and could afford to be lazy, adhered to the ancient +fashion, and formed a kind of aristocracy +known as the <i>Long Pipes</i>; while the lower +order, adopting the reform of William Kieft as +more convenient in their handicraft employments, +were branded with the plebeian name +of <i>Short Pipes</i>.</p> + +<p class='c013'>A third party sprang up, headed by the descendants +of Robert Chewit, the companion of +the great Hudson. These discarded pipes altogether +and took to chewing tobacco; hence +they were called <i>Quids</i>,—an appellation since +given to those political mongrels which sometimes +spring up between two great parties, as +a mule is produced between a horse and an ass.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And here I would note the great benefit of +party distinctions in saving the people at large +the trouble of thinking. Hesiod divides mankind +into three classes—those who think for +themselves, those who think as others think, +and those who do not think at all. The second +<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>class comprises the great mass of society; for +most people require a set creed and a file-leader. +Hence the origin of party: which means a +large body of people, some few of whom think, +and all the rest talk. The former take the +lead and discipline the latter; prescribing what +they must say, what they must approve, what +they must hoot at, whom they must support, +but, above all, whom they must hate; for no +one can be a right good partisan, who is not a +thorough-going hater.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image011.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>A LONG PIPE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The enlightened inhabitants of the Manhattoes, +therefore, being divided into parties, were +enabled to hate each other with great accuracy. +And now the great business of politics went +bravely on, the long pipes and short pipes assembling +in separate beer-houses, and smoking +<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>at each other with implacable vehemence, to +the great support of the State and profit of the +tavern-keepers. Some, indeed, went so far as +to bespatter their adversaries with those odoriferous +little words which smell so strong in the +Dutch language, believing, like true politicians, +that they served their party, and glorified themselves +in proportion as they bewrayed their +neighbors. But, however they might differ +among themselves, all parties agreed in abusing +the governor, seeing that he was not a governor +of their choice, but appointed by others +to rule over them.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Unhappy William Kieft! exclaims the sage +writer of the Stuyvesant manuscript, doomed to +contend with enemies too knowing to be entrapped, +and to reign over a people too wise to +be governed. All his foreign expeditious were +baffled and set at naught by the all-pervading +Yankees; all his home measures were +canvassed and condemned by “numerous and +respectable meetings” of pot-house politicians.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the multitude of counsellors, we are told, +there is safety; but the multitude of counsellors +was a continual source of perplexity to +William Kieft. With a temperament as hot as +an old radish, and a mind subject to perpetual +whirlwinds and tornadoes, he never failed to +get into a passion with every one who undertook +<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>to advise him. I have observed, however, +that your passionate little men, like small +boats with large sails, are easily upset or blown +out of their course; so was it with William the +Testy, who was prone to be carried away by the +last piece of advice blown into his ear. The +consequence was, that, though a projector of +the first class, yet by continually changing his +projects he gave none a fair trial; and by endeavoring +to do everything, he in sober truth +did nothing.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image013.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>A POT-HOUSE POLITICIAN.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>In the meantime, the sovereign people got +into the saddle, showed themselves, as usual, +unmerciful riders; spurring on the little governor +with harangues and petitions, and thwarting +him with memorials and reproaches, in +much the same way as holiday apprentices +manage an unlucky devil of a hack-horse,—so +that Wilhelmus Kieft was kept at a worry or a +gallop throughout the whole of his administration.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image014.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing showing the back of a wooden cart loaded with sacks; a woman holding a child sits on top, while a man in a hat stands to the right.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IX.</span><br> <span class='c010'>OF THE FOLLY OF BEING HAPPY IN TIME OF PROSPERITY—OF TROUBLES TO THE SOUTH BROUGHT ON BY ANNEXATION—OF THE SECRET EXPEDITION OF JAN JANSEN ALPENDAM, AND HIS MAGNIFICENT REWARD.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage015.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +If we could but get a peep +at the tally of dame Fortune, +where like a vigilant +landlady she chalks +up the debtor and creditor +accounts of thoughtless +mortals, we should +find that every good is +checked off by an evil, +and that, however we +may apparently revel scot-free for a season, the +time will come when we must ruefully pay off +the reckoning. Fortune in fact is a pestilent +shrew, and withal an inexorable creditor; and +though for a time she may be all smiles and +courtesies and indulge us in long credits, yet +sooner or later she brings up her arrears with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>a vengeance, and washes out her scores with +our tears. “Since,” says good old Boëtius, +“no man can retain her at his pleasure; what +are her favors but sure prognostications of +approaching trouble and calamity?”</p> + +<p class='c013'>This is the fundamental maxim of that sage +school of philosophers, the croakers, who esteem +it true wisdom to doubt and despond when +other men rejoice, well knowing that happiness +is at best but transient,—that, the higher +one is elevated on the seesaw balance of fortune, +the lower must be his subsequent depression,—that +he who is on the uppermost round +of a ladder has most to suffer from a fall, +while he who is at the bottom runs very little +risk of breaking his neck by tumbling to the +top.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Philosophical readers of this stamp must +have doubtless indulged in dismal forebodings +all through the tranquil reign of Walter the +Doubter, and considered it what Dutch seamen +call a weather-breeder. They will not be surprised, +therefore, that the foul weather which +gathered during his days should now be rattling +from all quarters on the head of William +the Testy.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The origin of some of these troubles may +be traced quite back to the discoveries and +annexations of Hans Reinier Oothout, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>explorer, and Wynant Ten Breeches, the land-measurer, +made in the twilight days of Oloffe +the Dreamer; by which the territories of the +Nieuw Nederlandts were carried far to the +south, to Delaware river and parts beyond. +The consequence was, many disputes and +brawls with the Indians, which now and then +reached the drowsy ears of Walter the Doubter +and his council, like the muttering of distant +thunder from behind the mountains, without, +however, disturbing their repose. It was not +till the time of William the Testy that the +thunderbolt reached the Manhattoes. While +the little governor was diligently protecting +his eastern boundaries from the Yankees, word +was brought him of the irruption of a vagrant +colony of Swedes in the south, who had landed +on the banks of the Delaware and displayed +the banner of that redoubtable virago Queen +Christina, and taken possession of the country +in her name. These had been guided in their +expedition by one Peter Minuits, or Minnewits, +a renegade Dutchman, formerly in the service +of their High Mightinesses, but who now declared +himself governor of all the surrounding +country, to which was given the name of the +province of <span class='sc'>New Sweden</span>.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is an old saying that “a little pot is soon +hot,” which was the case with William the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>Testy. Being a little man, he was soon in a +passion, and once in a passion, he soon boiled +over. Summoning his council on the receipt +of this news, he belabored the Swedes in the +longest speech that had been heard in the +colony since the wordy warfare of Ten Breeches +and Tough Breeches. Having thus taken off +the fire-edge of his valor, he resorted to his favorite +measure of proclamation, and despatched +a document of the kind, ordering the renegade +Minnewits and his gang of Swedish vagabonds +to leave the country immediately, under pain +of the vengeance of their High Mightinesses +the Lords States-General, and of the potentates +of the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This strong measure was not a whit more +effectual than its predecessors, which had been +thundered against the Yankees; and William +Kieft was preparing to follow it up with something +still more formidable, when he received +intelligence of other invaders on his southern +frontier, who had taken possession of the banks +of the Schuylkill, and built a fort there. They +were represented as a gigantic, gun-powder race +of men, exceedingly expert at boxing, biting, +gouging, and other branches of the rough-and-tumble +mode of warfare, which they had +learned from their prototypes and cousins-german, +the Virginians, to whom they have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>ever borne considerable resemblance. Like +them, too, they were great roisters, much +given to revel on hoe-cake and bacon, mint-julep +and apple-toddy; whence their newly +formed colony had already acquired the name +of Merryland, which, with a slight modification, +it retains to the present day.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image019.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE MERRYLANDERS WERE FOND OF BOXING.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>In fact, the Merrylanders and their cousins, +the Virginians, were represented to William +Kieft as offsets from the same original stock +as his bitter enemies the Yanokie, or Yankee +tribes of the east, having both come over to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>this country for the liberty of conscience, or, in +other words, to live as they pleased: the Yankees +taking to praying and money-making, +and converting quakers; and the Southerners +to horse-racing and cock-fighting, and breeding +negroes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Against these new invaders Wilhelmus Kieft +immediately despatched a naval armament of +two sloops and thirty men, under Jan Jansen +Alpendam, who was armed to the very teeth +with one of the little governor’s most powerful +speeches, written in vigorous Low Dutch.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Admiral Alpendam arrived without accident +in the Schuylkill, and came upon the enemy +just as they were engaged in a great “barbecue,” +a kind of festivity or carouse much practised +in Merryland. Opening upon them with +the speech of William the Testy, he denounced +them as a pack of lazy, canting, julep-tippling, +cock-fighting, horse-racing, slave-trading, tavern-hunting, +Sabbath-breaking, mulatto-breeding +upstarts, and concluded by ordering them +to evacuate the country immediately: to which +they laconically replied in plain English, +“they’d see him d——d first!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now, this was a reply on which neither Jan +Jansen Alpendam nor Wilhelmus Kieft had +made any calculation. Finding himself, therefore, +totally unprepared to answer so terrible a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>rebuff with suitable hostility, the admiral concluded +his wisest course would be to return +home and report progress. He accordingly +steered his course back to New Amsterdam, +where he arrived safe, having accomplished +this hazardous enterprise at small expense of +treasure and no loss of life. His saving policy +gained him the universal appellation of the +Saviour of his Country; and his services were +suitably rewarded by a shingle monument, +erected by subscription on the top of Flattenbarrack +Hill, where it immortalized his name +for three whole years, when it fell to pieces and +was burnt for firewood.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image021.jpg' alt='Black and white ink sketch of a portly, boastful soldier with a large mustache and helmet, leaning on a long sword with one hand on his hip.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter X.</span><br> <span class='c010'>TROUBLOUS TIMES ON THE HUDSON—HOW KILLIAN VAN RENSELLAER ERECTED A FEUDAL CASTLE, AND HOW HE INTRODUCED CLUB-LAW INTO THE PROVINCE.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage022.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +About this time the testy +little governor of the +New Netherlands appears +to have had his +hands full, and with one +annoyance and the other +to have been kept +continually on the +bounce. He was on the +very point of following +up the expedition of Jan Jansen Alpendam by +some belligerent measures against the marauders +of Merryland, when his attention was +suddenly called away by belligerent troubles +springing up in another quarter, the seeds of +which had been sown in the tranquil days +of Walter the Doubter.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The reader will recollect the deep doubt +into which that most pacific of governors was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>thrown on Killian Van Rensellaer’s taking possession +of Bearn Island by <i><span lang="nl">wapen recht</span></i>. While +the governor doubted and did nothing, the +lordly Killian went on to complete his sturdy +little castellum of Rensellaerstein, and to garrison +it with a number of his tenants from the +Helderberg, a mountain region famous for the +hardest heads and hardest fists in the province. +Nicholas Koorn, a faithful squire of the patroon, +accustomed to strut at his heels, wear his cast-off +clothes, and imitate his lofty bearing, was +established in this post as wacht-meester. His +duty it was to keep an eye on the river, and +oblige every vessel that passed, unless on the +service of their High Mightinesses, to strike +its flag, lower its peak, and pay toll to the +lord of Rensellaerstein.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This assumption of sovereign authority +within the territories of the Lords States-General, +however it might have been tolerated by +Walter the Doubter, had been sharply contested +by William the Testy on coming into office; +and many written remonstrances had been +addressed by him to Killian Van Rensellaer, to +which the latter never deigned a reply. Thus, +by degrees, a sore place, or, in Hibernian parlance, +a <i>raw</i>, had been established in the irritable +soul of the little governor, insomuch that +he winced at the very name of Rensellaerstein.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>Now it came to pass, that, on a fine sunny +day, the Company’s yacht, the <i>Half-Moon</i>, +having been on one of its stated visits to Fort +Aurania, was quietly tiding it down the Hudson. +The commander, Govert Lockerman, a +veteran Dutch skipper of few words but great +bottom, was seated on the high poop, quietly +smoking his pipe under the shadow of the +proud flag of Orange, when, on arriving abreast +of Bearn Island, he was saluted by a stentorian +voice from the shore, “Lower thy flag, and be +d——d to thee!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>Govert Lockerman, without taking his pipe +out of his mouth, turned up his eye from under +his broad-brimmed hat to see who hailed him +thus discourteously. There, on the ramparts +of the fort, stood Nicholas Koorn, armed to the +teeth, flourishing a brass-hilted sword, while a +steeple-crowned hat and cock’s tail-feather, +formerly worn by Killian Van Rensellaer himself, +gave an inexpressible loftiness to his +demeanor.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Govert Lockerman eyed the warrior from top +to toe, but was not to be dismayed. Taking +the pipe slowly out of his mouth, “To whom +should I lower my flag?” demanded he. +“To the high and mighty Killian Van Rensellaer, +the lord of Rensellaerstein!” was the +reply.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> +<img src='images/image025.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“I LOWER IT TO NONE.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“I lower it to none but the Prince of Orange +and my masters the Lords States-General.” +So saying, he resumed his pipe and smoked +with an air of dogged determination.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Bang! went a gun from the fortress; the +ball cut both sail and rigging. Govert Lockerman +said nothing, but smoked the more doggedly.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Bang! went another gun; the shot whistled +close astern.</p> + +<p class='c013'>“Fire, and be d——d,” cried Govert Lockerman, +cramming a new charge of tobacco into +his pipe, and smoking with still increasing +vehemence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Bang! went a third gun. The shot passed +over his head, tearing a hole in the “princely +flag of Orange.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>This was the hardest trial of all for the pride +and patience of Govert Lockerman. He maintained +a stubborn, though swelling silence; but +his smothered rage might be perceived by the +short vehement puffs of smoke emitted from +his pipe, by which he might be tracked for +miles, as he slowly floated out of shot and out +of sight of Bearn Island. In fact he never +gave vent to his passion until he got fairly +among the highlands of the Hudson; when he +let fly whole volleys of Dutch oaths, which are +said to linger to this very day among the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>echoes of the Dunderberg, and to give particular +effect to the thunder-storms in that +neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It was the sudden apparition of Govert +Lockerman at Dog’s Misery, bearing in his +hand the tattered flag of Orange, that arrested +the attention of William the Testy, just as he +was devising a new expedition against the +marauders of Merryland. I will not pretend +to describe the passion of the little man when +he heard of the outrage of Rensellaerstein. +Suffice it to say, in the first transports of his +fury, he turned Dog’s Misery topsy-turvy; +kicked every cur out of doors, and threw the +cats out of the window; after which, his spleen +being in some measure relieved, he went into +a council of war with Govert Lockerman, the +skipper, assisted by Antony Van Corlear, the +Trumpeter.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image027.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink sketch of three kittens pouncing and playing; two kittens are huddled together on the left, while one leaps forward on the right with its tail straight up.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter XI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>ON THE DIPLOMATIC MISSION OF ANTONY THE TRUMPETER TO THE FORTRESS OF RENSELLAERSTEIN—AND HOW HE WAS PUZZLED BY A CABALISTIC REPLY.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage028.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +The eyes of all New +Amsterdam were now +turned to see what +would be the end of +this direful feud between +William the +Testy and the patroon +of Rensellaerwick; +and some, observing +the consultations of +the governor with the +skipper and the trumpeter, predicted warlike +measures by sea and land. The wrath of +William Kieft, however, though quick to rise, +was quick to evaporate. He was a perfect +brush-heap in a blaze, snapping and crackling +for a time, and then ending in smoke. Like +many other valiant potentates, his first thoughts +<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>were all for war, his sober second thoughts +for diplomacy.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image029.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“A WHOLE ROW OF HELDERBERGERS REARED THEIR ROUND BURLY HEADS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Accordingly, Govert Lockerman was once +more despatched up the river in the Company’s +yacht, the <i>Goed Hoop</i> bearing Antony the +Trumpeter as ambassador, to treat with the +belligerent powers of Rensellaerstein. In the +fulness of time the yacht arrived before Bearn +Island, and Antony the Trumpeter, mounting +the poop, sounded a parley to the fortress. In +a little while the steeple-crowned hat of Nicholas +Koorn, the wacht-meester, rose above the +battlements, followed by his iron visage, and +ultimately his whole person, armed, as before, +to the very teeth; while, one by one, a whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>row of Helderbergers reared their round burly +heads above the wall, and beside each pumpkin-head +peered the end of a rusty musket. +Nothing daunted by this formidable array, +Antony Van Corlear drew forth and read with +audible voice a missive from William the Testy, +protesting against the usurpation of Bearn +Island, and ordering the garrison to quit the +premises, bag and baggage, on pain of the +vengeance of the potentate of the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In reply, the wacht-meester applied the +thumb of his right hand to the end of his nose, +and the thumb of his left hand to the little +finger of the right, and spreading each hand +like a fan, made an aërial flourish with his +fingers. Antony Van Corlear was sorely perplexed +to understand this sign, which seemed +to him something mysterious and masonic. +Not liking to betray his ignorance, he again +read with a loud voice the missive of William +the Testy, and again Nicholas Koorn applied +the thumb of his right hand to the end of his +nose, and the thumb of his left hand to the +little finger of the right, and repeated this +kind of nasal weather-cock. Antony Van +Corlear now persuaded himself that this was +some shorthand sign or symbol, current in +diplomacy, which, though unintelligible to a +new diplomat, like himself, would speak volumes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>to the experienced intellect of William +the Testy; considering his embassy therefore +at an end, he sounded his trumpet with great +complacency, and set sail on his return down +the river, every now and then practising this +mysterious sign of the wacht-meester, to keep +it accurately in mind.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Arrived at New Amsterdam he made a faithful +report of his embassy to the governor, +accompanied by a manual exhibition of the +response of Nicholas Koorn. The governor +was equally perplexed with his embassy. +He was deeply versed in the mysteries of free-masonry; +but they threw no light on the +matter. He knew every variety of wind-mill +and weather-cock, but was not a whit the wiser +as to the aërial sign in question. He had even +dabbled in Egyptian hieroglyphics and the +mystic symbols of the obelisks, but none furnished +a key to the reply of Nicholas Koorn. +He called a meeting of his council. Antony +Van Corlear stood forth in the midst, and putting +the thumb of his right hand to his nose, +and the thumb of his left hand to the finger +of the right, he gave a faithful fac-simile +of the portentous sign. Having a nose of +unusual dimensions, it was as if the reply had +been put in capitals; but all in vain: the worthy +burgomasters were equally perplexed with the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>governor. Each one put his thumb to the end +of his nose, spread his fingers like a fan, imitated +the motion of Antony Van Corlear, and then +smoked in dubious silence. Several times was +Antony obliged to stand forth like a fugleman +and repeat the sign, and each time a circle of +nasal weather-cocks might be seen in the +council-chamber.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image032.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE WISE MEN AND SOOTHSAYERS.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Perplexed in the extreme, +William the Testy sent for all +the soothsayers, and fortunetellers +and wise men of the +Manhattoes, but none could interpret the mysterious +reply of Nicholas Koorn. The council +broke up in sore perplexity. The matter got +abroad, and Antony Van Corlear was stopped +at every corner to repeat the signal to a knot +of anxious newsmongers, each of whom departed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>with his thumb to his nose and his +fingers in the air, to carry the story home to +his family. For several days all business was +neglected in New Amsterdam; nothing was +talked of but the diplomatic mission of Antony +the Trumpeter,—nothing was to be seen but +knots of politicians with their thumbs to their +noses. In the meantime the fierce feud between +William the Testy and Killian Van Rensellaer, +which at first had menaced deadly warfare, +gradually cooled off, like many other war-questions, +in the prolonged delays of diplomacy.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Still to this early affair of Rensellaerstein +may be traced the remote origin of those windy +wars in modern days which rage in the bowels +of the Helderberg, and have wellnigh shaken +the great patroonship of the Van Rensellaers +to its foundation; for we are told that the bully +boys of the Helderberg, who served under +Nicholas Koorn the wacht-meester, carried +back to their mountains the hieroglyphic sign +which had so sorely puzzled Antony Van Corlear +and the sages of the Manhattoes; so that +to the present day the thumb to the nose and +the fingers in the air is apt to be the reply of +the Helderbergers whenever called upon for +any long arrears of rent.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter XII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE RISE OF THE GREAT AMPHICTYONIC COUNCIL OF THE PILGRIMS, WITH THE DECLINE AND FINAL EXTINCTION OF WILLIAM THE TESTY.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage034.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +It was asserted by the +wise men of ancient +times, who had a nearer +opportunity of ascertaining +the fact, that at +the gate of Jupiter’s palace +lay two huge tuns, +one filled with blessings, +the other with misfortunes; +and it would verily +seem as if the latter +had been completely overturned and left to +deluge the unlucky province of Nieuw Nederlandts: +for about this time, while harassed +and annoyed from the south and the north, +incessant forays were made by the border-chivalry +of Connecticut upon the pigsties and +hen-roosts of the Nederlanders. Every day +or two some broad-bottomed express-rider, +covered with mud and mire, would come +<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>floundering into the gate of New Amsterdam, +freighted with some new tale of aggression +from the frontier; whereupon Antony +Van Corlear, seizing his trumpet, the only +substitute for a newspaper in those primitive +days, would sound the tidings from the ramparts +with such doleful notes and disastrous +cadence as to throw half the old women in the +city into hysterics; all which tended greatly +to increase his popularity; there being nothing +for which the public are more grateful than +being frequently treated to a panic,—a secret +well known to the modern editors.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But, oh ye powers! into what a paroxysm +of passion did each new outrage of the Yankees +throw the choleric little governor! Letter +after letter, protest after protest, bad Latin, +worse English, and hideous Low Dutch, were +incessantly fulminated upon them, and the +four-and-twenty letters of the alphabet, which +formed his standing army, were worn out by +constant campaigning. All, however, was ineffectual; +even the recent victory at Oyster Bay, +which had shed such a gleam of sunshine +between the clouds of his fair-weather reign, +was soon followed by a more fearful gathering +up of those clouds, and indignations of more +portentous tempest; for the Yankee tribe on +the banks of the Connecticut, finding on this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>memorable occasion their incompetency to +cope, in fair fight, with the sturdy chivalry +of the Manhattoes, had called to their aid all +the ten tribes of their brethren who inhabit +the east country, which from them has derived +the name of Yankee-land. This call +was promptly responded to. The consequence +was a great confederacy of the tribes of Massachusetts, +Connecticut, New Plymouth, and +New Haven, under the title of the “United +Colonies of New England”; the pretended +object of which was mutual defence against +the savages, but the real object the subjugation +of the Nieuw Nederlands.</p> + +<p class='c013'>For, to let the reader into one of the great +secrets of history, the Nieuw Nederlandts had +long been regarded by the whole Yankee race +as the modern land of promise, and themselves +as the chosen and peculiar people destined, one +day or other, by hook or by crook, to get possession +of it. In truth, they are a wonderful +and all-prevalent people, of that class who +only require an inch to gain an ell, or a halter +to gain a horse. From the time they first +gained a foothold on Plymouth Rock, they +began to migrate, progressing and progressing +from place to place, and from land to land, +making a little here and a little there, and controverting +the old proverb, that a rolling stone +<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>gathers no moss. Hence they have facetiously +received the nickname of <span class='sc'>The Pilgrims</span>: +that is to say, a people who are always seeking +a better country than their own.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The tidings of this great Yankee league +struck William Kieft with dismay, and for +once in his life he forgot to bounce on receiving +a disagreeable piece of intelligence. In +fact, on turning over in his mind all that he +had read at the Hague about leagues and combinations, +he found that this was a counterpart +of the Amphictyonic league, by which the +states of Greece attained such power and supremacy; +and the very idea made his heart +quake for the safety of his empire at the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The affairs of the confederacy were managed +by an annual council of delegates held at +Boston, which Kieft denominated the Delphos +of this truly classic league. The very first +meeting gave evidence of hostility to the +Nieuw Nederlanders, who were charged, in +their dealings with the Indians, with carrying +on a traffic in “guns, powther, and shott,—a +trade damnable and injurious to the colonists.” +It is true the Connecticut traders +were fain to dabble a little in this damnable +traffic; but then they always dealt in what +were termed Yankee guns, ingeniously calculated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>to burst in the pagan hands which used +them.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The rise of this potent confederacy was a +death-blow to the glory of William the Testy, +for from that day forward he never held up +his head, but appeared quite crestfallen. It +is true, as the grand council augmented in +power, and the league, rolling onward, gathered +about the red hills of New Haven, +threatening to overwhelm the Nieuw Nederlandts, +he continued occasionally to fulminate +proclamations and protests, as a shrewd sea-captain +fires his guns into a water-spout; but +alas! they had no more effect than so many +blank cartridges.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus end the authenticated chronicles of +the reign of William the Testy; for henceforth, +in the troubles, perplexities, and confusion +of the times, he seems to have been +totally overlooked, and to have slipped forever +through the fingers of scrupulous history. It +is a matter of deep concern that such obscurity +should hang over his latter days; for +he was in truth a mighty and great-little man, +and worthy of being utterly renowned, seeing +that he was the first potentate that introduced +into this land the art of fighting by proclamation, +and defending a country by trumpeters +and wind-mills.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span> +<img src='images/image039.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THEY SOLD THEM GUNS THAT EXPLODED AT THE FIRST FIRING.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>It is true, that certain of the early provincial +poets, of whom there were great numbers in +the Nieuw Nederlandts, taking advantage of +his mysterious exit, have fabled, that, like +Romulus, he was translated to the skies, and +forms a very fiery little star, somewhere on +the left claw of the Crab; while others, equally +fanciful, declare that he had experienced a +fate similar to that of the good king Arthur, +who, we are assured by ancient bards, was +carried away to the delicious abodes of fairyland, +where he still exists in pristine worth +and vigor, and will one day or another return +<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>to restore the gallantry, the honor, and the +immaculate probity, which prevailed in the +glorious days of the Round Table.<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c014'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>All these, however, are but pleasing fantasies, +the cobweb visions of those dreaming +varlets, the poets, to which I would not have +my judicious readers attach any credibility. +Neither am I disposed to credit an ancient +and rather apocryphal historian, who asserts +that the ingenious Wilhelmus was annihilated +by the blowing down of one of his wind-mills; +nor a writer of later times, who affirms that he +fell a victim to an experiment in natural history, +having the misfortune to break his neck +from a garret-window of the stadthouse in attempting +to catch swallows by sprinkling salt +upon their tails. Still less do I put my faith +in the tradition that he perished at sea in conveying +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>home to Holland a treasure of golden +ore, discovered somewhere among the haunted +region of the Catskill mountains.<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c014'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>The most probable account declares, that, +what with the constant troubles on his frontiers, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>the incessant schemings and projects going +on in his own pericranium, the memorials, +petitions, remonstrances, and sage pieces of +advice of respectable meetings of the sovereign +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>people, and the refractory disposition of +his councillors, who were sure to differ from +him on every point, and uniformly to be in the +wrong, his mind was kept in a furnace-heat, +until he became as completely burnt out as a +Dutch family-pipe which has passed through +three generations of hard smokers. In this +manner did he undergo a kind of animal combustion, +consuming away like a farthing rushlight: +so that when grim death finally snuffed +him out, there was scarce left enough of him +to bury!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image043.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>DUTCH FAMILY PIPE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span> +<img src='images/image044.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a stern, portly man in 17th-century attire, wearing a tall hat, a fur-collared coat, and a belted tunic.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span> + <h2 class='c006'><span class='blackletter'>Book V.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE FIRST PART OF THE REIGN OF PETER STUYVESANT, AND HIS TROUBLES WITH THE AMPHICTYONIC COUNCIL.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class='c001 figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span> +<img src='images/image046.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a jolly, bald man sitting in a chair with a large napkin tucked into his collar, holding a spoon over a steaming bowl of soup.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter I.</span><br> <span class='c010'>IN WHICH THE DEATH OF A GREAT MAN IS SHOWN TO BE NO VERY INCONSOLABLE MATTER OF SORROW—AND HOW PETER STUYVESANT ACQUIRED A GREAT NAME FROM THE UNCOMMON STRENGTH OF HIS HEAD.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage047.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +To a profound philosopher +like myself, who am apt +to see clear through a +subject, where the penetration +of ordinary people +extends but halfway, +there is no fact +more simple and manifest +than that the death +of a great man is a +matter of very little importance. Much as we +may think of ourselves, and much as we may +excite the empty plaudits of the million, it is +certain that the greatest among us do actually +fill but an exceedingly small space in the +world; and it is equally certain, that even +that small space is quickly supplied when we +leave it vacant. “Of what consequence is it,” +<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>said Pliny, “that individuals appear, or make +their exit? the world is a theatre whose scenes +and actors are continually changing.” Never +did philosopher speak more correctly; and I +only wonder that so wise a remark could have +existed so many ages, and mankind not have +laid it more to heart. Sage follows on in the +footsteps of sage; one hero just steps out of +his triumphal car, to make way for the hero +who comes after him; and of the proudest +monarch it is merely said, that “he slept with +his fathers, and his successor reigned in his +stead.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>The world, to tell the private truth, cares +but little for their loss, and if left to itself +would soon forget to grieve; and though a +nation has often been figuratively drowned in +tears on the death of a great man, yet it is ten +to one if an individual tear has been shed on +the occasion, excepting from the forlorn pen +of some hungry author. It is the historian, +the biographer, and the poet, who have the +whole burden of grief to sustain,—who—kind +souls!—like undertakers in England, act the +part of chief mourners,—who inflate a nation +with sighs it never heaved, and deluged it with +tears it never dreamt of shedding. Thus, +while the patriotic author is weeping and +howling, in prose, in blank verse, and in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>rhyme, and collecting the drops of public +sorrow into his volume, as into a lachrymal +vase, it is more than probable his fellow-citizens +are eating and drinking, fiddling, and +dancing, as utterly ignorant of the bitter +lamentations made in their name as are those +men of straw, John Doe and Richard Roe, of +the plaintiffs for whom they are generously +pleased to become sureties.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image049.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“DRINKING, FIDDLING, AND DANCING.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The most glorious hero that ever desolated +nations might have mouldered into oblivion +among the rubbish of his own monument, did +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>not some historian take him into favor, and +benevolently transmit his name to posterity; +and much as the valiant William Kieft worried, +and bustled, and turmoiled, while he had the +destinies of a whole colony in his hand, I question +seriously whether he will not be obliged +to this authentic history for all his future +celebrity.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His exit occasioned no convulsion in the city +of New Amsterdam nor its vicinity: the earth +trembled not, neither did any stars shoot from +their spheres; the heavens were not shrouded +in black, as poets would fain persuade us they +have been, on the death of a hero; the rocks +(hard-hearted varlets!) melted not into tears, +nor did the trees hang their heads in silent +sorrow: and as to the sun, he lay abed the +next night just as long, and showed as jolly +a face when he rose as he ever did on the same +day of the month in any year, either before or +since. The good people of New Amsterdam, +one and all, declared that he had been a very +busy, active, bustling little governor; that he +was “the father of his country”; that he was +“the noblest work of God”; that “he was a +man, take him for all in all, they ne’er should +look upon his like again”; together with +sundry other civil and affectionate speeches +regularly said on the death of all great men: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>after which they smoked their pipes, thought +no more about him, and Peter Stuyvesant succeeded +to his station.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant was the last, and, like the +renowned Wouter Van Twiller, the best of our +ancient Dutch governors. Wouter having +surpassed all who preceded him, and Peter, +or Piet, as he was sociably called by the old +Dutch burghers, who were ever prone to +familiarize names, having never been equalled +by any successor. He was in fact the very +man fitted by nature to retrieve the desperate +fortunes of her beloved province, had not the +Fates, those most potent and unrelenting of all +ancient spinsters, destined them to inextricable +confusion.</p> + +<p class='c013'>To say merely that he was a hero, would be +doing him great injustice: he was in truth a +combination of heroes; for he was of a sturdy, +raw-boned make, like Ajax Telamon, with +a pair of round shoulders that Hercules would +have given his hide for (meaning his lion’s +hide) when he undertook to ease old Atlas +of his load. He was, moreover, as Plutarch +describes Coriolanus, not only terrible for the +force of his arm, but likewise of his voice, +which sounded as though it came out of a barrel; +and, like the self-same warrior, he possessed +a sovereign contempt for the sovereign +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>people, and an iron aspect, which was enough +of itself to make the very bowels of his adversaries +quake with terror and dismay. All this +martial excellency of appearance was inexpressibly +heightened by an accidental advantage, +with which I am surprised that neither +Homer nor Virgil have graced any of their +heroes. This was nothing less than a wooden +leg, which was the only prize he had gained +in bravely fighting the battles of his country, +but of which he was so proud, that he was +often heard to declare he valued it more than +all his other limbs put together; indeed so +highly did he esteem it, that he had it gallantly +enchased and relieved with silver devices, +which caused it to be related in divers histories +and legends that he wore a silver leg.<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c014'><sup>[4]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>Like that choleric warrior Achilles, he was +somewhat subject to extempore bursts of passion, +which were rather unpleasant to his favorites +and attendants, whose perceptions he was +apt to quicken, after the manner of his illustrious +imitator, Peter the Great, by anointing +their shoulders with his walking-staff.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Though I cannot find that he had read Plato, +or Aristotle, or Hobbes, or Bacon, or Algernon +Sydney, or Tom Paine, yet did he sometimes +manifest a shrewdness and sagacity in his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>measures, that one would hardly expect from +a man who did not know Greek, and had +never studied the ancients. True it is, and I +confess it with sorrow, that he had an unreasonable +aversion to experiments, and was +fond of governing his province after the simplest +manner; but then he contrived to keep +it in better order than did the erudite Kieft, +though he had all the philosophers, ancient and +modern, to assist and perplex him. I must +likewise own that he made but very few laws; +but then, again, he took care that those few +were rigidly and impartially enforced; and I do +not know but justice, on the whole, was as well +administered as if there had been volumes of +sage acts and statutes yearly made, and daily +neglected and forgotten.</p> + +<p class='c013'>He was, in fact, the very reverse of his +predecessors, being neither tranquil and inert, +like Walter the Doubter, nor restless and fidgeting, +like William the Testy,—but a man, or +rather a governor, of such uncommon activity +and decision of mind, that he never sought +nor accepted the advice of others,—depending +bravely upon his single head, as would a hero +of yore upon his single arm, to carry him +through all difficulties and dangers. To tell +the simple truth, he wanted nothing more to +complete him as a statesman than to think +<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>always right; for no one can say but that he +always acted as he thought. He was never +a man to flinch when he found himself in a +scrape, but to dash forward through thick and +thin, trusting, by hook or by crook, to make +all things straight in the end. In a word, he +possessed, in an eminent degree, that great +quality in a statesman, called perseverance by +the polite, but nicknamed obstinacy by the +vulgar,—a wonderful <a id='t54'></a>salve for official blunders, +since he who perseveres in error without flinching +gets the credit of boldness and consistency, +while he who wavers in seeking to do what +is right gets stigmatized as a trimmer. This +much is certain; and it is a maxim well +worthy the attention of all legislators, great +and small, who stand shaking in the wind, irresolute +which way to steer, that a ruler who +follows his own will pleases himself, while he +who seeks to satisfy the wishes and whims +of others runs great risk of pleasing nobody. +There is nothing, too, like putting down one’s +foot resolutely when in doubt, and letting +things take their course. The clock that +stands still points right twice in the four-and-twenty +hours, while others may keep going +continually and be continually going wrong.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Nor did this magnanimous quality escape +the discernment of the good people of Nieuw +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>Nederlandts; on the contrary, so much were +they struck with the independent will and +vigorous resolution displayed on all occasions +by their new governor, that they universally +called him Hard-Kopping Piet, or Peter the +Headstrong,—a great compliment +to the strength of his +understanding.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image055.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a wall-mounted cuckoo clock with Roman numerals, decorative scrollwork, and three long hanging weights.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>If, from all that I have said, +thou dost not gather, worthy +reader, that Peter Stuyvesant +was a tough, sturdy, valiant, +weather-beaten, mettlesome, +obstinate, leathern-sided, lion-hearted, +generous-spirited old +governor, either I have written +to but little purpose, or thou +art very dull at drawing conclusions.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The most excellent governor +commenced his administration +on the 29th of May, 1647,—a +remarkably stormy day, distinguished +in all the almanacs +of the time which have come +down to us by the name of <i>Windy Friday</i>. As +he was very jealous of his personal and official +dignity, he was inaugurated into office with +great ceremony,—the goodly oaken chair of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>the renowned Wouter Van Twiller being carefully +preserved for such occasions, in like manner +as the chair and stone were reverentially +preserved at Schone, in Scotland, for the coronation +of the Caledonian monarchs.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I must not omit to mention that the tempestuous +state of the elements, together with +its being that unlucky day of the week termed +“hanging-day,” did not fail to excite much +grave speculation and divers very reasonable +apprehensions among the more ancient and +enlightened inhabitants; and several of the +sager sex, who were reputed to be not a little +skilled in the mystery of astrology and fortune-telling, +did declare outright that they were +omens of a disastrous administration;—an +event that came to be lamentably verified, and +which proves beyond dispute the wisdom of +attending to those preternatural intimations +furnished by dreams and visions, the flying of +birds, falling of stones, and cackling of geese, +on which the sages and rulers of ancient times +placed such reliance; or to those shooting of +stars, eclipses of the moon, howlings of dogs, +and flarings of candles, carefully noted and +interpreted by the oracular sibyls of our day,—who, +in my humble opinion, are the legitimate +inheritors and preservers of the ancient science +of divination. This much is certain, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>Governor Stuyvesant succeeded to the chair of +state at a turbulent period; when foes thronged +and threatened from without; when anarchy +and stiff-necked opposition reigned rampant +within; when the authority of their High +Mightinesses the Lords States-General, though +supported by economy and defended by +speeches, protests, and proclamations, yet +tottered to its very centre; and when the great +city of New Amsterdam, though fortified by +flagstaffs, trumpeters, and wind-mills, seemed, +like some fair lady of easy virtue, to lie open +to attack, and ready to yield to the first invader.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image057.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a traditional tower windmill with four large sails, standing on a small grassy mound.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter II.</span><br> <span class='c010'>SHOWING HOW PETER THE HEADSTRONG BESTIRRED HIMSELF AMONG THE RATS AND COBWEBS ON ENTERING INTO OFFICE—HIS INTERVIEW WITH ANTONY THE TRUMPETER, AND HIS PERILOUS MEDDLING WITH THE CURRENCY.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage058.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +The very first movements +of the great Peter, on +taking the reins of government, +displayed his +magnanimity, though +they occasioned not a +little marvel and uneasiness +among the people of +the Manhattoes. Finding +himself constantly +interrupted by the opposition, +and annoyed by the advice of his privy +council, the members of which had acquired +the unreasonable habit of thinking and speaking +for themselves during the preceding reign, +he determined at once to put a stop to such +grievous abominations. Scarcely, therefore, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>had he entered upon his authority, than he +turned out of office all the meddlesome spirits +of the factious cabinet of William the Testy; +in place of whom he chose unto himself counsellors +from those fat, somniferous, respectable +burghers who had flourished and slumbered +under the easy reign of Walter the Doubter. +All these he caused to be furnished with abundance +of fair long pipes, and to be regaled with +frequent corporation dinners, admonishing +them to smoke, and eat, and sleep for the good +of the nation, while he took the burden of +government upon his own shoulders—an arrangement +to which they all gave hearty +acquiescence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Nor did he stop here, but made a hideous +rout among the inventions and expedients of +his learned predecessor,—rooting up his patent +gallows, where caitiff vagabonds were suspended +by the waistband,—demolishing his +flagstaffs and wind-mills, which, like mighty +giants, guarded the ramparts of New Amsterdam,—pitching +to the duyvel whole batteries +of quaker guns,—and, in a word, turning +topsy-turvy the whole philosophic, economic, +and wind-mill system of the immortal sage of +Saardam.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The honest folk of New Amsterdam began +to quake now for the fate of their matchless +<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>champion, Antony the Trumpeter, who had +acquired prodigious favor in the eyes of the +women, by means of his whiskers and his +trumpet. Him did Peter the Headstrong +cause to be brought into his presence, and +eying him a moment from head to foot, with a +countenance that would have appalled anything +else than a sounder of brass,—“Pr’ythee, who +and what art thou?” said he. “Sire,” replied +the other, in no wise dismayed, “for my +name, it is Antony Van Corlear; for my parentage, +I am the son of my mother; for my profession, +I am champion and garrison of this +great city of New Amsterdam.” “I doubt +me much,” said Peter Stuyvesant, “that thou +art some scurvy costard-monger knave. How +didst thou acquire this paramount honor and +dignity?” “Marry, sir,” replied the other, +“like many a great man before me, simply <i>by +sounding my own trumpet</i>.” “Ay, is it so?” +quoth the governor; “why, then let us have +a relish of thy art.” Whereupon the good +Antony put his instrument to his lips, and +sounded a charge with such a tremendous outset, +such a delectable quaver, and such a triumphant +cadence, that it was enough to make +one’s heart leap out of one’s mouth only to +be within a mile of it. Like as a war-worn +charger, grazing in peaceful plains, starts at a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>strain of martial music, pricks up his ears, and +snorts, and paws, and kindles at the noise, so +did the heroic Peter joy to hear the clangor of +the trumpet; for of him might truly be said, +what was recorded of the renowned St. George +of England, “there was nothing in all the +world that more rejoiced his heart than to +hear the pleasant sound of war, and see the +soldiers brandish forth their steeled weapons.” +Casting his eye more kindly, therefore, upon +the sturdy Van Corlear, and finding him to be +a jovial varlet, shrewd in his discourse, yet +of great discretion and immeasurable wind, he +straightway conceived a vast kindness for him, +and discharged him from the troublesome duty +of garrisoning, defending, and alarming the +city, ever after retained him about his person, +as his chief favorite, confidential envoy, and +trusty squire. Instead of disturbing the city +with disastrous notes, he was instructed to play +so as to delight the governor while at his repasts, +as did the minstrels of yore in the days +of glorious chivalry,—and on all public occasions +to rejoice the ears of the people with +warlike melody,—thereby keeping alive a noble +and martial spirit.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image061.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“SO AS TO DELIGHT THE GOVERNOR WHILE AT HIS REPASTS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>But the measure of the valiant Peter which +produced the greatest agitation in the community, +was his laying his hand upon the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>currency. He had old-fashioned notions in +favor of gold and silver, which he considered +the true standards of wealth and mediums of +commerce; and one of his first edicts was, that +all duties to government should be paid in +those precious metals, and that seawant, or +wampum, should no longer be a legal tender.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Here was a blow at public prosperity! All +those who speculated on the rise and fall of +this fluctuating currency, found their calling +at an end; those, too, who had hoarded Indian +money by barrels-full, found their capital +shrunk in amount; but, above all, the Yankee +traders, who were accustomed to flood the +market with newly coined oyster-shells, and +to abstract Dutch merchandise in exchange, +were loud-mouthed in decrying this “tampering +with the currency.” It was clipping the +wings of commerce; it was checking the development +of public prosperity; trade would +be at an end; goods would moulder on the +shelves; grain would rot in the granaries; +grass would grow in the market-place. In a +word, no one who has not heard the outcries +and howlings of a modern Tarshish, at any +check upon “paper-money,” can have any +idea of the clamor against Peter the Headstrong, +for checking the circulation of oyster-shells.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>In fact, trade did shrink into narrower channels; +but then the stream was deep as it was +broad; the honest Dutchmen sold less goods; +but then they got the worth of them, either in +silver and gold, or in codfish, tin ware, apple-brandy, +Weathersfield onions, wooden bowls, +and other articles of Yankee barter. The +ingenious people of the east, however, indemnified +themselves another way for having to +abandon the coinage of oyster-shells; for about +this time we are told that wooden nutmegs +made their first appearance in New Amsterdam, +to the great annoyance of the Dutch +housewives.</p> + +<h4 class='c015'>NOTE.</h4> + +<p class='c016'><i>From a manuscript record of the province; Lib. N. Y. +His. Society.</i>—We have been unable to render your +inhabitants wiser and prevent their being further imposed +upon than to declare absolutely and peremptorily +that henceforward seawant shall be bullion,—not +longer admissible in trade, without any value, +as it is indeed. So that every one may be upon his +guard to no longer barter away his wares and merchandises +for these bubbles,—at least not to accept +them at a higher rate, or in a larger quantity, than as +they may want them in their trade with the savages.</p> + +<p class='c017'>In this way your English [Yankee] neighbors shall +no longer be enabled to draw the best wares and +merchandises from our country for nothing,—the +beavers and furs not excepted. This has indeed long +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>since been insufferable, although it ought chiefly to +be imputed to the imprudent penuriousness of our +own merchants and inhabitants, who, it is to be +hoped, shall through the abolition of this seawant +become wiser and more prudent.</p> + +<p class='c017'><i>27th January, 1662.</i></p> + +<p class='c018'>Seawant falls into disrepute; duties to be paid in +silver coin.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image065.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a rugged man in a buckled hat carrying a musket over his shoulder, with pouches hanging from his neck and one hand outstretched.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter III.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW THE YANKEE LEAGUE WAXED MORE AND MORE POTENT; AND HOW IT OUTWITTED THE GOOD PETER IN TREATY-MAKING.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage066.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Now it came to pass, that, +while Peter Stuyvesant +was busy regulating the +internal affairs of his domain, +the great Yankee +league, which had caused +such tribulation to William +the Testy, continued +to increase in extent +and power. The grand Amphictyonic council +of the league was held at Boston, where it +spun a web, which threatened to link within +it all the mighty principalities and powers of +the east. The object proposed by this formidable +combination was, mutual protection and +defence against their savage neighbors; but +all the world knows the real aim was to form +a grand crusade against the Nieuw Nederlandts, +and to get possession of the city of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>Manhattoes,—as devout an object of enterprise +and ambition to the Yankees as was ever the +capture of Jerusalem to ancient crusaders.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the very year following the inauguration +of Governor Stuyvesant, a grand deputation +departed from the city of Providence (famous +for its dusty streets and beauteous women) in +behalf of the plantation of Rhode Island, +praying to be admitted into the league.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The following minute of this deputation appears +in the ancient records of the council.<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c014'><sup>[5]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Will. Cottington and Captain Partridg +of Rhoode Island presented this insewing request +to the commissioners in wrighting—</p> + +<p class='c013'>“Our request and motion is in behalfe of +Rhoode Iland, that wee the Ilanders of Rhoode-Iland +may be rescauied into combination with +all the united colonyes of New England in a +firme and perpetual league of friendship and +amity of ofence and defence, mutuall advice +and succor upon all just occasions for our +mutuall safety and wellfaire, etc.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'>“<span class='sc'>Will Cottington</span>,</div> + <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Alicxsander Partridg</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>There was certainly something in the very +physiognomy of this document that might +well inspire apprehension. The name of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>Alexander, however misspelt, has been warlike +in every age; and though its fierceness is +in some measure softened by being coupled +with the gentle cognomen of Partridge, still, +like the color of scarlet, it bears an exceeding +great resemblance to the sound of a trumpet. +From the style of the letter, moreover, and +the soldier-like ignorance of orthography displayed +by the noble Captain Alicxsander Partridg +in spelling his own name, we may picture +to ourselves this mighty man of Rhodes, strong +in arms, potent in the field, and as great a +scholar as though he had been educated among +that learned people of Thrace, who, Aristotle +assures us, could not count beyond the number +four.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The result of this great Yankee league was +augmented audacity on the part of the moss-troopers +of Connecticut,—pushing their encroachments +farther and farther into the +territories of their High Mightinesses, so +that even the inhabitants of New Amsterdam +began to draw short breath and to find themselves +exceedingly cramped for elbow-room.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant was not a man to submit +quietly to such intrusions; his first impulse +was to march at once to the frontier and kick +these squatting Yankees out of the country; +but, bethinking himself in time that he was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>now a governor and legislator, the policy of +the statesman for once cooled the fire of the +old soldier, and he determined to try his hand +at negotiation. A correspondence accordingly +ensued between him and the grand council of +the league; and it was agreed that commissioners +from either side should meet at Hartford, +to settle boundaries, adjust grievances, +and establish a “perpetual and happy peace.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>The commissioners on the part of the Manhattoes +were chosen, according to immemorial +usage of that venerable metropolis, from +among the “wisest and weightiest” men of +the community, that is to say, men with the +oldest heads and heaviest pockets. Among +these sages the veteran navigator, Hans Reinier +Oothout, who had made such extensive +discoveries during the time of Oloffe the +Dreamer, was looked up to as an oracle in all +matters of the kind; and he was ready to +produce the very spy-glass with which he first +spied the mouth of the Connecticut River from +his mast-head; and all the world knows the +discovery of the mouth of a river gives prior +right to all the lands drained by its waters.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It was with feelings of pride and exultation +that the good people of the Manhattoes saw +two of the richest and most ponderous burghers +departing on the embassy,—men whose +<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>word on ’change was oracular, and in whose +presence no poor man ventured to appear without +taking off his hat: when it was seen, too, +that the veteran Reinier Oothout accompanied +them with his spy-glass under his arm, all the +old men and old women predicted that men of +such weight, with such evidence, would leave +the Yankees no alternative but to pack up their +tin kettles and wooden wares, put wife and +children in a cart, and abandon all the lands +of their High Mightinesses, on which they had +squatted.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In truth, the commissioners sent to Hartford +by the league seemed in no wise calculated +to compete with men of such capacity. +They were two lean Yankee lawyers, litigious-looking +varlets, and evidently men of no substance, +since they had no rotundity in the +belt, and there was no jingling of money +in their pockets; it is true, they had longer +heads than the Dutchmen; but if the heads of +the latter were flat at top, they were broad at +bottom, and what was wanting in height of +forehead was made up by a double chin.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span> +<img src='images/image071.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“A NANTUCKET WHALER, WITH A SPY-GLASS TWICE AS LONG!”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The negotiation turned as usual upon the +good old corner-stone of original discovery,—according +to the principle that he who first sees +a new country has an unquestionable right to +it. This being admitted, the veteran Oothout, +at a concerted signal, stepped forth in the assembly +with the identical tarpauling spy-glass +in his hand, with which he had discovered the +mouth of the Connecticut, while the worthy +Dutch commissioners lolled back in their chairs, +secretly chuckling at the idea of having for +once got the weather-gage of the Yankees; but +what was their dismay when the latter produced +a Nantucket whaler with a spy-glass +twice as long, with which he discovered the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>whole coast, quite down to the Manhattoes, and +so crooked, that he had spied with it up the +whole course of the Connecticut River. This +principle pushed home, therefore, the Yankees +had a right to the whole country bordering on +the Sound; nay, the city of New Amsterdam +was a mere Dutch squatting-place on their +territories.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I forbear to dwell upon the confusion of the +worthy Dutch commissioners at finding their +main pillar of proof thus knocked from under +them; neither will I pretend to describe +the consternation of the wise men at the Manhattoes +when they learned how their commissioners +had been out-trumped by the Yankees, +and how the latter pretended to claim to the +very gates of New Amsterdam.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Long was the negotiation protracted, and +long was the public mind kept in a state of +anxiety. There are two modes of settling +boundary questions when the claims of the opposite +are irreconcilable. One is by an appeal +to arms, in which case the weakest party is apt +to lose its right, and get a broken head into the +bargain; the other mode is by compromise, or +mutual concession,—that is to say, one party +cedes half of its claims, and the other party +half of its rights; he who grasps most +gets most, and the whole is pronounced an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>equitable division, “perfectly honorable to both +parties.”</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image073.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE OLD WOMEN REJOICED THAT THERE WAS TO BE NO WAR.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The latter mode was adopted in the present +instance. The Yankees gave up claims to vast +tracts of the Nieuw Nederlandts which they +had never seen, and all right to the land of +Manna-hata and the city of New Amsterdam, +to which they had no right at all; while the +Dutch, in return, agreed that the Yankees +should retain possession of the frontier places +where they had squatted, and of both sides of +the Connecticut River.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>When the news of this treaty arrived at New +Amsterdam, the whole city was in an uproar +of exultation. The old women rejoiced that +there was to be no war, the old men that their +cabbage-gardens were safe from invasion; +while the political sages pronounced the treaty +a great triumph over the Yankees, considering +how much they had claimed, and how little +they had been “fobbed off with.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now my worthy reader is, doubtless, like +the great and good Peter, congratulating himself +with the idea that his feelings will no +longer be harassed by afflicting details of stolen +horses, broken heads, impounded hogs, and all +the other catalogue of heart-rending cruelties +that disgraced these border wars. But if he +should indulge in such expectations, it is a +proof that he is but little versed in the paradoxical +ways of cabinets; to convince him of +which, I solicit his serious attention to my +next chapter, wherein I will show that Peter +Stuyvesant has already committed a great +error in politics, and, by effecting a peace, has +materially hazarded the tranquillity of the +province.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IV.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING DIVERS SPECULATIONS ON WAR AND NEGOTIATIONS—SHOWING THAT A TREATY OF PEACE IS A GREAT NATIONAL EVIL.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage075.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +It was the opinion of that +poetical philosopher, Lucretius, +that war was the +original state of man, +whom he described as +being primitively a savage +beast of prey, engaged +in a constant state +of hostility with his own +species, and that this ferocious +spirit was tamed +and ameliorated by society. The same opinion +has been advocated by Hobbes,<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c014'><sup>[6]</sup></a> nor have +there been wanting many other philosophers +to admit and defend.</p> + +<p class='c013'>For my part, though prodigiously fond of +these valuable speculations, so complimentary +to human nature, yet, in this instance, I am +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>inclined to take the proposition by halves, believing +with Horace,<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c014'><sup>[7]</sup></a> that, though war may +have been originally the favorite amusement +and industrious employment of our progenitors, +yet, like many other excellent habits, so far +from being ameliorated, it has been cultivated +and confirmed by refinement and civilization, +and increases in exact proportion as we approach +towards that state of perfection which +is the <i><span lang="fr">ne plus ultra</span></i> of modern philosophy.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The first conflict between man and man was +the mere exertion of physical force, unaided by +auxiliary weapons; his arm was his buckler, +his fist was his mace, and a broken head the +catastrophe of his encounters. The battle of +unassisted strength was succeeded by the more +rugged one of stones and clubs, and war assumed +a sanguinary aspect. As man advanced +in refinement, as his faculties expanded, and +as his sensibilities became more exquisite, he +grew rapidly more ingenious and experienced +in the art of murdering his fellow-beings. He +invented a thousand devices to defend and to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>assault: the helmet, the cuirass, and the buckler, +the sword, the dart, and the javelin, prepared +him to elude the wound as well as to +launch the blow. Still urging on, in the +career of philanthropic invention, he enlarges +and heightens his powers of defence and injury:—The +Aries, the Scorpio, the Balista, +and the Catapulta, give a horror and sublimity +to war, and magnify its glory, by increasing +its desolation. Still insatiable, though armed +with machinery that seemed to reach the limits +of destructive invention, and to yield a power +of injury commensurate even with the desires +of revenge,—still deeper researches must be +made in the diabolical arcana. With furious +zeal he dives into the bowels of the earth; he +toils midst poisonous minerals and deadly +salts,—the sublime discovery of gun-powder +blazes upon the world—and finally the dreadful +art of fighting by proclamation seems to +endow the demon of war with ubiquity and +omnipotence!</p> + +<p class='c013'>This, indeed, is grand!—this, indeed, marks +the powers of mind, and bespeaks that divine +endowment of reason, which distinguishes us +from the animals, our inferiors. The unenlightened +brutes content themselves with the +native force which Providence has assigned +them. The angry bull butts with his horns, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>as did his progenitors before him; the lion, the +leopard, and the tiger seek only with their +talons and their fangs to gratify their sanguinary +fury; and even the subtle serpent darts +the same venom, and uses the same wiles, as +did his sire before the flood. Man alone, +blessed with the inventive mind, goes on from +discovery to discovery,—enlarges and multiplies +his powers of destruction, arrogates the +tremendous weapons of Deity itself, and tasks +creation to assist him in murdering his brother-worm!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image078.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE ANGRY BULL BUTTS WITH HIS HORNS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>In proportion as the art of war has increased +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>in improvement has the art of preserving peace +advanced in equal ratio; and as we have discovered, +in this age of wonders and inventions, +that proclamation is the most formidable engine +in war, so have we discovered the no less +ingenious mode of maintaining peace by perpetual +negotiations.</p> + +<p class='c013'>A treaty, or, to speak more correctly, a negotiation, +therefore, according to the acceptation +of experienced statesmen, learned in these matters, +is no longer an attempt to accommodate +differences, to ascertain rights, and to establish +an equitable exchange of kind offices, but a +contest of skill between two powers, which +shall overreach and take in the other. It is a +cunning endeavor to obtain by peaceful manœuvre, +and the chicanery of cabinets, those +advantages which a nation would otherwise +have wrested by force of arms,—in the same +manner as a conscientious highwayman reforms +and becomes a quiet and praiseworthy +citizen, contenting himself with cheating his +neighbor out of that property he would formerly +have seized with open violence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In fact, the only time when two nations can +be said to be in a state of perfect amity is, when +a negotiation is open, and a treaty pending. +Then, when there are no stipulations entered +into, no bonds to restrain the will, no specific +<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>limits to awaken the captious jealousy of right +implanted in our nature, when each party has +some advantage to hope and expect from the +other, then it is that the two nations are wonderfully +gracious and friendly,—their ministers +professing the highest mutual regard, exchanging +<i><span lang="fr">billet-doux</span></i>, making fine speeches, and indulging +in all those little diplomatic flirtations, +coquetries, and fondlings, that do so marvellously +tickle the good-humor of the respective +nations. Thus it may paradoxically be said, +that there is never so good an understanding +between two nations as when there is a little +misunderstanding,—and that so long as they +are on no terms at all, they are on the best +terms in the world!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span> +<img src='images/image081.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>TWO AMBASSADORS.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>I do not by any means pretend to claim the +merit of having made the above discovery. It +has, in fact, long been secretly acted upon by +certain enlightened cabinets, and is, together +with divers other notable theories, privately +copied out of the commonplace book of an +illustrious gentleman, who has been member +of congress, and enjoyed the unlimited confidence +of heads of departments. To this principle +may be ascribed the wonderful ingenuity +shown of late years in protracting and interrupting +negotiations. Hence the cunning +measure of appointing as ambassador some +political pettifogger skilled in delays, sophisms, +and misapprehensions, and dexterous in the +art of baffling argument,—or some blundering +statesman, whose errors and misconstructions +may be a plea for refusing to ratify his engagements. +And hence, too, that most notable +expedient, so popular with our government, +of sending out a brace of ambassadors,—between +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>whom, having each an individual will to +consult, character to establish, and interest to +promote, you may as well look for unanimity +and concord as between two lovers with one +mistress, two dogs with one bone, or two naked +rogues with one pair of breeches. This disagreement, +therefore, is continually breeding +delays and impediments, in consequence of +which the negotiation goes on swimmingly—inasmuch +as there is no prospect of its ever +coming to a close. Nothing is lost by these +delays and obstacles but time; and in a negotiation, +according to the theory I have exposed, +all time lost is in reality so much time gained:—with +what delightful paradoxes does modern +political economy abound!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now all that I have here advanced is so +notoriously true, that I almost blush to take up +the time of my readers with treating of matters +which must many a time have stared them +in the face. But the proposition to which I +would most earnestly call their attention is +this, that, though a negotiation be the most +harmonizing of all national transactions, yet a +treaty of peace is a great political evil, and one +of the most fruitful sources of war.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I have rarely seen an instance of any special +contract between individuals that did not produce +jealousies, bickerings, and often downright +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>ruptures between them; nor did I ever +know of a treaty between two nations that +did not occasion continual misunderstandings. +How many worthy country neighbors have I +known, who, after living in peace and good-fellowship +for years, have been thrown into a +state of distrust, cavilling, and animosity, by +some ill-starred agreement about fences, runs +of water, and stray cattle! And how many +well-meaning nations, who would otherwise +have remained in the most amicable disposition +towards each other, have been brought to +swords’ points about the infringement or misconstruction +of some treaty, which in an evil +hour they had concluded, by way of making +their amity more sure!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Treaties at best are but complied with so +long as interest requires their fulfilment; consequently, +they are virtually binding on the +weaker party only, or, in plain truth, they are +not binding at all. No nation will wantonly +go to war with another if it has nothing to gain +thereby, and therefore needs no treaty to restrain +it from violence; and if it have anything +to gain, I much question, from what I have +witnessed of the righteous conduct of nations, +whether any treaty could be made so strong +that it could not thrust the sword through—nay, +I would hold ten to one, the treaty itself +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>would be the very source to which resort would +be had to find a pretext for hostilities.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus, therefore, I conclude,—that, though +it is the best of all policies for a nation to keep +up a constant negotiation with its neighbors, +yet it is the summit of folly for it ever to be +beguiled into a treaty; for then comes on nonfulfilment +and infraction, then remonstrance, +then altercation, then retaliation, then recrimination, +and finally open war. In a word, negotiation +is like courtship, a time of sweet +words, gallant speeches, soft looks, and endearing +caresses,—but the marriage ceremony is +the signal for hostilities.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span> +<img src='images/image085.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“SNIVELLING SCOURINGS, BROILS, AND MARAUDINGS, KEPT UP ON THE EASTERN FRONTIERS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>If my painstaking reader be not somewhat +perplexed by the ratiocination of the foregoing +passage, he will perceive, at a glance, that the +Great Peter, in concluding a treaty with his eastern +neighbors, was guilty of lamentable error +in policy. In fact, to this unlucky agreement +may be traced a world of bickerings and heart-burnings, +between the parties, about fancied or +pretended infringements of treaty-stipulations; +in all which the Yankees were prone to indemnify +themselves by a “dig into the sides” of the +New Netherlands. But, in sooth, these border +feuds, albeit they gave great annoyance to +the good burghers of Manna-hata, were so pitiful +in their nature, that a grave historian like +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>myself, who grudges the time spent in anything +less than the revolutions of states and +fall of empires, would deem them unworthy of +being inscribed on his page. The reader is, +therefore, to take it for granted, though I +scorn to waste, in the detail, that time which +my furrowed brow and trembling hand inform +me is invaluable, that all the while the Great +Peter was occupied in those tremendous and +bloody contests which I shall shortly rehearse; +there was a continued series of little, dirty, +snivelling scourings, broils, and maraudings +kept up on the eastern frontiers by the moss-troopers +of Connecticut. But, like that mirror +of chivalry, the sage and valorous Don Quixote, +I leave these petty contests for some future +Sancho Panza of an historian, while I reserve +my prowess and my pen for achievements of +higher dignity; for at this moment I hear a +direful and portentous note issuing from the +bosom of the great council of the league, and +resounding throughout the regions of the east, +menacing the fame and fortunes of Peter Stuyvesant. +I call, therefore, upon the reader to +leave behind him all the paltry brawls of the +Connecticut borders, and to press forward with +me to the relief of our favorite hero, who, I +foresee, will be woefully beset by the implacable +Yankees in the next chapter.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter V.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT WAS GRIEVOUSLY BELIED BY THE GREAT COUNCIL OF THE LEAGUE; AND HOW HE SENT ANTONY THE TRUMPETER TO TAKE TO THE COUNCIL A PIECE OF HIS MIND.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage087.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +That the reader may be +aware of the peril at this +moment menacing Peter +Stuyvesant and his capital, +I must remind him +of the old charge advanced +in the council of +the league in the time +of William the Testy, +that the Nederlanders +were carrying on a trade +“damnable and injurious to the colonists,” in +furnishing the savages with “guns, powther, +and shott.” This, as I then suggested, was +a crafty device of the Yankee confederacy to +have a snug cause of war <i><span lang="it">in petto</span></i>, in case any +favorable opportunity should present of attempting +the conquest of the New Nederlands: +the great object of Yankee ambition.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>Accordingly we now find, when every other +ground of complaint had apparently been removed +by treaty, this nefarious charge revived +with tenfold virulence, and hurled like a thunderbolt +at the very head of Peter Stuyvesant; +happily his head, like that of the great bull of +the Wabash, was proof against such missiles.</p> + +<p class='c013'>To be explicit, we are told that, in the year +1651, the great confederacy of the east accused +the immaculate Peter, the soul of honor and +heart of steel, of secretly endeavoring, by gifts +and promises, to instigate the Narroheganset, +Mohaque, and Pequot Indians, to surprise and +massacre the Yankee settlements. “For,” as +the grand council observed, “the Indians +round about for divers hundred miles cercute +seeme to have drunk deepe of an intoxicating +cupp, att or from the Manhattoes against the +English, whoe have sought their good, both in +bodily and spirituall respects.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>This charge they pretended to support by the +evidence of divers Indians, who were probably +moved by that spirit of truth which is said to +reside in the bottle, and who swore to the fact +as sturdily as though they had been so many +Christian troopers.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span> +<img src='images/image089.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WAS INJURED.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Though descended from a family which +suffered much injury from the losel Yankees +of those times, my great-grandfather having +had a yoke of oxen and his best pacer stolen, +and having received a pair of black eyes and +a bloody nose in one of these border wars, and +my grandfather, when a very little boy tending +pigs, having been kidnapped and severely +flogged by a long-sided Connecticut schoolmaster,—yet +I should have passed over all +these wrongs with forgiveness and oblivion,—I +could even have suffered them to have broken +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>Everet Ducking’s head,—to have kicked the +doughty Jacobus Van Curlet and his ragged +regiment out of doors,—to have carried every +hog into captivity, and depopulated every hen-roost +on the face of the earth with perfect impunity,—but +this wanton attack upon one of +the most gallant and irreproachable heroes of +modern times is too much even for me to digest, +and has overset, with a single puff, the +patience of the historian, and the forbearance +of the Dutchman.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Oh, reader, it was false! I swear to thee, it +was false!—if thou hast any respect to my +word,—if the undeviating character for veracity, +which I have endeavored to maintain +throughout this work, has its due weight upon +thee, thou wilt not give thy faith to this tale +of slander; for I pledge my honor and my immortal +fame to thee, that the gallant Peter +Stuyvesant was not only innocent of this foul +conspiracy, but would have suffered his right +arm or even his wooden leg to consume with +slow and everlasting flames, rather than attempt +to destroy his enemies in any other way +than open, generous warfare;—beshrew those +caitiff scouts, that conspired to sully his honest +name by such an imputation!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant, though haply he may +never have heard of a knight-errant, had as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>true a heart of chivalry as ever beat at the +round table of King Arthur. In the honest +bosom of this heroic Dutchman dwelt the seven +noble virtues of knighthood, flourishing among +his hardy qualities like wild flowers among +rocks. He was, in truth, a hero of chivalry +struck off by nature at a single heat, and +though little care may have been taken to +refine her workmanship, he stood forth a miracle +of her skill. In all his dealings he was +headstrong perhaps, but open and aboveboard; +if there was anything in the whole world he +most loathed and despised, it was cunning and +secret wile; “straight forward” was his motto, +and he would at any time rather run his hard +head against a stone wall than attempt to get +round it.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Such was Peter Stuyvesant; and if my +admiration of him has on this occasion transported +my style beyond the sober gravity +which becomes the philosophic recorder of +historic events, I must plead as an apology, +that, though a little gray-headed Dutchman, +arrived almost at the down-hill of life, I still +retain a lingering spark of that fire which +kindles in the eye of youth when contemplating +the virtues of ancient worthies. Blessed, +thrice and nine times blessed be the good St. +Nicholas, if I have indeed escaped that apathy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>which chills the sympathies of age and paralyzes +every glow of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The first measure of Peter Stuyvesant, on +hearing of this slanderous charge, would have +been worthy of a man who had studied for +years in the chivalrous library of Don Quixote. +Drawing his sword and laying it across the +table, to put him in proper tune, he took pen +in hand and indited a proud and lofty letter to +the council of the league, reproaching them +with giving ear to the slanders of heathen +savages against a Christian, a soldier, and a +cavalier; declaring, that, whoever charged him +with the plot in question, lied in his throat; +to prove which he offered to meet the president +of the council or any of his compeers, or +their champion, Captain Alicxsander Partridg, +that mighty man of Rhodes, in single combat,—wherein +he trusted to vindicate his honor by +the prowess of his arm.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This missive was intrusted to his trumpeter +and squire, Antony Van Corlear, that man of +emergencies, with orders to travel night and +day, sparing neither whip nor spur, seeing that +he carried the vindication of his patron’s fame +in his saddle-bags.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The loyal Antony accomplished his mission +with great speed and considerable loss of +leather. He delivered his missive with becoming +<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>ceremony, accompanying it with a flourish +of defiance on his trumpet to the whole council, +ending with a significant and nasal twang +full in the face of Captain Partridg, who nearly +jumped out of his skin in an ecstasy of astonishment.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image093.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“TWANGING HIS TRUMPET LIKE A VERY DEVIL.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The grand council was composed of men +too cool and practical to be put readily into a +heat, or to indulge in knight-errantry; and +above all to run a tilt with such a fiery hero as +Peter the Headstrong. They knew the advantage, +however, to have always a snug, justifiable +cause of war in reserve with a neighbor, +who had territories worth invading; so they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>devised a reply to Peter Stuyvesant, calculated +to keep up the “raw” which they had +established.</p> + +<p class='c013'>On receiving this answer, Antony Van Corlear +remounted the Flanders mare which he +always rode, and trotted merrily back to the +Manhattoes, solacing himself by the way +according to his wont; twanging his trumpet +like a very devil, so that the sweet valleys and +banks of the Connecticut resounded with the +warlike melody; bringing all the folks to the +windows as he passed through Hartford and +Pyquag, and Middletown, and all the other +border towns, ogling and winking at the +women, and making aërial wind-mills from +the end of his nose at their husbands, and +stopping occasionally in the villages to eat +pumpkin-pies, dance at country frolics, and +bundle with the Yankee lasses—whom he +rejoiced exceedingly with his soul-stirring +instrument.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image094.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of an eccentric-looking person with round glasses and a very tall, pointed hat, peeking over the top of an open book.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT DEMANDED A COURT OF HONOR—AND WHAT THE COURT OF HONOR AWARDED TO HIM.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage095.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +The reply of the grand +council to Peter Stuyvesant +was couched in the +coolest and most diplomatic +language. They +assured him that “his +confident denials of the +barbarous plot alleged +against him would weigh +little against the testimony +of divers sober and +respectable Indians”; that “his guilt was +proved to their perfect satisfaction,” so that +they must still require and seek due <i>satisfaction +and security</i>; ending with—“so we rest, sir—Yours +in ways of righteousness.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>I forbear to say how the lion-hearted Peter +roared and ramped at finding himself more +and more entangled in the meshes thus artfully +drawn around him by the knowing Yankees. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>Impatient, however, of suffering so gross an +aspersion to rest upon his honest name, he +sent a second messenger to the council, reiterating +his denial of the treachery imputed to +him, and offering to submit his conduct to the +scrutiny of a court of honor. His offer was +readily accepted; and now he looked forward +with confidence to an august tribunal to be +assembled at the Manhattoes, formed of high-minded +cavaliers, peradventure governors and +commanders of the confederate plantations, +when the matter might be investigated by his +peers, in a manner befitting his rank and +dignity.</p> + +<p class='c013'>While he was awaiting the arrival of such +high functionaries, behold, one sunshiny afternoon +there rode into the great gate of the +Manhattoes two lean, hungry-looking Yankees, +mounted on Narragansett pacers, with saddle-bags +under their bottoms, and green satchels +under their arms, who looked marvellously +like two pettifogging attorneys beating the +hoof from one county court to another in quest +of lawsuits; and, in sooth, though they may +have passed under different names at the time, +I have reason to suspect they were the identical +varlets who had negotiated the worthy Dutch +commissioners out of the Connecticut River.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span> +<img src='images/image097.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE KNOWING COMMISSIONERS WINKED TO EACH OTHER.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>It was a rule with these indefatigable missionaries +never to let the grass grow under their +feet. Scarce had they, therefore, alighted at +the inn and deposited their saddle-bags, than +they made their way to the residence of the +governor. They found him, according to +custom, smoking his afternoon pipe on the +“stoop,” or bench at the porch of his house, +and announced themselves, at once, as commissioners +sent by the grand council of the east +<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>to investigate the truth of certain charges +advanced against him.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The good Peter took his pipe from his +mouth, and gazed at them for a moment in +mute astonishment. By way of expediting +business, they were proceeding on the spot to +put some preliminary questions,—asking him, +peradventure, whether he pleaded guilty or +not guilty, considering him something in the +light of a culprit at the bar,—when they were +brought to a pause by seeing him lay down his +pipe and begin to fumble with his walking-staff. +For a moment those present would not have +given half a crown for both the crowns of the +commissioners; but Peter Stuyvesant repressed +his mighty wrath and stayed his hand; he +scanned the varlets from head to foot, satchels +and all, with a look of ineffable scorn; then +strode into the house, slammed the door after +him, and commanded that they should never +again be admitted to his presence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The knowing commissioners winked to each +other, and made a certificate on the spot that +the governor had refused to answer their interrogatories +or to submit to their examination. +They then proceeded to rummage about +the city for two or three days, in quest of what +they called evidence, perplexing Indians and old +women with their cross-questioning until they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>had stuffed their satchels and saddle-bags with +all kinds of apocryphal tales, rumors, and calumnies; +with these they mounted their Narragansett +pacers and travelled back to the grand +council; neither did the proud-hearted Peter +trouble himself to hinder their researches nor +impede their departure; he was too mindful of +their sacred character as envoys; but I warrant +me, had they played the same tricks with William +the Testy, he would have had them tucked +up by the waistband and treated to an aërial +gambol on his patent gallows.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image099.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a grumpy-looking man with a goatee, wearing a tattered coat and a wide-brimmed hat with a feather, holding a large wooden club with both hands.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW “DRUM ECCLESIASTIC” WAS BEATEN THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT FOR A CRUSADE AGAINST THE NEW NETHERLANDS, AND HOW PETER STUYVESANT TOOK MEASURES TO FORTIFY HIS CAPITAL.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage100.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +The grand council of the +east held a solemn meeting +on the return of +their envoys. As no +advocate appeared in behalf +of Peter Stuyvesant, +everything went against +him. His haughty refusal +to submit to the +questioning of the commissioners +was construed into a consciousness +of guilt. The contents of the satchels +and saddle-bags were poured forth before the +council and appeared a mountain of evidence. +A pale, bilious orator took the floor, and declaimed +for hours and in belligerent terms. +He was one of those furious zealots who blow +the bellows of faction until the whole furnace +of politics is red-hot with sparks and cinders. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>What was it to him if he should set the house +on fire, so that he might boil his pot by the +blaze. He was from the borders of Connecticut; +his constituents lived by marauding their +Dutch neighbors, and were the greatest poachers +in Christendom, excepting the Scotch border +nobles. His eloquence had its effect, and +it was determined to set on foot an expedition +against the Nieuw Nederlandts.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It was necessary, however, to prepare the +public mind for this measure. Accordingly +the arguments of the orator were echoed from +the pulpit for several succeeding Sundays, and +a crusade was preached up against Peter Stuyvesant +and his devoted city.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This is the first we hear of the “drum ecclesiastic” +beating up for recruits in worldly warfare +in our country. It has since been called +into frequent use. A cunning politician often +lurks under the clerical robe; things spiritual +and things temporal are strangely jumbled together, +like drugs on an apothecary’s shelf; +and instead of a peaceful sermon, the simple +seeker after righteousness has often a political +pamphlet thrust down his throat, labelled with +a pious text from Scripture.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now nothing was talked of but an expedition +against the Manhattoes. It pleased +the populace, who had a vehement prejudice +<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>against the Dutch, considering them a vastly +inferior race, who had sought the new world +for the lucre of gain, not the liberty of conscience; +who were mere heretics and infidels, +inasmuch as they refused to believe in witches +and sea-serpents, and had faith in the virtues +of horse-shoes nailed to the door; ate pork +without molasses; held pumpkins in contempt, +and were in perpetual breach of the eleventh +commandment of all true Yankees, “Thou +shalt have codfish dinners on Saturdays.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner did Peter Stuyvesant get wind of +the storm that was brewing in the east than he +set to work to prepare for it. He was not one +of those economical rulers, who postpone the +expense of fortifying until the enemy is at the +door. There is nothing, he would say, that +keeps off enemies and crows more than the +smell of gun-powder. He proceeded, therefore, +with all diligence, to put the province and its +metropolis in a posture of defence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Among the remnants which remained from +the days of William the Testy were the militia +laws,—by which the inhabitants were obliged +to turn out twice a year, with such military +equipments as it pleased God,—and were put +under the command of tailors and man-milliners, +who, though on ordinary occasions they +might have been the meekest, most pippinhearted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>little men in the world, were very +devils at parade, when they had cocked hats +on their heads and swords by their sides. +Under the instructions of these periodical warriors, +the peaceful burghers of the Manhattoes +were schooled in iron war, and became so +hardy in the process of time, that they could +march through sun and rain, from one end of +the town to the other, without flinching,—and +so intrepid and adroit, that they could face to +the right, wheel to the left, and fire without +winking or blinking.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant, like all old soldiers who +have seen service and smelt gun-powder, had +no great respect for militia troops; however, +he determined to give them a trial, and accordingly +called for a general muster, inspection, +and review. But, oh Mars and Bellona! what +a turning-out was here! Here came old Roelant +Cuckaburt, with a short blunderbuss on +his shoulder, and a long horseman’s sword +trailing by his side; and Barent Dirkson, with +something that looked like a copper kettle +turned upside down on his head, and a couple +of old horse-pistols in his belt; and Dirk Volkertson, +with a long duck fowling-piece without +any ramrod; and a host more, armed +higgledy-piggledy,—with swords, hatchets, +snickersnees, crowbars, broomsticks, and what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>not; the officers distinguished from the rest +by having their slouched hats cocked up with +pins, and surmounted with cock-tail feathers.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The sturdy Peter eyed this nondescript host +with some such rueful aspect as a man would +eye the devil, and determined to give his +feather-bed soldiers a seasoning. He accordingly +put them through their manual exercise +over and over again; trudged them backwards +and forwards about the streets of New Amsterdam +until their short legs ached and their fat +sides sweated again; and finally encamped +them in the evening on the summit of a hill +without the city, to give them a taste of camp-life, +intending the next day to renew the toils +and perils of the field. But so it came to pass +that in the night there fell a great and heavy +rain, and melted away the army, so that in +the morning, when Gaffer Phœbus shed his +first beams upon the camp, scarce a warrior +remained except Peter Stuyvesant and his +trumpeter Van Corlear.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span> +<img src='images/image105.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE MILITIA.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This awful desolation of a whole army +would have appalled a commander of less +nerve; but it served to confirm Peter’s want +of confidence in the militia system, which he +thenceforward used to call, in joke,—for he +sometimes indulged in a joke,—William the +Testy’s broken reed. He now took into his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>service a goodly number of burly, broad-shouldered, +broad-bottomed Dutchmen; whom +he paid in good silver and gold, and of whom +he boasted, that, whether they could stand fire +or not, they were at least water-proof. He +fortified the city, too, with pickets and palisadoes, +extending across the island from river to +river, and, above all, cast up mud batteries, or +redoubts, on the point of the island where it +divided the beautiful bosom of the bay.</p> + +<p class='c013'>These latter redoubts, in process of time, +came to be pleasantly overrun by a carpet +of grass and clover, and overshadowed by +wide-spreading elms and sycamores, among +the branches of which the birds would build +their nests and rejoice the ear with their melodious +notes. Under these trees, too, the old burghers +would smoke their afternoon pipe, contemplating +the golden sun as he sank in the west, +an emblem of the tranquil end toward which +they were declining. Here, too, would the +young men and maidens of the town take their +evening stroll, watching the silver moonbeams +as they trembled along the calm bosom of the +bay, or lit up the sail of some gliding bark, +and peradventure interchanging the soft vows +of honest affection,—for to evening strolls +in this favored spot were traced most of the +marriages in New Amsterdam.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span> +<img src='images/image107.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE FORTIFICATIONS.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Such was the origin of that renowned promenade, +<span class='sc'>The Battery</span>, which, though ostensibly +devoted to the stern purposes of war, has ever +been consecrated to the sweet delights of peace. +The scene of many a gambol in happy childhood,—of +many a tender assignation in riper +years, of many a soothing walk in declining +age,—the healthful resort of the feeble invalid,—the +Sunday refreshment of the dusty tradesman,—in +fine, the ornament and delight of +New York, and the pride of the lovely island +of Manna-hata.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VIII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW THE YANKEE CRUSADE AGAINST THE NEW NETHERLANDS WAS BAFFLED BY THE SUDDEN OUTBREAK OF WITCHCRAFT AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage108.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Having thus provided for +the temporary security +of New Amsterdam, and +guarded it against any +sudden surprise, the gallant +Peter took a hearty +pinch of snuff, and snapping +his fingers, set the +great council of Amphictyons +and their champion, +the redoubtable +Alicxsander Partridg, at +defiance. In the meantime the moss-troopers +of Connecticut, the warriors of New Haven +and Hartford, and Pyquag, otherwise called +Weathersfield, famous for its onions and its +witches, and of all the other border-towns, +were in a prodigious turmoil, furbishing up +their rusty weapons, shouting aloud for war, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>and anticipating easy conquests, and glorious +rummaging of the fat little Dutch villages.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the midst of these warlike preparations, +however, they received the chilling news that +the colony of Massachusetts refused to back +them in this righteous war. It seems that the +gallant conduct of Peter Stuyvesant, the generous +warmth of his vindication, and the +chivalrous spirit of his defiance, though lost +upon the grand council of the league, had carried +conviction to the general court of Massachusetts, +which nobly refused to believe him +guilty of the villanous plot laid at his door.<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c014'><sup>[8]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>The defection of so important a colony paralyzed +the councils of the league, some such +dissension arose among its members as prevailed +of yore in the camp of the brawling +warriors of Greece, and in the end the crusade +against the Manhattoes was abandoned.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is said that the moss-troopers of Connecticut +were sorely disappointed; but well for +them that their belligerent cravings were not +gratified: for by my faith, whatever might +have been the ultimate result of a conflict with +all the powers of the east, in the interim the +stomachful heroes of Pyquag would have been +choked with their own onions, and all the +border-towns of Connecticut would have had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>such a scouring from the lion-hearted Peter +and his robustious myrmidons, that I warrant +me they would not have had the stomach to +squat on the land or invade the hen-roost of +a Nederlander for a century to come.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But it was not merely the refusal of Massachusetts +to join in their unholy crusade that +confounded the councils of the league; for +about this time broke out in the New England +provinces the awful plague of witchcraft, which +spread like pestilence through the land. Such +a howling abomination could not be suffered to +remain long unnoticed; it soon excited the +fiery indignation of those guardians of the +commonwealth who whilom had evinced such +active benevolence in the conversion of Quakers +and Anabaptists. The grand council of the +league publicly set their faces against the +crime, and bloody laws were enacted against +all “solem conversing or compacting with the +divil by way of conjuracion or the like.”<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c014'><sup>[9]</sup></a> +Strict search, too, was made after witches, who +were easily detected by devil’s pinches,—by +being able to weep but three tears, and those +out of the left eye,—and by having a most +suspicious predilection for black cats and +broomsticks! What is particularly worthy of +admiration is, that this terrible art, which has +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>baffled the studies and researches of philosophers, +astrologers, theurgists, and other sages, +was chiefly confined to the most ignorant, +decrepit, and ugly old women in the community, +with scarce more brains than the broomsticks +they rode upon.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image111.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“HAVING A MOST SUSPICIOUS PREDILECTION FOR BLACK CATS AND BROOMSTICKS!”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>When once an alarm is sounded, the public, +who dearly love to be in a panic, are always +ready to keep it up. Raise but the cry of +yellow fever, and immediately every headache, +indigestion, and overflowing of the bile is +pronounced the terrible epidemic; cry out +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>mad dog, and every unlucky cur in the street +is in jeopardy: so in the present instance, whoever +was troubled with colic or lumbago was +sure to be bewitched,—and woe to any unlucky +old woman living in the neighborhood!</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is incredible the number of offences that +were detected, “for every one of which,” says +the reverend Cotton Mather, in that excellent +work, the <cite>History of New England</cite>, “we have +such a sufficient evidence, that no reasonable +man in this whole country ever did question +them; <i>and it will be unreasonable to do it in any +other</i>.”<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c014'><sup>[10]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>Indeed, that authentic and judicious historian +John Josselyn, Gent., furnishes us with unquestionable +facts on this subject. “There are +none,” observes he, “that beg in this country, +but there be witches too many,—bottle-bellied +witches, and others, that produce many strange +apparitions, if you will believe report, of a shallop +at sea manned with women,—and of a ship +and great red horse standing by the mainmast; +the ship being in a small cove to the eastward, +vanished of a sudden,” etc.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The number of delinquents, however, and +their magical devices, were not more remarkable +than their diabolical obstinacy. Though exhorted +in the most solemn, persuasive, and affectionate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>manner to confess themselves guilty, +and be burnt for the good of religion and the +entertainment of the public, yet did they most +pertinaciously persist in asserting their innocence. +Such incredible obstinacy was in itself +deserving of immediate punishment, and was +sufficient proof, if proof were necessary, that +they were in league with the devil, who is perverseness +itself. But their judges were just +and merciful, and were determined to punish +none that were not convicted on the best of +testimony; not that they needed any evidence +to satisfy their own minds,—for, like true and +experienced judges, their minds were perfectly +made up, and they were thoroughly satisfied +of the guilt of the prisoners before they proceeded +to try them,—but still something was +necessary to convince the community at large,—to +quiet those prying quidnuncs who should +come after them,—in short, the world must +be satisfied. Oh, the world—the world!—all +the world knows the world of trouble the world +is eternally occasioning! The worthy judges +therefore, were driven to the necessity of sifting, +detecting, and making evident as noonday, +matters which were at the commencement +all clearly understood and firmly decided upon +in their own pericraniums,—so that it may +truly be said, that the witches were burnt to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>gratify the populace of the day, but were tried +for the satisfaction of the whole world that +should come after them!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image114.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE WORTHY JUDGES.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Finding, therefore, that neither exhortation, +sound reason, nor friendly entreaty had any +avail on these hardened offenders, +they resorted to the +more urgent arguments of +torture; and having thus +absolutely wrung the truth from their stubborn +lips, they condemned them to undergo +the roasting due unto the heinous crimes +they had confessed. Some even carried their +perverseness so far as to expire under the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>torture, protesting their innocence to the last; +but these were looked upon as thoroughly and +absolutely possessed by the devil; and the +pious by-standers only lamented that they had +not lived a little longer, to have perished in +the flames.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the city of Ephesus, we are told that the +plague was expelled by stoning a ragged old +beggar to death, whom Apollonius pointed +out as being the evil spirit that caused it, and +who actually showed himself to be a demon, +by changing into a shagged dog. In like +manner, and by measures equally sagacious, a +salutary check was given to this growing evil. +The witches were all burnt, banished, or panic-struck, +and in a little while there was not an +ugly old woman to be found throughout New +England,—which is doubtless one reason why +all the young women there are so handsome. +Those honest folk who had suffered from their +incantations gradually recovered, excepting +such as had been afflicted with twitches and +aches, which, however, assumed the less +alarming aspects of rheumatisms, sciatics, and +lumbagos; and the good people of New England, +abandoning the study of the occult +sciences, turned their attention to the more profitable +hocus-pocus of trade, and soon became +expert in the legerdemain art of turning a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>penny. Still, however, a tinge of the old +leaven is discernible, even unto this day, in +their characters: witches occasionally start up +among them in different disguises, as physicians, +civilians, and divines. The people at +large show a keenness, a cleverness, and a +profundity of wisdom, that savors strongly of +witchcraft; and it has been remarked, that, +whenever any stones fall from the moon, the +greater part of them is sure to tumble into +New England!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image116.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a woman kneeling on the ground holding a small bowl, with a young child standing close beside her.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IX.</span><br> <span class='c010'>WHICH RECORDS THE RISE AND RENOWN OF A MILITARY COMMANDER, SHOWING THAT A MAN, LIKE A BLADDER, MAY BE PUFFED UP TO GREATNESS BY MERE WIND; TOGETHER WITH THE CATASTROPHE OF A VETERAN AND HIS QUEUE.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage117.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +When treating of these +tempestuous times, the +unknown writer of the +Stuyvesant manuscript +breaks out into an apostrophe +in praise of the +good St. Nicholas, to +whose protecting care +he ascribes the dissensions +which broke out +in the council of the +league, and the direful +witchcraft which filled all Yankee-land as with +Egyptian darkness.</p> + +<p class='c013'>A portentous gloom, says he, hung lowering +over the fair valleys of the east: the pleasant +banks of the Connecticut no longer echoed to +the sounds of the rustic gayety; grisly phantoms +<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>glided about each wild brook and silent +glen; fearful apparitions were seen in the air; +strange voices were heard in solitary places; +and the border-towns were so occupied in detecting +and punishing losel witches, that, for a +time, all talk of war was suspended, and New +Amsterdam and its inhabitants seemed to be +totally forgotten.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I must not conceal the fact that at one time +there was some danger of this plague of witchcraft +extending into the New Netherlands; and +certain witches, mounted on broomsticks, are +said to have been seen whisking in the air over +some of the Dutch villages near the borders; +but the worthy Nederlanders took the precaution +to nail horse-shoes to their doors, which +it is well known are effectual barriers against +all diabolical vermin of the kind. Many of +those horse-shoes may be seen at this very day +on ancient mansions and barns, remaining +from the days of the patriarchs: nay, the custom +is still kept up among some of our legitimate +Dutch yeomanry, who inherit from their +forefathers a desire to keep witches and Yankees +out of the country.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span> +<img src='images/image119.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>JAN JANSEN ALPENDAM.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>And now the great Peter, having no immediate +hostility to apprehend from the east, +turned his face, with characteristic vigilance, +to his southern frontiers. The attentive reader +will recollect that certain freebooting Swedes +had become very troublesome in this quarter +in the latter part of the reign of William the +Testy, setting at naught the proclamations of +that veritable potentate, and putting his admiral, +the intrepid Jan Jansen Alpendam, to +a perfect nonplus. To check the incursions of +these Swedes, Peter Stuyvesant now ordered a +force to that frontier, giving the command of +it to General Jacobus Van Poffenburgh, an officer +who had risen to great importance during +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>the reign of Wilhelmus Kieft. He had, if +histories speak true, been second in command +to the doughty Van Curlet, when he and his +warriors were inhumanly kicked out of Fort +Goed Hoop by the Yankees. In that memorable +affair Van Poffenburgh is said to have +received more kicks in a certain honorable part +than any of his comrades, in consequence of +which, on the resignation of Van Curlet, he +had been promoted to his place, being considered +a hero who had seen service, and +suffered in his country’s cause.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is tropically observed by honest old Socrates, +that heaven infuses into some men at +their birth a portion of intellectual gold, into +others of intellectual silver, while others are +intellectually furnished with iron and brass. +Of the last class was General Van Poffenburgh; +and it would seem as if dame Nature, +who will sometimes be partial, had given him +brass enough for a dozen ordinary braziers. +All this he had contrived to pass off upon +William the Testy for genuine gold; and the +little governor would sit for hours and listen to +his gun-powder stories of exploits, which left +those of Tirante the White, Don Belianis of +Greece, or St. George and the Dragon quite in +the background. Having been promoted by +William Kieft to the command of his whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>disposable forces, he gave importance to his +station by the grandiloquence of his bulletins, +always styling himself Commander-in-chief of +the Armies of the New Netherlands, though +in sober truth, these armies were nothing more +than a handful of hen-stealing, bottle-bruising +ragamuffins.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In person he was not very tall, but exceedingly +round; neither did his bulk proceed +from his being fat, but windy, being blown up +by a prodigious conviction of his own importance, +until he resembled one of those bags of +wind given by Æolus, in an incredible fit of +generosity, to that vagabond warrior Ulysses. +His windy endowments had long excited the +admiration of Antony Van Corlear, who is +said to have hinted more than once to William +the Testy, that in making Van Poffenburgh a +general he had spoiled an admirable trumpeter.</p> + +<p class='c013'>As it is the practice in ancient story to give +the reader a description of the arms and equipments +of every noted warrior, I will bestow a +word upon the dress of this redoubtable commander. +It comported with his character, +being so crossed and slashed, and embroidered +with lace and tinsel, that he seemed to have as +much brass without as nature had stored away +within. He was swathed, too, in a crimson +sash, of the size and texture of a fishing-net,—doubtless +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>to keep his swelling heart from bursting +through his ribs. His face glowed with +furnace-heat from between a huge pair of well-powdered +whiskers; and his valorous soul +seemed ready to bounce out of a pair of large, +glassy, blinking eyes, projecting like those of +a lobster.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I swear to thee, worthy reader, if history +and tradition belie not this warrior, I would +give all the money in my pocket to have seen +him accoutred <i>cap-à-pie</i>,—booted to the middle, +sashed to the chin, crowned with an overshadowing +cocked hat, and girded with a leathern +belt ten inches broad, from which trailed a falchion, +of a length that I dare not mention. +Thus equipped, he strutted about, as bitter-looking +a man of war as the far-famed More, +of More-hall, when he sallied forth to slay the +dragon of Wantley. For what says the ballad?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Had you but seen him in this dress,</div> + <div class='line in2'>How fierce he looked and how big,</div> + <div class='line'>You would have thought him for to be</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some Egyptian porcupig.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“He frighted all—cats, dogs, and all,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Each cow, each horse, and each hog;</div> + <div class='line'>For fear they did flee, for they took him to be</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some strange outlandish hedge-hog.”<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c014'><sup>[11]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span> +<img src='images/image123.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“HE FRIGHTED ALL—CATS, DOGS, AND ALL.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>I must confess this general, with all his outward +valor and ventosity, was not exactly an +officer to Peter Stuyvesant’s taste, but he stood +foremost in the army list of William the Testy: +and it is probable the good Peter, who was +conscientious in his dealings with all men, and +had his military notions of precedence, thought +it but fair to give a chance of proving his right +to his dignities.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>To this copper captain, therefore, was confided +the command of the troops destined to +protect the southern frontier; and scarce had +he departed for his station than bulletins began +to arrive from him, describing his undaunted +march through savage deserts, over insurmountable +mountains, across impassable rivers, +and through impenetrable forests, conquering +vast tracts of uninhabited country, and encountering +more perils than did Xenophon in +his far-famed retreat with his ten thousand +Grecians.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant read all these grandiloquent +despatches with a dubious screwing +of the mouth and shaking of the head; but +Antony Van Corlear repeated these contents +in the streets and market-places with an appropriate +flourish upon his trumpet, and the windy +victories of the general resounded through the +streets of New Amsterdam.</p> + +<p class='c013'>On arriving at the southern frontier, Van +Poffenburgh proceeded to erect a fortress, or +stronghold, on the South or Delaware River. +At first he bethought him to call it Fort Stuyvesant, +in honor of the governor,—a lowly +kind of homage prevalent in our country +among speculators, military commanders, and +office-seekers of all kinds, by which our maps +come to be studded with the names of political +<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>patrons and temporary great men; in the +present instance, Van Poffenburgh carried his +homage to the most lowly degree, giving his +fortress the name of Fort Casimir, in honor, it +is said, of a favorite pair of brimstone trunk-breeches +of his Excellency.</p> + +<p class='c013'>As this fort will be found to give rise to important +events, it may be worth while to notice +that it was afterwards called Nieuw Amstel, +and was the germ of the present flourishing +town of New Castle, or, more properly speaking, +No Castle, there being nothing of the +kind on the premises.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His fortress being finished, it would have +done any man’s heart good to behold the +swelling dignity with which the general would +stride in and out a dozen times a day, surveying +it in front and in rear, on this side and on +that; how he would strut backwards and forwards, +in full regimentals, on the top of the +ramparts,—like a vainglorious cock-pigeon, +swelling and vaporing on the top of a dove-cot.</p> + +<p class='c013'>There is a kind of valorous spleen which, +like wind, is apt to grow unruly in the +stomachs of newly made soldiers, compelling +them to box-lobby brawls and broken-headed +quarrels, unless there can be found some more +harmless way to give it vent. It is recorded +in the delectable romance of Pierce Forest, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>that a young knight, being dubbed by King +Alexander, did incontinently gallop into an +adjacent forest and belabor the trees with such +might and main, that he not merely eased off +the sudden effervescence of his valor, but convinced +the whole court that he was the most +potent and courageous cavalier on the face of +the earth. In like manner the commander of +Fort Casimir, when he found his martial spirit +waxing too hot within him, would sally forth +into the fields and lay about him most lustily +with his sabre,—decapitating cabbages by platoons, +hewing down lofty sunflowers, which he +termed gigantic Swedes, and if, perchance, he +espied a colony of big-bellied pumpkins quietly +basking in the sun,—“Ah! caitiff Yankees,” +would he roar, “have I caught ye at last?”—So +saying, with one sweep of his sword he +would cleave the unhappy vegetables from +their chins to their waistbands; by which warlike +havoc his choler being in some sort allayed, +he would return into the fortress with +the full conviction that he was a very miracle +of military prowess.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span> +<img src='images/image127.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>VAN POFFENBURGH’S VALOR.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>He was a disciplinarian, too, of the first +order. Woe to any unlucky soldier who did +not hold up his head and turn out his toes +when on parade, or who did not salute the +general in proper style as he passed. Having +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>one day, in his Bible researches, encountered +the history of Absalom and his melancholy +end, the general bethought him, that, in a +country abounding with forests, his soldiers +were in constant risk of a like catastrophe; he +therefore, in an evil hour, issued orders for +cropping the hair of both officers and men +throughout the garrison.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now, so it happened, that among his officers +was a sturdy veteran named Keldermeester, +who had cherished, through a long life, a mop +of hair not a little resembling the shag of a +Newfoundland dog, terminating in a queue +like the handle of a frying-pan, and queued so +tightly to his head that his eyes and mouth +generally stood ajar, and his eyebrows were +drawn up to the top of his forehead. It may +naturally be supposed that the possessor of so +goodly an appendage would resist with abhorrence +an order condemning it to the shears. +On hearing the general orders, he discharged +a tempest of veteran, soldier-like oaths, and +dunder and blixums,—swore he would break +any man’s head who attempted to meddle with +his tail,—queued it stiffer than ever, and +whisked it about the garrison as fiercely as +the tail of a crocodile.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span> +<img src='images/image129.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>KELDERMEESTER.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The eel-skin queue of old Keldermeester +became instantly an affair of the utmost importance. +The Commander-in-chief was too +enlightened an officer not to perceive that the +discipline of the garrison, the subordination +and good order of the armies of the Nieuw +Nederlandts, the consequent safety of the +whole province, and ultimately the dignity +and prosperity of their High Mightinesses the +Lords States-General, imperiously demanded +the docking of that stubborn queue. He decreed, +therefore, that old Keldermeester should +be publicly shorn of his glories in presence of +the whole garrison; the old man as resolutely +stood on the defensive; whereupon he was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>arrested, and tried by court-martial for mutiny, +desertion, and all the other list of offences +noticed in the articles of war, ending with a +“videlicet, in wearing an eel-skin queue, three +feet long, contrary to orders.” Then came on +arraignments, and trials, and pleadings; and +the whole garrison was in a ferment about this +unfortunate queue. As it is well known that +the commander of a frontier post has the +power of acting pretty much after his own +will, there is little doubt but that the veteran +would have been hanged or shot at least, had +he not luckily fallen ill of a fever, through +mere chagrin and mortification,—and deserted +from all earthly command, with his beloved +locks unviolated. His obstinacy remained +unshaken to the very last moment, when he +directed that he should be carried to his grave +with his eel-skin queue sticking out of a hole +in his coffin.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This magnanimous affair obtained the general +great credit as a disciplinarian; but it is +hinted that he was ever afterwards subject to +bad dreams and fearful visitations in the night, +when the grizzly spectrum of old Keldermeester +would stand sentinel by his bedside, erect +as a pump, his enormous queue strutting out +like the handle.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span> + <h2 class='c006'><span class='blackletter'>Book VI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE SECOND PART OF THE REIGN OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG, AND HIS GALLANT ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE DELAWARE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class='c001 figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span> +<img src='images/image132.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a traditional tower windmill with four large sails, standing on a small grassy mound.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter I.</span><br> <span class='c010'>IN WHICH IS EXHIBITED A WARLIKE PORTRAIT OF THE GREAT PETER—OF THE WINDY CONTEST OF GENERAL VAN POFFENBURGH AND GENERAL PRINTZ, AND OF THE MOSQUITO WAR ON THE DELAWARE.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage133.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Hitherto, most venerable +and courteous +reader, have I shown +thee the administration +of the valorous Stuyvesant, +under the mild +moonshine of peace, or +rather the grim tranquillity +of awful expectation; +but now the +war-drum rumbles from +afar, the brazen trumpet brays its thrilling +note, and the rude crash of hostile arms speaks +fearful prophecies of coming troubles. The +gallant warrior starts from soft repose, from +golden visions and voluptuous ease, where in +the dulcet, “piping time of peace” he sought +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>sweet solace after all his toils. No more in +beauty’s siren lap reclined, he weaves fair garlands +for his lady’s brows; no more entwines +with flowers his shining sword, nor through +the livelong lazy summer’s day chants forth +his love-sick soul in madrigals. To manhood +roused, he spurns the amorous flute; doffs +from his brawny back the robe of peace, and +clothes his pampered limbs in panoply of steel. +O’er his dark brow, where late the myrtle +waved, where wanton roses breathed enervate +love, he rears the beaming casque and nodding +plume; grasps the bright shield, and shakes +the ponderous lance; or mounts with eager +pride his fiery steed, and burns for deeds of +glorious chivalry!</p> + +<p class='c013'>But soft, worthy reader! I would not have +you imagine that any <i><span lang="fr">preux chevalier</span></i>, thus +hideously begirt with iron, existed in the city +of New Amsterdam. This is but a lofty and +gigantic mode, in which we heroic writers always +talk of war, thereby to give it a noble +and imposing aspect,—equipping our warriors +with bucklers, helms, and lances, and such +like outlandish and obsolete weapons, the like +of which perchance they had never seen or +heard of,—in the same manner that a cunning +statuary arrays a modern general or an admiral +in the accoutrements of a Cæsar or an Alexander. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>The simple truth, then, of all this oratorical +nourish is this, that the valiant Peter +Stuyvesant all of a sudden found it necessary +to scour his rusty blade, which too long had +rusted in its scabbard, and prepare himself to +undergo those hardy toils of war in which his +mighty soul so much delighted.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image135.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>PETRUS STUYVESANT.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Methinks I at this moment behold him in +my imagination, or rather, I behold his goodly +portrait, which still hangs up in the family +mansion of the Stuyvesants, arrayed in all the +terrors of a true Dutch general. His regimental +coat of German blue, gorgeously decorated +with a goodly show of large brass buttons, +reaching from his waistband to his chin; the +voluminous skirts turned up at the corners and +separating gallantly behind, so as to display the +seat of a sumptuous pair of brimstone-colored +trunk breeches; a graceful style still prevalent +among the warriors of our day, and which is +in conformity to the custom of ancient heroes, +who scorned to defend themselves in rear. +His face rendered exceeding terrible and warlike +by a pair of black mustachios; his hair +strutting out on each side in stiffly pomatumed +ear-locks, and descending in a rat-tail queue +below his waist; a shining stock of black +leather supporting his chin, and a little but +fierce cocked hat, stuck with a gallant and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>fiery air over his left eye. Such was the chivalric +port of Peter the Headstrong; and when he +made a sudden halt, planted himself firmly on +his solid supporter, with his wooden leg, inlaid +with silver, a little in advance, in order to +strengthen his position, his right hand grasping +a gold-headed cane, his left resting upon +the pommel of his sword, his head dressing +spiritedly to the right, with a most appalling +and hard-favored frown upon his brow,—he +presented altogether one of the most commanding, +bitter-looking, and soldier-like figures that +ever strutted upon canvas.—Proceed we now +to inquire the cause of this warlike preparation.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the preceding chapter we have spoken of +the founding of Fort Casimir, and of the merciless +warfare waged by its commander upon +cabbages, sunflowers, and pumpkins, for want +of better occasion to flesh his sword. Now it +came to pass, that, higher up the Delaware, at +his stronghold of Tinnekonk, resided one Jan +Printz, who styled himself Governor of New +Sweden. If history belie not this redoubtable +Swede, he was a rival worthy of the windy +and inflated commander of Fort Casimir, for +master David Pieterzen de Vrie, in his excellent +book of voyages, describes him as +“weighing upwards of four hundred pounds,” +a huge feeder and bowser in proportion, taking +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>three potations pottle-deep at every meal. +He had a garrison after his own heart at +Tinnekonk,—guzzling, deep-drinking swashbucklers, +who made the wild woods ring with +their carousals.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner did this robustious commander +hear of the erection of Fort Casimir, than he +sent a message to Van Poffenburgh, warning +him off the land, as being within the bounds of +his jurisdiction.</p> + +<p class='c013'>To this General Van Poffenburgh replied +that the land belonged to their High Mightinesses, +having been regularly purchased of the +natives, as discoverers from the Manhattoes, +as witness the breeches of their land-measurer +Ten Broeck.</p> + +<p class='c013'>To this the governor rejoined that the land +had previously been sold by the Indians to the +Swedes, and consequently was under the petticoat +government of her Swedish majesty, +Christina; and woe be to any mortal that wore +breeches who should dare to meddle even with +the hem of her sacred garment.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I forbear to dilate upon the war of words +which was kept up for some time by these +windy commanders; Van Poffenburgh, however, +had served under William the Testy, and +was a veteran in this kind of warfare. Governor +Printz, finding he was not to be dislodged +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>by these long shots, now determined upon +coming to closer quarters. Accordingly, he +descended the river in great force and fume, +and erected a rival fortress just one Swedish +mile below Fort Casimir, to which he gave +the name of Helsenburg.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image139.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>JAN PRINTZ.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>And now commenced a tremendous rivalry +between these two doughty commanders, striving +to out-strut and out-swell each other like a +couple of belligerent turkey-cocks. There was +a contest who should run up the tallest flagstaff +and display the broadest flag; all day +long there was a furious rolling of drums and +twanging of trumpets in either fortress, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>whichever had the wind in its favor would +keep up a continual firing of cannon, to taunt +its antagonist with the smell of <a id='t140'></a>gun-powder.</p> + +<p class='c013'>On all these points of windy warfare the antagonists +were well matched; but so it happened, +that, the Swedish fortress being lower +down the river, all the Dutch vessels bound to +Fort Casimir with supplies had to pass it. +Governor Printz at once took advantage of +this circumstance, and compelled them to +lower their flags as they passed under the +guns of his battery.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span> +<img src='images/image141.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE MOSQUITO PLAGUE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This was a deadly wound to the Dutch pride +of General Van Poffenburgh, and sorely would +he swell when from the ramparts of Fort Casimir +he beheld the flag of their High Mightinesses +struck to the rival fortress. To heighten +his vexation, Governor Printz, who, as has +been shown, was a huge trencherman, took the +liberty of having the first rummage of every +Dutch merchant-ship, and securing to himself +and his guzzling garrison all the little round +Dutch cheeses, all the Dutch herrings, the +gingerbread, the sweetmeats, the curious stone +jugs of gin, and all the other Dutch luxuries, +on their way for the solace of Fort Casimir. +It is possible he may have paid to the Dutch +skippers the full value of their commodities; +but what consolation was this to Jacobus Van +Poffenburgh and his garrison, who thus found +their favorite supplies cut off, and diverted into +the larders of the hostile camp? For some +time this war of the cupboard was carried on +to the great festivity and jollification of the +Swedes, while the warriors of Fort Casimir +found their hearts, or rather their stomachs, +daily failing them. At length the summer +heats and summer showers set in, and now, lo +and behold, a great miracle was wrought for +the relief of the Nederlandts, not a little resembling +one of the plagues of Egypt; for it came +to pass that a great cloud of mosquitoes arose +<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>out of the marshy borders of the river and +settled upon the fortress of Helsenburg, being, +doubtless, attracted by the scent of the fresh +blood of these Swedish gormandizers. Nay, +it is said that the body of Jan Printz alone, +which was as big and as full of blood as that +of a prize-ox, was sufficient to attract the mosquitoes +from every part of the country. For +some time the garrison endeavored to hold out, +but it was all in vain; the mosquitoes penetrated +into every chink and crevice, and gave +them no rest day nor night; and as to Governor +Jan Printz, he moved about as in a cloud, +with mosquito music in his ears, and mosquito +stings to the very end of his nose. Finally +the garrison was fairly driven out of the fortress, +and obliged to retreat to Tinnekonk; +nay, it is said that the mosquitoes followed +Jan Printz even thither, and absolutely drove +him out of the country; certain it is, he embarked +for Sweden shortly afterwards, and +Jan Claudius Risingh was sent to govern New +Sweden in his stead.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Such was the famous mosquito war on the +Delaware, of which General Van Poffenburgh +would fain have been the hero; but the devout +people of the Nieuw Nederlandts always +ascribed the discomfiture of the Swedes to the +miraculous intervention of St. Nicholas. As +<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>to the fortress of Helsenburg, it fell to ruin; +but the story of its strange destruction was +perpetuated by the Swedish name of Myggenborg, +that is to say, Mosquito Castle.<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c014'><sup>[12]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image143.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a hairy, wild-looking man with a mohawk sitting on the ground, holding his arms and looking toward a musket in the grass.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter II.</span><br> <span class='c010'>OF JAN RISINGH, HIS GIANTLY PERSON AND CRAFTY DEEDS; AND OF THE CATASTROPHE AT FORT CASIMIR.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage144.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Jan Claudius Risingh, +who succeeded to the +command of New Sweden, +looms largely in ancient +records as a gigantic +Swede, who, had he +not been rather knock-kneed +and splay-footed, +might have served for +the model of a Samson +or a Hercules. He was +no less rapacious than +mighty, and, withal, as crafty as he was rapacious; +so that there is very little doubt, that, +had he lived some four or five centuries since, +he would have figured as one of those wicked +giants who took a cruel pleasure in pocketing +beautiful princesses and distressed damsels, +when gadding about the world, and locking +them up in enchanted castles, without a toilet, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>a change of linen, or any other convenience. +In consequence of which enormities they fell +under the high displeasure of chivalry, and all +true, loyal, and gallant knights were instructed +to attack and slay outright any miscreant they +might happen to find above six feet high; +which is doubtless one reason why the race of +large men is nearly extinct, and the generations +of latter ages are so exceedingly small.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Governor Risingh, notwithstanding his giantly +condition, was, as I have hinted, a man of +craft. He was not a man to ruffle the vanity +of General Van Poffenburgh, or to rub his +self-conceit against the grain. On the contrary, +as he sailed up the Delaware, he paused +before Fort Casimir, displayed his flag, and +fired a royal salute before dropping anchor. +The salute would doubtless have been returned, +had not the guns been dismounted; as it was, +a veteran sentinel, who had been napping at +his post, and had suffered his match to go out, +returned the compliment by discharging his +musket with the spark of a pipe borrowed from +a comrade. Governor Risingh accepted this as +a courteous reply, and treated the fortress to a +second salute, well knowing its commander was +apt to be marvellously delighted with these +little ceremonials, considering them so many +acts of homage paid to his greatness. He +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>then prepared to land with a military retinue +of thirty men, a prodigious pageant in the +wilderness.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image146.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE MAIN GUARD WAS TURNED OUT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>And now took place a terrible rummage and +racket in Fort Casimir, to receive such a visitor +in proper style, and to make an imposing +appearance. The main guard was turned out +as soon as possible, equipped to the best advantage +in the few suits of regimentals, which had +to do duty by turns with the whole garrison. +One tall, lank fellow appeared in a little man’s +coat, with the buttons between his shoulders; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>the skirts scarce covering his bottom; his +hands hanging like spades out of the sleeves +and the coat linked in front by worsted loops +made out of a pair of red garters. Another +had a cocked hat stuck on the back of his +head, and decorated with a bunch of cock’s +tails; a third had a pair of rusty gaiters hanging +about his heels; while a fourth, a little +duck-legged fellow, was equipped in a pair of +the general’s cast-off breeches, which he held +up with one hand while he grasped his firelock +with the other. The rest were accoutred in +similar style, except three ragamuffins without +shirts, and with but a pair and a half of +breeches between them; wherefore they were +sent to the black hole, to keep them out of +sight, that they might not disgrace the fortress.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His men being thus gallantly arrayed,—those +who lacked muskets shouldering spades and +pickaxes, and every man being ordered to tuck +in his shirt-tail and pull up his brogues,—General +Van Poffenburgh first took a sturdy +draught of foaming ale, which, like the magnanimous +More of More-hall,<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c014'><sup>[13]</sup></a> was his invariable +<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>practice on all great occasions; this done, +he put himself at their head, and issued forth +from his castle, like a mighty giant, just refreshed +with wine. But when the two heroes +met, they began a scene of warlike parade +that beggars all description. The shrewd +Risingh, who had grown gray much before his +time in consequence of his craftiness, saw at +one glance the ruling passion of the great Van +Poffenburgh, and humored him in all his +valorous fantasies.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Their detachments were accordingly drawn +up in front of each other; they carried +arms and they presented arms; they gave the +standing salute and the passing salute; they +rolled their drums, they nourished their fifes, +and they waved their colors; they faced to the +left, and they faced to the right, and they +faced to the rightabout; they wheeled forward, +and they wheeled backward, and they wheeled +into <i>echellon</i>; they marched and they countermarched, +by grand divisions, by single divisions, +and by subdivisions; by platoons, by +sections, and by files; in quick time, in slow +time, and in no time at all; for, having gone +through all the evolutions of two great armies, +including the eighteen manœuvres of Dundas; +having exhausted all they could recollect or +imagine of military tactics, including sundry +<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>strange and irregular evolutions, the like of +which were never seen before nor since, except +among certain of our newly raised militia,—the +two commanders and their respective +troops came at length to a dead halt, completely +exhausted by the toils of war. Never +did two valiant trainband captains, or two +buskined theatric heroes, in the renowned +tragedies of Pizarro, Tom Thumb, or any +other heroical and fighting tragedy, marshal +their gallows-looking, duck-legged, heavy-heeled +myrmidons with more glory and self-admiration.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image149.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“WITH GREAT CEREMONY, INTO THE FORT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>These military compliments being finished, +General Van Poffenburgh escorted his illustrious +visitor, with great ceremony, into the Fort; +attended him throughout the fortifications; +showed him the horn-works, crown-works, +half-moons, and various other outworks, or +rather the places where they ought to be +erected, and where they might be erected if +he pleased; plainly demonstrating that it was +a place of “great capability,” and though at +present but a little redoubt, yet that it was +evidently a formidable fortress, in embryo. +This survey over, he next had the whole garrison +put under arms, exercised, and reviewed; +and concluded by ordering the three bridewell +birds to be hauled out of the black hole, +brought up to the halberds, and soundly +flogged, for the amusement of his visitor, and +to convince him that he was a great disciplinarian.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The cunning Risingh, while he pretended to +be struck dumb outright with the puissance of +the great Van Poffenburgh, took silent note +of the incompetency of his garrison,—of which +he gave a wink to his trusty followers, who +tipped each other the wink, and laughed most +obstreperously—in their sleeves.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>The inspection, review, and flogging being +concluded, the party adjourned to the table; +for among his other great qualities, the general +was remarkably addicted to huge carousals, and +in one afternoon’s campaign would leave more +dead men on the field than he ever did in the +whole course of his military career. Many +bulletins of these bloodless victories do still +remain on record; and the whole province was +once thrown into amaze by the return of one +of his campaigns, wherein it was stated, that, +though, like Captain Bobadil, he had only +twenty men to back him, yet in the short space +of six months he had conquered and utterly +annihilated sixty oxen, ninety hogs, one hundred +sheep, ten thousand cabbages, one thousand +bushels of potatoes, one hundred and +fifty kilderkins of small beer, two thousand +seven hundred and thirty-five pipes, seventy-eight +pounds of sugar-plums, and forty bars +of iron, besides sundry small meats, game, +poultry, and garden-stuff:—an achievement +unparalleled since the days of Pantagruel and +his all-devouring army, and which showed +that it was only necessary to let Van Poffenburgh +and his garrison loose in an enemy’s +country, and in a little while they would breed +a famine, and starve all the inhabitants.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner, therefore, had the general received +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>intimation of the visit of Governor +Risingh, than he ordered a great dinner to be +prepared, and privately sent out a detachment +of the most experienced veterans, to rob all +the hen-roosts in the neighborhood, and lay +the pigsties under contribution,—a service +which they discharged with such zeal and +promptitude, that the garrison-table groaned +under the weight of their spoils.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image152.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“TO ROB ALL THE HEN-ROOSTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>I wish, with all my heart, my readers could +<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>see the valiant Van Poffenburgh, as he presided +at the head of the banquet; it was a +sight worth beholding:—there he sat, in his +greatest glory, surrounded by his soldiers, like +that famous wine-bibber, Alexander, whose +thirsty virtues he did most ably imitate,—telling +astonishing stories of his hair-breadth adventures +and heroic exploits; at which, though +all his auditors knew them to be incontinent +lies and outrageous gasconadoes, yet did they +cast up their eyes in admiration, and utter +many interjections of astonishment. Nor could +the general pronounce anything that bore the +remotest resemblance to a joke, but the stout +Risingh would strike his brawny fist upon the +table till every glass rattled again, throw himself +back in the chair, utter gigantic peals of +laughter, and swear most horribly it was the +best joke he ever heard in his life. Thus all +was rout and revelry and hideous carousal +within Fort Casimir; and so lustily did Van +Poffenburgh ply the bottle, that in less than +four short hours he made himself and his +whole garrison, who all sedulously emulated in +the deeds of their chieftain, dead drunk, with +singing songs, quaffing bumpers, and drinking +patriotic toasts, none of which but was as long +as a Welsh pedigree or a plea in chancery.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner did things come to this pass, than +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>Risingh and his Swedes, who had cunningly +kept themselves sober, rose on their entertainers, +tied them neck and heels, and took formal +possession of the fort, and all its dependencies, +in the name of Queen Christina of Sweden, +administering at the same time an oath of allegiance +to all the Dutch soldiers who could +be made sober enough to swallow it. Risingh +then put the fortification in order, appointed +his discreet and vigilant friend Suen Schüte, +otherwise called Skytte, a tall, wind-dried, +water-drinking Swede, to the command, and +departed, bearing with him this truly amiable +garrison and its puissant commander, who, +when brought to himself by a sound drubbing, +bore no little resemblance to a “deboshed +fish,” or bloated sea-monster, caught upon +dry land.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The transportation of the garrison was done +to prevent the transmission of intelligence to +New Amsterdam; for much as the cunning +Risingh exulted in his stratagem, yet did he +dread the vengeance of the sturdy Peter Stuyvesant, +whose name spread as much terror in +the neighborhood as did whilom that of the +unconquerable Scanderbeg among his scurvy +enemies the Turks.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter III.</span><br> <span class='c010'>SHOWING HOW PROFOUND SECRETS ARE OFTEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT; WITH THE PROCEEDINGS OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG WHEN HE HEARD OF THE MISFORTUNES OF GENERAL VAN POFFENBURGH.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage155.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Whoever first described +common fame, or rumor, +as belonging to +the sager sex, was a +very owl for shrewdness. +She has in truth +certain feminine qualities +to an astonishing +degree, particularly that +benevolent anxiety to +take care of the affairs +of others, which keeps +her continually hunting after secrets, and gadding +about proclaiming them. Whatever is +done openly and in the face of the world, she +takes but transient notice of; but whenever a +transaction is done in a corner, and attempted +to be shrouded in mystery, then her goddess-ship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>is at her wit’s end to find it out, and takes +a most mischievous and lady-like pleasure in +publishing it to the world.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is this truly feminine propensity which +induces her continually to be prying into the +cabinets of princes, listening at the key-holes +of senate-chambers, and peering through +chinks and crannies, when our worthy Congress +are sitting with closed doors; deliberating +between a dozen excellent modes of ruining +the nation. It is this which makes her so +baneful to all wary statesmen and intriguing +commanders,—such a stumbling-block to private +negotiations and secret expeditions,—betraying +them by means and instruments +which never would have been thought of by +any but a female head.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus it was in the case of the affair of Fort +Casimir. No doubt the cunning Risingh +imagined, that, by securing the garrison, he +should for a long time prevent the history of +its fate from reaching the ears of the gallant +Stuyvesant; but his exploit was blown to the +world when he least expected, and by one of +the last beings he would ever have suspected +of enlisting as trumpeter to the wide-mouthed +deity.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span> +<img src='images/image157.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>DIRK SCHUILER.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This was one Dirk Schuiler (or Skulker), a +kind of hanger-on to the garrison, who seemed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>to belong to nobody, and in a manner to be +self-outlawed. He was one of those vagabond +cosmopolites who shark about the world as if +they had no right or business in it, and who +infest the skirts of society like poachers and +interlopers. Every garrison and country village +has one or more scape-goats of this kind, +whose life is a kind of enigma, whose existence +is without motive, who comes from the Lord +knows where, who lives the Lord knows how, +and who seems created for no other earthly +purpose but to keep up the ancient and honorable +order of idleness. This vagrant philosopher +was supposed to have some Indian blood +in his veins, which was manifested by a certain +Indian complexion and cast of countenance, +but more especially by his propensities +and habits. He was a tall, lank fellow, swift +of foot, and long-winded. He was generally +equipped in a half Indian dress, with belt, +leggings, and moccasins. <a id='t158'></a>His hair hung in +straight gallows-locks about his ears, and +added not a little to his sharking demeanor. +It is an old remark, that persons of Indian +mixture are half civilized, half savage, and +half devil,—a third half being provided for +their particular convenience. It is for similar +reasons and probably with equal truth, that the +backwoodsmen of Kentucky are styled half +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>man, half horse, and half alligator, by the +settlers on the Mississippi, and held accordingly +in great respect and abhorrence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The above character may have presented +itself to the garrison as applicable to Dirk +Schuiler, whom they familiarly dubbed Gallows +Dirk. Certain it is, he acknowledged +allegiance to no one,—was an utter enemy to +work, holding it in no manner of estimation,—but +lounging about the fort, depending upon +chance for a subsistence, getting drunk whenever +he could get liquor, and stealing whatever +he could lay his hands on. Every day or +two he was sure to get a sound rib-roasting for +some of his misdemeanors, which, however, as +it broke no bones, he made very light of, and +scrupled not to repeat the offence whenever +another opportunity presented. Sometimes, +in consequence of some flagrant villany, he +would abscond from the garrison, and be +absent for a month at a time, skulking about +the woods and swamps, with a long fowling-piece +on his shoulder, lying in ambush for +game,—or squatting himself down on the edge +of a pond, catching fish for hours together, +and bearing no little resemblance to that +notable bird of the crane family, ycleped the +Mudpoke. When he thought his crimes had +been forgotten or forgiven, he would sneak +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>back to the fort with a bundle of skins, or a +load of poultry, which, perchance, he had +stolen, and would exchange them for liquor, +with which having well soaked his carcass, he +would lie in the sun and enjoy all the luxurious +indolence of that swinish philosopher Diogenes. +He was the terror of all the farmyards +in the country into which he made fearful +inroads; and sometimes he would make his +sudden appearance in the garrison at daybreak, +with the whole neighborhood at his heels,—like +the scoundrel thief of a fox, detected in +his maraudings and hunted to his hole. +Such was this Dirk Schuiler; and from the +total indifference he showed to the world and +its concerns, and from his truly Indian stoicism +and taciturnity, no one would ever have +dreamt that he would have been the publisher +of the treachery of Risingh.</p> + +<p class='c013'>When the carousal was going on, which +proved so fatal to the brave Poffenburgh and +his watchful garrison, Dirk skulked about +from room to room, being a kind of privileged +vagrant, or useless hound, whom nobody noticed. +But though a fellow of few words, yet, +like your taciturn people, his eyes and ears were +always open, and in the course of his prowlings +he overheard the whole plot of the Swedes. +Dirk immediately settled in his own mind how +<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>he should turn the matter to his own advantage. +He played the perfect jack-of-both-sides, +that is to say, he made a prize of everything +that came in his reach, robbed both parties, +stuck the copper-bound cocked hat of the +puissant Van Poffenburgh on his head, whipped +a huge pair of Risingh’s jackboots under his +arm, and took to his heels just before the +catastrophe and confusion at the garrison.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image161.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“AND PADDLED OVER TO NEW AMSTERDAM.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Finding himself completely dislodged from +his haunt in this quarter, he directed his flight +towards his native place, New Amsterdam, +whence he had formerly been obliged to abscond +precipitately, in consequence of misfortune +in business,—that is to say, having been +detected in the act of sheep-stealing. After +wandering many days in the woods, toiling +<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>through swamps, fording brooks, swimming +various rivers, and encountering a world of +hardships that would have killed any other +being but an Indian, a backwoodsman, or the +devil, he at length arrived, half famished, and +lank as a starved weasel, at Communipaw, +where he stole a canoe, and paddled over to +New Amsterdam. Immediately on landing, +he repaired to Governor Stuyvesant, and, in +more words than he had ever spoken before in +the whole course of his life, gave an account +of the disastrous affair.</p> + +<p class='c013'>On receiving these direful tidings, the valiant +Peter started from his seat, dashed the pipe he +was smoking against the back of the chimney, +thrust a prodigious quid of tobacco into his +left cheek, pulled up his galligaskins, and +strode up and down the room, humming, as +was customary with him when in a passion, a +hideous northwest ditty. But, as I have before +shown, he was not a man to vent his spleen +in idle vaporing. His first measure, after the +paroxysm of wrath had subsided, was to +stump up stairs to a huge wooden chest, which +served as his armory, from whence he drew +forth that identical suit of regimentals described +in the preceding chapter. In these +portentous habiliments he arrayed himself like +Achilles in the armor of Vulcan, maintaining +<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>all the while an appalling silence, knitting his +brows, and drawing his breath through his +clenched teeth. Being hastily equipped, he +strode down into the parlor and jerked down +his trusty sword from over the fireplace, where +it was usually suspended; but before he girded +it on his thigh, he drew it from its scabbard, +and as his eye coursed along the rusty blade, a +grim smile stole over his iron visage; it was +the first smile that had visited his countenance +for five long weeks; but every one who beheld +it prophesied that there would soon be warm +work in the province!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus armed at all points, with grisly war +depicted in each feature, his very cocked hat +assuming an air of uncommon defiance, he +instantly put himself upon the alert, and +despatched Antony Van Corlear hither and +thither, this way and that way, through all +the muddy streets and crooked lanes of the +city, summoning by sound of trumpet his +trusty peers to assemble in instant council. +This done, by way of expediting matters, according +to the custom of people in a hurry, he +kept in continual bustle, shifting from chair to +chair, popping his head out of every window, +and stumping up and down stairs with his +wooden leg in such brisk and incessant motion, +that, as we are informed by an authentic +<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>historian of the times, the continual clatter +bore no small resemblance to the music of a +cooper hooping a flour-barrel.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image164.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“AND STUMPING UP AND DOWN STAIRS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>A summons so peremptory, and from a man +of the governor’s mettle, was not to be trifled +with: the sages forthwith repaired to the +council-chamber, seated themselves with the +utmost tranquillity, and lighting their long +pipes, gazed with unruffled composure on his +Excellency and his regimentals,—being, as all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>councillors should be, not easily flustered, +nor taken by surprise. The governor, looking +around for a moment with a lofty and soldier-like +air, and, resting one hand on the pommel +of his sword, and flinging the other forth in a +free and spirited manner, addressed them in a +short but soul-stirring harangue.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I am extremely sorry that I have not the +advantages of Livy, Thucydides, Plutarch, +and others of my predecessors, who were furnished, +as I am told, with the speeches of all +their heroes, taken down in shorthand by the +most accurate stenographers of the time,—whereby +they were enabled wonderfully to +enrich their histories, and delight their readers +with sublime strains of eloquence. Not having +such important auxiliaries, I cannot possibly +pronounce what was the tenor of Governor +Stuyvesant’s speech. I am bold, however, to +say, from the tenor of his character, that he did +not wrap his rugged subject in silks and ermines +and other sickly trickeries of phrase, but +spoke forth like a man of nerve and vigor, +who scorned to shrink in words from those +dangers which he stood ready to encounter in +very deed. This much is certain, that he concluded +by announcing his determination to lead +on his troops in person, and rout these costard-monger +Swedes from their usurped quarters at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>Fort Casimir. To this hardy resolution, such +of his council as were awake gave their usual +signal of concurrence; and as to the rest, who +had fallen asleep about the middle of the harangue +(their “usual custom in the afternoon”), +they made not the least objection.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now was seen in the fair city of New +Amsterdam a prodigious bustle and preparation +for iron war. Recruiting parties marched +hither and thither, calling lustily upon all the +scrubs, the runagates, and tatterdemalions +of the Manhattoes and its vicinity, who had +any ambition of sixpence a day, and immortal +fame into the bargain, to enlist in the cause of +glory:—for I would have you note that your +warlike heroes who trudge in the rear of conquerors +are generally of that illustrious class +of gentlemen who are equal candidates for the +army or the bridewell, the halberds or the +whipping-post,—for whom dame Fortune has +cast an even die, whether they shall make their +exit by the sword or the halter, and whose +deaths shall, at all events, be a lofty example +to their countrymen.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But, notwithstanding all this martial rout +and invitation, the ranks of honor were but +scantily supplied, so averse were the peaceful +burghers of New Amsterdam from enlisting in +foreign broils, of stirring beyond that home +<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>which rounded all their earthly ideas. Upon +beholding this, the great Peter, whose noble +heart was all on fire with war and sweet revenge, +determined to wait no longer for the +tardy assistance of these oily citizens, but to +muster up his merry men of the Hudson, +who, brought up among woods, and wilds, and +savage beasts, like our yeomen of Kentucky, +delighted in nothing so much as desperate adventures +and perilous expeditions through the +wilderness. Thus resolving, he ordered his +trusty squire Antony Van Corlear to have his +state galley prepared and duly victualled; +which being performed, he attended public +service at the great church of St. Nicholas, like +a true and pious governor; and then leaving +peremptory orders with his council to have the +chivalry of the Manhattoes marshalled out and +appointed against his return, departed upon +his recruiting voyage up the waters of the +Hudson.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image167.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a short, grumpy man in 17th-century attire standing with his arms crossed and a scowling expression.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IV.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING PETER STUYVESANT’S VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON, AND THE WONDERS AND DELIGHTS OF THAT RENOWNED RIVER.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage168.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Now did the soft breezes +of the south steal sweetly +over the face of nature, +tempering the panting +heat of summer into +genial and prolific +warmth; when that +miracle of hardihood +and chivalric virtue, the +dauntless Peter Stuyvesant, +spread his canvas +to the wind, and departed +from the fair island of Manna-hata. The +galley in which he embarked was sumptuously +adorned with pendants and streamers of gorgeous +dyes, which fluttered gayly in the wind, +or drooped their ends into the bosom of the +stream. The bow and poop of this majestic +vessel were gallantly bedight, after the rarest +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>Dutch fashion, with figures of little pursy +Cupids with periwigs on their heads, and bearing +in their hands garlands of flowers, the like +of which are not to be found in any book of +botany, being the matchless flowers which +flourished in the golden age, and exist no +longer, unless it be in the imaginations of ingenious +carvers of wood and discolorers of +canvas.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus rarely decorated, in style befitting the +puissant potentate of the Manhattoes, did the +galley of Peter Stuyvesant launch forth upon +the bosom of the lordly Hudson, which, as it +rolled its broad waves to the ocean, seemed to +pause for a while and swell with pride, as if +conscious of the illustrious burden it sustained.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But trust me, gentlefolk, far other was the +scene presented to the contemplation of the +crew from that which may be witnessed at this +degenerate day. Wildness and savage majesty +reigned on the borders of this mighty river; +the hand of cultivation had not as yet laid +low the dark forest, and tamed the features of +the landscape; nor had the frequent sail of +commerce broken in upon the profound and +awful solitude of ages. Here and there might +be seen a rude wigwam perched among the +cliffs of the mountains, with its curling column +of smoke mounting in the transparent atmosphere,—but +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>so loftily situated that the whoopings +of the savage children, gambolling on the +margin of the dizzy heights, fell almost as +faintly on the ear as do the notes of the lark +when lost in the azure vault of heaven. Now +and then, from the beetling brow of some precipice, +the wild deer would look timidly down +upon the splendid pageant as it passed below, +and then, tossing his antlers in the air, would +bound away into the thickest of the forest.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Through such scenes did the stately vessel +of Peter Stuyvesant pass. Now did they skirt +the bases of the rocky heights of Jersey, which +spring up like everlasting walls, reaching from +the waves unto the heavens, and were fashioned, +if tradition may be believed, in times +long past, by the mighty spirit Manetho, to +protect his favorite abodes from the unhallowed +eyes of mortals. Now did they career it +gayly across the vast expanse of Tappan Bay, +whose wide-extended shores present a variety +of delectable scenery,—here the bold promontory, +crowned with embowering trees, advancing +into the bay,—there the long woodland +slope, sweeping up from the shore in rich +luxuriance, and terminating in the upland +precipice,—while at a distance a long waving +line of rocky heights threw their gigantic +shades across the water. Now would they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>pass where some modest little interval, opening +among these stupendous scenes, yet retreating +as it were for protection into the embraces +of the neighboring mountains, displayed a +rural paradise, fraught with sweet and pastoral +beauties,—the velvet-tufted lawn, the bushy +copse, the tinkling rivulet, stealing through +the fresh and vivid verdure, on whose banks +was situated some little Indian village, or, +peradventure, the rude cabin of some solitary +hunter.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image171.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“SOME LITTLE INDIAN VILLAGE.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>The different periods of the revolving day +seemed each, with cunning magic, to diffuse a +different charm over the scene. Now would +the jovial sun break gloriously from the east, +blazing from the summits of the hills, and +sparkling the landscape with a thousand dewy +gems; while along the borders of the river +were seen the heavy masses of mist, which, +like midnight caitiffs disturbed at his approach, +made a sluggish retreat, rolling in +sullen reluctance up the mountains. At such +times all was brightness, and life, and gayety,—the +atmosphere was of an indescribable pureness +and transparency,—the birds broke forth +in wanton madrigals, and the freshening +breezes wafted the vessel merrily on her course. +But when the sun sunk amid a flood of glory +in the west, mantling the heavens and the +earth with a thousand gorgeous dyes, then all +was calm, and silent, and magnificent. The +late swelling sail hung lifelessly against the +mast;—the seamen, with folded arms, leaned +against the shrouds, lost in that involuntary +musing which the sober grandeur of nature +commands in the rudest of her children. The +vast bosom of the Hudson was like an unruffled +mirror, reflecting the golden splendor of +the heavens, excepting that now and then a +bark canoe would steal across its surface, filled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>with painted savages, whose gay feathers +glared brightly as perchance a lingering ray +of the setting sun gleamed upon them from +the western mountains.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But when the hour of twilight spread its majestic +mists around, then did the face of nature +assume a thousand fugitive charms, which to +the worthy heart that seeks enjoyment in the +glorious works of its Maker are inexpressibly +captivating. The mellow dubious light that +prevailed just served to tinge with illusive +colors the softened features of the scenery. +The deceived but delighted eye sought vainly +to discern in the broad masses of shade the +separating line between the land and water, +or to distinguish the fading objects that seemed +sinking into chaos. Now did the busy fancy +supply the feebleness of vision, producing with +industrious craft a fairy creation of her own. +Under her plastic wand the barren rocks +frowned upon the watery waste in the semblance +of lofty towers and high embattled +castles,—trees assumed the direful forms of +mighty giants, and the inaccessible summits +of the mountains seemed peopled with a thousand +shadowy beings.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now broke forth from the shores the notes +of an innumerable variety of insects, which +filled the air with a strange but not inharmonious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>concert, while ever and anon was heard +the melancholy plaint of the whippoorwill, +who, perched on some lone tree, wearied the +ear of night with his incessant moanings. The +mind, soothed into a hallowed melancholy, +listened with pensive stillness to catch and distinguish +each sound that vaguely echoed from +the shore,—now and then startled perchance +by the whoop of some straggling savage, or by +the dreary howl of a wolf, stealing forth upon +his nightly prowlings.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image174.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE OMNIPOTENT MANETHO.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>Thus happily did they pursue their course, +until they entered upon those awful defiles +denominated <span class='sc'>The Highlands</span>; where it would +seem that the gigantic Titans had erst waged +their impious war with heaven, piling up cliffs +on cliffs, and hurling vast masses of rock in +wild confusion. But in sooth very different is +the history of these cloud-capt mountains. +These in ancient days, before the Hudson +poured its waters from the lakes, formed one +vast prison, within whose rocky bosom the +omnipotent Manetho confined the rebellious +spirits who repined at his control. Here, +bound in adamantine chains, or jammed in +rifted pines, or crushed by ponderous rocks, +they groaned for many an age. At length the +conquering Hudson, in its career towards the +ocean, burst open their prison-house, rolling +its tide triumphantly through the stupendous +ruins.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Still, however, do many of them lurk about +their old abodes; and these it is, according to +venerable legends, that cause the echoes which +resound throughout these awful solitudes,—which +are nothing but their angry clamors +when any noise disturbs the profoundness of +their repose. For when the elements are agitated +by tempest, when the winds are up and +the thunder rolls, then horrible is the yelling +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>and howling of these troubled spirits, making +the mountains to rebellow with their hideous +uproar; for at such times it is said that they +think the great Manetho is returning once +more to plunge them in gloomy caverns, and +renew their intolerable captivity.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But all these fair and glorious scenes were +lost upon the gallant Stuyvesant; naught occupied +his mind but thoughts of iron war, and +proud anticipations of hardy deeds of arms. +Neither did his honest crew trouble their heads +with any romantic speculations of the kind. +The pilot at the helm quietly smoked his pipe, +thinking of nothing either past, present, or to +come;—those of his comrades who were not industriously +smoking under the hatches were listening +with open mouths to Antony Van Corlear, +who, seated on the windlass, was relating +to them the marvellous history of those myriads +of fire-flies that sparkled like gems and spangles +upon the dusky robe of night. These, according +to tradition, were originally a race of pestilent +sempiternous beldames, who peopled these +parts long before the memory of man, being of +that abominated race emphatically called <i>brimstones</i>, +and who, for their innumerable sins +against the children of men, and to furnish an +awful warning to the beauteous sex, were +doomed to infest the earth in the shape of these +<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>threatening and terrible little bugs, enduring +the internal torments of that fire which they formerly +carried in their hearts and breathed forth +in their words, but now are sentenced to bear +about forever—in their tails!</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now I am going to tell a fact, which I +doubt much my readers will hesitate to believe; +but if they do, they are welcome not to +believe a word in this whole history, for nothing +which it contains is more true. It must +be known that the nose of Antony the trumpeter +was of a very lusty size, strutting boldly +from his countenance like a mountain of Golconda; +being sumptuously bedecked with rubies +and other precious stones,—the true regalia +of a king of good fellows, which jolly Bacchus +grants to all who bouse it heartily at the +flagon. Now thus it happened, that bright +and early in the morning, the good Antony, +having washed his burly visage, was leaning +over the quarter-railing of the galley, contemplating +it in the glassy wave below. Just at +this moment the illustrious sun, breaking in all +its splendor from behind a high bluff of the +highlands, did dart one of his most potent +beams full upon the refulgent nose of the +sounder of brass—the reflection of which shot +straightway down, hissing-hot, into the water, +and killed a mighty sturgeon that was sporting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>beside the vessel! This huge monster, +being with infinite labor hoisted on board, furnished +a luxurious repast to all the crew, being +accounted of excellent flavor, excepting about +the wound, where it smacked a little of brimstone; +and this, on my veracity, was the first +time that ever sturgeon was eaten in these +parts by Christian people.<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c014'><sup>[14]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>When this astonishing miracle came to be +made known to Peter Stuyvesant, and he +tasted of the unknown fish, he, as may well +be supposed, marvelled exceedingly; and as a +monument thereof, he gave the name of <i>Antony’s +Nose</i> to a stout promontory in the neighborhood; +and it has continued to be called +Antony’s Nose ever since that time.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span> +<img src='images/image179.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE KILLING OF THE STURGEON.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>But hold: whither am I wandering? By +the mass, if I attempt to accompany the good +Peter Stuyvesant on this voyage, I shall never +make an end; for never was there a voyage so +fraught with marvellous incidents, nor a river +so abounding with transcendent beauties, +worthy of being severally recorded. Even +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>now I have it on the point of my pen to relate +how his crew were most horribly frightened, +on going on shore above the highlands, by a +gang of merry roistering devils, frisking and +curveting on a flat rock, which projected into +the river, and which is called the <i>Duyvel’s +Dans-Kamer</i> to this very day. But no! +Diedrich Knickerbocker, it becomes thee not +to idle thus in thy historic warfaring.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Recollect that, while dwelling with the fond +garrulity of age over these fairy scenes, endeared +to thee by the recollections of thy +youth, and the charms of a thousand legendary +tales, which beguiled the simple ear of thy +childhood,—recollect that thou art trifling with +those fleeting moments which should be devoted +to loftier themes. Is not Time—relentless +Time!—shaking, with palsied hand, his +almost exhausted hour-glass before thee? +Hasten then to pursue thy weary task, lest +the last sands be run ere thou hast finished +thy history of the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Let us, then, commit the dauntless Peter, +his brave galley, and his loyal crew, to the +protection of the blessed St. Nicholas; who, I +have no doubt, will prosper him in his voyage, +while we await his return at the great city of +New Amsterdam.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter V.</span><br> <span class='c010'>DESCRIBING THE POWERFUL ARMY THAT ASSEMBLED AT THE CITY OF NEW AMSTERDAM—TOGETHER WITH THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN PETER THE HEADSTRONG AND GENERAL VAN POFFENBURGH, AND PETER’S SENTIMENTS TOUCHING UNFORTUNATE GREAT MEN.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage181.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +While thus the enterprising +Peter was coasting, +with flowing sail, up +the shores of the lordly +Hudson, and arousing +all the phlegmatic little +Dutch settlements upon +its borders, a great and +puissant concourse of +warriors was assembling +at the city of +New Amsterdam. And +here that invaluable +fragment of antiquity, the Stuyvesant manuscript, +is more than commonly particular; by +which means I am enabled to record the illustrious +host that encamped itself in the public +<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>square in front of the fort, at present denominated +the Bowling Green.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the centre, then, was pitched the tent of +the men of battle of the Manhattoes, who, +being the inmates of the metropolis, composed +the life-guards of the governor. These were +commanded by the valiant Stoffel Brinkerhoff, +who whilom had acquired such immortal fame +at Oyster Bay; they displayed as a standard a +beaver <i>rampant</i> on a field of orange, being the +arms of the province, and denoting the persevering +industry and the amphibious origin of +the Nederlanders.<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c014'><sup>[15]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>On their right hand might be seen the vassals +of that renowned Mynheer, Michael Paw,<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c014'><sup>[16]</sup></a> +who lorded it over the fair regions of ancient +Pavonia, and the lands away south even unto +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>the Navesink mountains,<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c014'><sup>[17]</sup></a> and was moreover +patroon of Gibbet Island. His standard was +borne by his trusty squire, Cornelius Van +Vorst; consisting of a huge oyster <i>recumbent</i> +upon a sea-green field; being the armorial +bearings of his favorite metropolis, Communipaw. +He brought to the camp a stout force of +warriors, heavily armed, being each clad in +ten pair of linsey-woolsey breeches, and overshadowed +by broad-brimmed beavers, with +short pipes twisted in their hat-bands. These +were the men who vegetated in the mud along +the shores of Pavonia, being of the race of +genuine copperheads, and were fabled to have +sprung from oysters.</p> + +<p class='c013'>At a little distance was encamped the tribe +of warriors who came from the neighborhood +of Hell-gate. These were commanded by the +Suy Dams, and the Van Dams,—incontinent +hard swearers, as their names betoken. They +were terrible-looking fellows, clad in broad-skirted +gaberdines, of that curious-colored +cloth called thunder and lightning,—and bore +as a standard three devil’s darning-needles, +<i>volant</i>, in a flame-colored field.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span> +<img src='images/image184.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THESE WERE OF A SOUR ASPECT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Hard by was the tent of the men of battle +from the marshy borders of the Waale-Boght<a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c014'><sup>[18]</sup></a> +and the country thereabouts. These were of a +sour aspect, by reason that they lived on crabs, +which abound in these parts. They were the +first institutors of that honorable order of +knighthood called <i>Fly-market shirks</i>, and, if +tradition speak true, did likewise introduce +the far-famed step in dancing called “double +trouble.” They were commanded by the fearless +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>Jacobus Varra Vanger,—and had, moreover, +a jolly band of Breuckelen<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c014'><sup>[19]</sup></a> ferry-men, +who performed a brave concerto on conch +shells.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image185.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“AS THEY DEFILED THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL GATE THAT STOOD AT THE HEAD OF WALL STREET.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>But I refrain from pursuing this minute +description, which goes on to describe the warriors +of Bloemen-dael, and Weehawk, and Hoboken, +and sundry other places, well known in +history and song; for now do the notes of martial +music alarm the people of New Amsterdam, +sounding afar from beyond the walls of +the city. But this alarm was in a little while +relieved, for lo! from the midst of a vast cloud +of dust, they recognized the brimstone-colored +breeches and splendid silver leg, of Peter Stuyvesant, +glaring in the sunbeams; and beheld +him approaching at the head of a formidable +army, which he had mustered along the banks +of the Hudson. And here the excellent but +anonymous writer of the Stuyvesant manuscript +breaks out into a brave and glorious description +of the forces, as they defiled through +the principal gate of the city, that stood by the +head of Wall Street.</p> + +<p class='c013'>First of all came the Van Bummels, who +inhabit the pleasant borders of the Bronx: +these were short fat men, wearing exceeding +large trunk-breeches, and were renowned for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>feats of the trencher. They were the first inventors +of suppawn, or mush and milk.—Close +in their rear marched the Van Vlotens, +of Kaatskill, horrible quaffers of new cider, +and arrant braggarts in their liquor.—After +them came the Van Pelts of Groodt Esopus, +dexterous horsemen, mounted upon goodly +switch-tailed steeds of the Esopus breed. +These were mighty hunters of minks and +musk-rats, whence came the word <i>Peltry</i>.—Then +the Van Nests of Kinderhoeck, valiant +robbers of birds’-nests, as their name denotes. +To these, if reports may be believed, we are +indebted for the invention of slap-jacks, or +buckwheat-cakes.—Then the Van Higginbottoms, +of Wapping’s creek. These came +armed with ferules and birchen rods, being a +race of schoolmasters, who first discovered the +marvellous sympathy between the seat of honor +and the seat of intellect,—and that the shortest +way to get knowledge into the head was to +hammer it into the bottom.—Then the Van +Grolls of Antony’s Nose, who carried their +liquor in fair round little pottles, by reason +they could not bouse it out of their canteens, +having such rare long noses.—Then the Gardeniers +of Hudson and thereabouts, distinguished +by many triumphant feats, such as +robbing watermelon-patches, smoking rabbits +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>out of their holes, and the like, and by being +great lovers of roasted pigs’ tails. These were +the ancestors of the renowned congressman of +that name.—Then the Van Hœsens, of Sing-Sing, +great choristers and players upon the +jews-harp. These marched two and two, +singing the great song of St. Nicholas.—Then +the Couenhovens, of Sleepy Hollow. These +gave birth to a jolly race of publicans, who +first discovered the magic artifice of conjuring +a quart of wine into a pint bottle.—Then the +Van Kortlandts, who lived on the wild banks +of the Croton, and were great killers of wild +ducks, being much spoken of for their skill in +shooting with the long bow.—Then the Van +Bunschotens, of Nyack and Kakiat, who were +the first that did ever kick with the left foot. +They were gallant bushwhackers and hunters +of raccoons by moonlight.—Then the Van +Winkles of Haerlem, potent suckers of eggs, +and noted for running of horses, and running +up of scores at taverns. They were the first +that ever winked with both eyes at once.—Lastly +came the <span class='sc'>Knickerbockers</span>, of the +great town of Schaghtikoke, where the folk +lay stones upon the houses in windy weather, +lest they should be blown away. These derive +their name, as some say, from <i><span lang="nl">Knicker</span></i>, to +shake, and <i><span lang="nl">Beker</span></i>, a goblet, indicating thereby +<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>that they were sturdy toss-pots of yore; but, +in truth, it was derived from <i><span lang="nl">Knicker</span></i>, to nod, +and <i><span lang="nl">Boeken</span></i>, books: plainly meaning that they +were great nodders or dozers over books. +From them did descend the writer of this +history.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Such was the legion of sturdy bush-beaters +that poured in at the grand gate of New Amsterdam; +the Stuyvesant manuscript indeed +speaks of many more, whose names I omit to +mention, seeing that it behooves me to hasten +to matters of greater moment. Nothing could +surpass the joy and martial pride of the lion-hearted +Peter as he reviewed this mighty host +of warriors, and he determined no longer to +defer the gratification of his much-wished-for +revenge upon the scoundrel Swedes at Fort +Casimir.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But before I hasten to record those unmatchable +events which will be found in the +sequel of this faithful history, let me pause to +notice the fate of Jacobus Van Poffenburgh, +the discomfited commander-in-chief of the +armies of the New Netherlands. Such is the +inherent uncharitableness of human nature, +that scarcely did the news become public of +his deplorable discomfiture at Fort Casimir, +than a thousand scurvy rumors were set afloat +in New Amsterdam, wherein it was insinuated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>that he had in reality a treacherous understanding +with the Swedish commander; that +he had long been in the practice of privately +communicating with the Swedes; together +with divers hints about “secret-service +money.” To all of which deadly charges I +do not give a jot more credit than I think they +deserve.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Certain it is, that the general vindicated his +character by the most vehement oaths and protestations, +and put every man out of the ranks +of honor who dared to doubt his integrity. +Moreover, on returning to New Amsterdam, +he paraded up and down the streets with a +crew of hard swearers at his heels,—sturdy bottle-companions, +whom he gorged and fattened, +and who were ready to bolster him through all +the courts of justice,—heroes of his own kidney, +fierce-whiskered, broad-shouldered, colbrand-looking +swaggerers,—not one of whom +but looked as though he could eat up an ox, +and pick his teeth with the horns. These lifeguard-men +quarrelled all his quarrels, were +ready to fight all his battles, and scowled at +every man that turned up his nose at the general, +as though they would devour him alive. +Their conversation was interspersed with +oaths like minute guns, and every bombastic +rodomontade was rounded off by a thundering +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>execration, like a patriotic toast honored with +a discharge of artillery.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image191.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“A CREW OF HARD SWEARERS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>All these valorous vaporings had a considerable +effect in convincing certain profound +sages, who began to think the general a hero +of unmatchable loftiness and magnanimity of +soul, particularly as he was continually protesting +<i>on the honor of a soldier</i>,—a marvellously +high-sounding asseveration. Nay, one +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>of the members of the council went so far as to +propose they should immortalize him by an +imperishable statue of plaster-of-Paris.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But the vigilant Peter the Headstrong was +not thus to be deceived. Sending privately +for the commander-in-chief of all the armies, +and having heard all his story, garnished with +the customary pious oaths, protestations, and +ejaculations,—“Harkee, comrade,” cried he, +“though by your own account you are the +most brave, upright, and honorable man in +the whole province, yet do you lie under the +misfortune of being damnably traduced, and +immeasurably despised. Now, though it is +certainly hard to punish a man for his misfortunes, +and though it is very possible you are +totally innocent of the crimes laid to your +charge, yet as heaven, doubtless for some wise +purpose, sees fit at present to withhold all +proofs of your innocence, far be it from me to +counteract its sovereign will. Besides, I cannot +consent to venture my armies with a commander +whom they despise, nor to trust the +welfare of my people to a champion whom they +distrust. Retire, therefore, my friend, from +the irksome toils and cares of public life, with +this comforting reflection, that, if guilty, you +are but enjoying your just reward, and if innocent, +you are not the first great and good man +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>who has most wrongfully been slandered and +maltreated in this wicked world,—doubtless to +be better treated in a better world, where there +shall be neither error, calumny, nor persecution. +In the meantime let me never see your +face again, for I have a horrible antipathy to +the countenances of unfortunate great men like +yourself.”</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image193.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a man in 17th-century attire, wearing a tall hat and puffy breeches, aiming a long-barreled musket or pistol.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>IN WHICH THE AUTHOR DISCOURSES VERY INGENUOUSLY OF HIMSELF—AFTER WHICH IS TO BE FOUND MUCH INTERESTING HISTORY ABOUT PETER THE HEADSTRONG AND HIS FOLLOWERS.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage194.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +As my readers and myself +are about entering on as +many perils as ever a +confederacy of meddlesome +knights-errant +wilfully ran their heads +into, it is meet that, +like those hardy adventurers, +we should join +hands, bury all differences, +and swear to +stand by one another, in weal or woe, to the +end of the enterprise. My readers must doubtless +perceive how completely I have altered my +tone and deportment since we first set out together. +I warrant they then thought me a +crabbed, cynical, impertinent little son of a +Dutchman; for I scarcely gave them a civil +word, nor so much as touched my beaver, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>I had occasion to address them. But as we +jogged along together on the high road of +my history, I gradually began to relax, to +grow more courteous, and occasionally to enter +into familiar discourse, until at length I came +to conceive a most social, companionable kind +of regard for them. This is just my way: I +am always a little cold and reserved at first, +particularly to people whom I neither know nor +care for, and am only to be completely won +by long intimacy.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Besides, why should I have been sociable to +the crowd of how-d’ye-do acquaintances that +flocked around me at my first appearance? +Many were merely attracted by a new face; +and having stared me full in the title-page, +walked off without saying a word: while others +lingered yawningly through the preface, +and, having gratified their short-lived curiosity, +soon dropped off one by one. But, more especially +to try their mettle, I had recourse to an +expedient, similar to one which we are told +was used by that peerless flower of chivalry, +King Arthur; who, before he admitted any +knight to his intimacy, first required that he +should show himself superior to danger or +hardships, by encountering unheard-of mishaps, +slaying some dozen giants, vanquishing +wicked enchanters, not to say a word of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>dwarfs, hippogriffs, and fiery dragons. On a +similar principle did I cunningly lead my +readers, at the first sally, into two or three +knotty chapters, where they were most wofully +belabored and buffeted by a host of pagan +philosophers, and infidel writers. Though +naturally a very grave man, yet could I scarcely +refrain from smiling outright at seeing the +utter confusion and dismay of my valiant cavaliers. +Some dropped down dead (asleep) on +the field; others threw down my book in the +middle of the first chapter, took to their heels, +and never ceased scampering until they had +fairly run it out of sight: when they stopped +to take breath, to tell their friends what +troubles they had undergone, and to warn all +others from venturing on so thankless an expedition. +Every page thinned my ranks more +and more; and of the vast multitude that first +set out, but a comparatively few made shift to +survive, in exceedingly battered condition, +through the five introductory chapters.</p> + +<p class='c013'>What, then! would you have had me take +such sunshine, faint-hearted recreants to my +bosom at our first acquaintance? No, no; I +reserved my friendship for those who deserved +it, for those who undauntedly bore me company, +in spite of difficulties, dangers, and +fatigues. And now, as to those who adhere +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>to me at present, I take them affectionately by +the hand. Worthy and thrice-beloved readers! +brave and well-tried comrades! who have +faithfully followed my footsteps through all +my wanderings,—I salute you from my heart,—I +pledge myself to stand by you to the last, +and to conduct you (so Heaven speed this +trusty weapon which I now hold between my +fingers) triumphantly to the end of this our +stupendous undertaking.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But, hark! while we are thus talking, the +city of New Amsterdam is in a bustle. The +host of warriors encamped in the Bowling +Green are striking their tents; the brazen +trumpet of Antony Van Corlear makes the +welkin to resound with portentous clangor; +the drums beat; the standards of the Manhattoes, +of Hell-gate, and of Michael Paw, +wave proudly in the air. And now behold +where the mariners are busily employed hoisting +the sails of yon topsail schooner, and those +clump-built sloops, which are to waft the army +of the Nederlanders to gather immortal honors +on the Delaware!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span> +<img src='images/image198.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“CRAMMED THE POCKETS OF HER HERO WITH GINGERBREAD AND DOUGHNUTS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The entire population of the city, man, +woman, and child, turned out to behold the +chivalry of New Amsterdam, as it paraded the +streets previous to embarkation. Many a handkerchief +was waved out of the windows; many +a fair nose was blown in melodious sorrow +on the mournful occasion. The grief of the +fair dames and beauteous damsels of Granada +could not have been more vociferous on the +banishment of the gallant tribe of Abencerrages +than was that of the kind-hearted fair ones +of New Amsterdam on the departure of their +intrepid warriors. Every love-sick maiden +fondly crammed the pockets of her hero with +gingerbread and doughnuts; many a copper +<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>ring was exchanged, and crooked sixpence +broken, in pledge of eternal constancy; and +there remain extant to this day some love-verses +written on that occasion, sufficiently +crabbed and incomprehensible to confound the +whole universe.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But it was a moving sight to see the buxom +lasses, how they hung about the doughty +Antony Van Corlear,—for he was a jolly, +rosy-faced, lusty bachelor, fond of his joke, +and withal a desperate rogue among the +women. Fain would they have kept him to +comfort them while the army was away; for, +besides what I have said of him, it is no more +than justice to add, that he was a kind-hearted +soul, noted for his benevolent attentions +in comforting disconsolate wives during +the absence of their husbands; and this made +him to be very much regarded by the honest +burghers of the city. But nothing could keep +the valiant Antony from following the heels of +the old governor, whom he loved as he did his +very soul; so, embracing all the young vrouws, +and giving every one of them that had good +teeth and rosy lips a dozen hearty smacks, he +departed, loaded with their kind wishes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Nor was the departure of the gallant Peter +among the least causes of public distress. +Though the old governor was by no means indulgent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>to the follies and waywardness of his +subjects, yet somehow or other he had become +strangely popular among the people. There is +something so captivating in personal bravery, +that, with the common mass of mankind, it +takes the lead of most other merits. The simple +folk of New Amsterdam looked upon Peter +Stuyvesant as a prodigy of valor. His wooden +leg, that trophy of his martial encounters, +was regarded with reverence and admiration. +Every old burgher had a budget of miraculous +stories to tell about the exploits of Hardkoppig +Piet, wherewith he regaled his children of a +long winter night, and on which he dwelt with +as much delight and exaggeration as do our +honest country yeomen on the hardy adventures +of old General Putnam (or, as he is familiarly +termed, <i>Old Put</i>) during our glorious +Revolution. Not an individual but verily +believed the old governor was a match for +Beëlzebub himself; and there was even a story +told, with great mystery, and under the rose, +of his having shot the devil with a silver bullet +one dark stormy night, as he was sailing in a +canoe through Hell-gate,—but this I do not +record as being an absolute fact. Perish the +man who would let fall a drop to discolor the +pure stream of history!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span> +<img src='images/image201.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“HAVING SHOT THE DEVIL WITH A SILVER BULLET ONE DARK STORMY NIGHT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Certain it is, not an old woman in New Amsterdam +but considered Peter Stuyvesant as a +tower of strength, and rested satisfied that the +public welfare was secure so long as he was in +the city. It is not surprising, then, that they +looked upon his departure as a sore affliction. +With heavy hearts they dragged at the heels +of his troop, as they marched down to the riverside +to embark. The governor, from the stern +of his schooner, gave a short but truly patriarchal +address to his citizens, wherein he recommended +them to comport like loyal and peaceable +subjects,—to go to church regularly on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>Sundays, and to mind their business all the +week besides. That the women should be +dutiful and affectionate to their husbands,—looking +after nobody’s concerns but their own,—eschewing +all gossipings and morning gaddings,—and +carrying short tongues and long +petticoats. That the men should abstain from +intermeddling in public concerns, intrusting +the cares of government to the officers appointed +to support them,—staying at home, +like good citizens, making money for themselves, +and getting children for the benefit of +their country. That the burgomasters should +look well to the public interest,—not oppressing +the poor nor indulging the rich,—not tasking +their ingenuity to devise new laws, but +faithfully enforcing those which were already +made,—rather bending their attention to prevent +evil than to punish it; ever recollecting +that civil magistrates should consider themselves +more as guardians of public morals than +rat-catchers employed to entrap public delinquents. +Finally, he exhorted them, one and +all, high and low, rich and poor, to conduct +themselves <i>as well as they could</i>, assuring them +that if they faithfully and conscientiously complied +with this golden rule, there was no danger +but that they would all conduct themselves +well enough. This done, he gave them a paternal +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>benediction, the sturdy Antony sounded +a most loving farewell with his trumpet, the +jolly crews put up a shout of triumph, and +the invincible armada swept off proudly down +the bay.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The good people of New Amsterdam +crowded down to the Battery,—that blest resort, +from whence so many a tender prayer has +been wafted, so many a fair hand waved, so +many a tearful look been cast by love-sick +damsel, after the lessening bark, bearing her +adventurous swain to distant climes!—Here +the populace watched with straining eyes the +gallant squadron, as it slowly floated down +the bay, and when the intervening land at the +Narrows shut it from their sight, gradually +dispersed with silent tongues and downcast +countenances.</p> + +<p class='c013'>A heavy gloom hung over the late bustling +city: the honest burghers smoked their pipes +in profound thoughtfulness, casting many a +wistful look to the weather-cock on the church +of St. Nicholas; and all the old women, having +no longer the presence of Peter Stuyvesant +to hearten them, gathered their children home, +and barricaded the doors and windows every +evening at sundown.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the meanwhile the armada of the sturdy +Peter proceeded prosperously on its voyage; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>and after encountering about as many storms, +and water-spouts, and whales, and other horrors +and phenomena as generally befall adventurous +landsmen in perilous voyages of the +kind, and after undergoing a severe scouring +from that deplorable and unpitied malady +called seasickness, the whole squadron arrived +safely in the Delaware.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image204.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“BARRICADED THE DOORS AND WINDOWS EVERY EVENING AT SUNDOWN.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Without so much as dropping anchor and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>giving his wearied ships time to breathe, after +laboring so long on the ocean, the intrepid +Peter pursued his course up the Delaware, and +made a sudden appearance before Fort Casimir. +Having summoned the astonished garrison by +a terrific blast from the trumpet of the long-winded +Van Corlear, he demanded, in a tone +of thunder, an instant surrender of the fort. +To this demand, Suen Skytte, the wind-dried +commandant, replied in a shrill, whiffling +voice, which, by reason of his extreme spareness, +sounded like the wind whistling through +a broken bellows,—“That he had no very +strong reason for refusing, except that the demand +was particularly disagreeable, as he had +been ordered to maintain his post to the last +extremity.” He requested time, therefore, to +consult with Governor Risingh, and proposed +a truce for that purpose.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The choleric Peter, indignant at having his +rightful fort so treacherously taken from him, +and thus pertinaciously withheld, refused the +proposed armistice, and swore by the pipe of +St. Nicholas, which, like the sacred fire, was +never extinguished, that unless the fort were +surrendered in ten minutes, he would incontinently +storm the works, make all the garrison +run the gauntlet, and split their scoundrel of a +commander like a pickled shad. To give this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>menace the greater effect, he drew forth his +trusty sword, and shook it at them with such +a fierce and vigorous motion, that doubtless, if +it had not been exceedingly rusty, it would +have lightened terror into the eyes and hearts +of the enemy. He then ordered his men to +bring a broadside to bear upon the fort, consisting +of two swivels, three muskets, a long +duck fowling-piece, and two brace of horse-pistols.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the meantime the sturdy Van Corlear +marshalled all the forces, and commenced his +warlike operations. Distending his cheeks +like a very Boreas, he kept up a most horrific +twanging of his trumpet,—the lusty choristers +of Sing-Sing broke forth into a hideous song +of battle,—the warriors of Breuckelen and the +Wallabout blew a potent and astonishing blast +on their conch shells,—altogether forming as +outrageous a concerto as though five thousand +French fiddlers were displaying their skill +in a modern overture.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Whether the formidable front of war thus suddenly +presented smote the garrison with sore +dismay,—or whether the concluding terms of +the summons, which mentioned that he should +surrender “at discretion,” were mistaken by +Suen Skytte, who, though a Swede, was a +very considerate, easy-tempered man, as a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>compliment to his discretion, I will not take +upon me to say; certain it is he found it impossible +to resist so courteous a demand. Accordingly, +in the very nick of time, just as the +cabin-boy had gone after a coal of fire to discharge +the swivel, a <i>chamade</i> was beat on the +rampart by the only drum in the garrison, to +the no small satisfaction of both parties, who, +notwithstanding their great stomach for fighting, +had full as good an inclination to eat +a quiet dinner as to exchange black eyes and +bloody noses.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image207.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“MARCHED OUT WITH THE HONORS OF WAR.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Thus did this impregnable fortress once +more return to the domination of their High +Mightinesses. Skytte and his garrison of +twenty men were allowed to march out with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>the honors of war; and the victorious Peter, +who was as generous as brave, permitted them +to keep possession of all their arms and ammunition,—the +same on inspection being found +totally unfit for service, having long rusted in +the magazine of the fortress, even before it +was wrested by the Swedes from the windy +Van Poffenburgh. But I must not omit to +mention that the governor was so well pleased +with the service of his faithful squire, Van +Corlear, in the reduction of this great fortress, +that he made him on the spot lord of a goodly +domain in the vicinity of New Amsterdam,—which +goes by the name of Corlear’s Hook +unto this very day.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The unexampled liberality of Peter Stuyvesant +towards the Swedes, occasioned great +surprise in the city of New Amsterdam,—nay, +certain factious individuals, who had been enlightened +by political meetings in the days of +William the Testy, but who had not dared to +indulge their meddlesome habits under the eye +of their present ruler, now, emboldened by his +absence, gave vent to their censures in the +street. Murmurs were heard in the very +council-chamber of New Amsterdam; and +there is no knowing whether they might not +have broken out into downright speeches and +invectives, had not Peter Stuyvesant privately +<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>sent home his walking-staff, to be laid as a +mace on the table of the council-chamber, in +the midst of his counsellors; who, like wise +men, took the hint, and forever after held +their peace.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image209.jpg' alt='"A' class='ig001'> +</div> +<p class='c013'>jolly man in a nightcap or baker's hat, smiling while holding out a +tray of freshly baked rolls."</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>SHOWING THE GREAT ADVANTAGE THAT THE AUTHOR HAS OVER HIS READER IN TIME OF BATTLE—TOGETHER WITH DIVERS PORTENTOUS MOVEMENTS; WHICH BETOKEN THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage210.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Like as a mighty alderman, when +at a corporation feast the +first spoonful of turtle-soup +salutes his palate, +feels his appetite but +tenfold quickened, and +redoubles his vigorous +attacks upon the tureen, +while his projecting eyes +roll greedily round, devouring +everything at table, so did the mettlesome +Peter Stuyvesant feel that hunger for +martial glory, which raged within his bowels, +inflamed by the capture of Fort Casimir, and +nothing could allay it but the conquest of all +New Sweden. No sooner, therefore, had he +secured his conquest, than he stumped resolutely +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>on, flushed with success, to gather +fresh laurels at Fort Christina.<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c014'><sup>[20]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>This was the grand Swedish post, established +on a small river (or, as it is improperly termed, +creek) of the same name; and here that crafty +governor Jan Risingh lay grimly drawn up, like +a gray-bearded spider in the citadel of his web.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But before we hurry into the direful scenes +which must attend the meeting of two such +potent chieftains, it is advisable to pause for a +moment, and hold a kind of warlike council. +Battles should not be rushed into, precipitately +by the historian and his readers, any more than +by the general and his soldiers. The great +commanders of antiquity never engaged the +enemy without previously preparing the minds +of their followers by animating harangues, +spiriting them up to heroic deeds, assuring +them of the protection of the gods, and inspiring +them with a confidence in the prowess of +their leaders. So the historian should awaken +the attention and enlist the passions of his +readers; and having set them all on fire with +the importance of his subject, he should put +himself at their head, flourish his pen, and +lead them on to the thickest of the fight.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span> +<img src='images/image212.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>ANIMATING HARANGUES.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>An illustrious example of this rule may be +seen in that mirror of historians, the immortal +Thucydides. Having arrived at the breaking +out of the Peloponnesian war, one of his commentators +observes that “he sounds the charge +in all the disposition and spirit of Homer. +He catalogues the allies on both sides. He +awakens our expectations, and fast engages +our attention. All mankind are concerned in +the important point now going to be decided. +Endeavors are made to disclose futurity. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>Heaven itself is interested in the dispute. The +earth totters, and nature seems to labor with +the great event. This is his solemn, sublime +manner of setting out. Thus he magnifies a +war between two, as Rapin styles them, petty +states; and thus artfully he supports a little +subject by treating it in a great and noble +method.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>In like manner, having conducted my readers +into the very teeth of peril,—having followed +the adventurous Peter and his band +into foreign regions, surrounded by foes, and +stunned by the horrid din of arms,—at this +important moment, while darkness and doubt +hang o’er each coming chapter, I hold it meet +to harangue them, and prepare them for the +events that are to follow.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And here I would premise one great advantage +which, as historian, I possess over my +reader; and this it is, that, though I cannot +save the life of my favorite hero, nor absolutely +contradict the event of a battle (both which +liberties, though often taken by the French +writers of the present reign, I hold to be utterly +unworthy of a scrupulous historian), yet +I can now and then make him bestow on his +enemy a sturdy back-stroke sufficient to fell a +giant,—though, in honest truth, he may never +have done anything of the kind,—or I can +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>drive his antagonist clear round and round the +field, as did Homer make that fine fellow Hector +scamper like a poltroon round the walls of +Troy; for which, if ever they have encountered +one another in the Elysian fields, I’ll warrant +the prince of poets has had to make the most +humble apology.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I am aware that many conscientious readers +will be ready to cry out “foul play!” whenever +I render a little assistance to my hero, +but I consider it one of those privileges exercised +by historians of all ages, and one which +has never been disputed. An historian is, in +fact, as it were, bound in honor to stand by his +hero; the fame of the latter is intrusted to his +hands, and it is his duty to do the best by it +he can. Never was there a general, an admiral, +or any other commander, who, in giving +account of any battle he had fought, did not +sorely belabor the enemy; and I have no +doubt that, had my heroes written the history +of their own achievements, they would have +dealt much harder blows than any that I shall +recount. Standing forth, therefore, as the +guardian of their fame, it behooves me to do +them the same justice they would have done +themselves; and if I happen to be a little hard +upon the Swedes, I give free leave to any of +their descendants, who may write a story of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>the State of Delaware to take fair retaliation, +and belabor Peter Stuyvesant as hard as they +please.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Therefore stand by for broken heads and +bloody noses! My pen hath long itched for +a battle; siege after siege have I carried on +without blows or bloodshed; but now I have +at length got a chance, and I vow to Heaven +and St. Nicholas, that, let the chronicles of +the times say what they please, neither Sallust, +Livy, Tacitus, Polybius, nor any other +historian, did ever record a fiercer fight than +that in which my valiant chieftains are now +about to engage.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And you, oh most excellent readers, whom, +for your faithful adherence, I could cherish in +the warmest corner of my heart, be not uneasy,—trust +the fate of our favorite Stuyvesant with +me, for by the rood, come what may, I’ll stick +by Hardkoppig Piet to the last. I’ll make +him drive about these losels vile, as did the +renowned Launcelot of the Lake a herd of recreant +Cornish knights; and if he does fall, let +me never draw my pen to fight another battle +in behalf of a brave man, if I don’t make these +lubberly Swedes pay for it.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner had Peter Stuyvesant arrived at +Fort Christina than he proceeded without +delay to intrench himself, and immediately on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>running his first parallel, despatched Antony +Van Corlear to summon the fortress to surrender. +Van Corlear was received with all due +formality, hoodwinked at the portal, and conducted +through a pestiferous smell of salt fish +and onions to the citadel, a substantial hut +built on pine logs. His eyes were here uncovered, +and he found himself in the august +presence of Governor Risingh. This chieftain, +as I have before noted, was a very +giantly man, and was clad in a coarse blue +coat, strapped round the waist with a leathern +belt, which caused the enormous skirts and +pockets to set off with a warlike sweep. His +ponderous legs were cased in a pair of foxy-colored +jackboots, and he was straddling in the +attitude of the Colossus of Rhodes before a bit +of broken looking-glass, shaving himself with +a villanously dull razor. This afflicting operation +caused him to make a series of horrible +grimaces, which heightened exceedingly the +grisly terrors of his visage. On Antony Van +Corlear’s being announced, the grim commander +paused for a moment in the midst of one +of his most hard-favored contortions, and after +eying him askance over the shoulder, with a +kind of snarling grin on his countenance, +resumed his labors at the glass.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span> +<img src='images/image217.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“BEFORE A BIT OF BROKEN LOOKING-GLASS SHAVING HIMSELF.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This iron harvest being reaped, he turned +once more to the trumpeter, and demanded +the purport of his errand. Antony Van Corlear +delivered in a few words, being a kind of +shorthand speaker, a long message from his +Excellency, recounting the whole history of +the province, with a recapitulation of grievances +and enumeration of claims, and concluding +with a peremptory demand of instant +surrender; which done, he turned aside, took +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>his nose between his thumb and fingers, and +blew a tremendous blast, not unlike the flourish +of a trumpet of defiance,—which it had +doubtless learned from a long and intimate +neighborhood with that melodious instrument.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Governor Risingh heard him through, +trumpet and all, but with infinite impatience,—leaning +at times, as was his usual custom, +on the pommel of his sword, and at times +twirling a huge steel watch-chain, or snapping +his fingers. Van Corlear having finished, he +bluntly replied, that Peter Stuyvesant and his +summons might go to the d——l, whither he +hoped to send him and his crew of ragamuffins +before supper-time. Then unsheathing his +brass-hilted sword, and throwing away the +scabbard,—“’Fore gad,” quod he, “but I +will not sheathe thee again until I make a +scabbard of the smoke-dried leathern hide of +this runagate Dutchman.” Then having +flung a fierce defiance in the teeth of his adversary +by the lips of his messenger, the latter +was reconducted to the portal with all the ceremonious +civility due to the trumpeter, squire, +and ambassador of so great a commander; and +being again unblinded, was courteously dismissed +with a tweak of the nose, to assist him +in recollecting his message.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>No sooner did the gallant Peter receive this +insolent reply then he let fly a tremendous +volley of red-hot execrations, which would infallibly +have battered down the fortifications, +and blown up the powder-magazine about the +ears of the fiery Swede, had not the ramparts +been remarkably strong, and the magazine +bomb-proof. Perceiving that the works withstood +this terrific blast, and that it was utterly +impossible (as it really was in those unphilosophic +days) to carry on a war with words, he +ordered his merry men to all prepare for an +immediate assault. But here a strange murmur +broke out among his troops, beginning +with the tribe of the Van Bummels, those +valiant trenchermen of the Bronx, and spreading +from man to man, accompanied with +certain mutinous looks and discontented murmurs. +For once in his life, and only for once, +did the great Peter turn pale, for he verily +thought his warriors were going to falter in +this hour of perilous trial, and thus to tarnish +forever the fame of the province of New +Netherlands.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But soon did he discover, to his great joy, +that in his suspicion he deeply wronged his +most undaunted army; for the cause of this +agitation and uneasiness simply was, that the +hour of dinner was at hand, and it would have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>almost broken the hearts of these regular Dutch +warriors to have broken in upon the invariable +routine of their habits. Besides, it was an +established rule among our ancestors always +to fight upon a full stomach; and to this may +be doubtless attributed the circumstance that +they came to be so renowned in arms.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now are the hearty men of the Manhattoes, +and their no less hearty comrades, all +lustily engaged under the trees, buffeting +stoutly with the contents of their wallets, and +taking such affectionate embraces of their +canteens and pottles as though they verily +believed they were to be the last. And as I +foresee we shall have hot work in a page or two, +I advise my readers to do the same, for which +purpose I will bring this chapter to a close,—giving +them my word of honor, that no advantage +shall be taken of this armistice to surprise, +or in any wise molest, the honest Nederlanders +while at their vigorous repast.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image220.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a jolly, bald man sitting in a chair with a large napkin tucked into his collar, holding a spoon over a steaming bowl of soup.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VIII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE MOST HORRIBLE BATTLE EVER RECORDED IN POETRY OR PROSE; WITH THE ADMIRABLE EXPLOITS OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage221.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Now had the Dutchmen +snatched a huge repast, +and finding themselves +wonderfully encouraged +and animated thereby, +prepared to take the +field. Expectation, says +the writer of the Stuyvesant +manuscript,—Expectation +now stood +on stilts. The world +forgot to turn round, or rather stood still, +that it might witness the affray,—like a +round-bellied alderman, watching the combat +of two chivalrous flies upon his jerkin. The +eyes of all mankind, as usual in such cases, +were turned upon Fort Christina. The sun, +like a little man in a crowd at a puppet-show, +scampered about the heavens, popping his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>head here and there, and endeavoring to get a +peep between the unmannerly clouds that obtruded +themselves in his way. The historians +filled their ink-horns; the poets went without +their dinners, either that they might buy paper +and goose-quills, or because they could not +get anything to eat. Antiquity scowled sulkily +out of its grave, to see itself outdone,—while +even Posterity stood mute, gazing in +gaping ecstasy of retrospection on the eventful +field.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The immortal deities, who whilom had seen +service at the “affair” of Troy, now mounted +their feather-bed clouds, and sailed over the +plain, or mingled among the combatants in +different disguises, all itching to have a finger +in the pie. Jupiter sent off his thunderbolt to +a noted coppersmith, to have it furbished up +for the direful occasion. Venus vowed by her +chastity to patronize the Swedes, and in semblance +of a blear-eyed trull paraded the battlements +of Fort Christina, accompanied by Diana, +as a sergeant’s widow, of cracked reputation. +The noted bully, Mars, stuck two horse-pistols +into his belt, shouldered a rusty firelock, and +gallantly swaggered at their elbow, as a +drunken corporal,—while Apollo trudged in +their rear, as a bandy-legged fifer, playing +most villanously out of tune.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span> +<img src='images/image223.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>MARS AS A DRUNKEN COPORAL.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>On the other side, the ox-eyed Juno, who +had gained a pair of black eyes overnight, in +one of her curtain-lectures with old Jupiter, +displayed her haughty beauties on a baggage-wagon; +Minerva, as a brawny gin-sutler, +tucked up her skirts, brandished her fists, and +swore most heroically, in exceeding bad Dutch +(having but lately studied the language), by +way of keeping up the spirits of the soldiers; +while Vulcan halted as a club-footed blacksmith, +lately promoted to be a captain of +militia. All was silent awe, or bustling preparation: +war reared his horrid front, gnashed +loud his iron fangs, and shook his direful crest +of bristling bayonets.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now the mighty chieftains marshalled +out their hosts. Here stood stout Risingh, +firm as a thousand rocks,—incrusted with +stockades, and intrenched to the chin in mud +batteries. His valiant soldiery lined the +breastwork in grim array, each having his +mustachios fiercely greased, and his hair pomatumed +back, and queued so stiffly, that he +grinned above the ramparts like a grisly +death’s-head.</p> + +<p class='c013'>There came on the intrepid Peter,—his brows +knit, his teeth set, his fists clenched, almost +breathing forth volumes of smoke, so fierce +was the fire that raged within his bosom. His +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>faithful squire Van Corlear trudged valiantly +at his heels, with his trumpet gorgeously bedecked +with red and yellow ribbons, the remembrances +of his fair mistresses at the Manhattoes. +Then came waddling on the sturdy +chivalry of the Hudson. There were the Van +Wycks, and the Van Dycks, and the Ten +Eycks; the Van Nesses, the Van Tassels, the +Van Grolls; the Van Hœsens, the Van Giesons, +and the Van Blarcoms; the Van Warts, the +Van Winkles, the Van Dams; the Van Pelts, +the Van Rippers, and the Van Brunts. There +were the Van Hornes, the Van Hooks, the +Van Bunschotens; the Van Gelders, the Van +Arsdales, and the Van Bummels; the Vander +Belts, the Vander Hoofs, the Vander Voorts, +the Vander Lyns, the Vander Pools, and the +Vander Spiegles;—then came the Hoffmans, +the Hooghlands, the Hoppers, the Cloppers, +the Ryckmans, the Dyckmans, the Hogebooms, +the Rosebooms, the Oothouts, the +Quackenbosses, the Roerbacks, the Garrebrantzes, +the Bensons, the Brouwers, the +Waldrons, the Onderdonks, the Varra Vangers, +the Schermerhorns, the Stoutenburghs, +the Brinkerhoffs, the Bontecous, the Knickerbockers, +the Hockstrassers, the Ten Breecheses +and the Tough Breecheses, with a host more of +worthies, whose names are too crabbed to be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>written, or if they could be written, it would +be impossible for man to utter,—all fortified +with a mighty dinner, and, to use the words +of a great Dutch poet,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Brimful of wrath and cabbage.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>For an instant the mighty Peter paused in +the midst of his career, and mounting on a +stump, addressed his troops in eloquent Low +Dutch, exhorting them to fight like <i>duyvels</i>, +and assuring them that if they conquered, they +should get plenty of booty,—if they fell, they +should be allowed the satisfaction, while dying, +of reflecting that it was in the service of their +country, and after they were dead, of seeing +their names inscribed in the temple of renown, +and handed down, in company with all the +other great men of the year, for the admiration +of posterity. Finally, he swore to them, +on the word of a governor (and they knew +him too well to doubt it for a moment), that +if he caught any mother’s son of them looking +pale, or playing craven, he would curry his +hide till he made him run out of it like a +snake in spring-time. Then lugging out his +trusty sabre, he brandished it three times over +his head, ordered Van Corlear to sound a +charge, and shouting the words “St. Nicholas +and the Manhattoes!” courageously dashed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>forwards. His warlike followers, who had +employed the interval in lighting their pipes, +instantly stuck them into their mouths, gave a +furious puff, and charged gallantly under +cover of the smoke.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image227.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE CHARGE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The Swedish garrison, ordered by the cunning +Risingh not to fire until they could distinguish +the whites of their assailants’ eyes, +stood in horrid silence on the covertway, until +the eager Dutchmen had ascended the glacis. +Then did they pour into them such a tremendous +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>volley, that the very hills quaked around, +and were terrified even unto an incontinence +of water, insomuch that certain springs burst +forth from their sides, which continue to run +until the present day. Not a Dutchman but +would have bitten the dust beneath that dreadful +fire, had not the protecting Minerva kindly +taken care that the Swedes should, one and all, +observe their usual custom of shutting their +eyes, and turning away their heads at the +moment of discharge.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The Swedes followed up their fire by leaping +the counterscarp, and falling tooth and nail +upon the foe with furious outcries. And now +might be seen prodigies of valor, unmatched +in history or song. Here was the sturdy +Stoffel Brinkerhoff brandishing his quarterstaff, +like the giant Blanderon his oak-tree (for +he scorned to carry any other weapon), and +drumming a horrific tune upon the hard heads +of the Swedish soldiery. There were the Van +Kortlandts, posted at a distance, like the +Locrain archers of yore, and plying it most +potently with the long-bow, for which they +were so justly renowned. On a rising knoll +were gathered the valiant men of Sing-Sing, +assisting marvellously in the fight, by chanting +the great song of St. Nicholas; but as to the +Gardeniers of Hudson, they were absent on a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>marauding party, laying waste the neighboring +watermelon patches.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In a different part of the field were the Van +Grolls of Antony’s Nose, struggling to get to +the thickest of the fight, but horribly perplexed +in a defile between two hills, by reason +of the length of their noses. So also the Van +Bunschotens of Nyack and Kakiat, so renowned +for kicking with the left foot, were +brought to a stand for want of wind, in consequence +of the hearty dinner they had eaten, +and would have been put to utter rout but for +the arrival of a gallant corps of voltigeurs, +composed of the Hoppers, who advanced +nimbly to their assistance on one foot. Nor +must I omit to mention the valiant achievements +of Antony Van Corlear, who, for a good +quarter of an hour, waged stubborn fight with +a little pursy Swedish drummer, whose hide he +drummed most magnificently, and whom he +would infallibly have annihilated on the spot, +but that he had come into the battle with no +other weapon but his trumpet.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But now the combat thickened. On came +the mighty Jacobus Varra Vanger and the +fighting men of the Wallabout; after them +thundered the Van Pelts of Esopus, together +with the Van Rippers and the Van Brunts, +bearing down all before them; then the Suy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>Dams, and the Van Dams, pressing forward +with many a blustering oath, at the head of +the warriors at Hell-gate, clad in their thunder-and-lightning +gaberdines; and lastly, the +standard-bearers and body-guard of Peter +Stuyvesant, bearing the great beaver of the +Manhattoes.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image230.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>And now commenced the horrid din, the +desperate struggle, the maddening ferocity, the +frantic desperation, the confusion and self-abandonment +of war. Dutchman and Swede +commingled, tugged, panted, and blowed. +The heavens were darkened with a tempest +of missives. Bang! went the guns; whack! +went the broad-swords; thump! went the cudgels; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>crash! went the musket-stocks; blows, +kicks, cuffs, scratches, black eyes and bloody +noses swelling the horrors of the scene! +Thick thwack, cut and hack, helter-skelter, +higgledly-piggledly, hurly-burly, head-over-heels, +rough-and-tumble! Dunder and blixum! +swore the Dutchmen; splitter and +splutter! cried the Swedes. Storm the +works! shouted Hardkoppig Peter. Fire the +mine! roared stout Risingh. Tanta-rar-ra-ra! +twanged the trumpet of Antony Van Corlear;—until +all voice and sound became unintelligible,—grunts +of pain, yells of fury, and +shouts of triumph mingling in one hideous +clamor. The earth shook as if struck with a +paralytic stroke; trees shrunk aghast, and +withered at the sight; rocks burrowed in the +ground like rabbits; and even Christina creek +turned from its course, and ran up a hill in +breathless terror!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Long hung the contest doubtful; for though +a heavy shower of rain, sent by the “cloud-compelling +Jove,” in some measure cooled their +ardor, as doth a bucket of water thrown on a +group of fighting mastiffs, yet did they but +pause for a moment, to return with tenfold fury +to the charge. Just at this juncture a vast and +dense column of smoke was seen slowly rolling +toward the scene of battle. The combatants +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>paused for a moment, gazing in mute astonishment, +until the wind, dispelling the murky +cloud, revealed the flaunting banner of +Michael Paw, the Patroon of Communipaw. +That valiant chieftain came fearlessly on at +the head of a phalanx of oysterfed Pavonians +and a <i><span lang="fr">corps de reserve</span></i> of the Van Arsdales and +Van Bummels, who had remained behind to +digest the enormous dinner they had eaten. +These now trudged manfully forward, smoking +their pipes with outrageous vigor, so as to +raise the awful cloud that has been mentioned, +but marching exceedingly slow, being short of +leg, and of great rotundity in the belt.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now the deities who watched over the fortunes +of the Nederlanders having unthinkingly +left the field, and stepped into a neighboring +tavern to refresh themselves with a pot of beer, +a direful catastrophe had wellnigh ensued. +Scarce had the myrmidons of Michael Paw +attained the front of battle, when the Swedes, +instructed by the cunning Risingh, levelled +a shower of blows full at their tobacco-pipes. +Astounded at this assault, and dismayed at +the havoc of their pipes, these ponderous warriors +gave way, and like a drove of frightened +elephants broke through the ranks of their own +army. The little Hoppers were borne down in +the surge; the sacred banner emblazoned with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>the gigantic oyster of Communipaw was trampled +in the dirt; on blundered and thundered +the heavy-sterned fugitives, the Swedes pressing +on their rear and applying their feet <i><span lang="nl">a parte +poste</span></i> of the Van Arsdales and the Van Bummels +with a vigor that prodigiously accelerated +their movements; nor did the renowned +Michael Paw himself fail to receive divers +grievous and dishonorable visitations of shoe-leather.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image233.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“ON BLUNDERED AND THUNDERED THE HEAVY-STERNED FUGITIVES.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>But what, oh Muse! was the rage of Peter +Stuyvesant, when from afar he saw his army +giving way! In the transports of his wrath +he sent forth a roar, enough to shake the very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>hills. The men of the Manhattoes plucked up +new courage at the sound, or rather, they rallied +at the voice of their leader, of whom they +stood more in awe than of all the Swedes in +Christendom. Without waiting for their aid, +the daring Peter dashed, sword in hand, into +the thickest of the foe. Then might be seen +achievements worthy of the days of the giants. +Wherever he went, the enemy shrank before +him; the Swedes fled to right and left, or were +driven, like dogs, into their own ditch; but as +he pushed forward singly with headlong courage, +the foe closed behind and hung upon his +rear. One aimed a blow full at his heart; but +the protecting power which watches over the +great and good turned aside the hostile blade +and directed it to a side-pocket, where reposed +an enormous iron tobacco-box, endowed, like +the shield of Achilles, with supernatural +powers, doubtless from bearing the portrait of +the blessed St. Nicholas. Peter Stuyvesant +turned like an angry bear upon the foe, and +seizing him, as he fled, by an immeasurable +queue, “Ah, whoreson caterpillar,” roared he, +“here’s what shall make worms’ meat of thee!” +So saying, he whirled his sword, and dealt a +blow that would have decapitated the varlet, +but that the pitying steel struck short and +shaved the queue forever from his crown. At +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>this moment an arquebusier levelled his piece +from a neighboring mound, with deadly aim; +but the watchful Minerva, who had just +stopped to tie up her garter, seeing the peril of +her favorite hero; sent old Boreas with his bellows, +who, as the match descended to the pan, +gave a blast that blew the priming from the +touch-hole.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus waged the fight, when the stout +Risingh, surveying the field from the top of +a little ravelin, perceived his troops banged, +beaten, and kicked by the invincible Peter. +Drawing his falchion and uttering a thousand +anathemas, he strode down to the scene of +combat with such thundering strides as Jupiter +is said by Hesiod to have taken when he strode +down the spheres to hurl his thunderbolts +at the Titans.</p> + +<p class='c013'>When the rival heroes came face to face, +each made a prodigious start in the style of a +veteran stage-champion. Then did they regard +each other for a moment with the bitter +aspect of two furious ram-cats on the point +of a clapper-clawing. Then did they throw +themselves into one attitude, then into another, +striking their swords on the ground, first on +the right side, then on the left; at last at it +they went, with incredible ferocity. Words +cannot tell the prodigies of strength and valor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>displayed in this direful encounter,—an encounter +compared to which the far-famed battles +of Ajax with Hector, of Æneas with Turnus, +Orlando with Rodomont, Guy of Warwick +with Colbrand the Dane, or of that renowned +Welsh knight, Sir Owen of the Mountains, +with the giant Guylon, were all gentle sports +and holiday recreations. At length the valiant +Peter, watching his opportunity, aimed a blow, +enough to cleave his adversary to the very +chine; but Risingh, nimbly raising his sword, +warded it off so narrowly, that, glancing on +one side, it shaved away a huge canteen in +which he carried his liquor,—thence pursuing +its trenchant course, it severed off a deep coat-pocket, +stored with bread and cheese,—which +provant rolling among the armies, occasioned +a fearful scrambling between the Swedes and +Dutchmen, and made the general battle to +wax more furious than ever.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Enraged to see his military stores laid waste, +the stout Risingh, collecting all his forces, +aimed a mighty blow full at the hero’s crest. +In vain did his fierce little cocked hat oppose +its course. The biting steel clove through the +stubborn ram beaver, and would have cracked +the crown of any one not endowed with +supernatural hardness of head; but the brittle +weapon shivered in pieces on the skull +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>of Hardkoppig Piet, shedding a thousand +sparks, like beams of glory, round his grisly +visage.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The good Peter reeled with the blow, and +turning up his eyes beheld a thousand suns, +besides moons and stars, dancing about the +firmament; at length, missing his footing, by +reason of his wooden leg, down he came on +his seat of honor with a crash which shook the +surrounding hills, and might have wrecked +his frame, had he not been received into a cushion +softer than velvet, which Providence, or +Minerva, or St. Nicholas, or some cow, had +benevolently prepared for his reception.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The furious Risingh, in spite of the maxim, +cherished by all true knights, that “fair play +is a jewel,” hastened to take advantage of the +hero’s fall; but, as he stooped to give a fatal +blow, Peter Stuyvesant dealt him a thwack over +the sconce with his wooden leg, which sent a +chime of bells ringing triple bob-majors in his +cerebellum. The bewildered Swede staggered +with the blow, and the wary Peter seizing a +pocket-pistol, which lay hard by, discharged +it full at the head of the reeling Risingh. Let +not my reader mistake; it was not a murderous +weapon loaded with powder and ball, but a little +sturdy stone pottle charged to the muzzle +with a double dram of true Dutch courage, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>which the knowing Antony Van Corlear carried +about him by way of replenishing his +valor, and which had dropped from his wallet +during his furious encounter with the drummer. +The hideous weapon sang through the +air, and true to its course as was the fragment +of a rock discharged at Hector by bully Ajax, +encountered the head of the gigantic Swede +with matchless violence.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image238.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THIS HEAVEN-DIRECTED BLOW DECIDED THE BATTLE.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This heaven-directed blow decided the battle. +The ponderous pericranium of General +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Jan Risingh sank upon his breast; his knees +tottered under him; a death-like torpor seized +upon his frame, and he tumbled to the earth +with such violence, that old Pluto started with +affright, lest he should have broken through +the roof of his infernal palace.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His fall was the signal of defeat and victory: +the Swedes gave way, the Dutch pressed forward; +the former took to their heels, the latter +hotly pursued. Some entered with them, pell-mell, +through the sally-port; others stormed +the bastion, and others scrambled over the +curtain. Thus in a little while the fortress of +Fort Christina, which, like another Troy, had +stood a siege of full ten hours, was carried +by assault, without the loss of a single man +on either side. Victory, in the likeness of a +gigantic ox-fly, sat perched upon the cocked +hat of the gallant Stuyvesant; and it was declared, +by all the writers whom he hired to +write the history of his expedition, that on this +memorable day he gained a sufficient quantity +of glory to immortalize a dozen of the greatest +heroes in Christendom!</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IX.</span><br> <span class='c010'>IN WHICH THE AUTHOR AND THE READER, WHILE REPOSING AFTER THE BATTLE, FALL INTO A VERY GRAVE DISCOURSE—AFTER WHICH IS RECORDED THE CONDUCT OF PETER STUYVESANT AFTER HIS VICTORY.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage240.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Thanks to St. Nicholas, +we have safely finished +this tremendous battle: +let us sit down, my +worthy reader, and cool +ourselves, for I am in +a prodigious sweat and +agitation; truly, this +fighting of battles is hot +work! and if your great +commanders did but +know what trouble they give their historians, +they would not have the conscience to achieve +so many horrible victories. But methinks I +hear my reader complain, that throughout +this boasted battle there is not the least slaughter, +not a single individual maimed, if we except +<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>the unhappy Swede, who was shorn of his +queue by the trenchant blade of Peter Stuyvesant; +all which, he observes, is a great outrage +on probability, and highly injurious to the +interest of the narration.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This is certainly an objection of no little +moment, but it arises entirely from the obscurity +enveloping the remote periods of time +about which I have undertaken to write. +Thus, though doubtless, from the importance +of the object and the prowess of the parties +concerned, there must have been terrible carnage, +and prodigies of valor displayed before +the walls of Christina, yet, notwithstanding +that I have consulted every history, manuscript, +and tradition, touching this memorable +though long-forgotten battle, I cannot find +mention made of a single man killed or +wounded in the whole affair.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This is, without doubt, owing to the extreme +modesty of our forefathers, who, unlike their +descendants, were never prone to vaunt of +their achievements; but it is a virtue which +places their historian in a most embarrassing +predicament; for, having promised my readers +a hideous and unparalleled battle, and having +worked them up into a warlike and bloodthirsty +state of mind, to put them off without +any havoc and slaughter would have been as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>bitter a disappointment as to summon a multitude +of good people to attend an execution, +and then cruelly balk them by a reprieve.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Had the fates only allowed me some half a +score of dead men, I had been content; for +I would have made them such heroes as +abounded in the olden time, but whose race is +now unfortunately extinct,—any one of whom, +if we may believe those authentic writers, the +poets, could drive great armies, like sheep, +before him, and conquer and desolate whole +cities by his single arm.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But seeing that I had not a single life at my +disposal, all that was left me was to make the +most I could of my battle, by means of kicks, +and cuffs, and bruises, and such like ignoble +wounds. And here I cannot but compare my +dilemma, in some sort, to that of the divine +Milton, who, having arrayed with sublime +preparation his immortal hosts against each +other, is sadly put to it how to manage them, +and how he shall make the end of his battle +answer to the beginning, inasmuch as, being +mere spirits, he cannot deal a mortal blow, nor +even give a flesh wound to any of his combatants. +For my part, the greatest difficulty +I found was, when I had once put my warriors +in a passion, and let them loose into +the midst of the enemy, to keep them from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>doing mischief. Many a time had I to restrain +the sturdy Peter from cleaving a gigantic +Swede to the very waistband, or spitting +half a dozen little fellows on his sword, like so +many sparrows. And when I had set some +hundred of missives flying in the air, I did +not dare to suffer one of them to reach the +ground, lest it should have put an end to +some unlucky Dutchman.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image243.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“SPITTING HALF A DOZEN LITTLE FELLOWS ON HIS SWORD.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The reader cannot conceive how mortifying +it is to a writer thus in a manner to have his +hands tied, and how many tempting opportunities +I had to wink at, where I might have +made as fine a death-blow as any recorded in +history or song.</p> + +<p class='c013'>From my own experience I begin to doubt +most potently of the authenticity of many of +Homer’s stories. I verily believe, that, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>he had once launched one of his favorite +heroes among a crowd of the enemy, he cut +down many an honest fellow, without any +authority for so doing, excepting that he presented +a fair mark,—and that often a poor fellow +was sent to grim Pluto’s domains, merely because +he had a name that would give a sounding +turn to a period. But I disclaim all such +unprincipled liberties; let me but have truth +and the law on my side, and no man would +fight harder than myself; but since the various +records I consulted did not warrant it, I had +too much conscience to kill a single soldier. +By St. Nicholas, but it would have been a +pretty piece of business! My enemies, the +critics, who I foresee will be ready enough to +lay any crime they can discover at my door, +might have charged me with murder outright, +and I should have esteemed myself lucky to +escape with no harsher verdict than manslaughter!</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now, gentle reader, that we are tranquilly +sitting down here, smoking our pipes, +permit me to indulge in a melancholy reflection +which at this moment passes across my mind. +How vain, how fleeting, how uncertain are all +those gaudy bubbles after which we are panting +and toiling in this world of fair delusions! +The wealth which the miser has amassed with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>so many weary days, so many sleepless nights, +a spendthrift here may squander away in joyless +prodigality; the noblest monuments which +pride has ever reared to perpetuate a name, the +hand of time will shortly tumble into ruins; +and even the brightest laurels, gained by feats +of arms, may wither, and be forever blighted +by the chilling neglect of mankind. “How +many illustrious heroes,” said the good Boëtius, +“who were once the pride and glory of +the age, hath the silence of historians buried +in eternal oblivion!” And this it was that induced +the Spartans, when they went to battle, +solemnly to sacrifice to the Muses, supplicating +that their achievements might be worthily +recorded. Had not Homer tuned his lofty +lyre, observes the elegant Cicero, the valor of +Achilles had remained unsung. And such, +too, after all the toils and perils he had braved, +after all the gallant actions he had achieved, +such too had nearly been the fate of the chivalric +Peter Stuyvesant, but that I fortunately +stepped in and engraved his name on the +indelible tablet of history, just as the caitiff +Time was silently brushing it away forever!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span> +<img src='images/image246.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE SHADES OF DEPARTED AND LONG-FORGOTTEN HEROES.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The more I reflect, the more I am astonished +at the important character of the historian. +He is the sovereign censor to decide upon +the renown or infamy of his fellow-men. He +is the patron of kings and conquerors, on +whom it depends whether they shall live in +after-ages, or be forgotten as were their ancestors +before them. The tyrant may oppress, +while the object of his tyranny exists; but the +historian possesses superior might, for his power +extends even beyond the grave. The shades of +departed and long-forgotten heroes anxiously +bend down from above, while he writes, watching +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>each movement of his pen, whether it shall +pass by their names with neglect, or inscribe +them on the deathless pages of renown. Even +the drop of ink which hangs trembling on his +pen, which he may either dash upon the floor, +or waste in idle scrawlings—that very drop, +which to him is not worth the twentieth part +of a farthing, may be of incalculable value to +some departed worthy, may elevate half a +score, in one moment, to immortality, who +would have given worlds, had they possessed +them, to insure the glorious meed.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Let not my readers imagine, however, that +I am indulging in vainglorious boastings, or +am anxious to blazon forth the importance of +my tribe. On the contrary, I shrink when I +reflect on the awful responsibility we historians +assume; I shudder to think what direful commotions +and calamities we occasion in the +world; I swear to thee, honest reader, as I am +a man, I weep at the very idea! Why, let me +ask, are so many illustrious men daily tearing +themselves away from the embraces of their +families, slighting the smiles of beauty, despising +the allurements of fortune, and exposing +themselves to the miseries of war? Why +are kings desolating empires, and depopulating +whole countries? In short, what induces all +great men of all ages and countries to commit +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>so many victories and misdeeds, and inflict +so many miseries upon mankind and upon +themselves, but the mere hope that some historian +will kindly take them into notice, and +admit them into a corner of his volume? For, +in short, the mighty object of all their toils, +their hardships, and privations, is nothing but +<i>immortal fame</i>. And what is immortal fame?—why, +half a page of dirty paper! Alas! +alas! how humiliating the idea, that the renown +of so great a man as Peter Stuyvesant +should depend upon the pen of so little a man +as Diedrich Knickerbocker!</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now, having refreshed ourselves after +the fatigues and perils of the field, it behooves +us to return once more to the scene of conflict, +and inquire what were the results of this renowned +conquest. The fortress of Christina +being the fair metropolis, and in a manner the +key to New Sweden, its capture was speedily +followed by the entire subjugation of the +province. This was not a little promoted by +the gallant and courteous deportment of the +chivalric Peter. Though a man terrible in +battle, yet in the hour of victory was he endued +with a spirit generous, merciful, and humane. +He vaunted not over his enemies, nor did he +make defeat more galling by unmanly insults; +for like that mirror of knightly virtue, the renowned +<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>Paladin Orlando, he was more anxious +to do great actions than to talk of them after +they were done. He put no man to death; +ordered no houses to be burnt down; permitted +no ravages to be perpetrated on the +property of the vanquished; and even gave +one of his bravest officers a severe admonishment +with his walking-staff, for having been +detected in the act of sacking a hen-roost.</p> + +<p class='c013'>He moreover issued a proclamation, inviting +the inhabitants to submit to the authority of +their High Mightinesses; but declaring, with +unexampled clemency, that whoever refused +should be lodged at the public expense, in a +goodly castle provided for the purpose, and +have an armed retinue to wait on them in the +bargain. In consequence of these beneficent +terms, about thirty Swedes stepped manfully +forward and took the oath of allegiance; in +reward for which they were graciously permitted +to remain on the banks of the Delaware, +where their descendants reside at this very +day. I am told, however, by divers observant +travellers, that they have never been able to +get over the chapfallen looks of their ancestors, +but that they still do strangely transmit +from father to son manifest marks of the sound +drubbing given them by the sturdy Amsterdammers.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span> +<img src='images/image250.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“MYNHEER WILLIAM BEEKMAN.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The whole country of New Sweden, having +thus yielded to the arms of the triumphant +Peter, was reduced to a colony called South +River, and placed under the superintendence +of a lieutenant-governor, subject to the control +of the supreme government of New Amsterdam. +This great dignitary was called Mynheer +William Beekman, or rather <i>Beck</i>-man, who +derived his surname, as did Ovidious Naso of +yore, from the lordly dimensions of his nose, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>which projected from the centre of his countenance, +like the beak of a parrot. He was the +great progenitor of the tribe of the Beekmans, +one of the most ancient and honorable families +of the province, the members of which do +gratefully commemorate the origin of their +dignity,—not as your noble families in England +would do, by having a glowing proboscis emblazoned +in their escutcheon, but by one and +all wearing a right goodly nose, stuck in the +very middle of their faces.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus was this perilous enterprise gloriously +terminated, with the loss of only two men: +Wolfert Van Horne, a tall spare man, who was +knocked overboard by the boom of a sloop in +a flaw of wind; and fat Brom Van Bummels, +who was suddenly carried off by an indigestion; +both, however, were immortalized, as +having bravely fallen in the service of their +country. True it is, Peter Stuyvesant had one +of his limbs terribly fractured in the act of +storming the fortress; but as it was fortunately +his wooden leg, the wound was promptly and +effectually healed.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now nothing remains to this branch of +my history but to mention that this immaculate +hero, and his victorious army, returned +joyously to the Manhattoes; where they made +a solemn and triumphant entry, bearing with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>them the conquered Risingh, and the remnant +of his battered crew, who had refused allegiance; +for it appears that the gigantic Swede +had only fallen into a swoon, at the end of the +battle, from which he was speedily restored by +a wholesome tweak of the nose.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image252.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE OLD WOMEN FLOCKED AROUND ANTONY.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These captive heroes were lodged, according +to the promise of the governor, at the public +expense, in a fair and spacious castle,—being +<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>the prison of state, of which Stoffel Brinkerhoff, +the immortal conqueror of Oyster Bay, was +appointed governor, and which has ever since +remained in the possession of his descendants.<a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c014'><sup>[21]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>It was a pleasant and goodly sight to witness +the joy of the people of New Amsterdam, at +beholding their warriors once more return +from this war in the wilderness. The old +women thronged round Antony Van Corlear, +who gave the whole history of the campaign +with matchless accuracy, saving that he took +the credit of fighting the whole battle himself, +and especially of vanquishing the stout +Risingh,—which he considered himself as +clearly entitled to, seeing that it was effected +by his own stone pottle.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The schoolmasters throughout the town +gave holiday to their little urchins, who followed +in droves after the drums, with paper +caps on their heads, and sticks in their +breeches, thus taking the first lesson in the +art of war. As to the sturdy rabble, they +thronged at the heels of Peter Stuyvesant +wherever he went, waving their greasy hats +in the air, and shouting “Hardkoppig Piet +forever!”</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>It was indeed a day of roaring rout and jubilee. +A huge dinner was prepared at the Stadthouse +in honor of the conquerors, where were +assembled in one glorious constellation the +great and little luminaries of New Amsterdam. +There were the lordly Schout and his obsequious +deputy; the burgomasters with their +officious schepens at their elbows; the subaltern +officers at the elbows of the schepens, and +so on down to the lowest hanger-on of police: +every tag having his rag at his side, to finish +his pipe, drink off his heel-taps, and laugh at +his flights of immortal dulness. In short,—for a +city feast is a city feast all the world over, and +has been a city feast ever since the creation,—the +dinner went off much the same as do our +great corporation junketings and Fourth-of-July +banquets. Loads of fish, flesh, and fowl +were devoured, oceans of liquor drank, thousands +of pipes smoked, and many a dull +joke honored with much obstreperous fat-sided +laughter.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I must not omit to mention that to this far-famed +victory, Peter Stuyvesant was indebted +for another of his many titles; for so hugely +delighted were the honest burghers with his +achievements, that they unanimously honored +him with the name of <i><span lang="nl">Pieter de Groodt</span></i>, that +is to say, Peter the Great, or, as it was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>translated into English by the people of +New Amsterdam, for the benefit of their New +England visitors, <i><span lang="nl">Piet de pig</span></i>,—an appellation +which he maintained even unto the day +of his death.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image255.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a stern, portly man in 17th-century attire, wearing a tall hat, a fur-collared coat, and a belted tunic.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span> +<img src='images/image256.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a stout man with a large belly, wearing a nightcap and holding a long pipe while looking over his shoulder.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span> + <h2 class='c006'><span class='blackletter'>BOOK VII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE THIRD PART OF THE REIGN OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG—HIS TROUBLES WITH THE BRITISH NATION, AND THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class='c001 figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span> +<img src='images/image258.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a man with a mustache wearing a large, dark, wide-brimmed hat and smoking a long-stemmed pipe.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter I.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT RELIEVED THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE FROM THE BURDEN OF TAKING CARE OF THE NATION; WITH SUNDRY PARTICULARS OF HIS CONDUCT IN TIME OF PEACE, AND OF THE RISE OF A GREAT DUTCH ARISTOCRACY.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage259.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +The history of the reign of +Peter Stuyvesant furnishes +an edifying picture +of the cares and +vexations inseparable +from sovereignty, and +a solemn warning to +all who are ambitious +of attaining the seat +of honor. Though returning +in triumph and crowned with victory, +his exultation was checked on observing the +abuses which had sprung up in New Amsterdam +during his short absence. His walking-staff, +which he had sent home to act as vice-gerent, +had, it is true, kept his council-chamber +in order,—the counsellors eying it with awe, +as it lay in grim repose upon the table, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>smoking their pipes in silence,—but its control +extended not out of doors.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The populace unfortunately had had too +much their own way under the slack though +fitful reign of William the Testy; and though +upon the accession of Peter Stuyvesant they +had felt, with the instinctive perception which +mobs as well as cattle possess, that the reins +of government had passed into stronger hands, +yet could they not help fretting and chafing +and champing upon the bit, in restive silence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Scarcely, therefore, had he departed on his +expedition against the Swedes, than the old +factions of William Kieft’s reign had again +thrust their heads above water. Pot-house +meetings were again held to “discuss the state +of the nation,” where cobblers, tinkers, and +tailors, the self-dubbed “friends of the people,” +once more felt themselves inspired with +the gift of legislation, and undertook to lecture +on every movement of government.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now, as Peter Stuyvesant had a singular +inclination to govern the province by his individual +will, his first move, on his return, +was to put a stop to this gratuitous legislation. +Accordingly, one evening, when an inspired +cobbler was holding forth to an assemblage of +the kind, the intrepid Peter suddenly made his +appearance, with his ominous walking-staff in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>his hand, and a countenance sufficient to petrify +a mill-stone. The whole meeting was +thrown into confusion,—the orator stood +aghast, with open mouth and trembling +knees, while “horror! tyranny! liberty! +rights! taxes! death! destruction!” and a +host of other patriotic phrases were bolted +forth before he had time to close his lips. +Peter took no notice of the skulking throng, +but strode up to the brawling bully-ruffian, +and pulling out a huge silver watch, which +might have served in times of yore as a town +clock, and which is still retained by his descendants +as a family curiosity, requested the +orator to mend it, and set it going. The orator +humbly confessed it was utterly out of his +power, as he was unacquainted with the nature +of its construction. “Nay, but,” said Peter, +“try your ingenuity, man: you see all the +springs and wheels, and how easily the clumsiest +hand may stop it, and pull it to pieces; +and why should it not be equally easy to regulate +as to stop it?” The orator declared that +his trade was wholly different,—that he was a +poor cobbler, and had never meddled with a +watch in his life,—that there were men skilled +in the art, whose business it was to attend to +those matters; but for his part, he should +only mar the workmanship and put the whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>in confusion. “Why, harkee, master of +mine,” cried Peter,—turning suddenly upon +him, with a countenance that almost petrified +the patcher of shoes into a perfect lapstone,—“dost +thou pretend to meddle with the movements +of government,—to regulate, and correct, +and patch, and cobble a complicated +machine, the principles of which are above +thy comprehension, and its simplest operations +too subtle for thy understanding, when thou +canst not correct a trifling error in a common +piece of mechanism, the whole mystery of +which is open to thy inspection?—Hence with +thee to the leather and stone, which are +emblems of thy head; cobble thy shoes, and +confine thyself to the vocation for which +Heaven has fitted thee. But,” elevating his +voice until it made the welkin ring, “if ever I +catch thee, or any of thy tribe, meddling again +with the affairs of government, by St. Nicholas, +but I’ll have every mother’s bastard of ye +flayed alive, and your hides stretched for drumheads, +that ye may thenceforth make a noise +to some purpose!”</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image262.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“‘NAY, BUT,’ SAID PETER, ‘TRY YOUR INGENUITY, MAN.’”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>This threat, and the tremendous voice in +which it was uttered, caused the whole multitude +to quake with fear. The hair of the orator +rose on his head like his own swines’ +bristles, and not a knight of the thimble +present but his heart died within him, and he +felt as though he could have verily escaped +through the eye of a needle. The assembly +dispersed in silent consternation; the pseudo-statesmen, +who had hitherto undertaken to +regulate public affairs, were now fain to stay +at home, hold their tongues, and take care of +their families; and party feuds died away to +such a degree, that many thriving keepers of +taverns and dram-shops were utterly ruined for +want of business. But though this measure +produced the desired effect in putting an extinguisher +on the new lights just brightening up, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>yet did it tend to injure the popularity of the +Great Peter with the thinking part of the community, +that is to say, that part which thinks for +others instead of for themselves, or, in other +words, who attend to everybody’s business but +their own. These accused the old governor of +being highly aristocratical; and in truth there +seems to have been some ground for such an +accusation; for he carried himself with a lofty, +soldier-like air, and was somewhat particular +in dress, appearing, when not in uniform, in +rich apparel of the antique flaundrish cut, and +was especially noted for having his sound leg +(which was a very comely one) always arrayed +in a red stocking and high-heeled shoe.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Justice he often dispensed in the primitive +patriarchal way, seated on the “stoep” before +his door, under the shade of a great buttonwood +tree; but all visits of form and state were +received with something of court ceremony in +the best parlor; where Antony the Trumpeter +officiated as high chamberlain. On public +occasions he appeared with a great pomp of +equipage, and always rode to church in a +yellow wagon with flaming red wheels.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span> +<img src='images/image265.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“SEATED ON THE ‘STOEP’ BEFORE HIS DOOR.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These symptoms of state and ceremony, as +we have hinted, were much cavilled at by the +thinking (and talking) part of the community. +They had been accustomed to find easy access +to their former governors, and in particular +had lived on terms of extreme intimacy with +William the Testy; and they accused Peter +Stuyvesant of assuming too much dignity and +reserve, and of wrapping himself in mystery. +Others, however, have pretended to discover in +all this a shrewd policy on the part of the old +governor. It is certainly of the first importance, +say they, that a country should be governed +by wise men: but then it is almost +equally important that the people should think +them wise; for this belief alone can produce +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>willing subordination. To keep up, however, +this desirable confidence, in rulers, the people +should be allowed to see as little of them as +possible. It is the mystery which envelopes +great men, that gives them half their greatness. +There is a kind of superstitious reverence for +office which leads us to exaggerate the merits +of the occupant, and to suppose that he must +be wiser than common men. He, however, +who gains access to cabinets, soon finds out by +what foolishness the world is governed. He +finds that there is quackery in legislation as in +everything else; that rulers have their whims +and errors as well as other men, are not so +wonderfully superior as he had imagined, since +even he may occasionally confute them in argument. +Thus awe subsides into confidence, +confidence inspires familiarity, and familiarity +produces contempt. Such was the case, say +they, with William the Testy. By making +himself too easy of access, he enabled every +scrub-politician to measure wits with him, and +to find out the true dimensions not only of his +person but of his mind: and thus it was that, +by being familiarly scanned, he was discovered +to be a very little man. Peter Stuyvesant on +the contrary, say they, by conducting himself +with dignity and loftiness, was looked up to +with great reverence. As he never gave credit +<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>for very profound ones; every movement, however +intrinsically unimportant, was a matter +of speculation; and his very red stockings +excited some respect, as being different from +the stockings of other men.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Another charge against Peter Stuyvesant +was that he had a great leaning in favor of the +patricians; and indeed in his time rose many +of those mighty Dutch families which have +taken such vigorous root, and branched out so +luxuriantly in our State. Some, to be sure, +were of earlier date, such as the Van Kortlandts, +the Van Zandts, the Ten Broecks, the +Harden Broeks, and others of Pavonian renown, +who gloried in the title of “Discoverers,” +from having been engaged in the +nautical expedition from Communipaw, in +which they so heroically braved the terrors of +Hell-gate and Buttermilk Channel, and discovered +a site for New Amsterdam.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Others claimed to themselves the appellation +of “Conquerors,” from their gallant achievements +in New Sweden and their victory over +the Yankees at Oyster Bay. Such was that +list of warlike worthies heretofore enumerated, +beginning with the Van Wycks, the Van +Dycks, and the Ten Eycks, and extending to +the Rutgers, the Bensons, the Brinkerhoffs, +and the Schermerhorns,—a roll equal to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>Doomsday-Book of William the Conqueror, and +establishing the heroic origin of many an ancient +aristocratical Dutch family. These, after all, +are the only legitimate nobility and lords of +the soil; these are the real “beavers of the +Manhattoes”; and much does it grieve me in +modern days to see them elbowed aside by +foreign invaders, and more especially by those +ingenious people, “the Sons of the Pilgrims”; +who out-bargain them in the market, out-speculate +them on the exchange, out-top them +in fortune, and run up mushroom palaces so +high, that the tallest Dutch family mansion +has not wind enough left for its weather-cock.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the proud days of Peter Stuyvesant, however, +the good old Dutch aristocracy loomed +out in all its grandeur. The burly burgher, +in round-crowned flaundrish hat with brim of +vast circumference, in portly gabardine and +bulbous multiplicity of breeches, sat on his +“stoep,” and smoked his pipe in lordly +silence; nor did it ever enter his brain that the +active, restless Yankee, whom he saw through +his half-shut eyes worrying about in dog-day +heat, ever intent on the main chance, was one +day to usurp control over these goodly Dutch +domains. Already, however, the races regarded +each other with disparaging eyes. +The Yankees sneeringly spoke of the round-crowned +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>burghers of the Manhattoes as the +“Copperheads,” while the latter, glorying in +their own nether rotundity, and observing the +slack galligaskins of their rivals, flapping like +an empty sail against the mast, retorted upon +them with the opprobrious appellation of +“Platter-breeches.”</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image269.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“PLATTER-BREECHES.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter II.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT LABORED TO CIVILIZE THE COMMUNITY—HOW HE WAS A GREAT PROMOTER OF HOLIDAYS—HOW HE INSTITUTED KISSING ON NEW YEAR’S DAY—HOW HE DISTRIBUTED FIDDLES THROUGHOUT THE NEW NETHERLANDS—HOW HE VENTURED TO REFORM THE LADIES’ PETTICOATS, AND HOW HE CAUGHT A TARTAR.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage270.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +From what I have recounted +in the foregoing +chapter, I would +not have it imagined +that the great Peter +was a tyrannical potentate, +ruling with a +rod of iron. On the +contrary, where the +dignity of office permitted, +he abounded +in generosity and condescension. +If he refused the brawling +multitude the right of misrule, he at least +endeavored to rule them in righteousness. +To spread abundance in the land, he obliged +<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>the bakers to give thirteen loaves to the dozen, +a golden rule which remains a monument of +his beneficence. So far from indulging in +unreasonable austerity, he delighted to see the +poor and the laboring man rejoice; and for this +purpose he was a great promoter of holidays. +Under his reign there was a great cracking of +eggs at Paas or Easter; Whitsuntide or Pinxter +also flourished in all its bloom; and never +were stockings better filled on the eve of the +blessed St. Nicholas.</p> + +<p class='c013'>New Year’s day, however, was his favorite +festival, and was ushered in by the ringing of +bells and firing of guns. On that genial day +the fountains of hospitality were broken up, +and the whole community was deluged with +cherry-brandy, true Hollands, and mulled +cider; every house was a temple of the jolly +god; and many a provident vagabond got +drunk out of pure economy—taking in liquor +enough gratis to serve him half a year afterwards.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The great assemblage, however, was at the +governor’s house, whither repaired all the +burghers of New Amsterdam with their wives +and daughters, pranked out in their best attire. +On this occasion the good Peter was +devoutly observant of the pious Dutch rite of +kissing the women-kind for a Happy New +<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>Year; and it is traditional that Antony the +Trumpeter, who acted as gentleman usher, +took toll of all who were young and handsome, +as they passed through the antechamber. +This venerable custom, thus happily +introduced, was followed with such zeal by +high and low, that on New Year’s day, during +the reign of Peter Stuyvesant, New Amsterdam +was the most thoroughly be-kissed +community in all Christendom. Another +great measure of Peter Stuyvesant for public +improvement was the distribution of fiddles +throughout the land. These were placed in +the hands of veteran negroes, who were despatched +as missionaries to every part of the +province. This measure, it is said, was first +suggested by Antony the Trumpeter; and the +effect was marvellous. Instead of those “indignation +meetings” set on foot in the time of +William the Testy, where men met together to +rail at public abuses, groan over the evils of +the times, and make each other miserable, +there were joyous gatherings of the two sexes +to dance and make merry. Now were instituted +“quilting bees,” and “husking bees,” +and other rural assemblages, where, under the +inspiring influence of the fiddle, toil was enlivened +by gayety and followed up by the +dance. “Raising-bees” also were frequent, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>where houses sprung up at the wagging of the +fiddle-sticks, as the walls of Thebes sprang up +of yore to the sound of the lyre of Amphion.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image273.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>NEW YEAR’S DAY AT THE GOVERNOR’S.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>Jolly autumn, which pours its treasures over +hill and dale, was in those days a season for +the lifting of the heel as well as the heart; +labor came dancing in the train of abundance, +and frolic prevailed throughout the land. +Happy days! when the yeomanry of the +Nieuw Nederlandts were merry rather than +wise; and when the notes of the fiddle, those +harbingers of good-humor and good-will, resounded +at the close of the day from every +hamlet along the Hudson!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Nor was it in rural communities alone that +Peter Stuyvesant introduced his favorite engine +of civilization. Under his rule the fiddle +acquired that potent sway in New Amsterdam +which it has ever since retained. Weekly +assemblages were held, not in heated ballrooms +at midnight hours, but on Saturday +afternoons, by the golden light of the sun, on +the green lawn of the Battery,—with Antony +the Trumpeter for master of ceremonies. Here +would the good Peter take his seat under the +spreading trees, among the old burghers and +their wives, and watch the mazes of the dance. +Here would he smoke his pipe, crack his joke, +and forget the rugged toils of war in the sweet +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>oblivious festivities of peace, giving a nod of +approbation to those of the young men who +shuffled and kicked most vigorously,—and +now and then a hearty smack, in all honesty +of soul, to the buxom lass who held out longest, +and tired down every competitor,—infallible +proof of her being the best dancer.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image275.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE DANCE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Once, it is true, the harmony of these meetings +was in danger of interruption. A young +<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>belle, just returned from a visit to Holland, +who of course led the fashions, made her appearance +in not more than half a dozen petticoats, +and these of alarming shortness. A +whisper and a nutter ran though the assembly. +The young men, of course, were lost in admiration; +but the old ladies were shocked in the +extreme, especially those who had marriageable +daughters; the young ladies blushed and +felt excessively for the “poor thing,” and even +the governor himself appeared to be in some +kind of perturbation.</p> + +<p class='c013'>To complete the confusion of the good folks, +she undertook, in the course of a jig, to describe +some figures in algebra taught her by a +dancing-master at Rotterdam. Unfortunately, +at the highest flourish of her feet some vagabond +zephyr obtruded his services, and a display +of the graces took place, at which all +the ladies present were thrown into great consternation; +several grave country members +were not a little moved, and the good Peter +Stuyvesant himself was grievously scandalized.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The shortness of the females’ dress, which +had continued in fashion ever since the days +of William Kieft, had long offended his eye; +and though extremely averse to meddling with +the petticoats of the ladies, yet he immediately +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>recommended that every one should be furnished +with a flounce to the bottom. He likewise +ordered that the ladies, and indeed the +gentlemen, should use no other step in dancing +than “shuffle and turn,” and “double trouble”; +and forbade, under pain of his high +displeasure, any young lady thenceforth to +attempt what was termed “exhibiting the +graces.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>These were the only restrictions he ever imposed +upon the sex; and these were considered +by them as tyrannical oppressions, and resisted +with that becoming spirit manifested by the +gentle sex whenever their privileges are invaded. +In fact, Antony Van Corlear, who, as +has been shown, was a sagacious man, experienced +in the ways of women, took a private +occasion to intimate to the governor that a +conspiracy was forming among the young +vrouws of New Amsterdam; and that, if the +matter were pushed any further, there was +danger of their leaving off petticoats altogether; +whereupon the good Peter shrugged +his shoulders, dropped the subject, and ever +after suffered the women to wear their petticoats +and cut their capers as high as they +pleased,—a privilege which they have jealously +maintained in the Manhattoes unto the present +day.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter III.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW TROUBLES THICKENED ON THE PROVINCE—HOW IT IS THREATENED BY THE HELDERBERGERS, THE MERRYLANDERS, AND THE GIANTS OF THE SUSQUEHANNA.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage278.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +In the last two chapters I +have regaled the reader +with a delectable picture +of the good Peter and his +metropolis during an interval +of peace. It was, +however, but a bit of +blue sky in a stormy day; +the clouds are again +gathering up from all +points of the compass, +and, if I am not mistaken +in my forebodings, we shall have rattling +weather in the ensuing chapters.</p> + +<p class='c013'>It is with some communities as it is with +certain meddlesome individuals: they have a +wonderful facility at getting into scrapes; and +I have always remarked that those are most +<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>prone to get in who have the least talent at +getting out again. This is doubtless owing to +the excessive valor of those states; for I have +likewise noticed that this rampant quality is +always most frothy and fussy where most confined; +which accounts for its vaporing so +amazingly in little states, little men, and ugly +little women more especially.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Such is the case with this little province of +the Nieuw Nederlandts; which, by its exceeding +valor, has already drawn upon itself a host +of enemies; has had fighting enough to satisfy +a province twice its size; and is in a fair way +of becoming an exceedingly forlorn, well-belabored, +and woe-begone little province. All +which was providentially ordered to give interest +and sublimity to this pathetic history.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The first interruption to the halcyon quiet +of Peter Stuyvesant was caused by hostile intelligence +from the old belligerent nest of Rensellaerstein. +Killian, the lordly patroon of +Rensellaerwick, was again in the field, at the +head of his myrmidons of the Helderberg, +seeking to annex the whole of the Kaatskill +mountains to his dominions. The Indian +tribes of these mountains had likewise taken +up the hatchet and menaced the venerable +Dutch settlement of Esopus.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Fain would I entertain the reader with the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>triumphant campaign of Peter Stuyvesant in +the haunted regions of those mountains, but +that I hold all Indian conflicts to be mere barbaric +brawls, unworthy of the pen which has +recorded the classic war of Fort Christina; +and as to these Helderberg commotions, they +are among the flatulencies which from time to +time afflict the bowels of this ancient province, +as with a wind-colic, and which I deem it +seemly and decent to pass over in silence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The next storm of troubles was from the +south. Scarcely had the worthy Mynheer +Beekman got warm in the seat of authority on +the South River, than enemies began to spring +up all around him. Hard by was a formidable +race of savages inhabiting the gentle region +watered by the Susquehanna, of whom the +following mention is made by Master Hariot, +in his excellent history:</p> + +<p class='c013'>“The Susquesahanocks are a giantly people, +strange in proportion, behavior, and attire—their +voice sounding from them as out of a +cave. Their tobacco-pipes were three quarters +of a yard long; carved at the great end with a +bird, beare, or other device, sufficient to beat +out the brains of a horse. The calfe of one of +their legges measured three quarters of a yard +about; the rest of the limbs proportionable.”<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c014'><sup>[22]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span> +<img src='images/image281.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>A SUSQUESAHANOCK.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These gigantic savages and smokers caused +no little disquiet in the mind of Mynheer +Beekman, threatening to cause a famine of tobacco +in the land; but his most formidable +enemy was the roaring, roistering English +colony of Maryland, or, as it was anciently +written, Merryland,—so called because the +inhabitants, not having the fear of the Lord +before their eyes, were prone to make merry +<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>and get fuddled with mint-julep and apple-toddy. +They were, moreover, great horse-racers +and cock-fighters, mighty wrestlers +and jumpers, and enormous consumers of hoe-cake +and bacon. They lay claim to be the +first inventors of those recondite beverages, +cock-tail, stone-fence, and sherry-cobbler, and +to have discovered the gastronomical merits of +terrapins, soft crabs, and canvas-back ducks.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This rantipole colony, founded by Lord Baltimore, +a British nobleman, was managed by his +agent, a swaggering Englishman, commonly +called Fendall, that is to say, “offend all,”—a +name given him for his bullying propensities. +These were seen in a message to Mynheer +Beekman, threatening him, unless he immediately +swore allegiance to Lord Baltimore as +the rightful lord of the soil, to come, at the +head of the roaring boys of Merryland and the +giants of the Susquehanna, and sweep him and +his Nederlanders out of the country.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The trusty sword of Peter Stuyvesant almost +leaped from its scabbard when he received +missives from Mynheer Beekman, informing +him of the swaggering menaces of the bully +Fendall; and as to the giantly warriors of +the Susquehanna, nothing would have more +delighted him than a bout, hand to hand, with +half a score of them, having never encountered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>a giant in the whole course of his campaigns, +unless we may consider the stout Risingh as +such—and he was but a little one.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Nothing prevented his marching instantly +to the South River and enacting scenes still +more glorious than those of Fort Christina, +but the necessity of first putting a stop to the +increasing aggressions and inroads of the +Yankees, so as not to leave an enemy in his +rear; but he wrote to Mynheer Beekman to +keep up a bold front and stout heart, promising, +as soon as he had settled affairs in the +east, that he would hasten to the south with +his burly warriors of the Hudson, to lower the +crests of the giants, and mar the merriment of +the Merrylanders.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image283.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a man in 17th-century attire marching with a long musket over his shoulder and a confident expression.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IV.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT ADVENTURED INTO THE EAST COUNTRY, AND HOW HE FARED THERE.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage284.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +To explain the apparently +sudden movement of +Peter Stuyvesant against +the crafty men of the +East Country, I would +observe that, during his +campaigns on the South +River, and in the enchanted +regions of the +Catskill Mountains, the +twelve tribes of the East +had been more than usually active in prosecuting +their subtle scheme for the subjugation of +the Nieuw Nederlandts.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Independent of the incessant maraudings +among hen-roosts and squattings along the +border, invading armies would penetrate, from +time to time, into the very heart of the country. +As their prototypes of yore went forth +into the land of Canaan, with their wives and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>their children, their men-servants and their +maid-servants, their flocks and herds, to settle +themselves down in the land and possess it, so +these chosen people of modern days would +progress through the country in patriarchal +style, conducting carts and wagons laden with +household furniture, with women and children +piled on top, and pots and kettles dangling +beneath. At the tails of these vehicles would +stalk a crew of long-limbed, lank-sided varlets, +with axes on their shoulders and packs on +their backs, resolutely bent upon “locating” +themselves, as they termed it, and improving +the country. These were the most dangerous +kind of invaders. It is true they were guilty +of no overt acts of hostility; but it was notorious +that, wherever they got a footing, the +honest Dutchmen gradually disappeared, retiring +slowly, as do the Indians before the +white men, being in some way or other talked +and chaffed, and bargained and swapped, and, +in plain English, elbowed out of all those rich +bottoms and fertile nooks in which our Dutch +yeomanry are prone to nestle themselves.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant was at length roused to +this kind of war in disguise, by which the +Yankees were craftily aiming to subjugate his +dominions. He was a man easily taken in, it +is true, as all great-hearted men are apt to be; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>but if he once found it out, his wrath was +terrible. He now threw diplomacy to the +dogs—determined to appear no more by ambassadors, +but to repair in person to the great +council of the Amphictyons, bearing the +sword in one hand and the olive-branch in the +other, and giving them their choice of sincere +and honest peace, or open and iron war.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His privy councillors were astonished and +dismayed when he announced his determination. +For once they ventured to remonstrate, +setting forth the rashness of venturing his +sacred person in the midst of a strange and +barbarous people. They might as well have +tried to turn a rusty weather-cock with a +broken-winded bellows. In the fiery heart of +the iron-headed Peter sat enthroned the five +kinds of courage described by Aristotle; and +had the philosopher enumerated five hundred +more, I verily believe he would have possessed +them all. As to that better part of valor called +discretion, it was too cold-blooded a virtue for +his tropical temperament.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Summoning, therefore, to his presence his +trusty follower, Antony Van Corlear, he commanded +him to hold himself in readiness to +accompany him the following morning on this, +his hazardous enterprise. Now Antony the +Trumpeter was by this time a little stricken in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>years, but by dint of keeping up a good heart, +and having never known care or sorrow (having +never been married), he was still a hearty, +jocund, rubicund, gamesome wag, and of +great capacity in the doublet. This last was +ascribed to his living a jolly life on those domains +at the Hook, which Peter Stuyvesant had +granted to him for his gallantry at Fort Casimir.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Be this as it may, there was nothing that +more delighted Antony than this command of +the great Peter, for he could have followed the +stout-hearted old governor to the world’s end, +with love and loyalty; and he moreover still +remembered the frolicking, and dancing, and +bundling, and other disports of the east country, +and entertained dainty recollections of +numerous kind and buxom lasses, whom he +longed exceedingly again to encounter.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus then did the mirror of hardihood set +forth, with no other attendant but his trumpeter, +upon one of the most perilous enterprises +ever recorded in the annals of knight-errantry. +For a single warrior to venture +openly among a whole nation of foes,—but, +above all, for a plain downright Dutchman to +think of negotiating with the whole council +of New England!—never was there known +a more desperate undertaking!—Ever since I +have entered upon the chronicles of this peerless +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>but hitherto uncelebrated chieftain, has +he kept me in a state of incessant action and +anxiety with the toils and dangers he is constantly +encountering. Oh! for a chapter of +the tranquil reign of Wouter Van Twiller, +that I might repose on it as on a feather-bed!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Is it not enough, Peter Stuyvesant, that I +have once already rescued thee from the machinations +of these terrible Amphictyons, by +bringing the powers of witchcraft to thine aid? +Is it not enough, that I have followed thee undaunted, +like a guardian spirit, into the midst +of the horrid battle of Fort Christina?—that I +have been put incessantly to my trumps to +keep thee safe and sound,—now warding off +with my single pen the shower of dastard +blows that fell upon thy rear,—now narrowly +shielding thee from a deadly thrust, by a mere +tobacco-box,—now casing thy dauntless skull +with adamant, when even thy stubborn ram-beaver +failed to resist the sword of the stout +Risingh,—and now, not merely bringing +thee off alive, but triumphant, from the +clutches of the gigantic Swede, by the desperate +means of a paltry stone pottle? Is not all +this enough, but must thou still be plunging +into new difficulties, and hazarding in headlong +enterprises thyself, thy trumpeter, and +thy historian?</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span> +<img src='images/image289.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>A BUXOM LASS.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>And now the ruddy-faced Aurora, like a +buxom chambermaid, draws aside the sable +curtains of the night, and out bounces from +his bed the jolly red-haired Phœbus, startled +at being caught so late in the embraces of +Dame Thetis. With many a stable-boy oath +he harnesses his brazen-footed steeds, and +whips, and lashes, and splashes up the firmament, +like a loitering coachman, half an hour +behind his time. And now behold that imp of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>fame and prowess, the headstrong Peter, +bestriding a raw-boned, switch-tailed charger, +gallantly arrayed in full regimentals, and +bracing on his thigh that trusty brass-hilted +sword, which had wrought such fearful deeds +on the banks of the Delaware.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Behold hard after him his doughty trumpeter, +Van Corlear, mounted on a broken-winded, +wall-eyed, calico mare, his stone +pottle, which had laid low the mighty Risingh, +slung under his arm, and his trumpet displayed +vauntingly in his right hand, decorated +with a gorgeous banner, on which is emblazoned +the great beaver of the Manhattoes. +See him proudly issuing out of the city-gate, +like an iron-clad hero of yore, with his faithful +squire at his heels, the populace following +with their eyes, and shouting many a parting +wish, and hearty cheering.—Farewell, Hardkoppig +Piet! Farewell, honest Antony!—Pleasant +be your wayfaring—prosperous your +return! The stoutest hero that ever drew a +sword, and the worthiest trumpeter that ever +trod shoe-leather.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span> +<img src='images/image291.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE JOURNEY.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Legends are lamentably silent about the +events that befell our adventurers in this their +adventurous travel, excepting the Stuyvesant +manuscript, which gives the substance of a +pleasant little heroic poem, written on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>occasion by Dominie Ægidius Luyck,<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c014'><sup>[23]</sup></a> who +appears to have been the poet-laureate of New +Amsterdam. This inestimable manuscript assures +us, that it was a rare spectacle to behold +the great Peter and his loyal follower hailing +the morning sun, and rejoicing in the clear +countenance of nature, as they pranced it +through the pastoral scenes of Bloemen Dael; +which, in those days, was a sweet and rural +valley, beautified with many a bright wildflower, +refreshed by many a pure streamlet, +and enlivened here and there by a delectable +little Dutch cottage, sheltered under some +sloping hill, and almost buried in embowering +trees.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span> +<img src='images/image293.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THEY BESTRODE THEIR CANES AND GALLOPED OFF IN HORRIBLE CONFUSION.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Now did they enter upon the confines of +Connecticut, where they encountered many +grievous difficulties and perils. At one place +they were assailed by a troop of country +squires and militia colonels, who, mounted on +goodly steeds, hung upon their rear for several +miles, harassing them exceedingly with +guesses and questions, more especially the +worthy Peter, whose silver-chased leg excited +not a little marvel. At another place, hard by +the renowned town of Stamford, they were set +upon by a great and mighty legion of church-deacons, +who imperiously demanded of them +five shillings, for travelling on Sunday, and +threatened to carry them captive to a neighboring +church, whose steeple peered above the +trees; but these the valiant Peter put to rout +with little difficulty, insomuch that they bestrode +their canes and galloped off in horrible +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>confusion, leaving their cocked hats behind in +the hurry of their flight. But not so easily did +he escape from the hands of a crafty man of Pyquag, +who, with undaunted perseverance, and +repeated onsets, fairly bargained him out of his +goodly switch-tailed charger, leaving in place +thereof a villanous, foundered Narragansett +pacer.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But maugre all these hardships, they pursued +their journey cheerily along the course +of the soft-flowing Connecticut, whose gentle +waves, says the song, roll through many a +fertile vale and sunny plain,—now reflecting +the lofty spires of the bustling city, and now +the rural beauties of the humble hamlet,—now +echoing with the busy hum of commerce, and +now with the cheerful song of the peasant.</p> + +<p class='c013'>At every town would Peter Stuyvesant, who +was noted for warlike punctilio, order the +sturdy Antony to sound a courteous salutation; +though the manuscript observes, that +the inhabitants were thrown into great dismay +when they heard of his approach. For the fame +of his incomparable achievements on the Delaware +had spread throughout the east country, +and they dreaded lest he had come to take +vengeance on their manifold transgressions.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But the good Peter rode through these +towns with a smiling aspect, waving his hand +<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>with inexpressible majesty and condescension; +for he verily believed that the old clothes +which these ingenious people had thrust into +their broken windows, and the festoons of +dried apples and peaches which ornamented +the fronts of their houses, were so many decorations +in honor of his approach, as it was the +custom in the days of chivalry to compliment +renowned heroes by sumptuous displays of +tapestry and gorgeous furniture. The women +crowded to the doors to gaze upon him as he +passed, so much does prowess in arms delight +the gentle sex. The little children, too, ran +after him in troops, staring with wonder at +his regimentals, his brimstone breeches, and +the silver garniture of his wooden leg. Nor +must I omit to mention the joy which many +strapping wenches betrayed at beholding the +jovial Van Corlear, who had whilom delighted +them so much with his trumpet, when he bore +the great Peter’s challenge to the Amphictyons. +The kind-hearted Antony alighted +from his calico mare, and kissed them all +with infinite loving-kindness,—and was right +pleased to see a crew of little trumpeters crowding +around him for his blessing, each of whom +he patted on the head, bade him be a good +boy, and gave him a penny to buy molasses +candy.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter V.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW THE YANKEES SECRETLY SOUGHT THE AID OF THE BRITISH CABINET IN THEIR HOSTILE SCHEMES AGAINST THE MANHATTOES.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage296.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Now so it happened, that, +while the great and +good Peter Stuyvesant, +followed by his trusty +squire, was making his +chivalric progress +through the east country, +a dark and direful +scheme of war against +his beloved province +was forming in that +nursery of monstrous projects, the British +Cabinet. This, we are confidently informed, was +the result of the secret instigations of the great +council of the league; who, finding themselves +totally incompetent to vie in arms with +the heavy-sterned warriors of the Manhattoes +and their iron-headed commander, sent emissaries +to the British government, setting forth in +eloquent language the wonders and delights +<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>of this delicious little Dutch Canaan, and imploring +that a force might be sent out to invade +it by sea, while they should co-operate +by land.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span> +<img src='images/image298.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>LORD STERLING.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These emissaries arrived at a critical juncture, +just as the British Lion was beginning to +bristle up his mane and wag his tail; for we +are assured by the anonymous writer of the +Stuyvesant manuscript, that the astounding +victory of Peter Stuyvesant at Fort Christina +had resounded throughout Europe, and his +annexation of the territory of New Sweden +had awakened the jealousy of the British +Cabinet for their wild lands at the south. +This jealousy was brought to a head by the +representations of Lord Baltimore, who declared +that the territory thus annexed lay +within the lands granted to him by the British +crown, and he claimed to be protected in his +rights. Lord Sterling, another British subject, +claimed the whole of Nassau, or Long +Island, once the Ophir of William the Testy, +but now the kitchen-garden of the Manhattoes, +which he declared to be British territory +by the right of discovery, but unjustly usurped +by the Nederlanders. The result of all these +rumors and representations was a sudden zeal +on the part of his Majesty Charles the Second, +for the safety and well-being of his transatlantic +possessions, and especially for the recovery +of the New Netherlands, which Yankee logic +had, somehow or other, proved to be a continuity +of the territory taken possession of for +the British crown for the Pilgrims, when they +landed on Plymouth Rock, fugitives from +British oppression. All this goodly land, thus +wrongfully held by the Dutchmen, he presented, +in a fit of affection, to his brother, the +Duke of York,—a donation truly royal, since +none but great sovereigns have a right to give +away what does not belong to them. That +<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>this munificent gift might not be merely nominal, +his Majesty ordered that an armament +should be straightway despatched to invade the +city of New Amsterdam by land and water, +and put his brother in complete possession of +the premises.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus critically situated are the affairs of the +New Nederlanders. While the honest burghers +are smoking their pipes in sober security, +and the privy councillors are snoring in the +council-chamber,—while Peter the Headstrong +is undauntedly making his way through the +east country in the confident hope by honest +words and manly deeds to bring the grand +council to terms,—a hostile fleet is sweeping +like a thunder-cloud across the Atlantic, soon +to rattle a storm of war about the ears of the +dozing Nederlanders, and to put the mettle +of their governor to trial.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But come what may, I here pledge my veracity, +that in all warlike conflicts and doubtful +perplexities he will ever acquit himself like a +gallant, noble-minded, obstinate old cavalier.—Forward, +then, to the charge! Shine out, +propitious stars, on the renowned city of the +Manhattoes; and the blessing of St. Nicholas +go with thee, honest Peter Stuyvesant.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>OF PETER STUYVESANT’S EXPEDITION INTO THE EAST COUNTRY, SHOWING THAT THOUGH AN OLD BIRD, HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND TRAP.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage300.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Great nations resemble +great men in this particular, +that their greatness +is seldom known +until they get in trouble; +adversity, therefore, has +been wisely denominated +the ordeal of true greatness, +which, like gold, +can never receive its real +estimation until it has passed through the +furnace. In proportion, therefore, as a nation, +a community, or an individual (possessing the +inherent quality of greatness) is involved in +perils and misfortunes, in proportion does it +rise in grandeur, and even when sinking under +calamity, makes, like a house on fire, a more +glorious display than ever it did in the fairest +period of its prosperity.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>The vast empire of China, though teeming +with population and imbibing and concentrating +the wealth of nations, has vegetated +through a succession of drowsy ages; and +were it not for its internal revolutions, and the +subversion of its ancient government by the +Tartars, might have presented nothing but a +dull detail of monotonous prosperity. Pompeii +and Herculaneum might have passed into +oblivion, with a herd of their contemporaries, +had they not been fortunately overwhelmed +by a volcano. The renowned city of Troy +acquired celebrity only from its ten years’ distress, +and final conflagration; Paris rose in +importance by the plots and massacres which +ended in the exaltation of Napoleon; and even +the mighty London has skulked through the +records of time, celebrated for nothing of +moment excepting the plague, the great fire, +and Guy Faux’s gun-powder plot! Thus +cities and empires creep along, enlarging in +silent obscurity, until they burst forth in some +tremendous calamity—and snatch, as it were, +immortality from the explosion!</p> + +<p class='c013'>The above principle being admitted, my +reader will plainly perceive that the city of +New Amsterdam and its dependent province +are on the high-road to greatness. Dangers +and hostilities threaten from every side, and it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>is really a matter of astonishment, how so +small a state has been able, in so short a time, +to entangle itself in so many difficulties. Ever +since the province was first taken by the nose, +at the Fort of Goed Hoop, in the tranquil days +of Wouter Van Twiller, has it been gradually +increasing in historic importance; and never +could it have had a more appropriate chieftain +to conduct it to the pinnacle of grandeur than +Peter Stuyvesant.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This truly headstrong hero having successfully +effected his daring progress through the +east country, girded up his loins as he approached +Boston, and prepared for the grand +onslaught with the Amphictyons, which was +to be the crowning achievement of the campaign. +Throwing Antony Van Corlear, who, +with his calico mare formed his escort and army +a little in the advance, and bidding him be +of stout heart and great wind, he placed himself +firmly in his saddle, cocked his hat more +fiercely over his left eye, summoned all the +heroism of his soul into his countenance, and, +with one arm akimbo, the hand resting on +the pommel of his sword, rode into the great +metropolis of the league, Antony sounding his +trumpet before him in a manner to electrify the +whole community.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Never was there such a stir in Boston as on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>this occasion; never such a hurrying hither +and thither about the streets; such popping +of heads out of windows; such gathering of +knots in market-places. Peter Stuyvesant was +a straightforward man, and prone to do everything +aboveboard. He would have ridden at +once to the great council-house of the league +and sounded a parley; but the grand council +knew the mettlesome hero they had to deal +with, and were not for doing things in a hurry. +On the contrary, they sent forth deputations to +meet him on the way, to receive him in a style +befitting the great potentate of the Manhattoes, +and to multiply all kind of honors, and +ceremonies, and formalities, and other courteous +impediments in his path. Solemn banquets +were accordingly given him, equal to +thanksgiving feasts. Complimentary speeches +were made him, wherein he was entertained +with the surpassing virtues, long-sufferings, +and achievements of the Pilgrim Fathers; and +it is even said he was treated to a sight of +Plymouth Rock,—that great corner-stone of +Yankee empire.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I will not detain my readers by recounting +the endless devices by which time was wasted, +and obstacles and delays multiplied to the +infinite annoyance of the impatient Peter. +Neither will I fatigue them by dwelling on his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>negotiations with the grand council, when he +at length brought them to business. Suffice +it to say, it was like most other diplomatic +negotiations: a great deal was said and very +little done; one conversation led to another, +one conference begot misunderstandings which +it took a dozen conferences to explain, at the +end of which both parties found themselves +just where they had begun, but ten times less +likely to come to an agreement.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image304.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“HE WAS TREATED TO A SIGHT OF PLYMOUTH ROCK.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>In the midst of these perplexities which +bewildered the brain and incensed the ire of +honest Peter, he received private intelligence +of the dark conspiracy matured in the British +cabinet, with the astounding fact that a British +squadron was already on the way to invade +New Amsterdam by sea, and that the grand +council of Amphictyons, while thus beguiling +<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>him with subtleties, were actually prepared to +co-operate by land!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Oh! how did the sturdy old warrior rage +and roar, when he found himself thus entrapped, +like a lion in the hunter’s toil! Now +did he draw his trusty sword, and determine +to break in upon the council of the Amphictyons +and put every mother’s son of them to +death. Now did he resolve to fight his way +throughout all the region of the east and to +lay waste Connecticut River!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Gallant, but unfortunate Peter! Did I not +enter with sad forebodings on this ill-starred +expedition? Did I not tremble when I saw +thee, with no other counsellor than thine own +head; no other armor but an honest tongue, a +spotless conscience, and a rusty sword; no +other protector but St. Nicholas, and no other +attendant but a trumpeter; did I not tremble +when I beheld thee thus sally forth to contend +with all the knowing powers of New England?</p> + +<p class='c013'>It was a long time before the kind-hearted +expostulations of Antony Van Corlear, aided +by the soothing melody of his trumpet, could +lower the spirits of Peter Stuyvesant from +their warlike and vindictive tones, and prevent +his making widows and orphans of half the +population of Boston. With great difficulty +he was prevailed upon to bottle up his wrath +<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>for the present, to conceal from the council his +knowledge of their machinations, and by effecting +his escape, to be able to arrive in time +for the salvation of the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The latter suggestion awakened a new ray +of hope in his bosom; he forthwith despatched +a secret message to his councillors at +New Amsterdam, apprising them of their +danger, and commanding them to put the city +in a posture of defence, promising to come as +soon as possible to their assistance. This +done, he felt marvellously relieved, rose +slowly, shook himself like a rhinoceros, and +issued forth from his den, in much the same +manner as Giant Despair is described to have +issued from Doubting Castle, in the chivalric +history of the Pilgrim’s Progress.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now much does it grieve me that I +must leave the gallant Peter in this imminent +jeopardy; but it behooves us to hurry back +and see what is going on at New Amsterdam, +for greatly do I fear that city is already in a +turmoil. Such was ever the fate of Peter +Stuyvesant; while doing one thing with heart +and soul, he was too apt to leave everything +else at sixes and sevens. While, like a potentate +of yore, he was absent attending to those +things in person which in modern days are +trusted to generals and ambassadors, his little +<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>territory at home was sure to get in an uproar; +all which was owing to that uncommon +strength of intellect, which induced him to +trust to nobody but himself, and which had +acquired him the renowned appellation of +Peter the Headstrong.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image307.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a person hurriedly stepping out of a small wooden shed or outhouse while carrying a squawking chicken or small animal.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW THE PEOPLE OF NEW AMSTERDAM WERE THROWN INTO A GREAT PANIC BY THE NEWS OF THE THREATENED INVASION, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY FORTIFIED THEMSELVES.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage308.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +There is no sight more +truly interesting to a +philosopher than a community +where every individual +has a voice in +public affairs, where +every individual considers +himself the Atlas of +the nation, and where +every individual thinks +it his duty to bestir himself +for the good of his country: I say, there +is nothing more interesting to a philosopher +than such a community in a sudden bustle of +war. Such clamor of tongues—such patriotic +bawling—such running hither and thither—everybody +in a hurry—everybody in trouble—everybody +in the way, and everybody +<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>interrupting his neighbor—who is busily +employed in doing nothing! It is like +witnessing a great fire, where the whole +community are agog—some dragging about +empty engines—others scampering with full +buckets, and spilling the contents into their +neighbor’s boots—and others ringing the +church-bells all night, by way of putting out +the fire. Little firemen, like sturdy little +knights storming a breach, clambering up and +down scaling-ladders, and bawling through +tin trumpets, by way of directing the attack. +Here a fellow, in his great zeal to save the +property of the unfortunate, catches up an +anonymous chamber-utensil, and gallants it off +with an air of as much self-importance as if +he had rescued a pot of money; there another +throws looking-glasses and china out of the +window, to save them from the flames; whilst +those who can do nothing else run up and +down the streets keeping up an incessant cry +of <i>Fire! Fire! Fire!</i></p> + +<p class='c013'>“When the news arrived at Sinope,” says +Lucian,—though I own the story is rather +trite,—“that Philip was about to attack them, +the inhabitants were thrown into violent alarm. +Some ran to furbish up their arms; others +rolled stones to build up the walls,—everybody, +in short, was employed, and everybody in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>way of his neighbor. Diogenes alone could +find nothing to do; whereupon, not to be idle +when the welfare of his country was at stake, +he tucked up his robe, and fell to rolling his +tub with might and main up and down the +Gymnasium.” In like manner did every +mother’s son in the patriotic community of +New Amsterdam, on receiving the missive of +Peter Stuyvesant, busy himself most mightily +in putting things in confusion, and assisting +the general uproar. “Every man”—saith the +Stuyvesant manuscript—“flew to arms!”—by +which is meant, that not one of our +honest Dutch citizens would venture to church +or to market without an old-fashioned spit of a +sword dangling at his side, and a long Dutch +fowling-piece on his shoulder; nor would he +go out of a night without a lantern; nor turn a +corner without first peeping cautiously round, +lest he should come unawares upon a British +army;—and we are informed that Stoffel +Brinkerhoff, who was considered by the old +women almost as brave a man as the governor +himself, actually had two one-pound swivels +mounted in his entry, one pointing out at the +front door, and the other at the back.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span> +<img src='images/image311.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“NOR WOULD HE GO OUT OF A NIGHT WITHOUT A LANTERN.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>But the most strenuous measure resorted to +on this awful occasion, and one which has +since been found of wonderful efficacy, was to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>assemble popular meetings. These brawling +convocations, I have already shown, were extremely +offensive to Peter Stuyvesant; but as +this was a moment of unusual agitation, and +as the old governor was not present to repress +them, they broke out with intolerable violence. +Hither, therefore, the orators and politicians +repaired, striving who should bawl loudest, and +exceed the others in hyperbolical bursts of +patriotism, and in resolutions to uphold and +defend the government. In these sage meetings +it was resolved that they were the most +enlightened, the most dignified, the most formidable, +and the most ancient community +upon the face of the earth. This resolution +being carried unanimously, another was immediately +proposed,—whether it were not possible +and politic to exterminate Great Britain? +upon which sixty-nine members spoke in the +affirmative, and only one arose to suggest +some doubts, who as a punishment for his +treasonable presumption, was immediately +seized by the mob, and tarred and feathered,—which +punishment being equivalent to the +Tarpeian Rock, he was afterwards considered +as an outcast from society, and his opinion +went for nothing. The question, therefore, +being unanimously carried in the affirmative, +it was recommended to the grand council to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>pass it into a law; which was accordingly +done. By this measure the hearts of the people +at large were wonderfully encouraged, and +they waxed exceedingly choleric and valorous. +Indeed, the first paroxysm of alarm having in +some measure subsided,—the old women having +buried all the money they could lay their +hands on, and their husbands daily getting +fuddled with what was left,—the community +began even to stand on the offensive. Songs +were manufactured in Low Dutch and sung +about the streets, wherein the English were +most wofully beaten, and shown no quarter; +and popular addresses were made, wherein it +was proved, to a certainty, that the fate of Old +England depended upon the will of the New +Amsterdammers.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Finally, to strike a violent blow at the very +vitals of Great Britain, a multitude of the +wiser inhabitants assembled, and having purchased +all the British manufactures they could +find, they made thereof a huge bonfire; and, +in the patriotic glow of the moment, every +man present, who had a hat or breeches of +English workmanship, pulled it off, and threw +it into the flames,—to the irreparable detriment, +loss, and ruin of the English manufacturers. +In commemoration of this great +exploit, they erected a pole on the spot, with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>a device on the top intended to represent the +province of Nieuw Nederlandts destroying +Great Britain, under the similitude of an +Eagle picking the little Island of Old England +out of the globe; but either through the +unskilfulness of the sculptor, or his ill-timed +waggery, it bore a striking resemblance to a +goose, vainly striving to get hold of a dumpling.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image314.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of an Indigenous person in profile, wearing a headband with a feather or crest, large earrings, and a fur-collared robe.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter VIII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW THE GRAND COUNCIL OF THE NEW NETHERLANDS WERE MIRACULOUSLY GIFTED WITH LONG TONGUES IN THE MOMENT OF EMERGENCY—SHOWING THE VALUE OF WORDS IN WARFARE.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage315.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +It will need but little penetration +in any one conversant +with the ways of +that wise but windy +potentate, the sovereign +people, to discover +that notwithstanding +all the warlike bluster +and bustle of the last +chapter, the city of +New Amsterdam was +not a whit more prepared for war than before. +The privy councillors of Peter Stuyvesant +were aware of this; and, having received his +private orders to put the city in an immediate +posture of defence, they called a meeting of +the oldest and richest burghers to assist them +with their wisdom. These were that order of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>citizens commonly termed “men of the greatest +weight in the community”; their weight +being estimated by the heaviness of their +heads and of their purses. Their wisdom in +fact is apt to be of a ponderous kind, and to +hang like a mill-stone round the neck of the +community.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Two things were unanimously determined +in this assembly of venerables: First, that +the city required to be put in a state of defence; +and, Second, that, as the danger was +imminent, there should be no time lost: which +point being settled, they fell to making long +speeches and belaboring one another in endless +and intemperate disputes. For about this +time was this unhappy city first visited by that +talking endemic so prevalent in this country, +and which so invariably evinces itself wherever +a number of wise men assemble together, +breaking out in long, windy speeches, caused, +as physicians suppose, by the foul air which is +ever generated in a crowd. Now it was, moreover, +that they first introduced the ingenious +method of measuring the merits of an harangue +by the hour-glass, he being considered the +ablest orator who spoke longest on a question. +For which excellent invention, it is recorded, +we are indebted to the same profound Dutch +critic who judged of books by their size.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span> +<img src='images/image317.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE LONG TALK AT THE COUNCIL-FIRE.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This sudden passion for endless harangues, +so little consonant with the customary gravity +and taciturnity of our sage forefathers, was +supposed by certain philosophers to have been +imbibed, together with divers other barbarous +propensities, from their savage neighbors; who +were particularly noted for <i>long talks</i> and <i>council-fires</i>, +and never undertook any affair of the +least importance without previous debates and +harangues among their chiefs and <i>old men</i>. +But the real cause was, that the people, in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>electing their representatives to the grand +council, were particular in choosing them for +their talents at talking, without inquiring +whether they possessed the more rare, difficult, +and ofttimes important talent of holding their +tongues. The consequence was, that this deliberative +body was composed of the most +loquacious men in the community. As they +considered themselves placed there to talk, +every man concluded that his duty to his constituents, +and, what is more, his popularity +with them, required that he should harangue +on every subject, whether he understood it or +not. There was an ancient mode of burying a +chieftain, by every soldier throwing his shield +full of earth on the corpse, until a mighty +mound was formed; so, whenever a question +was brought forward in this assembly, every +member pressing forward to throw on his +quantum of wisdom, the subject was quickly +buried under a mountain of words.</p> + +<p class='c013'>We are told that disciples, on entering the +school of Pythagoras, were for two years enjoined +silence, and forbidden either to ask +questions, or make remarks. After they had +thus acquired the inestimable art of holding +their tongues, they were gradually permitted +to make inquiries, and finally to communicate +their own opinions.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>With what a beneficial effect could this wise +regulation of Pythagoras be introduced in +modern legislative bodies,—and how wonderfully +would it have tended to expedite business +in the grand council of the Manhattoes!</p> + +<p class='c013'>At this perilous juncture the fatal word +<i>economy</i>, the stumbling-block of William the +Testy, had been once more set afloat, according +to which the cheapest plan of defence was +insisted upon as the best; it being deemed a +great stroke of policy in furnishing powder to +economize in ball.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus did dame Wisdom (whom the wags of +antiquity have humorously personified as a +woman) seem to take a mischievous pleasure +in jilting the venerable councillors of New +Amsterdam. To add to the confusion, the old +factions of Short Pipes and Long Pipes, which +had been almost strangled by the Herculean +grasp of Peter Stuyvesant, now sprang up +with tenfold vigor. Whatever was proposed +by Short Pipe was opposed by the whole +tribe of Long Pipes, who, like true partisans, +deemed it their first duty to effect the downfall +of their rivals, their second, to elevate themselves, +and their third, to consult the public +good; though many left the third consideration +out of question altogether.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In this great collision of hard heads it is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>astonishing the number of projects that were +struck out,—projects which threw the wind-mill +system of William the Testy completely in the +background. These were almost uniformly +opposed by the “men of the greatest weight +in the community!” your weighty men, +though slow to devise, being always great at +“negativing.” Among these were a set of +fat, self-important old burghers, who smoked +their pipes, and said nothing except to negative +every plan of defence proposed. These +were that class of “conservatives” who, having +amassed a fortune, button up their pockets, +shut their mouths, sink, as it were, into themselves, +and pass the rest of their lives in the +in-dwelling beatitude of conscious wealth; as +some phlegmatic oyster, having swallowed a +pearl, closes its shell, sinks in the mud, and +devotes the rest of its life to the conservation +of its treasure. Every plan of defence seemed +to these worthy old gentlemen pregnant with +ruin. An armed force was a legion of locusts +preying upon the public property; to fit out a +naval armament was to throw their money into +the sea; to build fortifications was to bury it +in the dirt. In short, they settled it as a sovereign +maxim, so long as their pockets were +full, no matter how much they were drubbed. +A kick left no scar; a broken head cured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>itself; but an empty purse was of all maladies +the slowest to heal, and one in which nature +did nothing for the patient.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image321.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE SUDDEN ENTRANCE OF A MESSENGER.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Thus did this venerable assembly of sages +lavish away that time which the urgency of +affairs rendered invaluable, in empty brawls +and long-winded speeches, without ever agreeing, +except on the point with which they +started, namely, that there was no time to be +lost, and delay was ruinous. At length, St. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>Nicholas taking compassion on their distracted +situation, and anxious to preserve +them from anarchy, so ordered, that in the +midst of one of their most noisy debates, on +the subject of fortification and defence, when +they had nearly fallen to loggerheads in consequence +of not being able to convince each +other, the question was happily settled by the +sudden entrance of a messenger, who informed +them that a hostile fleet had arrived, and was +actually advancing up the bay!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image322.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a stern-faced man in 17th-century attire, wearing a tall feathered hat and a ruff collar, while playing a large field drum.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter IX.</span><br> <span class='c010'>IN WHICH THE TROUBLES OF NEW AMSTERDAM APPEARED TO THICKEN—SHOWING THE BRAVERY, IN TIME OF PERIL, OF A PEOPLE WHO DEFEND THEMSELVES BY RESOLUTION.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage323.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Like as an assemblage +of belligerent cats, +gibbering and caterwauling, +eying one +another with hideous +grimaces and +contortions, spitting +in each other’s faces, +and on the point of a +general clapper-clawing, +are suddenly put +to scampering rout +and confusion by the +appearance of a house-dog, so was the no less +vociferous council of New Amsterdam amazed, +astounded, and totally dispersed by the sudden +arrival of the enemy. Every member +waddled home as fast as his short legs could +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>carry him, wheezing as he went with corpulency +and terror. Arrived at his castle, he +barricadoed the street-door, and buried himself +in the cider-cellar, without venturing to peep +out, lest he should have his head carried off by +a cannon-ball.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The sovereign people crowded into the market-place, +herding together with the instinct +of sheep, who seek safety in each other’s company +when the shepherd and his dog are +absent, and the wolf is prowling round the +fold. Far from finding relief, however, they +only increased each other’s terrors. Each +man looked ruefully in his neighbor’s face, in +search of encouragement, but only found in +its woe-begone lineaments a confirmation of +his own dismay. Not a word now was to be +heard of conquering Great Britain, not a whisper +about the sovereign virtues of economy,—while +the old women heightened the general +gloom by clamorously bewailing their fate, and +calling for protection on St. Nicholas and Peter +Stuyvesant.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span> +<img src='images/image325.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE ARRIVAL OF PETER.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Oh, how did they bewail the absence of the +lion-hearted Peter! and how did they long for +the comforting presence of Antony Van Corlear! +Indeed, a gloomy uncertainty hung over +the fate of these adventurous heroes. Day after +day had elapsed since the alarming message +<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>from the governor without bringing any further +tidings of his safety. Many a fearful conjecture +was hazarded as to what had befallen him +and his loyal squire. Had they not been +devoured alive by the cannibals of Marblehead +and Cape Cod?—had they not been put to the +question by the great council of Amphictyons?—had +they not been smothered in onions by +the terrible men of Pyquag? In the midst of +this consternation and perplexity, when horror, +like a mighty nightmare, sat brooding upon +the little, fat, plethoric city of New Amsterdam, +the ears of the multitude were suddenly +startled by the distant sound of a trumpet: it +approached, it grew louder and louder, and +now it resounded at the city gate. The public +could not be mistaken in the well-known +sound; a shout of joy burst from their lips, as +the gallant Peter, covered with dust, and followed +by his faithful trumpeter, came galloping +into the market-place.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The first transports of the populace having +subsided, they gathered round the honest +Antony, as he dismounted, overwhelming +him with greetings and congratulations. In +breathless accents he related to them the marvellous +adventures through which the old +governor and himself had gone, in making +their escape from the clutches of the terrible +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>Amphictyons. But though the Stuyvesant +manuscript, with its customary minuteness +where anything touching the great Peter is +concerned, is very particular as to the incidents +of this masterly retreat, the state of the +public affairs will not allow me to indulge +in a full recital thereof. Let it suffice to say, +that, while Peter Stuyvesant was anxiously +revolving in his mind how he could make +good his escape with honor and dignity, certain +of the ships sent out for the conquest of +the Manhattoes touched at the eastern ports to +obtain supplies, and to call on the grand council +of the league for its promised co-operation. +Upon hearing of this, the vigilant Peter, +perceiving that a moment’s delay were fatal, +made a secret and precipitate decampment; +though much did it grieve his lofty soul to be +obliged to turn his back even upon a nation +of foes. Many hair-breadth ’scapes and divers +perilous mishaps did they sustain, as they +scoured, without sound of trumpet, through +the fair regions of the east. Already was the +country in an uproar with hostile preparations, +and they were obliged to take a large circuit +in their flight, lurking along through the +woody mountains of the Devil’s backbone; +whence the valiant Peter sallied forth one day +like a lion, and put to rout a whole legion of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>squatters, consisting of three generations of a +prolific family, who were already on their way +to take possession of some corner of the New +Netherlands. Nay, the faithful Antony had +great difficulty, at sundry times, to prevent +him, in the excess of his wrath, from descending +down from the mountains, and falling, +sword in hand, upon certain of the border-towns, +who were marshalling forth their +draggle-tailed militia.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image328.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“THE ROOF, WHENCE HE CONTEMPLATES WITH RUEFUL ASPECT THE HOSTILE SQUADRON.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The first movement of the governor, on +reaching his dwelling, was to mount the roof, +whence he contemplated with rueful aspect the +hostile squadron. This had already come to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>anchor in the bay, and consisted of two stout +frigates, having on board, as John Josselyn, +Gent., informs us, “three hundred valiant redcoats.” +Having taken this survey, he sat +himself down and wrote an epistle to the commander, +demanding the reason of his anchoring +in the harbor without obtaining previous +permission so to do. This letter was couched +in the most dignified and courteous terms, +though I have it from undoubted authority +that his teeth were clinched, and he had a +bitter, sardonic grin upon his visage all the +while he wrote. Having despatched his letter, +the grim Peter stumped to and fro about the +town with a most war-betokening countenance, +his hands thrust into his breeches-pockets, +and whistling a Low Dutch psalm-tune, which +bore no small resemblance to the music of +a northeast wind, when a storm is brewing. +The very dogs as they eyed him skulked away +in dismay; while all the old and ugly women +of New Amsterdam ran howling at his heels, +imploring him to save them from murder, +robbery, and pitiless ravishment!</p> + +<p class='c013'>The reply of Colonel Nicholas, who commanded +the invaders, was couched in terms of +equal courtesy with the letter of the governor; +declaring the right and title of his British +Majesty to the province; where he affirmed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>the Dutch to be mere interlopers; and demanding +that the town, forts, etc., should be forthwith +rendered into his Majesty’s obedience +and protection; promising, at the same time, +life, liberty, estate, and free trade to every +Dutch denizen who should readily submit to +his Majesty’s government.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Peter Stuyvesant read over this friendly +epistle with some such harmony of aspect as +we may suppose a crusty farmer reads the +loving letter of John Stiles, warning him of +an action of ejectment. He was not, however, +to be taken by surprise; but, thrusting the +summons into his breeches-pocket, stalked +three times across the room, took a pinch +of snuff with great vehemence, and then, +loftily waving his hand, promised to send an +answer next morning. He now summoned a +general meeting of his privy councillors and +burgomasters, not to ask their advice, for, +confident in his own strong head, he needed +no man’s counsel, but apparently to give them +a piece of his mind on their late craven conduct.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span> +<img src='images/image331.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“METAMORPHOSING PUMPS INTO FORMIDABLE SOLDIERS.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>His orders being duly promulgated, it was +a piteous sight to behold the late valiant burgomasters, +who had demolished the whole +British empire in their harangues, peeping ruefully +out of their hiding-places; crawling cautiously +forth; dodging through narrow lanes +and alleys; starting at every little dog that +barked; mistaking lamp-posts for British grenadiers; +and, in the excess of their panic, metamorphosing +pumps into formidable soldiers +levelling blunderbusses at their bosoms! Having, +however, in despite of numerous perils +and difficulties of the kind, arrived safe, without +the loss of a single man, at the hall of assembly, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>they took their seats, and awaited in +fearful silence the arrival of the governor. In +a few moments the wooden leg of the intrepid +Peter was heard in regular and stout-hearted +thumps upon the staircase. He entered the +chamber, arrayed in full suit of regimentals, +and carrying his trusty toledo, not girded on +his thigh, but tucked under his arm. As the +governor never equipped himself in this portentous +manner unless something of martial +nature were working within his pericranium, +his council regarded him ruefully, as if they +saw fire and sword in his iron countenance, +and forgot to light their pipes in breathless +suspense.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His first words were, to rate his council +soundly for having wasted in idle debate and +party feud the time which should have been +devoted to putting the city in a state of defence. +He was particularly indignant at those +brawlers who had disgraced the councils of the +province by empty bickerings and scurrilous +invectives against an absent enemy. He now +called upon them to make good their words by +deeds, as the enemy they had defied and derided +was at the gate. Finally, he informed +them of the summons he had received to surrender, +but concluded by swearing to defend +the province as long as Heaven was on his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>side and he had a wooden leg to stand upon; +which warlike sentence he emphasized by a +thwack with the flat of his sword upon the +table, that quite electrified his auditors.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The privy councillors, who had long since +been brought into as perfect discipline as were +ever the soldiers of the great Frederick, knew +there was no use in saying a word,—so lighted +their pipes, and smoked away in silence, like +fat and discreet councillors. But the burgomasters, +being inflated with considerable +importance and self-sufficiency, acquired at +popular meetings, were not so easily satisfied. +Mustering up fresh spirit, when they found +there was some chance of escaping from their +present jeopardy without the disagreeable alternative +of fighting, they requested a copy of +the summons to surrender, that they might +show it to a general meeting of the people.</p> + +<p class='c013'>So insolent and mutinous a request would +have been enough to have roused the gorge +of the tranquil Van Twiller himself,—what +then must have been its effect upon the great +Stuyvesant, who was not only a Dutchman, a +governor, and a valiant wooden-legged soldier +to boot, but withal a man of the most stomachful +and gun-powder disposition? He burst +forth into a blaze of indignation,—swore not a +mother’s son of them should see a syllable of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>it,—that as to their advice or concurrence, he +did not care a whiff of tobacco for either,—that +they might go home, and go to bed like +old women; for he was determined to defend +the colony himself, without the assistance of +them or their adherents! So saying he tucked +his sword under his arm, cocked his hat upon +his head, and girding up his loins, stumped +indignantly out of the council-chamber, everybody +making room for him as he passed.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner was he gone than the busy burgomasters +called a public meeting in front of the +Stadthouse, where they appointed as chairman +one Dofue Roerback, formerly a meddlesome +member of the cabinet during the reign of +William the Testy, but kicked out of office by +Peter Stuyvesant on taking the reins of government. +He was, withal, a mighty gingerbread +baker in the land, and reverenced by the +populace as a man of dark knowledge, seeing +that he was the first to imprint New-Year +cakes with the mysterious hieroglyphics of the +Cock and Breeches, and such like magical +devices.</p> + +<p class='c013'>This burgomaster, who still chewed the cud +of ill-will against Peter Stuyvesant, addressed +the multitude in what is called a patriotic +speech, informing them of the courteous summons +which the governor had received, to surrender, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>of his refusal to comply therewith, and +of his denying the public even a sight of the +summons, which doubtless contained conditions +highly to the honor and advantage of +the province.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image335.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“A PUBLIC MEETING IN FRONT OF THE STADTHOUSE.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>He then proceeded to speak of his Excellency +in high-sounding terms of vituperation, +suited to the dignity of his station; comparing +him to Nero, Caligula, and other flagrant great +men of yore; assuring the people that the history +<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>of the world did not contain a despotic outrage +equal to the present. That it would be recorded +in letters of fire, on the blood-stained +tablet of history! That ages would roll back +with sudden horror when they came to view it! +That the womb of time (by the way, your +orators and writers take strange liberties with +the womb of time, though some would fain +have us believe that time is an old gentleman)—that +the womb of time, pregnant as it was +with direful horrors, would never produce a +parallel enormity!—with a variety of other +heart-rending, soul-stirring tropes and figures, +which I cannot enumerate; neither, indeed, +need I, for they were of the kind which even +to the present day form the style of popular +harangues and patriotic orations, and may be +classed in rhetoric under the general title of +<span class='sc'>Rigmarole</span>.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The result of this speech of the inspired +burgomaster was a memorial addressed to the +governor, remonstrating in good round terms +on his conduct. It was proposed that Dofue +Roerback himself should be the bearer of this +memorial; but this he warily declined, having +no inclination of coming again within kicking +distance of his Excellency. Who did deliver +it has never been named in history, in which +neglect he has suffered grievous wrong; seeing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>that he was equally worthy of blazon with +him perpetuated in Scottish song and story by +the surname of Bell-the-cat. All we know of +the fate of this memorial is, that it was used +by the grim Peter to light his pipe; which, +from the vehemence with which he smoked +it, was evidently anything but a pipe of peace.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image337.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of an Indigenous person with a feathered headdress sitting on the edge of a dugout canoe on a beach, watching a European sailing ship in the distance.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter X.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING A DOLEFUL DISASTER OF ANTONY THE TRUMPETER—AND HOW PETER STUYVESANT, LIKE A SECOND CROMWELL, SUDDENLY DISSOLVED A RUMP PARLIAMENT.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage338.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Now did the high-minded +Pieter de Groodt shower +down a pannier-load of +maledictions upon his +burgomasters for a set +of self-willed, obstinate, +factious varlets, who +would neither be convinced +nor persuaded. +Nor did he omit to bestow +some left-handed +compliments upon the +sovereign people, as a +herd of poltroons, who had no relish for the +glorious hardships and illustrious misadventures +of battle, but would rather stay at home, +and eat and sleep in ignoble ease, than fight in +a ditch for immortality and a broken head.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Resolutely bent, however, upon defending +<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>his beloved city, in despite even of itself, he +called unto him his trusty Van Corlear, who +was his right-hand man in all times of emergency. +Him did he adjure to take his war-denouncing +trumpet, and mounting his horse, +to beat up the country night and day,—sounding +the alarm along the pastoral borders of the +Bronx,—startling the wild solitudes of Croton,—arousing +the rugged yeomanry of Weehawk +and Hoboken,—the mighty men of battle of +Tappan Bay,—and the brave boys of Tarry-Town, +Petticoat-Lane, and Sleepy-Hollow,—charging +them one and all to sling their +powder-horns, shoulder their fowling-pieces, +and march merrily down to the Manhattoes.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Now there was nothing in all the world, the +divine sex excepted, that Antony Van Corlear +loved better than errands of this kind. So +just stopping to take a lusty dinner, and +bracing to his side his junk-bottle, well +charged with heart-inspiring Hollands, he +issued jollily from the city gate, which looked +out upon what is at present called Broadway, +sounding a farewell strain, that rung in +sprightly echoes through the winding streets +of New Amsterdam. Alas! never more were +they to be gladdened by the melody of their +favorite trumpeter!</p> + +<p class='c013'>It was a dark and stormy night when the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>good Antony arrived at the creek (sagely denominated +Haerlem <i>River</i>) which separates the +island of Manna-hata from the mainland. The +wind was high, the elements were in an uproar, +and no Charon could be found to ferry +the adventurous sounder of brass across the +water. For a short time he vapored like an +impatient ghost upon the brink, and then bethinking +himself of the urgency of his errand, +took a hearty embrace of his stone bottle, +swore most valorously that he would swim +across in spite of the devil! (Spyt den +Duyvel!) and daringly plunged into the +stream. Luckless Antony! Scarce had he +buffeted halfway over, when he was observed +to struggle violently, as if battling with the +spirit of the waters,—instinctively he put his +trumpet to his mouth, and giving a vehement +blast—sank forever to the bottom!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span> +<img src='images/image341.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>THE DEATH OF ANTONY VAN CORLEAR.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The clangor of his trumpet, like that of the +ivory horn of the renowned Paladin Orlando, +when expiring in the glorious field of Roncesvalles, +rang far and wide through the country, +alarming the neighbors round, who hurried in +amazement to the spot. Here an old Dutch +burgher, famed for his veracity, and who had +been a witness of the fact, related to them the +melancholy affair; with the fearful addition (to +which I am slow in giving belief) that he saw +<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>the duyvel, in the shape of a huge mossbonker, +seize the sturdy Antony by the leg, +and drag him beneath the waves. Certain it +is, the place, with the adjoining promontory, +which projects into the Hudson, has been +called <i><span lang="nl">Spyt den Duyvel</span></i> ever since; the ghost +of the unfortunate Antony still haunts the +surrounding solitudes, and his trumpet has +often been heard by the neighbors, of a stormy +night, mingling with the howling of the +blast. Nobody ever attempts to swim across +the creek after dark; on the contrary, a bridge +has been built to guard against such melancholy +accidents in future; and as to the mossbonkers, +they are held in such abhorrence, that +no true Dutchman will admit them to his +table, who loves good fish and hates the devil.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Such was the end of Antony Van Corlear,—a +man deserving of a better fate. He lived +roundly and soundly, like a true and jolly +bachelor, until the day of his death; but +though he was never married, yet did he leave +behind some two or three dozen children, in +different parts of the country,—fine, chubby, +brawling, flatulent little urchins; from whom, +if legends speak true, (and they are not apt to +lie) did descend the innumerable race of editors, +who people and defend this country, and +who are bountifully paid by the people for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>keeping up a constant alarm—and making +them miserable. It is hinted, too, that in his +various expeditions into the East he did much +towards promoting the population of the country; +in proof of which is adduced the notorious +propensity of the people of those parts to sound +their own trumpet.</p> + +<p class='c013'>As some way-worn pilgrim, when the tempest +whistles through his locks, and night is +gathering round, beholds his faithful dog, the +companion and solace of his journeying, +stretched lifeless at his feet, so did the generous-hearted +hero of the Manhattoes contemplate +the untimely end of Antony Van Corlear. +He had been the faithful attendant of his +footsteps; he had charmed him in many a +weary hour by his honest gayety and the martial +melody of his trumpet, and had followed him +with unflinching loyalty and affection through +many a scene of direful peril and mishap. He +was gone forever! and that, too, at a moment +when every mongrel cur was skulking from his +side. This, Peter Stuyvesant, was the moment +to try thy fortitude; and this was the +moment when thou didst indeed shine forth +Peter the <i>Headstrong</i>!</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span> +<img src='images/image344.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“APOLLO PEEPING OUT NOW AND THEN FOR AN INSTANT.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The glare of day had long dispelled the horrors +of the stormy night; still all was dull and +gloomy. The late jovial Apollo hid his face +behind lugubrious clouds, peeping out now +and then for an instant, as if anxious, yet fearful, +to see what was going on in his favorite +city. This was the eventful morning when +the great Peter was to give his reply to the +summons of the invaders. Already was he +closeted with his privy council, sitting in grim +<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>state, brooding over the fate of his favorite +trumpeter, and anon boiling with indignation +as the insolence of his recreant burgomasters +flashed upon his mind.—While in this state of +irritation, a courier arrived in all haste from +Winthrop, the subtle governor of Connecticut, +counselling him, in the most affectionate and +disinterested manner, to surrender the province, +and magnifying the dangers and calamities +to which a refusal would subject him.—What +a moment was this to intrude officious advice +upon a man who never took advice in his +whole life!—The fiery old governor strode up +and down the chamber with the vehemence +that made the bosoms of his councillors to +quake with awe,—railing at his unlucky fate, +that thus made him the constant butt of factious +subjects, and jesuitical advisers.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Just at this ill-chosen juncture, the officious +burgomasters, who had heard of the arrival +of mysterious despatches, came marching in a +body into the room, with a legion of schepens +and toad-eaters at their heels, and abruptly +demanded a perusal of the letter. This was +too much for the spleen of Peter Stuyvesant. +He tore the letter in a thousand pieces,—threw +it in the face of the nearest burgomaster,—broke +his pipe over the head of the next,—hurled +his spitting-box at an unlucky schepen, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>who was just retreating out at the door, and +finally prorogued the whole meeting <i>sine die</i>, +by kicking them down-stairs with his wooden +leg.</p> + +<p class='c013'>As soon as the burgomasters could recover +from their confusion and had time to breathe, +they called a public meeting, where they +related at full length, and with appropriate coloring +and exaggeration, the despotic and vindictive +deportment of the governor; declaring +that, for their own parts, they did not value a +straw the being kicked, cuffed, and mauled by +the timber toe of his Excellency, but that they +felt for the dignity of the sovereign people, +thus rudely insulted by the outrage committed +on the seat of honor of their representatives. +The latter part of the harangue came home at +once to that delicacy of feeling and jealous +pride of character vested in all true mobs,—who, +though they may bear injuries without a +murmur, yet are marvellously jealous of their +sovereign dignity; and there is no knowing to +what act of resentment they might have been +provoked, had they not been somewhat more +afraid of their sturdy old governor than they +were of St. Nicholas, the English—or the d—l +himself.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter XI.</span><br> <span class='c010'>HOW PETER STUYVESANT DEFENDED THE CITY OF NEW AMSTERDAM FOR SEVERAL DAYS, BY DINT OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS HEAD.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage347.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +There is something exceedingly +sublime and +melancholy in the spectacle +which the present +crisis of our history presents. +An illustrious and +venerable little city,—the +metropolis of a vast +extent of uninhabited +country,—garrisoned by +a doughty host of orators, +chairmen, committee-men, burgomasters, +schepens, and old women,—governed by a determined +and strong-headed warrior, and fortified +by mud batteries, palisadoes, and resolutions,—blockaded +by sea, beleaguered by land, and +threatened with direful desolation from without, +while its very vitals are torn with internal +faction and commotion! Never did historic +<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>pen record a page of more complicated distress, +unless it be the strife that distracted the Israelites, +during the siege of Jerusalem,—where +discordant parties were cutting each other’s +throats, at the moment when the victorious +legions of Titus had toppled down their bulwarks, +and were carrying fire and sword into +the very <i><span lang="la">sanctum sanctorum</span></i> of the temple.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Governor Stuyvesant having triumphantly +put his grand council to the rout, and delivered +himself from a multitude of impertinent +advisers, despatched a categorical reply to the +commanders of the invading squadron; wherein +he asserted the right and title of their High +Mightinesses the Lords States-General to the +province of New Netherlands, and trusting in +the righteousness of his cause, set the whole +British nation at defiance!</p> + +<p class='c013'>My anxiety to extricate my readers and +myself from these disastrous scenes prevents +me from giving the whole of this gallant letter, +which concluded in these manly and affectionate +terms:—</p> + +<p class='c017'>“As touching the threats in your conclusion, +we have nothing to answer, only that we fear +nothing but what God (who is as just as +merciful) shall lay upon us; all things being +in his gracious disposal, and we may as well +<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>be preserved by him with small forces as by a +great army; which makes us to wish you all +happiness and prosperity, and recommend you +to his protection. My lords, your thrice humble +and affectionate servant and friend,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c019'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>P. Stuyvesant</span>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Thus having thrown his gauntlet, the brave +Peter stuck a pair of horse-pistols in his belt, +girded an immense powder-horn on his side,—thrust +his sound leg into a Hessian boot, and +clapping his fierce little war-hat on the top of +his head,—paraded up and down in front of +his house, determined to defend his beloved +city to the last.</p> + +<p class='c013'>While all these struggles and dissensions +were prevailing in the unhappy city of New +Amsterdam, and while its worthy but ill-starred +governor was framing the above-quoted +letter, the English commanders did not remain +idle. They had agents secretly employed to +foment the fears and clamors of the populace; +and moreover circulated far and wide, through +the adjacent country, a proclamation, repeating +the terms they had already held out in +their summons to surrender, at the same time +beguiling the simple Nederlanders with the +most crafty and conciliating professions. +They promised that every man who voluntarily +<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>submitted to the authority of his +British Majesty should retain peaceful possession +of his house, his vrouw, and his +cabbage-garden. That he should be suffered +to smoke his pipe, speak Dutch, wear as many +breeches as he pleased, and import bricks, tiles, +and stone jugs from Holland, instead of manufacturing +them on the spot. That he should +on no account be compelled to learn the English +language, nor eat codfish on Saturdays, +nor keep accounts in any other way than +by casting them up on his fingers, and chalking +them down upon the crown of his hat; as +is observed among the Dutch yeomanry at the +present day. That every man should be allowed +quietly to inherit his father’s hat, coat, shoe +buckles, pipe, and every other personal appendage; +and that no man should be obliged to conform +to any improvements, inventions, or any +other modern innovations; but, on the contrary, +should be permitted to build his house, follow +his trade, manage his farm, rear his hogs, and +educate his children, precisely as his ancestors +had done before him from time immemorial. +Finally, that he should have all the benefits of +free trade, and should not be required to acknowledge +any other saint in the calendar than +St. Nicholas, who should thenceforward, as +before, be considered the tutelar saint of the city.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>These terms, as may be supposed, appeared +very satisfactory to the people, who had a great +disposition to enjoy their property unmolested, +and a most singular aversion to engage in a +contest, where they could gain little more +than honor and broken heads,—the first of +which they held in philosophic indifference, +the latter in utter detestation. By these insidious +means, therefore, did the English succeed +in alienating the confidence and affections of +the populace from their gallant old governor, +whom they considered as obstinately bent +upon running them into hideous misadventures; +and did not hesitate to speak their +minds freely, and abuse him most heartily—behind +his back.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Like as a mighty grampus when assailed +and buffeted by roaring waves and brawling +surges, still keeps on an undeviating course, +rising above the boisterous billows, spouting +and blowing as he emerges,—so did the inflexible +Peter pursue, unwavering, his determined +career, and rise, contemptuous, above the +clamors of the rabble.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But when the British warriors found that he +set their power at defiance, they despatched +recruiting officers to Jamaica, and Jericho, and +Nineveh, and Quag, and Patchog, and all those +towns on Long Island which had been subdued +<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>of yore by Stoffel Brinkerhoff; stirring up +the progeny of Preserved Fish, and Determined +Cock, and those other New-England squatters, +to assail the city of New Amsterdam by land, +while the hostile ships prepared for an assault +by water.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image352.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>DETERMINED COCK.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The streets of New Amsterdam now presented +a scene of wild dismay and consternation. +In vain did Peter Stuyvesant order the citizens +to arm and assemble on the Battery. Blank +terror reigned over the community. The whole +party of Short Pipes in the course of a single +<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>night had changed into arrant old women—a +metamorphosis only to be paralleled by the +prodigies recorded by Livy as having happened +at Rome at the approach of Hannibal, +when statues sweated in pure affright, goats +were converted into sheep, and cocks, turning +into hens, ran cackling about the street.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus baffled in all attempts to put the city +in a state of defence, blockaded from without, +tormented from within, and menaced with a +Yankee invasion, even the stiff-necked will of +Peter Stuyvesant for once gave way, and in +spite of his mighty heart, which swelled in his +throat until it nearly choked him, he consented +to a treaty of surrender.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Words cannot express the transports of the +populace, on receiving this intelligence; had +they obtained a conquest over their enemies, +they could not have indulged greater delight. +The streets resounded with their congratulations,—they +extolled their governor as the +father and deliverer of his country,—they +crowded to his house to testify their gratitude, +and were ten times more noisy in their plaudits +then when he returned, with victory perched +upon his beaver, from the glorious capture of +Fort Christina. But the indignant Peter shut +his doors and windows, and took refuge in the +innermost recesses of his mansion, that he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>might not hear the ignoble rejoicings of the +rabble.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Commissioners were now appointed on +both sides, and a capitulation was speedily +arranged; all that was wanting to ratify it +was that it should be signed by the governor. +When the commissioners waited upon him for +this purpose, they were received with grim and +bitter courtesy. His warlike accoutrements +were laid aside,—an old Indian night-gown +was wrapped about his rugged limbs, a red +night-cap overshadowed his frowning brow, +an iron-gray beard of three days’ growth gave +additional grimness to his visage. Thrice +did he seize a worn-out stump of a pen, and +essay to sign the loathsome paper,—thrice did +he clinch his teeth, and make a horrible countenance, +as though a dose of rhubarb, senna, +and ipecacuanha had been offered to his lips; +at length, dashing it from him, he seized his +brass-hilted sword, and jerking it from the +scabbard, swore by St. Nicholas, to sooner die +than yield to any power under heaven.</p> + +<p class='c013'>For two whole days did he persist in this +magnanimous resolution, during which his +house was besieged by the rabble, and menaces +and clamorous revilings exhausted to +no purpose. And now another course was +adopted to soothe, if possible, his mighty ire. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>A procession was formed by the burgomasters +and schepens, followed by the populace, to +bear the capitulation in state to the governor’s +dwelling. They found the castle strongly +barricadoed, and the old hero in full regimentals +with his cocked hat on his head, posted +with a blunderbuss at the garret-window.</p> + +<p class='c013'>There was something in this formidable position +that struck even the ignoble vulgar with +awe and admiration. The brawling multitude +could not but reflect with self-abasement upon +their own pusillanimous conduct, when they +beheld their hardy but deserted old governor, +thus faithful to his post, like a forlorn hope, +and fully prepared to defend his ungrateful +city to the last. These compunctions, however, +were soon overwhelmed by the recurring +tide of public apprehension. The populace +arranged themselves before the house, taking +off their hats with most respectful humility; +Burgomaster Roerback, who was of that popular +class of orators described by Sallust as being +“talkative rather than eloquent,” stepped +forth and addressed the governor in a speech +of three hours’ length, detailing, in the most +pathetic terms, the calamitous situation of the +province, and urging him in a constant repetition +of the same arguments and words to sign +the capitulation.</p> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>The mighty Peter eyed him from his garret-window +in grim silence,—now and then his eye +would glance over the surrounding rabble, and +an indignant grin, like that of an angry mastiff, +would mark his iron visage. But though +a man of most undaunted mettle,—though he +had a heart as big as an ox, and a head that +would have set adamant to scorn,—yet after all +he was a mere mortal. Wearied out by these +repeated oppositions, and this eternal haranguing, +and perceiving that unless he complied, +the inhabitants would follow their own inclination, +or rather their fears, without waiting for +his consent, or, what was still worse, the Yankees +would have time to pour in their forces +and claim a share in the conquest, he testily +ordered them to hand up the paper. It was +accordingly hoisted to him on the end of a +pole; and having scrawled his name at the +bottom of it, he anathematized them all for a set +of cowardly, mutinous, degenerate poltroons, +threw the capitulation at their heads, slammed +down the window, and was heard stumping +down-stairs with vehement indignation. The +rabble incontinently took to their heels; even +the burgomasters were not slow in evacuating +the premises, fearing lest the sturdy Peter might +issue from his den, and greet them with some +unwelcome testimonial of his displeasure.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span> +<img src='images/image357.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“A LEGION OF BRITISH BEEF-FED WARRIORS POURED INTO NEW AMSTERDAM.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Within three hours after the surrender, a +legion of British beef-fed warriors poured into +New Amsterdam, taking possession of the +fort and batteries. And now might be heard, +from all quarters, the sound of hammers made +by the old Dutch burghers, in nailing up +their doors and windows, to protect their +vrouws from these fierce barbarians, whom +they contemplated in silent sullenness from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>the garret-windows as they paraded through +the streets.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus did Colonel Richard Nichols, the commander +of the British forces, enter into quiet +possession of the conquered realm as <i>locum +tenens</i> for the Duke of York. The victory was +attended with no other outrage than that of +changing the name of the province and its +metropolis, which thenceforth were denominated +<span class='sc'>New York</span>, and so have continued to +be called unto the present day. The inhabitants, +according to treaty, were allowed to +maintain quiet possession of their property; +but so inveterately did they retain their abhorrence +of the British nation, that in a private +meeting of the leading citizens it was unanimously +determined never to ask any of their +conquerors to dinner.</p> + +<p class='c017'><span class='sc'>Note.</span>—Modern historians assert that when the +New Netherlands were thus overrun by the British, +as Spain in ancient days by the Saracens, a resolute +band refused to bend the neck to the invader. Led +by one Garret Van Horne, a valorous and gigantic +Dutchman, they crossed the bay and buried themselves +among the marshes and cabbage-gardens of +Communipaw; as did Pelayo and his followers among +the mountains of Asturias. Here their descendants +have remained ever since, keeping themselves apart, +like seed-corn, to re-people the city with the genuine +<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>breed whenever it shall be effectually recovered from +its intruders. It is said the genuine descendants of +the Nederlanders who inhabit New York, still look +with longing eyes to the green marshes of ancient +Pavonia, as did the conquered Spaniards of yore to +the stern mountains of Asturias, considering these +the regions whence deliverance is to come.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image359.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a man in 17th-century attire standing on the deck of a ship, blowing a long trumpet with a banner attached.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter XII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>CONTAINING THE DIGNIFIED RETIREMENT, AND MORTAL SURRENDER OF PETER THE HEADSTRONG.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage360.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Thus, then, have I concluded +this great historical +enterprise; but before I +lay aside my weary pen, +there yet remains to be +performed one pious +duty. If among the variety +of readers who may +peruse this book, there +should haply be found any of those souls of +true nobility, which glow with celestial fire as +the history of the generous and the brave, +they will doubtless be anxious to know the +fate of the gallant Peter Stuyvesant. To gratify +one such sterling heart of gold I would go +more lengths than to instruct the cold-blooded +curiosity of a whole fraternity of philosophers.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No sooner had that high-mettled cavalier +signed the articles of capitulation, than, determined +not to witness the humiliation of his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>favorite city, he turned his back on its walls +and made a growling retreat to his <i>bouwery</i>, +or country-seat, which was situated about two +miles off; where he passed the remainder of +his days in patriarchal retirement. There he +enjoyed that tranquillity of mind which he had +never known amid the distracting cares of +government; and tasted the sweets of absolute +and uncontrolled authority, which his factious +subjects had so often dashed with the bitterness +of opposition.</p> + +<p class='c013'>No persuasions could ever induce him to +revisit the city; on the contrary, he would +always have his great arm-chair placed with +its back to the windows which looked in that +direction, until a thick grove of trees planted +by his own hand grew up and formed a screen +that effectually excluded it from the prospect. +He railed continually at the degenerate innovations +and improvements introduced by the +conquerors; forbade a word of their detested +language to be spoken in his family,—a prohibition +readily obeyed, since none of the household +could speak anything but Dutch,—and +even ordered a fine avenue to be cut down in +front of his house because it consisted of +English cherry-trees.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span> +<img src='images/image362.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“CONDUCTED EVERY STRAY HOG OR COW IN TRIUMPH TO THE POUND.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The same incessant vigilance, which blazed +forth when he had a vast province under his +care, now showed itself with equal vigor, +though in narrower limits. He patrolled with +unceasing watchfulness the boundaries of his +little territory; repelled every encroachment +with intrepid promptness; punished every +vagrant depredation upon his orchard or his +farmyard with inflexible severity; and conducted +every stray hog or cow in triumph to +the pound. But to the indignant neighbor, +the friendless stranger, or the weary wanderer, +his spacious doors were ever open, and his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>capacious fireplace, that emblem of his own +warm and generous heart, had always a corner +to receive and cherish them. There was an +exception to this, I must confess, in case the +ill-starred applicant were an Englishman or +a Yankee; to whom, though he might extend +the hand of assistance, he could never be +brought to yield the rites of hospitality. Nay, +if peradventure some straggling merchant of +the East should stop at his door, with his cartload +of tin ware or wooden bowls, the fiery +Peter would issue forth like a giant from his +castle, and make such a furious clattering +among his pots and kettles, that the vender of +“<i>notions</i>” was fain to betake himself to instant +flight.</p> + +<p class='c013'>His suit of regimentals, worn threadbare by +the brush, were carefully hung up in the state +bed-chamber, and regularly aired the first fair +day of every month; and his cocked hat and +trusty sword were suspended in grim repose +over the parlor mantelpiece, forming supporters +to a full-length portrait of the renowned +Admiral Van Tromp. In his domestic +empire he maintained strict discipline and +a well-organized despotic government; but +though his own will was the supreme law, yet +the good of his subjects was his constant object. +He watched over, not merely their immediate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>comforts, but their morals, and their ultimate +welfare; for he gave them abundance of excellent +admonition, nor could any of them complain, +that, when occasion required, he was by +any means niggardly in bestowing wholesome +correction.</p> + +<p class='c013'>The good old Dutch festivals, those periodical +demonstrations of an overflowing heart and +a thankful spirit, which are falling into sad +disuse among my fellow-citizens, were faithfully +observed in the mansion of Governor +Stuyvesant. New Year was truly a day of +open-handed liberality, of jocund revelry, and +warm-hearted congratulation, when the bosom +swelled with genial good fellowship, and the +plenteous table was attended with an unceremonious +freedom, and honest broad-mouthed +merriment, unknown in these days of degeneracy +and refinement. Paas and Pinxter were +scrupulously observed throughout his dominions; +nor was the day of St. Nicholas suffered +to pass by, without making presents, hanging +the stocking in the chimney, and complying +with all its other ceremonies.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span> +<img src='images/image365.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“ON APRIL FOOL’S ERRANDS FOR PIGEON’S MILK.”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Once a year, on the first day of April, he +used to array himself in full regimentals, being +the anniversary of his triumphal entry into +New Amsterdam, after the conquest of New +Sweden. This was always a kind of <i>saturnalia</i> +among the domestics, when they considered +themselves at liberty, in some measure, to +say and do what they pleased: for on this day +their master was always observed to unbend, +and become exceeding pleasant and jocose, sending +the old gray-headed negroes on April-fool’s +errands for pigeon’s milk; not one of whom +but allowed himself to be taken in, and +humored his old master’s jokes, as became a +faithful and well-disciplined dependant. Thus +<span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>did he reign, happily and peacefully on his own +land—injuring no man—envying no man—molested +by no outward strifes—perplexed by +no internal commotions;—and mighty monarchs +of the earth, who were vainly seeking +to maintain peace, and promote the welfare of +mankind, by war and desolation, would have +done well to have made a voyage to the little +island of Manna-hata, and learned a lesson in +government from the domestic economy of +Peter Stuyvesant.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In process of time, however, the old governor, +like all other children of mortality, +began to exhibit evident tokens of decay. +Like an aged oak, which, though it long +has braved the fury of the elements, and +still retains its gigantic proportions, begins +to shake and groan with every blast—so +was it with the gallant Peter; for though +he still bore the port and semblance of what he +was in the days of his hardihood and chivalry, +yet did age and infirmity begin to sap the +vigor of his frame,—but his heart, that unconquerable +citadel, still triumphed unsubdued. +With matchless avidity would he listen to +every article of intelligence concerning the +battles between the English and Dutch,—still +would his pulse beat high whenever he heard +of the victories of De Ruyter, and his countenance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>lower, and his eyebrows knit, when fortune +turned in favor of the English. At +length, as on a certain day he had just smoked +his fifth pipe, and was napping after dinner, in +his arm-chair, conquering the whole British +nation in his dreams, he was suddenly aroused +by a ringing of bells, rattling of drums, and +roaring of cannon, that put all his blood in a +ferment. But when he learnt that these rejoicings +were in honor of a great victory obtained +by the combined English and French +fleets over the brave De Ruyter, and the +younger Van Tromp, it went so much to his +heart, that he took to his bed, and in less than +three days was brought to death’s door, by a +violent cholera morbus! Even in this extremity +he still displayed the unconquerable spirit +of Peter <i>the Headstrong</i>; holding out to the +last gasp, with inflexible obstinacy, against a +whole army of old women who were bent upon +driving the enemy out of his bowels, in the +true Dutch mode of defence, by inundation.</p> + +<p class='c013'>While he thus lay, lingering on the verge of +dissolution, news was brought him that the +brave De Ruyter had made good his retreat, +with little loss, and meant once more to meet +the enemy in battle. The closing eye of the +old warrior kindled with martial fire at the +words,—he partly raised himself in bed,—clinched +<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>his withered hand, as if he felt within +his gripe that sword which waved in triumph +before the walls of Fort Christina, and giving +a grim smile of exultation, sank back upon +his pillow, and expired.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Thus died Peter Stuyvesant,—a valiant soldier—a +loyal subject—an upright governor, +and an honest Dutchman,—who wanted only a +few empires to desolate, to have been immortalized +as a hero!</p> + +<p class='c013'>His funeral obsequies were celebrated with +the utmost grandeur and solemnity. The +town was perfectly emptied of its inhabitants, +who crowded in throngs to pay the last sad +honors to their good old governor. All his +sterling qualities rushed in full tide upon their +recollection, while the memory of his foibles +and his faults had expired with him. The +ancient burghers contended who should have +the privilege of bearing the pall; the populace +strove who should walk nearest to the bier; +and the melancholy procession was closed by +a number of gray-headed negroes, who had +wintered and summered in the household of +their departed master for the greater part of a +century.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span> +<img src='images/image369.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>“WELL, DEN! HARDKOPPIG PETER BEN GONE AT LAST!”</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>With sad and gloomy countenances, the +multitude gathered round the grave. They +dwelt with mournful hearts on the sturdy virtues, +the signal services, and the gallant exploits +of the brave old worthy. They recalled, +with secret upbraidings, their own factious +oppositions to his government; and many an +ancient burgher, whose phlegmatic features +had never been known to relax, nor his eyes to +moisten, was now observed to puff a pensive +pipe, and the big drops to steal down his +cheek, while he muttered with affectionate +accent, and melancholy shake of the head—“Well, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>den!—Hardkoppig Peter ben gone +at last!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>His remains were deposited in the family +vault, under a chapel which he had piously +erected on his estate, and dedicated to St. +Nicholas,—and which stood on the identical +spot at present occupied by St. Mark’s church, +where his tombstone is still to be seen. His +estate, or <i>bouwery</i>, as it was called, has ever +continued in the possession of his descendants, +who, by the uniform integrity of their conduct, +and their strict adherence to the customs +and manners that prevailed in the +“<i>good old times</i>,” have proved themselves +worthy of their illustrious ancestor. Many a +time and oft has the farm been haunted at +night by enterprising money-diggers, in quest +of pots of gold, said to have been buried by the +old governor, though I cannot learn that any +of them have ever been enriched by their researches; +and who is there, among my native-born +fellow-citizens, that does not remember +when, in the mischievous days of his boyhood, +he conceived it a great exploit to rob “Stuyvesant’s +orchard” on a holiday afternoon?</p> + +<p class='c013'>At this stronghold of the family may still be +seen certain memorials of the immortal Peter. +His full-length portrait frowns in martial terrors +from the parlor-wall; his cocked hat and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>sword still hang up in the best bedroom; his +brimstone-colored breeches were for a long +while suspended in the hall, until some years +since they occasioned a dispute between a +new-married couple; and his silver-mounted +wooden leg is still treasured up in the store-room, +as an invaluable relique.</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image371.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of three men in 17th-century attire gathered around a table; one man in the foreground smokes a long pipe while the two across from him look on with stern or concerned expressions.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span> + <h3 class='c002'><span class='blackletter'>Chapter XIII.</span><br> <span class='c010'>THE AUTHOR’S REFLECTIONS UPON WHAT HAS BEEN SAID.</span></h3> +</div> + +<div class='c012'> + <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dimage372.jpg' width='100' alt=''> +</div><p class='drop-capi_8'> +Among the numerous +events, which are each +in their turn the most +direful and melancholy +of all possible +occurrences, in your +interesting and authentic +history, there is +none that occasions +such deep and heart-rending +grief as the +decline and fall of your +renowned and mighty empires. Where is the +reader who can contemplate without emotion +the disastrous events by which the great dynasties +of the world have been extinguished? +While wandering, in imagination, among the +gigantic ruins of states and empires, and marking +the tremendous convulsions that wrought +their overthrow, the bosom of the melancholy +inquirer swells with sympathy commensurate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>to the surrounding desolation. Kingdoms, +principalities, and powers, have each had their +rise, their progress, and their downfall,—each +in its turn has swayed a potent sceptre,—each +has returned to its primeval nothingness. +And thus did it fare with the empire of their +High Mightinesses, at the Manhattoes, under +the peaceful reign of Walter the Doubter, the +fretful reign of William the Testy, and the +chivalric reign of Peter the Headstrong.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Its history is fruitful of instruction, and +worthy of being pondered over attentively, for +it is by thus raking among the ashes of departed +greatness, that the sparks of true knowledge +are to be found, and the lamp of wisdom +illuminated. Let then the reign of Walter the +Doubter warn against yielding to that sleek, +contented security, and that overweening fondness +for comfort and repose, which are produced +by a state of prosperity and peace. These +tend to unnerve a nation; to destroy its pride +of character; to render it patient of insult; +deaf to the calls of honor and of justice; and +cause it to cling to peace, like the sluggard to +his pillow, at the expense of every valuable +duty and consideration. Such supineness +insures the very evil from which it shrinks. +One right yielded up produces the usurpation +of a second; one encroachment passively suffered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>makes way for another; and the nation +which thus, through a doting love of peace, has +sacrificed honor and interest, will at length +have to fight for existence.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Let the disastrous reign of William the Testy +serve as a salutary warning against that fitful, +feverish mode of legislation, which acts without +system; depends on shifts and projects, +and trusts to lucky contingencies. Which +hesitates, and wavers, and at length decides +with the rashness of ignorance and imbecility. +Which stoops for popularity by courting the +prejudices and flattering the arrogance, rather +than commanding the respect of the rabble. +Which seeks safety in a multitude of counsellors, +and distracts itself by a variety of contradictory +schemes and opinions. Which +mistakes procrastination for wariness—hurry +for decision—parsimony for economy—bustle +for business—and vaporing for valor. Which +is violent in council, sanguine in expectation, +precipitate in action, and feeble in execution. +Which undertakes enterprises without forethought, +enters upon them without preparation, +conducts them with energy, and ends them in +confusion and defeat.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Let the reign of the good Stuyvesant show +the effects of vigor and decision even when +destitute of cool judgment, and surrounded +<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>by perplexities. Let it show how frankness, +probity, and high-souled courage will command +respect, and secure honor, even where +success is unattainable. But at the same time, +let it caution against a too ready reliance on +the good faith of others, and a too honest confidence +in the loving professions of powerful +neighbors, who are most friendly when they +most mean to betray. Let it teach a judicious +attention to the opinions and wishes of the +many, who, in times of peril, must be soothed +and led, or apprehension will overpower the +deference to authority.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Let the empty wordiness of his factious subjects; +their intemperate harangues; their violent +“resolutions”; their hectorings against +an absent enemy, and their pusillanimity on +his approach, teach us to distrust and despise +those clamorous patriots whose courage dwells +but in the tongue. Let them serve as a lesson +to repress that insolence of speech, destitute +of real force, which too often breaks forth +in popular bodies, and bespeaks the vanity +rather than the spirit of a nation. Let them +caution us against vaunting too much of our +own power and prowess, and reviling a noble +enemy. True gallantry of soul would always +lead us to treat a foe with courtesy and proud +punctilio; a contrary conduct but takes from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>the merit of victory, and renders defeat doubly +disgraceful.</p> + +<p class='c013'>But I cease to dwell on the stores of excellent +examples to be drawn from the ancient +chronicles of the Manhattoes. He who reads +attentively will discover the threads of gold +which run throughout the web of history, and +are invisible to the dull eye of ignorance. But, +before I conclude, let me point out a solemn +warning, furnished in the subtle chain of +events by which the capture of Fort Casimir has +produced the present convulsions of our globe.</p> + +<p class='c013'>Attend then, gentle reader, to this plain +deduction, which, if thou art a king, an emperor, +or other powerful potentate, I advise +thee to treasure up in thy heart,—though little +expectation have I that my work shall fall into +such hands, for well I know the care of crafty +ministers, to keep all grave and edifying +books of the kind out of the way of unhappy +monarchs—lest peradventure they should read +them and learn wisdom.</p> + +<p class='c013'>By the treacherous surprisal of Fort Casimir, +then, did the crafty Swedes enjoy a transient +triumph; but drew upon their heads the +vengeance of Peter Stuyvesant, who wrested +all New Sweden from their hands. By the +conquest of New Sweden, Peter Stuyvesant +aroused the claims of Lord Baltimore, who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>appealed to the Cabinet of Great Britain; +who subdued the whole province of New +Netherlands. By this great achievement the +whole extent of North America, from Nova +Scotia to the Floridas, was rendered one entire +dependency upon the British crown. But +mark the consequence: the hitherto scattered +colonies being thus consolidated, and having +no rival colonies to check or keep them in awe. +waxed great and powerful, and finally becoming +too strong for the mother-country, were +enabled to shake off its bonds, and by a glorious +revolution became an independent empire. +But the chain of effect stopped not here: the +successful revolution in America produced the +sanguinary revolution in France; which produced +the puissant Bonaparte; who produced +the French despotism; which has thrown the +whole world in confusion! Thus have these +great powers been successively punished for +their ill-starred conquests; and thus, as I +asserted, have all the present convulsions, revolutions, +and disasters that overwhelm mankind, +originated in the capture of the little Fort Casimir, +as recorded in this eventful history.</p> + +<p class='c013'>And now, worthy reader, ere I take a sad +farewell,—which, alas! must be forever,—willingly +would I part in cordial fellowship, +and bespeak thy kind-hearted remembrance. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>That I have not written a better history of the +days of the patriarchs is not my fault; had +any other person written one as good, I should +not have attempted it at all. That many will +hereafter spring up and surpass me in excellence, +I have very little doubt, and still less +care; well knowing that, when the great +Christovallo Colon (who is vulgarly called +Columbus) had once stood his egg upon its +end, every one at table could stand his up a +thousand times more dexterously. Should any +reader find matter of offence in this history, +I should heartily grieve, though I would on no +account question his penetration by telling him +he was mistaken—his good-nature by telling +him he was captious—or his pure conscience +by telling him he was startled at a shadow. +Surely when so ingenious in finding offence +where none was intended, it were a thousand +pities he should not be suffered to enjoy the +benefit of his discovery.</p> + +<p class='c013'>I have too high an opinion of the understanding +of my fellow-citizens to think of +yielding them instruction, and I covet too +much their good-will, to forfeit it by giving +them good advice. I am none of those cynics +who despise the world, because it despises +them: on the contrary, though but low in its +regard, I look up to it with the most perfect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>good-nature, and my only sorrow is, that it +does not prove itself more worthy of the unbounded +love I bear it. If, however, in this +my historic production—the scanty fruit of a +long and laborious life—I have failed to gratify +the dainty palate of the age, I can only lament +my misfortune—for it is too late in the season +for me ever to hope to repair it. Already has +withering age showered his sterile snows upon +my brow; in a little while, and this genial +warmth which still lingers around my heart, +and throbs—worthy reader—throbs kindly towards +thyself, will be chilled forever. Haply +this frail compound of dust, which while alive +may have given birth to naught but unprofitable +weeds, may form a humble sod of the +valley, whence may spring many a sweet +wild flower, to adorn my beloved island of +Manna-hata!</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c001'> + <div><span class='small'>THE END.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/image379.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of two simple, four-petaled flowers on thin stems against a dark, cross-hatched background.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span> +<img src='images/image380.jpg' alt='A vintage pen-and-ink drawing of a slender man in 17th-century peasant attire, smiling as he carries a sack and a mallet or large hoe over his shoulder.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<hr class='c020'> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. The old Welsh bards believed that King Arthur +was not dead, but carried awaie by the fairies into +some pleasant place, where he sholde remaine for a +time, and then returne againe and reigne in as great +authority as ever.—<span class='sc'>Hollinshed.</span></p> + +<p class='c013'>The Britons suppose that he shall come yet and +conquere all Britaigne, for certes, this is the prophicye +of Merlyn—He say’d that his deth shall be +doubteous; and said soth for men thereof yet have +doubte and shullen for ever more—for men wyt not +whether that he lyveth or is dede.—<span class='sc'>Dr. Leew</span>, +<span class='sc'>Chron.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. Diedrich Knickerbocker, in his scrupulous search +after truth, is sometimes too fastidious in regard to +facts which border a little on the marvellous. The +story of the golden ore rests on something better +than mere tradition. The venerable Adrian Van der +Donck, Doctor of Laws, in his description of the New +Netherlands, asserts it from his own observation as +an eye-witness. He was present, he says, in 1645, at +a treaty between Governor Kieft and the Mohawk Indians, +in which one of the latter, in painting himself +for the ceremony, used a pigment, the weight and +shining appearance of which excited the curiosity of +the governor and Mynheer Van der Donck. They +obtained a lump, and gave it to be proved by a skilful +doctor of medicine, Johannes de la Montagne, one +of the councillors of the New Netherlands. It was +put into a crucible, and yielded two pieces of gold, +worth about three guilders. All this, continues +Adrian Van der Donck, was kept secret. As soon as +peace was made with the Mohawks, an officer and a +few men were sent to the mountain (in the region of +the Kaatskill), under the guidance of an Indian, to +search for the precious mineral. They brought back +a bucket full of ore; which, being submitted to the +crucible, proved as productive as the first. William +Kieft now thought the discovery certain. He sent a +confidential person, Arent Corsen, with a bag full of +the mineral, to New Haven, to take passage in an +English ship for England, thence to proceed to Holland. +The vessel sailed at Christmas, but never +reached her port. All on board perished.</p> + +<p class='c013'>In the year 1647, Wilhelmus Kieft himself embarked +on board the <i>Princess</i> taking with him specimens +of the supposed mineral. The ship was never +heard of more!</p> + +<p class='c013'>Some have supposed that the mineral in question +was not gold, but pyrites; but we have the assertion +of Adrian Van der Donck, an eye-witness, and the +experiment of Johannes de la Montagne, a learned +doctor of medicine, on the golden side of the question. +Cornelius Van Tienhooven, also, at that time secretary +of the New Netherlands, declared in Holland +that he had tested several specimens of the mineral, +which proved satisfactory.<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c014'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c013'>It would appear, however, that these golden treasures +of the Kaatskill always brought ill-luck: as is +evidenced in the fate of Arent Corsen and Wilhelmus +Kieft, and the wreck of the ships in which they attempted +to convey the treasure across the ocean. The +golden mines have never since been explored, but remain +among the mysteries of the Kaatskill mountains, +and under the protection of the goblins which +haunt them.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. See Van der Donck’s “Description of the New Netherlands.” +<cite>Collect. New York Hist. Society</cite>, Vol. I., p. 161.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. See the histories of Masters Josselyn and Blome.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Haz. <cite>Col. Stat. Pap.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Hobbes’ <cite>Leviathan</cite>, Part i., ch. 13.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. </p> +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">Quum prorepserunt primis animalia terris,</span></div> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">Mutuum ac turpe pecus, glandem atque cubilia propter,</span></div> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">Unguibus et pugnis, dein fustibus, atque ita porro</span></div> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">Pugnabant armis, quæ post fabricaverat usus.</span></div> + <div class='line in26'>Hor., <cite>Sat.</cite>, L. i., S. 3.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. Hazard’s <cite>State Papers</cite>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. New Plymouth record.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. Mather’s <cite>Hist. New Eng.</cite> B. 6, ch. 7.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. Ballad of “Dragon of Wantley.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. Acrelius’ <cite>History N. Sweden</cite>. For some notice +of this miraculous discomfiture of the Swedes, see +<cite>N. Y. His. Col.</cite>, new series, Vol. I., p. 412.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. </p> +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“... as soon as he rose,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To make him strong and mighty,</div> + <div class='line'>He drank by the tale, six pots of ale,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And a quart of aqua vitæ.”</div> + <div class='line in16'>“Dragon of Wantley.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. The learned Hans Megapolensis, treating of the +country about Albany, in a letter which was written +some time after the settlement, says: “There is in +the river great plenty of sturgeon, which we Christians +do not make use of, but the Indians eat them +greedily.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. This was likewise the great seal of the New +Netherlands, as may still be seen in ancient records.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. Besides what is related in the Stuyvesant MS., I +have found mention made of this illustrious patroon +in another manuscript, which says: “De Heer (or +the squire) Michael Paw, a Dutch subject, about 10th +Aug. 1630, by deed purchased Staten Island. N. B. +The same Michael Paw had what the Dutch call a +colonie at Pavonia, on the Jersey shore, opposite New +York, and his overseer in 1636 was named Corns. +Van Vorst; a person of the same name in 1769 owned +Pawles Hook and a large farm at Pavonia, and is a +lineal descendant from Van Vorst.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. So called from the Navesink tribe of Indians that +inhabited these parts. At present they are erroneously +denominated the Neversink, or Neversunk +mountains.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. Since corrupted into the <i>Wallabout</i>; the bay where +the Navy Yard is situated.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. Now spelt Brooklyn.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. At present a flourishing town, called Christiana, +or Christeen, about thirty-seven miles from Philadelphia, +on the post-road to Baltimore.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. This castle, though very much altered and modernized, +is still in being, and stands at the corner of +Pearl Street, facing Coentie’s slip.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. Hariot’s <cite>Journal</cite>, Purch. Pilgrims.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c013'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. This Luyck was moreover rector of the Latin +School in Nieuw Nederlandts, 1663. There are two +pieces addressed to Ægidius Luyck in D. Selyn’s +MSS. of poesies, upon his marriage with Judith Isendoorn. +Old MS.</p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/endpaper.jpg' alt='Endpaper' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c003'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr> + <th class='c021'>Page</th> + <th class='c021'>Changed from</th> + <th class='c022'>Changed to</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c023'><a href='#t54'>54</a></td> + <td class='c024'>vulgar,—a wonderful slave for official blunders</td> + <td class='c025'>vulgar,—a wonderful salve for official blunders</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c023'><a href='#t140'>140</a></td> + <td class='c024'>its antagonist with the smell of gun-power</td> + <td class='c025'>its antagonist with the smell of gun-powder</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c023'><a href='#t158'>158</a></td> + <td class='c024'>Her hair hung in straight gallows-locks about his ears</td> + <td class='c025'>His hair hung in straight gallows-locks about his ears</td> + </tr> +</table> + + <ul class='ul_1'> + <li>Fixed typos; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + + </li> + <li>Renumbered footnotes and moved them all to the end of the final chapter. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78730 ***</div> +</body> +<!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57i (with regex) on 2026-05-22 22:40:02 GMT --> +</html> |